Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Usagi sat in a comfortable chair in Auntys office. He always liked these chairs, they were a nice shade of red and were a nice fabric that allowed breathability so it never got too warm if you were sitting for a long time. Main point is, Usagi loved those chairs but the reason for sitting in the chair this time was......... not good. Not. Good. At. All. 

"Usagi what were you thinking!" Aunty exclaimed from across the desk that separated them. "I told you specifically to not go out by yourself and you disobeyed me!" 

"Aunty, I just wanted to help! You never let me do anything!" Usagi exclaimed back. 

He was frustrated, just because of ONE incident that happened when he was SEVEN, he wasn't allowed to go out on missions by himself. That was nine years ago, and it was an accident. Usagi understood that his Aunty was just worried about him but it was just getting ridiculous. He was one of the strongest ghost hunters in the family yet he was forced into stupid, boring desk work. And as far as Usagi was concerned he was useless there. He hated sitting still and he barely got anything done because of how boring he found it. He wanted to be on the field, no, correction. He NEEDED to be on the field.

"Aunty I'm tired of you holding me back." Usagi said. "I understand that it's scary after what happened to grandpa but I can't keep doing paperwork, I'm useless in there." The rabbit said gently.

He didn’t want to bring up his grandpa since that always made Aunty sad but he needed to do this. He wanted to prove himself and the only way he could do that is if he went on his first solo mission.

"I want to go on a solo mission." Usagi said.

"No." Aunty instantly denied.

"Why not!" Usagi exclaimed.

"It's too dangerous."

"Too danger-" Usagi sighed. "Chizu gets to go on solo missions." Usagi stated.

Aunty was quiet.

"I have one of the best connections to my mystic abilities that you've ever seen. You said that!" Usagi was frustrated, he was better than half of the ghost hunters in their company, why wouldn't Aunty let him do a solo mission.

"Usagi, you're still very young." Aunty said gently.

"I'm sixteen." Usagi deadpanned, his voice taking on an angry tone. "You went on your first solo mission when you were fourteen. Please Aunty, I'm ready."

Aunty was silent for a moment. Usagi couldn't tell what she was thinking but it was starting to seem that the response wouldn't be good.

"Fine."

Oh. Yeah that makes sense- wait-

"Wait. Really!" Usagi exclaimed excitedly, bouncing in his seat.

"Yes. But it's not too difficult, I don't want you to get hurt."

"Yeah of course, that's fine!" Usagi nodded his head eagerly.

Aunty typed something into her computer and plugged in a Blue device with a screen. She sighed and then turned to face her nephew again.

"You heard about the invasion that happened topside two weeks ago, yes?"

Usagi nodded with a frown. "A big part of the city got destroyed." He stated.

Aunty nodded. "After the invasion several anomalies were found in the area, several departed souls weren't able to make it to the afterlife."

Usagi raised a brow at that. He’s heard of that happening. He’s even gone out with Chizu to help her catch one because his yo-yo was an instant transport to the afterlife and was easier than having to bring them all the way back to base in one of those clunky ghost containers.

"It's nothing to worry about, it's a normal occurrence, sometimes spirits just need to have one more experience before moving on. I've needed someone to go up there and take care of it and since you're so insistent I'll hand it over to you."

Usagi grinned at his aunt. He was ecstatic at the chance he was given, he was going to go out there and show Aunty that she had nothing to worry about and that history wouldn't repeat itself. He was going to prove himself, get his official ghost hunter badge, and become the best ghost hunter the hidden cities ever seen.

Aunty unplugged the blue box from the computer and placed it on the desk in front of Usagi, gesturing to him to take it. When Usagi picked it up it had a screen with the number 14 on it.

"That's the counter for the amount of anomalies in the city that our system picked up after the invasion." Aunty explained. "You just need to go out there and find them, it could take a while with how big the area is which is why we also have this." Aunty placed down another device. It was black with an orange stripe on the side and an antenna that could extend. "This senses departed souls that are in your general area, our technical team is working on making one that can pick up other types of spirits but for now we only have this."

Usagi nodded and accepted the device. The rabbit put both the devices in his jacket pockets and stood from his chair. "I won't let you down, Aunty I promise." He grinned.

Usagi made his way to the door.

"Usagi." Aunty called.

Usagi froze and looked at the older rabbit. "Yes Aunty?"

"Please be careful."

Usagi walked back to his Aunts desk and went around to her side bringing her into a tight hug. "Of course Auntie. You don't have to worry."

“And remember to not use your ghost sight too much. I don’t want you to get sick.” Aunty said gently.

“I won't. Like I said, you have nothing to worry about.” Usagi grinned.

Usagi pulled away and speed walked back to the door. "Thank you Aunty, I love you byeeeee!" Usagi waved, closing the door behind him.

As soon as the door shut Usagi jumped and pumped his fist into the air. "Yeah! Ikuzo!" Usagi exclaimed in a whisper. The rabbit danced around a bit more, tapping his feet in excitement.

"What are you doing?" An unimpressed voice said.

Usagi froze and looked to see it was Chizu, his friend turned sister.

Usagi composed himself. "No-" Usagi put a fist to his mouth clearing his throat. "Nothing."

Chizu looked at Usagi with a raised brow and slowly nodded her head walking past him into Auntie's office. The door shut with a click and Usagi started running down the hallway to his room.

"WAHOO!" Usagi exclaimed.

"SHUT UP!" came another voice somewhere in the building.

"Sorry!" Usagi called back.

__________

Usagi sat perched on top of one of the buildings in the area. The surface was nothing like he expected. Sure he's been to the surface countless times, most of the time was him sneaking out but who's really counting. Definitely not Usagi, he hates numbers.

But he hasn't been to the surface in a while due to the invasion, he didn't think it was the best idea at the moment but he had heard things from his family and other co-workers on what it was like, but it was nothing compared to seeing it in person.

The city was silent. Not a single living soul in sight, no talking. No music. All vehicles were frozen in time in random parts of the road like people left in a rush. Pink tendrils that seemed to be dried from the sun earlier in the day were wrapped around cars and street lamps. Usagi had never seen vines like that before except from that one Yokai down in the hidden city that seemed hell bent on destroying humans. What was his name? Daron Baxtrom? Perry Laxem? Now that just sounds like a laxative. He could hear faint sounds of construction in the distance of some other part of the city but those should quiet down since it's going to get dark soon. Other than that. It was a complete ghost town. 

Usagi hated seeing the city like this. A place that used to be so full of life gone silent in a matter of hours, possibly even minutes. Was this really a good idea-

Usagi pushed the thoughts down. Now wasn't a time for second guessing himself. He was going to go down there and prove to his family that he was an important member to the team. He wasn’t some desk worker. (Not meaning to bash Jerry and Ken, they’re cool guys. They even invited Usagi to their next DnD night!). His place was out on the field, helping out lost ghosts or stopping vengeful spirits. He was a ghost hunter at heart and his family needed to stop treating him like he was some fragile piece of glass that would break. He wasn’t the same as his grandfather.

Usagi dropped down from the building and began making his way through the street, climbing over piles of rubble and fallen over stop lights. Usagi kept an ear out for anything strange as well for the ghost sensor to go off. 

As he walked down the street he saw homes that people used to live in torn to pieces with broken windows and torn down walls. It made his heart sink at the sight. Coffee shops were abandoned with still full pots of coffee that had long since gone cold. Jackets and bags were left behind. Everyone really had vanished. It was like an episode out of the twilight zone.

Usagi wandered the streets for hours, picking up no signals of a single ghost where he was. He was starting to think that the thing was broken. There was no way he walked through the city all night only to turn up with nothing.

Usagi frowned, he wanted to get this done so he could show his family he didn't need so much protection.

He walked down the street a bit more and stopped in front of a small object on the ground. It was a teddy bear covered in dust abandoned by its owner. Usagi's heart broke at the sight. Some kid had to leave a prized possession behind because of the invasion. The more he saw of the city the more sad he was starting to feel inside. He carefully placed the bear on the stairs of the nearby apartment and went straight to the nearest portal to the hidden city. He had seen enough.

__________

Usagi didn't realize just how bad the invasion was. He hadn't been up on the surface since before the invasion. He never had a reason or a need too, and he really didn't sneak out that often, the surface was usually too loud for his ears. But now, he almost missed the sound. The city was so quiet, too quiet. It wasn't what it was supposed to be, there was nobody in sight, people either staying in their homes or leaving the city altogether to escape the chaos. How was he supposed to just accept this?

Usagi had never really felt anything towards humans, he didn't hate them, they were living beings and they hadn't done anything to Usagi that would make him hate them. He had always been taught to avoid them because they were dangerous. But Usagi could never help but imagine the amount of paranormal activity up there because of humans and their lack of services for such issues (and the ones that did exist were total bullshit and had no clue what they were doing. IT'S MYSTIC, PEOPLE! Not magnetic field shit or whatever..)

But just because Usagi didn't have much of an opinion on humans didn't mean that they deserved any of this. It was horrible to see. People's belongings were just left behind like they were nothing. Homes were covered in those weird pink tendrils or completely destroyed by them.

How was he supposed to handle all this change? This guilt of not even caring that much because it didn't involve him before now. How was he supposed to comfort ghosts and gain their permission to be sent to the afterlife when he could barely stand looking at the destruction around him? He was so excited to finally be allowed into the field but now that he was finally allowed.... He didn't know anymore. Maybe he wasn't ready for this if he couldn't even handle the idea of all those people dying or the sight of the destruction.

He needed advice.

So Usagi finally pulled himself from his thoughts and went searching for Chizu.

Chizu had been doing this for a long time, she has to have an idea of what he's going through.

___________

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Chizu said in her usual monotone voice.

"Nothing? You've never felt like... An overwhelming dread from helping ghosts in a destroyed city."

Chizu paused for a minute, seeming to be in thought. "Well I'm not really sent on ghost duty sooooo." The cat yokai shrugged and took a sip of her tea.

Usagi groaned in frustration and sat down across from her at the dining table. Laying his forehead on the wood.

"Why are you asking anyways, it's not like you've ever been on a-" Chizu froze in her sentence when realization hit her. "You got assigned a mission!?" She exclaimed.

"Yeah." Usagi sighed.

"Usagi, that's great! You've been looking forward to this since- wait why aren't you excited?"

Usagi didn't answer. He didn't know why he suddenly wasn't anymore, he was so excited to do this. But the darkness of the situation must have gotten to him.

"What mission were you assigned?" Chizu asked.

"You know that invasion that happened topside a couple weeks ago."

Chizu nodded.

Usagi sighed. "Well Aunty sent me to go and help some ghosts into the afterlife."

Chiuz spat out her tea. "She what!?"

"Uhhh, you good?"

"Does she not realize the emotional toll that would put on anybody? You're dealing with severely traumatized humans, of course you're gonna be freaked out!"

"Oh..."

"What was she thinking! Your first mission should have been a simple ghost collection not whatever the fuck your doing!"

"There's only like..... fourteen." Usagi tried to reason with her.

"In that big ass city!? No freaking way there's that few. She's probably only giving you fourteen to deal with so you get freaked out enough that you won't want to be a ghost hunter anymore."

"What!?" Usagi exclaimed.

"I'm so gonna have a talk with her." Chizu grumbled. "That is not a one person job. We should have sent people up there a while ago, a whole team."

"Why would she do that!?" Usagi exclaimed.

Chizu gave Usagi a sympathetic look. "Honestly, you are a great choice when it comes to helping departed souls so I understand that, I rarely ever get sent on those because apparently I'm too blunt or whatever. But you should have been given something simple in the hidden city."

"This is so annoying." Usagi grumbled. "All I said was that I wanted a solo mission! It could have been anything!" Usagi pulled at one of his ears when he suddenly got an idea. A mischievous grin spread across his face. "But maybe this is better then I expected." Usagi whispered to himself.

"Usagi I don't like that look on your face. What are you thinking."

"I'm totally going to do it." He grinned. "I'm going to prove her wrong, if she thinks I'm going to quit from this she's wrong." Usagi rose to his feet. "I'm going to help those people, because not only is it the right thing to do but because I'm awesome, and can totally do this!" Usagi ran towards the exit.

"Usagi! Don't do anything stupid okay! Don't push yourself!" Chizu called.

“No promises!” Usagi calls as he leaves the room.

__________   

Usagi decided to head back to the surface the next day. He was going to find a ghost today even if it killed him…… Okay maybe not 'kill him'. Usagi isn't interested in being murdered anytime soon. Maybe later down the line when he's a big shot and can go down in blaze of glory BUT NOT NOW! He had work to do.

Usagi went to a different part of the city close to a park. It was a peaceful area that Usagi wouldn't be surprised to see ghosts inhabiting if they just wanted to cool off after dying.

Usagi wandered the quiet streets listening to hear if his ghost sensor would go off. It didn't take long for it to finally pick up something. Usagi felt the buzz of the device and took it out of his pocket excitedly, almost dropping it in the process. He extended the antenna and watched the line zigzag across the screen. Now would probably be a good time to activate his ghost vision.

Usagi closed his eyes and focused. Aunty always told him that his control over his ghost vision surpassed even his grandfather.

Usagi first got his ghost vision when he was three. He was playing in his sandbox out at the farm when he felt a cold hand land on his shoulder. For a three year old, it was the most terrifying thing to ever happen to him. What kid wouldn't be scared about some random deathly cold hand landing on their shoulder. His vision had suddenly begun changing everything into a lavender tint and he turned around and screamed his head off.

Like a three year old.

It's been years since then though and Usagi has trained to get his vision completely under control. Usagi opened his eyes and the world took on a lavender tint.

Usagi walked further down the road looking all around him for any sign of a ghost. Then he saw it. Over on the side of the road curled in a ball was a white translucent human. Tears floating up above their head from their eyes. Their hair even floated slightly like they were underwater.

Usagi slowly approached the apparition and knelt down in front of them.

"Uh." Usagi awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "Hi."

The ghost looked up at Usagi with wide eyes.

"What are you?" The ghost asked.

"Oh, uh. I'm a yokai. I'm sort of here toooooooo…… help you out. I guess."

"A yokai?" The man questioned. "Those spirits in Japanese mythology."

"Um…… yes? Not really a myth though, and we aren't really spirits some of us just hold….. spiritual power?" Usagi tried to explain.

"And you're here to help me." The man almost looked pleading.

Usagi had been taught to be gentle with ghosts. Some had just been through a traumatic experience and just needed some comfort before being sent away.

"Yes." Usagi knelt down next to the man, keeping his eyes on him. "Do you know what happened to you?"

A tear floated up from the corner of the man's eyes. "I- I died."

Usagi gave the man a soft smile. "Your spirit wasn't able to properly pass because of circumstances. Don't worry though it happens all the time. I'm just here to help you get where you need to be. Will you let me?"

The man looked at Usagi and nodded.

"Do you….. have anything you'd like to say or talk about before you go?" Usagi asked hesitantly.

The man gave Usagi a very small, sad smile. "I think I'm just ready to see my mom again."

Usagi smiled, and nodded.  "You might feel a slight tingle." Usagi said, holding up his yo-yo. The yo-yo began to glow as he tossed it at the man. The yo-yo made contact with the man's arm. He began to glow a bright white, Usago cleared his vision and watched little orbs of light take shape from nothingness. They floated up into the sky and disappeared.

Usagi always thought the release of a soul was a beautiful thing. It was the only spirit related thing that could be seen by the naked eye, if the yokai or possibly some humans possessed mystic power.

Usagi pushed the front of his head with his fingers. He felt the beginnings of a headache coming on, but it slowly faded into nothing. Usagi hated that his ghost vision did that, if he had it activated for too long he would get the worst migraines imaginable, he didn't understand why it only happened to him and not the rest of his family though. Aunty told him that they happened to his grandfather as well but he wasn't around anymore to give advice on the problem.

Usagi pocketed his yo-yo. He didn't have time to think about his grandpa or his migraines, he had a job to do.

He rose to his feet and continued walking.

__________

Usagi walked until he reached a small park. He didnt know which part of the city he was in but the park didn't seem that big from what he could tell.

He walked down the path that seemed to be covered in its own share of rubble. Some of the stones were cracked or there were fallen branches on the path. Some of the trees still had some of those pink tendrils that Usagi just seemed to see more and more of. He heard that the attack was aliens from another dimension from some vendors in the hidden city but no one really knew unless they had been there, somehow all evidence of the event had been wiped from the internet. Usagi looked at the broken flower beds, dirt spilled from the sides and most flowers had been crushed or dried from the summer heat.

What seemed to catch Usagis attention though was a figure sitting on the edge of the fountain ahead of him. The fountain had long since stopped running and the water had started to turn a muddy green. The figure seemed to be a yokai, a turtle in fact. He couldn't see their face, but a blue mask was wrapped around their face with twin mask tails trailing down the back of their shell where Usagi noticed held TWO TWIN KATANAS! So cool!

Usagi was always told that Yokai never came to the surface unless they had a cloaking broach (Especially in daylight! What is this guy thinking!), but this one was, just sitting there with his face tilted down towards the murky water.

Usagi approached the figure, not bothering to hide his presence. He just needed to ask them if they've seen any paranormal activity around. He had only caught one ghost so far and was struggling to find the rest, he just needed a small lead and then he could get going.

When Usagi was finally next to the yokai, the turtle didn't even seem to notice he was there. Usagi finally got a look at their face. The mask covered the turtles eyes that seemed to be glaring at the water and underneath the mask he could see two red crescent moon stripes going through his eyes. He looked super cool. The gear he was wearing seemed to be one a ninja would wear, a sash and a belt though coming from underneath the sash he could see a spider web like crack. Jeez that must have hurt like hell. Though the glare the turtle was giving the water was weirdly funny. He was staring like the water did something to offend him and he was going to ask to speak to its manager.

"Jeez what did that water do to you?" Usagi joked.

The turtle let out a frightening yelp and turned to look at Usagi who was looking down at the turtle with a grin.

He looked at Usagi with wide, shocked eyes before his face scrunched up to a slight glare.

"Nothing." The slider spat.

"Wow, looks like someone's in a mood." Usagi responded.

The turtle let out a frustrated sigh turning to fully face Usagi. "What do you want, bunny boy. Can't you just let me brood in peace."

"In a sec, I actually wanted to ask if you've seen any ghosty activities around here. I've been searching for hours but can't seem to get a lead."

The turtle raised a brow at Usagi's comment. "Ghosts?"

"Yeah, departed souls, phantoms, spirits..... ghosts."

The turtle looked at Usagi with a dumbfounded look before saying something that completely shocked Usagi to his core.

"Ghosts aren't real dumbass."

Usagi was silent. Yeah he knows that not all 'humans' believed in ghosts, but this guy was a turtle, probably a yokai from the hidden city, the majority of yokai down there had a ghost experience of some sort especially with all the mystic stuff that went around.

"Well that's pretty small minded of you."

"Small minded? Look dude I might not be the smartest turtle out there but I'm not going to believe some made up stuff about ghosts or spirits okay."

"Okay, fine. I was just asking if you've seen anything you don't need to be such a jerk about it."

Usagi began walking away. He didn't need to associate himself with that idiot. He had a job to do. Usagi jumped at the sudden voice from next to him.

"Why are you looking for ghosts anyways?"

It was the turtle, Usagi hadn't even heard him approach. He was silent like a ninja, which Usagi would normally find super cool. But right now it's just annoying.

"I was sent to help departed souls make their way to the afterlife, some of them didn't properly pass over during the invasion so I'm helping them out. Plus if I do this I have a chance at finally getting my official ghost hunter badge!" Usagi explained as they walked. "Wait, why do you want to know? You said you don't believe in this stuff."

"I don't."

"Then why are you following me, are you some sort of stalker?" Usagi glared.

The slider looked at Usagi with a deadpan face. "Yes."

Usagi scoffed. "Fine, just don't get in my way, I have a job to do."

"Sure thing Thumper."

Usagi blushed in embarrassment at the name and stomped away to get distance from the turtle.

First he was rude and called Usagi a dumbass, now he was teasing him with these nicknames. It was middle school all over again. He didn't need to put up with that.

__________

Sadly Usagi couldn't get rid of the guy. Everytime he thought he lost him, he would just appear around the next corner like he was teleporting or something and Usagi was really starting to get sick of him.

"Why do you keep following me!" Usagi exclaimed at the turtle.

The turtle just shrugged. "Look, you mentioned ghosts and I'm just trying to understand why you would think those are real.” The turtle blinked. “You also said you didn't care if I followed you and you seem to have a sword and some weird devices and I'm just curious I guess."

Usagi just scoffed. "I don't need to tell you anything. I'm just trying to do my job."

The turtle just rolled his eyes. "Well your ‘job’ or whatever seems kinda pointless." He says gesturing to Usagis sword. "Heh, get it." The turtle joke. "Point-less. I'm so good."

Usagi resisted the urge to smile at the joke.

"I don't have time for your-" Usagi struggled to find the words. "Whatever you're trying to do."

The turtle rolled his eyes. "Fine. Then why don't you just leave."

"I'm trying but someone is making that very hard."

"Who? Me?" The turtle placed a hand on his chest.

"Yes you!" Usagi exclaimed. "You keep following me!"

"I- pfft- w-what!? I'm not-" the turtle placed a hand on his hip. "I'm not following you."

"Then why do you keep showing up around every corner I take!"

The turtle shrugged. "Coincidence?"

Usagi could feel his face burning under his fur. "Why am I even bothering to put up with you. I could just leave." Usagi spat.

The turtle crossed his arms like he won. "Okay. Then go." He shooed with his hand giving a winning smirk.

"Okay. I will!" Usagi called, turning around and making his way in the opposite direction.

"Don't let the door hit you on the way out!" The turtle called back.

"What?" Usagi whispered, confused. "THERE ISN'T EVEN A DOOR HERE!" Usagi yelled with frustration.

The last thing Usagi heard from the turtle was laughter.

__________

Now that Usagi didn't have to deal with that stupid Kame anymore he could finally continue with his work. Usagi wasn't sure why he let the turtle distract him for so long, he found him annoying and couldn't stand the fact that he kept teasing him. The turtle was just being rude. Why would someone call someone else a dumbass just because of their beliefs, that's just…… that kame is such a jerk.

The kame wasn't even worth thinking about at this point, he could rant to Chizu later about his horrible encounter.

Usagi's locator started beeping. Usagi jumped at the sound, It had been silent for a while, Usagi honestly forgot he even had it. Usagi looked at his surroundings to see he found himself in another park. When did his mind wander so far?

Usagi activated his ghost vision and glanced around the area, everything tinted with purple. That's when he saw it, over on a bench near a tree was an old man bathed in lavender and white light. That was the ghost Usagi's locator must have been picking up.

Usagi approached the spirit. The old man looked up at Usagi and gestured next to him to take a seat.

"Hello young man." The ghost smiled.

"Hello sir, are you…. Aware of what's happened?" Usagi asked. He thought the old man looked a little too happy to be, well….. dead.

The old man laughed. "Yes son I'm very aware. My time was up and now I have passed. You must be one of those angels I've heard so much about. Though I didn't think they would be so animal-like. You're here to reunite me with my Husband." The man smiled.

Usagi decided to ignore the 'angel' comment, he was about to ask about the man's husband when he felt breath close to his ear.

"Boo." The voice whispered.

Usagi yelped and kicked up a rock into the air that was on the ground next to his foot. He caught it in his hand, turned his body and threw it at where the voice came from.

Usagi caught sight of the turtle, fumbling with the rock he tried to catch, inevitably dropping it.

"Geez, warn a guy next time you throw a rock at their head." The turtle said. "Did you get the joke though?" The turtle laughed. "Cause ghosts and stuff."

Usagi glared at the turtle. "What are you doing here?!"

"Got nothing better to do." The turtle said, leaning on his elbows on the back of the bench. "Thought I could live up to the stalker title."

Usagi sighed. "Well I'm kinda busy right now so if you could do that later, that would be great." Usagi turned back to face the man who was waiting patiently with a smile.

"Oh shoot, sorry." The turtle spoke with nonchalance. "Are you with a ghost right now?" He whispered.

Usagi groaned. "Yes Kame I'm with-" Usagi was caught off guard when the old man started quietly laughing. "Sir?"

"Oh I'm sorry, that was rude of me." The man smiled. "You two just reminded me of my husband and I when we were just boys."

"Wha- you- us- huh?!" Usagi was shocked by that comment. He could almost feel heat climbing in his cheeks.

"Ooooo what did they say!" The turtle grinned mischievously.

"Nothing!" Usagi squeaked.

"Oh now I gotta know!" The turtle grinned.

Usagi looked at the old man who smiled in reassurance, pushing the rabbit to tell the slider what he had said.

If it would help get the man to the afterlife it was worth it. "He said that we reminded him of him and his late husband when they were our age." Usagi grumbled.

Everything was silent for a moment before the turtle started lightly laughing, covering his face with his hands. "Oh my god that's ridiculous!" The turtle exclaimed with amusement. "I don't even know your name and we are being mistaken for a couple! This is gold!"

The old man laughed along with the slider. "I like this one." He said to Usagi.

Usagi groaned in embarrassment, covering his face with his hands while listening to the laughter around him.

"Hey bunny boy." The turtle tapped on Usagis shoulder.

"What do you want, Kame." Usagi sighed in annoyance.

"I want to hear more about this guy's husband."

Usagi looked behind him at the turtle still leaning on the back of the bench.

"Can you…. Ask him to tell us more." The turtle said in a way that Usagi was almost shocked to admit was shy?

When Usagi got a better look at the turtle he could see something in his smile that felt familiar, and something even deeper than that in his eyes.

"Sure." Usagi responded with a small smile.

The old man, having already heard the slider's request, began recounting memories while Usagi retold them to the turtle.

The man told stories about him and his husband in their youth when they hadn't known of their feelings yet. He told them of the fear that came along with that in the time that they lived in. He spoke of their wedding day. He spoke of the happy memories of them going on fishing trips and boat rides. How even when they couldn't be together romantically for a long time, they found it to be enough to just be together as friends.

Usagi and the slider listened for hours. Soon the sun was starting to set. Usagis head had started to hurt quite a while ago from the use of his ghost vision, but he found it worth it when he got to hear all those stories. Usagi watched the turtle's expressions as he recounted the stories, always met with a sad smile.

Finally, the stories came to an end and the three of them sat in a comfortable silence before Usagi asked the one thing that needed to be asked.

"Are you ready to reunite with your husband?" Usagi smiled at the man.

The old man nodded. "I think I've waited long enough."

Usagi pulled out his yo-yo and gently tossed it towards the man. When it made contact Usagi cleared his ghost vision and watched the glowing orbs float into the sky. The one thing visible to the naked eye, the true departure of a departed soul. Usagi looked over at Leo, the slider watching with awe at the glow slowly disappearing into the sky. The sun set and the orbs disappeared, leaving them under the light of a still standing streetlamp, and the sounds of crickets.

The turtle took a seat next to Usagi on the bench and sighed.

"So." Usagi broke the silence. "Do you believe in ghosts now?" He asked with a smirk.

The turtle grinned at the question. "Nope" he popped.

Usagi stared at the turtle next to him. What he thought could be a moment where they could maybe put their differences behind them and become friends was completely thrown out the window.

Chapter Text

After Usagi was finally able to escape that annoying turtle yokai he went home. It took some effort and Usagi made sure to make several turns to make sure he wasn't followed before jumping into one of the hidden city entrances.

It had been a long day and Usagi was exhausted. His head was pounding from the headache he got after stupidly using his ghost vision for what felt like hours. (It was also probably from that turtle's loud mouth.)

All in all. It was a successful day of ghost hunting. He caught two of the fourteen he needed to prove Aunty wrong. (And also help the ghosts, that's the more important part.)

But when Usagi finally got to lie down in his bed, he couldn't sleep. His thoughts kept tracing back to that stupid turtle he met. How in- invig- invigorating? Yeah that. It was invigorating to be around him and his plain rudeness at the beginning. Not to mention the teasing that brought him all the way back to his middle school days that were not all that enjoyable to the rabbit.

Usagi pushed his face into his pillow and groaned in annoyance.

He didn’t know what to think about the blue kame he met. He was rude but at the same time he seemed to just joke around a lot even in the sad chaos that they were standing in. His attitude at the fountain and his attitude when they were with the old man felt so different. Like a switch was flipped or something.

He didn't miss the look in the turtle's eyes when he was repeating what the old man said to him. He just couldn't figure out what it was and why it was so familiar. But he knew he had seen it before.

Finally Usagi had enough of suffocating himself in his pillow. He needed to get all this off his chest so he could actually get enough rest to go out again tomorrow or the day after. And who better to talk to then his own sister, Chizu.

Usagi had known Chizu since he was a kid. His family had taken her in all those years ago when she showed up on their doorstep with nothing but the dirtied clothes on her back. Usagi and her had been close ever since. Chizu was Usagis big sister and first friend. She was there for him through everything, through the disappearance of his parents when he was four, his migraines from when he didn't have control of his ghost vision, his grandfather's death. She was always there.

Sure, Usagi also had Kitsune and Gen. But he didn't want to call them when they could be sleeping. And Chizu was who he was the closest to out of all of them.

Usagi made his way out of his room and down the hall to Chizu’s, not bothering to check the time. (His phone was dead and he didn’t know how to read the clock on his wall.) The rabbit threw open the door and turned on the light, eliciting a tired groan from the cat yokai currently bundled up in blankets.

The cat rolled over to face the rabbit and glared daggers into what Usagi could feel was his very soul.

“Usagi.” Chizu grumbled. “It's two in the morning. Fuck. Off.”

Geez. He might have forgotten how much of a grump Chizu was when she’s tired. Did Usagi care? Yeah, maybe a bit, Chizu was really scary when she's tired.

“I met someone tonight and I need to rant about him to you or my brain just might explode.” Usagi said, stepping further into the room, shutting the door behind him.

Chizu groaned in annoyance. “Can’t this wait till the morning. I have a job tomorrow.”

“No.”

Chizu sighed in frustration but sat up in her bed. She couldn’t just deny her little brother. She pulled her covers around her shoulders and patted the spot in front of her on the bed. Usagi sat across from her with his legs crossed.

“So.” Chizu yawned. “You met a boy. What, you think he’s cute or something?”

"What? Ew, definitely not!" Usagi exclaimed, offended that Chizu would even assume something like that. "He was so rude! I went up to him to ask some questions about ghosts and stuff and do you know what he said to me."

"What did he say." Chizu sighed.

"He said. And I quote. 'Ghosts aren't real dumbass'." Usagi took a breath. "Who just says that to somebody!"

Chizu snorted, covering her mouth to hide the amused smile.

"It's not funny." Usagi pouted.

"I mean…… it's kinda funny."

Usagi scoffed. "Anyways, after that I left because I'm not going to hang out with some moody turtle right?"

Chizu nodded her head still with an amused smile.

"But when I left, HE FREAKING FOLLOWED ME!" Usagi exclaimed.

"Did you kick his ass?" Chizu asked, raising a brow.

"No. I let him hang around which so happened to be a mistake because not only is he basically a flat earther but with ghosts. He’s a stalker! AND AN ASSHOLE!"

"Usagi I'm struggling to see the problem here?"

"The problem is that this super annoying Kame wouldn't leave me alone today and I just need to rant about him okay."

Chizu nodded. "Okay."

"Thank you."

Usagi continued ranting about the turtle, never failing to bring up how annoying he found him or how rude he was. Chizu sat and listened the whole time, but Usagi didn't fail to notice the grin on her face.

"Usagi, is there any part in this that you kicked his ass?" Chizu groaned, starting to get bored.

“No. Just because I'm a samurai doesn't mean I’m going to just punch someone in the face.” Usagi explained.

Chizu rubbed a hand down her face. "You literally try to think of any excuse to fight but okay. What’s his name?”

“I don’t know.” Usagi shrugs. “Does it matter?”

Chizu sighed. “Usagi, why do you care so much about what this guy thinks when you don’t even know his name. You're probably never going to see him again.”

Usagi looked away and tapped his fingers against his knees. “I don’t know. I just-” Usagi thought for a moment. Why was he so focused on this Kame? “There was something familiar about him.”

Chizu raised a brow. Now it seemed she was interested. “Like what?”

Usagi sighed. “I don’t know. There was just something in his eyes that I feel like I've seen before. It was really weird.”

“Weird as in?”

Usagi thought for a moment. What was it? Why was the look the turtle had while the man told his story so familiar? And so eerie. “Sad?” Usagi questioned. Looking at Chizu for insight.

“He looked sad?”

“Maybe?”

“Have you thought that maybe he lost someone in the invasion and that's why he’s out there in the first place.” Chizu suggested. “It’s not everyday you see a yokai on the surface, Usagi.”

Usagi nodded. That was a possibility. The turtle could simply have been through a similar experience like the ghosts. “I guess.” Usagi responded. “Still doesnt stop him from being a jerk though.” He grumbled.

Chizu yawned. “I'm sure you’ll figure it out. Or don’t, it really doesn’t matter.” Chizu laid back down on her bed, getting comfortable. “Now, are we done? Cause I have a job tomorrow and I need-” The cat yawned. “I need to be ready for it.”

“Oh, right!” Usagi hopped off the bed and rushed over to the door, turning off the light. “Night Chizu, thanks for the talk.” He whispered.

Chizu just waved him off and Usagi left the room, shutting the door behind him.

He was still curious about the kame but at least his chest felt a bit lighter now after getting it all out. He actually felt he could maybe sleep now.

Usagi went off the bed, excited for what awaited him the next day.

__________

Usagi was back in the city the next day. It was especially warm, he felt like he was going to melt out of his jacket. Why was he still wearing the jacket? The answer is actually very simple. He looks BADASS! The jacket wasn't really in his normal shade of blue that he liked, in fact, it was barely blue at all! More like a dark teal. He had to wear darker colours on the job for some reason (Usagi will never understand why.) But it made him look cool so he wasn't complaining (Maybe he should get a piercing!) He loved his jacket, it was the one thing he had that actually showed he was a ghost hunter! He had a nametag and everything! It was awesome! He remembered when his grandfather-

.

.

.

That's not important.

Usagi was just finishing up sending a ghost away. It was a very simple one, the lady was very nice and wished she could have given Usagi some lemonade or something on this hot day, but…. Sadly that wasn't an option. Usagi would have totally accepted it though, he bets she makes great lemonade.

