Carpe Diem
Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adult or adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians, nor do I own Devon much to Rama's dismay.
Part Two – Night of Romance" Are these coats really necessary?" Devon grumped as they made their way out into a vacant alleyway.
" Absolutely necessary Devon, especially when mingling with crowds topside you don't want to attract attention to your self in any way. Trust me on this, it is one of our stricter rules" Rama explained as she took his hand and gave it a light squeeze, " We might not need them all night long but we will need them for portions of it and much as I love the way you swing and use that tail of yours boy" She gave him a coy smile, " You are going have to keep it covered and try not to be too conspicuous with it."
" No wonder you never wanted to be out without that disguise of yours back home." Devon muttered.
" Very scary stuff facing the world the first time." Rama confessed but she knew that Devon had been fully aware of her reaction to being exposed to the world at large, he had helped make thing much easier for her at that time. " Sometimes I long to live the sort of lives you are able to. Our family is so big and it just seems to keep growing and I have to wonder just how long we can keep that secret, maintain our lives as we know it" Rama admitted. She gave a little laugh, " Typically Sensei is being extremely cautious about the whole matter."
They were walking along the street arm in arm, heads tucked down slightly into upturned collars, Rama allowing her free flowing hair to further hide her face and features. Their footsteps were taking them back towards Central Park but they were traveling by a different route then when they had left the park.
They turned on to 59 street where many of the horse drawn carriages parked while waiting for fares, most of the buggies tonight were decked out in real or artificial flowers along the back, sides and wheels.
Devon noticed Rama seemed to be giving a longing look at the carriages and horses, he could sense her inner desires with ease. " Carriage rides don't come cheap," He said simply.
" I know. I am well aware of that fact" Rama replied, soberly " I have been waiting to go on one ever since I first realized there was such a thing in New York. Used to tease my family that one day for April Fool's I would steal a horse for the day." Rama paused reflectively.
Devon glanced at her knowing full well the stunts she had pulled on the day Leo in their world had turned her loose for a few harmless practical jokes.
" I've never done it. Not yet. Maybe this year" Rama chortled softly.
" I didn't know you liked horses." Devon laughed a bit, he had a feeling she would pull off the stunt.
" I love them. I've read books about caring for them and how to ride them. All kinds of stuff." Rama sighed a bit then shrugged.
Devon recalled the humble furnishings within the sewer that Rama called home. It was a far sight from the style of life he was used to, the torn battered couch, the scratched up tables, the rug woven from scraps of cloth, the old television set. Most of the furnishings looked more like trash then it did suited for a home of any kind. Devon also knew that the home he had grown up in had never, once had anything that looked that bad.
Still he had sensed a great deal of love and comfort from the place.
Though he realized now how lucky he was to have been given the best of everything, to want for so little, knowing how quickly any needs had been cared for, the best given so freely.
Devon sighed he could afford to take Rama on one of the carriage rides but there was one hitch " I'd like to take you Rama but unfortunately I didn't know I was coming and didn't bring any money with me." He apologized " Then again I don't even know if our money system is the same."
Rama turned smiling " You mean it. You want to go Devon. I think I have enough for twenty minute ride."
" But how?" Devon wondered, " Weren't you the one who once talked about not having enough food to eat at times?"
Rama nodded soberly " Yeah money was real tight when I was younger. Before my uncles were all married there was plenty of times there wasn't a great deal to eat in the house" Rama kept her tone low as they walked along " Things got better after that because my aunts pay went towards things like food and other necessities so we didn't have to go hungry." She didn't add that they didn't have to scrounge as much either. " After dad got married to Cathy she started to give me some money so I can pay for us." Rama insisted.
The driver in the lead glanced their way, he had a feeling the couple were discussing the value of going or not, it was getting late and soon the carriages would be shutting down for the night.
" Come on sir, surely you'll take the girl on a trip in the park. The gentle rhythm of the horse and the beauty of the park at night, why it is a good time to cuddle close. It is something to remember" He quickly pitched to them.
