The aroma of coffee was everywhere, filling noses with the sweet smell of coffee in the morning. The clack of typing filled the little coffee shop, and people were laughing and chatting happily. You could almost call this shop picturesque, the way that elegant trees rose over the establishment, and flowers grew in well kept pots around the outside of the building. Everyone was carefree, and everyone seemed to be in high spirits.

One woman, however, was leaning back in her chair, an amused little smile on her face. She kept in a little giggle before just closing her eyes and shaking her head. The woman reached out for her frappachino, taking a sip of deliciousness before pressing a button on her computer and reading the latest email in her inbox.

Ms. Sumner,

Hello, how are you? Is the Midwest treating you well? I thank you for your email in regards to your well being. I did worry over Kage's health and well being, but you have helped settle some worries I harbored about her. I wish to see her again, as long as you allow it. I would like permission to come to your location, to see her. I would be bringing my sons as well, I do not trust leaving them alone in the city without supervision. They may seem to be adults, but are far from it.

I will wait for your reply and decision.

Sincerely,

Splinter Hamato

Laura let out a a giggle, closing her laptop with a bemused grin. Always so formal, I thought he might loosen up a bit, but I guess not. And he still calls her Kage, how cute...

Laura stood up, smoothing out the nonexistent wrinkles in her form fitting gray dress as she did so. Laura picked up her frappachino, and headed for the glass door to leave. Her classy heels clicked against the ground as she walked, and she kept a composed expression as she headed out.

She was residing in a small town, a place literally called 'Smallville'. It was quaint, but odd things had been happening lately, some very strange things indeed...

Laura thought about Splinter's proposal again, and it did seem fair. She had just taken her daughter in the middle of the night and left the Big Apple without a single look back.

Okay, maybe one last look.

Actually, it had to have been more like four or six...

Laura crossed the road to reach a little bookstore across the street. Krista had wanted to stop in for a moment, and even though it had pained Laura to let her little girl out of her sight, she had let her daughter be independent.

Besides, she was just going to be across the street. If anything happened, she would know instantly.

Krista was sitting on a little orange chair, her nose in a book. Laura smiled, happy to see her daughter happy.

"Krista, baby," Laura spoke up, and Krista jerked up, startled. Her mother let out a little chuckle, smiling. Krista smiled sheepishly, closing the book to give her mother her undivided attention. "I thought you were a shadow girl. My, my, you haven't lost your touch, now have you?" Krista's mother teased.

"I-I found a good book," Krista replied, her voice quiet, but coming out unbroken. All the speech therapy was paying off!

"That's great, sweetie pie!" Laura enthused. "Guess who emailed me?" she asked her daughter, beaming mischievously.

"You-You're not taking a job, are you?" Krista asked, her face dropping into one of worry and disappointment, sadness.

"Oh, don't be silly, honey," Laura tsked. "I've learned my lesson, I'm not going anywhere. Well, actually, yes I am. And so are you."

"Huh?"

"Time to go home, my sweet heart. We're headed for New York."