By Kali Gargoyle
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Chapter One: Tag Alongs
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I've been traveling less than an hour and already I've got company.
Leonardo passed by the streets of New York. He tried to keep in the shadows, to avoid the people, but obviously he had caught someone's attention. A normal person would never have realized that they were being followed. Luckily, Leonardo wasn't a normal person; he was a mutant turtle, trained in the ancient art of ninjutsu. His mysterious stalker was also a ninja…no, there were two of them.
Amateurs, he thought. Probably rogue Foot soldiers who think they can earn some points for when the Japanese branch moves in to clean up the mess.
They were closing in. It was an empty street, no humans in sight, so Leo turned and drew his katana. "I know you're there. You might as well show yourself."
A few moments passed before two humans appeared and approached. They both wore street clothes. One male, one female, both Japanese and very young.
They stopped about five feet away. "We don't want a fight," the boy finally said.
Leo kept his sword ready. "Then I suggest you turn around."
The girl cleared her throat. "Look, we know there's no reason for you to even be talking to us…"
Leo sheathed his sword. "You're right." He turned and started to walk away. A part of his brain yelled at him for turning his back. Somehow, he wasn't surprised when they jumped in front of him. "Look," he sighed. "We've been through this before. We all know you can't beat me."
"We know," the boy said. "You're too good."
"We want you to teach us," the girl added.
Now that did surprise him. The last thing he expected from two Foot soldiers was for them to ask to study under him. It was also the last thing he needed.
"No," he answered, and pushed past them. He began to get frustrated as they fell into step behind him.
After another fifteen minutes he turned again. "Can't you two take a hint? Why me, huh?"
"There's no need for hostility," the girl said calmly. "We don't want to be your enemies. There is no more Foot Clan, no more bad blood. We think there's a lot we can learn from you."
Leo turned. "Bad timing, kids. I'm leaving town for awhile."
"Feeling lost?"
Leo looked over his shoulder at the girl.
"We lost our sensei, too."
Leo moved in a blur and in less than a second had his sword against her throat. "How did you know about our sensei?"
The girl remained silent, and the boy just shrugged. "She does that. Freaks us out, too."
Leo stared into the girl's eyes. She couldn't have been more than sixteen.
"My name is Kimiko, Gasagi Kimiko," the girl said. "This is Hama Isi.
You and your family have always held your own against the Clan. Very impressive.
Please allow us the honor of learning from the very best."