{ "submission_id": "949401", "keywords": [ { "keyword_id": "932", "keyword_name": "death", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "12376" }, { "keyword_id": "236", "keyword_name": "gay", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "150380" }, { "keyword_id": "165", "keyword_name": "male", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1201635" }, { "keyword_id": "186", "keyword_name": "rabbit", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "139511" }, { "keyword_id": "2966", "keyword_name": "rhinoceros", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1402" }, { "keyword_id": "18653", "keyword_name": "teenage mutant ninja turtles", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "6033" }, { "keyword_id": "3440", "keyword_name": "turtle", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "10046" }, { "keyword_id": "7291", "keyword_name": "usagi yojimbo", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "230" } ], "hidden": "f", "scraps": "f", "favorite": "f", "favorites_count": "8", "create_datetime": "2015-10-13 03:06:26.115875+00", "create_datetime_usertime": "13 Oct 2015 05:06 CEST", "last_file_update_datetime": "2015-10-13 03:05:02.474569+00", "last_file_update_datetime_usertime": "13 Oct 2015 05:05 CEST", "username": "SadoraNortica", "user_id": "167029", "user_icon_file_name": "55685_Applepye_shime302.gif", "user_icon_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/large/55/55685_Applepye_shime302.gif", "user_icon_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/medium/55/55685_Applepye_shime302.gif", "user_icon_url_small": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/small/55/55685_Applepye_shime302.gif", "file_name": "1299967_Applepye_travels_15.rtf", "file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/1299/1299967_Applepye_travels_15.rtf", "file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/1299/1299967_Applepye_travels_15.rtf", "file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/1299/1299967_Applepye_travels_15.rtf", "thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/1299/1299967_Applepye_travels_15.jpg", "thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/1299/1299967_Applepye_travels_15.jpg", "thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/1299/1299967_Applepye_travels_15.jpg", "thumb_huge_x": "200", "thumb_huge_y": "200", "thumb_large_x": "200", "thumb_large_y": "200", "thumb_medium_x": "120", "thumb_medium_y": "120", "files": [ { "file_id": "1299967", "file_name": "1299967_Applepye_travels_15.rtf", "file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/1299/1299967_Applepye_travels_15.rtf", "file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/1299/1299967_Applepye_travels_15.rtf", "file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/1299/1299967_Applepye_travels_15.rtf", "mimetype": "text/rtf", "submission_id": "949401", "user_id": "167029", "submission_file_order": "0", "full_size_x": null, "full_size_y": null, "screen_size_x": null, "screen_size_y": null, "preview_size_x": null, "preview_size_y": null, "initial_file_md5": "323738ef834bffc7fb05594db3388df7", "full_file_md5": "323738ef834bffc7fb05594db3388df7", "large_file_md5": "", "small_file_md5": "", "thumbnail_md5": "792ef339a4f725e0fb71dd2078e911af", "deleted": "f", "create_datetime": "2015-10-13 03:05:02.474569+00", "create_datetime_usertime": "13 Oct 2015 05:05 CEST", "thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/1299/1299967_Applepye_travels_15.jpg", "thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/1299/1299967_Applepye_travels_15.jpg", "thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/1299/1299967_Applepye_travels_15.jpg", "thumb_huge_x": "200", "thumb_huge_y": "200", "thumb_large_x": "200", "thumb_large_y": "200", "thumb_medium_x": "120", "thumb_medium_y": "120" } ], "pools": [ { "pool_id": "28042", "name": "Travels", "description": "Usagi and Leo travel through Usagi's world. ", "count": "23", "submission_left_submission_id": "933259", "submission_left_file_name": "1276644_Applepye_travels_14.rtf", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/1276/1276644_Applepye_travels_14.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/1276/1276644_Applepye_travels_14.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/1276/1276644_Applepye_travels_14.jpg", "submission_left_thumb_huge_x": "200", "submission_left_thumb_huge_y": "186", "submission_left_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_left_thumb_large_y": "186", "submission_left_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_left_thumb_medium_y": "112", "submission_right_submission_id": "952112", "submission_right_file_name": "1303871_Applepye_travels_16.rtf", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/1303/1303871_Applepye_travels_16.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/1303/1303871_Applepye_travels_16.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/1303/1303871_Applepye_travels_16.jpg", "submission_right_thumb_huge_x": "200", "submission_right_thumb_huge_y": "168", "submission_right_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_right_thumb_large_y": "168", "submission_right_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_right_thumb_medium_y": "101" } ], "description": "", "description_bbcode_parsed": "", "writing": "Leonardo hugged Umō and Kuroko tightly. “You two listen to Kitsune. She is going to take care of you until I return.” They had made it to the small village where they were going to leave Kitsune with the children while the three fighters went after Saito. It would be relatively safe for them here and Kitsune had enough money to keep them in an inn for as long as the others were gone. \n\n“Please, make sure you come back,” Kuroko pleaded. Life would be hard if not short for the young turtle without Leonardo taking him in. It was understandable why he was so scared. \n\n“I will,” Leo soothed. “I have faced worse than what we will be going up against, and won. I will be able to survive this.” He gave the children one last squeeze before standing up. “The three of us will keep each other safe.”