"No way! Absolutely not!" Donatello bellowed once the family was safely behind closed doors. He turned on his eldest brother and grabbed him by the shoulders. "We can find somewhere else to go, you're not submitting to an arranged marriage because of me!"
"Donnie…" Leo tried to interject.
"No Leo, it's not worth it! There's a whole multiverse out there we can explore. We haven't even gone through all of the Daimyo's options yet! I'm not letting you do this to yourself." Exhausted by his outburst, Donatello sank into a cushioned chair with the help of their other two brothers.
Everyone fussed over the beleaguered turtle for a moment while poor Usagi stood off to the side looking a little lost. Purple clad turtle settled, Leo knelt in front of him, blue silk pooling around his knees. "Donnie, I know you guys think I'm always just looking for opportunities to throw myself on my swords for the family." The three younger brothers all studiously looked away. "I'm not, I'm really not guys." He put a hand on Donnie's knee. "Let's get the big thing out of the way first. Would an arranged marriage be my first choice? No. But is it a bad thing? Not necessarily. Now hold up," he stopped them as they moved to interrupt, "she might be perfectly nice, and we could end up being happy with each other." Don had to acknowledge that was true.
"Usagi," Leo turned to his friend, "do you know what the General's reasoning is for wanting me to marry his daughter?" The rabbit stepped forward cautiously. "I was not present, but I can make some guesses based on past experience with him." He took a breath, "General Mokuzai knows only the ninja of this world and I doubt he is happy about Lord Noriyuki placing an entire clan of them at his doorstep. He likely hopes that forming a marriage alliance will reduce the chances of betrayal or attack." The ronin stopped for a moment, "Also, if you mistreat his daughter, it would give him an excuse to 'rescue' her, and remove your clan in the process."
Great, so if she's a diva, we'll have a living time bomb in our midst. Don mused sullenly, Or… a hostage if we see him coming. Usagi continued, "Remember too that the mountains were included in the allotment awarded to the General for his service. Even though he hasn't been able to control them, he still sees those lands as his. Having his daughter marry your Chunin means that Leonardo's heirs," Leo blushed violently, "would also be of Mokuzai blood and maintain his clan's claim to the territory."
Their blue clad brother wrestled his own reaction back under control, "From the point of view of this world, is this all reasonable Usagi?"
"Absolutely. In fact, if you refuse, the General will be deeply insulted, as if you do not consider his clan worthy of an alliance; and Lord Noriyuki will lose face in front of his court." Not to mention discredit Usagi for vouching for us. Donnie knew the rest of his family understood that unspoken truth too.
"Then we wouldn't just be turning down an offer, we'd be burning a bridge, permanently." Leo followed up. "We likely wouldn't even really be able to come back, so if we're going to turn this down, we have to be completely sure. And we might never have such a good opportunity again."
The leaf green turtle turned to their father quickly and took the scroll from his hands. "Guys, look at this." Calloused fingers rolled the parchment out in Don's lap for them all. "What do you see when you look at this?"
"Ah lotta work." Raph.
"It's really pretty." Mikey.
"A fortress." Donnie himself.
"I see a home. A place where we can live and build a real clan." Leo paused and pulled off his mask. Naked eyes entranced his family. "All my life I've known one thing, that we would end." They shuffled uncomfortably, exchanging troubled looks. "At first it was us five, someday it would be just four." Splinter lowered his head sadly. "And then what? We gradually peter out? One of us eventually left on his own? My heart broke for whoever was going to be last." Leo heaved a shuddering breath.
"Then we met April, and Casey, and Leatherhead. We had friends, close enough to be called family. Whoever was last wouldn't be alone. We've made a difference, we've SAVED THE WORLD. We've mattered in ways I never thought we actually could; and I was willing to take that as enough."
Their leader placed his hands over Don's shaking own, wrapped around the edges of the scroll. "But this? We could actually build something that LASTS. Families, guys, all our own. Even if we can't … have kids… with the locals, we could still adopt. We can train others and when we're gone? There will still be a Hamato clan."
