Love Don't Come Easy
Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adult or adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians.
Chapter Two: Playing Kunoichi
Rama had finished almost four different batches of muffins she had made, lemon poppyseed, blueberry, double chocolate and apple cinnamon, the last of the apple cinnamon were in the oven, and she gave a smile of satisfaction that there was more then enough for their large clan for breakfast, though odds were all the muffins would be gone before lunch.
Cathy came into the kitchen packing two year old Tessica, who was at the present moment howling like a banshee, her green face almost red from the power and duration of her screams. Rama winced gritting her teeth a bit at her baby sister's vocal program. "I'd try to help you with her mom, but I got to get to practice or Master's gonna have my shell" Rama declared heading for the kitchen door way, then she paused "Shoot the last of the muffins. I don't want them burning."
Cathy laughed at her step daughter's sudden dilemma " Go, I can take the muffins out when they are ready and perhaps one of the cool ones might be the ticket to calm down the noisy one here."
Rama beamed at Cathy "You are a life saver" she gushed, " See if Jacob can run some of the muffins to Uncle Raphael's later for Ashlynn, Mineko, Kaida and Aunt Sara."
"Why not let Raph take them home?" Cathy asked then she rolled her eyes, "Ah yes they wouldn't make it right."
Rama ducked out and headed as fast as possible, without running, toward the dojo. Uncle Raph had decided after Splinter died to move his family out, he said it was too cramped living all together crammed into places like a bunch of stinkin' sardines. But Rama was aware it wasn't the only reason he left, he had found it hard to live there, after Splinter died everything seemed to remind him, and so he left. The rest of the family had set up a place for Raph and his family elsewhere in the sewers. He didn't live too far away, only a few blocks over and down which meant he was able to come for meals, sparring sessions or things like that. It just meant he now had a little more privacy.
Rama wondered if perhaps Kali might be joining them for the morning session, both she and her twin brother Aiden were skilled enough to join the adults in their morning practice session, though Aiden typically wouldn't join unless he was being punished, he didn't care for extra workouts. Rama for her part found that Kali or her uncles and father made her really work in sparring sessions, so she never missed one where she could pit herself against one or more of them.
She entered the dojo and saw that her father and Uncles seemed to be waiting for her to arrive, she blushed a little for keeping them waiting. Leo arched an eye ridge towards her as she bowed low before him and the others, she might be the future leader, but they were the seasoned warriors and so earned more respect from her then the other way around.
"Sorry Master, I didn't mean to be late" Rama apologized.
"Of course you're forgiven," Leo allowed, then he smiled, "that is, as long as you made my muffins." He amended.
Rama giggled "First batch I made."
Leo nodded "That is, as it should be." he agreed, "after you have a quick breakfast though I want you to go to the infirmary, there is a guest there that may need reassurance " Leo informed her.
Rama scowled slightly at those words, guests were normally female, however the family had played host to male guest on rarer occasions, usually young teens who were in trouble and needed a bit of guidance, or the sort of nerdy type who seemed to go around with an invisible sign that said beat the pulp out of me, invisible to all, that is, except the creeps who loved to do nothing but that to nerds as if the sign flashed bright neon for them.
However as a rule, the clan had learned that the older female mutants, namely Rama and Kali, did a great deal at putting male guest at ease, so the fact Leo was asking her to reassure the guest confirmed the gender. She would have to ask Uncle Donatello for the other information later as the sparring session was about to start.
A few hours later hot and covered in sweat Rama approached Don, who was in similar shape, "So what do we know about our guest?" she asked
"He was found on the lower East Side." Don began
Rama arched an eye ridge, that area wasn't exactly the best part of town to begin with, it was a low income high crime area, full of drugs, shady deals and other not so wonderful things. "And?" she prodded.
"He was mugged, had some head trauma, lots of contusions a broken wrist and I suspect some ribs may be broken as well. There was also a black eye and he was bleeding quite badly, but it turned out that was more from superficial wounds." Don filled her in on the damages.
"Did a number on him from the sounds of it. Any ID on him?" she asked.
Don gave a negative shake of his head, "Not when he was found, so someone else must have got it off him." Don admitted, "Sara is watching over him now but she has shift to do soon."
"So I babysit while she works." Rama summarized, "Hmm, well I'm taking a quick shower first" she declared.
