A Turtle on the Outside, a Wolf on the Inside

by Sairey13

Before Yoshi got the turtles from the Pet Store, Leo was found playing with the manager's dog, who was told to be a wolf-hybrid. Right before Yoshi took the turtles away, Leo ate some of the canine's fur and when he got mutated, the mutagen somehow enhanced the inside of his body to match a wolf's behavior and abilities. NO T-CEST, LEORAI or APRITELLO!

14. The Choices We Make

May Thirtieth, 2012…
A few days had passed since my first and last encounter with Karai… That girl… She's really an enigma. One moment she starts a fight to the death, then the next she acts as if it never happens and wants me to cause mischief with her. I've kept her tantō blade, which I hope to return and give her my thanks. I know the latter will be impossible, considering she'll probably be having some Foot ninjas to patrol with, if Shredder learned she let us go and doesn't trust her to scour the city on her own.

A few days ago, the news came up and informed viewing audience of Anthony Byerly's arrest, for the theft of Miyamoto Musashi's blade, Mikinosuke. Also, by forging a fake sword to pass as the actual blade, he not only stole from Suzuki Katei or the National Museum of Japanese History, but also Japan, itself. I know he won't be in prison for long; he's a billionaire and will use money to get himself out within a day or two, and pay off certain people to make the news blow over. He'll even act like the innocent victim, claiming he bought some random sword while on his last trip to Japan, 'never knowing' that he ended up getting a legend sword that was put for auction. Thankfully, the sword is being sent back to Japan, where it'll be truly treasured and valued by the people of Japan and well cared for.

I'm actually surprised that Karai didn't go back to the building and steal the blade, as she intended for us to do, but very much glad she didn't do so that would've let her friend's work go to waste. No doubt, this "Shini" gathered enough evidence to confirm my suspicious, delivered the proof to Karai and secretly sent them to Law Enforcement that lead to Byerly's arrest.

In some way, this shows she follows the rules of honor… Well, some of its rules. Not in the way of Bushido, but enough that shows her more to understanding and upholding the importance of honor. Unlike Shredder, Bradford, Xever and the Foot Clan. And for that, I know that I'm making the right decision by following Bushido, to give her a chance to see if she'll be a worthy ally… Though, a part of me tells me that she'll fail the test and when that happens, I'll be greatly sadden by the results and will have to view her as the enemy she's trained to be.

Unlike April, Karai will be tested based on what she would do when faced with an enemy that involves us: Will she continue under Shredder's orders to kill us, fight alongside us, or run? Whatever choice she makes, I will not know the answer to but when she does, that will tell me how she must be viewed as.

Speaking of April… She's been all smiles and more determined into her training, since I sent her that text… I meant what I said in that text, for she has finally passed the test and can now see her as both, an ally, and a true member of the Hamato Clan. When I left her aunt's apartment, she was faced with a difficult decision on what she should do: Not speak a word about this and let me handle the situation, or inform the guys of my location. And she chose the latter… Which, I'm very happy and relieved that she did.

Without realizing it, none of us realizing it, she had Snake follow Raphael's trail to the surface and not head for Donatello or Michelangelo's, which would've lead him to finding our Lair if she hadn't told them where I was. Not only that, but Snake's interference was the perfect distraction to have Karai flee from the scene, meaning she'll probably avoid any form of punishment from the Shredder for not completing her task to kill me. Even if Raph and I would still end up arguing, April did what she did was right: Inform the team the whereabouts of their missing member, and giving them the location where they can help save that missing teammate.

In a pack, what's most important is looking each other's back and telling others of the danger that member is in, no matter how much they fear of being labeled as a traitor to that person. April put my wellbeing before her own concern of our complicated relationship and, in doing so, saved us from Snake discovering our den… And Karai, for not completing her primary objective. And for that, she has my full trust and, despite still feeling something off about her, is now someone who I can acknowledge as my sister, just like Karasu.

…Karasu… My Little Kara… She's getting so big and strong, which I'm happy to see her becoming a great flyer that I raised her and trained her to become… Sadly, she has to leave the nest and that day is just around the corner. And when that day arrives, I'll be all alone, with nobody to interact within the sewers.

Many of the rats, including the colony I grew up alongside with for five years, left the sewers to find a new nest… Away from the city, since the incident with Victor Falco. When I went to check up on them, that was my last encounter with the many rats I came to know and love. They promised to return, but only when the city is safe and the Rat King was dealt with, once and for all. But until then, the city isn't safe with them remaining underground and neither are they safe remaining in the city, should Victor try to take over the city, again. Only the rogue rats are all I see scouring the sewers, which saddens me from how quiet the sewers became since they left.

And while I made many friends and allies with the animals above the surface, I'm unable to interact with them the way I greet them, when I have three brothers eyeing my every move, Raphael especially. I can tell he felt like an idiot and a fool for allowing me to walk away from the team, while he became leader. And every time we go up to patrol the city, I always feel his eyes watching my every movement and remain close by at all times. Though I wanted to snap at him to stop shadowing me, I let him continue this habit. Within short time, he'll calm down and, eventually, stop needing to keep watch as if I'm going to escape prison.

However, tonight, we're gonna be on the look out for Kraang. Some of the pigeons informed me that, lately, Kraang has been roaming the alleyways, parks, pet stores, animal exhibits and certain areas providing plants… Capturing and taking plants and small animals to, most likely, one of their hideouts. According to the pigeons, they were last seen near Hicksville. Hopefully, they'll be there and when we see them, my blades will remind the Kraang why they should never encounter us.

---

Ten Twenty-Seven, on the Surface World…
"When fight is concluded, the ones called 'The turtles' are defeated by Kraang." A silver Kraangdroid stated, blasting away to try and hit one of the turtles. Because their own sense of vision is restricted, it never saw Leonardo coming up from behind until the blue-masked turtle sliced off it's right-arm, followed by the left-arm and being rammed to the ground. The alien, unable to control its robot body, screeched in fear and made an attempt to run for freedom… Only for Leo step on some of its tentacles with his foot and, allowing the alien to stare up at who prevented it to flee, brought down Musashi for a quick death. Magenta-red blood gushed out from the Kraang, coating the blade that ended its life.

The blue-masked turtle let out a sigh of satisfaction, no feeling of remorse for the dead creature before him. The only thing he does regret, is not forcing the information out from the creature where they're keeping the animals before ending its life. He also hoped that the other Kraang saw what he did to their friend, so they'd take the hint to leave and he can enjoy a little hunt.

Someone's watching.

Leo lifted his nose in the air, separating the stench of toxic-squid with the surrounding scent… Which, to his surprise, caught the faint scent of tradition Japanese cherry-blossom. Looking up to where he saw a certain Kunoichi he both wanted, and not wanted, to meet: Karai.

Great, her. What's she doing here?

'My guess, patrolling the city for us.' His hearing can hear slight shifting sounds where Karai stood, which he figures to being Foot ninjas she brought with her. His eyes narrowed at her. 'And of all the time she and her group finds us, it has to be when we're fighting Kraang.'

What are you going to do?

Looking over, he watch his brothers bringing down their blue-Kraangdroid, only for a few other Kraang to come around the corner and firing their blasters at them. Leo did a mid-air barrel roll to avoid the five blasts and held up Musashi to block two more attacks.

'We can't fight both Kraang, and the Foot, at once. And whether the Foot had ever came across the aliens or not, there's no doubt they'll try to fight both us and Kraang at the same time… Time to disband.' "Guys, Foot ninjas, above us!" He called out to his brothers, purposely giving away Karai's location.

"Well, that's just great!" Raphael replied, stabbing his sais into his Kraangdroid's head and chest, flinging it to the side before making a charge for the other four Kraangdroid who join in the fight. Clearly, he harbors deep hatred towards the girl. Not only has she made an attempt to kill his brother, but also made his twin believe he owes her a debt by testing her to being their ally. Yeah, like that's ever going to happen. Them, Hamatos, allying themselves with a Foot ninja? When the world's coming to an end, perhaps.

"Take care of the Kraang!" Leonardo ordered, reflecting a third blaster to hit one of the Kraangdroid in the arm before putting both his swords in their scabbards. "I'll take care of the Foot!"

He expected Raphael to not approve his decision.

"What?! You can't be serious, Leo!"

"We don't have much of a choice right now, Raph!" Donatello back up for Leo, using the hidden blade of his Naginata to stab the Kraangdroid through the chest and tossing it to the side. "We can't deal with both Kraang, and the Foot, at the same time!"

"We'll regroup at the Lair," the blue-masked turtle suggested to his brothers. Not bothering to hear any more protest from the red-masked turtle, Leo scaled up the fire escape of the building and, after launching himself in the air to where Karai stood over, brought out his blades and brought them both down to the girl, who had her Wakizashi out to block the attack.

"Hey, Leo. You missed me?" She greeted, pushing the turtle back. "You must have, if you're so eager to have my blade pierce your neck, again."

The turtle slid backwards on his feet, smirking at her remark before turning his gaze to the Foot ninjas before her, their blades drawn out and ready to attack him.

"And you seem to, once again, need assistance from your little merry men to weaken your opponent before making the finishing blow." She didn't say anything to that comment, only snapped her fingers and the six Foot ninjas charged.

Leo didn't look concern in the least… And since he has already shed blood, tonight, he saw no harm to shed even more. Before even the one of the six ninjas' sword could even be brought down, the blue-masked turtle allowed himself to let loose: His first victim, the one to bring his blade down, had the wind knocked out from a jab to the hilt. The second and third victim, decided to attack from both sides, only for the turtle to jump in the air and, when he dived back down, delivered a fatal cut to both of them that, also, cut through their sword. The fourth ninja charged from behind the turtle, who heard the ninja coming and, timing it precisely, backflipped himself to the one behind the human and ram the ninja to the ground. Both the fifth and sixth ninja hesitated on making an attack on him, but are honor-bound to attack their master's enemy and tried to tag team the turtle, who easily blocked their weak strikes. Wanting to end the pity match, Leo eventually positioned himself between the two and, when they charged at him, launched himself in the air and the last two ninjas collided with each other.

