Am soooooooooo sorry for the wait. First I was just lazy, then the computer wouldn't work, then I had singing school (check out my profile or PM me if for more on that) then, well, I didn't have that muck time to myself because of, well, let's just say I'm irritated with my parents, especially my dad, then my grandmother's house where I download my chapters, was infested with fleas because of that dumb dog, an I wasn't going down there to be eaten up, and It's only in the last week that it's been mostly flea free (breathes). But on the good end, I have gotten a couple of chapters ahead written, along with a few bunny plots of various things, fan fiction worthy or not, or just not yet because I haven't gotten the back story up yet, written. So yeah, I apologize and hope that helps explain my delay in updating. Please don't kill me.

Oh, one more thing. Keep the author Aaron Smiley in mind. She was a closet writer, but her parents found out, and now she is forbidden to write any more fan fics. However, she has said that when she turns 18 and moves out, that she will continue her writing. But that's at least two years away. Just keep her in your mind, thoughts, prayers, whatever you do. Maybe after a long while, and some cooling down, her parents might let her return. At least that's what I hope. Still, just remember her. Now on with the story.

I have escaped from Renee with my laptop and notes still intact, due to the fact that she is my character, and it is my story! However, if she opens her big mouth to the guys, I might not be so lucky, because I sadly do not own them.

Chapter 8: Let's see what you've got

"Oh, come on, Kit! Can't we stay a little longer? Please?"

"No. We have to get you settled in before your first day of college. Besides, what are you gonna do, stay here and mooch off them? Honey, you can come mooch offa me. I can afford it. I don't know that they can."

Renee sighed. She knew that Kit was right, but she just enjoyed her knew friends so much, that she didn't want to leave them. Last night had been so much fun. Kit, Don, and LH had worked on projects late into the night, and had finally gotten Leo's katana out of the ceiling. He just wouldn't leave them alone until they did. Mikey and Renee had had a good laugh over Leo's antics. After teasing him for a while about that, they had gone and looked in on Raph. There they had teased him about Kit, just for the fun of it. But know both she and Mikey wondered if there was a little bit of 'smitten-ness' as Renee called it, towards Kit from Raph. They hadn't bothered to, well, bother, the Brain Trio, as they would just probably toss them out on their ears with some sort of really neat gadget. Plus, there were a couple of good movies coming on about then. They had all stayed up late, with Raph and Leo eventually joining Mike and Renee in the living room, but eventually they all wondered off to bed. Leo had offered Kit his room, but Kit declined and said that she would just room with Renee. Since they were cousins, it wasn't like they hadn't before.

But now it was morning, and, even though she didn't want to, Renee knew it was time to leave. Consequently, as soon as both she and Kit had gotten up, they had gotten dressed and started packing. They were about halfway through, when Raph had knocked on the door and told them that breakfast was ready. After eating, the two girls had gone back to packing. Right know they were making one final sweep of the room, making sure they didn't forget anything.

"All right, I think that's it." Kit said

"Awww! Do ya'll have to go?" Mikey stood in the doorway

Renee smiled. "Sure do, Mikester. You're starting to catch my Southern accent. With Raph having his Brooklyn accent, if you develop a Southern one, it's gonna sound mighty strange in here. Can't have things getting even more weird in here, now can we?"

"Who knows, it there just might end up being another Civil War down here." Kit laughed.

"Yeah, only this one would be about practical jokes or the remote control." Mikey said with a big grin

"Where do you think Leo and Don would stand?" Renee asked

Kit pondered this for a second "They'd probably wind up being the boarder states. Not sure where they stand, but with each side trying to pull them their way."

"And Splinter?" Renee asked again.

At this Kit chuckled "He'd be smart enough to stay out of it. If it got out of hand, I get the feeling he'd put an end to the 'civil war' fairly quick. I don't think there's anybody or anything to equate him to, since the Civil War was anything but quick." Kit saw the look that both Mikey and Renee gave her. "What! I'm an inventor, not a history major! Shesh, expect the world of me why don't ya?" Kit grumbled

"I'm gonna go tell Leo that he's a boarder state!" Mikey said, and then ran off.

Kit looked at Renee. "I blame you."

