A/N Hi guys! I've been writing a few fics, and this one was really fun to write! So i decided to publish it! Go ahead and enjoy it :) R&r if you want, and I'll see you on the flip side!

As free as a bird

Easily, this was one of the best ways to describe Mikey. Despite being the youngest, he wasn't burdened or held down by his brothers. He wasn't held to the same exceptions by anyone. Except himself.

He was free to go anywhere, do anything. And that's why he was here.

Captured.

Hurt.

And for the first time in forever, he wasn't free.

Mikey was just on his way to April's house, excited to show his human friend the newest addition to his ever growing art collection. Through his excitement, he fell into a kind of daze, not fully registering where he was or where he was going, only shook from fully spacing out and going into autopilot from the occasional feeling of being watched. Until he was lost, stuck deep in New York's sewer system.

It'd be easy to turn himself back around after a moment or two, except something felt off, a dark unease was setting in, stretched under the Box shells skin like an annoying itch. Slowly, the orange clad teen looked around, hoping that there was no need to feel so worried. It was just the sewers.. Just the sewers..

As Mikey trekked through the sewers slowly, a low growl sounded out, freezing the boy in his tracks. Ok, ok definitely not just the sewers there's something else here there's- another growl rumbled out, a warning.

Mikey stepped back swiftly, looking from tunnel to dark tunnel for the source of the warning. It took a little bit before he finally saw it- A giant Yokai, curled up and glaring straight over its own snout and at the turtle. It's eyes were glazed over, hints of green peeking out behind the white protective layer.

Mikey couldn't move, fear paralyzed him as wide gold eyes met narrow mint ones. Through chattering teeth he spoke, tense and ready to duck, or run, if he could even move. "H-hi..? W-w-who a-are yo-you..?" He was met with another growl, before the question seemed to register, and the yokai answered.

"You should not be here. Leave."

"I-I'm going to! I-I was j-just lost! I-I'm O-on my way to my f-friends house!"

"Your...friend?"

"Y-yeah! She's really cool! Her name's A-April!" A tint smile made its way to the boxshell's face as he took a tiny step forward. He flinched at the growl that sounded as he moved, going still until it subsided.

"You should go. Do not keep your friend waiting." Mikey glanced away, sighing quietly before meeting the yokai's eyes again. "Nah, it's cool! I'll just let her know I'll be late! Besides, I can't leave yet, you didn't answer my question!"

"Question?"

"Yeah! Who are you?"

"...I do not have a name. Does that satisfy your queries?"

"I… Guess..? But why don't you have a name?! You look like a strong Yokai!" A low chuckle escaped the Yokai as they shook their head. "I am strong, but I am no 'Yokai'. I'm a monster, fated to live here alone."

Mikey huffed, shuffling closer "You aren't a monster! At least, I don't think you are… You haven't hurt me yet sooooo.." Mikey trailed off with a chuckle, flinching as the… 'monster' began moving out of the shadows.

They were.. Tall. Monstrously tall, and they looked extremely strong. Muscles were easily present, but they weren't excessive and large. Just enough to accent the lean figure. The creature seemed to be some kind of Alligator. Their skin was dark, a kind of greyish green.. And it was very scaly. Maybe they were a mutant?

"...Woah.. you're… big.." The mutant looked down to mikey, crouching to keep close to eye level. They blinked, emerald green eyes meeting golden ones as Mikey stared up in amazement. The gator mutant tilted their head softly "You are… small.. And a turtle.."

Mikey nodded, before chuckling softly "And you're a gator! Ooh! I can call you gator boy! Oh- no no no! How about gator head?! Actually that's.. That's dumb. OH! Leatherhead! I can call you Leatherhead!"

The mut- Leatherhead chuckled before nodding "If that is what you wish to call me, then so be it."

Mikey cheered, grinning at his quick thinking. "Great! So Leatherhead.. Why are you so far out in the sewers..? This place is usually deserted!"

"I...was chased here… From the battle nexus." The tone turned heavy as Mikey nodded slowly "Oh… You were a fighter..?"

"A champion, actually. But that life is behind me now. I know longer wish to fight for that egocentric, self absorbed totalitarian-"

A low growl replaced Leatherhead's angered words as his eyes glazed over once again. He snarled and clenched his fists, stiff and animal-like as he shot out beastly insults. Mikey watched in detached horror, hoping faintly the beast wouldn't go on a rampage.

But slowly, Letherhead began calming down, breathing deeply before turning to Mikey. "My Apologies. I did not mean to lose myself like that. Can you forgive me..?"

Mikey looked over the large figure, before nodding softly, letting out a slow breath he didn't even register holding. "O-of course.. I get it! Big mama sucks! And she plays dirty!" An amused chuckle escaped Letherhead as Mikey huffed.

"She smells too." The gator regarded, causing Mikey to giggle before nodding "She does!" The two chuckled together, before leaving the space in silence.

A few moments of silence passed, before Mikey smiled softly "I should go.. If April freaks out, my bros will destroy the sewers until I'm found!"

"I understand. Stay safe young turtle. And do come humour me again, if you are able."

Mikey grinned before nodding softly "No probles Letherhead! And by the way, the name's Michelangelo, Mikey for short!"

Letherhead gave a simple nod as Mikey ran off, waving before being swallowed up into darkness.

Once fully out of sight, Letherhead sighed and retreated back into the tunnel he called home. That turtle -Mikey was it?- was quite gullible.

It'd be easy to play along and capture him.

A/n And that's the first chapter of 'cursed'! Hope you enjoyed! R&r if you want, and i'll see you soon!