The greasy smell of cheap takeout wafted out of its giant paper bag as April O'Neil-Jones set out dinner on the Lair's small kitchen table. Chops sticks on top of their respective meals, the redhead set aside her rain slicked jacket. She sighed, checking the clock. Casey and Leatherhead should be back soon. I wonder if I can set up a few more bots before then.
Mind made up, she grabbed her own dinner and headed back into the digital labyrinth at the rear of Donatello's lab. Several hours of sending malicious programs digging into Bishop's systems had yet to render any sign of her missing mutant family while Casey and Leatherhead's backtracking through the sewers had reached the same results. It was as if they had simply vanished, frustrating and terrifying their loved ones.
Settling into the cavernous mass of cushions that served as Donatello's "long session" computer chair, she picked at her food while her little worms dug through their target servers. Turning her head slightly to the side, she inhaled deeply; her geeky buddy's embedded scent flooding her senses. Narrow shoulders shuddered as she recalled the boys' frantic communiques after they found their brother, the brief sentences interspersed with cooing comforts to their precious burden and finally the static as com lines were cut.
A terrific bang of metal doors being flung open startled April out of her reverie and sent a piece of broccoli flying over and behind a server bank. Casey and Leatherhead arrived. She set her veggie lo mein aside and headed out into the Lair's central chamber.
"Dammit!" Casey's voice boomed across the underground home, echoing off into deeper rooms while Leatherhead followed the smaller human in. The giant mutant rumbled in sympathetic discontent and stooped over to meticulously scrape sewer matter from his feet with a boot brush.
"I know guys. I know. Just rest for a bit then we can get back to it." Both of them snorted but yielded to her wisdom as April carried their meals over to the couches so her tired husband and friend could eat comfortably.
Noodles and broccoli once again became airborne as a liquid blue portal opened fairly in her face, engulfing the Lair's coffee table. April back peddled quickly to avoid joining its fate. Just as she regained her feet, with Casey and Leatherhead sprinted to her side, two solid green figures emerged from the glowing aperture. "Whoa!" Michelangelo slammed on the brakes inches from April, imprinting Raphael's face with a decent image of his younger brother's shell in the process. Fortunately, Raphael had cleared the event horizon of the portal before it closed behind his heels. "Watch it chuckle head! Oh." His anger faded as he realized what had happened.
Asian edibles defied gravity a third time as April flung her arms around the brothers to pull them in for a hug. "Mikey! Raph! You're ok!" Raphael frantically scrambled away while Mikey reciprocated the embrace and began bouncing in a happy circle with their all-but-sister. It didn't do the burly turtle much good though, since he quickly found himself grabbed by his best friend and then both turtle and human were lifted clear off the floor in Leatherhead's massive arms.
"Ack! Leggo!" Raphael's command was ignored in the chaotic exuberance of their reunion. A month of worry followed by hours of panic flowed out of their bodies in motion and tears, so all the poor turtle could do was let the emotions run their course. Slowly their relief and joy wore down his resistance and he hesitantly returned the grasp.
Eventually, the joyous group settled down and into the now table-less couches.
"Where have you been?!" exclaimed April, resisting the urge to slap the nearest reptile she could reach upside the head.
Mikey seemed to sense her borderline hostility as he hastily explained the circumstances of their flight from Bishop's base, the ensuing sewer chase and finally their last-minute escape into the Nexus portal. He paused, sharing a hesitant look with his emerald brother. "But…. we've got some bad news."
They all leaned forward, "Donnie's hurt bad ain't he?" Casey asked, his voice uncharacteristically soft.
Raph sighed and took over. "Sorta. We couldn' lose Bishop 'cause he put some sort ah implant in Donnie's shell, well, his spine really." April gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. "He's ok!" Raphael rushed to reassure, putting a large hand on her nearest knee. "But, the healer says the thing can't come out, it'd paralyze or kill 'im to try. So..thing is…we… can't come back."
