Chapter 4:
The other five Toa fixed the wheelchair and Gali carried Kopaka to Ko-Koro. She'd have to explain the Turaga what happened, and what would happen with Kopaka's fate.
She was carrying him there when she noticed about something. He was shivering.
"What happens?" She asked. "I thought you felt comfortable with cold"
I don't know. I'm… I'm freezing…Please…I…I don't wanna be here.
"Maybe the blow also affected your sense of tact…" She said after thinking a bit.
Maybe.
"If you gotta keep warm I guess I'll have to carry you to Ta-Koro…"
WHAT? NO! I'M FREEZING BUT I DON'T WANNA DIE PARBOILED!
Who knows, maybe Gali read his mind, or maybe she just had a better idea.
"Or you can come with me to Ga-Koro"
Really? But I'll be a nuisance to you. I don't wanna stress you.
"Turaga Nokama can help me to take care of you. It won't be so terrible."
What? Can you hear what I think?
"I would like to know what you're thinking. It would be easier if you could talk."
That means no.
"I'll see that you feel at home. Don't worry."
I… I can't thank you enough, Gali. He smiled.
…
"He was shivering when I tried to take him to Ko-Koro. Maybe Ta-Koro's environment is too hot for him. That's why I think he must stay here with us." Gali said to the Turaga.
The Turaga nodded.
"Is okay, Gali, he can stay here. But where? "
"He can stay with me."
"Won't you be annoyed?"
That was a little offensive, Turaga.
"No. He's my brother."
"That's very good, Gali. You really care about your teammates."
She's actually perfect, Turaga. He thought and smiled.
Gali took Kopaka to her hut. He kept sitting on the wheelchair, watching her put order on her hut.
"Maybe the place is not so big. But you are gonna be fine."
With you I'd always be fine… Wait, Kopaka, what's wrong with you? Why are you thinking like this? And he got angry and ashamed with himself.
Gali changed her Kaukau to a Pakari, picked him up and she laid him on her bed.
Gali, I… I can't accept this. What about you?
She lay next to him, keeping a decent distance between both. Kopaka began feeling nervous. She, him, alone in her hut…
Enough for it, Kopaka! Stop thinking like that!
"Don't worry." She said, looking at the roof "Maybe tomorrow we'll wake up… and this will be nothing but a dream."
Kopaka stared at his chest with shame. He was being a nuisance for everyone. Stupid Kuma Nui. It's your fault that I'm paralytic now.
"One day Turaga Nokama told me that everything happens for some reason." She stared at him "Maybe what happened to you happened for some reason. Don't you think so?"
Kopaka kept staring at her with admiration. She's so wise!
"Maybe this will show us something." She said and turned around. "Good night."
Good night, Gali.
...
1:00a.m Gali woke up because Kopaka was trembling. She stared at him. He seemed scared and he was sweating and babbling in dreams.
She touched him. He woke up afraid.
"Kopaka, it's me, Gali."
Kopaka seemed to calm down a bit with that. But he had tears on his eyes.
"Were you having any nightmare?"
He just moved his inferior lip and looked at her.
It was horrible, Gali. We were fighting against the Kuma Nui again… I didn't end up paralytic, but the ones who suffered that were you. I couldn't help you all… I had to see how the Kuma nui was killing you and… and…
He couldn't help it anymore and tears began running on his mask.
"Turaga Nokama once told me that nightmares have a meaning"
He sniffed.
"Maybe you are not feeling fine with the fact that you're not as strong as before. But you know what? You're not alone" She smiled. "You have us all. We'll take care of you, even if this lasts forever. And we'll be strong for you."
Kopaka suddenly felt the desire of hug her.
They kept staring at each other for some seconds. But they couldn't sleep again.
"Let's do something." Gali said and got up. She grabbed him by the hands, pulled him up and leaned him against her body, and then she sat him on the wheelchair. She carried him out, and they kept staring the nocturne starry sky.
It's beautiful… especially the two moons.
Kopaka stared at her and smiled with affection.
They kept in silence, till Kopaka was falling asleep again. Gali carried him to the hut again and laid him on the bed, then she laid next to him, and they fell asleep again.