She knows how it works but it's still amazing to her. Amber departs on her plane from Narita International Airport, Tokyo at six am on Saturday. She's now pulling up to her Storefront doorsteps at seven-thirty am on this same morning. Exiting from the cab however, she still feels each tiring moment of her twelve-hour flight. She steps through the threshold, and breaths in the familiar smell of her bookstore. Exhaling, she drops all of her luggage by the counter and heads toward her apartment stairs. She'll take care of those stupid bags later.

"Mornin' Amber." A raspy voice whispers to her from the center of the shop.

In the dim morning light, she can barely make out the mutant turtle lying across the old velvet sofa. Amber walks over to see Raphael wrapped up in a thin blanket. He's resting a book over his chest. There are empty cans of Sprite and a plate of pizza crusts on the end table. She smiles warmly down on him. "Good morning, Raphael. I'm home."

"Not yet." He says. He stands quickly allowing book and blanket to fall and pulls her into his arms. He breathes a sigh, nuzzling her hair. "Now you're home."

How swiftly he makes her heart melt. "I've missed you so much Raphie."

"I missed you more Amber, so much more." He kisses her forehead trailing down to the tip of her nose and fully on her lips. Relief washes over him, finally able to feel her slight weight against him. "I'm so glad you're back. Don't you ever leave for that long again, ya hear me?"

She hugs him tighter, smiling into his shoulder. "I promise. I almost went crazy without you."

"I kinda did."

She pulls back to look at him. "Really? And what about everyone else? How have they been?"

"Yeah, I been survivin'. Everyone else been doin' a lot better that me but still… Wait… look at you!" He squints his eyes at her. "Your hair. It's bone straight. Why'd ya do it?."

"I know you don't like it but it was my coping mechanism. In Japan, it doesn't matter if you have black, blonde, or blue hair, it's all straight, not curly like mine. I'm five inches taller and six shades darker than everyone over there. I had to fit in somehow. You forgive me?" She kisses his cheek.

"Yeah, I guess I forgive ya. But you ain't in Japan anymore. I think it's time to wash that straight hair away, don't you?" Raphael says as he moves to cradle her hips in his hands. "You want me to help you wash it away?"

She wraps her hands around his neck, giving him a grin. "Hmm, I'd really like it if you'd help me."

Raphael lifts her and jogs upstairs to their apartment. The lights are low and the space is quiet. They hurry into their bathroom. She closes the door behind them and Raphael scoops her up in his arms again and kisses her deeply. He then unbuttons her shirt and unzips her pants. She unties his bandana and unbuckles his belt. With building fervor they tackle each other's mouths, caressing bare back and ridged shell. Raphael turns on the shower with one hand and undoes her bra with the other. He kisses her again and runs his tongue all over the front of her body and kisses her belly. She rubs his wandering head in delight as he nips at the lining of her red lace panties.

"Raph." Amber whispers over the sound of the water spraying.

"Hmm?" He looks up at her. He likes everything he sees. It is amazing to Raphael, watching her hair morph from straight to curly in the steamy mist of the shower. Japan is being shed away and Amber is appearing fully before his eyes.

"I've waited long enough. I can't wait anymore. " She says softy.

He smiles and leans his forehead on her thigh. "Just a few minutes more." He promises.

With all traces of clothing removed they step into the shower, drenching themselves in the hot flow of water. He takes the flowery shower gel and washes her down. He doesn't miss one luscious curve and she leans into his touch. He shampoos and rinses her hair to full familiarity. He runs his fingers through her shiny ringlets " There you are." He teases. She takes the fragrant soap and washes him down. She doesn't miss one pebbly muscle and he moans as she massages his skin. She kisses his neck as she runs a soapy hand down the middle of his plastron.

"I'm not waiting any longer." Her hands slide across the center of him over and over. He can't take anymore and finally releases himself. He stifles a growl and places his hands on the glass blocks of the shower as she strokes the suds over him, up and down.

"A-amber." He groans. He stops her actions. He lifts her up by her thighs and holds her against the tile. She wraps her legs around him. She gasps with pleasure and pain as he slowly lowers her around him. It never seems like it's possible but she succeeds in taking him all in. He is in control and she is at his beautiful mercy. Oh, how they've missed this electric closeness; breathing, moving, pulsing in unison, hearing her say his name, feeling him suckle her breasts. It gets harder and harder to breath, the steam fills their lungs, the ache of passion passes through them. Suddenly overtaken he kneels, still keeping her locked to him, the water still raining over them. The undulating tension grabs them, a growl, a name, trembling, a scream, a roar, spasms, spasms, spasms, explosion, thunder, small deaths, resurrection, and the calming bliss.