When the lady's soul is floating into the atmosphere and Usagi is getting over the remnants of his headache a voice comes from behind him.

“Yo.”

Usagi whips around and sees that stupid turtle, standing right in front of him, without a care in the world. What. The. Hell.

“What are you doing here?” Usagi deadpanned. Not AT ALL interested in what this kame had to say.

“Was in the neighbourhood.” The turtle shrugged. “You still doing spooky things?” He asked with a smirk.

Usagi scowled at the turtle and turned away from him, trying to get as far away from him as possible.

“Hey wait up!” The turtle called chasing after him and slowed down next to him, matching his pace. “Are you just going to keep ignoring me?”

Usagi scowled more trying his best to ignore the kame. Chizu said he would probably never see him again. WHY THE HELL WAS HE SEEING HIM AGAIN! Okay, he could admit that he was curious about the turtle. He was just hanging out on the surface in the middle of the day like it was no problem. No ordinary yokai did that. Most that he knew were scared of humans. Even Chizu, and Chizu never seemed to be scared of anything. His Grandfather wasn’t scared of humans, that was one thing that Usaig always admired-

“Why are you following me?” Usagi snapped at the turtle, shaking himself from his thoughts.

“I'm boooored!” The turtle whined.

“Then go bother someone else.” The rabbit responded, speeding up his pace.

Leo sped up right along with him. “But I don’t want to bother someone else.”

Usagi stopped walking and sighed. The turtle stopped right next to him, looking down at Usagi with an eager smile. Usagi could still see that all too familiar look in his eyes, if he was ever going to figure out what that is he’ll have to hang around him. No matter how rude or annoying he seems to be.

Finally Usaig gave in, wiping sweat from his brow and pulling at the front of his tank top to cool himself. “Fine.” He responded. “But don’t get in my way.”

The turtle laughed. “Didn’t you say that to me yesterday?”

“I need to drill it into your tiny brain.” Usagi began walking again, the turtle following close next to him.

“I think my brain is only a little smaller than average actually.”

Usagi could help the laugh that erupted out of him. Quickly covering his mouth. He ignored the wide grin the turtle gave him.

__________

Usagi is surprisingly not having that bad of a time. The turtle could be pretty amusing once you got used to him. It never got quiet with the both of them constantly giving their own insight to anything that was brought up. Except for the ghost thing, that wasn’t a fun topic.

“Dude, I’m telling you. Ghosts aren't real.” The turtle explains.

“You literally sat with me for two hours yesterday talking to a ghost!” Usagi exclaimed. “There’s no way you would have put up with me for that long if you thought I was lying.”

The turtle shrugged. “You never know Bunny Boy- I can call you a boy right?”

Usagi nodded. “He, him.” He responded. If the turtle was going to insult him, he might as well be respectful.

“Okay same. Anyways Bunny Boy. I get bored like, really easily. And the story you were telling me was just really good. Like, movie good! Not as good as Jupiter Jim or Lou Jitsu. But still good.”

Usagi nodded. “Okay, but do you really think I’m capable of telling a really good story?” Usagi asked, planting a hand on his chest.

The slider looked him up and down before lifting his hand and tilting it side to side. “Maybe. You could retell something that happened to you and over embellish it.” The turtle looked over at the rabbit and smirked. “Or you could write fanfiction about yourself in your head.”

Usagi felt his face burn. He didn't do that! (He totally did.)

“I do not do that!” Usagi exclaimed.

The turtle put on his best Usagi impression. “I'm Bunny Boy, I'm going to be the best ghost hunter ever! I have a magic yoyo that makes things glow!” The slider fluttered his eyelashes.

“I do not sound like that.” Usagi scoffed, crossing his arms.

The turtle laughed. “You probably imagine yourself all tall and stuff too! Awwww that's adorable!”

The turtle laughed and patted the rabbit's head as Usagi scowled, his face burning underneath his fur.   

__________

“Wait a minute.” Usagi stopped walking at the absurdity he just heard. “You like magic shows, like card tricks and stuff. But you don’t believe in ghosts.” Usagis brows raised in confusion.

The turtle nodded. “There’s no proof that ghost’s exist.” He explained. “I’m a man of science.” Said the turtle in a mocking nerd voice.

“But magic is fake! It’s just tricks! Sure it's super cool and stuff but-” Usagi couldn't even phrase what was going through his head. “What?”

The slider laughed. “Conejo, it's simple. Magic is cool and tricking an audience is cool. The magic part might not be real. But the trick is, it's all an illusion, the trick isn't the magic. It's the audience's mind.” The turtle pointed at his temple with a maniacal grin. “You're trying to fool an entire room of people with simple hand movement. It’s incredible. It’s gas-lighting, gate-keeping and girl-bossing times ten!”

Usagi was just perplexed. His mouth was slightly parted, his eyes were bugged out, eyebrows raising to the sky. He barely understood a damn thing that came out of that kame’s mouth.

“So.” Usagi started. “The magic isn’t the trick. But the person's brain after they have seen the trick?”

The slider placed both his hands on Usagi's shoulders, locking eyes with him. “The magic is the total mind fuck your putting an audience through.”

“That just sounds evil.” Usaig responded with a breath.

“It is. And it’s awesome.” The turtle grinned.

“But there's no way you would be able to do that with your clumsy hands.” Usagi smirked.

The turtle gave Usagi a flat face and let go of his shoulders. “I’m not clumsy.”

Usagi let out an amused chuckle. “Okay. Sure.”

“I'm not-” The turtle tried to refute before stumbling over a rock but quickly straightening himself out.

Usagi laughed long enough to get distracted, trip, and face plant onto the concrete.

__________

"You don't even know what you're talking about Kame!" Usagi snarled, glaring at the turtle next to him.

"Dude, Jupiter Jim sails the seven galaxies is by far. The best. JJ movie of all time, it's not even up for debate."

"How dense are you! Jupiter Jim and the search for Saturn's rings is the best!"

"How old are you! That movie is so ancient! The cgi sucks ass! And don't even get me started on the acting." The slider flung back his mask tails.

"The whole point of it is that it's a classic! It's one of the first movies made, and has by far the BEST storyline! The acting is total crap and cgi is horrible but you need to look deeper into it! Have you seen the behind the scenes footage? The actors look like they are having so much fun and that shows through in the movie! All the new ones are better, sure. But they lack personality!" Usagi rambled.

"Jeez. You sound like my brother." The turtle grumbled.

"Well I guess your brother actually has taste, unlike someone I know."

The turtle glared at the rabbit. "Actually, his favourite is Pluto vacation four."

Usagi looked over at the turtle with a raised brow. "Seriously? Pluto vacation four?"

The turtle shrugged. "Better than Saturn's Rings." The turtle mumbled with a smirk walking past the rabbit.

Usagi clenched his fists. This Kame was infuriating.

Suddenly the kame sighed and turned to face him.

“Okay, I thought about it. Saturn's Rings is good okay, it's definitely a classic, I understand that….. But it strays too much from the comics.”

Usagi raised a brow. The comics? Usagi never thought this guy would be a reader.

The turtle began his explanation. “The producers were so focused on creating something new that wasn't part of the comics that they strayed too far and it doesn't even feel like it's part of the same universe, it's impossible to even find out between which issues it would take place. The movies got better with time not only when it comes to the cgi and the acting but with the connection to the comics. They were able to create the same sort of vibe as the comics in the movies ranging from 1996 to 2003 but before and after that it's just not the same.”

Usagi was shocked by this. This kame seemed to be one for a jock like attitude, not one to know the ins and outs of an outdated sci-fi series.

Usagi gasped. “You’re a nerd!” He exclaimed.

Usagi watched as the turtle's eyes widened.

“No I’m not!” The turtle exclaimed.

“You totally are! You don’t just like magic and JJ. You LIVE for magic and JJ!”

“Everyone has things they enjoy!” The turtle tried to defend.

“Yeah but not everyone does deep dives on a comic series like Jupiter Jim! Or complain that the movies don’t line up with the comics! YOU'RE A NERD!” Usagi exclaimed.

The turtle crossed his arms and glared at the rabbit. “No I’m not.”

Usagi rolled his eyes with a smile. He was going to relish in this as long as he could. This guy was constantly giving him shit for being a ghost hunter. He might as well return the favour.

“You are.” Usagi smiled.

The turtle remained silent and just glared at Usagi. Jeez, this guy really needs some humbling.

“What?” Usagi taunted. “Can’t handle the eating stay out of the dishen- I mean-”

The turtle held back a laugh. “What?” He squeaked. “What does that even mean!” The slider laughed, folding into himself.

Usagi decided to continue walking. “You know what, forget it.”

The turtle continued laughing, stumbling behind him as he tried to follow.

__________

“So what's with the sword?” The turtle asked, pointing to the sword on Usagi’s hip.

Usagi looked down at it in thought. Was he really going to go on a rant to this random turtle who he barely knew and was still unsure if he likes ghost hunting weapons?

Yeah. He was.

“My family actually came from a long line of samurai-”

“You're a samurai!” The turtle exclaimed.

“Uh, yeah kinda. We are trained in the ways of the samurai. Honour and all that. But my ancestors were samurai that were gifted with ghost sight that has been passed down for years!” Usagi explained. “Sometimes ghosts can turn more into Vengeful Spirits and we aren’t able to get them into the afterlife because they don't want to, so we have to destroy them so they won't cause harm to people. The sword is made out of a special material that can help destroy a spirit or a soul. Some groups make bullets out of it but my family likes to stick with weapons like swords and bows so we can stay with our samurai roots. Though we have expanded to make other kinds of weapons as well.”

The turtle nodded along. “That's actually really cool. So you use a sword?” He asked, pointing to the sword.

“Yeah! Mine is actually an heirloom passed down from my family, it used to belong to my grandfather!” Usagi explained excitedly.

The turtle nodded along again. “So if you come across a ghost that's like…. Causing chaos and hurting people, you would have no choice but to kill it?”

Usagi thought for a moment. “Well I would at least try to reason with it. Souls shouldn't have to be destroyed but sometimes it's the only option.”

“I guess that makes sense.” The slider responded.

__________

“You know if you're going to be following me you could at least tell me your name.” Usagi said as they began to climb over a pile of rubble.

“My name is Prince Harry of One Direction.” The turtle smirked. Finally having made his way to the top of the rubble.

Usagi raised a brow. “What?”

“Yep, Prince Harry of One Direction, I'm royalty.” The slider flipped his mask tails behind him with a smirk.

“Fine if you're not going to tell me your real name.” Usagi said getting to the top of the rubble and standing next to the turtle. “I'm not going to tell you mine.” 

The slider smiled. “That's fine. I like my nicknames for you.” The turtle looked over at Usagi and grinned. “Thumper.”

Usagi shuddered at the nickname. “Okay then, Kappa.” Usagi smirked.

The kame raised a brow. “Kappa?”

“Yep.” Usagi popped with a smug grin.

“What does that mean?”

Usagi shrugged. “Nothing important. Just a funny little name.”

The turtle frowned and jumped down to the bottom of the hill, landing perfectly on his feet. “Fine, I’ll figure it out myself.” The turtle began walking away.

“And how are you going to do that?” Usagi said, stumbling down the hill.

“Maybe read a book?” The turtle shuddered. “If I can find a computer, that might work.” The slider grumbled.

“Just use a phone.” Usagi said nearly tripping as he reached the bottom of the hill.

The turtle just sighed as he walked away from the rabbit for the first time in two hours.

__________

During Usagi’s time away from the turtle he found himself next to a quiet pond. The water reflected the bright blue sky and hot sun. Usagi felt the urge to just jump into the water, why did he choose to go ghost hunting on such a hot day he couldn’t tell you. And the refusal to take off his jacket just made it worse. Usagi hadn’t come across a single ghost since he started his patrol several hours ago and it was really starting to bother him. How can he find so few ghosts around, you would think there would be alot but NOPE! His aunt only assigned him fourteen! Usagi decided that he needed a break, so he took a seat next to the pond and just stared into the water. 

Usagi thought he would be glad to be rid of the turtle for a while, but after the first hour it started to get lonely. The Kames voice was like white noise, it filled in the empty space in Usagi's head when he was trying to focus on listening to his surroundings. If anything it helped him focus. So now that the kame wasn't here, he was just bored. He should start bringing Gen along. Actually no, he would be too freaked out about being on the surface during the day and the possible diseases from the alien tendrils. Kitsune might be good, she talks a lot like the kame. Though maybe the reason the kame was good white noise was because he wasn't boring. Not that Kitsune is boring! Usagi just tends to space out when she's talking. The kame was genuinely interesting as much as Usagi hated to admit it. That slider was living rent free in his head and it sucked. He needed a distraction. It was an hour later when he heard a familiar voice yell at him.

“WHAT THE HELL!”

Usagi turned to see the turtle stomping towards him with a book gripped tightly in his hand.

That was not the distraction Usagi was expecting.

“Oh. Your back.” Usagi stated, rising to his feet.

“Yeah. I am. Because your a fucking. Asshole.” The turtle spat.

“Excuse me?” Usagi said in shock. That was the last thing he expected from the turtle.

“Kappa? Seriously? You think I'm some murderer pervert jerk!”

What? Usagi had no clue what Kame was talking about. “What are you talking about?” Usagi breathed.

The turtle shoved the book he was holding into the rabbits hands and Usagi flipped it open to the bookmarked page. Oh… Usagi might have forgotten certain....... lore aspects to a Kappa.

“Oh.” Usagi responded. He didn’t know what to say, he just meant the nickname as a funny thing because a Kappa kinda looks like Kame. Usagi didn’t think the turtle would actually do a full deep dive of the (Not) legend.

Usagi closed the book. He didn’t know how to respond. He never thought of the turtle to get so offended. Why was Usagi worrying about this? He shouldn’t care about this. The kappa has been teasing and making fun of him ever since they met, maybe Usagi deserved a little bit of payback.

“Like seriously, why would you say that about a person!” The turtle exclaimed, pinching the spot between his eyes.

“Well I- I don't know what Conejo means and you don’t see me getting all- all upset about it!” Usagi exclaimed.

The turtles face was in pure disbelief. “It means fucking rabbit. I wasn’t giving you nicknames that were completely shitting on you.”

“Well maybe if you weren’t such a jerk I wouldn’t have to.”

“Is this about the ghost thing? Look dude, I was just stating an opinion.”

“Well you said it in a real jerk way!” Usagi exclaimed. “You can’t just call someone an- an idiot because of their job or what they believe in!”

“Doesn’t give you the right to call me a- a- a murderer, or a kidnapper, or other things that I don't even want to say!”

The two boys kept shouting back and forth. This argument was going nowhere. They just kept repeating the same things over and over, not knowing how to end or proceed with this. Usagi never meant for this to happen. He never likes hurting people's feelings. Insulting someone would just be stooping to the level of his old childhood neighbour who made fun of his eyes whenever his ghost sight activated on accident.

“Fine! I get I’ve been a jerk and all but that gives you no right to-” The slider froze suddenly looking around him. “Did you hear that?”

Usagi heard it too. Was that a dog barking? He went to respond.

“Uh-”

“Never mind, of course you did with those big ass ears of yours.” The slider interrupted.

Usagi glared at the turtle and took his beeping ghost sensor out, activating his ghost vision.

“Holy shit dude, what's up with your eyes?”

“Can’t you just shut up for two seconds!? Is that so difficult?” Usagi snapped.

The turtle snapped his mouth shut and just stood there silently as Usagi looked around.

Usagi knew he heard a dog barking. The fact that Kame also heard it was a bit of a shock but also made sense when he thought about it. He definitely saw the soul orbs when Usagi sent that old man away into the afterlife so maybe it wasn’t all that surprising. That just means that Kame has a mystic ability, which would be cool if he also wasn’t an asshole!

Usagi finally caught sight of the dog, a pomeranian apparently, running towards them, or- more so running towards Kame. Usagi watched as the dog ran right to the turtle and started licking his leg. The turtle shuddered and yelped at the contact.

“AH! What the heck was that!” The turtle shrieked.

Usagi laughs at the slider's reaction. “The dog licked you.” He smirked.

The turtle made a very displeased expression. “Ew ew EW! It's gonna get its ghost germs on me!” He whined.

“Well since you have mystic abilities you're gonna be able to hear and feel it if it touches you so get used to it.”

The turtle raised a brow. “How did you know I have mystic abilities? Have you been following me!” The turtle accused.

“What? NO! You're the one who's been following me!” Usagi exclaims. The rabbit sighs and calms himself down. “Only yokai and beings with even the smallest amount of mystic energy or powers can see soul orbs and you definitely saw them so I just assumed. Also you reacted to the dog licking you… only yokai with strong mystic can feel that.”

The turtle just grumbles something under his breath and Usagi rolls his eyes. He really didn’t want to keep dealing with this guy, why be so adamant on ghosts not existing and being such a jerk about it when he’s completely going along with everything Usagi says, it just doesn’t make sense.

“Just sit down.” Usagi says. “The little guy seems to like you so, this will make it much easier.”

Kame followed Usagi’s instructions and sat cross legged on the ground. The dog made its way to curl up in the turtle's lap. The slider's hands hovered in the air, seeming to not know what to do about the invisible dog in his lap.

Usagi sighs. “Here.” Usagi takes the slider's hand in his and gently guides it to the dog below. “It wants you to pet it.”

Usagi guides Kame's hand to pet the dog. Usagi watches as the turtle's hand goes through the dog but the dog doesn't seem to mind. It just seems content at getting attention. Its tongue was happily hanging out, possibly because of the heat, or maybe because the dog just seemed to be smiling so big that its tongue just couldn't stay in its mouth.

“If you focus your mystic energy you will probably be able to make physical contact with it.” Usagi suggests. “Apparently it's supposed to feel like pushing magnets of the same charge together.”

Now, Usagi knows that sounds smart and all, but in reality he doesn’t really know what that means. Gen explained it to him once and showed him with magnets, it was super cool but Usagi doesn’t really know what it means.

Surprisingly though, the turtle seemed to listen to him. Usagi watched the turtle's marks hidden beneath his mask and along his arm and legs began to glow their respective colours. Usagi stared in awe, it was so pretty- NO USAGI! The rabbit mentally slaps himself. Sure it may look cool and badass as hell, jeez why did this kame have to be so cool! But he’s still a jerk, don’t waste your time thinking you could be friends with him.

Usagi shook himself from his thoughts and watched as Kame gently ran his fingers through the dog's fur. The dog looked especially happy now that the turtle was actually making contact with it.

“What kind of dog is it?” Kame asked suddenly.

He had been quiet for so long that Usagi almost forgot that the turtle had a voice.

“A pomeranian.” Usagi answered.

The slider nodded. “Cool. I haven't actually just sat down with a dog in a while… It's nice.”

Usagi just nodded along to the softness of the turtle's voice. He seemed to get like this when around a ghost. This unending kindness and softness in his tone. Usagi didn’t understand the sudden mood switch between that loud obnoxious turtle from before and the one now. It always threw him for a loop, made him see a whole new side of the turtle that he just didn't understand. His loud side had a fun-ness to it and Usagi really liked just talking to him about stuff that they both had an interest in. If, and Usagi means IF the turtle wasn't such a jerk, he would consider being friends with him.

“So, do you need to send this little guy away?”

Usagi snapped out of his thoughts and looked at the slider, along with a very relaxed dog in his lap.

“Oh! Yeah I do, heh. Sorry.” Usagi unlatched his yo-yo from the pouch it was in on his belt.

Usagi held the yo-yo in the dog's eye line and the dog yipped in excitement, pushing its nose through the yo-yo. Usagi lightly laughed and tossed the yo-yo at the dog, its body disappeared into soul orbs and slowly drifted into the sky.

Usagi winced as he cleared his vision. He really needed to figure out how to handle those headaches.

The slider rose to his feet and dusted off his legs. He crossed his arms and looked at Usagi with a slight glare before abruptly turning around and starting to stomp away.

Usagi scoffed. “Whatever.” Usagi raised his voice for the slider to hear. “Kappa.”

Suddenly the turtle was running at him at full speed and pushed Usagi hard.

Before Usagi knew it, he was falling backwards into the lake with a yell and a loud splash. Usagi surfaced the water to yell at the turtle only to see that the turtle had already disappeared.

Chapter Text

Usagi burst open the door entering the lobby of the main base, water dripping from his clothes and fur as he walked, making small puddles in his wake. The entire room went quiet when he entered, all eyes on him. Customers and co-workers alike. Usagi was pissed beyond belief. Sure it was super hot out and he already was tempted to jump in the pond. But his fur took SO LONG TO DRY!!! (Also Gen taught him about the germs in pond water and it freaked him out.)

Usagi was sure the resting bitch face he inherited from his grandfather was plastered over his face. What he would give to strangle that Kappa right now, was worth more than his life. He would give his full comic book collection- No, scratch that. He would give only a quarter. Kame wasn't worth a full collection.

Usagi trudged through the lobby, leaving a wet trail behind where he stepped. He wanted to get to his room as soon as possible. If Chizu saw him like this he would never be able to live it down.

“Usagi!” An excited voice called.

Oh no. Usagi thought. It can't be. Anyone but her!

Usagi turned towards the voice and saw none other than Kitsune. One of his best friends.

Kitsune froze in place when she actually took Usagi in. She burst out laughing.

“Shut up.” Usagi grumbled.

“What the hell happened to you!” Kitsune laughed. “What, you get thrown in a lake or something!”

Usagi looked away from her and started walking towards the staircase that led to his home. Where he, his aunty, and Chizu all lived. Along with a few of the other workers. Kitsune followed behind him.

“Usagi seriously, What happened-" Kitsune's tone was worried before she yelled and almost wiped out some of the pond water dripping off the rabbit.

Usagi ignored her and when they reached the top of the stairs he made a beeline to his room. Only to run smack into Chizu.

“Hey! Watch where you're going!” She exclaimed until her eyes fell on Usagi. “What the heck. Why are you wet?” Chizu raised a brow.

Usagi let out a frustrated groan and shoved past her, going straight into his room and locking the door behind him.

Only seconds later there was knocking at his door.

“Usagi!” Chizu called.

“Usagi are you okay?” Kitsune asked.

“Was it Kenichi?” Chizu asked. Usagi could hear the rage in her voice. “I swear to god if Kenichi messed with you again I’ll-”

“It wasn’t Kenichi.” Usagi responded, Taking off his jacket and glaring at the Kanji on the back of it before throwing it across his room, it landed on the floor with a wet thud. The cold air of his room caused him to shiver slightly, just being in his tank top.

“You better not be lying to me right now.” Chizu sternly said.

Usagi rolled his eyes and unlocked the door. There was no point in ignoring them. Kitsune knew how to pick locks. He opened the door and looked at the two girls with an unimpressed look.

“Remember the Kame?” Usagi asked Chizu.

Chizu raised a brow. “Yeah?”

Usagi just gestured to his body and then went back into his room. Kitsune and Chizu followed.

“Kame?” Kitsune questioned. “I feel like I’m missing something.”

“Usagi met a boy.” Chizu answered.

“A boy!” Kitsune exclaimed in excitement.

“Shut up.” Usagi said. “He pushed me in a pond.” Usagi grumbled.

The room went silent for a moment before Kitsune burst out laughing.

“Shit!” Kitsune laughed, wiping a tear from her eye. “What the heck did you do!”

“It wasn’t intentional!” Usagi exclaimed in defense. “I didn’t mean to hurt his feelings, I just called him a Kappa and he didn’t know what that was so he went to look it up and when he came back he was really mad.” He explained.

Chizu sighed, pinching the spot between her eyes. “Well… you did say he was being a jerk so I can understand snapping at him, especially with your history with Kenichi. Why was he so upset by being called Kappa?”

Usagi's mouth stretched his mouth into a line. “I may have forgotten certain-” Usagi waved his hand into the air. “Lore aspects about Kappas.”

Kitsune raised a brow. “Such as?”

Usagi shrugged. “Oh you know just. Murder, kidnapping, eating human skin. Just… basic stuff.”

Chizu and Kitsune looked at Usagi in shock. Usagi was starting to think that there was something behind him from how hard they were staring. Oh this was totally his fault, he messed up baaaaad. He was going to hell. If hell was even a thing Usagi was not the religious type. Spiritual, sure. Religious? Ehhh, debatable.

“Did you keep calling him that, even after he had a bad reaction to it?” Chizu suddenly asked.

Usagi went and sat down cross legged on his bed. Not caring about soaking his sheets. “Yeah.” He said, scratching his wrists nervously. “I was feeling… putty?”

“You mean petty?” Kitsune asked with an amused smile.

“Yeah, that thing.”

“You both suck.” Chizu said.

“What!” KItsune exclaimed.

“No, not you Kit, you're fine.” Chizu responded. “For the most part.” She mumbled under her breath.

Kitsune proudly smiled, only hearing that Chizu thought she was fine and settled herself in Usagi’s desk chair. Spinning herself in slow circles.

Chizu continued. “Usagi, why were you even hanging out with Kame today?”

Usagi shrugged. “I don't know, he just showed up.”

“Okay so. Kame is a jerk, I will say that. He shouldn’t have called you a dumbass for the ghost thing, but you also keep indulging in him-”

“Indulging?” Usagi interrupted.

“You're allowing yourself to enjoy his company.”

Usagi raised a brow at that but didn’t respond.

“And you're just kinda dumb.”

“Hey!” Usagi exclaimed. “Just because it's true doesn’t mean you have to say it!”

“Usagi he obviously likes hanging out with you, he just seems like, from what you've told me. The type of yokai to tease people for fun? Not saying he wasn’t completely in the wrong, I will punch him for pushing you into a pond. You both just seem to egg each other on. It also seems that he took your nickname a little too seriously, he probably has something going on in that jerk brain of his.”

Usagi sighed. “Yeah, it was a stupid fight. I really did not mean to hurt his feelings.”

Usagi really didn’t mean to. He just got so caught up in everything, blinded by the teasing that kept raining down on him.

“What are we even talking about?” Kitsune asked. “ All you said was that Usagi met a boy. Is he a new friend or something?”

Usagi scoffed. “I would not call him a friend. He’s more like an unwanted sidekick.”

Chizu rolled her eyes. “A kame has been hanging around him lately while Usagi’s been out ghost hunting and Usagi apparently hates him.”

Kitsune nodded in understanding, an amused smile gracing her face.

“Thanks for the help and all Chizu but can you go now? I really need a shower.” Usagi said.

Kitsune sniffed the air and scrunched up her face. “Yeah geez, what kind of pond did he push you in.” Kitsune stood from her seat and left the room, Chizu followed after her and shut the door behind her.

Usagi was about to enter his en-suit when he heard an excited yell from outside.

“Wait! Usagi got assigned a mission!”

__________

Usagi and Chizu had been planning on meeting up with Gen and Kitsune for a while. Everyone had just been busy with all their own jobs or schooling. Chizu and Usagi with their job as ghost hunters, Gen working on becoming a nurse, and Kitsune-

.

.

.

Usagi actually doesn’t know what Kitsune has been doing. She often did street side puppet shows to earn some cash but other than that Usagi didn’t really question where she got her money. He knew she was decent with technology so maybe there was a chance she was doing something with that. Maybe.

Usagi will just pretend he doesn't know that Kitsune is doing illegal activities.

Usagi and Chizu looked over to the tables outside of the small restaurant that they often went to. Usagi was addicted to the blueberry muffins there. It reminded him of when he lived on the farm with his parents and the blueberries they used to grow, along with the muffins they would make from them. Usagi doesn’t remember a whole lot about his parents. But he remembered the blueberries. Usagi even questions if that's the reason blue is his favourite colour.

Usagi and Chizu walk up to the table occupied by none other than Gen and Kitsune.

“Usagi! I’ve missed you man!” Gen gave Usagi a very quick hug. “You have been showering right?” The rhino questions.

“I showered this morning actually." Usagi gave a proud smile.

“Well that's a first.” Chizu comments.

“Hey!”

“Ignoring Usagi's bad hygiene.” Gen spoke, taking his seat as well as everyone else. “What have you all been up to.”

“Usagi got thrown into a pond!” Kitsune says with an innocent smile.

Chizu covers her mouth hiding her smile while Usagi gapes at the fox.

“Of all the things to say!” Usagi exclaims.

Gen just sighs with an unimpressed look. “Why is this not a surprise to me. Did you at least shower after? You never know what kind of infection you can get from ponds.” Gen shivered.

Usagi just rolls his eyes and looks around for the waiter until he sees him. Kenichi.

“Shit!” Usagi whispered in dismay. He quickly slid down his chair until he was under the table and crouched down to the ground.

“Uh, Usagi?” Chizu questioned.

“You okay down there?” Kitsune asked.

“Yep!” Usagi said, nervousness lacing his voice. “Just saw a penny.”

The table above him went quiet. Usagi didn’t know what was going on above him but he didn’t like it.

“Usagi.” Gen said in a gentle voice. “What's going on bud?”

Usagi rolled his eyes at the tone of voice. He wasn’t a baby. He didn’t need his friends to treat him like he was going to break, he could handle this himself. Usagi thought through his options. Usagis spot was positioned so that Kitsune was across from him. He saw Kenichi behind Kitsune but the table was a distance away and his back was to him. He also had his posse with him so now that Usagi was thinking about it, Kenichi probably wouldn't even notice him. He just needed to not speak to loud and keep his head down a bit. Now he just needed an excuse as to why he went under the table. Usagi quickly searched his hoodies pockets. Bingo.

Usagi pulled his hood up and climbed back into his seat.

“I found a syrup packet on the ground!” Usagi smiled like he just won an award.

Gen raised a brow at the rabbit. “I thought you said it was a penny?”

Usagi shrugged. “It looked like one at first.”

“They are completely different shapes.” Kitsune commented.

Usagi shrugged again, the innocent smile still gracing his face. “When's the waiter gonna get here I’m starving!” Usagi whined.

That seemed to catch everyone's attention. Gen and Kitsune called over a waiter and they all placed their orders. Usagi getting that blueberry muffin that he had been wanting. What the rabbit didn’t notice though was Chizu giving him worried glances from the corner of her eye.

__________

Usagi got another muffin for the walk back home. He looked into the bag with the muffin with sparkles in his eyes. How do they even get muffin trays that big to create these masterpieces?

“So what happened back there?” Chizu asked, getting Usagi's attention.

“What do you mean?” Usagi asked.

“After you ‘found’ the syrup packet under the table. You were quiet.”

“Was I?” Usagi had almost forgotten about the incident while walking back. He didn’t know how he could of, he practically had his eyes on Kenichi the whole time in case he turned around.

“You were also distracted. If there’s something up please don't hide it from me.” Chizu said with slight gentleness. “I promise I won’t treat you like a baby.”

Usagi thought about it for a moment. Chizu had been one of the people that helped him the most during his hard times but she never treated him as if he was a piece of glass.

“I know there wasn’t a syrup packet on the ground by the way, you always carry those around with you.” Chizu added.

Usagi exhaled from his nose in amusement before sighing. “Kenichi was there.” Usagi said as nonchalantly as he could.

Chizu stopped walking, Usagi turned to face her. Chizu’s eyes had a simmering anger in them.

“You can't do anything now, no point in getting angry.” Usagi said.

Chizu took a breath. “Where was he?”

“At a table behind Kitsune.”

“Why didn’t you say anything, we could have gone to a different restaurant or something.”

“I didn’t want you guys to have to change plans just because I can't get over-”

“Usagi, he tormented you for years. You don’t just get over that.” Chizu explained.

Usagi sighed. “I also happened to really be in the mood for a muffin and I wasn’t going to let some jerk get in the way of my one true love.” Usagi joked.

Chizu smiled. “It was very brave of you to stick it out, I’m proud of you.”

Usagi gave Chizu a big buck toothed smile, before smirking. “Well I am the greatest ghost hunter the hidden cities ever seen-”

Usagi’s words were interrupted when Chizu pulled Usagi’s hood over his face, making him stumble.

“Wha- Hey!” Usagi shouted.

Chizu laughed and ran ahead of the rabbit.

Usagi laughed and chased after his sister.

__________

Usagi hasn’t seen Kame in a few days since the incident. But without the distraction of the turtle, Usagi felt he was actually able to get stuff done! He was struggling to find ghosts at first but soon enough he was able to find some, sure it was a bit more boring than usual but now he was a step closer to proving that he could be an incredible ghost hunter!

Sure, Usagi felt bad about what happened. Kame was a jerk but he didn't mean to hurt his feelings that bad, if he knew that Kame would have reacted like that he wouldn't have said anything….. probably.

Something about catching the ghosts alone though was strange. Usagi got used to having company while around the departed souls. He got used to telling their stories in real time with another person. It was nice that these ghosts wouldn't be forgotten and that now there were at least two more beings that knew about them, even if they somehow forgot.

Usagi would try his best not to though.

If Usagi somehow saw the turtle again he would apologize of course. Maybe. Just because he talked it through with Chizu and Kitsune didn't mean he was completely over it yet. Kame was a jerk to him, he wasn't just going to let that go!

And if he so happened to be carrying around a backpack with a little apology gift, well...... he can figure out what to do with it when- IF the time comes.

But maybe…… Maybe Kame actually wasn’t that bad. What if that turtle was struggling with something. Usagi saw the cracks in his shell. It didn’t look recent from what he saw of it. But that didn’t mean Kame didn't possibly go through something traumatic thanks to the invasion.

Usagi could almost perfectly picture the face the turtle was making at the fountain when he first found him. It was so familiar. Usagi recognized it as a face that he never wanted to see again, a face that he remembered seeing some time ago. But what was it? It seemed like it was so simple to remember, like it was important but what was it?

Usagi’s head was starting to hurt from all this thinking that he has been doing. He almost forgot that he was out in the city. How long had he just been mindlessly walking for? A while it seemed because Usagi had no idea where he was. It was common for Usagi to get lost, he wasn’t the best with directions. But that was getting lost in the hidden city. When Usagi got lost down there he wasn't completely lost, everything looped together at some point,and for the most part, he was able to find his way back. But this is New York City! Usagi didn’t know WHERE he was or where the closest hidden city entrance was. He was completely lost!

Usagi groaned in frustration burying his face in his hands.

