The sound of swishing blades along with the crisp, cool blowing air around him soothed the leader's nerves. He swayed the katanas around, the wind playing with the tails of his blue mask, then slowly dangling it over his shoulder. His eyes closed and his focus on the sounds, he heard leaves rattle from their trees and the rustling of bushes. Sliding his foot forward a bit and digging his toes into the soft earth, he exhaled a deep breath. It was warm outside but wet. There was fog surrounding him due to the heavy rainfall during the night. He lifted one hand in the air lazily and wriggled his fingers in the fog as if he could feel the moisture on the tips of his fingers.

Leonardo Hamato was enjoying the leftover moisture left by the night storm. He loved the smell of rain, the feeling of moisture on his skin, how it calmed him down and made his problems seem so little. Rain calmed the young warrior's nerves almost immediately. The gentle wind gladly assisted. He slid his katanas in the slots on his belt and slowly sat down in the dew of the grass. He tilted his head back as if the heavy fog was a comfortable pillow, arching his legs toward his torso and his hands laid out on the fresh wet blades of earth. A unknown sound came from around him, but he wasn't worried. By the trudging and dragging sounds of the steps on the moist grass approaching him, he knew he was safe.

"What are you doing, Leo?" The turtle asked, rubbing his eyes while he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Good morning, Donatello," Leonardo breathed out happily, his eyes still closed. "Stiff neck again?"

"Yeah," Donnie chuckled tiredly, yawning. "You know how I sleep in there."

"You should sleep in your room tonight. You need a break from your experiments for one day. If not, you'll tense up a lot and you'll be in a world of pain sooner or later."

"I don't think it'd compare to your pain, Leo, I think I'm okay."

"Take a break, Don, you deserve it."

"Okay, you're usually not this wise without having a joke or a laugh in it for this long. What's up with you this morning?"

"I just feel at peace with myself. Everything's alright at the moment."

"How so? Look at all of the pain we've sustained- emotionally, physically and mentally."

"Don't try to ruin my peaceful moment with the universe, Don. You should try it out. The moisture just soothes me and calms me down."

"I don't wanna get dirty, thanks."

"Well, I'm not giving you a choice," Leo grabbed firmly onto Donnie's wrist and pulled him down to the ground, an "oomph!" coming from Donnie as he landed on his bottom. "Just do what I'm doi-"

"How did you know where to grab me when your eyes are closed?" Donatello asked, stunned.

"Just do what I'm doing. You can think of this scientifically somehow. Like, 'oh the H2O feels amazing on my skin cells, the first layer of protection for my anatomy' or something like that."

"How did you obtain that knowled-"

"Just do it," Leo said in a hushed voice, letting out his deep breath. "Maybe it'll help you."

Donatello looked at Leonardo hesitantly, his lip pursed up to the left corner of his mouth. He looked down at the slightly tall grass and stared at the gleaming water on the blades of grass, slowly sliding his hands over it. The water trickled over his calloused fingers and palms and the grass tickled his hands, easing his hesitance. He slowly tilted his head back to avoid major pain from his stiff neck and sighed, closing his eyes. The damp fog, the moisture filling the sunrisen sky, the water on his hands- it weirdly eased him. His hands slid back too far and he fell back on his shell, at first thinking of sitting back up, but then wrapped his arms under his head, smiling and looking up at the fog. He barely could see the white clouds floating in the sky, remembering that they were also made up of water. Water was such an important element in life.

"You feel it?" Leo asked quietly, sensing Donnie's calming vibes.

"I strangely feel it," Donnie replied. "When did you start this? How did you discover this wonderous feeling?"

"I sometimes let out all my worries and fears before, during or after it rains. The smells, the feelings, the weightlessness- it just helped me."

"What are you worrying about?"

"Sparring with April."

"What? Why?"

"I'm paranoid about possibly my leg getting hurt. I know that it would help her and that a rule of a warrior is to use any advantages possible but I just don't want to have all of this progression and have it collapse from helping her out. But on the other hand, as long as it helped her, it wouldn't matter, but it still would, you kno- I mean, it's really confusing."

"What's your biggest priority? Helping her or healing?"

"Both, Donnie."

"You know she won't aim for your injury that quick. Your negative thoughts are clouding your mind. Kunoichi training comes with risks. Do you think you can handle the risk of her striking your leg?"

"I know I am, I'm just afraid that I'll get bumped all the way back down to barely being able to stand."

"Leo, you've healed marvelously. The worst case is that you limp a lot for a day or two. She won't strike that bad. She's aware of it."

"I know, Donnie. This injury is just so physically draining. But, I'm ready to help April. But today doesn't seem like the day. I don't want one of us slipping and falling down 'cause it's so wet out here."

"You could say that mother nature ha-"

"Donnie!" Leo laughed, finally opening his eyes and pushing Donnie. Donnie pressed his arm against his face and laughed, pushing Leo's arm away. "You wanna keep doing this for a while?"

"Sure, it's awful pretty out here. What time is it?"

"Sunsets usually happen around 6:30 in the morning, so I'ma say about 6:50ish. I came out here when it started coming up."

