{"submission_id":"2229246","keywords":[{"keyword_id":"70671","keyword_name":"action/adventure","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"19"},{"keyword_id":"13519","keyword_name":"alternate universe","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"1086"},{"keyword_id":"34632","keyword_name":"au","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"1533"},{"keyword_id":"547049","keyword_name":"clan rivalry","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"2"},{"keyword_id":"86760","keyword_name":"clans","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"27"},{"keyword_id":"4541","keyword_name":"donatello","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"3424"},{"keyword_id":"18464","keyword_name":"falling in love","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"11"},{"keyword_id":"160286","keyword_name":"hamato yoshi","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"13"},{"keyword_id":"25959","keyword_name":"hun","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"43"},{"keyword_id":"78","keyword_name":"kissing","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"12243"},{"keyword_id":"76900","keyword_name":"leo/mikey","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"97"},{"keyword_id":"26978","keyword_name":"leonardo","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"3840"},{"keyword_id":"179672","keyword_name":"leonardo/michelangelo","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"33"},{"keyword_id":"165","keyword_name":"male","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"788217"},{"keyword_id":"10308","keyword_name":"male/male","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"73895"},{"keyword_id":"3607","keyword_name":"michelangelo","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"2638"},{"keyword_id":"16233","keyword_name":"raphael","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"4290"},{"keyword_id":"194395","keyword_name":"raphael/donatello","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"35"},{"keyword_id":"148560","keyword_name":"raph/don","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"208"},{"keyword_id":"909","keyword_name":"romance","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"5752"},{"keyword_id":"3000","keyword_name":"romantic","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"3127"},{"keyword_id":"9636","keyword_name":"soulmates","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"25"},{"keyword_id":"7544","keyword_name":"souls","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"137"},{"keyword_id":"81015","keyword_name":"tcest","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"2026"},{"keyword_id":"3618","keyword_name":"turtlecest","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"2432"},{"keyword_id":"14477","keyword_name":"turtles","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"3936"}],"hidden":"t","scraps":"f","favorite":"f","favorites_count":"0","create_datetime":"2020-08-13 23:11:14.213378+02","create_datetime_usertime":"13 Aug 2020 23:11 CEST","last_file_update_datetime":"2020-08-13 23:02:09.228963+02","last_file_update_datetime_usertime":"13 Aug 2020 23:02 CEST","username":"Sundayeyes","user_id":"735374","user_icon_file_name":"191699_Sundayeyes_randd_avatar_1.png","user_icon_url_large":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/large/191/191699_Sundayeyes_randd_avatar_1.png","user_icon_url_medium":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/medium/191/191699_Sundayeyes_randd_avatar_1.png","user_icon_url_small":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/small/191/191699_Sundayeyes_randd_avatar_1.png","file_name":"3240585_Sundayeyes_bell_flowers_2.doc","file_url_full":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/full/3240/3240585_Sundayeyes_bell_flowers_2.doc","file_url_screen":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/3240/3240585_Sundayeyes_bell_flowers_2.doc","file_url_preview":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/3240/3240585_Sundayeyes_bell_flowers_2.doc","files":[{"file_id":"3240585","file_name":"3240585_Sundayeyes_bell_flowers_2.doc","file_url_full":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/full/3240/3240585_Sundayeyes_bell_flowers_2.doc","file_url_screen":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/3240/3240585_Sundayeyes_bell_flowers_2.doc","file_url_preview":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/3240/3240585_Sundayeyes_bell_flowers_2.doc","mimetype":"application/msword","submission_id":"2229246","user_id":"735374","submission_file_order":"0","full_size_x":null,"full_size_y":null,"screen_size_x":null,"screen_size_y":null,"preview_size_x":null,"preview_size_y":null,"initial_file_md5":"eef05f9a897c21461eee83cef14a96a8","full_file_md5":"eef05f9a897c21461eee83cef14a96a8","large_file_md5":"","small_file_md5":"","thumbnail_md5":"","deleted":"f","create_datetime":"2020-08-13 23:02:09.228963+02","create_datetime_usertime":"13 Aug 2020 23:02 CEST"}],"pools":[],"description":"Michelangelo had never been known to stay in one place for very long. Taverns and street corners were his hearth and home, because roots can?t take hold if you just keep moving, and why would anyone want to sink into the ground so deep that you got stuck?\n\nThey were smart words to live by and had done a good job of keeping him happy enough. At least until the day he was invited to the sprawling estate of the Hamato Clan, and his entire life was turned upside down.\n\nAlternate Universe, AU\nPairings: Leonardo/Michelangelo, Raphael/Donatello\n\n~*~\n\nSo, this story is my silly little attempt at some kind of romance novel... I guess... it's ridiculous, and sappy, and I love every last word of it.\n\nIt's my precious funny little fic that could, that has taught me so much about the way I write and what my faults are and all of the mistakes I always make, and will probably continue to make because I have no self-control. Someday I'll look back at this and laugh. I wrote it for me, never expecting anything out of it, and it just keeps surprising me every day.\n\nI rated this `A' to be safe, but there's really nothing explicit in this. It's a romance, through and through.","description_bbcode_parsed":"Michelangelo had never been known to stay in one place for very long. Taverns and street corners were his hearth and home, because roots can?t take hold if you just keep moving, and why would anyone want to sink into the ground so deep that you got stuck?

They were smart words to live by and had done a good job of keeping him happy enough. At least until the day he was invited to the sprawling estate of the Hamato Clan, and his entire life was turned upside down.

