Part Thirty Two: Kame Kazi



"Raphael's back," Mike said, as he came into Riahna's room.

"That's nice," Rahab muttered as she pulled up Riahna's clean bathing suit. Riahna writhed to get free, and let out a banshee screech until Rahab let go of her. "There you go, you little wriggleworm, go outside and swim with the others and get some of that energy out..." She straightened up, and wiped her hands on her water stained, oversized t-shirt. "Geez, that kid... when is she ever gonna learn to go IN the potty... so what the HECK does Raph want now?"

"Whoo, bad timing, that's for sure." Mike shook his head slowly at her, as he watched her viciously sling Riahna's soiled clothes into the laundry chute.

"Why don't you go back down and tell him I said to take a flying... flying... SOMEthing," Rahab sputtered, brushing back loose strands of hair that had been pulled by busy toddler fingers from her braid. "I'm getting real tired of him lurking around in the background, being a big pain in the backside. I have enough children running around underfoot... I don't need an overgrown child like him, to make life more interesting, that's for sure."

Mike snorted. "You think I'm gonna tell him THAT, you're nuts."

"I don't care what you tell him, really. Just keep him busy and away from Seth."

"Kaa-mon, Rahab, he's not gonna hurt Seth. He just wants to hang with Devon a while. He really doesn't know what else to do with himself."

"Huh! I can think of a few things he can do with himself." Rahab turned and faced Mike, her hands on her hips. "Doesn't it bother you that my ex-husband has taken a sudden, very uncharacteristic interest in our family affairs, even at the cost of having to bear with what he considers to be the bane of his existance, namely the illegitimate son of his alleged nemesis?"

Mike whistled, low. "Lady, when you use words like that, you worry me. That mad-scientist woman that lurks in the back of your consciousness is starting to emerge more and more lately."

"Bah," Rahab spat out, and stalked into her bedroom. "I'm going to take a long, hot bath, and Raphael can go sit himself on a pincushion, for all I care."

She closed the bedroom door before Mike could reply, and went to the closet to get her terrycloth robe. She threw off her clothes as she headed for the bathroom and stepped into the hot, burbling water of the jacuzzi. She sighed in relief as she sank beneath the hibiscus scented water. Sanctuary, at last... away from kids and humans and nagging husbands and incorrigable ex-husbands... when's the last time she really had time to herself? The kids were getting older and more independent, Riahna was rapidly leaving babyhood...

Riahna... Rahab's sigh echoed off the tiled walls of the bathroom. Old enough for preschool, but still not talking! Seemed she never listened, and it was difficult enough to make eye contact with her. Rahab had repeatedly mentioned her concern to Mike, but he seemed to be in denial when it came to any flaws involving his precious girls. Maybe he felt it was a reflection on his parenting, or psychobiological makeup. Geez, there I go again... Rahab said to herself. I'm starting to sound like Don.

The thought of Don filled her with a sudden melancholy. When she had heard that he had checked himself into a private psychiatric rehab facility, she had felt a mixture of relief and sadness. Mike hadn't acted terribly surprised, but since Don had gone in, Raphael had been drifting aimlessly around L.A., more or less living out of his ancient, rapidly deteriorating Cadillac, which Rahab knew was coming long before it ground its way up the drive, because Raph never did get the muffler fixed. Mike somehow tolerated it all, probably out of pity more than anything.

Pity, for what reason, she fumed. Raphael's a big boy, he can look after himself. He wasn't exactly a mental invalid... or WAS he? Her brow furrowed as she thought further. It could be that he's losing his marbles after all. He was starting to talk like a drunk, or a stroke victim, his tongue seemed to drag on his words, and he seemed to forget where he was, half the time. The police were constantly calling about "an abandoned vehicle" in some parking lot, and it turned out Raphael had registered the thing and used Mike's address, and would apparently wander off, forgetting he even owned a car, at all.

