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No money being made.\nWord Count: 100K+ multi-chapter 2k3\nSummary: Donatello sets out to do April a small favor and winds up in another dimension.\nRating will vary by chapter, from G to NC-17\n\n~~The amazing preview image created by @Bakameganekko", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Disclaimer: The TMNT are not mine. No money being made.
Word Count: 100K+ multi-chapter 2k3
Summary: Donatello sets out to do April a small favor and winds up in another dimension.
Rating will vary by chapter, from G to NC-17

~~The amazing preview image created by \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBakameganekko\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBakameganekko\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
", "writing": "\tBy the time the pair returned to the diamond site the fire inside the fissure had completely burned down. Using Nicco’s folding camp shovel and Don’s bo, they dislodged a couple of larger rocks from the edge of the opening, shoving them out of their way in order to get a better look inside.\n\n\tThe smoke that rose from the charred remnants of the fire carried with it a tantalizing scent of meat rather than the normally acrid smell of burnt wood. Shining his pen light into the hole, Don could see the burned remains of several large snakes, a few smaller ones, and what looked like eggs.\n\n\t“You got lucky,” Don murmured upon seeing what had been a good sized nest.\n\n\t“Note to self; do not stick hands into dark crevices,” Nicco muttered in return, his eyes on the dead snakes.\n\n\tSure that the snakes had been eradicated, the duo set to widening the opening in the hill. Despite having a breeze it soon grew warm and a layer of dirt settled on their damp skin. Periodically Don would examine the stones that they shoved aside, but none of them showed the conical markings indicative of Kimberlite.\n\n\tHe did however find a few scattered diamonds beneath the dead snakes when he and Nicco tossed their remains out of the way.\n\n\t“I think the rain entered the hill from somewhere higher,” Don said, using his flashlight to examine the interior of the fissure as he stood inside of it. “It filled up this small space and then the weight of the water punched through the spot that was weakened by the roots of that bush. The Kimberlite is in here because some of it got carried out by the water. I’ll bet the snakes have been moving through here for a while and have probably dislodged some of the stones too.”\n\n\tAs Don’s light played around the small space, a flash of something caught his eye. Moving the light slowly along the base of the rock wall to his left, Don saw it again.\n\n\tIt only took two steps for him to reach the area and it was just wide enough for him to squat down without scraping his shoulders against the walls. With a small pen knife he poked at the spot where he’d seen something shining and managed to break off a palm sized chunk of rock.\n\n\tBacking out of the fissure, Don stepped into the sun and held the rock up for Nicco to see. Embedded in it were two fair sized diamonds.\n\n\t“I’d say we’ve found the Kimberlite,” Don said, eyes bright as he studied the stone.\n\n\t“Damn Donny, you’ve got a natural gift for exploration,” Nicco said, accepting the stone when Don offered it to him. “I’m not sure if Mase would have done as well.”\n\n\t“Spend most of your life scavenging for things and it gets to be second nature,” Don told him, stretching to loosen stiff joints and then grimacing slightly.\n\n\tNicco looked up from the diamond and asked with a hint of amusement in his voice, “Having a problem?”\n\n\tDon didn’t fail to notice the smirk on his lover’s face and knew exactly what Nicco was alluding to. “I should have raided your medical kit for some aspirin,” he admitted wryly.\n\n\t“I’ll go down and get you some now,” Nicco said quickly, all hints of teasing gone from his voice.\n\n\t“I can get it myself,” Don said, touched by Nicco’s show of concern.\n\n\t“You’re hurting,” Nicco said, reaching out to cup Don’s face. “I’ll be back in a flash. Don’t go into the opening while I’m gone.”\n\n\tDon nodded and watched as Nicco scurried down the hill. For just a moment he thought his heart might burst from the sheer joy he felt at knowing that Nicco was a part of his life. Taking a deep breath in order to return his focus to the job at hand, Don spent some time examining the area surrounding the fissure, paying particular attention to the ground that rose up on all sides of it.\n\n\tWhen Nicco returned with some medicine for Don’s pain he found the genius using the shovel to cut small holes into different areas of the ground outside of the fissure. Handing Don some pills and the canteen, Nicco’s eyes swept across the turtle’s handiwork, noting how Don had carefully placed each shovel full of dirt next to the hole it was extracted from.\n\n\t“Do you see it?” Don asked after swallowing the pills.\n\n\tNicco nodded, pointing at a pair of holes that were near each other. “The dirt from those has a different look to it.”\n\n\t“The darker blue-black coloring is indicative of Kimberlite,” Don said. “The loose diamonds we found were alluvial, diamonds that were worked loose from the Kimberlite by the water washing over the source stone and eroding it so that only the diamonds flowed downstream.”\n\n\t“We can carry a lot more loose diamonds than ones still embedded in Kimberlite, Donny,” Nicco said.\n\n\t“True, but alluvial diamonds are usually spread out over a larger geographic area,” Don told him. “It will take forever to find enough of them to fill your backpack. The Kimberlite is deep inside the fissure, which is what made me try the back side of the opening. I think we can get at the primary source by digging where the darker dirt is.”\n\n\tPicking the shovel up, Nicco said, “We’ve only got one shovel, so we’ll take turns with the digging. I’ll go first to give your aspirin time to kick in.”\n\n\tWhen Nicco winked at him as he started to dig, Don knew he was being teased again, but he didn’t mind. There was absolutely nothing about the pain he was in that he regretted.\n\n\tIt was late afternoon when they hit a large mass of igneous rock. Using Nicco’s rock hammer, Don broke a chunk of the rock loose and examined it, finding that it contained a heavy deposit of diamonds.\n\n\t“This is amazing,” Don said excitedly. “Usually Kimberlite produces intermittent deposits of diamonds at best, but this cache is heavily laden with diamonds. It won’t take long for us to break off all that we can carry.”\n\n\t“Do you want to stop and get something to eat?” Nicco asked. “We skipped lunch.”\n\n\tDon was already chipping away at another likely looking section of Kimberlite and shook his head. “You go; I’m too excited to take a break.”\n\n\tNicco watched him for a few minutes, saying nothing. Feeling his lover’s eyes on him, Don finally looked up. “What?”