Ch 13 Picking Fights.

On Saturday, Leo stepped off the bus at two o'clock and walked across the park to the Hamato home. In his hands was a large brightly red wrapped package with a tag addressed to Raph. It was Raph's birthday party and Leo was looking forward to having some fun with the gang. He shivered lightly and looked up at the sky and sighed. Even though it was early afternoon and a beautiful autumn day, the air was chilly and the days were getting shorter as the days went on. It was on days like this he found himself actually missing the west coast. He zipped up his jacket and hurried across the park.

He walked into the home and made his way into the living room where Mikey and Renet were setting up the table with a variety of food. A two layer cake sat in the middle next to the strawberry rhubarb pie Mikey promised he would make.

Sitting on the couch were Donnie and Angel laughing about something on Angel's phone. Leo smiled as he watched them interact, 'Wondered how long it was going to take before Donnie realized Angel had the hots for him', he thought to himself. He greeted the couples and made his way over to a corner where a few presents sat on a table. As he placed his on the table, Raph's voice called out to him.

"Hey Leo," Raph walked out of the kitchen with Mona, Casey and April behind him.

"Happy birthday Raph," Leo greeted. "Well, happy belated birthday," He said with a laugh.

Raph shrugged. "Well, it may have been on Thursday but a birthday is nothing without family and friends." The boys smiled at each other and walked over to the food table with the others and started gathering snacks. The party was wonderful and everyone had a great time enjoying the food, punch and special entrees Mikey and Renet had created.

After singing 'Happy Birthday' to Raph and enjoying the pie and birthday cake, Splinter came over to the group and announced Raph would be opening presents. Raph walked over to the table and was just about to open Leo's when the blue-eyed terrapin stopped him.

"Open mine last Raph," He insisted with his eye ridges wiggling, "It's special."

Raph looked at him curiously but did so nonetheless. He quickly unwrapped the other presents thanking everyone for what they had given him. As he started opening Leo's present, Splinter came over to him. "Please Raphael," He said as he coaxed him toward the dojo, "Open Leonardo's present outside."

"Okay," Raph said with narrowing eyes. "What are you two up to?" He looked from his Sensei to Leo who was smiling mischievously at him.

"You will see." Splinter told him mysteriously.

The group walked to the dojo as Raph opened Leo's present. In the dojo was a large window that faced the street where Splinter's students would park. And there, parked in the front of the dojo, was a sleek black Harley sporting red and yellow flames along the sides and seat. Silver chrome pipes jutted out toward the back of the bike and it had a high back leather bound back seat for a passenger to sit on.

As Raph walked into the dojo, he open Leo's present and pulled out a large red helmet with white flames on both sides. Leo smiled as he watched Raph suddenly stop and look at the helmet curiously. His eyes slowly looked up and everyone watched as he took in the brand new motorcycle sitting in front of the dojo.

"No way," Raph breathed out as his eyes became so large everyone was certain they would pop out of his head. He looked from Splinter to Leo and smiled widely. "You planned this?" He said excitedly.

Everyone laughed as Raph brought Leo into a hug. "I didn't know what to get you," Leo explained, "So I called Splinter and he clued me in."

The group walked outside and Raph inspected the bike. "This is so awesome!" He yelled out. "I love it! It's exactly what I wanted!" He ran to Splinter and wrapped his arms around him. "Sensei, you are the best!" He yelled as he ran back to the bike and hopped on. "It's just what I wanted."

"This is a sweet ride Raph," Casey told him as they fist bumped. "Looking forward to catching a ride with you."

"Oh, oh," Mikey jumped up and down with his hand waving in the air. "Can I get the first ride?!" He said running up to his brother. "Pleaseeeee." He looked up at him with his cute eyes.

But before Raph could answer, Splinter walked over, "First my son," He said, "You need a motorcycle license"

"Well not just that Sensei," Raph said as he continued to inspect his bike. "But I'll also need another helmet for the passenger."

Splinter chuckled. "Why not look inside the saddle bags my son." He suggested.

Raph blinked up at him then, grinning widely, opened each saddle bag, inside one was a few accessories for the bike and in the other one was a matching helmet. "This is just too much!" He said joyously. "After I get my license, everyone gets a ride."

"Ah yeah!" Mikey yelled out. "High-three everyone!" He said as he danced around everybody and started slapping hands together.