"Remember you aren't just babysitting Ramiela" Don pointed out.
"Oh I am quite aware of that. I know what is expected," Rama softened her voice ducked her head, batted her eyes as she cooed "I know how to play the sweet innocent to make him feel us mutants aren't so bad." She gave a coy smile, "I'll leave my hair down for him, guys seem to like that" she purred, "Just leave it to me." She assured her Uncle, "I'll also bring him some herb tea and muffins."
Mike rolled his eyes as he began to guffaw "That and a little bird song and he ought to be eating out of your hands." he claimed.
Leo snickered "Yes our male guest seem to favour the kunoichis hands down."
Mike went over and placed a hand on Leo's shoulder "For some reason we boys, seem to intimidate our male guests. Personally I never understood that" Mike declared giving an innocent shrug.
"I'll report to you later Master, but uh, I will be able to be with Jessie when he gets here right?" Rama pressed as she glanced at Leo.
Don, Mike and Raph looked at Leo as she said this, they hadn't heard the news yet though all of them were familiar with Jessie, after all he boy had been a fixture in the lair for quite a few years, before Rama was allowed to go meet him topside.
Leo smiled, "Of course." he said.
Rama beamed as she bowed his way then headed for the showers, while Leo's brothers demanded an explanation, which he gave readily.
After a quick shower Rama ducked into the kitchen and made the herb tea, gathered some muffins and a bit of fruit onto a tray and headed to the infirmary. "Sorry if I kept you waiting Aunt Sara but your relief has arrived." Rama announced on entry.
"Good, he's woken up a few times, but hasn't been too with it, I have a feeling he is going be a bit more together when he wakes next." Sara informed the girl, "I'll leave you to him then."
Rama watched her Aunt leave, Sara was a small woman, just around five foot in height, she was a stubborn strong willed person, but underneath her gruffness was a good heart. "Don't worry I can manage" Rama mumbled a bit before turning her eyes on the form in the infirmary bed.
He had short curly hair, that seemed so out of place on a guy, he was lean with a few defined muscles in the leg and arm, meaning he probably did jogging and weight lifting but didn't go into too heavy or strict regime. He had long thick fingers on each hand, and his face was so battered and bruised it was hard to tell what it might look like under normal circumstances.
Kinda cute, Rama mused, Course he'd never think that about me. I am so doomed to die a virgin. She sighed miserably feeling now more then ever that, that was to be her lot in life, especially as Devon was out of the picture. More or less, there was time she still thought of him and dreamed of him. Yes, she did still miss him, but he was a part of her past now and since she still hadn't been able to reach him in anyway realized that hanging on to Devon wasn't doing her any good.
Rama set the tray on the bedside table before going to dim the lights in the room to the point where the room was quite dark, she didn't mind the blackness the enveloped the room, it made her feel far more in her element, but she knew that waking to such darkness might not put their guest at ease, so she moved around the room, knowing instinctively where the beds and the counters were. She carefully lit candles until the room became alive with the warm glow from the flickering light. Lighting enough candles to make the room seem lit but still providing shadows where she needed them along the bedside near the table. Now content with her preparations she moved to the chair, that her Aunt had vacated.
She settled back into the chair and the shadows closing her eyes and entering a light meditation, there was little else she could do until he woke. She might as well take the moment to re-energize herself through a relaxing meditation, while remaining observant to the guest who was slowly waking from his sleep. When he started to show signs of becoming awake she dropped her meditation and patiently watched him while he slowly came back to the conscious world.
A low groan, the slight movement of his head as he seemed to look around, were the first signs that he was awake. He inhaled sharply, and there was a feeling of uncertainty that bordered on unease, as he narrowed his eyes scrutinizing his where abouts, as if trying to figure out where he was and doing his best to get his bearings. Rama didn't want to startle him, but at the moment he seemed unaware of her, and she didn't want his uneasiness to lead to fear or panic. These things she knew had to be played carefully.
She gave a low cough as if clearing her throat, to warn him that he was not alone, he turned his head abruptly towards the sound.