\n\nUsagi said his goodbyes to Jotaro and, like Leo, was also reassuring his son. Being that Usagi was the last family Jotaro had, the parting was just as frightening for him. The three children had all lost so much already. It would be hard for them to handle any more. \n\nNothing was worse than long, drawn out goodbyes that were full of tears. The longer they waited to leave the harder it would be. So they kept it short. Gen led the way with Usagi and Leo following behind. \n\nThe town that Saito had taken over was another day’s walk away. According to Gen, they should reach the town by night fall. Leonardo couldn’t help but smile. He was in his element in the dark. \n\nGen had taken them down one of his infamous shortcuts. Usagi was mumbling something about Gen’s shortcuts tending to be treacherous and as a result taking longer as they shimmied along a narrow path on the side of a cliff. The edge was a sheer drop of several feet. Even after years of running and jumping across the tops of buildings, Leo was suddenly feeling a resurgence of his fear of heights. \n\nBut, he wasn’t about to let his fear show. He couldn’t. Gen would never let him live it down. Or worse, Gen would tell him to go back to the other town to watch the kids with Kitsune. No. He could do this. \n\n“If I die from your shortcut, I will haunt you for the rest of your life,” Usagi stated dryly. \n\nGen snorted out a laugh, “Fair enough.”\n\n“Would you really want to subject yourself to that kind of torture in the afterlife, Usagi?” Leo quipped, earning himself a hearty laugh from his friend. \n\nGen glared back a Leo but didn’t respond directly. Instead he said to Usagi, “So you took Leonardo as a student? It is good of you to agree to teach him the superior fighting techniques of the samurai.” A sly smile spread across his face. “I hope you are getting something good out of the deal to make it worth it.” \n\nLeonardo felt himself flush and he was about to retort but a look from Usagi kept him from saying anything. “I find that teaching Leonardo to be quite rewarding and I have learned from him as well,” Usagi stated calmly. \n\n“There are quite a few benefits for Usagi,” Leo stated as a matter of fact. “I have shown him a few techniques used by ninja. Knowing how a potential enemy fights is a good way to prepare. It is less likely that he will be taken by surprise in the future. Though there are some techniques that are similar, it is actually kind of fun to learn the ones that are different. Fortunately the transition into the different fighting style has been relatively easy.”\n\nThe conversation had distracted Leo from his fears and he was able to walk along the path without thinking about the danger. When they were finally off the path and on solid ground, Leo was relieved and secretly hoped that Usagi would insist on a different route back. \n\nThe light banter continued as they walked but died off when they got closer to the village. The sun was just starting to sink below the horizon and Leo felt himself slip into ninja mode. It took all that he had not to take up the lead. Gen and Usagi would not appreciate if he had. It was their world, it was Gen’s job. Gen would take the lead. \n\n“We need to get in without anyone knowing,” Gen stated. He looked at Leo. “Do you think you could sneak your way in there? See what’s going on?”\n\nLeo nodded. “That wouldn’t be a problem.”\n\n“Be careful,” Usagi warned, holding Leo back. “Lord Hikiji has ninja in his employ.”\n\n“I will,” Leo assured him and then dashed off for the shadows. \n\nGhosting over the wall, Leo never made a sound. He came within striking distance of several people but remained unseen. Torch light was weak and provided more than enough cover from him to move through the town. He came upon a heavily guarded building and he knew where he needed to go. \n\nDistracting the guards, Leo slipped past them to get inside. This was definitely the building he needed. Crates were piled high along the walls and a man he believed to be Saito was standing among them, talking to one of his men. Moving closer, Leo listened in on the conversation. \n\n“Lord Hebi will be here within the week to check on our progress. Things better be in order when he does or I will have your head.”\n\nLeo had heard enough. He knew where the weapons were and that Saito was indeed working with Lord Hebi. After a quick run through the village, he came up with how he was going to get Gen and Usagi inside. It wasn’t a well-fortified village by any stretch of the imagination, even with the armed guards. \n\nHe made his way back over the wall. Usagi and Gen were standing nearby in a cluster of trees. He was sure that it was their attempt at hiding but to a trained ninja they were easy to spot. He emerged from the shadows next to Gen. “I found a way in.” \n\nSurprised, Gen and Usagi drew their swords but Leo had moved to stand next to Usagi. He had to fight to hide the smile that threatened his lips. “Sorry,” Leo whispered. “I had forgotten that you are not used to my approach.”\n\n“A stunt like that could have gotten you killed,” Gen warned. “You’re lucky that I realized that it was you and stayed my sword.” \n\n“Follow me,” Leo said, ignoring Gen’s warning. \n\nHe led them to where he knew that they could go over the wall with some noise without being heard. Usagi might have been able to manage a quiet landing but there was no way Gen would have been able to. Not with his size and… lack of grace. \n\nOnce over the wall, Leo led them through the village. He didn’t dare get them as close to anyone as he had when he was on his own. It took them longer but he eventually got them to the heavily guarded building. They were crouched down in the shadows as they decided their next step. \n\n“I hate all of this sneaking around,” Gen complained. \n\n“It’s better than rushing in without knowing what we are up against,” Usagi countered. “That building is guarded by ten men and most likely more inside.”