'AOtGO' - Far From Home Ch 1

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and all related characters belong to Nickelodeon.

Warnings: Mentions of past character death. Unbetaed.

Summary: For four months now, Mikey's been stuck in the wrong universe, separated from all he loves. He's never been away from home at Christmas before but there's a first time for everything. Just like how there's a first time for 2k3 family without their own lost brother and son. 2k12/2k3 crossover.

Comments, thoughts and concrit is always welcome.

See A/N below.

AOtGO – Far From Home

Ch 1 – December 23rd

“So this is where your home is located in your own world?”

Mikey swallowed and gazed around. While he usually came here at least once every couple of weeks, except for the time Leo and Don came searching for him almost four months ago, no one had been here with him since. “Hai, Sensei,” he answered softly. It felt really weird having someone else here, though definitely not unwelcome. Christmas Day was only two sleeps away and this was his first time away from family and home. Right now he was missing everyone more than at any other time since he found himself trapped in this strange dimension with people so familiar yet so completely different.

The old ninja master moved further into the lair beyond the tarnished and stiff turnstiles in curiosity. “Would you be willing to give me the grand tour, Michelangelo?”

The freckled turtle nodded miserably; while this Splinter was great, all he really wanted was his own father. Still, he was extremely grateful his other-dimensional family had taken him in, showing such kindness and generosity, despite the emotional agony they'd been going through.

“If you aren't feeling up to it, I can show Master Splinter around for you, Mikey,” Leo offered, resting a forest green hand comfortingly on Mikey's shoulder. “I believe I remember the layout well enough.”

“No! No, it's fine, Leo,” Mikey started quickly. “I'm okay. I just... It's Christmas soon and I really wish I could go home and see everyone...”

“I understand,” Leo said softly.

However, as understanding as Leo was, Mikey still saw the hurt shining brightly in the older turtle's eyes and he cringed inwardly, wishing he hadn't been quite so honest in his reply. Things had changed so much over the last four months, especially the last three. Leo and his brothers had gone from barely tolerating him to full out welcoming him as a true member of the family. Well, Donnie could still be a little stiff from time to time but considering what Donnie had personally experienced nearly a year ago, it was no wonder and at least Mikey had since learnt to read when to keep his distance. Thankfully that was necessary less and less often as time went by.

In some ways, it was strange but he almost felt closer to this Leo than his own and the last thing Mikey wanted was to hurt someone who'd been so good to him.

“I didn't mean for it to sound like that!” Mikey hurriedly assured Leo. “You guys are great and I'm really glad I'm here but...” his words petered out and Leo chuckled.

“As I said, I understand. Don't worry about it, Mikey,” Leo reassured. “Let's show Master Splinter around so we can do what we came here for.”

Mikey smiled broadly up at Leo and nodded, really glad he wasn't here alone.

-:-

As Mikey led the tour, he left an envelope with a name on it in each appropriate bedroom. Inside was a personalised Christmas card and letter he'd created for each member of his family. They'd never receive them, he knew that, but it was something he'd felt he needed to do and besides, it was the thought that counted.

Finally Mikey, Leo and Splinter approached the room where the dojo should have been. Mikey anxiously clutched the final envelope tightly enough that it crinkled within his grasp and when he realised, he tried desperately to smooth it out again.

Leo reached out a hand to rest on his shoulder, his light touch calming Mikey immediately and the younger turtle took in a deep, calming breath before entering the soul of what should have been his home. Mikey quickly walked across to the alcove his father had turned into a bedroom back home and entered. Moving over to the exact location where his father's pillow would have been resting, Mikey reverently placed the envelope down before kneeling in respect and gazing up where his father's eyes would be if the former human was seated offering tea.

“I miss you guys so, so much but just wait for me, okay? I'll be able to get home in another five months,” Mikey whispered wistfully. “Please don't give up on me, 'cause I'm not giving up on any of you.”

He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. This version of the lair had none of the spirit or atmosphere of his true home but in the times he'd come to visit during his accidental exile, he'd brought a few candles and incense sticks to burn, so some of the scent at least, while faint, was present.

Feeling much better than when he'd arrived, Mikey finally opened his eyes and bounced lightly to his feet before all but skipping out of the room. Then he stopped dead in surprise at the sight that met him.

Splinter had laid out a large but thin meditation mat and lit candles in a circle, Leo was seated across from and a little to the side of him. Mikey had wondered earlier about the bag that Splinter carried with him tonight and now he knew.