Why was this so hard? He was doing so good not that long ago. He was catching ghosts and doing a damn good job. But then he started thinking about Kame and completely spaced out.

"Way to go Usagi." The rabbit muttered to himself. "You messed up again. Just like you always do." He sighed. "Now I'll have to call Chizu to come find me. She'll never let it go."

Usagi looked around him a bit more, trying to find anything that could be the least bit familiar. But if he was really going to be honest, a lot of the streets look the same. How anyone got around the city was crazy to him. Every where he looked was dumb looking pink vine, a coffee shop, and a fire hydrant. The fire hydrants weren't even cool looking! They were just red and looked like they might be leaking. (Usagi swears to the Kami that if one of those explodes he will fight the next person he sees, and slice at the backs of their knees with his sword.)

Usagi's ears twitched to the sound of beeping, ears standing straight up. Was that the ghost locator?

Usagi pulled it it from his pocket and activated his ghost vision, the world taking on the lavender tint.

Usagi didn't have to look far to see a girl, maybe around the age of twelve staring up at him.

Usagi yelled in surprise jumping back and almost dropping the locator in the process.

"What are you?" The kid asked with a raised brow. "You some sort of weird bunny? Like that one from Bambi?"

"One from-" Usagis face instantly dropped into a frown.

"You look weird." The girl said. "What's with the eyebrows? Do bunnies normally have eyebrows?"

"What? My eyebrows aren't weird! Are they?"

"You look like you would smell weird."

"Smell weird?" Usagi sniffed himself under the arm and shrugged his shoulders. "A bit of sweat but not horrible." Usagi's eyes widened in realization. "You're a ghost!"

The kid grinned at that. "Uh, duh! What else would I be!"

Now that wasn't a reaction Usagi was expecting. Normally people, humans especially, are sensitive about death. But this kid….. they seemed fine.

"Uh, hey kid." Usagi tried to put on his friendliest smile. "Whatcha doing?"

"What's it to ya?"

"Well, I'm a ghost hunter. It's kinda my job."

"Ghost hunter? You're just a fluffy little bunny! What could you do to hunt ghosts!" The kid said with a grin. "You don't even have one of those machines from that ghostbuster movie my dad liked."

Okay. Usagi didn't even want to get into the inaccuracy of Ghostbusters right now. (No matter how tempting.) He was dealing with a strangely calm kid. There was no way she died recently.

"Hey. If you don't mind me asking. How long ago did you die?"

She seemed to think for a moment before shrugging. "I don't know. My soccer ball rolled into the middle of the street and now I can float and walk through things! You're probably so jealous right now."

"No. I can't say I am."

"Weird. Wanna see something cool?" The girl asked flatly.

"Sure?"

The kid walked up to a street lamp and Usagi watched as the girl's form slowly absorbed itself into the street lamp, leaving nothing where she was standing. The street lamp began to flicker and sway, even seeming to want to fold in half.

Oh. Usagi knew what this kid was. This kid was a trickster. A nickname for a type of wandering spirit that the company would sometimes come across. They definitely weren't evil, and are most commonly children. They tended to just like goofing off. Usagi remembered that they have the ability to possess objects. If a departed soul is left alone for too long they tend to evolve into a more powerful spirit, a wandering spirit, capable of possession and possibly other things.

Yep. Usagi was definitely not expecting to run into something like this today.

"Hey, uh, kid!" Usagi called nervously. "Maybe it's time to maybe…. not possess a skinny lamp?"

"You're no fun." The girls voice echoed from the streetlamp.

Usagi didn't know what to do with this kid. It couldn't be any different then talking to his little cousin Hana…. Oh who was he kidding! How the heck do you talk to a kid that doesn't seem to listen!

"Hey kid, the streetlamp isn't a toy, you should really stop playing with it."

The kid laughed as she kept bending the streetlamp, making it act like a gummy worm.

"What the fuck."

Usagi heard a familiar voice from behind him. It couldn't be. Was that-

Usagi turned around to see Kame gaping at the bending streetlamp before his eyes settled on Usagi.

"Wassup Thumper." The turtle said, seeming breathless. "Looks like you got a situation."

Usagi groaned as he rolled his eyes at the turtle. "What are you doing here Kame."

"I saw a streetlamp being weird and couldn't help but come and check it out."

"Of course." Usagi sighed.

Kame walked over till he was standing next to Usagi, staring up at the streetlamp.

Usagi could sense the tension in the air between them. But Usagi could also worry about that later.

"So, I'm guessing ghost, because of the freaky purple eyes."

Okay, Usagi really wanted to punch him.

The rabbit took a breath to calm himself. He shouldn't act rash, he needed help with this and Kame seemed to be good at talking so maybe he could help.

"Yes, it's a ghost of sorts. The kid is a trickster, a form of wandering spirit that tends to just like to joke around and innocently mess with people."

"Fun." The turtle smiled. "Wait, what's a wandering spirit?"

"They're souls that weren't able to make it to the afterlife and weren't picked up by ghost hunters. They tend to evolve until they are able to possess objects." Usagi explained.

"Oh, cool." Kame said with a smile. "Hey kid!" Kame called. "Do you like games!"

Usagi watched as the child's soul flowed from the lamp, the lamp taking on its original form. The girl formed in front of Kame and looked up at him. Kame was still looking at the streetlamp.

"Do you have games on your phone?" The kid asked with a smirk.

Usagi couldn't help the laugh that bubbled out of him, he looked at the Kame to see an amused smile on his face. Usagi raised a brow but decided to ignore it.

"Hey, Conejo, where's the kid at?"

"Right in front of you."

"Cool." Kame sat criss crossed on the ground. "So Kid, have you heard of the afterlife?"

"My mom mentioned heaven or whatever but I died and, no heaven. Unless the city is heaven but that would be weird."

Usagi repeated the words to the turtle and Kame nodded along.

"So funny story kid. This actually isn't the afterlife."

The girls eyes widened at the turtle's words.

"But… that doesn't make sense?" The girl mumbled. "There are so many other dead people. And there's you guys and you guys aren't human so this has to be-"

"Hey." Usagi interrupted before the kid spiraled. "It's okay. I know it's scary to find out that you've been in the wrong place for a while, but it's going to be okay."

The kid shook her head, stepping away from Kame. “No. You’re lying.” The kid kept backing further away. “I know you’re wrong.”

“I’m really sorry.” Usagi spoke gently.

The ghost child's face scrunched up in a way Usagi would never be able to explain. Something burned inside that Usagi was starting to sense could be dangerous.

“Kame.” Usagi tried to keep his voice steady.

Usagi could physically start to see it. The girl's soul. It burned. The core of the girl that was once translucent and not visible to even those with ghost sight began to glow red.

Usagis head felt like it was going to explode, the rabbit stumbled slightly, placing his hand firmly to one of his eyes that felt like it was going to burst from his head.

“Conejo!” Kame rose to his feet and approached Usagi. “Hey, what's going on!”

Usagi looked at the boy again. The red core was expanding.

“Kame we-” Usagi winced at the pain in his head. “We need to go.”

“What!? What about the kid!”

“We need to go!” Usaig shouted.

Suddenly a bright light overtook them. Usagi saw Kame's eyes widen in shock. Before the bright light completely consumed them. Usagi felt the ground shake and heard glass nearby shatter. Through the light he caught a slight glimpse of the girl. Misty tears floated up from the child's eyes before the young ghost disappeared.

__________

Usagi opened his eyes to clear vision. The ghost child that was once in front of them was gone. The streetlamp that the child had previously possessed was bent completely in half, the glass of the light shattered and sparking.

Usagis head was killing him. The child's power mixed with the blinding light that she admitted was too much and dureing the whole thing Usagi really felt like his head might explode. It was dulling now, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to take the day off tomorrow and just lay in the darkness of his room.

Usagi looked around from where he was sitting and saw Kame sitting on the ground with a wide eyed, shocked expression that Usagi wished he could just take a picture of.

"What the fuck just happened." The turtles voice said in a much calmer tone then Usagi expected.

"You freaked out the kid is what happend." Usagi winced, staggering to his feet.

"Damn it." Kame grumbled. "Im an idiot, I didn't mean too I-"

"It's okay. You didn't know she would react like that. I didn't know she would either, could happen to anyone." Usagi pressed his hand to his temple.

"Are you okay?" Kame asked, hesitantly approaching. "Did you get hurt?"

"No, I'm fine." Usagi pulled his hand away from his head and took a breath. "My ghost vision is just stupid and gives me really bad headaches."

"Shit." Kame said. "That sucks. Does anyone else in your family or whatever deal with that?"

Usagi raised a brow. Why was the Kame acting like he was actually interested in this stuff? Just yesterday he was mad at him and doing the usual teasing about how ghosts aren't real.

"Why would you care? You pushed me into a really gross pond. Do you know how long it takes for my fur to dry? Hours, Kame. Besides." Usagi said. "You don't believe in this stuff, remember." The rabbit mumbled. Usagi watched as Kame stretched his mouth into a line.

Usagi rolled his eyes and started walking away. He needed to go find that ghost girl before she caused anymore damage or hurt anyone.

“My brother believes in ghosts.”

Usagi stopped walking. What did Kame just say?

“What?”

“My brother believes in a ghost’s. And so does my sister, I think.” Kame explained.

Usagi didn’t know what to think. What did this have to do with him?

“One day my brother convinced me to go look for this thing called the gumbus with him and even though it turned out to be a hoax. It was absolutely terrifying.” Kame rubbed a hand down his face.

“Okay…… why are you telling me this?” Usagi asked hesitantly.

“I didn’t want to be an asshole. I don’t want to be an asshole, and trust me. I know that I am one. I-” Kame took a breath. “I absolutely suck sometimes. Not all the time but I definitely have my moments.” Kame groaned in frustration, burying his face in his hands. “God, I’m so bad at this.” Kame made eye contact with Usagi and took a breath. “I was a jerk to you. And I- I over reacted to you calling me Kappa. A bit. Im-" Kame coughed. "Sorry." He hacked out. Clearing his throat. "I'm sorry. For pushing you into a really gross pond.” Kame nodded and released a breath.

Usagi didn’t know what to say to that. He was happy that Kame apologized. Excited even. Kenichi never apologized and Usagi didn't think he ever would. This was new to him. It felt good though. It felt really good to actually have somebody take responsibility.

“Thank you.” Usagi said softly. It was like he released a breath that he was holding for too long. “And- I’m sorry too. I didn’t think about the ‘myth’ and how people might think about it. And when I realized that you were upset about it, I was already mad and stuff and decided to call you that even though it hurt your feelings. I'm sorry.”

Kame waved him off.

Wait…. Kame waved him off?

“It’s no big deal.” Kame said, placing a hand on his hip. “Thanks for apologizing but you really didn’t have to do that.”

“Yeah I did. If I didn’t I would be no better then- any of the other jerks out there. And it wouldn’t have been right to you. If someone says rude things to you no matter the situation they should apologize.”

Kame rubbed the back of his neck and looked away from Usagi. And for once, Usagi thought that the turtle actually looked unsure about something. That loud, confident attitude dropped like when Usagi would tell him what the ghost’s were saying. He looked uncomfortable, which is the last thing Usagi wanted from this.

“Can we start over?” Usagi asked without thinking.

Kame tilted his head. “Shouldn’t I be the one to ask you that?”

Usagi rolled his eyes. “It doesn’t matter- just.” Usagi pulled his backpack that he brought along that day from his shoulders and opened it to pull out a cucumber. He held the cucumber out to Kame. “Peace offering.”

Kame raised a brow. “A cucmber?”

Usagi rolled his eyes. “It's a peace offering.”

Kame let out an amused breath “You do know I'm not a kappa right?” Kame took the cucumber and took a bite from it. “You literally just apologized for the Kappa thing and now you're basically calling me that again.”

Usagi stretched his mouth into a line and nodded. “Yeah I know your not. Sorry, if it's too soon we can just forget about it or-”

Kame laughed and placed a hand on Usagi’s shoulder. “No, dude it's fine. It’s funny. And I get it by the way, Kappa is kind of an ugly turtle. I'm a really hot turtle. Weird that you got that mixed up but I can forgive you, I guess.”

Usagi let out an amused breath. “Oh yes. How could I mess up so badly.” He said sarcastically.

Kame just shrugged.

“Soooo. Do you believe in ghosts now?”

Kame looked at Usagi with a big shit eating grin. “Nope.” He popped. Before patting Usaig on the shoulder and walking past him. “So where's this ghost at!” Kame called behind him.

“I thought you didn’t believe in them.” Usagi called, chasing after him.

“I don’t. But that bright ass light could hurt someone, wouldn't want that." Kame smirked.

Usagi sighed in frustration. But that didn’t matter. Right now Usagi was going to go catch a ghost with his….. Whatever this guy was to him. And maybe one day, Usagi will finally be able to convince him that ghosts are real.

Chapter Text

When Usagi went out that afternoon to catch a ghost, the last thing he expected to be doing was walking around the city looking for a ghost they accidentally scared away with his mortal enemy.

Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic but Usagi is allowed to be dramatic. It's not everyday you and the guy that had been not the nicest walk down a damaged city street together. Especially after that very same not very nice yokai apologized for how he had been acting.

Usagi was shocked to say the least. Him and Kame had been walking together for hours, searching for this ghost girl and haven't fought even once. They’ve made simple jabs at each other like they tend to do. But before, Usagi always felt like Kame was insulting him and found it annoying. Now it was different. Usagi was even enjoying it. It was like they had been friends forever……

Not that Usagi thought they were friends or anything. They definitely weren’t. The turtle was just helping Usagi out with this one ghost and then they would most likely go their separate ways. Yeah that's what was happening. They were going to find that ghost girl. Try their best to help her through the traumatic discovery of her actually not being in the afterlife and send her there to hopefully be with a family member like a parent or a grandparent. Who knows how long she was just wandering around down there thinking it was the afterlife. It wasn’t her fault that she thought it was though. Humans don’t know what the afterlife looks like. Nobody does for that matter. You would think Usagi's family would since their whole job is to send people there but they had no clue.

For all they know, the afterlife could be a terrible place where people suffer for eternity. If it weren’t for the scrolls that they had from their ancestors they would have no idea. The scrolls are vague, but apparently some serious research was done and even some communications with spirtis. Usagi's family just decided to believe that was all true, even if there was no proof or imformation on how they did it. And Usagi was curious, sure, but he would never ask. He didn’t want the company to suddenly panic and burn the place down, or stop doing their jobs. Burning alive in his house/place of employment (Not that he got paid at the moment) didn’t sound all that enjoyable.

Now, maybe Usagi shouldn’t have asked. Maybe he should have just left it alone. But he couldn't help himself! The mystery was killing him!

“So, why did you react like that when I called you a Kappa?”

The turtle looked over at Usagi with a raised brow.

“You don't have to answer if it's too personal! I was just curious, we can just forget about it-”

“Do I act like one?” The turtle asked in a small voice.

“What?” Usagi looked over at Kame. The turtle looked uncomfortable, he refused to look in Usagis direction and his mouth was frowning.

“Do I seem like the type of guy that would willingly kill somebody? I don’t want to be. But maybe I am, I mean. I already know that I'm arrogant. And everything I do does seem to just get people hurt.” Kame sighed. “I guess when I read what the book said I just couldn’t accept that things in there were true.”

Usagi didn’t even think Kame was even talking to him at this point. The turtle seemed to be talking to himself more than anything.

“It does make sense to compare me to a Kappa though.” Kame continued. “I was created to destroy humanity so-”

“Destroy humanity!” Usagi exclaimed in shock.

Kame looked at Usagi with wide eyes. “I’ve totally been speaking out loud haven't I.” The turtle said in a breath, his discomfort seeming to grow. “Shit, I’m sorry, just forget everything I said-”

“What do you mean you were made to destroy humanity!” Usagi squeaked out.

“Wha- Conejo, it's not a big deal. Well maybe it is- I don't want to!”

“Wait, what do you mean created! Were you raised in a cult!”

“What! NO!”

“What cults have yokai created that want to destroy humanity?” Usaig mumbled. “Well that Perry Laxum guy had a small following.”

“Baron Draxum?”

“THAT'S HIS NAME?!”

“Yeah? And stop rambling, you're making assumptions!”

“That's a stupid name.” Usagi mumbled. The rabbit took a deep breath. “Sorry. I was just not expecting that. Sure I thought it was weird that a yokai was just on the surface with no problem, but-”

“Wait, wait wait wait.” Kame interrupted. “Just let me talk, yeah?” Kame took a breath. “First! I'm not a yokai, I'm a mutant that was created in a lab.”

“What the fu-”

Kame pressed his finger to Usagi’s lips to shush him. “Second, Draxum made me and my brothers to destroy humanity, but he didn’t raise us. My dad did, he’s our human DNA.”

“Your dads a human.” Usagi said through his squished lips.

“Well- no. He’s a rat.”

Usagi was so confused. Kame wasn’t a yokai? He sort of heard about the mutants that had been appearing lately, but he never cared enough to look into it. This whole thing was just way too confusing for his brain to handle.

“You know what. Your not even absorbing any of this information, completely understandable, its sciencey and boring. Let's just drop it.” Kame said, pulling his fingers from Usagi's mouth.

Usagi stayed silent for a moment before he remembered what this conversation was even about.

“You don’t fully seem like a Kappa by the way.”

Kame raised a masked brow.

“Like sure, you seem like a jokester of sorts but you seem to care. And I don't think you would hurt someone intentionally. You seem like a nice guy overall.”

Kame looked away from Usagi, his mouth in a line. Did Usagi say the wrong thing? Maybe he shouldn't have brought up the Kappa thing at all. All it did was cause Kame to unintentionally overshare.

“Thanks.” Kame said quietly.

Usagi smiled at Kame. The turtle looked over at him for a second before looking away and rushing ahead of him.

“Let’s go Thumper, I thought rabbits were supposed to be fast!”

Usagi chased after him. “Stop calling me Thumper! Bambi is a horrible movie!”

Kame laughed as Usagi chased after him.

“Whatcha gonna do about it.” Kame laughed.

“I'll come up with my-” Usagi was panting trying to keep up with the turtle. “My own nickname for you.” Usagi looked at the turtle looking for some type of inspiration for a name until his eyes landed on the turtle's red stripes. “Stripes.” Usagi smiled at the turtle, still panting from running.

Kame raised a brow. “Stripes? I thought we were supposed to be coming up with-” Kame finally stopped running to catch his breath. “More jokey names.”

Usagi shrugged. “Well what am I supposed to call you? Franklin?”

Kame looked at him in amused disbelief. “Yes!” Kame exclaimed.

“Oh.”

__________

“So what do we do when we find this ghost girl?” Kame asked as they were squeezing their way through a street of abandoned cars.

Usagi thought for a moment. “I'm sure we can figure it out when we find her.”

Kame raised his brow at him over a car hood. “Are you sure that's a good idea?” He asked.

Usagi shrugged and kept moving through the cars.

Kame moved so that he was right behind the rabbit as they squeezed between two more cars.

“Don't you think we should come up with a plan or something?”

“Stripes, I'm a ghost hunter. I think I know what I'm doing.”

Kame took a deep breath. “Okay. I know that, but this feels a lot more serious than some casper the friendly ghosts.”

“Look Kame.” Usagi stopped in the middle of the vehicles and turned to look at him. “I wouldn’t expect you to understand this sort of stuff because you're well…” Usagi gestured to Kame.

“I’m what.” The turtle raised a masked brow and crossed his arms.

“I don't know. You just don't understand this line of work.”

“You mean protecting human kind from otherworldly beings?”

 Usagi nodded. “Well… yeah.”

Kame just let out an amused breath before jumping up on top of the one of the cars they were stuck between. Usagi looked up at the turtle that crouched down above him. Kame locked eyes with Usagi, a very serious expression crossing his face.

Kame took a breath. “Look. I might not understand the business of ghost hunting. But I know what saving people is like, my family is all about that sort of thing. I am quite literally a ninja. And something I do know is that if you don't work with your team or come up with at least some sort of plan. Everything will go to shit. And since you-” Kame pressed a finger to Usagi's forehead. “Are the leader in our little duo we currently got going on, however long it lasts, You-” Kame pressed slightly harder into Usagi's forehead. “Need to let me know what the hell we are doing. I can't go into this blind. I don't know about ghosts and all this stuff, you need to tell me so I don't go in and mess it up like last time.”

The rabbit shivered from the coldness coming off the turtles finger. Usagi couldn’t believe that he was getting this sort of talk from some guy he didn’t even know the name of. It was almost like being scolded by Aunty or Chizu. Even Gen! But at the same time. It really seemed like Kame knew what he was talking about. Like he was talking from personal experience.

Usagi was almost speechless from the scolding. Could it even be considered a scolding?

Kame quickly pulled his finger away from Usagi's forehead. “Okay. I think I may have overstepped there. Sorry, its none of my business and I shouldn’t have been acting like your parent, that wasn’t cool of me-”

“No, you’re right. I should be taking responsibility for the situation we are in. I need to tell you what to expect and we should be coming up with at least a base plan on how we should approach her since she is on the verge of becoming dangerous.” Usagi explained. “Also, it wasn’t your fault that she ran away. You didn’t know the situation. I don’t even know how long she's been down here or how she got missed.”

Kame tilted his head. “Wait, you’re actually taking my advice?”

“Yep.”

“Oh… Cool! Wow, you’re like a sponge.” Kame said moving a hand as he spoke

“A sponge?”

“Yep.” Kame stood on the roof of the car and walked towards the hood. “Kinda like my brother. Except he’s like, super smart and your…..” Kame looked at him like he was studying him. “You’re smart in your own way.”

Usaig finally squeezed himself between the cars and looked up at the turtle standing on the hood. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Kame's eyes flicked back and forth from Usagi to more of the cars in front of him and then to his empty wrist. “Oh, would you look at the time. We should really get a move on if we want to find that ghost girl today.” Kame quickly jumped to the next car.

Usagi climbed up on top of the next car to follow him. “Fine, don’t tell me, that's fine. But you can at least explain the ninja thing to me.”

Usagi didn’t know if it was that Kame just didn’t hear him or if he was ignored. But the two of them continued through the crowded street of cars in a comfortable silence.

__________

“So since you asked me about the Kappa thing does that mean I can ask why you were so hurt by the ghost comments?” Kame asked. “You don’t have to answer, but I want to avoid accidentally hurting your feelings if possible.”

Usagi sighed. “I don't know. I guess it was just the fact that you called me a dumb ass. Also I used to get bullied in school by this one guy for uh…..” Usagi trailed off.

“You don’t need to talk about it if you don’t want to. We don't really know each other very well. You can always tell me some other time.”

Usagi nodded. He wanted to tell him. But not now. It was still too soon. “There was just something that happened with my family. Kids used to say I had the ‘ghost touch’ or something, also I didn't have control of my ghost sight yet so kids would make fun of my eyes sometimes. Yokai in the hidden city believe in ghosts so it was weird when you said you didn’t.”

Kame nodded. “I don't live in the hidden city so I can’t say I knew that. Sorry. And for the record, those kids are stupid. They don’t know what they are talking about.”

“You don’t even know what happened to my family for them to say that?” Usagi smiled.

“Don’t need to. They still shouldn’t have been making fun of your eyes, thats messed up. And I’m sorry for calling your eyes freaky earlier.”

Usagi nodded. “Thanks for apologizing, it's fine. And I’ll keep what you said in mind.”

__________ 

“How could you not live in the hidden city?” Usagi questioned. “Where else would you live?”

“In the sewer?”

Usagi looked over at Kame with a disgusted expression. “You live in the sewer.”

“I never said that.”

“What- You just did!” Usagi exclaimed.

“No I didn’t.”

“Stay away from me you weirdo you're probably covered in sewer gunk.” Usagi began walking away from the turtle and stretched one arm behind him to push the turtle away, but seemed to miss and ended up falling on his back. His backpack, slightly breaking his fall. But barely, the only thing that was in it was the cucumber he gave Kame and the turtle had already eaten it.

The turtle burst out laughing. “Missed me, Thumper, you're gonna have to try harder than that.” Kame stuck his tongue out at the rabbit.

Usagi laughed and rose back to his feet.

“Bet you can’t beat me to that pole over there sewer boy.” Usagi challenged, pointing towards a pole on the side of the empty street.

“Oh hoho, your on Conejo.”

The two boys took off running in a sprint towards the pole. Neither won, they were too eager and ended up tripping over each other.

__________

“Have you ever thought about how Bambi is just about horny animals?” Kame said offhandedly.

Usagi grimaced at the comment. “Why are you so weird? And why are you always thinking about Bambi!”

“Dude. Every time I look at you it's all I can think about.”

“But Thumper is grey.”

“So. He’s cute and fluffy. And you’re.” Kame looked him up and down. “Fluffy.”

Usagi blinked at the comment. “I'm fluffy?”

“Yep. The cute part is very debatable. I'm sure if you dropped the emo rabbit look and teal accents and went for a more sky blue it would help.” Kame explained.

“I am not taking fashion advice from some Kame that walks around naked.” Usagi replied with sass before turning his head away with a ‘hmf’ and walking ahead.

“Clothes don’t fit me properly!” Kame shouted behind him. “Thumper! Conejo! Waaaaait!” The turtle whined.

__________

“So why do you use a yo-yo? I thought you said that your family uses more traditional samurai weapons and stuff?”

Usagi sighed. Was he really going to tell Kame about this embarrassing mistake he made?

Yeah. He might as well.

“It was an accident.” Usagi said.

“Does everyone in your family have yo-yos?”

“Nope.” Usagi popped. “Just me. We get to choose a kaikishi weapon when we reach a certain age and I got…… excited.”

“I'm sure it's not that bad. It seems pretty cool to me. What did other people get?”

Usagi sighed. “My sister got a bow with infinite arrows.”

Kame blinked at that. “Wow. How the hell did you end up with a yo-yo?”

Usagi shook his head. “There's this temple in Japan that my family has been going to for generations that has this magical rock called the keystone. It's kinda the source of our weapons powers and there's a legend that the stone is a direct message from the gods, some say it's the source of my bloodline's ghost sight but nobody really knows.” Usagi explained. “So when we turn 10 or when an employee at the company shows their loyalty we go to Japan and have a little choosing ceremony where if the Keystone thinks that we are worthy or are truly a part of the clan; The Keystone shines its light on those worthy and we get to choose a weapon.” Usagi looked straight at Kame with a flat face. “I wanted something sharp and pointy. But When I saw the yo-yo it reminded me of the one I had as a kid and I got excited, I guess and just grabbed it without thinking. And I couldn't pick something different.”

Kame nodded. “But you do have something sharp and pointy.” The turtle said, pointing at the sword on Usagi’s hip.

Usagi nodded and a fond smile crossed his face. “Yeah. Willow branch was my grandfathers. Not his kaikishi weapon, that disappeared with him. But for some reason in his will he wanted to give me a bunch of his stuff. My jacket was his too.” Usagi could feel himself smiling from the memories.

If his grandfather could see him now he would be-

.

.

.

But he wasn’t. Usagi’s smile fell. Usagi’s grandfather left him, just like everyone else.

Usagi cleared his throat and turned away from Kame. “Let's keep moving. She can’t be far.”

Usagi kept walking. But if he had turned around, he would have seen the turtle giving him an understanding gaze.

__________

The next area of the city was so much emptier than the other places they had been so far. There was barely any weird pink goo stuff and it seemed that the evacuation of the area was a lot more calm then the others. There was still the odd abandoned vehicle but they were properly parked on the side of the street.

It was like a ghost town. (Ha, see what I did there?)

It was like something out of one of those wild west movies that Usagi watched sometimes. It was quiet, only the cool breeze could be felt as the sun seemed to be starting to set. It may not have been high noon like the movies but it sure was cool. Sunlight reflected off metal and shone through the bits of broken glass that was scattered around.

It seemed so peaceful, so quiet. Not even Kame was saying anything for once. It was like a little oasis in the middle of a possibly almost apocalyptic world.

A bright light sparked up ahead followed by the sound of glass breaking. Usagi's ghost detector started beeping and the rabbit activated his ghost vision, everything around him going lavender.

Up ahead of them was the ghost girl glowing bright red, a colour rarely, even never seen on a ghost. They are normally seen as a translucent white but Usagi couldn't see any of that anymore. The core inside of her had completely taken over, only leaving the child with negative emotion. Glass was exploding around her as she walked, causing streetlamps to rain sparks of electricity.

When Usagi saw the girl stop moving and begin to turn around he.... Might have panicked slightly.

Kame gave Usagi a weird look as the rabbit dove behind an abandoned car. Nearly smacking his face against it in the process.

"What are you- AH!"

"SHHHH!" Usagi slapped a hand over the turtle's mouth when he soundlessly pulled him behind the car.

Like seriously, how does this guy make no noise on his feet? He's like a feather.

Kame was deathly still in Usagis arms, his shell pressed tightly against the rabbit's chest. Usagi almost felt like he was going to freeze from how cold the turtle was. That is, until he suddenly felt coldness lick the inside of his hand.

Usagi shrieked and pushed the turtle away.

“What the heck!” Usagi exclaimed in a whisper. “Why did you lick me! And why are you so cold!”

The turtle glared at the rabbit before holding a finger up and shushing the rabbit.

Now that was so not fair.

“Don’t shush me you- you-”

Kame slapped a cold hand over Usagis mouth.

“You’re the one that said we should be quiet.” Kame scolded.

Usagi grabbed the hand and pulled it away from his mouth. “Yeah, but then you started licking my hand!”

Kame rolled his eyes. “Only because you were so eager to hold me.” Kame smirked and looked down at his hand that was still in Usagis grip.

Usagi's eyes widened and he dropped the turtle's hand. “Only because you were standing in plain sight and being loud.”

“Whatcha guys doing?”

Usagi and Kame both froze at the voice and looked above them to see the ghost girl looking down at them, standing on the roof of the car. The lavender colour that Usagi could see turns to a reddish tint.

Usagi and Kame both shrieked, clinging to each other while the ghost girl tilted her head at them,

The two boys both looked at each other before pulling away. Usagi saw what looked to be a look of disgust on Kame's face and he could only guess his own expression looked the same.

“Seriously! Why are you so cold!” Usagi exclaimed, pulling his jacket tighter around him.

“I'm a turtle! I'm cold blooded!”

“Ohhhhhh. That actually makes sense.”

“Hey!” The girl's voice shouted.

Usagi snapped his head back to the ghost girl in front of them. How could Usagi forget! She's only the person they have been looking for, for the past several hours.

HOURS!? Usagi had to spend a whole day with this guy! Which admittedly was kinda fun.

.

.

.

.

BUT STILL!

“What do you two weirdos want? Can't you just leave me alone.” The girl pouted.

Usagi rose to his feet and dusted himself off.

“Actually I can't.” The rabbit said calmly.

The girl rolled her eyes. “Whatever loser. Go back to your mommy you rabbit freak.”

Usagi stretched his mouth into a line. “Can't really do that either, I'm one of the biggest orphans I know!” Usagi said with confidence and pride, placing a hand on his chest.

Kame looked at Usagi with wide eyes. “I don't know if that is necessarily something to be proud of.”

“Oh shut up, you were made in a lab!”

Kame raised his hands in defeat. “Touchè”

“Are you two done?” The girl grumbled. “I kinda got things to do.”

The ghost girl went to turn around to continue with.... Whatever she was doing, Usagi had no clue, when Kame spoke up.

“You know damaging property isn't going to make you feel any better.” Kame was staring down at the ground. “You can keep pushing people away and breaking stuff but it's not going to actually solve anything.”

The ghost girl rolled her eyes and began walking away, jumping down from the top of the car.

Usagi groaned in frustration. “Kame you can’t just say stuff like that.”

Kame raised a brow. “I was just telling her how it is.” The turtle shrugged. “Sometimes people just need to hear it how it is.”

“And sometimes people just need to be told that it's going to be okay. Not everyone wants to just be told the hard facts. Sure sometimes it's for the best but this is not that kind of situation.” Usagi countered.

Kame slowly nodded. “You're right. Sorry, I don't know what I was thinking, I should have known after what happened last time.”

“It's fine. Now come on.” Usagi waved his hand and began walking around the car to chase after the girl. “Hey! Wait a second!”

The ghost sighed and turned back around. “What?”

“I'm so sorry for my...... Pal. He's a little weird in the brain. I'm Usagi, can I know your name?”

The girl's mouth stretched into a frown, her eyes flicked back and forth between Usagi and Kame before she released a breath. “Max. Well, Maxine but I like Max. It's cooler.”

Usagi nodded. “It is cool. How old are you?”

“Twelve.”

Usagi remembered when he was twelve. Chizu had sneaked him out of the house to help her catch a ghost since his yo-yo was much quicker than one of those bulky machines. They got in so much trouble after that. Aunty had grounded them for a month..... But that didn't stop them from going out anyways.

"How old is she?" Kame whispered to Usagi.

"Twelve." Usagi said back.

"Don't tell me this guy is pretending not to see me now!" Max exclaimed.

"He's not pretending, he actually can't." Usagi explained.

"Look." Leo started, looking in Max's direction and stepping forward.  "I know we started off on the wrong foot. I was stupid, I didn't mean to make you upset. We just want to help you."

Max furrowed her brows and pouted. Her eyes looked around, almost seeming to be in thought.

Kame stepped back to be in line with Usagi and leaned towards him. "Soooo what do we doooo?"

Usagi looked at him, his mouth stretched in a line. "I doubt even an author would have the knowledge to figure out this situation. I have no idea." Usagi whispered.

"You're the ghost hunter here, go and hunt ghosts!"

"I can't just go and throw my yo-yo at her! I need her permission."

"Eugh boy." Kame cringed. "But preteens are so angsty."

"Stripes she's been dead for a while and didn't know she wasn't in the afterlife. This is gonna take some convincing."

"Well, are you any good with kids?"

Usagi shrugged. "I have some little cousins, but they treat me more as a tree. What about you?"

"I have a little brother. But it's only a year difference….. now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever really talked to a kid."

Usagi's eyes widened. "Seriously!" He exclaimed in a hushed voice. "How have you never spoken to someone younger than you?!"

"I'm a sheltered kid!" Kame exclaimed. "You know what, I totally got this. Watch and learn Thumper." Leo began walking over towards the girl.

