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truths33k3r4 · 13 days ago

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CHAPTER 16 - When Everything Changed

The soft fragrance of lavender candles did everything they could to ease the stifled air of Splinter’s bedroom. However, now that his youngest son had vacated the space, it seemed that the Great Master was finally able to take a proper breath. Light grunts escaped him as he leaned to retrieve the meditation mats, his aged knees groaning in protest of the motion. Normally he would’ve chided Michelangelo for not picking up his own mat after their meeting, seeing how it was blatant disregard for proper etiquette. But after putting his youngest child through such a mortifying experience, he supposed, just this once, that he would make an exception for the unintentionally rude behavior.

His stoic exterior faltered with a slight wince as the tightness of inflammation made itself known in his wrists. The ache constricting his joints burned with a heat of familiarity and resignation that bothered him greatly. As a sensei and father, he would never allow it to stop him from handling his sworn responsibilities to his home and children. But his stubbornness and long-suffering did little to ease the growing tension in his hands and joints.

Some days were more difficult than others. And at those specific times he was forced to rely on his sons to take care of each other and their home, while he remained as an invalid in his room.

The draining migraines would compel him to keep the lights off and his candles snuffed out, adding a deathly, almost mournful aura. Those days became the bane of his existence. No blade or enemy had ever wounded him like the helplessness he felt when he couldn’t care for or protect his family. Guilt coiled around his heart when one of his thoughtful sons- most often Leonardo- would enter into the dark abyss of his room carrying a steaming cup of tea. As the boy took slow, careful steps so he didn’t spill the beverage, he would ask in the softest tone a child could manage, “Papa? Is there anything I can do to help?”

A shaky breath escaped Splinter’s mouth.

The burden of caring for a parent should never be placed on such a young child’s shoulders.

Those days had unfortunately become more prevalent as time trudged on. But comparatively, through the years, his sons grew in their capability of handling the needs of their home. That brought him great relief when confined to the darkness of his room. Despite the pain flickering within his joints and mind, he still recognized his Lord’s majesty and mercy shining through. The thrashing waves of agony were hushed still when he remembered and planted himself on the blessings in his life. As time passed and wisdom grew, he would make a conscious effort to sing psalms of gratefulness to his Creator, thanking Him for his sons, his home, and the cherished days that weren’t so painful.

A faint smile bloomed on the rat-man’s face as the memories within him came together to paint a beautiful masterpiece of warmth, love, sadness, pain, and resilience. His family had climbed atop the highest of hills as well as tripped and fell into the lowest of valleys- but through every challenge, every trouble, every test, they all remained planted in the truth of who they were and Who God was.

That fact brought tranquility into the old Master’s heart, believing and knowing that when the time came for his children to be on their own, they would be alright.

Shaking his head softly, he returned to his task, quickly adapting to the growing ember of discomfort by shifting the meditation mat into his arms rather than his hands. With practiced precision he reached his tail and wrapped it around the rolled mat, weaving it into the closet and sliding the door shut with a careful flick.

A rueful chuckle left him as memories of his mutation rose to the surface in the shadowed lake of his past. For years he had vulgarly cursed those who changed him from man to rat. The decline from revered Master to Sewer Dweller was certainly a drastic change to become accustomed to. But over time, the Lord calmed his vengeful spirit, quenching the blaze of resentment and anger through countless hours of studies and meditation.

It was perfect timing in God’s plan, seeing how just a few weeks later, the rat-man stumbled upon the greatest treasure he would ever own.

Splinter sat on his bed with a wistful sigh as he began to remember that frigid night thirteen years ago.

It had just reached late autumn in the city of New York, leaving a crisp, chill air snaking its way through the sewer tunnels. That evening was especially cold thanks to the rain. The streets of the city were smothered with a dense fog as droplets cascaded down, leaving the pavement scattered with puddles reflecting the glimmers of billboards and traffic lights.

