Aelia currently fighting the dreaded writers block, so here is the next story
Dedicated to my dad
Watching with interest as several matoran joked amongst themselves while passing various things to each other as they loaded the ships; the Toa Voya listened intently to the Turaga.
"It's going to be interesting to finally see the island of Mata Nui." Hakinu grinned before glancing over to where Solisha and Malie were deep in conversation with Rahaga Gaaki and Kualus.
"You sure about this?" the Rahaga of Ice asked curiously, Solisha nodded then laughed as Malie commented, "Doesn't want stray-wander far from the herd."
"We'll be sure to tease you about what you've missed when we return." Reshana added as she, Ferinus and Norik joined them.
…
"Think that draught will help Leri?" Turaga Onewa commented to Nokama and Anuenue while the Toa, Turaga and matoran waved to their friends as the boats weighed anchor and started out the harbour.
"Here's hoping, from what I've heard sea-sickness isn't fun." the Turaga of Colour replied glancing up as the electric blue flecked silver butterfly landed on her staff, its wings dimming briefly.
"They'll be back in a week or two." Aikane said as she coaxed the butterfly onto her arm while everyone began making their way back to the Ga-metru main square.
While Gali, Amaya and Kokua chatted with their closefriends, Nokama yawned then smiled reassuringly when Anuenue asked if she was feeling alright, "Just feeling a bit sleepy." she chuckled, linking arms with her rainbow hued sister.
Dume caught Vakama's, Matau's and Whenua's eye as they finished yawning, "We'll have to stop those wild parties." he chuckled while they looked embarrassed, then laughed as Matau quipped that no party was too wild-lively.
By the time everyone reached the main square, a fine misty rain had been steadily getting them wet so the matoran quickly bowed to the Toa, Turaga and Kokua then dashed off to their homes to dry off.
"At least it's not dermis shell weather." Gali was quick to point out when Lewa grumbled about being soggy-wet, grinning at her brother who yelped when Kokua shook the excess water from her wings, covering her closefriend again.
"Warm drinks all round." the Turaga of Water called out when everyone had dried off and gathered in Gali's living room, as Malie carefully carried in a tray with gently steaming mugs on it. Sitting beside Nuju, chatting with Nokama and Matau while she finished her drink, Anuenue smiled happily when her closefriend lent against her, then looked surprised as she realized he'd fallen asleep.
Glancing around, the Turaga of Colour caught Dume's eye as he chatted with Whenua and Takanuva. The elder Turaga of Fire nodded then grinned as Anuenue blushed when Matau sniggered before she altered his colours from greens to a wide variety of pinks.
*Mmmm, oh sorry beloved* Nuju clicked and whistled softly, as the raucous laughter caused by Matau's reaction to his new colours spread through the living room, roused the Turaga of ice. "It's alright you looked comfortable." she murmured, they then glanced up as Kopaka came over to the couch and he smiled briefly before asking Nuju if he wanted something to eat.
*Was I asleep that long?* Nuju whistled surprised while Kopaka went to fetch some food, when he found he'd been dozing for nearly two hours, "Yes Turaga." Amaya replied as she took the seat vacated by Matau, who'd gone to chat with Lewa, Malie and Solisha.
While Nuju thanked Kopaka when he returned, Anuenue wandered over to where Whenua, Dume and Onua were talking about what their brothers and sisters could encounter on their trip.
"Well the amount of times Lewa warned them about the swamps of Le-wahi, I'm surprised Tein'a didn't try a bit of target practice." Onua chuckled.
"And Ferus confided to me that he was half tempted to call some vines to hoist Lewa into the air upside down." Whenua added grinning as Rei bounced in and ran over to where Kokua sat.
"I wonder where Wotzit's disappeared to?" Dume mused, glancing at his rainbow hued sister, "Oh he'll be somewhere dry." Anuenue replied, laughing at the startled exclamations when Rei shook herself dry.
While eating supper, Pohatu noticed Malie was looking around distractedly, "Don't worry, they'll be back before you know it." he grinned catching the mute Toa's eye. Nodding Malie smiled as he replied, "Yeah, but it still seems odd-strange." before shifting up to let Solisha join him for a hug.
