Chapter 11: A trip to the City

Hey!

I was planning on posting this chapter after finals next week but…I Really want to move this story along. :)

First off I just wanted to thank you wonderful readers :) I hope you're enjoying reading this story as much as I enjoy writing it.

Thank you NightshadeMooncast1 and ScribeofHeroes for your wonderful reviews, your insightful wonderings and your inspiring questions. :)


I couldn't help the smile that spread over my face as the cold droplets of wintertime covered my face falling down around me and painting the world in white. Oh I love this time of year!

Everything just seems magical. The radio's always playing cheery upbeat music. Everywhere I go houses and store fronts were decorated in beautiful lights and holiday cheer is in the hearts of everyone near. It truly is a beautiful time of year.

A snowball to the face knocked me out of my thoughts, literally. Whipping around I sent a dangerous glar to the source. Marcus stood just a few feet away howling in delight. His head was thrown back as he laughed, his yellow curls falling out from under his hood. Marcus took more after his father with his blond hair and blue eyes than he did his Mother. But he did have Mrs. Tribony's last name and her startling wit, sense of humor and good arm.

I smiled and let out a laugh of my own, before jumping into action. "Oh that's how you want to play? Your so in for it now"

He danced around me, blue eyes twinkling in delight. "Oh your on"

I gathered up a fistful of snow and sent it hurtling his way. Before long we were both soaking from head to toe running through central park without a care in the world. Ducking behind trees for cover and using overladen branches to our advantage. I let out a laugh as Markus shook his head trying to get the frosty flakes from his hair. My face stung from the cold and damp but I didn't care, I felt carefree and happy. There was no other place I'd rather be.

"Okay Okay" Markus held out his hand "truce"

"Truce" I smiled in return. Worn out and tired from the impromptu snowball fight. Instead of taking my hand he pulled my hat over my head, the blue winter garment filled with freezing snow.

Startled I let out a yelp, jumping away to pull the snow covered hat off my head resulting in some of the contents falling on top of my head and down the back of my shirt instead. Icey cold stung at my face and neck as snow slid down my shirt and around my head. Shaking the hat out and dusting my hair I shot my friend a playful glare. "Oh you're, so in for it now" before tackling him to the ground.

Fifteen minutes later, after I evened the score we finally made it shop, the whole trip to the city had originally been for. Soaking wet and cold we focused mainly on finishing up our Christmas shopping, and getting the things from the list we needed for the party tonight.

I can't believe that it was only just this last summer I was waking up in a strange hospital bed with no Idea where I was or even who I was. Over these last few months, I feel like my life has really started to come together. It was terrifying and overwhelming at first and thank God I had Baxter to help me through it, but now after everything I really feel like it's all starting to come together. I have friends like Marcus and Mrs. Tribony. After entering the police academy I feared I'd lose that friendship, but we'd kept in touch. Marcus still comes over every week for Mazes and Mutants and is Baxter's and I's best friend. We make an effort to have Mrs. Tribony and her husband and son: Marcus over at least once a month for dinner and of course we frequent the pizza place regularly. Pizza is a major staple in our diet.

I passed the academy with flying colors and have just been placed with my partner Parker, a much more experienced police officer who is showing me the ropes. I feel like I'm begging to figure out who I am. Who Peter is. And although I don't remember who I was, who I used to be, I feel like I'm slowly figuring it out. Building a new life. Like Baxter likes to say 'from the ashes the phoenix has risen'. He really is a dork sometimes.

"You remembered to get the punch bowl for the party tonight?" I asked Marcus turning to see him lugging his own set of bags as we tried to navigate the bustling New York city streets. I'm sure it's even more busy than usual with how close to Christmas it is. And neither of us really know exactly where we're going. I don't remember the city after all and Marcus hardly ever comes here. Baxter doesn't actually know I'm here. My overprotective older brother would probably have a fit if he knew I was here. But we needed some things for the party tonight and I couldn't let Marcus go alone into the strange city; Mrs. Tribony practically begged me to go along with Marcus and who am I to deny the safety of the buddy system plus I've been dying to see the city.

"Of course I remembered Pete!" he held up the large shopping bag supposedly containing said punch bowl. "Hey, you hungry?" he asked, turning to face a small noodle place across the street. "My Mom told me about this place, evidently they have the best Japanese food ever!"

Looking down at my watch I frowned, we probably should be heading back pretty soon especially if we wanted to beat the traffic. "I don't know Marcus."

He rolled his eyes dramatically "oh come on, hesh your as much as a worry wart as your brother"

The bell on the door rang out merrily as we entered the warm restaurant of Murakami's. All arguments died on my lips as we entered the noodle shop. It was a simple restaurant, but something about it spoke so loudly of family and friendship that just being here seemed to settle my spirit in a way I could not describe.

