Coming Of Age
Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adult or adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonian.
Chapter Three: A world of hurt
Rama opened her eyes and moved her head ever so slowly, her mind still slightly foggy, how ever the movement sent a jolt of pain pounding in her mind that equalled the ache in her left leg.
" Chikushio!" (damn) Ramiela snapped then she gave vent to a string of other swear words both in English and in Japanese.
She shivered a bit as she realized she was sitting in the filthy sewer water. She wrinkled her snout in disgust, instantly repulsed at being in such a position especially as the dirty water was covering part of the wound on her leg.
At the moment her pounding head decided to beat out the pain she had been having from her leg, either that or the water's cold temperature had helped numb some of the agony away.
Rama scowled " Great with my luck tonight, I'll get a major infection in it." If anything else could go wrong she didn't want to know about it. The evening had already gotten bad enough as it was.
Rama staggered to her feet and felt her head swim as she did so. With one hand she slowly reached back tentatively touching the back of her head. She could feel a large bump that felt tender to the touch and Rama instantly jerked her fingers away.
Rama sighed wearily, feeling very tired.
It was at least a good fifteen minute walk from here to home and that was at her normal pace. She doubted her ability of reaching home in that sort of time tonight.
Home had never seemed so far away to her. Rama then glanced back up the ladder, she knew she couldn't stay here waiting for help to arrive. Some person might look down here, true the odds were against it but the way her luck was going it would probably happen.
Rama leaned against the sewer pipe trying to consider her options, but with her head throbbing and pounding she was finding that it was almost impossible to think clearly.
Her pain filled memory did dredge up one bit of information from somewhere in her mind.
Sensei had for one of her lessons taken her for a walk around the sewer to familiarize her with certain emergency stashes within Rama's roaming grounds. Sensei had informed her at that time that they had many areas in the sewers, some better then others that had stashes of certain necessary supplies.
He had explained that there was times when it might be far too dangerous for her to return to the lair but she might have need of first aid supplies, food or weapons.
Rama had listened but she was also fully aware the homeless people once in a while would come in to the sewers so she glanced up at Leonardo and asked " What about the homeless though, don't they find our stuff and take it?"
Leonardo had smiled at her " The people who are homeless don't bother us and we don't bother them, though most of them are aware of our existence."
Rama scowled, " I thought it was bad for people to know about us. That they might hurt us." She disputed.
" The homeless are different Ramiela, most people topside don't view the homeless in high regard so they tend to ignore what the homeless might say." He chuckled a bit " In fact if the average person topside, were to hear from a homeless person about giant walking talking turtles who lived in the sewers, well that person would assume the poor soul was hallucinating." Leo smirked.
Rama giggled, " Fig leafs of the homeless imagination. Is that what we are?"
Leo nodded, " However, because we are aware of how hard it is to find certain necessary items, we do not begrudge the homeless any of our food or medical supplies. They often leave a payment in kind, a worn out blanket or a book. None of them want to bother just taking everything, for they know we wouldn't take kindly to it." He explained, " The homeless have their own code of honour, which for the most part they adhere to."
" What about the weapons though?" Ramiela wondered, not wanting to think of the damage a homeless person might do with a katana or sai, when they had not learned to respect the weapons.
Leo's face became quite stern " Our spare weapons we keep in very few spots, we don't have enough to throw away. They are always in well hidden places, and secured under a coded lock. One wrong number pushed and an alarm will alert Don." Leo stated, " Trust me that person won't get far."
Rama blinked trying to figure out if perhaps getting to one of the emergency places might be easier then getting home. She had never had to use any of those spots as of yet, but now she understood the need of them.
If her memory wasn't playing tricks on her there was a place, not far from here that she could go to. Plus she was almost certain it was one of the places that had weapons. If she was right she could set off the alarm and bring her Uncle Donatello to her by way of the alarm.
So she began her slow journey to the emergency area.
Normally it would have taken about ten minutes to get there, but Rama found her progress was slowed due to her leg and her aching head, in fact the trip took twice that long and Ramiela felt exhausted by the energy she had to put out to reach there.
She knew there was a small table with a few candles on it just within the pipe and through feel alone she managed to light one candle. Then she lit the other candles allowing their flames to cast a small warm, almost cheery glow to the pipes around her.
She cast her eyes around the small room, a battered rug with holes on it was on the floor, a small two person love seat, battered with stuffing coming out and the original colour faded sat in the middle of the room, close to a small square table. On some simple wooden shelves to Rama's left was the medical supplies, though no drugs of any kind was there.
