Leonardo hummed to himself as he polished his katanas, his spirits lifted tremendously by the promotion he had received a few days prior. He had not been expecting a chance to move up in the rankings for quite some time, but he had been proven wrong after his superiors informed him of his promotion to First Lieutenant and he couldn't be happier. He had just finished polishing the large blades when he noticed a flutter of purple coming from the corner of his eye. He looked towards the source to see what he saw and froze. Standing there in a violet kimono embroidered with small cherry blossoms was none other than the Hachurui prince himself. He quickly tried to appear busy and not like he had just been staring, but every once in a while he would look up and gaze at the Jujun royal's figure. He was the most gorgeous creature Leonardo had ever seen.

While he was staring, the young prince's eyes met his. Ice shot up the soldier's spine as he froze, unsure what to do. He felt his heart flutter when the olive-skinned turtle smiled and gave a little wave.

Leonardo sat up suddenly on his mat, his heart pounding in his chest. He swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat and shuddered as he wiped the cold sweat from his brow. It was only a dream. A vivid one, but still only a dream.

'But why?' he thought as he rested his head in his hands, 'Why those memories? And why now?!'

"So why are they makin' ya do this again?" the messenger Arnold Jones questioned as he watched Prince Raphael warm-up.

"Cause it's tradition," the Tekina explained as he performed his push-ups effortlessly, "N'every royal needs to know how to do it."

"Yeah but...dancing lessons? Really, Raph?" the human said with a snicker, "I got a hard time picturing you twirling around like a princess."

"There isn't any twirling, meathead," the prince said with a snide, "It's some kind of mixture of Maorongrong dancing and Hachurui dancing. S'supposed to symbolize the kingdoms joining in union or something."

"That sounds stupid," Casey pointed out as he grinned at the turtle, "but it'll be fun watchin' ya trip all over Prince Donatello's feet."

"Shut up, Casey," the prince snapped at his friend, earning a laugh from the youth.

"All that work and you STILL cannot manage to befriend him? Pathetic," King Saki spat as he glared at his daughter disapprovingly. Karai could only look down in shame and grit her teeth. "Just how hard is it to capture a Jujun's attention? And a MALE Jujun, no less. It's a wonder that you are a Tekina with the way you behave," he said, continuing to belittle her.

"He does not trust easily, Father," she finally managed to reply as he ranted on and on. "He behaves as though...almost as if he is hiding something..." That immediately got the Ningen king's attention.

"Hiding something?" he said with interest as he grinned. Karai nodded as she pressed her lips together in a thin line. The man tapped his chin in thought before nodding. "We can use this to our advantage," he said before glancing down at his daughter, "You have done well, my daughter." Karai smiled slightly and bowed.

"Thank you, father," she said softly.

King Saki summoned one of this messengers. "Go find Xever and bring him to me. I have an assignment for him."

"Okay, spill it."

"What?"

"I know that you're sneaking to do something and I want to know what it is. So spill," the frog servant snapped as he and his friend worked on peeling the potatoes for dinner that night.

"I'm not sneaking off anywhere," Michelangelo said with a frown.

"Oh, spare me the lies. You and I have been friends since before Angel and Ryan. I know when you're lying, Mikey."

"I'm not lying."

"Yes you are! You are actually lying about lying!" Napoleon drew attention to himself as he raised his voice. Mikey flinched and grit his teeth as he tried to divert the unwanted attention.

"Napoleon, please stop. People are staring" he uttered, trying to be discreet. The frog frowned.

"Then tell me what you're doing," he retorted with attitude in his voice. Mikey frowned at that. The silence was almost deafening, even with all the activity going on around them. Napoleon's brow furrowed at the unspoken words. "Fine," he hissed as he looked down at the potato in his hand, beginning to peel it with overzealousness. A small ache grew in Michelangelo's chest as he tried to form the words he so desperately wanted to say to the other. But they just wouldn't come out, and that frustrated the turtle immensely. Napoleon was his best friend aside from Angel and the two shared everything with each other. EVERYTHING.