Raphael was still pretty young to be going senile... but then again, he's been hit in the head as much as any prize fighter, and everyone knows they don't live all that long... the thought made her throat convulse. She could no longer relax with that thought jangling around in her head, so she heaved herself out of the water, and hurriedly dried herself with the terry robe. She was going to have to face Raphael after all, to ease her conscience if not for any other reason.

Rahab went out into the rear garden, where Mike and Raphael were sprawled on lawn chairs, talking and watching the kids play and swim in the pool. In spite of the searing desert heat, Raphael had not removed his coat. Rahab wondered if he ever did.

"Aha, there you are. C'mon over here," Mike said when he saw her.

In response, she sat in his lap.

"Ackh, you aren't getting any lighter, that's for sure," Mike grunted, adjusting Rahab to a more comfortable position on his thigh.

"Oh, gee, thanks a LOT," she replied in playful sarcasm.

Raphael continued to watch the pool activity, as though she weren't there.

"How are you feeling today, Raphael?" Rahab politely ventured.

"Fine," he muttered, eyes still averted.



"What do you mean, you're going on a little trip," Mike asked in surprise, as he watched her pack a small duffle bag. "Where?"

Rahab looked up from folding her clothes. "I need some time off, Mike. Alone. To collect my thoughts. It's not like this is a surprise, is it? We've discussed this plenty."

"Yeah, but, you never said WHERE." Mike folded his arms in that familiar, defensive gesture she knew so well.

"Does it matter? I wouldn't worry, Mike. I won't be gone more than a couple of weeks."

"A couple of WEEKS? Without the kids?"

"They'll be all right, since you don't have any pressing business at the moment, you can look after them well enough." Rahab smiled a little, and patted Mike's cheek. "You can even have Raphael help you. I'll be taking Seth."

Mike squinted at her, as he rolled his tongue against one of his back molars. "Uh huh... thought so. You're going to Osaka, aren'tcha?"

"Yes," Rahab said, zipping up the bag.

He smiled primly. "To visit Leo."

"I'm going to see Splinter, Mike," she said calmly. "This visit has been postponed far too long, and Seth is in need of his wisdom and guidance. Of course... and Leo may very well be there to see his son."

Mike gave her a level stare. "Seth thinks he's MY son. And he is, in most ways. What, do you want to confuse him?"

"I'm not looking to confuse him, Mike. I want him to get to know his foster grandfather."

"All right," Mike said after a thoughtful silence. "I guess you know what your doing. Just remember who you look to, that's all."

"It's well understood," Rahab said, putting her arms around his neck. "That YOU also belong to ME."

Mike held her tight against him. "This is gonna kill my head, until you come back..."

"Don't you worry, we'll be just fine."



Don's plane was waiting, its running lights glowing in the fading light of dusk, by the time she and Seth arrived at the small airport outside of Mojave. Thomas, Don's well-trusted assistant, was left in charge of business affairs while Don was in recovery, and at Mike's request, had taken some time off to personally escort Rahab and Seth on their trip, until they reached the safety of the monastery.

Rahab relaxed in her seat, after watching the ground fall away from under her window. She exchanged smiles with Seth, and lay her head back to relax.

A commotion made her eyes open again. Someone was arguing with one of the crew, it seemed... suddenly Raphael filled the doorway of the cabin, and gave her a tight little smile, as he sat in one of the empty recliners opposite her and Seth. His eyes were strangely vacant.

"Evenin' lady. How's it going," he said in a smooth voice.

Thomas appeared in the doorway, looking at Raphael in mild surprise.

"Stay out of this, Tommy-boy, if you wanna keep yourself healthy," Raphael said mildly, as he looked at Rahab.

"Raph, what on earth are you doing HERE," Rahab asked in annoyance, glancing nervously at Seth, who was watching the scene with relative detachment.

"Heh! On earth? We're about thirty thousand feet over the Pacific, aren't we?" Raph settled himself back into the seat. "Heard you were going to Osaka, so I thought I'd hop on and come along, just to be sure you... uh, arrived safely."

"We were just fine," Rahab said, suppressing the urge to snap at him. She noticed Thomas was closely watching the scene.