"Welcome" a friendly voice called behind the wooden counter that stood as the main table in the center of the room.

"Hello" I smiled at the elderly man behind the counter surprised. "You have a really nice place here." I commented glancing around at the beautiful intricate japanese art that decorated the place. "It smells really good" I continued the one sided conversation, reveling in the delicious smells that filled the restaurant, my stomach already beginning to growl.

"Leonardo-san" the man behind the counter spoke for the first time. "Is that really you?" I looked up in confusion at the shocked almost longing tone in his voice.

"I'm sorry sir" I frowned "my name is Peter not Leonardo you must have me confused with someone else"

A hand reached out and grasped my own, and I could only stare in shocked bewilderment at the situation. "No, it can't be"

Besides me Marcus shifted uncomfortably in his seat before reaching forward to try and pull the old man's hand away from mine. "Look man, I'm really sorry but we just came here for a bite to eat and warm up. My friend isn't this Leonardo guy. I'm sorry"

The old man patted Marcus's hand using his other hand to cup mine still studying them scruitinely with his unseeing eyes. I felt a lump in my throat. A pain of sadness settled over my heart. I hadn't meant to cause him any pain.

"I guess you're right," he frowned. His hand studying my five fingers, making out what his eyes could not. "Five not three" he sighed "too many fingers"

Marcus just raised an eyebrow at that, officially weirded out by the entire situation. But something about that struck a chord in me.

Suddenly a hand appeared in my field of vision. A three fingered, green hand covered in scales and scares. I shook my head, pushing the dream from my mind. It was just a weird coincidence. That was it. Just because this blind man thought I reminded him of an old friend of his didn't mean anything.

I had to remember that he thought my name was Leonardo, not Peter. He was obviously thinking of someone else. But I couldn't deny that a small part of me felt sad, at the thought.

"Mr. Murakami?" I asked hesitantly.

Mr. Murakami turned to me with a sad smile, and I couldn't deny a slight pain deep inside.

"I'm sorry..about your friend"

He smiled. "Thank you, young one." he let out a sigh. "He was a good boy, too young"

I let my eyes drift to the table unsure of what to say.

"Here" Mr. Murakami reached under the counter pulling out a to-go bag that was admitting a heavenly smell. "I made this to-go order for a group of friends, but I have a few minutes still I'll whip up a different batch for them. I want you to have it." He smiled at me and pushed the bag forward.

I smiled at the kindness. "Thank you Mr. Murakami-sun" I bowed.

"What is it?" Marcus eyed the bag skeptically

"Pizza gyoza" Murakami exclaimed. It sounded like an odd combination but it also smelled really good so..

"Sometimes, even when something seems like it just might not fit you need to search beyond to find the real truth"

"What does that mean?" Marcus asked with a scoff, I elbowed him in the side for his rudeness trying to ponder Mr. Muracomi's words for myself, they seemed to have more depth than for him to be speaking just about food.

"It means" Mr. Murakami answered "that sometimes things are more than they seem, and not to judge on appearance"

"Meaning.." Marcus waved his hands around in the air, even though Mr. Murakami couldn't see them.

"Meaning, enjoy the pizza gyoza" Murakami smiled handing me the bag.

"Thank you Murakami-san, how much do I owe you?"

"No charge" he waved his hands.

Marcus was already pulling me out the door before I had a chance to respond. Saying a hurried goodbye and thank you I almost didn't catch the last thing he said.

"Goodbye Leonardo-san"

"Wow! That was weird!" Marcus exclaimed, still leading me by the arm, quickening our pace across the street.

I wanted to agree but at the same time it didn't feel all that weird to me. I mean it did, it was definitely a weird situation but I couldn't deny but something about Mr. Murakami and his restaurant seemed comforting..seemed familiar.

"Next time instead of ethic food we're checking out that Pizza place my Mom raved about."

I rolled my eyes pulling my arm free from my friend's death grip. "Marcus you work at a Pizza shop, your Mom owns a pizza shop. Expand your horizons."

"Yeah I hear you, but it's always good to check out the competition plus Pizza never gets old and…" I zoned out my attention drawn away from my friends' ramblings from a familiar presence that had me turning around.

I had no clue if it had to do with those crazy reflexes and ninja skills that I just seem to have, but when it comes to my reflexes and senses I've learned not to question it. Turning around I was a second too late to quite make out what I was seeing but I could have sworn I saw three shadows head into Mr. Murakami's restaurant.


{squeel} This has probably been one of my favorite chapters to write thus far :)

Again, there has been a bit of a time jump. Chapter 10 took place months after the fire, in the summertime with Baxter and 'Peter' just settling into their new lives; this chapter is a time jump past that into the winter.

Thanks for your patience

Please let me know you think: comments, questions, critiques

:)