April towels off her face, sweaty with the exertion of another long training session. She pulls the towel away, letting her see the turtles and Destiny as they put their weapons away. Sarina and Splinter stay near the tree, discussing quietly with one another while Sarina types on her tablet.

"Man, I'm so hungry," Michelangelo groans, rubbing his stomach as he wobbles on his feet.

Raphael rolls his eyes. "You ate before training, Mikey."

"That was, like...a whole hour ago, dude!"

"Maybe you and I can make an after-sparring snack," Destiny suggests as she stretches her arms and wings at the same time, showing off her impressive wingspan.

"Oo, yes please!" Michelangelo squeals.

"I want in on that," Donatello pipes up.

"Same," Leonardo says.

They hurry from the dojo and April sighs, stooping down to grab her water bottle. She's glad she could make it to training today, even though a part of her wanted to stay home and work on her homework. She hasn't been the most dedicated student lately.

The city is quiet, safer than it's ever been for mutants, and April has let herself get distracted. Before, she wanted to learn ninjutsu so that she could protect herself and her loved ones—from the Kraang, from Shredder—but they aren't around anymore. It's given her freedom that she had almost forgotten about.

She takes a sip of water, gazing aimlessly at the ceiling.

"April," Splinter's voice snaps her from her reverie.

She straightens, nearly choking on her water as she whips her head towards her teacher. Sarina lingers behind him, still holding her tablet, face clear of emotion.

"Yes, Sensei?" she asks.

"I wanted to discuss something with you," he says.

Her stomach plunges into her feet and she closes her eyes. She knows what she's about to hear. She's gotten wrapped up in being a normal teenager, focusing on things like friends and her boyfriend and school instead of becoming a full-fledged kunoichi. She's even slipped on practicing her psychic abilities, although those are easier to practice on her own. She's mostly used them for household chores and what-not.

At this point, she won't be surprised if Splinter tells her that Destiny has surpassed her by now.

"I'm sorry, Sensei," she says. "I know I've been absent a lot more recently and my training has suffered for it. I—"

"April," Splinter says, and she notes the laugh in his voice. She frowns, looking up at him, and she senses no disappointment. In fact, there's nothing negative at all. "That isn't what I want to discuss."

Behind him, Sarina offers a confirming nod. "Indeed."

April blinks. "Oh." She clears her throat and lets out a tiny laugh. "So...uh, what...is it, then?"

"The full moon is tomorrow," Splinter says, folding his hands behind his back as he idly glances at the ceiling. Again, Sarina nods.

April purses her lips. She's tired from training and doesn't want to miss out on whatever Destiny and Michelangelo are cooking up, so if Splinter could not play one of his guessing games, that would be great.

"Do you know what usually happens on the full moon?" Splinter asks.

"Werewolves?" April asks. Sarina chuckles softly, making the redhead smirk with pride.

"Yes," Splinter agrees, unperturbed, "but it is also when ninja clans perform a very important ceremony." His russet eyes lock on hers, holding for a second before softening. "It is the time for an initiation, one that welcomes new ninja into a clan."

April takes in his words, lets them sink into her skin, and her mouth drops open. "Wait, do you mean...?"

Sarina starts tapping at her tablet again, straight-faced again. "He does," she says. "We've been going over notes. While there is still room for you to improve, you should be plenty ready for the title of kunoichi."

"Only if you accept, April," Splinter adds.

She grins, her heart as light as helium as she nods. "Yes! I...I accept!"

----------

The next evening, Splinter gathers everyone in the dojo. The lights stay off, leaving a row of candles to illuminate the space. Splinter kneels at the base of the dojo tree, candles flanking him, and April kneels before him. Behind her, the four turtles sit in a neat row.

In the spirit of the occasion, April was given a new outfit—a black and yellow jumpsuit, better suited for stealth than her regular civilian clothes, and a black headband to match. She fiddles with the sleeves, her expression wrought with nervous excitement.

Destiny, Sarina, Casey, Taylor, and Annalise sit off to the side in the spectator's area. April darts a glance over at Casey, lips pursed with nerves, and he smiles a little as he nods to her. Her shoulders relax.

"April O'Neil," Splinter says.

He starts speaking Japanese, prompting Sarina to translate under her breath to her companions. "He is welcoming her into the Hamato Clan as a kunoichi, stating his authority as clan leader," she murmurs.

Splinter stops and April does a deep bow. Splinter reaches beside him and holds out a tanto in a sheathe, decorated with a yellow ribbon. He places the blade in April's outstretched hands.

