Note: References to the TMNT 2003 Episode 'The Ancient One' appear in this fic, also my Fanfic 'A Warrior's Journey' is referenced here too!
Chapter Thirty
The Key to Peace
Back in Mutopia, completely unaware of what was happening topside, Leonardo walked into the medical room where he saw Kemeko having her healing treatment from Devina whilst Dahlia watched over them.
Kemeko was looking more relaxed and happier, yet the blue masked turtle could still see the fear and darkness in her eyes.
Even though he and Tyroth had helped her to sleep better, he knew her trauma wouldn't just disappear overnight.
He watched Devina use her magic on Kemeko's stomach where she had stabbed herself, then she looked at Dahlia who knelt to Kemeko's stomach to look at the wound and the wolf gave a smile.
"Thank you, Devina." She said, "Give it another couple of days and she'll be ready to be discharged."
"That is good news!" Devina smiled then looked at Kemeko.
"How you feeling?"
Kemeko looked at the ceiling and gave a small if not bittersweet smile.
"So, so." She replied quietly, "At least better than the last couple of nights."
"That's good to hear." Dahlia said as she stood up and checked the machines, "Given how things are here, and combined with Devina's healing magic, you'll be ready able to get up and leave the medical bay!"
Kemeko smile got a little brighter.
"I look forward to that." She spoke.
It was then Leonardo made his presence known.
"Me too." He spoke making the Vampiress, the wolf and his daughter look over.
"Oh hey Leonardo." Devina said.
"Dad!" Kemeko smiled.
"Hey Lotus!" Leonardo said walking over and taking her hand before leaning down to kiss her.
"I assume you heard what I said?" Dahlia asked.
"I did yes." Leonardo said, "I can't tell you how glad that makes me feel!" he sat down on a chair next to Kemeko's bed and squeezed his daughter's hand.
"Thanks, both of you, and to James." He looked over to the next room where he knew James was in looking over Monalisa and he looked back at Dahlia.
The wolf seemed to pick up what he was going to ask, and she answered.
"She's almost ready to be discharged as well, but we need to just keep an eye on her for a couple more days, just to be sure."
"Thanks!" Leonardo said feeling relieved for his adopted sister.
Dahlia smiled at Leonardo then walked to the next room to help James whilst Devina left the medical bay.
Once they were alone, Leonardo sat next to Kemeko.
"How are you feeling Lotus?" he asked.
Kemeko sighed.
"I've been asked that so much dad." She said, "And even though I'm sleeping better, and being able to control my nightmares, I still feel so much hurt."
"I can understand sweetheart." Leonardo said stroking Kemeko's hand, "And know it will take time for this pain to fade, but I do have a plan for how to help you."
Kemeko turned to Leonardo.
"You do?" she asked, hope filling her eyes.
Leonardo nodded the handed Kemeko the postcard.
Kemeko took the card and studied it before looking to Leonardo.
"Japan?" she asked.
Leonardo nodded.
"Yes, my turtle child." He said with a smile before pointing at the card "That's where we're going, as soon as you're discharged from the medical bay."
Kemeko's eyes widened as she looked at the postcard.
"Honestly?" she exclaimed.
Leonardo nodded and nuzzled Kemeko.
"Yes sweetheart, Japan is a part of your heritage, as you have learnt in your school lessons, but there is more, as it is the resting place of your parents, and a place where I found peace after going through difficult times."
Kemeko blinked as she looked at Leonardo.
"You're serious father?" she asked.
Leonardo nodded as he stroked Kemeko's cheek.
"I am Lotus." He said, "Despite the temporary peace you feel now, I see the pain within you, and how such trauma still lingers, and I wish to expel it from you, and I feel this is one way to help."
Kemeko looked at Leonardo then down at the postcard, she studied the pictures then looked back at her adopted father.
"Will it work?" she asked, "I wish nothing more than to feel peace and closure."
Leonardo nodded.
"Do you remember the stories I told you? About your Grandfather Splinter's sensei Hamato Yoshi?"
Kemeko nodded.
"And you remember I told you about the Ancient One, Yoshi's Sensei and Mentor?"
"I do yes." she said, "I remember you told me that you trained under him, and despite your awkward first meeting, you learnt so much from him, and he helped you heal after suffering from mental wounds after you defeated the Shredder the first time."
Leonardo nodded.
