OK, for this chapter I completely skipped January to kinda keep things moving. So now we're onto February. (Kayla's birthday is February 3rd, just so everyone knows)

"Kayla, wake up!" Mikey screamed into Kayla's ear.

"Ah!" she screamed as she shot up in her bed. She looked over and saw Mikey wave at her. "Mikey, what the shell?!" she groaned.

"Wake up! It's your birthday, you can't spend the whole day sleeping in!"

"Wanna bet?" she argued as she laid back down and hid under her blanket with her back facing Mikey.

Mikey was silent for a moment. "Oh, alright. I guess Donny, Raph, and I will have to eat all the waffles and eggs and bacon ourselves."

Kayla rolled over under the blanket and peaked her eyes out at her brother. "What kind of waffles and what kind of eggs?" she asked quietly.

Mikey smiled. "Scrambled eggs, and I was thinking about making waffles with strawberries on top sprinkled with powdered sugar."

Kayla groaned again and hid deeper under her covers. Those were her absolute favorite kinds of eggs and waffles, and Mikey didn't make all of them together very often. After a long moment of silence Kayla sighed in defeat. Throwing her covers off and sitting up she said, "Fine. I'll be out in a few minutes." Mikey clapped and ran out of her room.

Kayla stretched before climbing out of bed and shifting through her clothes to find something to wear. She finally settled for a pair of dark skinny jeans, a green shirt that went off one shoulder with sleeves that went to her elbows, with a black tank top underneath. As she brushed her hair she decided the slight wave looked fine today and let it be.

As soon as she opened her door the mouthwatering smell hit her nose and she hurried into the kitchen and sat down next to Don.

"Well, look who's finally up." Don joked, "I guess Mikey's cooking can do that, huh?"

Kayla couldn't help but laugh quietly and nod. She looked up eagerly as Mikey set a plate in front of her. It had a huge waffle nearly as big as the plate with three strawberry halves in the center, the whole thing sprinkled with powdered sugar; on the side was a pile of scrambled eggs and three large strips of bacon!

She immediately started cutting the waffle up and stuffing it in her face. Sure some people would think that's a disgusting way to eat, and she did eat a lot neater when in public, but come on, she was raised by four brothers and a father who's a rat. At least she wasn't nearly as bad as her brothers. Mikey then served a plate to Don, got his own, and sat on Kayla's other side to eat.

As Kayla swallowed a mouthful she glanced around. Raph wasn't up yet. She and her brothers noticed that Raph usually didn't get up till it was almost noon and then would eventually go back to bed. Kayla remembered only seeing him maybe twice the past week.

She tried not to think about it, it usually just made her sad when she did. Sometimes it felt like she lost two brothers when Leo left, but then she had to remind herself that it was the beginning of February. Leo would be coming home in one month and about two weeks. At the same time it would be spring break, and boy she couldn't wait for that. Not only would she get to spend all her free time with Leo, but she'd also be out of school for a week. She really needed it, especially after the grade she got on her last couple math tests.

She was used to getting all A's and B's, but on her last math test she barely passed with a C. When Don found out he was not too happy. Sure, Kayla could've said that she asked him to help her study, but she didn't want to blame him when he was so busy working and stuff now.

When Kayla swallowed the last of her breakfast she looked up at the clock across the den.

"I gotta get going." she said as she rinsed off her plate and slipped on her skate shoes.

"You want me to give you a ride since it's your birthday?" Mikey offered.

Kayla thought about showing up at school in an old, giant, green and yellow van with the Cowabunga Carl logo on the side, and a giant, blow up turtle head on top.

"Uh, no thanks, Mikey. I-um…think I'll take my bike." she answered nervously. She could hear Don chuckle quietly as she grabbed her helmet and jacket and left the lair...

Later that afternoon Kayla was sitting on the front steps of April's apartment waiting for her friends. Since it was a Friday her father was letting her have a sleepover for her birthday as well as a small birthday party. She stood up as Katie's mom's car pulled up and Alana and Katie got out.

"Bye, mom! See ya tomorrow." Katie called as the car pulled away. Kayla turned and lead the way into the alley and down the manhole.

Overall today hadn't been that bad for a birthday. A couple of her classes sang happy birthday to her, which she hated, but that was pretty much it. One of those two classes was her Spanish class thanks to Alana for telling their teacher. But Kayla planned on getting her back next year when her birthday came around.

When they got back to the lair they ate pizza and cake. The cake was actually leftover birthday cake from some of Mikey's birthday party gigs. She hadn't been to one yet, and she wasn't too keen on going either; especially after seeing Mike come home one day with several bruises. He said little kids can get pretty violent.

Even though Kayla said she didn't want any presents her wish wasn't fulfilled. Alana got her a sketchbook, Katie got her a CD, Mikey got her a couple computer games, and Don made her a new shell cell; this one looked a lot more like a normal cell phone than her last one.

