p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Really Mikey?" Donatello sounded like a disappointed mother, staring down their orange clad brother. Splinter and April were calming a near hyperventilating Leonardo in their tent after the borderline disastrous meeting with their soon to be in-laws./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIf Raph weren't so worried about his big brother, he'd be thoroughly enjoying the show./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I know! I'm sorry! But when he called her 'my lady' all I could picture was Leo with a neckbeard tipping his fedora!" Michelango wailed, wringing his hands./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You're an embarrassment." Raphael chipped in his two cents, arms crossed with a glowering Usagi beside him in the knee high grass. "I do not know what a 'neckbeard' is, but you may have made the Lady Ahmya think you were mocking her, or do not see her as a lady of sufficient standing to join your clan," the samurai reprimanded./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oooohhhhh….." Mikey whimpered, hands now over his mouth, verging on tears./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Perhaps a letter to the lady is in order." Raph jumped as Splinter seemed to just… appear, between himself and Usagi, the rabbit equally astonished. His father kept speaking. "Explain to her that Leonardo's phrasing accidentally reminded you of a common joke from our world and APOLOGIZE for your lapse in control." The rat emphasized with a thump of his walking stick on the ground./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Yeah, yeah that's a good idea." Michelangelo mumbled, fighting not to cry. Angel took pity on him. Hand on the sea-green turtle's shoulder, she said, "C'mon Mikey, I'll help you write it. We'll get it sorted out." She led him off to a nearby fire./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanRaph watched them go, shaking his head, Donnie patting his arm on the way by in the opposite direction. emBig heart and a big mouth are a bad combo./em Turning to his father, the sai wielder asked, "How's Fearless?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanSplinter sighed a little. "Fearful. Leonardo was already nervous about meeting the Lady, this… April is with him now."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanRaph glanced back at the tent, a faint glow eking out around the door flap as Donatello pulled it back to enter. "That's good, she'll settle 'im down. Leo's gotta soft spot for 'er."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanSplinter raised an eyebrow, aemnd you don't?/em clear in his look./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHis second eldest responded with a "Yeah, yeah." Amber eyes speculative, he looked up at the stars, so beautifully clear. "Ahmya didn't throw the necklace back in his face or anythin'. Everybody seemed ok with Leo, it was just Mikey eatin' 'is foot. I think we'll be alrigh'; after Mike grovels a bit."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanUsagi chewed on the end of his thumb. "I believe Raphael's assessment is correct. Once the lady has an opportunity to see how Michelangelo actually behaves, the matter should resolve itself. I am more concerned with Leonardo's current state of mind. He was already carrying the weight of the impending marriage and our assault on Geto…" the ronin trailed off, looking worried for his friend./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanRaph huffed. "Not tah mention, we're all still strung out from Donnie bein' taken." The last couple of months had been one gut punch after another for their little family./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanA soft, claw-tipped paw settled on Raphael's forearm. "We are all under pressure. This is a minor upset that seems larger due to everything else." Splinter turned to Usagi. "A night of relaxation would likely help. Do you know of a bathhouse in town?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe rabbit perked up. "I do actually. There are two. I would recommend the one near the General's house. Gennosuke and I can go ahead and arrange things with the staff." The stress was likely getting to him too as Usagi bounded off without waiting for response./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAn indulgent smile crept across Splinter's muzzle. "I forget sometimes, he is also still young."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanRaphael considered, "He's only gotta couple years on us, right?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hmm. Yes, but he matured much more quickly." His father's mischievous side eye landed the shot perfectly./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFighting a grin, the brawler replied, "Well I'll go let the rest o' the kiddies know we're goin' on a field trip." With a parting whack on the bum from Splinter's cane, the emerald turtle headed for their tent, leaving Master Splinter to wrangle the others./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHauling the heavy tent cloth aside, Raph took stock of today's fallout./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanDonnie, Leo and April were all sitting on cushions, an expanse of rugs laid out to keep them off the ground. His younger brother and their sister looked up from where they flanked Leonardo, each with a hand on him as their leader cradled his head. emAw bro./em/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanSighing, rueful grin on his face, he walked over and kicked his big brother's leg. "C'mon, stop moping. We're headin' out."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLooking up, hands hanging, Leonardo flatly asked "What?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Splinter says we're overreacting an' gotta chill out some, so we're goin' to a bathhouse. Usagi went ahead tah get things ready." The older middle child answered, reaching down to give April a hand up. Leonardo helped Don up to the point where he could properly leverage against the floor with his bo staff. "That's what Sensei said huh?" the leaf-green turtle's tone sceptical./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHis reply came with a negligent shrug. "Pretty much." Planting a huge hand on his brother's shoulder, Raph continued, "Look, Mike's gonna send her an apology letter, ah ah," he stifled Leo's interruption, "Angle's gonna proofread it first. This'll all blow over. You know we're all a little too wound up. Let's go chillax so we can deal wi' things wi' a clear head."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe blue-banded turtle deflated. "Yeah, you're probably right."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAs two thirds of their geek squad shuffled out, trading knowing glances with Raph, he cupped Leo's face with both hands. "Hey. It's gonna be ok. Mike'll suck up. You'll be you and she'll forget all about it. All the rest of it is nothing we haven't really done before. Let's go soak n' loosin' up; we got this. We got you."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWith a small, tired smile, Leo nodded and followed Raph out of the tent. Trailing along behind a returned Usagi like a kindergarten class, the Hamatos wound their way through Ishisawa to the bath house; Michelangelo's profuse apologies to Leo echoing all the way./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"With April and Angel parting to hopefully enjoy their time on the female side, the boys filed into their washroom. After a quick cleanup, it was time to relax. A small group of locals, a mix of kame and kawauso, openly stared as the Hamatos filed in, looks of fear for Leatherhead and mild disgust for Casey. emIt's like he's one ah those hairless cats./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Casey though, after years of getting hazed in locker rooms, clearly could not care less. Sauntering in, well versed in the etiquette by April and the turtles, hair tied up on top of his head, their hairless ape settled into the hot water next to Raph, sighing as heat soaked in. "Hey Raphie?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;""Mmm." The emerald turtle murmured, sinking a little deeper, eyes closed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;""It's nice. Bein' able to go out wit' yah. Like regular, y'know?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Smiling easily as a life-long stress started to melt away, Raph replied, "Yeah. It is."/p
