Other than his size the rider was nondescript, swathed in ragged, dusty black, a deep hood pulled low and dark. A dozen sets of eyes measured his arrival with calculated greed and then turned aside, losing interest. It was a well balanced disguise, with enough weapons strapped in plain sight to deter a casual robbery and not enough wealth on display to make a larger effort worth their while. Exactly how he wanted it. Raphael wove his horse between the rows of drab market stalls and melted into the ragged crowd.

Five years ago there'd been nothing but rocky scrub here and a few scrawny old goats. Something less than a town but more than a village had risen out of the dust, scraped together in the territorial limbo between Terran, Felidan and Sapien lands. Freeways they'd dubbed it. Raph found it damned depressing. These people weren't free … just pretending to be. He scanned the crowd as he moved. The majority were feline but there were frequent glimpses of broad shells and green skins. Runaways perhaps, or exiles. There was also a smaller human presence, their strange blunt faces easy to pick out amongst the crowd.

The further he went the more obvious it became just how many northern clans were here as well - bears, rabbits, even a few thin foxes and furtive, scrawny rats. He caught glimpses of slave tats and brothel brands, battle scars and hollow eyes. Escaped slaves from Saki's lands, gathered from across the known world. Poor bastards. They'd done well to get through the mountains alive but life in Freeways wouldn't be a massive improvement for most of them, and most had nowhere else to go. He made a mental note to inform the Clan Council clans just how many of their people were sheltering here. It was the least he could do. Raph kept moving, heading for a labyrinth of back alleys and vanishing into the dank shadows between hunched houses.

Spike snorted unhappily and tossed his mane as they picked a path through the filth. Raph agreed, with a grimace of disgust. Here the gutters were simple shallow trenches scraped into the hard dirt. Crap, urine and random trash crusted here and there, festering in the humidity. Between the stench and the risk of cutthroats they moved quickly. More than one ragged local came to an abrupt halt at the sight of him and chose to detour down a side alley rather than risk a confrontation, which suited him just fine. As much as he enjoyed a good fight, Leo and Mike would need him back home soon.

Gangs of ragged kids scattered as he passed by, pausing simple games with sticks and rocks to find a safe distance. Grubby, thin faces and wild eyes watched him suspiciously. He passed without comment, trying not to notice how threadbare their clothes were, the bruises on small faces. His fists tightened over leather reins. Leo insisted that he couldn't save the world but it shouldn't be this way. These kids deserved so much better. Raph still remembered what it was like to play in the gutters amongst the trash.

No matter how far he'd risen, he knew he'd never forget.

Distracted and brooding, it was some time before he sensed the shadow at his back. He pulled up abruptly, ignoring Spike's aggravated snort. For a long moment he sat still and tense. Finally he relaxed with a muttered curse and turned his head to one side.

'Get your ass down here before I come up there and kick it,' he growled. For a few moments nothing moved and then a dark figure appeared at the edge of the building, hesitating briefly before leaping down to kneel in the dirt. The ninja pressed a fist to the flat of his open hand, held over the heart in formal salute.

'Paxiron,' Raph acknowledged with a sinking feeling. 'Cut that out, this ain't the time or place,' he glanced around uneasily. 'What the hell are you doing here? You had your orders - to finish the patrol and report home with the others.' Spike stamped in agreement, gnawing at the bit.

Paxiron stood and pulled his mask down to reveal a young face no more than seventeen. Viridian green with sharp grey eyes and a stubborn snout, in standard uniform. Stealthy black leather armour over black bindings, covered with a drab cloak he'd stolen to blend better in this dull town.

'I slipped away from the others to guard your back,' the young ninja told him recklessly. 'It's not right for you to be out here alone. Protecting you is my job.'

This kid. Defying Raph with every line of his body to send him back. Raphael silently cursed Leo for insisting he take Pax into his main squad. The kid was good but far more trouble than he was worth. Still so young and sure that he knew everything, could do anything, when the truth was Pax still had a lot to learn or he'd know by now that Raphael watched his own back, no matter how many men he rode with. He'd also know he was in deep shit.

'I don't need you out here, I need you with the others checking the border outposts,' he growled. 'So unless you've got a better reason for disobeying a direct order, turn your ass around and do as you were told. We'll talk about this when I get back.'

Paxiron looked up sharply at the flat dismissal, a calculating look in his eye.

'The others are long gone by now. Take me with you - I can help,' he insisted, adding more quietly. 'Forgive me, but won't Leo be upset? Everyone knows how much he hates it when you travel without an escort.'

Little smartass. Raph kept a careful grip on his temper. Leo was gonna be ticked, there was no getting around that and he wasn't looking forward to the ass-kicking waiting for him at home, but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle and Leo understood that out here at the edge of civilisation, one turtle could pass unnoticed where a dozen would attract unwanted attention. It was risky but Freeways harboured more than just thugs and thieves. There were sources of information here that he had no intention of sharing - which was exactly why he'd come alone.

'I don't need protecting and this ain't a negotiation. You wanna work with me I need to know you're gonna do as I say,' Raph told him, an edge in his voice that was dangerous to ignore.

