39
The Hero Returns
I mua
To progress; to go forward; to claim to be senior, more than before.
“Pono,” I called as I opened the door.
Jay and Char Siu were stretching on the lauhala mats, holding the pose while Uncle Kahana counted. ‘Ilima rushed to me from her pillow, beating her tail against my legs as she hula’d hello.
“Who’s a little sweetheart, huh? Who? Yes, it’s you, ‘Ilima!”
I knelt on a mat and ruffled her ears.
“Good grief, Z-boy, what happened to you?”
“Zader!” Char Siu said. “Your eye!”
“It’s nothing.”
“Nothing?” Jay exclaimed.
He scrambled to his knees and reached toward my face, his fingers lightly brushing the cut on my lip. His mouth compressed into a thin, white line, his eyes fierce and remote.
“‘Alika,” he growled.
I nodded. “Out by Piko Point.”
“I’m going