There it was. Leo's holy grail. A safe, secure, enduring family; the more the better, because at his core, Hamato Leonardo was a family man. He really doesn't see this as a noble sacrifice, does he? In his mind it's taking a risk for the ultimate reward. Their brother's nearly black eyes were fixated on the castle blueprint now, seeing all its potential. After all Leo's given up for us, can we really deny him this? Especially if he's the one paying for it? Don looked up and saw the same thoughts on the faces of Raphael and Michelangelo. It was Mike that was brave enough to speak.
"Are you sure bro? If we do this, there's really no going back."
Leo looked up. "I'm willing if you guys are." They all turned to Splinter.
Mokuzai idly scratched his black chin while the orange neko next to him kept prattling on about how disgraceful it was that their Lord was taking in a ninja clan. False sympathy rolled over him, unheard, as he continued to consider all he'd learned about his prospective son in law and the young man's family. As kame went, they were unimpressive in appearance.
Lord Noriyuki's favoured ronin assured them that the Hamato brothers were adults, in their early twenties if Mokuzai remembered correctly, but they looked like young adolescents. I suppose the one in red is a little more intimidating. That one had sufficient bulk to give an opponent pause on the battlefield. But their scales are so… smooth. They had an almost feminine look, despite their clearly male builds.
The golden eyed general was impressed, though, by their loyalty to clan. They had kept a close formation around their wounded brother from the moment they'd arrived, according to the escorts that had rode in with them, and he'd seen it for himself in court. The fact that they were willing to abandon their established home, taking a risk in an entire new world, rather than relocate him and just visit also spoke volumes. If they came to see the Mokuzai Clan as family through his daughter, then he might end up with an able ally and be in good position with a clan favoured by their mutual Lord.
If only they weren't ninja. .. And raised by a nezumi. Both were notoriously untrustworthy. Oh, Usagi had assured them that both Master Splinter and his clan were honourable, but he could have been fooled. Though there was the matter of the Ultimate Daimyo throwing HIS support behind them as well. These things were the only reason that Mokuzai had been willing to even entertain this entire mess, despite the cost of lands he was owed. (Never managed to take himself.)
If they did take the castle, it would provide relief from the raids they had to be on constant guard against, as well as a buffer between his own people, and the outsider clans. Ultimately, the potential benefits outweighed the risks.
"And to give them your lands. I'm so sorry General. Your many years of loyal service deserve more consideration."
"Hmm?" Oh, he's still talking? "Yes, well, maybe the ninja will have more success driving out the okami; samurai didn't work. I've never been able to use those lands anyway." Mokuzai waved off the fake concern from … what IS his name?
The two Hamato leaders walking back in saved him from having to try to fish for the sycophant's name. Straightening up, he was able to meet Leonardo's dark eyes and the boy nodded in acknowledgement. Once Lord Noriyuki finished his current business, he waved the ninja forward.
They bowed and the father began to speak. "Lord Noriyuki, please forgive my other sons for remaining behind. Donatello was quite fatigued by our journey here." The nezumi paused, then, "Your offer is most generous and as a clan we have decided to accept."
There went his small hope that they would reject it and leave.
Lord Noriyuki was beaming. "Excellent! We can meet tonight after dinner to go over the details. In the meantime, do you require anything? Perhaps a healer to attend to Donatello-San?"
"Thank you, My Lord, but we require nothing at the moment. The Daimyo's healer already treated him. Truly all my son needs is rest." Splinter bowed again and walked to the seat their new Lord gestured the two ninja to take. For the rest of the day's court session, Mokuzai observed them while they carefully did the same as various Clan Heads and petitioners came to seek the young panda's directions. He did note that Leonardo seemed unused to his fine garb, constantly fiddling with it and rubbing the silk between his fingers. Eventually, they retired for the day, heading for the Lord's table where supper had been set out for his court.
