Hey all. Sorry I haven't uploaded anything in forever, my life was very complicated these past months, and writers block hit me, and I mean hard, but when I sat down and read the reviews all the wonderful people sent me, I was bound and determined to get this chapter out even if it killed me (thankfully I am still here). So I hope you all enjoy this chapter, I have not had it beta'ed so please be gentle in your judgment of it. I do not own anything of Bionicle.
My POV
It takes me few hours before I can get my emotions in order. I wonder if anyone has noticed that I've been gone so long.
Maybe they don't and I can sneak back into Ta-Koro?
No?
Well can't blame a girl for trying. I guess I'm gonna hafta face the music sooner or later, so I pick my sorry self up and start to head back home.
Home, sounds real nice right now. Just wish I was back at mine.
Normal POV
Tahu ran all the way from Le-Wahi to Ta-Koro without stopping. When he reached the edge of the volcano and waited for the gate to rise, he saw a small, red figure standing outside the walls of the village. When he nearly reached the other side of the lava, he recognized the figure to be Turaga Vakama. 'Oh, not good.' Tahu thought as he reached his Turaga, who gave him a stern look.
"Toa Tahu, where have you been." Tahu inwardly cringed at the Turaga's tone.
"Apologies Turaga, but I-" He tried to say, but Vakama interrupted him.
"Do not give me that, Toa Tahu. You have caused us all to worry about you. That is not permissible especially after your accident not long ago!"
"But Turaga. I am fine." Tahu tried to tell him.
"Fine hm?" He looks sternly at the Toa. "We'll see about that."
'Uh-oh' Tahu thought as his Turaga led him inside the village.
Gali was on her way to Ta-Koro to pick up Tahu for the scheduled meeting the Toa had at Kini-Nui. She expected to be met by him and Turaga Vakama at the gate, but no one was there. Trying to figure out what was going on, a Matoran ran up to her and bowed.
"Toa Gali, I am Jaller, Captain of the Ta-Koro guard. We were not expecting you."
"I came for Tahu. Is he not feeling well enough for the meeting?" She asked. Jaller shook his head.
"Well he is fine, the last I saw of him anyway." Jaller told her.
"And that would be when?" She asked, feeling slightly better knowing that at least Tahu was better if one of his villagers saw him.
"Earlier this morning, down below in the volcano with Turaga Vakama." This surprised Gali.
"What would they be doing there?" She asked, as far as she knew, nobody was allowed down there.
"Toa Tahu had gone out earlier and had been gone for a while, Turaga Vakama became worried. When he finally returned, the Turaga was very angry that he has decided to punish Toa Tahu." Gali was surprised that Vakama would punish Tahu so soon after he had been injured, even if he had done something stupid.
"And what, may I ask, is his punishment?" Jaller turned and started to walk toward a hallway in the side of the volcano.
"Come and I will show you." Gali followed the Matoran down to nearly the center of the volcano, in an area where some of the lava flows joined into a pool. That was where she saw Tahu doing push-ups with Turaga Vakama standing off to the side, watching with a serious look on his mask. Jaller left Gali, going off to complete his duties for the day. Gali watched Tahu keep a steady pace in his exercise for a while, sometimes adjusting his arms but kept going, until she approached Vakama.
"Turaga." She greeted. Vakama gave her a quick look and nodded before returning to watching Tahu.
"Toa Gali, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?" Gali watch as Tahu faltered but quickly righted himself and kept on going.
"I came to see how Tahu is doing." They lapsed into silence for a few more minutes.
"As you can see, he is doing well." Gali just nodded, wondering why Tahu was doing push-ups, until Vakama spoke.
"Alright Tahu, that will be enough." Tahu stopped and picked himself up, breathing hard. Vakama turned to Gali and smiled. "He is all your's now." Then he walked away. Gali watched him leave before going over to speak with Tahu.
"I am glad to see you are feeling better brother." Tahu just nodded and tried to control his breathing. "Do you think you feel up to joining the meeting with the others?" Gali asked. Tahu looked confused for a moment before recognition lit in his eyes. Gali wondered if he knew how expressive his eyes had become. Before his accident, he had kept his expressions almost as tightly held as Kopaka, but now, his eyes showed everything.
"Oh. Do you really think it wise to have a meeting now, Gali?" Tahu asked, trying not to sound as tentative as he felt. Gali didn't seem to notice the tone.
"Why do you say that brother? Is there something wrong that you are not telling us?" She asked suspiciously, crossing her arms over her chest. Tahu hastily shook his head, waving a single hand in the air.
"No, not at all, Gali." He looked like he was trying to think of what to say. "I just don't think a meeting with the others is the best thing to do right now." Gali narrowed her eyes at him.
