Coming Of Age

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

Chapter Nine- Ninja.

Mike paused to take in what had been accomplished thus far, he and Karena were busy decorating the living room in preparation for Rama's party. Colourful streamers stretched from one area of the room to the other, balloons in various colours were also hung in corners. Streamers also were draped around Splinter's favourite chair, it was the seat for the guest of honour, for the party at least.

Rama herself was still unaware of any festivities, she had been kept occupied throughout the day with very interesting things, if only to side track her. While Karena baked a cake Mike had taught Rama the fine art of juggling and started her on a few simple lessons of ventriloquism. Then Karena had taken over showing Rama how to draw animals using basic shapes to define the bodies while Mike decorated the cake.

At present Rama was in a lesson with Leo.

Karena stepped back and smiled then let out a sigh her face growing serious " Mike your not really going let Rama do this. Are you?" She couldn't help but ask unable to hide her worry or concern.

Mike looked her way " You know Karena I've been thinking about this non-stop since I found out, and I've come to the conclusion that it is for the best, that it happened now."

" But Mike what about all the dangers she is going to face out there?" Karena protested.

" She has to face it some time. We can't keep her from it, not forever. She has to be a jonin and she is going need all the training possible to help her with that." Mike replied pointing out the obvious " Besides Rama is still willing to listen to all of us right now. Can you imagine in a few years when she becomes a teenager?" Mike rolled his eyes, " Now that is scary Karena."

" Yes but for her to actually start to see the darker side of society. To be exposed to all that!" Karena gave a wide gesture with an arm and shook her head in denial.

Mike walked over and gave her a hug " We can't always protect her from the worst much as I'd like to. Heck I wasn't even able to protect her from her on mother when it gets down to it. She needs to this Karena." Mike smiled a little, " Much as I'd like to keep her my little girl I know it isn't going to happen. I'd rather see her prepared so she can handle what ever comes to her later." He explained then concluded " All we can do is provide her with the tools and training she will need to make the right decisions later."

Karena gave a weak trembling smile in response " My children aren't quite five and somehow I find I am all ready dreading the fact that this day will come for them too" she muttered.

Mike gave her a consoling look " Come on we best finish this up before the guests arrive."

The guests of course were April, Casey, their two children and Rama's good friend Jessie who had all been sworn to secrecy.

Jessie's stuttering wasn't as bad as it had been two years ago though the boy still faltered with his speech. However due to the original agreement of Jessie keeping his schoolwork up in order to see Rama as well as earn lessons, meant the boy now brought home high grades in school and he was no longer beaten up by others. Jessie was still teased about his speech problems and he still had problems making new friends, but it was clear the hard work was paying off.

Leo finally glanced up releasing Rama from her lesson " I think that is enough for now, you are getting frustrated and that won't help your concentration any."

" It is so hard though Sensei" Rama groaned, " Sometimes it feels like I almost have it then it goes and gets away on me." She complained.

" You have to learn to focus and not allow yourself to become distracted by outside thoughts or surroundings when you meditate. Perhaps when Splinter works with you he can help you with that."

" I hope so" Rama agreed she then grinned, " I think I'll go phone Jessie see if he can come over for a bit. Not that I can play much of our usual games with the cast on."

" No but you can spend some time together and get him to sign your cast too" Leo agreed as he turned to blow out the candles in the meditation room as he waited for her to leave the room. Once she did he followed behind her using his stealth moves to, hopefully, not be detected by her.

Rama though was only interested in going to contact Jessie as she made her way on the crutches towards the living room. She stopped short blinking as she took in all the decorations. Her jaw dropped in amazement and she shook her head in disbelief.

" What the…is going on. It isn't anyone's birthday" Rama gasped as her brow furrowed in puzzlement.

" Surprise!" Came a shout from various sections of the living room as family members and friends made themselves known.

Leo walked silently up behind Ramiela " From now on Ramiela your training is going to become a great deal more serious" He warned her kindly " This party is our way of saying, Welcome as a full ninja of the clan." He explained.

Rama looked up at him stunned " But how Sensei?" She gasped, " I don't get it I thought I was just in trainin' not a real kunoichi."

" You have to be a real Kunoichi one day" Leo reasoned.

Splinter chuckled, " Why don't you come sit Ramiela and I will explain" he suggested as he gestured towards the chair.

Ramiela made her way over to the chair but she paused before sitting down, she knew that this was his chair and it didn't seem right for her to take his place, so she glanced back his way for permission or confirmation that it was allowed.

Splinter smiled and nodded ever so slightly.

So Rama eased her way into the chair while the rest of the family, minus Aunt Sara who was at work, came and made themselves comfortable on the other chairs, while Mike, Raph and Don went to grab some extra chairs out of the kitchen.

Once everyone was settled and comfortable Splinter took centre stage, as it were in the middle of the chairs that ringed the living room. He smiled at Ramiela his look for her but his voice clear enough that it easily travelled to everyone gathered.