"This tanto represents the dragon: strong, fierce, intelligent," he says. April unsheathes it and observes the blade, twisting it in front of her face as it glints in the dim candlelight. "A dragon not only relies on its physical strength, but its keen intellect as well."

"Arigatou gozaimasu," she murmurs.

"Be at one in spirit and body," Splinter says. "Be like the dragon."

"Hai, Sensei."

"April O'Neil, you are now a kunoichi of the Hamato Clan."

Splinter's professional expression softens, ears flattening, and the others erupt into cheers. The turtles are the first to welcome April officially and the others are close behind, all smiles and bright eyes.

"Welcome to the clan," Leonardo says with a smirk that toes the lines between pride and gentle teasing.

"Congrats, April!" Raphael says.

"It's about time," Donatello agrees.

"Part-ay!" Michelangelo hoots.

"Go, April! Go, April!" Annalise chants as Sarina and Destiny clap politely and Taylor wolf-whistles. Destiny pauses her applause with a wince, ears pressing close to her hair.

"That's my girl!" Casey whoops.

April grins, giving Casey a quick hug before turning back to smile at her friends. She clutches the tanto close to her chest.

"Thanks, guys," she says, a little lost for words.

"Now, as the final part of your initiation, you will join my sons on patrol," Splinter says, moving closer to the group. "Enjoy your new status, April, and I hope you won't have to use that tanto quite yet."

"Relax, Sensei," Raphael says. "The city's quieter than ever. We've got nothing to worry about."

Splinter's ears pull back. "Nothing good lasts forever, my son. You must always be prepared for the possibility of war," he says. Noting their expressions, he exhales a chuckle. "However, do not let that ruin your enjoyment of what is good. Go, enjoy yourselves."

"Aw, yeah!" Michelangelo whoops. He bounces over to Annalise, his arm slipping around her waist with practiced ease. "So...you wanna come along?" His eyes dart from his girlfriend to Casey and Taylor and back again. "Huh? Huh?"

"I would love to," Annalise says with an apologetic smile, "but I've got school tomorrow. Gotta get my eight hours, right?"

Taylor sighs. "Yeah, same, plus I've still got curfew from Tia and Tio."

"Lame," Casey huffs. He shakes his head. "But...I'm busy too. Dad and Andy want to see a movie and I promised I'd go once this wrapped up."

Michelangelo sniffles a bit. "Man...next time, then!" He locks his eyes on Destiny and Sarina. "You guys are coming, right?"

"I've got nowhere else to be," Destiny says with a pointed grin.

"I would not mind coming along," Sarina says. "I could use the fresh air."

"Nice, two out of five! I can live with that," Michelangelo says, pumping his fist. He whirls around. "Let's hear one more cheer for April, the kunoichi!"

April's face lights up as they burst into applause again.

----------

April can't stop smiling as she runs at top speed, the turtles just ahead of her with Destiny and Sarina soaring above. It's been so long since she's done something like this, and knowing that she's a real kunoichi now just makes it better.

"Hey!" she calls. "Remember when I had a hard time keeping up with you guys?"

The turtles land on the roof ahead, but April decides to have some fun. She front-flips, landing on her hands and pushing herself into a another flip. She alights on a water tower only to flip again. She's better at front-flips, no doubt, but the rush is still there.

She drops into a crouch on an A/C unit just as Destiny and Sarina touch down. She perches one elbow on her knee, the other holding her in place as she catches her breath.

"I can't believe I'm finally a full-fledged ninja!" she says. Maybe if she repeats it enough, she'll start to believe it.

"Sure, you made it to the third dan," Raphael says, "but there's still seven more grades, each with different levels, so..."

"Don't rain on her ninja parade, Raph," Donatello scolds. He turns to April with a smile. "It's amazing that you made it to kunoichi, April. Ignore everything Raph just said."

"Yeah, that's what I always do," Michelangelo says, sliding in front of Raphael as he growls. "Makes life way easier!"

Raphael tackles Michelangelo, growling and shrieking as the two tussle. Sarina moves forward and separates them with no apparent effort on her part.

"Out of curiosity, what dan are you guys at?" Destiny asks, trying to redirect attention. She tilts her head, lips pursed. "And what am I at? Sensei doesn't talk about them a lot."

"He just wants us to improve without thinking of our skill level," Leonardo says. "It's not important, really. I wouldn't worry about it."

"We're on the ninth, soon to be tenth," Raphael butts in, making Leonardo shoot him a glare.