\n\n\t“Sometimes when Mase is working on a project he forgets to eat and sleep. Usually I have to drag him away just to get him to do both of those things.” Nicco snorted, his humor evident. “Don’t think I won’t do that to you too if need be.”\n\n\t“I’ll quit at dinnertime, I promise,” Don said, yanking another chunk of rock free and tossing it to Nicco. With a sly look, he added, “I’m sure you can think of some incentive to get me into bed that’s better than resorting to violence.”\n\n\tNicco’s mouth dropped open as he stared at Don, and then he burst out laughing. “You really are a fast learner. Let’s do this together then; we’ll worry about food and [i]other [/i]things later.”\n\n\tTaking his truncheon hachiwari from his belt, Nicco used the blunt end to leverage a piece of rock loose and then turned to toss it next to the two they’d already collected.\n\n\tRight at that moment the ground started to bounce under their feet.\n\n\tThe movement stopped before either Nicco or Don had a chance to react. Straightening up, they both stepped back and looked around them, seeing that a few larger stones near the entrance to the fissure had rolled downhill, but other than that nothing in the landscape had changed.\n\n\t“What was that?” Nicco asked in a low voice.\n\n\tDon frowned. “This area must be geologically unstable. It’s possible that the magma that forced this Kimberlite deposit up from the planet’s core is still very active just underneath the strata.”\n\n\t“Magma means lava, right?” Nicco shifted uncomfortably and looked down at the ground. “How far underneath?”\n\n\t“It’s hard to say for certain,” Don answered, “but judging from the size of these hills, it’s pretty far down there. We’ll have plenty of warning before any lava punches its way through to the surface.”\n\n\t“I’ll feel better about that if we don’t remain in this vicinity for much longer,” Nicco said. “I’d rather try to outrun wild boars than burning lava any day.”\n\n\t“I’ll second that,” Don said, quickly returning to work.\n\n\tFortunately the Kimberlite was slightly porous and easily broken. The sun was just setting when the pair of turtles decided that they’d mined all of the stones they could possibly carry.\n\n\tLeaving the pile of diamond encrusted Kimberlite where it lay, Nicco and Don walked slowly back to their camp. They were tired, hungry, and dirty but both felt an immense sense of accomplishment at having finished what they set out to do.\n\n\tDon went immediately to their fire pit and stoked it back to life, glad that early in the day Nicco had the forethought to replenish the wood. He had just started to clean the last of their beet roots when Nicco announced, “I am not eating roots again.”\n\n\tPausing to look up, Don asked, “Then what are you going to eat? We haven’t had anything since breakfast and you have to be as hungry as I am.”\n\n\t“Let me borrow your staff,” Nicco said.\n\n\tStanding slowly, Don pulled his bo and handed it to Nicco. With a puzzled expression, he watched his lover set one end of the staff on the ground as he tied the sharper of his two hachiwari’s to the other end. Lifting the staff, Nicco tested the weight, shaking the end to ensure the blade was secure.\n\n\t“I’m going hunting,” Nicco told him, stating the obvious. “Get a spit ready, we’re eating meat tonight.”\n\n\t“It’s dark,” Don said worriedly. “You’re just as likely to be something else’s meal.”\n\n\tNicco chuckled. “If I don’t come back, eat the roots and keep the diamonds.”\n\n\tDon placed his hands on his hips and raised an eye ridge saucily. “You can just bet I will. I’ll add an ‘I told you so’ while I’m at it.”\n\n\tNicco smiled at him reassuringly. “I’ll be careful. If I don’t find anything in twenty minutes then I’ll give up.”\n\n\tHe didn’t give Donatello time to say anything more, disappearing into the darkness beyond their camp fire. For such a big guy, Nicco moved almost as silently as a ninja and Don felt rather proud of that fact.\n\n\tAlthough Don had no idea what Nicco thought he’d hunt out there, he went ahead and set up the spit. They’d seen no animals other than the furry creature that had stalked them the day before, but Don had a feeling that Nicco would not return empty handed.\n\n\tWith the cooking apparatus in place, Don picked up the canteen and their cooking pot and set out for the catch basin in order to fill both with fresh water.\n\n\tAs he neared the spot, Don immediately sensed that something had changed. The air smelt of water and as he drew closer, he saw the moon reflected back at him from what had once been dry ground.\n\n\tA large area was now covered in water, wisps of steam rising in tendrils from its surface. Walking just to the edge, Don squatted down to examine the new phenomenon.\n\n\tThe water was crystal clear and Don could see the hard packed ground under it. There was no odor other than the clean scent of good water, so Don gingerly placed the tip of his finger against the surface and discovered that the water was quite warm.\n\n\tStanding again, Don looked around and saw that the catch basin had cracked open and the heated water was pouring out of it. He realized that the earlier tremor must have agitated an underground hot spring and the steam had probably broken through to the surface, bringing the water bubbling up behind it.\n\n\tDon stepped into the pool and carefully walked out towards the center. The water felt amazingly good on his feet, the warmth seeping into and soothing the soreness in them.\n\n\tAt the pool’s center Don found that the water was only knee high. With a wide grin, he scooped up enough water to fill his two containers and then returned to the camp.\n\n\tHe’d just placed the pot filled with beet roots at the edge of the fire to cook when he heard Nicco whistling a tune. Don turned his head and saw the large turtle walking towards him, eyes twinkling as he displayed a pair of creatures that looked very much like a cross between a jackrabbit and a groundhog.\n\n\tAmazed, Don said, “I never saw any hint of those things while we were digging. Not even the ground burrows they probably live in.”\n\n\tNicco handed Don’s bo staff to him and then looked the creatures over. “Me either, but they’re out there. The holes are really small and well hidden. These guys were all over the place. It’s funny; they saw me coming and headed for the holes but then kept shying away from them, like something was already inside. I’m going to clean them over by the brambles so they don’t stink up the place.”\n\n\tHe turned away to take care of that task and Don thought about the creature’s strange behavior. It was very possible that the heated water that had formed the new pool had also risen to a level high enough to flood their underground homes.\n\n\tNicco had the creatures cleaned and gutted in no time and Don placed them on the spit to cook. Once they were in place, Don retrieved the bar of soap from the first aid kit, grabbed their cleaning rag, and picked up one of their cups.