Time To Say Goodbye
Disclaimer: Possession is 9/10 of the law. Suffice to say I do not posses any TMNT. I do posses their wives and children however.
Author's Note: I am being lazy and decided that sentences spoken in bracketsare to be considered Japanese. You might want a box of tissue handy for this. Character Death. Ramica.
Chapter One: The Loss
Rama emerged in the hallway just outside of Splinter's room, she knew that there was usually someone with the Master except when he was resting, and she reached out with her senses getting a quick feel of who was where, before entering the room.
Kaliann glanced over her shoulder, from the chair by the Master's bedside, " Oh Rama I'm so glad you're here, the Master…" she began fear and uncertainty in her tone, her blue eyes looking larger and rounder then normal.
Rama looked at the bed where the Master's thin frail body seemed to be locked in convulsions, he twisted and almost seemed to contort himself, it was a hard sight to see and she comprehended her cousin's confusion. Kaliann wanted to help but wasn't sure what to do. The familiar scent of sandalwood incense tickled her nostrils.
" It is all right Kaliann." Rama soothed as she dropped her hand on the girl's shoulder.
" I didn't know what to do, but I sensed something was wrong" Kali babbled shaking her head.
Rama trembled inwardly, more at the inevitable feeling of hopelessness that permeated the room; " Master it is Ramiela" Rama began as she moved to the bed.
Splinter gnashed his teeth, his tail whipped about, he reached out with a hand attempting to claw, with the yellowish brittle nails on his long spindle like fingers, as he muttered something incoherently in Japanese.
Rama took hold of the thrashing arm and held it gently but firmly, as Kali seemed to shrink back.
" (Master, you have lived a long life, you have more then earned a chance to be at rest and peace now. Your family will be fine. I know you fight to stay with us, but Master we will manage, for you will never be gone from us.) " Rama spoke softly, as she fought back tears, " (You will always be a part of us and we will never forget your teachings, and you will always be the Master, oh noble grandfather.) " She swallowed, " (You have taught us most valuable lessons of respect and honour. We will forever be grateful for your teachings, but now you have a choice to stay trapped in your illness or be free, we wish for you only the best Master, you have earned your reward and your freedom among the astral plains )"
Splinter gasped slightly letting out a large breath of air, his chest seemed to shrink as he exhaled, he opened his eyes and seemed to focus on the one seated by his side, " Ra" the name suddenly escaped him, and his eyes rolled shut as his hand squeezed hers.
Rama gave a faint smile and took a deep breath as she began to sing one of his favourite Japanese songs, the one she had always sung to honour him, the same song that Devon had once joined her on, while they had worked to uncover Don Tello's shell to see if perhaps the carapace was a well made fraud.
…
The boys seemed to converge in the same place as they hurried towards the lair all of them moving at top speed, and all of them silent, including Mike who wasn't even questioning his daughter's absence from the group, as they moved through the tunnels.
All of them feared the worst yet none of them wanted to speak of it, for fear that by doing so, they would jinx themselves and truly lose their mentor, even though they knew it was inevitable.
Kaliann met them all at the front door her sombre expression and the tears that trickled down her cheeks combined withthe numb stare from her eyes, caused Leo to suddenly inhale a sharp breath over his teeth.
The others suddenly hung back glancing nervously from one to the other, wondering if they should ask, or what to say.
Kaliann raised her head and took a deep breath in a low shaky voice, hardly more then a whisper she began " Rama doesn't think it will be much longer, she didn't want to leave him. I'm sorry, I couldn't bring myself to stay," She said as she bowed her head. " I tried but…I just couldn't father." She apologized.
Leo smiled gently at his first born daughter " It is all right Kali, staying in there right now is not expected of you or anyone who doesn't feel they are capable of being with him." Leo turned to look at each of his brothers, " I'm going be with him and of course you can too," he assured them, " But I won't hold it against you if you don't want too." He stated.
Don gulped " I'm going."
