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ᴄɪᴛʏ sᴛʀᴇᴇᴛs.
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     𝕋ℍ𝔼 way Leo's entire being simply lit up upon every word that fell from Captain Ryan's mouth was absolutely adorable.

His blue eyes would shimmer, and he edged forward just slightly, mouth open in the smallest of ways to prove how taken he was with this cartoon show. Many would think—with Leo being a giant humanoid turtle—and all, that he was freaky, perhaps even scary. I; however, could not find it in me to think one negative thought about him.

Especially after seeing just how very cute he was when watching this show. Personally, I was not a fan of it, but I do not believe that I could actually say that out loud to Leonardo. Instead, I would blindly lie just to make his night.

Raph, who was sitting on the couch behind us, had been huffing for the past fifteen minutes. Casey was right next to him, groaning along with him at every cheesy line. Michelangelo had taken it upon himself to sit next to us on the floor, the orange-clad turtle choosing to sit on the other side of me from Leo.

"This show is so stupid—actually stupid and lame!" Raphael grunted, throwing his head back with an irritated breath.

Leonardo made a face of offense, turning his green head to stare at his slightly younger brother. I had a sneaking suspicion, that while the turtles were technically the same age, Raphael and Leonardo were more twins than anything.

"Yeah, yo, this is stupid," Casey agreed with his friend causing me to frown and toss him a glare for his rudeness.

I was about to threaten to have my mother actually kick his ass until Leonardo spoke up.

"Don't be haters!" He narrowed his masked eyes at them. "Captain Ryan is a great hero, and he has an amazing story!"

Raphael scoffed at his oldest brother while Casey snickered.

"Yeah, whatever," Raphael rolled his eyes.

"You're such a loser—!" Casey did not even get to finish his statement before I was tossing my food wrappings at him.

He cried in indignation as I struck him on the head easily, the wrapping even going so far as to poke him in the eye. No one batted an eyelash at the deadly precision of my trash-throwing skills.

"Don't be mean, Jones," I scolded as Casey gave me a look of betrayal.

Leonardo's grin was suddenly so large it could have rivaled the sun. He looked back and forth from me to his brother and Casey, pointing happily.

"See, Andi doesn't think it's lame," the turtle stressed before pausing and frantically turning to me, "do you?"

I smiled back, admiring the way his face lit up pink. So cute.

"Of course not! Captain Ryan is a great hero with an amazing story," I easily fibbed, repeating his earlier words.

Leonardo did not sense the lie, instead, he smiled brightly, scootched the tiniest bit closer to me, and continued to watch his show. I smirked at his antics, turning back to Casey and Raph while delivering a wink their way.

Raphael shook his head and Casey facepalmed himself. A look of offense was plastered on my features as Raphael threw me an "L", as in loser, smacked on his forehead. In response, I pulled the middle finger out of my pocket with a sarcastic grin ignoring the gobsmacked look on his face.

Mikey happily hummed, just as immersed in the television show as Leo. Except, he was lying on his stomach, head held up by his hands.

Turning back around to face the television—I slid a noticeable amount closer to Leonardo so we were just barely brushing shoulders. I had to bite down the grin that threatened to pull my lips up at the large swallow he suddenly gave, his blue eyes flashing to me nervously before focusing back on Space Heroes.

For a few more minutes, Leo was entranced by the show, and Raph and Casey grumbled before Mikey suddenly shot up. I threw him a questioning look, but everyone else barely even batted an eyelash, all apparently used to these random bursts of energy from him.

The youngest turtle had run from the living room, coming back barely a second later with his skateboard. My eyes lit up in wonder as he rode the board with amazing skill, going in circles around the living while still watching the show.

"You know how to skateboard?" I asked with a tone full of wonder.

Mikey nodded happily.

"Yeah, dude!" He cheered, "We all do, but I am the best of the best at it..." he paused before adding, "the rest of them actually kind of suck, especially Leo..."

"Hey!" Raph shouted angrily while Leonardo turned to him with a huff.

"I do not!" Leonardo defended before his scowl deepened. "And you're not supposed to be riding the skateboard around the lair, you know that!"

I snickered as Michelangelo only mouthed along with Leonardo in a mocking way, Raphael and Casey doing the same. This seemed to only fluster Leonardo more who growled, looking prepared to actually tackle Michelangelo down.

