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Int. The lair - DAY
Sitting on the ground, LEO plays a puzzle with SPLINTER as DONATELLO and RAPHAEL train in the dojo. Leo smiles over organizing all the pieces, and he does the work far faster than Splinter's slower pace. Though the rat soon shivers from a cold breeze entering the sewers.
Splinter
It's getting cold again...
Leo tilts his head.
Leo
Is it...? Oh!
He jumps up, and looks around and rushes to grab blankets.
Splinter
Are you not cold?
LEO
A little sluggish, but that's about it. I forgot you would get chilly like humans.
He hums.
Leo
I can make you tea too!
He rushes to the kitchen. Splinter watches, deflating into the blanket. However, as Leo starts to get the water to boil, MIKEY kicks the door open. The pot of water nearly spills onto Leo.
Mikey
MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYBODY!
Leo barely catches the pot in the meantime.
Splinter
Oh, hello, Orange!
Donnie exits from the dojo and peeks at the entrance.
Donnie
What's happening?
Mikey
I figured none of you get the chance to celebrate, so the Mutanimals and I figured you guys can have some holiday spirit.
He hangs up some sparce decorations before handing everyone a small present, including Raph who joins Donnie.
Raph
You do know that I celebrate back at home, right?
MIKEY
What? With a Charlie Brown tree and a dream?
(Beat)
Besides, do you think these two celebrate in the first place?
Donnie
There's no necessity to celebrate.
MIKEY
Lemme guess, you're atheist?
DONNIE
Call me agnostic in the way that I do not care.
MIKEY
Ah, c'mon-n-n, I bet there's at least some spirit in ya!- Or a soul.
Leo watches the whole conversation, quiet. Though he soon speaks up.
Leo
It's starting to get embarrassing with how many times I need to ask...
They all look at him.
MIKEY
Oh shit, he's Buddhist.
LEO
Shinto.
MIKEY
Hm... Well, I wouldn't say its the most Christian holiday in the world.
Donnie
It was taken from the pagan solstice.
MIKEY
My point exactly.
He swoops Leo under his arm.
Mikey
Christmas... is a tradition here in the states to like, give presents to friends and family. And everyone's all happy and yippee since it's a time to celebrate!
Leo
Celebrate what exactly?
MIKEY
Uh...
He gives confused jazz hands.
Mikey
Yay...?
Leo
That explains nothing.
Raph slides in to help out.
Raph
Okay, it was originally a religious holiday but nowadays people use it as an excuse to spend time with loved ones, spoil them with presents, and like, generally show them some love, yanno?
Mikey
Yeah, it'd be very, very cool if you gave us some presents, Leo.
Raph
You're just greeding for the gifts.
MIKEY
Sue me. You should greed too.
Patient at the bickering, Leo glances back down to Splinter, who continues the puzzle while in his blanket.
Leo
So you just... give a gift to people you like?
Raph
Basically.
He continues staring.
INT./EXt. Apartment bedroom - night
The door opens, and HIROTO enters inside.
Hiroto
Goodnight, Mom!
He starts getting ready for bed, and he already has a frown on his face. Everything is quiet.
LEO (O.S.)
Good evening, Hamanoue.
The boy jumps and rushes to the window.
Leo sits right outside, staring straight down at him in silence.
HIROTO
(Whispering)
How long have you been there?!
LEO
I've waited long enough.
HIROTO
I- How did you find my address?
Leo
Donatello has the proper information on all of our allies, as anyone in our field should.
HIROTO
And it's an invasion of PRIVACY!
He pales and pulls his hair back.
Hiroto
Jesus Christ, Foot Clan knows where we live... - Why are you here?
Leo
I need your assistance for tomorrow.
Hiroto raises a tired brow.
Leo
I want to give Master Splinter a Christmas present. I thought you could help.
At an instant, Hiroto softens, then scoffs at him.
HiroTO
Why would you want to give my dad a present?
LEO
I've been told it's custom here. And Master Splinter has done so much for us, I imagine he would appreciate the sentiment.
Hiroto glares and turns his back on the turtle.
Leo
You've given him a present before, right? I'm sure you can help me get exactly what he's looking for!
Hiroto
... I doubt it.
LEO
I'm sure you can. You know him better than I ever could.
