A.N: This is it guys, the very last chapter! I'm sorry it's taken so long to write, but Usagi didn't want to tell Leo what's been going on...pushy samurai. But he finally caved this morning and I got round to writing it all down. So, I hope you enjoy the epilogue to Impetus.

Impetus

Epilogue

Promises

Usagi's POV

I raised my paw in farewell to my son and his stepfather. Jotaro waved happily back, his eyes, so similar to my own, were carefree and content. It would break my heart if I saw him truly unhappy. I love my son so very much. And to think I have missed out on so many years of his childhood because I did not return home sooner upsets me greatly.

I watched until they had faded away into the distance and I could no longer see them, then I turned back to my lover, curled asleep on our bed. I smiled fondly, stepping away from the window.

Jotaro does not fully understand my relationship with Leonardo, and for that I think I am grateful. He's only thirteen, think how much finding out his father's best friend is actually his boyfriend would hurt and confuse him. He is just a young boy, he barely knows what homosexuality is. I think it could even break his heart if he discovered the truth about his father at such a young age.

He and Leonardo get along so well it fills me with pride every moment I see them together. I am glad he is a part of my son's life, and I know he is gradually becoming to feel for Jotaro as his own child. I am incredibly proud of the both of them.

Words cannot express how gratified I am at this moment in time for that. My situation with my career is very dire, and I believe Jotaro will eventually look to Leonardo for guidance, if only because he believes the ninja is my best friend. Which I suppose he is in a way.

Since Leonardo and I continued our relationship once more there have been no secrets between us, except this one. However I fully plan to tell him, preferably today. I felt guilty not sharing the secret with Jotaro, but Kenichi asked specifically if he could do the honors. I couldn't begrudge him that. There is no need to worry my son any more than he must. And he will worry, he's like Leonardo in that sense.

I may suggest living together permanently to soften the blow but I'm not sure Leonardo will accept. He rejected the offer the last time I asked. I am not angry or upset, because I think I understand his reasoning. With Master Splinter's departure from this world, Leonardo feels all he has his brothers and their friends besides myself. This is a lie of course, he has made so many close friends in this village, but he believes if he truly leaves New York for good, he will leave behind his family. I have told him that is not the case, that we will be able to visit each other any time we wish but he says I do not understand. Maybe I don't, but I let the discussion slide.

Leonardo can still feel so unprotected sometimes. I have learnt to live with it and offer him all the reassurance he needs when he needs it. I worry a little how he might cope once I'm gone but I know he has his brothers, who will stand by him no matter what, not to mention Daisuke and the other friends he has made here on the way.

I gently lowered myself to sit on the bed so as not to wake the young turtle. We didn't go to sleep until the early hours of this morning, too busy spending Jotaro's last night with us as specially as we could. It is not often I get to see my son, in between my career and his schooling, therefore I try so very hard to make his visits enjoyable. I fear this will be the last time I see him for a very, very long time.

I thought I would be tired today, but I wasn't. I expect it is because my mind is so full with thoughts about how I would break the news to Leonardo. I have to be extremely careful, and firm, as I know he will not respond well.

I remember the last time I avoided telling him something terribly important by calling off our relationship. That was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. It merely made things worse. But I have learnt from that, as I learn from all my mistakes. This time I will tell Leonardo the truth about everything. He deserves that at least.

I hope he accepts it well. He must understand there is no other choice. I wish I could put him before my career but in this situation it is simply not possible. I severely wish it was. Leonardo however is usually quite capable of calmly accepting news both good and bad, and he has matured greatly since we first began our relationship.

He is no longer the seventeen-year-old insecure boy I fell in love with, but the twenty-five-year-old brave and intelligent young man I am even more in love with. I fully understand how truly lucky I am to have him, and nothing Mariko or my colleagues within the court say will change the way I feel. I do not care if they disapprove. I have often done things Lord Noriyuki and his courts do not approve of, but I think they understand it is the right thing in the end.

I'd forgotten how well Kenichi and I get on now we both have Jotaro in our lives. I was only reminded when I came back upstairs to wave Jotaro off from the window after talking a while with Kenichi, and found Leonardo fast asleep. I hadn't meant to stay and chat for so long but Kenichi and I have become the friends I wish we had been in our childhood.

Still, I let my lover sleep and returned to a book I had started before my son's visit. Thanks to my relationship with Leonardo I have discovered a strong fondness for classic Western literature. A little unorthodox perhaps, but it makes a change from the traditional pieces I usually read.

