Family Meeting [Tag: Hamato Clan]

Splinter paused for a moment to reflect on his son's words. Yes, he can be strict. Sometimes his punishments can seem a bit harsh. This is not the first time his sons had said his punishments were unfair. Even he admit to himself that he can go overboard on the punishments. He just doesn't want to loose his sons. He already lost Miwa. He didn't want that incident to repeat itself ever again.

"I know my punishments may seem unreasonable. You are right, though, you're not children any more. I admit that I can be over protective, but after what happened to Miwa..." He closed his eyes, hoping that the image would disappear. The disappearance of Miwa still ingrained in his mind. "When you have children, you would understand. Leonardo, I'm not blaming you for what happened to Donatello. What happened was completely out of your hands."

Splinter continued, in a firm but kind voice,"Raphael's heart is in the right place, but he is no match for the Shredder, at least not by himself. The purpose for these punishments is not to punish you for making mistakes, but to learn from them. Are they fair? No. Punishment is not about fairness. Its about learning from your mistakes and overcoming them. You seem to believe that you are above punishment." He raised one clawed finger,"One more hour on the Haashi. Talk back to me again and it will be another extra hour."

Leo crossed his arms across his chest. He wasn't ready to back down and part of him was ready to just leave. But that wouldn't be fair to his brothers. Punishment wasn't fair either and at least Splinter could admit that he was too harsh. Of corse that didn't stop him from adding yet another hour of punishment.

We have learned from them, sensei. We don't need harsh punishment to teach us more. But, If you insist on being so harsh, I'll take the punishment for my brothers as well. They did nothing wrong.

"Very well." Leonardo was right. All of this happen to fall on his shoulders. He failed to live up to his responsibilities as leader. "Donatello, you are dismissed. Raphael, you will spend an hour on the Haashi. You are still getting two hours, Leonardo." And with that he made a gesture with his paw that he was done for the day. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to relax with a nice cup of tea and get back to my stories." He turned to Leonardo. "You are welcome to have some after your punishment is over."

With that, he ambled out of the dojo. Checking the clock, he realized that it was 2:00 PM. So much for his morning soaps.

Okay, this whole situation was just.. weird. Leo was talking back to their father, and even offering to take their punishment? Really?! Who was this guy?! Then, their father backed down... kind of. But it was a huge shock that Donnie was so easily let off the hook! That certainly angered the Turtle in red.


"You've got to be kiddin' me.. Donnie gets off? His actions in trustin' some bimbo are just as dangerous as me goin' up against out enemy!" The hot-headed Turtle tried to reason before his father disappeared. "At least I was tryin' to protect us!"



And what example would it be setting of Donnie got off free? That it was okay to go trusting anything with less than human DNA???  He wasn't sure if his father even heard him, but dammit.. this wasn't fair!

Don continued to watch the exchange between Leo and Splinter. Leo actually brought up some good points in his argument. However, he knew it was upsetting Splinter and that was never a good thing. Leo was seriously asking for a much harsher punishment. But Leo wasn't done yet.

Don's eyes widened in shock when Leo said he would take all of their punishments on himself. It was very noble and a very responsible thing to do for the team, but Don still didn't see anything wrong with having a little bit of time in the Haashi with the rest of his brothers -- excluding Mikey.

Don didn't think he deserved special treatment and being excused from an hour in the Haashi. He messed up, he knew that. And Raph certainly thought he deserved it. Don just rolled his eyes. He was reminded again and again about how he screwed up and nearly got eaten by that cat lady.

"Okay, okay, Raph! I got it." He was sick and tired of Raph's attitude towards him. He already knew he was wrong about Love. Raph didn't need to keep rubbing it in. He got it the first time in probably a half-dozen total since it happened.

well at least he got Don off the hook. It seemed fair though he would have rather Raph also be free to go. Leo just thought that they were getting too old for these punishments. Splinter had always been strict and Leo always excepted that. But lately, he started to feel differently. Id he was to be a true leader of their little clan then maybe he should be the one to deal out punishments if any where needed. Of course Raph would never go with that.

Leo's go, Raph. The fast this over the faster I can go out and see Lexi again, Make sure Mikko didn't do anything stupid.

He was worried about leaving and what Mikko would do. But he trusted that Lazarus could handle her. and Gabe did have a gun, even though he hated guns he understood the need for them among people like Gabe and Lexi. Protection was important. Though he was hoping he could start teaching them how to fight. Maybe get Gabe off the drugs.

