A/N: Two days since the last chapter and what is this? An update already? Yep. Thank you for your reviews!
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.
Chapter 14-Winning Streak
With his lungs on fire, Leonardo furiously swam, up, up, up, towards the light. The blue banded turtle let out a gasp as his head breached the water's surface. Debris rained around him, as he paddled to stay afloat. Holding his position, Leo called out, searching for any sign of the rabbit samurai.
"Usagi?"
Leo continued to paddle in a circle, his eyes and ears searching for his friend.
"Usagi?"
Usagi's head popped above the water's surface and the Ronin immediately began to cough the water out of his lungs. He called out in a shaky voice to the young ninja. "I'm here, Leonardo-san."
Relieved that his friend was ok, Leo moved closer and wrapped an arm around the tired rabbit. Usagi gratefully let Leonardo take the lead, as the turtle swiftly moved them both towards the shoreline. With his hands and knees once again touching solid ground, Usagi turned to Leo and thanked him with a grin. Sometimes, having a turtle for a friend came in handy. Leo nodded, his eyes sparkling with pride at having helped his samurai friend.
Along the shoreline, Neko ninja continued to emerge from the water. Shingen and Eiji approached Leonardo and Usagi, who were standing bent over, with hands on their knees, catching their breath. An array of red and orange flames lit up the nighttime sky around them. The ground continued to tremble as Tamakuro's fortress crumbled.
Shingen looked away from his companions and watched the fortress fall. The Neko clan leader had hoped to melt down the steel roofing tiles, so that they would become weak, unsuitable to use for the manufacture of ammunition. But Tamakuro must have already had some stored in the central tower. When the keg of powder exploded, it caused a cascade effect. The fortress was old, and could not withstand the force of the blasts. The brown cat nodded. It was a better outcome than Shingen had anticipated.
Leonardo felt a sudden warmth winding around his legs. Leo knelt down to pet Goose, as the tokage continued to brush up against him. "Hey there Goose. Thanks for your help back there."
"Eep!" Goose barked out, then continued to rub against Leonardo's legs.
Shingen observed the turtle's tokage affectionately rub against the young ninja's legs. In the short time he had spent with Leonardo, Shingen had already recognized that Leonardo was a natural leader. Shingen crossed his arms in front of his chest as his thoughts returned to earlier that evening. Leonardo's movements had been swift, graceful, and strong. The turtle was still young, but it was clear that he was already turning into a fine warrior.
Shingen tilted his head. And then there was Leonardo's behavior when they first approached the central tower, Leonardo's decision to knock the soldiers unconscious, instead of killing them. Shingen uncrossed his arms and frowned. Compassion was not a trait suitable for a member of the Neko clan. The brown cat sighed as he silently observed the turtle ninja and his tokage. It was a shame that the turtle ninja wasn't more ruthless, he would have made a unique and valuable addition to the Neko clan. Instead, Shingen would have to ensure that his clansfolk were aware of the young ninja and his skills. Just because someone was an ally today, that did not mean that they couldn't turn into a foe tomorrow.
Shingen turned to face Leonardo and Usagi. "We have succeeded. The threat has ended. And so too, has our alliance." Shingen's chocolate colored eyes saddened. "We have much to mourn for. The Neko ninja have been sorely depleted."
Usagi nodded in silent understanding. With one final bow, Shingen returned to his clansfolk. The ninja silently disappeared into the night.
Leonardo waited until the ninja were out of earshot. His eyes roamed over Usagi, searching for injuries. Usagi smiled at his friend's concern. "My brother, I am fine."
Satisfied that Usagi was uninjured, Leo asked, "What now?"
Usagi was silent for a moment before he replied. "Now we proceed to White Heron Castle. Lord Noriyuki will be pleased that the threat has ended."
Nodding, Leo asked. "And what of the Neko ninja? I still do not trust them."
Usagi shrugged. "They will leave us alone, for now."
The rabbit placed a hand on Leo's shoulder. "But you are correct, they are still a force to be reckoned with. Come, it is time to go."
The next few days that passed by were uneventful, as Leonardo and Usagi traveled to the outer borders of the Geishu clan. Leo's time with Usagi was quickly coming to an end, and the turtle was happy that he would get to see the Geishu lord before returning home.
Leo's head swiveled back and forth, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the unfamiliar area. The land was green and fertile, with roads leading north to the farming communities. The roads to the south, looked less traveled.
Leonardo asked. "Does anyone still visit the southern areas?"
Usagi shook his head. "No. Lord Hebi's attacks have been relentless. Half of the Geishu clan is gone. The survivors have all gathered in the north, near Lord Noriyuki's castle."
Leonardo frowned at the news. "What about the Shogun? I thought he was helping the Geishu clan."
