Chapter 11

The Reunion And Broken Hearts

Leonardo couldn't believe it.

It was him, surely it had to be him! Unconsciously, Leonardo approached the younger turtle who started to panic when he saw the prince coming close. The prince smiled warmly at him, showing that he didn't want to hurt him. Bending down so their eyes were at the same level, Leonardo asked with tenderness in his voice. "Are you Michelangelo?"

The younger turtle's eyes went wide in shock. "H-How did you know my name?" He whispered.

Leonardo chuckled excitedly to himself as his expression brightened up, smiling widely. "It's really you…"

"What is going on here?"

Both the prince and Michelangelo saw Mona Lisa coming towards them. Well, for Leonardo to take this turtle back to his brother who was also a thief wanted by every kingdom in Jupiter, he needed to think of a plan to avoid anyone knowing who Michelangelo really was. "Princess, may I have your permission to take this kid back to my kingdom?"

"Why would you want this dirty, little pauper back to your kingdom?" Mona Lisa asked.

"You see, a family in my kingdom lost a child long time ago. They gave me details of how their child looks, and it happens to match this little one here." He lied, feeling proud of his trickery mind. "Plus, you will have less burden to take care of if you let me look after this kid for you."

Leonardo knew Mona Lisa wouldn't want much burden in her first-time-ever responsibility. He smirked when the princess hummed in agreement. "Fine, do whatever you want."

After they exchanged their goodbyes, Leonardo put his hand lightly on Michelangelo's shoulder, encouraging him to follow him back to the ship, but the younger seemed to be afraid. "W-Where are you t-taking me…?"

Leonardo grabbed his arms, pulling him away from the guards so that they couldn't hear what they were saying. "Back to my kingdom… I know your brother, Raphael."

The younger stopped walking, doubt in his eyes. "How can I trust you? You might just find out somewhere that I'm related to him and then use me to capture my brother! I think you don't even know him!" He spoke quietly so only both of them could hear, slumping down on the ground with his arms crossed.

Leonardo crouched down in front of him. "You were 5 when you got separated with your brother."

The younger's face softened as he looked up. The anger was replaced by curiosity and hope as he continued listening to the prince.

"He was about to take you to the mountain when the Battle of Amalthea started. Raphael left you on the ship where it was safe as he went out to save more people. The ship sailed off before he could return, and you were alone since then…"

Eyes wide and filled with tears, Michelangelo stared at Leonardo with hopeful eyes. A smile finally crept on his lips. "Y-You really know him… my brother… I miss him so much!"

Leonardo held the sobbing turtle in his arms, patting his back gently. "And you will see him soon, I promise."

-.-.-.-.-.-

On the way back to Europa, Leonardo learned that Michelangelo, after separated with Raphael, found himself in Ganymede, Jupiter's biggest kingdom. Unfortunately, when he got off the ship, some greedy old man kidnapped him and other orphans, taking them far away from the city. There, the children were auctioned as slavery. That was when Old Hob bought the kids and took them to Thebe, the place where they were forced to serve the cat.

"10 years I've been working for that—that thing! And he never rewarded us or gave us a break except when it's night time, but the worst thing is… he never let us go anywhere. We were locked inside that gross restaurant day and night. He was afraid anyone would find out what he did."

That's why Raphael couldn't find his brother anywhere… Leonardo thought as he and Michelangelo were sitting in the prince's private room on the ship.

"Let the past be in the past. You are safe now, Michelangelo." The prince patted the turtle's back. The younger smiled brightly, happily sipping the hot chocolate the prince made for him.

"Thank you, prince… this means so much to me."

The prince continued to smile, stroking the younger's head fondly before getting up to his working desk. Michelangelo who was sitting comfortably on the couch eyed the prince curiously for he had questions stuck in his head since they got on the ship.

"Prince Leonardo?"

The prince glanced over a book he was reading. "Yes, Michelangelo?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course." Then the younger grinned. Leonardo knew instantly he had made a mistake.

"Okay firstly, how did you meet my brother? Because you know it is so weird! I mean, you are a prince and he is a wanted thief. It is unlikely you two know each other so well. Next, does he have a lover now? I'd be upset if he does! We bet long ago since we were little, whoever got himself a lover first wins, and the loser has to wear a pink dress on the other's wedding day. Ha! I wish I win, I always want to see Raph in pink! And oh! Another questi—"

While glaring tiredly, Leonardo put his finger on the younger's lips to shush him. "Why don't you ask him yourself…?"

