Leonardo kept his words in the next few weeks. He had sneak out, leaving always few baskets of food behind hut’s door. He always knocked 4 times and ran away before Raphael opened the door. Children were most happy to have food and it had given them much needed energy to work on the site. Raphael had done his best to sneak some food to other slaves as well. He wanted to be fair and share with everyone. In his eyes none wasn’t better than the other.
While Raphael and other slaves were feeling more better now, they still worked hard. Or as hard as Raphael saw to be the best for them. This had greatly delay building progress. Staring at the plan on his table Splinter’s tail swung back and forth. He was becoming angry. He had heard, from his servants, about the issues what this slave, Raphael, was causing but he never believed he would be so much trouble. He couldn’t stop wondering why the guards couldn’t control him.
Other rumors also had reached his ears. Young prince, Leonardo, had been seen sneaking out at nights and some nights, when he had returned back in the palace, he hadn’t been alone. He had brought this slave with him. Splinter had confront his adopted son about this but Leonardo, like always, had been acting like if he hadn’t done anything or knew anything about this. It was infuriating.
Holding a scroll in his hand Splinter made his way to his other adopted son who, what he knew, wasn’t all that big fan of Leonardo either. He found his tall and thin son writing down something while trying to fix something what seemed to be machine from the past – that technology which had been long forgotten.
“Master.” Donatello bowed with his head when he noticed Splinter entering the room. “How may I serve you?”
“I have had enough.”
Looking silently at tensed old rat Donatello remained quiet, giving his master time to calm some and speak his mind.
“Do you have any knowledge of what’s going on at the site and here in the palace at nights?”
“Oooh, let me guess. Leonardo hasn’t given you any answers.”
“That ungrateful cocky bastard...” Stopping to his place Splinter turned his flashing eyes on Donatello. “Well, have you?!”
Keeping his cool Donatello rose, pushing the chair further away while getting on his feet. “As far as I’m informed, and what I have heard, Leonardo is delivering food to slaves at nights. That big snapping turtle slave also has been seen with him here in the palace when all of us have been sleeping. I have no further information of why he’s been brought here.”
“And how about Michelangelo?”
Closing his eyes Don huffed lifting his shoulders. “We all know he’s way too heads-in-the-clouds kind of guy to see or know anything about this. He spends all his time goofing around in the town, playing with the kids and people there.”
“We shall let him keep doing that. He’s good distraction. People won’t get curious about what’s happening here in the palace when our foolish happy son is out there to show that all is well.”
Silence landed in small room and Don felt he needed to break it. “So what are your plans for Leo?”
Splinter growled, his tail slashing behind his back. “That brat has been pain in my ass ever since I adopted him. I thought he would become great follower to me but he has too free heart and mind to be manipulated and controlled.”
“So what are you going to do about it?” Splinter watched his other son walk in front of old bookshelf, eyeing some books.
“If I could I would kill him but I can’t get my hands dirty. People also could hear about it and it would cause me great troubles. People could stand up against me and overthrown me.”
Smirking Donatello took a book, opened it and slowly turned a page. “Who said you need to kill him?” Turning to look at his adopted father from the corner of his eye Don smirked slightly. “Assassin.”
**
Standing still behind tall golden doors Raphael was more nervous than ever before. He had no idea why he was called in the palace… Or actually he had some sort of clue. If all would go well his life would be spared and if not… Sighing deeply Raphael closed his eyes. At least kids would be safe. Leonardo had promised to take care of them – and he actually already had.
Somehow Splinter had accepted Leonardo’s suggestion to take children in and teach them to become writers, fixers, nurses, chiefs and so on. No more slavery under the burning sun. Creaking of the opening doors snapped Raphael’s eyes open and he was escorted in Splinter’s throne room by guards.
This was the first time he ever saw their ruler and he didn’t like what he was seeing. This old rat was small, ugly and fat… but his aura was something what Raphael truly didn’t like. Now he understood it better why Leonardo didn’t like his “father” so much either. Hit behind his knees dropped Raphael down, bowing deeply to Splinter.
Hearing flat long feet slapping against marble floor Raphael waited, somehow mentally getting ready to jump and fight his way out if needed. When Splinter spoke Raphael kept his head down.
“You are the famous snapping turtle, are you not?”
He couldn’t help but to snort with humor. “I think I am. I mean I haven’t seen any other snapping turtles around here.”
Grunt escaped his throat when guard next to him hit him on the backside of the head with the end of his spear. Stroking his beard Splinter eyed massive turtle silently before speaking again.
“I see now why he likes you so. You two have something in common.”
Deciding not to reply Raphael waited as Splinter walked around him and then away from him. Sitting on his throne old rat sighed. “Let’s get to the point. I’m sure you know why you are here. You have cause so much troubles on the site, delaying my building plans, beating my guards - “
Snapping his head up Raphael’s eyes were fierce, his voice low growl. “They are the ones beating us. Without any damn reason. They beat us only for the pleasure of being able to beat us.”
Another hit on the head was painful reminder about guards’ presence. Staring into fierce young eyes Splinter kept rubbing his beard. “They are doing their job what I have given them. And you, slave, have give them more than enough reasons to beat you.”
“I understand if they beat me!” His voice turned louder as he forced himself on his feet, guards coming to stand between Raphael and Splinter. “I don’t give a damn if I’m beaten but there’s kids and elder people who can’t defense themselves so they are easy targets to your sick guards!”
“Why you-!”
“Enough!”
