Chapter 1

Leonardo heard the servant enter the room, but didn't raise his eyes from the page. Instead, he finished drawing the last kanjiwith focused fluid movements. He contemplated his work for a couple of seconds then put down the brush, parallel to the paper.

"Yes, Kichiro?"

"Usagi-sama and Michelangelo-samahave just arrived, Master," the young boy said.

"Good," Leonardo got up, "I'm going to greet them immediately. You go and inform Donatello-san.I need him to shield the room."

The servant bowed. "Yes, Master."

"Oh, and Kichiro... Do not disturb us for any reason."

The servant bowed another time and left the room, while Leonardo walked behind the screen to get changed. He took off the brown kimono he always wore at home and grabbed his most formal one: dark blue with light blue obi and decorations. At the top of the right sleeve the symbol of the ninja, the Seven Ki, was depicted. On the other sleeve there was the symbol of the Hamato clan, the Rising Phoenix.The same two symbols that were tattooed on Leonardo's shoulders.

While he was getting dressed, Leonardo mentally prepared for the conversion he was about to have.

Usagi and Michelangelo were waiting in a little unadorned room, seated on cushions. When they noticed Leonardo enter the room, they stood up to greet him.

Leonardo approached Usagi first, since his rank was higher. The rabbit dressed in a formal blue kimono, just like Leonardo, but the different symbols on it showed Usagi's different origin and affiliation. At the top of his right sleeve the symbol of the Three Swords meant he was a samurai, while on his left sleeve the Three Sky Lightssymbolized the Miyamoto clan.

"Leonardo-san," Usagi said, bowing.

Leonardo bowed back. "Usagi-san,my friend."

Then, Leonardo turned to Michelangelo. He was a turtle, just like Leonardo, but his kimono was the complete opposite of Leonardo's and Usagi's. It was multicolor, yellow, orange and red, with elaborate patterns and very large sleeves. It resembled a woman's kimono. Far from formal and very gaudy, much like the owner's personality, Leonardo reasoned.

"Oh, Leonardo-'san'!" Michelangelo said, bowing much deeper than Usagi. Leonardo registered the emphasis on the honorific and the excessive bow. Michelangelo's whole behavior seemed to indicate Leonardo was being made fun of, but Leonardo diplomatically chose to pretend he hadn't noticed and bowed back. "Michelangelo-san,my friend."

Michelangelo was Leonardo's main contact from the Musashibo family, another samurai clan. Unlike Usagi, Michelangelo himself wasn't a samurai but a mere courtier, which put him in a much lower status than Leonardo and Usagi. However, the guy was an invaluable ally. Somehow, he always seemed to know every detail of the political situation and had contacts everywhere. Furthermore, he always seemed to understand the real meaning behind other people's seemingly casual remarks. He even had the ability to undestand what people didn't want to say by reading their body language. Having him as an advisor was so useful that Leonardo had to come to terms with his petulant personality.

Leonardo pointed to the cushions with one hand. After his guests had sat back, he took a seat as well. "Thank you for coming despite the bad weather. Please, let us skip the formalities. You are here to talk about the elections, are you?"

"Yes," Usagi confirmed. Michelangelo simply nodded.

"I think we can safely assume that no member from the Oroku clan is going to win this time," Leonardo said. Then he looked at Michelangelo. "Aren't I right, Michelangelo-san?"

"You are, Leonardo-san," he said, with the usual grin. Michelangelo looked amused every time Leonardo illustrated his own vision on the political situation. Leonardo always felt treated as if he were a child trying to sound like a grown up when talking with Michelangelo, much to his chagrin. "Please, go on," Michelangelo encouraged.

Leonardo decided it was better to gaze upon the more respectful Usagi. "Oroku Saki-samahas lost all his popularity after these seven years of war against the Triceratons. I think no other clan is interested in following the belligerent policy of the Oroku clan anymore."

"Yes, I concur," Usagi said. "My only fear was that of a last-minute victory in Sankaku."

"You're telling us you're happy the Empire lost the battle, Usagi-san?" Michelangelo said in a mocking tone.

Usagi gave the turtle an angered look. "You know what I mean. If we had won, Saki-samawould have tried to convince the clans that we are near to win the war. That he only needs more time, one more Decade. Continuing the war would bring the Empire much more harm than losing a battle."

Michelangelo smiled at the samurai. "You sure persuaded me, Usagi-san," he said, with a tone of voice that seemed to indicate the exact opposite.

Usagi glanced at Leonardo.

"Anyway..." Michelangelo said in a more neutral tone, "Oroku Saki-samaisn't stupid. He knows that he can't win the election. In fact, my sources," he nonchalantly stared at his own nails, "tell me he isn't going to present himself as a candidate."