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p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLeonardo had never spent so much time looking in a mirror. It wasn't vanity, you can't really be vain when you're a freakish mutant. But looking his best so as to not reflect badly on his family? To make his bride a little happier at the wedding? Now that was a reason./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanSmoothing his hands down the front of his robes, Leo checked again that everything was neat, wrinkle free and in place. He'd even ironed his mask, wanting to complete the look, though he resolved to keep his nictitating membranes retracted./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFinally satisfied, he turned from the mirror and stopped dead, staring at the nest of pillows and blankets left out from last night. It was a little melancholy, knowing their days of turtle piling (plus one rat) were probably over. Leo doubted Ahmya would approve of sleepovers on the floor with his brothers every week. emPart of growing up I guess, leaving behind childhood comforts. It's not like we crawl into Master Splinter's lap anymore./em Dark eyes sparkling, Leo chuckled at the mental image of Raphael squishing their father under his great bulk./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanGiving in to his need for tidiness, Leonardo started folding blankets and putting pillows away, a little sad at taking apart what was potentially his last family nest. emWell, at least until we've got kids of our own./em The stray thought stopped him in his tracks, blanket half folded in his hands. emI can have kids. I can sleep with them at night./em A cavalcade of old memories paraded behind his mind, only now he was in Splinter's place with his own little ones to cuddle and comfort late at night, wife at his side./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"What once was a hazy half-baked dream had become a very real possibility, whether with adopted children or, his throat got tight at the thought, actual biological children of their own. Either or worked for him, being an adopted child himself; but he and his brothers were unique, the only ones of their kind. The idea of beginning a whole new people? emDon't get ahead of yourself Leo. There's a lot of ground to cover between here and there./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"The previous day had been a whirlwind. From Mikey eating crow bowed low on the General's floor, letter between his palms, to the Lady Toshiko's extensive wedding plans, emI'm glad since we really didn't have time to plan a proper wedding, but…/em they hadn't stopped getting ready for today./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Last blanket folded away, Leo walked to the entrance and gazed at the newly erected tent next style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThey'd gotten it set up yesterday just in time for Ahmya's trousseau to arrive. Apparently, her parents had begun preparing it years in advance for her future wedding day. There was a mix of well-appointed linens and furniture along with more cozy looking items that spoke of nostalgia and home comforts. It gave her groom an impression of parents that cared about practicality and status while still valuing loving bonds and family. The rest of her personal items would be moved to their tent after the wedding. Today./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Taking a deep breath to throttle down jangling nerves, Leonardo strode out of his family's tent to join the small crowd waiting for him. They made space at the centre, all dressed in their finest, smiling softly at their field commander. Master Splinter took a soft step forward; Leo'd never seen his Father look so healthy and happy./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Groomed to fluffiness, Splinter was dressed in fine black and burgundy silks, Hamato crest proudly on display. His father's watery grin reminded Leonardo of the day the Ancient One had, as the last blood Hamato, declared them members of his clan; if not through Yoshi, his ward, then by his own affection for the motley collections of former pets. He only wished their adoptive grandfather had email so that he could have been informed in time to attend the wedding. Their letter should be reaching him any day now in fact./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Running clawed hands down Leo's arms, the aged rat pulled his son into a warm embrace. "I am so proud to see this day. We are behind you, my son." After a final squeeze, Splinter turned, accepted his cane back from Raphael and addressed the family. "Let us not keep them waiting."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"The next few hours were a blur of strangers, sake, hugs and trying desperately to remember everything he was supposed to do. There was a brief moment of clarity standing and staring at Ahmya in front of the priest where the Shredder's Bane had to fight not to puke from nerves. He'd been less afraid facing down Karai that night at Foot headquarters./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Leonardo finally started to feel more himself about halfway through dinner. Tuning out the congratulatory speeches being made by various high-ranking guests, he glanced sideways at his wife, emWife!/em resplendent in her own wedding finery, elaborate headdress crowning her colourfully painted gold and black face. "How are you doing?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Looking up slightly, amber eyes low, "I am well husband, thank you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;""Your mother did a wonderful job organizing this." He continued, hoping to prompt her to keep talking. emPlease let me not have to carry every conversation./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;""She will be pleased that you think so." Ahmya replied. Delicately eating another morsel. "When do you march on Geto?" The wood kame finally asked, eying him sideways./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;""We were planning on starting in a couple days." He replied adjusting his grip on his chopsticks to keep from dropping food in his lap. "That'll give us some time to … settle in, and my family would like to welcome you with a smaller party of our own." A nervous but genuine smile quirked the corner of her mouth. "Yes, Michelangelo promised to make me an apology 'pizza'. He asked what my preferred toppings would be."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Leonardo smiled slightly himself. "Mike's a goofball, but he hates to actually hurt someone's feelings. He'll be trying to make it up to you for awhile."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;""I am merely happy to be welcome." She demurred looking to the other table where his side of the family was eating, chatting happily among themselves; Usagi and Gen blending right in under the flickering candlelight. "Don't worry," he replied, daring to a lay a hand over hers, praying she couldn't feel it shake, "we've got a pretty good track record for that."/p
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p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe smell of cooked eggs and meat dragged Ahmya back to full awareness in the morning light. Unfamiliar tent cloth filled her vision, closely followed by the dull roar of a bustling army camp. The young woman blinked in confusion, not remembering making a rare trip to visit her father in the field. emOh./em It came back to her in a rush./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHer father announcing a betrothal. Letters back and forth. A gleaming necklace. The WEDDING… last night. emLeonardo!/em Sucking in a breath, she surged up in bed, pulling blankets with her. The heavy curtain dividing their tent was shut and her new husband was no longer in the small "room" it created. Scrambling to get up and dressed, determined not to let Leonardo down on her first day as his wife, Ahmya made herself presentable as quickly as she could. Slippers last, she pushed the curtain aside and bustled out to stop dead in her tracks./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanShe'd already failed./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLeonardo looked up from a low stack of papers, seated at their table, a cup of tea in hand. In front of him a covered griddle hissed and spit, obviously fresh from the fire. "Good morning." He greeted, voice soft./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanShame welled up inside her as Ahmya bowed and apologized. "I am sorry husband. I should have had breakfast ready for you. I will endeavor.." She was cut off by Leonardo bolting up and around the table to grab her hands./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Ahmya, Ahmya no its fine." Ducking to get in her line of sight, he continued, "I'm an early riser. I'm always up before everybody else. I just smelt Mikey cooking and grabbed some for us. Please, it's fine, really." He hesitated a moment, then used a finger to tilt her head up. "Ahmya, we're both new to this marriage thing, and probably have very different expectations. C'mon let's eat and talk."