UGH! I don't remember the last time I was this sore!
I groan as I flop onto the couch, wincing as my entire body protests that movement. Raph snickers to my left and I just barely lift my head to glare at him. My second oldest brother lowers the newspaper just enough so that I can see his eyes. He lifts an eye ridge.
"Enjoy yer extra trainin' wit Sensei?"
My eyes narrow and I drop my head.
"What do you think?"
Raph hums as he snaps the newspaper straight once more.
"I don't know, bro, ya still look like ya got some energy left in ya."
My head snaps up and I level my best glare on the hothead.
"What part of me flopping onto the couch, MOANING in pain is telling you that I'm still full of energy, dude?"
"Yer still talkin', ain't ya?"
My eye twitches as I resist the urge to throw a cushion at my brother. Partially because I don't even think I can throw something that far at the moment and the other part is, even if I can throw that far, I would still have to be able to run away and I'm sure if Sensei sees me running around, another 50 flips will be in my future. Instead, I gingerly roll onto my side and stare at the off TVs. So much for forcing me to rest.
"You better be nice to me, dude, I'm in charge of making dinner tonight."
My lips quirk as Raph pauses mid-page-turn. I bite my lip to keep from snickering as Raph bores holes into the side of my head, trying to figure out just what kind of threat I'm making.
"And what does DAT have ta do wit anytin?"
My slight smirk morphs into a full-on grin.
"Haven't you heard of the saying to not anger your cook?" I lift my head just enough to stare at my red-cladded brother. "Your stomach might not like the results."
"Mikey," Raph growls. I blink innocently at my hotheaded brother.
"Yes?"
Raph opens his mouth, eyes narrowed when an orange blur springs over his chair and lands on his lap.
"Klunk!"
A wide smile forms on my lips as my little ninja kitty gives Raph the stink eye, tail swishing before leaping once more to the couch, purring as he lays down in my lap. A giggle escapes me as I run my fingers through Klunk's soft fur, sticking my tongue out at my brother.
"Guess he told you, Raphie," I state, leaning down, nuzzling my baby's little head. "Thank you for protecting lil ol' me from Uncle Raphie, Klunkers. You're such a good boy."
"Ugh, gag meh wit a spoon. And don't call meh 'Raphie'."
Pouting, I shoot my big brother a mock glare.
"You're just angry 'cause Klunk loves me more than any of you."
Raph snorts as he folds the newspaper.
"I don't need dat fleabag's love, ya brat. He's far more trouble den he's worth if ya ask meh."
I gasp and cover my fur-baby's ears.
"How DARE you, Raphie! Klunk's been nothing but civil toward you! And this is how you repay your fur-nephew? He's even brought you presents!"
Raph's face contorts into a sneer as amber eyes glare at me.
"Dat MENACE has been nothin' but a PAIN since ya brought 'im home! An' presents meh ass! He dropped a LIVE RAT in meh hammock WHILE I was ASLEEP!" Raph glares as I gawk at him. "If anythin', I at least know who he belongs ta. 'Cause yer BOTH little MENACES."
Turning my snout up, I scoop Klunk up into my arms, causing him to meow before quickly settling down, realizing that he's just getting major cuddles from his daddy.
"See if I make ANYTHING you like tonight, you big meanie. Klunker's brought you that rat because he sees you as a giant kitten that needs to be fed and is too dumb to hunt for yourself." I smirk at my hotheaded brother. "You should be thanking your fur-nephew, Raphie, he's been keeping you alive and fed this whole time."
"Did ya just call meh a KITTEN?"
I roll my eyes, rubbing my face against Klunk's as I scoot further down the couch, allowing Klunk to lay on my plastron as his purrs vibrate my chest.
"Noooooo, I'm telling you how Klunk sees you and everyone else. Don't you ever watch 'Animal Planet', dude? Unlike dogs, who would see us a equals or alphas, cats see us as just giant, weird-looking cats that don't know how to defend and feed ourselves. And everyone calls ME the stupid one." I say the last part more to Klunk, who is totally zenned out, eyes closed and feet tucked under him as he lays on me.