HIROTO
How do you know that?
LEO
You've said you two are like father and son from what I recall. I may have been raised by Karai, but you two have more than what I could ever imagine. I would assume you're wiser in this. You can help me.
Looking away from him, Hiroto clenches both of his fists without Leo noticing. He turns back around, brows furrowed.
HIROTO
Fine. But I'M getting credit for the gift too.
LEO
Fair enough. I'll see you in the morning.
He disappears into the night at an instant.
Hiroto looks out the window, seeing only the fire escape and plain brick wall.
He lets out a frustrated sigh.
Int. Foot territory - leo's bedroom - morning
A rabbit sleeps in its cage.
Everything is so peaceful, all until Leo snatches its small body from inside.
Smiling, Leo holds the shivering creature close to his plastron, only to roll over and start kicking his feet as he looks at the rabbit.
Leo (SUBTITLE)
Today will be a wonderful day, Yume...
EXT. NYC streets - DAY
Hiding most of his body with coats and hats, Leo blinks at everyone waking around shops in snowy weather. His breath even freezes to the cold.
Soon however, Hiroto shoves Leo's hat deeper into his head.
Hiroto
Don't make yourself obvious. I don't want anyone screaming over some freak in the streets today. You're just lucky your shell fits the clothes.
Leo recovers quick enough, adjusting the hat more comfortably.
He glances at the shop windows before rushing to a specific panel. He points for Hiroto to see.
Leo
Do you think he'd like this?
Hiroto squints upon looking at a very expensive, obnoxiously sparkly purse.
Leo
This is what they call gaudy, isn't it? I think Splinter would very much appreciate it.
Hiroto
... I don't think he'd like it.
LEO
Hm... Well I think it's pretty. Then how about that?
He points at another item: a shiny coin-bag.
HIROTO
Aside from looking stupid, it's too expensive for us to even get.
LEO
I don't think it'd be that hard to come in at night and take it -
HIROTO
No! No stealing on my watch.
LEO
But why not?
He frowns, almost as if he's more saddened by the loss of sparkle.
HIROTO
Because - I think Dad would be a lot happier if we got him something in an honorable manner. And not by the Foot Clan's honor. No, by the Hamanoue's honor.
Again, Leo looks at the items, but sighs back to the conversation.
LEO
I guess that's reasonable...
Hiroto walks away from the shop.
HIROTO
You want that purse for yourself, don't you?
LEO
(Following)
I just think he'd like it!
The boy ignores him, continuing to walk in silence. It makes Leo irk a frown.
Leo
What do YOU think he'd like? It's the reason you're assisting me in the first place.
Hiroto purses his lips over the question, not that Leo could see.
Hiroto
Let's brainstorm:
(Listening with fingers)
He likes drinking, binge-eating, napping-
LEO
Oh! He loves film, but I think he already has a enough films. He definitely has all of his favorites. No thanks to you, I'm sure.
Hiroto lowers his hands as they walk.
Leo
I've also started to notice that while he knows just so much about ninjitsu and martial arts, he doesn't seem to like the practice all that much. Which is a bit of a bummer for my end, but he's still a great sensei!
The turtle hums.
LEO
Maybe he'd like a game? He enjoys playing checkers with me. Maybe I can help him learn to play chess. -
Hiroto
He wouldn't like that.
LEO
You really think so?
He bites his lip.
HIROTO
Yes.
(Beat)
Let's just keep looking.
EXT. NYC STREETS - LATER
Curiously, Leo points at a shop.
Hiroto
No.
EXT. NYC STREETS - LATER
He points at another.
HIROTO
No, not that...
EXT. NYC STREETS - LATER
And another.
HIROTO
He'd never like that.
EXT. NYC STREETS - LATER
Huffing the cold air, Leo stares blankly at the stores in front of him.
Leo
Hamanoue?
Hiroto
Yeah?
LEO
I believe we've been through every store.
HIROTO
... Have we now?
LEO
Maybe something from the meditation shop could be a nice present. He might think it's boring but-
HIROTO
No, it's not going to work.
LEO
And YOU aren't helping! Why isn't it going to work? Can you explain to me the issue why nothing here works?
Hiroto starts walking away again.
HIROTO
Because...
LEO
Because what?
