Chapter 19: Familiar Places

HI, sorry I meant to have this chapter out a lot sooner. Life got busy for a minute. I promise I won't take as long with the next chapter :)

Without further adui...


I let out a groan of frustration as I left the noodle shop. Of course Murakami had employees, he couldn't work all the time. But I didn't really know what to do when the nice young lady behind the counter asked what I wanted when all I wanted was to talk to Mr. Murakami. At least instead of staring at me like I'm the crazy person I am, she told me that her father will be back this evening.

Oh well, I just need to find something to do with my time until then. I let out a sigh looking around at the busy crowd bustling around me. Without Marus by my side I felt oddly vulnerable. I'd never been a fan of crowds or crowded places, my first instinct when I woke up at the hospital had been to run and hide. Baxter had helped me overcome those urges which looking back were probably instincts ingrained from my time as a mutant. Looking up at the dazzling new york skyline I suddenly wondered what it would be like to be above it all. To travel by rooftop, still connected but distant from the hustle and bustle far below.

I pulled on the long shirt sleeve of my blue flannel as I made my way down the street, it was summer now and with the sun out it was already growing hot out but since the fire I try to cover up my scars and burns. I usually only wear short sleeves around those I'm comfortable with. I bite my lip as I wander through the growing crowds. I guess I could head to the hospital, try to pull up my old medical records but at the same time the thought of the place sends chills down my spine. I could go to the library, try searching for the phone book for Donetello. But I don't have a last name to go by and I highly doubt he's listed even if I knew his last name. I let out another sigh and suddenly a thought hit me.

The warehouse. The last place that I can remember.

It may take some finding but I do have all day, Murakami won't be back till the dinner hour after all. I just might have to stop by the library to do some research first.


It seemed so ominous. Seeing the building that haunted my nightmares. The last place that I remember; where my whole life changed. Standing here on the sidewalk it was hard to picture this mess before me as the warehouse where my whole life changed. It was hard to wrap my mind around. That the symbol of my troubles reduced to nothing but rubble. There was barely anything left to even see. Just some red tape and a few large boulders yet to be moved, there were already signs of new construction soon to be underway. New foundations to be laid down in the midst of the fallen. I took a deep breath.

I wasn't sure exactly why I was here. For closure I guess. Needing to see it up close, to come to terms with what happened before I prepare to move on, to move forward.

The building seemed to creak and crane under the strain of the raw power coursing from the panels up the wall in electric flames that seemed to eat even through the metal. It was like a mutated form of energy and fire!

The vision vanishes as I open my eyes surprised to realise I even closed them. I let out a few shaky breaths, settling myself, still feeling the heat on my skin and hearing the creaking of the unstable building in my ears. Looking at the demolished building in front of me, I wonder what I was even doing here that day and why I was alone.

"I tell you April, I checked everywhere!" I was on a fairly quiet street not many people had passed by in the several minutes I'd been standing here so the one sided conversation from the man on the phone pulled me out of my thoughts as a man in a ripped hockey themed shirt headed my direction along the semi-empty street in front of the demolished building. Respectfully I stepped off the sidewalk to let the guy pass, not really ready to leave the building just yet.

"I know Red, but it's not like we could have gone out searching any sooner than this, between the trip to the zoo this morning and Dee's whole revelation this is the soonest we could get out. Look it'll be dark soon and then the guys can come out and.."

Dark, was it really getting that late already? It had taken some time finding this place, plus I kept getting side tracked ending up looking into other areas around the city hoping for clues. I let out a sigh, I should probably be heading back here soon anyway.

"Hey Dude" out of the corner of my eye I saw the man in the hockey shirt walking toward me. "Unless they updated the tour bus maps, this isn't one of New York's finest sights"

I felt my cheeks heat up in embarrassment, here I am just standing staring at a demolished building. I probably look kinda crazy. I just shrug, pulling my backpack higher on my shoulders, not really ready to leave this building yet. Seriously could he just leave now and leave me to my musing. I don't know why but part of me was secretly hoping something would happen here. That somehow a piece of my old life would suddenly fall into place.

Glancing at the old building once more, I let out a breath, centering myself. Shouldering my backpack I turned away, leaving the building that had stolen my memories and identity. I pushed past the baller who was half-mindedly teasy me for staring at a demolished building as he played on his phone.

