"I know there is strength in the differences between us, I know there is comfort, where we overlap"
Ani DiFranco

From the corner of the dimly lit dojo stood a figure barely visible amongst the shadows, he held a staff in his arms. Though his face could not be seen there was an air of respect which seemed to radiate off him. There was a few minutes of silence when he finally spoke "again".

Instantly four figures lunged into the light, it was quickly discovered that they were in fact turtles. They stood in pairs, facing each other. They were unarmed but appeared to be preparing to strike. It was a red clad turtle who made the first move he lunged, arms swinging at the blue cladded one who seemed to be expecting this.

There was a hesitant pause between the other two. The taller of the two clad in purple seemed to be sizing up his opponent who seemed more interested in the battle between the other two. However just as the purple one jumped at him, planning a spin kick. The other orange masked one let out a surprised yelp and ducked, rolling underneath the other turtle.

Throughout the spar the red masked turtle never left the blue one. Attacking relentlessly fuelled off his anger. It seemed to be the source of his strength, he was getting frustrated because the blue turtle wasn't giving him what he wanted, a reaction. Instead he was calmly evading each of his attacks, he was refusing to engage the other; simply avoiding. However he seemed to be casting glances towards the other two, particularly the orange masked turtle who seemed to be the only one out of the four whom was having fun.

"Mikey!" the blue one called before swiftly ducking a powerful punch alongside an irritated growl "hold still would ya!" The orange turtle took his cue and when the purple turtle let out a yell as he leaped towards him with a spinning kick, he caught it with both his green hands. And in the time it took the purple masked turtle to realise what was about to happen, everything was already set up. The blue masked turtle had lured the red one over and managed to flip out of the way just as the purple turtle was spun around and landed right on top of him.

"haha YEAH!" the orange turtle known as Mikey cheered, doing a bit of a breakdance "uh huuh, oh yeah. We got this thing DOWN dude" he grinned enthusiastically up to the blue one, who had his arms crossed but an amused sort of smirk was playing on his face. Mikey raised his hand for a high five to which was instantly met.

Meanwhile a groan could be heard from the purple turtle "oww my head" "ugh! Get off Don!" growled the red clad turtle, pushing him off with a grunt. He was angry, embarrassed and needed to take it out on the one responsible "it was your fault anyway!" "wha- MY fault?! How is it my fault when you're the one who went off on your own not putting any thought into the situation" He was standing now brushing himself off.

Sensing a fore coming argument which could potentially escalate a voice was heard from the shadows "Enough!" and with a bang of the staff all four turtles turned bowing their heads "hai sensei!"

"hothead"

"geek.."

Growling slightly the figure stepped out of the shadows appearing to be not a turtle but a rat instead. He towered over them with a look of disapproval on his face; seeing this, the boys got to their knees and bowed down to him in respect. He slowly paced in front of him, taking his time "your goal for today's exercise was to work as teams, to become as one to understand your enemy and defeat them" he sucked in a breath, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before continuing, "Michelangelo", the orange clad turtle at the end looked up, an almost hesitant expression on his face; as though he was wondering if he was going to be in trouble "y-yes sensei?"

It was hard to tell if the rat was smiling or not "you fight in the moment, you are able to immerse yourself completely in battle, this is good. But you must also take the time to analyse your foes, and concentrate on matters at hand" Michelangelo nodded, bowing again.

"Leonardo" it was the blue clad turtle's turn to look up, however he straightened himself so that he could better see his master "you have begun to understand the importance of strategy" "thank you sensei" "however there is more to it than giving orders and instructions. You may have won the battle, however you did not follow the goal for it. You were going by what you previously knew, not by what was shown to you on the battlefield. Remember that"

"..hai… sensei" confusion was in his tone but he respectfully bowed down once more, missing the smirk on his brother's face.

"Donatello" from beside Leonardo the tallest of the brothers, clad in purple peeked up. Swallowing lightly his adam's apple bobbled "yes?" "you are able to calculate quickly on the battlefield, you follow orders and await instruction, but you need to be more assertive and to take initiative waiting for too long could be your downfall"

Donatello nodded before bowing down, leaving the last turtle to face his evaluation

"Raphael" his tone was stern, though not angry "you are strong willed, and have drive to help as many as you can on your own, however you forget my son. That you are part of a team, and in so you need to learn that you are not alone, let others share your burden and learn to listen to them"

Raphael for his part didn't speak, didn't raise his head and didn't outwardly react. Perhaps this was a showcase of his 'whatever' attitude to the feedback, or maybe it was that he didn't want his face to be seen by his brothers.

A few more minutes of silence fell over them before the rat spoke again "your training is complete for today, you may go to the surface when it is dark and only when it is dark" his critical eye seemed to fall on Donatello, who had the decency to look sheepishly at his feet. Muttering something about 'helping with homework', his brothers snickered beside him. Chuckling quietly to himself the rat turned to leave.

Now with freedom from the sewer fast approaching the boys where much more cheerful. Leonardo grabbing his twin katana blades and making a bee line for the television, his favourite show was just about to start, and he just knew that today's episode was going to be a dousey! Raphael for his part had disappeared off to his room, though sounds of muffled shouting and frustrated growls could be heard. When this happened the other brothers thought it best to leave him be. Mikey had gone straight to play some video games, usually he would make dinner straight after training however ever since that magical night when they had tasted the miraculous new explosion of flavours that was pizza. Then he waited until they went to the surface and taking a chance to grab a pizza.

Sweet, sweet pizza…

Which left Donatello, who like his brother chose to retreat to his room as well; however instead of venting he went straight to the bane of his existence, his homemade laptop. Pushing aside some blueprints of inventions that he was currently working on, he powered up the laptop before pulling it onto his lap. Looking down at his screensaver (which he was planning a soon change after tomorrow) he clicked on the icon for an instant messaging site.

He had made one after April informed him that she had one, initially he had asked for her number. Blurted it out more like, however Mikey was quick to point out that they did not have phones.

He was working on a solution to that.

Once he was on the site he quickly realised that April was in fact not online, he quickly checked the time…. 6pm… okay. Nothing to worry about, she was probably doing homework, or eating or maybe watching tv? She was perfectly safe.. he hoped.

His finger began twitching, was she okay? He and Leonardo had a growing speculation that things weren't going too well for her at school, She hadn't said anything exactly. But it was because she didn't say anything that gave them the idea that thing's weren't completely okay. She had been spending most, if not all of her free time researching the kraang and sending him any small clues she found. He kept them of course, but he knew this wasn't healthy.

Yes she lost her dad, and if he and his brothers where to somehow lose Splinter? Well.. they'd be doing the same thing. Still however, she needed to get out, have some fun.. and it was because of that, and curiosity to finally meet this 'Miss O' Neil' did Master Splinter consent to allow her to visit their home.

Too bad it wasn't until tomorrow…