Paxiron sensed his chance slipping away. The young terrapin made a low sound of frustration and stepped forward against Spike's sweaty neck urgently. 'Look, I'm sorry I disobeyed orders, but you know that all I've ever wanted was to fight by your side. Give me a chance to prove myself. Make me your right hand man and you'll never regret it,' he paused and murmured intently. 'I'm yours, Raph.'

Raphael felt his temper falter at the rough caress of his name and the invitation in that final statement. Pax eased closer, his hand brushing his leader's thigh. The emerald terrapin blinked in sudden confusion as Paxiron's scent hit him like a punch in the gut, thick with the rich musk of lust. Raph gritted his teeth against a shocked hiss as his dick tried to go rock hard within his plastron, warning bells going off somewhere distantly as pure dominant instinct roared to the surface. Pax was studying him hungrily, a promise on those slightly parted lips that he could already taste.

Mine, his body tried to tell him savagely.

Training locked his muscles in place when instinct demanded he reach down and claim what was his, push deep inside that tight young body until he squirms beneath you and chirps, squeals for more! - Goddammit! He scrambled internally for an anchor as the scent-storm triggered reflexes deep within his Alpha mind that raged to be satisfied. For a few wavering moments his control began to fragment … and then salvation came from the West - a gust of hot breeze that tore through the haze of pheromones, driving the hot stink of the alley before it. The moment ended as he drew a lungful of fetid air and felt the haze of his own need falter. Raphael gripped tight to the fragile thread of his control and told his dick to shut the hell up.

'That's what this is about? We've been over this before, kid.' He deserved a damn medal for how steady and bored he managed to sound.

Paxiron looked up at him more boldly, able to smell the effect he was having despite Raph's award-winning self control. 'I'm not a kid anymore. I know who I am and what I want.' He smiled triumphantly. 'And I know you want me too, no matter what you say.'

Raphael ignored that statement, glancing around uneasily. There were too many nooks and crannies here, too many places for eavesdroppers to hide and Saki had agents everywhere. A throbbing headache was beginning just behind his eyes and his guts were starting to churn in the afterstink of unsatisfied lust and rotting garbage.

'There's a time and a place, Pax. This ain't it. You've got your orders and I've got work to do,' he growled hoarsely, pulling back. Pax resisted, his smile gone as his fingers gripped the coarse mane. Spike gave an angry squeal at the opposing forces and stood stiff legged as the two faced off. Raphael tensed and felt the first stirring of true anger.

'Tell me why,' Pax demanded. 'I've worked my ass off every day to be worthy of your personal squad. I could have joined the elites but I stayed to fight for Terra by your side. What else do I have to do for you to take me seriously?' the young warrior insisted, his voice beginning to rise with passionate frustration.

Enough. He had to deal with this now before it got more out of hand. Raphael dismounted in a hurry and shoved the young ninja back into the shadows of the overhanging rooftops. 'Keep your voice down!' he snapped. Pax subsided angrily and Raph tried to reign in his temper. This wasn't going to go away as easily as he'd hoped.

'You've done well,' he agreed. 'But you're also just a kid.'

Grey eyes flashed. 'I haven't been a kid since the day my parents were slaughtered in front of me.' Pax snapped fiercely.

Raph grit his teeth. Damned if the brat didn't remind him of himself more than he liked to admit. 'You've been through a hell of alot. More than anyone should ever have to deal with,' he acknowledged darkly. 'But you're only seventeen and even if I was the kind to take advantage of you, which I'm not,' he ground out. 'You're smart enough to realise that your father's position would make it impossible.'

Pax's fierce eyes turned dark and bitter. 'You mean my adopted father,' he bit off unhappily. 'You can't blame me for his political views when I have no say in any of the family matters -.'

'Enough,' Raph growled and Pax cut off. The young ninja was breathing hard, his clenched fists trembling. This was better. Raph managed to relax a little as his head began to clear and his body eased. Anger was easier to deal with, smothering the earlier promise of sex with the acrid bite of aggression. The Alpha could ignore his aching dick as long as he stayed downwind of the strange intensity in Pax's scent.

'Course I don't blame you, but it doesn't change anything and you know it,' Raph told him more calmly. 'Your father's always looking for a way to shame my brother. I'm not about to hand him a reason by touching his heir.'

Paxiron stared at the ground, fists clenched, hurt, anger and frustration warring for dominance on his face. It wasn't a good mix. Raphael sighed roughly. If things were different he'd have been flattered and maybe even tempted, but what Pax had in mind was a bad idea for more reasons than he could count.

'Look ... Pax,' he growled softly. 'First off, I got responsibilities, it ain't as simple as you think it is. Second of all, I don't know what kinda rumours you hear about me but I don't sleep around. It ain't personal. You're a good kid and a good ninja but this thing you want with me will never happen.'

Pax looked up, something reckless in his eyes. 'They say you have dozens of partners, that it's someone different every night,' he dared wildly, trying to move in closer and kiss his leader.

Raphael grabbed a handful of uniform and shoved the young terrapin back again in disbelief. 'They say a lot of things, you really stupid enough to believe em all?' he grated harshly. 'This ends now.'