"Hey, Tom-ass, didn't I tell you to BEAT it?"

Thomas ignored Raphael and continued to look expectantly at Rahab, though she knew he was also watching Raphael out of the side of his eye.

"Seth, why don't you go with Thomas for a little while, until Uncle Raph settles down," Rahab said gently to Seth, who gave her an anxious look before following Thomas out of the cabin.

Raphael stared silently at her for a long time after they left. In spite of her fear, Rahab lifted her chin in defiance and stared back.

"You KNOW what this is all about, dontcha," Raphael finally said.

"Oh, yes. It's all about a personal problem of yours," Rahab countered evenly.

Raphael chuckled softly as he unbuttoned his coat. "MY problem, huh? Interesting."

"What do you want, Raph," Rahab asked, regretting her question when she saw the gleam in his eye.

Raphael crept forward and slithered into Seth's vacant seat. His eyes flicked over her appreciatively as he took up a lock of her hair, and slowly wrapped it around his forefinger.

Rahab turned away and fixed her gaze on the blood-red horizon out her window. "What... ELSE do you want?"

"What else IS there..." Raph murmered in her ear, as he stroked the side of her jaw with the back of his hand. "...That is SO worth pursuing?"

"You might as well forget it," Rahab muttered. "Its a LOST cause."

"Oh yeah? Who says?"

"I do."

He grinned impishly. "You wanna make something of it?"

She turned and stared into his face. "Do YOU?"

"Hey, what's to stop me from copping a piece of that long, stripey tail a' yours?"

Rage boiled in her brain as he spoke, and before either of them knew what was happening, her hand lashed out and caught him by the neck. She could feel the pulse of his carotid artery not far underneath her thumb claw. "And what's to stop ME from ripping your miserable throat out," she hissed.

"GO for it, sweetheart, it's a good night to die... " Raph said, lightly grasping her wrist. His thumb caressed the palm of her hand, as they locked eyes on each other. She knew then that he would win if she hesitated. She had to call his bluff.

"GREAT," she said through her teeth. "I'm GLAD you don't MIND."

Raphael continued his languid smile, as though to mask the pain she knew she was inflicting on him. She exhaled sharply in a hiss, as she felt his flesh grinding under her fingers. Migod, why won't he DO anything, he doesn't even seem to CARE... she let her tension loose with a shriek, as she jerked her hand away, and folded up, sobbing hysterically as she held her bloodied hand cradled in her lap.

"Not GOOD enough, baby! WHY didn't you DO it?"

"I CAN'T," Rahab wailed, "Can't do it..."

A rough hand grabbed her hair, and pulled her head back, as something cold and round pressed hard against her forehead. His hot breath fanned her face. "Can't do it, uh?" She glimpsed the bloodsoaked front of his coat and the gleam of black metal. "Then let ME show you HOW- IT'S- DONE." He pulled the trigger, on the last word.

The resounding clink of the hammer against an empty chamber bounced off inside her skull. She squeezed her eyes shut and gaped, but no sound came out of her mouth.

Raphael released her with a groan, and shoved her back into her seat, and her eyes snapped open in time to see him fling the handgun hard across the cabin, so that it smashed against the opposite bulkhead and skidded across the floor, out of sight.

Thomas appeared in the doorway, just as Raphael scrambled down the corridor toward the rear emergency exit. Rahab sucked in her breath when she saw Raph snatch off the outer safety casing of the manual hatch release.

"NO! Omigod, Raphael, don't do this, PLEASE don't do it," she begged, climbing over her seat after him.

Raphael swiveled his head in her direction, as he hunched against the exit. "Everybody's better off," he said, low.

"WHO'S better off? Raphael, as- as annoying as you can be, you will leave a huge, gaping hole in this family... Is that what you WANT?" Out of the tail of her eye, she saw Thomas reach into his jacket and carefully do something.

Raphael didn't answer, he turned to yank at the latch, then suddenly jerked back and grabbed at the side of his neck. His face contorted in a snarl at Thomas as his legs gave out, and he collapsed into silence.