\n\n“I counted twenty five in all guarding the building and the village, keeping the villagers in,” Leo confirmed with a nod of his head. “That’s including the ninja I spotted hiding in the rafters. He looked feline.”\n\n“A Neko Ninja,” Usagi said. “They work for Hikiji.”\n\n“So what do we do?” Leo wanted to know. \n\n“What I was hired to do,” Gen stated with a grunt. “I cut Saito’s head off and deliver it to Lord Kazu. With him gone the villagers will be free to report what has been going on to the Shogun.”\n\n“Very well,” Usagi nodded and then indicated with his hand for Gen to lead the way. “This is your bounty.”\n\n“Wait.” Leo held up his hand. “We’re not alone.”\n\nGen turned to look at him. “I don’t hear any….”\n\nBefore Gen could finish speaking, Leonardo leapt forward and pushed Gen to the ground. The dart that was meant for Gen struck the ground next to Gen’s head. “Move, Usagi,” Leo hissed. Usagi jumped out of the way in time for a second dart to hit the spot he had just been occupying. Leonardo was on his feet and chasing after the assailant before Gen could gather his thoughts. \n\nHe knew there was just one of them and he had to keep him from getting to his master with the news of what was going on. As Leo chased the ninja, Saito exited the building. “I’m off to bed,” he told the guard. \n\nDespite the overwhelming odds, Gen made his move. Leo had to admit that, for his large size, Gen was fast. He was a fierce fighter and, with Usagi, started to dispatch the guards. Once again, Leo was reminded that in this world it was either kill or be killed. An enemy was not allowed to live. So instead of wasting time chasing the other ninja, Leo ended it with a well-aimed dagger. \n\nIt didn’t hit exactly where he wanted it to. No matter how hard he tried, Leo knew he would not be as good as Raph when it came to hitting a target. He would never admit it to Raph’s face though. \n\nWhen Leo returned to the others he drew his swords and joined in the fight. These weren’t seasoned warriors but poorly trained thugs relying on their numbers to compensate for their lack of skill. He loathed the idea of killing but did what needed to be done. He didn’t think about what had led them to this moment or that they had families. He tried not to look in their eyes as the life drained out of them. \n\nSaito tried to run in the confusion of the battle but Gen wasn’t going to let him get away. There was too much money attached to that head. Most of the guards were already dead so it was easy for Gen to break away and give chase. Saito didn’t get very far before Gen caught up to him so he turned to face Gen. Their swords clashed as Gen lunged into his attack. \n\nOnce the last of the guards was dead, Usagi and Leo stood back to watch the fight, ready to step in if needed. But it was not necessary. Saito was a great fighter but Gen was better. There was a reason he was invited to participate in the Nexus Tournament. \n\nGen managed to cut Saito across his stomach, deep enough to bleed but not be eviscerated. With a cry of pain, Saito dropped to his knees. As he was hunched over Gen took his chance and beheaded him. \n\nA crowd of people had gathered to watch and several of them gasped at the sight. Gen lifted the severed head from the ground and turned to one of the villagers. “I need some salt and a bag to put this in.” The villager nodded and hurried off to get the requested items. Gen then turned to another. “Send a messenger to the Shogun to let him know what had happened here. I will take the head to your Daimio.” Dumbfounded, the villager could only nod in response. \n\nAs Gen conducted his business, Leo and Usagi decided to check out the supply of weapons. There were several crates full of various weapons but Leo was glad to see that none of them were explosive in nature. If this world was like his, Leo knew that the moment guns were introduced, Usagi’s way of life would quickly be over. \n\nGen joined them in the building. “The villagers are going to load the weapons up in carts and take them to one of the other villages. They don’t want to be here when Lord Hebi shows up.”\n\n“I don’t blame them,” Usagi replied. “I have no desire to be here either.”\n\n“Then let’s get out of here,” Gen said, heading for the door. “I got what I came for. None of this,” he waved his hand at the crates, “is any of my concern.”\n\nWith the severed head packed in salt, they headed out of the village to meet back up with Kitsune and the children. As they walked down the path Gen looked at Usagi and asked, “Will you be traveling with me to collect the bounty?”\n\nUsagi shook his head. “I never work with you for the bounty. You can pay me back with a drink the next time we meet up.”\n\n“Deal,” Gen smiled, leading the way.\n\nGen started down one path but Usagi went off down another. “I will not be taking your shortcut again, especially not in the dark of night. I’m sticking to the main road.”\n\nGen snorted. “Fine, long ears, have it your way.” He fell back to walk next to Leo. “Thank you.” Their eyes met and Gen nodded while he clapped Leo on the back. “You did good, kid. Your less honorable way of fighting proved to be helpful back there.”\n\n“Thank you,” Leo accepted the backhanded compliment with good humor. It was the best he was going to get out of Gen. \n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Leonardo hugged Umō and Kuroko tightly. “You two listen to Kitsune. She is going to take care of you until I return.” They had made it to the small village where they were going to leave Kitsune with the children while the three fighters went after Saito. It would be relatively safe for them here and Kitsune had enough money to keep them in an inn for as long as the others were gone.

