After days Raphael had finally gotten himself to leave the waterfall, moving on in his life. Small shell piece gently swung from side to side as Raphael walked forward, bag hanging on his shoulder. Hearing sounds from behind didn’t stop him, but he stepped on the side of the road to give, whoever was coming, more room to get pass him.

When royal carriage went past him, it surprised big turtle. It was rare to see such thing on the roads in these days. Royalties were usually forced to stay in their castles, hiding.

As Raphael kept wondering what was going on, a carriage suddenly stopped with guards on their horses. Curtain moved and olive green turtle looked out, locking his eyes with Raphael’s orbs. While Raphael, most definitely, looked more than surprised, olive green turtle smiled at him.

“Greetings, traveller.”

Not knowing how to reply properly, Raphael slightly bowed with his head.

Other turtle kept smiling gently as he asked emerald green turtle to come closer. Hesitating a moment Raphael approached other male, keeping his hand near his wakizashi. Obviously guards noticed this since their hands moved on their swords instantly. However, olive green turtle didn’t seem to mind.

“May I ask what you are doing this far away from towns, traveller?”

“Towns have been burned down by rampaging samurais.”

Looking away Raphael groaned softly.

“Didn’t really have any place where to go or stay anyway, so I might just as well keep on walking and see where I end up to.”

“So I assume you don’t have a master who to return to?”

“No. Never haven’t had one. Don’t need or want one either.”

Other turtle nodded as a sign of understanding.

“Where are you heading?”

“Don’t know yet.”

“Then allow me to give you a ride to the nearest crossroad at least.”

Opening the carriage door, royalty smiled at the traveller.

“Please, come on in and we shall talk more until we arrive to our destination.”

Jaw moving from side to side, Raphael weighted his options but decided to go in eventually. After all he could easily kill the guy and run from it – if situation would go for that. Heck, he even might could steal a horse from a guard to escape.

When he was seated, carriage started to move again.

“I apologize since I haven’t introduce myself yet. I’m Donatello.”

“Donatello? You mean from Hamato clan?”

Donatello nodded. “Yes. Our father got injured on a battlefield so his fighting days are over, but he’s still planning our moves and I help him, doing whatever he asks me to do.”

“… Oh. I’m… Sorry to hear that.”

Shaking his head Donatello closed his eyes.

“No need to. We live difficult times where lives are lost daily, many getting injured as well. … I want it to end.”

Now that Donatello looked strict for the first time, Raphael found himself sitting up straight as he stared in those serious eyes.

“I want to end this war. It has gone too far with those rampaging samurais. Control is long lost and I will do whatever it takes to get it back, even if I would have to go against father’s word. The world can’t handle this situation much longer. On top of it innocent people are suffering from this madness.”

Looking through the small gap between tiny curtains Donatello sighed, his expression finally softening. 

“I want to get as much strong men as possible, to help me since I can’t do this alone. Even if I have father to guide me.”

Raphael, despite for not having any education, wasn’t stupid and he instantly realized the hint between Donatello’s lines.

“So you want me to fight for you in a war?”

“Yes. After all it’s obvious you’ve seen and been in many fights. You surely have skills and I’m sure you have kill be--”

“No! I’ve got enough of war and killing. I’m not taking any part in it.”

Donatello’s eyes turned strict and there was some kind of spark which made Raphael’s skin crawl.

“I’m sorry, but you have no options. You either work for me or I will get you killed as an enemy.”

“You are nuts! I haven’t even taken any sides! I just want to be left alone and let live! I have no any part in this war!”

“Don’t you?” There was a flash passing brown orbs. “Didn’t your mother die when samurais attacked in your village when you were small? Don’t you want revenge?”

Raphael froze. He only could stare the other mutant who calmly, but somehow coldly, stared him back. How he could know?

“We have saved all reports from years and years backward. I read a lot so I’m familiar with all the things what has happened in the last 30-40 years. Who lives, or lived, where, too.”

Raphael’s alarm went on in his head. This guy could be much more than he had assumed in the first place. On top of it add Master Splinter, from Hamato Clan, in the soup as this turtle’s master and father… He had very well known reputation after all. He was told to be wisest Lord ever.

“So you still refuse to join me?”

“Like I said, I don’t take any sides.”

For a moment Donatello was quiet before he started to explain himself.

“I have been looking for someone to stand by my and my father’s side, protecting us until restlessness in our land ends. You look very suitable for that job. And since you don’t have a master, I assume money might be tight?”

That did hit the spot. Raphael did struggle with money, but still… Becoming someone’s dog…

Stroking Leo’s shell between his fingers, Raphael sank in his thoughts, his expression saddening. What Leo would do? Would Leo tell him to take the offer and get some quality in his life? Or would he push him to keep staying alone and travel, making his own journey?

