You're the youngest in the family — a true little storm in a shell.

You're shorter than the others, but only physically: your spirit has always been too big for your small body. Your shell is slightly lighter than your brothers', with soft golden markings along the edge — Splinter always said it was how youthful energy glows.

Your mask is short, with pointed ends; you cut them yourself, "So they don't get in the way when I fight."

Your weapons — a pair of thin, short blades that fit perfectly in your palms. Leo once said they were weapons "not of defense — but of breakthrough." You smiled. He knew you too well.

But even with weapons, even with training, you were still the youngest. The most stubborn. The most desperate. The most protective.

Night. The lair was dark, but the air was filled with anxiety.

While the brothers argued in the distance, you tried to quietly draw your blades, trying to slip away unnoticed.

You thought you'd have time. You thought no one would notice.

But when you turned back to the tunnel, he was already standing there.

Leonardo.

His hands were folded. His mask was pulled a little tighter than usual. His face wore that same older brother's expression that made you want to explode and cry at the same time.

"Where. Are. You. Going?" — he asked quietly.

You flinched. His voice wasn't harsh... worse. He was calm. Dangerously calm.

Instead of answering, you pressed your blade to your belt.

Leo took two steps forward — silent, soft, but so soft that it seemed the entire tunnel moved with him.

"Don't start," — you whispered, turning away. Your voice wavered. You couldn't show weakness.

Not now.

But Leo was already there. He placed his hand on your shoulder — firmly, unmovingly, almost like an anchor.

"You have to stay."

You flinched.

"Leo, if I don't go, they'll go deeper into the tunnels. The Foot are already here! I can help! I'm not weak!"

He closed his eyes — for a second. Even that second was a silence that made your heart ache.

"I know you're not weak," — he whispered.

"But if you go there, you won't come back."

You felt everything inside you tear apart. Rage mixing with despair.

"Is that how you think of me?" — you hissed.

"Do you think I'm a burden?!"

He opened his eyes, and there was pain in them, unlike his usual sternness.

"I think you're my little sister," — he leaned closer, his forehead almost touching yours.

"And I already lost those I was supposed to protect once. I won't let that... happen again."

His fingers tightened on your shoulder. But not to hold you back — to stop you from falling.

"Leo..." — Your voice broke, barely audible.

He swallowed. None of his brothers had ever seen him like this... only you. Only when it came to you.

"If anyone has to go out to meet the Foot Clan, I will," — he said.

"But not you. Never you."

You tried to break free, but he held you gently, as if afraid to hurt you.

"You have to stay."

He almost whispered. — "You have to live. You are our last glimmer of light here. You will not go into the darkness. Not today."

There was nothing left to do but remain silent. You were shaking — from anger, from the desire to fight, from love for him, from all this weight.

"Leo..." — you finally breathed out.

"It's not fair."

He leaned even closer and touched his forehead to the shell at your neck — a brotherly gesture of protection.

"Being a big brother is never fair."

A quiet voice sounded behind you:

"Leo? Did you find her?"

It was Donnie's voice. Somewhere further away, Raph cursed. Mikey ran barefoot.

But Leo didn't remove his hand. Didn't let go of you.

And I didn't intend to.