Four accidental meetings had taken place since the first and all of them were more special then the last. A month or so has gone by since he had seen or even heard from Raphael.
During that time, Don was sent out on an important mission to seek out information. Though, he did not expect to be caught. Donnie was caught off guard when the Samurai approached him during a fight.
The ninja was currently tied up with ropes and was forced to walk along side the Samurai as he rode upon his steed.
Raphael was waiting to greet his men, ready to take their reports and review the outcome from their missions. One of the younger Samurai showed promise as a general and he was looking to personally help him get the position, he was another that believed that the clans should join together.
He saw the prisoner from a good distance away and nodded in acknowledgement to one of the guards to prepare the cells to receive him. He may want the two groups joined together but he still didn't trust any but Donnie
The young Samurai approached the palace and had his horse stop as they neared Raphael and the guards. The young man got off of the horse and stepped closer to the Ninja. The ninja's head was covered with a black hood to hide his face.
Now that they were close enough, the young Samurai removed the hood revealing Donatello to Raphael and the other guards surrounding them. "I found him when I was on look out. Obviously sent out to get information."
Raph swore his heart stopped cold. Donatello. Here as a prisoner of war. This was bad.
Prisoners of war were subjected to anything that the guards on duty allowed, people tended to turn a blind eye to the fate of ninjas. Samurai were not known for their mercy
"Explain yourself ninja. What was your mission"
Donatello could only stare at Raphael. Until he was roughly shoved in the shoulder by the Samurai who had captured him. "The general asked you a question, answer him. After all, Ninja's are all about honour, are they not?"
Donnie sighed and removed his gaze from Raph's eyes, this was too painful for him to bare. "I was to retrieve a scroll for my master."
"He's lying, General, I saw him hunting around our territory. He was spying." The Samurai beside him spoke quickly, giving the Ninja within his hold a look of disgust
Raphael held up his hand to silence the young samurai. "And what scroll would that be ninja. That city is under our protection and even theft is a serious crime for your kind." He hated this. It crossed his mind to free Donnie and hold off his men off for him to escape. Unfortunately that wasn't doable. Hopefully he could get him for a less offence and work something out when he was in the cells
Donatello bowed his head in understanding, refusing to meet Raphael's gaze. It was so hard, he was so ashamed of himself for even being caught. But the Samurai had been quick on his feet, obviously training that had been given by Raph. The Ninja took in a deep breath before speaking. "I honestly do not know. He just told me where to find it and I went after it. My lord did not give me a full on description of what it was."
Raph looked at his general in training, "and how do you suggests we treat this ninja. He claims to be a thief but you suspect him of treason. Is there any way to prove one way or another?" Raphael had the final say in the matter and he'd already decided to imprison his lover in the cells, but the samurais answer could depend on the fate of his promotion
The Samurai began to open his mouth, but he clamped it shut. Raphael seemed to be stalling, why was he questioning this Ninja so much. The situation seemed suspicious but he dared not to say anything. Any sign of bad behaviour from him could result in him no longer becoming a general.
"locking him away would be the best choice, sir. Until we can find out more information on what he was really doing out there."
Raph nodded his approval and gestured for the guards to take his beloved down into the cells. "You have a long way to go. But your decision was the same as I planned to carry out. Treason could be eligible for the death penalty. In a time where we're aiming for peace the death of a wrongly accused ninja could be seen as an act to escalate the war." He made his excesses and covered for why he was stalling and trying to save Donatello.
It was a few hours before Raph could get down to see his lover, having to do the reports and training as usual so it didn't look suspicious
The guards placed Donatello inside of an empty cell. The only thing within the cell was a pot used for his bathroom uses or for water and a pile of straw in the back for a bed. The Ninja felt ashamed of himself for being caught and he felt guilty for his lover. It was obvious that Raphael had been stalling to save him, making excuses in order to keep Donnie alive.
Once the guards had left the area, Don looked up and seen his mate, his face full of guilt. "I'm sorry," The ninja whispered, luckily no other cell mates were around. "I-I did not want this to happen."
"How did you get caught?" Raph whispered as he stood against the bars. He'd sent the guards away for some privacy but this was such a bad situation. "Do you know what happens to ninjas when they get caught."
For possible the first time in his life he was afraid. He could fight a hundred man on his own and not bat an eyelid but his lover in the hands of his people was terrifying him.
Donatello took in deep breath. He was well aware what would happen to him. He would be sentenced to death or worse, torture first and then death. But seeing his mate scared and shaken was breaking his heart.
"I had just reached the town when he found me. Catching me off guard, he came out of nowhere. I had checked the area several times. It was as though he was waiting for an attack." Don said honestly, looking down in shame. Not just for being caught, but for causing his lover trouble.
