Wilderness

A Tough Decision Part 2

"Master Kato surely there is a alternative option?" Master Splinter argued, 

"It is my earnest recommendation, Yoshi, it will benefit the boy it really will" Master Kato replied, 

"But to pull him away from this family all he has ever known & take him to Japan alone..." Splinter replied, after his former Sensei proposed to take Michelangelo away with him to Japan to help him as he saw fit. 

"He won't be alone but he is drowning in this family, he may not see it now but he is not thriving here, he needs his own mentor a-one-to-one mentorship away from being put down & neglected it's stifling his development, it is best for him, just think on it" Kato said heading off to bed leaving Splinter with a big decision to make but decided not to rush it. 

The next morning 

Splinter got up early, troubled, and saw Michelangelo also up making breakfast and decided to speak with him casually, before the others awoke, something he knew he should of done more than he had he knew Kato was right in some ways he did neglect this boy & didn't take the time with him he should have.

"I see you are making breakfast my son" Splinter opened up the conversation, Michelangelo was surprised his Sensei was chatting with him and studied his Sensei for a moment, he didn't do so normally outside the Dojo unless it was a reprimand.

"I always do father, it's my role in the family" Michelangelo replied, 

"And why is that my son?" Splinter asked, 

Michelangelo shrugged confused by the question but relied" I like to do it to contribute something I guess, I can be creative doing it and anyway I don't have Donnie's brain, we know Raph's the best fighter & Leo's a mix of both and the best ninja, I'm not so good at the stuff they are. I know... I can do speed and be the bait but at least I can look after us this way, although it's not so important as what my bro's can do." Michelangelo explained rambling, 

Splinter frowned, but was interrupted by Leonardo coming in for breakfast having smelt it cooking soon followed by the other two ending the conversation for now.

The turtles soon were in the end of practice where a familiar pattern emerged observed by Kato and not for the first time, of Michelangelo being roughed up this time by Raph in their sparring session. Raph was gleeful as he boasted of his win.

Later as the turtles were preparing to head out on patrol as usual arming up and packing their weapons into their belts, Splinter again had a quick casual word with his youngest.

"You don't seem to put up much fight in your sparring session my son, you seem to accept defeat before you even begin why is that?" He asked, 

"Well... Y'know Raph has to win, right, he'll just beat me harder if I get close (to winning) it's easier, it's always the same, losing to me is kinda embarrassing for them I guess so they'll bash me till they win, I get injured less this way"  Michelangelo explained, 

Splinter frowned again, he could see the merits of Michelangelo having one-to-one training after all, his state of mind wasn't where it should be, he thought he policed the training well but now began to realise he didn't do so for everyone.  

He felt Michelangelo had his limitations he viewed his focus problems something he had to accept yet his other son's had their issues addressed and never put the one-to-one time with him to help him break through the glass ceiling, Michelangelo had also believed in the same limitations existed for him.

For all Michelangelo's childish bravado he often displayed, Splinter could see when he thought about it he was indeed not thriving in this environment he has accepted his fate as the family punch bag & least skilled & doesn't rate himself as a enough of a ninja to believe he can rise above that station, he focusses on enjoying things when he can but he thinks he has to cook to contribute something more due to a lack of self worth and Splinter kicked himself for allowing such a unhealthy mindset develop and never really noticed it before Kato pointed it out and made him reflect on things like a good Sensei should.