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe leaf green kame pulled her over to the table where she insisted on at least serving the meal. Lifting the cover, she found a hearty breakfast of fluffy eggs, grilled meat and round griddle cakes. Making a generous plate up for her husband they settled down and began a long conversation./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe pair laid out what their own personal routines were usually like, how the households they grew up in functioned and did their best to figure out how they could mesh the two, at least for now, given their circumstances were still subject to a great deal of change. Ahmya learned that Leonardo and his brothers had all equally shared the burden of household chores with the exception of Michelangelo doing the bulk of the cooking; he was the best at it and rather particular about his kitchen./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanShe in turn explained that while her father could currently afford a household staff, that hadn't always been the case. As a result, even though her mother had come from a relatively well-to-do family, in their early days Toshiko had had to handle all the traditional tasks of a wife. Her mother while ambitious was ever practical; being aware that her daughters might not always have servants available, she trained them well accordingly. Ahmya fully expected to fill this role, especially as they were essentially establishing a new clan in Geto castle./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIt confused her, how uncomfortable that made Leonardo look, as if she was breaking some taboo. Perhaps a wife's role was different on Third Earth? She did not have a mother-in-law to ask. "Well, we don't have to set anything in stone until we get there and start sorting things out." He said, sidestepping any current issue. "In the meantime, maybe you could start looking into where we can get household supplies, food and stuff like that? We can source some from back in New York, but I don't want to have to rely on that. We'll work on being more self sufficient down the road."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHe hesitantly reached out to take her hand, vibrant green over black, "I was thinking, Sensei likes everyone to have supper together, and lunch was always a free for all, but… maybe we could set aside breakfast just for the two of us? A time to touch base, talk about our day, what's going on, that sort of thing?" He looked up shyly, "We can take turns getting the food. It's the one meal I'm not a complete disaster at making myself."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Of course, Leonardo, if that is what you wish." He was starting to look disappointed again so she added, "It is a very sensible idea and sounds pleasant. I look forward to it." Another hesitant smile left her wondering. emIs he embarrassed that we do not have servants? He said in his letters that he wants us both to be happy, does he think I do not wish to work?/em "Husband, I am willing fulfil my duties. I want to do my part." She ventured, hoping he didn't consider her weak or lazy./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I know! It's fine." He reassured, clearly afraid to upset her. "Look. This is about the time that we have morning practice. You said that your father gave you combat training; would you like to join in with us?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanJoyous relief flooded through her at the knowledge that he wouldn't stop her fighting. She would've maintained her skills privately of course, but she was very happy to learn Leonardo didn't mind his wife being able to protect the home. Some men were peculiar like that. "I'd love to. She replied, standing to gather their dishes, waving off his attempts to help. When she got back from washing and returning them, Ahmya found he'd made the bed and tidied the tent in her absence. emThat man. I do not need to be coddled./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Then he stepped from behind the curtain, buckling his sheaths into place. Regular day to day clothes were gone, replaced by a black material that the bi-coloured kame had never seen before. From just behind his toes to the base of his neck, the skintight outfit was so dark it seemed to blend into itself; even hiding the jagged triangle missing from Leonardo's shell./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThey'd had a moment of pause, the night before, when her hand caught on the previously covered imperfection. He hadn't been willing to elaborate beyond calling it a battle scar, but the storm of emotion behind his dark eyes told of wounds that ran deep. Ahmya hoped one day they'd be close enough for him to share the entire story with her. In the meantime, she ducked by him with a smile to put on her own training clothes. One quick change later she emerged to take her now masked husband's hand and follow him out./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTheir family had gathered on the camp's edge, all similarly dressed to their leader; waiting for the new couple with grins, some wider than others. Raphael's wicked smirk promised hours of teasing for Leonardo, and she suspected Michelangelo would do the same if he wasn't still trying to make up for his earlier faux pa; such was the nature of siblings. It was a shame none of hers had been able to make it back in time for the wedding./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMaster Splinter swiftly separated the small clan into groups, Leo leading the healthy and more advanced members in their training, while Splinter himself took Donatello, Ahmya and the male humanem, Casey, Leo called him,/em aside for personal attention. "We will start at the beginning," the wizened nezumi stated, leading them through progressively more challenging forms. Donatello eventually reached his current limit and began walking slow laps around the training grounds to cool down and extend his endurance, leaning on his bo. Ahmya and Casey seemed to be on fairly equal footing, both with years of training/experience behind them, but novices in ninjitsu./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAfter about an hour, Splinter called a halt to his little class allowing Ahmya to join Donatello seated on the grass while Casey jumped into the other's ongoing fray. The three healthy Hamato brothers were holding their own against everyone else, displaying mastery of their chosen craft. Weaving in and out of humans em(Casey, April and Angel),/em the giant tokage (emLeatherhead)/em, and Lord Noriyuki's two samurai em(Usagi and Gennosuke)/em, her husband and his brothers managed to forever stay one step ahead, gradually whittling down their foes. She could see Donatello out of the corner of her eye, closely watching the match, muttering to himself./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"They are doing well." She startled as Master Splinter lowered himself to sit next to her, holding out a water jug. Grateful for a drink, she thanked her father-in-law, took a swig and passed it to her brother-in-law on her other side. Gennosuke tumbled by, knocked out of the fight, Casey and Angel not far behind. "It does them well to practice against such a variety of fighting styles. In the meantime, tell me more of your training, my dear."