Alternate Universe, AU
Pairings: Leonardo/Michelangelo, Raphael/Donatello

~*~

So, this story is my silly little attempt at some kind of romance novel... I guess... it's ridiculous, and sappy, and I love every last word of it.

It's my precious funny little fic that could, that has taught me so much about the way I write and what my faults are and all of the mistakes I always make, and will probably continue to make because I have no self-control. Someday I'll look back at this and laugh. I wrote it for me, never expecting anything out of it, and it just keeps surprising me every day.

I rated this `A' to be safe, but there's really nothing explicit in this. It's a romance, through and through.","writing":"[center]~*~*~*~\n\nChapter Two: Uncharted\n\n~*~*~*~[/center]\n\nLeonardo addressed the other guests, thanking them for their time and motioning for a servant to escort them back to the waiting carriages. He stood quietly, waiting until they had gone, before turning back to Michelangelo.\n\n\"I have duties that I must attend to now, but I look forward to tonight.'' He said in apology. \"Show him to a guest suite, please Don.''\n\nDonatello blinked, confused, like the outcome of someone actually being chosen during this strange stunt had never even crossed his mind. \"Ye... yeah. Yes. Alright.''\n\nLeonardo smiled his thanks, casting one last look back at Michelangelo, before walking away, passing a large turtle with emerald skin and golden eyes as he disappeared into the trees. The large turtle watched Leonardo go from over his shoulder, his arms crossed over his plastron, then he turned to look at Donatello.\n\nThe steward made a silent gesture with his hands, as if to ask what had just happened, but the emerald turtle just shrugged with a shake of his head and turned to follow the clan leader's son.\n\nLeft alone in the clearing with Donatello, Mikey occupied himself by putting away his instrument, sealing it carefully back into its case, then he stood and stepped up next to the steward. \"Who was the big guy?''\n\nDonatello jumped slightly, not realizing Mikey was so close. \"That... that was Lord Hamato's second son, Raphael.''\n\nMikey nodded and they just stood there staring at each other awkwardly for a second before Donatello seemed to realize that he was supposed to be doing something and he shook himself. \"I'm sorry. Come with me please, I'll show you to your room.''\n\nThe path through the garden twisted between the trees, leading them to a long hallway, open to the air on one side, that overlooked the entire estate and the valley stretched out below it.\n\nMikey looked around as they walked, impressed by the splendor. He figured that, if anything, he would get a day or two of being treated like a noble before he had to return to his real life and decided that he could at least try to enjoy himself, whatever else might happen.\n\nWith an amused grin he looked over at his quiet companion and noticed that the steward was walking stiffly with a prominent grimace on his face. Mikey slid up shoulder to shoulder with him. \"So... that was weird, huh?''\n\n\"That was horrible!'' Don spat. \"That was...!'' He spun at Mikey, looking fully prepared to unleash one hell of a rant, before the realization of who he was speaking to washed over him and he snapped his mouth shut, stalking off down the hall again.\n\nMikey trotted to catch up to him. \"I take it that grabbing random strangers off the street and parading them in front of the clan leader's son is not the usual way of choosing a... what did you call it? Bond mate?\n\nDon pressed his lips into a line so thin they turned white, looking sideways at Michelangelo. \"No.'' He answered.\n\nMikey almost couldn't contain his laugh. If this steward didn't relax, he might vibrate himself into little pieces. Something had to be done about it.\n\n\"I mean... I'm not offended or anything,'' Mikey offered, spinning once with his arms outstretched. \"There are certainly worse places to end up for the night.''\n\nDonatello came to a stop in front of an ornate door with a golden handle and looked at him doubtfully, but Mikey just grinned, amused at how flustered Donatello seemed to be.\n\nEventually the steward's shoulders relaxed, and he sighed with a half-smile. \"I suppose that's true. I'm so sorry about all of this. I promise, this is not something the Hamato Clan makes a habit of doing. Lord Hamato has been increasingly agitated of late because of Leonardo's lack of...''\n\nDonatello seemed to come to himself again, realizing he was speaking out of turn, and blinked. \"Well, he was quite insistent and, most of this was at his order, so...'' Donatello just shrugged to complete his sentence.\n\n\"I get it.'' Mikey smiled. \"The eldest son needs to settle down, get serious about life. Tale as old as time.''\n\nDonatello stared at Mikey with an unreadable expression on his face. \"Yes... something like that.'' He turned to the door behind him and opened it. \"This will be your room for the length of your stay here.''\n\nMikey stepped through the door and stopped dead in his tracks. The 'bedroom' if that was what they wanted to call it, was larger than the entire farmhouse he grew up in. Every piece of furniture was carved wood, painted and glinting with accents of gold leaf. The four-poster canopy bed, looking like it could easily sleep five or six, was dripping with silk and velvet and plush furs.\n\nDonatello strode past him toward the far wall, which was really just a screen that he slid all the way open, revealing a private garden with a marble bench and table underneath a maple tree. The bird bath even had a fountain in it.\n\nTurning back around, Donatello moved to the wall on Mikey's right, opening another sliding screen to reveal a stone lined bathing room with a marble tub so massive Mikey was sure he would be able to swim in it.\n\nHis mouth gaping open like a fish, Michelangelo just began to laugh. Laughing even harder when Donatello turned to look at him quizzically.\n\n\"I'm sorry.'' Mikey chuckled holding up his hand. \"There must be some mistake. See I'm just one turtle. I'm gonna need a 'one' turtle room.''\n\nDonatello looked at him blankly for a beat and then laughed. Genuinely laughed. Mikey decided he liked the look of a real smile on his face.\n\n\"This is technically the smallest suite we have.'' He said with a shrug. \"Welcome to the Hamato Estate.''\n\n\"This day just keeps getting weirder,'' Mikey said slowly, stepping into the room and setting his satchel and case down onto the bed. \"But, if you guys are trying to get me to stay forever, this is certainly a good way to butter me up.''\n\n\"Speaking of that,'' Donatello said, stepping forward. \"I want to make this clear right away. You are free to leave anytime you wish. You will not be forced or coerced to stay should you choose that this is not where you want to be. All you need to do is ask and a carriage will be provided to take you anywhere you wish to go.''\n\nMikey nodded in understanding, so Donatello continued. \"That being said, I need to explain what will be expected of you while you are here. As of now you are officially here as Leonardo's honored guest. That means, beyond the few restrictions that you will be expected to follow for the protection of the family, none of the army or staff can tell you what to do or make demands of you, not even the generals, so try to remember that.''\n\nWell that was interesting, Mikey thought. \"What about you? Can you order me around?'' He asked, genuinely curious.\n\n\"Not technically.'' Donatello answered cautiously. \"You and I are, more or less, on the same level. I am Raphael's personal steward, and I have been given special privileges above the rest of the service staff. The Hamato family holds me in very high regard.''