Later that evening, Lehua and Malani perused the aisles at the KTA superstore, looking for a late-night snack to enjoy while they watched a movie in the comfort of Malani's living room.
They settled on some items for sandwiches and salty nachos, along with some iced tea to go with it. Halfway to the Hawaiian food section, Lehua heard a female voice call out to her, "Kalehuaokauakipu'upu'u?"Lehua turned quickly and saw her kumu hula walking down the aisle toward her. "How long have you been back, e Lehua?"
"It's been a month, Kumu," Lehua opened her arms to receive her kumu's embrace. They exchanged Ha by touching foreheads and noses.
Stepping back and getting a good look at Lehua, her kumu said, "We shall see you at hula tomorrow, yes? Just the two of us; I want to wala'au wale and catch up,"
"Of course," Lehua replied. "We can do that!" The two hugged again, and before the kumu departed, she turned to Malani and hugged him as well.
"You should make time for hula as well, e Malani," the Kumu smiled. "I'd be happy to see you dancing again,"
"Alright," Malani nodded.
The kumu departed toward the other end of the food aisle with her intended purchases in hand. The two watched as the revered hula teacher turned to the corner and disappeared into the crowd before the poke' bar. No one could ever say no to Kumu 'Ilima. Not because she was mean, but because she was so beautifully kind and honest, one could never refuse.
*
The halau was empty save for Lehua and Kumu 'Ilima. The two sat sharing Kulolo and mamake tea. Things about the studio were different, yet other things were the same. Every six months, Kumu 'Ilima cleaned everything in the halau so the mana or the energy wouldn't stagnate. "I can tell that there's a lot you want to say, things that trouble you that you can't talk about. You've always known that halau is your pu'uhonua. What is said in this sanctuary stays in here,"
"All I can say, Kumu, is that something is coming up that might be dangerous. I mean, the job is dangerous as it is, but this time," she trailed off before returning. "I have a bad feeling, and I can't shake it,"
"The elite army you are named for, Na Kipu'upu'u, Kamehameha's finest elite force. Many of them were young, younger than you. Of course, being the best of the best was an honor, but there was no misunderstanding of their task, including the chance that some would die," Kumu 'Ilima began. "If things become dangerous, you ask those ancestors for whom you are named to guide you. Without a doubt, they will come,"
Lehua nodded. "Can I ask for their guidance even if it's not dangerous?"
"Of course," Kumu 'Ilima replied. "Everything you need is in that chant, Hole Waimea,"
*
The coming-of-age comedy droned on while Lehua and Malani sat there, half watching it and half making out. The lovemaking started on the couch and gravitated to the bedroom and then shower and the bedroom again. Malani tossed and turned in his sleep. But this was not one of those PTSD dreams; this dream was about Lehua, alone and dying from her wounds somewhere on the other side of the world. When Malani woke up, Lehua was gone. Everything that was hers was also gone, right down to the casual salmon shoes. Looking over at his phone, he saw an unanswered text from Lehua.
"Ku'uleipoina'ole, nau no ku'u aloha,"
...to be continued
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