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAhmya turned to kneel before him and gave Splinter a full accounting of the training her father had provided from knife play to hand to hand to her specialty, archery. He sat and thought a moment, stroking his beard. "I see no difficulty in expanding your skills. I would include lessons in stealth and how to detect a ninja." A sly smile stole across his muzzle, "I would greatly enjoy seeing you catch Leonardo by surprise someday." Splinter didn't even flinch as Leatherhead rolled down the hill behind him, April, Michelangelo and Raphael tackling the giant out of bounds. Only Leonardo and Usagi remained./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe young kame lost awareness of anything else as she watched the two master swordsmen engage. Without any other combatants on the field, they were able to fully focus on each other. Both armed with dual blades, they clashed. Neither was inclined to stand and brute force through their enemy, as the kame Ahmya was familiar with would; dodging, leaping and rolling about each other, their swords caught, then slid, sending up sparks. One by one, samurai and ninja manged to slowly disarm their opponent then ended up grappling in the high grass. "Enough!" Splinter barked, bracing against his cane to stand. He sounded as if this was a fight he'd broken up more than once./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAhmya aided Donatello to his feet and over to the group gathering around the last fighters standing. Master Splinter looked about at them, satisfied smile in place. "Well done, all of you. Now rest, there will be no further training until we have taken the castle. I do not wish to risk accidental injury. Make your final preparations, we will begin tomorrow evening." Once they all bowed, the nezumi nodded and walked back towards the main Hamato tent, likely to take his own advice and style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAhmya found the rest of her day consumed by following Leonardo around the camp and helping him prepare for the upcoming assault. All weapons, equipment and supplies were double and triple checked to ensure they were ready. She and her husband helped to pull some unusual wooden crates out of a tarped wagon for an excitedly chattering Donatello and April. Their back and forth seemed like it should make sense but was another language for all Ahmya could discern./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAt sunset the clan gathered again by their personal tents for supper. As promised, the small family celebrated their brother's wedding and welcomed their new sister with stories, gifts and Michelangelo's aforementioned pizza. Before her sat a plate of what looked like a fresh flat bread topped with a delicious smelling combination of ingredients. Taking her cue from the others she picked up a slice by hand and bit into an entire new world of flavors. Eyes wide, she snapped around to stare at her husband, still chewing. Leonardo laughed, leaning over the table, delighted at her reaction. "Don't worry," he chuckled, "this family loves pizza. You'll be getting it at least once week."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanStruggling to regain proper decorum, she ate the rest of her pizza, resolutely not wiggling in her seat like a happy hatchling. They all insisted on watching the pair open their presents after, wanting to see the couple's reactions. All told they were given a collection of warm winter clothing like nothing she'd ever seen, em(we're going to be living on top of a mountain after all),/em and small, easily concealed armaments courtesy of the middle Hamato brothers. "You're in a ninja clan, bein' a walkin' arsenal is mandatory." Raphael had muttered half-jokingly./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThen, some of those mysterious crates were brought out, those gathered around laughing slightly maniacally. "Husband?" Ahmya asked from her seat, not at all sure what was going on./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLeonardo huffed in amusement. "Fireworks, with a side of deception. Everyone in this family loves explosions a little too much, so we set off fireworks any time we have an excuse." He held out a calloused hand then lead her over to the crates. "As for the deception…" He pulled one open, revealing small black machines of some sort. "These are arial drones." Carefully picking one up, her husband held it out for her to examine. "You'll really see what they can do later, but for right now, they can fly and let us see what's going on below them. We're going to release them tonight, among the fireworks, to fly over to Geto and give us a bird's eye view of what's going on there. We'll also use them to help coordinate our troops during the attack."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanemNo./em She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Pointing at the device, "These. Can fly."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanSmug, he just smiled and nodded./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"That, you have to prove."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanBarking out a laugh, Leonardo called out. "You heard the lady. Let's get this show on the road boys!" With a cheer, the others started igniting series fireworks they'd been busily setting up in a pit of dirt. Cheery light show on the way, and they were really very nice, emI hope they warned Father in advance,/em April plucked the drone from Leonardo's hands to join Donatello and Leatherhead next to the blast zone. One at a time they did indeed launch the small machines with a high pitched whine, quickly zooming far out of sight./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMouth hanging open in astonishment, staring into the sky, Ahmya was absently tugged along by her chuckling husband to where Donatello sat on the ground. Cross legged, he held a flat device in his lap seeming to display multiple moving images. Glancing up, the purple clad ninja gestured for her to look closer. "Each drone has a rotatable camera on its underside so that we can see what it sees," he stated speaking to the group at large, "we also installed utrom power sources so they can stay in the air for up to a week. Additionally, we've given them communication relays so we'll string some of them out between here and Geto to maintain our connection."/p
p class="MsoNormal"emspan style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/em"You can spy on them without even leaving the camp…" Ahmya mused looking closer at the landscape zooming past in fourteen little boxes./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"That's the plan." Donatello replied, tone slightly tinged with sadness, reminding her that he wouldn't be able to join his brothers in the attack. The general's daughter had some of idea of what he was going through, after many years of watching her father and brothers go to war, wondering if they'd be coming home. She resolved to keep an eye on the wounded Hamato while his brothers were away./p
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p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe rest of the night's festivities passed without incident. If any okami spies were in the area, there was no way they detected the drones launching among the Hamato family's raucous firework display. Donatello knew they'd have no idea what the drones were, but they didn't want to put their enemy on alert any more than they already were./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHe laid awake in their tent, occasionally checking the drones' progress as they followed their preprogrammed route. He figured they ought to be in place by morning for a day of reconnaissance before his father and brothers departed tomorrow evening. They'd be night running ahead of the main force to get into position before their attack./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe engineer was shaken out of his musings by one of Raph's louder snores quickly followed by a snap from Splinter's tail reflexively smacking the disturbance. Their largest brother rolled away from the slap, his snores lessening with the better position. Donatello snorted at the familiar by play, feeling Mikey curl in tighter to Don's own side in response to all the movement. Wistfully he wondered how Leo was doing, echoes of their brother's journey to Japan lingering under the surface. Only this time, he wouldn't be coming back to the family bed anytime soon. At least the others would get to bunk down with him during their campaign on Geto./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanA wave of resentment rose up. emDamn you Bishop./em His recovery was progressing well, but he wouldn't be able to join his brothers and that was eating away at the bo wielder. He knew they weren't on course for that horrible future he'd seen, but he was still uneasy at being separated for so many reasons. He hadn't been without them since his rescue, still felt vulnerable and none of them had ever liked the others going into danger without all hands on deck./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanSetting the drones' control panel aside, safely out of the way, Donatello rolled onto his side, wrapping olive arms around Mike. emI'll just have to do my best as their eye in the sky. /emSmiling