A Sense Of Family

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

Chapter Twenty Three; Serendipity

RAMIELA:

Ryu was very wary around me whenever he paid me a visit, along with Kali of course. Not that I blamed him, I believe he was slowly starting to come around to accepting me. Not that he gave his trust easily, he had a very suspicious nature and that would serve him well in other areas.

For the last few weeks I had talked with dad about the whole money thing. I still felt that taking the money, even with Yukio dead was wrong. I wasn't a thief, well actually I was, and a darn good one too, but it just felt so wrong to me, to take the money and use it for my own whims and desires. I didn't require a great deal, and I had seen for myself that money did have a way of corrupting and changing people. Besides I was happier now, with things as they were, then I had been for I don't know how long.

Dad smiled and gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder "Look Rama, no one said you had to touch that money or do anything with it, but uh noone else will and if the accounts stagnate the bank may after a few years just decide to look into the whys of it. Use the money to visit Japan, maybe buy yourself a little place out in the country where you can grow a garden. Give some of it away to charities to help whatever causes you feel are worthy" He suggested kindly, "All I'm trying to say is Yukio left you with a lot of negative baggage and this might be a way to turn some of that negative into a positive by using his money for some fun. It is your decision though."

So I finally decided to see if I did remember all six accounts and passwords necessary to get into them, just to see how much money was in them. As I told Washi, I wasn't exactly father's accountant or book keeper. I was his body guard, his assassin, most of all I was his slave. The only reason I had knowledge of these accounts were due to certain missions I had been given where I might have to draw upon one of these accounts.

Come to think of it just because Yukio had always told me he had various accounts set up under certain aliases, didn't necessarily mean that he had as many as I thought. He could easily have transferred money from one account in Europe to an account in Japan so that the number never changed but the passwords and account information might. So with that knowledge, and knowing how devious father was, I best not assume that there were six separate accounts. There might be two or three for all I knew, and the only way to verify was by making use of Don's computer.

Don set me up and permitted me, privacy to do what I felt was necessary "I take it you have learned how to erase a computer's memory to a certain extent so no one can trace where you have been?"

I nodded "It is easy."

"Good. Otherwise I'd have to do it for you, only I'd do it with you here so you knew I wasn't trying anything funny." He told me before ducking out of the lab.

I turned back to the monitor and the keyboard took a deep breath and began my search, I knew there was at least one account I had pulled up for Washi so decided to focus on the other accounts. I found I was able to get into all six of the accounts father had told me about, proving he hadn't mislead me there. The largest of them had over twenty million, the smallest just under ten million but the rest usually ranged between twelve and fifteen.

I trembled as I added it all up and shook my head in disbelief at the amount my eyes probably bugged out and I know my mouth went dry, what was I going do with that sort of money, it was far more, far too much, for any one person to ever spend in a single life time. I knew father was rich, that he could buy whatever he wanted and usually didn't bat an eye over the price, though he may haggle for the enjoyment of it. I knew he was one of the richest people in the business world. That he invested his money wisely, bought items that were almost guaranteed to increase in value, but I never really stopped to think what that meant in numbers.

Dad and Leonardo had mentioned this as 'compensation' or 'inheritance' but this went far beyond that. This was the sort of money that went with high society living when you could afford to be off the wall and people termed you 'eccentric'. This was the sort of money that meant you would always be in the spotlight whether you wanted to or not. I recalled that life style, father often had me appear at parties, and other festivities. While I blended in and could easily join in conversation without feeling I was out of depth. But my appearances at such ceremonies was often two fold for while I could enjoy the entertainment, I was also to guard against any broaches of security to him, or his guests.

I never really cared for those socials father hosted, for too often his guests would try to get father to give me up. After all I was different, and the rich love to display anything that is different, or original. Once in a while the guest would start bidding on me, pleading with Yukio to sell. I always felt protected when he would deny them " She is not for sale. I have money but Kirra's equal is hard to find or match. It took me years to get her to this point."

Of course that didn't stop him from selling some of my skills to those who were willing to pay for it. I always felt degraded and cheapened after those times, but I had to practice my kunoichi training somewhere, for father insisted that such training could come in handy on future missions. I was to look at it as learning experiences.

Then there were guests who would take me aside and try to lure me away from Yukio, and they learned the hard way that I could not be bought off.

I sighed, that much money would make things far more difficult then easy. Though I had to admit I wanted to see Japan again, and I wanted a place up in the mountains somewhere, where I could enjoy my privacy and freedom. I could live off the land, and I didn't need or desire a fancy home, as long as I had the essentials I'd do fine. Course going to Japan meant travel costs, and money to purchase land and build a home. I could also, possibly buy some land or a home here and just get out of the sewers, like dad had suggested a country home with a large garden and some chickens might be very peaceful in itself.

Travel cost now that was something to consider, I could sneak aboard a freighter that was shipping or I could go some what legally and have fake ID.

Fake ID was easy to come by, I could do it myself, but even so I would have to be careful and stay hidden. Security measures were tight so traveling by plane would be almost impossible. It seemed the easiest way to get to Japan would be to buy a boat or plane of my own. I figured a boat would be easiest, and besides I preferred sailing to flying.

After a few minutes of deep contemplation I put the money into two accounts, one held an amount that I figured was all I really needed for a suitable boat,and to arrange for land and home in Japan, and possibly a country home in the states. The other account held all the rest, which I had no idea what I was going do with it, but there was time to consider and besides I had enough of money for one day.