Leonardo exhaled, staring at the six ninjas who are on the ground, the last two unconscious, while the first and fourth ninja helped the second and third with their bleeding injuries. Karai was taken back a bit on what she just witnessed.

'And I thought he was good, before.' This isn't the first time she witnessed a brutal fight that ended with blood; the training practices Shredder would have her observe, would at times end with his opponent bleeding out to near death when her father ends up becoming the victor.

"So, Karai, you wanna continue where we left off?" Leonardo asked, turning his blood-covered swords to her. She stared at the turtle, then to her fallen followers, to his brothers finishing off the Kraangdroid, and back to the blue-masked turtle.

"While I would like to drive my blade through your chest, I'm afraid we'll have to reschedule our playdate for another time." Karai answered, surprising the turtle a bit before regaining his composure. Whatever was on the girl's mind, Leo guessed that the sight of seeing Kraang must've made the older-teen wanting to fall back from her objective.

"Very well," he said. "But, before you go…" Without warning, he charged at the girl and, when he was face-to-face, swiftly and with skill, shoved the tantō blade into her grasp from within his own grip beside Kamiizumi's hilt. Realizing what he was doing, the Kunoichi played along and swiped the blade at the turtle, who backflipped away from the girl and, while in mid-air, tossed his smoke-bomb down on the rooftop. The roof was clouded in the thick purple-smoke, giving the turtle plenty of time to drop down into the alleyway and become one with the shadow, silently leaving the area until he could find a manhole-cover and head for the Lair.

You didn't have to give back her tantō.

'I know, but what would be the chances of the guys going into my room and finding a weapon, with the Foot Symbol inscribed?'

Very high for Omega-Brother Michelangelo, average high for Omega-Brother Donatello and Beta-Brother Raphael knew Pup has small-fang in possession.

'If they confront me about it or, Heaven forbid, informs Sensei to have him be involved, they'll be questioning my judgment and decision making every time we run into her. Besides, she'll probably be needing her weapon should she ever loses her Wakizashi in battle and to me, returning it seems the proper way to thank her.'

His trip through the sewers, as he expected, was quiet and empty. He would hear a distant call of a rat or two at the farther parts of the sewers, but even their cry weren't enough to make the blue-masked turtle to forget his sewer friends are gone, far away from New York City and someplace else, not knowing if he'll be seeing many of them of the possible danger they'll encounter. He also took the time to wipe the blood off of Musashi and Kamiizumi, using the wrappings of his hands before putting them back in their scabbards, planning on putting mineral oil from Don's lab on his blades to thoroughly ensure proper cleaning and strengthening his weapon.

By the time he reached the entrance of the Lair and walked through the turnstile, he was rammed to the ground by none other than Michelangelo, who had his arms pinned tightly to his side from the hug the orange-masked turtle is giving to his brother.

"Leo, you made it home!" He cried, smiling big at his big brother, who gave him a smirk.

"I'm happy to see you, too, Mikey." He stated, waiting for the youngest-turtle to release him so he could get back on his feet. "You all made it back? No casualties?"

"Nope, we made it back, no problem." Mikey answered, getting all hyped up on their fight with the Kraang. "They never saw what was coming, when Mikey here gave them a good old fashion ninja-whooping."

While this was going on, Leonardo looked over to where the dojo was, sensing somebody eyeing him the instant he came back, which he saw to being Raphael. The hotheaded turtle didn't say anything, only silently jerking his head to the dojo, wanting his twin to join him for a moment to spar. Having to figure out what his brother's true intention of sparring is about, Leo nodded back at the red-masked turtle.

'I'll oil my swords later,' he decided. 'Besides, he has to hear what I need to tell him.'

Moments Later, in the Dojo…
Both brothers rammed their knees to each other, followed by their arms to cross over one another. Raphael had both of his sais out, while Leo only brought Kamiizumi into the training session… Which, to him, feels more of a bitter fight between the eldest twins.

"You know we could've handled the Foot, together." Raphael stated, his Emerald-green eyes flashing with mixture of anger and disappointment towards his shorter older-twin.

"To you, perhaps, but not Don or Mikey. We were being a bit overrun by the Kraang." Leo argued back, bringing his sword down to have Raph trap the blade in both of his sais.

"And instead of letting me to come along to have your back, you chose to go up and probably show off to Karai." Raphael leaned in to tower over his brother, only for the blue-masked turtle to pull himself backwards, resulting to pulling his brother with him and, using his feet, launch him over himself and forcing the red-masked turtle on his shell.

"If that's what you think, then how does spilling the blood of her followers an act to 'showing off'? -He got to his feet, his brother doing the same.- I left them a warning to stay away from us, or next time they'll end up paying my kindness with their life."

"Which also allows Karai to study our moves for next time." Again, Raph can't see Leo's reason to being just. "You don't leave a warning to the enemy, Leo. You take 'em down."

"I already told you, I can't take her down. -Leo charged at his brothers, once again having Kamiizumi trapped in-between the two sais.- I owe her a debt. I have to give her the right to be judged."

"Oh, yeah? Well, if that's the case, why not tell the others?"

The blue-masked turtle was getting tired of having to repeat his answer from their previous argument.

'Times like this, I feel like a broken record, repeating itself over and over to them.' "Did you even listen to anything I just told you, from our last conversation? You guys don't follow the path of Bushido; they wouldn't understand."

In response, Raphael used his strength to toss Leonardo to the side, forcing him to hit the wall with his shell. He then pinned him against the wall, his arm planted firmly against his plastron.

"You really think Mikey and Donnie wouldn't understand?" He paused for a moment to rethink what he just said, before rephrasing the question. "You really think Donnie wouldn't understand? That book nerd educated himself on warriors of the Feudal Era as you and Master Splinter lived by it."

"You really think studying up the code of Feudal Era warriors fought by, is the same as those who were trained to live by that code? You really think that will help them understand what I must do, from what my Code of Honor demands of me*?"

Leo didn't give his brother a chance to answer, bringing up his left-palm and using his own strength to force Raph off of him, smacking him square in the throat that sent him falling right back down to the ground. With his sais forced from his grasp, the thought of his beloved weapons no longer in his grasp fueled the anger that burns through Raph's soul. Sensing the danger, but not wanting to run the risk of injuring his angered brother, Leo sheathed Kamiizumi away and went into hand-to-hand combat.

He swung a fist to collide to his head, only for the red-masked turtle to duck and ram himself against Leo's plastron, sending the both of them to the ground and having the blue-masked turtle pinned underneath him. Raph delivered two punches onto his brother, only for Leo to, once again, thrust his left-hand to force Raph backwards when the palm collided with his jaw. The leader in blue, now free from his brother, got on his hands and feet and pounced on top of Raph's shell.

The added weight, no matter how minimal it compares to his own, brought Raphael back down to the ground and soon, was in a headlock.

"You have to trust me." Leo growled out.

"Why should I?"

"My loyalty to the clan will always be my top priority and, should she fail the test and proves to being like the Shredder, I'll end her with my own blade the next time we encounter each other."

Cerulean/Sapphire-eyes glared in Emerald-green eyes, showing no hesitation or any form of misgiving that would have the red-masked turtle doubt what his brother just said to him. And if there was one thing Raph knows about his twin, is that he always puts his family first above everything else. He still hates the idea of Leo's decision to owe her a form of debt, but is willing to let his brother do what he must.

"…Alright." He calmed down some, allowing the blue-masked turtle to release his twin from his grasp and onto his feet, giving him a nod of thanks before making his way to the shoji.

"…Oh, and another thing. -Leo turned to face Raph, giving him a warning glare.- Stop trying to shadow me, all the time; it's becoming a distraction, and getting on my nerve."

He didn't wait to hear his brother agreeing to do as he told him and left him, alone, in the dojo. At the living room, he saw Mikey laughing about something he doesn't know what, which clearly annoyed Donnie and April seemed uncertain to respond to the youngest-turtle's laughing. She looked up to where the blue-masked turtle was, and immediately smiled.

"Hey, Leo!" She got up from her spot and went towards the fifteen year-old, not noticing an ugly glare Don was sending to his older-brother from watching the redhead's joy to see him.

"April," he greeted with a smile. "Did you finish your homework?"

She gave him friendly roll of the eyes.

"Of course I have, Otōto (Little brother)." Leo chuckled to her last response.

"Anata wa kaizen shite imasu (You are improving)," he commented.

"Arigato. Watashitachiha kunren dekimasu ka (Can we train)?" Yep, there was that determination that he should've expected to see from her, always up and ready for more private lessons with the blue-masked turtle. However, while his relationship with the girl has greatly improved, the anger and jealousy coming from Donatello was very troubling to him.

He needs to quit with this jealousy over April. He should obviously see there's nothing going on between you two, besides that you finally accept her as your sister.

Until Omega-Brother Donatello allows self to truly see, Kin will harbor incorrect attitude towards Pup.

'Basically, don't talk to him of the subject until he wants to talk about it… Let's hope he doesn't allow his feelings to jeopardize future missions.' "Sorry, April, but we're gonna have to hold off training for the moment. We'll continue are next session on Friday. All right?"

"What? Why?" She asked, a bit taken back to why he's refusing to train her today. In the back of her head, she has a feeling Donnie is the cause for it, also sensing a tension coming off of the purple-masked turtle and recalling his outburst when learning Leo has been giving her private lessons.