at Mikey snuffling under his chin, Don did his best to drift into much needed sleep. emHopefully in a couple days, we'll all be together again./em/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIf Raph weren't so worried about his big brother, he'd be thoroughly enjoying the show./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I know! I'm sorry! But when he called her 'my lady' all I could picture was Leo with a neckbeard tipping his fedora!" Michelango wailed, wringing his hands./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You're an embarrassment." Raphael chipped in his two cents, arms crossed with a glowering Usagi beside him in the knee high grass. "I do not know what a 'neckbeard' is, but you may have made the Lady Ahmya think you were mocking her, or do not see her as a lady of sufficient standing to join your clan," the samurai reprimanded./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oooohhhhh….." Mikey whimpered, hands now over his mouth, verging on tears./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Perhaps a letter to the lady is in order." Raph jumped as Splinter seemed to just… appear, between himself and Usagi, the rabbit equally astonished. His father kept speaking. "Explain to her that Leonardo's phrasing accidentally reminded you of a common joke from our world and APOLOGIZE for your lapse in control." The rat emphasized with a thump of his walking stick on the ground./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Yeah, yeah that's a good idea." Michelangelo mumbled, fighting not to cry. Angel took pity on him. Hand on the sea-green turtle's shoulder, she said, "C'mon Mikey, I'll help you write it. We'll get it sorted out." She led him off to a nearby fire./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanRaph watched them go, shaking his head, Donnie patting his arm on the way by in the opposite direction. emBig heart and a big mouth are a bad combo./em Turning to his father, the sai wielder asked, "How's Fearless?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanSplinter sighed a little. "Fearful. Leonardo was already nervous about meeting the Lady, this… April is with him now."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanRaph glanced back at the tent, a faint glow eking out around the door flap as Donatello pulled it back to enter. "That's good, she'll settle 'im down. Leo's gotta soft spot for 'er."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanSplinter raised an eyebrow, aemnd you don't?/em clear in his look./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHis second eldest responded with a "Yeah, yeah." Amber eyes speculative, he looked up at the stars, so beautifully clear. "Ahmya didn't throw the necklace back in his face or anythin'. Everybody seemed ok with Leo, it was just Mikey eatin' 'is foot. I think we'll be alrigh'; after Mike grovels a bit."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanUsagi chewed on the end of his thumb. "I believe Raphael's assessment is correct. Once the lady has an opportunity to see how Michelangelo actually behaves, the matter should resolve itself. I am more concerned with Leonardo's current state of mind. He was already carrying the weight of the impending marriage and our assault on Geto…" the ronin trailed off, looking worried for his friend./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanRaph huffed. "Not tah mention, we're all still strung out from Donnie bein' taken." The last couple of months had been one gut punch after another for their little family./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanA soft, claw-tipped paw settled on Raphael's forearm. "We are all under pressure. This is a minor upset that seems larger due to everything else." Splinter turned to Usagi. "A night of relaxation would likely help. Do you know of a bathhouse in town?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe rabbit perked up. "I do actually. There are two. I would recommend the one near the General's house. Gennosuke and I can go ahead and arrange things with the staff." The stress was likely getting to him too as Usagi bounded off without waiting for response./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAn indulgent smile crept across Splinter's muzzle. "I forget sometimes, he is also still young."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanRaphael considered, "He's only gotta couple years on us, right?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hmm. Yes, but he matured much more quickly." His father's mischievous side eye landed the shot perfectly./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFighting a grin, the brawler replied, "Well I'll go let the rest o' the kiddies know we're goin' on a field trip." With a parting whack on the bum from Splinter's cane, the emerald turtle headed for their tent, leaving Master Splinter to wrangle the others./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHauling the heavy tent cloth aside, Raph took stock of today's fallout./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanDonnie, Leo and April were all sitting on cushions, an expanse of rugs laid out to keep them off the ground. His younger brother and their sister looked up from where they flanked Leonardo, each with a hand on him as their leader cradled his head. emAw bro./em/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanSighing, rueful grin on his face, he walked over and kicked his big brother's leg. "C'mon, stop moping. We're headin' out."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLooking up, hands hanging, Leonardo flatly asked "What?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Splinter says we're overreacting an' gotta chill out some, so we're goin' to a bathhouse. Usagi went ahead tah get things ready." The older middle child answered, reaching down to give April a hand up. Leonardo helped Don up to the point where he could properly leverage against the floor with his bo staff. "That's what Sensei said huh?" the leaf-green turtle's tone sceptical./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHis reply came with a negligent shrug. "Pretty much." Planting a huge hand on his brother's shoulder, Raph continued, "Look, Mike's gonna send her an apology letter, ah ah," he stifled Leo's interruption, "Angle's gonna proofread it first. This'll all blow over. You know we're all a little too wound up. Let's go chillax so we can deal wi' things wi' a clear head."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe blue-banded turtle deflated. "Yeah, you're probably right."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAs two thirds of their geek squad shuffled out, trading knowing glances with Raph, he cupped Leo's face with both hands. "Hey. It's gonna be ok. Mike'll suck up. You'll be you and she'll forget all about it. All the rest of it is nothing we haven't really done before. Let's go soak n' loosin' up; we got this. We got you."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWith a small, tired smile, Leo nodded and followed Raph out of the tent. Trailing along behind a returned Usagi like a kindergarten class, the Hamatos wound their way through Ishisawa to the bath house; Michelangelo's profuse apologies to Leo echoing all the way./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"With April and Angel parting to hopefully enjoy their time on the female side, the boys filed into their washroom. After a quick cleanup, it was time to relax. A small group of locals, a mix of kame and kawauso, openly stared as the Hamatos filed in, looks of fear for Leatherhead and mild disgust for Casey. emIt's like he's one ah those hairless cats./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Casey though, after years of getting hazed in locker rooms, clearly could not care less. Sauntering in, well versed in the etiquette by April and the turtles, hair tied up on top of his head, their hairless ape settled into the hot water next to Raph, sighing as heat soaked in. "Hey Raphie?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;""Mmm." The emerald turtle murmured, sinking a little deeper, eyes closed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;""It's nice. Bein' able to go out wit' yah. Like regular, y'know?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Smiling easily as a life-long stress started to melt away, Raph replied, "Yeah. It is."/p
