DISCLAIMER: Yeppers, still turtle-less as far as the mutant, ninja weapon wielding variety is concerned. As for ideas, Ramica and I are still trying to crank them out. Expect updates at a rate of one per week from here on out – unless we become overly productive.
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CHAPTER 49 - Contemplation
Rama tried to relax as she waited in the family room. The rest of the clan had gone to pack in preparation for the flight to Japan. She had wanted to accompany Devon to his room while he filled his suitcase. However, Leo forbade either of them to spend any time alone together in that capacity.
"Considering what almost happened in there…" Leo admonished curtly. He smirked a little despite his own sadness, but stayed steadfast in his opinion and request. Consequently, he told Rama to stay downstairs until the rest of the clan was ready.
Cassandra was unable to go along with the rest of them where she was expecting a shipment at the shop the following day. Where it was already in route, it was impossible to stall delivery, consequently she was forced to stay behind. However, she had promised the family that once she had her merchandize firmly ensconced into her shop, she would meet them at Leo's Ryu, where they would conduct Don's funeral services.
Earlier, Raph had complained, not the least bit willing to believe the unbelievable, "I still say we should verify it's him before mak'n plans to bury'em,"
Everyone seemed to stop at his words, wondering and hopeful, as if maybe by denying it, the facts themselves would change.
All Mike could do in response was to sadly shake his head, "I doubt very much Thomas would have given us that kind of news, Raph, if he wasn't sure of the forensic team's results." Grumbling as he trudged up the stairs towards his own room, "As if any of us would dare make such a claim without being one hundred and ten percent certain."
As Raph retreated into the den and with a voice that seemed uncharacteristically hallow, Rama had heard him say, "Jus' can't believe he's gone, s'all." She looked long at the door after he closed it, sensing a great sadness sweep over him and one that he was sheltering away from the rest of the clan. As was true regarding her own Uncle Raphael, the Raph of this world wasn't any different where deep emotions were concerned. Both seemed unwilling to share such grief with others.
Now, she was alone, by herself and with her own thoughts as she sat on the couch to wait. She didn't have much at all to pack where she was virtually without any needs. She had quit wearing her facemask early on since nobody else in the family wore them. So went her elbow and knee pads as well. Here in this world, the likelihood of finding herself in battle was nil to none, so a 'uniform' was unnecessary. Certainly the way the police behaved around them back at the park in San Jose proved that the mutant family was well known and accepted.
Yet as Ramiela sat there on the couch, she thought a great deal about the flight to Japan.
Already, with the news of Don's passing only two hours old, she had acquainted herself with this fact and had accepted it. Although it was still a shock, it seemed pointless to dwell on it. Her biggest concern for the moment was the thought of getting back onto a plane. Regardless of how adjusted she was with the family, she was still adamant against flying. "Just doesn't seem natural," She moaned to herself. Still, she had to admit to a slight spark of interest about traveling to Japan. With it being the one-time home of Master Splinter and his Master Yoshi, the island nation was steep with the history of ninja and their clans. Rama couldn't deny that it would be very interesting in deed to go there and to see a bit of that country for herself.
Yet, between her interest of going and her fear of getting back on a plane, Rama found her emotions in turmoil. Both kept building up on each other, the anxiety it created forming a knot in the pit of her stomach.
She recalled well her words to Don about her first time on a plane after he acknowledged that fact. As far as she was concerned at the time, it was going to be her only flight, "…not first as in first of many, not even first as in before the second one…" Yes, she was clearly defiant and, as she remembered, quite afraid. Although she would not have admitted that fact to Don at the time, not even under threat of death!
Finally, unable to sit still any longer, Rama decided that what she needed to do was to vent her anxieties.
Forty minutes later, she was well into her routine down in the dojo as she flew through her favorite katas. Suddenly, she felt a presence. Looking over at the stairwell, she saw Devon. "Hi," He said softly as he stepped off onto the floor, "Working off some frustration?"