\n\n\"So, you're not just a servant then.'' Mikey teased.\n\nDonatello held his chin up. \"I am a valued and loyal member of Lord Hamato's personal staff.'' He replied sternly, not elaborating.\n\nMikey held up his hands. \"Alright, alright, just getting us on the same page here Don, Donnie, can I call you Donnie?''\n\n\"I...'' Don started, confused.\n\n\"So!'' Mikey said, clapping his hands together sharply. \"What exactly does this all mean for me. Am I just some kind of concubine now, or...''?\n\n\"No!'' Don said with an offended squeak. \"No. At the moment it doesn't really mean anything other than what I just described. But we can't ignore the fact that you are here because Leonardo is expected to choose a bond mate, and in the event that something should become more between the two of you, and if you decide that you want to stay, then you will fill a role that is not that different from my own. You will assist Leonardo with his day to day responsibilities in ways that will be explained to you later, should that become necessary. Right now, however, all you need to do is enjoy what is being provided for you and to make yourself available for Leonardo should he wish to spend time with you.''\n\nMikey looked over at Don skeptically. \"What if I don't even like him?''\n\nDon simply shrugged. \"Then you go home. Wherever your home may be.''\n\nMikey just smiled. \"Well that makes it easy then. My home is wherever I'm lucky enough to lay my head at night.''\n\nDon frowned in a concerned way, looking like he wanted to ask what that meant. But instead he questioned in a serious voice. \"Do you consent to everything I have just explained to you?''\n\nMikey turned away from him and looked thoughtfully out at the little garden just outside his room. This was, by far, the strangest thing that had ever happened to him, and that included the incident with the goats and the honey.\n\nHe would be allowed to stay here, free room, free food, he assumed his every need provided for. And all he needed to do was spend time with the clan leader's eldest son? It sounded easy enough, in theory.\n\nWas he even willing to stay in one place for longer than a day, was the real question. He lived his life bouncing from village to village, the friends he allowed into his life changing depending on what day of the week it was. Could he stay and interact with the same people every day, noble people at that, for an unknown length of time? Did he even want to?\n\nOf course, it certainly beat sleeping in a flea infested tavern bed, or on a damp pallet of wood in a muddy alley when he couldn't afford the room. And Donatello had said he was free to go anytime he wished. The pros certainly looked like they outweighed the cons.\n\nIt would be a new experience, an adventure. He liked adventure. Maybe it would even be fun.\n\nAnd then, just for a second, he remembered a gentle pair of hazel eyes, and Mikey felt the strangest sense of peace. Like no matter the outcome, everything was going to turn out the way it was meant to.\n\nHe turned back and looked at Don with an amiable grin, \"Alright, I'm game to see where this goes.''\n\nDon smiled his genuine smile, and there was that hopefulness shining behind his eyes again, just like before. Mikey was very curious to find out what that meant.\n\n\"Wonderful.'' Donatello beamed. \"Would you... like a tour of the grounds? We have a while before dinner so I can show you around if you like?''\n\n\"Yes, please!'' Mikey said in excitement.\n\n\"First we need to do something about what you're wearing.'' Don said, stepping into a large wardrobe near the front of the room.\n\nMikey looked down, confused. \"This is clean, they just gave it to me this morning.''\n\n\"Yes, but, now that you have agreed to stay, you need to dress in a way that represents your place here.'' Don exited the wardrobe holding a new tunic almost exactly the same as the one he wore, only it was a pale orange instead of lilac, and adorned with the same pattern of the Hamato bell flowers embroidered in periwinkle blue silk, instead of the red that cascaded down his own shoulders.\n\nMikey shrugged and removed the perfectly good tunic he had been gifted earlier and took the new one from Don, fastening the toggles down the front.\n\n\"Good, that looks nice, the flowers really bring out the blue in your eyes,'' Don said lightly, batting Mikey's hands away and adjusting a mis-fastened toggle. \"This will help everyone to know that you are here by Leonardo's invitation and that they need to leave you alone. Trust me, this will make life around here much easier.''\n\nThey spent the next couple of hours walking around the estate. The property was massive, Mikey supposed it had to be to house an entire army. The main hall was even larger up close than it had looked from the carriage ride. Don explained that it was used to entertain the council or visiting clan leaders and for Lord Hamato to receive villagers if there was ever a dispute that needed to be cleared.\n\nThey toured the dining hall and the kitchens, the stables and the staff quarters. Nothing on the estate was small or simple, it was loud and, in your face, and, if he was honest with himself, pretty overwhelming. But he was used to going with the flow and tried to just let most of it wash over him as Don droned on and on with facts and history and trivia about the grounds.\n\nFollowing that, Don led Mikey through acres of lush gardens that ringed the entire estate. ``For the time being, you cannot enter any building on the estate unless you have an escort, and you will be expected to remain in your room when you are left alone.'' Don made clear. ``But you are allowed to visit these gardens whenever you wish without being accompanied as long as you ask permission first.''\n\nMikey nodded his agreement to appease Donatello, not that it meant much. He was a master at slipping around unseen in the shadows. If he wanted to explore, he would, and they wouldn't have any idea that he had. But Don didn't need to know that.\n\nThey moved toward the eastern part of the estate where the army had their barracks and training grounds. Dozens of low buildings built in perfectly straight rows marked where the soldiers slept, with a large mess hall at the center of them.\n\nSlightly removed from that area, closer to the front of the estate, was the armory and blacksmith, black smoke and blazing heat erupting out of massive doors left open to let in cooler air. Mikey could see rows and rows of weapons and armor, laid out on long tables as the smith's worked on them.\n\n\"And here we have the training grounds.'' Don's soft voice announced as they came around the building.\n\nSome fifty yards below them, down a gently sloped embankment was a raised dais lined with wood planking and surrounded by grass, where soldiers waiting their turn to train sat or reclined. Mikey thought the platform could fit a hundred men easy, but right now there were only two.\n\nLeonardo and Raphael were sparring in the open space, the sweat on their skin glistening in the afternoon light, their shouts and grunts reaching where Mike and Don stood looking down into the area.\n\nAlthough it seemed that Raphael was the only one doing any shouting, Mikey realized after watching them for a few minutes. Leonardo was as quiet as an empty room, his graceful form sliding across the wood beneath his feet with hardly a whisper. With every movement of his arms the light flashed off a pair of gleaming swords sending sunbeams flying across the watching soldiers. Likewise, protruding between Raphael's fingers he could just see wicked looking spikes of steel also catching that same light, the handle of each weapon tucked up flat against his forearms.