Leo's Pov...
I never thought being away from home would be this hard. It was strange each time I would wake up in the morning and not see my wife sleeping next to me, hearing the sound of brothers making noises or feeling the bed sink in and out from Ellie jumping trying to wake me up. It was like I was just woke up and everything just vanished from me and was thrown into a complete new lifestyle. Even though I have been here for close to three months I am still not used to this change and I adapt to new changes rather quickly, but this one seemed to be a tough challenge.

What's even more of a challenge is the training I have been going through while staying up at an ancient Buddhist temple up in the mountains far up from civilization. The Ancient One, the one Master Splinter told me about who was his sensei, has put me through series of training sessions that really test my physical, mental and spiritual skills and strengths. It was exhausting I wasn't going to lie, I kept pushing myself to I could feel my bones were starting to crack and my knuckles would bleed. I had to gain these skills in order to protect my family and I wasn't going to stop till I succeed.

One night after regretting leaving to my bunk after nearly sixteen hours of training, my legs were threatening to break out from under me as I climbed the stone steps. Everything inside and outside of me had hurt, as much as I tried to ignore the pain, it was starting to get to me. Once inside my own room, on cue, I fell to my bed letting out an exasperated sigh of relief of my body finally thanking me to letting it rest. I could hear my phone vibrate next to my bed stand and I was simply in too much pain to move a muscle, but despite the aches I reached over and grabbed it opening it up. The now aches were set aside just for awhile when I got a message from Callista.

"Hey sensei, we all really miss you...I was just thinking about you and wanted to let you know that I love you so much and I hope that training is not too hard for you. I do miss waking up and seeing you beside me and I am sure you do too. But sometimes Ellie does sneak in at night to sleep where you do, bless her little heart. But I just want to let you know patrols are going okay with me leading and it has gotten tough a few times but we manage to pull through. We have been counting down the days till you come back and we all can't wait to see you again, especially me and Green Bean. Just please stay safe and don't do anything too extreme, I love you more than you will ever know and you will always be my hero in shining armor"

I smiled feeling all the stress from everything just fade away. She can always bring a smile to my face no matter what might be clouding my mind, I don't know how she does it but I am thankful everyday that she does. I took a look over my shoulder and looked at the craved turtle with it looking straight at me and my lips tugged higher to make a bigger smile. I then looked forward and I pulled out the chain that was hiding underneath my shirt and saw the key necklace that Ellie had made me before I left. "I miss the both of you too and I love you both, I will work hard to come back home to you", I said, softly to myself

I grabbed both items in my fists bringing them up close to my heart and I could feel their presence surround me, bringing my mind to ease. The weight of today was lifted off my shoulders and my eyelids slowly fluttered closed falling into a deep sleep. It wasn't long till I felt a dream sequence coming on.

I woke up laying in the center of a beautiful cherry blossom forest, kind of like the ones I have seen in paintings in my books, with the bright sun shining down on me. I sat up sitting on the soft green grass with some of the blossom petals falling from the trees landing softly on the ground. As I looked around I could hear a voice as beautiful as a songbird calling my name. "Leonardo", the voice softly called "Leonardo"

I got up and followed the sound of the voice through the forest and I heard it getting louder reaching towards the center and coming from behind a tree trunk, I saw a slender figure with her shell facing towards me and she slowly turned to reveal to be my wife. She smiled her beautiful smile that I see on her face all the time and her mask tails were flying softly in the wind causing some of the petals to spin around her. "Hello Leonardo", she said, softly

"Callista? Is it really you?", I asked, walking up to her slowly

"Yes it is me, how I waited for you to come", she said

I slowly approached her as we smiled at each other happily and she reached up and her soft hand touched my cheek and I let out a shaky breathe. Her touch felt so real, how I missed that feeling of her beautiful skin against mine. I could never get enough of it. Both of her hands touched my cheeks and I put one hand behind her head to draw her closer to me and she wrapped one arm around my waist. We both started to lean in close with our eyes slowly closing for a kiss. But then I could feel the atmosphere around us suddenly changed. The clear blue sky turned to a dark grey and cloudy one and the wind started picking up speed, blowing the blossom petals off all the trees around, stripping them of their beauty.