"You are just trying to make excuses." She said. Tahu looked insulted, but before he could say anything, Gali had grabbed his hand and started towing him after her. "Whether you like it or not, we are having this meeting and you are going to tell us what you are hiding." Tahu felt his heart stop. Did she and the others already suspect him? But then why didn't she just confront him about it earlier? Tahu just sighed and resigned himself to whatever fate Mata Nui had in store for him.
'Whoever is pulling the strings up there, when the Toa get done with me, you and I are going to have a serious talk.' Tahu thought sourly, trying to keep up the act while Gali treated him like her personal puppy until they arrived at Kini-Nui, by then Tahu had reclaimed his arm.
The rest of the Toa had already arrived except for Lewa. Tahu looked around for the air spirit, and almost voiced his question of where the green Toa could be, but was interrupted by Kopaka.
"Let's get this meeting underway." He growled. Tahu blinked once. He knew Kopaka was short tempered for an Ice Toa, but to actually growl had to be a new one.
"Yes let's hurry because Mata-Nui knows the great Ice Toa has much to do while he's brooding on Mt. Ihu." Gali chimed in, her tone sarcastic and condescending. Both
openly scowling at the other. Pohatu and Onua both shared a look before turning to stare at Tahu. The Fire Toa grimaced before breathing a sigh of resignation, he had been trying to psyche himself up for a confrontation like this but felt his courage and self-confidence waning in the presence of the two hostile beings. He took a step forward but before he could say anything,
"Hello-Greetings Toa-brothers and sister!" Lewa greeted them all boisterously. Every head turned to see Lewa jump from the treetops and land in the clearing, his hand held up in greeting and a big smile on his mask. Kopaka and Gali both scowled at him before resuming their glaring match with each other.
"Greetings brother." Pohatu happily greeted the younger Toa, happy to get away from the tense atmosphere the Ice and Water Toa were giving off. Onua nodded his greeting, but kept an eye on the two hostile Toa. Tahu just sighed and held his head like he had a headache.
"What's bad-wrong brothers?" Lewa asked, his mask taking on a clueless look that Tahu found very cute, but kept it to himself.
"Oh nothing much, just Gali being impossible and Kopaka being….well Kopaka." The fire Toa answered with a shrug. The rest of the group were surprised that the comment didn't even seem to register with the still glaring brother and sister. Really it was getting ridiculous, if they were anymore stone-faced, Tahu would fear they had turned into statues.
"Oh that is not nice-good for Toa- Brother and sister to be dark-serious with each other." Lewa stated and marched right up to them, ignoring Pohatu and Onua's attempts to keep him away, they had a feeling Gali and Kopaka didn't want to be interrupted right now. "Stop being mean-serious with each other." Lewa practically ordered the two of them, gaining their attention via deadly looks from both. "We should all be feeling happy-cheer, because Toa-brother Tahu is feeling alright-fine now and the Makuta defeated. Happy-smile." Tahu was impressed at how positive Lewa seemed to be. He wished he had some of that optimism. But it seemed Kopaka and Gali didn't share the same feeling.
"Why don't you just stay out of this Lewa. It doesn't concern you at all." Gali snapped.
"You have no right to say anything to us since you're of no help at all." Kopaka sneered. Lewa took a few steps back, hurt visible on his mask. Pohatu and Onua both stepped between Lewa and the older Toa.
"Hey that's going too far!" Pohatu shouted.
"You both have no right to say things like that to him." Onua's deep voice rumbled, belaying his anger at the two's mistreatment of the Air Toa. All throughout this exchange Tahu himself was becoming more and more angry.
"So what?" Kopaka snarled. "It's true. He had never been of any help to any of us." Lewa shrunk more into himself as Kopaka's words cut into him. "He was the first to get infected by the Makuta and tried to enslave the Matoran, he got himself infected by the Bohrok and the Krana, he was practically useless in the fight with the Bahrag. Truly what good is he to us? Do we really need a Toa of Air who is so useless?" Lewa couldn't take hearing the harsh words anymore and took off into the woods. None of the others saw accept Tahu, the tears that rolled down from lime colored eyes. At the sight of the heartbroken Toa, something inside Tahu snapped.
"See what you've done now?" Gali raised her voice to Kopaka.
"Why are you so angry, you were not one of the ones sticking up for him." Kopaka sneered. Pohatu and Onua bristled at the Ice Toa's tone, but became confused when Tahu calmly walked between them toward the squabbling duo, as if on autopilot.
"Kopaka, you need to think before you speak!" Gali yelled.