"Mikey…"
My eyes snap up to meet Raph's, his gaze never wavering as he slowly stands.
"Yes, Raphie?" I ask suspiciously, gently rubbing Klunk's head as I eye my much larger brother.
"Ya got till da count of 5 ta release da cat. I ain't gonna be responsible fer his fate after dat."
I squawk, jostling Klunk enough to make him meow at me for disturbing him.
"You wouldn't DARE hurt my baby, Raphie!"
"Told ya not ta call meh dat, Mike. One…"
I blanch as Raph cracks his neck, muscles twitching and tensing as he gets ready to pounce.
"You won't DARE!"
"Two. And ya wanna bet, knucklehead?"
Panicking, I quickly but gently place Klunk on the ground, who meows in protest, turning sad green eyes back up to me.
"I'm sorry, baby boy, but you gotta run! Uncle Raphie is on a rampage!" I squeak out as I launch myself to my feet, wobbling slightly as my muscles and sides protest such a quick movement.
Klunk meanders away with a single meow. I watch him, slightly amused at the weak protest.
"FIVE!"
I jolt back to reality as movement to my left catches my eye. Shrieking, I dive out of the way of a Raph-missile and roll to my feet.
"DUDE! Chillax! And you totally missed three and four, you cheater!" I shout out as I spring to my feet and dance away from another turtle-missile. Raph smirks at me from where he landed in a low crouch.
"I gave ya plenty of warnings, chucklehead, now ya gotta deal wit da consequences."
Releasing another shriek, I sprint away from the TV pit as Raph takes chase. I whine as I just barely slide out of the way as Raph lunges, the breeze from his lunge brushing my arm.
"RAPH! MIKEY! TAKE IT TO THE DOJO IF YOU'RE GOING TO ROUGHHOUSE!" Donnie shouts from his lab and I pout. "I DON'T WANNA HAVE TO FIX WHATEVER YOU TWO BREAK!"
"Could use some help, bro!" I call back as I flip over Raph.
"I DON'T HAVE A DEATH WISH, MIKEY!"
Raph snickers as I shoot the lab a betrayed look.
What happened to my overprotective brothers from last night? The ones NOT bent on bending me in awkward angles? My pout deepens as I change directions and rush for the dojo. I barely make it past the threshold when Raph collides solidly with my back causing the two of us to go rolling into the space. I squeak as I roll further than Raph, staring up at the ceiling in a daze. I subconsciously take note that Leo isn't in the dojo any longer (he was there watching me train with Sensei) as I roll onto my side.
"~Mi-key.~"
Gulping, I glance up, eyes widening as Raph stalks toward me. His smirk widens at my horrified gaze and he crouches low.
"R-Raph, can't we t-t-talk about this, dude?" I stammer out, scooting back with each step he takes, my heart pounding with adrenaline, excitement, and a smidge of fear. Getting Raph riled up is always my favorite past-time, the chasing being my favorite part and if I wasn't so sore, I'd definitely be throwing some quips and fighting back even more. But right now, I'm just a little too tired for my usual stunts, but I'll never turn down a Raph-chase (even though I really don't get too much of a choice half the time).
Raph growls and I frantically glance left and right. I've let Raph get too close. Normally, I know for a fact that I can dodge a swipe from Raph in a situation similar to this, but with my ribs and all the flips I did today, there's just no way I'll be able to move out of the way in time to not get grabbed. And I REALLY don't want a noogie right now.
"Got nowhere ta go, knucklehead," Raph states, amusement lacing his words as he watches me frantically glance around. "Now, c'mere!"
Shrieking, I throw my arms up (gotta protect my best feature, ya know?) and prepare for nearly 200 pounds of turtle to hit me. A grunt greets me instead and I curl my arms closer to my head, thinking that Raph is just waiting for me to lower my arms before he strikes.
"What da shell?"
My eye ridges furrow at Raph's baffled tone and curiosity wins out. Lowering my arms, I glance up at my second-oldest brother. His amber eyes are wide and it's easy to see why. A see-through orange-gold dome separates me from my brother. Raph's hands hover above the dome, fingers twitching as if he wants to reach out but is restraining himself.
