Disclaimer – TMNT's belong to someone else, not me, sad to say. All other characters are mine. (Rein checks and finds that none warrant OC status. Blinks and realizes that no one belongs to her, except…the story) Oh well.

The Temper That Ate Manhattan

by reinbeauchaser

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Chapter 6 – Vengeance Is Mine!

Raphael yawned and hoped his father would finish soon. He was beginning to regret waking up and, most of all, throwing his hissy fit from earlier. Still, he was determined to sit where he was and endure the remainder of Splinter's story, despite the obvious lack of feeling in his rump.

Amazingly enough, Splinter's recollections had begun to intrigue him.

"So, ah, Sensei, what happened that changed yer mind about attackn' Shredder?" he asked, stifling another yawn.

Splinter hesitated to reply, uncertain about continuing to share his experience. Finally, with one cautious look at his son, he launched into the rest of his story, "As I said, I had decided to forego any attempt to avenge Yoshi's murder, where I was concerned about you and your brothers' welfare. My intellect was growing more each day and I knew, with some of my brief encounters with humans, that our little family would be quite unusual to them. If Saki killed me and if any sewer workers found you, your futures would be dismal at best. I did not know what they might do to you, for 'zoos' and 'laboratories' were not part of my understanding at this point. However, I had seen many humans with pets; much the same way I was to Yoshi. The sad thing was many did not care for their animals as well as my master cared for me. The thought of someone like them finding any of you chilled my heart and, so, I had pushed my vengeance to the back of my mind."

Splinter then eyed his son for a long moment, before saying, "One night, not long after I had first seen Saki, I had been scavenging through one of my favorite dumpsters and was in the process of climbing out of the large container with my bag. It was a good night's haul and I was seriously thinking of returning home. I had already been gone a couple of hours and wanted to get back to our lair as soon as I could. I didn't like leaving you and your brothers alone for too long and I usually limited myself to two hours and no more.

"However, just as I eased up over the top edge of the dumpster, I heard someone coming and so I ducked back inside. As I waited, a scent came to me that I found all too familiar. When I carefully poked my head out of the dumpster, it was then that I saw him. He was walking down a side street that ran across the end of the alley where I was. As I peeked over the edge of the trash container, I knew it was Saki. Even with the rotting food below me, I could smell it was him, for I would never forget his scent!"

Raphael's eye ridges sprang up then, "How could you tell it was him through that stench? Com'on, Sensei, I've been in dumpstahs before. As good at smellin' as my bros and I are, rottin' food overwhelms just about anythin'!"

Smiling, his father nodded, "Yes, for most creatures, but a rat has a very well developed…what is the word? Donatello told me once….olivertery? No, that isn't it…" Splinter furrowed his brow a bit and stroked his 'beard'. "Um…ola…tery…" and then the master smiled in victory, as he looked at his son, "Ohlahfactory gland!"

Raphael smirked, "I think you meant, 'olfactory'."

Splinter scowled a bit and was rather disappointed he had still said the word incorrectly, but then shrugged, "Whatever…in any case my ability to discern one scent from another was still quite sharp, just as it is today." He gave a knowing smirk at his son, as if implying a secret he had kept, but now seemed willing to share.

Instantly, it appeared to register quite well with Raphael. Almost in surprise, he gasped, "You mean, you can tell who is who without…seeing us?"

"Yes, my son, and I guess my secret is out, now." The rat chuckled a bit and then continued, trying to ignore the startled expression on Raph's face, "In any event, where I was deep in the shadows of the dumpster, Saki was unaware of my observations. I did not know why he was still in New York, nor did I care. Whatever the reason, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to execute some form of vengeance on my deceased master's behalf."

"What changed yer mind, I thought ya were afraid of…"

"Yes, Raphael, I was, but he was alone – or so I hoped." Splinter sighed.

"You didn't know for sure?" Raph asked in mild surprise, "You just said that you could smell well."

"Yes, this is true, and at the time I didn't sense anyone else. But, I was wrong." The rat sighed, "Or it was Saki's presence that distracted me. You see, my rage overshadowed my common sense."

"Um, what about your ninjitsu, couldn't you have 'sensed' that way?" Raphael asked.

"At that time, no…" Splinter smiled, not missing his son's mild shock, "Although I did watch my master whenever he would work his katas and I would even imitate him, nevertheless, I was still a rat, Raphael, not human. My physiology back when Yoshi was alive prevented me from becoming anything more than mild amusement for my master's friends.

"However, with my mutation, my body had changed enough to where I could begin the process of implementing all that I had seen Yoshi do. My increased mental awareness allowed me to understand all that I remembered from my days sitting in my cage, watching my master as he moved through his routines. Unfortunately, during the early days of our change, I was too busy trying to find food to feed us to start any formal training."

