#ruralau

[3mutantsinatrenchcoat]

Okay let's try again- aauaueueeyu

Cw for blood and arguing!

This is heavily inspired by late night ramblings about rural au with @angelpuns about the village drabbles!

Let's hope this works-

[angelpuns]

Rural Au Masterpost

Hamamoto Yoshi finds 4 turtle yokai abandoned and decides to raise them in 1930s/40s rural Japan. I'm making it in the same vein as Grave of the Fireflies, This Corner of The World and The Wind Rises in that it mostly deals with the effect of the war on citizens and how it upended their lives in the smaller ways ( rationing, losing loved ones, etc ).

Character Refs:

Hamamoto Yoshi/Splinter | Raph | Donnie | Leo | Mikey

Additional Character Refs:

Usagi Yuichi

Taro

Height chart

DTIYS

Canon Timeline:

NOT YET AVAILABLE --------

Infodumps: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 (a lot of these are also doodles)

Mini Comics: 1 2

Doodles: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Leosagi Fic (in progress)

Webtoon (incomplete, will not be finished)

Tags:

#ruralauasks , #ruralau, #rottmntruralau

Additional Content:

My lil bro @3mutantsinatrenchcoat has made a ton of rural au content, so be sure to check that out here

[3mutantsinatrenchcoat]

It takes a village to raise a family part 13

Part 12 , next

This au is owned by @angelpuns, Aya belongs to me this is a fan work of the au! The au is really cool so go check them out!

Tw/cw: panic, fire, violence, vivid descriptions of gaining a concussion, fighting with intent to harm

I think that's all the warnings needed?

The village only had one soup kitchen, open from mid morning to an hour after sunset. Manned by one, great ino san. A small green furred yokai, well respected among his peers. The man had many customers, some annoying, some kind, some needing a good whack with a stick.

But every night he has one person, not a customer but a guard. As soon as he closes up and starts sweeping he hears it, hoof on wood knocking. He doesn't have to turn around to see who it was. "Aya"

"Aye boss." The goat yokai turns and faces away from the shop, looking amongst the dying lanterns on the two tables outside the shop.

He grabs a bowl and pours the leftover soba and sets it on the counter.

Aya glances at it once then twice before looking away from it. "I can't pay."

"Aya, eat. You work every night when I close up. It will waste anyway" he scolds before going back to sweeping.

She glances at it again before hesitating and then she grabs it, lifting it to her snout and drinking it, turning her head back.

Aya chews the noodles and sets it aside. "Thank you…it was very good.." she lets out a satisfied sigh as her head thumps against the wood.

"Oh please, it was seasoned completely wrong." Ino san rolls his eyes.

Aya shrugs and glances around slightly. "I think it was seasoned good.."

"Do you know what seasonings are?" He turns to look at her before sighing and walking to the back slightly.

Aya watches the shadows before flinching at the soft tok sound of a bowl on the counter.

Ino san looks at him. "Aya, watch me"

Aya turns her head away to watch the wooden fence. "Boss-"

"Aya" his tone switches to something stern. Aya tenses and slowly turns to look at him then at two bowls of water. "...."

"Watch" Ino San adds seasonings to the two bowls. "Watch the color"

Aya looks away. "Ahm supposed to be watchin-"

"Aya I want you to watch the color of the water" Ino San states, she turns back to watch.

Her ears slowly raise when the colors change two different colors. She couldn't tell what color they were, she just liked them.

"Try them" Ino San nudges them forward.

"can't p-"

"It's water I don't want you to pay" Ino San nudges them again.

Aya takes a sip of one and smiles, her tail wiggling slightly "i like tat one" she sets it down before trying the other. "Tis one tastes good too, like the soba ya gave me"

"See how different they taste? One is wrong and one is proper" Ino San smiles as Aya nods. Aya smiles "aye wish i could cook"

"Tell you what, you learn the difference between right and wrong tasting soba and I'll teach you how to make it, deal?" Ino San crosses his arms and smiles.

Aya lights up "really?...for real?...deal! Deal! No take backins!"

"Wouldn't dream of it, unless you burn the shop down" he lightly scolds.

Aya nods and smiles before standing guard, when Ino San finished the two went separate ways.

This was like clock work, as soon as Ino San closed she popped up, she never came during the day and never when there was a customer. On nights it was raining, on clear nights, snowy nights.

One night Ino San had his last customer leave when Aya comes running, stumbling down the pathway before running over. She slipped on some mud and hit the side of the shop with a loud thump and a shout as something definitely popped.

Ino San whips his head around "Aya!? Don't break the damn shop- what are you even-"

Aya barely dodged when a dog yokai slams his fist right where her head was, cracking the wood. Aya kicks his leg out from under him and she stands guard over the open doorway of the shop, tugging a rope and causing the wooden shutters to slam over the counter, concealing Ino San in.

Ino San grabs the stick from under the counter and runs out the door as Aya lunges at the dog yokai, the dog yokai stumbles into the table and knocks over a lantern, setting the dry summer grass on fire.

Ino San's eyes widen as he hits the fire with the stick, Aya tussling to the ground with the dog yokai. She let out a guttered growl as she slams the yokai's head to the ground. "You will NOT!"

Ino San rushes back into the shop to fetch water as two more yokai, a cat and a alligator rush Aya, the gator tumbling with her and rolling into the wooden fence.

Aya let's out a shout of pain as her hurt arm hits the wooden fence. She lifts her head only for it to be slammed back down by the Gator's claws.

She huffs and grunts as she pushes her palms against the grass, feeling the sun in her eyes as the hand squeezed her head. She felt like his hands could crush her skull.

She looks to the side and her eyes widen realizing it wasn't the sun but the entire yard on fire, the sun having had set already.

Her breathing quickens as she saw the look on Ino San's face, the fear…the panic. How the fire casted shadow across his face, the horrible mix of yellow light and green fur.

"B-bo-" she strained as she tries to talk, the force of her head being held to the boss making it hard to talk. She growls and swings, elbowing the gator in the face.

