His True Love

Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adult or adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians.

Chapter Thirty Four – Raph's Promise

MICHAELANGELO:

 Rama no longer needed the clothes Karena had bought to keep her warm the first day or two out of her coma but she opted to keep them for possible trips topside if and when we permitted such things.

The blanket Jen had passed to Rama through Don was a favourite and Rama insisted on keeping it on her bed.

Meanwhile all the clan watched for any adverse effects caused by Shay having kidnapped her. One of the first she showed was a wild vicious anger out of nowhere she would suddenly yell or start hitting or kicking at the nearest person.

Leo didn't want to discipline her for this breaking of the no hitting outside the dojo rule, as he was well aware and even Don had let all of us know that this pent up anger and hostilities had to be allowed to come out. He also said it was far better that we let her know this anger was a natural thing and that it was perfectly all right to hate Shay or whatever you wanted to call the bitch!

When Rama started to release that anger I would pack her into the dojo kicking and screaming then let her loose on one of the punching dummies letting her know that while it was appropriate to release that anger she had to do it in the right way.

Rama would hit into those dummies with a wild vicious fury and then the anger would leave and she'd collapse into a huddled sobbing lump on the dojo floor.

She sought comfort from Karena, thankfully Rama never lashed out at her, only going to Leo's wife for plenty of cuddles and kisses. Karena knowing everything Rama had been through recently did her best to cater to my daughter's present needs even over the twins when and where she could.

I knew Rama suffered from nightmares she woke me with them now and again with terrified screams. But at the very least she didn't close herself off the way she had when, that no good for nothing, Cassandra had kidnapped her back when she was four.

No this time Rama was quite willing to talk and ask numerous questions about Shay.

I was hard pressed to answer some of those questions Rama posed, I'd always done my best to be honest with her, that plus I had truly believed that Shay did love Rama at least once upon a time but maybe that love had soured. I'm not sure what happened all I knew was I now doubted that belief and didn't know really what to tell Rama.

I only told her what I could hoping that it would be enough for her to make sense of things and find peace.

~*~

Morning practice went over quite well, Raph never an early bird in our family seemed in rather high spirits but then again considering the night before was his little get together with Sara.

Their romantic evening, poor Raph being the romantically challenged person he could sometimes be needed all the help he could get so when he asked me to prepare a special dessert for Sara and him I had decided to do what I could to help it along.

I sidled over to Raph " You two enjoy your dessert?"

" Yeah Mike thanks." Raph said.

I could tell by his tone that he didn't know what all that chocolate meant some things could be such a waste with him.

" Hey any time bro, a few sweets for your sweet" I teased him.

" Sara ain't sweet that is why I like her" Raph protested in a mock growl.

" Yeah but you still happen to be sweet on her" I retorted diving nimbly out of the way as he made his lunge.

~*~

I was preparing breakfast and had it just about ready when Rama came into the kitchen after her morning lesson with Leo and dutifully began setting the table.

Raph and Sara came strolling into the kitchen their arms around each other's back and I had to chuckle " You two are just so cute!"

Sara scowled walked over and grabbed hold of my bandanna tails yanking on them hard as she could.

" Ouch! Let go!"

" I'm a lot of things but don't ever refer to me as CUTE, not if you value your life!" she hissed

Raph snickered with amusement " That's my girl a bod from heaven and a temper from hell."

You could tell by his pleased tone that he liked that combination.

I shook my head and tried to loosen up my bandana that was now far too tight " You two are made for each other all right" I admitted.

" Glad you agree to that Mike because it just so happens that Sara and I became engaged last night. We're going be married." Raph announced.

" No you cant's I won't let you marry her" Rama yelled quickly before any of the rest of the family could even begin to congratulate the couple.

" Rama…"

" Uncle Raphael can't marry. I won't lets him. It not 'lowed." Rama screamed making sure the clan knew her feelings on the subject.

" Rama that is enough now…" I scolded gently.

" NO!" Rama charged towards us she swung a kick my way and punched Raph before running out of the room.

Don scowled " I don't think Ramiela is ready to accept that kind of change in her life on top of every thing else she is dealing with."

I looked towards Raph who had a startled stunned look on his face " Go for it Raph marry her" I then had to give them a bit of advice " However if I were you I'd skip the line about if anyone has any reason why these two shouldn't be wed speak now or forever hold your peace."

I heaved a heavy sigh " You guys start breakfast I'll go talk to her."

Raph shook his head and placed a restraining hand on my arm " No Mike let me go this time. Ramiela doesn't have any problem talking with me. Let me see what I can do for her okay?"

I nodded assent and watched Raph leave.