“Please, make sure you come back,” Kuroko pleaded. Life would be hard if not short for the young turtle without Leonardo taking him in. It was understandable why he was so scared.

“I will,” Leo soothed. “I have faced worse than what we will be going up against, and won. I will be able to survive this.” He gave the children one last squeeze before standing up. “The three of us will keep each other safe.”

Usagi said his goodbyes to Jotaro and, like Leo, was also reassuring his son. Being that Usagi was the last family Jotaro had, the parting was just as frightening for him. The three children had all lost so much already. It would be hard for them to handle any more.

Nothing was worse than long, drawn out goodbyes that were full of tears. The longer they waited to leave the harder it would be. So they kept it short. Gen led the way with Usagi and Leo following behind.

The town that Saito had taken over was another day’s walk away. According to Gen, they should reach the town by night fall. Leonardo couldn’t help but smile. He was in his element in the dark.

Gen had taken them down one of his infamous shortcuts. Usagi was mumbling something about Gen’s shortcuts tending to be treacherous and as a result taking longer as they shimmied along a narrow path on the side of a cliff. The edge was a sheer drop of several feet. Even after years of running and jumping across the tops of buildings, Leo was suddenly feeling a resurgence of his fear of heights.  

But, he wasn’t about to let his fear show. He couldn’t. Gen would never let him live it down. Or worse, Gen would tell him to go back to the other town to watch the kids with Kitsune. No. He could do this.

“If I die from your shortcut, I will haunt you for the rest of your life,” Usagi stated dryly.

Gen snorted out a laugh, “Fair enough.”

“Would you really want to subject yourself to that kind of torture in the afterlife, Usagi?” Leo quipped, earning himself a hearty laugh from his friend.

