Chapter 12: Goodbye Is Not Forever

A/N: Here's the next chapter as I promised you. I don't know if I'll do this every Friday, but I'll do my best to try and keep this consistent. Thanks to those who have read and reviewed thus far. Your kind words mean the world to me.

Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters belong to Nickelodeon. I only own the plot and nothing more.

Mikey sat dejectedly as he waited for practice to be over. Splinter had asked to speak with him afterwards, and the orange-clad Turtle knew it was because of his lack of focus in today's session. Why couldn't Splinter just cut him some slack? After all, he was still dealing with the murder of his best friend.

After practice was over, Mikey followed Splinter to his room. As his father sat down and beckoned him over, his face wasn't stern but rather sympathetic as though he felt sorry for the Turtle.

"I know what you're gonna say, Sensei, so just say it," he said.

"What do you think I am going to say, my son?" Splinter asked him.

"You're gonna say I wasn't focused in practice and that I was lazy," Mikey recited. "Then you're gonna say that I can do better than I did today."

"On the contrary, Michelangelo, I was not going to say any of that," Splinter told him. "I noticed that you were troubled, and I was going to ask about what is troubling you."

Mikey took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Murakami wants me to come by today 'cause they've decided whether they're gonna bury Oyuki here or in Japan," he replied.

Splinter stroked his beard. "I see," he said. "I understand why this would cause you to lose focus as you wish for her to be buried here. I, too, felt the same way after Tang Shen died and I was devastated that I could not pay my respect to her."

"Did she have a funeral?" Mikey asked.

"It was a memorial service since her body was never recovered in the fire," Splinter answered. "But my heart still ached that I could not be present for it. One of her friends set me a letter that contained her obituary. I wanted to go, but I was afraid Saki would find me and finish what he started there, so I stayed away. I thought about going back, but by then I had found the four of you and our lives changed." He put a paw on his son's shoulder. "It will take time for you to heal, but there is truth in the phrase, 'Every dark cloud has a silver lining.' My silver lining was when I found the four of you and we became a family, and I still hold that dear to my heart."

Mikey understood what Splinter meant, but instead of feeling that comforting feeling of reassurance he usually felt when Splinter comforted him, he still felt that sad, longing ache in his heart. He wanted to believe what his father was saying, but part of him just wasn't sure about anything.

"Do you understand what I am saying, my son?"

"I do, Sensei, but I just can't get my hopes up for anything."

"I understand, my son," said Splinter gently. "But I do not want you to be consumed by grief to the point where you lose hope and happiness completely as that is no way for you to live, Michelangelo. You are the light of this family and fill everyone with happiness. I do not want you to lose that for it would not be a good thing. It is all right to grieve and feel sad as long as you remember that this is truly not the end and that Oyuki is still with you and would want you to keep living for her sake."

"I'll try, Sensei," Mikey promised. "For Oyuki."

"That is all I ask, my son," Splinter said as he embraced Mikey. The orange-clad Turtle returned the embrace and began to feel better after his talk with his father. He bowed to Splinter and left to go visit his friend. As he made his way out, he saw Miwa sitting in the living area.

"Hey, Mikey, where are you off to?" Miwa asked him.

"I'm goin' to Murakami's to find out where they're gonna bury Oyuki's body," Mikey replied.

"Want some company?"

Mikey smiled at her. He hadn't spent a lot of time with his new sister and really felt it would be a good time to do so. "Sure, sis, you can come," he said.

Miwa smiled back at him. "Great, let's go," she said.

As they went through the sewers, Mikey noticed Miwa staring at him and thought she was studying his every move. He knew she was still getting used to the fact that they were her family now and not her enemies any longer, and Mikey felt sorry for her and what Shredder had done.

"I'm really sorry about what you've been through, sis," he said. "I can't imagine being raised one way and then being told that what you thought was true wasn't true at all. I think I would be really pissed if it was me."

"Thanks, Mikey," Miwa replied. "And I'm sorry for what you're going through with Oyuki's death. I know how you feel though. I never really knew my mother, but I was always sad that she was never around when I needed her the most. I definitely let my grief overcome me, especially after Shredder told me it was Splinter who killed her. That's why I hated you guys, but now I know the truth and what really happened."

"And how does that make you feel?" Mikey asked her.

"I'm upset that Shredder lied to me," she answered. "I want nothing more than to watch him suffer. I want revenge, Mikey. I want him to feel the same pain I felt at his betrayal. I want to see the look on his face as I renounce him as my father. I want to be the one to take away his life as he did my mother's."

Mikey was shocked by the bitter hatred in Miwa's voice, and though he understood her grief, it scared him a bit to know she was filled with such hatred.

"Do you think killing him is the answer?" he asked her.

