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The Long Walk	By : Breech_Loader Category: Comics > Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Views: 2640 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the franchise of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, have invented none of its characters, and make no money from writing this story.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
The Long Walk
Co-Written by Harley Quinn hyenaholic and SonicFrank
~~~
Harley: For future reference, Breech is five feet tall and weighs approximately 110lbs, in comparison to the 180lbs of the turtles. Any of them could lift her with one hand. Now, this may sound horrendously anorexic, but keep in mind three things.
1: She’s shorter than they are.
2: She’s the HELL of a lot slimmer – the turtles are PACKED with exceedingly hot body-builder muscle, while Breech possesses the build of an Olympic gymnast. Also, no shell.
3: In comparison, cats have a much lighter frame than humans.
~~~
Chapter Seven: Mortality
There was a list. A very long, detailed list consisting of plans, ideas, and questions; each with all kinds of notes and reminders. Scattered across his desk were formulas, blueprints, even a few empty vials. One with a blood sample. His microscope was left on, and his computer had about sixteen different windows active at the same time. Hard at work, Donatello most likely didn't notice the time.
"Don?" Leo spoke up behind his brother, "What did I tell you about getting some sleep? You know, to explain everything to Master Splinter? And also because sooner or later today you're going to have to explain it to Mikey and Raph too, and that'll be the fun part," he said dryly.
"Hmm?" Don took a moment to look at the time on his computer screen. "Aw shell... it's morning already? But I just started working!" This was evident, by the many tons of equipment, maps, blueprints and models that were scattered on his desk...
"Working on a cure, huh?" Leo asked, "I know you're a genius, Don... but there's medication to help with allergies already. Isn't that good enough for now? It takes years to develop these things... wouldn't you rather spend that time with your friend?"
A smile crept across his face as he listened to his brother's naive satisfaction with current, modern medication. "Sure, but I'd also like to hug her without having to worry about blowing my nose every other minute time-lapse. Besides, you know me." A loud, whining yawn, took hold of him while he began to explain. "I have to run a full historical and scientific scan on every single one of these medications, and decipher how each of their ingredients will affect me as a mutant reptile. All of these medications are meant for people, not mutant turtles like us. This is why we use my own formula for headache medicine, and not Excedrine like we see in the commercials." He lifted a pen, and started writing some more notes. "Besides, I've been working on a whole lot more than that."
"Oh?" Leo asked, curious, and crossing his arms. He wasn't mad at his brother. It was understandable. But Master Splinter hadn't even heard about Breech yet, let alone okayed it. It just seemed a bit dumb to be working so hard on this already, "And what might that be?"
"Any number of things from a sleeping bag specifically designed for her body-type, complete with two attachable layers, different colour schemes on the inside and outside of every layer for camouflage, and a mosquito net in case she uses it in a heavily bug-infested area. I can't knit her one exactly like the ones I designed for us, or the one I designed for Master Splinter, because her body has different needs as far as heat and air-filtration go." Scratching his head with his pen, Don seemed to have more ideas flowing through him. "She has fur, for example, and sweats from her hands and feet. Very different to us shell-backs. I've got the core of a shell-cell already intact for her, but the outer casing will obviously be something feline, though I've yet to design anything. Also, that belt of hers is horrendous. She's probably used to it, so she doesn't realize how feebly designed it is. But once I finish the one I have planned for her, she'll be able to carry four tessen comfortably, as well as detachable pockets for anything else she may need. Like a utility belt, of sorts. And I'm also thinking of designing a new type of tessen for her. But that's a project for a much later time."
"You're obsessed, Don, you know that?" Leo patted his shoulder, "Why don't you ask her if she wants this stuff before getting onto it? And what happened to you designing new gizmos for Mikey's sound system, or Raph's Shell-Cycle?"
