(Thanks to all my reviewers. Those are as good as gold. Thanks as always to Cyn and I credit Leo's talents with a toaster to her. Read her fics! They're full of yummy goodness!)

Practice was winding down for the morning and Raphael watched as Leonardo and Donatello sparred their last match. It was interesting watching the two using weapons that weren't their specialties. Of course, they had a better than basic knowledge of all weapons, but even still, the rustiness was showing. Especially since both Leo and Don looked more comfortable fighting hand to hand, even with weapons. More kicks were thrown than normally would be and neither tried to disarm the other. Raphael could see a lot of weapons cross-training in their future.

Splinter clapped his hands. "Yame!" he called hoarsely and his sons stepped away from each other trying to catch their breath.

The turtles lined up to end practice as they did to begin it and Splinter made and observation that it appeared they needed more work with weapons other than their specialties.

Damn I'm good, Raphael thought studying the bo in his hand with something close to disgust.

Surprisingly, Splinter skipped their customary meditation and gave them the rest of the day off.

"I know some of you have a great deal to accomplish today,. Do not forget to add the bathroom door to your lists." he commented with a smirk and dismissed them.

Michelangelo jumped to his feet, grinning. "YES! A day off! Anyone up to challenging the leader to Street Fighter?"

Leonardo smiled. "Oh, I think you forgot, Mike. You have another hour of training."

The smile that had been on Mike's face evaporated quickly. "Another hour? Why? Did I do something wrong?" He glanced to Splinter for some clue. He'd thought he put in a great practice. One of his best ever. Why would he possibly…?

"It is on your list, Michelangelo. You did not read it?" Splinter was very cautious to keep the smile from his face. He could tell this was going to be an ongoing battle the rest of the day.

Realization slowly dawned on Mike. "I …skimmed it." He sighed. A whole hour more of kata and boring stuff like that. He looked up hopefully. "Anyone wanna stay to spar?" At least that would be more entertaining than doing kata and perfecting different kicking techniques.

Of course the answer was no all around.

"Sorry, Fearless Leader. I have to get breakfast and play Streetfighter." Leo was the first to leave the dojo for the first time in his life.

"Got shi...stuff to fix," Raph mumbled. "Or blow up. Whatever comes first." He pointedly ignored Don's look as he followed Leo.

Mike looked at Don hopefully. "Donnie?"

Don shook his head trying not imagine his precious lab going up in smoke. "Got to…" He trailed off. He had pretty much committed Raph's list to memory. There wasn't much on there other than the extra chores. "Got to find something to get annoyed with." He shrugged and followed after his brothers.

Mike turned to his last hope. "Sensei?" Sparring with Splinter was, of course, an automatic loss, but even still, it was better than being alone and bored.

"I would, My son," Splinter began. "But I know how you enjoy these private practice sessions. I would not wish to intrude." He too went out the door. "Donatello, one moment please."

Don froze and turned slowly. "Yes sensei?" He knew damn well what Splinter wanted to talk to him about. He and his brothers could not resist smiling every time they saw the message on Mike's back. Even Raph couldn't help finding the "slogan of the day" amusing.

Splinter's carefully prepared "father" look was planted firmly on his face disguising any possible amusement. "You will, of course, remove that from your brother's shell as soon as he is through with practice."

Don nodded. "Hai, Sensei." He turned to walk away but was called back by Splinter continuing.

"And the next time you feel the need to practice some sort of billboard writing, you will choose a more appropriate surface, and less profane language."

"Hai, Sensei." He could feel the blush coming to his face at the subtle scolding. "Is that all?" He actually meant, "do I get some kinda punishment" but he could see how his question could be considered somewhat disrespectful. He tried to back track. "I mean.."

His sensei shook his head finally showing his smile. "Yes, Donatello. That is all. I am sure you are anxious to start on your chores." He past his son and went into his room. The door closed with a faint click.

Leonardo was thankful that during the week, breakfast wasn't a family thing. Everyone got their own as they got up. That saved him from having to cook. He knew he wasn't off the hook with lunch though. Mike's list had included cooking both lunch and dinner. Leo searched the cabinets hoping for something quick and easy that he wouldn't be in danger of burning down the kitchen.

It felt odd having a morning to himself. He could catch up on his reading, or even watch a little television. What he really wanted to do, was check up on Mikey. There were a lot of things that his little brother had to do today. Some things that were pretty important.

"What're you looking for?" Raphael asked walking in and grabbing a soda from the fridge.

Leo sighed slightly. "I was just wondering what to cook for lunch. Think everyone would be alright with peanut butter and jelly?"

Raphael smirked reaching around Leo to get the cereal. "Long as you don't try to toast the bread. We ran outta fire extinguishers years ago."

"I never set it on fire," Leo said defensively. "It just smoked a lot." He makes a mental note to not toast the bread. "And…tomato soup." He should be able to manage that without burning it. "That should take care of lunch. I'll worry about dinner later."

Leo set the teapot on the stove to start the water and turned the knob. Nothing. He frowned and turned the knob again. Still nothing. "Hmm…something's wrong with this thing."

Raphael looked up from his Cherrios. "What?"

"When I turn the knob, nothing happens. Maybe the stove's broken." He tried turning the knob again and waited for the fire to appear on the burner. "Nothing."

With a groan, Raph got to his feet. "Dammit, Leo. Did you break the thing already? It was working fine last night."

"I didn't do anything but try to turn it on," Leo snapped. "I can boil water, you know, Raphael. The fire just won't come on." He was silent for a moment. "Maybe the pilot's out. That's happened a few times."

Raphael frowned. "How the hell do you fix that?" He growled a little in frustration. This was Donny territory. The same Donny who was at this moment doing his chores and not being Mr Fix It. The same Donny who had put big red X's through things not associated with light bulbs.

Leo blinked at his brother. "You don't KNOW?"

"How the hell would I know, Leo? Look, I'm pretty sure all we gotta do is re-light the damn thing. Simple." He sounded more confident than he felt.

Gas + Fire results in a big BOOM

That was one kitchen concept Leo understood. "I'll ask Donnie."

"We don't need to ask Donnie. I can figure it out. I ain't fuckin' stupid." He opened the top part of the stove and studied the wires and other doohickeys that he didn't understand.

"Need a match," he said glancing around. He was sure he found where to light the burner. The big sign that said "pilot light" helped a lot. "Or a lighter."

Instead of helping Raph in his attempts to be a pyro, Leo sniffed the air. "I smell gas Raphael."

"Wasn't me," Raph mumbled and went to the drawer where they kept such things for lighting candles.

Leonardo rolled his eyes. "I'm serious, Raphael. I smell gas. Don't light the match."

Raphael sighed. "I don't smell anything, Leo. Look, it says where to light the pilot. I'm following the directions. No problems. "

"Except a huge explosion if you're wrong," Leo shot back.

Raphael gave him a look. "I'm not wrong." He struck the match