DISCLAIMER: While I wish SO HARD upon the stars to have 4 beautiful turtles to be at my beck and call, they are and will never be mine. They belong to their rightful owner/s.

"We don't have much time, Leo."

Leonardo could only look at the door intently. Unsure yet determined.

And April took his silence as a sign to go through the next phase.

She knocked.

Chapter 2: Anata

"Haitte Kuru." A faint voice from the other side answered.

April opened the heavy door and she and Leonardo stepped inside.

The Grand Room of the Consul building would have been more beautiful should the lights of the chandelier is switched on. But instead, four corners of the lamps at the main sitting area are the only ones lighted, bathing only 1 part of what could have been a massive, elegant space. But it will only hinder the purpose of this meeting, which had to be met with secrecy. And the beauty of the room is of no matter to the figure that greeted the 2 visitors. A girl, with her eyes downcast and half-lidded, her whole being softly illuminated by the lights.

While in the news televised she is impeccably dressed in western business attire, often guided by her entourage, now, she is in her full, decorated state and not flanked by the presence of her court. A rare privilege for someone considered to be protected with ' the highest order'. And rightfully so. The black kimono, desiged with white chrysanthemums and river waves cascading from her sleeves, pooling by the edges with fine, silk fabric. A hint of red lining covering her feet but high enough for a peek of her lacquered geta, made Leonardo and April take a short breath in awe. He allowed himself to be overtaken by her, in her royal garb, her short blunt bob swept and tucked revealing her oval face, her fine features unmarred and flawless, like her time at the sewers did not exist. Save for her eyes, whereas it could have been shades of brown, blue or green hue, were 2 pinpoints of gray, a stark contrast to the normalcy of her stance.

She is every bit of a royal Empress.

The figure bowed, with April and Leonardo following suit.

"Thank you Miss O'Neil." Her voice, with a lilt of an accent, "I am grateful for your cooperation till the end." Her lips curled into the softest of smiles and April bowed again.

"You're welcome." She turned around and whispered to Leonardo before she disappeared behind the big door. "Just talk to her. Good Luck Leo."

He nodded, his heart now beating like a hummingbird.

The great door clicked and they are now alone.

The Empress felt the atmosphere lightened slightly as the room has one less presence. She felt Leonardo's energy eased but still guarded. She is scared, no….frightened, for this strong feeling is beyond what she knew.

But if only to quiet the roaring waves that is her heart, she will face this and hopefully find peace.

She took a small breath, as if she were in many of the speeches required of her to make whenever she comes to a town, a charity event or small village for a tour.

"I'm glad you came, my dear friend." She began. "I was worried you wouldn't come. Or refuse to see me..." As she spoke the last sentence, she felt the strength of her speech went out from her, revealing the true emotion of her brief greeting to her friend…her dear friend. Leonardo took a step forward, shocked and bewildered by what she said.

But still maintaining composure, he ran a hand behind his neck, feigning a casual, friendly tone.

"Yeh, well. no problem. It is probably for the best, before…."

...you say goodbye.

He left that part out but she caught on what he meant. She always does.

The sadness that was just a flicker, now became a fanning flame, each second growing. He bowed his head, though knowing fully well she does not see the glimmer of tears that are about to spill from his eyes.

He finally gathered his strength. He kneeled before her and bowed his head.

"…..I am so sorry." Came a soft whisper from him. He blinked, still fighting the tears that are about to break. Though he is close to losing that battle, to cover his face with his hands and let his sadness flow freely, he still kept to his composure. Keeping his head bowed. Avoiding her eyes.

The gray orbs blinked. "Leonardo.." she began gently, taking a careful step forward towards the voice that is filled with sorrow. The cordial mannerism that she maintains as a front for the public is discarded, as she feels the weight of the apology uttered. She could only feel the growing thickness of the air, making it hard to breathe, and her heart began to drum its waves louder.

She yearned for him. She sought the source of light of her lonely, eternal darkness. And she took another step, and another. Until she felt the heat emanating from a presence in front of her. She could smell the familiar mix of incense and grit, a natural scent that is evident throughout their warm underground home in her time of temporary shelter with her protectors. If she concentrated even more, beyond her heart, the calm breath that he releases and the slight rub of leather and steel, she could hear his heartbeat.

The air became even more thick with unspoken words, but it still screams loudly beyond their silenced prison:

"I can't give you the life you wanted. You may say that now…but you will regret- I am not…normal. I am not what you seem I am to be. It is unnatural, it is not the ideal. It will never work. We cannot be together. We cannot. I cannot place this burden on you, it is unfair, unjust..."

The Empress gave a small but sad smile, echoing the pain of the reality that threatens to disrupt the remaining fragile bond that both hold, and before he knew it, she kneeled as she placed one hand on his cheek. As if to add the strength to that fragile string left between them. She relished the warm, rough skin, reflecting the vulnerability of him.

"I know. " Came a response, full of wisdom and warmth. And she meant it, that and more. Even if her heart is twisted in pain.

"H-how..~ ? Leonardo's head rose from his bow and looked at The Empress in disbelief.

Despite her disability, Leonardo had never felt ever more exposed.

Her other hand clasped with his firmly, not wanting to let go anytime soon, and Leonard is grateful for the little contact. She looked at him in the eyes, unseeing, yet still, the warrior can pinpoint flicker of emotions that seem to shimmer and glow under the low lamp lights of the grand room.