The men cowered in the kitchen. They flinched with every curse, shriek and slam that echoed from the dojo. Even mighty Leatherhead tried to conceal his great bulk in a corner as April's righteous fury expended itself in the other room. Casey turned his glass of water absently, wishing it was something much stronger.
"So there's no way you guys can come back?" he sadly asked.
Raphael pursed his lips and shook his head. "Nah. Not without hurting Donnie. That damn implant even worked in the sewers." Mikey picked at his knuckle wraps as he stood in front of the pantry, cataloguing their inventory. His older brother continued. "The way Sensei and Leo figure it, our best option right now is to move to Usagi's world. Even got an "in" with Lord Noriyuki aftah Leo helped save him an' all."
Leatherhead uncurled a bit. "It makes sense my friends. A world of talking animals would be perfect for our kind." He shifted a bit, and continued hesitantly, "In fact, would you ask Splinter if I may join you?" Mikey perked up turning to watch his giant friend carefully as the crocodilian kept speaking. "For myself as well, such a place would offer much greater freedoms, and I admit, I have no desire to be the only mutant living in these sewers."
The youngest terrapin chimed in. "I don't see why not. We're probably gonna be living in a village or something like that, so its not like we all have to stay in the same house. Hey!" he startled the others, "I can finally have my own place!"
"Way to look on the bright side Mikey." The boys had become so absorbed in their conversation, none of them noticed when sounds of destruction from the other room had ceased. April stood in the doorway, tired, dishevelled, smiling sardonically; but anyone that cared to look, and they all cared very much, saw the sad little curves on the edge of her lips. Her present family started to relax as they registered the return of her more usual, calm demeanour. April slowly walked over to the kitchen table, a slight limp evident, and picked up her husband's water before draining it completely. Casey reached up and drew her down into his lap, the couple wrapping their arms around each other in support.
Michelangelo fiddled with a box of Velveeta before he broke the heavy silence that hung over them. "April, if I don't try to focus on the bright side, I'm just gonna cry." He sighed and put the box on the oiled wooden counter. When Mikey's eyes met April's dark green, his face crumpled. "We're gonna miss you guys so much." She was up and in his shuddering arms in a moment, shushing and rocking the giant reptile as he cried. He sobbed, "I know the Daimyo said we can come back to visit and stuff, and I'm sure he'd bring you guys over too; but we can't do it all the time. We can't pop over over for dinner, or even talk on the phone…." He lost the ability to keep speak clearly and held her as tightly as he dared.
Raphael was hit hard by the shared thoughts only his brother was brave enough to say out loud. With clenched hands and teeth, he ignored the looks he could feel between Leatherhead and Casey because if he didn't, he knew he'd lose it right along with Mikey. For so long it'd just been the five of them in the shadows, then April had come along and suddenly their world exploded. April, Casey, Casey's mom, Angel, Mrs Morrison and her cat, the homeless community; all lost. They could visit, drop off letters, but it would never be the same. Never as close. And poor Donnie would be even more cut off. Raph knew they would rebuild, make new relationships, but those impending loses were already carving a hole in his heart.
Scuffing a fist across an absolutely not watering eye, the emerald turtle coughed and spoke up. "Well we ain't leavin' right now. There's a whole bunch ah stuff to get sorted out first, an' we haven' even talked to Lord Noriyuki yet. For now we just came tah let you guys know that we're ok and what's goin' on." He heaved a sigh. "We gotta visit some people. Phone calls ain' gonna cut it for this."
Leo watched carefully as the Daimyo's chief leather worker fitted a protective casing over the implant protruding from Donatello's compromised shell. On top of everything, his little brother would forever have the annoyance of a wallet sized lump sticking out the middle of his back. Given what it was attached too, they wanted to make sure it wouldn't get caught on anything or jostled. Donnie's gonna to have to get used to not sleeping on his back.