He had just returned to the damp darkness of his sewer home when he heard it- a young child’s cry echoing in the depths of the tunnels. Something within him, a deeply rooted instinct, awakened at the sound of distress. Without a moment’s hesitation, he dropped his newly acquired bag of stale pastries, as his body began sprinting to the source. With years of experience in his changed form, he minimized his breathing and softened his steps. His ears automatically began twitching and rotating, searching for the nearby child.

The sewers were no place for anyone, especially one as frail and easily frightened as an infant. Memories of dark corridors, open sewer grates, and treacherous heights loomed in the concerned rat-man’s mind, propelling his feet to a faster pace.

After what felt like eons of drowning silence and steadily rising panic, he heard it again; A few faint sniffles and a smothered whimper. A rushed exhale of relief passed through him as he dashed around the corner.

Every ounce of air within his lungs vanished altogether when his eyes met the source of the frightened sound. There before him, glowing under the beams of light through an above sewer grate, was a tight huddle of three shivering, turtle mutant toddlers. Splinter couldn’t believe his eyes at the sight, his jaw dropping as words vanished from his mind. With a few cautious steps he remained disguised in the shadows, watching and studying the young children. All of them were half covered by a thick, impenetrable shell on their back. Their skin ranged in hues of different greens, one being a lively mint, the other two having a deep jade. Splinter couldn’t quite see their faces- all three were huddled close, their shells pressed together like a wall, shielding them from the dangers of the world around them. Noticing the droplets of water trickling down their shivering backs, it looked as though they had all come from the city above. Perhaps they were only seeking refuge from the rain?

Splinter made up his mind as he slowly pulled himself out of the concealing shadows. Immediately the three toddlers took notice of his sudden presence, causing a chain reaction of hisses and growls to escape their tiny, trembling bodies. When he didn’t back away from their clear warnings, the mint-hued child scrambled to his feet, taking a stand as he stretched his gangly arms in front of the others like a human barrier. Splinter couldn’t help but smile at the bravery of the little one, attempting to protect his brood from anyone capable of harming it. The young boy finally showed his face, revealing two irises that shone as bright as blades. Going by his size and overall body structure, he looked to be about four or five years old. Tears poured down his cheeks as his lip quivered, clearly terrified but still not backing down from protecting the others.

“G-Get back! GO AWAY!” The little one cried, his voice trembling as much as his body.

At the shout of the oldest- or at least who Splinter suspected was the oldest- the two jade toddlers hunched together further. The one with the crimson shell shielded the smaller child with his body. Just before the violet-hued toddler disappeared beneath him, Splinter caught a glimpse of blue cloth clutched in the child’s arms.

“I mean you no harm, young one.” Splinter softly replied, as he lifted both his hands into full view of the toddler. “I merely heard your cry and wanted to make sure you are alright.”

The small turtle cocked his head as if not understanding Splinter’s concern. “W-Why? Y-You’re not like the kind lady…”

‘Kind lady’?

“Who is this woman you mention, little one?” Splinter tried, attempting to earn more pieces to this sudden puzzle plopped into his lap. “Is she your mother? Do you know where she is?”

The boy shook his head. “She h-helped us ec- ex- exescape. She’s not our m-momma. We… We don’t h-have one anymore.” As if the realization struck the child for the first time, he wailed out with cascading tears, “We’re lost! She- She told us to c-come down here and wait for her- but… but she n-never came back!”

At the heightened sound of distress from the boy, the others seemed to answer his cry by making small chirps and churrs. The noises had a warmth to them, a nonverbal communication of comfort and safety that even Splinter himself could feel. His heart softened at the obvious love the children carried for each other.

“It is alright.” Splinter gently soothed, lowering himself to his knees so he didn’t appear so frighteningly tall. “You are all welcome to come with me. My home is not too far from here. There are blankets and a fireplace so you’ll be nice and warm. I even have some food to fill your bellies with.” He stated in the most welcoming tone he could muster. He didn’t have that much experience with handling children, the life he once knew being one of loneliness, but he had grown up with younger siblings. That had to be enough.

