Chapter 1
Lost Kame
This is just an idea I came up with, what if Leo and his brothers lived in Usagi's world? Well, one thing lead to another and, much like how many babies were born, so was this!
…
The way of the sword.
An unforgiving blade.
Life and death,
This is his way
For as long as Leonardo could remember, this phrase stuck into the back of his mind like a primal instinct. To him, it was as simple as blinking or breathing. Much like the constant pressure of the swords on his back. They had always been with him. Even on that day.
THAT day
Despite the fact he was quite young when it happened, it stuck with him for years. The weight of a baby on his back, a pair of large swords (even longer then his whole body) being drug behind him. His head was pulsing in pain, scrambling his senses. And his throat was dry and heavy, but that could describe everything in general. But the heaviest burden was the weight on his back, a baby kame with orange wrappings. It was the most valuable weight, and he had to get the baby somewhere safe.
He didn't know where he was going (he wasn't even aware of the twigs sticking at his bare feet) he knew he had to LEAVE. He knew he couldn't stop. That's when houses came into view, simple in design it was obviously a village but there were voices coming from it. Voices meant help.
Hopefully.
A figure appeared between the rural houses, growing steadily. Leo rubbed his burning eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things, but realized the figure was getting closer, yelling things he couldn't hear. A strange boy around his age, a white rabbit with concern in his eyes. He would later be Leo's best friend. A surrogate brother. There are others behind him. Leo struggles to take another step, but the battle against his body finally gives out.
And everything turns black.
(#)(#)(#)(#)
"Leonardo-san." a hand nudges at him
HM? Who was that? And why were they trying to talk to him in the middle of the night? It sounded like Usagi, his brother. Despite how close they are Leo found himself grumbling slightly. But the prodding continued, despite his attempts at verbal disapproval. Leo's head twitched slightly and rolled back, as he began to awake he realized he wasn't in his bed. He was asleep, but he never slept during the day. It only happened during.
Leos' eyes shot open
Class
So he wasn't' surprised to see himself kneeling at a writing table, his chin resting on his chest and the low drone of the sensei (a overly weighted pig) at the front of the class. Leo obviously hadn't been found out yet, or he'd have a new dent in his head. This isn't' the first time he had been sleeping during class, so he knew better then to jerk his head up. He slowly started to move his pen around (luckily he fell asleep holding it) and raised his head, as though checking his notes with Pig-sensei. Leo glanced back at Usagi, the one who had awoken him and grinned gratefully. But Usagi simply raised his eyebrows (trying to look disappointed, but he couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from twitching).Leo would of made a face back but he decided not to push his luck and went back to listening to the dull lesson. Something about the Rebellion, as respectful Leo is of his elders, he doubts he needs to give his full attention.. He knew all about the Rebellion from the samurai in the village. And they seemed to know more then the scholar who hadn't even been out of the small village.
Even though Leo is good student (even by 18 year old standards), the greatest distraction is the fact the pig-sensei chose to leave the sliding door open. Allowing in soft breezes and reminders of freedom.
Luckily, Leo's suffering ended with the dismissal of class. Before the pig was done dismissing them he was up and his supplies were stuffed into the pocket of his blue hakamas, the rest stuffed into the front of his gray kimono top (ignoring pig-sensei's glares)"You coming Usagi?" he asked. Eager to escape the 'room of the dead' and enjoy the beautiful day outside.
"Of course, but remember, very few flee the classroom with such speed as you." But there was a small tease in his voice. One that could only come from a best friend.
Leo smiled back, before realizing his hand had subconsciously fallen to the swords at his waist. The same swords that he had drug with him 10 years ago, just like the blue mask on his face. He had to add to the mask over the years to make sure that it fit, but if you looked closely you could see where he had sewn on to it. Just like he had with his little brother's mask.. He had thought of tossing it out when it got too small, but when he took it off he had began to immediately feel insecure. Like he needed it. And he knew his baby brother felt the same, A feeling of uneasiness settled when he also realized that he didn't' see his brother coming out of the second small building (which taught the younger students). He stepped out of the school house fully and glanced around, all the other students (of all grades) were already off running towards their homes. Normally Mikey would have run to meet him (probably tripping over his own feet in the process).