The gator winces and let's out a throated hiss before grabbing her head and slamming it against the ground, she swore she could feel her brain disconnect as the world spun. She slowly blinks once, twice. And then she became very aware of how the three yokai were gone, the soba shop on fire, the tables cooking to a nasty charcoal. She slowly sits up hearing ringing in her ears as hot tears bubbled up and the wave of pure guilt crashed over, swallowing her whole.

She slowly rose to her feet, looking around for the smaller yokai. "Boss!" She shouts as a crowd had gathered. She couldn't see who they were from the smoke and flames.

She looks around, listening to the crackling of the fire, her ears feeling singed as she backs away from the rising flames. Hot tears staining her already warm fur as she backs up. Her eyes scanning for green.

She looks at the shop and without hesitation she ran for it, stumbling on broken charred tables, wincing as the flames lap at her legs.

She grabs the doorframe to help herself slide into the shop, looking around as her eyes burn from the heat and brightness. "Boss!" She shouts, hearing the roaring of the fire, the crackling of it.

She. Starts overturning anything that wasn't already on fire, hearing cracking from above. Her ears drop as she looks up, quickly moving back as a support beam falls. She looks around and at the door, the haunting realization that she couldn't get back out.

So she did the only thing she thought was reasonable, she pulled the crate of seasonings to a corner under the counter Ino San prepared everything and curled up, laying her body over the seasonings. "I'm sorry..I'm so sorry…I'm so sorry.."

It was dawn before the fire went out, Ino San surveying the damage as the village guards usher the last stragglers away. He uses his stick to push around the broken wood, the air smelling of burnt wood and grass.

The devastation was immeasurable..but he would pick it back up and try again. This was his livelihood.

He lifts up broken bowls and pots. He looks over the burnt ingredients. Everything was burnt, everything was destroyed. He sighs heavily, not allowing himself to cry.

He closes his eyes and leans back, running his paw across his eyes before he hears a small whimper and the shift of bottles clinking together. He turns around to spot the young goat yokai, slowly lifting her head, her fur covered in black soot, his eyes red from the smoke. Her arms trembling as she pushed herself off the seasonings she had kept safe.

He stares at her, his eyes widening as he processes the sight in front of him. Aya looks at him tiredly before smiling weakly "I protected ta seasonins boss…"

Ino San slowly walks over, putting a hand to her fur and gently wipes away the soot around one eye. "Aya..that was completely reckless!" He scolds, he had every right to raise his stick to her but his gaze softens seeing her weak smile and how she holds back hiccups as tears fall down her face.

Aya slumps back over the seasonings "I tried so hard…I failed you"

Ino San sighs. "Get up Aya. We got cleaning to do."

Aya slowly looks at him with confusion before nodding. "Okay…" she didn't hesitate, this was her job.

"You did good protecting…but I did tell you if you burnt down my kitchen!" He points a finger at her. She stares before frowning "no learnin to cook?"

"Nope, you are grounded" he scolds and starts picking up the pieces of his shop. Aya stands up and with weak knees she starts picking up the heavier stuff. The morning was quiet, and the mess was plenty. But they could handle it.

[3mutantsinatrenchcoat]

I DID IT! ITS LIKE 3:30 AM BUT I DID IT! AHAHAHA!!

I FINISHED IT BOSS MAN!!

@angelpuns

GRANDPA FLINT AND SPLINTER BACK AT IT IN THE KRISPY KREME

[3mutantsinatrenchcoat]

It takes a village to raise a family part 4

Part 3 , part 5

Rural au, once again, by the amazing @angelpuns

Tw: this short contains descriptions of late stage hyperthermia and brief hints at death during a talk

My husband has 3 rules during the winter. "Wear warm clothes, don't drink or eat anything cold, and do not walk outside unless you can see light".

Well, one fine winter my husband fell sickly ill, along with my youngest. Not only where they on my mind so where the young turtles, little Leo would wander from the rest, Mikey as excited as ever to be in town, so much so his eyes where a guide that never stayed on path...little Donnie whose own body couldn't stand on its own and little raph as head strong as a bull.

The last thing I remembered before stepping into the snow storm was shoving my feet in my boots, I had no time for socks. Throwing on my coat, I had no time for layers. The slam of the door as the wind argued it's point against me, but I would not listen. I was out of medicine and time.

Then there was cold, and wind, and white everywhere. I couldn't see more than two feet ahead, we didn't have many storms in the winter.

I could barely make out lights of lanterns inside houses, stumbling as my feet sunk into the snow. At some point I remember tripping a lot, feeling like hands were grabbing at my ankles, wrapping around my boots.

I don't remember much, but I do remember hearing shouting not far from me. I remember when the cold started to warm. And then it got hotter...and hotter. My cloak was too warm, I was wearing too much. I would roast in this weather.

I remember just barely pulling off my cloak before it got snatched right back over my head, a gruff and angered voice shouting at me to keep it on. Burning hot hands touching both sides of my face. "let go-!"

I don't even think I could hear my voice clearly, but I heard his just fine. "no! You are coming inside with me!" It was a demand, no room for argument, stomping of feet and creaking of wood I knew to be a porch, a specific porch with specific creaky spots.

I remember how i barely felt being lifted, I could barely feel the shoulder I was on if it wasn't for how warm it was. I barely remember the chatter of the turtle boys.

Then, time went past with every blink.

The bright of fire, the crackling, the burning feeling.

The way the kids looked as I kicked and fought their father over a blanket, shaking and biting. The way metallic tasted on my tongue as I snagged his hand.

I would blink again and I had a cup in one hand, Mikey's in the other, Splinter pulling away snow from my fur with gloves, tossing it into a bucket that Raph watched from behind. "I know it's hot, it's okay, let it burn. I know it's burning let it burn" I could barely feel the tears that froze to my face pulling off my fur.

I would blink again and now Donnie and Leo where at another side, rambling about some book from the market, Splinter's warm hands cupped around my ears. "Pay attention to those words Flint!" A snappy voice laced with anger and fear. A demand, a protest.