\n\n\tTurning to look at Nicco and smiling invitingly, Don said, “I have a surprise for you. Come with me.”\n\n\tDon’s seductive expression made Nicco shoot to his feet, jogging to catch up to the younger turtle. When Nicco spotted the new pool he slid to a stop with a gasp.\n\n\t“Where did that come from?” Nicco asked.\n\n\tDon stripped quickly and walked out into the center of the pool, lifting a finger to beckon to Nicco. Without any further hesitation, Nicco dropped his weapons and belt on the ground and waded out to where Don was waiting.\n\n\t“The quake widened an opening in the ground and the heated water poured out,” Don said, slowly sitting down in the water. Reaching up, he caught Nicco’s hand and tugged, bringing his lover into the pool with him.\n\n\tUsing the cup, Don scooped up the warm water and slowly poured it across Nicco’s shoulders and chest. Their eyes were locked together as Don worked the soap into the cleaning cloth and then leaned forward to rub it all over Nicco’s wet skin. After soaping a section of Nicco’s body, Don would then rinse him off.\n\n\tWhen his front was clean, Nicco took the cloth from Don and took his time removing the day’s grime from his young lover’s form. The warm water eased aching muscles and took the sting from the various cuts and scrapes that littered their bodies.\n\n\tTaking their time, they proceeded to cleanse one another’s carapace, paying particular attention to the grooves. Each cascade of water was like an erotic caress as it trickled over Don’s body and by the time Nicco had gotten to the bottom edge of Don’s shell, the smaller turtle was panting with need.\n\n\tTurning to face Nicco, Don crawled over his outstretched legs and straddled Nicco’s hips, sensuously grinding his lower half against his lovers. Nicco grasped Don’s butt cheeks and squeezed them, churring as the younger turtle began to arouse him. Don moaned, leaning forward to press his lips to Nicco’s and was soon immersed in a deep kiss.\n\n\t“Maybe we should wait until all of the soreness from last night is gone,” Nicco whispered against Don’s mouth.\n\n\t“It [i]is [/i]gone,” Don responded, gasping as Nicco’s erection slid into the open and pressed up against his own. “I want it back.”\n\n\tIn answer, one of Nicco’s fingers pushed against Don’s entrance and then slipped inside. Don’s churr was all the incentive Nicco needed to fully embed his finger inside his young lover’s ass and begin searching for that one very sensitive spot.\n\n\tWhen he found it Don’s entire body jerked. “Yes!” Don cried out and squirmed against Nicco’s hand, urging his lover to continue.\n\n\t“Donny,” Nicco groaned, grasping both of their cocks in one large hand and pumping them together. “Tell me what you want.”\n\n\tDon’s panting breaths were all he heard for a second and then Don rasped, “You.”\n\n\tAs Nicco removed is finger from Don’s ass, the smaller turtle raised up onto his knees, reaching for Nicco’s cock. Relinquishing his rock hard shaft to Don, Nicco continued to stroke Don’s erection.\n\n\tPositioning his body over Nicco’s cock, Don sank onto it, slowly impaling himself as Nicco murmured encouragements. The warm water splashed around them when Don started moving, the water rolling in waves created by the young turtle’s up and down motion.\n\n\tNicco watched his lover through hooded eyes, relishing every expression of pleasure that crossed Don’s face.\n\n\tThe dark skies, the ethereal silence, and the heated water all combined to weave a sensuous cocoon around the pair of lovers. Heartbeats quickening, Don and Nicco climbed the heights of physical arousal together until both peaked at the exact same moment.\n\n\t“Donny!” Nicco exclaimed, his voice low and guttural as he climaxed.\n\n\tDon’s own keening moan ended in a high pitched whimper as his orgasm hit and he jerked against Nicco, overwhelmed by the twin sensations of his own release and the heat from Nicco’s essence as it filled him.\n\n\tStill seated on Nicco’s lap with his lover’s cock inside him, Don leaned forward while Nicco sat up to meet him halfway. Their foreheads touched, each gasping exhale painting their mate’s face as they waited to speak until they were no longer panting.\n\n\tNicco was the first to manage words. “I love you, Donatello.”\n\n\tDon tipped his head forward enough to touch his lips to Nicco’s, pulling back to say, “I love you too, Niccolo.”\n\n\tOnce more their mouths joined, their arms circling each other in a tight hold. For a few precious moments it felt as if they’d left their bodies and were floating, their souls merging into one.\n\n\tNecessity pulled them down again, as did the far off sound of a predator howling. Separating slowly, they helped each other stand and then walked out of the pool, collecting their things before returning to the camp.\n\n\tFinding that the meat and beet roots were ready to eat, Nicco and Don settled down comfortably next to each other to enjoy their repast.\n\n\tNeither spoke for a time until Nicco finally sighed deeply and brought up the subject that weighed on both of their minds.\n\n\t“This is probably our last night together here,” Nicco said quietly.\n\n\tDon chewed a bite of meat before saying, “I know. We’re going to pack the rocks in the morning and head for the artifact. There’s no reason to stay longer.”\n\n\tNicco stared at him, eyes bright and speculative. “Actually there is. This wouldn’t be a bad life you know. There’s food and water and good safe places to build shelters. Time doesn’t work the same once you’ve been moved by the artifact from your home base. Years here for us might only be seconds to our families.”\n\n\t“I’m a scientist, Nicco,” Don said. “I can’t make a decision like that based on a theory. As much as I’d like to say that’s the solution to our problem, I can’t. Every dimension is different and my brothers might already be looking for me. The thing I told you about; I can’t let that happen to my family.”\n\n\tJust for a moment their gazes remained locked, both battling the desire to simply give in to Nicco’s whim and stay where they were. Don wished with all his might that he could be certain his absence wouldn’t be noticed but his logical mind told him that time didn’t actually stop in the puzzle box, it only slowed down.\n\n\t“You know I wouldn’t ask you to do that to your family, don’t you?” Nicco asked softly. “I think they probably need you almost as much as I do.”\n\n\tSuddenly Don was no longer hungry for food; all he wanted to do was spend every possible moment as close to Nicco as he could get. When he set his food aside, Nicco seemed to understand.\n\n\t“Help me stoke the fire so nothing is tempted to try and get the leftovers,” Nicco said, standing and offering Don a hand up.