Holding on his robe Leonardo found himself almost running through hallways. Not bothering to knock Leonardo entered in Donatello’s small “library” room. Seeing Leonardo enter without any manners made Donatello snort.

“You sure have manners of royalty.” Don didn’t even try to hide the dryness in his voice.

“Shut it. I’m not here for you.”

“Then turn on your heels and dismiss.”

Walking closer to Donatello Leonardo stopped next to his working table, leaning a bit against it with his hands while staring Donatello in the eyes. “I need big library’s key. The part where our history books are kept.”

Don was actually more surprised than he let shown outside as he slightly raised his eyebrows. “And why?”

“None of your business, Donnie.” Donatello literally jumped up, slamming his hands against his oak table.

“Don’t call me that!”

Tense silence landed between two adopted brothers as they kept intense staring contest. Tension eased a bit when Leonardo’s lips turned into small grin. “You still hate that nickname of yours?”

“No. I don’t hate it. But we agreed that only Mikey can call me that.”

“Because you two are lovers?” Grin never left Leo’s face when Don looked away, annoyed.

“There’s nothing between me and Mikey.”

“Aaaah! So that’s why you are such a cold jerk.”

Snorting Don pushed hand in his pocket, tossing old key towards Leonardo who easily catched it in the midair. “Don’t dare to lose it.”

“I wouldn’t even dare to dream of such thing.”

**

It was rare for Leonardo to be this deep at the back area of the palace. He and library… weren’t actually best friends. But now he was hungry for knowledge and he wasn’t going to stop searching even if he would need to stay there next whole week. Old key fitted in old door’s lock, hinges creaking in the silence of the night, echoing further in the hallway as Leonardo made his way in huge old room.

Looking around Leonardo gasped and then sighed. This place was so much bigger and longer than he remembered… Luckily books were arranged in their own category areas so Leonardo rushed towards the area which held all books of their land’s history. Finding few books, which Leo hoped to held information he was seeking, he picked them in his arms handling them extra carefully. Sitting now in front of nearest small reading table Leonardo opened the book, starting to search the right chapter.

Growing frustrated he turned pages more faster. He had spent who knows how many hours there already and he wanted to find the answer. He also didn’t want to be seen in the library. Everyone most surely would start to tease him… Especially his father. Closing last book’s covers Leonardo growled out loud, letting out loud sigh.

Damn it! Why the information wasn’t there? Returning back to bookshelf with previous books Leonardo searched more firmly. There had to be something. While searching Leonardo accidentally pushed one book down on the floor and from inside it came out small folder which he hadn’t seen before. Picking it up Leonardo opened it, seeing old folded pages in it. There were hundreds of them for sure. Sitting down on his spot Leonardo opened first page and gasped.

The Kingdom of Albino Turtles

Swallowing Leonardo’s eyes kept jumping on the letters. He had to confess it now – for his whole life he had thought it to be just a story. A myth. Maybe if he would had been more curious about it, as a child, he’d had learned more sooner it seemed to be a fact instead. But then again big part of him to believe it to be a story was because the one, who he had heard about albino turtles from, had been Splinter. And they never hadn’t got along all that well…

Reading further Leonardo discovered lots of information which never hadn’t been told to him. And the place where these pages were hidden was suspicious too. Like if they were hidden on purpose, not wanting to be seen and known about the history. Feeling anger growing in him Leo almost jumped up, ready to go face his father about the matter, but his eyes spotted words what caught his interest.
Reading next few pages made Leonardo feel… He didn’t know exactly what but he didn’t like the feeling. Placing last page in the folder Leonardo closed it, sighing. All that new information rushing inside his brains… Shaking his head he stood, leaving the library.

It started to be early enough for Splinter to be awake so Leonardo didn’t wait when he entered his father’s room without knocking. Splinter sat on small chair, enjoying his breakfast while few servants stayed near by, ready to serve him.

“Why can’t you knock?”

Not bothering to reply Leonardo marched next to small table, slamming folder on the surface but keeping it under his palm.

“Why can’t you tell the truth?”

Taking lazy look at the folder Splinter returned back on drinking his tea. “I have told you everything I know. There’s no more to tell.”

“You liar.”

Turning to look his serious son Splinter snorted. “What do you want me to tell? You obviously have read those pages and have all the answers already.”

“I want to hear it from you.”

“You already have. Many times.” Despite Leo’s protesting Splinter finished his breakfast, letting his servants help him to dress up. Silently Leonardo watched as servants were like bees around the flower as they worked around Splinter. When they were done Leonardo took a step closer, ready to demand the answers but Splinter stopped him by lifting his hand in the air.

“Not now, son. You already have your answers and I have a meeting. Do all of us a favor and leave my room.” Watching after his father as he walked away while saying his last words pissed Leonardo off. That rat…! Growling Leonardo took folder with him as he ran after his father, stepping in front of him.