-.-.-.-.-.-

When they arrived at Europa's dock, it was already night time. Leonardo put a spare blanket on the younger to protect him from the chilling air. The royal guards let the prince and Michelangelo out of the ship, heading towards the castle, but the prince had other things in his mind. He called out to the guards. "I'm going to take this young turtle back to his family, alone. It won't take long, they are in the woods not so far."

"With respect, my prince, but from now on, we shall assist you whenever you wish to go anywhere. The king's orders." Leatherhead, the royal guard's commander replied.

The prince growled in his throat, rolling his eyes as he carried Michelangelo onto his horse, Ryan. "I'm not a child who needs a babysitter!" He complained as he mounted the horse as well. "I'm already 21, capable of taking care of myself! Why can't father see that?!"

"I-It's for your own safety, your majesty…"

"I don't care! You can go tell my father I disobey him, but don't you dare send a single guard to follow me!"

With that, the prince, with Michelangelo clinging behind him, stormed off into the woods as fast as the wind, leaving the guards in anxiety since it wouldn't be easy reporting this to the king.

-.-.-.-.-.-

Raphael was carrying several firewood to his ship. The night was getting colder since the winter was here. As he got on his ship and dropped the woods in the fire he made, his mind wandered to the prince. Leonardo promised he would come and see Raphael today, but he waited and waited, the prince never showed up. To be honest, Raphael missed him.

"He said he has something to do… maybe he's busy right now…" The turtle in red mumbled to himself as he got out to get more firewood. "Why do I even care if he shows up or not? H-He's not even my boyfriend! He's just a—a caring… kind… and stupidly handsome prince who kinda has the hots for me!"

He continued his mumbling as he carried more woods, which he already chopped a while ago, from the forest. Before he stepped on his ship, he heard a voice calling him, a voice from a certain turtle he was coincidentally thinking about. "Hey there, gorgeous. Miss me?"

Raphael snorted with a slight smile on his face as he slowly turned around to see his visitor. "Took you long enou-"

Eyes widened in pure shock as Raphael stared at another turtle beside Leonardo. The said turtle also stared back in return, as surprised as himself. Raphael's bright green eyes skeptically examined the other's light blue eyes, the familiar pair of eyes he knew since the day the younger was born. Unknowingly, his muscles turned jelly as the woods he carried was loosened in his grip, dropping onto the ground. Tears started to pour from his eyes as he smiled warmly at his little brother.

"M-Mikey…?

The younger wiped his tear-filled eyes as he started to sob. "Raphie…?"

Not wasting anymore time since it has been somewhat forever that the two brothers saw each other, Michelangelo ran to his brother's open arms, hugging him in the warmest embrace he could ever give, sobbing into his big brother's shoulder.

Raphael longed for this moment since the day they were separated. All these years, he always thought of his brother. Is he still alive? Is he hurt? Anyone hurting him? Now it was over, his brother was here with him in his arms. His hand gently stroke his brother's head, soothing him, his other arm wrapped around his brother, keeping him close to his heart. No one dared to release each other as if they were afraid one might disappear if they let go.

"M-Mikey… oh my… y-you have no idea… h-how much I miss you…" Raphael whispered between his sobbing. "There's not a single day that I don't think about you…"

"I m-miss you too, b-big brother. I was s-so scared living alone!" The younger tucked his head under his older brother's chin. "Now I'm not scared anymore."

Such a sweet, sweet moment. Leonardo thought as he watched the brothers. This… this moment was enough a reward for him, seeing people happy for what he was trying to help. The result was satisfying and blissful.

Although Leonardo was happy about Raphael reuniting with his brother, it made him realize something. Now that the brothers were together again, Leonardo was no longer needed for Raphael. The prince and the pirate agreed to cooperate only to find Michelangelo… that was their agreement since they first met. All the time they spent together was just Leonardo trying to help Raphael.

It made the prince's heart ache. He finally found someone whom he truly loved, but it was no decision of him to make. Whatever the brothers decided would be final, and Leonardo couldn't do anything about it.

Sighing bitterly, he turned around, trying not to look at his beloved face again, and making his way back to the forest where Ryan, his horse was.

