The Understanding Brother

A.N. This story is loosely based on the dream last night. Sadly, I CAN'T remember everything that happened, but luckily, I remember the majority of it. These aren't the EXACT conversations held; well, they are kinda, but NOT the exact words anyway. Hope y'all like it! Also, to anyone who ain't in it. Sorry! But this is all I can remember being there. There were more, I think, but I can't remember who the others were. Again, I apologize for that. Also, I've added a couple parts, 'cause one minute people were once place & the next they were somewhere else. Luvs y'all! *Hugs* Enjoy!

Eight year-old, Lenore, was running around her new home, using her imagination to basically play by herself. Her other siblings had all taken off on her yet again. As she was running she spotted the youngest out of her older brothers.

"Mikey!" She cried, smiling and waving at him.

Michaelangelo turned away and waved back at his sister, smiling as well. He knew she tended to feel left out at times, like he had before their sisters had all come along. Actually, she seemed to be left out for than he'd been.

"Can you play, Mikey?" She called.

"Sorry Kiddo!" He called back. "I'm kinda busy right now."

"Oh," she said, her shoulders sagging and her face drooping slightly.

"But, I'll play when I'm done, okay?"

She looked back up at him, her eyes shining. "Really?" She asked hopefully, as she stopped before him.

Michaelangelo crouched down to her height. "Really," he smiled. "As soon as I'm done, we'll play."

Lenore impulsively hugged him, knowing that he wouldn't get mad at her for it. She loved to hug people, but usually when she went to hug them, they'd yell at her for no good reason. As a result, she ended up only hugging Michaelangelo, unless she'd a weak moment and couldn't control herself. She still remembered the last time she'd hugged Raphael. It had NOT gone well. The hug had resulted with her crying after being brutally shoved to the ground and him all mad because Master Splinter had told him off. She'd also been told to only hug those who wanted hugs. But, how could she not hug someone she loved so dearly? Even if he was pretty mean to her most of the time.

"Thanks Mikey," she whispered.

Michaelangelo hugged her back. He couldn't understand why his brothers hated hugging her. They hugged their other little sisters, but never Lenore. It was as though she'd cooties or something along the lines of that.

"You're welcome, Munchkin," Michaelangelo said. "Now, run along and play. The faster I finish what I'm doing, the faster I can join you in whatever game you're playing."

She blushed slightly. "I'm playing slumber party," she told him softly, looking down at her feet. "I'm pretending I've friends who wanna sleep over, and actually listen to what I'm saying."

He lifted her chin up with his hand. "Sounds like fun," he replicated, giving her a warm smile. "Can't wait to join yah."

She smiled back at him and hugged him again. Then, she scampered off to play her lone game of slumber party.

Awhile later he joined her, and they'd begun to chase one another around their newest lair. They'd had to move again, since they'd been found once more by the Foot. He knew he could NEVER tell her that she'd been the reason that they'd been found again. It wasn't entirely her fault. She just tended to daydream too much and accidentally wander too far, and never notice her surroundings because of it.

Lenore squealed as Michaelangelo caught up to her and grabbed her around the waist. Just as he'd caught her, they heard Master Splinter call everyone.

"PRACTICE TIME!" Master Splinter called. "EVERYONE TO THE DOJO PLEASE!"

"Aww," Lenore groaned doing her little annoyed dance, as Michaelangelo let go of her. "I don't wanna practice! I wanna play!"

"You know the rules, Kiddo," Michaelangelo said taking her hand in his. "We gotta practice."

"But why?" She whined. "It's not like I'm gonna be able to go out and fight. And if I do, everyone will just leave me there by myself."

"I won't leave you there," he assured her. "I promise."

She hugged him again. "Thanks Mikey. I'm glad you care."

"Always," he answered, smiling down at her. He took hold of her hand again. "Now, c'mon. Sensei will be mad if we're late again."

She grumbled her response, but let him lead her into their new dojo, which was WAY bigger than the old one. It also had a swing thingy in it. It reminded her of the swings she'd seen on a commercial for Marine Land. The only thing was, she hated heights. With a passion. A STRONG passion.