“Since you won’t talk, I will. There was kingdom of albino turtles near by. Their king died on illness and therefor queen Miranda, snapping turtle, became the ruler. She found new love and later had a son.” Looking at the folder Leonardo stroked cover softly. “They got into a war but there’s no details of it. But they were wiped out… Except one.”

Now Splinter’s ears turned more up. It seemed this was information what even he didn’t knew.

“Small prince’s body was never found. All children were albinos – except the prince. He was green. A green snapping turtle.” Looking in Splinter’s eyes Leonardo felt weird, his voice sounding weird when he firmly stated; “It’s him. It’s Raphael.”

First reaction was shock and then disbelief. “You are talking nonsense, Leonardo.”

“I’m not. Raphael had a dream last night. A dream where white female snapping turtle took him out of burning palace. He just knew it was his mother. He saw his small town burning to the ground. That is not a dream. It has to be early memory which now is letting itself to be known.”

Stroking his beard Splinter calmed down, his mind progressing this new information which even he didn’t had knowledge about. Suddenly it hit his mind. Ordering servants further away Splinter pulled Leonardo down towards him so they could talk with whispers.

“If he truly is the prince, then he has the rights to claim his land. Council of whole land has not allow anyone to conquer the land since they, for a some reason, strongly believed few of albino turtles must had survived from the war. They have been keeping it saved for them.”

“Yeah, so?”

“Don’t you get it? If this bodyguard of yours truly is the prince, he can have the land to himself. Your job now is to help him get it from Council. But you also must seduce him, make him fall for you. Let him mate you even if needed. After you two officially become mates you can move to his land, away from here. I would finally get rid of the pain in my ass which is you.”

Blushing hard and almost choking on his saliva after hearing his father mentioning mating Leonardo silently stared at his father. There was something what didn’t sound right… but Leonardo was happy about one thing what Splinter had said. If Raphael truly was a prince and they would mate, become mates, they could move away from the palace. Damn far away from his father. He finally would get rid of the rat – just like he wanted to get rid of him.

Sighing with soft growl Leonardo eyed his father. “I don’t know why I agree with you...” Standing tall Leonardo watched that smug grin spreading on rat’s face as he started to walk forward, asking servants to join him with a hand sign. Looking at the folder in his hands Leonardo started to head towards his room. He wasn’t sure should he drop this bomb on Raphael all at once or give him little info slowly. Poor guy had been so shaken after his dream…

**

Marching back and forth in Leonardo’s room was driving Raphael crazy. He wanted to go after his prince but he’d been ordered to stay in the room. Leonardo also had stated he would be back soon but almost 4 hours had passed already and sun was rising behind the horizon. Looking at the yellow orb slowly sneaking behind the mountains, climbing higher in the air, Raphael made up his mind; He would go after Leo no matter what would happen later to him for not obeying an order.

He didn’t got far when the door opened and slightly exhausted, and troubled, looking turtle stepped in. Noticing Raphael further away staring at him worried more or less, Leonardo forced small smile on his face.

“All is good. Don’t worry.” Now daring to move Raphael rushed to Leo, taking gentle hold on his thin arms.

“Are you okay? You were gone for so long! What happened?” Suddenly noticing folder in Leo’s arms against his chest Raphael stopped to stare at it. “What is that if I may ask?”

Sighing Leonardo looked down too. “This, Raphael, is something what I’m not sure of showing you. It will give you answers but I worry there might be too much unwanted and unpleasant things for you.”

Look in Raphael’s eyes changed into strong determination. “I can handle it. So please, tell me.” Raphael wasted no time as he sat at the edge of the bed, waiting Leonardo to do the same. He was now in charge, kind of, and he wanted to know what Leonardo was hiding. He wouldn’t let him go without answers. Seeing the look in bigger turtle’s eyes Leonardo knew there was nothing he could do or say to shake Raphael off on him. So he sat down right next to bigger turtle, telling him what he knew.

“Your dream. It reminded me of a story what was told to me when I was a child. It was about the kingdom of albino turtles.  For a some reason your dream made me think that maybe it hasn’t been a story after all and so I went to look answers from our old library – and I found this.” Looking at the folder in his arms Leonardo decided to keep it instead of giving it to Raphael.

“There truly has been a peaceful kingdom of albino turtles. The king had died on illness leaving sad queen behind. Many had proposed her but rejected them all – until one turtle had arrived in her palace.” Looking at Raphael Leonardo gave him a small smile. “Green snapping turtle. She fell in love instantly with him, his green scales pleasing her eyes greatly. They got married and later had a son. About a year later, however, that kingdom was attacked. There’s no details about the war or who attacked them but they all were wiped out – except one.”

Now looking up in Raphael’s eyes Leonardo found himself unable to read him at all. For a second Leonardo was worried about letting Raphael hear any of this, but when Raph lowered his head slightly, keeping his eyes on his, he almost whispered with raspy voice; “Go on.”

