Soft rain fell on the island of Metru Nui as morning dawned, the early risers stumbling out of their homes and meeting up, sharing umbrellas and food, and swapping rumours of the strange events of the previous night. The chute system hummed into life, matoran already hurrying to other metru to start work, while in Ga-metru the small fishing fleet quietly sailed out of the harbour, leaving the sleeping town behind.
Soft rain fell on the island of Metru Nui as morning dawned, the early risers stumbling out of their homes and meeting up, sharing umbrellas and food, and swapping rumours of the strange events of the previous night. The chute system hummed into life, matoran already hurrying to other Metru to start work, while in Ga-metru the small fishing fleet quietly sailed out of the harbour, leaving the sleeping town behind.
In the rooms containing most of the Toa and Turaga, few were awake. Soft voices could be heard from the kitchen where Reshana and Solis sat talking over a hot drink, while Sheranu had slipped off to go for a walk. A fresh burst of rain against the roof briefly roused several people, most muttering something and drifting back into sleep.
Kokua however stirred and frowned, momentarily confused as to why she was asleep on the couch. She slowly sat up, wincing and rubbing her forehead as it ached and glanced around the room.
"Oh sis," she muttered sadly as her gaze fell on the mess left from the fight. She pushed away the blanket and quietly got to her feet, taking care to not wake any of the others. Another wave of rain masked any sound she made as she crossed the room to stare at the damage, before something grey caught her eye and she crouched to get a better look.
"Oh no," she whispered a moment later as she unearthed part of what had been Aikane's quarter staff. She could see the other half lying a foot away, and she gingerly shifted to pick it up, any hope of repair deserting her as she tried to fit the shattered ends together. They were no longer their old colour, but now a dark inert grey like one of the training staves. Tears suddenly filled her eyes and she blindly shoved them away before moving to the window and resting her head against the cool glass as she tried to calm down.
A few minutes later she had hold of herself again and she turned back to the broken staff and ran a hand over it again, a frown crossing her face as the oddest idea occurred to her. She cocked her head, peering at it for a long moment, then shook her head, dismissing it as crazy. She got up again, stretching and glancing behind her as there was a soft clatter and a stifled giggle from the kitchen before pausing, her frown deepening. It almost felt as though she had been nudged back towards the staff, the odd sensation coming again as she once more turned to leave. She stood, confused then hesitantly picked up the two halves again, and as she crept towards the door, a strange sense of almost approval surrounded her.
"I'm losing my mind," she muttered, pausing to pull on a lightweight cloak before dashing out into the rain.
Half an hour later she landed in the Ta Metru square and hurried off to where the sleepy looking weaponsmith was just starting his day.
The sound of dishes clattering and voices talking from downstairs roused Anuenue several hours later, the rainbow hued Turaga frowning as she sat up and glanced blearily around, noticing that both Nokama and Gali were gone.
"Could have woken me," she muttered, her frown deepening as a look at the small clock on the table revealed it was past ten in the morning. She straightened her robe and left the room, noticing that given the number of closed doors down the hall, she was not the last to awaken. She headed down the stairs and into the main living room and winced slightly at the noise. Most of the Toa were awake and talking, some leaning over charts and maps spread out over tables while others bickered about supplies and transportation. A number of matoran had joined them, adding to the sense of chaos. Kokua was sitting on a couch, watching Tahu talking with a pair of Ga-matoran, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders, Lewa prodding her into drinking from a steaming mug in front of her, while Kopaka stood at the window, watching something out in the garden.
"You look as confused as I feel,"
Anuenue turned to see Solisha leaning against the wall, watching the scene before her with a slightly overwhelmed expression on her mask.
"I only just woke," she continued, smiling as she spotted a green figure heading towards her, two mugs in hand. "...and -"
She shrugged, gesturing towards the chaos again, her smile returning as Malie joined the pair and handed her one of the drinks.
"Morning Turaga," he managed to sign with one hand. "I...I would have, but -" he began, gesturing to his mug.
"It's fine, there's a few people I need to speak with anyway," Anuenue interrupted, smiling a little at the Toa of Air's expression. "You two have breakfast, I'll talk to you later,"
On her way to the kitchen she paused by where Kopaka stood and followed his gaze out into the garden. Gali was sitting cross legged on one of the benches in the garden, mask upturned to the pouring rain. She was almost back to her normal colouring, Anuenue glancing at Kopaka who nodded, guessing at what she was about to say.