"I actually planned to focus on Karasu's training this week, before… Well, she's ready to go. -A faint trail of sadness can be heard in his voice, but made sure to not show it to the others when it'll also be a joyous moment for the raven/crow-hybrid.- Besides, it's a school night and with summer vacation coming up, it'll probably be best to remain focus on completing the last of your school work to ensure your education isn't damage from training all the time."

It was no lie, and a very believable reason for the sixteen year-old to accept. Not only that, she can tell he wants to spend as much time with Karasu as possible before he releases her.

And speaking of the raven/crow-hybrid…

"Big Brother!" The small black-bird, who finished taking her usual midnight nap, came out of Leo's room and, when she saw the blue-masked turtle, immediately flapped her wings and flew towards the turtle, taking her spot on his left-shoulder.

"Hey, Kara." He greeted, gently stroking her head. "You ready?"

"I'm ready, Leo! Let's go!" Karasu cheered, letting out high-pitch caws with glee and shifting her wings to avoid hitting him in the head.

"Where you two going?" April asked, watching the turtle slowly making his way to the exit.

"Topside," he answered. "We're heading for the park. Tonight will be Karasu's final test, which will determine if she's ready or not."

"Oh! In that case, can I come, too?" Rather than wait, she immediately came to his side, reaching out to pet Karasu. The two youngest turtles were taken back at her request, just as much as Leo was.

"You want to come along?" He asked. "I thought you wanted to train?"

His response earned him a confused look on the redhead's face, cocking her head to the side.

"You just said I should hold off training until Friday."

"I meant holding off our training sessions, not with Sensei's. You could even ask the guys to help you with training, if you wanted to do so."

Don's eyes widen to his brother's suggestion, then decided to use Leo's suggestion to his favor.

"Yeah, April, we can help you with your training, too."

The redhead held in a groan of annoyance. She would've taken up that offer, but because the genius turtle has interrupted their previous lessons five times, she didn't want to snap at him in front of Mikey or hurt his feelings for rejecting their help.

"Maybe some other time, Donnie." She answered, giving him a small-smile of appreciation that made him not too upset to postponing the offer. "Why not you two come with us? If Karasu going to leave the nest, soon, we should all be there to see how well she's flying."

In a few seconds, Michelangelo got to his feet and stood beside them.

"Count me in," he said. "We haven't had some bro-time in so long, we were overdue for one."

"Ahem." April reminded him that she was here.

"Oh, and some sis-time."

"Thank you." She turned to Don, who seemed a bit hesitate to join them. "Donnie, you coming?"

He clearly wanted to go, but purposely pretended to think about it for a moment before giving her his answer.

"…Sure, why not?" He answered, closing his laptop as he made his way to the group. "I was hoping to see how much of an improvement of her flight patterns will be, compared to ravens and crows normal learning span. So, this will be the perfect time to get the information."

As they reach for the exit, Mikey stopped in his tracks.

"Should we ask Raph if he wants to come with?" He asked the group, wanting to have all his brothers together and not leave one hanging.

"No need to ask." Said red-masked turtle came out from the dojo, making his way to the group. "I'm coming along… Also, I'm bring Spike, too."

---

Midnight, at New York Central Park…
"All right, Karasu. You ready?"

The five teenagers stood together on a bridge, all having a front row seat for a show, starring Karasu. The raven/crow-hybrid was obviously nervous, even anxious to show her 'Older-Brothers' and 'Big-Sister' what her 'Big-Brother' has been teaching her through videos and his own training. But at the same time, she was so ready to show how much of a great flyer she's becoming, and make Leo proud of her.

"I'm ready!" She chirped with glee, stretching her wings out and ready to take off when giving the all clear to do so. To his left, April had her phone out, wanting to record this moment for them to be able to relive this moment in the future and show it to Splinter.

"You can do this, Kara. And remember what you've learned, for they'll save you should your life ever be in danger." Karasu chirped, confirming to take his words to heart. Then, the moment he lifted his arm up, she took that as the signal to fly.

…And she flew. She flapped her wings at a steady beat, heading away from the turtles and April to the far side of the lake. When reaching the end of the water, she pushed herself to fly up, flapping her wings harder to push with the wind. She flew about forty feet in the air, before she made herself do a reverse somersault to stop herself from going any higher. She then angled herself to veer right, shifting herself to fly over the teens below her and giving them a loud "Auww!".

She then twisted herself, twirling herself into a Aileron roll, as she dived down, increasing speed by tucking her wings against her back. The younger brothers and April were stunned by the speed she's going the closer she reaches to them, while Leo only smiled. Then, at the exact moment, she unfold her wings and angled herself to fly through the hole under the bridge, bringing parts of the water to move with her and to rise up when lifting herself back in the air. Again, she performed a reversed somersault, flying over the teen while upside down in the middle of the air, once again going through the hole of the bridge and, twisting herself to perform a barrel roll to right herself, flew back to Leo.

April and the younger brothers were clearly amazed on what they just seen, while Leonardo held pride in his gaze… Tears threatening to fall, but not carrying should they fall.

"…I'm so proud of you," he said. Karasu flapped her wings, screeching in joy.

"I'm a great flyer, and it's all thanks to you, Big Brother!" She rammed her head against his, nuzzling his beak with her own.

"Dude, that was awesome!" Michelangelo exclaimed, coming beside his brother and scooping the raven/crow-hybrid into his own arm, nuzzling his face against the bird's head.

"I gotta concur with Mikey, that was definitely a sight to behold." Donatello commented, going through the video on his T-Phone that April sent to him and the rest of the guys. "She clearly shows to having more traits from her raven heritage, despite still being smaller than the average age-group of full-blooded ravens."

"Her flying was so awesome, Leo, that even Spike was impressed." Raphael stated, whose pet turtle didn't exactly appear as Raph claimed his expression to be but can sense the turtle enjoyed being out and above the sewers.

"What else did you teach her?" April asked, hoping to see more and catch everything the blue-masked turtle trained Karasu to do. The raven/crow-hybrid, also, wanted to show her 'older-siblings' more on what Leo has taught her and was more than ready to return to the sky.

Before he could give her an answer, his sixth sense informed him that somebody was watching them. He knew that it wasn't any of the critters in the trees or nocturnal birds; they do tend to stare in curiosity and observe what they do, but wouldn't linger for very long when seeing no movement of them being a threat or coming for them. The feeling Leo is sensing, is more comparable to a predator looking for an opening to strike and how to properly diminish the herd of their enemy, with no difficulties.

His gut feeling told him he knew who it was, and what he must do*.

"…Sorry, April, but we weren't planning on staying for very long." He lied, earning confused glances from her and his brothers. "We only had enough time for one, short flying session. Not only that, but it's getting late and you have to get plenty of rest for tomorrow."

She just about argued with her own statement on not needing that much rest, only for a yawn to escape and, unintentionally, prove his point of her needing rest. April let out an annoyed groan, earning a pat on the back from Raphael in an attempt to cheer her up.

"For a fifteen year-old turtle, you sure act like a parent." Leo chuckled at her comment, holding his arm out for the raven/crow-hybrid to return to him.

"Well, considering that I'm the one who raised Karasu since she barely hatched from an egg, you can say I had some practice. -Karasu walked down his arm and took roost on his right-shoulder, rubbing her head against his.- Now, come on. Let's head back to the Lair. Since it's late, you should stay for the night, so your aunt doesn't stress from the thought of you venturing out on your own."

While Karasu wasn't thrilled of having her sessions be over so soon, she can tell the blue-masked turtle has his reasons and those reasons always made the difference between life and death, so she didn't make much of a protest to his decision.

As they all turn to leave the park from whence they came, Leonardo turned to where the trees are, his sixth sense helping him locate where he felt the pair of Chocolate/Amber-eyes are staring from. Even from afar distance, his glare could easily be read and knew she will get the message: Leave them alone, or I'll come after you. A faint shifting from one of the trees caught his attention, but no longer felt Karai there, anymore. Just as he expected, she's taken the message to heart.

Is that part of your test for her? You know she won't honor your demands.

'I know… However, she knew my threat will be true and that thought, alone, is enough for her to accept part of my term.'

Pup wants She-Pup Karai to fight Pup… As excuse to not fight, avoid Kins?

'That's what I'm hoping she will do. On the bright side and, to my greatest relief, she didn't attack us while we were watching Karasu's demonstration of her progress.'

And that, alone, is enough for her to pass?

'…No. Only a fool would make up excuses in their inability to accept an enemy from a clan's enemy, is still an enemy until they prove themselves worthy to many members of the team. Besides, her test will take place when she ends up in a battle with us against our enemy. More specifically, Kraang.'

"Hey, Leo! You okay back there?" Raph's voice called out, pulling the blue-masked turtle from his conversation with his Instinct and Conscience. He quickly caught up to them, giving them an apologetic smile.

"Yeah, I'm fine… Thought I saw something. It was probably an owl." His answer was permissible, considering some of the owls' calls echoing throughout Central Park and even seeing a few of the nocturnal birds flying over their heads.

Karasu knew he lied, purposely not wanting the others to know what he saw, which was a human, hiding within a tree.

"Who is she?" She asked, gazing up at Leo to tell her what he knows about that human she was able to see from their spot. Not wanting the others to get the chance to listen in on their conversation, Leonardo imitated a dooking sound that ferrets make when they're happy or excited.

"Later, Karasu. Once we're home and in our room, I will tell you what I know about her and what you need to know, should you ever see her while on your own."

In her mind, she didn't really understand what he meant 'on her own'. Probably, when she goes off to spy on the Foot, like that one time she did to listen in on Shredder's conversation when their home was in grave danger. She didn't ask him of his meaning, only nodded to accept his choice to wait until they get home.

