Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

☆



Leo's eyelids fluttered open, the dim pre-dawn light filtering through the window of their shared room. He stretched, a comfortable silence still clinging to him after what felt like a long, dreamless sleep. His hand instinctively reached for the familiar warmth of Karai beside him, but the space was cool and empty.

He blinked, a slight furrow in his brow. Karai was usually a late riser, especially when she stayed with Leonardo at night. He glanced around the room, half-expecting to see her sitting at his desk or perhaps  cleaning her katana. But she wasn't there.

A small shrug lifted his shoulders. No matter. She was probably just ahead of him today for some reason.





He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, the cool floor a slight shock against his bare feet. He'd see her soon enough, their usual easy banter and shared stretches before facing whatever Shredder had planned for them today.





He stood, the lingering sleepiness fading as the familiar rhythm of the Foot Clan compound began to filter into the quiet room.





Leonardo changed back into his gear and headed straight to the dojo, where he spent most of his mornings. It was his sanctuary, a place where he could hone his skills and escape the suffocating weight of his existence.






Each strike of his katana, each block, each parry, was executed with unwavering focus, a testament to years of relentless discipline. Today, he was practicing against the new drones Shredder had brought in for training and Leo scoffed.






Too easy.





He disarmed the drone with a swift strike, the metallic body clattering on the hard floor. He moved through a series of advanced kata, each step ingrained in his muscle memory. The discipline was a constant, a grounding force in the complex tapestry of his life.





He was a Foot ninja, one of Shredder's most skilled warriors, yet a part of him never felt satisfied. It always felt to him like he was missing something.




The turtle kept his momentum but his mind drifted to yesterday when Shredder told him and Karai that he requires their presence in just a few hours.





What does he need us for now?




The question looped in his thoughts. Was there a new strategic initiative he would be tasked with leading? Shredder, for all his sternness, had always shown a unique interest in Leonardo's development, a focused intensity that set him apart from the other Foot, which is why usually he was put in charge when it came to missions with Karai.





He thought back to their last formal interaction, a post-mission debriefing where Shredder had praised his efficiency and skill. There had been no hint of this upcoming private meeting.

What if it concerns Karai — maybe an issue with her ‘behavior’?




While transitioning into a rapid sequence of defensive maneuvers , he continued in his thoughts.
Karai held a special place in Shredder's regard, especially since she was his daughter.





Were they assigned a joint operation? The thought held a certain appeal. He respected Karai's skill and their shared history forged a strong bond between them.




He finished his kata, the only sound of his heavy breathing in the otherwise silent dojo. He wiped his brow, his gaze falling upon the intricate Foot Clan symbol stationed on the wall. It was a constant reminder of his allegiance, his purpose.




It was etched not just on the stone, but on his very soul. Loyalty. Discipline. Power. These weren't just words; they were the pillars of his existence, the rock upon which Master Shredder had forged him. He was a weapon of the Foot, honed and directed by the man he knew as his father.




Leo turned his head from the symbol, taking his katana from the floor and sitting cross-legged as he grabbed a spray and cleaning cloth from the drawer he was sitting by to clean his katana.




As he meticulously wiped down the tip of his sword, the peace of his task was broken by the muffled voices of two Foot Soldiers passing by the open doorway. He paid them little mind initially, his concentration fixed on the intricate details of his weapon.

"Did you hear about the new guy coming in today?" one soldier whispered, his voice low.
"Master Shredder trained him in Japan and now he runs the main headquarters over there. They say he's the elite ninja. Like, the best."

"Yeah, I heard," the other replied, equally hushed. "He’s supposed to be extremely deadly, man.." He shuddered slightly. "Makes you wonder why we haven't seen him around more."

"Probably on some super secret missions," the first soldier speculated. "The kind only the elite get. You know, the stuff even we don't hear about."

"Makes sense," the second agreed. "Master Shredder doesn't just hand out that elite title. Leo and Karai, they're something else, right? But this guy… they say he's on another level entirely."