"She has another ten minutes, then I will call her in," he said quietly. He gestured to where a towel and blanket lay neatly folded on the chair beside him.
"Thanks. When she comes in, let her know I"m in the kitchen please?
Kopaka nodded, Anuenue glancing at him curiously, wondering if she was imagining things or whether there was a faint pink tinge to the Toa of Ice's mask.
"...unless we hear anything, there's very little to go on,"
"What if we contacted - oh hello sis,"
Anuenue nodded a greeting to her brothers as they glanced up at her.
"No luck?" she asked, gesturing to the stack of books Dume and Whenua were pouring over.
"It's hard to tell," he said with an unhappy shrug. "We have so little to go on -" he pointed at the small pile of items retrieved from the being's bag "- we could be completely overlooking something,"
He watched as Anuenue carried her mug over and slumped on the nearest chair, frowning at the items in dislike.
"He never said anything to identify him, or his organisation?"
Anuenue shook her head, "Nothing. Just...what I assume are the usual taunts," she said with an unhappy shrug. "I thought that between Gali, Amaya and myself we might be able to reach her,"
"We had thought of that," Whenua said, tossing a journal aside with an irritated sigh. "We can only hope that they are still in range,"
He looked doubtful as he spoke, then looked apologetic as Anuenue replied.
"I know it's not likely brother, but what other choice have we?"
An awkward silence fell, only broken when Nokama and Matau entered the room, the pair sitting beside Anuenue.
"We're not the last-latest I see?" Matau asked, ignoring the disapproving look Dume shot him. "Our fiery bro still asleep?"
"Soundly, when I left," Onewa answered, drumming his fingers on the table before standing up. "I will be back in a moment,"
"Where are you - never mind," Matau muttered as the door slammed behind the Turaga of Stone.
Five minutes later there was a tap on the door and Gali peered in, a blanket around her shoulders, Amaya right behind her.
"Feeling better sis?" Anuenue asked, smiling as the Toa of Water came to stand beside her, Amaya hanging back by the door.
"Better than I was," was the quiet reply, the Toa of Water glancing at Amaya. "I'm guessing you want to try and contact her?"
"It's worth a try," the rainbow hued Turaga replied, then nodded her thanks as several of the Turaga moved back, allowing room for Amaya and Gali to sit on either side of her. The Turaga at the other end of the table watched as the trio joined hands and closed their eyes, a faint glow appearing around them as they concentrated.
Ten minutes later they let go and opened their eyes, Nokama sighing at the look of disappointment on their masks.
"No luck?"
"Nothing," Gali said unhappily. "Not even the sense you get when one of us is asleep or unconscious...just...nothing,"
She slumped back in her seat and glanced around at the gloomy faces around her.
"So...now what?" she asked.
Just as the silence was becoming uncomfortable, Onewa re-entered the room and sat back down.
"Just where did you disappear-vanish in such a quick-hurry? Matau asked, shifting his chair so that there was enough room.
"I thought the Rahaga might have some ideas," he answered, reaching for another roll. "I asked several of the Toa to go ask them to join us,"
"I would have thought they would have come last night?"
"Why didn't you just ask - wait, the shadow twins?! Why didn't we - "
Amaya and Whenua glanced at each other as they spoke at the same time, before the earthen Turaga chuckled and gestured for the Toa of Colour to speak first.
"I...I think I can answer that..." Amaya began hesitantly. "I don't know why the shadow twins didn't grab her when she was first taken, but...they're not around now, I tried to ask..."
She sighed.
"I w-wish we knew more about the shadow twins,"
"As do we all," Onewa replied. "As for your question, we asked the Rahaga to stay in our respective Metru just in case...
The other Turaga grimaced at the memories this statement brought back.
"I hope they have some good ideas," Amaya murmured, glancing out the window at the rain. "I hate just sitting around like this, I want to do something,"
"We all do sis," Anuenue replied quietly then glanced over to the door as footsteps approached.
"It's about time fire-bro," Matau quipped as Vakama entered the room, looking distinctly annoyed.
"Well if nobody thought to wake me, I can't help it if I slept longer than you would have liked," the Turaga of Fire shot back, looking around for a chair.
"You can have mine," Amaya said, standing abruptly and gesturing to her chair. "I'm going to go see how the others are getting on,"
She bowed to the group and left. Gali exchanged a glance with Anuenue and nodded, leaving to follow their sister.
