Romancing the Stone . . . Toa

By Fatala

Its been a tough month but I finally finished this chapter. I think this is the longest chapter I have wrote so far. Ofcourse I was in a daze for half the time I wrote it so that could explain somethings.

Chapter 2: Meetings, Kohlii, and Water; Oh My!

Pohatu was now sitting in his hut with the mysterious young woman and Turaga Onewa, who was now wrapping a small cloth around the said girl's head to cover her wound.

"So you just found her out in the desert alone.", asked Onewa as her finished tieing the cloth.

"That's right.", Pohatu nodded.

"I highly doubt that she just fell from the sky; atleast by accident.", the wise Turaga said turning to the Toa Nuva. He then noticed a pack of some sort sitting next to Pohatu's leg. "You found that with her as well?"

"Yes, but I haven't bothered to see what was in it."

"I see.", he said with a heavy sigh before moving to leave. Then he stopped at the door way with his back still to Pohatu. "Never drop your guard around her. We don't know who she is or where she comes from. As far as we know she could be another of Makuta's minions.", Onewa said grimly before leaving Pohatu alone with the girl; he had to gather his thoughts for a moment.

Was he right to assume that she was working for Makuta or had Mata Nui brought her to their island for a reason. Onewa wasn't sure. He had been wrong more than once when it came to judging and trusting some people. Heck, he had once thought that Vakama was cross-wired and his visions were only because of spending to much time in front of a forge. He had been wrong then, was he wrong now? Only time would tell.

'She can't be one of Makuta's minion . . . could she?', Pohatu thought to himself as he turned to look at the stranger. He watched her curiously as she slept soundly; she was unlike anyone or anything he had ever seen. She wore red armor over her chest, light blue over her legs, and black on her feet, but what she wore seemed to delicate to be armor. It was more like three different types of strange cloth. Getting up from his seat Pohatu walked over to her, lightly touching her cheek as he moved a stay piece of hair out of her face. Her skin was soft; softer than a Toa's, and pleasantly warm to the touch. It's color reminded him of the fine desert sand and her hair was brown like the rich brown earth of Mata Nui. She was about as tall as Gali, just a little shorter, with a slim yet strong body.

Turaga Onewa moved the clothed that covered the door way aside as he was about to enter, but stopped at seeing Pohatu standing over the young woman. He smiled to himself stepping back outside before Pohatu could notice him. 'I hope I am wrong.'

'She's beautiful.', Pohatu thought absently. He was caught off guard by his suddenly thought which caused him to pull his hand back. 'What am I thinking!', he thought again shaking his head. 'I have to remember what Turaga Onewa said.' Looking at her again Pohatu could not help but feeling uncertain. 'Could she really be working for Makuta?'

Kassy could feel a slight coolness even with the warm air as she began to wake up. Opening her eyes she stared up at a dull, stone brown ceiling. Turning her left she noticed Pohatu standing near her, in fact he was almost standing over her. This time when Kassy saw him she wasn't afraid, to her surprise she was almost relieved to have him near her.

"How are you feeling?", Pohatu asked with a smile. 'Well atleast she doesn't seem afraid anymore. That's good.', Pohatu thought hopefully seeing how calm she was.

"Better than before, thanks to you.", she said sitting up. As soon as she did a sharp pain ran threw her head causing her to close her eyes, and grab her head with her hand as she hissed in pain. Pohatu turned to the small table near the bed and poured a small amount of juice into a cup.

"Here, drink this.", Kassy looked up to see Pohatu offering her a small cup. Taking the cup she looked to see a strange blue liquid inside.

"What is it?", she asked warily peering at the drink as if it were poison.

"It's Bohrai berry juice, it will help you feel better.", he explained. She eyed him for a minute unsure but then shrugged her shoulders and began to drink the juice. To her surprized it was sweet. Just as Pohatu had promised the pain in her head slowly began faded away. "Better?", he asked as she finished.

"Surprisingly, yes.", she said handing him back the cup with a small smile. Then she heard an older voice call from outside the stone hut.

"Pohatu. Is our guest finally awake?", asked Turaga Onewa as he walked in.

"Yes she is.", answered Pohatu as he shifted his attention to his Turaga. Kassy looked to see the light, almost dull, brown Turaga approaching them. 'He must be his elder.', thought Kassy feeling the aura of wisdom around him.

