There was a time when Mikey hated the rain. The flashes of light and the loud bomb of thunder would frighten him. But now it made him think of Raph. The outlaw turtle would go out to stand in the rain and just let it wash over him. The lightning made is eyes seem to glow and he never showed fear.
The rain brought a sense of peace over Raph. And the intensity in his love making was spurred on by the rumble of the thunder.
Lightning flashed followed by a loud boom of thunder. The storm was right over the little farm that Mikey had bought for them. Why did he have to try and surprise Raph? Why couldn’t he just wait so they could buy it together? Because he was afraid that Raph would back down, that was why.
Because of his impulsiveness, Raph was going to be hanged in just two days. The trial was a joke and he was found guilty the second they walked him through the doors. He was caught and it was all Mikey’s fault.
He sat on the floor in the middle of the kitchen and just let himself cry. What more could he do?
Heavy foot falls on the floor had him looking up; he was supposed to be alone. A tall figure stood in the entrance to the kitchen. “What do you want?” Mikey’s voice shook. “I don’t have much.”
“Liar,” the other spoke. “I know you got lots of money hidden somewhere.”
Mikey’s voice caught in his throat, “All the money I had I used to by this farm and the supplies.”
“Weren’t your money to use now was it,” the other accused.
“We were supposed to live here together,” Mikey cried. “He got back a day early.”
The other closed the gap between them and got in Mikey’s face, “Now he gonna die and you get ta live on a farm got with his money.”
Mikey cried as he looked into the hazel eyes of his accuser, “I don’t want him to die.”
“You wanna free him?” The other asked and Mikey nodded. “Good. Now get up.” The other lit a match and set it to a lamp. The room was flooded in light and Mikey could clearly see that the other was a turtle too.
“You’re Leonardo, Raph’s partner, aren’t you?”
“Real quick on the uptake ain’t ya,” Leo sneered at him.
“How can I help free him,” Mikey tugged at his own hands. “I’m not an outlaw.”
“You just do as I say and we get him out,” Leo looked at him. “You owe it to him.”
Mikey nodded, “I’ll do whatever you tell me.”
The day of Raph’s scheduled hanging, Mikey covered himself in tanning oil to darken his skin and hide his freckles. He didn’t want to be recognized and the oil turned his skin almost brown. He put on a hat and handkerchief to cover his face as much as possible then headed into town.
There was a large crowd gathered for the public hanging of one of the most wanted outlaws. Mikey had to stifle his cries as Raph was paraded through town and people threw rotten food at him. He was led up onto a platform and made to stand on a stool before the noose was fitted around his neck.
Mikey looked around, but couldn’t see Leo anywhere.
A priest walked over to Raph and gave him his last rights. The emerald turtle kept his eyes front and without fear. He didn’t even flinch when the bag was placed over his head.
Again Mikey scanned the crowd, but saw no sign of the other turtle.
When the priest was done, he did the symbol of the cross over Raph and stepped aside. The executioner took his place and waited for the order from the judge. More words were spoken and Raph was given a chance to speak his last words.
“I regret nothing,” he mumbled through the bag only seconds before the stool was kicked out from under him.
“No!” Mikey screamed and for a second thought that Leo had lied to him to get him out of the house. But then shots fired and the rope holding Raph snapped, sending him falling to the platform. The crowd of people scattered in a mad attempt to flee.
Mikey took the opportunity to rush up and cut the rope binding Raph hands and remove the bag from his head. His golden eyes flashed in confusion and anger at seeing Mikey then shock as he recognized him. “Mikey?”
More shots were fired as Mikey helped Raph to his feet, “Let’s go.”
The two ran through the melee to a waiting horse. Raph mounted first then helped Mikey up behind him before bolting away. Using the confusion of the crowd to their advantage, they managed to escape.
It took Mikey hours of scrubbing to get the tanning oil off his skin, but it was worth it to have Raph free. He gave Raph a tour of the farm, showing him all the work he had done in the short time he had owned it.
“It’s nice,” Raph smiled. “I think I will settle down here with you.”
“That was the plan,” Mikey smiled up at him. “I don’t want to be without you.”
