Chapter 9

"Splinter-san!" The Ancient One hurriedly toddled towards his friend, who was quietly sitting underneath a tree, looking out onto the garden. "Ah, apologies on disturbing your meditation."

"No need! I am not meditating, but…observing." Splinter replied wryly, nodding his head towards his eldest son, who was helping Layla pick vegetables and herbs from her garden. Further away, Raphael was very patiently holding a basket that Mina was filling with fruit from their small orchard. Occasionally she would point to one she couldn't reach, and he would do it for her.

"Well, this is perfect timing then. You will never guess what I finally found!" The Ancient One held out a small piece of paper, the ink faded. Splinter immediately recognized Yoshi's handwriting. "It is the haiku Yoshi wrote to Tang Shen before he left for the tribunal. She had it tucked in her kimono. I found it when she was…" he trailed off, still deeply affected by her loss. "I thought you might want to see it. It is fitting for the eve of your departure."

Don't weep, insects –

Lovers, stars themselves,

Must part

Issa

My dearest Tang Shen,

It pains me greatly to have to leave you, but I know becoming a guardian is what I must do. I was reading this haiku by Issa, and I thought of you immediately. Of course, there is hardly a time where my thoughts are not occupied by you. Everything must part, but I promise I will come back to you. I have given Splinter very specific instructions to look out for you in my absence (with a little convincing from several radish slices). I cannot wait to hold you in my arms the moment I return. Ai shiteru.

Yours,

Yoshi

"He loved her so much," Splinter said, as nostalgia washed over him.

"It delights me to see so much love in this house once again," the Ancient One sighed contentedly as he looked out at Leonardo and Raphael.

"They are so relaxed. I have never seen my sons in such a state. Look how calm and patient Raphael is," Splinter smiled.

"And I have never seen my little Mina flower so comfortable. I would wager she feels very safe around him."

"I'm going to miss going out so freely into the sunshine," Leo said as he helped her carefully trim herbs. He turned his face up to the sun, smiling. "I didn't realize how much I liked seeing the sunrise and hearing the birds when I get up in the morning. I've gotten used to it now."

"You've become spoiled now," she teased him.

"Oh? And you're not?" he winked at her.

"Do you miss the city?"

"Of course. Even if I complain, there's something so energizing and alive about it. I can't wait to show you in a few weeks."

"A few weeks seems like a long time," she murmured.

He sighed. "Too long," he agreed. "Do you like going into Tokyo?"

"I do, but the city I really miss is Paris."

"Well, you'll have to show me." He offered her his hand to stand up, and they walked side by side into the kitchen.

"Sit," she gently commanded him, motioning to a kitchen chair. He watched her methodically put away everything they had brought in. He knew better than to try and help, as she always shooed him away, so he sat back, enjoying the view. He lost himself in his own musings, thinking about how utterly relaxed he felt. He reckoned he hadn't really ever felt this peaceful before. He imagined how she would fit in his life in New York, what things might be different. He imagined all the places he would take her – which one would be her favorite? Would she prefer central park, or taking in the rooftop sights?

"Thinking about something?" she asked as she set a glass of lemonade in front of him, breaking his reverie.

He smiled, "Nothing much." He looked at the lemonade, "Thanks."

He motioned for her to follow him to a more secluded part of the property. He wanted a last chance to have her to himself for the rest of the day.

They stood outside, bags on the ground. Nora was hugging Mikey tightly, promising each other that a few weeks wasn't so long, that they would love New York in the fall.

Leo stood in front of her, shuffling his feet. When he met her gaze, he frowned at how gloomy she looked.

He took a step towards her. "No nightmares while I'm gone," he gently commanded her. She bit her lip, smiling.

"No getting into trouble," she teased him.

Sucking in a breath, he took one more step towards her, and tightly wrapped her in his arms. She responded in kind, wrapping her arms around his neck.

She is as soft as I hoped she would be. He relished in how neatly she fit in his arms, like a missing puzzle piece. How sweet it was that she stood on her tiptoes to reach him better. He was intensely aware of every point of contact, and how her face was buried in the crook of his neck. It was intoxicating.