Leo headed out the dojo to go to his punishment. He expected Raph to follow.

Raphael glared at Donnie for a long while, still unable to believe that their father didn't take what the brainy Turtle did seriously. Yeah, Donnie was only trying to help a strange mutant, but even after she proved that she was perfectly capable of helping herself, and able to manipulate Don in such a way that he foolishly let his guard down, Don still wanted to help. Sure, Brainiac told his father that he wouldn't do it again, but the stagnant stench of bullshit had accompanied those words.



-Whatever!-


The red-clad bad boy was beginning to question the sanity of this clan. His own actions had been to protect them all. If he could have ended Shredder, his family wouldn't have to ever go up against the monster they had been warned about. Now he was in the hot seat. It was fucking unfair, and it angered him even moreso that Donnie wasn't Turtle enough to admit that he deserved to be in the Hashi, too.


With an irritated snort, the beast of a reptile pushed himself up onto his feet, glad to finally be off his knees. Those mats weren't exactly comfortable. His glare still locked with Don's until Leo spoke up, informing that they needed to get this over with so he could return to Lexi. His brothers were all pussy-whipped! No wonder everyone except Mike was acting like a moron. Still, it wasn't an excuse.


"Let's get this shit over with." At this point, Raphael was too burned out to argue that Leo was more concerned about some thug chick than anything else. Whatever. Let them all learn their lessons the hard way.


The Hot Head headed for the area that had been set up as their 'torture room', known less than affectionately as the Hashi.  He waited for his brother, and for their father to come and assign them their own personal punishments. There should have been three Turtles instead of two, but obviously Don was being shown favoritism...

Leo walked into the small room that was turned into Splinters own personal torture chamber. He stood in the middle of the room with his arms folded, waiting for their father to apoint them to their punshiments. He didn't say anything to Raph, it would only turn into some kind of fight. And that would lead to more punishment. Unlike Raph he agreed that Don should be off the hook. Leo was the one that told him to take care of the cat, Leo put him in that danger and he would be talk to Don later about it.

And poor Mike. He was left to go home alone, Anything could have happen to him. The weight of leadership was starting to weigh heavy on Leo's shoulders. Maybe he wasn't cut out for this. And now he had made new friends. And he really liked Lexi, but how was he suppose to get to know her, maybe win her over if he couldn't spend time with her?

Who was he kidding? Lexi wouldn't go for him, not when she had Laz to pick from. It was nice to daydream though.

Splinter didn't enjoy punishing his sons, but they needed to be taught a lesson. His sons had been calling this room the torture chamber since they were turtle tots. It always made him chuckle, but now is not a good time to laugh. Raphael and Leonardo were here to continue with their punishments.

Splinter handed Raphael his knitting tools. Even though his son hated knitting, he acquired a talent for it, even though he would never admit it himself. For Leonardo, he handed him chopsticks and a carton of eggs. Leonardo is supposed to stretch his legs while balancing the eggs, using nothing but chopsticks.

It seemed that Splinter was assigning them each their usual punishment. Oh, how Raphael loathed knitting! Of course his 'knitting' skills were something to be admired, and they should be! As often as the largest mutant found himself un the Hashi, it was no wonder that he was a master. It as amazing that Master Splinter was able to find so much yarn during his little scavenging hunts, and if he didn't know better, he would suspect that the Old Rat was a tarn and egg looter... but nah. Apparently no one knitted anymore and stores just tossed yarn out whenever it took up shelf space for too long.


When their Sensei handed him the yarn, Raphael sighed in frustration... but at least he hadn't been appointed to the little bicycle.. yet. Knitting was bad enough in itself, but balancing while doing so.. ugh!


Acting oblivious that there was probably two parts to his punishment, Raph moved over to the far end of the room and began knitting, acting 'engrossed' in his craft. Maybe Sensei's age was catching up, or maybe he decided that knitting was enough punishment.....

Leo was not happy about his punishment. But punishments weren't meant to make you happy. He took the egg and got to balancing it. It was easy...for now. He knew as time went on it would get harder and harder. cramps would get to him. It was fine though. Leo would make sure this was his last punishment. he wouldn't do this anymore. He and his brothers were too old for this. It was time Splinter relax and let them go their own way.