A hand in an awkward place drew his attention away from his primary concern and down to the sheepish seamstress measuring his inseam. "Sorry." She murmured, as she looked back down to scribble a note. The young ninja blushed as Splinter chuckled on the other side of the room where he was sat looking over fabrics she had on offer. The Daimyo had wisely suggested that the family get a set of clothes suitable for meeting Lord Noriyuki and his court. Clothing may be optional for mutant turtles back home, but Usagi's world insisted on it. Even their father was getting a new wardrobe to replace robes that had spent far too much time in the New York sewers.
At least we don't have to pay for all of this ourselves. "How does that fit young man?" The leatherworker's gruff voice drew Leo's concern back to his brother.
Donatello stood and took a few wavering, cane-assisted steps to test the feel of his new accessory. The padded leather covering ran the length of his spine to where it was held in place by leather thongs at the top and bottom ends of his shell. He'd designed it himself both to conceal the actual location of the implant and evenly distribute any pressure on his shell. "Not bad. Thanks." Don replied softly before carefully lowering himself back down in front of the low table he'd been seated at all morning.
Ever since they had recovered their brother, it had been difficult to get more than a handful of words out of him at a time. While he was far from the most verbose of the boys, Donnie'd never been reluctant to speak up so Leo was concerned about his reticence. It was completely understandable given he'd just had A Very Bad Month, but it was still something Leonardo was determined to keep an eye on and address if it persisted.
His job done, the old craftsman took his leave and his customer got back to the pile of letters he'd been working his way through. Unable to go back to their world, Donnie had begun writing letters to their various friends. While the family was certain that the Jones and Leatherhead would come to visit them in their new home, there were several others that likely wouldn't be able, and Donatello didn't want them to think he'd just walked away.
At last, the seamstress finished feeli…. measuring Leonardo, gathered her things, bowed and left. Finally free, he returned to his own job for the day. Gracefully sinking down on the other side of Donnie's current work station, Leo got back to listing supplies, personal items and tasks necessary for their move to an entire new world.
With Splinter sitting in thought on the other side of the table, sipping a cup of fragrant tea, a companionable silence grew amongst the calmer members of the Hamato family. Still, there was an undeniable tension simmering under the surface due to their unhappy circumstances and the two elder members shared a glance with every huff their third released in an unsuccessful bid to conceal his occasional sniffle. Understandably, the goodbye letters were getting to him.
Leonardo was just working up the nerve to try and comfort his brother when one of the palace servants cleared his throat at the door. "Begging your pardon honoured guests, Miyamoto Usagi-San to see you." He stepped aside as the rabbit samurai moved forward.
Leo sprung up to greet his friend, a wide smile growing across is face. "Usagi! It's good to see you." The two quickly bowed, then moved in for a hug. "It is good to see you as well Leonardo. It has been too long." Usagi smiled over his friend's shoulder to greet the room's other two occupants. "Donatello-San, Master Splinter, hello!" They both bowed from the shoulders and greeted him in turn with small grins of their own, though the turtle's eyes were a little red.
A leaf green arm wound around Usagi's shoulders and led him to join the others on comfortable cushions. "Thanks for coming so quickly Usagi, we really appreciate it."
"Of course my friend. A request from the Ultimate Daimyo to come to the Battle Nexus? I can't imagine such would be issued lightly. What brings you here?" He asked, pushing down on the hilt of his sword to sit without it catching the floor.
Hoo boy. Leo sighed and lowered himself back onto a cushion before starting story of their latest misfortune. Their worry for Donatello, the rescue, their escape and finally the situation they currently found themselves in. "Mostly right now, we wanted to ask you for your opinion of Lord Noriyuki. Do you think it would be safe for us to ask to enter his service? Knowing us as well as you do, do you think we could be happy under his command? If not, we'll explore other options, we're really just gathering information at this point. The Daimyo thinks we can stay here for a couple weeks with the current energy levels of the Nexus."
Usagi looked absolutely gobsmacked after the lengthy retelling. "How do you continually find yourselves in such predicaments my friends?" He stared incredulously at the younger sword wielder while Master Splinter offered him a freshly poured cup of tea.