"I'll get to them." He slid his chair back, and stood up, stretching his arms out for the first time since he sat down seven hours prior. "But they already have their own things. Breech has nothing. She needs this stuff more than they need new toys. Well, besides the tessen, but that's why I haven't started on that yet. I'm prioritizing." Taking hold of his purple mask, he wrapped the cloth around his face, and had it tied perfectly within seconds. "I'd much rather work on making something for Breech to sleep in, than adding new 'gizmos' to Mikey's Sound system, which is more than loud enough as it is."
"Hey, I was kidding," Leo said, only partly serious. It was good to have your own stuff... but for somebody who had been as starved of affection as Breech sounded, it might be a little overwhelming. He doubted he could put Don off though. He knew how much his brother loved making things, "Now come on. Let's have breakfast, and then we'll talk to Master Splinter about this."
Donatello turned around to face the door, taking hold of his bo, "Actually, Leo. I developed a change of plans. See, you're Master Splinter's favourite son. It's a little hard to admit, we all want that title with all our hearts, but it's true. You're by far the favourite. Things might go a whole lot smoother if the situation is brought up to him by you, rather than me. I'd like you to meet her before we talk to Master Splinter about this whole ordeal."
"No," Leo said firmly, "This is something Master Splinter needs to know about, as soon as possible. If you're relying on me to explain her to Master Splinter, to get his approval, you'd better think again." This wasn't something he was going to ease up about.
"Why? What difference would it make if he learned of her later, rather than now? Logically speaking, if two of us meet her before he hears of her, then her chances of being approved by him are higher. If you're on my side as much as you implied you were last night, this plan would make more sense to you than to tell him now."
"Because Master Splinter should meet her too," Leo said, "Don, don't try to make me approve her for him. Ever thought that maybe you'll have a better chance if you tell him about her yourself? You know, as soon as possible?"
"Well, okay then. I'll tell him all about her myself. But if that's the scenario that you'd prefer, then I see no point in you meeting her today. I'll just take Master Splinter instead, and deprive you of the importance of having a say in the matter." Don's face had a challenging grin to it. These types of debates were only common between the two of them, as their brothers were unable to maintain any sanity without yelling, or backing down.
"Well, that's better than me having to tell him," Leo grinned, "Now come out of this room and have some breakfast with your family. That's an order," he put a joking hand on Don's shoulder, "And who said I'm Master Splinter's favourite anyway?" he asked on their way out, "I'm always messing up and failing him - and all of you. If anybody was his favourite, I'd always figured it'd be you. You mess up the least. Plus you're smart. And you know the bo is Splinter's favourite weapon."
Don followed him with a quizzical expression. "The chances of this conversation remaining one-hundred percent spiteless and rivalry-free are slim to none, even between the two calmest of the four siblings." Don walked beside Leo toward the dining room. "So I suggest we both just agree on Raph taking the pie." It was a joke, obviously, and one that only Leo would get. But Don's opinion still stood. He'd always felt that he was the least favourite...
"Agreed." Leo just clapped him on the shell, saying nothing more about favourites. Master Splinter was always saying he didn't have any favourites. Leo was pretty sure he meant it, but he always got the feeling that Master Splinter did have a favourite, deep down. It never seemed to feel like that favourite would ever be him.
Their brothers were already eating noisily at the table, and Master Splinter was coming out of his room quietly.
As soon as Donatello walked into the dining area, he knew there'd be trouble, just from the looks on their faces. But it'd be good, fun trouble. He could really use this, after being so emotional about Breech.
"Whoa, Raph! Check out the purple rebel! Back in town from his little vacation! Huhuh!"
"Yeah, no kiddin', Mikey. It's duh A.W.O.L. King himself. Where ya been, Bozo? Lookin' for duh Flux Capacitor at Toys R. Us?"
The room was blessed with the aroma of freshly-cooked pancakes, scrambled eggs, and syrup. Even a few waffles! Their father always made sure they had some fruit for breakfast, as well.
