A Way to Find the Unexpected

Chapter Ten (Part One)

          Kateri took a deep breath and paced around the cave. This was it, this was what the Gathering had been preparing her for the entire time they had been here. She had learned a lot from Anulu, though after the Ubertatem Pyram they had troubled looking each other in the eye.

          "Kateri, my daughter please stop pacing. I can't concentrate on this." her mother said. She was repairing Kateri's pack for the Quest. It would have to be done in just a few hours.

          "Makuahine I just want to go." said Kateri. She had never been apart from her family before. Ever since she was born, her mother, father, and later her sister were always nearby if she needed them, and always nearby if she just wanted to be alone. It could be suffocating at times. She couldn't wait to be wild and free.

          "Be patient, little pearl. I remember my quest. I met your father on it, you know?"

          "I know." She didn't know how she felt about the possibility of finding her husband. If he was from a different tribe, she would have to leave her family permanently. They were a bit invasive at times, but she didn't want to leave them forever. Leilani was quiet, sitting next to their mother with her knees pulled to her chest. She would be fine without Kateri. It would just take some getting used to. "Nani, you'll be fine. You have plenty of friends to play with. You have Makuahine, Makuakāne, and Talavera. You will barely notice I'm gone, and I'll be back before you know it."

          "Are you trying to convince me or you? Because I don't think that convinced either of us." said Leilani.

          "Nani," Makuahine said, "just give it time. You will see each other in the future."

          "You don't know that." Leilani mumbled.

          "Kateri wouldn't leave for her husband's tribe without first coming back and telling us she is okay." said Makuahine.

          "Okay, what husband? I'm not even seeing anyone." said Kateri.

          "Your future husband that you will meet on the quest. Keep up Kateri. Maybe going on the Quest will help your conversation skills." Leilani stuck her tongue out at Kateri.

          "All done." Makuahine said. "Now, we had better start packing, it won't be long now until you will have to leave." It was then that Makuakāne came into the cave.

          "Is my child leaving me already?" his voice echoed against the stone walls.

          "No, Makuakāne I still have to pack."

          "Good, I wanted to say goodbye to you before we have to face all of the others. Come, walk with me." He waved his hand and Kateri followed him out of their little section to walk among the others. "Are you scared?"

          "A little, but I'm more excited."

          "I was the same way. I couldn't wait to get away from my Makuahine, Talavera."

          "I'm going to miss Nani the most."

         Everyone was bustling about preparing their children for the journey ahead of them. Some of the parents were crying, and the children seemed to be a mix of scared and excited in anticipation. Kateri looked at Taima. He seemed to be forming his words carefully.

          "When you're out there..." he paused.

          "Yeah?"

          "You're going to change a lot. You might be gone a long time. Most importantly, you are going to meet people you will eventually consider family."