Author's note
Hello everybody, thanks for the reviews on chapter one! To keep at bay the cabin fever threatening to get me at some point, MORE WRITING! Smaller chapter today though…
I own nothing of the TMNT Universe, if I did I would not have slaved away so many hours of my life on evil math homework.
A comb? Raph wasn't sure of what he saw, because Leonardo realized he wasn't alone anymore at that very moment and the strange object was quickly hidden from the world.
"Hey Raph, couldn't sleep either?"
"Um… no… well I wanted to talk with you a bit…" He did want to talk with his brother, but was not sure if he should ask about the comb-like thing he thought he just saw "Why the shell would Leo have a comb of all things?" he pondered internally.
"What did you want to talk about?" Trying to sound natural, Leo hoped Raph had not seen what he had been holding in his hands mere seconds ago. "Why though? I have nothing to be ashamed of…"
"How was your stay in Japan?" Raph decided not to ask any questions about the comb, not yet anyway. He felt in his heart that the peace in his brother's eyes what somewhat fragile. But he did see peace in those silvery-grey orbs, for the first time in years maybe.
"It was very nice, Japan is as beautiful as we imagined it would be when we were little. The Ancient One lives in a temple far into the Akaishi Mountains, quite the change from this view" said Leo, pointing to the still bustling city, even in the middle of the night. "But I'm glad to be back, I missed you guys".
"We missed you too…" That statement almost a whisper. "I'm happy you're yourself again, not gonna lie you were being really weird six months ago".
"I know… and I'm sorry. Things were, complicated…" Leo sighed, his gaze lost in the distance. Raph took that as his cue that maybe there would not be much talking tonight. Although he and Leo fought a lot, he knew when it was better to leave his brother be. So they sat together in a comfortable silence, watching their beloved city. After maybe a half-hour, Raph decided to head back inside.
"You coming bro?"
"In a little while, think I'm jet-lagged because I don't feel sleepy at all yet"
"Okay, cool. Goodnight anyway." As if on cue, Raph yawned those last words and made his way back inside.
Leo remained where he was, his mind quickly lost to memories again. Long evenings chatting away, drinking beer and listening to music like a normal teenager. No big brother responsibilities, no one to please or to lead or planet to save. Just a quiet routine of lighter training then what he was used to and leading a much less cramped and quite enjoyable life. Guilt rose it's ugly head again. He would have to talk about his stay in Japan in detail with his family at some point. How surprised they would be, hopefully in a good way. But for now, he wanted to selfishly keep those moments to himself, the remembrance of a life without his brothers. One he found he enjoyed too much to ever admit to anyone.
"Well, there might be one person I would admit it to…" Memories of long raven hair, a silk cherry red kimono with a silver flowery pattern, warm and gentle dark chocolate eyes and a smooth and pale spring green skin flooded his mind. The subtle perfume of ajisai flowers filled his nose again, even if it was only his imagination, it felt nice. He unwrapped the comb once more. It was an antique geisha hair piece, made of silver, with willow tree branches and sakura flowers engraved on the upper part. She had given it to him, as a memento of their time together. Knowing how precious it was to her, the last piece of her old life, he was deeply touched by the gesture. He would bring it back to her, in person.
For now, he had much to do in New York. Built a new home for his family and make sure the Foot (and Karai) would stay at bay. When they were settled, then he would tell them all about Japan. About the secret in the Akaishi Mountains, about those who lived up there.
Maybe, just maybe, he would tell them about her.
The first thing in his life that truly and entirely belonged to him.
His first love secret.