However there was hydrogen peroxide, saline solution for cleaning wounds, bandages of all shapes and sizes, blankets, bottled water, tweezers and other necessities. There was also packaged food granola bars, fruit roll ups, dried fruit, energy bars and things like that.
To Rama's right was another area that was well hid behind a fake wall, behind the prop was the cupboard with the weapons and the other exit.
Rama sighed with relief as she felt the distant siren's song to sleep. ' Just a little longer then I will rest.' She told herself.
Her first order of business was letting the alarm send it's warning so she tended to that first. Then went back to the main area and gathered the supplies she needed to tend to her leg.
Rama propped her bad leg up on the table and grimaced as she saw it for the first time in the light. She was pretty sure that it was going to require stitches. She knew her father and Uncle often needed stitches.
She could easily see by the swelling of her leg and the redness of the wound that it wasn't good.
'Dad is going be so pissed with me! It is all that dumb kid's fault. He didn't have enough sense to get off the road.' She ranted to herself, 'I couldn't let him get hurt though.'
She gritted her teeth and took a deep breath before pouring the cleaning solution on her leg to flush the wound out of any dirt.
She felt a couple tears roll down her cheek that had escape her tightly squeezed eyes. When she thought she could manage no more of that she wrapped the wound up in a tensor bandage being careful as possible hoping the tensor bandage would at least stop some of the bleeding.
Then feeling as if she truly had been pushed well beyond her limits of endurance Rama laid back on the couch to sleep.
Don had been ready to retire for the night, it was late and he wanted to cuddle with Jen for a while and get some shut eye before going on his patrol. As he was about to leave the lab, he noted an alarm coming in a quick check on his computer verified the alarms location.
He reached for his bo staff and headed out to check out the alarm, knowing that it took precedent over any thing else at this moment.
As Don entered the living room he saw Mike heading for the front door " Mike what's up?" Don asked his brother quickly.
" Rama isn't back yet. It's after twelve and she left April and Casey's place about an hour ago." Mike stated his voice full of concern, " I phoned there but April had gone out when she heard sirens near Ramiela's route. She just called back a few minutes ago with the news Rama isn't topside any where."
Don could sense his brother's worries and fear for his daughter. He scowled at this news having been unaware of his niece's absence. " I just got an alarm on our weapons locker the one near Rama's entrance from topside. The two might be connected" Don theorized. " Either way I think we best do a search together." He advised Mike.
The two brothers left the lair staying quiet, not even conversing for fear of alerting any one that might be near by.
Though they ran into no problems and saw nothing suspicious they kept their senses on high alert to the least little thing that might warn them of any danger ahead.
Once they reached Ramiela's usual entrance though, Don spotted the drops of blood on the ladder. He instantly felt his brother's fear for Rama spike slightly. Mike gave a sad shake of his head as he touched the blood, that hadn't quite dried in the wet atmosphere of the tunnels. Don reached out giving Mike's shoulder a gentle squeeze offering silent support.
Don gestured with one arm indicating that it was time to move toward the emergency area where the alarm had sounded. Mike gave a grim nod in acknowledgement before following his brother's lead.
The sight of blood caused an urge to hurry inside both of them, but years of training couldn't be neglected or forgotten easily, so while the two continued to move at a quick pace they maintained caution with every step they took.
Don noted the blood on the threshold of the door way into the emergency room, he could also detect a faint light glow from under the well hidden door. Don's body tensed and he could sense Mike also brace himself for what ever might be beyond.
They entered the room ready for anything, but all that meet their gaze was Ramiela asleep on the love seat her legs on the small table, one of them bandaged up and a dark stain showing on the bandage.
Don moved out to check the rest of the area even though he had a feeling there was no one else there.
" Rama" Mike called out, feeling a wave of relief wash over him as he saw his daughter, yet he was also concerned with just where and how she had managed to damage her leg between April's place and the sewers. Neither April or Casey had mentioned Rama hurting herself in any way while at their place, so logically it had to of happened on her way home.
" Rama" Mike repeated.
Rama stirred this time opening her eyes ever so slightly and giving vent to a massive yawn. She winced suddenly and the two ninja could sense her pain with the slight movement. Rama whimpered a bit as she looked at them in a slightly confused way.
" Dad?" she croaked as if unwilling to believe her own eyes.
Mike sat on the table being careful not to jar her legs " What happened to you hon?" He inquired as he leaned forward reaching out to caress her face with one hand.
" I was crossing the road between April's and here when I saw a truck turning the corner. It was moving faster then it should have dad" Rama began she quickly decided not to mention anything about the child. " I dived to get out of the way but I guess the truck must have still hit me. Only I didn't feel it at first" Rama sniffed.