After a few tense minutes, Thomas looked in Rahab's direction. "Are you hurt?"

Rahab stared at her trembling, bloody claws, and took several deep, controlled breaths. "I'm all right." She glanced at Thomas, who smiled and nodded slightly, as if in approval of her self control. "What are you going to do... with him?"

Thomas' smile faded, as he looked down at Raphael sprawled on the floor. "Do not worry about him, he will be well secured, not to mention asleep, for a long while. It would be a good time for you to get some rest, yourself."

Rahab nodded absently. As she made her way up the corridor toward the front of the plane, she heard Seth calmly talking, up near the cockpit, and she realized no one other than Thomas had heard the commotion in the back. Thank heaven for sound absorbing walls, she thought, as she went into the bathroom to scrub her hands clean.

She looked up at the mirror, and stared into her own eyes, disturbed by the fierceness in those golden depths, like the time so long ago when she had drawn blood before... but that had been a faceless enemy, this time it involved someone very different, someone with whom she had shared a portion of her life, her heart... someone she knew loved her, but something had gone terribly, terribly wrong. She watched her face crumble in emotional pain, and she stumbled to the commode to throw up.

When she finally emerged from the bathroom, she found Devon tucked neatly in his bunk in the bedroom cabin, and a cup of tea waiting for her in its holder by her bed. She drank it gratefully, then changed and got into bed, after she made sure the cabin door was securely locked. Not that she needed to, but it gave her a feeling of security, just the same. She lay and looked up at Seth, sleeping peacefully, as always, and sighed a heavy sigh. Time seemed to stop, as she lay there, unable to feel, or think.

She didn't see Raphael again the rest of the trip.



When they landed at Osaka, a car was waiting for them, and Leo emerged from it, to beckon Rahab and Seth to get in.

Rahab stole a glance at Leo as he sat opposite her, smiling gently at Seth's round-eyed stares.

"How is school," he asked Seth.

"Very well, thank you," Seth replied politely.

Leo nodded in approval. "You are looking well, Rahab."

"Thank you," Rahab said, suddenly feeling self conscious.

They rode in silence as the car headed up the mountain. It was still dark, and little could be seen, other than the dark shapes of conifers that stood out against the early dawn sky.

Seth sighed. "Mom," he whispered.

"What, honey?"

"Where did Uncle Raph go?"

Rahab swallowed, and caught Leo's eye. His face told her nothing.

"I'm not sure, sweetheart, he wasn't feeling very well," she gently replied.

Seth looked out the window, his lips pressed together in thought.

Rahab saw Leo watching him.



Later that morning, Leo came back to see Rahab and Seth, after they were settled in their apartment. "Master Splinter said he'd like to see you now."

Rahab followed Leo, who, from the back, did not look much different from the other monks in his dark yellow robe, other than his skin color... and the fact he never has to shave his head, Rahab thought with amusement. She noticed, as they crossed the grounds, that the students and some of the other monks had stopped what they were doing, and watched in awe as Seth passed. When he looked at any of them, they would lower their heads in respectful acknowledgement.

Splinter also had not changed. He was sitting up in his bed as usual, wearing his tomato-red robe, neatly covered to the chest with a beige comforter, his copper colored eyes as bright as ever. He opened his grey whiskered mouth when he saw Seth. "Rahab, my daughter, it has been too, too long... and... this is the child Seth, so often discussed with favor?" He patted the edge of the bed. "Come closer, little one, so my old eyes can see you more clearly, ah! There you are!"

Seth carefully sat on the edge of the bed, and cocked his head at Splinter. "You're my grandfather, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am your grandfather, that is true."

"My father and my brother and sisters send their greetings, and say that they are very sorry they couldn't come with us to visit you, grandfather."

Splinter nodded and smiled a little in response. "They must come with you, next time you come to see me."

Leo sat at the opposite side of Splinter's bed, watching the scene with head lowered, the fingers of one hand lightly touching his lips in a thoughtful pose. Rahab watched him closely for any sign of emotion, but there was none. When she looked again at Splinter, she saw he was watching her.

