Reflected Future

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

Part One:

 Splinter:

 I knew my time was coming, though thankfully I did not know the time of my passing, nor would I want to for that matter. I could feel it in the persistent aching of my bones and how easily I became stiff and soar from what used to come so easily to me in my youth.

My mind, however, was still sharp as ever and I knew that the only doubts that came with any decision were the ones that often came with hindsight, when one could look back and see the mistakes that were made far more clearly.

I was not above making mistakes, but I was old enough to realize that my errors provided me wisdom and, I was not opposed to learning from them. Probably the greatest mistake I had ever made was asking my sons to restore lost honour.

 I thought it had been the right choice at that particular space in time but I did not know then the path I was leading my sons down.

I know that Raphael has often felt that he should have been the leader over Leonardo, and there had been a time I had considered him as the leader but his aggressive attitude made me choose Leonardo over him.

This set up a rivalry between the two most competitive sons, and for many years they were often at each other but now, that he has matured somewhat, I believe that Raphael understands why he was overlooked and is even thankful for the freedom he has.

At that time the choice had not been easy but it was for the best. Leonardo's nature won him the rank of being the future jonin, but it also meant less free time and more training. It was quite a burden I had placed upon my young son. Yet he proved himself worthy of the challenge.

Time was passing and while I knew that my sons would be safe from harm with Leonardo as their jonin I was also painstakingly aware that another jonin might need to be picked to care for the future generation.

At the moment there was only Michaelangelo's six and a half year old daughter Ramiela and Leonardo's twin year and a half old twins Aiden and Kaliann.

The very fact that my sons could indeed mate with humans opened the door to all new possibilities for my family, and while I only had three grandchildren I hoped deeply that all my sons would one day know the joy and suffering that came with raising children of their own.

I entered my bedroom leaning heavily on my cane I lit the candles in the room with a slow and shaky hand. I preferred the candles warm and welcoming glow to what I considered the harshness of electric lights. I was not opposed to electricity and was appreciative of all Donatello's skills had provided to us. Still there was something about a candle's flame that seemed far more inviting to me.

I cast my eyes over the corners of my room the small cot with the thick mattress, a bookcase holding scrolls and very old and treasured books, a few special mementos like the Japanese pictures that had come from my Master Yoshi's old home.

A battered wooden chest in one corner where I stored any number of odds and ends, I admit I was a bit of a pack rat but years of scavenging and never quite knowing what one might need and when, had taught me the value of holding on to such items that seemed trivial and useless.

It was very true, that saying about one person's treasure being someone else's garbage.

I sank to the woven bamboo and grass mats that were on the floor as I considered my options for the clan's future. My knees protested the movement cracking a bit as I did so.

I knew full well the burden that would come with this honour, a burden that would set the recipient very much a part from the other children in the clan.

Training to be a jonin could not be taken lightly and the student would need to be dedicated to the studies.

I gently eased into the lotus position, years of training had kept my body far more flexible then might be normal for me but the arthritic joints still had their way of letting me know that it was never as easy to do or maintain as it had been when I was younger.

I focused momentarily on each child and the traits they displayed.

Aiden had been first to do everything, leading the way for Kaliann. He was stubborn and that could be both good and bad depending on how he decided to use it as he grew.

I meditated focusing on the headstrong son of Leonardo and realized in short order that his stubbornness and strong will would make it difficult to train him in the years to come. In his adolescent when it would be necessary to give everything to his training he would rebel and fight authority in every way.

I then considered Kaliann, she was more submissive and quiet then her brother very willing and I had a sense that in the future she would be the more dedicated of the twins.

However there was a special bond that often formed between twins, and I did not know if Kaliann would be able to be firm as she might need to be with Aiden if she was chosen for the Jonin position.

It might be acceptable to pick Kaliann as the jonin and Aiden as the chunin but that might bring up dissention amongst the two siblings and end up making both of them relatively ineffective.

I shook my head, I knew that it was normal for leadership to pass from parent to child within a family, but I could not see either Aiden or Kaliann as a future leader to the clan. Besides I did have four sons and there was another child that could be considered.

Ramiela was five years older then her cousins and showed tremendous promise. Her age and lack of playmates or siblings in her younger years had in some ways set her apart from other children in the clan.