"I'll see you soon," he whispered.

"Be safe," she murmured into his neck, as he had bent down to accommodate their difference in stature. She couldn't resist snuggling into his neck just a tad more, breathing him in. She had hugged her sisters and even the Ancient One before, but they didn't make her feel like this. This…safe. Protected. He was just as gentle hugging her as he was when he held her hand, almost as if he was afraid he would break her.

Her breath against his neck sent goosebumps up his spine. He pulled away, not because he wanted to, but because he didn't want to make it awkward by hugging her for too long.

They whispered goodbyes to each other, and the women watched silently as the car left down the driveway.

When they entered the lair, they were greeted by several boxes of pizza and an enthusiastic April and Casey.

"I know you're tired from your trip," April started, before side-eyeing Casey, "but please tell us how it was!"

"I need details," Casey added as four lovelorn turtles plopped down on their couches, grabbing platefuls of pizza.

"Do you have pictures? I really want to know what they look like!" April squeezed between Leo and Donnie.

"Oh, do I!" Mikey dug around in his bag, producing a stack of polaroids. He also took out his phone.

"Mikey, you're such a creep," Raph admonished him.

"Am not! Plus, we got so many cute pictures of all of you!"

"Show me now," Casey leaned forward. Raph held him back by his shirt.

"Don't!"

Mikey held up his phone, on it a sweet candid he took of Mina smiling sweetly at Raph while they talked over breakfast. It dawned on the brothers that Mikey and Nora spent a significant amount of time sneaking candids of them. Donnie groaned.

"She's so hot, bro! Way to go Big Red!" Casey shook Raph's shoulder aggressively, laughing at how his cheeks matched his bandana.

Mikey very proudly tried to show every photo of him and Nora, or just Nora, before April interrupted.

"She's so cute Mikey. She looks exactly like who I imagined you'd end up with. But I really want to see Talia and Layla now!"

Casey turned his attention to the charming polaroid of Donnie and Talia curled up on the couch right next to each other. He was looking at the tv, mid explanation, eyes twinkling, and she was beaming up at him, clearly listening intently.

April gasped. "This is perfect, Don! You have to hang this up in your lab!"

"Hot as well, good job," Casey mocked clapped.

Donnie turned bright red, and stuttered, "Wha-? No it's ok – she's, she's just a friend."

April rolled her eyes, "Whatever, it's still a great picture." She shoved it into his hands, while she flipped through other ones of the pair, before finding one of Layla.

"She's so lovely!" April said excitedly. Leo's brows furrowed at the picture. It was of them walking back after the night they spent talking at the pond, sharing intimate secrets. The moonlight was in their faces. They were facing each other, smiling softly. She was so sweetly wrapped up in her sweater, and their arms were brushing each other's. The forest was behind them. Leo had no idea Mikey even knew that they went for a walk that night. He hoped desperately that Mikey and Nora didn't follow them, or overhear what they had to say.

April handed Leo the photo, and he took it without fuss. Meanwhile she kept funneling photos of Mina to Raph.

"Oh! A closeup!" she shouted.

Casey grabbed the photo out of her hands, "Lemme see!"

"Nice job, Fearless!" Casey reached over and patted Leo on the shell.

"She's just a friend, Casey," Leo admonished.

"Sure sure, that's what you all keep saying," he said back with a wink.

"Ok it's late, but we will be back tomorrow, and we want you to tell us everything that happened! Leave nothing out!" April said as her and Casey stood up to leave.

"The house is too quiet now," Nora complained, having constantly droned on about how much she missed Mikey. She missed how much joy he brought to everyday tasks.

They had gone into the guest room to clean everything, when Layla noticed something blue peeking out from underneath Leo's pillow. It was one of his masks. Carefully, so her sisters wouldn't notice, she tucked it into her shirt.

The Ancient One sat across from the Tribunal.

"I have heard of this, but I doubt this is what is causing you this feeling," The Ancient One explained. "It is like, how do I put this, a very dark version of the battle nexus, and it is not something new to Earth."

"We were invited to participate in these fights," Chikara explained, "But we declined. We do not wish to fight to the death."