\n\n\tWith the camp settled for the night, the pair crawled into the tent, setting their gear just inside the entrance. Nicco stretched out comfortably on his side and held his arms out to Don, who pulled the blanket up and scooted into his lover’s embrace.\n\n\tDon turned his face up, offering his mouth to Nicco, who kissed him deeply yet gently. They were both very tired and when the kiss broke, neither tried for anything more.\n\n\tAlthough he desperately wanted to sleep, Don only pretended to do so, waiting until Nicco was breathing rhythmically. Afraid that this would be his last night with Nicco, Don fought to stay awake in order to memorize Nicco’s face. In the dim light he studied every inch of skin until it was imprinted on his brain and only then did Don allow sleep to overtake him.\n\n\tHours later Don woke. Now familiar with the nuances of the planet’s nighttime progression, Don knew that it was very early morning.\n\n\tNicco stirred slightly and then his deep voice whispered against Don’s ear, “Something woke you too?”\n\n\tDon couldn’t help the shudder of delight that ran over his body as Nicco spoke. Taking a breath to calm the dizzying pleasure, he said, “I just didn’t want to sleep away our entire last night together.”\n\n\t“Neither did I,” Nicco said, pulling Don against him. “I want to hold you close and feel your body against mine. I never want to forget that feeling.”\n\n\t“Make love to me,” Don whispered, leaning in to press a kiss to Nicco’s collar bone.\n\n\tNicco gasped and one of his hands slid along Don’s exposed side to his hip, squeezing it lightly. “It’s too soon, I don’t want to hurt you,” he said quietly.\n\n\tDon brought his mouth close to Nicco’s, making sure that his lover was looking directly into his eyes. “It will hurt me more not to be with you one more time.”\n\n\tThey made love slowly, taking the time to learn each other’s bodies and changing positions frequently. Neither wanted it to end too soon so they drew out the experience for as long as they could, until they couldn’t hold back any longer and peaked.\n\n\tThoroughly sated, the pair fell into an exhausted sleep, their bodies still as close together as they could manage.\n\n\tBy the time they made it out of the tent the next morning the sun had already touched the sky. While Don warmed the leftover meat, Nicco emptied his backpack into the tent, taking the blanket out before securing the tent flap. The only things he kept were the first aid kit which he shoved into a small outer pocket on the backpack, and the canteen and collapsible cups that could be snapped onto straps.\n\n\tAs they ate, Don eyed the blanket and said, “I can attach my pads to that blanket to turn it into a backpack for me to carry. The weight will be easier to manage that way and still leave us both hands free.”\n\n\t“You’ve got the spirit of an adventurer, Donny,” Nicco told him with a smile.\n\n\tDon returned the smile. “You did say I had spunk when we first met.”\n\n\t“I’m so often right,” Nicco said without the slightest hint of modesty.\n\n\t“You also said you weren’t going to babysit me,” Don pointed out humorously, “and then I saved your life.”\n\n\t“I saved yours a couple of times,” Nicco said. “But hey, who’s counting?”\n\n\t“Apparently you are,” Don said, chuckling as he smothered the fire.\n\n\tDon took a last sentimental look at the tent before following Nicco up the hill to where they’d left the Kimberlite. Together they packed all they could into Nicco’s backpack and then after Don fastened his leather pads to the blanket, they filled and tied it shut.\n\n\tFortunately the porous nature of the rock made it lightweight enough so that it wasn’t overly burdensome once they began to carry the packs. Before setting out for the artifact, the pair headed for the pool so that they could refill the canteen.\n\n\tWhen they neared it Donatello saw right away that something was wrong. Not only was it much bigger than it had been the night before, there was a lot more steam rising from it.\n\n\tDon bent down and cautiously touched the water, finding that it was extremely hot.\n\n\t“This is not good,” Don said. “The water shouldn’t be this hot; it’s only been a few hours since we bathed in it.”\n\n\t“What does that mean?” Nicco asked.\n\n\tDon looked all around them, his eyes darting from one rocky formation to another, each time noting fresh upheavals in dirt and rock alike.\n\n\t“It means we need to get out of this area as fast as we can,” Don said. “I thought that the quake pushed a warm water pool up to the surface but that isn’t what happened. The underground reservoir is being heated by the same thing that’s causing the quakes.”\n\n\t“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” Nicco asked, his expression showing alarm.\n\n\t“If we’d been a day later your diamonds wouldn’t have been here anymore,” Don said, moving away from the pond. “But then we probably wouldn’t be in any position to care.”\n\n\tAlthough they were low on drinkable water, both Nicco and Don took off at a fast lope. Getting out of the vicinity of the earthquake zone was their first priority, even if it meant becoming overheated.\n\n\tTheir first hint that something was amiss came in the form of a rabbit creature darting across their path. Two more quickly followed; their eyes wide with fear.\n\n\tDon glanced over at Nicco who was scanning the terrain for some predator that might have caused the animals to come out during the day. There was absolutely nothing in sight and Nicco shook his head, his brow furrowed.\n\n\tA minute later a deep rumbling sound struck their ears and more of the small animals appeared, all running in multiple directions at once. Accompanying the rumbling was the keening cry of numerous nocturnal predators, awakened from their daytime slumber by something that had frightened them.\n\n\t“Nicco . . . .” Don began with alarm.\n\n\tIt was all he managed to say as the ground started to move. Unlike the first minor tremor they’d experienced, this quake was intensely violent.\n\n\tAnything not attached to the ground bounced into the air, including the pair of turtles. Dust rose up all around them, larger rocks rolling from side to side with the shifting of the earth. Don flung his arms wide as he tried to maintain his balance, a feat that was hard to accomplish since the ground seemed to roll beneath his feet.\n\n\tAnother more sinister cracking noise joined the rumbling and before either turtle could react, a jagged trench opened up to tear the ground apart, steam rising from its depths.\n\n\tStanding directly in its path, Don couldn’t move in time and the earth disappeared from under him. With a shout, Don plummeted downwards.\n\nTBC…………", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "\tBy the time the pair returned to the diamond site the fire inside the fissure had completely burned down.  Using Nicco’s folding camp shovel and Don’s bo, they dislodged a couple of larger rocks from the edge of the opening, shoving them out of their way in order to get a better look inside.