She was a precocious child and in her youth had spent a great deal of time watching my sons practice or spar in the dojo. Her time in the dojo observing had lead to her picking up ninja skills that she had yet to be trained in.

Ever since Karena had entered Leonardo's life Ramiela had the option of watching sessions her father and uncle worked at or not, but she was often found in or near the dojo more often then not.

Leonardo found that since he has started teaching her about real weapons that she is far more attentive and willing of a student then she had been previously. Now she fully intends on becoming a proper kunoichi of the clan.

It was thought that this discipline and training would be a useful foundation for when Donatello started to teach her the more practical education that could be just as valuable to her in life as the ninja training she was receiving.

I eased into meditation then over the three possible choices and found the answer that I felt would be suitable, but over the next few days I confirmed it, through further meditation and my own observations.

( ) ( ) ( )

Leonardo poured the tea before kneeling across me; he had spent a great deal of his free time over the years learning to be first chunin and then jonin. He had taken over many of my duties so that I might enjoy time doing what I liked in my elder years.

I knew this was a sacrifice on his part as it took him often away from his own family and I often had to encourage him to not forget them while tending to his old father.

" Leonardo have you considered who might be jonin after you?"

Leonardo gave a slow negative shake of his head " There is time for that Master." He protested.

" When time can be so uncertain and forever changing you can be so sure of this my son?" I asked pointedly " When training a future Jonin you must start when they are young if they are to be of any use to the clan" I declared firmly watching my son, scrutinizing his every look and movement for what he didn't say as well as listening for what he might say.

He scowled slightly considering my words carefully and I could tell he was a bit confused but his words soon made his uncertainties clear.

" They aren't even two years old Master," He stated quickly.

"Ramiela is ready NOW Leonardo," I stressed, " the twins might one day be worthy of such training but with a close bond that they may share, how can any of us set one above the other?" I inquired " Kaliann might one day be a worthy Chunin but I do not see her in the role of chunin."

" There is Aiden" Leonardo suggested helpfully.

" Aiden is driven yes, but he has a temper and can be willful and I can not see him ever being dedicated to ninjitsu as you are my son" I sighed, " these are not bad traits Leonardo but such traits can rule the person who has them and not the other way around."

Leonardo stared intently into my face " But Master…"

" Have you forgotten that Ramiela is also part of this family? She is all ready older and thus set apart from her cousins. In the future she will be expected to set an example for them" I explained, " they will learn to look up to and respect her because she is older then them. Plus she has all ready proven her dedication and drive that is necessary to her studies."

Leonardo gave a small smile " You mean the way she keeps after me for extra lessons and how she wants nothing more than to be a kunoichi?"

I nodded, realizing he was starting to see part of the reason why Ramiela had to be the future jonin " Exactly so my son" I agreed before taking a sip of the hot and fragrant tea.

" When she was two years and younger she was forever in the dojo watching and learning. Your children hardly enter the dojo but then it is not necessary for them to be there either. This difference sets Ramiela apart from your children Leonardo" I explained, " her world has been almost entirely one of ninja and ninjitsu an she has learned a great deal from both my son."

" She can be stubborn and willful too Master" Leonardo countered tactfully as he sipped from his own cup.

" True," I admitted for I could not deny it " yet her father has given her things that balance that willfulness his good nature and sense of humour will be an asset to her. Not to mention the intelligence she has shown and how she works out her problems," I reminded him.

Ramiela had more than proven her ability to problem solve when she had set out to continually steal Raphael's sais.

" She is the future Jonin Leonardo and she must be trained as such," I declared making sure there was no room for disagreement or argument on that count.

" I will see to it Master" Leonardo acquiesced.

I nodded my head every thing told me that Ramiela would be a good leader, strong and capable and the others would follow her lead. Everything I knew about her had lead me to believe this, the meditations confirmed it.

I was as sure of this as when I had picked Leonardo to be the leader of his brother and the future Jonin when I passed.

Still I noticed something unsettled about my son " Some thing troubles you Leonardo?"

" Mike isn't going to like this idea Master."

" Michelangelo should be proud it is a great honour that is being bestowed." I replied, " he might have a problem with that right now but he will come to accept it and feel that way in time."

TBC