After presents Kayla served her friends some ice cream and they all settled down for a movie Don picked out. As Kayla handed a bowl of ice cream to Katie her friend looked around the room.

"Hey, I haven't seen Raph yet. Where is he?" she asked curiously.

Don looked up from putting in a movie. "He's probably sleeping. Last time I saw him was around twelve-ish. He grabbed a sandwich before going back to his room. Haven't seen him since."

Alana looked over at Kayla. "Wow, you weren't kidding." she whispered.

Kayla nodded. About a month ago she spent the night at Alana's with her and Katie. When they asked about her brothers she ended up spending nearly an hour venting to them about all her feelings and problems, which she NEVER did. She spent most of the time crying as she spoke, which she never did either. But she had to admit, sharing all the things she'd been holding in felt good. Though Alana and Katie were the only ones she'd ever let in like that. She didn't have any other friends she could trust that much, and she didn't feel comfortable talking to any of her brothers about it.

"So, what movie are we watching?" Katie's question shook Kayla out of her daze. Katie was looking at her. Kayla shrugged at her friend to show she didn't know.

"Alright…and 'play'." Don pushed play on the remote as he sat next to Alana on the couch.

The TV turned on to show a young toddler with brown eyes and a head of black hair crawling toward the camera with a little smile that showed two bottom teeth.

"Don!" Kayla screamed at him as Katie, Alana, and Michelangelo said 'aaw'.

On the movie a much younger Don was talking to baby Kayla. "Come on, Kayla. You can do it, you can talk. I swear I heard her talk." he added to someone off-screen.

Kayla hid behind a pillow as her friends leaned forward. She could hear her baby-self mumbling and gurgling on the TV. Finally she started making words.

"Wa…Waf…Raph!" a high-pitched, baby voice squeaked. Kayla peaked over the pillow to watch as she heard young-Mikey's voice on the TV.

"Ha! Did you dudes hear that? She said Raph! Her first word was Raph!" all the brothers laughed as Don turned the camera on a blushing Raphael who was trying not to smile.

"Get the camera off me, Donny." little Raph threatened as he stepped closer to the camera. The camera spun around and started shaking like Don was running with it. Then they seemed to spin out and the screen went black. Kayla's friends and brothers burst out laughing while Kayla hid behind the pillow again.

"Your first word was 'Raph'?" Katie looked at Kayla from where she was sitting next to her on the couch. "That's adorable!"

"Is this really necessary?" she mumbled into the pillow, completely ignoring Katie's comment.

"Well, it's not everyday our little sister turns 16. So I figured we'd have a little more fun than usual." Don answered.

"It's not everyday people turn any age. It's not like you turn 8 more than once. Why do you guys have to make such a big deal out of 16?" Kayla argued back, her voice muffled by the pillow.

"Because it's a big deal." Katie answered, "Now shh! I wanna watch the next one."

After watching about an hours worth of home videos; which included Kayla walking for the first time, singing the ABC's, playing peak-a-boo with Mikey, and a bunch of other embarrassing things; Don and Mikey left the girls to watch some of their own movies and talk. Around three o'clock Saturday morning they all started falling asleep.

Still half awake on the couch Kayla rolled onto her stomach, her chin resting on the arm of the sofa with her arm hanging over it. She heard footsteps and forced her eyes open a bit. Through blurry vision she could barely see a green figure leaving the lair. Had she been more awake she would've followed. Instead she closed her eyes and gave in to sleep…

"See ya Monday." Kayla called as the car drove off, Katie and Alana waving out the back window. She waited till they turned a corner before going back into the alley and jumping into the sewer.

She was halfway home when she heard someone calling her name down the tunnel. She stopped and looked back to see April hurrying toward her.

"Hey, April! What are you doing here?" she asked when April caught up. She was carrying a wrapped box and her laptop in her arms. She handed the box to Kayla as they continued to walk. On top of it was a letter.

"Well, for a few different reasons, actually. For one, to give you your birthday present. I was planning on coming last night, but I got caught up with work stuff and couldn't make it. For two, you got a letter from Leo. And three, my laptop's acting up and I was going to ask Don if he could fix it."

"Oh, well don't worry too much about last night. You didn't miss much, just my brothers embarrassing me to the moon and back. And you know, I did say I didn't want presents." she pointed out.

"I know, but I felt like getting this for you." April smiled.

"Oh, well, thanks." Kayla smiled as she hugged the present closer to her chest. When they finally reached the lair they both sat on the couch and Kayla started opening her present. It was a book she'd been wanting to read for a while.

"Thanks, April." Kayla smiled as she hugged her friend.

"Don't mention it. I'm gonna go talk to Don."

As April left the room Kayla looked down at the letter in her hands. She took a deep breath as she tore it open. When it was open a letter and a picture fell out. She carefully picked up the picture by the corner so she didn't smudge it.

It was a picture of a patch of beautiful red flowers in a small clearing in the jungle. Kayla smiled slightly as she read the letter.

