The girls are glad the week flies by quickly. Although Amber finds a lot of amazing merchandise in London and Dubai and Arimi enjoys the adventure of visiting new countries and cultures, trying to stay in communication with the turtles is a nightmare. Amber is able to talk to Raphael on their first layover in London. Once they get to Dubai Arimi loses her phone, Amber's cell service is nonexistent and protests and demonstrations cause the Internet to be blocked. They give up checking to see if service returns after four days. Finally back in London Amber checks her phone… fifteen missed texts. Amber calls Raphael but gets no answer… he must be asleep. Arimi squeaks with joy once she finally gets a message through to Mikey. Amber sits down beside Arimi and smiles.
"Arimi, it was really good spending this time with you. I'm glad we got to go on this trip together."
"Me too Amber-chan. I have so many pictures and souvenirs."
"Did you get one for Mikey?"
"Well, no. I am going home so I would not see him to get him anything." Arimi says quietly.
Amber takes a chance. Now is a good a time as any. "Arimi, I've never been nosy. But I have noticed that you and Mikey have become great friends."
"Yes. I like him a lot. He is a great friend."
"Everyone likes you. I think it's safe to say that you are welcome to come and stay with us anytime. No more visits. Our home is your home."
"Really? Thank you Amber-chan." Arimi hugs Amber.
"There is something else I want to ask." Amber pulls away.
"Yes?" Arimi says.
"Have your feelings changed after meeting Mikey face to face?"
Arimi starts to blush. "To be honest Amber-chan, I have not allowed myself to think about my feelings very much."
"Why?"
"It is because, I was afraid of what you might think of me."
Amber could not hide her smile. She had been doing the same thing. She encourages her to go on. "Arimi, you don't have to keep anything from me. I would never judge you. I live with mutants. Anything you tell will would never top that."
"That is what I mean. You live with the turtles and Splinter. They are your family and you love them. But you do not 'love' them."
"Are you saying that you have feelings for Mikey? More than just a friendly?"
"What if I did? Would you not think I was strange? When I am with him my mind wanders. What if I try to hold his hand? What if I tell him he is cute? What if he does not like humans? What if he thinks I am weird-looking?"
At that Amber covers her face and laughs on the brink of hysterics. "Oh Arimi! I'm sorry it's just…" She continues to giggle. Arimi's lips start to frown and Amber tries her best to reel it in. "Arimi I'm sorry. I think you are such an amazing find." She wraps an arm around the young girl's shoulder. "Do you like him? Do you think my little brother is cute?" Arimi nods sheepishly. "Do you think he's hot?"
"Amber-chan! Please do not tease me." Arimi's face looks like a bright cherry.
"I'm not trying to tease. I'm being serious. Woman to woman; do you think Michelangelo is hot?"
Arimi licks her lips. A small grin emerges. "Yes, I do. I find myself just staring at him when he is preparing dinner or drawing his comics. I just want to reach out and hug him to death. I want to kiss him all over his face."
"What about other things? Do you wanna do… other things?" Amber slyly suggests.
"Other things… Oh, Amber!" Arimi pulls her striped hoodie over face.
Amber sighs. "You don't have to be embarrassed. I'm guess you've never talked to anyone like this before. Honestly, neither have I. Even when my sister was alive we were too far apart in age to have any 'girl talk'." She pauses. "And Raphael is the only guy I've ever been with."
Arimi lifts the hoodie from her eyes and stares at her American friend in awe. "Y-you and Raph? You two?"
"Yes, Arimi. Raphael and I are together. It will be two years this coming February. I love him and he loves me."
"So how? I mean you two are intimate… Is it…?"
"I can't compare him to anyone else. I was a virgin when we finally took that step. So was he. We've been at it for a while. If I had to describe him subtlety… Raphael is fucking amazing."
"Wow." Is all Arimi can say.
"There is no one else in the world for me. No other guy."
"I see. I am sorry I brought up Charlie that one time. I did not know."
"There's no need to apologize. I needed to make sure I could trust you before letting you know about Raph and me. I wanted your feelings for Mikey to grow naturally, not because of what I have with Raph. "
"And you are happy with Raph?"
"The happiest."
Arimi nods. She wonders if Mikey could be what she has always wanted. She wonders if she is able to do what Amber has done; forsake normal society and live her true life hidden. Arimi may like Mikey a lot but staying with him would be practically impossible. She stuffs her hands into her hoodie pouch. She feels the thin paper of her plane ticket home. "Amber, how do you see this working out? If Mikey feels the same way, how can we be together?"