Master Splinter smiled as he approached the table, "It is indeed good to see you again, Donatello," he said simply. Contrary to Donatello's earlier beliefs, his absence had not gone unnoticed, "A healthy breakfast makes for a healthy ninja."
Donatello grinned. This would be an epic reunion after all. Going a whole evening without being teased by his brothers seemed alien, all of the sudden. "Well, gentlemen, I’m afraid I'm sworn to secrecy at the moment. Let's just say a cat got my tongue. But! I do have some news for you all, very interesting, family-oriented news, and I'll be revealing it to you very soon." He turned to his father, now, pressed his palms together before his own chest, and bowed. "Domo arigato, Sensei-San." This was his show of respect, and a morning ritual.
A bow in return. "Come, sit," Splinter gestured to the two chairs. Leo was already taking his place, "I shall be very interested to hear this news, when you are ready to tell me, Donatello. But for now, we will eat, rather than talk." He knew this was unlikely. Raphael and Michelangelo - especially Michelangelo - had never seemed to grasp the idea of table manners. He poured cereal into his bowl, and then handed the box to Leonardo, who did the same, and passed it to Donatello.
Raphael was already halfway done with his meal. He didn't understand the concept of waiting for everyone else. When he was hungry, he preferred to eat his food while it was warm. Nobody else is eating his food but him, so why involve them? "Yuh got a lotta explainin' tuh do, Donny-Boy." He grinned, and twirled a Sai in his right hand. "Like what duh deal is wit' dis girlfriend o' yours yuh been talkin' to on dat fancy box yuh got up in yuh room!" He stabbed a stack of pancakes with said Sai, and stuffed half of them in his mouth, syrup-less. He wasn't fond of its sweet taste. The idea of Donatello having a girlfriend amused him. This would remain fresh gossip for months.
Mikey topped this off with a statement of his own, only his grin was much more snarky. "Yeah! And when're you gonna tell her that you live in the sewers and your old man's a rat!?" Raph smacks him over the head immediately. "OW! What!? I didn't even-- Oh. Splinter's right there. Right. Heh." A cheesy, embarrassed grin, now, as he's just been busted.
"Seriously." The red-clad reptile scolded. "Today's Donny's turn tuh get hazed. Why take duh spotlight at a time like dis?!"
Splinter never made any comment on Michelangelo's faux pars. He knew his youngest son meant no offence. But he was indeed very interested in this conversation, eating calmly.
"Mikey!" Leo sighed. He should have known he couldn't trust his youngest brother with knowing when to keep his mouth shut. Now Master Splinter was looking on with interest, which generally meant that he was going to let his sons talk all about whatever it was, so he'd have less questions to ask. He glanced at Don, who was glaring at him without doing anything but eating quietly, "And Raph, I really don't think it's any of your business right now." He knew that such a comment would get Raphael riled up, which would hopefully drag the conversation away from 'girlfriends'.
Naturally, though, it didn't work. Raph was enjoying this way too much. "So what's she look like, eh? Any chance she's bald wit' a carapace on huh back?" He held a laugh back, but couldn't help the snicker.
"Yeah!" The youngest of four covered a stack of pancakes in what would normally be way too much syrup. "I bet you found 'er on a website I saw the other day. What was it, Raph? Shells Gone Wild?"
Everyone stared. Raphael slapped his forehead, "Yeah. Dat was bad, Mikey."
Donatello shook his head, and smiled. "Master Splinter. I think I might have to start censoring some of the channels your sons have been watching. Maybe we should take a look at the cable bill together..."
Mikey's eyes got wide, and Raph's got wider, "On second thought, let's talk about books!"
"Yeah, books! Science books! About... stars and machines and... stuff."
"Books, Raph?" Leo smirked, "When was the last time you read a book? And Mikey's comic books don't count. Neither, for that matter, do books with titles such as 'See Spot Run'."