"As Raph would say, 'turtle luck runnin' true to form'." Donnie replied ruefully, doing a decent impression of his older brother.
Sipping at the steaming tea, Usagi contemplated the questions while his companions went back to their various tasks, politely waiting for his answer. After a few minutes, he spoke again. "I serve Lord Noriyuki because he truly understands the purpose of the nobility. He understands that every person serves a role in society, from the humblest peasant to the Shogun. The people serve the Lord so that he is free to see to their needs, and Lord Noriyuki takes this responsibility very seriously." He addressed Splinter directly, knowing this was the one he ultimately needed to convince.
"I am very happy to serve such a man, and I believe you would be too, being honourable ninja." His characteristic wry smirk making an appearance. "What is more, I believe the Young Lord would be eager to have you in his service." After placing his cup on the table, Usagi eased back off his knees and focused on Master Splinter. "He has spoken often of Leonardo, admiring his skill, wondering if all in his clan were as able, and I have assured him you are. He has also asked me to inform him if there is ever an opportunity for him to repay Leonardo for saving himself and Tomoe Amae from Lord Hebi. I would be pleased to be able to do so now."
Leo looked down and played with his hands a bit, uncomfortable with the praise. "He really doesn't owe me anything. What sort of person would I be if I'd just walked away? Especially with my friend going into danger."
Usagi shook his head. "He also admired your humility. It occurs to me that as often as misfortune finds your clan, you manage to curry favour with those you help. Perhaps it is time all your trials worked to your advantage?"
Splinter cut in, "Perhaps it is. Thank you, Usagi-San. I will consider what you have said. In the meantime, please relax, and tell us of your recent endeavours." Their friend obliged, recounting his current assignment of helping to train new recruits for his Lord's army.
Two days later.
"Ok, so if you could get Klunk's records from his vet, we might need those down the line. And maybe a good supply of his food? It'll take time to get him used to a new diet, so I'd like to be able to do a sort of gradual transition thing. We'll pay you back, I swear April, the Daimyo promised us all sorts of start up money and I'm sure we'll be able to convert it over somehow…" a hand on his shoulder stopped Mikey's frantic cat daddy ramble, said fur baby clutched to his plastron.
"Mikey, I promise I will take care of all things Klunk related and have everything ready when it's time. Don't worry about him." April rubbed his shell a bit, "I'm going to take him home with us so that he isn't lonely, and you guys can do whatever you need to in here without worrying about him getting underfoot."
Raph brushed by them with another bag from Don's lab. He was still quiet and grim from his visit with Mrs Morrison. Over the past couple years, he'd become a sort of surrogate grandson to her, and she'd gotten a bit dependant on him as such. Mikey knew Raphael had already gotten Casey's word to keep an eye on her once they left, but he was smarting from telling her they had to leave.
The orange banded turtle cuddled his little furry buddy close a bit longer then reluctantly handed the kitty over to his human friend so he could heft up his own bag. Heaving a shuddering breath, Mikey shared a watery smile with April while turning to follow his older brother over to the wall where they'd already prepared to open the portal. As Raphael opened the gateway, he grabbed up a couple more bags, waved goodbye to their friends, and stepped through the glowing doorway.
After the soft yellow light of their Lair, the bright glowing "sky" of the Battle Nexus had his blue eyes squinting and blinking for a few seconds before they could adapt. Something pushing against the bag in his hand caught his attention. "C'mon chucklehead," his larger brother coaxed Mike along the path, up to the healer's pavilion where their family should still be camped out in the private chamber.
Eyes adjusting again, this time to the lower lighting of the old Japanese style building, Mike breathed deeply to let herbal incense chase away any lingering eau de sewer in his snout. Nodding a greeting to the healer as they passed, he waited a moment for Raph to toe open the grand sliding door. He knew their family was with friends, but the sight of his other brothers and father safe and sound lifted a weight from the youngest turtle's shoulders. He immediately zeroed in on Donnie, dropped his luggage and swooped in for a hug on the floor while Raph joined the others on the far side of the room.
