(To each his sons) part 2
Sorry it's taken me so long to update. Hope you enjoy, r&r plz!
Leaving Donatello to his decision about the future, Splinter left to seek out his youngest son. As usual, Michelangelo wasn't found in the lair. Splinter made his way through their "door" to the sewers. Using the racket coming from deeper in the sewers Splinter frowned as he moved closer to Michelangelo. How may times had he told them that making noise in the sewers was dangerous? Someone could hear them. Usually the turtles obeyed the rule, all except Mikey. The "ramps" were too tempting. Staying in the shadows, Splinter was able to discern that once again, against rules, Mike was using the curved walls of the sewer as skateboard ramps. The noise that the turtle was making was deafening as the bangs of the skateboard echoed through the sewers. For some while Splinter stood in the shadows as Mikey preformed one trick after another. When the noise finally came too much for him, Splinter waited 'till Mikey was concentrating on a particularly difficult trick before stepping out of the shadows, "Michelangelo!" The effect was instantaneous and effective. Loosing his concentration in the middle of a Cowabunga!!!-yell Mikey also lost his balance. Halfway up the "wall" Michelangelo lost his grip on the skateboard. Tumbling ungracefully off as the skateboard continued its way up the sewer wall while Michelangelo fell unceremoniously onto his shell. The skateboard rolled back down and towards Splinter. Calmly the rat used his cane to halt the runaway board. Michelangelo bounded up furiously. "Hey!!!, Ooo master Splinter!" Mikey's anger shifted to surprise then to regret. Getting ready for the lector Mikey mentally braced himself and bowed in respect. Truth be told, he hadn't expected Splinter. Their sensei had been in silent meditation for months now. Mikey knew he shouldn't be here, but… "Come, my son. Walk with me." Mike tucked his skateboard under one arm and joined Splinter for the walk to the lair.
For a while they walked without words. Splinter picked his way carefully and Michelangelo followed closely behind. Unexpectedly Splinter stopped causing Mikey to nearly stumble into his. Turning around the rat narrowed his eyes, "I did not seek you out to give you a lecture, my son. Yet now I find I must. What has happened to your concentration, Michelangelo? What has happened to obeying rules?"
Mikey found it difficult to meet his sensei's eyes, so he settled for gazing at the bits and pieces of rubbish floating down the sewer. He had been feeling restless lately. Leo led the most boring exercises he had ever done! Besides, what were they fighting for, now that the Foot clan was no longer active? He glanced at Splinter who was waiting for his answer. Well he couldn't very well say he was bored now could he! Besides… it went deeper then that.
"I see I will not be getting an answer from you, but your silence is answer enough. Michelangelo, one must find his path in life or one will stray and finally be lost. As you have chosen a rather unproductive existence, I have decided to as one might say nudge you in the right direction." With that Splinter stopped and waited for Michelangelo to meet his eyes. Stalling for time, Mikey fingered the chains on his Nunchaku. Tiring with this game Splinter reached out with his cane -lighting quick- and plucked the Nunchaku out of Mikey's belt. Mikey flinched back, but the trick did have the desired effect: Michelangelo meet his eyes. Splinter took a step back. The usually mischievous eyes of his youngest son brimmed with tears. Bowing, Mikey quickly wiped his eyes, "I'm sorry, sensei…" Handing the Nunchaku back, Splinter softened, "What troubles you, my son?" Taking the Nunchaku from his master, Mikey glanced into the gentle eyes of the elder rat and was hit with a sensation unlike anything he had experienced ever before, utter terror. That was the reason for his restlessness, the realization that soon, their pillar of strength; their father would be gone… And Mikey didn't know how he could handle that. Never before had he realized how much he still depended on Master Splinter. Sensei had always had the answers… With Splinter they had been a tightly nit family, without Splinter…
While Michelangelo fought his inner battle of how to voice his thoughts to his sensei, Splinter had continued his walk to the lair. Michelangelo followed and sat down cross-legged in front of his sensei when Splinter had sat in his favourite chair. "What troubles you, my son?" "I don't know sensei…I…I've…I'm…I don't know. Mickey finished lamely. Splinter shifted to ease the pain in his side. "What do you enjoy doing most, Michelangelo? Straight answer my son! Do not think about! The first thing that comes to mind, now my son!" Panicking Mickey obeyed, "I love skateboarding." Skateboarding!!!! Did I just answer THAT as my meaning in life to master!?!? Aw man, I'm screwed! Those words flashed through Mickey's mind just seconds after he had uttered them. Trembling he met his sensei's eyes and much to his surprise he found them drawn to slits of amusment. "I'm sorry, sensei! I didn't mean…" "Bit of course you did, my son. You answered truthfully." Grimacing slightly the rat rose to his feet and went to lie a hand on Michelangelo's shell. "Since you seem so intent on not seeing what is important, let me spell it out for you. If one is not satisfied with one's life, he must attempt to do what he loves most." Splinter sat down next to Michelangelo again. Reaching into a pocket he withdrew a newspaper from a few days ago. Unwinding it he handed it to Mickey who took it. Splinter had circled an ad. "Wanted for hire: Skateboard pro! A newly opened indoor skate-park seeks instructor who is willing to teach his/her knowledge to others. Must show sufficient skill on skateboard, mastering both novice and pro tricks. Must have a sense of humour and get along with all beings. We are looking for someone to stand out from the crowd and give a unique image to our park. Don't write or call, just show up with your board and impress us. THEN we'll talk." Mickey looked up from the paper, "This'd be cool master, but a mutant turtle is hardly someone they'd hire." Picking up his cane, master Splinter taped the paper. "I had Casey check this place out. They run courses for adults and children, but also for juvenile offenders, gang kids and ADHA children. They plan to do lots of charity work. The other teacher there does not exactly meet the norm either. Casey was quite graphic in the way he described him. I believe his words were: tattooed to the bone and pierced like a pincushion. But he is a natural with getting on with people and on the board. Usually I am very careful about allowing any of you topside. But with you… I believe your life is up there, my son." Mickey stared at the paper. "A real job…skateboarding for a living." he whispered. He'd never have thought it possible, but if master Splinter thought he could do it… it'd be a dream come true. Lifting his eyes from the paper, Mickey found that master Splinter had gone. Meaning in life… Mickey shivered as he realized what master Splinter had given him. And it was so much more, then just an ad in a newspaper.