Kon spoke up, "We are now worried though that perhaps we may have missed an opportunity to gather information. We no longer can access, or even know how to access, this traveling arena."

"Perhaps you can help us? If they invite you…" Juto started, but the Ancient One cut him off.

"If you all refuse to sacrifice in a fight to the death, then so do I. I may however be able to find another way in. No promises though," he frowned at the Tribunal. For all the good they do, they lacked compassion.

The Ancient One paused when he arrived home and looked through the window at his four granddaughters. He smiled fondly, thinking of how they turned his once empty house into a home. A distinct uneasiness fell over him like a shadow, and he headed to the dojo to meditate.

Usagi was training when Gennosuke crashed through the door.

"Usagi!" He panted, oblivious to the damage he had just caused.

"Gen! What is the matter?"

"It's my little nephew, Ren! He is missing. I have searched for him for days, and I cannot find even a single clue! You have to help me Usagi!" Gennosuke pleaded.

"You cannot think of a single person? You're family has no known enemies?"

"None! My brother and his wife are good people. They don't have much money, but they don't gamble or have any vices I can think of!" Gen paced the dojo.

"You don't have any gambling debts, do you?" Usagi prodded. He was fond of his rhinoceros friend, but did not trust that his vices would not someday come back to haunt him.

"None! I swear!"

"Then perhaps we should head to where he was taken from, and search. I'm sure you have already been thorough, but a fresh set of eyes may pick up new clues."

They headed to Ren's home, where his parents were waiting. His father was speaking with local townsfolk, trying to find out if anyone had seen him. Ren's friends were gathered around the house, fearfully whispering to one another. His mother was sat in her living room, face pale with grief.

"He's not the only one who is missing," she whispered as Usagi and Gen sat down across from her. "In Edo it is common that orphans often go missing, but a few days ago an acquaintance of mine lost her daughter, Nozomi."

Usagi and Gen continued to listen to the tale, disturbed by the implications. They thoroughly searched the house and village, turning up nothing. Perturbed they headed towards Usagi's dojo.

"Perhaps we should travel to Edo, and speak to this other family," Usagi said.

Gen was unusually serious, "We should talk to the orphans too. They might have seen something."

"What is the matter, Leonardo?" Splinter asked as he sat down across from his son, having watched his son struggle meditating quietly from the shadows.

Leo opened his eyes, sighing. "I am having trouble focusing, again," he said darkly, letting on his frustration to his father.

"Tell me," Splinter said gently. It was less often now that his sons talked to him about any difficulties, and while he was grateful they seemed capable of sorting things out on their own, he missed how often they used to seek his council when they were younger.

"It's um –" Leo started awkwardly. How do you talk to your father about a girl? Do I even want to talk to him about this?

"It's Layla. Well, it's not her I mean, it's –" he took a deep breath to compose himself, and sort out what he wanted to say, clearly. "I find that the way I feel about her can be distracting at times."

"And how do you feel about her?" Splinter prodded.

Leo looked away thoughtfully. "I care about her, quite a lot," he said confidently. Hearing himself say it aloud reassured him that those were his true feelings being spoken.

"And you told her this?" Splinter was surprised at how honest Leonardo was with his feelings. How confident his bearing was as he spoke about her.

"Uh, no actually. I just – how do I know I care about her for her, and not because she's likely the only mutant turtle out there? That I didn't develop feelings just because of what she is, and that it would likely be my only shot at having someone in my life, and not because she's…perfect." He sputtered out the words quickly, the source of his distraction finally evident to Splinter.

"My son, what is it about her specifically? You obviously don't feel the same way towards her sisters," Splinter asked, amused at Leo. He was always so careful with his feelings, so controlled, and he found it endearing his son seemed a bit undone by her. It is for the best, Splinter thought to himself. His son needed to learn to acknowledge and work through his feelings more openly.

