His True Love
Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adult or adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians.
Author's Note: Sorry about the wait on this chapter fans. I was sort of stuck for a bit because I didn't want to do one wedding right after the other but I didn't know what to use to separate the two wedding chapters especially as the story is winding to a close.
It took a great deal of consideration before I settled on this. Hope you like.
Chapter Thirty Eight – Fit to be Tied.
LEONARDO:
I had been planning on introducing Ramiela into early escape artist methods when Shay had kidnapped her and put the idea for the time being on hold. I had wanted to give her a chance to recuperate from what she had been through but I was also quite fully aware that I could not procrastinate too long.
I knew very well that Ramiela might not view tying up as a game or fun now, and unfortunately that was how ninja did a lot of training. Children's games like hide and seek were amazing for teaching skills ninja needed. Traditionally all ninja children were trained under the guise of some sort of games only the games helped build up their stamina, running, leaping and balancing skills to the forefront. Make it fun and of course the kids wanted to learn.
Of course mixed in with these games were other lessons in basics of martial arts and other training like gymnastics or similar aspect which would help keep the young ninja's body supple.
Ramiela had good reason to fear the thought of being tied up and I doubted there was little I could do to make it fun, however I could not ignore this aspect of her training. I knew the longer I let it go the more frightened she may become over it all and soon panic and fear might block out every thing else making it impossible to teach her.
I figured it wouldn't hurt to have a little help for the first one or two lessons while Ramiela was given a chance to boost her confidence. I knew I would have to be very patient but firm with her and I would have to choose my assistant wisely.
My niece was fully aware that as her sensei she was to obey me quickly and that often I asked her to do things that she either wasn't interested in doing, or couldn't be bothered with. However she had learned that refusing or disobedience; was not tolerated by her father or myself for that matter. Thus she learned that what I asked her to do was not optional.
As her sensei I had to be hard with her and firm. I had to gain her respect and keep it. But Ramiela had also learned that as long as she gave me a good effort in everything I asked that I would reward her by letting her pick something she wanted to do.
Over the last few years she had come to respect my authority over her but I knew that it might not be enough if fear should get a hold of her and cause her to become disobedient thus damaging the relationship between us.
I also knew if I forced her to be tied when she feared it that she could easily lose all respect she had for me, this was a very delicate situation.
I knew of all the clan there was one member that Ramiela trusted fully and for some reason he always found it the most difficult to punish her for even her small crimes. Yes he encouraged her to act up and misbehave but Raphael just might be the only hope I had of introducing this lesson to Rama with any success.
I found Raph and explained the situation to him as well as my concerns.
" Ramiela trust you Raph and she might feel safer if you were there. Plus with your help we can show her how easily ninja can get out such predicaments. If you were near she might accept the game a bit better."
" Mr. Perfect needs my help. World must be coming to an end" Raph gloated cheerfully.
" Ramiela also needs your help if you won't do it for me at least do it for her" I reminded him.
" The kid isn't the one who is asking Leo" Raph pointed out.
I rolled my eyes in frustration " Will you or won't you Raph? That is all I want to know," I said with a sigh as I crossed my arms over the plastron.
" Sure Leo. I'll help ya make it fun for Rama" Raph agreed with a smirk on his face.
I could tell that he wasn't going to be letting me live it down either, he'd be using this to his advantage somehow in some way in the near future I was sure of it. I didn't have much of a choice though.
" Uncle Raphael you comes to watch my lesson with Sensei" Ramiela squealed with delight as she spotted him, she forgot all the rules and tore over to Raph to hug him as if she hadn't seen him for ages instead of just a few hours ago." Nope I've cone to help him" Raph corrected her.
Ramiela scowled a confused expression clearly showed on her face " Sensei needs your helps?"
" Yeah hard to believe huh?" Raph admitted.
I decided enough of that " Ramiela what are you supposed to do when you enter the dojo for a lesson?" My tone was firm and carried just the slightest hint of rebuke.
Raph rolled his eyes as a shock look came over Ramiela's face.