Lowering my arms, I sit up a little straighter, mouth falling open.
"What?" I lift a hand to reach out but then quickly think better.
Raph glances at me, concern dancing in his eyes but a deep scowl on his face.
"How are ya doin' dat?"
I gape at my brother and wildly gesture at the dome.
"Wait, you think I'M doing this?"
"Of course, I think yer doin' it! Yer da only other one in here!" Raph points a finger at me. "And yer also da only one who was in da presence of dat weird magical ancient walkin' armor."
I purse my lips. Raph's right. And the dome is the exact same color as the light I've seen radiating from me. Pulling my arms close to my chest, I stare up at my brother, heart pounding as unease fills me.
"I…I didn't know! How do I get rid of it?"
Raph throws his arms in the air.
"How am I s'pposed ta know dat?" Raph asks gruffly, his concern making his accent thicker. "Spiritual shit is Leo's department." Raph scratches his head as my heart sinks to my stomach. "Can't ya, I don't know, jus' will it away?"
"I…I'll try?"
Swallowing thickly, I squeeze my eyes shut and silently chant to myself: Drop the dome. Drop the dome. Drop the dome.
"Uh, Mikey?"
"Yeah?"
"Nothin's happenin'."
My eyes snap open and groan as I spot the golden dome still in place. Reaching my hand out, I push against the dome's surface. A jolt of energy shoots through my hand and I snatch the appendage back.
"What? Did it hurt ya?" Raph asks quickly, squatting so we're more at eye level. I shake my head.
"No," I state softly, staring at my hand which is now warm and tingling slightly. "It just…shot me with energy? But, like, it FELT like my own energy? Mixed with a good kind of electricity? If that makes sense?"
I wince when I glance at Raph's face because it's obvious that he's thinking I've gone crazy. Raph's eyes narrow as I stare up at him and he jumps to his feet.
"Dat's it."
"Raph?" I call out as my red-cladded brother rushes toward the entrance of the dojo. Tap-dancing Shredder! Is he just gonna leave me like this?!
Raph doesn't answer me as he leans his head out into the rest of the lair.
"LEO! GET YER SHELL INTA DA DOJO NOW!"
Oh…Oh! Good idea, Raphie-boy! Get Onii-san, he'll know what to do. Leo ALWAYS knows what to do. He practically LIVES for spiritual/chi stuff like this!
I bounce on my kneepads as two sets of footsteps fill the air and I shoot the fusuma a look. When nothing happens, I relax Sensei must have already left for April's for her own training, so luckily, he won't have to see me like this. That explains Sensei not coming out when he heard my screams… I really don't want more training….
"Raph! Mikey! What's going on?" Leo demands, drawing me back from my thoughts as he and Donnie rush into the dojo.
"DIS is what's goin' on!" Raph snaps, stepping to the side and pointing at me. Our other two brothers instantly stop in their tracks as their eyes land on me and I wave sheepishly, smiling.
"Uh, hey, dudes. Wanna help a bro out?"
"What on earth?" Donnie states as Leo hurries forward, kneeling in front of me.
Leo reaches out, his right hand gently laying on the dome, his chocolate brown eyes flickering from the dome to my face.
"You okay, Mikey?"
I nod, relaxing a bit now that Leo is here. Leo looks back at Raph as he and Donnie join us.
"What. Happened?"
Raph rubs the back of his neck, shrugging.
"We were roughhousin' and when I went ta tackle him, DAT appeared and nearly smacked meh face on it."
Leo glances back at me and I shrug.
"All I did was try to cover my face. Gotta save what makes me the cute one, ya know?"
Donnie squats down next to Leo, rubbing his chin as he studies the dome closely.
"And you didn't do anything else?" Donnie asks, cautiously poking at it.
I shake my head.
"Nope, my dude. Just my normal 'defend the merch and shriek so that all of New Jersey can hear' method when going up against Raph."
Leo purses his lips as he shoots Raph another look.
