Don found his strength flagging as Mike pulled him from the baths, showing him where rolls of fresh towels were kept along with loose silky robes for throwing on. Don fingered the material as he pulled one over his shell, not quite believing he could be wearing something so fine. No time to marvel further when the blue eyed slave was pulling him back down the corridor towards Raphael's suite. Don shot a glance over his shoulder and caught a glimpse of golden and obsidian eyes watching them before Mikey pulled him out of sight.

'Come on. They've got politics to discuss and trust me when I say it's dull even when you can understandwhat they're saying.'

In the time they'd been gone a small steaming bowl had appeared. Porridge in a thick, creamy milk and sprinkled liberally with glistening brown sugar. Don caught a whiff of cinnamon and nutmeg and laid a hand over his belly as it growled. How could he be hungry again already?

Mike sniffed in appreciation. 'Eat it before it gets cold, huh? I've got to organise a few things.'

Don spent the next fifteen minutes filling the hollow place in his belly with the sweet, rich food and thinking about what had just occurred in the bathhouse. He wasn't a fool, clearly some of that had been for his benefit. The question was how much of it was real and what did they stand to gain by lowering his guard? By the time he was done, Mikey had returned fully clothed in black hakama and a rich orange kimono that enhanced his sky-blue eyes. Following a step behind him was another terrapin with delicate features, dressed in a pale blue yukata. She smiled at Don shyly. The olive turtle pulled his robe tighter self-consciously and managed a fleeting smile.

'This is Sion. Fastest needle in the west.' he said with a flirtatious grin.

Sion blushed and put down a small bundle she had clutched to her chest, her gaze flicking over Don's bruises before meeting his eyes with a compassionate smile.

'Raphael-sama has asked me to make up some clothes for you.' she told Don softly. 'I just need to take some measurements.'

Don blinked. Clothes of his own? New ones? Mike seemed to sense his confusion and pulled him to his feet as Sion moved around him taking measurements that made no sense to him at all. Mike just smiled at his expression and went to a wardrobe door Don hadn't noticed before, sliding it open to reveal an array of kimono and various coats.

'Where is it …? Oh, stuffed in the back of course. Raph doesn't wear this anywhere near as often as he should.'

He pulled out a long black haori weaved from heavy, raw silk. Blood-red dragons gleamed on the sleeves in shining thread, the coils clinging lazily to each arm before draping down the fabric and coiling around to the back. Tiny embroidered flowers lent the design a scattering of violet that enhanced the richness of the reds. Don had never seen a more beautiful piece of clothing before. It wasn't difficult imagining those broad shoulders draped in the heavy silk.

'There's a clan meeting next week.' Mike told Sion. 'This needs an air and I think something for our new guest to compliment at formal occasions.' he told her conspiratorially.

Sion nodded and glanced back at Don. 'With his beautiful skin tones, I have just the thing in mind.' she said with a smile. 'They will look perfect together.'

Don found himself flushing as her look became a little more direct and almost suggestive. What exactly was she implying? He shifted uncomfortably under her speculative gaze. Was that a faint smirk?

Mike glanced from one to the other and then cleared his throat. 'Yeah well, we'll need the usual as well. Everyday clothes, some things to ride in and winters coming soon so some warmer gear.'

Sion nodded and picked up her things. 'I'll get right on it. We should have most of it ready by this evening. The coats may take a little longer.'

Mike thanked her and she left them with a flutter of trailing fabric and a small wave in Don's direction.

When she was gone Mike went to one of the chests at the edge of the room and pulled out a plain wooden box, setting it on the table next to Don.

'Let's take a look at those injuries.' he muttered, pulling two sealed jars from the box and sniffing them with a wince. He wiggled closer to Don and dug his fingers into the first jar, pulling out a glob of pungent, gleaming goo. Don held out his wrists and allowed the other to spread the cool unguent over his raw flesh, amazed to find it didn't hurt in any way, just tingled until he couldn't feel the dull ache anymore.

