The Travelers Wish (The Wattys 2016)

Chapter 23

I practiced offensive hand to hand combat with the turtles.

I discovered something during that time.

That when fighting without weapons,

I wasn't quite as strong as Raphael, not quite as stealthy as Leonardo, or as fast as Michelangelo, and I couldn't think just as fast as Donatello.

I was more like a quarter of each.

But still with even just a quarter of there abilities combined I still made a very formidable opponent, and could easily knock each one off his feet.

Not to say that I didn't get knocked off my feet a lot as well, landing hard enough on my back, that if I were human I would definitely have been paralyzed.

I like this feeling, this feeling of being a total badass ninja.

Unlike in my usual klutzy humanoid form.

And the strength... Man I feel like I could bench press the Party Wagon (classic turtle van)!!

"Haha, too slow!"

Mikey taunted as he dodged a punch that was intended for his stomach.

Man he is fast.

Energetic, tiny and fast!

I channeled my inner Donatello and saw the probability of what his next move would be.

I smiled as like clockwork he tried a round house kick, that I had already saw coming, in my head.

Dodging his foot I quickly used the opportunity to hook my leg under the one he still had connected to the ground.

Causing him to lose his balance and topple over.

He landed on the floor with a thud.

Quickly followed by the laughter of his brothers, well mostly Raphael.

"Having fun Raph?"

I asked.

"Good because your next."

I cockily told him.

I fought hard, using my knowledge of each brothers strengths and weaknesses to my advantage.

After practice I took a shower and found Donatello in the training room alone patently waiting for me.

Master Splinter had apparently gone out for a walk underground here in the sewers, which unbeknownst to me is something he does a lot.

In the living room, completely oblivious to there brothers disappearance were his brothers, playing another intense level of the same car racing game that I saw Leonardo and Michelangelo playing yesterday.

I myself was never into video games, always preferred cartoons and movies.

When I arrived I noticed that Donatello had already set up his CD player, and connected it to his laptop.

"Hey Roxanne, I thought you'd forgotten."

He looked relived and happy to see me.

There are no words to describe the cuteness that is Donatello.

Standing there all eager and just a bit nervous.

Badass ninja and all, but he can still be remarkably adorable at times.

"And miss a opportunity to spend time with my favorite badass ninja genius?"

I cocked a grin.

"Not a chance."

"Stand up"

I said as I hit play and a slow easy foxtrot began to emit from the 90s model stereo system.

He stood up, I took his hand and lead him into the middle of the room.

I turned to face him waited for him to grab hold of my waist.

He just stood there, looking a little confused.

Oh that's right, he's never done this before...

I thought to myself and I stepped up close to him and grabbed his three fingered hands and wrapped it around my lower waist.

"Do this with your left hand."

I ordered him while displaying the proper way for a male partner to carry his hand.

I placed normal human hand on top of his green mutant one.

The most awkward look came onto his face.

Probably at how close we were standing.

Again with the adorableness, stop it Donatello.

"Ok now pay attention"

I think I said that more out of habit, as he was very obviously gluing to my every word.

I took the lead.

Gently guiding him back and forth to the music.

I sighed as he constantly stumbled and tripped over his own two feet.

Gracefulness was not in Donatello's nature.

"Donnie you dance like you fight, calculated and always thinking 3 moves ahead."

I stopped and crossed my arms.

"Dancing is not something you do with your brain, you do it with your heart.

You don't plan it, you just go for it when the time feels right."

I reached for his arm and prepared to try again.

He stood a good 6 inches taller then me.

He sighed, obviously disappointed in himself.

Yeah that's Donatello, always striving for impossible perfection.

"You doing great though, just the fact that you wanted to learn makes me proud of you already."

I shot him a forgiving smile.

That seemed to make him feel better.

He was staring at his feet again.

His eyes scrunching up.

Trying so hard.

I grabbed his chin to make him look me in the eyes."

"Don't stare at my feet Donnie, Rhythm isn't something you see it's something you have to feel."

After he got the hang of the foxtrot I decided to teach him a basic box step for a waltz.

"Again, 1-2-3 1-2-3 1-2-3"

I told him while leading him in a box step, which all went fine until we didn't try turning.

His big bulky green legs got caught under mine.

We toppled over and I landed on the floor on top off him.

I laughed into his chest plate at our clumsiness.

"What is going on here?"

Asked a slightly alarmed April who stood in the entrance.

Followed by serious laughter from the 3 remaining turtles, and a raised eyebrow from Master Splinter.