Smirking as she brought the double katana down to her side, Rama replied, "No, just anxiety is all. Felt like the right thing to do." Deciding she was done, she walked over to the storage cabinet to return the blades to their scabbards. Rama then turned back towards Devon, "So, is everyone ready?"
"No, not yet. Gaele won't be landing for another four hours. Mike wants to her to fly out with us, so we won't be leaving for another two. Wanna spar a bit?" Devon could sense a mounting apprehension in Rama, figuring she was a bit anxious about flying again.
"No, I think I'm fine – unless you want to?" she offered.
"Would prefer to do something else," he smiled at her.Rama caught his meaning and gave a small smile at that, but then Devon shook his head, "but given all that's happened so far…" his voice trailed off as the weight of his uncle's death pressed against him once again. Rama went over to him and then wrapped her arms around him. As she laid her head against Devon's shoulder, she heard him say, "Still can't believe it, Rama. I mean, NO one can get to Don; he's virtually impossible to touch. How anyone could…" and then it seemed as if his voice choked off. Ramiela shuddered herself as she sensed Devon begin to lose control. "We're not as safe as we'd like to believe, I'm afraid." He strangled out as he held onto her, determined not to cry but unable to battle against the tidal wave of grief that swam over him. He then did something that he had not done in years; he wept. His saving grace was that he did so in the arms of Rama and out of sight from the rest of his family. All she could do was hold onto him and offer quiet support while she held at bay her own rising emotions. In the end, however, they both cried. They clung to each other as they expressed the grief that had been building up since they learned the news of Don's death.
Hours later, Rama found herself fidgeting once again. This time, she was sitting next to Devon in the reception room of Don's terminal at San Jose International.On the way in, Rama had asked a few questions of what to do in case of an emergency. The simple fact that someone had managed to get to Don told her that the plane might not be safe itself and she desperately wanted to be prepared. Currently, they were waiting for Gaele's jet to set down, which would be happening soon where only minutes earlier they had been told that she had entered California airspace. Devon held onto Rama's hand with a firm grip and by that measure alone, gave her a strong show of support. Just about everyone in the clan was now aware of her abject fear of flying, though. That is if her vocalized concerns in route from Big Sur about the jet having its annual 'tune-up' and 'oil change' was any indication. Of course, this only brought recollected memories of her first initial flight experience to Mike and Raph.
Despite his grief, Raph asked her as he snickered, "Hey, Rama, want some tea? Might do ya good!"
With only a glaring look, words were unnecessary from her as to what he could do with that comment. Mike could not help but chuckle himself, despite the solemn reason for their flight. "Just remember, Rama, Don's planes are the best. Even safer than the car we drove in."
Looking at him somewhat surprised, she declared, "Glad you told me now, otherwise, I would never have left the house!" She shook her head, "Can't see why we don't take a boat. At least if it sank - I could swim!"
Devon wrapped his arm around her shoulders, "Mike's right, Rama. The 737 is a big plane with lots of room and the crew always triple checks it for flight integrity."
"Doesn't matter; flying is just wrong, plain and simple." She sighed, "I told Don, and I stand by it, if turtles were meant to fly we would have been born with wings." She then rested her head against his, muttering, "If we do go down, though, I want it to happen while I'm meditating."
Chuckling at her comment, Devon asked, "And why is that?"
"Because," Rama explained cheekily, "That way I might be able to teleport off, where it seems to take a strong emotional response to get me to do it in the first place. I can't think of a stronger emotion than thinking I'm about to die."
Devon laughed a little and could not resist, "Promise to take me with you?"
"Only if you find a better way to get to Japan." She teased.
"Looks like I'm toast then." He hugged her and kissed her snout, "Honestly though, we'll be fine – Promise."
"Yeah, well, maybe Raph's tea offer wasn't such a bad one after all," the girl sighed.
