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Splinter was almost out of his room when he started having second thoughts. Perhaps he was not just thinking straight because he was sleep deprived.
He had spent all night thinking about her, pacing around the room and smiling. It was silly, he knew. At his age, he really shouldn’t have been behaving this way. He could not even remember the last time he had felt this way about any woman. But Sakura O’Possum was different from most women.
First of all, she was a mutant. A mutant opossum, to be exact. Next of all, she was kind to him in a way that people almost never were. He had gone through a long bout of illness recently, and the way that she had tenderly cared for him through it all was unforgettable.
That does not mean she loves me, though.
Sakura did love the Turtles, however, without a doubt. She frequently came down to the sewers to visit them, caring for them and joining in on their activities. It warmed Splinter’s heart to see her getting along with them so well, like they were already a family.
Perhaps we truly could be a family one day.
But first, he would have to make a move.
Despite all of his wisdom and life experience, Splinter had not really been in a situation like this before, even as a human. Going on dates wasn’t really his thing. Or going out much in general, really. He had always been a shy man, on the quieter side, and focused mostly on practicing ninjutsu. Not to mention that he was not much in the looks department. Now, as an old rat, did he really even have a chance?
Well, you could at least start by saying “Hello”. That should not be hard. After all, you already know each other.
Even after meditating, Splinter could not stop himself from shaking. And there was only one way to make it stop. He had to speak with her while he had the chance.
After he finally made it to the living room, Splinter greeted the Turtles, and then looked around.
“Is Sakura here?”
“Sorry, Sensei,” Donatello said. “You just missed her.”
Splinter sighed.
“Is everything alright?” Leonardo asked. Upon noticing that his Sensei was trembling, he frowned.
“You aren’t sick again, are you?”
Splinter shook his head.
“No, no,” he said. “I am alright.”
Maybe next time.