Practice Makes Perfect

Disclaimers: I own Rowan, Charlie and the plot. I don't own the turtles

Rowan finished washing up in the bathroom, listening to the delighted laughter of Charlie and Michaelangelo. Smiling at her reflection in the cracked mirror, she was glad that Charlie was adapting so well to their temporary home. Slinging the towel over her shoulder, she used half of it to tousle dry her damp hair as she came out.

"Hey, where is everyone?" The abandoned subway tunnel was quieter than usual.

Still twirling the yo-yo for Charlie, Mikey glanced at her. " Uh Leo's training in the dojo, Donnie's gone into hiding with his junk, and Raphs gone out with April."

In her three days there with the turtles, she had only met April O ' Neil once, and the two had become instant friends. Moving to go sit down, she paused and turned at a noise behind her, and restrained herself from the automatic duck reaction to the light kiss on her forehead. She stared at Donatello nervously, who, sensing her distress raised a hand and pointed to the doorframe.

"Mistletoe."

To cover her shock she glared at Mikey and Charlie, who were doubled over with laughter.

"That was your bright idea wasn't it wise guy?" She shook an accusing finger at the orange clad turtle.

Forcing a laugh she left for the dojo where she could hear Leo training. Pausing in the doorway she watched as the ninja moved with fluid grace, his swords nothing but blurs in the air. When he started doing backflips and almost landing on her in the process, she clapped.

"What? When did you get here?"

"That was amazing. All that stuff you just did. What was it?"

Sheathing his swords, he shrugged, "It's ninjitsu."

She picked up one of the extra weapons that were nearby, it was a staff.

"Teach me."

"Teach you? I don't think so, it takes a lot of practice and - "

She rapped his plastron with the end of the bow.

"I didn't ask for an explanation, I asked for a lesson."

She's not going to quit until I show her something. Sighing, he led her away from the wall, pausing first to grab a staff as well.

"Okay, copy my motions."

Slowly at first, he began to twirl the staff through his fingers. Once sure she had the hang of it, he stepped up the pace.

"Jesus!" She cursed, dropping the bow for a third time. Bending down, Leo retrieved it and set both of theirs aside, deciding on a different approach.

"Why don't we try the basics, like hand to hand?"

He raised his hands and crouched into a defensive position. "I want you to try and hit me."

She brought up her hands, curling them into fists. Leo immediately stopped her.

No, you'll break your thumb punching like that. Here, like this." He rearranged her hand, instructing her to tighten it. "And one more thing," He added, going back into stance. "Don't extend your arm the whole way either. That's too much pressure on the arm, you could pull a muscle or break something."

Nodding, she brought up her fists, leaning a little on her right leg before punching with the same hand. Leo blocked it easily, swatting her hand away. Not discouraged she tried a few more times, each one sidestepped deftly. Eventually, Leo stopped her.

"Okay, now, do you know how I could block you?"

"Because you're faster than me." She growled.

Leo shook his head. "No, that's not it. You have to watch your opposite. Try and gage his next attack, look for ways that would give him away." He pointed to her legs. " You bend your knee before you punch, giving away where it will come from."

Damn. Arching her back, she tried to rid the muscles threatening to cramp. "What's next?"

He watched her skeptically, "I think that's enough for today."

"Just a little longer? Please?" She smiled at him pleadingly.

"Fine, you try to block me."

Copying Leo's earlier crouch, the new training began.

~*~

Mikey and Charlie had tired of the yo-yo and were watching cartoons when Rowan and Leo walked by.

"And what where you two doing?" He joked, wiggling an eyeridge suggestively.

"Training," Leo said curtly.

"And I hoped she kicked your shell bro'. Maybe if we're lucky he'll be too embarrassed to show his beak at training tomorrow."

"Not likely." Leo joked back, continuing on to talk to his father and sensei.

Laughing, he looked over to Rowan, who was sitting stiffly on the couch. The sight of her making his humor quickly die.

"Hey, are you alright?"

She touched her lower stomach gently and nodded. "I'm fine, don't worry about me."

Standing he moved to sit beside her, "Hey, we're your friends now, you don't have to hide"

She patted his leg absently, "I know, and thanks."

She's not that much older than I am, and yet, she's seen the worse this world has to offer before I had even seen the surface. Putting an arm around her shoulders, he let her rest her head on his shoulder. How can someone be so beautiful and so worn out at the same time?

"Raphael!"

The two looked over as the cause for the delighted squeal made his way into the living room. Jumping up Charlie ran over to the trench coat clad turtle. It was always amazed Rowan how much Charlie had taken to Raph. Following him almost everywhere, thinking he could do no wrong. At first, thinking he was annoying Raphael, she had told Charlie to leave the mutant turtle alone, but what surprised her more was Raphael's declining the offer. Saying he didn't mind the company.

"Hey there! Come an' look at what we got." He said, grinning at the excited boy.

The two humans and turtle followed him out to where April was wrestling with a package. Finally getting it free of the bag she set it down with a sigh and opened it.

"A Christmas tree!"

Grabbing a bunch of the branches, Mikey stuffed some in his belt and started to hula. Rowan nudged him, unable to stop herself from laughing.

"Now there's a smile!" Mikey exclaimed, pulling her into a dance.

Just let go for the moment Rowan, just forget everything and enjoy yourself. Grabbing his arms, she let go and lost herself in the moment.

TBC

~*~

Okay, review time, bear with meI don't do this often

Lexy8 – Thanks for the comment! I'm glad that you like it so much! And don't worry, I do plan on posting the rest, but it'll be a wait for chapter ten

Ramica – Thanks, I know that you readers came here for some turtles so I didn't want to make you wait ^_~.

Ashley – Don't worry, at this rate, I plan on updating every day with anew chapter if it's possible!

Michael – I'm glad that you liked it! .I have to find better thank-yousAs for Raph and Charlie. I think the more feisty turtle may like the lil rugrat more than what he admits.