Chapter 23: Gone in an Instant

A/N: Here is the final chapter for this story. I have really enjoyed writing it and I am thankful that all of you have enjoyed it thus far. I hope you enjoy this final installment of Falling Leaves and thanks to all of you who have read, reviewed, followed, and added to your favorites list as it means a lot to me.

Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters are property of Nickelodeon. I only own the plot, Willow Green, Cynthia Lee, and any other characters not associated with Nickelodeon.

The day their lives changed started out like any other.

The Turtles were watching television and Splinter and Willow were meditating together. After the show was over, Leo came in to talk to Splinter and Willow gave them some privacy as she sensed that the two needed time alone. But as she left the dojo, she felt very uneasy for she had sensed something in Splinter's spirit she had not seen before. It was obvious he was troubled about something, but he had refused to open up about it no matter how many times she urged him to talk to her.

Mikey had the idea to go see Karai and asked Leo if he wanted to come too. Leo agreed and even Splinter decided it would be a good idea to get out. This made Willow happy though she sensed, once again, that something was wrong.

She caught up to Leo. "Is everything okay?" she asked him. "You don't look so good."

"I'm fine, Mom," Leo reassured her. "It's nothing."

When they arrived at the Mutanimals' headquarters, they found the building ruined and smoldering from a fire. Instantly on alert, they hurried inside and looked to make sure everyone was okay. They found Karai in a heap of rubble and quickly pulled her out and to safety along with everyone else.

Leo immediately did CPR on Karai and was worried it didn't work. Karai coughed and everyone smiled in relief.

"Shredder no longer cares about using Karai as bait anymore," Shinigami said. "He wants us all dead."

"The ambulances are on the way," Splinter said as sirens filled the air. "Shinigami, will you stay with her?"

Shinigami nodded.

Splinter gazed out as though concentrating on something and turned to everyone else. "I see two trails heading in opposite directions," he said. "Raphael, April, Casey, and Slash, you are with me. Leonardo, you are to lead Michelangelo, Donatello, Leatherhead, and Willow in the opposite direction."

"Sensei, I really think we should stick together," Leo insisted.

"I agree with Leo on this one," Willow chimed in. "We need to stay with you."

Splinter ignored her and focused on his son. "Leonardo, remember what I said to you in the dojo." He put his hand on his chest. "From your heart."

Leo and Willow stared after Splinter as everyone else hurried to the Shellraiser.

"Um, Leo, we better get going before the trail runs cold," Donnie said.

"Let's go," Willow said softly.

Leo nodded and they hurried into the van to follow the trail.

They arrived at Coney Island and were on instant alert as soon as they exited the vehicle.

"Tuuurtles, come out and plaaaay!" Bebop's voice taunted. "Remember when I told you guys that the first time? Well, this is Throwback Thursday."

"Da, ve are going to be throwing you back into the next Thursday," Rocksteady added.

Bebop turned to his partner and began arguing with him. Then a missile shot out of the carousel and everyone scattered. This was definitely not going to be a good battle.

Rahzar and Fisface joined the fray and everyone fell into battle. Willow hit out at whoever she could while dodging any projectiles thrown her way. Her worry was for her sons and Leatherhead as well as for Splinter, but she couldn't think about him now. She had to focus on the task at hand and get them out of this alive.

Bebop came at her. "Come and get me, kitty," he taunted.

Willow snarled and lashed out with her katana, but the warthog knocked it back.

"Not so tough now without your sword, are you?" he teased.

Willow responded with a slash across his face with her claws. "Don't be so sure," she retorted.

At one point, she spotted Rahzar pinning Leo to the ground. She readied herself to pounce but Leatherhead beat her to it and slammed into the mutant, knocking him into the river. A few minutes passed that seemed longer until Leatherhead emerged from the water looking triumphant.

"We beat them!" Mikey yelled in triumph.

Le frowned as Bebop and Rocksteady fled the scene. "We didn't beat them," he said. "This was a trap to split us up."

Don's phone rang and April told them to hurry and help. She stated they were at the Wolf Hotel.

"That's where we fought Shredder the first time," Leo explained to Willow.

"So he sees this as a rematch then," she mused.

