DISCLAIMER: As always and before, we only own our own, which would be for Ramica – Ramiela, and for Reinbeauchaser – Gabby, Mindy, and Jordan. All others are either Mirage studio employees or the figment of someone else's imagination. Just read and enjoy and if you have the time, leave a comment or two before you close the door. Be blessed.

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Chapter 50 – Peace and Balance

Cassie couldn't help but stare at all the beauty the Ryu offered. Leo walked silently beside her as they traversed the path towards the unit of small houses where the rest of the family was staying. She had arrived only a few minutes earlier from Osaka and was noticeably tired. Yet Cassandra seemed somewhat excited where this was the first time she had ever seen Leo's Enlightenment of the Way. "You have a beautiful facility, Leo," she offered softly, "I can see why you prefer living here."

He nodded quietly as they walked along the neatly bordered dirt path. They soon rounded a bend in the walkway around some bushes and which opened up to a wide garden area several acres big. Native birds could be seen flying in among the brush and flowers, disturbing a cluster of butterflies that were there. Next, Cassandra saw several groups of Mimosa trees, some which were gathered near the walkway and offering a momentary bit of shade from the warm afternoon sun. Their pink and white pincushion flowers adorned the fern-like canopy, offering one more spectacle to appreciate. As the two walked under the umbrella of branches and leaves, Leo commented, "The Ryu was something that Splinter had dreamed of while we were still living in New York. Building it was our way of thanking him for taking care of us all of those years. I have to say, though, that Don enjoyed the tranquility, as well." Leo paused before adding, "Many people who come here, do so to heal, including Raphael."

Cassandra nodded and could only comment, "I understand." She knew all too well how Raphael had almost killed Rahab and Seth years ago. She could see how such a place would bring peace and balance to an otherwise haphazard life as her daughter's father once led. She smiled and breathed in the sweet fragrance of the Jasmine scented air. It was easy to feel the harmony that the Ryu's aesthetic qualities offered.

They continued on along the pathway for some time, swallowed up within another prolonged stretch of silence. As cool breezes caressed their faces, Cassie walked awestruck alongside rock gardens and oversized ponds, which were more like small lakes to her. More trees such as the mimosa plus a few Japanese maple and dogwood filled in the landscape like a surrounding wood. An occasional meditation pagoda could be seen, their multi-storied towers rising above the shorter trees. Other buildings, depicting the traditional upturned roof-line, were placed at intervals among the foliage. It was like stepping back in time the way Leo had designed everything. With the sky devoid of clouds, the crystalline blue added a breathtaking compliment to the variegated greens and floral color of the compound.

Finally coming to and stepping along the top of the wooden footbridge, they began to pass over the koi pond which separated the family quarters from the rest of the Ryu. Cassandra stopped for a moment at the top of the bridge and looked out across the water. She noted the schools of koi in the pond and the few turtles that were basking in the noonday sun on a spit of sandy beach. "Rather ironic, Leo, having the garden variety chelonian in your backyard." She couldn't help but chuckle a bit.

"Actually," he offered softly as he joined her at the railing, "They're not so common." He stood there for a moment as he watched them. He went on to explain as he glanced upwards towards the house that overlooked the pond area, "Don wanted the rarest of species here, sort of a compliment to our own uniqueness." Looking back at the beached turtles, he explained, "So, we put three of the most endangered species of terrapins in the garden. The cuora trifasciata or the Chinese three-stripe box turtle, the leucocephalon yuwonoi, otherwise known as the Sulawesi forest turtle, and my favorite, the rafetus swinhoei, whose common name is the Yangtze giant softshell." The words rolled easily off Leo's tongue as if they were his own name. He then added, "All three species are breeding rather well, in fact. The pond is climate controlled since we do get a bit of cool weather now and then. We're sort of a hatchery to help their recovery in the wild." He looked over at the woman and smiled, as he was rather proud of the Ryu's accomplishment, "It's one of Don's favorite achievements."

Cassie sighed as she shook her head, "He had his hands in just about everything, didn't he?" She swallowed deeply as she thought about the good that Don had tried to do. How anyone could fault him or even want to take his life seemed selfish. Well, they'd just have to be evil, that's all there was to it. Remembering her past, though, Cassandra had to include silently, "Or tragically misguided."