Brown orbs watched softly how Raphael’s eyes, suddenly, teared slightly as he looked in the distant while rubbing his necklace.

“You have lost someone dear to you?”

Snapping out of his thoughts, Raphael realized what he had been doing, quickly removing his hand away from the necklace, blinking rapidly.

“Haven’t we all?” He silently replied.

Donatello allowed Raphael stay inside of his head for a moment. He hated to break other male’s thoughts, but he needed answers since they had arrived to the crossroad.

“Have you decide already?”

Raphael growled, his eyes sparking with fury as he turned to look the turtle across him once more.

“I told you I won’t take any part in this war! It’s not mine!”

Donatello, as calmly but loudly as he could, took deep inhale, his eyes turning cold while staying on other turtle.

“Then I decide for you. From now on, you will serve my master and father, Splinter. If you betray him, the punishment is death.”

Raphael was gritting his teeth. This jerk…! However, one thing bothered him. This… Donatello didn’t seem to be evil person. He didn’t have that kind of vibe. Maybe he, honestly, was just in a desperate need for strong warriors to help him to end the war. The same, for surely, could go for Splinter as well. But still…!

“You can’t do that!”

“I can, ‘ronin’. You have no master so therefor you are basically no value to anyone. No one owns you. You are not even as worthy as a dog. But here I’m giving you a chance to be more while paying you well. Be valuable, looked up to, be actually something than a worthless ‘ronin’ without a master.”

Raphael growled gritting his teeth, hands shaking as fists on his thighs. This… This damn turtle! Then, suddenly, he realized something. Swallowing his anger Raphael leaned forward, locking his serious gaze on Don’s orbs.

“If I agree to serve you, will you help me with one thing in return?”

“Name it.”

Hesitating a moment Raphael showed the piece of Leonardo’s shell around his neck.

“I was travelling with a small turtle child. His name is Leonardo, he’s about 5 or 6 years old and blind. We… We got ambushed by samurais and Yoki almost a week ago and… We got separated. He fell down the waterfall… Only thing what I found was this. I spent days looking for him.”

Lowering his head, Raphael sighed silently to himself to keep himself for not breaking.

“If I will work for you, will you help me to find him? I refuse to believe he’s dead until I have his small body in my arms.”

Donatello listened in silence and calmly, finally nodding.

“You have my word. I will do all I can to help you find this little turtle. Was he your son?”

“No. No… He’d lost his grandfather when samurais attacked in his village. I happened to walk through it and found him. He insisted me taking him with me. At first I wasn’t going to, but… I’m glad I did.”

There was small smile on his face.

“He is fun little kid.”

Donatello nodded. “So he fell down the waterfall?”

“Yes, few days travel from this spot in the direction where I came from.”

Nodding Donatello pushed his head out the window, giving an order to one of his guards. Soon this said guard kicked his ride’s sides, riding away. Sitting down on his spot, Donatello smiled at the turtle across him.

“I sent the word forward. One of my men is heading ahead to the palace to gather search group. They will head to the waterfall to search your companion.”

“Thank you.”

Donatello only nodded, Raphael sinking deep in his thoughts. He hadn’t planned anything like this to happen, but he was, now, at the mercy of other turtle. He would do what he could to end this war, find Leo and then get the hell out of there.

**

When he had arrived to the palace, everything was more or less chaotic. Men all around the country had been brought there, or forced, to join Donatello’s army. It pissed Raphael off even that he knew Donatello was fighting for peace, but still forcing people to join him… Or perhaps that forcing had been Splinter’s idea. Raphael doubted it tho. He had met the rat few times and he seemed to be very calm, balanced and wise old rat who wanted the best for everyone.

It had been a year now and things had turned more worse. Donatello had read enemy’s move wrong once, sending army on the field, but it had ended in the worst way possible. Over half of the army was lost while enemy ranks kept getting stronger and bigger. Hun, the leader of Purple Dragon Clan, must had been kissing his own ass for so easy victory.

Now struggling with new plans, in desperate need to find and get more men, Donatello had locked himself in his room, Raphael standing outside while waiting an order.

Thanks to his fighting skills, which he soon after his arrival had proved, Raphael had levelled up quick to be a general. Payment was very sweet, but at the same time this all had been eating big turtle inside. He didn’t want to be there, didn’t want to fight and take lives. He just wanted it all to end… But he was forced to keep wishing that for 5 years longer.

**

Standing on the battlefield covered in blood, dirt and sweat, Raphael panted heavily, hand finally loosing its grip on the sword he’d been squeezing too long and hard, leaving his fingers stiff. Looking down the enemy leader, or just actually Hun’s head, at his feet Raphael wanted to sink on his knees and scream. A hand on his armor covered shoulder gave him strength to stand on his feet a little longer, as he turned to face his own lord.