I hugged Calli to me as tight as I could, but she started to slip out from my arms. Suddenly a huge strong gust of wind pulled her out of my arms as we barely held on by our hands gripping each others. "Leo!", she yelled out in fear

"Calli! Hold on! Don't let go!", I yelled, struggling to keep my grip

But the wind was just too powerful and our grip started slipping till it was no longer together and Calli went flying up in the air. "Leonardo!", she screamed

"Callista! No come back!", I yelled trying to run to her, but the wind was pushing me back

As she tried to reach out for me, she faded like sand in a storm. I heard a loud rumble and I looked down to see the ground beneath my feet started to crack and crumble. I tried running to get away but it caved in and I started to fall into eternal darkness below screaming. "No!", I screamed

I woke up gasping suddenly and sweating. I panted hard before slowly regaining my breath, realizing that it was all just a dream. Still in my fists were the turtle and necklace and I looked over at my phone to see that was 4:30 in the morning. It would only be about another hour and half before I had training again. I placed the turtle back on my nightstand and I grabbed my meditation mat that was rolled up in the corner of my room before setting off to meditate. I chose to do it at the edge of a cliff side underneath a blossoming peach tree that had a clear view of the neighboring village down below that was partially covered by the low ridden clouds. The moon was still out and glowing bright when I threw down my mat before sitting down. I went into lotus position and I tried to clear my mind of the nightmare, but after only a few minutes I heard footsteps. My eyes shot open and I turned to see my sensei's master, the Ancient One, come walking up the path with a paper lantern in his hand. "Leonardo-san I wasn't expecting to see you out here at such an hour", he said, stopping behind me

"Sorry master, I couldn't sleep, I needed to clear my mind", I said, looking forward again

It was silent for only a few moments before I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up slowly to see that he was standing beside me. "Something deeply troubles you my student", he said

"I guess it is just being away from home for so long", I said "I never have done anything like this before, never had to leave my family for this long, it's a new experience for me. I guess it is harder for me since I have my own family now, I am always there to be with them, protect them. I just worry too much. That something might happen while I am not there, it's just my overprotectiveness getting to me"

"You have your own family now do you say?", he asked

"Yes, I have my wife of six years and we have our little girl", I said "She is the one who made me this necklace, she made it for me before I left come here, she thought it would be a good luck charm for training"

I chuckled a little at the thought of it as I showed him the necklace around my neck, holding it by the chain in my fist. "Your daughter is quite a creative little one", he said, taking a hold of the key

"She is, she has been that way since she was born, I don't know where she gets it from, but I am proud of what she can create with that amazing little mind of hers", I said

"What is your daughter's name?", he asked

"Her name is Eleanora, she is my pride and joy, I could never ask for anything better than her", I said "Nor could I ask for a better wife, she has been there for me when I need someone the most, looked me at different than what others would never do, and it felt like we were meant to be together. Never felt more happier with anyone than I do with her"

"It sounds like you were given a great chance of happiness to be with your wife and given a whole new set of responsibilities of being a husband and a father", he said

"It was, best thing ever to happen to me, I would never change a thing about it", I said, shaking my head slowly "I wouldn't know where I would be today if I had not met Callista, it seems like she and I have know each other all our lives. She brings a smile to my face every day and knows how to make everything feel at ease. Her pure heart of gold is what keeps this family sticking together. Then along came Ellie just a few years later, she reminds me a lot about Calli. Smart, beautiful, and always has a desire to try something new. I couldn't be more proud of her now, and so far she is on the right path of being the next leader"

I sighed softly in happiness just thinking about my girls and how much they really make me feel complete. "Do you feel better now Leonardo-san? That you had just completed an important lesson in the ninja training, when the mind is corrupted, you look back at the past to see how far you have come and what the trail has left behind", he said "Then you keep moving forward and create more good"