Pax glared at him in humiliation, anger twisting his mouth into a bitter sneer. 'So that's why you brought that skinny slave back from the last battle? They're all saying it you know - that the Hamato's are hypocrites, preaching about slavery while Leo fucks that bondage whore and now you're no different -'

Raphael Hamato's temper was legendary but even Pax was unprepared for the reality of pushing his leader too far. The emerald turtle was on him in an instant. They crashed up against the side of a shale house with enough force to dent the structure and dislodge a cascade of stones. Dust billowed around them as they skidded in the debris but Pax could only hold on as two great fists pinned him to the wall and blazing golden eyes filled his vision.

'That's what you think, huh? That I'd turn a slave into my own personal fuck toy?!' he snarled viciously. 'I don't touch victims of abuse you little shit and neither does my brother. Mikey's past is none of your fucking business and if you say one more word about Leo you'll be eatin' through a straw the rest of your short life.'

Pax wheezed in panic but the emerald turtle wasn't finished, his voice dropping to a deadly growl.

'I don't fuck around with my men. Orpunk kids who who can't think past the end of their dicks.' Pax strained against him, choking desperately.

For long moments Raphael fought the desire to wait until the little brat squeaked and turned blue ... but the haze of rage gradually receded and he released the smaller terrapin in disgust. Pax sagged awkwardly into the debris, realisation and a dawning panic in his grey eyes at the staggering depth of his miscalculation. He scrambled unsteadily to his feet as Raph turned away.

'Raph, please - I'm sorry! I didn't mean - I was angry but I don't actually think that -,' he wheezed in distress, groping for a way to make it right even though it was far too late. Raph ignored him, still too enraged to trust himself and put some careful distance between them, remounting sharply.

'Get out of my sight,' Raph told him darkly. 'If I have to tell you again, it'll be the last order I ever give you.'

Pax nodded, stricken. Within moments he'd scaled the nearest building and was gone.

Raph waited until he knew he was truly alone, his hands clenched on the reins in a white-knuckled death-grip. Leo's exercises came unbidden and he drew a deep, slow breath trying to calm the Alpha within. Pax's comments were probably something he'd heard his father say rather than something he'd come up with on his own but it stung anyway. They either hated him or wanted to fuck him, sometimes both, but none of it meant anything, it was only ever a way of tasting power or getting closer to Leo who had the same issues on a larger scale.

He was tired of the games, all the hidden agendas and the limp-dicks who couldn't handle it when he said no, spreading rumours that only made everything worse. And Don - Leo had warned him this would happen, that the assumptions and rumours would spread quickly, but the reality enraged him. That they actually thought him so low, he'd save someone just for a screw. He clenched his fists again and breathed through the desire to destroy something, feeling sick to his stomach. Little Don, beaten and so starved he'd trembled at the mere sight of food. Damn Leo and his stupid exercises, they weren't nearly enough to calm him down after that bullshit. In explosive rage he turned and smashed his fist through the wall of the closest hovel, gratified and disgusted as the fragile wall shuddered and collapsed into mounds of stone. Spike shied away as dust and pebbles flew.

It didn't help and his bleeding knuckles just made him feel childish. With a snarl Raph booted Spike away from the scene before people came to investigate the damaged structures. It had been a while since someone had the stones to give him a look that hungry let alone an outright proposition. The worst part was he couldn't deny the strength of his own reaction - it had been on the edge of his ability to resist and that had never happened before. It wasn't right and there was a familiar quality to it that gave him a bad feeling. Sometimes young males gave off powerful signals for sex as they went through their first few seasons and Raph had sensed Pax's musky interest every now and then - but he'd made it a point not to offer any false hope. It would never happen. Paxiron was older than his years but Raph still remembered the day they'd met, one child among the few ragged survivors on a day of savagery and rescue come far too late. He'd always tried to keep an eye out for the kid but this had changed things. He scowled, shifting uncomfortably in the saddle.

Something to deal with when he got back, before it got anymore out of control.

Leo was a jealous brother in more ways than one.

Raph pulled up at a larger building more sturdy than the others. His knock was met with an unfriendly eye as the door cracked open a few inches.

'Yeah?' The eye demanded.

Raph gave it a look of equal hostility. 'I'm here to see Jones.'

The eye blinked suspiciously.

'Whose askin'?'

Raph gave him a feral smile laced with black humour.

'An old friend.'

Don was happy, for the first time in a couple of days they were sitting together in the open living area that connected Raphael and Leo's suites. Don liked it most out of all the rooms he'd seen, in part because it was strangely the least fancy part of the entire castle, furnished more for relaxation than any unnecessary pomp. The cushions were colourful but somewhat faded and comfy, and the large, low table was even starting to look a little battered. The best part was the view, great carved windows with solid shutters opening out over the entire valley. Rain made the scene hazy, a drizzle that had begun two days ago and seemed to be increasing in strength. It was peaceful. Up away from the bustle and prying eyes of the courtiers, servants and samurai. Not even the guards or servants were allowed on this level without express permission and that meant Leo could let his guard down, or at least as much as Don figured the young leader ever seemed to.

