Carpe Diem

Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adult or adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians. I also do not own Devon.

Rating PG-13

Part one: When wishes come true.

Rama groaned burying her self under the blankets on her bed, she wasn't looking forward to getting up not today of all days mind you.

It was February fourteenth, the day for lovers, and those in love. Normally Rama had enough problems with that day, especially in the past when she felt sure that no guy would ever love a mutant like herself. Not when a human male could find something so much more appealing to the eye in a female, of their, own species. Then she had met Devon in the other alternate world a mutant like herself, and a ninja. She had fallen deeply and hopelessly in love with him before they were separated.

Sure in Devon's world she had been very close to her nineteenth birthday but here in her world time was different and they were only in the second month of their year.

Rama sighed heavily, she had only been home a short time and she all ready missed Devon desperately.

Valentines would be so much better with Devon to share it with. She mused to herself. Why is it the one that I love so much has to be so far away from me, She moped miserably.

She heaved a heavy sigh knowing she could not enjoy the luxury of hiding in her bedroom for the day, waiting for the day to pass her by, while remaining blissfully cut off from all those couples around her.

She knew that she had far too many duties to attend to, like teaching her younger cousins and handling the early patrol this evening.

She grimaced Lucky me! I get to see all those sweet loving couples heading out for their romantic evening together.

She kicked off her blankets and started to strap on her equipment then went and picked up her hairbrush off a dresser taking her time to pick out the tangles from her long dark hair.

Once she was done she started to braid her hair up but she could almost hear Devon whispering to her ' leave it down for me.'

" Okay Devon for you, for today" She decided suddenly as she took a couple of deep breaths before leaving the bedroom. She wanted to compose herself before taking one step out of her room.

She had been very careful to keep her true relationship with Devon a secret from her family, especially from her father, though she knew her Sensei had picked up on it he hadn't called her on the matter. She knew her dad would just go ballistic if he ever found out that she had picked a son of Raphael for her beau. She knew with how protective he was of her, that he would be quite willing to do some bodily harm and possibly even murder Devon for dare laying a hand on 'his little Rama llama ding dong.'

No, she wasn't about to let her father know how close or intimate her and Devon had come to be at that time. Rama smiled secretively as she thought about how close they had gotten just that one night in Devon's bedroom. Such a pity, the Leonardo of that world had to go interrupting their enjoyable tryst before it had gone too far.

Most importantly though was the promise Devon had made to her on that night, a promise the two had often joked about.

Rama felt a delighted shiver travel up her back. Some how some way I will learn to handle this teleporting skill so I can see to it Devon keeps that promise. She vowed, he is ninja he has to honour his promise.

Thinking of Devon and their time together had brought her, at least to a more agreeable state of mind, at least enough that she was now quite ready to go out and face the world at large.

Get through this day and try not to think too much about Devon. She counselled her self Yeah right! When don't I think of Devon, like on an almost constant basis.

She left her room and headed towards the living room moving silently through the pipe that housed all the bedroom areas for the family, not wishing to disturb any one else. As she neared the living room she could hear the silent soft murmur of voices.

She reached out with her senses and realized it was her dad and step mom Cathy probably up with her baby sister, who must have woken them demanding her breakfast.

Her dad looked up as she entered the living room his arm was around Cathy's shoulder and watching her as she fed the youngest member of their family, and clan for that matter.

" Rama you left your hair down." Mike said in astonishment.

" I just didn't feel like braiding it dad" Rama replied simply.

" You know you look a lot better with your hair down. I keep telling you that you ought to wear it that way more often," Mike insisted.

" What and please my old man?" Rama pulled a face at the very thought, as she gave an exaggerated roll of her eyes " Yeah, like that will be the day" Rama scoffed.

" Definitely asking far too much of you huh?" Mike quipped back. " I suppose you don't want your valentines gift because you don't want to know that only your dad loves you?"

" Oh, no I'll be wanting that" Rama assured her dad quickly, " After all I don't want it going to waste." Rama declared as she walked towards the couch expectantly.

" It won't go to waste. I'll give it to Cathy" Mike declared, " She will appreciate it and me!"

" Like she won't be getting enough goodies today" Rama muttered " Come off it dad, it is the only gift I get today as you won't let me have a boyfriend you owe me." Rama kept her tone light and teasing.

Mike chuckled at her words before turning and pulling her gift from off the table by the couch and handing it to Rama. She bent and gave him a peck on the cheek.