'I was hoping you'd feel better about telling us your name today.' The smaller said more quietly, eyes focused on his task.

Don looked away, feeling a fresh jolt of anxiety.

'There's good reasons for telling us you know.' Mike told him softly, picking up some strips of gauze to layer over the goo. 'We can look in the registers … try and find out what village you came from. We might be able to find out what happened to your family.'

Don stared at him, his heart missing a beat and Mike continued wrapping his wrists with a few layers of protective linen. Green forests, a small house, thatched and cosy, the scent of crushed lavender. Fragments were all he had left.

'My family? I don't remember them.' he admitted. 'I don't remember anything from before.'

Michelangelo studied him for a moment and then opened the other jar. It contained something slightly less gooey with a sweet, spicy smell. Don flinched as the turtle's fingers touched his bruised face, spreading the gel with gentle fingers.

'Yeah, but you remember your name right? I understand … it isn't easy to trust. Even with a full belly and clothes on your back you still feel like the chains are there for a while.' Blue eyes studied him patiently. 'But we need to call you something and I can't tell Raph what you used to be called.'

Don dared to question, resentment flaring. What did it matter what they called him? Nobody had ever given a damn before, why should they now. 'Why not?'

Mike gave him a direct look. 'First of all, he's gonna know that isn't your real name. Nobody's expecting you to feel comfortable on the first day but he'll still be hurt that you don't even trust him that much.'

Don blinked … A Master's emotions were things to monitor, signals that told you how submissive you should behave, how likely you were to get beaten that day. Outside of how that emotion may somehow be inflicted on him, Don had never met a slave that cared about his owner the way Mikey clearly did. The idea stunned him. The terrapin continued, ignoring Don's silent reticence.

'Secondly, if you won't tell us your real name, at least choose something that doesn't insult the both of you and piss him off.' Don flinched, recalled the way those intense golden eyes had looked at him, the way gentle fingers had touched his face … and felt an odd pang of guilt.

'It's Don.' he said quietly. Not the whole of it - but more than he had given anyone in a long time.

It was enough. Mike smiled. 'Don.'

The olive turtle shivered to hear his name spoken after so long and Michelangelo shifted to reach the bruises running down his arm, tugging the robe down Don's shoulders so his fingers could leave trails of cool, numbing gel.

'It'll be ok, you know. I was just like you. I kept waiting for something bad to happen that would prove this was all some sick mind game … after a while I was terrified I'd wake up and find the whole thing was just a dream.'

Don saw the shadows flicker behind blue eyes. 'How did you come to be here?' he asked quietly.

Mike switched sides with a thoughtful hum. 'Fair's fair, I guess. You shared with me, so I'll share with you.'

Something faded from the turtles blue eyes, his expression going oddly blank.

'Our village in Terra was close to the southern borders. Hun raiders came through one day and took most of us to sell in the outer rim towns. I don't know what happened to my mother or my father … but I heard things when they were dragging us away … and I can guess.'

Don shivered as blue eyes turned bleak and chilled.

'We travelled for about a week while they had their fun. Burning, raping. Eventually the cages were so full nobody could sit down anymore so they headed for the rim territories to get rid of us. I was ten when they stood me on the blocks and the owner of the local whorehouse won my ticket.'

Don felt the blood drain from his face and stared at his companion with fresh respect. Mike averted his gaze, focusing on his task.

'I survived. It wasn't easy - it wasn't livingbut I was a fast learner and I didn't want to die. I learned enough to keep me alive when others weren't so lucky. When I was fifteen everything changed … half out of it with some kind of fever. My last client beat me half to death when I couldn't get it up for him … as if any male whore could manage it when the man stunk like a privy pit and hadn't bathed in weeks. By that point I was so tolerant to Saffras not even double-doses were working anymore.'

'Saffras?' Don had never heard the term before.