Mike had been giving Don a lesson in Terran lore. Spread across the table before them was a chaotic mass of parchments. Some were maps, others contained information about each of The Thirteen Families - the most influential terrapin clans in Terra. Or as Mike liked to call them, The Thirteen Headaches. At first the sheer volume of everything he needed to learn was overwhelming but as time passed Don found himself enjoying the process. Each piece of information had its own significance and slotted neatly into his memory, easily recalled and integrated into the informational map of Terra gradually taking shape in his mind. Part of him was getting a little impatient with Mike's simple memory drills which clearly bored his blue-eyed friend to tears.

'Okay, run through what you remember of the Thirteen,' Mike suggested, smothering a yawn and gathering the papers into a bundle.

Don quickly organised his thoughts into a logical sequence. He began by listing the families by the strength of their allegiance to Leonardo's position, describing the chief family members, their heirs, the associated clan crest, main estate locations and main affiliations with the other families, going through each one as efficiently as possible. Mike only grew more agitated as Don talked. His brow gradually crawled up his forehead into a sharp pyramid until his expression was almost painful to look at.

'Did I make a mistake?' Don asked when he was done. He ran through it again in his head, fairly sure it was all in order. Mike's brows crashed into a peeved stare of long-suffering forbearance.

'A mistake? Are you kidding me?' the blue eyed turtle demanded, mashing a cheek on his fist as he leaned against the table and threw out his free hand expansively. 'When did I give you this stuff, Donnie?' he asked pointedly.

Don frowned. The answer was obvious. 'Yesterday morning.'

Mike slapped his hand down on the papers hard enough to make Don jump. Leo looked up with a raised eyebrow. 'Don, do you know how long it took me to learn this?' he demanded sourly. 'Weeks! Months even! Endless hours of tedious boredom. It was torture! It almost killed me! You seriously memorised all this in two days?! What. The. Fu - '

'Mikey,' Leo interrupted sharply.

Michelangelo made another face but Don sat very still, thinking quickly. This was new. It had never occurred to him that he might stand out in some way. There had never been a chance to compare himself to anyone else until now.

Mike was giving Leo a sheepish grin as the latter gave him a subtle frown of displeasure.

'Have I done something wrong?' Don asked apprehensively.

Leonardo gave Don his full attention. 'You're learning fast. Very fast. It's a good thing Don, just not ... usual.'

Don wasn't certain he found the implications positive. 'You make it sound like I'm different somehow.'

'Different doesn't necessarily mean bad,' Leo replied, glancing at his lover. 'Mikey would have learned it all a lot faster if he didn't keep sneaking off to hang out with Raph all the time and get into trouble.'

'Trouble?! Me? How rude.' Mike sniffed and folded his arms with false dignity.

Leo's eyes narrowed slightly. 'As I recall, the two of you almost caused a riot at that wrestling bar in town and came home so drunk you couldn't get up the stairs. The temple priests found you snoring inside the Urn of Sacred Dawn the next day, though how you got in there is beyond me since Raph swears he didn't do it.'

Michelangelo's face lit up with nostalgic delight and not a hint of shame. 'Now that was an amazing night.'

Leo's eyes narrowed further. 'I thought you didn't remember any of it?'

Mike tapped his chin thoughtfully. 'I'm a little hazy on the details but Raph said it was awesome and I believe him.' He smiled impudently.

'Not for the servant who had to clean the urn, Mikey,' Leo told him dryly. The leader winced. 'I still get looks from High Priest Ikoru whenever I go in there.'

'Oh come on, that thing needed cleaning years before I threw up in there,' Mike insisted. 'Unless they considered five inches of dust and someone's old shoe to be sacred it was about time they had an excuse to do it properly.' Mike grinned at Leo's low sound of forbearance and leaned over to whisper conspiratorially in Don's ear. 'He's just jealous he wasn't there.'

Leo turned back to his scrolls with a dignified clearing of his throat but they both distinctly heard him mutter under his breath. 'Who wouldn't be?'

Mike gave Don a look that said I told you so and Don had to smother a smile behind his hand. Leo and Mike's relationship was something complex, with layers of subtlety that Don knew he didn't yet completely understand, but when they got together like this sometimes Don started to forget just who they were. Like that day in the baths when a battered slave had forgotten himself and romped with kings, or something close to it. Don gave a shy smile as Mike grinned at him.

'Take Don down to the archives later. Tell them I give him permission to read whatever he wants,' Leo added without looking up. 'I have a feeling he'll find what he needs down there.'

Mike glanced at Don. 'Good idea. There's some stuff down there that might help you learn Terran,' he mused.

Don felt a surge of heady excitement. The thought of exploring that huge room and the vast expanse of knowledge there made his heart race giddily. He thirsted to know more, but more of what he couldn't say exactly. Just as much as he could, about everything. The way he'd been learning was like a trickle of water, when what he wanted was a river to slake his burning thirst. He looked down at his hands, curling them into loose fists. The power to find his own answers was tantalising.

A soft comment from the guard below made them all look up. Leo stood to receive a dark figure who walked up the stairs and pulled his mask down as he was signaled into the leaders presence. Don stared. He was dressed like no other guard he'd seen, completely in black, gleaming leather armour guards on both arms and legs, secured over dark wrappings rather than pants. A wide leather belt fixed with numerous pouches spanned his waist, twin swords secured tightly to the back of his shell. He moved deliberately, each step somehow precise and smooth. It reminded him of how Leo moved but somehow this was intimidating rather than graceful. Don shivered a little, remembering. He had seen them on the battlefield through the haze of his shock. Murderous nightmares come alive in glimpses of shadow, steel and blood. Ninja. But this one was so young, still just a teenager. He stared, fascinated.

