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The next morning I was woken by a pounding on the door and Mikey’s gleeful, insistent voice cutting through my dreams.

“Common kitty! Get up, training! We don't get to have breakfast until after training! Common common” I grumbled as I tossed back the covers and stood, rubbing at my eyes. Mikey hadn’t stopped talking through the door at me and I was not a morning person. I yanked the door open with a scowl; he nearly fell flat on his face.

“I heard you. I'll be down in moment” Did I mention I was not a morning person? I slammed the door shut and grumbled, as I quickly got dressed. White gi pants, soft and worn at the knees and a black sports bra and singlet. Chucking my hair up quickly in a ponytail I rushed downstairs with a scowl on my face. Did I mention I hate mornings? Cause I really really hate mornings.

“Ahhh she awakens” Splinter smiled as I joined the turtles in the kitchen, Donny handed me a mug of water which I sipped. It was hard to be grumpy with that soft wise voice of the rat to sooth the soul.

“Leonardo, you and Michelangelo will revise your hand to hand combat. Raphael and Donatello will train in shadow chase. No weapons, no gear. I will be taking Miss kitty for the morning” The boys nodded and melted away, Mikey and Leo to the dojo and Donny and Raph to melt into the shadows. I gulped and tried to smile as Splinter came to stand in front of me.

“I trust you slept well. Are you certain you wish to continue your training? This will not be like what you are used to. We train to defend our lives, our secrets and our family” Splinter asked me, beady eyes searching my face, giving me an option to back out if I needed it. I did not. Taking a deep breath I bowed deeply, palms flat to my side and spine stiff.

“Yes I am certain sensei”. I could feel him smile before I saw it. Straightening and falling into that wondrous static headspace that only occurs when I am about to push my body to it’s limits, he beckoned.

I followed him quickly to the dojo, sinking into seiza (a traditional sitting pose of heels tucked under butt and palms on the top of the thigh’s) when he knelt.

“I wish to see your basic skills and assess from there,” the old rat said simply and I bowed, hands in a triangle on the floor in front of me and forehead touching the backs of my hands. It was a formal bow but I was grateful for the training and being formal and respectful seemed right in this atmosphere. The dojo with its wonderful smell of tatami and sweat calmed my rapidly beating heart. For the next few hours Splinter put me through my paces. Going through every block, strike, kick, stance and kata I knew. Rarely did he correct me, tapping an offending body part if I did not hold the correct posture or motion. He was soft spoken in his admonishments and teachings but I sank quickly into a space of respect. He definitely knew what he was doing in order to teach. There was a no nonsense energy to him that was still kind despite it’s sternness. An environment in which I had always thrived in the past. Sweat trickled down my spine as I took the time to breath in slowly, filling my lungs as my body protested the training. I was very very out of shape and my cheeks burned with the shame of knowing it.

“Good. I am pleased with how well you have picked up the basics. We may stop. Please join the family for breakfast” the rat was smiling and I bowed again a grin curling my lips. I had never felt so alive and at peace as when I was training under the supervision of a sensei. I turned, a bounce in my step and my smile splitting into a grin when I saw the four turtles watching.

“Oh yeah kitty has it! Now we can eat!” came Mikey’s cheerful voice as he turned and hurried to the kitchen with an exuberant whoop. Donny’s face was so open, the pleasant acceptance of his judgment of me as easy to see as Leonardo was difficult to read. It was Raphael that caught my attention. He had an eyebrow ridge quirked and seemed to be thinking about something very hard. I chose to let it go. I wasn’t sure I was keen to know what he was thinking about so hard.

“Common Babe, food. I make the best pancakes ever! What! It’s exciting having someone here” Mikey’s babbles fillied the place making it seem lighter then just a few moments ago.

“You never volunteer to make pancakes but now that a giiirrrl shows up” Raph teased him with a grin.

“Do they always do this?” I asked Donny who was just shaking his head at them and fixing a pot of coffee. The two continued to argue loudly over the clanking of pans and bowls.

“Yes actually.” Donny chuckled moving around the quibbling pair efficiently.
“Would you like a coffee?” he offered. It was the most mundane thing to be asked after spending the last 2 hours training. My tummy rumbled loudly which got a grin from the purple masked turtle.

“No thank you…actually do you have any tea?” I asked. I wasn’t shy but I was uncertain of myself for asking. I shouldn’t have been because no sooner had the words left my lips then Leo sat down with a beautiful traditional Japanese teapot and three cups. The delicate scent of green tea filling the air. I breathed in deeply and sighed at the delicious aroma of Chinese Green Leaf loose tea filled the air. Master splinter nodded at me as I visibly relaxed inhaling the aroma, waiting for Leo to poor one cup before thanking him and wondering off to read with his tea.

