I don't own the TMNT or Usagi Yojimbo or any of the characters from their universe. Also, I say again I haven't read past book 7 at the time of writing this so forgive me if I get some facts wrong regarding Usagi's world and his relationship with the characters in them.

xxxxx

I was surprised to find the Battle shell waiting for us right at the park entrance. At first I thought some-one had driven it over but when we discovered it was empty I figured Donny must've driven it via remote control to pick us up. I opened the back and ushered the rabbit inside before following him and closing the doors behind me. I moved to the front to switch on the internal lights. Once they were on I turned to face Usagi again who was looking around at the controls against the walls of the van.

While he was checking out the tech I gave him a once over.

Well, first of all he was wet thanks to the lake. I realised how lucky I was compared to him when it came to that. I was still wet myself but I'd dry in a short while, but he was soaked to the bone, his robes sticking to him and hanging heavily. On top of that his fur was waterlogged and clung tightly to him, making him look half his usual size and kinda skinny. I noticed the water-plants had left a few rips on the seams of his hakama around his ankles. He'd tied back his sleeves keeping them intact but the silk on his kimono was dirty despite the dip in the water and I noticed some recent damage done to the material. He'd obviously been through a lot before I found him, despite it though he was still holding himself with confidence. I took it as a good sign as I was still kinda worried he was more hurt than he was letting on. I didn't see cuts but I had no idea about bruises, his fur covered any that were there. Despite his posture I could tell he was completely exhausted. Perhaps too much so. I didn't think being in New York for less than a full day would get any-one this bad no matter where you were from. I wondered what had happened before he warped here.

"You look like hell," I said eventually.

He blinked and turned to look at me for a moment before he smiled embarrassedly.

"I apologise for my haggard appearance. Today has been... rather distressing."

I shook my head. "That ain't what I meant."

I nodded in the direction of a chair, sitting down in one of the others. "What happened man?"

He sat down as well. "Fortunately not much. The only time I was seen by these saru who inhabit your world was when I first arrived. I have managed to stay out of sight since then. I landed rather hard when I fell but I do not think it is a cause for concern."

I crossed my arms and glared at him "You ain't hearing me Usagi. You're more than just beat up, ya look like you haven't slept in days," I softened my expression. "What're you doin' here? You in trouble?"

His whole demeanour changed. His shoulders tensed and I saw him clench his fists tightly as his eyes became hard-set. I couldn't help tensing up slightly myself. Whatever was going on it must be serious, but what bugged me even more than his reaction was the fact that he didn't say anything. He didn't even bother answering my questions and that was disturbing to me. I mean I didn't take offence or anything but not answering a direct question is something I'm sure he'd consider to be rude. The whole Samurai gig and its code of honour was serious stuff in his dimension, he wouldn't just ignore me on purpose.

I was about to say something else to him when the back doors to the Battle shell were thrown open noisily.

"The fun has arrived! Thank you, thank you very much!"

I stared in disbelief as Mikey stood framed in the van's doors with his arms thrown out. I didn't doubt he really did expect a round of applause at his arrival. After a moment of recovery I sank into my seat and grimaced. "Mikey would ya get in here before ya wake up the whole neighbourhood?!"

He gave me a sickening grin as he clambered into the van and closed the doors. He then turned and came over, his eyes on Usagi.

"So how're you doing ladies? Every-one ok?"

I gave Usagi a glance but whatever had gotten him worked up seemed to either have passed or he was hiding it. Most likely the latter. He was watching Mikey as my younger bro came over to inspect him, not showing any thought for concepts like personal space.

Luckily Usagi has a lot more patience than me.

"Hello again Mikey-kun," He said, leaning back a little.

Mikey looked him over as if searching for something before lifting his head up to blink at him.

"Dude. You're soaking wet."

I got up out of my chair, moving closer to drag him out of the rabbit's face. Mikey obviously noticed because he backed off and quickly hurried to claim the van's passenger seat.

I gave him a threatening look before sitting down again.

I'd hardly done so when the doors opened again and Leo appeared with Donny right on his heels. Don gave a warm smile upon seeing the three of us. Leo however looked far from happy. He immediately stepped inside and came over, gaze locked on the rabbit."Usagi-san."

Usagi got to his feet and gave Leo a genuine smile and an acknowledging nod.

"Hisashiburi Leonardo-san" He greeted him, stating how they hadn't seen each other in a while.

Leo mirrored both me and Mikey and gave the rabbit a once over. "You're not hurt are you?"

Usagi shook his head. "a Bit bruised perhaps but I am unharmed. Although I admit I am very relieved to see you and your brothers. I was at a loss as how I was going to contact you once I realised where I had ended up."

Leo smiled, visibly relieved at hearing his friend was ok.

"Your rather dramatic appearance made it on the news. Luckily no-one thought much about it but after hearing the description we figured you'd tried to open a portal in our lair and had gotten lost or something."