RAPHAEL:

I found Ramiela sitting in the dojo her back to me " Hey kid whassup huh?"

She turned around sniffing and wiping her eyes " I just don't wants you marryin her" She insisted sulkily.

" Don't you like Sara?" I wondered.

Rama shrugged slightly " I likes her okay" Rama admitted

I kneeled down by her " So what exactly is the problem then?"

" You marries her gonna be nuthin but trouble" she declared firmly as she wiped at her tears with a free hand.

" You don't have a problem with Don and Jen getting married do ya?" I asked curiously.

" No don't matter wit him. He can be married if he wants" she informed me.

Seemed I was the one who wasn't allowed, " So what exactly is the problem then Ramiela?"

" You gonna change and I don't wants you changing. I likes you just the way you are" Rama replied.

" Who says that I am going change here?"

" You wills. Karena did." She sniffed dejectedly.

I thought about her words considering them and what I knew about the relationship Rama had shared with Karena. Before the twins had come along Karena had spent a great deal of time with Rama teaching her little children's songs, to read and write, how to do numerous arts and crafts, and who knows what all else.

Then Karena had the twins and suddenly she didn't have the time to give to Rama that she once had, Rama had to learn how to play second fiddle instead of first in Karena's heart.

It took a long time before Rama accepted that demotion yet still realize that Karena still loved her. Karena might have her own children and a husband but she was still quite willing to play a mother to Rama. She felt the five year old needed a mother's influence on her.

" Are you afraid we aren't going be staying friends Ramiela?"

" You gonna have kids of your own and you'll wants to be withs them and won't be with me so much." Rama moped hanging her head.

I cupped my hands under her chin tilting her face up " Are you kidding? Do you know how long it takes a kid to become interesting? Hell first Sara has to get pregnant, then you have to wait almost a year before the kid even puts in an appearance." I grumbled " And the first little bit they are more pains then any thing else. Trust me you will be much more fun" I assured her.

" Maybe but you'll be a daddy then and you'll have to says no and obeys rules and…"

Ah, now I got it Rama had heard many times Mike say " When you have kids of your own maybe then you will stop giving into Rama so much."

Rama was aware that I spoiled her, as her uncle I was totally entitled to that. But once I had kids that spoiling might come to an end and that could in deed change a great deal of the wonderful relationship we had formed since her infancy.

I laughed, " I might have to be a dad to my own kids but I don't have to be a dad to you" I told her " I am your uncle and as such I am allowed to spoil you rotten. It isn't my job to see that you obey rules."

She gave me a faint smile and a sad wistful shake of her head.

" Look Ramiela you are a part of our family and I know we will never have to lose you because that would hurt all of us so much but I don't want to lose Sara and the only way she can stay is if she becomes part of our family."

Rama didn't say anything to that no denial no acceptance.

I sighed " All right as a ninja I am bound by my word of honour if I promise you something I have to keep that promise to you."

Rama sat up straighter and looked at me expectantly " Really?"

" Really" I agreed, " Now on my word of honour I promise you Ramiela that no matter how many kids I have. I will always be there for you as both your friend and your Uncle. No one will ever take that place in me that belongs only to you."

She gave me a small flickering smile.

" I won't promise you things won't change honey, life is about change but I can promise you that you will ALWAYS be my favourite niece."

Rama stood up threw her arms about my neck and hugged me " I loves you."

" I love you too Ramiela."

" I guess I oughts to shares ya. You can marries Sara if you wants Uncle Raphael but I thinks shes gonna be nuthin but trouble for ya" Rama said with utmost certainty.

I knew that she was basically telling me that she would have no more problem with me getting married " Are we still friends kunoichi?"

" Friends!" Rama cheered kissing me as I hugged her tight.

~*~

 That day when I went to pick up Sara I stopped in at a small toy store I wanted to find something for Ramiela. I poked around not seeing anything that I felt would be all that great until my eyes came to rest on a stuffed unicorn.

I knew that had to be her gift, she loved unicorns not only that it could represent the promise I had made to her earlier in the day.

The price was more then I was hoping for but I just had enough to cover it and I'm sure Rama would appreciate the gift.

Promise the unicorn, a promise I fully intended to keep too.

TBC

Buslady: I really think you ought to go for that idea and not scrap it. For a guy not into mush Raph don't do too badly.

Lenni: Well now you know how Rama feels about it. Hope this was fast enough for you.

Reinbeauchaser: Do you know how many Shakespeare sonnets I read and rejected before that one? Some I thought might do in a pinch but they just didn't seem too Raph. I really wanted something suited to him if I could find it. Luckily I did, and though I looked further decided none suited Raph better. Ah yes positive things about Cathy- " she's not Shay!"