My mind only registered my movements as I did them, a split-second decision coming to fruition. In seconds, Leonardo appeared flustered for a much different reason as well as confused.

I had seated myself directly in front of him, my face inches from his own and my eyes boring into his. It was then I noticed just how deep of a blue they were. While Mikey also had blue eyes, his were more like the sky while Leo's served to be an endless ocean.

His lips lifted in a nervous smile while I only tilted my head. Casey was snickering in the background while Raph and Mikey were sharing confused glances.

"What's she doing?" Mikey sounded like he made a failed attempt at whispering.

Casey answered them easily, "don't worry she's just being Andi. Weird but cool girl."

I did not even bat an eyelash, already used to my friend's calling me strange. And perhaps I am a bit strange, actually more than a bit, but for some reason everything I did just felt natural. I blame the car accident.

However, Leonardo, much to my shock, had turned away from me and glared at Casey.

"Hey, she's not weird!" He argued furiously.

Casey threw him a deadpan look back. "Bro," he snorted, "you obviously do not know her well then..."

"It's okay, Leonardo," I waved it off, giving him a smile as he turned back to me with a frown, "I know I'm weird, but that's a good thing, it makes being alive more fun!" I grinned, my eyes no doubt gleaming chaotically.

Leonardo was not able to say another word, for I suddenly placed a quick and chaste kiss on his snout. His face suddenly erupted in red, his eyes blowing wide and he was speechless.

"You are so adorable," I smiled at him while standing up and maneuvering myself around him.

"Alright there, fearless?" Raph sarcastically quipped, appearing almost bored but there was an undertone of something unidentifiable.

"Uh-huh," Leonardo breathed as a very happy grin was spreading across his face.

Mikey pursed his lips and shook his head at his older brother while Raphael scoffed. Casey, surprisingly enough, appeared more interested in Space Heroes than the situation playing out in front of him.

"Do you by any chance have a bathroom in here?" I asked while Raph pointed me down the hall.

When I left, the three were in the living room with a flustered and lost-looking Leo. However, when I returned, there were no turtles, nor was there that background noise of Donnie and April tinkering in his lab. There was only a Casey Jones sitting and reading what I presumed to be one of Raphael's magazines, and a random show that was no longer Space Heroes playing.

"Where'd they go?" I sprawled next to Casey, lazily laying back on the couch.

This couch truly does suck in terms of comfort. I almost feel bad for the turtles, but then again, with their situation, this was probably one of the only couches strong enough to not break after some time. Not only that, but they were surely used to this by now.

"The dojo for training," Casey mumbled, "April and them train but Splinter doesn't think it's a good idea for us to be watching. Something about distracting the guys too much," he snorted at the end.

I gave an odd smile, realizing what he was referring to. Casey would no doubt rile them up too much and my presence alone would distract Leonardo, especially after the move I just pulled on him.

"You know, you really are going to make him crazy for you," Casey snickered while putting down his magazine.

"Who, Leonardo?" I rose a brow.

Casey nodded with a smirk. I simply shrugged, "whatever happens, happens," I paused, "but I sure hope it does,"

For the next hour or so: Casey and I sat on the couch watching the ending to some horrible romance story. Or I think it was supposed to be one? I cannot tell, the main girl was abducted by this man but somehow she ended up falling in love with him and chose to stay on her own accord. Despite his overprotective and creepy traits.

It was interesting, to say the least.

"I am disgusted," I spoke at the ending credits.

"I didn't think it was that bad, kinda hot actually," Casey waggled his brows, obviously referring to one of the many sex scenes.

"And you say I'm weird," I rolled my eyes at him.

Casey cackled while standing up and nudging me to stand with him.

"What're we doing?" I groaned, planting my feet on the ground.

The sounds of the turtles and April training could easily be heard from where we were. Splinter's strict tone and calls were also discernible.

"Donatello, do not leave yourself so open!"

"Michelangelo! Focus, stop messing around with your brothers!"

"Raphael, control your anger!"

"Leonardo—take advantage of your weapon being long distance!"

All of these commands were called in that stern Japanese accent that I was slowly growing used to. Casey once again caught my attention, his face appearing in front of me and far closer than necessary. I took account of the few freckles and beauty marks over his face as well as the many missing teeth in that mischievous grin.

"Wanna do some training of our own?" Casey questioned.