The group walked back into the dojo and Splinter announced he was going to start cleaning up.

"Hey Leo," Raph walked over to him. "If you want, on some days, instead of taking the bus I can give you a ride home."

Leo smiled at him. "That would be great Raph,"

Upon hearing Raph's offer, Mona's eyes narrowed angrily and she scowled at them. "Do you think that is a good idea Leonardo?" She questioned. "After all, I would think your boyfriend would get very upset if he saw you riding with someone else."

Leo looked at her curiously as Raph and the rest of the group looked between the two of them in confusion. "What are you talking about Mona?" Leo asked. "I don't have….."

"Mr. Usagi," Mona quickly interrupted. "You are dating him are you not?" She smirked down at him. "I saw you two getting into his car yesterday, heard you say something about going out to dinner."

The other teens looked at Leo flabbergasted. "Leo," Donnie came over to him. "Are you seriously dating a teacher?" He asked. "Don't you know Mr. Usagi can be fired for that?"

"I'm not dating him." Leo said adamantly. "We went out to dinner strictly as co-workers, nothing else."

Raph felt the heat rising and he clenched his fist. "So nothing else happened after he took you home?" Raph looked at Leo angrily. "Or did you go back to his place?"

Leo startled at Raph's words. "That's uncalled for Raph." Leo told him. "And I don't know why it's a big deal to you or anyone else for that matter." He looked at Raph with his eyes filled with anger and hurt. "After all, do you think you own me or something just because we shared a kiss last weekend in the park?"

The entire group gasped and Leo quickly covered his mouth with his hands.

"Oh no he didn't" Mikey said as Leo looked over at Mona with wide frightened eyes. "Mona, I…." But before Leo could get a word out, Mona grabbed Leo by the collar and flung him to the ground.

"I TOLD YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM HIM!" She screamed at him while holding him down. Angel and April grabbed Mona by the arms and forced her off Leo.

"Mona," Renet said stepping in front of her, "Enough; calm down."

Leo picked himself off the floor and shook his head. "I'm sorry everyone." He said as he grabbed his jacket off the coat rack and started for the door. "I should leave." Everyone watched in complete shock and confusion as Leo headed for the door with tears running down his face.

"Leo, wait!" Mikey called and ran after him.

"Raphael!" Mona turned to him and crossed her arms. "We need to talk."

"Well this birthday party did not go as plan." April said as she walked over to Casey.

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Leo walked out of the house and started toward the park, he was walking at a slow pace and it did not take long for Mikey to catch up to him. "Hey Leo," Mikey said as he started walking next to him. "Don't let Mona get to you, come back to the party."

Leo shook his head. "No Mikey," He told him, "I've messed everything up and ruined Raph's day." He sniffed. "Mona and Raph need some space and me being there right now is not a good idea." He hung his head. "I'll just go home and…" He sighed dejectedly, "I'll see you on Monday."

But Mikey refused to let Leo go feeling the way he was, "Look Leo," Mikey took his arm and began to coax him to the playground. "Mona might be Raph's girlfriend but you don't know the whole story." He said as they sat on the swings. "Sure they've been dating each other for a while but that's because Raph feels obligated too."

Leo looked at Mikey in bewilderment. "Why would someone feel obligated to date somebody?"

Mikey looked over at Leo in contemplation. "Well…." He said hesitantly. "Let's just say Raph hasn't always been the cheery turtle he is now." He said with a giggle. "But Mona helped him and Raph's always been grateful to her for that," Leo nodded in understanding. "The thing is Leo," Mikey continued, "I know Raph and I do pay attention to what goes on around here," He gave Leo a sly look, "And I can say for a fact that I've never seen Raph look at Mona the way he looks at you."

Leo smiled. "Really?" Mikey nodded. "So you're not weirded out that I kissed your brother?"

Mikey shook his head and laughed, "Nah," He said, "It's no weirder then a human kissing a mutant," He wiggled his eyes at him, "Is it?"

The two laughed and stood up. "Thanks Mikey," Leo said as they started to walk away from the playground, "I appreciate you talking to me and I do feel better but it's after five o'clock and I think I should just head home."

Mikey nodded. "Okay Leo," He said as he waved, "See you at our lockers on Monday then?"