The sound of horses coming up the path sent Mikey into a panic. He rushed Raph back into the house and hid him in a secret passage. Part of the reason he bought the place was because of all the hiding places in it. He just knew that there was going to be times where something or someone was going to have to be hidden.
He managed to get everything in place just as someone pounded on the front door. A shadow at the back told him that they had the place covered. Swallowing hard, Mikey opened the door. The sheriff stood looking down at him. “Hello there.”
“Can I help you?” Mikey tried to look innocent.
“We’re here looking for the outlaw Raphael,” the sheriff stated. “Is he here?”
“He was supposed to be hanged,” Mikey acted confused.
“He managed to escape,” the other said.
“Really,” Mikey looked hopeful.
“You didn’t know?”
Mikey shook his head, “No. I just couldn’t bring myself to go. How did he escape?”
“He had help,” the sheriff answered as he walked into the house.
“Someone helped him?” Mikey gasped.
“Has Raphael ever mentioned a shot turtle with brown skin?”
“Oh no,” Mikey turned and started to cry. “That means he’s back with that little bitch. His time with me meant nothing.”
“Excuse me?” the sheriff looked down at Mikey.
Patting his eyes, Mikey let himself sob a few more times for dramatic effect. “He told me about a native turtle that he had a thing with. She must have freed him and taken him back to her tribe.”
“A native?” The sheriff exclaimed. “Damn it.” He started pacing the room and Mikey tried not to flinch when he passed the spot where Raph was hidden. “If he’s with them then well never find him.”
“That bastard,” Mikey started to cry. “I thought he loved me.”
The sheriff walked over to Mikey, “Don’t fret. A cute thing like you, I’m sure you’ll find someone else in no time.”
Mikey looked up at him with his doe eyes, “Thank you.”
“You are cute,” the sheriff smiled down at him. “And all alone out here. It’s not safe.”
Mikey tried not to recoil when the sheriff touched his cheek, “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“I don’t know,” the sheriff husked. “You might need someone strong to watch out for you.”
“He does.”
Mikey and the sheriff looked up to see Donatello standing in the door. “What are you doing here?” the sheriff sneered.
Donnie shrugged, “I lost my bar so I figured I’d try my hand at farming. Figured it would only be fair. I get Raph’s farm and lover since he was the one who burnt down my bar.” He looked down at Mikey, “Isn’t that right?”
Mikey nodded, “Yeah.”
“That’s fine,” the sheriff dropped his hand. “Well. If Raphael ever shows his ugly mug around these parts again, I’m gonna shoot him.”
“You do that,” Mikey wiped a tear from his cheek. He stayed on the floor until he heard the sound of the horses galloping away. “Not that I don’t appreciate the help but, why are you here?” he asked looking up at his former boss. “If you think I’m going back to you….”
Donnie cut him off with a snort, “I don’t want you back.” He turned and let out a high pitched whistle then turned back to look at Mikey. “You’re not the only one who’s moved on.”
“What?” Mikey was confused. “Who are you with?”
“Me,” Leo stepped up next to Donnie. “Where’s Raph?”
“Here,” Raph grunted as he pushed out of his hiding place. “Thanks for all your help.”
Leo snorted, “I only did it so you would tell me where you hid the rest of it.”
Raph smirked, “Is that all?” Shrugging, he walked over and helped Mikey stand. “I’ll take you once the search dies down.”
“What are we supposed to do ‘til then?” Donnie griped.
“Go back home,” Raph snapped.
“There ain’t nowhere for us to go,” Leo snapped back. “You burnt down Donnie’s bar. I was hiding in there and barely got out with my life.”
Before Raph had a chance to respond, Mikey waved his arms to get everyone’s attention. “There’s plenty of room here,” he shouted. “You can stay here.”
“Here?” Leo looked around. “You want us to stay with you?”
Mikey nodded, “We’re all friends. Right?”
Raph looked down at his young lover, “Fine.”
“Fine,” Leo echoed.
Time passed and Raph took Leo to where he hid the loot, but when they got back Leo and Don didn’t leave. The four Turtles settled down together and their little farm thrived so much that Don and Mikey sold their surplus in town. The two outlaws found out that they really liked the honest life and for once were actually happy, with no regrets.
