Hi everyone, sorry it's taking me a while to update, I am on vacation with the family and my days are spent with them so my writing must come last. But I'll get to it when I can so please R&R and thanks to all who do. Peace :)

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Ch 20. Temptations.

Leo bounded off the bus and walked energetically up the steps of his school. It was a brisk clear Monday morning and Leo was eager to get to his locker and see his friends. The weekend had been a glorious one and even though he had been upset when he had learned his father was going back to Japan after Thanksgiving, he found he didn't seem to care so much after he had gotten to Raph's home. Even knowing his father didn't care to bring his own son no longer bothered him the way it had at first.

Nor did it bother him when he had spent Sunday by himself. His aunt had made plans with her boyfriend and his father had gone out, where he did not know and he no longer cared. He had less than seven months before school would be over and he was more determined than ever to just do what he had to do to graduate and leave home.

He still didn't know if he and Raph would be together in the end but after the time they had spent in each other's arms, Leo no longer thought about that either. He just wanted them to enjoy each other for however long they could. And enjoy themselves they did. Leo smiled widely as he thought back to Mikey's birthday party. He had arrived early and Raph had brought them into the pantry where they made out for several minutes. 'Lucky the door locks.' Leo thought with a chuckle as he remembered how he attempted to bring Raph down on top of him and go further. But when Mikey tried to open the door they were quickly brought back to reality and pulled apart, laughing in embarrassment as they walked out of the pantry much to the surprise of the younger turtle.

Leo got to his locker and happily acknowledged the others who waved back at him. He turned and began to pull his books out of his locker but as he did, he felt the presence of a person looming over him. He closed his locker and turned around carefully. His eyes widen in surprised when he saw Karai leering down at him. A strange sense of déjà vu came over him as he looked up into deep brown eyes that stared back at him with a look of mischief.

"Morning Leo," Karai greeted him as she leaned her face closer to his. She extended her arm and placed her hand against his locker door and smiled in amusement as she watched Leo's eyes slowly wander from her face to her neck then down her blouse which was purposefully opened enough for him to see into.

"H…Hi Karai," Leo stammered as he averted his eyes away from her cleavage. "Can I…um…help you with something?"

"Yes," She told him as she pushed herself slightly away. "I was just wondering what you were doing tonight?"

"Well, I um…have to work." He replied as he looked over to where the others were watching the two curiously.

"I see," She said as she ran her finger along his arm. "Don't suppose you'd like to get together sometime and make up for ditching me at the Halloween dance?"

"That was over a week ago Karai," Leo pointed out as he attempted to move himself away from her. "Don't you think you should be over that by now?" He looked around. "And I thought you were Fong's girl," He stated as he gave his friends a desperate look. "I'm sure he'll be upset to know that you're hitting on someone else."

Karai leaned in close again and placed her arms on either side of him. "I don't let go of things easily Leonardo." She whispered. "Not till I get what I want anyway." She let out a small laugh. "And as for Fong," She shrugged. "He's a loser and I prefer winners." She pressed herself closer to him. "And you are a winner….Leonardo."

"Why that damn little bitch." Raph muttered angrily. He closed his locker and was about to walk over to them when Mikey put a hand on his brother's arm.

"Hold on bro," He said smoothly as he began to walk over to Leo and Karai. "I'll handle it."

"What is he up to?" Renet muttered as she creased her eyebrows.

"Let's watch and find out." Casey snickered.

"Hey Leo, Hi Karai," Mikey said as he brought himself in between Leo and the overly eager girl. "Whatcha doing?"

Karai looked down at him in annoyance as he stood in front of Leo and smiled up at her. "I was trying to have a conversation with Leonardo." She replied as Mikey batted his cute eyes at her. She leaned away from him with a huff.

"Oh, a conversation, well I have a lot I can tell you about," He said eagerly. "I have a rock collection I could tell you about," He said bouncing up and down. Leo smiled as Mikey continued to distract Karai. "Or how 'bout my stuffed iguana, he wears a top hat," He pulled out his cell phone. "I could show you my…."

"Never mind Michelangelo," Karai said with an angrily as she backed away from the hyperactive turtle. "I have to get to class." She looked over at Leo. "I'll talk to you later." She said with a wink at the nervous turtle as she turned and walked away.

Leo let out a sigh. "Thanks Mikey." He said as the two of them walked over to the group. He walked up to Raph and smiled at Raph's scowling lips. "Don't be like that Raph." He scolded. "You know I have no interest in her." He turned to the others and greeted them. The group chatted for a few minutes before walking off to class.

"See you at lunch Raph." Leo said as he followed Mikey to their science class.