Mike glanced at him. 'It's a spice. Does for us what catnip does to the Felidae Clans. Potent aphrodisiac used alot in the whorehouses - makes you get it up for just about anything and anyone with enough of it in your system … and male terrapins are worth a fair bit in the cock-houses … we have a certain reputation for stamina and size that some of the other clans lack.'

Don blanched and nodded. Mikey continued, his voice softening. 'Leo came looking for some recruits that were supposed to be training and should have known better than to think he would turn a blind eye. He found them alright and he found me as well. He made a claim on me right there and brought me back with him. I woke up in his rooms and thought I'd died and gone to heaven - except I hurt so badly it made no sense.' he gave a crooked smile.

Don felt sick. He had been lucky in his own way. It was common knowledge that most slaves didn't survive the whorehouses for more than ten years. Too much abuse and disease, not enough food and rest when it was cheaper to just buy new slaves than maintain them beyond basic survival.

Mike sat up straighter, his expression lightening and jammed the lid back on the jar.

'Leo saved me. Taught me the Clan tongue, gave me a life without pain and fear. Showed me what it means to love someone without expecting anything in return.' his blue eyes softened as he smiled, remembering. 'I've never met anyone so patient and gentle …' he said quietly then looked at Don. 'Except Raph.'

Don understood the message the smaller was trying to give him but couldn't quite bring himself to believe it. 'You … you talk like you love him.' he said softly, wanting to understand.

The terrapin met his for a long moment. 'I'd die for him.' he whispered. Don studied him in confusion but didn't doubt the fierceness that filled those blue eyes. His eyes fell to the embossed silver collar the smaller wore.

'Even though you're still a slave?'

Mike blinked and tugged at the ring around his neck. 'You mean this? This is nothing. It's a symbol, that's all. It tells others in the Clan that I'm under Leo's protection. His consort in a way. I don't have to wear it anymore, but I choose to.'

It took a moment for the words to sink in. Don stared. 'Consort? But that means you and he are -'

Mike just looked at him and Don felt a cold prickle of dread, pulling the robe back over his shoulders and pulling it tight. 'I see. And is that same service expected of me in return for all this … kindness?'

Mike frowned at Don's bitter expression, searching for the right words. 'You aren't exactly a slave anymore Don. Its complicated and Leo is going to explain it tomorrow, but nobody's going to force you to do anything.' he hesitated, taking a moment to put the lids back on the jars and store them carefully. When he turned back, his blue eyes were serious, searching for something in Don's face the olive turtle wasn't sure he could give.

'Having said that … you need to try and understand. 'Master' has a completely different meaning here than the kind you've grown up with. Raph's made a formal Claim for you which means he's taken responsibility for your wellbeing and made a commitment to try and give you a better life. Raphael's never taken this kind of interest in anyone before - he's very ... private and sometimes getting him to open up is more likely to land you a kick in the teeth, but his actions always speak louder than words. Leo might not show it but he's stunned and if Leo's stunned you can bet the rest of the clan will be too. You're going to get alot of interested parties trying to figure out what makes you special in his eyes. They'll flatter you, try to pick your brain and when they're through they'll start trying to manipulate you to their advantage. To them, getting close to you will mean getting closer to him.'

Don felt cold. 'What are you trying to say?'

Mike gave Don a pointed look. 'We're talking about the two most powerful males in the Terrapin Clans. Everyone is trying to get into their pants or looking for a way to gain some kind of special favour or influence.' he hesitated. 'They're all going to assume you're sleeping with him, so be prepared for the speculation. Sion's reaction earlier was just a small taste of the rumours already spreading about 'Lord Raphael's' new companion.'

Mike grimaced as Don paled. 'Don't freak out, ok? I told you - nobody's gonna force you to do anything - but that won't stop them flapping their gums and spreading rumours that'll make your face turn red. I'll try and get you settled before you have to deal with all of that but if something happens and you get thrown into the deep end, just remember that the politics here is very intricate. Don't trust anyone at face value and remember that the only ones you answer to are Raph and Leo. Nobody else can give you orders so don't let them think you're intimidated.