"Space yourselves out, so that everyone gets a swing," Master Splinter instructed.

The 'swings', were, like the ones at Marine Land, but instead of seats, they had just bungee cord like ropes to sit on. It actually looked more like a swing ride with baby bouncing thingy's that were hung in doorways.

Everyone spread out, then each had to climb into their swing. Lenore watched, as some of her sisters, were helped into theirs by their brothers, and sighed. She knew they wouldn't help her, nor would they let Michaelangelo help her. She knew Michaelangelo figured she didn't know why everyone was mad at her, but she did. Oh, she knew all right. It was her fault they'd had to leave their old home. Her sisters made sure of it that she'd known. She hadn't meant to be followed, but she'd let it happen all the same.

Michaelangelo saw Lenore standing there trying to figure out how to get into her seat, so he decided to go over and help her. he was about half way there when Master Splinter stopped him.

"Michaelangelo, go get seated," he ordered. "She can get in herself."

Michaelangelo looked at his father as though he were right down crazy. "But." HE started. "Everyone else."

Master Splinter raised his hand, silencing him. "She can do it herself, Michaelangelo. Now, I suggest that you go get in yours, before I lose patience."

Michaelangelo nodded, then strolled back over to his seat and climbed in. As he was getting in, he heard Master Splinter admonish Lenore.

"Lenore, get in," Master Splinter said. "Now. I would like to start as quickly as possible."

Lenore looked down at her feet. "Hai, Sensei," she answered softly.

She could feel all eyes on her as she struggled to get into her swing seat. She felt her face go hot, and knew in fact that she was blushing from embarrassment. It wasn't her fault she wasn't as strong or well-built as the others. It wasn't her fault she was so small and overly sensitive either.

Master Splinter waited until she was in her seat. "Now, we shall begin," he riposted.

First they'd had to bounce around and practice their ninjitsu. It was kind of awkward being in the swings, but they managed. While everyone was shouting out their, "Hiya's!", Lenore remained silent, even though she too was supposed to be yelling out "Hiya!"she figured if she'd kept her mouth shut, everyone would forget that she was even there.

Next, Master Splinter hit the button, so that the swings spun around the room slowly enough for them to still do their ninjitsu. They all continued doing their trained moves, all identical to one another. Normally they would've all been different, but Master Splinter had made it so that for this exercise everyone did the same thing. It was easier for him to watch and correct their mistakes, so he said.

The swings stopped suddenly, and they were ordered to relax. They all relaxed and let their feet dangle, just barely touching the ground. Lenore hoped that no one noticed that she could touch the floor with the lower part of her feet, and not just her toes like everyone else. Her prayers weren't answered though.

"Hey!" Danceingfae cried suddenly. "Sensei! Lenore's cheating!"

Everyone looked over Lenore's way. Lenore looked down at her feet, now highly embarrassed that they'd caught her. Wasn't her fault she'd grabbed the lowest swing.

"She is too!" Daydream exclaimed. "Cheater!"

"Cheater!" Ziptango, HexAdecimal, TygeroftheWynd, and Raphiella all shouted.

"Sensei! That's NOT fair!" Arista yelled. "She should have to be higher like the rest of us!"

"Lenore, I think I shall raise your swing," Master Splinter said, heading over towards her.

"NOOOO!" Lenore shrieked shrilly. "PLEASE SENSEI! NOOO!"

Master Splinter raised his eyebrows at her. "Dare to disagree, do you?"

"Please Sensei!" Lenore begged. "Please don't raise it any higher. I NEED to be able to touch the floor! Please!"

Much to her dismay, her tears began to fall, as Master Splinter raised her seat up WAY higher than everybody else's. She hung about three feet above the floor.

"Please Master," she pleaded through tears. "Please don't!"

"Lenore, you have to learn to be honest and not cheat," Master Splinter informed her. "I am disappointed in you, young lady. You ought to know better by now."

Lenore glanced around and saw her sisters smirking at her, while her brothers tried not to laugh. The only one not showing any emotion whatsoever was Michaelangelo. He seemed lost in thought. Deep thought.

