"You know, Mike and Don named her Catherine."
Raph nodded from where he lay sprawled on the floor.
"That's a good name."
Leo swiped at the blood trickling from his nose.
"She is pretty cute."
Raph lifted an eye ridge.
"Cute? Really?"
Leo chuckled, which he could do now. He and Raph had always talked with their fists.
"Well, she is. She's so tiny. We're her big strapping boys. What will she do with us?"
"What, indeed, is a parent to do with boys who cannot refrain from fighting at four in the morning?"
They stood guiltily at Splinter's voice.
"I trust you have resolved your differences?" Splinter said tiredly.
"Yes, sensei," they chorused dutifully, but sincerely. Splinter nodded.
"Good. Now go to bed."
The rat made his way into the kitchen, where the temporary aquarium was set up. He bowed low to the mother of his sons, and then stood as though listening for a long time.
"You're right," he said after a while. "That is simply how they are. But I cannot help but wonder if all that brawling will give them brain damage someday."
More silence. Then he laughed.
"You always know just what to say, Catherine-sama."
Don't worry, Splinter's not crazy. He's just talking to himself.