The rest of the Hamatos joined them for the flavourful meal. Throughout, Itsuki maintained his watch of the newcomers. At least they had decent table manners; but they kept largely to themselves. Except the ronin. In fact, his future son in law spent much of dinner deep in conversation with Usagi. Perhaps a private meeting with Noriyuki's favoured warrior was in order.
Final course concluded, Lord Noriyuki excused himself from the table and his guests began to mingle more freely while enjoying his wine. Mokuzai was just selecting a candy from the tray left out when a servant strode up to him. "General, Lord Noriyuki wishes to see you in his study." The rough old soldier nodded, snagged his chosen treat and started to make his way down the cedar panelled corridor. Part way down he heard people behind him. Glancing back he saw the Hamato Clan being led along by another servant. Facing forward again, he popped the candied ginger in his mouth.
Making one last turn, they all entered the young panda's private study, where he sat ready at a large table, many scrolls and sheets piled off to one side. Noriyuki stood, "I hope you all enjoyed dinner. I thought perhaps, now that the agreement is made, we should go over some of the particulars." The small clan ushered their purple brother onto a cushion first and then everyone gradually took their own seats, though Itsuki noted a heavy stare from the injured Hamato.
"Master Splinter, the scroll please?" Noriyuki held out a hand while the old nezumi passed it over. "Geto Castle, built by my Great-Grandfather to guard a passage to the Outlands." He spread the scroll out for everyone to look at again. Mokuzai didn't bother, he'd memorized everything they had on the fortress years ago. The young lord continued, "It was controlled by a saru clan until the okami came and captured the castle." He started pointing out certain features of the structure and its surroundings. "The castle itself is built high in the peaks right on the edge of the river's gorge. The only approach on that side is the bridge across the gorge. On this side," he said pointing to the tablelands, "the castle was accessed by a road up the side of the mountain." His finger traced up the path's multiple switchbacks. "At the three steepest points, there are gates guarding the way up and a final gate at the castle entrance. Given the mountain is sheer cliffs on all sides, the path is the only way up."
The red Hamato smirked a bit, "Unless you're a ninja."
Mokuzai huffed. "Indeed."
The green kame all gave him the side eye for a bit, then Leonardo turned back to Noriyuki. "How did the okami take the castle in the first place?"
The panda frowned deeply. "In truth, we don't know." The General felt an echoing annoyance at that little fact. "Thirty years ago a contingent of soldiers arrived for a routine rotation of the castle forces, but when they reached the first gate, they were attacked by okami and driven off. None of our people ever escaped to tell us what happened." That grim truth hung over the table. "They've been making periodic raids on our lands ever since."
The injured kame spoke up, craning his neck to better view the scroll. "Do you have any diagrams of the castle? Actual layouts we could study? They might've made some alterations in the last thirty years, but a general idea would help."
"The original plans are in our archives. I'll have them and our records regarding Geto taken to your chambers. Please, if there's anything you need just ask and my servants will provide it." Noriyuki replied, then dismissed the late meeting.
Mokuzai followed his future in-laws out into the hall, thoughtfully watching as they aided their injured brother along. He raised an eye ridge as Leonardo whispered to his brother in red, gave the purple one a pat on the shell then turned to Itsuki himself. "General, may I have a moment?"
The elder kame nodded and stepped aside to meet Leonardo next to the wall while the younger's family continued off, presumably to their chambers. The ninja took a deep breath, then began, "Firstly, I wanted to thank you for be willing to make room for our family. I know this world has a low opinion of ninja, but we appreciate the chance to prove that we're different."
"You have some powerful and honourable people vouching for you." The golden backed kame replied, tucking his thumbs into his black obi.
"Still," Leonardo said, "thank you. I also wanted to ask you," he began to blush slightly at this point, "since your daughter and I are to … be married, would you mind if I wrote to her? So that we can get to know each other at least a little beforehand?"
