CHAPTER TWENTY: LEWA THE MATCHMAKER

Lewa was bored. Not the usual bored like when you pace back and forth wondering what to do. This was the Lewa style of bored. Also known as the DANGEROUS kind of bored. Currently, he was pacing in small circles while the rest of the Toa discussed the problem at hand: Kopaka.

"I say we let that fool leave," Tahu grumbled, "He's never been much of a help anyway – bet you he'd be glad to leave."

Takanuva aimed a kick at Tahu's shins, and smiled slightly as the Toa yelped and pulled away.

"Shut your mouth, Tahu," he said, "Kopaka is one of the Toa. I don't care if he's a bit more aloof than you…" he glared at Pohatu, who had just snorted the words '…a 'bit'…?' under his breath, "…he is still a Toa! You should be looking after him as the leader."

Feeling thoroughly chastised, Tahu went to lean against a tree, carving in the dirt with his Fire Swords.

Lewa was suddenly struck with a brilliant idea, and was on the verge of shouting it out when he remembered that Turaga Vakama had said they should do nothing. His lime-green eyes took on a shifty look to them, and he walked over to Takanuva. "Toa-brother?" he asked, "Can I return to Deep-Wood now?" Takanuva nodded, but Lewa didn't go back to Le-Koro. Instead, he began looking for traces of either Gali or Kopaka in the forest.

He came across a set of footprints half an hour later, and followed them to the shore. Out of courtesy, he made sure to destroy the footprints as he walked, ensuring Tahu wouldn't follow them.

Lewa was surprised when he found the ice cavern on the beach, and crept silently up to the icy wall that sealed it. He could hear voices, but what he heard surprised him.

"Lewa, you don't need to creep around. I can see you."

He almost fell over as a section of the wall opened and he found himself face-to-face with a rather bored looking Kopaka. "Er…hi?" he offered as Kopaka looked at him with his solitary blue eye.

"What do you want?"

"I was think-wondering if sister Gali was around?"

Another part of the ice moved, and Gali stepped out of a door, "You called?"

Lewa seized her wrist and pulled her into the woods, out of earshot of Kopaka.

"Lewa, what are you-"

She was cut off by his green hand clamping over her mouth. "Ssh!" he hissed, using his other hand for emphasis, "You want white-brother to hear?"

Gali bit him, and Lewa howled and removed his hand, "Sister!"

"What do you want, Lewa?" she muttered, massaging her wrist. Lewa was unaware of his strong grip.

"You like him, sister," he offered, "You think-know it, yes?"

Gali felt some color rise into her face, but nodded.

"You like him more than red-brother?"
Gali looked up at him now, her sunshine-yellow eyes locking with his, "Yes."

Lewa smiled triumphantly. "Thank the Spirits!" he crowed, "Onua owes me a week of labor!"

Gali decided to ignore his mention of a bet, but pressed on. "So? What does it matter to you?"

Lewa jerked a thumb at himself proudly, "Say hello to Lewa the Matchmaker!" he said, and was rewarded by Gali crumpling to her knees in laughter. "What?"