A/N: Did someone call for some Mikey and Hugh time? Well here you have it-now with a little Kaiya twist! LOL Gosh, I love this trio. :P

WOLDJADE28 - I have much in store, so prepare yourself. And thanks for the reviews. Keeps me motivated. :D

ZathuraRoy - So this will be a new experience: waiting. Hope I don't torture you too badly. ;)

Sciencegirl -Hugh and Mikey = love

Feather - April and Melody are a whole other beast. Ei. As for science writing. Oh. My. Gosh. It's been a pain. And all I can hope is that it's passable. XD

Chapter 04: Gang Wars

Michelangelo released a low whistle through Central Park, wide gaze set on the four-foot blonde ahead of him. "Impressive, Kai! Is that your limit?"

"Kind'a," the seven-year-old answered under the bright moonlight. She flashed a toothy grin to prove her ease, yet didn't lower her arms—much to Detective Hugh's displeasure.

"Am I done being a weight lift?" the African-American asked. His body laid bored-stiff over Kaiya's wavy pigtails like a plank, long arms crossed, and he sent a look in the mutant's direction when Kaiya giggled.

Mikey could only join in the laughter; Hugh's humiliation paled when compared with the sight of a little girl parading a six-foot man over her head as if he were a baton.

"Alright; enough!" Hugh fought for freedom while growling. Flailing caused Kaiya to drop him in alarm and the man groaned on the grassy clearing seconds later.

Mikey crouched down, smiling at the man's cringe with his elbows resting on his kneepads. "You were better off imitating an awkward ice skater."

"Why don't you try it next time?" Hugh snapped.

"I—I can't," added Kaiya timidly. "He's too heavy."

"That's alright, Dudette. Maybe you'll grow stronger as you age."

"Or maybe two-twenty is her max." Sitting up, the detective flinched then sent the duo a flat look.

"You're over two hundred pounds?" questioned Mikey as he offered the man help. His three-fingered hand was swatted away, however, so he backpedaled when Hugh floundered to his feet.

"Excuse me!" the curly-haired man retorted, pitch high with offense. "I was wheelchair bound for two months, out of work for four, and been under great stress since. Of course I've put on weight!"

Slowly, Mikey sent Kaiya a sidelong glance. "And have apparently started PMSing."

"What's PMS?" Kaiya's amber eyes squinted then widened when Hugh hit the Chūnin's shoulder.

"Nothing, sweetie," the detective said in controlled disdain.

Mikey met his brown-eyed glare with a smile then shrugged.

"Oh"—Kaiya sounded unsure yet disinterested—"okay. So, what do we do now? I…I'm not going home, right?"

"Depends," Mikey drawled. "Got anything more to show me since two weeks ago?"

"My speed!"

"Sounds good. But do you know the first rule about running?" The orange-masked mutant winked, bending down so he could meet the pale child's blank stare. "Always do warm-ups. Trust me."

"How do I warm up?"

Mikey hummed. With searching eyes he scanned the Central Park clearing the trio had invaded not long ago, and paused at a narrow pond that divided the area from another. Its banks were mostly even on both sides, free of encroaching trees, and since May rain had yet to settle in, it should be dry enough not to sink.

"I want you to stretch then jog along The Pool."

"The 'pool'?"

"See the water several yards ahead?"

"Uh-huh."

"That's called The Pool. It leads into The Loch, but I don't want you going that far. So just go a little ways up then down. Okay?"

The blonde gave a firm, excited nod. Perhaps too excited; she forgot to stretch altogether then immediately started jogging, not once glancing over her shoulder. Before she reached the bank, Hugh approached Mikey's side, his serious aura stifling the mutant's chuckle.

"Thanks," the human said lowly. "Although Blaine wants to think otherwise, I know it's good for Kaiya to explore her…abilities."

"They're part of her," Mikey replied while watching the seven-year-old. "It can't be helped; like Nia, like Donny. I'm surprised you got permission, honestly. Blaine rarely concedes."

"He can be stubborn."

"Boy, do I know my share of likewise people."

"Do both of them happen to be involved with the color red?"

Michelangelo grinned. "Maybe."

"Thankfully, Blaine's caving faster than Gavin. I argued visits like these would be best—better than any psychology work by Doctor Vigue."

