Shuffling about, I heave a deep sigh as I rub at my plastron, more out of habit than because it hurts anymore. I make another pass through the T.V. pit, shooting the lair entrance one more look.
My alternate bros have been gone for almost an hour now, hoping to find a Kraang portal hiding around New York. And if that doesn't work, then they'll follow a group of Kraang bots and find one that way.
Neither of situation sits well with me, considering that I'm stuck here, unable to help knowing that the Kraang are currently searching for them. So much can go wrong if they're spotted.
Huffing, I turn away from the lair entrance.
Geez. I'm starting to sound like, Leo. Is this what Leo feels like every time one of us leaves the lair without him? How hasn't he gotten all wrinkly from worry? His skincare routine must be god-tier.
My hands raise to my face and I rub at the space between my furrowed eyebrow ridges. My snout scrunches when I feel the wrinkles there. Shaking my head, I pat my cheeks and glance around the lair.
I need a distraction.
My alternate bros gave me permission to use their entertainment items. Video games, pinball machine, their T.V. and movies, all free access. But I'm just not in the mood. My mind just won't calm down, having been racing since my meditation session with Chichi. Not even the sparring session could fully distract me from that strange voice speaking to me in the Astral Plane. Who were they sensing that could detect me in the Astral Plane? Could the Shredder sense me? Even though I'm in a different dimension? Is that possible? And if he can sense me, could my bros sense me? Could I try reaching out to them and see if they're okay?
But will Sensei let me? I think, wringing my hands as I leave the T.V. pit, deciding to go see what Sensei is up to. I need to talk with him anyways. He wasn't happy at all when he found out I was in the Astral Plane. But, like, how was I supposed to know I wasn't supposed to go that deep in? He wanted me to find my center! And it led me there!
Puffing my cheeks, I shake my head and slowly walk through the dojo toward the Shoji doors that is separating me from Chichi and Master Splinter. Pausing right outside the door, I fidget, unsure if I should just wait for Chichi to come out or to knock. It's not like I have any place to be or anything to do.
Outside of driving myself crazy with my own thoughts and not knowing how my bros are doing.
Worrying my bottom lip, I glance off to my left.
My eyes land on the small shelf I spotted during training earlier. The photo sitting there is black and white and I can make out the figures a little better than earlier. I can make out a tall, dark-haired man, a dark-haired woman, and a baby bundled in the woman's arms. My eye ridges furrow as an uneasy feeling squirms in my gut the longer I stare at the photo. Like there is a sadness surrounding the photo, something somber and depressing but I just can't put my finger on why.
Shaking my head, I turn away from the photo and lift my hand to knock on the sliding door.
"You may enter, Michelangelo."
I jerk in surprise when the voice of Master Splinter filters through the screen.
That has to be a 'parent' thing, I think as I sheepishly slide the screen open.
The two senseis look over at me as I peek my head inside the room.
My eyes flicker around the space, the room set up very similarly to Chichi's back home. The overhead lights are dim with most of the golden glow coming from the flickering candles on the small coffee table and dresser off to the right. A made-up futon rests along the floor behind where Sensei and Master Splinter are kneeling on meditation cushions. A small, black tea pot is steaming between the two on a tray where matching cups rest and are also steaming.
Master Splinter beacons for me to enter further, dark brown eyes warm as he watches me.
I walk a few more paces inside, sliding the door closed behind me before shuffling awkwardly in place. Nerves dance in my stomach and for some reason I feel like I'm in trouble even though I was the one who chose to visit my father and his counterpart. It's not that I don't want to talk to Sensei about this, but we've been through so much the last few days slash week that I don't want to add more stress onto my father.
Both Master Splinter and Chichi turn fully toward me, my father offering me a reassuring smile while Master Splinter has a ghost of a smile on his lips.
"There is no need to loiter near the entrance, Michelangelo. Your father and I won't bite."
A sheepish smile tugs at my lips as heat spreads across my cheeks.
"R-Right, sorry."
Chichi gestures toward the open cushion next to him and I quickly take it, kneeling as politely as I can without ruining the bandages on my legs that Tiny Donnie put there. As I take my seat, Master Splinter produces a third cup from somewhere and places it on another coaster. Suspicion fills me as he starts pouring me my own cup of tea (which is…awesome…I guess…yay tea).