The child’s lip pouted in thought as he pondered Splinter’s invitation. The great Master was partially relieved to see the young boy being cautious of trusting a stranger, but the dropping temperature demanded that these little ones find a place to stay, and soon. If they didn’t go with him, the children would be left to the dangers of the unpredictable city above. The sewers seemed to be the only safe place for outcasts like them- anywhere else was shadowed with the looming terrors of government organizations and greedy scientists.

A loud sneeze sounded from behind the boy, making his trembling form jolt. He turned around to look at the others, his eyes wide with worry. “Is Mikey okay?” He asked in a small voice drowning in concern.

The red-hued toddler glared daggers at Splinter with his hazel eyes as he slowly leaned back, allowing the purple one room to sit up. What Splinter once thought was just a blanket in the child’s grasp proved to be so much more. There, swaddled tightly in the blue cloth was a very tiny, very pale baby mutant turtle. Its eyes remained sealed closed as if it hadn’t yet had the strength to open them. Pale mint spots decorated its head. It must’ve been no bigger than Splinter’s hand.

“I th-think he’s cold, Leo…” The purple one whispered, his squinting hazel eyes meeting the red one’s matching pair. A pitiful whimper crept past his lips as he pulled the baby in his arms closer to his plastron, seemingly hoping the heat he carried in his body was enough to keep the infant warm.

The crystal-eyed boy, or Leo as the purple one called him, shriveled where he stood, his light blue irises glimmering with absolute desperation as he turned back to Splinter.

The protective instinct pulsing within the great Master made his heart drum painfully against his chest. There was no doubt in his mind that if these little ones didn’t find shelter soon, that baby would undeniably perish. With a new wave of boldness sparked by the forlorn children, he edged closer and reached out his hand, a soft smile gracing his face.

“I can help you, Leo. All of you.”

Leo’s face scrutinized the open palm before him, his shoulders slowly rising in insecurity. The child’s gaze rose to meet Splinter’s, and with a trembling voice asked a question that would either seal or end the forming agreement.

“Y-You… You’re not gonna take us b-back, right?”

Splinter’s expression thoroughly melted at the heartbreaking clarification. With assurance and peace that he didn’t understand but knew to be true, he opened his arms and said,

“I will take you all home.”

Leo’s eyes widened at the statement, large tears quickly making their way down to the tip of his chin. He turned to his brothers as if for confirmation of the group’s decision. “R-Raph?”

The red-hued turtle, or Raph, continued to wear the glare he had firmly carved into his rounded face, but nonetheless allowed the decision with a curt nod of his head. “Fine.” He grunted, his voice squeaking despite the low tone he was trying to force through his throat.

Leo then turned to the purple-hued turtle. “Don? “

The squinting child, Don, also glared, though his face read more of being confused than hateful. Splinter couldn’t help the small smile that began to spread on his face when he saw the tiny freckles adorning the boy’s cheeks and shoulders. The markings reminded the rat-man of his own younger brother, something he would relentlessly tease his sibling for throughout their childhood.

Splinter’s thoughts screeched to a halt when the baby sneezed again, causing all the children to immediately jump into action. Raph wrapped his arms around Don as the freckled boy clutched the baby closer to his chest. The realization in Don’s eyes was clear: The decision was made.

“O-Okay, Leo.” He whispered, his voice slightly smothered by the cloth of the blanket against his face.

With all his brothers’ agreement, Leo turned to face the rat-man again. “M-Mikey needs to get warm. He’s too c-cold!!” He cried out in clear concern for the sickly baby. His voice lowered to an agonized whisper that broke Splinter’s heart. “I don’t know what to do. He’s s-sick and I don’t know what to do! I n-need to know what to do!!”

