Leonardo spun the kitchen knife in his fingers, letting it slip from his grasp mid spin and embed in the wall a few inches away.

The knife was sharp enough to cut through the many layers of sketches and pierce the yoga mat leaning against the wall. Leo stared at it for a moment before standing up and going over to retrieve it.

The blade was red with his blood, and he wiped it off on the end of his mask. It stained it a grisly color and Leo smirked as he tossed it on his bed. After putting on a simple band-aid, he wrapped his wrist in the usual rough bandages and exited his bedroom.

April was leaning to next to his door, those thick red bangs hiding her eyes from sight. A Katana was held limply in her fingers, and she glanced up when he approached her.

"Hey Leo," She said, holding up a hand. The loose kimono she wore for training sometimes was open and her black shorts and sports bra were peering tantalizingly out.

Leo stepped forward and grabbed each end of her red silk belt and wrapped them around to her front. Tying them in a neat bow, he glanced up to find her smiling.

"You're so...I don't even know," She said, laughing. "Sensei asked me to bring you to the dojo. He wants to talk to us about something. I don't know what."

Leo nodded and began leading the way.

Knowing she was a mere breath behind him, he walked through the living room. Donnie glanced up as they passed, eyes flickering with uncertainty when he spotted their close proximity.

They were close, too close, and Leo quickened his step. April had to speed up a little to keep up with his hurried pace, but her breathing stayed relaxed. It seemed those intense training sessions had done some good after all.

The two teenagers entered the dojo and fell to their knees, hands clasped before their faces as they greeted their teacher. Splinter stroked his beard and waved, alerting them to be at ease. They both lowered their arms but did not relax.

"There is significance in the fact that I called you two here together," Splinter murmured, settling down on the ground himself. His weary sigh as his bones ached made Leo perk up with worry.

His bright blue eyes revealed the concern and April placed a hand on his wrist, smiling slightly when he glanced at her.

"I have watched you both, together and otherwise," Splinter continued. "I have decided that you two will be paired together from now on, for not only the regular missions, but also the more difficult tasks that your brothers would be unable to accomplish."

Leo started at the news and opened his mouth to ask why. April beat him to it.

"Sensei, you know I would never question your orders, but why me?" April asked, her eyes still wide with shock. "I mean compared to the others, I'm useless."

When Splinter did not immediately scold her for that self-deprecating a way of thinking, Leo leapt in.

"April, you shouldn't speak that way," He said earnestly. "You're amazing!"

April smiled shyly, a blush forming on her pale skin. "Thank you, Leo."

Splinter clapped his hands, and both turned to him.

"This is exactly why!" He said sharply, watching as his two students flinched at the stern tone. "You balance each other in a way I deem instrumental for the difficult road that lies ahead. Do not disrespect me by ignoring what I say. You are both dismissed."