Note: This story is written by Omicron and Fatala, we hope you like it. This is also part of the writing challenge Omicron issued.

In Matoran Care

Chapter Twelve:

Back To Flesh

Aster used a cloth that Vakama had handed her to wipe away the ointment from her wrists. She was very happy to see that the welts were gone. "That worked great." she smiled at the Ta-Matoran.

"It always heals my burns scarless." Vakama said, peering at her wrists, having to see for himself.

Where the irritated welts were was smooth organic matter, just as it was before the Roots had touched her. Just like Vakama's burns it was scarless.

"It looks good." Vakama nodded, then peered into Aster's masked face, "How do you feel? It's been several days since you had the Kanohi on."

"I feel ok." she said though she did want to take off the mask. It hadn't came off since Vakama had he try it on. Bring a hand to the side of her mask she could feel where the seam was. "Do you think its ok to try and take it off?" she asked not wanting to remove it if it was dangerous.

"Well, I think so." The Ta-Matoran said hesitating, "But it's the first time I ever made a mask like that...so I'm guessing." He winced at that admission and looked at the girl like asking forgiveness.

Aster thought about what he said for a moment. With everything that had been happening she felt brave; no point putting off the test. "Guess we won't know until I try." she said with a smile before moving her other hand up to the other side of the mask.

Vakama sat back, since it was considered more than rude to take someone else's Kanohi mask off. But he was tense with repressed energy and waiting to help, though unsure if he would have to pull off the mask or push it back into place.

Getting her fingers into position along the seams she slowly began to pull the mask off. There was a bit of resistance which tried to keep the mask in place. As the mask started to be pulled away she felt a strange feeling run through her body, in was like what she felt when first putting the mask on but in reverse.

The Ta-Matoran edged closer, intently watching the transformation, slow but steady once the new mask was off. "You're still Matoran size." He reached out, running gentle finger tips on the soft organic flesh that somehow seems softer than before.

Was that a side effect?

This time Aster managed to stay conscious through the process, but once the mask was off she felt tired. "I-I don't think my body is use to... it yet..." Her speech slowed until her body finally gave in to her weariness. Legs giving out she easily let the blackness take her. Her body needed to rest as it finished the change back.

Warm arms wrapped around Aster to keep her from falling over and Vakama shifted so she was leaning up against him, and into his center of balance. "Oh..." he murmured, multi colored eyes fixed on something that hadn't been on the human before. Shifting a little, Vakama very carefully, and as lightly as he could touched the living crystal imbedded between the collar bones on Aster's chest.

A nearly whispering moan came from her throat as the new heart light brightened at the touch. It seemed that the mask did have a more visible side effect, one that probably wouldn't fade like the rest.

Vakama rested his chin on the top of Aster's head, giving her a hug, "I hope that's a good thing..."


She didn't know how long she had been unconscious but slowly Aster began to stir. Her hand moved to her chest feeling a strange warmth. Lifting her head she expected to see Vakama.

The Matoran was snuggled into the cushions a hand span away, having managed to pull her over. Now, after double checking the locks to forge/home were in place the mask maker had flopped over. The strange Matoran sleep schedule again.

Having turn her head she smiled at the sleeping Matoran. Absently her hand moved up finding something that hadn't been there before. She frozen for a moment at the feeling should got touching the heart-light. Blue-green eyes looked down at the bright light now set high in her chest.

It wasn't exactly like the orange-tinted heart-light on Vakama, his had that Bionicle tri-pulse rhythm while hers was still the human double beat. Intrigued by it but still tired she rolled over to cuddle next to Vakama. Things could wait 'til later. The Matoran hummed, but not in the blushing way, sounding slightly deeper than before as he shifted closer to Aster's body heat.


Awaking came slightly easier than she thought it would after the evening before. Her eyes opened taking a few moments to adjust. From the way the room was lit she could tell that it was sometime in the late morning or early afternoon. Aster was becoming more accustomed to how time flowed on Metru Nui and how Vakama's sleep schedule worked; though hers did differ some.

Vakama was up already, fiddling with something but not really working. He had the air about him like he was waiting and killing time.

Lifting her head she smiled at seeing Vakama. Slowly and carefully Aster got up; making sure to mind her head if she had to. Having hit her head more than once she didn't want to have a sore head again.

The Ta-Matoran looked up from what he was doing, "Good morning," he said smiling.