It was too much. Don put his hand to his head at the beginnings of a spearing headache and tried to process the information, both spoken and unsaid. They would assume he was Raphael's lover but he wasn't expected to be? Why would they think one if it wasn't likely to be the other?

Tiredness hit him in a solid wave and Don blinked wearily and looked from the cup back to Mike who was smiling sheepishly.

'Just a little herbal to help you sleep better.' he said.

Don protested as the smaller pulled him up, but somehow the smaller turtle had him stripped naked and tucked back into the warm depths of Raphael's bed within the space of a few moments.

'I can't sleep again - .' he tried to say.

Mike touched his forehead, gently pushing him back down onto the pillows, his eyes serious. 'Nobody expects you to anything but eat and rest for the next few days, Don. When you're stronger Raph and Leo will sit down and we'll talk about what all this means for you. For now, just try and relax. You're safe and warm. Just rest.'

Don's words were stumbling, sleep dragging heavily.

'But this is his bed … I can't - I've never …'

Mike pulled the furs up higher and said softly. 'Raphael won't hurt you, Don. Just sleep.'

Don slept.

Raph watched Mike tow the olive turtle back down the short hallway. 'Playtime' had gone better than expected and probably done more in ten minutes of messing around to give the timid slave some courage than a few hours of reassuring explanations could have achieved. You had to hand it to Mikey, he knew how to lighten the mood - but it was only day one and the blue-eyed turtle knew better than anyone that the haunted shadows behind a slave's eyes took time to fade - if they ever truly did.

Leonardo stepped out of the pool and pulled a pale blue robe around his shoulders.

'I need to talk to you.' he told his brother. It was more a command than a request.

Raph levered himself smoothly out of the water, wafts of steam lifting off his shoulders and pulled a robe over his wet skin.

'As long as there's coffee on offer.'

The Clan leader lifted a faintly insulted brow. 'Of course.'

Leonardo's rooms were on the opposite side of the bathhouse and down a short hallway connecting to his suites. Raphael followed him into a suite that was slightly larger and more elegant than his own and settled on the floor cushions as his brother moved gracefully about the room, preparing their drinks. Leo set a strong cup of steaming coffee in front of Raph and settled down to pour his own green tea from a delicately painted pot into one of the small ceramic cups he favoured. They spent a minute in relaxed silence before the elder set his cup down, his expression turning serious.

'He's in bad shape, Raph. Those bruises are layered over time and he's so weak.' The eldest looked at him, his eyes full of old anger. 'He's got the same hunted eyes Michelangelo had when he got here and from the look of him he's been a slave for a lot longer. It won't be easy getting him to trust you.'

Amber eyes darkened as they met his but the emerald turtle only nodded thoughtfully.

Leo studied the dark emotions shifting over his brothers face and sipped his tea. 'Are you sure he can't speak any clan?'

Raph considered the question before grunting softly. 'You're thinking spy?'

Leo watched him, his expression neutral. 'It wouldn't be the first time someone tried to get close to us for their own ends.'

Raph shrugged and shook his head. 'No way to know for sure but he's scared, I can smell it on him whenever I get close enough. Mikey and I talked over his head all morning and he didn't bat an eye.' The emerald terrapin slung an arm over his raised knee and sipped his coffee. 'I'll keep an eye on him, but I don't think so, Leo. You can't fake that beaten look in his eyes and his scent is just … wrong.'

Leonardo relaxed a fraction. Raph had good instincts when it came to those around him. Perhaps it was because of his own shadowed history. In any case, he let the issue lie and turned the conversation to other pressing concerns.

'Councillor Splinter was here earlier. The claim challenge has been pushed back.'

Raph looked up, his eyes narrowing. 'Why? You think they're stalling for something?'

Leo shook his head slightly, his brow furrowing.

'I'm not sure. Splinter said they've cited some internal issues that need urgent attention but I could tell he was concerned. The council gave me a date for the killing field - three weeks from now. Until then they're allowing you to keep him.'

