Karai couldn't focus. It was English class, a class she generally enjoyed, and another one she shared with April, but her mind wouldn't stop racing. All of the clues about April were coming together, and she wasn't sure what she wanted to do.

On one hand, her father would actually kill her if she didn't report back that she found the turtles' friend, but on the other... April was her friend now, too. At least kinda. Maybe more so on April's side, but Karai did enjoy her company.

She looked over at April reading her textbook and looking blissfully unaware of Karai's inner turmoil, and jealously curled sharp in her gut.

But April didn't have to be the turtles' friend. Maybe she was a Foot soldier, just one in such an incredibly low rank that she and Karai would never have interacted before. It wouldn't be the first time her father sent someone to spy on her. She felt better, for a moment, but it was soon replaced by a jarring sensation of betrayal and unease. Karai didn't know if April being a spy would be better or worse. It would mean she wasn't the enemy, but it would also mean that their friendship was all a lie.

... Definitely worse. Karai was already running low on friends, and she wasn't quite sure how she'd handle that betrayal.

April reached up and scratched her nose, and noticing Karai staring at her, smiled a little, looking a little uncomfortable at the intense scrutiny she was being held under.

"What?" April whispered, making a face. "Do I have something on my face?"

Their teacher at the front of the room heard her and cleared her throat. "Miss O'Neil, do you have something to share with the class?"

April's cheeks flushed bright red, and she sunk down in her chair. "No," she said, and the teacher gave her a warning look before carrying on with her lecture. Karai smirked lightly, and April gave her a mock-glare, trying to go back to her textbook.

Karai sighed, staring down at her own open textbook in front of her. She was due to report to her father tonight. Hopefully she could figure out what she was supposed to do before then. She was lost in her thoughts for the rest of class, jumping when the bell rang. She started shoving her books in her backpack, raising an eyebrow when April cleared her throat.

She glanced over. April looked nervous, curling a piece of hair around her finger. She bit her lip and met Karai's gaze hopefully. Distrust flared in the back of Karai's brain.

"What is it?" Karai asked brusquely, turning back to packing up.

"I was wondering if you wanted to spend the night at my house tomorrow," April blurt out, and Karai blinked. That wasn't what she was expecting.

"I - what?" Karai said dumbly, brain hastily trying to restart itself.

April's cheeks turned a little red, and she shuffled her feet. "You don't have to say yes or anything, but-"

"Wait," Karai said, brain just now processing what April asked. She held up a hand, eyes wide in disbelief. "Did you just ask me to have a sleepover!?"

April pursed her lips and couldn't help but giggle, shoulders relaxing. "I guess," she said. "My aunt's going out of town for the weekend for her job, so I figured I'd ask." She made a face. "Unless your dad's the type of guy who has to meet the other parent first before letting his kid go to their house or something like that."

Karai snorted. "Yeah, my father's not like that at all. But I suppose I can ask him tonight..." She couldn't even imagine what reaction her father, the big bad Shredder, would have to her asking his permission to have a girly, Ninjutsu-free, little sleepover with her friend from school. He'd probably throw her out a window or something.

April wrinkled up her nose, watching the conflicting emotions flit over Karai's face, and gave her a grin. "Fine. Ask him tonight then, and let me know tomorrow! I can give you my address if he says it's okay." She slung her backpack on her shoulder. "If he's worried about my aunt not being there, tell him we'll probably just get take-out and do typical sleepover things. You know." She waved and walked out of the classroom.

"Yeah," Karai echoed, watching April go. "Typical sleepover things." What the hell am I supposed to do at a sleepover? Karai thought to herself.


Later that night, Karai knelt in her father's throne room. She had a plan to just make it out alive, and she prayed to whoever was listening that it would work.

"Karai," her father boomed, and Karai felt her gut twist uncomfortably. She kept her head down, not daring to meet his eyes yet. "What do you have to report?"

Karai took a deep breath and looked up, meeting his gaze in the dark. "I have nothing," she said, flinching back when he roared.

"What do you mean by nothing?" he boomed, and she ducked her head, hands tightening on the ground in front of her. "You have been on this mission for several weeks. I expect better out of you." he sneered. "You disappoint me, Karai."

"I wasn't finished," she snapped, and held her breath when she realized just how cold it was in the throne room and just how quiet her father had grown. He regarded her with cold eyes, and she hastily continued before he changed his mind and threatened to throw her in the dungeon or something. "I have nothing concrete to report. Yet. I met a girl who has let slip several strange things that make me believe she is an ally to the turtles, but I have not confirmed it yet. She shows signs of having basic training and discusses what sounds to be several inhuman friends."

"What is stopping you from finishing your mission?" her father said, a note of malice in his voice. "Is it sentiment?" he sneered. "What is this girl's name? I will talk to her myself."

"Of course not," Karai snapped, feeling an odd thrill of fear at his threat. "She is just a pawn in the turtles' game. I feel nothing for her."

Her father regarded her coolly. "Do not disappoint me, Karai," he warned. "You will have failed me for the last time if you do."

Karai clenched her jaw and turned her head away, blinking back hot tears. "She invited me to a sleepover tomorrow, Father," she said through gritted teeth. "I believe that if I go, I will find concrete evidence of her involvement with them."

Her father laughed, but it was a cold sound. "A sleepover? You are getting soft." The word sounded strange coming out of his mouth. He waved a hand to dismiss her, and she stood up, hands clenched in fists at her side. "You will go to this girl's house, and as soon as you find the truth, you will bring her to me. Is that understood?"

Karai nodded, jaw clenched so tightly shut she didn't know if she could respond without letting the truth spill out of her. She bowed, low enough to not seem disrespectful, and turned to stalk out of the throne room. She felt her father's eyes follow her long after the doors shut behind her and didn't feel safe until she was in her quarters, door locked tightly shut behind her. She sat on the edge of her bed, burying her head in her hands. Well, that didn't work. What was she supposed to do now?


Karai has so much to lose now that you just can't help but feel bad for her. R&R!