Author's note: I like to combine my favorite features from the many turtle universes. I like the look of the turtle's from the new movies, but love the Mutanimals and many other bits and portrayals from different universes. So expect bits and pieces from it all. Also I am aware usagi is basically from feudal japan but the rest of his world isn't so defined. And it's my book so I can add islands if I want. You will find the culture here to be a hodgepodge of many cultures. It being a center point for long distance trade allows for the picking and choosing of attributes from many cultures of the time.
Chapter 2
It took nearly a week of walking, riding in the back of turnip carts, and sailing across a wide blue sea before the island came into view. The time had been passed between the friends with conversation, martial arts practice and working aboard the ship to help pay their way across. But for the moment Leonardo watched as great docked ships and wooden buildings surrounded by green rolling hills came into view. A bustling dock marked the entrance to the marina town.
"Is that the town of Umino?" Leo asked one of the sailors who had also stopped to watch the island rise on the horizon.
The sailor shook his head. "No that's just the marina. They call it the water gate." The ruff looking cat gave a misshapen smile. "That's where you find all the best trouble. No, Umino itself is a good ten miles inland."
"Not overly creative with their names are they?" Leo commented.
The mangy cat laughed out loud. "You don't think they have better things to do than sit around naming things?" Then slapping Leo roughly on the shoulder said, "Come on. We better help these know nothings get this beast ready to drop anchor."
And the bustling began. Once close to the island the large ship dropped anchor and started ferrying its cargo to shore. Usagi and Leo caught a ride on one the smaller boats to the docks and began making their way through the crowded marina and fish market. It was all rather exciting really. Fish being thrown about as men shouted to one another, wears and cargo being pushed to this place or that. What had Leo's attention more was the species demographics.
Usagi had not under sold the idea of the species here being more reptilian. Leo was amazed to see that there were Lizards of every type and color, Some not too different from his brother's salamandrien ex-girlfriend, Mona Lisa. Snakes like Heavy slithered about their business. And then there were terapinians, Turtles of varying types. Some with elaborate markings and shells with saw like sides, others that were more like himself. Plainer in markings with dark smooth shells. Leo had never felt so ordinary. And for the moment he was loving it.
His bandanna hanging loose about his neck, the wind slipping through the rough cotton of his shirt. He felt… free. He caught the smiles and blush of a couple young girls as they hurried by, sparkling eyes looking over their shoulders at him. He became damn sure he could fly the ten miles inland if he tried. But as it were his soul had wings but his body did not. So instead he walked weightlessly beside his friend chatting about the scenery and possibilities that awaited him in Umino.
Nakame Ming Ming hurried about calling out orders for servants to double check that the keep was in order as she made her way to her daughter, Espin's, room. Ming Ming was certain her husband, the Lord Maru, would be none too happy if the ensuing meeting were to go as past attempted courtships had gone for her other daughters. She nocked gently on the bedroom door before slowly opening it. Three of her daughters hurried about inside, fussing with silky dresses that were specially designed with open backs to fit around a terapinian's shell.
Espin's dress was a bright yellow with pink flowers embroidered along the hems. It complimented her brown eyes and thin figure. She busied herself with helping her younger sister, Shawna with her soft pink dress. If she focused on helping her younger sisters she could push down her nervousness of the impending meeting with the clan leader, which was making his way to her home.
Shawna also had brown eyes. She was much shorter than her older sister. The top of her head only coming to Espin's shoulder. She still had a bit of growing to do. But by the standards that the feudal era had set, she was old enough to be wed.
Shawna's bottom lip quivered as she held back the tears that rimmed her eyes. She was shy by nature and the idea of possibly being chosen to marry a man she did not know, and was more that was a couple years her senior, terrified her.
"There is no point in fussing." Lia stated to her younger sister as she hooked the clasps at the back of her green and brown dress. Lia rivaled her older sister, Espin, in height but was not as thin. She preferred to spend her days sneaking into the kitchen to sample whatever delicacies the cook was whipping up. This made her thicker. But she knew good food when she came across it and was becoming a decent cook. She didn't mind the idea of being chosen to be married. She honestly liked the idea of being whisked away to a new land. The romantic adventure of it was alluring…If the man that did the whisking was kind and handsome. .. if.
Ming Ming watched her daughters for a moment with a heavy heart. It was hard to let one's children go. No matter their age. It was harder still to entrust their wellbeing to a stranger. She let out a soft sigh then stepped up to the young ladies. Using her sleeve, she wiped away a tear that had slipped from Shawna's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Mama." Shawna said, just above a whisper. "I'm trying to be brave."
Ming Ming gave a small smile. "I know dear. As long as we have our selves together before Me. Hamato arrives."
"Yes ma'am." Came their chorused answer.
Three young ladies steadied themselves as their mother went about smoothing out any wrinkles and making sure hems were strait and make up embellishments were right and not overdone.
"Do you know how old I was when your father chose me?" Ming Ming asked.
The three girls shook their heads no.
"I was 14. He was 20. Because he was a lord it was important for him to choose a wife as soon as he could."
"Where you scared?" Espin asked as she frowned, still trying to push down her own apprehensions.
Ming Ming placed her hands on Espin's shoulders and gave them a squeeze. "I was terrified."
She looked to her other daughters. "Your father had grown up a bit… spoiled, and was used to getting his own way. We had a hard time getting along at first."
"Maybe Mr. Hamato will be easier to get along with." Lia voiced hopefully.
"Perhaps. Not that your father is an overly difficult man. Sometimes it is just a matter of learning to get along and treating each other with respect. Do you understand?"
The oldest two girls nodded. The youngest balled. She couldn't hold back her fears any more.
"I don't want to get married yet!" Shawna balled. "I don't want to have babies yet or or…" her eyes suddenly widened at the thought of how one became pregnant to begin with. "Mama, I don't want to..to…"
Her mother embraced her. "It's going to be ok, my dear. I promise."
In truth Ming Ming could promise nothing. She did not know Leonardo. She only knew the stories her husband had read to her, as she could not read them herself. The stories had boasted of his honor, and had made him sound kind at times and fierce at others. All she could do was hope they were not too far off with their description of him.
She looked over her three daughters searching for a way to calm their worries. "To marry the leader of a clan is a great honor."
The three girls frowned back, obviously not feeling over joyed at being chosen for this honor.
"Why can't Rayen or Emry marry him?" Espin suddenly shot out.
"You know why Rayen cant…" Ming Ming started lowly.
"Well then Emry, or lyra, or even Min."
"They are too old. Min just came out of her marriageable age just last year. Or she would be in here getting ready with the rest of you." Ming Ming Frowned. "This honor falls to one of you now. You won't let your father down. Will you?"
Espin sighed as she looked to her younger two sisters. "No. We won't let father down."
Ming Ming gave a small smile. "That's my girls." She said weakly before hugging them. Then straitening said, "Come now. We need to fix your make up Shawna. We can't look as though we have been crying. We don't want to offend our guest. And he will be here any minute."