Devon chuckled a bit at her remark, commenting, "You know you can't die yet. After all I still have a certain promise to keep with you." As he arched his eye ridges a bit at her, Rama tried her best not to giggle. Unfortunately she lost the battle. She ducked her head and looked away as she blushed. Despite the solemn reason for being where she was, she couldn't help but smile a little. Devon sensed her embarrassment and gently hugged her with one arm, allowing the faintest of grins to crease his muzzle as well.
As Rama thought about her one and only experience with flying, she took a deep breath. She recalled that, other than being drugged, nothing bad had actually happened on the way out to California from New York. Perhaps, just like being out in the open, she was making a bigger deal of this than necessary. "Maybe I need to start putting into practice that 'trust' thing Leo's been trying to teach me." Shaking her head, she relented, "Guess it's going to happen one way or the other; better get on with it and just let my insecurities go."
A few minutes later, a tearful Gaele arrived at Don's terminal. When the hostess announced their daughter's arrival, Mike and Rahab went out to greet their daughter. As she came through the double glass doors from the tarmac, it was quite plain to see that she was distraught with the news of her uncle's sudden demise. With her eyes red from crying, she tried to speak, sounding quite choked up, "Oh, Mom, Dad, this is just so awful" Gaele sobbed.
Mike and Rahab quickly grabbed her up in a joint hug, tightly embracing her as they cried, too, whispering encouraging words to her. Gaele shuddered a bit and allowed them to console her, giving back to them as best she could. Then, taking a deep breath, she turned and sniffed a little bit as she wiped an errant tear from her eye. As she gazed around at the rest of the family, it was easy to sense that everyone seemed emotionally subdued as she was.
All of them were still clearly in shock from the news. Gaele gave a small trembling smile as she moved over to greet the rest of her family. Her other two uncles stood up from their seats and met her partway, offering her hugs and loving words. Although what he said exactly was hard to discern, Raph cupped Gaele's face and seemed to be assuring her of something. His voice rumbled low and soft, but as Rama watched the two she felt an undercurrent of anger seething just below the surface as he talked with his niece. It was quite apparent to her that her uncle's twin was already planning on some sort of rebuttal, once they discovered who had done the deed. Rama saw Gaele nod her head and then noticed a flash of the same anger spark on her face.
After Raph and Leo finished talking with her, Gaele's eyes came to rest on Jordan, who was sleeping soundly in Gabby's arms. She smiled a little as she caught her sister-in-law's subdued gaze. She was fully aware of the problems her brother's wife had caused the family recently but yet she also knew that Gabby had developed a fondness for Don herself. Then, Mike's daughter noticed Seth holding Mindy, with the almost four-year old nattering on about 'takin' a pane ride t'Jappan'. It pained Gaele to know that her uncle would never see the toddler grow up and, even worse, that Mindy would never have the opportunity to reap the wisdom that Don so freely offered.
"Now that everyone is finally here, we might as well get onboard." Leo declared. He cast a wary eye over towards Rama, catching her gaze and giving her a slight challenge with his own expression.
Rama, now accustomed to not overreacting around Leo, took a couple of deep breaths as Devon squeezed her hand. "Suddenly, I wish I really could pull off that meditating thing because then I would just meet you in Japan instead of flying there by jet," she muttered half jokingly.
"Well, we certainly won't have to worry about any other form of entertainment if you provide us the fun you did last time you flew." Raph couldn't resist ribbing Rama just a little bit.
Rama smirked, "Partly your fault, ya know. So you can't blame me for all of that."
A few minutes later, they were all aboard and soon the jet was backing out of and away from Don's terminal. Rama had only experienced landing, which had been frightening enough. Without something to compare it to, unbeknownst to her, take-off would prove a whole different ball game all the way around.
It took a few minutes for the jet to arrive at its departure point. Rama was casually leaning forward as she looked out the window. Her breathing exercises from earlier had helped a little bit to calm her down and now she was trying to distract herself by observing the busyness of the airport. She had watched and sensed the other clan members' reaction. Except for a bit of trepidation in Gabby and anticipated excitement in Mindy, most were feeling more remorse over the reason for their trip than anxiety. It was obvious that none had any concerns about flying. Still, there had been a good fifteen minutes from the time they had pulled away from the terminal to where they were currently; just enough time for Rama to get mind off her fear.