The general could feel a slight smile on his beak. There may be something to this boy. "Good idea. I'm sure Ahmya would welcome that. I'm heading back in two days. Get your letter to me before then and I'll pass it along."
"I'll have it for you tomorrow. Thank you again Sir." The younger bowed and headed off after his family. There may be something here indeed.
"This is a most unusual weapon." Usagi commented, carefully examining the metal work in his hands. Four days after the meeting with Noriyuki, Leo, Raph and Usagi had returned to the Lair to begin gathering weapons and materials for their campaign to capture Geto Castle.
Leonardo looked up from where he was packing the family arsenal. "Oh, that's a Chinese hook sword. April picked that out for us from a lot of antiques she was going through." He looked about, "It has a twin somewhere around here. Raph might've taken it to the forge for repairs."
"You must show me how they are used sometime." The samurai mused as he resumed helping his friend in the Hamato clan dojo.
Their human sister had graciously provided crates and packing material so that their vast collection of weapons could be safely transported to Seiiki while they prepared for their assault. Swords, spears, knives and projectiles were carefully stored. Eventually the two warriors decided to take a break and made their way out to the kitchen, Leo sending a quick text to Raphael about the missing weapon.
They were just sitting down to a beer when they heard the Lair's main door opening. Leo half stood then relaxed as he saw the Jones walk in with boxes in their arms. "Hey April, Casey! We're over here." He called to the couple, fully standing to get each of them a drink.
Boxes deposited, they joined the others in the kitchen each gratefully accepting a bottle after their long work days. "Thanks Leo. I'll get to packing up the stuff Don asked for after I sit for a minute. I've been on my feet all day."
The turtle smiled. "No hurry April. I'm just glad I don't have to do it. I have no idea what half the stuff on that list is and I'm sure I'd break a bunch of it trying to disconnect things." Everyone chuckled a little, knowing that was absolutely true. After they had chatted for a while, Raphael wandered in as well, washing his hands before grabbing a beer for himself. Plunking down next to Casey, the two best friends were soon deep in conversation about the projects Raph was working hard to complete in his forge so that he could begin tearing it down to move.
At a lull in the chat, April grabbed Casey's hand to get his attention. After sharing a look, he nodded and April visibly braced herself. "We actually wanted to talk to you guys about something."
"You're pregnant." Raph chucked out, mumbling around his long-neck.
Casey tried to smack him upside the head while the chuckling ninja dodged, the others shaking their heads while smiling. "No Raph," the long-suffering April answered, "we aren't pregnant. Though we have made a major decision."
She turned to Leonardo, "We've been talking; with each other, with Angel, Mrs Morrison, Casey's Mom, we've all agreed on one thing; our lives are better with you guys in them. So, if you're ok with it," the red head paused, "we'd like to come with you."
The two turtles were stunned. Usagi just smiled as he took a swig of his beer, clearly amused.
Leonardo was the first to recover enough to reply. "April… that's….. I mean of course we would love to have ALL of you with us, but…" He reached forward and clasped her hand in both of his. "Are you sure? You'd be giving up so much."
His sister smiled, turning her hand to wrap around one of his thumbs. "Leo, none of us would even have each other if it wasn't for you guys." She sighed. "Like I said, we've been talking and honestly we'd be giving up more NOT going with you. Mrs Morrison doesn't have any family left, other than Sid, Casey is all his Mom really has. Don't get me started on Angel's situation."
Leo winced, thinking of her deceased grandmother, neglectful/opportunistic relatives and her brother, who while loving, just COULD NOT seem to stay out of trouble. Ryan, currently in jail from his latest get rich quick scheme, was constantly pressuring his younger sister to help him financially, though she was barely getting by herself.
"But.. your sister."