HIROTO
Because I'M his son! I should be the one knowing these things! Not a Foot soldier of all people!
He marches into a dead end of the street, and he shakes an exhale before completely stopping.
Hiroto
I just- I don't know... You seem to be the expert. What do you think the perfect gift would be?
He starts to sit, trying to calm down.
Leo watches all of it, before sitting down beside him.
Leo
If you think I'm an expert, then you're just plain stupid.
HIROTO
I think it's more stupid that we let you into our lives.
LEO
Huh... What would you call it if you're grateful for stupidity?
HIROTO
Ugh, I can't stand you sometimes.
A gust of wind hits them. Hiroto shivers from it, but Leo blinks at the demeanor.
LEO
... It's cold.
HIROTO
Yeah? It's the winter.
LEO
It's colder in the sewers, isn't it?
HIROTO
We were lucky to get a heater in there but-
LEO
What could be helpful for the winter?
Hiroto bundles up in his coat, looking at him confused.
Then it clicks to him.
INT. The lair - day
While Splinter naps, the turtles use the free time to lounge around the lair. Donnie specifically works in his lab area, only to recall something.
Donnie
Mikey.
Hearing his name, Mikey foreword with a mischievous grin.
Mikey
Yes...?
In Donnie's hand presents a small gift box, to Mikey's delight.
DONNIE
You're the one who insisted, so I may as well oblige.
Eying it in the palm of his hand, Mikey immediately tears the wrapping into shreds, revealing it to be a tacky mug. He still gushes at it.
Donnie (O.S.)
It's for when you need to take your meds.
Mikey proceeds to rub it in Donnie's face.
Mikey
Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!
- Only to immediately turn to Raph.
Mikey
Where's my present from you?
In the middle of reading one of Mikey's comics, Raph raises a finger to flip him off.
Raph
I don't owe you shit.
He gets jumped at an instant.
During the commotion, Hiroto enters in with a bag in hand. Leo notices, and immediately steps up to meet with him.
INT. The lair - splinter's bedroom - CONTINUOUS
Leo sneaks in quietly, and while Hiroto follows, he immediately frowns at the sight of his father napping.
The turtle enters deeper in however, and he nudges the rat out of his nap. As he stirs awake, Leo also manages to kick the sake bottle on the ground over to Hiroto.
Splinter
Leo...?
LEO
(Hushed voice)
Hamanoue is also here. We came to give you something.
At the call of attention, Hiroto quickly shoves the bottle to outside the room, and Leo grabs the bag from him to present it to Splinter.
Leo
Merry Christmas, Master Splinter.
The rat blinks at the gift. It's a simple sweater, made from cheap fleece and polyester. He grabs it, rubbing the material.
Splinter
This is the first time I've gotten a present here...
Hiroto looks away.
LEO
We both tried our hardest to find what was best for you.
(Muttering, in Japanese/Subtitled)
Though I will say I came up with it first. -
Splinter laughs at this exchange.
SPLINTER
Thank you.
(To Hiroto)
To the both of you...
Despite trying to keep distance, Hiroto catches the smile on Splinter's face, and he softens.
Hiroto
... Merry Christmas, Dad.
Int. The lair - moments later
As Splinter falls asleep again with his new sweater, Hiroto tosses out the liquor whilst both him and Leo exit.
Leo
You owe me, you know.
Hiroto
(Rolling eyes)
Of course, I do.
Following Leo's lead, the two walk up to Donnie.
LEO
Do you have my present, Minikui?
Donnie
Well, it wasn't that difficult of a task.
From his pocket, Donnie passes Leo the coin-purse from the window shop, making Hiroto step back.
Hiroto
Oh my god, don't tell me -.
Donnie
That Leo tasked me to grab one of these with the mousers last night?
Leo
Sure, we had to follow principal for Splinter. But as a -somewhat proud- Foot Clan soldier, I can allow some indulgence from our own principals.
With a grin forming on his face, the turtle waltz his way to the dojo as Hiroto's face starts boiling.
Hiroto
I'm going to kill you one day, you know that!?
Leo
I think you people would call that a Christmas miracle!
He chases after Leo, to everyone's observance and Mikey's cheering. All while Splinter still sleeps peacefully to the day.
Fade to black.
END OF SHOW