Leo started toward the bus stop, "You got it." He replied with a nod. He then went to the bench by the stop and sat down. The thought of going home was actually not appealing to him and he didn't want to deal with Bradford. He stood up and walked across the street over to Murakami's restaurant.

Leo looked at his watch, "Five o'clock," He muttered, "And Edna's not expecting me home for dinner so I might as well get some pizza gyoza to go."

As Leo approached the noddle place, he was surprised to hear a loud commotion coming from inside. Thinking trouble, he quickly ran up to building and cautiously looked inside. His eyes narrowed in anger when he saw the purple dragons tearing the place up and slapping around the blind chef.

Leo pulled out his cell phone and quickly called for the police. After giving the necessary information to the 911 operator, he looked back in and, very stealthy, slowly opened the door.

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Back at the Hamato home, Raph and Mona were upstairs in Raph's bedroom talking. "What were you thinking Raphael?" Mona demanded as she paced back and forth angrily. "Have you given up on us already?" She looked down at him sitting on his bed. "Have you given up on me and all that we mean to each other?"

Raph looked up at her. "Mona, I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you."

"Well you did!" She yelled angrily whirling around on him. "You had to go and kiss him!" She growled. "I've been with you through so much, helped you through so much and that's the thanks I get?!"

"Enough Mona!" Raph jumped up. "You didn't have to embarrass him the way you did and even if I did kiss him it's nothing to get riled up about." Raph took a deep breath. "I like him," He finally admitted. "And I can't help that I like him but I do."

"But Raphael," Mona's look softened and she placed her hand on his cheek. "You may like him…..But I love you." Before Raph could say another word she pressed her lips to his. "Don't give up on us." She urged after pulling slightly away. "I can be so much more for you than he could ever be."

Raph looked up at her and nodded.

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Leo opened the door slowly and made his way inside, Fong was rifling through the cash register while the other two were destroying various things throughout the restaurant. "Where is it old man?!" Fong demanded after pulling only a few bills out of the register. "Where's all the money?"

"RIGHT HERE!" Leo yelled as he jumped up and slid across the counter to the other side and smashed his foot into Fong's face.

The leader of the purple dragons fell back against the counter in a daze and slid to the floor. Leo then charged at Tsoi and, before he could defend himself, swept his leg under him and sent the lanky teen falling onto the floor. "Stay down!" He ordered him.

Leo then turned to see Sid who was coming toward him with a cleaver. "This time turtle," He sneered, "You'll be the one on the floor."

Leo put his fists up and prepared to defend himself, as he did, the sound of sirens could be heard in the distance.

"The cops!" Fong yelled starting toward the door, "Let's get out of here!"

"Oh no you don't!" Leo yelled running himself into Fong before he could get the door open. "You're going to stay and I'm going to make sure you pay for this."

The doors burst open and three police officers ran in. "Round them up." One of them yelled. He walked over to Leonardo and grabbed him by the arm. "Thought you learned your lesson the last time?" He said as Leo looked at him in surprise.

"That's not the turtle that use to be with them." Another said as the PDs were handcuffed. "The one you're thinking of had green eyes."

"Sorry kid." The officer said as he released Leo's arm and looked around. "Who was the one who called the police?"

"I did." Leo told him as he stared at the officer in shock over what he'd just heard.

"I'll need some information from you." Leo nodded and watched as two men came in with a stretcher but Murakami refused to go to the hospital.

"I am alright," He insisted. "Just a little shaken up." The two attendants looked him over and advised him to go to the hospital first chance he got.

After giving the police the information and promising to be available if necessary, the police left and Leo helped clean up the restaurant. "Thank you Leonardo-san." Murakami said as they put things away. "Please, let me make you a meal."

Leo happily accepted the offer and sat at a stool. "Did they get anything Murakami-san?" He asked.

"Thanks to you they did not." Murakami said as he shook his head. "Every month the Purple Dragons come here and collect protection money for their boss." He explained. "This time I tried to stand up to them but they drove all my customers out of my restaurant and started to destroy things," He let out a sigh as he prepared Leo's food. "They said they wouldn't stop until I told them where the money was."

"Well that's going to stop," Leo said adamantly as his food was served. Murakami poured two cups of the tea and they held up their cups. "And I'll help testify against them and make sure they go away for a long time." Leo said.

"I will toast to that." Murakami said as they clinked cups and toasted.