I'll go back to my castle… forget everything me and Raphael did together… and cry until I don't feel my breaking heart aching anymore…

A hand unexpectedly yanked him from behind, making him turn around. It was Raphael, pulling him into his strong arms in a sudden movement. The embrace was so tight Leonardo could barely breathe. The pirate's face was hidden between to crook of the prince's neck, the tears were soaking his cape a little. "Thank you, Leo… thank you, thank you, thank you!"

While still filled with excitement and gratefulness, Raphael placed his hand on the prince's cheek. Without thinking, he pressed his lips on the prince's right cheek. It took a moment for him to realize what he was doing. He released the prince suddenly and covered his mouth with his hands in shock.

"Sorry! I-I didn't—"

"N-No, it's fine… really…" Eyes still wide in surprise, Leonardo's hand moved to touch the place where the kiss was lingered on his cheek.

Michelangelo, who witnessed the whole scene, snickered playfully, hands covering his mouth to contain his giggle. "Awww! Didn't know you guys are dating."

Both the older turtles blushed madly. Raphael yelled at his brother, his face as red as his bandanna. "N-NO W-WE'RE NOT DATING! He—He just helped me search for you!"

"Whatever you say, brother!"

Raphael pushed his brother back to the ship. "Get on the ship! We're going!"

"W-Wait… you're leaving now?" It was Leonardo who spoke up, hands reaching out for Raphael's shoulder. The turtle in red sighed as he tried not to look into Leonardo's sorrowful eyes. Honestly, he didn't want to leave, but the longer he stayed with the prince, the more his love towards him grew, and he knew it was impossible for them to be together.

"I had promised my brother long time ago that I would take him on a ship and explore the world together, just us two brothers… now that he's here, we can finally be together again as family…"

"Oh…" Leonardo looked down, avoiding eye contact. "I understand…"

Raphael looked down at his feet, not wanting to show emotions through his eyes. "I-It's probably best if we don't see each other again… I don't want to bring more trouble to you. You know, I'm still a thief." Leonardo nodded in agreement. The pirate smiled at him before hesitantly turning around.

"Oh, one more thing, Raphael." The prince almost forgot an important thing. "The crown pieces, I need it back."

Right, since Raphael's brother has returned to him, the power of the crown must be no longer needed for the pirate. "Oh, you want it back?"

"Of course, I do." Leonardo reached his hand out, gesturing the pirate to hand the pieces back to him. The prince frowned a little when the pirate stared darkly back at him. Michelangelo, seeing the disturbance in his brother's corrupted mind, gulped nervously.

"Raphie… you don't need that crown anymore. Just give it to him…"

"Mikey, if we steal the sapphire and complete the crown, we can do anything we want! We don't have to live like peasants anymore! Think about that!"

His younger brother placed both of his hands on Raphael's shoulder, shaking him to snap him out of his evil thoughts. He couldn't believe his brother would think of something like this. "It's wrong, Raph!"

"I'm warning you!" Leonardo unsheathed his sword, pointing it at the pirate. "Don't make me fight you!"

"You want the crown?! Come and get it!" Raphael also took out his Sais, jumping into battle immediately.

"Stop it! Both of you!" The youngest plea was useless against the rage-filled mind turtles.

It hurt Leonardo to fight against the turtle he loved, but it seemed the other turtle's mind has already been overwhelmed with anger. All Leonardo could do was to block the assault, he couldn't dare make an attack. One unguarded movement caused him to receive a blow. Raphael's Sai slashed Leonardo's right cheek. The cut wasn't fatal, but it was severe enough to make him bleed.

Rage finally left Raphael's clouded mind once he realized what he had done. The next thing he saw was Leonardo covering the wound on his cheek with his hand. He glared at Raphael, deadly but with a hint of disappointment.

"I never thought you'd be bad for real" He said, wiping the blood away. "I thought I saw good in you."

"Leonardo… I-I'm—"

"Save it!"

Turning around, Leonardo disappeared into the forest in a blink of an eye. Raphael slumped onto his knees as he dropped his Sais. What have I done…?

Author's Note

This is the longest chapter I've written!

Also I think the ratings in later chapters will change. I'll add like curse words, violence and of course the scene every LeoxRaph shippers are waiting for… LEMON!

Turtlecrazy714: Yeah! Sub Raph for the win! XD

Akimii: I guess you like Xever in the series? PS. Glad your cereal is fine.