Let me go ahead and apologize that this chapter is so freaking short! I was going to make a much longer chapter, but given I'm going out of town again and won't have much time to write this weekend, I thought I might as well post at least something. The next chapter will be much longer and more interesting! Feel free to comment with any thoughts, and I really hope you enjoy it!


Mikey

I wrapped my arms around the giant mutant alligator's stomach, feeling his massive mitts do the same. He squeezed me, and I felt the air leave my body for a second. My favorite kind of hug.

"My friend, are you okay?" Leatherhead asked, his deep, gravelly voice echoing slightly down the tunnels.

I released him and nodded. "I'm chill as ice, brah."

Leatherhead's glassy eyes darted toward my strewn skateboard and back at me.

"Oh, that. I landed on my shoulder; I'm fine." I rubbed at the soreness in my arm, mustering my best confident smile.

"What are you doing here by yourself?" he asked, planting himself down on his bottom to meet my level. Doing so reminded me how gentle and considerate he was, how he didn't wish to tower over me.

"I needed time away from the fam, LH. It hasn't been all rainbows and pizza these past couple of weeks." My smile dropped as well as my gaze, a scowl twitching at my lips.

"I'm sorry to hear that, my friend. Would you like to talk about it?" Leatherhead offered with a crooked, toothy smile.

I grinned back with a nod. After his friendly gesture, I scaled the mutant alligator and rode on his head as I explained my family's recent issue with the Weapon of Peace. Leatherhead never interrupted as he trudged through the sewer, listening carefully with a hum here and there. He was always the best listener.

As his massive feet stomped through the water, my eyelids grew heavy. His movement was practically rocking me to sleep. I rested my freckled cheek on his head once I grew drowsy, still chattering on.

The farther we traveled, I realized that Leatherhead was heading in the direction of my home. I didn't protest; the thought of going straight to bed was more tempting than holding a grudge toward my family.

"You say the Shredder seeks you out for his own needs?" Leatherhead asked.

When I confirmed this, he released a deep snarl. I felt his back hitch, thinking he was practicing the cleansing breaths I had taught him. He'd come so far in controlling his raging fits, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't pleased with myself for helping him. I was a proud best friend.

"I understand your frustration, Michelangelo. But please consider this: your family isn't trying to make you feel useless. It seems to me that they love you and are taking precautions to ensure you don't wind up in Shredder's clutches," Leatherhead explained.

I nuzzled my cheek against his scaly skin, releasing a broad yawn. "I know they love me, LH. I just wish they'd give me a chance to show them that I'm not made of glass and I can help them."

Leatherhead jerked his head up a bit to get my attention, stirring me out of my drowsiness. "You are certainly not made of glass, my friend. You are solid concrete, a rock of a young ninja."

"Thanks, Leatherhead." I gave his head a hug.

"Don't lose faith in your family. You need each other more than ever right now."

I stifled another yawn. "I just hope the Heiwa no Buki wasn't warning me about their mission."

Suddenly, a distant voice ripped through the tunnels, and Leatherhead stopped cold in the flowing waters.

"Mikey!"

"Donnie?" I called back.

There was a pause, a faint sigh of relief. "Where are you?"

"Down here!"

A shadow came sprinting around the corner, and my genius bro emerged from the darkness. He reached for his bo at the immediate sight of Leatherhead but lowered his defense when he recognized him. Donnie's eyes traveled up the alligator, finding my awkward smile at the top.

"Thank Newton. You had me worried for a minute; the signal on your T-phone is down," Donnie said.

I let out a nervous chuckle and scratched the back of my head. "Oh yeah… I kind of wrecked on my board and landed in the water."

The relieved happiness on my bro's face hardened into something more annoyed. He took a deep breath and put another smile on his face, which I hoped wasn't forced.

"Well, at least you're okay. Thanks for keeping Mikey company, Leatherhead. I'll take him home," Donnie said, motioning me to come down.

I pouted for a second, wishing I could ride Leatherhead the rest of the way home, given how tired I'd become. I slid down his tail and turned to give him a fist bump, which he returned before handing me my board.