Yes, this demolished building may have been where I had lost my old life and memories but today was the day I would choose to seek them out. I may not know what the future may hold but I was ready to face it. The fire had stolen from me and now I was determined to fight to get what was taken back.


The sweet smells of the noodle shop greeted me as I entered Murakami's once more. It was later now and the small noodle shop was basked in a moonlight glow with only a few dim lights placed around the authentic japanese restaurant. I was relieved to see Murakami behind the counter as I entered instead of his daughter, well at least I think it was his daughter I had run into earlier. Though my relief melted into apprehension with each step unsure of what to say or do now that I was actually here. Murakami was the only lead I had the only clue to finding out who I used to be and the life I had.

"Welcome, what can I do for you today?" the kind old blind man behind the counter greeted.

"Hi" I rubbed my arm, a nervous habit of mine, "My name's Peter, I don't know if you remember me but I was in here a few months ago..around christmas..you acted like you recognized me and I was just wondering if maybe…" I bit my lip suddenly feeling stupid. It could have easily been a mistake or a coincidence and even if it was more than that he probably saw dozens of people a day. What were the chances he'd remember a boy who was in here once months ago.

"Leonardo-san?" I looked up seeing a smile spread across his face. My mouth went dry.

"I was hoping you'd come back."

With my mouth dry and my heart in my throat; I took a seat at the counter. "Y..you recognize me?"

"Yes'' Murakami answered, his mouth drawn in a frown, confused. "Though I am confused, where have you been all this time Leonardo-san? Your family dearly misses and needs you."

The conviction in his voice rang loudly in my ears and pained my heart, but it wasn't as though it was something I could feel guilty over. Some things are just beyond our control.

"I..I don't know who you are" it was like a lift was lifted off my shoulders, I let out a breath of relief trying to gauge his reaction. Even through his dark glasses I could see the shock spread across his face and then slowly something akin to understanding and sadness?

"I see" he pulled up a stool to sit across from me, after a beat of silence he asked. "And do you know who you are?"

I shook my head and then realized he couldn't see my reaction " no"

The old man frowned at my response but did not look all that surprised.

I twisted my hands together in front of me. "That's why I came here, you're the first..the only person so far who recognized me and..I just want to know who I am?" I fought to keep my voice even and controlled but my voice failed at the end to hide my emotions.

Two old wrinkled hands encircled my own.

I looked up and met the unseeing yet caring gaze of Murakami.

My breathing hitch as the old wise man in front of me spoke once more and I fought to control my breathing. Control my emotions. "It's alright." He smiled. "It's alright if you do not remember Leonardo-san. It's alright if you don't know who you are because I do"

My mind spun but I fought to keep my emotions under control. I had fallen for that once with Baxter not again. Not again.

"I know this is probably all a lot for you. I do not know how you were lost from us or even more how you've now returned. But you do not have to face these unknowns alone" he patted my hand. "Yes, I can tell you who you are, young one. You are a leader, a brother and a friend. But you do not have to take these answers from me. You have a family who has missed you dearly Leonardo-san they would be more than happy to help you along on this journey and stand by your side no matter what awaits on the other end."

My eyes widen at the sincerity of his words. Words that seemed to pinpoint my exact fears. How could he know that? How could he know that my 'family' would stand with me, even if I couldn't remember. Any theoretical family of mine would not want me around if I couldn't gain my memories. They wouldn't want a stranger impersonating someone they cared about. I don't even bear the same face as I used to, without my link to my past I would only be a burden!

A hand rested on mine once more, looking up I could only read sympathy and understanding on the old man's face.

I wanted to try. I had promised myself I would try. I knew the risks, I knew there was a possibility that any family I had out there would be better off without me. But I just needed to see. I needed to know what Baxter had taken me from. I couldn't explain this deep rooted desire to find them. I had ignored it for so long..and I couldn't anymore.

I nodded mutley, searching for my voice searching for my strength. "Okay"

He smiled. "Your name is Hamato Leonardo" my eyes widened.

Hamato! Baxter had told me about the Hamato clan, and how Shredder had spent his life obsessing over hunting them down. I really was Baxter's enemy. My heart ached at the confirmation.

" said I had a family?"