"Yes, I do actually, much better", I said "I feel my mind is at ease now and I can be better at focus in the rest of my training"

"Good, you should go and rest for the remaining of the early dawn and meet me at the foot behind the temple for your next task", he said

"Yes, Ancient One", I said, bowing my head in respect

I got up, rolling up my meditation mat and walked back to my barrack to get some more sleep before training. Only an hour later I woke up again with the sun coming through the paper like walls that constructed my room. I sheathed my katana behind my shell and tied a fresh bandanna around my head, and I packed a backpack putting inside a canteen of fresh spring water, some fruit and nut snacks and some linen bandages in case I might need them for later on. I made sure that my key necklace was tucked away into my shirt and sling the bag over my shoulder before making my way down the stoned path to the back of the temple. Once there I spotted the Ancient One standing at the beginning of a trailhead that lead up a valley of snowcapped mountains and we bowed respectfully to one another before he spoke. "Good morning Leonardo-san", he said

"Good morning, Ancient One", I said

"Your next task is to hike up to the top of the Mount Fuji, but beware it is a rather difficult and dangerous trail to hike, use your skills and strengths from your trainings and use them wisely", he said, pointing up to the top of the mountain

I looked up and my eyes went a little bit wide seeing that this was going to be a great challenge. I heard Mount Fuji is one of the biggest mountains in all of Japan and the world. But what did make it seem intimidating to me is that Mount Fuji was also one of the biggest volcanoes. Although reading from history books that it hasn't erupted since the 18th century, it was still considered active today and could possibly erupt at any give moment.

"And take these, you will need them on your journey", he said, giving me a long brown trench coat and a brown hat

"Thank you", I said, as I slid on the coat before putting my bag back on my shell and putting the hat on my head

"Remember the lesson you learned this morning Leonardo-san, when the mind is corrupted, look back and see what trail you have made and have left behind then you keep moving forward to create more good", he said

"Hai, master", I said, bowing my head respectfully

I made my first step on my journey walking up the trailhead to one of my biggest challenges in my life. I was nervous deep down inside, I kept wondering what could happen while I was up there, miles from any help, but I knew I had to complete this challenge for myself, to make my family proud, and to get one step closer to coming back home. While on the trail it was rather cold getting higher up into the atmosphere, I am just glad that I was given this coat to keep me warm. It was quiet too. Silent. It was so quiet that I could almost hear the sound of my heart beating in my ears. After walking ten miles into the trail I could no longer see the temple that was hidden by the clouds that were floating ever so slowly across the sky.

While continuing to walk and climb over some stray boulders, I took out Ellie's necklace from shirt and kept looking at the little key that fit perfectly in my palm. I remembered the little message that she put with they key when Splinter handed it to me on the night I was suppose to leave. "My heart belongs to Daddy, he holds the key to it"

It kept echoing in my hand as I continued to stare at it. I knew she had come up with that on her own, she is growing up so fast it's unbelievable. I was getting lost into my own world just staring at the key when out of nowhere I heard someone yell. "Daddy!", a little voice called out

My head shot up as I had to catch myself from going off the trail's edge nearly falling to a certain death, with bits of rock falling off the mountainside disappearing into the clouds. I could feel my heart beat out of my chest as I quickly walked backwards till my shell had hit the mountain. I looked quickly all around me to hear what was making that sound. There was no way possible that anyone else could be on this trail. I waited, but there was no sound, there was no one here but me. "Must be hearing things", I said, to myself

I waited a few moments to catch my breath before I continued along the trail but then I started hearing giggling, a little girl's giggle to be exact. "What?", I said, baffled by what was happening

As I made my way up the mountain I could see I was getting closer to the snow caps and there was thick clouds blocking the trail. I don't know if I was seeing things or something but I could of swore I saw the back of a little brown shell and a green braid running into the clouds disappearing making a little hole of where she went in. "Ellie?", I asked, in disbelief "Ellie!"

