Remember. [TMNT 2012]

Chapter 13; Leonardo

Song: Family System - Chevelle

The next few days come and go. The minute I agreed to help Elizabetta, we started training right away. I expected my brother to let me take over, but I was wrong. He wants to do everything. I quickly resign from any major advice and hang back, feeling a bit out of place.

Though Elizabetta isn't great, at least she knows how to stay balanced. Believe it or not, one of the hardest things about Ninjutsu is keeping your footing. She makes it look easy. Must be the ballet.

On another note, it's tough listening to Michelangelo's lessons. He describes things in an unprofessional way and his advice is always along the same lines.

I try stepping in when his teaching gets too far off course. However, he simply brushes off my tips and continues teaching Elizabetta how he perceives things; with little to no sense. I know he just wants to feel important, but that doesn't make it any less irritating.

The worst part is that Elizabetta doesn't seem to understand what Michelangelo is saying. He has to show her every position, every angle, every movement he makes, all because he doesn't know how to explain it. Sure, she's just a beginner, but he could use real names instead of 'The Mind-Blowing Superhero Punch' or 'Cat-And-Mouse Space Flip'. Like, what?

Five days of training equals five days of listening to Michelangelo. As it passes, I actually feel like I lose some intelligence. I hear my brother's words go in one ear and brain cells go out the other.

On the night of the fifth day, I can't take it anymore. I told Michelangelo that the girl is his problem, but it's too difficult to stand by and watch it. Elizabetta clearly hasn't learned anything. Properly, at least. I can tell she's trying her best, though. She really wants to understand our ways and I am going to help her do just that. Without Michelangelo's interference.

I creep into the room Elizabetta is staying in. She is lying on a mat with her back to the door. She looks peaceful; far different from her usual, stressed-out self. I almost hate to ruin it. But it's for a good cause.

   Bending down, I touch her arm and gently shake her. She responds immediately with a confused, sleepy noise.

"Lizzy," I whisper. She doesn't answer, so I shake her again and repeat myself quietly. "Lizzy."

"Mmm?" Elizabetta rolls over and rubs her eyes. She looks up at me and jerks away in surprise when she realized who it was. "What are you doing here?"

"Come on, get up. I'm taking you to the surface," I say.

She raises her eyebrows as her green eyes clear. "Why? Is something wrong? Where are the others?" The concern she has for my brothers is impressive, considering she only just met us.

"Nothing is wrong, just follow me and bring your dagger," I reply swiftly.

I help Elizabetta to her feet. She pursues me dully at first, then vibrantly as we get out of the lair and into the sewer tunnels. She eventually ends up at my side, the skip in her step betraying her excitement.

We reach a manhole cover. I motion for Elizabetta to stop, then I remember that she doesn't understand my sign language; only my brothers do.

I glance at her and whisper, "Stay here."

At her nod of agreement, I climb up to the manhole and examine the surface. The sky is filled with stars and the streets are dark. Not a soul is in sight.

   I leap out of the sewer tunnel and look back down at Elizabetta, having to remind myself that she still can't read my hand signs. "Follow me," I tell her softly.