"Hina and Kaea were childhood friends and loved each other as if they were sisters of the same
blood. One day, Kaea invited her friend to come at a celebration in honor of the dead.
Unfortunately for them Kaea's mother was a sorceress who ate human flesh and she wanted to eat
up Hina. Kaea refused and told Hina to switch places on the bed with her. Kaea said to Hina "My
mother wants to kill you, you will die if you don't switch places with me. When my mother
comes, she will cut me up in pieces. When the sun comes up, you will take my heart and put it
in an 'ape' leaf. You will expose it at night to the dew and will preserve it from the heat
during the day. If you do this well, I will come back to life." All this happened as Kaea said
and in the morning, Hina escaped the fare and climbed up the mountain the white rope, which was
her friend's. On the top of a mountain, she heard a voice calling her and she saw taht it was the
old sorceress pursuing her and climbing up by the other rope, which was black. But in the middle
of her climbing, her rope broke into two and the old sorceress fell dead at the foot of the 
mountain. Hina did what her friend told her to do and after a period of time, the heart of 
Kaea became a body which breathed and got up. Kaea came back to life because she was the 
daughter of a sorceress and the tiaporos, her mother's devils with magical powers helped her to
live again. She lived with Hina and Hina's parents became her 'faamu', or adopted parents."

The legend of the two sisters, a polynesian legend.


************************************************************************************************


DISCLAIMER: Saint Seiya and its characters is the property of Masami Kurumada, Toei Animation
and whichever other company that has its rights. All characters withing this fic that are not
the copyright of the above mentioned are the copyright of its author, Jacintha, November 1998.

                  
				   TO SETTLE A DEBT LONG FORGOTTEN
				   A Saint Seiya fanfic by Jacintha

 
 Chapter 2: The sad battle between two sisters of heart.
 
 ***********************************************************************************************
 
 Two weeks had passed, and after visiting the Cooks Islands, Wallis and Futuna and the other
 islands, Saori, her saints, Celes, Lia, along with Sequana, Tuli, their Aito Hina and their
 latest Aito Teiti A Toakau, or Teiti for short, were now proceeding to the last stop of the
 trip, the Polynesian islands. So far so good as their trip was unusually calm and peaceful,
 with no sign of either Taaroa and his allies or of Atea's secret society, the Ariois. They had
 now reached the main island of French Polynesia, Tahiti.
 
 ******************
 
 Shun:
 
 The plane had landed yesterday at the Faaa airport, in the island of Tahiti, the principal
 island of French Polynesia. A private car brought us to the hotel at the outskirts of town.
 There, we rested in the rooms that Saori had booked for us.
 
 Thw last two weeks had certainly been wonderful. We just had a lot of fun, and except for the
 time where we watched Sequana, or rather Atanua, call on her latest recruit, we had no other
 contact with any force whatsoever.
 
 These two weeks gave us ample time to know better Sequana, Tuli, Hina and Teiti. There were a
 joyful bunch, with Tuli being the center of the animation. They didn't look any different from
 us, and mingled very well with us. Hina and Teiti seemed to get very on well with Sequana and
 Tuli. Actually, they seemed more like old friends to them then their goddesses.
 
 I smiled to myself. They seemed really nice, and though we were distant in the beginning,
 prefering to stay in our own groups, we finally got on real well. This was thanks to Seiya and
 Tuli actually, or rather, thanks to the animation they planned. Seiya was and still is the
 center of our group, but though Tuli was the center of the animation of the other group, and
 the one who planned all the activities, I knew that the heart of that group was Sequana. It
 was Sequana that kept the group together, with her gentleness and patience, and her ability to
 cease all discord between people. And her kindness found her way into all of our hearts...even
 that of Niisan's who, at the immense surprise of everyone actually *joined* us in some of our
 activities. But if Sequana knew how to bring peace to quarrels, it did not mean that she didn't
 know how to have fun either! I was surprised to discover her love for pranks and that joyful
 nature when she had warmed up to us. 
 
 But, though we were free from worries, I knew in my heart that this could not last for very
 long. Something was bugging me, but I didn't know what. Maybe because after all the fun and
 laughter, I always felt sadness and pain in my new companions. Especially in Hina's eyes. But
 though try as hard as I may, I couldn't do anything about it. And everytime I tried to question
 Hina, she would change the conversation or pretend to go elsewhere. It worries me not to know
 what are the demons that infest her heart, and each time I see her sad eyes, I grieve, because
 I cannot help her.
 