Renee put her and on her chest. "Me?" she said with a flabbergasted look on her face. "I wasn't the one who brought up the War of Northern Aggression." In spite of her expression, Renee's tail was twitching with mirth.

"Yeah, but you were the one who kept it going." Kit pretended to grumble. "Oh, and think of it however you want to, but I don't think most people are going to know what you are talking about if you call the Civil War the War of Northern Aggression. And those that do, might not be too happy with it. Especially your history professors." She paused "Yeah, definitely not around them."

"I'll keep that in mind." Renee said. "Well, I'm finished here, I guess we might as well take the bags on out."

At that, the two girls began to tote Renee's suitcases on down to the main living area. Of course, as soon as the guys saw what they were doing, they went to help the girls.

Splinter stood waiting by the door to the lair "Good-bye Miss Finrir, good-bye Miss Cistola. I do hope you remember the arrangement."

"Of course we do." Kit said

"Don't worry, I won't let her forget it." Renee said

"I do not doubt that, Miss Finrir." Splinter said

Kit rolled her eyes. "I'll bring her back on Saturday to train. If you don't mind, I'd like to watch, and maybe learn a little." She looked at Raph. "Maybe we can have our rematch then."

"Heh. Sounds like fun." Raph said.

"You may indeed come and watch and learn if you wish Miss Cistola." Master Splinter said.

"All right guys, I have the new sewer sled loaded and ready to go." Don said as he walked into the lair. He looked at Splinter "We're ready to go, Sensei. After we drop the girls off, we're gonna run over to April's. She called this morning and said that she needed some help moving things around."

"All right my son. Be careful. Our enemies are watching."

Don smiled "Don't worry Master, we'll be careful."

At that, the girls and Don left the lair, the girls waving good-bye to Splinter and Don promising that they'd be back soon.

The guys took the girls to the manhole where Kit came down, and helped them up and out, although it was kinda difficult to get the luggage through. They managed, however. Renee and Kit told the guys bye in the ally, and promised to see them soon. Kit even invited them by whenever they wanted. The girls then went on to Kit's car, and then drove off to get Renee's car. After that, they were going to go to the apartment building that Kit and Renee's new apartment was in. Turns out that Kit had bought the whole building and was renovating it. Until it was finished, and full, Kit and Renee would be staying there, maybe even after it was finished. At any rate, they would be safe for a while, and Renee could focus on her studies.

So that's what happened. Renee started college and fit in very well. Her powers didn't really get away from her, at least no more than would be considered accidents, and as long as she didn't try to use the in a big way, she was fine.

Likewise, Kit started the few classes she was taking without a hitch, and still ran her business smoothly. She also made a number of public appearances, helped Renee get used to the Big Apple, did research into Karai's company, and thought up extra security for the lair as well as doing her normal routine. Don had shown her what he had, and her ever-going mind had mentally improved upon it. She was writing down her ideas and working them out to show him later.

The turtles didn't exactly have it easy either. They followed Renee and Kit around, and one of them would swing by at night and keep guard. They also tried to keep up their usual patrols and do what was expected of them by Splinter, aka, chores and practice.

All in all, a very busy week for all involved.

Soon, though, Saturday came, and it was the day for Renee's first training session. Both girls got dressed in workout clothes, put on jackets (Hey, the sewers are cold), and then made their way down through the sewers to the lair.

"I'm a little nervous, Kit." Renee said. "I mean, I know that you've taught me a little, but still…"

"You'll do fine, Rae. Don't worry. They know that you're just a beginner, so they'll go fairly easy on you. Besides, more then likely you'll be tested first to see where you're at."

"If you say so." Renee responded.

Kit looked at Renee and frowned. "What's wrong with you, Rae? You're usually so confidant, and sure of yourself. Now you're spouting insecurities and fears." Kit stopped and took Renee by the shoulder. "Listen to me Renee. You will do fine. You have a lot of natural ability, and You'll. Do. Fine."

"I know, Kit, it's just that, well, it seems like everything has happened at once. Everything was going good, and then Japan, and Karai, and those eleven people" Renee squeezed her eyes shut on that one, "and the telling my parents, and coming here, the attacks, by that gang, and then Karai's ninja, and losing control again. It seems like I start to get over one thing, and something happens again. I feel like I'm spiraling out of control."

