a/n

Hey sorry for the late update, you see I was going to update last week, but then I thought, if I wait a little longer, I can update 3 stories on Wednesday, then I thought again on Wednesday, If i wait till Sunday I can mass update 5 stories

And I did it!

I"m exhausted!

Raph, "Yeah Yeah yeah."

Charmy: That's all you got this week buddy?"

Raph, "Hey I'm tired too."

Charmy: And also, i gave up on two lined chapter titles, I SURRENDER! but I never give up on writing!

The Stray Arrow

"I was wondering where you two were."

Leonardo raised his head from his steaming yunomi sat on the table. to look in the direction of the bed room door where Usagi stood, leaning against the frame. Even though his frown said 'disappointed' his eyes said amused. He couldn't help but return with a sad smile before looking back down, the top half of Don's body was curled up on his lap while his legs were curled up under him. A thick blanket draped over his body and light breathing reached his ears, indicating a restful sleep. A sleep his Otouto definitely needed.

"Did he wonder off again?"

"Yeah, he tried to take Kaze and Toki with him too. Luckily Kaze was trained on a 'password' like." Leo couldn't help but feel pride for that, "It almost broke my heart to see him standing there, feverish eyes. He just looked so small. He was determined to go after Raph and Mother."

"I can not blame him? He has not been away from them for so long before."

Leo nodded before moving his hand in soothing circles over his brother's blanket. Hoping some of his warmth was seeping into Donnie's skin, "Is Mikey still asleep?"

"Yes, he's been wearing himself out helping around the village. He is determined to help out before we move the villagers."

"That's good of him." his hand strayed up to his brothers brow for a moment, "Can you bring a bowl of water please? He's still warm"

"Of course." Usagi hurried out of the room. Leos' neck craned back down to look to his sleeping brother, he couldn't stop a sigh from going through him. It hurt that he couldn't make Don felt safer. It was hard enough waking up in the middle o the night and realizing he was missing, but to have him so determined to run away , even under a fever, it worried him.

"Do you think he was feeling nervous because Splinter-oji's been watching over him?"

"Hm?" Leo looked back up, Usagi was back in the room and now kneeling by his side, setting a full bowl on the table and setting down a cloth, "What do you mean?"

"We have all been busy preparing the villagers to go to the shelter, Splinter-oji has been the one siting with him and taking care of his ailments. And we both know how nervous he gets around his father. Even if he was asleep."

That was true. Just today, when he had been helping one of the villagers pack, he had noticed that Usagi was missing. It took a little it to find him in their house kneeling by Don's head and pulling him into his arms. It was later that Usagi told him that when he had gone to check on the two, that when he had tried to leave that Donatello had started crying in his sleep.
iT was hard to walk away from that sort of sight

He looked back down to his brother, his fingers taking the scarf he had wrapped around Don's neck before pulling the scarf up further to cover his cold beak. His throat began to vibrate lightly a tone going through in a familiar rhythm.

"Master Splinter told me about that song."

"Hm?"

"He said your mother had composed a prayer for Donnie, but when he wa just a baby, she'd repeat it so often that it started to sound like a song, so she started humming it. And that t song stuck with his oldest son."

Leo smiled softly though his embarrassment almost prevented it, "I only remembered it recently. It came back to me on that day when he told me about Hayate. He was so upset and when I started humming it it calmed him down."

"Brother, I know your father wants to be the one who cares for him, but unless we want to lock them up, we have to have someone else to sit with him."
'Yeah," he nodded, "I'll do it, I'm his Aniki. Are you sure you won't need me though?"

"We are almost done preparing the village, one less hand will not change anything." he turned back to his brother, "how much longer do we have till we leave Usagi?" a small sigh reached his ears again. A regretful sigh that he knew wanted nothing more than to lie to him,

but he never would

"We have a week left before we go to Reddomedou Village."

Leo nodded sadly he gently pushed his untouched tea towards Usagi before leaning over and wrapping his arms around his shivering brother. If only to allow himself some selfish comfort

1 week

1 week before they went to battle

(#)(#)(#)(#)

Leo had made a promise to himself when he had left Murakami in search of the Sohei Monks. That nothing would stop him on his way.

But he hadn't counted on running on the food or the piercing hunger that had followed him for days.

And the last thing he wanted to do was die of starvation on the way.

So when he had seen that small shop in the distance, he knew it was a spirit send.