I ran along the trail as I heard the giggling get louder and louder, panting trying to keep up with her. "Wait! Eleanora wait!", I called out

"Can't catch me!", she called out, laughing

I kept running, faster than my legs could carry me and my sandals were threatening to give out under my feet. I could tell I was getting closer to being out of the clouds from the sun that was shining out ahead, like a lighthouse on the bay. But when I burst through the cloud falling to my knees thinking that I had caught up with her. But there was no one there, like all this time I was alone up here on this trail. "Ellie?!", I called out

But my shout just echoed out into the valley below till there was silence. I didn't know what I was seeing. Was I hallucinating? Maybe I was overthinking, it's probably the hot sun that was boiling through my hat and bandanna. I decided that it would probably be a good time to take a moment's rest before getting back on the trail. I sat on a flat surface and threw off my backpack and grabbing a fruit and nut snack and my canteen of water. I was starting to relax in the shade as I took a chug of water soaking some of it on my bandanna to cool me down while I ate in peace. But while eating, I could feel the wind blow gently against my face bringing me relief from the heat of the day. I let my eyes closed enjoying the moment's peace when I started hearing very hushed whispers pass by my ears. "Daddy", a voice whispered

I gasped shooting my eyes open and looked around but again I was greeted with no one around me. "Who are you?", I asked, standing up and looking around me

"You are getting very close, you can make it daddy", the voice whispered again, giving out a little giggle

I knew that giggle, I knew it by heart. "Ellie? Is that you?", I asked, softly trying to talk with the wind

A soft breeze had hit my head blowing gently on my mask tails answering my call. "It's me, keep going, keep going daddy, you will be there soon", the voice said

But the wind had stopped blowing and there was no more sound. "Ellie?", I called out softly "Ellie?"

There was no answer nothing but me myself and I. I then let out a quiet sigh before gathering up my backpack and putting my hat back on my head. "Okay Green Bean I will keep going, I'll do this for you and for Mama", I said, to myself

I continued on my quest on the trail and every time I could feel my body starting to break down from exhaustion, the encouraging words from Ellie made me push myself to my limits, even if it meant my joints burning and my lungs tighten from the pressure. After a few more hours of climbing higher and higher up the mountain the sun began to settle in the west disappearing farther from view. I wasn't nearing up to the top yet but I knew I had to get there soon or I was going to be hiking in the dark and there would no way in how I could find my way back to the temple when it does get pitch black out. I reached a rocky point in the trail where many boulders were resting at the mountain's crevices threatening to fall over at any given moment. I tried to make the quietest of steps climbing over unsteady rock that has been pushed up from the ground due to from past volcanic eruptions, being careful not to make too much noise. But after making it over one unsteady piece of rock, I felt the ground was starting to rumble making bits of rubble and dust come flying down. I gasped softly and I tried to dig my foot into the rock to keep still waiting for the rumbling to pass, but my weight gave out from under me and I came sliding down and falling flat on my shell making a loud thud, making me yell out.

My yell echoed out till it faded away, but my troubles were far from over. I saw little rocks bouncing up and down beside me and I looked up and coming down to me at high speeds was various sizes of boulders coming straight towards me. I barely had time to even struggle to get to my feet making a run for it going up the trail as the boulders came down on my like hailstones. Some I nearly got crushed by from them coming down in front of me and some right on top of me! I was really dancing with danger in this situation, trying to reach a high peak in the trail to get out of this death trap, but when I saw the way out I made a dash for it. But I was suddenly knocked off my feet when a boulder had crashed off a small ledge hitting me in the shell causing me to hit my head on a rock that was on the ground hard, making me roll over on my plastron.