\n\nMikey couldn't take his eyes off them. He had spent his entire life in the poorest of villages, surrounded by the dregs of society. Nobles and clans were a distant, intangible thing that didn't have anything to do with what it took to survive each day. So, he had never really seen a true fighter, or what they were capable of, but even he could tell that the sons of Lord Hamato were both incredibly skilled.\n\nLeonardo was crouched low, sweeping his leg along the ground in an arc toward his brother's legs. Raphael sprung into the air to avoid him, flying into a twisting flip that had him landing behind Leonardo. His foot shot out with a hard kick that the eldest only just managed to avoid, rolling to the side, gaining his feet quickly.\n\nThey carefully circled each other for a moment, then Raphael darted forward, moving far faster than Mikey ever would have guessed a turtle his size could. He dipped under Leonardo's left arm, shoving his shoulder into his armpit before Leonardo could block him, dislodging the sword in his hand to clatter on the deck at their feet. But the clan leader's son wasn't fazed, he moved back with Raphael's momentum, rolling along his body, spinning around and pushing hard against Raphael's carapace to dash back, putting distance between them.\n\nThe younger son took a staggered step forward, twisting down into a half crouch, bracing his feet, releasing a growl loud enough to hear from every seat in the arena.\n\nBefore anyone could even blink, he was in motion again, charging at Leonardo, teeth bared. Leonardo planted his feet wide and just before the younger turtle reached him, he spun into a hard kick, catching Raphael square in the chest, sending him flying backward to skid across the wood on his carapace.\n\nDon released a rush of breath so low that Mikey probably wouldn't have been able to hear it if he hadn't been standing right next to him. Turning to look at the steward, he saw Don's eyes locked on Raphael, his mouth open slightly, a light blush of color tinting his cheeks. He seemed to have forgotten that Mikey was even there.\n\nRaphael's aggravated bellow brought Mikey's attention back to the action. He was sprinting forward with his weapons raised, Leonardo taking a defensive stance as his brother advanced. The clash of their weapons sounded with a ringing echo, muscles straining as they pushed against each other. Then, with the scraping of steel against steel, the two of them broke apart, executing moves so quickly their motions were a blur. Mikey couldn't keep up, arms were striking out then blocking with intense quickness, legs were dancing back and forth so fast he was surprised the wood they stood on hadn't started to smoke.\n\nIn a blink it was over. Raphael slammed his elbow into Leonardo's wrist, knocking loose the second sword, then he hooked one of his feet around Leonardo's ankle and suddenly the eldest was on his carapace, one of Raphael's weapons imbedded in the wood a millimeter from the side of his head, the other pressed firmly against his neck. They stared at each other, their harsh breaths the only sound.\n\nThen, finally, Leonardo smiled and conceded, his quiet 'yield' loud in the silence.\n\nHoots and hollers from the gathered soldiers echoed in the arena as Raphael helped Leonardo to his feet. Mikey joined in the din, clapping loudly with an excited laugh. This was way better than watching old tavern drunks duke it out over who was cheating worse at cards.\n\nHe turned to Donatello with a wide grin and found his companion standing with hooded eyes as he stared down at Raphael, the ghost of a hungry smile playing along his lips.\n\nMike narrowed his eyes with good natured suspicion, \"It's not a coincidence that they happened to be here training right now, is it?''\n\nDon looked over with a sly smile. \"They're here at this time every day.''\n\nMikey considered Donatello closely, the steward was smart, maybe smarter than most, and he had some kind of agenda going that Mikey would need to figure out sooner rather than later.\n\n\"I like you.'' He said, wagging his finger. \"You thought you'd get me over here just in time to see Leonardo looking all sweaty and impressive in an effort to sway my opinion, didn't you?''\n\n\"I'm sure I don't know what you mean.'' Don replied with an obvious grin, looking back down at the platform.\n\nPlaying along, Mikey gave a sideways nod. \"Sure, ok, so then I guess we must have come here so that you could watch Raphael being all sweaty and impressive.''\n\nDon's tone changed in an instant, his head snapping up to look at Michelangelo so fast he leaned back a little defensively. \"Of course not, that's ridiculous.''\n\nMikey raised an eye ridge skeptically, giving him a withering look that said he wasn't at all fooled, causing Don to pull his shoulders back into a proud but also defensive stance. \"I am Raphael's steward, nothing more.''\n\n\"But you obviously want it to be more, you look at him like you wanna to eat him for lunch.'' Mikey prodded gently. He wasn't trying to antagonize Don seeing as they had only just met but he was also not known to keep his mouth shut about things he had an opinion about. Why was it a big deal if Don was into Raphael? Maybe it was a status thing because Don was only a servant.\n\nA flash of pain passed behind Don's eyes that Mikey almost missed, and the steward looked away, back down at the brothers who were now surrounded by a group of soldiers working on their own training.\n\nThen, like the strike of a match, Mikey understood. \"But it can't be more can it? Because he's the second son.''\n\nDon breathed in deeply, \"You're very observant.'' He said, quietly.\n\n\"That's usually the first thing people notice about me, yeah.'' Mikey replied, lightly.\n\nDon was quiet for a minute and Mikey let the silence hang, letting the steward decide what to say next.\n\nHe thought he knew what was happening here, he had seen something like it in a small village far away from the Hamato estate once. A noble's daughter had fallen in love with a young village boy and wanted to marry, but her father had forbidden it, not because he disapproved of the boy, but because her older sister was not yet married. It wasn't a common opinion held among the nobles, but it happened more often than it was talked about.\n\nMikey could only imagine how much more complicated it was for the sons of a clan leader and there was obvious politics at play that he couldn't even pretend to understand, he could only hope that the outcome here would be better then what had befallen the noble's lovesick daughter.\n\nWhen Don finally spoke again his voice was so quiet that Mikey had to lean in to hear him.\n\n\"By Lord Hamato's decree, Raphael is forbidden from making a bond claim before Leonardo has sealed a bond himself.'' Don paused with a grimace. \"And he has suggested that the consequences should Raph even show a preference for a potential partner before Leonardo makes his choice, would be swift and very severe.''\n\nMikey knew nothing he could say would help, so he just nodded in sympathy.\n\n\"Come on,'' Don said with finality. \"It will be time for dinner soon. We should go and freshen up.''\n\nHe turned to walk back to the estate without looking down at the brothers again and all Mikey could do was follow. He wouldn't press Don further about it now, this was obviously an issue that he had been living with for quite some time. But Mikey was starting to get a much clearer picture of why he had been brought here, and he wasn't sure he liked the weight that had begun to settle on his shoulders.\n\n[center]~*~*~*~\n\ntbc...[/center]","writing_bbcode_parsed":"
~*~*~*~