"Uh…Senseis?" I ask, rubbing the back of my neck. "Not to be rude, but…uh…did…did the two of you know I was going to come in here?"
Chichi chuckles as Master Splinter's smile morphs into a smirk. My father reaches over and pats my knee.
"We had a feeling that you were going to come speak with us, my son. Your spirit has been very restless since your other dimension brothers left for their patrol." Sensei lifts his own mug to his lips and sips it, glancing at me sideways. "Besides, we both could tell that there was more to what happened during our meditation session than what you told us."
Master Splinter nods as he lifts my cup and hands it to me.
"We also could hear you pacing a hole in my floor out near the T.V."
I duck my head as I take the cup, holding it with both hands. My fingers twitch against the ceramic. Dang. I didn't realize they could hear me pacing around. But, then again, Sensei has super-hearing so I shouldn't even be surprised that my father and my alternate father could hear me walking around.
I wet my lips and peek up at the two masters.
"Sorry, I just…I'm just worried, is all. With Leo stating that he and his brothers are in trouble Kraang but needing their tech, it just feels wrong to be here while my alternate bros are out there trying to help us, ya know?"
Master Splinter leans forward, plucking the steaming tea from me before taking my hands into his own. Blinking, I glance up at the once-human. His dark brown eyes, just a shade lighter than Chichi's, scan my face for a moment. He must have found what he was looking for because after a beat, Master Splinter chuckles softly.
"Something funny, Sensei?" I ask, my lips quirking up when Master Splinter lifts a hand and cups my cheek.
"Not funny no. Merely amused," Master Splinter answers honestly, a slim thumb rubbing my cheek. "It just amazes me how similar you are to my own Michelangelo. Kind hearted and always ready to help others." Heat spreads across my face and I try to duck my head, but this slightly shorter Master Splinter doesn't allow me to. "There is nothing to be embarrassed about, Michelangelo. You are just making me proud as a father to know just what a fine young warrior my own Michelangelo is going to turn into."
Shuffling embarrassedly, I smile at the alternate version of my father, unsure what to say. I really don't think I've changed all that much over the years, especially from around the age that I think my alternate bros are right now. Maybe my pranks have calmed down a little bite but overall I like to think that I'm the same ole Mikey.
A hand lands on my forearm and I turn toward Chichi. He smiles softly at me.
"We do not mean to embarrass you, my son. We are merely stating facts." He nudges me until a small smile forms on my face. "Now, there was a reason for you to seek us out. Was there something on your mind?"
I fiddle with the wrappings on my fingers. Should I really tell both of them? Or should I wait and only discuss this with Chichi? My eyes flicker over to Master Splinter, trying to gauge how he might take the information of someone communicating to me in the Astral Plane.
He didn't seem to take the news of me being the Kyūkyoku no buki very well. So, what if he doesn't take me also hearing strange voices in the Astral Plane very well and kicks us out before Tiny Donnie can fix the D.B? Then all of this will be for nothing and we'll be stuck here forever and I'll never be able to yell at Leo for being dumb and not letting us help him and Donnie in the first place. And who knows what kind of trouble they're in right now without Sensei and me being there? And who's gonna cook for them? They can't cook anything! They'll be stuck eating cereal and salads for the rest of their lives and that's just no way to live! No, my brothers deserve to be able to eat good, solid, nutritious but also tasty, homemade meals when we're not having pizza. No. We can't afford getting kicked out of this lair until after the bracelet is fixed! My brothers need me and Sensei to return home and Tiny Donnie still has the D.B. still anyways, so we'd have to go find them in all of New York! And who knows just how big THIS New York is. If it's anything like our New York then they could be ANYWHERE! And I know that Sensei is like the best tracker ever but I can't just keep relying on him all the time. He already had to save my butt from those Kraang metalheads because I fell from the ceiling and I'm sure I took a few years off his life by not responding during meditation today and—
"Michelangelo!"
Jumping, I hiss when the warm liquid of my tea sloshes onto my hand. The cup is instantly taken from me and a cream cloth is pressed into my fist. Embarrassment colors my cheeks as both versions of my dad start fussing and I duck my head when Chichi glances at me from the corner of his eye.
"Oops," I laugh nervously as Chichi takes the cloth from me and daps at my fingers. "Sorry about that, Master Splinter. I, uh, I got lost in my thoughts there."
