"Your family is incredible, Donatello," Sarina says as she enters the lab.

Donatello looks up from his work, eyes wide with surprise at her sudden reappearance. "Uh, yeah, they are...at times. Why do you bring it up?"

She blinks and tilts her head, locks of hair drifting into her eyes. "It is just an observation. The way you support one another, even through bad times, is admirable at the least. I am just telling you because you ought to know."

"Alright then," he says with a tiny chuckle.

He turns back to his work, spinning a pen in his hand. Sarina watches him for a moment before inching closer, observing how his shoulders rise and fall with every breath, his eyes narrowing slightly as his body sometimes tenses or relaxes as he goes about his business. Her feet seem to move on their own.

She reaches over and lightly prods his bicep with her pointer finger as her eyes narrow with concentration. Donatello tenses as his face gains a few more degrees of temperature.

"Sarina?" he asks.

"Yes, Donatello?" she responds, nonchalant.

"Why are you poking my shoulder?"

She looks up, meeting his russet gaze. "I find your muscle density fascinating. In fact, I find the entirety of you fascinating." His cheeks become pink, her eyes falling back to his arm. "Your brothers too. Your mutant buildup is incredible. You have the armour and look of turtles, yet your speed and agility would put a real turtle to shame." Her fingers trail along his arms until her hand rests completely against his bicep. Her eyes flash as her lips pucker slightly. "Just...amazing. You're amazing."

He feels a lump form in his throat. "Oh...thanks," he squeaks.

"Destiny told me about fear," Sarina admits as her hands fall away from him. "I just want to let you know that I do not hate you and I will certainly never shun you."

He sighs. "You can't promise that."

Her eyes flash as confusion flits across her face. "I just did. Do you not believe that my words are sincere?"

There's silence for another moment as the purple-masked turtle looks up at her from his chair. She's so confident in herself, so sure of everything she says, and somehow, even negativity doesn't get her down. If he could only be more like her, maybe he could bounce back from everything that's weighing him down.

"My mind says yes," he answers. "My heart still says no."

She places her hands behind her back as she looks towards the door. "That is a shame. I hope that one day, you will come to realize that I mean every word I say," she says.

His throat is suddenly far too tight and he parts his lips, as if on the verge of responding, but a voice from outside the door stops him.

"Donnniiieeeeeee?" Michelangelo drones, poking his head into the lab. "The toaster's busted again."

Donatello groans and rises to his feet. "Again? What happened this time?" he demands as he starts walking.

"I don't know, dude," the younger turtle replies as they both linger in the doorway. "I just heard a crash and Leo screaming."

Donatello sighs and slips past the door, rubbing his eyes as he takes slow, cleansing breaths. Michelangelo trails after him. Sarina can just hear them talking as they get further away.

"After I fix the toaster, Leo is officially not allowed near it. Someone else can make him toast."

"Ooo! I'll make a sign!"

Sarina waits in the lab for a few more seconds before she becomes restless and leaves. Outside, the only turtle in sight is Raphael. He paces in the living room pit with his t-phone pressed to his ear.

"I mean, I don't see a problem with you two tagging along tonight," Raphael says. "Donnie might hate it though."

He pauses as the person on the other end says something. He purses his lips and sighs heavily.

"Believe me, Casey, I know. With the Kraang pretty much kaput, it's just the Foot we have to look out for. You wouldn't believe the stuff Leo's cooking up—oh, hold up. Speak of the devil." Raphael lowers the phone, attention latched on Leonardo as he emerges from the dojo. "Yo, Fearless, Casey and April want to tag along for patrol tonight. Sound good?"

Leonardo hums, his pupils swivelling from side to side and he bobs his head like a metronome. "I guess," he says. "Did you think of Donnie?"

"Of course I did. He's part of the reason we hardly see them anymore." Raphael pauses to lift the phone back to his face. "Casey? Yeah, it's fine. Are you already on your way?" He almost laughs. "Because you're predictable. Yup...mhm, yeah, cool. See you soon, man."