But this...this was something that could not so easily be shared. Not only because it was a personal issue, but because it would cause a snowball effect that could mean disaster for the future of the Maorongrong empire and the Hachurui clan. This relationship (if he could even call it that) between him and the Maorongrong prince Raphael was only making things even harder for the royal. Raphael had voiced on many occasions since that night just how much he hated the idea of marrying Prince Donatello. He did not love the Jujun, that much Michelangelo could be sure of; but Raphael still felt a connection with the lanky turtle and enjoyed his company. Ever since they had confessed their feelings for one another, Raphael had become torn over many things concerning the wedding.

Even thinking about the wedding let a bad taste in the servant's mouth. The ceremony was only a few weeks away now, and with the date closing in, preparations had become quite distracting for both him and Raphael. Mikey always hated big events such as this because they always took the fun out of cooking in favor of meeting the demands of the guests. And Raphael was taking even more classes and becoming more and more involved in the kingdom's political affairs. For four days the prince had been shadowing his father nonstop. Needless to say, the sudden change of pace had caused Michelangelo's training to be put on hold.

They needed to talk. Mikey knew this and accepted it, but it was easier said than done. Still, he was not about to go blabbing to someone about their relationship before he really understood what that relationship was.

What exactly were they now? Were they seeing one another? Did Raphael still want to be seen as Mikey's Jiàoshī or had they crossed a line that they had no hope of ever taking back? Were they friends with benefits? That guess sent a crimson hue over freckled cheeks. Maybe he was thinking about this all too much. He wasn't sure if he was ready to take that step with Raphael anytime soon.

Suddenly, and probably the only time Mikey would ever agree, Irma came in with orders from the royals concerning the kinds of fish they wanted at the wedding reception. For once, Mikey was relieved that Irma had come in with an idea. He needed the distraction of something new and he could tell that if given a choice, Napoleon would gladly switch to a different position in the kitchen for no purpose other than to get away from the turtle. He was quickly proven right when the frog volunteered to help with creating the display for the meal that night.

"Michelangelo, I expect you to be able to help out with the other jobs along with making the prince's rolls," Irma said with a raised eyebrow. A plastic smile occupied Mikey's mouth.

"On it," he said with a slight nod as Irma walked off to assign jobs to the rest of the kitchen staff.

Aisha walked quickly through the small hallways with a trayful of dirty tea cups. She turned another corner and sighed as she continued to look for the kitchen. Perhaps she should ask another guard for directions? After all, the last guard had not given her very thorough instructions and had only been paying attention to half of what she was saying. He had said something about a painting of one of the Maorongrong emperors…

"Oh, there's hundreds of paintings though!" she groaned with frustration. She knew nothing about Maorongrong history or it's past leaders besides the ones who interacted and affected the Ningen dominion. It was going to take forever to find the kitchen at this rate. Princess Karai was waiting for her and she couldn't take too long, less the Tekina get angry again…

Aisha shuddered at the memory of what had occurred a few days ago and quickly pushed it away to focus. She looked around all of the many paintings, denying the fact that she was hopelessly lost. "Need some help?" A voice said from behind her. Aisha jumped slightly and turned to see none other than Prince Raphael.

"O-Oh, your highness," she said as she bowed lowly in respect.

"You look like your lost. I can probably give you directions if you like." That was an unexpected thing for Aisha to hear from a royal. She looked up at the Maorongrong prince slightly to see if he was serious about helping her. When she saw his warm and inviting expression, a sense of confusion and hope filled her.

"I-I...I tried to get directions from one of the guards but he wasn't much help at all."

"Yeah, the guards need to just stick to guarding," he said with a nod, "Where do you need to go?"

"The kitchens, your highness…"

"Oh! I'm heading that way. I could escort you there if you'd like." This couldn't be real. That's what Aisha told herself as she quietly accepted his offer and began to follow the turtle through the hallways. How was it that a Tekina of such high standard was so kind to a Jujun? All of the Tekinas in the Ningen dominion and almost all of the Tekinas in the Maorongrong empire belittled and dominated Jujuns just for the pleasure of it. Never before had she received such kindness from a Tekina in her lifetime.

