Ch 14. Advice for the Insecure.

Leo entered his home at about nine o'clock and removed his shoes. He looked around and sighed. It was not the day he had been hoping for but a small part of him felt good for helping out Murakami and the knowledge that he would be putting the Purple Dragons in jail for what they had done made him feel somewhat better; or at least it should have. For some reason Leo felt tired and sad and as he surveyed the large room, he started to feel lonely.

"Leonardo." Bradford's voice broke through his thoughts and Leo rolled his eyes and huffed as he turned to face him.

"Not now Bradford," Leo told him. "I've had a long day and I'm not in the mood to deal with your idiosyncrasies." He turned and started up the stairs.

"Where were you tonight Leonardo?" He demanded in a low angry tone.

"Don't you have some place else to be?" Leo retorted back from the top step. "Like another home or a rock to crawl under?"

"The police called." Bradford called up to him. "They said you stopped some hoodlums from robbing this blind chef at a noodle place." Bradford smirked as he watched Leo slowly make his way back down the stairs and gaze at him in bewilderment.

"Why did they call here?" Leo asked.

Bradford chuckled lightly. "They needed information." He told him. "Said you were pretty heroic and they look forward to having you testify against this…." His eyes searched the ceiling as he attempted to recall the name, "Um…'Purple Dragon' gang?" He crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame. "So what were you doing on that side of the town?" He pushed himself off the frame and walked toward him. "Who are you seeing over there Leonardo?" He demanded. "And don't tell me your aunt because I know you only go there on Sundays." He glared up at him. "You left here around one thirty and you are just now getting home so tell me...where were you."

Leo scowled at him. "Where I was is none of your concern!" He yelled. "So do everyone a favor, go to hell and leave me alone!" Before Bradford could say another word, Leo turned and stormed up the stairs. He walked into his room and slammed his door. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, he had to take a moment, 'just one moment to relax', he thought to himself. As he finally felt himself calm, he looked down at his cell in puzzlement, 'That's weird,' He thought, 'I never gave them my home number.'

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Bradford growled at the turtle's retreating shell. After hearing Leo slam his door, he walked into Saki's study and picked up the phone. He waited only a few seconds before the call was answered. "He's becoming very secretive and difficult." Bradford said into the phone. "He prevented the Purple Dragons from collecting money owed to you," He took a deep breath. "I suggest you cut your visit short and look into coming back early."

"Do what you can," Saki's cold voice told him from the other end. "I'll be home as soon as I am able."

"Yes, Master Shredder." Bradford said and hung up the phone.

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On Monday, tired and feeling rather anxious, Leo made his way into the school and toward his locker. However, as he stepped into the hallway, several students looked over at him and started clapping while others came up to him and clapped his shell while others shook his hands and congratulated him. He looked at them in confusion but smiled and nodded to them as he attempted to make his way to his locker.

"Leo!" He looked over to see Mikey running toward him and before he knew what was happening, Mikey had him wrapped in a hug. "Everyone's heard bro." Mikey said as he stepped back. "It's all over school how you took on the Purple Dragon gang and now their locked up." He looked at Leo with awe. "I just wish I had been there to see it."

Leo smiled nervously at Mikey's enthusiasm. "Thanks Mikey." He said as the others came over to him.

"You should be given a medal or something Leo." Casey said.

"Sure," Mikey said bouncing around, "We'll take the whole school day off and all the students can have a big party in your name." He said excitedly.

Leo shook his head and looked over to where Mona was looking angrily at him. "It really isn't that big a deal." He rubbed his head timidly. "Anyone would have done the same." He turned toward his locker, opened it quickly and grabbed his stuff then turned back to the others who were now watching him and looking slightly perplexed by his actions.

"But Leo…." Donnie started, but Leo waved him off.

"I didn't do anything more than help a friend." He told him. "Now we all need to get to class." He started to leave but Raph blocked his way. The two looked at each other for a few moments before Raph attempted to speak.

"Leo…." Raph began but Leo put his hand in front of his face to stop him.

"Stop Raph," Leo told him softly. "Before you say anything, let me speak." He looked over to Mona. "I'm sorry for what happened on Saturday and I promise I'll leave you guys alone from now on." He told them. "You two belong together and from now we'll only see each other in school."

