Ch 2 Raphael's Birthday Party.

13 years later.

"Bye Auntie, I"m on my way to work." Leonardo Turtaruga called out as he walked out the door to his Aunt's apartment. "Please don't forget to drop off Raphael's birthday present."

"I'll remember, bye sweetie." She called back from the kitchen. "Zip up your jacket, it's chilly out there."

"Yes Auntie." He responded as he rolled his eyes. "Have a safe and fun trip to Vermont!"

"Thank you Leonardo, I'll see you on Sunday, have fun at Raphael's birthday party!"

"Thank you."He called back.

Eighteen year old Leonardo stepped out into the brisk cold air and took a deep breath. It was a beautiful Friday morning and the sun was bright in the sky, and even with the coldness of the air, it made Leo feel warm and happy. For the last three months, Leo's life had been better then it had ever been. He had a wonderful boyfriend who he was falling in love with. His aunt had taken him in and once he had found a job, he insisted on paying her rent and help with the bills even though she refused. They finally settled on having him pay three hundred a month just so he could assist and he was happy with that. He found a wonderful job, thanks to Raphael's adopted father, Yoshi Hamato, or Splinter as he was fondly called by his students. Every weekday, he was assisting in teaching ninjutsu to many of Splinter's students. And Raphael's brothers had welcomed him immediately into the family. Life could not be better. And yet, in the back of his mind, as happy as he was, he couldn't help but feel something was coming, and it was not going to be good.

He walked the three blocks to the dojo, a bounce in his step and a smile on his face. It had become a routine with him. Every day, Monday through Friday, he would leave his Aunt's home at eight in the morning, arrive at the dojo by eight fifteen, there Raph would be waiting for him to say goodbye before going off to school. He was taking college courses to become a veterinarian assistant.

Raph had discovered he had a way with animals and it was something he always enjoyed. He felt he had finally found his calling in life and he was loving every minute of it. He would wait for Leo to show up, talk for a few minutes and, after a goodbye hug and kiss, take off on his motorcycle, or truck due to the weather, to be at school by nine. He would return by four thirty, enjoy dinner with his family and Leo, and the two of them would enjoy some alone time before Raph would walk, or drive, Leo back home.

After Leo saw Raph off, he would spend time in the family's kitchen enjoying a cup of tea with Master Splinter. Leo found talking with his Sensei was always relaxing. Splinter was a wonderful listener and gave great advice. Leo was surprised at how quickly they had warmed up to each other. Almost as though they had always been a part of each other's lives. After sharing tea, Leo would go into the dojo and prepare for classes to start.

The dojo, which was situated in the back of the Hamato's two story house, had a lot of students and classes began at nine in the morning and went till four in the afternoon. Leo assisted in teaching ages from pre-school to senior citizens who were interested in learning martial arts or just looking for a good workout. Regardless of what they wanted, Leo had fun and really enjoyed assisting and at times even took over classes for Splinter.

Today, as he sat speaking with Master Splinter, Raph's younger brothers, Michelangelo and Donatello came downstairs from their bedrooms and greeted him warmly. The kitchen had a staircase that led directly to the upstairs and the boy's bedrooms whereas Splinter's room was off the living room. Leo smiled as the made their way to their seats. It had only been a few months but Leo already began to already think of them as brothers. They sat down and the four of them began to discuss the upcoming event of Raph's birthday party.

"So Leo." Mikey looked at him. "What are you getting Raph for his birthday?"

"Taking him for dinner and a movie tomorrow." He told him. "I had wanted to take him camping to Arcadia Park like he did for my birthday but he wanted to leave that place for my birthday only." Leo shrugged. "Says it's more special that way."

"Sounds nice." Donnie told him, smiling.

"But that's it, nothing else?" Mikey looked at him closely.

"I have something else." He told him. "My aunt will be bringing it over on her way to work." He explained. "It's small but large enough he would have seen it if I brought it with me."

Mikey nodded then turned to his father. "Sensei." Mikey turned to him. "Are you getting him anything special?" He asked eagerly."After all, it is his eighteenth."

Splinter looked thoughtful for a moment. He stroked his long beard as he thought of his response. "Raphael has worked hard in trying to figure out what he wants in life." He responded. "I was going to give him the gift of education."

Mikey looked at him questioningly. Donnie turned to him. "He's going to pay for either all or most of his college."

"Oh." Mikey smiled. "My birthday is coming up in November." He said with a twinkle. "Can you think more along the lines of a car or something like that." Splinter smiled and sipped his tea.

"Not before my birthday Mikey." Donnie reminded him. "It is two weeks before yours." Mikey stuck his tongue out at his brother.

