Hi guys! It's been so super long since I've posted a story and I kinda missed it already so I thought of posting this one, even though it's not done yet :)
Anyhow, I have three parts for chapter one. I was supposed to post it as one whole chapter but it was too long so I divided it instead. Btw, it's told in the POV of the main character :)
This isn't my first TMNT fic but it is my first non-one-shot TMNT fic. So, I hope you like it!
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own TMNT.
Meditation.
A state of concentrated attention on some object of thought or awareness, usually involving the turn of attention inward to a single point of reference. Different meditative disciplines can emphasize development of either a high degree of mental concentration, or the apparent converse, mental quiescence.
That is a dictionary meaning of meditation.
However, the dictionary forgot one teensy weensy detail about meditation. It's also BORING.
I don't know about you but to me, the word "meditation" conjures up the picture of a bearded man sitting cross-legged in front of an entrance to a spooky dark cave or up really high on a mountain top. Climbing the mountain and reaching him is part of the arduous journey toward self-fulfillment, self-improvement. Once we find him we ask, "What is the meaning of life?" or "How do we achieve peace in ourselves and our lives?" or some other crap. Then, this all-knowing man tells us the answers are "inside ourselves" and tells us to go and contemplate. Pft. Who wouldn't want to chuck that freakin' moron in the river and make sure he dies a horrible death?
Unfortunately, my situation's a little different. Yeah, the bearded man in that circumstance is, alas, my own father and right now, he's sitting in front of me, barking orders about how my legs aren't in the right position and that I'm not concentrating enough.
I mean, come on, it's kinda hard to do so with all that racket outside. I pointed this out to him but he wouldn't listen.
"You wouldn't be hearing any of that noise if you meditate properly" he replied sternly.
"But father-"
"No more buts," he cut in with a note of finality in his voice. "Whether you like it or not, meditation is a vital part of your ninjutsu training and if you want to succeed, you need to take this seriously. Do you understand me, Ana?"
I winced. I didn't like it when my father used that tone on me. Sometimes, I can't help wishing he wasn't so hard on me. Don't get me wrong, I love him from the very bottom of my heart, despite his appearance, which I might have forgotten to mention. He's a turtle. A five-foot tall talking and walking turtle, mutated by some sort of glowing ooze manufactured by aliens. Crazy, I know. But like said, I love him, just as I love his brothers, my uncles.
"Anastasia!" he said, finally using the full name my mother gave me.
I sighed and nodded. "Yes, sensei."
He sighed too, dropping his serious teacher look and replacing it with his kind fatherly one. "You know I'm only trying to do what's best for you and our family."
"I know, dad," I answered. "I'm the oldest. It's my job to take responsibility."
"But it's also yer job ta take a break an' have some fun" a voice from behind me added.
I turned my head and grinned as another turtle walked in the dojo.
"Hiya Uncle Raph" I greeted.
"Yer old man givin' ya too much o' a hard time, kiddo?" he asked, ruffling my hair.
I laughed, pulling out of his reach before he could mess up my hair ever further. I saw my father throw his sai-wielding brother a dirty look.
"I'm fine, Uncle Raph," I said. "Dad's tough but hey, so am I. After living with four mutant turtles and their annoying little kids for sixteen years, I have to be."
"Hey, watch who yer callin' annoyin'!" an indignant voice called out.
The three of us turned around to see one of my cousins approach. Tyler was thirteen years old, the eldest after me. He's Uncle Raph's first son. He had sandy brown hair and hazel eyes.
"Oh, I'm sorry Ty," I said. "You're not an annoying little kid. You're pesky little brat." I smirked. "My bad."
"That's right, I'm…" he paused, finally understanding what I just told him. "Hey! Those mean the same thin'!"
I grinned. "Did they, now? I didn't notice."
Tyler scowled. "And I ain't little!" he snarled before suddenly leaping at me.
Yep, this particular cousin of mine had a fiery temper, just like his father. I jumped out of his way easily. Like all children in this household, Tyler and I have been trained in ninjutsu since birth. Unfortunately for him, I've had three years more experience. But that didn't stop the hothead from attacking once more.
"Ooh, are you guys playing?"
"We wanna play too!"
I smiled slightly. Meet the twins: Charlie and Cleo, two redheads with cerulean blue eyes and six-year-old troublemakers packed with more than energy than you can ever hope to imagine. They're usually found trying to sneak out to explore or causing mayhem and madness elsewhere. Uncle Mike's children. No surprise there.
It wasn't long before the rest of the gang heard the noises we were making and entered the room as well.
Falcon, Uncle Raph's second son, was eleven. Unlike Tyler, Falcon could control his temper a lot better though both were very interested in sports, bouncing off soccer balls and throwing baseballs around the lair. Joy, seven years old, was Uncle Raph's youngest. She was much quieter than the first two but just as stubborn and hardheaded, maybe even more.
Uncle Mike's eldest, Sahara, was eight. This little girl simply loved to draw and paint, seen usually lying on the floor in her room or the den. Other than that, she also became very fond of singing. She could often be heard singing at the top of her lungs every song that comes to her head, one particular melody she enjoyed was about a certain yellow talking square sponge. It drove us nuts.
Jhanna, who recently turned four, was Uncle Don's daughter. She's not exactly as rambunctious as the others but she's still troublesome to deal with, in a different way. She's the curious, talkative type. She's usually seen strolling around the lair, unable to keep her mouth shut for a second, asking everyone questions about every little thing while holding her teddy bear tightly in one arm.
The next after her is the youngster who wasn't in the dojo right now, Usagi; my beloved sweet little brother who was still two. He's the youngest of us all, that is, if I don't count the baby inside Uncle Don's wife.
Yep, we're one big happy family. Emphasis on the big.
"Alright, alright!" my father had to shout over the noise everyone was making. "If you want to play, take it outside! You have until the count of three to leave! One!"
Everyone screamed and laughed and ran out as fast as they could. Nobody wanted to test my father's anger. And that included me.
"Where do you think you're going, Anastasia?" he said sharply, not failing to notice me about to slip out.
I smiled sheepishly. "Uh… you told us to get out?"
Uncle Raph rolled his eyes. "Stop bein' so hard on the kid, Leo. She deserves a break once in a while, ya know."
Dad sighed and rubbed his temples. "Very well. You can go. It's not like your mind is focused right now anyway. We'll pick up your training tomorrow morning." He looked at me pointedly. "Bright and early. Understand?"
Like I have a choice? Nonetheless, I replied a yes while at the same time tried to control my grin as I saw Uncle Raph roll his eyes once more at the persistence of his elder brother to train me.
I bowed. "Thanks daddy! Later, Uncle Raph!" And I was out of there. Unfortunately…
"Ana!"
Aw shell.