ULTIMATE BIONICLE

Chapter 28: A Gut Feeling

Kopaka stood on top of the ledge of the canyon. His face was emotionless and cold; like it usually was. While on the outside he is as stiff as ice itself, inside is a raging river of thought. The grief among all the Toa Nuva was immense, but their injuries and fatigue made it hard to resist sleeps welcome arms.

While Kopaka was just as affected by Gali's death as his brothers, and just as injured; he could not sleep. "What's keeping you up?" A voice said from behind him. "Don't ask questions you already know the answer to, Whenua." Kopaka said.

"Right," Whenua said, "So what stops you from sleeping then? All your brothers share your grief, and yet you are the only one awake."

Kopaka sighed, "Why do you keep asking me questions that are no business of yours? But what keeps you awake, besides your unknown need to bother me?"

Whenua stood next to Kopaka, "Gali was an amazing Toa. She seemed to always be concerned for others; even when she was unsure if they were an enemy. She had an aura of warmth and caring that always seemed to surround her." Whenua said, smiling in reminiscence.

Kopaka looked over at him and raised an eyebrow. "What, were you in love with her or something?" He asked. "No, I'm not in love with her," Whenua answered. "But in the time I knew her, she became one of the closest friends I've ever had."

Kopaka looked back out into the distance. "…Thanks…" Kopaka said. "But why are you really here?"

"I wanted to know who has the Bulla Berries. And since you're the only other one awake I figured I'd ask you." Whenua explained. Kopaka gave Whenua a slightly puzzled looked, "What do you want the Bulla Berries for?" Kopaka asked.

"I'm not sure," Whenua started, "but I've got a strange feeling in my gut that keeps telling me to find Gali. Perhaps something is telling me to put her body to rest. I'm not sure." Kopaka looked at him with eager impatience. "But what do you need the Bulla Berries for?" He asked more insistently.

"Not sure yet," Whenua said. "But I feel that I need to bring them. Just in case." Kopaka looked at Whenua expectantly. "In case of what!"

"In case Gali is alive…she'll need those." Whenua said. Kopaka sighed and looked back into the distance. "You heard Nuju. She's dead. Do you honestly believe he would be mistaken? …Anyways, I think Nokama has them." Whenua started to walk away. "Thanks," He said. "You not coming?"

"No," Kopaka said, "I don't think I can bear seeing her like that. But please find her."

&&&&&&&&

Nokama lay next to Onua; her arm rapped around his torso. She was fast asleep and felt secure in Onua's embrace. She was suddenly awoken by a slight push. She rolled over and opened her eyes; trying to adjust to what little light was there. "Comfortable?" Whenua asked sarcastically.

"Whenua? What do you want?" She asked groggily. "I need the Bulla Berries." Whenua said. Nokama handed him the bag. "What do you need them for anyways?" She asked curiously. "Never mind," Whenua said, "Just get some sleep. I'm sorry to have bothered you." Whenua turned around and started to walk away.

"Are you going to find Gali?" Nokama asked. Whenua stopped. "Yes…I need to be sure that she's dead." Whenua explained. "But Nuju said she was dead. You know how much he loved her. He would be sure before getting so angry like that. So what is your motive then?"

"A gut feeling. That's it." Whenua said. "I'm coming too then." Nokama insisted. "If she is alive, I might be able to help you find her." Nokama started to get up. "I'll go alone." Whenua said. "I think I can manage on my own. Besides, you need to save your strength." Nokama lay back down. "Ok…if you're sure." She said; feeling a little left out.

Whenua then left the area, in search of Gali.

&&&&&&&&

Whenua walked inside the lonely valley of the canyon. Thankfully, his Great Ruru provided him the means to see perfectly. He had previously passed the area that he assumed Gali and Nuju had done battle with Krekka; considering there was a huge dent in the ground. Not to mention the slaughtered remains of the three Vahki. Nuju really did a number on them.

Whenua was filled with dread, almost certain of what he was about to witness. He started to reconsider telling Nokama not to come. However, he did not want more on her plate than there already was. He could tell she felt guilty about it. Especially considering how Nuju acted. He almost started blaming Nokama before Whenua had stepped in. But Nokama is not stupid.

"It's all your faults; each and every one of you. Because of you all I lost my best friend and the one person I loved more than anything else in the world. I hate all of you!"

"We're all to blame I guess." Whenua said, resting his hand behind his head as he walked. "If only I had thought to have done something…maybe we wouldn't be in this mess. I just hope Gali's alive…"

Whenua thought of Nokama lying with Onua. She looked to peaceful and happy…even in such bad times. "Maybe I should have brought her with me…some time alone with her would've been nice."

"Just don't isolate yourself and things will work out for you…" He remembered Gali saying. "Damn it!" Whenua yelled in realization. He heard his shout echo on almost forever.

"If you care for her so much, then why do you push her away…?" Whenua stopped, eyes widened in surprise. "Who the hell just said that?" He wondered aloud. He pulled out his Earth-Shock drills and looked around the valley and canyon for the ominous voice.