"Yeah, but I think it's more about Splinter than us," he replied. "We need to get there fast."

Leo was a fast driver for they arrived at the building in record time. Praying that they weren't too later, Willow and the others left the van and sprinted toward the building. Leo took out his telescope and let out a yell of warning.

"Leo, what is it?" Willow demanded.

But he didn't answer and they watched as Splinter's body fell from the top of the building.

"Nooo!" Leo yelled.

Willow wanted to yell too, but her voice failed her as she watched her beloved fall to the ground in a lifeless heap. She sprinted to him and felt for a pulse, hoping against hope that he was still alive. She felt nothing and knew that it was over. There was no saving him like there had been with Karai. She and her sons gathered around his body, tears falling from their faces.

"Father, please!" Leo begged as though his voice alone could rouse his father.

"Papa!" Mikey whispered.

"My love!" Willow whispered. "Please wake up!"

They all bowed their heads and then lifted the body to carry it to the van.

"Where's Shredder?" Willow asked.

"Smashed with a dump truck thanks to me," Casey said proudly.

Willow wanted to say more, but she was still numb. This still wasn't real to her. How could this have happened again?

They reached the Lair and carried Splinter's body to the dojo where they set him down under the tree. They stared at his body again, still not daring to believe that this had happened.

"What are we gonna do now?" Mikey asked.

"We have to bury him," answered Willow. "Did he have any specific wishes about how he was to be buried?"

"He never talked about it," said Leo in a broken voice.

"I think we should bury him at the farmhouse," suggested April. "I'm sure my dad won't mind and it will be peaceful for him there. I think he would have liked that."

"Sounds good," said Leo. He looked at his father one last time and went to his room.

Feeling sorrow for her son, Willow followed him and knocked on his door.

"Go away, Raph," Leo said.

"It's me," said Willow.

Leo opened the door, and Willow took in his tearstained face. He had been doing all he could to keep it together for his brothers, but he needed time to grieve too.

Willow led him to his bed and held him close. "I'm so sorry, sweetie," she said. "I know how much he meant to you."

"He knew, Mom," Leo sobbed. "He knew he was going to die."

"What are you talking about?" she asked. "How could he have known?"

"I think that was why he wasn't sleeping well and why he was meditating all of the time," Leo replied. "He had visions he was going to die, but he didn't want to say anything until now." He sighed. "I should have been with him! We could have stopped this!"

"I don't think it would have mattered, Leo," Willow said softly. "Shredder was too powerful. Raph told me that they had a hard time even getting hits on him. He would have done this anyway, and Splinter knew it."

"He shouldn't have split us up!" Leo railed.

"Maybe his vision had to do with one of you and not himself," Willow reasoned. "You know that Splinter always made the wise decisions no matter what they were. I think he was protecting you and wanted to die in your place."

"Mom, what are we going to do now? How can I lead my brothers without him?"

"You can, Captain," she said gently. "I'll be there too and you know I will never leave you."

"I hope not," he said as he buried his face in her fur and cried.

She stroked his shell and whispered soothing words until he calmed down. Then she coaxed him to go to sleep and wait for the morning.

As soon as he was fast asleep, she left his room and checked on her other sons who were also asleep in their beds. Willow gave each of them a kiss before tucking them in and going to her own quarters with Audrey.

"I'm so sorry, Sensei Willow," Audrey said. "I know how much you loved him."

"I'm sorry too, but there's nothing we can do now but honor his memory," Willow replied. "Now, go to sleep."

As soon as Audrey fell asleep, Willow tiptoed out of bed and hurried to the dojo. She gazed upon Splinter's body and let the sobs wrack her body. She folded herself over him and kissed his forehead one last time. Then she curled up beside him and fell asleep beside him for one last time.

22222

She awoke in her bed and figured someone must have carried her there. She felt someone beside her and turned to see Leo lying next to her. He must have carried her back here and lain down beside her to comfort her. She slowly made her way out of bed without waking her son. It was time to get breakfast anyway, so she made her way to the kitchen and began to make bacon and eggs for her sons.

All of them rose at different times, but they were all subdued despite how they tried to put on a brave face for her benefit. Breakfast was eaten in silence and then they went to the dojo to look at Splinter's body again. April had already ordered the headstone and it would be ready within two days. That was all they had before Splinter would be laid to rest. There was no practice for there had to be a mourning period.

