A/N: I am so overly joyed at the wonderful reviews! I'm so glad you're enjoying this piece so well. A question was posed for the last chapter. How does she know he's the eldest without being told. It's a cultural assumption. Traditionally the eldest son would undertake such a difficult journey.

I really hope you like this chapter! Bring on the fluff!


Japan

Leo cradled Amaya against his chest. "It's okay, I can walk." She protested for the fourth time, the fervent blush still painting her pale cheeks.

"No way, you twisted your ankle back there." Leo kept his eyes forward, trying desperately not to allow the sensation of the soft warm body pressed against him and the heavenly scent of flowers to overtake him.

"But I promised I wouldn't be a burden."

"Nonsense, you're not being a burden. And you're not walking on that ankle until the swelling's gone down." He said firmly.

At the base of the small mountain there was a waterfall and to its side was a winding path, overgrown but still visible. He set her on a large stone and bent to examine her injury. The swelling was starting to go down a bit. "Why don't you stay here and let the cold water heal your ankle. I'll go ahead and check things out."

For a split second, fear flickered in her features, to be replaced by a stoic solid nod. "Alright."

He hesitated as he stood. "Will you be okay here?"

She looked away. "Yes."

His guts twisted at the forlorn look she wore. Without thinking he reached out to brush a hand along her cheek. The soft sigh that left her sent his heart racing. "I'll be right back."

He drew his katana as he started up the path, trimming away the branches that overhung the trail. Why am I being so impulsive with her? What possessed me to think I could touch her like that? Then again, she didn't seem to mind.

It didn't take long for him to reach the village and find the grave makers. A wave of relief washed over him at the sight of the name Hamato on several of them. Not far away he found another set of markers baring the name Himura on them. This must be Amaya's family.

He decided it would be best to bring her up before preparing a place to bury Splinter. So, he returned to the waterfall to find Amaya sitting on the bank and her foot dangling into the water. She turned to gaze up at him. He looked down into the pale blue orbs that despite the fact they couldn't see, felt as though they could peer into every corner of his heart. "How is it?"

She pulled her foot from the water and ran her fingers gently over it. "A lot better. I think I can walk on it now."

He put a hand on her shoulder to stop her from getting up. "Let's have some lunch first." He pulled the paper sack from his duffle bag and handed her one of the rice balls.

They ate in quiet companionship for a while, savoring the warm sun. "Leonardo, what….?" She paused, not wanting to hurt or offend him.

He sighed. "You want to know what I am, right?"

Her head dropped some. "I just wish to understand. You are no kappa. I would have sensed that right from the start."

He hadn't expected to have to tell their story and a part him still feared her rejection. But she wanted to know and so he told her. He told her of the mysterious ooze and how it had transformed them as well as Splinter. He told her of the vendetta between his master and Oroku Saki. He didn't look at her as he spoke, not wanting to see the disgust in her face. When he fished he sat quietly staring at the half eaten carrot in his hand.

"Such a hard life, no wonder your soul bares so many scars."

He looked up at her in time to see her wipe away a tear. His heart skipped a beat. She was shedding tears for him. His voice held wonderment when he spoke. "Amaya…"

She stood. "It's time to go."

He stood, replacing the paper bag in his duffle. "Yes. Are you sure you can walk?"

She smiled. "If you'll let me lean on you."

He smiled as well. Taking one of her small delicate hands in his, he pulled her a step closer. "Of course."

He felt himself blush as she wrapped her warm hands around one of his large muscular arms. Together they ascended the path that led to the village. After asking her parents' names, he found the correct marker. She knelt beside it and placed her palms together with a soft prayer. He left her there momentarily to retrieve a plank of wood to use as marker for Splinter. As he carved his name into it in the traditional kanji, he felt there was a kind of irony that this wood marker would bare his father's true name.

Taking out a shovel, he dug a small hole deep enough for the urn. He could feel the lump grow in the back of his throat again as he looked at the vessel. Amaya's warm hand landed gently on his shoulder. "May I say a prayer for your father?"

His voice quivered in spite of every effort he made not to let it. "Yes, please."

She knelt beside him, placing her palms together as before and began to pray. He mimicked her actions, praying for his father to rest in peace. And then they sat in silence, the wind swirling around them and rustling the trees above. Somewhere nearby two Turtle Doves sang softly their contentment above.