"It's not echoing… Then does that mean….that I just heard that in my head?" Whenua wondered. Whenua put his weapons away and suspiciously looked around one last time, before continuing on.

&&&&&&&&

Whenua reached the edge of a crater, and he looked inside. Somebody was at the bottom. Whenua slid down the sandy edge of the crater, until he made it to the bottom. He approached Gali's body and fell to his knees in front of her. Whenua hung his head in grief and sorrow, sighing deeply. "It's a good thing those Vahki ran into Nuju before I found out…" Whenua said angrily. "I would've taken my time with those monsters…"

Whenua put his hand under Gali's chin and lifted her head. His face cringed with sadness at the site of her expression. Whenua caressed her cheek and his hand slid down her neck. Whenua closed his eyes. Suddenly he felt something pulsate, then again shortly after, etc. His eyes widened. "Wait a minute… She has a pulse!" Whenua thought with excitement.

Whenua could feel his heart pounding like a drum. As Whenua listened more intently he realized that Gali was breathing, but very slightly; so slightly that when Nuju was overcome with grief and anger he must not have noticed it.

Whenua quickly got up and broke the chains that held her to the boulder with one of his Earth-Shock drills. Gali fell forward but Whenua managed to catch her. Whenua knelt; holding Gali in his arms. He reached into the small bag he carried with him and pulled out a Bulla Berry. Whenua crushed the berry; squeezing the juices into her mouth and rubbing her throat to help her swallow it.

Whenua held her close and stared at her, eagerly waiting for a reaction. Slowly Gali stirred, and opened her eyes. It was too dark, but she could Whenua's dark green eyes. Whenua smiled, "Are you okay?" He asked. "Whenua…is that you?" Gali asked weakly. "Yeah it's me. Are you okay?" He asked again.

"I think so," Gali said. "How is Nuju?" Whenua hesitated for a moment. "He's fine." He answered.

"It's just like when we first met…except you were where I am." Gali said, smiling faintly." She stirred uncomfortably. "I'm having trouble moving." Gali said. "Well you've lost quite a bit of blood." Whenua replied. "The Bulla Berry I gave you seems to have already sped up your healing, and given you some strength, but you need to rest. Don't worry I'll carry you back." Whenua said kindly.

Whenua grabbed Gali's Aqua Axes and rested them on her. He stood up, holding Gali in his arms. She was asleep almost immediately. Whenua then made his way back.

&&&&&&&&

The sun was slowly starting to rise. Nokama sat a rock nearby Onua, waiting for Whenua to return. "I wonder why he didn't want me to come along. It's so odd of him. I thought we were really good friends, and I don't remember us getting into any arguments. He even stood up for me when Nuju…"

Nokama then remembered the other day. "What had made Nuju so enraged with us? Though I guess it was kind of my fault." Nokama started to feel guilty again. "Nuju will come back though…he's probably just really upset about everything. But doesn't he realize that he's not the only person who cares about Gali." Nokama sighed deeply.

Suddenly her attention turned towards the horizon. Someone was walking towards them in the rising sun, and was carrying someone in their arms. As they approached Nokama sat up straight; realizing that it was Whenua and he was carrying Gali.

Nokama became tearful as she sensed two minds in the group. "Everybody," Nokama yelled, "Gali's alive!" Everyone in the Legion of Toa woke up with a start. They ran to where Nokama stood and watched in expectant surprise as Whenua walked towards them. Whenua had a big smile on his face. Gali woke up and managed to smile at her brothers and comrades, before falling back asleep.

&&&&&&&&

Gali lay resting as the rest of the Legion of Toa all gathered to discuss the situation at hand. Vhisola was tending to Gali. Onua was now awake and it had been explained to him what happened. "It is incredibly fortunate that Gali managed to survive." Tahu said gratefully, "Had it not been for you, Whenua, she would most certainly have died. I extend my deepest thank you."

"Don't mention it, Tahu." Whenua replied. "I'm just happy Gali's alive. But what are we gonna do about Nuju?"

"Well where do you think he would go?" Tahu asked, looking at the Toa Metru. They all considered where he might go. "He could've gone to the Knowledge Towers, perhaps to clear his head." Onewa suggested.

"I'm not so sure, Onewa." Vakama said. "He was very mad. It would take more than just trying to clear his head to satisfy that level of anger."

"Maybe he killed himself." Matau said. Vakama shook his head. "Let's not jump to conclusions like that. Nuju's not that stupid." Suddenly, Vakama's eyes widened in realization.

"What is it, Vakama?" Nokama asked. Whenua suddenly realized the same thing as Vakama did. "You don't think…?" Whenua asked Vakama. Vakama nodded his head. Whenua crossed his arms and groaned in frustration.

"Well what is it!" Matau asked impatiently. "Yeah spit it out!" Lewa added.

"It is a strong possibility that…" Vakama started. All the other Toa except Whenua stared at Vakama expectantly. "…that Nuju went to the Coliseum…"