I bow to the Shredder in the middle of his dojo. He's decided he wants to take me one-on-one. See what I'm really made of. Though, shouldn't he already know what I'm made of? He trained me after all. Right?

The moment we exit the bow, our fight has started. He comes at me first in fast, liquid motions. I dodge well enough, but barely. He's very fast. Very precise. Almost robotic in a way. I dodge and kick, but never land a blow.

He's the first to connect.

He punches the side of my face and I go down. It's like a major shell shock that leaves my head spinning. He takes a step back, waiting for me to get up. But I don't. Because my brain starts spinning.

"Lex, come on," a younger version of the blue Kappa insists, "We've got to stop. You're wearing yourself out."

"No way," I pick myself back up, "I gotta do it, Leo. I've gots to."

"Why?" he whines. He's not the least bit tired. He's just concerned over my safety. Concerned of the fact that I won't give in even though I'm covered in bruises and scrapes. Maybe even a few nicks from his katana. "You don't have to prove anything."

"Yes I do," I growl, maintaining my stance, "I've got to be just as good as you."

"No you don't," he puts his swords away, realizing that he's finally getting answers as to why I've been going non stop for two hours.

I glare, "You haven't even broken a sweat and I'm dying over here. You've nicked and bruised me beyond kingdom come, but I haven't even stricken you and-"

"Lexi," he puts his hands on my shoulders to calm me. He looks me sternly in the eye, "You've only been training for three months. Me and the guys have been doing this for two years."

"I know, but-"

"No buts," he insists, "If you were at our level of training after only three months, then there is something seriously wrong with Master Splinter's teaching style. And trust me, there is nothing wrong with his style. It's okay to push yourself to be better. But it's ridiculous to try and push yourself to be something you simply can't. You'll get to our level one day. I promise."

"But by the time I get to your level, you'll already be higher," I pout, "I don't like feeling like I'm weak, Leo. I wanna be strong like you guys."

He gives me a hug, and I hold him back, "You are as strong as us Lex. You're just less experienced. That's all. We've all got our own strengths, our own weaknesses, our own levels…you don't have to be as good as us. The only person you have to compete with is you."

I bury my face into his shoulder, "Yeah…that makes since."

"Good," he holds me tighter, "You're tough, Lex. You took me on for a whole two hours. No one can dare say you're not." I nod, sniffing a little. He holds me back a step, brushing back my bangs, "I know we haven't known each other very long, but I know you well enough to see that you're gonna be one of the six best ninja warriors in the world - right next to me, the guys, and Master Splinter." I grin at him and he smirks, "So how about we take a break from sparring and try something else? You could still use some practice in meditation right?" I nod fast and he ushers me to a mat, "But I'm gonna get Donnie first. Have him check you out." That's Leo. Always looking out.

"Leo," I whisper. No one heard what I'd said, but I have a feeling Karai knows. Somehow, she knows. Hun and Karai and Baxter all stand on the sidelines to watch. Hun because he wants to see me get pummeled. Karai because she is in training as well and Baxter so he can be here if I have any brain problems. I think what I just remembered would count.

"Get up," Saki insists, "Again."

"Hai, Sensai," I nod fast, getting to my feet. My brain still spins from the impact, but I won't give up. I won't give in. I ready my stance and position myself for the next attack. He doesn't hesitate. This time he hits me in the stomach and I go down once more.

I peek around the corner, seeing Raph sulking in his room. Mike told me very sternly to stay away from him when he's angry. Especially since he doesn't like me very much. But, thing is, he's not angry. Everyone else thinks he is, but he's not. He's just frustrated. And I know exactly what that looks like.

Cautiously, I look around before quietly tip-toeing in. He doesn't seem to notice at first. Thank goodness. I think I'd wet my pants if he yells at me to leave. I gently close the door, this getting his attention. He glances at me over his shoulder and doesn't seem too pleased with me being here. He glares at me, but I've dealt with worse in my day. I take a deep breath, that he catches, and make my way over.

I don't say anything. I walk slowly, not thinking about my steps or actions. I simply react on instinct. I kneel down next to him and he growls, "What do you want?"