---

The Next Day, in Mid-Morning…
"So… Are you going to tell the guys about her?"

'He just don't know when to drop a conversation, that he shouldn't be too concern about, since he isn't the one who has to be bound to follow the Code of Bushido.'

Perhaps, but his question is justifiable. She may have kept her distance last night and didn't make a move upon you guys, but you know she won't do so, again, the next time you guys meet up with the Foot. And once that happens, they need to be informed on how to hold their own against her.

'…Very well.' "…Soon, Raph." He answered, earning a raised brow and a bit of a surprise look on his twin-brother's face. Clearly, he wanted a clearer answer than that. "…I'll tell them tonight, after our patrol." The red-masked turtle nodded his head, accepting the answer, before the two went to the kitchen and joined their younger brothers for breakfast.

"Okay, guys, what do you want: Omelet pizza or pizza omelet?"

Both suggestions made Leo's stomach churn, slightly grimacing from both thought of food.

'Does everything he makes, has to be involved with pizza?'

"What's the difference?" Raphael asked, not seeing how both would be different when they have the same name in it.

Still having a smile on his face, Mikey brought out a bowl of eggs.

"Okay, you caught my bluff." Leo silently let out a sigh of relief, his stomach settling down when learning he was just going to make omelets.

'Thank you, Merciful God in Heaven.'

*Na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na!*

Multiple ringtones went off at once, coming from all of the turtles' T-Phones.

Being attacked by an old lady! HELP!

"Hey, did you guys just get a mass text from April?" Don asked, all confirming his question. "Well, does yours also say she's being attacked by an old lady?" Again, his three brothers confirmed his second question. "Is that considered an emergency?"

Being attacked by an old lady…? That could only mean-!

"Let's go!" Leonardo yelled, getting his three brothers to get to their feet and made a mad dash out of the Lair for the girl's school.

---

Fifteen Minutes Later, Now at Roosevelt High School...
The turtles ran through the door, their weapons drawn out and cautiously walked down the hallway.

*Gasp* "Suh-weet!" Mikey, with awestruck eyes, couldn't help but be impress what their human goes to most of the week. "So, this is what school is like."

An alarm went off, flashing orange-lights came from both side of the hallway, coming from the metal detectors. Wanting the alarms to go off, Raphael stabbed at one of the panels to force the metal detectors to go off. With that problem taken cared of, the four brothers soon realized that they're not alone: There, standing at the end of the hallway, with their back turned to them, is the presumed 'old lady' April must've text them about.

…The two middle brothers instantly felt embarrassed of their earlier reaction.

"Okay, I feel stupid." Raphael said, putting his sais back in his belt.

'If he feels stupid right now, he and the others are going to feel more stupid that we just ran into a public, human school and standing before a human, when we should be avoiding any humans to knowing our existence… Which, there aren't any signs of teenagers, or teachers anywhere in the facility?'

…That is kind of strange… Did school cancelled, and she didn't get the memo or something?

'…It's possible that something made the school close for today, and prevented any contacts to reach April. -His eyes zoomed in on the trophy case, seeing a hole in the glass case and the scattered shards of glass on the ground, turning back to the lady in front of them and seeing some glass in her right-hand.- And I have an idea on who plotted this.'

"This doesn't make any sense; she knows that the T-Phones are for emergencies, only." Donatello pondered, neither of the brothers noticing what their leader in blue was going to do until, without warning, he launched himself to the lady, Kamiizumi extended forward. "Leo!"

Rrrrrriiiiiiip *Shnk!*

Metal made contact with metal, slicing through fabric… Leonardo's sword sticking out of the lady's stomach.

"Leo?! What the hell?!" Raphael screamed, equally appalled as his younger brothers that their big brother just stabbed his blade into a human… Who isn't bleeding, didn't stagger and not screaming in pain?

The blue-masked turtle sank his sword deeper into the 'old lady', no mercy or regret when the sparks continued out from the stab.

"Where's April?" He growled out. The 'old lady' didn't respond for a few seconds, until, unexpectedly, she turned her head like an owl to stare at the turtle behind her, her eyes completely red.

"A-A-April O'Neil?" Rather than stick around, Leo pulled his blade out and pulled himself back to stand beside his brothers. Her stomach sparked and glitch with electricity, indicating she isn't a human at all.

"Aw, Sewer Bunnies." Raph cursed out, re-pulling his weapons back into battle.

Clanking sound could be heard from the lady, as she raised her arms and, when folded back, where there should be elbows, reveals to being two cannon holes. It let out a screech and two missiles shot right out, aimed straight for the four turtles. All four dodged from the missiles and ran, only for the explosion to push them for the stairs.

"Donnie, I think this does counts as a-"

"An emergency. I know!" Donatello cut off Michelangelo, which was followed by the screech from above the turtles and all pulled away from the stairs when the lady implanted her high-heel shoes on the wooden-railing, where Mikey and Leo were just at.

From behind her, Raphael launched himself in the air and brought down his said, which the middle tip went through the lady's right-hand when she went to block the attack. Even when light-purple lightning sparked down her arm, all the lady did was smirk up at the hotheaded turtle and, twirling her embedded hand in the air, tossed Raphael to the top of the trophy case.

While that was going on, Donatello looked up at the wooden chandelier hanging above the lady. While part of his mind wanted to know why a school would have such a dangerous design in the school*, he focus on the main part of his brain to launch himself to the chandelier and cut it with the blade of his Naginata. The lady, however, heard the rope being cut and pulled herself away from the stairs, avoiding the wooden chandelier on time and breaking when it made contact to the ground.

She landed on her hands and feet, appearing to position like a crouched spider, before getting back on her feet and facing all four turtles in front of her.

She isn't really much of a fighter, but her missiles are a major threat to you and your brothers.

'Right.' "Donnie, follow my lead. Raph, we need you to cover for us." Leonardo ordered, glaring at the lady before them. The two brothers nodded at each other.

The lady raised her arms and, like before, allowed two more missiles to charge for the turtles. Following his brother's move, Donatello charged. While Raphael pulled out two shurikens and tossed them at the incoming missiles, both hitting their marks and forcing the missiles to explode. When she readied herself to fire at Leo and Donnie, the two jumped off to the side, moving and not giving her enough time to aim for them. When they got close enough, each swiped for an arm with their own blades… Along with her face which, when if fell off, showed to being no skeleton or muscles, but machine and wires. A robot.

"Mikey! The water fountain!" Leonardo called out to the youngest-turtle, who turned to acknowledge the fountain.

"I know, right? School has everything!"

The blue-masked turtle held in a groan.

"No! Spray her!" He rephrased his orders, which Mikey quickly turned on the water fountain and aimed the water to hit the robot in it's uncovered face. Sparks flew, electricity traveled throughout it's body, until smoke appeared over it's head and fell to the floor.

Leo stood over it's body and kept a firm eye on the machine, in case it tries to get up and attack, again, with or without arms.

"April! Where are you?" Donatello called out, looking for any sign of the girl. For his answer, a foot kicking a locker door open and April, stomping towards the down robot and kicking it on the head.

"And stay down." She told the robot, completing her moment to get back at the robot before turning to the turtles. "Thank you, guys." Unknowingly, she rested a hand on Donatello's left-shoulder, making the turtle blush and, without thinking, open his arms to her, as if expecting her to walk right in and let him hold her. Leo glared at his genius brother, who soon realized that he was, once again, caught expressing his feelings to the girl he has a major crush on.

He quickly try to make a cover up.

"You are so welcome." He replied, casually, then rested one of his hand on top of her head, as if she was one of his brothers. When he pulled away, the teenagers stared down at the robot before them.

"So, what the heck is that thing?"

"It appears to be a Kraangdroid… Minus the Kraang." Don suggested, staring at the flashing pinkish-lights of the hexagon and twitching wires.

"She said she was from the Worldwide Genome Project."

"Whoa." Mikey gasped, holding the face of the old lady to his own. "How did the Kraang know you sent your DNA spit to the Worldwide Thingamajig Project?"

"The Kraang must've hacked in to their system," the purple-masked turtle suggested. "Who knows what kind of info they could be stealing?"

"April, you'd better head to the Lair, where it's safe." Leonardo told the sixteen year-old, who didn't argue to his order. "We'll go check out the Worldwide Genome Project."

"But, first, we gotta take down the Eastside High Panthers." Mikey said, staring at a poster of April's school mascot standing on top of a panther. "According to that poster, they've got it coming."

---

Hours Later, at Night…
It took some time, but they were finally able to figure out where the Worldwide Genome Project was located. Being out in the daytime was exhausting for the guys, that they skipped lunch and almost dinner, if Mikey hadn't suggested eating at Murakami's. Leo allowed himself to eat the pizza gyoza that's presented to him, knowing he'll need it to help keep up his strength and energy he'll need for the remainder of the night, even when his stomach will be feeling like knives are digging into his organ.

After their visit with Murakami, the four continued for the large, cylinder building... None but Leo sensing somebody following them. His nose recognized the scent belonging to Karai, but didn't say anything to his brothers about her tailing them... At least, not now.

You're just going to let her follow you?

'It she's out here, on her own, under Shredder's orders or not, that means she doesn't have anybody to contact of our whereabouts.'

Meaning, Pup and Kins can outnumber She-Pup Karai, should She-Pup make an attack on Pup or Kins.

The four turtles found themselves on the circular rooftop, finding the door that leads inside of the building having a specific lock that requires a Kraang-Key.

"So how do we get in?" Raphael asked.

"Leave it to me." Donatello informed how brothers, pulling out a cord that connects how T-Phone to any electronics. "I got an app for that."

