Disclaimer – Sorry for the long delay in updating. Too many ideas for stories kept popping into my head; so I had to answer them, otherwise, they would just go away. Still, it's been over a year since I updated with chapter two! Wow, now that's some kind of neglect. So, with that, I want to thank the following who were kind enough to leave a review! Pretender Fanatic, Splinter, Hazlov2004, Ramica, Ryan Phelan, Stormy 1x2, tbreader, drkng625, tbreaders (again), Masline, Aries Zodiac, Donny's, and Cathleen Clogston.

Also, this chapter is shorter than normal, but I was running on fumes after recently completing two stories. Not even sure if this one even merits reading. Oh, and I tried to stay true to a certain turtle's personality trait, so be forewarned.

Be blessed.

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EDUCATING MIKEY 101

CHAPTE R 3 – Topside

Mike waited for a moment before slipping out from the alleyway. As the crowd of people walking along the busy sidewalk grew denser, he eased in among the mass the way that Splinter had taught him to do. Soon, he found himself following along with the flow of humans as unobtrusively as a breath of air. Along the way and as he became distracted with the sites and sounds of the city, he accidentally bumped into a man and a women. They had been walking in the opposite direction, hand in hand, as they weaved their way through the throng of people. Because of tha fact that Mike was not very tall, he blended in with the rest of the crowd. Consequently, they hadn't taken notice of him – that is until they nearly collided with him.

Chiding silently to himself for being so careless, Mike quickly made a mumbled excuse for his actions, making sure to keep his head lowered and his hands withdrawn into his coat sleeves. He was so close to them, though, that he felt as if his heart would pound right out of his plastron. In fact, he half expected for the man, or even the woman, to whip out a knife and attack him. However, when they only nodded acceptance to his regrets and smiled, then proceeded to walk away, he relaxed a bit more. With his rumpled, weary coat and floppy fedora hat that concealed what and who he was, it was obvious that they had seen him as only one more 'bum' on the street, and not a mutant turtle. Mike finally let out a sight of relief, yet the encounter had left him quite unsettled.

Consequently, he stepped off to one side of the walkway to calm himself down. Leaning up against a brownstone apartment that was there, he breathed deeply and tried to recapture his confidence. As much as he wanted to be able to visit topside the way his brothers did, Mike's momentary slack in his training caused him to second-guess his desire now. However, after a moment or two of light mediation and forcing himself to breath evenly, he reclaimed his inner balance once again. Looking around and seeing the splendor of downtown Brooklyn, he cheered to himself just a little. Yes, Mikey definitely loved the city!

The rainbow of bright lights contrasted their radiance against the dark canopy of night above. To him, he seemed as a moth was to a flame; the cityscape was almost mesmerizing. The myriad of colors intoxicated him, calling out to him to explore each shop and display that owned a neon sign. How he wished he could just throw off his coat and hat, then, and walk among the populace unmolested. Yet, he knew it was far too dangerous for him. How many times had Splinter warned Mike and his brothers about human curiosity regarding strange creatures such as themselves? Between threats of capture and dissection, Sensei had done an efficient job of quelling their curious desire for any of them to take such a chance. Even though Mike felt drawn to people and was certain not all of them were the way Splinter had described them to be, he knew that humans were, for the most part, a suspicious lot.

With an even greater need to be careful, now, Mike continued on - silent and hidden within his disguise, and heading once again towards the small grocery store four blocks away.

Turning down a side street that led to the grocers, Mike kept to the shadows, just like the ninja he was. This particular block was more residential and, so, there were fewer neon lights to illuminate his way. He felt a bit more relaxed, now, where he could be one with the night, with only the occasional street lamp to worry about. He walked quietly, his footfall soundless as he trudged along the walkway. Regardless, though, he carefully kept alert to any unusual sounds. The last thing he needed would be to have a repeat of his first – and last – adventure topside.