"She is kind, intelligent, caring. That doesn't seem specific enough…" he trailed off, thinking hard about how to describe her. "I can tell her anything, and she understands me. She makes me feel peaceful. When I'm with her, I don't feel any burden of responsibility. I can just…be myself I suppose. I trust her, and she trusts me. Well, I hope she does," he paused. He could have kept going, but some things he wanted to keep to himself. Like how beautiful she is. How she laughs at my corny jokes, and her sense of humor. How honored I feel when she comes to talk to me about something that bothers her, because I make her feel safe. Well, I hope I do anyways. She's never really said…

Splinter chuckled, feeling deep happiness for his son. He said he cared for her, but what he described to Splinter sounded more like love to the old rat.

Splinter heard the uncertainty in Leonardo's words, so said, "You are worried she does not feel the same."

Leo looked up at his father, surprised at his astute observation. He never thought of Splinter as being one who had any knowledge of a relationship. Maybe it's from all those "stories" he watches, Leo thought wryly.

"It is clear to me that you care about her for who she is as a person. I have no doubts about that. Just as I have no doubts that she returns your affections as well. I may be old, but my eyes still work," he teased his son.

Leo looked away, embarrassed.

"It gives me great joy to see how happy you boys are. It is not lost on me that you have a heavy burden placed upon your shoulders. I was the one who put it there, and I have demanded much of you over the years. Perhaps too much sometimes. I often regret –"

"Father," Leo interrupted him, but Splinter shook his head, continuing.

"I often regret how harsh I have been. I am sorry." Splinter placed a hand on his son's shoulder.

"I won't be around for forever, and one thing I was always worried about was the happiness of you and your brothers. Especially you, because I know, and I have seen, you put your happiness aside in order to lead your brothers." Splinter paused.

"Leonardo, I want you to be happy." Leo's eyes went wide. Never had he heard Splinter, his sensei, say such a thing. Sure, as his father, he told him he had missed him, loved him. He was a loving father. But he had never told him he wanted him to be happy, or that he was concerned about these things. The emotions were almost too much for him to handle, but he kept his composure.

"Miss Layla makes you happy, and I hope she will continue to bring you joy and lessen your burden long after I am gone."

Raph, Donnie, and Mikey were eavesdropping. They did not expect a conversation they could tease Leo about – his feelings for Layla that he never would admit to them – to turn into a very serious heart-to-heart with Splinter.

Mikey leaned on Raph's shoulder, crying openly. Raph put his arm around his youngest brother and gave Donnie's shoulder a squeeze. Donnie responded by putting his hand over Raph's. Neither of them looked at each other. Donnie didn't need to see the tears in his tough brother's eyes. And Raph surely didn't want to either of his brothers to see how deeply this affected him, nor did he want to see his stoic genius of a brother cry.

They retreated quietly to Donnie's lab, unusually staying together rather than going their separate ways. Though the three didn't speak to each other, they found quiet ways to express comfort. Raph silently began to tinker with his bike, while Donnie continued on with whatever it was he did. Mikey stayed in their vicinity, attempting to draw, but the tears streaming from his eyes kept ruining his half-hearted drawings.

Some days later, Splinter rushed into the living room, calling all his sons together.

"Boys, I have something to discuss with you."

They sat on the couch, curiously eyeing each other.

"It is that time again, where I am invited to that," Splinter took a breath, choosing his next words carefully, "horrible dinner party weekend."

"Already?" asked Mikey, starting to giggle.

"It seems like just a year ago when you last went," Donnie started laughing along with Mikey.

Raph sniggered in the background, "The Ancient One going as your date again?"

Splinter sighed, "I want to ask you all a favor. That is to say…" he paused dramatically, "Please one of you go in my stead. I'm too old for that shit."

The boys sat aghast at their father's use of profanity.

"I'll go, father," Leonardo spoke up.

His brothers whipped their heads towards him, remembering the conversation they overheard.

"I'll go if ya don't wanna," Raph offered.

"Same here Leo," Donnie chimed in.

"Yeah, Donnie or Raphie would definitely go if you didn't want to!" Mikey added to the chagrin of his other brothers, who glared at him.

Leo looked warily at his brothers, "What's wrong with you all?"

He was met with a suspicious chorus of 'nothing'.

Leo chuckled, "No it's ok, I'll go. I appreciate the offers though. If it's that bad next time I'll send one of you."