The Legacy

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

Chapter Nineteen - Home Again

Michaelangelo:

I waited until my brothers were well out of sight before turning on Shay. She shrank away from me, her back up against the brick wall behind her, her eyes growing large and round.

" Michael I'm sorry," she stammered.

" Your only sorry you got caught" I snapped cutting her off.

" No I…it…I didn't mean to honest" she insisted feebly.

I could tell she was lying, she had meant to take Rama. " Right Shay don't even go there girl, because the hole you are in at this moment is pretty deep and you are just digging yourself deeper" I informed her, " So if you want to be smart stop lying to me and start giving me some true answers" I barked, standing closer to her as I allowed my tone to grow hard, but also to drop so it was almost menacing. I allowed a sneer to grace my features, and I flexed my muscles a little as my eyes narrowed, " You couldn't have done all of this on impulse alone Shay. After all you waited until we were gone, and you had Rama dressed up to disguise her features, so people might think you only had a fussy child." I pointed out, " This wasn't an impulse action Shay, now I want answers and you are not going anywhere until I get them!" I hissed.

" I couldn't leave her behind Mike. She is my daughter. I just wanted to be a part of her life" Shay said.

" I was willing to let you be a part of her life. You could have come to visit her whenever you wanted. You wanted to take her out of my life for good!" I growled at her.

" I wanted her to lead a normal life Mike not hiding in a sewer never able to see the sun or…."

" A normal life Shay?" I asked arching an eye ridge, " You really expect me to believe that excuse? Look I might act naïve but I'm not stupid nor am I a fool" I whispered sharply, " Rama is not human. She is a freak an abnormality, a hybrid child," I declared. It was harsh but true, " Rama can never lead an ordinary life." I shook my head, " What were you going do Shay take her home and introduce your parents to their long lost grand daughter. I'm sure that would go over real well." I snarled, " How would you explain her to all of your friends, and you know the more people that knew about her the more chance there was someone would try to hurt Rama or exploit her for their own gain."

" I wouldn't let that happen" Shay insisted.

" You wouldn't be able to stop it happening any more then you could prevent Rama from being teased by others. You think Rama has a bad life now?" I said, " Picture this Shay Rama being treated as a guinea pig in some scientific laboratory where she is poked and prodded all day." I gave a cynical little laugh, " And you may as well throw out any chance you have of getting married because Rama might scare off any potential suitors." I gave a sinister smile and pressed up tighter to Shay " So how are you going to protect her from those who would hurt her, What are you going to do with her?" I snapped almost yelling at her, " At least with us we can teach her to fend for herself and most importantly she is with people who look like her and accept her."

" It is no life for her Mike!"

" The life you want for her won't work either Shay" I pointed out quickly.

" I'm sorry I wasn't thinking" Shay muttered in a flustered way as she glanced another direction.

I felt like pounding her head in the wall " I wasn't thinking either when I let you come into our home to visit. Raph was right you gave up all rights to Rama when you walked out of our door" I declared, " Silly me I thought it would be nice for Rama to know you. I figured you had the brains to leave her behind the first time, I never thought you would do this to her, EVER! Never mind what it did to me."

" This isn't about you Mike" Shay snapped tossing her head. " I couldn't care less about you."

My eyes narrowed to the point they were almost closed, I didn't expect her to feel much for me anymore but she ought to have the brains to keep her trap shut, still this was Shay " Give it up I have had it with you." I sneered darkly I purposely pulled a nunchuk from my belt and began to toy with it a bit letting it swing close to her at times. I could sense her fear, which was good I wanted her to be afraid, for all the fear she had inflicted on little Rama.

" I am going tell you how things are going to be. You will keep your mouth shut or I might have to shut it for you" I warned her, " You Shay, will go home and never come back near our home or family ever again" I ordered.

" But I am Rama's mother she is mine too!" Shay flared slightly.

I allowed one end of my chuck to hit her arm hard. While my free hand shot out and gripped her throat, hard enough to make getting air difficult, but not cause lasting harm or bruising.