After some time, they all left the dojo to pursue their own interests. Willow had no idea what she was going to do, so she retreated to her room to read a book. Not long after, her phone rang, and she hurried to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Willow, it's Cynthia," the voice on the other end said. "I haven't heard from you in a while. Having some alone time with Splinter?"

Normally, Willow would have laughed at such a remark, but now the jibe tore pain through her heart at the reminder of what she had lost. A lump came to her throat and she found she couldn't speak.

"Will, are you there?" Cynthia asked her friend.

Willow swallowed the lump in her throat. "He's gone, Cyn," she said quietly.

"Who's gone?" Cynthia asked her.

"Splinter's gone. Shredder killed him."

Cynthia let out a gasp. "Seriously? When did this happen?"

"Yesterday," she answered.

"Oh, Will, I'm so sorry," Cynthia said sympathetically. "I know how much he meant to you. Is there going to be a funeral?"

"Yes, in two days at the farmhouse."

"I'll be there. It's the least I can do for you. Do you want me to come over?"

Willow had an urge to say yes, but some part of her wanted to be alone right now. "No thanks," she said. "I'll see you in two days, Cyn."

"Okay, see you then," she said and hung up.

Willow felt bad for refusing to see her friend, but sometimes you needed privacy to deal with things like this. As strong as she tried to be for the boys, it was hard for her to not fall apart in front of them. She felt it was silly not being able to grieve, but she wanted her sons to be strong and if that meant she had to keep her own grief at bay, then that was what she would do.

22222

The farmhouse was quiet and still as they arrived there. They got out and carried Splinter's body inside while they got ready to dig the hole to bury his remains. Willow wanted to help, but the boys said they would do it themselves. As they were doing this, more guests arrived to pay their respects to Splinter. Willow smiled as she caught sight of Cynthia's car and was happy her friend had come just as she had promised she would.

Cynthia got out and pulled her friend into a hug. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.

"Thanks," Willow whispered back.

Then Cynthia motioned her hand toward the driveway as another car pulled up. Willow gasped when she saw all of her students climbing out.

"How can this be?" she asked.

"Audrey arranged for this and I helped with the transportation," Cynthia replied. "I hope you don't mind."

"No, I'm so happy right now!" Willow gushed.

One by one, each of her students came and gave her a hug. There was Brad, Austin, Dylan, Tyler, Zach, Alison, Katie, Heather, Chris, Karen, Michelle, and all of the rest. Her heart filled with joy as she saw them.

"You guys aren't freaked out that I'm a mutant?" she asked them.

"Nah, we think it's pretty cool, Sensei," Brad replied.

"But you can't tell anyone else what you have seen here today, got it?" Audrey warned.

"Don't worry, Sensei Willow, your secret's safe with us," Dylan promised and everyone else chimed in their reassurances too.

After the hole was dug, they carried out Splinter's body and gazed at him one last time. Then they lowered him into the hole and covered him up. They stood quietly and observed a moment of silence as they each paid their respects to the life of Hamato Yoshi. One by one, they laid down trinkets in honor of him. Willow's students laid down a bouquet of flowers that included some cherry blossoms. Where they had gotten it, Willow didn't know, but she was happy all the same.

Then they retreated inside to eat some food. Willow told her students about Splinter and how wonderful he was with his wise sayings and gentle manner. The Turtles chimed in with stories of their own about their father and their earlier days as youngsters and the mischief they would get into. They recalled tales of advice their father had given them and how he was always there for them when they were sick.

Hearing these stories made Willow's heart ache for the boys. They were losing the only father they had ever known while Willow was losing the only love she had ever known. And though she was going to be there for her sons, it was still going to hurt to know that they were no longer going to have Splinter in their lives to guide them. That would now be her job, and Willow wasn't sure if she could do it.

Donnie showed them some home movies they had of Splinter that he had put together. Willow laughed at the one of Splinter dancing with his sons to some of the most popular songs. It made her wish she had known them long before this.

Slowly, things began to wind down. They were going to spend one more day there before going home the following night. Everyone settled down for the night and got ready for the days to come.