Gen glared back a Leo but didn’t respond directly. Instead he said to Usagi, “So you took Leonardo as a student? It is good of you to agree to teach him the superior fighting techniques of the samurai.” A sly smile spread across his face. “I hope you are getting something good out of the deal to make it worth it.”

Leonardo felt himself flush and he was about to retort but a look from Usagi kept him from saying anything. “I find that teaching Leonardo to be quite rewarding and I have learned from him as well,” Usagi stated calmly.

“There are quite a few benefits for Usagi,” Leo stated as a matter of fact. “I have shown him a few techniques used by ninja. Knowing how a potential enemy fights is a good way to prepare. It is less likely that he will be taken by surprise in the future. Though there are some techniques that are similar, it is actually kind of fun to learn the ones that are different. Fortunately the transition into the different fighting style has been relatively easy.”

The conversation had distracted Leo from his fears and he was able to walk along the path without thinking about the danger. When they were finally off the path and on solid ground, Leo was relieved and secretly hoped that Usagi would insist on a different route back.

The light banter continued as they walked but died off when they got closer to the village. The sun was just starting to sink below the horizon and Leo felt himself slip into ninja mode. It took all that he had not to take up the lead. Gen and Usagi would not appreciate if he had. It was their world, it was Gen’s job. Gen would take the lead.

“We need to get in without anyone knowing,” Gen stated. He looked at Leo. “Do you think you could sneak your way in there? See what’s going on?”

Leo nodded. “That wouldn’t be a problem.”

“Be careful,” Usagi warned, holding Leo back. “Lord Hikiji has ninja in his employ.”

“I will,” Leo assured him and then dashed off for the shadows.

Ghosting over the wall, Leo never made a sound. He came within striking distance of several people but remained unseen. Torch light was weak and provided more than enough cover from him to move through the town. He came upon a heavily guarded building and he knew where he needed to go.  

Distracting the guards, Leo slipped past them to get inside. This was definitely the building he needed. Crates were piled high along the walls and a man he believed to be Saito was standing among them, talking to one of his men. Moving closer, Leo listened in on the conversation.

“Lord Hebi will be here within the week to check on our progress. Things better be in order when he does or I will have your head.”

Leo had heard enough. He knew where the weapons were and that Saito was indeed working with Lord Hebi. After a quick run through the village, he came up with how he was going to get Gen and Usagi inside. It wasn’t a well-fortified village by any stretch of the imagination, even with the armed guards.  

He made his way back over the wall. Usagi and Gen were standing nearby in a cluster of trees. He was sure that it was their attempt at hiding but to a trained ninja they were easy to spot. He emerged from the shadows next to Gen. “I found a way in.”

Surprised, Gen and Usagi drew their swords but Leo had moved to stand next to Usagi. He had to fight to hide the smile that threatened his lips. “Sorry,” Leo whispered. “I had forgotten that you are not used to my approach.”

“A stunt like that could have gotten you killed,” Gen warned. “You’re lucky that I realized that it was you and stayed my sword.”

“Follow me,” Leo said, ignoring Gen’s warning.

He led them to where he knew that they could go over the wall with some noise without being heard. Usagi might have been able to manage a quiet landing but there was no way Gen would have been able to. Not with his size and… lack of grace.

Once over the wall, Leo led them through the village. He didn’t dare get them as close to anyone as he had when he was on his own. It took them longer but he eventually got them to the heavily guarded building. They were crouched down in the shadows as they decided their next step.

“I hate all of this sneaking around,” Gen complained.

“It’s better than rushing in without knowing what we are up against,” Usagi countered. “That building is guarded by ten men and most likely more inside.”

“I counted twenty five in all guarding the building and the village, keeping the villagers in,” Leo confirmed with a nod of his head. “That’s including the ninja I spotted hiding in the rafters. He looked feline.”

“A Neko Ninja,” Usagi said. “They work for Hikiji.”

“So what do we do?” Leo wanted to know.

“What I was hired to do,” Gen stated with a grunt. “I cut Saito’s head off and deliver it to Lord Kazu. With him gone the villagers will be free to report what has been going on to the Shogun.”

“Very well,” Usagi nodded and then indicated with his hand for Gen to lead the way. “This is your bounty.”

“Wait.” Leo held up his hand. “We’re not alone.”

Gen turned to look at him. “I don’t hear any….”

