Test of Strength

[Timekeeper]

That's actually a fair point.

[Monasti]

Its called a review topic.

[captin]

NO U

[Ria]

There used to be a rieveiw topic but it was on old MoD and didn't come over with the story.

[Kate]

Wait, what? People are reading this?

In explanation/defence/whatever, I didn't put up a review topic because I thought nobody had been reading it back on old FoD, and I had thought at the time I'd be finished in a short amount of time so that Kokua could start putting her sequels up after. Unfortunately as I got hit by illness, uni responsibilities and the occasional bout of sheer laziness, I've taken far longer then I intended to.

"No. Oh no, you're not coming anywhere near this kitchen,"
Kopaka crossed his arms and tried to look hurt.
"I'm not that bad!" he protested. "I can help!"
"Sorry bro, but your cooking...well...you could kill the Makuta himself with it," Onua said with a grin.
"Turaga Nuju, can you please help me out here?" the aggrieved Toa of Ice asked. Nuju looked up from where he was talking to Anuenue and shook his head with a small smile.
"I am sorry. You have excelled in everything else I have taught you, but your cooking skills are sadly lacking,"
Kopaka slumped down on the arm chair and sighed deeply, still feigning offence.
"Don't worry bro, you can always do the washing up!" Lewa called, sticking his head around the kitchen door and grinning and ducking as Kopaka aimed a snowball at his head.

There was a startled yelp not long after, Kokua leaving the kitchen with a damp cloth around her hand. She flopped down between Solisha and Kopaka, the latter glancing at her curiously.
"What is wrong with your hand?" he asked. Kokua sighed and winced slightly.
"Just scalded it, that's all," she said, peeling back the fabric and having a look.
"Ouch," he remarked as he saw an angry red mark on her hand. "How did you do that?"
Kokua laughed and blushed.
"I got in the way," she admitted, wrapping the cloth back around her hand. Solisha looked over with interest.
"May I see?"
Kokua offered her scalded hand for the young Toa to examine, then looked startled as she took it between her hands, a faint blue glow appearing between them. Malie watched curiously then smiled as his closefriend released the hybrid's now healed hand.
"I've been practising," she laughed as Kokua thanked her.
"So I've heard," she laughed. "You ever gonna let her out of your sight again Malie?"
*Nope,* he signed with a grin. *She always did get into trouble when I wasn't around*
Solisha laughed and threw the damp cloth at him, catching him square in the mask.
*Hey!*
Solisha giggled, then squirmed out of his reach as he tried to tickle her. An eager back came from the garden and Rei charged in, seeking the source of her friend's amusement.
"Oh no," she laughed, slipping off the couch to amuse the puppy. "I suppose you've smelt the food too, haven't you?"
Malie grinned and moved to sit beside her, laughing silently as the puppy immediately climbed into his lap and started licking his mask.

...

"May we join you?"
Aikane and Tahu stood in the doorway watching those who had prepared the food serve the meal up.
"You have to ask sis?" Anuenue asked with a smile, gesturing for her sister to sit beside her.
"Sorry we didn't help, but we got caught up with the matoran at the chute station," Tahu said, accepting the plate that was passed to him and snagging a roll. "All wanting to know how Aikane was,"
Aikane looked embarrassed.
"I said I was fine," she mumbled. "I never knew they were so worried,"
Tahu smiled and gave his closefriend a one-armed hug while he continued to eat.
"Hey, this is great," he exclaimed. "Who made this?"
All fingers pointed to Ferinus who flushed and shrugged.
"It's not that great," he said, taking a mouthful of his own. "I just like cooking is all,"
"I'm glad you do, this is delicious," Aikane smiled then blushed as she suddenly yawned. "Excuse me!"
"Bed early I think tonight," Anuenue said, yawning herself. "It's been a long week,"
"Indeed," Nuju said quietly.

The conversation moved on to more pleasant matters such as the party planned for the next day, Tahu and Lewa laughing over what the Le-Matoran had done to Jaller, and musing on what he planned to do next, laughter as the Toa Voya present reacted with delight when Ferinus showed them the fruit he had brought back then finally petered our as the plates were all stacked into the middle, the last scraps of food being eagerly consumed by a black and white rahi.
"Here, I'll help," Aikane said, yawning deeply as she moved to help Gali and Kopaka with the dishes.
"It's alright, we'll give them a hand," Kokua said, tugging her closefriend to his feet. "Go rest sis,"
Aikane sat down abruptly as the four carried the dishes through to the kitchen and yawned again.
"Soon maybe, I want to go for a walk first," she said. "I need to clear my head,"
"Want company?" Tahu asked.
"Always,"
He followed her out through the door and into the garden beyond, those left at the table heading into the living room still quietly chatting. Barely a quarter of an hour later Tahu came back in, a wry smile on his mask as he carried Aikane, who was dozing in his arms, hers around his neck.
"Oh sis," Anuenue said, shaking her head. "Come on bro,"
She led him down the hall and into a spare bedroom, smiling as when he tried to set her down she protested sleepily, tightening her grip around his neck.
"No, stay," she mumbled. "Don't leave me alone,"
"Guess you're stuck here bro," Anuenue smiled as Tahu carefully shifted to hug her. She moved to retrieve an extra blanket for him and bid them both good night.

Eventually everyone drifted off to bed, Malie and Solisha returning to the latter's home, Malie carrying Rei who had fallen asleep. Back inside, Tahu was snoring peacefully, his arms still around his closefriend. Aikane was beginning to twitch and whimper in her sleep as the images shown to her came back to haunt her again. Tahu stirred as she started to struggle, now crying out. He sat up, rubbing his eyes before moving to wake his closefriend. She woke with a start as he shook her shoulder and stared around with fearful eyes before burying her mask in her hands and bursting into tears.
"Hey," Tahu said, startled as he led her over to the window seat and opened the window. "Hey, it's alright, you're safe here,"
Aikane shook her head and buried her mask in his shoulder as she clung to him. Tahu sighed and carefully pulled the shaking Toa to her feet and gently led her out into the kitchen. She sat on the benchtop, back firmly against the wall and watched as he poured two juices then handed her one.
"Th-thanks," she whispered, sipping at the sweet drink while Tahu jumped up to sit next to her. He put his arm around her shoulders and she nestled against him, still trembling violently.
"I-I-I'm sorry,"
"Don't be sweetheart!" Tahu exclaimed softly. "You've had an awful experience, nobody expects you to get over it straight away. I'd be having nightmares if it was me too,"
Aikane shook her head again.
"I-its not that," she said quietly. "You know how I told you how they took my mask and put that...that thing on my head,"
"Yeah,"
"W-well when they activated it...it-it played...I don't know, a mix between my worst memories and fears started playing like I was there, and I couldn't turn it off. It went on for hours..."
She trailed off and shuddered before speaking again.
"I can't get them out of my head...," she whispered. Tahu sighed and hugged her tighter.
"What did you see?" he asked. Aikane stared out the window for a few minutes before answering almost mechanically.
"Z-Zaktan again...Anuenue drowning again, Kokua falling and being killed...Visorak finding the healing rahi out in the desert, Father being thrown somewhere in darkness to d-d-die...y-you...you were r-run through a-and I couldn't..."
She choked, tears rolling down her mask and buried her head in his chest.
"Hey," Tahu said, startled as he awkwardly rubbed her back. "Sweetheart, it's over, we're all okay, nothing will happen,"
He shrugged as she leaned back and looked up at him incredulously.
"I just got myself a beautiful closefriend, I'm not going anywhere," he said, then smiled. "You can't get rid of me that easily!"
"Nor I daughter,"
Both glanced up, startled as a quiet voice spoke, to see Mata Nui leaning against the opposite counter. Aikane managed a watery smile as he shifted to sit on her other side and gently brushed a hand along the deep black shadows under her eyes.
"You need sleep Daughter," he said quietly. "It is for me to worry about what the future holds, and what that being showed you has no part of it,"
Aikane nodded, wiping her eyes with the palm of her hand.
"I-I know, b-but..."
She trailed off as he placed both hands on the sides of her head and concentrated, a faint glow appearing around them both. When it faded Aikane yawned wearily and nestled closer to her closefriend.
"Thanks father..." she mumbled, wrapping her arms around Tahu's shoulders and falling asleep at last.
"She will sleep well into the day tomorrow," Mata Nui said, ignoring the deep blush that covered the Toa of Fire's mask. "She will be most hungry when she wakes,"
He paused, ensuring the Toa of Twilight was deeply asleep before speaking again.
"Do you still have what remains of her armour?"
Tahu awkwardly produced the sky blue ball of metal that had once been his closefriend's armour.
"Bring it to the party tomorrow," the Great Spirit said, then smiled as Tahu glanced at him enquiringly.
"You will see," he said, then chuckled as Tahu looked faintly exasperated then yawned deeply.
"You should get some sleep too," the Great Spirit said, waving his hand as a blue light surrounded them. Tahu blinked, dazzled, then yawned again as he found himself back in bed, Aikane snuggled against him.
"Thank you," he said, carefully adjusting Aikane's arms so that they weren't choking him. "I'd bow, but..."
"No need," the Great Spirit said with a smile as a glow surrounded him and he vanished. A deeper yawn escaped the Toa of Fire and he settled back, closing his eyes as sleep finally claimed him.

~*~

Bright sunlight was streaming in the windows when he woke the next morning, and there was quiet giggling from the garden beyond. He shifted slightly, endeavouring not to disturb his closefriend and glanced at the clock on the opposite wall.
"Spirits!" he exclaimed softly, realising that it was creeping past ten. He carefully tried to ease himself out of Aikane's embrace, but as he shifted, she frowned and tightened her grip. Tahu sighed deeply, then sighed again as his stomach growled loudly. He slumped back, frustrated for a moment before switching masks. He manoeuvred a pillow over and tucked it into her arms and smiled as she released him and hugged the pillow.
"Sorry beautiful," he whispered as she frowned slightly, before tiptoeing from the room in search of breakfast.

Several hours later Aikane woke to silence. She sat up and looked around, wondering where her closefriend was and why she was hugging a pillow. Her eyes fell on a folded piece of paper and she smiled as she recognised Tahu's spiky handwriting.

I've been dragged off to help with the preparations for this party so I won't be around when you wake. There's food left from breakfast, and Airhead asks me to inform you that you are not to go anywhere near the coliseum or Le-Metru under pain of Le-Matoran attack. After what they did to Jaller, I'd be inclined to listen.

I'll see you later, love Tahu

Aikane chuckled, then refolded the letter before heading out into the kitchen. She could hear soft laughter and talking now, and she smiled as Solisha and Malie looked up as she entered.
"Hey sis, we didn't wake you did we?" Solisha asked, moving to hug her.
"No, I didn't even realise you were here," Aikane answered, smiling as Malie hugged her.
"Feeling better shadow-sis? he signed, heading over to the cupboard and pulling out a plate. He smiled as Aikane nodded, and held the plate out to her.
"Your breakfast," he signed wryly. "Though it's more like lunch now,"
Aikane frowned as she took the plate and thanked Malie.
"What time is it?" she asked, taking off the covering.
"Just past one," Solisha answered, glancing out the window as Rei and Wotzit raced past, barking happily. Aikane swore, startled.
"That late? You didn't wake me?"
"Tahu was most insistent that we let you sleep. And anyway sis, you looked like you needed it,"
"Oh I did, still do to be honest!" she laughed. "I feel much better this morning though,"
"Glad to know," Solisha grinned. "Well, now you're awake, we should be heading off to help too. You're to stay here and not go poking around," she added severely. Aikane threw her hands up in surrender.
"I've already been warned," she sighed. "Well, guess I'll go find something to do to kill the time,"

Half an hour later she found herself wandering towards the ocean, bored and slightly peeved at the other Toa for leaving her out. Her feet unconsciously led her along the beach then back up into the town and along the causeway that led to the Great Temple. Ahouni glanced up as she entered, nodded a greeting to him and then headed into the chamber over looking the sea. When he looked in on her a moment later, she was already deep in a meditative trance. He heard a quiet call from behind him and turned with a smile to see Nireta hurrying to join him.
"Come have lunch with me?" she asked, holding up a bag.
"You have to ask?" he answered with a grin, taking her hand as they headed out to the gardens.

~*~

"Toa Lewa cleaning his armour. Now there's an odd-sight I'd thought I'd never see-witness,"
Lewa ignored the Turaga's jibe as he slipped on his - now gleaming - shoulder guards. Matau grinned and sat on the couch and watched as the bright green Toa fastened the clasps of his torso armour and then turned to frown at his old friend.
"I see you're wearing your best robe Turaga,' he retorted pointedly. Matau's grin widened.
"You have me there," he admitted, nodding as Lewa offered him a drink.

Meanwhile in Ga-Metru, Gali, Kokua and Nokama were having lunch in the light blue Turaga's home, the Toa and Torhaka blushing at the Turaga's gentle teasing.
It's always amused me how many people get together on long voyages," she mused. "Matau and I became closefriends on the airship journey from here to Mata Nui,"
Gali and Kokua glanced at each other, bot h eager to learn more about the Turaga's past.
"How did you two end up together?" Gali asked curiously. "By all accounts of that time...you weren't overly fond of him,"
Nokama burst out laughing, setting down her cup so as not to spill it everywhere.
"He drove me mad!" she chuckled. "I think I declared more then once that he was the last person I would ever become closefriends with,"
Gali and Kokua were snickering as the Turaga continued.
"I'm afraid back then I took everything very seriously," she said wryly. "I couldn't understand how he was so light hearted about being a Toa. He often claimed I had no sense of humour - which on reflection..."
She paused for a moment, smiling at the memories.
"It took quite a while for me to overcome my initial dislike for him," she mused. "It was only when I - after a particularly painful event while we were Hordika - that I thought about how kind he was to me, even when I was awful back, that I started to like him,"
She trailed off again, eyes misty.

Hey sis, where're you going?" Onewa asked, glancing over as Nokama stood up, taking one last glance out the front window before heading for the door.
"I was just going down to sit in the hold for a moment," she answered quietly.
"You okay?"
"Yes, I just need to think, clear my head a little," she replied with an unconvincing smile before leaving the cockpit. Matau watched her leave with a sad expression before glancing back as Onewa questioned him about a dial.
"Hm? No, that's supposed to look like that. She fly-soars better with the pressure down a little," he said absently, eyes roving along the row of controls and dials. "You're move-steering a little too far west though," he added, tapping the compass. Onewa took hold of the rudder controls and shifted them, all feeling the ship veer slightly to the right.
Matau glanced at him impressed in spite of himself.
"You wouldn't have made a bad flight-pilot," he said. "I think you're getting the feel-hang of it,"
He glanced again at the door, the Toa of Stone sighing.
"Go on, I can handle it alone," he said wryly. Matau thanked him and hurried down into the hold.

Meanwhile Nokama had wandered down the row of silvery matoran spheres and finally sat between two which she knew contained her two oldest friends. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her emotions in check, but before she could help it, tears were rolling down her mask as she thought of her ruined home and all that of which she had lost. She buried her mask in her arms and so didn't hear the tentative footsteps coming up behind her. She suddenly felt a pair of arms wrap around her shoulders and pull her into a
comforting embrace. She rested her head against his shoulder, trying to blink the tears from her eyes.
"Being silly," she murmured, smiling faintly as Matau brushed the tears from her mask.
"You're not," he said quietly, glancing away. "We're all feeling the same...so much has hard-changed,"
He smiled sadly and helped her stand up.
"If you ever need another warm-hug, I'm always around," he said quietly and started for the door.
"M-Matau..."
He turned at her questioning voice.
"You know the answer to that," he said. "You know how I feel about you but..."
He sighed deeply.
"You know how I feel about you," he repeated. "But if you don't feel the same way back, I swear this is the last you'll ever hear of it. I'll be your friend but nothing more," he finished, watching his friend. It pained him to see her looking so unhappy.
"I...you said that so much had changed," she said so quietly that he had to strain to hear her. She glanced up at him with a tentative smile.
"Does the offer of a hug still stand?"
Matau froze, certain that his hearing was playing tricks on him. He had been expecting another flat out rejection but here she was...perhaps he had misunderstood.
"You mean...?"
She nodded, taking an uncertain step forward. Matau smiled and moved to enfold her in a hug, his smile broadening as she hugged him back and leant against him. They would have stayed like that for hours were it not for the Toa of Air feeling the airship start to veer left and hearing what sounded suspiciously like somebody tumbling down a flight of stairs. . He swore and gently disentangled himself from her arms, both glancing around as badly stifled footsteps fled up the stairs.
"Who...?"
"No idea-clue, but , I've left Onewa at the flight-controls," he answered, hurrying to the door and up the stairs to the deck. Nokama smiled and followed, blushing as Whenua caught her eye from the corner and shook his head in mock despair. Vakama was sitting in the furthermost corner, apparently engrossed in a book, but as Nokama watched he peered stealthily over the book at her and Matau before quickly glancing down as he saw her watching. Nokama glanced back at Whenua with an eyebrow raised in query, then snickered softly as he nodded faintly and rolled his eyes.