"Any you need to-" Kopaka was interrupted by a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Tahu with a very livid expression on his mask. The fire Toa's hand was brought up so fast that the icy one couldn't react fast enough to dodge, so he just braced himself for the punch.
SLAP
Everyone's eyes widened, even Kopaka's, as they watch Tahu, his hand still held up from slapping Kopaka across the mask, that was the last thing they expected from the volatile fire spirit. Slowly, he glared fiercely at Gali, conveying how much anger he held at that moment through his eyes, before turning and running off into the woods where Lewa disappeared to. He did not care if the others followed or what they thought now, all that mattered was making sure Lewa was alright.
My POV
I know what you're all probably wondering about, that little display earlier. I know I know, I was all uppity about trying to keep my cover or just telling people and getting it over with. But that, what Kopaka did and seeing Lewa cry, I just reacted. I was weak and mousy in my previous life and that way of thinking is still with me now, but I just can't stand the sight of someone bullying another, especially if that someone was just trying to help, like Lewa was trying to do. No body deserves what Lewa just went through and I'll be damned to the seventh circle of Hell before I let him suffer more. I don't care what the idiots back there think now or what they do, I just need to find Lewa, the poor thing is probably huddled somewhere in tears, he at least needs someone to cry to.
The sound of sniffing catches my ears and I stop. Looking around, I'm in a part of the jungle of Le-Wahi, but the trees aren't as closed in as they are in most parts, though it was still hard to find Lewa, he was huddled up against one of the larger trees, surrounded by bushes. I had to follow the sounds he was making to find him, but when I did, I wished I had done more to the icy bastard than just slap his mask. I guess he heard me coming, 'cause when I clear the bushes to get closer to him, his head shot up and he stared at me as if I was going to attack him or something.
"Hey," I say, my voice still slightly rough. "Are you ok?"
Normal POV
"Hey, are you ok?" Tahu asked, surprising Lewa with how caring the fire Toa's voice sounded. The green Toa just sniffed and nodded his head, trying to dry his eyes. Tahu would have taken him for his word if he hadn't heard what Kopaka said, he knew no one could be alright so soon after hearing all that crap. So frowning, he stepped closer and kneeled next to his brother.
"Hey," He said softy, getting Lewa's attention again by placing his hand on the younger's shoulder. "Don't let what he said get to you. He was being a real jerk." Lewa frowned and turned away.
"It still makes what he speak-told true." The younger muttered. Tahu placed his other hand on Lewa's mask and brought his face back towards him.
"No it doesn't. He had no right, No right, to say any of that. You're strong Lewa." Lewa scoffed and pulled himself up, Tahu following.
"Right, if I was strong then how come all that Kopaka said-spoke happened." Tahu frowned but tried to keep his temper in check, he wasn't angry at Lewa, but at the fact he didn't think much of himself.
"That was all bad luck. All that happened to you could've easily happened to any of us. Me, Gali, Pohatu, Kopaka especially and he knows it. Earlier he was angry and lashed out at you, you shouldn't let all what he says get to you, I don't." Lewa turned to look at Tahu with narrowed eyes.
"No, what Brother Kopaka said-spoke was all true! I let all that evil-bad things to happen because I wasn't strong enough! I-" Lewa's rant was cut off by something every surprising, Tahu was hugging him. The red Toa had come up to Lewa as he started to yell and wrapped his long arms around the smaller green form and held on tightly.
"Don't let all that stuff bother you Lewa. You are strong, stronger than all of us." Tahu said gently, letting his mask rest on Lewa's shoulder.
"Than why all the bad-evil stuff that happened, happened to me?" Lewa asked, his voice husky with restrained emotions.
"Like I said, bad luck." Tahu answered, not releasing his hold on the Air Toa for fear he would just fly away. "It could've happened to any of us."
"But I'm not-" Lewa started to say, but Tahu released his hold on Lewa, but kept his hands on his arms.
"Don't you dare say you're not strong enough! You are strong Lewa. Do you think any of us could have gone through half of what you suffered through and still have the ability to smile and see the good in the world? I know I wouldn't. Gali and Onua would stay huddled up in their villages, Pohatu would stop playing Kolhii, and Kopaka wouldn't come down from his mountain even if the whole thing thawed. You on the other hand," Here Tahu calmed down and lowered his voice so that Lewa had to strain to hear what was said.