'Master.' The young ninja saluted from one knee looking nervous and unhappy.

'Paxiron. I take it this means my brother will be arriving shortly?' Leo asked neutrally.

The ninja winced, his gaze on the floor. 'We patrolled close to the south eastern border and left Lord Raphael there alone on his orders. He crossed into Freeways and disappeared into the warrens. Our patrol continued on as he instructed, encountered no trouble and got back a few minutes ago. I don't know when he intends to return.'

Leo was silent but they all sensed the rising tension.

Paxiron tried to explain. 'I tried to follow but he sensed my presence and ordered me to rejoin the others,' he hesitated, obviously struggling for words. 'I-I made a mistake. I disobeyed direct orders. He was very angry with me.'

'I see.' Just two words, yet for Paxiron's reaction they could have been blows. His head bowed, his hands clenching into fists against the floor.

'Forgive me. You asked me to watch his back and I failed you,' he said roughly.

For long moments they all sat in silence, waiting to see what Leo would do or say. Don wondered what the mistake could have been but Leonardo did not question it. Don watched Paxiron sweating beneath the weight of Leo's gaze and was thankful he'd never had to do the same. When the Clan Leader did speak his voice was edged with a subtle warning.

'We all make mistakes, Pax. Learn from them quickly, I'd rather not lose you to foolishness. Or my brother's temper.' He waved a hand dismissively as Pax wilted in relief. 'Your father was here earlier. I believe he's waiting for you at the Dancing Dragon. Get some rest.'

Paxiron bowed at the dismissal. As he straightened his gaze connected with Don's. Surprise and recognition flashed across his young face, quickly followed by a narrow-eyed glare. Then he was gone as silently as he had come, leaving Don confused, his heart thumping. He knew resentment when he saw it.

'Why does Raph do this when he knows how much it upsets you? Does he just get a kick out of watching you lose your temper?' Mike asked dubiously.

Leo looked back at him with grim humour. 'Sometimes I think that's exactly why he does it.'

Don looked from one to the other almost swallowing his question, but they had told him he could always ask even if he would not always get an answer. 'Forgive me, but who was that?'

Leo responded automatically, his focus turned inward and pensive.

'Paxiron Takashiru. Seventeen years old and heir to the Takashiru Clan fortune.'

Don frowned. 'But the Takashiru's have no heir. The file says they lost their only son when he was three.'

Leo glanced at him in surprise and approval. 'You're right. The child died from the Shell-Flaking Disease and they've never managed to have any others. What the file should say is that Pax is his adopted child. Eight years ago there was a raid on one of our western villages by slavers. It took three days but eventually Raph caught up with them. There were six orphaned kids amongst the prisoners and Paxiron was among them - his parents were killed in the fighting and he had no other relatives, so when the Takashiru's offered to bring him into their family we gave our approval. In his eyes Raph saved him from a fate worse than death - he started training as soon as we'd let him through the doors. He's an exceptional ninja, completely dedicated, even if he still screws it up sometimes,' he said wryly. 'But he's still young and underestimating my brother is never a good idea.'

'He's been crushing on Raph for years,' Mike added, sliding one of the parchments towards Don as Leonardo's jaw ticked. The symbol was a phoenix in flames gripping a sword in one claw and a calligraphy brush in the other. 'The Takashiru's are uh ... kind of a pain in the ass. If there's any trouble between the Thirteen they're generally involved in some way.'

Don considered what they'd told him but there was still no clear connection with the glare thrown his way. It made no sense … unless Mike was right about Paxiron's 'crush' which implied the boy thought Don was some kind of rival. It didn't seem logical since he'd barely spent more than a few scant hours in Raphael's company, but then that was more than most got with one of the most powerful terrapin in the realm and the speculation would only get worse when his benefactor returned. It was bound to cause problems, they'd warned him as much. Aside from that, the exchange had offered more immediately relevant information. Raphael hadn't yet returned and that meant there was still time. A nervous lump that had been churning in his stomach all day began to ease.

'Does he do this often? Traveling without guards?' he asked.

Mike glanced at Leo who was looking out the windows at the rain that had grown heavier as they'd been speaking.

'Often enough to make us worry, but he'll be okay. He's used to looking out for himself.' But Mike's smile seemed a little forced.

Leo turned away from the rain and even Don could see that he was frustrated. It was the first real crack he'd seen in Leo's composure. 'It's difficult to infiltrate human lands but we can't afford to be blind to their movements. Raph has agents in the south that trust nobody but him. We pay them well to keep an eye on our enemies. Having said that, he's not supposed to just disappear.' He let the reports in his hand fall to the table with a slap. 'But if I had a gold coin for every time he's done something he's not supposed to, I could probably buy Terra five times over.' He paused, visibly calming himself. 'Still. If he received word that one of his contacts wanted to meet, there wasn't much choice. Their leader Oroku Saki has a personal interest in exterminating us. If he gets the opportunity, he'll strike. We can't afford to give him that opportunity.'