It was her standard Valentine's gift from her dad in other words a card, she usually got two each year one humorous and one more serious and sweet, a single red rose and a box of chocolate. Rama knew that roses were hard to come by and a rare treat for her and she was also fully aware that most roses became even more expensive as you neared the lover's holiday.

So she always appreciated the fact that her dad always managed to buy her a single rose every year, this one though had tiny sparkles of glitter on every petal. Rama smiled as she saw it, knowing that added touch must have put the cost of the flower even higher.

" Thanks dad, and Cathy." She gave them each a kiss " I better go put this in water right away."

…

The night was clear and quiet Rama found that she was nearing the end of her patrol, sensei had given her a simple two hour shift early in the evening, and there hadn't been much trouble to show for it.

I might join uncle Raphael on his shift. He's suppose to have a late shift tonight. She thought to herself though at the moment she had no real interest in returning home either.

She jumped to a rooftop and glanced up at the night sky, some times it was hard to see the stars in New York, the city lights usually ensured that they were rarely seen. Yet she could see a few of the heavenly lights shining somewhat dimly in the black sky.

She could make out the big dipper and a few of the other constellations. She leaned against the retaining wall that surrounded the roof top recalling many years ago, staring up at a starry sky, only that had been on the farm and the stars had seemed so clear and bright as if you could reach up and hold one.

Her Uncle Donatello had told her about the stars their names and how certain star formations could be seen only at certain times of the year. He had also taught her a rhyme to use to wish upon stars.

Funny, that she would think of that now. How did that rhyme go again?

" Starlight, star bright. First star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might have the wish I wish tonight." She took a deep breath shut her eyes and made a silent wish.

Childish foolishness she knew, but some how she couldn't help but wish on a star, just for old time sake. Because when you were a child it was easy to believe a star could make all your wishes come true just by saying the magic words.

Rama turned away as she decided to take a walk through Central Park before going home for the evening. With it being eleven at night the park was dark enough to provide enough shadows that for once she didn't worry about getting her disguise besides most people in the park tonight would be couples riding the horse drawn carriages about or possibly deciding on strolling the park and finding a quiet place for some heavy petting or the like. The sort of thing she fully planned on avoiding.

Normally Rama loved watching the horses and the carriages, she loved horses and some times watching the horses in Central Park was the closest she ever got to them.

Without her disguise she remained alert to everything around her and most importantly making sure that she would know when any one was near by. She also knew enough of the park to keep to areas that weren't as well lit or travelled to help in avoiding others.

In this way she managed to make her way to turtle pond without being observed though, she saw many things that tugged at her own heart such as a couple walking hand in hand stopping to kiss, oblivious to every thing around them.

As she neared the pond she sensed some one near by, who ever it was, happened to be alone, so Rama found some shadows to keep to and wait for the person to move along so that she would then have a chance to sit and reflect near the pond's edge.

She could see better in the dark then most people could and there was something she felt was not quite right about the person near the pond. She reached out gently and sensed confusion and some one who was slightly on guard against such probes, which was rather strange in itself.

She heard something hit the ground as the form stood up and pitched a rock there was the unmistakable noise of a rock hitting the water's flat surface numerous times before sinking.

Once again something moved with a sinuous snake like movement that reminded Rama all too much of a large iguana tail.

" Devon" she whispered in a low breath the word not much more then a puff of air as the name escaped her.

The person snapped around his body tensed head cocked and the large long tail moving in irritable fashion side to side.

There was no doubt in Rama 's mind the person had heard her, and she was also very sure that who ever it was couldn't possibly be human any ways. Not with the head shaped the way it was and combined with the tail. There was just no way.

She reached out trying to verify if it was someone she knew or, if this was indeed a stranger to her, the wall she hit in that mind told her that her probe though gentle was not welcome, and yet there was something familiar and a deep longing that she was just able to discern.

Rama took a breath and stepped from the shadows, ready to reveal herself fully " Devon is that you?" She asked tentatively, hardly daring to believe what her very senses had confirmed with in her mind.

The head jerked back " Rama?" came the voice uncertainly.

" Devon, it is you!" Rama cheered hardly able to contain her shout of joy as she ran to the mutant lizard to hug him tightly.

Devon jerked back in surprise, he felt a large lump coming to his throat. He wanted to deny what he saw before him he knew from the brief meditation touch that she had returned home, that his Rags was still very much alive. A fact that he had some difficulty convincing his family of, yet he was confused as to where he was or how the one he loved most could be here with him. It had been the one thing he had been hoping for, ever since he had thought he lost her.