Raph was truly surprised, for he – as well as his brothers – had always thought that their father had always been ninja, even when Splinter was a pet rat. Yet, the more the turtle thought about what his sensei just shared and what he, himself, knew about rats from those living in the sewer tunnels, it made perfect sense. Splinter might have been a simple rat, true, but he was a rat that went through an extraordinary event. Only with the changes forced upon him could he put into practice all that Yoshi had taught by example. Raphael wondered, then, what would have happened to him and his brothers if Splinter had not found them or had such an example as Hamato Yoshi.

"I would like to say that I was ninja then," Splinter sighed and drawing Raphael back from his thoughts,"but I would not be truthful, my son. My body hadn't developed completely until several months later and it would take a year after that before my ninjitsu came to fruition. Of course, during that time of change, I recalled as much as I could of what Yoshi taught me, if only by example – and it helped considerably when I was ready to train. After our mutation became complete and when I found a more reliable food source, I was able to put into practice all that I had learned from my master." Splinter smiled, then, "Amazingly, Raphael, I found my body matching my mind, eagerly accepting all that I had learned from just watching Yoshi. Again, my memory of him was very strong and for reasons that still mystify me today, I was able to recall in detail every move he made and every word of wisdom he spoke." The rat straightened up a bit, "I did improvise some moves where I needed to. However, when I made the decision how best to avenge Hamato Yoshi's murder, I knew I needed to master everything. How else could I train you or your brothers if I didn't even know the basics?"

"So, when you were first…teaching us…?" Raphael asked, quirking his eyebrows in curiosity.

"I was still learning," Splinter admitted, and then added, "I told you years ago during your ninjitsu education that many martial art instructors who teach children have senseis –what are known to them as shihans, a teacher of teachers. Although I am your and your brothers' sensei, Raphael, if it were possible for any of you to father children, I would expect all of you to instruct them in the way that I did you. My role, then, would be as a shihan, someone who would train you to train your own children or students. It is all about progressing to the next level, improving on what you know." The rat shifted a bit on the bed and declared, "However, we are straying from the subject matter.

"As I said, when I saw Saki, I decided to take advantage of this opportune moment and exact justice for my master's death. The evening was especially dark, due to a heavy cloud cover, and my enemy seemed to be by himself. From what I observed, his mind was on anything but the alley and I knew he would not be expecting me!

"I slowly crept out of the dumpster, leaving my bag behind, and edged alongside a building there. At this point, my natural rat sense to tread quietly and the ways of ninjitsu melded as one. This part of ninja came easily for me. I was as silent as a vapor! I crawled on all fours to reduce my size, because by this time I was a good two feet tall, maybe even taller. If Saki happened to sense my presence, I wanted to appear as benign as possible. A two, or even three, foot tall 'rat' would alert him to something outside of normal, and I did not want to give myself away too soon. He was well passed the alley entrance by the time I came to it, but that didn't hinder me.

"I took my time, all the while keeping silent pace with my quarry. I was able to stay within the building's shadows as I slipped quietly along the sidewalk, keeping low to the ground, and gradually getting closer to him. At one point, he turned, suspecting someone of following him and I thought for sure he would see me. But, he was obviously far too confident and expected something much taller, so he ignored the shadows where I hid."

Raphael's expression took on that of one listening to an exciting radio drama. His eyes were large and fully focused on Splinter, while his mouth hung slightly ajar. It was obvious he was imagining the scene. Splinter – smaller than he was now – creeping along on all fours, hunting after his prey, and taking his time. Raph knew well how to track, himself. Yet to discover that his own father tried to avenge his master's death, and when he wasn't even ninja then, was more than interesting.

It was riveting.

"In any event, Raphael, Saki stopped and it was then that I saw my chance. He seemed to be deciding which way to go, as if he had changed his mind about returning to wherever 'home' was or where he had been staying. It had only been a few months since he had destroyed my life, so I thought he remained in New York because of other matters. In any event, I was mere feet from him and just as agile as any of my smaller relatives. With my unusual size and subsequent weight, I knew my prowess would make any Olympian long jumper turn green with envy. In my mind, it would be over before it started.

"Just as Saki turned, as if to resume his walk, I made my move and leapt towards him. During my assent, I focused on slashing at the back of his head, biting and tearing into his neck, and anywhere my claws and teeth could find purchase. My intent was to inflict as much damage as I could as quickly as I could – hopefully fatally - and then leap back into the shadows before he could react, if at all. I hoped he would fall, stumble from my surprise attack and his injuries, so I could resume my war against him.

"However, just as I left the ground and hurtled my body towards him - my teeth and claws bared, Oruku Saki turned. Instantly, he withdrew a wazikashi sword from under his trench coat. He quickly pivoted on one heel, faced me, and with a sudden rush, had his sword in the defensive ready position!" Splinter sighed, "It was obvious, Raphael, that he had expected an attack. I knew then, that I had made a grievous mistake."