A/N: I meant to post this chapter on Feb 1. Life happened, though. Sorry. My goal is to update this story once a month while it's still a work in progress. Once it's finished, I'll update once a week or day or...something. Either way, more frequently.

Sciencegal - He does. Even if he doesn't believe he does for, like, months. XD

Zathura - Thanks. It is hard subject matter to deal with...but I'm still pushing through. Things will look up for Leo soon (ish).

DuckiePray - Writing this story is like cuddling a porcupine. XP Thanks for the thoughtful review, Dear. As always. *hugs*

CHAPTER 02: TIME

What day was it? What time? Or month? Leonardo no longer knew. He frowned, his legs shifting through broad, withered leaves. Had it been long since he left New York? How were his brothers fairing in his absence? Better? Worse? Were they patrolling?

'Sensei said they wouldn't, but I know Mike and Raph.'

They'd be out. Why? Because they still held onto the ludicrous belief that their heroic acts would bring about a brighter future. Donny did too, although it was unlikely he'd disobey.

'Not to mention he's probably busy defending Gray.'

A jolt hit Leo so suddenly, his fingers scraped his kneepads. He heard the cyborg's cold voice in his head and recalled the dead way she watched the prisoners inside Hall F.

'That bitch brought us there. She…she—'

She tossed him into a cage. She helped Lombardo strap him to table after table. She watched the needle break his skin, the pain fill his veins. She heard his screams, Kaiya's sobs, but she did nothing to help. And Donny called her 'wife'?

Bullshit!

Shaking, Leonardo snatched up an object beside him and then hurled it across the campsite. A crack followed—like the fracturing of a wooden plank split by a punch. Its familiarity eased the mutant's scowl. He cursed, now realizing what he had thrown.

'Mike's gonna freak,' Leo thought with a sigh.

He stumbled towards a damaged box that spewed writing materials onto the damp, forest floor. Its splintered wood drew bright lines through the designs etched into its dark-wash stain. Leo gathered it and began to shove the lid into the tracks where it belonged. It wouldn't fit.

'He put so much work into this, even before…' Leo sighed, eyeing the box's designs. 'That day feels like forever ago. And despite everything back then, with The Shredder, life was simpler. It was just us, Casey, and April.'

It had been the most memorable Mutation Day the Hamato brothers ever had, especially for Leonardo…

Leonardo rubbed his temples, but no matter how much pressure he applied, they still pulsed.

"Dude"—Michelangelo's voice echoed through the tunnels—"did you see the look on that Foot's face? I didn't even need to pull out my big guns."

"You can't see a Foot's expression, Mikey," Donatello said.

"No masks, Dumbass," Raphael added with a scoff.

"Language," said Leo over his shoulder. Raph kicked the water the ninjas waded through. A chill wetted Leo's calves, a provocation the leader chose to ignore.

"You dudes have no imagination," Mikey said. He raced forward, using the tunnel's wall as leverage to flip ahead of the group. He then started walking backward. "Tell 'em, Leo: that Foot was totally about to pee his pants. You were there. You took him down."

Leo sent the orange-masked mutant a pointed stare. "I was focused more on the dozen other soldiers that ambushed us."

"But he was gawking!"

"You can't see a gawk through a mask," Don hissed. The genius huffed as Leo sent him a calming gesture.

"That Foot Soldier was one of many," Leo told Mikey. "You'd understand that if you'd been paying attention to the bigger picture."

Mikey groaned. "Small details make up the bigger picture. I can't believe you didn't see it."

"We're not Genin anymore. Alright? We're Chūnin. And battles aren't a playground."

"So ya wanna suck the fun outta fightin' too?" asked Raph. The water sloshed behind Leo. "Figures."

"Warring against Shredder isn't a game!" Leo cried. He whirled to meet the hothead's glare, shoulders squared.

"No one said it was," Don added. His bō staff cut off his older brothers' staring contest, drawing attention to his gap-tooth smile. "Mike does have a point, though."

Mikey snorted, saying, "Naturally!"

Don sighed. "Don't make it worse. Now, Leo. You've been a little, uh—"

"Oh, I'll say it," Raph interjected. He stormed through the water, shoved Don aside, and then jabbed a finger at the leader's plastron. "Ya've been a damn drill sergeant!"

"For your own good," Leo said. "Victory favors the prepared."

"We're prepared enough, Fearless. Don't ya trust us ta handle ourselves?"

"You're all strong."

"So why not let us be?"

"It has nothing to do with—I just—" Leo rubbed his neck. "Look. You're less likely to get hurt if you stay vigilant. Consider the bigger picture."

"Just what is the bigger picture?" asked Mikey.

Glancing sideways, Leo caught his youngest brother's gentle expression. Of course, Mike sensed the leader's fear. He always did.

"Shredder's a bad dude," Mikey continued. "We get that. But I ain't gonna let some buckethead hamper my fun. You shouldn't either."

"We are only as strong as our spirit," whispered Leo.

"And our spirits shine like stars. Everything will be okay, Bro. Now let's make like bananas and split. It's our Mutation Day."

"I ain't in any mood ta party," Raph said.

"Me either," Don added, slumping. "I want a nap. Then maybe I'll run an analysis on—"

Mikey pointed at his brothers as they began moving down the tunnel again. "Uh-uh! No boxing time. No meditation. And no locking yourself in the Lab. I've blistered my hands while perfecting your gifts, and you're gonna get them. Today. We may also eat cake, depending on how many eggs we have. I think we need more. Have you asked April about that, Donny?"

Don's cheeks darkened. "Wh—why me?"

Raph shared a smirk with Mikey then jabbed his lankier bother with an elbow. "Ya only call her every chance ya get, Genius."

"Do not."

