Chapter 25: New York

I'm back…back in a place I never wanted to come back to, my father…Master Splinter…he told me…made me bow. I remember cringing and sobbing, so desperate to receive his love. Begging him not to make me die in front of my family.

Raph dragged me to my feet and we left, despite my shame over those actions, I simply stare at the battered letter Don said was from Master Splinter.

I never read it that night with Joban's neighbor, I haven't opened it yet.

I'm half temped to burn it.

I shutter and slowly open that letter.

Leonardo,

My son.

Forgive me for everything, for pushing you so hard, for forcing you to live how I did. For taking your dreams and forcing you into a life that I saw, every day, was claiming your heart. Forgive me for beings so desperate to protect you all that I made my son grow up too fast. That I forced you to be something you weren't ready for.

My son, forgive an old fool for his wrong doings. Help me…make things right again. If you come home, there will be no retribution, I only ask that in bowing to me, you are telling me that you have forgiven me.

If you can't bear to do that…I will understand, despite the pain, I will understand.

I'm so sorry my son.

-your father.

Raph walks in as I finish, tears are rolling down my cheeks. I make a choice when he tells me Sensei is dying, that he wants to see us one last time. I'll have to go underground…but I have to tell him…I forgive him.

~*~

I sit back and look at the others around me, they are silent, tears streaming down their cheeks from my tale.

Sobbing softly and giving my scared frame a heartbroken look.

"How…how could you just forgive him like that?" I hear Mikey ask.

"He was my father Mikey…despite his mistakes…he was still my father," I tell him.

The room is silent for a while. Raph's son is curled in his lap, my kids are asleep in the back room.

I have horses to tend to when we go home.

My life is starting over, my family is strong again.

My heart no longer craves to be seen and loved.

I know now, that the chains around my soul…were my own.

I just had to break them.

End.

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