Raph sighed and leant his head against the cool bars. "He is my most promising student. I have trained him well... he did everything right which only makes this worse."
Everything his upcoming general had done was exactly what would make him a great general one day. Raph had trained him in his own style, which had a lot of ninjitsu from training with Donnie.
"I swear on my honour I will do all I can to get you out of here"
"You can't, they will find out Raph and you will be killed." Donatello protested. The smaller did not want his mate to get in trouble because of his mistake. "I got myself into this mess. You already saved me from being exiled."
But there was more to it then that. Raphael was his protector and his mate. He could tell by from his lovers stance that he was mad at himself for not protection him, though he should not be. Donatello should have known better, paid better attention
Raph was mad and himself, guilty since it was his student and heart broken all at once. The samurai had only caught Donnie because of tricks and training that only Raph could provide with his knowledge of ninjitsu.
"I'm going to try everything in my power to help you get out." He quietly vowed again, but a soft noise alerted him to someone near by and he had to stop talking, standing back and pulling his body into a tall proud stance that showed his muscles just in time for the guards to return and tell him that he was needed with his superiors.
Donatello watched his mate leave, slowly moving back against the wall within his cell. He had been placed into a cell before, but that was many years ago. Just when he thought he was never going to escape, a war broke out and he was finally able to escape.
Though, something was bothering Don. Why was his mate teaching other Samurai the techniques they learned together. So many thoughts filled his head turning his stomach into knots.
Don took a deep breath and sighed as he pressed his head to his knees. There was nothing he could do but wait for his lovers return.
Raphael didn't return until the next day, a fine gleam of sweat and striped to the waist which showed that he'd been training.
Prisoners weren't treated very well but Donnie had been lucky in that no one had come to torment him, though that was mostly due to the fact that Raph had warned them not to harm Donnie, using the war as an excuses
Someone had come to change his pot and left water and a horrible tasting porridge type meal, not saying a word to Donnie except to threaten him not to try and escape.
Raph was carrying something behind his back and pushed it into the cell. It was a little package that had a simple meal that was much better then what Donnie had been given and a new water bottle. "Figured you might need something edible"
Donatello was tired. He had not slept at all. Being locked away in a cell and far away from his lover was hurting him.
He knew that Raphael was trying his best to free him, but he did not want his mate to get into trouble because of him.
Dons stomach betrayed him and he reached for the bag, giving his mate a warm smile and moving a little closer to the bars. "You should not be here Raph," Don whispered, "I heard the guards talking, they are suspicious. Asking why you were treating me with more kindness than the others. I'm worried for you"
"And I'm worried for you. I can not waver the charges for long. I'm a general but in a few days my superiors will arrive and they are sure to over rule my judgment... I can't save you if they decide your fate" He couldn't go against his leaders because it was seen as treason and he would be publicly hanged for it. He didn't care for his own life, but he was no use to Donnie as a dead man
Despite himself, Don pressed his head closer to the bars of his cell and pressed his lips onto Raphael's. Just in case. Just to share something with him if anything bad were to happen.
Donnie pulled out of the kiss after a few seconds, though there was a frown on his face. "You know I will go with whatever you say. You are stubborn as a mule." Don added in with a soft snort.
Raph kissed Donnie passionately before they broke and Donnie said that he would do what ever he commanded. He knew that Donnie was right but he couldn't think much about it before the doors clanged oped and they were caught in the act.
Raph’s face paled as he bowed low to his leader, the superior wasn't due for a few days, he was early! "Y.your honour I..."
"I was told there was a ninja suspected of treason down here. Though it turns out one of my top men may also be involved in treachery." The samurai lord accused with dark beady eyes boring into Raph’s soul, daring him to defy him.
Raph was inwardly squirming but seemed completely composed on the outside. Suddenly latching on a lie that might buy them enough time. He hoped Donnie would forgive him this. "Forgive me, my leaige. You arrived early an I haven’t had chance to spread word of my... technique. And how it was formed." That sparked the lords interest and he crossed his arms to hear the explanation, making it clear that if he didn't convince him now then he wasn’t making it out of the prisons tonight
"The ninja in this cell is known to me for quite some time. I've learnt the ninjas skill and secrets through him... By making him believe that we are in love. He had given us valuable insight and training that turned out to be his undoing"
Donatello felt his blood run cold. He could not believe what he was hearing. No. There was no way.
Raphael had to be lying. They had known each other for so long. So many thoughts swam through Donatello's head.
He no longer cared about the other in the room. Due to all the ugly thoughts swirling within his head, Donnie dry heaved right in front of them, not even caring.
It wasn't true. Raph could not be using him. Thyme shared so much together.
"You! You bastard!" Donnie yelled, continuing to dry heave.
The guard within the room laughed as Donatello began to throw up. "Tch, ninja scum should learn your place."