"A psychiatrist at the age of seven. That's just…"

Hugh sighed. "She's started school again, despite everything. Her night terrors have died down, but she sleeps better when I speak about you."

"I do have a therapeutic effect on others."

"Sometimes. When you aren't invading their house in the middle of the night."

"That was once."

"And Marina chewed me out for it."

"She sounds like a real character." Mikey's grin widened as Kaiya turned at a sapling to jog back along the bank then spared Hugh a glance. He looked solemn, from what the mutant could tell—a clear indicator of the detective's conflict.

"You have no idea how hard it was pleading for her blind belief in December."

"Guess she isn't someone you want us to meet?"

"Far from it. I—I'd love for you to know one another."

"Except?"

"I have no idea how she'd take you guys."

"Really?"

"Fifteen years of marriage and she still surprises me. Things could go either really good or really, really bad."

"I see…" Pausing, the Chūnin sent his companion a weak smile. "Sorry we dragged you into our secret."

"Wasn't your fault so much as it was Casey's." Hugh spoke flatly, yet his honey brown eyes sparkled like the memory was exciting. "I have no regrets. Though troubling at times, I feel like I'm on the ultimate good side. You Hamatos are something to be admired."

"Aw, shucks." Playfully, Mikey shoved the man's shoulder, earning a push in return. "Unfortunately, Team Hamato is on ice until Leo returns."

"You sure? Because there have been some crazy characters popping up in the middle of these gang wars."

"Why the suspicion?"

"Gee, I wonder."

"The Phantoms always work in a group. Those guys are solo."

"Sure."

Under Hugh's dry stare, Mikey offered a crooked smile. "Seriously, we're on total lockdown. That said…if you have more information since your call after the EPF opening, I'd be willing to hear it."

"You're terrible at this," Hugh remarked in amusement.

"Says you."

"Can I be done with warm-ups?" It felt like Kaiya had appeared from thin air, though Mikey knew it only seemed so because of his distracted mind. He jumped at how close the four-foot blonde stood by him, her mouth downturned in a pout.

"If you insist," he said.

"So now what?"

"Now comes the running part." Kneeling, Michelangelo rested his hands on Kaiya's shoulders—a stern yet gentle action. "From here to The Pool's bank, I want you to run as fast as you can."

"R—really?" Kaiya licked her lips then glanced at Hugh with nervous eyes. "I…I won't get in trouble?"

"Not here, Dudette," Mikey added. His words roused a hope in the girl's amber gaze that fluttered his stomach, and he grinned to show support.

"So…run all out?"

"Exactly. Show us what you've been hiding this past month."

Anticipation animated Kaiya like Michelangelo had never seen before, yet she still required a nod from Hugh before readying herself. Oddly, she backed up further than the spot Mikey pointed at for a start, almost a good ten yards. The mutant flashed Hugh a look. It didn't remain on his face for long.

A tempestuous force whipped against his bare body, arousing goosebumps as his attention caught the blonde barreling forward. Clumps of uprooted grass were left in her wake, as if her feet weighed as much as an elephant's, and she reached The Pool in mere seconds. She squealed then tripped—perhaps while trying to halt—and her sprint's momentum hurled her into the chilled water.

"Kaiya!" Hugh cried over the following splash.

Mikey followed the detective to The Pool's edge, where he intended to dive in. Kaiya, however, surfaced from the pond without incident. She swam towards the males, conquered the dirt bank, and coughed before pushing back her wavy hair so she could flash a smile.

Such didn't keep Hugh from checking her over, though. "Are you okay?"

"That was fun!" the child cheered while seated on her sneakers.

Despite the water dragging down her clothes, she looked all but heavy, and Mikey couldn't help returning her grin. "Wow, you're…really fast, Dudette. Much faster than Donny."

"Can I do it again?"

The mutant opened his mouth, although Hugh's glare closed it.

"Blaine's already going to kill me. I think our share of excitement is met for the night."

Kaiya huffed.

"He just means for the night, Kai. We can run another time."

"Can we?"

"It would be nice to meet once a week, wouldn't it, Hugh?" Mikey and Kaiya regarded the even-faced detective with pleading expressions. A skill the mutant had practiced for years, he knew it was only a matter of time before Hugh gave in. When he did, it was marked by a sigh, and Mikey fist-bumped his youngest friend.