Leo glanced around before realizing that a Neko (cat) was poking his head out from behind the other school house before pulling his head back in. THAT was never a good sign. He glanced over and Usagi and jerked his head in the direction of the anomaly. Usagi glanced around him then nodded. Both silently agreeing. Leo put a hand on the hilt of his sword and slid forward slowly, his footsteps making next to no sound on the rocky earth and pressed his back against the wall. HE didn't even have to look to know that Usagi was there. Leo snuck his head in and saw a group of 13 year old Neko children all gathered around a certain spot. Through group of hustling and yelling cats he caught a glimpse of a familiar orange.
And that was all he needed to know.
Leo slid out of his hiding place and called loudly,' "Is there a problem?"
All eyes fell on him (including some very relieved blue eyes). Leo gestured with his head for his little brother to come over. Mikey smiled and hurried over, only to have Usagi pull him back towards him. Now that his 13 year old was safe (no one would dare risk fighting Leo AND Usagi) Leo turned back to the Neko siblings (or cousins, seriously they all looked alike), "You must all have a bad memory, so let me refresh it." he put his hand on the hilt of his blade, "if you have a problem with my little brother, take it up with me." with all the venom and danger of a hungry bear. Everyone in the village knew of Leo's talent with his twin blades, so the fact that the Neko's went running a few seconds later (yelling something about dinner) didn't surprise him. The kame was in no way a bully, but he was a protector. Leo made sure they were gone before turning to a very happy Mikey, "Thanks Leo! I didn't know what I was going to-" but he saw the look of "Older brother demand" on his face. Mikey even glanced over at Usagi but they were both firm, "I'm in trouble aren't I?" he asked, shoulders visibly sinking
Some people thought that Leo was too hard on Mikey, but they'd also remember that (in the past 10 years) Leo was everything to Mikey. Older brother, comforter, parent, teacher, Leo crossed his arms. He knew he could look formidable if he wanted to, but it didn't' help that Mikey only came up to his shoulders "Why were the Neko siblings cornering you? Did you dip their tails in paint again?"
"No."
"Did you bring a stink bomb to class?"
"No you took all my stink bombs remember?"
Indeed he did, "Did you fall asleep in class again?" out of the corner of his eye, he saw Usagi raise his eyebrows but Leo shook his head. NO point in giving Mikey that bit of truth
"No."
"Then what did you do?"
Mikey bowed his eyed slightly, pressing his fingers together with his shoulders hunched. Here came the truth, "We were all sparring, like we always do for class, and…"his shoulders scrunched up even more, "I beat everyone in class."
Leo blinked, not sure if he had heard right, "YOU beat them?"
"Yeah I'm sorry bro. I know I'm not supposed to fight but-"
"Don't apologize, you did well. You were just following instructions." he couldn't' stop a feeling of pride from filling his chest and causing him to smile slightly. Leo put an arm around his 12 year old brother, "How about we get you some new paint supplies."
Mikey's eyes widen in surprise, after all, he went from thinking he was going to be grounded till he was 80 to getting a reward, "Really!?"
"Yeah, go on and run ahead. I'll be there shortly to pay for it."
Mikey beamed brightly, giving Leo a quick hug and running off. After all, he knew the way to the art store better then the way to his own house (there were many nights when Leo had to go look for him because he got lost, the town wasn't' even that freaking big). Leo watched him go with a smile before he realized Usagi was looking at him, "What?" he asked
"I am curious, are you commending Michelangelo because he chose to fight for himself? Or because he obviously used the kata's you've been teaching him."
Leo fingered the gray sleeve of his kimono slightly. There was no hiding ANYTHIGN from Usagi. He was the first person Leo ever remembered seeing, and Usagi's father ( the head of the town) took a great risk taking in 2 strange kame orphans with no last name. Like said before, all Leo had on him was his blue mask, the two long swords that never left his side, and a sleeping 2 year old Mikey on his back. Nothing else. No memories.
