Different Point of View XIX: Elephant

Boy, this has got to be the most awkward meal I've ever had to sit through.

No Leo.

No Raph.

Mikey is dead quiet.

And Master Splinter is visibly upset.

Nobody really feels like eating. We're all just picking at our plates.

Apparently we're not going to talk about the elephant in the room though I can see that Mikey is dying to ask Sensei about it.

What's happening between Leo and Raph? Are they in big trouble? Are they going to have to stay in the dojo all night? Do you think they'll make up for real this time?

That's what Mikey would want to know, but not to be nosy. He's genuinely concerned about those boneheads and for good reason.

Our brothers have been locked inside the dojo for the last nine hours. Alone and unsupervised. After they nearly beat each other to death last night.

I imagined that they'd be too tired to do anything except sit and glare at one another…maybe exchange a few insults but otherwise remain quiet.

But then Mikey told me that he heard them screaming and fighting in there earlier.

Darn it, those two! I can only imagine what kind of state their bodies are in now. They're probably covered in a dozen more bruises and bleeding all over the place again. I told Raph that he was supposed to move as minimally as possible! He's going to damage himself beyond repair one of these days! Oh, I am so going to give that big oaf an earful…

Master Splinter?

Really, Mikey? Are you really going to question him?

Yes, Michelangelo?

You know what? Go for it, little bro. Just don't expect him to give you an answer that you'll like.

Do you think we should go check on Raph and Leo? To make sure they're okay? They've been in the dojo for ages and they've been quiet for a while now.

Splinter's stroking his beard…that means he's thinking hard…

Perhaps that would be wise.. Come, my sons. We will all go.