Reflected Future

Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians. The Japanese sentences in this chapter may not be entirely correct either as I only use an English- Japanese dictionary and I tend to use English sentence structure in writing out the sentences I use.

Chapter Five:

Leonardo:

I was in the dojo early for the lesson I'd soon be giving to Ramiela, since I had some spare time I worked my way through a few katas to help me relax.

Ramiela was a fairly good student for me most of the time; Don I knew had his hands full with just about any lesson that he tried to teach her.

It wasn't that Don didn't have, or even refused to wield any authority over her for he did use his authority through various punishments, however Ramiela refused to accept his authority over her. He could coax her, or punish her and no matter what he tried it ended with the same results a very stubborn student.

The clan had always let Ramiela know of their disapproval of her actions towards Don in these matters and yet, she persisted waging her own battle of wills against my brother and we had yet to find the solution to the problem that would end up in making Ramiela a far more agreeable student.

Splinter believed that her problem with Don's teachings went deeper and Ramiela as yet was either unwilling or unable to communicate what the true problem was. Much as her days of stealing Raph's sai had been put to her fear of having 'too many fingers' the only way she could then explain that her five fingers might not be as adept at controlling the sai as Raph's three fingers. Since we all had three fingers I suppose it was a worthy enough justification for her doubts.

Ramiela might not understand it yet, but we had all told her, numerous times in fact that what Don had to teach her would be important to her as a kunoichi. She took all other ninja training eagerly and yet the lessons Don taught of math, history, science, languages and the like was always met with resistance on her part.

She had a very strong stubborn streak, something that I knew Mike hadn't given to her, but I recalled Shay could be just as determined at times when she had her mind set on something. Recent events had more then proven that fact, she wanted Ramiela and had determined to find and remove her. A part of her might have loved her long lost daughter a little, but for the most part she had wanted to hurt Mike by taking Rama away from him, then exploiting her daughter for her own gain. Not exactly what most people would be able to see as a loving caring devoted mother.

I recalled Don once complaining to me after one very trying day " I am sure she is capable of doing what I ask of her, I just have the feeling she won't give it to me. I might be able to force it from her but she won't give it freely."

Don's grievances were valid and I often wondered about how her training as Jonin was going to go if she continued to resist teachings that would benefit her later on. It was frustrating to know that somehow I had to turn her into an acceptable leader of the clan while she persisted in resisting, and acting up.

Still Splinter kept telling me she was young and her stubbornness could be an asset, reminding me that I bore a stubborn streak of my own.

However the more open and willing to learn the better for there was a great deal of ground to cover, and while she would not have to learn it as quickly as I did it would be advantageous for her to accept her lessons no matter who it was teaching her.

I accepted Splinter's proposal of training her but it didn't mean that I was as of yet at peace with his decision or choice. For I often wondered what sort of Jonin she was going turn out to be and where she would end up taking our clan once the responsibility for it rested on her shoulders.

Rama came skipping into the dojo as I was in the midst of the mi lu kata Mike was close behind her.

Mike had been scrutinizing his daughter's lesson very carefully recently. Though he hadn't interfered or caused problems in her training his silent subtle rejection of Ramiela's future was clear to me. He had yet to make peace with the decision, and I suppose I couldn't blame him as I still had doubts of my own. Course my doubts had little to do with the training aspect and where it was taking her for I had accepted that much.

I had a feeling if Mike thought Ramiela was being taught something he felt was inappropriate to simple jenin training he'd be stepping in to put a stop to things.

Of course I had noticed that whenever Splinter was instructing Ramiela Mike was more conspicuous by his absence. He knew Splinter's interest in her training, plus the fact that he was taking a hand in it could mean only one thing, and it didn't sit well with him. However Mike for years trained, as we all were, to respect our father/Sensei didn't know how to go against him now.

Mike knew that there was time to put a stop to things and I had no doubt that he was plotting and scheming up ways to do just that. He was very inventive. So his silence now meant nothing more then perhaps coming trouble, in the same way fast gathering clouds could quickly blow away or mean the coming of a storm.

" Sensei, a new katas. You teaches me that one?" Ramiela yelled excitedly as I finished up the kata and stood up.

" The mi lu kata is out of your range Ramiela," I informed her tenderly.

She rolled her eyes " That's whys you gots to teach me, then it not out of range" She explained simply " Sides I wants to learn it. I gonna be kunoichi" she declared tossing her head a bit and giving me that stubborn, mulish look I knew all to well.

I sighed inwardly admiring her dedication in wanting to learn things that were new to her, at least in this aspect of her life. She loved learning any new trick of ninja that she could. Still I knew she wasn't ready for this kata.

" When you are ready I will train you. A ninja must be patient, most of the battles a ninja fights are fought within the mind," I cautioned her.

"Sensei you gots lots of new kicks in the kata I wants to learns it" she demanded stomping her foot and glaring up at me.