Except for the kata's. They were always on his mind, if he didn't do them, they would burn into his very euphonious like a unrelenting passion. Passion? Yes. He loved the kata's, they made him feel safe. Secure. Strong. He feared the day when he'd forget his sacred kata's, and writing them down didn't help much (which took up many pieces of paper with very poor drawing). But it made him feel more secure when he started teaching them to Mikey.
But once again, Usagi's father had risked a lot taking them in. The head of the village had even built them a small house to live in. He let Leo practice his strange kata's (despite protest from the village) and gave Leo a small job of taking care of the towns horses to make money.
Leo owed Dorinbo-Dono and Usagi san everything.
"I guess both." Leo shrugged and smiled.
Usagi shook his head before looking back at him, "Father wanted to ask if you and Michelangelo would like to join us for dinner."
"I am honored, but Mikey wanted to try a new recipe tonight. He's been going on about it for WEEKS."
Usagi smiled again, "Understood, do you have time to spar beforehand?"
"Of course. If Mikey ever decides on something. Do you want to meet at your house?"
"Gladly. I will see you then my brother." he bowed slightly and walked off. Leo headed off in the direction of the supply store. Poking his head in , he saw Mikey standing cashiers holding something close to his chest with excitement in his eyes", What did you pick, aka-chan?"
Mikey smiled sheepishly and held out a small thing of ink, 'What do you think?" he asked. Now normally Mikey would be jumping up and down about what he was going to draw next. But when ever Leo called him by his childhood nickname he always got sheepish. Leo could never tell if it embarrassed him but Mikey never said otherwise. Like that would matter, even though Mikey was no longer a child, he would always be 'aka-chan'. And not just anyone's either, Leo's.
Leo reached into his pocket and drew out the right number of yuans for the small gift and left the store with his brother, "Lets' get you home, I have a match with Usagi later."
Mikey glared up at him slightly, his bottom lip pouting, "I don't need a bodyguard to get home Leo. I can get home myself."
"I know," Leo walked forward and put an arm around his little brothers neck, rubbing the top of Mikey's' scalp with the palm of his hand, "but having an older brother and having a body guard are the same thing. You might get lost in a large crowd."
Mikey stuck his tongue out at him. If Mikey hated anything, it was being reminded he was short. Even if Leo always assured him he'd be taller then the clouds one day,
"Besides, the sooner you get home the sooner you can practice your nun chucks."
"You mean." Mikey's' fist shot out into front of him, "Hot-nun-chuck-fury!" he spun and his leg shot out in a kick. A few passersby gave him a odd glance but went on ( after all, it was Mikey.) and Leo couldn't' help but laugh slightly. He never understood what drew his little brother to use uncheck. All he did know was that, 4 years ago, Mikey saw them in the back corner of the blacksmiths store and fell in love with them. He had even told the owner he'd work at there to pay it off. But the owner couldn't remember even having them and simply gave it to him. (Mikey claimed it was because he was adorable. Leo claimed it was because Mikey was breaking everything in the store)
Leo had been sure that his little brother would grow tired of using nun chucks, but his attention stuck on fast. He could of easily been found practicing them long into the day and night. When he hadn't been practicing them, he would be carrying them with him. Until the villagers began to whisper the word that Leo hated most
Ninja.
The last thing Leo wanted was to force a title like that onto his brother, so he made Mikey promise him to only practice when all his work was done. Only then could Mikey practice his 'chucks'.
They came up to their small house; luckily the garden was doing well. Leo led Mikey inside the gates before turning to him, "Alright Mikey, you know the deal."
"Yup, get my homework done, do laundry, and THEN Hot-nun chuck-fury!"
Leo smiled slightly, if there was anything he was more grateful then Dorinbo-Dono's hospitality was that his little brother was so happy, "That's my aka-chan." He gently rubbed the top of his little brothers scalp before turning and heading towards Usagi's house.
Life was good