Ch 21. An Awkward Thanksgiving.
Slash dribbled the ball down the gymnasium and tossed it Leo who was running toward the basket. Leo jumped up and caught the ball. He weaved himself among the other school's team as he attempted to make a basket but was quickly blocked. He turned and tossed the ball to another boy on his team who was able to grab the ball and toss it to Spike who made the basket with two seconds to spare.
"WE WON!" Slash yelled out. He grabbed his brother Spike in a fierce hug as the buzzer sounded the end to the last quarter. "We won our first game of the season!" He continued to yell out as he and other team mates slapped hands and patted each other on the back. After several minutes of joining in the laughter and celebration, Leo waved a goodbye to his team mates.
"Hey Leo!" One of his teammates yelled out. "We'll be at Murakami's noodle place in a little bit if you want to join us."
Leo nodded. "Let me go see how our football team is doing and I'll be there after their game." He told him. With a final wave of his hand, he left the school and ran quickly to the football field to watch the last game of the season. He joined Raph's family and their friends and cheered Raph on to win the championship.
"This is the best day ever!" Leo screamed excitedly over the roaring of the crowd as he and Mikey slapped hands together. "Roosevelt high won their first basketball game and their football team won the championship game!"
"High three all around!" Mikey yelled as he slapped everyone else's hands.
"The basketball team went to Murakami's to celebrate," Leo told them as they walked into the school so Raph could shower and change. "Anyone up for pizza gyoza?"
"Will you be joining us Master Splinter?" Donnie asked as he put his arm around Angel.
Splinter smiled and shook his head. "Not this time Donatello," he told him. "You all go and have a wonderful time. I will see you back at home." He waited till Raph came out to congratulate him before leaving for home. "Bring me back some of Murakami's pizza gyoza." He called out as he got into his car.
The group, along with several others from the football team, piled into their cars and drove the short distance to the noodle restaurant where they met up with some of the players from the basketball team.
"Leo you were great," Spike told him. He then turned to Raph. "You should have seen the way he kept on his guy and made those baskets." He said while Leo blushed a bright red.
"Well, it wasn't just me." Leo said while rubbing the back of his head.
"Ah, you're too modest Leo," Raph told him as he passed him a slice a pizza. "I know what a great performer you are," He told him with a wink.
Leo smiled at him, "I think you're just as great," He said as the two looked at each other intently.
"I think we've become invisible." Casey muttered.
"Would you like us to leave you two love birds alone?" Donnie asked.
Leo and Raph leaned against each other. "Nah," Raph told him. "We'll have some alone time later." He wiggled his eye ridges at Leo while everyone laughed.
"Man this day has been so great I wish it would never end!" Mikey yelled as he grabbed another dumpling.
"I wish that too Mikey," Leo told him with a smile. He looked over at the clock worriedly, 'I wish that too.'
The party lasted long into the evening and Leo found himself getting home after nine. He opened the door and looked around, seeing no one, he cautiously slipped in and, being as quiet as possible, he removed his shoes and started toward the stairs intending to go to his room and straight to bed. But the creaking of a door halted him in his steps.
He stood on the bottom step, waiting for the lecture he was certain he would be getting. "You're home late Leonardo," Saki said as he moved toward him.
Leo turned toward him, "I…"
"Who won the game?"
Leo startled, "What game father?"
"Do not take me for a fool boy" Saki's voice rose in anger.
Leo looked back at him with shame filled eyes. "How did you find out?"
"I have my sources," Saki let out a cold laugh as he placed his hand under Leo's chin. "Did you think I would not find out?" He demanded as he forced his head up. "You forged my signature, joined the basketball team and today was your first game." He leered down at him. "Who won?"
Leo gulped. "Umm….we did," He said timidly as Saki roughly removed his hand. "Are you going to make me quit the team?"
"Shouldn't I?" Saki turned and started to walk away. "My permission was required and you did not have it."
"I'm eighteen….."
"You did not have my permission and it was required was it not!?" Saki yelled turning around. Leo clenched his jaw and nodded. "So why should I not have you quit the team?"
Leo looked away so his father would not see his eyes glistening. "My mother would have let me join the team without any hesitation."
"Your mother is dead." Saki stated in a low and very cold voice. "And you will be too if you are not careful."