She would be tempted to ask him if it were not for his title. 'But he's helping you, title or no title,' her inner voice told her. 'Perhaps if this Tekina is different, there are others like him as well...' Aisha's thoughts came to a sudden halt when Prince Raphael stopped by a staircase.

"You just go down these stairs and take a left. The hallway opens up into the main kitchen," he said as he looked back at her, "Do you think you can make it? I can come with you if you'd like."

"O-Oh, well, I-I'm sure I can manage," Aisha replied before bowing again, "Thank you very much, your majesty. I cannot thank you enough."

"It was my pleasure. And next time you need directions, ask a server. They know the castle much better than the guards and are much better at explaining how to get around." Aisha could only nod in astonishment as she watched Raphael walk down the hallway.

'How strange' she thought before turning towards the stairs and heading down them.

Hamato Yoshi sighed as he placed the writing tool down, rubbing the bridge of his nose. The bags under his eyes were apparent and unmistakable as he blinked slowly. Exhaustion did not even begin to cover just how tired the Hachurui emperor was; the festival had been the only time he had been able to relax since his arrival. With the wedding only weeks away, he was completely occupied with writing out new proposals for the kingdoms when they merged and giving orders for the Hachurui clan. Even though he was away, he still had to rule over his people, and so was also busy performing royal duties from afar. The aged rat appeared weak and withered at the desk as he wrote, his hand shaking and his back scrunched over uncomfortably. He squinted at the words as they blurred on the page, trying to focus on his work and not the fatigue. "You should speak to one of the blacksmiths about seeing glasses," a deep voice said.

Yoshi looked up and smiled softly when he saw Emperor Lái Sè standing near one of the nearby bookcases. "I would have thought you had retired hours ago," he said as he set the document down.

"I could say the same to you," the alligator replied with a small smile. He walked over to the other and sat down across from him. Yoshi sighed as he rubbed his eyes again. "You know that I would gladly help you with Hachurui duties, my friend."

"Yes, yes," the rat replied with a nod, "However, these call for my judgement and mine alone. I do not put complete trust into my advisors."

Lái Sè nodded knowingly. "How have the official transitions been going?"

"More difficult than I had planned. Donatello is the next ruler of the Hachurui clan, so I cannot choose all of his advisors for him."

"Such a pity. Emperor of an entire kingdom and yet we STILL are incapable of completely protecting our children from the future that awaits them."

"...Have you spoken with Raphael? About the marriage?"

"Of course."

"NOT about the duties and sacrifices that come with being next in line for the throne?"

Lái Sè was silent. "...Perhaps not…"

"I've only spoken about it lightly with Donatello," Yoshi sighed, "It's the first time Donatello has come to me for guidance and I have been unsure what to say."

"What did you say?"

"I told him how his mother and I did not get along at first, but over time we grew to love each other."

"Oh? And how has that been?"

"...Even on her deathbed, my love for her was only that of a deeply concerned companion." Lái Sè listened to his friend as he nodded. "Is it wrong of me to have never...to have never loved her? The way I should have loved someone I was married to?"

"You did not choose to take her as your mate. Most marriages in the palace are not for love or even pleasure. That is why we have the option of concubines, Yoshi," the alligator replied, "I admit I only ever saw Ling as a fellow advisor rather than my Jujun partner…" Memories of the late Maorongrong queen filled Lái Sè's mind as he spoke of him. "Ling Fa always had such a...a unique mindset. I believe that is why I was willing to have children with him - I wanted him to pass that intelligence to the next heir." Yoshi sighed as his brow crinkled. Had it really all been for politics? Did any members of their lineage feel real passion for their mates? It really did seem that...that all of the things they did, that HE did, were not for the sake of their children, but for the sake of themselves and their subjects.