The lord seemed sceptical. "Do you have a way to prove what you claim?"
"I have been training with him a long time sir, it is how I managed to best so many generals even when I was moving up the ranks... I've past what I have learnt onto my pupils. How do you think such a young samurai warrior was able to take down a ninja that I had heard from his own emperor to be his best student." Everything added up to what Raph was saying, it all made sense at every step... Only it wasn’t true and it was killing him inside to tell such lies to his lover and to his lord.
The lie was believed and Raphael congratulated on his dedication to their ranks for doing such a selfless act as to pretend to have affections for a ninja. The lord offered Raphael up for a drink and to discuss everything in more detail and there was no way that Raph could stay to explain to Donnie just yet.
He only prayed that he would be forgiven
Once all of them had left Donatello felt tears spring to his eyes. He wanted to believe that what Raphael was not true. That he was doing it to save them. But now, he was not so sure.
Everything the samurai had said had made sense. The training, the talks about their ways of life, everything. But, the love they shared.... It felt so real.
Donnie slowly coward into the corner, curling in on himself as he hid his head within his knees. Don did not want to believe it. But Raph's words had cut through him like a knife.
The ninja blocked out all other thought after that, the only thing that kept him company was his slowly breaking heart.
In the dead of night Raph returned down to the prison cells, once again striped to the waist and heart broken as he saw Donnie curled up against the corner of the cell like a kicked puppy.
"Donatello?" He voice seemed to echo forever amongst the sounds of his lovers cries. He didn't want this, he would let himself dies as a traitor before he would want for this, but it was the only way to keep them both alive.
Donatello's soft cries continued. Not once looking back at his... Another sob reached his throat at the thought. And he sniffed when Raph called out to him again.
"Just go away. You already said what needed to be said." Donnie spoke evenly, not even looking at Raphael. The damage was done. There was no turning back now.
"Donatello please... there wasn't much I could say in the situation. The lord would not understand if not for those lies." Raph tried to explain, pleading with the ninja to at least look at him and ay least hear him out.
"But it makes sense." Donatello spoke evenly, finally looking at Raphael. "Everything you said. The training, learning each other's life styles, I just - I don't know what to believe right now." Donnie spoke honestly, slowly looking away from Raph, it hurt too much to even look at him.
"You learnt just as much about me as I did for you...Please believe me when I say that I was lying to the lord... You really think that our love could be a lie?" That cut deeply into his heart, the fact that after everything they'd been through Donnie could even begin to think that it was all a lie.
Donnie was his life and he’d gladly lay down his life to save him if it was needed
Donatello was silent for a few moments and looked down at his knees. It was true, they have been through everything together. But, there were things that worried him. So many questions ran through his mind.
Deep down, Don knew that Raphael had lied to save them. But his words, they had cut him so deeply with a blade that it was somehow buried into his skull.
"No... I don't want to think that. I just..."
"You just what? Don't believe that I love you. You really think I could use you like that?" Raphael was a good soul but he had a temper that was flaring up possibly for the first time at Donnie
He was angry that Donnie could even think that. The ninja knew him better then anyone and yet he'd honestly believed his lies so easily
Donatello winced at the anger within Raphael's voice. Anger was something that Raph never showed towards the smaller turtle. Never.
And it hurt. Knowing that the samurai was mad at him, simply because he was confused and hurt.
Raphael meant a lot to him. Was his world. Knowing that he was casing him anger for the first time in forever, proved to Don that the samurai had changed.
"I -" Don stopped, a deep frown on his face. "You've changed."
"I haven't changed! I'm upset that you believe I could hurt and use you in that way. I've risked my life to protect you in the name of Love, and yet a few lies to man who would have you executed and all that meant nothing to you." Raph had a small growl in his voice, hurt and upset that his lover thought so little of him.
Donatello bit his lip. His heart hurting a little more at how angry Raphael was and seeing how upset he was getting.
Perhaps... Don was overreacting. But the words, they had hurt.
Now that he thought about it, Raphael was right. The samurai was only trying to protect him. But the anger Raph was feeling now, Donnie hated himself for causing so much anger and for upsetting his mate.
Dons own anger shone through though, not liking how Raphael was getting so upset with him. Certainly the man should know that it would have hurt him!
"Of course it does! How else was supposed to react? Be happy? Over joyed that you lied like that? I had no idea it was coming! You cannot blame me for that!"
"I don’t blame you for being upset. Be how could you have believed it! You just assumed that all of our life together was a sham because of a few words! How do you think that made me feel?" Raph’s anger was known throughout the land as being uncontrollable, but Donnie had always been able to hold it back in the past, this time though Raphael was upset at both himself and his lover.
Donatello looked away from Raphael then. The anger raging from Raph was too much. Though, he felt guilty. He never wanted the samurai to be mad at him. Not ever.