 I sighed, and tried to turn my mind on other thoughts.
 
 Niisan had gone visiting the mountains, or ancient volcanoes. I smiled. Why that didn't
 surprise me, I don't know. But he wouldn't find any lava here, even if he tried hard. When I
 told some Tahitians who had asked me, where my Niisan was going, they laughed, especially when
 I said he was going to climb the whole mountain.
 
 He'd never get on the top by nightfall they told me. I had smiled at them, saying nothing.
 They certainly didn't know my Niisan well.
 
 ********************
 
 "Hey Shun! Are you coming or going to stay there all day you lazybone?!" Hyoga's good-natured
 voice called out.
 
 Shun interrupted his thought and turned his head around and walked to the balcony... Hyoga's
 face was looking at him happily from the room next door. Seiya and Celes were standing by
 him.
 
 "Coming!" Shun exclaimed happily as he went out.
 
 "What are we going to do?" he continued as he went to Hyoga's room. 
 
 "Well, as we're already leaving tomorrow, Celes suggested we could go around and visit the
 market in Papeete, you know." Shouted Seiya, almost deafening his ears.
 
 "I thought you said that you wanted to go to the beach?" asked Shun, puzzled. 
 
 Seiya and Hyoga made a face at the same time.
 
 "Celes said that we could go tomorrow, when we get to the Tuamotu islands."
 
 "Aw, c'mon! Don't give me this sorry face!" Celes said, laughing "Lia told me that if you
 wanted to go to swim, it was better to go to the Tuamotu islands and look at some things here
 because according to her, you'd not be able to shop anywhere else!"
  
 Shun changed subjects. "Where's Shiryu and Saori?"
 
 "Oh, Shiryu went to the Chinese temple up town this morning" Celes said as she waved her hand
 in the air "And Saori's doing some sun-tanning in the sun outside the beach."
 
 The boys looked at each other, grinning cheekily. Celes saw that and said, grinning
 sadistically:
 
 "And no, you are NOT telling me you want to go basking out in the sun, any of you!"
 
 Hyoga pretended to look shocked.  
         
 "Now don't give me that face Hyoga" she said smiling widely "You're one of the LEAST qualified
 to look shocked. Don't tell me I don't know what's going on in that little mind of yours
 because I do. After having Freya, why would you want to look at Saori's...?"
 
 Hyoga grinned. "Where did you get such ideas?" he said innocently.
 
 "You wouldn't want to know" she answered laughing as she dragged Seiya and Hyoga by their
 arms.
 
 Shun followed them laughing, as they took the local bus to Papeete.
 
***********************

On a mountain.

Ikki:

I chuckled to myself. I was on top of the mountain. Nobody would believe me when I said that I
would reach the mountain top by nightfall. They were wrong. 

I breathed in the fresh air as my eyes started at the sight below. I slowly smiled as I saw the
image of Sequana appearing in my mind. She so resembled Esmeralda! Though they were totally
different physically, they seemed the same. Kind, gentle, patient, innocent, filled at the same
time with that joy of life and that same playfulness, these were the words that could 
characterize them.

I was surprised at the mixed emotions I felt during this past week of discoveries. I knew that
my first love was and always would be Esmeralda and that she would always live in my heart. But,
at the same time, I started to have strange feelings for Sequana. Do I love her? Impossible! 
My heart will always remain with Esmeralda.

I sat down and took my head between my two hands. 

At the same, time, I wasn't so sure anymore. Sometimes, just sometimes, my gaze and Sequana's
gaze fall together, I can fell this certitude wavering. Emotions are a very strange thing. 
Mine more than any other. Do I love her? Do I?

I began to fell despair at this question. No! I can't love! My loved ones would only experience
misery. I was not normal. I couldn't love normally. I musn't love! I...

Somebody interrupted my thoughts.

"Phoenix Saint Ikki?" the grave voice asked "I am Moegaroa, he who reigns in the kingdom of the
night."

I looked at the person who had spoken with surprise. I had heard from Sequana of Moegaroa, the
spirit of darkness, the powerful magician. I could not believe that such a frail old man could
be of any danger. Yet, over the battles we had to encounter, I had learnt not to be fooled by
appearances.