Raphael and Michelangelo let out groans of annoyance, while Leo focused on looking out their surroundings, making certain that nobody but Karai is the only one following them.

"I got an app for that, too." Raph said to his brother, before kicking the door down and allowing them all access into the building.

Unlike their last visit with Kraang's hideout, when the guys attempted to rescue Kirby O'Neil a second time, the Worldwide Genome Project was dark. The only lighting in the hallway, is the building's initials pinkish-purple lights glowing. Even with dim lights, the blue-masked turtle can see, along with feel, a very familiar design on the walls and material of the metal they're walking on.

'And what other building has pinkish-purple lighting within their facility, with metal floorings?'

Kraang…

"You know, for a human lab, this place is awfully Kraang-y." Michelangelo whispered to his brothers, as they speed-walk down the hallway.

So obvious, even Omega-Brother Michelangelo can tell building isn't right.

"It could be, because the Kraang are the Worldwide Genome Project." Leonardo stated, slightly sniffing the air and catching the scent of Kraang. "We're nearing some Kraang."

"How do you know that?" Raph asked, earning a silent finger pointing towards the faint glow of Aquamarine-blue reflecting off the ground. And when they see that color, that mean mutagen and where there's mutagen, there's bound to be Kraang.

Leonardo turned to Donatello and Michelangelo.

"You both know what to do." Both of the youngest turtles nodded their heads, silently sneaking into the room where the blue-masked turtle hear two Kraangdroids are inside. While they took care of the Kraang, Leo turned to Raphael. "We have a rat trailing us." He whispered to his red-masked brother.

Raph narrowed his eyes.

"Where?" He asked, itching for his sais.

"Wait until we're all in the room... Then, you may go hunting." Raph nodded his head, following his leader's command and entering the room when Don and Mikey took care of the two Kraang and locked them in an empty slot in the wall.

Inside the room, as expected, mutagen within a container in the center of the room. However, surrounding the turtles against the walls, containers containing a single, colored-liquid. Each had a picture image of either an animal or a plant.

"Don, what are those?" Leo asked, though he has a strange feeling that he knows what the liquids are for… Along with the disturbing thought on what happened to those animals that were taken and captured by Kraang.

"Well, it looks like they're collecting DNA from every plant and animal species on Earth." While the purple-masked turtle thought up an answer, the blue-masked turtle noticed Raph pulling a ninja, meaning he's taken the moment to get Karai. "I wonder what they're doing with all this DNA."

'Probably to make their own mutated-animal army, like us, to control or even experiment for something worse…' "Whatever it is, it can't be good. Let's shut this place down."

"Hey, where's Raph?" Mikey asked, taking notice that their red-masked brother is no longer with them.

"Gotcha!" Said hothead's voice came from above the others, on top of the container of the mutagen… Pinning Karai below him, with her right-arm extended back.

"About time you finally came to visit, Karai." Leo joked, pride shown in his eyes on how his bigger-twin caught her by surprise and has her trap.

"Ka-who?" Don asked.

"Bet you think you're pretty slick." Raph mocked, thinking she's at his mercy. 'If she's as skilled as Leo views her to be, how come she's easy to catch?'

He got his answer when she grabbed for his hand with her own trapped hand, force-twist his hand to release her wrist and, when pulling herself up, spun Raph onto his shell and slammed her foot on his plastron.

"I have my moments." Her comment angered Raph, he attempted to kick her off while pushing himself forward to his feet, while the Kunoichi backflipped herself before his feet could make contact with her. With his sais drawn out, Raphael charged Karai.

He swiped them like claws, missing the first two and locking together with the edge of her metal arm-guard, giving her right-arm to grab for her Wakizashi and turning the tables to her favor to go into the offense. She landed a powerful kick to his plastron, then proceeded to pushing him off the edge of the tank whenever her Wakizashi forces the turtle to block her attacks.

While this was going on, while he should intervene and stop the fight, Leonardo knew it isn't his place to fight his brothers' battles… Along with having to see what Karai would do, as part of the test he's viewing her to take.

She's going to kill Raph, your own brother!

'If she wanted to kill him, she would've already done so the moment she had him beneath her feet.' He stated, keeping a firm eye on the two teens above him fighting, revolving Raph going back to the offense and pushing her back. 'Besides -He glared at his brother- Raphael told me that he trusted me with my judgement, which he's showing to be false.'

You just gave him permission to take her down!

'I gave him permission to go hunting, as in bring her out of hiding, not to pick a fight with the one who helped us in our last confrontation with Snakeweed… And he knew what I meant. Nevertheless, if they go too far, I'll step in… Which, I may have to, should Kraang come in.'

"So this is the stuff that turns people into monsters, huh?" She questioned the red-masked turtle, easily sliding her weapon through the gap of his sais. "How's it work?"

"Why don't you lean in a little closer, and I'll show you?" Raph answered. After he said it, when she brought both their weapons down, she bashed her head with his and forced him off the tank of mutagen. He landed on his feet, right about the time she dropped down to land a fatal blow with her Wakizashi.

Before either of the twos' weapons could even scrape each other… Leonardo got in the middle, Kamiizumi pushing back Raph's sais and Musashi clashing with Karai's sword. Both fighters were stunned by his interference, one still seething with rage for his opponent and the other uncertain if she'll be facing more than one of the turtles into a brawl.

"Enough." He growled at the two, glaring at his brother to express his disappointment to his twin.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Leo?" Raph yelled, clenching tightly onto his precious sais. "You're protecting her? She's bad news."

"And you swore to trust me and my judgement, Raphael." Surprising his brothers and the Kunoichi, the blue-masked turtle turned his shell to Karai. "I have a code to follow, which you aren't willing to do or ever had to honor."

Throughout the argument, none of the brothers or Karai took notice of two small figures heading for the panels, until they heard something slam against the controls and an alarm sound went off. Turning, they saw it being the two Kraang that Donatello had locked within the empty container. The two aliens screeched at the teenagers, before getting their heads smacked by Michelangelo's nunchucks.

"D, I thought you made sure they didn't get out." He said to the purple-masked turtle.

"I made certain they wouldn't be able to escape, especially from the inside." The genius turtle claimed, also a bit taken back that none of them took notice that they got out.

"Not unless they had a little help." Raphael suggested, glaring daggers at Karai and would've launched himself at the girl, if his twin hadn't remain in the way.

Above the room, a door opened and a bunch of Kraangdroids with blue-skin entered the room, all having blasters in their hands. More entered the room, as they came down to the teens' level, surrounding them.

"The ones who are not authorized by the authority of Kraang to exist in this place, will now be destroyed by Kraang in this place." One of the Kraangdroids spoke, readying its blaster to shoot the intruders. The four brothers, no longer viewing Karai as a threat, for the time being, turned their attentions to the Kraang circling them.

"This day just keep getting better." The Kunoichi commented, twirling her Wakizashi to take on her new opponents.

"And if you get hit by them, you die." Leonardo warned the girl, before leaping in the air the moment some of the Kraang pulled the trigger of their blasters.

The first Kraang he aimed for, he sliced the top-half of the endoskeleton in four pieces before making a landing.

Your left!

He didn't need to see which Kraang to his left his Conscience was referring to; they were all the same, and Musashi has proved itself enjoying the freedom to slice through metal and spill the blood of it's wielder's enemies.

Multiple flash of light-pink bullets hailed down, which he easily dodged and/or reflected with his swords, before going to his left and ramming against a Kraang. He shoved the Kraang through the crowd of Kraangdroids until he reached the wall near the door... Stabbing Kamiizumi through the blue-skin... Killing the scared Kraang.

Once again, he doesn't enjoy taking life. But, for the sake of his family, and the ways of war Splinter trained him to do, he'll kill to protect... Even if it means, being shunned and damned for doing what he must.

'Nothing I do, will ever make up for the sin I just committed.' He thought to himself, turning to face some of the Kraangdroids that has ceased firing after witnessing the death of their own. 'And while this will surely not be the last killing I make in my life, I vow to never take the life of an innocent being and will put myself to death, dying to protect those who are in need.'

His eyes scoped out his brothers, all of which holding their own fights... And Karai, who tossed her Wakizashi at a Kraangdroid's head and launched herself in the air by pushing off of the robot. She landed on top of another Kraangdroid nearby the blue-masked turtle and stabbed her blade through its chest this time, bringing it down by the combined force of her strength and it's lost of power.

She looked up at the turtle a few feet away from her, eyes widening a bit from the sight of Magenta-red blood on one of his blades, catching her a bit by surprise.

"Hyah!" Across the otherside of the room, Raphael tackled down two Kraangdroids an the same time.

"I like your brother, Leo." Karai called out, leaping in the air and getting behind three Kraangdroids, cutting the endoskeleton in half. "He's almost as entertaining as you."

Raphael, who finished stabbing a Kraangdroid through the face with one of his sais, the sai in his left-hand having a Kraangdroid hand through the middle fang of the weapon.

"Oh, when this is over, I'll show you how entertaining I can be."

More Kraangdroid entered the room, but this time, they brought in something that a tank, in the form of a large-blaster.

"Kraang is now arriving to provide the help that has been requested by Kraang."

"We're trapped, Leo." Donatello informed, he and Michelangelo forced behind the blue-masked turtle and Raphael when some of the Kraang made their space a little smaller.

"No… You're trapped." Karai corrected the purple-masked turtle, bringing the attention of both the turtles and the many Kraang. She leaned against a panel, underneath the mutagen. "What happens when I do this?" She held a finger above one of the many buttons.

"No!" Raph yelled.

"Don't do that!" Donnie warned.

"Highly undesirable outcome." A Kraang answered, not sounding scared but it words promising to being painfully true.