Gently, Leo took her arm and encouraged her on over the rest of the bridge and down to another dirt footpath. As they neared the closest building, she observed that he had stuck with the traditional style of Japanese architecture throughout his Ryu. She smiled at the upturned ends of the tile roof, the almost paper thin sides of each domicile and the dark wood accents. Each residence was raised on a foundation approximately two to three feet above the ground, with broad steps leading up to the wooden flooring of the main level. Ornate-free doors graced the main threshold of each with windows all around to let in the light of day. Yet, there was an element of modern convenience that was also obvious. She noted the electrical lines leading to each residence that provided some comfort and technology. Cassie smiled and knew that Don probably had a say in that, as well, where he was always so keen on such things.

"Gabby is anxious to see you." Leo said softly, "She's been – dwelling on many things lately."

"I'm sure she has. How have things been going with her?" Cassie asked. It hadn't been that long since the clan had recovered her daughter and Leo had been far too busy with the girl to keep the woman updated.

"Well," Leo replied, "I can still tell that Gabby has a bit of trepidation and resentment about Mindy's training. Despite her repentance, I think if she had been successful at getting away, we would still be trying to find her."

Cassie laughed, "With her double dose of stubbornness she inherited from her father and me, you expected something else from her?"

"No, not at all. Still, she is at least trying to learn from me, that much I can sense. She's been a good student, so far. It's just, well, if Don were here, he would be the one schooling her. Where she's my daughter-in-law, it complicates matters a bit more. Although I may have the authority to force the issue, I'd rather tread softly and carefully – especially considering how well it went when I did push the matter with her." He shook his head ruefully, "Never expected Gabby to do what she did."

Cassie put a hand to his shoulder and assured him, "None of us did, Leo. I plan on talking with her about it, though. Now, I think we all need to focus on other things."

Leo nodded, "Yes, indeed. Tomorrow will be difficult for all of us. Will you be saying anything?"

"Possibly. Depends." Cassandra swallowed. She thought of Don and their relationship, where it was leading to, what she ended up wanting from it. Now that he was gone, so was her one chance for… "But, it's more important for others to speak, so I probably won't. Sometimes less is more."

"Yes, I'm sure Don would agree with you." With that, Leo led her to the second set of houses where Seth and his family were staying and, more importantly, where her daughter, Gabriella, was.

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Cassie looked hard at Gabby. They had just finished a rather intense discussion about her behavior from a week ago, though it was largely one sided with Cassandra doing most of the talking. Much to her relief, it seemed as if what education Leo had implemented so far with Gabriella, was working. She seemed reticent and more willing to listen than to argue. At least that was an improvement. Currently, they were alone in the main living area of their family quarters since Seth had taken Mindy out for a long walk. Jordan had just been put down for a nap, allowing a bit of peace between his mother and grandmother.

Cassandra noted that her daughter was obviously contrite over what she did, although a bit of resentment towards Mindy's training could still be sensed in her. Just the same, the fire Cassie had seen in her daughter the last time she talked with her was subdued considerably. "After a while, Gabriella," she said, "you will see the wisdom of what Mindy will be learning. She's very capable for her age and will adapt easily to what Devon will teach her."

Sighing heavily and with her emotions at their peak, Gabby looked up at her mother with tear-filled eyes and, with a soft voice, said, "I know, mother. But, it's that 'other' aspect to ninjitsu that bothers me. With Don's death, I can feel the rage in my father building up. Seth has told me all about their battles years ago before he was born. I just know they'll include my husband in whatever course of action they decide to take; Devon, too, for that matter." She lowered her gaze once more, as if finding her cuticles more interesting to look at.