Michaelangelo felt bad, as he'd promised Lenore he wouldn't let anything happen to her. Yet, here he was, letting people mock her and hurt her. He wanted to stop Master Splinter from raising her swing. He knew why she didn't want it raised, and was the only one who knew. He'd been there all those times she'd tried to tell everyone that she'd a fear of heights, but not a single one of them had listened. Not even Master Splinter. He'd hoped her fear would never become a factor, but his hopes obviously hadn't been answered, as it'd just happened. Her fear had become a factor.

Master Splinter started up the swings, making it go as fast, then faster, and faster, and faster. He wanted to teach her a lesson. He was also still upset that she'd led the Foot to their old home.

Lenore began to scream as soon as the swing started up and began spinning around the room. Her tears fell harder and faster as she screamed hysterically and clung to the ropes so tight her knuckles went white. She watched as her siblings all enjoyed the ride. Even Michaelangelo didn't seem to mind it all that much.

"Lenore! Stop your screaming!" Master Splinter barked from the floor. "Now!"

But she couldn't stop. Not right then. Not even if she had wanted to, would she be able to stop screaming. Her throat was beginning to hurt from screaming so long and so loud, but she still couldn't stop. She was too scared to do anything, but scream and hold on tight. Her fingers were starting to cramp, but she refused to let go, even for a split second. She wouldn't lean back either, as she'd done that the first time around by mistake. That just made things worse, as it'd felt as though she were falling. The faster the swing went, the sicker she felt. She could feel her stomach doing flips flops, and thought she would hurl at any given second.

Finally, Master Splinter stopped the swing. Everyone groaned, as they'd liked the free ride, which was never apart of the training sessions. He eyes his youngest child, and noted she looked ill, but also knew that she'd needed to be taught a lesson. He saw Michaelangelo jump out of his seat, and was going to admonish him, but figured he'd wait and see.

Michaelangelo jumped out of his seat as soon as the swing stopped and automatically ran for Lenore. Once he'd reached her, he lifted he down, as he saw everyone climbing out of their seats, as practice was now over.

"You okay?" He asked her.

Lenore hugged him tightly, not ever wanting to let go, and buried her head into his plastron. Her tears were still falling and she was shaking like a leaf. Never in her life had she been so scared. Not even when she'd been three and the Foot had captured her. But, then again, ALL four of her brothers had saved her then. They'd ALL cared about her then; now, it was only Michaelangelo who still made sure that she knew he cared.

Michaelangelo rubbed her shell gently. "It's okay Kiddo," he whispered. "It's okay. I promise." He kissed her head and rocked her slightly and slowly, knowing she felt nauseous.

Lenore cuddled into him even more, wishing all her brothers still acted like this. She loved her sisters too, but had never really gotten along with any of them except for Ziptango and Daydream. But then, even they had turned on her, and joined the others in making fun of her. And all because she was the baby. Oh, how she hated that fact some days, though she usually loved it the next. She hated it because she was forever being teased, left out, and ignored. But then she loved it because at times she could get away with things that no one else could. Well, as long as Master Splinter was in a good mood she could. Lately though, all he ever id anymore was yell at her for stupid little things. She was sick of being admonished for everything she did, whether she'd thought it right and fun or not.

Master Splinter came over to the two still standing in the dojo. "I expect next time, you will be honest and not try and cheat," he said. "Practicing your ninjitsu properly is very important. If done wrong, you will not learn anything from it."

Lenore ignored him, and just sobbed into Michaelangelo, still unable to calm down.

"My child, you need to learn to control yourself," Master Splinter went on. "And there will be no more of this shrill screaming during practice. It is not proper."

"M-Mikey." Lenore whimpered.

Michaelangelo kissed her head, then looked at their father. "Sensei," he began. "She's a fear of heights. That's why she didn't say anything when she realized she wasn't as high. That's also why she screamed so much. She was scared."

"All must overcome their fears," Master Splinter responded.

"Master Splinter, eight-year olds do NOT need to overcome their fears," Michaelangelo snapped. "Especially not in the way you just did. If anything, I think you just made her fear even worse."

