A/N: It is very, very short.

Sacrifice

Why can't they take me seriously?

Ever since he left… My two other brothers have gone mad.

My father moved out, so we are alone. He lives at April's apartment now.

Those foot soldiers have taken away one of my family's protectors and a love one.

I clutch the blue band in my hand and feel tears stream down my cheeks.

FLASHBACK

"I'll be back bro… Don't worry… I can never leave you guys for too long…" Leonardo whispered in my ear before our genuine hug was broken.

"You better hurry bruv. Don't want to make me sic Raph on you." I try to brighten his mood, but a small, sad frown was still placed on his face. I looked around and saw that my other two brothers had matching frowns formed on their lips.

"Little brother, just keep them smiling. I don't want them like this…At all…" Leo stated. I wrapped one arm around his shoulders.

"I will Leo. Don't worry. Why are you going to Japan again? Why can't you just stay here and not fight in that war?"

"Bro, I'm not going because I want to. I am going because I have to. The forces wanted another leader, and they chose me. I'm sorry. But I'll be back within two months, maybe." He answered. Relief swelled in my insides.

"Good. Well… See you in two months!" I said. He finally smiled.

"Mike, have this." He replied, handing me a sapphire band. "Don't forget me."

"I love you Leo." I answered. A small, mysterious smile played upon the lips of my big brother, his blue eyes twinkling.

"Love you too, Mike. Bye."

"See ya, Leo." I stated. He made his way into the dark tunnels of the sewer. I went about to read comics, and well…try to act like everything was normal. Two months slowly passed by, and I waited next to the door.

He didn't come.

END FLASHBACK

After that, April got a strange letter in her mail. It was mailed all the way from Japan. That was weird, because Leo was in Japan fighting.

Thinking that it was from my big bro, I rushed and opened it. But once I read it, my mouth hung open in shock.

The letter was from the Foot. Not only that, but it was a ransom letter. Whole bunch of money, for Leo.

Yup.

They captured my brother.

I had a tantrum right then and there, because if you hadn't noticed, we absolutely have zero cash. We realized that there was nothing we could do.

But I had to keep Leo's promise, and keep Don and Raph happy.

Boy, it is really, really hard.

The only time we hang out anymore is at the dinner table and during weekly patrols. We used to do them nightly, but my dear brothers are never in the mood to anymore.

I keep sacrificing my true emotions, but it is tearing me apart.

My brothers think they've got it hard, being their usual grumpy selves, but they just don't understand. I keep trying, but they keep running me down saying "Stop being so annoying Mike!" or "Can you even tell that our brother might be dead Mikey?"

And one night, after a horrible patrol, complete with Don running off and Raph screaming that he hates me, I ran home alone. I barged into the lair, ran into my room and slammed the door, tears running down my cheeks like a waterfall. I seriously considered running away that night, but I still remembered Leo's promise.

The Leo that even if he was dead that I still loved him very much. I lay down on my bed and whispered to myself the only words that keep me in that dreaded home at all.

"Sacrifice… Sacrifice…"