Master Splinter glances at me, his brown eyes calm and a tiny smile forms on his face.
"Do not fret, young one. This is not the first time tea has been spilt on these pillows, nor will it be the last." His smile slips a little as he straightens on his cushion as Chichi runs a thumb over the reddening skin on my fist. Master Splinter reaches toward his little table and pulls out a small jar. He holds it out for Sensei to take before turning he gaze back on me once more. "However, did have us quite concerned when you stopped responding."
I wet my lips as my shoulders hunch a little, unsure how to respond. Chichi smooths some ointment over my skin as he leans forward to catch my eye.
"Michelangelo?"
Sighing, I shrug with one shoulder as I glance off to the side.
"I…I don't know…I guess I'm just…" I pause, risking a look at both of the older mutants before dropping my gaze once more.
"You are just what, my son?"
I move to fiddle with my fingers but Sensei keeps a firm, but gentle hold on my hand. Going so far as to squeeze gently. Realizing that neither Sensei nor Master Splinter are going to let me weasel my way out of this, I slump in defeat.
"I guess….I guess I just didn't know how you guys were gonna react with what I want to talk about, ya know?"
Master Splinter and Chichi exchange a look, eyebrows furrowing as they both stare at me. Chichi scoots closer and runs a soothing hand over the top of my head.
"What do you mean by 'how we are going to react'?" Chichi's dark eyes flicker around my face as I chew on my bottom lip nervously. "As far as I am concerned, you have done nothing wrong. And even if you have, nothing in this world will make me love you any less or dwindle the support that I will always give you."
"But what if what I say gets us kicked out?!" I blurt out in a panic. "We can't help Leo, Donnie, and Raph if we—"
"Michelangelo."
I swallow thickly as Master Splinter cuts me off. The slightly shorter rat-turned-human shifts closer and takes my free hand with a stern look on his face. I blink up at him as my eyes start to burn.
"Nothing you have to tell us will cause me to kick the two of you out of our lair, do you understand?" Master Splinter states, tone firm and final. "You two are family and I believe that family should always help family. For we are all we have in this world. I have lost too many important people in my life to just toss away those I love at just a whim." His stern looks softens a touch as he reaches up and cups my cheek. "Even when it is another version of me and my youngest. You both have been nothing but honest in your situation with us and I would have to be completely heartless to throw you both out after promising to help you return home. So, whatever it is that you want to discuss with us, then please, feel free to do so." His thumb swipes along my cheek and I vaguely register a warm, wet trail being left behind. "Or, if it will make you more comfortable, I can step out and allow you and your father to have a moment of privacy to discuss what is on your mind. However," Master Splinter starts before pausing, his eyebrows knitting together. His whiskers wiggle in the same way that Chichi's do when he's about to ask something that he isn't overly comfortable with. He meets my eyes once more and there is something pleading behind his dark brown eyes. "However, if this has something to do with you being the Kyūkyoku no buki, then I would ask to hear it. Because…" Master Splinter pauses again and I can see him struggling with his words.
"Master Splinter?"
He shakes his head and his shoulders droop in a way that I haven't seen my father's shoulders do since sending Leo away to South America. My heart aches as this other version of my father studies me closely.
"As a father, you will do anything for your children," Master Splinter states, softly and I nod slowly, unsure where he's going with this. "Even if it is hearing things that you do not want to hear or fear in knowing. But, if that knowledge will allow me to protect my sons, then I would deeply appreciate knowing. Or, if there truly is no way in fully protecting them, then at least giving me a way to better prepare them for their futures so that they can protect themselves when I no longer can. So, please, Michelangelo. If there is any chance that what you would like to discuss that would help me in helping my Michelangelo, then please, do not be afraid to share it with me or your father."
My eye ridges raise in surprise and I straighten to meet Master Splinter's misty eyed gaze.
"You think that your Mikey is the Kyūkyoku no buki, don't you?"
Master Splinter's ears droop slightly but he holds my gaze like steel. He nods stiffly.
