Hunoiso mai hunaiso= Brothers and sisters

Song translations:

One day you are here.

And the next, you are gone.

You have taken your final breath.

And left us all behind.

Each day the sun rises.

We miss you more

But do not worry

One day, we'll be united again.


Chapter 4

The next day was the day of the festival, and everyone in the village was putting the final touches on the decorations. All of the village homes had a strange symbol drawn on their doors. A massive fire pit was set up in the middle of the village for when it got darker out. The colored lanterns were displayed in various areas around them. Barrels filled with some sort of liquid were rolled out, and odd-looking musical instruments were set up, waiting to be played.

The guys sat around at their table, going over where they would all be posted and how they would rotate their watch for them and the vao from the other villages. As much as they wanted to join in the festivities, their main priority was protecting the village and the people in it.

"Wow, they're really going all out, out there." Casey said as he peeked through the window. April kind of stayed off to the side, staying oddly quiet.

"Yeah, it's like I said before. This festival is really important to them. It's the only time when they feel closest to the people that died." Don said. "Everyone in this village and the neighboring ones have, unfortunately, lost someone they were close to."

"And all because of this Kai person?" Casey asked.

"Yep." Raph said.

"Man, this Kai seems like a real dirtbag."

"That's because he was." Mikey added. "Treason, animal abuser, harasser, a murderer of not only adults, but children too."

That actually caught April's attention. "What?"

"Yeah, he was probably one of the worst people we have come across." Leo stood up. "Come on, people are going to start arriving soon."

Gathering up their weapons and putting on their chaltigas, they began to head outside. Casey was the first one out, so he slid the door open. Only to be met by an older man with brown skin, pointed ears, and a long black beard. He was surprised at first, then his look of surprise turned to a look of frustration as he started saying something in his native language. Casey, of course, not understanding what he was saying, just stood there, confused. Luckily Leo jumped in to make the save.

"Hey, sorry about that, Asuli." Leo said, letting all of the occupants out of the house. "Didn't know you were out here."

Raph pushed Casey and April away from there as Leo diffused the situation. The lakras that were outside waiting for them followed. "What did I do?"

"You probably ruined the symbol he was drawing on the door when you opened it." Don said with a shrug.

"That's exactly what happened actually." Leo said as he joined the group. "Don't worry, he's just a bit of a perfectionist, that's all. He'll get over it."

"Oh." he looked behind them and called out to the man known as Asuli. "Sorry about that."

Asuli responded by just waving them off, still annoyed that he had to start all over. April observed one of the doors, examining the symbol. It just looked like four cat's eyes in different colors. One in green, one in blue, one in red and one in white. "What are these symbols supposed to do?" she asked.

"They call it Hunaiso ne Mota. The sisters' eyes. It keeps the spirits from entering the homes when they come by. During this time, you'll want to keep them outside." Don answered.

"So, it's a 'Keep Out' sign, but for ghosts?" Casey asked.

"Yeah, pretty much." Raph said with a nod.

"And who are these sisters?" April asked.

"The four goddesses that the people here worship. They are feared and respected by everyone around the world and, especially in the spirit world." Leo answered.

"Riiiiiight, okay." April said skeptically.

The guys let the obvious skepticism go because they were also skeptical of the whole goddesses thing when they first got here, so it was only natural for her to think the same.

New people were starting to file in from the neighboring villages around that time. The villagers from Emall came through the Parinan woods from the West. The villagers from Tarrin emerged from Itabel woods on the east side. "Here they come." Mikey said.

Along with the people came the other vao tasked with protecting those villages and their lakras. All of them were dressed in their chaltigas just like the guys. The three vao from Tarrin village were the twins Rukua and Rouki. Both had cloudy gray, scaled skin with long tails and orange eyes the same color as a tiger's fur. Both had darker gray hair, which would have confused those around him if Rouki hadn't shaved most of his hair off, leaving it in a sleek fade while Rukua kept his long hair in a ponytail. Another difference was the weapons they used. Rouki carried a rounded, dark metal sickle while his brother, Rukua, had a two-handed ax very similar to that of a halberd on his back.

Anila was the only woman in the group as of right now. Her skin and wings were as black as the night sky. She had teal-colored eyes and a thick amount of snow white hair in two dutch braids. A sabre was sheathed at her waist. She was the newest and youngest member of the vao. She was also the only one without a lakra since she could fly.

