Song: Heartbeat - The Fray

I stand in front of Leonardo, both of my daggers extended in front of me. I fix him with a determined stare, proving to him that I am ready for a challenge. I make sure that I'm in the stance he always orders me to be in.

   I remembered when I first learned this position. It made the muscles all throughout my legs ache. But now it's as easy as standing like I normally do. It's strange to see how far I've come since I met him, even if I'm not an expert.

   While Leonardo continues to study me for what I need to learn, I finally decide to throw out a suggestion. "Learning a bit of offense would be much appreciated," I say casually.

   Leonardo smiles a bit. "Fine, if you think you're ready for such a big challenge," he replies, whipping out his katanas.

   "Game on," I mutter, tensing my muscles.

   Leonardo's smile turns into a smirk. "Game on," he agrees. He then proceeds to show me some very complex fighting techniques. It takes me several tries just to get the first movement down, let alone the whole trick.

   I have to admit that my ballet skills are the only thing keeping me in control of my movements. Otherwise, I fall on my face far too much. Not that I don't do that, anyway.

   The thing that throws me off the most is my audience. Michelangelo, Raphael, and Edmund are observing from the sidelines. Donatello went back to his lab, saying he needs to get the Shellraiser fixed up for the road trip. Leonardo tried to convince him to stay, but the purple-clad turtle refused. Oh well.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not totally distrait by a crowd. Michelangelo and my brother shout encouragements, so they don't bug me that much. Raphael, on the other hand, stands there with a judgmental expression on. His green eyes critique every little mistake I make. He never says it out loud, but I know he doesn't think I'm doing too well.

And that only makes me want to get better.

As I attempt to master another offensive tactic, I start to wonder what it would be like to practice with Raphael. He could probably take me down, no questions asked. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to try a few Ninjutsu moves on him. We had walked into the dojo talking trash at each other, after all.

Still, I never find the guts to challenge him. I'm not skilled enough to even stand a chance against him, so it would be stupid of me to try. When I'm better at Ninjutsu, however, I am going to fight him and win. I am sure of it.

Leonardo suddenly jumps at me while I have my leg in the air. He knocks one of my daggers out of my hand and it slides across the dojo floor. His other katana clashes with my last blade, but I am ready this time. I groan and push my weapon against his, struggling to keep it away from my face. My arms burn with the new strength I have to provide.

Leonardo looks me right in the eyes as he pushes on his weapon more, nearly setting me off balance. "You're good with a surprise attack," he says, his voice so low and deep that it makes my heart leap. He leans on his katana even more, forcing me to bend my knees to stay in the running.

Without warning, he releases my dagger and takes a few steps away, his voice normal again. "But you should never drop your weapon. Or daydream," Leonardo adds with a knowing glance.

I pant and wipe away the perspiration that the battle brought to my upper lip. "S-sorry," I stammer, embarrassed. He's right. I need to focus on here and now, not the future.

Leonardo gives me a forgiving smile. "Go sit down. You've had enough for today." He turns to our audience. "Raph and Mikey, it's your turn."

Relieved, I do as he says. As I pass Michelangelo, he high-fives me.

"That was so sweet, dudette!" he praises, his bright blue eyes sparkling. "More moves like that, and you could totally shell-shock someone!"

I blush a bit. "Thanks," I mumble, secretly grateful of his compliment.

Raphael ruins the moment. "She has a long way to go before she gets to that point, lame-brain," he growls, thumping the back of the orange-clad turtle's head.

"Nuh uh!" Michelangelo protests. "She did great! She'll be one of us someday!"

"Yeah, right," Raphael says with a shake of his head.

"That's enough," Leonardo interrupts, an edge to his tone. "You did good for your first day back at training," he adds to me, his tone lighter.

Raphael's comments bother me slightly, but Leonardo's words cheer me up again. I nod at him appreciatively, ignoring a dirty look from his hot-tempered brother.

I watch them train for a long time. They are much more skilled opponents for Leonardo than I am. Raphael can meet any kick or swipe that his leader attempts. He can also fire back before any of us know what's coming.

Michelangelo surprises me most of all, though. He gets distracted a lot, but he makes up for it in strong counterattacks. His nunchucks do exactly what he wants them to with just a small flick of his wrist. It's impressive, especially since his arm hasn't fully healed yet.

As I observe them, I find myself wishing I could be just as limber and skilled. They make it look so easy that it inspires me. A fire lights inside my heart, sending eagerness flowing throughout my body. One day, I will know everything they have to teach me.