"Hey Mikey. How's everyone?" Donatello asked, arms wrapped around his baby brother.
The sea-green turtle gave him a little squeeze. "Ok. Sad. Missing you. April says hi." He settled down on one of the many cushions, ignoring Raph's pointed glare. Yeah, yeah. Donnie first, bags later. "She promises to come see you. For right now her and Casey are gonna get supplies ready for us and stuff."
Fighting against tears, Donatello leaned against his newly acquired barnacle. "Ok. Did you get my laptop?"
"Did I get your laptop? Psh." Mikey shifted to start rooting around in his overburdened backpack. "Did I get your laptop, you only asked for one specific thing, dear brother mine." He shoved his hands into another pocket. "And you ask if I got your laptop? How dare you have so little faith in me?" No, not in that one. "Did I get your laptop, heh! Did …. I …. get your laptop?" Maybe the other bag? Eureka! "I got your laptop!" And with a flourish, handed the frankesteined device over to its builder.
"Ah, thanks Mikey." Donatello took the computer two-handed and carefully placed it on the table in front of him before he went back to absently running a finger over the wood grain. A soft frown on his face, the younger brother carefully draped an arm over Donnie's shell again. "What's up bro?"
An incredulous side eye made Mike roll his own. "Yeah yeah, everything's gone to pot I know. But is there something specific bugging you right now that I could help with?" Don heaved a sigh. "Not really Mikey. I'm just …. struggling." Michelangelo could hear his breath getting wet from unshed tears. "But?"
The purple clad turtle threw his head back. "But what? There's nothing to be done for it. I can't go home and because of that neither can any of you, so I'm just…." he shrugged. "Struggling."
Sensing that more words weren't the best thing at the moment, Mike scooted a little closer, pulled in his other arm and gave his brother a careful hug. After a few moments, the convalescing turtle heaved a shuddering breath. "I wanna go home." Both of them shed a few quiet tears, and Don continued. "And its just weighing on me, that I'm the reason you guys can't go home either." He cut off the immediate retort. "I KNOW it's not my fault, and I know intellectually that you guys are ok-ish? With it, and that I'd do the same in your position." Olive arms curled in tight around Mikey's grasp, "But I just can't shake the feeling that you guys are in the same position, losing just as much, because of ME."
Mike grit his teeth and did his best to throttle down an uncharacteristic flash of rage. "We aren't losing anything because of YOU. We are ALL losing the lives we'd built because of BISHOP, and if I ever get a chance, he's gonna find out just how messy 'chucks can be." The normally carefree turtle put a firm finger under his brother's chin, forcing brown eyes up. "But no matter what happens you gotta know that it's worth it to us to still have YOU Donnie."
He now did his best to nearly heave his older brother into his lap. After rocking them both for a little while, Mikey added, "If it helps, Leatherhead asked if he can come with. Big guy doesn't wanna be all alone in the sewers." Donnie perked up a little at that, happy to be able to keep one friend close. "That … makes a lot of sense."
"Indeed it does my son." Splinter interrupted his two youngest, joining them in the nest of cushions with his other sons in tow. The rest of the family nestled in with Raphael settling on Donatello's other side so he could also give his younger brother a little side hug in greeting. The burly turtle then reached into the bag he was still carrying.
"Mrs M sends her regards." He said, pulling out a package wrapped in baking paper. It wasn't surprising when Don's eyes lit up a little, keen senses picking up the scent of its contents. The elderly lady had taken to baking for the boys on occasion, horrified that they'd never had homemade sweets growing up, and with the latest news she'd gone all out and baked one of their favourite treats. Raph placed it on the table and gingerly pulled apart the seams to reveal a blueberry coffee cake, carefully cut into hand sized pieces.
After a month of nearly nothing, followed by a couple days of soup, it was no wonder that Donatello fairly pounced on the dessert. He did however have enough self-control to nibble at it while waiting for the next round of tea that was surely on its way.
