Disclaimer: TMNT not mine. Aaron is.

Author's note: Thanks to everyone who reveiwed! I'd put all your names down in gratitude, but I'm in a hurry. I'll do it next chapter. Promise!

Deepest and sincerest apologies for the long time in updating. I seem to have lost alot of my inspiration for this story. But while I look for it, here's what I came up with to keep you all busy. I'm not sure I totally like it. I know where I want to get in this story, as in I have point A to point C totally mapped out, but I'm having trouble routing road B. Lemme know what you think...


"You think Sensei'll go for it?" Raph asked.

"I don't know," replied Leo, looking down at his hands.

"I doubt it," Don commented, "Remember we couldn't help Master Splinter train April because of what we did to that poor kid when we were little? Why should this be any different?"

"But we're older now," protested Mike, flipping through a magazine he'd brought back from April's, "and much more mature." He turned the page. "The Silver Sentry Comic Book Convention's coming to town! Can I go, Leo? Can I? Huh? Huh? Huh?"

"Oh yeah, Mike," Raph said rolling his eyes, "real mature."

"Besides," Mike said, ignoring Raph and getting back on subject, "If you start training Aaron, it'll give you two some more time to spend together, and more time for you to make a move."

"Mike!" Leo exclaimed.

"Another reason, Sensei probably won't allow it," Don said, "You have feelings for Aaron, so leaving you two alone and unsupervised in the dojo isn't going to be a father's first choice."

"Aw, c'mon, Donnie! The dojo's right there out in the middle of the room," Mike whined. "Where's that romantic turtle I know's deep down in there somewhere?"

"You're the only hopeless romantic around here, Mikey;" Raph said bopping Mike good-naturedly on the head.

"Not hopeless," corrected Mike, "Hopeful."

"Whatever," Raph rolled his eyes again, "Besides, we don't even know how Aaron feels about Leo in all this. After all, it takes two to tango, if you know what I mean."

"Raph!" Leo looked up at his brother in disbelief, "I'd never-"

"That's true," Don cut in, ignoring Leo. "But it's not like one of us can just walk up to Aaron and ask her point blank if she's smitten with Leo or not..."

Mike sat thinking and then grinned slyly as a idea lit his face.

"And don't even think about asking her, Mike!" Don said noting his brother's expression.

"Aw! C'mon, Donnie, don't you wanna know? I bet Leo wants to know, don't you, Leo? ...Leo?"

The three turtles looked around. The eldest had left during the course of their discussion without a trace. The three shrugged and continued their debate.

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"Come in, my son," Splinter beckoned Leonardo into his chamber.

"Good evening, Sensei." Leo knelt on the ground before Splinter.

"Is there something you wish to discuss, Leonardo?"

Leo bit his lip and looked up.

"Aaron has...um...asked me to train her in the art of Ninjitsu..."

"Yes?" Master Splinter raised his eyebrows waiting for Leo to continue.

"Well, I...um...came to ask if... I may instruct -er if you would allow me to- that is, if you believe I'm ready, could I- should I? uh..." Leo stumbled over his words. Master Splinter smiled amusedly.

"My son, I have complete confidence in your ability to train another. It will enhance your patience and sympathy."

Leo looked at Splinter comepletely surprised

"You mean, you're saying yes?

Splinter nodded and smiled as Leo unconsciously let his face light up with delight.

Splinter added, "Though I believe you will do a fine job, but I feel it necessary to require a demonstration of what Aaron has learned from you on a weekly basis, as to monitor this exercise."

Leo quickly agreed, bowed and thanked Master Splinter, before exiting the room.

His brother's watched as he came back into the common room.

"So what'd he say?" Mike asked.

Leo shrugged trying to act casual, "Looks like I'm gonna be Aaron's sensei."

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"Good morning!" Aaron smiled as she entered the lair.

"Hey!" Mike and Raph greeted her from the couch without looking away from their television program.

"Where's Leo?" She asked walking over to them.

"He's meditating'." Mike said. He was holding a box of Cheerios and was crunching away at the enormous handfuls he kept cramming in his mouth.

"He should be done in about two minutes," Raph said glancing over at the clock.

"Two minutes?" Aaron asked.

"Yeah, he always meditates until exactly eight o'clock," Raph said quickly, glancing at Aaron. He turned back to the TV, but then did a double take.

"Holy Toledo!" He exclaimed looking her up and down. She wore little black shorts and a white fitted tank top. "When did you become little Miss Curves?"

Aaron blushed, "Oh c'mon; I don't look that different!"

Mike glanced over to see what the conversation was about.

"Holy Guacamole, Aaron!" Mike exclaimed dropping several Cheerios down his plastron. "You've got legs!"

"Gee, thanks Mike," Aaron said sarcastically, "I never knew I possessed that body part until now."

"Wow," Mike said looking her over again.

"Guys, there's nothing different about me..." Aaron said

"Except that this is the first time we've ever seen those legs you've been hiding under those jeans you always wear." Raph pointed out still staring at her.

"Hey, babe, Are you a baker? cuz those are some nice looking buns," Mike smiled smugly.

"Ugh! You guys are hopeless;" Aaron sighed and wandered off into the middle of the room, which also functioned as the turtle's dojo.

She walked over to the worn punching bag that hung off one of the large pillars that held up the ceiling high above. She balled up one of her fists and gave the bag a soft punch. It swung slightly. She tried it with her left hand. Feeling rather bored while waiting, she sent the bag back and forth between her two hands. She began to hit a little harder and firmer making the bag swing farther and faster. She gave it a kick, which sent it swinging on a large arc.

"You're making your fists wrong," a voice said from behind her. Aaron whirled around in surprise to face

Leonardo.

His face changed from a amused smile to a quick panicked look.

"Aaron! The bag!"

"Huh?" Aaron looked at him quizzically. Suddenly she felt something hard and heavy ram into her from behind, knocking her way off balance and causing her to fall forward. Before she hit the floor she saw a flash of green come towards her and something grabbed her. The next thing she knew she was lying on the floor on top of Leonardo's chest, their faces just inches apart, his arms around her middle, as though to have used himself to cushion her fall. She looked down into his face, shocked. He gulped.

"Reflex," he stammered, wide-eyed. As if he himself was shocked at what he had done.

"Uh...thanks..." Aaron stammered back awkwardly.

They continued to lay their for a minute longer, slightly bewildered, until Mike looked back at them over the couch.

"Hey Raph, looky see over there."

Raph turned around, "Hey guys, get a room would ya?"

Aaron and Leo's heads both snapped over towards the couch. They scrambled up as both their cheeks deepened in color and embarrassment.

"Um, so, let's get started," Leo said changing the subject quickly.

"Sounds good," Aaron hastily agreed.

Raph and Mike turned back to their TV program, snickering.