Raph frowned suspiciously. 'Smells like trouble to me. The whole thing is beginning to feel a bit like a setup.'

Leo nodded. 'Or, more likely, a convenient opportunity for them. We need to be careful, Raph. Something isn't right, I can sense it.'

Raphael sprawled on the other side of the table and shrugged. 'Not much we can do about it until the fight, bro. Today, next week. Makes no difference. They'll find someone they think can take me and I'll wipe the floor with their face. Shell, maybe I'll get lucky and Saki himself will come out to play.'

Leo's eyes narrowed. 'Don't even think it. He'd snap you in half Raph and you know it.'

Raphael glowered but didn't deny it and Leo relaxed slightly. 'Besides, the day Saki stops hiding behind his cronies and picks up a sword, he's mine.'

Saki had voted pro-slave in the Great Council Meeting years ago - a pivotal vote that had divided the Clans and created a tense standoff between those who wanted to abolish slavery and those who had no desire to change from the old ways. He'd then severed most ties with the allied territories and begun expanding his borders into areas that his people had no business claiming. As a result, the Human Clans currently dominated the southern lands which bordered numerous Territories, including Terra. While the Terrapin Clans still held strong against him, no territory was immune to the vicious raids carried out by Hun and his criminal following. Saki either ignored or deflected Council demands that he deal with the rogue raiders and everyone knew why. Officially Hun was a menace. Unofficially Hun kept him supplied with slaves and put money in his treasury. Occasionally the Clan Leader supplied a token force to 'assist' efforts to bring Hun to justice … but everyone knew it was just to appease the Council. Nobody was strong enough to challenge him yet ... but he wasn't strong enough to take on the entire allied Clans should the Council be roused to anger. Relations where strained at best.

Directly East of Terra were the Felidae territories, a cat people who had been trying to remain neutral in the slave debates without rousing the anger of the clans or attracting Saki's attention. It was a balancing act destined to fail.

The emerald turtle grunted in sour acknowledgement of Leo's claim and then took the scroll the elder passed him.

'What's this?' he asked.

'A report from the south east border. There's been some trouble down there. Sightings of humans that always seem to occur once our patrols have passed by. Some of the smaller villages are getting nervous, they think they're being scouted.'

Raph scanned the document. 'I'm not surprised. Damn raiders are pushing harder and further into the border every year.' He looked up, anger burning in his eyes, crumpling the document in his fist.

'We gotta do something about this, Leo. Every year those bastards tear off another strip and Saki chews up what's left. You're gonna have to give me some men and let me clean out the border hills eventually. Patrols aren't enough anymore - not when they're watching us, figuring out how to get between the defences.'

The elder closed his eyes, gritting his jaw against the cold rage that began to rise when he thought about what was happening to the people under his protection. Anger and frustration scented the room with a charged, bitter tang. Raphael watched him with dangerous golden eyes, his brother's raw emotions lending a darker strength to the stormy tension. Between the two of them it was easy to get drunk on rage, far too easy to let Alpha instincts reign until violence hovered a breath away from release. It was simply part of what they were … primal natures and fierce territorial instincts reigned in by training and the upbringing that helped guide those desires into something protective, if no less volatile.

Leo breathed deeply, pushing the air down into his center, counting slowly and then exhaling more calmly. Beside him Raphael did the same with a faint growl of frustration. The elder focused on smoothing and re-rolling the crushed scroll until his nose told him they both had their tempers once more leashed and under control - an act of will which always took Raphael longer to achieve than himself. They continued as if the temper spike had not occurred.

'Two Felidae Clan envoys arrived this morning requesting an audience at the Clan meeting next week. If I can solidify the treaty with them it will strengthen our position and we'll have permission to ride into the border hills and clear out whatever raiders have set up base up there. We'll need their help if we want to retake the area and keep it.' he said calmly.

Raphael nodded thoughtfully but his doubts were valid. 'You really think they're gonna sign the Bondage Agreements? They've been neutral for the last three years - what makes you think they'll change their minds? If they won't agree we can't exactly ally with em, bro. Even if they're not sellin' they'd at least be buying.'