"I'll talk to Blaine. Speaking of, I'll be calling with the information that is in no way making it to the new heroes you obviously don't know."

"Because I'm being good."

"Uh-huh. Anyways, I should get Kaiya dry. We'll see you later."

"Thanks for hanging out, Uncle Mikey!"

Uncle Mikey? Michelangelo quite liked the ring of Kaiya's address.

He silently waved goodbye towards the little blonde, who clung to Hugh as he carried her across the clearing. When their bodies faded into the forest's cover, an overwhelming thankfulness filled the mutant at having taken Splinter's advice. The lonely pang he usually felt wasn't as sharp tonight, so he was confident he could take on one last task.

Raphael scowled at the figure he sensed shifting on the rooftop behind him. "What're ya doin', Shell-for-Brains?" he asked gruffly through his Nightwatcher helmet.

Michelangelo didn't bother keeping any distance. Instead, he front flipped to join his older brother by the building ledge, his cape fluttering between them. "Dude, when I'm dressed like this, it's Turtle Titan."

"Do ya really want that name bein' thrown around? It's a dead giveaway."

"Then call me Super T."

Raph's grimace couldn't be contained; but since his helmet kept it from showing, he scoffed. "Sounds worse."

"Well excuse me for not having an artistic girlfriend to give me cool names." While the jab was likely a tease about Nia, it held a sharp edge.

"Look, Mike; it sucks, but we shouldn't be spotted together. If anyone catches wind 'a us—"

"You mean, aside from Nia?"

"…Yeah. So get ta yer point."

"Okay, kill joy. I just wanted to drop off some information."

Twisting, Raphael watched his youngest brother back-flip then vault onto a high-raised skylight with the ease of a skilled acrobat. The green-leathered hero slid against the slanted glass until his boot heel caught the lip of the light's aluminum frame, and he grinned down at Raph while casually crossing his arms in silence.

"Well?" the black-clad mutant insisted.

"Did you know Lacio Circus is in town?"

"Mikey!"

"Relax, will ya? You're gunna give yourself a hernia."

"Does this information got anythin' ta do with the Purple Dragons or Forty-Four Street Crew?"

"Always quick to the wick and what a short wick ya got." A black cape and cowl combo led into a half mask that kept Mikey's eyes shielded by infrared lenses. Still, years of experience told Raph the 'Turtle Titan' rolled his baby blues.

"If ya don't got anything good then—"

"You're gunna leave? What's wrong with hanging out?"

Raph frowned at how pained his brother's tone sounded. "We can hang at home. Not here. So speak."

"You owe me a game of Space Heroes then."

"Fine." The hothead spoke forcibly, and tried hard to push the game's cheesy dialogue from his mind before he went back on his word.

"Hugh called."

"What for? Didn't ya just meet him tonight?"

"You knew about that?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

The younger Hamato shrugged, a strange action. 'Does he think he's bein' ignored?' Raphael didn't get a chance for confirmation; his brother continued while gazing at the clear night sky.

"Things are hard for him at work. He's desk-bound thanks to his past injury and the EPF soldier at his precinct happens to be super nosy. A real talker."

"Talker in a good or bad way?"

"Not sure yet. But Hugh can hardly do the work he wants because someone in higher power is hindering him. He's trying to keep tabs on the EPF, to figure out Bishop's next aim, but…"

"He 'n his friends are under a microscope."

"Hun's gang wars with the Forty-Four Crew aren't helping matters either. If anything, the violence is spearheading the demand for EPF applicants."

"Advanced trainin' gives 'em an organized edge against the gangbangers. We know." Raph shot a smirk at Mikey, arms crossing; except it was lost on the hero since he didn't glance down.

"Hugh's given thought to joining them."

"What?"

"Don't worry; the idea was quickly reasoned against," Mikey said with a brusque sigh. "His actions at the Property Office put him in a terrible position. The officer who witnessed him take down the EPF guard is still quiet, but Bishop knows who was involved. He can't prove it because the feeds were damaged. Still, his soldier is missing. And the clues point at Hugh."

"If he ain't careful, he'll land in hot water."

"And it's our fault—my fault—for that. We shouldn't ask him to push for any more information."

