Chapter 12

Leo lay draped over Kachiuma's neck as the horse continued to walk on. Three days had passed and it was now night once more. His supplies were gone again, but that wasn't what he was worried about. His right leg was screaming at him, begging for attention. It had stopped bleeding days ago, but that didn't stop the pain every time Kachiuma trotted over hard packed sand. He preferred the softer parts of the sand, but even then keeping his leg still commanded all his attention. He checked the map for the fourth time in what could have been ten minutes. From his guessing, they had to be either an hour or a few hours away from the docks. Almost to his way home.

A groan escaped him as they crested a high sand hill, the upward motion jarring his leg more than he would have liked to admit. Going back down was easier, though Leo couldn't wait to get back home. He wasn't sure yet how he was going to be able to sneak aboard a ship if he could hardly walk. He hadn't tested it yet, but just standing was agony whenever he and Kachiuma stopped to rest for the day.

With a sigh, he found himself staring bleakly at the sand miles away as they continued on. It seemed like there was no end. He had to trust the map that the docks were nearby. So far there hadn't been another village since the one where he'd found the map. And that worried him just a little bit. Though truth be told, the desert wasn't really a place to build cities.

The next two hours went by in an agonizingly slow place. Leo wasn't even completely sure that such a short amount of time had lapsed, but the positioning of the moon and stars didn't lie. However, he was elated to see a few brown buildings up ahead, nearly blending in with the sand. Sitting up, he rubbed at his eyes just to be sure this wasn't just some mirage. Another look and it was still there. With a grin, he nearly gave a whoop of joy.

"Almost there Kachiuma!"

The horse snorted and threw its head as if in excitement, seeming to trot just a little bit faster.

Leo held on tightly, keeping his right leg as still as possible. He would worry about getting himself onto a ship once he found a suitable one heading for America. Preferably New York, but anything within the United States would be helpful. If he could find a pay phone, he could call his brothers if he needed help to get home. Oh how he wished for his shell cell right about now.

He pulled gently on the belt he was using as reigns on the horse and slowed to a walk. He didn't want to draw attention to himself if there were sleeping people in these homes. Each one was only one story tall as far as he could see above the sand. They had a crude look, but seemed to do the job. Most likely they kept out the heat during the day. Cautious that some could be awake, he held his breath as they walked through the village, dock appearing on the horizon. He could barely contain his thrill and keep from urging Kachiuma into a full out run. The next mile seemed to go by painfully slow as they neared the harbor, two large ships easily within view.

Pulling up next to one of the houses next to the docks, he frowned as he watched the activity go on about the ships. A dozen or more men seemed to be loading and unloading cargo, a third ship coming into view as it drew near from the open sea. Keeping to the darkest side of the house, he watched, wondering how he was going to get through to one of the ships, much less find out the destinations as to sneak aboard the right one.

One tall figure pulled his attention to the ship on the right. His eyes narrowed as he took in the figure of Basir. This was going to make things difficult.

"Hey you, get off that horse and keep moving. We have to have the ship unloaded before sun up," a voice suddenly barked.

Looking around, Leo spotted a muscular and rough looking man with black dreadlocks and dark tan skin looking at him.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Come on!"

Hesitating a moment longer, Leo slipped down to the ground, whispering for Kachiuma to stay put. Hopefully the horse would, but he had other worries to deal with. Like getting this man's attention off of him…

"MOVE IT!" the man roared.

"Coming…" Leo murmured, painfully hobbling over to the man. He unconsciously tugged the hood of his cloak further over his head, willing the pain in his leg to stop throbbing in time to his heart beat. He barely made it past where the man was standing before the man barked at him again.

"And get rid of this blasted cloak! It'll only get in the way."

Leo was too slow to stop the man from grabbing the hood and jerking it completely off of him.

A gasp echoed in his ears. "What… what are you?"

Eyes turned towards him as it grew quiet.

Leo slowly backed up, tensing and readying himself for a fight.

"It's the creature!" Basir's voice yelled out.

His gaze flicked quickly to the man.

"Get him! Get him now! Whoever does so will be excused from everything else," Basir continued to yell.

