Ch 15. A Thrilling Dance.
"I have been looking forward to this all month long!" Mikey exclaimed as he climbed up a ladder to put a Halloween decoration on the ceiling.
"Wow!" Leo exclaimed as he made his way into the gymnasium carrying another box. "You guys have a lot of decorations up already." He walked over to Renet to help her with a banner. "Do you really need more?"
"You can never have too many decorations," Renet giggled as they tacked the banner to the wall. The two stepped back and nodded in satisfaction. "We're so glad you could help us Leo," Renet said as they opened the other box and pulled out a large boney skeleton along with several other decorations.
"Well, you guys are starting to feel like family and I'm really looking forward to the dance tomorrow." Leo said as he handed the skeleton to Donnie to hang on the ceiling.
"Yeah, we all love Halloween," Donnie said as he climbed up another ladder. "But the dancing is the best."
"Do you all have costumes yet?" Leo asked.
Mikey jumped down from the other ladder he was on and walked over to Renet, he put his arms around her and snuggled up against her. "We sure do," He said. "We're going as Dr. and Mrs. Prankenstein."
Leo looked at them in bewilderment. "Don't you mean Frankenstein?" He asked.
Mikey pulled away from Renet and looked at Leo with mischief. "No." He said.
Leo gasped and ducked his head as a water balloon was suddenly thrown at him. He heard the splash and a sudden low growl sounded behind him. Leo looked over at Mikey and saw his eyes widen in fear.
"Oh no," Mikey whimpered as he started to run.
"MIKEY!" Raph's voice yelled from behind Leo. "Come back here you little runt!" Raph yelled as Mikey took off running with Raph following behind him. Leo walked over to Renet and shook his head.
"Will Mikey ever learn? Leo asked as everyone in the gymnasium laughed. They watched as Raph chased Mikey out the door.
"After almost eighteen years you'd think he would've learned long ago." April commented coming up to them.
"Well," Donnie said shaking his head, "That's my brothers for you." He pulled out another decoration, "If anyone can get under Raph's shell, it's my baby bro."
"Tell me about it." Leo said as they continued to watch the two turtles. "I found that out the hard way on your birthday what a prankster Mikey can be." He said as he rubbed his arm. "Never thought anyone could use a slingshot the way he could."
"Ow! OW! OW!" Mikey cried out as Raph grabbed hold of him and started giving him a noogie on the top of his head.
"Say it Mikey!" Raph demanded as his little brother attempted to get away from him.
"Okay Raphael," Renet said coming over to the feuding turtles. "I think Mikey has learned his lesson."
"He'll learn his lesson after I hear him say it." Raph said as he sat on Mikey's shell."
"Raph," Donnie looked down at him with a stern look. "You don't want to have the principal come in here and see you beating up on Mikey again, do you?" He reminded him. "You'll get in trouble and probably won't be allowed to attend the dance."
Raph huffed while contemplating what Donnie had just said. "You learned you're lesson little bro?" Raph demanded while tapping Mikey's head.
Mikey whimpered as he nodded. Raph finally stood and helped Mikey off the floor while the smaller turtle raspberried him. "At least for now," Mikey muttered as he walked back over to Renet while rubbing his head. "But I'll get him back," Mikey smirked. "Dr. Prankenstein always gets his turtle." He laughed evilly while he wrung his hands.
Leo laughed as he watched the three brothers interact. In a way he couldn't help but feel a little envious of the camaraderie they shared and once again he found himself thinking back to the fun times he and his mother would have and the now lonely times that seemed to surround him when he would leave school. Leo sighed as he continued to decorate. It seemed the only time he felt really happy was when he wasn't home. He glanced back at Raph, who was now joined by Mona, and his thoughts drifted back to his birthday and the kiss the two had shared. Leo rolled his eyes and shook away the memory, 'Maybe one day,' He thought, 'Raph will find the courage to tell Mona how he really feels…." Leo hung up a poster, 'And me.' Leo walked over to another box and pulled out a string of black and orange lights. He walked over to a corner and was just putting the lights up when a loud banging noise sounded from the entrance.
"Well, well, well!" Everyone turned around to see Fong, and his purple dragon gang walking into the gym. "Look at the pretty decorations." Fong started walking toward April. "Sorry we couldn't take part in this little gathering but…" He turned to look at Leo. "Someone got us arrested."
Casey walked over to April and stood just in front of her. "Back off Fong," he said, "You're not welcomed here."