"What was that about?" Whenua wondered, watching as the door shut behind them then looking at Anuenue.
"Gali will see if she's alright," was his only answer, before the discussion turned back to how they were to find Aikane.
...
"Hey, are you alright - " Gali began as she caught up with Amaya, then shook her head as Amaya just looked at her.
"Yeah, I know that's a stupid question, you know what I mean," she added patiently, refusing to let go of Amaya's arm. The Toa of Colour looked as though she was about to object, before she sighed and shook her head.
"I'm alright," she said quietly, slumping against the wall. "I just...they're no better than this lot out here," she continued, waving a hand at the bickering group spread out over the living space.
A faint smile crossed Gali's mask and she nodded.
"I"m just hoping they're past brawling with each other," she added wryly, eyeing Kopaka as the Toa of Ice glanced over to where Tahu sat.
"I wouldn't count on it," Amaya muttered in response, then managed a smile as a gold figure spotted them and started making his way over to them.
"Nothing?" he asked as he drew level with the pair, then grimaced at the expression on Amaya's mask. "I had hope - what was that?"
A faint cry and a clunk had come from the kitchen, the trio glancing startled at each other for a moment before they hastily went to investigate. Takanuva cracked open the door and peered in, nodding as Onewa gestured at him to be quiet. He slipped into the room, frowning as he watched Whenua and Matau manoeuvre Vakama onto the window seat. The Turaga of Fire was staring blankly ahead, seemingly unaware of everyone around him, his right hand clutched tightly around something.
"What happened?" Amaya whispered, watching him with some alarm.
"We were looking at what the kidnapper left behind, trying to get some clue as to where he took Aikane. Vakama picked up...I don't know what it was, but the moment he touched it, that happened," Nokama answered, glancing up at the Toa of Colour. "He should start to come back to us soon, it's been a while since he's had one that has lasted so long,"
The moments crept on, the tension rising as the Turaga of Fire showed no sign of coming around. Nokama glanced at the clock and then at her closefriend, who shrugged uncomfortably and peered around at his brothers.
"I think we should ask-fetch one of the healers - "
"I would much rather that you didn't,"
Everyone turned to where Vakama was groggily trying to sit up, one hand rubbing his head.
"Spirits that was unpleasant," he muttered, smiling his thanks as he accepted the glass of water Onewa handed him. "I..."
He paused, gathering his thoughts and trying to ignore the enquiring masks staring at him.
"I may have some idea as to where she is," he said a few minutes later. "It...it was not very clear, but I think we might get a starting point from it,"
xXx
Many hours had passed, and the Turaga were gathered in the conference room in the Coliseum tower, a number of Ga and Onu-matoran with them. On the massive table lay dozens of maps and journals, diaries and ancient textbooks, and just as Whenua flung down a dusty tome with a sound of disgust, there was a tap at the door and a Ga-matoran entered, arms full of yet more scrolls.
"These were in another storeroom in the Great Temple," she said breathlessly, dropping them on the table before bowing to the Turaga. "I think they show the regions that lie to the north of Metru Nui,"
"It's hardly likely that there'll be jungle that far north?" Onewa asked as he pulled one of the scrolls closer and unrolled it.
"More likely-possible than a icy-cold rock being to the south," Matau replied tiredly as he also picked a scroll. "Fire-bro did mention volcanic activity, that might explain-account it,"
Onewa nodded in understanding and went back to his own scroll.
They had been at it for some time, many of the Toa having come and gone over the course of the day, some to help, others reporting on how preparations were going in their respective metru. Vakama's vision had told them that the place they sought was across the ocean, and the Ga-matoran shipwrights were preparing three of the largest ships for the journey, while others were gathering the supplies they'd need.
What hadn't been explained were the occasional scuff marks on someone's armour, or the odd fresh bruise standing out on a suspiciously innocent looking Toa's mask. None of the Turaga had pressed the issue other than a raised eyebrow and a pointed look, and thus far things seemed to be going smoothly.
"Far too smoothly," Nokama reflected, crossing her arms and watching Pohatu leave. She too had chosen to ignore the impressive split lip he sported, though she wondered just what the normally easy-going Toa had gotten into. She shook her head with a sigh and turned back to the table just as one of the Ga-matoran gave an excited cry.
"I think I've found something!"