"Well, now I gotta."

She pushed the button, and behind the turtles, watch as five liquids drained from their containers and went straight to the mutagen: Dark-yellow, with the symbol of a jellyfish. A bluish-purple, an isopod picture over the container. An ocean-blue liquid, the octopus. A dark-blue violet, containing a cobra. And lastly, a dark-green liquid… Having a cat, which produced a high-pitch, girl scream from Michelangelo?

Leonardo didn't have time to be concern of his brother's unexplainable fear of cats, not when he and everyone in the room watches as the five liquids entered the mutagen tank and flashing colors brightened the room. A high-pitch hum escaped the machine, until it stopped after five seconds and a hissing sound replaced the humming. Smoke-like substance escaped from the top of the tank… And something wet made contact with the metal.

'It's out.' His heart hammered against his plastron, as his hands clenched tightly to his swords.

A mutant, composed up of five DNAs from different animals… Doesn't sound very good, at all.

Multiple sounds of metal hitting the ground, warned the blue-masked turtle that the unknown mutant is making its attack. Karai barely dodged from a tentacle that slammed down to where she stood, backflipped to stand beside the turtles and see what kind of creature dares to attack her.

When the smoke finally cleared, they all saw a creature that was… Either adorable, or completely unexpected to see what a five mixed animal mutant would look like: A body of an octopus, yellow-eyes coated in some purple substance on the side of its head, flappy thin-ears behind the eyes, and some armor-shaped shell on the top of its head.

"Mrrreerrww?" It made a cat sound, making it sound confused on what's going on.

"Aww." Mikey, gotten over his uncertain fear of cats from the sound it made and lowering his guard. "He's so cute." It clearly fooled the orange-masked turtle, but the leader in blue didn't fall for that innocent meow.

'It's a defense mechanism; to throw it's opponents off guard, assuming it isn't dangerous and the moment we give it an opening, it'll go into attack mode and pick us off like wondering sheep.' "Get ready!" He yelled at the teens, glaring straight into the creature's eyes… Which stretched its head to be fifteen feet tall, fins sprouting underneath the armor at the back of its head, eyes pulled away from the head and now holding up on both side of the armor.

A large, expanded mouth opened and let out a mighty roar, producing two bottom hooked fangs and a spiked tongue.

"Prey! Threat! Enemies!" Its cry echoed in Leo's hearing, but it wasn't enough to distract him to not dodged a tentacle that slammed down where he and the others were just at.

The moment it attacked, the Kraangdroids turned their blasters to the beast, attempting to buy the shooter of their tank enough time to charge up a blast and fire. However, thanks to its armored head and enhanced texture covering its eyes, all the blasters did was angered the mutant and the creature attacked with agile speed.

"Whoa! That is wicked." Karai commented.

"How the heck am I gonna name this?" Mikey pondered, not seeing Karai bending over and hauling a top-half of a blue-skinned Kraangdroid endoskeleton until she commented his question.

"Good question. Well, see ya." She launched herself in the air, landing on top of the mutagen tank, before leaping for the door at the upper-level.

Leonardo was appalled at what she's doing.

'She's just gong to leave? Just like that?!' "You're not going to help us beat this thing? It's your fault!" He argued, stopping her for a moment after she has gotten the door to open.

"I'll let the heroes handle it." She stated, no sound of concern or regret to her decision. Her words angered the blue-masked turtle even more.

Figures; she won't take responsibility of her actions… Just like Oroku Saki.

"So, you're not going to take responsibility of your own actions, which could lead to innocent people getting hurt?" He growled out, his heart banging against his plastron with frustration and a hint of sadness. "I trusted you, to make the right choice! To uphold and respect honor!"

While half of her face is covered by the metal mask that prevents anybody to be able to tell her expression, her Chocolate/Amber-eyes reflected a hidden emotion towards the humanoid-wolf/turtle, which he caught to being partial regret of her decision and partial sympathy for the turtle to clean up a mess she, herself, isn't willing to do… At least, not without labeling herself a traitor to her own clan by aiding the enemy and going back on her father's orders to ridding them.

"I know! That's messed up, right?" She turned to make a run for it, but stopped when Leo called her out.

'You blew your chance to proving yourself worthy in my brothers' eyes… And for that, you failed the test…' "Then, the next time we cross paths, Karai, my swords will demand to spill your blood… For you have shown me your true-self, as my enemy."

His words seemed to have inflicted onto her, but her eyes held understanding and no offense being taken on his part.

"It's about time you wised up, Leonardo. I hope you keep true to your words, for I will be counting the hour… When my blade will pierce your heart and de-shell you." And with that being said, she made her escape, leaving behind the one and only person who she accepted to being her friend in the city.

With her finally gone, Leonardo returned his focus to the fifteen foot mutant, whose eyes glowed purple and electricity jumping off of its vision. He was about to launch himself to attack, then, surprisingly, two Kraangdroids came up from both his sides and proceeded to shooting the creature before them.

The Kraang are on your side, now? Are you going to give them a chance to become your allies, too?

'If you want to ridicule me for following Bushido, do it when we aren't fighting for our lives from a five-mixed animal mutant.'

The creature extended three tentacles and slammed them down to the shooters, which the blue-masked turtle forced himself to jump over the third that tried to pin him to the ground. He then proceed to run for his life when the creature decided to pay attention to him, forcing himself to not look back when purple-beam of lights shot down towards him.

'Either the mutagen replaced the jellyfish sting with electricity power, or it enhanced it's paralyzes ability to easily stun and/or catch its prey. -He glanced back at the creature for a moment, watching as it maneuvers itself by crawling on the walls.- And since it clearly harbors the octopus DNA as the alpha of the five animals, that could mean it can very well regrow its tentacles. It may also have three hearts and nine brains, because of the dominant origin.'

Meaning, Pup can't easily kill creature that easily.

'Its armor proves to being too tough for my blades to cut through, let alone durable to not get a single scratch from Kraang's blasters… However, being part of two sea-creatures, the octopus and jellyfish, it could very well be weak to high exposure of heat.'

So, the best and only option to bring it down: Fire. Although, there's nothing inside this room that's exactly fire hazardous.

He looked over at the computer of the mutagen tank, as he continued dodging the blasters in front of him and both, purple-electricity and tentacles, from behind.

'If that's the case, we'll just have to get the creature to help us start a fire.'

"Nice try, Octo-Punk!" Raphael called out, freeing himself from the mutant's grasp before getting smacked aside when dodging a blaster that was aimed for his head.

"No, No! Call him 'Octo-eyeball-jelly-bug'! Michelangelo suggested the naming of the creature, until finding that name too long and not very creative. "Ahh, let's just call him 'Justin'."

He had his guard lowered, and the creature slammed him to the wall. Raphael, attempting to attack from behind, ending up pinned to the ground. Donatello didn't even have a chance to make an attack when the mutant shot its electricity at the purple-masked ninja.

With the last of the Kraang taken cared of on his end, having to permanently take some of their lives and scaring the rest to leave the room and their endoskeleton bodies, Leonardo turned to face the creature before him.

'This all happened, because I allowed her to follow us into the building. All because Bushido demands she gets the chance to prove herself worthy in our eyes… And for that, I, alone, must take down this beast… A beast, that I refuse to call "Justin*".'

…Why not refer to it as 'Kraken'? It may not bare any similar resemblance, but at least it's better than 'Justin'.

'…At least that name is more referring to its appearance of the octopus.' The creature, whose eyes zoomed in on the last being standing, let out a mighty screech and whiplashed its tentacles in the air, readying itself to strike the turtle before him.

"Threat! Prey! Kill, enemy!"

In response, Leo gave the beast a cry of his own.

"Huuurrraaaahhhhh!" It was combined call of a screech, snarl, roar and a howl. "Fall by my fangs!" And like that, he charged at the creature.

The creature, he dubbed as 'Kraken', let out multiple shots of purple-electricity beams from its eyes. The leader in blue didn't have to guess where and when they would hit, not when his eyes locked on with Kraken's yellow-eyes and letting himself move with the wind whistling in his ears. Each time an electric attack hits the ground, a pressure of wind current would guide him to move. If the air in front of him has an increase of heat, he knew when to bound under or over an attack.

When he finally got in front of the beast, he didn't hesitate. He launched himself in the air and slammed against the bottom of Kraken's left-eye, using the hilt of his sword to forcefully poke into the creature's eye.

'Kraken may have high qualities of being part of five animals, but he may have some of their drawbacks. Like how cats' vision are weak when close to their face.' Apparently, his deduction was proven correct; while the eye is very much protected by the purple skin-like jelly, having it being forced back caused Kraken's head to pull along with the eye. Before Kraken could collect itself, he slammed himself against its head and dragging it forward.

Then, as a taunting move, he bashed himself in the center of its forehead, three times, before Kraken sent a tentacle out to fling him in the air.

'Like a cat, playing with its food. That's going to be its downfall.' He twisted him in the air, allowing gravity to start pulling him down. At the same time, Kraken sent one of its tentacles to grab the turtle and when it neared the turtle…

Leonardo brought down Musashi, cutting through enhanced muscles and blue-blood surfaced when that appendage was forcefully removed from its body. Kraken screeched in pain, before being cut off when the humanoid-wolf/turtle landed on its head and forced it to bend backwards, falling to the ground. He got beside the machine, waiting for the creature to pick itself off the ground.

"It ends here, Kraken." He told the beast, whose eyes instantly lit up of purple-electricity and sending both of the blasts to the turtle. 'Please, let this work.'

He held up Kamiizumi to take the hit… And the electricity circulated through the metal-blade, like a lightning rod. He then brought the hilt of Musashi to connect with Kamiizumi's hilt, the electricity coursing through both blades. The feeling of the electricity traveling through his swords burned his hands, burning through the wrappings on his hands, feeling it trying to course down his arms*.