The great Master’s smile grew as he held out his arms wider. “I will do everything that I can, dear Leo. I promise. You don’t need to carry this burden alone anymore.”

With that, Leo’s tiny body collided into Splinter’s chest, sobbing relentlessly as tears stained his exhausted face. The rat-man immediately embraced the boy in his arms, using his hand to tenderly cradle the child’s head. “It is alright. Shhh. Shhh, it’s alright. I'm here. It will be okay.” He softly hummed as he unconsciously began rocking his body back and forth to help settle the child. Tiny hands clenched tightly to the fabric of his robe, as if letting go would result in being swept away.

Splinter rose off the floor, keeping one hand under Leo to support the child still clinging to him like a lifeline in a hurricane. He cautiously crept to the remaining huddle of toddlers, reaching out his unoccupied hand in silent permission.

Don immediately retracted from Splinter’s presence, pressing the baby in his arms to his heart. He let out a low, almost silent growl, to which Raph instantly joined in to the threatening chorus.

Leo turned his head away from Splinter’s chest to face his brothers, stating in a placating tone that definitely sealed the great Master’s suspicions of him being the oldest of the brood.

“N-No, guys. It’s okay. He’s gonna h-help!”

The two jade turtles gave a sideways glance at each other, silent communication happening between them as they contemplated what Leo said. Eventually the two relented, the growls ceasing as Don pulled the baby swaddled in his arms away from his chest to present it to Splinter.

“He n-needs to get warm soon… Please.” Don whispered, his eyes remaining in a permanent squint making Splinter a little concerned for the freckled child’s eyesight. The violet-hued toddler gently held the baby out, his tiny fingers being oh so careful as he delicately placed the infant into Splinter’s outstretched hand.

The newborn’s head fit snugly in his palm, the contact with the baby’s skin confirming it had a rising temperature. That realization made the rat-man act as if the infant were a porcelain doll, gently pulling him up to his chest alongside Leo. The movement caused the blanket the baby was in to shift, revealing a small patch sewn into the corner of the cloth. Splinter leaned closer and silently read four names stitched neatly into the fabric:

“Leonardo~ Raphael~ Donatello~ Michelangelo”

The rat-man resisted his body’s natural response to take a staggering step back as realization collided into him. The facts quickly stacking into his brain of the children’s situation had led him to a heartbreaking conclusion- Four mutant children, cold from the rain and shivering in the sewers, with nothing but a blanket with all their proper names stitched inside- This had not been an accident, but a purposeful abandonment.

“H-hey, Mikey.” Leo whispered, laying a single finger on the baby’s plastron peeking through the top of the blanket. The boy moved his finger in gentle circles on the tiny chest, resulting in the baby, or Mikey, stretching and yawning as he pulled himself closer to his oldest brother. Leo smiled. “You’re gonna be okay. We’re gonna g-get you warm now.”

. . .

A single tear fell from Splinter’s face as the memory ended, leaving nothing but love and nostalgic warmth in its wake. That night so long ago changed everything- He changed. His relationship with God changed. His relationship with the world changed.

He was given a true, unmistakable purpose in the forms of four tiny, mutant turtles.

Splinter leaned forward, a strained grunt escaping him as he pulled open the drawer to his side table. Delicately folded within was a small, blue blanket; the very cloth that Michelangelo had been swaddled in that night thirteen years ago. The rat-man’s fingers gently stroked the small piece of fabric as nostalgia filled his soul.

Becoming a father in a single night was the most terrifying thing he’d ever experienced. Scarier than moving to America, and even scarier than being mutated. When those events occurred, he was the only one that was affected by them… But as soon as four precious, little souls found their way into his heart, his life became more than it had ever been. It wasn’t about him anymore.

The responsibility laid on his shoulders shook him to his very core; The fact that he was now held accountable for four more lives on top of his own both warmed his heart and twisted his stomach.

