Disclaimer: I do not own the TMNT, although I really wish I did. Maybe then I could have some fun.

Later we went back to his lab. Of course Mikey made kissy noises as we walked past him, discussing compounds and chemical theory.

"Aw, how sweet," He cooed, "Nerds in love!" He made googley eyes until I whapped him on his dome. "OW!"

"Cut it out Mikey, I'm a scientist like your bro." I said, snickering. "Besides I don't go for nerds anyway!"

"Yeah, whatever!"

We made it to Don's lab without further incident, and he showed me a few of his own unique chemical combinations for improved fuel efficiency. I was notably impressed with his genius.

"Donnie, you should be in a university." I said, shaking my head in disbelief. "Actually, lemme re-state that. Donnie, you should be teaching in a university."

He looked embarrassed. "Nah, they wouldn't accept me."

"Either way, you oughta give on-line tutoring. Hell, you could teach some of the kids a thing or two they wouldn't learn at school!"

Raph poked his head in.

"Donnie, we got practice in the dojo."

Donatello sighed. "Well, sorry I can't give you more of a tour right now, I have to go practice in the dojo."

"Can I watch?" I asked, instantly curious, "What kind of practice? Sports?"

"Well, come and see." Donnie said, leading me to the makeshift gym. I saw that all the turtles were there, Master Splinter as well.

I walked over to the aging rat. "Master Splinter, what kind of practice are your sons talking about?"

"Just watch." Master Splinter said, not unkindly. "Hajime!" he shouted.

I was soon transfixed as I watched their practice. Of course! Martial arts, duh Mika. The beautifully fluid combination of kicks, punches and weapons mastery drew my gaze like a moth to the flame. I'd seen lots of combat, been to many a combat training class, but this was something totally different, completely out of my league. The way they handled themselves totally blew me away, same with the skills they had with their weapon. I knew what Donnie, Mike, and Leonardo's weapons were, but Raphael's stumped me. I made a mental note to ask about them later, still transfixed.

When Master Splinter authorized them to leave, I handed them towels and bottled water that had been set aside for post-practice.

"Wow, guys, holy…. That was amazing!" The words tumbled out of my mouth faster than I could keep track of. Mikey smiled and patted me on the back.

"It's ok, dudette, you can chill!" He closed my gaping mouth. "That was just weapons practice! Wait till you see sparring!" I shook my head, grinning.

"Gee Mikey, I don't know if I could handle that!" I kidded. He laughed, towel whipped Donnie as he walked by, then ran to his room. Raphael and Leonardo were performing weapons maintenance, Leonardo polishing his blades, and Raphael sharpening his… whatevers. I decided now was as good as any time to ask.

"Raphael?" I asked softly, edging closer to him. "What are those?" I pointed to his weapons.

"They're sais." He grunted. So much for having a conversation

I tried a different tactic.

"Where were they originally developed? I've never seen anything like them!" I said, reaching out to touch the tip of one. "Ow!" I yipped, seeing a dot of blood welling up from where the skin was broken.

"You might wanna be more careful, these things're sharp." He said disdainfully, eyeing my hand. "Is it bleeding much?"

"Nope." I said, popping my finger in my mouth to suck the blood off. "I heal quick anyway. My goose egg's almost gone." I said, gingerly rubbing the back of my head.

Raphael snorted. "What the hell happened, like I really wanna know…"

I rolled my eyes at his brush-off. "According to Donnie, I was mugged. I don't remember any of it, so I'm taking his word on it."

"Be glad it wasn't the Foot, or you'd be on a dissection table by now."

I blinked. "That gang that was busted up a while back? They're still around?" He nodded curtly. "Shit, I'd better warn the others n' have them keep a lookout."

Raphael laughed shortly. "Doll, what could you possibly do to the Foot?"

I bristled. "I may not be a great martial artist, but I know a few things and I'm good in a knife fight!" That wasn't any good, he just laughed harder. "What!" I pressed, irritated at him for laughing at me. How dare he!

"Doll, the thought of a weak little thing like you doing martial arts is the best joke I've heard all day." He insulted, standing. He turned around to hang his sais up on their pegs. While his back was turned I crouched low. When he turned back I tackled him. He went down hard and I straddled his waist, pinning his arms above his head one handed.

"That wasn't funny." I said, hurt.

"Doll, don't mess with me…" he warned, eyes narrowing to slits. Without warning he rolled, pinning me beneath him. I gathered my legs up under me and pushed hard, sending him airborne a good distance. Jesus, he weighed a ton! I rolled to my feet and crouched low again, preparing for an attack.

I wasn't disappointed.

However, Leonardo was.

"Raph, what the hell are you doing!" he shouted, as Raphael and I were locked in combat ground fighting. Eventually, despite my increased strength, he overpowered me and pinned me, twisting my arm behind my back.

"Uncle!" I rasped, eyes bulging in pain as my arm was bent far more than it was physically supposed to. Raphael laughed as he released me.

"Like I said doll," He drawled mockingly, "What could you do against the Foot, if you can't even beat me?" I glared and kicked backwards. Hard. Then I decided it was a good time to run, since my foot connected to the junction of his legs.

I raced into Mikey's room. "Mikey, you gotta hide me!" I pleaded. Mikey looked confused.

"Why babe, what happened?" He got up off his bed.

I flushed. "Well, I kind of kicked Raphael in the jewels, and I think he's REALLY pissed off at me." As if to confirm my speech, we heard a loud crashing and mixed shouts coming from outside Mikey's railcar.

"RAPHAEL, FOR THE LAST TIME SHE'S NOT IN MY LAB!" We heard Donnie yell, followed by more crashes.

"Shit." I said. Steeling myself, I strode towards Mikey's door.

"What're you doing babe, you really don't want to go outside right now" Mikey said nervously, "Not when he's like this."

"I have to own up sometime, why not now?" I said, sounding way too bright, considering my knees were knocking and I was sweating bullets. I opened the door and stepped out to face whatever fate had in store for me.

"Raphael, I am deeply sorry I hit you." I said, bowing my head. "Please accept my apology."

I looked around. Raphael was nowhere to be found.

"He's probably gone topside." I turned. The owner of the voice was leaning on the doorjamb of the dojo, looking at me with something akin to disappointment.

"Oh, Leonardo, it's you." I said, relieved.

"You know, you put yourself in a pretty dangerous situation, fighting Raphael like that, and then kicking him in the groin." Leonardo shook his head and brushed past me. "You're really lucky he didn't catch you, or you might be back in the infirmary, or even worse."

I followed.

"At least I tried to apologize!" Leonardo shook his head.

"Doesn't matter. When he's in a rage, he wouldn't even hear you." He looked at me meaningfully. "Believe me, I've been there."

"Is this your room? It's lovely." I said, changing the subject. "You must like Japan a lot, Leonardo."

"Yes. I like to study Japanese, and their culture." He sat crosslegged in the center of his room. "If you'll excuse me, I am going to meditate." With that, his eyes slid shut.

I took it as my hint to leave.

With nowhere else to go I went back to Donnie's lab.

"Donnie?" I asked. He was sitting in front of a computer.

"Uh huh?" He replied, not looking back.

"I have to get going, the other's are probably really worried." I said. "After all, I missed work."

Donnie wheeled around. "I'll ask Sensei if one of us can accompany you." He glanced at his watch. "It's already dark, and there's still Foot about."

"I'll be fi-"

"No, we'd feel much better if one of us escorted you home." He said pointedly.

I sighed, resigned. "Okay."