I shrugged, my thoughts once again flitting over to my newfound strength and seemingly ingrained self-defense skills.

"Sure," I tried to play it casually, but on the inside, I was extremely eager to test these newfound skills.

I had been hoping slightly that Splinter or one of the turtles would invite me to join them in training. However, after realizing that Casey was not even allowed to train with them and Splinter viewed us as a potential distraction, I knew the chances of that were slim.

"Alright, so seeing as you apparently know some self-defense from Whitney," Casey stood opposite to me a few feet away, "let's see what you got," he suddenly picked up his hockey stick and spun it around.

"Hey," I scowled, "I don't have a weapon, does this mean I can use my taser?"

"Hell no," Casey scoffed, "you'll be fine, you seemed to do fine against Leonardo—the leader and I won't try and hit you to hurt,"

I crossed my arms, "firstly, I don't think that Leonardo was actually trying to hurt me, but whatever,"

My body immediately got in a ready fighting position stance. Again, I was confused as to how I possibly knew this, but it came as muscle memory. There was no particular place I can pinpoint learning this, I just knew.

There was no warning, no start, no announcement. Casey just released a wail as he shot forward, his hockey stick risen over his head.

Really?

Without thinking, I simply stepped to the side and watched as my best friend fell flat on his face. Raising a brow, I nodded while he glared up at me from the hard sewer ground. To be fair, the lair's ground may as well have been as clean as any other home. The turtles and Splinter obviously did a good job at keeping the place as clean as possible.

However, it was hard to keep the roaches and rats out considering they tended to thrive in sewers. The turtles made due though and kept out any rodents (other than Splinter) and roaches to the best of their abilities.

"How is the ground looking, hotshot?" I picked at my fingernails in mock boredom.

Casey only narrowed his eyes, hopping up as fast as possible, and attempted to sweep my legs out from under me with the hockey stick.

"Dude," I laughed dodging and side-stepping every one of his advances, "c'mon, you need to be faster than that! Has Raphael been teaching you nothing?!"

"Raphael isn't my boyfriend!" Casey spat causing me to look at him incredulously.

"What the—? I never said he was..."

"HA! Distraction, take this—WOAH!"

Casey's attempt was short-lived as I only dodged his attempt once more and instead chose to start fighting back. Allowing my body to just do whatever, I did some sort of sidespin that felt easier than breathing and went low.

Kicking his hockey stick out of his hand, I grabbed him by the waist and heaved him to the side. In moments, we both spun, myself making sure to keep my weight deadset on him. We went tumbling, but while Casey had no control, I had all of it. I landed on top of him, my knee harshly pushing into his stomach and my arm at his throat.

Casey gasped and coughed at the newfound pressure.

"Balls," he cursed whilst coughing.

"This has to be saddest thing I've ever seen," Raphael groaned while throwing his arms in the air.

We both turned, only to see the turtles and April emerging from the dojo followed by Master Splinter.

Smiling mockingly down at Casey, I nodded to the turtle in red, "see Casey, you did let Raphael down!"

"He's not my boyfriend!"

"Why do you keep saying that?"

Raphael wore an incredulous look on his face, and the others also looked extremely confused.

"Nevermind that," Casey started trying to swat me away, "get off of me!"

Rolling my eyes, I stood up and Casey followed, rubbing his back painfully.

"Can we go again?" I eagerly questioned, wanting to try another fight. I would not say it out loud, but Casey was no challenge at all. "Please, please, please?" My voice sounded as hyper as I felt.

"Well, someone needs a walk," Raphael scoffed, crossing his brawny arms.

"Can it be a run?" I turned to Raphael with big eyes.

He officially looked at a loss for what to do.

"I have a better idea, wanna go on patrol with them?" Casey invited me easily, even though it was definitely not his place to do so.

However, when did something like that ever stop Casey Jones? And considered I had quite a bit of excess energy that I wanted to burn, I went along with it.

"Hold on, wait a second here—" Leonardo suddenly cut in, his voice as stern and responsible as I had ever heard it.

Hmm, I'll need to fix that.

It was obvious that training for a bit helped wipe whatever affects I had on him away. He now sounded more clear headed; that and the fact that he was about to go on patrol probably had something to do with it.

Cutting Leonardo off, I grinned widely, "Hell yeah! I'll stop any crooks!" I cheered, turning tail and racing off as fast as my legs would carry me.

