I slowly woke up surrounded by the worried faces of the Hamato Clan. A human girl was there, as well. She had red hair.

"Utahime, are you alright?" The girl asked.

I sat upright and looked at her. "I'm fine. Who are you?"

She smiled at me. "My name is April O'Neil. Don called me over when you passed out."

"Oh, that. I really was fine. It's normal for me." I said.

Everyone looked surprised, so I continued: "It happened all the time when I was captive. I guess I've gotten used to it."

Silence.

"No one should eva have ta get used ta dat." Raphael said after a while.

I shrugged. "My case isn't the worst, Raph. A lot of other bad things could have happened to me, but they didn't. I'm thankful that this is all I have to bear." I stood up and looked around. "So, this is what it looks like down here at midnight. It's nicer down here than it is up there."

"How'd you know it was midnight?" Don asked.

"Internal clock." I replied. "It's a bird thing."

"So, we need to get a few things sorted out." April said.

We were all sitting down in the main room.

"Where should we start?" I asked.

Master Splinter spoke up. "Perhaps we should begin with Orkoru Saki. He will send out hunters, and we must be ready."

"Master, I have a suggestion." I said, pulling out a map of New York. "I know this city better than he ever will. There are places that are not on Foot territory. If nothing has changed, then this area is well-protected, and free of both gangs and ninjas. It's the perfect stronghold. I can stay there until he gives up." I pointed to a small region by the news station.

Michelangelo shook his head. "It's no good, dudette. That place belongs to the Purple Dragons."

"What about the farmhouse?"

I glanced at Leonardo. "Farmhouse?"

"It belongs to Casey, another one of our friends." Don explained. "It's about three acres, if I'm not mistaken. It's few hours away from New York."

"That's our best option."

We all piled into the truck trailer as April and newly acquainted Casey drove us nearer to safety.

"So, Utahime. What's your story? You've heard ours." Michelangelo asked

I bowed my head. "Trust me, you don't want to know."

Master Splinter gently touched my shoulder. "In order for the healing to begin, you must first let the past go."

"You are correct as usual, Master Splinter." I wrapped my wings around myself for comfort.

"As I have said before, Kyūkyokuno Utahime took part in my creation. Saki wanted to use me as a weapon. My parents refused, and we were registered into the Witness Protection Program, for my father had seen what Saki did to mutants after they served their purpose. We moved constantly, always on the run. It wasn't enough. Saki found us, killed my parents, and took me to New York. He offered me a spot as his second-in-command, which I refused instantly. I replied that I would never join a man whose lust for power would drive him to kill his own brother, my father. Every day after I was tortured, he would sit outside my cell and say that his offer still remained. Every day my answer was the same. 'With my last dying breath I will fight against you. Your greed outweighs your honor.'"

I closed my eyes and leaned back.

"Utah-"

"Save your pity, Donatello. I've made it this far without it. I will continue to live on. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That's why they call it the present. I live in today; not yesterday, not tomorrow. It works if I focus on one day at a time."

The truck stopped abruptly. I tensed up, prepared for anything. Anything, that is, except for two words.

"We're here!" Casey called out.

The doors opened to reveal a winter world lacking pollution and assassins. I stepped out, embarrassed and awed at the same time.

"It's beautiful! Oh my God, it looks like it's from Anne of Green Gables! This place is amazing!"

Casey gawked at me. "How can you say dat? It's a dump!"

"I haven't seen the light of day for six years, Casey. Everything is so new and refreshing for me!" I stretched my wings out, enjoying the sun's warmth. "All this place needs is a few touch-ups, and it'll be good as new!"

"Geez, so optimistic about a lousy farmhouse." Raph muttered.

I grinned as a plan formed in my head. I quickly made a snowball and pegged Raphael in the face. "Snowball fight! Everyone for themselves!" I giggled, flying upward with an armful of snow.

Thus, the GSW (Great Snowball War) began. Donatello was the first one out, buried and snow by Raph. Leo couldn't dodge the combined snowballs of Mikey and I, and so he was out. Raph gave up after I knocked the snow off of a tree branch.

Master Splinter chuckled. "Children these days. Always getting into trouble."

Naturally, that trouble was Michelangelo. He was too fast for my tree attacks, and he was a rapid-fire shooter. I began to worry that he would win, but then another of my brilliant ideas formed. Quickly, I dive-bombed him, causing him to release a girly scream and head for the trees. I tripped him, and he rammed into a tree, which covered him in snow.

"I win!" I laughed.

We all sat around the fireplace, sipping hot chocolate and telling stories. I began to get a sense of everyone's role.

April and Casey were the Hamato Clan's information where the television wouldn't fill them in. Casey worked well alongside Raph, and April was Don's co-scientist.

Master Splinter was the father in a sense to April and Casey as well as the boys. He always seemed to have an answer.

Michelangelo was the joker of the group. His uncanny ability to stay positive came in handy when faced with a dark time. However, his pranks and puns only annoyed Raph and Leo, so he was closer to Don.

Donatello was the intellect. His technology and science help while at peace and at war. Without him, the boys would be in the dark. Literally.

Raphael was the brawn. His strength rivals any grown man, but he lacks delicacy. He constantly fought with Leo.

Leonardo was the leader of the Hamato Clan. His instincts have saved him on many occasions. He keeps his family together, remains selfless, and cares for everyone who needs his help.

"Well everyone, we've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow. We should get some sleep."

Okay, so I'll try to update once a week, if not more. Please review, people! Luv y'all!