Fong shook his head at him. "We have no beef with you Jones," He looked down at April, "Or your little red-headed bitch," Casey clenched his fist and was just about to rush at Fong when the Dragon leader pulled out a switchblade. "Don't!" He warned as April placed a hand on Casey's arm to hold him back. "It's not you were here for," He backed away and started toward Leo. "I told you turtle, you need to watch your back." Fong said as he slowly made his way over to him.
Leo took a stance and prepared to defend himself. Behind Fong, Leo could see Raph, Donnie, Mikey, and Casey being held off by the other two. "Already out of jail huh?" Leo said as he and Fong stared each other down. "Well, I'll make sure that doesn't happen again."
"You won't get that chance turtle," Fong twirled his knife, "I'm going to make sure of that."
"Leave him alone Fong!" Ralph yelled. Leo watched as he and the others were finally able to push past Tsoi and Sid and rush over to Fong. "You've been expelled and shouldn't even be here so do yourself a favor and leave before someone calls the cops and have you arrested for a third time."
Leo's eyes widen when he heard Raph's statement. 'A third time?' He wondered.
Fong turned to look at Raph. "You used to be so much fun Raphael," Fong sneered. He put the switchblade away and slowly walked back to the others. "Remember those good old days when you would submit to everything we did?" He laughed. "I bet there's a lot about me you miss, isn't there."
"Enough!" Mona yelled out and stomped her way over.
Fong looked from Mona to Raph. "Gonna get your girlfriend in on the fun Raphie boy?" He nodded to the other two to leave. "When you get tired of her you come back to us," He said with a wink.
"When hell freezes over," Raph muttered.
Fong now looked back to Leo, "And you," He pointed him, "I'm looking forward to deshelling you."
"Get outta here Fong," Mikey now warned. "Get out and never return!"
"YEAH!" Several of the other students yelled and started to advance on the Purple dragons. "LEAVE…GET OUT….WE'RE NOT AFRAID OF YOU!" They screamed while backing them out of the gym.
"Screw you!" Fong yelled back. "Screw all of you!" They walked out of the gym scowling at the students who were still yelling at them. "You'll all be sorry but it's you…" He pointed to Leo, "Who's really gonna be hurting!"
Leo let out a breath and made his way to his friends, "Thanks guys," He said, "I wasn't expecting them to be out of jail this soon."
Mona turned angry eyes on Leo, "Well they are and now because of you," she brought her face close to him, "We're all on their hit list." She now turned to Raph. "We haven't had any problems with them since the last time." She pointed to Leo, "And now it's all gonna start up again, isn't it?"
"What's gonna start all over again?" Leo asked.
Raph turned to him. "Leo…."
"It's none of your business," Mona declared before looking back at Raph, "I told you, you should stay away from him but you don't listen."
"Will you stop please Mona!" Raph yelled, "Just please stop!" He took a deep calming breath, "The only thing Leo has done was stand up to those guys," He looked around the room, "Something all of us should have done a long time ago!" He walked over to Leo. "Don't worry about those jerks." He told him and looked to the others. "We've got your back," He put a hand on Leo's shoulder. "I've got your back."
The two smiled at each other and Leo looked around the gym. "Thanks everyone," He said.
He looked over at Donnie who was rubbing his chin in thought. "I wonder who posted their bail?" Donnie muttered.
"What do you mean?" Leo asked.
"The Purple Dragons don't live with their parents." Donnie explained. "And from what I know, their parents want nothing to do with them and probably would've left them to rot in jail so I just have to wonder…." He looked to the entrance of the gym. "Who got them out?"
Leo nodded slowly in contemplation as all the teens went back to decorating.
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On Friday morning, Leo eagerly made his way downstairs and to the kitchen. He smiled at Edna who had just put a plate of chocolate chip pancakes on the table. "Good morning Edna," Leo said as he sat down to enjoy his meal.
"Good morning Leonardo." She greeted back. "Have everything you need for tonight?" She asked.
Leo nodded as he took a huge bite of his breakfast. "I never been to a Halloween party or dance before," He told her, "I'm really excited for this."
Edna smiled at him as she started to clean the kitchen. As Leo ate, he watched Edna moving about the kitchen. He looked down at his food as he hesitated to ask her something. "Edna?" She looked over at him. "You're not upset that I rarely come home for dinner these days, are you?"
"Nonsense Leonardo," She said as she sat down next to him with a cup of tea. "Why should I be?"