The large turtle pored the other two cups and I murmured my appreciation, a crinkling around his eyes showing mirth as I breathed in the fragrant steam, eyes closed to further sink into the delicious smell. Taking a sip, the slightly bitter fresh taste flowed over my tongue and I gave a purring moan, my own cat like sound of enjoyment. There is more then one reason why my nickname is kitty. Opening my eyes I realised that the kitchen was in dead silence and all four turtles staring at me. I blushed and then scowled because I had blushed which only made my cheeks flame redder. Before I even had a chance to speak Leo cleared his throat and all of them went back to their business. That moment would be something I would think about for a long time without understanding.

Breakfast was over soon enough and the brothers dispersed to do whatever it was they did. I was curious about their lives but I didn’t want to be to forward just yet. I was still a guest and didn't want to irritate them. They seemed to have taken things in stride. I sat at the table and thought for a while until I realised that Raph had come back and was leaning against the doorframe with arms crossed.

“Freaking out yet?” his voice was rough and abrasive but strangely warm. I realised I loved listening to the different voices of the turtles. It was like being able to taste the most amazing flavors all of the time and just luxuriate in them. If Leo’s voice was rich, dark honey then Raphael’s was chocolate, the bitter kind that came with excellent quality and high amounts of cocoa.

“What’s the matter cat got ya tongue?” a scowl twisted his face and made his golden eyes go dark. I shook myself and blushed realizing I had gone off with the fairy’s.

“Sorry, I just got lost in thought. No I’m not freaked out yet…although I keep waiting to be” I joked smiling broadly enough that my one dimple would have shown. I watched his face soften and those amazing eyes lighten.

“To be honest I’m not sure why I take all this so well. I just feel…like I belong” I frowned at the thought. The red banded turtle just nodded and slid into a seat. Settling him so that the caprice of his shell made an odd sound against the chair.

“Yeah I’m wondering the same thing. What kind of stuff do ya like? If you weren't down here”. The question through me off guard but he seemed genuinely interested.

“Traveling; cats, reading, tea, musicals and the theater. Learning new things, Video games, pop culture. I'm more than a little obsessed about Pokémon. Different cultures, knives, martial arts, dance, motorbikes..”

“Woah wait. Ya like bikes?” He had cut me off suddenly leaning forward with a big smile and I gave him a matching grin.

“I rode my first bike last year on holidays. It was amazing and I've wanted to get my license ever since”

“Common, I’ve got somethin to show ya.” He got up so swiftly I was left blinking for a second before I quickly followed. I was lead through various rooms, steadily heading up until we hit a garage of sorts. Looked like the inside of a warehouse.

“There she is” Raph gestured proudly to a beautiful bike, shiny red and silver and obviously well taken care of.

“The shell-cycle” his golden eyes sparkled as he stared first at his bike then at me for my reactions.

“She is beautiful” I murmured stepping forward and running my hands over the side and over the leather saddle seat. It was a huge bike, way to heavy and to much power for me, I had no idea of the make or model and was completely entranced by it.

“Custom design?”

“Yeah, Donny helped me at the beginning but it’s all my work now” The turtle was obviously pleased with himself and we shared a grin.

“Wanna go for a ride?” he asked impulsively quickly gathering two helmets and a bike jacket, holding it out to me. I didn’t need to say anything, just reached for it, fingertips brushing over those large muscular hands before sliding the jacket and helmet on, tucking my hair up and out of the way.

“Oh fuck” I heard raph mutter as he stopped and scowled again, muscles tensing. Leo’s voice rang out sharply.
“You know better Raphael. It is daylight and you could be seen.” His dark eyes flashed, moving quickly from the larger turtle helmet in hand and myself. I’m not a small girl but I felt tiny in that moment.

“Relax fearless” Raph snarled in a dismissive tone.
“It’s just a bike ride and it’s not like anyone would look at one more guy in a jacket on a bike”

“No but they would look at her and she doesn’t have the protective gear. Regardless it is still day. You know the rules” Leo didn't give the angry turtle beside me to respond, simply turned on his heals and walked away swiftly.

I wasn't quite sure what to do in this situation but I quickly put the spare helmet and jacket down and touched Raphael’s shoulder lightly.
“I’m sorry” I murmured to the fuming turtle. His hands clenched into fists and golden eyes dark with fury.

“Not ya fault” he gritted out.
“Going to do some weights” he spoke over his shoulder; obviously keeping his temper reigned in as he stormed off.