"Vakama eavesdropping?" a voice laughed from the doorway. "Now I know where Tahu learnt it from,"
"Hey sis," Gali laughed, gesturing for Aikane to come sit with them. "Where've you been?"
"Huh? Oh, I felt like meditating for a while so I went up to the Great Temple," Aikane replied absently. "Did he do that often Turaga?"
"Vakama listening in? More then he'd have you know," Nokama chuckled then shook her head. "It took Matau a month to convince himself that it had all been a dream,"
She glanced up at the clock and blushed faintly.
"I must apologise for rambling on about all this for so long," she said in embarrassment.
"Don't be silly Turaga, we enjoy hearing you ramble on," Gali smiled.
"It's interesting," Kokua added. "It helps fill in the gaps too, I still haven't worked out half the stuff that's happened in this place,"
"Neither have I sis, and I've been around longer then you," Aikane grinned. Kokua was about to answer when she glanced out the window and frowned, before excusing herself and racing out into the garden.
"Wha? Sis?" Aikane exclaimed, watching out the window as Kokua reached the tree and apparently scooped something out of mid-air before cupping it in her hand and returning inside.
"What is it sis?" Gali asked, craning her neck for a better view. Kokua opened her hands slightly to reveal one of the butterflies struggling weakly against the spiderweb that bound it's wings.
"Sorry, caught this little one thrashing about out of the corner of my eye, and I couldn't just leave it," Kokua muttered, delicately pulling the web from it's wings with her fingernail then smiled as the butterfly flexed it's wings once then started climbing up her arm. Movement at the window caught the group's eyes and they glanced over to see half the butterfly flock had gathered there, before taking off and landing on Kokua's arm and clustering around their flock mate, making sure it was alright. Kokua looked bemused, Aikane smiling as she noticed one butterfly's wings briefly change to Ryha's colours and back.
"So when am I going to be permitted near the coliseum?" Aikane asked pointedly and grinned as Kokua and Gali laughed.
"We'll head over around five. They should have finished by then," Nokama said with a smile. Aikane glanced up at the clock and sighed.

~*~

It was four thirty when they noticed matoran beginning to head past the window and towards the chute station. Aikane glanced out the window and them and then at the clock again.
"Bit early?" she asked, watching Kokua idly weaving tiny flowers between her feathers.
"Not necessarily, the chutes will be crowded," Nokama said, stretching and straightening her robe. She moved to join Aikane at the window and then chuckled wryly as a pale matoran with scars to rival Dalu laughed and waved to her friends before skipping down an alley way. Aikane frowned curiously and glanced at Nokama.
"She's not going?" she asked. Nokama smiled.
"Oh she's going, she just takes a different route then everyone else," she said. "She never takes the chutes, but rather walks - or catches a lift on the ussal crabs if she can manage it,"
"Keahi?" Gali asked, coming to join them. "She's a terror when she's riding,"
"Indeed," Nokama said, then looked up as Aikane asked something.
"Why doesn't she take the chutes?"
"When we originally lived here, she was in a very bad chute accident - hence the scars and the paleness - and although she like everyone else has no memories of that time, she still won't go near them,"
"I always did wonder why she had so many scars, but I never liked to ask," Kokua said quietly, rubbing the faint scar on her arm.
"It doesn't bother her, she's more likely to crack a joke then be offended," Nokama said, then glanced at the clock again. "We'd better be off,"
"Finally!" Aikane cheered as they left Nokama's home and joined the cheerful crowd.

...

Aikane frowned slightly as she entered the packed coliseum to a cheer from the matoran gathered there, sensing that something was about to happen. A quiet chuckle sounded in her ear told her that her father was up to something, and she glanced around to see her closefriend standing a little apart from the others, looking as though he was talking to someone.
"What are you up to?" Aikane wondered silently, and sighed in exasperation as Mata Nui chuckled again and told her to be to be patient. Several moments passed, Kokua glancing at Aikane curiously as she seemingly stared into space and moved to join her.
"Sis, you alright - oh!"

Several matoran exclaimed at the same time, drawing their friends attention to a brightly glowing mist coalescing in the centre of the arena. All present watched in awe as the mist solidified into the brilliant white and silver form of the Great Spirit. He let his gaze move across those assembled there, lingering on Aikane and smiling as she had to stifle a slightly embarrassed laugh before moving to observe Kokua.

The Torahka was blushing deeply as she laid her Katana on the ground and was trembling, her gaze falling anywhere but on the Great Spirit. Mata Nui regarded her and the blades for a long moment before stepping forward and picking the blades up, a reassuring smile on his mask.
"I believe these are yours," he said, holding them out to Kokua who jumped nervously, face crimson. She shyly glanced up, jumping again as she met his eyes before stammering out a response.
"B-but they are - uh, w-were Aikane's staff. Th-they're really hers,"
She fell silent and dropped her gaze to the ground, making no attempt to accept the blades. Lewa started to move to his closefriend's side, then glanced around, annoyed as he found Tahu holding him back.
"What are -"
"She'll be fine," Tahu hissed back, gesturing to where Aikane had moved to give Kokua a reassuring hug.

"Father asks if you'll assist him," Aikane whispered, smiling as Kokua glanced sharply at her.
"M-me? How?" she asked, still trembling as she cast another shy glance at Mata Nui, who smiled back at her. He stepped towards them at the hybrid's shaky nod, then handed her the blades.
"Hold them like this," he said quietly, positioning her hands so that the hilts were together, blades facing the sky and ground. He nodded then placed his hands above the tip of the uppermost katana.

A beam of iridescent light formed around the katana, thickening and eventually hiding them from sight. A quick smile crossed his mask and he nodded to Aikane.
"Put your hand into the light and receive what is yours,"
Aikane glanced at him curiously, then did
as she was bid. Her eyes widened in surprise as she felt something slowly form and harden in her grasp. They stood there for a few moments, unaware of the amazed stares from those watching, then inexplicably, Aikane felt the object warm slightly, just as the Great Spirit lowered his hands, the light slowly fading away.
"Wow," Kokua said softly then blushed again as Mata Nui chuckled at her reaction. Aikane was now holding a new quarter-staff, more vibrant then the first and wherever her fingers touched, a purple patch identical to the fabric around Kokua's katana materialised.
"Come here daughter," Mata Nui said while nodding to Tahu, who moved forward, allowing Lewa to join the still stunned looking Kokua. He handed the blue protodermis sphere to the Great Spirit, and stood back as Mata Nui held the sphere above his daughter's head. She closed her eyes as he asked, then shivered slightly as an odd sensation flowed down her shoulders as the warm protodermis shaped itself into a new set of amour.
"It's done," the Great Spirit said, stepping back and smiling as Aikane opened her eyes and glanced down at her armour with a delighted grin.
"Courtesy of my dearest sister," he said wryly in a voice only she could hear as she ran her fingers down the patterns engraved there. He waved aside her stammered thanks before resting his hands on her shoulders and kissing her on the forhead. Aikane blushed, momentarily speechless then grinned as he smiled at her affectionately before stepping back, glancing up as somewhere in the awed crowd, several matoran started singing.
"They're singing for you all," the Great Spirit chuckled quietly as more and more matoran joined in, the sound thundering around the coliseum. Light slowly began to coalesce around him and as it grew brighter Kokua suddenly blushed furiously as Mata Nui spoke once more.
"You are as you are destined to be,"
Kokua felt a very familiar pair of hands wrap around her in a tight hug as the light around Mata Nui grew brighter before winking out, taking the Great Spirit with it. Aikane was still looking stunned, but as Tahu approached she grinned and flung her arms around him, giggling as his mask glowed redder then ever. Around them, the matoran were still singing at the top of their lungs, creating an amazing sound reverberating around the walls. It was not to last however, Aikane and Tahu breaking apart as Lewa tugged his closefriend up on the stage with a huge grin on his mask.

"Hey! Is this a sing-along or a party?" he shouted, his grin broadening impossibly as the crowd roared their approval.

[Kate]

Half an hour later the party was already in full swing. One of the Ta Matoran bands had claimed the stage first and were half way through their set, the crowd shrieking as one of them threw the contents of his drink canister over them. Aikane grinned as Tahu twirled her around then burst out laughing as his eyes lit up as he spied the matoran approaching from the Coliseum kitchens bearing plates of food between them.
"Do you ever think of anything but food?" Aikane teased, then grinned at his reply.

Meanwhile Lewa had beaten them to the food, and was loading up two plates. He grabbed a pair of drinks and hurried back to where his closefriend was waiting, the Torhaka blushing as he handed her her plate and kissed her on the cheek before sitting down beside her, holding his own plate. Neither saw the pearly blue matoran watching them stiffen and turn away, mask holding disappointment and pain. She took her own plate away and sat on a seat away from the Toa of Air and his closefriend. She stared miserably at her food, which only a moment ago had looked delicious, and stifled a sigh.
"Hey, anyone sitting here?"
She glanced up at the cheerful voice and managed a wan smile as she saw a forest green Le Matoran looking at her questioningly.
"No, go ahead," she said quietly, then glanced at him curiously.
"I've seen you around Ga-Metru," she said by way of conversation. The Le-Matoran nodded and hastily swallowed his mouthful.
"I'm training to be a healer," he explained. "I'm Acirru by the way. I think your name is Leus-sul? I've seen you around quite a bit,"
Leus-sul nodded, smiling a little in spite of herself as the dark green matoran grinned.
"How is your training going?" she asked. His grin broadened.
"I've nearly finished studying - thank the spirits!" he added fervently. "I only have to do another test with Lakino, and that's it. I'll still be bug-seeking help from the more experienced healers, but I'll be capable on my own for the most part,"
"I wish you luck with that then," the pearly blue matoran said, picking at her food. Acirru watched her curiously for a moment, wondering why she looked so miserable.
"What is it you do? I've only ever seen you around lunch, so..."
He trailed off, realising how badly he had phrased that question. Leus-sul cracked a genuine smile and took a mouthful of her own food before answering.
"I'm a weaver," she said, pausing as one of Acirru's friends went by with his closefriend and managed to slip an ice cube down behind his mask. Acirru yelped and managed to fish it out before throwing it at the hastily retreating matoran. He turned back to find Leus-sul giggling and he grinned.
"Finally, she laughs," he said happily. "What's been bothering you?"
Leus-sul flushed deeply and stared at the ground.
"I-It's nothing," she mumbled. "Somebody whom I care for doesn't...he loves somebody else,"
Acirru sighed deeply and moved to give her a quick hug. She smiled sheepishly as he released her, then looked startled as he pulled her to her feet.
"Wh-what?" she began.
"Well seeing as though we are both without closefriends, we might as well go enjoy ourselves," he said firmly, leading her into the crowd.

Meanwhile, Tahu had finally finished stuffing his face and was now tickling his closefriend, who retaliated by throwing the contents of her drink over him. He shook the water from his mask and was about to lead her back into the dancing crowd when his eye was caught by movement in a shadowy corner of the arena.
"What...?" he muttered, unconsciously shifting so that he stood in front of Aikane. A moment later he relaxed and snickered quietly, gesturing for her to be quiet.
"Honestly," he muttered as she snickered herself. "Is there something fishy in the water or what? We all seem to be pairing off,"
"I'm not complaining," Aikane said with a grin. "Come on, leave them to it...we can tease them later," she added with an even bigger grin as she tugged his arm. Tahu followed without complaint, leaving Amaya and Taka still locked in their embrace.

Five minutes later though, Jaller had to be forcibly restrained from surprising and teasing his old friends. Quite a few people turned to hide their snickers as Hahli started pushing him away.. He finally gave in and spun his closefriend around. On the stage above them the Ta-Matoran band finally finished their set and relinquished the stage to one of the Le-Matoran groups who waved at the crowd, prompting a cheer. Jaller grinned and lifted Hahli onto his shoulders, the short matoran squealing and clinging to his mask until she regained her balance.
"Can you see up there?" he asked teasingly then laughed as Hahli started poking him.
"Hey, if you don't stop it, I'll drop you!" he threatened as she poked him again, causing him to stumble.
"Don't you dare!"
Jaller grinned and set his closefriend down then laughed as she started dragging him into the crowd.

...

Far across in the desert, the healing rahi were heading home from spending the day with the kikanalo herd. Naneki was dozing in his dam's arms while Keliana was riding on Keetongu's shoulders, determined to stay awake until they got home. She blinked sleepily and glanced back at the city behind them.
"I hear music," she yawned, then protested as Keetongu tried to lift her from his shoulders. "I'm not tired!" she said crankily. Keetongu and Notegeku just smiled at each other .
"They're celebrating Aikane's safe return," he said quietly.
"Oh," Keliana replied, still looking cranky. "We go see them?"
"No, not this time little one, not until you're older," Notegeku said firmly. Keliana pouted then smiled reluctantly as Notegeku continued.
"You'll see them in the next couple of days, Solisha will want to see the new arrival to the Kikanalo herd. We sent a message via Wanimua to them,"
Keliana's sleepy eye lit up and she smiled happily, trying to keep her eye open. Keetongu laughed and lifted her from his shoulders and tucked her into his arms, this time without protest.
"Not sleepy," she mumbled, snuggling closer and closed her eye.

Not five minutes later both adults heard a soft snore and laughed.

...

Sitting and chatting with her brother and several spirits, Ryha Nui suddenly looked up and smiled as she sensed Kokua start singing happily.
Ah little one, you deserve more such happiness, she thought affectionately, then flushed slightly as her brother caught her eye and smiled, guessing what she was thinking.
We will summon her tonight," he said silently, then turned to answer one of the spirit's questions.

...

Watching with a grin as her sister continued to sing along with the Le-Metru band on stage, Anuenue moved to sit beside Nuju who glanced up and smiled at her.
"Enjoying yourself?" he asked, handing her a drink. Anuenue smiled and thanked him, before nodding and glancing out at the crowd again.
"It's nice to be able to relax," she mused with a smile. "I - oh look!"
Nuju followed her finger to where Matau had finally persuaded Nokama out onto the dance floor and was using his mask to change their forms to their Toa Metru bodies and back again as they whirled around. One moment they were their normal Turaga forms, the next everyone caught a glimpse of what they had looked like a thousand years ago.
"I would have loved to have known you back then," Anuenue murmured as 'Toa' Nokama grinned at her from behind Matau's shoulder then looked at the Turaga of Ice as he laughed.
"I very much doubt that," he said with a dry smile. Anuenue looked at him curiously, inviting him to elaborate.
"You say that knowing us now, after we've had a thousand years to grow wiser and kinder. We were not very pleasant people to know back then,"
Anuenue made a noise of disbelief and he continued on.
"Being - being Hordika knocked a lot of sense into us," he admitted, neither noticing Vakama glance over sharply, wondering what had drawn his brother into mentioning what he had sworn never to speak of again.
"As did the Rahaga - literally at points," he added with a reminiscent chuckle, one hand absently rubbing the back of his head. Anuenue grinned, imagining - correctly as it turned out - what had happened. "It was ironic that we found ourselves dispensing the same kind of teachings a thousand years later to our respective Toa," he added with a wry smile, then despite many years of metal training and discipline, blushed furiously as Anuenue's hand covered his.
"I think we should join them," Nuju observed, standing as Anuenue smiled and blushed. She stood and as they began to walk out into the dancing crowd, he suddenly grinned and switched masks. A laugh and a wolf-whistle came from Matau's direction, followed swiftly by a muffled curse as Nokama stomped on his foot.

"What was I saying about the water?" Tahu whispered as he and Aikane sat down on a far bench, the latter passing him a drink. Aikane smiled, appearing to stare into space for a second before laughing as, across the arena, Anuenue's mask glowed pink.
"We've liked each other for a while now," she said with a shrug. "I guess it's like Kopaka said, when was the last time we had five minutes to ourselves?"
"Now that you mention it," Tahu muttered. "Sad though, that it takes us an abduction - sorry!" he added with a wince as Aikane shuddered. He hurriedly moved to hug her, before continuing what he had been saying.
"Takes us...er, something traumatic to admit our feelings for one another," he amended, then snorted. "How long do you think it'll stay peaceful this time?"
Aikane laughed wryly.
"Oh, knowing our luck, three days? Give or take a few hours,"
"Better make the most of it then," Tahu grinned, planting a kiss on her cheek. Both looked up with a blush as a different sounding wolf whistle came from the roof, followed by a laugh as Kokua poked her closefriend firmly in the ribs.
"Were we just seeing our futures?" Aikane whispered, waving her hand at where Anuenue and Nuju danced alongside Nokama and Matau, who now sported a slight limp.
"There are worse futures," Tahu laughed softly, then grinned as another Ta Matoran band entered the stage.

~*~

It was not until the early hours of the morning that the music began to wind down, and even then, more subdued and quiet music continued to play. Malie and Kokua were sitting on the edge of the stage with their closefriends, Malie playing his flute and Kokua singing quietly. Several matoran had climbed up and were singing along, their friends littering the arena floor and seats, some sleeping, some continuing to dance, but most were just talking quietly, enjoying the rare peace. Matau and Nokama, back in their Turaga forms had fallen asleep an hour ago, nestled together in the corner.
"Shouldn't we wake them?" Nuju asked sleepily as Anuenue covered them with a blanket. "They will be stiff as a board tomorrow,"
Anuenue chuckled. "I doubt we'd be able to wake them enough to help them to the nearest couch, let alone our quarters," she said with a smile. "And neither of us could carry them,"
"That's what we're here for," a voice said as Ferinus and Reshana's shadow twins appeared from the wall. Rehsana's lifted Nokama up while Ferinus did the same to Matau.
"Would you be so kind as to do the same with our brothers?" Nuju asked, gesturing to where Vakama, Onewa and Whenua were slumped in various places across the arena, all sound asleep. As he spoke Tahu's, Onua's and Pohatu's shadow twins appeared and picked up their respective Turaga's before vanishing back into the shadows.
"Thank you," Anuenue said to Reshana's as she turned to vanish into the wall.
"No worries, any time," she said with a smile then disappeared.
"We should go get some rest too," Nuju said, then looked inquiring as Anuenue shook her head.
"I'd like to see the suns come up first," she said, beginning to climb the stairs into the seats. She turned and glanced back down at him.
"Would you like to join me?" she asked shyly.
"I would be honoured to," Nuju answered and followed.

They reached the top of the arena and glanced around, both deliberately heading off to the right as they saw Aikane and Tahu watching the lightening sky, both looking sleepy and content. Aikane sat up slightly and winked at Anuenue, then snickered as the Turaga blushed and silently threatened her with all manner of colourful revenge. She poked her tounge then leaned back against Tahu's armour again, the crimson hued Toa shifting slightly to get comfortable, then pointing with a chuckle to the sky a huge shape flew across.

"I see Speur has recovered," Nuju chuckled as they continued to wander away from the Toa. Anuenue grinned and nodded.
"Thank the spirits, Shenaru would have never forgiven me had he been too traumatised by Wotzit,"
Nuju smiled and gestured for her to sit beside him.
"We would get a much better view from the Ko-Metru observatory," he mused, smiling slightly as she lent against him with a yawn.
"I'll have to come see sometime," Anuenue said sleepily, rubbing her eyes as they watched the sky lighten. Nuju smiled happily, resolving to invite her there as soon as possible. They sat there in companionable silence for a while, watching the sky lighten as the first sun began to peek over the horizon.

