I do not own any of the characters seen here. I saw them first in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2003 series, which is also the inspiration for perhaps this entire story along with the Usagi Yojimbo comics, and the Christmas story itself.

Usagi and Gen had been riding for some time at a faster pace. With more discussion they'd both decided without a particular bounty to hunt, it made little sense to attack whomever they noticed sneaking around the forest. Gen saw the dangers in that. Usagi saw the potential for dishonoring mistakes.

So, both had agreed what a forest full of possible threats "did" provide for was a likely desire in travelers to have guards while going through or even around it. Gen had muttered, after their decision, that with their luck they'd only find a group of pilgrims or ragged woodcutters to escort. Usagi silently agreed with him but hoped for something to help him with the twenty-seven-day timeframe now looming over him. He'd never turn down requests for help from pilgrims and woodcutters, however. Maybe a swordsmith would need aid somehow, though?

They soon left the forest behind to go down a well-traveled road leading up to it in hope of convincing on comers of their skills before they reached the notorious area. Then they spotted a procession coming around a bend of the path. Usagi's eyes widened as he recognized something about it. "Gen!"

"I see it." They both rode forward faster than before.

. . .

Dark tresses fell in waves from where they were held back with a single ribbon tied into a bow atop her head. Large, dark eyes were fixed straight ahead. Tan, cat ears emerging from the black hair pointed that direction too. Fine clothing hung from her tan-fur-covered body. Double swords rested upon her hip. On her immediate left, a box was carried large enough for a person to hide inside and have a little space to themselves besides.

The Samurai's hand moved to her longest sword, when she noticed riders approaching. Her grip relaxed slightly as she noted the two's general size and shape. She lifted her hand entirely away from her weapon, with a small smile, when the smaller traveler called to her. "Tomoe Ame!"

She called out to the rest of the warriors guarding the box and its contents as the Ronin approached, "Let him through!"

A white, black, and round panda face poked out of the box. Tomoe's own cat face turned toward it. "My lord, get your honored face hidden within." He pulled back inside, but his voice echoed out. "Is it really, Usagi out there, Tomoe Ame?"

The Samurai looked ahead again. "Yes, my lord, and it seems Gennosuke is with him today."

Usagi rode up alongside her, his eyes wide with concern, which … Tomoe admitted to herself, pleased her for some reason. She almost allowed her lips to continue their smile. The like breathlessness in his voice as he spoke to her did the same for her heart. "Tomoe Ame, what are you and your lord doing out here on this road and so close to the forest?"

Noriyuki answered from within his box. "I was told looking into the amounts of rice your people are able to harvest 'in person' can be quite illuminating for a ruler, and helpful as he takes his people's concerns into account as he makes decisions."

Tomoe gave Usagi a side-glance letting her eyes speak for her. The tension within them was like a strung bow. Usagi met her gaze. He received a nod in return. The Ronin rode slightly ahead and then veered to the left right in front of the box. He then brought his mounts' speed down again, even with the box's, before looking over his shoulder at it. "Are you not concerned for your security, Lord Noriyuki?"

The white and black panda-head popped out of the box again. "Not with Tomoe Ame around."

Usagi glanced at Tomoe, who rolled her eyes very discretely. Then she looked back to him with a tiny smile. The Ronin gave her a like expression before looking forward down the road even as he spoke to the person behind him again. "Did she not tell you herself of the dangers such an excursion would entail?"

"Yes, but I want to be a Daimyo worthy of following my father and that means getting to know my people, their needs, and their abilities in person."

Usagi looked back at Tomoe again. A soft look come over her face even as her brow furrowed. She turned it toward voice coming from the box beside her before looking straight ahead again. Usagi looked over his shoulder again at the box himself. "An honorable goal, Lord Noriyuki, but remember your clan needs you safe to lead it. Tomoe Ame's blade is not to be underestimated." Tomoe Ame looked up and met his gaze and smiled slightly. Usagi then looked back to the box, "But neither is her advice." Tomoe's smile grew as if she did not bother to hide it from anyone anymore.

There was a long pause from the box. Then "We are almost done anyway. We were going to circle back along this road to my palace. Perhaps, I don't need to make as many stops along the way there as I first thought."

Usagi grinned and nodded back at the panda cub. "Good."

The voice then rose in excitement from inside the box. "Would you accompany us, Usagi san?"

The Ronin looked back at Tomoe Ame. She was smiling openly now. His fellow Samurai nodded to him. Gennosuke's booming voice came from behind her then and Usagi froze at the words. "We were just looking for poor pilgrims or woodcutters coming this way intent on passing through the dangerous forest in case they would pay for our services as bodyguards. We're a bit short on cash these days."

Usagi turned back around in his saddle, glared straight ahead of himself, and glared. Must. Not. Attack. Gennosuke.

The panda cub's voice broke out behind him again. "Oh, we'll pay you!"

Usagi turned his face toward the box once more, and attempting to control his expression and voice as he said in a "too" low and soft tone, "That is …"

"Good!" Gen cut in. "Now, maybe, since we are just two ragged ronin among our betters here, we should head up to a little way before the column and scout ahead for trouble. That way we can take it on before the rest of you reach it, and people won't actually think we're 'with' all of you."

Tomoe glanced back at the rhino her brow furrowing. "That is not …"

But Gen was already on his way. From inside the box, Lord Noriyuki's voice blasted forth. "Scouting ahead for dangers sounds like a good idea, Usagi! Although, I don't mind people knowing I hired you. I'll be safe back here with Tomoe Ame, but would you share our campfire later tonight when I eat? I want to hear all about your latest adventures!"

Usagi looked over his shoulder at Tomoe Ame this time. She gave him back a gentle smile and a tiny nod. Usagi gave a slightly wider smile back, and then bowed at the box behind him. "Then I certainly accept your invitation to do so, Lord Noriyuki."

The panda's smiling face reappeared for a moment as he responded with a grin, "Good!"

The rabbit ronin then nodded again with a smile, turned back to look ahead, and wove his steed through members of the column of warriors to chase after his companion. Then he frowned. Are you far enough of the head of this column, Gennosuke, that I can kill you without anyone noticing?

What do you think?

God Bless

ScribeofHeroes