Once the family had enjoyed their dessert, complimenting the skills of the retired schoolteacher; they began trading news of their latest activities as Raphael and Michelangelo were presented with bundles of clothes they'd taken measurements for before leaving and informed of Usagi's visit.
Cradling his cup of tea, Leonardo continued. "So Usagi went ahead to explain everything to Lord Noriyuki for us. That way he'll have some idea of if he'd like to accept our offer or make one of his own when we arrive. We figured we could go tomorrow afternoon unless there are any objections." Everyone looked at each other, shaking their heads a little now and then.
"Then it is agreed." Splinter declared. "We will journey to Usagi's world tomorrow and see what deal we can strike with Lord Noriyuki. I will inform the Daimyo. Perhaps you should all prepare for bed. Tomorrow is likely to be a long day." The old rat eased up and headed out to see his friend at a relaxed pace.
Once their father was gone, the brothers began to unpack essentials from home and pack up things they wouldn't need before they left the next day. A few of their heavier blankets shaken out, they pulled their sleeping pallets together for a much-needed turtle pile.
Donnie found himself with an older brother on each side and his younger sprawled across his legs. Fairly buried under brothers and blankets, the scant body heat their semi-reptilian biology produced began to create a warm and pleasant nest reminiscent of their childhood. Scooching forward on his side, Donatello grabbed one of Raphael's massive arms like a teddy bear and snuffled into his emerald brother's shoulder. Their eldest rolled into Donnie's own scuffed shell to carefully hug him from behind. Honestly, they all needed the reassuring closeness, since this was the first chance they'd been able to completely relax all together in over a month.
Shuddering a little, Don squeezed his brother's arm a little tighter as he tried to shed the stress, pain and fear that'd been his constant companion all these weeks. As if Bishop's experiments and taunts hadn't been enough, the spectre of his experiences in that damned potential future had added to the weight of every moment. He'd really thought this was it. This was how he disappeared; and in thirty years' time, his past self would show up to lead his forever grieving brothers to their deaths.
But then, they'd blown the doors off the lab. Then they'd pulled him off the table. Then they'd gotten him to safety; and now they were in a completely different dimension, looking to build a completely new life on a completely new world. The trauma and pain kept crashing against him like heavy storm waves, but the hope that maybe they were going to be able to dodge that terrible future all together was a fluorescent buoy keeping him afloat. Raph's meaty hand rubbing up and down Donnie's arm soothed then stilled the waves, and he slipped into sweet oblivion.
The next morning, he roused slowly to ninja quiet movement on the mats next to him. Don opened his eyes just to watch them for a little while. Their Jonin and Chunin were deep in whispered conversation on the far side of the room, getting tea, and bowls of food ready for the rest of the family. Raph and Mikey were busy stowing things away in various backpacks. Their argument over what should go in which bag using the family's rudimentary sign language was hilarious. Sharp movements paired with exaggerated facial expressions took simple words and commands to a level of petty sarcasm that would make a fantastic silent comedy show.
Leo finally glanced to check on Donnie and shared a grin at their brother's antics. "Hey sleepyhead." That got everyone's attention and suddenly Don had the focus of every person in the room. Time to get up I guess. Stretching lazily with a big smile for his family, the young genius slowly worked his way up to his feet, grabbed his oaken cane and hobbled over to the breakfast table. Plopping onto a pillow with a huff, he piled into the hearty meal set out in front of him.
The rest of their morning consisted of eating, setting their dishes out for pickup, then training, or in Donatello's case, light assisted stretching. Once lunch had come and gone, it was time to go, but first, the boys had to get dressed.
It took a little finagling; the top garments especially had been adapted for their shells. There were large holes in the back with drawstrings to pull the clothing tight around the base of their carapace. The feeling of something under there was new and slightly uncomfortable, but none of them could deny that the effect suited their unique builds. For the first time in their lives, the boys had clothing that was actually tailored for them.