"Kame how are you supposed to do that when you cant even see or hear her!" Usagi called. But Kame made no move to stop. "Kame! Stripes!" Usagi began following him. "Franklin!"

__________

Usagi had no clue what was happening or how it happened.

But Max was willing to talk. And he couldn't be more grateful. He could finally get this over with and go home. Maybe pick up some grapes. Talk about his winnings with Chizu. Be the best ghost hunter the world has ever seen, the usual.

Kame, Max and himself were all sat down on a bus stop bench, how Kame was able to convince her to sit with them and talk he will never understand. But it was fine, because Usagi could explain to her why she was in the wrong place, maybe talk to her a bit and then send her to where she needs to be. Yay! Celebratory music!

Also a bonus. Max's core seemed to have shrunk down slightly. The light emanating from her was more of a pink then a red now. Meaning the chance for chaos was slimmer.

"You said I'm not in the afterlife." Max started nervously. Her knees pulled to her chest, eyes just barely peeking over. "What does that mean?"

Usagi repeated the words to Kame and the turtle just nodded.

"I think you need to explain that one bunny boy." The slider said, patting Usagi on the shoulder.

Usagi sighed. That made sense. What would some turtle that lives in a sewer know about this stuff?

"Well uhhh." Usagi looked over at Kame for reassurance.

Why would he want reassurance from him?

Kame nodded and gave him a grin.

"After someone dies, human or yokai. They are supposed to automatically be sent to the afterlife. We don't really know what it is, or what happens, but we believe it to be a good thing. A breaking of chains holding you to the earth and the people a part of it. Moving on, in a sense."

"It sounds like you're reading from a textbook." Kame quipped.

Usagi smiled and lightly shoved him.

"Then why am I still here?"

Usagi looked at Max with a soft smile. "I don't know." Usagi sighed. "We don't know why it happens. Some ghosts have unfinished business. Some might just get stuck. I think some might just be scared, or sad. We don't truly know why it happens, we are just here to fix it."

"Then why did it take you so long to find me?" Max whimpered, burying her face in her knees. Her core grew slightly and became a reddish tint again.

Usagi swallowed nervously. "I don't know. I'm sorry, that should have never happened."

"How long has she been here?" Kame asked Usagi.

"I don't know." Max cried. "Mommy moved away a while ago and Daddy left too not that long after. I don't know where they went." The ghost girl sobbed into her knees. "And now I'm not supposed to be here, b-but what you're saying sounds scary."

Usagi repeated the words to Kame and the turtle nodded.

"That makes sense that it would be scary." The turtle said with a soft smile. "Change is scary, hell. I hate change. It sucks. And going to some other world that you know nothing about is also terrifying."

"You think it's scary too?" The girl asked. The red turned pink again. Usagi translated but it seemed Kame just knew because he responded almost instantly.

"Heck yeah. It's hard to be brave all the time but sometimes you have to do what you have to do."

The girl furrowed her brows. Usagi looked back and forth between the girl and Kame.

"But why do I have to go? Can't I just stay here?"

Usagi frowned. "Depending on the ghost you might disappear from existence completely. Some, if they are strong enough, can stick around but in the end, after causing all the mischief they want, they will vanish. Sending you to the afterlife is your best bet on reuniting with family."

Kame's eyes widened at that. Usagi thought he almost looked fearful.

Max curled in on herself further, glistening tears floated up from her eyes. Usagi watched as Kame's stripes took on a slight glow and the turtle gently laid his hand on the girl's shoulder.

"It's going to be okay." The slider reassured her. "Do you have anyone that could be waiting for you on the other side? A family member maybe?"

Max rubbed the back of her hand over her nose, hiccuping sobs breaking out of her. "My Nana." She sniffed. "She died a while ago. I miss her." Max's shoulders relaxed at the mention of her Grandmother. "My Hamster too. Chester, I liked him."

Kame gave Max a sad smile. "I get that. My Gram Gram passed away a few months ago. It still hurts." The turtle confessed. "But you have the choice to see yours again. Bunny boy here can help you get there, so you can see her again and wait it out until you can see your parents again."

Max nodded slowly. “Even before my parents left our house they weren’t around much. They were too busy working, trying to save up money so we could move into a nicer house. I don't even think they liked me that much.”

Usagi didn’t know how to respond to that. He barely even knew his parents but the memories he did have were all good. They were always happy to see whatever cool rock or stick Usagi wanted to show them.

“I'm sure your parents love you.” Kame spoke softly.

Usagi looked over at the turtle. Kame was giving Max a soft understanding smile.

“Parents sometimes get busy or caught up in things but that doesn't mean they don't love you. Some parents struggle to show their love. But they like you. They love you.”

Max frowned. “But they were never able to hang out with me. They always said they were too busy or were on the phone for work stuff. Not even the neighbour kids wanted to hang out with me.”

Now that Usagi could understand. Kids his age never wanted to hang out with him, especially after the incident.

“Kids are stupid.” Usagi said. “They don't know what the heck they're talking about, they just pick one kid to follow and then copy whatever they do. Try not to get too worked up about what they think, in the end they aren't important.”

Max looked at Usagi with wide eyes. It might be too late for her to make friends down here. But maybe in the afterlife she will be able to meet another young unfortunate soul that she could get along with.

Max went silent and took to picking at her finger nails. It seemed that she was thinking about her options to stay here and possibly disappear forever when the time comes or go to the afterlife. 

The three sat in silence and waited.

An issue though was that, if Max decided not to go, what would Usagi do? It was his job to send any and every ghost he found into the afterlife. If Max did want to go, was he supposed to just.... Let her go? Let her roam the streets of New York and continue to pull pranks and cause property damage.

That was against so many codes in the industry, ghost hunters aren't supposed to just let a soul go. If they didn't cooperate they were supposed to get rid of them with their weapons.

But when Usagi really thought about it, maybe some could just be left alone. As long as they weren't hurting anybody, he might as well let them stay. It's their choice in the end. And he wasn't going to cut down every ghost and force them to disappear forever, never getting a chance at the after life.

He couldn't do that. Especially to a child.

Over the time of the silence, Max's core slowly shrank to the size and colour it was supposed to be. The pinks and reds that took up he soul faded down to the white it was supposed to be.

"Okay." Max finally spoke softly. "I want to do it. I want to see Nana again."

Usagi repeated what she said to Kame and the turtle smiled.

"Can I hug you?" Kame asked her.

Max instantly dived into the turtle's arms and Kame held her close to his plastron. His stripes glowed slightly brighter than before. The turtle squeezed his eyes shut and held tight to the girl, before finally relaxing his arms and pulling slightly away from the girl.

"Okay Conejo. Don't you dare hit me with that yo-yo."

Usagi raised a brow, slightly wincing at the pain in his head he had been trying to ignore for the past fifteen minutes. "Why would it matter if it touches you. It doesn't do things to living beings."

"Who knows what kind of weird rabbit germs are on that thing." Kame smirked.

The girls squeezed her arms tighter around Kame's neck.

"Hey, shhh." The turtle softly spoke to the young ghost. "Its okay. I'm sorry. Everything is going to be okay. You’ll be with your Nana and you'll be able to spend as much time as you could ever want with her. You can also make some friends.”

“B-but.”Max whimpered. “What if I just end up alone again.”

Kames eyes softened. Usagi really didn’t understand how Kame just seemed to know what the girl needed. But the words that Kame spoke next were so soft that Usagi never would have been able to hear them if it weren't for his rabbit ears.

"Everything is going to be okay. I know its scary but it will be worth it in the end, you have people there that care about you and love you. And as long as you have people that love and care about you, you can do anything. You could even stop an entire world invasion some day. You'll have hope that the next day will be better then the last, and that is a persons greatest weapon." Kame softly smiled.

Now that was a surprisingly very sweet thing to say, but Usagi couldn't focus on that right now . This was a very heart touching scene between a surprisingly gentle turtle and a very sad child that died a long time ago and so happened to fall under the radar. He would definitely have to bring this up to his aunt once he got home later..... And had a nap because damn, he was exhausted and his head was killing him. He’s getting distracted again. Come on Usagi, focus on Max.

“You're not going to be alone Max.” Usagi spoke up. “As long as you have your memories of the people you love, and a destination in mind to meet with a loved one, you won’t be alone. There will always be someone out there that is thinking of you.”

“And my parents.” Max sniffed. “Are they thinking of me too?”

“I'm sure they think about you every day.”

Usagi wished that was his answer out of hope like Kame said or experience. It would be great to think that wherever his parents were they were thinking of Usagi. But Usagi found it easier just thinking of them as dead. They wouldn’t be thinking of him, and never would because they were gone.

But Usagi had no doubt that Max’s parents were thinking of her. How could they not when she was just a sweet little girl.

Max nodded and pulled further away from Kame still holding onto his arm like a lifeline. “I think I'm ready now.” Max sniffled. Small tears still floating up from her eyes.

Usagi nodded and took out his yo-yo. Readying his aim to not touch Kame. He might as well respect the request with how helpful the turtle had been.

“Have a great time with Nana.” Kame smiled brightly.

That got Max to smile for the first time this whole conversation. And the result was definitely worth it.

Usagi tossed the yo-yo and gently hit Max in the shoulder, turning the girl into the glowing white orbs of a departed soul.

Usagi deactivated his ghost vision with a sigh of relief as both Kame and him watched Max slowly disappear into the sky, the orbs slowly in a way becoming one with the air and the world around them.

Usagi gave the turtle a soft smile. “You did really good with her. I was kinda shocked.”

Kame exhaled through his nose in amusement. “What? Did you not think I could do it?”

“No- Well, actually I didn’t have that much faith, but you proved me wrong.”

Kame nodded with a smirk. “I am known for actually being super awesome.” He said, flipping his mask tails over his shoulder. “You did really good too, by the way.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Not as good as me obviously, but still good.”

Usagi smiled and rolled his eyes until he heard Kame speak again. This time more softly.

“Was it true what you said? Do souls actually completely disappear from this world if they are not properly sent into the afterlife?”

Usagi stretched his mouth into a line. “I think so. I've sorta seen it happen before. There was this lost soul that was really hellbent on destruction and was filled with so much grief that it ended up unintentionally trying to corrupt everything in the vicinity. The soul disappeared completely. There were no soul orbs or anything, and every living thing it corrupted was just gone. Like they never even existed in the first place.” Usagi explained. He never really talked about it that much before, and it still hurt to think about, but it just felt right to say.

Kame slowly nodded and rose to his feet, stretching his arms above his head and walking a short way forward. “Well that doesn't sound like a very fun time.”

Usagi just nodded. Then an idea came to mind. Something that Usagi never thought he was going to do in his entire life.

“Hey, do you maybe want to hang out?”

Kame raised a brow at the rabbit as he turned around and crossed his arms, smiling at the rabbit in curiosity. “Really?”

“Yeah sure. There's this really good pizza place in the hidden city called Run of the Mill. I just thought maybe we could hang out or something. Outside of looking around for ghosts and stuff. You obviously don't have too if you don't want to I was just-”

Usagi saw a strange expression come across Kame's face. His eyes went wide and his mouth stretched into a line. The turtle slowly nodded and backed away slightly from the rabbit.

“Yeah, I sorta got banned from the place.” The turtle nervously chuckled. “The bone man really doesn't like me so I can’t. I also actually need to get home to my family.” Kame cringed.

Usagi put his hands up in surrender. “That's totally fine.”

Kame scratched the back of his neck. “Yeeaaahhhh. But maybe the next time I see you we can hang out or something. No ghosts. A little less arguing..... Maybe. Just, hanging out or whatever.”

“Yeah, mhm. Cool. coooooooool.”

Kame nodded, placing his hands on his hips and rocking on his heels. “Cooooooool. Well bye.” Kame began walking away.

“Seeyah.” Usagi waved, rising to his feet and beginning to walk in the opposite direction.

Kame waved until the turtle disappeared into a dark alleyway. Definitely not something creepy to comment on later.

And with that. Usagi was exhausted and absolutely starving. He might as well head to Run of the Mill anyways.

Except that he is currently lost somewhere in the middle of the city and may have forgotten to ask the one person (Kame) where they were and where the nearest hidden city entrance was.

But it's fine, he could totally figure it out. Definitely. Yep.

__________

So it took Usagi nearly two hours of backtracking to find an entrance. Three dogs barked at him and chased him down four blocks until they got bored. And he totally did not get distracted by a big rat and nearly fell into an uncovered manhole. But in the end, he was successful. 

Usagi stepped into Run of the Mill pizza. After the day he’s had, he feels he deserves a treat and a bit of a break. He wished that he could have kept hanging out with Kame more but whatever he had to do seemed important.

Something about checking up on his family? He hoped they were alright. Usagi wondered why Kame always seemed to be out in the city and not with his family. He seemed to care about them a lot. Usagi could tell even from the very little that the turtle had said about them.

“Ah! Conejito! What brings you here at this time of night.” The skeleton yokai calls, walking up to the rabbit and placing four pizza boxes along with a few smaller ones with other foods down on the table next to them.

“Hello Senior! I’m just here for some food.” Usagi answers.

Hueso looks at the rabbit like he was studying him. Usagi slightly shrunk under the gaze. What was the skeleton yokai looking for?

“Usagi, when was the last time you ate?” The skeleton asked.

Oh. That's what it was.

“Uhhhhhhh. I don't know. This morning maybe?”

Hueso began to mumble under his breath. “Conejo estúpido. El chico me va a dar un infarto.”

Wait…. Conejo? Usagi thought, he’s definitely heard that before.

Hueso looked the rabbit in the eyes. Usagi felt that the skeletons' seemingly lifeless eyes were digging deep into his soul. If Hueso wasn’t careful he was going to turn Usagi into an ikiryō.

The skeleton yokai sighed and ran a bony hand down his face. “You have my permission to take leftovers from the back. I have to go make a delivery.”

Usagi raised a brow. “You’re making a delivery? Why don’t you get Keno to do it?”

“That boy is off working at Tony Lou's tonight. Humans and their multiple jobs.” Hueso mumbled, shaking his head. “Besides, this is una entrega especial.” Hueso explained.

Usagi only picked up on the word ‘especial’. But he could put the pieces together.

“What's so special about it?”

Usagi watched as Hueso's face took on a more sad appearance. Maybe Usagi shouldn’t have asked. “You don’t have to answer! I didn’t mean to but it.”

“It is okay, Conejito. It is just for some special customers.”

Usagi nodded. “Well I guess you should take care of that order then. You go ahead. Like you said, I'll just snatch some leftovers and be on my way.”

“Yes, you do that.” Hueso said, picking back up the stack of boxes. “I will see you later, si?”

“Yeah, maybe I’ll swing by in the next few days with Gen or something.”

“Perfecto. I’ll see you soon my boy.”

“Bye Hueso.”

The skeleton walked through the portal into the human world.

Usagi was learning more and more these days. Apparently Yokai do live on the surface. He didn’t know how they got away with it, maybe cloaking broaches could work but it was still risky. Though he did know Big Mama did things on the surface with a cloaking broach, so maybe it wasn’t so impossible.

Usagi made his way into the kitchen and waved to the staff, going to where they were putting the leftover food. Hueso often let some of the staff take some of the leftovers so that it wouldn’t go to waste.

Usagi picked up an empty takeout box and went over to the trays of food, piling some into the box. Cheesy bread, mozzarella sticks, chicken nuggets. A few slices of vegetarian pizza that must have not been picked up by its buyer. (Hueso was probably very mad about that one.)

Once he was done he put the box into his backpack and went out the exit that led straight into the hidden city. It had always been there, but Hueso was recently able to open a store front thanks to some random guy that helped him get access back into the hidden city.

As Usagi walked through the city he thought back on the events of the day. He actually had a surprisingly good day despite the rough start. And Kame was even growing on him quite a bit. He was even thinking that just maybe, they could be friends. He would also have to ask Kame about that of course, but he wasn’t ready to do that. But maybe after the mission they could continue to hang out. Maybe instead of constantly wandering the streets of New York together they could take on the hidden city. Somewhere where Usagi for once had the advantage in directions (for the most part.)

Yeah. Usagi could already see it. He could make a new friend. 

Chapter Text

The dark abyss was so comforting.

He could feel the exhaustion deep in his bones. The softness of his blankets and pillows surrounded him, keeping him in his cozy nest of darkness.

His head had a dull pain that throbbed through his skull.

Usagi

What the... Usagi heard a familiar voice.

Grandson

Oh wow. Oh holy guacamole! That was his grandfather. THAT! Was his grandfather.

Oh god... He was totally hallucinating. In his dreams. Was this a lucid dream? That must be it.

It is not a dream my boy

Oh… So he's dying. The absolutely horrible pain in his head is slowly killing him and has been since he was a toddler.

You aren't- Usagi, I've come to give you a message

Oooooo a message. Usagi likes getting messages. He swears he heard the voice sigh.

When the time comes, you’ll know what to do

Know what to do? What does that even-

There was a click of a door shutting a short distance away and soft, nearly silent footsteps made their way to his cozy nest.

“Usagi.” A voice whispered.

Usagi grumbled and curled into himself. “30 more minutes, Gramps.” He grumbled, pulling the blankets further up his face.

The person in the room froze for a second before they walked away from the bed. “Jeez it's a mess in here. You seriously need to clean up.” There was some shuffling around before the familiar voice spoke again. “You went to Huesos and didn’t get me anything? Rude.” The voice deadpanned.

Usagi sleepily grabbed one of his pillows and threw it in the voices direction.

“Did you seriously throw a pillow at me? Get up Usagi.”

“No.” The rabbit grumbled.

The voice sighed and started shaking Usagi. The rabbit whined and pulled the blankets tighter around him.

"Staaaaap." Usagi whined.

“Get your ass up. Aunty wants to talk to you.”

Usagi squinted his eyes open and looked into the face of Chizu.

“You’d think you would be able to get up earlier since you're basically a samurai.” Chizu raised a brow at the rabbit. “Actually you normally are able to get up early. Why were you out so late last night?”

Usagi slowly sat up in his bed and pulled the blanket over his head so he was fully wrapped in the blanket with just his face showing. “What-” Usagi yawned. “What does Aunty want?”

“Most likely to get updated on your mission. How has that been going?”

Usagi shrugged. “I had to take care of a trickster yesterday. Her core practically exploded, it was crazy. Something similar happened with-” Usagi snapped his mouth shut.

Chizu instantly understood what Usagi was about to say before he stopped himself and grabbed the rabbit's face. She began what seemed to be an inspection for any injuries.

“Are you okay? Did you get hurt? What happened? Should we get back in contact with your old therapist?”

“Chizu I’m fine. I just have a headache. Besides, I wasn’t alone. Kame was with me the whole time and he was the one that handled a lot of it.”

Chizu raised a brow. "The Kame was with you? The same one that you kept saying was being a jerk and pushed you into a pond?"

"Yeah." Usagi yawned. "Is there something wrong?"

"Uh, yeah. He pushed you into a pond!"

Usagi waved his hand nonchalantly. "It's all in the past. I said some things, he said some things."

"Oh, so you're suddenly best friends."

"What!?" Usagi exclaimed. "No! Not at all, we are just- uh- we are- business associates." Usagi stammered out.

Chizu gave Usagi a blank stare. "Business associates?" She deadpanned.

"Yes."

The cat yokai rolled her eyes. “Usagi, you can’t just trust people so easily.” She sighed.

“What? I don't trust people too easily.”

“Then what about this Kame guy?”

Usaig sighed. “That’s different.”

“How is it different? You kept saying that the guy has been a jerk to you for the past, I don’t know, week? And now you're off spending a whole day with the guy.”

“Aren’t you the one that said something about us egging each other on and that he just seems like a jokester?”

Chizu flicked her eyes back and forth. “Yes, but-“

“No. Listen, Kame is just weird okay. He’s... I don’t know. You should have seen him with the ghost kid yesterday. It was incredible. And I think he might be... hurt, or something.”

“Is it the eyes again?”

Okay. Usagi did admit that he just saw something in that turtle's eyes that just screamed something familiar. He just really needed to figure it out.

“Yes? Maybe? I don’t know. But the thing is that everything is fine now.”

Chizu sighed. “Okay. If you say everything is fine now I’ll believe you. I just get worried, you know, after everything that happened with Kenichi.”

Usagi nodded. “I know. But this is different okay! He’s helping me out with the ghost stuff.”

Chizu nodded. “Okay. Now get up, like I said before, Aunty wants to talk to you.”

Usagi sighed. “Fine. But if she tries to convince me to step down I’m not doing it.”

Chizu gave Usagi a tight smile. “Come on, you’ve been doing great! Sure maybe it wasn’t the smartest idea to put you on ghost detail in a destroyed city where emotions are going to be a lot more unpredictable than normal, but maybe she did it for a reason.”

Usagi raised a brow. “You're the one that told me that Aunty was just letting me do this so I would get freaked out and not want to be a ghost hunter anymore.”

Chizus mouth stretched into a line. “Yes, I did say that. I shouldn’t have, that wasn’t okay of me. I do still think that you should have been given something easier but maybe Aunty isn’t doing this to get you to stop.”

“Then why would she be doing this?”

“Maybe she’s testing you? I got pretty intense tests when I was with the Neko Ninjas.” Chizu shrugged.

“How do you even remember any of that, you were four when you left.”

Chizu shrugged. “Maybe I actually have a high intelligence... Unlike some people I know.”

“Hey! I’m very smart!”

Chizu laughed. “Yeah, sure you are. Now get up, maybe your meeting with Aunty won’t be that bad.”

Usagi sighed. “Fine.”

The cat smiled. “Great, afterwards we can get some of those muffins you love so much.” The cat yokai rubbed the blanket that was over Usagi's head, ruffling his hair in the process with a fond smile.

Chizu made her way out of Usagi’s room and shut the door behind her with a click.

Now all Usagi had to do was hype himself up for this meeting with Aunty like when he originally went in there to get a mission. Easy Peasy.

__________

It was not “easy peasy." Usagi is stressed. What if Aunty wanted to pull him away from his solo mission because she thought he wasn’t ready! What if he got put back on that stupid desk job! What if she sent him back to public school!

Okay the public school thing was a bit far fetched, Usagi knew she wouldn’t send him back there. But there was still that worry.

Usagi knew that he wasn’t the easiest to deal with and that he can be very impulsive at times. Not necessarily the best thing to have while you’re a ghost hunter or a samurai. Man samurais are cool!

Usagi smiled to himself at the thought of him decked out in samurai gear before snapping himself out of it and looked at the door to Auntys office in front of him.

He could do this. Usagi slapped his cheeks and puffed out his chest. He’s got this.

He knocked and when he heard Aunty grant him access he stepped into the room. The red chairs instantly caught his eyes. Spirits, he loves those chairs.

“Usagi.” Aunty gently smiled at her nephew. “Take a seat, we have a lot to discuss.”

Usagi nodded and took his seat in one of the plush red chairs.

“Sooooooo, what’s up?” The younger rabbit asked, raising a brow.

“I wanted to see how your mission has been going. I have been seeing your numbers on the ghost counter and you’ve seemed to have done very well so far.”

Usagi's eyes widened. To get approval like this from a parental figure was amazing. “Yeah, I guess it's been okay.” He said, crossing his arms.

He probably looked so cool right now.

Aunty raised a brow. “Only okay? You were so excited about this before. Did something happen?”

“I mean great! Did I only say okay? I mean great, It's going great.” Usagi stammered.

Aunty slowly nodded,  looking towards her computer. “Okay.”

Nailed it.

Aunty began typing something into her computer and then looked over at Usagi with a skeptical face.

“Well it seems that you’ve been doing very well. You’ve managed to send seven departed souls to the afterlife so far. And all by yourself, very impressive.” The older rabbit smiled at her nephew.

Usagi was thriving under the good attention, he could only hope that it stayed that way. It all seemed like a good sign though, Aunty didn't seem like she wanted to take him off the solo mission. Maybe Usagi was actually managing to prove her wrong. He was proving himself as a great ghost hunter! He just needed to ignore the headache that was slowly but surely getting worse.

Usagi let a small smirk appear. “Well, I guess I am pretty cool.”

Aunty lightly laughed and shook her head fondly. “So what have you been up to? Tell me about it.”

Usagi could suddenly feel himself start to sweat. He shouldn’t tell her that he has definitely been using his ghost sight for too long at one time, and he definitely shouldn’t tell her about what happened just yesterday day with Max. Or that he is currently experiencing one of the worst headaches of his life but it's fiiiiiiinnnneeeee. He wasn’t in pain? Pain is all in your head anyways. Ha! Nailed it.

“It’s been- great! Fantastic. Met so many dead people, they’re all so nice... But.”

Okay, Usagi was not expecting a ‘but’ to come out of his mouth. Though after what happened with Max he really did need to talk to someone about it. Not the whole core explosion obviously but the fact that there was a ghost wandering around the streets of New York for who knows how long. Way before the invasion that's for sure. He could skip the whole exploding core bit.

“So.” Usaig started. “There was this ghost girl named Max.”

Usagi explained what he could do without giving away the fact that he straight up could have died. As far as Aunty knew, it was all Unicorns and rainbows… Should Usagi go to that karaoke place with Gen again? Now’s not the time to be thinking about that.

Aunty slowly nodded her head leaning back in her chair. “Oh dear. That’s not good, how did we miss that?”

Usagi shrugged.

“Was she detected by your ghost detector?”

The younger rabbit nodded. “Yep. It had no problems finding her.”

Aunty nodded. “She might have not shown up on any of the larger scale sensors. And we didn't see news on any of the forums of paranormal activity from humans. There’s a chance she didn't start acting up until recently, she might have only come into her newer powers recently and started playing around with them.” Aunty explained. “Did she do anything that was dangerous, we might need to go up and check the scene of her paranormal activity at some point.”

Oooooo. Now that's a tricky one. “Nope.” Usaig blurted. “Nope nothing- nothing happened hehe everything was fine. Super nice girl.”

Aunty raised a brow. “Okay.” She said slowly, stretching the word. “Well I’m glad you’ve been enjoying your first mission!” Aunty smiled. “You’ve been doing great!”

Usagi couldn’t help the wide toothy grin stretch across his face. Holy moly Aunty was actually proud of him!

Maybe she wouldn’t take him off the case and put back on that desk job! He was going to be able to stay home schooled forever!

This was a time of celebration, he was definitely getting a reservation at the Fuzzy Pony for whenever this stupid headache went away.

“Well.” Aunty rose from her seat and Usagi followed her lead. “I’m so happy to see that you're enjoying yourself out there, I do hope you give me more details later but I do have a meeting to get to.”

Usagi eagerly nodded (Definitely a mistake, it just caused his head to throb more).

“Thank you Aunty, I'll tell you about it later. have the time.”

The older rabbit walked around her desk and wrapped her arms around Usagi's neck bringing him down into a hug. Usagi smiled and hugged her back. He really did love Aunty, even if she did act like an overbearing mother sometimes.

Usagi left the room and shut the door to the office with a click.

He totally nailed that. Aunty wasn’t going to find out about Max and her exploding core anytime soon. Who would even tell her in the first place.

Now, Usagi really needed to just go and sit in the darkness of his room for a while and take some meds cause his head felt like it was going to split in two.

__________

Usagi should definitely take the day off and just sleep, he knew that. With how bad his headache had been acting since he saw Aunty he really just wanted to lie down on the path that he and Chizu were currently walking on.

But was Usagi one to take a break from ghost hunting?

Heck no! He could never give up the thrill of adventure!

Usagi ignored the pain in his head as they made their way down the path. He really wanted to go back topside, but Chizu promised him a muffin and who was he to deny such an offer. Those muffins are basically a message from the gods.

Every time he ate one was like a spear through the heart!

.

.

.

In a good way.

By the time Usagi left the restaurant, he had already shoved half the muffin in his mouth and was trying his best not to choke on it.

Chizu gave Usagi a disgusted face and put some distance between them.

“Why can't you just eat like a normal person?” Chizu questioned.

Usagi swallowed. “Why would I do that when I can just be me?” He smirked.

Chizu rolled her eyes and slowed her pace so they were side by side again.

Now... Usagi wouldn't say he's the most observant, but he wouldn't say that he got distracted super easily.

Because he didn't.

He didn't get distracted, that's just crazy.

Ha.

Haha.

Okay, so maybe he got distracted by his muffin and almost walked into some random guy.

Usagi didn't see them coming. It was like they just appeared out of thin air. And they were coming right for him!

Usagi yelped, his muffin slipped from his hand and hit the ground, his heart broke a little at the sight. He quickly dodged the yokai, nearly stumbling and falling backwards before balancing himself.

They walked passed and looked at Usagi with a raised brow.

“Sorry!”

“I-its no problem.” The voice echoed.

Usagi smiled and nodded before turning back to his sister who so happened to have a very...... Confused look on her face.

“What?”

“Why did you do that?” Chizu asked.

Usagi raised a brow. “Do what?”

“Do a weird dodge and then apologize to the air?” Chizu said, like it was obvious.

“What? I almost walked into that-“ Usagi turned around to point out the yokai only to find the path completely empty. “Huh?”

“Are you okay?”

“There was someone just there I- what?”

“Hold on.” Chizu grabbed Usagi's face, squishing his cheeks and staring into his eyes. “What the hell?”

Usagi furrowed his brows.

“Usagi, your eyes have purple in them.”

“What?”

“It looks a lot like yours and Auntys ghost sight but like... just a little bit?”

At that very moment Usagi's headaches decided to act up. And he couldn’t hide it this time. Usagi winced and instantly brought a hand to his head, staggering back from Chizu hands.

“Usagi!” Chizu placed her hands on the rabbits shoulders to steady him. “Is your head still hurting?”

Usagi winced again at the pain. “Yeah, I don’t know why-“

“Maybe we should go back home and talk to Aunty.”

“No!”

“Usagi-“

“No! It’s just a headache, I get these all the time.”

“Usagi, your eyes were purple. And this seems much worse than the others. Has it been like this since this morning?” Chizu's voice was beginning to get to that worried tone that Usagi hated.

“I- uh- It’s gotten worse over the day.” The rabbit mumbled.

“You’ve only been up for four hours. We are going to see Aunty.”

“If we tell her she wont let me do the mission anymore! And she’ll interrogate me about how long I’ve been using my ability when I activate it and-“

Chizu crossed her arms. “How long have you had your ghost sight active at one time?”

Usagi flicked his eyes around. “Uh- pfft, I don’t know like sometimes... Two hours?”

“Two hours!?” The cat exclaimed in shock. “Are you trying to kill yourself!”

“Sometimes the ghosts have a lot to talk about!” The rabbit defended.

Chizu pinched the spot between her brows. Usagi was not going to easily get away with this.

“We are going to go talk to Aunty.” Chizu said.

“No.”

“Usagi.”

“No.”

Before Usagi even had time to think, he was suddenly sprinting down the path as fast as he could.

“Usagi get back here!” Chizu shouted after him.

Usagi ignored her and just ran to the closest exit from the hidden city. His head hurt like hell sure, but he was not risking getting taken off his mission.

__________

He forgot his stuff.

And he doesn’t just mean like a water bottle or whatever. (Though he did forget that too.)

What he forgot was his ghost locator, counter, and sword. He forgot his freaking sword!

Thankfully, his yo-yo was right where he always kept it in the pouch attached to his belt.

But what he really wishes he brought along instead was some of his head medication. The headache was seriously messing with him, he barely felt like he could walk anymore.

Usagi sat down on the curb of whatever street he was currently bent forward so his head was on his knees. He dug his palms into his eyes and breathed deeply.

The pain was unbearable. Chizu was right, he should have talked to Aunty. He had headaches on occasion due to his ghost sight but never to this extent. He had never felt this much pain before.

He hated it.

He hated that he was the one to end up with the broken ability.

He hated that his grandfather wasn’t around to tell him about his own experience with it.

He hated that he couldn’t go to a normal school anymore because Kenichi convinced all the kids that he’s cursed.

He hated that no one could figure out what was wrong with him.

“Hey.”

The voice snapped Usagi from his thoughts. 

The rabbit peeked his eyes up, the bright light of the sun burning his eyes and causing his head to throb more.

"Are you okay?"

The voice was a little foggy, but Usagi could recognize it.

"Kame?" Usagi mumbled.

"Yeah." The blurry figure of the turtle kneeled in front of him. "Are you doing okay?"

"M'fine."

The turtle laughed lightly. "Yeah, sure. You don't look like you're in excruciating pain at all." Sarcasm dripped into the slider's tone. "What are you doing out here?"

"My job."

"Without all your stuff? You don't even have the beeping thing with you."

"Ghost locator."

"Yeah, that." The turtle placed a hand on the rabbit's shoulder. "You should go home."

“No. I need to find the rest of the ghosts and-“

“No. You need to go home and rest.”

Usagi scoffed. “You're not my mom.”

Kame raised a brow. Wait...... Do turtles even have eyebrows? Usagi was really not feeling good. His vision was blurry from the headache.

“You don't even have a mom.” Kame replied.

“Wow.” Usagi said in a breath. “Way to throw my childhood trauma in my face.”

“What? Wait I didn’t- I’m-“ Kame let out a frustrated sigh. “It’s not like I have a mom either.” The turtle muttered. “Bunny boy, you are not looking good right now. You need to go home.”

Usagi grumbled “Probably because you're a freaking middle school science experiment.” He pushed his palms into his eyes.

The rabbit heard some ruffling around and then a cold hand gently grabbed his wrist and pulled one of his hands down.

“Do you need some meds?” He asked quietly.

Usagi squinted his eyes to get a better look at the turtle in front of him. Concern could easily be read off the slider. Usagi nodded his head and the turtle in front of him began quickly running away.

Usagi raised a brow but didn't have the energy to question the weird behavior so he just buried his face back into his hands, pressing his palms into his eyes.

Usagi didn't know how long Kame was gone for, but a bit later he felt a gentle touch on his wrist that pulled his hand from his face.

Kame kneeled in front of the rabbit and opened a bottle of pills. “Here you go.” He placed a pill in the rabbit's hand.

Now, it’s definitely good to note that you shouldn’t be taking unknown medication or substances from a stranger. It is not smart to do that, it's really dumb actually...... But Usagi has never claimed to be smart.