"What do you want?" I snarled at him, not to happy by the fact he had disturbed me *and* 
surprised me. Until he had spoken, I had not even felt his presence, and this unnerved me a bit.
 
Moegaroa let out a short laugh at my suspicious attitude.
 
"Are you scared of an old man Phoenix Saint Ikki?"
 
He was taunting me. He was laughing at me. But I was not going to fall in his trap. I just 
looked back at him proudly.
 
"You are said to be very strong Moegaroa, but I have never seen you use your Cosmos. Is it 
because you are scared that you won't be able to defeat a simple bronze saint such as I?"
 
I was taunting him back. And he was falling for it. Anger flashed in his eyes for a moment
before he quickly assumed a neutral expression.
 
"Such arrogance Phoenix." he said smiling a little "Yet, I must admit I do like that. You would
make such a fine warrior, do you know? Why don't you come and join me?"
 
"Sorry." I replied smugly "I'm afraid I'm already taken."
 
"Ah yes. I forgot. Once a saint of Athena, always a saint of Athena. But I have a proposition
 you will not be able to refuse."
 
I smirked. No proposition would ever make me change sides. My loyalty would remain with Athena
forever and always, and nothing, nothing would ever make me give up what I had obtained. 
Friendship, loyalty, trust, and the just cause.
 
"How about love?"
 
I looked at him surprised. So he could read my thoughts couldn't he? 
 
"Foolish Phoenix. Yes, I can read you mind as clearly as an open book. And I must say that you
 have undergone trials that would make you a worthy warrior. Won't you consider my offer again?"
 
"You overestimate yourself Moegaroa. My loyalty is with Athena, and nothing you do or offer is
 going to change my mind."
 
"Nothing?" Moegaroa smirked "Not even Esmeralda?"
 
His words angered me.
 
"Esmeralda?"  

I laughed bitterly. Esmeralda? She was dead... wasn't she? Dead. Forever. I became angry at
this man, who was using her name to distabilise me. To make new hopes arise in me. Esmeralda 
was dead, and nobody could bring her back to life again.

"Esmeralda is DEAD!" I spat at him "So don't you pronounce her name. You are not fit too."

"Ah, such strong emotions." he said, his face suddenly looking quite kind "I had those in my
 younger days too you know."
 
"Enough of it old man! What is your purpose here?"
 
I was beginning to feel impatient at this conversation, impatient, and uneasy. He was driving at
something, that I knew, but at what?
 
Moegaroa's face closed up as his lips thightened.
 
"To have you as an Aito or to kill you. And I had hoped it would not be the later" he said 
slowly "I was offering you a change for a normal, loving life. Yet, you are throwing this life 
away like this? Why reject my offer Phoenix?"
  
"Normal life?" I laughed bitterly "With love? And a family? You're dreaming old man if you think
you can give me that. The only woman I love has been dead for years. Look at me, have you seen
my personality? You say that you know what I've been through. You tell me, is a normal life
possible? Even if you could give me back Esmeralda, do you think she would be happy with me?
Happy knowing that I could be killed at any moment of my life? Living in constant fear?"
 
Moegaroa took a paternal kind of face.
 
"Listen boy" he said kindly, explaining every word with gentleness "You are a brave warrior, and
I admire that. Come with me, and I will give you what you seek. I will stop what causes you the
most pain."
 
I was slightly surprised. I was expecting anger, irritation at my tauntings. Instead, I only got
kindness and understanding. What was that supposed to mean?
 
"Why would you care how I feel?" I asked
 
"Listen boy" Moegaroa said again gently "I do not want to kill you. Your cause is not just, you
 and your goddess have been mislead. It is not your fault, Atea and Atanua are too scheming for
 you to realise it. Even Tuli..."
 
He shook his head sadly.
 
"..even Tuli has been tricked by them, turning against even her own father."
 
"Why should I believe you?" I asked "You sent a warrior to attack Atanua and Tuli. You
surprised me on this mountain and I still do not know your true intentions. Give me one good 
reason then." 

"Ikki" he said again " we attacked Atanua because she is our ennemy. We are not evil, and we
do not seek to destroy the world of humanity. Taaroa is not a cruel god. This involves a feud,
a personnal matter. You are not our foe, leave us and we will leave you."
 
"Why should I trust you? "

Moegaroa looked exasparated.
 
"You want to know the truth Phoenix?!" he asked impatiently "Why we keep attacking Atea and 
 Atanua? Let me tell you the truth, the truth that Atanua will never reveal to you."
 