The two vao from Emall were named Tossen and Suvri. Tossen was a reasonably young guy, probably a little bit older than the guys. He had turquoise skin and golden yellow eyes with pointed ears. His long, royal blue colored hair was tied up in a braided bun to keep it out of his face while he fights. Sheathed at his waist was a spiked mace with a sturdy handle.

Suvri was a scarlet red colored young man with pale yellow colored eyes. His marigold hair was shaved down short on both sides, and the middle ran down along his back. Strapped to his back was a sword almost like Leo's katana, only it had a bit more of a curve to it.

Once the other vao saw the guys, they approached. They were hesitant at first, seeing the unfamiliar people with them. Still, Leo waved them over, letting them know that it was okay. The five of them approached and bowed to the brothers, the people that trained them. Leo explained everybody's posts and rotations, and they bowed again. "Remember, we need everyone to be on high alert. Beloose is worried about wild lakras attacking here like they have been in Emall."

Don asked the two vao that came from Emall. "Speaking of which, have the two of you been able to find anything strange in your area?"

Tossen was the first to speak up. "We have not. It is a bit difficult to investigate with only two of us."

Leo nodded. "Understandable. We're working on that."

"And I'll be heading over there tomorrow to see if I can find anything." Mikey added.

"Thank you, Michelangelo." Suvri said with a bow.

"Nothing weird going on with you guys, right?" Raph asked the three from the other village.

"No," Rouki spoke for the other two. "The lakra in our area have been acting normally."

Leo breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, everyone, to your posts. Anything happens, you know what to do." Leo ordered. The five vao bowed to them before leaving to their posts. "Casey and April, feel free to enjoy the festivities."

Casey shrugged and pulled his wife by the wrist. "Okay, come on, babe."

"But..." April started.

"Let the guys do their job." Casey had to physically drag her away.

The guys just looked on as April was pulled along by her over excited husband. Despite her protests, Casey dragged her all the way away from everyone else, settling between a few houses and out of earshot of anybody before finally letting her go. "What are you doing?" she asked, annoyed.

"I know what you're trying to do." he answered. "And it's not going to work."

"I don't know what you're talking about." she crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.

Casey sighed, being as patient as he possibly could with his stubborn wife. "I know you want them to come back. I want them to come back with us too, but it's not going to happen. You have to let them go." he felt for her, he really did, but if she kept this up it would only strain their friendship.

"They need to come back to Earth because that's where they belong."

"And they, clearly, think otherwise. It's not fair to try to convince them to leave their home."

"Their home is on Earth."

"Not anymore. You have to accept that. If you keep pushing, they'll only pull away from you." Casey explained. He then walked away from her before she could say anything else.


Once Dax arrived with Beloose, the festivities actually began. The day was full of lighthearted laughs, drinking, eating, dancing, and reminiscing. Everyone was given a mask to wear. The masks were mostly skeletal looking and in an assortment of colors with short feathers coming out of them.

The vao took turns between guarding the people and joining in on the party. Raph and Mikey were the ones off duty for the time being. So they were both at one of the many barrels, filling up their cups with the liquid. The barrel that they were filling their cup at just happened to be right next to the makeshift throne where Beloose was, and the person guarding Beloose at that time was their older brother and his lakra, Kuro.

"Don't have too much of that now." he warned with a sideways glance toward them. "Can't guard people if you're drunk."

"We know, Fearless Leader." Raph said with a roll of his eyes and a smirk.

Kuro responded to that name by looking at Leo and tilting his head to the side, confused. Leo chuckled. "It's been a while since you've called me that."

"Gotta go back to the classics every once in a while." Mikey took a sip of his drink.

"Fearless Leader?" Beloose asked, curiously.

"Yeah, a dumb nickname that Raph came up with."

"Don't act like you didn't love it." Mikey teased.

"I didn't." Leo said back.

"Yeah, okay, sure." Raph said sarcastically.

"Get out of here." Leo shooed them away.

Mikey and Raph wandered off with their drinks laughing to themselves. "Fearless Leader." Beloose repeated. "It seems like the right name to call you."

"It really isn't." Leo shook his head.

Beloose pouted. "The king wishes to call you by that name."

"Please don't." Leo groaned.