He slid off Kaze and tied his tadzuna next to the other horses. His hand dug into the pockets and drew up a old bruised apple. If was the last food he had from Murakami and he wanted to make sure Kaze kept his strength up. He laid the apple flat in his hand and allowed the soft horse lips to move around the apple. He couldn't help but smile, his hand going up to rub Kaze's' sweat dried roan hide, "As soon as we run across another river I'll give you a good rub down, alright?" he ran his hand over his neck for a moment, "And I'll see if these guys have anything substantial for you." before turning.

The shop was built on older wood, and the front of it was draped by thin curtains to allow the warmer southern air. He could just hear laughter coming from inside and the sound of scraping wood. He put his arm into the inside of his kimono top moment before putting his arm in the curtain and sliding it open slowly.

The room was filled with tall tables and stools. Men and women stood around tables arm deep in plates and bowls of food, laughter bursting out of the room as loud as the intoxicating smell of cooked vegetables and soy. The voices knocked against his head as though he had pillows stuffed around his head.

Leo wasn't sure what he craved more

The food or the clear voices

"Take a seat swordsman; we'll fill your stomach soon!"

Leo shot his head around he was sure he had just heard a woman's voice. And judging by the way it had shouted he was sure it wasn't' a ghost, "Um, thank you! Arigatōgozaimashita!" a should slammed into his, Leos' head shot around to try and find the 'bumper' but the man had immediately faded into the crowd of sai, nekos, inuis, (and one strange looking saru). His eyes falling on a small table sitting the corner, its stools absent (probably pulled to another table). He moved his way back over and stood against the table he swung off his yumi and his batch of arrows to hang around his waist. Elbows braced against the surface as he took a deep breath his hands going up to rest on his scalp. Taking advantage of impaired hearing to relish in the muffled sounds and a hand pressing against his 'hearing' side of his head.

First food

Then he could leave-

Between his forearms he could see a yunomi sitting in front of him , tea poured pouring into the ceramic cup. A voice reached him, but it was just as muffled as the muffled chaos around him.

Leo had spent his entire life being warned about women like this, with warm greetings and cold hands. And riding across Edo the LAST thing he wanted was to loose was his money to a prosti-

Wait

That was a man's arm.

A OLD mans' arm.

Leo raised his head. Even in the dim light of the room, he could see the gleam of golden fur, trimmed with gray hair and body clothed in a black robe could barely see. But what he could see was the long thin sword hanging off his waist.

The raion's mouth opened again, but the painful silence and muffle followed him again, Leo shook his head, rubbing his head, "I'm sorry you have to speak up."

Despite his recent impairment he was used to having to tell people about his recent impairment. He was used to dealing with the sadness and pity in people's eyes-

The rain smiled softly, his voice raising and coming in clear for him, "Do yo want company Samurai?"

Huh,

He didn't expect that

"Sure." he slowly took the yunomi. The old raion set out his own yunomi, filing it with the shops teapot (the ceramic of the pot matched the flag outside), "Konbawa."

"Konbawa. I hope you pardon my presence, people don't often eat alone here." the old raion sipped his tea.

"You do."

"I come for the voices," The old lion turned his head around, eyes falling on the people around him, "I came from a large family, and being around a lot of people calms me. "

Leo couldn't imagine feeling calm in such a loud room. People ramming about, screaming, laughing, giggling. and the freaking color orange was EVERYHWERE-

Wait.

Maybe he could see how someone could feel safe here.

Like they were safe

Leo sipped from his tea before spying a tray of food being held over ahead. He could only hope that was HIS food

"Where are you from samurai?"

"North." he sipped the tea again. His throat ached lightly, but the tea did help a bit

"That's quite a vast area, its quite impressive to be born in the entirety of the north."

Sarcasm? From someone so old? He probably would of laughed if his face wasn't caked in dirt, a plate was set on the table (once again, the freaking waitress was nowhere to be seen).. The plate stacked with rice balls stacked one on top of the other.

Spirits he was hungry.

He set down the yunomi and picked up one of the rice balls. He was about to take a bite when he realized the raion was still there. He lowered the rice ball for a moment before drumming his free hand on the table, "Choro, I really don't want to be rude, but I haven't' eaten in a long time. You are more than welcome to share my food, but I'm also in a hurry-"

"I am not here to eat your food."

"Oh. "he couldn't help but feel relieved. He really was too hungry to share. But did this mean the raion was just going to sit there and watch him stuff his face? He ate through one of the rice balls, turning to another, and then another. Spirits it never felt so good to eat-

"Tell me child, how is Murakami village this time of year? Cold?"
Leo froze in mid-bite, a bit of rice hanging off his lip .The half eaten rice ball hung off his hand, slowly being lowered back onto the plate. His free hand pulling out of his kimono top, revealing his shoulder,

"How do you know where I'm from, Choro?" his tone kept low, eyes straight on the stranger sitting across from him. He could just see where his yumi sat. The white feathered elders leaned against his knee. He could still remember when Mikey had given him those arrows (made from Toki's discarded feathers) a bright smile on his face that said his pride. Split between him and Usagi, he could still hear Mikey's' giggles in his ear

"For luck!"

