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I've been working on this story,

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The Finding

Chapter 7

"Child relax," I heard Master Makota's calm voice say, "Your brothers are safe. You saved your family. Will the element to sleep now. Your goal is done."

I focused inward and willed the fire to calm. Slowly petal by petal I pushed the element down until finally I was able to lull the fire to rest.

"You have a lot to explain Michelangelo," Master Makota said to me with amusement in his voice as he stared at my brothers, "For now you are all injured and tired. We will speak later."

I was not looking forward too later.

Raph, Donnie, and I all respectfully bowed to the ancient-looking man who was helping our little brother to stand.

"Ancient," Donnie said, "Are you Master Makota?"

"Yes I am he for which you have been searching. Welcome warriors," Master Makota said, "Let us retire inside to discuss what you are doing here in my valley. Your brother will need to rest since he has dabbled in a magic that has exceeded his strength."

Again, we all bowed respectively to the venerable ancient and followed him through the crowd of onlookers. To my surprise, none of the humans of this dwelling regarded my brothers and I as anything unusual. We found ourselves whisked away to the large building in the center of the community, which we soon discovered was Master Makota's home. Mikey was laid to rest in his room while our wounds were attended to with great efficiency. We were all told to relax and allow ourselves to rest. Raph and Donnie were able to sleep, but I was too worked up to get much rest. I was overjoyed when Master Makota finally came to talk with the three of us.

"Now as you know I am Master Makota and this is my home," the ancient said, "Why have you come here? And how can Michelangelo be your brother if he is human and you are…turtles?"

"That is a very long story," I said and proceeded to introduce my other two brothers and myself.

I explained to Master Makota about our origins and how we met Katsuro. Donnie explained what Katsuro did to Mikey and the events that led to Mikey running away to Japan. I then told of how we followed Mikey and our promise to bring him home to Sensei.

"So Michelangelo is really a mutant turtle?" he asked.

"Yes," I said.

"And your sensei is named Splinter and he is my old friend from my younger days training to be a lore master?"

"Yes," I said.

"This is a most interesting conundrum," Master Makota said tapping a finger on his chin.

"Wha I's don't understand is how Mikey was able ta magic up that fire," Raph said with wonder in his voice, "It looked like the type of hocus-pocus that Kitty Kat uses. Wha's up with that?"

"Ah! Now I have a long story for you," Master Makota said and told us the origins of the Jinchuu.

He explained that the clan was not just a legend, but were the very people who lived in this valley. Master Makota then explained how he had trained Katsuro and how the man had gone rogue on the clan. He then told of how Mikey had found the valley due to his destiny of being Jinchuu himself.

"Wha the #$#!" Raph exclaimed as Donnie gasped.

"Watch your mouth!" I said slapping Raphael on the back of the head, "I apologize Master Makota. Our little brother is Jinchuu?"

"Yes he is and will have a great deal of control of all the elements once fully trained," the ancient said, "However, what has me the most concerned is that the tension within your family has driven your brother to close himself off emotionally. He has been completely driven to catching up to others his own age. His focus is amazing."

"Mikey? Focused?" Donnie asked, "That isn't like Michelangelo at all."

"Well why shouldn't it be?" a voice said from the entrance to the room.

Turning, we all saw Mikey standing in the doorway. He didn't look very happy.

"I will assume you have already told Master Makota everything," Mikey said coldly, "I apologize for not being completely honest with you Master."

"I understand child," Master Makota said, "I will leave you with your brothers now. I am sure you have much to talk about."

We all sat in an uncomfortable silence as the ancient rose and left the room. Mikey came fully in the room and I noticed how skinny he looked compared to before his departure to Japan. Had he been eating?

"Are you injured?" Mikey said.

"Just bumped and bruised," Donnie said, "Are you alright?"

"I am fine," Mikey said tersely, "I simply used up too much energy. Fire is harder to control than some of the other elements."

"So's ya one of these Jinchuu now?" Raph asked.

"Yes I am," Mikey said, "Is that okay with you?"

"Mikey stop this," I said, "You have the right to be angry at us. None of us should have said what we said to you that night. We are all very sorry and want you to come home. Things have not been the same without you. The family needs you."

"Absolutely!" Donnie said.

"Yeah kid," Raph said, "I shouldn't of said what I did. I'm…sorry."

"So you say 'I'm sorry' and everything is okay again?" Mikey said coldly, "I once believed family was family no matter what. Now I don't know what to believe anymore."

"We will do whatever it takes to convince you that we truly are sorry. We want you to come home," I said, but the next words out of Mikey's mouth froze us in shock.

"What makes you think I want to come home?"

To be continued.