Hello! This is the sequel to The Servant. I was very hesitant to write this at first because I like The Servant myself, and I want a good sequel. I don't know if it'll be nearly as good though, so it took a while just to get up the courage to begin this one! Let's see how it turns out :)
Fair Warning: Because this is a sequel, there are definitely spoilers about the events of the first book. It would be kind of hard to write this without them.
CHAPTER ONE
Ever since he was young, Leo practiced daily with the sword. When he was very little, he practiced in front of his father and honored mother. When he was not so little and had been forced to forget his identity, he practiced in secret. And when he couldn't practice physically, he practiced mentally. Although he knew that type of practice was not recommended, he still considered it a valid form of practice and somehow still gained from it.
Now that he was older, he was still practicing in secret in the early hours of the morning. He didn't dare risk anyone seeing him. So, he carefully practiced indoors away from the window.
There was a knock on the door, interrupting his kata.
Quickly, using a talent for speed that he had developed over the course of his life, Leo dashed across the room. Quietly, gently, maybe even reverently, he placed the sword he had been using under the bed. A quick pull of the comforter and it was successfully hidden.
Then Leo burst back to the place he had previously been standing, calmed his heartbeat and answered with a perfectly bored tone, "Come in."
The door opened, and Raphael entered. This was a double surprise. Firstly, because Raph was definitely not a morning person, and secondly because he didn't usually knock and wait before entering.
"Alright Leo," Raph said, tapping his foot on the ground, "Hand it over."
"...Hand what over?"
"The sword." Raph rolled his eyes.
"Sword?" Leo asked, looking exactly as if he didn't know what Raph was talking about, "What s-"
"It's under the bed, isn't it?" Raph asked, moving towards the bed.
"Wha-huh? Wait, Raph, stop!"
"Ha! I knew it," Raph said, pulling out the elegant weapon, "Just wait until the King knows you've been doing it again."
"Raph, wait! He doesn't have to know..."
"Are you crazy?" Raph said, "You know how much you've been practicing lately?"
"That's because-"
"And you haven't slept at all last night, did ya?" Raph asked.
"That's-"
"You know Mikey woke me up ta tell me he saw you in his room last night again?"
"Because-"
"He said you were doing chores." Raph said, nearly spitting out the words.
"Th-that's b-because-"
"But you know what, Leo?" Raph interrupted again, "I actually got sleep last night."
Huh?
"I am feeling extremely physically fit right now." Raph continued.
Where was he going with this?
"What do you-" Leo said, but once more Raph interrupted him.
"I'm so awake and stuff right now, that if I started running all the way ta the King I'm positive ya won't be able ta catch up with me."
And before Leo could work out what he was trying to say, Raph raced out of the room-Leo's sword still firmly in hand.
"Raph!" Leo shouted, following him, "Wait! I didn't mean it! I-"
But Raph was already down the castle corridor, intent upon racing to the Throne Room.
"Raph!" Leo shouted, running down the hall. He almost crashed directly into one of the many castle servants, and with a quick apology kept going.
He followed Raphael for only a few more steps before suddenly stopping, turning around, and racing down the corridor the other way.
"High Prince Leonardo, is everything alright?" The servant asked as Leo ran past him, but he didn't answer.
The only way to beat Raph in the race to Father was to take the shortcut, so without any hesitation Leo ran into Raph's bedroom and opened up the secret passageway.
Leo ran down the hidden stairs as soon as Raph's passageway opened. A quick turn here and another passageway there, and now he was running up the stairs that led out into Mikey's room. Mikey wasn't in his room, which was probably a good thing since the passageway opens under the bed. Leo raced out into the hallway and ran down some normal passageways, arriving at the Throne Room in record time. Unfortunately, Raph also arrived from the other entryway.
Master Splinter, the King of the Country, was already awake and hard at work doing whatever it is Kings do, but he put the papers down when he saw that his panting sons had entered the room. He didn't exactly look surprised to see them, but he did raise one eyebrow just a little.
