DISCLAIMER: Nope, we're just two very poor gals who love to write about the TMNT's and torture them. Ownership is not nor had it ever been part of the package. Our only payback is the reviews we get from those generous readers who enrich our lives with their faithful reading. We love all of you to pieces!

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Chapter 21 – DISCOVERIES

As Mike came down the stairs, he yawned wide, taking the steps in casual strides. He worked his shoulders a little to rid himself of the last vestiges of sleep and then decided that maybe a small workout before starting breakfast would feel good. Although retired from 'active duty' nearly two decades earlier, Mike had tried to keep his skills sharp. The invasion on his home a few years back had proven he could never allow himself to lose his edge, as he and his family could never become totally complacent.

Heading through the family room towards the dojo, Mike casually noticed the small flashing blue light just above the crown of the stairwell door. At first, he didn't react, but then as he closed in on the doorway, it dawned on him. In years past, it told him that someone had entered the training room unscheduled. However, it had been quite a while since that had happened. Mike realized right then that someone had tripped it since the evening before.

His interest piqued considerably.

Originally, he had the video surveillance system installed to curb Devon's abuse of the room downstairs. In his early teens, the boy had taken up the habit of trashing the dojo any time he had conflicts with Mike or the clan in general. Devon had rebelled over all the rules and by laws that were part of belonging to a ninjitsu family. Consequently, he destroyed their equipment as his way of expressing that rebellion. It became an expensive problem all the way around. Yet, Devon would flatly deny doing such a deed. As a result, Mike installed a series of security cameras and alert systems into the room to prove the boy was responsible. In the end, it successfully curbed Devon's degenerate behavior and helped to get him back on track with the clan.

Now, even though he didn't need the alarm anymore, Mike used the recording system on almost a daily basis for training purposes. It assisted him, as well as his brothers when they were visiting, to improve their ninja skills.

Curious as to who would have been working out, Mike headed into the small side room across from the basement door where he kept the monitoring equipment. He immediately turned the alert light off and pushed a few buttons on the console to bring the DVD to the beginning. Once he had done that, Mike hit the 'play' button, sitting himself down in the chair to get comfortable. As the image came onto the screen, he checked the time. He noticed that the alarm triggered twice during the night, which only increased his interest all the more.

"Who would be down there at that hour?" he asked himself in wonder as he shook his head. "And twice at that?"

Immediately, as the person on the DVD walked into the middle of the room, Mike knew the first 'visitor' was his stepson, Devon. He nodded to himself as the boy looked straight up towards one of the ceiling-embedded cameras. Devon bowed low and then straightened up, his lopsided grin proving his relationship to his father. He had learned about the cameras when presented with the evidence of his disobedience years ago and, now whenever he worked out, he only flaunted his arrogance with a traditional bow. After a few moments of stretching, the young ninja began a series of katas, slowly working up to a combative pace. Mike smiled a little as he recognized that the boy was putting more into the exercise than he normally did, evidence that he was venting steam. The turtle chuckled to himself, fully aware of the problems that Devon was having with Rama. Yet, it still surprised him. With his stepson's extra practices that he was subjected to earlier, one would think he would have had more than enough of the dojo for one day. Then again, to some degree, Devon had probably allowed Rama to get under his skin and was now only trying to work off the irritation. Mike noted that even Devon's form was not as relaxed as it should have been.

"Yep, he's definitely pissed off!" the turtle sniggered out loud. Mike grinned slightly and gave a rueful shake of his head, 'Perhaps, now, Devon will mind his manners and leave Ramiela alone today.' Mike mused to himself, 'Then again, when has that boy ever spared himself trouble?' "Too much like his father; he can't learn things the easy way, no matter how old he gets!" Mike whispered to himself.

