The Legacy
Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adult or adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians.
Chapter Twenty Two - Future Hope?
Leonardo:
Mike packed Rama, she was dressed up in the clothes that Shay had tried to smuggle her out in, this time though to protect her from the sight of people who might be in the park, Mike was carrying on a very quiet conversation with Ramiela, while Karena and I brought up the rear.
I was looking forward to being out on the farm and hopefully getting back on level ground again, tempers and emotions were running extremely high as of late. A lot of that was due to Rama's kidnapping and the aftermath of it.
Mike wanted desperately to help Rama, to protect her and yet try and help her find a path out of the darkness she now seemed trapped in. I know Mike felt guilty about the danger he had placed Rama into as well.
Ramiela had attached herself to Karena, or perhaps it was the other way around, but either way Karena was almost as capable of comforting Rama as Mike was, and I felt a motherly influence on my niece at this point of time couldn't hurt either.
On top of that was my new found emotions and interest in Karena. I suddenly couldn't seem to get enough of being around her, and I know my mind often snuck in thoughts about her when I ought to have been paying attention elsewhere.
I know the family approved of Karena and all of them mentally assured me of that fact.
Knowing they approved was one thing trying to carry on any sort of a relationship with the duties I was expected to perform as chunin was another. Plus there was the knowledge that the relationship probably wouldn't last.
Karena was human and used to the world topside she would have to sacrifice a great deal to be with or to stay with me. It wasn't that I doubted what she felt for me, for I could feel the sincerity in those feelings, I just had my suspicions of how long they might last.
I figured this very well might be a relationship for the here and the now, but not a long term thing, I was fine with that, I could accept it for what it was. Except the feelings I had right now wanted demanded more and I was afraid I might end up driving her away, instead of having her stay close.
My duties to the clan had to come first, it had to be that way I was old enough to understand that, there were times when I might have rebelled or fought those duties but now I accepted what Splinter had wanted, to cast aside the duties even for a short time meant I had to know it was worth it.
A part of me longed to explain to Karena all the reasons why this relationship couldn't possibly work between us, and we could either, accept the fact, and drop it right now. Or we could take things as far as both of us were willing to go and then move on going our separate ways.
Another part of me wanted to see just how far this would go and enjoying it for what it was.
" Your far away Leo" Karena whispered as she squeezed me hand gently.
" He istraked Karena" Rama stated.
" I'm what?" I inquired not quite sure of the word Ramiela had said and hoping Mike would offer a translation.
" Rama says you are distracted Leo and she is right, you are" Mike informed me, " Typical Leo always miles away or meditating in his own little world, unless he is in the thick of battle" Mike teased.
Karena gave a small smile " So what are you thinking about Leo?"
" A lot of different things" I confessed readily.
We reached the juncture of sewer pipe that opened out into a drainage ditch of Central Park, Mike took a cautious peek to insure we were alone before he ducked quickly out of the sewer tunnels and up the slope of the ditch.
Once at the top he set Rama down on her feet, and plucked a flashlight from his belt, he had packed it into his belt before leaving the lair for one purpose, he now turned it on and directed the beam towards Rama's feet.
" Rama take a look at what you are standing on." He told her simply.
Rama looked down her eyes growing larger and her mouth dropped as she crouched down to run her hands lightly over the top and through the grass blades. She didn't say a word but the look on her face alone was priceless.
A child waking up on Christmas morning to find all the presents under the tree were all for him couldn't have had a look of such delight or joy as Rama had right then.
Mike kneeled beside her " What do you think that is Rama?"
" Grass," she whispered as if she was afraid by speaking too loudly it would disappear on her, " grass, real grass." She grinned impishly.
It wasn't the first time she had seen grass she had seen it the last time we had been out on the farm, but Rama had been quite young then and she probably didn't remember, for all intents and purposes this was the first time she had ever seen grass.
This was more then seeing grass though because for her, seeing it was helping her relearn that she could trust us, especially after the doubts Shay had awoken in her.
" Grass true. Not lie," she sang out suddenly as if greatly relieved to know this.
Mike laughed at her " Of course grass is true Rama."
Rama hugged Mike tightly, " You say they gots flowers here too daddy?"
" Yes, but Rama flowers sleep at night, they close up until morning." Mike replied.
" You get me flowers from here daddy?" Rama asked.
