Song: Open Wounds -Sylar

Three days have passed since Karai's ambush. I continue training with Michelangelo during the day, and secretly training with Leonardo at night. Any time I get tired, I think of Karai and how the Shredder, her own father, turned me into who I am now; alone and confused. Her master is responsible for washing my brain and killing my family. I think about how nice it would be to get her back. The burning fire of revenge is the only thing that helps me last through double training sessions.

   As odd as it sounds, I have learned things from Michelangelo as well as Leonardo. The youngest turtle knows some things that his leader doesn't. Though he never says it outright, he has taught me never to underestimate anyone. Deceit through weakness is one of the biggest weapons someone can use. Michelangelo also taught me that most enemies are incredibly intelligent, no matter how much stupid stuff they say.

   Leonardo informs me that I should always be on my guard. I should only fight with an enemy when it's necessary, and I should never use my skills for person gain. He taught me a lot more, but honestly, he packs so much information into my head at once that I just haven't bothered to remember it all. Besides, silly advice isn't going to help me get revenge.

   Raphael and Donatello haven't taken kindly to our secret training sessions. They think it's wrong for us to hide it from Master Splinter. My instructors and I had to get on our knees to beg them not to tell. After many persuasive words, they agreed not to rat us out. Donatello fully accepts it and claims it's none of his business anyway. Raphael has a new reason to shoot me mistrustful expressions, however. I am beginning to think I will never be on good terms with the red-clad turtle.

   It's time to train with Michelangelo again. I'm in the dojo re-wrapping my hand in fresh bandages when he walks in. He already has his nunchucks out and he is raring to go. Leonardo follows him and takes up his usual position; leaning against a wall and silently watching.

   I meet Michelangelo in middle of the room with my dagger in one of my hands. "What are you going to teach me today?" I hope it won't be ridiculous. I think I might lose it if it is. I need to learn some actual Ninjutsu moves.

   "I just want to see what you can do," Michelangelo says unexpectedly. So he isn't going to teach me anything? That could be either good or bad.

   "Ok," I agree, eager to show off.

   Michelangelo jumps into his regular first position. He legs are spread apart and he is bent over ever so slightly. His nunchucks are on both of his sides, ready to defend himself. "Come at me," he challenges with a smile.

   Having not retained any Ninjutsu moves from Michelangelo, I jump into the base position Leonardo taught me. I study my opponent for a few seconds. I want to predict where he's going to go. One of his arms is slightly more tense than the other, giving the impression he is going to dodge to that side.

   Taking advantage of my newly-obtained knowledge, I charge at that side of him. I use my dagger to gently force his hand away from me while my knee connects with his stomach. It merely bounces off his shell, but it manages to distract him long enough for me to twist behind him. By the time he turns around, I'm already in position for another one of Leonardo's moves. I lift one foot and kick a nunchuck out of his hand. I grab his other hand and push it away from me, my dagger hovering over his exposed shoulder.

   Michelangelo looks at me in surprise. "Wow, dudette! You fight just like Leo does!"

   I release him quickly and scratch the back of my head in slight embarrassment. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Leonardo give me an approving nod.

   "How did you know all of that?" the orange-clad turtle questions eagerly. "Leo hasn't even taught you anything! He just stands over there pouting all the time!"

   "Well, I..." I trail off, not really knowing what to say. Something tells me I need to share the truth with Michelangelo. He is Leonardo's brother. He deserves to know what's going on. Still, I can't bring myself to explain. It's only extra training sessions, but it feels like more. Almost like betrayal, because Michelangelo isn't just a teacher; he's my friend.

   "Can you guys read each other's minds?!" Michelangelo ask, his eyes wide. "Did Donnie create some epically weird gadget so you guys could do that?!"

   I glance at Leonardo. He gives me the faintest shake of his head, but I can't listen to it. Sorry Leo, I think. Your brother was going to find out sooner or later.

   "Not exactly, Mikey," I say as I shuffle my feet. "See, Leo has been... Teaching me some Ninjutsu."

   Michelangelo tilts his head slightly. He looks even more amazed. "Oh... You mean in your dreams! That's so cool! Why didn't you tell me?" He looks back and forth from Leonardo to me. "We could have done that instead of getting all sweaty in the dojo!"