Leonardo looked at him with wide eyes. He would love to know more about those mysterious "sources" Michelangelo always blabbed about.

"You mean," Leonardo asked in an incredulous voice, "he isn't going to run for shogun?"

"I mean," Michelangelo said, clearly pleased by the effect his words had had, "he isn't going to run for either shogun or clan leader."

"Are you sure about this, Michelangelo-san?" Usagi said, "It's hard to believe that Oroku Saki-samawould retire from politics."

"Not at all, it's very simple to believe," Michelangelo said, "Saki-samaknows very well that these are his last days as shogun. He knows he isn't gonna get nearly enough votes for a second Decade, so he has no reason to run for that title and jeopardize what's left of his prestige."

"Ok," Usagi said, still unconvinced, "but why doesn't he run for clan leader then? Surely his own clan would still follow him."

Michelangelo crossed his legs, sitting more comfortably, and drew a ridiculous canary yellow fan from somewhere in his kimono. "His own clan will follow him in any case, whatever he officially holds that title or not," he said, opening the fan but hardly waving it. "However, the Oroku clan desperately needs to improve its image with the other clans. As you explained so well, Leonardo-san..."

"Did he just wink at me?"Leonardo thought with indignation.

"...Saki-samaisn't very popular right now. He will put a trusted person as clan leader and direct the clan offstage."

"Since you're so well informed," Leonardo said, "I wouldn't be surprised if you already knew the name of Saki-sama'scandidate."

"Aww, you wouldn't? That's not fair." Michelangelo stared at him intently, hiding his own mouth behind the yellow fan. "Impressing you is one of the main reasons I give away all my precious information to you... Leonardo-san."

Leonardo didn't reply. He clenched his fists with impatience. "Come on, just give me the names already, you attention seeker buffoon!"he thought to himself.

Michelangelo was silent for a few more seconds, clearly enjoying being the center of attention, then he finally announced: "Oroku Raphael-san will be his candidate for shogun. And Oroku Karai-sanwill be the candidate for clan leader."

Leonardo relaxed and started to scratch his chin pensively: "Raphael-san and Karai-san? Aren't they Oroku Saki-sama'sprotégés?"

"Yep," was Michelangelo's reply.

"I understand nominating Karai-san for clan leader," Leonardo continued, "since she's surely going to win if she is backed up by Saki-sama. But why is he nominating Raphael-san for shogun if Saki-samaknows he's going to lose?"

Michelangelo finally closed the yellow fan. "I think it's because of Saki-sama's twisted love for competition. He likes to put his own clan members against each other, so he can reward those who do better. Raphael-san probably disappointed him for some reason, or he simply lost some kind of challenge against Karai-san,so he got the short end of the stick."

This was very useful information. Leonardo decided he had to repay the other turtle in some way, so he conceded: "Ok, I'm impressed." Michelangelo smiled mischieviously.

"So, Leonardo-san," Usagi said, "what are you going to do?"

It was time for the big announcement. "I will run for shogun," Leonardo said, trying to sound as confident and determined as he could. He had already made this decision before knowing Oroku Saki wasn't going to be his adversary, and now he had no reason to back down.

His guests gave him a puzzled look.

"We have been opposing Oroku Saki-sama for the whole Decade," Leonardo explained, "Now that he's defeated, there's finally hope to have a shogun coming for ourside."

"Are you sure about this, Leonardo-san?" Usagi said, "I thought you were going to run for clan leader."

"I would, hadn't I an actual chance to be elected shogun."

"So who's gonna be the next Hamato clan leader?" Usagi asked.

"We chose Splinter."

"I see," Usagi's gaze shifted for a moment to the left, "He's your sensei, isn't he? The rat?"

"Yes. What about the Miyamoto clan?"

"We..." Usagi hesitated, "haven't chosen yet. I'll let you know as soon as we do."

Usagi suddenly stood up. "I hope you don't mind if I take leave, Leonardo-san.I have important matters to discuss with the rest of my clan."

Leonardo stood up as well. The two bowed at each other while the turtle said: "Of course, Usagi-san.Please, come back soon to visit me again."

Leonardo watched Usagi leave the room.

"So, we're finally alone," he heard Michelangelo's voice behind him, "Leo."

Leonardo turned around to face him. His guest had got up as well. "I've already told you," Leonardo said coldly, "I never gave you the permission to call me that, Michelangelo-san."

"Oh, don't always be so formal, Leo. Who cares about all the san's and sama'swhen it's just you and me? I mean, you, me and your scryer, obviously."