My vision was suddenly getting dizzy as I tried to lift my head up but it felt too heavy as it laid back down on the ground as the remaining boulders were flying off the cliff and down into the abyss below. I couldn't move anything as darkness started to take over my mind. When I could feel myself going I saw a dark shadow come running towards me and I fought to keep my eyes open as I saw it getting to the ground before I fell into unconsciousness. I couldn't remember anything after that and for some unknown reason I felt wet and cold on my head and something was rubbing against my skin. "Leo...Leo...Leo honey wake up", a soft voice said

I groaned softly feeling myself coming around feeling a hand touch my cheek, and then my eyes slowly slid open. I didn't know what was going, I wasn't laying on the hard ground and instead I was laying on a soft bed. Instead of being on the trail it looked like I was in a small hut and there to my absolute surprise standing there was my wife kneeling right next to me, looking at me with concern, as my vision returned to normal. "Leonardo, Leonardo", she said, softly

"Calli?", I asked

"You are awake", she said, smiling in relief

"What happened? What's going on? Where am I?", I asked, sitting up groaning

"You are dreaming Leo, you were knocked unconscious from the falling boulders", she said, preparing some tea in a kettle turning away from me "I saw the whole thing"

"Wait? Was it you? You were the shadow right? The one that I saw! Running to me!", I asked

"Yes, that was me, I had to make sure that the hit didn't injure you fatally", she said

"But Calli how is this even possible? You are on the other side of the world in New York, how could you have seen it?", I asked, completely baffled

"Leo, we may be on the other side of the world but our spirits can follow anyone wherever they might be", I said, pouring tea into small cups "It's all in our minds, we feel the presence of others even though we are not there physically"

"So that means Ellie was here too?", I asked

"Yes, she and I were following you right from the beginning cause when you thought about us, we appeared in spiritual form, to guide and protect you on this trip", she said "To make sure that you were following the right path"

"Well so far I don't think I am doing well, I nearly fell off the cliff and now I am unconscious cause my mind is just messed up", I said, rubbing my head in frustration

"Remember what Ancient One said, about when the mind is corrupted you look back of what trail you have made and left behind and you keep moving forward to do more", she said, stroking my head gently

"I know but this time it's much harder", I said, shaking my head "I won't be able to complete the trail in time not with me being in this state, I feel like I am going to fail Ancient One and all of you"

"Don't give up hope yet Leo, it's never over till it is over", she said, handing me a cup of tea and I took a few sips relaxing "I am going to make sure that for the remainder of your task you will be able to take it on with much confidence"

"How?", I asked

"We are going to take a trip back in time", she said "All of us...Ellie"

Suddenly Ellie came in through the door and smiled happily seeing me. "Daddy you are awake!", she said, running towards me

"Ellie!", I said, taking her immediately into my arms hugging her tightly, swinging her side to side "Hey my big girl!"

"I missed you so much Daddy!", she said, hugging me tight around my neck

"Oh me too sweet pea, I thought I was going crazy when I saw you on the trail", I said, rubbing her head with my hand

"Got you! I wanted to help you get through the clouds, I knew you would of chased me and I won!", she said, with a happy smile

I chuckled and kissed her head. "You are getting faster each time, almost can't keep up with you", I said "So where exactly are we going?"

"Follow me hun", Calli said, getting up, with Ellie jumping off my lap

I got up slowly following them both till we reached the door where Ellie came in. Once Calli gripped the handle opening the door we were greeted with a very bright light, brighter than the sun, and I had to cover my face with my hand to keep it from blinding me. But Calli took a hold of my hand guiding me through till the light faded away and I removed my hand. I looked around at my surroundings to see we were back in the lair in the dojo. "We are back home?", I asked, looking around

"Yes but in the past", Calli said "We are just visiting moments that occurred to ease your mind"

"The past?", I asked, confused

"Remember this day Daddy?", Ellie asked, pointing to the corner of the dojo

I looked to where she was pointing, there an old memory was taking place.