Mike nodded " Count me in Leo."
Raph stood undecided then agreed as well.
The four ninja went towards Splinter's room and walked in they heard the soft tone of Rama singing but her voice sounded husky and half choked, they entered to see her close by the Master's bed.
Leo smiled as he saw the faint, shallow rise and fall of Splinter's chest, but a quick probe, told him that the Master was fading. The life force, the will to live no longer seemed there.
" (Your sons are here to bid you goodbye Master.) " Rama informed Splinter as she finished the song. She turned and shrugged, " I don't know if he can hear me or not but it seems to soothe him a little." She murmured, as she fought to control her tears, that were both threatening to fall and some had managed to escape tracing wet paths down her cheeks.
Leo glowered at her " You shouldn't have teleported here" he accused gently, in such a way as to tell her that they would talk about this further later.
Rama raised her head, " I knew what I was doing and where I was going and he needed me here." She declared in her obstinate way, telling her Uncle that she only did what she thought was best under the circumstances. She didn't bother to add, that what ever had struck Splinter might have finished him before any of them had arrived, if she had not done as she had.
Splinter looked up and glanced in a corner of the room he hissed and his tail slapped the bed sheets though with little force " I see death in the corner he waits for me now. "
Rama felt spooked by those words, for she herself could almost sense another an alien presence but she felt that perhaps it was just the present mood that caused the feeling.
She got up to move away from the Master's bedside and take her proper place at the bedside, by the rest of the clan's ninja as they gathered about the bed.
Raph trembled and shook as he saw his Master, his father, and he found that looking on him was far too much, especially in the room that seemed filled with darkness, and the heavy cloak of sorrow and despair that was thicker then any fog, and just as cold to be enfolded in. He broke from the room moments after entering unable to stand his ground or maintain his position.
Mike felt tears falling unbidden from his eyes and did nothing to cover it or hide it, while Don was sniffing slightly and taking deep breaths.
They watched speaking softly each by turn speaking a few words in Japanese while watching the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest, his breathing gradually slowing.
" Raphael was here… " Leo began.
Splinter's lip curled into a strange crooked smile as he nodded ever so slightly, then he laid back down into his pillows, his head making a deeper impression, took one final breath and then breathed no more.
It was as if he had only been waiting for his sons to arrive before leaving. As if their being there had been the last permission he needed before passing on.
Rama raised her hands to her face to cover her eyes as she began to weep harder for the loss of the Master, inevitable as it was, it still hurt and it slightly amazed her that it could still catch her so unprepared as it had.
Leo pulled the blankets closer around the still form of his mentor, unable to totally cover the ninja Master. He looked over towards those who stood with him and saw Mike looking away. Heard Rama's soft weeping and took in Don's quiet, stoic stance, but in spite of how formal Don was trying to be Leo could see the faint shaking in his intelligent brother's frame.
He swallowed hard, wondering what he was to do now, feeling a deep emptiness inside of him.
Somehow the five ninja huddled together holding each other near the foot of Splinter's bed.
Don finally released his tears, as he felt the companionable hug of his family and sensed their own echoing sorrow and loss, things would never be the same, Don knew.
Yes, Leo had more or less been the Master of the clan for some time now, but Splinter had always been there a part of them and their family. He knew Splinter had not wanted any of them to cry, or be too upset at his death, but this knowledge did little to ease his newfound grief and pain.
…
Kali of course had told her mother and the news had quickly travelled to those who were not as perceptive to their surroundings, such as the young ninja in training and the wives. Karena had instantly called Sara at work to inform her that Splinter would most likely be passing soon.
" I'll be home as soon as I can. Oh and Karena try to keep Raph there for me okay?" Sara responded quickly.
" Yeah, I'll see what I can do, but don't expect him here." She retorted. Karena shuddered as she headed towards Splinter's bedroom, she paused and took a deep breath, just as Raph came barrelling out of the room, moving so fast he bumped into her almost knocking her over.
