-Hey everybody! Sorry I took so long writing this, I've been really busy with school. Please read the Author's Note at the bottom, it's important. Thanks and enjoy!-

Chapter 10

Rahaga Norik stepped into the firelight and immediately the surrounding Toa's chatter stopped and the questions began. Most were along the lines of 'What happened,' 'Is Nokama okay,' and 'What about Vakama?' Norik brought a hand up for silence and the Toa quieted.

"Now, I know you are all curious and concerned, but you need to be patient; your questions will be answered in time. First, Nokama is fine, just tired. She is getting much needed rest now, so please don't disturb her. As for what happened, she has related her story to me, and I shall relate it to you." He took a deep breath before beginning. "As you know, this morning . . . ."

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Nokama lay on the ground, unable to sleep, trying to discern the words being said. It was true that she knew what had happened, but she wanted to know the other Toas reaction. But as hard as she tried the words were just barely out of her understanding. Still, there were others that were easily heard, such as when Onewa laughed loudly when he heard that Nokama hit Matau with a Rhotuka spinner. In response Matau had yelled something too fast for the Toa of Water to hear. Fortunately Norik had been able to prevent the oncoming fight and continue with the story.

It had been some time now, and Nokama was getting anxious. There was one part of the story that she particularly wanted to hear. But she had not needed to worry about hearing the reactions. Nokama winced as her brothers voices rose like a Gukku bird's.

"What!"

"You mean, he proposed? Like, marry propose?"

"Apparently."

"That―that . . . that fire-spitter!"

"Calm down. I know this comes as a surprise, but you'll wake Nokama."

Their voices died down again and Nokama pondered what she had just heard. It wasn't as bad as she had expected. Onewa and Whenua sounded confused, and Nuju had sounded amazed or awed. Only Matau's reaction had been outright negative. That would be a problem, but a problem for the morning. Having achieved her goal, Nokama tried to will herself to sleep.

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"So, that's it then," Onewa said, looking down at his feet. "Vakama's gone."

Norik wanted to say something comforting, but he remained silent. It was best not to give them false hopes. 'Lies may comfort them for a while, but it will only make the truth harder to bear.' Iruni had told him that. Of course, the Rahaga though, Iruni was talking about Keetongu, and Keetongu turned out to be real. Heh. I can't wait to see what Iruni says when he sees Keetongu. Or the reaction of any of the other Rahaga. But then again, I can't wait to see them. Norik leaned wearily on his staff as he thought about his captured brothers and sister. Especially Gaaki.

"Not necessarily. We could still save him," Whenua said, though it didn't sound convincing.

"It might not be too late," Nuju chimed in, softly.

All the Toa had their eyes downcast, and none sounded confident. Matau had receded into himself, still fuming angrily about the proposal. Onewa was very troubled, staring intently at a small rock he picked up from the ground. Similarly, Whenua was looking at the ground. Nuju was, as usual, quiet, but of a different kind than normal; it seemed more of a depressed quiet. Yet all the Toa, save Matau, seemed to be putting their minds to rescuing their friend. An uncomfortable and depressing silence covered the camp.

"Well?" Matau asked after a while, surprising everyone.

"Well what?" Onewa asked, half annoyed, half curious.

"Well, what's the action-plan? Just speak-talking won't do any hero-good."

Nuju gave the Toa of Air a 'look-who's-talking' look, but said "As surprised as I am to say it, he's right. We're not helping Vakama by just sitting here. We must plan for the future battle."

All the Toa set gladly to work. They all seemed much happier actually doing something, all united with a single purpose: save Vakama. Norik watched and felt himself retreat further inside himself, remembering a similar scene between Iruni and himself. Knowing he could be of no use here, he set off to ponder his thoughts.

Not too far from the camp, Norik came across Keetongu, meditating in the position the Rahaga had first seen him in. At his approach, Keetongu opened his single eye and looked at Norik.

"Oh, I am sorry, Keetongu, I did not mean to disturb you."

Keetongu held up a hand dismissively. "It was not your intent," he said. "Though, perhaps, meditation is?"

"Yes. I need to sort my memories . . . and feelings."

The great Rahi motioned toward the ground next to him. "Sit," he instructed. Obediently Norik sat, laying his staff beside him.

After a while Keetongu asked,"What troubles you?"

"My fellow Rahaga, they were captured and I'm worried about them. If any harm came to them . . . I'm not sure I could forgive myself."

"Any Rahaga in particular?"

"Yes, actually . . . Gaaki. I've always felt differently towards her . . . and perhaps felt we could have been more than friends but . . . unpredictable events happened and we came here to find you. Now that she's captured, my thoughts keep returning to her."

"You should talk to the Water Toa."

"Why?"

"She would understand you better. She is going through much the same, and you both need comfort from your worries."

"Thank you, Keetongu, I believe I shall. But, isn't Nokama asleep?"

"No."

"Ah, been listening no doubt. Thank you, once again, Keetongu." Keetongu nodded as Norik grabbed his staff and walked away. Alone once again, Keetongu closed his eye and meditated.

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"Nokama? Are you awake?"

"Yes, Norik, I am." The blue Toa sat up and looked at the Rahaga. "I couldn't sleep. Is there something you need?"

"Why could you not sleep?"

"I . . . I was thinking of Vakama."

"Of course. I understand."

"Do you?" Nokama asked doubtfully. "I don't wish to sound mean, but how could you?"

"You forget, Nokama, that my teammates are also captured, and one I care very deeply for. I also have the added guilt of feeling responsible for their capture."

"But that wasn't your fault; there was nothing you could do."

"Perhaps, but being a leader has extra responsibilities, ones that others cannot understand. You feel responsible for anything that happens to your team, whether it was your fault or not. Team mates blame you for things that go wrong, as you blame yourself."

"That I can understand," Nokama said, thinking of Matau's anger when they were captured by the Visorak. He had completely blamed Vakama for not thinking and walking straight into a trap. But had Vakama blamed himself as well? "That's why Vakama turned to the bad side," she said, almost to herself.

Norik nodded. "That hastened the Hordika poison."

"And he turned, all because Matau yelled at him and because he blamed himself? And now it's too late."

"No, it's not too late for him."

"Yes, it is, Norik, I tried. I tried everything," Nokama said, her voice cracking as sobs began breaking through. "Everything I c-could think of, and I-I couldn't help him. I couldn't s-s-save him." She brought her knees close to her chest and began weeping openly. "I couldn't save h-him," she repeated.

"Nokama?" Onewa said surprised upon hearing his sisters sobs. "Nokama!" He rushed over and immediately began comforting her like an older brother. "It's all right, Nokama," he said rubbing her back soothingly.

"I couldn't save him, Onewa." Nokama said, falling back into his arms. "I couldn't. He's gone."

Onewa was at first surprised, but soon recovered and said comfortingly, "I know you couldn't, but that doesn't mean we can't." His voice grew confident as he continued. "United, Toa can do anything. And we'll get that vision-seeing mask-maker back. We'll save Vakama, you'll see."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

"And so do I," Whenua said as he came over as well.

"As do I," Nuju said.

"Me too," Matau added. They all sat down around their sister and continued talking about their plan to rescue Vakama, until the dawn.

-Author's Note: I'd like to bring a fact to everyones attention: this story was greatly contributed to by my friend Whale Shark 7. Early on in the story he sent me an AU idea in which Nokama goes and tries to rescue Vakama herself, but gets captured in the process. Chapters 3-10 were either taken from, inspired by, or based on Whale Shark 7's idea.- -Reviews?-