Raphael gritted his teeth. "Meet me in duh Dojo, Leo. I'll show yuh runnin' spots..."
"And what's wrong with comic books!?" Michelangelo argued. "See, you guys don't understand them because you've got shells for brains! You just don't see the beauty behind dudes in tights and gimmicks and puns and... villains that always come back! It's a masterpiece, dudes!"
Donatello kept his attention on his father. "Master Splinter, I'm afraid I have bad news. I've been examining your DNA samples more closely, and... I'm afraid my hypothesis might very well be correct..."
"What's so great about Villains coming back?" Leo asked Mikey, "The Foot have come back more times than I can-" he stopped and turned to Don instantly, "What bad news? Is something wrong, Sensei?" he asked his father suddenly.
"Donatello, there is no such thing as good news, and bad news," Splinter said calmly, putting his spoon down for the moment, "There is only... news. Now what troubles you, my son?"
Donatello hadn't eaten much. He's saving room for possibly having breakfast at April's. "Well, your cellular reproductive system is splitting significantly apace compared to that of a human being, or one of us four terrapins."
"Uh, anybody have a SAP button handy?" Mikey scratched his head. Leonardo thought the same thing, but said nothing.
"Yeah, talk in English, or yuh might as well go mute." Raph was still peeved with Leo's comment, and even angrier that his challenge went unanswered.
"Well, in laymen's terms, Master Splinter. Mikey's right. My father's a rat... and rats don't live very long..." He was struggling with his words. And his emotions in saying them...
"I see," Splinter said, "Well, that would be bad news," he took a mouthful of his breakfast, "If I did not believe that my sons would be capable of surviving as a team, and as a family, without me."
"But... but..." Leo stammered. Was Don saying his father was going to die? No! No, how would he ever lead the family without his father there? He wasn't good enough, he'd fail, what was he supposed to do?
"I have felt it in my bones for some time," Splinter admitted, "I was not young when I was changed, and I am older still now. Nonetheless... I believe that I have accomplished much in my life. And my greatest accomplishment is my sons." He continued to eat his breakfast.
"Dude, can't ya do anything? Y'know, like... a Lazarus Pit?" Mikey was at a loss. He knew this was serious, but even now, he didn't know how to handle it.
"Yeah. You're duh doctor!” Raphael glared, “How's 'bout comin' up wit' a solution, instead o' just sittin' here tellin' us bad news!?"
Donatello pressed his fingertips together. "Well. There is hope. Your mutation has obviously expanded your lifespan by at least eighteen to twenty years, depending on how old you were when you found us. Your human DNA might be the key, Sensei. If I can perhaps find a way to draft your mutation to progress even further than it already has... It might result in your original DNA being corrupted even further, with results such as the loss of some of your fur, and your tail suddenly falling off, but it might make you live longer. I need more time, though... It's just a theory..."
"Well work on it, Donny! Work on it!" Raphael had this obnoxious, self-centred way of demanding that Don come up with a cure, without understanding the basics of the Science involved. Still, Don understood that he was worried, so he didn't retaliate. "Quit sittin' around talkin' tuh some tramp on FaceBook and save Master Splinter! If he dies when you coulda saved 'im, you’re goin' down wit 'im!"
"My son," Splinter took his hand, "Is this the reason you have isolated yourself from your family in your room these past few months?"
"Er-" Donatello choked. This question caught him off guard by three shields and a plastron. "Well, yes and no... Master Splinter, I need to speak with you in private. There's something very important that I need to speak to you about. Alone..." Don looked at Leo, and got the sudden urge to whack him with a waffle.
"I understand," Splinter looked around at his family, who looked afraid, angry and dejected, "I am not afraid of leaving you, because I know I am not leaving any of you alone. I have trained you well. And though one day you will no longer have me to turn to, you will still have each other. I love you all, as much as any father can love his sons. I am not afraid of my own mortality. Instead I have used my awareness of it to make the very most of my life. And you must do the same.." He stood up, "Raphael, Michelangelo, you will wash the dishes. Donatello, we will speak together in my room. And Leonardo, I will talk with you about this later."
