3 Weeks Later
"Woah! Nice one Lana!"
Mikey smiles down at me as I land. I look up at the two dummies with their heads askew.
"You nailed that split kick!"
Donnie fist bumps me with a smile and I look at Splinter who nods in approval to me.
"Very good Lana."
I smile at him and nod in thanks. I go and grab my water and take a big sip before watching them do the same exercise. Donnie's is perfect and so is Mikey's. Raph's kick knocks the heads of completely.
"Very good my students. That concludes the training for today."
We all bow to him before dispersing.
"Wanna get some dinner dudes?"
"You guys could always come over to my place?"
They look back at her with surprised looks.
"What?"
Lana looks at them with an amused smile.
"…you're inviting us over? To your apartment? We haven't been there in like a year!"
Her smile falters slightly but shrugs.
"I've been renovating Mikey, so now is the perfect time for you to come over and check it out."
Mikey looks at Raph then Donnie.
"I think she's inviting us on a date dudes."
I laugh and nod to him.
"I think I am babe."
Raph looks at me before shaking his head.
"Can't. Thanks though. Some other night."
I nod to him before he disappears up the stairs and into his room. I look at Mikey and Donnie before shrugging.
"If you guys are busy then I'll take a rain check."
Mikey looks at Donnie before smiling sadly.
"I have to work tonight Lana. Maybe tomorrow?"
She nods and looks at Mikey before shrugging.
"Guess it's a rain check. I'll see you guys tomorrow."
They wave and she runs up the stairs disappearing out the door. Mikey watches her before turning and looking at Don.
"We should have gone over to her house."
"I have work-"
"Screw work dude. Did you see how upset she was?"
"She understands Mikey-"
"That's not the point. We're her family dude!"
Donnie sighs and looks at his younger brother whose blue eyes looks worried.
"…just because we don't go to dinner one night doesn't mean we're not her family anymore Mikey."
Mikey shakes his head and turns around and heads up the stairs. Raph comes out of his room and sees Mikey storm past him.
"Woah what's up with him?"
Donnie shakes his head and looks at his older brother.
"He's just frustrated right now."
"Well 'bout time."
Donnie makes a face at Raph who just ignores it.
"Where are you going?"
"Out."
"Don't die."
"No promises."
Raph waves before disappearing out the door. Donnie sighs and turns around to grab some coffee before starting his shift.
"Donatello."
He turns to see his father standing in his doorway. Donnie walks over and kneels in front of him like he's bee doing since he was little. Her remembered the first time they had all kneeled before their father getting ready for their first training session. Mikey was his goofy, off the wall self. Kneeling in silence was hard enough and adding listening into the mix, Donnie never thought he would have made it through, but he did. He was just as good as all of them. Maybe even better, but he'd rather crack a joke than a skull.
Raph was the exact opposite. He loved fighting since the first day he threw a punch. The thrill, the adrenalin, the anger…that always was Raph's strong suit. He always figured it was Raph's way of controlling his life. The mutation, having to hide in the sewers, not being able to get close to anyone…that was hard for all of them which is why they each focused on different things. Mikey had his skateboarding and video games, Donnie had his machines, and Raph had his punching bag. That poor bag dindt know what it had coming…
Donnie eventually got into the whole fighting situation, but it took a while. He enjoyed it, but he also got frustrated every once in a while because it took away from his inventions. He always enjoyed the quality time with his bothers in the beginning though. Now, it was just a reminder of what they once were.
Donnie looks at the empty space next to him on the mats. Mikey would be on his right, Raph on his left. Then there was Leo on the other side of Raph. Oh Leo…
"My son."
Donnie looks up at his father and listens.
"What troubles you?"
"I'm just tired sensei."
"Tired?"
Donnie nods and looks at his father. He was getting older. They all knew that, but somehow he kept going.
"Are you sure my son? Because you seem to be more than tired."
Donnie sighs and shrugs.
"We're just all growing apart. Mikey isn't the same, and neither am I, and Raph seems to be the only one okay with the whole thing, except we'd never know that because he's never here. And then there's Lana. It's sad seeing her come down here happy, and leave broken. It's just so tiring master, and there's nothing we can do about it, because the reason behind all of this unhappiness is somewhere in the fucking jungle."
Splinters ears go back at his calmest sons language but he doesn't say anything to him. He watches Donnie take a couple deep breaths before he looks up at him.
"I'm losing my mind down here Splinter, and there's nothing I can do."
"Have patience."
"Master with all do respect, I've had patience…but it ran out 3 months ago. I holding onto the only thing I know and even that makes me unhappy…I just can't keep up this façade much longer."
Splinter sighs and nods.
"You won't have to my son. Leonardo will be back...do not lose hope just yet."
Donnie stares up at his father and nods slowly.
"I won't master."
Splinter nods and motions for him to rise. Donnie slowly stands and looks down at his father.
"It will get better my son."
Donnie nods before hugging him.
"Thanks father."
Splinter watches his son go before his ears drop and he returns back into his room.