They all admired their new appearance in the mirror their hosts had provided. Each outfit was in their signature colours and decorated with beautiful highlights in the form of patterns, stripes and bright hems, paired with black hakama completing the look, a nod to their ninja status. For the first time in their lives, they wore their family crest proudly; proclaiming to everyone who saw them that they were the Hamato Clan.
Weapons holstered, bags hefted, Mikey doing double duty for Donatello, the family headed out. They kept actual distance to a minimum, departing from the healer's pavilion itself. Once on the other side of the portal, they found Usagi with a welcoming committee of several mounted men belonging to various species, horses and a simple carriage.
"My friends! Welcome to Seiiki!" The young ronin greeted them with a wide grin and a bow.
It took Donatello a moment, then he finally realized Seiiki must be the name of this land. I can't believe none of us ever asked him. We just kept calling it Usagi's world! They reciprocated his bow as much as each of them could, then Leo strode in for a back slapping hug. As the two friends moved apart, Usagi turned his attention back to the others. "Master Splinter, Donatello-San. Lord Noriyuki has provided a carriage to carry you to the castle, the rest of us will ride."
"Thank you, Usagi-San." Splinter said, while Michelangelo helped Don up into the carriage. Once the two less mobile family members were settled, the others placed the luggage at their feet and then hauled themselves up onto waiting animals. Everyone ready, the lead horseman gestured to head out. Raph and Mikey flanked the carriage while Leo rode ahead with his friend.
Having never been to Usagi's wor….. Seiiki before himself, Donatello took the opportunity to study the new world around him. Rolling forested hills surrounded the road that their carriage bounced along. In the distance on his left, he could see the faint blue outline of snow topped mountains. Looking out the other side, across Master Splinter, the terrain gradually fell away from them to what Donatello knew was eventually an ocean.
They may have never, Stupidly, asked Usagi what his home was called, but he had described it to them. His homeland was a stretch of territory along the eastern coast of a vast continent that ran between the sea and a near impenetrable mountain range called the Dragon's Teeth. From frigid peaks it descended to alpine forests, plateaus, rolling hills and eventually a great plain that met the sandy edge of the ocean. Lord Noriyuki's territory bordered the hills and mountains, so geography dictated that part of his responsibility was to guard the Shogun's lands from the fractured clans that lived west of the mountain range. Usagi's job as of late had been to help train his Lord's forces to better fulfil that duty.
After only about ten minutes, the forests gave way to vast stretches of fields, both crops and pastures. The former were spotted with workers while the latter had an occasional clump of animals grazing on lush grasses. Soon buildings also began to appear with greater frequency until both Donatello and Splinter could look ahead out the carriage windows and see a city gate set in a large stone wall.
As much as this land and its customs were reminiscent of Earth's feudal Japan, Donnie knew it was a separate world with its own unique characteristics. Aside from not being an island nation, it also did not suffer the same tectonic instability and so built with stone far more than Japan had; although wood was still the primary material simply because it was so much cheaper.
Once past the city gates, a steady parade of Seiiki's inhabitants flowed by the carriage windows. Mammals, reptiles, birds and even the odd salamander were all in evidence. Donnie knew it was going take awhile to learn exactly how many different kinds of people there were here. He noticed Splinter's ears perk up a couple times as they passed some nezumi.
Eventually they arrived at another set of gates and were allowed entry to the castle grounds. After pulling to a stop in front of a broad staircase, his brothers dismounted, grabbed their gear and helped Donnie to disembark, cane in hand, while Splinter stood to the side. Castle staff came to take away their luggage as the family composed themselves to enter the grand building. With Michelangelo's staunch assistance, Donatello began the laborious journey up the stairs, his family falling into formation around him, Splinter at the head.
Don almost stumbled at the final step; he'd been so focused on the climb. Thankfully Mike's sure grip on his free arm kept him up and steady. The entire family paused. "Donnie? Do you need a minute?" Leo asked softly, a hand on his brother's leather shielded shell. Usagi grabbed one of the guards, whispered in a pointed ear and sent the man ahead.