I looked at him, still very wary of what he might do. You have to be prepared in battle for
whatever may come, be surprised, and your chances of losing are great.

"Ten thousand years ago..." Moegaroa started, his voice suddenly becoming lower, slower and 
softer "... Ten thousand years ago, the gods lived in harmony. Of course, there were quarrels 
and wars here and there opposing gods with gods or humans with humans, but this was part of 
life. After all courage had to be proven. Even I led my army in battle against a fellow leader
a few times. But there was nothing serious. Men were merry, so were women, changing partners 
frequently... ah,those were the days..."
 
Moegaroa's face suddenly became darker.
 
"...then, it happened. Atea, the Light wanted everything. Every island, every people, every
 deity or spirit had to fall under his command. Of course, none of the gods accepted that. After
 all, what Atea was demanding was too much. At first, no one noticed him, but somehow, he
 managed to drag only his daughter, and wife Atanua. Atanua was one of the most beautiful and
 charming goddesses of the isles. All gods or mortals were pratical at her feet. It was said
 that a single look from her could enchant anyone. Alas for the mortal who saw her face! So
 charmed he is that he is like under a spell. But strangely, Atanua was always faithful to Atea,
 this was very rare you know, because a woman, like a man frequently changes her taste. It was
 through her that Atea managed to raise up an army strong enough to make the other gods
 afraid. That's why we raised an army of our own you know, with Taaroa at the head. We lost. I
 was killed, along with every other person. Even my baby daughter was not spared. They cut my
 ear as a sign of victory, and so we swore that this battle would not go unrest. So you see,
 this is a personnal debt."
 
I clapped my hands.
 
"Very clever Moegaroa" I said "Very touching story. And you expect me to believe you?"
 
Moegaroa looked surprised.
 
"It's the truth!"
 
"Either that or Atanua got uglier" I said smirking.
 
Moegaroa laughed.

"Foolish boy. You think she isn't using her charm against you? How do you know that you have
 not fallen under her spell already? So many have! But I see that you won't change your mind.
 Such a pity. Such a waste of a fine warrior. But I'll make sure that you die happily, you
 deserve this at least."
 
"Attack old man, I'm ready for you anytime."
 
I prepared myself and positioned myself in an attacking position. I smirked. I was goig to 
learn the truth, the real truth from his pack of lies. I ignited my Cosmos asn felt the energy
running through every fiber of my body.
 
"Phoenix Genma Ken!" I exclaimed.
 
My attack never hit its target. I was speechless! I had launched the Genma Ken at Moegaroa, and
the last minute, it seemed as if my attack simply disappeared! What had happened?
 
"Your attack has no effect on me" Moegaroa remarked "try and do better next time."
 
I was enraged, but at the same time, feeling a bit helpless. If he has absorbed or deflected my
attack with such ease, what was I going to be able to do?

"I am not going to attack you" he said suddenly "But let me present to you your adversary, one
 of my finest Aitos."
 
He pointed at a shadow that had just appeared. The shadow stepped into the light, revealing the
female form of a warrior. I gasped, surpried and horrified.
 
"Esmeralda!" I exclaimed. No! It was not possible! It couldn't be!
 
******************

"Niisan!" Shun suddenly exclaimed as he froze in mid-air and dropping the packet he was
carrying.

"Shun!" Hyoga exclaimed as he ran into Shun's room "Did you feel it?!" 

Shun nodded, uneasily. He had felt the Cosmos of his brother, Phoenix Saint Ikki, and it had 
felt very wrong. His brother was in danger, his heart could feel it. He knew that his brother's
Cosmos was getting unnatural weaker by the minute, and he didn't like it at all.

Seiya rushed in, followed by Shiryu, Saori, Celes, Lia, Sequana, Tuli, Hina and Teiti.

"Shun!" said Shiryu worriedly "Can you feel it?!"

Shun nodded weakly.

"It's my brother" her said, starting to panic "Something is happening to him and I've got to
find out what! I'm going after him!"

"I'll come with you!" exclaimed Seiya.

"We'll all come!" said Shiryu "we must find out what is happening to Ikki as soon as possible
before it is too late."

"It is one of Taaroa's Aitos" said Sequana suddenly worried "I know it. But I have never felt
this Cosmos before, and I should know everyone of Taaroa's warriors. But this is a strange
Cosmos, it is not exactly that of an Aito, yet, yet, it is one of an Aito's?"

