CHAPTER FIFTEEN: LOCATION

"No, no and more NO!" fumed Turaga Vakama; slamming his staff so hard on the stone steps of the Kini Nui it cracked the bottom slightly. "Kopaka cannot leave Mata-Nui! He's one of the Toa for Spirit's sake!"

Gali nodded sadly, "I fear there is little you can do though," she said, "He left so fast he's probably halfway to the end of the world by now."

Tahu coughed audibly, "And he can stay there."

Vakama's Fire Staff came up between Tahu's legs, leaving him doubled over in pain. It then made a second assault on the unprotected back of his head. "Tahu, I'm ashamed of you," scolded Vakama. "Kopaka is your brother Toa."

"Yeah, I know. So what do you want me to do? Throw him a going-away party?"

The staff hit Tahu on the back of the head again. "You drove him to this, you know," chided Vakama, "It is your job to try to convince him not to leave."

"How do we know he's still on the island?" asked Tahu, painfully straightening up, "He could be on another island altogether!"

Vakama shook his head, pointing skyward. "The Toa Stars still number Seven, Tahu," he said, "Kopaka is still here."

"Turaga," said Gali, stepping forward, "Allow me to go after him, please."

Vakama looked kindly at her, "Sister Gali, do you know where he went?"

She shook her head, "No, but I have a good guess."

Vakama nodded, "Very well, but do nothing rash. We need all the help we can get when the time comes to make the move to Metru-Nui."

Gali dreaded the thought, "I know, I promise to return as soon as possible. If I can…" she looked at Vakama seriously, "…Kopaka will be with me."

She switched to her blue Kakama and sped off, leaving Vakama and Tahu standing at the Kini. Tahu sighed in defeat. It was obvious Gali liked Kopaka… she was always talking about him as if he were the Great Spirit himself, but never when he was around. She also understood him the best, and it made Tahu turn green with envy.

Vakama seemed to read Tahu's thoughts, and turned to face him. "Tahu, some things are predestined. Your coming was one of them," Tahu turned to face him as he spoke, "And while I am not sure if this is another, you should let patience guide your hand. You, Tahu, while brave and strong, are not the wisest being on this Island."

Vakama walked past Tahu, ignoring the sound of outrage that came from the red Toa, and vanished into the underbrush. Tahu plunked himself down on the stone steps of the Kini-Nui, cradling his head in his hands. Out of curiosity, he wondered briefly what Kopaka had that he didn't. Oh that's rich, Tahu… he muttered dourly …Kopaka has a brain.

While Tahu was stewing on the steps of the sacred Kini-Nui, Gali had arrived at the ice cave she had seen along the eastern border of Mata-Nui. Sure enough, there were sounds of motion inside. She went to enter the cave, but a commanding voice stopped her.

"Stay… back…" it growled as the entrance to the cave filled with three feet of ice, "I'm warning you."

"Kopaka, it's me, Gali," she called, beating her hands on the obstruction, "Let me in!"

There was silence, and then the voice inside spoke again, "Gali… why did you come?"

A small piece of ice opened, just large enough for the one frosty eye to peer through at her. "You should have stayed with Tahu."

Gali sighed, leaning her head against the frost that separated her from Kopaka.

"Can I at least come in and talk to you? Please?"

Kopaka was silent for a moment, and Gali thought he had left the door when he finally answered, "Are any of the others with you?"

"No," she replied. A small section of ice melted, leaving an opening barely large enough for her to fit through, "Then come inside."