"If there are three things I love, it's good friends, good food, and getting stronger," Spike declares underneath Leonardo. "Good friends meaning people willing to pummel me to help me get stronger."

"Does that mean you yield or no?"

"That's a yes."

Leonardo helps her up. "If it makes you feel better, you're improving."

"Thanks. It's not makin' this feel better though." She gestures at a bruise on her cheekbone.

Leonardo chuckles. "I can't do anything about that."

"I know."

April marches in, metal fan held high. "My turn?"

"No sparring yet," Leonardo warns. "Okay?"

"Why not?"

"Because they'd kill us," Irma explains from behind April. "Easily. They wouldn't mean to, but they would."

"Well, I know for a fact that Leonardo and Raphael at least could snap Spike in two," April argues.

"Yeah, but they try not to. She's more used to physical strain, so it's easier." Irma shrugs. "I haven't touched a dumbbell."

April sighs. "Me neither. I guess you're right."

"If only people realized that more often," Irma jokes.

Leonardo smiles. "I'm turning you two over to Splinter. I got something special for Spike."

"Is it another pounding?" Spike asks.

"No. By the way, did you ever try out that bladed mace?"

"Not yet."

"Okay. Anyway, I'm going to teach you the basics to using the katana swords," Leonardo says proudly.

"Fire away."

~Danger Deals a Blow~

"I cannot do this," Spike declares. "In all the battle I've been in, in training I get cut."

"You've gotten sliced in fights, c'mon! Your first fight with us you got cut!" Leonardo points out. "I mean, I still don't understand how you managed to do this in training, but-"

Spike swats at his arm. "I defer to your better knowledge of the Ways of the Ninja, O Wise Leonardo."

"Thank you," Leonardo says in amusement. "You want to talk to Raphael about that? He might listen to you better."

Spike snorts. "Sure. Because he's easy to convince."

Leonardo nods. "Uh-huh. Bet you never call him 'O Wise Raphael', huh?"

"Never have, never will."

Leonardo smiles. "Okay. Sword up, show me what you got." Spike tentatively raises the katana.

"Not like that. This is not a broadsword."

Spike sighs heavily and adjusts.

"Better."

~Danger Deals a Blow~

"We'll keep going on that," Leonardo says, patting her shoulder. "You'll get better."

"Thanks for the encouragement," Spike says dryly, setting the swords down. "Even if I learn to use these, I'm stickin' with the mace."

"Just out of curiosity, why?"

"Easier to wound people with it," Spike explains. "What you do with katanas is incredible, Leo. You've mastered an art. It took you a long time, and watching you fight, I recognize how amazing it is." Spike shrugs. "That's not me, though. I'm not ninja, or graceful. I beat people up, without style."

Leonardo shakes his head. "Well, I'm here to teach you style, grace, and how to ninja, so don't worry."

"Thanks, Fearless Leader."

How do you think her training's going? Please, let me know! Thanks for reading, and I'll be back with another chapter real soon!