Chapter 43: A Bigger Change

Mikey sighed as a crash sounded from the dojo. This was the first official day that Donnie was a nine year old and it was not going well. Master Splinter had decided that training needed to take place and try to remain as normal as possible, for Donnie's age at least. It was very difficult and Karai was a whole other story.

Earlier that Morning

"My children," Splinter called out, opening the door to the dojo. Leo, Raph, Mikey, and Karai all stood up, waiting for what he had to say. Splinter gave a small smile, happier than he had been ever since Donatello's kidnapping. He looked back and beckoned to the person behind him. "Come on, now. Don't you want to say hi?"

A small turtle peeked around Splinter's legs. He was the perfect nine year mutant turtle, his large brown eyes gazed around and lit up with happiness at the sight of his brothers. In the next moment, his eyes were filled with confusion, his head tilting as he looked at Karai.

"I'm sorry, but who's that?" Donnie asked.

"Donatello," Splinter said, pushing his son into the room. "This is your older sister, Karai. Care to say hello?"

"Hello," Donnie squeaked out before rushing over to Raph. The red banded turtle smiled softly and rubbed his brother's head. "Is she really our sister?"

"Yep," Raph answered. "Karai is cool. You don't have to worry about a thing, little brother."

Present

"Things aren't going well," Mikey said, glancing over at Raph and Karai. Master Splinter had requested that Leo help in Donnie's training.

"Has Donatello always had trouble with his training?" Karai asked.

Raph nodded. "Yeah. Since he was sick as a kid, he's always been a little weaker. Don't ever tell him that. He'll be crushed."

"Plus he's never really been a fighter," Mikey put in, wincing as another crash echoed from the dojo. "I think he wants to help people more than fight them." The three immediately stopped their conversation as the dojo flew open and Donnie ran off, racing to his room, slamming the door shut. Leo and Splinter followed behind, watching as the younger turtle ran off.

"So, not go well?" Raph asked.

Splinter sighed. "He knows something is wrong, he just can't place it."

"And with training not going well, Donnie is just about to snap," Leo nearly whispered.

"My children," Splinter started. "Remember, we must help Donatello and be there for him. Just….. let him be for now."

"Hai Sensei."

Donnie slammed his door shut, his mind buzzing with confusion and his muscles sore from practice. They were hiding something from him and he didn't like being in the dark. Something wasn't right.

"I just know it," Donnie whispered to himself as he sat down on his bed. His brothers told him that girl was their sister, but he didn't have any memories of her. How was it possible? Donnie shook his head, trying to clear away the confusion. Nothing made sense.

He knew he was the same age as his brothers, yet they were all older than him. They talked about going above ground but Splinter had forbidden them from going up. He had memories of a perfect lair yet it looked like it had been a part of some huge battle. Everything contradicted with each other and it just made his head hurt. Donnie sighed, pressing in between his eyes, trying to relieve the pressure.

"Maybe some sleep would help."

Author's Note: Wow. It's been a while. So sorry for the short chapter but I've actually been having a hard time writing. I've got where I want to go but I'm having a hard time figuring out how to get there. I'll finish this though! I've always hated when fictions don't get finished and I don't plan on being one of those. Thanks to Fever To Write, Kamechan98, Rhodesincolumbus, Pilyarquitect, Juanita27, StarBlade loves DonnieBoy, Toni42, and Alex aka Guest for the reviews! You guys are awesome and it always makes my day to see them. Hopefully I'll update soon. Thanks for still reading!