He bit back the tears that wanted to spring to his eyes. He had to be strong for his brothers, for his family. Never show your weakness. He chanted in his head as he covered the urn in soil.

Then something happened, so unexpected yet so amazing. Amaya wrapped her arms around his neck. He stiffened for a moment as she spoke softly in his ear. "Your soul is in so much agony. It's time to release it. Share your pain with me."

He dropped his head to her shoulder as silent sobs racked him. His arms came up to embrace her and draw her nearer. Never before had he been able to express such emotion in the presence of another. He had been groomed to be cool and calm under pressure, never to show uncertainty or fear. When the tears at last slowed and he took in deep lungfuls of air, he spoke. "I'm afraid…"

She continued to hold him as she whispered. "Of what?"

"I'm afraid that I won't be what they need me to be. I'm afraid of making mistakes that can never be fixed. I'm afraid I will never be able to fill our father's shoes."

She sat back and he looked down at her. Unshed tears glistened in her eyes. She cupped his face gently. "Your fear is unfounded. No one can ask more of you than that you do your best. Every son feels he will never amount to his father, yet what you don't realize is every life is different. Each brings with it its own challenges and own rewards. He may have been an expert at his life, but that does not make him an expert at yours. You must follow your own path."

Leo blinked at her as Splinter's words echoed in his mind. "We must each choose our own path." He suddenly felt as if a heavy weight had lifted from his heart. He bowed to her. "Thank you, Amaya."

She smiled sadly as little droplets of rain landed in her hair. He looked up at the sky. He hadn't realized it had grown dark with rain clouds. More droplets fell to splash upon his head and roll down onto his shoulders. "We should find shelter." He rose, taking her hands and pulling her to her feet. Giving Splinter's grave one last look, he turned away towards the abandoned village.

The sky gave a crack of thunder as it shed its tears upon the couple. They were both drenched by the time they located a hut with most of its roof still intact. Leo built a small fire with what dry wood he could find.

Amaya shivered and he frowned. "Are you cold?"

"Just a bit." She fibbed. In truth she was very cold as she was soaked to the bone. The heavy fabric of her kimono clung to her.

He watched her shiver again as she tried to sit a little straighter on the debris strewn floor. "I'm sorry I don't have anything to cover you with. But if you'd like I can help warm you up."

She blushed, wondering exactly what he meant. She gave a tentative nod. "Alright." He moved to sit behind her and pull her gently back into his chest. Her blush intensified as his arms wrapped around her. "What are you doing?"

A small blush of his own tinted his cheeks. "The fastest way to warm you is to share our body heat."

"Oh." She leaned deeper into him, closing her eyes. "Aren't you cold?"

"The cold doesn't affect us like it does humans. I think it has something to do with our mutation." He smiled down at the top of her head as a soft sigh left her.

"I see." For a long moment they sat quietly, enjoying the sound of the rain and the crackle of the fire. It was a rare peaceful moment, the world slipping away. Amaya was reluctant to disturb it, but a worry was pressing her mind and heart. "Will you be going home now?"

He nodded slowly. "Yes, I've done what I came to do. And I've already stayed far too long."

She didn't open her eyes as she spoke, but he could sense her watching him. "How will you get there? America is so far away."

"I'll have to catch a flight headed for New York, which is going to be a bit tricky since I didn't plan on staying this long and so I don't know what the schedule looks like for the next few days." He laughed. "I don't suppose you have internet way out here."

She lifted her head slightly from its place on his shoulder, tilting it to one side. "Internet? I've heard the villagers speak of it before, but I have never used it. I haven't had a need for it."

He understood. Besides the fact that she led a simple life out here amongst the mountains, she likely was not able to use a computer without some special adaptations; which again would be hard to come by out here.

"I'd be willing to find out for you, if you'd like." She winked conspiratorially. "I believe Master Shinta has a computer tucked away somewhere."

He chuckled. "All I really need is a Wi-Fi connection. Do you have a library in your village?"

She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "There is only the library at the school, but perhaps it would suit your needs."

"Yes, I think-" He paused as something caught his attention. "What's that noise? Is that thunder?"

Amaya listened and her eyes grew wide with panic. "No, it's a rock slide and it's getting closer!"