Before Gen could finish speaking, Leonardo leapt forward and pushed Gen to the ground. The dart that was meant for Gen struck the ground next to Gen’s head. “Move, Usagi,” Leo hissed. Usagi jumped out of the way in time for a second dart to hit the spot he had just been occupying. Leonardo was on his feet and chasing after the assailant before Gen could gather his thoughts.

He knew there was just one of them and he had to keep him from getting to his master with the news of what was going on. As Leo chased the ninja, Saito exited the building. “I’m off to bed,” he told the guard.

Despite the overwhelming odds, Gen made his move. Leo had to admit that, for his large size, Gen was fast. He was a fierce fighter and, with Usagi, started to dispatch the guards. Once again, Leo was reminded that in this world it was either kill or be killed. An enemy was not allowed to live. So instead of wasting time chasing the other ninja, Leo ended it with a well-aimed dagger.

It didn’t hit exactly where he wanted it to. No matter how hard he tried, Leo knew he would not be as good as Raph when it came to hitting a target. He would never admit it to Raph’s face though.  

When Leo returned to the others he drew his swords and joined in the fight. These weren’t seasoned warriors but poorly trained thugs relying on their numbers to compensate for their lack of skill. He loathed the idea of killing but did what needed to be done. He didn’t think about what had led them to this moment or that they had families. He tried not to look in their eyes as the life drained out of them.

Saito tried to run in the confusion of the battle but Gen wasn’t going to let him get away. There was too much money attached to that head. Most of the guards were already dead so it was easy for Gen to break away and give chase. Saito didn’t get very far before Gen caught up to him so he turned to face Gen. Their swords clashed as Gen lunged into his attack.

Once the last of the guards was dead, Usagi and Leo stood back to watch the fight, ready to step in if needed. But it was not necessary. Saito was a great fighter but Gen was better. There was a reason he was invited to participate in the Nexus Tournament.

Gen managed to cut Saito across his stomach, deep enough to bleed but not be eviscerated. With a cry of pain, Saito dropped to his knees. As he was hunched over Gen took his chance and beheaded him.

A crowd of people had gathered to watch and several of them gasped at the sight. Gen lifted the severed head from the ground and turned to one of the villagers. “I need some salt and a bag to put this in.” The villager nodded and hurried off to get the requested items. Gen then turned to another. “Send a messenger to the Shogun to let him know what had happened here. I will take the head to your Daimio.” Dumbfounded, the villager could only nod in response.

As Gen conducted his business, Leo and Usagi decided to check out the supply of weapons. There were several crates full of various weapons but Leo was glad to see that none of them were explosive in nature. If this world was like his, Leo knew that the moment guns were introduced, Usagi’s way of life would quickly be over.

Gen joined them in the building. “The villagers are going to load the weapons up in carts and take them to one of the other villages. They don’t want to be here when Lord Hebi shows up.”

“I don’t blame them,” Usagi replied. “I have no desire to be here either.”

“Then let’s get out of here,” Gen said, heading for the door. “I got what I came for. None of this,” he waved his hand at the crates, “is any of my concern.”

With the severed head packed in salt, they headed out of the village to meet back up with Kitsune and the children. As they walked down the path Gen looked at Usagi and asked, “Will you be traveling with me to collect the bounty?”

Usagi shook his head. “I never work with you for the bounty. You can pay me back with a drink the next time we meet up.”

“Deal,” Gen smiled, leading the way.

Gen started down one path but Usagi went off down another. “I will not be taking your shortcut again, especially not in the dark of night. I’m sticking to the main road.”

Gen snorted. “Fine, long ears, have it your way.” He fell back to walk next to Leo. “Thank you.” Their eyes met and Gen nodded while he clapped Leo on the back. “You did good, kid. Your less honorable way of fighting proved to be helpful back there.”

“Thank you,” Leo accepted the backhanded compliment with good humor. It was the best he was going to get out of Gen.
", "pools_count": 1, "title": "TMNT Travels #15", "deleted": "f", "public": "t", "mimetype": "text/rtf", "pagecount": "1", "rating_id": "2", "rating_name": "Adult", "ratings": [ { "content_tag_id": "5", "name": "Strong Violence", "description": "Strong violence, blood, serious injury or death", "rating_id": "2" } ], "submission_type_id": "12", "type_name": "Writing - Document", "guest_block": "t", "friends_only": "f", "comments_count": "6", "views": "143" }