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p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLeonardo had never spent so much time looking in a mirror. It wasn't vanity, you can't really be vain when you're a freakish mutant. But looking his best so as to not reflect badly on his family? To make his bride a little happier at the wedding? Now that was a reason./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanSmoothing his hands down the front of his robes, Leo checked again that everything was neat, wrinkle free and in place. He'd even ironed his mask, wanting to complete the look, though he resolved to keep his nictitating membranes retracted./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFinally satisfied, he turned from the mirror and stopped dead, staring at the nest of pillows and blankets left out from last night. It was a little melancholy, knowing their days of turtle piling (plus one rat) were probably over. Leo doubted Ahmya would approve of sleepovers on the floor with his brothers every week. emPart of growing up I guess, leaving behind childhood comforts. It's not like we crawl into Master Splinter's lap anymore./em Dark eyes sparkling, Leo chuckled at the mental image of Raphael squishing their father under his great bulk./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanGiving in to his need for tidiness, Leonardo started folding blankets and putting pillows away, a little sad at taking apart what was potentially his last family nest. emWell, at least until we've got kids of our own./em The stray thought stopped him in his tracks, blanket half folded in his hands. emI can have kids. I can sleep with them at night./em A cavalcade of old memories paraded behind his mind, only now he was in Splinter's place with his own little ones to cuddle and comfort late at night, wife at his side./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"What once was a hazy half-baked dream had become a very real possibility, whether with adopted children or, his throat got tight at the thought, actual biological children of their own. Either or worked for him, being an adopted child himself; but he and his brothers were unique, the only ones of their kind. The idea of beginning a whole new people? emDon't get ahead of yourself Leo. There's a lot of ground to cover between here and there./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"The previous day had been a whirlwind. From Mikey eating crow bowed low on the General's floor, letter between his palms, to the Lady Toshiko's extensive wedding plans, emI'm glad since we really didn't have time to plan a proper wedding, but…/em they hadn't stopped getting ready for today./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Last blanket folded away, Leo walked to the entrance and gazed at the newly erected tent next style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThey'd gotten it set up yesterday just in time for Ahmya's trousseau to arrive. Apparently, her parents had begun preparing it years in advance for her future wedding day. There was a mix of well-appointed linens and furniture along with more cozy looking items that spoke of nostalgia and home comforts. It gave her groom an impression of parents that cared about practicality and status while still valuing loving bonds and family. The rest of her personal items would be moved to their tent after the wedding. Today./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Taking a deep breath to throttle down jangling nerves, Leonardo strode out of his family's tent to join the small crowd waiting for him. They made space at the centre, all dressed in their finest, smiling softly at their field commander. Master Splinter took a soft step forward; Leo'd never seen his Father look so healthy and happy./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Groomed to fluffiness, Splinter was dressed in fine black and burgundy silks, Hamato crest proudly on display. His father's watery grin reminded Leonardo of the day the Ancient One had, as the last blood Hamato, declared them members of his clan; if not through Yoshi, his ward, then by his own affection for the motley collections of former pets. He only wished their adoptive grandfather had email so that he could have been informed in time to attend the wedding. Their letter should be reaching him any day now in fact./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Running clawed hands down Leo's arms, the aged rat pulled his son into a warm embrace. "I am so proud to see this day. We are behind you, my son." After a final squeeze, Splinter turned, accepted his cane back from Raphael and addressed the family. "Let us not keep them waiting."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"The next few hours were a blur of strangers, sake, hugs and trying desperately to remember everything he was supposed to do. There was a brief moment of clarity standing and staring at Ahmya in front of the priest where the Shredder's Bane had to fight not to puke from nerves. He'd been less afraid facing down Karai that night at Foot headquarters./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Leonardo finally started to feel more himself about halfway through dinner. Tuning out the congratulatory speeches being made by various high-ranking guests, he glanced sideways at his wife, emWife!/em resplendent in her own wedding finery, elaborate headdress crowning her colourfully painted gold and black face. "How are you doing?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Looking up slightly, amber eyes low, "I am well husband, thank you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;""Your mother did a wonderful job organizing this." He continued, hoping to prompt her to keep talking. emPlease let me not have to carry every conversation./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;""She will be pleased that you think so." Ahmya replied. Delicately eating another morsel. "When do you march on Geto?" The wood kame finally asked, eying him sideways./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;""We were planning on starting in a couple days." He replied adjusting his grip on his chopsticks to keep from dropping food in his lap. "That'll give us some time to … settle in, and my family would like to welcome you with a smaller party of our own." A nervous but genuine smile quirked the corner of her mouth. "Yes, Michelangelo promised to make me an apology 'pizza'. He asked what my preferred toppings would be."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Leonardo smiled slightly himself. "Mike's a goofball, but he hates to actually hurt someone's feelings. He'll be trying to make it up to you for awhile."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;""I am merely happy to be welcome." She demurred looking to the other table where his side of the family was eating, chatting happily among themselves; Usagi and Gen blending right in under the flickering candlelight. "Don't worry," he replied, daring to a lay a hand over hers, praying she couldn't feel it shake, "we've got a pretty good track record for that."/p
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p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe smell of cooked eggs and meat dragged Ahmya back to full awareness in the morning light. Unfamiliar tent cloth filled her vision, closely followed by the dull roar of a bustling army camp. The young woman blinked in confusion, not remembering making a rare trip to visit her father in the field. emOh./em It came back to her in a rush./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHer father announcing a betrothal. Letters back and forth. A gleaming necklace. The WEDDING… last night. emLeonardo!/em Sucking in a breath, she surged up in bed, pulling blankets with her. The heavy curtain dividing their tent was shut and her new husband was no longer in the small "room" it created. Scrambling to get up and dressed, determined not to let Leonardo down on her first day as his wife, Ahmya made herself presentable as quickly as she could. Slippers last, she pushed the curtain aside and bustled out to stop dead in her tracks./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanShe'd already failed./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLeonardo looked up from a low stack of papers, seated at their table, a cup of tea in hand. In front of him a covered griddle hissed and spit, obviously fresh from the fire. "Good morning." He greeted, voice soft./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanShame welled up inside her as Ahmya bowed and apologized. "I am sorry husband. I should have had breakfast ready for you. I will endeavor.." She was cut off by Leonardo bolting up and around the table to grab her hands./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Ahmya, Ahmya no its fine." Ducking to get in her line of sight, he continued, "I'm an early riser. I'm always up before everybody else. I just smelt Mikey cooking and grabbed some for us. Please, it's fine, really." He hesitated a moment, then used a finger to tilt her head up. "Ahmya, we're both new to this marriage thing, and probably have very different expectations. C'mon let's eat and talk."