Then, the next set of events took her by complete surprise.
First, the gentle whine of the engines roared to life with a thundering explosion. Rama's eyes went wide. It vibrated the fuselage enough to alert her that something else was about to happen. However, before she could even prepare for it though, in the next moment she found her self slammed hard against her seat. The same jet engines, now louder than anything she had ever heard before, were now dramatically pushing the vehicle towards take-off speed with surprising velocity. With her eyes wide and her mouth slightly ajar from shock, she chanced a frantic look out the porthole window. She quickly noticed the ever increasing speed at which they traveled down the tarmac. Never in her life had she ever moved so fast. Landing was certainly a lot slower than taking off, that much she was sure of! Yet, with each passing second, it seemed as if the jet was doubling its speed! She wanted to cry out in surprise, but, as she caught Leo looking at her, she held herself in check. However, she couldn't help her expression; not one bit. Just as she looked back towards the window, she barely caught the faintest of smiles from her sensei.
Yet, before she could scowl to herself and complain about Leo's obvious enjoyment of her situation, Ramiela felt the sudden lift of the jet as it nosed its way skyward. That alone only increased the pressure against her and deepened her all the more into her seat. As if that wasn't enough, she then heard and felt at the same time a rather sudden and loud bump.
"What was that? Did the wheels fall off? What about the wings; are the wings going to fall off next?" she nearly strangled out.
Leo looked back at her in sudden alarm. Even a rock would have sensed the kunoichi's nearly suffocating fear. He shot a glance at his nephew, who sat next to her, indicating for him to intervene if Rama should chance to bolt. With the jet still climbing upwards towards cruising altitude, now was not the time for the girl to leave her seat.
Devon still had a hold of her hand, but now he switched it to his other hand, while he draped his opposite arm around her shoulders. "Hey, it's okay, Rama; it's just the wheels folding into the bottom of the fuselage. It's normal." He pulled her towards himself to comfort her and she gratefully accepted his embrace.
"Just startled me s'all," she explained haltingly. "Wasn't expecting that." She looked at him, hoping to see at least some reason to be concerned. However, Devon only gazed back with an expression of reassurance.
"You're going to be all right. It's a long flight, almost twelve hours, so you might want to take a nap along the way," he suggested to her. Rama nodded hesitantly and swallowed. "Hey," Devon offered, "no joke, but you might want to seriously consider Leo's tea, 'kay?"
Scowling back at him, Rama replied sharply, "That tea is never a laughing matter with me!" She pouted a bit and looked back out the window once again. Now, she could see the ever decreasing lay of the land thousands of feet below her. As in reverse from when she landed, the buildings, cars and people diminished in size. After only a few seconds, everything below her seemed ant-like in comparison. Moreover, she was amazed with how quickly the jet had made altitude in so short of time. Rama then felt the jet roll to the left just a bit and watched as the wings tipped up. She gripped Devon's hand even more but after a few moments, the wings leveled out again, as did the jet. She could see the earth below once more, only, this time all she saw was water! "Is that - the ocean?" she asked as she pressed her face against the glass window.
"Yep and it's about all you're going to see for the next eight thousand miles, so get used to it!" Raph deadpanned from the seat in front of hers.
Rama narrowed her expression at her uncle's twin and then shrugged. Looking at Devon, she commented, "Twelve hours, eh?" and then sighed. She was definitely going to be up in the air a long time.
The trip from the States to Japan did prove itself to be rather long one. Once she realized that everything was going the way it should and that there weren't anymore 'bumps,' she settled down. A few times during the flight, there were a couple of downdrafts to contend with. The worse one was when she had been napping. Even though Devon assured her that it wasn't that bad, she had to disagree. "Getting woken up by one of those things is not a picnic, just take it from me!" she lamented. However, she had to admit that the overall flight wasn't as bad as she had imagined it. Still Rama felt that no matter how long she was stuck in this world, she would never fully enjoy flying. It was a convenience she could live with out.