XXXX

A few days later Leonardo requested that dad and I be at the lair in the evening. I had been busy going over things on the internet figuring out if I had set aside enough for my needs, and had come to the conclusion of what to do with the remaining money. There was also how to arrange such purchases but one problem at a time, with the kind of money I had I was sure something could be arranged or figured out.

"Rama come on we are going to be late" Dad called impatiently.

"Why do I have to go?" I demanded.

"Because Leo asked for you." He replied tightly.

"I'm tired of him expecting me to jump through hoops for him. He accused me of having no sense of family. While he treats me like a dog. I'm tired of being strung along by his promise, like a donkey following the carrot on the stick." I ranted petulantly.

"Rama, we don't have tome for this and you could be getting yourself all riled up for nothing" he soothed.

I sighed rolling my eyes in irritation, "All right I will go this time. But so help me if the great leader doesn't start showing me some respect soon I'm going beat him out of his shell permanently" I threatened.

"Great idea Rama I always wanted Leo to go streakin' bare butt naked. Now make like the ninja you are girl and disappear."

I muttered a dark oath under my breath as I grudgingly got up and followed after him.

" You're late" Raph accused as we entered the lair.

"I can't be late when I'm not clan" I protested bitterly.

Raph grinned a bit "If Leo says you are late, then you are late Ramiela. So best get a move on before he changes his mind."

"Can't change what doesn't exist" I grumbled.

Raph chuckled in amusement at my comment, as we headed into the living room as we entered I heard Leo speak.

"You are finally here and about time too. Front and center Ramiela" He ordered.

I took a brief look around, sensing that something was up. Don stood on Leo's right side, Raph and Mike fell in spacing themselves evenly into position of ranking. Kali, Aiden and Karena, holding Heiwa, was on Leo's left side. This was clearly a ceremony of sorts, and if I was right then I wasn't off to a very good start. I bowed my head flushing a bit in embarrassment. Still I knew about ceremonies, so I wasn't about to run towards Leo, for that would have been just as improper as being late.

Instead I moved with a quick flowing stride and as I drew within a foot of Leonardo I dropped down on one knee, the other knee propped up, and I bowed down until my forehead touched my knee pad, before I raised my head ever so slightly to look up at him attentively.

"Ramiela as leader of the Clan, I offer you a place amongst our Clan so you will no longer have to be ronin, but have the strength of a Clan behind you. If you accept then you will be expected to obey the laws and edicts of this clan." He intoned firmly.

I trembled, Clan? I really could be clan again? I had often wondered if Leo had only offered it to get me to perform, but never meaning to really see it through. I figured for him, it was an empty promise, but it was an effective and suitable lure for the likes of me.

" The entire clan is ready to accept you if you are ready to accept us." Leo informed me.

'They all wanted me here? Even Ryu?' I glanced towards Aiden wondering.

Aiden nodded slightly and for once I sensed acceptance, true it wasn't a comfortable acceptance, but it was there.

I looked back at Leo bowing my head humbly again, trying to still my pounding heart "I accept Master Leonardo."

"Rise then kunoichi and join the ranks." Leo smiled.

I got up and took my place by dad's side. Leo came and stood in front of me "You have proven yourself a worthy adversary, a cunning leader and a dangerous enemy. I have great need of your skills and wisdom kunoichi." He assured me, "I do understand there may be some problems, but if there is too many hassles or dissent grows out of hand. You may have to stay separate for the clan for a time until you are better adjusted to all of us." He gave me a sympathetic smile "I hope that such means won't be necessary but I want us to have this understanding. Consider this a trial basis. You are part of the clan as well as the family, and nothing but death will change that, even if it means you are separated you are still very much a member of the Clan."

"I understand Master Leonardo and I accept the terms." I told him breathlessly.

"All right Rama, and we are pretty informal around here, you can call me Leo."

I raised my head and saw him smile as he dropped a hand on my shoulder. I tensed, clenching my fists at my side, resisting the urge to throw him or break his arm. He noticed my apprehension and quickly withdrew his hand and I relaxed, glad I hadn't given in to those feelings. I was grateful for his retreat.

"Leonardo there is something you should know. I decided today that I can not use all of what is in the accounts. I have what I need in one account but I figured the rest of the money, you and your clan could have. You spoke of compensation..." I shrugged a little, "But I was not the only one hurt by Yukio. You have all lost as well and I feel you and your family also deserves compensation for all that you lost. I know money can not replace a life but perhaps it can make your lives easier." I handed him a slip of paper with the information about the account, on it.

He unfolded the sheet and his eyes bulged, "You did keep something for yourself?" He inquired.

"Yes, enough for what I need. A boat to sail to Japan, and money to set up a home there, and a little more for emergencies or just general living. Possibly look for a home here. I kept a little under half" I admitted.

Dad turned, and I sensed his sorrow though he gave a wistful little smile, "A home in Japan huh Rama? I hope you plan on visiting us, or won't mind visitors where ever you decide to settle."

I realized that he figured I was leaving them, "Oh dad, the home in Japan will be my home away from home. A place to visit and renew my spirit. My real home I know now is right here. Japan will always be close to my heart but my family, my clan are even closer" I replied truthfully.

I meant each of those words, for no place I had ever been had ever given me so much and accepted me just as I was, nor allowed me such freedoms. That was what home and family was about, love, freedom and acceptance, and I knew I could search the whole world and not find what I had found here with them. This was the riches I had always searched for. Now I found it I wasn't going let it go. Truly our reunion had been serendipitous on both parts.

The End