Devon gave a slight wave of his hand towards the driver, feeling the expectant eyes on them, he did his best to keep himself hidden and not draw attention " I'll go on one condition you let me pay you back for it later." He decided.
Rama shook her head " I want to pay half of it Devon." Her tone carried slightly and she gave a very subtle mental nudge the driver's way.
" I'll make you a deal, I'll charge five dollars less for the twenty minute ride."
" We going dutch?" Devon wondered
Rama gave him a quizzical look as she fished in her belt pouch for her folded bills and took off a few to give the driver.
" Dutch is when both parties pay their share splitting things evenly." Devon explained
" We don't have to go dutch, he gave us a deal really, and I probably would never have done this for myself you know" She whispered " Now follow my lead."
She handed thirty dollars to the driver and collected her change the driver smiled and moved to get down " Let me help you in."
" Oh don't trouble yourself we'll manage and thank you ever so much for everything." Rama spoke sweetly flashing him a bit of a smile through her hair.
Devon had all ready managed to climb in to the back of the carriage and he offered his hand to her, he had a blanket from off the back seat opened and ready to pull her comfortably into his embrace and its concealing folds.
The driver checking to see they were comfortable edged the dappled grey horse out of the line up and towards the park.
The driver knew it was easy money the couple in the back were, like all other young couples tonight, not the least bit interested in chatting him up or asking about the sights one could see in the park, no they were quite content to snuggle close talk in low voices while snuggled up and sharing the occasional kiss. It was part of the reason he had been so willing to give the last couple a deal.
The horse hooves clopped on the path, snorting softly now and again as it pulled the carriage along side the pond and towards the zoo.
When the driver stopped the carriage and let the couple out, they were quick to disembark telling him not to bother disturbing himself. Rama felt that it had been well worth the money spent. She had enjoyed every bit of it though at this moment she would be hard pressed to decide what she enjoyed the most, seeing the beauty of Central Park at night from the carriage, or the fact that she and Devon had thoroughly enjoyed a chance to snuggle close to one another.
She was slightly out of breath and feeling a bit giddy with pleasure alone.
Devon smiled at her as they headed further into the park " So where do you want to go now?"
" How about the conservatory gardens Dev, and then after that maybe head to the ramble or the Loch for a bit. I prefer the Loch it has some very nice waterfalls in there and it is very secluded. Bird watchers go there during the day but at night, very few people bother with it." Rama decided cheerfully before turning to give him a kiss.
" I don't think I have ever heard of the Loch." Devon replied.
" Unless you are a New Yorker you probably don't know about it." Rama smirked, " Part of what makes it so secluded."
They walked the garden admiring the statues including the one inspired by the book " The Secret Garden." Which was near the centre of the Conservatory gardens, and inhaling the scents of the few flowers that grew around this time of year. It was still fairly early for flowers, but Rama tried to visit the gardens as much as possible as long as their was flowers.
Before she lead Devon to the Loch and finding a place among the trees and bushes that surrounded the loch, that was close to one of the many waterfalls, most of which were small things as they went over hills and not the impressive sort of waterfall one might find near or around mountains, but Rama rather liked the sound and the looks of the falls anyways.
" We can take our coats off while we rest here I really doubt any one will come around here at night." Rama stated as she shrugged out of her own coat laying it on the ground to sit upon.
" Even if someone does come this way we ought to hear them before they get too close." Devon said for he had noticed the brittle wood and other things on the ground that had been exposed from the snow and cold of winter. He settled down beside Rama grateful for a chance to be rid of the long bulky coat.
Devon draped an arm around her shoulders and she snuggled in to his embrace, he leaned towards her and she slipped her arms about his neck pulling him close to share numerous kisses, some just simple little pecks here or there, which seemed to lead to ones that were deeper and more intense that caused them to grow a bit short of breath.
" I love you Devon" Rama whispered softly her warm breath caressing his skin.
He nuzzled her neck " Rama do you want me to keep a certain promise to you, I don't think anyone will bother us here." Devon suggested.