Neither saw the second sun rise. Anuenue had fallen asleep leaning against Nuju, who had stayed awake just long enough to put an arm around her shoulder. A low chuckle came from where Aikane and Tahu sat, Aikane climbing unsteadily to her feet and hauling her equally tired closefriend up.
"Think they have the right idea...though I'd prefer a bed," he mumbled. rubbing his eyes furiously. Aikane nodded sleepily.
"I'm glad she's happy though," she said, moving to pick her sister up.
"Oh no you don't real-sis, we'll take care of them," a laughing voice said as her and Tahu's shadow twin appeared. They picked up Anuenue and Nuju and departed into the shadow. Aikane and Tahu glanced at each other then began the long trek down to the arena floor. They got halfway down before Tahu yawned deeply and sat down on the stairs, Aikane swaying and sitting down beside him. Another laugh caught their sleepy attention and Aikane's shadow twin appeared.
"I don't think I need to tell you to close your eyes," she joked, aiding the pair to their feet. "Don't fall asleep on me,"
She led them through the shadow realm and into their quarters, both Toa sighing in relief as they saw their bed.
"...nks shadow sis..." Aikane mumbled, literally falling into bed, followed by Tahu. Their shadow twins watched with a smile as they snuggled together, falling asleep with in seconds.
"After you," Tahu's shadow twin said with an exaggerated bow as he gestured to the nearest shadow, then laughed as Aikane's gave him a friendly shove and told him to stop being ridiculous, before pulling him after her.s

[Kate]

It was midday when Wanimua arrived in the main town area of Po-Metru, it was to find the streets all but deserted. He peered into a few of the matoran's homes, trilling disapprovingly as he found them to be either absent or asleep. He was even more put out when he found Onewa and Pouk's respective houses to be empty, the pheasant rahi proceeding to the Toa Nuva of Stone's home, hoping that at least he would be home.

As it turned out, he was, though deeply asleep. Wanimua had by now had enough of sleepers, and decided that this one must awaken. He trilled loudly to get Pohatu's attention then trilled again in frustration when the Toa mumbled something in his sleep and rolled over, stuffing his head under his pillow. The blue-green rahi now decided that he was well and truly fed up and so neatly flew in the window and landed on the floor beside Pohatu's bed. He then proceeded to take his blanket in his beak and began to tug it across the room. Pohatu moaned, taking a hold of his blanket and muttered vague threats, pleas and obscenities before he eventually surrendered and sat up, giving the innocently whistling bird a look he had copied from one of his fiery brothers.
"Alright, alright I'm awake...sort," he mumbled, rubbing his eyes. "What do you want?"
He switched to his Rau as Wanimua started trilling. When he finished, Pohatu rubbed the back of his neck and sighed.
"You're lucky you had a good reason for waking me, fiendish bird," he said, reluctantly climbing from his bed.

He left his home and headed across the square to the Toa Voya's home, half thinking that his brother would be glad to hear the news he had to impart, half harbouring a bitter notion that if he had to be awake, so did Lerihua.

To his utter surprise however, the younger Toa of Stone was already awake and sitting on a bench outside his home, having breakfast. He nodded a greeting to his elder brother and wordlessly offered Pohatu some of his breakfast. Pohatu accepted and slumped down on the other end of the bench, casting a dirty look at the following pheasant rahi.
"You're awake early bro," he mumbled, still not fully awake himself. Lerihua sighed deeply.
"It still feels like everything is rocking. It's fine when I'm awake and doing something, but the second I lie down to get some sleep, it feels like I'm back on that blasted boat,"
Pohatu shuddered.
"Oh I know the feeling! I was so tired last nigh - well, this morning, didn't get to bed until three - that I didn't notice, but the night before...ugh!"
"I heartily thank the Great Spirit that I never had to make the boat journey from Mata Nui to Metru Nui," Lerihua said.
"Oh, don't even mention that," Pohatu groaned. "That was the most miserable journey I have ever had the misfortune to undertake. The entire Po-Matoran population was seasick the entire way. We were very unpopular with the other Metru for a while, they had to control the ships for us while we were...incapacitated,"
Wanimua broke in at this point with an impatient trill.
"Huh? Oh, right...," Pohatu muttered. "Want to come find the other's with me? There's something Solis will want to see out at the healing rahi's cavern, and we've all a standing invitation,"
"Oh?"
Pohatu told him what it was, grinned at his younger brother's delight then the pair headed off in the direction of the coliseum, Wanimua following.

It was very quiet in the arena, those who had not made it home lining the walls and seats, most still fast asleep.
"How many of the Toa are still here?" he asked the nearest awake matoran. Hahli rubbed her eyes and thought.
"Aikane and Tahu, Tein'a, Reshana and Ferinus, Onua, Lewa and Kokua and I think Shenaru hung around too,"
She yawned deeply.
"All the Turaga are here too," Jaller added, stretching with a wince.
"Thanks - whoa!" Lerihua exclaimed quietly, steadying the matoran as he tried to bow but nearly fell instead. "You go get some real sleep," he added, smiling as he nodded wearily. They slowly walked together into the cool entrance chamber where they then split up, Hahli and Jaller heading for Hahli's workroom, while Pohatu and Lerihua headed for the lift. They headed up to the Toa's quarters, both smiling as they heard voices.
"Hey brothers, what brings you up here so...well -" Kokua paused, glancing up at the clock. "It's not early, but you know what I'm trying to say,"
Pohatu grinned.
"The healing rahi have invited us all out to see something - we were looking for Solis, but everyone else is welcome,"
"I wouldn't mind going out there," Aikane said sleepily from the doorway.

It took more then an hour to sort out who was going and who was remaining to sleep, even with the help of the shadow twins, but by the time they had finished it was decided that Solisha, Malie, Kokua, Lewa, Aikane and Reshana would be heading out there, along with Lerihua and Pohatu.

They were joined in the entranceway again by Hahli, who now looked more awake.
"May I join you?" she asked when she found out where they were heading.
"You're more then welcome, " Lerihua said, "I thought you were going to go get some more sleep though?"
"No, I'm wide awake now," the Chronicler said with a sigh. "And well...somebody is hogging my couch," she added with a blush.
"Come on then," Kokua said with a friendly smile. "You want to ride with them via Kakama, or would you rather fly?"
Hahli shyly replied that she wouldn't mind flying there if it were alright with the Torahka. Kokua laughed and motioned for her to follow.
"Race ya there?" she asked the others teasingly, then scooped Hahli up with a grin and took off, just as her friends switched masks and set off.

"Relax, I'm not gonna drop you," Kokua laughed as she felt Hahli's grip tighten as they soared high above the metrus, racing ahead of a bunch of brightly coloured blurs.
"Think we can beat them?" Hahli called back above the wind, still not loosening her grip. The gleam in her companion's eyes made her feel very nervous, and a moment later her startled squeal could be heard over the island as Kokua put on a burst of speed. Those on the ground saw this and hurried on, Lewa taking a more direct route then his friends, leaping over rooves instead of keeping to the streets. Kokua was still leading when they reached the outskirts of the assembler's village, but as they got out into the flat clear desert, with nothing to dodge, they started gaining.

"Kokua! They're catching us!" Hahli cried, the thrill of the race overcoming her initial fear.
"I...don't think...so," Kokua panted, nodding at Keetongu's cavern coming up fast.

Five minutes later, Keetongu stepped cautiously out of the cavern, looking bemused as he watched nine figures race up, laughing and out of breath. He smiled and shook his head as they greeted him breathlessly then vanished back into his cavern, re-appearing a few minutes later with a sleepy cub in each arm. Both grinned happily at seeing their friends, neither sure of who to hug first. Naneki eventually settled for Reshana while Kokua ended up tickling Keliana as she giggled. Keetongu grinned and waited for his daughter to stop giggling before he spoke again.

"Follow me," he said, leading them around to the shaded area behind his cavern. Resting there was the entire kikanalo herd, Notegeku talking to the chief.
"Look Solis!" Keliana said happily, pointing to the eldest female, who glanced up at seeing them and rumbled softly to something small lying beside her.

"Oh my..." Solisha gasped in delight as a small kikanalo calf tottered towards her on wobbly legs. It butted affectionately into her legs, before looking inquisitively up at her and licking her mask with it's long tounge.

"Well you've lost her," Kokua laughed, watching as Solis moved to sit beside the kikanalo, already deep in conversation with them. Malie shook his head wryly.
"Just like old times," Reshana agreed, setting Naneki down as he wriggled. He glanced around at the familiar and unfamiliar faces. He eventually settled for tugging insistently at Malie's hand.
"What's your name?" he asked. Malie smiled at him and started to sign an answer, but paused when he realised the cubs didn't understand. He glanced around, Pohatu coming to his rescue.
"This is Malie," he told the cubs, Keliana having joined them curiously. "He can't speak so he uses his hands to talk,"
Both cubs looked up at Malie, intrigued.
"How do you say Keliana?" the pale gold rahi inquired. Malie smiled and crouched to be level with them before showing her. Keliana watched his hands intently then looked back up at him.
"Do it again please?"
Malie complied, watching in amazement as the little rahi moved her hands to copy his gestures.
"Is this right?" she asked, showing him again. Malie nodded, grinning widely. He showed Naneki how to sign his name too, then laughed silently as they went and sat on a nearby rock, discussing this discovery in their own tounge.
"Clever little ones aren't they? Malie said, still grinning. Keetongu and Notegeku exchanged a smile, then laughed as Keliana came over to the small group and started dragging Malie away to teach them more.

"It's good to see you safe and well Aikane," Keetongu rumbled as he reappeared from the cavern, carrying a large basket.
"Thanks," Aikane mumbled, still vaguely embarrassed at all the attention she had been receiving. Notegeku smiled at her then gestured for everybody to sit in the shade. She shook her head in mock exasperation as Keliana and Naneki had a brief argument over who was going to sit in Malie's lap.
*You can talk to him later, it's time for lunch* she rumbled firmly, taking the basket from her mate and taking out food. Malie laughed silently and moved to tap his closefriend's shoulder and gesture to the food. She started to protest when the chief firmly nudged her with his nose.
*Your lifemate is right, go eat* he insisted. *We'll still be here when you finish*
Solisha blushed and nodded, patting his nose before turning to accept her lunch from Notegeku. Across from then Lewa was twitching every few seconds as Kokua kept poking him with a wing tip.
"Stoppit!" he laughed, finally poking her back as she caused him to spill his drink over himself. "Argh, soggywet again, I'll get you for this Featherheart!"
Kokua poked her tounge at him still giggling. Lewa pretended to be disgruntled for a few moments longer then grinned, swiping a piece of fruit from her plate.
"Hey, we should bring some of that fruit Fer found next time," Solisha said with a grin. "You'd love it,"
At the healing rahi's curious look she explained, promising to bring some next time she visited.

Aikane meanwhile had become very interested in a conversation with Pohatu who smiled and squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.
"You alright?" he whispered.
"I will be," she answered quietly, managing a smile back then both glanced around as Hahli let out a giggle. Lewa was grinning broadly, his mask glowing slightly as he caused Naneki's lunch to hover several inches above the ground. The orange gold cub hadn't noticed yet, but when he moved to take another piece of fruit and missed he glanced around puzzled.
"Why is it floating?" he asked, a shade uncertainly as he tugged on Notegeku's arm. She glanced around and then chuckled.
"I think our green friend over there may answer it better then I," she said, pointing to Lewa who assumed a look of innocence. His mask continued to glow however and a second later there was a startled squeal from Keliana who had been watching with interest. She was now floating several inches off the ground, windmilling her arms to keep her balance.
"This is fun!" she said happily, then looked disappointed as Lewa gently lowered her to the ground. "Aw, wanna fly again,"
"Finish your lunch first little one, and then maybe Lewa will take your for a flight," Notegeku rumbled, looking questioningly at the green Toa who grinned and nodded, his mouth full of fruit.
"Me too?" Naneki asked glancing between his dam and the Toa of Air.
"You can come with me," Kokua said, stretching. "I'm much better at flying then he is," she added with a sly grin at Lewa, who snorted.
"Well if that's the way you feel about it Featherheart, care to race-challenge me back to Le-Metru this afternoon?"
"I thought you'd never ask," Kokua grinned back, tapping her fist against her closefriend's.

Meanwhile in Ga-Metru Nokama and Anuenue had finally made it back from the coliseum and were now sitting out on one of the piers, watching the matoran fishing boats.
"Spirits it's muggy," Anuenue said, glancing up at the sky. Nokama laughed.
"I hardly notice it any more," she said with a smile. "It's not half of what Ga-Koro was like in the summer,"
Anuenue moved down a step on the edge and dangled her feet in the water.
"It's hot enough for me!" she laughed then yawned suddenly. "Oh sorry sis!"
"We'll all be needing an early night tonight I suspect," Nokama agreed. Both glanced up as laughter floated across the calm water from the boats and smiled.
"If only it could always be this peaceful," the Turaga of Water sighed, closing her eyes and leaning against a mooring post.
"Indeed," Anuenue echoed, still watching the cheerful matoran across the waves. They sat there in companionable silence for a while then as the cool breeze that had been playing past died down, to be replaced by a stronger one coming from the opposite direction, Nokama opened her eyes and sat up.
"What was I saying about peace and quiet?" she asked with an amused sigh. "That will bring a storm,"

...

Back in the desert the cubs, finally tired out by Lewa and Kokua and were curled up on their parent's respective laps. Notegeku smiled as Keliana squeaked in her sleep then glanced up as Aikane failed to stifle a yawn.
"Tired?" she asked. Aikane flushed slightly but smiled.
"A little. I hadn't been sleeping well since I was rescued...bad dreams," she muttered as Keetongu raised an enquiring eyebrow. "And none of us got to sleep at a decent hour last night - well, this morning," she admitted with a laugh. "I went to bed just as the suns came up,"
"We haven't gone to sleep," Solisha said, gesturing to Malie and Reshana. "We stayed up talking...we had a lot to catch up with. It's been a kazarhni of a first week,"
Reshana smiled and hugged her younger sister, still amazed to have her back.
"First week? Oh, as a Toa you mean?" Notegeku asked with interest. Solisha laughed wryly.
"That's something of a long story," she said.
"Stay tonight and tell us," Keetongu offered. "You're all welcome,"
Solisha glanced at Malie questioningly then grinned as he nodded, then signed.
"They'll be happy," he 'said' gesturing to the cubs with a smile. "You staying too sis? he asked Reshana who nodded. Lerihua mentioned that he'd like to stay while Kokua and Lewa said that they would return.
"I doubt you'd ever get the cubs back to sleep if we all stayed," Aikane laughed.
"Pohatu, you staying?" Keetongu asked. The Toa Nuva of Stone shrugged.
"Might as well - so long as that blasted bird doesn't wake me up again," he said, pointing accusingly at Wanimua who chirped innocently.

They slowly said their goodbyes then as Aikane and Kokua's shadow twins appeared from behind a rock Reshana grinned.
"If you see Fer, could you tell him where I am?" she asked, then blushed as Solisha nudged her.
"I'll go tell him," Aikane's promised, then led the trio into the shade.

They appeared in Ta-Metru, Aikane blushing as she realised her shadow twin had picked up on her thoughts and led her to the square outside Tahu's place.
"He's around at Vakama's, but he'll be back soon," she whispered, then grinned as her real self blushed even harder.
"I take it we'll be heading back to Ga-Metru on our own then," Kokua teased, then smiled as Lewa looped his arms around her shoulders.
"I was going to go back to Le-Metru, but uh, there's always room for two," he said, striving to keep a blush from his own mask.
Kokua grinned.
"Well, I guess I could stay in Le-Metru," she said then grinned as Lewa kissed her, ignoring the whistles and calls from the passing matoran.
"Weren't you going to race there?" Aikane asked as she spied Tahu crossing the square, grinning happily and waving as he saw her.
"Hey yeah," Kokua grinned, then took off like a shot, leaving Lewa protestingly trying to catch up.

...

Back in Ga-Metru however the sky had darkened considerably and the wind had started to pick up and the matoran were hurrying about securing their homes and workplaces. Those working on repairing the observatory were hurriedly puttting their tools away and throwing a heavy tarp over the roof.
"Spirits!" Anuenue exclaimed, flinching as the first of the rain started. "That came up fast!"
"Indeed!" Nokama said, drawing her robe closer around her as she opened the front door to her home and gestured for Anuenue to enter. "I hope it's not going to be a bad one,"

While everyone scurried to find shelter a Ga-Matoran trudged home, seemingly unconcerned about the approaching storm, nor the heavy rain that had started to fall. She sighed unhappily as she reached her home and slowly let herself in, flinching as a crack of thunder echoed through the Metru.
Closing the door she gazed around at the familir surroundings then suddenly burst into tears.

[Kokua aviatrix]

*picks up story thread and ploughs on*


"It's not fair, I wanted to be his closefriend." she wailed miserably, gazing around at a drawing of the Toa Nuva of Air that decorated her hallway.
"Why can't I have been that lucky." the frustrated Ga-matoran muttered as she entered her living room and stared out at the darkening skies, the angry clouds lit up with lightning.

For several hours, Leus-sùl watched the storm, eventually moving through to the bedroom, her pain and frustration seething within until she fell asleep, head resting on the window ledge.

"Poor little Matoran, so unhappy. If you want I can help." a chill voice echoed through the barren landscape Leus-sùl dreamt she was walking through.
"Who's there?" she called back, feeling apprehensive as she looked around.
"Just someone who wants to help." came the reply as a pair of glowing red eyes opened and blinked before focusing on the pearly blue Matoran.
Fear overwhelmed Leus-sùl and she turned to run, only to find another dark spirit had been standing behind her as she stumbled and fell before him.
"There is no need to thank us yet." the sinister being remarked as he pulled the shaking Matoran upright.
"All you have to do is offer to show that freak around Mata Nui, as she's never been there she'll want to go and your precious Toa won't let her out of his sight. So he'll come too."