"It was no trouble, Donatello," Leatherhead said with a gentle nod.

"I'll come back and see you again, big guy," I said.

We waved goodbye and went our separate paths in the underground. Donnie and I didn't speak for a while, listening to the distant dripping of the pipes and flowing sewer water our feet splashed through. I caught his brown eyes studying me in my peripheral vision, but I didn't look back. He awkwardly adjusted the strap of his bag, cleared his throat, then nudged my shoulder.

"You okay?"

I still looked ahead, seeing we only had one turn left before home. "I'm fine, D."

I heard my immediate older bro take a sigh, his body shifting uncomfortably. Finally, I looked at him and put on a smile.

"You don't have to say anything, bro. I feel better, really."

A small, relieved smile quirked on Donnie's face. It told me he was appreciative of my understanding of his lack of ability to comfort. My grin back at him told him I was thankful for his effort. And for a moment, this understanding we had caused my heart to flutter. Then I remembered what and who awaited me back home and the moment lived a short life.

When we entered the lair, I felt my stomach flip at the sight of my remaining bros in the pit, looking at me. They were waiting for us, for me. I thought to ignore them and veer in the direction of my bedroom, but my eyes locked on Big Leo before I had the chance. He motioned me over, a placid look on his face. Not mad, not upset, just… a face. Leo and Raph, however, smiled slightly at the sight of me, also gesturing me to the pit.

Donnie and I approached them and got comfy, basking in the awkward silence. No one had said hello or anything. Until Big Leo finally grabbed our attention with a clear of his throat, his eyes meeting mine. I gulped.

"Mikey, I wanted to say that I'm sorry for being a little harsh with you earlier." Big Leo paused and gestured to my present brothers. "We're all sorry. None of us see you as fragile; we just want to protect you."

"If I'm not fragile, then why can't I help just a little? I don't have to go inside Shred-Head's lair; I could assist Donnie in the Shellraiser or something," I persisted, my voice changing into something a little whiny. It wasn't my intention, just part of my little brother nature, I supposed. "Oh! I know, I could—"

"Forget it, Mikey. We all agreed that you're sittin' this one out," Raph said, crossing his arms with a stern glare.

I felt heavy and melted at his words, looking at him with a frown.

"Don't make that face. You'll be just fine," Leo said.

I clenched my fists and trembled as I felt tears tickling my eyes. "But will you dudes be okay? The Heiwa no Buki said something about danger. I…I." I choked back a sob, forcing my bros to frown. "I can't be the reason my bros get hurt."

Big Leo moved from his spot over to me, wrapping his burly arms around my shell and pulling me as close as possible. I had lost control of my sobs at the impact of our warm bodies, my shell hitching with every shuddered breath. He gave the back of my head that rested on his plastron a gentle pat.

"Listen to me. I traveled back to this time to protect you from your fate, and that's what I still intend to do. I can't lose you again. I won't." He took in a shaky breath. "With that being said, you have to promise me something, otōto." He gently pushed me off him, forcing me to look into his ocean-blue eyes that glossed over with tears, his grip firm on my arms. He was speaking to me through touch again, saying, please listen.

"What?" I sniffled.

"No matter what happens, you can't act impulsively and try to be the hero of this story. Don't put yourself at risk, even if it's the cost of losing a brother. Please promise me."

My heart pounded at his words. Hearing him say I could lose a brother made this situation more real than ever, and it scared me. The thought of losing any of them, especially because they were protecting me, put a weight on my shoulders and forced me to sink like a penny in a fountain. He was asking too much of me, but how could I deny a plea from my eldest bro, who looked at me like the fate of the world depended on this promise? If I couldn't save them or try to take control of this myself, what purpose could I serve? To sit back and let this all unfold before me… it didn't feel right. It felt impossible to do. Yet I heard myself respond, speaking like I had no control of my body.

"I promise."

Big Leo let me go, nodding solemnly. "We're ending this. Tomorrow night."