"Yes," she said. "He deserves it for what he did to all of us."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Mikey said softly. "You ever hear of the saying, 'Two wrongs don't make a right?'"

"I have, but I don't believe it," she replied.

"Well, Sensei taught us that revenge isn't always the answer," said Mikey wisely. "He says that to seek vengeance is nothing but disaster and that it will only cause pain and bring bad karma to the one seeking it."

"Is that why he never avenged my mother?"

Mikey sighed. "He wanted to at first, but after he found us, he figured he had somethin' to live for again. I think he came to the realization that it would do no good once he had us because if he tried to fight Oroku Saki, he would die and we would be orphaned. So in a way, it's a good thing he didn't seek revenge. He also figured that Tang Shen wouldn't want it and that she'd want him to keep on living for her sake."

"Well, I don't feel that way Mikey," she said. "I hate him for what he did. Don't you hate Robyn for killing April and for killing Oyuki?"

"Sometimes, I do, but I try not to," Mikey admitted. "I really try my best not to let these feelings get to me."

"Why?"

"Because I'm not a hateful guy, and Sensei taught us not to hate anybody," Mikey answered. "He said we should hate their actions and not the people who did them. Instead, we should pity them for choosing to do such harmful acts. That's how he put it anyway."

"So he doesn't hate Shredder for killing my mother and taking me?" Miwa asked incredulously.

"I think he did hate Shredder at first, but as time passed, I think he was sad about how his friendship with him ended and longed for it to go back to where it was. I'm sure he thought about it all of the time, but after he found us, he focused on raising us and decided to stop feeling sorry for himself and hating Shredder. He swore to protect us from him, and that's what he did for as long as he could."

"So you're saying I should stay away from him and focus on something new?"

"Yeah, like how you have a new family now. We've got your back, sis, and you can always count on us to give you a hand when you need it." He took her hand and squeezed it gently. "Look, just promise me you won't do anything stupid, okay?"

She sighed. "Well, I was going to invade Shredder's stronghold and take him out, but I suppose I can put it off for your sake."

Mikey wasn't sure if Miwa was joking or not, but he decided to believe her. "That's good 'cause I don't want anything to happen to you, sis."

They reached Murakami's and found the place deserted as usual at this time of night. Mikey watched as Murakami reacted to the sound of his footsteps and made his way to greet him. He also noticed that Miwa seemed unsure as though she didn't belong there.

"Hey, Murakami-san, I came just as you asked me to," Mikey said.

"I am glad you have, Michelangelo-san. Who is your friend?"

Mikey put his arm around Miwa. "This is my sister, Miwa," he answered. "You guys have met before, but you don't know each other that well."

Miwa bowed to Murakami. "It's nice to see you again, Murakami-san," she said.

Recognition dawned on Murakami as his face clouded with anger. "You're the one who tried to kidnap April-chan," he said.

Miwa bowed her head. "Yes, but I've changed now. I have a new family and a different purpose. I no longer serve the Shredder."

Mikey told Murakami everything and explained how Miwa had come to live with them. "It's so rad havin' her as a sister. She's family now, and I hope you'll be able to forgive her for what she did before."

Murakami's face softened. "Of course I can do that," he said kindly. "Now, would you like some pizza gyoza?"

"You know it!" Mikey replied. "Oh, and I really think you need to stop servin' turtle soup. No offense, but that's nasty and an insult to my ancestors."

Instead of acting offended, Murakami chuckled. "Yes, I suppose I should stop serving it," he reasoned. "But did your Master tell you that it is a delicacy in Japan?"

"No, he never said that," Mikey said. "But it's still wrong."

"If you insist, Michelangelo-san, I will take it off of the menu."

"Sounds good to me. So what's going on with Oyuki's funeral?"

"They have decided not to bury her at all and have decided to cremate her instead," Murakami answered. "Her remains will be given to certain family members. I was one of the ones chosen, and I was thinking of giving them to you since you were her best friend."

"Will they be in a bag or somethin'?" asked Mikey.

"They will be in a box, and you may keep it with you or choose to bury it somewhere. It is up to you."

Mikey had never heard of such a thing before. Splinter used to tell them about funerals where bodies were buried or they were burned on a pyre, but no one ever kept the ashes. He wasn't sure he'd be able to do something like that. His eyes sought out Miwa, and she nodded in encouragement. Mikey realized she was supporting him and figured it had to do with what happened to her mother and how she never had any remains to keep.

"That's okay, Murakami-san," he replied. "You can have them."

"Thank you, Michelangelo-san," Murakami said. "How are your brothers doing?"