She turned and came towards me bowing humbly " Sumimasen ga Sensei" she said contritely.
" Yurusu" ( forgiven)
" Ramiela I asked your uncle Raphael to help with today's lesson because that way it will be much more fun for you. I know how you enjoy playing games with him" I explained.
Ramiela perked up at the sound of 'game' and she looked up her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
" It new game Sensei?"
" Yes" I agreed knowing I had her attention now " The game I'm going teach you today is called escape. You know what escape means don't you Ramiela?"
" Don't that mean to gets away from somethings bad?"
" That is right it means to get out of or away from any thing that might be dangerous to you." I agreed. I could sense that I still had her interest but the next part was going be the deciding factor. " For today you are going to learn how to escape from ropes which have tied you up."
Ramiela jerked back at my gentle words and I saw fear in her eyes and sensed it rising inside of her " No please Sensei. Don't ties me," she begged her eyes filling with tears.
" Ramiela trust me it won't hurt you." I spoke soothingly but I could tell that she wanted nothing to do with this lesson she was shaking her head violently and looked like she wanted to make a break for it.
Raph came forward and placed a reassuring arm around her shoulder she instantly turned to both hug and cling to him desperately eyeing me with trepidation.
" Why don't you want to play the game Ramiela?"
" Shay tied me and then she hurted me and made me sick. It not fun Uncle Raphael." Ramiela chocked out.
" That is only because Leo here hadn't taught you how to play escape before that. You know how funny it would have been if when Shay tied you up you got loose on her?"
Rama only sniffed and clung tightly to Raph it was clear to me that she was expecting her favourite Uncle to save her from her mean Sensei.
Ramiela knew that she would not be leaving the dojo without being tied up, I was being a monster but Raph was her protector, her security. Part of Raph's job was to help convince Rama to allow this to happen and keep her calm enough to pay attention to the lesson.
" Shay could never have made you sick if you had been free Ramiela" Raph told her.
" Ramiela kunoichis and ninja both have to learn how to escape from being tied up. If you don't learn this you will never be a proper kunoichi" I hoped those words would appeal to her.
" Don't wanna Sensei" she declared " Don't lets him do that's" She told Raph.
" You know we won't hurt you right?" I asked.
" I knows that still don't wanna though," Ramiela snapped letting me know exactly where she stood on this matter.
I allowed her this momentary disrespect towards me, knowing she was upset.
Raph grinned and began play fighting with Ramiela at first she seemed to ignore it but then joined in " I bet I know what your problem is kid" he said reaching through to tickle her and she giggled a bit.
I had to wonder if this was normally how Raph carried on a lesson but his playful antics did seem to be helping her to start to relax a little.
" I bet you think no ninja could get away when they are tied up. After all you were tied up and you couldn't get loose right?" Raph asked.
Rama nodded ever so slightly " yeah it not funny" she insisted " it scarys."
" Really?" Raph asked astounded as if such a thought hadn't occurred to him " I think it is a great joke and I know how much you love playing jokes."
" Maybe Ramiela might feel a bit better Raph if she could see how easily one of us could get out of such a position" I suggested kindly. So far Raph was doing his part well he was keeping her relatively calm but I wanted her to agree to be tied and I didn't think she was there quite yet.
" Your Sensei is into bondage," Raph murmured.
" Whats…" Ramiela began.
" Never mind forget it kid. I'll show you how funny this is" Raph interrupted her quickly.
I took the rope from out of my belt and began tying Raph up using one of the more complex ways to do so, he was fully trained and I wasn't going to go easy on him. Rama watched with great care as I did my work.
I then gave Raph a pat on the shoulder " Let's see how long it takes for you to get out of that" I stated coolly before backing off.
" Too easy Leo." Raph chuckled.
In less then three minutes he was free of his restraints " That wasn't even a challenge" he snorted.
Rama laughed " Uncle Raphael gots free. He escapes sensei," she cheered.
" So he did! Maybe it is because he is a ninja." I hinted winking at my niece. " How bout we let Raph tie me up now?"
