[Now this will be based on what April, Casey and Splinter do while the turtles and the Mutanimals are out fighting the Kraang and saving the people, aka "The Battle For New York." Maybe April will be able to show Splinter a few moves? Who knows! This is going to be a short chapter.]
Pacing back and forth around the wide yet small room, Casey pulled his hands through his hair, tugging at it a bit in frustration. He managed to gather some supplies from the pharmacy without harm and brought it back to the temporary hideout. Splinter and April were both attending to Kurtzman, who was weak and a bit stunned from the shot he received. I should be out there kicking and tearing apart some serious metal butt! Why am I stuck here doin' nothin' while the guys get to have all the fun? Casey growled under his breath, running a hand through his hair and then shoving his hands in his pockets.
"Casey, maybe you could be useful and help us?" April said, glancing at him for a bit. "I know you want to fight, but-"
"Yeah, Red, I do wanna fight!" Casey turned sharply on his heels to face April, his hands clenched. "I wanna help save New York! I can't just be here on the sidelines, it ain't what Casey Jones does."
"You can help us," April suggested again. "Three's a charm."
"Gah," Casey waved her off angrily, starting to pace again. April sighed and shook her head, turning her attention back to Kurtzman.
"Is he going to be okay, Master Splinter?"
"He will survive, though his healing will take a bit of time. But it will not bother him for long."
"That's good," April said, her nerves easing. She decided to stand up and just walk around for a while. "I hope the guys are doing okay."
"They'd do better if I was there," Casey mumbled lowly. April shot him a distasted look, crossing her arms over her chest. "Just sayin'."
"Either way, I hope they get outta this with not much harm." April glanced at Splinter, whose body was frozen. Splinter looked down to the ground for a moment, quickly collecting himself and standing. He put his arms behind his back, his thoughts clouding his mind. He was always worried whenever his sons would go topside, but his anxiety was higher than ever; peaked at its highest point yet. He hoped his sons would return home, he hoped their mission would succeed. He knew they were capable and would come home, but his brooding thoughts always took over at such situations. "Master Splinter?" The rat snapped out of his thoughts, blankly staring at the teenage girl, unaware that she was speaking to him.
"Yes, April?"
"Are you okay?"
"Ah, well, only a bit concerned about my sons. They are excellent warriors, but being a parent, I always worry."
"They'll pull through, Master Splinter, they always find a way." April offered Splinter a little smile for comfort. She felt satisfied when Splinter gave her a soft smile in return, letting out a soft chuckle. "So, think you can find a way to shut Casey up somehow?"
"Hm," Splinter hummed, glancing over at the teenage boy, who was still pacing angrily. "Perhaps I should wait for Casey to cool down a bit."
April laughed, getting Casey's attention. He shot her a 'what?' gaze, only receiving another laugh from April. He felt his cheeks grow warm and quickly turned his head forward, not wanting to show that he was getting a bit soft. He still was upset that he had put in the sidelines for such a big and serious operation. Eventually he managed to cool down and made his way to the couch, remembering that it was already taken. He pouted and furrowed his eyebrows, deciding to lean against the counter. He pinched the corners of his eyes near his nose ridge, letting out a sigh. April stood beside him and leaned against the counter too, her hand cupping her cheek.
"What's biting you, Red?" Casey asked. "Somethin' up?"
"I don't know," April replied in a whisper. "I'm worried about the guys, obviously. But I really want to show Master Splinter how much I've improved. Is that weird? At such a serious time like this, I just want to show him what I've improved on- how much my skills have grown. That's weird, right? Yeah?"
"Why dontcha just show him?" Casey asked, not seeing the problem. "Ya got nothin' to lose, anyway."
"I feel like it'd be rude- I mean, he's worried about the guys, and I'm worried about my dad, and you're worried about your little sister and your dad- we're all worried, so why would I try to focus his attention on me? I don't know if I should. Maybe I should wait until everything blows over and they fix the old lair?" April ran a hand through her hair, not caring if some hairs got out of place and in front of her face. She gripped onto her bangs, squinting her eyes tightly in frustration. Casey lay a hand on her shoulder, trying to get her to stop doing what he was doing a little while ago. He didn't want her to pull out some hairs or anything. She looked up, her blue eyes falling onto his brown ones.
"April, I know we're all on edge and whatever, but maybe Splinter could use a little distraction." Seeing April narrow her eyes at him, he gulped nervously. "Well, I didn't mean distraction, I just meant- uh, you should try to show him. It would get both of ya to stop worryin' for a li'l bit. And that's okay. You oughta try to, at least." April looked down at the counter for a moment, then flickered her gaze back to Casey. She gave him a small smile, pulling him in her embrace for a moment.