"I get the feelin' pushin' ain't involved. Hugh's the kinda guy who bulldozes through then survives a pitfall by the skin 'a his teeth."

"Colorful imagery. Have you been helping Nia with her book?"

Raph shook his head. "That's yer job."

"I'll fight ya for it, too." Mikey flashed a grin, finally returning his attention to his brother. "Anyways, I told him to focus on Damien and Kenneth instead."

"Who?"

"Old Purple Dragon members. One was arrested during the April incident and the other was arrested when Blaine and Hugh were tracking down leads on—on Kaiya."

"So what do they got ta do with anythin'?"

"Well"—with a high hum, Michelangelo pushed himself off the skylight, dropping to the cement roof without a sound—"Hugh's receiving a lot of heat because he's watching after them during their probation. Apparently, they wanna enter the police academy."

Raph ran a hand down the side of his padded helmet. "Seriously?"

"Not that bad a deal, really; they've got inside knowledge about Purple Dragon workings. It's…it's why they found Miriam Summers."

Amazing how a single name could double gravity. Raph had no choice except shake his head of it, so the guilt wouldn't settle.

"That's all." No amount of casualty could hide Mikey's hurt feelings, especially not from Raph. He kept quiet about them, though, watching his brother walk backwards from behind his helmet's visor. "The moment Damien or Kenneth mention anything ground-breaking, he'll call. For now, we're stuck with piddly mediating."

"Hey"—Raphael called when Mikey reached the building's corner—"least it's therapeutic, right?"

"Sure," the younger Hamato replied. "It's my turn to go home first, so…I'll meet you for that game later."

In a flash, Michelangelo disappeared like only a Phantom could and Raphael was left to wonder why he suddenly felt as if he had done something wrong.

The barren office of Hunter Mason was silent. There weren't any needy Purple Dragon members invading his space for trivial matters or updates to be relayed. Why? Because his ranks were all busy on street level with various tasks.

Usually, the mammoth blonde would find satisfaction in his gang's work, yet he frowned while glaring across the cityscape from his office chair, his reflection clearly seen in the line of windows before him. 'The Turtles haven't messed with my gang in months. Maybe one of their many enemies finally bested them.'

Hun almost smirked, until a new thought struck him.

'Now every member is busy. Busy enough not to trouble me with silly matters. But that's because there are so few to fulfill those roles. The damage that stupid girl brought on my ranks was an embarrassment. If the police hadn't of stormed where she stayed in my absence, I would've kept her for sport.'

Of course, he wasn't allowed that small pleasure. Insult was added to injury when one of his young members sold out the interrogation site. And Hun didn't have a chance to enact proper revenge on him, either. Kenneth Miles sought refuge with the police weeks before then.

'Now Damien has joined NYPD forces as well. Ridiculous! Where's the loyalty? Those I could rely on fully were taken by that damned Bishop, and none of the connections I've made since Black Lotus' betrayal have helped me with what I desire most!'

If he were standing, the giant man would've tossed his chair into the side wall as hard as he could. Since he wasn't, he settled for swiveling backwards so his thick arm could properly displace what little objects resided on his desk. They clanked against the hard ground, though he didn't bother to check if anything was broken—his glare was too fixed on the empty space by his chest as if it displayed the face of everyone he hated.

'Bishop won't keep my cyborgs much longer. I'll see to that. Meanwhile, Scales and Bones better watch their backs. If those traitors want to involve themselves with the police, so be it. Lots of things happen to officers, particularly when they meddle in turf wars.

'I'm not giving up any territory to those Forty-Four fools. It's the perfect time to expand, after all. With the turtle freaks nowhere in sight and the Foot quiet…Now it's just some minor trouble with a little girl and a big guy with a chain weapon. Even weakened, we can handle that much.'

"Hun, Sir?"

Hun's head jerked up. He hadn't heard his office door open, yet in its cavity stood Switchblade, his blonde hair ruffled around his horse-like face as if in a panic. "What is it?" the leader questioned—a threatening action.

"It's, uh, your appointment," the cyborg replied stiffly. "He's here."

A/N: You don't even know the half of it. Next up is 'The Warner-Frost Services', where we get a glimpse into Nia's home-life with her parents and work-life, where a few surprises await her. Don't be scared to review! :D