He quickly learned how selfish he truly was. There was no such thing as personal time when you became a father, nevermind a father of four. Keeping the home clean and caring for his sons made the very idea of ‘spare time’ feel like a long-forgotten dream. Every moment of his day was spent comforting, caring, scolding, shouting, cleaning, and protecting his newly acquired family.

Exhaustion seeped into his bones, and he found himself marveling at the strength of his own mother- how she’d raised two boys and one little girl all on her own. It never felt so incredible to him when he was young, but now, after struggling to survive raising four sons of his own, he looked through new eyes. It came off a little humorous to him how his mindset had so drastically changed once his role was switched from child to parent. Perhaps this was God’s gentle vengeance for how rambunctious and troublesome he’d been when he was a child.

Mother did always say that “children were a refining fire”…

But despite the chaos, the messes, the hardships, and the learning curves, he knew he was right where God wanted him to be. What he once thought was a downgrade from man to rat turned out to be a promotion from sensei to father.

Nothing could match the swell of pride when he heard his children call out his name for the first time.

“Dad! DAD! Look! I finally got the kata right!”

“Hey Dad, let me hit ya in the arm and see if ya can take it!”

“DAAAD My math homework is demanding that I show my work on how I solved the equation. Tell it I don’t have to!”

“I love you sooo much, Papa. Yer like the sun! You don’t ever go to sleep, and you’re always there even when I can’t see you!”

Another small smile spread along the great Master’s features recalling the past words of his now grown sons. The events of the day confirmed it; All of them were officially teenagers now.

Splinter lifted the blue cloth and pressed it into his chest. He never imagined becoming a father, finding such worth and purpose in the lives of his children. It had never mattered that they weren’t related by blood, for the love the family shared always remained the same- never-ending. That same tenderness shone brightly within his sons as they did their best to bring the sickly girl in their home back to health.

Something unexpected sparked inside, surprising Splinter with the possibility that their family might be growing again. Lotus he recalled. Her past was shrouded in darkness, and the bruises adorning her pale, jade skin further revealed the abuse she had endured within the horrendous labs. When Splinter and Leonardo had infiltrated that building in search of the twins, neither of them ever imagined that they would find her- another lost, mutant turtle.

Or perhaps… Splinter thought, sadness weaving its way into his heart, Another abandoned child.

With a soft sigh, he stepped away from the faded pictures and words of his past, and made his way back to the present with dutiful intention. He recalled the fact that he had a certain fiery son who needed a talking to- and possibly a medical check up if the teen’s pained face was anything to go by. It would’ve been a lie if Splinter had said he wasn’t worried about Raphael. Truly, it made him very nervous that his son was already injured within three days of returning to their home. As much of a spitfire as the boy liked to be- instigating his brothers with playful taunts and causing fights- he rarely got himself injured in the process. Just that morning had been his first training session in far too long, so what else was there to cause such an injury?

As the concerning questions continued to pile on top of each other, growing the dread flickering inside the old Master, he finally decided that enough was enough. After returning the precious blanket to its drawer, he rose from the edge of his bed, his knees once again noisily acknowledging his growing steps in age and frailty. He steadily made his way to the door until a slight pang of discomfort squeezed the joints in his hands. He quickly adapted, opening the door with a calculated twist of his tail.

After leaving his room, his ears began to twitch at the sound of footsteps. Turning around, he nearly plowed into Raphael, the teen’s attention directed to his cell phone rather than his surroundings, most likely reading a text message. Splinter refrained from giving a lecture regarding the vitality of spacial awareness to a ninja, resorting instead to focus on the hefty task ahead of him:

Making his fiery son listen.

“Raphael-”

“-GAH!” His son gasped as his head shot up from his phone. A shaky sigh followed as he used his hand to pat his rapidly beating heart. “S-Sorry, Master Splinter! You scared the shell offa me…”

“I don’t believe that’s possible, Raphael.” The great Master retorted back, using his tail to tap the ridge of his son’s carapace. “I can’t imagine the amount of force one would need to pull out another’s spine.” He said with mischief in his mossy irises.

