Probatio Barracks - Boys

Dean nodded, listening closely. "All I got are my uncle's dog tags." he said, reaching into his shirt and pulling the chain out.

Kauri shook his head. "In my culture, they would still be taonga. Treasure. They have been passed on to you. Taonga can be anything, from a word, to a memory. I am certain that those mean as much to you as my pounamu." He wrapped a hand around Dean's with a gentle smile. "Do not lesser yourself, my friend. Cultures differ, but are very similar."

Dean had been staring at Kauri in wonder when he shook his head and cleared his throat, leaning back. "Uh, thanks."

Kauri's smile slipped slightly, and he drew his hand back quickly, tucking his pendant back under his shirt. "You are welcome," he murmured, pulling back himself.

Dean scratched the back of his neck. "You... yeah." he said awkwardly.

"I'm sorry?" Kauri returned. "I didn't hear that."

"You are just... yeah." Dean chuckled. "You're something else."

"I'm sure," Kauri replied, not really understanding. He fiddled with his pendant, as he tended to do when he got uncomfortable or anxious.

Dean watched him for a moment, a small smile on his face.

Kauri smiled back tentatively, though he shifted to the side as Aruhe swept in and sat down on his cot, beginning to talk animatedly to him in Maori.

Bruce walked back into the Barracks trying to ignore Barry who was talking to him about some kind of elephant.

Kauri sighed at Aruhe, obviously not too happy about what she was insisting, but obediently dug in his bag and produced a jar of paste and handed it over. His twin didn't stop there, and tugged at his shirt relentlessly until he pulled it off and turned his back on her, displaying his shoulder ta moko, with fresher, redder markings, which Aruhe applied the paste to with gentle fingers, massaging it in, ignoring her brother's barrack-mates.

Dean scratched the back of his neck and went to find Sam.

Once his sister had finished running her hands over the chiseled-in ink of the ta moko, Kauri shooed her away and lay down on his front to let the paste sink into his skin.

Dean walked back in and saw the state Kauri was in. "Everything good?" he asked, and noticed what looked like a tattoo on his back. "Tattoos? Wow. Nice."

Kauri sat up. "Everything is fine, yes. And... ta moko is not your tattoo. Is not done with a needle, with uhi, chisels. It leaves indentations." He used a wipe to get rid of the excess cream, then beckoned Dean over. "Feel," he offered, turning his shoulder. "Every line has spiritual meaning, has a story to tell. Is an important milestone between childhood and adulthood. Aruhe trained to be a Tohunga ta moko before we left our tribe. She has continued my ta moko. It is a long, painful process."

Dean walked over and ran his fingers over the ta moko softly. "Wow. And they just tap this- chisel, was it?- into your skin?"

Kauri nodded. "And when it heals, it leaves indentations. It is so painful because of the technique," he murmured, the hairs on the back of his neck rising as Dean touched his shoulder so softly.

"How interesting." he mumbled to himself as he leaned in closer to take a better look at the indents.

Kauri turned his head to watch him. "You have beautiful eyes," he murmured. "It reminds me of pounamu."

Dean glanced up. "What's pounamu?" he asked and stood up straight again to focus on Kauri's face.

"Greenstone, remember?" Kauri reminded gently, once again showing his precious pendant.

Dean chuckled. "Oh, right. I'll get eventually." he said, grinning.

"They are as beautiful as pounamu and as deep as moana," Kauri murmured, getting a little lost in their depths.

Dean smirked. "Usually I'm the one asking for a map but you seem pretty lost in my eyes right now." he teased gently.