"Awww, come here, cousin of mine." Kit pulled Renee into a hug. "I know a lot has happened, but it will turn out all right in the end, I promise you." They broke the embrace and walked on.

"Ya know," Renee, said, "we really have to find a better way to get to the guys lair. I really don't like walking through the sewer filth."

"Here, here!" Kit laughed along with Renee.

A short while later, the two girls arrived at the lair, and were promptly escorted by the guys into the dojo, where Master Splinter was waiting. April and Casey were there as well, and April was dressed in workout clothes as they were.

"Hello Miss Finrir, Miss Cistola." Master Splinter greeted them. "Lesson one: To show respect to the dojo, always bow when coming in."

A small "Oh" escaped Renee's lips, while Kit seemed aware of this fact. "Just like when we visited all those training facilities in China, Japan, Korea, and all those other places, Rae." Kit reminded her. Another, yet more knowledgeable "Oh" came from Renee and they bowed.

Master Splinter smiled at them. "My daughters, I know that you have both seen some combat, Miss Finrir when we rescued her and the subsequent fight with the Foot, and Miss Cistola when she battled Raphael, then Leonardo and Michelangelo, but it is not the same as actually seeing the type of martial arts that we employ. If you will join Miss O'Neil and Mr. Jones over there, then you will see a brief practice that I will lead my sons through."

Three turtles were heard to groan, while Renee and Kit eagerly made their way towards April and Casey.

"You didn't say we'd have to do a demo when you roped us into this!" Mikey protested.

"Guess it must have slipped my mind." Leo said with an innocent expression.

"Hi, I'm April O'Neil." April said as she introduced herself to Kit.

"Kit Cistola." Kit responded, "And I'm glad to meet you."

"I'm Casey Jones." Casey said.

"Kit Cistola." Kit said once more, "And, I'm glad to meet you as well."

"Might not be for long." She heard Raph say.

"Hey, Renee wanna see my new bat? I broke the other one last week after me an' Raph beat up some punks. I might have lost my bat, but I sent some no good thug to where he belonged." Casey asked Renee enthusiastically.

Renee and Kit exchanged glances. "Um, maybe later Casey. I kinda want to see this." Renee turned to look at April "So, have you seen one of these demos before?" she asked.

"Sure have." April replied "I tend to come down a lot, so sometimes I get here in the middle of their training sessions. I usually either find something to do, or go in and watch. I think that you'll be sufficiently impressed."

"I'm already interested." Kit told her. She had been observing the guys warm up. "Some of those stretches they're doing aren't very easy, and the duration they're holding them, and limit they're taking them to is impressive. This should prove quite interesting."

About that time, Master Splinter decided that it was time for them to get started. He led them through a rigorous warn up session.

"I'll get you for this Leo. You won't know when, you won't know how, you won't know-OW!" Mikey said as Splinter's cane rapped him on the head.

"Focus Michelangelo." Splinter said.

Raph and Don snickered, until Splinter sent them a look, and they immediately quieted.

Soon they got to the katas, and the sparing. Renee and Kit were very impressed. They moved so fast, and with such grace. It was like an intricate dance, especially when they used the weapons. They had such control, and the moves that they did looked nearly impossible. It was nothing short of amazing. Soon, the short lesson ended, and they all bowed to Master Splinter before walking over to the girls and Casey.

"Wow!" Renee said. "That was amazing! Are we really going to learn how to do that?"

"We will see." Splinter responded "It will be according to your abilities." He smiled at them. "Come, my daughters, we will warm up, and then I will assess Miss Finrir and Miss Cistola's abilities."

Splinter led the girls through some simple warm up routines, taking notice of Renee and Kit's abilities. He did not assess April's as he knew her abilities, but he did keep an eye on her. Soon he concluded the warm ups, and sent Kit and April back to the sidelines.

"Miss Finrir, I would like to take you through some simple katas, and a sparing session." Splinter told her. "However, I would like you to do this in your human form. After I will give you a break and test your cousin. Then I will test you again in your feline form. Do you understand?"