22222

I feel so lost without him. I don't know how I can go on. However, I have to for the boys' sakes. I can't abandon them like I almost did the last time this happened. They need me more than ever now. I just hope they don't lose who they are because of this. I want Leo to still have his geeky side. I want Raph to still have the passion to help others and protect them. I want Donnie to continue to build wonderful things that will help everyone around him. I want Mikey to still be the sunshine I know he can be. Without these things, I fear the boys will lose who they are and will become different beings than what they are. I don't want them to give up just because Splinter is gone. They have to keep going for his sake.

And what do I want for myself? Well, that's a tough one. I guess I want to be a good mother to the boys and to still be there for my students. I would say I want Shredder to die, but Casey has already taken care of that little detail. Still, I wish he hadn't. I wish I could have been the one to end Shredder's life and make him pay for what he did to Splinter. But I can't dwell on this now. Splinter would want me to be strong and to help the boys, and that's what I'm going to do.

Until next time,

Willow

22222

The next day was just as subdued as the last one. They still did some practicing, but Willow could tell their hearts weren't in it as they should have been. Leo left after it was over to meditate and though Willow wanted to go with him, she knew her son needed his space to grieve and process what was happening. She was very worried about him for he hadn't said a word since he woke up. His spirit was troubled, and Willow hoped that he would find peace out there in the woods.

"How are you holding up?" Cynthia asked her friend.

Willow sighed. "About as good as I can be," she answered as she watched her students playing with the Turtles and the Mighty Mutanimals.

"I just wish there was something I could do to help," Cynthia said.

"You're here and that's all I can ask for," her friend said. As she watched her students, she noticed that Audrey wasn't playing and was sitting in the grass with Chompy on her lap.

Willow walked over to her. "Audrey, are you going to play with the others?"

Audrey shook her head. "No, I don't feel like it," she said.

"What's bothering you?" Willow asked her.

"I'm just worried about what will happen when we get home," she said. "I don't know if the Foot will still be at your dojo. What if we can't get rid of them?"

"Well, I have a solution for that," replied Willow. "I was thinking of arranging for private lessons for everyone so they can come and learn from me. I know it won't be easy to do, but we'll work it out somehow."

"I'm just glad Shredder's dead," Audrey said. "Now he can't hurt anyone anymore."

"He's not dead," Leo declared as he appeared beside Willow.

She cursed herself for not sensing his presence. "What are you talking about, Leo?" she asked him.

"Shredder's not dead," answered Leo. "Splinter came to me and told me so."

"How could Splinter come to you?" Donnie asked him.

"I was meditating and Splinter came to me," explained Leo. "He told me that Shredder is still alive and we need to finish this once and for all."

"So, does that mean we're going home?" Audrey asked him.

"Yes," he confirmed. "We need to plan this carefully. Slash, did Karai tell you anything about Shredder while she was with you guys?"

"She said she knows where his lair is, but she wouldn't tell us where it is," Slash answered.

"Then we'll have to visit her and get the location out of her," Leo said.

After that, packing was quick and fast as they all prepared to go home to New York. They each said a small goodbye to Splinter and promised to come back once all of this was over. Then they headed to the vehicles and made the trek home.

Willow was quiet as she thought about what Leo had said. Shredder was still alive which meant only one thing now.

She was going to be able to finish him once and for all.

22222

Willow had never been a fan of hospitals, but she knew this was the only way they could get the location of where Shredder was hiding.

Karai woke up and was happy to see them. She asked if Splinter was gone and they told her he was and how sorry they were.

"Slash told us you know where Shredder's lair is," Leo said. "Why didn't you tell us this before?"

"I wanted to take him down on my own," she replied. "I still want that."

"Karai, you have to tell us where it is before he goes after you or April's dad or Casey's family or even Willow's mom," Mikey begged.

Karai could see this was important to them and revealed the location. "And, Leo, give him a few hits from me," she said.

Leo put his hand over hers in a gesture that said he would do it.

They left the hospital and prepared to go into battle getting new weapons and donning black gear. Willow even had a black outfit of her own she had made and smeared black on her face so she would blend in more with the shadows. Leo even handed her a black mask which she put on proudly. Her outfit was a replica of Splinter's kimono with the Hamato Clan symbol on the front and back of it.