Later, as Leo made his way through the lunch line, he noticed Mona walking away from the table the group would normally sit at and make her way to another table where a very large black and orange Salamandrian was seated. Leo watched as Mona sat at the table and the two held hands while they talked and ate. Leo smiled faintly as he headed toward the other table where Slash, Spike, Renet, Mikey, April and Casey were already seated at.

"Looks like Mona has found a new friend," He said to them as he placed his tray on the table.

"His names K'Vathrak," April told him. "He's an exchange student from somewhere in Europe."

"Who is?" Raph asked, coming up behind Leo with Donnie following.

"That new salamandrian student over there with Mona," Mikey said with a nod toward the other table.

Leo watched out of the corner of his eye as Raph looked over to the other table. "Oh yeah," He said as he sat down, "I've met him a couple of times," He shrugged, "Seems nice." He muttered then looked at Leo. "Will you be able to come to the game this Saturday?" He asked hopefully. "It's the last game of the season."

"It's the championship game," Donnie added. "We'll all be there."

"It's after my first basketball game so I don't see why not." Leo said and nodded. "Sure, I'll be there."

"Great," Raph said then looked at Leo with an apologetic look. "I'm just sorry I won't be able to be there for your first game." He told him.

"It's okay Raph," Leo told him. "There'll be others."

"Damn straight." Slash said, "And you can bet we'll be making it to the championship as well."

They group laughed as Spike and Slash high-fived each other. They continued to talk about sports until Donnie looked over at Leo.

"So Leo," Donnie turned to him, "Have you spoken to your dad about possibly having Dr. Rockwell assist with looking into your blood test?"

Leo shook his head. "I haven't had the chance to speak with him about it yet." Leo told them while mentally crossing his fingers.

Raph watched curiously as Leo quickly looked away from them and continued eating. He knew it had been upsetting to everyone when, on Saturday, Leo and Raph had confided in them about what Leo had revealed to Raph on Friday but all were hopeful it could be nothing.

"Well," Donnie continued. "Let me know what he says when you do speak with him about it," He said. "I would love to meet Dr. Rockwell and I'm sure he'll be able to determine what might really be going on." He took a bite of his lunch. "Of course, we could speak with professor Honeycutt about it first if you think that will help."

"Um...no thanks Donnie," Leo said. "Let me just speak with my dad about it first." He shrugged as he looked away from him. "No need to bother the professor if we don't have to."

Donnie nodded and went back to eating. Later, as the group was getting ready to go on to their next class, Raph pulled Leo aside. "Leo," Raph looked at him sternly, "Is there something you're not telling us?" He whispered anxiously.

Leo smiled and patted his arm. "Everything's good Raph." He assured him. But it was clear by the way Raph looked at him that the green eyed terrapin was not buying it.

The rest of the day had been going well until Leo walked into Usagi's class where once again Karai walked over to Leo and attempted to persuade the young turtle to accompany her on a date. "Come on Leo," She said as she leaned against his desk. "We could go to a movie or just out to eat," She leaned herself closer to him. "Or we could just hang out in my car and…." She leered seductively at him. "Enjoy each other's company."

Leo leaned away and looked over at April who was watching with a bemused smile. She shook her head at him and turned away from them. She quickly got her book out and attempted to concentrate on her studies.

'Looks like I'm on my own here,' Leo thought as he looked up at the impetuous girl. "Look Karai," Leo said as he stood up and looked her straight in the eye. "I'm flattered; really I am, but…." He looked away from her with a huff as he attempted to find the right words so as not to offend her. "I'm really not interested." He finally said.

Karai's eyes narrowed angrily. "You should know Leonardo," She said with a very irritated voice, "You should never piss me off," April looked up startled as the young dark haired girl turned away from Leo while grabbing his book and roughly shoving it off his desk. "I'll find a way to change your mind." She told him as she angrily stalked off. "No one says 'no' to me."

"Looks like I made a new enemy." Leo told April as he picked up his book from off the floor and sat back down.

"She's harmless." April told him. "But just to be on the safe side," She added with a glance at Karai, "I would still watch your back." Leo nodded and turned his attention to Usagi who was currently writing on the blackboard.

Later that day, after assisting Usagi with his after school class, Leo eagerly made his way to the gym for basketball practice. While practicing running up and down with the ball and making basket shots with his teammates, Leo looked over to the entrance of the gym where he saw Karai watching him. He stared at her in wonder until she nodded to him then turned and walked away. He shook his head and went back to his practice.