"Yes, Sensei," Leo bowed his head respectfully. He had to stay strong about this. For his brothers, and for his father. Man, this new Foot girl was going to put so much stress on Master Splinter!
"Hold it." Raph stood up, hands spread on the table. "Master Splinter, why do yuh have tuh talk in private? What's wit all duh secrecy around here?" He faced his brother, now. Angry face armed. "Don, what the shell is goin' on!? Why does everythin' about you gotta be a secret all duh time? Why can't yuh stay here, and tell duh whole family instead uh lockin' yuhself away wit Mastuh Splintuh?!"
"Yeah. I'd be all ear..." Mikey wasn't quite done with his line when he delayed it to feel at the side of his head. " ...holes, if you stood here and told everyone! Well, maybe not Raph. He can leave."
Raph lifted a fork. "See dis? It's goin' up yuh nose."
"We will talk in private because it is in private that Donatello wishes to discuss it," Splinter told them sternly, "If it is still something that must concern the entire family, I will indeed tell you all. But until then Raphael, you must learn to be patient."
Donatello had to resist every urge within him to not lash out at his loudest brother. He could forgive Mikey, for he was only annoying. Raphael, he was angering...
"Come, Donatello, I see something troubles you," Splinter told his quiet son, "We will talk in my room now."
"Yes, Sensei..." Donatello kept his head bowed. He felt ashamed, all of a sudden, for wanting to bash Raphael's shell in. It was usually up to him to maintain harmony within the lair.. But ever since he met Breech, he found himself with the impenetrable urge to defend himself. As if he had something to stand for, now.
Splinter knelt down in his room. Donatello was right. He could feel his bones growing older. But it was not something that could be held off forever. What he now had to teach his sons, was how to continue their lives without him. He sat down at his Japanese tea table, and gestured for Donatello to sit opposite him, "It cannot be my age that troubles you, Donatello," he told his son, "For you have spoken about it to us already. But you still have more to say, and here you may tell me everything else."
Donatello knelt. He couldn't remember the last time he and Splinter had spoken in private like this. It may have actually been years ago, as it was usually Raphael and Leonardo who sat before him in this manner. The teen's eyes lowered to the table both before and below him, and placed his hands on his knees. "Master Splinter... I've broken a whole lot of rules, over the past thirty-eight hours, and... Father, I'm deathly afraid of disappointing you or... of you being ashamed of me..."
"Ah," Splinter nodded sagely and thoughtfully, "Understand only this, Donatello. I will never be ashamed of you. I am disappointed that you have broken my rules. Nonetheless... I am proud that you are strong enough to admit your disobedience to me in person.."
"No! Master Splinter, you don't understand. The things that have been going through my head! I said things to Leo last night. I meant them, and I stand behind them a hundred percent, but these thoughts are against everything you've ever taught us, since day one..."
"And what have I taught you, Donatello?" Splinter asked him.
Donatello was caught off guard twice that morning. "That.... well, that family comes first... But I've made a conscious decision, Father. A decision that's going to change everything. If not immediately, then soon..."
"And what is that decision?" Splinter asked him again, trying to help his son tell him what was troubling him so much.
"To be happy..." He looked up at his father now. His eyes were tainted with tears, "Or die trying..." He looked down again.
"My dear son," Splinter reached out and placed one hand on Donatello's cheek, "There is nothing in this world that I want, than for you all to be happy. Now... will you tell me why you believe this thing that would make you happy, would disappoint me and shame you?"
Don closed his eyes. His father's touch has been alien to him for years now. He hasn't required it in so long... "Because there's a chance in a million that I've put our family in grave danger... Father, I've met a woman. A mutant woman, like us! And she... she needs our help..."