The old man's smile was strained. "Yes, Leonardo-san you have a family"

I fidgeted in my seat not sure what to ask next. "Where can I find them?" seemed like the most logical question but I couldn't get it past my tongue.

With an understanding look, Mr. Murakami spoke. "It's alright to feel lost but do not let your fear blind you. Do not run just because you're lost. Listen to your heart and let it guide you."

Pondering his words I took a deep breath. He was right, I could do this. Just as I was about to open my mouth a sudden noise had me turning around in my seat.

"Aww isn't this touching" a young man sneered leaning against the doorway a group of three men leering behind him.

"I hate to break up such a sweet moment but taxes are due and Hun already warned ya what would happen if you didn't pay your protection fee." the young gang member grinned, cracking his knuckles, a distribling glint in his eyes.

I narrowed my eyes and a primal growl deep in my throat I fought to suppress. These unhonorable thieves! From the tattoos they all wore of a purple dragon and the man's words it wasn't hard to surmise that they were a gang of somesort, here to collect 'protection money' from a blind old man. Do they have no honor!?"

"I told you Fong," Mr. Murakami answered calmly. "I will not pay Hun's fine"

"You think your friends will protect you?" taking a look around as he and his gang lesseirly strode in his grin grew wider. "Well I don't see any sign of them. So if I were you old man I would pay the fine."

I had had enough. Standing to my feet I stepped in front of the first man, Fong wasn't it.

"Leave him alone" my voice came out icey and firm. I always just seemed to know how to respond to situations like this. Like my natural instincts, a deeper ingrained part of me just responded. It was as though I had a mask I could pull on, a part of me just switching into mode knowing how to take control and react.

"Oh ho ho" Fong raised his hands with a smirk on his face. "You think your Mr. Hero! Just back off!" he poked me in the chest. "Your outnumbered and this is not your fight"

"How is this not my fight! You" I narrowed my eyes at him taking a step forward with each sentence forcing him to step back. "Are taking advantage of an old blind man, have you no honor? Parading around and demanding money for 'protection'? Protection from what? Yourselves? Have you so little honor that you would threaten and harm those weaker than you for your own self gain?" I shook my head. "I feel sorry for you, that you. For as big and strong as you pretend to be, you are just weak and afraid, that is why you feel the need to mistreat others."

"Shut up" Fong growled between his teeth.

"I feel sorry that you have so little honor you would stoop this low. That you have so little self value and belonging that you resort to this."

"I said Shut Up!"

"I feel sorry that you are so lost."

"I said Shut Up!" Fong yelled, swinging his weapons toward my head: a large butcher knife. Without thinking I rolled to the side using my hands to pivot my weight and used my legs to unsteady the man before rolling back onto my feet once more with my fists in front of my face in a fighting stance. I barely had time to react before all three of them were on me.

Like that time months before when I first discovered that Dojo I fell into a deadly dance that seemed deeply ingrained within me. I let my instincts take over, sending a series of kicks and punches to my attackers as I danced around their attacks.

"You know this isn't the only way..Fong was it?"

Fong let out a yell sending a butcher knife into the wall beside me. "You know nothing!"

"That may be so" I smirked as I flipped a gang member over my head and into his companion "

But I know that only you have the power to be the change you need to see."

"Does he ever shut up?!" Yelled another gang member, and I only had a second to react before a sword swung inches from my face. Summersulting back I glanced around to see Mr. Murakami sheltered behind the counters with Fong approaching him. Glancing around I chose my course of action. With a roundhouse kick I sent the sword flying, buying me enough time to dash behind the counter, away from the open view of the shaded windows of the noodle shop, toward Fong, toward Murakami.


Michelangelo raced across the rooftops as graceful and as nimble as the wind. The youngest and most graceful of the turtles took no notice of the city below him or the stars above. No tonight he was on a mission.

"I knew it, I just knew it!" he whispered to himself, his fists clenched in glee under his chin, his smile outshining the stars above.

Chaos had ensued after Donnie had opened that faithful digital map. Casey, April, Donnie and Mikey all had to practically dogpille Raph to keep the hothead from just storming out without a plan, to track down their long lost brother. Donnie had been little more than a babbling mess for several minutes. Mikey had joked that the news had melted his brain. After letting the news sit and compute for several long minutes Donnie had jumped right to work. Mr. fix it working maddly to make sense of the madness presented. And Mikey, well. The orange clad turtle had always held onto hope that their brother was still alive. Although his brothers had tried to tell him different, Mikey just knew that their lost eldest was still out there somewhere. And right now Mikey was grateful he had listened to what his heart was telling him and thanking God for this miracle.