"Hey—ANDI! Wait a second!" I heard Leonardo calling after me, only to be interrupted yet again, this time by Mikey.

Little did I know at the time, that things like this—A.K.A, Leonardo screaming and running after me, would become quite a common trend in our relationship.

"Aw yeah! This is gonna be a partyyyy!" Mikey shoved past Leo, hopping over the turntiles, placing his skateboard down as he did so and riding after me.

I immediately knew that the others followed after Mikey by the way Splinter yelled at all of us to, "BE CAREFUL!"

————————

We could not have been out of the sewers for long, but Mikey had swept me off my feet and placed me on the back of his shell while he rode his skateboard. He certainly was a pro at riding it, the orange-clad turtle easily balancing and jumping with it from building to building all the while I was on his back.

It was kind of amazing to be honest.

Casey and April were slightly slower than the turtles, but they were doing their best to keep up. It was really everytime the turtles hopped a building that slowed them down.

Mikey was hollering with glee and it was then that I noticed the way Leonardo was watching him with an upset glare. However, before I could say anything, he had ran so he was closer to us and was quickly scolding Mikey.

"Be quiet, Mikey, you can't just be screaming on patrol—"

Without really thinking, I pushed myself so I was squatting on Michelangelo's shell, my legs in a position that would allow me to jump. Mikey felt this, and tuned out Leo's scolding to look back at me.

"Andi—?" He could not finish his question as I leaped from his back causing him to yell in panic.

Leonardo soon followed with an, "oh my god!"

However, I had only jumped to the side, landing directly in Leonardo's arms as planned. Thankfully, his reflexes were very fast, and he had no problem catching me. He was staring at me with huge eyes, his pupils blown wide. There was fear before it was covered with irritation.

"Andi," I smirked as he held me closer and tighter, "you can't just do that, what if you had got hurt?"

"Don't worry, you'll always catch me when I fall, won't yah?" I innocently questioned, batting my eyelashes in a way that was anything but.

I literally felt the turtle's heart start beating faster through his plastron to where I was leaning. It made want to laugh, Leonardo was seriously adorable. I simply could not understand how people could think of the turtles as monsters or hideous.

I mean, yeah they were mutants. But these four were the cutest mutants I had ever laid eyes on. Then again, I guess I really haven't seen any other mutants. Still, my point stands...!

While Leo attempted to make a witty retort, all that came out was stammers and his face was slowly turning redder by the second. I knew I had broken him of his cool state once again, reducing the fearless leader to a flustered mess.

I knew I really should not be doing this now, especially since he had to focus on patrol, but I could not help myself. Hmm, I guess this really is why Splinter did not want me in their training today.

Out of nowhere, I was snatced from Leonardo's arms. It took me a second to register that it was now Raphael holding me. However, unlike Leonardo, he was not holding me bridal style. Instead, he held me to his chest forcing me to wrap my legs around his waist and lean my head on his shoulder.

I watched as the long ends of his mask whipped in the wind. We were still moving incredibly fast for just running, the city passing below us in a blur of lights. Everytime we jumped from rooftop to rooftop, whoever happened to be holding me would make sure to be extra gentle and careful.

While I really did not care if they were or not, I appreciated it nonetheless.

At this moment, Donatello was now the only turtle who had not taken a turn carrying me. I shivered at the thought of it—not of Donatello, but rather that any of them felt the need to carry me in the first place.

Not to sound cocky, but even as they were moving quickly, I could definitely keep up. Besides, Casey and April did not need to be carried. Although, Donnie would probably enjoy carrying April.

"Hey, what gives!" Leonardo cried in exasperation, staring at Raphael with the same look he had been giving Mikey earlier.

Except this one was far harsher. Raphael smirked as though he enjoyed thoroughly pissing Leonardo off, which he did.

"What? I thought we were taking turns carrying little miss Andi here?" Raphael snickered, obviously just doing this to get under Leonardo's skin.

The group suddenly came to a halt, the turtles pausing for a second. A look of concern passed over Donnie's face while Raphael and Leonardo's eyes narrowed.

"Made a new friend, did you?"

It was a smooth female voice.

A voice that made everyone go stiff. I yelped as we were greeted by a group of... ninjas?

I was more confused than anything. What the hell? Ninjas in New York, that just did not make sense. Then again, the turtles were here and they are ninjas.