"Oh, April, your voice is so silky," Mikey said in a high tone.

Sniggering, Raph also heightened his voice, "Let me ramble on about nerd things while I pretend I ain't substitutin' Chemistry for—"

"Enough," Leonardo cut in. Seriously; this was the group meant to take down The Shredder? Heaven, help them.

"For your information, I haven't talked with April much," Don said. "The store's growing in popularity, and she's been hanging with Casey. I barely got to mention our Mutation Day."

"Really? Did you tell her the date?"

Don shook his head at Mike. "I mentioned it in passing."

"Aw, seriously? I thought for sure you would've jumped at the chance for her to shower you with gifts."

"Get real."

"Oh, I'm real. This is our first Mutation Day with friends we can invite, and no one cares?"

"Sorry, Mike. We're used to birthdays being…"

Don trailed off, so Raph added, "Borin'."

"It's like any other day," Leo finished.

"What audacity," said Mike. Head shaking, he set his arms akimbo as Leo stepped ahead.

The leader pulled the lever that opened their home's entrance. He started to smile, but then a thundering, unified cheer resonated from inside the Lair. Leonardo adopted a defensive stance. His Katanas clanked when their edges crossed, their steel ready for action.

Was it an enemy? Had the Lair been compromised? He glared. If it was an invasion, it was an odd one.

Inside, streamers spread from column to column in red, orange, blue, and purple drapes. They enclosed a group within the living room, who whooped as a rain of balloons descended. Leo caught Splinter's smile through the slow-floating bubbles, glancing up at what his father pointed towards. A banner was strung along the ceiling. Its words were unmistakable: Happy Sweet Sixteen.

"What?" Michelangelo screeched. "Guys. Guys! This is a surprise party. A real surprise party. Like on TV. For us!"

"Thanks, Captain Obvious," Raphael said. He sounded breathy while holstering his sais, a testament to his own shock.

"April, did—did you…?" Donatello stepped forward, bō staff in hand.

The redhead chuckled. "Well," she said, "you mentioned a birthday, so I made a few calls." She gestured towards the group, where a line of grins followed from Splinter and Casey to Leatherhead, Silver Sentry, and even—

"Usagi-san?" Leo asked.

"It is a pleasure to see you again, Leonardo-san," the humanoid rabbit replied with a bow. "I believe the proper Earth custom is to say 'Happy Mutation Day'?"

Leo gave a lopsided smile. "Well, most would say 'Happy Birthday.' We're, uh, a little different, though."

"Yes," Usagi smirked. "I know."

"Wait, wait, wait, wait!" Mikey yelled. The crowd grew silent as they turned to the youngest mutant. "Ape, you're telling me you planned a party with not only a famous superhero but someone from another dimension as well?"

"That was all Splinter, honestly," April said.

"However, it was O'Neil-san's idea," Splinter countered.

"I cannot stay very long," Usagi added, "but I am curious about this Mutation Day."

"We can show you how to party, Usagi Dude," Mikey said, laughing. The rabbit had quirked an eyebrow before Mike moved onto Silver Sentry. "Silver, my man. Ready to reveal your secret identity yet?"

Silver Sentry crossed his massive arms. "Not today. But perhaps soon."

"Oh my God." Mikey gripped the super human's forearms and paled. "No lie?"

Whatever the hero's answer, Leonardo ignored it. He sheathed his katanas then glossed over the decorations again—this time noting the detailed work that had gone into their arrangement.

"Like it?"

Leo faced April. "How long did this take?"

"Not long. Silver Sentry makes for light work."

"Isn't it a little much?"

"No. You're sixteen."

"It's just a number. Humans only make big deals about it because it means someone's old enough to drive."

"And you guys have been driving for, what, two years? You should've had one of these ages ago."

"We didn't know anyone else that long ago."

"See?" April's sharp yet sincere tone tore Leo away from the chattering group by the kitchen. "That's exactly why I did this. You have friends, Leo. Friends share in celebrations."

"But our mutation isn't Christmas or—"

"Oh, shut up." The redhead grinned. "When Donny mentioned your Mutation Day like a doctor appointment, it—it unsettled me. You should be excited. So here I am."

"All of this, for us?"

"Is it that weird?" April's grin fell as Leo stiffened. "I was alone once. Never knew my Mom then Dad died"—she hissed—"way too soon. I loathed the idea of living with Robyn, so I stayed here. Can't help feeling that was fate. Life's been hectic ever since you saved me from Stockman's Mousers. But know what?"

Leonardo shook his head.

"I feel more complete," April continued. "Not quite whole, but…having brothers has been a nice change of pace."

Hold up. Did April say 'brothers'? Or had Mikey's squeals finally botched Leo's hearing? He tapped his ear to test it, and April chuckled.

"Come on, Fearless Leader," she said, turning, "we have plenty planned, and Usagi is on a time crunch."

Leonardo watched her address everyone, unready for movement.

The gravity in her words evaded her, didn't it? Before last year, a human had never called Leo a friend, let alone a brother. Was it possible that mutants and mankind could become families? Could people in the future accept the Hamatos as well? Perhaps even…love them?

Leo's logic told him that would be expecting too much and he agreed. For now, he'd focus on April—the first person who he could call 'sister.'

Leonardo smiled at the memory. He'd been so happy back then, before the failures, before—

'No!' Leo clenched the splintered box in his lap. 'Don't let the ghosts return. I gotta do something. Anything. Maybe…'

The mutant glanced downwards. Scattered materials from the box lay on the dirt, not far from reach. Usually, sleep was his excuse to avoid them. Yet writing home seemed like a grand escape today. He readied the necessities atop the broken box's bottom side. The ink was soiled, the brushes dusty, and the parchment stained, but who cared?

It mattered about as much as a date.