Sorry it's taken so long, life keeps getting in the way.

There seemed to be an inordinate amount of noise coming from close by, angry voices echoing strangely, accompanied by a loud banging that matched the pounding in her head. She seemed to be lying in a cold puddle and as she tried to move she suddenly realised that she hurt all over.
"When I asked you to bring her to me alive," one of the voices snapped "I was expecting to see her in at least moderately good health." It took the words a long, painful moment to sink in, Aikane frowning and trying to remember where she had heard the second voice before.
"She's alive isn't she?"
A pained yelp followed this statement, the first voice growling again.
"And what use is that if she will not waken?"

The second voice muttered something sullenly as a key turned in a lock, a sudden rush of cold air telling the Toa of Twilight that a door had opened close by. She kept her eyes closed as the owner of the first voice growled again and she suddenly felt a pair of clawed hands hauling her upright.
"Did I not tell you to keep watch on her?" he snarled, "A fine mess we would be in if she had drowned,"

She couldn't help the faint groan that escaped her as she was roughly shoved back against the wall, the sudden movement sending pain splintering through her head. The bickering suddenly stopped and she winced inwardly as she sensed them both approach.
"Well hello there," the first voice drawled, a hand slipping under her chin and forcing her to look up. "I see that you're awake,"

She blinked up at the pair watching her before trying to scramble backwards as the memories of the previous night came flooding back. She only succeeded in smacking the back of her head against the stone of the wall, the first being laughing derisively as she cried out, clutching at her head as bright pinpoints of light exploded in her vision.
"Though not, it seems, in fit state for...questioning just yet,"

She dimly felt herself being shoved back against the wall as blackness closed in.

xXx

It had temporarily stopped raining over Metru Nui as morning dawned. The skies were still an ominous iron grey as the level of noise around the Ga-metru docks started to increase.
"The first thing you're going to do when we leave is go straight back to sleep," Onua said, only half jokingly to the matoran standing by the ships, check-list in hand.
She glanced tiredly at the barrel he held then managed a weak grin.
"Oh, I can't wait," she admitted before gesturing to which boat he was to take it to. "It still looks like you should be ready by noon,"
The Toa of Earth nodded his thanks and hurried on to where Ferinus was listening to another Ga-matoran telling him how to secure the barrels of drinking water.

By the time he returned, it was to find that the ice blue matoran had slid down the post she'd been leaning against and was fast asleep. He hastily retrieved her list, which was in imminent danger of falling into the sea, before scooping her up and starting back down the pier.

He was spotted by Nokama as he started back into the main square, the blue hued Turaga shaking her head as she peered up at the sleeping matoran.
"I'll show you where to take her," she sighed, leading him into the residential area of the metru. He followed her though winding streets and finally into a small courtyard adjoining a house.
"In here," Nokama said, opening the door and gesturing him in, Onua stooping to avoid bashing his head. He gently lowered the matoran onto a couch and stepped back, allowing Nokama to drape a blanket over her.

"We'd better be getting back," she said at last, turning to look up at the Toa of Earth.
"And soon," Onua agreed, gesturing for her to go first. "Looks like it's about to start raining again,"

The Toa of Earth was not the only one to have noticed the sudden darkening of the clouds overhead. Kokua had retreated grumpily to the shelter of one of the pavilions, where she'd promptly been roped into helping check some of the last supplies to be added to the ships.

She finished the list that she'd been handed and passed it back to the matoran in charge, rubbing her still aching head as she peered up at the sky again.
"You okay-fine?"
She turned to scowl at Lewa as he carried in another large box.
"Oh, I'm feeling just wonderful," she snapped, watching as he set it down and nodded a greeting to the blue matoran. Her scowl deepened as Toa and Matoran exchanged a look before the Toa of Air moved to stand beside her.
"Sure, just fine-wonderful," he mimicked, taking a closer look at the purple and black marks that still showed on her face. "You don't look-seem like you're about to faint-fall over at all,"
"I said I'm fine,"

She had swayed on the spot, Lewa hastily moving to steady her before she could fall over.
"Fine, I'll go sit down," she grouched, pulling her wings tightly against her body as they stepped out into the fine mist that was now falling.
"And get something to snack eat," he insisted, leading her back to the main square,"
"And get something to eat, mother gukko. Spirits, what are you, a healer?" Lewa seemed totally unperturbed by her snarking as he led her back towards the main square.

