A/N: There's been a few questions as to what genre this story is and I would have to say I tend to lean more towards the 90s live action movies and the 07 CGI movie (cuz that takes place after the 90s live action movies). I think the CGI movie truly captured the essence that is TMNT. I may be playing around with the thickness of Kallie's accent but I'm doing it from experience. I am a southerner and when I'm really angry my accent tends to get thicker and my husband (who's from North Dakota) finds it absolutely hilarious. So that's where that comes from lol. Also, thanks so much for all the lovely reviews! They give me warm and fuzzies which are pretty much the greatest thing ever. Please continue to leave me reviews and let me know how you think it's going! Okay, I'm done rambling now. Onward!

Disclaimer: They're still not mine. I tried stealing them the other day, but it didn't work. I have a plan though. If y'all could just meet me in Albuquerque in three hours with a penguin and a jet ski, they'll be ours! MWAHAHAHAHAHAAA!

Disclaimer 2: *Ahem* Sorry, sometimes the evil mastermind in me can't be controlled.

Chapter 9: Nightmares and Ninja Training

Kaliyah didn't sleep very well. Despite the fact that the bed was very comfortable, sleep just didn't come easily. She constantly tossed and turned. She almost got up when the boys came back. She could hear someone banging around in the kitchen downstairs and heard Mikey bark out a laugh every so often. Kallie figured they had some kind of routine and she didn't want to get in the way of it. She had turned their lives upside down enough already.

Eventually downstairs had quieted down and Kallie heard a few doors closing down the hall from her own little room. She figured they were all settling down for the night. Sighing, Kallie shifted in her bed; throwing her leg outside of the blankets and shoving her hands under her pillow. She closed her eyes and fell asleep once more.

Of course it only lasted about an hour. Kallie's eyes sprang open as a nightmare full of fire had just about begun. Her heart was still racing and she threw her arm over her face and groaned.

"Why can't I just sleep?" She asked herself out loud. Kallie snuck a glance at the little alarm clock by her bed and saw that it was only 2:18 in the morning. She groaned again and sat up; knowing sleep wasn't going to come for a while. Kallie figured she might as well start putting away her clothes. She had barely begun folding when a terror filled scream ripped through the lair. Kallie gasped and dropped the pair of pants she had been folding. Another scream filled the air as Kallie wrenched open her door to find the source of the scream. She didn't have to go very far though; she could hear the scream was extremely close to her…

It was Mikey.

Kaliyah threw his door open and was at his side in seconds. Michelangelo was shaking his head back and forth, his eyes screwed shut as his hands twisted in the sheets.

"Mike! Mikey, wake up!" Kallie urged.

Michelangelo's back arched off the bed as another blood curdling scream made its way out of his throat. Soon, Kallie was joined by the rest of the lair's occupants. Raph had made it in first and was next to Michelangelo's head. Leo and Donnie were next and Kallie moved to allow them room next to their brother. Master Splinter was last and he joined Raphael next to Mikey's head.

"Is he okay?" Kallie asked, scared beyond all reason. She had never heard such an awful sound before. The short time that she had known Michelangelo, only happy sounds had come out of the younger turtle's mouth; never would she have imagined he could make a sound like the scream she had just heard.

"Just a nightmare Kaliyah." Master Splinter replied.

Raphael was rubbing Mikey's head. "C'mon Mikey wake up." He demanded in a gentle voice. Mike screamed again, shorter this time but still just as terrible. Raphael continued rubbing his little brother's head, whispering soothing words to the younger turtle. Mike's body slowly lowered back down to the mattress and his fists loosened their hold on the sheets.

"Sensei, he's calming down now." Raph said.

"I see that Raphael." Master Splinter said. "Do you think he will be alright Donatello?"

Don nodded. "Just his usual nightmare I'm sure. If you want to go back to bed Sensei, feel free. We'll take care of Mikey."

Master Splinter nodded, his eyes tired, and left the room. Kallie wondered if maybe she should leave as well but she didn't have time to make that decision as Mike's eyes sprang open and a gasp escaped his lips as he sat straight up in his bed, slamming his shell against the headboard. He was panting for breath as if he had just run a marathon.

"Karai?" Leo asked.

Mikey nodded, his body shaking. He looked as if he still wasn't a hundred percent back into the real world, as if part of him was still stuck in his nightmare.

"It was just a dream Mikey, you're home now. She can't hurt you anymore." Leonardo told him, his eyes fierce as he grabbed Mikey's arms. Mikey nodded clumsily. His breathing was still harsh but the shaking had subsided somewhat. Kallie of course had no idea what they were talking about, but she could only imagine what this 'Karai' chick had done to Michelangelo.