"Then he will take care of the hybrid and reveal to Lewa your love for him." the second Makuta added, gesturing to the one towering over Leus-sùl, her mask hiding the poisonous smile lurking there.

Terrified, the Matoran looked around, seeking someway of escape, "No-no, you'd do both harm! I won't see Lewa get hurt." Leus-sùl cried as the second Makuta joined the one standing over her.

"Ah, but you won't remember what happens in this dream. All you will know when you wake is that you want to take the Airhead and freak around Mata Nui." Makuta purred sinisterly as he and the second one reached out to rest their claws on the trapped Matoran's mask.
A scream of pain came from Leus-sùl before she collapsed unconscious and vanished from the dream that the Makuta had woven.

"That was fun, enjoy yourself brother." the female laughed chillingly before they vanished.

Leus-sùl's head shot up as she fell from her seat and landed heavily on the floor, just as a thunderous flash of lightning shot through the sky.
"Ow my neck, wazza time?" she muttered, rubbing a bruise while thunder echoed across the metru, before clambering up and sitting on her bed.
A second flash of lightening illuminated the clock face, "Quarter to two! Spirits, this storm began around half six." Leus-sùl exclaimed before brightening a lightstone so that she could find a draught for her blinding headache.
Having taken the draught, Leus-sùl yawned and slowly drifted back to sleep, "Wonder if Kokua would like to explore Mata Nui." she mused as her eyes closed.
In the glow of the undimmed lightstone, the pearly blue Matoran slept; unaware of the subliminal orders she was now primed to carry out.

...

When dawn broke, those who'd slept well went to see how much damage there was, "We got off very lightly, Turaga." Nireta reported to Nokama and Anuenue, as they came to see how things were.
"That's good to know, and we'll be getting assistance from the other metru."
"It seems this was the only one to get hit by the storm." Anuenue added, stifling a snicker as Wotzit took great delight in rolling in a deep puddle while Rei barked at him.

While the Matoran continued the tidy up, the Turaga went to see how those who hadn't come to see how they could help were doing.

It was mid-morning when Anuenue reached Leus-sùl's home and tapped on the front door, after several minutes, the rainbow hued Turaga opened the door and entered. Feeling concerned, Anuenue headed for the Matoran's bedroom and lightly tapped the door.
Silently she then pushed the door open and saw Leus-sùl curled up on her bed, dark smudges under her eyes and she twitched and muttered in her sleep.
"Looks like someone had a very bad night." the Turaga of Colour thought, before silently closing the door and departed the Matoran's home to inform her elder sister.

...

A full day passed before Leus-sùl woke and was startled to find Slàna watching her from the doorway and even more surprised when she found out how long she'd been out cold for.
"Spirits, the last thing I remember was settling down after taking something for a headache and that it was quarter past two."
"Well come and get something to eat, you must be famished." the cobalt healer said, as Leus-sùl joined her and they went through to the living room.
"Ooh my fav." Leus-sùl exclaimed as she sat down and began to fill a bowl with fruit salad, then a chuckle from nearby made her jump and glance over to the window.
"Oh Turaga, I-I'm sorry. I didn't realize..." Leus-sùl stammered and would have stood up had Slàna not prevented her.
"It's alright, you need food more than anything else. Now tuck in, that's an order." Anuenue replied, her eyes glowing with amusement as she joined the Matoran.

"Spirits, you needed that." the Turaga chuckled when Leus-sùl finally put her cleaned bowl down and stifled a hiccup, blushing slightly as Slàna took the empty bowls away.
"Shall we go for a walk? That will help you clear away the cobwebs." Anuenue said when Slàna rejoined them, "What's a cobweb?" the pearly blue Matoran asked while they left her home and accompanied the rainbow hued Turaga.
"Oh, sorry. Meant to say fikou web." came the reply as Anuenue linked her free arm with Leus-sùl's and chuckled at her slip of the tongue.

As the trio headed towards a park, Slàna excused herself and went to inform Turaga Nokama of Leus-sùl's wakening.
Settling on a bench, the Turaga and Matoran watched the branches waving in the breeze then Leus-sùl glanced at the rainbow hued Turaga as she hummed one of Malie's tunes.
"When I fell asleep, I wondered if Kokua would like me to show her around the island of Mata Nui. Do you think that would be alright?" came the query as Turaga Anuenue glanced around when Leus-sùl tapped her arm.
Several minutes passed as the Turaga of Colour mulled over what Leus-sùl had asked, then she smiled, "That sounds like a good idea, though don't be surprised when Lewa insists on coming with you."
"And most of the shadow twins too." came the Toa of Twilight's voice as she joined them, "That sounds brilliant, thank you Turaga." the pearly blue Matoran replied before turning slightly pink when Anuenue whispered, "I'm glad you've calmed down about Lewa and Kokua. I'd noticed how much you like him."
Leus-sùl's mask turned crimson with embarrassment and she fidgeted before glancing up at the patient Turaga.
"I-I...It was wrong of me to be so foolish."
"Hey don't beat yourself up about it. When I was Toa, I kind of hoped to catch Lewa's eye myself." Anuenue said, a twinkle in her eye as Aikane settled on the grass and chuckled when Leus-sùl's eyes widened in surprise.
"That's true, even if you didn't get the chance to find out if you would get lucky." the violet hued Toa added before placing her hand into the shade.
The shadow twins who joined the trio agreed the idea sounded good and began to discuss who'd go with Lewa, Kokua and Leus-sùl.
"Well as none of you have been there, why don't you take turns?" Turaga Anuenue enquired, laughing as Malie's jumped on his brother and began tickling him.
"Ooo, brilliant thanks Colour-sis." the peridot hued shadow twin signed before he got sat on by Lewa's and Sheranu's.
Leaving the shadow twins to sort out their rota, Anuenue, Aikane and Leus-sùl went to find Lewa and Kokua to find out what they thought of the idea.

~*~

Sitting on the rocks overlooking a bay, Kokua, Solisha and Malie watched and listened fascinated, as the dermis turtles basked in the sunshine while Turaga Nokama told them about the gentle creatures.

"Turaga, turn-glance around slowly!" Malie suddenly signed, his, Solisha's and Kokua's gaze now focused on something behind her.
Carefully the blue hued Turaga glanced over her shoulder then activated her Rau as the dermis turtle grunted curiously while peering at her.
Very slowly, Nokama turned around to face the curious dermis turtle as it grunted again, *Why does the tall green one not chatter like the other green ones?*
*He's never spoken vocally, he uses his hands instead* Nokama replied as the sound of others carefully approaching reached them.
Glancing to where the Toa and Torahka were sat, Nokama saw Malie 'telling' Anuenue, Aikane and Leus-sùl what was happening.
"That's fantastic, it's so rare we can get so close to them." Leus-sùl whispered then hushed as Nokama beckoned to her rainbow hued sister.
While joining Nokama, Anuenue switched to her Rau and 'listened' as the dermis turtle enquired as to what the other land-dwellers were called.
*And this is my sister, Anuenue* Nokama finished then smiled at her sister, who chuckled quietly before bowing to the dermis turtle, who snorted with amusement.

*That looks interesting* came the dermis turtle's comment when Aikane used her Matatu to pass over the bag Nokama had placed above the tide line, and the Turaga of Water took out some fruit before passing the bag back.
*Would you like to try some?* Anuenue enquired, half listening to Aikane's whispered translation for Malie, Solisha, Kokua and Leus-sùl.
*Why thank you rainbow one. I'd like that* came the reply, as the other dermis turtles, Toa and Matoran watched.
Splitting a pear like fruit in half, Anuenue passed half to Nokama, then waited as her blue hued sister offered it to the eldest of the dermis turtles.
*It's tasty* the eldest dermis turtle grunted when she'd finished the half Anuenue offered her, *Thank you for sharing* she added before moving back to join the rest, who gathered around her to discuss what had occurred.
"That's our cue to head home." Nokama whispered to Anuenue, who nodded and as they moved to join Kokua, the Toa and Leus-sùl smiled as the dermis turtles began their curious singing.

"It's good to see you awake." Nokama said as she walked alongside Leus-sùl while Malie 'told' Aikane and Anuenue what Nokama had told them, as the group headed back to the park where the shadow twin were.
When Kokua heard of Leus-sùl's idea she turned to the Matoran, scooped her up and whirled her around.
"That would be lovely. Can Lewa come too?" the Torahka asked as she set Leus-sùl down, who then glanced at the Turaga of Colour when she chuckled.
"Told you." Anuenue commented before joining Kokua on the grass beside the shadow twins, who were now sitting in groups of three, watching their friends.
While the shadow twins told Kokua and Leus-sùl their rota, Aikane whispered to her twin, whom nodded then vanished into the tree's shadow.

Reappearing in Le-metru, Aikane's shadow twin apologized to Houjin while helping him pick up the dropped components for the Moto hub.
"Do you know where I may find Lewa?" she asked when the last piece was back in the box and her pale green and mint hued friend was thanking her for her assistance.
"I think he's with Turaga Matau talk-chatting about making a garden for Kokua." Houjin replied, grinning mischievously before heading for the nearest Ussal crab, who chirruped as he climbed on then, when he asked, scurried towards the Moto hub.
Chuckling softly, the violet shadow twin slipped back into the shadow and headed for Turaga Matau's home, as the afternoon shadows began to lengthen.

"I think-guess Kokua would love that choice of flowers." Turaga Matau's voice reached Aikane's shadow twin as she stepped out of the shadow cast by a tree and saw him and Lewa sitting on a bench.
"Shadow-sis, when did you arrive?" Lewa called out when he spotted the shadow twin approaching, chuckling mischievously she joined him and Matau then explained what was happening in Ga-metru.

"That sounds brilliant." the lanky Toa grinned, when Aikane's shadow twin finished and glanced at him, while the green hued Turaga snickered.
"You can head-go over there tomorrow." Matau said, when Lewa let Aikane's shadow twin take him arm and they started over to the deepening shadows.
"I can't wait to show-guide Kokua around Le-koro." came the reply before the pair vanished from sight.
Chuckling quietly, the Turaga of Air headed inside, and after eating his supper headed over to tell Sheranu and Malie what was happening.

It was fairly late when Turaga Nokama and Anuenue insisted that Lewa, Kokua and Leus-sùl went and rested.
"And if you don't..." the rainbow hued Turaga added, switching to her Komau and tapping it, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
Laughing happily, the trio headed for the spare bedroom and settled down, falling asleep not long after.

[Kokua aviatrix]

The next day dawned slightly overcast and as the sunlight filtered through the clouds, those who'd stayed in Turaga Anuenue's were up and chatting excitedly as they gathered in the kitchen.
"Can we start in Ga-koro?" Kokua asked, setting her beaker down and glancing hopefully at her closefriend, while Anuenue caught Leus-sùl's eye and they giggled when the Toa of Air turned pink.
"Er, yeah alright." Lewa managed to say when he got his composure back, while Aikane went into the living room to call the shadow twins.
Delighted, Kokua quickly moved to sit on Lewa's lap and curved her wings around them, hiding their faces for several minutes.
Giggles erupted from the kitchen while Turaga Anuenue and Leus-sùl joined Aikane and the shadow twins, Tein'a's nudged Lewa's as he and Kokua's blushed.
"Who's going to take us?" Leus-sùl asked, shifting the bag she carried to a more comfortable position.
"Gali's, Taka's and Sheranu's." Aikane's shadow twin grinned, as Lewa and Kokua entered the living room, the Toa of Air looking slightly dazed while his closefriend giggled softly.
Watching them hug, Leus-sùl stifled a sigh and lowered her gaze, wondering if she'd ever feel that happy, then jumped as the rainbow hued Turaga squeezed her shoulder, understanding in her dark aqua eyes.
"Let's go into the garden." Turaga Nokama said, watching from the doorway as the shadow twins shifted to make space for her to get to a chair.
"More space-room too." Malie's signed, grinning as those nearest the door leading into the garden tried to open it together, Reshana's laughed as Ferinus's and Hakinu's pulled faces at each other then let her open the door.

"Can we go-travel there soon?" Sheranu's asked when they'd spread out into the garden, chatting excitedly, "Oh brother!" Malie's signed as Solisha's laughed at something Gali's had just told her.
"Take care and have fun." the Turaga of Colour chuckled, after Kokua had hugged her and Nokama before joining Lewa, Leus-sùl and the shadow twins.

Over in Ta-metru, Turaga Vakama glanced up from his writing as a shiver went down his spine. Putting his pen down, the Turaga of Fire moved to glanced out his study window, "Something is going to happen, but what?" he wondered.

While Turaga Vakama pondered what he'd felt, Nokama, Anuenue and Aikane were talking about of Ga-koro while they returned to the living room.

When a cooling breeze swirled around them, Lewa, Kokua and Leus-sùl opened their eyes and the Matoran giggled as she glanced around at her old home.
"It's beautiful." Kokua murmured as she turned around to get the full view, while Sheranu's shadow twin agreed.
The group then followed Leus-sùl as she led them over to the remaining huts, happily telling Kokua about life in Ga-koro.
No one sensed they were being watched from the shadow of the shadowy depths of the nearby bushes, there was a muted hiss before the illusion Rahkshi vanished to inform its' master of the freak's, Toa's and Matoran's arrival.

"Here, this is where I used to live." the pearly blue Matoran called out as she dashed into one of the empty huts.
"The roof is still intact, you could stay here tonight." Gali's shadow twin remarked, grinning as Takanuva's attempted to push Sheranu's into the nearby stream.
The glance Kokua gave Lewa had Leus-sùl wondering if she should check out the hut next door and she whispered that suggestion to Gali's shadow twin as Sheranu's dragged Takanuva's into the stream with him.
"We can see if the guest huts are intact." the blue shadow twin murmured, ignoring her golden brother's yell for help as Kokua's musical laughter rang out over the bay.

By the time evening came, the group had collected plenty of food and, with the flint like stones Sheranu's shadow twin had found, got a fire burning outside the two huts they'd picked to rest in.
"The fish smells delicious-tasty." Lewa commented while the shadow twins took turns basting the fish with the herbs Leus-sùl had collected, then chuckled as his and Kokua's stomachs rumbled loudly.
"Well there's plenty for all." the pearly blue Matoran giggled as Kokua nudged her closefriend in the ribs before he began tickling her wings until she was gasping for breath.

Back in Ga-metru, Turaga Anuenue had received a curious message from Ko-metru, glancing at Ehrye, she nodded, "I'll return with you."
Hiding a smile as her 'younger' sister and Ehrye headed for the chute station, Turaga Nokama let her gaze drift in the direction of Le-metru.

~*~

"Thanks for coming, Turaga Anuenue. You're to just go in." Matoro said as the rainbow hued Turaga and her guide reached Ko-metrus' main square and joined the interpreter outside the Turaga of Ice's home.
Curious Turaga Anuenue entered Nuju's and went through to the living room, "Brother, where are you?" she called, then smiled as a whistle came from his study.
Entering Nuju's study, Anuenue smiled at him, then moved closer to the icy Turaga as he watched her, "I'm glad you could come." Nuju clicked softly, reaching out to take Anuenue's hand before leading her over to the couch.
When he was satisfied that she was comfy, Nuju turned back to his deck and picked up something Anuenue couldn't see, sipping at the mug of hot bula berry juice she wondered what Nuju had planned.
Returning to sit beside his rainbow hued sister, the Turaga of Ice found he felt extremely nervous as he watched Anuenue as she put her mug down.
"Dear heart, it would bring me great joy if you would be my closefriend." he whistled softly, a faint blush tinting his mask as he gazed at Anuenue.
"Oh Nuju, I will." came the whispered reply, as a similar shade of pink spread across Anuenue's mask, then Nuju reached out to clasp her hands in his.

Half an hour passed before Nuju took out the object he'd hidden from Anuenue's curious gaze, then he smiled while fastening the bracelet around her wrist.
"Oh it's beautiful, thank you." the rainbow hued Turaga murmured, moving closer to hug her closefriend while her colours shifted to match his.

Hugging Anuenue, Nuju found he couldn't begin to express just how her acceptance made him feel, and then when she whispered something, nodded his agreement before they stood up and went through to the living room.
Watching his closefriend as she glanced around at the walls and ceiling, Nuju found he could not keep the smile from his mask as the Turaga of Colour's mask activated.

As he watched, the colour of the walls shifted to a myriad of cool blues while the ceiling changed to match the night sky over Ko-metru.
"Is it alright?" Anuenue asked, still gazing up at the ceiling, then giggled as Nuju hugged her tightly, "It's beautiful, just like you." he whistled before insisting she sat on the couch then he hurried into the kitchen.
A few minutes later the Turaga of Ice returned with a tray which had several dishes of fruit, ice crystals and a small jug of cream.
After placing it down, Nuju sat back beside Anuenue and watched as she finished knotting several ice blue strands together before managing to produce an extra long one which she hung the 'snowflake' on.

While the Turaga of Colour was fastening her gift around the Turaga of Ice's neck, formally accepting him as her closefriend, over on the island of Mata Nui supper had finished and the group had been joined by Kopaka's, Amaya's and Hakinu's shadow twins and there was now a small party going.
"Can't wait to see Ga-wahi by daylight. Where will you be going next?" the fiery shadow twin asked, sitting beside Leus-sùl, who yawned and lent against him falling asleep soon after.
"I'm going to show featherheart around my former home-realm." Lewa replied, grinning as a flower was tucked into his mask.

The watching figures in the darkness nudged each other then vanished to prepare the trap.