\tThe smoke that rose from the charred remnants of the fire carried with it a tantalizing scent of meat rather than the normally acrid smell of burnt wood.  Shining his pen light into the hole, Don could see the burned remains of several large snakes, a few smaller ones, and what looked like eggs.

\t“You got lucky,” Don murmured upon seeing what had been a good sized nest.

\t“Note to self; do not stick hands into dark crevices,” Nicco muttered in return, his eyes on the dead snakes.

\tSure that the snakes had been eradicated, the duo set to widening the opening in the hill.  Despite having a breeze it soon grew warm and a layer of dirt settled on their damp skin.  Periodically Don would examine the stones that they shoved aside, but none of them showed the conical markings indicative of Kimberlite.

\tHe did however find a few scattered diamonds beneath the dead snakes when he and Nicco tossed their remains out of the way.

\t“I think the rain entered the hill from somewhere higher,” Don said, using his flashlight to examine the interior of the fissure as he stood inside of it.  “It filled up this small space and then the weight of the water punched through the spot that was weakened by the roots of that bush.  The Kimberlite is in here because some of it got carried out by the water.  I’ll bet the snakes have been moving through here for a while and have probably dislodged some of the stones too.”

\tAs Don’s light played around the small space, a flash of something caught his eye.  Moving the light slowly along the base of the rock wall to his left, Don saw it again.

\tIt only took two steps for him to reach the area and it was just wide enough for him to squat down without scraping his shoulders against the walls.  With a small pen knife he poked at the spot where he’d seen something shining and managed to break off a palm sized chunk of rock.

\tBacking out of the fissure, Don stepped into the sun and held the rock up for Nicco to see.  Embedded in it were two fair sized diamonds.

\t“I’d say we’ve found the Kimberlite,” Don said, eyes bright as he studied the stone.

\t“Damn Donny, you’ve got a natural gift for exploration,” Nicco said, accepting the stone when Don offered it to him.  “I’m not sure if Mase would have done as well.”

\t“Spend most of your life scavenging for things and it gets to be second nature,” Don told him, stretching to loosen stiff joints and then grimacing slightly.

\tNicco looked up from the diamond and asked with a hint of amusement in his voice, “Having a problem?”

\tDon didn’t fail to notice the smirk on his lover’s face and knew exactly what Nicco was alluding to.  “I should have raided your medical kit for some aspirin,” he admitted wryly.

\t“I’ll go down and get you some now,” Nicco said quickly, all hints of teasing gone from his voice.

\t“I can get it myself,” Don said, touched by Nicco’s show of concern.

\t“You’re hurting,” Nicco said, reaching out to cup Don’s face.  “I’ll be back in a flash.  Don’t go into the opening while I’m gone.”

\tDon nodded and watched as Nicco scurried down the hill.  For just a moment he thought his heart might burst from the sheer joy he felt at knowing that Nicco was a part of his life.  Taking a deep breath in order to return his focus to the job at hand, Don spent some time examining the area surrounding the fissure, paying particular attention to the ground that rose up on all sides of it.

\tWhen Nicco returned with some medicine for Don’s pain he found the genius using the shovel to cut small holes into different areas of the ground outside of the fissure.  Handing Don some pills and the canteen, Nicco’s eyes swept across the turtle’s handiwork, noting how Don had carefully placed each shovel full of dirt next to the hole it was extracted from.

\t“Do you see it?” Don asked after swallowing the pills.

\tNicco nodded, pointing at a pair of holes that were near each other.  “The dirt from those has a different look to it.”

\t“The darker blue-black coloring is indicative of Kimberlite,” Don said.  “The loose diamonds we found were alluvial, diamonds that were worked loose from the Kimberlite by the water washing over the source stone and eroding it so that only the diamonds flowed downstream.”

\t“We can carry a lot more loose diamonds than ones still embedded in Kimberlite, Donny,” Nicco said.

\t“True, but alluvial diamonds are usually spread out over a larger geographic area,” Don told him.  “It will take forever to find enough of them to fill your backpack.  The Kimberlite is deep inside the fissure, which is what made me try the back side of the opening.  I think we can get at the primary source by digging where the darker dirt is.”

\tPicking the shovel up, Nicco said, “We’ve only got one shovel, so we’ll take turns with the digging.  I’ll go first to give your aspirin time to kick in.”

\tWhen Nicco winked at him as he started to dig, Don knew he was being teased again, but he didn’t mind.  There was absolutely nothing about the pain he was in that he regretted.

\tIt was late afternoon when they hit a large mass of igneous rock.  Using Nicco’s rock hammer, Don broke a chunk of the rock loose and examined it, finding that it contained a heavy deposit of diamonds.

\t“This is amazing,” Don said excitedly.  “Usually Kimberlite produces intermittent deposits of diamonds at best, but this cache is heavily laden with diamonds.  It won’t take long for us to break off all that we can carry.”

\t“Do you want to stop and get something to eat?” Nicco asked.  “We skipped lunch.”

\tDon was already chipping away at another likely looking section of Kimberlite and shook his head.  “You go; I’m too excited to take a break.”

\tNicco watched him for a few minutes, saying nothing.  Feeling his lover’s eyes on him, Don finally looked up.  “What?”

