A/N: this chapter and the next will feature scenes from the newest episode, "New Girl In Town". So Karai is in this story! Yay! But, rest assured, she will only be a minor character. I do not own that episode! I am simply referring back to it and altering it slightly to fit the story.

Chapter Eleven- New Girl in Town Part I

Kuro took slow, steady breaths as she calmly moved through her tai chi sequence. She kept her eyes closed, allowing her other senses to take in her surroundings: the air against her skin, neither too warm or too cool, the distant sound of traffic picked up by her sensitive ears, the smell of Splinter's incense mixed with the sewage water, and the terrible taste in her mouth because she hadn't brushed her teeth yet.

"Good morning."

Kuro didn't jump this time. She calmly opened her eyes and looked up at Splinter. "Good morning. Are you always up so early?"

"It's a habit." Splinter shrugged. "What about you?"

"I woke up and couldn't fall back to sleep." Kuro shrugged. "So I made some tea and thought I would practice."

Splinter nodded, musing over her words. "How do you know ninjutsu?"

"I had a martial arts teacher when I was five." Kuro finished her sequence and sighed. "He gave me lessons until I turned eleven." That wasn't a lie. Father started my training when I was five and I became a master by eleven. It's only a matter of time before he declares me a Sensei.

"It looks like you had a very good teacher." Splinter noted. "How are you in fighting?"

"Pretty fair." Kuro shrugged. "But I reserve it for when I'm attacked on the streets or something."

She hardly finished her sentence before Splinter lunged for her. Kuro's instincts kicked in, and she expertly blocked an attack from Splinter. He swiped at her head, but she ducked and tried to sweep his legs. He jumped over her head and landed softly behind her. Kuro spun around and aimed a punch for his chest, but he caught her fist.

"You fight well, Kuro." Splinter nodded. Kuro smirked a little. Suddenly, Splinter's rat tail wrapped around her ankle and pulled her to the ground. "But you could use a little more training."

I could've killed you if I wanted. Kuro glared a little, pushing herself to her feet and dusting off her pants. "Perhaps I am a tad rusty."

"Perhaps I can fix that." Splinter offered. "I am training April to be a konoichi. You could join her."

Kuro blinked in surprise. "Really? You want to train me?"

"If you so desire." Splinter nodded.

Kuro thought for a moment and then nodded happily. "It would be an honor." Splinter smiled and walked off to the kitchen, not noticing Kuro's evil smirk as she followed. An unwise decision, Hamato. Now I will learn all your little secrets.

"April should be coming down this afternoon for training." Splinter explained as he put a kettle on the stove for tea. "You may join her if you wish."

"If I do this, will I be able to join the boys on patrol?" Kuro asked.

Splinter thought for a moment. "I suppose you could. But you'd have to follow all of Leo's orders and stay out of danger. You will not be allowed into combat unless absolutely necessary."

Kuro huffed. "Really?"

"Yes, really." Splinter said firmly. "It is clear your previous master taught you well, but until I know you are ready, I will not be held responsible if you get hurt."

"But I have to follow Leo?" Kuro sighed. "Based on what I've seen in the past week, I don't think he's the greatest of leaders."

"That's because you haven't seen him when the boys are out in the field." Splinter assured. "He is a much better leader than most give him credit for."

Kuro looked down. "I'll see what he can offer. I just want to be able to get out of this lair for once. It can get kinda claustrophobic; I don't know how you stand being down here all the time."

Splinter only chuckled, calmly taking the whistling kettle off the stove and pouring the hot water into his cup. Kuro turned and walked back to the main room, rummaging through her bag for a clean set of clothes.

I guess I have seen Leo's skills. He is an exceptional leader; even with his faults. Kuro thought. And the boys respect him enough to follow his orders; or they just blow him off because his plans sometimes end in failure. If I were leading the team, they would make excellent Foot Ninjas. Kuro eyes lit up. That's it! To take them down, I'll start with their leader. Perfect. Kuro pulled on a pair of skin-tight black sweatpants, a black T-shirt, and some black boots. She stood and stretched. "And now, how to do it."

"Your movements should be more fluid, Kuro." Splinter instructed. "The katana should be an extension of your arm, not just a weapon. April, wield your staff with both hands."

Kuro swiped the wooden katana towards April's head, which she easily blocked with her bō. April spun the staff around and swung it at Kuro's arm, but Kuro grabbed the staff and launched a foot forward and into her stomach. April moved just in time, but went low to the ground and swiped at Kuro's other foot, forcing her to the ground. April leaped on top of her friend, pinning her to the ground with the staff to her neck.

"I win." April smirked.

Kuro rolled her eyes. "Just help me up." April laughed and offered her friend a hand, which she gladly took.

"Well done, both of you." Splinter nodded. "You've done well."

"Well enough to go out on patrol?" Kuro asked hopefully.

"The boys already left, remember?" April reminded her. "They went after that mutant called Snakeweed."

