A.N.: Disclaimer: I do not own anything except for Lenni & the story idea. Everyone in the fic owns themselves, and Nickelodeon owns TMNT.

Based on The Understanding Brother series that I have written.

Danceingfae, Hexadecimal, TMNTPunker, Machias, Splinter, & Arista - 7

TygeroftheWynd, Raphiella, Ziptango, Mily, & Daydream – 6

Lenni – 5, almost 6.

Something changed within the youngest turtle tot over the next few days. Sure she was still clingy and combative, but there was something different about her.

"Lenni, you're supposed to be climbing the ladder and jumping off," Leonardo reminded. "You're an old pro at this, so why are you just sitting here?"

"My ankle hurts…." Lenni answered softly, not looking at him.

"Donnie said yesterday that your ankle is perfectly fine. The bruising has healed and you're good to run around again." He crossed his arms over his chest as he stared down at his baby sister; it wasn't like her to not be climbing all over everything and jumping from it. "So, do you wanna tell me the real reason you're sitting here?"

She shrugged indifferently, not caring to share her feelings at the moment. "I's just wants to."

Rubbing his temples, he wondered just how their father dealt with all sixteen of them at times. How could someone so small, be so infuriating? "Well, I need you to climb the ladder and do as you have been asked."

"NO!" She shouted, causing Danceingfae to glance over from where she sat atop the wooden ladder structure. "I'S DON'T WANTS TO!"

"Hey, there is no need to yell," Leonardo admonished, crouching down to her level. "You need to show respect in the dojo."

Her small frame shook as she began to cry, her eyes focused on the floor, not wanting to look at him. She hadn't minded the little games they were playing during practice, but she would not be climbing that ladder again anytime soon. Unsure of how to explain, she reached up for her brother, seeking comfort and understanding.

Leonardo contemplated what to do; she shouldn't be disrespectful in the dojo, but clearly something was bothering her enough to cause her meltdown. Sighing, he gently scooped her up into his arms and held her close. "Fae, do a couple more jumps and then we're done, okay?"

"Okay," Danceingfae nodded; confused by her sister's refusal to do something she loved. "Cowabunga!"

Once they had exited the dojo, Leonardo watched as Danceingfae scurried off to her room to read for a little bit. Glancing down at the one still in his arms, he was unsure how to get her talking; he sat upon the couch, cuddling her close. "Hey, tell me what's wrong, Kiddo."

"No," came the stubborn reply.

"Lenni…."

"No!" Lenni maneuvered so that her plastron was pressed to his and she was sitting on her knees as she hugged his neck. "I's just wanna cuddles…"

Leonardo sighed softly, as he rubbed her shell. "You know you can tell me anything, right?" He felt her nod, and kissed the side of her head. "And you know I'm not mad anymore?"

She nodded again. "I's know…. Mikey is…"

"Ah, so that's the problem!" He mused silently, then told her, "I don't think he is. I know he was reading with Fae last night."

"But nots with me…"

"Did you ask him to?"

Lenni blinked as she thought about this a moment. "No…. buts he was mad at me…"

"Well how is he supposed to know you want a story too, if you don't ask him, huh?" He saw her shrug and smiled. "How about we go ask him together?"

"Okay…."

Standing once more, he headed for the kitchen where he knew his brother in orange currently was. The girls were all currently in their rooms for quiet time, so he knew stealing Michelangelo away wouldn't be a problem. "Hey, Mikey?"

"Yeah, bro?"

"I've got someone here who thinks you're still mad at them," he informed him.

Michelangelo turned and smiled some, spotting his baby sister. He had been pretty upset with her for going top side, but she had also seemed to be avoiding him. "Hey, Munchkin, what's up?"

"She was wondering if you would read her a story," Leonardo answered for her. "She got a little upset during practice and needs some cuddles."

"Sure thing, Babe," Michelangelo replied, as he reached for her. "Come here."

Hesitating only a moment, Lenni practically dove for him, latching on tightly once he had her. She had really missed him. "I's sorry…"

"I know… don't do it again, okay?"

"I's won't…"

Michelangelo winked at his brother as he carried her out of the kitchen. "So what story shall we read today?"

Leonardo smiled as he watched them go; they were really two peas in a pod. He pondered over what had taken place in the dojo, and wondered just what was up with the tiniest ninja.

That night a small turtle tot awoke from their slumber, a nightmare having plagued them; her frame shook with quiet sobs, her teddy bear clutched tightly in her grasp. Taking some deep, shuddering breaths, she glanced over at her sleeping sister; deciding that wasn't who she wanted, she slid from her bed and pitter-pattered out of the room.

Heading for the living room, she glanced around to see if anyone was still awake. "Mikey?" She called out softly. Getting no reply, she ventured further into the den, and felt relieved when she spotted a light shining under the door to Donatello's lab. Scurrying in that direction, she allowed for her panicked cries to consume her.

Donatello was working on one of his gadgets, when he was sure he could hear someone sobbing. Setting the item he held down, he moved to open the lab door, only for it to suddenly open and a distraught turtle tot came flying in. "Lenni?"

"Donnieeeeeee!" She wailed, reaching up for him.

He picked her up and held her close, rubbing her shell. "Shh. What's wrong?"

"I's had a scary dream!"

"What was it about?" He asked, as he went and sat on the stool at his workbench.

"I's was fallin' into the dark! I's tried to grabs something an' I's couldn't!"

"Ah, your amygdala has become over sensitive," Donatello nodded, receiving a blank stare from the turtle tot. "Your amygdala helps your brain identify threats and danger."

Lenni's face contorted in confusion, frustrated tears prickling at her eyes, as she didn't understand what he was talking about.

Running a hand over her head, he explained. "Your imagination is running away with you and your brain is scared."

"I's fallin' an' I's don't wanna fall again," Lenni shook her head, as some more tears fell. "Don't let me fall again, Donnie…"

"Don't worry, I won't," he assured her. "Not if I can help it.

Snuggling into her brother, she rubbed at her eyes tiredly. "I's don't wanna goes back to sleep."

"How about we have some warm milk?" Donatello suggested; he had long since given up on correcting her use of the letter S as the stubborn tot enjoyed adding them to words, especially since the roof incident. "And maybe a soft cookie?"

"Okay," Lenni agreed easily with a yawn.

Donatello carried her into the kitchen, setting to work on making them some warm milk and grabbing a soft cookie. He did it all while holding her, as he had a feeling she would strongly protest to being set down.

Lenni gnawed on her cookie as she waited for her milk. He wasn't her brother in orange, but he still knew how to make her feel better – he was especially good at making warm milk.

Once everything was ready, he sat with her while she finished her cookie and milk, drinking his own milk. "How would you like to sleep in my room?" He offered, figuring it would solve any more problems that may occur that night.

"I's like that lots," Lenni told him with a small smile. "You keeps bad dreams away."

"I will do my best, Kiddo," he assured, standing and cleaning up when they were done. "Let's go get some sleep." He carried her into his room and tucked her into his armpit between him and the wall, covering them both up with his blanket. "Night Lenni. Sweet dreams."

"Night, Donnie. Loves you," she answered, hoping he would be able to fend off anymore scary dreams that may try to come.