And then it was as if time got slower, the boys all curled up asleep and Splinter staring at me, sitting on the floor. "...your eyes. You paying attention?"

"mm.." i barely moved my head and the room was blurring again, tears building up.

"alright...keep...keep talking to me...keep on talking.." he got up and then I felt warm on the side of my face. I couldn't help the noise that came out, or the burning hot tears that flooded out afterwards.

"I know..I know it burns.."

"augh!" It felt like I was boiling from the inside and burning from the outside, the heat from the fire, the boys and Splinter was uncomfortable..even more uncomfortable once I saw my fingers move but I couldn't feel it.

"s-splin-..splin-ta-..I- I can't-" it felt like my throat was tightening, but Splinter sat beside me and pulled me into his side. He didn't say another word, not until my crying had stopped and all I could let out was Shakey breaths.

"...you really are an idiot..." Splinter spoke, not with anger but something I've never heard in his voice before.

"wh...what?" When I turned to look at him, his eyes were lost from reality...really...glossy and sad looking.

"why did you go out...? It's storming and you are little- not only that you-..you nearly froze-"

"...my family is sick..your boys c-could have gotten sick...I-i was out of medicine.." the shame flickered inside my chest, only to be drowned out but a laugh. One of both mockery and disbelief. Eyes wide and filled with shock in this human's eyes.

"Flint, you sound like a buddy of mine..." His voice was filled with anger and mournfulness. "you know, I was a soldier..." He starts, glancing to see if I was paying attention, of course I was. I could listen to him forever.

"...we had a mission, one day. It was snowing that day, we had to rescue our medics.." He went silent, then he shook his head slightly, blinking away at some thoughts that I would never get to hear. "...they got too warm, just like you. We didn't bring back our medics"

"...I don't...i-.." it clicked and the cold that washed over was worse than anything I had felt before. The more I think about it the more I realize I barely know Splinter. He's my neighbor, I help with his kids and he built me a pump for water. We learned to cook for our family, yet we never shared stories...well. I did, Splinter didn't.

There was more to him than I would ever understand, but...for now....

I felt him jump as I put my head against his side, moving my tail to cover his hand, situated in his own lap...now that I saw it, it was soaked, and trembling..or well I was trembling...but it was nothing compared to the slump that Splinter gave. One that meant he understood the gesture.

That no matter what I would always, be here to listen.

[3mutantsinatrenchcoat]

Apologies for bad format (first time writing on Tumblr and I'm on mobile) and any bad English

Part 2!

This is set in rural au made by @angelpuns !!

It takes a village to raise a family: part 1

I've lived here for almost 58 years, me and my husband have been married for 65 years. In all my years I had never seen a human, until splinter arrived with 4 tots in toe. 4 turtles, each special in their own way. When one of the boys fell sickly, I'd make them dinner, round up my medicine and march my way to them. My husband always asked why I cared so much. "It's what I do, a father's job doesn't end at our own", I'd always say and he, always with a smile, opened the door with my coat in hand.

A few years went by and the human showed less to almost none, the kids grew fruit and were always the more noisy than before. A few shillings for their apples and in return a fresh pie. Once again my husband would ask "darlin, why did you make two extra pies". And of course I said, "it's what I do, a father's job doesn't end at our own".

I still remember the first day the human came up to my stall, a crying turtle in one arm and a sleeping one in the other. "Listen- before-...before you turn me away- I have the money, more than enough- I need-"

"help?" I grinned at the human, my head in my hands. I had watched as the yokai around us scittered away from the human as he walked around, gasping and spreading rumors of terror.

"don't be cheeky, racoon." He snapped before sighing. "Please..I don't know what is wrong."

"you may call me Flint, and here hand them over" I held out my hands and scooped up one of the crying ones. "What is his name?"

"uhm-...Purple- I mean- Donnie. He's been crying non stop for three days." The human looked exhausted, cradling the other one who now I can assume is named Blue.

With a quick examine over the tot I shifted his weight into one arm and used my foot to scoot a step stool to a drawer, clambering up I pulled open a drawer and dug around for a few items, setting a vial of pink, a cloth, and a spool of stretchy fabric on top. "Sit down splinter, before you drop the baby"

I heard the creak of wood behind me and then a thump, turning around to face the human rubbing his face. "...watch for the stall-"

"yeah, thanks" he snaps back before sitting in the chair by the trinkets, scaring away a goat yokai who wandered up.

I took the cloth and held it out to the human to take. "Dunk this in the bucket of water by the chair. I use that to clean the trinkets but for now it's all I have." Then I sat down with the vial, situating Donnie on his back. "So, tell me about the boys"

I swished the bottle around and uncorked the vial as the human explained the boys. Color coded and named after other humans. After the medicine was given to Donnie i took the rag and wiped across his face as gently as I could. "he has a fever, you need to keep the temperature down and a close eye on him. I don't have any medicine to send with you, all of it is at home with my husband."

"thank you.. for your kindness, I mean." Splinter held Leo against him as Donnie was handed back. I stood, grabbing the fabric and unwinding it. "Come here"

When Splinter looked dumbfounded I snatched him closer to me by the front of his shirt. "Let me get you wrapped up, this is a baby sling, I'll teach you so you can free your arms"

Splinter nods slightly, glaring while I situated the boys and started to secure them to the human with the fabric, Donnie on the front of his chest and Leo on the back as I secured them under the tail, wrapping over Splinter's shoulders and back around under his arms.

"there, now it should be secure but don't go getting in any fights or running with it." He only looked to me as I tied the knot behind Leo's back. "Now head out before it gets too dark."

When I got home that night my husband asked me. "Why did you help the human?" And I said, "it's what I do, a father's job doesn't end at our own"

[3mutantsinatrenchcoat]

Hey. Hey you. You should draw Grandpa Flint 🥺 /np but I wanna see him :)

Here have some out of context lore

With young grandpa Flint

[3mutantsinatrenchcoat]

It takes a village to raise a family: part 2

Part 1! , part 3

This is a story based in the rural au made by @angelpuns

It would be another two weeks before I saw the human again. My hands are weary and no longer strong like they once where, carrying my pale of water back to my stall proves difficult. I almost dropped it and fell if it wasn't for the human.