Cassie was quiet for a moment as she assessed her daughter's words. She knew all too well the truth to her statement and, from her experience, she knew all too well what that entailed. Nodding, she could only be honest with her, "I cannot lie to you, Gabby. Everyone wants retribution. I know and understand the forgiveness aspect of what you believe because I believe it, too. Yet, these people who did this to Don work outside of the laws and bylaws of government agencies. They do not answer to anyone. Therefore, the rebuttal to their actions needs the same consideration." Cassie winced as she saw her daughter's head snap up to catch her gaze. The fire now burned hotly in her liquid eyes and in that same moment she saw Raphael. Yes, in deed, this daughter of hers certainly had such a heritage. Sighing, the woman remarked, "You can be certain that their first goal is to bring to justice the men responsible for this deed. Don's death has become a known fact to the rest of the world…and I am confident that if it is at all possible, his executioners will be brought to justice to stand trial in a human court of law…"

However, Gabby interrupted her, "That is if the authorities get to them first?"

"No," Cassie corrected, "If it is possible to have them taken alive, Leo will make sure that the authorities will receive them. However, if this was a crime unknown to the rest of the world, that would be different. Then, as was the case when your family battled the Foot, each side would take care of their own. No authorities involved since no trace of such battles would be left behind. Like a vapor, they would vanish – without a trace!" She paused for a moment and then continued, "However, because Don was so well known among government agencies, whatever it is that your father and uncles plan on doing will have to be centered on what is allowed by government laws. So far, from what Leo told me when he picked me up at the airport, things are going slow. Not much in the way of evidence was left at the scene of the explosion."

"Yes, that's what he told us last night." She looked at her mother once more, "Which means that unless things change along that line…"

Cassie finished, "You don't have to worry about your husband going into battle. If there isn't a face to accuse, then there's little any of us can do about it."

"Unless Thomas knows something." Gabby added softly and fearfully.

Cassie looked away and sighed. She knew that Thomas wouldn't stop investigating the death of his employer until he found even the slightest shred of evidence. If Thomas were as capable as Don was, she knew he would find something to identify the ones responsible. Given the nature of his life, she knew it was only a matter of time before Thomas and the rest of the clan figured out who it was that assassinated Don Tello.

Her next task was to get her daughter to understand Ramiela's personal situation. Considering how strongly Gabriella reacted towards the kunoichi's behavior in the Musical Note, it would be her hardest battle of wills yet.

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The rest of the family was deep in sleep as Rama stepped outside her quarters. She looked up and saw the dark blue of the night sky with its generous dusting of stars. She took a deep breath, allowing the crisp coolness of the early morning air to waken her further. Ramiela shivered just a bit as it chilled her, yet she knew that soon the night would give way to dawn as it welcomed the start of new day. Still, she was aware that it was going to be a very long day, especially with the funeral set for the afternoon.

She inhaled again as she walked along and noted the scent of jasmine, which had been heavily planted throughout the residence area of the Ryu. Swallowing the scent, she tuned her ears to the slightest noise as she moved off into the deepest shadows. Maybe it was instinctive, but returning to her old ways for just a bit of time seemed to refresh her. She also knew if she was to face the coming funeral without falling apart, then she would have to be prepared for it. Not wanting to be disturbed, Rama desired to meditate outside and to do so facing the rising sun. She had at least an hour before that would happen, plenty of time to get in a decent amount of contemplation before the radiance of the moon's counterpart warmed her face. It seemed to her to be the perfect answer to gain the strength and focus she needed, as she was still trying to adjust to Don's death.

Rama was surprised that her jet lag wasn't worse that it was. Though she felt a bit more tired than normal, Devon did tell her that flying west was easier to adjust to than flying east. With all that was planned for later on in the day, it was just as well.

The day before, Rama had sensed the rest of the family mired in their own grief and pain. They all seemed to echo the girls' own emotions, but more individually as far as how they reacted. She noted that Raph kept to himself, which wasn't too unusual. At one point during the day, he took a walk that lasted for several hours. Where he went was anyone's guess, but he ended up spending time alone, sitting by the koi pond along its edge. As he sat on the grass, he would stare at the fish for extended periods of time, seemingly transfixed with the water's reflection – and his own grief.

Leo meditated, but Rama thought it interesting that he did so up the hill and on the front porch of Don's residence. Maybe it was to honor him or maybe it gave him a peace to be so close to something that reminded him of his deceased brother. Either way, Rama thought it a fitting gesture overall.

