Chapter 2

A/N Okay, I started this at a loss, but I hope it gets better as I go!

A blue mask drifted in and out of his vision, just out of his reach. A cool ocean breeze drifted across the deck…and Vakama woke with a groan. The cavern was filled with the sound of Kikanalo snoring. Something lay across his lap. It was Nokama. With a sigh, Vakama slipped free and gently laid her on the cave floor before going topside.

Matau was on duty. The crimson armored Toa turned and began to walk back into the cave. Matau was the last person he wanted to talk to…but he wasn't about to get out of it.

"Hey! Fire-spitter!"

Vakama tensed. Then turned stiffly back. "Yes, Matau?"

"What do you deep-think of our Water-Sister?"

Vakama thought. "I don't know…"he replied warily, "What should I think?"

Matau sighed and shook his head then hopped off his rocky outlook to face his leader. "Don't be a kolhii-head, Vakama. Even the Kikanalo have noticed, and they're just dumb Rahi! No offense, buddy." He added hastily to his "partner's" sleeping form.

The red Toa fidgeted slightly. It was true. The Kikanalo had taken special care to place them in the same cave. His cheeks glowed slightly. "So? I thought you and Nokama were…"

"What? In love?" Matau raised his eyebrows. "You ARE a kolhii-head!"

"You're not?" That was a surprise. Matau had done nothing but flirt with the Nokama since becoming a Toa.

"Of course not." Matau snorted. "Sure, we play-like each other, but it's nothing deep-serious. Anyhow…" The green Toa smiled and placed a hand on Vakama's shoulder. "We both know she'd be more happy-cheer with you, fire-spitter."

Neither of them spoke for a time after that. The sun began to peer over the Valley of Unending Whispers, their destination. Vakama slowly stood, turning to gaze back into the cave. As he watched a certain blue Toa stir and rise he whispered back to Matau "You really don't love her?"

"Heart-promise." Matau replied flatly. "Now wake up, silly."

Vakama blinked. Talin was curled up on the floor beside his bed. Her breathing came soft and uneven, as though she were chasing some hidden prey, and her fingers flexed in a baby-like gesture. The red Hordika sighed and sat up, placing his head in his hands.

The memory was real, and all too fresh. He'd planned to talk to her then, but…he never really got the chance. Besides, he assured himself, Matau had lied. It was obvious he "liked" Nokama as more than a "Water-Sister". He looked up. And Vakama found himself staring into Talin's deep, emerald eyes.

They were shining with a clarity that had been nonexistent the night before, and in spite of himself, Vakama started. He didn't like the way she'd been able to sneak up on him so suddenly. His hackles rose and he growled. "What are you doing awake?"

Talin tilted her head to the side. "Do you like it here, Vakama?"

The red Hordika stared at her for a long time before replying. "N…of course I do!" He snapped. "I have nowhere else to go! This is my home."

She blinked. Her eyes were inches away from his own, he realized, and felt blood pounding through his ears. "But you are alone, Vakama." She said coldly. "In a place for the empty of heart, there is nowhere for you."

"What do you mean?" He whispered, terrified.

"You hurt too easily." She stated. "I hear you cry in your sleep. This place has no hearts. It is ruled by those who make sport of removing them. You should go back."

Vakama's fear was gone instantly. Rage flooded him and he stood, thrusting her back. "To what?" He snarled at her, "To a group of weaklings? Whenua the dust gatherer? Nuju the star gazer? Onewa Rock-head? Matau the green-armored freak show? Nokama…" He stopped for a moment, his entire body shook, "…the woman who only loves me out of pity?"

Talin lay quietly where he had thrown her, not even flinching throughout his tirade. The animalistic anger faded from his face, replaced by anxiety. "Talin? Are you hurt?" He rushed to her side and helped her up.

She said nothing, only shaking her head. She went back to lay beside his bed and fall asleep, indicating he should do the same. Reluctantly, Vakama followed suit. He lay awake for some time, listening to her gentle breathing far into the night.

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He awoke again the next morning to the sound of a crash outside the door. As he tumbled out of bed he could hear Talin snarling.

"Bad Visorak! Not wake Master! Master tired! Tell Roodaka Master come later!"

"Actually, tell Roodaka that Master comes now." Vakama interrupted, stepping through the door.

Talin wheeled around. Her eyes were once again full of puppy-like innocence as she bounded to his side. "Master awake!" She declared with delight. "Master needs to come! Roodaka wants to talk to Master!" She turned to the red Vohtarak that chattered angrily behind them and growled. "Well? Go tell Roodaka that Master comes! Stupid Rahi." She added ferally under her breath as the red Visorak scurried away.

Vakama gazed at her in confusion. Her demeanor and attitude from last night had vanished completely. Gone was the firm adult-like grace that had so coldly reprimanded him. It was almost as though it had never happened. Maybe it hadn't. She caught him staring and looked at him. "What?"

Vakama shook himself. "Nothing. You lead."

As the pair walked away, Vakama lost himself in his thoughts. The more he thought about it, the more positive he became. Last night's events couldn't have been anything more than a dream.

And with that thought held clearly in mind, he went to visit Roodaka. And so, he missed both the quiet sadness in Talin's gaze when his own was turned, and the ruthless anger in the Vohtarak's as it glared back at his golden companion.

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A/N Okay, it's been a while and I had to stop a few times, but there it is. Brief summary: We see some past relationship with our beloved Toa of water, some dual personality from Talin, some Emo from Vakama (he's so good at that! XD) and what looks like the stirrings of revengeful thoughts.

Also, I won't be able to write for a WEEK (going to camp does that) but I'll try to update Sharli before I go too, so please, Read and Review and send me some ideas to work with when I return!!!