Meanwhile, a few hours later in the training room, Splinter watched his female student's performance in the arts of ninjutsu, where there were some things he needed to improve while others were excellent."Good Kimberly, good focus is key in this training exercise.""Okay... I... try?" Groaning effortlessly as she tries to balance herself on one foot while holding two eggs with chopsticks. She manages to stay in this position for a few minutes or, in her mind, a few hours.Trying to listen to her master's advice of not thinking about her task at hand, yet it's quite difficult if she feels a raging itch on her nose."Ay Dios mios, I need... to itch... No! No no no... focus, focus." Sweat begins to drip from her moist head, and twitching her nose helps to ease her discomfort."Ah, much better... see, Splinter, I am doing great with this exercise.""I suppose, but if it's getting too easy for you, we can try with a twist," he suggests with a devious grin."S-sure... I-I like challenges.""Very well." He swaps the eggs from her chopsticks with something revolting that only someone with a sense of smell can tolerate."Eww...what is this? It's so scaly and ocean-like." She opened her eyes and felt her stomach churn at the sight of a large, red, stinky fish in the palm of her claws."Ewww! Why does it have to be fish!...I hate fish, yuck!""What's wrong with a little fish? It makes great sashimi, young one." Splinter chuckled as he watched his student gag from this smelly hell, but she forced herself to remain strong as she refused to lose her composure over a little smelly sea demon. Splinter knew this and couldn't help but let out a few giggles as he found it hilarious."Kokoro o shūchū sa sete, Kimberly." She chanted the phrase in her mind that she remembered Leo telling her as he tried to teach her some basic Japanese. A language he speaks beautifully and she found it very calming."Good, good...you may relax now." He didn't have to tell her twice as she rested her foot on the mat, regulating her fast breathing from holding her breath due to the intoxicating aroma of the fish."It seems you are experiencing discomfort in this new form of exercise, don't you think?""You don't say," she said bluntly, as she will now remember this moment in a not-so-great way. "But what was the point of teaching me this, master?""Ah, you see Kimberly, this exercise was meant to open your mind to how balance and focus interpret the life we are living in. From birth to death, sweet and sour chicken, and of course, evil and good. Each of these examples has its role to play without overlapping the other.""So, like Yin and Yang?" she replied as the rat man chuckled."Yes, like the eastern symbol of peace. May I ask how you know that?" The water monitor blushed upon hearing that question, knowing how embarrassing it is to have read over a hundred books on Asian culture, especially when she wasn't born into it."I...uh...read a few books because I wanted to learn more about the symbol as I saw a girl in my English class wearing it. Apparently, it dated back a few BCs in ancient China when Taoism was increasing around the nat--...sorry, I shouldn't overanalyze.""No, no, it's good that you have knowledge of ancient philosophies, but why tread this way?" he asked. The water monitor already knows the answer to his question that she didn't want to answer, as she never told anyone before, probably because nothing better the situation except she felt safe when telling this to Splinter for some reason she couldn't."Let's just say I had a confrontation with a classmate calling me socially offensive when I talk about cultures that are not from my Hispanic descent." She looked up to see the grandmaster sigh and rub his gray loose hair, then let out a soft chuckle."Children can be cruel at times, but I understand your feelings, Kimberly.""Really?" The rat nodded to confirm again."Like, do you think it's wrong that Leonardo likes to use your language even though he is not of Hispanic descent?""No, of course not.""Then it's strange that I am teaching you ancient Japanese martial arts even though you're not from the culture?""I guess…no," she replied."Then there is no harm being done here. Ignorance can be a poison to the mind, which makes it very difficult for people to devote themselves to a great purpose. You see, learning a skill from someone who doesn't associate with it doesn't make it bad. It's bad when they present it in a way to mock or bash