The Tengu Legacy

1

*Takes place during season 4

After the final confrontation with the Shredder a brooding Leonardo is sent to study with Master Yoshi's Sensei, The Ancient One, to put his fears of failure to rest. Leonardo faces his worst opponent only to discover he is the one destroying himself.

The Ancient One invites him to sit and tells him a story of Master Yoshi. As his tale comes to an end a young blonde woman enters the room carrying a fresh pot of tea.

"Ah Leonardo this is QT, she is studying here also" announces the Ancient One.

QT smiles and nods her head saying ''Hi.''

''Hey.'' Leonardo answers, his voice betraying his surprise at not being the only student in residence.

QT leans over to refill the cups and Leo notices the strange, intricate tattoos that curl around her left side and along her neck.

''QT will show you around Leonardo, please, make yourself at home'' the Ancient One says with a wave of his small hand.

''Come on Leo, let's go…you don't mind if I call you Leo do you?'' QT breezes as she exits the room.

Leo gets up and follows her, replying ''No, Leo is fine.''

QT shows Leo to his living quarters, a modest but comfortable room.

Leo bows to her saying ''Thank you.''

QT turns to leave him to settle in but Leo calls after her,

''Um, QT, can I ask you something?''

QT stops and turns answering, ''What?'' a little sharply.

Leo holds up his hands in a surrendering gesture,

''I was just wondering why you aren't bothered me? You don't seem fazed at all.''

QT visibly relaxes.

''The Ancient One has taken me to the Battle Nexus many times Leo, trust me, a talking turtle really isn't the strangest thing I've seen.''

She replies with a wink, then adds,

''It's a shame you and Usagi didn't get to finish your match, that was going to be close. I could have lost my bet.''

Leo does a double take.

''You saw that?''

QT nods with a wry smile then turns to leave again.

''You should get some rest, I'm sure Sensei will want to begin your lessons in the morning.''

She instructs as she makes her way down the old dark corridor, Leo hesitates then asks into the darkness,

''QT…who did you bet on?''

A laugh echoes back, then ''Night Leo.''

Leonardo and QT develop an easy friendship over their time together in Japan. She remains a mystery in some ways but the two often confide in each other about just how hard the ancient one is working them and some of the challenges they've faced throughout their lives.

As they sit eating breakfast together one morning QT calls,

''Your turn.'' her dark eyes fixed on Leo, he smiles.

''Ok, this is the story that set me on the path to come here.''

So he tells QT all about their final battle with the Shredder.

''I don't mean to pry but is that what happened to your shell?''

QT asks, tipping her head sideways to see the damage, making her blonde curls fall into her eyes.

''Yes,'' Leo replies ''…actually it was the Shredder's daughter Karai who injured me. I always thought I could convince her to leave the Shredder but I realise now she won't.''

QT shifts her gaze away.

''It doesn't sound like she's worth the trouble Leo.''

He nods thoughtfully.

Leo realises that QT has been very lonely here, she has constantly asked for tales about New York and his brothers but has hardly shared any stories herself, he calls,

''Your turn.''

Before QT can beat him to it again and asks,

''Why do you stay here QT? Are you happy here?''

She simply answers,

''I have nowhere else to go.''

Then QT ends the conversation abruptly by flinging her katana at the nearest post with an accuracy that makes even Leo wince.

''Come on, we've got a mountain to climb and it's not metaphorical, the Ancient One likes to meditate at the peak.''

QT adds pulling Leonardo to his feet and keeping hold of his hand as she drags him towards where their Sensei is waiting. Leo finds his focus wandering to QT's hand, still holding his and wonders if she has any idea how strange it is to have a human be so comfortable doing so.