"Yes." She replied, "It makes sense. I have to learn to fight in both my human and cat forms. You want to see if there is enough of a difference that I will have to lean in each different form, or if it won't matter which form I'm in and I'll be able to transfer whatever I learn to both forms. Right?"

"You have indeed…what's the saying? Hit the nail with the hammer?" he said

Renee smiled "Hit the nail on the head."

"Ah, yes. Hit the nail on the head." Splinter smiled at her. "Now, follow my instructions and we will begin your training." For the next thirty minutes he led her through simple katas that tested her balance, endurance, and focus. Then, he told her it was time for some simple sparring. He called don Donatello to come and spar with her. Splinter knew that Don would be gentle with her. It was simple hand-to-hand fighting, and was meant to test her reflexes more than anything.

"Don't worry, Renee, I promise I won't go to hard on you." Don said sincerely. Coming from anyone else, it would have sounded like goading, but form Don it sounded comforting. He would make a move, and she would try to avoid it, or block it. She did fairly well, but still, most of it was instinct, not really anything learned. They did learn that she had had a little bit of training, but she had a hard time relying on it. Still, Don easily took her down, although he didn't do it right away. By the time they were finished, she was breathing hard, and glad that she had taken her jacket off. As she sat down, she allowed her ears and tail to come out.

"Sit down and rest, Miss Finrir. Miss Cistola, it is your turn."

Kit got up and went to Splinter. He started with simple katas, but then increased the difficulty of them when it became clear that she was capable of handling more. When he ended that portion of the session, he had a question for her.

" Miss Cistola, have you had training before?"

Kit nodded. "But not to the extreme of you and your sons. My parents might not have been much of parents, but they did insist that I learn how to defend myself. So when I was ten, I took basic self defense. Then my parents decided that that was enough. But when I turned 16, I decided that I wanted to learn more, so I took up kickboxing. That was mostly to stay in shape, though." She paused for a moment. "But with all my traveling, I have managed to pick up some stuff. When my parents spent a year in the orient, I spent a lot of time hanging out in a dojo near where we were staying. They wouldn't let me go with them. I was just entering my teens. Anyways, that's where I learned a little martial arts, and some sword fighting. Later, I also learned some fencing in Europe, and various other little things like that. None of that was formal, though."

Splinter nodded. "Very interesting. I suspected as much. Now, onto the next aspect of this lesson. I need you to spar hand to hand with one of my sons." He turned to his sons, "Who would like to spar with Miss Cistola?"

Raph stood up "I would, Sensei."

Splinter nodded as if expecting this. Which, of course, they all did. "Very well." He said.

Raph and Kit moved towards the middle of the dojo. After they bowed, they circled, waiting for the other to make the first move.

"Looks like ya get yer rematch after all." Raph said.

"Don't tell me you didn't want one too." Kit said. "I saw the look in your eyes. You want to try to beat me, since I beat you last time."

Raph growled. "You didn't beat me. You pulled a trick, and escaped. But you didn't beat me. You can't."

Kit smirked. "Is that a challenge, red-boy?"

"You bet." He responded

"Well then, bring it on." Kit paused "Unless all this circling is just because you're scared."

"Rrrrr." That got Raph's goat, and he came charging.

Kit saw that she had struck a nerve big time. For a second, a look that was a combination of 'Whoops' and 'Woh-oh' crossed her face, before she slipped into her 'battle-mode'.

Kit quickly ducked, and block one of his fists headed for her face. Then she rolled to avoid his leg. She got back to her feet and aimed a kick at his chest. He grabbed her foot and twisted, trying to bring her down. She landed on her hands, but lashed out with her other foot, trying to strike his knee. Raph anticipated this move, and dropped her foot. Kit's feet hit the floor, but they didn't stay there as she bounced them back up and lifted them over her head, doing a round off type flip and twisting to get back on her feet and face Raph. They circled for a second, then Kit went charging in, aiming a fist towards Raph. He prepared for this, but at the last second, she dropped and swept him off his feet. He however, rolled with it, and sprung at her while she was getting up. When quickly ducked back down and rolled out of the way. She managed to make it to her feet before a barrage of attacks came her way. Raph launched attack after attack, and Kit was having trouble keeping up. She would block one, then another would get in. at this close range, she was getting in a few hits too, but he barely seemed to notice them. That's when Kit realized she was in trouble. But why was this so much harder then when she had fought him before? Or even earlier in this fight?