And it looked like he needed it

The old raion sipped his tea, calm eyes looking back over to him, the cup scraping against the wood table, "You do not seem foolish so do not prove me wrong."

"How do you know where I'm from?"

"Because the inui sitting at the table by the door have been talking about the 'kame from Murakami. And they've been watching you, I'm surprised you didn't notice."

What? Leo leaned forward, his bare elbow resting on the table as he turned his head to look around the room.

In the chaos of bumping jumping people and laughter, he could see settle stillness. Like a leaf in the middle of a river.

4 of them.

The sat around a table with four square cups, a tokkuri sitting in the middle clothed in dark dirty clothes and matted fur. But Leo could see the bulges inside of their kimonos, weapons.

In that moment he knew of the bastards who had been following him. He wasn't' sure how they had gone around him. But he could see their eyes falling on him, whispering over to each-other. Leo knew a intimidation technique when he saw one for but him it was like watching the mothers in the village were gossiping.

And he knew this game.

Leo's hand slipped up to brush over the hilt of his sword a hand shot out and grabbed his wrist, turning his attention back to the old raion, "Choro this is NOT the time-"

"And it IS the time to act like a mad man?" The Raion's eyes cast back over to the group, "How good of a chance do you think you stand against fools if you act like them?"

Though Leo had always been raised to be respectful of his elders, he couldn't stop an irritated growl from forming in his throat. He almost yanked his arm free of the old man but the raion's nails dug his arm. Leo almost thought if he did try to run oer to those inuis that he would just hang off the inuis arm like a tokage on a string. Leo glared back to group before leaning back over the table, picking up another rice ball to stuff into his mouth.

Though his hearing was muffled he could just see, in the mixing chaotic mixing shadows he could see someone stand next his table. long clawed hands resting on the table. He glanced back up to the inui, his long tangled hair in a forced ponytail, broken teeth grinning at him. Lips moving

For the first time since he lost most of his hearing, he was grateful that his he couldn't hear this nasty creatures voice. he didn't have to hear what he already knew

He knew this creature's speech

Even so he turned his eyes up ever so lightly, not enough o be noticed, but enough to see the creatures curled lips.

A skill he had taught himself

it was hard, for someone like him. But he continued eating,

But he 'listened'

…..'I know who you are, Leonardo, I've been following you. More specifically, your head. You have quite the bounty on you. It's enough to buy a village. But its also enough to break that father of yours.

This was about his father

Of course it was

The hand crept over, moving over to run his nail over the table. If he could hear better, he was sure he would of felt something close to a creep down his spine

Leo took another rice ball, his eyes returning to the yellow toothed inui. But his own boredom drew his eyes back to the table.

He didn't care

And he didn't' have time.

"Promise me you'll come home?"

The voice of his little brother came out in the smallest of whimpers. Leonardo turned away from his bag,, to where Mikey stood with a futon wrapped tightly in his arms. His light blue eyes brimming with tears as his lips quivering. A age appropriate sniff leaving him, Leo couldn't help but smile softly, rising back ot his feet from his wrapped gear.

It was so different

So many times Mikey had been in the same situation as Mikey, begging Dorinbo to stay in the village ,"You have to promise."

'"You know I will-"

"You HAVE to promise." his foot bounced off the ground angrily, his breath coming in faster, "You have to! Other-other wise you might not come home."
He could still remember hearing the villagers, when he was a child, telling Dorinbo that Mikey needed more discipline. To spark out that hyper activeness and qualities that some of them deemed 'unbecoming'

He was always grateful his father always responded by giving Mikey dango and setting him loose through the village.

"did you already go through this with Father and Usagi?"

"Y-Yeah bu-but I couldn't find you."
"Of course." Leo couldn't help but shake his head before moving forward, his hands finding MIkeys' small trembling shoulders, "I promise to be home soon, I promise to not be gone long and I PROMISE.." his arms curled around his shell, "To bring you back a souvenir."

"Y-Yeah ok." the 13 year old sniffed again his arm going up to wipe his eyes before his arms went up to hug back his big brother. Leo raised his hands to cup the sides of his face ever so gently.

The door opened again behind him, Dorinbo's voice wafting in from outside

"Son, the women and children are leaving now."

Leo arms tighten around his brother, gently pressing another kiss to his forehead before drawing away, but one arm keeping around his shoulder gently guiding him out the door.