"What on earth possessed you to start chasing him around? We just finished his training and he still has bruised ribs and strained muscles to deal with!"
I shuffle closer to the side of the dome, knocking on it to regain Leo's attention.
"Awe, c'mon, Leo. He wasn't the only one to start it. I was teasing him."
Raph crosses his arms.
"And his cat decided ta sass meh."
I point a finger at him.
"HEY! Don't drag my baby into this! He was just being his normal cute little self! You just don't understand because you've never been as adorable or cute as me OR my fur-son!"
Raph goes to speak but Leo lifts his hand, stopping our hotheaded brother. Raph huffs as Leo turns back to me.
"I don't care WHO started it. Mikey, you know better than to do anything more strenuous than what we had you doing during training. Don told you it would only lead to you feeling worse and making your healing time longer." Leo raises an eye ridge at me as I pout. "And don't even get me started on how Sensei would increase not only your mediation but your extra training if he saw you roughhousing with Raph."
Falling back onto my butt, I cross my arms, not caring if I look like a child. I'm stuck inside of a glowing dome and I was turtlenapped by a walking set of ancient armor, I think I'm allowed to be a little childish about all of this.
"It's not like I PLANNED to roughhouse with Raph."
"Yes, well, you know EXACTLY how Raph acts with your teasing, so that's no excuse," Leo states, standing so he can get a better look at the dome.
"Can you drop it?" Donnie asks, pulling his ShellCell from his belt and pulling up an app on it. He starts running the cell over the dome as Raph rolls his eyes.
"If he could drop it, I wouldn't have called fer Leo."
I twiddle my thumbs as I glance up at my big brothers.
"I don't even know how I managed to do this, but I did try to just, ya know, TELL it to go away but nothing happened." I sag. "I don't wanna be trapped in here forever. How can I cook? How can I give you guys hugs? How can I cuddle with Klunk? How can I be a ninja if I can't even stand up fully!?"
"Now you're just being melodramatic," Donnie murmurs, his eye ridges furrowed as he reads something on his ShellCell's screen. "But I can say that the dome is made purely of energy. And is giving off the same energy signature that Mikey is, so at least we know that it really is HIM who's creating this shield." Donnie shoots me an apologetic smile. "But, unfortunately, that's ALL it can tell me. Sorry, little brother." Don looks way as I groan. "Leo? Any thoughts? This kind of stuff is more of your area."
Squatting once more, Leo presses his palm against myself imposed prison and closes his eyes. The three of us watch our big brother but he doesn't twitch a muscle, his face peaceful as he does whatever spiritual mojo he can do. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep myself from just shouting at him to hurry up. I really don't want to be yelled at.
At least no one can smack me while I'm in here, I think, my lips twitching into a smile just as Leo's eyes snap open.
"Well?" I ask early, scooting so that I'm sitting directly in front of him.
Leo's chocolate brown eyes meet my sky blue and he smiles a little at me.
"From what I can tell, it appears that your chi has decided to come to your aid while you were roughhousing with Raph and created a shield to protect you."
My mouth falls open.
"'Protect me'?" I parrot back, flabbergasted. "Why the shell would I need protection from RAPH? He wasn't gonna hurt me! Right, Raphie?"
My eyes slide over to Raph and his own amber eyes are wide as a deep scowl mars his face.
"Of course, I wasn't gonna hurt ya! At most, give ya a knuckle sandwich and twist ya like a pretzel." Raph scoffs, glaring off to the side. "And besides, I know dat yer hurt and can't take da usual thumpin'."
My lips twitch and I cover my snickers up with a small cough. Good ol' Raphie-boy. Making people believe he's just some rough and tough turtle when he's actually just a soft teddy bear on the inside.
Leo shakes his head.
"We all know that you'd never harm Mikey on purpose, Raph. But I think Mikey's chi, since it's not used to being so free, doesn't know the difference right now between a brotherly tumble and an actual brawl. You probably were getting pretty excited, right, Mikey?" I nod, smiling sheepishly. "So, that'll just have to be something else we work on as Sensei and I try to help you strengthen your walls once more."