Beloose only responded by laughing good naturedly before looking out at the crowd of dancing people. In the middle of the mass of people was Casey. He was jumping up and down, waving his arms in the air like he was at some sort of concert. Everyone around him was doing the same. "It looks like one of your friends is fitting right in."

"It looks like he's had too much to drink already." Leo said with a grin.

Beloose merely shrugged. "That is fine as long as he is enjoying himself. Be sure you make time to relax as well, Leonardo." he told him.

"I know." Leo said and Kuro nudged his arm. "Well, I'm not going now." he told him, and Kuro whined and lied down.

Raph and Mikey moved around the festivities, with Rocsi and Max following behind them. They approached Dax, who was guarding one area around the group of people with Tam-Tam. Casey approached them, and he looked like he was having a great time, even though he really had no idea what was going on. "You look like you're having fun."

"These guys are great!" he exclaimed. "I didn't think this would be much of a party, but I'm into it. They even gave me this drink. I don't know what it is, but it tastes good. I think they called it Ruka gumi or something."

Dax snorted back his laughter at the mispronunciation. "You are close. It is Raka Gami."

"Yeah, that. It's really good."

"Glad you like it, Case." Raph said. "Just... pace yourself."

Casey gave his friends a confused look. "Why?"

"That's alcohol." Mikey said, pointing to the cup in Casey's hand.

Casey looked inside his cup. "Really?" he downed what was in his cup. "Doesn't taste like it."

Raph gave his friend a couple pats on the back. "That's what makes it dangerous."

"Ah, I'll be fine. I can handle my liquor." Casey turned back to the crowd of people when they all called out to him. "My people await. Goongala!" he yelled as he went back into the crowd.

"Goongala? What is a goongala?" Dax asked.

Mikey and Raph chuckled. "It doesn't mean anything." Raph said. "It's just a thing he says. Usually, before a fight. I've never heard him say it during a party."

Before either of them knew it, Casey got the whole crowd chanting it. "Oh no, it's contagious." Mikey facepalmed.

"Your friend is an odd one." Dax noted.

"Yeah." both Mikey and Raph agreed.


As time went on and the sun had almost fully set, red lights began to dot the air around them. The tashin were out. The villagers began piling on wood for the bonfire. The dancing and singing died down. Aside from the bright and colorful lanterns giving off a bright and playful tone, there was suddenly a more somber feeling going around the village as people calmed down. "It seems that it is about that time."

"Just about." Don said as he observed the villagers getting the bonfire ready. He looked to Beloose and noticed something off. "Is something wrong?"

"...No, I was... just thinking about my parents. I just sometimes wonder if my parents would be proud of the things I have done recently."

"Of course." Don replied, without hesitation. "Why wouldn't they be?"

Beloose sighed. "About my brother. I wonder, if my parents were in the same position I was, would they make the same decisions that I did."

"What do you mean?" Don asked.

"Keeping him alive."

Don decided to keep his mouth shut on that topic. His silence told Beloose enough. "Even you think that I have made a terrible decision."

"No," Don said quickly. "Not at all. It was a difficult decision to make. You did what you felt was best."

"Yes, but not for my people, like I should have. I did it for me. I did it so I have a chance to repair the damage between my brother and I. To perhaps help him."

Don sighed. "Beloose..."

"Tell me, Donatello. If you were in my place. If one of your brothers did everything, that mine did. What would you do?"

Don saw what he was trying to do. He wanted confirmation that he did the right thing in keeping his brother alive. Regardless of what he wanted, Don wouldn't be able to sentence his own brother to death. No matter how awful they were. "I would... probably do exactly what you did."

Beloose looked up at him and smiled. "Thank you. Now, if only everyone else thought this way."

Don knew that the king was referring to the villagers saying that Kai should've been executed. It was only a few, but it was enough for him to start questioning his choices. "You can't please everybody, right?"

Beloose sighed. "Right."


Casey had to be brought back inside as he was completely and utterly drunk from all the alcohol he said he could handle. Raph helped him lay back on the mat and covered him back up, and Casey passed out instantly. "Bonehead." Raph shook his head and left the house, where Rocsi was waiting patiently. "Come on, girl." he said to her. Looking up at the night sky, he knew he would have to take up his post by Beloose soon anyway, so he moved to where Don and Luna were standing and keeping watch near the young king. "Hey bro, switch with me."