The ninja master looked over at Mikey with a warm smile, patting the ground in front of himself. “Come, my student. Sit.”

Feeling dazed at the surrealism, Mikey drifted over to where the other two were seated below the hole in the ceiling and sat down beside Leo where Splinter indicated. “Wait... why are you meditating here, Sensei?”

“This is the location you are spiritually closest to your family in this world, is it not?”

Mikey nodded numbly.

“Over the last few months, your meditation skills have improved significantly compared with what they were when you first arrived, Michelangelo,” Splinter observed calmly.

“Yeah, but they still suck,” Mikey admitted, struggling self consciously to keep his eyes locked with the ninja master's.

Splinter chuckled. “Though I would not quite put it that way, I do admit your focus still leaves much to be desired, yes.”

Grimacing, now Mikey did drop his gaze and Splinter reached out a bony hand to turn Michelangelo's face back up to meet his. To Mikey's relief, the kind smile was still present and he couldn't help but return it.

“As you know, during that time we have been working on you learning the basics of the Astral Plain. Since we are currently at the location where you are the most spiritually connected, I thought Leonardo and myself could help you attempt to contact your family.”

Mikey's jaw dropped in disbelief at hearing the suggestion. “You really think I'm ready to try, Sensei?”

“No,” Splinter chuckled. He quickly continued at Mikey's crestfallen expression. “However, the conditions to try are sound. We have the correct location and the time of day is also correct, yes?”

Mikey nodded carefully.

“You have two skilled guides with you and on top of all that, it is almost Christmas,” Splinter explained. “Christmas is a time of great and wonderful magic. Ideally the best day would be Christmas Day itself, however, since we leave the city tomorrow morning, tonight is our only chance to try.”

Mikey grinned excitedly and flung himself forward, throwing his arms around the old ninja master. “Thanks Sensei! You've got no idea how much this means to me!”

Splinter chuckled once more and pried the exuberant turtle's arms from himself. “I think I get the idea, Michelangelo. However, the chance is great that this may not work so do not become discouraged if that is the case. We can easily try again in the future when you have a little more experience.”

Mikey settled himself back into his seated position, trying desperately to stop fidgeting and focus.

“Now, let us begin, my students.”

-:-

Mikey opened his eyes, excitement pounding his heart and looked around, only for disappointment to immediately engulf him. “It didn't work! We're still right where we started!” All around him was the exact same view as before he closed his eyes; the dark and dingy concession concourse for the old abandoned subway station. There were no longer remnants of the old stands though, they had been rotten and falling apart before Mikey originally came here and he'd cleaned it up even before he'd come across his other dimensional family four months back; not like he'd had anything better to do during the days. In fact the fires he'd built with some of the pieces had kept him warm on the chilly nights in the sewers while he was alone, especially before he'd found some makeshift bedding, not to mention, also heated his meagre meals.

Splinter chuckled faintly, “That is not so, Michelangelo. As I am sure you recall, the landscape and sights you see within the Astral Plain are shaped by the minds sharing the immediate vicinity.”

Mikey nodded as he listened.

“What we see now is shaped mostly by Leonardo and myself. Through your inexperience, you have only influenced our environment a little.”

“Oh...”

“Now that we are here and aware, I wish for you to close your eyes again and imagine what your home looks like. Bring it to life around us, believe that we are truly there. Leonardo and I will likewise do the same and allow you full control over our surroundings.”

“Okay...” Mikey said uncertainly.

“We'll help you as best we can but it's something only you can do, Mikey,” Leo added softly, “and I know you can do it.”

“How can you be so sure, Leo?” Mikey asked dubiously.

“Because you have an extremely vivid imagination. Something which, when harnessed correctly, can be a great asset in the Astral Plain,” Leo replied confidently. “Also, I remember when Don and I came here looking for you that time, your description of your home was so clear that I could almost see it then.

“I have complete faith in you Mikey, so have some faith in yourself. Can you do that?” Leo asked seriously.

Buoyed by Leo's confidence in him, Mikey nodded emphatically, “Like a turtle do!” He took a deep breath, steeling himself as he closed his eyes. If Leo and Splinter Sensei believed in him, who was he to doubt them? As he evened out his breaths once more, he thought of the appearance, sounds and scents of home. He remembered the feel of the old dojo rugs beneath him as he sat, walked, kneeled or tumbled; smiled at the memory of Leo and Raph's constant rivalry, imagining that he could hear them now and snickered at the sight of D rolling his eyes at the 'typical testosterone displays'.

