Clouds Clearing Away
by KC
Disclaimer: I don't own the Ninja Turtles or Usagi Yojimbo and co.
Pairings: Usagi/Leonardo
Summary: Soon after their previous adventure, Leonardo and Usagi meet again to take part in the Battle Nexus Tournament as well as enjoy each other's company. (sequel to Rainy Day Friends)
Other info: Most humble apologies from this disgraceful writer, but there will be no hot sexxors, merely implications.
Only a couple of weeks had passed since the Nexus had been set ablaze. Hardly any repairs had been made and little of the debris and ashes had been swept up. Blackened skeletons of mostly paper buildings were all that remained in the center of the town, and the buildings that had survived were badly scorched. The numerous vendor carts laden with fruit and trinkets, all untouched by the fire, only stood out and made the damage look worse.
"Whoa," Mike gasped as he stepped out of the glowing portal. "What happened to this place?"
"Looks like a bomb fell on it," Raphael said.
Behind them, Leonardo kept his mouth shut. He and Usagi had omitted several details when they explained their disappearance, and both of them had agreed not to mention the truth in this case. Usagi only kept quiet to protect Leonardo, since it had been at the ninja's request that they came to the Nexus and brought their attackers' wrath down the little city. The Hamato clan therefore deserved some of the blame, but he didn't want to see his friend castigated for saving his life.
"I hope we are not too late in securing adequate lodgings," Splinter said. "Once we have a room, then perhaps I can go find the Daimyo and ask him what happened."
"Um, we could go look for an inn while you go ask him," Donatello offered.
Splinter looked at him before shaking his head. "I do not know what happened to this town, but I will not be responsible for the rest of its collapse by turning my sons loose upon it."
"Gotta admit," Raphael grinned. "It does kinda look like a lot of the places we've been, once we get through with 'em."
Hiding a wince, Leonardo lightly touched his father's shoulder. "Master, if it's all right, could I go look for Usagi? He said he'd try the Lit Flame inn right in front of the arena."
"So near to the taverns?" Splinter sighed once. "Very well. Stay out of trouble."
"If you get lost," Donatello said, "just give us a call. The shellcells should be able to reach each other here."
Leonardo nodded and started walking towards the most heavily damaged part of town. As he walked, he heard Raphael complaining about being stuck while "fearless leader" was left to wander around by himself.
"Because I know he will not set foot in those taverns," Splinter scolded.
As their voices faded, Leonardo sighed in relief and walked a little faster. A whole week without Usagi! They'd both known that they would see each other at the tournament and had arranged accordingly, but after that small taste in his bedroom, he found himself counting the hours before he arrived here again. Usagi had given him detailed directions on how to find the right inn, but he found that he didn't need them.
At the crossroad in front of the arena gates, a sign with singed edges pointed between two charred piles of rubble. In the center of the sign, nearly worn away by soot and fire, was a drawing of a burning candle.
"Lit Flame," he murmured to himself and followed its arrow into the rubble that remained of two large buildings.
To his surprise, behind the charred and gutted buildings he found a three story building in the midst of a grassy clearing surrounded by trees and what looked like scattered koi ponds. Several tall trees between the burned wreckage had saved the inn from a similar fate. Although the front of the trees were blackened, they'd blocked most of the heat and fire, leaving the inn almost untouched. Unfortunately for the inn keeper, hardly anyone had noticed the inn yet. No doubt most of the contestants and spectators were looking for rooms at the far end of town, away from the fire damage, leaving this place nearly empty.
He walked up to the desk and little bear-like man who grinned to see him.
"Greetings, warrior," the innkeep saluted. "No doubt you are here for the best rooms in all the Nexus!"
"Actually, my friend Usagi said he'd meet me here and--"
"Ah yes, Miyamoto Usagi, the long-eared samurai," the innkeep said, nodding quickly. "You must be the warrior he asked me to keep an eye out for. He has already paid for a room for two."
