A/N: Meant to post this, but apparently I'm so out of it, I mistook yesterday for Wednesday. Gah! Enjoy!

D: I wouldn't say Mikey's trying to impress anyone, let alone consider him 'desperate'. He's just feeling a little self-conscious and scared he had made a bad impression. How would you feel accidentally kissing a stranger? Stressful, but funny. For us. LOL

WOLF: Then here's more banter for ya! Thanks! :D

Sciencegal: Love dorky Mikey. He's one of those 'thinks he can be smooth, but her really isn't' sorta guys. Like Will Smith. Ha! (Glad you like Mia, at least. Gavin's so...Gavin.)

Feather: You're back, and of course filled with lovely reviews. Thanks for loving Starberry Girl! Yeah, Turtle Luck and a certain someone is involved in that matter. But you have to wait a while. Like knowing where 'Starberry Girl' comes from. There is SO MUCH to come, so stay tuned. :) (BTW, good luck with moving!)

Chapter 09: Duo

Hun ran his fingers over the rippled border of a NYPD badge. Its gold surface was cool, yet bit the gangster's fingertips like a flame, reminding him of what it meant.

"Is that all he left?" Switchblade questioned.

Smirking, Hun glanced up from his desk to see the blonde cyborg cross his sleek, metal arms. "Disappointed?"

"It's been over a month since he started dropping things off. You'd think we'd have something more…substantial."

"This is substantial," the mammoth snapped. He slammed a palm against his desk, its shake violent enough to avert Switchblade's blue gaze. Good; the smaller gangster had no right to look at him with annoyance anyway. "Patience heeds results in this case. All evidence before now has gone unreported because police are reluctant to accept the reality of a dirty cop. But the idea's been planted. And its inception is what will spark a real investigation, like planned."

"Meanwhile, the dealer's exchanging information we can barely use," Switchblade grumbled. His tensed jaw was not misplaced, and when he sneered, Hun straightened.

"A deal was struck," the PD leader started flatly. "He knows forsaking it will bring death. While we started our part immediately, he had to wait for an opportunity. Now that it's been presented, though, he has no excuse."

"Think he'll actually get in?"

"For his sake, he'd better. Or I'll turn this situation on all of Precinct Nineteen."

A snigger bounced Switchblade's metallic shoulders around with soft clanks. Then, he grinned in anticipation. "So where do you want the badge planted?"

Michelangelo had an easy time keeping up with Starberry Girl across Chinatown's rooftops. She seemed surprised by that. For a good fifteen minutes, he purposefully kept on her heels, and on occasion she glanced over her shoulder to check his status. And then sped up.

"You won't lose me!" he cried to the green-haired heroine ahead.

A huff followed, diminished by the passing wind, yet Starberry Girl brought the unsaid competition to a halt by mounting the crest of a long Chinese-style roof. "Impressive stamina," she noted.

Once the young woman began walking the roof's thick crest, Mikey followed on its upturned lip made from ceramic tiles. "Not used to a partner who can keep up?"

"More like I find it unbelievable someone can hold par with my training."

"I can say likewise. Sensei's always had high-standards. But it's been for the best."

"Usually is. No matter how much I bled or how many bones I broke, Maestra wouldn't take no for an answer."

"Uh, question." After raising his hand, Mikey let in hang in the air before falling. "Is a 'maestra' anything like a 'maestro'?"

"Cosa?"

"I don't get it. What does music have to do with blood and fighting?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't tell me an evil music teacher steered you down the path of heroism. Because that origin story—"

Starberry Girl cut the mutant off with a deep scowl. "I'm not talking about music, sciocco!"

"Then"—Mikey paused as the heroine jumped on the roof's decorative end—"why bring up maestro-thingies?"

"Caspita, you're even pronouncing it wrong," Starberry Girl spat. "It's 'mah-estrah', and it's simply a term for my teacher, Madam Vermillion."

Hold. The. Press.

Michelangelo stared at the stationary female silhouetted by the last quarter moon, and swore his heart stopped. "D—did you say…Madam Vermillion?"