Donatello said nothing, but the look in his eyes told everything. He was relieved like the rest of them, happy and exhausted. Escorting big, more scarred and one eyed, turtle with him they left the battlefield, helping their men to get back home too. Those who had lost their lives were left on the battlefield and the air soon filled with crows’ croaks. They would feast a long time!

At the palace a feast was held too in the same evening. The war had been going on for decades and it was finally gone – or so most of them thought. After dinner and celebration, Donatello asked Raphael to follow him. They entered in Donatello’s room in silence.

“You were marvellous on the battlefield today.”

“Not any better than anyone else.”

“Don’t be so modest, Raphael. It was you who killed the leader of the enemy. You are superior than regular soldier.”

“That may be true, but I still don’t want to think myself to be above them.”

“Hmm.”

Donatello nodded as he stopped in front of his big table which held an old map. Walking next to his lord, Raphael’s eye scanned the map where Donatello had done some markings.

“What’s all this?”

“Oroku Saki”

“Greatest Lord currently?”

“Yes. He is our next target, but… I fear our army isn’t strong enough to face him. And when father died to his old age a year ago, it shook our army’s morale greatly… I mean our morale has been increasing slowly, but they still need someone to encourage them.”

Quickly catching where this was going Raphael stepped back, lifting his hands in the air.

“Hold it, Donnie. I have done my job! You said I only need to be here and obey you until we have killed Hun, the leader of Purple Dragon Clan, and I’m free to go! We did just that so I’m leaving.”

“You can’t leave!”

“And why is that?! You will force me to stay here even that your men never found Leonardo for me?! Nothing’s keeping me here!”

Donatello looked at other turtle with sad eyes. He had grown to like this big turtle so much in these past 6 years, considering him as one of his most trusted friends. In fact he didn’t trust on anyone else like he did on Raphael. Standing up straight, olive green turtle sighed loud and deep.

“Very well then. You may go, but know you will be missed. It was an honor to fight alongside you, to know you. I’m also sorry we never found Leonardo for you… Even that I gave my word for it.”

Raphael felt a sting in his heart. He hated saying byes and Donatello wasn’t making it easy for him. Coming next to his friend, Raphael squeezed his shoulder firmly, looking deep in the brown eyes.

“Listen. I know you would need me here, but I have my own life and we had an agreement. I still need to find Leonardo. If I ever find him, I will come back. With him.”

“I know, but there’s this war coming with Saki and I would need you there.”

“I know that very well, but maybe you should lay low for now. Let men rest and gather more of them while I go look for Leonardo.”

Donatello sighed again, his eyes scanning the map on the table. Well, it didn’t seem like Saki was making, or going to make, any moves so perhaps they should just stay put and rest as long as possible.

**

Once again Raphael was alone and walking aimlessly forward. He had no idea where to go to look for Leonardo, since Donatello’s men had done pretty good job at searching the whole land inside Donatello’s territory.

So Raphael walked and walked for few days, finally, arriving in quite well sized city. However it was obvious things weren’t right there. It wasn’t destroyed, but something was off. It was late evening already, sun long gone, as Raphael walked on the streets.

A sound between old wooden houses got his attention as he stopped, hand near his blade. Staying still Raphael kept his eye locked on the darkness where this weird growl and hiss was coming from. Long hand, wrapped in dirty old gauze, emerged from the shadow as empty glowing eyes rose to meet his.

Sighing deep Raphael rolled his eye. A yokai. How surprising. Pulling out his wakisazhi, Raphael prepared himself as this yokai, Dweller, stood up while holding old pickaxe. What little knowledge Raphael had about these creatures, he knew they were old miners who had turned into yokais. They usually were close or in the mines so it was a little mystery why this yokai was here.

Not wasting time, Raphael made sudden move after Dweller swung his pickaxe, cutting yokai’s head in half with his blade. Body fell on the street, final breath long gone as ground sucked the blood, one eye watching in silence.

Raphael kept short silent moment in honor of this human’s soul before walking away. As he went, he noticed how the houses were old and seen their better days, but the palace above small hill… It was as glorious as ever. Something in his mind made him feel uneasy. He knew he shouldn’t go there, but he couldn’t resist the urge either. So Raphael headed towards the gate of the palace. Weirdly there was no guards.

Helping himself in, Raphael stopped. The yard was quiet… Too quiet. No guards anywhere either. Walking in the palace, Raphael decided to keep himself as quiet as possible – just in case. Just when he thought the palace might be abandoned, he noticed weird looking door in the darkest corner.

