So, here's where the drabbles actually start. I'll try to keep these stories in time order as close as possible, starting with when the turtles were three and Miwa was four. Only because I really don't want to describe the times when they were infants and Master Splinter was cleaning up poop and stuff. Basically, this is three years later that the drabble series actually starts. Master Splinter is finally finishing the touches on decorating the old subway station, especially the dojo, and he's pretty much adjusted to this life down below.

Oh, and the guys could never say Miwa's name correct as tots, and always pronounced it Mia. And it sort of stuck for them, so it'll continue through the drabbles. So just in case you think I'm misspelling her name or something, there you go.

A Time for Patience

"Da…!"

Master Splinter released a soft sigh, straightening the last of the carpets he had been able to salvage from his apartment so long ago. This room was perfect for training. He hadn't had a lot of time lately to make this room the way he wished, due to the caring of five young tots. But now, this room was perfect. He could train his children on safer grounds. Splinter lifted his head to the shrine at the other end of the dojo room, with a picture frame on the mantle. His wife smiled lifelessly back at him behind the glass, and for a moment, he felt at peace. Blinking slowly, he rose to his feet, his robe shifting.

"Daaaa!" Came Raphael's call from around the corner.

"What is it, Raphael?" Master Splinter called, a bit too impatiently, as he rose and stepped through the curtain.

"Mia put her tail in my face again!" Came the three-year-old's reply.

"Did not!" A shrill retort echoed.

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"Both of you be silent!" Master Splinter snapped, turning the corner to find the two of them standing on a stray carpet. He paused at the edge, crossing his arms. "Miwa, do not put your tail in other's faces. It is rude."

"But dad it was an accident-!" Miwa claimed, and the four year old stressed the words.

"Then be sure not to make the same mistake again." Her father replied. He studied the two, standing side by side on the carpet with their feet firmly planted. Well, as firmly planted as two toddlers could manage. The toddlers exchanged a glance before their father sighed. "Where did you get this carpet from?" Master Splinter asked softly.

"Well…" Raphael suddenly became sheepish. "We saw it- saw it off to the side and saw- saw you practicing in the dojo and- and- and we wanted to do the moves you could! We were doing really great too! D'ya wanna see, Master Splinter? We're doing really good! Maybe even as good as you!"

Master Splinter frowned, but Miwa continued. "We're being careful, we promise! Raph and I were copying your high-kick thing!" The cat lifted her leg and attempted to show her kick, accidentally going too fast upwards and falling over. With a shrill yelp, she fell into Raphael, who in turn let out a cry of surprise as both fell onto the carpet with a soft thud.

Their father stared, obviously unamused. Raph rubbed the back of his head as he struggled to sit up. "That's- That's why we had the carpet."

Their father sighed. Stepping forward and kneeling before them, he got as far to their eyesight as he could get. "My children, someday you will be able to master harder katas and movements. But for now, you must learn basics. Without basic skills, your movements will have no structure, no balance. I promise I'll teach you such moves when you're older."

"But we wanna learn 'm now, da!" Raph claimed. "Mia and I are old enough!"

Master Splinter gave a soft chuckle. "As your teacher, you must trust me, Raphael."

The red-masked child stared at his father for a few moments in silence before letting out a roar of frustration. Even Miwa flinched at the sudden outburst. "But da, that's not fair!" Raph claimed, stomping his foot. "We're never gonna be old enough, then! It'll take a million years before you'll ever let us do anything fun!"

"You must have patience, Raphael." Master Splinter said sternly, straightening up.

"But I don want to be patient! I want to learn the katas now!"

"You will do as I say!" Master Splinter ordered, his ears flattening. The simple gesture was enough to quiet Raphael. The toddler ducked his head, his eyes shifting from his green-masked sister back to Yoshi with pure innocence. "Or you will be punished for speaking to me in such a way."

"You're no fun!" Raph yelled angrily, his fists clenched as he turned and stormed off. Miwa looked from Master Splinter to her brother, hesitating before streaking off after Raphael.

Master Splinter sighed, stroking the crease between his eyes and lowering his head in defeat. Walking forwards, he picked up the edges of the stray carpet and rolled it up, tucking it under his arm. Turning to go back into the dojo, he found a good place to lay the carpet. He tiredly sat down, closing his eyes and rubbing his head. Oh how he wished Tang Shen were here… For three years he had lived here, underneath the streets of New York. There was no chance upon returning to the surface. Due to their physical forms. His children had yet to ask about the surface above, though he knew they'd catch on soon enough. Stress pressed against him. It was hard.

"Master Splinter?"

The rat opened his eyes, turning his gaze to the small Raphael with his hands clutching the edge of the curtains. "Um… I…" He swallowed. "I mean..."

"Just say you're sorry, idiot!" Came a soft whisper from behind the curtain.

"You're sorry." He spat out awkwardly, blinking innocently. "I mean- I'm sorry."

His father stared tiredly before accepting the attempt at an apology with a small smile. He thought about laughing, but decided against it. "I forgive you, Raphael." He replied. As a small smile cracked in the corner of Raph's mouth, Master Splinter lifted his head. "And Miwa, do not call your brother an idiot again. Am I understood?"

There was a squeal of alarm, obviously Miwa being startled that he had heard her, before she complied. "Hai, sensei." She muttered from behind the thin curtain. Raph turned back, closing the curtain with a rush, and Master Splinter listened to their footsteps as they retreated from the dojo. A small chuckle escaped his lips. It was hard, yes, but it was never dull.