"Thought you might like to know, Nuju and Anuenue are now closefriends." Kopaka's shadow twin said while Hakinu's lifted the sleeping Matoran up and carried her into the nearest hut.
"Fantastic. We'll have to take something back for them." Kokua smiled then yawned before giggling as Lewa hugged her.
Watching as he and the Torahka made their way to the second hut, Gali's shadow twin began to cover the dying fire with sand while Takanuva's and Amaya’s wandered over to join Hakinu's as he sat on the hut steps.
"Only one moon, it seems odd-strange after being in Metru Nui." Sheranu's shadow twin commented as he joined Kopaka's, who was gazing around at the, now moonlit, area, a chuckle came from the icy shadow twin as they were joined by Gali's.
"Just wait until Tein'a sees Ko-wahi." he replied moving to sit on the steps of the hut occupied by Lewa and Kokua, glancing around curiously as giggling erupted from inside.
Smiling happily, Gali's nestled against Kopaka's and between them; they began to tell Sheranu's about the constellations he could now see.

Halfway through the night, the watchers returned, hissing quietly to each other they crept to the back of the huts and glared at the sleeping figures.
'Still as ugly as ever.' Lerahk hissed, when the Rahkshi were out of earshot of the quietly talking shadow twins.
'Uglier, when did the freak grow wings?' came the illusions Rahkshi's reply as the trio jumped into flight mode and headed for Le-wahi.

~*~

Still wondering about the uneasy feeling he'd experianced, the Turaga of Fire decided to go over to Ga-metru as the feeling seemed to have come from there.
On reaching the Ga-metru main station, Turaga Vakama headed for his sisters homes to speak with them.

It was midday when he reached the main square and spotted Nokama chatting with Aikane, Hahli and Solisha, all were smiling and laughing about something.
"Brother, you're just in time for lunch." the blue hued Turaga called out as she caught sight of Vakama approaching, "And some joyful news too." Aikane smiled before blinking curiously at the look in Vakama's eyes. For some reason it made her feel anxious, so much so that she excused herself and hurried back to her home.

"Shadow sis, please take me to Tahu." the violet hued Toa asked, shivering as her shadow twin glanced up as she entered the living room.
Silently, Aikane's shadow twin nodded, moved to her real self's side and hugged her, then as Aikane closed her eyes the shadow twin led her into the nearest shadow, just as someone tapped on the door.

Appearing in Tahu's, the shadow twin glanced to where Tahu and Dume had paused in their conversation while Aikane shivered, still feeling anxious, but not unsure as to why.
"I'll see you later, Tahu." the red and black Turaga's voice penetrated the Toa of Twilight's anxiety and she hurried over to where Tahu stood and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, burying her mask against his neck.

"Where's Anuenue?" Vakama asked, when they'd moved through to the garden and Solisha brought lunch out to them.
"With Nuju, he's finally asked her to be his closefriend." Nokama replied while Solisha said she'd come back later, "Are you alright, brother?" the blue hued Turaga then enquired.
While they ate, Vakama quietly told her what he'd experienced earlier that day, "Has anything unusual happened since the storm?" the red hued Turaga asked while lifting his beaker up.
"No, not what you'd call unusual, but Lewa and Kokua have gone with Leus-sùl and the shadow twins on a trip around the island of Mata Nui." came Nokama's reply while she finished her desert and pondered on her fiery brother's unease.

Leading his closefriend over to the couch, Tahu hugged Aikane as she clung to him, rubbing her back until she slowly began to relax while he murmured soothingly.

Meanwhile her shadow twin left them alone and went to Ko-metru to let Anuenue know that Vakama was wondering where she was.
Appearing from the shadow of a knowledge tower, the violet hued shadow twin glanced in the direction of Turaga Nuju's then decided to seek out Tein'a's shadow twin instead.
Peering out of the shadow cast by a large pile of snow and ice, she watched as Tein'a's shadow twin listened to the Matoran, then copied the manoeuvre he'd been shown.
"You're getting it." Luhi commented then both glanced around as a violet figure appeared close to the practice area and waved to them.

While Luhi and Tein'a's shadow twin skied over to join Aikane's as she moved to sit on a bench, the Turaga of Ice and Colour had finished their light lunch and decided to go for a walk.
"We should go and let our brothers and sisters know." Anuenue murmured when they paused to watch the sunlight shimmering through a collection of ice carvings.
"Later, for now it's just us dear heart." Nuju clicked softly before leading his closefriend towards the best view of the snowfields, neither realizing that Aikane's and Tein'a's shadow twins were talking with Luhi about them.

Listening to their footsteps as they walked through a light frosting over the snow covered area before the snowfields, Anuenue suddenly giggled, "If Wotzit was here, he'd be digging through this quite happily."
A chuckled came from Nuju then he and Anuenue glanced up when Luhi called out a greeting as he spotted them.
"Oh colour-sis, Nuju congratulations." Tein'a's grinned as the Turaga of Colour blushed slightly then poked him in the ribs.
"Don't suppose you'd give us a trip over to Ga-metru?" she then asked Aikane's while Turaga Nuju spoke with Luhi and the icy shadow twin.
"I'd be delighted, mind if we go via Tahu's? Aikane asked me to take her over, something Vakama said worried her." the violet shadow twin replied, kneeling to hug Anuenue.

[Kokua aviatrix]

Ryuu stretched and watched as his red and violet tall friends as they hugged and quietly talked, then peeped eagerly when Tahu stood up.
"We're not the only ones feeling hungry." the fiery Toa chuckled, watching Ryuu as he jumped from the chair over to the couch back and lent his chin on Aikane's shoulder.
While the small Hikaki slipped from the back of the couch and nudged Aikane's arm until she began to stroke his wings, Tahu went through to the kitchen and got busy.

Listening to Tahu's movements in the kitchen as she continued to make a fuss of Ryuu, Aikane wondered why the expression in Vakama's eyes had scared her so badly.
Suddenly the small Hikaki glanced to the centre of the living room, chirped happily then nudged the Toa's hand, insisting that she carried on rubbing his wings.
As she resumed amusing Ryuu, Aikane sensed her 'elder' sister and Nuju were coming with hers and Tein'a's shadow twins, before she could call to her closefriend the group moved from the shadow.
"Are you feeling alright sis? We heard that you had a scare." Anuenue asked, moving to sit with her violet hued sister while Ryuu chirruped a greeting then moved to rub his head on Nuju's arm.
"A little better." came the quiet reply before both glanced in the direction of Ga-metru.
"Turaga, we'll pop back later to see if you need us." Aikane's shadow twin whispered to the white hued Turaga before she and Tein'a's stepped into the shadow and vanished to meet Solisha's.

As day turned into evening on Metru Nui and those in Tahu's returned to Gali's, over on the island of Mata Nui dawn was slowly breaking and the shadow twins had been joined by Reshana's, Tein'a's and Tahu's.
"When we reach Le-wahi, we'll let the lovebirds have some time alone and show Hakinu and Tein'a around where our real selves used to live." Tahu's grinned while Gali's stirred the fire's embers and carefully added sticks until there was enough heat to toast the rolls, Reshana's had brought with her.
"It's so peaceful here, I'm glad Leus-sùl suggested this trip." Kokua whispered, nestling closer to Lewa as he stretched then rubbed his eyes.
"But we must stay a clear-safe distance from the swamp." came the Air Toa's reply as he tried to sit up, only to be tackled by his giggling closefriend.

"Hey, guys come on or Leus-sùl'll eat everything!" Hakinu's shadow twin called from outside the window.
When helpless giggling came from the hut, the fiery shadow twin rejoined the others and dodged the piece of seaweed Leus-sùl lobbed at him, "I'll get you for that." she laughed, before sorting the food into three dishes.

"While you're going around Le-wahi, we're going to show Tein'a's and Hakinu's shadow twins around Ko- and Ta-wahi." Kopaka's grinned when Lewa asked what they'd be getting up to.
"And we'll return to Metru Nui." Gali's added while their friends continued their breakfast, "Sounds like fun." Kokua replied, her feathers ruffling in the fresh breeze.
"And I feel like flying." she added with a giggle.
Shortly after, everyone was ready and as the shadow twins departed, Kokua gave Leus-sùl a boost onto Lewa's back then both took off heading for Le-wahi.
Soaring through the clear air, Kokua listened fascinated as her closefriend told her about how he'd first arrived on Mata Nui.

Half an hour later, they landed on a, still sturdy, platform and Leus-sùl jumped down while Lewa started eagerly pointing out places of interest, "There's where our prank-happy Turaga lived and over here..."
The pearly blue Matoran giggled, then slowly followed Lewa as he led Kokua in the direction of the Le-Suva.
When they were out of sight, the illusion Rahkshi dropped from where it had hidden and, keeping to the shadows, headed for the area where they'd set the trap.

"You had a shrine dedicated to you....wow!" the Torahka murmured, eyes wide as she glanced around the remains of the building where Lewa's Nuva symbol had rested.
Smiling at her response, the Toa of Air moved to hug his closefriend, while Leus-sùl smiled and left them alone.

"Turaga Nokama said that Anuenue first appeared in Le-wahi. Can we go there before exploring Ko-wahi?" the hybrid asked when they rejoined the pearly blue Matoran and shared a drink.
"Don't see why not, it's a dry-clear place." her lanky closefriend replied, tickling Leus-sùl until she turned purple with laughter.

Bio away, the dark spirit chuckled grimly, "You know what to do Lachrahk." he quietly growled watching the image he'd called up.
Turning to where Lerahk and several other Rahkshi were finishing preparations, Makuta smiled coldly, "Just when you think something is useless, you find out the opposite." he thought, absently spinning a part of his substance into a small sphere.

Landing in the clearing and setting Leus-sùl down, Lewa grinned as his closefriend looked around in wonder.
"They are so tall!" she murmured, craning her head back in an attempt to see the tree tops before following Lewa as he started towards the place where he'd met Sherrie and Wotzit.

Silently, hidden in the thick undergrowth the Rahkshi of sleep followed the trio as they unknowingly headed for the trap.

When they reached the clearing where Lewa had met their friends, the group sat and shared some dried fruit, then Lewa's attention was caught by something amongst the trees.
"Wait-stay here, I've just spotted something nice-tasty." the Air Toa grinned as he stood up and headed for the near by trees.

Chuckling happily, Kokua glanced at Leus-sùl as she yawned, "Thanks *yawn* for suggesting this trip." the hybrid said as she also began yawning.
Hidden from view, Lewa glanced around puzzled, "Could have sworn I saw-spotted a lezah nut bush." he muttered.
Unseen the illusion Rahkshi snapped a twig, then when Lewa glanced warily in its' direction, watched as Tosdrahk appeared from its' hiding place and its' armour opened to reveal the shadow kraata inside.
The Toa Nuva stiffened and tried to shout a warning but wasn't quick enough to beat the infection taking control of him.

Back in the clearing, Cadalrahk hissed with amusement as the Torahka and Matoran slumped against each other while trying to stay awake.
"Wha... Rahk...." Kokua mumbled as the maroon Rahkshi approached before she succumbed to the sleep Rahkshi's power, Leus-sùl already out cold.

~*~

Over in Ga-metru, Lewa's and Kokua's shadow twins were chatting eagerly with Aikane, Tahu, Gali, Nokama and Matau, when first the Air Toa's shadow twin fell silent, eyes staring blankly into space.
Meanwhile Kokua's began yawning and turned drowsily to her friends, "Rahk..." she managed to whisper before fading from sight, now sound asleep.
"Call the others." Turaga Matau said to Aikane as anxious murmurs went around the room, then they jumped as Lewa's shadow twin mimicked what his real self was doing and began to walk into the wall.

~*~

When Tosdrahk and Lachrahk joined Cadalrahk, they hissed delighted that all had gone as planned, then glanced at the captives.
Lewa had followed the Rahkshi and stood there, blank eyed, waiting for orders, gesturing to him, the sleep Rahkshi mimed lifting Kokua up and as the infected Toa moved to obey, it jumped into flight mode and watched as he placed the hybrid into its' lap.

~*~

"This must be what Vakama sensed." Nokama murmured, watching the shadow twin as he mimicked Lewa's flight.
"Indeed, I'll go and have a word then find Nuju and Anuenue." Tahu said, switching to his Kakama and squeezed Aikane's shoulder before leaving the bedroom.

...

"Turaga, Turaga come quick!" Tahu's voice called out as he raced into Anuenue's home.
To his surprise, she and Nuju were nestled together on the couch and hastily jumped apart looking startled and turning pink.
As their fiery brother explained, the Turaga regained their composure then all three hurried back to Gali's.

"The shadow twins are searching for them." Aikane said, moving to hug her rainbow hued sister when the trio entered the bedroom.
Nodding, Anuenue glanced anxiously to where Lewa's shadow twin lay still, gazing blankly into space, "I hope they find them before the Rahkshi do something."
"Or if not them..." Vakama's worried reply made Aikane shiver and move to Tahu's side.
"Sorry Aikane, I didn't consider my words." the fiery Turaga murmured, reaching out to squeeze her arm before glancing at the oblivious shadow twin.
"It's alright." the violet hued Toa whispered, leaning against her closefriend as he hugged her reassuringly.
“All we can do is wait and hope that the Great Spirits watch over them.” Turaga Nuju whistled and clicked, before following Nokama through to the living room.
“Shouldn’t one of us keep a watch-eye on Lewa’s shadow twin?” Matau said then jumped as Anuenue’s shadow twin emerged from the shadow cast by a lightstone, “You try and rest, real bro, I’ll watch my shadow brother.”
Nodding his thanks, the Turaga of Air went to join the others in the living room.

~*~

Kokua's senses returned and she slowly realized that she was firmly tied to a large stone slab; even her wings were bound tightly.
A flicker of green caught her eyes and she managed to turn her head and saw Lewa standing beside a small cage which held the still unconscious form of Leus-sùl, his mask strangely mottled and eyes gazing blankly as he stood at attention.
"L-lewa." the hybrid whispered, then fell silent as she picked up the sounds of beings approaching.
When the owners of the footsteps entered, Kokua felt fear shoot through her as several Rahkshi moved to surround her closefriend and the pearly blue Matoran while the towering form of Makuta moved to stand over her.

A sinister smile moved across the dark spirit's mask, "Hello freak, nice to see you're awake in time for the experiment."
"It's pointless to fight, but please carry on. It's much more fun." the Makuta commented as Kokua began to thrash helplessly, trying to free herself.
While the Torahka struggled against her bonds, Leus-sùl slowly regained consciousness and sat up, nearly bashing her head on the cage, watching horrified as the dark spirit pulled out what seemed to be a tiny black/green ball of dark light.
Exhausted by her attempts, Kokua gasped for breath as Makuta placed the dark light on her midriff then, smiling evilly, held his hands over her waist.
Dark energy flowed from his hands and flowed around Kokua before it focused on the black/green sphere, which seemed to glow sinisterly as the energy merged together.
Then both began to sink into Kokua's midriff and though she fought not to make a noise, helpless screams ripped from her as unendurable pain ripped through her body.
"NO! Kokua. Lewa you must help her!" Leus-sùl cried to the stationary Toa as the Torahka began thrashing wildly while the dark energy and sphere slowly merged with her.
The screams from the hybrid grew louder as Leus-sùl repeatedly tried to get Lewa to respond, then faded to moans as Kokua lost consciousness.
Before she could try again, Leus-sùl felt something poking her in the back and found that though she was still screaming, no sound was coming from her mouth.
By now the black/green sphere and dark energy had vanished completely into the Torahka and the dark spirit was smiling malevolently at her unconscious form.
"You, guard the prisoner and freak, Lerahk will help you." he growled before sweeping out the room, the other Rahkshi behind him.
At those words, Lewa bowed to the dark spirit then took his Air-katana out and moved to face the cage Leus-sùl was in, his blank stare showing her that he was unaware of whom he faced.

Lerahk was busy staring at Kokua, its' eyes narrowing from time to time, before it turned to the opening and hissed for several minutes.
Hissing came from outside, then the maroon Rahkshi peered around the edge and made a strange coughing sound.
While they continued their conversation, Kokua's senses returned and she listened while pain racked her, as to what they were 'talking' about.
'Think master will let us play with the freak when he's finished with her?'
Unaware that Kokua had regained consciousness, Leus-sùl peered anxiously at the Toa of Air as he stood in front of the cage, blades at the ready to strike should she try anything, then felt tears trickling down her mask.

[Kokua aviatrix]

A sudden groan distracted Leus-sùl from her attempts to snap Lewa back to awareness while avoiding his Air-katana.
Glancing over to where Kokua lay, she stifled a scream as she realized her friend's midriff was slowly expanding as she watched.
Excited hissing came from Lerahk and Cadalrahk before the maroon Rahkshi hurried from the cavern as Kokua's moaning turned to agonized screams.

In the short time that passed until the Rahkshi returned with the dark spirit, Kokua's screams grew so loud that all in the cavern were covering their ears, while small bits of rock fell from the ceiling.
Makuta growled, the sound going unheard, then gestured to the Rahkshi of silence, swiftly the grey/black Rahkshi moved over to Kokua's thrashing form and rested its' staff against her throat.
By now the Torahka's midriff was three times as big and when the silence Rahkshi activated its' staff, Makuta smiled sinisterly as something inside Kokua moved.
Silence fell suddenly, causing those present to rub their ears with relief, even Lewa, infected as he was, looked relieved.
"Nearly ready." Makuta growled, his eyes glowing maliciously as Kokua continued to thrash, unaware of her audience or that she now made no sound.
"You. Hold the freak's head." the dark spirit commanded, gesturing to the infected Toa, whom put his Air-katana away then moved to do as ordered.
Again Leus-sùl tried to scream, while Makuta reached out to place a hand on Kokua's distended midriff then smiled wickedly before using a claw to score a line down the bulge.
Suddenly the Torahka stiffened then went limp, a thin line of blood trickling from her bitten mouth while the dark spirit cut deeper, his eyes glowing with malicious interest.

Unable to cope with what she could see, Leus-sùl collapsed to the cage floor as her senses fled.

A strange hiss broke the silence and Makuta laughed sinisterly while telekinetically lifting the kraata from its' unwilling carrier before crudely healing her wound, not caring what further damage had been wrought.
"Take our 'guests' to their quarters." he said to the Rahkshi, glancing maliciously at the unconscious Torahka and Matoran before turning to Lewa.
The large kraata hissed again, wanting to know its' purpose.
"Your little closefriend will be scared when she wakes, comfort her and pay no attention to the winged freak." Makuta told the lanky Toa before he and Lerahk left the cavern, the dark spirit replying to the kraata's question.