"...We have lost ourselves in our titles, it seems," the rat managed to utter out. Lái Sè lifted his head to listen as the other emperor elaborated. "I remember when I was still young. I wanted to own an array of tea shops back then. Mother always told me I had such a refined palate when it came to jasmine and white lily teas. I was so sure that I would get to spend my days doing that while my older brother took care of the Clan…

"And then he became ill with the Red Death… A terrible ailment that had befallen the Clan at the time. It was a disease a few foreigners from across the sea had brought when the Second Brother was recruiting for the Great War. It took my mother first. Then my brother. By the time the dust had settled, only a third of our kingdom remained and Father and I were the only members of the family left. I was immediately started on my training to become the next emperor, and as time went on, I had to abandon my dream…"

"Over a hundred years later and the war still brings destruction and devastation to our lives," Lái Sè mumbled as he shook his head. "But it is to be expected. And as the ones the people turn to for answers, we are to make the sacrifices needed to pick up the pieces."

"Even with those who would prefer to leave a mess on the floor," the Hachurui emperor added.

A silence fell over the two as they tried their best to collect and sort out their thoughts. "You do not truly trust him, do you?" Hamato Yoshi finally asked quietly, daring to look up at the alligator sitting across from him.

"As a host, I am expected to think only the best of my guests, but...even I must admit that I do not completely trust Saki…" Lái Sè said.

"He has an alternative reason for arriving so early. Surely you see that," the rat glared down at the paper in his hand.

"Of course I do," the Marongrong ruler answered, "I am having my guards keep closer attention to the Ningen soldiers to see if they hear of any plans Saki may have for our kingdoms."

"I would rather believe that they simply wish to establish a better relationship with the Hachurui clan and the Maorongrong empire, but given their history with even their own subjects… I can only expect danger and chaos are ahead of us, my friend," Yoshi replied.

"Let us hope that we may know when he tends to strike, if we hope to have any chance of upholding the peace."

Karai sighed happily as she laid back, her mind occupied with ideas of how to approach and befriend Donatello. It had become a personal mission of hers to gain the turtle's trust and use it to bring victory to the Ningen dominion. She gasped suddenly as a wave a pleasure rippled through her and let out a shuddering breath. She focused on her plan, writing out each step mentally. So far, her attempts had only caused Donatello to clam up and fall back onto the rehearsed answers he no doubt learned in his mannerism classes. Perhaps a less official meeting - a walk in the gardens perhaps? Donatello did seem to enjoy the outdoors whenever he was given the opportunity to go outside.

Karai moaned lowly and bucked her hips, her legs shaking as her body was sent closer and closer to euphoria. Plan, think about the plan. She could arrange a lunch for the two of them, perhaps ask the chefs to create something Hachuruin. The sense of familiarity could prove beneficial at helping Donatello open up to her. She sighed again and closed her eyes as her mind began to slowly cloud with pleasure. Her pulse began to quicken as her grip on the sheets tightened. And...And...And it suddenly stopped.

Karai's eyes shot open as her pleasure suddenly stopped and labored breathing filled her ears. She sat up slightly and pulled up the covers, glaring at Aisha's crouched form. "What do you think you're doing? Did I say you could stop?"

"Had to...catch my breath...m-majesty," Aisha panted, her forehead slick with sweat and the loose strands of her white hair stuck to it. "I-It's hard to breathe under here...too hot…" Karai grit her teeth as she felt her high slowly dissipate. She reached down and grabbed the girl by the back of her head, pushing her back in between the Tekina's legs.

"Get back to it. I was almost there and you're not getting up until I'm satisfied." Karai kept her hand on the back of Aisha's head and breathed deeply as her chambermaid went back to work, burying her face back into the other's heat. She let out a small whine that was muffled by Karai's flesh before getting back into the pattern she had started, probing her with her tongue and suckling the sensitive bud near the hood. Karai hummed as she laid back, her grip on Aisha's hair loose but still there.