Mikey let out a woop as he dashed across the rooftops grinning from ear to ear. The orange clad turtle felt so filled with emotion that he could burst. He was elated! HIs big brother was alive! Actually alive, after all this time Leo had returned to them. All he had to do was find his big brother. Yeah, he knew what Donnie had told them about Leo being human now and that he had amnesia. But all that mattered now was that they found him. In Mikey's eyes all of those problems were things they could work on together, as a family, after they found him.

Landing on the other rooftop Mikey grinned at the heavens in gratitude before pulling out his t-phone. They had been forced to stay underground all day; April and Cassey had gone out as soon as they learned but the brothers had been stuck down there for hours waiting for night to fall. Wich was torture!

Mikey skimmed over his brothers' text. Raph hadn't found anything in the area he'd set out to cover so he was heading over to Donnie to see if he'd been able to find Bebop. For the several hours they'd been stuck underground they had tried fruitlessly to call Bebop, see if he had any way of contacting Peter or at least knew where he went. Mikey frowned to himself as he looked at the text, he understood why Raph wanted to check up with Donnie. All day they hadn't been able to get a hold of the one person who had seen their brother, the one person who might know where he was. They had all left at least a dozen messages, Bebop had probably turned his phone off. As soon as the night fell, Donnie had set off to the zoo knowing it would be their best bet to find Bebop.

Sticking the t-phone back into his belt, MIkey shifted directions. He'd nearly covered most of his area. He was the fastest of the brothers after all, it would be easy to cover the rest of his assigned area and head over toward Central Park zoo and meet up with his brothers. A smile crossed his face, this path took him right by Murakami's noodle shop. His wandering mind shifted to pizza gozza and his stomach followed. He shrugged before slipping down into the street. Can't find Leo on an empty stomach after all.

Noise from inside had him on high alert. It was hard to see what was going on inside through the red stained glass windows, but from the noise inside it sounded like the purple dragons were harassing Murakami again. Eyes wide Mikey burst through the door, nunchucks swinging as his suspicions were confirmed.

Wasting no time in looking around, Mikey rushed into the fight taking out the first purple dragon he saw with a hit to the head, sending the next into the wall with a roundhouse kick before backflipping out of line of fire. Usually the more energetic of the turtles would put the good talents of Dr. Flipinstein to use, but with his search for Leo as first priority he focused more on winning this fight fast.

"Dude, the turtles are here!" The gang member Mikey had kicked into the wall, yelled before turning to run toward the door. "Come on" he called back to his friends.

"It ain't worth it" another man said as he pulled his friend to his feet, the two heading towards the door.

Pocketing his nunchucks, Mikey turned just in time to see Fong fall to the ground behind the counter, his hand darting to his face, his cheek already turning red from the blow.

"Get out!" Mikey's breath caught in his throat at the sound of the voice.

"This aint over" Fong spat as he got to his feet. "Just be thankful greeny here showed up or I really would have whooped ya" Fong spat, sending Mikey a wary glance before hastily retreating from the shop.

"Are you okay Mr. Murakami?'' a voice behind the counter asked. The very voice that had Mikey pinned to the spot.

"I am fine, thank you."

"Leo..?" Mikey's voice came out shy, terrified that he could be imagining it. That the voice behind the counter would be nothing but wishful thinking and old memories instead of the brother he'd missed for so long. On unsteady legs, Mikey staggered around the counter to see Mr. Murakami sitting on the floor, his hand outreached as a young man helped him to his feet.

Mikey's blue eyes widened as they met deep sapphire.

"Uh Hello" the awkward wave seemed to break Mikey out of his spell.

"LEO!" Mikey raced forward scooping his human brother into his arms. Letting out a squeal of joy loud enough to shatter glass, the energetic orange clad turtle jumped up and down in elation before collapsing onto his knees his brother in a death grip between his arms. "I knew you were still alive! I knew it! I knew it!" Mikeay squealed as he nuzzled his beak into the top of black hair, reveling in the fact that Leo still smelled the same, even as a human. "You're alive! Is it really you Leo? Is it really you?!"