"It's alright. Calm down now, you're with friends. You were so badly hurt we were concerned for your health." She explained keeping her voice low soft and soothing, "I brought you some herb tea. I know not everyone is a tea drinker but this tea will help ease your pain. Would you prefer sugar, cream or honey?" She inquired as she reached for the pot to pour the liquid into two cups, she knew she didn't need the tea, but was aware that guest felt more comfortable when their host also took the refreshments. Besides drinking and eating helped relieve any fears that the stuff might be bad in some way. There were many rules of etiquette one had to follow when entertaining new guests to make them feel at ease, sharing refreshments was one. Leaving weapons outside the infirmary was another.
He stared hard trying to see who was sitting in the shadows, it was hard to see the person, they were a dark silhouette against the darker shadows, but the voice sounded feminine and comforting, but he didn't want to be soothed by that he wanted answers "Who are you? What's going on? Why are you holding me here?" He demanded sharply.
Rama shook her head in slight exasperation, male guests always wanted to know as much as possible, as quickly as possible, as if by learning all the information in one quick crash could better help them gain control. Not that female guests didn't worry on waking in strange places, but the female guest wanted information to soothe fears and assure themselves they were safe. The male guest could not have all the information handed over on a silver platter, for he was apt to become aggressive and bad tempered, the male guest had to be handled delicately so his fears didn't turn into problems for the family.
Being a female, was one way of assuring the male guest they weren't in too much danger, most guys didn't believe that a woman could do much to them, secondly the male guest were far more willing to let a female answer their questions when ever she felt like it, where if a male host tried such a thing the guest might assume that there was something being hidden from them rousing suspicions. Women were allowed to be mysterious, coy and not rouse suspicion or aggression. Truly, Rama had to use her kunoichi skills here, while not fully trained as a kuoichi, she had received enough training to play upon a male, at least to the point where she could reassure them and make them feel safe around her.
"I'll get to that in good time my friend" She soothed, "But I believe you would do well to have just a little tea if you could manage it." She persisted as she sat back in her chair interlacing her fingers and resting her hands on her lap, "I will answer all your questions shortly, tell you anything you may want to know, if you'd only indulge me a little" She cooed, shaking her head allowing her hair to shift and move with her. "The tea will help the physical and my answers will help will hopefully help with other aspects."
"I'll drink some of that tea if you tell me who you are" He bargained.
Rama raised a finger shaking it "Uh-Uh-Uh" She shifted crossing her legs, "I was told by my father, to never give my name to a stranger" She gave a coy grin, "So I best get your name first then you won't be a stranger."
He smiled "Steven Levinsky" he replied.
"Ramiela Turtle" Rama responded, "So now you know my name what would you like in your tea Steve, or do you prefer Steven?"
"A little cream" Steve answered, "either or is fine," he replied. No matter how he tried he could not see the person in the shadows, he could see her movements, see strands of long hair that billowed around the speaker, and that voice, well somehow the tone of it alone put him at ease, told him he had nothing to fear.
"Sure" Rama deftly lifted the small cream pitcher pouring a tiny bit into the cup "I made muffins this morning, would you like to try one?"
"Uh what did you say your name was Ram..." Steve paused now uncertain how the rest of it went.
"Ram-ie-la" Rama said it a bit slower, "But you can call me Rama, if it easier for you. I don't mind, I know my name can cause a lot of trouble with pronouncing it correctly." She rolled her eyes, "My dad has a weird sense of humour, I think it came into play when he gave me that moniker."
At one time being able to call her Rama was considered a bit of an honour amongst the family, besides Rama had never cared for the shorter version of her name, feeling a ram was a male sheep and so had nothing to do with her. Ramiela was pretty, strange, unique, she loved the way it sounded and she felt if people respected her they would call her by her full name, not the derogatory shorter version. That had changed though, when she had been in that other world, there could be just as much respect given to a short name as when given to the long one and with that lesson Rama finally permitted her family members to call her whatever they wanted to, as long as they weren't trying to insult her.
Besides she had to admit saying Rama was far easier for people not use to her long name.
"Here let me help you sit up, then we can visit a bit better" She offered. She knew if she moved quickly he wouldn't see much of her in the dim light of the infirmary. She moved with gentle speed propping pillows behind him so he could sit up and about the most he probably saw was her arms, he might have noticed that her skin colouring was slightly green, but he'd probably dismiss it as a trick of the candle's light. "There is that better? Are you comfortable Steven?" She inquired hopefully.
"Uh Yes" He replied shocked at how quickly he'd been re-positioned and yet he hadn't felt much or noticed a great deal, she was efficient and caring, whoever she was.