Sarina's eyes flash as she places her fingertips together lightly. "That is most impressive!" She glances over at how both April and Destiny have deflated, making her blink. "And of course, you two will reach that eventually! Destiny is on the second dan, and April has just reached the third. Destiny, I'm sure that you will follow soon and become a kunoichi."

"Yeah..." Destiny mumbles. She looks up at Leonardo. "You did guess it'd take five years...it's only been three since I started."

"I've got four now," April agrees. She tilts her head to the sky and sucks in a breath. "Man..."

"What matters..." Leonardo says, terse and still giving Raphael stink-eye, "is that reaching the third dan means you're a ninja, and reaching the tenth means you're a master."

"So, Splinter's done all ten?" April asks, eyes wide with awe.

"He has," Donatello says. "What's more, the tenth dan has five different levels that all involve reaching a new level of awareness. It's difficult to master, but not impossible."

"It allllll depends on the school, too," Michelangelo pipes up, arms hooked behind his head as he bounces aimlessly on the balls of his feet. "Mastery takes at least a decade and Splinter's been training us since we were, like...five? Six? We're basically masters by now."

"We can always grow, Mikey," Leonardo says. He waves his hand. "Speaking of which, we're not going to improve if we don't keep moving. I'm thinking we do another hour before calling it a night."

Destiny spreads her wings, eager to get going, and Sarina's boots power up with a gentle hum and a soft, blue light. The turtles start walking and April hops down from her perch, turning to follow when the back of her head tingles.

She stops, eyes narrowing. There's something nearby, or someone, but she can't pinpoint it. She looks over her shoulder and sees nothing but the dim glow of the buildings below and the moon-made shadows. The feeling of unease remains, but she'll give it some time.

They always reveal themselves eventually.

----------

"The city's quiet...for now," Leonardo says, peering down at the streets with a smile on his face.

"You know, I expected more action after Shredder went caput," Raphael says, appearing at his brother's side. "Gangs, super-villains...you know, anyone who wanted to take advantage of Shredder's old turf."

"What do you think Circa was?" Michelangelo asks, popping up at Leonardo's other side.

"Or He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named and his company?" Donatello adds from behind them.

Michelangelo gasps. "Voldemort?!"

"No, Mikey, he means Mutacorp," Destiny says as she touches down next to Donatello. Her nose wrinkles with distaste and Raphael grits his teeth. "Super-villains, definitely, but they didn't exactly move in on Shredder's land."

"Do we really need another antagonist to fight?" Sarina wonders. "We should enjoy the peace while we have it."

"I agree," Donatello says, bumping his shoulder to hers as they share a smile.

"I'm just saying, sometimes you need to punch a few goons," Raphael says. "I'd even take some Kraang at this point."

April remains silent. The feeling hasn't gone away and if she's learned anything, it's that she should trust her instinct—especially when that instinct is psychically charged.

"Guys," she says. "I...I think someone's following us."

"Oh, shoot, is your psychic-ness going off?" Michelangelo asks, eyes wide.

"Yeah, it is. I haven't felt something like this in a while," she says. She turns, catching sight of a shadow on a water tower, and she gasps and points. "There!"

Everyone turns in that direction, weapons aimed, but they find nothing but a black cat with glowing yellow eyes. It meows at them, tail swaying gently in the air.

"A cat?" Leonardo asks.

"Aw!" Michelangelo gasps. "Lookit you!"

He moves forward, still cooing, and the cat turns tail as it disappears beneath the water tower. Fog comes from nowhere, leaking across the rooftop and setting everyone back on edge. Destiny sniffs once, twice, and her eyes widen.

"Human—" she starts.

A cackle cuts her off and everyone's weapons stay out. A shadow moves past, fog trailing them, and Donatello and Sarina move closer together as Destiny and Leonardo do the same.

"Okay, this is weird," Donatello says.

"Des, you said it's human?" Leonardo asks.

"I smelled cat, then I smelled something not-cat," Destiny retorts.

Bats appear from the smoke, screeching as they soar into the night, and a figure appears within them. With the moon at their back, all they can see is a set of bat-like wings and a pointed, witch-like hat.

"Let's play a game. Give me your weapons," comes a feminine, accented voice. She moves closer to them, revealing painted lips, raven-black hair, and orange-red accents on her hat. Her eyes stay hidden beneath its brim. "Or, I'll take something precious: your shells."

"Oh, don't even try it," Destiny snarls.

"Playtime's over!" Raphael shouts before barrelling towards her.

She evades his blow and sweeps her hand past his face. A flash of light bursts from her hand, making him cry out and shield his eyes. In another second, she lands a kick to his gut that sends him flying.