Leonardo’s hand stilled on the hilt of his katana. A genuine thrill shot through him; it was a mix of excitement and anticipation. The elite squad? That meant him, Karai… and the elusive third member he had only ever heard whispers about. After all these years, he would finally meet him.

 Shredder had mentioned him on a few rare occasions, always in tones of high regard, emphasizing his unique skills and unwavering dedication. 

Finally, he thought, dragging the wet cloth to the top of his blade.




I’ll finally get to meet him.





He pictured a master of some ancient, perhaps even secret, art, a ninja whose skills had impressed Shredder enough to land a place among his most trusted.




"Imagine what it must be like to be that good," the first soldier mused. "To be one of Master Shredder's absolute favorites, right up there with Leo and Karai."

"Yeah," the second agreed. "The elite of the elite. I wouldn't want to be on his bad side, that's for sure." They both chuckled nervously before their footsteps faded down the hallway.

Leonardo finished cleaning his katana, the polished surface reflecting his own eager anticipation. The turtle could only dream of their first interaction — and man, he was getting even more excited by the second.





Once the other foot soldiers were gone,  His thoughts had become a private arena, the elite ninja from Japan finally stepping into the light of his imagination.

In this inner world, the dojo was cleared, the only two figures present were himself and the shadowy newcomer. The air crackled with unspoken anticipation. Leonardo’s dream-hand instinctively rested on the hilt of his katana. Across from him, the other ninja stood with an almost unnerving stillness.

The first move was like a whisper of wind – the other ninja was upon him before his conscious mind could fully register. Leonardo reacted purely on instinct, his katana flashing in a swift parry that met an equally swift and precise strike. The imagined clang of steel echoed in his thoughts.

“Your reaction time is commendable,” a low, steady voice echoed in his mind.

“And your speed… deceptive,” Leonardo mentally replied, his dream-eyes narrowed, tracking the ninja's movements. He pressed his attack, a series of rapid strikes designed to weaken his opponent’s defenses. The other ninja moved with an almost liquid grace, each block and counter filled precision.





He felt the pressure of their blades clashing, the subtle shifts in balance, the unspoken glances of respect they gave each other.

The daydream seamlessly transitioned to a moonlit cityscape. They moved across the rooftops with ease. Leonardo envisioned them infiltrating a heavily fortified building, their movements synchronized, their intent unspoken but perfectly understood.

He saw the other ninja melt into the shadows, becoming one with the darkness. A moment later, the guards bodies who had been surrounding the area fell to the floor with a soft thud.A whisper reached Leonardo: “The perimeter is secure.”

The daydream began to dissolve, the sharp edges softening as reality began to bleed back in. Leonardo blinked, the dull reality of the dojo slowly returning to focus.





The clumsy movements of the recruits seemed almost comical in comparison to the fluid grace of his imagined sparring partner. A genuine smile touched his lips; He hadn’t even met this other elite ninja, but the vivid scenarios playing out in his mind had already sparked a sense of respect and anticipation for their first real encounter.






He had a feeling their collaboration would be… interesting.

☆





The heavy steel door of Shredder's throne room opens, his dark apparel hiding Shredder against the dim interior. "Karai. Leonardo. Enter." His voice, a low growl, but there was no aggression. Leo could sense it.

Karai and Leo exchanged a brief glance before stepping into the chamber. They had met outside the door for the meeting and smiled at each other — it made Leo wonder where she had been for the last few hours. He hadn’t made her breakfast because of her sudden disappearance.




He’d have to ask her later when this was over.




The air  was thick with the scent of metal and a faint, almost medicinal aroma that Leo had long associated with Shredder's presence. Shredder stood by the glass window behind his chair, looking out on the city.

"There is a matter I wish to discuss," Shredder began, his gaze still fixed on the distant skyline. "An associate from Japan will be arriving later today."

Karai's head snapped up, her emerald eyes widening with an immediate spark of excitement. "An associate from Japan? Master, do you mean... Yuichi?" Her voice held a note of surprised delight that Leo rarely heard.