"One of my family members came upon you on the lower east Side somewhere. You'd been badly hurt. Normally well they would have taken you to a hospital, but since your ID and everything was missing. I guess they were afraid you might not receive the immediate attention that you might have needed." Rama explained, "My family has trouble fitting in with the world, well with people, not all of them mind you" she hastened to assure him, "We have many human friends, but we know our differences could make a lot of people hate or despise us."
"My wallet stolen?" Steve asked.
"I guess if your ID was in it, probably taken by the people who hurt you" Rama replied.
He narrowed his eyes as he took a sip of his tea, "You talk as if people are separate from you, as if you are not human."
"We see ourselves as human, but many humans might not agree with our view point. We don't wish to be separate but we can't find a way to fit in either Steve." Rama remarked as she shoved the plate of muffins closer to the bed, "Go on have one they are about as fresh as they come." She urged.
" I recall who did it now." he grunted, "Yeah I could see how they would take my wallet. Should have known it wasn't my client who called and wanted to see me." Steven muttered he gave a frustrated shake of his head "I got to get into work."
"Hold on I don't think you are up to a day of work, whatever work you do. Look at you, you have been beaten up quite badly. You need to rest and recuperate. Not that I don't admire your dedication. But Steven you must look after yourself for you won't do anyone any good if you don't" Rama advised tenderly, "Later we can take you to the hospital for proper treatment and care and I doubt they'd be releasing you that quickly." She paused, "Now if you are worried about being missed, well that is understandable. Here I have a cell phone on me, go ahead and call whoever you need to, let them know you are all right." Rama handed over her phone.
Steven made a few quick calls before handing the phone back.
"So Steven you talked about a job with clients, what do you do, if you don't mind my asking that is?"
"I'm a lawyer, dealing mostly in discrimination or harassment areas. I have been able to fight for and obtain citizenship for those who have been denied it, sort of a branch off the same tree as many are denied citizenship due to discrimination." Steven explained, "Since I deal with a lot of illegal immigrants I don't always get the best of money. Poor people down on their luck can't pay much, so in most instances I'm paid by the court systems." Steven replied.
"Ah that sounds very interesting." Rama murmured, thinking of what such a person could do for their family, if only Leo would permit it, "You must enjoy being able to help people realize their dreams and get away from oppression. That is such a wonderful job then." She gushed.
"I like it. Wouldn't mind doing better at it but I guess that will come in time." Steven admitted.
"So I take it someone called you pretending to be one of your clients, or a new client and when you went to see them you were jumped." Rama essayed.
"Exactly." Steven grunted. "I suppose if you don't mingle with people you don't have a job huh?"
"No. Not really. I'd love to get a job anywhere. Hell I wouldn't care if it was flipping burgers or selling hotdogs in the park" Rama claimed, "But well, can't cause a scene, so I just help out around the home. My Aunts they are human and since they don't have our problems they go to work in different places, one of my Aunts is a nurse, another is a computer programmer who works from home, another is a substitute teacher and my step mom is an animal behaviourist she works in the zoo." Rama figured mentioning her family's position would help, "I help with cooking and babysitting and teaching my younger cousins."
"Sounds like that can keep you busy." Steven answered as he took a blueberry muffin.
"It does, for the most part. I was home schooled, of course. Anyways I guess I better tell you a little bit more about my family." Rama took a deep breath, and told Steven a bit revealing only certain aspects of their life keeping the part about being ninja totally out of the story.
He often interrupted with questions and Rama diplomatically replied, sometimes with short simple answers, other times with a 'we'll get back to that one.' or by steering away from touchy subjects. She wanted to be careful of what he learned and when. Give him a bit of food for thought, let him chew on it and digest it before going onward. She remained sweet, pleasant and cheerful, doing her best to keep Steven at ease, lying all suspicions to rest. Then there was of course the questions she asked, wheedling information from him, while doing her best to not reveal too much about themselves. It was a delicate operation but she played it well, knowing the familiar steps to it.
"You know Steven, maybe someone like you could help people accept us as citizens as one of them." Rama sighed, "we keep hoping one day, we can walk freely but people can often be afraid of things they don't know or understand, and then things turn nasty so we try to avoid those sort of situations, that's why we hide, and spend our time looking in from the outside so to speak."