I saw the smile on Usagi's face flicker very slightly at this. "I'm afraid it is a little more complicated than that."

"What happened?" Mikey asked. He was sitting backwards on the passenger seat so he could face us.

"Let's get home first Mikey, then Usagi can fill us in." Donny said, walking over to the driver's seat next to him.

"No. No it's alright." Usagi said. "I think it's better if I explain things quickly."

My frown deepened. I didn't like the sound of that at all, especially not considering how he acted earlier when I asked him about it.

"Are you sure?" Leo asked. "It won't take long to reach the lair and you can dry off and tell us what's going on."

Usagi shook his head again. "No. I would rather tell you now. I will explain the details later but it is important you know what's happening. Please Leonardo-san." His expression changed, again I saw the obvious distress on his face and his whole 'proud warrior' visage all but disappear. "Please. It is critical you know why I am here."

His tone was almost pleading. Leo was staring at him rather wide-eyed. My guess was seeing Usagi sounding so desperate was weirding him out. I knew Leo admired not only the rabbit's skill in combat but also his uncompromising attitude. Seeing him look so hopeless and being so forward was not exactly how we tend to think of the guy. At least I don't and I'm pretty sure neither did Leo.

He finally nodded. "Ok. If you're sure."

Usagi sighed and sunk slightly in relief. "Thank you."

He straightened himself up again and regained his composure, turning to face all of us.

"The truth is I hadn't meant to come to your dimension. I hadn't meant to cross dimensions at all. The portal that opened over your city was not created by me. I was chasing after a bakemono. A terrible demon. We were enjoying a period of peace and had taken the opportunity to enjoy some simplicity in life when it appeared and attacked us unprovoked. I drew my sword and was prepared to face it but its purpose was not to fight me."

I saw him clench his fists again as he spoke. His tone of voice started sounding bitter, almost angry. None of us dared interrupt. Even loudmouth Mikey was keeping his trap shut, drawn in by the story.

Usagi continued.

"He was not there to fight. I lunged at him expecting him to try and strike me but instead he passed me by and in doing so managed to take something immeasurably precious. He knew I would expect it to attack me directly and used that to its advantage, catching me off guard. I couldn't imagine it's true goal until it was too late."

He paused for a moment, gritting his teeth before he went on again.

"I tried to stop him but I was no longer his concern. He opened a portal to make his escape. I had no way of tracking him once he left and I was terrified I would never find him again, so I followed after, not knowing where he had planned to warp to. But it wasn't important. All I could think was to follow and as soon as I was able to reclaim that which he had stolen from me."

Again he paused, a little longer this time. He squeezed his eyes shut tight for a moment before going on. I pulled a face slightly. He was getting kinda emotional.

"When I exited the portal however, I had lost all sight of him. I... I tried to search the immediate area around where I was transported but I found no signs that this monster had been anywhere near there. I wanted to look further out but... but I soon realised that I had landed in your city and I remembered what you had taught me of the saru creatures and staying out of sight, so I was not able to look as thoroughly as I needed and had no-one I could ask if they had seen the wretched creature."

He turned to stare at Leo again with the same imploring expression as before. I was starting to get a little freaked out. I'd never seen the guy this worked up before.

"Leonardo-san, Forgive my discourtesy in asking this but I have no-one I can turn to. I desperately need your help. I do not know what to do! I do not even know if the creature is in your dimension but I simply must find it! It is imperative! So I beg you...."

"Hey hey hey," Leo put his hands up, cutting him off. "No. No you don't Usagi. We'll help you, of course we'll help you! We would even if you didn't asked."

"What on Earth makes you think you'd need to beg?" Donny smiled caringly, nodding in agreement.

I found myself giving a nod as well. "What they said."

"All for one and one for all!" Mikey called out, giving the rabbit a thumbs-up.

Usagi let out a shaky breath and smiled, looking so relieved I thought he was gonna cry. Now there's a disturbing mental image I didn't need.

He gave us an quick bow.

"Domo arigatou gozaimasu. I do not know how I can express my gratitude my friends."

"Stop bowin' for one!" I blurted out. I didn't mean to but I can only take so much politeness in one day.

Leo gave me a dark look but Usagi seemed to take it as a joke, straightening again.

"I do not know what I would do without you." He said.

Man he was really getting choked up. This was getting uncomfortable.

"Hey Usagi!" Mikey called, distracting him from his swelling emotions. "What exactly did this guy take? I mean I know it's like super super important, but what is it exactly?"

The rest of us turned to look at the rabbit as well. We were all as curious as Mikey I guess.

Usagi hesitated for a moment. He bit his lip and lowered his head in thought, tensing slightly.

He gave his head a slight shake, more to himself than to us before he took a deep breath, looking up and meeting our gazes once again.

"My son..."

xxxxx

btw I don't own Usagi's son either ;)