Letters to My Beloved
Chapter 1: Brave New World
A/N: So here's a bunny that's been in my head for a while now, so I decided now was the time to write it. You may remember that I once wrote a story called Letters to Yoshi which had Splinter writing journal entries in the form of letters to his dead Master. Well, this is pretty much the same premise except that this time it's Hamato Yoshi writing letters to his dead wife, Tang Shen. I really love this version of Splinter, and I feel that he doesn't get a lot of love within the fan fiction community here, so I'm here to remedy that with this story. Some may think it's uncreative of me to do this again when I've done it before, but this is a different spin on the previous story and one I felt I needed to do. I hope that you enjoy this story and stick with it.
Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters are property of Nickelodeon. I only own the plot and nothing more.
Summary: Devastated by his wife's death, Hamato Yoshi writes letters to Tang Shen in the hopes that it will keep him connected to her and his daughter.
My beloved Shen,
I have fled Japan and have gone to America just as you wished. It was not an easy decision, but after Father was killed, I knew that I had no choice but to leave. I had to get away before Saki could find me. America is very different from Japan, but I do like it. I am in New York City as I write this. I think you and Miwa would love this city just as much as I do. I am sitting in Central Park watching the leaves sway on the trees. I saw a child playing with a dog, and it was very sweet. How Miwa would love to play here! I think she would have made many good friends here, too.
Not a day goes by where I do not miss you, my love. I think of you every day and wish that you could be with me. I am so alone here, and there are things I am worried about. I do hope Saki does not find me here, but if he does, then he will pay for what he did to you and our daughter. I will not allow him to live after what he did to you.
I can see you shaking your head, Shen. You never did like the whole vengeance thing. I can hear your voice and your scolding tone, "Revenge is not the answer, Yoshi. There are better ways to solve this." I must disagree with you, my love, for there is no other way to avenge the lives he has taken. I know you do not like this idea, but it has to be done. I am very sorry for I know how much you liked Saki, but he is not the same man you knew. He is evil, and he does not deserve to live in this world any longer.
I must go now. It is getting a bit chilly. I will write again soon.
Forever yours,
Yoshi
22222
My beloved Shen,
I have a job working at a restaurant. It is not the best place in the world, but it is a job that I must have. I hope to save enough money to open my own dojo one day. I believe that is what Father would want me to do. I only mourn the fact that I could not stay in Japan, but Fate had a different idea. I think you would like the apartment I have. It is very small but very nice in its own way. I still have the picture of us as it is one of the things I was able to recover from the fire. I have dreams every night about that day. How I wish there was a way to change what happened, but I know that I cannot change what happened that day. I was a fool to let Saki get under my skin like that. I will forever pay for my folly.
A bird has just landed on my windowsill. It is not like any bird I have seen, though I heard one of the residents call it a pigeon. Such a funny bird. Well, I must go now. Give Miwa a kiss for me.
Forever yours,
Yoshi
22222
My beloved Shen,
The weather is very different here. I cannot fathom how the temperatures change so drastically at times. My job is getting worse. People tend to yell at me because I am not good with English, though I am doing my best to learn. There is a nice lady who lives across the way who is teaching me. Her name is Reika, and she used to live in Japan too. I asked her if she knew of us, and she said she had never heard of us. It is a shame, but I think we will become good friends despite this. We have arranged to have lessons once a week to improve my English. I think I will like it.
Reika does not have anyone of her own. I told her about you and our daughter, and she was heartbroken to hear that. She used to have a boyfriend, but he broke up with her after he had an affair with someone else. Since then, she has never wanted to be with anyone since. I feel sorry for her and will try to keep her company since she seems very lonely. She is a few years older than I am, but I think that makes her more interesting.
I know what you are thinking, Shen. You think that I am fond of this woman and that I want to be with her in a romantic way, but that is not the case. No one can replace you in my heart and no one ever will. You are my one true love and will always be my beloved wife.
I am getting tired now, so I will go to sleep. Sweet dreams, my love.
Forever yours,
Yoshi
22222
My beloved Shen,
Reika is thinking of getting a dog to cure her loneliness and she has suggested that I get a pet of my own. I will think about it because it would be nice to have a companion of my own to talk to even if they cannot talk back. I don't think I will get a dog though as those seem to be hard to take care of. I am not so fond of cats either or birds for that matter. I have always been fond of turtles though and they remind me of you and your kappa stories, so I suppose I will get one of those. I think it will be a good idea, and they should not be too hard to take care of.
Reika just came by and told me she bought her dog. He is called a Chihuahua and is very ugly though I did not say that to her. She has named him Ito after her father. I do not think I like him too much. She asked when I will get my pet, and I think I will go tomorrow since I do not have to work. I cannot wait to tell you more about it.
Forever yours,
Yoshi
A/N: So that's the end of the first chapter. I think it's best to end it here since Yoshi's life will change after getting those Turtles. Yes, I used Reika from the last story since I think she fits better here as Yoshi is human first and would get acquainted with a human. I often thought it was a mistake having an OC meet Splinter as a rat, but it's done and I can't change it. But I hope that I have remedied that mistake here and that it sounds better in this context. Maybe that's why I prefer Splinter as a human first instead of just a normal rat. Feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.