April closed her eyes, then opened them to lock with his. "I love Robin, but… we haven't been close in a very long time. She hates the 'weirdness' in our family and has also been very vocal about me giving up my career to take over the shop. Besides, it's not like we can't come back to visit her or Casey's cousin from time to time." Taking her other hand from her husband to reach across the table to where Raph met her with his own; she continued, "You guys are immediate family, to all of us, and we've agreed that we want this. So, is there room in the Hamato clan for a few humans?"
Raph huffed. "You were already innit."
Leonardo nodded and squeezed her hand. "Absolutely, and if you're sure, I can't see Master Splinter saying no." He swallowed to clear his tight throat. No, his eyes weren't watering at all thank you. "Besides, Lucy would really miss Raph otherwise."
Said turtle snorted a chuckle. "Klunk can finally getta girlfriend." Thinking of Mrs M's silky white cat.
"With where we're goin', maybe YOU can finally getta girlfriend Raphie." Casey tossed in his two cents, making his best friend freeze, the gears turning behind amber eyes while he processed new possibilities.
"Huh. Maybe I will." He smirked. "Won't make 'er wait as long as YOU would." The emerald turtle then apparently chose to take the heat off himself by throwing his older brother under the bus. "Leo beat me to it though."
Leonardo vowed to devise the most tortuous of training exercises in revenge when the humans suddenly fixated on him.
"Leeoooo? What's he talking about?" April asked, her tone reminding him that his sister could be a dangerous creature in her own right.
Taking a fortifying swig of his beer, Leo began, "So, there were some conditions to being granted residence in Seiiki."
"Yeah, you gotta take the castle from those okami guys." Casey said, one eyebrow crawling up his forehead.
"There was one more condition." Their chunin winced, wondering how he was going to get out of this without April murdering him. Raphael decided to back the bus over him again. "He's gotta marry the daughter of the guy who's territory the castle's in."
"Marry?!" April shrieked, her nails actually managing to dig into the scales of Leonardo's arm. She breaks them ALL THE TIME, how?! Leo did his best to maintain his composure. "Ah, yes. General Mokuzai required me to marry his daughter in return for us getting part of his territory. It's not what I would prefer, obviously, but we could be good together. Honestly, I think it's worth the risk. Please, April, I already had this out with my brothers." He knew that she'd be talking to them about it later. He tried to divert her a little. "I wrote Ahmya a letter to introduce myself before I left; hopefully there'll be one from her when I get back."
"And when were you planning on telling US about this?" April asked pointedly.
"Definitely in time to invite you?" the young ninja squirmed at her deeply disapproving glare. "It's all just happened so fast, I'm still wrapping my head around it."
She leaned back, crossing her arms. "Uh huh. And how does she feel about all this?"
And there was a point that Leo had been studiously ignoring. He at least had a choice, Ahmya had none. No choice but to marry a ninja she didn't even know and have to leave her home for a drafty mountain castle in who knows what condition. Leo looked down to the side, unable to offer an answer.
April seemed to notice that she'd struck a nerve, her hand returning to his arm much more softly. "Leo?"
Usagi chose to jump in. "In fairness, given her position, the lady likely would have never had much say in her marriage." Everyone's eyes finally moved away from Leonardo. "Some in Seiiki marry for love, some for security, but the General is of high enough social rank now that his children have thus far married for politics." The rabbit picked at a flaw in the tablecloth. "His eldest son married the daughter of another clan head; his second son, the daughter of a very influential merchant. The lady's elder sister was given to a man who proved himself in the General's army." Usagi met Leo's gradually rising eyes. "I'm certain she wasn't expecting marriage to a ninja, but as the wife of a chunin she will have a secure position; and I have no doubt that she will find she has actually gotten an excellent husband in you, my friend."
The blue clad turtle smiled softly, slightly reassured by the ronin's words. "Thanks Usagi. I hope so."
"And if there's anything we can do to help," April added, her voice significantly kinder, "please just let us know."
Leo thought for a moment, "Well…"
A few hours later, April leaned back from Donatello's computer. "It should be ready in about a week."