Along the way, she discovered that the service and meals on the plane were exceptional. They even enjoyed an in-flight movie, one that she hadn't seen and which allowed her and those who watched it at least two hours of distraction. Rama also noted that the crew was helpful and friendly, yet it was easy to detect the sadness that hung over them. It only proved that Don's death had affected those who worked for him as much as it had his family.
After what seemed like an eternity, the jet finally landed at Kansai International Airport in Osaka. Rama was probably the most thrilled to set her feet back on solid ground once again. Even though the view from the sky had been breathtaking, just getting back on good old terra firma was enough to excite the kunoichi.
Thomas met them at the terminal and had the stretch limo already running by the time the clan had disembarked. The ride to Leo's Ryu was quiet a solemn one as each member considered the inevitable funeral to come.
Still, Rama eagerly had taken in the scenery along the way. She thoroughly enjoyed the view as the limo rode the highways, eventually heading North West for the countryside. As they turned off onto a small narrow strip of road, they were soon climbing in among the gentle hills. They passed through several small villages with each village becoming less populated. Rama was virtually mesmerized by the tranquil beauty of the country. The thick growth of vegetation along the narrow strip of road and further out among the hills bore witness to the lushness of the land. Cherry trees with their vibrant blossoms were in full bloom, which added variegated shades of pink that dotted the green hillsides and valleys.
As they went further up into the mountain terrain, the limo would occasionally cross over bridges which spanned small canyons. Rama could see rushing torrents of water below as the streams cascaded down, heading towards larger rivers and estuaries. Then, when they would come upon a traditional Japanese-style house, her heart would leap. They would remind her of her master and the design on some of his personal effects at home. He had one picture that was clearly in the Japanese style, - yamato-e. The painting showed a cherry blossom branch running diagonal from one side of the silk canvas to the next. In an almost protective way, the branch arched up and over an almost exact replica of the kinds of houses she was now seeing along the countryside. Then a bit of melancholy came over her as she thought of home.
How she wished that she could bring her family here, especially her Master Splinter. She just knew that he would love to live in such a land, out in the country and away from the grim and noise of New York City. Yet, for him in her world, it would be impossible. Living nearly eleven thousand miles away, there wouldn't be a viable method of getting any one of them to Japan without risking exposure. Rama sighed and then turned away from the window. Clearly she was fortunate to be where she was, yet just as clearly it made her realize how sheltered and sequestered her home had been. Understanding that there wasn't much she could do about it, Ramiela focused on the others in the limo. She then decided to meditate a bit to quiet her heart.
Nearly thirty minutes of traveling without seeing another village or even another person along the roadway, they finally arrived at Leo's Ryu. Rama was impressed with the seemingly endless white stucco wall that encircled the property. It ran left and right of them along the gentle slope of hills that were part of the landscape, disappearing into groves of cypress and other vegetation. Each side of the road was lined by a sentry of the large canopy trees, their leafy branches arching majestically towards the roadway, yet not quite covering the path so as to allow a bit of sunlight to seep through. Rama was in awe with the whole appearance of Leo's ryu.
As she took in the protective barrier again, Rama estimated that the wall looked to be at least ten feet tall and maybe even higher, angling inwardly at the top. As she thought about it, she realized that it was thicker at the base, allowing for a stronger buttress against attacks. Though she believed it highly unlikely anything of that nature would happen here, she was intrigued that Leo would want something so formidable. She considered it all very interesting.
By the expanse of the walls and how far they ran, it was obvious to her that the property was huge, maybe as large as Mike's back in the states. Just as they came upon the structure, Rama noticed the unassuming gates. Not a design or an indication of what lay beyond it was advertised in any way. They were simple wooden gates, painted a deep brown, with a crisscross of wood that added stability to their stout construction. Suddenly, as if sensing their arrival, the barriers opened inwardly, allowing the limo to pass through. There were only a few members of the Ryu who witnessed their arrival. Dressed in simple hooded cloaks of yellow silk, all of them bowed low before the vehicle. It was obvious to Rama that they held in high regard the family residing within the car.
