Chapter 6: Mean

A/N: Hey, sorry for the delay. Sinus problems have been running rampant with me because of the weather, but I've decided to just suck it up and post anyway since I've left you hanging. This particular chapter takes place after "The Croaking." Many writers have already written scenarios involving Mikey and Raph, so I decided to change it up a bit with someone else. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks to those who have read and reviewed thus far. Your kind words and encouragement have been great.

Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters are property of Nickelodeon. I only own the plot.

Mikey swirled the broom around and gathered up the glass that was on the floor. He was glad to be back at the farmhouse, but at the same time, something was nagging at him. His brothers were glad to see him back, and Raph had formally apologized for the words he'd said to his little brother. Mikey was glad Raph had admitted he was wrong, yet there was a part of him that still didn't trust his brothers. There had been so many times where his brothers had been straight out mean to him, and it made him mad. Now was another one of those times, and he had a feeling it wasn't going to be the last time they did this to him.

April came over to help him out. "Hey, Mikey, are you okay?" she asked him.

"Yeah, just thinkin' about how my bros are always mean to me," he answered.

"I've noticed that, too," April noted. "Sometimes they're just so horrible to you, and I don't understand why that is."

Mikey shrugged. "I dunno, but maybe they're just bein' brothers, you know? Siblings fight all of the time from what I've seen on TV."

"I get that, but that's no excuse for them to treat you the way they do," she told him.

"Well, it's over now, and I guess we can all just move on."

April shook her head. "Mikey, it may be over now, but what about the next time one of them is horrible to you for something instead of being understanding? When is this cycle going to end? I know you meant well by running away, but you have to stick up for yourself and show them that they can't push you around. If you don't, that just gives them more excuses for treating you the way they do."

"But they're my brothers, April," Mikey protested. "I can't just be mean to them."

"So, you can't be mean to them, but they can push you around? How does that make sense, Mikey?"

"It doesn't, but I'm just the type to not be mean to people."

"What about Shredder or the Kraang? You have no trouble fighting them."

"That's different, April. Those dudes are mean for their own reasons, and they deserve to get their butts kicked. But my bros are just bein' bros, and I know they don't mean what they say and what they do. They always make up for it in the end."

"I still think you need to be more assertive, Mikey. I'm not saying you have to be straight up mean to them, but you need to show them they can't push you around, especially Raph. It's like he enjoys hurting you."

"Nah, Raph's just got anger issues. He just says stuff before he thinks about it, that's all. And Donnie's always under stress with all those gadgets of his, and Leo's under stress because of bein' the leader and all. He's got more stress now with his injuries, and I guess I just don't make it easier for them. The best thing I can do is try not to mess up again and do my best to stay out of their way."

April was stunned to hear Mikey talk this way, and it irritated her that he kept making excuses for his brothers. Sure, she knew they all had gone through a lot, but that didn't mean they could be horrible to one of their own. "Fine, if you won't stick up for yourself, then I'll do it," she declared. "Someone has to have the guts to do it."

Instead of getting offended by April's words, Mikey smiled and put his arm around her. "That's what makes you a good friend, April. You tell it like it is so that I don't have to. You always have our backs, and that's why you're valuable to this team. So if you want to stick up for me, April, you can do that. I think you yelling at Raph will get him to straighten up faster than me yelling at him."

April laughed. "Yeah, I guess so," she said. "But what if I'm not around to defend you, Mikey?"

Mikey smiled. "Then I'll just tell Master Splinter and he can whip them into shape. And I can always get them back with a prank or two."

"Okay, you've got a deal," she said shaking his hand. "Now let's get this place cleaned up."

Mikey saluted and began sweeping up the glass, humming a tune as he did so. He was happy that he had someone like April who was there for him. That was the epitome of a true friend, and he knew he'd never change anything like that for the world. And the same went for his brothers, too. Yeah, they annoyed him sometimes, but they were good to him, too, and they had his back if he needed it. He let his thoughts wander to some of the pranks he could pull on them as he continued sweeping the floor, eager to get them back the next time they were mean to him.

A/N: So that's the end of another chapter. Yeah, it was a bit short, but that was all I could think of. And I know most people will wonder why Mikey doesn't fight back with his brothers as April wants him to. My guess is that Mikey is truly a good person who doesn't like to be mean to anyone unless he absolutely has to, and he's the type to not want to be mean to his brothers because they're his family. So that's why he acts the way he does in this chapter. Feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.