I let the book fall open to the desired page on my lap. I wasn't enjoying this particular novel, but Leonardo assured me it bettered the further you read, so I was determined to see it through to the end. It's just like any rough spot in your life really. As long as you persevere, it will certainly begin to smooth out. I am proud to say I have learnt that lesson.

It wasn't long before Leonardo sensed my presence in his sleep and curled up beside me, clinging to my waist and seeking the warmth I had to offer. I really don't know what it is about my fur he loves so much. It's probably because he has none of his own. His reptilian blood doesn't help either, leaving him always cold. I don't mind, it gives me an excuse to touch him. I shouldn't really need an excuse so far on into our relationship but Leonardo can still be so temperamental sometimes it is difficult to know when he needs reassurance and when he needs his space.

The book was getting slightly better, but it was also getting hard to concentrate as a result of Leonardo pressing so close. It gets difficult when Jotaro sleeps over in the sense that we completely halt our relationship to the point of even sleeping in separate beds. It's frustrating not only because I want to physically be with Leonardo, but also because I am, more or less, lying to my son about my relationship with my ninja. However, it is Mariko and Kenichi's wish that Jotaro does not know the truth so I have not told him. I could never hurt him. Although it does shame me to say that, once he has left, Leonardo and I do tend to get rather...sensitive, even animalistic with one another, as is the case with young people. Forgive me for being so fractious, but surely you've heard the phrase 'At it like rabbits'? Considering my species that is quite ironic really.

I slightly consoled myself by putting an arm around him, using one hand to both support the book and turn the page. It wasn't enough just to hold him though and I found myself getting quite distracted. I traced the scars on his shoulder and bicep lightly, wondering at how they crisscrossed and intertwined. I must have an equal amount of abrasions, yet mine are all hidden underneath my pelt. An advantage really now I think about it.

I knew he was awake when he shifted even closer against me, resting his head on my chest as near to that little triangle of fur revealed by my kimono as he could. Neither of us spoke for a while, just reveling in the closeness of each other. Three days seemed such a long a time.

"Did you have fun talking to Kenichi?" He teased softly, his breath tickling my fur.

"Almost as much as you had sleeping," I answered lightly with a chuckle.

"Could you blame me? You were out there ages," He mumbled, giving a small shrug. I moved the hand rubbing his shoulder to tenderly stroke his cheek and he closed his eyes.

"You could have joined us, then you wouldn't have been so bored," I offered quietly. I knew I had said something wrong because he turned his head further into my torso, hiding from my eyes.

"No. Kenichi hates me," His voice was barely audible against my chest and I scarcely heard him.

"He doesn't hate you. He simply dislikes our relationship," I corrected calmly. I knew this was an old thorn in my lover's side.

"Same things," He argued, clutching at my side in an attempt to get even closer. Needless to say, it was driving me crazy.

I sighed but didn't say anything. It wasn't entirely true. Kenichi didn't dislike Leonardo personally, just the fact that he was my lover. He agreed with Mariko in thinking it would hurt Jotaro. I agree with them to some extent, but they really don't know how hard it is to lie to my only son.

I felt a small kiss on my cheek, his way of apologizing without actually saying the words. I didn't move for a few seconds, tempted to close my eyes when he leaned forward to tuck his head into the crook of my neck. His breath was warm and I couldn't help but shiver uncontrollably.

He was on his shell, a position he greatly disliked, before either of us knew what I'd done. I both loved and loathed this animalistic side of us, just so wild, so passionate, and to be frank, quite frightening. I'd pinned him down with my knees, an erotic reference to that first time so many years ago which was clearly innocent. I felt his chest rise and fall beneath me. My book was long forgotten, lying on the floor with its pages bent.

He wasn't completely submissive, untying my robe and pulling it from my shoulders faster than I remembered. We were frantic, clumsy, even desperate. We were hot, fast, even rough.

It was quiet afterwards, save for our harsh panting. He'd buried himself in my fur once again, always clingy after sex. I held him, his shoulders slick with sweat. I still didn't feel tired, my mind was fully alert, pondering things other than sexual activities. I wondered if now was the right time to tell him, when we were both high on adrenalin and sex. It sort of reminded me of something amusing Raphael had said once. Sex, beats morphine for a painkiller anytime.

I waited until we had both regained our breath. My fur was damp with sweat and I could tell he was eager for a shower as much as I was. But I knew mentioning that would merely set us off again, so it could wait. I needed to tell him this now, before it was too late.

"Leonardo," I said into the quiet, quite aware my mouth was dry.