"Sensei Willow, I want to go with you," begged Audrey.

"Audrey, you need to stay home," said Willow. "It's too dangerous for you to come."

"But I've been practicing really hard," Audrey protested.

"You're not coming and that's final," said Willow firmly.

"Then why do THEY get to come?" Audrey countered as she pointed at April and Casey.

"Because they are skilled fighters while you are still learning," answered Willow.

That answer wasn't good enough for Audrey. She glared at her teacher and then stormed off in a huff.

"That went well," commented Raph dryly.

"She needs to learn that she can't always get her way," said Willow. "Let's concentrate on what we need to do for now."

They continued planning and soon had everything in place. With one battle cry of, "Booyakasha!" they prepared to leave. Audrey didn't even say goodbye to them, but Willow tried not to dwell on that. She had other things to worry about.

22222

The woods were dark as they trekked through them. Karai had told them the exact location of Shredder's hideout, and they were determined to find it and finish this once and for all. Leo turned and told them that this was where it was as they went through the bushes. It was a pretty impressive place for a hideout and Willow had to wonder who was letting him stay here and how he had managed to pay for it.

As they approached, they were met by a group of Footbots and Fishface. Okay, so this definitely wasn't going to be as easy as Willow had thought. Readying herself, she faced three Footbots , taking them down easily. Fishface was attacking Raph, and soon their battle was being fought underwater. Willow held her breath and hoped she would be able to keep going as long as she could. As a kid, she had never liked going underwater when it came to swimming lessons, and she hated it even more now. Luckily, the tide turned in their favor and they were able to surface. Raph had taken care of Fishface and they headed to the house, wondering just what they were going to deal with next.

"Stay alert," Leo ordered everyone.

They climbed the building's façade and found the room where they believed Shredder was staying. But as they lifted the blankets, they realized that he wasn't there. Then they saw Stockman enter the room, raving about them and what they were going to do. Mikey grabbed one of the light bulbs from Donnie that contained retromutagen and threw it on the mutant fly, turning him back into a human.

"No!" Stockman lamented. "I liked being a fly. I was smarter!" He continued ranting until Mikey knocked him out.

"Well, that takes care of him," said Willow.

"But the retromutagen was meant for Shredder," pointed out April.

There was nothing else to do so they went on into the house and soon ran into a room that looked to be a training room. Bebop and Rocksteady burst in, stating that there was going to be a little training session. But this was no ordinary training session and had lasers and trap doors and all kind of scary looking things.

Shredder is one sick guy, Willow thought and wondered if he had subjected the Foot to this torture as well. She dodged multiple lasers and other traps only to fall to the bottom along with Casey and April. She yelped as a blade almost sliced off her tail and pleaded for Donnie to start hacking faster. It seemed like it would never end, but then Donnie hacked in and the tables were turned on the two villains.

Willow and her family made their escape but had to face Tiger Claw next and he was not in a good mood. Decapitation hadn't been kind to him though he had acquired a new silver hand to replace his old one along with some new gadgets that weren't too friendly. At one point, Tiger Claw had Leo pinned to the ground.

"Do you feel it, boy?" he taunted. "Do you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders now that your Sensei is gone?"

"You dirty cat!" Leo growled.

Willow slashed Tiger Claw in the face with her claws. "Get away from my son!" she hissed.

With a snarl, Tiger Claw tuned on her. "Ah, so you have adopted these little cubs," he sneered. "Is that what the rat was teaching you?"

"At least he taught me to be compassionate unlike you!" Willow spat.

Tiger Claw kept coming at them until the battle was waged outside. Leo managed to jam his rocket pack and sent the mutant tiger flying away from them. Then Leo's eyes fell on the roof and a familiar figure up there.

"Shredder!" he growled.

Willows heart was pounding as she ascended the building. She was about to come face to face with her beloved's killer and she was ready to do all she could to avenge Splinter.

Shredder was ready as they faced him on the rooftop. He taunted them about running away just as they had last time.

Willow hissed. "There's no hiding for any of us and not for you, Shredder. It's time for you to pay for what you have done."

