A/N: To those who have left reviews, thank you! Your reviews make me write faster, and as my thank you, here's the next chapter a day early.

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

Chapter 11-New Recruits

The clop of their horses' hooves was the only sound as Leonardo and Usagi traveled along the road. Usagi observed the blue masked turtle out of the corner of his eye. Leonardo had fallen silent ever since he learned about Usagi's last duty to his fallen lord. The rabbit breathed in deeply. Leo's visit to Usagi's world was supposed to help the young teen snap out of his brooding state, not cause him to fall deeper into it. Frowning, Usagi recalled their adventures over the past few days. At first, their victories at the ghost mine and the demon bridge appeared to lighten Leonardo's mood.

Usagi stole another side glance at his friend. The Ronin knew that the life of a warrior was a difficult one. It broke the hearts and spirits of many men. And now it looked like Leonardo was once again buried deep in his own thoughts. Frustrated, Usagi's grip on his reins tightened. The rabbit samurai felt like he was back to square one.

Leonardo's question pulled Usagi out of his own internal thoughts. "Did you hear that?"

Usagi stopped his horse. Tilting his head to the side, the rabbit used his sensitive ears to listen for any unusual sounds. After a moment, he pointed. "Yes. It came from this way."

The rabbit began steering his horse in the direction of the sound.

As the two warriors created a new path into the woods, the noise grew louder.

"Eep! Eep!"

Dismounting from his horse, Leo handed the reins to Usagi. "I'll go check it out."

Usagi began tying up the horses. "Be careful."

Leo gave a quick nod, then began to walk on foot in the direction of the cries.

After a few minutes of searching, Leo discovered the source of the sound. A purple tokage was thrashing around, crying in fright. The lizard's leg was caught in a tree limb. Noticing the turtle's approach the lizard began to growl.

"Grr. Grr."

Leo put his hands up in a gesture of peace. He spoke in a soothing voice. "Easy there. I'm not going to hurt you."

As the turtle drew closer, the tokage's cries increased in pitch. The lizard began to thrash about harder, struggling to free itself from the tree limb as it growled and snapped. Realizing that he would not be able to free the creature until it calmed down, Leo stopped his advances.

With the turtle now standing still, the tokage stopped his struggles. The creature observed the turtle with a wary eye.

Leo continued to talk softly. "Easy there. See, I'm not going to hurt you." Leo slowly reached a hand towards his belt. The lizard remained still, watching intently.

Pulling out a rice ball, Leo held his hand open so that the lizard could see the tasty treat. The lizard tilted its head, curious.

Noticing the slight change, Leo asked. "Are you hungry? Do you want a rice ball?"

The lizard shifted, watching.

Leo took a step forward, making sure to keep his hand flat and open, to display the rice ball. "See this rice ball? I'll give it to you, if you let me."

Now less than a foot away, Leo slowly moved his hand forward, taking special care to keep his hand flat. The lizard sniffed the air as the treat moved closer. Once the rice ball was within range, the lizard snapped its neck forward, quickly snatching up the tasty treat.

Leo slowly pulled out another rice ball. The lizard ate that one too. Smiling, Leo gave the tokage another rice ball. "See, I'm not going to hurt you."

The lizard licked its lips. Knowing that he would not be able to free the creature unless he could touch it, Leo slowly reached out. His fingers lightly pressed against the leathery skin, causing the tokage to let out a tiny growl.

Leo's voice was as gentle as his touch. "Easy there. Easy. Shhh. I'm not going to harm you."

After a few moments, the tokage relaxed and began to lean against the turtle's hand. Sensing that it was now or never, Leo swiftly moved his hands around the lizard's torso. Before the creature could react, Leo tugged gently and twisted, freeing the tokage from the tree limb. For a moment, the lizard looked at Leonardo, stunned at the change in position. Leo continued to stroke the lizard, who quickly began to purr like a cat. The smile returned to Leo's face. The purring creature reminded Leo of Mikey's pet cat, Klunk.

Usagi walked up, smiling at the sight. Leonardo was on the ground, cooing softly to a very happy looking tokage. The rabbit let out a chuckle. "It looks like you have made a new friend."

Leo's smile continued to beam as he stroked the lizard. The creature nuzzled its head against Leo's hand. "Yeah, I guess so."

Usagi began to walk back in the direction from whence he came. "Come, we must move on."

Leo gave the tokage one final pat to the head. "Alright buddy. You're free now. It looks like it's time for me to go."

The blue masked turtle had only risen up to his knees before he felt a tug on his mask tails.

What the shell?

Looking over his shoulder, Leo saw that the lizard was pulling on the soft cloth. Leo gently swatted at the creature. "Now stop that."