He watched for a few minutes more and then skipped over the remainder of Devon's workout. He was curious as to who else had used the training room. As Mike advanced the DVD through the boy's session to where Devon was leaving the dojo, he allowed the picture to continue its fast-forward pace. He suddenly startled, his eyes going wide as the DVD showed Rama stepping off the bottom step. Mike straightened up a bit in his chair, completely unprepared and hit the pause button of the recorder. He had figured the second visitor to the room would be Leo. It wasn't unusual for his oldest brother to get in a kata or two during the night, especially where he was still adjusting to a different time zone. However, Rama was a complete surprise to him. Mike then allowed the DVD to resume, his elbows on the console while resting his chin on his fisted hands. Unlike with Devon, who would always acknowledge the cameras, Rama was obviously unaware of them. Mike watched the video as she went straight to the cabinet where his and his brothers' weapons were and withdrew two katana. His eye ridges arched up in sudden surprise. He knew that it took a great deal of strength and stamina as well as skill to wield the two longer heavier swords. Even those who were adept in the art of ken-po would often falter the longer they worked a pair of katana. The fact that Rama didn't even hesitate in choosing them told Mike that this was something she was used to doing. He knew that Rama was a kunoichi and she probably trained as much as they had done during their youth. Yet that didn't mean she would have the endurance to work with the swords, especially as she wasn't anywhere near to being in top form due to her injuries. Though she was healing nicely, she was still recovering.

As Ramiela began with a difficult series of ken-po katas, Mike sat there with his eyes glued to the monitor. He scrutinized each move Rama made as if waiting to see one moment of faltering, a chance misstep or something that told him she wasn't that strong.

It wasn't that he doubted Leo's word about Rama's other life, but where he knew so little about her, everything she did seemed to surprise him. He himself had sensed her sincerity and the pride she had in who and what she was. The fact that she was so young and still recovering from her injuries made him doubt, causing him to second-guess what he was watching. Yet as he continued to observer the girl, Mike smiled in admiration over the artistry he saw in the mixture of katas she executed. Rama went from simple to very complex without losing form or speed, her long hair flowing about and her swords slashing with every move she made as she attacked her unseen foes.

He couldn't help but burst out laughing, slapping his knee, "I'll be surprised if that girl doesn't end up giving herself a haircut." Then, he became a little more serious as he thought, 'Leo ought to see this, he'll want to know, 'specially as he's taken her under his wing.' Mike thought as he took the DVD disk out of the recorder and tucked it away in a side drawer. He would hold onto it for the time being until he had a chance to speak with his older brother. Then, after shutting everything down in the monitor room, he slipped out through the door. Making for the one across the hallway, Mike stepped silently down the stairs of the dojo to work out.

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After Mike finished his usual set of katas, he took a quick shower in the dojo's restroom. Then, refreshed and his mood escalating to a nauseating cheerfulness, Mike raced back up the stairs to start breakfast. As he entered the kitchen, he paused for a moment to peer out the window over the kitchen sink. He soon noticed Leo returning from a jog with Ramiela close behind him in typical student fashion. Mike watched as Leo stopped and then observed as the girl dropped down obediently to the patio's flagstone floor. Crossing her legs into a lotus position at Leo's feet, she soon began a meditative exercise. He could tell that she had her senses totally focused on Leo, a complete change in her demeanor from only the day before. Relief flooded Mike as he realized that Rama had easily accepted his brother as her sensei. Considering what Leo had told all of them, though, it wasn't too big of a surprise. Since the girl had been trained by his younger twin, it was a given that her obedience was more of a transference of respect.

"Now, if only she can come to accept the rest of us the way she has with Leo.' Mike sighed a bit, knowing that it would happen in time. Maybe it wouldn't be too hard or difficult either, where since calling the truce Rama had been far more agreeable. Now, knowing more about the skills with which she owned, he realized what a good thing it was to make peace with her when they did. If what he saw on the DVD had been only an example of what Rama was capable of, then they would have been in some serious trouble with her for sure.

Shortly, Mike noticed the training session had ended as Ramiela stood and exchanged bows with Leo. They then talked quietly together, an obvious friendship forming that warmed Mike's heart. It was good that the girl was finally connecting with someone while she was here, for it would make getting along with her that much easier. He then went about preparing breakfast.

Soon after, they entered the kitchen and discovered Mike in the middle of making pancakes.

Rama smiled "Morning Mike, want some help?" she offered quickly, "I could set the table for you, if I – ah - only knew where everything was, or I could take over the cooking while you set things up if you'd like."

Mike gave her a skeptical look, asking, "Are you feeling all right Rama?" He cocked an eye ridge at her curiously, as he flipped a couple of pancakes over in the electric skillet.

Rama nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine, why?" she wondered curiously, resting against the counter as she faced him.

