Reflected Future

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

Epilogue:

Splinter:

Michaelangelo and I stood outside of the dojo carefully observing Leonardo as he instructed Ramiela in her lesson. I was glad that my son had come to accept this part of his daughter's training, though I knew he still had his doubts and uncertainties he did not try to oppose her training rather he sought to find peace with in himself.

I reached up placing my hand on his shoulder and he looked down at me smiling " Sometimes I wonder why it has got to be her" he whispered.

I glanced up at him furrowing my brow slightly at his words " That is not the correct question my son and it will not reveal the answers that you seek from within" I replied honestly.

He arched an eye ridge staying silent as he considered my words " There is no one way to ask nor one correct answer either" he finally replied to my statement.

I nodded accepting those words " Continue" I encouraged him.

" It is how you asks that provides the answers that you seek" he finished giving me just a hint of an amused smirk.

" Good then you should know the reason for me not deigning to reply to that question." I declared quickly.

He chuckled " But Master I didn't ask a question I merely said…" he began.

" I am fully aware of what you said and it still does not need a reply" I declared sharply lashing my tail slightly as I turned to stare up at him through narrowed eyes " for while you did not ask with words you asked with your heart and your soul" I countered, I shook my head a bit " You accept but still you can not help questioning if you are right in the choice you made." I informed him.

I turned and gestured for him to follow me as I headed towards the meditation room. I could sense more then see his shrug before complying and falling into step with me.

" It is a lot to get used to all at once Master and I know what dangers and responsibilities will be asked of her" he hastened to explain, " I know all of that training intensifies when it goes from regular jenin training to jonin."

" True" I confirmed, " that is why it is best to start them young when the student is more willing to absorb the teacher's lessons then waiting for when they are teenagers and longing to find their own path." I turned my head to smile up at him " Still you asked why it had to be her, and if that is your question then I must reply why not Ramiela"

I entered the meditation room while Michaelangelo leaned against a wall giving me a perplexed look as if he did not understand what I was getting at.

I sighed softly and turned to light some candles and incense while I explained myself " The word 'why' Michaelangelo is a word that is connected to what purpose or reason do you have. It is sometimes used in surprise or indignation." I knew he ought to be fully aware of this fact but I was just reminding him of it " A young child may ask why a hundred times or more in a day to learn about their surroundings but when an adult asks why sometimes the true meaning is hidden." I paused and turned back to face him " So when you ask why her in such a guarded fashion, you then search for a reason or purpose to blame me for choosing her in the first place."

I knew this was not quite so but knowing how he still struggled with it I felt it might be wise to try and help him through his doubts, that is if he would let me.

Michaelangelo gave me a shocked and apologetic look " I didn't mean it quite like that Master" he insisted.

" I realize that my son" I said softly " I sense the struggle you have at letting her go. Though you know she must become ninja, that she has accepted this path even for herself." I assured him

" It is just going to take time Master" Michaelangelo mumbled a bit as he slightly hung his head.

I sat down on one of the mats sinking slowly and gracefully as I could " So if you are willing to ask yourself why, are you then willing to ask yourself why not?"

" I can't say that I have Master," he admitted as he came over and sat down across from me, moving with ease.

Ah, to be young again.

" Then do me a favour my son and answer me truthfully and from the heart as well as the soul and tell me why not Ramiela?"

I saw him consider this as he chewed on his bottom lip and I smiled inwardly for if he could find a reasonable reply to that question then he should have been saying it by this point.

" You can think of nothing my son? No response comes to answer that question which is put to you?" I inquired with an arched eyebrow.

I knew, as did he the fact Ramiela was his daughter was not reason enough for her to be exempt from such training. It was nothing more than a cheat, like suiciding a piece in the game of wei chi.

I waited patiently for a few minutes with nothing Michaelangelo slowly and sadly shook his head and glanced my way.

" I don't know why it can't be here or shouldn't be her," He finally confessed.

" Very well Michaelangelo, so she is acceptable to be trained as a jonin on that we can agree. Now tell me why not again," I said.