With a nod from Leo, they attacked him from all sides. Shredder was still very skilled, but they pulled no punches this time and kept on coming at him. Willow slashed his face a few times with her claws and stabbed his legs with her swords as well. Donnie even tried retromutagen, but it didn't do any damage to him.

They continued their assault, but it wasn't enough. At one point, the humans were thrown from the building as was Donnie and a fire began to spread, though Willow had no idea where it originated from in all the chaos. One by one, she watched Shredder take down her sons until only she and Leo were left.

"Mom, get out of here," Leo ordered.

"I won't leave you," she declared. "We finish this together."

Her eldest nodded to her as they readied for another attack.

"How touching," Shredder mocked. "You fools have no idea about love. You think it is something that binds you together, but in the end, love is what makes you weak. It was love that finished off my beloved Shen. It was love that destroyed my daughter. It was love that ended Hamato Yoshi's life. Love is for fools and it will be your downfall."

"No, hatred will be your downfall, Saki," Willow declared. With a yell, she lunged for him, but he grabbed her in midair. She struggled in his massive grip as he crushed her.

"Let her go!" Leo ordered.

"No, I will not give in to your demands, freak!" Shredder said. "In fact, I think your beloved mother needs to go the same way as your father. Say goodbye forever!"

The last thing Willow heard before being flung off of the building was her son's cry of, "Mother!"

She felt herself falling down just as Splinter had done. She knew she had done all she could, but there was nothing more she could do now. Maybe it was better this way. Maybe she would join Splinter in whatever afterlife lay beyond this life.

No, she couldn't think like that. She had to keep going for her sons. She twisted her body until she was facing with her feet first as she hurtled down. She did a flip and managed to land on her feet.

"Well, I guess it really is true that cats can land on their feet," she remarked. She looked around and saw her sons and their friends and hurried to them.

Raph crushed her in a hug. "We thought you were a goner," he said.

"I'm not going anywhere, Tiger," she said.

They watched as the flames consumed the building and saw no sign of Leo.

"Leo!" Raph cried. "He's gone!"

Mikey shook his head. "He can't be, can he?"

Suddenly, they spotted a familiar figure coming over the hill. Leo joined them and had Shredder's head in his hand.

"Leo!" Mikey cried.

"Brother!" Raph chimed in.

Leo looked at them and held up Shredder's head for them to see. "The Shredder is finished," he declared.

It was over.

They had won.

22222

And so, we returned to the city as heroes. Karai was elated when she heard the news and I could tell she was happy it was Leo who had dealt him the final blow. She began coming around the Lair more often though she declined when asked to move in and said she would stay with the Mighty Mutanimals instead. I told her she was welcome over whenever she wanted to come and she thanked me for that.

Leo recounted his final battle with Shredder with great gusto. He was just happy the ordeal was over and now Splinter could rest in peace knowing that his enemy was finally gone. Everyone was proud of Leo, and I made it a point to reward him for his great victory with a celebratory pizza and his choice of TV shows for the night which pretty much included a Space Heroes marathon.

Life won't be easy with Splinter gone, and we know that though Shredder is dead, there are others who would probably take his place. But that doesn't matter because we will defeat them just as we defeated Shredder. As long as we are together, nothing can stop us. We will continue to live on for Splinter and do what he can't do anymore. I vowed to take care of the Turtles and that is just what I'm going to do.

A wise rat once said that life goes on no matter what, and I now understand what that means. I have to keep living and take care of my sons. I can't dwell on what could have been and have to focus on what is. Splinter is gone, but I'm still here, and I have to keep fighting for him and for our boys.

I promise to keep fighting, Yoshi, and I will always love you. And I have decided to call this diary Yoshi in honor of you and your amazing spirit. Hopefully, it will give me good luck even more now that it has a name.

I must go, my love. Tomorrow is another day and I have to live it just as you wanted me to.

Until next time,

Willow

The End

A/N: And this story has officially come to a close. I hope you have all enjoyed this little piece as much as I have enjoyed writing it. But there will be a sequel called Roots Before Branches so look out for that one coming soon. And there will also be a one shot called Here Beside You that takes place after Darkest Plight. In the meantime, feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.