The room fell quiet again with only the sounds of heavy breathing and soft moans to fill it. The high Karai had felt before was returning, climbing higher and higher as she grew dizzy with pleasure. She bucked her hips again to encourage Aisha to go faster, to which the Jujun quickly complied. Beads of sweat began to trail down Karai's skin as she felt the coil inside of her get tighter and tighter…

Karai threw her head back against the pillows, letting out a breathless cry as she tumbled over that invisible line and was brought to ecstasy. For a few moments, her mind was free of the hardships and worries of her duties and her body sent wave after wave of pleasure to her brain. The amazing feeling soon died down to a low hum as Karai regained her breath. Aisha slowly sat up and took in a deep breath, her mouth covered in the Tekina's essence. Karai rested for a moment or so before slowly sitting up. She took Aisha's wrist and guided her to the other side of the bed. Aisha complied as she crawled over to the spot next to the princess, awaiting further instruction. Karai moved herself closer to Aisha and gripped at the material of her garments. Aisha clenched her teeth as she allowed Karai to slowly remove the clothing from her shoulders and open it to fully expose the servant girl.

"Lie back," the Ningen princess said quietly. Aisha obeyed silently as she did so, her back pressing down against the cool silk that covered the mattress. She shuddered as her body was suddenly covered with goosebumps, causing her hair to raise on end as Karai loomed over her frame. Aisha didn't dare move, her head faced to the side as she stared at the set of candles along the wall of the room. She bit her tongue to hold in a whimper as the Tekina leaned down to run her lips over the smooth skin of her neck. Karai's hands made their way up her sides, fingers playing along every crevice they could find. Lips stained red moved down to Aisha's collarbone, pressing gently and teasingly along her porcelain flesh. Aisha shivered as Karai ghosted over her skin, increasing her sense of unease and anxiousness. Her mind was unsure whether she should try and block out what was happening to her body or relish in the maddening pleasure from such a simple act.

The decision was made for her as those intrusive lips found their way to her chest. Aisha let out a gasp as she arched her back, turning her head radically in order to shove her face into the pillow and muffle the noises she made. An almost cruel smile formed on Karai's face as she continued her pleasurable torture on the chambermaid. She kissed along the soft mounds that made up Aisha's chest, humming softly before taking one of her nipples in between her teeth. Aisha screamed into the pillow as the sensitive bud was nipped softly, followed by a series of licks.

She shouldn't be enjoying this, Aisha thought as she squirmed slightly under the Tekina's touches. She shouldn't find any of this pleasurable. All of it was so horribly wrong. And yet…

She wasn't sure what possessed her to do so, but Aisha dared to flick her eyes up to Karai's, overwhelmed with the emotion and passion she saw in them. If this was something seen as an abomination and a sin of nature, the pale girl was not entirely sure she cared. Her body was filled with an insatiable heat that pooled into the pit of her stomach. Her heart was pounding, the blood rushing through her ears as she was momentarily deaf to everything except her own heartbeat.

Karai had never seen Aisha so distracted during activities such as this; normally she was able to gain a few noises and nothing more. This time however, almost felt like the Jujun was responding to each and every touch she placed along her body. In such a position, Karai looked upon Aisha and saw her as...desirable… Her mind thought about that word for a moment as her fingers continued to move along Aisha's ribs and hips.

At times she did sometimes have Jujuns that caught her eye, but almost all of them were male. It seemed that it was expected of her, even though as a female Tekina, she would never be allowed to take a Jujun for her mate. Never had she caught herself staring at a female Jujun and thinking like she had just been with the blue-eyed, pale moon servant that was writhing underneath her. 'Interesting', Karai thought as her hands found the space between Aisha's legs that was absolutely radiating heat to her fingertips.

Another gasp filled the air as Karai continued to manipulate Aisha's body, her mind still lingering over what exactly she was experiencing herself.

Raphael huffed as he pulled back the covers to his bed and crawled in. Mona Lisa had been dismissed hours ago to give the Maorongrong prince the opportunity he needed to slip out of the royal chambers and into the secret underground dojo for Michelangelo and himself. His brow furrowed slightly as he thought for a moment about how practice had gone that evening.