\t“Sometimes when Mase is working on a project he forgets to eat and sleep.  Usually I have to drag him away just to get him to do both of those things.”  Nicco snorted, his humor evident.  “Don’t think I won’t do that to you too if need be.”

\t“I’ll quit at dinnertime, I promise,” Don said, yanking another chunk of rock free and tossing it to Nicco.  With a sly look, he added, “I’m sure you can think of some incentive to get me into bed that’s better than resorting to violence.”

\tNicco’s mouth dropped open as he stared at Don, and then he burst out laughing.  “You really are a fast learner.  Let’s do this together then; we’ll worry about food and other things later.”

\tTaking his truncheon hachiwari from his belt, Nicco used the blunt end to leverage a piece of rock loose and then turned to toss it next to the two they’d already collected.

\tRight at that moment the ground started to bounce under their feet.

\tThe movement stopped before either Nicco or Don had a chance to react.  Straightening up, they both stepped back and looked around them, seeing that a few larger stones near the entrance to the fissure had rolled downhill, but other than that nothing in the landscape had changed.

\t“What was that?” Nicco asked in a low voice.

\tDon frowned.  “This area must be geologically unstable.  It’s possible that the magma that forced this Kimberlite deposit up from the planet’s core is still very active just underneath the strata.”

\t“Magma means lava, right?”  Nicco shifted uncomfortably and looked down at the ground.  “How far underneath?”

\t“It’s hard to say for certain,” Don answered, “but judging from the size of these hills, it’s pretty far down there.  We’ll have plenty of warning before any lava punches its way through to the surface.”

\t“I’ll feel better about that if we don’t remain in this vicinity for much longer,” Nicco said.  “I’d rather try to outrun wild boars than burning lava any day.”

\t“I’ll second that,” Don said, quickly returning to work.

\tFortunately the Kimberlite was slightly porous and easily broken.  The sun was just setting when the pair of turtles decided that they’d mined all of the stones they could possibly carry.

\tLeaving the pile of diamond encrusted Kimberlite where it lay, Nicco and Don walked slowly back to their camp.  They were tired, hungry, and dirty but both felt an immense sense of accomplishment at having finished what they set out to do.

\tDon went immediately to their fire pit and stoked it back to life, glad that early in the day Nicco had the forethought to replenish the wood.  He had just started to clean the last of their beet roots when Nicco announced, “I am not eating roots again.”

\tPausing to look up, Don asked, “Then what are you going to eat?  We haven’t had anything since breakfast and you have to be as hungry as I am.”

\t“Let me borrow your staff,” Nicco said.

\tStanding slowly, Don pulled his bo and handed it to Nicco.  With a puzzled expression, he watched his lover set one end of the staff on the ground as he tied the sharper of his two hachiwari’s to the other end.  Lifting the staff, Nicco tested the weight, shaking the end to ensure the blade was secure.

\t“I’m going hunting,” Nicco told him, stating the obvious.  “Get a spit ready, we’re eating meat tonight.”

\t“It’s dark,” Don said worriedly.  “You’re just as likely to be something else’s meal.”

\tNicco chuckled.  “If I don’t come back, eat the roots and keep the diamonds.”

\tDon placed his hands on his hips and raised an eye ridge saucily.  “You can just bet I will.  I’ll add an ‘I told you so’ while I’m at it.”

\tNicco smiled at him reassuringly.  “I’ll be careful.  If I don’t find anything in twenty minutes then I’ll give up.”

\tHe didn’t give Donatello time to say anything more, disappearing into the darkness beyond their camp fire.  For such a big guy, Nicco moved almost as silently as a ninja and Don felt rather proud of that fact.

\tAlthough Don had no idea what Nicco thought he’d hunt out there, he went ahead and set up the spit.  They’d seen no animals other than the furry creature that had stalked them the day before, but Don had a feeling that Nicco would not return empty handed.

\tWith the cooking apparatus in place, Don picked up the canteen and their cooking pot and set out for the catch basin in order to fill both with fresh water.

\tAs he neared the spot, Don immediately sensed that something had changed.  The air smelt of water and as he drew closer, he saw the moon reflected back at him from what had once been dry ground.

\tA large area was now covered in water, wisps of steam rising in tendrils from its surface.  Walking just to the edge, Don squatted down to examine the new phenomenon.

\tThe water was crystal clear and Don could see the hard packed ground under it.  There was no odor other than the clean scent of good water, so Don gingerly placed the tip of his finger against the surface and discovered that the water was quite warm.

\tStanding again, Don looked around and saw that the catch basin had cracked open and the heated water was pouring out of it.  He realized that the earlier tremor must have agitated an underground hot spring and the steam had probably broken through to the surface, bringing the water bubbling up behind it.

\tDon stepped into the pool and carefully walked out towards the center.  The water felt amazingly good on his feet, the warmth seeping into and soothing the soreness in them.

\tAt the pool’s center Don found that the water was only knee high.  With a wide grin, he scooped up enough water to fill his two containers and then returned to the camp.

\tHe’d just placed the pot filled with beet roots at the edge of the fire to cook when he heard Nicco whistling a tune.  Don turned his head and saw the large turtle walking towards him, eyes twinkling as he displayed a pair of creatures that looked very much like a cross between a jackrabbit and a groundhog.

\tAmazed, Don said, “I never saw any hint of those things while we were digging.  Not even the ground burrows they probably live in.”

\tNicco handed Don’s bo staff to him and then looked the creatures over.  “Me either, but they’re out there.  The holes are really small and well hidden.  These guys were all over the place.  It’s funny; they saw me coming and headed for the holes but then kept shying away from them, like something was already inside.  I’m going to clean them over by the brambles so they don’t stink up the place.”

\tHe turned away to take care of that task and Don thought about the creature’s strange behavior.  It was very possible that the heated water that had formed the new pool had also risen to a level high enough to flood their underground homes.

\tNicco had the creatures cleaned and gutted in no time and Don placed them on the spit to cook.  Once they were in place, Don retrieved the bar of soap from the first aid kit, grabbed their cleaning rag, and picked up one of their cups.