Leo barely had time to draw his katana before the closest man that had shouted at him was upon him, twelve more running for his position. Swallowing hard against the dizzying pain, he moved around the swinging hand and lifted his foot for a kick to the man's chest. Whirling around, he blocked the swing of a crowbar before it could hit him in the back of the skull. A kick with his good leg to the chest had this one down as well. Backing up to give himself a little space, he glared at the group, each one gripping a crowbar of their own. Narrowing his gaze, he tried to push the pain in his right leg to the back of his mind, through he couldn't deny the fact that he was favoring the injured one and more with each attack or defensive move. It slowed down his movements, causing him to nearly get smacked with one of the crowbars more than a few times. Slashing to the left, two of the metal weapons were broken in the men's hands. With their attention on the broken metal, Leo jumped up and kicked with his left leg, sending two of the goons into a couple more.

He darted right, barely aware of the wet feeling going down his right leg. He paid it no mind as he slashed at the next one, this one not so lucky as he received a slash to the chest. Going down screaming, two of the men watched with horror filled eyes before running off in a terrified run. Three of the men remained, slack jawed for a moment before rushing him. Leo quickly realized they were aiming for his injured leg as more attacks came towards his right than the left. A punch to the temple had one man falling backwards, while a leaping kick had him smarting in agony, but the intended victim unconscious on the ground. Turning to the last one, he could only duck as the crowbar was coming in lightning-like speed for his skull. The next swing at him was wild and uncontrolled. He dove to the left a high pitched, but aggressive neigh had him spinning.

Kachiuma had wandered too close to the fighting, positioned almost between him and the last man who was gripping the horse's mane tightly in his hand about to hit the large head.

Leaping quickly, Leo slashed at the crowbar as he sailed over Kachiuma, slamming the hilt of his sword into the man's head.

With all of the men out of commission, his eyes landed on Basir. The man held a shot gun, aimed directly at him.

"I won't have you leaving. It pains me to have to hurt you more, for you've obviously run into trouble to bleed that much, but…" Basir smirked darkly. "I'll do what I must. I will have you."

Not today you won't. Leo glared, but refrained from moving as the gun was still pointing at him. Without his usual speed thanks to his injured leg, there was a very great chance that he would end up with another bullet flying through him. Maybe even at just the right spot to kill him. He barely contained the shudder, knowing he had to be careful if he were to get home in one piece.

The third ship blew a horn as it docked, though no one departed from it.

Leo didn't give it another glance, guessing that the new comers were probably giving Basir a wide berth with that gun. Time seemed to slow, but he couldn't believe the next three shouts that he heard.

"Leo!"

"Bro!"

"Leeeeeoooo," the third shrieked.

He glanced back at the ship, eyes wide in surprise to see his three brothers running towards him, horror written across their faces.

A shot rang out before he fully had his attention back on Basir. Rooted to where he stood, he could only stare as Kachiuma was suddenly in front of him, neighing in pain.

"No!" Leo shouted. He quickly checked the horse, seeing it was only a shot to the shoulder, but it looked bad. Just as he looked up, the gun was knocked from Basir's hands by Raphael, eyes narrowed in a furious glare.

Leo gently rubbed the horse, reassuring it that he'd be back and made his way around it to finish the fight with Basir. The man now had a crowbar in his hand, swinging madly at two of the turtles.

Don quickly made his way over to the blue banded turtle. "Leo, you're bleeding!"

He refused to roll his eyes at the obvious and shook his head. "No time Don. We have to get Basir under control now."

"You're badly injured and will make yourself worse."

"I won't let Raph or Mikey get hurt because of this man." Leo tried to push past his brother, but he just couldn't get by.

"Just let me wrap it then we can help them."

Leo sighed and stood still long enough to let Don wrap it tight enough to stop the bleeding. "Help Kachiuma please," he begged Don as soon as he was finished for now.

"Who?"

He pointed at the injured horse.

"Oh. Ok, I'm on it. Don't worry."

Leo jumped into battle, not worried that Don would try to help Kachiuma. He only hoped Kachiuma would let him. The crowbar was now gone from Basir's hands, but began punching and kicking at the turtles jumping around him with frustration. He backed away from Raph's dragon kick, another crowbar finding its way into his hand.

