Together As Mutants (Book Six)

Chapter 46: Passing the Torch

Splinter watches his sons, Destiny, and April spar, arms folded behind his back. It's times like this that he finds himself in awe of his students. His sons have become formidable fighters, strong and sure in every movement, while Destiny and April have taken well to the ninjutsu art too.

He strokes his beard, humming to himself in thought as he watches Destiny. She spars with Michelangelo, blocking his nunchuck strikes with her uchigatana, ducking and dodging and spinning even as Michelangelo dances around her.

Splinter's ears perk. Michelangelo's fighting style has always been incredibly agile, rivalled only by Leonardo, and Destiny is doing well keeping up with him. She has learned to use her wings and tail to enhance her fighting style and while Splinter knows she still has a lot to learn, she's come a long way from where she began.

"Sarina," Splinter says, turning to the cyborg next to him. As always, Sarina has her tablet, taking notes, and she looks up at him the moment he says her name. "Would you agree that Destiny has improved quite notably as of late?"

Sarina tilts her head. "I suppose so, although from what I've seen, she's always improved steadily. She's very diligent in her training with Leonardo and I think the hard work speaks for itself."

Splinter nods as his attention drifts to his eldest son, currently sparring with April. While he has always shown the most prowess for ninjutsu out of all his brothers, Splinter is still warmed with pride at how Leonardo has improved as a leader through these many years. April has also grown, although Splinter will never shame her for taking more time to focus on her duties on the surface, and on her future. She deserves to focus on such things in this time of peace.

His attention drifts past them to Raphael and Donatello's match, at how they banter at each other good-naturedly even as they strike and block each other's blows. Years ago, Donatello would struggle to meet Raphael blow-for-blow, but now he's become a much more confident fighter, and Raphael has become less rash.

His heart lifts with pride anew. His sons have truly grown into men.

It is time.

"I will speak with Leonardo and Destiny after training, then. Thank you for the input, Sarina."

She smiles at him as her eyes glow softly. "Of course, Sensei! That's what I'm here for."

He is grateful for her presence too, although she never cared to learn ninjutsu. She is yet another invaluable piece of his family.

When training ends, Splinter rattles off his usual wisdom, pointing out a few things for each of them to improve on, although it seems like it gets harder to find faults with each day that passes.

"You are dismissed," Splinter says.

"Aw, yeah! Party time!" Michelangelo hoots, leaping up and heading for the door. He whips around, pointing at the others. "Ready to break it down, dudes?"

"What time are we meeting up again?" Raphael asks, checking his phone messages as he starts to follow.

"Should be in the next hour, unless Karai changed the plan," Donatello says.

Splinter gets to his feet as his children start to file out. "Leonardo. Destiny. If you would stay a moment..."

The couple stops on a dime, looking at each other before focusing on their teacher again. The others hesitate for a second, confused, but Sarina ushers them out of the dojo.

"Trust me, it's nothing to worry about," she assures them.

"Don't be too long, dudes!" Michelangelo calls. "Can't be late!"