Chapter 8

Donnie Gets Chased, Splinter Saves The Day

So now it is Donatello's turn, his job for today; cleaning the chicken coop and feeding them. Simple enough, right? Well, perhaps… let us see how this turns out, shall we?

"Wow, there are quite a few chickens in there Isleen," Donnie quipped, he was a bit nervous about his job for today… here he was, a genius… cleaning out a chicken coop! He should be in the lab, working on something or another, but noooooo; he was here, in this smelly pen. Michelangelo had volunteered ALL of them to help out. So, here he was, Mr. Genius, ready to scrub down a poop ridden coop… how wonderful! "Um, just how many chickens do you girls have here?"

Thinking for a few moments, Isleen came up with a roundabout number. "About thirty or so for right now. There will be several of them we will process soon, since they no longer lay eggs and are older."

Gulping, Donnie asked, "By process, you mean… killing them?

Nodding, Isleen responded, "Yes. I know it sounds cruel, however, they provide us with meat during the winter, and how we process them is humane; they feel no pain when it is done."

Donatello knew how things worked… however; he had never known a person who actually did the dirty work. This whole farming thing was weird to him; he was more suited behind a microscope, not a rake or shovel. Still, he wanted to help out and pull his fair share when it came to running things around here. "Alright, where do we start at?"

Before Isleen could answer, Splinter silently walked up to them, scaring the hell out of Donatello in the process. "I would much like to help out, if that is alright."

The poor turtle jumped about five feet into the air as his sensei softly spoke, he was just about to protest, when Splinter put his hand up, stopping him. "I have been lax in doing my share of chores here… I would like to remedy that by starting to contribute now."

Bowing her head to him, Isleen replied, "The help is much appreciated sensei, however, would something else be better for us? Something a bit less… stinker?"

"Oh, so it's alright for me to shovel chicken poop then?" Donnie teased, winking at Isleen.

Smiling, she playfully punched him in the arm. "You lived in a sewer for twenty years, and that wasn't stinky?"

"Point taken. If Splinter is ready, I am as well." Casting a handsome smile towards the oldest of the girls, Donatello lightly touched her on the arm, making him smile even more.

"I will assist Donatello in cleaning and feeding my child, if you would please inform us of all that is needed done."

"Alrighty then." Taking a breath, she began the detailed list of what to do. "First, you will have to gather the eggs, if the hens are still in the nests, just give them a little nudge, they will move out of the boxes and you can get the eggs. After that, the coop needs swept out and hosed down. Make sure you keep the door shut and keep an eye on them… a few sometimes try and sneak back in." Showing them how to lock the door so it would stay closed, she continued. "When it's dry, lay down the fresh hay and open the doors for them. There are several feeders around the yard, make sure to fill them all the way up, you don't have to worry about giving them water as we have a nice system in place where they can access it any time they need."

Showing them where all the needed tools and feed were kept, Isleen also added, "You will need to keep an eye on the hens as some of them can get a little nervous." Seeing the concern etched on the turtle's face, she amended, "Just try not to make any sudden moves and you should be fine."

"SHOULD be?" The most intelligent of the brothers, Donnie knew when someone wasn't telling all. However, one look from Splinter silenced any protest he might have.

"OK, no sudden moves got it." Seeing Isleen begin to walk away, he blurted out suddenly, "You're not helping us out?"

Smiling at him, she explained that her own chores were waiting for her to begin them. "Don't worry Donatello, you will do fine." Blowing him a kiss, she made her way to the barn to start her share of the work for the day.

Sighing, and smiling like a goofy love struck turtle, Donatello grabbed the basket. He and Splinter walked the short distance to the coop where they opened the gate and slowly entered the yard. Making their way inside to the nests, the two began to gather the eggs. This is where the problems started, at least for Donatello.

As the young turtle gently placed his hand under the first hen, he learned, albeit the hard way, just how sensitive, and hurtful, chickens can be. You see, Isleen forgot one thing… Donatello's hand was way bigger than a human's. And the hen, feeling something huge and green, under her, went crazy with fright. The bird pecked and scratched Donnie, which in turn, freaked him out.

"Stop that! Ouch! Hey, that hurt!" were some of the phrases he uttered, along with a few not so nice words added in here and there.

Splinter, having no trouble gathering the eggs, turned when he heard his sons yelling to find the hen attacking the poor turtle. "Donatello, what did you do?"

"Nothing!" He protested, trying to keep the bird from pecking his eyes out. "I did what Isleen said, and the bird went crazy!"

The other hens were aware of what was going on, and they decided they did not like the big green thing that had invaded then cozy home. Another hen joined in the scratching and pecking… then a few more… soon, almost every hen in the coop started to come at Donatello, who started to run around in circles. Desperately trying to shoo the birds away.

Seeing this, and acting quickly, Splinter began singing to the birds in Japanese. He had read that music was good in calming down someone who was upset... it could work with animals as well, he thought. His deep baritone voice slowly began soothing the panicked hens.

The hens stopped chasing Donnie and made their way over to Splinter, coming to nest at his feet. Sitting down on the ground, he continued to softly lull the hens, and one even made itself comfortable on his lap, looking up at the big rat adoringly.

"Donatello, continue on with cleaning and feeding them, I shall keep them occupied."

"Hai sensei, I will." Grateful to not have any more dealing with the pecking and scratching birds, he set about, quickly gathering the eggs, cleaning, then putting out the feed for the hens. After he placed down the new hay, he had let his father know the work was finished.

Slowly standing, Splinter let his son exit the yard first, and then he followed, still singing to the hens. They had followed him to the gate, but stopped short of it when he put the palm of his hand out, letting them know that was far enough. Locking the gate behind him, he finally stopped singing. "Thank you for listening to me for a while my feathered friends. I will see you tomorrow."

Turning around, he begins walking towards the barn with some of the tools, a shaken, but otherwise alright, Donatello following closely behind. "Come my son, let us put things away, and then go back to the house… you need a break from your… ordeal."

"Yeah, and that was one doozy of an ordeal too!" Stopping for a moment, the young turtle checked himself over quickly. "Well, no real damage done… just some scratches, and I'm sure I'll have black and blue marks. Otherwise, I'm good."

Smiling, Splinter placed a gentle hand on his sons shoulder, giving it a squeeze. "They were just frightened, not being used to strangers in their pen. I am sure they will get used to your presence soon."

Nodding in agreement, Donatello smiled a little. "You are right sensei." Pausing for a moment, he continued, "They sure did like your singing though! Did you see how mesmerized they were, it was a wonderful thing to see!"

"Hai, I did. It was most amazing." Placing his hands behind his back and smiling even broader, he had a bounce in his walk that Donatello had never seen before.

Splinter, being well disciplined, would never walk like that… unless… life here was relaxing him enough so he could enjoy things.

Donatello made a mental note to let his brothers in on what he observed… the move here was the best thing to happen to them. His pain all but forgotten, the turtle came into step behind his sensei, his day becoming a bit brighter.

NOTE: Two down, two to go! I have so many ideas my dearies! I've started on several stories; they run the gambit of things. I'll not divulge too, too much, but the girls come up with a brilliant idea on how the guys can go out in public, we get to meet some of the extended family, and also see more of Isleen's job at Ghost Labs, and how she came to be where she is at today. And yes, I will bring ice cream kitty into this, but it'll be a while. Have to set things up first! Oh, how I have plans upon plans for them! LOL Stay tuned kiddies!