A Sense Of Family

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

Chapter Twenty Two: Decision

LEONARDO:

It had been a few weeks since Aiden's capture, and I as well as the rest of the family, were doing our best to get Aiden over that which he had tried to hide. As he grudgingly admitted to me, "How could I say how I felt when everyone seemed determined to welcome her back?" It had been hard on all of us, yes, but we had tried to keep our grief from Rama, not wanting her to realize or feel like we blamed her for the events. It was a hard enough issue to try and tip toe around. Yet it seemed we hadn't done quite enough to ease the demons of the past in my son.

Of course he found that since Rama's was now a good place to visit, as it was the only place he or Kali were permitted to go, as they were still under restrictions do to their disobedience. Going to Rama's meant escaping whatever tedious tasks I might have assigned for them, like dusting the book shelves and arranging the books in order, or writing out old scrolls where the ink was getting hard to read, or...any form of creative punishment I could think of.

I also watched Ramiela silently evaluating her, during the last few weeks. My instincts told me it was time to bring her into the Clan, though I hesitated wondering if we ought to wait just a, little, longer. There were still differences and, possibly, enough hard feelings to cause more hassles. She still had a great deal to work out in spite of all her progress. She was still moody and volatile, and I knew it was far more then her just being a difficult teen.

Then of course there was the fact of how the others would accept her into the clan. I needed to know, how the others felt for this was not just something I had to decide but the entire family deserved the right to have a say in the matter. To address any fear or uncertainty in a more private manner I felt the best way, was to talk to each family member separately instead of having a proper family meeting where one person may take offense to anothers vote, or opinions.

I sensed some one approaching from behind, knew that it was Karena, she likes to pretend she could catch me by surprise, and I let her believe that she could. Karena slipped her arms around me "You seem very distracted the last few days Leo, is something troubling you?" She murmured in my ear.

I turn in her arms and quirk an eye ridge at her, "Well now that you mention it my mind is on another woman" I confessed teasing her lightly.

"Isn't that always the way! You give a man the best years of your life and he grows bored and finds some one younger" Karena declared, as she gave me a light smack across the arm.

"Who says she is younger?" I countered.

Karena took my hand and lead me over to our bed, "Leo, I think I know you well enough by now to know that you don't have affairs. Which means it is either Rama or Kali that has you in this state."

"All right I confess it is Rama. I've been debating with myself about bringing Rama into the clan, and whether I ought to do it or wait a bit longer." I explained, "I don't want to make her a member and then find it has been too much pressure and certain issues cause her to back slide. She has been doing amazingly well, and the help she gave us to get Aiden was over and above what I expected from her, plus it seems like Aiden might finally be coming around."

Karena nodded "One of your big concerns is how she would work in a group, with the rest of you, when things got bad. You were never too sure if she would be willing to help you out or if, she'd turn against you. That has been very valid reason when you consider all the times she has attacked you or Raph in sparring, but the recent battle has proven to some point that perhaps your doubt on her allegiance is unfounded." Karena pointed out.

"Of course that is why I am considering this insanity in the first place." I grumbled a bit because her words hadn't given me any new insight only confirmed what I all ready knew.

Karena rubbed my shoulders "Leo if she is ever to understand what having a real family is like, then she is going to need to become a part of one." She turned my face to her and kissed me, "Look if your worried about how such a change might effect her you could accept her in the Clan on a condition, say that she is a Clan member but any acts of violence or aggression might end up in her being sent for a partial banishment where she must return to living alone, at least until she is ready to fit in and stay with us." She suggested.

"I married a very intelligent woman" I whispered as I returned her kiss. "I'm lucky to have you." I assured her. I stood up and went to check the rest of the family's views. I decided first stop was Don's lab, he was busy working on a computer program when I came in.

"What's up Leo?" He inquired hardly even looking up from his work.

"I came to ask you what you think on whether Rama is ready to become a member of our clan or not." I decided to cut right to the chase.

Don turned from his work, swiveling in his chair to face me and looked up "Do you mean ready mentally or physically Leo?"

"Both" I replied, knowing his work was important and that Don could multi task well enough that he did not need to afford me all of his attention as he was now.

Don shook his head, "It is hard to say Leo. Mentally she still has a lot of problems that could effect her for some time to come. We both know you can't put a person through the sort of atrocities she suffered, without it causing problems for an extensive period of time. Just because she seems to have it together right now, doesn't mean it won't come apart and she'll lose all control somewhere down the line" Don insisted, "However that said, I also believe that by making her Clan she could progress in some areas that she hasn't been able to because she sees herself as Ronin. By being a member she knows she will have to give in where before it was, I have to look out for myself attitude." Don smiled a bit, "It may also help her develop stronger bonds thereby making her less dangerous, as Rama has almost consistently shown that once she trust someone her need to harm that being goes down significantly."

I weighed his words carefully, I knew Don was not as skilled in the mental aspects of treatment as he was in physical ones. "Okay Don tell me, hypothetically, could we bring her into the Clan and if she found it too difficult to fit in would it be better or worse to then accept her fully." I scowled a bit, "Perhaps banning her or accepting her on trial basis" I clarified.

Don sat back in his chair, reflecting on my words for a moment or two in silence "I think accepting her as a member on trial basis might be better for a time, if she fits in then she can be made full member, if she doesn't well then we know it was too soon for her. If we banish even temporarily she might not do so well." Don shrugged, "She may see it as a rejection, where as if you tell her she is accepted on trial she will probably be a little more understanding if worse comes to worse." Don sighed, "She needs a family, she is confused and searching for answers as well as knowing she is accepted."

