Things stared to turn bad in New York. Streets were starting to be silenced and no people in sight. Kraang soon will put more soldiers to patrol the sewers.
Annie-Maria worked on covering her burrow. Soon all the should be done, but then Splinter was trying to go.
"Where are you going?" Annie-Maria asked worrying and yet, she kinda knew what he planed to do.
"I have get to my sons. They are alive somewhere, maybe outside of the city." he said before entering to the dark sewer. But then he felt Annie-Maria's hand trying hold him.
"I believe you. But you can't go there. Your not healed enough to survive against them. And even if you are, you won't get out the city. All enters are close or blocked by those creatures." she told.
"I have to find them and prepare them. This can't go along any more. If I can't reach them... maybe my spirit can..."
Annie-Maria knew where this will go and she didn't like it. She has been once at the Spiritual plain and she hardly survived. And now, letting Splinter be detached his spirit and letting his sons to enter that place. That's crazy. But then again who is she to tell otherwise.
"How were you planned to do so? They probably are miles away. To reach them you spirit has to be detached for a long time." She wished her word didn't upset him but then she wished he will drop the idea of trying something so dangerous. Splinter turned to her.
"Will you help me?" he asked.
Annie-Maria was afraid of this. But Splinter wants to be with his family. If Annie-Maria could have a chance like this to her own family, she will do it.
"There...maybe a way." she sigh. "But..." she walked to her room and returned with one herb branch in her hand. She showed it to Splinter.
"My master used this herb when I trained at the Spiritual plain. It gives your detached spirit much power and time. Maybe enough to find your family." Splinter looked Annie-Maria worried face. He knew there will come some bad news.
"If this herd is taken in the wrong way, you could lose you mind." she said.
"Wrong way?" Splinter asked to have more specific answer.
"Master only used dried ones. She warned never to use fresh ones. This is one may not be ready, but it's only one left. Next branches will take moths to dry." She couldn't believe she was doing this. ArigatÅ." he said with small smile.
Both of them went through few tunnels avoid Kraang or mouseres to get closer to the lair. Only few tunnel and three corridor left, once the patrol is gone. Annie-Maria knew this will be the point were they must bee separated. She tried to be brave and face the situation through.
Finally the patrol went away. Splinter moved few steps and checked the area. Annie-Maria only took two steps.
"You should be on your way. You are waited up there." she said. Splinter turned to look at her. Was this a part they have say goodbye?
"Won't you come too? Your abilities could be needed." he asked.
"I'm sorry. I can't." Annie-Maria said head down. It surely looked like it was over. Splinter stretched his hand to her.
"Annie-Maria...?" before anything else could be said, Annie-Maria surprised him by been so close to him and giving sweet kiss on his cheek. There were no words to describe what Splinter felt. Once she moved little away, she said...
"In case we won't meet again." she turned and stared to run away. Only one word of farewell came from her and soon Splinter look that she was really gone. It was now only him left alone. He continued his way to the lair. left alone. He continued his way to the lair.
Splinter waited few days before he will take the herb. He wanted to make sure it was save. Once hearing the guard-robot was gone. He ate the herb. And in few moments,... he was detached.