There was another Ellie practicing with her tessens, slicing them in the air and was trying to do a backflip, but ended up landing on her shell and swaying side to side. "Dang it!", she said, rolling up to her feet

She tried to do the backflip again, but ended up landing on her head and falling on to her plastron. "Ow!", she said, hitting the floor in frustration

"Ellie are you okay?", someone asked

I saw another one of me coming towards her quickly and helping her up to her feet. "I can't do it Daddy", she said, in frustration and sadness mixed in with her voice "I can't do the backflip"

"Oh honey backflips are pretty hard to do", I said, picking up her tessens handing them back to her "But you will get there Ellie, it will come with a lot of practice"

"I keep practicing but nothing is working, I won't be able to do it", she said, kicking the floor

"Hey don't give up yet Ellie, it does take time, but hey I know a good trick that I think will help", I said

"What's the trick?", she asked

"When I was about your age I was having trouble doing backflips too and Master Splinter gave me a helpful tip, take it slow and steady", I said

"Isn't that for running though?", she asked, looking a bit confused

"Not exactly, if you are trying to do something new and its hard to do, just take it slow and steady", I said "Here watch me"

I got into a position holding my arms up above my head and slowly leaning back till I was curved, then slowly lifting my foot off the ground throwing it over my body till it was behind me once again, doing a slow flip. "By doing one step at a time, doing it slow and steady then you will be one step closer to achieving", I said

"So I do one step at a time doing a flip?", Ellie asked

"Exactly", I said, with a smile

"Okay Daddy, I'll try", she said

"Now stand straight, let your arms go up, bend slowly back, lift your foot up, bring it up over you till its right back where it started", I said, telling her each step

Ellie followed my words doing the first few steps with no problem till she started to shake trying to bend backwards. "Woah Daddy", she said, struggling to hold herself

I placed my hand under her shell to keep steady. "Don't worry Green Bean I got you", I said "I won't let you fall, now bring your leg up"

She started to slowly bring her leg up over her head as I kept her steady while she brought it back behind her. "You see doing one step at a time, makes it easier to do instead of trying to it all at once", I said

"Okay, I see take it slow and steady and it makes it easy", she said, nodding in understanding

"Right, now try it again and then try it doing it all together", I said

Ellie gulped a little before a firm look came to her face and with that she began to do the steps on her own without having to use my support. Having done this, she took a soft breathe and then suddenly did a precise flip flying up in the air before landing on both of her feet with her hands up in the air. "Yes!", she said, excitedly

"See you can do it! You just got to believe in yourself!", I said, proudly

"Thanks Daddy!", she said, tightly hugging me

I hugged her back in my arms giving her a kiss on the head. "Your welcome honey, just always know that I am here to help and that you can do anything you put your mind to", I said

"I remember that day", I said

"We all do", Calli said "It was a big turning point in her training, cause she could attack and defend much better when you helped her achieved her goal. You did good that day"

I smiled towards her as she stroked her hand along my cheek. That's when another Calli came in with her arm in a sling smiling. "Hey you two dinner is ready", she said "Hawaiian pizza tonight"

"Yum! My favorite!", Ellie said, running past her mom out the doors

"How is your arm feeling?", I asked

"Oh not bad too bad, it's been healing up good, Donnie said it will be out of the sling in a few more days", she said, rubbing her cast with her hand gently

"I still feel bad that you got hurt trying to help me out", I said, with a frown "I should of been abled to handle them"

"Hey this isn't your fault, it just happened, besides its not first injury I have had on a patrol", she said, giving my shoulder a squeeze

"Yeah but if I had been stronger and quicker, maybe you didn't have to pay the price for my weakness", I said, shrugging looking down

"Leonardo, you are nowhere near being weak", she said, lifting my head up to face her "Look I was willing to get myself in the line of being hurt to help you, that's what couples do for each other, they defend and protect each other no matter what might get thrown at them"

"I know but you shouldn't have had to, I mean you got yourself hurt", I said, still feeling bad about what happened

"If I didn't care and love you then you would of been the one to have taken that blow instead of me", she said, smiling "Besides Leo, you did get us out of that fight by making sure we all got out of there safely and we all made it back, so that is an accomplishment, each time you bring us back home the nights we go on patrol is a big success. Even if we don't win the match, being able to come back and surviving is all that matters"

I was able to smile a little and Calli leaned up and kissed me on the cheek. "I love you and believe me you are not weak, you are my strong leader", she said "Besides it's not all that bad, Ellie has been keeping herself busy drawing on my cast"

