Chapter 2: Remember Me
"Ever wondered if you were going to die? Ever felt like it was going to be today?" Leo asked Master Splinter as they drank their morning tea.
"Many times, and yet something has always changed the outcome," Master Splinter replied.
"I feel it…Sensei…I won't live to see my twentieth birthday…I just know," Leo whispered, glancing down at his tea.
"Do not talk of such things my son. Don't dwell on such thoughts. You are young and strong, you will live to be an old man," Master Splinter chided.
"Of course Sensei," Leo whispered before standing and bowing as he turned to place his cup in the sink.
~*~
Raph stood still, staring into the dark room, remembering the brother that had once snapped at them for entering it. Slowly he reached along the wall, pausing as he felt the light switch, waiting, waiting for that famous "What are you doing?" from Leo.
Then, slowly he flicked the light on and stood blinking as he stared at the wall facing him.
There in his brother's handwriting were painted these words:
Remember me,
Remember me when you feel your heart fail, the wind blows cold, and the world seems to have passed you by…
I'll still be there in the end, a shadow may take the strangest forms, the world my seem to fade, but I am there, I will always watch out for those I love…
Remember me as the brother not simply the leader…
Remember me as the closet writer, poet, and artist…
Remember me as the watchful guardian…
Take note of the dreams that lay scattered across this room and remember…
That I…
I am Leonardo.
Raph walked over and touched the lettering, a single tear streaming down his cheek, that night none of them had even looked around the forbidden room, they had simply wept as Leo lay still. Now as he looked around he saw the painted murals, simple, but full of meaning, meant to be seen and thought about, not gawked over. Designed not to be seen unless they are being looked for.
The code of Bushido was above Leo's bed in Kanji. Haiku littered the walls some in Romanji (western writing) others in kanji. Rough sketches adorned the walls of…them…them doing katas, laughing, simply standing together. The main mural though consisted of a landscape that could only be Japan, the mountains and mists of the Ancient One's home. Then it seemed to melt into the jungle's of South America, jaguars crept along the branches, birds fluttered across the painted sky and a faint sunset glimmered through the trees.
Everything was painted in sepia tones, meant to blend with the tan walls at first glance. Then Raph saw it the stack of papers held together by colored ribbons and felt himself freeze.
"Raph? What are you…woah…" Don's voice trailed off as he stopped halfway into the room and saw it for what it was.
Raph slowly turned toward Leo's bed, the sheets had been cleaned and returned before the room had been shut up, but even so they bore the tail-tell signs of being stained by their master's blood. A faint trace, just barely there.
A soft beep alerted both of them to the computer on Leo's desk, a small, battered laptop. It had been Don's first salvage job, he had supposedly thrown it away after April helped him upgrade to a new laptop, apparently Leo had found it and made use of it.
The top was closed, but still…somehow they knew that they needed to open it.
"I'll call April and Casey," Don whispered.
Raph nodded and turned slowly to exit the room after Don, he paused momentarily when the faint sent of orchids, lotus blooms, and sandal wood flittered through his nostrils.
"Leo," he whispered, turning, half hoping to catch a glimpse of his brother.
Then he turned and for the first time in three years he walked into his father's room, knelt before him and waited.
"Raphael," Master Splinter coaxed as he gently lifted his son's chin and sought his son's gaze.
"It's time…to…Leo want's to show us something…his room…there are clues everywhere…I think he left us something," Raph whispered.
Master Splinter placed a hand on Raph's shoulder and sighed.
"He always looked after us didn't he?" Master Splinter whispered.
Raph managed a slight nod.
Two hours later the small family stood within Leo's room as Raph slowly opened the computer. A simple message popped onto the screen.
Read the letters first, then hit enter…learned a few things from you Don…thanks…
Don sniffed and hastily wiped a tear away. Raph turned and lifted the ribbon bound papers and turned to hand them out.
Master Splinter,
Please don't ask yourself how things could have been different, the day I asked you about death, I knew I didn't have long. I simply knew. So here I write a few things, left you all a message and hope you can learn to remain the family I loved. Mikey has nightmares, he might need someone to talk to after…what ever happens. Don needs pulling out of his lab from time to time, encourage him to eat, sometimes he forgets to. Tell Raph that he, he is still the passion of this family and I expect him to remain that way.
But to you Sensei I simply ask you to be strong for them, read my journal and the writings I've done, if you want, I'd ask you'd even frame a few of my artworks, but you don't have to. It's your choice.
My only true request is that my room not be locked, that my brothers would be allowed to come in here if they seek comfort from anything. I may be gone in body but I will do my best to still watch over all of you.
Thank you Sensei for everything you've taught me, for being the best father anyone could ask for.
-Leonardo.
Raphael,
Quick moping around and bring life back to this family. I leave to you the role of the leader and big brother. it's a heavy burden to carry but I know you can do it. Let Mike come in when he has his nightmares, sometimes all he needs is to be held. Make sure Don finishes the new inventions he starts, and eats for that matter.
Please for the love of all things alive don't put yourself in danger just to avenge me. I'll have to haunt you or something. Make sure Master Splinter drinks the special tea I make him, it helps with his arthritis and such. The recipe is at the bottom. Do me a favor and light the candles for me in the dojo every morning and blow them out before you go to bed.
Love you bro,
-Leo.
Donatello,
Quit avoiding everyone. I mean it. Even if no one understand what you're talking about, tell them. Trust me, they'll still listen. Feed the birds for me in central park, replant the orchids in the flower bed by the pond. Make something that explodes for goodness sake. Anything…as long as no one gets hurt in the process. There's a journal for you under my bed, use it.
Remember to keep learning and exploring. Its not you if you don't do so. Trust me on this bro, try the tea recipe at the bottom, I'm pretty sure you'll like it as much as coffee, maybe more so (I can hope right?). Stand firm when Raph gets upset, he won't back down if you constantly duck and avoid him. He doesn't mean to bully, that's just how he is. For everyone else's sake please teach Mikey some sort of lesson on not blowing things up or not touching things. Take it easy, be you, and don't hide.
Love ya' bro,
-Leo.
Michaelangelo,
Stay the joy of this family, keep them laughing. I ask that you convince Master Splinter to let you get another cat, personally I miss Klunk and I know you do. Try not to make Raph mad just for the sake of it, but make them laugh Mike, for me, make them laugh. Don't dwell over what happened, what ever it was, just keep the joy alive around you.
Never grow up, don't lose the childlike innocence that kept me smiling. Read your comics and play your games but know when its time to be an adult, that I know you can do so. Show everyone the way back from despair and grief bro…please give them joy again. There are a stack of comics under my bed for you, and a box full of some art supplies, take care of them and use them.
Love ya' bro,
-Leo.
Raph sat still as the other finished and looked nervously at the computer.
They all looked at him as he waited, at each of their nods he prepared to press the button. Then with a deep sigh he pressed it and waited as the computer hummed to life and music started up.
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