'Fight it… Fight it…!' "Yaaah!"

He thrusted Musashi through the computer, holding it in place for three seconds while Kraken leaned in forward, continuing to put in more of its electric attack to the turtle's swords… Then, a blackish-green smoke burst from the computer exploding from the overloading of electricity and damage caused by Musashi. The explosion pushed Leo back, barely able to land on his feet when they skid a bit farther. His hands tightened on their hold on his swords, ignoring the burning in his palms and the scent of copper, as he watch Kraken, engulfed in green-flames, bash through the wall and making an attempted escape out from the lab.

"Ha! Take that, Justin!" Michelangelo called out, he and the others reaching their leader to see if he's all right. However, before Donatello could even take a look at his hands, crashing sound can be heard and the lab began to shake. Debris started coming down from the ceiling.

'No doubt, Kraken is the cause of this. -His nose caught thicker smoke in the air, warning him of a fire forming.- We need to leave!' "Come on! Let's get out of here!"

He ordered, leading his brothers for the exit before the flames sprouted from their surroundings. Throughout the entire time, he kept a firm grip on his swords, never once releasing his grip on them, even when they reached the roof of the building. Instead of going for his own grappling hook like his brothers did to reach for the top of the building, Leonardo launched himself in the air and jabbed both his blade into the building to stop his fall.

It wasn't until he found himself dangling in the middle of the air, that he pushed himself to roost on Musashi while putting Kamiizumi away, forcing his right-hand to let go of the hilt, and pulled out his grappling hook to swing to where his brothers are safely taking shelter on an fire escape balcony. A few blocks away from the Worldwide Genome Project, they can still clearly see the building and the flames, hearing the sounds of firefighters coming to put out the fire.

After putting away Musashi, a clear struggle for the fifteen year-old to do from the hands trembling and burning pain in his palms, the blue-masked turtle focused on calming his racing heart.

"So…" Mikey slowly started the conversation.

"We're thinking somebody should start talking." Donatello, clearly was pointing the fingers at Leonardo, suggested. Behind the blue-masked turtle, Raphael quietly waited to see what his twin was going to do.

He knew there was no getting out of this conversation… And he isn't going to try to avoid it, not when he already promised to tell them and deserve to know what they need to know about the Kunoichi from the Foot Clan.

"…We head back for the Lair… Then, I shall speak." 'Master Splinter and April need to hear what I have to say… Once I finish, then they may choose to decide how they'll view me in their eyes.'

---

Back at the Lair…
"I should've told you sooner about Karai, and I was going to, but I must truly see what her true nature was before I decide what you need to hear about her." Leo lowered his gaze, not wanting to see the betrayal and anger in their eyes.

He finished telling them about Karai: From how they first crossed blades with each other, to his decision on ending her when she failed the trial he gave her in the Spirit of Bushido. He didn't hide anything from them, especially to when she tried to talk him into stealing Miyamoto Musashi's prized sword and how he knew she followed them into the Worldwide Genome Project and told Raphael to wait to catch her by surprise… The only thing he didn't tell them, was viewing her as a friend who understands his longing for freedom from control. And he knew none of them would truly understand his burden, not even Splinter, himself.

On his left-shoulder, Karasu nuzzled her head against his cheek, making light cooing sounds to comfort her brother. On the couch, the three turtles and April could only stare at him.

"I can't believe you didn't trust us enough to tell us." Don was the first to speak up, pure-anger in his tone. "And to just decide to give her a chance to prove herself, just because you 'assumed' she did it to save you and Raph, is more idiotic than letting Mikey be leader."

"Hey!" Michelangelo spoke up, glaring at his older-brother for still not at least giving him a chance to try and become leader. Leo, also, glared at the genius turtle.

"If I had told you of my choice to trial her to being our ally, you would be questioning my authority every time we would run in to her." He clearly had Donnie on that, for he didn't try to counter that claim on denying his faith he has for his big brother.

Splinter stepped up, forcing the turtle to lower his head and avoid any eye-contact with his sensei. Karasu looked between the two, all the while keeping firmly in place on Leo's shoulder and ready to strike, should her 'Papa' attempt to hurt him.

"Leonardo, you follow true to upholding Bushido and chosen to repay your kindness to her… However, when that girl is a Kunoichi in the employ of your enemy, that is an error you cannot afford."

Leo clenched his bandaged hands into tight fists, the burning reminding him to hold back on his strength to prevent blood from escaping his healing wounds.

'Always go straight to criticizing me, when I'm doing what he has taught me to follow… And what I know is right, despite it being a wrong doing upon the Clan.' "Hai, Sensei." He forced out.

"Deception is the ninja's most powerful weapon, and it seems Karai is a master." And that comment, Leo hid a small-smile.

'So well, that she deceived Shredder and avoided his own orders to eliminate us, on a few separate occasions… Not like any of you would believe me.' Splinter placed his left-hand on his son's right-shoulder, using his right to gently force Leo to lift his head up and stare into his eyes.

"Make sure you learn from your mistakes." His Ruby/Amber-eyes gazed straight into Cerulean/Sapphire-eyes… Something in his head flashed to Karai, back at the Worldwide Genome Project. The fifteen year-old narrowed his eyes a bit, confused.

'What the shell?' He wasn't even trying to think about the girl when his sensei wanted him to listen closely to his words of wisdom, and yet, without any warning, her face popped up in his head. 'This is getting weird.'

"Leonardo?" Splinter questioned, concerned when his eldest child didn't give him an answer to his warning. Pushing aside his last conversation with the Kunoichi, he immediately answer the fifty year-old humanoid/rat.

"I understand, Sensei." His voice, clear and calm, eased the father's concern.

"Yoi (Good)." He pulled away from the blue-masked turtle, waiting to see what he was going to do next, who simply broke the gaze and lowered his head, once again. Karasu, wanting to break the tension in the air, let out a few chirps.

"Can we go flying, Leo?" She suggested, happily shifting on her feet and slightly ruffling her feathers to show her anticipation to go above the surface.

There was something going on in Leonardo's eyes, something that made her feel unsettling and very worried for the humanoid-wolf/turtle. She bit part of his mask have a few, gentle tugging on the fabric.

"Big Brother, what's wrong?" He didn't say anything to her, but did turn his head to acknowledge she has his attention... His eyes, carrying difficult emotions she couldn't clearly tell what they are.

Leo held his right-arm to her, which she immediately got on.

"…It's time."

---

At Central Park...
They all stood at the exact, same bridge they all stood from the last time they came, when watching her fly to show what she can do… Only, this time, there won't be any entertainment tonight.

Leonardo didn't tell the others what he was going to do, and he didn't even asked them if they wanted to come along; he already knew they would follow, inviting themselves to wherever the blue-masked turtle was taking Karasu.

This time, though, even Splinter came along, and the first time in over fifteen years, he sees the world that he once lived in as Hamato Yoshi. Part of him truly missed what was once his home before talking refuge in the sewers, but he never regretted the home he and his sons now live in.

In front of three younger brothers, April and Splinter, Leonardo leaned on the ledge of the bridge, gently stroking Karasu's feathers, a solemn look written on his face.

"Karasu," he said. "I made a promise to your parents, before they died, that I would raise you in their place to become a great flyer. -He sat up from slouching on the ledge, letting a deep sigh- I've taught you, in the best of my abilities, to reach that goal... And now, that day has finally arrived."

Raph, Don and Mikey's eyes widened, instantly figuring out what was going on. Splinter, also, realized what his eldest child was doing and silently watches on what's going to happen.

"Everything you see here, right before your eyes... Is now yours."

Karasu stared at the trees, river and the buildings of New York before her and her flock, taking it all in on what Leo is telling her. She looked from the view of the city, to the turtle who raised her.

"... I'm-... I'm free?"

Leo, with a forceful smile on his face, nodded his head.

"You're free." Joy, excitement and disbelief can be felt coming off of the raven/crow-hybrid, who seemed to be struggling to stay still until, without any hesitation, took off into the sky.

"Free! I'm FREE!" She screeched, twisting and turning in the air and performing acrobatic-like stunts.

While everyone watch in awe at her display of agile flying maneuver, Leonardo slowly turned from the bird's performance and quietly made his way off the bridge to find the manhole-cover.

'This is for the best,' he told himself.

Nobody took notice of the eldest-turtle leaving, nobody except for Splinter and, after gazing down to call out to them, Karasu. She cocked her head, confused and a little taken back of his slow departure.

"Big Brother?" She instantly shot down and, after hovering to slow down, landed on his left-shoulder, startling the turtle in his tracks. "What's going on, Leo?"

Clearly surprised, he held his arm out and she hopped on his limb.

"You're free now, Karasu." He told her, holding up his arm higher over his head. "You can go, now."

Again, she cocked her head to the side.

"'Go'? Go where?" Her question surprised Leo.

'Does she not understand what being free means?'

She may be born an animal and have the instincts of her own kind, but being around the guys and Father may had her adapting to their human lifestyle.

"You get to go wherever your heart desires to be," he explained. "You belong up here, on the surface world."

He gently shook his arm a bit, gently coaxing her to fly in the air, again. He turned to continue for his destination, only for the stubborn bird to get up in his face.

"Why are you heading for den? Without me?" She cawed, still not getting what the turtle is doing. He was starting to lose his patience.

"Because... You no longer live in the Lair," he carefully answered. "You belong here, above ground. Your wings belong to the wind, where you earn a place in the sky. Where your voice carries the many whispers, that many cannot hear... Where you'll join a flock of your own kind, and live as you should've lived as since birth... Without me."