Rama could almost sense as well as see, the sly leer on Devon's face, he really was a rogue but she liked that about him.
She touched his face with a gentle caress of her fingers and then looked at his hair which had turned back to its original colour, though personally she still felt that red and green were the perfect colour for a Raphael child.
Rama moaned wanting what Devon offered and yet at the same time wanting to hold off but not sure how to tell him of her misgivings especially as her feelings seemed to be urging her onward.
Devon though sensed her hesitancy and he sat back gazing into her face " Rama what is wrong don't you want to?"
Rama shook her head slightly " That is just it Devon. I do and I don't at the same time, but I don't want you to think I'm leading you on either because I really do want you to keep that promise." She explained.
" You are afraid of leading me on?" Devon asked arching an eye ridge.
Rama nodded.
" Go on" Devon urged her " Why are you in conflict all of a sudden then?" He could sense that Rama truly did long to give herself to him but that there was also something holding her back.
" Devon it just that, I don't know if you teleported here or how long you are going be staying here. You could stay with us, but that would be too much like taking a wild bird and caging it. You are used to freedom Devon." Rama turned and gave him a deep and earnest look " I don't think you would do well here. You'd be okay for a while."
Devon cupped her face in his hands " You could teach me."
Rama felt her heart flutter at those words " I could just like you helped me accept the freedom of topside." She agreed, " Besides Devon you will have to go home sooner or later."
Devon gazed deeply at his beloved " Because of my family?"
" That and it is your life." Rama replied simply.
" I've got no future without you Rama"
She ducked her head knowing in Devon's world it was true in more ways then one. She knew that he could not have a family with a human. She was the only hope he had for a family of his own, but she would never marry or bear his children for that reason alone.
She reached and took his hands into hers " Even at my happiest in your world I couldn't stop thinking about my family. There were a few times that I might have not thought about them for a bit but they were always there. I missed them Dev, and I worried about them." Rama explained.
Devon pulled his hand free wrapping it around her shoulders pulling her close to him.
" There is one other thing Devon, until you and I both know how to teleport and can control it, keeping your promise could be a bad thing."
" Why because you might get pregnant?" Devon asked.
" Actually I would love to have your children Dev, course my dad would hate it." Rama grinned a bit, " But stop and think if you go home and I end up pregnant and neither of us can control teleporting, guess what?" She paused, " You and your family could literally miss out on a big portion of the child's life."
Devon sobered swallowing suddenly he hadn't stopped to consider that aspect. There was also the possibility that her family might decide to delay such lessons for fear that Rama would end up in a dangerous situation while she was pregnant, he doubted her clan would be willing to jeopardize the life of an unborn child.
Rama saw the meaning of her words and the impact they had on Devon. " Sorry for spoiling the mood Devon, but much as I want you to show me what love is all about I also want you and your family to be a part of the child's life, the only way it can happen is if we are both able to teleport."
Devon held her closer in his embrace, " You didn't spoil the mood. It doesn't have to be now" he assured her " Some things are worth waiting for."
Rama gave a big smile suddenly relieved at his words " I'm lucky to have you Devon" she whispered.
They spent some time in the secluded area of the loch talking about different things catching up on details large and small and enjoying a few kisses and caresses.
…
They emerged from the bushes around the Loch some time later and finally headed for the exit by how dark it was Rama had a feeling that it was now around two or two thirty in the morning.
" Before we head home there is one more place we just have to go to, but first why don't I get us a hot drink and maybe a small bite to eat. I might have just enough to cover that."
" All right" Devon agreed amiably.
" You know Dev, I still have the swords from Leo's Ryu. Perhaps you can take them back with you." Rama had been trying to bring it up and decided she best get it over with.
Devon gave a light snort " Hey, we all thought you were dead and those weapons would have been lost to Leo if you had ended up dying in that blaze. You can keep them, Leo told me if I ever got a hold of you again to tell you that you more then earned them. He wants you to have them."
Rama gasped in disbelief " They are mine now really?"