"Wait a second, Raphael. I forgot to give you this." He pulled out the infamous unicycle that his son always used to balance on.

Splinter begin to pace back and forth, counting the minutes. So much for enjoying his stories. Oh, well. He can always asked Donatello to help him log onto the computer and catch up to anything that he missed, but could've sworn he also set up the DVD recorder as well.

Splinter can't fault Raphael, which is why he made the sentence lighter. An hour can fly by pretty quickly when you are on the Haashi. Raphael's heart was in the right place. He commended him for trying to protect the family and to be there for Donatello when he needed the help. He understand that his son didn't like the punishment, but they needed to learn.

Admittedly, they were getting a little too old for this. He just didn't know what to do. If anything were to happen to them...any of them...

But what bothered him the most is the Shredder. He has come back and now haunting him again. Perhaps he can meditate on what to do next. He wondered where Miwa was or if she is even alive. With those thoughts in mind he ambled into his room, sat and begin to meditate.

Don still sat on his knees in the dojo, long after his father, Leo, and Raph all left.  He still couldn't believe that he was completely off the hook.  He had made a potentially costly mistake as well.  Shouldn't he be punished at all.  Don still thought his original punishment was fair enough.

Seeing that he was still alone, he slowly got up from the floor, unsure of what to do now.  He had escaped punishment -- should he confront his father about that now?  Sure, he would get some time in the Haashi if he asked Splinter to give him some form of 'training', but Don thought it was the right thing to do.

Finally he left the dojo, deciding that talking to Splinter could wait until later.  He made a beeline for the kitchen, in search for some coffee.  It was going to be a long day.  He still wasn't sure what to do with Love, but he thought he might still provide her some meals for a while.  

After all, he promised he would help her.  Sure, his family didn't think it was a good idea and Raph thought he was absolutely insane for wanting to help this mutant in the first place, but Don made it his mission to help this woman.  He at least had to try.

Pouring himself another strong cup of coffee, Don sat down at the table, lost in thought.  How in the world would he pull this one off?  Raph was watching his every move and, to be honest, it was rather creepy.  He was glad Raph was there last night, but...if he tried this again, he didn't want his hotheaded brother to know.

Sitting back in his chair, he sipped at the steaming liquid, running all the scenarios in his head that he could think of to get food to Love before she killed again.

Sensing that the coast is clear, Michelangelo came out of his room, complete with his head set. He entered the kitchen and started snooping for snacks. There wasn't much, but then remembered he had a secret stash himself. Pulling out the bag of Doritos, he noticed Donnie, deep in thought. That wasn't new. That turtle is always thinking about something.

Tearing the bag open he asked,"Whats up brainiac? Anything you want to talk about?" He laid the bag of Doritos on the table, offering some to Don. He pulled out a can of Orange crush from the drawer and took a sip, waiting for Don's reply. He had been quiet since he got back to the sewers. He was really curious about what happened between him and that cat mutant.

Don looked up at the voice. He had no idea how long he had been sitting there thinking. It could have been a few minutes or a few hours, he wasn't sure. When he was deep in thought, there was no concept of time. Apparently it had only been a few minutes, because the liquid was still steaming in his cup.

"Hello, Mikey," he greeted his brother with a soft smile and turned to face him. She shrugged at Mike's innocent question. Don still didn't know what to make of the entire Love situation. He avoided punishment because of Leo, Raph hated him for it, and Mike was approaching him to talk about it.

But where to begin...?

"What did you think when Master Splinter waived my punishment earlier? Do you think I still deserved it?"

Okay, maybe that wasn't exactly what he wanted to ask Mikey, but he was genuinely curious about the answer, just the same.

Mikey frowned. He ran before he could see Raph's reaction and it wasn't pretty. Probably fuming by now. Mikey usually has been the one who is the most empathetic of the group. If he was in Don's position, he would've done the same thing.

"Nyah" He shook his head, the bandanna flapping against the back of his head,"I would've done the same thing. You can't let Raph get to you. He always thinks everybody is out to get him. Talk about paranoid."

Don nodded. Yes, he knew his hotheaded brother all too well. But, in this case, Raph was right. It was a foolish move and it could have gotten him killed. However, there was just something about Love that made him think that she wouldn't have killed him -- even if she had the opportunity to.

