Little Brother
By Maikafuiniel
Chapter 11
If You're Good
Shredder smiled as he watched through the two way mirror; seeing that the young turtle and Bebop were getting along far better then he could have hoped. It was unexpected, yes, but it could be very useful.
"About time," he muttered under his breath, "That god-forsaken Warthog has been nothing but trouble since he came here."
With one final glance, to make sure Giovanni was nearly finished eating his pizza, Shredder left the small room, entering the one where the two were finishing up.
"Ah," he said, his voice calm and collected, "I see you enjoyed your pizza, Giovanni?"
He glanced to the empty pizza box as if it was the first time he had seen it, and waited for the young boy to answer. After all, he was in charge here, and even if he was going to be- god forbid- nice to him, there was no way he was going to think a turtle think otherwise.
They stared at each other for a moment, until finally Giovanni turned away. "Yeah," he said slowly, "It was good. I just… don't get it."
"Don't get what?" Shredder asked innocently, "That I would feed you?"
"Well, yeah dude!" the turtle replied, "I mean, aren't I supposed to be your prisoner here or something? That is what the cage means, right?"
"Giovanni," Shredder said slowly as he settled himself down to face level, "You will remain in this cage so long as I feel you may be a… well, perhaps a threat would be the best term. If you promise to behave, then perhaps I'll let you have some freedom."
Michaelangelo blinked, amazed. Shredder was going to let him wander around? Free? If this is what being a prisoner is like, he thought to himself slowly, It ain't so bad! Pizza and all… okay, he has to think I'm an idiot, but still!Turning back to Shredder, he smiled in a bright, childish way. "So, if I behave, I get out?"
"That's right."
"Can I go… anywhere?"
"Bebop will be staying with you, and of course I would hope you could answer some of my questions…" He trailed off, and Mikey knew that he was being appraised; but for what? Was Shredder trying to decide if he was worth trusting? Was he trying to decide if he would betray the confidence of his family?
"No," Mikey said simply, abandoning hopes of being able to simply walk out of the complex, "No questions."
Shredder simply stood, and smiled, leaving Mikey with a growing pit in his stomach. "Fine," he replied, "I won't ask questions."
Too confusing, was the only thought that ran through Mikey's head now, What is he playing at? What is he expecting from me? What would a three year old do right now?
was the only thought that ran through Mikey's head now,"Can I still get out?" Mikey asked, "I need to…" he trailed off, thinking manically for some reason he would need to leave; one that Shredder would accept and allow, yet still within a three year old capacity, "I need to use the potty."
He was able to drown the flush that would have invaded his face, knowing that it was a perfectly natural thing to do, and a good reason to leave the small cage.
"Bebop," Shredder said, turning to the Warthog, and giving Mikey a chance to smile without being seen, "Take young Giovanni to the washroom, and then to the training complex."
"Sure boss," the pig replied, not questioning the order as Mikey wanted to.
"What?" He said quickly, "Why would I go there?"
"Well," Shredder said with a grin, "You wan't to be trained in the ways of the ninja, don't you?"