The person who spoke soon became apparent.

"Karai," I was surprised when April hissed it, as though she had some personal vendetta against the female.

Then again, that is how they all looked at the moment. The female, Karai, stood at a good height—her figure skinny but muscular and her hair cut very short. However, it framed her face nicely, the back of it being a bleached blonde from the natural dark strands up front. She wore a mask on the bottom half of her face, and she was armed with a sword that was similar to Leo's katana, but less rounded, shorter and skinnier.

"Alright, little miss," Raphael placed me down, "this is where you get off,"

"Thanks," I gave him a flippant smile, but was shocked when Leonardo suddenly pushed him out of the way silently.

Raphael grunted in response.

"Thank you too, Leonardo," I added as Leo's cheeks lit up the slightest bit.

"Okay, this is pathetic," Karai rolled her eyes, and without saying anything more, a fight suddenly broke out.

It was about 12 to 7, so while the odds were not in our favor, it seemed the turtles were still winning. I had not even been needing to fight as it seemed the ninjas in black were practically ignoring me in favor of the turtles, April, and even Casey.

That did not last for long though as Karai appeared in front of me with her sword drawn. She brought it down harshly, myself barely having any time to side step it.

Now this was a real fight, not whatever the hell that was with Casey earlier and Leonardo was going very easy on me the other day.

This girl, Karai, did not hold back. She came at me swiftly and clean, making dodging her attacks very hard. I barely got out of the way each time. However, before I could start panicking, I forced myself to calm.

Muscle memory—let my body do the fighting. I prayed that before the accident, before my memories were lost, that I was actually a good fighter. That all these newfound skills were not just nothing, that it was my brain's subconscious way of letting me know that I could hold my own.

The others were too caught up in their own fights to see my struggling form. But to be honest, I would rather them not see this. As weird as it was, it is embarrassing, a dig at my pride. It was almost like my brain was telling me that I was better than this.

Better than being forced to dodge for an entire fight.

As I dodged again, tripping over myself and rolling to avoid a nasty fall, there was one word that came to mind.

Warrior.

To me it felt like a lifetime, in reality it was less than a second. I don't know what it was, a memory perhaps, but it hit clear as day.

"You, my child," it was a woman's voice.

In front of me stood perhaps one of the most beautiful people I had ever seen. However, she looked oddly unique, like nothing I had ever seen of this world. This woman was tall with the body of a warrior.

Gold plating covered near every inch of her, but what was not covered was dark tan skin encased in natural ridges of... markings? Somehow I knew these markings, I knew what they meant and why they were, but it was something I could not explain nor put into words.

This beautiful woman's markings came in red lined ridges spanning all over her body and swirling throughout her face. Long curly hair was tied back tightly; however, oddly enough her hair was a bright blue and it glowed. It glowed like nothing I have seen.

Her eyes were very alien to behold but yet enchanting and spoke of wisdom. Large pupils with irises of swirling gold and blue, they bore straight into me. I could not see myself as I was seeing from my own point of view, but something felt different.

I think I may be younger at this moment.

However, before I could take anything else into account, her mystifying and strong voice came over me.

"You are a warrior. You are stronger than steel..."

I opened my eyes just as Karai was bringing her sword down on me. My body took over, a fire burning bright within my soul.

When I slid out of the way, it was graceful and easy. Karai stumbled from my unexpected and swift movement. I took advantage of this.

Knocking her sword away, we were suddenly in an intense combat match. I dodged every punch, slap, and kick she threw my way. She was fighting very much in the ninjutsu artform she had been trained in. Her Japanese martial arts training made her a deadly force.

Rather than completely dodge when she threw her foot at me, instead I grabbed it and forced her backward. She was forced to go into a messy and unstable backflip, but she still managed to land it. Wasting no time, I took offense.

When I fought Karai, I did not try and do any fancy tricks like she had been using or how the turtles did it or even the other ninjas around us. I had no weapon either, but that was fine because at the moment neither did she.

Karai was taller than I but skinnier, she was made of bone and muscle. While I was by no means heavy (not that there was anything wrong with that, in fact, having a larger body actually made people look far better, in my opinion) I did have a body made of more muscle than Karai. Along with that came the feminine curvature of an hourglass.