" Your not her mother, you gave birth to her yes, but that doesn't make you a mother by a long shot" I corrected her, " Besides where is your proof that you even had a daughter?" I asked arching an eye ridge in amusement.

Shay trembled and whimpered slightly.

" There are no doctor records or hospital records for the time you were pregnant until you gave birth. In fact the only records that exist are the ones Don has on his computer." I squeezed my hand slightly, " Kidnapping, Shay is an offence and it doesn't matter if you are related or not, it is against the law. You kidnapped Rama and terrorized her" I released her throat but kept my nunchuk moving increasing the tempo a bit on the swings, while still preventing Shay from getting away. " I spared your pathetic life tonight, which is far more then you deserve. If you ever come back here or hurt my daughter, again in any way shape or form you will pay the ultimate price" I told her, " In other words you will die Shay, and it won't be pretty." I vowed, " Now get the hell out of my sight before I change my mind!"

With that I backed up into the shadows of the alley but kept my chuck whirling I wanted Shay to hear it, she knew what I could do with it she had seen me practice with it enough, in moments she was bolting from the alley, rubbing her throat and scrambling for safety like a frightened rabbit.

I leaned against the side of the building as I replaced my weapon into the belt, I felt suddenly exhausted beyond the limits of my endurance. I knew it was just the adrenaline and shock wearing off, but it didn't help that wrung out feeling that came over me.

I made my way to the manhole cover and lifted it up, I was slightly surprised to see Leo and Karena waiting at the bottom of the ladder.

Don't tell me Leo had finally opened his eyes? Then again why not?

Karena had just done something to prove to Leo that his family mattered to her too. Sure I knew that Karena hadn't chased after Shay to get Leo's attention, she did seem to prefer subtlety. However the fact she had helped get Rama back, that she cared enough to even try was enough for Leo. Karena was smiling at Leo knowing full well she finally got his interest, what she wasn't aware of though, was now that Leo was interested he was going find ways of satisfying his curiosity over who Karena really was.

I was glad for Karena's sake that Leo did seem to be getting it together finally, at least something good had to come of this whole fiasco with Shay.

I sent a silent mental message to Leo as I descended the ladder, 'She'll be good for you bro. She cares about your family as much as you do,' I insisted, ' Rama says she is genuine, and she is right.'

' I can't you know that.' Leo returned in the same fashion.

' Don't let her get away from you. Stop playing leader for once and do something for Leo.' I replied then sighed wearily, allowing my shoulders to slump as I raised a hand to rub my forehead.

" You all right Mike?" Leo asked concerned.

" I don't know Leo." I shook my head, " Not exactly the quiet night that we had planned huh?"

" We got Rama back Mike that is the most important thing" He spoke softly as he gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

" I am well aware of that fact" I agreed. I looked up at Karena and found I was choking up just a little " Karena thanks for all your help tonight. What you did, well it means everything to me" I reached out pulling her into a hug.

Leo would indeed, be a very lucky turtle with her in his life.

Karena just hugged me back and then she reached into her coat pocket and pulled out Franklin " I think this is Rama's. I found it near the manhole cover in the back alley." She explained.

" That is twice tonight you have saved me Karena, because I have a feeling Rama is going be wanting her boyfriend tonight." I grinned at her and glanced down at my hands and noticed something that I found rather peculiar. " Leo how many battles have we been in over the years?" I wondered.

" I don't know Mike far too many to count or remember." Leo replied giving me a puzzled look, " Why do you ask?"

" Look at my arms Leo." I replied, " I have never before at any time shook after battle" I said.

It was true my whole arm was visibly shaking from finger tip all the way up to my shoulder and I couldn't seem to stop it. I knew I had been in many tight situations in my life but this was the first time I had ever reacted in such a fashion.

" Take a few minutes Mike, calm down and relax before going home" Leo suggested kindly, " I have a feeling Ramiela will be waiting for you; as well as her friend."

