Leo kept on glancing nervously in the samurai's direction, uncertain what to make of the strange creature. On the one hand, Usagi seemed pleasant and comfortable to be around, even if his startled outbursts at modern technology were as surprising as they were amusing. He didn't judge them at all for their looks, as he himself was rather odd looking. On the other hand, he was odd looking because he allegedly hailed from an alternate world where animals were the dominant species of Earth. The concept of him being mutant-like, but not actually a mutant, was oddly uncomfortable to Leo. He and his family had lived their lives in the shadows, showing their faces to a select few humans, mostly by accident. They were either ashamed or discomfited by their looks after so many had described them as freakish and ugly, so purposely kept out of people's sight.

Usagi, however, had walked right out into the streets of New York with very little regard for his appearance.

It was even more foreign than the concept of him coming from a whole other world; the fact that someone so... odd looking was completely assured in the way that he looked. At the same time, Leo was fascinated by the idea of a planet where he and his family could roam without fear of being judged. That would, of course, mean leaving April, Casey and Miwa behind.

"What troubles you, Leonardo-san?" The turtle flinched, realising he'd been staring and going red in the face.

"I—nothing! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean-!" Usagi raised his hand in a gentle gesture for him to fall silent, and Leo obeyed, disarmed by that charming almost-smile.

"I suppose this must all seem peculiar to you as well, otōto," he said, long ears twitching slightly. Usagi applied the term otōto to all four turtles, and even to Casey, while referring to April and Miwa as imōto. He put the affectionate names down to the fact that his family had saved the samurai from becoming the Kraang's lab rat, though he'd most likely have been able to escape by himself, seeing as how he was carving through twenty droids at a time. Perhaps it was the fact that they took him in and were attempting to find a way to send him home; he seemed very thankful for that.

The turtle blinked, then rubbed the back of his head bashfully. "I guess, but then it'll be really weird for you, being in a place like this all of a sudden..." The rabbit nodded slowly, keeping his eyes on the turtle.

"Indeed. Your world is peculiar and advanced, and... a samurai lodging with a ninja clan..." Usagi shook his head. "It is practically unheard of... I suspect that is why the rōjin disliked the idea of me staying here." Leo's brow furrowed, offering the samurai and awkward smile, squirming on the spot.

"I'm sorry for sensei's behaviour. He's usually very welcoming, even if he is protective..."

"Perhaps that is because only children have previously visited your home." Usagi may have been small, perhaps a few inches bellow Splinter, but he was actually into his early twenties. This made him the oldest non-mutant to ever visit the lair, by default. Leo considered this, then nodded in agreement.

"Probably. Mister O'Neil comes down here every now and then, but he's April's Dad, so I guess that makes it seem more acceptable to him..." He tapped his chin in thought.

"In other words, he does not trust me around his little ones," the rabbit stated matter-of-factly. "An admirable trait in a Father, I suppose."

"What?"

"Being wary of strange men living in the same house as your teenagers." Leo laughed despite himself, Usagi giving that almost-smile once again. He was rather impassive for a bunny, in Leo's opinion, but not unfriendly. He'd demonstrated a staggering amount of patience by listening to Casey and Mikey's sugar and caffeine fuelled frenzies on the importance of video games and anime, until Miwa and Donnie came to the rescue and dragged them away. He'd even offered to spar with Raph during one of the second eldest turtle's temper tantrums; he'd shown a remarkable amount of physical strength and endurance for someone so delicate looking.

"Do you trust us?," he asked, making the samurai tilt his head in thought.

"Well, you did come to my aid in the battle with the Kraang, you offered me accommodation and food despite how different our social classes are, and you are all very patient with my lack of knowledge in your world. The concept of traffic lights still baffle me." That earned another giggle from the reptile. "And considering how far apart our time periods are, our social classes would most likely have very little meaning in this world."

"I think tradition is still a factor, but samurai and ninja tolerate each other more these days... I think... You're actually the first samurai we've met..."

Usagi nodded in understanding, then gently lidded his eyes and sat up straight, looking almost regal and majestic. "It would be a blight on my Bushidō if I were to mistrust such kind people. Though forgive me if I am wary around ninja out of habit."

"It's understandable, don't worry." Usagi offered him another half-smile, opening one red eye to peer at the turtle languidly, then shut it again and began meditating.

The katanaship needs far more love than it has. Of any variety. There's mostly 2k3 and AUs out there on the net, but so little. Personally I love the Usagi Yojimbo novels by Stan Sakai, and I own "Shades of death", in which the turtles make a cameo and they all go on an adventure together. Even though the 2003 version got me interested in that pairing, it was the comic that really triggered the ship. The scene where Usagi offers an injured Leo water and babies him, telling him not to drink it too fast... Gah! He's a complete sweetie anyway, but worrying after Leo like that just cemented it for me. Their freaking out of each other getting hurt in the cartoon didn't help either, even with Tomoe Ame around, who was very out of character by the way. I have my own version of Usagi in 2k12 in my head, who'll probably never make an appearance in any of my fics because he's extremely out of character as well, but I've also heard rumours that he'd show up in season 3. Then again, I also read an article specifically saying Stan Sakai didn't intend for Usagi to appear in 2k12, but I suppose we'll have to wait and see. And gods help us all if Cerebus pops up.

Hail to the princess, baby!