As he walked, though, he kept feeling as if someone were still following him. The more he allowed himself to sense the feeling, the more he felt convinced. Worried, now, he slipped around the end of an apartment building and moved into the narrow gap between it and the structure next door.

Then, he waited.

As he listened for any discerning noises, he slowed his breathing. He strained to hear even the slightest bit of noise. However, other than the sound of an occasional cat or the barking of a dog, Mikey was unable to discern his 'stalker'. He waited for a moment, and then waited some more. Finally, after about ten minutes and without seeing or sensing anyone in the area, he seemed confident that it was probably only his imagination.

Still, he did as he was taught, carefully edging back to the street once again. He surveyed the area thoroughly just before slipping out from around the building and then lightly stepped back onto the sidewalk. He continued onward, now, content that his overly active imagination was his true threat.

Just the same, that feeling of someone watching him stubbornly persisted. Splinter had often told him and his brothers never to ignore their instincts, but to trust them. If they 'felt' or 'sensed' danger, and then did not act upon it, it could mean the difference between life and death. Consequently, Mikey chanced one more look behind him. As before, he didn't see anything out of the ordinary. He then looked up towards the top of the buildings, worry now edging his face. Where the apartments were not the skyscrapers like what downtown had, Mike felt a little bit of relief. Here in Brooklyn in the seedier part of New York, in fact, the brownstones were mostly just five to ten stories tall. There were the occasional houses, of course, but most of the buildings were apartments – except for the business district that he had just walked through earlier. In any event, with the majority of the buildings mostly the same size, it made it easy for him and his brothers to climb and then race from rooftop to rooftop whenever they went out.

Brooklyn was definitely their kind of town.

As he crossed in front of an alleyway, Mike visually inspected its depth and quickly noticed a manhole cover not more than fifty yards from where he walked. He made a mental note of it, just in case he had to have an escape route. This was another lesson that Splinter had taught them, and that was to know where your exit and entry points were. Mike could almost hear his father's words, in fact, "One may never know when you will have need of it. Always plan ahead, my sons."

Unsure if the persistent feeling of someone watching him was anything to be concerned about, Mike did not want to find himself trapped as he had been a year ago.

Now where he was satisfied that he had thought of everything, he quickly dismissed the persistent and uneasy feeling, and then continued on to his destination.

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The shadow crept across the top of the apartment building, as quiet as the night around him. Earlier, after climbing up to the rooftop, he had trailed Mike from where the turtle had emerged from the alleyway. The form along the top of the building followed the mutant effortlessly, even when he had turned onto the quieter side street.

Now, however, where there wasn't the noise and distractions from the busier thoroughfare, the 'shadow' had to be extra careful to be quiet. In fact, he was certain that Mike had sensed his presence only a moment ago, when the young ninja slipped behind the edge of one of the apartments and looked all around. Keeping back away from the roof's ledge for fear of discovery, the shadow had waited, holding his breath, and listening with overly sensitive ears. Then, the moment he heard the subtle and almost silent brush of fabric swishing along scaled, reptilian legs, he knew that Mike was on the move once more.

Now, it was just a waiting game for him, as he continued to follow along the top of the buildings, trailing the young turtle. He smiled, confident that the one below would never know he was there.

Suddenly, the shadow sensed another presence, one that seemed to be following him as well. Looking back in surprise, he hissed as he caught sight of a familiar shape on the same rooftop, and then disappeared in behind an air conditioning unit. The 'shadow' silently brandished his weapon and angrily crouched behind a large air duct. He waited for the other's approach, anticipating a frontal attack. He sharpened his hearing even more and grumbled under his breath for the interruption of his task.

Suddenly, he felt the all-too familiar tip of a sword at the back of his neck, causing the 'shadow' to nearly bark out in surprised complaint. However, he kept his voice low as he was trained to do, seething his response through his clenched teeth as he growled low, "Damn you, Leo, you almost gave me away."