She suddenly banged her fist onto her palm.

"I know why!" she exclaimed "It is the Cosmos of a tupapau that has been transformed as an Aito
by Moegaroa."

"A tupapau?" asked Lia, surprised.

"Yes. A tupapau." said Sequana firmly "A ghost. This ghost has been brought back to life. But
Ikki should not by right have been in danger."

Sequana's face took on a worried expression.

"The Phoenix Saint is immensely strong" she said "and though this is a strong warrior, this
Aito is not as strong as the Phoenix Saint. By rights, Ikki should be winning the battle, not 
losing it."

"Why then is Niisan in danger?" asked Shun.

"I don't know" said Sequana puzzled "But I know that Moegaroa, or rather his daughter Tiare is
especially treacherous. So I would be careful."

"Stop this talking then!" exclaimed Seiya, "let's go!"

Upon hearing this, the Saints called upon their armors, which were more powerful then ever
before, having been soaked in Athena's blood during the Hades battle. Atanua's Aito's also
called upon their armours, and they rushed in the direction of the mountains.

As the passed a beach, they were stopped by a blinding flash of light.

"Atanua" a voice said "Tuli, you aren't going to run away from me are you? Aren't you going to
welcome me?"

Atanua stopped, as did the others.

"Taaroa" she said fearlessly "so we met again. And I see that you are accompanied this time."

Indeed Taaroa stood, handsome and majestic, in front of her and the rest, with by his side
Moegaroa, his daughter Tiare, Vei, who seemed to have recovered from his injuries and Kaea.

"Allow me to present my companions to you goddess Athena" said Taaroa "this frail old man you
see by my side is Moegaroa, ruler of the night kingdom, besides him is his daughter Tiare, who
also happens to be my adopted daughter, Vei is one of my Aitos and next to him is another of my
Aitos Kaea."

"I am pleased to meet you Taaora" replied Athena "unfortunately, I can't say that your manners
are very correct. Why have you attacked one of my saints?"

"You mean Phoenix Saint Ikki?" asked Taaroa "this is a personnel matter Athena. As is this feud.
Renounce helping Atanua, we have nothing against you."

"You have attacked one of my saints" replied Athena "and now, his very life is in danger. This
matter alone brings me sufficient cause to fight you. This, plus the fact that your pride is
putting the lives of numerous human beings in danger forces me to do one thing. Fight against
you for Justice."

Taaroa let a short laugh.

"So that's what it is now Atanua? Pride? Destruction of human beings? Clever. Nevertheless, do
not worry for your Phoenix Saint Athena, I give you my word that your saint is safe."

"What is you word worth!" exclaimed Seiya "Ikki is *dying*!"

"No," Taaroa replied calmly "He is merely suffering."

"But why?!" exclaimed Shun "what did my Niisan do against you?"

"It is not what he did against me." said Taaroa "but against one of my Aitos. This is a 
personnal matter."

"I don't care!" replied Shun "I am going to my brother!"

Shun started running in Taaroa's direction when he his a shield of energy and was strongly
propelled backwards.

"Please." Taaora said sadly "Understand me Andromeda Saint Shun, this is a personnal matter.
You cannot interfer."

"How did you know who I was?"

"I know everything."

"Taaroa!" Tuli exclaimed "Let Ikki go!"

Taaroa looked at his daughter sadly.

"So now it is no more paino?" he asked, grieved "but Taaora? Daughter, come back to me."

"No!" said Tuli firmly "Never!"

"Taaora, what is it you want?" asked Athena suddenly "Why all this masquerade?"

"Are you here to fight?" asked Atanua. "If not, why are you here then?"

Taaroa looked at them.

"The time for the battle is not now. Atea is not here and all the Aitos have not been called
upon yet. I am not here to kill you, but to settle in place some old debts and old scores.
Phoenix Saint is settling his now at this moment. And I cannot and will not let anyone else
interfer in my Aito's business. Don't try to escape. It's useless. Now, I have to settle another
matter which has taken too much time."

The Saints looked at each other, puzzled.

"Kaea!" he suddenly called to one of the young women besides him "Settle your matter!"

The young woman stepped forwards and walked to Hina.

"Now my sister" she said smirking "Let's settle everything. Come and fight against me in a
battle of life and death."

