Love Don't Come Easy
Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adolescent or adult transformed shadow warrior chelonians.
Chapter Eleven: New Love
Rama and Jessie had dinner at a tiny quiet cafe, where the food was good and the prices fairly reasonable. Rama settled into a corner nook where she'd not be so in the open of prying eyes, but where she could see anyone coming in or out, not to mention those that might head in their direction. Jessie sat across from her, for a moment they discussed what looked good, or what appealed to them. " I was thinking of the special the lasagna with salad, but the curried chicken is good too" Rama remarked.
"I don't mind spicy but I think I'd go for the roast turkey dinner instead." Jessie remarked casually as he scanned the menu more thoroughly.
In the end they of course decided to try something totally different from their first thought or opinions.
"Rama how we getting into the movies tonight?" Jessie asked.
Rama looked up from her roast, and baked potato, giving Jessie a blank uncertain look, "Excuse me, we get in the usual way. Why?" she wondered.
Jessie grinned around a mouthful of fish, "Well I was thinking of when we were younger, how you used to sneak us into the movies and I thought maybe..." Jessie hinted.
Rama's spine stiffened and she sat up straighter, "Jessie, how could you. I mean yes, I know I did it in my teens, but I'm not...well, you know I have to set an example, we can't go drawing attention to ourselves. I did that to prove I could sneak, plus it was kind of fun." Rama admitted, "But I never stopped to consider the consequences, though I often had to suffer them if dad found out any of our shenanigans." Rama grumped a bit at the memory rolling her eyes, "It wouldn't look right for me to behave in such a fashion now."
Jessie gazed into her gray green eyes shaking his head a bit, "I don't believe it. You never used to worry about things like that Rama."
"Yeah well, I wasn't second before and I was just a stupid kid anyways Jessie." Rama declared.
"You sure you aren't just saying that, perhaps you know because of the fact you are second and you do have so much responsibilities?" Jessie hinted, " Come on Rama, you don't have to set an example because there is nobody here but us, and it could be fun, for old times sake at least. Not only that the only one who is going to know is the two of us."
Rama shook her head, "You are bad Jessie."
Jessie grinned, "I think you are afraid to do it," he challenged.
"I'm not afraid of anything" Rama retorted quickly, "But I don't have to give in to the likes of you either."
"The likes of me?" Jessie asked placing one hand on his chest.
"Yes, you're incorrigible at times Jessie, you have to take some responsibility and..." Rama insisted.
Jessie heaved a sigh, "Forget it Rama. I didn't think you'd be so grown up all of a sudden" Jessie muttered a bit turning to look away.
Rama knew she had hurt Jessie's feelings a bit with her words, he was her friend and he still had a lot to deal with and overcome, ' What would it hurt to do it? Just this once, it isn't like you can't. I recall a time when you loved to challenge yourself that way. It was fun. Remember fun? Now it seems something you limit yourself to once a year.' Her inner voice said. Rama sat back relaxing, "Jessie if I sneak us in, you buy the treats." she hinted.
Jessie looked up at her "You are so on."
"Just one more thing Jessie, I'm not going do this all the time, but it won't hurt to do it this once either." Rama smiled at him. "So what do you want to go see tonight?"
Jessie arched an eyebrow "How about our style of comedy?" he suggested.
Rama giggled, at his words, most people felt comedies were funny, but Rama found very little to laugh at in the movies that were supposed to illicit such a response. In fact, if anything she found most comedies, to be tedious boring affairs, with perhaps a few mild chuckles and on occasion a good guffaw. She actually found more humour in the children's movies then in comedy movies that seemed to cause one to lose intelligence while viewing them. On the other hand was what Jessie and Rama had termed 'great comedies' these were labeled, for some odd reason, as horror movies, like laughter was supposed to be terrible. While neither of them were that horrified, they found such movies would often give them, one good scare at least and were rather ridiculous, especially when they spawned numerous sequels.
"I am so with you on that Jessie." Rama finally managed to say.
Rama found that she rather enjoyed sneaking into the movie theater, she knew she hadn't lost her skill, but it was pure simple fun to do it, and though she may never admit it to Jessie, or anyone else for that matter she loved having the opportunity to give in to mischief and to do something she knew was 'forbidden' by the Clan. It brought to mind being younger, when life didn't have so many responsibilities and it was a way to improve skills. Rama smiled silently to herself deciding that every once in a while it might, be okay to give in to temptation, just for the fun of it.
XXX
The next few weeks found Rama often doing something with Jessie, when she wasn't busy with Steven and her other duties. Jessie played it as casual as he could, but thrilled to every minute that Rama spent with him. For Rama it was just that she was reconnecting with an old friend, and finding perhaps that they hadn't drifted as far apart as she may have thought.