"From the first moment I held your gloved hand when you led me down the tunnel, I knew, you are different….I may be blind, Leonardo, but the other 4 senses made up for my loss of sight. Not once have I questioned the bond we share. For I knew what we have is far more precious."

Her hand that never left his cheek, suddenly moved, and found its place on his lips. A finger gently tracing his lips.

"Your spirit, your soul….it shines brighter beyond the physical realm. Your life of servitude to the city you sworn to protect, grants you the freedom to see the world that I cannot and most probably never will. You lead with honor, silent yet strong…..and that is what draws me to you. That's what makes you who you are. Not a turtle, not a human, but you, Leonardo."

Her words struck deep, a flurry of happiness wrapped around him for a moment, allowing him a sliver of peace of a question that he longed for an answer since the day they met.

But it was short-lived. For the reality looms ever so closely and such rash actions he had planned earlier was discarded.

"I'm sorry Raph." Leonardo thought sadly. Thinking about his brother's words earlier.

"…..Except." He closed his eyes, bracing himself. "- You have to return to the duties you are called for. This life you lead…" His voice broke but then he suddenly composed himself.

He heard a small sigh, and with a small voice,

"-does not call for yearning of ordinary life…or allowing me to be with the man of my choice. I belong to the state, I belong to my country, I belong to my people. A life of servitude." She finished the last statement for him.

"At the end of the day," She continued. "...you realize the sacrifice that needs to be made…for the benefit of honor and good. Giving up my happiness, for the happiness of my people, is the risk I am willing to take."

He felt his castle in the sky slowly dissipating. She spoke the truth. And it hurts. Greatly.

"Yes." He agreed, intertwining his hold of her hand with his fingers and the other on his cheek, the boundaries of their space slowly closing.

"Yes." She echoed him. "We are the same. Which is why…"

"We are meant for one another…" Both said.

That subtle admission. Delicate yet powerful. It was all they both needed to know.

Several minutes of silence reigned between them as they breathe in whatever memory they can keep. They both knew that time is precious…and in a few minutes, the Empress' entourage would be arriving and there is only so much that they can take in.

Taking joy to feel the caress of her fingers on his lips, he could smell the rich perfumes of the flower that graced her attire, and it will surely haunt him for the rest of his life.

And she, the thrill of feeling the soft texture of his cheeks and lips against her hand, that if she wasn't within the confines of limited time and space, she would do what a woman would to a man she loves. She brought her hand, which is holding his, to her lips and kissed it. It was a bold move on her part, but her heart aches to be relieved of the pain of the impending separation to the man…yes, MAN, she loves.

Leonardo felt the flutter of her act, and he heard the last of his composure in his heart shatter, and without another word, gathered her in his arms and held her as tight as he could, keeping mind of her fragility. The Empress, equally broken, finally released a short sob as she buried her face on the man's chest, hearing his heartbeat, fast and erratic. Her arms wound around his neck, feeling the slivers of rough texture of his carapace, the cloth of the bandana that trails from the knot at the back of his head, the smell of incense and grit intensified as she felt the wetness of his cheek, his tears mingling with her own.

They both held onto each other. Not knowing who will end the embrace and they both knew that each would not want to.

"Leonardo of the Hamato clan, " The Empress whispered in his ear. "I will never forget you for as long as I live."

Leonardo closed his eyes and breathe the scent of her hair. "I too, your highness."

"Ayu. Call me Ayu."

The turtle smiled from his tears and moved his lips to her ear. "I will never forget you for as long as I live. You have my word as a warrior, a protector and friend, Ayu."

Comforted by those words at the same time, both released their hold from each other.

Before he can say anything else, a knock interrupted their reverie. And April quietly appeared from the heavy Grand Door.

"Leo?" Her face showed caution, as if she didn't want to interrupt the fragile atmosphere. But both knew it must be done. "It is time." The Empress felt the vision shifted to her. "Your entourage is on their way." She added, with a tint of apology in her voice.

She nodded. Her heart sinking. But she stood unshaken, composed.

"Thank you Miss O'Neil." She reached out a hand, and April gave it a little squeeze and then let go.

Leonardo nodded at April's expectant gaze and then looked at Ayu one last time, grasping her hands again and brought them up, kissing them. He held them to his heart, and leaned down to touch his forehead against hers, relishing the last of her warmth.

"No Farewells, anata." She whispered.

He nodded, letting go of her hands and took a step back, not wanting to leave his eyes on her.

Her eyes blinked as the last of his scent slowly sinks to her memory, and for a moment, Leonard saw glistening of unshed tears, but it is difficult to tell from the gray orbs that are looking back at him.

To him, they are not empty, they are full.

And with that, as quickly as they came, 2 presences are gone. Their warmth quickly disappearing in the the darkness, in the great vastness of the grand room.

Author's Notes:

With the passing of Robin William's death, I dedicate this Chapter for him.

I'm sorry if this seems so sad. And I cannot promise that it will get any better. Stay tuned for the next one.

Terminology:

Haitte Kuru - it means 'Come in.' in Japanese.

Geta - traditional Japanese slippers.

Anata - 'you' in japanese. But this is also a term of endearment for 'love, darling, dearest'.