"Atanua! Tuli!" said Taaroa "Do not interfer."

"Fear not that I will" replied Atanua "for this is a personnal matter. Hina, do as you wish. It
is your debt afterall."

"I will go against Kaea" Hina replied simply.

Atanua nodded and then turned to Athena and her companions.

"Please do not interfer" she asked "no matter what happens. This involves only Hina and Kaea."

Hina and Kaea got in place for a fight.

"Do not interfer?" asked Athena shocked "But what if they kill each other? Are we just to stand 
here and watch?"

"It is a matter of pride and honor" replied Atanua "One that you cannot understand. This is a 
debt that is ten thousand years old, and that has to be repaid now."

"But!" protested Seiya "What if they both die?!"

"That I cannot help. But at least, it will be a worthwhile death."

"We are not going to stand here and watch them die." declared Shiryu firmly.

"Such useless bloodshed" asked Shun "Why? It doesn't have to be this way! Hina!"

"Yes it does" replied Atanua "and since you cannot help yourself but interfer, I will have to
settle this myself."

"What?" asked Shun astonished.

"I am so sorry." 

With that, before anyone could realize what had happened, Atanua knocked not only Shun
unconscious, but Shiryu, Hyoga and Seiya as well, along with Artemis and Demeter.

"Atanua why?!" asked Athena.

"Forgive me" she replied as she knocked Athena unconscious. "But I cannot allow anything to go 
wrong. I'll explain everything to you once the battle is over."

"Now" Atanua said as she looked at the two fighters in position "begin your fight."

*****************

Hina looked at Kaea, hesitant.

"My sister, we don't have to do this" she said.

"Sister? You know we are not sisters." Kaea replied "we don't have a choice."

"No. *You* don't leave a choice" Hina answered, hurt at Kaea's words "But Atanua lets me have
one."

"How? She asked you to fight didn't she?!"

"She asked me to settle my debt my way. It doesn't have to be this way my sister, join us!"

Kaea laughed.

"Join you? 'Sister'?" she asked "Never! I will never betray Taaroa, I own him too much! Come 
on! Attack me!"

"I will not attack you."

"You will not? Then I will!"

And with that, Kaea concentrated and called upon her Cosmos. Two white ropes came out and
encircled Kaea's hand. She took each one of them firmly in each hand. She thrusted them forwards
in the direction of Hina.

"Cercling ropes!"

The ropes began to move faster and faster, taking a life of their own, they started to encircled
Hina, in such a way that she could not escape. They came closer and closer to her, ramping all 
over her body, and they started to squeeze her. Pressing harder and harder, and getting every
single breath of life out of her.

Hina gasped for breath as she tried to break free with no results. The ropes were squeezing her
thighter and thighter and were cutting her flesh, making blood drip onto the sand. Hina cried
in pain as the coarse white ropes started becoming red at the contact of her blood.

"So, Hina! Fight back!" Kaea exclaimed exasperated.

Hina replied nothing but stared at the sky, finally, she said weakly between two gasps of 
breath.

"I own my life to you Kaea, and I am willing to give it up if only, if only you would change."

Kaea looked surprised for a moment at Hina before releashing her ropes tight grip a little bit.

"Why Hina?"

Hina looked at her friend.

"You are my sister" she answered "not by blood but by friendship. To you I own my life. I am not
a coward Kaea, I am not scared of the pain, nor am I scared to die. But you're ruining yourself
by following Taaroa. You saved my life, and so, I cannot attack you. I am faithful to Atanua,
but I cannot bear to kill you. The only way I have is to stand still. So kill me Kaea, I will
not do anything against it. Goddess Atanua, forgive me!"

Atanua just bowed her head.

"You are a good warrior Hina. I forgive you. Settle your debt as you wished it to be."

This angered Kaea deeply.

"Coward!" she accused Hina harshly "Fight against me!"

And with that, she launched a cruel blow in the direction of Hina's stomach. Hina held her 
stomach with her both hands. Blood came out of her mouth, but she did nothing and just let 
herself go on the sand. She got up slowly, and calmly wiped her mouth and stared at Kaea again.

"Fight!" Kaea started screaming, filled with rage at this passivity "Fight or I'll kill you!"

"Kill me then" Hina said "because I will not fight you."

"Alright" said Kaea suddenly regaining her calm "you chose your death, do not blame me for this
my ... ennemy."