"I'm sorry I sent you home by yourself. Thinking back, that probably wasn't too smart of an idea."

Mikey waved it a dismissive hand,"Forget about it. I could've taken care of myself. I'm not completely helpless. Splinter just insist on treating me like a baby. Hell, he treats all of us like a baby." He lifted the bag,"Doritos?" He couldn't help but privately agree with Leo. They were close to being eighteen years old. On Mikey, it would've been okay, since he is only sixteen. Leo and Raph, the other hand were full grown turtles.

Then again Mikey doesn't mind feeling the rush of blood go through his head as he stands upside down on his skateboard. But it doesn't mean it can't get trite every now and then. Honestly, Splinter needs to lighten up.

Of course Splinter would remember that damn unicycle!! With an annoyed snort, Raphael abandoned his corner and headed over to take the thing from his father. This wasn't fair! He had better things to do than spend time in the Hashi, wasting his energy on balancing on a unicycle and knitting useless things! Shredder, for instance! Now they knew that he was still out there, and they should be pulling together to take him out, not this!!!


Still, Raphael knew better than to argue with his father. That would only lengthen his punishment. So despite his irritation, the Red-clad Turtle got on with his punishment, balancing himself with expertise as he got to work with knitting... this was embarrassing.



His gaze shifted over to Leo, wishing that their father would step out so he could speak to his brother in private, but that wasn't gonna happen. "Maybe I'll knit a nice lil' scarf for yer girlfriend..." The large Turtle snorted....

Leo was not amused by Raph's comment. But he didn't let it show. He just smiled to Raph and nodded. I think she would like that. He said and continue to focus on balancing his egg. He was not in the mood for a conversation, and one with Raph telling him off was most on his list of things he did not want.

Raph was just jealous that he had some other friends. Hell if he would just meet Lexi and the others Leo was sure they could all be friends. But no way Raph would give them a chance.

...was Master Splinter seriously NOT going to leave?! Of course not, He was just going to hang around and make sure that he was miserable. Being injured, Raphael was already tiring, but he would not let that show. To do so would indicate that he wasn't ready to go up against their biggest threat. If only he could have ended it tonight.. his family would be safe. Well, as safe as you could be, being mutants in a world full of people that would love to cash in on you.


It seemed that his comment had failed to get underneath Leo's skin. Well that sucked. If they were in there, he may as well taunt his brother, since talking with him in private was apparently out of the question. So maybe he would have to try a little harder...


"I dunno.. she doesn't look like someone who would be into blue... so maybe red...."

Master Splinter had been meditating on the location of his daughter for a few minutes so whatever conversation Raphael and Leonardo have been having, he ignored them, at least for the time being. New York City is such a large place...it will take a miracle to find his daughter. Little does the wise rodent know she is nearby and has befriended his son.

Splinter shifted his gaze onto the clock. Only thirty minutes. Raphael's sentence would be over soon. Not Leonardo's. He still needs to be in the Haashi for another half and hour. Perhaps he could've lighten on Leonardo's sentence just a bit and decrease an hour. He mused on the thought.

Leo chuckled at that. What ever Lexi wore in what ever color would look good on her. And he really didn't want to let Raph get to him. Anyway, after their time was up, he would be heading back to Lexi and where would Raph go? Back in front of his TV, so who was the real winner here? He was.

She would look good in red I think. How about I let her know you do kitting on the side and ask her what color she would like you to make her sweater. You know she has a friend? Maybe Ally would be interested in a man with a feminine side.

It seemed that Leo was doing a far better job of getting under Raphael's skin than the other way around. It was taking everything he had not to toss one of his knitting needles at that damn egg that Leo was struggling to keep from the ground...


"That's rich, comin' from a guy that does splits so much that he ain't got nothin' down there..." The red-clad Turtle taunted. Ally? Who the hell was she?? It seemed like Leo had been busy meeting humans. Surely Master Splinter was hearing all of this, or was he really that good at blocking everything out??

Raph, I know you're jealous. I'm meeting these amazing women and you're stuck with your magazines, that we all know you hide under your bed. Maybe if you were a little more pleseant, people would like you too.

Leo never took his eyes off the egg that he was holding. And sercretly he was enjoying getting under his brother's skin. It was true though, Raph had no reason to be man with him other then jealousy.

And you bulk yourself up so much I'm surprise your's still functions.