The village was in motion, families were standing outside hugging and kissing their husbands and oldest sons. bags strapped to their backs and tears flowing. Leo ran his hand back over his brother scalp before guiding him back down the stairs and towards the small wagon waiting.

Donatello was laying in the back, bundled by blankets and jars of medicine tied in boxes. Leonardo wasn't' sure why how much medicine his family would of needed for their journey but he wanted to be careful. He turned back to Splinter, his hand taking his, "Father, remember the others know the way, it's not too long of a journey but if Donatello gets too hot then you should let him rest-"

"My son " his birth fathers voice was gentle, coaxing, "I took care of Donatello before you were able to, I know how to take care of his fevers."

"I-I know." he turned back ot Mikey, "You stay with them alright Aka-chan? Don't you DARE leave their side for ANY reason."
"I-I won't bro."

"Good." Leo nodded, now he was just stalling. The other samurai and warriors would be leaving soon. His eyes lingered over his youngest brother, then to his birth father. If only to take in their image one more time.

The fell on his smallest brother, sleeping soundly in the wagon.

He released his brothers shoulders to move forward, sitting on the edge of the cart to run his hand over his over his brothers warm face for a moment, praying no one could notice his shaking hand. Slowly he lowered his head to rest on the side of his face "Stay safe Otouto." Before allowing his fingers to run off the side of his face. He slowly stood up , turning to head back on his way

"Aniki?"

Leo froze, not sure if he had really heard that weak voice. His body craved for him to turn around, to look at the child speaking to him.

"A-Aniki?"

He squeezed his eyes shut. Fighting the trembles cascading down his body that poor weak voice.

Leonardo snatched up his bag before heaving it over his shoulder and turning ot his father for a moment, Fighting the quiver in his voice, "Keep them safe, please, keep them both safe." before hurrying back up the path. Voices still echoing in his head

"Come home"

"Come home soon,"

"I'll miss you."

The voice echoed out around his mind. That innocent young voice. Swirling around his mind like the voices of a mad man.

Mikey's' voice began to fade, a second one taking its place. A scared one, one of a 14 year old he had failed,

ANIKI!

Leo yanked out one of his white arrow flipping around the shaft and slamming it down yajiri first, the sharpened point stabbing through the yellow toothed inuis hand the cracking through the wood underneath.

A shriek of pain came from the Inui, bringing about silence through the shop. The inuis hand grabbed his wrist, obviously panicked on what to do with such sudden pain.

"Listen." Leo was already by the creature, his throat growling as he kept the grip on the elder, to keep the weapon in place, "I am in no mood to deal with your alpha male attitude, I'm after something far more important," he twisted the arrow, bringing about another scream, even he could hear that

And he didn't are

"If you follow me, if you try to stop me, if you even so much as HINDER my efforts the CROWS will be eating your flesh before I even finish making you pay with every dam inch of your skin." he leaned his beak close to the inuis face, he could see the deep sweat lines in his fur eyes straining and red with vein, Leos' lips curled,

"This is your only warning."

He yanked out the elder, the inui falling to the ground, holding his hand to his chest as bleed swelled over his chest. Leo wasn't sure if the low life was whimpering.

If not then he hadn't been convincing enough.

He had sure convinced everyone else in the shop.

A hand brushed against his arm, drawing his attention back to the old raion. A bag hanging from his hands, "Here's your food,"

Leo wasn't' sure when Raion had gotten the food. But he nodded and took bag, "Thank you for the company." his head nodding lightly before turning.

The shop that had been filled with laughter and friends had turned cold. All eyes fell on him, but his eyes were only on the exit. He didn't even glance over to the inui (who he was sure were glaring at him).

He wasn't even sure he had seen the last of them.

Leonardo stepped out into the now night air. Even in the South the sunless air stung cold. He put his arm back into the sleeve as he hurried back over to Kaze, "Hey boy." he whispered lightly, tying the bag off on his saduro, glaring back to the shop, his hand running over Kaze's mane for a moment, "Let's get out of here." He swung up in the saddle and whispered a word into Kaze's' ear. The horse backed from the post before a clip of heels sent them both on their way. The scream still echoing in Leos' ear

ANIKI!

Translation

oji: uncle

Reddomedou: Red Meadow

Tadzuna: Reins

Arigatōgozaimashita: Thank you!

Sai: Rhinoceros

Neko: Cat

Inui: Dog

Saru: Monkey

Raion: lion

Konbanwa: Good Evening

Choro: Elder

Elder: Arrow

Yajiri: arrowhead

Tokkuri: a clay long necked bottle that holds sake

Saduro: saddle