Love Never Lost

Turtle Temper: Part 3

Brooke's POV:

Once Raph & I reach the lair, he paces alongside the kitchen table while I sit on the opposing side. Raph's pet turtle Spike is sitting on the table eating a lettuce leaf as we listen to Raph vent his frustrations.

Raph: "Who does Leo think he is? So what if we've got a temper? We're still the best fighters we've got. In fact, if anything, our anger makes us better fighters. You understand, don't you, Spike? Chew on your leaf if you understand."

Spike does indeed chew on his leaf. I giggle at the coincidental chain reaction as I gently pet his shell, Spike churring in response. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Raph giving us a gentle smile before Splinter approaches us from behind me.

Splinter: "I understand as well."

While I nod in recognition of his presence, Raph jumps in surprise at the sudden appearance of our father.

Raph: "Oh! Seriously, you gotta knock or something. Brooke, how come you're not surprised?"

Me: "I've learned to expect the unexpected with you guys, especially Splinter."

Splinter gives me a warm smile.

Splinter: "Then I have trained you well, my daughter. Now, let me tell you both a story."

Raph: "Sensei, I'm not in the mood for a story."

Splinter turns to face Spike with a question.

Splinter: "Spike, chew on your leaf if you are in the mood for a story."

Spike chews on his leaf once again in response, causing me to let out another small laugh before turning back to face Splinter.

Splinter: "Very well. When I was a young man, I fell in love with a woman."

Raph rises from the table to look at the nonexistent watch on his wrist in an attempt to escape.

Raph: "Oh, hey, is it that late?"

Splinter & I: "Sit!"

Raph obeys as I turn to face our father with a warm smile. I love Dad's stories from his past. They always have helpful life lessons in them, and he's always been an excellent storyteller for each of us growing up.

Splinter: "Her name was Tang Shen, and I was not the only one who loved her. There was another man competing for her attention. Oroku Saki."

Raph & I: "Shredder."

Splinter: "One day, he insulted me in front of her. He called me many things. I felt I could not let those insults go unanswered. I lost my temper. And over time, our rivalry festered into hatred, until Shredder sought to finish me, and I lost my beloved Tang Shen."

Raph & I both give him sorrowful looks as we let his words sink in.

Me: "I'm so sorry, Father."

He nods in gratitude with a somber smile.

Splinter: "Thank you, my child. You have a most generous heart, never lose it."

I nod with a small smile before Raph speaks up.

Raph: "But, but it wasn't your fault. Shredder insulted you. You had no choice."

Father turns to him with a doubtful frown as I look to him to signal that he shouldn't have said that.

Splinter: "No choice? I could have chosen to ignore him. I could have chosen to let his words wash over me like a river over stone. But I let him anger me. It was I who made his words into weapons."

He then walks to Raph as he places a hand on his shoulder.

Splinter: "That's the choice I made. What choice will you make?"

As Splinter walks away, I can see Raph's mind racing to figure out what to do next. He then looks to me for confirmation.

Raph: "Brooke, do you ever wonder what happened before we found you? How you ended up on the street? Don't you ever want revenge for whoever did that to you?"

I look to the ground in contemplation.

Me: "Well, yeah actually. There are times when I try to remember what happened before you guys took me in. But I do remember that if it weren't for you guys, my life wouldn't be half as awesome as it is now. As for revenge, if Dad's story taught me anything, it's that revenge is never the answer. Now, let's go save our brothers. You with me, Hot Shot?"

Raph smiles as we bump fists before running out of the lair towards the Kraang's hideout. Once we get there, we discover that our brothers have been trapped in a hole in the floor of the building, and Vic has been mutated into a spider-like creature.

Raph: "Wow. I didn't think this guy could get any uglier."

Me: "I told ya, Raph. He got what was coming to him, and then some."

Leo: "Raph!"

Donnie & Mikey: "Brooke!"

Mikey then tells me that he's given Vic the name 'Spider Bytez'.

Spider Bytez: "Hey, it's the kung fu frog and the wimpy little princess with the salad tongs."

Raph: "Hey, it's the stupid loudmouth who's about to get his butt kicked."

Let the games begin. Payback time!

TO BE CONTINUED