Raph realizing his error quickly moved an arm out to catch and steady his sister in law. " Sorry Karena I can't stay here, I just…"
Karena tried to smile but failed, " You can't run from it either Raph. Sara should be home soon."
Raph stood head hung, his arms lowered at his side with his hands clenching and unclenching, " No he's finally going leave us, just like he's been threatening to." Raph muttered grimly, " He's going leave us and then what we will have?" He demanded suddenly throwing out an arm in his anger.
" We still have each other Raphael. You have your wife and children and all of us too" Karena declared, " You are not alone now." She reminded him firmly.
Raph glowered at her, his eyes suddenly narrowing as he stood up straighter, he took a step closer until he was toe to toe with her. Karena used to Raph's intimidation tactics stood her ground looking him in the eye.
"Come on Raph you aren't the only one hurting, why not help me make tea?" Karena suggested.
" I hate tea," Raph snapped. " I'd rather have a beer."
Karena smirked " If running away isn't going help you, then getting drunk to forget about it is even worse."
" You're starting to sound like your husband all your preachin'" Raph sneered.
" Raph you are needed here. You know that right, even if you can't be in there with him, you have to be here." Karena stated, " If you think that I am wrong go ahead and go." She stepped to one side watching him.
Raph nodded as if he had won as he headed for the front door, Karena followed after him but when he got to the door Raphael, could only open it and look out at the echoing concrete tunnels beyond.
He gasped looking one way then another, but feeling like he couldn't take one step beyond, in stead he leaned in the open door frame bowed his head and did his best to hide the tears he felt burning at his eyes.
Karena came up behind him and hugged him close to her. " I was going go in Splinter's room to be with you all, but I felt it was probably better to let you be with him. He meant more to all of you, then he…" Karena gulped and shook her head slightly, " I'm rambling and I just can't seem to help it," she admitted.
She did her best to lead him away from the door and noted how willingly he came, his shoulders slumped in utter defeat. She led Raph to the couch and sat down beside him, offering silent support.
Raph's head shot up, and Karena heard the soft wailing of Tessica, Mike and Cathy's youngest, as if she had sensed it too.
Raph stood up abruptly and let out a very familiar yell, a call he had given once before when he had felt that he had lost his Master, only that time they had been able to regain him, and he knew this time they would not be so lucky.
Raph shouted towards the heavens and whatever gods or beings might be listening, shouted out his pain and sorrow with a single word at the moment of his Master's demise.
" Splinter!"
Then he crumpled back on the couch sobbing and pounding the cushions with his balled fists. Karena could only sit by and watch feeling her heart ache as her own tears found their release.
TBC
Reinbeauchaser: Ah yes, true angst and hopefully a few tissues needed for this chapter. As for the turtle's ability to mind read do recall that most people only use ten percent of their brainpower. I have read that ninja are fully capable of such things, reading minds, influencing them ect. So perhaps ninja are trained to simply use more of their brainpower. Course mutations can do strange things too. A gratitude for your insight.
Chibi Rose Angel: Yes, death of a loved one is always difficult to handle, even in cases where it is sort of expected or almost a blessing, as in the terminally ill. A gratitude for your insight.
Pretender Fanatic: You might recall this skill of teleporting from RR, clearly they aren't over yet but what happens from here remains to be seen. A gratitude for your insight.
Digimon Girl: Hopefully you enjoy this newest instalment to this story. A gratitude for your insight.
Lenni: Yes they do lose Splinter, no getting around that. The other one is a surprise yet to come, I can't give everything away. A gratitude for your insight.
Pacphys: Keep reading and you will learn who the other one is. A gratitude for your insight.
Jessiy: Yes sooner or later had to come to this story in the Rama series, the loss of Splinter. The whole family is bound to be a little lost for some time. A gratitude for your insight.
Lunar Ninja: You are too late to save Splinter, too bad you can't teleport unless your dragons can help you in that area. A gratitude for your insight.