Ch 15

The next day, the four got up at seven and quickly went about having breakfast and getting their gear together. By eight thirty, Leo helped the others pack up two canoes stored in the barn then helped Raph bring out one of the canoes they would be using while April and Casey brought out the second one. They carried them to the edge of the lake and while Raph held one end, Leo cautiously got himself inside at the front of the canoe.

"Here's an oar for ya Leo," Raph told him after climbing in and settling himself in the back of the canoe.

Leo took the oar and stared at it in uncertainty. He glanced over at April, who was also sitting in the front of the canoe she shared with Casey and watched as she lightly dipped her oar into the water to move the canoe forward.

"You're the bowman, Leo," Raph told him as Leo copied April's movements, "All ya have to do is basically move us forward and let me know if we're headed toward any rocks or sandbars that I need to move us around."

"I'll do my best, Raph" Leo promised as he dipped the oar on the other side of the canoe.

As Raph had said, the canoe ride was about an hour up the river and Leo found himself completely taken in by the beauty that surrounded them. "I've never seen water so clear before," Leo commented as he stared down into the water, "I can even see the fish!"

"If you think the river is beautiful to look at during the day, then wait till you see it at sunset," April smiled at him as Raph and Casey maneuvered the canoes toward the edge of a beach.

After rowing the canoes ashore, Leo and April jumped out and held the canoes so Raph and Casey could step out and together the four brought the canoes further on shore and found sturdy trees to tie them to. After, they gathered their gear and set up camp.

Leo watched as the others began to set up tents. "Um Raph," He looked at the gear he had brought and grinned sheepishly, "I didn't bring a tent."

"No problem Leo," Raph told him as he pounded a metal steak in the ground, "My tent is big enough for two," He then pointed to April and Casey, "As is theirs."

"You want me to share your tent?" Leo looked at him in uncertainty.

"Sure," Raph shrugged," Why not?"

"Well," Leo could almost feel the heat rising in his cheeks as he glanced over at Casey and April, "I don't mind sleeping under the stars tonight," He unrolled his sleeping bag and set it up by the campfire.

Raph chuckled and shook his head, "Whatever ya want Leo," He told him as he finished setting up his tent, "But it can get cold during the night once the fire goes out so being inside the tent would really be best."

"Not to mention the various insects and snakes that might come looking for warmth inside your sleeping bag," Casey grinned devilishly at him.

"Bugs and snakes?" Leo's eyes widened slightly.

"There's also spiders," April commented, "And some can be poisonous."

Fighting the urge to run back to the canoe and row home, Leo took a deep breath, gathered up his sleeping bag and brought it inside Raph's tent.

"Okay Raph," Leo watched as Raph set up his own sleeping bag, "I'll stay in your tent but please don't expect anything."

"Look Leo," Raph turned to him, "Like I told ya yesterday, I'm not gonna force ya ta do somethin ya not ready ta do," He grabbed his backpack and pulled out his hiking boots, "And all we're doing is sharing a tent, nothing more." He grabbed Leo's backpack and handed it over to him, "Now get your hiking boots on and let's get ready to go check out the sights."

With a chuckle and slight shake of his head, Leo pulled on his hiking boots then followed Raph, Casey and April through the woods and along the hiking trails that led them up and around the green hills of North Hampton. After a few hours of hiking, they stopped by a large rock to rest and have some food.

"How ya holding up Leo?" Casey asked after taking a huge bite of his sandwich.

"I'm doing great," Leo told him as he took in his surroundings, "Everywhere I look, it's so clean and beautiful," He shook his head, "I've never known a place like this before."

"Well, if you and Raph are still hanging with each other in the fall," April winked at Raph, "Maybe we'll bring you up here to see the changing of the leaves."

Leo looked at her excitedly, "That would be great!" He exclaimed. He assisted in cleaning up their area then the four headed back toward their campsite, "Could I bring my brother and his husband?" He asked, "I know they would love this place."

"Of course Leo," Casey told him, "Plenty of space for everyone."

With renewed energy, the group made it back to their campsite and changed into their swimsuits. They splashed and played in the water for about an hour to work up their appetites then, after drying and changing for the evening, began setting up for dinner. After they were done eating and the area cleaned, the four regaled each other with stories of their youth and families.

"So it was ya dad who got ya into ninjutsu, huh Leo?" Raph asked as he rummaged around in his backpack.

"Sure was," Leo told him proudly, "And I'm pretty good at it if I do say so myself."

"Well I can hardly wait to see you in action," He handed Casey and April a stick then handed one to Leo, "Ya wanna S'more?" He asked when Leo gave him a bewildered look.

"Some more what?" Leo asked, "I thought we put all the food away."

"Ya kidding us, right Leo?" Casey looked at him in surprise.

"Well, how can I have some more of something if all the food has been put away?" Leo asked.

"Ugh, you're killing me Leo," Raph shook his head and took out a box of graham crackers, chocolate bars and marshmallows, "Have you really never heard of S'mores?"

"Oh, yeah," Leo chuckled and took one of each item from Raph, "Of course I have, just never had one before," He watched as the others placed their marshmallows on their sticks and started roasting them over the fire. As he placed his marshmallow over the fire, he smiled slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed over his lack of camping knowledge, 'Looks like I need to brush up on my camping skills.' He thought to himself as he continued to enjoy the sweet chocolatey treat.

xxxxxxx

A/N Hi everyone, sorry it's taking me so long to update this story, I promise I will finish it I just have to do it in between work and family which seems to be getting busier as time goes by. Hope all who are reading are enjoying and please R&R. Peace :)