Changing his sitting position a bit to be more face to face with big turtle, Leonardo kept his eyes locked on Raph’s. “After burning the palace and town full search had been made in the area. All bodies what had been found had been albinos but they never discovered small prince’s body. They never found green baby snapping turtle in the ashes.”

Lifting his head up Leonardo stared deep in dark orbs, placing his hand on Raphael’s knee. “That baby is you, Raphael. You are the royal prince of albino turtles’ clan. You survived from the attack because your mother, Miranda, saved you. That’s what your dreams have been all about. Your memories coming to the surface.”

Raphael looked confused, sad and disbelieved, shaking his head slightly as he finally pushed himself on his feet. Turning to sit straight Leonardo looked big green shell swung slightly as Raphael put more distant between them. For too long neither said anything.

“Raphael?”

“You’re… telling me that I’m a prince? That my family has been albino turtles’ clan? That they were killed, all of them, while I was the only one who survived!?” Spinning around on his heels Raphael growled showing his teeth, hands shaking and turning into fists. “I have been a damn royalty my whole life and yet I was brought here and made a slave! Thanks to your father!”

Standing up Leonardo hurried to his furious bodyguard, holding his big arm warmly. “I’m sorry! If I would had known this I would had never let you become a slave. But you know what? It’s not too late to change things. Council of this whole land has not let anyone conquer your clan’s land. If we can prove them that you, indeed, are the prince they will give you your land. It’s not in its previous glory, but it’s very fertile land and we can build you your own kingdom there. You would be the ruler.”

Leonardo’s word clearly calmed Raphael down as he listened and focused on those words about his land and kingdom. Feeling Leonardo stroke his arm ever so smoothly made Raphael let out deep sigh which he had hold in. His muscles relaxed in front of Leo’s watchful gaze.

“You’re good?”

“Yeah. Sorry for getting pissed. That all just...”

“Don’t mention it. It’s okay.”

After a little silence Raphael spoke more softly, slight sound of doubt in his voice. “How do we convince, or even prove, to council that I am the prince? We just can’t go there and tell them I had a dream about it.”

“We have those pages and I’m sure council has knowledge of centuries. If we fail, we can ask their help of proving them your identity.”

“Where is this council?”

“West from here. Takes about a day to go there with train. If we would have the technology what there once has been on Earth we could teleport there, but now we only have slow trains to travel far.”

“That’s fine. When will we leave?”

“I have to order you to hold your horses, big guy. I want to read some more just in case if I have miss something. The more evidence we have before we go there, and more prepared we are, the better. Let’s say 4 days and then we will leave.”

Raphael’s loud grunt was clear sign that big turtle wasn’t happy but he would take it without arguing. Despite the fact all this new information about himself Raphael felt calm, but also scared deep inside. He was most worried about the council. Suddenly his thoughts turned into another issue.

“Hey, Leo. Now that it seems that I’m the prince I assume I’m not your bodyguard anymore.”

Looking over his shoulder Leonardo wondered that a moment. “I assume so. Tho I really have enjoyed having you as my bodyguard. I would be sad if you would stop that now.” Giving flirty and warm look over his shoulder to bigger turtle made Raph snort with smile in response. Stepping beside smaller turtle Raphael pressed big hand against Leo’s shell.

“Don’t worry. Just because I wouldn’t officially be your bodyguard anymore that wouldn’t mean I wouldn’t have your back anymore.”

“Really now?”

“Yes. After all I do consider you as a dear friend.” Smiling warmly Raphael opened his arms slightly and Leonardo didn’t hesitate when he came in those big arms, receiving long and tight hug. Closing his eyes Leonardo’s heart was suddenly filled with sadness. What if Raphael wouldn’t take Leo with him in the new land and palace, no matter were they in love or not? What if Raphael would leave him here? Could this be their first and last time of hugging and holding each other? Holding back his tears Leonardo realized he very well could lose this big turtle who he had grown to love already.

**

“Change of plans.” Splinter stated loudly as he entered in Donatello’s room where his son was waiting him. Old rat suddenly stopped after noticing big and scarred crocodile standing near the wall, leaning against it.

“You are as rude as Leonardo, father. None of you never knows how to knock.” Donatello stated as he tapped pencil against the table while keeping his eyes on other male. Entering deeper Splinter made sure to lock the door, keeping voice down.

“Our new assassin I assume?”

“Yes. Big and strong to take down that snapping turtle too as you wished.”

“Wonderful. But listen up, both of you. Something new has arise and we need to wait before we act.”

“It has something to do with Leo and old library?”

“Correct. He found out that this damn snapping turtle could be the prince of albino clan. I’m certain they will go see council to affirm his identity and if he truly is the prince, then we need to make sure he marries Leonardo first. After that we move on as planned.”