"Thanks April." Leo stood, gingerly, letting his legs get used to increased bloodflow. "I wouldn't have had any idea of what to get, myself."
She smiled, "No problem Leo, now, let's get to Don's list."
Slowly, the two began carefully packing up materials and gadgets that Donatello had requested; Leo sticking close to April's directions. "Actually," she began, "before we got distracted by the whole ARRANGED MARRIAGE thing," the young ninja flushed again, "there was more Casey and I wanted to tell you."
"Oh?" he asked, trying not to pull loose anything he shouldn't in a mess of wires. How does he keep track of this?
"Yeah, I may have been a bit presumptuous." The redhead winced, then plowed on. "Once we decided we wanted to go with you, I approached the Guardians."
That stopped Leo in his tracks. "The Guardians? Why?" The Utroms' Guardians had been left behind when the little aliens returned to their home world. Rewarded with control of all the Utroms' earthly possessions, the former soldiers had settled down into a well-deserved retirement.
"None of us wanted to deal with trying to sell our properties etc while getting settled with you guys in a new world," April explained, "so I approached them and asked if they could take care of it for us, then we could use the proceeds to buy supplies next time we visit; minus a transaction fee for them of course."
Leonardo took a moment. "Ok. What did they say?"
"They thought I was crazy for offering a transaction fee." She smirked. "They counter-offered to buy the properties off us outright and resell them later. They've also apparently decided that you guys are owed survivor's benefits as the closest thing to descendants of Hamato Yoshi."
Leo blinked. "Huh."
A mischievous grin expanded across her face. "If you're surprised by that, brace yourself." She turned and cocked a hip. "After finding out where you came from, and treating Splinter, the Utroms got curious. They couldn't figure out how a plain old rat learned ninjitsu watching a human." We've all wondered that, went unspoken. "So they compared the DNA sample they took when treating him to their records. Turns out they lost some lab rats from their Osaka lab years ago, guess where Splinter came from?"
Leonardo flopped into Don's pillow nest. "You're kidding."
April laughed. "Nope. Anyway, given that you were all altered/produced by the Utroms, they've decided that you, and Leatherhead, are all owed compensation; I'm calling it back due child support. They set up tabs for all of you. If you want to buy something, I'm sending them the bill for your order by the way, they'll pay for it and subtract it from your tab. About time if you ask me."
One thought forced itself to the front. "Don's gonna lose his mind."
"Right?!" she exclaimed, "He can finally buy NEW materials. I wanted to tell you guys now, so that he can account for that in his planning."
"He was talking about surveillance drones, but wasn't sure how he would scavenge the materials if he couldn't see them for himself." Leo covered his mouth, trying to contain the little happy sob that wanted to escape. "Now he can just buy it and build them. Unless," he stopped, "we don't want to deplete the tab too fast."
April just laughed. "I wouldn't worry about that. It's pretty substantial, and they've got some brokers investing part of it to make sure that it keeps growing for you guys. They may be slow about it, but once they decide to reward or provide for someone, they go whole hog." She paused, "I can't wait to see what Don can do with proper resources. This is gonna be amazing."
Leonardo felt his face screwing up, and fought against the tears. "Leo?" His big sister was suddenly there, kneeling in front of him. "Leo? What's wrong?"
He took her hands quickly, snorting back a building snot bubble. "Nothing, nothing is wrong. I just…" He chewed his lower beak, "When all this started, with moving to Usagi's world, I pictured being allowed to settle on the edge of a village maybe, being sent out on missions for the Lord to earn our keep. At the most I hoped the locals would eventually accept us, but this…" His breath stuttered. "We're offered lands, financial support from the Daimyo and now the Guardians, you guys want to come with us…" He smiled through the tears now flowing down his face, "It kinda feels like Usagi said; all the times we fought for and protected others, it's coming back to us now."
"Oh Leo," she pulled him into a hug, "of course it is. You've earned it a hundred times over."