"Si. She inspired me to become a hero."

"You"—the news still spun his mind—"know her?"

"Why are you gawking?"

"Because you know Madam Vermillion!"

Mia's advice be damned; the mutant simply couldn't contain his excitement nor act natural. Adrenaline surged through his veins like a high, and it was all he could do to keep from squealing. Yes, squealing. He did, however, flail his arms then jump in place for several seconds, smiling broadly.

"I take it you're a fan," Starberry Girl remarked, lip quirked.

When Mikey raised his head, his tone hitched. "Yes!"

"Guess she's popular even in the States."

"Does this mean all the phrases you keep dishing out are Italian?"

The green-haired heroine nodded then hopped off the roof's décor so her boots slid down the tiles' gentle pitch. "English is my third language, so you may notice an increase in Italian when I'm upset."

"Gee, haven't seen that yet," the mutant jested. He sent Starberry Girl a playful grin at the roof's end, which she mirrored. "So what's your second language?"

"What do you think? You don't train under a Chinese-born hero for five years and not pick up things. It's my weak language, though. I'm better suited for Spanish."

"Can all those languages fit in such a small head?"

"I get the feeling you only speak two. Does that mean your head is filled with mostly empty space?"

The duo's gazes met under the moonlight. While hidden by two masks, Michelangelo sensed a connection—as if neither his cowl nor her face-protection existed. A ghost sensation spread over his lips when his mind convinced him he knew what her eyes looked like, so he forced his attention aside with a rough cough. Starberry Girl did likewise, although her cough evolved into a strained chuckle.

He found it cute.

"Haven't met many people who roll with my sense of humor," the young woman said. "They're usually offended."

"I have three older brothers. It'll take a lot to offend me."

"Good."

Mikey jerked his head towards Starberry, somewhat startled by her vigor.

"Means I won't have to hold back," she added.

"In that case,"—the green-clad hero crossed his arms and grinned—"neither will I."

"Think you can out tease me?"

Mikey's grin widened at her smugness. "Bring it on, Chibi Hoshi."

"Just you wait; I'm really good at this game."

"What a coincidence. So am I. Maybe we were destined to meet."

'Way to go, mouth. Can you sound any dorkier?'

Mikey chuckled weakly, his smirk faltering when the heroine glanced away. Again. She mumbled something he couldn't quite make out then lept to an opposing roof set close on their left.

"From now on, call me Star, by the way; my title's a mouth-full."

"That may get a little weird," the mutant said, his face scrunched.

"Why?"

"I already know a Star. And when I say the name, I think of her."

"Afraid you'll get us mixed up?"

"Not exactly." Mikey refrained from shuddering when his mind compared Star's rotten-tooth smile with Starberry Girl's current smirk. It was rude to favor one above the other, but… "I'll call you Hoshi. It means 'star'."

"If you're not using English, then I won't either, Figo."

"Fair enough. Now are you finally going to reveal what you had in store for our team-up? Or did you just really want to hang out?"

"Easy, big green," Hoshi countered.

"I don't do easy."

The heroine snickered. "Then this should be fun."

"I'd agree. If I knew more about what we're doing. Are you tracking down Purple Dragons?"

"No. The spot where the two gangs were warring for recruits has been silent all weekend. It's likely the arrest of so many Forty-Fours deterred the PDs from moving. They'll probably be back, but it'll be a while."

"So what's your mission now?"

"Who says I have a mission?"

Mikey raised an eye ridge—an action he could only hope she sensed. "My brothers and I have been doing this gig for almost nine years. I know when someone has a goal in mind."

"Reading people like that is kind of scary."

"It's also part of being a"—the mutant paused to prevent himself from saying 'ninja'—"hero."

"Well, hero, what are your thoughts on the EPF?"

'Don't tell me she's involved after all.'

"Why?" Mikey asked, cautious.

Hoshi pursed her mouth then ventured along the roof's lip. "Many people I meet nowadays hold nothing except praise for them. I need to know where you stand."