"Rahab," he said. "How are the other little ones?"

"Oh! Very well, though Gaele isn't so little anymore, she's nearly my height, already."

"Gaele, becoming a young lady, so soon?" Splinter made a soft, sibilant sound through his teeth. "Where has the time gone? It seems... such a short time ago, Leonardo was no bigger than Seth."

Leo's eyes shifted from his master to Seth, but his face remained impassive. Rahab could no longer absorb the small talk, she felt too angry, and wasn't sure why, as she watched Leonardo. Maybe some part of her wanted him to care, and she was disappointed that he wasn't showing it. When Leo looked up at her, she averted her eyes. When she eventually looked up again, his eyes were still on her, and she felt her face grow hot.

"Now, Leonardo," Splinter said, when he finished talking with Seth. "Will you take young Seth here, and show him the gardens? I think he will find it of great interest."

"Yes, Sensei," Leo replied quietly, bowing in precise obedience.

Seth got up and imitated Leo's posture, causing Splinter to chuckle gently. "With your permission, Seth, I will speak for a few moments with your mother."

"Yes of course, Sensei," Seth said, glancing at Leo. Leo smiled and gestured for Seth to follow him.

When they left the room, Splinter pointed with a long claw to the armchair next to the bed. "Come, Rahab, sit close by me, we have much to talk about." As she sank into the seat, Splinter took her hand in his, and gave it a squeeze. "I sense your great sadness, my daughter."

Under the warm gaze and firm grip of her mentor, Rahab dissolved into tears. "Forgive me," she sniffed, wiping her nose on the back of one hand. "I haven't had much sleep lately..."

"My daughter, I understand you have had many weights on your heart, and perhaps it would do you good to speak of them. Water that does not flow freely in the winter will soon become frozen."

Rahab looked at him curiously. "I've never heard that one before, but you know, that is true."

"Why do you believe it is true?"

"Because... I just know, from experience."

"Ah." Splinter nodded in agreement. "Experience. There is no better teacher."

"Sensei, I have to confess, I haven't practiced what you taught me much, lately."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because... because I've lost my patience, been presumptuous, and acted downright cowardly."

"Cowardly?" Splinter's voice lilted in a puzzled tone. He slowly shook his head in amazement. "This I must know! What have you done that is so cowardly, and I will choose to not believe it."

Rahab smiled a little at Splinter's joke, and related her story of her encounter on the plane with Raphael. She felt a release of sorts, mixed with a flush of shame. Last time she had seen Splinter, she had been complaining about Mike when she was with Raphael. Now she had turned around and married Mike, and was complaining about Raphael.

When she had finished, she noticed Splinters eyes were closed, his twiglike fingers interlaced and tucked under his chin. He looked as though he were deep in prayer, or sleep.

Eventually he raised his head and looked sadly at her. "My daughter, do not blame yourself," he said quietly. "Raphael is suffering a great deal, and his mind is clouded with anger and self doubt. Still, he must bear the consequences of his behavior, as he has done in the past. He must learn to face his inner self, and reconcile himself... to himself!" Splinter pulled on his long, wispy goatee in frustration. "I cannot think of better words in English," he said, and sighed. "My memory is not what it used to be."

"I think I know what you mean, Sensei. Maybe he's forgotten who he IS."

"Yes!" Splinter said, slapping the comforter for emphasis. "Who he IS. Very good, you have not forgotten who YOU are, have you?"

His sudden question caught Rahab off guard. "Auh, well... would that have anything to do with the, uh... demon wind?"

"Demon... wind?"

"I- I mean, spirit wind. Kamay... kazi?" Rahab said tentatively.

Splinter wheezed in sudden mirth. "Haa ha ha! Kame Kazi, very good joke, Rahab. Hahahaha!"

Rahab laughed in uncertainty. "Did I say it wrong?"

Splinter patted her hand. "No, you said it quite right... turtle wind." He chuckled some more.

"Turtle wind?" Rahab said in confusion.