He caught the hand of the bucket and myself with his leg, keeping me from an even bigger mess.

"racoon, you should be more careful" he put my bucket down on the ground and helped me steady myself, even though I'm sure his back must hurt, I am rather small compared to him.

"I'm sorry to inconvenience you, splinter. The bucket was...heavier than expected." Looking up at him his face was unreadable. No wonder the other yokai are afraid of him.

"....I'll carry your bucket for you as payment for helping purple." He scooped up my pale and started walking. I couldn't help but smile as I followed after.

"how is Donnie doing?" I turn to face him only to get back a snide remark. "Your neck is going to break if you keep looking up at me"

"ha! I look up to people all my life, it wouldn't hurt to look more....are..are you dodging the question?.." worry filled my chest something I couldn't bear, a child that ill scared me relentlessly.

"he is doing much better..he was able to hold down his food after a few days." He smiles, only slightly. But he does. It's a funny thing people do, where they try to hide their emotions but sometimes it's easier to tell than they think.

The way Splinter drew his mouth back a little to hold back but failing even still only a little. It was a smile of relief. One I saw my own husband have once our oldest survived falling into the lake one day.

"I'm glad I could help...I only sell trinkets and small things but..if you ever need my help I'm here for you and the boys. The yokai weren't as welcoming to us either to start with" though my head held high, it hurt to not be welcomed.

"...how come"

"I was born in America and my husband was born here, he brought me back to here with him after we were discovered underground, I was new, a stranger to them." I caught myself twisting the wrist of my sleeve, letting my hands fall to my sides, however they had a mind of their own, clenching and unclenching.

It was silent the rest of the few minutes it took, as soon as the bucket was sat by my chair Splinter turned to face me.

"be careful next time." Splinter nods at me before he started his way back to his residence.

"wait...but that's out of town-..." I mumbled before turning to face him. "Wait-"

He lifted his hand, not even a second glance towards myself. "Couldn't bare to watch you struggle"

I couldn't help but smile at that...I couldn't help but smile more the day after the next when I sat on the river bank, debating to test the current's strengh before Splinter came over, wood in his arms and a few tools. "Let's make you a water pump, okay?"

[3mutantsinatrenchcoat]

Okay it took me uhhhh exactly... uhhhh 2 hours and 2 minutes

ALSO THE CLOAK IS HIS WINTER COAT

BUT GRANDPA FLINT FROM THE IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A FAMILY STORY!

From the RURAL AU @angelpuns

[3mutantsinatrenchcoat]

Decided I wanted to show off some concepts from the rural drabbles!!

Aya! A goat yokai who is known for fighting with anyone over anything, she has high morale stances and believes in a fair fight (unless said fight is against someone bigger than her)

Two scene concepts from the recent parts! I don't sketch out a lot of the scenes but it helps to know what I want out of a scene if that makes sense!

So have the show off husband attempting to flirt with Flint and the Donnie betrayal with said husband and splinter dancing in the back (not accurate to the scene)

Two scenes I decided weren't enough fuel to write a whole drabble? The first being Flint and his husband first meeting (wasn't sure if anyone would want to see it) and the second being Splinter getting tree sap in his hair while cutting fire wood

And two possible future concepts! Hide and seek with the boys and Leo asking Flint to weigh in on a debate

This lovely au is called the rural au and belongs to the amazing @angelpuns!

Keep in mind my work is not canon to their au! I highly suggest you check out their works and their other AUS such as the kid Leo au and the new spin off of it! It's very fun!

[3mutantsinatrenchcoat]

It takes a village to raise a family part 11

Part 10 , part 12

The amazing rural au is made by the yet again lovely @angelpuns

Now last time we got a pov from Aya..now I love a good unreliable narrator but I'm going to play with something I'm GOOD at. The know it all narrator!

Heavily inspired by binging the fanfiction for the rural au which is in the style of the know it all narrator where it's third person on one character (Leo) but it knows all his feels and all his thoughts I highly recommend going over to AO3 for it! It's amazing so without further rambling...let's A-GO

Also! Cw/tw for stalking

On days like this, everyone has their own chores and duties. Leo with the water, raph with the garden, Donnie with the paper and house and Mikey with fetching necessities and a treat that the other brothers don't need to know if he got.

The village loved the boys, and Mikey's smile always brought a bit of warmer sunshine to wherever he went in the eyes of the villagers but today Mikey's smile held unease.

See for a while now he had the idea that eyes were watching him, yes, yes the villagers looked at him when he came bounding about loud and clear but...this was different. It was like the eyes dug to the center of his very being, like a wolf watching a sheep ready to snatch him away forever.

Just about every time he went into the village he felt it for the past few weeks, it didn't start until he was a little bit into the village. He's done everything to avoid it from entering in a different way to going with Donnie or Leo but it's still there.

This time it started as soon as he stepped in, he could feel it in the back of his neck, it started from the front and then at his back as if he walked past them and it didn't leave. He had a small list today so it wouldn't be too long before he could leave.

He could ask Grandpa Flint about it but he wasn't there today, and even if he was Leo said he couldn't see well anymore.

Besides the feeling of the eyes on him the day was really nice, the warmth of the sun on his skin and the nice breeze to cool him. There was the smell of food in the air and laughter from friends. Little kids running around giggling and shrieking. He would join but he didn't want to get lost in it and the eyes get him.

So he carried on and grabbed a new wooden spoon after he and Donnie were cooking last theirs broke. He went up to the stall, greeting the nice newt lady. "Hi! I need a new spoon please"

"a new one? Was something wrong with the old one young Michelangelo?" The newt tilts her head to the side showing off her teeth with a smile, not a scary one but one of those people who put their heart on their sleeve..with water colored eyes and teeth beaming from every smile.

"we got too excited cooking last night! I was stirring the pot and it broke- and our dinner got sorta all over the place" Mikey rubs the back of his head smiling happily.

