The One.
"How did you know she was the one?"
Splinter turned his head so that he could look right into his son's eyes. Or maybe even deeper.
"How do we know anything?"
"No, really, Sensei. Why Tang Shen?"
The old rat closed his eyes and let out a sigh. Tears began to well up as he recalled the moment he knew he'd fallen for her. He took his time remembering, feeling the dizzyness and the butterflies, the visions of the past he so stubbornly chose to cling on to. But on the other hand, how could he ever let go?
"Leonardo", he called.
"Yes?"
"Do you feel happy often?"
Leo was not sure how to respond to that.
"I guess?" He immediately regretted the questioning nature of his answer. "Yes", he corrected himself.
"How about sad?"
Leonardo shrugged. "Sometimes".
"Good. These are feelings all living things experience. But here comes the answer to your question."
Leo turned to look at his father.
"When do you feel complete, Leonardo?"
As soon as he heard that, he was embraced by a warm feeling that flooded his body and made its way to his heart. Closing his eyes, he dreamt of her face, her half smile, her playful eyes. Remembered her touch as they faught and her smell as he leaned in closer to her with each shaking step he took. Melted at the sound of her voice calling his name. Longed for her body in a way that made him feel completely and unrevocably vulnerable to her every wish. He was being held hostage in the little mental prison his love for her had imposed on him. And all he could hear besides his rapid heartbeat in his ears, was her name being called: Karai.
Moments passed and neither of them spoke. Both men were left buried under the thoughts of what could have been and what could be. A shared nostalgia of an ideal past and the fear of an uncertain future was keeping them silent.
But then, Splinter spoke.
"I suppose you understand how I knew?"
"Huh?" Leonardo shook himself out of his daze, embarrassed at how much he'd let himself get carried away.
"That Shen was the one." Splinter added.
Leonardo sighed and got up.
"Are you leaving, my son?"
"I need to be alone, Sensei."
As he walked out the door of the dojo, he wondered whether love lied between the happiness of being together and the sadness of being apart.
-IKomma