Fire In Her Eyes (A TMNT Story)

My First Training Session Goes Down In Flames

"And finally here's the kitchen," Leo says, finishing the tour. We had roamed through all the rooms and spaces of their underground lair. We toured the dojo, where they train intensively, the bathroom, the living room-- they have a TV! -- and we visited the lab, where Donatello, the one with the purple mask, mostly dwells. He treated my wound further with his antibiotics. He was very nice.

"Who knew an abandoned subway station would have so many rooms," I quip, and he laughs.

"Yeah," he says. "I guess you can say we got lucky. You know, if you ignore the smell."

I breath a laugh before my nose catches something rather appetizing. "What's that smell?" I remark, following the scent into the kitchen. Mikey's back is to me and he's stirring something in a big pot on the stove, humming delightfully as he mixes in spices and sauces. Donnie, the one who helped me with my bump, and Raph were sitting at the table, waiting.

"Would ya quit it with the humming?" Raph carps, rubbing his temples. "It's making my ears bleed."

"I like humming, it helps me focus," Mikey replies.

"Well, focus softer."

"That's a funny way of talking to someone who is fixing your food," Leo chimes in, following me into the kitchen.

"Yeah, Raph, that's a funny way of talking to someone who is fixing your food," Mikey repeats.

"It's still annoying," Raph grumbles.

Leo rolls his eyes and pulls out a chair. I first thought he was going to sit down himself but then he turns to me and gestures to the seat. My hearts stops-- and so does my feet, apparently-- in surprise.

I quickly regain myself and slowly-- and awkwardly-- walk to the chair and take a seat, my cheeks heating up. And I don't think it was because of my powers.

I scoot myself in, mumbling a thank you to Leo before he sits next to Raphael, who was still scowling at his younger brother's focusing mannerisms.

"So, does anyone have any ideas about why Shredder's schemes are involving Andrea?" Donnie voices and my heart drops into my stomach, instantly remembering the lie I told them.

I don't know why I did that. I didn't want to, I just felt like I had to. It felt like if they knew what I was-- what I can do-- then they wouldn't take me in. They would think I'm a freak or something. Or a monster. I know I do. These guys were the closest thing to friends I've had in a long time and I didn't want to mess that up by telling them I can involuntarily set things on fire. And, plus, they would find out I started those fires happenings and assume I'm dangerous-- which wasn't far from the truth.

No, I would hold that off until later. Until they trust me. Hopefully, I can control my powers until then. But that's not taking away the block of guilt in my heart.

"She must have stolen something from them if they sent the Foot Clan after her," Raphael accuses, narrowing his eyes at me in suspicion. "What did you take?"

I shrink in my seat, suddenly feeling like I'm being interrogated. "I-I didn't steal anything."

Raph scoffs. "Well, they didn't attack you for no reason. What did you do?"

"I-I-I-" I stutter, struggling to find my words to defend myself.

"Raph, we're not going to probe her," Leo says.

"Hey, you said you wanted answers and I'm trying to get them!" Raph protests.

"Yeah, but not like that!"

"Cross-examining her isn't gonna give you the answers you want, Raph," intrudes Donnie.

"What do suggest we do then, genius?"