Don pulled his kimono tighter around himself, unable to doubt the truth from Leonardo's lips. 'What's stopping him?'

Mike pointed out the window towards the mountain range. 'There aren't many safe passes big enough to fit an army through those ranges and those are protected by fortifications which would churn an army into little pieces. Unfortunately, Felidae aren't as efficient at protecting their borders. Sometimes raiders sneak through on the cat's side. Raph's patrols keep them from gaining a foothold in our own territory, but without the cooperation of the cats it's impossible to stop them getting through the border sometimes.' He said soberly.

'So, Terra is relatively safe as long as this Oroku Saki can't bring any reasonable sized force through the mountains?' Don asked for clarification.

Mike nodded and then glanced at Leo. The leader studied Don for a long moment and then nodded at his lover as if giving permission. Mike cleared his throat and continued with an overbright joviality. 'Well, as long as Felidae doesn't ally with the humans and just let them through the mountains on their side. And of course they might not be able to bring soldiers through our mountain passes en masse, but he's pretty good at getting his ninja through. So you know, there's always the ever-present risk of poisoning, evisceration, stabbing, strangling, throat slitting and my personal favourite, decapitation by murderous assassins. Those kinds of attacks are a little bit harder to see coming but you get used to sleeping light and in no time at all we'll have you trained up and it won't be such a big deal anymore. Nope. Ninja assassins … piece of cake.' Mike came to a limping finish at the aghast look on Don's face and Leo's incredulous glare.

'Mikey! Was that really necessary?' Leo demanded.

Mike shrugged, looking unrepentant. 'Face it Leo, he has to know what he's getting himself into. Sugar coating it isn't going to help and this is still better than how I found out.' Leonardo drew back, something nakedly painful flashing across his face.

'You've been spending far too much time with Raph,' the leader told him unhappily.

Mike bounced to his feet and marched over to his lover. 'Some things aren't worth finding out the hard way, Leo. I'm sure Donnie appreciates that you want to protect him, but he needs to make a decision, and he can't do that if you're all 'Let's give him the kiddy version so he doesn't freak out!',' he ranted, blue eyes flashing with rare temper. 'It's not the kind of news that improves with age. At least he won't be walking around in lala land thinking everything is rainbows and bean buns until the truth comes at him with a knife!' Don blinked at the exchange, quietly wishing he could sink into the floor. Clearly there was some previous history here that was still a sore point between them.

Leo glanced at the confused and embarrassed witness to their tiff and swallowed the frustrated growl in the back of his throat. Mike was still glaring at him, his blue eyes bright and defiant and sexy. He turned away instead, working through his emotions. Mike's ability to shelve their social stations and stand up to him was one of the qualities he valued most. There were enough sycophants in his life, and when Raph wasn't around to deal out raw, unadulterated truth, he needed his lover to challenge him. The two of them kept him grounded, kept him sane. And so as frustrating as it could sometimes be … Leo was grateful for it. Mike was right. They'd been through this once before and not-knowing had caused far more harm than good.

'You know I'm right,' Mike told the Alpha's shell, folding his arms stubbornly. 'Two hundred yen says Raph tries to tell him within the first week back anyway. You know how he feels about the price on your heads.'

Leo sighed at the undeniable logic of that and turned back. 'That's not a bet I'm prepared to take since you're probably right,' he admitted more calmly.

Don blinked as the tension completely evaporated at that admission, the mischief back in bright blue eyes. Mike was like that. Don wondered if he was even capable of holding a grudge.

'I'm always right. Or mostly right. Which is why you keep me around, after all. Well that and my stunning charisma.' He quipped smartly.

But when he looked at Don the smile was gone, replaced by something that turned his blue eyes dark and stormy. For a first time since meeting him, Michelangelo was deadly serious and his eyes seemed to beg Donatello to really consider what they were telling him.

Don thought he understood. Leo didn't want to scare him so soon, but Mike didn't want him to fall in love with this place without understanding what he was really choosing.

This was no game.

Assassins had come in the past and would come again. Don realised that even now, just sitting here, there was risk. How did they do it every day? Never knowing if danger was just around the corner or waiting to find them in their sleep?

'Better to know, right Donnie?' Mike prompted softly.

Don nodded slowly, his mind racing. Knowing the truth wasn't fun, but it was better than walking around ignorant when an attack could happen at any time. Despite the danger, Leo and Mike didn't seem to live in fear. They were aware of it and prepared to defend themselves ... and life went on. He found himself flooded with admiration for everything they faced with so much courage. Especially Mikey who had chosen this life at Leo's side when that made him one of the biggest targets of all.

Don picked up the parchment pertaining to the Human lands. The Oroku Clan went back almost as far as the Hamatos. Notes on the side of the page indicated it was they who had begun to traffic in people, pushing the slave trade far and wide. The information in his hands blurred slightly and he blinked hard. The Oroku Clan had taken so much from him, but at least now he had hope. How many others would never be as lucky as Don and would live out their hopeless, miserable days in chains beneath a whip? Something dark and powerful stirred in his chest.