"Hm? Are you sure? We're not supposed to trade places for a while." Don questioned him.

"It's fine. Cutting you early. You said you wanted to be there for your girl, right?" Raph asked.

He smiled at his older brother. "Yeah, thanks, Raph."

Looking over his brother's shoulder, Raph noticed two figures off to the side. It was Nati, and she was talking to April. "Speaking of being there for your girl." he pointed in their direction.

Don followed his line of sight. He could tell from here that Nati was very uncomfortable with whatever April was saying. Her eyes were downcast, her shoulders slumped, and he wasn't entirely sure, but it looked like she was shaking. Don and Luna made a beeline for them. Luna growled low as they approached.

As he got closer, he could catch the tail end of what she was saying. "...matter because we are going to bring them back home to Earth." that line alone both upset Nati and angered Don.

Before the shy girl could run off, Don grabbed her hand and stood in front of her while glaring at his friend. "Donnie? I was just-"

Don narrowed her eyes at her and held up his hand, quieting her. "Go have a seat, April." he nodded his head towards the villagers as they sat down around the lit bonfire.

The assertiveness was definitely not very Don-like, and she can't say she liked that. Deciding not to escalate the situation, she did as she was told, going to find a spot next to Mikey, who had Avery nestled in his arms. Don turned to Nati and placed both hands on her shoulders. "Are you okay?" he asked.

She shook her head as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Do not leave." she whispered.

"What?"

"Please do not leave me." she said before she buried her face in his chaltiga.

He gently wrapped his arms around her, reassuring her. "Listen to me, Nati. I'm not going anywhere. No one is going anywhere."

"But she..."

"Don't worry about what she said. I am here for you. I'm not leaving you, okay?"

She nodded her head, trying to calm herself down. "Are you happy here?" she asked.

"Yes, I am. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." cupping her face in his hands and wiping away the tears from her honey-colored eyes. "It's going to be okay."

"Gather around hunoiso mai hunaiso." they looked over as Beloose had stood up and began making his speech.

"Are you ready?" he asked her.

Wiping away the remainder of her tears, she nodded. He took hold of her hand and guided her towards everyone else. There was some space open next to April. Stepping around some of the people, he sat down, and Nati nestled in the spot next to him. April looked over at him, and he turned away, keeping his eyes on the king as he was about to make his speech. "Don..." she began to reach out to tap him on the shoulder. Luna shut that down when she suddenly appeared and pushed her way in between them. It didn't matter that she didn't really fit in that particular spot. She just wanted to keep April away from Don. She growled low at the redhead, sea green eyes boring into hers. That was enough to keep her quiet.

"Here we are again. Many days have gone by since my brother's rule, and many lives were taken far too soon. Words cannot express how sorry I am for letting that happen, but unfortunately, I cannot take back what he has done." everyone listened, and the guys hated as Beloose put the blame on himself for what his brother did. "I know that we cannot live forever. All life must return to the Goddesses, but everyone should be able to live a full life and not have it taken away." he sighed. "But now is not the time to feel guilt, now is the time for remembrance. Remember those that are gone, remember them before they passed, hold them in your hearts and never forget them." there was a moment of silence as everyone remembered their loved ones.

April could hear the sounds of people weeping softly around her. Don and Mikey held their girls closer to them, comforting them as they cried, but also respectfully bowing their heads too. After the moment was over. "Now, it is time for the ceremonial song. Nati, will you lead us."

Nati took a deep breath before standing up. She moved to the center of the circle, where everyone was staring at her. Her nerves began to kick in as all eyes were on her. Suddenly, Don's voice echoed in her head. If you get nervous, just look right at me, okay. Her eyes locked onto his, and all of her nerves seemed to melt away. She took another deep breath and began to sing her people's ceremonial song.

Iun hisa tuson koni

Ma'ne suisi tuson dota

Tuga avoro antu musai koli

Mai detuu nua

Petsu fui laro aleva

Manos jōnartu mali

Shi leai pre'apo

Iun hisa, manishi gaido mali

It was a soothing melody sung from the heart. Others began to join in after a while. The tashin danced back and forth in the night sky, representing the spirits of those departed.


Hope you liked. I know the song wasn't great, but I wanted to do something like that for this chapter. It'll probably never happen again.