KLUNK'S MISSING

Chapter 14: Trouble!

By ilovemyboys

Authors Note: Final Chapter! Thanks for reading guys!

"You think he's gonna be mad?" Mikey asked nervously as he limped with both hands around Raph and Don's shoulders as Leo led the way towards the entrance to the lair.

"Huh! You bet he'll be. Not only did ya run off, but ya did it while you was injured!"

Mikey gulped as he paled at the thought. "Oh my gosh, he's totally going to kill me!"

"No he's not Mikey. He'll just be glad you're okay," Don said gently. Then added, "But he will be pretty mad."

"Oh shell! What am I going to do!" Mikey exclaimed.

"Mikey, just calm down, okay?" Don sighed. He was certainly tired from the day's hectic events, when suddenly something else hit him.

"Hey guys," he said.

They each turned to look at the brainiac of the family.

"What is it Don?" Raph asked.

"When we dropped off Mikey and Raph we never even told Master Splinter we got home."

"I was going to tell him but he was deep in meditation and I didn't want to wake him up," Leo said.

"Are you sure that was a good thing to do Leo? I don't think he would have minded being brought back to reality for something like this."

"Yeah, I probably should have," Leo looked down ashamedly.

"Huh! So Fearless finally makes a mistake huh?"

"I never said I didn't make mistakes Raph!" Leo glared at his brother. "I thought it was the right thing to do at that moment. I'm not perfect," Leo defended himself.

"Well I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later…"

Before Leo could counter something back, Don cut in, "Guys! Look! What I was trying to say was that he might be pretty ticked we didn't keep him in contact with him at all today on everything that's happened."

"Well how could we! We weren't home!"

"We could have used the Shell Cells Raph," Don said simply.

"Well he probably wouldn't have heard it anyway since he's always deep in meditation. Might as well not tell him anything right?" Mikey laughed uneasily.

"No. He'd have been able to hear it. He can tune everything out that's unimportant, and pay attention to everything that is. That's how he can always hear us from behind him even though he can't see us," Leo replied matter-of-fact.

"Fine! But I'm not going in first!" Mikey shouted.

"Then we'll all go in together," Leo said. Looking ahead he sighed. "And that will be now. You guys ready?" he turned around to face his bros.

After receiving nods from Leo and Raph, and a slow, half nod from Mikey, Leo nodded in agreement, as they each walked toward the lair.

…..

As the great Atlantean door to the lair opened up, and the boys came in, they were immediately met with an, "Ahem!"

The four slowly turned to face their Sensei sitting in his armchair in the living room with a cup of tea in his hand, and a book in his lap. Obviously he had been waiting for them.

Oh shell….Mikey thought.

"My sons. Sit down," he said calmly, pointing his paw in the direction of the couch across from him.

Each son took seats in front of him.

Master Splinter then turned to face Leonardo.

"Leonardo. What has happened?"

"We…uh…" Leo was, for the first time, at a loss for words. Mostly because he could almost feel the impending doom of disappointment from Master Splinter.

"Leonardo?" He asked again.

"It's my fault Master Splinter!" Mikey suddenly burst out from the middle of the couch.

"And why is that Michelangelo?"

"I went after Klunk!"

Master Splinter gave his son a confused look.

"Yes, that is why you all left. But that was this morning. It is now late at night."

They each gave each other looks, silently asking who was going to explain the whole day.

Don sighed. "Well…as soon as we left the lair we got separated. Mikey and Raph got pretty banged up and we brought them back here," he stopped, looking over at the others.

"Yeah and then uh….Leo and Don left me and Mikey here while they went out looking for Klunk and…" Raph stopped, letting out a breath as he readied himself to bring up his mistake. "And then-"

"I snuck out," Mikey interrupted as he hung his head. Then looked up at Master Splinter pleadingly. "I had to find him Master! I had to! I'm sorry I won't do it again! I promise!"

Master Splinter nodded.

"Go on my son," he turned to face Raph, who looked rather shocked at Mikey for actually taking the blame for once.

"Well I was supposed to be watching over Mikey cuz he was more injured than me but I fell asleep... And when I woke up he was gone…" Raph looked down, ashamed.

"And then we all met up and searched for Mikey," Don added. "Well, technically, we all took separate ways and then eventually met up again. By that point Raph had found Mikey and Leo had found Klunk. And that pretty much sums it up Master," Don added.

Master Splinter looked over at Mikey and Raph.

"What injuries have you both received my sons?"

Mikey and Raph looked over at each other questioningly, then at Don.