Chapter Two: Uncharted

~*~*~*~


Leonardo addressed the other guests, thanking them for their time and motioning for a servant to escort them back to the waiting carriages. He stood quietly, waiting until they had gone, before turning back to Michelangelo.

"I have duties that I must attend to now, but I look forward to tonight.'' He said in apology. "Show him to a guest suite, please Don.''

Donatello blinked, confused, like the outcome of someone actually being chosen during this strange stunt had never even crossed his mind. "Ye... yeah. Yes. Alright.''

Leonardo smiled his thanks, casting one last look back at Michelangelo, before walking away, passing a large turtle with emerald skin and golden eyes as he disappeared into the trees. The large turtle watched Leonardo go from over his shoulder, his arms crossed over his plastron, then he turned to look at Donatello.

The steward made a silent gesture with his hands, as if to ask what had just happened, but the emerald turtle just shrugged with a shake of his head and turned to follow the clan leader's son.

Left alone in the clearing with Donatello, Mikey occupied himself by putting away his instrument, sealing it carefully back into its case, then he stood and stepped up next to the steward. "Who was the big guy?''

Donatello jumped slightly, not realizing Mikey was so close. "That... that was Lord Hamato's second son, Raphael.''

Mikey nodded and they just stood there staring at each other awkwardly for a second before Donatello seemed to realize that he was supposed to be doing something and he shook himself. "I'm sorry. Come with me please, I'll show you to your room.''

The path through the garden twisted between the trees, leading them to a long hallway, open to the air on one side, that overlooked the entire estate and the valley stretched out below it.

Mikey looked around as they walked, impressed by the splendor. He figured that, if anything, he would get a day or two of being treated like a noble before he had to return to his real life and decided that he could at least try to enjoy himself, whatever else might happen.

With an amused grin he looked over at his quiet companion and noticed that the steward was walking stiffly with a prominent grimace on his face. Mikey slid up shoulder to shoulder with him. "So... that was weird, huh?''

"That was horrible!'' Don spat. "That was...!'' He spun at Mikey, looking fully prepared to unleash one hell of a rant, before the realization of who he was speaking to washed over him and he snapped his mouth shut, stalking off down the hall again.

Mikey trotted to catch up to him. "I take it that grabbing random strangers off the street and parading them in front of the clan leader's son is not the usual way of choosing a... what did you call it? Bond mate?