They smile and kiss and dry each other off. She wraps her hair in a towel and he carries her to bed. There are no extra pillows. There are no cold sheets. Just Raphael and Amber, clinging to each other, surrendering to complete slumber.

…

It's late-afternoon when Raphael's eyes pop open. He feels like he's been asleep for days. He stretches, yawns, and turns over to see Amber sitting in bed beside him. He feels like a million bucks. Amber is quietly re-twisting her hair. It's a time-consuming task but she is always patient and Raphael is always happy with the results. She's finishing up the final section. She must have been up more than an hour before him.

"Afternoon, Red." She coos.

"H'loo." He says quickly. Raphael and Amber don't do 'morning breath' even at five PM. He rolls out of bed to brush, gargle and pee. He rolls back in bed and topples her over. "Afternoon, Ambi." He sighs into her neck and makes her laugh.

"Raph, stop. I'm almost done with my hair! You're tickling me!" She giggles.

"Don't tell me what to do." He grins and lightly bites her.

"Eep! You trying to start something? Amber shivers.

"Yes I am…" He continues his assault and she's helpless to stop him.

"Hmm, sekushi kame." She murmurs.

He stops and looks at her with confusion. "Er, what did you just call me?"

She averts her eyes. "I called you a sexy turtle."

"Sexy huh?" He smirks as he hovers over her on the bed.

"It's one of the words I picked up in Japan. I sure as hell didn't learn it from Splinter."

He huffs a small laugh. "I like it. Say it again."

"Raphael, my sekushi kame." Her lips drips with desire and he kisses her, running a hand over her smooth skin. Last night was just a warm up. This time he won't stop until they're both speechless and spent.

In the back of their minds they hear knocking, but ignore it. Then they hear someone pounding on Amber's bedroom door. "Who is it!" She practically yells.

"It's me Mikey!" He says from the other side of the door. "You dorks been in bed all day!

"Yeah, and we're still in bed! Go skip some stones, Mikey!" Raph growls.

"April and Casey are here! It's time for your welcome home party, Amber! Put some clothes on and come upstairs!"

Raphael groans and looks down at Amber who just shrugs. "Promise me we'll finish where we left off." He says.

"Oh I promise." She says kissing the ridge of his nose.

He rolls off of her and sits up. "How do you say 'annoying-ass turtle' in Japanese?"

She smiles and hums. "I'm not sure. I'll have to ask Arimi that someday."

"Arimi?" Raphael says as he walks over to his dresser to pick out a fresh bandana.

"Yeah, the great friend I made in Japan. I can't wait to tell you all about her. You'll see here in the slide show I put together." She throws on some dark skinnies and a loose, red tank top. She scurries out the room and down the hall. She sees someone has already brought the luggage up for her and she grabs her laptop and the small carry-on. Raphael comes in after her. She stops suddenly and catches the aroma in the air. "Oh Raph do you smell that wonderful smell? I'm so hungry! Let's go!" She grabs his hand. They dash up the steps to the rooftop.

…

"Welcome Home Amber!" They scream! Confetti flies and Kazoos buzz. She hugs them all: Leonardo, Casey, April, Michelangelo, Donatello and Splinter. They each claim a pillow and sit around the low, square table. Greetings and congratulations go all around to her. Splinter blesses the food. Mikey calls for attention.

""Amber, this feast is for you, prepared by yours truly! We have on the menu fruit salad, regular salad, my famous parmesan and hot pepper breadsticks, and for the main dish… viola!" He strikes a pose as he removes the silvery covers to reveal two large, piping-hot pizzas.

"Uh, do I see grilled chicken on those pizzas?" Casey asks.

"Yup." Mikey says.

"Hmm. Do I see French fries on those pizzas?" Donnie asks.

"Yes! I call it the Pittsburgh Special! Don't worry. I didn't use dressing... no much anyway. Go ahead! Dig in!"

"French fries on pizza…" April muses. "Leo, could you hand over the breadsticks?"

"Awe, come on guys! Just try it! You'll love it!" Mikey whines.

"I'll try it first, Mikey. Give me two slices please, Raph?" Amber asks.

"Two? Are ya sure ya wanna risk cloggin' yer arteries?" Raph teases.

"You only live once!" She sings.

Soon they all grab at least one slice and sample Mikey's latest cooking experiment.

Splinter tries a small piece but previously preferred to Michelangelo that his portion of grilled chicken be severed without pizza.

"Mmm, Mikey this is fantastic! How did you keep the fries so crispy?" Amber asks.

"It's not as greasy as I thought it would be. And the blue cheese gives it a nice kick. How'd you do it, Mikey?" Leo praises.