When they finally reached the square Kokua found herself being directed to a chair, a juice firmly placed in one hand and a plate in the other.
"Eat," the Toa of Air advised, before turning to talk with Hahli. She poked her tongue at his turned back, before reluctantly taking a mouthful of juice.

Ten minutes and one empty plate later, she was feeling a lot better, albeit a little embarrassed.

"Better now?" the Toa of Air asked, perching beside her with one eyebrow raised. Kokua blushed and nodded.
"Sorry," she muttered, then cracked a smile as he slid over to give her a hug.
"It was nothing-fine," he grinned. "Besides, I'm accustom-used to people who get cranky-mad when they haven't eaten,"

Kokua smiled at this, then glanced up at the roof above them as rain suddenly started to fall.
"That's all we need," she sighed, glancing around as a faint rumble of thunder made itself heard.
"It's not bad-nasty," Lewa replied absently, peering up at the sky. "It won't slow-delay us. I - " He broke off as an entirely unexpected matoran hastily ducked under the eaves, a long thin package tucked awkwardly under his arm. Lewa looked confused but Kokua's eyes brightened and she scrambled to her feet, eager to get a look at what the weapon smith had brought. Haua stifled a yawn as he handed the package over to the Torahka, watching as she carefully tore the paper away to reveal two shining katana.

"Are they alright?" Haua asked, watching as she gingerly lifted one of the blades. "The metal was…a little difficult to work with,"
"Difficult?" Lewa asked curiously as Kokua moved several steps back and took an experimental swing with one.

"As though it had a mind of its own," the weaponsmith answered slowly. "I had not originally intended to make it into katana but…"
He shrugged, watching as Kokua swung again, slightly off balance. "Nothing would work out until I started shaping those. Once I did, everything seemed to fall into place almost immediately,"

"I've heard odd-stranger things," Lewa said in answer, both looking up as Kokua set the blades down with a sigh.
"Something wrong?"
"No, they're…they feel perfect," Kokua said, reassuring the anxious Ta-matoran. "It's just…me, I have no idea what I am doing with them, I - "

"Have me to show-help you," Lewa said brightly, getting to his feet and taking a closer look at the blades.
"I'd better be getting back," Haua yawned, also getting to his feet. "I hope that they work out alright Kokua,"
Kokua managed a smile and thanked the matoran again for his work, and watching as he left. She only turned back around when a flash of silver caught her eye and she turned to watch as Lewa flipped a katana up in the air, easily catching it by the hilt as it fell back to earth.

"Show-off," Kokua muttered, scowling as he smiled and offered her the blades. She gingerly took hold of the hilts, standing still as the Toa of Air circled around, correcting her grip and stance. He stepped back and drew his own blades, demonstrating a basic swing and waiting for her to imitate him.

Half an hour later Kokua sighed and motioned to stop. She gently laid the blades down on the table then slumped, looking despondent as she watched Lewa neatly sheath his own blades before coming to sit beside her.

He peered up at the sky as yet another rumble of thunder echoed around the buildings, both looking around as they heard a voice calling their names.
"Hey stone-bro," Lewa greeted as Pohatu ducked under the awning and came to stand beside them. "What's going on?"
"The Turaga are asking everyone to come back to Gali's," the Toa of Stone said, eyeing the pair curiously. "Seems they've got an idea as to who is going where and on what boat,"
"Oh this should be fun-joyful," Lewa quipped, getting to his feet and turning to give Kokua a hand up. She awkwardly scooped up the blades and followed the pair, the Toa Nuva already laying out predictions as to who was going to get stuck with who, and who would be first to lose their temper.
"Just don't sit between him and Kopaka," she heard Pohatu saw wryly, he and Lewa laughing at some memory.