"I do, yes. I have always known that he has great potential for anything that he wants to do when he puts his mind to, but I also know that sometimes he just does not know what to do with that potential that is hiding deep within him. And, there have been days, during our mediation sessions, that I can sense this great power within him, waiting to burst out. But, I'm afraid to tap into that power because I know that Saki will want to use him if he learns about any of this." A dark cloud falls over Master Splinter's face. "Saki and I grew up being told stories about the Kyūkyoku no buki and the Kyūkyoku no purotekutā. And I know that if Saki so much as catches wind that the stories were true and just who the Kyūkyoku no buki, he will not hesitate in trying to capture Michelangelo. And of all my children, Michelangelo is the most trusting. He believes that everyone should be given a second chance and Saki has a silver tongue on him. He would play into the fact that he is Michelangelo's uncle and use my youngest's kindness against him."
Wincing, I shoot a glance at Chichi when he squeezes my hand. When I was Mini Me's age, Shredder definitely tried to do something similar with me. Pretending to be nice and stating how he was wanting to change his ways. It was actually Karai who took pity on me and told me about Shredder's plan. At the time, I wasn't entirely sure why she told me but when I asked her about it, Karai's only response was that she finally knew what it felt like to have a younger sibling. Well, she said that part a few years after we defeated the Shredder, her original response was because she felt bad about how stupid and gullible I was being. So, in reality, this could definitely happen in this world if their Shredder is just as bad as ours.
Or, pizza forbid, WORSE, I think with a barely contained shudder as I refocus on the older mutant. "I…I'm not really sure if what I'm gonna say will really help but I guess it would at least help prepare you if he does experience this weird stuff too."
Relief washes over Master Splinter's face and he drops his hand from my cheek to grasp my hand he is already holding with both of his.
"Any information is better than no information if it means that I can better guide him. But I am also not going to force you to tell me anything you are not comfortable with."
Smiling, I squeeze my other dad's hand.
"Don't sweat it, Sensei. Knowing that you won't kick us out of the lair makes me feel a whole lot better in telling you guys this than before."
"Then, go ahead and tell us what is on your mind, my son," Chichi encourages softly, scooting closer as I also squeeze his hand. Relaxing with both, now calming, presences of Sensei 1 and Sensei 2, I open my mouth to start explaining what exactly happened in the Astral Plane.
"All right, so you know how I went to the Astral Plane, right? During our meditation session?"
"Yes," Sensei states. "Which was very dangerous."
Wincing, I shoot my father a sheepish look.
"Yeah, I know that now. But I thought it was a good idea at the time, ya know? It just felt like the right thing to do." I pause as both older mutants nod along. "Well, when I got there, it looked like it's usual way, right? Like, pure white but it doesn't hurt your eyes when it should kind of thing. There wasn't the usual meadow that we see when you bring us to the Astral Plane or when Leo decides to bring us there."
Sensei nods again.
"That would be because you had no energy to create such a plane. Otherwise, I know that your mind would have created the meadow just fine."
Heat spreads across my cheeks at the praise and I cough into my shoulder as I glance away.
"Uh, yeah, I guess. But, uh, while I was there I managed to find our cores. Which was really wicked, ya know?" A grin spreads across my face as excitement fills me at the memory. "It was so cool, Sensei! It felt like I could truly feel my bros! Like they were right there next to me! And their cores were so bright and shiny!" Master Splinter and Sensei chuckle at my enthusiasm as I continue, moving to speak with my hands only to be stopped by both senseis holding them in place still. "It was really cool. Like, I didn't get a chance the first time you showed us our cores to really look at them and appreciate how they looked or felt but this time I actually took the time to look them over because I noticed that mine was different."
Chichi and Master Splinter both perk up at that and concern spreads across their features.
"'Different'?" Master Splinter echoes. "Different how?"
My snout scrunches.
"Well, mine was dimmer than everyone else's. Which I think is because of me being in chi depletion or something like that?"
Sensei nods in agreement.
"That would be correct. Did you notice anything else?"
"Yeah," I state, nodding as I frown. "I noticed that each of our cores had this wall of energy surrounding them like a shield. Except for mine. Mine shield was shattered and spread all across the ground. I accidentally stepped on some of the shards when I moved to get closer. It…It was kinda concerning."
Chichi purses his lips as he rubs my hand with his thumb.
"That would be the remains of your chi wall, my son. If you were to enter your true center, you would see just what damage the Kyūkyoku no purotekutā did to you."
My eyes widen.
"There's a layer even deeper then the Astral Plane?"