it."The water monitor took a moment to ponder the words her master beautifully explained to her and realized he was right. Knowing now from what the students would tell her is just their exaggerated opinion, she shouldn't take it to heart."Oh, I understand now, Splinter. Thank you for helping to clear my mind over this stupid... uhh, thing I think about constantly.""Hehe, anytime my dear. I suppose that's enough training for one day, so you're dismissed, or would you like to join me for some sushi, tea, and my soap opera?""Ugh, Splinter!... again with the fish." Kim shook her head annoyedly, along with the rat man chuckling, when they both heard her phone ringing and picked it up."Hola, April... uh... yeah... I'm on my way, bye. Well, I have to go, so maybe tomorrow night and no fish, or this deal is off.""Hehe, very well... yes, yes, no sushi for the lizard girl. I may be a very old rat man, but I can still remember things." Kim giggled and gave Splinter a nice goodbye hug before gesturing a goodnight and left for the front gates."Heh..children." The next morning, as the sun began its routine, her apartment was filled with the intoxicating smell of food in the air as she cleansed her mouth after her nightly rest."Uh? I was never up this early?.. Teenagers are weird, man." The black woman gargled some mouthwash in her mouth before splitting it into the sink as the water rushed it down the drain. Wiping her mouth with a towel, she then opened her room door to an unexpected, yet expected sight of the water monitor mutant in the kitchen cooking something that smelled good."It's kinda weird that a teenager such as yourself is up this early and cooking like Gordon Ramsey, kiddo?"Oh buenos días, April, and yeah. I didn't want to bother you, so I decided to make you some food and I also made you coffee. April turned to the coffee maker that already had a hot cup of joe with her name written on it."Hmm...nothing better than a bottle of The Manhattan than a four-cream goat milk and a pound of diabetic sugar." He took a sip then smacked his lips."Thanks, sweet child.""Hehe, you're welcome, and why don't you sit at the table since I'm almost done with our eggs.""Sounds like a plan." April took a second long sip then walked over to the dining area, which had a freshly placed newspaper on her usual seat and something strange on the teenager lizard's side.What is this girl doing?"Here is your breakfast, April! Sunny-side up eggs, four slices of buttered toast, watermelon, and a nice pulpy orange juice.""Nice!..thanks Kimberly." April thanked her as she placed the delicious plate of food in front of her before quickly sitting in her spot, working on her little project. Growing with curiosity as she forked up some eggs while watching the water monitor eagerly cut up a picture of a black and white puppy and humming a tune."Mhmm..I guess she is making some type of scrapbook?...what are you doing, slick?""Uh?..oh just making an animal poster for myself." Kimberly responded while still making eye contact with her artwork, adding to April's suspension."Ok." April continued reading the paper while enjoying her breakfast but still had moments of peeking under the paper to watch the water monitor lizard work."Uhh... Umm... there! Wow, it even looks just as cute as Banda, ahh." Kimberly sighed dreamily, thinking about having a fun day with the puppy in question. She had already brought her a few toys, hoping she would love them."Banda?... Who is she, Kimberly?" April asked after overhearing her words."What? I didn't say Banda... I said... uhh... PANDA!... like the one at the city zoo." Sweat streamed down her head as April caught onto her lie, but suddenly she shrugged her shoulders."Uh, ah..well maybe later I can take you to the zoo, if you like?""Thank God!... Sure, sure, that would be nice." She sighed heavily, thankful that her little secret wasn't blown by her obvious expression about the puppy underground.When she was done with her post, she continued to enjoy her breakfast as she needed the energy for the day she was going to have.Mhmm..mi huevos son deliciosos! "Okay Leo, you've got this. It's just one puppy, how bad can it be?" Leo poured himself some cereal into a bowl while eyeing the puppy in question on the couch, still sleeping soundly."She looks cute, for now, until she becomes an adult and starts craving turtle flesh." He winced at the thought, then opened the fridge for the milk and poured it into the