She then launched a series of vicious blow on Hina. She punched her face hardly, used her knee 
to deal more blows onto her stomach, until Hina could stand up no more and laid on the beach, 
her face in the sand. Each time she tried to get up, Kaea hit her up again. Black and blue 
bruises were all over her, marks of Kaea's attacks. They were everywhere. On her legs and hands, 
on her feet and arms. Traces of blood were seen near Hina's mouth. But despite all of this, she
did not retaliate or even protect herself, but offered up herself to Kaea. Finally, Kaea 
stopped and looked at Hina.

"You will die today Hina."

Hina smiled weakly and then looked at Kaea.

"Yes. But I prefer to die in your arms and by your hand then by anybody else's"

She then turned slowly and her face stared at the blue sky and at the sun shining brightly.

"Such beauty..." she said pensively "like our friendship..."

"Our friendship has been destroyed." said Kaea flatly, her eyes not leaving Hina one minute 
"And it was destroyed by you. You abandonned me remember?" 

"Do you remember the time when we were still friends?" Hina continued saying, ignoring Kaea's 
words. "the time when you saved me from your mother and I took care of your life?"

Kaea looked at her, devoid of any emotion, not hearing Hina's words.

"When you abandonned me, I was bitter. You betrayed me, you forgot your promise, you forgot you
had a best friend. We were friends, but everything we were you destroyed. By your choice, you
will die today of my own hands."

"I did not mean too" said Hina as she began crying softly in a weak voice, tears coming to her
eyes, "I did not want too."

"But you did" said Kaea her cold voice accusing. "And I suffered because of you. Did you 
experience what I did? Did you know how I felt? No you don't, don't you?"

"Please... Kaea..." pleaded Hina, ashamed at her past actions. "I didn't know... I didn't 
want... "

"You DID know!" Kaea spat out, suddenly angry "I had told you! But did you listen? NO! Because
of you, I was condemned to be a tupapau, a ghost! I couldn't go to the Po! I was condemned to 
wander amidst the living! I died a horrible death with no one to avenge me! I was attacked by
other tupapaus and couldn't do anything about it! Did you know how much I went through?! Do you
realise that?! My mother's demons turned back on me and tortured me too!If Taaroa has not saved
me, I would still be suffering today. He saved me from my sufferings and I will do anything for 
him, and that includes killing you."

By this time, Hina was crying without any stop, tears gushing out of her eyes.

"Please..." Hina said again, pleading and begging the person who once had been her best friend
"Stop hating me... I suffered too..."

"What you suffered is nothing to what I had to endure! You did not suffer enough. And you think 
that your death will be able to compensate to me what I did? You think because you permitted me
to hit you I would forgive you? No. I will never forgive you. I want you, even in death, to 
regret what you did eternally. I can't make you suffer what I endured, but I will make sure
that your conscience will never leave you in peace and that you will never enjoy the Po as you
should!"

"Kaea..." said Hina, suddenly terrified at Kaea's anger "Kaea..."

"You will die today Hina" said Kaea again "by my hand and by your wish. And I pity you because 
the weight of your fault will never leave you."

Kaea slowly lifted up her right hand to deliver the final blow.

"KAEA!" Hina shouted, pleading again one last time. 

"Kaea..." Hina called out again "Kaea... please... I know you will not forgive me no matter what
I say... but please... listen to this song... for old times sake's."

Kaea stopped her punch.

"Very well." she said "sing your last song then."

In a supreme effort, Hina sat up on the sand and sang with difficulty, her sweet voice 
remembering words of the past.

"A wind of anger came upon me, the Tumatuma wind, which came falling on me oh my friend,
Wind of sadness, wind of pain, taking away my breath at the sad news which came from you,
I get up to go, but sadness puts me down, horror and fright making me stay and turning my body
cold,
Becoming short, the thread has let go of the fishing net's coils who had bound us together, oh
my friend."

Kaea stopped, uncertain.

"Do you remember this song oh my friend?" asked Hina sadly "I sang this in my grief when you
were gone and I held you heart, but now, it is my turn to go. Finish this quickly and let me go
back to the Po. My last song is finished."

Kaea looked more uncertain than ever, remembering the deep significant meaning of this song.

"Strike Kaea!" Hina suddenly said loudly "Strike me!"

She closed her eyes and waited for Death to take her away to be tortured. Tortured by her own
conscience. Remorseful for her act and sorrowful for not having managed to obtain Kaea's pardon.