"But Leo," Donnie and Mikey looked at him in dismay. "You said you'd be at our birthday parties and help decorate for the school dances and…."

Leo put a hand on Donnie's shoulder. "If you want me to be there I will be." He promised then looked at Raph. "I was only speaking to Raph and Mona anyway." He said then turned away and walked toward his classroom."

"Hi Leo," A sultry voice sounded behind him. Leo turned to see Karai coming toward him.

'Oh no,' Leo thought as the dark haired girl walked over toward him. He prepared himself for a backlashing from Fong's girlfriend as she leered down at him.

"Fong called me from jail." She told him. Leo watched in surprise as her lips curled up into a cruel smile. "He and the others are going to get bailed out." She leaned in close. "Just thought I'd let you know that you're on his hit list." She gazed longingly at him as he looked away from her nervously. "I'd hate to see someone as adorable as you get his shell kicked." She gave him a wink then walked away.

"You okay Leo?" Mikey asked; his face showed clearly the concern for his friend as they walked into the science room.

Leo took a long deep breath and rubbed his hands down his tired face, "I think so Mikey," He muttered. "Just have to wonder if life can get any more difficult."

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At the end of the day, Leo sat at the teacher's desk going through folders and putting the student's papers together to hand back to them. After Usagi class ended, the rabbit watched as Leo solemnly handed the students their papers and said goodbye. He waited till the last student left before walking over to Leo.

"Is everything alright Leonardo?" He asked as Leo began putting things away.

Leo looked over at him and shook his head. "Not really." He told him. Usagi motioned for Leo to sit at a desk while he sat across from him.

"There has been much talk about you throughout the school." Usagi commented. "From what I hear, you should be very happy about what you did," He cocked his head to one side as he considered what the talk was about. "Or perhaps you are very fearful for what may happen?"

Leo smiled and shook his head. "No," He assured him, "I'm proud of what I did," He insisted then shrugged. "There's just so much more going on in my life then I want to deal with."

"How bout we go to dinner and talk about it?"

Usagi looked at Leo in shock as the young turtle suddenly threw his head back and laughed hard. "I'm sorry Usagi," Leo said as he tried to catch his breath. "It's just that some of what I'm going through is because someone from this school saw us leaving together last Friday."

Usagi nodded and took out his cell, "Take out then." He said with a smile and dialed a number as Leo laughed some more

A half hour later, the two sat in the teacher's lounge, eating pizza while Leo finished explaining to Usagi all that had been happening since he started school. "So since the beginning I've had a crush on Raph and I know he likes me but as long as he's with Mona, it's going to continue being this triangle that I just don't want to be a part of so I've decided to have nothing more to do with him." He let an exasperated moan. "I was so hoping to have a stress free, drama free, hate free life but that seems to be the last thing I'm getting."

"So it would seem." Usagi picked up another slice of pizza. "So….Why do you think he feels obligated to date her?" Usagi asked as he finished off his third slice of pizza.

Leo shook his head, "I'm not sure," He said then frowned in thought. "However…."

Usagi watched Leo furrow his eye ridges deep in thought. "What Leonardo?"

"When the police were arresting the Purple Dragons," He said, "One of them thought I was part of the gang but another one said the PDs used to run with a turtle with green eyes." He looked at Usagi. "I wonder if they were talking about Raph?" Leo's look deepened. "Would he have at one time run with those jerks?"

"Anything is possible," Usagi told him. "Perhaps, if he was, Mona helped him in getting away from that crowd."

Leo nodded. "I suppose you could be right." Leo looked down at the last slice of pizza in his hands and put it back in the box. "But what does it matter?" He muttered sadly. "After Mona told everyone we went out to dinner, Raph got angry…."Leo huffed and shook his head as he laughed lightly, "Why he thinks he had a right to I have no idea…." Leo said standing up and throwing his hands in the air, "But now I think it just has to come to an end between us." He sat back down and picked up his last slice of pizza.

Usagi watched as Leo slowly and sadly ate his slice. "Would you like me to talk with him?" He asked, "Assure him that we are not dating and that I have no interest in you in that way."