" Yeah, don't worry he can have them replaced far easier then you could replace them and he felt they might come in useful for you." Devon smiled at her stunned expression.
" They might but I'd only use them on special missions, not for every day. Or for ceremonial purposes they are far too nice" Rama gushed, "And like you said we could never replace them." She felt suddenly honoured and hoped one day she could thank Leo for the gift he had given her.
Devon gave her a quick peck on the lips and hugged her " So where are you dragging me off to now?" he couldn't help asking.
" There is a rooftop garden that my family loves to visit. On Valentines dad places some goodies in a special spot for him and my uncles to share with their spouses." Rama explained, " He always make sure there is lots of treats, more then enough really, and everyone has to leave some of each sweet behind because, of course the couples can't be sure if every one has paid a visit or not. Last person to patrol picks up the treats on the way home."
" What about the owner of the garden?" Devon asked suspiciously.
" The owner keeps the place locked so none of the tenants can go up at night and it isn't an easy climb from the outside either, so for night purposes he feels it is secured from vandals, but during the day it is open to the people that live there." Rama replied, " The rest of the family should have all ready been and gone."
Rama bought each of them a hot drink and a couple of doughnuts from a place not far off from their destination before leading Devon to the rooftop garden that was placed high above any of the surrounding buildings.
Like the city gardens in Central Park the flower that were blooming in planters and baskets around the roof top were the early spring flowers that could handle a few cold nights or days, in other words crocuses, daffodils, tulips, and other hardy flowers. The vegetable planter beds were cleaned out and waiting the new seeds or plants that would be growing in them, while the rose bushes looked dead and like sticks but Rama knew that soon the whole roof top would be alive in colour and beauty.
The wooden benches set near the round tables were wonderful places to sit and enjoy some quiet time, but there was also the lawn swing. Over in one corner of the garden was a fountain and a small pool with goldfish in it.
Rama strolled over to the benches she paused long enough to rid herself of her coat to let Devon know he could also feel free to do the same, which he did almost immediately, before she bent down to feel underneath the bench hauling out a large back pack that was almost bursting.
She opened one small side pocket withdrawing the candles and candleholders. She reached in her belt and hauled out a match lighting the candles. Then she reached into another pocket of the pack and pulled out a couple of clean forks, and two containers one she opened to reveal hand painted chocolates, that she had made for the occasion and for the children's valentine sweets. The other container was a bit larger and held some strawberries that had been taken from the freezer and thawed out. Both containers held only a handful of treats but Rama knew that they had been full and this was indeed the leftovers.
" Now lets see if there is any of the good stuff left" She grinned at Devon as she unzipped the largest of the pockets on the pack and withdrew a large round container that barely fit inside was one slice of chocolate cake it's white icing adorned with a single whole strawberry dipped in dark chocolate and a dark chocolate sauce was splashed lightly over and around the slice.
She beamed at the sight of it " This cake is so incredibly delicious and decadent that you can not eat all of one slice alone. You get sick from it seriously." She chuckled, " Dad calls it the sweetheart cake because it is meant to be shared. However it does have another name for those who want to be selfish and eat it alone." She raised her eye ridges.
Devon laughed judging from what Rama had implied the cake would probably end up leaving any one stuck in the bathroom for an undetermined amount of time for anyone who tried to eat all of it by themselves.
Rama sat down across from Devon while they shared the treats, and sipped their hot drinks watching the candles flame flicker between them, after polishing off the cake and berries plus a chocolate each in an easy silence broken only by occasional small talk , Devon leaned back on the bench and noticed the lawn swing which seemed far more inviting.
" Why don't we go relax over there for a bit?" He suggested as he stood up offering his hand to Rama.
She took it willingly knowing she could come back and put things away later. Devon settled onto the swing first and pulled Rama down into his arms.
They shared a few kisses for a moment before Devon caressed Rama's face " Would you do me a favour?"
" Depends on what it is Devon" Rama replied coyly, neither, agreeing or disagreeing with him.
" Sing a song for me" Devon requested simply. Devon had only heard Rama sing a few times while she had been with them, and he had loved the sound of her voice and more importantly he loved to just hear her sing.