"Why'd you wake up so early? What woke you up?"

"I don't know. I was waking up and I just felt like doing this so I got up and just did it."

"You're weird, Leo."

"It's something I've embraced, Donnie."

***

"I think I'm going to take a nap," Donnie whispered, yawning and stretching his arms out. "I don't know why I woke up so early and now it's like, 8am. I need some more sleep."

"Take your time," Leo shrugged, waving his hand over to the chair he slept in last night. "I'm gonna try to find things to do."

"Why don't you make yourself some toast or something?"

"Maybe. I'm gonna get some milk. I haven't had any in a while. All Raph's been giving me is water."

"Don't drink all of it," Donnie whined. "I love milk."

"I noticed," Leo smiled tiredly. "You should have a tab for milk."

"Psht," Donnie smiled. "I'll see ya when I wake up."

"Have a good nap," Leo said, watching Donnie trudge into the living room.

***

Standing in front of the sink with his hand laid out on the edge of it and his fingers curled in, Leonardo proceeded to drink his fresh cup of coffee he made himself as he stared outside the window. The fog was still heavy and the clouds were a light shade of gray, sounds of light thunder threatening to bring more rain later on. It was only 9:24am. Leo set down his cup and took a bite from his toast topped with cream cheese. He heard light footsteps emerge from behind him.

"Morning, Mikey," Leo said in a soft, quiet tone, turning around to see a slouching young turtle entering. "You okay?"

"I'm so tired," Mikey yawned, his voice cracking as it did when he woke up from a deep sleep.

"Why are you awake, then?" Leo asked, sipping his coffee.

"I couldn't stay asleep, dude," Mikey groaned, stumbling toward Leo. "Can I have some?"

"I was outside for a long time, I might get sick. I'll make you some," Leo set down his cup and grabbed a clean one from the cupboard. He handed Mikey the fresh pot of coffee to hold for a moment and grabbed the cup in his other hand, taking the coffee away from the youngest terrapin and pouring some. "You want some sugar and creamer or just how it is?"

"Hit me up with some sugar and creamer, bro. I can't stand it how it is; it's bitter to me."

"Alright," Leo chuckled. "Hazelnut, original or vanilla?"

"Hazelnut," Mikey smiled. "And 3 spoons of sugar, please?"

"Tryna wake up so soon, are ya?"

"I don't wanna be awake and wanting to sleep and not being able to."

"I see your point," Leo turned to Mikey, stirring the ingredients. "Here you go."

"Thank you bro," Mikey said longingly, drinking his coffee and letting out occasional 'ahh's. "What are you up for?"

"Just couldn't go to sleep after I woke up."

"You look tired, dude. Maybe you should catch some z's. You look like one of those guys that wake up way too early and use coffee to stay awake."

"A new look I've aimed for," Leo said sarcastically. "I don't know. I don't feel that tired. Just bored, really."

"We should prank them!" Mikey whispered excitedly. "Pleeeasssee!"

"Shh sh sh," Leo urged, pressing his finger to his lips. "Okay, we can."

"Wait, are you serious?" Mikey asked, surprised. "You actually wanna prank with me?"

"Why not?" Leo asked slowly, shrugging. "Let's do it."

"I don't know what's got you so happy, but it's making me happy," Mikey chirped, hugging Leo tightly. "Okay, let's go!"

***

With whipped cream on his large, calloused hand, Raphael wasn't aware of what Michelangelo and Leonardo were up to. Leo pressed both of his hands over his mouth, trying not to wake up his sleeping brother with his laughter as Mikey brushed his finger over Raph's nose line, making Raph scrunch up his nose. Mikey smiled and choked down his laughter, proceeding to brush his finger along Raph's face when suddenly a jolt of pain and a heavy pressure fell on his finger, seeing that Raph had one of his hands wrapped tightly around his finger.

"Ow!" Mikey yelped, making Leo jump back and losing control of his laughter.

"Here comes the," Raph stated tiredly with a bit of joy in his face, slapping the whipped-cream filled hand onto Mikey's face.

"Hey!" Mikey yelled, wiping the cream off of his face. "Awh, now my cute face is sticky!"

"You deserved it, tryna prank me, shoot," Raphael smiled smugly, slowly sitting up and laughing quietly as he watched his younger brother run to a nearby sink. "Woah, Leo, you were in on it? What's got into ya?"

"I just feel good today," Leo smiled, shrugging. "Pranking is fun to watch, I tried so hard not to laugh."

"Yeah, well, you've got it comin, big brother," Raph said with a challenging smile. "I'm surprised you're up so early. You usually sleep in."

"I know, it's weird," Leo said, rubbing the back of his neck. "You want some coffee?"

"Ooh, hit me with the strong stuff," Raph laughed, nodding. "Yeah, sounds good. Help me up?"

"Why, it would be an honor," Leo laughed, bowing down in a gentleman stance.

"I ain't no princess; that's Don," Raph huffed, grabbing onto Leo's upper arm as Leo reached down to help him.

"True, but it's fun to tease you. Want your coffee as it is or with-"

"Vanilla creamer and 3 scoops."