Seeing as I was most likely heavier than her, I was able to use this to my advantage. Not only that, but speed seemed to be on my side. It was another thing I could not possibly understand.

She was a ninja, they all were, trained specially in the art of stealth and speed. Then again, when I was managing to move almost as fast as a blink of an eye, I suppose that could cause a little trouble.

"You are stronger than steel..."

I fought with my heart. Down, up, sweep the leg, slide and kick.

I landed a kick to Karai's midsection earning an audible and pained groan from her. She was getting angry, I could see it in her eyes—she hated being bested.

She charged at me, I grabbed her before she could touch me and flipped her.

End this battle. Finish this.

This woman's voice was once again playing in my head. I paid it little mind, instead choosing to listen. Grabbing Karai by her forearms, I stared her dead in the eyes. Her caramel irises appeared enraged, but I gave her no time to defend herself.

Pulling my head back, I let out a battle cry before knocking it straight into hers... very hard.

Karai actually let out a cry before she shot backwards. Despite her state, she had landed next to her sword. Forcing herself to get up, though it was with a wince, Karai armed herself with her sword.

Flawless victory.

I intended to earn just that. As I began walking toward her once again, my movements were cut off by Leonardo sliding directly in front of me.

"No more," Leonardo barely uttered causing me to scowl at him.

What the hell?

Immediately, him and Karai were deeply engaged in a sword battle. Unlike when she and I fought, it was not hand-to-hand, and they remained further apart—the clashing of their swords loud. While Karai's sword was smaller than Leo's dual blades, hers was still just as strong.

To me; however, while yes, they did look as though they were trying to harm the other in some way—it was not necessarily life or death. More like a playful sort of dance the two had going on. Their sword wielding techniques were similar, and because of this it put neither of them at an advantage toward the other.

Leo placed his large foot in front of him, Karai did the same, their swords clashed and they spun: faces inches apart. Fire burned bright in both their eyes, but there was something else there. Something that admittedly, I do not like.

I narrowed my eyes and pouted. Call me what you want, feelings are feelings—as much as you might try, you can never change what is truly inside.

They were having a banter of some sort, I could tell by the killer smirk playing across Karai's lips. Leonardo was trying to remain neutral, although his facial expressions revealed that he was being affected.

It was not in the same way that I affect him. Or at least, how I just recently noticed I am able to affect him. When Karai spoke to him, it was different. He was interested, I could tell, but there was something incredibly strong holding him back.

It was only when Karai actually flinched did I see the momentary spark of worry flit through his eyes. I was once again confused, did Leonardo just fall for any human girl he met then? Again, it was hard because while it did not look like he exactly had a crush on her, it did appear as though he cared for her much more than an enemy should.

What really rubbed me the wrong way was when Leonardo actually stopped going as hard on her because of that flinch. Thankfully, it seemed that Karai decided she was far too bruised up to continue any longer.

I know for a fact that I definitely left some nasty swelling on her side as well as gave her some sort of concussion.

"Foot Clan, away!" Karai hollered, leaping off the building followed by the remaining ninjas.

It was then I noticed these other ninjas were apparently robots based on the way some of the broken ones sat sparking and torn apart.

"Hey!" Casey called all rialed up from the fight.

"Don't let them get away!" Raphael added, leaping off the building after them.

"Raph stop—they've had enough...!" Leonardo went after him followed by Mikey and Donnie.

Casey, April, and me were slightly slower: us three choosing to use the fire escapes of the building to get down. By the time we met the turtles at the bottom, the "Foot Clan" were long gone but Leonardo and Raphael were deep into an argument.

"Look," Raphael suddenly spat, "just because you still have some pathetic feelings for Karai left doesn't mean you go easy on her!"

"I was not going easy on her!" Leonardo immediately argued. "And I do not have feelings for her! You do realize she isn't just the enemy, Raphael, she is also Master Splinter's daughter!"

The two were really having a go at it and I was completely lost.

"Well until she decides to believe it and change her evil ways, bro, she is bad news!" Raphael yelled right back into Leonardo's huffing face.

"I'm lost," I spoke to the four people who were not fighting.

Donatello looked over to me, "well, it's kinda complicated," the genius mutant was cut off by his slightly younger brother.

"Basically, Leo used to have this crush on our sister, right?" Mikey explained while my eyes widened.

"Oh my God," I spluttered while Raphael and Leonardo turned to me with huge eyes.