Master Splinter is the one to nod this time.
"That is correct. The Astral Plane is the state between the physical realm and your center. While difficult to reach, the Astral Plane is accessible to everyone. However, only those with true inner strength are able to reach their center, let alone the center of another. The Astral Plane also acts like a holding space for everyone's core to be kept in a safe space. It is why, those who were strong enough to travel to the Astral Plane will return even after their physical form was destroyed or they passed away of natural causes. It is one way for those with a strong connection to their chi and follow the way of Ninjutsu can communicate to their loved ones."
My mouth opens slightly, forming an 'o' as pieces start falling into place.
That…That actually makes a lot of sense! And would completely explain why there would be a strange, disembodied voice talking to me!
A gentle tug on my hand pulls me from my thoughts and I glance at Sensei. Concern is written all over my dad's face but there is something hard and reserved in his eyes.
"You seemed to have connected something, Michelangelo. What is it?"
"Well, while I was, uh, I was talking to each of our cores," I admit, coughing into my shoulder in embarrassment. "Ya know, like giving my bros encouragement until we can return to them, because when I touched their chi walls, it felt like I could really sense them."
Sensei nods slowly, amusement joining the fray dancing in his eyes as he gives me a stern look.
"I do recall sensing you brushing and whispering to my core. It is how I knew you went too deep into your meditation."
"But that does not explain the connection you made between my explanation and your experience in the Astral Plane," Master Splinter states, raising an eyebrow. I nod as I rube the back of my neck, shooting a contrite look at my father.
"Right, sorry, Sensei. I was getting to that. But, uh, while I was taking to the cores, because that's a normal thing to do, I suddenly—"
"SENSEI! MIKEY! MASTER SPLINTER!"
The three of us jump before exchanging wide eyed looks. Scrambling to our feet, I follow after Master Splinter rushes from his room and Sensei follows right after me. My heart leaps into my throat as we exit the dojo. As we head for the T.V. area, Tiny Leo, Tiny Raph, Mini Me, and Tiny Donnie are already there. Tiny Raph is helping Mini Me sit on the couch while Tiny Donnie is kneeling next to his knees, holding up his left leg. Air catches in my throat as I take in the burn marks littered on each of the younger turtles' bodies and it appears as though the ends of Tiny Raph's mask tails have been singed.
"What has happened?" Master Splinter demands, taking the space on the other side of Mini Me's knees as Tiny Leo moves to make room. He pointedly looks up at Tiny Leo as Tiny Raph continues to stand there, staring Mini Me down.
"We managed to find a Kraang portal," Tiny Leo explains.
"No," Mini Me chirps in. "I found the portal! You guys didn't believe me! Again!"
Tiny Leo winces when Master Splinter narrows his eyes and rubs at a burn mark on his bicep.
"Yeah, you're right, bro." Tiny Leo clears his throat. "Mikey found a Kraang portal. However, it was located in a parking garage. Inside of a vending machine. AGAIN. We…We didn't think that the Kraang would be stupid enough to use a vending machine again for a portal so we went to leave. But Mikey pushed one of the buttons and the thing popped open to reveal a Kraang portal. So, Donnie started working on taking the parts we need for the Dimension Bracelet." Tiny Leo shoots me and Sensei a look.
"But they put some sort of security measure in on the parts," Tiny Donnie moans as he passes Master Splinter some gauze so that he can wrap Mini Me's swelling ankle.
"And da next thing we know, Kraang bots are swarmin' in from everywhere," Tiny Raph growls, crossing his arms. "And den knucklehead somehow finds ANOTHER Kraang portal."
Mini Me winces as his father manipulates his ankle, hissing when it's bent too far. "I didn't mean too! All I did was rest my hand on the hood of one of the cars and it sprung open with a WHOOSH! And then the next thing I know there was this weird, swirling pink portal thing and all the pink brains started tweaking! Shooting their lasers everywhere!"
Tiny Leo's jaw sets as he shifts closer to Mini Me, placing a hand on his younger brother's shoulders as Mini Me starts gesturing wildly.
"They didn't like the fact that Mikey activated the portal somehow," Tiny Leo states quietly. "They kept commenting how no 'Earthling' should be able to do that. So, they all started going after Mikey."
"And I was doing really good too," Mini Me moans, a pout forming on his face. "They couldn't touch me."
