Chapter Text
Once upon a time, by a town bustling with all types of creatures. There was no limit to whatever the folk there could be; they could be anything really. It was a unique and colourful place full of diversity. In other words, you could call these people: Yokai.
The town was next to a forest, and in the forest was a small cottage not so far from the entry. In the cottage lived four turtles- brothers, and among those four turtles was a small box turtle named: "Michelangelo"; loved by everyone who knew him.
Michelangelo was the youngest of his brothers. His oldest, oldest, oldest brother was Raphael, a woodcutter who provided for the family, working long days hacking down trees. Then there were the twins: Leonardo and Donatello.
Donatello, the younger twin who often used the wood from Raphael to create mostly appliances by adding a little of what he likes to call: "Donnie Improvement". Donatello aspired to be a merchant, selling his wondrous works worldwide and being known as the greatest inventor of all time.
Luckily, he had his older twin to help advertise: Leonardo; the second oldest of the four, proudly wielding a haughty demeanour with a complacent smile plastered on his face 24/7.
They were a great pair actually despite being complete opposites, like a peanut butter and jam sandwich even if they were the ones who had the most points on the bickering tally. They sold Donatello's inventions at a small booth right beside the entrance of the town. Only..they didn't get much love nor attention, but they'd get there someday.
The four brothers had a father named Splinter, an old rat who lived in a hut under three oak trees, living separately from his sons. But the turtles still visited their father every once in a while. Michelangelo, however, almost always dropped by to check on his dad, always bringing his homemade sweet baked goods for him.
Splinter loved all his children equally, but it was only natural that he'd be a tad more fond of Michelangelo. As a gift, Splinter made the young box turtle a beautiful orange hood and cape. Michelangelo loved it so much that he would almost never take it off. In time, as a small joke everyone called him: "Little Orange Riding Hood".
However, Splinter has recently been going under some concerning changes of his health, seemingly growing to be more prone to sickness.
And one night, the turtles received a letter from their father..
"Sick again?!" Leonardo crossed his arms with an indignant pout, pushing his back against the chair as he glowered at the letter in Raphael's hands. "Man, dad is on a roll," he rolled his eyes with a sharp edge to his voice. Raphael's brows knitted worriedly under his red bandana as his eyes scanned over the written message.
" 'My head hurts like it's on fi..fi..'-"
"Fire?" Donatello supplied as he kept his eyes glued to his work, scraping the wood in his hand with a small knife, letting the shavings rain down onto the pile of the grains of wood that sat on the table.
"Yes, thank you Donnie," Raphael sighed and Michelangelo swore that he heard the snapping turtle mumble: "good heavens, even his spelling has gotten worse."
" 'I need one of you to bring me something good to help me..heal" -there was a twitch in his eye as he read that, perhaps another spelling mistake- (thank goodness Donatello wasn't reading it then, he'd probably drop dead like a fly) " 'I am so weak that I cannot get up from my bed, please come quickly tomorrow. Thank..you..and I love you all.' " Raphael finished. His eyes lingered on the letter uneasily. The turtles took a moment to digest what they had just heard.
Michelangelo pitied his father, the past few months haven't been the best for him. He could almost never catch a break from being sick and Michelangelo was very worried about him. Perhaps it'd be better to fetch a doctor soon if this continued for another week.
Leonardo threw his head back with a loud and long groan. "What in the world is going on with dad????" He griped. Donatello didn't comment, but his eyes did narrow in a seemingly irritated manner.
"Ooh, I know!" Michelangelo piped up, drawing all eyes to him. "I can visit dad tomorrow to help him get better, first thing in the morning!" He volunteered enthusiastically with a grin, nodding to himself.
His brothers just looked at him. He wasn't exactly sure how he'd describe their expressions but he could definitely sense a tingle of uncertainty hanging in the air.
Donatello raised a brow as he glanced up. "Again? You already visited him 2 weeks ago when he was also sick." There was a subtle hiss in his voice.
"There's no harm in seeing him again." Michelangelo merely shrugged at Donatello's remark. Donatello made a low, thoughtful hum.
"Never said there was," he mumbled.
"It's just that, don't you visit him a bit too much?" Leonardo added onto his twin's statement. Michelangelo shook his head. "You can never visit someone too much!" He proclaimed. No one seemed convinced.
"I'll just whip up some of his favourite snacks, drop by, make sure he's doing well, maybe talk him into making an appointment with some doc, then be back home in no time!" Michelangelo explained breezily.
"When you say 'favourite snacks', do you mean bake him another batch of cupcakes?" Donatello asked.
"Yep! Those will get him back on his feet in no time!" Michelangelo beamed, throwing his hands onto his hips. Splinter always loved his homemade baked goods, in case everyone did! They brought a smile to everyone's faces. Everyone knew that he was the baker and chef in the family, his cooking being as sweet as honey and instantly satisfying one's hunger with one bite. Sometimes, he even let Donatello sell some of his treats which attracted much, MUCH more customers. Donatello had mixed feelings about that but at least he got money.
Donatello hummed, his brows pinched together in a somewhat dubious frown. Raphael placed a hand on Michelangelo's shoulder, getting the box turtle's attention. "You'll be okay going again?" He asked. Michelangelo nodded without hesitation. He loved visiting Splinter, it was one of his favourite things in the world.
"Well, it ain't the first time you've done this." Raphael lifted his hand off Michelangelo's shoulder and patted the tiny one's back. "Just make sure he does decide to see a doctor, he really needs one."
Michelangelo threw his arms around Raphael's waist, giving a rapid hug, "thanks Raphie!" He beamed as he unleashed his brother from the hug. "I'll start baking now so that it'll all be ready in the morning!"
Leonardo unfolded his arms and straightened himself. "Well, since that's all figured out, I shall take my leave." He slipped off his chair and pushed it in with much exaggerated grace, a smirk creeping up his beak. "Goodnight brothers!"
Raphael yawned, stretching his arms behind his back with a grunt. He put the letter on the table. "I better get to bed also, still got work tomorrow sadly." He yawned again as he walked off. "Make sure to get some sleep you two!"
"We will!" The youngests replied in unison.
Raphael waved a big hand before going into his room and closing the door. Michelangelo hummed as he slid over to the kitchen cabinets. He may have heard Donatello start to say something as he bent down, but heard the softshell trail off as he pulled out the needed ingredients.
"Are you going to sleep soon Donnie?" Michelangelo asked, glancing over his shoulder. He knew his brother had quite the habit of staying up late, working hard on his inventions.
"Uh, eh, yeah. Soon." Donatello replied with a slight stutter. Michelangelo raised a brow, if he didn't know better, he'd say that Donatello had something to say. But the purple bandana turtle got up quickly, scooping up the remains of wood on the table and dumping them into the garbage.
Michelangelo moved back a few steps as he twisted the knob of the sink, giving Donatello space to wash his hands. "Thank you Angelo," he gave a quick smile to said turtle before rinsing his hands. Michelangelo turned off the water as Donatello moved on to drying his hands.
"I'll be off now," Donatello said, looking down at his petite, little, orange brother. "Goodnight Mikey."
"Night night Don!" Michelangelo said as Donatello exited the room.
Having the kitchen to himself now, he rubbed his hands together with much excitement. He couldn't wait to see his dad, even if he was sick but it'll pass. Michelangelo pulled out the bowl and started to work.
He hoped dad won't get sick again after this week.