Michelangelo had been tardy due to his kitchen duties, but they still had enough time to work on perfecting a new set of katas. Things had been going well, but Raphael had noticed that Michelangelo was a bit more distant than usual. At first he had written it off as the other just trying to focus on his lessons, but once practice had ended and Mikey got ready to leave, the Tekina knew that something was off. His body language gave him away and Raphael was determined to find out what was wrong. He started by simply asking what was the matter, but that only earned him a shrug and a nonchalant excuse.

"Michelangelo, I can tell that something is bothering you. I want to help you," he had said with concern.

The peasant gave him a look before frowning. "...What are we doing?" he asked quietly. Raphael's face changed into a look of confusion. "What is this? What are we to each other? Are we still Jiàoshī and student? Are we prince and servant? Are we lovers now? I just...I-I don't know!" Mikey whimpered as he placed his hand over his eyes. Raphael frowned and had done what he could to comfort Michelangelo.

"It was not my intention to confuse you," he apologized, "Mikey, you are very special to me. When I am with you, for just a moment, I forget about the duties I have been given and only see you. You make me want to be a better Tekina and a better person." Mikey looked at him with surprise and what he believed to be flattery.

"So...So I do mean something to you?"

"Of course. I wouldn't string you along like that. I am not that kind of Tekina, Michelangelo."

The rest of their time together was spent with passionate kisses and heavy petting. Raphael's mind was a whirlwind of emotion as he tried to sort out just what Mikey was getting at. What exactly were they? And how could they keep this relationship after his marriage to Donatello? He sighed at the thought of the Hachuruin Jujun. What in the world was he going to do about him? Was he doomed to forever have a platonic relationship with an almost complete stranger? Would he even notice that Raphael was cheating on him with another?

'Of course he would,' Raphael thought to himself, 'He is too smart to fool. It's a miracle that he hasn't figured out about us already.' He concluded that the only reason he hadn't was because he and the Hachuruin hardly ever spent anytime together outside of forced interactions brought on by their parents. 'Limited interaction does not mean that he is unable to read me,' Raphael warned himself as he turned over onto his side. 'Donatello is the most intelligent individual I've ever met. He knows how to attain information and knows how to manipulate it to his advantage.'

His eyes snapped open when he heard the swift sound of the door sliding open and shutting quickly. He frowned as he rubbed his eyes to bring them into focus, shocked when he found Donatello standing in front of the now closed door. He wore a midnight blue nightgown with silver feathers patterned onto the fabric along with simple silk slippers.

"We need to talk," the Jujun said quietly as he crossed the threshold and approached Raphael's bed. The Maorongrong prince sat up with alertness.

"How did you get past the guards? If someone comes in here, they might that we're-"

"I can assure you that my intentions could not be further from that," Donatello interrupted as he sat down on the edge of the bed, "As for the guards, I was able to distract them with a commotion down the hall." Raphael blinked at his fiance, unsure how to respond. Part of him felt that he should be offended by how blunt Donatello was to point out that he had no wish to bed him. Another was relieved that he would not have perform such a task. Confusion started to settle in afterwards, but his thoughts were interrupted again by the Jujun turtle.

"I came because I need to talk to you about something I want to do after the wedding."

"...What do you mean?" Donatello reached into his nightgown and pulled out a rolled up scroll. Raphael's face flushed with unease and embarrassment at the other's exposure before Donatello opened the document and showed it to him.

"I've been doing research on political issues in the Maorongrong archives," the olive-toned prince explained as he began to explain. "More than once, I've found reference to a new system of government that had a brief trial before being dismissed." Raphael looked down at the scroll and read a few lines of it before looking back at Don.

"So?"

"So, I think that they did not give it a true chance," he explained as he pointed to another article, "It talks here about what the government system was and what it hoped to accomplish." Raphael read over the outline of the trial purpose and found himself becoming quite interested in what the other was talking about.

"So why are you talk to me about it?"

"Because I have a plan," Donatello rolled up the scroll before looking at him with determination, "And I'll need your help for it to work."