"Well, for one thing the only time I've ever known my kids to want to help out is when they want something from me." Mike replied with a wry grin.

"In my family, everyone except the babies are expected to do chores to help keep the place running. 'Sides I ought to do something for me keep." Rama smiled, "Wouldn't be polite to just go being a lazy bum, now would it?" She then gave a wickedly sly grin, "And I promise I won't burn or put poison into anything. Dad taught me all I know about preparing food."

Mike just scoffed at her lighthearted joke, flipping another pancake over, "So between ninjitsu and things you have to do around the home, do you ever have time for any fun, Rama?"

"Fun – as in spare time? You really think I have that?" Rama joshed quickly, her eyes sparkling with mischief and pleased to see Mike joining in with her as much as her own dad would.

"C'mon, your family can't be slave drivers. They must let you have some fun." Mike insisted, carefully putting the now cooked pancakes onto the plate with the ever-growing pile of the breakfast flatbreads.

"Easy for you to say. They haven't used the whips and chains, yet." Rama teased and then she shook her head, "No, actually I have time to do my own thing, we all do. My form of helping though is to look after the younger ones or assist in preparing meals."

Leo picked up an apple and, before he took a bite, asked her, "What do you like to do in your spare time; something you do for you."

"Just for me, oooh, how sinfully decadent can you get?" Rama replied with a chuckle, "Well, I read all sorts of things, or I draw. I like to sing different songs, too."

Leo smiled now, "You and Gabby have something in common then. She has quite a stunning voice that she inherited from her mother."

"Really? Gabby sings too?" Rama asked glancing Leo's way.

"Very much so. She'd love to sing on Broadway in fact…" Mike admitted, "…that is if Don would let her...anyway, Rama…take over while I set the table."

Rama accepted the flipper from Mike and took her place by the stove. As she watched the newly dropped pools of pancake batter bubble on the hot skillet, she commented, "Not too many people in my family are interested in singing, and I'm probably no where near as good as Gabby if her voice is that great. However, my family says I have a pretty voice." she chuckled a bit "Of course they could be prejudiced about that."

Leo shook his head "You don't think you have a good singing voice, Rama?"

"In all honesty I probably have an average voice. I don't break windows with it but it isn't going earn me very much either. Not a lot to write home about, you know." Rama confessed, "Though Master Splinter does love to hear me sing some of the old Japanese songs." She paused then, thinking about the Master for a moment and wondering if she would ever see him again.

Leo sensed her sudden melancholy mood. He figured he knew the reason behind it as well with the sudden change seeming to erase any hint of the light hearted joking Rama had done just a moment ago. Leo opted to distract her from some of these feelings. "What other things do you like to do?"

Rama turned and gave him a small smile as she flipped over a pancake, lobbing it up into the air where it came back down and landed on the skillet right where it had been originally. She replied, "I taught myself how to juggle and Dad taught me how to do magic tricks and ventriloquism. It helps entertain the children when they get fussy. 'Course, being a ninja, I guess some of that stuff just comes naturally anyway." Rama replied, shrugging just a little and putting her focus back to the skillet.

"True, those things can be used as a form of distraction against an enemy." Leo accepted easily, "Anything else?" He smiled as he began to appreciate the ease his student had now about sharing her life with them.

Rama cocked an eye ridge mischievously as she answered, "I'm known at home to play the occasional practical joke. Remember, I told you about how I tried running my future step-mother off?"

"Yes" Leo said. "I do remember." He studied the girl as she proceeded to flip the remaining pancakes over.

"Well I played some pretty unfriendly jokes on her." Rama stated somewhat impassively and gave a simple shrug. She then continued to watch the hotcakes, somewhat lost in her thoughts.

"Practical jokes can be harmless for the most part but they can get out of hand, too. I know Mike used to drive us crazy with some of the stunts he used to pull. You must get that from him." Leo commented and then took another bite of his apple.

"Uh-uh, Leo," Mike complained, "No way...I'm not accepting any blame for that. We agreed she isn't really mine so she must get that from my twin. That is if he's like me." Mike corrected.

"He is, at least from some of the stories I've heard from the clan. In fact, Dad still plays a few of them once in awhile. Although, for the most part, he leaves that stuff to me now. He says I can come up with ideas that he'd never even thought about." Rama laughed.