The lizard swatted back, thinking Leonardo wanted to play. The tokage's purple tail began wagging back and forth, reminded Leo of a dog. Leo pet the lizard again, then rose to his full height. "Sorry buddy, but I've got to go."

Leo began following the path Usagi took. The lizard scampered in front of the turtle's feet, causing Leo to let out a yelp of surprise.

"Hey!"

Halting before the turtle, the lizard wagged its tail and cried out, "Eep!" The tokage quickly turned and began to scurry ahead.

Leo shook his head. "Silly lizard."

Usagi looked up at the sound. The recently rescued tokage came barreling through the brush. The Ronin raised an eyebrow. It was certainly a very energetic tokage.

As Leo came into view, Usagi grinned. "It looks like we've got a new traveling companion."

Leo shook his head as he watched the lizard running in circles, trying to catch its own tail. "What a silly goose!"

Usagi laughed at the sight, delighted to see Leonardo smiling again.

Turing to his friend, Leo declared. "Goose. I think we should call him Goose."

The newly named Goose stopped his pursuit and glanced at the two warriors. The lizard appeared to puff out its chest, as if accepting the new name.

Usagi grinned. "Goose it is then."

Leo's eyes sparkled with joy.

It felt good to have a pet around again.

Lord Hebi watched as the leader of the Neko Ninja clan silently entered his throne room.

Shingen knelt in front of the large snake and bowed his head. "My lord."

Hebi eagerly asked. "Do you have the sword?"

"Of course my lord." Shingen placed the sword Natsumi retrieved from the raccoon merchant, before the evil daimyo.

Hebi's eyes lit up, pleased with the delivery. "The Fujiwara Kanenaga sword. It was to be delivered to Lord Noriyuki so that he could earn the shogun's favor." Hebi's grin displayed a mouth full of sharp teeth. "Excellent. The Neko clan does not disappoint. Lord Hikiji will be pleased."

The black clad figure bowed again to the snake. "The Neko clan is at your command, my lord."

Hebi drew closer. "Tamakuro claims to support Lord Hikiji, yet his behavior has grown suspicious. He has been importing lots of supplies and renovating his fortress."

Nodding, Shingen said. "One of my men has been investigating Tamakuro's fortress. Recently, they discovered a stash of steel and gunpowder in Tamakuro's storeroom."

Hebi's eyes narrowed. "Then it is true. Tamakuro is going to try to make a move against the shogun for his own self gain. He must be stopped."

Shingen considered the news. Known as a supporter of Lord Hikiji, if Tamakuro attacked the shogun, they would think that Tamakuro was acting under Lord Hikiji's command. A perceived direct assault from Hikiji would start a civil war.

Shingen stood up. "The Neko clan will take care of the threat, my lord."

Lord Hebi retrieved the Kanenaga sword with his tail, admiring the shiny steel in the light. "Tamakuro cannot learn that the Neko ninja are involved, otherwise, he will suspect Hikiji's interference. That could cause him to turn against us."

The shadow warrior bowed. "Understood, my lord."

Exiting the throne room, Shingen moved fast. If his clan was going to be successful in stopping Tamakuro's advance, then the Neko ninja were going to need help. Shingen began mentally reviewing the latest intel from his clansfolk, considering his options. One ninja's report stood out from the rest, Natsumi's.

Shingen smiled as he thought about the pretty kunoichi.

The Neko clan was one of the three major ninja clans, known for their martial art skills and techniques of secrecy. However, unlike the Mogura (mole) ninja who could burrow underground for sneak attacks, or the Komori (bat) ninja who could launch ariel assaults, the Neko clan did not possess any special abilities.

But that had all changed upon Natsumi's arrival.

Originally, Natsumi's membership into the clan had caused a bit of a stir among the clansfolk. Natsumi's fighting skills were modest at best, and Shingen's warriors did not understand why their kashira (chief) allowed the grey feline to join the ranks of the Neko ninja. That opinion had quickly changed once the clansfolk realized that the kunoichi brought with her other unique talents. A combination of stunning good looks, and an extensive knowledge of poisons, which quickly made the clan's newest member, both respected and, irreplaceable.

Shingen recalled Natsumi's report. The kunoichi had mentioned that Lord Noriyuki's chief retainer, Tomoe Ame, had arrived at the inn to complete the purchase of the Fujiwara Kanenaga sword.

Shingen narrowed his eyes.

It was a risky idea, but it was one Shingen would have to take, if his Neko ninja were going to be successful in stopping Tamakuro, and preventing a civil war.

