TMNT Shorts

I Miss You Love

Splinter's POV:

It's the anniversary....

I look at the photo of Tang Shen and I...

~¥~

She looks stunning in her wedding kimono. The ruby red fabric brings out her amber eyes, her winged eyeliner emphasizing her long lashes. The traditional white face paint makes her scarlet lips stand out as she smiles, her face glowing with love. Her long espresso hair is pulled back in a simple, yet elegant bun. White birds and pink cherry blossoms soar across the crimson fabric, the sleeves large and swooping. Pink blossoms are woven into her bun. She's radiant.

She takes my hand. "Come on Yoshi!! Let's dance!!"

I laugh as she yanks me to the dance floor. "As you wish... Mrs. Hamato."

Shen grins as I hold her in my arms, the two of us swaying to the music. "Hamato Tang Shen... I like the sound of that." She whispers.

"As do I." I smile broadly as I twirl her about.

"I should hope so, Mr. Hamato." She winks at me. She grabs the front of my kimono, pulling me towards her as she kisses me.

I kiss her back, passionate and loving. "I love you, Sakura No Hana..." I whisper in her ear, calling her by her nickname of cherry blossom.

"I love you too, Yoshi."

~¥~

I only got a year as her husband, only six months with our daughter...before he killed them and burned my world to ashes. I lost it all...sixteen years ago, today, May 14th.

My gaze switches to the photo of Miwa playing with cherry blossoms under the tree in front of our home...

~¥~

I set Miwa down on a blanket under the cherry tree. She tilts her head back to gaze at the pink flowers growing from the tree, her young amber eyes awestruck. An idea pops into my head. I pick a cluster of the small flowers from a branch, holding them over her head.

She stretches her tiny hands for the blossoms, snatching a couple and knocking a petal down. The pink petal lands on the tip of her little nose. She studies it cross eyed, and snorts, sending the piece of plant matter drifting through the air, carried away by the breeze. She giggles, clapping her tiny hands.

I chuckle at her antics, scooping her up in my arms. "Oh my little harmony, my sweet little Miwa. You will grow to do extraordinary things!!"

She coos happily, touching her little hands to my face. I kiss her soft hands, and raise her over my head, so she can reach more cherry blossoms.

~¥~

I close my eyes, remembering that night...

~¥~

I hold my wife in my arms, our daughter sleeping soundly in her cradle. I can't help but worry about the way Saki has been behaving lately. His eyes are even colder... I shiver, feeling as if that icy gaze was boring into the spot between my shoulder blades. My wife stirs, sensing my unease.

"What's wrong Yoshi?" Tang Shen asks me softly, her warm brown eyes saving me from my fear as she lies beside me.

I smile gently, kissing her forehead. "Nothing, go back to sleep."

She raises an eyebrow at me. "Don't lie. I know you're worried about Saki." She touches my face. "Don't worry, it'll be okay." She whispers, pressing her lips to mine. She snuggles in closer, resting her head on my chest. "I love you." She yawns sleepily.

"I love you too." I whisper in her espresso hair, my breath becoming even as I drift to sleep.