Leo had discovered very quickly that the Hamato family like to throw large parties. Especially when it came to birthdays. For Leo's eighteenth, Raph had planned a special two night trip to Arcadia National Park in Maine. It was a trip they planned back when they were coming home from Los Angeles Ca. Splinter and the rest of the family surprised Leo with a large party and Splinter had given Leo and Raph some money to assist in helping with their trip.

"Anything special you want Donnie?" Leo asked. "How bout an all expense paid trip for you and Mona somewhere, like what Splinter got Raph and I?"

There was an awkward moment of silence that seem to stretch for an eternity and Leo wondered what he had said to cause such tension. "Did I say something wrong?" He asked, anything to break the tension.

"No Leonardo." Splinter said gently.

"It's just that Mona is not one who really likes to travel." Donnie told him. He then got up and went to fill his travel mug with coffee. "I'm off to work. See you at four."

"Yeah, I guess I better get going too." Mikey got up and placed his glass into the sink. "We're expecting a special guest for the show. Have a fun day."

Leo was surprised by how quickly the other two turtles walked out. But he let it go and finished his tea. He then made his way to the dojo to begin planning out the day's lessons. The day went well, some classes even had new students and Leo was happy to assist them all in learning. A few of the more younger, female students always seem to need extra attention from him. Leo smiled as he adjusted one particular female's form. She never could remember to keep her arms close to her body. Or so it seemed that way.

The brothers were back by four and since Raph was not due home til four thirty, that gave them half an hour to decorate. Mikey made a beautiful cake and a lovely dinner of turkey and all the trimmings. Eventually, Donnie and Mikey's girlfriends showed up and assisted in getting everything ready.

Renet Tilly walked in. She smiled at Leo and gave him a warm hug. She, like Mikey, always seemed to be happy and was always glad to see him. But when Mona Lisa showed up, it was a different story. She would acknowledge him, but it was never a very warm greeting and she rarely spoke to him. From the moment he first met her, she seemed very cold, almost angry toward him. He couldn't understand if he had done something that upset her. He had asked Raph occasionally but all he would say was that was just her way. Leo always felt it was something more.

It was just after four thirty when Raph showed up. Leo was waiting for him at the door like always with a hug and kiss. He led him into the living room where Raph was expecting to just sit and talk like they always did, but when they got there, a loud "SURPRISE!" startled him. Raph looked around and saw a variety of balloons and decorations. A large banner that read: HAPPY EIGHTEENTH BIRTHDAY RAPHAEL" hung from the ceiling.

"My birthday's not til tomorrow." Raph commented.

"We figured this way you and Leo could have the weekend to yourself." Donnie told him as Leo led him to the couch.

Raph smiled widely and gave a Leo a big kiss before giving each of his family a warm hug. The party was wonderful, they ate dinner. Sang 'Happy Birthday' to him and watched as he opened presents.

Both brothers along with their girlfriends gave him accessories for his motorcycle and gift cards to various stores. Splinter, as he said, gave him a large check to help with college as well as getting the books he needed along with a beautiful new red shirt with pearly white buttons.

"That's fathers for ya." Raph smiled and gave his father a warm hug. "Practical yet sensible. Thank you Sensei."

"You are most welcome my son." He smiled

Leo's present he opened last. It was wrapped in shimmering red paper and was a picture of the two of them in a silver frame. On the bottom was an engraving showing the date the two met. On the top, it had their names. The picture showed the two of them standing in front of the Grand Canyon.

"Is that the first day you met?" Mikey asked.

"It's actually the day after we met." Leo explained. "But it's one of my favorite pictures." Raph blushed and gave Leo a kiss on the cheek.

"So what attracted you to our hot headed brother in the first place Leo?" Mikey asked. "You never did say."

"Mikey." Renet glared at him with a look that told him not to be rude.

"It's okay." Leo told her. "It was his green eyes." He told them the story of their first meeting.

"What about you Raphael?" Mona asked rather curtly. "What did you see in Leonardo that first day?"

Both Donnie and Mikey exchanged strange looks that Leo couldn't help but wonder about.

"That sweet ass of his." Raph said as he reached behind and gave Leo a small pat on his back side. Leo blushed red and then yelped as Raph pinched his ass cheek rather hard.

"Raph!" Leo looked at him with a mock angry glare. "Not in front of your family." Splinter chuckled then also gave his oldest a warning look.

The party over, the six youth cleaned up and then decided to curl up on the couch and watch a little TV while Master Splinter went to bed. Afterwards, as they went to say goodnight, Mona Lisa walked over to Raphael and leaned into him. While Leo watched, she gave him a very tender kiss on the cheek and whispered something in his ear that made his eyes go wide. Mona then gave Leo a look and went over to Donnie who was also watching the two of them with mixed emotions. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and said goodnight.