Gaele, Riahna, and Rahab stayed inside, rarely going out and when they did, they clustered close together. It was obvious they needed one another during this difficult time. Occasionally, Mike could be seen walking with them, but many times during the day he would either be up at Don's place to chat with Leo or end up over by where Splinter's home was located.

Seth and his family kept to themselves, except for a walk that he had taken earlier with his daughter. Cassandra had arrived just before then, so Rama figured she had a lot to say to Gabby, which probably prompted the walk that Seth and Mindy took. Still, it appeared to Ramiela that Gabby needed her husband more ever since Leo took her under his wing. Don's death coupled with his niece's own transgressions had taken a toll on her confidence. Yet, it was apparent that despite Seth's anger towards his wife, he loved her deeply enough to give her the support that she seemed to need. Together, with Cassie staying with them, they encouraged each other, tending to their children while they grieved as one.

As for Rama, she and Devon had spent most of the day with each other. He had showed her around the Ryu while tearfully talking about Don. As far as the Ryu was concerned, she was impressed that it was as large if not larger than Mike's property in Big Sur. There wasn't a viable way to see everything in one day, but Devon promised her that they would definitely do so once the service was over and things began to settle down. He expected the family to stay in Japan at least a couple of weeks before heading back to the states, unless Thomas found incriminating evidence that pointed to a culprit. Then, things could speed up quite bit with that.

During their time exploring the compound, Devon renewed his promise to Rama and hinted at something that he had been planning on asking her. He refused to say what it was about, despite her pestering him, only that the time had to be right. Then and only then would he proceed.

Still, over all, each member of the clan were numb with sadness, going through the motions as if on automatic pilot. Nothing seemed to make sense any more. Don had always been the anchor that kept them together, the one who made decisions for the good of the family. Leo might have been jonin, but he was the ninjitsu jonin who guided the clan through his spiritual leading and training. Don, however, was the glue and now it seemed as if the very adhesive that bound them together was losing its bind. As the hours passed by, they all seemed to be drifting along and seemingly without direction.

Rama, who had never lost a loved one before, found she cared little for the emotions and hurt that seemed to come from such an experience. She was angry, upset and longing to reach out but felt at a total loss as to what to say or do. Though the turtles that remained were like her family, they were not her family. They were different and, therefore, she felt uncomfortable going to any of them for comfort – even Leo. If there was a face to this tragedy, someone to blame and to go after, she might have had a better grip on how to feel. Rebuttal seemed to always make it easy in that way. Yet, losing Don and sensing the permanence to it was something that no amount of action could change. No matter how many paid the price for what they did to him – and to the family – the fact would remain the same.

Don was dead and not coming back.

That fact was made more obvious by late the evening before after everyone had eaten dinner in the communal dining room. If any of the family had held out hope that there was a chance for Don to have escaped that horrible blast, those hopes were shattered into a million pieces by Gaele. Despite Thomas's crew going through the debris and verifying that Don had indeed been there, his niece was the one to give final proof that sealed his fate.

She had taken a piece from Don's charred shell and personally took it to his lab in Kyoto for DNA testing. Gaele had left early in the morning and, as she said later, put it through so many tests during the day that she was starting to see cross-eyed. It wasn't that anyone questioned that the shell belonging to Don; it was more as if they needed the results to find closure. Of course, needing any and every bit of evidence would make it that much easier to find out who it was who had done the deed. As a result, the tests only confirmed conclusively who the shell belonged to. Except for a bit of discrepancy, explained away as a probable contaminate from the blast itself, the genetics of the carapace was definitely Donatello's.

Now, Rama heaved a heavy forlorn sigh as she dropped down into the lotus position on the outcropping. She had picked a shelf of rock at the top of a hill and which overlooked the main courtyard to the Ryu. The gate was there below her, as well as the impenetrable wall. In that moment, the wall reminded her of Don; strong, imposing, yet protective and shielding. It was just before his leaving for Japan that she realized his latter two attributes and for that she was grateful. Still, Rama's heart was heavy with grief.

"Do not stand at my grave and weep for I am not there," she mused to herself. It was something that Seth had shared the night before, an opening verse from a poem that he had read after the evening meal. It was comforting and it seemed to fit his uncle quite well.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
(Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!)