Leo shrugged, "I don't know," He said, "I just figured that you're here all day in this lonely house and having me come home to enjoy your fabulous cooking gives you something to look forward to."
Edna laughed. "While I do enjoy having you to cook for Leonardo," She said with a smile, "I know how much you enjoy being among your friends and staying busy at school," She patted his cheek, "So don't worry about me," She stood up and went back to her cleaning, "I've got Mr. Thomas to cook for as well as the occasional grandchild to deal with." She looked back at him with a stern look, "Now hurry up or you'll be late for the bus."
Leo smiled at her and went back to eating, after quickly finishing, he grabbed his backpack along with a gym bag he had placed his costume in and, after a hasty goodbye to Edna, took off to catch the bus. Edna waved to him as he left then continued to clean the kitchen along with getting to her other duties. At about five, since Leo was not expected home, she finished her duties and prepared to leave. She was just about to leave when Bradford walked in and closed the door before she could get out of the house.
"Tell me Edna," Bradford walked over to her, "What do you know about Leonardo's after school activities."
She looked up at him and shook her head. "I only know what he tells me which is almost nothing."
"Then tell me what you do know." He demanded.
She looked back at him with a frown before walking into the kitchen. "I do not need to tell you anything." She responded
"No," Another deep voice spoke startling the elderly housekeeper, "But you do need to tell me."
Edna looked past Bradford and trembled lightly as Saki walked in. "Now…."Saki demanded as he walked toward her. "Tell me what you know." Edna lowered her eyes and nodded nervously at Saki. He walked past her and she obediently followed him into his study.
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Leo finished grading the papers for Usagi's class, then, after saying goodnight to the tall rabbit, made his way to the boy's locker room and changed into his cowboy outfit. As he placed his hat on his head, the door opened and in stepped Mikey, Raph and Donnie.
"Looking good Leo," Mikey said as he bounced around in a costume which looked like a cross between the Frankenstein's monster and a clown.
Leo looked at Mikey in disbelief, "Dr. Prankenstein I presume?" He asked as Mikey nodded at him. He then looked at Donnie who was dressed with a long white beard and a slightly balding head piece. He wore a long dark coat and in his hand was a dark bowler hat "Should I know who you are?" He asked.
Donnie smiled smugly. "Charles Darwin at your service," He said with a bow. "Ask me anything about evolution, I know it all."
Leo chuckled then looked over at Raph. The slightly shorter turtle wore a simple white toga with a green laurel wreath on his head. Leo's eyes roamed over Raph's lean muscular body and he felt his breath catch in his throat. "Mark Anthony?" He asked with a shaky voice. Raph smiled as he saw Leo's cheeks blush.
"Friends, Romans, countrymen," He quoted. "Lend me your ears…." He leered at Leo temptingly, "And your lips." He whispered to him as he leaned in close to Leo's ears.
Leo stepped back and swallowed hard. "I….uh…think Cleopatra is waiting for you." He said as he stepped around him.
"Are you anybody in particular Leo?" Mikey asked as they started walking toward the gym.
Leo shook his head, "Just you're everyday average cowboy." He told them. They walked into the gym and Leo smiled in fascination. The gym was dark with strobe lights flashing and loud spooky music sounded throughout the large room. The decorations they had put up the day before glowed eerily and Leo felt as though he was walking through a very large haunted house.
"Wow!" He said as they all walked over to the girls. "This is awesome!" He looked around and frowned "Where is everybody?" He said as he noted only a handful of students were currently in the gym mingling around.
"The party doesn't start till six," Donnie explained as he walked over to Angel who was dressed in a dark dress from the 18th century. Donnie bowed to her. "Madam Curie," He said smiling as she curtsied back to him. "May I have this dance?"
"Oui," She said laughing as Donnie brought her to the middle of the room. (Yes).
As Leo watched the two dancing, he looked over to see Renet, dressed like the bride of Frankenstein but with a clown wig on her head, standing by Mikey who was sampling the food. "Come on Mikey," She said pulling on his arm. "Let's dance."
"But there are chocolate logs," He said as she pulled him away.
"Don't hold back Leo." Raph said as Mona, who was dressed like Cleopatra, took his hand. "Get out there and dance." He nodded to him. "Trust me; there will be plenty of people to dance with."