Usagi swallowed the pill.

Usagi would have preferred to have them with water but he forgot his damn water bottle so he swallowed them dry. Like a sick, sick individual.

Kame gave a soft smile. “Now, as a medic I would normally bring you home myself and force you into bed, but I don't know where you live so I can’t.”

Usagi gave a confident smile and Kame shook his head in defeat.

“But that doesn’t mean I can’t nag you until you go home. Or annoy you, tire you out. The works.”

Usagi sighed and shakily rose to his feet and began walking away. Only stumbling slightly. Just because he didn't have any of his equipment on him, aside from his yo-yo. Didn't mean he couldn’t catch a ghost. He would just have to do it the old fashioned way, based on...... feeling.

“Hey, where do you think you're going?” Kame grabbed his shoulders and Usagi tumbled slightly as Kame turned his body to a different direction. “I got my eye on you mister.”

Usagi rolled his eyes and kept on walking, Kame right by his side, seeming to make sure he didn't fall over.

__________

Usagi was actually starting to feel a bit better, surprisingly enough. His head definitely still hurt like hell, and he was using Kame as a support so he could actually walk instead of face planting on cement. But he was fine. Completely fine. Pain was all in your head anyways..... HA!

“You really should go home if you're in this much pain.” Kame said.

Usagi looked up at the turtle and glared. “I’m not in pain.”

Kame scoffed. “Ha, okay. Says the guy that is literally hanging off my arm cause he can’t walk properly.”

“I can walk by myself.” Usagi defended.

Kame stopped the pace they were going and slowly pulled himself away from the rabbit taking five steps forward. “Okay.” The turtle turned around to face Usagi. “Walk then.”

Usagis face scrunched up. “You are so cruel.”

Kame shrugged. “It’s part of the brand.” The turtle flashed him a bright smile, showing off all his teeth.

Usagi rolled his eyes and began taking wobbly steps towards the turtle. He can do this, his vision was only slightly blurry and his head only hurt a little bit, he wasn’t at all feeling dizzy from his slightly impaired vision, he was fine, completely fine. His eyes and head just hurt.... A lot. And he sort of felt like he was going to be sick. But he’s fine.

Usagi slowly made shaky steps towards the turtle, until he finally made it and the turtle instantly grabbed the rabbit's arm to stabilize him again.

“You're an idiot.” The turtle said.

“Shut up.” Usagi grumbled. “Just help me, I can’t do that again.”

Kame softly laughed. “Sure. Did those meds help at all?”

Usagi shrugged. “Barely, I have an actual medication at home made for my headaches but I forgot to bring all my stuff with me.”

“Except your yo-yo?”

“Except my yo-yo.”

“Do you do anything with that yo-yo aside from catching ghosts, like can you actually do tricks and stuff?”

Usagi smirked at the turtle and pulled his yo-yo from his pouch. “Of course I can do tricks! What do you take me for? A loser!” The rabbit boasted.

Kame refused to meet the rabbits eyes, an amused smile on his face.

“Why do you look like that?” The rabbit asked.

“Like what? Oh no, Bunny Boy, your migraine is causing you to hallucinate!” Kame began slightly shaking him. “What do we do!?”

“Ahhh! Stop!” Usagi couldn’t help a small laugh bubble out of him. Until he suddenly started feeling nauseous. “Okay, stop, stop. I’m gonna be sick.”

Kame instantly stopped shaking him. “Shit, sorry. Are you okay?”

Usagi slowly nodded. “Yep.” His queasy stomach soon settled.

“How about you show me some of your yo-yo tricks?” Kame suggested.

Usaig smirked. “Okay, but only if you're okay with looking like a loser who can’t do yo-yo tricks.”

Kame smiled. “I’m okay with that. Show me what you got.”

And damn, Usagi felt really badass showing off all his cool yo-yo tricks. He was doing all the coolest tricks he could think up, forming it to almost make a little routine. And the whole time Kame was giving him an amused smile. His eyes finally lost whatever that thing was that Usagi couldn’t help but find familiar.

Usagi was glad to finally be able to make ...... Business acquaintance happy.

__________

“Hey Kame?”

“Yeah?”

“Where are we going?”

Kame shrugged. “Just walking. Do you normally have a route or something? I’m never the leader in our little.... Whatever.”

Usagi thought for a moment before responding. “Nope. I actually have no idea how to get around the city, never really been up here other than the few times I snuck out of my house. I normally walk around until my ghost sensor goes off.”

Kame nodded along. Usagi noticed Kame's attention suddenly drift to something just ahead of them.

“Hey are you thirsty? We can stop in that drug store and grab some waters.”

Usagi raised a brow. “A human store?”

Kame nodded. “Yeah, nobody is living around here right now because of the.....” Kame trailed off.

Oh no. He had that familiar look again, Usagi was really starting to hate it, and he still couldn’t figure out where the heck he saw it! It’s driving him crazy. He obviously needed to change the topic though.

“I could use some water.” Usagi quickly said. “It might help with my headache, its doing okay now but it's a good idea.”

“It should be empty.” Kame mumbled and began directing them to the drug store.

“What’s in a human store?”

Kame shrugged. “Pretty much anything. This one we are going into sometimes sells simple groceries, it also sells medicine and over the counter drugs. It does prescriptions, oh! And nail polish!” Kame smiled.

“Nail polish?”

“Yeah! Do they not have nail polish in the hidden city?”

“They do, I've just never used it before, and I think it's more of a permanent nail stain? It doesn’t come off unless you use these mystic wipes. A lot of the girls at my school use them.”

“That sounds amazing. It’s just stuck there until you wipe it off? I have got to get me some of that!”

They got to the door and Kame slowly pulled away from the rabbit. “Are you okay to stand for a bit, I need to get this door more open.”

Usagi nodded. He wasn’t feeling as wobbly anymore thank the spirits.

Kame pushed open the door a bit more than it was, shoving it hard with his shoulder and making a larger gap.

Usagi approached the door and began to climb in, Kame reached his hand out to help him, but Usagi shot him a glare which caused the turtle to back off. Usagi stepped over some of the rubble and entered the ‘human store’. So cool.

Usagi wasn’t sure what he was exactly expecting, but it definitely wasn’t something so..... plain.

“Sooooo.” Kame smiled, leaning down and wrapping an arm around the rabbit's shoulder. “What do you think about your first human store?”

Usagi slowly nodded, looking around the colorless room. “It’s very white.”

Kame let out an amused breath of air. “It is, you fit right in.”

Usagi rolled his eyes and began looking at the shelves. “Wow, human stores are so..... different.”

“How so?”

“I haven't seen a single eyeball or slug in a jar since we got here.”

Kame grimaced. “I remember seeing stuff like that at the market.”

“Yeah, it's awesome.” The rabbit smiled.

Kame walked over to one of the fridges built into the wall and pulled out two water bottles, tossing one to Usagi.

Which he caught! WOO!

Both boys jumped when they heard something crash on the other side of the store.

“What was that?” Usagi whispered.

“Scooby Doo!” Kame gasped dramatically.

Usagi punched Kame in the shoulder and began making his way towards the source of the sound. Strangely enough Usagi felt a slight pull towards the area. Like it was calling to him, like there was something there that he was supposed to see. Some might call it a gut feeling, Usagi would call it a message from the universe. Like from the third Jupiter movie, Jupiter Jim 3: The Call of Space.

Usagi and Kame slowly rounded the corner around a shelf and that's where Usagi saw it. A woman, but this woman wasn’t a normal woman. She was dead.

Her hair flowed around her like she was underwater, her skin was translucent, her tears floated up from her eyes into the air around her. Her dress swayed around her calves, shards of glass covered the ground around her, she picked up another glass bottle and smashed it onto the ground bursting into more echoing sobs.

“What’s going on?” Kame whispered.

“She looks sad.....and I can see her.” Usagi gaped. Why could he see her? He doesn’t remember activating his ghost vision, why did this keep happening!?

Kame looked at Usagi with a raised brow before he caught sight of his eyes.

“Hey Conejo.” Kame mumbled.

“Yeah?” Usagi turned his head and came face to face with Kame, only inches from the other.

“Why aren’t your eyes purple?”

Usagi's eyes winded, he really didn't activate his ghost vision. Then why has been seeing dead people!?  Kame stared into the rabbits eyes, Usagi could still see the familiar look in them, but it looked like they were almost glowing, like they were staring into his soul.

Kame tilted his head. “There’s a little bit of purple swirling in with the red of your eyes.” Kame whispered. “It’s like a version of heterochromia. So cool.” He mumbled in interest.

Usagi glared and pushed Kame's face away. “I’m not sure why I’m able to see ghosts randomly right now, and I’m not interested in having a panic attack at the moment so let's not talk about it.”

“Who’s there!”

Usagi gasped and pushed his back against the shelf to keep hidden from the woman.

“Have your powers been off the fritz? Is that why you’ve had a headache all day?”

“Stripes, I said not right now!” Usagi took a deep breath. Why was he even hiding from this departed soul? Sure he was missing all of his supplies aside from his yo-yo and wasn’t even wearing any of his traditional gear like his badass jacket, stuck in just his blue hoodie and black pants. But he could still totally pull this off, the jacket definitely boosted his confidence by like..... a math amount of percent but he didn't need it. He could be super cool without it, just like his yo-yo tricks.

Usagi slowly stepped out into the open to face the woman.

“Hi.” He waved.

The woman looked at him with wide shocked eyes. Usagi almost thought she looked horrified. But why would she be horrified? He’s adorable! And old people love him! Though now that he thinks about it, this woman couldn’t be older than forty..... But he also hasn’t seen very many humans so she could seventy for he knew.

Kame stepped out into the open next to Usagi.

“I'll never get used to that.” The woman stammered.

“Lucky enough, you won't have to!” Usagi said.

The woman frowned at the rabbit, tears still leaking from her eyes. “Get away from me.” She spat.

“Sorry, no can do. I’m sorta on a mission.”

“You terrifying a poor defenseless woman!” She shrieked.

Usagi held up his hands in defense. “I’m not here to scare you. I’m here to help you. Do you know what happened to you?”

“Of course I know, I-“ The woman choked on a sob. “I died.”

Usagi slowly nodded. “I can’t imagine how you must be feeling right now. But I do know a way to help you.”

She let out a hurt laugh. “Help? HELP! You can’t help me! My babies, my children. They have to grow up without a mother! My husband has to struggle in order to feed and care for three children, without the support of his wife! I was supposed to be there! And now because of those horrifying creatures and whatever sick bastard started all of this, I CAN'T!” The woman screamed through sobs.

Usagi didn't know what to say. He looked over at Kame, maybe just for moral support even though he couldn’t possibly know what the woman said, but the expression on the turtle's face..... It was terrifying.

His eyes were dark, his shoulders tense, his hands clenched into fists that couldn’t stop shaking.

Why was Kame acting like that?

Wait..... could he actually..... has he been...

“Kame?” Usagi said softly, reaching his hand out to touch his arm.

Kame stepped towards the woman and looked her dead in the eye.

“I am so. So sorry.” Kame's voice broke. “What you went through is terrible. I can’t imagine what that would feel like to lose your children and husband in this way. That- that fucking sucks!” Kame rubbed a hand to the back of his head taking a deep shaky breath. “I know I will never be able to understand what it feels like to be a mother or to lose children. And I know me saying any of this won’t make you suddenly feel better... I just- eugh boy, I don’t know what I’m saying.”

The woman slowly walked up to Kame with a frown, tears still floating from her eyes.

“How old are you?” The woman’s voice echoed.

Kame looked around awkwardly. “Uh… sixteen.”

The woman let out a sob and covered her mouth with her hands. “You're so young.”

Kame raised a brow, his form still shaking, he began furiously wiping his eyes, seeming to be wanting to keep tears at bay. “Uh..... Bunny boy over there. He can help you officially get to the other side. Your soul is kinda uh-“ Kame wiped at his eyes again. “Your soul is stuck here. So uh, yeah.”

The mother looked down and fiddled with her hands. “If I leave I won't be able to watch over my family.”

Kame nodded. “That’s a very good point.” He mumbled.

When Usagi realized that Kame wasn’t going to continue he quickly stepped forward.

“Hello Ma’am. So, if you don't go to the afterlife now, there’s a chance that, you’ll never get to go, your soul will disappear. Which means that when your husband and children eventually pass on, you wont get to see them.” Usagi slowly explained.

Her face dropped, Usagi watched as Kames fists gripped tighter. Usagi really just wanted to help the turtle with whatever was on his mind, but he really needed to put his focus on the woman in front of him.

“I don't even know what you two are. How do I know I can trust you?”

Usagi almost wanted Kame to answer that question. But the turtle just stood there silently with that dark look across his face.

“You don't. There’s no way to know whether you can trust us or not..... But you could always take a chance?”

“Like ABBA.” The turtle mumbled stiffly.

“Exactly like ABBA!” Usagi grinned looking at the turtle.

It is infact. Not exactly like ABBA.

The woman wiped her eyes some more and looked at Usagi and Kame with a warm smile.

“My oldest just recently turned fourteen.... He acted a lot like you two.” A sobbed escaped from the woman. Her face turned angry again. “I can’t help but hate whoever it was that caused all of this.” Her form shook.

Kame nodded his head. “Same..... wherever that sicko is. I hope he gets what’s coming to him.”

The woman took a deep shaky breath. “I want to be able to watch over my family. I know in heaven I will be able to do that.... But I don’t know if it would be the same.”

Usagi nodded. “Yeah. We don't know what it's like either.... But we believe it to be good.... That's all we can do.” 

She nodded her head.

“What’s your name?” Kame asked.

The woman smiled at the turtle. “Mary.” She said softly.

“I’m sorry you went through this Mary.”

“It wasn’t your fault.” She gently spoke.

Kame looked away. And somehow... Usaig could perfectly picture what the turtle's face probably looked like without having to see it. The body language spoke for itself.

Kame seemed a lot more connected to this invasion than Usaig originally thought..... He did apparently live in the sewers, he had to have had first hand experience in one way or another.

“Is this really my only choice?” The woman asked.

Usaig slowly nodded. “Kinda.”

The woman wrapped her arms tightly around herself. “Okay.” Her voice broke in the echo and more tears floated from her eyes, disappearing into nothingness. She collapsed to the ground and held her knees to her chest, her dress flowing around her like water.

Kame backed away from the woman and began fidgeting with his hands, Usagi kneeled down in front of the woman and held up his yo-yo.

“You might feel a bit weird.” The rabbit said.

Mary nodded and looked at the rabbits face, her form shaking even with her chin held high.

Usagi tossed the yo-yo and she began to glow, her body forming into those soul orbs that Usagi had grown so familiar with, and she floated into the air.

Usagi turned around to face the turtle. Only to see him already walking away.

“Wait! Kame! Where are you going!” Usagi called after the turtle and began following.

Kame ignored him and made his way out of the store, Usagi came out not long after.

Usagi stumbled slightly as he chased after the turtle. His headache was starting to worsen again.

“Stripes, wait a second!” Usagi called again.

Usagi grimaced at the pain that pulsed behind his eyes and collapsed to his knees, holding his head.

“Kusō” The rabbit whimpered.

Footsteps approached him and kneeled in front of the rabbit. Cold hands touch Usagi's head which felt nice in contrast with the pain.

“Sorry.” Kame's voice whispered. “I shouldn't have stormed off like that. I wasn't thinking.”

 “Are you okay? You seemed very upset about Mary.” The rabbit mumbled.

Kame sighed. “It's nothing, don't worry about it. It's not about me.”

Usagi frowned. “If it's upsetting you, it has to be at least a bit about you.”

“Can you stand?” The turtle ignored the rabbit's comment.

Usagi sighed and nodded. Kame slowly helped him to his feet and they began walking down the street. Kame handed him a water bottle that they had gotten from the store and the rabbit chugged it.

They began slowly making their way down the street, the sun seeming to slowly begin to set.

Kame directed them down an alley to a fire escape.

“Where are we going?” Usagi asked.

“Up.” The turtle said. Kame carefully pulled himself away from Usagi and made sure he was steady before jumping up and pulling down the ladder. He gestured toward the ladder and Usagi just shrugged and began climbing til he made it to the staircase.

Kame followed.

While making their way up the stairs Usagi couldn't get what Kame said out of his head. It wasn't about him? How could it not be about him? It was Kame's emotions, those belonged to him, those were probably where his conflict was at the moment. It was completely about him. Now, Usagi didn't want to be rude and pry....... But he was curious, and worried. He honestly felt like he had no choice, he wasn't going to let the turtle mope around.

“You could see her.” The rabbit starts.

Kame remained silent.

“It makes sense I guess. I guess you've just been messing with me the whole time, it would have made things a lot easier if you had just told me. I wouldn't have had to use my ghost vision as much and- you know, no, that's on me, sorry.” Usagi sighed. “It really sucks to be lied to though.” He mumbled.  “Why are you always out here? You said you had a brother and sister, wouldn't you want to hang out with them, I'm not really someone people want to hang out with..... did one of them get hurt in the invasion? Is that where the crack in your shell came from?”

Kame froze on the step they were on, his pupils turned into pricks for a second until he took a deep breath and exhaled. “Yeah. We all got kind of hurt.... I pretty much got off Scott free though, they all need to heal and get better, I would just get in the way if I was there.”

It was silent for a moment, Usagi looked at the conflicted emotions flashing through the turtles face before Kame awkwardly cleared his throat and they began making their way up the steps again. Usagi didn't even want to mention the fact that getting a crazy spider web like crack on his shell was not getting off “Scott free”.

“I'm sure that's not true.” Usagi replied. “They would probably like it if you-”

“No. Trust me on this. It's much better that I stay out of their......” Kame looked over at the rabbit and gave a small smirk. “Hare.”

Usagi saw that the turtle's smirk was not as prominent as what it would usually be. But he decided to let the turtle have this one. He rolled his eyes with a smile at the joke and they continued the rest of the walk up in silence.

__________

When they got to the top of the building, both boys sat on the edge, their feet dangling into the air.

Usagi looked out over the city. In the distance he could see the usual hustle and bustle, but from where they were, all was silent.

The streets were empty, no street lamps were on, all that could be heard was the wind and the quiet sounds of critters, skittering around.

The sun was beginning to set. Usagi had been away from home for a long time.

“Is your head feeling any better?”

Usagi shook his head. “Nope. I'm not in like.... Excruciating pain anymore... but yeah, it still sucks.”

Kame nodded. “Can I ask what that's about? Your headaches and stuff..... and why you refuse to go home and rest?”

Usagi sighed. Kame.... Sorta opened up to him. He might as well do the same.

“My ghost sight isn't like my family's.... I got it at a way earlier age completely by accident, it just activated on its own one day. I ended up getting more control of it when I got older, but it also decided to come with really bad headaches if I use it too long.... Which I have been doing. And with Max basically exploding the other day, I guess it just threw me off. It's been weird all day, and I've been able to see things without it being active, and my sister kinda got.... Protective about it.”

“How so?”

The rabbit sighed. “She wanted me to go talk to my Aunty about it, but I don't want to do that because if I do then she might take me off this mission, and it's my first mission that she actually decided to let me go on!.... and I didn't want her to take it away.” Usagi's voice got quiet.

“Why would she take that away from you? You've been doing fine.... I think.”

Usagi groaned in frustration. “Because she's over protective! I love my Aunty okay but she used to barely let me leave the house except for school, but I dropped out of school because kids are assholes and wouldn’t leave me the fuck alone!” Usagi slapped a hand over his mouth.

Kame looked at him with wide eyes. “Did you just swear?”

“No!”

Kame laughed. “I never thought I would hear you swear, that was awesome.” The turtle smiled and then let out a sigh. “Okay. Continue, kids are assholes.”

Usagi sighed, slumping forward. “Stripes, I’m basically just ranting at you. Do you even want to hear this?”

Kame nodded. “Dude, you’ve been off and in serious pain all day. Just say what you need to say, you obviously need to get things off your chest.”

Usagi sighed. “And I don't know why I'm even thinking about school right now when I know that there's like a zero chance of me going back because my Aunty would never put me through that again. But maybe it's because I saw the main jerk recently and I guess it got me thinking about things.... He would make fun of my eyes if they accidentally activated and he spread a rumor that I was possessed or cursed after my grandfather died.”

Kame eyes widened. “This guy said you were cursed after you just lost a family member.”

Usavi slowly nodded.

The turtle huffed. “What an ass.”

“Thank you! And it's not like anyone wanted to hang out with me before anyways, they already thought I would like... sacrifice them or something? Which is weird, ghost hunters haven't done that in like..... centuries, and they weren't even sacrifices they were summonings and communications. Anyways.... No one wants to be friends with the ghost kid.” Usagi finished his rant.

It was silent for a moment before Kame spoke up. Breaking the silence.

“I want to be friends with the ghost kid.”

Usagi almost gasped, which would have been really embarrassing if he did so, thank the spirits he didn't. But wow.... He has never heard those words before, not even from his friends.... Which is crazy cause they were literally his friends and they loved him, he knew that, they were practically family. But he had never been told by someone that he only just recently met that they wanted to be friends with him.

“Hey Bunbun you okay? You look like you saw a ghost..... heh.”

Usagi smiled, maybe a bit too big of a smile, but that's okay. “I'm fine.... And I think I would like to be friends with a sewer monster.”

Kane gasped. “How dare you! Sewers are very comfortable.”

Usagi laughed, unconsciously leaning closer to the turtle, his hand reached for the turtles and Usagi swore he felt it there only for it to be gone, but Kame had placed his hand on his before he knew it, it was cold.

Usagi was happy. He actually had a friend.

__________

Usagi finally agreed to let Kame take him back to the hidden city. He brought him to the nearest portal and they waved goodbye. Kame told him, more as a demand than a suggestion, to get some rest and drink some water.

The portal Usagi fell through happened to be close to home thankfully, so Usagi only had to stumble a short ways before he was standing in front of the ghost hunting corp.

Usagi took a deep breath, and pushed open the door, entering the lobby.

He looked around and saw no one so he began making his way upstairs to the living quarters.

As soon as he made it to the top he heard voices.

“Aunty, I'm sure he will be back soon.”

That was Chizu.

A sigh. “I know Chizu.... But I can't help but worry. He's been seeing ghosts without his vision, how can I not worry!”

Usagi needed to face the music. Look his Aunty in the face and try his best not to cry.... And also take his freaking meds, the Advil Kame gave him was crap.

Usagi stepped into the hallway to see his sister and Aunty.

“Hey.”

Both turned to look at him, their faces lighting up.

“Usagi!” Aunty ran to him and pulled him down into a hug. “Where were you! I was so worried!”

“I was with a friend on the surface.”

Aunty pulled away from Usagi in shock. “A friend on the surface!? Usagi, have you been talking to humans!?”

“No! No no no. There aren't even any humans in the area where I've been... except the dead ones.... Oh yeah, I caught a ghost too.”

Aunty sighed and slid her hand down her face. “Chizu told me what happened.”

Usagi's mouth stretched into a line and he nodded.

The older rabbit grabbed his hand and began walking him towards her office.

“Aunty really, I'm fine.” Usagi tried to defend.

“You are obviously not fine, you idiot boy.” Aunty said.

“Wow.... Kinda rude.” The younger rabbit mumbled.

They soon got into Auntie's office and the older rabbit shut the door behind them, dragging Usagi over to the couch that was in the room.

Usagi sighed as he sat down, already feeling like he could just pass out there and then, his headache only being a mild throb now.

Aunty sat next to him, looking at her nephew with.... Those eyes.

She looked so guilty and sad. Almost like she let someone down.

Those looked........ So familiar.

Jeez, his head would be more in it tomorrow.

“Usagi, why didn't you tell me your sight was acting up?”

Usagi frowned and looked away with guilt.

“Honey, Chizu told me your headaches started this morning before we even had our talk. Why didn't you tell me?” She said softly.

“I- I guess I was scared... that you were going to take the mission away from me.” Usagi stumbled through his words.

Auntie's face dropped to something of guilt and sadness. “Why.”

Usagi felt his ears drop down. If his ears weren’t tied up they would be laying completely flat down his back.

“I-I-“

“Wait.” Aunty held up a hand. “I’m sorry, I never wanted to ever make you feel like you couldn’t tell me anything. I’m sorry I made you feel that way.” Aunties voice was shaking. “If you're comfortable, I want you to be able to tell me. But if not..... that's understandable.”

Usagi swallowed a lump in his throat. “I thought you didn't actually believe in me.” His voice almost came out as a whisper. “After you assigned me the mission, me and Chizu talked about it and she said that it wasn’t the most normal to give a beginner a mission like that. Simple ghost collection sure.... But not to the level of the invasion.” Usagi took a shaky breath. “And I guess her saying that.... And other stuff.... I thought you were just.... Trying to get me to quit by giving me such a big mission.”

Usagi didn't think Auntie's face could look any sadder, but apparently it could.

“I guess not though.” The younger rabbit mumbled.

Auntie grabbed his hands and looked into his eyes with tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry.” He voice broke. “I’m sorry I made you feel that way. That was never my intention. I've seen you around the building for the past few months and saw how sad you looked, you rarely left the house after you left school... though that was partially on me as well, I've been very over protective. I tried keeping you busy with the desk job, trying to keep you off the field so you wouldn’t get hurt again.... But you weren’t happy. So when I found out that you sneaked out to help out on one of the cases by yourself, I was mad at first.... But I saw the determination in your eyes, I saw how passionate you were. And I couldn’t help but say yes.” Auntie gave him a fond smile. “I was a bit of a trial run, I will admit. I gave you fourteen just to see how you would do, to see if you really wanted to do this. Yes I shouldn't have necessarily picked the attempted invasion space as your mission but it felt... that felt like it was a job made for you."

Usagi raised a brow. A job made for him?

"You are very kind hearted, you just want to help people and it just felt right to give you this job. Like it was destiny."

Okay, destiny. Usagi could roll with that.

"So what your saying is I'm the chosen one." The younger rabbit smirked. Wiping at his eyes to push back the tears.

"No."

"Oh."

“I am proud of you honey.” Aunty cupped Usagi's cheek. “How could I not, you’ve grown up to be such a strong young man. I know how serious about this you are, so how about I start working on organizing you a task force.”

Usagi's eyes widened. “You... you want to give me a task force?”

Aunty smiled with a small shrug. “You would not be managing it by yourself, I would be there with you. You are still learning after all.”

Usagi wanted to squeal like he just found out his favorite comic series got a cartoon adaptation. Not a live action movie. A cartoon.

Okay, calm yourself Usagi. You just got an amazing opportunity. But he still wasn’t completely truthful with Aunty. He needed to tell her what really happened with Max.

“Soooooo, since we are being all honest and all..... I need to tell you something about what happened with that ghost girl. Max.”

Aunty nodded, encouraging Usagi to continue.

“Well... she sorta. Exploded.”

Now. Usaig should have told Aunty that earlier, cause she is now kinda mad at him and has demanded that he goes on bed rest until his headaches clear up. But he was also able to tell Aunty the whole story. And not just about the time with Max, he means the whole story. Starting with the first ghost he caught and how he met Kame.

Usagi was ecstatic that he was able to share these ghost stories with more than just Kame, it felt good to have all these peoples lives be known about. And he was just as happy to tell Aunty about Kame.

She was unsure at first, seeming to have a similar reaction to Chizu when Usagi first talked to her about him. But it seemed to turn out fine. Aunty seemed to think he was funny for some reason.

And she just might want to invite him over for dinner. But it also came along with a scolding for pushing Usagi into a pond.

Chapter Text

Usagi lied in bed for two days... partly because he was still in pain from the headache. But also because he got grounded for hiding his headaches.

Chizu was mad, that's for sure. She wouldn't stop glaring at him and gave him one of the longest lectures of his life.

Kitsune was not the happiest. One time during Usagi's forced break. He tried to leave and just take a walk around the company for a bit. But that just ended up with a certain fox sitting on top Usagi for hours to keep him from moving again. (It was horrible, Usagi’s back is still sore)

Gen even came over and scolded him for not caring enough about his health and even asked if he needed to go to the hospital.

And Usagi is definitely not going to the hospital. Especially the one that Gen always suggests. That place is terrifying, and he is not interested in some random unneeded surgery. That was gross, and sounded like it might hurt.

But his mind was finally starting to feel more clear and he can actually look back on all that happened the other day.

He got approval from Aunty and found out that she actually believes in him! SCORE!

He got a task force. EVEN BETTER!

Kame had been lying to him ever since he met him... Not the most exciting. He knew Kame was a jokester, but making Usagi do so much unnecessary work was just a jerk move. Though he's sure that Kame feels bad about it. And it's not like Kame was fully informed of the consequences of his headaches. He can’t blame him for that.

And the eyes.

Usagi knows what the eyes look like now.

Kame radiated some, if not more guilt than what his Aunty did at times. Usagi could see it clear as day.

And the fact that Kame was so angry about the invasion just showed that he was definitely involved somehow, whether he lost a family member or if one of them got hurt.

He didn't want to bother Kame with any of this though. He already seemed very resistant to answering Usagis questions and the rabbit didn't want to push too much so the turtle just didn't want to be his friend anymore. That would seriously suck. Especially since they just became friends!

Now that's exciting. Kame might be a jerk sometimes but Usagi genuinely started to like hanging out with him! It was nice to be with someone that wasn't constantly worrying about him or treating him like a baby.

He just wanted to help him. Even if just a little bit, Kame has helped him so much and Usagi feels like he hasn't done anything. The lying still sucked though...

Usagi shook his head from the thought. He can get over that.

But right now, Usagi was sick of laying around. He needed to get up and out of the house... Or, company. They didn't really have a house now that he thought about it.

Whatever. Usagi was UP! And boy was he excited to finally hit the road.

The rabbit jumped up out of bed and quickly got dressed before grabbing his gear and backpack and booked it out of the room.

Only to run smack into Chizu.

“AH! Usagi what the heck!”

“Sorry!” Usagi bounced. “I’m just so excited!”

Chizu fondly smiled as she rolled her eyes. “Are you going into the city to see Kame?”

Usagi frowned at his sister and stopped bouncing. “I’m not just going out to see him. I don't even know where he is. If I run into him, cool. But I’m just excited to get out there again.” Usagi began bouncing again.

Chizu chuckled. “Okay! But be careful okay. I don’t want you to get hurt again.”

Usagi quickly nodded.

“Take it easy. Don’t-”

“Okay thanks Chizu byeeeee!” Usagi waved and ran down the hall.

“Usagi!” Chizu called after him. “Don’t be an idiot!”

Usagi ran out the door. Freedom was great.

__________

Usagi was finally out! On the town! In the big city! (That was still kinda a ghost town.)

He just wasn’t supposed to do anything too intense... As in, he wasn’t supposed to activate in ghost vision if he could help it.

Usagi climbed out of a dumpster in some random alley. Thankfully it didn't smell like or was filled with garbage. Normally he wouldn’t care about that, but recently, he had started to make sure that he kept his smell pretty neutral. He didn't know why exactly, but it was definitely a good thing. Gen was definitely happy about it.

As soon as he was out of that sketchy alleyway he breathed in the city. It smelled disgusting. Like hot garbage and sewage. But that was New York apparently, and Kame didn't seem to have a problem with it.

And if Kame wasn’t bothered by disgusting smells, he wasn’t going to be either.

Because friends and stuff.

Usagi strolled through the city, still keeping his ear out for his ghost locator to beep just in case. He was still technically on duty after all.

He wasn’t really expecting to find a ghost at the moment. He really wanted to, but after the whole incident with his ghost vision he was starting to feel a little discouraged.

Why did he have to be the one with the messed up ability? Like, he wouldn’t wish it on anyone else, it really sucked. But could he really be a ghost hunter with a disability like this?

Should he have just stayed on desk duty? Maybe Aunty was right to be so protective of him-

NO! Usagi can’t be thinking like that. He worked so hard to get to this point. He couldn’t just give up!

Usagi continued making his way through the damaged streets. Still hearing the sounds of construction in the distance. This area was definitely going to be worked on soon which means he was running out of spots he could walk around freely.

Usagi looked into the distance and saw a familiar figure sitting on a bench in the distance.

From where he was, it almost looked like his mask tails were floating in the breeze.

Kame seemed to be able to always get the jump on him. Maybe it was time to return the favor.

Usagi quietly made his way to the sidewalk that the bench was on and hid behind a mailbox. Peeking over to check if Kame was still not paying attention.

He crept up behind the bench like it was some cartoon and looked down at his prey.

He leaned in close to the turtle's ear and whispered into it.

”Boo.”

”AH!” Kame shouted as he jumped from the bench and reached one of his hands back to draw one of his swords.

”AH! Wait! It’s just me!” Usagi exclaimed. Shocked by the fact that the turtle almost straight up PULLED A WEAPON ON HIM!?

Kame was breathing heavily and Usagi could see the turtle's hand shaking slightly, his marks even took on a slight glow for a second before Kame seemed to recognize him.

“U-Thumper.” Kame gasped. Placing a hand to his chest. “Holy shit.” The turtle pulled his hand away from the hilt of his sword and sat on the ground cross legged, burying his face in his hands.

Usagi was still shocked by the fact that his friend was just about to stab him but quickly got over it and slowly went up to him. “I- I’m sorry. I didn't know you were going to-“

”Why did you do that!?” Kame exclaimed. He didn't seem mad though, it was said almost in a joking way, a complete change in mood to how he was earlier. Kame actually seemed scared earlier, something Usagi never even thought about as a possibility.

”Y-you were just sitting there! And I never get the chance to scare you and I was just- I’m sorry!” Usagi apologized. “Are you okay! You looked really freaked out!”

Kame got to his feet, an easy smile on his face. “Completely fine Conejo. Just shocked me. All good here.”

”You sure-“

”Yep!” The turtle interrupted. “So, are you feeling better? You kinda had me worried last time.”

”Oh, yeah I’m okay. Sorry about all of that... I just pushed myself too hard I guess.”

The slider nodded along. “Well... I’m glad you're better... last time was kinda loco.”

”Yeah.” Usagi nervously laughed. “I actually wanted to ask you something about that.”

Kame fidgeted with his hands.

”You could- You could see her.”

The turtle awkwardly looked away and started walking.

”Oh come on! Don’t avoid me!”