It can happen like that Ramiela. You can get hurt and not even realize how bad you are injured until later due to the adrenaline in your system." Don replied.
Rama looked over at her uncle " I think I might need stitches. It hurts so much I can't even put weight on it without it trying to kill me" she grumped, " I really didn't think I could get home like this."
" You all right other wise Rama?" Mike asked, noting that she was slurring her words slightly.
" Well when I was coming down into the sewer. I slipped on the ladder and fell. I must have banged my head on the sewer pipe though I don't remember even landing from my fall." She admitted.
Don took note that Rama was shivering ever so slightly as well, the shock of the two accidents must be wearing off " Did you set the alarm off?"
" Yeah, sorry about that. Easiest thing I could think of to get help." Rama apologized, " I'm cold and I'm tired and I want to go home" she whined.
Mike sighed, " I can understand that Rama llama ding dong."
Rama made a face at the nick name of her youth.
Mike chuckled a bit " I'm just glad that it isn't any worse. It must have taken a lot of guts to get here."
" Yeah my guts I still have" Rama quipped proving that her humour was intact.
" Now just to be on the safe side Rama, I am going to carry you home. I want you to try and keep your left leg as still as possible. While I do my best not to jostle you around too, much."
" I'm sorry dad I didn't mean to get hurt."
Mike shushed her " Accidents happen Rama, no one can predict when or where. So don't be so silly my girl. Soon as we get you home Don can check you out and then we will know how badly you have beat yourself up." Mike chided her gently as he picked her up.
Rama sniffed a bit " Thanks for coming dad."
" Thank me when you get my bill for the taxi service you are getting." He teased.
Rama instantly felt a bit better just having some of her family near. Her dad's gentle teasing and warm comforting embrace made her feel safe and protected.
True there were plenty of times Rama felt her dad was too protective of her, and all of his rules were just…so…well irritating to say the least. But right now she had to admit that she liked her dad's caring and the love he had for her. Right now it was very reassuring and she was grateful for it and for him.
Mike packed her straight into the infirmary and laid Rama down on the folding cot that the family used for a medical bed.
" I'll be right back," Mike promised, " I just want to give Casey a ring let him and April know we found you and you are home now."
" Okay dad." Rama watched her dad leave and turned to look at her uncle to see what he planned on doing to her. She knew her uncle was a very passive quiet fellow, very careful with any injuries, but she also knew he had this cruel malicious streak to poke and prod any injury to see where things hurt, and he loved to give needles.
Don smiled as he came over to the bed " Lets check out that head of yours first." Don gently parted her hair, noting the goose egg that had formed. He gently probed the surrounding area while Rama gritted her teeth and dug her fingernails into the edge of the bedding.
" Did you KO yourself when this happened?" Don asked as he continued to run his fingers lightly over her skull feeling for any other bumps or abnormalities.
" I think so for a bit. I remember falling and the next thing I knew I was waking up in the sewer water." Rama replied
Don nodded slightly " Are you feeling sick in any way since doing this?"
" I got a real bad headache, and I feel dizzy too. I just want to sleep" Rama moaned wearily.
" If I'm right sleep is the worst thing for you at the moment." Don muttered.
Rama rolled her eyes, sure all I want to do is sleep and he won't permit it.' She thought irritably to herself.
" Any nausea?"
" No. How come I can't sleep?" she protested.
Don stepped back and eyed his niece with a serious firm look " You probably have a slight concussion."
" What's that?" Rama demanded.
Mike who was just returning glanced at his daughter with amusement " It means you have a bruised brain darling, go figure, and I always assumed you were like the scarecrow on the wizard of oz." Mike joshed.
" Guess that proves I gots a brain unlike some people I know."
Mike cracked up laughing, " That means you have your mother's brains and your father's looks."
Rama gave him a sour look for that remark. She didn't care to be reminded of her mother.
Don laughed at the antics between the two " I will allow you to sleep Ramiela but be warned you won't be getting much sleep. You will be woken every few hours and asked some questions that we'll need you to answer." He informed her " it is the only way I can permit you to sleep. As the first twenty four hours of a concussion is the worst."
Rama decided to take what she could get.
Mike sat down by the bed on Rama's right side while Don went to check her leg wound out. Don cut the tensor bandage away to take a look at the gash.
Mike saw Rama watching the wound uneasily and decided to distract her a bit while Don worked on it. " So make any money tonight?"
Rama nodded slightly then grimaced at the pain " Yeah. April gave me twenty dollars. I told her she didn't have to."
