Chapter Text
As soon as Moana's feet hit the warm sand of Motunui, her heart sank. She turned to the sea and watched as an eagle hovered just outside the reef. After a moment or two it turned and took off. Moana watched with a heavy heart as Maui, demi god of the wind and sea left her sight. She put on a brave face and turned to meet her people as they greeted the men and women who accompanied her on her voyage. Her mother walked alone toward Moana. Her hair had greyed more than Moana ever thought it would. Without spoken words, Moana leaned her forehead to her mothers and shared a breath with her in a hongi.
Sina took Moana's hand and silently guided her through the crowd, toward their shared home. Ever since her father, Tui, passed away, Sina spent most her time by herself. Now as an elder, Sina wasn't required to attend many festivities and most of the village understood her need for space.
"How have you been mother?" Sina smiled as she slowly sat down.
"I've been just fine dear. How is the Ocean?" Moana smiled, taking a seat next to her mother.
"It's well. We found two more islands and one had a village. Some of ours stayed and some of theirs came." Moana continued to tell her mom about everything from the new villagers to how different the plants were. Sina simply listened to Moana as she spoke so excitedly. She spoke of how even though Maui and her hadn't talked since Te Feti, almost ten years before hand, she comes across a whole lot of animals with an odd hook shaped pattern. She also talked about how she missed him but knew he was never far. Soon Moana began to yawn.
"Moana?" Moana turned to her mom. "I think it's time for the Chief of Motunui to sleep. You're tired sweetheart." Moana didn't realize how tired she was until Sina spoke.
"Okay mom. Good night." Moana shared a hongi with her mother once again and slowly made her way to her bed. Moana had a sleeping hut of her own. It was the chief's quarters. But it was lonely and she knew her mother was lonely too.
Three months later.
"Moana." Moana looked up from her basket she was weaving to find her mother standing before her. "Let's go for a walk." Moana nodded and rose, handing her basket to another villager who eagerly took it and shooed her away to her mother. Moana linked arms with her mother and matched her mother's pace. Sina was now walking with a cain. They walked in silence for awhile along the beach of the lagoon. Moana looked out to the sea and was captivated. She didn't realize they had stopped walking till her mother patted her arm.
Moana look down at her mother in surprise. Sina lowered herself to one of the large stones that adorned the beach. Moana sat next to her. They stared out at the ocean together. Moana watched the waves and was reminded of her and Tala's dance. She smiled and turned to her mother, who wasn't watching the ocean anymore. She was watching Moana.
"It's time for you to go again Moana." Moana looked at her mother with confusion covering her face.
"But I just got back. It hasn't even been 6 lunar phases yet. The voyagers from the village won't want to leave yet. and..." Sina cut Moana off by hushing her.
"YOU need to go Moana. Not a fleet. Just you. I can see how sad and lonely you are. Go find him Moana." Moana's breath caught in her throat. "Moana. He visits you every night. He is waiting for you to look for him, Moana." Sina slept very little at night and had seen Maui more than he thought she did. He'd usually come in as a small lizard to check on her. He usually would leave quickly, but since Moana's returned, he stands, in Human form, guarding their hut.
"He's here. On Motunui?" Moana was now standing.
"No Moana. He's with you. Ever since Te Feti. He's never left. Your canoe is full Moana. Go."
"But the village. And you." Moana knelt before her mother and held her frail hands. Sina gently squeezed her hands.
"Come back when you're ready. Our people are doing just fine. And so am I." Moana stood and turned to find her small canoe set out on the beach. She could see the storage was full and ready to sail.
"I'll be back Mom." She leaned down to hug her mother tightly.
"Go get him Moana." Moana held on for a few more moments then let go. She took off running down the beach and pushed the canoe out, waving back at her mother as she sailed further away.
Sina heard a rustle from behind her. She didn't turn as she spoke. "Keep her safe."
"Always." Maui, as a lizard, ran toward the sea, jumping in as a fish and chasing after Moana. Sina smiled and slowly rose. When Maui first started to visit Moana, Sina watched him. Maui didn't realize she was watching him till he had fixed Moanas blanket in human form and turned to leave the hut. Sina simply smiled at him as she stood in his path to leave. Maui looked startled but then look scared. As if she was going to yell at him. She strode to him and laid a hand on his shoulder. Maui recognized the motion and leaned to her for a hongi. She whispered to keep her safe. He uttered one word to her. Always. Sina and him never spoke again.
Moana sailed until she was surrounded by water. No land in sight. She knew exactly where she was though. She stood with her eyes closed on the canoe, facing the wind. She slowly relaxed as the sun warmed her skin and the breeze blew through her hair. The canoe shifted slightly, and Moana smiled. She slowly turned to find a very familiar hawk standing on her boat.
"Maui." Moana took a step forward. Maui hesitated. He wished for a long time to stand before her again. To talk to her and hug her. Yet he hesitated. His reasoning for watching over her started off as innocent. But as this little girl became a women, the reasons became selfish. He should have stayed away. Watched from afar and only visited her when she found one of his new islands. But he began to have feelings for her. Feelings that no Demi-God should ever have for a mortal.
Maui decided to just leave. To not actually speak to her. He'd keep his promise with Sina, he'd just be more distant. Only visit when she was at sea. Maui turned. He opened his wings and just before he could take off, a hand laid on his back. Her small hand was light and by no means could stop him, but it did. He closed his wings and turned to face her. She leaned forward and hugged him. He spread his wings around her. Moana held onto him until feathers became skin and wings became arms. He held her tightly.
"Hey Princess."