Kuro did remember that. Previously that evening, the boys left for patrol earlier than usual on account of some man/plant mutant monster called Snakeweed kidnapping people near their home. When the boys heard, they hurried out to stop him. Kuro wanted to go, but Splinter reminded her about training and forced her to stay behind.

"Can't we do a patrol without the boys?" Kuro requested.

"No, Kuro." Splinter shook his head. "I would feel much more at ease if you went with one of the boys rather than on your own."

"And what if April came with me?" Kuro suggested.

"Not a chance." April refused. "I met Snakeweed once; I don't wanna do it again."

Kuro groaned, and Splinter placed a comforting paw on her shoulder. "You will have your chance, Kuro. You must be patient, like a tiger stalking their prey."

Right. I'm the tiger….and you are my prey. Kuro bowed. "Hai, Sensei."

"That will be all for the evening." Splinter announced. "I am going to meditate. The boys should be home any moment now."

As if on cue, voices rang out down the tunnels of the sewers. Kuro and April jogged out to meet Raph, Donnie, and Mikey as they came into the lair.

"Where's Leo?" April asked.

"He left me in charge!" Raph announced proudly.

There goes the neighborhood. Kuro smirked. "You guys get into a fight about each other's leadership skills again?"

"No." Raph shrugged as the group made their way into Donnie's workroom. "I just finally got him to admit that he stinks at being a leader."

April sighed. "What did you do?"

"No time to talk, April." Raph waved her off. "We gotta track down Snakeweed. And by 'we', I mean 'Donnie'."

The purple masked turtle rolled his eyes. "Whatever." He pulled out a map of New York City and a pencil and got to work, circling seemingly random areas on the map.

"Guys, where'sLeo?" April repeated her question with a little more firmness, if not urgency.

"He didn't say where he was going." Mikey shrugged. "But he can handle himself, right? I mean, Splinter named him leader for a reason."

"Leader or not, you shouldn't have left him alone." April protested.

"Or you could've asked where he ran off to." Kuro added. Then I could've followed him.

"He'll be fine." Raph waved the girls off again. "He has those pretty little blades of his."

The girls shared a look before turning on their heels and walking off. "Funny that he calls Leo's katanas 'pretty little blades' when his sai blades are no different." Kuro noted.

"Raph will always be the most temperamental of the group." April sighed. "Not much you can do about it."

Kuro suddenly stopped, her sharp ears picking up heavy footsteps coming into the lair. She looked towards the entrance and noticed Leo walking in, his eyes red and watering a little. "What the heck happened to you?"

"Nothing." Leo assured. "Where are the guys?"

"Leonardo, what happened to your eyes?" April snapped, using Leo's full name the way she does when she's firm.

"I got into a fight with a Foot and they blinded me." Leo shrugged. "No biggie."

"You sure?" April asked worriedly.

"I'm fine." Leo snapped, pushing past the girls to get into the workroom.

"And I thought I was snarky." Kuro huffed.

April sighed. "Will you watch out for them? I know how they get when they're in one of their moods."

Kuro raised an eyebrow, but nodded. "I'll make sure they don't get into very much trouble."

April yawned. "Thanks Kuro. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yep." Kuro nodded, flashing a toothy smile. "Then I can really beat you down in a spar."

"Oh, we'll see about that!" April laughed as she walked off. Kuro smiled and returned to the workroom just in time to hear Raph say: "And where have you been?!" Uh oh. Now I see what April was talking about.

"Don't see how that's your business." Leo countered bitterly.

Raph glared at his brother. "Fine, whatever!"

Mikey jogged over and put a hand on Raph's shoulder. Kuro followed close behind, curious as to how this would turn out. "Dudes, can't we just be cool with each other?" Mikey asked innocently. "Let's hug this out!" He tried to pull Leo and Raph into a hug, but Raph elbowed him sharply in the stomach, forcing him to step back. "Okay…now the healing can begin."

"Yeesh, how hard did Snakeweed hit you guys?" Kuro chuckled a little.

"He didn't hit us at all." Raph protested. "And we would've been able to hit him if somebody hadn't held us up!" He glared at Leo.

"Oh, here we go again!" Leo groaned. "Everything's my fault! Of course it is!"

"You wanna go, shell brains?" Raph growled, his hand flying to his sai. "I'll take you out in a heartbeat!"

Kuro stepped between the quarreling brothers. "Come on, guys, at least stay a little focused on the task at hand. I thought you were looking for this Snakeweed guy."

"He's not really a guy anymore." Mikey noted. "He used to be a human, but then he touched some mutagen and transformed into a scary weed beast."

Kuro blinked in surprise. "Wow. Freaky. It's a wonder why he doesn't wear a mask or something."

"Oh yeah! I almost forgot!" Mikey approached Kuro and dug something out of his belt. "I got something for you for when you come on patrol with us!"

"You did?" Kuro cocked her head.

"Ta da!" Mikey held up his gift, looking quite pleased with himself. Kuro and the boys, however, looked confused at the strip of green cloth in his hands, the same color as the turtles' skin.

"Great." Kuro forced a smile. "What is it?"