She looked nervous as everyone crowded around to look at where she was pointing, but smiled as Nokama stood beside her and squeezed her shoulder encouragingly.
"Here - these three islands could be the ones we're looking for," she said, tracing a small group on the old map. "The northern most island fits the description of 'cliffs and ice', while this one here - I think it says Eques? - has the symbol for volcano right in the middle. This one doesn't seem to have anything on it, but two out of three...it's the closest we've found yet,"
She glanced up around at everyone, then allowed Dume to pull the map closer.
"Eques, Io and Kyla Nui," he said absently, then allowed himself a small grin as several of the archivists started flipping through books.
A moment later the charcoal and black matoran closest to the table looked triumphant and pushed the book he was holding towards the Turaga.
"Here - " he said, pointing at the paragraph in question. "She's right, Io is ...basically an icy rock, Eques is a surprisingly lush jungle island 'noted for it's volcanic activity' and here, Kyla Nui, a 'small barren island of little interest...except for some impressive ruins.' That's got to be it! Deserted ruins, jungle and cliffs and ice,"
"I've got some more over here," his friend called over, bringing another large book to the table. "Nothing new, more just a list of the rahi and plants to be found on the islands, but it confirms everything already said,"
"...and if I'm not mistaken - this old way of writing is hard to read' - I have maps and charts over here," another matoran called, hurrying over to join them with her prize.
"No mistake," Nokama said, leaning over it and smoothing out the scroll. "We should get some of the map makers up here and get some copies drawn out as fast as possible...though at least with this we can work out a rough sailing time, plan for the provisions needed,"
"I'll head down to Ga-metru now and see if anyone can be spared," the matoran replied, bowing to the Turaga before racing off. Nokama watched her go, then turned to where Vakama stood off to the side.
"You don't think we're on the right track?" she asked, worried at the distant expression on his mask. It took him a moment to realise that she was speaking to him, before he shook himself and apologised.
"Sorry sister. I...no, we are definitely on the right track, I can feel it...just...I think we should hurry," he said quietly, glancing towards the window.
"The last I heard, we're looking at three days getting the ships ready and provisioned," Nokama said slowly. "I will go see if that can be shortened any,"
"Tired of our bickering already sis?" Onewa asked, joining the pair and throwing an amused look at the dispute going on at the table. "I never knew your matoran were so argumentative sis,"
"Given the state of your Toa, brother, I don't think you have a leg to stand on," Nokama retorted. "And I think it would be ... prudent if one of us went to check on our suspiciously quiet friends,"
Most had left for their own Metru to organise their own contributions to the rescue mission, but several lingered, getting progressively more and more peevish with each other. Pohatu had been the most recent to give up after a brief scuffle between himself, Lewa and Ferinus over who would be put on which boat, and had only been broken up when Gali had thoroughly drenched all three before spending the next fifteen minutes shouting at them.
The Toa of Water herself had stalked off to the docks, and after checking the submerged hulls of the boats they were to use, had swum off somewhere to calm down.
Her departure had been watched by several of the matoran working on the boats, the group exchanging a glance.
"I am very glad we taught the Nuva to sail properly on the trip here," one said, jumping down from where she was checking the rigging. "I would not like to be making this trip,"
"We'll be lucky to get these back in one piece," her friend agreed from higher up. "I - oh, Turaga Nokama's back,"
The light blue Turaga had just left the chute station when she was met by Reshana and Solis, the latter offering her an umbrella as they headed towards where the boats were moored.
"I think we'll be ready to sail morning after next," Reshana offered after a moment of silence, glancing over at her sister who seemed off in her own thoughts. "I...I heard that we might have a place to start looking?"
Nokama nodded.
"We've found a few possibilities," she answered as they rounded the corner. "And it seems it should be a journey of a week, given good weather, which means you'll need less supplies than we originally thought,"
"That will make things easier," Reshana replied, glancing up as the matoran up in the rigging called out to them. She smiled and waved back, hurrying up the gangplank to talk with them, leaving Nokama and Solis on the pier.
The younger Toa smiled nervously at the Turaga, trying to hide the gnawing anxiety she felt at being sent on a mission a scant two days after her return from the spirit realm. She had barely even begun to use her new powers, let alone discovered their limits, she was but a rank beginner when it came to the spear she now wielded, and she had no idea what her mask even did...
"Solis?"