The slave trade was a disease. A sickness Leo and his family had been doing their best to stamp out. Don was beginning to appreciate why Mikey had made his choice despite the risks. Don's life had been meaningless. Now he had not just a future, but a chance to be part of something greater if he was willing to face the danger. Looking over his shoulder was something he was already used to, and this … this right now with Leo and Mike was worth more than anything he'd ever had. It was the closest thing to a sense of family he'd ever felt and if that wasn't worth fighting for, what was? Now that he had something so precious within reach, nothing was going to take it from him, not fear and not threats. If they could face each day with the courage to keep fighting for a better world, then so could he.

Don put the parchment down with careful deliberation as Leo knelt before him.

'If there is a decision to be made, the question needs to be asked. You know enough to make a choice now Don, and maybe it's better you make it before Raphael returns,' the Clan Leader asked him formally. 'What do you want, Donatello? To stay with us and learn to fight? Or find a new home where you can live freely and without fear? After everything you've been through there's no shame in choosing a quiet life.'

If Leonardo's expression was carefully neutral, Mike's was a saucer-eyed vision of pleading innocence that almost had Don blinking back gratified tears. He took a steadying breath.

There was no decision to make. Not really.

Raphael would return eventually and before that he had work to do.

A relieved grin lit up Mike's face at the dawning determination in Don's eyes.

'What do I want? I want … lunch. Then I want to see the archives.' He smiled and Mikey's wild whoop of victory echoed halfway down the mountainside.

The Dancing Dragon was an Inn frequently used by the upper classes in Terra. Pax knew it well enough not to bother with the front door. He simply leapt over the rooftops and slipped in through the window of the suite his family always rented when they were in town. A severe middle-aged Terran was waiting for him, hands clasped patiently within the sleeves of his ornate kimono. Kiyoshi, the patriarch of the Takashiru Clan. He had the kind of face only a mother could love, mottled with the scaly scars of one who has survived the shell-flaking disease. The old turtle was larger than most alphas could boast, his shell huge and ridged with rows of uneven bumps and points that only added to his aura of power. Pax had never met someone whose appearance so closely matched his personality before.

'And so?'

Pax pulled a half-empty vial of cloudy white liquid from his belt pouch and placed it on the table between them with a sharp bang. 'I failed. This stuff didn't work like you said it would.'

'Explain.' Kiyoshi rumbled, watching him with those unblinking black eyes.

Pax stripped off his gloves in frustration. 'You said it would affect him more than me, but after I splashed it on I couldn't think straight. All it did was make me act like a complete idiot. I'll be lucky if he ever talks to me again.' The thought made his chest clench in pain.

'Interesting. We did not take your sexual naivety into account. Perhaps that was an oversight on my part. I imagine the next few hours were somewhat uncomfortable for you.' Kiyoshi gave him a reptilian smile, coldly amused. Pax glared back. He didn't need a reminder of the humiliating hours he'd spent sweating in abject misery, wondering if his dick was going to fall off or if he'd die from the pain first.

'Still, a scent-based version of this drug would be a powerful weapon. Did it have any effect on him at all? Is it worth trying again in this form?' Kiyoshi demanded thoughtfully.

Pax shook his head in agitation. 'For a moment I thought maybe - but between the wind and everything else he resisted the effects. The setting wasn't exactly perfect but I don't think this stuff is as powerful as you say it is. Not powerful enough to work on him, anyway.'

'The setting? I get the feeling you aren't taking this seriously yourself, Paxiron. Trust me, had it worked the effect on him would have been spectacular to witness. You haven't seen suffering until you've seen an Alpha overdose on Saffras. But then you knew it would hurt him, didn't you. I'm not convinced you didn't screw this up out of some misguided attempt to protect your little crush.'

Pax shot him a glare. 'I told you I tried. You think it was easy getting close enough to test it? Even then, he got a face full and barely bat an eye. Why don't you test it out and see how far you get with him if you're so sure it works.'

It was then the angry crackle of Kiyoshi's temper began to roll through the room, an acrid taste that had Pax swallowing reflexively. 'Don't get smart with me, boy. I gave you your name and I can just as easily take it away,' the patriarch growled ominously.

For long moments they stood in silence, Pax staring at the tatami as Kiyoshi's gaze bored into the side of his head.

'I've - I've been thinking,' Pax finally said, his voice thick. 'I know you've got these big plans for the family ... but Raph hasn't done anything wrong and when I think about it - Leo hasn't either. They're good people. They care about everyone, not like other Clan Leaders you hear about in the history books who cared more about money and land. I don't understand why you hate them so much.'

Kiyoshi's eyes glittered. 'Hate? It's nothing so personal, boy. It is simply the way the game of power is played. If my plans are to go smoothly I need them both out of the way, one way or the other. Leonardo is strong but without his brother he'll be weakened and the throne will be free for the taking. I've done enough scraping and bowing to the Hamatos for one lifetime. I've paid my dues. I've earned my time in the sun and if you want to stay my heir with all the privilege that entails, you're going to help me.'

'I don't - I don't think I can do this,' Pax admitted, his eyes tortured. 'I owe him everything. I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for him. He saved my life.'