Mikey shivered as he remembered the chill of the air this time of year and of course the fragrant incense which burned frequently in the small shrine to Master Splinter's lost family.

He breathed deeply at the memory of the scent and listened to the sounds of the huge evergreen tree that somehow thrived in their sewer home. It was funny how there was never any breeze down here, yet unlike his brothers, whenever they meditated he would swear he could always hear the soft rustling of the tree as it lived and breathed; Donnie always told him how ludicrous that was but Mikey ignored him, knowing what he heard was real.

Now he could feel the rough bark beneath his fingertips and hear the soft swishing of the leaves; saw and felt the way the sunlight shone through the branches and everything just snapped together in his mind. Mikey's eyes flew open again and everything seemed exactly as he remembered it with one notable exception.

His family was not there.

“This is truly a beautiful mural, a masterpiece in fact,” Splinter spoke suddenly in awe.

Mikey's head whipped around to see him. He nodded. “Master Splinter brought it with him from Japan when he moved to New York.” Mikey gazed around in wonder, taking in everything. It all looked and smelt right but it didn't feel right and Mikey decided he hated that.

“This dojo is amazing!” Leo gushed in admiration. It was so bright and airy, with impressive displays of equipment and weapons on and about the walls.

Mikey found himself unable to meet Leo's excited eyes. To him the soul was missing and so he wrapped his arms tightly around himself as he looked around apprehensively.

Noticing Mikey's lack of joy, Splinter spoke up, appearing directly in front of the young turtle, “Bringing this scene to life was only the first step, Michelangelo,” he said. “Now you must concentrate on reaching out, searching for those of your family who you believe would be meditating or close to meditating at this time of evening.”

“How do I do that?” Mikey asked, fully attentive again.

“Much the same as how you brought all this to life. Concentrate on everything you know and remember about them. Their scent, the feel of their skin or fur, sound of their voices; the very feel of their souls,” he explained firmly. “It would be best however, if you simply chose to concentrate on reaching out to only one person this early in your Astral training.”

“Hai, Sensei!” Mikey immediately dropped down into a cross legged position on one of the worn, yet still beautiful rugs and closed his eyes, automatically thinking of his father.

While he missed everyone very much, the pain was at least eased by the fact that, other-dimensional or not, he still had his brothers. His father on the other hand, was another story. Master Splinter and the Splinter Sensei of this world were two completely different people and though Splinter Sensei saw him as another reality's version of his lost son, offering him comfort and support, he still wasn't able to ease the ache inside of Mikey.

So for both that reason and the fact that Master Splinter was simply the best choice to call out to, that's who Mikey chose to concentrate on.

He thought of every memory of his father he could think of, focusing on the feelings and sensations he'd felt from both the physical and emotional contact and projected what he felt, what he remembered, to a single position near the base of the dojo's impressive tree.

Master Splinter's favoured place to sit and meditate.

Nothing happened though so Mikey doubled his efforts. After some time, he began to feel tired, both mentally and physically and just as he was about ready to cave in and give up, he heard a voice he hadn't heard in so long, a voice he missed so strongly it hurt. The voice was so faint that he nearly missed hearing it altogether and his heart practically leapt into his throat at the sound.

“My son?” The words spoken were hopeful and a touch hesitant, as if fearing its owner was simply hallucinating. “Michelangelo?”

Exhausted as he was, Michelangelo struggled to refocus and concentrate. As he was about to lose the tentative contact, he felt energy from a supportive hand on his shoulder flowing into him, boosting him and he called out again, this time verbally instead of just mentally, “Master Splinter?”

He opened his eyes, looking wildly about the mental landscape and completely forgetting the encouraging presences of Leonardo and Splinter Sensei. Suddenly he found his attention drawn to the spot near the base of the tree. All he saw was a blurred, indistinct form, seemingly rising slowly, almost disbelievingly to its 'feet' and he knew.

Mikey was on his own feet in an instant, dashing forward and trying to throw desperate arms around the ghostly apparition.

He passed through and whirled about frantically, hoping he hadn't lost his father again so soon.

“My son,” came the almost inaudible voice. “Is that really you?”

