Disclaimer: hehe I don't own IT…I think…of course I have been wrong before…but in the interest of keeping this short, I don't own it! (cue dramatic pose)

Second to last chapter of the story (sighs of relief are heard) I heard that!!! Anyways, I should have it up soon…

I awoke to light shining through my window, blinding me even through my closed lids. I groaned and made to sit up but something held me down.

"Ah you're finally awake." Came a voice from next to me, faintly amused, yet holding an undercurrent of reservation at the same time.

"Hello Turaga Nokama, to what do I owe this visit?" I asked turning to face my turaga.

"I would like to know exactly what you were thinking, to challenge your brother like that, Gali." Her voice gained a clipped and sadly disapproving tone to it, "What made you think that there was any justification to your actions?" Turaga Nokama's voice was now worried, and anxious.

"Turaga…." I began, trying to find the words to explain the situation, yet only grasping at straws. "It was just that well, we argued, and things…got out of hand." I finished and bit my lip, knowing how lame the excuse sounded and avoiding her eyes.

"And yet I thought you would have more than enough patience to control your temper. This is no different circumstance than normal." Her voice was a dead calm storm; I wished desperately that she would yell at me, it would be better than this.

"He seriously insulted me! Do you believe that I would just take that lying down?" I cried, pleading for her understanding.

There was a long uncomfortable pause before Turaga Nokama answered softly in little more than a whisper. "Sometimes Gali, we must ignore what others may think and play fool. Sometimes a little understanding can go a long way…and sometimes, we must take those insults from close friends and accept them, knowing it was only the heat of the moment that caused those words. Accept them for the greater good of relationships, Gali." Nokama smiled absently, lost in thought. For a while, no sound was heard inside the hut other than the gently swish of the tides. Then Nokama resurfaced gathering her thoughts and adding, "Even more so, sometimes you must humble yourself for the other person, no matter how wronged you feel."

I stared out the window for a while before managing to choke out a sentence through gritted teeth. "So, you are suggesting that I go and apologize to Tahu." My insides shriveled at the thought of asking for forgiveness, not giving it. I grimaced and readied myself for the inevitable. "I should get going then."

"NO!"

"But you just said-"

"Of course you should apologize, do you really think Tahu will?! I simply meant that you are slightly immobile for a small amount being," Nokama exasperatedly gestured to my burnt ribs, which, to my surprise, were bandaged impeccably. "And that you should hold on for a bit." She continued, frowning at the bandages. "Besides, you won't have to go far, Tahu's here, feeling quite guilty, as far as I can gather." Nokama chuckled darkly, growing serious once again. "Pohatu and Kopaka brought you back this morning, but I would like an explanation of what transpired, after of course, this inevitable confrontation with Tahu, which better not include any fighting! Once the current business is completed, please do embark on your long winded tale, I wish to know of it." Having said her bit, Turaga Nokama began to venture out of the hut.

"Thank you." I called softly after her. I sat up slowly, yet even so, pain still rippled through my torso, taking my breath away. Excruciatingly slowly, I managed to get through the door and slide into the water, feeling the healing factor of my element take effect, healing the burns, and lulling the pain to sleep. I set out for a slow swim around the village, hoping not to spot my query, yet going against hope with the wish to get this quickly over with.

Finally, I spotted him.

He was sitting, facing the opposite direction with his legs hanging over the side of a peer, obviously deep in thought.

"Hello Tahu." I quietly greeted him meekly, waiting for a rebuff or arrogant comment.

GAH!! So OC…it burns :( (and a cliffhanger!)

Um…despite my writing, could you please review?

PS. please excuse my hyper-weirdness...I don't know what happened, but now I'm hyper...as I was saying, REVIEW!!!