Guard stopped lifting his spear, turning to look Splinter over his shoulder. “That what you said, slave, is from the past. Leonardo, with my permission, has bring all children in the palace to work, train and study.”
Panting hotly Raphael swallowed to calm himself. “And about that I am grateful. But there’s still older people suffering.”
“I will see that they will get something else to do. But now back on you, slave. Like I said before you have cause too much troubles. Therefor I must announce… That you also will be moved here in the palace.”
If it would had been possible Raphael’s jaw would had fall on the floor and eyes pop out of his head as he stared in surprise this old calm rat. “W… why? I mean...”
“You want to be executed then?”
“No! No. I just… That’s something what I was expecting.”
“I have more better job for you than make you be a filling for a hole on the ground.”
Becoming serious again Raphael swallowed once more, lowering his voice. “What you have for me?”
Smirking Splinter crossed his hands in front of his mouth. “Leonardo.”
“Huh?”
“You shall become his bodyguard. You are skilled fighter and strong, are you not? Also I know you and him have been spending time together more or less at nights. I also trust that you know how wild he can be. He needs someone to watch after him. I’m old and can’t keep up with him anymore.”
Rolling those words in his mind Raphael felt a bit uneasy but pushed those feelings back. Nodding once Raphael agreed to his new job.
**
This small energetic turtle was getting on his nerves. Why he just couldn’t stop bouncing all around and shut up? Raphael stood still all wet and naked after being forced to shower and wash all dirt, sand and dry blood off. Raphael was happy to hear he could bath and he was waiting it eagerly but his joy turned into horror when young, extremely energetic, male turtle appeared to assist him.
He’d been talking and talking and talking which was making Raphael dizzy. He couldn’t even remember this young turtle’s name anymore. Tensing under towel covered hand’s touch Raphael felt his cheeks heating up when hand slide slowly up on his thigh.
“I can dry myself.” He growled softly. Looking up Michelangelo smiled shaking his head.
“Nu-uh. I was ordered to help you and that’s what I’m gonna do. You need to shine and smell good when you step into your new job as Leo’s bodyguard.” Sighing all happily Mikey hugged moist towel staring in the distance with sparkling puppy eyes. “I wonder will I ever get my own muscle pile as a bodyguard.”
Rolling his eyes with small smile on his face Raphael tapped small head few times. “Maybe someday – if there’s anyone who can stand you that long.”
Looking annoyed Mikey squinted his eyes while staring bigger turtle. “You saying I’m annoying or something?” Big turtle only chuckled smiling with teeth showing smile. There was no way Michelangelo could stay angry, even playfully, to him. Ordering Raphael turn around so that he could dry his shell Mikey rolled towel tight and slapped Raphael hard on his rear, earning surprised yelp from snapping turtle.
**
Now fully dressed Raphael kept grunting and huffing while following Mikey in these big halls. He hated these clothes. There was too much fabric and he was fully covered. He felt trapped and slightly anxious. More less clothes he had, more better he felt. He would need to find a way to get rid of these damn things.
Knocking on his door alarmed Leonardo from coming visitors. Putting his sword away Leonardo watched softly his little brother who entered the room first, keeping Raphael hidden behind the doorway.
Coughing few times to clear his voice, Mikey stood in position stating loudly; “Your Highness, your bodyguard has arrived. Let me introduce you to Raphael.” Bowing Mikey stepped out of the way, allowing Raphael in. Snorting Raphael rolled his eyes. This little mutant surely had some sense of humor… Stopping on his spot his eyes froze on Leo’s figure which was different than before.
Raphael had seen Leo most of the times wearing slightly too big white t-shirt and loose pants, or his more royalty clothes on, but now… He was wearing simple white robe which seemed slightly shining under the light, almost seeing through as well. Something in it was very captivating.
Smiling knowingly Mikey couched before wiggling his eye ridges. “It seems I’m done here. Have a good night ~!” It was amazing how quick that turtle was. His amusement faded away as quickly as he remembered his tight and itchy clothes. Touching, pulling and scratching his clothes made Leonardo smile as he stood up, slowly starting to approach big turtle.
“Allow me.” Voice right in front of him made Raphael freeze and his heart almost stopped when Leonardo suddenly took a hold on his chest, dropping out a small knife from his sleeve cutting Raphael’s shirt fully open. Holding his breath Raphael watched shining blade disappear back in the sleeve, both hands taking tight hold on the fabric and, literally, ripping it off.
Stepping back Leonardo nodded satisfied, eyeing his handy work. “Much better. Your upper body needs to be bare.” Looking up under his eye ridges Leo smiled sweetly. “Plus you look better this way.” Lowering his eyes on Raphael’s pants Leonardo licked his lips.
“Want me to help you to remove those too? They look uncomfortable.”
“No! I.. Ahem, I mean, no. Thank you. This is good.”
Huffing eyes closed Leo raised his shoulders once. “Fine by me as long as you can move fast and cover my ass.” Opening his eyes Raphael noticed new look in them. It was serious and almost deadly. “I don’t want or need slow bodyguard who can’t do his job.”
“Don’t worry. I will do my job.”
“And you better do it well. If you fail even slightly… Know that I can send you back where you came from, slave.”
Confusion filled Raphael’s mind as he watched Leonardo withdraw to his small desk, starting to write something. First he’s all sweet and kind, flirty even, and then all of the sudden he becomes cold bastard. Sighing silently to himself Raphael started to doubt this new job of his and how long it would last.