"Ya good?" Raph asked.

"Y-Yeah." Mikey said hoarsely.

"Are you sure?" Donatello asked.

Mikey lifted his eyes to his purple banded brother and nodded. "M'fine Donnie."

Donatello titled his head to the side slightly before he walked over to the head of the bed and grabbed Mikey's chin, Leonardo dropping his arms and making room. Don turned Mike's head to the left and right, and then pressed the back of his hand to Mike's forehead. Michelangelo sighed and swatted away Don's hands.

"I don't have a fever Donnie." Mike said.

Donnie smiled somewhat. "Can't be too careful."

Kallie had pressed herself against the opposite wall and watched the scene unfold in front of her. She had never seen such fear in Raphael's eyes. He had this whole tough guy exterior and even though she hadn't known him for long she knew that emotions didn't come easily for him. Leo and Donnie looked just as terrified, but whereas Donnie seemed to wear his emotions on his sleeve, Leo did not. Leonardo masked his fear with his whole 'I'm the leader and I know no fear' attitude. But just like Raph, his eyes gave him away.

Kallie was planning on making a silent exit but then Mike's eyes found hers and he grimaced. Her heart went out to him. She knew how it was to have a nightmare so vivid that you thought it was real. Shoot, she had just had one last night.

"Are you okay Mikey?" Kallie asked quietly.

"A bit embarrassed, but otherwise unharmed." Mikey replied, his face a bit sheepish.

"Don't be embarrassed, nightmares can be pretty terrible." She said.

Mikey laughed humorlessly. "You're telling me."

"If it makes you feel better, I had a nightmare earlier." Kallie offered.

Michelangelo looked at her incredulously. "Why would that make me feel better?"

Kaliyah shrugged. "I dunno…misery loves company?" She tried.

The corners of Mike's mouth twitched slightly, as did Leo's and Don's. Kallie felt herself smile a bit as well. Raph tried to look indifferent but his eyes sparkled with humor a bit.

"Can I ask a question?" Kaliyah asked. "And feel free to tell me I'm crossing the line." She added.

Leo and the others looked at Mikey, waiting for him to answer. Mike took a deep shuddering breath and nodded. "Go ahead."

"Who's Karai?"

"Someone we once considered somewhat of an ally. She's our enemy now and has been for a few months." Leonardo answered.

"She did something terrible to you, didn't she?" Kallie asked Mike.

Mikey nodded. "Yeah, yeah she did."

Kallie didn't miss the shudder that had made its way down his body.

"I'm sorry." She told him.

Mikey smiled a bit. "S'okay. She was just confused and hurting at the time. Unfortunately she didn't know how to deal with stress constructively; she chose to use me to be her stress reliever."

"Stress my ass," Raphael growled. "She's a monster. And she's damn lucky we let her live."

"Raph." Leo said quietly, although it sounded more like a warning.

"It's okay; you don't have to explain anything to me. I was just wondering who she was." Kallie assured them.

Mike shook his head. "No, it's okay. This whole…nightmare thing happens kinda frequently for me. You might as well know why so you're not so freaked the next time."

"Mikey, you don't have t—"

"I know I don't have to," Mike interrupted. "But I want you to understand."

"Are you sure Mike?" Donatello asked.

"Pop a squat Kallie, might as well get comfy." Michelangelo said, gesturing next to his brothers for Kallie to sit. Kallie obeyed and sat in between Raphael and Leonardo.

"A few months ago I was kidnapped for a week by this chick named Karai." Mikey began. "She did…some stuff to me and I have nightmares about it a few times a month; they're so…vivid and real to me. I guess they're not so much nightmares as they are memories. I tend to relive some of the worst moments when I sleep."

Kallie was horrified. Who in the world would want to hurt Mikey?! He was so good, so nice, so funny, so childlike! She didn't even want to imagine the torture she had done to him to make him scream like that.

"We almost didn't make it in time." Donatello added quietly.

Mike rolled his eyes. "I knew you guys would find me."

"I dunno Mikey…if ya hadn't contacted me we might've been too late." Raphael said.

"Contacted?" Kaliyah asked.

Leo nodded. "Mikey reached Raph through meditation and gave him enough information for us to be able to find him. Proof that he actually can apply himself when needed." Leo added, smiling fondly at Mike.

"Dude, I always apply myself." Mikey commented.

"Wait a sec, I'm still trying to process how Mikey talked to Raph when they were miles apart?!" Kallie cried.