He shot to his feet, grabbing Amaya and his duffle bag. They ran outside into the driving rain. He gasped at the sight that met him. It looked like half the mountain was about to fall on their heads. He pulled Amaya into his arms as he turned and tried to outrun the deadly tidal wave of rocks and debris. He sped down the path, but the sound grew louder as it got closer.

Relief washed over him as they came in sight of the bottom of the mountain. But it vanished as small pebbles began to hit his shell. He clutched her tighter to him as he dove under a small rocky overhang. She covered her head as he tried to shield her with as much of his body as he could. Gradually the sound faded until it was nothing more than the pitter-patter of rain.

Slowly he stood, glancing around. "I think it's over." He looked down at the young woman he had become so fond of over the past day. That was way too close. If anything had happened to her, I'd never forgive myself. He took her hand and helped her up. "Are you alright?"

She dusted herself off. "Yes. What about you? Are you injured?"

He chuckled. "Nothing a little turtle wax can't fix." She gave him a crocked smile, obviously not understanding the joke. He shook his head. "Never mind. I'm fine, but it's getting late and the rain has finally stopped. We should head back, before it gets too dark."

He took her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. She smiled as he led her the last few feet down the mountain path and began their journey back. When they reached the stream, he lifted her into his arms and waded across before letting her down again and taking her hand once more. They had made it nearly back to the village when voices began ringing through the forest.

They paused in the pale dusk light to listen. She clung to his arm. "The villagers are looking for me."

Worry for her safety washed over him. "They shouldn't find me with you." If they did there was no telling what they might try to do to him, or worse to her.

Amaya bit her lip. Determination etched in her face. "Go on then. I know the way from here."

She felt him brush her cheek again and she shivered. His touch sent her blood rushing as it had earlier in the day and made her ache for more of it. Without a sound, he jumped into the trees and disappeared from view. Within moments she was surrounded by the young shrine maidens.

"We've been looking for you everywhere."

"Master Shinta has been worried."

"Where have you been?"

"I'm sorry. I went for a walk and lost my way." It perhaps wasn't the truth, but it was something they would easily believe.

Leo watched as the young women that surrounded her lead her back up to the shrine. He followed at a distance. What was it about Amaya that made him want to lose himself? She seemed to draw to the surface the parts of him, no one else could –the parts he had learned to suppress over his lifetime. He watched as Master Shinta rushed out to greet her. They spoke softly and returned inside together. Leo found a place in a tree near the room she'd occupied the night before.

He sighed as he waited. Why was he waiting for her, instead of leaving that very minute? To say goodbye. I owe her that much. His heart twisted at the thought. Something inside him screamed not to leave her. But I can't take her home with me. I mean we aren't even a couple. His chest tightened again as the voice replied. Why not? Why can't I take her, if she wants to go? There it was. Was he bold enough to ask this woman he had only just met to come home with him, to be with him?

The truth was he didn't know. But what he did know was the thought of leaving her made his heart ache in a way he'd never felt before. A shadow moved inside the room and he silently slipped down the tree and onto the porch beside the open shoji screen. "Amaya?" Inside he could see her knelt with her back to him. He frowned as he saw her swiping furiously at the tears streaming her face. He walked quietly forward to sit in front of her. "Amaya, what's wrong?"

She continued to swipe at the still streaming tears. "I'm sorry. My behavior is unbecoming of a woman my age. I act like a foolish child."

He caught her hands and pressed them tightly between his. "Please tell me, why are you crying?"

She took a deep breath. "Leonardo, do you believe in fate?"

"I…" He paused unsure of how to answer.

She lowered her head a bit. "The old ones say that certain souls are forever bound by the red string of fate regardless of time or space. And that we are connected to them no matter where the other is."

He sighed. "Before last night, I might have questioned that, but now…" He lifted her chin and stroked his large thumb along her cheek. "Yes, I believe."

She threw her arms around his neck and sobbed into his shoulder. "The very thought of you leaving, makes my heart feel like it's being ripped out of my chest."

He closed his eyes as he wrapped her tightly in his arms, his own heart breaking. "Tell me what to do, what to say. I'll do anything. Just please stop crying."

She took a few deep breaths, regaining control of her raging emotions. But she did not release him. Instead she turned her face to bury it in his neck. The whisper that followed made his heart skip a beat. "Take me with you."

He tightened his grip on her. "You'd go with me? But we've barely known each other a day."

"But it feels like a hundred lifetimes."

