This story is written in honor of those who recently lost their lives, their family, their friends, or everything they once had in the 8.9 Japanese earthquake Friday, March 11th, 2011. This earthquake makes it into the top ten, hanging around 6th place. The fires, blackouts, and tsunami it triggered did as much damage as the earthquake itself, and I wanted to make a little something to honor those who didn't survive or who lost someone dear to them.

The title, Memento Mori, is Latin. I have a translation in there, but in case you're just going to read this and not the whole thing...memento mori means "remember that you will die".

Oh, and before we begin, I decided to do this piece with the TMNT because...well, Splinter is from Japan, and the Ninja Tribunal and the Ancient One (if you watch the 2k3 series) are also in Japan. I figured it would be more appropriate for them to star in this fic than...say...Danny Phantom or something.

Alright, if you read all that and are just waiting to get to the fic...here's my drabblish oneshot. Hope you enjoy.

Memento Mori

"Remember that you will die"

In honor of those who recently lost their lives, their family, their friends, or everything they own in the 8.9 Japanese earthquake.

Donatello stared at the TV screen, shock and horror crossing his face. "Guys…" he whispered, "come look at this…"

"What is it, Donny?" Leonardo asked, entering the room along with Raphael, Michelangelo, and Splinter.

"Just look…" Donny murmured, pointing at the TV. They could hear the news reporter now:

"…The destruction in Japan is astonishing. An 8.9 quake shook the whole island country earlier today, and it not only caused major black outs and fires at some oil rigs, but it also triggered a massive tsunami. People of the Midway Islands, Hawaii, Mexico, California, and even parts of Russia are receiving evacuation warnings, advising moving to higher ground, because this tsunami will most likely reach those coastal areas. Already hundreds are missing, and millions of dollars have been lost…"

Silence filled the Hamato home. Leo was the first to overcome the initial shock.

"The Ninja Tribunal…and the Ancient One…they're over in Japan! Do you think…?" The eldest trailed off, not wanting to finish his thought.

"…I am sure they are fine," Splinter rasped. "They…have their mystic ways…"

"All those people…" Raph's whisper was barely audible, but Mikey managed to hear, and gave his brother a comforting hug.

"I know, Raphie," Mikey murmured. "…Life sucks sometimes."

Raphael pulled back, growling, "I wish we could do more! I wish we could do something…"

"What can we do, Raph?" Don asked in a hushed tone. "What can we do? We're just…mutant ninja turtles."

"…We could anonymously send over food, clean drinking water, medicine, and other supplies," Leo suggested.

"And since we know kanji and all those other ways of Japanese writing, we could send over letters with them or something," Mikey added.

"…I guess…" Raph growled. "I just…hate feeling so…helpless…"

"Everyone hates feeling helpless, Raph," Leo muttered, turning back to watch a video someone had filmed of skyscrapers rocking back and forth in the earthquake like trees in a storm.

"…Masta Splintah, why do these things have ta happen all the time?" Raph asked, turning to his sensei.

Master Splinter's tail twitched slightly as he turned to look at Raphael. "I do not know, my son," he replied.

"…It's an incredible geologic phenomenon," Donatello whispered, "but…I hate it, since these things always cost someone their life."

"…Memento mori, my son," Splinter whispered. "Memento mori."

"…What's that mean, sensei?" Mikey asked.

"Remember…remember that you will die," Splinter responded. "All things come to an end, and there is nothing we can do about it, except remember that it will happen to us, to everyone, someday."

"I know…but I hate thinkin' 'bout it," Raph grumbled.

"Everyone does, Raph," Leo murmured. "But…we will all die someday."

"Yeah, but you can't think about it your whole life," Mikey remarked. "But you've just gotta live life to the fullest, because in the back of your mind, you know that everything comes to an end."

"…Come on, guys, let's just…not think about it for now," Don said, turning off the TV. "What's done is done."

"All we can do…is remember those who did die today," Leo murmured. "We must honor their passing, not by mourning, but simply by continuing on with our lives. And…memento mori. Remember...we all die."