Shredder turned. "Indeed. Yuichi will be joining us here in New York."

A wide grin spread across Karai's face, an expression of joy that softened her usually sharp features. "Yuichi! Oh, Finally! It’s been years since I last saw him." She clasped her hands together, her usual composed demeanor thrown out the window, replaced by her enthusiasm.





"He's finally coming here? To stay?"

Shredder raised his hand, a subtle gesture that commanded attention. "Karai. Control yourself. While his presence will undoubtedly be beneficial, maintain your composure."

But Karai was too distracted to heed his warning fully. "But Father, it's been years! Ever since we left Japan which was like, 15 years ago! Well, excluding 3 years ago but that doesn’t count. We were inseparable when we were younger, of course I'm going to be excited!"





Her words tumbled out in a rush, her earlier formality completely abandoned. She took a step forward, her eagerness palpable. "What time will he be arriving?  Will we be able to train together again?"

Leo watched this exchange with a growing knot tightening in his chest. He had always been Karai's closest friend within the Foot Clan, they were basically siblings. He had witnessed her anger, her determination, her happiness, her sadness, but this unrestrained joy, this almost childlike excitement directed towards someone he had never met, was unfamiliar and unsettling.





The turtle assumed that ‘Yuichi’ was the elite ninja the foot soldiers had been talking about earlier — despite the fact Leo held a high regard for this guy, he couldn’t help but feel… he didn’t know the word.





To see Karai react with such an affection towards this figure stirred a strange, unfamiliar feeling within Leo. It wasn't quite anger, but a prickling unease, a sense of being... displaced.

He subtly shifted his weight, his gaze fixed on Karai's face. He noted the warmth in her eyes, the easy smile that hadn't been directed at him in quite some time. A quiet voice in the back of his mind whispered questions he didn't want to acknowledge.





What was it about this Yuichi that elicited such a strong reaction from Karai? What kind of bond did they share that caused her to have such a reaction after 15 years?

Shredder observed Karai's outburst but his expression remained unreadable. "He will arrive later this afternoon. His living arrangements have already been made. And yes," he conceded, a slight edge to his voice, "you will have the opportunity to... reacquaint yourselves. However, your duties come first."

Karai nodded. "Of course, Father But... oh, I have so much to tell him! So much has happened since we last visited him!"

Last visited? In Karai’s ramble earlier, she said ‘3 years ago’ — Leo thought back to that period of time and he did remember Karai and Shredder going to Japan for a week, but when they returned she didn’t mention anything about this Yuichi. In fact, she never even talked about the trip.





Weird.

“You both are dismissed. I have no missions for either of you today so you can take the day for yourselves.” Shredder turned his back to the duo while he and Karai gave a respectful bow and walked out the room, closing the door behind them.





“I can't believe it! He’s finally coming! Oh, I hope you both get along, it’ll be so much fun!”




Leo chuckled softly, crossing his arms. “Yeah, we’ll see. How old is this guy?”




“He’s…uh… good question, let me think.” She furrowed her eyebrows, trying to concentrate, then looking at Leonardo with a smile, “16! He’s the same age as me.”




16? Sure, I’ve been training since I could walk but that was with Shredder who was with me 24/7 — Shredder only goes to Japan every 3 months, and he’s already THAT good?





He didn’t understand the logic but shrugged it off and nodded. “Okay, cool. Alright well, I think i’m going back to the dojo. I’ll see you later, alright?”




Karai waved him off, turning in the other direction, her joyful mood bouncing off the walls.





The turtle was supposed to hang out with her, it was their usual routine if Shredder gave them the day off but for some odd reason, he wanted to be by himself. Leo knew it was because of all that was going on, but he couldn’t understand why he felt like this.




At first, he was excited but now he felt… dull. It was complex.





The walk back to the dojo was slow and mildly agonizing, but he sucked it up. He would welcome this new guy with open arms and treat him with respect — He was supposed to be deadly, one of the best, highly skilled and disciplined, the elite ninja who runs; or ran, the foot clan headquarters in japan.