"You still smile, you still get up everyday to go flying, you still see all the good in the world and refuse to let that bad hold you down. I envy you Lewa." At that confession, Lewa's eyes widened. "The way I see things, you are just as strong as Onua and Pohatu if not stronger, because you still let everyone see your true self, flaws and all, and without you I think the Toa Nuva would have lost sight of everything a long time ago, because your our heart Lewa, the heart of the Toa. So don't think so little of yourself Lewa, you are important to the Team, Mata-Nui chose you for a reason, remember that." Lewa looked into Tahu's eyes and saw all the sincerity in them that he heard in the Fire Toa's voice. He couldn't stop himself, he wrapped his arms around his fire brother and let all the grief and sadness he had held in come out. He was grateful when Tahu wrapped his arms around him again and just held him.
My POV
After what felt like hours, but was only a few minutes, Lewa's crying lessened to small hiccups.
"Come on, I'll take you back to Le-Koro." I offered, I had absolutely no Idea exactly where it is, but there is no way I'm leaving him alone right now. Lewa shook his head, surprising me.
"No, let's get back to the meeting." He said with a sigh.
"Are you sure?" I asked. "You don't have to go back if you don't want to." He nodded his head and gave me a watery smile.
"Yes I am ok-fine. Let's go back." I nod in uncertainty.
"Alright. But remember, don't let what any of them say get to you, and you can leave whenever you want." It would be better if he just went home, but if he want's to go back and face those jerk offs, then I'll let him. But the moment Kopaka opens his mouth with something nasty dancing on his tongue, then secret be damned I'm going to rip his tongue out and stuff it so far up his rear end, not even Mata-Nui and Makuta could get it out.
When we return, I'm surprised everyone is still there. Guess our departure wasn't enough to warrant a 'Meeting adjourned' or some other crap like that. Can you tell I'm still mad? Good. Kopaka is still where I left him, and I swear that little red area on his mask doesn't fill me with a small sense of sadistic glee, no. I fills me with a lot of sadistic glee.
Pohatu and Onua greet Lewa with concern and relief when they see him. I'm not as mad at those two, since they did actively stand up for Lewa, I'm mad at Kopaka for hurting Lewa as well as Gali and myself for letting Lewa get hurt in the first place.
"Now that the entertainment part of the meeting is over," I say with all the sarcasm and disdain I have. "Let's get this over with, or does anyone else feel like taking a cheap shot at someone?" Gali and Pohatu both flinch at my tone, but I don't care, I'm focusing all my attention at the walking snowflake with an attitude. They all gather around in a circle, I stand close to Lewa, who shoots me a small smile, and let Gali start, since she seems more in a talking mood than any of us. She reports nothing major happened around Ga-Koro and passes it off to Onua, then it's Kopaka, then Pohatu. All the same.
"What has happened around your area Brother?" Pohatu asks me. I shrug.
"Nothing." I leave it at that, not really in the mood. Everyone shares a look between them but don't say anything to me. Lewa is more hesitant at first, but I give him a small nod of encouragement, and he seems to come out of his shell as he starts to liven up and his report is a lot more detailed, but basically nothing happened in Le-Koro worth mentioning, but I'm just glad he seems fine now.
"Well if that's all, I think this meetings done." I say, my anger having calmed down now. Everyone nods. Lewa smiles at me once more before taking out his air katana.
"I must wind-fly brothers and sister, Turaga Matau is expecting me soon." We all nod, except for Kopaka, and he goes off. Good, now I can talk to the others.
"Hold up!" I call as they are all getting ready to leave.
"What is it Tahu?" Gali asks. I take a deep breath as they all look at me.
"I know I'm not one to say things like this, but," I sigh as they all continue to look at me, most with concern. "Whatever is problem you all seem to have, GET OVER IT!" I shout at the top of my lungs, scaring all of them, even Kopaka takes a step back.
"Tahu? I-"
"NO! You listen to me right now, all of you!" I glance at Kopaka to make sure he is listening. "I don't care what has all of you acting like complete idiots and I don't care, what you did earlier showed that there is something wrong and it needs to stop. You will all get over it or so help me I will tie you all up and let the Turaga beat some sense into you with their staffs, GOT IT!" I glare at all of them, taking their stunned silence as my chance to leave without worrying about awkward questions.
Well hopefully that will get their heads out of their collective asses and back into their whole unity, duty, destiny schpeel. But as I continue back to Ta-Koro, I begin to doubt that. What if I just made things worse? What if they suspect something is majorly wrong with me? What if they figure out I'm not Tahu and have now ruined their unity completely?
Damn
Now what?
For some of you who think Tahu is OOC, there's a reason for that, and if you would read the previous chapters, you will find out why. Thank you for reading this chapter, and if any of you can think of something for this story, I'd really appreciate it. I have hit a small wall for this story, I know what I want for it, but I can't seem to think of things to happen in the middle, and I need some Ideas, so if someone can throw me a situation or a thought of something to help keep this story moving forward, I'd be forever in your debt. Thanks! ;)