"Then just push off hard and keep it loose."

Mikey watched closely as Grace pushed off the wall with one foot, sweeping her body in a smooth, graceful flip. She turned to face him with a smile.

"See?"

With an impressed whistle, Mikey nodded.

"Neat move!"

Grace stepped away from the wall, giving him a nod of her own.

"Now you try," she said.

Mikey walked over to where she'd been standing. He shifted on the balls of his feet, taking and releasing a quick breath before jumping toward the wall. He did his best to keep his movements as much like Grace's as he could; for some reason, he really didn't want to mess up in front of her… especially with his brothers watching. As soon as he landed steadily on both feet, he looked at her and felt relieved at her impressed nod.

"Almost exactly like I showed you," she said. "You seem to be a fast learner."

Mikey grinned, shrugging.

"Like a turtle do."

She chuckled at that, then spoke again.

"Now you were going to show me your move?"

"Yeah," Mikey said. "It's not too hard, just watch close."

He felt her keen eyes on him as he moved fluidly through the kick and found himself hoping she was impressed.

"Now you," he said, facing her. His smile widened when she repeated the movement perfectly, almost exactly like him.

"Awesome!"

The smile on her face made his widen, but before he could say any more Leo spoke up.

"Good, both of you, but it's getting late… we should probably call it a night."

Despite himself, Mikey felt disappointed. He knew it was probably pretty late, but he wished they could stay a little longer. Letting out a quiet sigh, he glanced at Grace and was pretty sure he could see disappointment on her face as well.

"Sure thing, Leo," he said out loud.

"Remember, we won't be able to patrol tomorrow," Grace said. "Sensei wants to give Hamari her final trial."

Leo nodded, and Mikey's eyes moved to Hamari. She kept her expression calm and fixed, but he could see the nervousness in her stiff posture. He could sympathize; he remembered how anxious he felt when he was facing his own test. Wanting to make her feel better, he gave the other girl an encouraging smile.

"Don't worry, you're an awesome fighter. Just do what you always do, and you'll be great."

Hamari looked at him with some surprise, then he saw her smile just a little.

"Thank you."

Out of the corner of his eye, Mikey saw Grace direct an appreciative look toward him before smiling at Hamari with confidence.

"I'm sure next time we meet, we'll count one more ninja among us."

Mikey watched his brothers wishing Hamari good luck, but his thoughts had turned to when they and him had been facing this. He remembered how much he'd wanted to prove he was just as good, how he'd hoped everyone would finally see that. He was proud that he did it, and he liked to think the rest of his family was too. Sometimes, though, he couldn't help but feel like he was still trying to prove himself to them… and that he always fell short.

On the way back to the lair, Mikey did his best to put that thought out of his head as he stretched his arms.

"I think Hamari's gonna do great." He glanced at Donnie, who was beside him. "Don't you think so, Don?"

"I see no reason why not," the genius replied. "Her form looks to be on the same level as ours."

"I think she oughta be fine," Raph said with a shrug. Mikey grinned, replying in a teasing voice.

"Looks like you're gettin' soft in your old age, Raphie."

The hothead let out an irritated huff.

"Can it, Mikey. Just callin' it like I see it."

Mikey snorted but didn't say any more.

…

Grace glanced over at Hamari as they walked down the quiet street. Her friend gave no outward sign of it, but Grace knew she was nervous… very nervous. Reaching out, she touched Hamari's shoulder.

"You alright?"

Hamari glanced at her, then managed a tight smile.

"I'm fine."

Grace raised a brow.

"You know you don't have to pretend around me," she said gently. Hamari blinked before looking down with a quiet sigh.

"I can't get anything past you, can I?"

A small smile tugging at her own face, Grace gave her friend's shoulder a gentle pat.

"I remember when I faced my own trial. I was so afraid I would mess up. But your form is incredible… even the turtles think so, and they just met you. Remember what Michelangelo said, just do what you always do, and you'll be fine."

Hamari's mouth twitched into another smile, this time more genuine.

"Do you think he was nervous too?"

Grace's expression grew thoughtful as she focused her gaze on the sidewalk.

"I'm sure he was. I get the feeling that he doesn't let many people know when he's insecure."

She heard the curiosity in Hamari's voice.

"What makes you think that?"

Grace bit her lip in thought.

"Honestly, I'm not sure," she murmured. "It's like I just look at him, and I can tell things about him. And he's pretty expressive even if he doesn't say things out loud."

She glanced at Hamari again and was surprised to see her friend looking at her thoughtfully, a slight smile on her face.

"What?"

Hamari shrugged, directing her own eyes back to the sidewalk.

"Oh, nothing."

Grace blinked but didn't push the subject. For a while the two girls walked in silence, then Hamari spoke again, her voice back to that tense tone that said she was nervous but determined not to show it.

"I wish we could have done this together."

Grace smiled, nodding.

"Me too. It would've been comforting to have such a true friend with me. And I know you'd have just as much confidence in me as I do in you."

She looked over at Hamari again, and her smile widened to see that her friend's expression was just a little less tight.

"I'd have every confidence," her friend said, her tone just as sure. Grace knew the words were meant to be encouraging, and she was grateful for them, but they still brought a slight pang. Many clanmates had said things like that before her test, but the one person who said nothing was the one she wanted to hear it from the most: her mother. Even after Grace was initiated, she'd seemed so blasé about it… almost indifferent.

I always have to prove myself, she thought, unable to stem the bitterness she felt. And I always fall short.

It was a thought that came to her more and more often as time went by… how could she possibly prove herself to Sensei if her mind stayed closed?