"I assume this meeting was in the last thirty-eight hours?" Splinter asked him, "That it is the other reason you have been isolating yourself from your family?"
"Yes... I met her on top of the Chrysler building, where we revealed ourselves to each other, and she's... a cat. And a nin-er, kunoichi, at that." His pain lifts, just for a moment, as he knows his father will be intrigued by the next factor. "She practices Tessenjutsu!"
"I see," Splinter said calmly, "It seems... that my boy... is becoming a man..." he smiled slightly. He couldn't say he wasn't disturbed that Donatello had put himself and his brothers in danger by meeting this strange... feline. But Donatello had a great deal to get off his plastron, and becoming angry wouldn't help one bit.
"You should see it, Sensei, she can fall twenty stories, and land on her two feet without a flinch! And she can leap further than I can! If it weren't for my bo, I'd be slower, too. She's definitely got potential." He smiled, now that his father didn't seem angry with him.
"Hmmm..." Splinter listened. It was easy to tell how Donatello felt about this strange feline, "Felines are born predators. It makes sense that, should one have been changed in the manner that we have been, she would make a skilled kunoichi..." he looked up at his son, "But does she fight with honour, Donatello?"
His eyes went dark, now. And his eyes returned to the table. "She does now... I made her promise that she'd never kill again... Ever... But Sensei, she was forced to! She was owned, by people who worked with our enemies. People who worked for..." He cringed, before he said his name. "People who worked for Horoku Saki..."
"Hmmm..." Splinter nodded, now understanding why his son had been so agitated, "You are correct, Donatello. This does make things more complicated..." He remained deep in thought for almost a minute, closing his eyes. During this time, Donatello did not dare to interrupt him, "Then it is decided. I must meet with this fellow mutant. If she does indeed need our help, as warriors we must protect those who cannot protect themselves. If this is a deception, it must be uncovered to reveal the truth."
"I agree, Sensei,” Donatello glanced down, “But Leonardo thinks otherwise..."
"Leonardo is protective of you," Splinter told him, "It is because he cares deeply that he distrusts this stranger. But he still has much to learn, and much of it will come with experience. You, Donatello, also have much to learn. Let me tell you something that I myself, learned only through experience. Love hurts. It hurts even when it has everything going for it. It is a long and arduous path to tread, and only time can tell if she will meet you at journey's end - for it will not only be your journey, but hers also. You must trust my judgement, whatever it may be, on whether it is a path worth treading. For if it is not, it will hurt far more for the wasted journey."
"Master Splinter... I apologize for sounding rude. But... that decision is mine and mine alone to make..." Donatello hid his eyes at all costs, now.
"And if you are so determined, I cannot stop you," Splinter told him, "While I am your Sensei, it is life that is the greatest Sensei of all. If this is a deception... then you will learn soon enough. Because if this young woman is willing to tread her own path towards the meeting place, then she will not want to pull you from your family. She will wish to be a part of it. And this is why I must meet her.."
Donatello smiled at him again. "Of course! I was hoping you could meet her soon. Perhaps tomorrow, or later on today? I wanted Leo to meet her first, so he could decide on whether or not she could come to the lair and meet you here. ...Master Splinter?" Donatello's mood shifted, and so did his attention. "Why haven't you told me that you're sick? I noticed your throat this morning while you spoke. It's sore..."
"I do not want to lay further burdens upon you, Donatello," Splinter stood up with the aid of his cane, "It is nothing more than a sore throat. It will pass soon. Come. I wish to meet this feline friend of yours as soon as possible. I trust you know her name?" he smiled.
"O-of course I do, it's one of the first things... Sensei, are you saying you want to physically go to her and meet her... right now?" Don stood up much easier with his father.
"Yes, this is what I am saying," Splinter replied, picking up his cloak and hood, "Dress yourself. As a ninja you must be capable of hiding in a crowd, just as much as when you hide alone."