"He was a very wise man." He said, "Even if he did have a slight fluctuance problem." He muttered under his breath and wrinkled his beak as he remembered.
"But Yeah, I still remember it like yesterday, the anger I felt when I travelled from New York, still feeling sore and saddened at leaving my beloved family and when I would be able to return home to them, that was until I found who and what I was looking for."
Leonardo stared the postcard as the memories came back to him, reluctantly leaving his family and traveling to Japan.
But despite everything, the pain he went through and the travelling for miles for all those weeks, it had helped him.
He then remembered the time he returned a second time to find the Ancient One to help fight his demons after injuring Raphael and how it had helped him.
But now, not long after he had left Japan, The Ancient One had passed away which had saddened him, his brothers and Splinter.
But he had passed away peacefully, and his ashes were buried along with his student Hamato Yoshi, Tang Shen, and now Karai and Chaplin at the temple hidden in the Mountains where they forever rested in eternal peace.
"Trust me Lotus." He said, "When I travelled there, I learnt so much about peace and the art of my practice is bushido, as well as myself and now to feel calm and peace, and if it worked for me, it will for you."
Kemeko squeezed Leonardo's hand and looked at him fervently.
"I trust you daddy." She said, "After learning my parent's origins, I wish to learn more, and I will follow the path to know the truth, and if you can lead me there, I will follow you, with an open and faithful heart!"
She bowed her head to Leonardo then embraced him.
"I love you daddy." She whispered, "I will follow you… I trust you,"
Leonardo held his daughter close and kissed her head.
"Then we will go, once you leave the sickbay, we will start our journey."
Kemeko snuggled close into Leonardo's plastron.
"I can't wait daddy." She smiled.
"Me neither Lotus." Leonardo said as he cuddled her close "I'll have so much to show you, and tell you, and I hope that whilst at the Home and Temple, Yoshi, Tang Shen, the Ancient One, and your parents will guide you and help you."
He looked up and the ceiling and he made a silent prayer.
"We're coming back Ancient One, even if you're not there in the flesh, I know your spirit is there, along with the others."
From the doorway of the Medical Room, Tyroth, George and Splinter watched the tender moment between Leonardo and Kemeko and both smiled warmly.
Splinter wiped away a tear.
"I believe that Kemeko taking the same pilgrimage will help her heal properly." He said, "Being in the temple of the Ancient One, and seeing where her parents are laid to rest."
"It may just strengthen her and Leonardo's bond again." Tyroth suggested "Those who have been through so much, and after what happened, they need time to heal together, and this trip will be just what they need."
"Once the child is discharged from the Medical Bay, we will help them prepare for their journey." George said.
Splinter agreed then he walked into the medical room to see Kemeko.
Leonardo looked up from hugging Kemeko and bowed to his master.
Kemeko also smiled when she saw her grandfather.
"I can't tell you how happy it makes me feel to see you looking better my granddaughter." Splinter said stroking Kemeko's cheek affectionately then he touched the white streak pushing it away from her face.
Kemeko looked at the white streak and curled it on her finger.
"I kinda like it." She smiled "I know it's a reminder of what happened…but…like Pandora who is proud of her scars, I guess this is one that reminds me that I'm a survivor."
Leonardo squeezed Kemeko proudly.
"That's my Lotus Blossom." He spoke.
Splinter sat down on the other chair and stroked Kemeko's cheek.
"Only a few days ago, you were so frightened to sleep, and you thought yourself a coward, but trust me when I say you are not! You may have suffered more than the rest of us, knowing that the Shredder is your grandfather, and he killed your parents, but you did not yield to him, you tried to gain his trust to help us, then you choose the path of honour, as I knew you would! You did all you could to stop him, even if it almost cost you your life, but you did it with such bravery and honour, we couldn't be prouder of you, and I am certain your parents are too."
Kemeko blushed as a couple of tears shone in her eyes.
"I learnt from my family." She said "You grandfather, you father, my uncles, Aunt Mona, Pandora and everyone in Mutopia, you're my true family, Shredder never was and never will be…"
She hugged Leonardo and squeezed Splinter's hand.
"I love you both." She said.
So Leonardo has told Kemeko of his plan to take her to Japan to help her find peace as well as see where her parents are buried and Kemeko is very enthusiastic and willing to go!
Next chapter, we'll check back in with Jun at the Underground Fight! See you then!