Suddenly, the ropes that were squeezing her dropped on the sand.

"I can't do this can I." Kaea muttered in disbelief "After all you've done, after all I've
been through because of you, I can't kill you. Even if I did, what satisfaction would I take of
this?"

Hina fell onto the sand again, but this time, astonished. Kaea's knees dropped on the sand,
and she started to weep. She looked at Hina painfully for a second and started to sing mournfully.

"Wind of sadness, wind of pain, Tumatuma wind that brings bad news,
 My blood went cold and my body became heavy, as my breath of life was taken away,
 The thread which bound us is no more, and the fishing net broke a hole appearing,
 Oh my friend why have I changed? Oh my friend we can be no more sisters!"
 
Hina looked at her friend and started her reply:

"The Tumatuma angry wind has indeed fallen on us both,
Sisters by will, ennemies by fate, oh my sister when will it end?
I get up to escape, but horror pins me down,
Horror at the realization that we cannot escape! A mockery is made on us and we cannot escape!"

"I will always serve Taaroa" said Kaea. "And so I cannot forgive you."

"And I will always be faithful to Atanua" replied Hina. "But I can't abandon her to be forgiven
by you."

"Then we can never be together as sisters" remarked Kaea wryly. "Never."

"We fight for different deities and have different goals." answered Hina. "and each of us owns 
them so much. To Taaroa you own the end of your sufferings, to Atanua I own my life. Yet, I
want to become your sister again."

"As I. But we cannot betray our gods. Only one solution is left."

Hina nodded "Yes, even though I had hoped it would not come to this."

They gazed at each other for a moment.

"Let's do it." they said together. "And finally end this feud."
 
Kaea and Hina started each to concentrate on their Cosmos, preparing each their deadliest attack.
Power ran through their bodies as each their Cosmos envelopped them. Kaea's Cosmos was a pure
white. Hina's was a refreshing green. Their Cosmos grew and grew and grew. And they looked at
each other happily, their eyes shining brightly in anticipation.

"Tiaporo attack!" Kaea exclaimed as she launched an enormous ball of white energy.

"Reviving attack!" exclaimed Hina with all her might.

Each received the attack with open arms as a smile came on their faces. They did nothing to
protect themselves and so each attack hit them on their full potential. They didn't even scream 
in pain as each attack hit them as like a thousand blows, with a force so hard that they were
thrown into the sky and their bodies hit the grown fiercely, making a hole. Then, mortally
wounded, they crawled to each other and took each other's hand.

"Kaea has remained faithful to Taaroa" she said weakly.

Taaroa only nodded his head in approval.

"Kaea has."

"Hina has remained faithful to Atanua" she said feebly, coughing blood out on the sand.

Atanua looked at her sadly and bend down to take her hand.

"Hina has."

Kaea and Hina then looked at each other smiling.

"Now my friend" Hina said slowly "we have repaid our debts and will not need to fight each other
anymore. Thank you ... for your forgiveness."

"Now my sister" replied Kaea with difficulty, grasping for breath "we will be able to enjoy the
Po in peace."

They looked at each other one last time, smiled gratefully at their respecful deities and 
breathed their last breath. They then closed their eyes and smiled, and their souls came out and,
taking each other's hand, they heed happily west to the Po.

"The debt has been settled" declared Taaroa after a while had passed "Now, they will be able
to rest in the Po peacefully, knowing that their honor has been safe and that their memories
will be without stain."

"It is better this way Taaroa." said Atanua.

"Indeed it is Atanua. Poor souls they were. Well, it is now time for me to take my leave."

"How about the matter of Phoenix Saint Ikki?" asked Atanua, raising up a brow questionningly.

"Do no worry about that" replied Taaroa forcefully "my grudge is why you, not him, he will not
die."

"But why him?"

"I have a newcomer in one of my aitos, Esmeralda her name is. But until she settles her debt
with Phoenix, she will not attain her full potential in battle, which would be a pity. You know
me. I want every Aito of mine to be able to concentrate in battle, and how can they concentrate
if they are preoccupied by other matters? That is why I prefer to settle anything I can, like
this matter between Kaea and Hina, or the matter between Phoenix and Esmeralda. I must go now,
but we will see each other soon Atanua."

"Soon." promised Atanua as she looked at Taaroa and his helpers vanish in a flash of light. 

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End of chapter 2

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