"Until ya got distracted, you idiot," Tiny Raph hisses before huffing when his father shoots him a sharp look.
Mini Me's face scrunches.
"I didn't get distracted," he mutters. "I thought I heard one of them make a comment about Big Me and his dad and it threw me off and I landed on a broken robo part that wasn't there when I started my flip."
My heart drops into my stomach. Shell. We were the reason Mini Me got hurt. And I can see that Mini Me is rather upset about it too.
"You need to always be aware of where you are landing, my son," Master Splinter scolds softly, but there is no heat behind it and he cups Mini Me's face as he sags dejectedly. "However, in battle, there is much going on. From the sounds, one of the broken robot parts got shifted in your way. Unfortunately, things like that will happen in battle. All you can do is adapt and continue fighting, which it seems to be exactly what the four of you did. And all that matters to me is that the four of you have returned home."
Surprise flickers across Mini Me's face before morphing into uncertainty and confusion when Master Splinter kisses his forehead. His brothers appear just as confused at their father's actions and part of me wants to laugh at just how baffled they look but something tells me that this sort of display of emotion isn't a norm for this family. Which makes me very sad. I mean, it took our family awhile to become affectionate once again but even Sensei would still kiss our foreheads. It was always funny seeing how embarrassed my brothers would get when he did it to them, especially Raph. He always turned the same shade as his mask. It's great.
Master Splinter, for his part, doesn't seem to notice the weird looks his sons are giving him as he stands and I give him kudos for not just smirking or laughing as he turns toward Tiny Donnie.
"Were you able to get the parts that you needed, my son? Or will you four have to leave once your brother's ankle is better?"
I catch the tiny flinch of my mini me at the subtle lair binding and from the way Tiny Leo squeezes his shoulder, Big Brother also felt it. I relax slightly, however, at the smile that crosses Tiny Donnie's face.
"Nope! While I wasn't able to find parts that match everything inside this bracelet, I did manage to find all the ones that I knew were Kraang related. Which should be enough to at least get the bracelet functional." Tiny Donnie shoots me a gap-toothed grin. "Which means, in a few hours' time, I should be able to get this little beauty up and running and hopefully, sending you back to your correct universe!"
I grin back and beam up at Sensei when he places a hand on my shoulder. He smiles at me then turns his smile toward the younger version of my brainiac brother.
"You have our deepest thanks, Donatello. However, I think it would be best to hold off until morning. Allow your body to rest after such a hard battle."
Tiny Donnie's face scrunches, his eye ridges furrowing as he doesn't quite pout. But it's close. His father stands taller and his places a hand on his hips.
"Yoshi-Sensei is correct. You four just finished a battle, you need your rest." Master Splinter turns toward his other three sons. "And that goes for the rest of you. Go clean yourselves up and relax. You are working on a rush of adrenaline and the moment you calm down, you are going to crash. And that may lead to mistakes."
Tiny Donnie slumps forward as Tiny Raph walks forward and wraps an arm around his shoulders.
"C'mon, Brainiac. With Mike being a gimp, we can reach the shower before him and have hot water."
"Heeeeey," Mini Me whines as Tiny Leo helps him stand. "I don't take THAT long in the shower! I just need to make sure all my toes have been properly cleaned! They don't like being dirty!"
Tiny Leo shakes his head while their father glances up toward the ceiling, as if silently asking for strength. Tiny Leo smiles at Mini Me as he readjusts the smaller turtle in his grip.
"C'mon, Mikey. We'll grab a snack while we wait for those two to shower and then I'll help you and rewrap your ankle for you."
"Oooo, do you think we still have some of those ice cream sandwiches from April?" Mini Me asks, face brightening as his eldest brother helps him limp toward the kitchen. "Oh! Oh! If we do, then we can eat some with Ice Cream Kitty and tell her all about how we totally kicked Kraang butt tonight!"
I can't help the smile on my face as I watch the four brothers walk away, the resemblance to me and my own brothers almost uncanny. My hand drifts up and I rub the center of my chest as something hallow forms there, leaving a dull ache behind that I know has nothing to do with what the U.P. did to me. Nope. This ache won't be filled until we get home and I can see with my own two eyes that my bros are a-okay and I've kicked Leo's shell for putting Sensei and I through this.
