Reflections

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

Author's Note: Well I am going post this before I disappear for my vacation for two weeks, which means fans probably won't get much from me for the next two weeks other then the story Reinbeauchaser and I are doing that is, which could give fans their Rama fix if they are really desperate.

Thanks all for the reviews.

Epilogue:

" I don't get it Rama, Why would you go asking Leo for more responsibility after all the fuss you created about being picked as the future jonin?" Dad inquired giving me a sidelong glance.

He was at the present moment mixing up a large batch of pastry dough some of it would be used in dinner tonight the rest was to be used for berry turnovers for dessert.

" You know me dad I just love confusing you" I replied cheerily, " When I have driven you completely and utterly insane then I know I have done my job right and I can retire a success." I joshed playfully.

" Retire a nuisance more like it" Dad countered.

" I'm all ready that" I reminded him, " What's a matter memory going on you old man?"
Dad turned and gave me a pained look his voice edged with worry and concern as he spoke next " Why Rama?"

It was his tone and that look which really hit me. One of these days I just might figure out why he felt he had to be so protective of me when I was fully capable of caring for myself.

I guess he really couldn't help it maybe all the weird things that had happened to me in my youth had caused him to become overprotective and he just couldn't help it now. I supposed I ought to get used to it, as I doubted very much, that he would be changing any time soon.

I turned back to my present chore husking all the corn for dinner before helping dad make the dessert. Dad meanwhile was rolling out the pastry dough to lay the hamburger meat on it for hamburger roll ups.

I looked down at my hands as they quickly stripped the green leaves off and peeled all the fuzzy strands with it.

" I think it will really help me dad besides Uncle Donatello has better things to do and I doubt Uncle Raphael would want the duties fully on himself." I shrugged, I had a feeling that Sensei would have preferred Uncle Donatello as a fulltime chunin, but with him doing teaching of school basics there was just no way he could do it all.

" Rama it is going to be hard enough learning to be jonin," Dad protested as he rolled up the pastry around the meat.

I cut him off " I realize that dad but as a future jonin I ought to be aware of certain details and I might learn those details better this way" I explained. I paused and smiled up at him " Come on have a little faith in me all right dad?"

Dad made a soft snort " Well Leo hasn't agreed to it yet" he mumbled almost hopefully.

" No" I groaned softly wondering if that would be good or bad news for me, " Doesn't matter though because if he won't do it I'll ask Uncle Raphael to teach me what he can" I said determinedly.

" Rama the decision of the clans business is…"

" For the Jonin alone to determine. I'm aware of that dad but if I am going to give my best to the clan in the future it might be worth training me this way." I insisted trying to keep from rolling my eyes in frustration at him. " Trust me!"

" Suddenly I am very worried" Dad said giving me a mock scowl.

" It will be all right," I vowed.

Dad gave a sad wistful little smile and a slow almost regretful shake of his head " Just look at you so old and mature for your years and turning into a beautiful woman. How did I ever get so lucky to have a daughter like you?"

I shrugged uneasily feeling suddenly embarrassed at his words " Yeah right," I couldn't help but scoff, " most of the time you can't stand to be around me."

Dad gave a little laugh " Other way sweetheart" he corrected. " Though I have to admit you weren't as bad as you were even a few years back. Your hormones must be starting to settle down as you become an adult."

" An adult as in an old fogey like you? Never." I proclaimed.

" Age is relative Rama."
" No you are relative, age is irrelevant" I retorted word play could be a wonderful thing.

Kaliann came into the kitchen and announced " Ramiela dad wants to see you in the meditation room."

I gulped nervously somehow knowing this was it! Sensei had finally made his decision after three days, and for some inexplicable reason I felt suddenly nervous.

A strange thought popped into my head " What if he decided against it?"

I sighed it really didn't matter I would find some other way even Sensei himself had noted that it was one of my many traits that had caused Splinter to choose me as the future jonin in the first place.

I turned and washed my hands at the kitchen sink quickly " Thanks Kaliann."

She nodded absently as she watched dad " Mmmm, berry turnovers my favourite. Can I help please?"

" Sure thing" Dad acknowledged her request " Well, what are you hanging around here for Rama you asked for this. So make like a ninja and disappear," He told me kindly " after all it is not good to keep your Sensei or the jonin waiting and Leo happens to be both."

I left the kitchen cutting across the living room and down the juncture of pipes that lead to the dojo, playground and meditation room as well as Splinter's bedroom.

I tapped lightly on the door and entered bowing low to greet Sensei in the customary fashion and way.

As usual I could pick up nothing from him, not a hint or a clue of any kind to warn me what I was in for. Sensei was very good at masking his intentions.

Patience I counseled myself.

" Ramiela you are fully aware that I didn't have to consider you request for you had no right to step out of bounds in the way you did" his tone was slightly sharp.

I gulped trying to keep from fidgeting or trembling.

" You vowed to act a proper kunoichi then you go assuming that you know better once again."

I winced inwardly as I realized the truth of that statement. I really had done it again and I hadn't meant to, it just made so much sense to me that I couldn't help it and I acted on impulse instead of thinking things through.

I knew I really had no right to the honor or duties of chunin and that the jonin's decision was final.

Sensei smiled and it softened his features a bit " However your request did have merit and in spite of, often, your improper behaviour and attitude your one desire is to bring and maintain honor in the clan" his tone was lighter and warmer now " a very good incentive for a ninja."

I grasped quickly to this hoping it would play out the way I wanted it too, I didn't think Sensei would tease me by leading me to believe there was a chance only to yank it away from me.

" I figured that I would want you properly trained however, which means I don't want Raphael teaching you." He smirked a bit as he said the last bit.

I gave him my wide eyed innocent stare " Would I do that?" I asked sweetly laying one hand against my plastron.

Sensei just gave me a pointed stare but didn't even bother answering " In return I want your full willingness and no complaints" he paused and arched both eye ridges as next he spoke, " remember what they say about being careful what you wish for you might get it."

" I am ready for the challenge Sensei."

He cupped his hands around my chin and raised my head to meet his eyes.

" I warn you that it will be a challenge, but I know you will do well Kunoichi."

I grinned relieved that I was going be taught the way I was hoping to be. I was fully determined to live up to the challenge of learning both to be chunin and later jonin.

I wasn't exactly sure of how Sensei planed on getting me there but I at least knew where I was going and I knew I had the perfect guide for the journey I was about to undertake.

The End.

Lenni: Glad you enjoyed it.

Reinbeauchaser: Another visit? I wish it were only that easy. Rama plans on coming with me on my vacation. Again! Oh well my little muse better do her job. She is fictional right? Sometimes I have to wonder about that.

Pretender: It is funny what a healthy dose of ninja training and humility can do to a person even a bratty teenager. And yes I certainly plan on having a great vacation as long as Rama doesn't drive me insane that is. Ah well it is a short trip.

Thanks one and all.