The Newt grabs one of her hand carved spoons and held it out. "2 coin, be careful with the spoon dear"

Mikey took it and placed the 2 coins in her hand, smiling at the little carvings of song birds in the handle, swirls wrapping around it to the base of the spoon.

He waved bye to her and ran off, alright 1 down, 2 to go. The next one was easy, it was already payed for, he just needed to pick up the basket that Raph ordered, strong enough to carry all the potatoes to the house from the potato patch after it broke last week.

Then he had to pick up medicine for Donnie, stopping at a wooden box that had a drop for money and then a door that opened to get the medicine, as soon as he picked up the bag for the medicine he saw it.

The eyes.

He visibly paled seeing out the corner of his eyes a goat Yokai, no bigger than him, a little shorter, watching him, their grey fur on their arms and face stained with something red and a look of focus in their eyes. Every few seconds their eyes flickered to someone else but every time it landed back on him. They had no expression on their face just....a look of focus.

Their ears went back slightly before they got closer. And at that moment he took off, his feet moving faster than his brain could catch up as he didn't check to look back. He heard them though, the sounds of their hooves on the dirt and grass but as soon as he got into the trees surrounding the village they stopped. He scrambled through the branches and roots, not caring to look back as he made his way home. When he could see the house he shouted for his brothers. His adrenaline catching up and allowing tears to spill over as he made it to the clearing.

Leo and Raph where the first out the door, running to Mikey who hid against Raph. Digging his face into the older's carapace as he let out a sob, his chest tightening from the run and the fear.

Leo looked at the woods where he came from before looking at Raph. "I'll go check it out.." he went into the woods, he stayed there for 30 minutes combing through it before coming back. By then Raph, Donnie and Mikey all gathered in the kitchen.

"Leo did you know about this?" Donnie looked at him as soon as he walked in.

"no! I told you already nobody knew!" Mikey cried, tears stained to his face.

"know about what?" Leo looked between the three.

"our dear brother Mikey here has a been followed by someone every time he's gone to the village" Donnie crosses his arms, the feeling of defense and anger filling them all.

"Mike, how long has this been going on?" Leo turned to his little brother who shrugged and rubbed his face. "a while now- I didn't know what they looked like until today"

"well, we will get it handled..what do they look like?" Leo sat beside Mikey, pulling him into a hug. Mikey bundled and hid against his side, hiding back the sniffles. "I don't know..grey fur? Scary?..they had red on their fur...maybe a goat I don't know-"

Leo turns to look at Donnie. "Don't worry, tomorrow..we are gonna catch em"

[3mutantsinatrenchcoat]

It takes a village to raise a family part 9

Part 8 , part 10

This amazing au is yet again made by the amazing @angelpuns

We are getting into the fun part! In the next few parts we are going to have new writing styles and new characters to follow along keep in mind my work is a fan work of their au nothing in my work is canon! So I highly suggest going and looking at their stuff about the au! It's really really great!

Possible cw/tw for child being hungry?

I raised the boys with the help of others in the village, but I mainly left them to the yuichi boy and his Aunt. My health dwindled and taking care of my own home was becoming a burden. Splinter was gone and so was my husband in the blink of an eye.

Of course I still went to see them when I could manage it, they also came to the stall sometimes. Other times I could see Leo hanging around that yuichi boy with a light inside his eyes that I know all too well.

The boys started growing food at their houses, I offered to help get them a stall to sell some of it once it got going. With their food I was able to make them new recipes, apple pie, stews.

By the time the first anniversary of the two leaving the sky had turned greyish, like something was wrong with it. Sometimes there was tremors in the ground. I was fortunate enough to always see the blue sky, as now my eye sight has decided to fail me.

Of course though, as I sit at my stall I recognized the boys. Or well, specifically Leo shouting my name as he ran up. I couldn't see his face anymore but I could tell he was smiling through his voice.

"check it out! Raph and I found this in the garden!" He placed a tomato in my hand, hefty and barely able to fit in two of my hands. My hands were smaller than a few but it was still exciting non the less.

"it's huge, what will you make with it Leonardo?" I smiled at him.

"uhh..I don't know, I think maybe you should have it?...for your tomato soup! And then we can all eat together tonight? With yuichi too! Of- of course-"

I smiled and nodded to him. "Go and fetch yuichi, I'll start cooking and bring over the pot around an hour to sundown. I don't want you kids in the dark."

"yes grandpa!" I could hear the smile in his voice again before he ran off.

I put the tomato to the side and sighed, it would have made Splinter proud to see how much his boys had grown in less than two years. They have grown into something truly special.

After a sale I heard the sound a parent is all too knowing of. "Are you hungry?"

"I'm fine, old man" a girl's voice sounds out, her voice filled with exhaustion.

I couldn't see more than a blur but I could tell she wore tattered clothes and dawned dirt on her face.

"dear, you don't have to lie." I grabbed the tomato and held it out. "Here, you need it more than I do"

"...are-..are you sure?" She slowly took it before I could hear the pop of the tomato being bit into, and the satisfied relief huff from her nose, her body slacked a little.

"you really did need it didn't you dear, when was the last time you ate?" I tried to get a better look of her, but of course I couldn't see any better.

"...I don't have any coin to give you-" she started before I cut her off. "I wasn't asking how much you had, I asked when you last ate."

"...i-..hm...a-... it's not important" she shook her head. "My family will make coins soon so it won't matter too long" her voice was sorrowful.

"if you ever need food or help, you can come to me.."

"you have a few kids to worry about yourself-" oh so she knew me? I didn't recognize her at all. I still don't.

"...thank you for the tomato.." she held her hand to her mouth but I couldn't tell what she was doing before she walked away.

I sat back and sighed, I could technically add another kid to the roster... A daughter, two sons, a Splinter, Yuichi and his sister, 6 grandsons and 3 grand daughters...what's another kid to that?

After all, that's what I do best.

That night we did in fact enjoy tomato soup and bread, however the boys were rather distraught about the legendary tomato ending up on squished by a passer-by.