"I swear that each time those four come home from a mission, I gain more and more grey fur." Master Splinter huffs and rubs at his temples. "They are going to be the death of me. I do not think my heart can take this."
I snicker at the amused look on my own father's face as he walks up to his counterpart and places a hand on his shoulder.
"I like to think that when my boys give me such a scare that they are truly making sure that I am still alive." Chichi shrugs when Master Splinter looks at him. "Do I gain more grey fur? Certainly. Have I probably had the scare of my life when it comes to my four boys?" Absolutely."
"Hey!" I cry out with a grin when Sensei glances back at me and winks.
"But I also know life would be incredibly dull without those four adding a spark of life into everything."
"Yes, but must that spark of life be them getting shot at?" Master Splinter grumbles as my own father guides him toward the kitchen. I follow behind them, amused, and I can already hear Mini Me talking to both Leo and Ice Cream Kitty.
"It would be nice for it to not to come to that," Sensei agrees and then gestures toward the kitchen doorway. "But, sometimes just listening to how excited they are is sometimes worth it when they return. They will never lead a normal childhood like you and I did, but they are also able to experience things that regular children will never have the opportunity to. And it's wonderful watching what amazing young adults they turn out to be."
I pause midstep at Sensei comment just as he glances back at me. He smiles warmly and when Master Splinter joins him, I duck my head in embarrassment.
Dang, twice in one day Chichi and Master Splinter are going all 'Dad' on me. Yikes. My brothers better appreciate all the embarrassing hits I'm taking for them because they definitely owe me.
I'm thinking a nice large pepperoni pizza with extra cheese and extra pepperoni with stuffed crust and garlic seasoning on the breading. With a large order of breadsticks and a chocolate lava cake. Mmm. Lava cake.
I place a hand on my stomach as it growls, earning me amused looks from the two older mutants. I smile sheepishly at them as I finish walking up to them and they each place a hand on my shoulders.
"Think that they found the ice cream sandwiches?" I ask.
Chichi sighs with a chuckle while Master Splinter hums in thought.
"Why don't we go ask them? If not, I am positive we can find something that will satisfy your sweet tooth."
Nodding, I allow myself to be guided into the kitchen where Mini Me is animatedly talking to Ice Cream Kitty at the table. The frozen mutant cat is resting in a bowl, watching and listening intently as the youngest turtle waves his arms around with an ice cream sandwich in one hand. I can see Leo standing near the stove, placing a kettle on one of the burners.
My lips quirk.
I think my bros would really like meeting these guys. Maybe next time we come to visit after we get rid of Shred-head, the four of us with Sensei can come visit these guys so my bros can meet them. But first, Tiny Donnie's gotta fix the bracelet, which should happen sometime tomorrow or tomorrow night!
Mini Me holds out an unopened ice cream sandwich as I take a seat next to him while the two senseis join Leo near the oven. A chuckle escapes me as I spot the ice cream and cookie all over the small turtle's face as he continues to talk to Ice Cream Kitty, not even caring that his mouth is full. A sigh causes me to lift my head and I nearly laugh at the fond yet irritated look on Tiny Leo's face as he grabs a dish towel. Mini Me doesn't miss a beat as Tiny Leo wipes his face free of food. I open my mouth to comment but sharp, light blue eyes snap to my face and narrow into a threatening glare that has me merely opening my ice cream and taking a large bite. I blink innocently at the blue-cladded turtle as he smirks and shakes his head.
Yup. My bros would definitely get along with these four. Maybe Leo and Tiny Leo can have a 'Mom Stare' off. I wonder who would win…. And Tiny Raph and Raph can have a glare off while Don and Tiny Donnie nerd out over tech stuff. I wiggle happily as I take another bite of my ice cream sandwich. Can't wait until I tell them all about these guys. They're gonna be so jealous.
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Hello everyone!
Hope you're all doing well! Apologies that this took so long to get up . But I promised I would finish this story and I have been having a fun time writing it, so don't worry! This story will be finished, I just can't upload as quickly as I used to working 5 days a week, 40 hours now. But I really appreciate all of you who have stuck with me and all of you who have just joined the family . Knowing that people are still enjoying this story has been keeping me motivated to get back into writing this story.
So, this story is still active but updates will be a little slow.
But until next chapter!
Happy reading!
