Summary: Ryota needs some time to unwind. Takes place about 5 months after Conduit. Raphael is 9 and Karai is 10.
Rating: K
Word count: 682
MEDITATION
Ryota inhaled deeply through his nose, letting the late-summer air slowly fill his lungs before releasing it, transitioning fluidly into another tai chi pose. Attempting to enjoy the natural beauty of the courtyard around him, he began to clear his distracted mind and regain his composure.
Chris Bradford had finally left Japan earlier in the week, off to compete in a few upcoming international tournaments. When Bradford returned to the United States, no doubt a champion, he was to open and oversee a chain of martial arts academies with Master Shredder as a silent partner. Bradford was expected to train his top students into the U.S. branch of the Foot Clan, and Ryota had been expected to turn the spoiled lout into a decent sensei. Much to his frustration, Bradford had a lot of growing up to do before he would be an effective teacher, and Ryota had advised Master Shredder to send some of the Japanese instructors in his stead. Bradford could then make 'celebrity' appearances at his dojos and still be free to recruit an army.
Happily, none of that was his problem anymore, and Ryota felt the tension slip away from his body with each smooth, deliberate movement.
A short distance to his right, Raphael's voice jarred him back to reality.
"Geez, Karai, warn me next time you're going to stomp all over me," the turtle snapped. Karai was perched atop his shell, struggling to regain her balance as Raphael glanced over his shoulder to chastise her.
"I'm just switching feet, don't tip me!" Karai replied curtly.
Ryota shushed them with a venomous glare. Raphael resumed doing push-ups, and Karai aligned herself on her right foot, perfectly centered on the highest point of Raphael's carapace. The bottom of her left foot rested against her thigh, her knee turned out to the side in perfect standing tree pose.
Since surpassing the need to train in the Initiates classes, the kids had entered the main program with all of the other Foot members. Except they were still just kids, and even the youngest soldiers were two or three years older than them. Karai intimidated everyone but the men, and Raphael was a socially awkward mutant. This meant, by default, that Ryota was the one person they knew and trusted that was around on a daily basis. Somehow, he had become their replacement nanny. When they were not with their tutors they seemed to gravitate to him, their energy, competition and bickering never-ending. Left to their own devices, however, they tended to get up to all sorts of mischief.
Ryota had to get creative for even the ghost of a chance of some quiet time, hence their current exercise. Raphael had trouble being still to meditate, and Karai needed an extra challenge to stay interested in it. He watched as she folded her hands in front of her face as if in prayer and closed her eyes, while Raphael's arms propelled them up and down at a steady pace.
Resuming his forms, Ryota focused on his breathing and the warm, soothing flow of energy through his muscles.
Karai snorted. "Your arms are shaking already."
"They are not," Raphael grumbled, "but you are definitely heavier than last time..."
"Children." Ryota warned them pointedly, his patience frayed.
Karai nibbled her bottom lip to hide a smirk, but they both were blissfully silent once again.
Ryota should have known it was too good to last, as Hachiko came barreling out of the manor and practically darted through his legs, barking in excitement. The dog's curled tail wagged maniacally as he rushed straight to Raphael, pawing and licking his face in greeting. Raphael tried to hold him at bay with one hand, shifting his shell to the side slightly and sending Karai tumbling into the grass beside him. Laughing, she shoved Raphael's side with her foot, knocking him flat and leaving him to the mercy of the Akita's exuberant affections.
Ryota let out a long-suffering sigh and ran his hand through his short, graying hair.
At least Bradford was gone.