Full Summary: "We are the last of the Hamatos, meaning Saki-san will not rest until we are dead. And though I have spent years striving for safety, my children will not stay in the nest forever." Thirteen years after Hamato "Splinter" Yoshii saves ten unfortunate kids from TCRI's clutches, the four survivors are entering adulthood and questioning their place in the world. Were they meant to remain in the shadows, far from Oroko Saki's grasp? Or is there a role where their powers can do good? Maybe they were destined for a little of both. And the battle to find out could require their whole high school career. [AU]
Genre: Family, Humor, Sci-Fi, Angst, Romance
Rating: Teen for some language, crude boy humor, and possible mild sexual insinuations.

Author's Notes: I know ANs are often overlooked, but I feel I should explain a few things. This is a side project for me while I work on heavier material. Unlike my Cause and Effect series, this will not have any set release schedule. It isn't completed before-hand. It isn't sent through a BETA. And who knows when it will be updated. I just needed something not-so-stressing to work on, something leisure-like to keep the muse flowing as I attempt to weather the storm that is Cause and Effect. :)

The story won't all be in Splinter's POV. The opening is meant to lay out some history and background. So. Enjoy?

Disclaimer: TMNT belongs to Nick/Eastman/Laird. All OCs belong to me, however. I'm in no way making any money. Thanks.

Prologue

8月27日

To anyone who will endure an old man's troubles,

Zen'ryaku. My name is Hamato Yoshii and, like many in this world, I carry heavy burdens on my heart…

During early fall of 1968, I was born into the Hamato Clan—a hidden, diligent collection of Ninjutsu masters settled near Mount Tate in the Toyama Prefecture. My father trained me by way of Bushido since the time I could walk, and I grew to admire his fair sense of justice, perseverance, and compassion. It was a force of nature, honestly; a whirlwind that ultimate brought the end of our clan's century-long nemesis: the Foot Clan. But despite this, my father spared one child from the unfortunate battle, who he took under his wing.

Oroko Saki quickly became my brother. We were treated equally, trained side by side, loved. Over the years our games grew into friendly competition. Then, at some point I cannot recall, the competition turned bitter.

Who knows when Saki–san learned the truth of his origin as a Foot member; Lord knows he never let on about it until the end. Weeks before that point, he tried convincing my father to make a deal with an overseas organization called Techno Cosmic Research Institute. He did quite well with his goal—to the point where I was almost convinced a super-soldier program would be beneficial.

Secretly, Father confided in me his doubts over the matter. Our nemesis was defeated, so why would we need more power? Sound reasoning, as usual. We humored Saki-san, though, so we could uncover his true intents. Unfortunately, he sensed as much, and when I conceded to a business trip with him, it was the last time I saw my clan.

He escorted me to TCRI's main operations on the outskirts of New York State. At least, that is what he told me on the boat ride over. While I doubt it was the true base, it certainly was home to some of the most grotesque experiments I had ever witnessed. Workers claimed it was a necessary evil. Saki-san called it a marvel. All I saw was the suffering of children. And I could not stand for it.

My subsequent fight with Saki-san was not surprising. Nor pointless. It confirmed all Father and I had suspected. Saki-san resented my clan for what they did to his clan, as well as their secrecy. He wanted to overthrow all Hamatos, kill those who would not follow him, then convert those who would heed his commands so the Foot Clan can rise again. In order to do that, the heads needed severed: my father and me.

However, Saki-san only half succeeded. Though I was wounded, blinded by a serum in a lab, his theatrics drawled out matters. The moments where I was left paralyzed were crucial in that they forced me to listen to my loved ones die over the live video feed Saki-san set up with his tactical team in Japan. I planned my escape carefully in that time—just as Tang Shen's voice rang out—and ten children escaped along with me. Unfortunately, only four survived the first week.

Leonardo. Raphael. Donatello. Michelangelo. These are the names I gave the survivors, the four who granted me purpose when dark loss drove me near the brink of madness. I became a splinter of my clan that night. Such is what I insisted I be called, Splinter.

Nearly thirteen years have passed since then. Saki-san's Foot Clan is now reining strong, and I am still hiding. Revenge was never my intent, yet I have reared my sons through Ninjutsu in preparation of war. We are the last of the Hamatos, meaning Saki-san will not rest until we are dead. And though I have spent years striving for safety, my children will not stay in the nest forever.

My sons want to go to school, to socialize and learn more than what I can offer. They wish to be 'normal', though their special abilities differentiate them from such. I agreed because they promised exceptional behavior. Any sign of trouble, and they know they will be pulled, relocated.

So how could I fight them? My few ties from gaining a new identity left me with the option of enrollment. Were I to ignore it, my sons would never morph into the men they are destined to be. I only wish watching the process was not so nerve-wracking. And that the threat of Saki-san was not so foreboding.

Sousou. I humbly thank you for listening,

Hamato "Splinter"