Ch 9 Epilogue

The turtles spent the day doing their own thing. Donnie spent his time in the lab working on his experiments while Leo meditated in his room. Mikey and Raph spent time playing video games and while these things kept their minds occupied it did not keep their minds off their Sensei and the possibilities of what might happen if or when he would wake up. Occasionally they would venture into his room to see if there had been any change but so far, Splinter was still very young and still sleeping.

Finally, around five in the evening, Mikey began to make supper. His movements were slow as he and his brothers continued to look over toward the doorway to the main living area, hoping to see their master come out of his room.

At about twenty minutes later, Mikey had placed a large pizza in front of his brothers and was just sitting down when his eyes once again roamed over to the main living area. His brothers startled upon hearing a gasp from the youngest and watching him leap up from his chair. They turned to see a now aged Splinter dressed in his usual red kimono walking out of the dojo and toward the kitchen.

The other three stood and the four turtles bowed in unison as Splinter walked into the kitchen. "How are you feeling this evening Master Splinter?" Leo asked as Splinter made his way toward the stove.

Splinter stopped for a moment and looked over toward his oldest. "I…." He furrowed his brows and looked away in contemplation. "I am not sure Leonardo." He admitted. "I think I feel fine…." He looked back at them. "But…."

"But what Sensei?" Donnie asked in concern as he walked over to him.

"I feel strangely revitalized as well as…." Splinter open and closed his fist as he attempted to explain what he was feeling. "I feel as though I am much younger then I use to be." He looked up at Donatello. "Does that make sense my son?"

Donnie let out a sigh of relief. "Uh Sensei." He looked back at his brothers nervously. "What is the last thing you remember?"

Splinter stroked his beard. "I remember you bringing me tea in bed and then wanting to get up and train as well as playing your game of ninja tag." His look hardened as a memory came back to him. "I also remember fighting and almost killing the Shredder but…." He shook his head. "So much seems like a dream that I am uncertain of what I am remembering." He went to the stove and began to make some tea. As he placed his herbs into his cup, he looked back to Donnie. "Could maybe the tea you gave me have done something to help?" He asked as he stared intently at his cup. "Or maybe you gave me something that…."

"Master Splinter." Donnie took a deep breath and sat back at the table. "I have to confess something to you."

"Yeah, we all do." Raph said coming over to his brother's side. "You better sit down and we'll explain the whole thing."

After the turtles had explained all that had taken place within the last few weeks, Splinter narrowed his eyes and stroked his beard as he considered what his sons had told him. He finally nodded at them and started toward the sink. "Thank you for telling me the truth my sons." He said as he placed his now empty cup in the sink.

"That's it?" Raph said in surprise. "Ya got nothin' else to say?"

"Yeah Sensei." Mikey said, standing up and walking over to him. "At least scream at us or punish us or…."

"Or do something." Leo finished in exasperation. His brothers looked at him curiously as he sat back down with a sheepish look. Although he was happy to see Splinter finally back to his old self, he had to admit, with everything that had happened, he was still feeling rather angry over the whole ordeal.

Splinter looked back at the four turtles. "What for?" He asked. "For attempting to help?" He looked from one to the other. "For trying to make things better for me instead of letting me die in agonizing pain." He walked over to a cabinet and took out a packet of prunes, he then turned back to them and walked over to Mikey. "You must all remember my sons," He placed his paw on Mikey's chest where his heart was. "It is alright to be afraid of what will happen. But no matter what happens to me or no matter where I go; I will always be with you." He tapped Mikey's plastron gently. "You need only look here when you need me."

Mikey's chin quivered slightly as he watched Splinter turn from him. "Never forget my sons." He continued as he walked out of the kitchen. "I will always love you." He shook his head and walked over to the couch. "I am going to watch TV now." He told them. "I must have a month's worth of stories to catch up on."

The turtles looked at each other and smiled. "We love you too Master Splinter." Mikey whispered as he joined the others at the table. "And we're glad you're our father." The others echoed his sentiment and all sat down to enjoy their meal.

Splinter smiled as he listened to the laughter emanating from the kitchen. 'Life is good.' He thought to himself as he found the remote and turned on the TV. He laid back against the couch and sighed happily as one of his soap operas began. 'And I am happy to be here.'

~End~

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So ends another story. Please don't hesitate to let me know what you think. Now that summer vacation has started I'm going to attempt to get some more stories up. Thank you to 'Guest' who kept the reviews coming. They kept me going. And to all who read my story, I hope you found it entertaining. See you in the next story. Peace :)