…

Soon as we entered the lair Rama came running to me crying, I bent down and scooped her into my arms and she clung tightly to me, " Baby what is a matter?" I crooned, " it is okay now Rama your home."

Raph shrugged, " We couldn't get her to settle down Mike, not even Splinter could get her to stop. She wants you!"

Don scowled slightly his brow furrowed with concern " She is just so stressed and freaked out right now she just wants what is the most familiar to her, and that happens to be you Mike."

" We're familiar" Raph insisted sharply.

" Your not her father." Don pointed out simply.

" It is all right she has me now." I took Rama to the rocking chair and sat down with her cuddled on my lap, I sat stroking her hair and carapace while she stuck close to me, her tiny frame wracked with enormous sobs.

I told her she was home and safe, and made other soothing and comforting sounds, as well as conversation with her as I rocked slowly back and forth.

I dried her tears for her, and slowly her crying slowed down and her breath hitched a bit as she began to relax and calm down.

Finally, after what seemed like ages Rama began to talk.

" I don't like Shay daddy. I don't want to see her no more. I hates Shay." She sniffed a bit.

" Rama, you don't have to see her any more I told Shay that she isn't allowed to come back here any more." I assured her, while I glanced at each of my brothers.

All except for Raph nodded their heads in silent agreement, that there would be no leniency next time, if Shay was foolish enough to push her luck, which I doubted.

Raph grinned and said " Damn straight!"

" Daddy am I ninja?" Rama asked.

" Of course you are a ninja Rama. You're going to be a wonderful kunoichi one day." I replied.

" Shay say you don't love me. You don't want me coz I not ninja. Shay say ninja who are veeerrrry bad can't be in clan no more and I very bad daddy." Rama explained sounding like she was ready to burst into tears again. " I wants to be ninja. I wants in clan."

I bristled with sudden anger at her words, but I quickly stuffed it down for fear Rama would sense it and become more upset.

The nerve, the sheer audacity of Shay to take something she had learned about ninja from when she had stayed with us, to further frighten and upset Rama with.

" Rama darling Shay isn't even a ninja." I explained patiently, " Only the leader of the clan can decide who must leave. Children, like yourself never have to leave the clan, not even when they are very bad" I assured her, " You are part of our clan and you will be raised as a ninja. In our clan Rama we stick together."

" Even though I bad daddy?" Rama asked looking up at me with her eyes shimmering slightly with unspilled tears.

I hugged her and chuckled " You aren't bad Rama, yes you get into trouble an awful lot, but you aren't bad."

" Heh! I should have been kicked out along time ago, if being bad was the only requirement," Raph laughed a little.

" You have tempted us a few times Raph" Leo teased.

Splinter came over and touched Rama's shoulder with one hand " Ramiela you are a part of our family and clan for as long as you live, and no one can say otherwise. You will be a fine kunoichi."

" But I hits and kicks Shay Mas'er" She confessed.

" All right way to go kid" Raph cheered.

Rama shook her head " Not 'lowed outside dojo" she whimpered, reminding Raph of her rule.

" Ramiela we are teaching you to be a ninja so when you meet a person who wants to hurt you, you can use what you know to get away from them" Leo explained coming to kneel in front of the chair, " So hitting and kicking Shay wasn't bad. Instead you were using your training the way you should."

" Really Sensay it okay?" Rama sniffed.

" It is very okay" Leo assured her kissing her on the head.

" See baby you are a ninja, a better ninja then even you knew" I smiled at her, " I love you Rama, I will always love you no matter what, and I want you with me always because I love you that much" I told her, " And you will be the finest kunoichi that ever was."

Rama gave a long sigh " Loves you daddy" she whispered as she seemed to relax finally in my arms.

I noticed a wisp or two of her dark hair stuck to her cheek and went to brush it back as my hand gently caressed the spot Rama flinched a bit.

" That hurt daddy. Shay hit me there after I kick her" Rama moped.

I turned her head slightly and saw that her cheek was bruised and slightly swollen and my eyes narrowed slightly.

