CHAPTER FOURTEEN: PLANS OF DEPARTURE

Kopaka sat in the top of a tall tree, watching as Pohatu ran beneath the bough he was sitting on. Stupid Tahu… he thought …Stupid Vakama… Stupid Mata-Nui… Stupid world…

The frosty Toa was grateful for his Huna. The invisibility mask had allowed him to escape from the other Toa before things got out of hand. A part of his mind wondered if he should have attacked before leaving, but he quickly quelled the notion. The only Toa worth that kind of effort was Tahu.

He lounged against the trunk of the tree, crossing his legs in front of him. He gave a slight wince as his injured leg barked in protest, but crossed them nonetheless. He heard his fellow Toa calling his name, and chose not to respond.

"KOPAKA, WHERE IN SPIRITS NAME ARE YOU HIDING?!" bellowed the familiar voice of Onua. Kopaka allowed himself a slight smile. Onua… normally patient and only one of two Toa who hadn't publicly expressed their dislike for him, Kopaka was sorry the others had the Earth Toa out here in the dead of night looking for him.

"WHERE ARE YOU?" That voice, he recognized, belonged to Pohatu. The lightning quick and relatively simple Toa was likeable almost to a fault. Kopaka found his airy and carefree demeanor almost annoying, and he had no sense of how to plan for anything. When the Bohrok had attacked, Kopaka had found him running in circles in Po-Wahi, wondering what he should do.

"KOPAKA, STOP COWER-HIDING," screamed the voice of Lewa. Kopaka closed his eyes, hoping he wouldn't be found. Of course that was Lewa; who else spoke Le-Koronan? He smiled slightly.

He then heard something almost inaudible, and he straightened up. What…?

He jumped from the tree, landing in some moss to cushion his fall, and began to walk. He made certain not to do anything that would alert the others to his presence, such as pushing leaves aside or stepping on twigs.

That sound…

It had sounded almost like someone crying. He grimaced. If it was that baby Tahu sniveling about his wounds, he'd get a few more. He found himself on the edge of a clearing, and he saw Gali curled up in a fetal position in the middle, crying her eyes out.

Kopaka said nothing, and just stood there watching her. This could be a trap – the other Toa using her for bait… he wouldn't put it past them.

No… her tears seem too real. He carefully stepped out of the bushes and walked over to Gali.

"Gali," he said, softly. She gave a start and looked around.

"I'm wearing my Huna, you can't see me. Don't call the other Toa, please."

Gali nodded, her eyes darting everywhere for him.

"Gali, I've decided to leave Mata-Nui," he said, calmly. She looked toward his voice, and Kopaka noticed she was off by a foot or two.

"W-why?" she stammered, looking at where she thought he was.

"It is better if I leave," he answered, watching her. "I have caused enough problems for the Toa. Takanuva will be able to replace me, I suppose. He can live in Ko-Koro if he wants to."

Gali shook her head, "Kopaka, don't leave."

She heard a scoff from somewhere to her left, and looked at it. Tahu was standing there, and he was wearing his red Akaku. "You're not looking at him, Sister."

Kopaka was outraged. That bastard had been eavesdropping on him. He turned to face the burning Toa.

"Brother, I am leaving. You can take care of yourself."

Tahu was taken aback. That was the last thing he'd expect from Kopaka. "Brother?"

"I wish you well, Tahu. Just do me one favor, if you would."

Tahu was speechless.

"Take care of Gali for me."

With those words, Kopaka disappeared into the woods, leaving a dumbstruck pair of Toa in the clearing.