"My name is Onewa, I am the Turaga of Po-Koro. I am sure you have already met Toa Pohatu.", Onewa introduced.

"Yes, I have.", she confirmed. 'Pohatu. . . So that is his name.', she thought looking up at Pohatu.

"And, if I may ask, is your name?', asked Onewa politely.

"It's Kassy.", she said turning back to the Turaga.

"Its good to meet you Kassy. I'm quite curious to know how you got here to Mata Nui. It is not everyday that mysterious strangers fall from the sky."

"I don't know. All I remember is that I was heading to my friends when there was an earthquake. Then a fissure suddenly appeared beneath me and I fell in. The next thing I knew I was looking up at Pohatu.", she answered.

"I see. Hmm. . .", Onewa said thinking. "I will need to consult the other Turagas about this.", he finished before walking out. Kassy looked up at Pohatu wondering what would happen to her now.

"You should rest here.", he said with a gently smile. "I'll be back later with something for you to eat.", Pohatu finished before following Turaga Onewa out. Kassy sighed to herself and was about to lay back down when she noticed her backpack, sitting beside the bed. She opened it up and grabbed her C.D. player and a couple C.D.s when she noticed something. The strange crystal she had found in the quarry was still there. She picked it up at looked at it, it was no longer glowing like it was before. 'Strange.', she thought to herself before sticking it back in her bag. After starting a C.D. she slipped on her headphones and layed back down; it didn't take her long to fall back asleep.

She woke a couple hours later. When she did she found a bowl of the strangest fruit she had ever seen sitting on the small table nearby. 'Pohatu must have brought this.', she thought grabbing a purple, apple shaped fruit. She took a small bite to find it was almost like an orange in taste. After finishing it and a few orange grape like fruit Kassy decide it was time to find the one named Pohatu. Grabbing her backpack Kassy stepped out of the small stone hut and into the streets of Po-Koro. The city, like the desert landscape, was colored in various shades of brown and tan; and seemed to be made completely of stone. Several Matoran stopped to watch her, some seemed curious while others seemed to be afraid of her. She smiled nervously before moving off down one of the streets.

It didn't take very long for Kassy to get lost; everything looked the same to her. The same stone huts and dry desert streets, it felt as if she had been wandering in circles. She stopped in confusion and sighed to herself as she slumped against a hut in defeat. 'I'll never find him at this rate.'

Hewkii walked out of his hut, kohlii stick slung over his shoulder; it was time for practice. As he made his way towards the kohlii field he stopped havin' noticed Kassy sitting alone. She was untieing the bandage around her head. He had heard that Pohatu had brought an odd stranger back to the village. 'That must be her.', concluded Hewkii as he walked over to her.

"Hello." Kassy opened her eyes to see a Matoran standing infront of her. He had some sort of sport stick with him; his armor was like most of the others, brown and tan.

"Hello.", she greeted back with a small smile.

"Your the strange Toa that Pohatu Nuva found out in the Po-Wahi, aren't you?", he asked innocently.

"I guess I am.", she shrugged. 'Why does everyone refer to me as a Toa? Whatever a Toa is.', she thought to herself forlornly having heard some other Matoran refering to her by the same name. "Speaking of Pohatu I was looking for him. I kind of got lost. Would you happen to know where he is?", she asked rubbing the back of her head, a little embarassed to admit that she was lost.

"Of course. He's at the Kohlii field. I'm headed there right now, just follow me.", he laughed with a smile as he jogged off. Kassy got up and followed after the Matoran.

"By the way, what is Kohlii?", she wondered out loud. Hewkii stopped in his tracks and spun around towards her; Kassy almost tripped on him not prepared for the sudden stop.

"You don't know what Kohlii is!", he asked in shock not believing what he had heard.

"Umm. . . No.", she admitted. "I don't know much about this place. I've never been here before.", she finished when he still looked stunned.

"Oh.", he said in amazement. "Well that's ok. Me and Pohatu can teach you.", he said leading the way again. "By the way my name's Hewkii."

"I'm Kassy." By the time they reached the Kohlii field Hewkii had explained the basic rules and tactics of Kohlii. Kassy looked around the arena like sports field. She was amazed at all the Matoran in the Kohlii field, some where practicing, some talking, and others cheering their favorite players. It didn't take Hewkii long to spot Pohatu.