She jumped at Nokama's concerned voice and turned to face her, blushing as she realised that she'd broken out in a cold sweat and her hands were clenched by her sides. She took a deep breath and tried to relax, forcing a smile as Nokama eyed her narrowly.
"Are you alright?" she asked, not lowing her gaze.
"Fine," Solis lied, glancing up as her sister called down to them. "Just...just a bit nervous is all, I'm fine,"
She smiled again then all but ran up the gang plank to join Reshana, leaving Nokama thoroughly unconvinced. The Turaga of Water followed more slowly, wondering whether it was wise letting Solisha accompany the others. She sighed, resolving to speak with the newest Toa of Water as soon as possible, then smiled and greeted the trio of matoran that had hurried over to greet her.
Fifteen minutes later, they were in the middle of discussing how soon the ships could be made ready, when one of the matoran in the rigging nudged her friend and pointed down at the jetty. Gali was stalking towards them with a thunderous expression on her mask. Her mood did not improve when she spotted Nokama and her fellow Toa, Reshana and Solis glancing at each other nervously.
"There's something you might want to look at inside," someone muttered from down by Solisha's elbow. Nokama nodded at the matoran gratefully, before moving to intercept the irate Toa Nuva.
"What is it - huh?" Solis began, then abruptly shut up as her sister elbowed her in the ribs and hauled her along behind the matoran.
"Sometimes, sis," Reshana muttered as they gratefully fled further into the boat. "Spirits, I wouldn't want to be in her way right now,"
Their matoran guide laughed.
"I am very glad that she knows how to sail," she said, leading them into a tiny galley. "I would not like to be making this trip with you all,"
xXx
Over in Ta Metru, Vakama was wondering just how much support his own wayward Toa might reasonably expect given his current mood. The Toa of Fire had managed to offend nearly everyone that morning to the point where not even the Toa known for their tolerance wouldn't speak to him, and had finished by getting into a particularly nasty fist fight with the Toa Nuva of Ice - though, Vakama thought, he was not entirely sure that Tahu had not been justified in taking a swing at his brother's mask.
Banishing that thought - it would only get him into trouble with the other Turaga - he paused, realising that he had no idea where the Toa of Fire had gone. His home was empty and had looked as though nobody had been there since the previous night, and none of the Toa's usual haunts had brought him any luck. He frowned in annoyance, then turned as a voice hailed him. Hakinu was jogging towards him, a faintly amused expression on his mask.
"Looking for Metru Nui's most popular Toa?" he asked wryly as he came to a stop in front of Vakama.
"He's not causing more trouble?" the Turaga asked with some trepidation.
"No, Jaller herded him into one of the training grounds and last I saw he was making a punching bag wish it had never been made,"
"This punching bag would not happen to be named Kopaka by any chance?"
Hakinu rolled his eyes.
"I would not be surprised," he said dryly, as he pointed out which building they could be found in. "Any message you need me to take back to the Coliseum?"
"Not just now, thank you," Vakama replied, nodding as Hakinu bowed then hurried off. Vakama watched him leave, before hurrying over to the training building as a fresh burst of rain started.
The first thing Vakama noticed as he ducked in a side door was that there seemed to be a distinct odour of burning leather in the air. He pulled a wry face at the smell, wondering just how many punching bags the Toa of Fire had managed to set alight. He could just hear a pair of voices talking over a steady thumping sound, and he turned to head in their direction, wondering just how he was going to handle the Toa Nuva of Fire.
As he peered out into the main training hall he spotted a tall gold figure slouching against the wall, watching Tahu with an exasperated expression on his mask. As he turned to make a remark to the matoran beside him, he caught sight of the Turaga and waved him over.
"...n't care, I am not getting on the same ship as him,"
"I wouldn't blame you," Vakama said quietly as he joined the pair. Jaller just shook his head as he bowed to the Turaga, then glanced up at his friend.
"I don't think the other ships are going to be much better," he said dryly, turning back to the sheaf of paper before him. Vakama glanced at what he was writing - from what he could see, it seemed to be a small copy of the charts they had found beside a list of the Toa's names. Most of the names had letters and symbols beside them, or lines connecting them, or - to the Turaga's amusement - a large cross next to a certain pair of names. Feeling his gaze, Jaller glanced up and shrugged apologetically.
"It might save some time when it comes time for them to depart," he said quietly, handing the papers over to Vakama.