“Yeah, it's really me, Master Splinter,” Mikey choked out. The happiness of hearing his father's voice was almost overwhelming. He saw what he guessed was his father's hand rising so he raised his own to meet it, reaching out and trying to connect. While he felt nothing physically, he did however sense a familiar energy upon the contact and his smile was so broad he could almost feel it splitting his face.

“I am so relieved to find you here, Michelangelo. Leonardo sensed you were alive a few months ago but in much trouble at the time,” Splinter's fading but thankful voice spoke. “However, so long since that evening has passed that I fea...” Splinter's voice suddenly disappeared mid sentence and Mikey lost sight of the insubstantial form.

“Master Splinter?” Mikey called desperately, his voice already starting to break, “Chichi? Come back!”

Mikey's breathing became fast and shallow as the young ninja panicked over the sudden loss. “Please come back! Don't... don't leave me! I haven't even...”

“Michelangelo,” a gentle voice commanded.

Mikey's eyes shot open and he found himself back in the dark, dingy and soulless version of his home. He looked up at the grey, aged ninja master. “How do I get him back?” he asked frantically. “Master Splinter was there! He really was!”

“I know, Michelangelo.”

“Please! Help me get him back!”

“I am so sorry, Michelangelo but it is too late now.” Splinter then tried to comfort the distraught turtle, “Take heart though, at least he now knows you are alive and safe and you know he is as well.”

“I've gotta try again!” Mikey protested desperately as he clutched repeatedly at Splinter's robe. “I found him! I found him but I didn't even get to tell him anything...” he cried plaintively, tears forming in the corners of his eyes.

“I truly am sorry. We cannot try again just now but we can certainly try again another day.”

“Please Sensei!” Mikey pleaded almost hysterically. He tried to use his famous puppy dog eye technique but was far too distressed for it to be truly effective; regardless, the sight was heartbreaking to both Splinter and Leonardo.

Splinter wrapped his thin arms around his other-dimensional son and held him tight for some time as the young turtle finally cried in front of him for the first time since they'd met.

Once Michelangelo eventually calmed down enough to pull away a little, Splinter spoke up, “Come. We must return to the lair, now.” Before Mikey could start begging again, he added, “It is quite late and we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.” Without waiting, Splinter stood and walked out, knowing that if he waited, he would be drawn back into Michelangelo's anguish and it could be hours more before they returned home.

Leo held out a hand, smiling comfortingly. “We were in the Astral Plain for nearly five hours, Mikey. Don and Raph will worry enough to send out a search party if we don't return soon.”

Mikey looked back towards where the tree should be standing, longing filling his being. “But...”

“You're exhausted, both mentally and spiritually. We'll try again within a couple of days of returning from the farm. I promise,” Leo coaxed.

For a moment Mikey looked as if he were about to argue further but instead he nodded tiredly and allowed Leo to pull him to his feet before following him out the room.

By the time the three ninja walked back to the Sewer Slider, Mikey was practically asleep on his feet and within seconds of boarding the vehicle, he was completely out.

As Leo steered them home, his thoughts raced and eventually he spoke up. “Forgive me, Master Splinter. I don't mean to question you but are you sure it was wise having Mikey try that so soon?”

“Unfortunately my son, it was either try now or not at all. Even with his current progress, it is unlikely he would be ready to try for another few months at least,” Splinter explained. Despite Michelangelo's problems with focussing, his meditation and astral skills had been improving at an astounding rate, probably driven by how desperately he wanted the chance of at least talking to his family.

“In that case, maybe we should have delayed the trip to the farm?”

“Perhaps. However this is our first Christmas without your brother and I know I cannot be the only one who wishes to pay my respects.” Splinter's voice was full of anguish as he spoke those words but Leo didn't call him out on it. Instead he simply nodded his head, gazing at the murky waterway ahead. “We all need this trip, Leonardo.”

“Of course, Master Splinter,” Leo murmured in agreement. “I only wish we'd had a body to bury...”

There was no reply but Leo knew his father felt the same.

-:-

Leonardo steered the Sewer Slider into line with its berth and cut the engine, allowing it to drift in the last couple of metres. He glanced down at the lightly snoring Michelangelo before jumping from the vehicle and securing it in place.

“Head inside and let your brothers know we have returned,” Splinter spoke with a strangely knowing smile on his face. “I will wake Michelangelo.”

“Yes, Master Splinter.” Leo bowed and left as Splinter turned to lean over the slumbering younger turtle.