"Ohhh, boy, well I guess if you only do them once in a while it can't be all that bad." Mike decided. It was quite normal in his family for one of the children to pull some stunt on one another or on an adult. Gaele snapping the now-famous picture of Seth while he was snooping in Gabby's closet before they were married and then Seth throwing Gaele in the pool after the wedding as his rebuttal were just two examples. Mike was quite willing to take Rama's tricks in stride. She probably couldn't come up with much worse then any one else had so far, anyway.

Leo didn't see a problem with Rama playing a few practical jokes, so long as she didn't get carried away with it or do something too outrageous. Where he was already used to his own brother's antics, it would probably be a walk in the park, all things considered. In the end, he could most likely overlook the whole situation.

Mike prepared the rest of the table while Rama finished with the pancakes. As she was ladling more batter into the skillet and her focus on cooking, he subtly gestured for Leo to follow him. He gave an almost undetectable nod towards the stairwell door.

"What's up, Mike?" Leo asked with his eyes as he followed his brother into the monitor room. He knew his brother well enough to realize that he had a good reason for grabbing his attention, the very quiet way he did was almost ninja in quality. He followed him into the small room with Mike closing the door behind him. He didn't want Rama becoming curious about why they had left, so he was taking all precaution to avoid that situation.

"Your student decided to give herself some extra practice during the night while the rest of us were sleeping!" Mike replied in a low whisper, "Look at what the girl can do with a pair of katana."

Leo's eyes widened slightly as his curiosity piqued. He sat down in the chair and watched as Mike switched things on. He brought the DVD up to where it showed Ramiela on the monitor entering the dojo. Then Mike brought the DVD down to normal speed. As Leo watch the DVD, a small smile started to play out on his face. The more he watched, the larger it grew! He had all he could do to keep from exclaiming his excitement out loud, which would have been uncharacteristic for him anyway. Truth all told, he didn't want Rama or anyone else in the house to hear him or know what they were doing. As the person on the view screen went through a series of routines with the finesse of a master, Leo and Mike watched in silence.

As the DVD continued to play on, Mike commented, "I have a feeling Devon will be in for a bit of a surprise if he ever ends up sparring against her." Mike then said, "'Course, I also have the feeling Rama would love to put him in his place in true ninja style, too."

"I know; I get the same feelings from her. I'm amazed she didn't end up ripping out some of her stitches with that work out, though." Leo admitted as he watched Rama finished her set on the DVD. Then, he entreated, "Mike, do me a favor, don't let Devon see this. I don't want him or anyone else knowing what he could be in for."

"Are you playing favorites, Leo?" Mike teased gently, cocking an eye ridge at his brother.

"No, not really, but if she continues to act properly towards Devon as I've encouraged her to do, then I don't see why I can't let her take him to the mat to prove her point to him."

"Fair enough, Bro." Mike agreed, "Now, let's get us some breakfast."

As they prepared to leave the monitor room, they heard Devon's voice boom from what seemed to be near the kitchen.

"Next time you try spying on me, Rags, be a bit more subtle about it!"

"Yeah, I know Devon, I am just a pathetic worthless ninja and that's why I gave myself away, right?" Rama asked indifferently, but she bristled inwardly just the same at his comment. "How could I possibly ever like him?" she asked herself silently. She flipped the current pancakes over in the skillet, one at a time, keeping her eyes on them but her mind on her antagonist.

"That's right, Rags! Glad you're finally realizing this little bit of truth." Devon sneered contemptuously. He wasn't about to let the stray erratic thought from the night before get in his way of driving this girl off. "Probably the first and only time you've seen a real ninja, anyway."

Rama turned towards him, giving Devon a coy smile. "You're so correct on that! Yet, how else am I to learn about being a ninja if I don't get to see one 'work'?" she asked ever so sweetly and as innocently as she could.

"Look, I don't need you learning from me. Leo has taken you on as his student so go ahead and learn all you can from him. Trust me, you need it" Devon retorted sharply. He could see that her hair was done up again but his mind flashed to another image of her with her hair down and flowing all about her. However, he quickly shoved that thought aside, determined not to be distracted. He bolstered his resolve with a sneer and a snort.