He hangs up and slips the phone into his belt, crossing his arms as he turns back to Leonardo. The blue-masked turtle lets out a long breath and rubs the back of his neck, teeth gritting slightly as he grimaces.

"Let's cross our fingers and hope for the best," he says.

"Relax, Leo," Raphael replies. "They're almost here anyways. Casey said he was just going to show up when April told him that was rude. Either way, they're coming."

"You didn't mention Sarina, did you?"

Raphael's eyes widen for a split second. "Oh...no, I didn't. It didn't cross my mind."

"Who is them? Who is this Casey person?" Sarina finally speaks, alerting both boys to her presence. They startle. She wanders closer to them. "And why must they know about me?"

"Oh, 'them' is Casey and April," Leonardo says, swiftly recovering from his shock. Sarina's face slackens and he adds, "It's good for them to be aware of newcomers. We told them about Destiny when she first got here, but...considering what's gone on lately, we haven't had the chance to tell them about you."

"April as in...April O'Neil?" Sarina's eyes flash. "She is coming here? Is Donatello alright with that?"

"Geez, everyone's so worried about Donnie," Raphael mutters. "Yes, Donnie will be fine. We deserve to see our friends even if there's all this stupid emotional drama going on," he says, raising his voice. "It's just patrol. They don't even have to be near each other."

Sarina blinks. "That brings me to my next question: what is patrol? You have done it before and yet I do not know why."

Raphael shoots Leonardo a quick look. He picks up on the cue easily. "We do patrol to keep aware of what's happening in the city and what's going on with our enemies. Lately, that's mostly the Foot Clan, since the Kraang have pretty much disappeared."

She nods thoughtfully. "Right. The last invasion failure called for a lot of regrouping back in Dimension X. I wouldn't be surprised if they waited a couple decades to return completely to Earth."

Raphael arches an eye-ridge. "Huh? Regrouping? What do you—"

There's a whoop from the entrance to the lair that makes all three teenagers turn to look at it. A tall boy with shaggy black hair—a boy that Sarina only faintly recognizes—hops over the turnstiles in front of the lair, all toothy smiles. A redhead follows behind him.

"April, Casey, right on cue," Leonardo says with a slight smile. "How's it going?"

"School sucks, as always, and the crime scene has been totally boring," Casey says. He punches his own palm and flashes a devious grin. "I am so ready to kick major butt."

April bumps him with her shoulder. "You're so dramatic," she accuses, her tone light as she directs a smile to the pair of brothers. "It's really good to see you guys."

"Good to see you too, April," Raphael says.

"Casey! April!" another new voice cries as it enters the scene. Destiny jogs towards the group, her eyes sparkling and her uchigatana bouncing on her hip. Splinter follows from a distance. "I didn't know you were coming over."

Casey winks. "We're full of surprises, wolfie." He waves to Splinter. "Hey Master Splinter."

"Hello Casey, April," Splinter greets, smiling. "It is good to see you."

Sarina dares a step closer. "Um...hello?" she calls.

Six pairs of eyes fall on her in an instant. Casey and April's faces go completely blank as the other three mutants tense noticeably. April slowly looks to them, questioning on her face.

"Who's that?" she asks. "Or, uh..." She diverts her attention back to the cyborg. "Who are you? I didn't know that the turtles had another house guest."

"I am Sarina," Sarina says, bowing her head slightly. "I was formerly Subject 60184, part of the Kraang subdivision 2198—"

"You're a Kraang?!" Casey exclaims.

The mood switches instantly. Casey's hands clench into fists and April's face pales as she steps back, hand moving to her back pocket. Sarina's face slackens with alarm at the reaction and Raphael's arm shoots out to hover in front of the two humans.

"Woah, guys, it's not like that," he says. "She's one of the Kraang's mutant...project...things." The red-masked turtle eyes both groups warily. "As far as we know, she's harmless."

April regains a little bit of colour, but her smile doesn't return. "Are you sure?" she asks, lowering her voice as she says it. "Like, you've checked?"