"But..." Donatello reached out to him, concerned, but didn't touch him. "You're sick. It's cold up there! It could aggravate your condition!"
"Then I am better off walking in the warm sunshine than in the cold night," Splinter told his son, "If I am to meet your friend, I must meet her myself, for I refuse to allow you to bring her down here without my permission. Be assured that had Raphael or Michelangelo asked such a thing of Casey Jones or April, I would have done the same."
Donatello shook his head, and grinned. "You do realize, one of these days, I'm actually going to have to forbid you from doing something such as this, right? Not today, because you have a very good reason. But someday, Master Splinter, as a son to his father, I'm going to say no, and it'll be because I want to take as best care of you as I can..."
"Yes, I understand," Splinter smiled, "But despite your concerns for my health, I believe I have a few years left in me yet. Now dress yourself. We are going, as you would say, topside."
"Okay. But you're wearing more than that. Come with me. I've sewn you a new sweater." The turtle had to head to his room, anyway, to pick up his hat, and the 'toy' he'd made for Breech while he studied fabrics that he could use for sleeping bags.
Splinter followed Donatello to his room, looking at the mess. Although there was order among the chaos, it was overflowing with little machines and notebooks and computer discs and far more, "How you can bear to live in such squalor and untidiness quite defeats me, Donatello," he told him, "Nonetheless, I suspect it all makes sense to you. And it is a considerable improvement on Michelangelo's room."
Don spoke while he opened a drawer beneath his mattress, and gave a light smile at his father's last comment. Mikey's room could use some re-inventing, that's for sure. "I wish it were a bit more organized myself, but I'm constantly working on at least seven things at a time. However, it's all worth it when I come up with things like this." The sweater was folded when he pulled it out from under a bunch of other 'prototypes', and he closed the drawer with his foot. The sweater was a dark, wisdom blue, a change from the usual burgundy. "I designed this sweater just for you, Sensei. It has three hidden pockets on the left of the interior, and a larger one on the right. I always thought you could use a spare cane, so I came up with a way for you to carry one comfortably. Also, there's the usual hoodie. This variation is unique, however, as I've added a feature uniquely for your body structure - a pocket for your tail..." He smacked himself on the forehead, suddenly. "Oh! Shell. I didn't consider the length of your tail! And whether or not it could coil or fold comfortably into the pocket!" He turned to his desk, and wrote big letters, impossible to miss. "Darn. I really hoped I could get to working on a jacket and a coat for you, based on this design. But it's back to the blueprints for me."
"Donatello?" Splinter took the sweater firmly from him, "You are a perfectionist in everything you do, and that is an admirable quality. But nothing will ever be absolutely perfect. For now, imperfection will do." He pulled on the sweater, "Ah, very comfortable." He pulled the hood on, and over his ears, "Now, dress yourself. I wish to meet your friend as soon as I can. You have told me many things about her. But I am also curious as to her name."
Don grabbed his hat. "I hung my coat up besides the entrance. And her name is... actually, she has two names, Sensei. Her name is Bridget. But I've always known her as Breech."
"Then I shall go with you to meet Bridget," Splinter led his son out of the room, looking around at the lair before turning to Leonardo, who was practicing his kata, "Leonardo. Donatello and I are going topside to visit April and meet her guest. None of you are permitted to go to the surface until we return. Keep your brothers under control until then."
Leonardo bowed, "Yes, Sensei," he told his father.
Donatello grinned at his brother, and twirled his bostaff all around, before holstering it. "Imagine that. Master Splinter and I going topside together. Without Leo... You have fun babysitting Mikey and Raph all by yourself."
"Humph. Kids," Splinter left the lair, and Donatello had to stop teasing his brother and follow him quickly, as they headed to the surface.
~~~
Harley: When I asked you to tell me if something was wrong with Casey’s accent being too extreme, I didn’t mean you shouldn’t tell me if nothing was wrong. So come on, review!H
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The Long Walk