Bowing, Lewa watched his master leaving then turned to open the cage and gently lifted the limp form of Leus-sùl while Tosdrahk and Cadalrahk undid the ropes fastening Kokua to the slab.
Cradling the one he thought was his closefriend, Lewa followed the Rahkshi and their limp burden until they entered a small room and dumped the hybrid in a corner before gesturing that he should sit down.
Settling down on the ground, the infected Toa gently shifted Leus-sùl's unconscious form to rest against his chest then began to stroke her mask, he didn't even twitch when Cadalrahk slammed the door closed.
'Stupid fool. Come on let's see if Master's new armour has formed.' Tosdrahk hissed and the pair hurried to rejoin the other Rahkshi and the dark spirit.

At the Kini Nui, the shadow twins regrouped, "Any trace?" the Turaga of Colour's asked anxiously, "Not on the surface, we'll check the caves, tunnels and down there." Tahu's replied, gesturing to the entrance to Mangaia.
Anuenue's nodded then all vanished into the shade cast by a fallen pillar.

Several minutes passed, then the dusky Great Spirit appeared, her eyes livid with rage as she glared around at the surroundings.

Back in Ga-metru, those in Gali's listened as Anuenue's shadow twin explained what the others were doing.
"How's Lewa's shadow twin?" she asked having finished speaking and spent several minutes watching the others.
"Still unresponsive to us. At the moment he's hugging a pillow and acting like he's comforting someone." her real self sighed, moving to stare out the window before sitting beside Reshana and Ferinus.

~*~

A gentle sensation of something brushing against her mask slowly roused Leus-sùl, opening her eyes she found herself lent against the Toa of Air's chest as he continued to brush his fingers over her Matatu, his eyes gazing blankly at her.
"Where's Kokua, is she alright?" the Matoran managed to whisper, attempting to look around the room.
Leus-sùl managed to catch a glimpse of a wing before Lewa placed his hand under her chin and turned her mask to his.

Sudden pain awoke Kokua and as she cried out, the Torahka saw Leus-sùl trying to free herself from Lewa's arms, "Let me help her!" the pearly blue Matoran cried, struggling as the infected Toa shifted further from where Kokua lay, carrying Leus-sùl with him.

"L-leus-sùl, Lewa.... ooooh." Kokua's pain filled moan before she lapsed back into unconsciousness made the Matoran burst into tears as she tried to free herself from Lewa's arms.
A low murmur made her freeze then glance up at the infected Toa, "Comfort closefriend, ignore the winged freak." he muttered repeatedly while brushing Leus-sùl's tears away.
This comment only served to make the Matoran cry harder as she wondered where the shadow twins were.

Not long after heavy footsteps approached the cell and Leus-sùl tried again to break from Lewa's grasp as those outside stopped.
The door opened to show two Rahkshi and, to Leus-sùl's horror, the ungainly armoured form of the dark spirit, in a set of armour practically identical to what he'd worn before getting crushed as Takutanuva.
A scream of pure terror came from the Matoran as Makuta and the Rahkshi entered the room and he glared at the hybrid before turning to where Lewa gazed up at him, awaiting further orders, while Leus-sùl redoubled her efforts to escape from his arms.
"Hold her." the dark spirit growled, gesturing to the grey/black and maroon Rahkshi flanking him while silently ordering the Toa of Air to let the terrified Matoran go.

As soon as Lewa's grasp loosened, Leus-sùl fell to the floor and scrambled away from the approaching Rahkshi until she slammed into the wall, stunning herself on a protruding rock.
Grabbing the stunned Matoran's arms, the Rahkshi dragged her back to Makuta, then as she tried to clear her head the dark spirit chuckled maliciously while reaching out to touch her mask.
"It's time you had this back." he growled, returning the stolen nightmare.
As a wail of shock and despair came from the Matoran, who lay where the Rahkshi dropped her, Makuta laughed and left, the Rahkshi hissing with amusement as they slammed the door and locked it.
Still under the order to comfort the one he thought was his closefriend, Lewa moved to lift Leus-sùl up, and then followed when she ran over to Kokua's side, begging the unconscious Torahka for forgiveness.
Several moments later he scooped the pearly blue Matoran up and carried her back to where he'd sat before then gently rocked the distraught Matoran as she relived the nightmare.

Unseen by those in the cell, Onua's shadow twin swore under his breath, then silently called to his brothers and sisters.
Within moments, several had joined him and listened in anger as the ebon shadow twin related what he'd seen and heard.
"We'll get Kokua first, Lewa may be a problem being infected, and spirits only know what he showed Leus-sùl." Aikane's growled angrily, having spotted the red raw scar running down the Torahka's midriff.

Nodding, Onua's, Ferinus's, Amaya's and Gali's shadow twins moved into the shadowy cell and cautiously watched Lewa while kneeling around Kokua.
When the infected Toa didn't react, they gently took hold of the unconscious Torahka and slowly moved back into the shadows taking Kokua with them.
Nodding to the other shadow twins, those carrying Kokua departed, swiftly heading for the healers and their worried real selves.
Then Aikane turned her gaze to where Leus-sùl wept, still held tightly by the blank eyed Air Toa.
"It's a rotten-nasty thing to say, but won't his being infected give some protection from our home-realm?" Sheranu asked after they spent several minutes Lewa as he rocked the weeping Matoran.
"True and Leus-sùl's eyes are so swollen I'm not too surprised that she didn't react to our brothers and sisters appearance and disappearance." came Kopaka's shadow twin's reply, as he still watched his airhead brother's real self, angered by what had been done to all three and knowing his fellow shadow twins felt the same way.

"Do it, Do it NOW!" a musical voice whispered suddenly, startling the shadow twins, who looked at each other, then swiftly, entered the cell.
Moving quickly to surround Lewa and Leus-sùl, they reached out to clasp his and her arms before covering their eyes and vanishing into the shadows.

"Go to the hospital. Gali, Aikane and my real self are there with the healers." Anuenue's called out as she raced along side the shadow twin Toa, while they continued to make sure the real brother and friend couldn't see their surroundings.

~*~

"Thank the spirits you got them out!" the familiar voice of Gali broke through Leus-sùl's tormented thoughts and she managed to focus on the Water Toa.

Glancing up from Leus-sùl, Lewa growled suddenly as the order to comfort his 'closefriend' altered to 'protect her' and he tightened his grasp until she cried out in pain.
Wincing at the pearly Matoran's distress, Gali nodded to Reshana and Solisha who both summoned a healing mist.
Adding her own power to it, the Toa Nuva watched as the mist swirled around Lewa's mask then spread to cover him and the semi conscious Matoran completely.

In another room, the healers were busy removing the damaged tissue from Kokua's midriff and re-stitching the wound.
When they has finished and were tidying up, Lakino was the first to speak, "We should tell the Turaga."
"Anuenue'll be livid." Cùram replied, "That's one Kazahni of an understatement." Slàna added while fastening the bandages around Kokua's midriff.

As Lewa's eyes flickered closed, an expression of horror crossed his Miru, then he slumped back releasing Leus-sùl, who rolled to one side.
Quietly, Solisha lifted the Matoran up and placed her on a nearby bed while the others made sure Lewa was comfortable.
They were joined by Turaga Anuenue, the rainbow hued Turaga looking as though she wanted to do someone serious damage.
"Onua's shadow twin told me." she said while checking on Lewa then moving to see Leus-sùl, reaching out to place a blanket over the Matoran just as her eyes opened.
Terrified, she gazed at those watching, then her mask crumpled as she burst into tears again, "Tricked, used." the pearly blue Matoran whimpered, catching the Turaga of Colour's hand and holding tightly as she shook.
Pushing her rage away, Anuenue sat beside Leus-sùl and rubbed her back while murmuring softly to her.
"I'll call you when Lewa rouses. Please find out how Kokua is." the rainbow hued Turaga asked as Leus-sùl timidly nestled closer to her, still fearful of what Anuenue would say when she found out.
"Don't speak yet, just let it out." Anuenue whispered when the pearly blue Matoran attempted to speak but only managed a stammering sentence that she couldn't finish.

"May we come in?" Gali asked, she, Solisha and Reshana watching from the door as the healers, with help from Kopaka and Turaga Nuju, finished settling Kokua on a bed in the large airy room they'd shifted her to.
"Yes, please. There's something we need to tell you." Lakino said, straightening up and stifling a yawn, as it was the middle of the night and all were exhausted.
Moving to join the healer, the Water Toa exchanged worried glances with her closefriend and Turaga Nuju.
"What ever happened to Kokua we don't yet know, but the damage may mean she'll never be able to have children." Lakino whispered, rubbing her Pakari wearily.
"Oh spirits, they'll be devastated." Gali murmured, reaching out to hug Slàna when she shivered, "I'm dreading Turaga Anuenue finding out. She's all ready to break someone's head." the cobalt healer replied.

Upon hearing what the bespectacled healer said, Rhya left the room unnoticed, white-hot rage clouding her judgment. Before she knew what she was doing she was storming along a dank corridor, pulling out a shining glaive as she strode, eyes narrowed as she strode towards her destination.

[Kokua aviatrix]

She burst out into an unfamiliar cavern where an all too familiar figure was leaning against a stone slab, his back to her.
"You," she growled, pointing her weapon at him.
"Why sister, you look good, considering I thought you to be dead" the armoured being said silkily, back still to the dusky spirit, who stiffened, shifting her grip on the staff.
"Don't you ever call me sister again!"
The shadowy spirit turned to face her, raising an eyebrow as he did.
"Now sis, careful where you point that thing," he drawled, shoving it aside as he drew closer to Rhya. "Somebody could get hurt again, and this time our brother is not around to save you."
"The only one that needs saving, brother is you," Rhya snarled, thrusting her glaive up into his face, stopping millimetres from it.
"This isn't about that freak is it?" Makuta asked sounding amused, "Really sis, isn't it about time you minded your own business?"

~*~

While rocking Leus-sùl, the rainbow hued Turaga's gaze drifted to where Lewa lay, twitching in his sleep.
"Oh Airhead, why do these things keep happening to you?" she wondered as Leus-sùl began hiccupping then managed to accept the beaker of water Anuenue offered her.
"Shhhh, just sip it slowly." came the gentle comment when the pearly blue Matoran tried to speak again.
"Lewa should sleep for the rest of the night and you should try and get some too." Anuenue murmured several minutes later while trying to stifle a yawn.
Though unsure she could, Leus-sùl nestled closer to the rainbow hued Turaga and after a few times of twitching awake, slipped into sleep.

...

Towards daybreak, a glow appeared in the room where Kokua, and those watching over her, slept and resolved itself into the dusky form of Rhya Nui.
The blue/silver Great Spirit looked exhausted and there were deep scratches on her armour.
Silently she moved to kneel beside the bed and held her hand over Kokua's midriff, "Oh winged singer." she whispered, sorrow in her eyes, then he lowered her hand and stood up.

"Uh... Rhya, is everything alright?" came the sleepy voice of Lakino, glancing around, the dusky Great Spirit smiled as the sky blue healer pushed her glasses back into place and blinked drowsily.
"Go back to sleep. I only wished to see how Kokua was." Rhya Nui replied, her eyes glowing brightly as she silently coaxed the half awake Matoran to return to sleep.
When Lakino was asleep, Rhya was about to depart when a low murmur came from Kokua.
"Mmm.... Lewa, Lewa don't leave me." the sleeping hybrid murmured reaching out, her hand seeking the touch of her closefriend.

In the room where Leus-sùl and Turaga Anuenue slept, Lewa was also asleep, but he thrashed around the bed, his dreams tormented by what he'd been powerless to prevent.

Appearing in that room, Rhya watched the lanky Toa as he silently wept, then moved to shake his arm.
Sitting up with a gasp, Lewa glanced around shocked, then as tears streamed down his Miru found himself being hugged by the dusky Great Spirit.
"She's calling for you." a silent whisper made Lewa stiffen then look up at Rhya, he was startled to see how tired the blue/silver Great Spirit looked and was about to say something when Rhya smiled.
"I'll take you to her, then rest. Kokua needs you, more now than ever." she whispered, before they vanished from that room and reappeared in the first one.
When Lewa saw Kokua, half propped up, wings partly opened to show several treated lacerations, he shuddered and would have fled the room had Rhya Nui not held his arm.

"Lewa... Lewa, don't leave me..." the sleeping Torahka murmured, her hand still reaching out.
"Go on." the dusky Great Spirit whispered, nudging the lanky Toa.
Hesitantly, Lewa moved to the bedside and, as thought it was made of glass, took Kokua's outstretched hand.
"Mmm... My love... My heart." a contented murmur came from Kokua, as her fingers closed around his hand.
Using some of her remaining energy, Rhya Nui moved a chair over so that Lewa could sit down, then, when he'd thanked her, slowly vanished from sight.
Sitting there, listening to those sleeping, Lewa gazed at his closefriend, then rested his head on the bed and slowly drifted back to sleep, soothed by Kokua's hand around his.

…

The suns were well risen when those in the recovery room began to wake.
Lakino was first to rouse, rubbing her eyes the sky blue healer moved to peer at the sleeping Air Toa then smiled as Gali and Cùram as they stretched, “I never heard him come in.”
“Anuenue said he wouldn’t wake until morning, so my guess is we had a visitor.” The Water Toa murmured, watching her brother and sister as they slept on.
“Rhya was here for a while,” Lakino replied, remembering she’d seen the dusky Great Spirit, “She wanted to see Kokua.” She added, pouring out juice for those who were awake.

In the second room, Turaga Anuenue opened her eyes as she felt Leus-sùl twitch and watched as the pearly blue Matoran woke suddenly and stared around panic-stricken until she realized where she was.
"Easy now, you're safe as are Kokua and Lewa." the Turaga of Colour said, as Leus-sùl struggled from her arms then shifted to the top of the bed where she curled into a ball and trembled uncontrollably.
"Need any help, sis?" came the silent query from the Toa of Twilight while Anuenue tried to coax the pearly blue Matoran to uncurl and talk with her, "Please, what ever happened, Leus-sùl's taking it badly."

Having eaten and reassured her closefriend that she felt alright, Aikane called to her shadow twin and asked if she'd take her over to the hospital.

~*~

They arrived in the room where Turaga Anuenue had been joined by Turaga Nuju and they were trying to get some response from Leus-sùl.
"Hey sis, Nuju, how can I help?" Aikane asked crouching beside the white hued Turaga as he nodded to her, while her shadow twin departed to see how Lewa and Kokua were.

"We'll all need to use our Komau, Leus-sùl's paralytic with fear." Anuenue said, then explained what had happened since she awoke, while Nuju and she switched to their Komau, "So we need to coax her into relaxing and hopefully telling us what she saw."
The violet hued Toa nodded and switched masks then all three activated them, Anuenue and Aikane murmuring reassurances while Nuju whistled softly.

Even with their masks activated, it took the best part of an hour before Leus-sùl began slowly to relax and uncurl, her fear-filled eyes darting from Turaga to Toa and back again.
While they continued to reassure Leus-sùl, Lakino, Slàna and Cùram had sat on the window seat with Gali and had been joined by Acirru, Keahi and Ayo.

...

Quiet voices drifted into Kokua's consciousness and she opened her eyes blinking until her vision came into focus, then realized her hand tightly clasped Lewa's.
"Where's Leus-sùl, is she alright?" a murmur coming from the bed caused the healers to hurry over to see how their patient felt.
"The pain is bearable, not...not like earlier." Kokua whispered, not wanting to disturb Lewa, unaware that he'd woken when she'd first spoken and lay there listening to his closefriend's voice.
"This will help... And-and there is something you should be told." Lakino whispered, handing Kokua a pain killing draught while Slàna and Cùram looked worried and fussed around their patients.
"What is it?" the hybrid asked between sips of the draught, frowning at her friends' unease.

When the sky blue healer finished explaining, a strangled sob came from Lewa, startling everyone, and he sat up and gazed at his closefriend with troubled eyes.
Returning Lewa's gaze, Kokua passed the beaker back to Lakino then clasped her other hand around his as he tried to pull away.
"Please Kokua, you need-deserve someone better." the lanky green Toa pleaded still trying to pull away as she clung onto him, "You are my closefriend, I don't want anyone but you!"
Then even thought it still hurt to move too much, the Torahka swiftly flung her arms round Lewa's neck and pulled him closer.
Unable to free himself with out hurting Kokua further, Lewa closed his eyes, rested his head on her shoulder and tried, unsuccessfully, not to cry.

~*~

Having finally managed to coax Leus-sùl into telling them what she'd seen, the Turaga and Toa moved to the window seat after letting the frightened Matoran have a drink.
"Let's hope she'll be alright." Aikane whispered as the doctored juice did its' job and Leus-sùl fell sleep.
"Even with our help, it'll take her quite sometime to get over the ordeal they've been through." Anuenue softly replied, though Aikane and Nuju could sense the towering rage seething within their rainbow hued companion as she emptied her beaker.

"If Leus-sùl's alright, could you join us sister?" Gali's silent query reached Anuenue while she silently imagined dissecting Makuta in various unpleasant and painful ways.
"Yes, I need to see how Kokua and Lewa are."

While Anuenue 'talked' with Gali, Aikane whispered to Nuju that she'd watch over Leus-sùl and smiled as he stood up and took the Turaga of Colour's hand.
When they'd left the room, Aikane sat beside Leus-sùl and gently shifted her around until she lay curled in the Toa of Twilight's arms, then Aikane began softly humming as she rocked the sleeping Matoran.

On entering the other room, the rainbow hued Turaga looked to where Lewa was still held by Kokua, his sobs lessening as she watched, then moved to join the healers, Nokama and Gali.

