Donnie's Thoughts

Walls

Another day of working hard in the dojo, training with my brothers. Master Splinter sat quietly upon his mat observing us, watching as we did our morning lessons. His beady, hard hazel eyes followed our movements with a look of concentration. The way he sits up as straight as a pole, posture as strong as a mountain. He strokes his chin and raises a brow as he gets lost in his thoughts. What swirls through his wondrous mind is beyond my comprehension. But the look of wisdom and experience that is etched into his face says it all. The curt nod he sends our way notifies us that we've done good. And the ghost of a smile that spreads across his face signals us that he is impressed. Proud of his four sons.

Sparring with one of my brothers usually ends with me on the ground crying for mercy. Especially with the two eldest of the the bunch. However, today won't be that day. I plan on over powering the other, thus winning the match. I chuckle uncomfortably, and grin nervously. Today I'm sparring with my brother, Michelangelo. Better known as Mikey, the goofball. I don't usually have trouble sparring with him, but today I need to make-my-mark sort of speak. Don't misinterpret what I'm trying to explain. Mikey is a great brother and a greater ninjutsu student. He has so much unlocked potential, he just needs to realize that on his own. Today I'm going to show my older brothers that I'm not weak, useless, or unreliable tech nerd. I'll demonstrate how well of a ninja I truly am!

As I face my opponent, thousands of stratagies cross my mind. I make a list of his strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots.

As I'm doing so, Mikey springs into action. For many years now, I still haven't managed to see how Mikey can just...attack without thinking about it! I grimace as he slowly overpowers me. I glance at my brothers, both are shaking their heads.

This is it. I have to do something now. I turn back just in time to dodge Mikey's kusarigama flying past my head. Then I see my opening, Michelangelo charges at me. Nunchucks twirling and enthusiasm flowing. With this, I use his weight against him. His momentum is used towards my advantage as I flip him over my shoulder.

During this time, I quickly pull out my staff and push the button transforming it into a naginate. I spin and face a surprised, and unarmed, ninja. The blade of my naginate is pointed fairly close to his neck. I grin despite myself knowing I should remain serious.

"Yame!", Master Splinter calls out.

Both Mikey and I stand up straight to face our sensei. The others, Leonardo and Raphael, stand up also. We all kneel before our guardian, master, teacher... Father.

Master Splinter looks at us all, and the corners of his mouth curve.

He spoke. "You've done well my sons. You continue to show me how capable you all are. And, how much more you all can accomplish."

We bow our heads in respect.
"Thank you, Sensei." We all simultaneously speak at once.

"You are all dismissed." Master Splinter stands. We all begin to leave the dojo. We freeze in our tracks at the sound of our sensei.

"Except for you, Donatello." He strokes his beard and gestures for me to come. I sigh and reluctantly walk over. I wonder as to what he would want to speak to me about.

"Donatello, my son, you have been special from the moment you four were born. You showed great knowledge and a held a brilliant future. All four of you held this." He looks of into the distance. His dark orbs glistening, recalling the past of us all being reborn.

Our mutations that miraculously changed us for the better.

"Today, you have shown great improvement on your training. You have shown me how well of a ninja you are molding into." A faint smile graces his features, wrinkling his fuzzy cheeks.

"This also accounts for your strength in mind," He taps his head with the tip of his finger. Then, moves his hand facing me. His finger now pointing at my direction.
"And spirit." I give a gapped-tooth smile and bow my head.

"Thank you, Master Splinter." As I bid my father thanks I head towards the exit. I can hear the bustling of my brothers in the kitchen, preparing lunch perhaps.

As I walk I develop a skip to my step and smile plastered on my face. A new positive attitude engulfs me. The turnstiles from the entrance of the lair turn with a crank and can be heard throughout the lair. I turn to see a vision of beauty. She walks through the turnstiles, a hand glides up her face tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Her small smile sends my heart beating a mile a minute.

I can feel the blush rising up the back of my neck. Slowly crawling and spreading towards my burning cheeks. Her crystal irises scan across the lair, freezing everything that she looks across. Her beautiful blue orbs land on me and I'm instantly paralyzed by how luminous they are! I smile dreamily, more like stupidly to my embarrassment.

The light reflects majestically off her, creating a outlined glow. As I'm thinking this, pain shoots up my head then down to my bottom. I then realize I'm on the ground. Laying on the hard cold ground, confusion taking over. I stare up into the ceiling, when April comes and crouches over me. My cheeks burns from embarrassment and look away. She smiles at me and giggles. The sound is like a beauteous tune! I turn back and chuckle nervously.

April smiles and places a hand on my forehead. I could feel my cheeks burning hotter.

"You okay Donnie? That was a pretty hard blow you took a few minutes ago. Weren't you watching where you were going?" She laughs a bit before standing, hands on her hips.

I raise my brow. 'What?'

She shakes her head playfully and walks away. My blush slowly dies down now that she's not around. I rub my head and groan a bit.

"What the shell did I hit?" I sit up and come face to face with a hard concrete wall.

"If sensei were to see me now, I would of have proved him wrong while embarrassing myself in front of the girl of my dreams." I grunt and lay against the object that helped me make a fool of myself.

'Dumb wall...'