The last time he had seen his brave kunoichi she had been holding her own battling against a small group of terrorist and Foot soldiers when they had gone to rescue Don, a rocket had been launched towards an underground fuel storage area that had been just behind her. For Rama there was no escape, the soldiers pressed her and to stop battling would have been suicide. She had been vaporized in the blast or at least that is what his family, and Devon had felt had happened.

But suddenly he felt Rama, his beloved Rags in his arms again, could feel her warm breath up against him, the hard edge of her shell as it pressed against him, the feel of her hair under his chin.

Devon's tail snaked around, wrapped about her back and pressing her tighter to him, and keeping his embrace firm and strong.

She raised her head tears shining in her eyes as she kissed him, her kiss yearning and full of passion and youthful eagerness. A kiss that he returned whole heartily automatically deepening it as he cupped his hands behind her head.

He paused for a moment gazing at her incredulously " Rama I thought I lost you." He choked out slightly, even after the communication that had bridged the distance for a short period of time, hadn't fully convinced Devon that he would see her again, for he knew she lived a far more dangerous life in her world, then he did in his.

" No way Devon, I'm not letting you off the hook that easy. You got a promise to keep with me remember?"

" How can I forget?" Devon murmured.

" Once I figure out how to do that teleporting thing then maybe I can visit you to teach your family. It could come in handy, especially when we want to spend some time together." Rama said with delight then she scowled ever so slightly " Unless somehow I managed to just get into your world again. But this is Central Park in New York the landmarks are right."

" Is that where I am?" Devon asked then he grinned, " Actually I don't really care I'm with you." He whispered as he kissed her again.

Rama gave in to his touch and his caress feeling the intensity that he put into his kiss and starting to feel her heart begin to race under her plastron. She had never quite figured out how Devon could make her body feel so alive and full of energy from a single touch. She only knew she was addicted to it and the way it completely undid her, and made her feel like she was losing all control.

" Devon it, isn't that I'm not happy to see you but we really have to figure out what New York we are in here." Rama insisted pushing him back slightly, " After we figure that out then we can relax and enjoy some time together." She promised.

Devon gave her a roguish grin at her words " I rather just skip to enjoying time together now" He replied arching his eye ridges suggestively before nuzzling her neck.

Rama laughed as she used her ninja skill to worm out of his hold " Hey lizard boy it won't take long to figure out besides I'm all for carpe diem."

She couldn't help but smile at one time she had hated the nick name Devon had bestowed upon her rags for the rag doll patchwork of her numerous scars that covered her skin. In the same way he despised the name of lizard boy, yet when the two had fallen into love they had turned those much despised names into 'pet' names for one another. Hearing the name Rags when spoken with love and great affection seemed very different from the derisive tone used when saying the same word.

Devon furrowed his brow " Seize the day?" He asked gesturing at the night around them.

" Mmmm, yeah" Rama purred, " I don't know Latin for seize the night and other then ninja I don't think any one would care to seize the night." She chuckled a bit, " Besides if we don't figure it out we might not be able to really enjoy each other's company tonight." Rama pleaded.

" Speak for yourself" Devon corrected her. " I can enjoy any thing if we are together."

Rama felt her heart skip a beat at his words and a warm blush come to her face. " Where were you before you were here Devon?" She inquired sweetly.

" Still in Japan. Going back home soon though." Devon replied.

Rama nodded slightly " I really think you are in my world." She gave him a coy smile " If you want to stay with me you better be ready to move fast because you will never know when I might vanish on you." She said as she melted into the shadows.

Devon grinned as he thought of the hunt through the forest on Mike's property on April fools day. He had found her then and he would find her now. Besides he had a feeling she wasn't half as keen on avoiding him as she had been on that day.

He soon found her lounging near the statue of Romeo and Juliet Rama smirked as she saw him then glanced up at the figures.

" Remind you of any body?" She asked arching her eye ridges at him.

He offered her his hand and she took it willingly moving to her feet with ease.

" So what is your plan?" Devon wanted to know as he gave her a quick kiss.

" Easy. I'm pretty sure you are on my world but it won't take long to confirm it by going home and seeing if any family is there. Then we can grab a disguise so we can mingle topside a bit easier without having to worry so much about being seen." Rama explained.

" Fair enough lead on." Devon agreed.

….

As they travelled through the sewers Rama couldn't help but tease Devon about his ninja skills when his moves seemed louder then necessary. The concrete pipes had a way of echoing every sound and it took great skill to transverse them without giving away your presence. However after a bit of gentle teasing she did offer him some tips for keeping silence to a minimum.