Leo shook his head. "Thanks Usagi but it probably won't do any good." Leo said looking at up at him. "It shouldn't matter but as long as we continue to work together he'll probably continue to think something could happen between us."

Usagi picked up his cell and started pushing buttons. "Perhaps if he knew I had a fiancé," He said. He handed his cell to Leo and the young turtle smiled when he saw a picture of the rabbit with another, slightly shorter female rabbit with a ring that adorned her finger. They were smiling at the camera and hugging each other. Leo gazed longing at the picture.

"You two look so happy." He said as he handed the cell back to him.

Usagi looked at the picture and nodded, "We are very happy," He said. "And I miss her very much."

"So is she also in New York?" Leo asked as he continued to eat.

Usagi shook his head and put his phone away. "She is back in Japan, I will be returning there after the first of the year." He said as he started cleaning up. "I am only here finishing my internship and once I return we will be married."

Leo nodded. "You must be excited." He said as the two finished cleaning and prepared to leave.

"I am," He looked down at Leo and smiled. "Do you know why I asked you to assist me with this tutoring Leonardo?"

Leo shrugged. "Not really sure," He said. "I thought it was because you saw that I had great knowledge and respect for the Japanese language."

Usagi nodded, "Yes, that is part of it," he admitted, "But it is also because I see in you a kindred spirit." Leo looked at him with wide eyes. "I had only been here for a few weeks attending a college in New York City to complete my education before going back to Japan," He explained, "I figured an internship over in America as well as completing my education in a New York City college would look great on my resume," Leo nodded in understanding as he continued. "But here, I have no friends or family," Usagi's look saddened. "And when I was asked to take over the class for the next few months, I was certain I would be teaching kids who would be unruly and only interested in getting through school till graduation." The two stopped and looked at each other. "And I am happy to say I was only half right."

The two laughed and continued down the hallway. "May I confess something to you Leonardo?" Usagi asked.

"Of course,"

"After I met you, I decided to check into your background and I looked in your student folder."

"Really?" Leo looked at him. "Is that when you decided to give me the job?"

Usagi shrugged, "That and also," He looked at Leo shyly, "I was hoping to find a friend in you."

"Well," Leo said as they stopped at his locker. "I'm honored you thought so highly of me and I've been proud to have you as a friend."

"Good," Usagi said as they continued out of the school. "Then as a friend, let me give you some advice."

"Please," Leo urged.

"The two of us have much in common," Usagi began. "We are both from far away leaving behind the only life we've ever known and….." He smiled. "I've also been where you now are." They got to Usagi's car and the rabbit looked at Leo sternly. "Do yourself a favor Leonardo," He said, "I too was once in a love triangle and like you I was willing to stay away but I later decided that at some point, the other person would come to realize that the love they felt is not real love if the person they care for does not feel the same and he would eventually let her go." Usagi smiled as memories came back to him. "And because I was there for her, she came to me and there were no hard feelings between me and my best friend." He laughed lightly. "Who will also be the best man at my wedding."

Leo smiled back as Usagi put a paw on his shoulder. "At some point Leonardo, Mona will come to realize she cannot force Raphael to love her and she will let him go," He started to get into his car, "When she does, be there for him."

Leo nodded. "Thank you Usagi," He said as he started to turn away to walk toward the bus stop.

"Leonardo?" Usagi called after him. "Would you like a ride home?"

Leo stopped and looked back at Usagi, as he did, his eyes roamed over to the football field where loud voices could be heard. "Thanks Usagi but I'm going to pass this time." He nodded behind them. "The football team is still practicing and I think I'd like to go and check it out."

Usagi nodded in understanding. "Very well then, I will see you tomorrow."

"Have a good night Usagi," Leo said as he started toward the field, "And thanks again."

Raphael had just finished tackling a team mate and was now getting some water. As he surveyed the small crowd on the bleachers, he nodded up to his brothers, friends and Mona who, as always, were waiting for his practice to end so they could go home. As he acknowledged them, his eyes looked over to the left side at the very top of the bleachers where he saw another green figure looking down at him. Raph's eyes shinned bright as Leo smiled and waved down at him. Raph nodded to him then went back to his practice.