"He ya!" I shout, doing air kicks, "Ya! Ya!" I can't for the life of me remember what the kicks are called, and Saki says he'll have to reteach me some things. I remember how to do certain moves and I act on instinct, but something still doesn't feel right.

I've been awake for a week. A week of constant training. My body is used to work outs like this, so that's not the problem. The problem is the fighting style. My style is very different from my sister's and my master's. They're both brutal. Intense. Merciless. Harsh. I'm calculated. Swift. Powerful. And concentrated. If I was taught under Saki's liege, I'd think that I'd be more like him. But I'm a polar opposite.

"Again!" he shouts.

His teaching style doesn't feel right, either. My body is used to meditation breaks whenever I mess up. But instead of doing those things, Saki makes me do katas. And when I mess up, he shouts at me. Calles me names. Over and over. It doesn't feel right. And I ultimately hate myself. I know I can do better. I have to make them proud…them?

"Again!" Saki shouts once more after I've finished another set of twenty katas. I'd done them perfectly. I could see the approval in his eyes. But it doesn't stop him from working me to the bone. And if Karai can train like this, then so can I.

"Hai me," he shouts. I stop. "We are finished for today. Get cleaned up and be ready for this evenings training."

"Hai sensai," Karai and I state together with small bows.

Karai follows me to my room. We don't speak to each other. I found out quickly that she doesn't like me very much. She's a competitive person and I seem to be getting more praise than she does. Not verbal, of course. Saki isn't that kind of man. More like I get more attention. More shouting. That seems to be their version of praise around here.

It doesn't stop me from trying, "Karai?" She ignores me, but doesn't say I shouldn't speak. So I know she's listening, "Those men who made me lose my memories…how do I find them?"

She gives me a curious look, "You don't."

I clench my fists, "I want to."

"Why?" she stops in the hall, her look turns to a warning.

"Because of them, I lost my memories," I growl, "I don't remember you. Or Master Saki. Or my training. I'm better than how I am, but I can't get there because they took it from me…I want to take something back."

She stares for a moment, considering her options. I've started to remember these turtle creatures. Not much, just small flashes. They're taller than me, but only barely. I can remember fighting them. But the fighting is weird. They don't have the same fire that Saki and Karai do. Even when I face Hun, he looks more angry and challenging than the turtle men do. The turtle men almost look like they're friendly. Like they want to help and not hurt. No doubt to make me take my guard down. Which is why my anger grows strong for them.

In ancient Japan, there were these creatures called Kappa. They were Yoki demons. Green, human like, and tricky. I don't know if I used to believe in the Kappa, but after being here, after hearing the tales of these demon creatures, I know that I do now. These creatures that we face are Kappa. They took my life. And I will have vengeance.

"I'll talk to Master Saki," she gives in, "See what he thinks."

"Thank you," I bow to her, "It would mean a great deal." She turns from me then, continuing on her way.

Later that night, after our afternoon practice, I lie in my room alone. Master Saki announced that tomorrow I will be allowed to go into the city and run some errands for him. I'll be on retrieval. Karai will accompany me. I'm not a toddler. I don't need a babysitter. But I don't dare argue. It seems I'm already on a thin leash around here, though I don't know why.

As I drift off to sleep, I have more visions of the Kappa. There is one in particular that stands out. He wears an orange mask over his eyes, though I don't know why. The other three do as well, and they show up just as much as the orange, but he is who I think about the most. This Kappa really intrigues me because he looks calm. Not angry or threatening in any way. He has the most skill in the art of trickery. But it doesn't feel that way. When I think about him, I'm surrounded in a sense of peace and calm. Almost like I'm safe when I'm with him. And I feel safe just knowing that he's out there.

Whatever this Kappa did to me must have been serious. Not only did they take away my memories, but they have manipulated me into having a sense of trust for them. But I won't give in. Saki is here and he knows me. He takes care of me. If he says these men are bad news, then they are. I trust Saki.

As I drift off to sleep, I try to block out the images from my mind. They're all so confusing. Sometimes I'm not even fighting the Kappa. Just sitting. Talking. Meditating. Sparring. Hanging out. I shake my head. Get out of my head. But instead, the thoughts become intense. These Kappa feel safe. They feel like home.

They feel like family.

I shoot up in bed, gripping my hair tightly. Don't think like that. Don't let them get to you. They're monsters. Demons. The enemy. Don't let them win! "Alexandria." My head whips around to find the source. But I'm alone. I slide out of bed, searching my room. "Alexandria," I hear it again.

I curse at an empty room, "Who are you? Show yourself!"

But nothing. The voice comes back in a whisper. It's soft. Soothing. Kind. Like a father's should be. Like Saki's should be, but his isn't. This one is. I fall to my knees, my mind repeating over and over the kind words of the friendly voice, "Come home to us. Come home."

I cry. Tears stream down my face and I feel empty inside. The voice. That kind voice. A man who's looked out for me since as long as I can remember. A man that is there when I need to vent. A man that knows me, inside and out without ever speaking a word. The tears come harder now. It's not Saki's voice. Who is he?

"Alexandria," the voice repeats, "Come home to us. Please. We need you."

Through the tears and confusion, one word comes to the front of my mind, "Splinter."