”I'm not avoiding you.” Kame shrugged.

”Yes you are! I asked you last time and you ignored me.” Usagi deadpanned.

”I guess I didn't hear you. I was focused on getting you somewhere you could sit.”

Usagis face scrunched up in frustration. “Why do you keep lying to me? I get that you don't want to share much yet and that is completely understandable. But you seem to think hiding the fact that you can see ghosts from me is some sort of joke. It’s not a joke, Stripes, It freaking sucks.”

Kame scoffed.

”Seriously! I feel like I'm talking to a wall! I got seriously sick from using my ghost vision for so long repeating words to you that you could already hear!”

”Sorry.” Kame mumbled.

Usagi sighed. He didn’t want Kame to be feeling guilty for all of this. “It’s- It’s fine, I shouldn’t have been using my sight that much in the first place. But why didn't you just tell me. If it was to keep up the ‘ghosts aren’t real bit’ that's stupid, you can still keep at it if you want.”

Kame was silent.

Wow, was he seriously going to be a jerk about this? Right now?

Usaig groaned in frustration. “Fine, be a jerk about it. I just wanted to come up here and hang out with my friend but I guess I can’t do that since he’s deciding to be an ass today.”

Usagi turned and left. He didn't even want to try and find a ghost today. Its not like it would help his issues, it would probably just make everything worse and give him a headache.

He marched back to the dumpster that the hidden city entrance was at and hopped in. Maybe a little break at Huesos would make him feel better.

__________

So maybe Usagi shouldn't have completely snapped at Kame. That wasn't the nicest thing for him to do, especially since he was pushing the turtle to talk about something personal.

But didn't he have the right to be at least a bit mad about the fact that he had been lying to him about the whole ghost thing? It would have made things so much easier if he just knew that he could see them this whole time.

Though...

Now that Usagi thinks about it, it was pretty obvious. He was able to talk to Max so easily, and he heard the dog barking...

Okay maybe Usagi is just not the best at picking up the fine details. But Kame still shouldn't have lied.

The rabbit pushed the door open to Run of the Mill and took in the smells that surrounded him.

A real safe haven.

The lighting, the chatter of customers, the faint music.

It made any anxiety he was feeling melt away.

But then Usagi turned to his left. Only to see something that he somehow has never seen before.

A sign. “Prove You're A Champion”

Oh now that's something Usagi can get behind! Not that he really had too, he was already on track to become the greatest ghost hunter of all time, he could handle a simple maze of death.

Usagi strutted down the hall to the entrance when something else caught his eye.

A wall of cheaters?

And the only picture that hanged there was.

Four turtles.

One red, purple, orange...

And blue.

Blue with red stripes. Blue with yellow crescents on his arms.

That's freaking Kame!

The three other turtles looked very proud and happy with their pizza, while Kame looked...

Well Usagi couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

The turtle that he had grown to know over the last week looked absolutely destroyed.

Usagi couldn't help but take out his phone and take a picture of it for... blackmail purposes.

So this must be how Kame got banned. Interesting.

“Ah, that brings back memories.”

Usagi turned to the voice of Senior Hueso. The skeleton came to a stop right next to the rabbit, fondly looking at the picture.

“I had just met Pepino. Truly a menace. He wouldn't leave after that day.” The skeleton rolled his eyes.

Usagi raised a brow. “Pepino? What do you mean he wouldn't leave?”

“Pardon me... Leonardo, the blue one. I call him Pepino as a... nickname.” Hueso explained. “And yes, he wouldn't leave. He made himself at home here, helping out once in a while... bothering me.”

Leonardo... Interesting.

Usagi nodded. “Why haven't I ever seen him before? You know, since he's such a regular?”

Hueso shrugged. “The boy and his brothers don't go to school, seemed to show up during those times, and you were still in school when he started appearing, what was it... two years ago?”

Usagi nodded. That did make sense... and Kame did mention living in the sewers and he wasn't even a yokai. There was a chance he never really left the sewers... Nah, no way. Kame was way too extroverted and out there to have spent his whole life hidden away.

“He would like you.” Hueso commented offhandedly.

“What?”

Hueso waved him off. “It is not important. He would be a horrible influence on you.”

Okay... Maybe Usagi could see that happening seeing as how he ALREADY KNOWS HIM!

But instead of saying any of that. Usagi just nodded. Something wasn’t right about any of this.

“Well Conejo, I must be off. Have a good day.”

And with that the skeleton was off, unknowingly leaving Usagi with way too many questions.

Like why Kame- or, Leonardo. Lied to him about all of this? Why did he tell him he got banned when Hueso seemed like he actually liked the turtle?

Why wouldn’t he tell him the truth? All he seemed to do was lie about everything... Which was actually why he was here now that he thought about it. He was still mad at the turtle but he didn't want to risk one of the first actual friends he’s ever made.

Usagi really needed to talk to him.

.

.

.

.

Eventually. He didn't have to do it now. He just needed to get back to the turtle and apologize for pushing his boundaries too soon... And maybe at some point he can bring up the lying issue. But today was not that day.

He just needed to go find Kame. And bring a peace offering.

__________

Okay. So Usagi had blackmail material. Not that he was going to use it or anything.

Not anytime soon at least.

But that wasn’t the important thing at the moment. He had to find Kame again. And there was no way in hell he was calling him Leonardo. It felt wrong. That's not how he knew him. He wasn’t even supposed to know his name... Why wasn’t he supposed to know his name? Either way, it felt like Usagi crossed a line somehow by knowing his name.

Why was Kame so weird about everything? Usagi admits that he might have begun pushing a bit to get to know him better and that he should be patient. but all he’s been met with is lies and half truths.

If he and Kame were going to be friends then they should be honest with each other right? They didn't have to tell each other everything but wouldn’t it be better if they at least got to know each other at least a bit better?

Usagi sighed and he crawled out of the dumpster entrance to the hidden city.

He needed to find Kame again. Apologize for pushing too hard but make it clear that he doesn’t like the lies and that Kame should just tell him if he doesn’t want to talk about it.

And it surprisingly didn't take that long to find him. It was like a big case of déjà vu actually.

He's been here before. It was the fountain. The place where they first met. And there was Kame being his brooding self.

Usagi walked over to the turtle and sat next to him on the fountain facing the opposite direction.

”Hey.” The rabbit started.

”Hi.” Kame responded.

Usagi sighed and slid his backpack off his shoulders. He did have to make a quick stop at home and the market before coming but it was fine.

Usagi pulled a cucumber from his bag and held it out to Kame. “Here.” He said awkwardly.

The turtle slowly took the cucumber from Usagi's hand. “Dude... what is with you and giving me vegetables?” the turtle said with amusement, trying to keep down a laugh.

Usagi snorted. “That’s how you get a Kappa to trust you.”

Kame rolled his eyes. “So rude.” Kame set the cucumber down next to him. “Sorry about earlier. We are seriously so bad at this. We are constantly getting into fights.”

Usagi nodded. “I was thinking the same thing. This happens way too often. I'm sorry too. I was pushing too much. You don't have to talk about things if you don't want to.”

Kame shrugged. “Yeah. But I’ve also been a class A jerk. You're right. I was lying to you, and it caused you to get hurt.”

”Woah. hold up. It wasn’t your fault that my ghost sight decided to act up. I've been pushing myself ever since I got my mission and shouldn’t have been.”

Kame sighed. “How long have we known each other?”

Usagi thought for a moment. It hasn't been long, he knew that.

”A week? A little over a week?”

Kame slowly nodded. “Wow... It does not feel like a week.”

Usagi twisted around so he was also facing the water of the pond. “Yeah. It's like déjà vu being here again.”

”Do you get déjà vu, hmm.” Kame sang.

Usagi snorted. “Shut up.”

”Seriously though.” Kame said, turning to face Usagi fully. Usagi did the same so they were face to face. “I am sorry about my attitude. I know it might be hard to believe, but I'm actually not very good at talking about feelings.” Kame joked.

Usaig nodded. “Yeah. I can tell. But hey, it's not like I'm the best either, you're just easy to talk to for some reason.”

Kame nodded. “So your head is doing better?”

”Oh, yeah. It’s fine for the most part.”

Kame tilted his head. Usagi felt like the turtle was studying him.

”Why were you pushing yourself so much? I know you said your family treats you like your glass or whatever but seriously... what’s up?”

Usagi sighed. Was he seriously going to confide in him again. When they just made up? It almost felt unfair with how often Kame helped him but he couldn’t help Kame.

"This doesn't feel fair."

"What doesn't?" Kame raised a brow.

"The fact that I'm constantly talking to you about my problems! I want to help you sometimes too."

Kame frowned and looked down at his hands. "Conejo. I'm going to be super honest right now okay."

Usagi nodded.

Kame took a deep breath. "I don't want help."

Usagis felt a breeze of cold air go through him. His ears drooped slightly. "Why?"

Kames brows furrowed. Usagi almost thought he looked like he was going to cry.

"I just- I don't know. I don't want to bother people okay. Besides... Its fine, I'm figuring it out. And what has really been making me feel better is helping you. So please." Kame looked back up at the rabbit. A look of determination on his face. "Let me help you."

Usagi was shocked. It hurt to hear that Kame didn't want his help. He wanted Kame to feel better. He wanted to know what the turtle was burying beneath the surface of those eyes. He truly wanted to help him. But you also couldn't help someone who didn't want to be helped.

The rabbit sighed. "Fine. I won't push anymore if I can help it. But please... If it gets too much, talk to someone. You don't have to talk to me about it to me, but please. Talk to someone."

Kame froze in place. Guilt pouring out of him. He nodded.

And Usagi couldn't help but feel that the turtle was lying again.

"Now seriously Conejo. Whats going on?" Kame switched the topic back to Usagi.

And Usagi let him.

”I guess I just... I'm not really confident?”

’Woah-ho-ho! You!? Not confident! I thought you were going to become the greatest ghost hunter ever and get that official badge and stuff.”

Usagi was shocked by the quick change of attitude. He almost wanted to comment on it but decided against it.

Usagi had almost forgotten about the badge. That used to be all he could think about. being a full fledged ghost hunter. He still wants that, but how long has it been since he thought about it. Couldn’t have been that long.

”Yeah. I do. But... Maybe I'm not actually that good.”

”Conejo, I'm sure you've done great! I'm guessing you talked to your Aunty about stuff after the headache incident right? What did she have to say about your skills?”

Usagi looked away shyly. “That I'm good... And she assigned me a task force for after I'm done with the few I was originally assigned.” When he looked back up Kame had large excited eyes. Usagi could almost swear he saw stars. A refreshing difference to what he as seeing before. Usagi couldn't help but feel that he never wanted to see the turtle cry.

”That’s amazing!” He exclaimed. “You're like sixteen and have a task force! That’s not a thing just anybody can do!”

Usagi shrugged.

Kame placed a hand on his shoulder. “You know, someone I know once said that if you believe in yourself, you can do anything. And you.” Kame poked Usagi in the middle of his chest, where his heart is. “You need to believe in yourself. And if you can’t do that, I’ll do it for you. Anatawa Hitorijanai.” Kame said in confidence.

Wow. This guy was seriously good at motivational speeches. If he was a leader, Usagi just might follow him… wait a second. He's heard those words before. Kame said them to Max, that one ghost girl. And... that was Japanese.

“That was Japanese!” Usagi exclaimed. He had completely forgotten to ask Kame about it.

Kame raised a brow. “Yeah?”

”You know Japanese!?”

Kame just laughed.

Usagi never got a proper answer for that.

But the words he said.

Anatawa Hitorijani.

You are not alone.

Echoed in his mind.

__________

“Okay. So if we are going to help the rest of the ghosts I need to for this mission, then I'm thinking we go to the source.” Usagi proclaimed.

”The source?” Kame questioned.

Usagi nods. “That building.” Usagi pointed towards one of the tallest buildings he’s ever seen. It was covered head to toe in those icky vines that looked completely dried up by the sun at this point.

”Metro tower.” Kame breathed.

”Yep.”

Kame shook his head. “No. No it's not safe there.”

Usagi raised a brow and then saw the turtle's eyes. Fear, Guilt, Grief. Just like Aunty.

Usagi quickly nodded. “Okay.” He said softly. “If you don't think its safe then we won't.”

Kame's mouth stretched to a line. “Sorry.”

”It’s fine. Where should we go? You know the city the best.”

So Kame led the way. And Usagi let him.

Because if he couldn't help him with words he would help him with actions.

__________

The rest of the day went well after that. Kame enjoyed his cucumber. Usagi and him joked around some more. Usagi was able to learn more about Kame just by observing him and really listening and thinking back on their other conversations. He actually knew a lot more than he thought.

He has siblings that he obviously cares about and respects a whole lot. He was made in a lab. He has swords, and from the way he moves and holds himself Usagi could only guess that he knew how to use them. He went into a maze of death and cheated. He was able to melt a cold skeletons heart, even if he did lie about being banned. Usagi just guesses that Kame doesn’t believe that Hueso likes him. Kame also comes off insecure at times, calling himself a jerk.

His favorite color also seems to be blue. Which Usagi has great respect for.

But also. He was a great help with catching ghosts. For someone who claims to not believe in them and will go out of his way to deny their existence. He's been a great help to Usagi with this whole thing.

Just today, on Usagi's first day back since he had gotten sick, they were able to help three souls. Usagi almost wanted to drag Kame to headquarters and make Aunty let him do the training course so Kame could be his partner on the field. Usagi didn't know how he could work with anyone better than Kame. They just clicked.

And sure. Kame has still yet to tell Usagi what’s been obviously bothering him. But he didn't want to, and Usagi will respect that as best he could. He would still try his best to help him in whatever way he can.

But Usagi also believed that they had time.

They were new friends. And Usagi had all the time in the world to find out everything he could about the turtle. And find a way to help him through his issues.

__________

After the long day Usagi has had, he could really use a break.

It's been eventful that's for sure. Going to Huesos and finding out Kame's real name.

Finding out that Kame had lied about being banned from Huesos was strange. It turns out that the two of them are pretty close from how the skeleton had talked about “pepino” whatever that meant.

Kame was so secretive and Usagi just couldn't figure it out. Why had he spent so much time lying and fabricating stories about being banned from a restaurant and not being able to see ghosts?

He didn't want to be helped. It hurt. But Usagi could still help by just being there.

The only good thing out of all of this was the fact that Usagi finally had the upper hand in something. His name.

He could totally use that against him now since the turtle didn't know his. HA! Suck it!

Usagi pushed open the doors to the lobby of the company and saw something he couldn't help but find familiar.

In the center of the room stood Aunty, Chizu, and a small... turtle. And was that Perry Laxum? Or did Kame say Draxus? Braxton?

The small turtle turned towards Usagi and ran up to him. He was wearing an orange bandana and had spots on his shoulders, bandages wrapped around his arms a bit past his elbows.

Now this was familiar. Where did he see this guy before?

“I'm looking for my brother, have you seen him?” The turtle asked panicked, holding up a picture of who was-

Oh

My

Spirits

This orange turtle kid was the same one in the picture at Huesos! And the picture he was showing him was-

NO WAY!

That's Leonardo! That's Kame!

That's that super annoying yet fun guy that Usagi has been hanging out with for over a week! What are the chances!

Wait a second.

“You, see. My brother's sorta in a-“

Usagi's mind felt fuzzy. He stopped listening after he heard what the orange turtle had to say. That couldn’t be right. Kame couldn’t be in a- How would that even be possible? Usagi has seen him, spoken to him. He’s touched him...

But then... what happened when he was with his grandfather shouldn’t have been possible. That was what he learned was a lost soul. His Grandfather could see it without the vision too. Aunty had said it was because the spirit must have had another form of mystic energy that conflicted with his already strange ghost sight.

.

.

Oh...

.

.

.

Usagi gasped. The realization hit him like a meteor. How had he not put the pieces together earlier? It was so obvious!

But then again. If it really was true. And if Kame really was what he was thinking...

”Oh fuck.” The rabbit gasped.

They really didn’t have all the time in the world.

Chapter Text

Usagi stared into the wide scared eyes of who Usagi can only guess- no. He knows for a fact.

Is one of Kames brothers.

Usagi needed to get his shit together. The kid was obviously worried. He couldn’t leave him hanging.

Usagi took a breath. “Sorry, heh. I’m going to need clarification. You said he waaaassss?”

“I- In a coma.” The orange turtle said.

Usagi buried his face in his hands and groaned before looking at the ceiling and shouting-

“THAT ASSHOLE!”

“Usagi!” Aunty scolded from across the room, making her way to the three of them. “Watch your mouth!”

“Also, that was kinda mean.” The turtle said with a frown. “Leo might act like it but I don't think he's an asshole deep down.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. You're completely right, he’s not really an asshole. He’s just been confusing me for the past like… week and now I’m really freaking out!” Usagi nervously laughed.

The Goat guy raised a brow. “Excuse me? You know him.”

Usagi nodded. “I know it sounds crazy but please trust me. I met Kame a bit ago and we’ve been hanging out. He pushed me in a pond. It's a whole thing. I had NO idea he was a ghost until now.”

“WHAT!?” Chizu exclaimed, running up to the group. “You've been hanging out with this guy. Catching ghosts with him. Probably doing premarital hand holding, and you didn't know he was a ghost?” She said in shock.

Usagi raised a brow. “Pre what?”

“So you’ve seen my brother!” The orange turtle exclaimed.

Usagi nodded. “Yeah!”

Suddenly the orange turtle burst into tears.

The goat man placed his hand on the turtle's shoulder. “Mikey, it's okay, we found him.”

Ohhhh, so his name was Mikey, Usagi wonders if this is the one that believes in ghosts? He was a sweet kid, Usagi could already tell.

“So you’re Mikey?” Usagi asked gently. Bending his knees slightly so they were eye level. “He’s talked a bit about you. It seems he loves you a lot.”

Mikey looked at him with a quivering lip.

“Don’t worry. He might be a complete idiot and apparently kinda see through. But I promise, I’m going to bring him back. I will not leave him behind.”

Mikey's eyes widened before more tears began falling again and the orange turtle rushed into Usagi and hugged him.

Usagi was shocked at first but decided to hug the turtle back.

“I promise.” The rabbit whispered.

Aunty stepped forward and placed a hand on the turtle's shoulder, looking up at him.

“Tell us everything you know from the beginning.”

Mikey nodded.

And he told them all he knew.

__________

- 3 and a half weeks ago, Invasion day -

Mikey's arms felt like they were on fire.

He could feel himself tearing apart from the seams.

The light was bright and blinding, burning off an immense heat. 

And then the turtle did it.

He ripped a hole through space, just like his big brother. And there was the blue turtle.

Floating in a dark void with a beast looming over him.

Everything happens pretty fast after that. Mikey wasn't able to keep track of everything when Raph grabbed Leo and Donnie shot Krang in the face with the drill.

And with one last spark of showmanship that Mikey could only think came from his blue brother. He shut the portal, locking that monster in for the rest of eternity.

Leo was on the ground and Mikey was instantly by his side.

And Leo of course. Being the way he is. Cracked one last joke before completely passing out.

“Eww, are we on Staten island?” The turtle slurred.

And Mikey couldn't help the joyous laugh that came out of him knowing that his brother was okay.

.

.

.

He seemed okay.

But he wouldn't wake up.

.

.

.

.

.

They were all back at the lair.

It was quiet.

No loud laughter.

No constant chatter.

No debates on random J.J. trivia.

No horrible jokes that made them want to punch a certain blue turtle in the face.

Just Mikey and his family in the med bay surrounding their brother or son covered head to toe in bandages with tubes of all sorts coming out of him.

Not even a twitch of a muscle.

Just the rise and fall of his chest made with the intubation tube. The sound only gave Mikey shivers.

His father sobbed over his brother's body. Something Mikey never thought he would see.

“My son.” Splinter's voice cracked. “My baby blue.”

And Mikey couldn't help but curl himself in a ball, squeezing his knees tight against his chest. He would go in his shell if he was allowed, but his arms hurt too much.

His purple brother stared at Leo with an expression that Mikey didn't recognize. Like a piece of his soul was missing. Like he was expecting Leo to stop breathing and just drop dead any second.

April gently squeezed the softshells hand. Giving him her best reassuring smile.

And Raph. Raph was staring at the bruises around Leo's throat with a thousand yard stare. His eyes held more guilt than an empathetic serial killer.

And it was quiet.

Aside from his fathers cries and his brother's fake looking breathing.

It was quiet.

.

.

.

.

.

Three days later Leo still wasn't awake.

“A coma.” Donnie spoke softly. His throat raw from what Mikey can only assume is from the softshells fair share of panic attacks and sensory overloads. “Leo sustained some form of severe brain injury while.... In that place. His body has resorted to an unconscious state to help him heal.”

Mikey's lip quivered.

“How long.” Raph's voice rang out through the med bay.

“I- I can't be sure. From all my research it just says several weeks. The patient will come to gradually and start responding to sound and touch. And then they will regain consciousness but will most likely be confused about their surroundings. And with-” Donnie swallowed. “With Leo's head injury we don’t really know how he could react when he wakes up. There's a- a chance of amnesia.”

Mikey felt like all the air was sucked out of him. “He's not going to remember us.” He whimpered.

Donnie quickly got to Mikey's side. “No. He will remember us, I'm sure of it. If he did so happen to get amnesia it would be most likely forgetting about the day of the invasion, or just his time in the- that place. He’s not going to forget us. He couldn't even if he tried.”

Mikey nodded. Since Leo and Raph had started fighting more, Donnie has really stepped up as Mikey's big brother. Always being there and comforting him when the others were arguing and it became too much.

“He's going to be okay.” Mikey gives his family a shaky smile. “He's Leo. He always bounces back.”

Splinter smiled at his youngest son. “Of course Orange. Blue will be just fine. We just have to be patient.”

Mikey didn’t hear Raph say anything. He was guessing that he was still in shock of everything and probably still feeling that immense amount of guilt.

He didn't notice the unsure looks that the softshell was giving the rest of his family.

.

.

.

.

.

It's been a week.

Still no Leo.

Mikey sat by his bedside everyday, trying to see something. Anything.

But his brother was still. His breathing was still rhythmic and unnatural.

Mikey would almost say he looked peaceful. He's never really seen his brother rest with such a calm expression.

But the peacefulness was too much for Mikey. That wasn’t who Leo was. He was a voice of reason when times got tricky. He was the fun older brother that would sneak him out of the lair even when he wasn't supposed to. He was dramatic. He wasn't serious unless it came to one of them being hurt. He put band aids on Mikey's scraped knees as a child and hugged him until he stopped crying. He helped Mikey in the kitchen (even if it started the biggest of fires.)

This body laying there didn't feel like the Leo that Mikey grew up with.

The Leo lying in front of him felt dead.

Just a shell of what once was.

Leo would never let his family see such a vulnerable face that his body currently had.

Not until he was dead.

But Mikey could never bring himself to believe that was the truth. No matter how much easier that might be then thinking that then the possibility of Leo never waking up again.

Leo was going to come back.

He knew it.

But it was hard to hold on to hope.

.

.

.

.

.

Donnie said that Leo would react to external stimuli.

They haven't experienced any of that yet.

Everyday, Mikey would sit with Donnie as the softshell went through all the tests. Pupils' reaction to light. Touches on the feet and hands.

Checking for brain activity was always the scariest.

Mikey kept thinking that one day they would see nothing.

But every time. There was always something.

Donnie had said it was unnatural the amount of brain activity there was. It was like Leo was still up and walking around instead of sleeping.

Mikey liked to think it just meant Leo was having good dreams.

.

.

.

.

.

Mikey can't feel Leo.

He has not been able to for days but he's said nothing.

He is afraid that if he says something the others will panic and tell themselves that Leo was dead.

Mikey can’t have that.

His Ninpo was just.... It was just weak. He could definitely feel it. It had to be there, he just had to look harder. There was no way it could be gone?

Leo wouldn’t do that?

Leo wouldn't leave them!?

He wouldn't.

Right?

.

.

.

.

.

Mikey overhears Donnie's and Splinter's conversation one day.

He knows he's not supposed to be listening, but if it's about his big brother shouldn't he deserve to know?

“His body isn’t reacting to anything.” Donnie said.

“He just needs more time.”

“I don't know how much time we can give him.” Donnie hisses. “When I say he isn't reacting to anything I mean it. With so much brain activity he should be awake by now!”

Splinter sighed. “We just need to be patient, Purple. Blue will come back in his own time.”

“It doesn't make sense!” Donnie exclaimed. “With so much brain activity you would think he is walking and talking and not shutting up! This isn't logical!”

“I know Donatello. But you must be patient with your-”

“I can't feel him!” Donnie shouted.

Splinter went quiet.

“Normally I can feel him. Its like that constant buzzing that wont fucking stop and now it stopped and I don't know where it went! I don't know where he is!” The softshell sobbed.

And now Mikey was listening to his big brother cry over the missing feeling of his twin.

Mikey didn't think anyone else would be able to feel the missing presence. But maybe Leo was right about twin senses. Maybe he and Donnie really were twins in some strange way.

But Mikey also couldn't help but feel that this was Donnie giving up. And so quickly?

That wasn't Donnie's character. He couldn't have given up.

Even though hope seemed really hard to hold onto right now. It was really all they had.

Leo said it himself.

They still had hope.

.

.

.

.

.

Mikey woke up with a gasp.

Another nightmare. They have all been getting them a lot recently. There were nights where Raph would wake up so panicked he didn't even know where he was.

It always took a lot of convincing from him, Donnie, April, and Splinter that Raph was himself again.

The snapper never told them what he had nightmares about. But they could only assume with the looks he would give Leo every time he was in the med bay.

Donnie had his own fair share of nightmares. But he would tell Mikey about them for the most part. About becoming the ship. About getting all the universe's information all at once and how thrilling it was. And then getting ripped from the console and feeling as though a piece of his brain went with it, how he felt disconnected from his body every time he woke up from them. How he always felt like he was forgetting something or that something was missing when he knew in reality he had all his memories intact.

Mikey would never really understand that feeling that Donnie is describing. But it sounds a lot like dissociation. Which Donnie is very aware of but keeps denying that it was that.

Mikey wouldn't be surprised if Donnie had gotten a brain injury from being pulled from the console. From what he understood, his brother's whole nervous system was connected somehow. And Mikey knows that Donnie was hiding something from him as well. Mikey is sure that April knows what it is. But it seemed that Donnie swore her to secrecy... or maybe... more so they wouldn't tell him. Mikey was sure dad knew, and maybe even Raph. But Raph was also so out of it recently that Mikey wasn't even sure if Raph knew about anything going on.

Mikey sighed and sat up on shaky arms. He winced at the shock of pain that went up his arms.

It was just a nightmare. Nothing he hasn't handled before. He just needed to get a glass of water and he would be all better.

He got to his feet and his hands wouldn't stop shaking. But it wasn't just his hands, it was his whole body.

The nightmare was pretty terrifying. Maybe he should also go stay with dad for the rest of the night. That would make him feel better.

The cold of the concrete floor sank into his bones as he made his way towards the kitchen.

He was about to walk past Raph's room when a flash of blue caused him to freeze.

Mikey's eyes widened as the see-through figure. He quickly hid behind Raphs train car.

It was a ghost. Ohmigosh. Mikey just saw a ghost!? Was it haunting Raph? Was it haunting the train car? Wait! Was It haunting the whole lair!?

Mikey peeked around the train car again. It was hard to make out the features of the blue figure but the mystic energy coming off of it was so familiar it-

.

.

.

Leo?

Mikey's eyes widened further. Leo was a ghost? The energy was so strong. It was so much like his ninpo.

Then a thought occurred to Mikey. If that was Leo, or more so Leo's ghost. Then did that mean...

.

.

No.

No, that can't be true.

Mikey makes a sprint to the med bay.

He had to make sure Leo was okay. He knows he thought that Leo looked.... But he wasn't actually! He couldn't be!

Mikey skids into the med bay, stumbling over his feet, he catches himself before he falls, pain shot up his arms and quickly makes his way to Leo's bedside.

But nothing was different.

The sound of the heart monitor.

The slider's artificial breathing.

It was all the same.

But that emptiness was still there.

There probably wasn't a ghost. Mikey knows that PTSD can do some wacky shit to your mind. He's just tired and stressed from everything happening. He just needs his glass of water and to go find his dad.

.

.

.

.

.

Except that wasn't the last time Mikey saw the ghost.

It was the next night. Mikey had another nightmare. This one shook him to his core.

He didn't want to think what would have happened if Donnie and Raph weren't there when he opened the portal.

He pulled open the curtain and his vision was filled with blue.

Mikey let out a shout and fell backward. Breaking his fall with his hands that made him let out a cry of pain.

He looked up and there was Leo.

More blue and.... Misty looking. The air around him was cold and his yellow stripes appeared to be a shade of pink.

He had no pupils. Just solid white glowing eyes that were wide with shock.

“Leo?” Mikey whispered. His voice shook at the sight of his brother.

His brother who so happened to run away right when Mikey said his name.

“Leo, wait!” Mikey yelled. He jumped to his feet and chased his translucent brother.

“Leo!” Mikey ran through the lair. Eventually coming up on the exit into the sewer.

He heard noise coming from behind him in the lair but ignored it and ran through the sewer.

Leo turned a corner ahead of them.

Seconds later, Mikey slid around the corner but froze.

Nothing.

Where did-

“Leo!” Mikey shouted. “Leo come back!” Tears pricking at his eyes.

The young turtle let out a sob and fell to his knees.

“Leo!” He wailed. The turtle's words echoed through the tunnel, bouncing back into his ears.

Mikey felt strong arms wrap around him. He turned his body and clung on tight to who he could tell was his biggest brother.

“Mikey.” Raphs voice rasped from disuse. “It's okay buddy. Leos in the med bay and he's fine.”

“No he's not!” Mikey cried. “I can't feel him! He's not there, He's not there!”

“Shhhh.” Raph rocked his baby brother back and forth.

Mikey couldn't tell how they couldn't see it? Leo wasn't there! Sure, his body was there. But Leo was gone, Leo ran away from Mikey.

Mikey sobbed into Raphs chest. “He ran a-away from me.” The box turtle cried. “Leo left! Why did Leo leave!?”

Raph continued rocking him. “I don't know Mikey. He thought it was our only option.”

Mikey just wanted Raph to understand. He just wanted to know why Leo's left. But Mikey couldn't get the words out. He cried in his brother's arms.

.

.

.

.

.

The next day, Mikey woke up surrounded by two of his big brother's. The other is still supposedly in the med bay.

Though Mikey didn't believe that was the case.

“Hey bud.” Raph softly spoke. “Did you sleep okay?

Mikey frowned. He didn't have any nightmares.

Mikey felt Donnie rub the top of his head.

A small show of physical affection that Donnie has been against since the invasion unless he was holding Leo's hand.

“It was okay... did you see him?” Mikey asked.

“See who buddy?” Raph asked softly.

“Leo.” Mikey whimpered.

Raph sighed. “Don't worry Mikey. Leo is safe in the med bay. I think you just had a rough night. It's okay to have nightmares.”

“No, Raph you don't get it.” Mikey sat up and looked at his oldest brother. “I woke up from a nightmare last night and was going to the kitchen to get some water. But when I opened my curtain Leo was there! But not really, he was all blue, and kinda see through.” Mikey sighed. “He freaked out when he noticed I saw him and ran away!”

“Mikey-” Donnie interjected with a raspy voice.

“I saw him the other night coming out of Raph's room too! And I can't- I can feel Leo's presence anymore, it's like his ninpo is gone from his body, but just last night I felt him! He was there!” Mikey felt tears starting to burn In his eyes again. “He left.” Mikey quietly spoke. “Why would he leave?” And now Mikey was sobbing.

“Mikey.” Raph made sure to be sitting across from his brother. “You're just stressed. We've all been stressed lately. But Leo is where he's supposed to be. He's at home. In the med bay.”

Donnie nodded. And avoided eye contact with Mikey. “Maybe your mystic powers aren't operating as usual. You did use a lot of power opening the portal.”

Mikey was mad. Why couldn't they understand? If anyone could, he thought Donnie would with what he heard in the med bay. Mikey saw Leo! He saw him in the lair and he ran away! Whatever was going on, Mikey knew that Leo wasn't currently in the lair right now. No matter what his brother's body being there told them.

Mikey spoke slowly, and sternly. A hint of doctor delicate touch coming to the surface. “I know what I saw.” Glaring at his brothers.

“Okay.” Raph Whispered.

Donnie looked over at Raph with wide eyes. Mikey did too. But his older brother... he looked so tired. Like he hadn't slept in a very long time. He looked older than seventeen.

“Boys?”

They all turned their heads to Splinter coming into the room.

“I'm glad to see you up Orange.” Splinter went up to his youngest and pulled him into a hug. “I know how hard all this has been on all of us.” Mikey could feel the looks from his brothers. He was not going to tell his dad what he saw. He was not going to hurt him more than his dad already was.

“Yeah.” Mikey whispered. He felt his bottom lip quiver and he began crying. Splinter squeezed him tight.

“It will be alright Orange. Blue will wake up very soon.”

And Mikey would make what Splinter said true. If he had anything to say about it.

.

.

.

.

.

Mikey called Draxum. Well.... Actually, surprisingly enough, Raph called Draxum. He thought it was a good idea to get an opinion about Mikey's arms, with opening the portal and all.

Mikey thought Draxum might be able to help with Leo as well, but everyone, especially Donnie, was very against that with Leo's grudge.

Mikey held out his arms to the warrior scientist.

“You Might feel a slight tickle.” Draxum grumbled. He was currently very mad at Mikey for apparently pulling off an impossible task.

Mikey felt the pink magic coming from Draxum go up the surface of his arms.

He giggled at the feeling.

“Hehe, that feels weird.”

Draxum sighed. “You're lucky your brothers were there to take some of the backlash you stupid turtle.”

Mikey frowned and sent a glare towards Draxum. “And I'd do it again.”

Draxum nodded. “You are a brave fool.”

Mikey lightly smiled at that only for it to drop instantly. He needed to ask Draxum about Leo.

“Do you think ghosts exist?” Mikey asked.

Draxum scoffed. “What kind of a question is that? Of course they do.”