The sun had already set by the time Usagi, Leonardo, and Goose arrived at the next village. After obtaining stalls for their horses for the evening, Goose scampered off into the night. The two warriors entered the inn. The place was bustling with the activity of food and gambling. Leonardo followed Usagi as they wove a path through the crowd, seeking an open table.

Usagi's eyebrows shot up in surprise as his eyes fell upon a familiar face. A feline samurai that appeared to be deep in thought. Usagi walked up to his friend. "Tomoe Ame."

Looking up from her meal, a warm smile spread across her face as she recognized the newcomers. "Usagi. Leonardo. What a pleasant surprise." Tomoe Ame gestured to the empty seats. "Please join me."

The two warriors sat down. Usagi signaled to the innkeeper to bring more food and drink to their table, then turned to his friend. "So Tomoe Ame, what brings you to this village?"

Tomoe Ame wiped her mouth clean. "Lord Noriyuki requested that I complete a purchase. A sword by Fujiwara Kanenaga's."

Usagi's eyes sparkled as he informed Leonardo. "He makes some of the finest swords in this region."

Tomoe Ame nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Lord Noriyuki planned to present the sword to the shogun as a gesture of goodwill. Unfortunately, the sword was stolen before I could complete the purchase."

Leonardo raised an eye ridge in curiosity. "Who would do such a thing?"

A look of frustration flashed across the cat's face. "I do not know. The merchant was found poisoned."

Usagi's eyebrows shot upwards at the news. Observing the rabbit's surprise, a puzzled look fell across Leonardo's face. Usagi shifted to address his friend's confusion. "As you know, Leonardo-san, the Neko clan work for Lord Hebi. But Lord Hebi does not work alone. Hebi is loyal to another, Lord Hikiji."

Usagi's hands curled into fists at the mention of the evil daimyo. The action did not go unnoticed by Leonardo. The blue masked ninja made a mental note to remember to ask Usagi about it later.

Tomoe Ame continued. "Lord Hikiji is a daimyo with a vast army and much land. But Hikiji is never satisfied. He is always seeking to expand his domain and to increase his wealth. In the past he has tried, but has never been successful in his attempts to claim the territory of the Geishu clan. Lately, it appears that Hikiji has turned his focus elseware."

With a furrowed brow, Usagi turned to Tomoe Ame. "Which brings us back to the question about your dead merchant. It is not unusual for the Neko clan to cause interference on behalf of their lords. But poison isn't typically their style."

Tomoe Ame began shaking her head, as a new voice interrupted her reply.

"No, it is not."

Reacting to the body language of his friends', Leonardo's hand quickly moved to the handle of his sword.

The cloaked stranger put up their hand in a gesture of peace. Moving as if unaware, or simply uncaring about the body language of the seated warriors, the stranger smoothly seated themselves at the table. The figure slowly pushed back the hood of their cloak, revealing the face of a brown male cat. A white band of silk ran across his forehead, with three interlocking circles in the middle.

Usagi removed his hand from his sword, but remained tense. "Shingen."

The brown cat nodded in acknowledgement. His chocolate gaze roamed over each warrior as he spoke. "Miyamoto Usagi, the wandering Ronin of the late Lord Mifune. Tomoe Ame, Lord Noriyuki's trusted retainer."

Shingen paused, studying Leonardo for a moment, then his eyes narrowed. "And a kame ninja. Concealing themselves as a samurai."

Leonardo's eye ridges shot up in surprise. This mysterious stranger was the first person to correctly guess who Leo was, from a quick once over. Already not trusting the uninvited guest, Leonardo tried to cover up his discomfort with a growl. "And just exactly who the shell are you?"

Usagi held up a hand in an attempt to placate his friend. "Easy Leonardo-san. This is Shingen, the head of the Neko clan ninja."

Once again moving his hand to the handle of his sword, Leo stated. "Then it was you who poisoned that merchant."

Shingen gestured to Usagi. "As your samurai friend here has already mentioned, poison isn't the typical style of the Neko ninja."

Sensing a lie, Leo narrowed his eyes as he countered. "Poison may not be the usual action of your clan, but poison is still one of the many skills in a ninja's arsenal. Not doing so in the past, does not mean that you would not do so now."

Amusement flashed across Shingen's eyes. "You are a sharp one, I'll give you that, kame."

Hoping to prevent a brawl between the two ninja, Usagi quickly changed the subject. "Shingen, why are you here?"

Leaning back in his seat, Shingen crossed his arms in front of his chest. His chocolate eyes locked onto Tomoe Ame.

"Because right now, we are on the same side."

A/N: Aww, Leo got his very own pet. But now, I wonder what that Shingen is up to. Virtual strawberry crumble bars to those who review!