"I don't know. It all depends on what you're willing to live without in order to keep what you really want. In my case, the trade-off is invaluable. I lost everyone and now I have a family. I know you have more to consider. You live in freaking Japan. Your family and all you know are there."
"Yes, except Mikey." She looks at Amber. "Just like I told Mikey before I left, I cannot stay on holiday forever. I think it is time for me to go home. It is probably best we do not share our feelings. When I do decide to come see you all again someday, at least we can meet as friends. That way, it will hurt less."
Amber frowns a bit. "As long as you are honest with your feelings Arimi, that's all anyone can ask. And Mikey is the best friend anyone can have. Lucky for you he's your friend and hero huh?"
"What do you mean by 'hero'?"
"You know, when Mikey… You don't know? He never told you?"
"Told me what?"
Amber shakes her head. Oh Mikey, you really are a great guy. "The night of the storm, when you first met the turtles… you were frightened and you fell into the sewer. The rushing water swept you away. You would have drowned if Mikey didn't jump in after you. It took over two hours for the water to recede. He came back with you, unconscious in his arms. I can't believe he never told you."
Arimi's lips quiver. She looks away. The strange stirring jumps into her chest and she can't breath. She turns back to Amber, her brown eyes full of tears. "Amber-chan, will you help me change my ticket? I want to go back to New York with you."
"Are you sure?"
Arimi nods her head and hugs Amber, burying her face in her shoulder. Amber holds her. "Ok Arimi, but we don't have much time. Lets go to the counter and see if we can get you a seat on my flight. We may not be able to sit together. And I hope they can find your large suitcase." They get up and begin to walk, pulling their carry-ons behind them.
"If my luggage goes to Yokohama without me I can just buy new clothes." Arimi smiles.
The go to the proper airlines desk attendant and discuss a refund for Arimi's ticket. They are able to get her credit. The go to Amber's airlines and find that the only seats available together were in business class. They would have to downgrade and neither minded. An hour later they stand in line about to board.
"Did any of the guys ever tell you about their trip to Japan?"
"No. How did they get to Japan? Who did they meet? Why did they go?"
"I'll tell you all about it on the plane. I must warn you. It's hard to believe."
"Harder than believing in ninja turtles?"
"Touché." They board the plane for home.
…
Arimi can hardly contain herself as their cab pulls up in front of Bubba's Bookstore. She and Amber grab their luggage and haul it into the front door. Apriil greets them from the counter and they all embrace.
"So you must be the new addition to our little family. I'm April Jones."
"Hello April-sama. It is nice to finally meet you. You are so beautiful and you hairs is so red!"
"Thank you Arimi. My-my you're as cute as they said you were." She pauses. "You look so much like her."
"Do you mean Mitsu? Amber told me about her. I think it is kind of creepy but I take it as a sign also."
"Really? April says "What kind of sign?"
"A very good one." She smiles.
Amber locks the door. "April, let's close up shop early. I just want to rest."
"That's fine with me. It's been slow today anyway." April turns out the light and removes the register drawer.
"April, thanks again for watching the shop. You're a big help!"
"Don't mention it. It's a welcome change from my antique shop. Let's hurry upstairs. The guys have been so antsy waiting for you."
Arimi is the first one to run upstairs. She looks around Amber's apartment. It's empty. She goes up another flight, no one there. She goes up to Splinter's apartment. She is about to knock when she hears voices coming from the roof and smells food. She reaches the end of the steps, out of breath. Everyone is here. Splinter, Donnie, Leo, Raph, a dark-haired man she assumes is Casey Jones, and Mikey, who is standing by the grill wearing an apron.
"Mikey!" She runs over to him.
"Arimi?" Mikey turns and Arimi wraps her arms around his neck.
"Mikey! We're back!"
"I see that." Mikey whispers. He hasn't touched her yet. He still can't believe she's here. What made her come back?
She pulls back and looks at him. "I have missed you. I have decided to stay a while longer if that is ok with you."
"Uh, that's fine with me, Mimi." He smiles.
Amber and April arrive. April goes to sit next to Casey and Amber plops down beside Raphael on a vacant pillow. "Hey." He hugs him. "I'm home."
"Welcome home." He says and Pats her on the back. He's standoffish and she knows why. They'll have to talk about it later. Now is the time for dinner, stories and family. She is too tired for much else.
Mikey brings over the short ribs and fish. They happily dine on grilled vegetables, pasta salad and hot tea and pound cake for dessert. The days are getting shorter and the air is cooler. This may be the last time this year they enjoy the patio like this. Arimi whispers something to Amber and leaves. Everyone cleans up, packs the food away and goes off to do their separate evening 'winding down' activities.