"Fine, then I will learn from Leonardo all that I can. He's an excellent sensei and very knowledgeable about many things." Rama replied willingly, "Just do me a favor and I'll do you an equal turn. If you hate me so much, stay away from me and then I'll stay away from you." Rama insisted coldly. It was getting harder and harder for her to find anything to like about this egotistical mutant lizard.

About that time, Mike and Leo came out of the monitor room, making for the kitchen. Devon noticed them immediately from where he was, glanced warily their way, and wondered what, if any thing, they might have heard. However, they seemed oblivious to the war of words that had raged on moments before between him and Rama. Not getting any kind of a sense or look from them, Devon decided that they hadn't heard anything at all, at least not enough to incriminate him for insubordination.

Rama smiled as she turned to face them, aware of Devon's unease, "Last batch of pancakes are almost done." she reported cheerily. She gave her nemesis a sideways glance, sneering just a little at him through her smile.

Devon smirked back and turned away from her, heading for the dining room and as far from 'Rags' as he could get and still be able to eat breakfast.

Mike nodded as he watched his stepson retreat. Leo was right. It seemed the only way Devon might learn to leave Rama alone or to give her a measure of respect was to allow the girl to take him to the mat. Keeping her true skill hidden from the boy until that time was the right course of action to take. Then, if Rama were indeed ready, she would give Devon a lesson he would never forget or be able to ignore.

The turtle chuckled under his breath as he recalled the skills she displayed on the DVD, "I just hope that I'm there to witness it!"

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Ramica's comments were unavailable for chapters 18, 19, and 20 due to her computer crashing – and my being out of the country. Now that it is fixed (and I'm back!) she can comment, update, and be among the world once again! :0) So, I will let her remark about the reviews for said chapters. Be blessed.

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To all reviewers: I hope I haven't missed any of our reviewers and if I have, please forgive me for my error. Your reviews are all greatly appreciated it is just I wasn't able to communicate much with Reinbeauchaser before she left due to numerous hackers getting into our computer and causing it to crash. My brother has repaired it and now I can comment on the last three chapters that Reinbeauchaser posted before leaving on her trip.

Chapter 18:

Vesteque X : Can things get better? Well only time will tell.

As for that sexy lizard boy trust me you will be seeing more of him. Funny! I noticed when you see him you want to kill him, when you don't see him, you still want to kill him. Dev just isn't safe with you.

Pretender Fanatic: We weren't trying to make people cry, at least not to my knowledge.

Danceingfae: How Rama goes about it is coming up very quickly. Splinter's loss still hurts and no it doesn't hurt less for I think Rama is aware that if she can't get home her beloved Master is lost to her. Of course Devon has feelings! Whether empathy is one of those feelings I don't know I guess we will have to see.

Sailor Vegeta: It is never easy losing one you love no matter how well prepared you might be for the news. I sympathise with your own uncertainties about your grandparent who has cancer. I know both of my grandparents are old and have had some very close calls.

One can only take it one day at a time and pray for the best. As for Rama she will continue and go on because that in the end is what life is about.

Sunsoul: Yes, there is no doubt who is Devon's father course Rahab probably contributed some to his attitude as well. As for your favourite show being on in a parallel world well it all depends on what parallel world you end up in.

Lady Christian Knight: Yes, Leo has Rama well cared for and I hope your own emotional rollercoaster has come to a halt by now. Take care.

Chapter 19:

Pretender: Forget how Stella got her groove back we have to get our flow back? Has it come back yet?

So you play sax huh? Tenor sax, or alto?

VestequeX: Devon/ Rama interaction might be a lot more of that coming up, then again maybe not.

As for dissecting Don. Rama has never had much respect for, nor been that close to her own Uncle Donatello and this one's actions have made him rather suspect in her mind. Though I have a feeling this Don might end up keeping Rama on her toes, all ten of them.

Gemdrive 2000: Yes Rama can play nice when she wants to and when it suits her and then there are other times...when it is dangerous to let her out. Thanks for your review.

Chapter 20:

Pretender Fanatic: Devon hot?Rama sure thinks so. If Devon comes around well, only time will tell and next chapter will be posted by the time you have returned.

Danceingfae: Confusion and young love. Poor Rama is torn and Devon is a bit torn himself. As for a fight hopefully bringing Devon around well keep reading and see if maybe you are right? Possibly you are wrong. You do have a fifty- fifty chance you know.