Apologies

L.A.: Sorry for taking so long to update. I have had midterms all week and they are killing me. I hope you enjoy this segment of In the Doghouse.

We were quiet when we entered the lair, hoping beyond hope that no one noticed we were gone.

A light flipped on and we found ourselves staring at Master Splinter.

All three of us visibly winced.

"Donatello, Leonardo, Chloe," he said, "Kneel."

We immediately did what he asked.

"I specifically asked for you not to return to the surface for a while and you disobeyed my orders."

I was about to say something but I felt Leo nudge me. I glanced at him and he shook his head. Apparently, it wasn't a good time to talk to Master Splinter so I kept my mouth shut.

Master Splinter watched us for a moment before he continued. "Leonardo, Donatello. For the next month you will have an additional two hour practice of my choosing."

Donnie and Leo bowed. "Yes master."

"You two may leave."

Donnie and Leo casted me worried glances as they headed to the living room. As soon as they were out of ear shot, I said. "Please don't punish them, Master Splinter. I was the one who forced to them to come with me. They just didn't want me to get into trouble."

Master Splinter shook his head. "Although it is kind of you to take the blame, they both knew the rules and still broke them. Since you disregarded my wishes as well I will not allow you to the surface to visit April and Lindsey for a month."

This was kind of a bummer since Lindsey and I had planned to sneak me in April's car through New York so we could have a slumber party.

Master Splinter sighed. "I just hope you had a good reason."

I sighed as I thought back to Akira. "Yeah, unfortunately it didn't turn out as we planned."

He frowned. "I sense something is troubling you. Do you wish to talk about it?"

Nothing got past Master Splinter.

"I failed a friend today," I said. "I don't get it. When I fought the foot before I could kick their butt with ease but tonight…" I sighed. "It was like I had forgotten how."

Master Splinter cocked his head. "When you were fighting previously with Donatello and Michelangelo, how did you feel?"

I frowned as I thought back to the junkyard. "I had felt… protective and afraid. I didn't want anything to happen to them."

"And tonight?"

My frown deepened. "I don't know. I just was annoyed, I guess."

Master Splinter nodded. "You have been relying on adrenaline for fighting. It can be a useful weapon but when it is gone, you are defenseless. The key to fighting is skills and practice. They will stay with you even when you yourself are not thinking clearly." He paused as he looked at me. "Therefore, I insist that from now on, you will attend practice with my sons."

I stared at him in disbelief. Was he saying he was going to teach me? I was going to learn some of those amazing moves the turtles could do? I couldn't believe it.

"Thank you, Master Splinter," I said as I bowed quickly.

He seemed satisfied since he said, "I suggest you tend to your injuries and try to get some sleep."

I bid him goodnight as I headed towards the kitchen.

Leo was there, busy cleaning up the kitchen. Shame filled me as I recalled what I had said to him earlier.

"Hey Leo," I murmured.

He looked up and winced. "Yikes, that looks bad. You're definitely going to need some ice."

He grabbed an icepack from the fridge and wrapped it in a washcloth before handing it to me.

"Thanks," I said as I placed the icepack near my swollen eye. Taking a deep breath, I said, "Leo, um, I'm sorry about earlier. You know, about yelling at you for not wanting to rescue Akira. I should have known you had your reasons."

Leo sighed as he stared down at the sink. "Trust me, Chloe. It was harder than it looked. I wanted more than anything to go after them." He glanced at me. "But, I had to worry about you guys. You were injured and in no state to be left alone." He looked in the direction of the lab. "And although, Don appears fine. I know that he likes to downplay his injuries."

My eyes widened. I hadn't thought that they might be injured.

"So," Leo said, "I couldn't go after them when I wasn't sure that you two would be okay." He sighed again.

I couldn't help but feel lots of respect for Leo. He obviously put the needs for his family and friends above his own. He was even willing to sacrifice his own beliefs just to protect others. That was a trait that was rarely seen.

"You know, Leo," I whispered. "It's that heart of yours that makes you such a good leader. Don't ever lose that."

He looked at me in surprise.

I winked at him with my good eye. "Well, I'm off to drag Donnie to bed. Wish me luck."

Leo grinned. "Good luck."

Donnie was hunched over his desk, a position I had found in a thousand times over the past few weeks. He seemed to be tinkering with a battery pack.

When I walked in he glanced up and winced. "Ouch, that looks like it hurts," he indicated my eye with a nod of his head.

I shrugged. "Yeah, but I'll deal." I squinted as I tried to spot any problems with his body.

Donnie frowned. "What are you doing?"

"Making sure you're not hurt," I said as I lifted one of his arms to check.

"You look ridiculous," he said.

"Ah ha!" I said triumphantly as I pointed to the underside of his arm. "What is this?"

Donnie looked at me as if I were an idiot. "Chloe, that's just a scratch. It barely even bled."

"Still," I said stubbornly, "it needs to be cleaned. Bacteria can grow there and you could lose a limb." I wagged a finger in his face. "You need to take better care of yourself."

Donnie let out a sigh in exasperation. "This is ridiculous. Are you going to do this with every scratch and bruise I get?"

"And what is this?" I said as I pointed to a bruise that was beginning to develop on his knee.

Donnie promptly stood up and put a hand on each of my shoulders as he steered me towards the door. "You're going to bed."

"Not unless, you go to bed," I said stubbornly.

"Fine, just go," he said, although I knew he was lying.

I suddenly remembered something extremely important.

"Wait," I said stopping dead in my tracks as I readjusted my hold on the icepack. "I need to use your computer."

He eyed me suspiciously. "What for?"

I grinned mischievously. "I promised a friend I would try to get his meals changed."

L.A.: I'm sorry this is so short. I'm planning to have a longer one next time that is if life doesn't try to mess with my plans again. Anyway, tell me what you think.