"Thank you," April whispered to him. Casey wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her a bit. He chuckled lightly when he heard her pained breath at his squeeze, pulling back and looking at her. Her smile grew from cheek to cheek, making her look radiant. He darted his eyes toward Splinter's direction, encouraging her to go and give it a shot. She nodded, patting her hand on Casey's for a moment, then walking towards the rat master. She took in a little sharp breath, glancing at Casey one last time. He nodded at her, waiting for her to ask already. She cleared her throat, getting Splinter's attention. Better now than never, she thought, looking up at Splinter. "I-I know this is, like, a weird time to ask, but," April bit down on her lip nervously, darting her blue orbs to another direction. "I was wondering if I could show you a few moves I picked up back at the farmhouse?"
"Perhaps," Splinter stroked his chin, then his long, thin white beard. "Yes. You may demonstrate."
"Oh-okay!" April practically bounced in her first position, deciding to show Splinter some katas the turtles helped her out with. She then leaped in the air and struck her legs out at both directions, feeling a bit confident in her kick-split. Splinter's eyes widened a bit; he was impressed. She then proceeded with kicks, punches and blocks, then finished it off with the 'sweep her off her feet' move very swiftly and gracefully. Splinter nodded at her to continue. Gulping a bit, she showed him some moves that involved her tessen. As she moved about the room and showed him more and more moves, Splinter stroked his chin, intrigued. He held up his hand for her to stop. She immediately halted, putting away her weapon and bowing down to him slowly while looking at him. "Master Splinter?"
"Your skills have very much improved. Leonardo was correct; you're very-"
"Wait," April interrupted. "L-Leo brought it up to you?"
"Yes," Splinter said slowly, eyeing April's tone. "Was he not supposed to?"
"No-I mean, yes- I mean," April waved her hands in her face, trying to find the words. "Leo told you about me improving on my training? When?"
"After we all reunited and arrived here. Leonardo pulled me aside and told me how much you had improved in your training and how he hoped that I would soon see it with my own eyes. He was very enthusiastic about the subject- he seems very proud. He even mentioned on how you had defeated him during your sparring session with him."
Touched, April couldn't help but to let the smile she'd been trying to pull back spread across her face, her eyes glazing a bit. She wiped a tear threatening to escape away with the knuckle of her index finger, looking up at Master Splinter. "He really said all of that?"
"Yes. I must say, I am very proud of you as well, April. My sons told me about each of their sparring sessions with you and how you learned something from each to improve your skills and use them to your advantage. I must see more after the city is ours once again."
"D-Definitely!" April said, flabbergasted. "Of course, Master Splinter. Thank you." Before she could walk away, she stopped herself. "Leo brought up me defeating him?"
"Does this trouble you?"
"I didn't think he would, I mean, he seems pretty touchy about when his leg was injured. I didn't think he would tell you."
"Well, he told me, and it did not seem to bother him."
"Maybe I should have another sparring session with him- to see who would really win. I feel like his leg was bringing him down."
"You and he both had agreed that you could use his injury to your advantage- you must use any advantages available as a ninja to complete the mission and be as unharmed as possible. But if you wish to set up another match with Leonardo, I very well think he will agree."
"He does love a good sparring," April added, stroking her chin. "Sure, after all this blows over, I'll ask him. Will you watch?"
"If you would like me to, I shall."
"Please shall," April blurted out, quickly covering her mouth with her hands after. She darted her eyes up to Splinter for a moment and quickly looked away, her face flushing. "I mean, you don't have to-"
"Do not worry, April. I would be happy to observe."
"Thank you, Master Splinter," April breathed out, smiling before dashing to Casey's side. She leaned against the counter and lowered her head onto the surface of the counter, groaning quietly, still feeling embarrassed. She heard Casey take in a sharp breath, and before he could speak, she threw her hand over his face to shut him up so he wouldn't say any quirky remarks about what just unfolded. "Don't even, Jones." She heard Casey start to laugh under his breath and decided to give him a "little" push. She busted out laughing when she heard him fall to the ground and let out a pained groan. She stood up straight and offered him her hand. At first she pulled it back, laughing to herself as he shot her a playful, annoyed glance, but then helped him up to his feet. "Thanks, Casey. It was better to get it over with."
"What'd I tell ya, Red," Casey smiled, nudging her a bit with his elbow. "You can always trust Casey Jones."
