Turtles Forever

Samurai Tourist

The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the stone walls of the Lair as Leonardo moved, dodging the swing blades, his blindfolded strikes precise and relentless. Casey, Raph, Mikey, and Donnie, watched.

Raph leaned against the cracked brick wall, arms crossed. "Leo's been at it for *hours*," he muttered, scowling as another blade narrowly missed his brother's shell.

Michelangelo frowned. "Nah, man. He's been like this ever since—y'know." He didn't need to finish. The *Shredder*. That name alone was like pressing a bruise.

"So, Leo's training more. There's nothing wrong with that," Casey shrugged.

Raphael's jaw clenched, his green fingers curling into fists. "Yeah, well, he's gonna burn himself out before the next fight."

With a sudden, fluid motion, Leo whipped one of his katanas through the air. The blade sank deep into Raph's heavy punching bag—slicing clean through and impaling three candles wedged inside. The bag split open, sand bursting out.

Raph's nostrils flared. "*My bag!*" He lunged, teeth bared, but Casey and Mikey tackled him mid-charge, arms locking around his shell to hold him back.

"Cool it, hothead!" Casey grunted.

Leo yanked the katana free, blowing out the candles with a sharp breath. The silence was thick.

"Enough!"

Splinter's voice cut through the tension like a blade. His calm, measured tone stilled Raph instantly. "Now is *not* the time—We have guests coming."

Yuuki—perched on the arm of the couch—tilted her head, her long black hair slipping over one shoulder. "Guests?"

As if summoned, the air in the lair *rippled*. A swirling portal erupted in the center of the room, golden light pulsing like a heartbeat. Two figures stepped through—first, Miyamoto Usagi, his white fur stark against the dim lair, ears perked in quiet amusement. Behind him loomed Gennosuke, the hulking rhino-warrior.

"Konichiwa, my friends," Usagi smiled.

"Usagi!"

Splinter dipped his head, whiskers lifting in genuine warmth. "Your presence honors us, old friend."

The girls walked over—Yuuki peeled away from Leo's side. Without hesitation, she darted to Usagi and threw her arms around him in a tight hug. The rabbit samurai chuckled, patting her back gently. Venus hovered near Donnie. Alopex's tail flicked once in acknowledgment, her moon-bright eyes narrowing at Gen's rumbling chuckle. Mona simply leaned against Raph's shoulder. Elizabeth clung to Mona's leg, her wide eyes darting between the newcomers.

Luna and Una, perched on top of the couch, leaned forward in sync. Their tiny clawed fingers dug into the upholstery, twin gazes flickering between the strangers and their parents.

Casey—midway through shoving his hockey mask into his jacket—paused when Gen squinted at him and mused, "Ah! Nice to see you again, Saru!"

Casey froze. "*Excuse me*—what did he call me?" He whirled on Donnie, already suspicious.

Donnie coughed into his hand, poorly hiding a smile. "Uh. 'Monkey.'"

Casey's eye twitched. "*Real cute.* I'll catch up with you clowns later." He stomped toward the exit, muttering something about "fur-covered jerks" under his breath.

The turtles and Yuuki, offered to give a tour of the city to Usagi and Gen.

---

The city glittered under the cloak of night, neon signs bleeding color into the sidewalks as the group moved through the streets. Mikey stuffed a hot dog into Gen's massive hand (which disappeared in one bite).