\tTurning to look at Nicco and smiling invitingly, Don said, “I have a surprise for you.  Come with me.”

\tDon’s seductive expression made Nicco shoot to his feet, jogging to catch up to the younger turtle.  When Nicco spotted the new pool he slid to a stop with a gasp.

\t“Where did that come from?” Nicco asked.

\tDon stripped quickly and walked out into the center of the pool, lifting a finger to beckon to Nicco.  Without any further hesitation, Nicco dropped his weapons and belt on the ground and waded out to where Don was waiting.

\t“The quake widened an opening in the ground and the heated water poured out,” Don said, slowly sitting down in the water.  Reaching up, he caught Nicco’s hand and tugged, bringing his lover into the pool with him.

\tUsing the cup, Don scooped up the warm water and slowly poured it across Nicco’s shoulders and chest.   Their eyes were locked together as Don worked the soap into the cleaning cloth and then leaned forward to rub it all over Nicco’s wet skin.  After soaping a section of Nicco’s body, Don would then rinse him off.

\tWhen his front was clean, Nicco took the cloth from Don and took his time removing the day’s grime from his young lover’s form.  The warm water eased aching muscles and took the sting from the various cuts and scrapes that littered their bodies.

\tTaking their time, they proceeded to cleanse one another’s carapace, paying particular attention to the grooves.  Each cascade of water was like an erotic caress as it trickled over Don’s body and by the time Nicco had gotten to the bottom edge of Don’s shell, the smaller turtle was panting with need.

\tTurning to face Nicco, Don crawled over his outstretched legs and straddled Nicco’s hips, sensuously grinding his lower half against his lovers.  Nicco grasped Don’s butt cheeks and squeezed them, churring as the younger turtle began to arouse him.  Don moaned, leaning forward to press his lips to Nicco’s and was soon immersed in a deep kiss.

\t“Maybe we should wait until all of the soreness from last night is gone,” Nicco whispered against Don’s mouth.

\t“It is gone,” Don responded, gasping as Nicco’s erection slid into the open and pressed up against his own.  “I want it back.”

\tIn answer, one of Nicco’s fingers pushed against Don’s entrance and then slipped inside.  Don’s churr was all the incentive Nicco needed to fully embed his finger inside his young lover’s ass and begin searching for that one very sensitive spot.

\tWhen he found it Don’s entire body jerked.  “Yes!” Don cried out and squirmed against Nicco’s hand, urging his lover to continue.

\t“Donny,” Nicco groaned, grasping both of their cocks in one large hand and pumping them together.  “Tell me what you want.”

\tDon’s panting breaths were all he heard for a second and then Don rasped, “You.”

\tAs Nicco removed is finger from Don’s ass, the smaller turtle raised up onto his knees, reaching for Nicco’s cock.  Relinquishing his rock hard shaft to Don, Nicco continued to stroke Don’s erection.

\tPositioning his body over Nicco’s cock, Don sank onto it, slowly impaling himself as Nicco murmured encouragements.  The warm water splashed around them when Don started moving, the water rolling in waves created by the young turtle’s up and down motion.

\tNicco watched his lover through hooded eyes, relishing every expression of pleasure that crossed Don’s face.

\tThe dark skies, the ethereal silence, and the heated water all combined to weave a sensuous cocoon around the pair of lovers.  Heartbeats quickening, Don and Nicco climbed the heights of physical arousal together until both peaked at the exact same moment.

\t“Donny!” Nicco exclaimed, his voice low and guttural as he climaxed.

\tDon’s own keening moan ended in a high pitched whimper as his orgasm hit and he jerked against Nicco, overwhelmed by the twin sensations of his own release and the heat from Nicco’s essence as it filled him.

\tStill seated on Nicco’s lap with his lover’s cock inside him, Don leaned forward while Nicco sat up to meet him halfway.  Their foreheads touched, each gasping exhale painting their mate’s face as they waited to speak until they were no longer panting.

\tNicco was the first to manage words.  “I love you, Donatello.”

\tDon tipped his head forward enough to touch his lips to Nicco’s, pulling back to say, “I love you too, Niccolo.”

\tOnce more their mouths joined, their arms circling each other in a tight hold.  For a few precious moments it felt as if they’d left their bodies and were floating, their souls merging into one.

\tNecessity pulled them down again, as did the far off sound of a predator howling.  Separating slowly, they helped each other stand and then walked out of the pool, collecting their things before returning to the camp.

\tFinding that the meat and beet roots were ready to eat, Nicco and Don settled down comfortably next to each other to enjoy their repast.

\tNeither spoke for a time until Nicco finally sighed deeply and brought up the subject that weighed on both of their minds.

\t“This is probably our last night together here,” Nicco said quietly.

\tDon chewed a bite of meat before saying, “I know.  We’re going to pack the rocks in the morning and head for the artifact.  There’s no reason to stay longer.”

\tNicco stared at him, eyes bright and speculative.  “Actually there is.  This wouldn’t be a bad life you know.  There’s food and water and good safe places to build shelters.  Time doesn’t work the same once you’ve been moved by the artifact from your home base.  Years here for us might only be seconds to our families.”

\t“I’m a scientist, Nicco,” Don said.  “I can’t make a decision like that based on a theory.  As much as I’d like to say that’s the solution to our problem, I can’t.  Every dimension is different and my brothers might already be looking for me.  The thing I told you about; I can’t let that happen to my family.”

\tJust for a moment their gazes remained locked, both battling the desire to simply give in to Nicco’s whim and stay where they were.  Don wished with all his might that he could be certain his absence wouldn’t be noticed but his logical mind told him that time didn’t actually stop in the puzzle box, it only slowed down.

\t“You know I wouldn’t ask you to do that to your family, don’t you?” Nicco asked softly.  “I think they probably need you almost as much as I do.”

\tSuddenly Don was no longer hungry for food; all he wanted to do was spend every possible moment as close to Nicco as he could get.  When he set his food aside, Nicco seemed to understand.

\t“Help me stoke the fire so nothing is tempted to try and get the leftovers,” Nicco said, standing and offering Don a hand up.