Wide startled blue eyes looked up at the turtle who held him tight, unsure of how to respond or react. "Uhh"

Mikey let out another squeal as he hugged Leo even more impossible tighter to himself. "LEO! I missed you so much, big brother, you have no Idea!" tears trekked down his checks as he pressed his face into a flannel shoulder. "When Bebop came to the lair..and then we saw that picture..and..and we never thought that Baxter...Oh Leo..we missed you so much" Mikey hugged Leo tighter, something deep within healing.

A timid five fingered hand reached up and gingerly petted his shoulder, Mikey just hugged Leo tighter loathing to let go. Realising his hold slightly after a minute, Mikey released one arm to reach down and grab his phone. "I have to call the others." A five fingered hand on his, stopped him.

Looking down he saw Leo staring at him, his face scrunched together, his blue eyes deep in thought and his expression garded.

"Who are you?" Leo asked hesitantly, menovering out of Mikey's grasp.

"Oh" Mikey blinked a few times. Hearing that his brother wouldn't remember him and experiencing the reality of it were two widely different things, and Mikey felt his heart ache as he stared into two very familiar blue eyes that held so much confusion and no recognition.

"uhh..My name's Mikey..Michlangelo," Mikey stuttered, never imagining that he'd have to introduce himself to his brother. "But..ahh you can call me Mikey" he smiled.

Leo just nodded, looking around before turning skeptical eyes back to Mikey.

"What are you doing here?"

"Actually I was looking for you! Dee went down to the zoo to find Bebop and see if he could get ahold of you, I was headed to meet him when I saw Murakami was in trouble." Speaking of which, Mikey turned his head to look over to the old sheff. "You okay, Mr. Murakami?" The old man was cleaning up a bit of the mess left over from the fight nearby, listening to the two brothers with a small smile. "Yes, Michelangelo, I am fine. Thank you"

Mikey turned back to look at Leo who had his knees pulled to his chest, his lip caught between his teeth. His blues eyes narrowed as he saw the bruise forming on his lower cheek and silently cursed himself for not getting here sooner. His brother had been in the fight!

"Are you okay Leo?"

"A little overwhelmed," he admitted.

Mikey nodded, wincing quietly at the situation.

"How do you know? How do you know I am who you think I am?" The question came out quiet, garded. And Mikey knew his brother enough to recognize that Leo was strategizing his next move. If he wanted to gain Leo's trust he would have to choose his next words carefully.

"I just know..you know" he met his brother's eyes, praying he would understand. "Sometimes, I just know things. I can feel it" he touched his heart. "Like I knew that you weren't dead, after the fire.." He trailed off biting his lip.

"I get feelinging like that too sometimes" Mikey looked up, a grin spreading across his brother's face.

"And after bebop showed up today, we found this digital map and there was this blue pin and.."

He saw Leo nodding his gaze contemplative.

"And we just knew.." Mikey continued. "We've been out looking for you for hours," his smile grew larger, new tears starting to trek down his face once more.

Leo looked up at him a million emotions flickering across his face too fast for Mikey to grasp them all.

"What do you want from me?"

Mikey's heart ached at the underlying apprehension that lay in his brother's voice. As though Leo was afraid that Mikey wanted to hurt him, that it was all a trap, a lie.

"We just want our big Brother back" Mikey's voice broke, as the overwhelming emotions inside bubbled to the surface. "I know you don't remember me, but I remember you. And we miss you Leo, we need you. I need you..we don't have any expectations I promise..we just want you home." Mikey meets his brother's gaze making a promise deep in his heart. "We won't let anything hurt you. I promise"

Leo's gaze dropped for a second, his sapphire eyes darting back and forth deep in thought, until he looked over at Mr. Murakami. Mikey closed his eyes praying that his brother would trust him. Praying that he would believe him. He knew things were crazy but all he needed was Leo to come home with him after that they could figure this out. Together.

"Okay" Leo took a breath, unfolding his legs to sit cross legged, his gaze meeting Mikey's. The younger turtle watched as resolve washed over his brother turned human, watched as his fear vanished and the fearless leader stepped up "My name is Peter" Leo held out his hand. Smiling Mikey shook it. "It's good to meet you brother"