A couple of minutes later, Leo entered the lair to find Raph waiting, an irritable look firmly in place about him.

“Where the shell have you been? Thought you were only goin' so the brat could leave cards for his family!” Raph immediately bitched on sight before adding with a derisive snort, “You know it's ridiculous, right? It's not like they're ever goin' to get them!”

“It's the thought that counts and if it makes him feel better, then that's all the matters,” Leo pointed out smoothly. “Besides Mikey felt the need to talk to them, even if he can't do it in person and that's something we all understand...”

“Yeah but almost seven hours? You know we got stuff to do for tomorrow!”

Leo smiled in amusement; he knew exactly where Raph was coming from. If it had been himself left behind for so long, he would have been the same, only without the belligerent and accusing tone. “Master Splinter wanted Mikey to try contacting his family via the Astral Plain.”

Raph stopped in surprise. “The brat's not good enough for that yet!” he exclaimed, then paused briefly before asking in sudden interest, “So how'd he do?”

Leo started explaining what had happened earlier and just as he was almost finished, a light footstep caught his attention. As he turned, a friendly, familiar voice rang out.

“Leonardo my brother, it is so good to see you.”

A bright smile of delight filled Leo's features, “Usagi?”

The two friends shot towards one another, clasping each other in friendly embraces.

“When did you get here?” Leo asked curiously after they parted.

“He's been waitin' for you to get back for just over an hour now,” Raph piped up, getting in another small dig with a slight smirk of amusement on his face.

“Indeed,” Usagi smiled warmly. “It is good to see you in better spirits than when last we met, Leonardo.”

Leo sobered. The last time he'd seen Usagi was for his brother's funeral. Not the public memorial the Justice Force held for their honoured member and friend, The Turtle Titan, but the far more private one where all the family had left to bury was the chains from his nunchaku, Shell-cell and other assorted pieces left behind when they lost their brother and son.

“It's been hard, Usagi. Very hard...” Leo said softly, “but we've finally begun to heal thanks to someone who's been staying with us the last few months.”

Usagi's white furred eyebrows raised in curiosity, “Yes, I have heard about him. Is he really...?”

“He is but at the same time, he's not,” Leo explained badly. “You wouldn't recognise him to look at him and his personality is different in a lot of ways but you can see glimmers of our Mikey in him sometimes. At their centre, they're both Mikey but their lives, our lives and his family's, have been very different.”

“Speakin' of the brat.” Raphael nodded surreptitiously towards the door where Splinter and a very sleepy looking Mikey were entering.

Leo watched Usagi walk towards them and bow deeply. “Greetings, Master Splinter.”

Splinter returned the bow and greeting before bidding good night to all and heading directly to his room, leaving a drowsy Michelangelo staring sleepily at Usagi in open interest.

Leonardo quickly joined the pair, “Usagi, this is our other-dimensional brother, Michelangelo. Mikey, this is our good friend and spiritual brother, Miyamoto Usagi.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Michelangelo-san,” Usagi smiled sincerely.

Mikey grinned back tiredly, “You too, dude.” He then tried and failed to stifle a yawn, causing Leo to frown.

“Maybe you should just go straight to bed, Mikey,” he suggested. “Our excursion took a lot out of you.”

Mikey shook his head emphatically and Leo was certain he'd seen a flash of panic show in the younger turtle's eyes. However, when Mikey spoke, there was no sign of it. “Nuh, I'm really wiped Leo but I want to get to know Usagi a bit first.”

Leo was certain the thing Mikey left unspoken was that he didn't want to be alone right now and Leo didn't blame him, so instead he smiled but said firmly, “Alright, just for an hour or so.”

“Thanks Leo!” To Leo, the relief was obvious in the younger turtle's voice.

“I'm goin' to go help Don finish off while you three gasbag like old ladies then,” Raph gibed with a brief worried glance at Mikey before he left.

Mikey never seemed to notice it though, instead turning straight back to Usagi. “Are you coming to the farm for Christmas with us, Usagi?” he asked curiously as Leo steered them to the couches.

“I was unaware you were all going prior to arriving tonight but I'm afraid I cannot. I have duties I must attend to back in my own world,” Usagi explained, a slightly wistful tone in his voice that Leo didn't miss. “I can however stay overnight but I must return by mid morning.”

