Chapter 13: Modoru

Going back into the temple courtyard, the sky had shifted from a blood red to a pacifying blue as it began to snow again.

The group tensed as Sumo Kuma and his stragglers were starting to awaken. The Turtles, Usagi, and Gennosuke were about to draw their weapons when Kintaro held out his hand in front of them.

"Stop." He said calmly. "I sense they are not evil."

Before any of them could ask what that meant, Sumo Kuma stood up. "Forgive me and my fellow monks, my friends." He said, his voice sounding kind and wise. "I, too, as well as many of the monks here, were enchanted by the wizard's evil." He and all of the other stragglers bowed respectfully, much to the group's surprise. "We thank you for freeing our temple."

"Your temple?" Donnie asked in astonishment.

"You mean all of you are monks of this temple?" Leo also questioned.

Sumo Kuma nodded. "I am head monk of the Temple Palace of the Sky Buddha. Many weeks ago, Jei attacked our temple and slayed many of our monks, while those who survived were either bewitched or escaped. I stayed behind to allow the remains of our order to escape, but soon I was bewitched as well." He then smiled. "With Jei gone, I will send for the return of our fellow monks so that we may attend and protect Kintaro, the Golden Boy."

Sumo Kuma then placed his palms together and bowed to the pug child, as did all of the other monks, Usagi, and Gennosuke.

Smiling, Kintaro turned to the Turtles, placing his palms together and bowing to them. "And I am thankful to you turtles, too. You have been loyal and patient with me this whole journey and have more than once saved my life, for that, I am forever grateful."

Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo all smiled before placing their palms together and bowing back.

"Yeah, I knew you were a good dog, Pug-taro!" Mikey exclaimed gleefully, raising his hand out for a high-three. "Up high, little pup!"

Kintaro jumped up twice and tried to smack Mikey's hand, but it was pretty clear he couldn't reach that high.

"Okay, okay, down low." Mikey relented, lowering his hand. Kintaro gladly smacked the party turtle's outstretched hand.

"There's still one problem, guys." Donnie piped up. "How are we gonna get home?"

"Spiritual power is what brought you here." Sumo Kuma replied. "So it is the key to your return." He then handed the Holy Child his axe. "Kintaro, you can make the way."

Taking his axe into his hands, Kintaro closed his eyes, focusing his newfound spiritual power into the blade. Then with a mighty swing, Kintaro seemed to cut the fabric of reality itself with his axe, creating a large white rift.

"The doorway will not last long." Sumo Kuma warned. "So go through it before it closes."

"Alright, time to go." Raph said, being the first to go to the rift. "So long, Kintaro. You did good." He said, fondly patting the pug child's head. He then turned to Usagi and Gennosuke. "And bye to you too, guys." He then went through the rift.

"Catch ya on the flip-side, awesome samurai dudes." Mikey said, following Raph into the rift. "Later, Kintaro, bra."

"As fascinating as it would be to stay, I know we have our own home to go back to." Donnie said. He then smiled, showing his gap tooth. "Still, it was quite a ride with what time we had here." He then entered the rift as well.

Finally, it was just Leo.

"Farwell, Usagi-san." Leo told the ronin.

"Farwell, my brother." Usagi replied as the two bowed to each other with the utmost respect. "May our paths cross again someday."

Tears now springing in his eyes, Kintaro quickly ran up to the blue clad turtle and gave him a large hug, to which Leo bent down and quickly returned.

"Thank you for not leaving my side, nor giving up on me, Leo." The Holy Child said, burying his face into the blue turtle's chest. "What you and your brothers did for me… I can't ever repay."

"There's no need to." Leo chuckled, placing his chin on the pug's head. "It's what friends are for. And even if you can't see me, know that I'll be there to look out for you when you need it most."

Kintaro let out a quiet sob. "I'll miss you."

Leo's expression turned sympathetic as he held the Golden Boy tighter. "I'll miss you too, Kintaro."

The two then broke apart and stood up straight, Leo placing his fist on his palm as he bowed with Kintaro mirroring his actions.

And so, with one last glance, Leo turned and entered the rift just as it closed, leaving four turtle talismans in its place.

Usagi bent down and picked up the talismans as Gennosuke spat again. "Well, now that our sad goodbyes are over with, I need food!" The rhino said.

Sumo Kuma chuckled. "You are welcome to join us for dinner tonight at the temple, my friend." He then turned to Usagi. "And you are as well."

The ronin nodded. "Thank you, but I must decline. My mission is complete. Kintaro is here at the temple and is safe. It is time for me to go."

Picking up his hat and his coat where they had fallen off during the battle, Usagi made his way out to the bridge, almost unaware that a certain pug child was starting to miss him.

"You don't have to go, Usagi." Kintaro said as he chased the ronin to the bridge of the temple. "You could stay."

However, Usagi shook his head. "I must go. There are others, innocents in need of my services and my sword." He told the Holy Child. "But, if you ever need me, I will return. Goodbye, Kintaro-sama."

With that said, he walked out into the snow.

"Thank you, Yojimbo!" Was all that Kintaro could say as he watched his friend go. "Sayonara, Usagi!"

And so Usagi roamed out into the snowy tundra again, the turtle talismans tied to the hilt of his sword to remember them by. And he knew this was a journey would not forget as he tipped his hat, a small smile tugging at his lips.

The Rabbit Ronin departed into the icy storm to ensure his code of honor, the code of the samurai; Bushido, on aiding those in need of his aid.