Akamu wasn't sure which was worse: having their boat swept up in the middle of a storm at sea, or having to listen to his two companions argue about how to handle their current problem being trapped in said storm.

The storm seemed to have crept up on them, starting out as a speck of dreary color off to the side of the horizon that quickly grew and closed in on their humble canoe. Watching the storm settle in on them made Akamu's heart tense, not only because he already harbored a fear of rough waters; something was not normal about the weather. It hit him as to what it was when the storm itself swept in with eager force and the winds picked up to a strength rarely experienced.

"Maui! The storm. I think it's a ..."

The demigod had turned hardened eyes to the sky, his frown stating he'd figured it out too. "Hurricane."

From then on things took a turn for chaos. Lightning flashed and danced, using the rolling sea as a dance floor. Unending sheets of stinging rain bombarded the boat and rolled across the surface of the ocean. Waves churned underneath their boat, and Akamu constantly grabbed onto part of the canoe to steel himself while still doing his best to do as he was told. But the question of who was in command during the storm had no true answer.

"No!" Moana's heavy voice snapped over the howling wind. She flung sopping wet, gray curls from her face and stood with her feet planted, gripping the rope and glaring at Maui. "We don't need your demigod tricks to get us out of here. I trust the ocean and myself. We'll get through it, Maui! I can do this."

"You asked me to take you on this voyage," Maui flung back, sweeping a mighty arm out to encompass the swirling sky and tossing waves, just as they were carried up to the crest of a large one. "It's not illegal for me to get us to safety, Moana! Wind and sea, remember? Demigod of the wind and sea!"

Akamu dropped to his knees and gripped the mast as they traveled down the rising water, hoping they would stay afloat this time as well. Water sprayed as they bumped along the surface. Akamu coughed and took a deep breath before yelling, "Moana, this is a hurricane. Let Maui do his thing! That's why you brought him, right? So he could take care of you?"

Moana threw him a glare. "You shush! This is my voyage. I'll not do it any other way."

Akamu groaned. She was too stubborn! This time she was being unreasonable. They had a demigod who could ensure their safety, and she would rather flirt with danger? Akamu glanced at Moana. She staggered and bit her lip in concentration, but her arms were trembling. She struggled to turn the boat and Maui stepped in to take over, but his face was hard to the point of being furious. "Moana, stop."

"Maui!"

Another rouge wave sent the boat lurching upward. Akamu saw Moana tipping and quickly bolted to his feet, fighting against the wavering balance of the canoe himself. Maui was closer, though, and supported Moana with a steady arm as the boat crashed back to surface. Akamu was thrown to his knees at the impact. He gasped and pushed wet hair from his eyes. Moana's voice was yelling something, but it was too late. Something – the sail he guessed – cracked against his shoulder blades and Akamu was thrown off the boat into the wild waters.

He had a moment of panic, unable to discern where the surface was even with his eyes thrust open. There wasn't an ounce of light, and his body was tumbled and pulled about by the storm's powerful influence. But just as quickly as he had gone under, he suddenly found himself breaking surface again and gasped, taking in air as best as he could. Akamu saw the boat, a startlingly distance away on the rolling waves. He was pulled under as a wave crashed over his head.

The young man kicked and did his best to mimic the careful swimming gestures Moana had shown him, but they were a joke compared to the angry waves. The moment he sensed he was about to reach the surface he was dragged back under. The churning waves weren't about to stop. His lungs burned and pinched, wanting air. Akamu knew he was in trouble.

A large hand enclosed on his head and Akamu was torn out of the water. He gasped and coughed, turning his head as his savior switched to gripping his shoulders. There was Maui's face, staring and looking him over quickly as they bobbed uncertainly in the water. "You okay, kid?"

"You shouldn't have," Akamu shouted, indignation rising within him. He choked on some water before blurting out, "Why'd you leave Moana?"

"Kid, she woulda bit off my head if I didn't save ya!"

Some unknown signal drew both the attention of the demigod and the human and they turned their heads. The canoe was being dragged backwards as a large wave coiled over it. Moana's tiny, hunched frame was glimpsed standing and holding onto the ropes, making frantic motions to attempt to direct the boat despite the wildness of the storm. The wave crashed over the boat, wiping it and its occupant from sight as if it had never been there.