"They're pretty good," Mikey lied. "They've been pretty busy though." He was afraid Murakami would catch him in the lie, but the noodle chef didn't even blink. The truth was that they hadn't been fine since Lynn's death and Leo was taking it the hardest and having nightmares again. He wanted to tell Murakami this, but he didn't want to worry the blind chef. Mikey wished he could stop Leo from having these dreams because it hurt Mikey to see Leo in that state. Mikey saw Leo as a hero and a great warrior who was ready to take on any obstacle that came in his way. But this was different, and Mikey had no idea what to do to help his brother out.

The phone rang, snapping Mikey out of his thoughts. Murakami excused himself to answer it and Miwa turned on Mikey.

"Why did you lie to Murakami?" she whispered. "We could have used his help."

"I don't want to worry him, sis," Mikey replied. "He's got enough on his plate to think about."

Before Miwa could say anything else, Murakami came over to them. "I am sorry, my friends, but a customer just requested an order and he will be by to pick it up."

"Looks like that's our cue to exit," Mikey quipped.

"Yeah, I guess so," Miwa added. "It was nice to see you again, Murakami-san."

"Likewise, Miwa-chan," Murakami responded. "I hope to see the both of you again soon. Give my regards to your family." He gave them some pizza gyoza to take to the others. Before they left, Murakami put his hand on Mikey's shoulder. "Remember, Michelangelo-san, goodbye is not forever. You will see Oyuki once more."

"Thanks, Murakami-san," Mikey said softly. "I'll remember that."

As they made their way home, Mikey thought about what Murakami had said. Splinter had taught them that when someone dies, they are reincarnated in another form. He wondered what form Oyuki would take and if he would know it was her.

"Do you really buy that stuff Murakami said about you seeing Oyuki again?" Miwa asked him.

"Yeah, I do," Mikey answered. "Splinter taught us about reincarnation and I believe that it's true."

"I don't," Miwa challenged. "I think it's all errant nonsense. Whoever heard of being born again?"

"Didn't Shredder teach you about that stuff?" Mikey asked her.

Miwa shook her head. "No," she said. "He didn't talk about the afterlife or anything like that. He was more consumed with getting his revenge for my mother's murder and didn't concern himself with what happened to her after she died."

"I guess that doesn't surprise me," said Mikey. "But you do believe in something, right?"

"Yes, I do," she said softly. "I believe in what I can do for myself. I've been on my own for most of my life, so I've had to form my own beliefs and opinions about the world."

"I can see that. So if Splinter taught you about reincarnation, would you be willing to learn?"

"I'd probably try, but I'd have a hard time believing it."

"That's because you're afraid to believe in something you don't understand," said Mikey. "It's okay to be afraid of things because we all have fears. But as long as you learn to control your fear and not let it get the best of you, you'll be okay. Reincarnation isn't anything to be scared of. It's just all about being reborn in another body and continuing your life as someone else. I think that's kind of cool because if you do something bad in your old body, you can start fresh in your new one."

"That makes sense," Miwa said. "Maybe I could start fresh in this body, but if I could go to a new body, I would."

"What would you want to be reincarnated as if you could choose?"

"I'd want to be a cat," she said. "I've just always been fond of cats. I think that's why I love Klunk so much."

"Yeah, cats are cool for sure. I think I'd want to be a pro skateboarder and wow everyone with my awesome skills."

"You could definitely do that," Miwa conceded.

"Yeah, and you can have the life you never got to have," Mikey told her.

"You got that right, Mikey," she said. "I just wish there was something we could do for Leo."

Mikey's happy demeanor changed to sadness. "Yeah, I know," he said. "He just keeps beating himself up about what he did to Lynn. I just can't get through to him."

"There has to be a way," said Miwa determinedly. "We can't just give up on him." Then her eyes lit up. "What about Madison? Do you think she could talk to Leo?"

"I don't know, but you might be onto somethin', sis," he said. "I never even thought about that angle." He pulled out his phone to compose a text to Madison, hoping she'd be able to talk some sense into Leo.

"How do you know Madison's number?" Miwa asked him.

He smiled wickedly. "I have my ways," he replied evasively.

"Oh, really? Well, you'll have to teach me about some of your ways," she teased him.

Mikey shook his head. "A good ninja never reveals his secrets."

Suddenly, Mikey's phoned chimed. "It's probably Maddie answering my text," he said. But when he opened the text, he realized that it wasn't from Madison and let out a groan. "Oh, man, not this again."

"What is it?" asked Miwa. She leaned over Mikey's shoulder and read the text.

Poor Mikey! It's so sad about your friend. Goodbye isn't forever you know, and I'm sure you'll be reunited with her soon if I have my way.—A.

A/N: Oh man, things are still heating up. I loved writing about Mikey and Miwa as I feel it would have been good to have them spend time together. So what's going to happen next? You'll just have to keep reading. In the meantime, feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.