Mikey hadn't looked forward to a patrol this much in what felt like forever. Of course, Leo had given them all a firm lecture on keeping things professional… but Mikey knew it was mostly directed at him. That was the only downside to this whole thing; Mikey was pretty sure the others would just be watching and waiting for him to slip up and embarrass them. Well, they'd be waiting for a while, then. A knock on his door interrupted Mikey's thoughts.

"Hey, Mike, ya ready?"

Taking one final stretch, Mikey straightened.

"Fit and ready, bro!"

He opened the door to see Raph standing there, fist raised to knock again. The red-banded turtle took in his eager expression and Mikey saw his mouth twitch.

"Excited, huh?"

"Totally!" Mikey said, still grinning. "Aren't you? I mean, we've never worked with anyone before."

Raph shrugged.

"S'pose it's a nice change not to have more people to fight or avoid. We still gotta see how good they are, though."

Mikey gave his shoulder a pat as he passed.

"Aw, don't be a spoilsport, Raphie!"

Raph huffed, but Mikey could tell he was trying not to smile.

"I'm not bein' a spoilsport, just pointin' out th' facts."

The youngest turtle threw a teasing smirk over his shoulder.

"Better watch it, bro… startin' to sound like Leo there."

Raph snorted.

"Gimme a break. We both know Fearless couldn't lighten up about somethin' like this t' save his life."

By now they'd reached the living room, where Leo and Donnie were waiting. The blue-banded turtle raised a brow.

"What was that, Raph?"

"Nothin'," the hothead replied smoothly. Mikey swallowed down a chuckle and did his best to look innocent. Leo looked from him to Raph with suspicion, then cleared his throat.

"All right, now everyone remember… we're going to be observing these people at the same time they'll be observing us. So keep a sharp eye, and top form."

The other turtles nodded, Mikey giving a little salute and grinning.

"Sure thing, Leo. Like a turtle do."

Leo gave him an unamused look, and Mikey quickly dropped his grin.

"Try to be serious about this, okay, Mikey? This is important."

Mikey nodded, but despite himself he couldn't help feeling annoyed. Did Leo really think he didn't know that? As they all headed for the door, Raph gave Mikey a nudge with his shoulder, keeping his voice low enough that only he would hear.

"Told ya. Can't lighten up."

That brought a grin back to Mikey's face, and by the time they reached the surface he'd shrugged off the irritation. As they leaped over the rooftops, heading for the designated meeting spot, the youngest turtle found himself wondering if Grace would be one of the ninja patrolling with them. He hoped so… he never really got a chance to see her in action since they first met, and it'd be great to see it. And he couldn't deny, he'd like her to see him in action. For some reason, he was hoping to impress her.

When they finally reached the rooftop that was the rendezvous point, he saw two figures already waiting. The shorter one, he didn't recognize. The taller one, though, he did right away. He couldn't stop himself from giving Grace a wide grin, and the twinkle in her blue eyes told him she was smiling in return. Stepping forward, she gave them all a nod of greeting before gesturing to her companion.

"This is Hamari, an acolyte of our clan. Sensei assigned her to come with me."

The shorter girl gave a formal bow, but Mikey could see the eagerness in her posture and visible facial features.

"Greetings," she said. Leo nodded in return, then Grace spoke again.

"You know the city better than us, so if you would prefer to take the lead, we'll follow along."

Leo glanced back at the other turtles, and Mikey shrugged.

"If they're okay with it," he said, then gave Grace and Hamari a grin. "Wait till you see it… it's awesome."

Grace and Hamari looked at him and smiled widely, but then Leo cleared his throat.

"All right. Then let's begin."

Mikey could hear slight disapproval in his tone and quickly adopted a serious expression. But he couldn't help feeling a little hurt.

Would it kill him to not be so uptight?

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the corner of Raph's mouth twitch up, and even though he didn't say anything Mikey knew he was thinking the same thing. But before he could return the sardonic grin, Leo took the lead and raced across the roof. Immediately the other turtles fell in behind him, followed by Grace and Hamari. Grace ended up running beside Mikey, and he couldn't help but grin. For some reason, he was glad she was near him.

As they ran and leaped over the rooftops, he saw Grace cast him an impressed look.

"Excellent form," she said softly. Mikey gave her another grin.

"Not bad yourself."

Just then, a scream pierced the night air. Leo came to a halt right away, along with the others. After taking a moment to pinpoint where it was coming from, the leader gestured forward, and they all took off again. When they reached a roof overlooking an alley, they looked down to see a group of Purple Dragons. One of them was holding a woman while the others brandished their makeshift weapons, their threats clearly audible. Leo looked at Grace and Hamari, and right away both nodded.

"We'll get her out of there," Grace said, her voice soft and brusque. Leo nodded in return, then looked at Mikey and the others.

"Raph, you're with Mikey. Donnie, you're with me."

With that, the group leaped down. Mikey aimed his attack at the nearest gangster, and before the others even knew what was happening, his feet landed on the man's shoulders and he vaulted over him as he was knocked to the ground. A grin came to the orange-banded turtle's face at the other gangsters' startled yells. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Grace and Hamari move for the woman like silent shadows, and just saw Hamari vault herself over toward the man holding her before he was forced to focus on the Purple Dragon charging at him. With a quick, smooth motion, he dodged the man's rather clumsy attack, his nunchucks spinning. There was an immediate urge to throw the thug a taunt, but he caught himself just in time.

Keep it professional, or you'll hear it from Leo.

He settled for casting the man a confident smirk, shifting on his feet as he waited for his opponent's next move. When the man charged toward him Mikey ducked under the pipe he was swinging, rolled behind him, then sent him flying into the wall with another kick. He heard him hit with a loud thwack, then he dropped to the ground unmoving. His smirk widening, Mikey moved for the next opponent. He found himself facing two at the same time, but before he could make a move, he sensed someone beside him. He glanced over to see Grace in a ready stance, her ninjato held in a high guard. Her blue eyes flicked to him.

"I take the one on the right?"

Mikey couldn't help but grin as he gave a curt nod.

"One on the left for me."

With that they were moving. Remembering their assignment, Mikey stole glances at Grace whenever he got the chance. Her movements were just as smooth as his, almost graceful, and he found himself impressed. Ducking under a blow aimed at his head, Mikey flipped the man over his shoulder before swiping a nunchuck at him. His blow connected and left the man out cold on the ground. Turning, he saw Grace knock her opponent's weapon aside with her ninjato before slipping behind him and bringing the hilt down on his head, dropping him like a sack of potatoes. Both turned to find the others had taken down the remaining gang members. Mikey gave Grace an impressed look as he slid his chucks back into his belt.

"Nice moves," he said, his tone light. Grace looked at him as she sheathed her own weapon, her twinkling eyes revealing her smile.

"Good form yourself… very flexible."

Their gaze moved to the others, and Mikey saw Raph looking at Hamari with an impressed look. He nudged Grace's shoulder and motioned with his eyes.

"Your friend must be pretty good… Raph's not an easy guy to impress."

Grace nodded, looking at Hamari with pride.

"She's been training hard."

Leo faced the others, sheathing his katana.

"Well done, everyone," he said. Mikey saw Donnie cast Grace and Hamari a look of fascination.

"Your form is incredible… and it works so well with ours."

Mikey saw Hamari's eyes light up; clearly hearing that meant a lot to her. He glanced at Grace again, and when her eyes met his he grinned and subtly held out a hand. Grace blinked, then realization came to her face. She tapped her palm against his, and he could tell she was also grinning behind her mask.