Had not Splinter, the Master himself, in his better days explain to her about death as if he had wanted to prepare her for what was to come. She had recalled sitting in the Master's room as they played the game of wei-chi with him. She had seen his one arm stretch out, as he reached for her. With a slight shaky hand, his gnarled finger caressed her cheek. It was then that she saw the look of tenderness in his eyes when he spoke, "When I die, do not weep for me, child, it would be selfishness on your part for I am old and my time will have been well spent. Death is inevitable for all of us."

"Not for you Master" she had insisted frantically, denying his words as she feared what they might mean.

He smiled slightly, "Even I can't escape it, Ramiela, nor would I wish to. But let me tell you something. While I may die I will never leave you or leave those I love."

"You'll be gone though" she protested, "You won't be here!" She remembered the panicky feeling she felt. Just thinking about her beloved master dying and being physically absent from their clan caused her alarm.

Splinter gave her a soft admonishing gaze as if he had not been too pleased with her reaction, "Only the shell is gone Ramiela. The soul, the very essence of our being, can never be destroyed. It lives on forever."

She didn't understand it then and she wasn't too sure if she understood it now. Of course that had been long before the Master's mind had become addled and confused about many things. As she recalled before she left her world, the Master's whole existence had seemed to be one of confusion. He couldn't seem to understand why his sons were taller than he thought they ought to be. He often talked to Yoshi, Shen and others that he knew when he lived in Japan as if they were still alive. He also frustrated Aiden numerous times by calling him Leonardo. Death might be welcomed after all to the once strong ninja Master, with his mind betraying him like it was. Still, losing him would affect Rama and her clan deeply, this much she was sure of.

Just the same, the Don of this world had been different. Before his untimely death, he had been mentally sharp and would have had many more years ahead of him. With his numerous businesses and philanthropic organizations, he had so much yet to do and to live for. It made his death seem more of a crime than just dying of old age. Rama sighed once again "If I could do things over with my Uncle Donatello, I would do them differently. However that might not be possible if I can't get back home. I just might have to move on from here like every one else will be doing." She shook her head to dispel the unsettling thoughts as she eased into her meditation. She took several deep breaths as she let go of those things that weighed her down. She relaxed and soon, before too long, she had reached a plane of meditation where she finally felt at ease.

By the time the sun had exploded its radiance across the yard and wrapped its golden warmth around the new day, Rama had found her peace.

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RAMICA'S COMMENTS:

Teddybear888: Rama isn't going to trust that tea not after how they got her on the plane to get to California. While scared Rama is a kunoichi and probably with time can learn to adjust to that mode of travel even if she doesn't care for it. We are working on finishing the story and hopefully by the ending the readers will forgive us for killing Don. A gratitude for your insight.

Pretender Fanatic: Ryu according to my Japanese- English dictionary means Dragon. However I have also seen it in many of my fighting arts books and it is always in regards to martial art schools themselves. So Ryu also means a fighting art school, or near as I can figure it means both. A gratitude for your insight.

Lisa 15: This chapter gives you more colour to paint with. Now if we told you what was going to happen in the next few chapters then you might not want

REINBEAUCHASER'S COMMENTS:

TEDDYBEAR888: Goodness, gal, ya'll almost sound like ya'll bin ta Taxas. Ah, that's Texas for anyone wondering. LOL Anyway, sorry about off-ing Don, but we had to. As you said, it is for the good of the story. Yet, don't lose hope, 'kay? Thanks for reading and reviewing. Be blessed.

PRETENDER FANATIC: Wow, we did that to you? Really? Our job is now complete! LOL Well, I wasn't sure if it was too much in the way of descriptions, but it sure was fun. :0) Yes, I guess ryu does have 2 meanings. At least, Ramica confirmed that fact. Thanks for reading and reviewing. Be blessed.

LISA15: Hey, what's a story without angst, right? Glad you liked how we 'painted' Leo's ryu. Hmm…grief is hard to write and still feel the sadness, too. However, I did with this one – cuz Donnie's my fav! :0) We always hurt the ones we love, isn't that how the saying goes? Bwahaha… As for Don and Cassie, have to wait on that one. Thanks for reading and reviewing. Be blessed.