She stared into his eyes, continuously flapping her wings to prevent herself from falling when she slowly begin to learn what her freedom would mean.

"...Without Clan...? Without… You...?"

She struggled with her speech, as a heavy mass of weight attempts to pull her down. Leonardo waited patiently, as he watches his companion, his Little Kara, realized what being free will cost her.

The others could only watch, as Karasu suddenly let out screeches in front of the blue-masked turtle's face. They can tell whatever was going on between the two, was only for them and nobody else is to intervene.

"...No... NO!" Leo held up his arm, allowing her to take roost when she started to have trouble remaining in the air, though he flinched from the volume of her voice irritating his hearing. "I can't leave you! I won't leave you!"

His eyes started to burn, knowing that tears are threatening to fall.

"You're not obligated to stay in the sewers for me, as if you owe some sort of life-debt for raising you." His words slightly quivered, as he stroke her feathers to try and calm her down. "I did it, because I didn't want anybody else to suffer from the hands of Kraang… Like I had. Besides, Sensei and I made an agreement that you could stay until you're able to fly and be on your own. Now that you can fly and learned everything I can teach you to take care of yourself, we have to part ways."

Karasu climbed down his arm until she sat on his left-shoulder, brushing her head against his, still unable to accept what he's making her do.

"I don't want to leave, Big Brother." She pushed on, her cooing sounds shaking. "You are my wind beneath my wings, my voice that others refuse to listen and you, and the Hamato Clan, the flock I belong to! And if they don't view me as family, then you shall be the only family I have in this world and will ever need in my life!"

Leo's knees buckled from her words, forcing himself to kneel as he struggled to keep his emotions under control.

'Doesn't she see I'm doing this, for her? To prevent her from living in some cage and to have the chance to live the life she can have, as an actual bird? I refuse to allow her to be forced to stay, like myself.'

She clearly knows what she wants, and seems more than willing to give up that opportunity to be free, so long it means she's with you.

Ravens and wolves, aid each other to survive, Pup. If Hatchling-Sister wishes to stay with Pup, of own choosing, then none has right to decide for Hatchling-Sister. Pup, included.

His eyes watered and the tears soaked into his bandana. Both his Conscience, and Instinct, are clearly in an agreement to what Karasu wants to do… And if they say that even he, himself, can't make her leave him, then he has no right to do or any say in the matter.

"…Is that what you want?" He whispered to the raven/crow-hybrid, who pulled away to stare at his somber face. "You wish to toss away your chance to be free, to live amongst your own kind and live a life of your own choosing… All to live in the sewers, with a bunch of mutated abominations?"

Her Onyx-eyes widened, but it wasn't just shock that made her wide-eyed to his words. She understood what he's asking of her: If she's willing to give up to be free and risk being stuck underground, living with them, forever. In her heart, there was no time, not even a second, to answer.

"I would rather be crippled and fall to my death, than to suffer from the darkness of being left behind by my flock and be reminded of my impure-heritage." She hopped back to his arm that rested on his bent knee, then leaned in to rest her forehead against his. "I need you, Leo… I love you, Big Brother."

Leonardo let out a deep, tiring sigh, allowing more of his tears to stain his bandana, as she forged covenant of loyalty and love to the one who raised her.

She made her choice, Leo… What will you do now?

Silently, he got to his feet and made his way back to the others, who apparently were having a conversation of their own with Splinter. If not for the dark and the faint lighting of the moon, they would've noticed the tear-stains on his mask and learned that he was crying.

Leo faced his sensei, bowing his head to show his respect.

"…She won't leave me," he told the humanoid-rat. "No matter what I do, she refuses to go. -As if to prove it, Karasu jumped back to his shoulder and made herself comfortable by laying behind his neck, laying her beak on the top of his plastron.- I'm sorry, Master Splinter. I know we agreed to allow her stay, temporarily, but-… She doesn't want to go…! And I don't want her to, either. -Again, he fell to his knees, bowing to the one who raised him.- Watashi o yurushite (Forgive me)."

He knew what the penalty of breaking a promise to his sensei will be and Leo was more than willing to endure three days of non-stop training sessions, all if it means that Karasu can stay. Hell, he would even surrender Musashi and Kamiizumi, his own swords, if that will be the price he has to make as payment.

A light thump told him that Splinter dropped to his knees… And a paw rested on his right-shoulder, pulling at his curiosity to stare up at his sensei… A reassuring smile can be seen clearly on his face.

"If she wishes to stay with you, Leonardo, then she may do so." Leo's eyes widen to his words, as Karasu sat up a let out a light chirping sound.

"I…! I can stay?!"

"…She can?" Cerulean/Sapphire-eyes stared into Ruby/Amber-eyes, no signs of anger, pity or second thoughts in the rat's eyes. "But, the agreement-"

"I never said that she has to leave the instant she can fly, Leonardo. We agreed that you would be carrying for her, and help her earn her place in the sky. You clearly succeeded to your task, my son, but in the end, the decision to leave or stay is her own choice. -He smiled at the raven/crow-hybrid, who nuzzled her beak against his and letting out caws of happiness and expression of love.- I will admit that we, too, do not wish to see her off. For she is an important member of our clan, just as much as the rest of us."

"Yeah, Dude, we love her just as much as you do! We should also get a say if we should let her go, or not." Michelangelo stated, pouting at his big brother, who slowly got to his feet with the help of Raphael pulling him up.

"And if she's gone, who's going to keep Spike company when I'm not at the Lair and we're off doing patrol?" Raphael asked, wrapping an arm around his twin's shoulders and gently jabbing his fist against Leo's plastron.

The blue-masked turtle let out a low chuckle, touched that his twin and baby brother didn't have a problem of Karasu permanently staying in the Lair. He turned to Donatello.

"Do you have any problems with the decision, Don?" He asked, lightly joking with the genius turtle who didn't look to object on anything.

"Are you kidding? There's so much more research I want to learn about the biological aspects of raven/crow-hybrids. Besides, after she helped us on listening in on Shredder's plans, she would make a great Spy Bird to help us scout the city. Or, at least give me some ideas on how to properly spy on our enemies when she can't remain undetected or suspicious."

To his left, April came up and hugged him, surprising the blue-masked turtle for a moment, before slowly returning the hug back to the redheaded girl. In a joyful mood, Karasu climbed down April's arm to her right-shoulder and started tickling her by lightly scraping her beak against the back of the girl's neck.

"Well, she's definitely a jokester." April giggled, reaching over to pet the bird. The family laughed at the playful bird, before Splinter decided to it was time for them to head back to the Lair, which they all agreed to the thought, from how tired and exhausted they were from their fight at the Worldwide Genome Project.

As the family head for the manhole-cover, Leonardo felt the eyes staring at him from afar distance from the trees. He knew it was Karai, already adapted to how her gaze would make him feel: To be always on edge and the tingling feel to pull his blades out to fight… But, unable to stomach the thought of spilling the blood of his friend, when she left them to get killed and is his enemy to the Hamato Clan.

He didn't turn to try and figure out where she is, not unless he wants to attract his family's attention to why he stopped and have Hamato Yoshi order them to find the girl the moment he locates the Kunoichi.

'What will you do, Karai?' He wondered, knowing she can see them heading down into the sewers and can either follow them and find their Lair, tell Shredder which manhole-cover they went down… Or, as he felt the pair of eyes moving, leave them and not make a move on them.

She'll tell Shredder your last location!

'…No… She won't tell.' A small-smile spread on his face, as he waited for Donatello to finish scaling down the ladder and began his decent into the sewers, covering their entrance with the manhole-cover.

How do you figure that she won't tell?

'…She told me, herself.'

…When, and how?

Back at building, before She-Pup Karai left Pup and Kins to fight Mix-Breed Kraken. Eyes reflect true emotions and words. Swore to not inform Alpha's Enemy of Pack's whereabouts, using False-Body as cover up.

The smile remained on his face, as he slowly followed his family to the Lair.

'It may not be enough to redeem herself, let alone make it right for leaving us behind… But it's enough, in my own eyes, that she's still worthy enough to be my friend.'

TBC

---

Again, I'm very angry how they made Leo behave in this episode. Never, and I mean NEVER, does he ever show off in the middle of a fight, just to impress some girl, when he should be focusing on the battle and the wellbeing of his brothers! Also, he's never one to be easily that gullible and should've ignored everything she says to him when they were fighting.

*: Do Raph, Don and Mikey even follow a certain code, besides the teachings their father taught them to follow? Because, it seems that Leo's the only one who follows a specific code. I mean, the producers never had the show(s) state if the others follow Bushido like Leo does, or any sort of code in that matter. They aren't even trained to also be samurai like he has.

*: Originally, I was going to having this scene where Leo meets up with Karai in secrecy instead of the flying session, but thought it would be too obvious for Raphael to figure out what Leo was doing and have more misgivings about his brother's motives of her, besides that he, his brothers and Splinter are making sure he doesn't go out in the city, alone.

*: I mean, seriously, why would a public school have a chandelier in the building in the first place? And why in the entrance of the school, where it could fall on top of them at any moment and get someone hurt?

*: I can't find myself to have Leo calling it 'Justin'. And that name, it made me laugh the first time Mikey suggested calling it Justin. You would think that he would've first suggested Chimera, before the actual Chimera in "Eyes of the Chimera" when he referred to it as Turducken.

*: How is it that Leo didn't get shocked, or sustained some form of injury, when the electricity was traveling through his swords? There's no way he would've been able to walk away from that, scot-free.

Yesterday, was my older-sister's birthday... Sadly, I had to work on that day. Although, hopefully, my mom will get her to come over to celebrate a belated birthday on the weekend, since she doesn't really do much on her birthday and is only off on the weekends.

R&R