Rama once in a while would pick up some emotion from Jessie, that spoke of feelings for her, but she did not call him out on it. After all Jessie knew she was taken, and that their relationship was based entirely on being friends. She knew her friend would not act on his feelings, and even if he did, she didn't have to respond to them other then to rebuke him and remind him of his place. Rama felt as long as Jessie didn't act on what he was feeling there was no need to call him on it, and make him feel uncomfortable.
She liked Jessie, but loved Steven and so would not cross that line, even though she had to admit that she seemed to enjoy the time she spent with Jessie more, he could make her laugh more, and just enjoy things, but Rama felt that was because Jessie had known her for a longer time, so it made sense to feel far more comfortable with him.
Raph watched his niece with keen interest, and he could see the game that was being played. "Jessie will win" he said to Mike.
"I hope not that boy, needs a good chucking" Mike growled sharply.
"Why? Cause he's interested in Rama, and ya figure he isn't the greatest for your first child?" Raph wondered.
"No because, Jessie is looking for another heart to break." Mike grumbled.
" Ya don't know that Mike." Raph refuted gently.
"Look at his record, that speaks for itself." Mike declared firmly.
Raph just chuckled, "Loosen up those apron strings Mike, I think they are starting to cut off circulation to your brain." He started to saunter off, "I'm going work in the dojo." Raph cut through the living room and down the junction of pipe that lead to the dojo, where he saw Rama and Jessie sparring with bokken.
Jessie was all ready covered in a light sweat, and was doing his best to press the advantage. Rama rallied against him making a quick move to put the boy on the defense. Jessie gave a wry grin as if expecting her aggressive play, he leaped nimbly to one side coming in for a strike at the back of her arm, Rama whirled her wooden blade raised to block the blow, her eye ridge arched in amusement.
Raph sat back on the bench to watch the two's friendly combat. But he watched not just with his eyes but his senses, and he felt a great many things, Rama's thrill in the fight, and her interest in how good Jessie was. Raph knew that she wasn't just interested in his physical form either, not with what he could pick up. Jessie was concentrating on Rama, how she moved, doing his best to out guess her, or slip by her and yet at the same time there was no hiding that his thoughts were very much on Rama and her form.
Raph did his best to not snicker, wondering if either of these two, had bothered to tell the other how they felt. There was tension, between them, and with each so focused on the other, even in this mock battle they were allowing these feelings to come closer to the fore ground. Raph sat back with a smirk on his face, lacing his hands behind his head, to further watch. ' No wonder Mike is so worried about Jessie.'
He noticed that Rama stepped up her foot work, and Jessie quickly worked to match it, then as if by some unspoken agreement between the two, the kata became almost an intricate dance step, using arms, wooden sword and feet. Jessie moved in taking her in one arm, while blocking a strike, then he spun her out. Rama laughed, delighting in the game, it was one she often did with Leo, a half dance-half sparing game, and it was one she enjoyed. It had them both moving gracefully and with fluid ease over the dojo floor, ignoring their audience and moving to a tune that, perhaps, only they could hear. It was beautiful to watch, true poetry, and a form of poetry that Raph could relate to.
' Rama would do okay with him. He understands our life style, he doesn't have to learn it and there wouldn't be a lot of trouble that comes from outsiders.' Raph mused, as he watched the two finish the match with a flourish, as Jessie disarmed Rama pulling her tight to his body and dropping his arm so she was draped over one arm. Rama instead of looking afraid for her life, seemed relaxed and comfortable, she licked her lips, as she gazed up at Jessie.
Raph mused to himself 'They both have it bad for the other. Can almost feel the heat coming off them. I'd swear if they were alone they could end up doing the twosome tango on the mats.'
Mike entered the dojo with Steven tailing behind him. "Rama did you forget your date tonight" Mike asked, glowering at Jessie a bit.
"No, I didn't forget" Rama hastened to disengage herself, and Jessie let her go, with a heavy sigh. "I just lost track of time." She corrected.
"I'm sure you did" Steven muttered casting a dark look Jessie's way.
Raph curled his lip, "What's that suppose to mean Steven? They were just sparring course ya wouldn't understand that as you don't know martial arts" Raph declared, "Nuthin funny went on here." Which was true to a point, the unspoken intimacy and the feelings were something else again.
Steven ignored Raph's comment, "So are we still on?" He inquired of Rama.
Rama giggled as she glided across the floor to peck him on the cheek "That all depends on if you mind waiting five minutes for me to get ready." Rama cooed batting her eyes at him.
"I've heard that, I'll be five minutes, routine before" Steven announced kindly.
"Yeah, but not from girls who know ninjitsu." Rama stated,"Or they would have done it."