"I don't think you'd have any trouble-worry defrosting this time," Lewa remarked a second later as they reached the Toa of Water's home. Pohatu's resulting snort of laughter at this remark earned him a blistering glare from the Toa of Fire in question. He exchanged a wary look with Lewa, the pair hastily finding a spot as far away from Tahu to sit, while Kokua headed over to sit next to Gali. "I thought we'd be off by now," she said quietly, looking up at the clock. "It's already been two days,"
"We're all but ready," Gali answered. "We haven't done too badly given how unprepared we were," She shrugged, toying with the mug she held.
"At least this time we don't have to build the ships from scratch?"

Whatever Kokua's response to this was, was lost as Jaller stood up and cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. The yellow and red matoran had spread out several maps and lists, and was staring expectantly at the group, waiting for them to quiet down and listen to him.

It took almost an hour to explain, cajole and bully the various Toa into accepting their various assignments. Some swaps he accepted - if it turned out that Toa of Stone and Ice got on bizarrely well, then he certainly wasn't going to argue with reason - while others he pointedly ignored as being too stupid to even acknowledge.

After managing to dispense with one such argument - Takanuva striving to meet his friend's eye with a smirk as Malie retired, sulking to the other end of the room - the Captain of the Guard started to assemble the three teams. Reshana, Malie, Hakinu, Takanuva, Sheranu and Amaya were to search Kyla, the desert island, Kopaka, Gali, Tein'a, Lerihua, Pohatu and Onua had been assigned to the the frozen island of Io, which left Eques to Lewa, Tahu, Kokua, Ferinus, Solisha - and after some debate between the Turaga, something which Jaller felt no desire to get involved with - Anuenue.

Leaving them to it, he turned to where a number of the Toa were leaning over the freshly copied maps.
"Kyla sounds like home," he heard Hakinu remark, grinning wryly at his fellow Toa Voya. "Can't say I've missed it much,"
"What's there to miss?" Reshana replied, peering over his shoulder. "I just hope this place doesn't have as many snakes,"

She tugged the map towards them, pointing out a natural harbour that would provide shelter for their boat as they searched.

Meanwhile Takanuva was keeping a wary eye on Tahu who was glowering at his particular team, and at Lewa and Solisha in particular as they discussed the best angle to approach their island. The Toa of Air was trying to put the visibly nervous Toa of Water at ease, chattering about the boats and what the island might look like.

It didn't seem to be working however, Solisha only nodding distantly as she stared at the map. Takanuva wondered if it was such a good idea to have her in a different group from her close friend and sister, but then -
His train of thought was broken as he spotted Tahu opening his mouth, and instead hastily moved to intercede. He said something in a low voice to his fiery brother, and gestured to the door. Tahu looked as though he was about to argue more, before seemingly deflating and nodding, both heading for the door.
"That was neatly done," Lewa muttered in Jaller's direction as he watched Malie and Reshana take Solis over to one side. "I thought-expected that to get a bit loud-shouty"

"Lots of practice," Jaller quipped, glancing up at the Toa of Air and following his gaze over to Solis. "…you think she's ready for this?"
Lewa shrugged.
"I think she's going to have to be," he said in a low voice. "We were flung-thrown right into the fire-flame, and we turned out just sure-fine - yeah, okay, I see-get your point," he added with a frown as Jaller gave him an incredulous stare. "Point being is that it look-seems like we don't have much choice. We'll just have to keep a close-near eye on her,"

"Her and the rest of your team," Jaller replied, glancing outside to where they could just see Takanuva watching as the Toa of Fire paced back and forward. "Great Beings help you there,"

xXx

Outside Takanuva was thanking the Great Beings for the fact that he did not have to babysit the Toa of Fire for the entire journey.
"Would you just sit down already," he sighed as Tahu spun around for about the eighth time.