"Sorry, a culinary genius never tells their secrets." Mikey says as he scarfs down another slice. "Amber, don't keep us in suspense. Tell us all about your trip to Japan." He says with his mouth full.

"Well, it was… amazing; the timeless country side, the post-modern cities, and the people! You can pretty much be who ever you want to be over there. And being there among the shop owners and the antique merchandise has given me the push to change the way Bubba's Bookstore functions."

"How so?" April asks.

"I still want to sell books, but I want to expand my international literature section, selling stories and ideas no one has ever heard of in the states. It would be like your antique shop in Boston, except in book form."

"Wow. I say go for it kiddo." Casey says.

"I've already decided on what country I want to travel to next." Amber says.

"Really? But ya just got home." Raphael says a bit disheartened.

"I know Raph, but I need to make more connections if I'm to be successful at this."

"Where do you want to go next Amber?" Donnie asks.

"Well, I need to go to London, but I think Dubai is my first choice. Let's see… Moscow and Egypt. Maybe Turkey. I need to travel where I can find rich, old history."

"If you're just lookin' for old books can't ya just find 'em online or somethin'?" Raphael interjects.

"No way! The books I'm looking for are the out-of print, forgotten, crumbling manuscripts that can only be found in the back corners of some old market place in Hong Kong. They're not just books, they're art, artifacts. There are people out there would pay a lot of money for something like that. I just have to go out and find it."

"That sound like a fantastic endeavor, Amber. I am sure I speak for all of us when I say how proud I am of you."

"Thank you, Uncle Splinter."

Raphael looses his appetite. He knew she might travel again someday, but he never thought she was serious about making a habit out of it. The worst part is that she had made the decision without talking to him. He decides not to voice his hesitations now. To spoil her party with his belly-aching is not something we wants to do.

"Hey, I almost forgot! I have little gifts for all of you." Amber retrieves her carry-on and unzips the top.

"Presents!" Mikey cheers.

"I'll setup the projector so we can view your slideshow on the big screen." Donnie offers.

"Thanks." She says.

Amber passes out the souvenirs; a turtle-shaped jade necklace for April, a personalized chef's apron that says 'Kiss the Kame' on the front for Mikey, a jar of fancy tea leaves for Splinter, an ornate meditation mat for Leo, a book of Hockey haikus for Casey, an extra-large pair of hand warmers that plug into a computer via USB port for Donnie, and a trilogy of really bad Japanese horror films for her and Raph to watch and laugh at.

"It's ready, Amber. Lets hook up your laptop." Donnie says.

Everyone gets comfortable as Amber begins the presentation. There are pictures of the airport, the wondrous cityscape, Storeowners she's met, trinkets and everyday Japanese life that looks very exotic to the typical American. As much as everyone is 'oo-ing' and 'awe-ing' at her photos, Mikey becomes very bored. He sneaks away to get a popsicle and some more iced tea for Splinter.

"And here is Tokyo Tower." Amber says. "It was really important to the city a decade ago. Now that technology has surpassed its need, people just come here as a tourist attraction."

"I've noticed there are a lot of pictures of you. Who is taking all these photos?" Donnie asks.

"My friend Arimi. I hung out with for the majority of my trip. She's fantastic." Amber says.

"Well, how come we ain't seen her in any pictures yet?" Raph asks.

"I did that on purpose. Boy, do I have a story for you… She should be coming up soon… Ah, here she is. Isn't she adorable?" Amber asks.

There in the picture, standing next to Amber is a petite Japanese woman. She can't be more than twenty years old. Her head barely comes up to Amber's chin. Her hair is jet black and falls well beyond her shoulders. She sports a sharp bang that cuts across her face, hiding her brows. Her pink lips are parted as she smiles and her eyes two joyful crescent moons. She's wearing what appears to be a uniform, so guests can recognize her as a tour guide. She is playfully posing, holding up a 'peace' sign with one hand. All in all, Arimi is very adorable.

"Hmm, I can't put my finger on it, but she looks familiar somehow. Is she an actress?" Donnie wonders.

"Maybe… no I don't think so. I feel like I've seen her before as well. I'm not sure how that's possible though. What do you think Raph?" Leo says.

"No clue." He says.

"Now that you say it, I'm pretty sure I've met her before. Has she ever been to America?" April asks.

"Uh, no, she hasn't. You guys are creeping me out though." Amber says.

Suddenly there is a large crash at the top of the stairs. Everyone turns to see Mikey who has dropped the entire tray of tea and popsicles. He's staring straight ahead, his face clenched with fear.

"Mikey? You ok? You look like you just seen a ghost." Raph says.

"I think I just did." He says quietly and points to the projector. "It's Mitsu!"