\tWith the camp settled for the night, the pair crawled into the tent, setting their gear just inside the entrance.  Nicco stretched out comfortably on his side and held his arms out to Don, who pulled the blanket up and scooted into his lover’s embrace.

\tDon turned his face up, offering his mouth to Nicco, who kissed him deeply yet gently.  They were both very tired and when the kiss broke, neither tried for anything more.

\tAlthough he desperately wanted to sleep, Don only pretended to do so, waiting until Nicco was breathing rhythmically.  Afraid that this would be his last night with Nicco, Don fought to stay awake in order to memorize Nicco’s face.  In the dim light he studied every inch of skin until it was imprinted on his brain and only then did Don allow sleep to overtake him.

\tHours later Don woke.  Now familiar with the nuances of the planet’s nighttime progression, Don knew that it was very early morning.

\tNicco stirred slightly and then his deep voice whispered against Don’s ear, “Something woke you too?”

\tDon couldn’t help the shudder of delight that ran over his body as Nicco spoke.  Taking a breath to calm the dizzying pleasure, he said, “I just didn’t want to sleep away our entire last night together.”

\t“Neither did I,” Nicco said, pulling Don against him.  “I want to hold you close and feel your body against mine.  I never want to forget that feeling.”

\t“Make love to me,” Don whispered, leaning in to press a kiss to Nicco’s collar bone.

\tNicco gasped and one of his hands slid along Don’s exposed side to his hip, squeezing it lightly.  “It’s too soon, I don’t want to hurt you,” he said quietly.

\tDon brought his mouth close to Nicco’s, making sure that his lover was looking directly into his eyes.  “It will hurt me more not to be with you one more time.”

\tThey made love slowly, taking the time to learn each other’s bodies and changing positions frequently.  Neither wanted it to end too soon so they drew out the experience for as long as they could, until they couldn’t hold back any longer and peaked.

\tThoroughly sated, the pair fell into an exhausted sleep, their bodies still as close together as they could manage.

\tBy the time they made it out of the tent the next morning the sun had already touched the sky.  While Don warmed the leftover meat, Nicco emptied his backpack into the tent, taking the blanket out before securing the tent flap.  The only things he kept were the first aid kit which he shoved into a small outer pocket on the backpack, and the canteen and collapsible cups that could be snapped onto straps.

\tAs they ate, Don eyed the blanket and said, “I can attach my pads to that blanket to turn it into a backpack for me to carry.  The weight will be easier to manage that way and still leave us both hands free.”

\t“You’ve got the spirit of an adventurer, Donny,” Nicco told him with a smile.

\tDon returned the smile.  “You did say I had spunk when we first met.”

\t“I’m so often right,” Nicco said without the slightest hint of modesty.

\t“You also said you weren’t going to babysit me,” Don pointed out humorously, “and then I saved your life.”

\t“I saved yours a couple of times,” Nicco said.  “But hey, who’s counting?”

\t“Apparently you are,” Don said, chuckling as he smothered the fire.

\tDon took a last sentimental look at the tent before following Nicco up the hill to where they’d left the Kimberlite.  Together they packed all they could into Nicco’s backpack and then after Don fastened his leather pads to the blanket, they filled and tied it shut.

\tFortunately the porous nature of the rock made it lightweight enough so that it wasn’t overly burdensome once they began to carry the packs.  Before setting out for the artifact, the pair headed for the pool so that they could refill the canteen.

\tWhen they neared it Donatello saw right away that something was wrong.  Not only was it much bigger than it had been the night before, there was a lot more steam rising from it.

\tDon bent down and cautiously touched the water, finding that it was extremely hot.

\t“This is not good,” Don said.  “The water shouldn’t be this hot; it’s only been a few hours since we bathed in it.”

\t“What does that mean?” Nicco asked.

\tDon looked all around them, his eyes darting from one rocky formation to another, each time noting fresh upheavals in dirt and rock alike.

\t“It means we need to get out of this area as fast as we can,” Don said.  “I thought that the quake pushed a warm water pool up to the surface but that isn’t what happened.  The underground reservoir is being heated by the same thing that’s causing the quakes.”

\t“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” Nicco asked, his expression showing alarm.

\t“If we’d been a day later your diamonds wouldn’t have been here anymore,” Don said, moving away from the pond.  “But then we probably wouldn’t be in any position to care.”

\tAlthough they were low on drinkable water, both Nicco and Don took off at a fast lope.  Getting out of the vicinity of the earthquake zone was their first priority, even if it meant becoming overheated.

\tTheir first hint that something was amiss came in the form of a rabbit creature darting across their path.  Two more quickly followed; their eyes wide with fear.

\tDon glanced over at Nicco who was scanning the terrain for some predator that might have caused the animals to come out during the day.  There was absolutely nothing in sight and Nicco shook his head, his brow furrowed.

\tA minute later a deep rumbling sound struck their ears and more of the small animals appeared, all running in multiple directions at once.  Accompanying the rumbling was the keening cry of numerous nocturnal predators, awakened from their daytime slumber by something that had frightened them.

\t“Nicco . . . .” Don began with alarm.

\tIt was all he managed to say as the ground started to move.  Unlike the first minor tremor they’d experienced, this quake was intensely violent.

\tAnything not attached to the ground bounced into the air, including the pair of turtles.  Dust rose up all around them, larger rocks rolling from side to side with the shifting of the earth.  Don flung his arms wide as he tried to maintain his balance, a feat that was hard to accomplish since the ground seemed to roll beneath his feet.

\tAnother more sinister cracking noise joined the rumbling and before either turtle could react, a jagged trench opened up to tear the ground apart, steam rising from its depths.

\tStanding directly in its path, Don couldn’t move in time and the earth disappeared from under him.  With a shout, Don plummeted downwards.

TBC…………", "pools_count": 1, "title": "Don and the Puzzle Box part 16", "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" } ], "submission_type_id": "12", "type_name": "Writing - Document", "guest_block": "t", "friends_only": "f", "comments_count": "5", "views": "180" }