Leonardo nodded. 'I'm hoping they're starting to change their minds. Some of the reports I've received indicate that remaining neutral hasn't protected them. They've lost some of their outer villages in the last ten months. Not many, but probably enough to give them a taste of what we're experiencing on this side. If that doesn't motivate them to change their stance then nothing will. With any luck they're here to discuss the subject and I won't have to bring it up. I'd appreciate your support when I speak with them.'

Raphael nodded. 'Of course.'

Leo paused thoughtfully. 'Bring him with you.' It was clear who he meant by 'he'.

Raph shot his brother a dark look. 'You don't think its a bit soon for social events?'

Leonardo stood smoothly and turned to hang his robe on a hook. 'It is. You know I wouldn't normally ask but I think his presence would have an impact and this is important. I could talk for hours but a visual reminder of what slaves endure after they're taken will communicate more than mere words to leaders who've never seen the results firsthand.'

He turned as he slid powerful legs into the comfortable plain hakama he favoured.

Raphael watched him thoughtfully, his eyes following the eldest's body as he slipped a deep blue kimono over a plain white undershirt, tying them neatly. Finally he nodded.

'I'll bring him, but if he starts to freak out I'll get Mikey to bring him back. I don't want to scare him so soon.'

Leonardo looked at him. 'Just an appearance would be enough.'

Raphael nodded grudgingly, unable to deny it was a good idea.

Michelangelo chose that moment to slide the door open. The smaller walked straight to Leo who raised his arm as the leaf-green terrapin wormed beneath it, hugging into his plastron. The two brothers glanced at each other before the blue-eyed turtle gave up his grip on Leo and flung himself down at the low table next to Raph.

'Well, he wasn't a pleasure slave.' he told them looking slightly defeated.

'I could have told you that.' Raph said with a snort. 'Tenses up whenever I get too close.'

Mike shot him an unimpressed look. 'Like that means anything. Everyonetenses up when you get too close.'

The emerald turtle scowled but let the jab go. 'So did he tell you anything else?'

Mike shrugged. 'About what you can expect, which isn't much. I had to pull out all the stops just to get his name and who knows if it's his real one or not. At least its better than what they used to call him.'

Beside them Raphael tensed. 'Which was?' he demanded.

The smaller pursed his lips. 'I'm not telling because it'll just piss you off.'

Raphael bristled and Leo shot him a warning look, returning to sit beside Mikey.

'Fine. What do we call him then?' he asked impatiently, trying not to growl.

'Don.' Mike told him, nuzzling his snout against Leo's shoulder gently.

Leonardo considered it. 'It sounds like a fragment to me. Probably just a partial of his full name.'

Raphael was watching Mikey, his gaze dark. Both of them could now clearly smell the faint distress woven through the smaller's scent, an anxious sadness that provoked every protective feeling the two brothers had. The emerald turtle glanced at his brother who shook his head imperceptibly. Clearly, speaking with Don had stirred alot of unpleasant memories for the small terrapin.

'Can't expect him to pour his heart out on the first day.' Raph said gruffly. 'I'll see you two later.' He stood and turned to leave and give the two some privacy, but his brother's soft voice made him pause at the door.

'Take that patrol and check out the report, Raph. Just recon, no fighting.' The tone brooked no argument.

Raph grunted. 'That'll take me at least a week. Don's too weak to make a trip that rough.'

Leo nodded, his arms enfolding Michelangelo until the smaller was cradled against his chest, snout pressed into the crook of the Alpha's neck where he could breathe Leo's comforting musk and feel the warm beat of his lover's strong heart against his face.

'He's scared and he needs time to heal without fretting.' Leo said quietly. 'Leave him here and Mikey can keep an eye on him while you're gone. Be back in time for the Clan meeting.'

Raphael nodded, his gaze flicking over Mikey sadly and left on silent feet.