" A child Ramiela, focus only on the things that are important to them. Having fun, playing games and being near those they love and care for. So it is understandable, that young ninja are trained by the use of simple games to make learning more interesting to them." Splinter explained, " but in time the youth outgrows the needs for games and desires more. They eventually long to take their place in the clan as real ninja. Each young student matures at a different rate, so the time they move on is different for each of them." Splinter scowled slightly, " In fact it is often causes great difficulties and tragedies to push a youth into taking this step. The student must show and prove they are ready for the responsibility."

Splinter waited watching her Rama had a feeling he wanted something from her, she knew it was very rude to interrupt the Master of the clan, so she would never think of speaking out of place where Splinter, or even Sensei was concerned. However knowing that he was waiting for some sort of acknowledgment for her she cautiously asked " So how do you know when a jenin is ready to take that step?" she wondered.

Splinter nodded and she sensed his approval as if that was exactly what he wanted. " Usually training intensifies when the child has become old enough and mature enough to think beyond themselves and their own wants" Splinter stated " By saving Nate's life you thought of him first. You willingly helped him even though you feared that we would not approve, and you thought you would suffer severe repercussions for such a deed." Splinter beamed down at her as Rama ducked her head and blushed a bit.

" You used your training to your benefit, followed the ninja code to strike hard and fade away. You knew in your heart and soul that his life had meaning and value that was equal to your own."

Rama gulped slightly at those words and she nodded a bit trying not to squirm with embarrassment.

Splinter chuckled " You have brought much honour to us and your actions prove you are ready for more adult responsibility as a true kunoichi of the clan." With that Splinter bowed low before her.

Though she was sitting and couldn't return the bow properly, Rama still returned the bow as best she could to let him know she was honoured. She sat up straighter her eyes glowing " Real ninja training now." She gushed with enthusiasm.

Leo grinned, " Yes but only when your leg is better." He answered her sternly though he had to smile at her excitement.

" I can patrol late at night now?" Rama wondered quickly.

" That is one of the things you will be doing" Leo agreed calmly, " But at first you will be paired with one of us until…"

Rama was so thrilled by that prospect she forgot her manners for the moment and cut Leo off " Can I patrol with Uncle Raphael?"

" Who said I wanted you?" Raph snorted.

Rama smirked his way " Who said you could say no to me!" Rama replied

" Hey, I have Ashly now" Raph insisted as he tickled his two year old daughter " I have to learn how to use the word no."

Rama shot a sour steady glare at her uncle " Learn it with her then not with me" She insisted.

Leo coughed once as if clearing his throat Rama looked back at him and gave a weak grin as she realized her lapse from moments ago, quickly she apologized though a bit sheepishly " Sorry Sensei."

Leo smiled understanding her error and not willing to berate her any for it, at least not this time " You will patrol with all of us at different times." He informed her, " You will also be permitted to carry weapons outside of the lair. Though you must only use them when it is absolutely necessary" Leo gave a brief outline of the basic rules she would be expected to keep to now that she was permitted to keep her weapons on her at all times. " You must also pick a weapon to become proficient in as your own weapon." Leo laughed a bit " As if we all don't know, which weapon that will be."

Everyone joined in, it was well known amongst all gathered that Rama had a thing for sais.

Rama grinned as she considered all her options " I don't want to be too hasty about this all the weapons have their advantages and disadvantages. Hmmm, I think that I would really like…" She paused for a moment " the katana." She announced to all.

" Hold on!" Raph sputtered not sure he had heard right.

Meanwhile everyone else was doing a double take staring at Rama as if some alien had taken her over.

" I thought yo…yo..you wanted sss…sais Rama" Jessie finally remarked. He knew Rama had often talked about having and carrying her own sais when she became a real ninja. So he couldn't quite understand her sudden change of heart over her favoured weapon now.

Rama gave a devilish grin and laughed " Them too." She agreed, " I like them both. I want to carry both."

Leo sighed as he looked at her " It is a little unorthodox" he admitted " But I suppose if that is what you want we can permit it. It just means you will have to work all the harder to become proficient in both and use them interchangeably."

" I will Sensei. I promise" Rama vowed earnestly.

Mike then took the floor " You are going need a few more things hon, if you plan on joining us. Like the proper equipment for protection." Mike smiled a bit, " You also have earned the right to wear a ninja bandanna, I took the liberty of making you one in one of your favourite colours, aqua."

Mike pulled the bandanna out of his belt and went over, Rama bowed her head letting her dad nimbly tie it on, when he was done he took his hands and tilted her head slightly up and back to see the bandanna on her.

He nodded and gave a trembling smile " It is a good colour for you." He said simply.

" Thank you dad" Rama whispered softly she stared up into his face, trying to decipher if he was all right with her being a kunoich after all.

Yes she had told Splinter she'd leave it a game, but she had been waiting for this day so long. ' Actually I've waited all my life for this.' She thought to herself 'How can I possibly turn it down now?'

Mike tousled her hair a bit " I think April has a few things for you too Rama" Mike said.

Rama was startled to hear this, " Gee, Aunt April you didn't have to get me any thing" she claimed, " After all I kinda lied to you and I shouldn't have."