"A mask!" Mikey said like it was obvious. "Like ours! Then no one will know your identity!"

"Oh, cool!" Kuro took the cloth and found the eyeholes, confirming its true purpose. She tied it around her face and picked up a piece of shiny metal for a mirror. Wow, I actually look good in green. Why do I wear a hood that covers all of me but my eyes? It's my eyes that should be covered up. "This is awesome, Mikey. Thanks!"

"It's what I do." Mikey smirked triumphantly.

"Hey!" Donnie suddenly said. "I think I figured out where Snakeweed's hideout is!"

"Where?" Leo asked as everyone turned their attention to the purple masked ninja.

"Okay." Donnie took a breath. "The radial pattern of recent Snakeweed sightings indicates his lair is at the epicenter of 47th and—"

Raph interrupted him. "Actually, you're on a need to know basis." He told Leo. "And guess what? You don't need to know."

Kuro blinked in surprise, staring at Leo to see his reaction. The blue masked turtle glared at his red clad brother for a moment before "hmm"-ing angrily and walking off. Mikey feebly waved goodbye as Leo marched from the room and slammed the door shut. Raph crossed his arms triumphantly. Donnie looked a little unsure of what to do.

"If you wanted to be a leader so badly, why not keep Leo around so you could tell him what to do?" Kuro asked Raph.

"Because he'll just do things his way." Raph said simply. "You wanna come with us to track down Snakeweed? We're gonna lay some serious smack down on him!"

Kuro thought for a moment. "Well, I don't think so. I'm going to hang with Leo and make sure he doesn't do something stupid."

"Suit yourself." Raph shrugged, turning back to Donnie's map. Kuro rolled her eyes and shed her new green mask, wrapping it around her hand. She walked off to the kitchen and made some tea, contemplating her next moves.

Raph may be powerful, but he's no leader. Kuro determined. It won't be long before he screws up and comes running back for Leo. If I stay with Leonardo, I'm sure I'll find some sort of blame to pin on him and then I can move forward. Shouldn't take too long; they are boys after all.

By the time Kuro returned to the living room with her tea, only Leo remained; the others were long gone and running into battle. Leo sat in his usual spot, two feet from the TV, watching Space Heroes. Kuro sat down on a bean bag chair behind him, sipping her tea and watching with disgust as Captain Ryan started kissing a blue skinned humanoid alien.

"We shouldn't be together, Ryan." The alien said. "It's against your fleet protocol."

"Well, Celestial, you don't get to be captain of the Dauntless by following all the rules." Captain Ryan said suavely.

"Good." Celestial said, holding up a ray gun. "Then you won't mind giving me the codes."

"Celestial, you just broke my heart." Captain Ryan said sadly. He pressed a red button, and Celestial was gone in a flash. "But my disintegrator still works!" He sadly picked up her smoking boots, the only things that remained of her, and hugged them to his chest. "At least I'll have these to remember her by."

"Ugh." Kuro groaned. "I like the episode when they kill off Dr. Mindstrom better."

Leo shrugged. "Boy, relationships are complicated."

"You're telling me." Kuro swallowed more of her tea. "I bet Donnie has better luck with April than Captain Ryan does with a blue alien." Leo didn't seem to listen. He flipped to another scene in the show and didn't seem to notice (or care) when Splinter walked in.

"Leonardo, where are your brothers?" Splinter asked.

"I have no idea." Leo said simply. Kuro glanced up at Splinter and noticed the look on his face. But she said nothing, only continuing to sip her tea.

"What do you mean you have no idea?" Splinter asked, his voice rising a little.

"Raph thinks he can lead the team better than me, so I let him." Leo shrugged, not really caring.

Splinter narrowed his eyes a little, stepping closer to his son so he stood a few feet behind him. "That is not your decision to make."

Leo finally turned and stood up to face his father. "Why not, Sensei? I've had to make every other decision, and I'm tired of it! Those guys have no idea what kind of pressure I'm under and all they do is complain. I-is it too much to ask for a simple 'thank you'?"

Splinter's hand clenched around his jade staff and he tapped it firmly against the floor, silencing Leo and making him and Kuro wince. "Of course it is!" Splinter snapped. "Leadership is not about being appreciated; it is about responsibility. It doesn't matter that the burden is heavy; it matters that you carry it! Now go find your brothers!"

Leo glared at the ground. "Hai, Sensei." He muttered.

Splinter narrowed his eyes. "Kuro, you will go with him."

Kuro set her teacup down and bowed excitedly. "Hai, Sensei."

Splinter leaned down so Leo would look him in the eyes. "Do not disappoint me, my son. I made you leader for a reason."

Kuro watched as Splinter turned and walked off. She looked to Leo, whose fists clenched and his teeth grit together in a growl. But before she could say anything, he turned sharply and marched off to grab his swords. "Grab a jacket and a weapon. It's gonna be a long night." He ordered. He didn't wait for Kuro to respond as he disappeared around the corner.

Kuro cocked her head. "Hmm…..interesting."