“I knew it!” Mikey exclaimed. “Is it possible for someone to be in a coma but for their soul or spirit or whatever to leave their body?”

Draxum raised a brow. “I am not well versed in this side of the mystic arts but I have heard of things similar to that happening.”

Mikey grinned wide.

“Why do you ask?”

“Promise you won't think I'm crazy? I talked to Raph and Donnie about it but they think it's just nightmares.”

“Tell me what it is and I'll make my judgment then.”

Mikey sighed. He needed to know.

“I've seen Leo walking around the lair.”

Draxums eyes widened. “What did he look like?” He asked softly.

“He was all blue, and see through. His eyes were glowing white. It felt like him.”

“In what way?”

“Like his energy, I guess? I can't... feel him, with his body. His ninpo his.. just whatever made Leo, Leo. But I know what I felt when I saw this ghost Leo. That was him.”

Draxum let out a breath. “I believe you Micheal.”

“You do.” Mikey whimpered.

“Yes. I haven't been able to feel your brother's presence either. I thought it was due to him being unconscious as well as a mix of mystic exhaustion... but I've been able to feel a being's presence even with such variables.”

“Well then we have to find him!” Mikey exclaimed, jumping to his feet.

“Calm down Mikey. We can't be rash with this. Souls hold many powerful abilities that I am not aware of. We cannot go head first into this. And I don't think your family will like you leaving the lair.”

“We can tell the others! Maybe they will believe me this time because of you!”

Draxum sighed. “Your family is not the most fond of me.”

“They would have to listen though! Donnie is completely out of ideas on what to do about Leo, he'll be desperate. We just need to tell them everything we know.”

Draxum slowly nodded. “If you really think it might work. We can try.”

And Mikey was confident this time. They would believe him, this would work.

.

.

.

.

.

“Excuse me.” Splinter spat.

This was not how Mikey wanted this to go.

The whole family was in the med bay looking over Leo’s body.

”You’re trying to tell me. That MY son is no longer in his body, and is a- a ghost. Floating around the city.”

Mikey’s head slightly shrunk into his shell.

”Yes.” Draxum said. “Michelangelo came to me last night and told me he was struggling to feel Leonardo's mystic energy and the reason for that is that it is not there.”

Mikey looked over at Donnie to see the soft shell's eyes widen. If anyone was going to believe them it would be Donnie. Even if what his brother said earlier still hurt, maybe he would actually listen this time.

”You feel it too, right Donnie?” Mikey looked at his older brother with wide eyes.

Donnie sputtered. “Wha- what? This is ridiculous-“

”He's not there!” Mikey exclaimed.

”Mikey-“ Raph tried to calm.

”No! Raph, Dad. He’s not there! I saw him!”

Splinter's eyes widened. “You saw him?”

Mikey nodded. “Just the other night. His soul is wandering around. He saw me and he- he ran away.” Mikey teared up.

Splinter looked down at Leo's body and squeezed his sleeping son's hand. Then Splinter looked at Donnie.

Donnie swallowed. “I don't- I don't want to believe it but- I can’t feel him either.” Donnie clutched at the front of his hoodie. “And, after spending time in the hidden city I know it's possible for souls to detach from someone’s body and act as ghosts, no matter how strange it sounds there is scientific evidence through electromagnetic waves and many strange coincidences that seem unbelievable.” Donnie swallowed hard. “Leo would kill me if he heard me say all of that.” He wetly chuckled. Donnie looked up at Draxum. “Do you really think that- Leo would- that Nardo might be some lost soul or something?”

Draxum sighed. “From the lack of mystic energy on getting from you brother and from what Mikey has told me, it is my only conclusion aside from.... Well-“

”He’s not brain dead.” Donnie spat. “His brain waves have been more than active since his coma. It’s like he is wide awake and walking around. They haven’t calmed down to a proper sleeping pattern even once.”

Draxum nodded. “That is even more evidence to back up Michelangelo and I's theory.”

”So Leo really did leave.” Raph whispered.

Mikey turned to his biggest brother. He looked so upset, like his heart was ripped out his chest. “W-why?” Raph rasped, tears built up in his eyes.

”Raphael.” Splinter whispered and went to his eldest. Splinter pulled Raph down so he was at eye level with him and pulled Ralph’s head into his shoulder.

”Was Raph that horrible?” The snapper sobbed. “Does he really hate it here that much!?”

Mikey could hear the underlying meaning there. Raph was asking if Leo really hated him. That the reason Leo left was all Raph’s fault and that the snapper pushed him too far.

”It is not your fault Red.” Splinter soothed.

Mikey watched another one of his brothers break down in his fathers arms. This was becoming way too common in this household.

Splinter looked up at Draxum with a determined expression.

”I am trusting you with this Draxum. I have to stay here with my sons, I cannot leave them at this time no matter how much I wish to go searching for Blue.”

Draxum nodded.

”Find my son. Bring him home.”

Draxums own expression became the same as Mikey’s father. Determined, ready to fight whatever came towards him. willing to tear apart time and space in order to bring one of their own back home.

Mikey was willing to do whatever it takes a millions times over.

.

.

.

.

.

”What do you mean I can’t come along!?” Mikey said in shock as the goat man gathered his things.

”You need to remain where it is safe. We don't know what could all still be up there. And the wreckage is no place for a child.”

Mikey clenched his fist and pouted in frustration. Why does everyone treat him like a little kid?!

”I want to help!”

”You'll be of no help if you keep holding your hands like that.” Draxum snapped, taking Mikey’s hands and making them loosen from the fists.

”And you think you're going to be able to convince Leo?” Mikey sassed. “He doesn’t even like you.”

Draxum rolled his eyes. “I'll just make him aware of how idiotic he is currently acting.”

”You can’t be mean to him!” Mikey exclaimed. “Leo is hurting right now, being mean and forcing him to do anything is just going to make it worse. You know how stubborn he is.”

Draxum sighed. “Yes. I’ve heard about me throwing him off a roof enough times for a lifetime.”

Mikey didn't even want to bring up the fact that Draxum still hasn’t apologized for that little stunt.

”I really want to believe that Leo will listen to you Barry. I've been trying to believe it for so long, but I know it's not going to happen. Especially not right now.” Mikey stammered.

Draxums brows furrowed. “Then what are we to do?” Draxum sighed. “I would assume bringing Donatello would help given there supposed... ugh, twin-sense.”

Mikey shook his head. “Donnie isn't very good at emotions. And I have a feeling Donnie just might get really mad at him. I can work my little bro magic.” Mikey smirked.

Draxum scoffed. “You take after your blue brother way too much. He is not a good example.”

”He's good enough for me.” Mikey huffed.

Draxum contemplated something in silence for a few minutes before finally giving in.

”Fine-“

”Yes!”

”But you will stay close to me. And you will not do anything strenuous. No mystic abilities, no fighting. And you will not speak of this to your father.”

Mikey gave a serious face and saluted to Draxum, straightening his back. “Aye aye captain.”

Draxum fondly rolled his eyes and opened a pink portal and waved him over to enter.

Mikey took a deep breath and hesitantly approached the portal that the look of brought many bad memories to the surface. The vines, the color. But he had to do this. For Leo.

.

.

.

.

.

Mikey had seen what the city looked like immediately after the invasion on the way back home from Staten Island. But he didn't really take it in until now.

The city was destroyed. He could see in the distance the remains of the skyscraper he had thrown at the Krang.

Leftover dried Krang goo wrapped around buildings and light posts. Streets were torn up showing all the different layers of concrete from the years of construction jobs.

Windows were shattered, cars were abandoned.

Entire city blocks looked like something from a video game.

And everything was empty. Not a living soul in sight.

Mikey could feel some odd spots of energy from time to time, but he couldn’t feel the presence of his brother anywhere.

And it didn't seem Draxum could either.

They searched for hours on that first day. Trying to cover as much ground as possible.

Mikey thought he heard odd echoes whisper at some points, but he shrugged it off as him being paranoid. It was scary being back up on the surface where he almost lost his entire family.

But Mikey still needed to do this.

At the end of their search that day, Draxum practically had to drag Mikey home.

They came up with nothing that day.

.

.

.

.

.

The Next few days they had more luck.

Mikey had felt small traces of his brother's energy in some spots in an area of the city. Some by a bench in a park, by a pond. Even just a bit on the sidewalk.

Mikey and Draxum knew that this was the area that Leo seemed to be at the most now.

But they still couldn’t feel anything strong enough for it to be him. It was like they just barely missed him. Though there was also a stronger presence in some spots. Like some intense power that couldn't seem to be controlled that was with Leo pretty often.

Mikey felt like it was almost always like that though. No matter how close you think you are with Leo, he will suddenly pull something out that you never heard of him doing before and suddenly you're learning about a whole different person.

Did Mikey ever really know his brother?

.

.

.

.

.

Mikey thought they got really lucky once.

He wasn’t even sure how it happened. Maybe it was like how he was able to see Leo. But he couldn’t see this person. He could only hear her.

It was in a destroyed drug store. There was a woman crying her eyes out about something.

“Um, hello?” Mikey called out into the empty drug store.

“Who are you calling for Michelangelo?”

“There’s someone crying.” Mikey followed the sound, but where he thought he heard the sound the strongest, he saw nothing. “Hello.” He said softly. “Are you okay?”

The voice sniffled and then there was a scream.

Mikey covered his ears. “Ohmigosh! I didn’t mean to scare you! Please stop screaming!”

But the screaming didn’t stop.

“AHHHHHHHH!” Mikey screamed back until the screaming finally stopped.

“Sorry.” Mikey said. “Where are you?” He asked.

“What are you! You- stay away from me!” The woman yelled.

“I can't even see you!” Mikey whined. “Look, you're a ghost right? Suuuuper cool. Big fan, I used to watch Stock Boy all the time. And I would love to get to know you, but my brother is missing, he's kinda a ghost right now, like you! He’s kinda tall, green, really nice red eye bananas.” Mikey explained.

“Im-” Mikey could hear the woman start crying again. “I'm sorry you lost your brother. But I have never seen one of you before, you seem nice, sweetheart. But I can't help you.” 

Mikey sighed. “Okay, thanks ghost lady.” Mikey left the ghost alone. He wished he could help her, but he needed to focus on Leo right now.

Mikey liked the lady, he reminded him of a mom. Aw man, he can't wait to meet April's mom.

“You heard the ghost Michelangelo?” Draxum questioned in awe.

“I guess? I couldn't see them like how I was able to kinda see Leo though. I could only hear her.” Mikey explained.

A strange occurrence for sure. But Mikey was willing to wait before exploring that power further.

.

.

.

.

. 

The next day they were in the city again.

And far too often that they found a mystic signature from Leo they also found that strong mystic energy from someone else.

And Mikey didn't like it.

Maybe Leo didn't actually leave them, maybe he was in trouble and someone was keeping him from seeing his family.

Mikey really wanted to believe that was true, but even he could tell the energy with his brother didn't seem evil.

“Michelangelo.” Said Draxum.

“Yeah Barry?” Mikey said, looking up at the scientist.

“I believe we won’t be able to find your brother like this.”

Mikey felt his stomach drop. “Don’t give up!” Mikey cried out. He was angry, how could Draxum even suggest such a thing. “Leo wouldn't give up. He never gives up! I'm not going to leave him wandering around the city. We have to find him!”

“Of course Mikey, I wasn't saying we give up.” Draxum gently grabbed Mikey's shoulders and kneeled to his height. “I was suggesting, as much as I hate to admit it. I believe we are going to need an experts help.”

Mikey sniffled and wiped his eyes. “An Expert?”

Draxum nodded.

“I thought you were an expert?”

Draxum chuckled. “No, my boy. I am far from an expert, I know a few things, but obviously not enough to find your brother. We need someone with the sight.”

Mikey sniffed again. “What's the sight?”

“Someone with the ability to see spirits. I never wanted to ask for help from one of them because they refuse to share the secrets of the afterlife with me. But I will put my pride to the side for once.” The goat man grumbled.

“Where do we find someone like that?”

.

.

.

.

.

Draxum and Mikey stood outside of what was apparently a ghost hunting company.

Mikey had stars in his eyes. The building was pretty big, like some kind of big corporation. But he didn't have time to fanboy about something that came straight out of Ghostbusters.

Mikey burst through the doors.

“Excuse me!” Mikey called in a panic. Draxum walked in right behind him.

Everyone in the room gasped and began whispering. Mikey could hear them talking about Draxum. But he couldn't focus on that. This was about Leo.

Leo saw a cat yokai speaking with an older, short rabbit and went up to them.

“Hi, excuse me.” Mikey croaked, he was feeling really emotional and just wanted to get help for his brother. “I'm looking for my brother.” Mikey showed them a picture.” He turned into a ghost and ran away and we've been looking everywhere but we can't find him.”

The cat yokai looked at the picture and then looked up at Draxum, scowling. “You sure this guy doesn't know where he is?”

Draxum scoffed. “I may find him to be an annoyance but I would never intentionally harm the boy.”

The older rabbit glared. “I'm afraid I don’t feel all that comfortable working with a criminal Draxum. I want to keep my family out of whatever business you have planned.”

“I assure you I have no ill intent. This boy wants to find his brother, I was just leading him to the right resources to do so.”

The older rabbit smirked. “So you admit that you are unable to do this?”

Draxum rolled his eyes. “Yes. We do not have the ability of sight so-”

Mikey tuned out of the conversation. He needed to find someone else to talk to, maybe someone that seemed a little nicer.

And then the front door opened. And in strolled a younger rabbit. He had a sword attached to his hip and his ears similarly tied up like the older rabbits. He seemed to be dressed in darker clothes and a bit of a resting bitch face. He really pulled off the emotionally unavailable bad boy by just looking at him, way more than Donnie. He seemed to be wearing a similar jacket to the cat and other rabbit yokai though.

Mikey ran up to him and showed him the picture.

He saw the rabbit's eyes go wide.

“Oh fuck.” The rabbit gasped.

__________

Usagi nodded along to all the information he was given, even pulling out a notepad and trying his best to put a timeline together for how long Kame has supposedly been a lost soul, an ikiryo.

If Leo separated from his body the day of the invasion, that would mean he’s been like this for what? Three weeks? Who knows how powerful he could have grown in that time! Who knows how much time he has before he disappears! It was different for ikiryos. His body was still very much alive, if he's gone for too long his brain might still be alive, but his body refuses to heal itself and it could start dying.

“Usagi.” Auntie spoke to him, tugging on his jacket sleeve.

Usagi looked down at his Auntie with a raised brow.

“It's too dangerous my boy.” Auntie sighed. “I don't want you to get hurt.”

“Auntie, it'll be fine. We can have people on stand by if it makes you feel more comfortable, but it's better if it's only one of us. We don't want to scare Leo away. He's like.... Allergic to talking about his feelings.”

Mikey chuckled. “So true. He's emotionally constipated.”

Usagi burst out laughing. Which seemed to get a smile out of the small turtle.

Suddenly Usagi felt like a dark shadow covered him. He looked up to come eye to eye with... Jerry Praxton?

“Uhhhh... Hi?” Usagi gave a nervous smile.

“You've been with the blue one?” He questioned.

“Yeah. I was actually just with him like... half an hour ago.”

“How were you not able to see he did not in fact have a body?” Draxum growled.

Usagi swallowed nervously. “I- I really have no idea. My powers are really weird, just the other day my sight was off the walls and I was able to see ghosts without my sight. Maybe since Kame- I mean Leo is an ikiryo it's different?”

Paxton? (Usagi seriously had no clue) nodded along. “I thought your mystic energy was off. You seem to be oozing it.”

Usagi grimaced. “Oozing? Ew.”

“It is almost as if you have too much energy for your body to handle. So it leaks out without you meaning to. If you activate your sight it's releasing a lot but it would be hard on your body.”

Usagi's eyes widened. “Oh... spirits. Literally any doctor could have told me that and they just didn't. That is.... Very disappointing.”

“No doctor has told you this?”

Usagi could feel himself starting to get angry. “Nope. Let's change the subject, we need to focus on Leo.”

The Baron nodded. “I would like to discuss this with you at a later date then.”

Usagi nodded. “Okay, cool, great, anyways. Auntie, I should go see If I can find Leo again.”

Auntie looked anxious. Her hands hovered in the air, seeming to be trying to form words. “Sweetheart, I’m not sure that's the best idea.”

Usagi raised a brow. “What?”

”It's dangerous. You know how ikiryos are.... Remember what happened to your grandfather-“

Usagi held a hand up, putting a stop to her words. Very disrespectful but Usagi didn't want to hear what Auntie had to say about that.

”Auntie. I know. But that one was months old, it had lots of time to grow more powerful, and it was about to fade and grew unstable. Leo is only a few weeks old.”

”yes but-“

”I need to do this.” Usagi blurted. “I've known he’s been struggling with something this whole time and haven’t been able to help. Now that I know what’s wrong I can finally help.”

Auntie released a breath. “Usagi, you can’t be reckless. He is dangerous-“

”My brother is not dangerous.” Mikey snapped.

Usagi looked at the smaller turtle. Tears were forming in his eyes.

”Leo would never hurt anyone. He doesn't show it, but he cares a lot. And to me it seems that he’s been seeking Usagi out. Leo doesn't just do that unless he trusts or respects them.”

Usagi smiled and nodded at the turtle. It really felt nice to know that Leo trusted him. It was already nice that he was his friend, but to know that Leo could actually even respects him. That just seemed too good to be true, that fact that someone cool could actually like hanging out with him.

Usagi steeled his resolve and faced Auntie again.

”He's my friend Auntie.” Usagi said with confidence. “I'm doing this whether you want me to or not.” He concluded.

Usagi didn't like the look of concern on Aunties face, and he didn't like how quiet Chizu had been through this whole thing. He looked up at his sister and they locked eyes.

Chizu looked nervous as well but she gave Usagi a firm nod.

And that was all the rabbit needed.

”I'll be safe and be back as soon as I can with any extra information If I’m unable to get him to cooperate this time.” Usagi quickly shook Mikey’s hand and then ran.

He heard his Auntie call after him, but Usagi didn't look back.

__________

Usagi ran around the city looking for any sign of Leo he could find.

Thinking of him as Leo was weird at first but Usagi already thinks he's starting to get used to it.

Way too much has happened today for Usagis liking, a fight with Leo, finding out his real name and that he's been lying to him, and then meeting his brother and finding out he's in a coma?

Yeah. Way too much information for Usagi to process all at once.

But he knew one thing for sure, and that was he wasn’t going to let what happened to the last ikiryo he met happen to Leo.

Last time he was only seven. He’s matured a lot since then, He actually has a ghost weapon now so he was fully capable. It’s not like his yo-yo would do much to Leo anyways since he wasn't really a ghost. Just a lost soul.

Usagi turned a corner, gasping for air. How long had he been running? He heard his ghost detector start beeping at one point but what was the point in doing that when his friend was in danger.

Usagi slowed his pace to a walk. Usagi wasn’t normally the one that found Leo, normally he found him.

How was he supposed to find someone that didn't want to be found!

Jeez, it was like he was looking for a ghost or something!

.

.

.

Oh. Right. He kinda is.

He forgot about that part.

Usagi sighed.

”Didn't you just go home?”

Usagi whipped his head around at the voice.

there stood Leo. With his sheathed katanas and ninja attire. His blue mask that Usagi would sometimes think was floating. A shell that Usagi knew was cracked facing away from him.

Usagi had a feeling he knew where that was from now.

Got off scott free my ass .

”Did you get lost or something? There’s a portal to the hidden city around here I could show you if-“

”No!” Usagi blurted. He cleared his throat. “No. I’m actually here on business. We got word of a destructive ghost around here that I was uh... sent to take care of.”

Leo raised a brow. “Okaaayyyyy.”

Oh no. Usagi totally messed that up, didn't he?

”Do you need some help?” The turtle asked.

Usagi quickly nodded. “That would be... great. Yes, I would like your help.”

Leo snorted and gave Usagi an odd look. “Okay? Are you okay?”

Usagi nodded. “Yeah, just didn't expect to be up here again, all good.”

Leo nodded. “Where’s this ghost at Thumper?” Leo smirked as he came up next to the rabbit.

Usagi rolled his eyes and then looked around before pointing at what looked like an abandoned grocery store. “Over there.”

“Lead the way Conejo.”

Usagi walked ahead and took a breath. He could do this. He just needed to take it slow. Yep, slow and steady wins the race.

They entered the grocery store and Leo looked around with a raised brow.

”You sure it's in here?”

”Yep. It’s probably just in another aisle.”

Leo nodded. “Doesn’t feel too dangerous in here.”

”That’s the point. It’s a trickster, they hide and stuff. This one is on the brink of gaining the abilities of a vengeful spirit.”

The slider nodded again. “Don't know what that means but it sounds bad.”

”Yep.”

Usagi let Leo walk ahead of him, observing the slider to see if there were any obvious signs of him being a ghost.

How could Usagi seriously not see it? Could it be Leo's own mystic energy getting in that way of his sight? The last Ikiryo he saw wasn’t like this. They were all big and deformed looking because of the others souls it decided to absorb. It still sometimes gave Usagi nightmares.

But Usagi knew Leo wasn’t like that. He wouldn't absorb others souls. He seemed to have enough trouble with his own.

Usagi needed to get this conversation started. He could just try and nudge it a little bit.

”Do you want to hear about other kinds of ghosts?” Usagi started.

Leo turned and looked at him, and then continued walking ahead. “Sure.”

”Well, first of all there are two categories. There are Shiryo and Ikiryo. Shiryo are souls of the dead which are the most common and Ikiryo are souls of the living, which are pretty rare but you run into them from time to time.” Usagi took a deep breath. “Ikiryo are people that somehow detach their souls from their body’s. Some mystic masters do it to feel the energy from the earth during meditation, I've never gotten good enough at meditation to even attempt something like that though. Some are on complete accident like during sleep paralysis you’ll have what people call an out-of-body experience or what we call astral projection.”

Usagi took a deep breath and stopped walking.

“The other kind is what happens when someone is in a coma.”

Leo stopped walking.

”It’s a form of escape. Especially in trauma patients that end up in comas. The event that caused the injury is so traumatic that the body feels that it needs to escape and sends the person's soul out of their body. Though doing so tends to cause a stunt in the person's physical healing without a soul occupying the body, still keeping the body alive, but it will slowly die without its soul. The person is also able to put themselves back into their body with no issue, and many do so.” Usagi took another deep breath. “And some choose to stay out of their body.”

Leo turned around to face Usagi. His eyes were different. Normally big and full of mischief, sometimes even melancholic. We’re narrowed.

He knew what Usagi was doing.

”Why do they decide to not go back?” Leo questioned. Though the tone was more harsh than Usagi was used to.

Usagi shrugged. “I don't know. Ive only met one before with my grandfather. They were too close to fading to be able to speak. My guess is power due to the amount of regular ghost souls it absorbed. If ikiryos stay out for so long that their living body dies they gain the same abilities, possibly even more powerful abilities then those of a regular ghost.”

Leo didn't move.

Usagi took the plunge.

”Why did you decide not to go back?”

And suddenly the room felt a lot colder.

Leo's eyes narrowed even more to a glare.

And Usagi never thought that the slider could look so intense and serious.

Yet the turtle remained silent.

”The ghost detector couldn’t see you.”

”Guess not.” Leo finally responded.

”Why is that?”

Leo sighed. His borderline terrifying look was gone. “Cause I’m not a ghost dumbass.”

”Yeah.” Usagi shrugged. “But you are an Ikiryo. I'll ask again. Why did you leave your body?”

”Woah dude, let’s take a breath. I didn't-“ Leo scoffed. “Leave my body.”

”Yes you did.”

”You don't have proof!” Leo laughed a little too on the hysterical side. “As you can very clearly see.” Leo gestured to his body. “I'm very much alive. Do I look like a dead guy to you?”

Usagi rolled his eyes. “I literally just called you an Ikiryo and explained it to you. I know you're not dead. But you are a lost soul.”

”Nah.” Leo laughed. The slider looked around him, cans of soup on either side of them. “Could a soul do this?” Leo casually picked up a can of soup from the shelf, tossing it in the air and caught it.

”Ghosts can touch things Leo.”

Leo's eyes widened. “What did you just call me?”

Usagi's eyes widened at his own slip up.

”And here I thought I had the advantage.” The slider breathed looking away from the rabbit. He looked back up at the rabbit. “Okay Usagi. How do I convince you that I’m not a ghost?”

Oh wow. He actually knew Usagi's name. He couldn't focus on that right now.

There was this way that Leo was holding himself right then that made Usagi worried. Leo was shaking a little bit.

Since Leo thought he was so good at hiding, maybe Usaig could prove that he's not.

”You're shaking.” The rabbit pointed out.

Leo scoffed. “You're seeing things. Is your power acting up again?”

Oh he did not just say that. That rude little- Okay. Usagi knew what to do. He just needed to distract him.

”Kappa.” Usagi spat. Okay maybe he just said that because he was mad.

Leo raised a brow in confusion. “I don't really know know what your game plan here is Usagi-“

Usagi acted fast. He threw his yo-yo at the slider.

The turtle barely had time to react, he dove to the side and the yo-yo just barely brushed up against one of his mask tails. But that was all that was needed.

Usagi knew what he was doing. His yo-yo would never send an ikiryo to the afterlife.

Leo's form flickered.

But it would reveal what was hidden.

For a moment Usagi saw a blueish white translucent figure with pink markings instead of the usual red and yellow take the place of his friend. He didn't have a mouth and his eyes glowed bright white. A sort of mist seemed to come from his body which Usagi now knew was where a lot of the cold came from.

Well now Usagi knew that Leo got some trickster abilities, being able to hide his ghost form for something more life-like.

Usagi approached Leo. He knew he was going about this the wrong way. He should be having as peaceful a conversation with Leo as possible. But he was just so mad. And so sick of all these lies.

Leo backed away. “Don't come near me.” he spat, his body flickering between the two forms.

Usagi took a breath. He needed to calm down. This was about Leo right now. “Leo. It’s okay, I just want to help you.”

Leo kept backing away. “I already told you that I don't want it!” The slider yelped as he ended up backing too far and fell through the shelf of soup cans in the aisle over.

”Leo!” Usagi ran around the shelf to the one Leo was in and watched the turtle scramble away from him. “Come on Stripes, we’re friends right? Friends help each other.”

”Fuck off!” Leo yelled, the lights above and around them flickered and exploded with sparks and glass.

Usagi covered his head with his arms as the shards rained down on him.

Usagi took a shaky breath. “I know your family misses you, Mikey has been looking for you.”

”So you're talking to my family now!? This isn’t your business Usagi!” Small tears pricked at the corners of Leo's eyes, one floated into the air. “If you were a good friend you would be on my side!”

”I am on your side! The side that doesn't want you to die, that wants you to be happy and to be with your family again.... You love your family.”

Leo's breathing was picking up, coming in way too fast.

Usagi knew what this was. “Leo. Breath. You need to calm down.”

Leo didn't listen. He reached behind him and pulled out one of his swords, it was glowing brightly. Usagi had never seen him actually use his swords before, but he didn’t expect them to glow.

Leo stabbed it into the ground and a portal appeared beneath him.

”No!” Usagi yelled, running towards him.

But he was too late. Usagi crashed to the floor where the portal once was, and Leo was gone.

Chapter Text

Leo ran.

That's all he seemed to ever do though so is it really that surprising?

He ran from the idea of being a leader. From all the responsibility and tried to push it onto Raph.

He ran from his family and sacrificed himself to the prison dimension to save the world, hoping that would make up for everything that he’s done. Hoping that would actually make him a hero.

He ran away from his family when he saw how hard they were dealing with the idea that Leo would actually do that. The fear of not knowing if they would even want him back after causing the invasion was too strong.

He ran from his beaten body, unsure of what would happen, or what would even be left of him if he went back.

He ran away from Mikey.

Leo was a horrible leader.

A horrible team mate.

And a horrible brother.

But it would be better without him around. Without him getting them off track. Without him holding them back from being bigger than what they currently are.

But then Usagi came along, and it actually made him think for once.

Would it be better if he went back? Would his family forgive him for all the shit that he caused and put him through?

Would Mikey forgive him for being a bad big brother? Would Donnie forgive him for being a bad twin? Would his dad forgive him for being a bad son?

Would Raph…… would Raph forgive him for everything?

Leo didn't believe that could ever be true. How could they forgive someone for all the things that he's done. It would be better if he had a fresh start. Dying wasn't really something he was all that interested in, he's come too close to that happening to ever want that to happen again.

But this…

This ghost thing wasn’t too bad.

It was a fresh start, with new opportunities. He could watch over his family from the shadows. He could watch over the city.

He didn’t have to constantly disappoint anyone anymore, it was perfect!

But then Usagi surprised him.

He didn't think the rabbit could actually do it. He seemed too friendly. A little on the naive side. He didn't think he would be able to see through Leo so quickly.

And when he did, Leo panicked.

He ran away again.

Like he always does.

Over and over and over again.

And went to the one place that served as a reminder to all the mistakes he's made.

To the top of metro tower.

The place that Casey had said where it happened.

“And behold, from their perch atop New York City, the Krang ripped open the sky itself. What came out was terror and what rained down upon us was worse than death.”

Where it all started.

Where Leo made the choice to do the unthinkable.

__________

Leo doesn't remember getting out of the portal. But he remembered seeing the relieved faces of his brothers above him.

He said something… He thinks.

But then everything was dark.

And he didn't feel anything.

That didn't last very long though because when he opened his eyes he was looking at himself.

It was a really weird feeling, seeing his body all beaten and broken. There was barely a spot of his green skin that wasn't stained with the dark color of bruises.

Leo didn't know how to feel looking at it all. He didn't even feel that freaked out at first. But then he saw his dad come into the med bay with Leo's stuffed unicorn and gently place it next to his head.

He watched his father gently kiss his forehead. But he didn't feel it.

Was he… did he die?

No way, he could see the heart monitor and his body was definitely alive he just… Wasn't in it?

That's weird.

This is all very very weird.

His father held on tight to Leo's (or… his body's?) hand and whispered what sounded like prayers in Japanese.

“Dad?” Leo said. His voice quietly echoed in the room. “Dad, can you hear me?”

His father didn't move, finishing his prayer and continued to hold his hand.

“Dad it's me!” Leo exclaimed, crouching next to him. “I'm right here!” He gestured to himself.

But that was when Leo got a look at his hand.

It was blue. He held it up to his eyes and could see light going through it.

Leo took a shaky breath. None of this was right….. this shouldn't be happening.

And there was no freaking way he was a ghost. That was a thing for Hamato spirits, which are dead.

And he, as he can clearly see. Is not dead!

His body is just taking a nice long nap without him in it, a totally normal thing to happen. Everything was normal.

Everything. Is. Fine.

Leo's brows furrowed at the sight of his father praying over his body.

Leo took a deep breath.

“DAD!” He shouted.

The lights flickered and the heart monitor began acting abnormal.

Splinter rushed to the monitor and hesitated as it began to beep.

“Purple!” He shouted.

Leo tried to take deep breaths.

Donnie rushed into the room and quickly began fixing the monitor.

“What happened!?” He exclaimed, looking over Leo's body with his goggles.

“The lights- they flickered- and-”

“He’s okay.” Donnie sighed with relief.

Mikey and Raph burst into the room in panic. They went straight to Leo's bedside and began talking over top of each other.

Leo stepped out of the way and watched his family from the entrance.

He saw the bandages wrapped around Donnie's shell and Mikey's hands. The hole in Raph's shell and the bandage over his eye. And the scrapes and bruises covering his father.

Leo could suddenly feel tears burn in his eyes. Classic Leo move. Making his family worry for nothing. Why did he always do this? He didn’t want to make his family worry anymore. He almost got them all killed in the invasion, and even though he felt a tether to his body, keeping him tied to him as if he could return easily if he wanted to, he began to question if he really deserved it.

All he did was cause his family problems and get them into messes. If he went back, what's to say Leo wouldn’t mess up again and make another world ending disaster.

He didn’t deserve his family.

Didn’t deserve their love. Their kindness.

He couldn’t stay, no matter how much he wanted to.

Leo turned and left the med bay.

He didn’t bother stopping in any rooms on his way out. Of course he didn’t plan on leaving them forever, he would come back and check on their healing when they were sleeping. But truly being a part of their lives anymore was out of the question.

He went straight to the exit and made his way topside.

__________

Leo couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

Nothing.

Not a sound in the lively city that he grew up in and loved with his whole heart.

No car horns.

No mindless chatter.

Not the sound of rats scurrying in the shadows. Or the sound of children in the streets you might hear in the residential areas.

There was nothing.

And Leo was struggling to believe that it was all even real.

A quiet New York? That never happened. It was literally called the city that never sleeps.

Yet here it was in a cold silence that was so unlike it.

Leo jumped from the roof he was crouched on and snuck his way down an alley to the street.

A peeked out from the shadows, already forgetting that no one could even see him.

He remembered when he was scared of people seeing him in the daylight. He would remind his brothers about the sun rising and people begging to open their blinds. They had become more confident with it over time of course, they realized that New York was already so crazy that people wouldn't bat an eye to seeing a humanoid turtle walking around the streets, but they still didn't make a habit of it. They still preferred to stick to the shadows in case they got unwanted attention.

Leo stepped out from the alley way. It's not like he had to worry about that anymore anyways. Since he was apparently a ghost or whatever. But it still gave him that uncomfortable feeling that he should go and hide right away.

He stepped into the middle of the street and took in his surroundings. The city really was ruined.

The place he grew up. The city that he loved. The people that he envied for being able to go around and just exist. And he ruined it.

Leo took a shaky breath and walked down the street towards a huge pile of rubble.

He didn't deserve to be with his family. He didn't deserve to be in this city.

It was all his fault. Not only did he hurt his own family, he hurt all of these innocent people.

He must have killed hundreds.

He climbed to the top of the rubble stack and looked out over the chaos.

Cars were flipped. Walls were completely removed from buildings. Sidewalks were completely torn up. Random belongings were strewn about like clothes or children's toys.

Leo didn't want to think about the chances that those people had at making it out.

Leo jumped down from the pile of rubble and continued wandering the streets that he could barely recognize anymore.

Walking alone in the sleeping city.

__________

Leo was mad.

