I own nothing. The characters and places are drawn from the 2003 Teenage Mutant Turtles cartoon and the Usagi Yojimbo comics. Therefore, please read and enjoy for free since I make no money from this. :)
Usagi and Gennosuke's stay in the Battle Nexus was shorter than the rhino ronin liked. The Bounty Hunter did manage to squeeze in a mid-day meal at the Daimyo's table, before Usagi got him back to their own world after some heart-felt words of gratitude to their large host. Gennosuke grumbled, but perhaps not as much as he might have had they not been on their way back to the home of yet another Daimyo.
Upon their return to his palace, Noriyuki wanted to hear how their visit to another world went. Usagi told him, managing to finish his tale before the evening meal despite occasional interruptions from Gennosuke who wanted to give more details. Usually, these additions involved what the food served by Leonardo's family and friends smelled and tasted like and what large portions they gave. The bounty hunter also mentioned the magical "vehicle" of iron that moved without anything visible causing it to do so and how much he wished he had understood the purple banded turtle's explanations about it so he could build and then sell such a thing in their own land. Noriyuki responded with "amazing" more than once. Tomoe Ame pursed her lips and raised her eyebrow throughout most of the tale. Usagi thought despite her having seen the Daimyo of the Battle Nexus come into her own Lord's home, she still doubted most of his and his friend's words now.
The next day was spent looking at maps of Noriyuki's lands and hearing various concerns from the young daimyo, his advisors, and Tomoe Ame about what may be happening or about to happen there. After the generalities had been agreed upon in the morning and early afternoon, Gennosuke made known to Usagi his wish to visit the city's best recommended gambling dens before they began a tour of the more rural and poor areas of Noriyuki's district. Usagi let him know he would not be going with him to bail him out of any financial losses or fights he might find himself in.
Gennosuke insisted that was fine. He could bail himself out of any trouble. Then he reminded his fellow ronin who had nearly gotten to the final round of the Battle Nexus tournament. Usagi shook his head and wished him good fortune. As much fortunate as you had in the tournament getting into that second to last round by lot after Leonardo and I dropped out in the very first due his being poisoned.
Those in charge of gambling dens do not like anyone taking up space in them without participating in the gambling, buying drinks, or causing others to enter and stay longer who will do one or both. Despite this, the dog wearing a katana slipped through the door and to a dark corner of the most famous such den in the city without being stopped. He stayed there hours without being approached.
Few noticed him as more than a little motion out of the corner of their field of vision as he walked by. Those who looked directly at him as he did, then quickly looked away. His own gaze and expression were iron despite his smooth swift strides. Perhaps if he's been in fine clothes many whose work it was to wheedle money out of the patrons would have mobbed him. Yet, despite the expensive looking sword he wore, he was dressed in a robe with holes and stains like one of the poorest of the peasants might wear.
His right hand rested on the hilt of the expensive sword comfortably. Once he turned to face the room, in the darkest corner of it, he set his feet firmly shoulder length apart. His cold gaze roamed around the room pausing on the tougher looking occupants before moving on seemingly unperturbed. These things kept those meant to make sure every visitor was profitable turn away from him as if he weren't there. After he reached his watching spot, it was almost like he wasn't. He bought no drink and played no games. He watched. No one noticed his eyes light up even if no face muscle twitched, when a rhino in a kimono entered the place.
Gennosuke both bought drinks and entered several games. When he had won more than he'd lost, the hound left his corner. Gen might have been excited, smug, and enjoying a glass of sake, but he still spun around to face the sword carrying dog before he'd gotten within two strides of his back. When his not yet blurred gaze rested upon the hound, however, he grinned. "Stray dog!"
The hound did not return the grin, but he did nod his head slightly. "Gennosuke."
"What brings you to this place?"
"Seeking you out."
"I'm flattered! You have a job you want my help with then?"
"I do. I thought we might go somewhere else to discuss it, though. It is rather noisy in here."
"Heh-heh!" Genosuke turned to the door and walked out the hound at his heels. He fully intended to return. This might have caused those scowling after him to be more relaxed if they knew his thoughts. Some tried to convince themselves they would have thrown the Dog out had they realized he'd not only fail to leave any coin behind but would cause one to leave who was throwing around large amounts of it. Stray Dog and Gennosuke were walking down silent streets in a neighborhood where the residents were used to minding their own business, when the rhino got tired of the silence. "So Stray Dog, who do you want help hunting?"
"I have learned of one warrior who has a bounty on his head higher than any group of thieves and murders we have ever collected on."
The rhino's ears went up. "One mark worth as much as a whole gang?"
Stray Dog nodded. "And more. It is somewhat understandable, though. He is supposed to be quite skilled and have a rather skilled companion with him usually. Otherwise, I'd go after him alone."
"Of course, you would! You won't eat a single rice grain more than it takes to stave off starvation. I'd never dream you'd include me in a job you thought you could do by yourself. I guess I'll help you with this one by taking care of this companion and let you handle get the real mark then?"
Stray Dog remained silent for three more steps the two took side by side. While taking his fourth he said, "You are the mark's usual companion."
Gennosuke put his foot down for that fourth step before freezing. Stray Dog took two more before turning back to look at him. Gennosuke's face resembled a thunderstorm. "Usagi? You want me to help you collect on Usagi?!"
Stray Dog took a step back toward him. "Does the bother you that much Gen? I did not think you let loyalty get in the way of business. You'd have collected on me long ago were it possible and profitable."
"Goodbye Dog." Gennosuke turned and strode away up the back street. He did not return to the gambling den, but doubled back and glanced around several times on the way back to the palace, where he then bribed a servant to sneak him in in an unconventional way pretending it was merely part of a prank he wanted to pull on Usagi.
Stray Dog, however, did not try to follow him. He stood staring after Gen long after the rhino was out of sight and sound of even his eyes and ears, though his fellow Bounty Hunter's smell lingered long in his nostrils. He simply stood as if Gen would return, apologize, and make a plan with him any moment.
He showed no signs of noticing the three forms shrouded in darkness sneaking up behind him ... until they were within sword-sweep distance. They barely had time to lean away. Instead of striking off their heads, he only cut their throats. Gurgles came from each as they fell and bled out into the muddy street making the ground slicker still.
The Hound stepped lightly around them moving their heads with the toe of his shoe and tip of his blade to better see their faces. Recognizing one from a poster, he lifted his sword to cut off the head completely. After doing so, he took it to the one who demanded it and collected the bounty. He went outside the city walls to bury most of the money he'd just made in a spot remarkable enough he'd recognize it later, but not so much so any without his precise purpose would be drawn to it. If the reward offered for Usagi was any less he'd have taken the small stash to where most of his money ended up and be done with his business trip. He still marveled his old partner had been so short with him. He thought Gennosuke might balk at his offer of teaming up to take the head of his latest companion, but not turn him down so quickly and so hard.
What do you think?
God bless
ScribeofHeroes