" All right but what would you like to hear Devon?" Rama wondered, she knew a great deal of music and she all ready knew from the time she had spent in his world that many of the songs she knew were ones they also knew.
" Any thing you want to sing is fine by me Rama, I just want to hear you sing a song or two."
Rama grinned ducking her head a bit before she rolled her eyes slightly as she considered the many songs she knew and of them, which ones she wanted to sing for Devon. She finally settled on Memory from Cats, followed by Mr. Mistoffolees the magical cat.
When she was done with that she gave Devon a sly grin and went straight from cats to the Phantom's ' Think of me.'
She felt that song rather suiting considering the time apart they spent for there truly wasn't going be a day or time when she wasn't going be thinking of him.
Devon relaxed against the swing pushing it lazily with one foot closing his eyes and enjoying the sound of his beloved's voice.
" I thought that sounded an awful bit more familiar, then a regular bird song." Came a drawling voice from behind the lawn swing.
Devon shot up off the swing whipped his body around and entered the ichimonji no kamae stance, or a defensive posture. His eyes blazed and his tail lashed slightly.
Rama however shook her head " Uncle Raphael your patrol doesn't include spying on us!" She scolded her favourite uncle. " Relax Devon" she whispered as she rested a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
" Maybe not but it is the most fun I've seen all night since your aunt went to work." Raph confessed teasing Rama, as he stepped from the shadows.
Devon was startled to see how much younger and more muscled this Raphael seemed to be compared to his own father, the scars seemed more numerous as well, but the largest difference Devon could see or sense was the intensity of emotions that seemed to pour off the ninja. He seemed more like he was ready to explode at any moment and was only holding back. The feeling was so strong that Devon took a cautious, though quite involuntary, step back as he felt the hard penetrating gaze lock on him.
" How's it going?" Rama chirped cheerfully.
"It's dead out there." Raph moaned, " I might have to hunt down a few Foot just so the night won't be a complete waste." He looked at his niece " So whose he?" he demanded quickly.
" Remember I told you about your twins and Devon?" She hinted.
" Yeah Devon my twin's son" Raph essayed recalling what Rama had told them when she came home.
Rama nodded " Devon, meet my Uncle Raphael. Uncle Raphael this is Devon" Rama quickly introduced them as she sidled up close to her beau's side.
Raph laughed suddenly " Let me guess you two are far more than just friends like you lead us to believe." He issued the statement as if it was a challenge.
" Yeah but you know how dad will react if he finds out the truth" Rama complained, " He'll make a big deal about it and lock me up for the rest of my life to boot, not to mention what he might try to do to Devon."
Raph sighed, " Yeah I know but what can you expect from your father Ramiela?" He grinned "Don't worry your dad won't learn any thing from me."
Rama grinned she knew she could rely on her favourite uncle to keep her secret. Oh he might have a few questions later and remind her about how to look after her self in a relationship but that would be as far as her Uncle would take things.
" But" Raph continued, " If you feel for him the way that I think you do. You will come clean because you can't hide it forever and Mike can't stop it from it happenin' either."
" I know that I want to talk to him about it trying to figure out what to say and how to approach it and a few other things as well without dad taking things the wrong way" She confessed with a little shrug.
" Let me talk to junior for a moment alone, then since it is clear to me that three is too many up here I'll leave you two alone." Raph promised.
Devon slashed his tail at the name of junior but walked up to the ninja any ways, Raph smiled as the boy drew near, though the smile looked sinister and slightly dangerous to Devon. Raph placed a companionable arm around Devon's shoulders leading him towards the pond, as he glanced over his shoulders to insure that his niece was staying at the lawn swing.
" I have no doubt in my mind that Ramiela could put you into your place if she wanted to or desired to, so I'm not worried about you taking advantage of her." Raph paused " I might like to see you try just to see what she does with you, but I'm not worried about it." He assured Devon casually.