"Ninja stuff." Raph said.

Donnie rolled his eyes. "What Raphael means is that we are able to reach such a deep state of meditation that we can communicate with one another. It takes a long time to reach this state and a lot of energy to maintain the connection. True masters of ninjitsu are able to accomplish this."

"So it's like some kind of Vulcan mind meld type of thing." Kaliyah offered.

Mikey laughed and Kallie grinned. That was the sound Mikey should make. Raph snorted in amusement and even Leo chuckled to himself.

"Why do I even bother?" Don asked himself.

"I'm really sorry." Kallie said, turning slightly serious.

"It's fine." Mikey replied.

A growl from Raph had Michelangelo rolling his eyes.

"What?" Kallie asked.

"Raph hates it when I say 'it's fine.'"

"That's cuz it ain't fine. Nothin' about that week was fine." Raphael said fiercely.

"I can understand that," Kaliyah said. "It used to drive me nuts whenever my mom would say, 'I'm fine' after my dad died."

"See?" Raph said as he playfully punched Mike in the shoulder.

Mikey grinned at his red banded brother. "Yeah, yeah whatever."

Raph rolled his eyes and tweaked Mike's side as he got to his feet. Mike let out a yelp that sounded suspiciously like a laugh. Kallie ducked her head to hide her smile. Raphael was such a softie. Leonardo was smiling as well and he stood to his feet, Donnie following suit.

"We should all go back to bed," said Leonardo. "Are you good Mikey? Do you need anything?"

Michelangelo shook his head. "Nah, I'm good."

"If you need anything you know where to find me." Leo said and Mikey nodded. Leo offered his hand to Kaliyah and she took it, allowing him to pull her to her feet.

"Night Mikey." Donnie said as he rubbed Mike's head. Raph bid Mikey goodnight as well, following Donnie out of the room.

"Goodnight Mike." Kallie said.

"Night Kallie. Sorry if I scared you."

"Don't apologize you big doofus! It's not your fault!" said Kallie.

Mikey grinned at her; she waved and walked out of the room, pausing briefly right outside the door.

"Goodnight little brother." Leonardo said.

"Night Leo…thanks…" Kallie heard Mikey say.

Kallie smiled to herself and walked back to her room. She snuggled into her blankets and closed her eyes, sighing softly. Sleep would come now and she would welcome it.

OoOoOoO

"Kallie, c'mon, get up." Kallie heard a voice say to her. She groaned and pulled the blanket over her head. She hadn't slept well that night of course. After Mikey's nightmare, sleep had finally come, but it was restless and fitful.

She heard someone laugh. "C'mon Kaliyah, it's time for sleepy, short, blondes to wake up!" Kallie didn't need to open her eyes to recognize that voice. It was Mikey. And he had insulted her twice in one sentence; using her full name and calling her short. If she wasn't so tired she would've retorted with something equally as insulting.

"G'way." She mumbled sleepily.

Kallie heard Raph chuckle and she groaned again, wondering how many of them were actually in her room. Suddenly, the blankets were ripped off of her and she was met with cold air. She gasped and brought her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them.

"Betcha she's awake now." Raph said.

"I dunno Raph; she's still not getting up."

Kallie smirked a little to herself and snuggled her head deeper in the pillow.

"Kallie, get yer ass up now," said Raph. "We've got alotta stuff to get done."

"Don't care." Kallie muttered.

Raph growled.

Kallie scoffed. "M'not scared of you."

"That's it! No more mister nice turtle!" Raph declared.

"Dude, chill. I can get her up." Michelangelo said, putting a hand on Raph's shoulder. Mikey cracked his knuckles and whipped a hand out, snatching the pillow right out from underneath Kallie's head. Kallie let out a yelp as Mikey gave her one good whack on her side with the pillow.

"Oh for the love of—I'm up!" She cried, sitting up and snatching the pillow out of Mike's hand before he could hit her with it again.

"Morning sunshine!" Michelangelo said brightly, grinning.

"I hate both of you." Kallie mumbled as she stretched her arms above her head. She ran a hand through her hair and grimaced as she felt all the knots.

Raph smirked. "Welcome to the land of the livin' so nice of ya to join us."

Kallie scowled at him and swung her legs to the edge of the bed, standing to her feet.

"What the hell is so important that I have to be up at 7 in the friggin' morning?" Kallie demanded, placing her hands on her hips and looking up at the two turtles in her room.

"Morning practice actually," a voice said from the door. Kallie turned and saw Leonardo leaning against the door frame, arms across his chest and an amused look on his face. "Master Splinter wants you to watch again."