"So what are you going to do while your sister's away?" Gali called over to Solisha, the peacock hued Toa grinned, "Thought I might tidy her home up." she giggled mischievously. Malie began laughing so much that he tumbled to the floor and Rei took advantage, bounding over to lick his mask while the peridot hued Toa wriggled trying to escape the playful rahi.
"No please, I give up!" he signed as the room erupted with helpless laughter, several minutes later Rei gave her playmate a final wash then went over to where Kokua was giggling over something Lewa had just said, and scrambled up beside her.
Not long after, the Turaga bid their brothers and sisters pleasant dreams before going to rest.
"As it's stopped raining, would you like to go for a walk?" Tahu murmured as the Turaga entered Nokama's; Aikane glanced around as the others wandered back inside, quietly chatting about what their plans were.
"That would be wonderful." the violet hued Toa replied, a faint blush visible on her cheeks as she let Tahu take her hand and they wandered into the sleeping metru.
xXx
On one of the ships heading for the island of Mata Nui, Lerihua was helping Iruini keep an eye on Sheranu as he sleepwalked around the main deck, quietly talking about what they'd been told. "I'll have to thank Turaga Nokama and Anuenue for that draught, it's working well." the young Toa commented while they moved to prevent the Air Toa from trying to climb the rigging.
Iruini, having flown up to stop Sheranu from going too high, grinned, "And it helps that the sea is flat-calm." he chuckled as they watched the sleepwalking Toa who'd turned to go below deck.
"Finally." Lerihua muttered wryly as he and the Rahaga of Air followed closely, watching Sheranu as he wandered back to his hammock and settle down.
Tein'a opened an eye then chuckled before moving to pick up his brother's blanket and draped it over him, "Thanks bro." Lerihua grinned after they'd bid Iruini good night.
"That's ok, what did he get up to this time?" Tein'a asked as they climbed back into their hammocks, then stifled a laugh when Lerihua told him about Sheranu's attempt to steer the boat.
"I thought Macku was going to brain him." the young Toa of Stone snickered as he settled back then yawned, "That would have been interesting." came Tein'a's drowsy reply as he dimmed the lightstone near him and they drifted off to sleep.
On the second ship, Bomonga was chatting with Kai as she locked the wheel in position and turned to do the same with the rudder, "Will you be alright Rahaga?" she yawned when she'd finished.
"Of course, it's been a while since I've sailed, but I enjoyed every moment." he replied then watched as his young friend headed off to rest.
xXx
In Nokama's all was quiet as the Turaga slept peacefully, Anuenue snuggled close to Nuju, then all the Turaga except her began to dream.
Turning over Nokama rolled into Matau's side, waking him, "Uh… Eh water-sis?" the Turaga of Air muttered puzzled as he sat up rubbing his eyes.
The movement woke Nokama, who sat up and glanced around curiously, "Where are we?" she wondered, standing up for a better look and glancing over to where their brothers sat. "Not sure, but it's pretty-nice." Matau remarked quietly as they went to join the others.
"This must be the flowered meadow Aikane and Anuenue mentioned on several occasions." Onewa murmured amazed, as they were joined by Nokama and Matau, the Turaga gazed around fascinated by the riot of colour.
"I think Anuenue understated just how beautiful it is here." Dume quietly commented as they sat together watching the flowers moving in the breeze.
Unseen by the Turaga, a figure came out of the mist surrounding the flowered meadow and silently walked over to them.
"May I join you?" a voice that Dume and Vakama recognised, startled the group and they scrambled up, Vakama exclaimed, "Lhikan." a delighted smile on his mask, "Well met brother." Turaga Lhikan chuckled as they gathered around him.
Nuju was watching several flowers bobbing in the breeze near where he sat, wondering why Anuenue wasn't sharing this dream and was about to ask Lhikan, when the Fire Turaga stood up and glanced around at his brothers and sister.
"I know why you've all been feeling tired over the past few days." he said quietly, "The time is approaching for you to enter into legend."
"WHAT!" Nuju yelled stunned, making everyone jump, "Brother we all knew this would happen sometime." Dume replied sternly as he stared at the Turaga of Ice, who flushed and bowed his head.
"Is that why Anuenue isn't here?" Whenua quietly asked after several minutes were spent coming to terms with what would soon happen to him and the others.
Turaga Lhikan nodded, "Raigi told me this is how it was for him. For several days he felt increasingly tired, then one day he fell asleep while talking with some Toa and awoke in the spirit realm." he explained, watching as Nokama and Matau hugged and Nuju looked anxiously at his brothers.