Steven wrapped his arms around her as much as he could, seeing as her carapace did get in the way. "Alright make it fast."
Rama caressed his cheek "Time me" she teased.
Jessie took a deep breath as he toweled himself off, he shot one look at Steven's back as he left the dojo heading for other parts of the lair. Jessie had learned it was easier to avoid Steven, though he did his best to be pleasant to Steven when he had to, he usually found some excuse to quickly leave whatever room the lawyer happened to be in.
Steven timed her and found Rama was ready in four minutes, though her hair was still wet from the shower.
"So do I meet your expectations?" Rama asked sweetly as she slipped her arm around his waist.
"You usually go over and above that" Steven admitted. He wondered if he ought to bring up the closeness he had seen between the two, but decided not to. Rama had admitted that she had been spending time with her friend for casual nights out. Something Steven hadn't ever expected any girl to admit to, though he realized that if she was willing to confess to these get together with Jessie, then she had nothing to hide from him. Not to mention that when she was with him, Rama truly seemed focused only on him not distracted or distant in any way, and she eagerly accepted most of his advances. True she drew the line, on some of those advances, but he had no reason to doubt her sincerity or the fact that she loved him.
' Nothing to be jealous of,' Steven told himself, even though the intimacy the two had been caught in seemed just a little out of place for friends. ' Then why do I feel there is more to their relationship?' He quickly pushed that thought away. ' Really what could they have been doing with her Uncle right there, with them. Not a very private tryst, perhaps I'm reading too much into it'
Rama cuddled up to Steven, "Don't tell me that green eyed monster is hanging around again love." Rama whispered, "Or is it that your caught up with something concerning one of your clients?" She wondered as they slipped out the door of the lair.
"Perhaps a little envious, but if it was just sparring," Steven began.
"A bit of a dance too. I love music, and dancing. I often turn design katas that are very close to dance moves, and the two are very closely linked in a way." Rama gushed as she leaned against him.
"Maybe one night we ought to go dancing" Steven murmured as he nuzzled her neck.
Rama grew wide eyed at the suggestion "You mean it Steven? Could we somehow, without it being too public or..." Rama gushed quickly the idea sent a tingle down her back.
"A lot of bars have small dance floors they have pretty dark establishments for the most part." Steven replied.
Rama squealed with joy, her eyes sparkling "Ohhh you are wonderful, to think of that. I'd love to Steven" she declared as she wrapped her arms around his neck and began to kiss him. Rama felt the familiar tingle and sparks travel through her body, as Steven responded to her affections with a passion all his own.
XXX
Leo had decided that Jessie was good enough he could go on a few quiet patrols, where there was little chance of trouble and Jessie was less likely to get hurt or caught because he couldn't vanish as swiftly as the turtle clan could when the authorities arrived. Leo didn't want Jessie to get into trouble with the law, and of course he insured the boy was always with one of the more seasoned warriors of the Clan, of course Leo included Rama amongst Mike, Don Raph and himself. True, Rama didn't have the years behind her the rest of them did, but she had many years of experience and with her being Chunin she did have a little extra to draw on.
Leo silently mused on how much the boy had seemed to settle in since moving in with the family almost two months back. He was working with Don and Jen on whatever it was the couple needed help with, but at the same time Jessie had asked Leo if there was a chance to further his martial arts training. Leo had been quick to assure him of further training. Personally taking the boy in for kenpo, while also scheduling him in with lessons with, Aiden, Kali and Ashlynn figuring that while the ninja students were younger then Jessie, their training had been far more intense, and Jessie ought to find it challenging enough. Though of course Leo had informed Raphael, who instructed the teens and preteens in their lesson, to let him know if Jessie seemed to be too far out of his element. That he was to be a little out of it, was to be expected, but if he found it too hard, it wouldn't be to Jessie's advantage or theirs to leave the boy there. So far Raph felt that Jessie was doing quite well, though he hinted to Leo that Jessie could use a little ninja stealth and other such tips.
Leo may have reconsidered placing Jessie with Rama, if he felt the boy was not upholding his promise, or had been acting inappropriately around Rama or Steven, but Jessie had been well behaved since he had been reprimanded that one time, so Leo really didn't give it a passing thought. That evening he had scheduled Rama and Jessie for a patrol between eleven and twelve thirty. A long enough shift for a boy who was not really ninja, but close to it.
XXX
Jessie followed Rama's lead carefully, Rama picking paths that were easy to travel where the distance of jumps wasn't so large, knowing her friend wasn't into making the larger leaps that her family did on a routine basis, and also knowing Jessie didn't feel comfortable over larger jumps. She sensed something and scanned the dark rooftops as she paused to catch her breath. Jessie gladly relaxed, huffing a bit more. Rama gave a low chuckle of amusement at him.