Mikey makes sure the grill is cold. He walks over to where Amber and Raphael are still sitting.
"Where's Arimi?" Mikey asks.
"She went back downstairs to shelve the books. I told her she didn't have to but she insisted. Maybe you could go help her?" Amber suggests.
"Sure." Mikey takes off his 'Kiss the Kame' apron and heads downstairs leaving Raphael and Amber alone on the roof.
"So, you came back in one piece. I'm guessin' it you had a good time?"
Here it comes. She really didn't want to talk about this now. She just wants to sleep. "We had a good time, Raphael."
"Too good to call me or return my texts? I thought the worst Amber. I was really worried. I didn't know if you were safe or what."
"I wasn't alone this time. Arimi and I looked out for each other. We were fine! You sound like a worry-wart."
"You didn't call me or send any letters. So hell yeah, I was worried."
Amber gets up. Sitting so long on those pillows makes her achy, and so does this conversation. "I called you on my lay over in London both ways. The first time we did speak. The second time, you didn't pick up. And my service was blocked in Dubai. Arimi lost her cell in the hotel room til the last day! And you said you don't like waiting for letters so I didn't send any. You wanted to hear my voice and I get that. But this was only a seven-day trip."
"Only seven days?" Raphael stands up. "Amber what if it was ten or twenty days? You cool with not talkin' to me for that long and then come home like everything's dandy?"
"No, I'm not cool with not being able to talk to you. I miss you every time I go. And I thought you'd be happy every time I'd come back. But that doesn't seem to be the case right now. What's with the guilt trip?"
"I dunno. Should you feel guilty, Grant?" He calls her by her last name, establishing obvious distance… And he knows it pisses her off.
She blinks, puts her hands on her hips and cocks her head back, looking at him like he's crazy. "I'm asking you why I should feel guilty, Hamato."
"Ain't it obvious?"
"Just spit it out Raphael!"
"Fine! I hate this! I hate what we're doin' and I hate what are relationship has become! I'm playin' Suzie Homemaker while you use the world map as your personal hopscotch game!"
"This is for work! I have a goal! I want this shop to be more than a regular bookstore. I'm sorry I can't see the world with you Raphael! As much as I would love to, you cannot come with me! So I'm trying to bring the world to you! Unfortunately, that means I have to go and gather it without you!"
Oh please! Please don't be a martyr Amber! You ain't just doin' this for me! You're havin' a ball on all your little adventures! Weeks at a time! Havin' the time of your life! Then you come home too tired to spend real time wit' me and just throw trinkets and stories at me like that's supposed ta be enough!
"What do you mean 'real time'? Not everyday is going to be a big fun party Raph!"
"Not with you! You already done your partying out there! You just spend your workin' sleepin', boring times with me. You bored with me?
"No."
"You just hoppin' around the world til ya find the perfect place to permanently run away to?"
"No! Raphael! What the hell are you saying!"
"You know what I'm saying! Why the fuck do I need to say it!" He yells, visually shaking.
"You don't trust me. You think I'm still going to disappear on you." His words could have hurt more but she realizes he's speaking from fear, not anger. How long would she have to be glued to him before he was secure in the fact that she was never going to leave him? She walks over to him and fits herself into his folded arms. He struggles only a little. He wants her there. This whole rant wasn't meant to push her away. "Raphie , this is my home, right here in your arms, remember? If I ever feel like I need to run away, you'll always find me here… I see what you're saying now, and I'm sorry I've neglected you." She wanted him more than the entire world. It would be hard but she would stay home as long as he needed. She looks up at him. "Raph, I'm not going anywhere you won't let me. I won't step a foot out of Brooklyn until you say so."
Raphael suddenly feels like a monster. He never wanted to keep her in a cage just because he had to be in one. They are from two different worlds and she continues to choose to stay in his cage with him. He was being childish and selfish. "Amber I don't want that kind of control over you. I want ya to be free. I want ya to see the world. What I don't want is for you ta stop wantin' me."
"Raphael…" She plants kisses all over his face and ends by playfully tugging on his bandana. "That's never gonna happen. I need you and will always want you. But we need to find a compromise so you don't feel like this anymore… How about, I plan all my trips in advance and post a calendar up for the whole family to see?"
He nods, thinking it over. "Ok, and?"
"And… I won't be gone any longer that ten days at a time?"
"And?"
"I'll check in with you at the end of each day at the same time?"
"And?"
"Uh… Oh! We can add a locator GPS App to our phones so you always know where I am."
"Ok…And?"
She shakes her head. He completely stumps her. "And what, Raph?"