"There he is.", he said directing Kassy towards the stone Toa. Kassy saw Pohatu with several Po-Matoran who were practicing. He was like a great giant compared to the Matoran; heck, he towered over her by atleast a foot. Yet it amazed her at how gentle and kind he was to them, it was as if he was a big brother to the young Po-Matoran. Hewkii called to Pohatu as they came over.

"Hewkii!", he called happily. Pohatu than noticed Kassy with him. "Kassy, I see you meet Hewkii."

"Yes. I was . . . looking around the village . . . when I got lost. He found me and offered to show me around.", she said nervously. 'I can't tell him I was looking for him. What would he think?', she thought averting her eyes from Pohatu's. Hewkii looked up at her obviously confused at why she would lie to Pohatu, then it hit him. 'Oh.', he thought understanding.

"Toa Pohatu, since where here how about we teach Kassy how to play Kohlii.", he suggested.

"That sounds like a good idea. How about it Kassy?", Pohatu asked with a smile. He would have to wait until later to ask about her uneasiness.

"Sure! From what Hewkii told me it sounds like fun.", she said with a smile.

"Ok." At that Pohatu handed her a Kohlii stick. "You'll need this.", he said before taking out his climbing claws. Putting them together he formed a Kohlii ball. "There now we have a ball." He then looked at Kassy but was surprised to see a less than enthused look on her face. Infact she looked at him as if he suddenly had two heads. "What's wrong?"

"You guys are gonna use THAT for a ball!", she asked more than a little shocked.

"Of course. Why?", Hewkii asked not understanding the problem.

"Why! If you two haven't noticed I don't have armor like you guys."

"What about these?", asked Hewkii pulling on her shirt.

"I hardly consider my clothes to be armor."

"Then we'll just have to play gently.", suggested Pohatu. Kassy noticed the slightly smug tone in his voice. "I wouldn't want to hurt a girl after all.", he added with a sly smile. That was it. Kassy wasn't gonna let this stone 'golem' think that she needed to depend on him or anyone else.

"Give me that ball.", she said snatching the make shift Kohlii ball out of Pohatu's hand. With that the game was on.

It was one of the longest and wildest games of Kassy's or Hewkii's life, even Pohatu collapsed after the game. Even though both Pohatu and Hewkii were both experienced Kohlii players, they had a hard time figuring out Kassy's strategy. She had ducked, dodged, and ran as if a Rahkshi was hot on her heels; afew times Pohatu had to activate his mask to keep up with her. After a narrowly close game Pohatu game out the winner, while Kassy and Hewkii were tied for second.

"You . . . only won . . . because of that dumb mask.", huffed Kassy who was laying on the ground. Pohatu just laughed at her comment as he sat up.

"I think I've had enough Kohlii for one day.", said Hewkii standing up a little shakely.

"I never thought I'd ever hear you say that Hewkii.", Pohatu laughed again.

"Neither did I.", he said picking up his Kohlii stick. "I'm gonna head home."

"See ya, Hewkii!", Kassy called after him as the Matoran left. For a minute Kassy and Pohatu just sat there getting their energy back.

"I think I now know how Takanuva felt after fighting Makuta.", Pohatu said thinking out loud.

"Who's Makuta?", asked Kassy sitting up. It was obvious by the look on her face that she had no clue who he was talking about.

"Uhh . . . Never mind. I bet your hungery, we should get some food.", he said quickly changing the subject. Pohatu stood up and offered her his hand, which she took and stood up with him.

"Naw, I'm not really hungery but what I could use is a bath.", she said looking down at herself. Her shirt, and shoes where all dusty and her pants were ripped in several places.

"A bath?", he asked tilting his head to one side like a confused dog. She looked at his just as confused.

"You know a bath." The look on Pohatu's face told her that he still didn't understand. "You know soap, shampoo, water." At the last word Pohatu cringed. He hated water, everyone in Po-Koro did. Well everyone except this strange Toa.

"There's a small oasis not far from here. I'll take you there.", he said with a half smile. As they left Kassy picked up her backpack which she had put down before the game. Turaga Onewa watched them as they headed for the gates of the village. 'I wonder where those two are going.', he thought curiously. Once the where outside Po-Koro's gates, Pohatu quickly picked Kassy up into his arms.

"Hey! What are you doing?", she asked surprized.