"Wait, if dat's da case, how come he didn't create this shield-thing during trainin'?"
"Because he didn't spare with us during training," Leo explains, scooting until his knees are touching the outside of the dome. "Mikey, I want you to close your eyes and try meditating for a few moments. Calm yourself down, picture yourself in a peaceful environment and your body should do the rest, okay?"
Scrunching my snout, I nod and shift so that I'm sitting lotus-style. Biting on my bottom lip, I close my eyes, feeling a little self-conscious as I know that my three big brothers are just watching me, and I fold my hands in front of me.
"Breathe, Mikey," Leo says, chuckling quietly. "It's okay. Just allow yourself to relax and the shield should come down."
"And what if it doesn't?" I ask, cracking my left eye open.
"Don't worry about the 'what-ifs', Mikey," Donnie says, gently. "Just worry about relaxing and dropping this shield."
Dragging in a deep breath, I nod and reclose my eyes. Releasing it slowly, I force myself to relax, doing my best to clear my thoughts and focus on clearing my mind. Which, mind you, is very hard for a turtle like me. My mind is always on the go, always thinking of SOMETHING. Whether it be if I'm going to do the new katas correctly or what I'm going to be making for supper that night or, shell, what happened in the latest issue of Justice Force. The closest Sensei has gotten to me having a silent mind is when I meditate with music, but even sometimes that doesn't work. It's SUPER annoying and I know that Master Splinter gets irritated by it as well. He never says it, but I can definitely see it in his eyes at the end of a bad session. It's why I won't ask Leo to help me meditate, because I don't want to-
My stream of thoughts freeze as a rush of warmth fills me. Without opening my eyes, I tilt my head to the left and I hear the relieved sighs of my brothers.
"Good job, Otōto."
I jump as a hand lands on my head and I blink up at Leo. My blue-cladded brother smiles down at me before lifting his hand and offering it to me. Sagging, I reach out and allow him to help me stand. Beaming, I bounce in place once I'm back on my feet.
"Whoa! What a rush, bro!" I state, glancing down at my chest. "I didn't even have to clear my thoughts! One second, I was just thinking about everything and how bad I am at mediating, and the next this warm, fuzzy feeling hits me! It was weird."
Raph leans forward, catching me around the shoulders and dragging me closer to him, knuckling my head softly.
"Yeah? Well, yer weird, so it fits."
Pouting, I struggle in Raph's hold.
"LEEEOOO! Raph called me weird!"
Leo chuckles, shaking his head.
"Well, I hate to say, Mikey, but-"
VRR! VRR! VRR! VRR!
The three of us fall silent as Donnie fumbles with his ShellCell. He briefly glances at the screen before shooting us a confused look.
"Hey, April, what's up?"
Raph releases me slowly and unease creeps in. Did something happen? Did she and Sensei get attacked? Did the U.P. find them? Are they dealing with those rogue Foot Ninjas? I glance between Raph and Leo, but both look more intrigued rather than concerned. And Leo has that strange 'Tiger Instinct', so if he's not worried then I shouldn't be either.
"Yeah, okay, Ap, don't worry about it," Donnie says, and I really wish he'd put it on speaker so we can hear what she has to say. "Of course, we'll help. So, it's tonight? What time? Midnight? No, we'll be there. Does seem a little weird time for a drop-off, but if it's what you say it is, then I don't blame them for being cautious." Donnie nods as April speaks. "Mm-hmm, no, I get that. Pizza? Sure, we'll grab some on our way over. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Nope, okay, yeah, we'll see you there. Bye, April."
Donnie presses the screen and glances at us.
"April wants our help on an item pick-up tonight. She won a bid war on eBay and the guy won't mail it, scared that it'll get damaged in the mail. But I guess he's also very paranoid and won't meet during the day and wants to meet tonight at midnight in a rather shady part of town, near the docks."
The three of us exchange a look.
"Wonder what's so important dat dis nut job is goin' to such lengths?" Raph glances at Leo. "Ya don't think dat he's gonna try somethin' funny, knowin' dat April's a girl?"
