This is the moment everyone has been waiting for. Master Splinter getting his way.
Believe me, it might or might not be what you expected. Enjoy as always.
Explanation
The 4 turtles walked into their Masters room. 3 awaiting complete punishment and 1 waiting for this day to come to a close the way he wanted it to. They quickly changed masks behind their Sensei's back. They still felt pretty guilty, though. It seemed as if the whole room had become bigger to the turtles for it took a lot longer to get to the middle of the room, kneel and look up at the figure who was their Father and Master. He looked down at them with a calm expression. He glanced from one young turtle to the next.
Mikey thought How are we going to survive this?
Donny pondered What is he going to do to us?
Raph wondered Why would Leo do that to us? I mean, it was FUN.
Leo looked at the ceiling Will Master Splinter do the kind approach or the full on 'what happened'?
But they were all thinking the same thing.
We are SO BUSTED.
Master Splinter
I watched my sons faces. Michelangelo looked quiet worried. Donatello seemed ashamed. Raphael looked quite annoyed. Only Leonardo had something of a smile on his young face. I knew that today was a little abnormal for him. He always seems to try and keep everything as it was supposed to be. I hope he understands what I'm about to say.
I clear my throat. All 4 pairs of eyes watch me very carefully. Those eyes that always look for guidance. They peer at me for truth. Always those eyes watch me as if I were a God. I know that they will not like what I am about to tell them.
"My sons, I must say that I am proud of each and everyone of you today. You began this morning as beginner level Genin, this afternoon, you all became Chunin, the next level of ninjitsu. I must say congratulations and well done." Modest smiles emerged on their young kind faces. In fact, I can not help but smile myself. "It is a great day... even if you did pretend to be each other."
Their once small eyes became the size of cartwheels. Their mouths could not stay shut for long. All of their faces were written in shock. Leonardo's was worst. He looked at the floor behind him, as if trying to find someway to ignore me. They all seemed to look anywhere but where I was sitting. I had to say something and brace myself for an explosion.
"You may now ask questions." I ma ready for the amout of questions they had in store...but they said nothing. It was as if all there questions were going to stay inside they minds. Until Raphael took a deep breath, looked me in the eye and said...
"How...how long have you known?"
"I heard all of you in your bedroom...before the lessons had even begun. Something I wasn't expecting was, as Raphael looked at his 2 brothers that looked back at him, they all started to laugh. Soon, the whole room was filled with their laughter. I may be confused, but I am always moved by the way my sons laughing. So full of joy and life. It was as if that their laughter was flickers of light in the cold of the night. When they were all out of breath, Leonardo looked up, an annoyed look smothered on his young face. He has grown up much to quickly.Was all I thought when he faced his brothers, the announce still there.
"What are all of you laughing about?" Great minds think alike, my son.
Mikey wiped his eyes. He had laughed so much he almost cried. "He he, well. Master Splinter was pretending not to notice what we were doing, pretend ing to be each other. So basically, we all have been pretending this whole time. It was just a full 3 training sessions of pure pretend. I mean, don't you find it the least bit...Leo where're you going?"
Leonardo had stood up, bowed to me in respect and fast walked out of the room. All was quiet. Only the drips of water in the distance could be heard. My 3 remaining sons looked at each other anxiously. Raphael then turned to me and said more honestly than he had ever spoken to me in his young life...
"How much trouble are we in?"
"You are not in trouble, my sons. None of you are. I would not have been more proud of you, even if the whole time you kept your masks to yourselves. Even Leonardo, though I was being hard on him, came through for all of us when needed. I trust that all 4 of you are ready for the next level of ninjitsu, because I believe that you have taught yourselves a lesson today."
"Yeah, Raphie's anger isn't all that bad."
"And Mikey, being a nutcase, is only trying to bring the mood up a bit all the time."
"And being Leo means a lot of pressure, mostly on himself."
"Good, now, my sons. I think it would be best if you 3 helped Leonardo through this tough time. He is getting over all of his disappointments for the day, but he will need someone to reach out a hand to him. Just let it wash over him first, like a stream, the you may help him out of the water."
My sons took a moment to think about what I said. They stood up and bowed and turned to walk away. Michelangelo stayed behind for a little longer than turned to me.
"Won't we also get wet?"
I could not help but chuckle to myself. His spirit will stay young for many, many years to come. "You will stay quite dry, Michelangelo." I smiled at him. He returned my smile and went off to their room.
It is hard to believe that soon, they all will grow up into fine ninjas.
So so so sorry it took so long. I really am sorry. Hope you enjoyed.