He jerked back slightly his face scrunching up yet again as he tried to puzzle out what I was saying and asking of him. I decided for once to be nice and help him out in the direction I was trying to lead him.

" Can you my son point to any trait Ramiela shows that would make her either unworthy or unsuitable to becoming a future jonin?" I inquired more directly.

He grinned now as he understood what I had been pointing at as if a light had dawned, the problem with speaking in riddles was sometimes it took time for the person hearing them to solve, so once in a while a nudge was necessary. Speaking in riddles only meant they paid attention and later sought their own wisdom from the words, for often the greatest wisdom comes from within.

" Well I suppose even her stubbornness and sense of humour could be an asset to her as a jonin." He paused " however her temper and impulsiveness could cause problems."

This time I smiled at him " Her temper is off set by the gentle nature she inherited from you. She is kind and compassionate." I chuckled a little " the impulsiveness of youth does give way to maturity in time."

I knew this for a fact for Raphael had been proof of that. In his youth his temper and his ready impulse to charge head long into a battle without stopping to consider the odds had been a thorn in the side of Leonardo. But now in his early twenties Raphael was slowly starting to get a handle on his anger and was also more willing to wait to see what could be learned first. There was still a great distance for Raphael to travel along that route but I could rest easy that he was at least less likely to lead his brothers into danger.

Ramiela would learn too and with the traits she had from her father to balance the other traits out I felt that she would most likely learn far more quickly then Raphael had.

" Besides Michaelangelo sometimes it is necessary for a jonin to rush in without hesitation. The trick is, knowing when to attack and when to learn by patiently holding your ground without being seen. When to advance and when to retreat." I nodded " she will learn this."

" It is a big challenge though Master" Mike said a bit worried for her.

" True it is a challenge but your daughter is not one to run from a challenge, even inside when she might run and hide she will try to face the challenge that is presented to her" I laughed a bit " she even challenges herself Michaelangelo in some of the games she plays."

" The challenges she will face aren't games Master." Mike disputed quickly anguish in his face and tone.

I reached over and gently laid my hand on his arm " Not all challenges can be born of games some are born of our fears and if we find the strength to face that fear we grow even stronger from it." I told him " take a look at the game of escape. Ramiela could have run or fought Leonardo over it she knows what she suffered when she was tied last time. She could have what's the word?"

" Freaked?" Mike supplied.

" Exactly" I nodded, " Instead she stayed and faced the challenge and has learned from it. She didn't have to choose that option Michaelangelo."

I knew that even Leonardo had been impressed with how well she had done the first time, even with Raphael to help him and tying Rama loosely to help her gain confidence at first had been something that he knew could have been made far more difficult if Ramiela had chosen to fight him instead of permitting it.

Of course Leonardo did not let her know how impressed and pleased he had been he had tried to give every indication that it was something that had to be done and as her Sensei he was going see it done no matter what, not once showing his true feelings keeping them well hid, so well hid that he hadn't even acknowledged them until we talked it over later that day.

" Ramiela likes a challenge and she does well when she is challenged. She also does her best to learn from her mistakes." I declared if I was sure of anything I was sure that Ramiela would always face a challenge given to her " She needs a life where she will be challenged for that will continue to bring out the best in her."

Mike looked into my eyes and then in an awed voice said " You picked it for her because it will suit her as she grows."

I nodded " Partly my son I picked her because she has many traits and abilities that a future jonin needs. I feel if she shows them so strongly at this age that it is a sign to us to guide her down that path. I did not pick it for her as much, as I think she picked it for herself." I explained my whiskers twitching " now that you know that information you also know why her." I concluded.

Michaelangelo bowed low while still in a sitting position " Thank you Sensei. I understand now and I will work harder at accepting her future."

I bowed in return perhaps now he could put his doubts to rest, at the very least he was coming to accept his daughter's role in the clan as the future Jonin.

He would have to learn to let go as his daughter grew into the role and learned more about the path she was now to walk, personally I was quite sure that Ramiela would be up to the challenge.

The End

Reinbeauchaser: As I said before Rama might not know everything she is getting into cause all Rama knows is she wants to be a ninja.

Thanks all for your reviews.