Maui and Akamu shouted, voices mixing in the scream of the winds. Maui let go of his shoulders. Akamu bobbed roughly in the water and then a spark stung the air, different than the lightning. The boy felt giant talons grab hold of his shoulders and pinch his skin. Then they were flying from the water, Maui's hawk form slicing through the air as furiously as the lightning blazed around them.

Then they were leaning down, aiming for the waters where the boat was last seen. Akamu needed no further warning, nor did he refuse being taken along on the demigod's rescue attempt. Whatever Maui had in mind, abandoning Maui now wasn't going to prove to be a wise decision on Akamu's part if he wanted to survive. Moana needed him. She needed them both.

Akamu sucked in a breath as Maui shifted back, fishhook extended and glowing, and they plunged beneath the waves.

Moana groaned and slowly opened her eyes.

A cloudy, black sky void of stars hung overhead. Their canoe was not pitching crazily beneath her. In fact it felt rather still. She blinked, then Akamu's face was hovering over her. The youthful face was sober, and concerned eyes met her own. "Moana? Take it easy, okay? You struck your head on something."

"Where are we?" she demanded in a low voice, pushing herself upright. Her head had been laying in the boy's lap.

He switched to grabbing her arms in gentle support. "Don't- What did I just say?"

"But the storm ..."

"Maui took care of it. We're far ahead of it now. Aren't we, Maui?"

Moana's gaze landed on the massive form of the demigod at the other end of the boat, his back turned to them. He appeared to be monitoring the direction they faced, despite the fact their boat was motionless. His dark head nodded once. Moana frowned softly and looked to the side at the water, wincing as a pain in her head made itself known. Akamu was speaking again. "After you told Maui to save me, you and the boat went down. Maui dove underwater and pulled you and the boat back to the surface, and without letting me go, too." The boy blew softly through his lips and murmured, "That kind of determination and strength I've never seen before. He got us away from the storm. But it's still out there."

"Is it headed for Motunui?"

Akamu grimaced. That was all Moana needed to know her suspicion was dreadfully true.

She lurched to her feet and staggered, panting, "We need to go. We need to move! They need to be warned, they need to get to safety."

She began to prepare the boat to sail forward, but Maui turned and stared her down with a firm look. Moana paused and raised her eyebrows. "Maui? Maui, we must move quickly. My people ..."

"You want to save them before trouble strikes. Like I wanted to save you, just now?" His eyes narrowed. "You didn't let me."

Moana opened her mouth, but she could not think of a single thing to say in protest. Instead, Maui pointed and she obediently sat down again. She couldn't keep herself from groaning lightly at her throbbing head. Akamu placed a caring hand against her back and Moana relaxed. Sitting down actually felt like a welcoming idea.

Maui sighed and tipped his head back, as if looking to the eerie night sky for help. "Moana, what's going on with you? You've never been this unreasonable. You put yourself, not to mention Akamu at risk in that storm! Why did you fight me?"

Moana frowned and fixed her eyes on the smooth wood of the canoe. A few moments passed before she was able to find her voice. "I really am an old fool."

"You're lucky you came through all that with just a bump on your head!" Maui exploded. "You nearly drowned. So did Akamu. Why? Why are you so bent on doing this voyage your way alone?"

She put a hand to her head. "It was a fool's hope, I guess. I'm not a young girl anymore, and I missed those days when I could wayfind to my heart's content. It seemed that nothing could stop me."

"Hurricanes can throw a rock into anybody's plans."

"Yes, of course. I know this. I am sorry, Maui. I was reckless. Chasing after something I no longer am."

Maui sighed gruffly again, but this time his voice was softer. She looked up and he was shaking his head, staring at the water again. "No one's indestructible, Moana."

" … No, Maui. No one is. I've come to accept this long before you came back."

A moment later and Maui's back stiffened. He glanced over his shoulder at her. "What's that mean, exactly?"

The uncertainty, yet ignorance of his question caused her to smile weakly. She shook her head, still smiling. "Well, you don't expect someone my age to keep going on for forever, do you?"

Maui's eyes flashed with sudden fear and he turned to face her fully, the boat rocking at the swift movement. "You're not … Moana, no."

She snorted softly. "No, I'm not dying now. But, Maui, it is coming."

"Why would you ever wanna say stuff like that?"