I stepped forward until I was toe to toe with her, drawing myself up straight and tall so she would be forced to look up at me, I allowed her to sense and feel my disapproval " Ramiela I said no!" I spoke firmly with an edge to my tone " You will learn it when I figure you are ready. We are going to do other things today."

Rama slowly drew her eyes upward and stepped back but I moved with her, while she was only about half my size I knew the extra height could be intimidating to her and I wasn't against using such tactics against her when she acted up with me, which thankfully wasn't all that often.

Ramiela gulped then hung her head " I sorry Sensei" she mumbled.

I continued to stand over her as I crossed my arms over my plastron. Ramiela shuddered wincing slightly before humbly bowing her head and peeking up at me through her bangs a low whimper escaped her throat.

Once I felt she had shown proper submissiveness as well as respect and a willingness to now listen, I relaxed my stance and backed off bowing in return to her.

" Are you ready to learn now?" I asked using Japanese.

" Hai Sensei" she replied meekly " motomeru chishiki" ( Yes sensei I seek knowledge.)

Ramiela was slowly learning to speak Japanese in the dojo as a form of respect to our roots, the only time we neglected the aspect of our training was when a guest might be overseeing a lesson. For we refused to speak other languages around guest for fear they took offence at words they had no understanding of.

" Yoi motte iru oku no oshieru" I replied ( good because I have much to teach you.)

" What's you going teach me sensei?" She asked politely now willing to forget her reluctance and get with whatever schedule I had in mind.

" We are going to work a little more on the game of escape" I told her watching her carefully.

Shay had taught Rama to fear ropes and being tied up but with Raph's help I was slowly able to overcome her fear and build up the confidence she needed in dealing with being tied up and how to escape such things. I was still taking the 'game' slow with her, giving her plenty of time and reassurance to counter the negative aspect she had dealt with.

After half an hour of Ramiela escaping in ways that would make any magician envious I praised her work and efforts.

" Now while you are not fully ready to do all of the mi lu kata I will teach you one of the kicks that are in it." I told her.

A large toothy grin and a quick clap of her hands as she immediately danced a jittery step from one leg to the other and back again on the spot where she stood, was all I needed to see to tell me she was thrilled by the prospect.

She turned around in her excitement, to face Mike " daddy sensei's gonna teach me a new kicks"

Mike smiled back in return " I heard babe, that's great" he said sounding anything but amused.

Rama scowled slightly " Nots a babe daddy." She informed him before turning her attention back to me.

I glanced towards Mike giving him a teasing glance.

" Try to control your enthusiasm Mike" I chided gently before looking down at Ramiela and kneeling before her so we were on eye level " The kick I'm going be teaching you is a sweep kick, called that because it sweeps your opponent off his feet. It is simple and effective."

I saw her scowl a bit at the last word.

" What that word mean Sensei?" she wondered.

" Effective?" I asked arching an eye ridge at her.

She nodded vigorously. I knew Ramiela had a thing for words, she always wanted to know what new words meant and she would often use them properly afterwards though at times she mixed her words up.

" It means if the kick is performed correctly that it works very well." I told her.

She nodded again a look of intense concentration on her face.

" Ninja often refer to the sweep kick as a dragon tail kick." I continued.

" I likes dragons and unicorns too" Rama interjected quickly.

I chuckled and tousled the hair on the top of her head " I know you do. Now watch what I do carefully…" I took her through it step by step.

Then I got her to practise the move at first having to correct her body or leg position insuring that she had both at the correct angle needed. By the end of the lesson she was doing a fairly good job of the kick.

So I praised her and then dismissed her with the usual bow of respect and she returned the bow going deeper, as was proper for a student towards a teacher.

" Arigato gozaimasu wakemae anata no chishiki Sensei" ( Thank you for sharing your knowledge.)

" Do itashimashite" ( Your welcome.) I replied in return.

Ramiela headed off towards Mike but part way there she whirled around and ran back towards me. I was about to chide her for running in the dojo, which was against her rules, and the rules of the dojo itself.

She took me by surprise by suddenly throwing her arms around me and hugging me tight while resting her head on my plastron.

" Loves you Sensei."

Mike chuckled a little as he saw me stroke her hair and back, dropping my Sensei persona with her words and hugging her back, instead of disciplining her for her lapse in behaviour.

" Leo your turning into a softey letting her break rules in exchange for an I love you," Mike scoffed, " what would Splinter think?"

" Come off it Mike I am an Uncle to her too, I think I can let it go this time" I stated as I winked at Ramiela in a conspirator way and had to laugh a bit when she scrunched up her face in attempt to return the gesture.

It wasn't always easing being both Uncle and Sensei to my niece for I was most often in the role of sensei to her, and that relationship was acknowledged by her constantly calling me Sensei outside the dojo.

It made me miss the days when I had only been Unca Eo to her but she had reminded me of it now. I smiled down at her and loosened my hug.

Sometimes I reflected teaching and learning really could be a two way street.

TBC

Reinbeauchaser: I am not sure how far I intend to go with this either. But time will tell.

Lenni: Rama might be naïve about somethings but her world is a little different from what we grew up in as well.