I bite my lower lip and, before either of us can react, wrap my arms around him. He becomes stiff in my arms, not sure what to do. Master Splinter says he's not allowed to hurt me, that's the only reason I know I can get away with this without being beaten to death. And if he does decide to hurt me, I'd understand. I'm still a stranger, I guess. But I wouldn't tell. He's upset so I wouldn't blame him.

But he doesn't hit me. He doesn't even try to push me away. Instead, I find his hand rising and then his other. And he hugs me back. I lean into him a little, gently, shakily rubbing his shell and giving a small rock. He buries his face into my shoulder. We sit together for a few moments, just holding each other until Master Splinter calls the boys in for training. His hands reluctantly slide away and I silently thank him for being okay because my knees are hurting. But I'd never say it. He gives me a slight smile and I whisper, "I'm here if you ever need to talk. I keep secrets real good."

His smile gets a little bigger and he nods, standing. We both blush a little before I take his hand and lead him to his door. Before I open it, I give him another quick hug and say in a fake 'stern' voice, "Now you have fun at practice, you hear?"

He smirks, "Why don't ya join us? You might like it."

I beam with happiness and he takes that as a yes, leading me into the dojo. Being invited to the ninja training is a huge honor since this whole family revolves around it. He's so nice.

"…Raph…" I close my eyes. To anyone else, it might have sounded like I said 'crap', but Karai takes a step forward.

Hun doesn't realize she knows what's going on and puts his hand in front of her chest, "Don't save the wimp. Let her get up by herself. If she can't take a hit, then she shouldn't be a ninja. Right Master?"

"Right," Saki agrees from behind. I nod once more and quickly stand, getting ready. I'm just not in it today. Saki glares at me, "You're weak. I'm threw with you."

"No," I say fast, readying my fists, "Fight me. I can take you."

He glares back at me. That was severely disrespectful. My words make me grimace, "Fine." With that, he kicks at my head and I go down once more. He towers above me, kneeling down to strike again.

Master Splinter leads Mike and I into the liar, Mikey holding my hand real tight. This is so scary; I'm meeting a new family. Master Splinter doesn't like that I've been living in the sewers since I…well since. Mike had been sneaking out and we would play together, but I guess he got caught and had to tell his dad. His dad is real nice, though, and says that I can come stay at their home 'til I'm ready to go back to mine. But I don't think I'll ever be.

I'm real scared, though. I've had foster kids stay at my place before, but I've never been the foster kid. I try to be nice to the new comers cause I know it's scary for them to be moved around and lose their home and stuff. But I guess I never really knew what that was like 'til now. And I don't know if these kids are gonna be as okay with it as I was. Cause I liked having new kids come stay and tell me stories of fun times. But I don't know if they'll even want me here. My sister, Lila, hated getting new kids and was always awful to them. I don't think I'll ever see her again. I'm not sure I want to.

Mikey gets real excited, telling me all about his brothers and how cool they are and how they're gonna love me, but I know not to expect much. He talks about them all the time and I love hearing about them, but from the way they act, I doubt they'll like me. And as I walk into the lair and Splinter introduces me, I can tell that I'm right.

The oldest is Leonardo. He wears a blue mask and gives a warm smile, though I can tell it's fake. It's for his father's sake. The second oldest is Raphael. He doesn't even pretend to like me. In the 'Goldilocks Zone of kindness' is Mike's closest brother in age - Donatello. He walks up to me and holds out his hand, "I'm Donatello. Donnie for short. It's nice to meet you."

I smile back, just as warmly, "It's nice to meet you, too. I've heard a lot about your inventions."

"Do you like science? You can help me in the lab. Two heads are better than one, as they always say," he forgets his cool, calm, business like demeanor and goes straight to excited. I nod and he jumps up and down with joy. It takes literally nothing else for this boy to like me.

Shredder's fists comes down at my face. I grab a hold of it just before he connects with my eye.

I sniff, rubbing the soar spot on my arm. They didn't have to be so mean. And she didn't have to ditch me. Why did Lila ditch me? I thought she loved me? Now I'm out here in the cold, all alone. I have no idea how to get back home. Not that I'd ever want to. I hate them. I hate all of them!