No matter what happened he still had a new challenge — he would use this new partner to prove his place to Shredder, but also to grow.





☆




Leo sat cross-legged on the dojo floor, hands wrapped neatly in his lap as he took deep breaths in. He was meditating — a common part of his routine after training. The soft hum of the A/C faded from existence and he embraced the calming silence and darkness.




In the moment, he was no more than an atom molecule floating through the universe. Meditating was one of the things that brought him a special peace, which is why he hated being disturbed, but the loud voice coming from the entrance to the dojo snapped him out of his trance.




“So, you must be Shredder's golden-boy everyone always talks about.” The voice called out, yet his tone held a hint of curiosity rather than malice.





it was a voice he didn’t recognize and it occurred to him that this must be Yuichi, the elite ninja, the one Karai was so hyper about. Leonardo couldn’t deny the rush of excitement coursing through his body after Yuichi spoke, but the annoyance still lingered in his mind.





Leonardo stood up and turned to face Yuichi, his eyes widening.




A rabbit…?




Yuichi wasn’t a normal human but his features were still good — he was a human sized rabbit, probably around 5’1, his long ears tied back in a blue knot, brown eyes narrowed as he looked at Leonardo but the main thing the turtle took notice of was the fact he wasn't wearing foot clan attire.




It was from a whole different clan entirely. The only thing that was remotely similar was the foot clan symbol on the katana attached to the rabbits right hip, and on his belt Yuichi had the same marking as Leo, Karai and Shredder.





All of this was bizarre to Leonardo, but he knew it was something he would learn over time from Yuichi, or maybe Shredder.




But there was something about Yuichi that Leo could sense — it was… off.





He observed the rabbit, taking in the small smirk plastered on his face, his low shoulders, one arm on his hip, the other dangling loose, how he was leaning against the wall, it was all too… relaxed.





The one thing that doesn’t exist in the foot clan is being relaxed. You could never let your guard down. It was weird especially considering Yuichi was, according to the foot soldiers earlier, running the other headquarters in Japan. Maybe Yuichi was over-confident. Although Leonardo knew if he was Yuichi, based on what he knew, he would be over-confident too.





“I should be saying that about you. I’m Leonardo, you must be Yuichi.” He spoke, his eyes going back to normal then bowed to the rabbit — a show of respect.




“No need to bow, formalities this and that, whatever, it’s dumb, but yeah, I'm Yuichi! It’s so nice to finally meet you, I've heard a lot about you back in Japan, you’re like —,” The rabbit paused momentarily, “A legend! The coolest!”





Formalities? Dumb? Was this really the elite ninja everyone was talking about? The one Shredder regarded in such a high manner?




Surely this had to be a joke.




“Oh… that’s flattering, “ Leo cleared his throat, his gaze still focused on the rabbit, “I hope your reputation doesn’t precede you.”





The smirk on Yuichis face only grew wider as he stepped closer to the middle of the dojo, where Leonardo was, then he shrugged, “Well, that depends on what you’ve heard.”




“Well then,” Leo said, a slight bit of mockery in his tone, “Spar with me. I need a new challenge.”




Yuichis eyebrow raised, but he nodded, unsheathed his katana, adjusting his stance and holding his sword in front of him.




This was more like it.




Leonardo thought, his sense of excitement overcoming his confusion.




Maybe Yuichi was just trying to get to know everyone or get accustomed, he did just get here so…




His mind subconsciously made excuses for Yuichi’s odd behavior, who gave a small yawn, “Man, I just got here 2 hours ago, only met you 5 minutes ago, and you already want to fight? I respect the grind but, yikes. ”




The turtle chose to ignore him and bowed once more, which once again wasn’t reciprocated and went on the attack as he lunged at the rabbit.





Yuichi’s eyes widened comically, and he sidestepped the blow with an exaggerated motion. "Whoa there, I thought turtles were supposed to be slow!” Yuchi laughed but Leo refused to comment.