I don't realize how lost I am in their training until Donatello enters the room, bringing me out of my mesmerization.

"I've finished repairing the Shellraiser and it's ready to go," the techy-turtle announces. "The sun will be setting in an hour. We should start getting prepared."

"Ya-me," Leonardo barks at Raphael and Michelangelo, who pause in their attacks. The two turtles put their weapons away.

"Great teamwork, Raph!" Michelangelo exclaims cheerfully. "You should be on my side during training more often!"

Raphael smirks and punches his uninjured shoulder, before walking out of the dojo. "Not a chance, shell-head," he calls over his shoulder.

"Wait up!" Michelangelo yells, racing after the red-clad turtle. "We can work it out!" He starts to bellow out the lyrics to the Beatles' song as he disappears.

Leonardo approaches Donatello. "Have you told Casey and April where we're going?" he asks.

"Yes, but I told them that they have to stay behind," Donatello responds.  "I just think with all six of us in the Shellraiser, it will be crowded enough already. Besides, this is a mission we have to take alone. This isn't Casey or April's fight."

Leonardo nods approvingly. "Good thinking. But don't you think Casey might feel a bit left out?" he asks.

   Donatello chuckles and shakes his head. "We're just gathering information. He'd only care if he missed out on beating someone up," he points out jokingly.

   Leonardo laughs. "True. Wait," he says, his face flashing with realization. "You said six of us. Who all is going?"

"Us four, Lizzy, and Ed," Donatello answers promptly. Then he adds more solemnly, "I spoke to Master Splinter about leaving, but he didn't seem to care. I think he'd rather stay home and meditate."

Leonardo seems a bit disappointed, but then he nods silently.

Donatello turns to my brother and me. "Is there anything you two want to get packed?"

I exchange a glance with Edmund and laugh softly. "Like what? Everything I own is at the very place we're going to."

"And I haven't exactly been collecting souvenirs," Edmund adds teasingly.

Donatello smiles. "Just checking. I'll be in my lab getting things together if you need me," he informs all of us, before slipping out of the room.

~*~*~*~

The next hour flies by. I witness the turtles running back and forth around the lair like chickens. Leonardo mostly insists on bringing back-up weapons. Raphael wants to bring every bit of workout equipment they own. Donatello seems to be attempting to bring his entire lab, 'just in case'. And Michelangelo? Well, let's just say I've never known someone to own so many comics.

The one thing they all agree on bringing is snacks. They practically empty their whole fridge into a cooler. My brother and I sit off to the side, snickering at their behaviors. They have obviously never taken a vacation before.

Casey and April wander in, distracting me from the chaos. "Hey, you guys!" I greet them happily.

"Hey, Lizzy," April responds in a friendly tone, while Casey just gives me a grim smile. I can't help noticing the he looks really rough; much more so than usual. He has bags under his eyes and he obviously hasn't slept properly in days, if he slept at all.

Though I have never particularly gotten along with him, it bothers me to see him so messed up. "You alright?" I ask him.

"Fine," he mutters in reply, barely sparing me a glance.

Confused by his behavior, but knowing he is too stubborn to answer, I change the subject. "Why are you guys here?" I qui.

"We came to say good-bye," April replies, her smile fading.

Feeling guilty, I try to repair the situation. "You can go with us!" I say quickly. "I know it might be crowded, but if you really want to go, then-"

April interrupts me with a small giggle. "No, Donnie's right when he says there won't be any room. Just make sure you come back with some good information that can help us stop the madness that's going on around here."

I smile. "Will do," I agree.

Leonardo comes into the room. "Ready?" he asks my brother and I.

We exchange looks and then nod. "Ready," Edmund says.

"Well, we'll see you two when we get back." Leonardo looks at Casey and April.

Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo filed into the room as well. Michelangelo scoops the two humans up and squeezes them affectionately.

"We'll see you two when we're older and wiser!" he exclaims as he releases them.

"Well, all of us will be wiser except Mikey," Raphael says with a smirk as he fist-bumps Casey.

"Don't worry, I'll be back," Donatello says, showing off his tooth gap as he hugs April. He disregards Casey, backing away and casting him an irritated look instead.

"That's what I'm afraid of," Casey mutters, earning a glare from the purple-clad turtle as he inches closer to April.

When the moment is over, we head for the abandoned subway tracks that the Shellraiser is parked on. As we climb into the vehicle, good-byes echo after us from the two who are being left behind. Then Leonardo switches the Shellraiser into gear, and we're off.

And I'm almost certain I catch a glimpse of Master Splinter waving to us in the distance.