"My sons-"
"Dad, Fearless was practicing again!" Raph interrupted, waving the sword.
"Your Majesty, let me explain-" Leo said.
"Halt." Master Splinter said, raising one hand in a stop gesture, "Leonardo. What are the rules?"
Leo winced, but recited truthfully. "I am not allowed to do household cleaning, my only work is to study in a reasonable manner, and I must not treat myself as a servant."
"That is correct." Master Splinter said.
"But Your Majesty, I was only practicing the sword!"
"There is no negotiation on this matter." Splinter said sternly, "You are the High Prince of this Kingdom. You are not a servant, you are my son. As the King of this country, I have declared that you must not be overworked, underfed or without sleep. This includes your habit of overworking yourself when you practice the way of the sword. You must learn a new kind of discipline, Leonardo. After all, as the oldest you are next in line for the Kingdom."
"I-I know that," Leo said, "It's just...it's not that easy to break old habits."
"Ya stopped sleeping in the kitchen." Raph pointed out.
Leo groaned. "I still can't sleep on the bed in my room." It was way too soft.
"I know it is difficult, Leonardo." Master Splinter said, "But remember this: as the High Prince, your duty is to the people. I want you to work hard to become a King who will do what is best for our citizens."
Leo nodded glumly. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"And what have I told you about that mode of address?" Master Splinter asked.
Leo internally groaned, but bowed his head once more. "I mean, Yes Father."
"Good." The King said, picking up some paperwork, "Now my sons, I bid you a Good Morning. Please go eat a decent breakfast. Raphael, make sure that Leonardo eats all his food."
"Yes Dad," Raph said.
"And Leonardo," the King said, "Did you sleep in your clothes from yesterday again?"
"Um..."
"My son, you have more than one change of clothes." The King sighed, "Remember that as the High Prince, you must be presentable at all times. Be certain to change into a new set of clothes before breakfast."
"Yes Father," Leo bowed solemnly.
Raph turned around to leave, but Leo walked up closer to the dais that the King's throne was on.
"Father," Leo said, kneeling down respectfully, "If I might trouble you, I have a request."
This was something that had been bothering him for a while, so he couldn't help that his words sounded a little rehearsed.
"Leonardo, my son, how many times must I tell you? There is no need to kneel in front of me." Master Splinter complained, setting down the report he had been about to read.
"Yes Father," Leo said, standing up. He would probably kneel again next time, though.
"What is your request?" Splinter asked.
"Father, as the High Prince, I want the people to be happy." Leo said, "However, I have no experience beyond the walls of the Palace and the outside village. I have seen the Kingdom on maps, but I would like to see its borders in person, and learn the true thoughts and feelings of our people."
Silence.
If Leo couldn't see Raph out of the corner of his eye gripping his sword, he might have thought the loudmouth left already.
"...I see." The King finally said, "Yet there is plenty of time for that, my son. Are you unhappy with your current situation?"
"Oh no, I am very happy!" Leo said, smiling deeply with both his mouth and eyes, "Yes, sometimes I get upset when you and Raph won't let me do chores, but Father, I have never been happier!"
"Then why do you want to leave us, Leonardo?"
"I-well, I want to do all I can as the High Prince." Leo explained, "Please, Father."
"Hmm...It would take some time to arrange a royal tour." Master Splinter said, stroking his beard.
"But then I wouldn't see the people as they really are," Leo argued, "I want to go as a citizen, and see what they truly want. Then I can work to make that happen."
He looked at the King with the best puppy-dog eyes he could make. "Please, Father. I really want to experience this myself."
"Very well, my son." The King said, "If you can convince Donatello and Michelangelo to let you leave the Palace, I will let you travel the country."
"Thank you, Father!" Leo said happily.
"However, you must take Raphael and the warrior Usagi with you."
"Yes, Your Highness!" Leo quickly agreed, and he left the room quickly before Splinter could change his mind...or correct his speech.