" Twenty dollars!" Mike whistled, " You are rich girl! So what do you plan on getting with all that money?"
Rama shrugged " It could buy lots of good stuff couldn't it?" Rama said. She knew twenty dollars was a lot to her family.
" Oh yeah for sure. So are you going save it for something special or spend it right away?" Mike wondered.
" Isn't it the clan's money dad?" Rama inquired. Rama was old enough to know that money the family earned went towards the clan's needs. Even her aunts had to give a portion of their earnings to the clan. Her Uncle Raphael jokingly called it the rent payment.
Mike looked at Don before answering Rama's question " I think the clan will let you keep this one with out asking for a share, due to the pain and suffering you have gone through tonight. Plus it being your first earnings they won't expect a cut right away."
Rama grinned then yelped suddenly " Ouch! Uncle Donatello be careful that hurt!" she accused him sharply.
" Sorry Ramiela. I am trying to be as gentle as I can"
" Just stitch it up and leave it alone all ready" Rama demanded.
Don shook his head "I can't do that. This injury was probably caused by the underside of the truck somehow. In other words it is highly possible for bits of rust to have come off the truck and enter the wound. That plus having it in sewer water" Don scowled, as he glanced at Rama " means the wound could be badly infected. If we close the wound up the infection has no place to go."
" Oooh, you ought to be impressed Rama. Donny is keeping his explanations simple for you." Mike said.
Don smirked towards his brother, "Actually that was for your benefit not hers," Don corrected. He knew Mike was playing a bit of the clown role to divert Rama from what was going on. Something he appreciated as it made his task easier.
Rama giggled " Whose the scarecrow now?"
Don chuckled lightly then he got Rama's attention with his next words " Much as you don't like needles I really ought to see if Sara can get us a tetanus shot for you."
Rama scowled ' Always needles" she muttered
" On top of that I am trying to determine if you might have cracked or broken a bone in the accident. Considering the amount of swelling and the fact that you said putting weight on it was extremely painful it could be a possibility."
Rama made a face at him. Her Uncle knew a great deal so she was surprised to hear that this was a possibility and not something that was for sure. " Don't you knows?" she demanded curtly.
" No I'm not sure." Don admitted, " We don't have an x-ray machine to verify it. Nor can we take you to a hospital to have you checked out properly. So I have to try and determine what is wrong on the information presented to me."
Rama sighed, " Can you do anything for my leg then?" She wondered.
" Yes. For the next few days you will be staying off your leg and resting it and recovering from your concussion." Don began, " For tonight I am going put a poultice on the leg to help draw out any dirt and ease infection that might have started. Then we will bandage it up for now."
" Does that mean I gots to stay in the infirmary?" Rama asked her eyes pleading.
" Only for tonight for observation purposes Ramiela." Don soothed doing his best to comfort her. Then he continued " If I feel a leg bone is cracked or broken I will be putting a cast on your leg."
" What about my ninja lessons?" Rama yelped as it occurred to her that she might miss a few of those.
Don gave her a stern hard look as he raised a finger " No ninja lessons until I say it is all right. Even Leo won't allow it until I have given the okay. If your leg is broken you will be missing quite a few ninja lessons as you'll be out for about five to six weeks."
Rama's bottom jaw dropped at those words " But that won't be until after Christmas" she complained.
" Sorry Ramiela. If you want two good legs it is what will have to be done." Don insisted, he smiled, softening his tone " Cheer up hopefully it won't be that bad. I can always give you extra school work," he offered.
The look Don received for that remark was practically deadly in and of itself, telling him quite clearly what she thought of his suggestion.
'Stupid kid, now I'll miss out on my important lessons. And it is all because of him!' She thought miserably to herself.
She knew her family wouldn't approve of her risking her life, and endangering the entire family all for one child. She knew why her family had to use their ninja skills to maintain their existence from those who lived topside.
Still Rama knew even in her heart that she couldn't leave the boy there. Even the knowledge that she could have made it to safety if she had ignored the boy did nothing to comfort her.
She was being trained in ninjitsu to keep herself and her family safe, she understood and accepted that, but her family might not appreciate her using it on a stranger.
Rama laid back on the bed allowing her Uncle to work on her wounded leg, feeling exhausted and wanting sleep to come to ease some of the pain just a bit.
Before she drifted off to sleep Rama vowed that the family would never learn what she had risked or why she had risked it. They would not hear it from her. For she knew that they would only disapprove of her actions. It was a secret that she would keep even from her most favoured Uncle.
TBC