Family Portraits
Chapter 1: Big Brother
A/N: This is a little side story in my Forever Family series and is a series of one shots about my OCs and the Turtles. I thought it would be a good idea to write these little stories down as a way to conquer writer's block and a way for me to keep writing even if I get stuck on the sequel. The title may seem unusual, but I feel that stories can paint pictures about a person's life, so that's why I named the story as I did. I hope you enjoy these little snippets of life in the Hamato family.
Disclaimer: TMNT is owned by Nickelodeon Studios. I only own the Hamato Sisters and any other characters that aren't associated with TMNT.
Summary: Stories can sometimes paint a picture of a person's life and leave behind some interesting memories when read. Third in the Forever Family Series
Michelangelo often wished he could be a big brother. He never understood what it was that made Splinter favor Leonardo so much. Leo always got special privileges none of the others did. He got to boss them around and lead them on runs in the sewers. Whenever Mikey messed up on a kata, he would be told to watch how Leo does it so he can learn it. Mikey wanted to hear Splinter say the same thing about him one day. He wanted Splinter to take him on trips topside or have tea with him in the afternoon. That would be so cool.
One day, Mikey played a prank on Raph and was told to go to Splinter's chambers so he could be lectured. Mikey thought it was unfair since Leo already lectured him. Why was it that he was always getting in trouble? Leo never got in trouble as much as he, Mikey, did. It just wasn't fair.
Splinter entered his chambers and looked at the young Turtle sternly. "Michelangelo, you know that what you did to your brother was wrong," he stated. "I do not know why you continue to act as you do. You really need to learn self-control and to not aggravate your brothers. Is there anything you have to say for yourself?"
Mikey thought about it. What could he say? He could apologize, but that wouldn't be good enough for Splinter. "I wish I was a big brother," he said.
Splinter seemed confused. "What did you say?" he asked.
"I want to be a big brother," Mikey repeated. "They get to have all of the fun. Leo never gets in trouble like I do, and you let him have tea with you in the afternoon and go scavenging topside. If I was a big brother, you'd do that with me, too. And when my little sister or brother gets a kata wrong, it'd be cool to hear you say, 'No, my student, watch Michelangelo and learn from him.'"
Splinter really wanted to laugh at this wish, but he knew it would be rude if he did so. "Is that what you think being a big brother is all about?" he asked his youngest son.
Mikey nodded. "Yeah, I do," he said.
"Well, there is more to it than that," Splinter told him. "Being the oldest is certainly not easy. Yes, I sometimes take Leonardo out for scavenging because I know he will behave himself. But while he behaves, he still has the responsibility of caring for his younger brothers. He must watch over you and make sure no harm comes to you. When he is older, he will be responsible for leading the team and protecting you. If you become a big brother, you will have to watch out for your younger sibling and protect them. You will have to teach them about our world and how dangerous it can be. Do you think you would be able to do that?"
Mikey thought about it. Being a big brother did sound like a big responsibility, and he really wasn't sure he could do that. "Well, I don't know," he said. "It sounds like a lot of work. Maybe I'd be better off being the little brother."
Splinter patted his son on the head. "Yes, I think that would be a good thing as well," he said. While he could understand his son's wish, he knew that such a thing would not come to pass. There was no way Splinter would ever be able to find another turtle in the sewers for his sons to have a sibling.
But Mikey did indeed become a big brother at the age of eighteen when five orphans found their way to the abandoned warehouse where the Turtles' home was. Mikey was thrilled to have five sisters, but he bonded with Kaylee the most. As he got to know her, he remembered the talk he'd had with Splinter all those years ago. If he was going to be a big brother, he would have protect Kaylee and tell her all about their world and how dangerous their life was. He'd have to show her how to defend herself and make sure she didn't get hurt. It sounded like a lot of work, but Mikey was willing to do it, and he did. He also taught her how to skateboard (though Splinter wasn't happy about that after Kaylee broke her arm). He shared candy with her on Halloween and made sure that she had the best Christmas presents. He even helped her play pranks on their siblings during April Fool's Day. Mikey was happy to have a little sister, and he always vowed to take care of her no matter what. That's what a true big brother did.
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Kaylee sat in the orphanage and thought about wishes. Sometimes wishes came true while other times they didn't. Kaylee often wished for a family with lots of brothers and sisters. She really thought having a big brother would be neat. She'd seen television shows about big brothers and how they cared about their little siblings. That's what she wanted, too. She really wanted a big brother to teach her things and to play with. She'd tell him all her secrets and keep his secrets too. She'd defend him from mean people and share her candy with him. Why was it that she hadn't gotten adopted? Did no one like her?
"Destiny, will I ever have a big brother?" she asked her friend one day. She was good friends with Lisa, Destiny, Mariel, and Kaia. They even considered themselves sisters, and while that was a good thing, Kaylee wanted a brother too.
"I don't know, Kay," Destiny replied. "I really hope you do get a big brother, but I wouldn't get your hopes up. It doesn't look like it's gonna happen anytime soon."
Kaylee was upset at Destiny's words, so she went and asked Lisa the same question. Usually Lisa was pretty optimistic about things and would give them a good answer.
"I think it would be awesome if you had a big brother," Lisa told her. "Just keep wishing and maybe it'll come true. I wouldn't listen to Destiny too much. You know she can be negative at times. One day, you'll get a big brother."
Kaylee felt better at Lisa's words and continued to wish and hope for a big brother. Each time, she was disappointed, but she kept on doing it. She just didn't want to believe that such a thing wasn't possible even if she never got adopted. There was always hope for her.
Then, one day, her wish came true. She and her sisters were adopted into a family, and Kaylee gained four big brothers. While she loved them all, she loved Michelangelo the best. He was so much fun and did so many good things with her. He tried to teach her how to skateboard and even made her brownies after she broke her arm during the lesson. He kept watch over her when she got sick and shared candy with her on Halloween. He even helped her play pranks on their siblings and helped her with her training.
"I love you, Mikey," Kaylee said to him once before bed. "You're the bestest big brother in the world."
"I love you, too, Kay," Mikey replied. "You're the bestest little sister in the world. I'm so lucky to have found you."
A/N: I know it's a bit short, but I'm pretty much doing this off the top of my head, so some chapters may be short while others are long. It just depends on what I can think of. I hope you enjoyed it, and feel free to leave a review to let me know what you think of it. Have a shelltastic day.