Raphael deflated immediately, rolling his eyes and moaning, “Ugh Dad, it’s just an expression…”

“Mmhm.” Splinter hummed as Raphael returned to reading whatever it was that was displayed on his phone. The rat-man swiftly looked over his son’s form as the teen was distracted, searching for any more concealed injuries. Finding none on the surface, his gaze zeroed in on Raphael’s right arm. The great Master’s expression tightened when he realized Raph was favoring his left hand, using it to hold his phone even though the teen was known to be right-handed; It seemed his fiery son was still bothered by his injury. Splinter cleared his throat, making his son look back up to meet his gaze. He raised his white brows in question, giving a small gesture with his bearded chin to the device in the teen’s hand.

“Oh- uh, Don texted me. Told me to bring Lotus to the couch so she can rest. The uh, the Medbay table’s not exactly comfy.” Raphael muttered, rubbing at the back of his head and shrugging his shoulders.

Splinter’s gaze constricted again, becoming a deeper frown as he noticed the faded outlines of cracks over the skin of Raphael’s right arm. The same arm- he realized- the teen had been clutching back in the dojo.

“My son, is there something you want to tell me?” He asked in a tone as casual as a breeze and serious as a storm.

The boy’s posture immediately straightened. “Uh…no? Why… do ya ask?” Raphael replied, his face subtly shifting from confused to nervous.

Splinter sighed.

Gentle prodding never worked when he was a child so why would it now?

“Hmm- let me try a different question- Raphael, there is something you need to tell me. What is it that happened to your arm?”

The boy's face fell immediately as he swerved the limb in question behind his back, as if hiding the wounded appendage would do anything to help his side of the argument. “Uh- NOTHIN’.”

Splinter’s frown quickly escalated to a knowing glare. “A lying tongue does not belong in the mouth of a man who stands for truth, Raphael. Choose your next words wisely.” He chided sternly, holding out his hand to his son.

That boy never makes it easy…

The teen’s heterochromatic irises darted left and right, clearly searching for a way to escape. “B-But!”

“Raphael Kisho Hamato.” Splinter rumbled, his warning slow but drenched in potency. “Give me your hand.”

As always, being referred to by his full name seemingly scared the boy into complete silence, causing his shoulders to shoot up and his head to lower as if he were about to escape into the safety of his shell. Eventually he came to the conclusion that there was no way out of his predicament, so he relented and held out his arm to his father.

The great Master took Raphael’s arm while maintaining a steady pressure. Whenever the teen winced or grunted his father would reply with hushed apologies as he continued the examination of the faded marks littering his son’s jade skin.

“It…” The boy timidly spoke up, his volume uncharacteristically small as he turned his gaze away, “It’s from the lab.” He whispered, shame squeezing his voice in a painful grip.

Splinter forced back the immediate surge of anger blazing within him. He should’ve known better than to leave his sons in the hands of the captious city above- a world where equality and acceptance were nothing more than empty promises to him and his kind. “Freak!” “Abomination!” “Creature!” Threats and slurs echoed in his ears, voices of past men and women who no longer saw him as a colleague… But a monster.

He forced a calming breath that did little to alleviate the pain finding its way to the surface. “How did this happen?” He asked gently but gravely.

The boy’s gaze remained planted to the floor, his eyes creasing into a subtle wince whenever Splinter pressed onto the thin scars. “I um… I got injected with something. But I guess it didn’t work… Still hurt like shell though…” The last of his sentence was barely recognizable with how he spoke under his breath. Thankfully, rats were designed with acute hearing.

“Did you tell Leonardo of this? I’m sure he would want a further examination to clarify if you’re alright, my son.” Splinter asked in a fatherly tone that both requested and demanded his son’s obedience.

“N-No!” Raphael surprisingly cried out, waving his other hand, “No, you can’t tell him. I’m fine! It just aches sometimes, I swear!”