Karena was sitting on the couch watching sighed and grumped slightly as she spoke " It was a hard blow Mike, I saw it and I also noticed Shay jerking on Ramiela's arms quite a bit whenever I got close to see her that is."

I nodded that meant that Rama might have soar arms as well as the bruised cheek. I hugged Rama close.

" My poor baby has had a really rough night. We'll put some ice on that cheek it will help ease the pain, but I think you need something else." I glanced towards Don, " He might be the Doctor of our house but my prescription just happens to be a mug of hot chocolate with whipped cream on top. Would you like that Rama?"

Rama nodded, " Sprinkle too daddy?"

" Yeah, sprinkles too" I agreed.

I knew that sprinkles were tiny bits of shaved chocolate on the whipped cream.

" Daddy?"

" Yeah babe?"

" Can I have cookie too please?" Rama sniffed a bit as she looked up at me.

" I don't like you having sweets before bed" I remind her gently, I saw her bottom lip tremble slightly, " But tonight I will let you have two cookies" I told her winking at her.

She rewarded me with a faint trembling smile the first hint of a one I had seen since coming home.

" You want to sit with someone else while I get it ready Rama?" I offered.

Rama nodded " I sits with Karena?" she asked in a shaky voice.

I was startled to hear that, I figured that she would sooner sit with Splinter or Raph, and definitely would have foreseen her sitting with any of her family over the one human, not that I had anything against Karena, it was just a human had taken her from our home and scared her to begin with. It was nice to know Rama wasn't going to associate this evening's episode to all humans.

I looked over to Karena " You want to hold her?" I asked.

Karena smiled " I'd love to. Come on Ramiela we will sit in the kitchen and wait for daddy to get your snack ready" she suggested warmly, " Oh by the way look who I found" Karena held up the toy and Rama's eyes grew wide as she went into Karena's open arms.

" Franklin. I drops him and Shay wouldn't let me get him. You founds him!" Rama grinned ear to ear.

" It is a good thing you did drop him Ramiela, or I wouldn't have known what happened to you" Karena informed her.

Rama took her toy and hugged Karena kissing her cheek quickly " Loves you Karena."

My brothers and I all looked at each other in total shock while Splinter only smiled.

Rama had never told any human that she loved them, her love yous were strictly for family, not even April or Casey who she knew so well, had ever been given such an honour.

I had to wonder if Rama had realized that someone, as genuine as Karena happened to be would want her home, with her own family, right where she belonged. I shook my head, shrugged my shoulders as I headed to wards the kitchen to prepare the hot chocolate, made with real chocolate and milk.

I figured that it was a good thing Leo was starting to notice Karena, but I also felt that he best get his shell in gear because if he didn't I was willing to give him some real competition and let the best turtle win.

TBC

Digimon girl: Short simple and so glad to hear. A gratitude for your insight.

Lunar Ninja: Mike took care of the butt booting. Raph is Raph. As for Leo he just might have opened his eyes to realize that Karena is there. A gratitude for your insight.

Lenni: Poor Rama indeed. Of course Mike only jokes about chucking her out of her shell he would never do it and so it is a big joke to little Rama. If Mike really did do it then Rama might scream over that too! A gratitude for your insight.

Reinbeauchaser: Yes, Mike does let Shay know plain and simple what he wants and expects from her, with full intimidation tactics in effect as you guessed. From here on end Shay best stay away, course we know that doesn't happen. A gratitude for your insight.

Goggleheadgirl: I always update when and where I can. Of course at the moment I have a few stories on the go, which sort of adds to the waiting time between updates. Thanks so much for the compliment and the review. A gratitude for your insight.

Lady of randomness: Hmmm, I'm not exactly sure what it is you want. It seemed rather vague to me. LOL! Just kidding your point is well and truly taken and I have noted that you are in the I hate Shay fan club. A gratitude for your insight.

Chibi Rose Angel: yes Rama is saved and back home where she belongs. Mike meanwhile figures Karena is far too good of a catch to let get away and since Leo hasn't been doing anything he might as well… however time will tell who gets the girl. A gratitude for the insight.