She removed part of her sling to reveal the many drawings that she drew on with colored markers from butterflies to turtles, hearts, stars, swirls and smiley faces. I chuckled softly before Calli followed along. "So you see, there is not all bad in this, I may have gotten hurt but it gave us a new strength for future battles and even gave Ellie a new canvas"

I was able then to smile fully. "Thanks baby, you always know how to make me feel better", I said, giving her a kiss on the forehead

"It's a gift of mine", she said, giggling "Now come on let's eat or Mikey is going to end up eating the whole pie"

"Oh that's not happening again on my watch", I said, wrapping my arm around her

"I wouldn't bet on that", she said

We both laughed as we walked out of the room and headed to our family that was having a good time while eating pizza.

"How do you feel now?", Calli asked, turning towards me

"I feel...relieved actually...like I can take on anything", I said "After watching what confidence that you both gave me from doing the simplest things that made such a big difference to you, really eased my mind"

"So you see Leo, anything that corrupts your mind, no matter what it might be, look back at what you have been able to achieve and what greatness that you have made happen", she said "You have left a trail of happiness and proud moments and that will be able to clear your mind and let all your troubles release, like a river flowing over stone"

"Like a river over stone? You are starting to turn into Splinter", I said, with a chuckle

"I have had practice, now you better go honey, it will be dark soon and you yet still have to your complete task", she said, touching my shoulders

A frown came to my face. "But I want to stay with you, you and everyone", I said "I miss you guys so much and its so hard not to see you everyday, I just want to be in your arms and take in everything that you give to me and never let you go"

"You will be with us very soon Leo, it will be only a matter of time before we both are together again", she said "We will be in each other's arms, and I will be able to feel your strong hold and your lips against mine, that will be what will make become more alive again"

"I count down the days to where I see you again and just to be able to hold you in my arms, to feel your heart beating against mine and take in your beauty that I never wish to look away from cause it's what makes me look forward to everyday to see that beautiful smile and beautiful eyes that you show me", I said "When I do see you again I will never want to let go"

"I will miss you Daddy", Ellie said, coming up in front of me

I knelt down to her and I held out my arms to her, hugging her close to my heart. "I will miss you too, but it's only very soon where I will be with you again and I will never leave you this long ever again, I promise", I said

"I believe you, I will be waiting for you", she said, sniffling a little with a few tears that strayed from her face

"Don't cry sweetheart, it won't be long now, remember you have to stay strong for Mama and for everyone okay? I am counting on you", I said, gently wiping her eyes dry

"I have been Daddy, I have been doing that", she said, nodding

"That's my big girl", I said, as her smile return to her face

We gave each other one last warm tight hug before I stood up to face Calli. She smiled sadly before I brought her into my arms giving her a comforting kiss as she returned it with love. "That's the one thing I miss about you the most", she said

"And to think it will be real, very soon", I said, stroking her cheek

I could now feel myself was pulling back from Calli's arms where a bright light was trying to bring me back to reality. "Goodbye Calli, goodbye Ellie, I love you both", I said, trying to hang on to her

"Goodbye is not forever, it's not the end, it will only mean we will miss you until we meet again", she said, holding my hands before kissing them softly with her lips "We love you too and we will see very soon, we will always be with you"

"Bye Daddy", Ellie said, waving

The light took me away as Calli and Ellie became harder to see as they disappeared into the light, then everything became dark. I grunted as I came back around and my eyes opened to see that I was where I had got knocked into unconsciousness near the edge of the cliff. I no longer felt the pain that was in my head after hitting and I never felt better than I have in months. I slowly got up to my feet sliding my backpack on to my shoulders and I continued on the trail with better confidence in myself. I continued hiking up the trail for about three more hours with the sun getting closer to heading behind the mountains making a pink and red canvas light up the blue sky. Every time I got tired or thought I couldn't make it on parts of the trail where it looked dangerous or risky, I looked back at proud moments of myself with the girls and my brothers and that what gave me the boost I needed to take to make it through. Soon after getting to the highest point I made it to the top of Mount Fuji, and all that time, six hours of hiking was well worth it.

