Okay apologies to all who saw this chapter first as an update to "Unexpected Honor." I plan to fix that sometime soon, but have run into a few snags. Long story short, you apparently can't just delete a chapter you didn't meant to post and don't update a story when you're hungry.

I own nothing. I also make no money from it. Please enjoy anyway.

"Do you still wish me to visit, old friend?"

Splinter stared up at his much taller friend, and soon possible guest. "I think, despite Leonardo's worries, my sons' feet will heal sooner than they fear. The very ice that hid the sharp objects from them at first might not have melted fully and kept the points from entering too deeply into their flesh. My sons and I have always healed faster than others since our mutations. Right now, it is infection we worry about. If that occurs, we may indeed have to cancel the gathering ..."

"I understand. That would be a sad thing indeed, good Splinter. If that occurs, my healers stand by to tend to your sons in their illnesses. You certainly all deserve such care after what you did for my Battle Nexus, indeed, for the whole multiverse it connects."

Splinter smiled. "Thank you, my dear friend. However, there is something else I would have you do in case the Christmas party can be held if you are willing."

The Daimyo raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Splinter ..?"

"You have observed our world many times?"

"Indeed, I have even visited it more than once, and have studied it since to make certain warriors of renown from it feel welcome when I host them in the Battle Nexus."

"You know something of Christmas celebrations then?"

"I have observed Christmas celebrations on earth over many centuries since warriors I hosted began to celebrate it. I even observed you and your children celebrate it at times."

"Then you may not be taken by surprise by our festivities. I fear though others you bring may. Usagi seems one who will be easily embarrassed by making mistakes among his hosts that could be interpreted as bad manners. Others, here, may point out such mistakes to him indelicately. Murakami Gennosuke on the other hand …"

"Is not easily embarrassed, but may embarrass his friend." The Daimyo had a smiled in his voice as he finished this statement for his friend.

"Leonardo, especially, is most anxious Usagi and Gennosuke have a good time during their visit to our home."

"Indeed, Usagi has waited long to enjoy himself on his visit to your world and done much preparation to participate fully in its celebration with Leonardo. Some instruction in how to behave in your world, and what to expect from, and in it, might not be amiss as you say. Gennosuke, however, already bid me send his fond regards and humble apologies for not coming to you and your sons."

Splinter smiled fondly up into his friend's face. "Something tells me it might not remain so should he see with Usagi all Christmas celebrations entail …"

The Daimyo smiled back down at him equally fondly. "Perhaps not …"

. . .

Usagi was sparring with Tomoe Ame again, this time in eyesight of both Noriyuki and Gennosuk,e who had a bet riding on the outcome. Noriyuki had bet on his retainer. Genn had wagered on his traveling companion. Tomoe Ame had allowed this after making sure the bet had been lowered to a third of that which her young lord and the bounty hunter had originally agreed on.

Gennosuke had complained. "Oh come now, Samurai, young or not, a Daimyo can afford to lose more than that!" She, however, had insisted. Usagi had chuckled and agreed with her causing Gennosuke to threaten to switch his bet.

Despite his love for Usagi, Noriyuki could not bear the thought of betraying his beloved retainer by betting against her. Gennosuke tried to say spreading one's bets out on multiple competitors was often a good strategy. Usagi had pointed out there were only two competitors this time. As it turned out no one won the match.

A light appeared off to the side of the sparring area as they fought, causing both Tomoe Ame and Usagi to turn and stare at it. Only Tomoe Ame's mouth hung open as she did, however. Usagi's eyes widened a bit. Noriyuki's did the same, and he leaned forward. Gennosuke's ears only swiveled forward.

A flash spread out from the source of light. The Daimyo appeared, where it had been and bowed. "Excuse me for intruding, Lord Noriyuki, in this world and on these lands that you rule in it, but I have come for your guests Miyamoto Usagi and Murakami Gennesuke if you will let them go with me, and they wish to come. I thought to prepare them in my home for a visit to another world and its celebration of a holiday in it with our mutual friends that is happening soon."

Usagi grinned and bowed at the Battle Nexus Daimyo. "I am somewhat reluctant to leave the good hosting I have enjoyed here, Daimyo of the Battle Nexus, but I also have already said yes to Leonardo's invitation. I do not wish to make a fool of myself in his world or in his home. So training not to do so is most welcome to me."

"You're really the Daimyo of the Battle Nexus?"

Usagi turned. Noriyuki had come up beside him silently and now gazed up closed mouthed, but very wide-eyed at the other Daimyo. Tomoe Ame came up to her lord's others side. She gripped his shoulder with one hand. Her other rested on her katanna. "And you will not be staying long?"

The visiting Daimyo gave a very slight bow to the smaller one standing before him in whose home he now stood. "Yes, young lord. And I fear not, young Samurai. I have merely come to collect Miyamoto Usagi, our shared friend, and only if he wishes, and Gennosuke if he too wishes."

