Rating: K
Words: 799
Author's Note: I first started writing this drabble after watching 'Tale of the Yokai' (which show's how long I've had this one put aside) and part of me wondered about what was going through Splinter's mind when he was traveling to New York. I hope you all enjoy!
Hamato Yoshi gripped the armrests of his seat and held his breath. He was a trained ninja, for heaven's sake. He should not be nervous of flying. He closed his eyes and attempted to calm his nerves by thinking of other things, but the rumbling of the small aircraft made it impossible for him to focus.
It was the first time that Yoshi had ever been on an airplane, and he sincerely hoped that this would be the last time. The airplane began to gain speed and the nose lifted up into the air. There was no turning back now. He could only press forward from here.
This was no vacation for him. It was a pilgrimage. He needed to see why Shen had wanted to go to this place so badly. To honor her memory, he'd climbed on this godforsaken tin can and possibly ended his own life in doing so. People perished in plane crashes every day, so…
"Young man?"
His eyes flew open and his head turned sharply toward the sound of the voice that had addressed him. The little woman with violet hair and large round spectacles sitting next to him was staring at him with understanding reflected in her highly magnified eyes. She reached out and patted his hand comfortingly.
"It's going to be alright, dear," she said in a high, squeaky voice. "Take off is always the worst part."
Yoshi nodded stiffly, yet did not release his hold until after the airplane was safely at altitude and the captain turned off the seatbelt sign. Reaching into his carrier bag, he pulled out the photograph that he and Shen had taken shortly after Miwa was born. They were in traditional Japanese dress, and his wife had styled her hair accordingly. He gently touched Shen's beautiful face. Oh, how he missed her.
"Are you going to see your family, dear?" The woman beside him asked, gesturing toward the photograph. Throat closing, Yoshi slid it back into the protective carrier bag near his feet.
"No…," he admitted quietly. "I lost them recently… I am going to New York to begin a new life."
Her expression became devastated and she grasped his hand in both of hers.
"Oh, honey, I'm so sorry."
Yoshi smiled wanly and nodded his gratitude.
"Thank you for your kindness, madam."
The woman shook her head sharply, her large glasses slipping down her nose.
"Oh, no. 'Madam' makes me feel so old. Call me Hattie."
"If you will do me the honor of calling me Yoshi," he said, ducking his chin respectfully to his companion.
She laughed delightedly at his charm, her loud seal like barks turning the heads of the passengers in nearby seats. Yoshi looked around at their faces and grimaced apologetically.
"Oh, Yoshi! You do know how to make a woman feel young again."
Her smile slowly lost its gaiety and she flipped the pages of a magazine absentmindedly. They sat in silence for several long minutes before Hattie spoke again.
"When did you lose them?"
"They were laid to rest a week ago."
"How are you holding up, dear?"
He sighed, silently grateful for this stranger's compassionate interest. Everyone he had ever loved was gone: Shen, Miwa, his father… even Saki, whom he had loved like a brother. It was comforting to speak of this to someone, even to a little old woman that he had just met.
"It feels like a part of my heart died with them. I feel like I can no longer breathe, for the pain is so great."
His eyes burned as his sorrow resurfaced. He closed his eyes and forced himself to stay calm. He would not dishonor himself by weeping openly on an airplane. Hattie nodded slowly with complete comprehension.
"It gets easier to breathe, Yoshi. Take it from an old lady. Give yourself time to heal and find other things to help fill that hole in your heart. You look like a strong young man. You will survive this."
She struggled to her feet and offered him a self-conscious smile.
"If you'll excuse me, this is a twenty-two hour flight, and the arthritis in my knees isn't going to let me just sit in that seat." She hobbled away toward the lavatory, leaving Yoshi alone with his thoughts.
You will survive this, she had said. There were many times when he highly doubted that, but now that he was here, thirty thousand feet above the ocean, he had no choice but to believe that there was going to be more to his life than death and destruction. There had to be hope that he could rebuild hand live for himself once more.
Closing his eyes, he dreamed of New York City, and wished that Shen could have traveled there with him.