I dropped my things to the ground as I walked towards the edge of the volcano to look at the magnificent view that it had to show. There was miles and miles of valleys of trees and smaller mountains and seeing everything made me feel I was at the top of the world. The fresh crisp air filled my lungs and the cool wet wind that blew against my face made me feel I had sprouted from the ground and grew into something amazing. Like I was born again. "You did it baby", a voice whispered

I turned to see Calli was beside me a few feet away with Ellie in her arms, with both of them smiling at me proudly. "Congratulations Daddy", Ellie said

"I couldn't have done it without the both of you", I said, softly

"We love you", Calli said

I smiled looking down briefly for a second before looking back up. "I love-", I said

But I cut myself off to see they had both vanished from my sight. It was just me again. But I knew that they were near by and I wasn't alone anymore. "I love you girls too", I said, softly

I then turned my attention back to the view taking in the beauty of nature and began to meditate, thinking about all that was accomplished today. I learned how to clear my mind, I made it through the toughest and dangerous of trails in the world and I finally got the chance to see my wife and daughter and just hold them in my arms once again. To me this was the best day that I have had since being here and I was looking forward to more with my stay here.

I stayed on the mountain top for about an hour before I made my way back on the trail to head back to the temple. It was much easier getting down the trail than going up and thank goodness it was because by the time I had reached the bottom the full moon was glowing brightly high up in the dark sky. I had made my way to the temple to meet Ancient One in the center of the temple meditating underneath a blossoming peach tree. "Ahhh you have returned Leonardo-san", he said, sensing my presence with his back to me

"Yes, I have", I said

"And how might has this trip been for you?", he asked, slowly getting up and facing me

"It wasn't easy, I will tell you that, but with the lesson that you taught me this morning it aided me well and with a little help from my family, the task has been accomplished", I said

"Well I am glad to know that you have learned the principles of the mind lesson", he said "You have performed admirably"

"It is honor to hear your words", I said

"No training tomorrow, you will be allowed to rest and heal", he said

"Arigato master", I said, bowing in respect

I retreated to my bunk for the evening to give myself some quiet relaxation, it's been quite awhile since I have had anytime to myself. Even though it was myself, it was nice for a change and I could be free to do what I want to do. And that would be to enjoy some hot tea that I made, relax in my bed and read one of the newest poetic books that Calli had sent me over seas that I have been dying to read.

I got about already half way through in two hours since I couldn't put it down when I heard my phone vibrate on my nightstand. I set my book down on my lap and I opened my phone up and a soft smile came to my face seeing who texted.

"Hey sweetie, are you free to talk? I miss your voice and Ellie is really looking forward to hearing you again? 3 3 3 Oh and she put the hearts"

I chuckled and I dialed Calli on my cell putting her on speaker. It ringed for a few seconds before I heard someone pick up. "Hello?", a sweet voice said

"Hey beautiful", I said, smiling

"Hi honey, it's so good to hear you again, it's so different without hearing you everyday", she said, sounding really happy

"I know its different not hearing you guys too", I said

"Daddy hi!", Ellie called out

"Hey munchkin", I said, chuckling "How are you?"

"Good! I kicked Uncle Raph's butt in training today!", she said

"Oh did you now? Awww wish I could of seen it", I said "See you told you could do it"

"It was funny!", she said, giggling

"I bet it was", I said, chuckling "You still being a good girl?"

"Yes Daddy", she said

"Ada girl", I said, with a smile

"How was training?", Calli asked

"Oh you wouldn't believe what I had gone through today, you are probably going to think I am crazy", I said

"Oh yeah? Well why don't you tell us?", she asked

"Yeah tell us Daddy!", Ellie said

"Oh I don't know, you guys might think it's not possible", I said, shrugging playing around

"Please daddy! Tell us!", Ellie said, begging in her voice

"Try us", Calli said, playing along with the joke

I knew she was smirking and I knew Ellie was going to be giving me the puppy eyes, and I then just chuckled heartedly. "Alright...well here how it goes", I said "It all started like this"