Don sighed. This would take some time.

"Donatello. You may explain to me the details later. As long as nothing is life threatening."

"No, none of it is Master," Don sighed in relief at not having to explain all of the details now.

"You all must be exhausted. And I am glad you are all aright. However…"

Each turtle immediately tensed up.

Here it comes!

"I wish to know why no one contacted me about this?" He added sternly.

"It's my fault Master. I didn't want to bother you during your meditation. I thought it would be enough for us to handle on our own. But I was wrong," Leo replied sadly.

"You are not only to blame my son. Each of you had opportunities to tell me what was going on. And yet not one of did."

Sighing, he continued, "The next time any event of any importance comes up, you will all tell me immediately. Is that clear?"

They all nodded vigorously in understanding.

"Good. Then I believe you all need a good night's rest. And extra training tomorrow! Not one of you had a session yet today!"

Everyone groaned inwardly at the prospect of extra training tomorrow, but no one said a word.

…..

A few days went by with each of the turtles doing extra chores around the house, with some of Raph and Mikey's chores, as well as their physical training, being postponed until they were fully recovered. However, that just meant they did mental ninja training during that time. Master Splinter realized any punishment he could have given Michelangelo for running off wouldn't even come close to the mindful meditation the energetic, un-mindful turtle sat through for hours, two days in a row. It also took a toll on Raph in no time at all. By the time they were healed, both would be itching to move around. Meanwhile, Leo and Don worked around the house, doing various chores.

It was about lunchtime and Master Splinter called his sons to the kitchen, as lunch would be in a few minutes. Leo finished what he was doing and went toward the kitchen, however, noticing Master Splinter was still in his room, he thought, Now is the best time to ask him.

Walking over to his Sensei's room, Leonardo lifted up a hand to knock on his door when Master Splinter called out, "Come in Leonardo."

Not usually fazed by his father's knowledge of who was at his door, Leonardo jumped at bit at his nervousness as he slowly came in and bowed.

"You wish to speak with me Leonardo?"

"Yes Master. I do. If it's alright. I felt like now would be a good time now. I only need a few minutes."

"Are you sure Leonardo? What if my answer is longer that your question?"

Leo shut his mouth at that.

What are you saying Leo! He inwardly yelled at himself.

Master Splinter chuckled.

"It is alright my son. Come in. The others can wait a few more minutes. What is on your mind?"

"Well…it was just I…had a question…about something I saw…."

Master Splinter nodded, telling him to go on.

"When I was looking for Mikey I found a turtle…that eventually…well…led me to Klunk. I know it sounds weird but….I followed it and found Klunk by a few baby turtles. I was just…curious about it. That's all."

"Hmmm…that is interesting indeed my son…One that I'm certain has an equally interesting answer."

Master Splinter closed his eyes.

"Yeah. I was just…troubled by it I guess…I wanted to know the answer."

Master Splinter took a deep breath in. Then slowly breathed out. Opening his eyes he continued, "I have often pondered the connection we have with the animals we were brought to this life as. And it is certainly curious, that connection you seemed to experienced with that turtle."

"Yeah, it was as if it understood me in some way. Knew who I was searching for. The other question that pondered my mind was how Klunk met up with them."

"Another question with another unknown answer. However, it may be one you already know my son."

"I thought I could figure it out too, but I can't."

"Not find the answer, know the answer. It will come to you my son. Come here. Close your eyes and keep your mind open to what it has to offer to you…."

Leo did just that as he sat down in a meditative pose next to his Sensei.

In seconds, the ideas Leo held swirled in his mind.

"Do not think about it my son. Let it come to you."

Taking another breath in, Leo focused once more. This time he focused on the images as they came into his mind:

Turtles…Klunk…blood….sewer…..Klunk…blood…injured…help. Leo's eyes shot open. That was it!

"They were helping him! The turtles helped Klunk!"

"That is very likely," Master Splinter nodded, his eyes still closed. "And why would they?"

"Maybe because we have that connection with them…that bond…and they wanted to help…maybe Klunk helped them first…"

"We shall never know. But I hope this possible answer puts your mind at rest my son. You worry over things too much as it is," Master Splinter gave Leo a light smile.

"It does Master," Leonardo got up. "And I thank you," he bowed.

"Do not thank me my son. You held the answers in your own memories. Now then…let us go to the kitchen and have a well-earned meal. The others I'm sure are already complaining about waiting," he chuckled.

"Yes master," Leo smiled as he followed his Sensei to the kitchen. And wondered...

What other mysteries are in our lives?