Raph was hiding me behind his giant shell as the person he called Master Splinter awaited an answer from him. The red banded turtle had explained that this as his father, a rat mutant who doubled as a Sensei and strict parent of him and his brothers.
"I, uh-"
"Leonardo informed me of your behavior as of lately. This is unacceptable, Raphael. What do you have to say for yourself?"
"Sensei, please listen, I've been out on patrol. Seriously, it ain't nothing big."
"It isn't anything to fret over?" A hum filled the air. "Then explain, my son, where have you been disappearing to, and for what reasoning?" I could hear Raphael huff above me. I wondered if I should show myself now, or allow him to continue shielding me away. I weighed the options and possibilities in my head. I wasn't able to make a choice before a loud bang filled the room, and from a door to the side, smoke poured out of the door-which was now stood wide open.
Another turtle, one of Raph's brothers, exited the room with a fit of coughs. "Mikey!!!" A voice chased after the orange banded turtle, and though I couldn't see who it was, I know it was Donnie. Mikey put his hands up in defense, his baby blue eyes scanning the room until they paused on me. A smile lit up his features. Oh no...
"Dudette! What's up girl? Fancy seeing you down here!"
Everything paused in those five seconds. Donnie stood watching me, wide eyed. That's when it really hit that I wasn't supposed to be here. Leo has entered the room to fuss at his brothers, but instead paused when he saw me standing behind Raph. I could hear the chill in the next words his father spoke.
"Raphael, explain to me why you were out." This time it was a harsh demand.
"Splinter, I-" My friend was suddenly moved, and in front of me stood a tall figure of a rat. He looked at me with hard brown eyes, his skinny fingers squeezing his cane. I gulped. I could feel the familiar itch rubbing up my forearms. An unbearable feeling, but I somehow ignored it.
"You have brought a human into our home." The rat turned to his son. "Why?"
"Sensei, Raph has been seeing her on the surface for a while now." Donnie spoke.
"And you, my sons, have known of this?"
"We just found out, Sensei. She poses no threat." Leonardo bowed to his father and respectably explained the situation. I'd encountered him and we became friends without anyone being aware. In the end, Splinter turned to me, his eyes not so hardened.
"I am sorry for the trouble that has occurred. You must understand where I come from. As a father, and as a Sensei."
"I do, sir." The itch seemed to fade.
There was a silence that followed. "You may stay for a while if you wish." He looked between the boys. "But because you four disobeyed my orders, you will have training. Now!"
All of the boys slumped over to what I assumed was where they'd receive their punishment. Raph looked at me once Splinter has made his way to the room. "We'll be back before you know it. Just don't go in Donnie's lab, he'll kill us all."
"I'm sorry I got you in trouble."
"Ah, it was goin to happen one day. Now we can hang out?"
"I'd like that, Raph."
"Yeah? Maybe I would too." I shoved the ninja by the chest.
"Don't train too hard." I grinned. Raph gave me a sarcastic look and rolled his green eyes.
"Yeah, with Splinter? Riiiight."