"Yeah," Leo sighed. "Shoulda known."

"Use that brain of yours, Leo," Raph teased, poking Leo's head.

"Psht, you love me," Leo retorted, smirking at Raph but shortly after breaking into laughter. "I'm gonna- oh my god, lemme make your coffee."

"Hop along," Raph smiled, rubbing his face with one hand. "Nah, but, why are you awake so early?"

"This isn't early; 5:42am was early."

"Leo, what the shell were you awake that early for?" Raph asked sternly. "You need all the sleep you can get!"

"I know," Leo halted, raising his hands up to try to calm his brother. "Raphael, I just couldn't go back to sleep. I woke up, wanted to do something, and-"

"You did the rain thing?"

"You know about that?"

"I went after ya when you went topside by yourself after it rained sometimes to see what you were up to. To make sure you were alright. But, yeah?"

"Yeah, I did."

"What's crawling up your shell?"

"Just sparring to help April. But, I got it now. It's fine."

"Ya sure?"

"For sure. Here, Batman," Leo teased, handing Raph his coffee.

"Thanks, Fearless," Raph said back, sipping his coffee. "C'mon. Why don't we do the rain thing while we practice our footing or something?"

"Sure," Leo said, a bit of enthusiasm escaping his lips. "L-let's go, then."

***

"Leo," April called out from the porch. "You out here?"

Leonardo waved his hand in the fog as a response, not wanting to break the silence.

"Okay, I wanna talk to you after you and Raph are done being nerds," April called out from the house.

"Psht, we ain't ner-"

"Shh," Leo hushed Raphael. "Sync them."

As Leo swayed his katanas through the fog, Raph waved and twirled his sais slowly in sync with the older terrapin. They both breathed slowly and deeply, used different footing every move they made, and made different battle stances along with their footing. It put less tension in Raph's pained limbs and calmed both of them down. The moisture was helping them as they both gained a huge necessity of water for their path to recovery, making it easier to slowly move faster. They were in almost complete blissful attitude.

"Yo, dudes, what are ya doing?" Casey interrupted the silence, breaking the sync. Raph and Leo groaned, knowing it'd take a long time to gain it back.

"Nothing now," Raph groaned, twirling his sais and shoving them in his belt.

"What's up, Casey? Sleep alright?" Leo asked, putting his katanas back in his belt.

"I slept on the mechanics creeper, so kinda stiffed up back. What about you dudes?"

"I slept like a rock 'til this genius and baby genius decided to try to prank me," Raph replied.

"I woke up really early, but slept fine."

"Leo, you usually sleep in for a long time, bro," Casey said, confused.

"I know. I was like 'whhaaa' too," Raph chuckled. "C'mon, Jones, let's make some toast or something. I'm hungry."

"That's what I'm talking about," Casey agreed, strolling with Raph toward the house.

"Hey, Leo, you comin or what?" Raph asked, looking back.

"I'll be a while," Leo waved off, nodding at Raph reassuringly.

"Okay."

With Raph and Casey going in the house, April came out to talk to Leo. She slowly approached him, her hands behind her back. She had her hair down and didn't bother to put on her headband yet. She sat down next to Leo, who was staring into the foggy woods. She let out a little yawn and rested her head on Leo's shoulder. Leo smiled softly and looked at April.

"Woah, April, you look different," Leo said, surprised. "You look great."

"I doubt it, I just woke up," April laughed. "But thanks. Can we talk?"

"Sure. What about?"

"Leo, are you sure you wanna spar with me? You really don't have to if you don't want to."

"I thought it over, April. I wanna help you. The risk is worth it. Sure, I'm afraid, but I want you to get better at being a kunoichi. You're almost there."

"I promise I won't immediately go for your leg. That'd be a douchey thing for me to do."

"I know, Don already told me. Hey, wanna do this rain thing with me?"

"What's that?"

"Lemme show you," Leo said, turning a bit. "Trust me."

"Okay," April said, a bit sheepish. "I'm not going to get hurt, am I?"

"No," Leo smiled, slowly reaching down for April's arms. "Not at all."

She watched Leo gently grab her hands and put them behind her, her hands moving a bit as the grass lightly poked her hands. She raised her head from Leo's shoulder and gave Leo a confused look, to which he gave her a reassuring smile. He then reached for her legs, slowly sliding his hands under her knees and dragging them up to bend. She held her breath as she watched the leader's calloused hands reach for her neck, biting the inside of her cheek. He slowly tilted her head back, her hair dangling down along with her tilted head. Leo looked into April's eyes and smiled, brushing his fingers over her eyes to close them. Then he backed away.

April felt the moisture get to her, what a calming sensation it was and how relaxed it made her feel. She dug her nails into the dirt, a little smile growing. The smile grew and her freckled cheeks perked up as she raised one hand into the fog and waved it around slowly, giggling at the thought of grabbing the water in the air. She brushed the bangs out of her face and sighed.

"Are you feeling it?" Leo asked quietly.

"I'm feeling it, Leo," April smiled, her light blue eyes locking with Leo's bold blue eyes immediately. "I'm feeling it."