Okay before we start, here are the houserules. I came up with the drabble box because I have way too many ideas for one-shots which I hardly ever end up writing. So now, whenever I'm bored, I pick some things out of the jar on my desk which has all those ideas on different slits of paper. I combine some and tada, we have a story. Just like I used to do with the large toybox I had (guess where the name came from ;p).

Of course I would love for you guys to also come up with ideas and stuff so for the first time in my entire life I don't mind 'taking requests' as it is called here, as long as I feel comfortable writing them. Yeah, I know, very childish of me and stuff but really, I ain't no humorous romantic or anything so don't make me try do that XD. If you read other stories of mine you might know what kind of genre I mostly write.

But yeah, let's just go with the flow and see where we end up, no? Please enjoy!

Disclaimer: Well Athese and I are saving up money now. Donations are gladly accepted.

Right from Wrong

It isn't often that Michelangelo Hamato is truly bothered when he doesn't understand something. Usually he asks his elder brothers and occasionally his father, for answers with little to no shame. He is only curious after all and never have his family members ridiculed him or sent him away when he showed them interest on a particular subject. And Mikey was grateful for that as, sometimes, he couldn't help how his brain worked. When something puzzled him he needed an answer. And where could he get those better than with the people he believed knew everything?

This time it is different though. And he knows he's asking for problems when he brings up the topic after diner. Feelings are still so… there. The pain is too fresh, especially for his father, but he can't help but wonder anyways. So he asks.

"Do you guys think we should help Karai?"

Leo is the first to answer, not angry yet, merely surprised of what could have brought this up.

"What do you mean, Mikey? Of course we need to save her. She's in danger."

In the corner of his eye Mikey sees Raph ready to rebut, itching for another shouting match with his only older brother. They're getting along quite well lately but one thing they never seem to angry upon is the 'Karai-situation'. And their constant fighting is actually the reason why Mikey came up with this question in the first place. He wants to know who is right.

"Well, do we know if she's good now? What if she's evil because of her genes or something? That she's got evil Shredder-genes that mess with her head so she can't be good even if she wants to."

The youngest turtle turns towards his father, wondering if he has the answers. However, to his disappointment the elderly rat has disappeared from the kitchen which makes Mikey's stomach clench painfully. He hopes he hasn't upset him.

"Evil genes don't exist, Mikey," Donnie explains, drawing the attention of his little brother back towards the conversation. "And if they did Karai would have Splinter's, not those of Shredder. Still it's quite interesting. Research shows that a large part of the a person's free will is directed by their upbringing as that teaches them right from wrong. When looking at the statistics, it would be more logical for Karai to stay loyal to the Shredder as her morals have taught her she should."

"So we can't trust her?" Mikey tries carefully, glancing slightly at Leo who is still determined to get her back. He's been planning for an infiltration for days now. "If that's what she's taught."

"Of course we can. She told us herself that she's changed. The Shredder means nothing to her now she knows he lied to her and killed her mother. He even wanted her to kill her biological father and believe me that she was hurt when she found that out. We just need to have a little faith in her."

Before the orange-clad turtle can say anything Raphael opens his mouth, fists clenching around the edges of the table which makes the younger turtle wince. Poor table.

"So just because she said she has changed you're going to believe her? The bi- the chick has lied to us plenty o' times before and we always turned out looking like idiots. I don't care what kinda upbringing she had, everyone's got choices ta make and she didn't choose right."

Mikey thought back of when he told Karai something along those lines. Just before they fought Tigerclaw, when they lost Karai. She had betrayed them then but she had also looked genuinely guilty when she realised her mistake. The battle was disastrous though and ever since Mikey's been uncertain about the kunoichi coming into their lives, Splinter's daughter or not.

"She choose right. She saved me and had to pay for that herself."

Both older brothers stand up now, facing each other with heated expressions.

"She didn't pay jack, she got to get a nice ride back to her daddy who probably welcomed her with a nice dinner to celebrate how big of an idiots we are that they now know where the lair is!"

"And why aren't they here than yet, Raph?!"

"Maybe they ju-"

"Yame!"

All four of the brothers turn around, straightening their backs as an automatic response to the stern voice. Mikey searched for the tell-tale points of wet eyes, glistering fur, anything to tell him how he had screwed up and caused his father grief. There is nothing however, just annoyance.

"Leonardo, Raphael, could you please clean up the kitchen? If I am not mistaken it is your turn this week. Donatello, may I ask you to have a look at the heater in the living room, I fear that it is broken."

"Hai Sensei," the three eldest brothers reply, getting to their tasks without further complaint but the pointed glares between Leo and Raph.

"Michelangelo," Master Splinter addresses the youngest. "Would you follow me to my room? We have some matters to speak about."

The orange-loving turtle quickly follows his master, a little excited but also worried. Was his father angry with him? Did he make a mistake after all? Because judging his elder brothers' reactions he most certainly struck a wrong cord with them.

When inside his father's room the two sit at his low table, taking cushions opposite of one another so they can see each other's faces while talking.

"I wondered Michelangelo, what brought up the question you posed to your brothers and I a little earlier?"

Mikey winces slightly, still worrying about how his sensei feels about the situation, but replies nevertheless. One thing the boys hardly ever do is talking back to their father or ignoring him when he asks them something.

"I don't know, sensei. It's just, with everything that's been happening lately. I mean, Leo was almost killed by Tigerclaw and that was only that time. She got us into danger multiple times before, like when we planned that attack on Shredder. I don't like seeing my brothers get hurt, especially not when we could've prevented it in some sorta way."