"Are you all badly disfigured?Perhaps from interbreeding?" Steven blurted.
"EWW! No!" Rama exclaimed in disgust.
"I didn't mean it that way" Steven said, " I just meant some disfigurements can be caused by..."
"Interbreeding and it gets worse the more you interbreed" Rama spoke up, "Yeah I've heard those things happen too. But our situation isn't quite like that. My father and Uncles just seem to have a gene with in them that passes their genetic makeup to us, the children. My aunts are all human and definitely not from the same family." She reminded him.
Steven scowled "Something went awry then to cause the problem in them and it happens to be dominant."
Rama nodded, "Now you understand. Some people might consider us mutants." She allowed.
Steven cocked an eyebrow "Mutants?"
"Yes. To an extent we are, in that we are a drastic change from the norm. We have human attributes, such as our emotions, our abilities to think carry on long conversations, but our looks is what sets us apart." Rama informed him casually.
"Look I have been talking to you for a bit now, and I believe that no matter how you look you are definitely human in all other aspects." He stated, "Saying you aren't human is like saying people who are born ugly aren't human, or those who are mentally or physically challenged are not meant to be human." Steven declared, "You can't be that different."
"Really?" Rama asked, "I'm glad you think so and I hope you keep that in mind" she licked her lips, okay here comes the kicker time to see if he really means what he says, She told herself "Steven I have something to confess, and it might surprise you a little, or a lot, but uh you see my dad, my uncles, my cousins and I well we all look like giant turtles."
Steve's mouth gaped he shook his head in disbelief.
Rama smiled, as she took a breath to tell him the rest of the story "You see my father and uncles were once ordinary pet turtles, and they ended up in the sewer where a rat who had been a pet of an Asian man named Hamato Yoshi, found the turtles. He came across the four turtles in a glowing liquid that had mutating properties. It wasn't long before the rat and the four turtles began to change..." Rama filled him in on a lot of the details she had held back thus far, letting Steven know that the turtles picked up some simple martial arts moves off of the TV or out of old books that had been discarded. she wasn't about to tell him the ninja history just yet. she concluded with how the Aunts had come into their lives and Splinter had died.
Steven was sitting looking at her "A great story there Rama, but I do believe you are trying to pull my leg. Turtles?" he scoffed, "No way."
Rama lit a few more candles setting them on the bedside table and stood up from the chair moving from the shadows to stand next to the bed revealing herself to Steven "Oh trust me very much way Steven" she corrected with a bit of a smirk on her face.
Steven's jaw dropped as he stared at the person he'd been speaking to, all along he had an image of what this girl/woman would look like but he had never thought, not for one second, that incredible voice could belong to someone who looked like, well like this, like a giant turtle shell and all. He was astonished, he was beyond astonished! Nothing had prepared him for this being, because nothing, not even all of her talk could fully prepare a person to accept that a being like this existed.
"I know what I am and I'm not ashamed of it Steven" She declared, "I'm a mutant turtle human hybrid child. Twenty years of age. The fact that my dad and uncles have successfully had children means our species are compatible to an extent."
"An extent?" Steven echoed finally managing to say something though he couldn't seem to stop staring at her.
"Yes, you know horses and donkeys can breed but the offspring the mule can't. Possibly my cousins and are nothing more than mules, sterile." Rama answered with a casual indifferent shrug, "Only time is going have the answer to that particular question." She paused and smiled at him, "Come I'll help you to the restroom, that will give you a chance to touch me and assure yourself that I am flesh, bone, shell and what have you. Then I think you ought to have a rest."
She helped Steven to and from the washroom then helping him back into the bed, she rearranged the pillows once again and gave Steven an indulgent smile.
He looked like he was ready to ask her a bunch more questions but she gave a shake of her head.
"Not now they can wait Steven, the walk has worn you out and we've talked enough for now. Rest we can talk more later. I know that you have confirmed my turtle characteristics. But right now it is far important for you to rest. You will heal faster." She assured him kindly.
He looked as if he was about to fight her gentle orders so Rama softly began to sing, picking a few soft slow songs to ease him into a relaxed sleep, she was pleased when Steven succumbed to the music gentle call of sleep. She picked up the tea tray leaving the room, he was now as ready as possible to deal with others in the family. Her next step was to inform Leo of everything she had learned.
TBC