Don pressed his lips into a line so thin they turned white, looking sideways at Michelangelo. "No.'' He answered.

Mikey almost couldn't contain his laugh. If this steward didn't relax, he might vibrate himself into little pieces. Something had to be done about it.

"I mean... I'm not offended or anything,'' Mikey offered, spinning once with his arms outstretched. "There are certainly worse places to end up for the night.''

Donatello came to a stop in front of an ornate door with a golden handle and looked at him doubtfully, but Mikey just grinned, amused at how flustered Donatello seemed to be.

Eventually the steward's shoulders relaxed, and he sighed with a half-smile. "I suppose that's true. I'm so sorry about all of this. I promise, this is not something the Hamato Clan makes a habit of doing. Lord Hamato has been increasingly agitated of late because of Leonardo's lack of...''

Donatello seemed to come to himself again, realizing he was speaking out of turn, and blinked. "Well, he was quite insistent and, most of this was at his order, so...'' Donatello just shrugged to complete his sentence.

"I get it.'' Mikey smiled. "The eldest son needs to settle down, get serious about life. Tale as old as time.''

Donatello stared at Mikey with an unreadable expression on his face. "Yes... something like that.'' He turned to the door behind him and opened it. "This will be your room for the length of your stay here.''

Mikey stepped through the door and stopped dead in his tracks. The 'bedroom' if that was what they wanted to call it, was larger than the entire farmhouse he grew up in. Every piece of furniture was carved wood, painted and glinting with accents of gold leaf. The four-poster canopy bed, looking like it could easily sleep five or six, was dripping with silk and velvet and plush furs.

Donatello strode past him toward the far wall, which was really just a screen that he slid all the way open, revealing a private garden with a marble bench and table underneath a maple tree. The bird bath even had a fountain in it.

Turning back around, Donatello moved to the wall on Mikey's right, opening another sliding screen to reveal a stone lined bathing room with a marble tub so massive Mikey was sure he would be able to swim in it.

His mouth gaping open like a fish, Michelangelo just began to laugh. Laughing even harder when Donatello turned to look at him quizzically.

"I'm sorry.'' Mikey chuckled holding up his hand. "There must be some mistake. See I'm just one turtle. I'm gonna need a 'one' turtle room.''

Donatello looked at him blankly for a beat and then laughed. Genuinely laughed. Mikey decided he liked the look of a real smile on his face.

"This is technically the smallest suite we have.'' He said with a shrug. "Welcome to the Hamato Estate.''

"This day just keeps getting weirder,'' Mikey said slowly, stepping into the room and setting his satchel and case down onto the bed. "But, if you guys are trying to get me to stay forever, this is certainly a good way to butter me up.''

"Speaking of that,'' Donatello said, stepping forward. "I want to make this clear right away. You are free to leave anytime you wish. You will not be forced or coerced to stay should you choose that this is not where you want to be. All you need to do is ask and a carriage will be provided to take you anywhere you wish to go.''

Mikey nodded in understanding, so Donatello continued. "That being said, I need to explain what will be expected of you while you are here. As of now you are officially here as Leonardo's honored guest. That means, beyond the few restrictions that you will be expected to follow for the protection of the family, none of the army or staff can tell you what to do or make demands of you, not even the generals, so try to remember that.''

Well that was interesting, Mikey thought. "What about you? Can you order me around?'' He asked, genuinely curious.

"Not technically.'' Donatello answered cautiously. "You and I are, more or less, on the same level. I am Raphael's personal steward, and I have been given special privileges above the rest of the service staff. The Hamato family holds me in very high regard.''

"So, you're not just a servant then.'' Mikey teased.

Donatello held his chin up. "I am a valued and loyal member of Lord Hamato's personal staff.'' He replied sternly, not elaborating.

Mikey held up his hands. "Alright, alright, just getting us on the same page here Don, Donnie, can I call you Donnie?''

"I...'' Don started, confused.

"So!'' Mikey said, clapping his hands together sharply. "What exactly does this all mean for me. Am I just some kind of concubine now, or...''?

"No!'' Don said with an offended squeak. "No. At the moment it doesn't really mean anything other than what I just described. But we can't ignore the fact that you are here because Leonardo is expected to choose a bond mate, and in the event that something should become more between the two of you, and if you decide that you want to stay, then you will fill a role that is not that different from my own. You will assist Leonardo with his day to day responsibilities in ways that will be explained to you later, should that become necessary. Right now, however, all you need to do is enjoy what is being provided for you and to make yourself available for Leonardo should he wish to spend time with you.''

Mikey looked over at Don skeptically. "What if I don't even like him?''

Don simply shrugged. "Then you go home. Wherever your home may be.''

Mikey just smiled. "Well that makes it easy then. My home is wherever I'm lucky enough to lay my head at night.''

Don frowned in a concerned way, looking like he wanted to ask what that meant. But instead he questioned in a serious voice. "Do you consent to everything I have just explained to you?''

Mikey turned away from him and looked thoughtfully out at the little garden just outside his room. This was, by far, the strangest thing that had ever happened to him, and that included the incident with the goats and the honey.

He would be allowed to stay here, free room, free food, he assumed his every need provided for. And all he needed to do was spend time with the clan leader's eldest son? It sounded easy enough, in theory.

Was he even willing to stay in one place for longer than a day, was the real question. He lived his life bouncing from village to village, the friends he allowed into his life changing depending on what day of the week it was. Could he stay and interact with the same people every day, noble people at that, for an unknown length of time? Did he even want to?