“We're looking to be on the road by nine at the latest anyway,” Leo said. “It's a little early by our standards but it's a long drive. At least the worst of the peak hour traffic should be gone by then.”

“Peak hour traffic?” Usagi asked uncertainly.

Mikey gave a small laugh, looking up at Leo's friend, “Dude, where are you from?”

“Another world where things are far more rural than here. We do not even have such wonders as your electricity there.”

“Oh...” Mikey replied, hoping he hadn't offended the samurai rabbit with his question and laughter. “Do you... Tell me you at least have pizza there. Right?”

It was Usagi's turn to laugh. “Traditionally, no, we do not. However when we visited this world in the past, Michelangelo introduced Gen and myself to it, among other such... delicacies. I did not find it to be something I would like often, however Gen returned home with the knowledge of how to create it and sold the recipe. There is now a restaurant specialising in pizza in our Capital and last I knew, the owner was looking to expand.”

Mikey grinned, “I think I'd like this Gen dude.”

Usagi smiled, “He takes some getting used to but there is no one I would prefer to have at my back in a battle. With the possible exception of Leonardo-san,” he added.

Chuckling, Leo asked, “Even with my 'ninja trickery'?”

“Even with,” Usagi agreed, smiling at the memory of following Leonardo's lead back in his own world that one time.

The conversation continued and Leo soon noticed Mikey struggling to stay awake. Once Klunk appeared and curled up purring madly on the other-dimensional ninja's lap, that was it. Mikey lost the battle to stay awake and quickly fell fast asleep leaning against the older turtle. From then, it didn't take long for Leo to steel himself and ask the question he'd been dreading to ask since the moment he saw his dear friend had come to visit.

“Usagi, I remember you once saying a friend of yours was able to teach you a way to come visit us without the need to travel through the Nexus. Do you think they would be willing to help Mikey return home?”

Usagi regarded Leo seriously and Leo hoped his friend wouldn't notice how much he really didn't want to get Mikey home sooner. In truth, Leo was already dreading the day they'd finally be able to help the younger turtle return to his family. While Leo did really want to help him and would, the idea of also losing this Mikey already hurt too much, even though he'd only been with them a few short months now. Mikey may not have filled the void his own lost brother left behind within their family but he sure helped heal much of it.

Sighing sadly, Usagi said, “Once Michelangelo's plight was explained to me, I began hoping you would not ask that question of me, my brother.”

Leo sat straighter, his heart pounding in a mixture of anticipation and dismay.

“While I am certain my friend could and would help your other-dimensional brother, I am afraid he left on a journey some months back and no one knows when he will return. Often his journeys last more than a year and it is safe to say his return will definitely not be during the winter months,” Usagi explained. “Out of necessity, few travel during this season in my world. It is simply too dangerous.”

Leo nodded, understanding completely as Usagi continued.

“The best I may offer is that if I hear of his early return before the next tournament, I will make an effort to ask him.”

“Thank you, Usagi,” Leo smiled, trying to cover up the strange mixture of elation and disappointment he felt upon hearing the news. “I know Mikey will appreciate that. Though unless he suddenly realises and asks about how you came here, I won't bring it up. I wouldn't want to get his hopes up for nothing.”

“Understandable, my friend,” Usagi said gently. “Now, the reason I came here tonight. I brought a few small gifts and delicacies from my world for your family to enjoy. Among them is a rare flower that blooms brightly only once the snows come.”

As Leo looked on curiously, Mikey fast asleep against him, Usagi stood and went to fetch a small but hardy, burnt orange flower from where he left the things he'd brought with him.

“I wished to bring this to honour your brother who showed us all the true meaning of Christmas two years ago.” Usagi held the blossom out reverently to Leonardo who took it gently. “I had wished to leave this beneath the mural Michelangelo had been working on before his passing, however I did not realise his room was currently occupied.”

Leo gazed in undisguised wonder at the vibrant flower. “I'm sure Mikey wouldn't mind if you still want to.”

Usagi shook his head once. “I would still like to go pay my respects. However, since your family is braving the season to travel for Christmas, I would ask if instead, you could take it with you and place it at his memorial.”

Leo stared in surprise, greatly touched by the gesture. Then he moved the sleeping Mikey gently aside and abruptly stood to bow deeply. “It would be my honour and privilege to do as you ask, Usagi. Thank you for thinking of Mikey. You have no idea how much this means to me, to all of us.

-:-

To be continued