Raphael; however, fell out of his angry state and into hard laughter with Casey. Donnie and April were simply sharing worried glances as my concern spiked.

Just... wow.

Leonardo tried smoothing it over, holding his hands up and walking closer to me.

"No, no no! It was not like that! You see, we met her—before we knew that—and I had the tiniest of tiny interest in her for like a week, if that! But then we found out that she is actually Master Splinter's biological daughter from when he was human who the Shredder raised, it's a long story..." Leonardo was rambling, his face growing more red and his being more flustered.

I will admit this... I don't see Karai being able to work Leonardo up like I can. The thought made me smirk internally.

"Yeah but dude," Mikey cut him off, throwing his arm over his shoulder, "weren't we mutated with Splinter's DNA after he touched us? Therefore, wouldn't that technically make us like Karai's half-brothers?"

Everyone was shocked into silence. Because as goofy as Mikey was, this statement of his actually made sense. Not only did it make sense, but by the way Donnie nodded...

"He's actually right," Donatello admitted, "I never thought about it like that before, but in that case we are technically related to Karai biologically to a degree..."

It was silent amongst the group before Raphael actually fell down, unable to control his laughter. Casey was with him.

"Oh my God!" Raphael howled. "You actually had a crush on our real sister, Jesus Christ, bro!"

"That is a whole other level of messed up, " April shook her head while I could not even process it.

I simply blinked, and it took everything in me not to make an appalled expression.

Leonardo looked as though he wanted to cry, vomit, and hurl himself off a bridge all that once. His face had turned a sickly shade of pale green.

Out of everything he could have done, he surprisingly turned to me instead in an almost desperate manner.

"I promise you I don't like her like that," he voice was soft and begging me to understand.

I actually wanted to laugh at the poor turtle now. Leonardo suddenly looked so much younger. Tilting my head, I pursed my lips and placed a hand over his shoulder. His skin was slightly cooler than the average person's and much more scaly and rough.

Yet, weirdly enough, there was something endearing about it.

"Don't sweat it, Alabama," was my saucy remark, a part of me really wanting to stab him in the heart for that dancy show he put on with Karai.

Fighting my ass.

I have no clue what the hell that supposed "fight" was, but if I am ever around to witness something like that again, I will have both of them on their asses before they can blink. Then I might push Karai off a building for good measure.

I shook away the last thought. No need to be ruder than you need to, Andi.

"NO!" Leonardo all but sobbed, grabbing my hand with both his larger ones.

It was almost comical how his huge hands engulfed mine. For a second, it was only him and I staring into each other's eyes, but that moment was ruined by the honk of a car horn.

Turning around to stare at who was coming down the empty street, I barely registered the way Leonardo's hands left mine. He and his brothers had disappeared into the shadows, not so much as a trace left behind.

"Woah dudes, that's so weird," Casey turned, trying to find where our mutant friends went.

April stood with her hands on her lips and a knowing grin on her face. She motioned upward with her head causing both Casey and to look where she directed.

One floor above, not all that high but high enough, hidden within the shadows were four almost unnoticable shadowy figures. I knew right away these humanoid shadows were the turtles hiding. No one would notice them unless they truly were trying to look, and even then they were so hard to spot it was near impossible.

"Uhm..." Casey scratched the back of his head, "I still don't see them,"

April face palmed herself while I rose a brow at my friend.

"See who, Jones?" We all jumped at the voice and whirled around.

As it would turn out, the honk had come from a very familiar muscle car. My mother, Whitney Carrington—or Agent Carrington to some, sat in the driver's seat of her expensive sports car. Again, working with the CIA came with serious benefits.

Despite a hard day at work (I really have no clue what she does all day other than top secret agent stuff) her silky curls were still perfect and her light makeup had not faded at all. I truly do strive to be like my mother when I get to be her age—not going to lie.

Then again, she really wasn't even that old.

"Whitney!" Casey cheered, leaning on his hockey stick in an over-casual manner. "What's going on, toots,"

April wrinkled her nose and slapped Casey across the back of the head.

"Ew, Casey that is so gross, stop hitting on her mom!" April scolded before greeting my mother herself. "Hey, Whitney," she smiled.

Mom is more like the cool older sister we wish we had most of the time.