bowl. Once the flakes were flowing, he carried it to the couch, a few seats away from the dog."Let's see what's on the news this morning." He brought a spoonful to his mouth as he switched to the news channel, which showed the local reporter reporting on a protest of men advocating to ban child support."I am so glad I am a mutant turtle rather than a human, geez." He was about to take another spoonful when he heard whining and saw Banda staring at him with her head tilted."Oh, look who's up?" Leo said jokingly as the puppy inched closer to his breakfast and sniffed it. Her tail wagged and she barked lightly at its tasty smell, attempting to eat it."Whoa! That is not for you, Banda... no, no." Leo tried to warn Banda, who was still keen on his breakfast and accidentally knocked the bowl onto Leo's lap with her black nose."Cold! Cold! Cold!" He stood up from his seat as the cold white liquid wet his pants and rushed for the kitchen.The mountain dog let out a confused bark, wondering why the blue turtle abruptly left for a second when he heard the front gates opening and hopped down."Guys...guys...where are you?" Kimberly knew her friends were awake as she heard the television running, but as she approached the living room, she was greeted by Banda, who barked cheerfully upon seeing her."Aww...hey there, girl! Did you miss me?" Kim kneeled down as the puppy ran into her arms, licking her vigorously when she picked her up."Hehe...I missed you too, Bandy, and I have a fun day planned for us. I'm going to teach you some tricks." It seemed that the pooch understood what she meant, as she barked in response. Kim walked into the living room, where she found the blue masked turtle mumbling under his breath."Hey Leo, what happened here?""Puppy," he said bluntly, and Kim looked at Banda, who seemed unfazed by the situation. She noticed that Leo's pants were wet and there was a puddle of milk on the ground, along with cereal chunks, and pieced it together."Oh boy...looks like someone has been causing a little trouble for Uncle Leo, isn't that right, Bandy?" she cooed, booping the animal's nose, which resulted in happy barking."Yea yea yea, lovely, but I need some breakfast before we start, so don't let her get into stuff," Leo said as Kim playfully saluted him."Will do, fearless leader." Leo went back into the kitchen while Kim took the puppy to the living room and sat her down."Okay Banda, I've got a surprise for you." The puppy tilted her head when the water monitor sat her backpack down, unzipping it and then scattering through it. She watched Kim pull out a rubber chicken, balls, and rope toys. She organized them in front of Bandy."Okay Bandy, here are your toys that I brought for you to play with, like Steve the rubber chicken, balls for catching, and rope toys for chewing." The puppy curiously sniffed each toy, even going as far as to move them with her paws. Kim knows this is her way to find out what she prefers to play with. She chuckled when she picked Steve, probably because it made a chicken sound as she attacked it."So... you brought her toys?""Yep, this will help with her training and give her some entertainment as well.""Wonderful." Leo rolled his eyes and sat down on the couch with his bowl of blueberry oatmeal in his hand while the other held the remote."Ah, finally I can enjoy my breakfast while watching my show." He grinned when he saw his favorite anime heroes playing on the screen."Aw sweet Bin Bong Bo on!" He took a spoonful of oatmeal to his mouth when he heard chicken noises and glanced down to see Bandy staring at him with Steve in her mouth, chewing on the rubber material."Oh... uhh, hey Banda, what do you want?" Leo asked hesitantly. She placed her front paws on his legs to drop the toy in his lap."Uh?... what do you want me to do with this?""Hehe I think she wants to play with you," Kim answered."I can't play right now because I am in the middle of watching my show." Puppy whined, trying to persuade him into playing with her, even showing her puppy eyes."But my show…ugh fine." He picks the moisture rubber chicken, and tosses it away in a direction far from him."Go catch!" The puppy barked a few times as some sort of battle cry when she chased after, and snatched in her jaws. Carry back to an impressed Leonardo who admired her quick and efficient skills in the arts of playtime."Wow! I am impressed with this dog. I guess we should play catch more often." "You mean fetch?" Kim corrected