Ch 11.

Leo ran out of the building and quickly got into his car. He sat for several long seconds, running his finger over his lips, in contemplation of what had just happened.

'I can't believe I enjoyed that,' Leo thought to himself. He took his hand away from his mouth and ran his tongue over his lips. He could still taste the beer and feel the warmth of Raph's mouth as the memory of what had just happened flashed through Leo's mind.

As he continued to sit there, staring into space and his mind's eye still replaying the scene, a sudden ding on his cell phone brought him back to the present. He took his phone out of the jacket of his tuxedo and opened a message from his brother.

Leo shook his head as an image of Mikey and Donnie came into view. The two turtles were at the airport, dressed in their Hawaiian shirts, straw hats and sunglasses and sitting in front of what appeared to be a tiki bar. The two turtles were holding tropical drinks in pineapple mugs and looking at the camera with wide smiles. Underneath the picture Mikey had sent a message: 'Still at the airport and already having a great honeymoon.'

Leo stared at the picture for a few moments before finally turning his phone off and placing it on the passenger seat. He looked up at the building and took a deep breath. "I am now more confused than ever," He admitted to himself. With a shake of his head, he turned on the ignition, got the car in gear and drove home.

Xxxx

Clang

Metal clashed against metal as Leo attempted to keep his opponent's sword from coming down on top of him. He pushed upward and managed to shove his opponent backward but his push was weak and his foe managed to push back. Before Leo could regain his balance, he found himself falling forward as his foe got behind him and shoved him onto the floor. Panting hard, Leo rolled over onto his shell and looked up into the smug face of a white rabbit, who was holding his hand to him.

"Nice move Usagi," Leo said as he took the rabbit's proffered hand and allowed him to help him up.

"You are off your game this morning Leonardo," Usagi told him as they placed their swords into the weapons's racks of Splinter's dojo, "Would you like to tell me what is on your mind?"

Leo sighed and followed his friend and sparring partner over to the outer office and sat at a table. Leo looked over toward another small room where Splinter was currently teaching a class and, deciding his father would not overhear their conversation, Leo turned back to his friend.

"Sorry Usagi," Leo started, "I just feel all out of sorts with everything that's been happening recently."

Usagi had walked toward a vending machine and was currently waiting on two cups of tea to be poured. He looked back over at Leo and frowned, "As you know I have not been here for the past month since Mariko and I have been in Japan visiting family."

Leo nodded, "Yes I know," He responded as Usagi settled a paper cup of tea in front of him, "How was your trip?" He asked, bringing the cup to his lips, "And how's the family doing?"

"The trip was wonderful and the family is fine," Usagi said rather hurriedly, "But we can talk about that after you tell me all that is going on with you?" Usagi watched curiously as Leo seemed to look away from him in uncertainty. He placed a reassuring paw on Leo's hand, "I promise you anything you tell me will be in strict confidence."

Leo smiled and patted his friend's hand, "I know Usagi," Leo responded, "It's just that," Leo shook his head as he attempted to think of what he needed to say, "I'm having a hard time figuring myself out," He finally told him, "That's all."

"Oh Leonardo," Usagi shook his head at him, "That is not all and you should know by now that I can tell when there is much more on your mind then you let on," He pointed behind him where several martial art trophies and pictures of Splinter's classes sat in a large glass case. Leo noted a new picture had been placed inside among the many other pictures. But this new one showed Leo and Splinter standing next to Mikey and Donnie at their wedding. "Does this have to do with your brother and his new husband?" Usagi chuckled lightly at him, "After all this time, have you yet to come to terms with their relationship?"

Leo shook his head, "Oh no," He quickly responded, "I'm finally cool with it," Leo nursed his cup of tea, "It's just…" Leo sighed and finally went into everything that had been happening since the summer began, "So the other night after Raph kissed me, I've been feeling confused and all out of sorts over who I really am and what I really want in life."

Usagi sighed and took the now empty tea cups and placed them into a trash bin. He sat back down and looked at his friend sympathetically, "My dear friend, I actually do know how you feel."

Leo looked at him in surprise, "Are you kidding me Usagi?" He asked him, "You and Mariko have always been meant for each other. You two knew right from the beginning you were going to be married." He shook his head, "So how could you know what I'm going through?"

Usagi again placed a gentle paw on Leo's hand, "It was our families who decided we were to be together," He told him, "And to admit to my family what I truly wanted would only have brought shame and dishonor to them." He admitted in a very soft voice.

Leo looked down at the hand that seemed to linger tenderly over his, "Usagi, what are you saying?" He asked hesitantly.

"For the past twenty three years of our lives I have watched you try so hard to deny who you really are," Usagi removed his hand and looked down at the table mournfully, "And for me to try to convince you otherwise would have been dishonorable to our friendship." Leo furrowed his eyes in realization as Usagi continued, "When you and Karai started going out, I had hoped you would, in time, realize the truth about yourself," Usagi shook his head, "But it was clear that was not going to happen."

"Usagi, I had no idea that you were…." Leo stopped speaking as he watched Usagi begin to twirl the wedding ring that adorned his finger, "Does Mariko know how you feel or…um…felt?" Leo asked quietly.

"We have spoken," Usagi admitted, "But I have assured her that my vow to her will be kept and I will remain her loyal and faithful husband for the sake of our families," He looked at Leo with a small smile, "And our child."

"Usagi?" Leo looked at his friend in surprise, "Are you saying that you and Mariko are expecting?"

Usagi's smile brightened, "Our child is due next spring," He told him, "I did tell you it was a wonderful trip. Our families are coming here next March for the birth."

"Wow Usagi, that's wonderful!" Leo grabbed Usagi's paw and shook it happily, "Congratulations, I'm really excited for you, have you chosen a name yet?"

"We are discussing them," Usagi replied, "But back to you my friend," His look sobered, "You have a sensei and father that will except you for who you are, as he has with your brother and his new husband, don't you think it is about time you do the same?" He watched Leo look away from him, "Why not give this Raphael a chance and see where it goes?"

Leo looked down at the table in contemplation, after a few seconds he chuckled, "You and everyone else has been telling me the same thing my friend."

"And yet you still refuse to accept yourself for who you truly are," The two stood and made their way back toward the rack of weapons, "Why my friend?" He looked at Leo quizzically, "What are you afraid of?"

"I really don't know Usagi," Leo said as they turned to face each other and prepared to spar, "I really don't know."

Xxxxxxxx

Five hours later, Leo and Splinter walked down the street toward home. As they opened the door to their apartment, Leo's phone began ringing.

"It's Grayson," Leo said then shook his head, "I mean Graviturtle," He started toward his room, "I'll make us some tea after I take this call Sensei."

"That will be fine my son," Splinter replied, "I am going to freshen up."

Leo answered his phone as he walked into his room and sat on his bed, "Hey Graviturtle, what's up?"

"Leo, I've got great news!" Graviturtle responded, "The gym has my first meet set up, it's going to be next month, second Saturday. Do you think you can make it?"

Leo smiled at his friend's enthusiasm, "I'll do everything to make sure I do," He assured him. "Send me the location and time and I'll be there to cheer you on."

"Awesome," Graviturtle replied, "I'll send you four tickets."

"Sounds good," Leo told him, "I look forward to seeing you." Leo was just about to say goodbye until a thought occurred to him, "Say Graviturtle, have you met another turtle there by the name of Griddex?"