Yet, the Ryu's isolation spoke volumes to her about her sensei's need for peace – and privacy, as well as protection. Even if he had forced the issue with her about getting on with humans, it was quite a contradiction to learn how far removed Leo's residence was from the general population. The fact that he had his 'Enlightenment of the Way' reinforced with such barriers as the walls and gates suggested, prompted Rama to think about bringing up that fact with him sometime during her stay. How she would go about it without sounding disrespectful was another matter all together.
Now, with all of them settled within their respective rooms, Rama had to appreciate how peaceful everything was. Prior to arriving at her assigned space, she recalled the walk to the main housing that led through a collection of gardens. Some were lush with greenery and floral beauty while a few others were Zen rock gardens. They mesmerized her with their simplicity. The sand was raked in decorative designs around specifically placed rocks and small boulders. Moss grew along the tops of the rocks and down their side, with an occasional bonsai tree intermixed for diversity. As intrigued as she was with them, they almost suggested that she keep silent out of respect.
Then, just before the path they were on opened up into a courtyard, Rama noticed a collection of koi ponds. They were huge, bigger than anything she had seen in New York, even in Central Park. They had to cross over a small arched foot bridge and as they did, she peered down into the water. Huge adult-sized koi swam lazily under the surface, passing one another in quiet conversation as they traveled the miniature ocean of clear water. As Rama looked up and out across the expanse of the pond, she noted several islands of rock. However, what was upon those rocks caused her to smile. Turtles! Leo had turtles residing in the koi pond; how utterly ironic, she thought to herself. However, these turtles were not the average turtle that she had seen back in New York or even on the farm. These were more colourful and far more interesting. Yes, she would definitely have to come back to this point to visit, once she was settled into her room.
Rama found that her assigned room was a traditional Japanese bedroom, with rice paper walls and a woven mat for a floor covering. A futon, covered in red silk, was situated along one wall with a series of lit candles in graduating heights sitting upon a simple black lacquered coffee table. The candles were new, if the shallow well of melt was any clue; an obvious courtesy that she appreciated very much. She could also discern the subtle scent of sandalwood in the air and, once again, Rama was emotionally transported back to her old master's room. It was one of his favorite scents. She sighed at the memory, but she put it quickly aside before it consumed her.
On the other side of her room and up against the wall in the corner was an elongated pad, wrapped in a simple natural linen cover. A small pillow similarly furnished adorned the top end, indicating that this was where she was to sleep. However, even though she was a bit tired, Rama was quite curious to see as much of the Ryu as she could during her stay – especially the koi pond. Consequently, as soon as it was permissible from Leo, she found herself presently strolling around the outside.
"It's so very beautiful here," she sighed lightly to herself, "I could almost enjoy it except for why we are here to begin with.' She then smiled, 'It's no wonder why Sensei calls this his home. It suits him very well.'
The late morning air was cool, almost crisp, where they were sheltered within the hills deep behind Osaka. The higher elevation belied the humidity that the more coastal regions were known for. As Rama breathed in the clean almost pure air, she smiled. Yes, it would be very easy to live here, she thought to herself. So safe, even more so than at Mike's place.
However, someone else seemed to be restless as well. Rama was deep into looking at the koi in the pond as she stood on the apex of the small footbridge. Just as she thought of how serene things were for the moment, she sensed a presence. Instinctively, Rama snapped her head around, yet relaxed in the next moment. It was Gaele. "Oh," Rama laughed a little, "It's you."
Gaele smiled, "Who were you expecting?"
The girl looked back at the water again as she replied, "More like hoping." She sighed some.
"Hoping for Devon, perhaps?" Gaele giggled as she stepped up onto the bridge and smiled at the girl.