"Really? Why?" Kallie asked.

"Not sure yet." Leo replied.

Kallie nodded. "Alright, if he wants me there I'll be there then."

"We've got breakfast downstairs if you're hungry." Mikey offered.

"Thanks, but I'm not really hungry; two big dumb jerks woke me up," said Kallie, scowling at Raphael and Michelangelo. "Now, get out of my room. I'm gonna go shower and try to tame the mess that is my hair."

Raph chuckled as he followed Leo and Mikey out of the room. Kallie pulled out a pair of jeans and a red and black plaid shirt with a red cami before making her way to the bathroom. She showered quickly and towel dried her hair, rubbing some gel in it to help tame her curls. She looked exhausted and she sighed before applying some foundation and eyeliner to help make herself look half way presentable. She came downstairs and Donatello was waiting with a cup of coffee. Kallie eagerly grabbed it.

"Thank you." She sighed as she took a sip of the delicious brew, following Donnie into the dojo.

"Figured you might need a cup."

"I really did, especially after my little 'wakeup call.' Speaking of which, is there a way to Mikey and Raph proof my room?"

Donnie snorted. "If you find a way be sure to let me know. I've been searching for way to do that for years now."

Kallie sighed. "Guess there's no hope then."

They entered the room and Donnie bowed to Master Splinter.

"Good morning Kaliyah. Did you sleep well?" Splinter asked.

"Wasn't my worst night of sleep." She answered honestly.

Master Splinter smiled kindly at her. "I am sure we have all had better nights."

Mikey winced slightly and shot her an apologetic look. Kallie waved him off.

"I hope you will excuse me for waking you so early. I requested your presence here because I would like to ask your permission." Master Splinter said to her.

"Permission to do what?" Kallie asked.

"I would like to train you." He replied.

Kallie was taken aback. "Train me?"

Splinter nodded. "Yes."

"Train me for what?" Kallie asked, giving him a confused look.

Master Splinter saw the fear in her eyes and he smiled at her again. "Do not fear child. I am in no way seeking for you to be a master of ninjitsu; however, I do feel that it would be most useful for you to learn some key skills that will help to ensure your safety."

Kallie was speechless. She stared at Master Splinter incredulously, trying to digest what he was saying to her. Why in the world would he want to train her? What could he possibly gain in doing this for her?

"Why do you want to do this?" She asked him.

It was Splinters turn to look confused. "What do you mean?"

"What could you possibly gain by training me?" She asked again.

Master Splinter understood then and a deep sadness overcame him. This poor child thought that kindness came with a price. Master Splinter was troubled by this young woman's mysterious past, someone had done her a great injustice and she was still struggling with trust. He was determined to work on that first.

"It is not what I will gain, but what you will gain that is important. I seek only to help you." He told her.

Kallie looked dubiously at him for a moment, as if trying to read his thoughts and determine what his true motive was. But as he did the first time she had met him, Kallie saw no falsehood in him. The old rat was telling her the truth. Besides, it was like she asked earlier; what could he possibly gain from training her? She might as well give it a shot.

Slowly she nodded. "Okay…sure, why not?"

Mikey whooped and grinned at her. "This is gonna be great!"

"Michelangelo, physical training will be at a minimum. I would like to concentrate on spiritual training." Master Splinter said.

"You're still gonna train her to defend herself though, aren't you Sensei?" Mikey asked.

"You and your brothers will. I assume you have already taught her a few things, yes?"

"A few things." Leo answered.

"Good. I trust the four of you to help her with this. It will enable me to concentrate fully on her spiritual training." Master Splinter added.

"So when do we start?" Kaliyah asked.

Master Splinter looked at her, his expression suddenly fiercely serious. "Before we begin, I must tell you that this will not be easy. It will be exhausting; physically and mentally. You will need to devote yourself fully to these sessions, allowing nothing to divert your attention. Some of these sessions will be painful and there is very little I can do to avoid that. However, after this training you will be stronger than you are now. I believe this will also help with your current predicament. Are you still sure you want this training?"

Kallie was scared. She had no idea what these training sessions would involve and the unknown was terrifying. But this family had welcomed her with open arms and gave her a place to stay as well as helped her friends and coworkers, ensuring their safety as well. She owed them. She owed them so very much.

Kallie took a deep breath and released it before nodding. "Yes. It would be an honor to be trained by y'all."

Master Splinter smiled. "And it would be an honor to train you. Leonardo, take over practice for this morning. Kaliyah, follow me. You're training starts now."