He was just testing me. The thought dawned on her suddenly, causing her to loose her concentration for a second, just like when she had realized that the crack in the wall was actually a disguised doorway. And just like before, Raph took advantage off her slip. Her quickly grabbed her hands and turned her around. He brought her in close to him and tightened his grip so she couldn't get away she lashed out with her feet, but Raph just let them fall, turning her around as he did, and had her pinned to the floor. There was no way she could escape.

"Gottcha." He said as he smirked at Kit. Kit just breathed in raggedly and a brief look of fear entered her eyes before in was replaced with one of unaccepted defeat. He then heard the snicker of his brothers, and realized that the way he had her pinned down could be…uh, potentially embarrassing, especially for a woman. He quickly got up off of her, and offered his hand to help her up. She graciously accepted.

"Not bad." She said. "That was as much fun as I though it would be. And look, you even have better manners then most of the guys I dated." She seemed willing not to comment on the way she was pinned

"Uh…Yeah. Yeah. It was fun. Good fight." Raph said "Uh… You're not so bad yourself. It was fun."

"I bet." Mikey said. "Especially the last-" he intercepted a glare form Kit that was at least equal to one of Raph's "I'm just gonna shut up now."

Renee had to clap her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing.

"Very good, Miss Cistola. You still need some work. You let yourself become distracted, and that led to Raphael getting the upper hand. A moment like that could mean the difference between life or death."

Kit rubbed her arm ruefully. "Yeah, I know. I gotta stop letting myself become distracted when I figure something out. It's a bad habit I've been trying to break for sometime now. At least I don't do it with project, experiments, and business meetings with companies trying to buy mo out any more."

"You still did well, my daughter. Miss Finrir, if you would please come back."

Kit and Renee passed each other, and clasped hands for a second. Kit sat down heavily, still breathing hard, and downed some water while she took the towel that April offered her. Then she settled back to watch Renee's second session.

Renee already had her feline features out, so as soon as she got to Splinter they started. He did the same type routine with her, but it was a little different. As it progressed, it became evident that she was more capable in her feline form. Her balance, flexibility and overall performance on the katas was much better. When the sparing came, she was a lot better. Her senses were heightened, her reflexes were better attuned, her movements were more fluid and connected, and Don still beat her.

"As much improved as you are in your feline form, you still have a ways to go, my daughter. Come. Let us try an experiment."

Splinter taught her a simple move, and asked her to repeat what she had learned in her human form. It appeared that she would retain the knowledge, and the ability to do the moves no matter what form she was in, it was just that her feline form was better suited for situations that required fighting then her human form.

After this had been found out, Splinter called an end to practice, and invited the girls and Casey to stay for a meal. Casey and April agreed, but Renee and Kit had to decline.

"Sorry guys, but we have to get some things done back at home." Renee said.

"Yep." Kit agreed. "I've got more renovations going on, and I'll be a monkey's uncle if I let the workers get to it with out me there. They never know how to do it right, or get the proper things."

"I'm gonna help her." Renee said.

"Yeah. Besides. There is no way I'm doing it tomorrow. It'll be Sunday, and we have church. Goshdarnit, it a day of rest, so that's what I'm gonna do." Kit declared.

"I have an essay to write." Renee said. "So I'll be occupied. Feel free to call us of you need anything though."

"Or drop by. Right now Rae and I are the only ones living in the building, so you'll be safe." Kit told them.

"I don't think we will tomorrow." Leo said

"The offer's open all the time." Renee told them.

Kit nodded "I'll even give you the access codes if you want."

"I don't know." Leo began, but was cut off as Kit shoved a piece of paper in his hand.

"The codes." She said, "Just incase."

Leo nodded, then saw them to the door as every one hollered byes and see you laters.

The girls emerged from the sewers, and made their way back towards their home. Little did they know that they were being watched by an unfriendly observer.

BWAHAHAHAH! I shall leave you hanging there! Aren't I evil? Okay, so maybe not evil, but annoying at least. My little sister sure seems to think so. Well, you know the drill, Please REVIEW!

-RealityBreakGirl