"Michaelangelo, you shall not talk to me in such tone," Master Splinter retorted. "You shall do ten flips once she is calm, and in her room." He looked at Lenore once more. "Grounded," he told her. "Also, no more of this running about the lair, and acting silly. I will not stand for silliness when you should be doing something more constructive with your siblings."

"How can she do stuff with them, if they won't talk to her?" Michaelangelo rejoined. "Nobody's talking to her, now that we're here. They wouldn't talk to her before either."

"Michaelangelo."

"I'll do the ten flips Sensei, but I don't agree with you on this," Michaelangelo stated. "Not one bit."

He carried Lenore out of the room, and set her on the couch. "Here," he said softly. "Watch cartoons 'till I'm done, okay?"

"But.but.Master Splinter said."

"I know what he said. Now, just do as I say for now, alright?"

"Alright," Lenore answered, shrugging slightly and looking a tad worried.

"No trouble, I promise." He kisses her head, then goes off to do his ten flips.

Lenore sat there watching cartoons when Ziptango and Daydream approached her.

"What do you guys want?" Lenore asked nervously.

"To watch cartoons with you," Daydream answered.

"Yeah," Ziptango agreed. "We're sorry for picking on yah lately. Danceingfae and HexAdecimal said it would be fun, and that it was okay."

"Why aren't you with them then?"

"Mikey made us see that we've been wrong," Ziptango answered, lowering her head some. "We never meant to hurt you, Lenni."

Oh. To be called 'Lenni' again, was such a great thing. Nobody had called her that in months!

"Wanna watch Alvin and the Chipmunks with me?" Lenore queried. "They're coming on next. Then the Flintstones."

"Sure," Daydream smiled, as her and Ziptango sat next to her on the couch.

"Hey, Dweebs," Arista began. "What are yah doing sitting here with the loser?"

"Yeah," Raphiella added. "You know what we think of her."

"Dweebs! Dweebs!" HexAdecimal and TygeroftheWynd chanted.

"Leave them alone girls," Donatello ordered, as he came in and sat down on the other end of the couch, next to Ziptango. "Mikey was right when he said we're all just being mean. It wasn't her fault. None of us would go with her, so she assumed it was okay to go off on her own. You've all done it yourself."

"Raph! Leo!" The girls cried, running off to find their brothers. "Donnie is agreeing with Mikey!"

"Traitor," Raphael muttered as he walked by and whacked Donatello upside the head.

Leonardo sent him a cold glare. "I hope you're happy that we've divided in half now."

"Very happy," Donatello answered, pulling all three girls on the couch into his lap. "And Leo, for once, as like a good older brother, and not a stubborn, know-it-all leader, who holds grudges against their little sisters."

Michaelangelo re-entered the den then, and plopped down on the couch next to Donatello. "What is this? Squash Donnie day?" He questioned, smiling.

Lenore grinned at him. "Yep. Sure is Mikey."

Michaelangelo ruffled her hair, then pulled Daydream into his lap so that Donatello wasn't so crowded. He wrapped his arms around Daydream and kissed her head. "Glad to have yah back," he whispered.

Daydream looked up at him and grinned. "Glad to be back," she answered.

Leonardo, Raphael, Danceingfae, HexAdecimal, Raphiella, TygeroftheWynd, and Arista all stalked off into another room to play Monopoly.

Lenore glanced up at Donatello. She bit her lower lip and thought a moment, before finally saying what she'd been wanting to say for months, but never for fear he'd yell at her again. "I love you Donnie."

Donatello kissed her head. "Love you too, Lenni." He kissed Ziptango's head next. "You to Zippy."

Ziptango grinned, and cuddled into him, as did Lenore, while Daydream cuddled with Michaelangelo. The five of them then sat there wand watched cartoons for the rest of the day, and enjoyed spending their time together.

A.N.: Hope y'all liked my story! More chapters to come! As more happened in the dream! It'll be mainly Mikey & me though, in future chapters for bit. Oh, & Master Splinter. Plz R & R! Thanx! Adios! *Hugs* KTBSPA & KTNTPA & KTACPA & KTJTPA & KTKCPA & KTCPA & KTJTTPA!!!!!