Part 28
Part 28

Leonardo paced the roof of the house, getting that feeling of déjà vu all over again. He's done this act before of guarding in this same spot. Many years ago. When him and his bros were in their mid-teens. He felt old and lonely. Longing for companionship like his other brothers. He found Donatello sitting quietly against the barn, drawing triangles in the dirt with a small stick. His mind must have been occupied of creating the symmetric patterns; he didn't even notice Leonardo was standing next to him.

"You let your guard down."

"I've got a lot on my mind."

Leo crouched down on his haunches. "Well, that makes two of us."

They sat quietly for awhile, listening to the sounds of nature. Until....

"Do you think Emiko would be interested in me ten years from now?"

That was a loaded question! Leonardo sat fully down on the ground, knowing his legs would give out eventually.

"Ummmm....."

"Don't answer that."

"Okay, I won't." Leonardo ripped a weed from the grass and started tying knots in it. "But I will ask this. What made you bring up her name?"

"She called here." Leonardo leaned back with eyes wide. "I know I didn't say anything. Hearing about Jenny and everything, I sort of kept it to myself."

"Emiko's alive?"

"And ticking. She called from a hospital in Florida. The plane made it to that state but crashed not too far from the airport. The only wound she got was some cuts and a broken leg."

"Wow. Why did the newspaper report that everyone died?"

"Because the news came out before they found the survivors. Leave it to reporters to rip people's hearts out for no reason."

Leonardo sat quietly again.

"I said I wouldn't answer you....but....um, about that first question....how did you mean by Emiko being interested in you?"

"I....I was acting selfish back there, Leo. I don't even know why I asked you that."

"Because our brothers have girls and we don't?"

"You know me too well."

"I know that you want to love someone and they love you in return. If Emiko called here, she must still be interested in you. But not the way you're thinking."

"No, I can't think that way. My name is not Raph. And what does he or Mike have to worry about anyway?"

"They'll have problems in their lives. No one lives a perfect life. They have each other. That's not the worry. They have to deal with society. That's the worry."

Donatello nodded. No matter what, with or without someone, they'll always have to worry about society shunning them for how they look.

"I have two choices, Leo." Leo waited to hear them. "Go after Emiko as she requested."

"Or?"

"Stay here and live out the rest of my life till I die."

Leonardo tapped his fingers on one knee. "The alternative, or the inevitable. Either way, we're all going to die. But would you want that child to be present at your death bed, or would you rather forget her entirely?" Donatello said nothing. "You know, both choices could equal as one." He nodded to that. "Or, both choices could only be one without the other."

"You're so perplexed yet make sense all the same!" Donatello grinned with a frown.

"That's what I always thought about you."

"No, I'm a turtle with a sick mind."

"I won't argue with that."

Donatello laughed and tossed the stick away, placing his hands on his hips.

"Okay, then. Jenny is gone. She was hardly in your life to begin with. You have no one to go to. What are your plans for the remainder of your life?"

Man, the guy could be TOO direct on the current events.

"Thanks for the update, Don. I'm fully aware of the news broadcasts that flash pass my life." He sighed and looked down. "The only person I plan to go to is Splinter. In Japan."

"Ah." Don looked skyward. "Our sensei. God, I miss him." Leo agreed. "If there was one person I could come to with my problems, it was our master. Our father."

"Before Splinter left, he told me where he was going exactly. He left a map for when we were ready to go see him."

"Do you think he wants to see you now?"

Leo closed his eyes. "He already has. I've already reached out to him. He has felt my pain and loss. I wish to start a new life in the Eastern half of the country."

"When are you leaving?"

"At the crack of dawn. Before anyone wakes. I'm already packed. And I'm traveling alone."

Donatello sat quietly. That leaves him to deal with his two love-sick brothers at the house. The place was crowding as it is with Casey, April and Shadow living there. He wanted to travel too but has already heard his invitation was declined.

"I wish to travel too, Leo." Leonardo looked to him. "To visit an old friend."

"You wish to go to Japan?"

Don shook his head. "Florida."

Risa wrapped her coat around her shoulders and pulled away from the porch.

"Going to Japan, Leo?" She mumbled. "Perhaps I can make your trip a little more enjoyable." She picked up the portable phone and started dialing.

Inside a near-empty airport, two turtles sat side by side, waiting for the call to send them on their separate ways. Leonardo was dead tired but managed to stay awake at this ungodly hour. Donatello drank about 4 cups of black coffee to keep his eyelids open. That wasn't the only thing he kept wide open. His mouth moved a mile a minute, talking about what if Emiko has changed her mind, she's been disfigured from the crash, if Leo would crash as well and not make it to Japan or there's bad news when he gets there, or...

"That's enough caffeine for you, John Moshitta." Leonardo peeled the cup away from Don's gripping hands. "You have to relax and just hope for the best."

"Leo. I can't understand why this girl is haunting me like this. I thought she was dead, I became remorseful, then moved on. When April told me she got that phone call, I didn't know
what to think. What went through my mind was, it wasn't possible. It couldn't have been possible."

"But, it was possible, Don. And she's asking for your forgiveness. It's better to take this opportunity while you still have the chance. Don't let something you really care about slip through your fingers." Donatello could sense who Leo was comparing with. "If Emiko wants to give you a second try, then you should do what she asks."

"You miss her, don't you Leo?"