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe leaf green kame pulled her over to the table where she insisted on at least serving the meal. Lifting the cover, she found a hearty breakfast of fluffy eggs, grilled meat and round griddle cakes. Making a generous plate up for her husband they settled down and began a long conversation./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe pair laid out what their own personal routines were usually like, how the households they grew up in functioned and did their best to figure out how they could mesh the two, at least for now, given their circumstances were still subject to a great deal of change. Ahmya learned that Leonardo and his brothers had all equally shared the burden of household chores with the exception of Michelangelo doing the bulk of the cooking; he was the best at it and rather particular about his kitchen./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanShe in turn explained that while her father could currently afford a household staff, that hadn't always been the case. As a result, even though her mother had come from a relatively well-to-do family, in their early days Toshiko had had to handle all the traditional tasks of a wife. Her mother while ambitious was ever practical; being aware that her daughters might not always have servants available, she trained them well accordingly. Ahmya fully expected to fill this role, especially as they were essentially establishing a new clan in Geto castle./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIt confused her, how uncomfortable that made Leonardo look, as if she was breaking some taboo. Perhaps a wife's role was different on Third Earth? She did not have a mother-in-law to ask. "Well, we don't have to set anything in stone until we get there and start sorting things out." He said, sidestepping any current issue. "In the meantime, maybe you could start looking into where we can get household supplies, food and stuff like that? We can source some from back in New York, but I don't want to have to rely on that. We'll work on being more self sufficient down the road."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHe hesitantly reached out to take her hand, vibrant green over black, "I was thinking, Sensei likes everyone to have supper together, and lunch was always a free for all, but… maybe we could set aside breakfast just for the two of us? A time to touch base, talk about our day, what's going on, that sort of thing?" He looked up shyly, "We can take turns getting the food. It's the one meal I'm not a complete disaster at making myself."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Of course, Leonardo, if that is what you wish." He was starting to look disappointed again so she added, "It is a very sensible idea and sounds pleasant. I look forward to it." Another hesitant smile left her wondering. emIs he embarrassed that we do not have servants? He said in his letters that he wants us both to be happy, does he think I do not wish to work?/em "Husband, I am willing fulfil my duties. I want to do my part." She ventured, hoping he didn't consider her weak or lazy./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I know! It's fine." He reassured, clearly afraid to upset her. "Look. This is about the time that we have morning practice. You said that your father gave you combat training; would you like to join in with us?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanJoyous relief flooded through her at the knowledge that he wouldn't stop her fighting. She would've maintained her skills privately of course, but she was very happy to learn Leonardo didn't mind his wife being able to protect the home. Some men were peculiar like that. "I'd love to. She replied, standing to gather their dishes, waving off his attempts to help. When she got back from washing and returning them, Ahmya found he'd made the bed and tidied the tent in her absence. emThat man. I do not need to be coddled./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"Then he stepped from behind the curtain, buckling his sheaths into place. Regular day to day clothes were gone, replaced by a black material that the bi-coloured kame had never seen before. From just behind his toes to the base of his neck, the skintight outfit was so dark it seemed to blend into itself; even hiding the jagged triangle missing from Leonardo's shell./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThey'd had a moment of pause, the night before, when her hand caught on the previously covered imperfection. He hadn't been willing to elaborate beyond calling it a battle scar, but the storm of emotion behind his dark eyes told of wounds that ran deep. Ahmya hoped one day they'd be close enough for him to share the entire story with her. In the meantime, she ducked by him with a smile to put on her own training clothes. One quick change later she emerged to take her now masked husband's hand and follow him out./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTheir family had gathered on the camp's edge, all similarly dressed to their leader; waiting for the new couple with grins, some wider than others. Raphael's wicked smirk promised hours of teasing for Leonardo, and she suspected Michelangelo would do the same if he wasn't still trying to make up for his earlier faux pa; such was the nature of siblings. It was a shame none of hers had been able to make it back in time for the wedding./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMaster Splinter swiftly separated the small clan into groups, Leo leading the healthy and more advanced members in their training, while Splinter himself took Donatello, Ahmya and the male humanem, Casey, Leo called him,/em aside for personal attention. "We will start at the beginning," the wizened nezumi stated, leading them through progressively more challenging forms. Donatello eventually reached his current limit and began walking slow laps around the training grounds to cool down and extend his endurance, leaning on his bo. Ahmya and Casey seemed to be on fairly equal footing, both with years of training/experience behind them, but novices in ninjitsu./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAfter about an hour, Splinter called a halt to his little class allowing Ahmya to join Donatello seated on the grass while Casey jumped into the other's ongoing fray. The three healthy Hamato brothers were holding their own against everyone else, displaying mastery of their chosen craft. Weaving in and out of humans em(Casey, April and Angel),/em the giant tokage (emLeatherhead)/em, and Lord Noriyuki's two samurai em(Usagi and Gennosuke)/em, her husband and his brothers managed to forever stay one step ahead, gradually whittling down their foes. She could see Donatello out of the corner of her eye, closely watching the match, muttering to himself./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"They are doing well." She startled as Master Splinter lowered himself to sit next to her, holding out a water jug. Grateful for a drink, she thanked her father-in-law, took a swig and passed it to her brother-in-law on her other side. Gennosuke tumbled by, knocked out of the fight, Casey and Angel not far behind. "It does them well to practice against such a variety of fighting styles. In the meantime, tell me more of your training, my dear."