Not really mad at life and the cards he had been dealt. Not really mad at his father or big brother.

It was probably painfully obvious that Leo was mad at himself for destroying this beautiful city.

So of course what does one do when they feel that way?

They find a secluded space that lacks any life (Not that there was any) and sits by himself on the edge of a fountain staring at himself in the dirty reflection.

Leo hasn't seen many ghosts in the city since he's been around. He couldn't say he wanted to see any but it did feel weird that there weren't many. Besides, the ones he did see mostly ignored him. They didn't want anything to do with him and Leo completely understood why even though they definitely didn't know who started it.

Sometimes Leo just wanted to scream at them. Tell them he's the reason that all this happened and that it was all his fault.

That he was sorry and if he could he would do anything to make it up to them. And if they didn't want him to be around anymore, so be it.  He could just keep living his life as a ghost and never have contact with his family. That would probably be the worst punishment. And if that wasn't good enough maybe he could try and find a way to get back to the prison-

“Jeez, what did that water do to you?”

Leo flipped. He let out a very embarrassing scream that he plans on denying till the day he died (again).

He thought it would just be a ghost that decided was done with being all sad. But instead what stood there was a very alive looking bunny with his ears tied up in a ponytail and an admittedly pretty cool jacket.

Apparently this guy could see him. Weird, super weird. Leo really wanted to know how that was possible. But also, ew. He was not interested in hanging out with some rando right now. He's a very busy turtle.

So instead. He snapped at the rabbit a little bit and the bunny didn't even get that upset.

Instead he asked if Leo had seen any ghosts. Which uh… Weird, again. Leo is a ghost, what isn't clicking in this guy's head?

Of course, Leo knows he shouldn't have called him a dumbass for believing in ghosts. And sure, he knows that ghosts are somewhat, kinda, sorta real. But he's not going to give this guy the satisfaction. What was a yokai even doing on the surface right now? Shouldn't they all be helping clean up the minor damages of the Hidden City?

But the rabbit was already leaving. He wasn't going to, he swears he wasn't. Leo just wanted to keep brooding, but boy was he curious.

So he followed him. But it's not like the bunny boy was even upset about it! It seemed that he liked talking so of course Leo learned that he was up here to get some sort of license….. And he might have called Leo a stalker.

HE'S NOT! He was just curious. But obviously he agreed, he's never one to deny a classic “yes and”.

But then he called bunny boy Thumper. Leo thought it was a very witty name. But the rabbit wasn't too happy about it and stomped away.(Definitely not denying the allegations apparently).

Leo let him get some distance. But he wasn’t one to give up on something he’s curious about. He likes to pry.

__________

"Don't let the door hit you on the way out!" Leo shouted.

"THERE ISN'T EVEN A DOOR HERE!" The rabbit yelled with frustration.

Leo couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Seriously? What was a guy like this doing on the surface of all places.

__________

Okay, messing with Thumper is probably the funniest thing Leo has ever done. He gets all mad and his face scrunches up in this hilarious way.

Leo couldn’t get enough of it.

So of course he had to do a classic ghost joke. How could he not? He’s practically a ghost!

So when he saw that Bunny boy was sitting with some dusty old guy. (completely by chance. He was NOT following him.) He just had to do it.

Which ended up with a rock being flung straight to his head!

And Leo being one of those basic newby ghosts of course ended up fumbling with the rock in his hands, the rock falling through his fingers quite a few times before it inevitably hit the ground. Leo has no idea how Bunny boy didn’t notice.

After Bunny boy got all mad and stuff (hilarious) Leo couldn’t help but ask if he was with a ghost. Which he responded yes to and then he heard the laugh.

Echoey and yet a whisper in his ear. He looked over at the man at the same time as Bunny boy with wide eyes.

Holy shit.

That guy is legit a ghost. Wow, you'd think a turtle could tell, but it still caught him off guard every time.

"Oh I'm sorry, that was rude of me." The man smiled. "You two just reminded me of my husband and I when we were just boys."

Bunny boy was freaking out from the comment. And sure, if Leo wasn’t currently a ghost, he thinks he just might be a little pink just from how embarrassed he was feeling.

But there was no way he was going to give Bunny boy the satisfaction of knowing Leo can see the ghost.

He was going to use this chance to tease the shit out of bunny boy.

"Ooooo what did they say!" He grinned mischievously.

"Nothing!"

"Oh now I gotta know!"

And when Thumper finally gained the courage to tell him, Leo played it up as best he could.

He let his laugh build into something more loud and exclaimed how ridiculous the whole thing was. How he didn’t even know Bunny boys name and they were being mistaken for a couple.

But then Leo looked at the old man again and his smile turned into a frown. He caused this.

This man could still be alive with his family. Maybe some grand kids if he and his husband ever got the opportunity to adopt, or maybe nieces or nephews.

“Hey, bunny boy.” Leo asked nervously, hesitantly tapping his shoulder but thankfully not falling through.

"What do you want, Kame." He sighed in annoyance.

"I want to hear more about this guy's husband." He asked hesitantly.

“Can you… Ask him to tell us more?” He looked away, nervous about being this upfront about something he wanted. Normally he would try to cut some corners, make it seem like it's what the other person wanted to do, not him.

"Sure." The rabbit responded with a small smile.

The man told stories about him and his husband in their youth when they hadn't known of their feelings yet. He told them of the fear that came along with that in the time that they lived in. He spoke of their wedding day. He spoke of the happy memories of them going on fishing trips and boat rides. How even when they couldn't be together romantically for a long time, they found it to be enough to just be together as friends.

Leo and the rabbit listened for hours. 

Leo loved listening to the man's life. But all things have to come to an end.

Bunny boy asked if he was ready to reunite with his husband. And the old man said he was.

It was one the most beautiful things Leo had ever seen.

Bright glowing orbs of light floated into the sky. Leo swears he felt them warming the air around him. He watched them slowly disappear into the sky as the sun set.

Leo then took a seat next to the rabbit on the bench.

"So, Do you believe in ghosts now?" The rabbit asked.

Leo grinned at the question. "Nope.”

He looked at the rabbit and then down at his jacket. Front and center was a name tag.

Usagi, it said.

Leo held back a laugh. That's so lame.

__________

Okay…

Leo let his temper get the better of him.

He just… He didn’t like what he called him.

Since he didn’t have his phone he had to go to a freaking library (don't tell Donnie) and look up what a “Kappa” was.

And it was just…. Was he really that bad?

Kappa went around eating people, kidnapping children and perving around.

Kappa killed people.

He didn’t want to be compared to something like that.

Plus, they were super ugly. And Leo was one handsome turtle.

But… Draxum created them to destroy humanity.

What if Usagi was right in calling him that.

He was a burden to society.

He pushed jokes too far.

He annoyed everyone he’s ever met.

He killed people…

So many.

He killed so many people.

And maybe seeing that ghost dog really pushed him over the edge. How not only humans were affected by his stupidness. But also completely innocent creatures that did nothing wrong.

So when Usagi called him Kappa a few too many times. He pushed him into a dirty New York pond.

A bit on brand Leo thinks.

__________

Leo visited his family that night when they were all sleeping.

He just needed to make sure they were okay.

His dad was still sitting at his bedside holding his hand.

__________

Who knew ghost kids were so crazy strong. Maybe one day Leo could bend a street lamp.

And of course Leo had to mess it all up again and scared the shit of the kid. Causing her to freak out and like… Explode.

He obviously made sure Usagi was okay afterwards, he's not a total jerk.

And as an apology for being such a baby about being called a Kappa, Leo decided to be a bit more honest and told him about Mikey and their weird ghost hunting adventure with April and apologized as best he could.

And the guy responded with a cucumber.

Honestly…. Leo can’t complain. Cucumbers are really good.

Leo couldn’t let him stop that ghost girl by himself though.

__________

Leo said too much.

He didn’t mean too. He also has a bit of speech mode when he’s stressed and it all just came out. A seriously bad case of word vomit.

And then he had to explain to Usagi that he wasn't even a yokai, which is just a mess, how the heck to even calmly explain to someone that you were made in a lab? He has no damn clue.

But one thing he can appreciate out of all of it, is that Usagi said Draxum had a stupid name.

And Leo can't help but agree.

__________

Leo needed to mess with him at least a little bit after their weirdly vulnerable conversations. Lighten the move from all the bad memories and guilt.

So when Usagi brought up the fact that Leo lived in the sewers, he denied it.

__________

Leo could tell Usagi was carrying a lot of grief with him.

Leo can understand that.

He was too.

__________

Usagi dove behind a car like he was in a freaking action movie.

Not the weirdest thing Leo had ever seen but it was still kinda weird.

Turns out the ghost girl was right there.

“AH!" Leo yelped as Usagi dragged him behind the car.

"SHHHH!" Usagi slapped a hand over Leo's mouth when he soundlessly pulled him behind the car.

Weird. This was so so so so weird. Leo had never been in such a weird position. He was practically getting hugged from behind by this really fluffy dumbass and somehow he didn’t panic enough to have fallen through him. Thank god, that would have been awful.

Leo only had one option.

He licked Usagi's hand.

“What the heck!” Usagi exclaimed in a whisper. “Why did you lick me! And why are you so cold!”

Leo put a finger to his own lips and shushed him.

“Don’t shush me you- you-”

Leo slapped a hand over his mouth.

“You’re the one that said we should be quiet.” Leo scolded.

Usagi pulled Leo's hand away. “Yeah, but then you started licking my hand!”

Leo couldn't help himself. He was born to tease!

“Only because you were so eager to hold me.” Leo smirked.

Usagi's eyes widened and he dropped Leo's hand. “Only because you were standing in plain sight and being loud.”

“Whatcha guys doing?”

Leo will never admit that he screamed. That did not happen. He did not get scared by a little girl.

But that was a mistake. Leo should not have reacted, he practically just blew his cover right then and there.

Leo isn't supposed to see her.

Leo didn’t even notice that both him and Usagi had practically jumped into each other's arms.

Leo couldn’t believe he was hugging this loser!

“Seriously! Why are you so cold!” Usagi exclaimed, pulling his jacket tighter around him.

“I'm a turtle! I'm cold blooded!”

Cool, guess his cover wasn’t blown.

He thinks. But then Max had to go and out him! Seriously! Why were kids so cruel!?

"Don't tell me this guy is pretending not to see me now!" Max exclaimed.

Oh no no no no no. This wasn’t going to be good.

"He's not pretending, he actually can't." Usagi explained.

Wow…. This guy was way too trusting in him. Leo almost felt bad… he did feel bad.

Enough of that! They had a ghost to stop… and Leo had no idea what he was doing.

Turns out Usagi didn’t know either.

"You're the ghost hunter here, go and hunt ghosts!"

"I can't just go and throw my yo-yo at her! I need her permission."

"Eugh boy." Leo cringed. "But preteens are so angsty."

"Stripes she's been dead for a while and didn't know she wasn't in the afterlife. This is gonna take some convincing."

.

.

.

.

.

"I'm a sheltered kid!" Leo exclaimed. "You know what, I totally got this. Watch and learn Thumper." Leo began walking over towards the girl.

"Kame how are you supposed to do that when you can't even see or hear her!" Usagi called. But he made no move to stop. "Kame! Stripes!" Usagi began following him. "Franklin!"

__________

“Max! Come sit with us! Let's have a chat!” Leo called over to her.

Max looked over at him with a scowl.

Leo sighed. Of course this wasn't going to be easy.

Leo walked over to her and looked her in the eye.

“Look, I'm really sorry about what I've said. I should have been more empa- em- empathetic? Is that the word?” He whispered to himself. “ Anyways, I'm sorry. And yes.” Leo looked behind him at Usagi to make sure he wasn't paying too much attention. He leaned down closer to the ghost. “I can see you.” He whispered. “Really hope his big ass ears didn't hear that.”

“Doesn't he know that you're like me?” Max asked with a raised brow.

“No. He doesn't.”

“Why?”

Kids and their “whys” Leo would never get used to that.

“Cause- I don't know the details, he just can't. And I'm not really interested in telling him.”

“Why?”

“I just-” Leo groaned. “Look, it’ll just cause more harm than good. And bunny boy over there is a good guy. Just…. Give him a chance. I don’t know how long you’ve been down here, but isn’t it worth just hearing him out, just this once?”

Max scrunched up her face and stretched her mouth into a line. She looked around herself until she finally let out an annoyed sigh.

“Fine. But only because I don't have anything better to do.”

__________

The talk with her went well.

Kame was even happy to be hearing what Max had to say, and Usagi was basically a complete natural with this stuff.

Leo was even feeling good. Helping her was actually making him feel happy, hanging out with Usagi was already doing that, but actually being able to help people again. It was like a breath of fresh air.

"But why do I have to go? Can't I just stay here?" Max asked.

Leo was just as curious.

Usagi frowned. "Depending on the type of ghost you are you might disappear from existence completely. Some, if they are strong enough, can stick around but in the end, after causing all the mischief they want, they will vanish. Sending you to the afterlife is your best bet on reuniting with family."

Leo's eyes widened.

Disappear? Just like that? All of these ghosts, all of these people that Leo killed, they could not even have a chance at an afterlife, all because of him?

It's all his fault.

His fault.

It will always be-

“It's going to be okay.” Leo said. He felt far away from it. But he had to reassure Max. He remembers being her age. It's not easy hearing stuff like this."Do you have anyone that could be waiting for you on the other side? A family member maybe?"

Max rubbed the back of her hand over her nose, hiccuping sobs breaking out of her. "My Nana." She sniffed. "She died a while ago. I miss her." Max's shoulders relaxed at the mention of her Grandmother. "My Hamster too. Chester, I liked him."

Leo gave Max a sad smile. He understood that. "I get that. My Gram Gram passed away a few months ago. It still hurts." The turtle confessed. "But you have the choice to see yours again. Bunny boy here can help you get there, so you can see her again and wait it out until you can see your parents again."

Max nodded slowly. “Even before my parents left our house they weren’t around much. They were too busy working, trying to save up money so we could move into a nicer house. I don't even think they liked me that much.”

Leo understood that all too well. Splinter tried his best when they were younger, but he was still not around a lot. Leo and his brothers had to fend for themselves at times, relying on Raph for some of the bigger burdens.

“I'm sure your parents love you.” He said with a soft smile.

He knew Splinter loved him. It didn’t erase the pain that his father had caused him, but sometimes it was enough to get him through the thoughts that his father possibly hated him.

Usagi was able to take over the conversation for a bit after that. Leo needed a breather for a minute. He was still feeling spacey.

Though he couldn't help overhear Usagi say that kids were stupid. That brought a smile to his face.

It turned out, after all of that. Max really wanted to go to the afterlife.

And Leo of course was happy she came to that decision instead of the disappearing thing.

No one deserved to have that happen to them.

Leo made sure to give Max a big hug before they sent her away.

“B-but.”Max whimpered. “What if I just end up alone again.”

"Everything is going to be okay. I know it's scary but it will be worth it in the end, you have people there that care about you and love you. And as long as you have people that love and care about you, you can do anything. You could even stop an entire world invasion some day. You'll have hope that the next day will be better than the last, and that is a person's greatest weapon." Leo softly smiled.

“Anatawa Hitorijanai.”

Max was ready to go.

Leo saw her smile for the first time. It almost made him tear up.

She slowly turned into the soft glowing orbs and floated into the sky.

Leo felt so grateful to have gotten the chance to meet her.

__________

“Hey, do you maybe want to hang out?”

Leo didn't know how to respond to that. Like, heck yeah he wanted to hang out with this guy. He's coming close to even considering Usagi a friend.

“Really?”

“Yeah sure. There's this really good pizza place in the hidden city called Run of the Mill. I just thought maybe we could hang out or something. Outside of looking around for ghosts and stuff. You obviously don't have too if you don't want to I was just-”

Oh no. Yeah that can't happen. There is no way Leo can just walk on into Bone Mans like he wasn't supposed to be in a coma. Besides… Hueso just found him to be some annoying kid anyways.

“Yeah, I sorta got banned from the place.” The turtle nervously chuckled. “The bone man really doesn't like me so I can’t. I also actually need to get home to my family.” Leo cringed.

Leo almost let out a relieved breath that Usagi bought it.

Of course he made sure to tell him that he wanted to hang out with him without all the ghost hunting shenanigans.

That could have possibly been one of Leo's biggest mistakes.

__________

Stupid rabbit doing stupid shit in a stupid city.

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH HIM!

Leo was trying so hard to resist the urge to just smack Usagi in the back of the head. What kind of idiot comes out here with a migraine!?

And does he listen to Leo when he says he should go home? NO! He doesn't!

What kind of person doesn't care about their own well being!?!?

.

.

.

.

Actually… scratch that.

“Wow.” Usagi said in a breath. “Way to throw my childhood trauma in my face.”

“What? Wait I didn’t- I’m-“ Leo let out a frustrated sigh. “It’s not like I have a mom either.” The turtle muttered. “Bunny boy, you are not looking good right now. You need to go home.”

The rabbit grumbled “Probably because you're a freaking middle school science experiment.” He pushed his palms into his eyes.

Leo's mouth gaped open before he mutters “More like university science experiment you little shit.”

He needed to get Usagi some meds for this migraine to hold him over until he convinced him to go home.

Leo quickly got Usagi's approval and then sprinted away from the rabbit.

He knew there was a drug store around here somewhere, he just needed to find it.

He ran down the road, even using some of his new found danny phantom abilities to quickly faze through obstacles.

Perfect, he thought.

Leo quickly fazed through the door of the store, quickly making his way to the shelves where they keep the Advil and Tylenol.

He quickly grabbed a few things when he heard a strange sniffling coming from the other end of the store.

Leo slowly made his way through the store, making sure to stay as quiet as possible, as well as dimming his ghostly glow.

He eventually made it to a more broken down area of the store, he peaked around the corner. And just as soon as he saw the source of the sound he quickly went back into hiding.

It was a woman, absolutely bawling her eyes out. A ghost woman.

Leo took a breath and began making his way out of the drug store. He was able to make it out without being seen thankfully.

He wouldn't be able to help her in his situation anyways. He's not able to send ghosts to the afterlife like Usagi can.

.

.

.

.

But Usagi said he did have his yo-yo with him…

Maybe this was a way to help Usagi feel better. It hopefully wouldn't be too strenuous since Leo already found the ghost, he just needed to slowly lead him there without him noticing.

He could come up with something, Leo was very experienced in lying to get his way.

__________

Leo shoved hard against the door of the drug store, widening the gap so he was able to help Usagi get inside easier. 

When Usagi approached the entrance, Leo instinctively held his hand out to help him up, but in return he got a glare from the rabbit.

Leo held his hands up and let Usagi climb over the rubble and go through the door himself.

Leo let them continue normally, grabbing them both bottles of water even though Leo didn’t feel the need to eat or drink anything. He ate the cucumber Usagi gave him but it didn’t taste like anything.

When they heard the crash from the other end of the store, Leo was relieved to know that he wasn’t going to have to lead Usagi there himself. He's sure he could have, but having less to do was always nice.

They slowly made their way to the back of the drug store. Leo followed Usagi's lead, seeing a look of determination come over him.

Like something was pulling him toward the back of the store.

They rounded the corner that Leo knew would lead them to the woman and Usagi stopped.

“What’s going on?” Leo whispered.

“She looks sad.....and I can see her.” Usagi gaped.

Leo raised a brow but then his eyes locked onto Usagi’s… Usagi’s eyes usually turned purple when he had his ghost vision activated….. But they weren’t. They weren't even fully red like they usually were.

“Why aren’t your eyes purple?” Leo whispered. He tilted his head to see if he could get a better look. “There’s a little bit of purple swirling in with the red of your eyes. It’s like a version of heterochromia. So cool.” He mumbled. Leo was fascinated by the rabbit's eyes. The purple was swirling and flowing like how a koi fish might move through water.

His face was harshly pushed away. Oh he definitely got too close. Ew he totally pulled a donnie when he got interested in something.

“I’m not sure why I’m able to see ghosts randomly right now, and I’m not interested in having a panic attack at the moment so let's not talk about it.”

“Who’s there!”

Usagi gasped and pushed his back against the shelf to keep hidden from the woman.

“Have your powers been off the fritz? Is that why you’ve had a headache all day?” Leo asked. He wasn't going to let Usagi do this if it was currently hurting him.

“Stripes, I said not right now!”

Usagi stepped out into the open and greeted the woman with a little wave.

That definitely came across as way too casual of a greeting to a woman who was currently throwing glass bottles around.

Leo stepped out next to him to finally get a good look at what they were working with.

The woman backed away from them and stammered out. “I'll never get used to this.”

Leo raised a brow at the comment. Get used to this? Get used to what? Had she already met a mutant or yokai before?

Leo only tuned back into the conversation to hear the woman crying about not being able to see her kids again.

Leo's stomach dropped.

His hands started to shake as he clenched them into fists.

It was all his fault.

This woman died because of him.

Leo didn’t realize he was moving until he was in front of her and looked into her eyes.

Leo swallowed down the thickness that was building in his throat, trying to hold back tears.

“I am so. So sorry.” His voice broke. “What you went through is terrible. I can’t imagine what that would feel like to lose your children and husband in this way. That- that fucking sucks!” He rubbed a hand to the back of his head taking a deep shaky breath. “I know I will never be able to understand what it feels like to be a mother or to lose children. And I know me saying any of this won’t make you suddenly feel better... I just- eugh boy, I don’t know what I’m saying.” Leo buried his face in his hands.

“How old are you?” Her voice echoed.

Leo lifted his head. “Uh….. sixteen.” He said. 

The woman let out a sob. A hand covered her mouth. “You're so young.”

Leo furiously wiped his eyes, trying his best to keep the tears away. He didn't mean to go this far, he needed to do some quick damage control. “Uh..... Bunny boy over there. He can help you officially get to the other side. Your soul is kinda uh- Your soul is stuck here. So uh, yeah.”

Nailed it.

Leo didn’t pay much attention to the rest of everything. He spoke up every once in a while but he can't really say he was there.

Until the woman said something that caused Leo to freeze.

“I can’t help but hate whoever it was that caused all of this.”

Leo nodded. He felt numb. “Same… wherever that sicko is. I hope he gets what’s coming to him.”

Leo stopped listening again. He did this to her. He killed her and left her children without a mother and her husband without a wife.

“Whats your name?” He mumbled.

“Mary.” She responded softly.

“I’m sorry you went through this Mary.”

.

.

.

“It's not your fault.”

.

.

.

“Wait! Kame! Where are you going!”

.

.

.

Leo heard a curse from behind him.

Instantly he turned around and saw Usagi on the ground holding his head.

He instantly made his way towards the rabbit and kneeled in front of him and gently touched Usagi's head that the rabbit seemed to lean into.

“Sorry.” He whispered. “I shouldn't have stormed off like that. I wasn't thinking.”

 “Are you okay? You seemed very upset about Mary.” The rabbit mumbled.

Leo sighed. “It's nothing, don't worry about it. It's not about me.”

Usagi frowned. “If it's upsetting you, it has to be at least a bit about you.”

Leo couldn’t expect Usagi to understand.

“Can you stand?” He said, ignoring Usagi's comment.

Leo helped him to his feet and began walking Usagi towards the spot that Leo was already headed towards.

He directed Usagi towards a fire escape and they both made their way up to the roof.

Leo should have expected Usagi to start asking questions.

“You could see her.” The rabbit starts.

Leo remained silent.

“Why are you always out here? You said you had a brother and sister, wouldn't you want to hang out with them, I'm not really someone people want to hang out with..... did one of them get hurt in the invasion? Is that where the crack in your shell came from?”

Leo froze on the step they were on, his pupils turned into pricks for a second until he took a deep breath and exhaled. “Yeah. We all got kind of hurt.... I pretty much got off scott free though, they all need to heal and get better, I would just get in the way if I was there.”

“I'm sure that's not true.” Usagi replied. “They would probably like it if you-”

Leo interrupted him. He didn’t need to hear this. He didn’t want to.

“No. Trust me on this. It's much better that I stay out of their......” He looked over at the rabbit. He needed to ease the tension. “Hare.” He smirked.

__________

Leo listened intently to everything Usagi had to say.

About his family, his headaches. His time in an actual school. (Leo didn’t know there was schools in the hidden city!)

Though Usagi's school life really seemed to not go very well. Leo can’t imagine treating Usagi the way these kids treated him. He’s known him barely a week and Leo would never want to hurt the rabbit.

“Anyways.” Usagi sighed. “No one wants to be friends with the ghost kid.”

Leo smiled slightly. “I want to be friends with the ghost kid.”

Leo smiled as he noticed Usagi lean closer to him. He couldn’t help himself. He placed his hand over Usagi’s and they watched over the city together.

__________

“AH!”

”AH! Wait! It’s just me!”

Leo took a breath. How did he not hear Usagi sneaking up on him. He was usually a lot more observant than that.

Leo tried to will his hand to stop shaking. Taking deep breaths to drive away the panic. Why did he freak out so much over that? It was just a jump scare, and only some fluffy bunny kid. There’s no way he could hurt Leo if he tried.

”U-Thumper!” Leo gasped. Completely almost blew his cover there but it's fiiiiiine.

He sat on the ground and buried his face in his hands. He needed to get a hold of himself. He shouldn’t be this freaked out, it was stupid to jump like that when all he said was “boo”.

”I actually wanted to ask you something about last time.”

Leo fidgeted with his hands. He was going to ask about Leo seeing the ghost woman. Of course he would, why wouldn’t he.

”You could- you could see her.”

Leo looked away from the rabbit. It was getting harder to lie to him. He didn't know how to do this anymore. He got to his feet and started to pacing.

”Oh come one! Don’t avoid me!”

Leo kept his eyes to the ground. He didn’t want to have this conversation. He can’t believe he was so stupid to blow his cover last time.

”I’m not avoiding you.” He mumbled with a shrug.

”Yes you are! I asked you last time and you ignored me.”

”I guess I didn’t hear you.” Leo's brain started to feel like static. All the words coming from Usagi were like knives. How could he be so stupid. He hurt Usagi’s feelings.

”I feel like I’m talking to a wall!”

Leo swallowed. His heart rate was still high from the scare earlier.

”Sorry.” He mumbled.

”Why didn’t you just tell me.”

Leo didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t say anything.

He didn’t want Usagi to know. It would cause him to think Leo needs saving. Leo doesn't want to be saved. The fact that he already knew that Usagi would even try hurts, he doesn't deserve a friend like him. He just wants everything to go back to normal. Before the Krang. Before he was made leader. Before Raph had the stupid idea that they should be hero’s. Why couldn’t he just be a kid. Why did he have to be so stupid and mess everything up. Why couldn’t he even handle a simple friendship with Usagi.

When Leo next looked up, Usagi was already gone.

He scratched at his arms but he felt nothing.

He felt the world around his flicker. Just for a moment. He looked down at his hands and saw them fade in and out before finally resting on his normal skin again.

__________

How could Usagi forgive him so easily? He’s been horrible to him. He lied. And because of that Usagi got hurt. He was awful.

”Sorry about earlier.”

”I’m sorry too.”

Usagi shouldn’t be the one apologizing. It was Leo's fault.

”You’re right. I was lying to you, and it caused you to get hurt.”

Woah. Hold up. It wasn’t your fault my ghost sight decided to act up.”

Usagi just doesn't get it. Leo knows that this was his fault. He hasn’t been a good friend to him. He needed to be better. He couldn’t mess this up like how he messed up his family and all of New York.

”This doesn’t feel fair.” Usagi said.

”What doesn’t?” Leo asked. This was the least he could do.

”The fact that I’m constantly talking to you about my problems! I was to help you sometimes too.”

Leo frowned and looked down at his hands. How has Usagi not gotten it yet. Leo didn’t deserve it. He doesn’t deserve Usagi's friendship. Maybe the only way to get through to him was the truth. Not the whole truth, but at least part of it.

He took a breath. “Conejo. I’m going to be super honest right now okay.”

Usagi nodded.

”I don’t want help.”

The on Usagi's face made Leo want to backtrack. He could feel his eyes getting watery. He couldn’t have hurt him more by saying that. Than why does he look so sad?

”Why?” Usagi whispered.

”I just- I don't know.” How could Leo explain this? “I don’t want to bother people, okay. Besides… it's fine, I’m figuring it out.” Leo mumbled. He needed Usagi to not look at him like that. “And what has really been making me feel better is helping you. So please.” That was the truth. Any time he actually kind felt okay was when he was helping Usagi. “Let me help you.”

He saw Usagi hesitate. And then a resigned sigh. “Fine. But please… If it gets too much, talk to someone. You don’t have to talk to me about it, but please. Talk to someone.”

Leo froze. He couldn’t find the words to give him a false promise. So instead all he did was nod.

__________

Leo didn’t understand why Usagi was still in the city? He and Usagi parted ways also two hours ago since Usagi needed to head home.

So why was he now suddenly back in the city only an hour later and acting like the most suspicious thing Leo had ever seen since Mikey was trying to hide a robot dinosaur in the lair.

”Did you get lost or something? There’s a portal to the hidden city around here I could show you if-“

”No!” Usagi blurted. He cleared his throat. “No. I’m actually here on business. We got word of a destructive ghost around here that I was uh... sent to take care of.”

Leo raised a brow. “Okaaayyyyy.” Well that was very obviously a lie. Leo would know, he's the king of lies.

But he might as well play along with it until he figures out what Usagi is really up to.

.

.

.

”Do you want to hear about other kinds of ghosts?” Usagi started.

Leo nodded his head. “Sure.” Maybe Usagi just needed someone to talk to about his passion for a bit. Leo knew Donnie sometimes just needed someone to word vomit too. Even he needed it sometimes.

.

.

.

“The other kind is what happens when someone is in a coma.”

Leo froze. Did- did Usagi know about him? How would he know about him? There is no way Usagi would be able to know, Leo covered his tracks so well.

Did his ghost vision tell him?

No, no way he knows. Leo can play this off surely.

He can intimidate him. That way Usagi would never bring it up in the first place.

Leo turned around to face the rabbit and narrowed his eyes.

”Why did you decide not to go back?”

Leo tensed. He could feel the fear, the loss of control rising in his body.

Leo glared at the rabbit. Intimidation was key. Usagi would leave him alone.

”The ghost detector couldn’t see you.”

”Guess not.” Leo finally responded.

”Why is that?”

Leo sighed. He put on an easy smile. “Cause I’m not a ghost dumbass.”

”Yeah.” Usagi shrugged. “But you are an Ikiryo. I'll ask again. Why did you leave your body?”

”Woah dude, let’s take a breath. I didn't-“ Leo scoffed. “Leave my body.”

”Yes you did.”

”You don't have proof!” Leo laughed a little too on the hysterical side. He needed to breathe. He needed to stay in control. “As you can very clearly see.” Leo gestured to his body. “I'm very much alive. Do I look like a dead guy to you?”

Usagi rolled his eyes. “I literally just called you an Ikiryo and explained it to you. I know you're not dead. But you are a lost soul.”

”Nah.” Leo laughed. The slider looked around him, cans of soup on either side of them. “Could a soul do this?” Leo casually picked up a can of soup from the shelf, tossing it in the air and caught it.

”Ghosts can touch things Leo.”

Leo's eyes widened. “What did you just call me?”

How did he know? How did all of Leo's efforts to hide everything fail.

”And here I thought I had the advantage.” The slider breathed looking away from the rabbit. He looked back up. “Okay Usagi. How do I convince you that I’m not a ghost?”

”You're shaking.” The rabbit pointed out.

Leo scoffed. But he could feel his eyes burning. He can do this. Gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss as they say. “You're seeing things. Is your power acting up again?”

Leo can admit that, that was a little far. Leo knew how Usagi was when it can to his sight.

.

.

Usagi threw his yo-yo.

.

.

Leo felt himself grow colder.

His form flickered and turned into the thing that he had been trying so hard to hide. Mist came from his body and cooled the air around them.

A slight glow came off of him.

No no no no no.

This can’t be happening!

“Don’t come near me!” Leo spat. He tried to regain his form. Trying his best to hide what he had become.

“Leo. It’s okay, I just want to help you.”

Leo tried to make as much distance between them as possible. His breath coming in too fast. “I already told you I don’t want it!”

He yelped as he backed up too far and fell through the shelf of soup cans into the next aisle.

Leo tried to scramble to his feet but failed and began crawling backwards in a panic as Usagi appeared at the other end of the aisle.

“Come on Stripes, we’re friends right? Friends help each other.”

”Fuck off!” Leo yelled, the lights above and around them flickered and exploded with sparks and glass.

Usagi covered his head with his arms as the shards rained down on him.

“I know your family misses you, Mikey has been looking for you.”

”So you're talking to my family now!? This isn’t your business Usagi!” Leo felt some tears escape his eyes and float up into the air around him. He thought Usagi was his friend. “If you were a good friend you would be on my side!”

”I am on your side! The side that doesn't want you to die, that wants you to be happy and to be with your family again.... You love your family.”

Leo kept a sob from escaping from him.

Leo couldn't be here anymore. Usagi didn’t know what he did. He couldn’t know. Leo didn’t want Usagi to hate him. He didn’t want to fail him like he didn't everyone else he cared about.

Leo reached behind him and pulled out one of his swords. He didn’t remember having this sword anymore. He thought he lost it in the prison dimension. Maybe even weapons have an after life.

It glowed brightly. All Leo could think about was getting out of here.

He stabbed the sword into the ground. He felt a crack strike through the blade as a portal opened beneath him.

The last thing he saw was Usagi running towards him when the portal shut and Leo collapsed at the top of Metro Tower.

Wind whipped around him causing him to have a hard time catching his breath.

Leo choked out a sob as tears fell from his eyes and slowly vanished into the air around him.

He crawled across the roof, taking deep gasping breaths.

He didn't think ghosts could feel light headed.

The wind around him seemed to be calming down as he slowly got his breath under control.

He felt his form flicker more without his control. A strong burning in his chest expanded.

Here Leo came to a decision.

He didn't have the right to be friends with Usagi. He couldn't risk hurting him like he’s hurt everyone else in his life.

He wasn’t going back.

He was going to stay at the top of Metro Tower till he disappeared from this world.

He owes it to the earth. To all the people that lost someone important because of him.

And no one was going to stop him.