"Again!"

The command ring in Aprils ears as she still gasp for breath due to her exhaustion. Every time she walk into this Dojo she felt she might as well as sign up for the Olympics. At least then she wouldn't surely be work to almost death from what was suppose to be an easy lesson, one that was supposedly not nearly as intense as her mutant turtle friends training was. Still now she could not believe the amount of energy, motivation, and work it took to be a ninja. It was no wonder that only a small number of people were ninja's, it took much commitment, and for doing something that felt like torture, she wondered quiet constantly about the possibility of simply quieting. If she were a normal teenager with a normal life, then she probably given it up for something more attractive. Like perhaps, dance class, a writing class, even Physics would be more tempting then this. But then again, she was not some normal teenage girl. It wasn't as though she didn't agree to do this from some little Dojo with an average karate instructor who had offer her a try just because it was interesting. This training, true official training with a true master that would have cost thousands of dollars or even more just to train if a price were to be place on it for any one else. This training was for her so she could protect herself, and not from some thugs. Instead it was required for reasons from saving her father from an alien race that also wish to use her for the very destruction of her world. To defending herself from a clan filled with evil and vicious goons who's only concern was her and her friends destruction. Besides, once one got through the shock and pain a training, fit for only the best Ninja were granted, they would be taken by surprise and pride from what they could do now from what they could do then, it was amazing. Even though it felt like it took forever, April could tell she was, indeed, improving quiet well. Faint muscles appearing on her arms, her tolerance for pain and gumption of running and excursing in general increase surprisingly from only a year and 5 months of training.

Her eyes narrowed like a cats as it latch onto its prey. With the reminder of her need to improve, she stood on shaky legs and with only a second of a break she began to again replay the advance Kata she had been learning the past 2 weeks. Being only a hair off from doing it perfectly, she was eager to proof that she could do it for Splinter and any who would ask of her to show the form itself. Only her feet hitting the ground and the swift sound of her Tessen cutting the air was heard, with the watchful eyes of an old, but strong and wise mutant rat.

Splinter face appeared expressionless as he judge the red headed girl who did her best to please him. In truth he was very impress with April work. Her ambition alone was impressive, the fact she took it serious and was showing improvement almost every week made him want to smile with pride of his student. But he kept it to himself, if it were any regular situation he would have openly admitted to her his praise, but now it was important to keep it at a minimum of his praise. Too much praise on his student was what cause cockiness and arrogance…..he had learn his lesson from his over praise of Raphael and sons, but they were highly train ninja being taught advance martial arts for 16 years and 5 months, April was just a beginner still, and with all that was in stake and the fact she was already head strong, he didn't need to only encourage her bold and rash actions.

With a final sweep of a foot on the floor, April stood, her Tessen in front of her as her hand was held up by her face to still block it in case her 'enemy' was to quickly recover from her attack, or dodge it all together, she would at least be ready for more. As he herd nothing but her deep breathing as she look as though she was ready to drop, which he truly was concern for, he finally decided she was finish.

"Yame" he called to the obviously exhausted girl. She gasp as she stood a tall as she could in front of him, Splinter hand found its way to his beard (no surprise) as he slowly stroke it, slowly reanalyzing the form in head. With a final decided verdict for April performance his hand return to behind his back as to properly address the teen.

"Very good April," he slightly uncommonly praise, she raise her head slightly to the sound of a possible praise, with a smile forming on her face. Not the one of cockiness that she might have gain, if spoiled with praise, but one of pride for finally completing and impressing Splinter with the complicated Kata. With a smile in return Splinter then bowed to April as she quickly return it, bowing lower out of respect. As they both stood up straight, Splinter then turned as he walk towards his room, only stopping for a moment to confirming the ending of their lesson.

"You are excused, April" he stated, with a smile, April was quickly to thank him as she turned and almost fall down as she made her way out of the kitchen and towards the desired chair in said kitchen where she could consume the water she desperately needed if she hope for her body to not die.