He reached under the desk and pulled out a key. "This goes to room thirty-three, it's our best. If you need anything, please let me know. And please, let everyone know where you are staying. The Lit Flame, now the best hotel nearest the arena."
With a nod, Leonardo turned to go, but he hesitated. Perhaps he was being paranoid again, especially since there were no ninja clans or spirits after him at the moment, but nevertheless he took out two of the larger coins that he'd expected to have to use to buy a room and instead placed them in front of the innkeep.
"I'll certainly be sure to tell people about this place," he said softly, "but in case anyone asks, I'd appreciate it if you forgot that Usagi and I are here."
"Trying to avoid the throngs of fans?" the innkeep said with a smile. He whisked his arm over the coins and they disappeared in his sleeve. "Of course. We have a strict policy of silence when it comes to our guests."
"'Fans'?" Leonardo repeated. "We don't have
any--"
"No need to be so modest. You've saved the Daimyo
twice now. Everyone knows you and your friend. I'm sure there will be
fake rabbit ears and turtle shells on sale in the market place."
For a ninja who hated attention, he'd rather fight a hag. His mood suddenly dark, he frowned and headed towards the door, making his way up a very noisy set of stairs. Every single step creaked and he wondered if that was intentional. The next time he came up, he'd have to scale the wall. Or maybe a tree, he thought, if one grew close enough to their window.
By the time he reached the third floor, he wondered why Usagi would choose a place like this. The noise from the nearby taverns was faint but it was still morning. No doubt by nightfall the racket would be deafening. And the inn itself was obviously old and in need of repair. It was clean, but everything groaned, the walls had yelloed with age and he didn't want to think about how rickety the stairs felt.
"It may not look like much, but it attracts a quieter clientele."
Leonardo smiled. Every anxiety faded at Usagi's voice. He looked down the hall and spotted his friend leaning in the doorway, his arms folded and his head tilted at a slight angle.
"Anything's quieter than the inn itself," he said. As if agreeing, the floors creaked beneath him.
"I thought you ninja could walk through dry leaves without any noise at all," Usagi said. "A wood floor should be no problem."
"Not many leaves where I come from," Leonardo said, stopping in front of him. "Not many samurai, either."
"There's one in front of you now," Usagi murmured. He raised a hand to Leonardo's face, then gently tugged him forward for a kiss.
"The peasants were right," Leonardo mumbled. "You samurai are pushy."
"And you ninja are exasperating." Usagi drew back just enough to look into his eyes. "It's good to finally see you again."
"I nearly went insane waiting." He glanced over his shoulder purely out of habit. "Maybe we shouldn't be standing in the middle of the hall--"
"You'll hear anyone long before they reach this floor," Usagi smiled, but he turned to let Leonardo in anyway. "Will your brothers be competing in the tournament?"
"Yeah, they're looking for an inn somewhere on the other side of town," Leonardo said. He looked around but the room was simply furnished with two futons, a low table with a single candle, a cabinet and a rack to place their swords. "Master Splinter thought this one was too close to the taverns."
"I've never had a problem inside them," Usagi said, tilting his head.
"You've never tried to keep a handle on my brothers," Leonardo said. He crossed over to the window and leaned on the sill, looking out over the trees. "This place is perfect."
"Secluded, close to the arena," Usagi agreed, coming beside him. "And right across from a large, sturdy maple tree."
Leonardo laughed. "You know me so well."
"And how well do you know me?"
Had it ever felt so right to be so close to someone? "Not as well as I would like."
He moved to put his arm around Usagi, but hesitated before he touched him. "How's your side? You haven't had much time to heal--"
"I rested at Lord Noriyuki's estate. I am fit for combat and anything else." Usagi reached out and closed the shutters.
There were too many gaps in the windows and walls for the room to darken, but the light that did remain turned soft. The noise of the world drifted away until the only sound was that of Usagi's light breathing.
"Forgive me," Leonardo whispered. "I have no idea what to do now."
Usagi smiled and took his hand. "Then I will show you."
TBC...