I sniff some more, and sit down beside a sewer pipe. I got lost in the tunnels. She said she wouldn't leave me behind. She said she'd be two steps in front of me. And then, once we were into the tunnels a good ways and I didn't know where I was, she and her friends took off running. I tried to keep up, but they kept turning corners and shouting so I'd get all confused. When I sat down and started crying, Lila came over and taunted me, "You're such a cry baby." With that, she left me to cry into my lap. She walked away and didn't come back.

Now I'm lost in the tunnels.

I made myself a little makeshift sleeping area in a small, closed off tube that's off the floor. It's not much, but it's comfy. And I don't have any food, but I rarely eat any way. There are a lot of us at home. At least seven foster kids at a time plus me and Lila and my two brothers and my other sister who's in college. And when my other siblings come to visit, there's even more of us. I'm so thankful that I was adopted when I was a baby, but why did I have to get adopted into that family? No one notices or cares about me. It's been a week and they probably don't even know I'm gone.

I bury my face in my knees, crying harder. Until I feel a small tug. I look up to see a rat taking off with my doll. "Hey!" I shout at it. I take off running to get it back, but lose it in the tunnels. Great. Now I've lost Matilda. I cry a little harder and try to find my way back to the bed I made. But I don't know where it is.

While I'm wiping my eyes, I can't see where I'm going and I end up tripping and falling into the water. I yelp and try to swim out as the water carries me down a drain, but I don't know how to swim and keep getting drawn under. I scream for help and try to get out, but I can't. It's too strong.

I feel what little ground there is fall away and realize that I'm falling. I grab for anything I can get a hold of and end up hanging by my fingers onto a slippery bar. I kick at the wall, trying to get myself up and thankfully my favorite part of the park is the monkey bars. I pull myself up with a whole lot of strength I didn't know I had. My feet plant themselves onto the wall, but quickly start to slip. I wrap both of my arms onto the beam and hold on for dear life, "Help!"

I scream and shout for what seems like forever. My feet slip and I can't get traction, "Please! Somebody! Help!" I cry out, "I can't hold on much longer!"

I could swear I'm being delusional, but I hear a voice shout back, "It's okay! I'm coming! Just hang tight!"

I sniff back tears and hold on with new strength, knowing someone is coming, "Okay."

I try to look up and see who it is, but I can't. Until I see a green face peek over the side. He looks all around, but doesn't see me. I try to get a better grip as he asks, "Where are you?"

"Down here!" I cry out. He looks down and sees me and I realize that this boy is a turtle. A turtle boy. Am I dead? That's the only way I'm seeing this right? Cause I'm dead?

He sooths me, shouting over the tumbling water that falls beside me, "It's okay, I'm here. I'll help you!" When he disappears, I get worried. But he said he'd help me. I bury my face into my arms, "Just hold on! I have to find more rope!"

I whimper, "Please hurry!"

After a few more seconds of burning in my arms and strain in my legs, he shouts, "Here! Grab this!" I look up to watch him lowering a duck pool floaty that's been tied to a jump rope among other things. I reach out a shaky hand and climb into it just as he runs out of slack. Once I'm in, he starts pulling me up. I hang on for dear life, hoping that the line doesn't break. Soon, I see the edge of the drain and he pulls me up and over and away from the water. Once I'm a safe distance, he runs to my side, pulling my weak body to the wall. I shiver in his arms as he refuses to let go and gives me body heat. I burry my head into his plastron, "Thank you."

"Anytime," he pants above me, "My name's Michelangelo. My brothers call me Mikey."

"I'm Alexandria," I smile into his chest, trying to get air, "But you can call me Lexi."

"RAH!" I growl at the top of my lungs, pushing him away. Karai, Hun, and Baxter look on in pure shock as Saki rolls across the floor with aggravated thumps. Whatever I did to him took a huge toll. It did more damage then the last three blows he'd given me combined. I glare, not caring in the least, and get to my feet. He cautiously gets into a kneeling position, holding his head. I stalk closer to him, seeing the smallest bit of fear in his eyes.

"That's enough," he insists, "Training is over for today."

I just walk closer, glaring my hardest. I can tell it scares him in some small way as I pick up his sword from it's stand and aim it at his chest, "You're not my Sensai. You're the Shredder."