"Mmm?" Was all he replied with, content enough just to feel my soft fur, however damp, against his calloused skin.

"There's something I have to tell you," I felt him tense against me the moment I said it and he instantly leant up onto his elbows to look at my face.

"What? What is it?" He questioned, his voice and face deeply worried. I smiled softly and reassuringly, reaching up to touch his cheek.

"I am not breaking up with you," I guaranteed him gently, knowing where his fear originated from. He visibly relaxed.

"Oh. What is it then? We're not having trabbit babies are we?" He frowned skeptically, drawing a laugh from me.

"No, we are not," I chortled and he grinned at his own joke.

"Then what's up?" He wondered lightly.

I sat up to match his eye level, my laughter had long disappeared. He frowned at my solemn look.

"Leonardo, whatever happens, you must promise me you will not follow me," I pleaded, laying a hand on his shoulder and looking deep into his confused sapphire eyes.

"What are you talking about?" He pulled a face, clearly puzzled. I sighed.

"I'm going to war for Lord Noriyuki," I explained gently, clearly.

I watched the different emotions display themselves on his broad face. At first the disarray simply deepened but then he understood and was surprised. Eventually that shock turned into anger and those handsome eyes gleamed with something that had nothing to do with passion or love.

"Why? You're not even Lord Noriyuki's samurai!" He exclaimed, voice shaking with fury. I remained steady, for his sake.

"You know I have an obligation to him as my friend and my employer. Just because he is not my own Lord does not mean I can ignore the fact he offered me a place in his command," I argued serenely. Leonardo hung his head, his anger dissipating as quickly as it came.

"I...I know that. I'm sorry," He whispered.

I sighed once more and embraced him with one arm around his shoulders, leaning in to tenderly kiss the top of his bicep. He didn't say anything for a few minutes, going over things in his mind. He knew how desperate Lord Noriyuki was, he would not go unnecessarily into war and risk the lives of his loyal men.

"I don't want you to go," He breathed finally, looking at me with an expression so broken it took all my strength not to agree to stay.

"There is no other choice," I said sadly, kissing his shoulder another time.

"Let me fight with you!" He requested suddenly, turning to face me and grabbing my arm.

"I could never allow that," I shook my head pitifully.

"Usagi please!" He begged, his face now contorted in pain.

It hurt me to see him like that. Here I was abandoning him once more, going some place I could not allow him to follow. He meant too much to me, I could never put him in so much danger. If anything ever happened to him I would never forgive myself for as long as I live.

"No Leonardo. I love you too much. I could never let you go," I cupped his face with my paws, hoping to calm him down with loving truths and gentle touches.

"I can't be without you again," He persisted in distress, his eyes shining with tears. He never cries for nothing, in the past yes, but not now. He had grown up. Perhaps too much.

"I need you to stay in New York where it's safe, for me. And Jotaro will need someone to look to when I'm gone," I knew this would get him to agree, he loves Jotaro like his own son.

"Okay. But...you might die," He whispered, rubbing roughly at his eyes. I reached up and pulled his hands away.

"I will not die," I said firmly. He took a deep breath and nodded. I wasn't sure if that was an agreement or a feeble attempt to argue.

He leaned into me and I held him close, taking in his scent and everything that made him Leonardo before it was snatched from me. He still hadn't wept, teetering on the edge, and I was proud of him trying to be strong. He didn't have to but he was trying and that was all that mattered.

"I'll wait for you,"

"I know you will,"

I must admit, going to war was not planned for our life together but I have no doubt he will rise above it, just as he always has done. And I will come back to him and Jotaro, there was no dubiety about that.

"Love you,"

"I love you too,"

I know we are both young, and thirty-two is no age to die but I also know this war will not take long, and I am not afraid of where I am going, only of what I am leaving behind. I have some experience in the art of war after all. And my time away will go quicker knowing I have someone waiting eagerly day by day for my return. Leonardo and my son will get me through this nightmare.

"Usagi, promise me something,"

"What's that?"

If I go and the worst should happen I know Leonardo is strong enough to get over it with the help of his brothers. I know Jotaro will be well looked after. I don't regret a single thing in my life. Leonardo has meant the world to me and he will continue to do so in this life, and the next, and any other lives that may follow.

"That you'll come back to me again,"

"I promise, Leo,"

The End

A.N. Wow. It's pretty hard to believe it's over, but I'm relieved all the same lol. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. Please remember to leave feedback, it'll only take a minute of your time. Thank you so much for reading and sticking it this far, I love you for it lol. Take care.