Usagi maneuvered his horse closer to Leonardo. "For a while, he was. Lately the Shogun has been forced to deal with other matters.
Before Leo could ask another question, the sound of taunts carried over from the nearby woods. A group of bandits quickly emerged, outnumbering the two warriors. Usagi and Leonardo brought their horses to a stop, as they were surrounded by a ring of thieves.
The leader of the bandits sneered at the duo, eyeing the horses hungrily. "So what do we have here? Two wandering Ronin. With two very fine looking horses."
Usagi's horse began to prance with nervous energy. Usagi's grip tightened on the reins. "Leave now and you will not be harmed."
The smug leader laughed. "Look at the odds Ronin. Surrender your horses now, and we will let you two go, unharmed."
Leonardo began to analyze the situation. They were surrounded. The odds were sixteen to two, clearly not in their favor. But the odds didn't matter. In his short time on Usagi's world, the rabbit and turtle's adventures have been met with much success. Leonardo did not doubt that he and Usagi could successfully fight off this latest group of misfits.
Quickly growing angry, the bandit leader ordered. "Your horses, now!"
A loud growl from a fast moving blur of purple caused everyone to look left. Goose latched onto one of the bandit's arms, causing the pig to howl out in pain. Leonardo and Usagi quickly drew their swords, engaging the ring of thieves in combat. The raiding party quickly split into two groups, each focused on one of the sword wielding warriors.
Taking a wild swing at Usagi, the lead bandit taunted. "I'll have your head, Ronin."
Usagi easily blocked the strike with his sword. "You are welcome to try."
Seeking to rescue his pet, Leonardo dismounted from his horse and targeted the pig Goose was attacking. Goose quickly leapt out of the way, leaving the pig at the turtle's mercy. With the pig already on the ground, Leo was easily able to strike the bandit unconscious with the hilt of his sword. A cry over Leo's shoulder, alerted him to his next opponent. A bandit had tried to sneak up behind the young turtle. Instead of the surprise strike, the pig found himself the next victim of Goose's sharp teeth and claws. The pig grabbed onto Goose's neck, causing the lizard to release its hold. Carelessly tossing the tokage aside, the pig turned to find himself facing the tip of Leonardo's sword.
Leo's voice came out in a growl. "No one touches my tokage."
With two bandits down and six to go, Leo found himself moving downward into a split to avoid the strike from a double attack. Quickly pushing up onto his hands, Leo flipped upside down, into a handstand. With his legs still in the split, Leo rotated his hips, adding power to his strike. The strength of Leo's splitkick knocked the two pigs to the ground simultaneously.
Leo popped back up to his feet and regained his full height. Hard eyes from beneath the blue mask glared at the remaining four pigs. Leo motioned his hand in a come forward gesture.
Three of the pig's looked at each other, then charged forward with a battle cry. Goose scampered from one pig to the next, growling, biting, and scratching. Goose's antics served as an efficient distraction, forcing the pig's to attack Leo one on one. This strategy allowed Leonardo to use his superior swordsmanship skills to defeat each foe in quick succession.
With seven of his eight opponents on the ground, Leonardo turned to the last pig. The bandit stared at the blue masked ninja with wide eyes. "You! That lizard! You are some kind of demons!" The thief gave one last cry of fright before running away.
Goose scampered over to Leonardo immediately after the last pig's departure. Bending down, Leo stroked the tokage. "Thanks Goose!"
Goose's tail wiggled back and forth, pleased with Leo's praise. Leo continued to pet the tokage. Goose was increasingly becoming a worthy companion in battle. A sudden wave of emotion passed through Leonardo. The tokage was really starting to grow on him.
Usagi walked over, surveying the scene. It had not taken long for the two warriors to defeat the group of bandits. Usagi patted his horse's neck. "Come Leonardo-san, we should reach Lord Noriyuki's castle by nightfall."
Leonardo rose to his full height and looked around, focusing his thoughts inward. Ever since his families defeat back on Shredder's ship, Leonardo has felt like he failed his family.
He had not been good enough.
He had not been strong enough.
He had not been smart enough.
He had not been skilled enough.
Leonardo had been unable to protect his family, to prevent his brothers' and father, from having to sacrifice their lives to stop the Shredder. Back on the Shredder's ship, Leonardo had failed.
Failed as a leader.
Failed as a brother.
Failed as the eldest son.
Walking over to his horse, Leo checked the girth. Since arriving on Usagi's world, every decision the blue masked turtle has made, every opponent Usagi and he have faced, every obstacle that has fallen across their path, has been met with great success.
Protecting.
Saving.
Winning.
Leo mounted his horse and grinned.
It felt good to have the sweet taste of victory again.
A/N: Well, things are finally looking up for the young leader in blue. But will it last? *looks up innocently whistling* Virtual popcorn with lots and lots of butter to those who review!