Under the Shining Lights

Prologue

Nineteen. One. Nine. 

Leo had been around on this Earth for nineteen years. Holy shi-

"Happy Birthday!" Mikey cheered as Leo stumbled into the kitchen, "I made you birthday pancakes!"

Leo found his seat next to Donny, a plate with a small pile of rainbow-sprinkle pancakes being placed in front of him. His twin had a similar birthday dish, except with purple sprinkles. Nerd.

"Didn't think you'd be up," Leo laughed, nudging Donny, "How's it feel to be nineteen?"

"Mikey woke me up," Donny grumbled, stabbing at his pancakes, "How's it feel to know this is our last year of being teenagers?"

Jeez, he didn't need to kill him like that.

.

Wake up. Breakfast. Train. Lunch. Patrol. Dinner. Bed. Repeat. Day after day, night after night. It's the same thing over and over again. Sometimes they fight crime. How exciting. What more was there? Leading? Leo did that, he gets better by the day. Make up for his mistakes? He works on that every day. Be an awesome ninja? Been there, done that.

What was the point anymore? Just keep going in this circle for the rest of his life? He almost feels guilty. No one else seems disturbed by it. Was he the only one? The only one drowning in this crushing monotony, the dull knife of this life carving trenches in his soul. He was helpless to fight against it, unable to swim to the surface of this stagnant pool. 

There were probably better times to be having a crisis than while he was running away from a bunch of goons who wanted him dead, but Leo never did cope normally. Dodging around the corner, he slipped into a nearby open building, holding his breath while his pursuers passed by outside. He let it go when they didn't return.

"Oh! Hello there! Are you here for the class?" A cheery voice asked, making Leo jump.

"Oh! No, sorry! I think I walked into the wrong building," Leo said, glancing at the woman. She was an older sheep Yokai, holding a tray of paper. She set it down on the desk and approached Leo, silently inspecting the turtle. "So, I'll just-"

"No, I believe you are exactly where you should be," The woman said, wiping some dirt from Leo's face. The strangely maternal gesture caught Leo by surprise, "I've had many young lost Yokai wander through these doors, and they always seem to find something for them here. Besides, the longer you stay, the more likely they'll give up on finding you,"

"...Right," Leo sighed, glancing at the floor, "But don't I need to pay? I don't have any money,"

"Oh, it's alright," The woman laughed, leading Leo farther into the building, "I usually offer the first class free anyhow,"

"Why?"

"Hasn't failed me so far," The woman said, "They always seem to come back,"

"What's it a class for anyway-" Leo cut himself off as they entered the studio, slow, sensual music flowing into his ears. 

The lights were dimmed, and the room was washed in purple and red lights, making the space feel warmer. There were a few Yokai in the room already, using the poles that were set up, using them to spin or dance, an undeniable sexual nature to the dancing that turned Leo's cheeks pink. Legs were fanned and used to press asses out, Yokai holding onto the poles to sensually roll their bodies, the motion rolling down to their toes so that sink back down to the floor.

Leo was about to back out and nope out of there, perhaps saying thank you to the woman on the way out, but he just remembered he had to be somewhere. He was about to, but... the longer he watched the different group members dance, the more he was curious. The sensual dancing drew him in, and the turtle found himself wondering if he could look that good.

"I'll take your swords," The woman giggled, shocking Leo out of his stupor, "Merethe, would you like to help our new guest?"

"Absolutely!" Merethe, the instructor of the class, cheered, eagerly pulling Leo to the nearest pole, "Oh, this is so exciting! I love teaching new dancers! So first, I want you to..."

Merethe instructed Leo to do some simple moves, encouraging him all the way. It was harder work than he expected, his forearms having to work overtime to grip the pole enough to support him. Others in the group helped him as well, going as far as to demonstrate when he didn't understand. It was exhilarating, every nailed move, every cheer when he did something right, and a smile soon graced his face.

That's what surprised Leo the most, just how fun it was. Every spin, every body roll, every time he arched his back to accentuate his ass, every movement scratched an itch deep in Leo's body, a long slumbering part of his soul jumping for joy at the chance to finally express itself. Was this what was missing?

Far too soon, the lesson ended, everyone packing up to go home, the woman sending each off at the door.

"Will we be seeing you again?" She asked, handing Leo his swords, "They all seemed to enjoy having you here,"

"...Maybe," Leo said, strapping his equipment back into place, "Thanks for letting me stay, uh..."

"Madam Christel," The woman supplied, "Have a good night, Leonardo,"

"Just Leo is okay," Leo grinned, slipping out the door and making his way down the street. 

His hamstrings were on fire, his knee aching ever so slightly, and his forearms were hurting something fierce. He was sore and it felt good, like he accomplished something. This was bad, he could get addicted to this feeling.

Well... taking another class couldn't hurt, right?