*NOTE* This chapter was reuploaded due to issues involving alert messages. Nothing in the chapter is different.

I have noticed I have got far less reviews these last few chapters and I am feeling a little confused. Have these last few chapters not been very good? Even if that's the case, let me know so I can work on it. I am a little worried fewer people are enjoying this story...

After, yet, another review about short chapters. Next chapter should be longer... or at least I will try to make it longer... Anyways, hope you enjoy.

Leonardo sat Mikey down besides one of the door frames in the next hall before accessing his younger brothers wounds. The youngest turtle was almost completely covered in bruises and cuts from his torture sessions and fresh burns now joined them. Though, these burns weren't very bad. The wounds were worse. The youngest turtle was silent as his elder brother as he examined him, being as difficult as could without actually harming his brother. He just refused to do anything for him. Even when Leonardo asked for Mikey to twist his arm for him to check the other side he refused and Leo had to do move it himself.

After a while, though, he finally spoke. "Why Leo?" Mikey said accusingly with a sufficient amount less anger in his voice as Leo finished accessing his brother. It was strange. The young turtle didn't seem very angry now. He sounded broken-hearted; like how someone might sound if their partner had cheated or had just broken up with them. There was still anger within him, but the love Mikey felt for his elder brother whom he deeply respected caused his heart to sting and throat to create a lump.

"Why? Why the Shredder. Of all people, why him?" Mikey slammed his fist into the floor, causing the ground to shake a little. Leonardo jumped at his brother's surge of aggression. Mikey wasn't the type to hit things when angered, he was the kind to become awkward. Leonardo waited for his little brother to continue, mentally preparing himself for a severe mental beating.

But he never got one.

Instead, Mikey started to sob.

They were quiet sobs, but heartfelt sobs nevertheless.

Leonardo tilted his head a little. His heart was still throbbing from the comments Mikey had made earlier and to know Mikey also felt saddened shocked him. Leo knew he was furious, but sad... Mikey wiped the tears away roughly that had started to drizzle down his cheeks. "I don't understand it, Leo," He gulped. "I trust you. You are my brother. My leader. One of my best friends, but... Shredder... why did you join him? Him of all people? I want to understand, I really do. Just... please explain to me why you joined him, I need to know."

Leonardo gave Michelangelo a pained look. It was upsetting so see his brother feeling so betrayed, especially when he was the cause. All those days guilt had racked his mind when he had completed the crimes; he would combine it all into one massive emotion attack and make himself live through it if Mikey would not have to feel so betrayed. One heart-broken brother was far worse than the guilt he had lived through in Leo's opinion and that had been horrendous. The very memory of it made him cringe.

Leonardo looked down as his held back tears built up inside his eyes. He had become so much weaker emotionally since the start of all this. Normally, thinks like this would upset him deeply inwardly but he would never show it. Now, however, he was just inches away from crying in front of his baby brother. 'Keep it together, Leo,' Leonardo thought inwardly. 'Not in front of Mikey... don't break down in front of Mikey...'

So, Leonardo bit his lip and slowly, the tears made its way back into his eyes.

Taking a deep breath, Leonardo prepared himself to answer Mikey's plea. He was unsure how his baby brother would react to the truth and he did not expect to be forgiven. He didn't deserve it did he? He had deceived, lied and betrayed his brother and that was unforgivable.

Straightening his posture to prepare, Leo opened his mouth slowly and began his tale.

"It happened a couple of nights ago, when I joined him that is," Leonardo began, causing Mikey to look up."The Foot had acted strangely and I became curious and followed one. Though I was foolish and got captured. Shredder took me here and then told me to join him and commit crimes for him or he would harm you. I don't know why, but I just suddenly had this horrible feeling that he knew our home's location. This was later proved to have been correct..." Leo and Mikey grimaced slightly at the memory of Mikey's capture.

"Anyways, so I agreed to help him and he warned me to remain loyal to him or he would harm you and since then, I have committed three crimes for him. Though, the third one failed and that is why you are here. This is my fault and I-" Leonardo was suddenly thrown back as Mikey wrapped his arms around him and hugged him tightly, like he was afraid to let go. Leo sat there, taken aback, as he stared wide-eyed at Mikey who sobbed into his shoulder.

Moments passed by slowly before either of them spoke, but eventually, Michelangelo managed to croak out a few things as he sobbed. "I knew it!" He cried, hugging his brother tighter as his crying became more hysterical. His mask was now drenched with tears but he didn't seem bothered. "I fucking knew it! I knew you would never... would never betray me!"

The blue-clad terrapin just stared at his younger brother was shock. "What are you talking about Mikey? I did betray you. I joined the Shred-"

"NO YOU DIDN'T! You had no choice but to join him. How dare you say you betrayed me, no, betrayed us all! You would have betrayed us if you had done nothing! You did this to protect us, Leo, yet, you still feel bad. You strange turtle. I am so sorry for not guessing this sooner! I always knew, deep down, that you would only join Shredder for a good reason."

Michelangelo released his brother before smiling at him weakly and strangely enough, Leo smiled back weakly too. However, this smile was unlike his other smiles from the past few days. This smile was genuine. "I am sorry too, Mike," Leo murmured as he continued to smile at his brother.

Mikey stood up and unsheathed his nunchucks, whirling them around in his two hands. His wounds did seem to bother him, however, he was clearly trying to not look bothered. "C'mon dude," Mikey said in his usual happy tone. "Lets go get Don and Raph!"

Hello happy Mike! Nice to see ya' again.