Leo looked at his father with wide eyes. Something in his father's voice made him wonder if what he said was more of a threat then a reminder of what could happen.
While Leo contemplated the words his father had just said, Saki made his way back over to him and placed his hand on Leo's shoulder. Leo looked at the hand nervously at his thumb began to slowly rub along Leo's neck.
"After all Leonardo," Saki continued while tightening his grip on Leo's shoulder. "We don't want anything happening to you before we can find a cure….do we?"
Leo tensed. "I feel fine." He insisted.
"For now," Saki leered down at him. "Anything can happen between now…."
But Leo refused to back down, "I feel fine!" He repeated as he glared up at his father angrily.
Saki slowly relaxed his grip but continued to play his thumb along Leo's neck. "Then I will allow you to continue to be a part of the team."
Leo swallowed hard as he felt his father's thumb rub his neck. "Thank you father…."
"But be advised Leonardo," Saki quickly said as his hand suddenly and very roughly pinched Leo's cheeks causing Leo to wince and grab onto Saki's wrist, "If you EVER do something like this again…." He forced Leo's face closer to his. "I will not be so….forgiving." He pushed Leo away. "Now you may go to your room."
Leo let out a shaky breath and gingerly rubbed his face. He turned and walked up the stairs and into his room. He leaned heavily against his door and shook lightly as he thought of what his father had just done. He quickly ran into his bathroom and looked at the bruises that were just beginning to show.
"I wonder if there's any green cover up I can use?" He muttered angrily as he ran the cold water and splashed his face.
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Leo made his way through the hall and into the library to meet the others for study hall. He waved to his aunt then took a seat next to Raph who gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "How's the day going for you so far Leo?" Raph asked him after he acknowledged Donnie and April.
"So far it's been great," Leo told him with a huge smile. "Since there's only two days this week, I've got no homework." He let out a huge sigh and placed his Japanese book on the table. "I just have this test in language class, which I know I'm going to ace, and then I'm done till school starts up again next week." He looked from one teen to the other. "School this year has been awesome," He told them as he leaned into Raph's hug. "The basketball team is number one in the state, my report card is great and I'm..." He looked at Raph shyly. "In a really great relationship."
"Sounds like you're really enjoying yourself Leo," April said, watching as Raph gave Leo a kiss on the cheek, "It also sounds like you're looking forward to Thanksgiving vacation," April said.
Leo shrugged, "Guess I'm just looking forward to not having so much to do." He said with a laugh.
"Well," Donnie began, "Maybe while you're on vacation, you can see about having your dad talk to Dr. Rockwell," He smiled at Leo with an eager look.
April playfully poked Donnie with her elbow. "You're just hoping Leo will speak to this Dr. about having you become an intern at TCRI."
"Uh," Donnie rubbed the back of his head nervously. "I was thinking about having you talk to him for me." He admitted while looking at Leo with hopeful eyes.
Leo smiled back and shook his head. "I'll see what I can do D but no promises."
"You kids are being rather noisy over here," Irma commented as she walked over to their table, "Not too much homework to study?"
"We're just discussing our Thanksgiving plans Ms. Langinstein," April told her.
Irma gave the teens a small, and from what they could see, a forced smile, "Oh yes," She said as she placed a hand on the back of Leo's chair. "I'm looking forward to spending the day with Leonardo and his father." As she spoke, Raph looked from Leo to Irma and couldn't help but notice the two of them seemed a little nervous. He caught Leo's eye but the other turtle quickly looked away.
Irma looked back at her desk and noticed a student approaching with a book. "Well, I better get to work." She smiled at the four teens. "You all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I'll see you on Thursday Leonardo." They said goodbye as she turned and started toward her desk.
"Are you looking forward to having your Aunt at your house on Thursday Leo?" Raph asked as they began to clean up.
"Sure," Leo said somewhat hesitantly. He shrugged. "I guess," He continued. He looked at the others who were watching him curiously. "I mean…." He sighed. "This is our first Thanksgiving without my mom and I guess," He looked over at Irma, "It's still a little hard to accept...for both of us." He picked up his book. "I'll see you after school." He said as they all walked out of the library.
Raph and Donnie watched as he and April walked down the hall toward their next class. "I just can't help but wonder if there something more," Raph said to Donnie worriedly.