"I'm sorry," Don spoke softly, still not looking at the samurai. "The last thing I ever wanted to do was to make you mad or for you to hate me." Tears sprang to his eyes at that. What on Earth was he doing...
Raph’s anger melted away at Donatello’s soft apology. Looking down with guilt at his lovers crying. "No.... don't apologise. I was inconsiderate to your feelings... I just... I was scared. Scared that he would put you to death" Raph only ever admitted he was scared to Donnie, he never trusted anyone else to know when he was weak
Donatello wiped the tears away, feeling stupid for ever accusing his mate of such treachery. They have been through so much together.
"I understand. But, he wont show me mercy forever Raph. He will kill me."
Don stated honestly, sniffing and Looking towards Raphael once more. "The treaty we tried to create will be broken now. You and I, what happens now?"
"I've told him that you will still be useful... but it won't last forever... when the time comes I want you to leave... just run back to your settlement." Raph knew what he needed to do. He needed to release Donatello from this cell but he was undoubtedly going to be caught.
Saving his lover would lead to a public execution but it would be worth it if it would save his love
Donatello felt tears spring to his eyes again and he moved closer to the cell bars, no longer wanting to be away from his mate. Now that he had calmed down and the anger and hurt he felt had left.
"Raph, I don't want you to sacrifice yourself for me. I can't lose you over this. Run with me. You and I , we can run away from here. " Don knew that it was a lost cause, but he did not want his mate to sacrifice himself.
"I'll try... But if it come down to you or me then I would gladly lay down my life for you, I'm sorry that I hurt you." Raph sighed, taking hold of Donnie’s hands through the bars. "I'm trying to find another way, but I'm not as smart as you are Don."
Donatello frowned and thought about this for a moment. Just holding onto Raphael's hands tightly. The only method was to run. But Don was not one to run away from death and neither was Raphael.
They were both stubborn in that aspect.
Perhaps if they told the truth. And worded it in ways for them to understand. That it was possible and okay for Samurai and Ninja to love and bare arms. But Raph had already lied, it was too late now.
"You are smart Raph. Maybe not today." He stated honestly, giving his mate a moment of grief before continuing. "They will find out about us one way or another. Your lord and mine will not be fooled for long. Perhaps we could make them understand But, I know now that wont do any good."
Raph hadn't tried to tell the truth because he knew his lord was not a merciful one. Like the samurai that served him he was too stubborn and set in his ways to see the light and understand the lovers.
"You are the smart one Donatello. You always were... But I'm smart enough to know that our time is drawing to a close. You're right. We can't fool them forever..." He sighed, knowing that the time was coming, they would have to separate from Don to survive and Raph would almost undoubtedly be caught and hanged for mutiny and treason
Donatello's frown refused to leave his face. And even the ninja knew that his men would come for him. More wars and endless battles will occur.
It was never going to end.
The thought of this being the end broke Donnie's heart. He did not wish for it to be. He wanted to be with Raphael forever. But it was all the ninjas fault.
"It's all my fault, I'm the one who got caught. If I would have just left sooner, knew that he was coming... I'm sorry."
“You couldn't have known... If anything it was my fault. I've let your training pass from me to my students and it was how you got captured." Raph sighed sadly, bringing a hand up to caress Dons face gently, giving a soft smile and studying every feature in case like he couldn't see them again
"Less blood will be shed over the Samurai killing their own. If you die here our cause will be pushed back years and the treaty would be much harder to achieve" This was the best way for them both, and Raph would make his peace with the gods tonight in preparation. If they couldn't both get out then he could draw their fire enough for Donnie to escape.
Donatello listened to every word that Raphael spoke. And repeated it again in his head. No.
He knew what the Samurai was planning. But he did not want this He wanted the two of them to live together. Not for Raph to sacrifice himself to save him.
Donnie brought DONNIE brought both hands up to cup emerald cheeks. "I wont live without you Raph. Don't sacrifice yourself for me. You have so much to live for."
"If I don't and they execute you... Then I won't have anything to live for." He corrected. His world would fall apart if Donatello disappeared from his life forever. "I couldn't lead the people who stole my love away from me."
If they could escape and live together then Raph would do anything in his power to make it happen, but that was a long shot at best.
Raph leaned forwards and left a soft but passionate kiss on Dons lips through the bars of the cell. It was awkward, but he had to taste those perfect lips while hoping it was not the last time.
Donatello wanted to argue with Raphael. But he couldn't. He would do the same thing in return if he were in Raph's shoes.
The smaller returned the kiss as desperately as he could. Only to pull away seconds later when a guard called for Raph, saying that he was needed.
Donnie watched his lover go, an emptiness within his heart. Something told him that their happy ending, would not be so happy.