"Your trust in us is heart-warming," Takanuva quipped, spreading his hands in a gesture of innocence as Jaller just gave him a look. "I - really? Again?"
A sharp smell of smoke had suddenly filled the training room, the trio watching as the punching bag disintegrated into a pile of embers.
"How many is that now?" Vakama asked, watching as the Toa of Fire stormed off to where the spares were kept. Jaller and Takanuva glanced at each other.
"That one makes five,"
~*~
As the afternoon faded into evening, most of the Toa and Turaga returned to Ga-metru, some a little more shamefacedly than others. Most planned to keep working through the night, especially now that it seemed that it would be possible to depart much earlier than originally thought.
In the small courtyard by the docks, several tables had been set up and a hastily prepared meal laid out. Ferinus and Onua were wrangling large barrels of fresh water onto the ships while the others gathered around where Jaller had laid out the final lists of who would go on what boat to where.
The Captain of the Guards was having none of the various Toas' arguments over why exactly they should not be going to which island, or why they were certainly not going on that boat with that person. Nokama watched in amusement as Lewa finally gave up and wandered off dispiritedly, wondering out loud just what he had ever done to offend the yellow/red matoran.
Kopaka meanwhile was looking thunderstruck to find that he was to sail on a ship with not one, but two Toa of Air.
"I am very glad that we are not expected to go with them," the Turaga of Water said quietly to Matau who grinned and nodded.
"Oh yes," he muttered, keeping a close eye on the various Toa of Air mooching around. His eyes narrowed as he spotted Sheranu and Malie looking furtive, the younger looking furtive as he signed rapidly to his elder brother.
"I had better go see-check what they're up to," he added with a sign as he hauled himself to his feet.
"…I know bro, but - "
The elder Toa of Air sighed as his brother started furiously signing again, Matau wondering briefly just how someone who could not make a sound could so effectively silence the people around him. The Turaga of Air could catch about one word in three as Malie's hands flew. From what he could gather, Malie seemed very displeased that his closefriend was to be on a different ship to him, on her first mission no less, and that he was this close to telling Jaller that…
"That's not a sentence you want to finish-complete," Matau remarked as he stepped out of the shadows, smirking inwardly at the expressions on the pair's masks. Malie's hands had frozen mid curse and Sheranu's mask was a curious spring green colour.
He contemplated stringing out their misery for a few minutes longer, but a brief mental image of Nokama looking disapproving made him reconsider.
"You can relax-calm, I won't tell him you're threatening him," he relented, grinning as Sheranu sat rather heavily on the nearest bench.
"So what is the problem-issue?" the Turaga asked a few minutes later when it became apparent that neither brother was willing to elaborate. Sheranu glanced at his brother, who suddenly looked mutinous again and folded his arms. Sheranu rolled his eyes at him and turned back to the Turaga, making a hopeless gesture. "He's...ah, a little upset-bothered by which ship-boats we have been assigned to," he said, glancing back at his brother. "I believe-think he'd have preferred to be on the same as Solis, especially since..."
He shrugged, then turned slightly as Malie's hands started flying again.
"Yeah, we know bro, but - "
He shook his head as Malie made a slashing gesture then continued.
"If you want to speak-tell, you go right ahead," Sheranu said, looking irritated.
"I think I get the gist," Matau said hastily. "I understand your concern-worry - "
"But?" Malie signed harshly.
Matau shrugged somewhat sheepishly.
"We're not send-dumping her out on her own-self, she will be with several-many others," he said, spreading his hands in a conciliatory gesture. He was sorely tempted to point out that Solis was not the only newly transformed Toa, and that personally, he utterly agreed with Jaller's decision not to put two utterly inexperienced people on the same team, but something told him that this might fall into the category of 'too harsh'.
"'side's bro, everyone she'll be with has had way-far more training-skill than we do," Sheranu said reasonably, unconsciously echoing the Turaga's thoughts. "Can we go back now? I'm hungry-starving," Without waiting for an answer, the elder Toa caught his brother's arm and started dragging him back to the group. Matau watched them for a moment before following, shaking his head in amusement as Sheranu deftly manoeuvred Malie into a group of the Toa Voya,before hurrying to grab a couple of plates.
"It went well then?"
Matau turned to grin at Nokama as she came up behind him, handing him a plate. He smiled thankfully at her before popping a bit of fruit in his mouth.