His only response was a glare from the elder Toa as he stomped off to the other side of the garden. Takanuva rubbed his forehead, wondering how long it would before they finally started off. The low buzz of conversation from inside suggested that it would be a little longer still.

He had to admit to himself that it was something of a relief to step out for a few minutes, even if he did have to make sure that nothing was set on fire. He gave a quick glance over to make sure that nothing had actually been set on fire then went back to his thoughts.

He didn't know how long it was later, but he was suddenly roused from his thoughts by a sudden upswing in the level of noise coming from the house.

He started to rise to see what was going on, then frowned, confused as the door slammed open and Solisha stalked out, looking furious. She ignored his question as she vaulted over the fence and kept going.
"…the Karzahni was that about?" Tahu wondered, coming up beside Takanuva as he stared after her.
"Your guess is as good as mine?" the Toa of Light replied, equally as baffled. Both watched as Nokama came out into the garden and offered them a commiserating shrug.
"You'd better go back in, they're almost ready," she told them, before following Solisha.

"With or without Solis?"
Tahu gave a low whistle.
"And you stuck with Malie," he said with a wry smile.

xXx

By the time Nokama made it out into the main square, Solisha had vanished entirely, and, as Nokama thought wryly, she was not sure if Solis had returned to her sister's house, or whether she had managed to get lost again.

"If you're looking for who I think you're looking for, she went that way," a matoran called, pointing down towards the parklands as she passed. "She didn't look too happy,"
Nokama thanked her and hurried along the path the matoran indicated, not looking forward to having to placate the new Toa of Water. Nokama thanked her and hurried along the path the matoran indicated, not looking forward to having to placate the new Toa of Water. She couldn't fault her brother's reasoning - and besides, much worse things tended to happen when they ignored his visions than a few hurt feelings - but that was hardly going to help her here, and if she was completely honest with herself, she would have reacted far worse had she been in Solis's position.

A moment later, she caught a flash of blue through the trees and followed, noting with some relief that Solisha had slowed. The Toa of Water leaped the small stream running through the park and turned, heading towards a small shelter. Nokama gave her a moment to get settled, then cautiously peeked around the corner at the Toa of Water.
"May I come in?" she asked when Solis gave no indication that she'd noticed the Turaga.

There was no answer for a long moment, before Solis gave a half hearted shrug, not meeting the Turaga's eyes. "This is isn't quite the welcome we intended," Nokama quipped as she lowered herself down next to the despondent Toa.

The faintest of smiles crossed Solis's mask as she considered this, then shrugged. "I suspected as much," she said wryly. "I…"
"…would rather be going with them, rather than staying here on the say-so of someone who occasionally falls off his chair?" Nokama supplied, smiling as Solis choked, "Th-that's not how I would have put it," she said hastily. "But…"
"I can tell you in all honesty that if I were in your position, I would be thinking the same," Nokama said, getting comfortable. "But… what he sees usually comes to pass, and quickly. If he's seen that you must stay here… it's not just an excuse to keep you here, because we think you're too inexperienced, it's because we'll apparently be needing you here,"

Solis still looked sceptical, but nodded, "I suppose it would be a good idea to have one of us here anyway," she said quietly. "…just in case?"
"We frequently end up needing 'just in case'," Nokama agreed, glancing around at the new Toa.

Solis eventually met her gaze and sighed, sensing the gentle hint there.
"I guess we should be heading back," she said quietly. "As embarrassing as it is to have to return so soon after…chucking something of a tantrum.
Nokama just laughed as she accepted Solisha's hand to her feet.
"Believe me, there is not one amongst them who has not done worse," she assured her friend.