The turtles made camp but didn't say anything. They were still a little shocked about the deer, but they kept it to themselves. Then, their fire turned blue and the image of their father appeared to them.

"Master Splinter!" they exclaimed.

"Watashi no musukotachi yo," Splinter replied in Japanese.

"Are you, like a ghost?" Mikey asked like he was about to cry.

"My spirit has become detached from my body, but that body still lives," Splinter answered.

"You're alive? Where are you, Sensei? Let us help you," Leo insisted.

"You cannot yet. There is much you must overcome. If you cannot find your inner, spiritual strength, you will not stand a chance against the Shredder," Splinter responded.

"But Master Splinter, my leg injury, it-it's physical. Until I heal..." Leo trailed off.

"We choose what holds us back and what moves us forward. You will all learn this. Each of you must journey out alone to face your spiritual adversary," Splinter said.

As he talked, he went to each of his sons who nodded in response.

"Raphael, your temper is like a fire that you must learn to focus for power. Michelangelo, your mind is overrun with distractions. Learn to be strong and calm, like the forest. Donatello, you rely too much on your mind, and not on your body. Be strong, like the mountain. Leonardo, you must be the leader in body and spirit. Be like the wind. Let nothing weigh you down. Sleep now, my sons. For your greatest trail awaits on the spiritual plane. For the challenges you face there will be just as deadly as those you face in the real world," Splinter explained.

As he disappeared, he added, "Be warned."

The brothers looked at each other then went to sleep.

At the farmhouse

That same night, Jamie was also asleep. She dreamt she was in this white area. It was nothing but white everywhere.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" she called.

"Hello, child," someone responded.

She turned around to see Master Splinter. She didn't know it at the time, though.

"Who are you?" she wondered.

"I am Hamato Yoshi. But my sons, April, and Casey call me Master Splinter," he introduced.

She paused a minute to process what she heard. This can't be.

"You're...You're the turtles' father?" Jamie asked.

"Yes and I know that you and Raphael have feelings for each other," Splinter answered.

"Um, are you okay with it?" she wondered nervously.

"My child, I have considered you a part of the family before this. I've seen how you care for my family. You are there for them when they are in need. And you have a history and have things in common with April. You've suffered through the invasion more than the rest," Splinter explained.

"You know about that?" Jamie asked.

He put his hand on her shoulder and said, "Yes. I knew your parents. I saw them when they died, but I'm not in my right mind. My spirit is detached from my body, but that body is still alive. You will see me in the flesh, but for now, sleep. And may you and Raphael be happy together."

He left and Jamie woke up yelling "Wait!"

April and Casey ran into the room and found her breathing rapidly.

"Jamie, what happened?" April asked, trying to calm her down.

"I think, no, I know I met Master Splinter," Jamie answered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N Whoa! Things are getting deep. The turtles see their father's spirit and are given quests to be refined and Jamie had a dream, in which she kind of met Master Splinter! There's more to come from both sides of this.