We would however, the following week enjoy a soup made of several legendary tomato's.

[3mutantsinatrenchcoat]

It takes a village to raise a family part 8

Part 7 , part 9

This amazing au is made by the amazing @angelpuns

Cw/tw: off screen death, war mentions, and arguments

"what do you mean you are leaving.." I stepped into the room, the unease came full force, filling my gut and my head.

"I'm leaving to go fight in the war" Splinter stated bluntly. "The human one"

"what-? War??? What do you mean war?" I looked between the two before looking at him again.

"well, there is a war and I have to go back to help" he leaned against the counter.

"what? Help with what!" I couldn't help how my voice raised, my throat felt dry and burnt with each word.

"well..it's.. I don't really know what we are fighting for-" he admitted "but it's unpredictable, but I think we have a good chance-"

"YOU DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU ARE FIGHTING FOR AND YOU ARE LEAVING YOUR SONS!?" I could feel my fur standing on end, ears pressed back.

"hun- the boys, lower your voice" my husband spoke softly, taking a step closer.

"kido haru! do not step near me!"

My husband, Haru looked down right terrified by the use of his name. It has been years since the last time I spoke that name, well besides the healers.

"you both knew didn't you-" I looked to haru who looked away. Splinter didn't.

"yes, that's why he rejoined the guards, because of it. " Splinter admits.

"you what!? I thought it was people who got sick!" I turned to my husband. I couldn't stay mad at him, but uh..yeah I was pretty mad.

I turned back to Splinter after I got no answer. "Do the boys know about this? What about them? Who will take care of them?"

"the village, and of course you two. " He looked between the two of us.

"of course we would! But we shouldn't have to!" I could feel the fire burning in my chest, in my bones.

"why do you care so much?" Splinter stood up from leaning. "I understand for the boys but-"

"because a war wiLL TAKE MY SON AWAY!!" I didn't mean to shout, I didn't mean to shout so loud my voice felt like it was burning. It was quiet after, but only for a few seconds before Splinter spoke up.

"...I'm not your son. You don't even know my name." Splinter spoke, each word felt like a deeper wound. Maybe I misread the situation, maybe he didn't feel the same. But to me, he was family.

It was then I realized the tears, and the shame, and the guilt...the embarrassment.

I don't remember leaving the house. I don't remember walking into the river and traveling through it, I went upbank. I screamed to the moon for only it listened to my mourning anger.

The boys would loose their father, who left to fight for a reason that wasn't his. One he didn't even know. One I couldn't talk him out of. And not only that, I lost a son.

Justified in his own reason I don't blame him, I don't have anger towards him. Only to myself, for I let myself fall down this path.

The villagers told me, trusting him was no good, that I'd get hurt. I do not care for their words, I never did. I let myself care for him more than I should have. My own kids are out of the house, having family of their own. They are too busy to come home. But the boys and Splinter...or not Splinter. They came home, I came to theirs.

I was a fool.

I don't remember when my husband got there. For the longest time it was just me and the moon. Me and the water.

"Flint, darling?.." he walked like he was approaching a scared animal. But I had no fight left to give, I am only an old man after all. I turned to face him, no more tears left to give, no more voice left to shout.

"... he's still family..."

"I know."

I don't remember the walk back, it seems like such a minor thing to think about. To dwell on. Especially with what came next.

I woke up early in the morning, the air in the house foggy and smelled burnt. It was still dark out at the knocking. My bed empty of my husband. I figured he had gotten up to answer the door.

After the third time of a knock I got up, shuffling through the house. My body exhausted from the grief. As I walked through the house in the distance out the window, was an orange light, smoke rising from it. I heard the knocking again.

I turned to the door and at that instant my legs went numb, forcing myself to the door. I opened it to the captain of the guard and two other guards. The looks on their face made my gut spin before I looked down at the tattered, burnt and dirty cape I had made for my husband only hours earlier.

And as the sun rose over the trees I realized something..

That day, I lost my husband...and my son.

[3mutantsinatrenchcoat]

It takes a village to raise a family part 7

Part 6 , part 8

This amazing au is made by the amazing @angelpuns

This is the continued day from the previous part, we have two more parts to seal this 24 hour long segment and then we will be back to our regularly scheduled dibble dabbles because hooooo boy...this is going hammy ham

We started cooking a few hours before we would be there, he cooked what sides we could find in the cabinets. I started on a pie at the table.

"now don't go burning it this time darling" he looked over his shoulder, stirring the pot.

I glanced over at him, rolling my eyes. His smile lit up the room as we got back to work on our food. "It was only that one time, and I never cooked a pie before"

"uh-uh- there was another!" He grins, waving his spoon around. "You nearly burnt down the house!"

"hey! I'm old! I am nearly in my-...huh..." I looked down at the pastry I was making, I couldn't remember my own age..and it seemed he picked up on it because he burst out in a fit of laughter. "Oh hush!" I turned to look at him as he hunched over. If he was any younger he might have fallen dramatically on the floor.

"shush! Get to cooking we have to get this ready-" I couldn't help but laugh. His laugh was.. infectious. I couldn't have asked for anyone different than him. He is truly the love of my life.

We managed to finish with 2 hours to spare, the food put in bowls and placed in a basket with a cloth to cover them. I turned to look up at my husband only to be met with laughter. "You are covered in flour my dear" he wiped his hand across my face, showing his hand. I couldn't help but laugh and took his hand gently. "My dear, your fur is white..I can't see it" I smiled at him, watching his face shift to embarrassment.

"let's go ahead and head over, I want to see the boys" I pulled away and gathered the basket.

"um...darling, you might want to at least change into something cleaner" he ruffled my fur on the top of my head before planting a kiss down.

Once I got changed we left the house, I rarely got to wear my handmade items but I couldn't resist the lovely red fabric of my hakama, especially when paired to the kimono that my husband had bought for our 20th anniversary.

We talked and joked all the way to Splinter's home. As soon as we reached where he lived I could see one of the boys in the window.

"alright game plan" my husband turned to me. "I'll help finish up dinner and you-"

"I'll deal with the munchkins" I smiled back at him.