"I don't care what he is, if I ever see him again...." a low growl came from the insensed rainbow hued Turaga when Lakino finished speaking and glanced anxiously at the Turaga.
A sharp whistle came from Nuju as he shook his head and made Anuenue look straight at him before saying a lot more.
Having heard their sister's remark, Kokua let Lewa sit on the bed and they watched as Anuenue, under her closefriend's withering lecture, turned pink and lowered her gaze.
"Now that you've seen sense, dear heart. Let's see if Lewa will speak with Nokama and us" the Turaga of Ice clicked quietly, reaching out to place a finger under Anuenue's chin.
While they gazed at each other, Lewa shifted back to the chair, Kokua still holding his hand tightly while he moved.

"Ah!" a sudden exclamation of pain from the Torahka had the healers hurrying over to see how they could help, while Lewa winced and bit his lip as Kokua had accidentally dug her fingers into his hand.
"You need a stronger draught, but the only ones that will do are sleeping draughts." Slàna murmured while she and Lakino settled the hybrid back into the pillows.
Kokua sighed then nodded, "Okay, but don't let Lewa leave me." she replied, her face slightly pale as she gazed around at their friends.
"We won't sister, you have my word." Anuenue said before anyone else could reply, as she cautiously perched on the end of the bed, Nuju and Nokama shifting to stand beside the Toa of Air.
"Thanks sis." Kokua said, accepting the beaker Cùram held out, then while she drank Lewa fidgeted nervously, not wanting to begin while his closefriend was awake.
When the sleeping draught began taking effect, Kokua reached out to clasp Lewa's hand then drifted into sleep, smiling as he gently squeezed her hand.
Soon the lines of pain had eased from Kokua's face and the lanky Air Toa straightened his shoulders and began speaking while the Turaga, healers Gali and Kopaka listened intently.

...

Aikane was still hugging Leus-sùl while 'listening' to Gali, as she relayed what Lewa was saying, when Tahu peered around the door, Acirru beside him.
"Shall we join them?" the fiery Toa asked, noting the anxious look Acirru gave Leus-sùl as she slept on.
"I think we should, from what Gali said, Lewa will need all the support he can get." the violet hued Toa replied, as a look of remembered pain and fear flashed across her mask and she hugged Leus-sùl closer.
"Easy sweetheart, you're safe and so are they." Tahu said, moving to squeeze Aikane's shoulder as she took a calming breath and stood up.
"Thank you, the fear still catches me when I least expect it." she murmured as her closefriend hugged her and they then followed Acirru through to the room where Lewa still spoke, rubbing his mask as tears ran down it.
Eventually the Toa of Air fell silent and gazed at his sleeping closefriend, his gaze moving to her covered midriff before he shuddered and looked up at the Turaga.
"Oh brother, it wasn't your fault." Anuenue said, moving to hug Lewa as he lowered his gaze, at the understanding in her eyes, the Air Toa began rubbing his Miru again as fresh tears formed.
"I think someone else needs a sleeping draught to aid their recovery." Nokama said as the rainbow hued Turaga rubbed Lewa's back as he sobbed helplessly and hugged her back.

[Kokua aviatrix]

Watching from the doorway, Aikane nodded when Gali beckoned to her and the others, then carried Leus-sùl over to the couch and sat carefully down, while Tahu and Acirru settled on the floor.
For a moment, Lewa looked as though he would protest then he glanced over to where Aikane sat hugging Leus-sùl and sighed before nodding.
When their lanky green brother agreed, Gali nudged Tahu and they went to fetch a camp bed, "This way you'll be beside Kokua when she wakes." Lakino said as the Turaga moved to give the Toa some space to set the bed up.
After adding pillows and blankets, Cùram and Slàna fussed around Lewa until they were satisfied he was comfortable, then the cobalt healer passed him the sleeping draught and everyone waited for Lewa to fall asleep.

When snoring came from the camp bed Turaga Nuju glanced, startled at his closefriend and saw worry in her eyes as she muttered something under her breath.
"What's wrong.... Anuenue?." a startled exclamation came from Turaga Nuju as the Turaga of Colour stood up and headed for the door, and the others looked around puzzled.
When he got no reply, the icy Turaga excused himself and hurried after his closefriend, catching up with her as she wandered in the direction of a nearby park.

"Dear heart, what is wrong?" concerned whistling reached Anuenue as she lent against a tree and fought the anger and pain she felt.
"I should have said no, it wasn't a good idea or consulted with you and the other Turaga first."
"It's not your fault, Anuenue. Now come and walk with me." the Turaga of Ice commented, firmly taking her arm and tugging gently, not really wanting to, Anuenue knew Nuju wouldn't let got of her arm and so, let him lead her over to the bench, the icy Turaga nodding his thanks when the Matoran sat there shifted up to let them sit down.

For several minutes the Turaga said nothing, just watched the branches moving in the breeze as the Matoran finished their lunch, both glanced around when Akara and Rinia bid them good day and headed back to their duties.
"You can't blame yourself, sister. The only one who realized something was wrong was Vakama and by then they'd fallen into the trap." Nuju clicked and whistled as Anuenue suddenly shivered, remembering when she'd been under the Makuta's control.
Guessing where his closefriend's thoughts had gone, Turaga Nuju shifted closer and hugged Anuenue tightly.

While the Turaga of Ice continued to reassure his closefriend, they were joined by Dume and Vakama, whom looked over to the hospital before excusing himself.
"Beating yourself up again, sister?" the elder Turaga said, sitting beside Anuenue, who stared miserably at the ground while Nuju caught Dume's eye and nodded.
"Let's go over to the Great Temple, some meditation will help you." the red/black Turaga remarked after sitting, deep in thought for several minutes before standing up and watching the rainbow hued Turaga closely.

Watching from the windows, Tahu saw the Turaga start walking in the direction of the great Temple, then went to sit with Aikane, "Would you like me to hold Leus-sùl for a while?" Gali asked when the pearly blue Matoran began stirring.
"Please, my arms are beginning to feel numb, guess I lifted her up wrong." the violet hued Toa replied, wondering how Leus-sùl would react this time.
Drowsily, Leus-sùl opened her eyes and blearily looked around before focusing on Lewa's and Kokua's sleeping forms, then a low moan of fear came from her as she tried to free herself from Gali's arms.
"It's alright Leus-sùl, we know what happened, Lewa told us. Both he and Kokua will be alright." Turaga Nokama said as she caught the Matoran's mask and made Leus-sùl look at her.

Slowly Leus-sùl began to relax, her terrified gaze never leaving the Turaga of Water's, then her Rau crumpled slightly and tears, born of fear, relief and worry, began trickling down her mask.
Stepping back, Nokama smiled sadly as Gali hugged the weeping Matoran while Aikane and Tahu spoke with Vakama and Acirru talked quietly with Slàna, Lakino and Cùram having gone to speak with the other healers.

Having reached the Great Temple, the Turaga of Colour followed Dume while her closefriend brought up the rear. Silently the trio went down a corridor Anuenue had never used before then they entered a small room.

Glancing at her, Dume indicated that Anuenue should sit down as he and Nuju settled on the floor, then when they were comfortable, the elder Turaga pressed a switch on the floor and a small aperture opened to reveal a glowing blue lightstone.
"All you have to do sister is watch the stone." Dume said quietly before he began softly chanting, Nuju gave a slight nod then watched as his closefriend slipped into a meditative trance.
When he was certain that they wouldn't rouse Anuenue, Dume beckoned to Nuju and they moved to stand by the door, "Tell me." he whispered, then listened as the Turaga of Ice told him all of what he'd learnt and Anuenue's reaction.
When Nuju'd finished his explanation, Dume glanced to where Anuenue sat, deep in the trance he'd placed her in and muttered, "Our 'little' sister is full of surprises. Not many Turaga would even dream of attacking the Makuta."
"I've managed to dissuade her from such a dangerous path." Nuju added as they sat back down and focused on the lightstone, joining Anuenue in meditation.

Something brushed the meditating spirit of Turaga Anuenue's mask, causing her to twitch then slowly come out of her meditation.

Puzzled as to what had broken her meditation, Anuenue opened her eyes and glanced around the room, Dume and Nuju were still deep in meditation and didn't stir when the rainbow hued Turaga stood up.
She could sense a gentle presence watching her then felt something tug at her hand, silently, the Turaga of Colour let the invisible being lead her where it wanted.

A mist suddenly covered Anuenue's vision and when she could see again the Turaga of Colour looked around in stunned amazement.
She was standing in a courtyard, which was surrounded by ever-changing coloured waterfalls, the water tinkling softly as it ran over smooth stones.
Then the one holding her hand tugged again and the amazed Turaga was led over to a bench, while she watched the nearest waterfall.
Sensing that she was to take a seat, Anuenue settled on the bench and waited, "There is no need for your anger against him, he has been dealt with." the musical voice of Rhya Nui said as She slowly appeared, sitting beside the Turaga of Colour.
Blushing, Anuenue lowered her gaze, embarrassed that the dusky Great Spirit knew of the extent of her anger.
Gentle chuckling swept around the area and Rhya Nui quietly began telling Turaga Anuenue what had taken place, knowing that once Anuenue left Her private space, the Turaga wouldn't remember what had been said.

When the bluish/silver Great Spirit finished speaking, She watched as the rainbow hued Turaga gazed around, mulling over what she'd heard, then Rhya took Anuenue's symbol marked hand and turned it palm upwards.
Both gazed at it for a while, then Rhya Nui murmured, "You have been united with the Turaga, one of whom dotes on you, and it is your duty to learn, grow and help those who seek advice."
Glancing at Turaga Anuenue, the dusky Great Spirit smiled before adding, "And your destiny does not include trying to go volcanic on the dark spirit." then She lent forward and brushed Her free hand across the Turaga of Colour's Kanohi Ruaorea.
At the dusky Great Spirit's touch, Anuenue's eyes glazed over as they stood up and as Rhya faded from sight, She led the entranced Turaga back to where Dume and Nuju still meditated.

When Anuenue was sat facing her closefriend and friend, Rhya Nui crouched and softly whispered something before departing for the spirit realm.

~*~

"Will they ever forgive me for leading them into a trap?" the hoarse voice of Leus-sùl reached Kokua as she roused, her hand reaching out to try and find Lewa until she heard his snores.
"Oh course they will, it's not your fault. If anything, you were as trapped as them." Nokama 's calm voice replied from close by.

Opening her eyes, Kokua was relived that the excruciating pain had diminished and was no longer coursing through her body, and the Torahka looked over to where her friends sat, reassuring Leus-sùl as she rubbed her puffy mask.
Glancing over to where Lewa and Kokua were, the pearly blue Matoran caught sight of a pair of leaf green eyes drowsily watching and she stiffened as a fresh wave of fear gripped her.
Before the Turaga or Toa could say anything, Leus-sùl had leapt from Gali's lap and bolted for the door.

"Leus-sùl, please wait-stay." Acirru called out as she brushed past him and nearly ran headfirst into Turaga Onewa and Whenua, then the distraught Matoran collapsed to the floor and curled into a ball, shaking as she began to relive the memories of what she'd seen.
"Come on, let me aid-help you." the Le-matoran healer/gukko rider murmured gently as he crouched beside Leus-sùl and rubbed her back, while the concerned Turaga silently nodded to Acirru and went to speak with Nokama and Vakama.

After a few minutes of gently reassuring the pearly blue Matoran, Acirru was encouraged when she raised her head and glanced around before bursting into tears again.
"Let's go somewhere hush-quiet where you can gather yourself together." the forest green healer murmured while helping Leus-sùl to sit then stand up.
Sobbing helplessly, Leus-sùl allowed Acirru to lead her into an empty room over looking the sea and they sat on the couch, Acirru hugging Leus-sùl gently as she wept.
So intent on comforting Leus-sùl was Acirru that he never noticed the door silently open then close again as someone left them alone knowing Leus-sùl was in good hands.
Deactivating his Kanohi Huna as he rejoined the others, Vakama nodded reassuringly to Lakino and Kokua, as the Torahka sipped from a cup of soup.
"Acirru is looking after Leus-sùl, he will take good care of her and prevent her from hurting herself even more." the fiery Turaga said, sitting beside Tahu and Aikane before accepting a beaker of juice from Cùram.

Over in the Great Temple, the three Turaga stirred and gradually roused from their meditation, glancing at each other.
Turaga Dume smiled as Anuenue shifted closer to Nuju and they hugged, noting the air of serenity that now surrounded their rainbow hued sister.
"The meditation has done you good sister." the red/black Turaga said as the trio stood up and prepared to leave the room, Anuenue smiled back, her thoughts caught between Nuju's hand around hers and how Lewa, Kokua and Leus-sùl were.

A low chuckle came from the Turaga of Ice as they walked through the main chamber, making the Matoran working there to glance round then bow to the Turaga before continuing their work.
*We'll go back to the hospital* he whistled as they headed up the stairs, drawing agreement from Dume and Anuenue, who still seemed in a dream as she walked contentedly beside the Turaga of Ice.

"That's enough for now." Lakino said when Kokua asked if she could have some more soup, "Oh okay, but I still feel... *yawn*"
"Like more sleep is required." Nokama said kindly as she moved to stand beside the sky blue healer, whom tucked the blankets carefully around the sleepy Torahka.
"Mmm..." came the reply as Kokua's eyes closed and she drifted back into healing sleep, "I'll stay until Lewa wakes, Lakino. You go and get some rest, Lewa won't leave his closefriend alone."
"Alright Turaga, supper will be brought in for you and Lewa shortly." the healer replied, bowing slightly before going to join the others and the Toa.
"I'll wait-stay with you." Matau smiled, slipping his arm around Nokama's shoulders while Whenua, Vakama and Onewa said they'd go and find Dume, Nuju and Anuenue to tell them how their friends were.

Peering around the door, Rùisg nodded when Acirru glanced up and gestured for her to stay quiet, then she tiptoed over to the couch carrying their supper.
"Blankets?" she whispered, glancing at the sleeping form of Leus-sùl curled against Acirru's side, "Please and thanks for tea-supper."
Rùisg grinned and moved to fetch several blankets from a cupboard nearby, placed them within arms reach then bid Acirru pleasant dreams before heading off to inform Lakino.
When the door closed, Acirru picked up a bowl and glancing down at Leus-sùl, quietly ate supper before placing one of the blankets over her.
"Sleep-rest well dear friend." the forest green healer whispered before watching the sky darkening as twilight fell.

[Kokua aviatrix]

~*~

When she awoke next, it was to find herself in an empty room. She glanced apprehensively around, one hand brightening the lightstone beside her bed while the other brushed sleep from her eyes. A flash of green caught her eye and she looked to the window to see a pair of green feet hanging down, their owner sitting on the roof.
"Lewa?" she called uncertainly, wincing as she tried to get more comfortable.
"Hang on..." a muffled voice called back, and the feet disappeared, followed by a few thumps. A moment later the Toa of Air swung in through the window and hurried over to the bed. He stopped short a few paces and perched anxiously on the edge of the bed, mask lined with worry and sadness.
"What's up, what do you want?" he asked, "Do you need me to get the healers?"
Kokua shook her head slowly, reaching forward and catching his hand and holding tightly. "I just want company...and a pillow," she added, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Lewa leapt to his feet and was about to snag one from his camp bed when she pulled him back.
"I want a green one that's warm and squishy," she said, "One whom I love very much even though he apologizes far too much for things that aren't his fault,"
Lewa hesitated for a second then moved to sit next to the injured Torahka who shifted slightly again, this time leaning comfortably back against him.

...

"Lewa...if I hear the word 'sorry' one more time..." she sighed, trying to keep the edge from her voice. "For the last time, stop blaming yourself, none of this was your fault!"
"But I -" he began in protest but was silenced as Kokua put a finger to his lips.
"Do you blame Leus-sùl for what happened?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No! No of course not!"
"Why?"
"She was used, she didn't know what was happening until too late - no, no, I see where you're going with this, it's completely different."
"It's no different! Look, all I want is for you to stop blaming yourself and be happy again,"
"What's there to be happy about?" Lewa asked glumly.
"We're alive!" Kokua said, the last of her patience fading away as Lewa shrugged morosely. "Actually, yeah, you're right, what is there to be happy about? My closefriend has been replaced by some miserable jerk who's spending most of his time moaning about things that are not his fault, half my insides have been sliced up by some horrible monster who was planning to kill the three of us in horribly creative ways. The only reason I even exist is because said monster needed someone to free him so he could bring more pain and harm to the people I love, only to be thrown away to die like so much rubbish.. I really don't want to think about any of this right now, all I want is the old Lewa back to keep me company, not somebody who can't stop talking about it - owwww,"
Lewa hurriedly crossed to her side as she leaned back wincing.
"Careful or you'll burst your stitches....then the healers will kill us both,"

Half an hour later Rùisg stuck her head around the door of the room occupied by Kokua and Lewa then smiled at the sight of them asleep, Kokua resting peacefully in her closefriend's arms.
"That's good; they'll help each other heal. Now if only it could be so easy for Leus-sùl." the midnight blue healer thought as she continued on her rounds, quietly chatting with those who were awake and generally tidying up.

Sitting in her private area, Rhya Nui lent against the bench she and Anuenue had used earlier, and watched the ever-changing waterfalls while waiting for the visitor she knew would soon come.
"What you did, Sister, was extremely dangerous." came Mata Nui's voice as he appeared and moved to sit on the bench.
"He violated Kokua!" Rhya growled softly, her eyes glowing with anger before she sighed and looked up at Her brother.

Whimpering roused Acirru from his rest and he sleepily rubbed Leus-sùl's back until she lapsed back into sleep.
Blinking drowsily, the forest-green healer glanced around to see what the time was, "Mmm... 1.30, plenty of time for more sleep-rest." he whispered, fondly smiling at the Matoran nestled against his chest, her arms around his waist and head against his chest.
The pearly blue Matoran wasn't the only one experiencing flashbacks in their sleep, Lewa had woken when he felt Kokua struggling moments before she'd woken and stared around the room, fear in her eyes.
"Easy featherheart, I'm here." the Toa whispered, stroking his closefriend's wings as she shuddered and nestled closer to him.
Reaching up to touch his mask, Kokua sighed, "I'm sorry if I disturbed you with my bad dreams." she murmured, her tense muscles slowly relaxing as Lewa massaged her back.
Before the Toa of Air could reply, the door opened and Rùisg entered, "Need anything?" she enquired while tidying up the empty dishes then smiled as Kokua's stomach growled.
"If it's possible, I'd like some more soup." the Torahka said while her stomach continued to complain it was hungry, "That should be alright, I'll just check with Lakino." the midnight blue healer said, carrying the tray over to the door.
Shortly after she returned baring a bowl of soup and soft rolls, "Oh lovely." Kokua said, blushing as her stomach rumbled even louder while Lewa helped her sit up better.