Rama nodded eagerly.
" Oooh kinky!" Raph murmured, " I just hope Sara doesn't come home early and see this she might change her mind if she thinks I'm into stuff like this."
Of course Raph had to use one of the most difficult ones to get out of before giving me permission to play Houdini.
As I worked the ropes I explained to Ramiela exactly what I was doing and got Raph to show her so she could see for herself, part of the tricks ninja used to escape from such bonds. Due to my explanation and taking my time for the demonstration it did take me longer then normal to work myself loose but I was still out in five minutes time.
Ramiela grinned as she saw me stand with the loose ropes.
" See Ramiela once you know how to do it, it is very easy. Now will you let me tie you so you can play escape too?" I asked softly, keeping my tone as gentle and encouraging as I could.
I saw Rama glance towards Raph.
" It's okay kid we are both right here. You are a brave kunoichi you can do this" he assured her.
" What if I cant's?" she moaned.
" Then I will personally let you loose and I'll beat Leo up for you as well if you want." He vowed.
I didn't like the idea of just letting her go if she decided she had enough but still I figured Raph might have the right of it. If she permitted herself to be tied up it would be a big step. This might have to be done slowly by degrees as Ramiela felt more secure with the whole deal.
" I promise Ramiela we will let you go if you think you can't but you do have to try for us okay?" I vowed.
" Okay I let Sensei trys" Ramiela finally agreed.
I could still sense her fear and uncertainty.
" That is a very brave kunoichi Ramiela," I crooned gently.
I made sure that the rope was loose around her wrist and easy for her to slip out of, I wanted her to get out of it the first few times. This was more about getting her over her fear and building confidence then it was on escaping at the moment. Later we could make it harder for now nice and easy was the only way to go.
As I bound her hands behind her carapace I could hear Raph whispering softly to her though I couldn't catch a single word he was saying I knew he was doing his best to keep her calm and reassured that it was all right.
" Now Ramiela I want you to think of what I told you about how to escape. Do you remember what I said and did?"
Ramiela sniffed a bit and shut her eyes then in a trembling voice replied " Tuck thumb into the palm and curve hand up to make it smaller" she said in a quiet little voice.
" You do remember. Very good Ramiela. Remembering how to escape is the most important thing" I encouraged her.
Of course she ought to relax as well but at the moment I doubted that she would relax any further then she was at this moment.
" Go ahead and try to get out now Ramiela"
For a moment she just struggled in almost a wild panic then she paused and I could see her start to try and work things out slowly.
A couple minutes later she had freed one hand from the ropes. A large relieved smile crossed her face " I did its."
" You sure did Ramiela. You were able to escape because you knew how to do it. You are becoming a wonderful kunoichi" I approved letting her sense my feeling of approval as well as hear them. " Want to try it again?" I asked.
" Okay" she nodded though it wasn't too eagerly it was at least more promising then flat refusal.
This time I made the rope just a bit tighter, though still loose enough to permit an easy escape for the novice she was.
Ramiela proved she had learned from her last effort for she didn't waste time struggling and got out quicker then she had before.
" That was very well done Ramiela and I think that has been enough for now." I dismissed her allowing her early freedom.
I sighed and gave Raph a grateful look " That went far better then I expected. Thanks Raph I don't think I could have done it with out you."
" No problem Leo. Such a pity the kid didn't know this before if she had Shay might not have gotten the drug into her."
" True, at least now though she has some much needed confidence to replace the fear." I said.
Raph nodded " Do you want me for her next escape lesson too Leo?"
" Maybe just to be on the safe side Raph." I admitted
" Okay I'll be here" Raph declared before going off.
I watched him leave. I knew it was only because of that close friendly bond Raph had with Ramiela that had allowed Rama to accept being tied up by me in the first place. If I had tried it without him it would have been a disaster. The bond those two shared had helped Ramiela face and start on the path to conquering her fear.
It was a good day!
Still it never ceased to amaze me how the brother who had irritated me the most in our growing years could every once in a while in his adulthood make such a big difference for the better.
TBC