"True turtle and hare, you just can't keep up" She teased lightly.
"I keep up" Jessie retorted.
"I'm going slow for you" Rama bantered.
"As if." Jessie snorted.
"You don't see me travellin' ninja speed do you?" Rama mocked arching her eye ridges at him.
"I'm not ninja yet, but if I hang around your family long enough I might be." Jessie remarked.
"You remind me of Devon, he was ninja but...he wasn't as skilled." Rama joshed, "Though even Dev was better."
"Maybe." Jessie allowed, "But I could still out ninja Steven." He couldn't help but needle.
"True" Rama sighed, " I love Steven, and yet sometimes I wonder how he could fit into a world of Ninja, especially with me, being the future of the clan, so to speak. I mean I have told him, and he's asked about it but I don't think he can fully understand what it means." Rama gave a soft wistful smile. It was hard for an outsider, any outsider, to understand the ninja way of life but it was something else again getting them to see how it all worked, and why certain things had to be done in a certain way. Rama sighed a bit, becoming lost in her thoughts. Then her head shot up. "Jessie on your feet. Stand to my back." she hissed softly.
Jessie knew better then to disobey he sprang to his feet, and drew the sword that Leo, permitted him to carry on his patrols, "What is it? I don't see..." Jessie began.
Foot Soldiers slunk from shadows, crawling up the sides of the building and on to the roof, their black dogis blending with the darkness around them.
"Oh look, trouble's back in town" Rama sneered, as the Foot lunged.
For a moment there was only the sound of steel ringing against steel or biting into wood. Rama was aware that Jessie might be able to handle maybe three, possibly four soldiers, but there was at least seventeen of them. So she knew she would have to protect him, as Chunin, it was her duty to protect those under her. She took a deep breath, calming herself, and decided that this was no time to pull punches. She would kill if necessary, though she didn't require Jessie to do the same. Then she would do her best to get Jessie out of here as soon as it was safe to do so.
Her katana sliced through the midsection of one soldier, while the other blade blocked the strike of a staff.
There was an eerie silence to their fighting with little to betray their presence. Rama had done her best to stay at Jessie's back, though the Foot were trying to draw either her or Jessie away from the other, but Rama foiled these plans by getting to Jessie back, every time he stepped away from her. She heard Jessie inhale sharply and sensed a wave of shock and pain. Rama whipped about driving her katana into a soldier who had scored a strike using a trident on a four foot staff.
She growled low and threatening and let loose in true ninja fashion, by the time she was done, most of the Foot had scattered, at least those who were capable of doing so. She kneeled by her friend "Jessie?" she asked her voice slightly panicked.
"I'm okay." The boy pulled up his shirt, checking the wound, it was right in the soft tissue of the belly, she probed gently "I don't think it is too deep. But it is bleeding quite a bit. Can you walk?"
Jessie nodded, "Sure."
"Good keep quiet follow me." She ordered. She took his face in her hands, " Stay very close, try not to make a sound." she pleaded tenderly.
They made it down into the sewers, and then to one of the turtle's emergency fall back spots where Rama wanted to lay low for a bit, insure they hadn't been followed, and to care for Jessie's wound. " You did great Jessie, let's take a closer look here." Rama murmured.
Jessie took off his shirt gritting his teeth a bit as he did so, and Rama tried not to wince at the puncture wounds, she trembled slightly but her mind was all ready telling her what needed to be done and how. She gathered the first aid gear cleaned the three holes and then prepared a large gauze bandage with a poultice to aid healing, and draw out infection. By now she was starting to calm down, but with the absence of something to do, she found herself shaking uncontrollably.
"Rama, you okay?" Jessie asked taking note of her wild trembling.
"I dunno Jess." Rama took a breath, "I've never felt like this, that is...I" Rama shook her head and started to cry.
Jessie pulled her gently into his arms "It's okay Rama. I'm all right" he crooned to her, stroking her hair and shell.
"I know Jess, but I was so worried" Rama confessed through her tears, "I thought for a moment that I..." Rama didn't dare say what she thought, she looked up at him, tears streaming from her eyes. Jessie dried her tears with a loving, caressing hand. Rama wrapped her arms around his neck pulling Jessie down and kissed him hard and with a great deal of passion.
Jessie returned the embrace and affection with eagerness, filling warmth surge through him, as well as a deep desire for more.
Rama broke off the kiss staring deep into his dark eyes "Don't ever scare me like that again Jessie."
"Why not?" Jessie asked with a wry grin.
"I love you" Rama gasped deeply as she moved closer in to kiss him again. Any thoughts of Steven were far from her mind, this moment and time belonged just to her and Jessie.
TBC