The last part the young turtle almost mumbles, uncertain of what he says is right or wrong. He doesn't want to offend his father by insulting his daughter or admitting that he actually doesn't want her inside the lair. At least not until he's sure she isn't evil anymore.

"I know she's saved Leo multiple times too though. But maybe Raph's got a point. She had enough choices to make and she mostly choose wrong."

During the youngest' confession the ninja master doesn't say a word. His head slowly nods in understanding but his vacant look is elsewhere. It makes Mikey feel even more uncomfortable.

"So Raphael says Karai has had choices and that she failed them, like some sort of test?"

Mikey nods but doesn't reply, not exactly sure as to where his sensei is going.

"And Leonardo believes she has changed now, that because she is aware of her parentage she will bide to her honour and change sides?"

Again he nods, slightly wondering how his sensei knows this. He figures that their father had been listening but didn't want to be part of the conversation.

"And according to Donatello the variables are too uncertain, as the way she was raised influences her decision-making."

Another nod and this time Mikey starts fumbling with his fingers. Those are three possible truths, sure, but he wants to know what the actual answer is.

"So who do you think is right, sensei? Can we trust Karai?" Mikey asks when his master stays silent for a while again, remaining so still Mikey wonders if he isn't secretly slipping into meditation, having his son talking to a body that doesn't hear him.

"That doesn't matter, my son. Who do you think is right?"

Michelangelo's mouth drops and his eyes budge. Even for the trained ninja master the sight is too comical, forcing a light chuckle from his lips.

"I thought I asked you guys the question?" Mikey stutters, so confused he forgets to address his father in a slightly more polite way. "I don't know what to make out of this. That's why I asked you."

With a single, raised finger Splinter silences his exuberant son, his smile warm and gentle.

"You are fifteen now Michelangelo. You must learn that we don't have all the answers and at times, you will have to use your intuition. So tell me, what do you think is right?"

It takes the orange-clad turtle a long time to reply but when he does, his answer was so well thought it surprises even his sensei.

"I think… I think that wrong and right are stupid."

His father stares at him, waiting for his pupil to burst out into laughter because once again he doesn't take one of his teachings all that serious. But it doesn't happen. Instead they young turtle continues, oblivious to the incredulous look his teacher gives him.

"Sure she made some stupid decisions, like Raph said, but who says she was wrong there? Just because it didn't turn out well for us doesn't mean that she was wrong. The Shredder was probably really proud of her for her ruining our plans. And he would've punished her if he knew about all those times she let Leo go. And that's where Donnie's right, because of what Shredder has taught Karai she has certain ideas on what's right and wrong. And because those are different from ours we think she's evil while she's just differently taught and raised. So what Leo says then also makes sense because she might be able to teach herself our ways and ideas of right and wrong which makes her good in our eyes, but evil in Shredder's right?"

Hopeful blue eyes pierce widened brown ones. The elderly rat is lost for words which his son takes as a disappointment, his head hanging down slightly in defeat. His father quickly speaks up to fix it.

"That is a very good observation from you, my son. I have never thought of it like that."

The young, green turtle shrugs his shoulders with a smile, his eyes sparkling a bit now he knows he has impressed his father with something.

"It's kinda logical though. No one gets born evil. I thought they did but that'd be really weird. Because it isn't like, you wake up one day and decide to act against the morals of the world, right? No one wants to do evil. They just think they do the right thing by what they do. Maybe that's why the Shredder is so intent on getting rid of all of us too. And why he has so many ninja fighting on his side."

Splinter shifts slightly on his spot, leaning in closer to the conversation with interest of what his son has to say more. He always knew his youngest boy was be empathetic towards others but never had he seen such an understanding and ingenious thinking from his innocent child.

"And why would that be?"

"Well, because he does what he believes in. You taught us the way of bushido, with the honour and all. And I think that Shredder felt very offended when he couldn't get Tang-Shen. So he was angry and thought revenge was the thing he deserved. And then your wife had to go up there because of him and he got even more angry."

The ninja master chuckles at his young son's way of saying his wife had departed. He always was like that. Mikey heard it and it makes him smile even wider. He never liked saying words as murder or killing or death, especially not when it meant a loved one of someone he cared about. This way it sounded so much more softer. According to Don that's a euphemism.

"And he still thinks he's right by doing this. Same goes for the Foot. They obey their master because they think that is right. I wonder if they are just as scared to lose their friends as we are when fighting."

With that the fifteen-year-old stands up and walks towards the door.

"I'm gonna go tell the guys that you think they were all right, bet they like to hear that. Thanks for helping me out father. Good night."

Mikey bows before leaving, smiling when his sensei bade him good night as well.

And for almost another hour after Splinter sat there, wondering if what his son had said was maybe true. And with a silent shake of his head the elder rat stands up, grabbing his cane in the process. He couldn't afford to think that way. Shredder would never show him mercy in the same way he was capable of. But he would make sure his Michelangelo would remain like this. Able to see the good in every soul and trusting one easily. He would make sure that troubles would stay far from his mind and that he would remain the innocent, bright-eyed boy in front of him. He loves him that way and although he had never felt it this strongly before, Splinter knows that he heavily relies on the bright spirit inside his home.

He blows out the candles, one by one and found that indeed, there was hardly a difference between one burning and one smoking.

Uhm… we have to read a lot of literature lately. So this happened. I don't know, I think there's a certain truth behind it. My friends still have to come up with a war or struggle or whatever in which one of the two sides really started fighting just to be evil. No one's born evil, right? No one wants to be that way, they just think they do the right thing.

Okay I'll quit my stupid rambling which you aren't interested in at all. See ya! Oh and don't forget to review, with my addiction and all. And after all the pain I had to go through with typing this stupid thing out I deserve them :p