-

Yokosuka, Japan

"Ah, if only I could have gone up one more time," Splinter said after he swallowed a mouthful of yakisoba.

He looked at the photo of Fuji and sighed, remembering the days when a climb up the dormant volcano wasn't in the company of hundreds of strangers, but a solitary pursuit. His first trek up the mountain had been when he was no older than his own sons were now, and it had been made alone with no other gear but a walking stick and a heavy winter jacket.

The modern climb, however, was a commercial bonanza, with shops to buy food and souvenirs and have industry-created walking sticks burned with stamps at each station for several hundred yen apiece. These days the trails were marked and set with chain guides so that anybody who experienced vertigo would not be in any danger of falling down the mountain, there were even wooden benches to sit on in order to enjoy the view - what view that could actually be seen through the clouds. It was almost laughable, how a sacred place such as Fuji had been turned into a tourist destination and status-maker, for who would want to leave Japan without saying that they had climbed the mountain? There were still those who went with a definite spiritual purpose, but the unfortunate commercialism had dwindled that number down to a very few dedicated souls.

"Maybe we can go up next time we're here," April suggested.

Splinter grinned. "Perhaps."

They had driven by the mountain the day before and took some photos in passing, but had not stopped. They were already somewhat behind schedule because of the weather and a day trip up the mountain would have set them too far behind. So now they were in their tiny hotel room in the city of Yokosuka, one of the Japanese cities that held an American Naval base. The rooms were relatively reasonably priced, if just as small as the inside of the micro-van they had rented. So far they had only been staying at the small ones, mostly because of their meager budget. April was thankful that none of them were unduly modest, having to share such close quarters. It was actually quite an adventure, trying to figure out who would sleep where in the seven-by-twelve-foot room. One night in Nara, Splinter and April had even woken to find Oyuki asleep in the exceptionally deep, dry bathtub - she was wrapped up in a big wool blanket. The next morning she explained to them that April was a bed-hog and kept nudging her towards the edge. That was the last time they had seen Oyuki smile.

April looked across the bed at the teen. She was quiet, staring down into her take-out and fidgeting with her hashi. She hadn't eaten a bite - perhaps in days.

"You okay?" April asked.

"Hmm?" Oyuki looked up. "Yeah, I'm just not very hungry. Too long on the road, I guess."

"I know what you mean," she replied. "It does get little tiring. But, hey! If you wanna' pay the bills..."

Oyuki stood up off the bed and walked over to the window, looking out at the city. They were on the eighth floor and were directly across from Yokosuka Naval Base, so there was a lot to look at. But she didn't really want to look at it, she was still kicking herself mentally for the letter she had written to Mike. She knew she had worded it coldly, but that hadn't stopped her from sending it. She wished it had stopped her, like it had stopped her from sending the first five. For some reason this one she let slide. She'd started the letter by telling Mike about how it felt to be back in Japan, but then shifted to how she had met up with Hideki. She couldn't believe she had done that - Mike probably thought she was the coldest person he had ever known.

God, I miss you, Mike... she thought. I hope you don't get that damn letter.

-

New York

Mike rubbed his eyes, trying to focus on the envelope in front of him. He tried to remember where it had come from... someone had brought it to him. He looked past blurry eyes at the name on the front. He smiled. She had written to him - like she had promised. He tore the envelope open and traced the cursive writing with his eyes, trying to make sense of the swirls and twists. It made him almost dizzy.

Hi, Mike

We're all fine here. Splinter has been showing us some of the sights and explaining the history of Japan in detail on film - I think we'll be editing most of that out, though...

Mike smiled wider, he was happy to hear that they were all doing well.

It was weird being back in Hiroshima. I never really wanted to go back, but being there made me realize a few things about myself. I ran into an old boyfriend of mine there and we spent some time together. He said he missed me. I think I missed him, too, a little...

Mike put the letter down without finishing it, his had smile faded to a deep frown and he began to wring his hands. Old boyfriend, he thought. ...She missed him... He rubbed the back of his neck, touching the tiny lump that was the only physical indication left of the hole that had been there. He squeezed his neck until it began to cramp up and then released it, letting the dull ache work it's way down to the muscles of his back.

She doesn't miss me, he thought. What the fuck was I thinking? I bet she had fun with him... probably went out to an arcade and played games and won toys from the crane machines... She's got... him. Whoever. Shit...

Mike picked up the letter and released it in the air, letting it float to the floor. He rubbed his shoulder where it had begun to throb, he wondered why it was hurting... not that it mattered. Not that he cared.

He stood slowly, but then he was overcome. He felt the muscles in his chest constrict and he fell to his knees, clutching his plastron above his heart as he fought for the air that was being stolen out of his lungs. He took in a deep breath, then another as he searched past the pain, looking for an out - looking for the needle. He couldn't get his hand between the mattress and box spring, he couldn't see where they met... he couldn't do this alone...

"...Leo..." he breathed softly, trying to draw in enough air to yell, "...help... Don... please, Raph..."

He forced himself to his feet and took a wobbly step towards the door. No... I can't... they can't... know... He pressed his hand to his chest harder and spun, lunging at his bed. The force of his impact sent the mattress falling to the floor and the bundle and syringe slid out. He collapsed to his knees again and picked them up. His shoulder was beginning to hurt worse... he'd never felt that before... he didn't have to feel it now...