She entered the lair leading Devon, she noted that Aiden was on the couch playing some computer game at the moment.

Aiden turned to see her and her guest he gave a large cocky grin " Bringing boys home with you huh, Ramiela?" he let loose a delighted crow " Wait until I tell Uncle Mike."

" Not boys. There is only Devon, Aiden" Rama corrected her cousin " And if I were you I'd keep quiet about Devon. I mean yes, you can tell dad but" Rama paused arching an eye ridge, " think of all the little things I can tell Sensei about you. Or consider how long I'll continue to inform him about certain things you would rather keep quiet" Rama kept her tone pleasant, yet the implied threat was all too clear.

Aiden turned back to his game " I didn't see a thing" he declared simply.

Rama nodded sure that she was still safe on that count. " We can both take a long coat and that ought to be enough, long as we keep our heads ducked down around people." Rama decided then an idea occurred to her, she glanced at Devon " Make yourself comfortable Devon, thump on Aiden if you want. I'll be right back I just want to grab some thing from out of my room." She gave him a quick kiss before hustling off.

In her bedroom she reached for her piggy bank that she kept on top of her computer desk and opened it up trying to figure out how much of her hard earned money she ought to take for the night.

Cathy had always maintained that Rama worked hard in teaching her cousins and helping out in so many areas that she more then earned a wage or allowance for all her work. While her dad maintained it was Rama's duty to the clan to do the work asked of her, and expected of her. Cathy had countered by pointing out that Rama would have to learn the value of money, it might be useful for her jonin training. Not only that if Rama had her own money she then would not have to beg for cash every time she wanted to go to a movie or any other form of entertainment with her friends. This argument was impossible for Mike to dispute and so Rama got her 'allowance.'

She knew her allowance was actually a portion of her step mom's pay. Each family contributed some money for the entire clan, what her Uncle Raphael jokingly called the rent. The rest of the money was for the individual to use as they pleased, though under most circumstances the wife would end up sharing her earnings with her mate in some way.

The clan had more money then when she had been a child, but with all the mouths to feed, extra weapons to buy and medicines for colds the youngster always seemed to get that money still didn't go that far, however they usually got enough to make do on.

Her allowance wasn't that big really, she got about five dollars a week, but she could get a bit more for babysitting for family members and that usually earned her a bit extra. Though the most she got from babysitting was five dollars and that was for quite a bit of work.

Also Cathy had let her know that she was expected to buy birthday and Christmas gifts for family members out of her money and she could not borrow money toward the next pay. This meant she had to be careful and budget. Rama had learned shopping ahead, especially for Christmas really helped matters, that way she always had some small gift ready and also was able to save her money and buy a few treats of her own.

She pulled out a small handful of bills counting them before tucking all of them away in her belt. She wanted some money just in case, she didn't know what the night was going to bring, and even if she did blow her savings tonight it would be well worth it, at least as far as she was concerned.

She then unstrapped her scabbards with her katana and placed them by her bed side near the nightstand, she knew the swords were too bulky under the coats. She didn't use the katana Leo had let her borrow back at the Ryu to save Don, for she was afraid of losing them in battle to the enemy. Besides they were borrowed, which meant she ought to ask Devon about taking them back to where they belonged. If he was here he could possibly return the valuable swords with her thanks.

Rama sighed wistfully with that thought, she would really hate to lose those katana, they were such fine crafted weapons but she knew in her heart she really had no right to keep them.

She returned to the living room to see Devon chatting with Aiden.

" Ready to go whenever you are Devon. We have the whole night ahead of us and a big city calling."

" Time to seize the night is it?" Devon grinned.

Rama nodded as she went over to the coat rack handing Devon one " You came at the perfect time. It is Valentines and I just want to enjoy this night with you." She whispered.

She heard a gagging sound from the couch and ignored it.

" Valentines but…" Devon began.

" Trust me here it is February fourteenth. So let us go carpe diem or seize what ever we want to seize while we can, because right now one wish has come true for me and I want to make a few more wishes come true before the night ends."

Devon gave a wide leer as he heard this wonderful news. He was at the moment in total agreement.

TBC

Author's note: I was hoping to have this story all written up but this weekend was busier then I thought and unexpected events happened, which kept me from writing. Therefore I can tell you that the second part is almost all written and just needs a bit more to go I have typed out what I have written to this point. Look for a Saturday the 19 Update. Sorry about the delay. Happy Valentines to all. Ramica.