Chapter 7: Katas

A/N: I know it's taken me a bit to get this chapter out, but I've had other stories to do as well. I want to thank those who have read and reviewed this story so far. Your encouragement and kind words have really helped me in continuing to tell this story. Thanks a million. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well. This prompt was requested by Eclectic Me who wanted to see Leo teaching Aubree some katas. Therefore, I have decided to honor that request. I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: See chapter one.

At first, I didn't want to learn any ninjitsu from Leo because I already knew a bit of self-defense, and I didn't want our sessions to compromise my job. Leo seemed to understand that and didn't inquire further about it after that first time. However, Mikey was a different story. He came up to my apartment one night just as I was getting ready to watch wrestling. I didn't think it was unusual since the Turtles had been coming to see me a lot since they rescued me from those Purple Dragons.

"Hey, Mikey, want to watch wrestling with me?" I asked.

"Sure," he said. "But that's not why I came over here."

"Oh?" I asked raising an eyebrow. "Then why are you here?"

"Well, remember when Leo was asking if you'd learn ninjitsu from him, and you refused him?" Mikey asked me.

I nodded. "Yeah, I remember," I replied. "What of it?"

"Well, I was wondering if maybe you'd changed your mind," he answered. "I mean, Leo's a really good teacher, and Master Splinter would be helping you, too. I just think it would be a good opportunity for you two to spend more time together."

I could tell where Mikey was going with this, and I didn't like it. In his mind Leo and I were an item and really loved each other even though that was far from the truth. He felt that the two of us could benefit by spending more time together and that maybe it would spark more romance between us.

"Mikey, for the last time, there's nothing going on between me and Leo," I told him. "We're just friends."

"I know that, Aubree," he said. "I just think that you could benefit from Leo's teachings."

I smiled. "Oh, I see, and this wouldn't have to do with a certain orange-banded Turtle who misses a certain cop and wants to see her more often?" I inquired.

"Okay, it could have a bit to do with that," Mikey answered. "So, will you do it?"

I wanted to say no, but Mikey gave me his infamous puppy-dog eyes that Leo had warned me about. According to him, nobody could resist the puppy-dog eyes with the exception of Master Splinter. I sighed, knowing that I was probably going to regret my decision at once.

"Well, okay, I'll do it," I replied.

Mikey gave an excited squeal and gave me a crushing hug. "Oh, thank you, Aubree!" he cried. "I knew you would do it!"

"Okay, okay, Mikey," I said. "Now, can you please let go of me?"

Mikey did so and hurried to the kitchen. "You got anything good to eat?" he asked.

"I have some Doritos Cool Ranch chips if you want," I offered. "Do you want anything to drink?"

"Yeah, but I can get it myself," he replied. He rummaged in my cabinet for a glass. I heard him pouring the soda into the glass, and he even poured one for me, too. Then he retrieved the chips and the two glasses full of soda. I was amazed that he could carry all of it.

"Need any help?" I asked him.

He shook his head and carried it all to me. Then he sat down beside me, opened up the bag of chips, and offered it to me first. I smiled and took a handful. I was glad that he had come to keep me company. We watched wrestling and had a lot of fun cheering for our favorite wrestlers and booing the ones we didn't like. We made predictions on the matches and who would win each one. It was a lot of fun for me, and I was laughing a lot that night. It was just a good way to wind down from my job.

When Mikey was ready to leave, he said, "Now don't forget, you said you'd let Leo teach you. So you can't back out of it."

"I won't, Mikey," I promised. "I'll be there whenever Leo wants me to be there."

He nodded and left. I cleaned up our mess and got ready for bed. I wasn't sure what would happen when I did go down for my first lesson. I had a feeling Mikey would tease me to no end about us being in love. I decided the best thing to do was to ignore him and just focus on the lesson. Leo had often told me how focus was important in ninjitsu, and I knew that I'd have to do my very best to stay focused so I would know what I was doing.

So, on my day off from work, I headed to the Lair for my first lesson in ninjitsu. I decided to wear a white tank top, workout pants, and sneakers. When I arrived Mikey wolf-whistled at my attire. I just glared at him and headed to the dojo where Leo and Splinter were waiting for me. I was afraid Mikey was going to stay to observe our lesson, but he went to the row of televisions and began playing a video game at low volume, much to my relief.

"Hey, Aubree, I'm glad you could make it," Leo said. "Now, first you have to bow to the dojo in respect." He and Splinter stepped out of the dojo and demonstrated the way I was to bow. I copied them, and they nodded in approval.

"Very good, Miss Hennigan, Splinter praised. "Now, first we will be showing you some basic moves such as kicking and punching. Leonardo, if you would demonstrate."