It was silent for Donnie, something that felt more and more rare everyday as he look down at his work. Something that would have made any other fellow intellectual drool with impressed and eager eyes at his work. Consisting from advance engineering, to medical notes and discoveries, to amazing and impressive Physics and Bio research. Yes, Donatello was clearly gifted with intelligence that was far superior to others of all kind. His mind work in the silence with the comfortable and welcome atmosphere. So occupied by his work, he never herd or notice the door open, though even if he was paying attention, it would have been out of luck for him to hear it as the door was open with silence of a Ninja, or perhaps, a Kunoichi. As he place a sample of mutagen onto a Microscope he slowly place his eye close to the lenses, his large abnormal hand turning and fixing the focus to the required point of view of the sample. His unknown stalker waited patiently until he was in a safe position.

Past experience told her if she attack now, the purple band turtle might poke his eye out from shock or accidently cause him to explode something. She was eager to scare him, not hurt him. Her opportunity came to light once the ninja turned away to a safe distance from the microscope to a note book, scribbling down notes for his work. She grin as she knelt down like a cat, before she pounce and her hands landed on his shoulder. Her lips by the holes he called ears saying in a not so loud, but not at all soft "Boo" cause said turtle to jump in shock and embarrassment as he turned, ready to fight off any foe, only to realize it was April. A laughing and smirking April as he tried to concentrate on making his unusual red cheeks to turn back to green. April however didn't seem to mind as she smiled.

"Got you" she giggled, Donnie look pass April towards the door, checking to make sure it was shut. Not only was it shut, but it was also clearly lock, making him grin.

Though April did see his grin, and she was a Kunoichi, she was still slowly compared to even Donnie, making her helpless to dodge his arms as he wrap them around her waist. Pulling his now captive predator into his arms, and on his lap, switching the tables as he became the predator, the laughing and blushing red head now the prey as he listen to her beautiful laughter.

"Donnie" she laugh, trying to break out of his arms half heartedly, but at the end not having the strength or desire to escape.

"Oh no, for that April, you must be punish" he spoke, his voice filled with laughter and a grin.

"Oh no," April gasp, pretending to be helpless in their game "what am I ever going to do?" she ask 'innocently' as her arms some how found their way to wrap themselves around his neck.

"Well, perhaps if maybe I was, convince, then maybe you can live, princess" he cooed with her chosen pet name from long ago.

"Oh," April gasp, as if surprise by the request. "And what could I do to convince you other wise?" she ask, with a smile, Donnie lean down, his lips a fraction away from hers, until they touch.

This action was not unusual for them, perhaps to the other turtles, perhaps to Splinter or the red heads father, and any other human in the world. But this action had been long ago done and accepted.

No one knew of course, both agreeing to keep it a secret. The unexpected relationship was made true not so long ago.

Once the truth of April part mutant heritage, she had been set through an emotional time. Though it wasn't as horrible or as life retching as being a mutant turtle or rat, but still, it was a shock to the girl. Many things running through her mind of her future, of her life. But due to the thought of it being an utterly selfish sounding complaint, it had been kept secret for a day or so. And to some mutants her shock might have been thought as ridicules, but not to Donnie. He understood, perhaps not personally, but his mind could easily understand why April would be in stress.

Learning in one day that they were different, that there was something different about them, not physically, but mentally. She had been filled with fear of not understanding her powers, or not truly knowing or understanding the destruction she could cause, but Donnie had study and learn more about April condition more then April herself. He could understand from her possible mind telekinesis to being part Krrang, could easily answer any question or concern of she would have, from their safety of theirs selves, or even the others around them. And so it was during the vulnerable time, something seem to click.

No one would come close to understanding her condition, no one would truly know how to respond if April were to ever lose control. But Donnie would, he would react immediately, his mind filled with possible counter attacks or answers for difficult situations. No one was as smart as Donnie as far as April was concern, and no one would ever make her feel as safe with their knowledge of her possible powers and dangers like Donnie did.

It was only logic, that if any deserved a chance with her affection, it was the very turtle who never gave up on her.

As their little kiss ended, Donnie slowly pulled back, his reddish brown eyes glazed as he look into Aprils bright blue eyes, he sigh as his hands felt her hips, he never felt so lucky before. How he managed to gain a chance to truly show and convince April that a relationship between them was possible was barely consistent of wining the lottery.

"So," April smiled as she slowly found a way out of Donnie hands before she stood, though bending down a little as to keep proper eye contact with Donnie. "Ready?" she ask, the turtle smiled as he grin his toothy grin to her.