"I do," Leonardo said, crossing his arms.

"Shouldn't you be complimenting me because I actually remembered to use them while Usagi was here?" Michelangelo looked at him with big eyes and a fake sad smile. "Why should I even bother to listen to all your demands if you never reward me when I act like a good boy?"

Leonardo kept staring at the other with his arms crossed and a look of disapproval.

"So, what do you think of this meeting?" Michelangelo said in a more serious tone.

Apparently he got the message, Leonardo thought with satisfaction. "I think it went well."

Michelangelo smiled. "And I think you're cute when you're so clueless."

Never mind, it's impossible to make Michelangelo take you seriously, Leonardo thought. "What do you mean?"

"I mean you make me wanna hug..."

"No!" Leonardo interrupted, blaming himself for not having worded his question less ambiguously, "Not that! I mean, what do you mean by 'clueless'?"

"I mean you ain't cut for politics."

Leonardo frowned. "Well, my clan begs to differ. The Hamato think I'm a great leader and..."

"Oh, you are a great leader, Leo. No one's ever denied that. You're simply a bad politician."

"I don't see the difference."

He waited for an explanation, but Michelangelo remained silent. He was staring at Leonardo's face as though it was a very interesting painting. "So, how do you think this meeting went?" Leonardo asked.

"You should seriously reconsider running for shogun," Michelangelo said, taking a step closer to him, "You'd be a great clan leader, Leo. Your men love you, they would follow you wherever you want."

"I know running for shogun is more risky, but why shouldn't I try? Oroku Saki-samais on his knees right now and I don't think the Progressists are that dangerous."

"The Oroku clan and the Progressists aren't the enemies you should worry about. I'd be more worried about the Miyamoto clan if I were you."

"The Miyamoto clan?" Leonardo couldn't hide his surprise. "But Usagi-sanis my friend. And he will probably be the leader of his clan this Decade."

"Friend?" Michelangelo asked in an dubious voice.

"We have been opposing the shogun together for the whole Decade!" Leonardo said, widening his arms in exasperation.

"Yeah, and as you said, Saki is on his knees now! He isn't gonna be the shogun for much longer, the Power Decade is nearly over. Usagi has never been your friend, he was your ally." Michelangelo said, putting emphasis on the words 'friend' and 'ally'. "Was, because now that Saki's menace is gone, there is no reason he should support your candidacy."

"But we are on the same side. Our clans are both Conservative and Diplomatist."

"Yeah, but yours is a ninja clan. Usagi's is a samurai clan. The Miyamoto clan will want a samurai to represent the Conservatives and the Diplomatists, not a filthy ninja. Especially since Oroku Saki is a ninja, so they can use his unpopularity to get more votes. Trust me, Usagi is gonna run for shogun, not clan leader."

Leonardo... hadn't thought of that. He lowered his gaze, defeated.

Michelangelo put a hand on his shoulder. Leonardo didn't like this breach of his personal space, but right now he was too concerned about what Michelangelo had just told him to complain.

"Leo, you're too good-hearted. That's why you ain't cut for politics. Be clan leader and support Usagi. With the new shogun's support and my political advices, you'll be one of the most powerful men of this Decade. Remember, I'm your only true friend outside your clan."

"And why should I trust you?" Leonardo snapped. "Aren't you just another 'ally' from a samurai clan? Why should you have the best interests of the Hamato clan at heart?"

Michelangelo placed both his hands on Leonardo's shoulders and gently pushed him against the wall. "I don't give a damn about the Hamato clan," he said, his face a few inches from Leonardo's. "But I care about you," he said, while very slowly moving his face closer and closer. "Leo."

Leonardo opened his eyes wide, panicked. Without thinking, he immediately tapped his blue ki. All he knew is that he wanted to free himself from Michelangelo's grab and impending kiss. So he took his own panic and fear and released them outwards, in the form of a blue kiblast, against Michelangelo.

Michelangelo's reaction was instantaneous. He let go of Leo as if he had burned him and run away as fast as he could, tripping in his own kimono in the process. Recovering from the fall, he crawled until he reached the nearest wall. Then he assumed fetal position, offering to Leonardo nothing but his shell.

Art of Control: Intimidation Technique.

Leonardo stopped the flow of kiand Michelangelo's body immediately relaxed. Leonardo, on the other hand, was shaking with anger. Contempt. Shame. He unsteadily walked towards the door and opened it.

He stepped out of the room and glanced back at Michelangelo, who hadn't moved from his corner despise being no more under Leonardo's spiritual assault.

"This conversation is over, Michelangelo-san," Leonardo said coldly. Without waiting for a response, he shut the door.