April smiled " I didn't get these gifts for you. They come to you by way of me is all" April insisted, " See one of them is from the truck driver Randy Gates, and the other is from Nate's parents." she explained, " I told them I had found the girl who had saved Nate that you had suffered a broken bone but made it home all right. Your family didn't want to go into a bunch of publicity about it, though they are proud of what you did." April laughed, " The hard part was trying to convince them that they couldn't even have a picture of you. I had to spin quite a yarn for why they couldn't meet you and Nate's parents really wanted a picture of the 'angel'."

Rama giggled, " If they got my picture they would think I was more a demon then a creature of heaven."

" Probably" April agreed, " Anyways they did buy you a few small gifts and asked me to give them to you. This here is from Randy he asked me what you liked I told him you loved flowers."

April handed over a large bouquet of roses and a box of candy.

Rama beamed as she saw her favourite flower " I love roses" she gasped taking the flowers and inhaling their scent. Rama was far too used to getting flowers only during spring and summer, roses on very rare occasions in deed. The winter months meant flowers were more expensive and so she never got them in fall and winter. So this bunch of roses was even more special to her.

" G….Gi..Girly stuff" Jessie snorted with contempt.

Rama smiled at her friend " I can still ninja kick you Jessie so watch it."

Jessie didn't care to see his good friend act like a girl. He liked the fact Rama was rough, tough, into playing all kinds of sports and could think of the greatest stuff to play. Not to mention her zany sense of humour. However every once in a while Rama would do something that was 'girly' and as far as Jessie was concerned it didn't suit his friend in the least.

" Not with a brok…broken leg you can't" Jessie shot back.

" HA! Shows what you know Jess, I could still beat you."

" With yo…your cr…crutch maybe" Jessie retorted.

The family snickered and guffawed over Jessie's quick response and even Rama joined in the laughter. When everything quietened down she shook her head as if in disbelief.

" I told you before Jess, don't mess with ninja." She gave a sly smile " we have ways of getting our revenge."

Jessie just smiled knowing Rama's threat was empty and hollow she was just trying to make him nervous and it wasn't going to work.

April then handed Rama a brightly gift wrapped box with a card attached " This here is from Nate's family."

Rama opened the card first. She took it out of the envelope and opened it to have a twenty dollar bill and a picture fall in her lap. Rama looked at the picture seeing the boy she had saved that night. Then she turned back to the card.

" Money, words and gifts are not enough to thank you for all you have done to help Nate. So hopefully you can accept this small token of our appreciation. You will always be Nate's angel."

Rama glanced at her family she saw Leo nod telling her it was all right and she smiled turning back to the wrapped box to peel the papers from it. When the paper had been cast aside it revealed a beautiful porcelain doll dressed in red velvet and lace, she had green eyes and light brown hair.

" I've never seen a doll a pretty as this before" Rama gasped.

Jessie rolled his eyes. Dolls NOW! What were these complete strangers trying to do with his friend. For once Jessie was grateful that Rama did have to lead such a secretive life. If these strangers could buy this sort of stuff for his friend, who knows what others might try to do to her.

" My dollie" Kaliann shrilled suddenly, she had inherited many of Rama's old dolls and she knew her cousin didn't play with dolls anymore, except on rare occasions when they played together.

Karena shook her head and pulled Kaliann to her " No Kali, that doll is meant to look at not to play with. If you played with that doll it would break and couldn't be fixed so it would be no good any more. Your other dolls are far better, then Rama's doll."

Kaliann smirked and stuck her tongue out " Dolls are meant to play. I like my dollies better."

" Not this one she is going to sit in my bedroom. I wouldn't want it getting wrecked." Rama stated.

Mike smiled " So Rama are you happy to finally be a kunoichi?" He asked as he came and kneeled by her chair.

Rama bit her lip then looked at her father " You want me to be kunoichi daddy?"

Mike sighed " Honey, I can't stop you from being kunoichi. It is what you are and what you are meant to be." Mike said with deep sincerity, " It is in your blood. You are getting to the time in your life when you are going to have to make your own choices and do the right thing. So the question is do you want this?"

Rama nodded her head numbly, even though she knew it might hurt her dad to know she wanted it so.

" Good. Because your going be one hell of a ninja one day. Better then me even."

" Who says I'm not better then you right now?" Rama couldn't help the quip that came so easily to her.

" Oh, don't go getting cocky grasshopper, you still have a lot to learn." Mike chided, " Not to mention the fact I can still chuck you out of your shell." He rose to his feet and hugged her kissing her " I'm proud of you Rama and I love you."

Rama sensed that this time it was the truth. He was proud of her no matter what, and Rama felt instantly better about her own choice, just knowing this eased a great weight form her.

" So are you happy kunoichi?" Mike asked again.

" Happier then I've been ever before. It is all I wanted dad." Rama claimed.

Mike smiled as he bent to hug her again " Then welcome to the clan kunoichi. It will be an honour to have you fight by our sides."

The End