"You worry too much," Donnie told him. "Still…." Raph watched as Donnie tapped his chin. "His father is a rather abusive man," He shrugged, "Perhaps that might have something to do with it." Raph nodded and the two made their way toward the classrooms.
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Leo awoke at nine on Thursday morning and made his way downstairs. He sniffed appreciatively as he walked into the kitchen. "Something smells really good Auntie." He said as he watched his aunt baste the turkey.
"Lots to eat sweetie so save your appetite." She told him with a smile when she saw him grab a bowl of cereal."
"No problem," he told her with a chuckle. "I'll just have this one thing for breakfast then nothing till supper."
"Which won't be till around two o'clock so stay out of the kitchen till then," She said as she waved her fingers toward him. "Go on," She said," Scoot,"
Leo chuckled as he quickly made his way out of the kitchen and toward the dining room. He sat in a chair across from his father who was currently drinking tea and going over papers. Feeling rather awkward near his father, Leo attempted to make conversation. "Aunt Irma sure is going all out with supper," He said as he took his seat.
Saki looked up but said nothing. Leo watched nervously as Saki continued to drink his tea and rifle through his papers. Leo let out an exasperated sigh. 'This day is not going to be over soon enough,' Leo told himself as he quickly downed his breakfast. He brought his bowl back in the kitchen then went to his room where he stayed till Irma called him down for supper.
"Everything looks wonderful Auntie," Leo told her as he sat down. She sat next to him and the two watched as Saki walked into the room and picked up a carving knife and fork.
"It does look nice Irma," He said as he began to carve the turkey. He looked over at Leo as he sliced. "It's too bad you didn't think to invite a friend or two over for supper." He looked to Irma and watched as she looked down at her plate nervously. "The one that came over that Saturday after your dance," He said watching as the two of them shifted uncomfortably. "It would be nice to meet him." He gave them each a slice of meat. "He obviously figured out how to get here so I'm sure it would not be too much trouble."
"I..um... think he and his family have their own plans," Leo told him as he began to gather other food that was on the table. He then steeled his look. "But perhaps I could invite him over when you get back from Japan." He said as he glared up at him as the three of them began to eat.
Saki narrowed his eyes at him but kept any further comments to himself as the three of them began to eat. After a lengthy amount of uncomfortable silence, Irma finally cleared her throat and looked over at Saki.
"You're going back to Japan Saki?" Irma asked.
"Yes," He said then looked to Leo. "I will have Stockman over tomorrow before I leave," He said. He looked over to Irma then back to Leo. "I will have him take more of your blood as well as give you the shots you require."
Leo watched as Irma swallowed hard while looking down at her food. "How long will you be gone for Saki?" She asked him. "Perhaps Leonardo can stay with me this time….."
"I don't need a babysitter," Leo stated angrily looking from Saki to Irma. "Why can't I have a say in..."
"Enough Leonardo!" Saki yelled. He turned to Irma. "I will return some time after the new year," He said. "And Bradford will be watching over Leonardo…" He picked up his glass and filled it with wine. "As he has always done," He downed his drink and glared at her. "No need to have Leonardo be a burden to you Irma."
"Leonardo would never be a burden to me," She insisted but Saki waved her off.
"Considering all that he is going through, it is best if he stay here," Saki stabbed his meat as he stared her down. "But when I return, we can discuss…." He raised his eyebrows. "Future plans, shall we say."
Irma nodded and continued to eat. Leo looked from one to the other noticing how thick the tension between the two of them was now becoming. They continued to eat in stony silence, occasionally asking for food to be passed from one to the other but other than that, the conversation between them was next to nothing.
After supper, with Leo's assistance, Irma quickly cleaned then prepared to leave. Leo escorted her as she started toward the door. "I'll see you on Monday Auntie." Leo told her as he gave her a hug goodbye.
They pulled away and Irma looked at him with sadness in her eyes. "Leonardo," She began but quickly stopped when Saki walked out his study. She looked back at her nephew with uncertainty.
"What is it Aunt Irma?" Leo asked. He looked at his father then back to his aunt with concern.
She smiled down at him and stroked his cheek. "Enjoy the rest of your vacation." She told him. "And the leftovers," She looked back at Saki and nodded over to him. She turned away from them and walked out the door.