SEARCHING

January, 1981

RAPHAEL:

"Master?"

"Silence!" Master Splinter snapped. Leonardo recoiled at his tone. I could tell it didn't even cross his mind to disobey. "Please remain quiet, my sons," Splinter whispered, his tone a little softer. "This is very important to me."

Leo sighed and slinked back over to where the rest of us were sitting. I glared at my kneepad as I picked at the fabric slowly. I was tired of sitting in this dark room. "This stupid," I mumbled under my breath. "Why we hiding from lady? Master Splinter kick her ass."

Leonardo glared at me. "Watch your mouth," he ordered. "Or Sensei wash it out with soap."

I stuck out my tongue at him and saw him flinch as he thought about going to tattle on me. But he decided not to. "Maybe it a game," Mikey suggested. "Like hide go seek."

I shoved Mike. He was so stupid sometimes. "Shut up, dufus. Grown ups no play games."

"Master Splinter look like he playing this one," Donatello answered quietly.

"Yoshi-san?" The woman's voice made us all turn.

"Who Yoshi?" Mike asked me, as if I would know.

I shrugged, and watched Splinter for a few minutes. Finally the woman left. "Who was that?" Mikey asked.

Sensei didn't answer. "Are you hungry?" he questioned. "It is past lunch time now."

I quickly forgot about the lady.

SAKURA:

"Mama, I'm hungry."

I turned to the child at my side. She was not demanding. Her eyes were fixed on the wall mural and it seemed as if she were making the statement only to remind me that it was nearly 1:00. "We will eat soon, Kioko," I assured her. "I need to ask these people something." I crouched down beside her and she turned to look at me. I pointed to a nearby bench against the mural. It was in plain sight of the counter. "Can you go and sit over there for me, Kioko-chan?"

She nodded. "Okay, Mama."

"Be a good girl and I'll take you to McDonalds, okay?"

She skipped over to the bench a few feet away and I turned my attention to the counter. The attendant was thumbing through a filing cabinet, her back to me. "Excuse me?" I greeted. The woman turned and I smiled. "Hi. I was wondering... I'm looking for a friend of mine. I was wondering if you could help me."

She stared at me for a moment. "Who is it you're looking for?"

"A man... he might've come here for the winter. His name is Hamato Yoshi?"

She shook her head. "I haven't heard of him. But I haven't been here very long. You might ask around, though. If he's around, I'm sure someone has heard of him."

"Excuse me?" a man behind me interrupted.

I turned to him and he bowed politely. I stepped back and bowed in return. He was a Japanese, perhaps thirty years of age, and in very good shape. He was taller than Yoshi had been, and I knew that he was not the man I was in search of. "I am sorry," he apologized. "But I couldn't help but overhear you. You are in search of Hamato Yoshi?"

I nodded. "Yes. Do you know him?"

He smiled. "Why yes," he affirmed. "I met him some time ago in Chinatown. He is a sensei, no?"

My heart leaped for joy. He did know Yoshi. "Yes," I answered. "He came from Japan some time ago. I used to live with him."

The man eyed me suspiciously, as if for some reason he did not believe me. "Please, allow me to buy you and your daughter lunch. We can talk further."

Kioko appeared at my side again. "Can we, Mama? Please?"

The man smiled warmly at my daughter, then knelt down in front of her. "How old are you?" he asked.

The little girl was none-too-shy. "Four," she grinned, holding up four fingers on her right hand.

He nodded. "I have a son your age," he informed. "His name is Kado. What's your name?"

Kioko looked to me for approval. I had taught her from small about strangers, and what information was not to be shared. "This is Kioko," I introduced. The man rose to face me again. "And I am Sakura. What may we call you?"

He bowed politely. "My name is Komatsu Yuki," he informed. "And I am honored to meet you."

KIOKO:

"So how well do you know Yoshi-san?" Yuki asked.

Mama sipped her coffee. I dipped three french fries at a time into the goey mountain of ketchup. "Well, he... took me in when I was homeless on the streets."

Yuki studied her for a moment. "He had a house, then?" he questioned. "Or an apartment?"

"He lived in the sewers," I answered for her. I knew I would be lectured for talking with my mouth full, but I had heard the story so many times, I could not help but retell it as the opportunity presented itself. "With the rats and turtles."

"Kioko!" Mama laughed. I glanced at her and saw her cheeks turn slightly red.

"It is okay," Yuki assured. "It is no offense on my part. I already know of Yoshi's living conditions, actually. I have been to his home on various occasions."

That seemed to make Mama happier. I took a long drink of soda through the white, striped straw. "Have you spoken to him recently?" Mama asked.

He smiled. "Oh, yes. Actually, I had dinner with him just last night. He is looking quite well for a man of his age."

Mama sighed. "I have not seen him in nearly five years," she informed quietly. "It feels like an eternity."

"Five years," Yuki repeated. "He has some relation to Kioko, no?"

Mama's eyes widened slightly and Yuki laughed. "I am sorry. I speak out of place."

"He's my father," I offered. I glanced at Mama, realizing that I had once again embarrassed her, and lowered my eyes. "Sorry."

There was a moment of silence. Yuki stirred his coffee. "I could take you to see him," he offered. "Or perhaps set up a meeting if you'd like."

Mama smiled. "Yuki-san, you are too kind."

He laughed in reply. "Nonsense, Sakura," he answered. His eyes gleamed as he studied her. "Think nothing of it."