   I shake my head, wondering where he could have gotten that from. "No, Mikey, not like that." It hurts way more than it should to tell him the truth. "Leo has been taking me to the surface at night to train. We didn't tell you because we didn't want you to get upset."

   Michelangelo blinks as his sky-blue eyes stare at me. I've never seen an expression on his face like this one.  It looks like... Disappointment.

   "Why?" His voice is barely more than a whisper. "I thought you liked learning from me."

   "She does," Leonardo finally speaks up and comes to stand beside me. "That's why she didn't want to stop. I just didn't like sitting on the sidelines all of the time, so I asked her if I could train her, too."

   I glance at him. Why is he lying for me? Does he always take the blame for others? Well, I'm not going to let him. I am taking full responsibility.

   "No, that's not it," I disagree.

   "Lizzy-" Leonardo tries to interrupt, but I go on.

   "It's true that he wanted to train me privately, but that's all he did. I was the one who couldn't understand what you were saying, Mikey. I just don't get your way of teaching. And that's not your fault, it's mine. You and I just aren't in sync when it comes to Ninjutsu. I'm sorry," I finish softly.

   "We're both sorry," Leonardo adds. "I knew how much this meant to you and I still didn't tell you. Truth is, I underestimated you. You actually do know what you're talking about, it's just that no one else understands. You're unique," he says with a hesitant smile. "Don't hate yourself for it."

   Michelangelo has been silent the whole time. His eyes are large and full of sadness. He looks like a little puppy and it makes my heart ache.

   Why did we do this to him? Sure, it's just training sessions behind his back. Normally, that isn't a big deal. But Michelangelo loves it so much.  He loves being important. We should have at least asked his permission first.

   "Mikey?" I whisper.

Michelangelo gives us both a weak smile. It's scary how unlike him it is. "I just wanted to feel awesome for once," he says quietly. "I don't get that a lot, you know? Leo, you're our leader. Donnie is super smart and Raph can take down five Footbots in one smack. I don't really get a chance to stand out."

   Leonardo puts a hand on his brother's shoulder. "I should have thought of that. I'm really, really sorry, Mikey. Please forgive me."

   Michelangelo gives us another grim smile and turns away. "If you need me, I'll be digging through the pizza in the kitchen."

   And he is gone.

   Leonardo and I stand there in silence for a long while. Michelangelo probably hates us. We ruined the one thing that makes him feel good about himself. I can't imagine the pain he must be experiencing.

   I feel a hand touch my shoulder gently. I look up at Leonardo, who is giving me a sympathetic glance. I hate sympathy; especially when it's over something I could have prevented.

   "He'll get over it," the blue-clad turtle murmurs soothingly. "He's not one to hurt forever."

   I shrug his hand off. "I need to talk to go talk to him," is all I say before leaving the dojo.

   I head straight to the kitchen. I finally know where every room in the lair is. That just proves I've been staying with the turtles too long. But I can't leave; not until Donatello finishes with his memory gadget.

   Michelangelo is leaned over the island counter picking at a slice of pizza. The rest of the pizza is untouched in a box beside him. He doesn't seem to be hungry. Guilt gnaws at my stomach again.

   "Mikey..." He doesn't look up when I speak his name, so I walk over to him and tap his nose. He ignores me still, his gaze studying the pizza.

   "C'mon Mikey, don't be upset with me," I beg. I go behind him and wrap my arms loosely around his neck. "Please?"

   Michelangelo still doesn't answer. He places his chin in his hand and sighs.

   His behavior calls for drastic measures. I pick up his slice of pizza and shove it in his face. He jerks backwards and throws me off, shaking his head violently. He's covered in tomato sauce. I put a hand over my mouth to hide a laugh.

   "What was that for?!" The tone of his voice scares me. Did I just make the situation worse?

   Then the orange-clad turtle smiles at me. He takes his glass of water and splashes it on me for payback.

   I am caught off-guard by his retaliation. I fall back against the counter and start laughing. "That was cold!"

   "Well, the pizza was hot!" Michelangelo shoots back playfully. He wipes his face off partially with his bare hand and smears some sauce on my face.