"Who? Emiko?" Donatello cocked his head to one side. Leo looked to him seriously. "Yes, I miss her. Very much." Don, of course, knew who he was talking about. And it wasn't a nine year-old terror seeking to create companionship with a mutant turtle.

"At least you know she's in a better place then that horrible station."

"Right." The two sat quietly again until the final boarding call came up for Don's plane first. Both simultaneously stood up with a stretch. "Better go, Don. Take care of yourself."

"You too, Leo." Donatello reached over to hug him. Unlike Raph, Leo wasn't hesitant and hugged him back tightly. "Tell Splinter we said "hi" and that we miss him dearly."

"I will." Leo closed his eyes, feeling them become misty. "I promise." Donatello pulled away, giving a smirk. Leo frowned with a smirk as well. "What's that look for?"

"You look different since I last saw you. There seems to be a change in you."

The frown changed to a wide smile. "I think there's been a change in all of us. We've all grown up and moved on. That is what the change is that you're seeing."

Donatello picked up his duffle bag before turning and heading down the walk way. He waved one last time before disappearing around the ramp corner. Leonardo moved toward the window to watch the short figure boarding on the mini-jet. There wasn't that many people. He was easily spotted with the bulkiness to his body.

"Farewell, Don. Brother."

Leonardo lifted his bag and headed over to his terminal. On the way, he paused, feeling someone following him. He didn't want to make it obvious so he continued to walk. At the gate, he checked the clock on the wall. Another 20 minutes before boarding time. The word scroll flashed across the screen in English and Japanese characters. Leonardo watched it, able to understand the characters clearly. It was the same information from the English. Duh! He turned away to find a seat. A lot of Japanese folk sat around. Families mostly. He rested both elbows on his knees, thinking deeply. He was off to see Splinter. He beloved sensei and father. How wonderful to get away from the states and visit him as well as tour the beautiful country. Soon, he found himself sobbing lightly. Mostly keeping it to himself, though. He was happy and sad all at once, suddenly feeling like Risa when she didn't know which emotion to be.

"Hello."

Leonardo jumped up, feeling like he did this act before.

"Um, hello...." He stared at the face. It stared back. "My God...."

"Is this seat taken?"

Leonardo started to laugh nervously.

"Um, no." To think this person asked him was a shock. He kept smiling. "Didn't your mother tell you it's not safe to talk to strangers?"

Laurie smiled. "Yes, she has. But you're not a stranger anymore."

Questions beyond questions came from Leo and Laurie answered each one.

"Aunt Pheebs and I had a huge arguement when we got home. I told her I was tired of living under her rules and packed what I could carry and moved out. I pretty much stayed with a school friend and we talked forever into the early morning. That was when I received a 911 call on my beeper." Leonardo kept staring at her. "Thank your little friend, Marisa. The match maker."

"But how did you know I'd be here? How-"

Laurie place a finger on his lips. "It's not a question of how. It's just knowing that you were here is what brought me to the airport to find you. And explicit directions from Marisa." She winked.

He sighed, not realizing he kept smiling. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Take me with you." She took his hand into hers, swaying it gently. "I believe the invitation is still open?"

"Yes, it is. But why, Laurie? What made you decide to come to me?"

"Jenny. It has to be her. She's still with me even though she's gone. It was her will to see you happy even if something should happen to her." Leonardo covered his eyes with one hand. Laurie gave him a little squeeze with her hand. "Are you not happy with me?"

"Laurie. Other than your sister, you were the only person outside my family that has not feared or hated me. The first time you approached me. We talked. We bonded. You shared your bouquet of flowers with me for God's sake!" Laurie blushed and looked away. "What I'm saying is, you treated me like a human when I am not. You've shown me that you could befriend a creature that has no resemblance to anyone on this entire planet. When you ask if I am happy with you, I can only give one answer. And that answer is yes."

Laurie squealed and kissed his cheek. Well, it was a start! She's just a beginner!

"I never knew my life would make a turn like this."

Leo raised an eyebrow. "A turn for the better? Or for the worst?"

"You will see your answer in the future, Leo. And then, you will know for sure."

Leonardo looked down to her fingers curled around his. Her little rings she wore on them. He checked the left ring finger. No ring. He hoped to change that in the future. Yes, he would have to see for himself that this girl was serious about him. He never wanted to get hurt or hurt the other in turn. He just wanted to live a happy life for what it's worth. And to just once enjoy the many pleasures it has to offer. The final boarding call sang out on the loud speaker. Leonardo and Laurie sat up.

"Is this all?" He looked to her tiny carry-on.

"Yes, and one luggage. I didn't pack much because I was in a hurry."

Leonardo lifted the carry-on for her.

"Japan has some beautiful clothing stores. I'm sure we can manage you a whole wardrobe." The line started to move and Leo put an arm around her. "This is it, Laurie. You can make your decision to leave now. I'm not forcing you to come with me. I only offered your freedom from your aunt. It's up to you if you wish to stay or come."

Laurie looked behind her. Then, hugged him back.

"I've made my decision, Leo."

A young Japanese couple watched in the back. The woman smiled and nudged her husband.

"They look very happy together."

Hand in hand, the two boarded the plane. A long flight meant long hours to get to know one another. This was the first Leonardo actually enjoyed getting on a plane. He didn't have to ride in baggage this time. He sat up front. In coach. Next to a girl he was starting to fall in love with.

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