I nodded. I thanked Don before I left. I knew that while Don liked Rama, felt deeply for her pain , he wasn't about to cover up that we could expect problems from her for some time to come. Something I had all ready figured, but Don at least hadn't tried to sugar coat things and assure me Rama would be perfectly fine and the whole family would be better for it. No he expected problems but felt in the long run that things would work out better.

I had no doubt that Mike and Kali would be all for the idea of Rama becoming a member of the Clan. Mike had been pushing for this ever since Rama had come back into our lives. I knew it had been the one thing he ha been slowly working towards, sometimes impatiently waiting for the rest of us to welcome her as he all ready had. I figured I didn't need their opinion on the matter, it would be a resounding yes. In Kali's case it would be followed by ' that's great dad!' I smiled as I opted to forget them and get down to the two members of the family who had opposed Rama the longest, and therefor might be harbouring a few hard feelings even now.

I knew Raph and Rama had made their peace, though in practice they would often end up trying to get the best of each, if it went too far Rama would almost invariably end up ready to kill him. The rest of the time they seemed fine, but practice is where it deteriorated. I found Raph as I suspected working out in the dojo. I waited until he acknowledged me and then asked him what he thought.

"What? Her here, like full time? You slipped your shell there Leo? I mean do you really believe that there is room in the lair for two psycho turtle?" Raph wondered.

"That is what I am asking you Raph. It isn't exactly my fault the two of you insist on turning almost every practice session into some sort of death match competition" I ribbed.

Raph chuckled, "Its a lot of fun you ought ta try it Leo. Have ya noticed no matter how often she threatens to kill, any of us, okay mostly me and I ask for it, that she hasn't done it. I think she has more control over it then we are willing to give her credit for."

"If she stays it might actually force the two of you to get along." I remarked, "I also know she doesn't seem so bad with you outside of practice."

Raph nodded, " I like sparring with her, she really sharpens my instincts and my moves."

"Then you have no problem with her entering the Clan?" I inquired, getting the conversation back to where it should be.

"No Leo, she has to become a member sometime." Raph gave an indifferent shrug.

Now I was down to just one person, and knowing Rama's vow, I knew that Aiden's opinion could very well be the one that kept her out, in fact his vote could easily cast the proverbial monkey wrench into the works. I was relieved that Aiden at least had been visiting with Rama, even if it was only to escape his punishment, Kali and I often talked about her brother's behaviour during these visits and also verified that she wasn't protecting him by consulting with Karena, or Mike.

Kali had told me just the other night that Aiden was participating more in their conversations "Rama told him that he is very brave for confronting his fears. I think Aiden might be starting to like her, he just doesn't want to admit to it as of yet." she tittered "You know he grouches and complains about going there but once he is there he doesn't seem to mind."

Course a lot of that attitude could be Aiden was being typically difficult not to mention he was reaching that difficult stage of being a teenager. I found Aiden busy copying scrolls he glanced up as I entered and rolled his eyes "What now dad?" he groaned wearily.

"Keep that attitude up and you will be staying home tonight instead of going to Uncle Mike's for movies" I warned him, "And I just want to talk Aiden."

Aiden sat down the pen and rubbed his one hand with the other "Good thing I'm ambidextrous or I'd have major writing cramp" he informed me, "So what do you want to talk about?"

"I want to know how you feel about Rama? I want your honesty son."

He shrugged "I dunno she's okay I guess" he admitted reluctantly.

"Do you still consider her a Foot Soldier?" I pressed.

"No" Aiden shook his head.

"Do you think she may hurt us?"

Aiden looked up and his lip trembled a bit " I don't know. I've asked her that and she says she can't promise not to hurt you or...I mean she did promise me on her word of honour that she wouldn't harm Kali or myself but she says she might hurt one of you without thinking about it. That it could just happen." Aiden explained, "How can I trust her dad?"

"You can trust her because she is speaking the truth. Not only that Aiden, if she can tell you that she is aware of the problem, she's not trying to deny it or say that there is no problem. By being aware of it, she may be able to prevent more of the trouble." I pointed out putting an arm around Aiden's shoulder, " Most of us realize that Rama may hurt us, and we are trying to help her with it. Though your uncle Raph still seems to goad her on, but I think those two have turned it into more of a game between them then anything" I chuckled a little. "Aiden, old habits take time to die, and we have to keep in mind that Rama even when she has gone after us, has never seriously injured us, not since we escaped from Yukio's clutches."

Aiden sighed and hung his head "What if it gets too difficult, her being here or...?"

"Aiden, we can work things out, we can figure out solutions, or alternative measures, if we are aware there is a problem. When you hide it we don't know and we can't help you. You are only alone if you allow yourself to be." I soothed, "So what do you say Aiden?"

Aiden gave a tentative nod "I guess it can't hurt to try."

"It never hurts to try Aiden, even if we fail we can learn from our mistakes and hopefully avoid it the next time around. Sooner or later we will achieve our goal."

Aiden glanced up and smiled, I hugged him closer enjoying the moment, for these times were rare.

With Aiden's decision to try the vote was unanimous, or as close to it as we could get in welcoming Rama back into our home. Now the next question would be if Rama would accept it and how she'd take to it was entirely up to her. Hopefully though, we could manage without turning her away. I guess only time itself would tell.

TBC