Later, after practice was over, Leo made his way to the football field to watch Raph finish his practice. He sat with the rest of the group, which included Mona and her new friend K'Vathrak. As Leo sat there, his eyes wandered over to the other side of the bleachers where he saw Karai sitting and glancing over at him on occasion. He attempted to ignore her presence and as soon as the practice was over, he looked over to her and noticed she was watching him with an intent glare as he made his way over to where Raph was wiping himself down with a towel.

"You looked good out there Raph," Leo told him as he wrapped his arms around Raph's shoulders. He looked up to Karai and noticed she was watching them with an intent glare.

"I was showing off for you babe." Raph chuckled as he gave Leo a light squeeze.

As the group began to walk back toward the school, Leo watched as Karai got up and went to the parking lot where he saw her get into a car. 'I wonder what her next move will be?' He thought as she tore out of the parking lot.

Tuesday came and went and throughout the day, Leo watched as Karai continued to give him sly glances as their paths would cross and although Leo kept his guard up, Karai would do nothing more than smirk at him.

'Maybe she's given up,' Leo told himself as Karai walked by him in the hallway and did not bother to look at him.

On Wednesday, after Leo left Usagi's class to go to his basketball practice, he made a quick stop by his locker to get the books he would need to bring home. As he was closing the door, he noted the footsteps coming up behind him. He let an annoyed huff and turned to face Karai as she walked over to him.

"Look Karai…." He started.

"I get it," She said quickly cutting him off.

"Get what?" Leo said in bewilderment.

She smirked at him. "You know you could've just told me the truth," She told him as she walked slowly around him. "After all, I know plenty of people who are like you," She said with a laugh. "I would've been cool with it."

Leo shook his head. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh come on Leo," She said as she leaned against a locker. "Let's not play games," She looked him up and down. "Just tell me one thing," She said as she leered down at him. "Does your daddy know?"

Leo looked at her in confusion. "Does my father know what?" He demanded. "Karai what are you talking about?"

Karai shrugged and pushed herself off the locker. "Look Leo, it's no big deal to me but I know some parents, fathers especially can have a hard time knowing their sons lean more toward their mothers way of….thinking…shall we say." She leaned close to him as Leo looked at her with narrowed eyes. "But I'm sure you're father's cool with it, at least you're one of the few who do basketball," She laughed and walked away.

Leo narrowed his eyes as he watched her walk away from him. 'What was that about?' He wondered as he made his way toward the gym.

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Later that day, Karai sat in one of the chairs in Saki's study, watching as the dark, scarred face man seethed angrily. "So Leonardo has been seeing this other turtle named Raphael, as well as working this job at the school," He said; placing one hand over the other and, with his elbows on the desk, leaned his chin on top of his hands as he contemplated all that Karai had just told him. "And he is also on the basketball team," He said heatedly as Karai nodded. "And you say Saturday is his first game?"

"Would you prefer he not be there master?" Karai looked over at Bradford who was standing to the side of the room with his arms crossed and leaning against one of the many bookcases.

Saki clenched his fist and jaw as he looked from karai to Bradford in contemplation. "No," He said stoically. "Let him have this for now." He said then looked to Karai. "You may leave now Ms. Tanaka."

Karai stood but instead of leaving she placed her hands on his desk and leaned against them while staring hard at Saki, "Not that it's any of my business Mr. Saki," She began with a knowing smile, "But why do you care what Leo does?" She shrugged and stood back. "It's not like he's going to leave you before school is over…." She smirked at him. "Is he?"

Saki looked up at her and scowled. "You are correct Ms. Tanaka…." Saki stated. "It is none of your business." He looked over to Bradford, "Escort Ms. Tanaka to her car, Bradford." He commanded him.

"I know the way," She said as she turned away from him and started toward the door.

Bradford watched her leave then turned to Saki. "Please forgive my ignorance Master," He said with a bow, "But why is it important we keep watch on Leonardo?" He asked. "Especially since, as Karai put it, he isn't going anywhere."

Saki stared at Bradford with a look of annoyance. "I do not wish him to become involved with others," Saki began as he stood up. "If that happens then any friends he makes may become suspicious when Leonardo…." He smiled evilly, "Disappears…shall we say." Saki nodded toward the door. "Leave me now," He told him, "I have work to do."

Bradford nodded then walked out of the study. After leaving he took his cell phone and pressed a button. He waited only a few seconds before the call was answered. "Xever," Bradford said into the cell. "It's Bradford….I think it's time to get a certain student of mine out of prison and brought out to New York…." Bradford waited a moment while Xever spoke, "No, have him come over around Christmas," Bradford smiled into the phone, "He'll make a very special present for Saki's son." Bradford hung up the phone and started toward the front door. "I think it's time Leonardo remembered who he belongs to," He muttered as he laughed evilly to himself.