"April, how're you?" My mom smiled at April, putting the car in park before getting out. "And Jones, do not make me kick your ass..."

"Will do, Whit," Casey playfully smiled causing me to roll my eyes at him.

I suddenly remember the turtles watching this exchange from only feet away. Briefly glancing up at them, I hoped to see some sort of expressions on their faces, but alas it was far too dark to even hope to catch sight of them apart from their outlines.

However, I was curious as to how they would react in front of my mother. What with her pretty face and hot figure... okay, so the turtles admittedly had more decency than most teenage boys. They would probably be extremely respectful.

It was a shame they could not meet my mother, I suddenly wished that things were different and they could.

"Is there a reason my daughter is the only one who still hasn't greeted me?" I jumped seeing Mom standing directly in front me.

As motherly as she was and as close as we were, sometimes just thinking of her as Mom felt odd. It was unexplainable, but I never voiced these thoughts not wanting to hurt her feelings. Of course, it probably just had to do with my head injury.

Not remembering the majority of my life was bound to do that.

"Hey, Mom," I gave her a sheepish smile as she placed her hand on my cheek and stroked it with a tender smile.

Just like mother's do, I suppose. When she pulled me into her side after stroking my cheek lovingly, I wasted no time in nuzzling into her. Some nights when Mom got off, she was a little more clingy to me than usual.

Then again, I was the same way some days.

There had been one time that I missed her so much after school that I actually called her and asked her to come home early.

I caught the envious gleam in April's eyes and immediately felt bad.

April had told me before, she was more than happy with the relationship she and her dad share. However, it was still not the same as a Mother-daughter relationship as she told me. While April had long since lost her mother, there were still days she really missed her.

I was not by any means embarrassed of the show of affection in front of Casey and April, but it did make me slightly sheepish to think of the turtles watching this whole display. I no doubt looked like a clingy little girl attached to her mother.

It made it worse when I thought about the fact that the guys were highly trained ninjas. My thoughts were wiped away upon feeling my mother's breath by my ear.

"How're you feeling?" She whispered in my ear causing me to look at her.

Her jade eyes bore into mine with worry. She was able to read me better than anyone.

"Okay," I answered with a small smile, but the day's exhaustion was starting to toll on me.

I kind of just wanted to go home now so I could snuggle with my mother in private. As sappy as it sounded, I definitely would not be able to sleep alone tonight. It was not that I was scared or anything, but now that the adrenaline from the fight was gone, everything was hitting me.

What the hell was that I had said? Flawless victory? What does that even mean?

Not to mention it was all becoming more and more confusing. I was capable of more than just defending myself, especially when taking into account that I technically beat both Leonardo and Karai.

Sure, Leonardo had not been trying but Karai certainly had been.

My strength was far more than it should be and I was faster than normal. What does it all mean?

I have no clue, but what I do know is that I want to sleep it off. I want to go home, ignore my homework, go to sleep, skip school tomorrow and still ignore my homework throughout the day.

Mom pursed her lips while looking down at me, "Alright, I'm calling it, it's time for you to come home, Andi—you need to sleep,"

I did not argue.

"Okay," I muttered feeling her place a loving kiss on top of my head.

"You as well April and Casey, hop in, I'll give you a ride back," Mom spoke.

"Oh, it's okay Whit—" Casey tried but stopped himself at the look my mother was giving him.

"It is a school night and you both look tired as hell," Whitney spoke knowingly.

"Yeah, I am kinda tired, plus my dad is probably worried about me," April said, moving toward the backseat of the car.

"Alright then it's settled," my mom said causing Casey to groan, but follow April nonetheless.

Out of nowhere, I opened my mouth. I still had not forgot about my friends hiding in the shadows. I really do feel bad about leaving them on such short notice and not even able to say a proper goodbye.

"GOODBYE DWELLERS OF THE NIGHT, I WILL MISS YOU! AND IF YOU HAPPEN TO LIKE BLUE, IMAGINE ME GIVING YOU A GOODNIGHT KISS!" I screamed, knowing the turtles would more than hear me.

Mom was giving me an incredulous look while April and Casey's eyes were wide.

"What does that mean? Why are you screaming in the middle of the night like that, Andi?" She questioned, the last part sounding more like a scolding than anything.

I shrugged making no comment while moving moving to the passenger's seat.

"You know," I mumbled, "cute night dwellers and stuff..."