The other six surround her immediately.

"My name is Shinigami. Do you know what my name means?" the woman asks.

"Wait—" Leonardo starts, recognition crossing his face a split second before Shinigami kicks him back too.

"A shinigami is a Japanese death god," Sarina says, hands still glowing. "I will warn you, if you plan to kill us, you will not succeed."

"Hold on!" Destiny shouts, stepping back from the battle and getting between Shinigami and Leonardo as he gets back to his feet. "You're Karai's friend. We're not your enemy."

Shinigami lifts her head and Destiny catches the glint of her golden, catlike eyes. Her lips lift with a smirk. "Oh, you must be the okami I've heard about. You and these real, living, breathing kappa are truly fascinating," she says. "Still, I must fulfill my duty."

Destiny barely has time to block before Shinigami lunges, metal claws clicking on the edge of the blade, and she slams her knee into Destiny's stomach. Destiny wheezes, still reeling, and Shinigami sends her flying back into Leonardo.

Shinigami ducks as Donatello's bō staff sweeps over her head, knocking her hat off. She whips around and seizes Donatello's arm, judo-flipping him over her shoulder. He lands with a sharp grunt.

"I can't believe you'd try to hit a lady," she says, reaching to lightly touch her hair. She turns, a long chain slipping from her sleeve as her attention falls on Michelangelo. "Now, to take care of you."

"Hey, woah, why can't we all get along?" Michelangelo asks, holding his hands up. "If you know Karai—"

Shinigami's chain wraps around him, pinning his arms to his sides, and she sends him flying back into Raphael just as he recovers. Shinigami retrieves the chain and dodges out of the way as Sarina fires a few warning shots, just close enough to get her going.

Sarina's eyes glow. "I do not wish to hurt you."

"You serve no use to my senpai," Shinigami retorts.

She rushes at Sarina as she fires off more energy blasts, but Shinigami's too quick. She sweeps Sarina's legs out from under her, pinning her down with her arm twisted behind her back. She tilts her head and lets out another witchy laugh.

"You have no martial arts experience," she says. "Disappointing."

There's a whistle of metal slicing through the air and Shinigami just manages to duck as April's tessen slices a few hairs off the top of her head. It spins back around, telekinetically soaring back into April's hand.

"Let her go," she says. She changes her stance, tanto and tessen aimed together. "Witch."

Shinigami's eyes sparkle with amusement. "I don't need a turtle weapon. That tessen will do just fine."

"You're gonna have to get it from me!" April retorts.

Shinigami chuckles, letting go of Sarina's arm as she raises her own to the sky. When she brings them down, crescent-shaped blades have appeared, and she lunges at April without hesitation. The two meet, clashing once, spinning, and clashing again. When they come together a third time, they don't pull away, pushing against each other with all their might.

April surges forward, winning for a second, and Shinigami slips back just enough to gain leverage. She pushes April's arms down, chest to back, and April struggles in the embrace. Shinigami laughs again before shouldering April in the brow hard enough to knock her back.

April's head spins as she regains her balance. When she looks at her hands, she only has her tessen.

"A dragon tanto," Shinigami muses, now perched on the water tower as April's tanto glints in the moonlight. "You must have just become a kunoichi! This will work perfectly." She tosses the sheath into the air, stabbing the blade into it before pressing it to her side. With a final goodbye, she disappears in a cloud of red smoke and bats.

The others recover, some seething, some still disoriented, and all feeling more than a little annoyed.

"I can't believe that chick took us to school on a Sunday!" Raphael says.

Sarina rolls her shoulder, expression pinched. "She was so quick. I couldn't track her movements."

"She just...threw us off. Next time, we'll know her tricks," Leonardo says.

"That had to be Karai's Shinigami," Destiny says, flapping her wings once before folding them back. "They had similar scents. That usually doesn't happen unless two people spend a lot of time together, but..." Her nose wrinkles. "I don't know. I haven't smelled Karai in a while."

"If that was anyone but you saying it, I'd be so weirded-out right now," Raphael says.

"Wait, so you two know her?" Donatello asks. "How?"

"She was in a picture Karai sent me a while back," Leonardo says. "They were visiting Diaval. We never met."

"Until today, apparently," Destiny adds.

"But...Karai's on our side," Michelangelo says. His eyes widen. "Maybe this was a prank! Man, that'd be awesome."

"Yeah," April says, deadpan. Her empty hand clenches. "Awesome."

So much for being a kunoichi.