Rama couldn't help but blush a little as she turned to faced her once again. She commented, "Well, in a way, yeah, but I was thinking of my master back home and how much he would appreciate all of this." She waved her hand to indicate the pond and the garden area.
"Hmm…yes, it is all very tranquil. However, that's just the surface stuff." Gaele remarked almost contritely.
"Surface? What do you mean by that?" Rama asked as she turned around to face her. A gentle breeze caressed her hair, causing a few of the ends to lift up and into her face a bit. She wiped the errant strands away as she waited for her companion to answer.
Gaele took a deep breath and then sidled up next to the kunoichi. She leaned against the railing with her arms draped along the top before saying, "This is a place of enlightenment, Rama. It's where one comes to learn, to train, to – " she then looked at the girl and then stated simply, "To become fully ninja." Looking back across the expanse of water and towards the rocky outcroppings, she continued, "Living in the states like everyone else does, it's easy to forget what we are. My work consumes me, like it did my Uncle Don, so it's easy to forget my heritage." She worked the inside of her cheek a bit before adding, "I've never spent much time here; in fact it's been at least two decades since I last visited. Leo keeps threatening to have me re-trained, to bring me back to where he thinks I need to be, but Don's always shielded me from it. After he took my gear away, I've never given it a second thought. With the lab and what I'm trying to do there, it's as important to our family and our future as ninjitsu is." She looked at Rama and, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the rest of her thoughts, changed the subject. She then asked as she teased, "So, how are you feeling, now that you're not up in the air anymore?"
Rama thoughtfully considered what Gaele had just shared with her. It was obvious Mike's daughter was somewhat on edge; maybe because now with Don gone, Leo just might follow through with his threat. However, she focused on the question Gaele had just asked her and shrugged, "All right. Geesh! I never thought in my life that I'd ever get a chance to visit Japan." She then confessed, "I just wish I could have seen it under better circumstances."
Gaele nodded, her sadness quite easy to discern. "Yeah, I know what you mean."
The two were quiet for a moment; Rama with her thoughts about home and Gaele with her thoughts about her uncle's passing.
Then Mike's daughter smiled a bit "Hooked up with Devon, I hear."
Rama blushed just a bit and nodded, "Yeah, we did." Looking suddenly at the girl next to her, she became defenseless, "I don't know what the family told you, but don't you believe it okay?"
Gaele smiled, "Okay, but I know my brother, Rama. If he likes you as much as everyone's been telling me, just remember he can be quite a scoundrel!" She laughed lightly but Rama's next comment made her laugh even more.
"It's what I'm hoping for, Gaele." She, too, couldn't help but giggle with her.
From that point on, they talked about the event that had brought them all out to Japan. Both girls teared up once or twice, but after a while, Rama had to comment. As she looked up at the buildings of the Ryu that surrounded them, noting their traditional Japanese architecture, she couldn't help but say, "You know it just seems so hard to accept. I mean where I live, the treat of death is almost like a constant companion. Still, even with that, we have yet to lose anyone in the family." Rama took a couple deep breaths and then said, "But, here, where life seems so much simpler and easier and where you don't have to look over your shoulder all the time, death seems worse for some reason." She sighed, "Maybe because your father and uncles used their wealth to secure your safety, maybe that's why Don's death seems so awful."
Gaele laid an arm across the kunoichi's back and said softly, "Death, no matter the reason or the family it happens to, is always hard, Rama. Don's death wasn't so unexpected for me."
Rama looked at her in shock, "How can you say that?"
"Because," Gaele replied, "As hard as he tried to befriend even his worst enemies, there was always someone who resisted, who hated what they termed as his meddling. Don tried to make the world a safer and more productive place for people, Rama. Yet, there always seemed to be that faction that wanted a part of the world for themselves. They hated him, as a result." She removed her arm from around Rama and looked down at the koi swimming below the bridge where they stood, "Don might have been considered a mogul, but he really preferred a more simplistic life. He loved coming here," She looked around wistfully and swallowed back her emerging grief as she continued, "It gave him a peace that his corporate world and all of his money failed to give him." As she looked away, she ruefully commented, "As much as I wanted to believe that my father and uncles' old enemies were gone, it looks like they're back. I fear what the clan will do to retaliate."