" No babe the flowers here are for everyone to enjoy, to take the flowers out of the park would be wrong, because then we'd be taking away the beauty and enjoyment from other people" Mike explained, " The flowers here are to look at, the flowers I get for you I buy from stores."
Rama ducked her head all the joy suddenly leaving her face she looked instantly regretful and contrite, " I wreck last flowers daddy" she sniffed, meekly.
Rama didn't know a great deal about money but she knew that things that were bought in stores were few and far between, sure we got food that way at times thanks to April and Casey, but outside of necessities, money and bought items were scarce. Rama knew such non essentials as flowers shouldn't be wasted if they were bought.
Mike pulled her into his arms " It is all right Rama, you were upset when you destroyed those flowers. You thought that flowers weren't real and that maybe I was lying to you huh?"
Rama didn't answer.
Mike kissed her on the forehead, " I understand why you did it and I know you really didn't mean it and I will buy you flowers again one day I promise, because I know how much you love them." He assured her.
Rama gave him a tentative smile " Thank you daddy."
" Now lets say we go climb a tree and then I will take you to one of the playgrounds." Mike stood up taking Rama's hand in his.
I heard Rama giggled a bit as she spoke, " Grass tickle feet daddy," as Mike lead her away.
I called after him " Mike, Karena and I are going for a walk, we'll see you back at the lair later."
" Fine just don't be gone too long now, people might talk, mainly me of course but that besides the point bro."
I slipped an arm around Karena's waist as we walked off along the path not far from where Rama had seen grass.
Karena smiled, " I really believe this will help Rama Leo, that look on her face reminded me of a kid turned loose in a candy store."
I nodded agreement " Just wait until tomorrow when we arrive at the farm in North Hampton." I gazed at her, " You know you are welcome to join us there."
" It sounds like fun, from everything I have heard it must be quite the special place for all of you." Karena stated.
" It is all of that and more. It is a place to relax and enjoy life the way we are all meant to, to forget about wars and just be ourselves," I explained.
She nudged me a bit with her elbow as she inquired, " Even you Leo?"
" Especially me" I agreed, " I don't have to worry about busy schedules, or patrols, or keep an eye on my brothers. Yes, I am fully aware that they can care for themselves Splinter trained us all the same way," I added, " But there are times when things get too much, a fight turns the wrong way and you are in over your head. As a leader of my brothers I worry about them and I would hate to lose any of them" I confessed, " At the farm I don't have to be the leader or the responsible one."
" Sounds wonderful Leo, I can see why Mike hopes it will do Rama so much good in the long run." Karena murmured.
" Yes, but the trip here tonight just might be the start of it all" I insisted, " Karena I know you said you liked me before and I have grown very fond of you, but have you considered where all of this might be leading you?" I asked.
Karena:
Where this was leading me to, well I could hope couldn't I?
" You mean all the problems that can arise because of the way I live, the differences of lifestyle all of that Leo?"
" That and more Karena" Leo confirmed with a slight nod of his head.
I glanced at him, out of the corner of my eye, not that I saw a great deal of him, hidden as he was in the folds of the trench coat and the hat pulled low on his head. I had almost enjoyed this last week or so, when Leo took time to seek me out for private conversation, or the simple hand to hand skills he was teaching me, then he had seemed relaxed, now he was back to being the leader very stiff and formal.
" I have had time to consider it Leo" I confessed, " I think we can make it work as long as we both want it to."
" Easily said Karena but life is not so easy," he reminded me calmly.
" Leo it can work if we agree to make time for each other. Your making time for me right now aren't you?" I pointed out to him.
" True but I can't always promise to do that Karena, the duties I may have to attend to don't come at set times, they have a way of interrupting on personal time and space. Like a doctor I have no set hours" he chuckled a little, " not only that I am constantly on call." He sighed, " Karena I know what I am. I know what I am to be, I accepted it long ago, it is all that I have been trained for."
I stopped and held his arm causing him to stop so he was looking at me " Are you trying to scare me off Leo?" I wondered, " It won't work because I made my choice besides Mike has already tried those tactics and it hasn't worked" I declared firmly, " I know I want to be with you, it is up to you to decide if you feel that way for me" I informed him.
He looked into my face and even in the darkness of evening and the extra shadows he used to conceal himself in, I could see something in his eyes, there was a deep longing a desire for something, that perhaps he felt was out of his reach, even though I was offering it to him.