"Morning." she smiled getting up and stretching. Her body felt slightly stiff and it felt like something was on her chest or in it. Aster moved a hand to touch her chest coming into contact with something that made her look down.

"You have a heart light," Vakama said, tilting his head, "or, I think it just came out."

Aster knew it hadn't been there before. "Is it a side effect of the mask?" she asked lightly feeling near the heart light. It definitely was melded into her, looking and feeling as if it had always been there.

"I think so," Vakama set down the data pads he was looking at and snuffled over closer, gently touching the new heartlight, "It's still the same living crystal as your Matoran form."

Though the touch was gentle Aster's heartlight seemed extra sensitive. It could feel so much more than her skin causing her to suck in some air in surprise at its sensitivity.

"Sorry," The Matoran hummed in a blush, glancing down.

"I-its ok." It felt strange but the small touch made her feel slightly warmer.

"I wonder," Vakama muttered, and then started humming louder.

"Is it suppose to be so sensitive?" she asked wondering if Vakama's heartlight was as sensitive.

"Yes," The Matoran nodded, "It is linked to your spirit after all." He lifted a hand to cup over his own heart light.

Aster didn't know that, then again if hadn't come up before in conversation. Her hand lightly covered her own heartlight though careful not too touch it more than a little.

"It's how two Matoran and join in a true unity passion." Vakama was looking down still blushing in that humming way of the Bionicle.

Hearing Vakama's explanation Aster tilted her head slightly. "True unity?" she wondered what that meant.

"You know, bonding and mating..." Vakama said in a small voice, humming loud again.

Neither word rang a bell in her mind; only one word sounded like it might mean the same. "You mean something like marriage?" Aster asked sounding as completely innocent as she looked.

"...marrri-age?" Vakama echoed, frowning in confusion at the new word, sounding it out a little oddly.

She didn't remember much of what the word meant but it did mean something like bonding. That was if she was right. "Maybe that isn't the word..." Aster said chewing on her thoughts.

"It sounds strange," Vakama considered and shook his masked head, "Maybe it's something from where ever you're from."

"Probably." Aster admitted. It seemed logical consider Vakama hadn't heard of the word. "Then what is the bonding?"

"Well," The Matoran shifted and looked all around as he spoke, "When two Matoran feel love for each other, bonding is a way of being imamate."

"Oh." Now another word came to mind that fit bonding very appropriately. "I think I understand." she said flushing slightly now knowing what he meant.

Vakama glanced at her and then rubbed the side of his mask, "Yeah..."

Aster didn't press more into the subject, now being enlightened on the meaning of it. She decided to keep the mask off for now getting use to the feeling of not having it on any more. There wasn't too much of a difference but it her skin had a slight tingly feeling; maybe another side effect.

"You still want to go over to Takua's?" Vakama asked, switching topics gratefully, "He left a message a little earlier saying he's going to the archives in a few days."

It would seem that she'd be wearing the mask sooner than she thought. "I nearly forgot about visiting Takua." She hated to admit it but with everything that had happened she forgot about seeing the Ta-Matoran. "We should before he goes."

"He's not going for a few days," Vakama smiled as he offered a bowl of berries to the human.

"I know." Aster answered with a chuckle tackling one of the offered berries. "Would it be better to wait since I just took the mask off?" she asked rubbing one of her arms trying to rub away the tingling. Her skin had felt softer before but now it felt harder, tougher but still smooth.

"you don't have to put it on right away." The mask-maker hummed, "Unless you want to go out, but I have some Kanohi to make."

"I think I'll wait." she said reconsidering her earlier words. Hopefully the odd sensation would fade.

Vakama moved over to sit down beside the human, looking up at her and reaching out to pat her arm, "Is everything alright?"

Aster looked at the Ta-Matoran as he patted her arm. "I'm not sure." she said her skin didn't yield as much as it normally did to being pressed on or like just after taking the mask off.

"Is it a side effect?" Vakama asked, worried as he watched the human.

"I don't know; though I feel abet 'tingly' all over." Maybe it was a side effect but nothing else felt different or had changed. Except for her new heartlight.

"Anything I can do?" Vakama paused, then remembering the last time she'd complained about her skin, "...or do you want a bath again?"

"May a bath will help." Though she knew the feeling wasn't the same it was worth a tr