We knocked as we went inside, my husband went to the kitchen while I went for the boys. I found them all watching me from the living room. I smiled as I got closer, the smile turning into something sinister the boys all picked up on except for Mikey.

And that's when I struck, I ran and snatched up Mikey "RAAAAA!! THE EVIL WOOD GRASS CLOUD DONNIE HAS RETURNED!!" and with that I ran as all the boys shrieked and scrambled after.

I turned into the hallway, booking it away from little Leo and his wooden sword who was accompanied by Donnie and his trusty stick he found outside. Raph turned into the hall, blocking me in.

"sur-..uh- sure-nder-" Leo struggled before raising his sword "evil monsta!"

I couldn't help but giggle before turning to face them. "Oh you fool!" I tickled Mikey earning a shriek and a laugh, the initial shriek causing the boys to charge giving me an opening to escape around them as Leo and Donnie crashed into each other.

I turned to make sure they were okay before I took off, leading the 3 back into the living room. "Leo get him!" Donnie shouts as Leo pushed past him into the living room, Mikey giggling the entire time. I climbed over the couch and ran across it as the boys tried to run after on both sides. I jumped over the end and ran up the stairs, the three followed. As I ran around the upstairs, raph chased after there was a rather dramatic moment at the top of the stairs.

A wooden sword struck in between Leo's left arm and his side, he let out a dramatic gasp before turning to face Donnie. "Don?.."

"an act of betrayal leon-" there was slight hesitation before Donnie reenacted from a play recently held in the village and pushed him.

"Leo!" I ran and fell on my side with a thump, twisting so mikey wouldn't get hurt and caught Leo before he hit the stairs, holding him above them before I pulled him close to me.

I let out a shakey breath before looking at the boys, all of them wide eyed. Donnie with regret in his. "Hey, hey it's okay- it's okay-" I sat up, setting mikey down before I scooped Donnie onto my lap with Leo, leaning against the stair banister.

"i-i coulda hurt em-!" Donnie had tears building up fast, Leo was starting to cry as well.

"but you didn't, you didn't Donnie, and you realized it's wrong. You are okay, you both are look-" I spoke softly, wiping both of their faces. "Leo isn't hurt, just startled"

The two sniffled and looked at each other. "It's okay, you are okay"

"is everything okay?" My dear rounded the corner out of the kitchen and looked up at us. "Heard a noise-? Sounded bad?'

"it's alright!" I smiled at him "just kids learning the power of betrayal-"

He gave me a scrunches up confused look, smiling still. "Alright, well why don't you all come down for dinner?"

It was like nothing had happened at all, all 4 of them screamed for food and raced down the stairs. My husband went around them and climbed the stairs up to me, holding his hand out to me "darling, would you like to go have dinner with me?"

I couldn't help but laugh at him, taking his hand "are you asking me on a date?"

"it would be the greatest honor" he smiles and pulled me to my feet, escorting us down the stairs and to the table.

We sat down beside each other, the boys wanted to sit together.

"so, what was that noise?" Splinter looked up from his food.

I turned to look at the boys who didn't know how to respond so I spoke up. "The great and terrifying wood grass cloud Donnie corrupted the great and POWERFUL Donatello, but he wasnt strong enough! The brotherly love was too much!"

My husband laughed as I made grand gestures, the kids beaming.

After dinner I took the boys to their beds, splinter and my dear gathered the dirty dishes. Donnie and Leo shared the bed for the night, Mikey joined in as well and of course Raph wasn't going to let anything happen to them so he had to join to. "alright, who wants a bedtime story?" I sat down beside them.

Once the boys fell asleep I went to meet the two, overhearing part of their conversation as I walked into the kitchen.

"we can do what we can for the boys while you are gone, the village will be here you know that-" my husband turned to me, I could feel the unease in the room, it was like a rotted flower blooming and draining.

"...I guess it's about time we talked about this..." He turned to Splinter before looking at me.

Splinter spoke up "I'm going back to fight"

"....what-"

[3mutantsinatrenchcoat]

It takes a village to raise a family: part 3

Part 2 , part 4

I am...so attached and brain rotted to this villager man- he is getting his own tag as grandpa flint because I love him that much

Rural au yet again by the amazing @angelpuns

At some point they are gonna get mad at all the pings lmao

The river runs cold in the spring, when the streets are making fruit and the leaves are the prettiest of green, pinks, and blues. The prettiest rocks are embedded in sand, just treasures to find. Sometimes I'll find something pretty, sometimes I won't.

But today I found something shiney, and golden. It wasn't very thick, it wasn't that long either. It was flat on one end and round on the other with letters on the flat side in a circle. I've never seen anything like it before. It was so pretty.

Of course I put it on my stall, but that's not the important part today. Today a festival was to be held, more importantly a cooking contest. I rolled the paper up and closed down my stall, scurrying to the outside of the village, through the woods. The trees barely let sun peek through, leaving the wonders of butterflies that pass under the little bits of light all the more pretty.

My dear husband always told me to look for the little things....well I know the human splinter is a bit of a sour crab apple. So I might as well cook with him.

He wasn't very happy to open the door to see me, even more when I walked around him inside. "Come on get your pans and whatever cooking stuff you have and let's get cooking!"

"excuse me? We are not cooking-" he slammed the door and follows me into the kitchen, paying him no mind I pulled a few pots out.

"yes we are, you will not become a sour raisen at this age-" I slid the pots onto the counter, hearing him sputter.

"I am not a sour raisen!" He pushed the cabinet door closed and glares. "We are not cooking"

"...yes we are" I held out the paper and popped his nose slightly, watching the anger fill his eyes before he snatched the paper, looking it over. ".....yeah okay I could use that money-"

"exactly, now let's get to cooking" I look around and realize this man has not one apron. "...okay we need kitchen equipment-"

"we have kitchen equipment- we have the necessities-" splinter grumbles, getting out a cook book. "You are one demanding little racoon"

I couldn't help but grin at him as he sits on the ground, opening it up. "Okay if we are going to do this, I have a few demands...1 don't be a rude little shit, 2 we have to be quiet the kids are down for a nap and 3 we split the earnings 20/80"

"done deal! Ooo pie, Im going to try that!" I hit the page, grinning with all my teeth.