"You just take it easy, I'm under strict instructions on how quickly you can eat this." Rùisg said when Kokua reached out to snag a roll and she'd tapped the hybrid's hand firmly.
A stifled snigger came from Lewa as Kokua dropped her hand and looked rebellious for a moment before giggling at her closefriend's reaction.
"There's some for you as well if you want, Toa Lewa." the healer said while dipping a bit of roll in the soup and passing it to Kokua, "Chew it ten times first." she added while Lewa bit into a roll.
By the time Kokua had satisfied her hunger, her head was nodding wearily and she didn't protest when Rùisg took the remaining soup and rolls away.
"Lewa?" the Torahka mumbled, reaching out to the lanky green Toa perched on the camp bed, "I'm here featherheart." he whispered reaching out to clasp her hand in his.
As she fell asleep, Kokua smiled at the touch of her closefriend's hand and he watched her relax before glancing at Rùisg as she rejoined them.
"Think you'll be able to get more rest or will you need a sleeping draught?" she asked, tucking a corner of the blanket under Kokua's chin.
"I should be alright, but any idea how long Kokua will need to heal-mend?" Lewa said, indicating that Rùisg could sit beside him, "It'll be between three to six weeks. Someone ripped out her flight feathers and I'm not sure how long it'll take for them to regrow." the midnight blue healer whispered, settling beside Lewa and watching him worriedly.

A shudder ran through the lanky Air Toa, "It was one of the Rahkshi." he muttered angrily before lapsing into silence, several minutes passed then Lewa spoke again, "It-it 'said' that the freak would never fly again."
"Oh Lewa, that's awful." Rùisg whispered, reaching out to hug the unhappy Toa, sighing deeply, Lewa nodded, wishing he could erase the memory of watching Cadalrahk ripping the feathers from his closefriend's wings.
"Maybe I'll take your offer of a sleep-healing draught after all." he added, gazing at Kokua's hand resting in his.
Nodding, Rùisg left the room and returned with a beaker and Lakino, whom checked on both Toa and Torahka before allowing Lewa to have the sleeping draught.
"Never have thought-guessed I'd ever ask for one." he remarked before downing the draught in one swallow and passing the beaker back before relaxing onto the camp bed.
The healers tugged a blanket over the sleeping form of Lewa then Lakino insisted that Rùisg should go and rest, "I'll see how Leus-sùl and Acirru are first." she yawned then left the room while Lakino settled on the nearest couch.
Without meaning to, the sky blue healer drifted back to sleep and as the night turned to dawn, she was unaware of what unfolded.

~*~


Having regained most of Her strength, Rhya Nui had returned to the room and after making certain those there wouldn't wake, She moved to crouch beside Kokua's bed.
Holding her glowing hands over the hybrid's damaged wings, the dusky Great Spirit brushed her fingers over the bare patches gently coaxing new feathers to begin growing.
"You will fly again, winged singer." Rhya whispered, lowering her hands and smiling as Kokua shifted in her sleep, murmuring Lewa's name and squeezing his hand before settling again.
"Sleep well both of you." she added before leaving the room while the first birdsong of the day drifted in through the window.

Pausing for a moment, Rhya Nui watched Acirru stir and gently brush a finger over Leus-sùl's mask before she smiled, departing for the flowered meadow.

Sitting up with a start, Lakino blinked and glanced around while she stretched, "Didn't mean to do that." the healer mused, turning to check on Lewa and Kokua.
While she did, both roused and gazed at each other before Lewa sat up and moved to hug his closefriend, whom lent against him and gazed around the room.
"How do you feel this morning?" the sky blue Matoran enquired when Kokua smiled at her, "Surprisingly free of pain." came the quiet reply, as Lakino came over and shooed Lewa out of the way.
"Let's see the wound and I'll put a fresh dressing on." the healer said before telling Lewa what she'd need.

When things were ready, Lewa was firmly told to stay on the couch while Lakino and Slàna gently began their work.
Biting her lip, Kokua winced as the dressing was removed then gasped softly as she saw the length of the scar; "It's alright Lewa." the hybrid reassured the anxious Air Toa when he asked what was happening.
Glancing again at the reddened scar running down her midriff, Kokua managed a smile when Slàna squeezed her hand before helping Lakino clean and recover the area.
"You'll need another pain killing draught." the cobalt hued healer commented while fluffing the pillows then helping Kokua to settle against them.
"Please, it would help." the Torahka murmured, smiling as Lewa moved back to sit beside her.
"You'll be allowed up tomorrow, so just relax and we'll check your wings." Slàna said, while Lakino gently prodded Lewa into shifting out the way and allow her a clear view of Kokua's right wing.
"The wounds are clean and ... there is sign of new feathers growing." the sky blue healer exclaimed happily before squealing in surprise as Lewa excitedly hugged her.
"That's wonderful to hear." Turaga Nokama's voice came from the doorway as Kokua managed to catch hold of Slàna and hug her, her eyes shining with tears of joy.

[Kokua aviatrix]

In the room overlooking the sea, Acirru watched as Leus-sùl stirred and slowly woke, gradually becoming aware of her surroundings.
"W-where am I?" the pearly blue Matoran whispered, her gaze darting around the room, "In one of the hospital rooms. How do you feel?" the forest green healer replied, slowly allowing his nervous friend to sit up before offering her a beaker of juice.
"I-I... I don't know. OH Acirru, what have I done?!" Leus-sùl moaned, the beaker she held shaking so much the juice was in danger of spilling.
The Le-matoran healer was trying to explain when the Turaga of Ice and Colour peered around the door then entered and moved to join Acirru and Leus-sùl, who blanched and stiffened when Anuenue caught her hands and squeezed them gently.
"Come and get something to eat, you must be famished." the rainbow hued Turaga insisted, while steadying the beaker then placed it on the table.
Glancing at the Turaga as they calmly watched her, the Matoran lowered her gaze wondering why they weren't angry with her.
Slowly Leus-sùl stood up then let Acirru take her arm and they followed the Turaga out of the room and through to the dining hall.
Several healers glanced up from their breakfast and greeted the group as Acirru insisted on fetching breakfast for them.
While he hurried off, Leus-sùl suddenly felt panicky and, had Anuenue not slipped her arm around the Matoran's shoulders, would have fled the room.
"Things will be alright given time. Now sit with me and Nuju." the rainbow hued Turaga insisted as her closefriend sat down.

Back in the room being used by Kokua and Lewa, the pair were talking with Turaga Nokama about taking things easy then all chuckled when Lewa quipped, "No more flight-trips alone."
"Indeed, now you'll be wanting something to eat so I'll stay with Kokua while you fetch some breakfast for us. Lakino is concocting something special for Kokua, that's not soup and rolls." Nokama added when the hybrid made a face then glanced over to the door as it opened.
"Morning Lewa, Kokua, how do you feel?" came Turaga Dume's enquiry as he, Matau and Whenua entered the room.
"Much better, though the stitches do pull slightly." the hybrid quietly replied, smiling at the red and black Turaga.
"That's good to hear, now take things easy and enjoy your breakfast." Lakino said, dodging around Lewa as he headed off to fetch breakfast for him and Nokama.

Upon entering the dining hall, Lewa glanced around then headed over to the kitchen area, missing the stifled whimper from one table in the room.
"Mind if I stack-load up a tray and take it back, Turaga Nokama hasn't eaten yet." the lanky Toa asked Rannsaich when the Ko-matoran asked if he could help.
While the white/violet healer assisted Lewa, Acirru, Turaga Anuenue and Nuju were trying to calm Leus-sùl down, as she had a panic attack and looked for some way of getting out of the room.
"No! Don't let him see me." the pearly blue Matoran wailed as she buried her head in her arms, unable to move from where she sat as Acirru had lent across and taken her hands.
The Turaga of Ice nodded and switched to his Huna, then the distressed Matoran seemed to vanish, just as Lewa and Rannsaich came out of the kitchen the lanky Toa bearing a well laden tray.
"Many thanks for your aid-help." Lewa's cheery voice moved past the Turaga and they felt Leus-sùl tense in fear.
When they were certain that he wouldn't return, Acirru let her hands go while Nuju switched back to his Matatu and let her sit up.
"Leus-sùl, you will have to see them at some point, Kokua is anxious to see you.
In fact her first question when she woke was to find out how you were." Turaga Anuenue gently explained, rubbing the sobbing Matoran's back while several healers quietly talked with Acirru, whom nodded and thanked them.
"Why, after what I caused happen. Why?!" Leus-sùl cried as Anuenue wrapped her arms around her and hugged her tightly.
"Because they know-realize you're not to blame." Acirru said before either Turaga could reply, though the Turaga of Ice nodded his agreement to the healer's comment when Leus-sùl glanced at him and Anuenue.

"Oh Lakino, that was so tasty." Kokua sighed, stifling a hiccup as she placed her fork down and reached for the beaker.
"I'm glad you liked it." the sky blue healer chuckled as she removed the tray and placed it on the table, "I'll make some more later."
Settling back against the pillows, Kokua smiled at her friends and Lewa as he re-entered the room and moved to place the laden tray he carried down in front of Turaga Nokama before moving to hug her.
"Lakino, how is Leus-sùl? When can we see her?" Kokua quietly asked once she'd hugged her closefriend and insisted he got something down his neck.
"I'll go and find out for you." the sky blue healer reassured her winged friend before collecting the empty tray and leaving the room, bowing slightly to the eating Turaga whom smiled in reply.
"Lewa could you hand-pass...thanks." Matau said taking the jug and topping up Nokama and Dume's beakers.
Watching her closefriend and the Turaga, the Torahka began to sing softly, expressing the relief she felt at being alive.
The melody circled around the room and Lewa's expression as he stopped eating then moved to her bedside made Kokua's heart feel full as he hugged her gently.
"That's beautiful-lovely featherheart." the lanky green Toa whispered as his closefriend hugged him back while the Turaga smiled, delighted that their winged sister was feeling relaxed enough to sing.

Having patiently coaxed Leus-sùl into relaxing and coming with them, Turaga Nuju and Anuenue were leading the pearly blue Matoran towards the room occupied by Kokua, Acirru having gone ahead to speak with Lakino.

The forest green and sky blue healers were waiting for the Turaga and Acirru's patient outside the room and smiled reassuringly when Leus-sùl, Anuenue and Nuju, behind her, stopped beside them.
"It's alright Leus-sùl, your friends are waiting to see you." Lakino murmured quietly, moving to hug the quaking Matoran before she and Acirru linked arms with her and waited while Turaga Anuenue pushed the door open.

As the healers gently led Leus-sùl into the room, Turaga Nuju and Anuenue joined the other Turaga and smiled at Lewa and Kokua.
Slowly, the pearly blue Matoran raised her head and anxiously looked at the Turaga before letting Acirru lead her over to where Kokua and Lewa sat.
"Sit here little one and have a drink." Kokua's musical voice broke into Leus-sùl's chaotic thoughts and with some encouragement from Lewa and Acirru she found herself sat beside the hybrid.
Wrapping her arms around herself, Leus-sùl sat frozen, unable to look up at those she'd hurt, then flinched as one of them placed an arm around her shoulders and hugged her.
"Here, this will aid-help." Lewa murmured holding out a beaker of juice then carefully wrapped the Matoran's hands around it making sure she had a firm grip on it.
"T-t-thanks." the whisper just reached the Toa's and Torahka's ears and they glanced at each other reassured while Leus-sùl managed to drink with out spilling any juice, then Lewa accepted the empty beaker and smiled as the pearly blue Matoran shyly peered up at him before swiftly glancing back at the blankets.
"Oh come here Leus-sùl." Kokua murmured, resting her arm round her small friend's shoulders pulling her into a hug, ignoring Leus-sùl's feeble attempts to break from her embrace.
"We don't hold you to blame." the Torahka whispered while the others kept quiet and watched as Kokua's wing slowly curved around them.
Drawing a shuddering breath, Leus-sùl wrapped her arms around Kokua's chest and as tears ran down her mask, looked up at the Torahka and managed to respond to her reassuring smile.
"Come on, let's give them some space." Turaga Dume said, having caught a glimpse of Kokua's smile, to the other Turaga whom agreed and followed him out the room, Lakino with them.
As the door swung closed, Acirru settled on the couch and smiled up at Lewa as he sat beside him, "This will aid-help Leus-sùl a lot." the forest green healer murmured so as not to disturb Kokua and Leus-sùl.
"Indeed, featherheart has been so worried about her, even more so than her own injuries." Lewa replied, wincing slightly at his words before smiling as Acirru nudged him.

"I'm so, so sorry Kokua." the pearly blue whispered, now lent against the hybrid's side, having dried her mask but still petrified by what she'd caused to happen.
"Oh, Leus-sùl you can't blame yourself forever." Kokua replied, easing herself into a more comfortable position but failing to hide a yawn.
"Oh Kokua you shouldn't strain yourself." Leus-sùl cried anxiously, making Acirru and Lewa jump then hurry to the bedside where Leus-sùl had scrambled from the bed and watched concerned as the healer made sure Kokua was alright.
"No need to worry-fret, Kokua just needs some rest-sleep Lewa will stay with her. Now you come and sit over here and have some more juice." Acirru said, taking Leus-sùl's arm.
Guiding her back to the couch, he noted that Leus-sùl still looked tense, but as she accepted the beaker he smiled noting that her shoulders were less tense.
"Good she's taken the pace-step to recovery. But there are many more to go before she'll feel at ease with herself again." Acirru mused, shifting closer to Leus-sùl and offering her a bowl of berries.

~*~

Kio away, in the remains of the cavern system used by Makuta, a sinister black/green energy cloud swirled around before finding a small hole in the ground leading down below the island of Mata Nui.
"You will pay sister, and Mata Nui has still to regain his true strength." the sibilant threat hung in the air long after the dark spirit had departed.

[Kate]

Just over a week later Kokua had left the confines of the hospital and had for the past three days been staying at her closefriend's home in Le-Metru. She hoped to escape the worst of the healers - and to a certain extent, her sisters - well meaning but constant enquiries as to how she was feeling. So far she was enjoying only the newly-qualified Achirru asking how she felt when they saw each other in the street, and only having to put up with Lewa's fussing.

It was just before dawn on the ninth day when Kokua awoke again, trembling and sweating from the grip of yet another nightmare. She shuddered then rolled over and looked around for her closefriend, only to find herself alone.
"L-lewa?" she called uncertainly, shivering and wrapping a blanket tightly around her shoulders. When she got no reply she cautiously left the bedroom and slowly tiptoed down the hall before relaxing as she heard him clattering about in the kitchen.
"Lewa?" she asked again, peering around the kitchen door and running headlong into the Toa of Air who leapt back with a startled cry then swore as his hot drink cascaded over his hand.
"Spirits featherheart! Don't scare me like that!" he said weakly, shoving his scaled hand under the tap and wincing. "I didn't wake you up did I?"
Kokua shivered and shook her head.
"No...nightmares saw to that," she muttered, rubbing her eyes. Lewa moved forward and
wrapped her in a warm embrace until the trembling subsided.
"Want a drink?" he asked eventually, looking concerned at the shadows beneath her eyes.
"Please," Kokua said gratefully, sitting on the counter and watching as Lewa swiftly started preparing two mugs. "What time is it?"
"Just past four I think" Lewa replied. "Far too early for anying to be awake,"
"Why are you awake then?" Kokua asked, resting her head back against the wall and closing her eyes. Lewa glanced around at her for a moment then went back to his work.
"Same reason as you featherheart," he said quietly, then handed her a mug before taking a long drink from his own. "The suns will be rising quick-soon, we could sit on the roof and watch then go get a few more hours of sleep-rest,"
"I can't fly yet remember?" she said, gesturing to her still too-short flight feathers. Lewa smiled and activated his Miru Nuva, levitating her about a foot about the countertop.
"I'd forgotten you could do that," Kokua admitted sheepishly. "I sometimes wish I could use mask powers,"
Lewa grinned and helped her down from the counter and hugged her.
"That's what I'm here for," he said, picking up the blanket and wrapping it firmly around her shoulders.
"Lakino will kill me if I let you get chilly-cold," he said, glancing outside. "And it's cold out there,"
"It's summer," Kokua protested, still clutching her mug as they headed outside into the courtyard.
"Actually, it's the first day of autumn," Lewa said idly, easily swinging himself up onto the roof before turning and using his mask to gently levitate Kokua up beside him. They climbed slowly up the the crest of the roof and sat down together, facing the thin gold line on the horizon.
Kokua lent against his shoulder, smiling and snuggling closer as he slipped his arm around her shoulders. She curled her wings around them to block a cool breeze and watched the horizon. The top dome of the Great Temple was faintly visible as a black silhouette.
"We'd get a better view from there," she said thoughtfully.
"Too late now," Lewa murmured as pink light glowed around the widening line on the horizon. "We'll go there tomorrow morning?"
"Sounds good,"

Neither realised that they weren't alone, Ryha smiling at the pair as she sat invisible on the next rooftop. She turned to watch the suns rising, smiling and shaking her head as her brother asked something, then glanced around as Kokua yawned deeply.
"Come on, you need some more sleep-rest," Lewa said, tugging firmly at his closefriend's hand.
"I'm fine, stop fussing," she protested sleepily, then acquiesced reluctantly as Lewa pointed out that it was either his fussing or their sisters. Ryha watched as they both entered the house and headed down to the bedroom. She waited until they got settled, then appeared in the room and brushed a glowing hand over their heads.
"May your dreams be kind ones," she whispered before vanishing in a soft glow to rejoin her brother.