him with a smirk."Oh I mean..fetch." Leo rolled his eyes. The blue turtle continues to more or less play fetch with the little mountain puppy who enjoys every minute of it with her adorable barks that always melted the water monitor's heart. Leo even let out a few chuckles when she tumbled over when she attacked the rubber chicken. "Look like you're enjoying playing with her, huh Leo?" Kim grinned and crossed her arms as Leo brushed it off."That's what you think. I'm just tiring her out so I can enjoy my morning cartoons." Now Kim turned to roll her eyes when Banda came back with the toy and sat in front of them, dropping it on the ground."Good girl, Banda!""Aof aof!" Her tail wagged when she felt the water monitor stroking her head, then whimpered when her stomach growled, which even Kim heard."Aww, all that playing made you hungry. Don't worry, I'll make you something to eat.""And what do you have in mind?" Leo asked."Well, I'm going to make her a raw food diet of various meats, veggies, and organs.""Organs?" Leo said nervously."Yes, it contains all of Banda's vitamins and minerals like zinc, B vitamins, and of course iron." Kim giggled at Leo, who shook his head and then picked up the puppy to go to the kitchen."I know there should be some fresh meat in the fridge." She places Banda on the ground to let her wander around, sniffing any surface as she looks through the fridge."Mhmm..ugh not this again!" She sticks her tongue out in disgust when her nose picks up the smelly aroma of fish, and sees a big plate of the red fish Splinter has tortured her with. Banda barks and nuzzles her head on Kim's legs to get her attention."I know you're hungry, Bandy. I'm just figuring out what to feed you." Kim examines the fridge and realizes there is one bottle of doggy formula from yesterday."Change of plans, I will feed her formula." She grabs the bottle and then boils a pot of water, which takes a little while, and places the container in the hot water."There..your breakfast should be ready soon." Kim frowned as the puppy whined as she couldn't wait to have something to eat, so that when she found a container of blueberries."Mhmm..I wonder if you like blueberries, they bring wonderful benefits to puppies." She grabbed the container and carried it to the sink to wash them thoroughly, so Banda wouldn't ingest any pesticides then place a handful of them in a bowl."Here is a snack for you , Bandy." Banda hesitantly moved forward to the bowl and sniffed it. When nothing seemed off about it she ate a mouth full."So what do you think?" Do you like blueberries?" The puppy barks happily then begins to devour the berries whole, as she likes the sweet tangy flavors, and her snout was covered in its juices. Kimberly giggled then made a wet towel to clean the puppy's snout. Luckily it was an easy task aside from Banda trying to give doggy kisses."Hey! Bandy, stop that... I am just trying to clean your snout." After cleaning the mess, Kim came over to the stove to check if the puppy's meal is at the appropriate temperature, from dripping it on herself to check."Mhm... perfect! Oh Bandy, want some more food?""Ark ark!" She wagged her tail as she placed her paws on Kim's legs again, so she could insert the nipple in her mouth."Man hehe, I'm so glad I'm not your mother because no offense, you suck really hard." Joking on the fact that Banda was quite aggressive when drinking her formula, yet Kim couldn't blame her. She is a growing puppy with a big appetite.She sat down next to Banda, stroking her soft black and white fur while cooing softly as she drank her meal in peace. One of the best moments Kim likes to see when spending time with her pooch."Good girl, that's it. Fill your tummy with your warm formula, so we can play more." Her belly was full in less than a few minutes and Kim set her bottle in the sink before sitting next to the bloated puppy who belched as her hunger was satisfied."Aww, someone had a good meal." She smiled, seeing how relaxed Banda looked from lying on her back with her fluffy round belly sticking out, purring softly. Her claws gently give the puppy a few nice stomach rubs that occasionally sense digestive stomach noises, indicating that Banda's inner organs are working fine.I guess I will leave you here while your food is disgusting, sounds good? Noticing her tail moving on the ground and her moaning softly like she was falling asleep, she takes that as a yes.Hehe alright, sweet dreams, buddy."