Leonardo pressed his attack, a more forceful strike. Yuichi blocked with a light, almost dismissive parry. "You’re more of a 'charge first, ask questions later' kind of person, huh? Not very ninja-like, if you ask me!"




“Can you be serious?!”




"Seriously? Oh, I'm taking it very seriously! Seriously trying not to get poked!" Yuichi replied with a wink, dodging another of Leonardo's thrusts. "You know, they say the best offense is a good defense! Though, my personal motto is 'why get hit when you can just… not?' Pretty catchy, right?"





Leonardo lunged, putting more power behind his swing. Yuichi ducked under the blade, then popped back up with a cheerful grin. "Missed me again!”




"This isn't a joke!" Leonardo snapped, his voice tight with annoyance.





"A joke? Well, life's a joke, isn't it? A big, pointy, potentially lethal joke! And sparring is just a miniature version! Though, hopefully less lethal. For me, anyway!" Yuichi blocked another strike with a light tap of his blade.

Leonardo halted his assault, his chest heaving. "You're not even trying to fight!" he accused. "You're just… prancing around!"





Yuichi chuckled, a low, amused sound. "Prancing around? Hardly. I’m just… What's the word? Analyzing your strengths and weaknesses!"

Leonardo scoffed. "Analyzing? By running away like a frightened rabbit?"





“Ouch, that hurt my feelings.” He frowned, doing a back somersault to avoid Leonardo's blade from touching him.





He couldn’t believe this. He had to be dreaming. There was no way this whole interaction was real — no way this is how Yuichi was. He couldn’t make any excuses for the rabbit anymore. Yuichi was nothing like how Leo had imagined, and it upset him.





Or maybe, what upset him was how someone like him is considered one of the elites — how he’s given such praise and recognition from shredder. It didn’t make sense.





“There's no way you're an elite ninja," Leonardo stated flatly, his voice laced with disbelief and anger. "You're an embarrassment!"





Yuichi laughed then, a bright, unrestrained sound that echoed through the dojo. "An embarrassment? Oh, I can be embarrassing! Just wait until you see my karaoke! But elite? Oh, I'm elite alright! Elite at not getting hit!”




"Enough with the acrobatics!" Leonardo roared, his fists clenching. "Fight me seriously, Yuichi! Show me the skill that earned you the title of 'elite'!"

Yuichi tilted his head.  "Seriously? There’s no fun in that. Besides," he shrugged, "evasion is a skill, a very important one, might I add. You can't hit what isn't there, right?”

Leonardo, his patience utterly depleted, lunged forward again. He moved with speed and precision, his katana aimed for a decisive strike. He was going to force Yuichi to engage, to finally show some semblance of martial prowess.

Just as his blade was about to connect, a blur of color flashed past his peripheral vision. A string whipped out, followed by a small, brightly colored object. It happened so fast, Leonardo barely registered what it was.

One moment he was lunging, the next his feet were inexplicably tangled. He stumbled, his balance completely thrown off, and with a surprised grunt, he crashed to the dojo floor.

Above him, Yuichi stood, his katana held loosely in one hand, a yo-yo spinning lazily on its string in the other.




“Looks like you tripped over your own… enthusiasm!" Yuichi chirped, reeling in his yo-yo with a practiced flick of his wrist.




Leonardo, sprawled on the wooden planks, his face flushed with a mixture of pain and rage, glared up at Yuichi. "That wasn't a fight or skill!" he spat, his voice filled with fury. "It was a cheap parlor trick!"

Yuichi, however, remained unfazed. He twirled his yo-yo idly, his smile still in-tack, "A trick, maybe…," he shrugged, his tone light. "But an effective one, wouldn't you agree? You are, after all, on the floor."

Leonardo stood up and took a step towards Yuichi, his fists clenched. "Effectiveness isn't everything. There's honor in combat. Respect."