"Anuenue." the Turaga of Ice whispered sorrowfully, while Whenua went to try and comfort his icy brother, Dume and Vakama glanced at Lhikan, "We can't just depart without giving our sister some warning." Nokama murmured as she and Matau joined them.
"True but what's the best way?" the Turaga of Earth asked sitting beside Dume and Lhikan, he then yawned and lay back on the grass.
"We'll discuss it when we've woken up ad see if Aikane, Kokua and Amaya can help by distracting Anuenue." Dume replied, glancing around and noting that his brothers and sister had fallen asleep.
Lhikan watched as the Turaga's spirits returned to their bodies, then silently returned to the spirit realm.
xXx
Bomonga was still enjoying the sensation of the ship travelling through the waves when Keahi came on deck and smiled at the Rahaga of Earth before moving to join him. As she approached, he noticed she had a canister with her, "Thought you might something." the pale matoran explained as she reached them.
"That's kind of you." he smiled as Keahi sat beside him, "Well I couldn't settle and when Kai came to rest I decided not to disturb her."
Quietly the Rahaga and matoran watched the stars as the ships continued towards the island of Mata Nui, "Do you have a favourite place in the island?" Bomonga asked sometime later while passing the canister back to Keahi, who was observing the northern lights.
"Yes there is somewhere," she murmured softly, "I hope to visit it while we're there." Keahi then yawned and rubbed her mask, "I think I'd better go and rest before I fall asleep where I am."
"Agreed, things are calm and I'm also starting to doze off." the ebon hued Rahaga softly chuckled, resting his arm around Keahi's shoulders and wondering about what the pale scarred matoran hadn't said.
When Keahi had settled, falling asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow, Bomonga went to join Pouks and Gaaki, dimming the lightstone as he settled in his hammock.
xXx
Dume sat up, glancing around at his brothers and sisters; the only one still sleeping was Anuenue, gesturing towards the conference room, Dume nodded when the others silently agreed.
Nuju went to moved from where he sat, only to find that Anuenue had a tight hold of his robe, smiling he switched to his Mahiki and formed an illusory one, leaving the real one in his closefriend's hands.
When they entered the conference room, the Turaga embraced then sat on the couches by the windows, "How can we let Anuenue know?" Onewa whispered, glancing over to Dume, who looked pensive.
"Telling her straight out wouldn't be fair. We'll have to gently guide her towards what will happen." the elder Turaga of Fire replied softly after thinking for several minutes.
"We could take her around our metru and drop hints." Nokama quietly suggested, drawing agreement from her brothers, then they quietly talked for several minutes before returning to their beds.
*I'll go last.* Nuju clicked softly as he settled back beside Anuenue, who was hugging his robe, a contented smile on her mask, the others nodded understanding why, then Vakama whispered, "We'll all meet there one last time."
Everyone sighed quietly and settled for the remainder of the night, Whenua smiled reassuringly at Vakama, who looked distressed about what he'd just said, "It's alright brother." the brown hued Turaga whispered as his brother's eyes closed.
Nuju gazed at his sleeping closefriend until he could no longer keep his eyes open.
...
As the early morning light shone into the Turagas' bedroom, Anuenue stirred and rubbed her eyes before sitting up, "Opps, done it again." a soft whispered roused Onewa and he rolled over to watch as the Turaga of Colour tried to replace Nuju's robe without waking him, her mask glowing pink.
After a few minutes Anuenue stood up and glanced around at her brothers and sister, then when she realized Onewa had been watching, the blush spread to cover her completely.
"Let's go over to Po-metru visit Keetongu, Notegeku and the cubs." he chuckled softly, grinning as his rainbow hued sister nodded, then followed her brother, who paused to write a note for Whenua.
While the Turaga of Colour and Stone headed for the remotest chute station, Whenua, Matau and Vakama woke and took turns reading the note, "What will you do when Anuenue gets back brother?" Vakama asked as they went through to the conference room.
Whenua shrugged, "I'm not sure yet, might invite her to have one of our crazy discussions."
"Well it might be a good way to lead-guide her towards what will occur-happen." Matau commented softly as they gazed out the windows.
Roughly half an hour later, the others joined them and quietly talking amongst themselves, the Turaga made plans as they went to get breakfast.