He sighed. "Yes, but Master Splinter would never-" He fell silent as she sat back and pressed her fingers to his lips.

"What would Leonardo do?"

He wrapped her again in an even tighter embrace. "Oh, Amaya…"

Suddenly the shoji screen leading into the shrine was pushed aside. Master Shinta stood, staring at them for a moment, taking in the scene before him. He'd been listening for some time.

Leo couldn't prevent the small possessive growl that left him as he tried to pull Amaya deeper still into his chest. How had the man snuck up on them? The priest eyed them for a long moment before stepping in and closing the screen behind him. There was sadness in his eyes as he spoke. "If what you have said is true, then you should go Amaya. I will not keep you here."

She sat back. "Master?"

"May I ask though, where is it you intend to go?"

The old priest and Leo locked eyes. "My home is in New York."

"And when do you propose to leave?"

Leo frowned. "As soon as possible. I have a bad feeling about something."

Master Shinta seemed to measure the turtle with his gaze. He gave a heavy sigh. "If it is true that your souls are bound, then I have no right to interfere with fate. Is this what you truly desire Amaya to be with this….man?"

She squeezed Leo's hand. "I have never been more certain of anything in my life."

"And what of you, stranger? Is this what you desire?"

Leo looked down at the beautiful creature in his arms. It was undeniable that he wanted this. He knew there were so many reasons why he shouldn't. He had so many responsibilities already. But at the moment none of those reasons seemed to matter. It was time for him to choose his path. "Yes, more than anything."

The priest nodded. "Then it is my duty to help you. Wait here." He left the room and Leo shifted nervously.

She smiled up at him. "Don't worry. He won't tell anyone."

He smiled as well. He stroked a hand through her long dark hair. "You understand then…that I love you, right?"

"Yes, as I love you."

He lifted her chin and kissed her softly. She leaned into him, allowing him to control the pace and depth. It was a bit timid at first, tender and sweet. He lingered, devouring her luscious lips – their soft texture and warmth. Then she parted her lips and he delved inside. She tasted of berries. A soft sigh left her, sending a shiver down his spine. He at last released her mouth and she tucked her head under his chin.

He chuckled lightly. "This is so unlike me. Raph's the impulsive one."

"It's not impulsive when it is meant to be." She held on to him a little tighter.

"But you're sure you want me, even knowing what I am?"

"Yes, it is your heart and soul that I love. It matters not what the outside looks like. Besides," a small mischievous grin lit upon her lips, "I like the outside too."

He chuckled again as the door was slid open and Master Shinta stepped inside. He carried in one hand an old cloak, which he handed to Leo. "I have asked a favor of friend. He will take you to Osaka. And he will ask you no questions." He knelt beside Amaya and reached out to take her hands. "Know that you are always welcome here. You have been like a daughter to me, Amaya. I will truly miss you."

"Thank you, Master Shinta. You too have been like a father to me. I will never forget all you have done for me and all you have taught me."

"Take these." He handed her a set of prayer beads. "They belonged to my master before me. They will keep you safe."

She clutched them to her chest. "Thank you. I will cherish them."

"Now, if you intend to go. You must hurry. I have arranged for my friend to meet you at the school." He pulled a slip of paper from his shirt. "Also, here is a list of flights that will be leaving in the next few hours." As he handed the paper to Leo, he locked eyes with him once more. "Take care of her."

"With my life." Leo swore.

Master Shinta seemed pleased with his response and turned back to the young woman. "Be happy, child. Goodbye."

She nodded as a tear slipped from her eye. "Goodbye, Master Shinta."

With that the man left the room. Amaya stood and crossed the room to an old trunk. He followed and watched as she pulled out a small object wrapped in cloth. "What's that?"

She unwrapped it and showed it to him. It was a photo in a small metal frame, no bigger than the palm of her hand. The frame was scorched but the picture relatively unharmed. It was of a woman and a man holding a small baby. "I have very little to remind me of my family. It may be a bit silly, because I can't even see it. But knowing it's there, gives me some peace."

Leo fit it easily into his bag. "Is there anything else you want to bring?"

She shook her head. "No, I need nothing else."

He helped her gently to her feet and pulled on the cloak. Taking her hand, they stepped out into the moonless night. "Then it's time to go home." He said as they headed for their rendezvous.


A/N: Phew that was a long chapter. And there's so much more to come. Please review, I'm just finding them so awesome!