Leo scowls but he shakes his head.
"I don't know, but it doesn't hurt to be extra cautious, just in case."
My eyes widen.
"Oh! She must be picking up this pendant that she won yesterday."
"What kind of pendant?" Donnie asks. I shrug when my brothers stare at me.
"Don't know, dude. I was, uh, doing my own research stuff in her breakroom so all I heard was her excitement on winning." I grin. "You should have heard her. She said some stuff that would have made you proud, Raph. She was so pumped."
"'Research'?" Donnie echoes as Raph grins. "Since when do you do research, Mikey?"
Oh…ri-i-i-i-ight I didn't tell them WHY I went to April's yesterday. Oops. Donnie's eyes narrow as I merely smile at him. Donnie opens his mouth only to pause when Leo places a hand on his shoulder.
"You can grill him later, Don, but when does April expect us over? You mentioned something also about pizza?"
Donnie huffs and crosses his arms.
"She's expecting us over there by 7 with pizza and then after we're done eating, we'll head over to the docks."
Leo nods and I giggle as I look over at my hotheaded brother.
"Welp, looks like your stomach is safe for tonight, bro."
Raph snorts and lazily reaches out to smack me. Giggling, I duck and hide behind Leo. Raph points at me, his large emerald finger inches from my snout.
"Ya better not mess wit meh food tomorrow, brat. 'Cause if ya do, not even dat fancy force-field thing ya got goin' will help ya."
Snorting, I stick my tongue out at him.
"Promises, promises, my dude."
Raph feints a lunge and I shriek, shrinking further behind Leo as my grin widens. Our eldest brother sighs, turning and placing his hands on my shoulders.
"All right, that's enough you two. It's already 6:20, so we should head out now and grab that pizza. Donnie, place the order and we'll grab it from Antonio's on our way to April's."
I fist pump.
"Ah-yeah! Pizza two nights in a row! This is the best week ever!"
"I thought you meeting Silver Sentry and becoming an honorary member was the best week ever?" Donnie asks as he puts the ShellCell back to his ear.
I snort.
"Noooooo, that was the best thing, outside of getting my nunchucks, to happen to me EVER. There's a major difference, dude."
Donnie nods, rolling his eyes with a smile as we exit the dojo. As he starts to speak to the Antonio's employee, I turn to my two older brothers, grinning. Leo lifts an eye ridge.
"What?"
"I call shotgun."
I laugh like a maniac as I take off for the garage, hearing both Raph and Leo suddenly scrambling behind me, both cursing as they trip over each other. My grin widens as Donnie sighs, but I know that he's just as amused as I am, since he's going to just take his usual spot as our driving aid. Leo and Raph are the only ones to ever fight over who drives. Maybe it's like a weird alpha thing that those two have going on, but I don't see the big deal about driving. It was one of the things I looked forward to the least when Cowabunga Carl was still in business. Traffic, gas, crazy drivers, crazy pedestrians. Have you ever tried finding a parking spot in New York City? It's a nightmare.
The lights in the garage flicker on and I leap over some of Raph's tools before sliding into the passenger seat. Clicking my seatbelt on, I laugh as I watch my two oldest brothers pushing and shoving at each other to reach the driver's seat. Donnie comes in more calmly, shaking his head and I can see him silently asking the higher powers what he did to deserve brothers like us.
I ask myself that question every day, dude, every day. And I'd not change a day of it.
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Another chapter down! Thank you all so much for following along with me! I've been having a fun time writing this! And all of these chapters are so long! I'm trying to figure out where all of these words are coming from XD. Even during Nanowrimo, I struggle to write more than 100 words sometimes .
And thank you all so much for the lovely comments!
I promise next chapter to have a little bit more action but I really wanted to have some more downtime since I'm kinda doing this as a day by day in the life with Mikey because, sometimes, I wonder how a character is handling a situation when not in a fight, ya know? Anywho, that's enough rambling from me. Next chapter, less downtime, I promise I'm sorry if these have been a little boring but thank you all for reading anyways and I'll see you all next chapter!