"I didn't have to do a thing," he chuckled. "Sheranu did all the yell-shouting for me, I just made sure-certain that they didn't end up in a punch-brawl,"
He paused for a moment, making sure that Lewa was out of earshot before adding:
"Do you ever get the impression-thought that the Voya are a little more sensible-smart than ours?"
"Probably more frequently than I should," Nokama sighed, thinking of her Toa Nuva's antics earlier. "I live in hope that they'll be a good influence,"
Eventually as evening turned to night, the arguments faded into quiet grumbling, and a serious conversation was going on in the corner between the Toa of Air and Water as to how best to speed the ships safely on their way. Several of the shipwrights had joined in, and as Kokua glanced over, a sturdy pale blue matoran was lecturing Sheranu and Lewa on the structural limits of the sails.
"That goes for you too," she called over her shoulder at Malie. He glanced over and nodded once, before staring moodily back down to where the three Toa of Water had vanished, Gali and Reshana having decided to give Solisha a crash course in her elemental powers. "Trust-believe me, you'll want to stay-remain here," Lewa advised as he got up to go see how they were getting on. "You'd be better off getting some extra help-practice with us,"
"I will be fine," he signed coldly, shaking off the restraining hand Lewa had laid on his shoulder. "Sit down bro, and knock off-stop the overprotective bit," Sheranu snapped irritably, glaring at his brother. "If you really want to aid-help Solis, leave her to her practice-training and continue with yours, because if you'll think-remember, you haven't exactly had any more fight-experience than her," Malie turned on him furiously and took a swing at his brother's mask. Sheranu ducked before leaping out of his seat. He blocked the next punch with ease and using the younger Toa's momentum, twisted him into a arm lock that he couldn't escape.
"Do I make my point clear?" he asked after a few minutes. Malie scowled but nodded, Sheranu releasing him.
The brothers stood glaring at each other for a few minutes, Lewa wondering idly whether it would be an idea to attempt to separate them, before Malie slumped in defeat and signed that he would meet them in one of the training yards.
"Do you mind-object?" Sheranu asked, turning to Lewa as Malie stalked out of the gate.
"Me? I wouldn't risk-dare,"
High up on the roof Kokua watched them leave, then sighed, pulling her wings back against her body as she stared out towards the ships. She could see a faint blue glow that marked where Solisha, Gali and Reshana were training and further beyond them, the occasional flash on the horizon from a far distant storm.
"It's heading this way,"
Kokua turned as Amaya clambered up to sit beside her, her gaze travelling out at the storm.
"Or at least that is what Kai tells me, and she is usually right," she added with a yawn.
"You came up here to tell me that?"
"No, I came up here because Nokama told me too," Amaya replied, unconcerned at Kokua's tone. "She felt someone should come check on you," "Well, you've checked on me, and I'm fine, so if you'll excuse me…?"
"This is some other definition of 'fine' then huh?" Amaya answered, watching the distant storm still.
"Must be," Kokua answered evenly. "Now if you don't mind?"
She ignored the hard stare Amaya gave her as she got back to her feet. She seemed about to say something before there was a shout from below them.
"Hey! If you two aren't doing anything important -"
Takanuva was glaring up at them, hands on hips.
"Well I was," Amaya shouted back. "But seeing as I've outstayed my welcome, I'm coming,"
Kokua opened her mouth to protest - forgetting that only a moment ago she wishing Amaya would just leave already - but Amaya had already switched masks, using her Miru to leap down to land beside the annoyed looking Toa of Light.
"I wouldn't," Kokua heard her say as Takanuva cupped his hands around his mouth to shout again. "What's up now?"
They moved off, Takanuva explaining that it had been pointed out that there were four other Toa going to the snow covered island, and unlike their icy brothers, they possessed no resistance against cold. The four had expressed their displeasure at going into such extreme conditions unprotected and thus he had been sent to see whether the weavers had anything suitable.
The last thing Kokua heard before they got too far away, was an acerbic remark from Amaya about people raiding her personal stash. The Torahka sighed again and turned back to the approaching storm, wondering if it was storming where Aikane was.
xXx
It was a different storm that raged over a far off island, heavy rain blanketing all sound and forming great pools of water on the ground. It seeped into every gap it could find, dripping down through cracks, falling even into rooms beneath the ground. A pale violet figure lay sprawled in one such room, never stirring even as the water dripped over her form, soaking into her armour. She never heard the footsteps outside her cell door, nor heard the irritated growl from beyond.