"Well if you want to get there and back before dark, its the fastest way." Before Kassy had a chance to answer he activated the Kanohi Kakama and in a flash they were gone.

It took only a few seconds to reach the small oasis Pohatu had mentioned. As he came to a halt Pohatu set Kassy down. She swayed alittle; even though it was only a short ride it still made her dizzy.

"I don't know if I'll ever get use to your speed.", Kassy moaned as her head finally finished spinning.

"You will, in time.", Pohatu said with a grin.

"Well lets not push it. Next time we walk."

"Ok.", Pohatu gave in as Kassy looked at the small oasis. It was lined with several palm tree type trees and other desert shrubs. She wiped the sweat from her forehead as she walked towards the crystal clear water. Pohatu followed her but still kept a good distance between himself and the water. Walking over to a bush Kassy sat her bag down and started looking threw it. Pohatu watched curiously wondering what she was looking for. Before he could ask she had apparently found what she was looking for, she then turned her attention towards him.

"Turn around.", she ordered in a friendly way.

"Why?", Pohatu asked not understanding.

"Just turn around.", Kassy said again except more seriously.

"Ok.", he shrugged turning his back towards her. With that she slipped into the bush and began changing. 'I don't understand why I had to turn around.', Pohatu thought to himself as he waited. "Can I turn around now?", he called back to Kassy.

"Sure I done any ways.", she said walking out of the bush. When Pohatu turned around he was shocked and a little confused at what he seen.

"What happened to your armor?", he asked shocked.

"What do you mean? I just changed into my bathing suit." It was true, insteand of her normal clothes she was now wearing a light blue bikini. Pohatu was about to ask something else when Kassy ran and jumped into the cool water causing Pohatu to be hit by the splashing water. As she swam around enjoying the water, he sat down next to Kassy's bag; Pohatu then noticed a strange glow radiating from the bag. He was about to see what it was when he seen Kassy pop her head up right near the shore.

"Hey, Pohatu. Can you hand me my bag?", she called from the water.

"Umm . . . sure.", he said nerviously. He picked up the bag and headed nearier towards the water. Pohatu stopped about a foot from the shore, obviously thinking on weither he should get closer or not. Noticing his neviousness Kassy could help be smirk, then she called:

"I can reach it from there." Swallowing his nervousness he came up to the shore and set the backpack down. He was about to retreat back when Kassy spoke up again.

"Pohatu could you come here." He came to the water's edge. "Kneel." He kneeled. "Bend down. . . Closer. . . Closer . . ." Once he was within reach she flung her arms around his neck and flipped him into the water. Hitting the water Pohatu began to panic but before he could hurt himself a hand grasped his shoulder. "Stand up dummy. The water isn't that deep.", Kassy said standing up. It was true, the water only reached up to her waist.

"Next time warn me before you do that.", he said standing up. He was blushing slightly, weither from nearly drowning or making of fool of himself Kassy couldn't tell. 'I didn't know he couldn't swim, I was only fooling around.', she thought wondering if he was mad at her. Suddenly a wave of water splashed her, knocking her down.

"Hey!", she yelled getting back up.

"That's payback.", Pohatu smiled mischiviously.

"Oh, yeah! Well here's your reciept with interest.", she smiled splashing him with water. He just sheilded his face before sending his own splash attack. For a short while Pohatu had forgotten his fear of water and Kassy her worries about being trapped in this unusual place. But unseen by both of them the strange stone began to glow brightly like a beacon.

To be continued . . .

At one part I thought (It may just be me.) Kassy was almost Mary-Sueish, but I will state this now: She is NOT and never will be a Mary-Sue. And trust me she is far from perfect. Just wait until she meets the rest of the Toa. (Hell will break loose!) Now after that random rambling its time for reviews:

Bionicle-girl, Dragon of Atlantis, FightingFox , and Lavina Toa of Thunder: Thanks for the encouragement.

Whale Shark 7: I'm just glad it helped.

Shadow Dragon04: Yeah there wasn't before but for some reason I've been seeing more Pohatu and Takanuva romances. May be I started a trend. : P Yeah right.

Greenswind and Cheesedude: Yes! But with it last, hmm . . .

Just as I small note: After May 8th expect a bunch of next chapters and stories, the reason for this: college ends! So prepare for more humor, action/adventure, and maybe new romancestories coming soon.