Standing in front of her mother expecting a dressing down was nothing new to Grace, but she wasn't really bothered by that now. In fact, it was taking a good deal of effort for her not to do the same.

"I don't understand, Sensei," she said. "Why did you do that? If you didn't really want to work with them, why didn't you say so?"

She was half expecting Sakura to give her that disapproving look she was so familiar with, but her mother's look remained calm and collected.

"I never said I did not want that," she said. "I merely wished to see if the influence of Hamato Yoshi was still prevalent. But it seems my hopes were futile… these turtles' master is no different."

Grace frowned, uncertain whether she should push further but unable to help herself.

"What do you mean? Why does that matter?"

She had braced herself for being brushed off, as usual, but to her surprise her mother only looked at her with a thoughtful expression. When she spoke, her voice was soft, gentle even.

"I wondered when the time would come to tell you this." She crossed the room to the window and gazed out for a few moments before going on. "Many years ago, after your father and I married, I had intended on leaving this life. To give up my place to another and devote myself to life with him… and with you."

Grace looked at Sakura in disbelief. Her disciplined mother, so intent and devoted to her responsibility to their clan, had intended to leave it all? As if she sensed her daughter's disbelief, Sakura went on.

"Until then, I and Master Yoshi had a respect between us. But my decision… he believed it was wrong. That I was walking away from one family to gain a new one."

Grace felt her brow furrow as she ran over what she had just heard. That was what all this was about? A simple disagreement?

"Sensei…" she said slowly. "That's why you don't…"

Her mother shook her head, and in her reflection in the window Grace could see her solemn face. Her voice contained a bitterness the teen had never heard in it before.

"Oh, it is hardly that simple. Your father… felt responsible for the disagreement between us. He wanted to smooth things over, for my sake. He went to speak with Master Yoshi. And it was then that he… that he was…"

Grace felt her throat tighten; her mother had told her many years ago that her father was killed by a mugger, but never more than that. She stood for a moment, her eyes stinging, then she swallowed hard and spoke again with a slight tremor in her voice.

"But then, why are you angry at Hamato Yoshi? He didn't kill Dad."

Sakura's face immediately hardened, and her voice was hard as stone when she spoke.

"Perhaps not, but he as good as killed him. He said he would send an escort. But some urgent business came up… a convenient excuse if you ask me."

Pressing her lips together as she looked at the ground, Grace ran over her mother's words.

"So you think he didn't send one on purpose?" she asked softly. She wasn't sure why, but for some reason she couldn't imagine that being true. But from the look on her mother's face, she certainly did… Grace had a feeling she had thought that from the start.

"It would hardly surprise me," the older woman said coldly. "Why would he be seen supporting someone who had chosen to give up the ways he so adored? He expressed sorrow, insisted he never wished that pain on me… and perhaps he didn't. But his actions, the arrogance he disguised as honor, still led to the death of my husband. And I swore right then that I would never grant him my forgiveness."

Speechless, Grace could only stare at her mother for several long moments. Finally, she found her voice again.

"But… Mikey, he… he isn't like that. And his brothers, neither are they."

Finally, Sakura turned away from the window, and the expression on her face was gentler than Grace had ever seen.

"You have ever seen first the good in others, my daughter. But this can be not only one's greatest strength, but most serious flaw. Remember, I have heard everything you and your friend have spoken of. Michelangelo may not be under the sway of Hamato Yoshi's creature… that is why I have extended my offer to him only… but his brothers? They clearly are. And you have seen that between obeying their master and causing pain to their own flesh and blood, they will only ever choose the master."

Those words brought Grace up short. The more she thought about it, the more she could see the truth of them. She felt no real animosity toward Mikey's three brothers, even liked them, and she could see how deeply they cared for him. But her mother had a point. In a way, the turtles' master had forced them to choose between him and their brother, and they had chosen their master. Painful it may have been, but they still did.

"But… leaving his family?" she said softly. "They're all he's ever known, and even with their flaws, he loves them."

She immediately feared she had pushed too far, but Sakura only continued to look at her with that strange gentle look.

"And what has that love gained him?" she asked softly. "Neglect and grief. Do you think that would end if he remained with them? He will never reveal his pain to them… he fears their rejection too deeply. Could anyone ever be happy in a life like that?"

I'm not. Grace almost said the words out loud. But she pressed her lips together and let her mother go on.

"You care for him deeply, as he does for you. I know it must be difficult to see him faced with such a hard decision, but hard decisions are not something that can be avoided sometimes. And even if it causes him pain to leave it, is the life he has now truly the one you want for him?"

Slowly, Grace directed her gaze to her feet. The last thing she wanted was for Mikey to be unhappy or feel unwanted. He deserved to be appreciated for the kind and caring person he was, not what others wanted him to be. Suddenly a hand rested on her shoulder, and she looked up, blinking in surprise when she saw her mother looking at her.

"But you must remember, the choice is up to him… and you must be prepared for it. That includes the prospect of letting him go. I know it would cause you pain, and I regret that. But pain is something we all must experience at some point in our lives… and often it leaves you stronger than before."

Taking her hand from Grace's shoulder, Sakura stepped back, and her face fell back into its professional mask.

"Think on what I have told you, Grace. Loyalty cannot be a two-way street. Whatever choice one makes regarding who receives it, they must live with it."

Recognizing the dismissal, Grace drew herself upright.

"I understand, Sensei. I will." She gave a formal bow, then left the room. Despite her calm stride, her thoughts were a swirling storm in her head. She knew Mikey loved his family, despite their flaws, and she understood that too well. But she also knew he wasn't as happy as he deserved to be, he didn't see himself the way he should, the way she saw him. She couldn't deny that she wanted him with her, but above all she wanted him to be happy. If he wanted to find that happiness without her, she would have to accept that.

"Grace?"

The teen blinked, pulled out of her thoughts by Hamari's voice. Looking up, she saw her friend approaching her with a concerned look.

"You look upset. Did Sensei say something?"

Grace couldn't help but smile a little, realizing that Hamari must have been waiting for her the entire time she was in conference with her mother. Sometimes she wondered what she did to earn such a wonderful friend.

"Well… it turns out she knows I've been meeting Mikey at night."

Hamari blinked, her eyes widening. Then her look grew anxious.

"You know I never said anything, don't you? I never did, I swear it…"

Shaking her head, Grace reached out to pat the other girl's shoulder.

"Of course, I know. I trust you as I would trust my own family."

The anxious look on Hamari's face changed to one of relief, then back to her original concern.

"Then what happened? Did she forbid you to see him?"

"Not exactly," Grace said slowly. "It's sort of a long story."

"Well, that isn't a problem for me," Hamari said with a smile. "I don't have anything to do for rest of today… plenty of time for a long story."

Despite herself, Grace smiled even wider. Hamari smiled back, then gestured behind her.

"Well then, let's walk. You have my undivided attention."

Still smiling, Grace started down the hall beside Hamari.

"Thank you, Hamari," she said. "Really."

"No need for thanks," her friend replied, waving a dismissive hand. "What else is family for?"