Author's Note: I've been updating this introduction as I try to edit it. I'm having trouble trying to figure out the formatting, so please forgive the random spaces. I am very encouraged by the positive responses I have gotten so far! This is my first story, so please be gentle
…
She held her hand up to the night sky, fingers aligning with the stars.
"We should be home by morning," she called to the others.
She turned to face them as cheers rose into the night air, bouncing off the waves around them. Smiling, she turned around as a voice called her attention away.
"I must say, you have proven yourself once again to be a master Way Finder, Moana." Anakoni stepped out from the group and joined her at the front of the boat.
Chuckling back at him, Moana gently elbowed his side. "Aw, thank you! Does this mean you don't think I'm going to lead us to certain death?" She flashed him a playful smile.
"Well, don't get ahead of yourself. There is always next time," he called over his shoulder as he turned to leave.
Moana simply shook her head and smiled as she once again looked out toward the sea. Anakoni and she had been friends for as long as either of them could remember. They had shared a love of water but spent less and less time together as he began training to fish. At the time, her father had still wanted her to stay as far away from the water as possible, but once or twice they would meet in secret and set out on one of the fishing canoes. She had begged to control the boat and whenever he obliged they would end up capsized. She knew that Anakoni was referring to these secret meetings whenever he teased her about sailing. Everyone had seen how skilled she was once she returned from her mission with Maui.
Despite the biting wind, she warmed at the thought of Maui. He was the demigod who had accompanied her on her quest to return the heart of Te Fiti. It had been five years now since she returned and had last seen Maui. Soon after their success, they parted ways as he went on to continue helping humans. From what Moana had heard, he was quickly able to regain his title as hero of all. Even though so much time had passed, she still thought about him from time to time. She had grown a lot since then, but knew he was probably the same as always.
…
When the sun broke the over the horizon, their island was visible among the waves. After every adventure, Moto Nui looked like paradise. As much as Moana loved the sea, she knew she would always come home. More cheers broke out as the rest of the group woke up and saw the island in the distance. Everyone else was excited to come home as well.
The boats breached the shore and immediately everyone began to jump out, greeted by the loved ones who had stayed behind. Moana ran toward her parents who welcomed her with a hug. After the reunion was finished, all began their duties unloading the boats, cleaning, and preparing food for a feast. Moana was seeing to the boats to make sure they would receive any necessary mending when her father and mother walked up from the village.