CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: VISITING DAY

The next morning, all of Ga-Koro heard Kopaka let out an angry shout of outrage as Gali informed him that Tahu was going to be paying him a visit. "If you think that Firespitter and I belong in the same room, you have something unhealthy lodged in your brain!"

Gali shrugged, "He was slightly tipsy at Le-Koro's party, so he's coming by to make amends."

Kopaka grunted, "If he's going to do it like last time, I can kill myself without his help, thank you very much." He heard a passing Ga-Matoran snicker at his remark, "And my face is exposed!" he cried, remembering his loss of a mask as though it was a crime punishable by death. There was a loud splash and several colorful words strung together in creative patterns. Kopaka sighed heavily, "And what in Makuta's name is that sound? It sounds like someone drowning."

Gali went outside and gave a little gasp. She took off out of Kopaka's line of sight, and came back in holding a dripping Hewkii.

"I'm telling you," the Po-Matoran was saying, "Macku is trying to kill me!"

Gali nodded sympathetically, "You and Kopaka can start a Murder Paranoia Club, alright? Will that make you feel better?"

Hewkii waved at Kopaka, "What happened to your face?"

The white Toa sank down in the bed, covering his face with the bulrush sheets, "I don't want to talk about it."

He could hear Hewkii shrug, "That's fine."

Gali came in a moment later with Macku. Kopaka raised his face above the covers to look at her, and he could see she was extremely embarrassed.

"Let me guess," he said, calmly, "The swim bladders didn't help?"

Macku shook her head, "Hewkii brushed a rock and popped one."

Kopaka sighed, but before he could say anything else, Tahu stepped into the hut. Kopaka's icy gaze flew to his brother Toa, and Tahu actually took a step back. "Er… hi?" he offered, looking rather ashamed, "Listen, if it's about the other night…"

Kopaka shook his head, "I have no-one to blame for that but myself. I told you that you could hit me, did I not?"

Tahu leaned against the doorframe, watching Kopaka, "Did I give you those scars?"

Kopaka traced a few of them with his long fingers before answering. "No, Tahu, I've had these."

The red Toa looked confused, "How did you get them, then?"

Hewkii, who had sat quietly until now, piped up. "He doesn't want to talk about it, Toa Tahu."

Kopaka shook his head, "Thank you, Hewkii, but it is alright. Tahu deserves to know." He began telling Tahu of his fight with the Kuma-Nui several years prior, ending with his arrival on Mata-Nui. Tahu continued leaning on the doorway, politely listening. Kopaka hadn't thought he was capable of such a feat.

"So Tahu…" he asked, calmly, "What will you do with this information?"

Tahu shrugged, "What do you want me to do – keep it a secret or share it?"

It was Kopaka's turn to shrug, "Seeing as I'm leaving in two days, it doesn't matter."

Tahu spluttered something incoherent, "You're still thinking of leaving?"

Kopaka nodded, "I've always been the one to openly question your leadership, Tahu," he stated, "Now it is time I experienced life without a leader to question."

Tahu nodded sagely, "If that is your choice, Kopaka, I am not going to stand in your way."

Kopaka nodded his thanks, and was struck by one final idea, "Tahu?"

"Hmm?"

"Just… promise you will take care of Gali for me."