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAhmya turned to kneel before him and gave Splinter a full accounting of the training her father had provided from knife play to hand to hand to her specialty, archery. He sat and thought a moment, stroking his beard. "I see no difficulty in expanding your skills. I would include lessons in stealth and how to detect a ninja." A sly smile stole across his muzzle, "I would greatly enjoy seeing you catch Leonardo by surprise someday." Splinter didn't even flinch as Leatherhead rolled down the hill behind him, April, Michelangelo and Raphael tackling the giant out of bounds. Only Leonardo and Usagi remained./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe young kame lost awareness of anything else as she watched the two master swordsmen engage. Without any other combatants on the field, they were able to fully focus on each other. Both armed with dual blades, they clashed. Neither was inclined to stand and brute force through their enemy, as the kame Ahmya was familiar with would; dodging, leaping and rolling about each other, their swords caught, then slid, sending up sparks. One by one, samurai and ninja manged to slowly disarm their opponent then ended up grappling in the high grass. "Enough!" Splinter barked, bracing against his cane to stand. He sounded as if this was a fight he'd broken up more than once./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAhmya aided Donatello to his feet and over to the group gathering around the last fighters standing. Master Splinter looked about at them, satisfied smile in place. "Well done, all of you. Now rest, there will be no further training until we have taken the castle. I do not wish to risk accidental injury. Make your final preparations, we will begin tomorrow evening." Once they all bowed, the nezumi nodded and walked back towards the main Hamato tent, likely to take his own advice and style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAhmya found the rest of her day consumed by following Leonardo around the camp and helping him prepare for the upcoming assault. All weapons, equipment and supplies were double and triple checked to ensure they were ready. She and her husband helped to pull some unusual wooden crates out of a tarped wagon for an excitedly chattering Donatello and April. Their back and forth seemed like it should make sense but was another language for all Ahmya could discern./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAt sunset the clan gathered again by their personal tents for supper. As promised, the small family celebrated their brother's wedding and welcomed their new sister with stories, gifts and Michelangelo's aforementioned pizza. Before her sat a plate of what looked like a fresh flat bread topped with a delicious smelling combination of ingredients. Taking her cue from the others she picked up a slice by hand and bit into an entire new world of flavors. Eyes wide, she snapped around to stare at her husband, still chewing. Leonardo laughed, leaning over the table, delighted at her reaction. "Don't worry," he chuckled, "this family loves pizza. You'll be getting it at least once week."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanStruggling to regain proper decorum, she ate the rest of her pizza, resolutely not wiggling in her seat like a happy hatchling. They all insisted on watching the pair open their presents after, wanting to see the couple's reactions. All told they were given a collection of warm winter clothing like nothing she'd ever seen, em(we're going to be living on top of a mountain after all),/em and small, easily concealed armaments courtesy of the middle Hamato brothers. "You're in a ninja clan, bein' a walkin' arsenal is mandatory." Raphael had muttered half-jokingly./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThen, some of those mysterious crates were brought out, those gathered around laughing slightly maniacally. "Husband?" Ahmya asked from her seat, not at all sure what was going on./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLeonardo huffed in amusement. "Fireworks, with a side of deception. Everyone in this family loves explosions a little too much, so we set off fireworks any time we have an excuse." He held out a calloused hand then lead her over to the crates. "As for the deception…" He pulled one open, revealing small black machines of some sort. "These are arial drones." Carefully picking one up, her husband held it out for her to examine. "You'll really see what they can do later, but for right now, they can fly and let us see what's going on below them. We're going to release them tonight, among the fireworks, to fly over to Geto and give us a bird's eye view of what's going on there. We'll also use them to help coordinate our troops during the attack."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanemNo./em She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Pointing at the device, "These. Can fly."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanSmug, he just smiled and nodded./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"That, you have to prove."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanBarking out a laugh, Leonardo called out. "You heard the lady. Let's get this show on the road boys!" With a cheer, the others started igniting series fireworks they'd been busily setting up in a pit of dirt. Cheery light show on the way, and they were really very nice, emI hope they warned Father in advance,/em April plucked the drone from Leonardo's hands to join Donatello and Leatherhead next to the blast zone. One at a time they did indeed launch the small machines with a high pitched whine, quickly zooming far out of sight./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMouth hanging open in astonishment, staring into the sky, Ahmya was absently tugged along by her chuckling husband to where Donatello sat on the ground. Cross legged, he held a flat device in his lap seeming to display multiple moving images. Glancing up, the purple clad ninja gestured for her to look closer. "Each drone has a rotatable camera on its underside so that we can see what it sees," he stated speaking to the group at large, "we also installed utrom power sources so they can stay in the air for up to a week. Additionally, we've given them communication relays so we'll string some of them out between here and Geto to maintain our connection."/p
p class="MsoNormal"emspan style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/em"You can spy on them without even leaving the camp…" Ahmya mused looking closer at the landscape zooming past in fourteen little boxes./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"That's the plan." Donatello replied, tone slightly tinged with sadness, reminding her that he wouldn't be able to join his brothers in the attack. The general's daughter had some of idea of what he was going through, after many years of watching her father and brothers go to war, wondering if they'd be coming home. She resolved to keep an eye on the wounded Hamato while his brothers were away./p
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p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe rest of the night's festivities passed without incident. If any okami spies were in the area, there was no way they detected the drones launching among the Hamato family's raucous firework display. Donatello knew they'd have no idea what the drones were, but they didn't want to put their enemy on alert any more than they already were./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHe laid awake in their tent, occasionally checking the drones' progress as they followed their preprogrammed route. He figured they ought to be in place by morning for a day of reconnaissance before his father and brothers departed tomorrow evening. They'd be night running ahead of the main force to get into position before their attack./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe engineer was shaken out of his musings by one of Raph's louder snores quickly followed by a snap from Splinter's tail reflexively smacking the disturbance. Their largest brother rolled away from the slap, his snores lessening with the better position. Donatello snorted at the familiar by play, feeling Mikey curl in tighter to Don's own side in response to all the movement. Wistfully he wondered how Leo was doing, echoes of their brother's journey to Japan lingering under the surface. Only this time, he wouldn't be coming back to the family bed anytime soon. At least the others would get to bunk down with him during their campaign on Geto./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanA wave of resentment rose up. emDamn you Bishop./em His recovery was progressing well, but he wouldn't be able to join his brothers and that was eating away at the bo wielder. He knew they weren't on course for that horrible future he'd seen, but he was still uneasy at being separated for so many reasons. He hadn't been without them since his rescue, still felt vulnerable and none of them had ever liked the others going into danger without all hands on deck./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanSetting the drones' control panel aside, safely out of the way, Donatello rolled onto his side, wrapping olive arms around Mike. emI'll just have to do my best as their eye in the sky. /emSmiling at Mikey snuffling under his chin, Don did his best to drift into much needed sleep. emHopefully in a couple days, we'll all be together again./em/p