"No, no, I'm ok." Donnie assured his waiting family. "I just needed to catch my breath. Let's keep going." He was getting self-conscious with all the eyes on his moment of weakness. "Let us keep moving my sons, the sooner we meet with Lord Noriyuki, the sooner Donatello can rest." Splinter lead the family forward again, but at a slower pace for the sake of their wounded.
At long last their little group passed through a set of grand double doors to Lord Noryuki's counsel chambers and approached the young panda himself, sitting on a platform with his court seated down both sides of the centre aisle. Seeing the turtles and their father he quickly stood and gestured to two waiting servants who rushed forward each placing a chair in front of him. "Please my friends, sit and we will begin."
Donatello gratefully plunked himself down with his little brother's help, trying to conceal the shaking in his legs, while Splinter gracefully sat to his right. Convalescent settled, the other three brothers positioned themselves, Leo to Splinter's right, Mikey to Donnie's left and Raph at the rear between their chairs. "Thank you very much my Lord." Splinter bowed in his seat.
The panda lord lowered himself into position again. "Welcome friends, to my home. Leonardo-San it is very good to see you again despite the circumstances."
The blue banded ninja took one step forward to bow deeply. "Thank you Lord Noriyuki. I'm glad to see you well." He also shared a nod of greeting with Tomoe Ame, seated faithfully behind her Lord. "May I introduce my family? My brothers," each nodding in turn, "Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo and our father, Ninjitsu Master Splinter."
Noriyuki smiled. "Welcome again, Usagi-San has informed us your difficulties as of late so we will try to keep this brief so that you may rest. Please be assured that whatever the outcome of our talks, you are free to recuperate here as long as you may need. My thanks for Leonardo-San's earlier assistance."
They bowed again in acknowledgement. "Usagi explained that you are seeking to settle in our lands in exchange for offering your services as a ninja clan. All of the Lords hire ninja clans from time to time, but they live outside our society as a whole, and there is always the risk that a rival will pay them more to betray those that have contracted them. To have an honourable ninja clan at our disposal will be invaluable." A few people shifted in their seats or murmured, the panda's sentiments clearly not being universally accepted here.
"I think we can benefit each other. There is another Kame clan that lives within our borders," he gestured to a large male turtle off to the side. The man was mottled golden green from his cheeks up and over to his carapace with nearly black countershading from his lower jaw down into his robes; his heavy ridged brows were drawn down sternly. "The Mokuzai Clan lead by General Mokuzai Itsuki lives in the northern tablelands bordering the Dragon's Teeth. In truth his clan was also granted the mountains to the great river that comprises our border with the lands beyond, but the outside clans were able to seize them many years ago and our forces have not been able to oust them since."
Noriyuki waved at another servant who came forward and handed Splinter a scroll. The old rat unrolled it to follow along as the young lord continued. "On one of those peaks is a castle, built generations ago to guard the best crossing of the river's gorge in the entire mountain range. A certain clan of okami captured the castle and has held it ever since; charging a toll to any of the outer clans that wish to pass through and raid our lands. The General has kept them at bay for many years now."
The panda clasped his hands in his lap. "I offer this. Oust the okami, with any assistance you deem necessary from our forces, and the castle, its mountains and a stipend for keeping the border secure will belong to the Hamato Clan in perpetuity." Mokuzai shifted, clearly unhappy about having what should have been his lands put on offer.
The brothers leaned forward to look at the castle fortress elaborately detailed on the scroll Splinter held in his nearly limp hands. It was a massive undertaking, but the possible reward was huge. "You are truly generous my Lord. I hope you will not be insulted if we take some time to discuss it as a clan."
"Of course, not Master Splinter. Major decisions should not be made in haste." He smiled at a low cough from the native kame. "I hope that the prospect of living next to another kame clan sweetens the offer a little, especially as General Mokuzai wishes to cement a friendly relationship between your clans by the marriage of his youngest daughter, Ahmya to your clan's Chunin, Leonardo-San."