Of course, it certainly beat sleeping in a flea infested tavern bed, or on a damp pallet of wood in a muddy alley when he couldn't afford the room. And Donatello had said he was free to go anytime he wished. The pros certainly looked like they outweighed the cons.

It would be a new experience, an adventure. He liked adventure. Maybe it would even be fun.

And then, just for a second, he remembered a gentle pair of hazel eyes, and Mikey felt the strangest sense of peace. Like no matter the outcome, everything was going to turn out the way it was meant to.

He turned back and looked at Don with an amiable grin, "Alright, I'm game to see where this goes.''

Don smiled his genuine smile, and there was that hopefulness shining behind his eyes again, just like before. Mikey was very curious to find out what that meant.

"Wonderful.'' Donatello beamed. "Would you... like a tour of the grounds? We have a while before dinner so I can show you around if you like?''

"Yes, please!'' Mikey said in excitement.

"First we need to do something about what you're wearing.'' Don said, stepping into a large wardrobe near the front of the room.

Mikey looked down, confused. "This is clean, they just gave it to me this morning.''

"Yes, but, now that you have agreed to stay, you need to dress in a way that represents your place here.'' Don exited the wardrobe holding a new tunic almost exactly the same as the one he wore, only it was a pale orange instead of lilac, and adorned with the same pattern of the Hamato bell flowers embroidered in periwinkle blue silk, instead of the red that cascaded down his own shoulders.

Mikey shrugged and removed the perfectly good tunic he had been gifted earlier and took the new one from Don, fastening the toggles down the front.

"Good, that looks nice, the flowers really bring out the blue in your eyes,'' Don said lightly, batting Mikey's hands away and adjusting a mis-fastened toggle. "This will help everyone to know that you are here by Leonardo's invitation and that they need to leave you alone. Trust me, this will make life around here much easier.''

They spent the next couple of hours walking around the estate. The property was massive, Mikey supposed it had to be to house an entire army. The main hall was even larger up close than it had looked from the carriage ride. Don explained that it was used to entertain the council or visiting clan leaders and for Lord Hamato to receive villagers if there was ever a dispute that needed to be cleared.

They toured the dining hall and the kitchens, the stables and the staff quarters. Nothing on the estate was small or simple, it was loud and, in your face, and, if he was honest with himself, pretty overwhelming. But he was used to going with the flow and tried to just let most of it wash over him as Don droned on and on with facts and history and trivia about the grounds.

Following that, Don led Mikey through acres of lush gardens that ringed the entire estate. ``For the time being, you cannot enter any building on the estate unless you have an escort, and you will be expected to remain in your room when you are left alone.'' Don made clear. ``But you are allowed to visit these gardens whenever you wish without being accompanied as long as you ask permission first.''

Mikey nodded his agreement to appease Donatello, not that it meant much. He was a master at slipping around unseen in the shadows. If he wanted to explore, he would, and they wouldn't have any idea that he had. But Don didn't need to know that.

They moved toward the eastern part of the estate where the army had their barracks and training grounds. Dozens of low buildings built in perfectly straight rows marked where the soldiers slept, with a large mess hall at the center of them.

Slightly removed from that area, closer to the front of the estate, was the armory and blacksmith, black smoke and blazing heat erupting out of massive doors left open to let in cooler air. Mikey could see rows and rows of weapons and armor, laid out on long tables as the smith's worked on them.

"And here we have the training grounds.'' Don's soft voice announced as they came around the building.

Some fifty yards below them, down a gently sloped embankment was a raised dais lined with wood planking and surrounded by grass, where soldiers waiting their turn to train sat or reclined. Mikey thought the platform could fit a hundred men easy, but right now there were only two.

Leonardo and Raphael were sparring in the open space, the sweat on their skin glistening in the afternoon light, their shouts and grunts reaching where Mike and Don stood looking down into the area.

Although it seemed that Raphael was the only one doing any shouting, Mikey realized after watching them for a few minutes. Leonardo was as quiet as an empty room, his graceful form sliding across the wood beneath his feet with hardly a whisper. With every movement of his arms the light flashed off a pair of gleaming swords sending sunbeams flying across the watching soldiers. Likewise, protruding between Raphael's fingers he could just see wicked looking spikes of steel also catching that same light, the handle of each weapon tucked up flat against his forearms.

Mikey couldn't take his eyes off them. He had spent his entire life in the poorest of villages, surrounded by the dregs of society. Nobles and clans were a distant, intangible thing that didn't have anything to do with what it took to survive each day. So, he had never really seen a true fighter, or what they were capable of, but even he could tell that the sons of Lord Hamato were both incredibly skilled.

Leonardo was crouched low, sweeping his leg along the ground in an arc toward his brother's legs. Raphael sprung into the air to avoid him, flying into a twisting flip that had him landing behind Leonardo. His foot shot out with a hard kick that the eldest only just managed to avoid, rolling to the side, gaining his feet quickly.

They carefully circled each other for a moment, then Raphael darted forward, moving far faster than Mikey ever would have guessed a turtle his size could. He dipped under Leonardo's left arm, shoving his shoulder into his armpit before Leonardo could block him, dislodging the sword in his hand to clatter on the deck at their feet. But the clan leader's son wasn't fazed, he moved back with Raphael's momentum, rolling along his body, spinning around and pushing hard against Raphael's carapace to dash back, putting distance between them.

The younger son took a staggered step forward, twisting down into a half crouch, bracing his feet, releasing a growl loud enough to hear from every seat in the arena.

Before anyone could even blink, he was in motion again, charging at Leonardo, teeth bared. Leonardo planted his feet wide and just before the younger turtle reached him, he spun into a hard kick, catching Raphael square in the chest, sending him flying backward to skid across the wood on his carapace.

