CHAPTER 10: BITTER TEARS.

Everybody was so happy that Julie had waked up after being in coma. They all went and visited her and when they walked in, they always saw Julie smiling serene with Miwa in her arms wrapped in a white blanket.

Raph was the only one who hadn't gone yet. He hadn't the guts or proper said courage to go and see her. He didn't know why he had that feeling, because in the end the birth had gone good and Julie had waked up. He was happy, but fear was tearing his heart apart.

During the birth he'd realized one important thing: after all this time, even if he'd tried to fight them, even if he had promised himself and knew how impossible it was, he still felt something for Julie. Not as much as before, but he still loved her in some way, he was sure of that. He knew too well that it wasn't appropriated, but he just couldn't forget her. His love, instead of disappearing for good, hid in his hearth, ready to come out in the right moment. But anyway, he couldn't act like this! He'd promised Julie to be by her side no matter what, and he didn't want to ruin their friendship. Despite everything, he would've promised Julie to be by her side once again, no matter what would happen in the future.

Raph knocked on the door and heard a happy "Come in!" He opened the door and saw Julie sitting on the bed with Miwa in her arms, wrapped in a white blanket.

"Hi Raph! I'm so glad to see you! I almost thought you wouldn't come!" Raph looked at her with eyes filled of joy, and then ran and sat down in front of her on the bed.

"Oh Julie! I'm glad to see that you're allright! I was worried!"

"I know, sorry! You can't even imagine what I saw, but that's another story! There's a girl here that can't wait to see her uncle! Do you want to hold her?"

"Are you sure I can?"

"Of course, here, take her!" She said smiling sincerely. Raph took her delicately in his arms, an s if he was afraid of breaking that fragile and beautiful child, who seemed to sleep calmly. Raph whispered:

"Hey Miwa! I'm your uncle Raph!" Miwa slowly opened her eyes. When they were completely open, Raph could see the amazing and warm chestnut brown color they had.

"She has Leo's eyes! Isn't it amazing?" Julie said exited.

"Yes, it is! But she's a lot like you too!" The baby girl raised her small arm and touched Raph's cheek with her soft and tiny hand.

Suddenly, he felt a feeling never felt in his entire life: he felt as if a big, cold and dark burden was taken away from his heart: all the sadness, guilt, pain, and anger juts melted down like ice near fire. He felt more light and warm…

Bitter tears started streaming uncontrolled down his cheeks and wet the blanket a bit. He didn't know why he was crying and couldn't stop himself either. He just continued crying desperately.

"Raph! What is it?" Raph couldn't even answer. Julie took Miwa back and laid her in her small bed. Julie then said with a concerned voice:

"Raph…please tell me what's with you; tell me what worries you, I…AH!" She let out a scream of surprise when Raph pulled her closer and rested his head on her shoulder and continued crying like crazy. Julie hugged him back with teary eyes. She could feel his suffering, his pain. She understood him. The sadness was so big that Julie almost cried herself. She didn't want to see him like this. She caressed his head slowly, hugging him tighter, comforting him.

It was relaxing for Raph being in Julie's arms. They warmed his heart and body, lovefully comforting him. That's why he couldn't stop loving her. Julie accepted him for what he truly was, always having her arms open for him, always forgiving him. He cried for some more minutes, and felt better now that these bitter tears had left his heart, and finally managed to stop.

"I..I'm sorry, I don't know what the fuck happened there…but seeing Miwa, has somehow melted a cold and dark burden I've carried for years. She took it away, even though in a very uncomfortable way for me…" Julie smiled and gave him a tissue. Raph wiped away his last tears.

"C'mon, don't say that, its allright! Everyone needs to cry sometimes, it's natural!"

"You're right, as usual…thanks Julie, you're a big help for me, and I wanted to tell you that I'll always be by your side. I won't run away anymore, I'll be there when you need me!"

"I know, and I'm grateful of that. I believe in you." Raph smiled radiantly.

"Well then, I think it's time for me to go now, its lunch and the others are surely wondering where the heck I am!"

"Go then and…Bon appetite!" They both laughed and Raph walked out of the room closing the door.

A black crow was staring at Julie from her window and was observing Miwa carefully, who was asleep in her bed. He'd finally found her! He flew away from the city and in in the deep, dark forest. He then flew in a dark tunnel inside a tree and came to his master's hideout. The crow landed on his hand and whispered:

"I've finally found one of the most powerful souls of Earth!" The man who was sitting on the throne, smiled satisfied and giggled:

"Perfect."

A/N: So this was part 1 of the fic! Hope you liked it! Next chappie will reveal a new interesting OC! And in this chapter, you saw one of the earliest signs of Miwa's powers! :DD I can't wait to introduce my new OC, I think you'll like her! Yes, she's a girl, I won't spoil more than that! And from now on…the action begins! So stay tuned!

Hugs and Cookies, your

-Sushi :D