As the leader he knew where his priorities lay, and as Mike had told me some time ago Leo was willing to sacrifice of himself for the sake of keeping his family safe.
" You might find that a relationship with me is not what you expected Karena," Leo began, " I have never been in any relationship that would require the sort of commitment this one would, other then that which I give to my family, but I realize that between two people there is always bound to be differences and that it takes time to work through them and compromise." Leo insisted, he gave a wistful smile, " That is partly why I have never bothered to let my emotions go this far with anyone else." He nodded his head slightly as if coming to some decision in his own mind.
Secretly I was elated, that even he had admitted, that I had gotten further then anyone else before.
" Tell me something Karena where do you see yourself ten years from now?"
Ah ha, Mike had warned me about this once, I hadn't bothered to think about an answer at that time because I never thought Leo would even bother to ask me, after all I wasn't making a pest of myself, besides I wanted to answer from my heart.
" Do any of us know where we will be even a year from now Leo? It is a chance that is all." I declared, " A while ago I was sure I had a job as a teacher and could make my living here doing what I loved until the rug got pulled out from under me that is" I grumbled a bit, " All life is a gamble, especially where our hopes and dreams for the future is concerned, some come true others crumble in the dust and blow away. Some times they are taken before we are even ready to give them up." I shook my head and turned to walk to a nearby park bench where I sat down.
Leo sat beside me taking my hand in his.
" I know what I want out of life if that matters, it is what I believe I have always wanted. You know I was raised by my grandmother and she taught me many things, mostly that with the love and support of those who care about you, you can manage to get by." I smiled as I thought about my grandmother, life hadn't always been easy but she supported me. " Ten years from now, I would like to have a family of my own. I don't care if it is a big family or small. It is just I love children so much and I want to have my own," I laughed a little, " Think Leo I could go in the world and meet a guy I really love, perhaps he loves me, but he isn't interested in having children. Maybe that means he isn't right for me, or he might change his mind. Whose to know?" I shrugged. " That is what I mean by life being a gamble. It is the important things that matter in life and in any relationship. I think if I have love, caring and support in my life then I know I can make it through the hardest of times, and it can also make the good times better." I smiled, " If I could have those things then I know I can manage in my life no matter where I am." I concluded.
Leo smiled and it grew slowly as I finished then he pulled me into his arms, his lips found mine.
I knew then I had said something right for the leader had vanished and it was once again just Leo and I.
I didn't mean the leader Leo had to be, but I loved what made him just simple Leo himself. I knew this was where I wanted to be the trick was to convince him of the fact, or at the very least see if he felt the same for me.
TBC
Lady of Randomness: You approve their togetherness, but I am sure that you knew it had to happen sooner or later. A gratitude for your insight.
Lenni: This update happened maybe a bit faster then the last and I all ready have the next chapter, a short transition one all ready written so it may be posted by the weekend. Sorry I don't talk to Daydream, don't even know her e-mail so can't help you out there. A gratitude for your insight.
Digimon Girl: Hope this update came soon enough for your liking and next one ought to be in about three more days or so. A gratitude for your insight.
Mikaela's Spade: Watch the next few chapters he might be a slow starter, but Leo will make up for lost time. I don't consider your comments a flame, my friend, for flamers burn things to the ground, they tear apart and insult the story often not backing up their comments. Constructive criticism is allowed and one can learn from it. That is what you gave. I admit my grammar and punctuation is bad, a weakness of mine but I try to work on it. A gratitude for your insight.
Reinbeauchaser: Yes Karena is learning course there is the little matter of what Mike is teaching too. However she does know some sentences and words by now thanks to Mike. I plan on a note for next chapter for the Played for a Baka story. As for those moves the professional and amateur bit, well that was stuff I learned years ago in my self defence course. They instructed us on choke holds, knife attacks and other professional and amateur moves, because we might be attacked by a professional. A gratitude for your insight.
Lunar Ninja: Just wait until we get out to the farm, and Leo cuts loose nor does he waste any more time. Word of advice watch what you say it might get you in the end that is if your dragons don't. A gratitude for your insight.
Chibi Rose Angel: Rama's trust has been badly shaken but I think you can tell it is on the way of being restored. Mike isn't ready for a relationship right now with his concerns for Rama and Karena prefers Leo. A gratitude for your insight.