"Foot? You think the Foot did this to Don?" Rama asked in surprise. She had been assured not too long ago by Leo that activity of that magnitude was no longer a viable threat. Had he lied to her?
"That's what Uncle Raph believes. Leo and Mike aren't so sure, though. Uncle Don did a thorough job of cleaning up the organization. Three years ago, there was a resurgence of it in California, but between my uncle and the police, they pretty much shut the operation down. Still…" Gaele looked wistfully up towards a building that lay along a higher elevated section of the pond area, "It's possible, I guess." Nodding to the structure, Gaele added, "That's Don's place, up there. He loved looking out on the koi pond. There's a small waterfall behind his house, right beside a patio on the other side. That is if my memory serves correctly. Like I said, it's been a while since I was last here."
As the two turned away from the pond and walked down the arched bridge, Rama asked, "So, you did the testing and are pretty sure it was Don, huh?"
As Gaele sniffed, she nodded and replied, "Yeah, but I'll be running some more tests to confirm that, just the same. It's so hard to believe, Rama. Don was so careful, so tight about security. Even though I knew he had enemies, I never thought he'd ever go like this." She then sniffed and wiped the back of her hand along her snout.
Rama had to agree and she also knew that the family would cope better once they all had closure. Meanwhile, she decided that she would try to find a way of paying her last respects to Don. With the funeral only two days away, Rama knew she would have plenty of time.
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With as many reviews as we received for Chapter 48, I – Reinbeauchaser – will let Ramica do the commenting! What? You say I'm lazy? Hmm…well, maybe, but I love her responses, so rather than try to match them and fail miserably, I'm forfeiting my own for hers!
RAMICA'S COMMENTS:
Danceingfae: Unfortunatley yes Donny. I hope that doesn't make you cry more now. If it makes you feel any better Don' death is a bit of a surprise to us too but don't lose faith just yet. It is always darkest before the dawn, or is that Don? Hmmm. A gratitude for your insight.
Lisa15: How serious are Don and Cassie? Reinbeauchaser is going have to field that one. Don was sadly, in the wrong place at the wrong time. Don't give up reading yet for while Don's death is a surprise for all there are more surprises coming. Course I can't promise they will be good. Thanks so much for reading. A gratitude for your insight.
Sailor Vegeta: If you hide you won't know the ending. Sadly, Don's death is a done deal ( How many times can one say Don's death done deal fast and not stumble, hmmm that is the question.) Yes we killed Don because we are evil and twisted. Correction, I should only speak for myself, okay I am evil and twisted. To leave the story now would be a shame. A gratitude for your insight.
Pretender Fanatic: When one is dead it is hard to come back. Thanks for the compliment of the well written bit really appreciate that. A funeral of course is coming up so we might get a few tears there. Yes! I am going on vacation, but in January for one week and for the most part I will be staying at home. So it won't change my input into this story or any other story. A gratitude for your insight.
Teddybear888: How could we? Uh bomb destroying hotel room. Why? It adds interest. Really kill Don, well it does look that way doesn't it, guess you will have to continue reading to find out for sure though. A gratitude for your insight.
Beth: Death, at least the last time I checked, is a one way street. Just keep reading and see how many more twist we can put in this road before it is complete. A gratitude for your insight.
TBreader: For how, you know how. As for why? Why not is a good answer. I mean it did seem like a good idea at the time. There are some days I might even pay you to kill Rama.
Rama: Hey! That is it, Ramica, consider our contract void! I'm also going get Uncle Raphael to wail on you and....
Ramica: I think I should seriously consider changing my address. Don't lose faith now and you know I hear prayer works real good. A gratitude for your insight.