"Of course" Donnie said as he stood up from his chair, standing now above April. Dates were difficult to plan, with keeping it a secret from his brothers and father, who were ninja none the less, was difficult. But the fact they manage to go so long without being discovered. Though it probably help with the strong believe with his brothers (and possibly father) that he had 'no chance' with her, a statement that Donnie was now more then thankful for. Shaking his mind from the thought he turned his attention back to April. "Just let me go get something and I'll be ready for our date" he promise, April smiled with joy.

As he walk away April smiled, she knew Donnie had a crush on her almost from the moment they met. The poor boy was as obvious as the sun was bright, but many would be shock at how romantic Donnie could be. Ever sense their first date, Donnie had made sure to act as though each date was their last. After all, he was the only turtle in the world that could take her out to eat 15 different, eventful, and interesting ways.

As she waited, her mind wondered from many things, from her fond new relation with her boyfriend, to the dread memory of homework that awaited her at home. As she look around her eyes were slowly drawn to what look like an old, small mirror place on a shelf. The shelf was old and dusty, not at all interesting to any one. Holding nothing but the mirror and many boxes, spar parts, and papers with things she would never understood on her own even if she tried. But she found herself attracted to the mirror, frowning as she pick it up and held it closer. She sometimes wish she could have time to fix herself up. It might be pointless to dress up since no one but Donnie was going to see her, since it was obvious they couldn't exactly go into a restaurant. But still, she would prefer to have met him not only half an hour after just from intense training. Of course she had dried herself from her sweat and made sure to put on extra deodorant just in case. But her hair was out of place. She reach into her pocket feeling for a comb, once it was found it was quickly put to work. As she soon smiled with satisfaction as her hair was styled to the wanted look she replace the comb into her pocket and meant to place the mirror back where she found it. But her gaze and interest fell what the mirror was rested on. It had been place right on top of a box, not a cardboard box like the rest, this one was a wooden box. It look gorgeous as there were carved decorations all over it, looking as though wooden vines and flowers grew on it. Her interest for the box grew as she place the mirror on another safe location on the shelf. Her hands slowly found themselves on the box, slowly lifting it before holding it closer. What on earth would Donnie be doing with this?

Maybe it was a secret present for her, but that made no sense. Donnie was a romantic turtle, but there was no special occasion calling for a gift, no birthday or anniversary. Even if it was Donnie would surely hid it some where less obvious, especially somewhere that Mikey would be able to get his hands on. As any could guess, April desire to open the box, and seeing no harm, she decided to do so. Walking towards the closes table she set the box down gently, making a gentle tap only wood and metal hitting each other could make. Certain she wouldn't be able to drop it, she grab the side of the lid and lifted it, eager and curious for its contents.

Donnie sigh as he came back, a satchel around his neck. He had began the habit of bringing it with him on trips to the junk yard. Using it as a caring tool of sorts, of course, only being an excuse so he could bring things for his date. Ranging from food to romantic gifts, the lie work many times, and he was certain it would work again. After all, no one was ever curious to see what the genius turtle brought back, and even if they did, Donnie could always lock them out of his lab, so they would not see the empty bag. Returning from the parking space of the Shell raise where he had last left it by accident, while also getting his required objects for their date, he return ready to go.

"Ready April" he called out. He look to see where his red head love was, he saw her standing in front of many of his tables, looking at something. He grew concern, April knew better then to go through his possibly dangerous and delicate equipment. April however ignored his calls, looking as though shock and confused at what caught her interest. Curious and slightly worried, he walk faster towards her, wondering what it was, it was a box. A small wooden…..decorative…..box, and was that…..music. Donnie eyes couldn't go wider, April blue eyes looking up, holding absolute confusion as she held something softly, and yet firmly in her hands. White, flat, and from the way she held it, it was almost no doubt to be a picture….that, picture.

OKAY, THIS IS ANOTHER REDO, SO SORRY BUT LAST TIME, AND I'LL TRY TO UPDATE MORE, THOUGH IT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT BECAUSE I MIGHT BE LOSING INTERNET, WHICH WILL MAKE UP DATES HARDER, BUT I'LL TRY.

LOVE,

BLUE ROZE