Splinter sobered again. "Kame means turtle. Kami means spirit. The words sound very close, perhaps the meaning is not so far apart."

"I see," Rahab said absently.

They sat quietly without speaking for a while.

"Sensei," Rahab said at length. "May I ask, does Leo really speak of Seth often?"

"Oh, yes! We talk of him, most days. He is very special to all the monastery. The devotees respectfully call him the Sun Child. Leonardo said he was looking forward to seeing him."

"I admit I was not very nice to Leonardo when he came to visit me."

Splinter nodded. "What is done... is done, my daughter. Our lessons come when we are willing to face our mistakes. When one can equally embrace his faults with his strengths, then... he finds himself."

That evening, after Seth was asleep, Leo came to see Rahab.

"Seth told me he enjoys being with you," Rahab said.

Leo smiled. "It seems that way. I am pleased that he is having a good time. We had to cut out visit short today..." his expression became serious. "I spoke to Raphael this afternoon, when he recovered sufficiently enough to speak."

"Well," Rahab exhaled gustily. "What did HE have to say?"

Leo shrugged a little, a vacant look on his face. "He said very little, I did most of the talking."

"What kind of shape is he in, Leo?"

"What do you mean?"

"Is he... bad?"

He looked sadly at her. "I haven't had much to compare it to, but if I compare it to the last time you were here, I'd say..." He stopped and lowered his eyes, as if remembering something that embarrassed him.

"Right, the tea incident," Rahab heard herself say.

Leo looked up at her, his eyes a mixture of anger and sadness... and something else. "He still blames me for his troubles," he said so quietly, Rahab suspended her breath.

"He told you that?"

Leo nodded slightly in affirmation.

"Do you deserve the blame?" She asked, louder.

His mouth opened slightly, and she could only lipread his answer.

Rahab stared at him a moment. "WHY do you think you deserve-"

"I wanted a son, Rahab. I knew it would happen, I just didn't know when, or where, or... how." Leo's response was quick, as though he had been waiting for a cue.

"What do you mean, you didn't know how?" Rahab asked, aghast. "I was told you were celibate, but... surely not ignorant of the- the mechanics of reproduction-"

"That is not what I meant, Rahab," Leo said quietly, though she could detect an edge to his voice. "It was a matter of what course to take, considering I was treading on sensitive ground. We're talking about Raphael's territory. You belonged- you were his wife. When you were carrying his son, and I learned of it, I had a very powerful premonition at that time, that the next one would be mine."

Rahab was shaking her head as he spoke. "Ohho, that is so... typical..." she turned and paced in a small, angry circle, and then turned toward him again. "Of all the presumptuous, chauvinistic..." The stricken look on Leo's face stopped her.

"He is also your child, Rahab. He doesn't know who I am. He sees you and Mike as his parents. Perhaps it's better this way."

"You are the one who wanted a son," Rahab said, folding her arms. "Why are you telling me this now, and then trying to back out?"

"Yes, I wanted a son. But it doesn't mean he has to BE with me. He just has to be in the world. Part of me wants to keep him at my side, teach him everything I know, and another part of me... has to let him choose his own path. I want to find the best way I can love him, even if it can only be at a distance."

"Well said, for an absentee parent," Rahab said, sighing. "I suppose you ultimately want to reveal your relationship to him?"

Leo seemed to look through her, as his expression turned inward. "I never knew MY parents," he murmered. "I'm not even sure if we brothers are truly brothers, any more than Splinter is our father. Just knowing... that my son is out there, flesh of my own flesh, gives me some kind of... anchor."

Rahab rubbed her eyes wearily. "And Raphael is sitting, down in a holding cell, blaming all his troubles on you, and our son."

"Raphael will be sent to Splinter tomorrow," Leo replied, adjusting his robe across his shoulder. "Perhaps he will see things in a different light."

"Given that he's in any shape to see anything at all," Rahab muttered. "Much less listen to reason."

"Oh, he'll listen. Believe me, he will listen. The Master knows him better than any of us."

Next Section... Rahab 33

Back to... Rahab's Page