The great Master cocked his head in mock confusion. “I can’t tell him?”

His son’s face twisted into a grimace as he realized how much had been revealed through his words. “I-...”

It seems I was wrong to presume all was well between Raphael and Leonardo. Their years of growth and recovery have yet to complete.

“Raphael.” Splinter warned, “Surely I do not need to remind you what happens when you hide your injuries from those who want to help?” He made his point by turning his son’s palm over to display the faded scars of ropeburns scattered across the teen’s hand; More proof that Splinter had failed in the past to see the needs of his hurting child. “Why don't you want your brother’s assistance?” He asked, concern clear in his words as he soothingly rubbed healing circles into the long-faded wounds etched into his son’s skin. Without realizing it, the great Master’s gaze wandered to the lightning bolt chipped into Raph’s plastron; Further proof of the teen’s struggles that he had kept from his family; Secret battles that had been fought without the proper armor, eventually leading to disastrous consequences.

Raphael’s body tensed at the tender words of his father. Slowly and cautiously, the teen pulled his eyes from the ground and met his Sensei’s gaze. “It’s not that, Dad. Things are just- they’re… They’re different between me and Leo now. I don’t…” Raphael’s eyes began to glisten, resulting in the teen immediately growling and hiding his face into his hand. In a trembling voice very rare for his warrior son, the boy hissed, “I can’t screw this up again…”

The great Master’s heart pulsed lovingly at Raphael’s explanation. He thanked the Lord for the caring spirit his children all possessed, shown in their own unique ways. But as with all things, there must be balance. Replacing hatred for guilt would do nothing to heal what had been hurt.

“My dear boy.” Splinter’s voice soothed like warm tea on an aching throat. “It is true that your past with Leonardo has strained your relationship. But I have also seen healing- true progress in both of you. As the years passed and you grew in understanding, your bond began to mend. But this progress means little if you continue to hide your pain from your brother.”

“I-It’s not like I want to!” Raphael defended as he slowly pulled his arm out of his father’s grip. His voice was strained, thin and fraying like Michelangelo’s hand wraps mere moments ago. “He’s just got a lot on his mind right now- one too many problems. And I don’t want to be another to add to his growin’ list.”

“Hmm. I understand the concern you carry for your brother. But you must trust that he will speak to you if you are becoming a burden he can no longer carry.”

Splinter had to restrain himself from taking a step back at the expression of utter betrayal plastered all over his son’s face.

“That’s the problem, Sensei…” The teen replied with a bitter tongue, “I can’t trust him to tell me. The guy’s a major hypocrite! You think I’m bad with hidin’ my scrapes and bruises- but Leo’s been carryin’ all kinds of guilt about me and Don gettin’ snatched! Worst part is he didn’t tell anyone ‘til we had a friggin’ intervention!”

Splinter hummed and nodded, processing his fiery son’s words.

“It’s bad enough bein’ the leader and carryin’ all the responsibility with it, but on top of that he’s the team medic! Ever since we got home he’s been goin’ nonstop. I haven’t even seen him eat anything yet, and it’s been over two days! ‘Treat your body like a temple’ MY A-”

“-Ahem.” Splinter warned, his tail curving dangerously like a whip about to lash out- Another way he had adapted when it came to the discipline needed in raising four boys. No vulgar language was ever allowed in this home.

Raph grumbled but complied, letting out a defeated sigh. “All that to say, Sensei… No. I can’t trust him to tell me the truth. He’d probably just lie straight to my face.”

Splinter couldn’t argue against the teenager’s statements. It wasn’t a complete shock to hear that Leonardo wasn’t caring for his body as he should either. With a regretful sigh, the old Master shook his head. “I see your point, Raphael. But whether you’re wrong or right doesn’t change the fact that you need this wound to be examined further. Especially if it is still causing you pain.”

