Chapter 9

                                    

                                          
Splinter sat next to his son's bedside, his eyes intently watching Leonardo's hands and face looking for any signs of further movement that could mean his son awakening. After seeing Leonardo's hand move earlier that night, Splinter had gone back into meditation over his son's form, hoping that the movement indicated his injured child's mind would be more easily reachable. He had once again been met with failure, however, and was forced to take a spectators role and watch over Leonardo, a role that made him feel like he was doing nothing. Splinter sighed softly. The night rolled into early morning, but there had still been no further movement or signs of awakening.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw the small orange cat, which was still curled up next to Leonardo's body, stretch its front paws and give a large, long yawn. It stood and circled a few times, then curled itself back up next to his son. He hadn't had the heart to move the cat earlier, since it was the cat that had evoked the first signs of life from his son in three days. Splinter watched the cat with curiosity. What was it about this cat that had encouraged movement from his unconscious son? His family had been trying again and again with no success, and then this cat enters the basement for a few hours at most and brings about more life in his son than his family had seen in days.
                          
Splinter stroked his whiskers as he thought on the matter. And what was the draw this cat seemed to have to his one son in particular. The small animal had not left Leonardo's side since they had found it there that night. Michelangelo, the resident animal lover of the family, on numerous occasions had tried to coax the animal away to sit with him, but the cat had just looked at him silently then laid his head back down on Leonardo's arm. It was almost as though the cat knew Leonardo needed her in some way. Splinter had heard similar things before about animals being able to help and heal injured and broken people but had never seen that power first hand.
                          
He heard footsteps descending the stairs, and looked up to see Dr. Smith making her way down. He was shocked slightly that it was already early morning. He looked at one of the small windows and realized light was streaming through. He had been deeply caught up in his thoughts and hadn't paid attention to the passage of time.
                          
Dr. Smith walked up to him with a greeting smile and kneeled next to Leonardo, once again checking the turtle over for any signs of change.
                          
Donatello rushed over at seeing Dr. Smith in the basement, eager to update her on what had happened the night before. In his haste he almost knocked over a pile of boxes, causing Splinter to wince, but smile at his smartest son's enthusiasm.
                          
"He was moving his hand last night." Donatello said excitedly, kneeling next to her and beginning to assist her with her exam.
                          
"That's great!" She exclaimed, pulling her stethoscope from her ears and smiling. "Did he regain consciousness for any amount of time?"
                          
Donatello's face fell slightly at the question. "No, unfortunately Raph wasn't able to get him to open his eyes." Splinter saw Raphael, who was not sitting far from the conversation, drop his head slightly at the words.
                          
"That's still good news," Sarah said encouragingly, placing a comforting hand on Don's shoulder. "He may be making progress."
                          
"His hand was petting the cat." Mikey said, coming up to the others, wanting to be included in the conversation. "You're a good kitty, aren't ya little guy." He cooed in a baby voice, kneeling next to the small animal and running his hands over the cat's soft head.
                          
Dr. Smith turned and saw the small cat for the first time curled up in Leonardo's arm. "I'm so sorry!" She suddenly exclaimed. "I must have forgotten to put her back in her cage last night before I left. 'Hope', you little devil," she said affectionately as she moved to take the cat into her arms, but Splinter reached out his hand and stopped her.