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Show 122 Chua took in a sharp breath. That was what he'd always wanted, and now here it was. Oh, how he wished to belong. "I'd be honored to be part of the ceremony, but I can't leave my mother." "You must go," Apa said. "The new moon brings the time for the birth of the baby. I can't leave." "You could participate in the nightly ceremonies and then return each day to your mother," Toho said. "I can't," Chua said. But he wanted to. Oh, how he wanted to. "Weil begin tomorrow. I ask you to come, brother. Think about it." Toho put a hand on Chua's shoulder. "Besides, you tell me 'no' and then you change your mind. I hope you'll change your mind this time." Chua smiled. Toho was right. Chua said 'no' to the trip to the Great Painted Canyons and then he had gone. Chua watched Toho climb the steep path to the mesa, above the cliff with , the two ledges. Could he let himself belong?/ He was glad Clawing Eagle was awake^ 0*** \^f^- TU<> fiSUtl^ (***• ^ f ^ ™ ' Chua sat in the secret room. The picture of his father came into his head. Oh Father, he thought. How can I get close to this clan? I want to, but I'm afraid. They've been good to me. They've cared about me, but fear fills my belly. "You have a family," his father said, "and now you've been asked to |