Kiyoshi's anger was a palpable force. 'And I gave you a future. I took you in. Fed you, educated you, put a sword in your hand and gave you a name and not just any name. My family has been one of the Thirteen for centuries. You were a village brat and I chose you. Not just to stand at my side but to raise us up, to put our family at the head of all others. And you have the gall to come in here sniveling like you owe him more than you owe me? Spare me your childish regurgitated notions of honour, boy,' the patriarch hissed.

'You're asking me to betray the only person I've ever loved!' Pax snarled back.

'Love? Foolishness. The most you'll get out of that one is pity. Why else do you think we're testing these drugs? For fun?' Kiyoshi chuckled scathingly. 'Even if he deigns to look at you twice, Leonardo would never allow it to go further. He guards his brother's bed as jealously as his lovers. Did you think this plan led to some kind of house on the hill? This is about leverage, boy.'

'You're wrong. Raph cares and I know he wants me, he just has too much honour to admit it. If I could just get him to stop seeing me as a kid I know it could change everything,' Pax managed defiantly, ignoring the angry tears burning in his eyes.

Kiyoshi began a slow circle of his adopted son. 'You were just up at the castle. The rumours say that olive slave he claimed is something rather special. Some say he's already paid for his freedom with that pretty flesh. Tell me, is he as beautiful as the servants claim?'

Pax burned with jealousy at that, his body vibrating with emotion. It was true that Don had something special about him. A week of good food and care had already changed him for the better - but if there was one thing he knew it was that the rumours weren't true. He still had the bruises on his throat to prove it. But his father wasn't finished with his cutting observations.

'If Raphael cares about you so much, how come he never offered to take you in as well? How come you're here with me and not there in that slaves place. Sleeping in Raphael's rooms, I'm told. In his bed. Walking the castle as if he owns it already, attended by Leonardo's whore.'

Pax flinched but couldn't deny it. For Michelangelo to take the slave on-side showed Leonardo's support and the castle servants were all abuzz at Don's occupation of Raph's room. It touched a nerve that had been sore ever since that day on the battlefield, as the rumours spread like wildfire and he could only wonder how some random turtle could be so lucky. Like he could only wish to be.

'I was never a slave. It's not the same,' he insisted, groping for the truth.

'Oh I think it's exactly the same. No boy. The likes of the Hamatos are not for you and the sooner you realise it, the stronger you'll be.' Kiyoshi turned away.

'He's not one of them, he's like me, everyone knows it,' Pax insisted, blinking back the hot prickle of tears that threatened to humiliate him further.

Kiyoshi smiled cruelly. 'Once perhaps, but Yoshi trained him well. The loyal mongrel to protect his only heir. Now he's one of them, and you're just one out of a sea of faces he's rescued over the years, which is why we need to be careful and do this the clever way. Not hold out for some teenage fantasy of happily ever after.'

The young ninja glared at him bitterly, utterly humiliated. 'Even if you're right - even if he'll never love me that way, I wanted to protect Terra, not start a fight. This isn't right!' Pax yelled, backhanding the vial off the table. It clattered across the room but did not shatter.

Kiyoshi was unperturbed. 'Right, wrong. Empires rise and fall on a tide of murder and intrigue. Who is right and who was wrong is irrelevant, all that matters is who remains standing when the dust settles. Soon enough you'll learn this. Love comes and goes. A fleeting weakness to be exploited by one's enemies. Power is the only thing worth holding onto. What you want is nothing more than a dream and it's time to grow up. If you do this right you'll be able to take what you want and nobody, not even Leonardo, will be able to stop you. Now enough of this pointless defiance. You know what you have to do.'

Pax slumped, defeated. 'It doesn't even matter. I insulted his honour - I may not even have my position anymore.'

Kiyoshi picked up the vial. 'You will. Leonardo thinks to keep an eye on me through you, which is why I've had you be so careful. Do what you can to repair things until another chance presents itself. Just keep your eyes open and your mouth shut. He doesn't have to like you, he just has to fuck you.'

Pax flinched, saying nothing, feeling heartsick and more confused than ever.

'You owe me far more than you'll ever owe him, Paxiron. Just think on that the next time you wish he'd look at you with those pretty golden eyes. He'll never willingly give you what you want. So. Get it done - even if you have to spike his drink. Sometimes the oldest tricks still work the best.'

Pax looked up in alarm. 'I thought it was too risky for an Alpha to ingest this - you said it might kill him. That's why we went to all this trouble in the first place!'

Kiyoshi pushed the vial into his hand, holding it there painfully until Pax was forced to take it. 'True, the potency is strongest when swallowed. Any Alpha would struggle against a dose this strong, but it's only truly dangerous to someone with Raphael's personal history. It's a regrettable risk and ultimately I'd prefer him alive but I'm running out of time. Our window of opportunity is limited.'

Pax stared at the vial in his hand. 'I don't want this, I don't want to hurt him,' he whispered.

Kiyoshi opened the door, looking back over one shoulder. 'Then find another solution. One way or the other we need Raphael Hamato out of the way. If he dies the problem is solved. If not we'll have the leverage we need.'

Pax looked away, clenching the vial in his trembling fist.

'And the slave? What happens if he gets in my way?'

'We may be able to use him. In the meantime keep your distance.'

'… Father.'