Leo nodded and looked over at the entrance. His eyes widen when he saw Spike and Slash walking in, each escorting a large turtle. "Hey Leo," Slash said as the four came over to him. "I'd like you to meet our girlfriends." Slash pointed to his. "This is Tokkra."
"And this is Ninjara." Spike said with a wave to his date. "They're in college."
Leo nodded and watched as they escorted the fairly large turtles onto the floor. 'Wow, even they have someone.' Leo thought dejectedly. He turned to the food table and gathered some snacks. As he ate, he walked over to the bleachers and watched the few couples on the dance floor having a good time. Every now and then, Raph would look over and watch him, wanting desperately to go over to him and dance him around the room. But he held himself back, he wasn't ready yet to let go of Mona. 'She's done so much for me, I just have to wait for the right time.' Raph thought to himself as he looked from Mona to Leo.
As Donnie predicted, high school kids and teachers which included Splinter, came in droves as they neared the six o'clock hour. Leo nodded to several students who, along with April and Casey dressed as Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, walked over to him and more than enough girls managed to get him onto the dance floor.
After an hour of dancing, Leo made his way to the table for a drink. He was just enjoying a cool refreshing drink of punch when a petit dark haired figure walked over to him, "Hey Leo," Leo turned to see Karai dressed in a black and silver armor outfit with a black facemask over her mouth. Leo stared at her in awe as she removed the face mask. "Wanna dance?"
Leo continued to look her up and down as she sauntered over to him. "You're a…." he gulped as she leaned in close to him. "A…uh…female ninja…."
"That's right." She told him. "A kuno…."
"Kunoichi," Leo quickly said, "Yeah I know." Leo looked around. "Where's Fong?" He asked feeling rather nervous. "Aren't you two still dating?"
Karai smirked. "Anyone who gets arrested is a loser." She said as she walked around him and over to the food table. "And I don't date losers." She looked at Leo seductively, "I've seen the way you fight and all the talk that's been going on around here about you." She smiled and ran her finger along his arm. "So how 'bout it?" She leaned in close to his ear. "Care to dance?"
"Ummm," Leo began to feel very uncomfortable. "You seem to know some stuff about being a ninja," He said as he attempted to move away from her, "Do you also take lessons from the Hamato dojo?"
Karai laughed lightly as she continued to lean close to Leo. "There are other top dogs around that teach ninjutsu." She told him.
Raph looked over to where Leo was and watched with narrowed eyes as Karai hovered near him. He moved himself slightly away from Mona. "Hang on Mona." He said as he started to walk away from her. "I think Leo could do with some help."
If he needs to get away from her," Mona said putting her hand on his arm, "Then let him figure out how to do it."
"Mona please," Raph said taking her hand off his arm, the two stared at each other for a moment and Mona could see Raph wanted to tell her something, but he hesitated and started to walk away. "I'll be right back." From the corner of his eye, he watched Mona frown angrily at him.
Leo looked away from Karai as she purred in his ear. "Sorry Karai," Raph said as he walked over to them, "Leo's needed over here." He grabbed Leo's hand and brought Leo over to where the others were dancing.
Leo let out an anxious breath. "Thanks Raph," He said as the two joined the rest of the group.
"Like I said," He told him as they along with the others began to dance in a large group, "I can't stand to see a fellow terrapin in trouble." He winked at him and everyone watched as Mikey suddenly jumped up in the middle of the group, landed on his shell and started to twirl.
As everyone cheered and clapped, Leo suddenly got the overwhelming feeling that someone was glaring at him intently, he looked over to the entrance of the gym and stopped dancing when he saw a familiar figure standing in the doorway.
"What's wrong Leo?" Donnie asked as Leo started to walk away.
"Um….Nothing," Leo told him. "I'll be right back."
The group watched Leo nervously walk away from them. Raph looked at his brothers and Splinter who was standing in the corner and saw Leo walking away from them. Raph frowned and decided to follow Leo.
Leo met up with the large man in the hallway. "Father, I…." Leo began but was quickly cut off when Saki slapped him across the face.
"Get your things and let go." Saki demanded.
Leo placed a hand on his throbbing cheek and looked back to the gym. "Can I say goodbye to my friends?" He asked timidly as Saki started to walk away.
Saki looked back at him and his gaze looked behind the turtle toward the gym entrance, he smiled lightly upon seeing Raph staring at them with a hateful gaze. He looked back at Leo. "No," He said and walked away with Leo following behind him.
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Another long chapter but I hope everyone is enjoying the story. Please RR. Peace :)