Don released a rush of breath so low that Mikey probably wouldn't have been able to hear it if he hadn't been standing right next to him. Turning to look at the steward, he saw Don's eyes locked on Raphael, his mouth open slightly, a light blush of color tinting his cheeks. He seemed to have forgotten that Mikey was even there.

Raphael's aggravated bellow brought Mikey's attention back to the action. He was sprinting forward with his weapons raised, Leonardo taking a defensive stance as his brother advanced. The clash of their weapons sounded with a ringing echo, muscles straining as they pushed against each other. Then, with the scraping of steel against steel, the two of them broke apart, executing moves so quickly their motions were a blur. Mikey couldn't keep up, arms were striking out then blocking with intense quickness, legs were dancing back and forth so fast he was surprised the wood they stood on hadn't started to smoke.

In a blink it was over. Raphael slammed his elbow into Leonardo's wrist, knocking loose the second sword, then he hooked one of his feet around Leonardo's ankle and suddenly the eldest was on his carapace, one of Raphael's weapons imbedded in the wood a millimeter from the side of his head, the other pressed firmly against his neck. They stared at each other, their harsh breaths the only sound.

Then, finally, Leonardo smiled and conceded, his quiet 'yield' loud in the silence.

Hoots and hollers from the gathered soldiers echoed in the arena as Raphael helped Leonardo to his feet. Mikey joined in the din, clapping loudly with an excited laugh. This was way better than watching old tavern drunks duke it out over who was cheating worse at cards.

He turned to Donatello with a wide grin and found his companion standing with hooded eyes as he stared down at Raphael, the ghost of a hungry smile playing along his lips.

Mike narrowed his eyes with good natured suspicion, "It's not a coincidence that they happened to be here training right now, is it?''

Don looked over with a sly smile. "They're here at this time every day.''

Mikey considered Donatello closely, the steward was smart, maybe smarter than most, and he had some kind of agenda going that Mikey would need to figure out sooner rather than later.

"I like you.'' He said, wagging his finger. "You thought you'd get me over here just in time to see Leonardo looking all sweaty and impressive in an effort to sway my opinion, didn't you?''

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean.'' Don replied with an obvious grin, looking back down at the platform.

Playing along, Mikey gave a sideways nod. "Sure, ok, so then I guess we must have come here so that you could watch Raphael being all sweaty and impressive.''

Don's tone changed in an instant, his head snapping up to look at Michelangelo so fast he leaned back a little defensively. "Of course not, that's ridiculous.''

Mikey raised an eye ridge skeptically, giving him a withering look that said he wasn't at all fooled, causing Don to pull his shoulders back into a proud but also defensive stance. "I am Raphael's steward, nothing more.''

"But you obviously want it to be more, you look at him like you wanna to eat him for lunch.'' Mikey prodded gently. He wasn't trying to antagonize Don seeing as they had only just met but he was also not known to keep his mouth shut about things he had an opinion about. Why was it a big deal if Don was into Raphael? Maybe it was a status thing because Don was only a servant.

A flash of pain passed behind Don's eyes that Mikey almost missed, and the steward looked away, back down at the brothers who were now surrounded by a group of soldiers working on their own training.

Then, like the strike of a match, Mikey understood. "But it can't be more can it? Because he's the second son.''

Don breathed in deeply, "You're very observant.'' He said, quietly.

"That's usually the first thing people notice about me, yeah.'' Mikey replied, lightly.

Don was quiet for a minute and Mikey let the silence hang, letting the steward decide what to say next.

He thought he knew what was happening here, he had seen something like it in a small village far away from the Hamato estate once. A noble's daughter had fallen in love with a young village boy and wanted to marry, but her father had forbidden it, not because he disapproved of the boy, but because her older sister was not yet married. It wasn't a common opinion held among the nobles, but it happened more often than it was talked about.

Mikey could only imagine how much more complicated it was for the sons of a clan leader and there was obvious politics at play that he couldn't even pretend to understand, he could only hope that the outcome here would be better then what had befallen the noble's lovesick daughter.

When Don finally spoke again his voice was so quiet that Mikey had to lean in to hear him.

"By Lord Hamato's decree, Raphael is forbidden from making a bond claim before Leonardo has sealed a bond himself.'' Don paused with a grimace. "And he has suggested that the consequences should Raph even show a preference for a potential partner before Leonardo makes his choice, would be swift and very severe.''

Mikey knew nothing he could say would help, so he just nodded in sympathy.

"Come on,'' Don said with finality. "It will be time for dinner soon. We should go and freshen up.''

He turned to walk back to the estate without looking down at the brothers again and all Mikey could do was follow. He wouldn't press Don further about it now, this was obviously an issue that he had been living with for quite some time. But Mikey was starting to get a much clearer picture of why he had been brought here, and he wasn't sure he liked the weight that had begun to settle on his shoulders.

~*~*~*~

tbc...
","pools_count":0,"title":"Lost Among the Bell Flowers - Chapter Two","deleted":"f","public":"t","mimetype":"application/msword","pagecount":"1","rating_id":"2","rating_name":"Adult","ratings":[{"content_tag_id":"4","name":"Sexual Themes","description":"Erotic imagery, sexual activity or arousal","rating_id":"2"},{"content_tag_id":"5","name":"Strong Violence","description":"Strong violence, blood, serious injury or death","rating_id":"2"}],"submission_type_id":"12","type_name":"Writing - Document","guest_block":"f","friends_only":"f","comments_count":"0","views":"0","sales_description":null,"forsale":"f","digitalsales":"f","printsales":"f","digital_price":""}