The bounty hunter grinned up at him. "Who am I to say 'No' to an invitation to stay in your home and enjoy your hosting again, great Daimyo?"

Usagi glanced back at his grinning friend with a like expression of his own before rolling his eyes. Then he looked back to Tomoe Ame and Lord Noriyuki. He bowed to them and spoke softly. "I have enjoyed my stay and my service to you Daimyo of the Geisha Clan, but I have already said I would attend my friend's celebration, and yet know little of it. I would like to learn how to conduct myself well in his house before I enter it."

Noriyuki tried to put on a brave grin of his own, though his brow was slightly furrowed and his eyes slightly wet. "Your service has been much appreciated, my friend. I will allow you to take your wages and go with my thanks and greetings to your friends." He waved his hand toward where the sword for Leonardo sat near the cushions where he and the bounty hunter had been sitting. Usagi had not liked taking his eyes off it for too long.

Usagi went and picked it up before turning to the Daimyo of the Battle Nexus with another grin. "Let us be going then, great Daimyo of the Battle Nexus! I am anxious to begin my education on the celebration of Christmas in our mutual friends' world!"

. . .

Leonardo lay on the couch gazing up at the ceiling. A book lay on his plastron over his stomach more precisely, but he was finally bored of reading. He could hear Donnie typing away in his lab. His smart brother's foot was elevated on the same counter his computer sat on. It was an awkward position to hold very long, but it made it somewhat possible for Donnie to both heal and get some work done. At least "he" could make himself useful! Leo scowled. The expression fell away as he heard voiced behind the back of the couch.

"Sensei … Leo's not even doing anything! Why does he get be lazy, but not us?"

Leo heard his sensei sigh. Then, "Michelangelo … Do not whine ... I care not, what Leonardo does or does not do right now ... With your feet impossible to stand upon, now is a fine time for you and Raphael to both work on your breathing exercises. Unlike Leonardo, 'you' have always come up with many excuses not to work on them before."

Mikey whined again, but wordlessly. Raph just growled also wordless. Leonardo sighed from his prone position on the couch. Normally, he'd be more harshly judging of his brothers, but now …

He was bored with breathing exercises too. They and reading had been his two main occupations between bandage changes. The truth was, while you could go over possible battle and stealth scenarios in your head to practice strategy, in the end, what really happened, happened, and was often nothing like what you had prepared to face. He should know. Which made him feel even more useless now.

He heard the door of the elevator open. He turned his head that direction, his muscles tensing up, though he controlled himself enough not to get up. A familiar voice melded with two familiar sets of footsteps, one very heavy, the other light if not ninja-light. The voice belonged to the heavy set. "Hey guys, we coming by with early Christmas presents!"

"Early Christmas presents! Ow, ow, ow, ow ow!"

"Michelangelo, sit back down!"

Leo sighed. His muscles relaxed, but he winced a bit for his youngest brother. Mikey, so far, was the worst among them, when it came to forgetting how injured their feet were. He and Donnie, especially, were worried about it hindering Mikey's healing.

Leo turned his head as April sat down on the coffee table in front of him. She set a grocery bag down beside her and gave him a warm smile. Her voice was like warm, though a cold atmosphere from outside still seemed to cling to her. Droplets on her jacket spoke of melting snow. He glanced at them before looking back up into her face as she spoke. "Hey, Leo …"

"Hi, April."

"How are you doing?"

How to answer that? He shrugged. "Better … My foot doesn't hurt so much, but that's probably the pain meds Don's been giving me."

She tilted her head at him. "Have you been getting a lot of writing done?"

Leo sighed. Then he closed his eyes and turned his face up to the ceiling. "I guess. I've written everything I had in mind before out now. Then I wrote everything that has come to mind while I lie here, but … now … inspiration has become a problem."

April frowned at him. Then she bent her head closer to his. Her lips took on a bit of a pout as her eyes bored into him. "You don't seem too worried."

Leo scowled and shrugged. "If an infection sets in, with even one of us, the whole thing is canceled anyway."

He felt a small, still-cold hand land on his knee. He looked back into the smiling, yet somewhat sad-looking face attached to it. "I know, but let's not worry about that until it actually happens. Casey and I bought some decorations and food. We brought them over, so they'll be here waiting for us when the big day arrives. We'll put the food away now, but, hey! Maybe you guys can at least walk around on some crutches or even cool ninja staffs to help us decorate sometime soon ..."

Leo gave her a weary smile. "Maybe … Thanks April …"

She shrugged and grinned wider. "Hey, this Christmas has to be better than the last one, at least, right?"

Leo's face fell. He could see from the wince reflected in her eyes she realized it had been the wrong thing to say.

God Bless

ScribeofHeroes