A/N: Hey! The name's Black Raider! This fanfiction is based off the 2012 series, which renewed my faith in the awesomeness of TMNT! I only ever watched the old 1990's movies, but the series is so cool!

And now that my ran is done, I simply request that you be nice because this is my first TMNT fanfiction. Enjoy!

I don't own TMNT. But I wish I did…

Chapter One- Prelude

"Another failure?" Shredder growled as he walked through the halls of his fortress.

Chris Bradford trailed after his master, worry etched into his face. "Please, Master, you've never fought the turtles before. You don't know their strength. Even with their weaknesses—"

"You sound as though you are well aware of the turtles' weaknesses, yet you have failed to bring them to me." Shredder snarled. He turned sharply to face his protégé. "Why is it that my greatest pupil is also one of my greatest disappointments?"

Chris stared at the ground in shame. He was just thankful Xever was held up in the infirmary with a broken wrist. "Master, I beg you—"

"I have heard enough!" Shredder shouted, shoving the doors open to his throne room. "If I have to listen to your petty excuses—" He and Chris suddenly froze, staring straight ahead.

Resting in Shredder's metal throne, with their legs draped over one armrest and leaning against the other, was a black clothed ninja reading a manga. The ninja hardly seemed to notice the pair as they stared in surprise. Everyone in the entire Foot Clan knew that Shredder's throne was meant for Shredder alone. If one so much as touched it, they would earn themselves a new scar on their face.

"What are you doing here?" Chris demanded. "Who are you?"

The ninja hardly looked up from its manga to cast the pair a sideways glance. It flipped the page of its book and continued to read.

"You have exactly ten seconds to either explain yourself or leave." Shredder threatened. "Or your demise will be slow and agonizing."

The ninja rolled its eyes and continued to read. Chris growled and charged for the ninja, swinging his fists around to crush its skull. But, in the blink of an eye, the ninja was suddenly in the air, crouched on the backrest of the throne. It tucked the manga in its belt and launched itself into the air as Chris swung his leg towards it. The ninja landed behind Chris and rapped its foot against the man's knees. He spun around to face the ninja, but the ninja used his momentum to send him tumbling down the steps.

Shredder jumped a little staring at the ninja. Then, he got a better look at the ninja's eyes, and he inwardly smiled. "I should've known. Only you would dare sit in my throne."

"Master?" Chris cocked his head confusingly, looking towards the ninja.

The ninja shed its hood to reveal the young face of a girl. Her hair had been braided and rolled/pinned around her head to fit flatly against her skull, so as to better fit under her hood. Her flawless skin almost glowed in the moonlight. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "You really should improve on your security; you have no idea how easy it was for me to break in here."

Chris narrowed his eyes, and then widened them. "Kuro?"

"In the black clothed flesh." The girl, Kuro, nodded.

"I see you finished your training." Shredder noted as he approached the young konoichi.

"I'm afraid the students that were available did not offer me a challenge." Kuro sighed. "I defeated them within minutes."

Shredder stared down at the girl, noting how she didn't look up at him. "Bradford, leave us."

Chris nodded, bowed, and walked off hurriedly yet masterly, shutting the door behind him. Shredder walked up to his throne, gesturing for Kuro to follow him. She obeyed, keeping silent as she thought about what would happen next.

"Something troubles you." Shredder finally spoke as he sat down. It was more of a statement than a question.

"Not troubling as much as..." Kuro smiled a little. "...okay, it's troubling. I have a simple request."

"And what is that?" Shredder asked.

"I want to take a leave of absence." Kuro said, going to her knees and bowing her head in respect. "I think I'm ready to experience living on my own."

"Oh really?" Shredder mused.

"With all due respect," Kuro explained. "I spent my entire life with you in Tokyo. And then we move here, to New York. A small difference, considering I'm still here and both places were large cities. I never had a moment to myself. I'm ready to live on my own for a while."

"If I recall correctly," Shredder said. "I believe we've had this conversation before."

"We have." Kuro nodded. "And I've always been curious." She raised her head to look up at Shredder. "Why can't I be on my own?"

"Why do you insist on this?" Shredder asked calmly.

Kuro sighed. "I have never left the Foot Clan. I was always under your command and care. I feel as though something is missing from my training. So, my assumption is that time alone would help me. It helped you."

Shredder nodded in thought, thinking back to when his master sent him on a three month isolation period, away from the dojo and training, to gain a perspective outside the dojo. "And where do you think you will go?"

"Just to an apartment somewhere in New York." Kuro shrugged. "Spend time living a bit of a normal life. Perhaps I will gain something from this." Shredder looked unsure. Kuro sighed silently through her nose. Time for the clincher. "And maybe I can keep an eye out for the Turtles and Splinter."

Shredder tensed a little at the mention of his nemesis, and Kuro knew she hit a slight nerve. But, at the same time, she knew it could push him to say yes. Finally, Shredder nodded. "Very well. When you find a suitable apartment, we will arrange for a portion of the payments to go towards the rent. I will also provide a van and money."

"Thank you, Otōsan." Kuro bowed again.

Shredder stood from his throne, motioning for Kuro to stand as well. "My daughter, you must realize that you will be completely on your own. Do not engage in battle unless the situation demands it."

Kuro smirked, but bowed. "Hai, Otōsan."

The smallest of smiles appeared from under Shredder's mask. "Go. Find a suitable place to live for at least a year. Then you may pack and move in to your new home as soon as you wish."

"Thank you." Kuro bowed again before darting off.

It had been a full month since they had moved from Tokyo, Japan, to New York City. She knew Shredder's desire to find Splinter, the man who ruined his life. While she was willing to do anything to help her father, she craved freedom. It was one of her fondest wishes that she take time away from her strict ninja training her father Shredder put her through. She wanted time as a normal teenager; maybe work on her writing. Besides, her father almost never let her go on missions with the other Foot or Chris. She heard much about Splinter's disciples: four mutant, man-sized turtles trained in ninjutsu. True, they had thwarted Shredder's plans so far, but that's because Chris's brain-to-brawn ratio was lacking; Xever wasn't much better. Kuro had been training in ninjutsu since she was very young. She knew that, if she had just one battle with them, she could take down the turtles within minutes. But her father would never allow her, not yet at least; Shredder was awfully protective over his little girl, even if he didn't show it.

Kuro sighed as she walked into her room, shedding her ninja wear, folding the black clothing neatly, and setting it on a swiveling desk chair. She pulled on some pajamas and crawled into her bed. But before she fell asleep, she pulled open her blinds and let the moonlight bathe her in a soft glow. She reached into her collar and pulled out a small necklace: a shoelace with a small charm on the end, shaped in the form of a turtle. On the bottom of the charm, carved into the turtle's plastron, was a name. Kuro stared at the name for a few moments, lost in thought. She remained still for a moment before tucking the necklace away and pulling the blinds shut. She pulled the blankets over her and settled down to sleep.

Ding ding ding!

Kuro jolted a little as she reached over and grabbed her cell phone. She unlocked it to better look at the text message she received.

What did your dad say?

Kuro smiled and started texting back.

He said yes. I'm gonna start looking for a place to live tomorrow. You wanna come?

Sorry, can't. I'm hanging with some friends.

Sounds good. Any luck on finding your dad?

No. :( But I bet we're real close. No matter what, I WILL find him.

That's the spirit.

I gotta get to bed. Goodnight Kuro.

Goodnight April. Sleep well.