After another long, drawn out, over dramatized sigh befitting the one and only Michelangelo Hamato, his shoulders slumped in defeat of a smores-less night.

"Well, then what can I eat?" He complained.

"Allie May had a bag packed, you're eating whatever she left for us." Valentine shrugged, and pulled out a picnic of food.

"Yay!" Mikey cheered, and dug in. Melody sat silently, a small smile on her face as she glanced at each person around her. She settled her gaze on the Ultimate Ninja, and a small frown took place of her smile. Tapping Valentine silently, she signed her one unanswered question.

"Ve-Sama, Melody's got a question." Valentine spoke up after swallowing the bit of food she'd been chewing on.

"Ask." Ve-Sama said simply.

"She wants to know how you met Mikey and Allie May."

"Ah, she wants to know my story." He smiled softly. "It is not a long one, nor is it intricate or important...although I didn't get chased by Triceratons. Now Mikey's stories never come out sounding sane, but still, it makes you wonder what he's up to half the time..." The Ultimate Ninja rambled. He shook his head. "Anyway, it's simple: I got in a fight." Melody let out a silent gasp at his blasé words. Sure, ever since she started hanging out (or forced into living with them, however you saw it) with the guys she'd been used to the idea of fighting, that it was the norm for them, but she still got shocked by the prospect. She didn't like anyone getting hurt, and even if it was a complete stranger, she still didn't like anyone getting into fights.

"I guess the ultimate question we're all thinking is: Why?" Valentine sighed, asking the obvious question.

"Confrontations are rarely solved any other way." He shrugged, and Melody's jaw dropped. Ever heard of talking? It's this thing were you move your mouth and words come out, it works really well. Melody grumbled mentally. Or so I've noticed...

"Ah-huh, and what did you do this time?" Leonardo snorted.

"I am not like Michelangelo, I would never provoke an altercation." Ve-Sama replied wisely. Sure, if you say so... Melody thought. She'd heard stories about this guy, but he was supposed to be good now...

"So, what happened?" Clarissa asked curiously.

"It's nothing you really need to concern yourselves with. I got into a fight, and a good chunk of it ensued in Allie May's hotel. We destroyed a good amount of her hideaway...Now that I think about it, that was about the time you were doing repairs to Allie's place, weren't you?" The Ultimate Ninja smirked.

"Yeah, and you gave me a pile of more repairs to do after that! You broke the wall I had finally fixed! Do you know how hard I worked on that?!" Mikey wailed. Melody rolled her eyes, and then started to feel tired. It was weird, it was only noon...She let out a yawn, and it was passed around the circle.

"Sleepy, Melody?" Valentine signed, smiling quietly.

"Weird huh?" Melody signed back.

"It's been a long day...No, actually it's been a long week." Val snorted, shaking her head ruefully.

"But we've made some amazing friends." Melody replied, looking around the circle. Mikey had done something and was laughing his shell off as Raph threatened him, Don was trying to hold Raph back, the Ultimate Ninja was looking over the scene with a suppressed laugh on his face, and Clarissa and Leo were off in their own little world, snuggled happily together.

"Yeah, we do." Val agreed. It wasn't the most conventional thing in the world, but friendships in the Aldrin home never were normal...why would this be any different?

"Yeah, we do." She repeated.