"Every time ya come home I get ta do what ever I want with ya." He whispers.
His words send shivers all through her. Raphael can make Amber weak for him so quickly. It almost embarrasses her. Almost. She plays right into him. "Well, I just walked through the door… what do you wanna do with me now?"
…
He finds Arimi in the middle of the store. Her phone is playing a song and Arimi unskillfully sings a long. She's tapping her yellow sandals on the hardwood floor and bopping head back and forth. At least she has rhythm.
"Hey, Mimi." Mikey says.
"Hello, Mikey." Arimi says.
"Do you need some help?"
"You do not need to. But would enjoy your company."
"I want to help. I'll pull ones back on the shelves you can't reach, deal?"
"Deal."
It takes them less than ten minutes to finish. They sit on the couch; her phone is still rocking away.
"Mikey, I think you are a fantastic cook. Much better than the food in Dubai or England."
"Thanks! I've been trying out some new dishes."
"I have noticed… can I call you Key-chan?"
"You mean the way you call Amber 'Amber-chan'? Sure I guess so. But it sounds a lot like 'kitchen'."
"Hmm. Then it should suit you just fine. Your food is delicious."
"Key-chan the Kame Cook.. I like it!" He smiles and she laughs.
"Key-chan, I want to ask you something."
"Yeah?"
"When you and your brothers are out fighting and keeping other safe I imagine it must be dangerous sometimes."
"Yeah. Sometimes. But me and my bros got each other's backs."
"Hmm, I suppose you do not think you get a lot of thanks when you save people."
"That's true but we know they're grateful."
"When will the next time be that you patrol the city as ninja?"
"Tomorrow night, actually. Why?"
"… I have another question."
"Um.. ok."
"Why did you not tell me that I had fallen down into the sewer? Why did you not tell me that it was you who saved my life? You carried me back. I could have died. Why would you not let me thank you?"
He looks at her and sighs. "How did you find out? Did you remember?"
"Amber told me what really happened while on our way back from London. It all came back to me when I saw you again."
"I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to remember something as terrifying as almost drowning. It was fine with me if you forgot. And… I wanted you to like me for who I am, and not for what I did."
"You dove in after me. You kept me afloat. I am sorry. I cannot help but to like you more, now that I know. What you did proves who you really are. Thank you Key-chan." She leans over and kisses his cheek. His face quickly heats up. "Look at me Key-chan." He turns to face her. His heart is doing the polka in his chest. "When ever you go out with your brothers please be safe. And if you save anyone, I will thank you every time like this." She kisses his cheek again.
"Oh boy…" Mikey grins. "W-what if I save a hundred people, from a burning building?"
"I will have to kiss you one hundred times."
"Are you sure? I don't want your pretty lips to fall off."
She giggles and his head spins. "Key-chan, will you kiss me?"
"W-what?" His voice cracks.
"Please Key-chan? You are the reason I came back. I could not stay away from you. Please kiss me."
His heart is racing. Is this really happening? He lightly places his hands on her shoulders. His green fingers look so big on her small frame. He didn't want her to feel like he was pressuring her. She sees him pause and she smiles slightly, closes her eyes and tilts her head up, displaying her waiting lips. He moves closer to her, despite the knot tightening in his stomach. He takes a breath then slowly, slowly places his lips to hers. They are soft and warm and her sweet scent invades his senses. There is a shock that flows thru them, like a river of light. They almost fall in its current. Some force is swirling around them and they almost get swept away. When they release he looks into her eyes. She has tears but she is smiling. Her small hand touches his cheek and she sighs, "There you are, Michelangelo."
He gasps. He tries to speak her name, "Mit…Mits…"
She nods then closes her eyes and her head falls back. She suddenly straightens up and shakes the fogginess from her face. She stares at Mikey and licks her lips. The calm rushes from her and she looks to him in amazement. "What was that? Did you feel that?"
"Y-yes. I did… What did you feel?"
"When you kissed me I felt it, then it was taken from me, or I was taken from me? I know it is strange… a part of me, some part of me recognized who you are… has been waiting for you and has found you... and then I felt very peaceful…I know I sound crazy. What did you feel, Mikey?"
He purses his lips. He wasn't about to tell her the spirit of his old crush momentarily possessed her and now he knows they are destined to be together forever. He consents to say, "I felt wonderful. I feel wonderful. And I'd like to do it again."
She smiles and leans into him. They kiss and his hands move from her shoulders to her face, her arms, to her waist. She holds to his hands, caresses his cheeks, lock around his neck. They explore each other's mouths and grope across each other's skin as they sit on the old velvet sofa in the quiet of the bookstore.