   "Hey!" I squeal. I remove the sink-sprayer from its holder and turn it on. Michelangelo is soaked in a matter of seconds.

   Michelangelo fights against the water. He slaps the sprayer out of my grip and lifts me onto the counter. He puts his hands onto either side of me and makes a fish face at me.

   "Does this mean you forgive me?" I laugh, poking his freckles.

   Michelangelo grins brightly. "Of course I forgive you, dudette! Why would you ask that?"

   Relief washes over me like the cold cup water. "I thought you were going to be mad at me forever," I confess.

   "Nah!" He shakes his head. "I'll have another chance to prove myself."

   I look him straight in the eyes and grab his shoulders. "Well, just so you know, you've already proved yourself to me."

   Michelangelo's blue eyes stare back at mine. They're sparkling with joy. He looks happier than I've ever seen him, and I didn't know that was possible.

   "What's going on in here?!"

   I gasp in surprise when I see Raphael standing in the kitchen doorway. His green eyes are blazing. "What did you do to the kitchen?!"

   I don't know what he means until I take in my surroundings. Water pools in random places on the floor. Pizza sauce is smeared across the island and the counter I'm sitting on. Not to mention, Michelangelo and I are a mess.

   "Oops," I say with an innocent smile.

   Raphael walks over to inspect the pizza. "Mikey! You ruined dinner! It's all soggy!"

   Michelangelo glances over at the meal. "If you don't want it, I'll eat it!" he exclaims happily.

   Raphael lets his anger boil over. His gaze is locked on Michelangelo. You can practically see the steam coming out of his head.

   "I'll take that as a yes!" Michelangelo snatches up the pizza and whispers "Run!" He and I dart out of the room laughing.

   We run all the way to Michelangelo's room and sit down on his bed. We both flop onto our backs and laugh for a long time.

   I am so glad his anger didn't last. I silently promise to tell him everything from that moment forward, no matter what it is.

   It's strange to think about how far we have come. The unlikeliest of circumstances brought us together, and we are somehow making it work. I daresay that I consider him my closest friend.

   Finally, we recover from our laughter. I sit up and open the pizza box, which is placed between us. It's definitely soggy, but it still looks good. My stomach growls.

   "Kunoichis need to eat, too," Michelangelo tell me with a grin.

   "I'm not a kunoichi," I reply with a shake of my head.

   "You will be if I have anything to do with it!" His blue eyes flashes with determination. "I may not be a great teacher, but make sure Leo teaches you well!"

   I bite my lip. "Does that mean you aren't going to teach me anymore?" A stone of guilt drops into my stomach once again.

   Michelangelo shakes his head, but he doesn't look sad. He looks fine, actually. "Nah, my brother is much better at it. You'll learn a lot more from him," he responds.

   I taste blood from biting on my lip so hard. He obviously accepts that Leonardo should train me, and I know it will be better that way.  But why do I feel so terrible?

   Oblivious to my worries, Michelangelo changes the subject. "This pizza isn't going to finish itself!" he announces as he digs into his first piece.

   I'm not hungry anymore. Sadness has twisted up my abdomen and throat. I have to force not just one, but two slices down so Michelangelo won't suspect anything. And he doesn't.

   "Hey, Mikey?" I ask once the box is empty. The food makes me feel slightly better, and I am ready to let go of the past like he did.

   Michelangelo is lying on his back again. He looks up at me lazily. "Yeah, Lizzy?"

   Looking at the orange-clad turtle makes me realize many things. All this time, I thought I was alone. My family is gone as well as my life. With Karai hunting me down, I'm not safe on the surface. I assumed I was trapped and lonely.

   But with Michelangelo, I know none of that is true. He has stuck by me through all the chaos. Even with his brothers' lack of trust in me, he has supported me from the very beginning. Heck, he even defied his own father to teach me Ninjutsu!

   "You're my best friend," I tell him softly. No one outside of my family has ever cared for me in the way he does. Somehow, he is always there when I need him. He really is my best friend.

   Michelangelo's eyes lit up like stars. He props himself onto his hands and grins widely at me. "You're my best friend, too!" he says. "Well, next to television."

   I laugh, grateful that I didn't creep him out. "I can deal with that."