Curiously big turtle approached the door, seeing stairs leading down, which he followed. At the end of the stairs was middle sized room, few red pillars with torches – and at the end was another door. It, too, was open and Raphael felt shivers running up and down on his skin as he stared the open doorway. Whatever there was… It wasn’t good. Now, if ever, he should turn around and leave, but he didn’t. Because he was too curious and stubborn. Besides he couldn’t leave if there was someone who might need his help.

Deciding to use the darkness as his ally, Raphael went to the old rocky stairs, starting his slow and silent approach, another hand near his blade. The air was moist and stinky in the tunnel which made Raphael realize he was going deeper under the ground. Soft mumbling sounds started to echo from the bottom which turned old turtle even more careful to not to make a sound.

Peeking from behind rocky wall Raphael sneered. God, it stink in here! Like burned flesh, mold, blood, death, sulfur… Gasping silently to himself, Raphael realized the smell. It was the smell of yokais! Literally every yokai, what Raphael had met in his life, had smelled like this more or less!

Now paying attention to the area itself, Raphael quickly realized it was an old mine! So this would explain why that one Dweller was in the village. After quick check of his surroundings, Raphael focused on a circle of people around the fire, one of them laying on the ground. Green eye watched how those people around the human chanted something while torturing this poor human being. He was screaming, he was filled with pain and anger. After too much provoking and torture, this man was killed and tossed in a cell which was full of Dweller yokais already.

All what Raphael could think of was “What the hell?!” as he watched how this person, now suddenly, was transforming into a Dweller. These people were making these fucked up things!?

“My Lord, we have run out of prisoners. We don’t have any more materials to create more Dwellers.”

Raphael’s eye widened as he listened. These… bastards!

“Then go get the villagers! There’s plenty of them!”

People wearing black capes bowed deep to their Lord who was growing impatient.

“Well?! Go get the villagers, bring them here, torture and kill them and turn them into yokais! I need them so that I can go and defeat Oroku Saki and Hamato clan!”

Raphael’s temper was boiling dangerously high as his fists shook by his side. This fat small bastard! If he thought Raphael would allow him to hurt those innocent villagers… Growling Raphael withdrew as he hurried up the stairs. However he had been spotted.

“Hey, you!”

Shit. Not bothering to look behind him, Raphael rushed up the stairs while hearing footsteps behind him. Thank God he was big and fast so he managed to reach the top of the stairs first, slamming the door shut and blocking it with a huge beam. Hands hit the door on the other side as screams and yells echoed in the tunnel. Ignoring them all, Raphael looked around, finally seeing a barrel of oil.

He rushed to it, lifting it up. Now he smirked at himself because he really was loving his strength. Carrying the barrel right in front of the door, Raphael opened it, pushing it over. Watching how oil flooded out from the barrel on the door, sneaking in the tunnel under it, Raphael stepped back as he reached for the torch. For a moment he hesitated.

No. Those people in there were evil bastards and he couldn’t let them get out. They were going to go harm the villagers. Innocent people. He wouldn’t allow that.

And so Raphael threw the torch, standing still watching, listening, how the flames started to eat the door, running down the stone stairs, launching on everything what they could burn. Screams of pain weren’t all that pleasant to hear, but over the years Raphael had heard so many horrible screams on the battlefield that he’d managed to grow cold shield around himself for them.

Bowing slightly to the door Raphael spent a silent moment – which was cut short when the door, already badly burned, burst open, sharp pieces of wood flying past him. Cursing out loud, Raphael was face to face with five Dwellers – who all were growling while fire was consuming their bodies.

Turning on his heels Raphael ran from it, looking over his shoulder few times. One of the Dwellers had already fell near the wall in another room, setting the wall on fire. Great, these things would help Raphael burn the whole place down!

Raphael made sure to run all around the palace so that the Dwellers would fall down one by one, spreading fire in as many room as possible. When the last Dweller remained, Raphael ran to the front gate sealing it with the beam, hearing the claws scratching the wood for the last time.

Stepping backward few times, Raphael didn’t bother to stay long as he turned around and hurried in the village where people had gathered on the street, watching the palace being covered in flames.

“What happened there?! Who even are you?! A kappa!?”

People shot him with questions, coming right on his face, but one angry glare and louder snarl made them back away.

“I say this; You all are extremely lucky that the place is burning down.”

Grabbing sudden tight hold on old man’s shoulders, Raphael stared him deep in the eyes, growling.

“Promise me none of you will EVER go in there. You don’t want to see the horrors I saw there. Just keep going with your lives here in the village. That’s the best for everyone.”

Man was stunned, perhaps even shocked in a way as he stared big turtle mouth slightly open, nodding.

“Good. Take care, you all.”

Sighing deep Raphael felt the warmth of the flames fading from his backside as he walked towards the night’s darkness. Why he always was drawn to such madness?