Basir swung, getting in a cheap shot at Mikey's shoulder.

Growing in anger, Raph hooked the crowbar into his sai, jerking it from the man's grip.

Leo got in close behind the man, laying his katana at the man's back. "I suggest you stop moving."

Basir quickly did as suggested, though his muscles were tense as if waiting for a moment to strike. "This won't change a thing. You can do what you will, but I will find you."

"I don't think so." Not giving him the chance to make a moe, he konked the man on the head with the butt of his katana handle. With the man at his feet, Leo let out a sigh, knees shaking form the shock in his injured leg. His youngest brother caught him before he could fall.

"Don't worry, I gotcha."

Leo smiled gently. "Thanks Mikey."

Raph pulled one of Leo's arms over his shoulder, silently agreeing with Mikey.

Held up by his brothers, Leo turned his gaze to Don and Kachiuma. The horse seemed to be neighing contentedly. "Will he be ok?" Leo asked tentatively.

Don stood and quickly nodded. "It was only a flesh wound. I've patched it up so he'll be fine on his own."

Leo smiled in relief.

"So… who's your new friend Leo?" Mikey asked.

"This is the one who saved my life. More than once," Leo admitted.

"Well well, saved by a horse huh?" Raph mock teased.

"Laugh all you want. Just be happy I'm not dead."

"Oh I am. We all are. You have no idea what we went through to find you," Raph quickly answered. He shook his head. "Who woulda thunk you'd get sent all the way out here?"

Leo shook his head. This was new, but something he never wanted to go through again.

"So… can we keep him?" Mikey asked.

"We don't have room for a horse Mikey," Don said exasperated.

Leo disengaged himself from his brothers and limped over to Kachiuma who slowly gained his feet. Leo patted the horse's neck. "Thank you," he whispered.

The horse neighed, tossing its head and nipping at Leo's shoulder.

"He has to stay here," Leo said softly, regret lacing his tone as he rubbed the horse's nose. Kachiuma had been a great friend, trustworthy and willing to put himself on the line for him. How would he just leave someone like that? Horse or not? "It's for the best."

Kachiuma stared at him, understanding seeming to be apparent in his eyes.

"Ahh…" Mikey groaned.

"We'll just have to come back and visit sometime," Leo spoke up. He couldn't imagine just forgetting about Kachiuma and did hope to see the horse again someday.

"But next time, just don't get caught first," Raph grumped.

Leo laughed. "I'll try not to."

"Well come on, it's best we sneak back on the ship now before the crew decides it's safe enough to disembark," Don spoke up.

"You think the Foot left?" Mikey asked.

"The Foot?" Leo asked incredulously. Just what had his brothers gone through to get to him?

"Yeah, kinda had a run in with them on the ship," Raph explained.

"Maybe yes," Don answered to Mikey. "But this is the only ship destined for home."

Leo sighed. Well at least the ship would be going home. He would have them search the ship as soon as they were aboard. He didn't like the thought of sharing it with the Foot, especially in his condition.

He gazed at Kachiuma sadly, pulling his belt from the horse's neck and putting it back around his waist. "Stay safe," he whispered, hobbling a step back from the horse.

Kachiuma pushed his snout against Leo's raised hand, gave a mournful neigh, and turned away, trotting off slowly.

With Raph and Mikey's help, he limped up to the ship, slipping below and into the hold before the crew appeared. The only thing the crew took from the hold when they did come down was a large crate and then they were gone to Leo's relief. After a thorough inspection, Leo was relieved to find out there was no more Foot aboard either. Breathing out a sigh, Leo leaned back against the wall as Don fussed over his right leg. It felt so good to be off of it, but more importantly, it felt good to be going home.

"Boy do we have stories to tell you," Mikey broke the silence as soon as the ship had departed. "But first, would you ever come back just for fun even if you weren't visiting Kachiuma? That's an awesome name by the way. What's it mean?"

Leo laughed. "It's Japanese for spirit and horse." He grinned, but then shook his head. "It was an adventure, but I wouldn't want to go there again. The desert is no place for a turtle."

The End

Thanks for all the support and reviews. I want to thank and applaud Dondena for the great adventure and plotline. If you haven already, I suggest you go check out her fics as well. ;)