Kayla,

First I want to say, Happy 16th Birthday! I really wish I could be there with you guys for this, but we all know it's out of my control. I don't really have a present for you, so I guess you have to settle for the picture I sent you.

I was patrolling through the jungle a couple days ago when I happened upon this clearing. I guess it kind of reminded me of you in a way. I know it's corny but it did. Like a patch of hope and beauty in a world of darkness and pain. The next time someone calls you something otherwise just remember that this is how I see you. Well, that and my baby sister. Love you Kayla.

Leo

Kayla smiled as she was reading the letter. Leo hadn't written a letter to her since the one she got Christmas Day. When she was finished she looked back at the picture. When she looked closely she could see little patches where sunlight managed to break through the treetops and shine down on the flowers.

She heard a foot scuff the brick floor as someone leaned on the couch behind her.

"What's dat?" a familiar Brooklyn-accented voice asked.

"A letter from Leo." she answered. "He also mailed me this picture." Kayla turned to show Raph the picture only to see the back of his shell as he walked away. Kayla's face slowly dropped as she turned back around and looked back at the picture. She knew the subject of Leo was really touchy for Raph, but couldn't he show just a smudge of interest or compassion? Leo was his brother, too!

Kayla sighed as she gathered her things and took them into her room. She placed her new book on her desk before grabbing a few thumbtacks from the box and going to the bulletin board. She pinned the letter to an open space before pinning the picture next to it. As Kayla took a step back she looked over all the letters and the few pictures Leo had sent.

Her eyes fell on one of the pictures that was off to the side. It was a picture of Leo wearing a brownish cloak he used to hide. She could barely see his blue mask and brown eyes peaking out from under the hood. Kayla felt her throat tighten and her eyes sting as she looked at it. She hadn't really cried about Leo's leaving since she was at Alana's house about a month ago, and that was the first time in a couple months. But even though she tried to hold back, salty tears still managed to spill down her cheeks…

Kayla looked up from her locker as Alana walked up. They hadn't really had the chance to talk all day because she had a band lesson the same period as the class they had together. It was the Monday after her birthday and Alana really wanted to know what Leo had said in his latest letter.

"So? Come on, come on. Spill it. What did he say?" she demanded as she shifted the strap of her backpack on her shoulder.

Kayla laughed a bit as she pulled a couple of her books out of her locker. "Okay, okay. Calm down, Alana. He pretty much said happy birthday and all that. He also sent a picture he took in the jungle of a patch of flowers. And he uh…he said- gosh it's so corny." Kayla looked back into her locker with a laugh.

"What?" Alana demanded. "What's so corny?"

Kayla blew her bangs out of her eyes and felt her face turn red. "He said that…that those flowers made him think of me." Kayla focused on her books as she slid them into her backpack, feeling her face heat up in embarrassment.

"Think of you?" Alana repeated. "How?"

Kayla was quiet for a moment. "He said that I'm like…like 'a patch of hope and beauty in a world of darkness and pain'." she quoted as she closed her bag and stood up.

"Aw, ain't that sweet." a mocking voice interrupted. Kayla looked over, surprised she didn't notice Alex approach. She quickly looked back into her locker, grabbing her light, leather jacket and skateboard.

"What's the matter, Kayla? Couldn't find a guy desperate enough to date you in America so you had to find a 'pen pal' in a different country?" he teased.

Kayla closed her eyes, thinking of what Leo had said in his letter as she closed her locker. She looked over at Alana.

"Come on. I gotta get home. I'm supposed to work with Raph right after school." Alana nodded as the two walked past Alex.

As they passed Alex added, "Yeah, why don't you run home to your Loser family."

Kayla stopped dead, her vision starting to blur, but not with tears.

She didn't hear Alana's warning, "Come on, Kayla. Keep walking. Ignore him."

"What did you say?" she asked, her body as rigid as a statue.

"You heard me." Alex taunted, "Your Loser family."

Kayla spun around, her vision blood-red. She felt her fist slam something and heard someone cry out in pain. After a few seconds the red cleared from her vision and she looked down.

Alex was on the ground, his hand over his nose and mouth, blood dripping down his fingers from his nose. Kayla's eyes widened and she took a step back, realizing what she just did.

She felt hands grab her arms and turn her away. Alana grabbed her board, jacket, and bag off the ground where she dropped them; handed them to Kayla; and herded her friend away. Kayla stared blankly ahead, her mouth slightly open, and let her friend guide her.

"What were you thinking?" Alana demanded as they walked away.

"What just happened?" Kayla asked quietly.

"You punched him in the face! What do you think happened? Do you know what your brothers are going to do to you? Or worse: your FATHER! I can just imagine what he'll do when he finds out!"

Kayla didn't really listen as her friend ranted on. She punched Alex? Sure she'd been wanting to for the longest time, and yeah he did deserve it, but she promised Leo she wouldn't. What would he say when he found out? What would he do?

Kayla put her palm to her forehead. She just broke her promise…