"alright..I'll uh...do a basic soup I guess?" He stands up and before I could register what happened he grabbed me by my scruff and put me on the counter. "Alright racoon, let's do this"

"HAHAA!! yes!"

With a few mishaps and a few changes to the ingredients like instead of flour we used baking soda, instead of sugar we used salt..you know the good substitutes....we made a mess.

With the two of us standing at the cook out table, with my pie a burnt, bubble, uncooked mess and with splinter's halfway untasteful soup we locked ourselves in 8th and 9th place.

I think that's a win

[3mutantsinatrenchcoat]

It takes a village to raise a family part 6

Part 5 , part 7

The amazing rural au is by @angelpuns

These next few parts will be from the exact same day starting at dawn to dusk, if it's formatted wonky I had to segment the original because it reached the word limit

Uhhh content warning! For a brief few paragraphs about the battlefield of war from the perspective of someone who has never seen one before!

There is barely any Splinter/Yoshi in this because like I said it was originally all in one piece so I'm sorryyyyy,

It had been years since I met a tired scarred human. We started as strangers, to neighbors..then to what I would like to say friends and family. Though I'm not completely sure how he sees it.

... however, today would be much different than the rest.

I remember I dreamt I was standing in a field, the skys a shade of orange and green, smoke all around. The ground was covered in trash and trees in splinters and bits.

I remember hearing loud noises, I couldn't describe it but every sound that was made buried fear into the pit of my stomach. I could hear people screaming all around, shouts of anger, of pain, of mourning, names screamed out in desperation.

The air smelt burnt, like the air itself was dying, looking around did nothing. That was until I turned to face my friend, Splinter. Dressed in clothes I've never seen him wear, holding something I've never seen before. It was made of wood, but not like any branch I ever seen. He held it with two hands, holding it forward with a look I never seen in his eyes.

It was as if everything went silent, then there was the whistle and a rock fell at my feet. I only had enough time to look down at it before the rock split into many pieces, as if a dramatic child who fell just realized he scrapped his knee.

I remember how bright it was when I shot up out of my sleep, I remember the burning in my throat before my husband slid into the room, dressed up in a button up, sleeves rolled just how I liked them, and those damned pants he hated so much. I remember seeing the look in his eyes as he cupped my face, asking or begging if I was hurt.

"i-im...I'm okay-..I'm okay-" when I blinked I could feel the tears rolling down my face, touching them with my hands and only then did I realize what i was doing.

"was it another one of those spells?.." his thumbs wiped the tears from my eyes, his hands were warm. "It's been a while since you had one of those..."

I shook my head, looking at him and I could tell there was fear in his eyes. He knew it was a bad one.

"you are not a bad omen dear..you were given a gift..." His voice was soft and soothing, the way his hands ran up the back of my head, I could feel the cracks and calluses in his fingers.

"you know they are never shown to me unless they are bad..." My voice was no louder than a whisper, but I could tell it stung him not a bit duller than a sharpened sword.

"what about the time with the harvest festival? That one wasn't bad" he was trying to make me feel better, but he never knows the truth of how bad it truly is.

"why are you wearing those pants-" I couldn't help but laugh when i asked, he couldn't help but laugh as well. "You hate those pants-" I gave him a smile, he didn't seem to press any further.

To my surprise he made breakfast, I slept in. He made my favorite, two eggs, runny, over rice. It was something quick and easy to make, especially since prices have gone up it was also decently cheap.

He poured the milk, pulled out my chair, sat across our small wooden table.

He reached across and held my hand, flinching when a splinter snagged his arm. He was never the best in wooden craft, but he was decent in others. Our table was washed up drift wood that splinter helped me drag home.

After we ate we left to the porch, we couldn't afford the market stall this week so I settled on my rocking chair with a batch of fabric and a needle and got to work. Meanwhile my husband was cutting up wood for the fire tonight, every chance he got he tried to show off how big and strong he was, and I tried to pretend to ignore him, but that smile on his face always made me feel all warm inside.

He retired his work after he whistled in my direction and showed off the muscle in one of his arms, putting a hand on the log, only the log slipped under the weight and he went down with it.

"you are such a dork" I smiled as he walked up the steps, his shoulders slumped as he rubbed his face, grabbing the scruff of his chin I left him a kiss on the bruise. "All better?"

He smiled the same way he did when he tried to ask for my hand the first time we met, a smile with all his teeth, one ear flopped to the side and the other sticking straight up.

I held up the fabric, placing it in his hand. "I made you something" I couldn't help but squeak in excitement. There is something about loving someone for as long as we have, that you would think the spark would die down but it never did. The feeling of excitement giving him gifts knowing his reaction was one of pure joy..that never goes away.

He unfolded it, as careful as he could as if it was glass. "You finished it?" He whipped his head up, clasping the fabric around his neck and over his shoulders.

"well, since you are gone for so long every day I figured you would need a new cloak...to keep you warm" I pulled at my fingers as nervously as I could, though I knew he would love it there was always that voice.

He smiled wider if that was even possible and scooped me out the chair, swinging us around as if we were dancing. "I will cherish it forever! There won't be a single tear! Not a speck of dirt!" And when the spinning ended, it ended with a kiss.

By lunch we sat on the couch, him reading a book while I varnished his leather gloves and his knife holster. It needed to be cleaned. His legs ended up in my lap and before long I ended up in his, using his stomach as my working table while he layed on the couch.

He was never a fan of the shirt anyway, but he still pouted when some of it got on his shirt, giving me a pout that the only remedy being a kiss on the nose.

"don't forget we have dinner over at Splinter's tonight" he spoke, closing the book slightly. I stopped what I was doing, the process only took a few seconds before I looked up at him "is that why you wore those pants?"

He burst into laughter, I could only join. His laugh was infectious, and one I would never want to let go.