Chapter 6

Raphael (POV)

She was dangerous. I knew it, but I also knew Donnie was right. Leatherhead came to us with the same problems, and I had to admit my own anger wasn't fully under control either. It was a beautiful morning; the fresh spring air filled my lungs as I stepped outside. Leonardo and April had cleaned up most of the blood and mud off the porch and on the stairs. It wasn't long before Splinter had come to join us for our morning meditation. It was always brief but he believed starting the day spiritually as a family helped connect us throughout the day. We gathered in a circle under the shade of an old oak tree near the barn. It was almost silent at the Farm House. Beside the sounds of animals it was completely peaceful.

When we had finished and stretched our legs out Master Splinter wanted to know what had happened with Elizabeth that morning. As Leonardo retold the story, our father listened without interruption. "It's gruesome sensei." Michelangelo was only saying what we all thought. It was one of the things I admired about Mikey; he never had trouble saying what he felt. I also hated it. Splinter nodded and fixed his eyes on the girl's bedroom window.

"She just needs help sensei. I haven't figured out what has happened to her, and if I don't have any samples from the Triceraton ships then I might never know. She is scared, alone and tired. Her new mutant instincts are trying to protect her." Donatello made a good argument, but someone had yet to propose a solution. I stabbed the grass between my legs with my sai and watched as it slowly descended into the soil.

"She must learn to control herself" we all knew sensei was right. If this kept happening who knows what kind of attention she could create. We all knew the risks of getting caught by the media. My mind flashed to instruments of dissection and giant test tubes with my brother's bodies floating inside them. I stabbed the ground harder to relive myself of the image.

"Calm down Raphael" Leo turned to me and I glared at him in return. "Master, could we train her? Bushido has helped many people overcome their afflictions. I mean, look at us. We only survived because of your teachings. It would help her control herself and we could be at peace knowing she can take care of herself" I had to admit, it wasn't a bad idea. Ninjitsu wasn't something anyone entered into lightly. To be a shadow warrior changed your perspective on things. It wasn't a hobby, it was a lifestyle. I knew Leo would be proud to hear his brother say those things, but we all knew it. Even happy go lucky Mikey.

"I believe it is our only option my sons" Master Splinter also knew the risks of training. A person could never change or undo the intense ninja instructions. It stayed with you for life, and became a part of you. We were all agreed. "Leonardo, you will begin her basic training in the morning" Splinter sat up and began to walk away. No one had expected his decision and Leonardo followed him with haste.

"Sensei, I don't understand. Why can she not train with us? I'm not sure if I can give her the kind of experiences we have gotten from you. I.. Master?" It was fun to watch Leo be so dumbfounded. The rest of us sat in the grass and giggled at him. He narrowed his eyes at us and it made us laugh harder.

"My son, you have the wisdom and the dedication to be a great teacher. I will be here for you with any advice and when you think she is ready, she may join our training sessions" His voice was loving and fatherly, he placed his hand on Leo's shoulder "But until then, you will teach her the ways of Bushido just as I have thought you." He left us in the morning sun. I sat back and watched the clouds fly by with a big grin on my face. I wasn't sure whether Leo had just received a great honour or an unbearable burden. Either way, this was going to be fun.

Elizabeth (POV)

I was disgusted in myself. My life had taken an unexpected turn; I was hunting animals at night in the woods. It had taken me hours to wash the blood from the new bed clothes April had given me, and in the end I gave up and had to throw them out. The smell overwhelmed my room. I borrowed candles from Leonardo and lit them hoping to mask the aroma. He stood in the doorway watching me light each one and place it in a specific spot. I was pretty sure everyone knew about my late night activities by now, but I couldn't help it and they knew I needed them. What had I become? I was dangerous, and hated myself even more for becoming that whining, damsel who needed protection from herself and everything around her.

"Thank you" I said turning and blowing out the match. The smoke rose and disappeared into the ceiling. Leonardo wasn't what I could call a conversationalist. He pretty much just said what he needed to and left. He was quiet, and would spend most of his time with Splinter or in the Dojo. On some level I could see that he and Raphael were more alike than I had previously thought and maybe that was why they fought as much as they did.

He stepped forward and sat on my bed. It shuddered under the new weight. He wasn't happy, I could tell by his expression and I wondered if he was nominated to tell me to leave the house and never come back. My heart stopped as he began to speak.

"I've been asked.." This was it. I had been only been nine days and this new body had already turned me into their enemy. I couldn't help it I just blurted it out.

"Karai did this to me!" I was shaking with fear and anger. Recalling her dismissal of my life and the eleven other lives locked in the cells at the Triceraton base. Emmet was alone now, and I was here, losing another piece of myself every day. Leonardo looked at me sharply and placed his hand on the edge of the bed.

"What?" I could see he was unsure what I had meant. We all knew exactly what happened to me, but when I filled him on what had happened previously that night he growled her name. "Karai" his fists balled and he stood up with so fast I could feel the air pass by my face. He paced the room and stopped to look out the window. "I've been asked to train you" he didn't look at me. His eyes were fixed on something else outside. I was shocked. It hadn't been what I expected.

"As a ninja?" I asked. He was breathing heavily now. I was sure he wasn't just asked to do this. He was told. I stood up beside him and placed my hand on the back of his shell. He turned to face me and stepped ahead of me walking to the door. I could see his reflection in the window pane as he stopped in the doorway again.

"We start tomorrow at dawn" he left me alone then, and I sat quietly in my room for the rest of the evening.