“B-But I told you it’s really not that bad! You can tell, look!” Raph gestured to his arm, and began to poke it for emphasis of his wound’s apparent recovery. The facade remained unconvincing though, as Splinter still noticed his son’s eye slightly wince with each poke. “The scars are all faded, so they’re probably healin’ just fine!”

Splinter’s gaze once again met with the scar carved deep into the skin over his son’s heart, an expression of sheer guilt bleeding into the rat-man’s features. “Unseen wounds can be the most dangerous, my dear Raphael.”

The teen gingerly followed his father’s gaze, and upon reaching the lightning bolt chipped into his plastron, his whole body struck rigid. His hazel and green gaze instantly shot back to the floor as his breath began to quicken.

I have gone too far… Splinter realized dejectedly.

Returning to the needs of the present rather than drowning in failures of the past, the rat-man leaned forward and rested a steadying hand on his quaking son’s shoulder. “Now that this has been brought to my attention, you will go to Leonardo and let him tend to your wounds- willingly or not. Am I clear?” His words were spoken in blatant authority, but his soft tone comforted with the gentleness of a worried parent.

Raphael’s trembling breath eventually steadied. With a sigh of resignation, he slowly nodded.

“Very good. I shall accompany you to the Medbay, just to make sure your journey is quick and unfaltered.”

The fiery teen’s head rose just enough to reveal he was rolling his eyes. Despite the blatant sass dripping from his son’s expression, the great Master could still detect the hints of fondness in his multi-colored irises.

“Gee…thanks, Dad…” Raphael drawled, a thin smirk finding its way onto his lips.

“You are welcome, my beloved son.” Splinter replied, his tone playful but his heart overflowing with endearment.

Raphael paused at his father’s heartfelt words, his expression shifting as he seemingly began to ponder them. His face twisted as his gaze once again found its home on the ground. With a slight tilt of his head the teen gestured to the awaiting hall, signaling that the conversation had officially reached its end.

I shall respect his boundaries. Splinter thought to himself as a weighted sigh left the rat-man’s nose, The walls he has built may bring my heart grief, but that does not negate the truth that they were formed by his hands.

The Lord allows us the choice to trust in Him- Therefore I must give that same liberty to my own children.

…No matter how much it hurts.

With nothing more to say, both father and son began the short journey to the Medbay.The two traipsed side by side, silence filling the gaps of sound between their soft footsteps.

That's it for this chapter! Guys- I gotta be honest with you- this was by far the most difficult chapter I have ever written in my life. Many fanfic writers agree that writing for Splinter's POV is a test on the author's part by itself. And then on TOP of getting his inner voice, mannerisms, and dialogue right, I also had to figure out the backstory of how he and his little adopted family came to be.

Just- YIKES. XD But my glorious writing Sensei, @poetique823, guided me every step of the way, giving helpful critiques and compliments to show me better how to write this complicated chapter. :) She saved my sanity~

Thanks for reading! Feel free to reblog!

@indieyuugure @writer-in-wonder @allyheart707 @oddartistl3 @risebabyx2 @joyjoygorl @carrots-bear @imagionationstation @howtotrainyourdragonprince @jasminegazer @brightonstudios @ninjaturtlefan-dee @rottmntlover14 @eggbem @lydjachan @sashatrout @chaosborb @maddys-nerd-blog @alexthecreature @dorkatella @thetanzanitequill

If you want to be tagged in the next chapter, comment down below! (That way when I post the next chapter you'll get the notification!)

To God be the glory!

~ Melissa

MASTERPOST <- PRIOR CHAPTER NEXT CHAPTER ->

#tmnt #the strength in weakness #SIW Splinter #SIW Raphael #SIW Leonardo #SIW Michelangelo #SIW Donatello #Backstories revealed #TW Child abandonment #TW Implied abuse #TW Implied medical trauma #Raph's just trying to figure out things #Splinter's just trying to help Raph figure out things #Neither of them know what they're doing

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