Devon grimaced as he recalled Rama almost literally, wiping the floor with him, the day she had challenged him to fight after all of his teasing and tormenting when he had first met her.
" She all ready has" Devon replied ruefully.
Raph smacked Devon on the shoulders " So I heard" he grinned wide obvious pride in his tone.
Devon only groaned inwardly at the response.
" Look Ramiela is happy and she wants to be with you that is clearly her choice to make. But I thought that I would warn you that if you hurt her you will end up dealing with her dad, and quite possibly me too." Raph warned, " So keep that in mind you are obviously older so don't push your luck."
" Right" Devon almost hissed his tail slapping the ground in irritation he had to keep from gritting his teeth, but he recalled that Rama had once mentioned that her Uncle Raphael cared for her deeply and had spoiled her wrapped around her finger. It was also clear that he was protective of her, much as Devon's own father was protective of Mindy.
Raph turned to glance at Rama who was swinging a bit " hey kid bring this stuff home with you whenever you head back. I'll talk to you later."
" Okay Uncle Raphael" Rama agreed as she got off the swing to stroll towards Devon " He really won't go saying any thing to any one about what he saw and he won't bother us either. He probably was just going keep me company or ask if I wanted to join him." Rama explained as she linked her arm through his, " If he sensed you, and he probably did he would have been curious is all."
" He is different" Devon murmured swallowing his irritation.
" Yeah, very similar and yet those odd little discrepancies that throw you right off and wonder if you really do know that person as well as you think you do." She agreed before gazing lovingly up at Devon and reaching to kiss him.
Devon slipped his arms around her relaxing in her embrace.
Rama gave a small smile as she sat down by the gold fish pond letting the fingers of her left hand dangle ever so slightly in the water.
Devon smiled contentedly as he gazed on the woman he loved, she was he decided very beautiful sitting there with her hair down. He went and sat across from her taking her right hand in his and stroking her hair slightly with the other hand.
" Rama I never got the chance to ask you this properly, though I asked you once before I didn't hear your answer" Devon admitted, " It worried me and I wanted to see you again and ask you personally so I would know for sure."
Rama smiled ducking her head feeling a warm blush come to her face and tears coming almost unbidden to her eyes. Her breath hitched ever so slightly as she realized what was going to come and she had to force herself to breath even as she anticipated his words with her heart seeming to come alive in all new ways under her plastron.
" Rama love, my darling beloved Rags" Devon began as he got to one knee in front of her. "Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"
Rama gasped slightly over whelmed, even though she had been expecting it. Seeing Devon in front of her like this, while he asked for her hand gave all new meaning to the words he had uttered when their minds had linked across the distance.
Devon watched her expectantly, anxious for a reply and growing more nervous when her answer didn't seem forth coming.
Rama wrapped her arms around his neck " Yes Devon, oh yes I will" She sobbed in joy as she nestled her face into the crook of his neck.
Devon smiled with relief as he crushed her tighter to him, sharing a deep passionate kiss with the kunoichi who had just promised herself fully to him.
When they broke off their embrace Rama felt suddenly, far too excited to sit, or stand in one place, hardly daring to believe that now she would never really have to be alone. Besides this betrothal only meant more inspiration to solve this teleporting thing once and for all and get it under control. She knew she had to do something so turned to put away the mess they had left on the table, she glanced over her shoulder to say something to Devon.
Then she whipped around panic setting in, Devon was nowhere in sight. He was gone vanished in a blink of an eye. " Dev, Devon?" she called out. There was no answer, no sign of the mutant iguana, who for all intents and purposes, as far as she was concerned, was now her fiancé.
Had Devon somehow only come back to be sure of her answer and once he knew returned to his home. She wasn't really sure now.
Maybe Devon had never really been here, perhaps she had only imagined it picturing the perfect night with him so well that she thought he had been with her all along when she really had been quite alone the whole time.
She scowled uncertain now what the truth was or what was real. Perhaps it would have to wait before she could be fully sure of what had happened this night. Meanwhile she realized with a heavy sigh she best be getting home.
TBC ( at least one more chapter.)