Leo did as Splinter said and demonstrated a punch. He showed me a few times, and then I was asked to copy him. I was a bit clumsy at first, but I soon learned the proper way to do the move. After that, Leo showed me how to kick while Splinter observed us. I had a feeling that Leo was going to do most of the teaching while Splinter was a chaperone of sorts. I had a feeling Splinter wanted to make sure that nothing happened between the teacher and the student. As I was later to learn, this wasn't the case at all. Splinter merely wanted to observe our lessons and see how I progressed.

Leo then directed me to the punching bag set up in the corner of the dojo and instructed me to attack using the katas he had shown me. I did so and found that it was a great tool to learn on. I wondered if I could install one in my apartment to use when I wasn't practicing with them. I was sure Raph could hook me up.

When the lesson was over, Leo led me in some cool down stretches and then advised that I meditate to clear my mind of distractions. He said that it would really help me and that maybe I could do it after work as well. I found that meditating was actually really cool, though I did have some trouble with it at first. We decided to set up my practice schedule around my work schedule. If I worked during the day, I would have practice at night before the guys went on patrol. If I worked at night, I'd have practice during the day. I figured it was a good way for me to let out stress and energy, and tI could tell Leo was happy that I was even permitting him to teach me.

"So, what did you think?" Mikey asked me after my session was over.

"I think he's a good teacher," I replied. "He really knows his stuff."

"Yeah, he does," Mikey agreed. "I told you it would work out."

"You were right about that," I said. "Thanks, Mikey."

Leo escorted me home after we both took showers. We talked about different subjects not related to our lesson and had a good time as well. Leo was just an awesome friend, and I was lucky to be with someone so nice.

In the weeks that followed, my lessons became more intense, and I soon found that although ninjitsu was interesting, it could be frustrating too. There were times where Leo corrected my stances and the way I was doing the moves that annoyed me to no end. I got extremely frustrated with him one day and just stormed out of the dojo, not pausing to bow in respect when I left. I could hear someone following me, but I didn't bother to look back.

"Leo, just go away!" I snapped. "I don't want to talk to you right now!"

"Sorry about that," a voice said, and I knew it wasn't Leo. I stopped and let Raph catch up to me.

"I know it can get annoyin' at times," he said. "That's why Leo and I often fight with each other. Sensei's yelling at him to not be so harsh with you because you're still learnin'."

I sighed. "I guess I shouldn't have stormed out like that," I replied. "Leo was only trying to be a good teacher. I'd better go back and apologize to him."

"No, he should apologize to you," Raph corrected. "You don't have to be sorry for bein' frustrated. I know how that feels."

"Well, I'm still going to apologize for my behavior," I answered. "It's only right."

So, I went back to the Lair and apologized to Leo for my behavior. "I really shouldn't have stormed out like that," I said. "It was stupid of me."

"No, I should apologize, Aubree," he replied. "I was too harsh with you. I have to remember that you're still learning. Please forgive me."

I smiled. "Yeah, I forgive you," I said. "Do you forgive me?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I do," he said.

"Good," I replied. "Then we're good to go."

After that incident, things became better for both of us. I really enjoyed learning from him, and I could tell he enjoyed teaching me. As it turned out his lessons came in handy when I took down a robber who was trying to get away. I used one of the moves Leo taught me and brought the robber down quickly. After he was taken into custody, Ben asked me, "Where'd you learn that move, Aub?"

I smiled. "From a good friend of mine," I answered. Then I told Ben all about how Leo was teaching me martial arts. He thought it was cool and wondered if maybe Leo would teach him, too. I said I'd have to ask him and see if he would, but I wasn't sure. I really didn't want to expose Ben to them like that just yet. Sure, he'd met them before, but he still didn't know who they were, and I wasn't sure how he'd take that. So, I decided to think about it and then talk to Leo to see what he thought of the matter. I had a feeling that Ben would be an interesting student and that he would learn a lot from Leo.

As it turned out, Leo was excited about the idea but a bit wary about letting Ben into the Lair. I assured him that Ben would keep the secret and that he was a trustworthy person. So the next day, Ben was allowed to come to the Lair and to start lessons. He promised not to say anything about who the Turtles actually were and took the news even better than I did.

"You guys are mutants?" he asked. "Cool! But don't worry I won't say a word about you. Do you have any special powers or anything?"

"No, they don't," I replied.

"Ah, such a shame," he said. "Now, what do I do first?"

Needless to say, training with Ben was a blast, and the guys really learned to like him, too. As for me, I was glad I had decided to learn ninjitsu with Leo. It was bringing us closer as friends, and though Ben often teased me about it being more than that, I vehemently denied such allegations. There was no way I was in love with Leonardo Hamato, and I intended to keep it that way.

A/N: So, what did you think of this chapter? I hope it was okay. Feel free to leave a review after you have finished reading. You may also feel free to request prompts, and I'll be glad to do them for you. Have a shelltastic day.