Remember. [TMNT 2012]

Chapter 9; Elizabetta

Song: I'm Just A Kid - Simple Plan

I watch each turtle take a corner of the room. Their gazes shoot from one of their brothers to the next. Leonardo grips his twin katanas in his hands. Michelangelo has his nunchucks spinning and Raphael, his sais. Donatello holds his bo-staff out defensively, his brown eyes obviously calculating what movements his opponents might make.

I'm witnessing an actual ninja turtle training session. It's all I can do to hold in a bounce of excitement. This is going to be so cool!

Master Splinter barks a sharp order from beside me. "Hajime!"

The turtles run at each other. Raphael lunges at Donatello, his sais extended and his eyes narrowed. He spins at the last minute and lifts Donatello's feet out from under him, but Donatello is quick. He regains his footing without a flaw and faces his attacker confidently. His grip tightens around his weapon and he thrusts it into Raphael's stomach. He forces the red-clad turtle back several steps.

Leonardo notices this and inserts himself between the two. He uses his katanas to force Donatello's bo-staff against him. Donatello returns the pressure on Leonardo's weapons, so they are mere centimeters away from each other's face, glaring, their weapons evenly matched.

Michelangelo slinks around Raphael's back and yells, "Boo!" Then he jumps onto the red-clad turtle's back and they start to wrestle.

Though Michelangelo isn't taking it seriously, the others are, and I can't help but marvel at them. Their moves are so sly and their attacks so swift. It's almost like watching professionals, even though they're only teenagers.

"How long have they been doing this?" I ask Master Splinter.

He doesn't take his gaze off of the turtles for an instant; either because he is too interested, or because he just doesn't like me. "Since they were very young. Even before they were old enough to learn it for themselves, they would watch me practice Ninjutsu. Whenever it came time to start their training, they excelled to where they are now." His voice is commanding of respect, though he isn't pushy about it.

"You know these skills, too?" I can't hide the shock in my voice, however much I try.

To my surprise, Master Splinter smiles. "Yes, I do. I've taught them everything they know," he responds.

I nod. I fall silent for a few moments, but another question pops into my head. "So, how did you meet them? I mean, you're both different species, but you seem to have known them for a long time." I pause and try to re-ask my question. "I mean... They told me they were just normal turtles, and you might have been too. Uh, I mean..." There is no good way to word that.

Master Splinter chuckles. "Ah, that is a long story," he begins in his deep voice. "My former state was as a man. My sons, who you see before you, were my pet turtles. As for the rest of the tale, let us just assume that bad things are not always so bad."

I give him a small smile and focus my attention back on the ninja turtles. All of them are now struggling to get Michelangelo to behave in most ninja-like manner possible.

I find myself inspired by their talents. It isn't every day that I meet teenagers who save lives and excel in this sport. I actually yearn to learn a few moves, even if it isn't that much.

"Ninjutsu is really interesting," I comment, more to myself.

"What makes you say something like that?" Master Splinter asks in a mildly-curious tone. Though I know he doesn't trust me, I can sense his barriers slowly lowering.

"Well, I'm a ballet dancer. I have been since I was six years old," I explains, then I retrace my words. "Well, I was until I dropped out a few months ago. Still, it's interesting to see how much you have to focus on footwork and your partner- Er, opponent- just like in ballet."