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.

"Gen?"

His friend was not out of eyesight of the column, not by a long bowshot, but he was more or less out of ear-distance especially with the clop of the hooves the steeds behind them filled the ears also behind them with. Usagi pulled his steed up even with the rhino's and glared at him. "What was that all about?"

"I thought you'd 'want' to guard the young, lord Noriyuki. He is your friend and we were looking for Yojimbo work."

Usagi glared back. "He 'is' my friend and will insist we have better accommodations on the road than we are used to and probably ask us to stay in his city for some time after we arrive as well. All the money that saves us alone in food and lodging is worth the trouble, and I wouldn't even buy for myself what he will probably give us before we leave! We need no more!"

"You want to buy that sword for your friend do you not?"

"Yes. But …"

"It will take some time to get to that city Noriyuki's palace is in, friend. We won't have time to make much money after we leave it and before that celebration you said you'd attend."

Usagi bowed his head and let out a breath, "But …"

"Usagi, the kid has more than enough for himself, and you saved his life. Let it be. This discussion is only one reason I made sure we came out here ahead of them all."

Usagi sent a glare his friend's way. "And the other reasons?"

"Like I said, any danger around here will likely come from the forest ahead. 'And' if any comes from the other directions, two ragged riders, like us up here, might not be counted among the defenders by any watching and counting not even if they saw us talking with them. They might expect us to just ride off at the first sign of attack. So, we can swing back and go along either side of any group of attackers slaying quite a few in their surprise before they begin to defend themselves."

"But that will still leave Lord Noriyuki himself vulnerable if there is more than one line of oncoming attackers bent on killing or kidnapping him! 'We' would only be attacking the second line not upon him, yet!"

"Leave him vulnerable! Did you see that lot of guards back there?" Gen pointed his thumb over his shoulder toward the column. "Thank goodness Noriyuki 'does' know and like you, Usagi! Any other lord that well-guarded would have laughed our offer off! Besides, 'I' personally wouldn't attack 'just' Tomoe for any amount of money. Being caught between her and 'you,' both mad ..."

"I know, Gen! But if we are going to take their money, we should be as in valuable a position to 'guard' Lord Noriyuki as possible!"

The rhino chuckled to himself before speaking again. "Usagi … you don't think maybe you 'both' will be more alert to any danger to Lord Noriyuki if you and Tomoe are riding some ways 'apart' rather than right beside each other?"

Usagi's expression went darker. "Gen. Tomoe and I are friends. We respect each other's honor and skill. That is all."

Gen looked straight ahead of himself again looking smug as he sagged in the saddle. "Yep, and that's why she keeps begging you to become a Samurai for her lord Noriyuki and the Geisha clan."

Usagi's voice rose. "She does not 'beg' me, she asks me. And Lord Noriyuki …"

"Gives you eyes that puts those of his own pet's to shame when he begs you to do the same, because you're his hero, along with her. I know, I've seen it. And you let them both down easy every time. Honestly, Lord Mifune would more than understand."

Had Usagi's face had the flesh of a human, it would have turned purple. Gen continued. "But … you have your own reasons for turning them down every time, and for being set on getting this sword for your friend from another world. I'm just trying to help you achieve both goals."

Usagi raised an eyebrow beneath the long scar on his forehead. "How so?"

Gen's voice lowered and turned more solemn. "If you go back there and ride alongside Tomoe Ame until sunset, you'll want to stay by her and Lord Noriyuki's side till your last breath more than ever before, and it will kill you to either do so, or not do so, with your blasted sense of honor the way it is."

Usagi froze. He gazed at Gen for several moments and then looked down at the road their mounts traveled over for even longer. Finally, a quiet voice answered the rhino. "Thank you, my friend."

"You're welcome, Usagi."

What do you think?

God Bless

ScribeofHeroes