Yuichi's head tilted slightly. "Honor? Respect? Leonardo, I have the utmost respect for you. For your strength, your discipline. But combat is combat. The goal is to like…win, right? And sometimes, the unexpected is the most effective weapon!"

"The unexpected?" Leonardo scoffed. "A toy is your weapon? A yo-yo?"

"A versatile tool," Yuichi corrected, his voice playful. "It can distract, entangle, even disarm. Though, I wouldn't recommend using it against a swarm of angry bees. That was a learning experience."

Leonardo's jaw tightened. "You're mocking me."

"Mocking? Oh, no,no, no. I would never! I’m just trying to… broaden your horizons! To show you that there is more to combat than brute force and rigid technique! There's creativity! Improvisation! And a healthy dose of… fun!"

"Fun?" Leonardo's voice was barely a whisper, his anger threatening to boil over. "This isn't fun, Yuichi. This is a disgrace."

Yuichi sighed, his playful facade dropping slightly. "Yeah, yeah, you expected a different kind of challenge. But maybe, just maybe, you’re being too narrow in your definition of 'challenge'."

"Narrow?" Leonardo's voice rose again. "I'm being realistic! You haven't fought me! You've avoided me! You've humiliated me with a child's toy!"

“Mm, you sound a little salty,” Yuichi said, spinning the yo-yo lazily and catching it mid-air. “Besides, I don’t have to fight your way to win. I fight mine.”

Leo crossed his arms, jaw tense. “No discipline. No focus. Just bouncing around like a clown until I mess up. You don’t belong here.”

For a moment, Yuichi’s smile faltered—but only for a moment. He shrugged it off, walking past Leo without meeting his eyes.

Yuichi paused near the door, spinning his yo-yo lazily with a smirk tugging at his lips. He turned slightly, looking over his shoulder at Leo—who was still radiating with frustration in the center of the mat.

"Dang, Leo," he said, grinning, "if I knew getting wrapped up would make you this grumpy, I would’ve used the sparkly yo-yo instead."

Leo glared.

But Yuichi just kept going, unbothered, voice light and teasing;




"C’mon, it’s not my fault you chase me around like a bad dance partner and still end up tripping over your own feet."

He winked, then tossed the yo-yo once more into the air, catching it with ease.

"Tell you what—next time I’ll bring a blindfold. Maybe then you’ll stand a chance."

With a laugh, he strolled out, leaving Leo to stew in the awkward storm of irritation and embarrassment.




Leo walked across the dojo floor, his fingers digging into his palms, eyes fixed on the spot Yuichi had just been standing. The air still carried the faint trace of that insufferable laugh—light, carefree, like none of this mattered.

Unbelievable. That idiot bunny had danced around his strikes like it was a joke, not a spar. He hadn’t even tried. Just dodged, blocked, spun that ridiculous yo-yo in the air like he was playing a game.




And then—then—he won.




With a cheap move.





Tangled Leo’s legs like a party trick and brought him crashing down.

And he smiled. Like he wasn’t even sweating. Like he wasn’t taking it seriously—because he wasn’t.

Leo’s fists clenched tighter.

This was the guy Shredder praised? This was the “deadly assassin” everyone whispered about? This walking joke? Leo’s jaw locked, fury rolling in his chest.




Shredder had the nerve to call him one of the best. 

He didn’t get it. He couldn’t. How someone like that —lazy, loud, unfocused—had earned a place at Shredder’s side. While Leo trained day in, day out. Bled for the Clan. Lived for it.

Yuichi didn’t deserve Shredder's praise. Didn’t deserve Shredder’s trust. He barely even deserved to be called a part of the foot clan. He didn’t even wear their attire.

And the worst part? That stupid rabbit didn’t care about anything. Didn’t care about being taken seriously. Didn’t care that Leo was trying to prove something.

Yuichi just laughed like he always won—and maybe he did. Maybe that’s what made Leo’s blood boil the most.

He hated him. Hated everything about him.

But most of all, Leo hated that Yuichi made it look so easy.

☆