"Donnie was very thorough," Leonardo adds.

"Otherwise, I would not have let her stay," Splinter agrees. "There's nothing to fear."

"I've been rooming with her," Destiny mentions. She nods to Sarina. "She's cool."

The humans relax a little bit more, Casey more so than April. Sarina doesn't understand what emotion is connected to the way April is looking at her, but the cyborg can tell that it's very close to fear. Sarina feels a wave of uncertainty wash over her.

"Donnie! Mikey!" Leonardo shouts over his shoulder. "We've got patrol! Let's go!"

Both turtles leave the kitchen and subsequently notice the presence of their human friends. Michelangelo squeals and races over to them, giving them giant, squishy hugs while greeting them enthusiastically. Donatello stands as if his feet have been rooted to the floor. He's quickly subjected to awkward stares.

"Donnie?" Leonardo repeats. He motions for him to come closer. "Patrol requires you to move a little, man."

"R...Right," Donatello says. He takes a few stiff steps and forces a smile. "H-Hey...everyone."

"Hi Donnie," April greets. "How are you?"

He gulps. "Uh...peachy."

Silence. Awkward side glances. A low whistle. Splinter clears his throat and taps his staff lightly against the floor.

"I believe there is patrol to attend to?" he reminds them. "The night won't last forever. You should go and grab your weapons."

"Hai Sensei," the turtles say.

In another minute or two, every turtle is equipped with their choice weapon. As the group moves for the exit, Sarina starts to follow. A gentle hand grips her shoulder and stops her mid-step. She meets Master Splinter's russet gaze.

"And where are you going?" he inquires.

She blinks, then looks back towards the exit. "I...do not know. I suppose I was subconsciously following them."

He smiles at her fondly. "You will be able to join them in time. For now, how about you join me in the dojo? You can ask all the questions you want."

Sarina's eyes flash and she perks up. "You are serious?" He nods and she smiles. "I would quite enjoy that, Splinter. Thank you."

"Come, I sense that there is much you want to ask about."

She starts nodding even more as the two of them head for the dojo. "Yes, you are absolutely right. I have many questions, like why this Shredder person is so important. Can you answer that?"

He chuckles. "Yes, I can."

----------

"I never imagined that a vendetta could go so far. How dreadful."

Splinter nods as he lifts his tea to his lips, taking a careful sip. "Shredder is blind to many things," he murmurs. "If he would only see both sides, perhaps our differences could be settled one day." He sighs and his ears flatten. "However, I doubt that day will ever come."

Sarina takes a sip of her own tea, fingertips tapping lightly against the teacup. "Well, I am glad that you had the turtles to keep you going through such a trying time."

"I am very thankful for them as well."

They drink. Sarina sets her cup down and looks around the dojo. Splinter's eyes remain closed as he hovers his tea by his nose, breathing steadily as the aroma surrounds him.

"Sarina," he speaks. The girl's head bolts to him in an instant. "Have you ever thought about practicing the art of ninjutsu?"

She blinks, eyebrows furrowing slightly. "No, I can't say I have. Is that a problem?"

"Not at all." He sets his tea down and his eyes finally open, latched on her bright blue ones. "I am simply bringing the offer to the table. Being allied with me and my sons often brings a certain...danger into the mix. The ability to protect oneself is something that both April and Destiny have found interest in before, so it is only fair if I give you the same opportunity."

Sarina shakes her head. "I have never needed to fight and I won't start now," she says. "I know enough to defend myself."

He arches a bushy eyebrow as his hand drifts to his goatee. "You already have some abilities, I take it?"

She nods once, tilting her chin up slightly. "The Kraang have equipped me with the necessary defences. So, thank you, but no thank you. I am content as I am."

He bows his head. "Very well, if that is what you wish."

She gazes into her teacup for a moment before murmuring, "But...if you are offering your services, I wouldn't mind trying meditation," she admits. "I think that that would be a very useful skill."

His baritone chuckle resonates in the quiet space. "I would be happy to teach you."

She bows forward. "Thank you, Sensei."