"Because if I'm one of the opposing few, you'll cut short our team-up?"

"Far from it," the human spat while whirling his way. "I'll thank my lucky stars that we share some common ground. Even in Italy he had a positive image…"

"Who?"

"Bishop."

"You're joking," said Mikey flatly. The idea sounded preposterous. Bishop's grip didn't extend that far…did it?

"Wish I was," Hoshi replied with a sigh.

"Why would he be in Italy?"

The heroine flinched. It clearly wasn't an action she could control, and she recovered by stretching casually. Much like Mikey would do.

'She must have history with Bishop to scowl like that. Don't think she'll talk about it so soon, though.'

"Have you seen his promotions plastered all over this city?"

Mikey scoffed towards Hoshi's turned back. "Not even a blind person can miss them. He's got flyers in the streets, billboards, press coverage, and a commissioner in his pocket. What's he trying to do, run for president?"

"More like world dictator."

'Why does she sound so serious?'

"Least this is a relief." Soft words cut through Mikey's daze. "You aren't defensive about him, which means you must be on my side. Right?"

"Fully; he's a rat."

Hoshi smirked at his frown, though kept quiet a long moment, as if assessing his answer. Once her decision was made, she opened her mouth for a reply, a smirk forming across her thin lips. It was for naught.

A sudden boom silenced her with surprise—its power resonating through the thick air—and Mikey jumped to her side out of instinct. His gloved-hand almost touched her arm before he realized the danger wasn't local: it glowed in the distance.

"Is that…?" The hero narrowed his eyes at an orange haze beyond the numerous rooftops. It flickered like a giant torch against the blue tiles, black smoke pluming into the smog-sky above.

"And the pattern continues," Hoshi mumbled beside Mikey. A second later, she took off.

Michelangelo followed suit. Their fast pace placed them on the outskirts of Chinatown, near Bowery Street in Little Italy, and the lower vantage from a flat-roof restaurant gave the perfect view of a short fire. It engulfed a round structure resembling a toll booth, earnestly eating through its white walls and dome top without mercy.

"This is a recent Hub," Mikey noted. He studied shattered glass glistening across the wide intersection below. Their outward pattern reached a long parking lot on the other side, but the damage looked minimal, considering. "Think anyone's inside?"

"Doubt it," Hoshi answered, rigid. "The others had no casualties."

"Still, we should check."

"Is that fancy leather fire-proof?"

Although she had a point, Mikey sent a mild glare. 'I don't feel right not knowing. EPF goon or not, there may be a human life at stake.'

So, frowning with resolve, the hero positioned himself along the restaurant's ledge; regardless of the young woman's call. Though she gripped his bicep, movement along the sidewalk is what seized him.

"Do you see that?" Hoshi asked while reaching behind her.

"Yeah." Mikey watched as her staff separated from her white tank-top after a notable amount of force.

'Does she wear a magnet under there?'

"He doesn't seem very concerned by the fire."

"Meaning he could've started it."

"Is it just me, or is that guy in police blue?"

"Let's get down there before—huh?"

Hoshi leaned over the edge, her ponytail bouncing as she whipped her head left and right. "Where'd he go?"

"You're kidding!" Mikey joined her. "That was so a ninja move! But he didn't look like Foot."

"Ninja? Foot? What are you talking about, Figo?" The heroine faced the mutant, yet he didn't acknowledge her, his eyes fixed on the fire.

"I wanna ask Raph. But he might overreact to me being so close to a bombing. If I look into this I might be reported. Then again, it's not like I can let things be…"

"What are you mumbling about?"

"I have a proposition." Mikey spoke suddenly, so he couldn't tell if either his voice or suggestion turned Hoshi's scowl into confusion.

"And that would be?"

"We'll talk about it after we check for survivors."

Indignation downturned Starberry Girl's mouth. Even so, she prepared to jump, placing her staff against her back. He wanted to question her reluctance; it seemed misplaced for a heroine—especially one who was apparently trained by Madam Vermillion. Now wasn't the time for such things, however, and the duo descended into the street with a single mission in mind.