"You know, once a long time ago I couldn't understand why my grandmother would make mentions of her own death, but now I do. When you are my age, you think about it. But don't worry. I am at peace for what I cannot outrun."

Her steady words still didn't seem to make it past the fear written all over the mighty demigod's features. Moana's face softened into concern and she leaned forward slightly. "Maui. Did you forget that I'm a mortal?"

"No."

She lifted her eyebrows, silently inviting him to share his thoughts. The shock on his face worried her. The demigod dragged a hand over his face and uttered a shaking sigh. "I never thought about it, Mo'. Never thought I'd have to think about it for a long, long time."

Of course. Now she understood. This was the first time Maui had ever needed to seriously consider that her days of living were going to reach an end.

She should have prepared herself for this the moment he revealed why he had been so careless in forgetting to visit her after Te Fiti's restoration. Being a mortal, she did not have to think, nor did she have the brain power to understand what living for a thousand years trapped on an island could do to a person's judgment to tell time. Especially if that person was a demigod blessed with abnormally long life. Maui likely didn't need to worry about his own death. It wasn't a realistic fact for him. Unlike her.

"Why else do you think I was so determined to drag you back to me and onto this journey?" Moana questioned gently. "I made up my mind a long time ago. My final voyage was going to be a good one. Where I was going to make peace with a giant crab monster, and journey back to the island of my birth, where my only family waits. And I was going to do it all with my best friend at my side."

The look on Maui's face plainly told her he was caught up in plenty of deep emotion and thoughts at what she had so simply accepted. How strange it was, being a mortal and having no idea how her friend could have never prepared himself for losing a loved one. But then, like a splash of cold water, Moana recalled Maui's back story and the things he went through, trying desperately to find some sort of meaning in the adoration of humans. She knew he hadn't had the same exposure to commitment and love as she had within her family and people. It was very possible she was the only true friend Maui had made as a demigod.

Maui turned away and plunked himself down on the boat's edge. Moana rose and quietly stepped toward him, reaching a hand. "Are … Are you okay?"

"No."

Moana's arm fell slowly back to her side and she observed him sadly. This was what she dreaded, not death itself. Seeing those she cared for the most grieving over what was inevitable. She glanced back at Akamu and found the young man also staring into space, a grim frown set into his expression. Moana wanted to shake them both and hug them all at once. Didn't they know she had peace about this? That she hated seeing them with such agonized, disbelieving and defiant faces? But she held her tongue. Because she, too, had been there once, such a very long time ago. So she merely sighed and turned, thinking to leave the two with their thoughts and hope they would come to terms with it. They had an island to reach, after all.

Moana stepped to the other side of the boat and let her eyes idly roam the incredibly calm waters. A fresh, hushing breeze drifted over her, rippling the surface of the ocean. A shimmering glow caught her attention and she turned her head, letting out a gasp. A fleet of canoes, large and small, glowing a calming blue were sailing, gliding effortlessly into view.

"Maui," Moana backed up and found his shoulder, giving it a firm shake. "Maui! Look."

"Uh? Moana, what is it?" He turned and started to rise to his feet and froze, eyes widening.

Akamu scrambled up and stood in dumb silence as the boats came and glided past and around them. They carried people, wayfinding and smiling, their faces turned forward and eager for whatever destination lay before them. One chief even made eye contact with their boat and Moana grinned, feeling recollection warm her soul. She reached up to brush a tear from her cheek. "I … I never thought I would see this again."

"H-How's this happening?" Akamu turned in a circle, voice hushed with awe.

Moana giggled in her throat. "Oh, it's happening."

"But, I don't … Wh-What … This is incredible."

Soothing blue light gently washed over the boat. A new voice said, "You should see the looks on your faces."

All three of them whirled. Standing at the back of the boat was a young man bathed in the same blue glow as the ships. His dark hair was pulled back atop his head. It was easily guessed that he was at the point in his youth when his age reached into manhood. Bright, teasing eyes looked the three over before settling on Akamu. The newcomer grinned. "Heh. Especially you, Akamu. You were always so easily awestruck by the slightest of things."

His focus shifted to Moana and his playful grin melted into a joy-filled smile. "Grandma."

Moana stepped forward, a wavering hand moving to her heart. She beamed and blurted in a tight voice, "Feleti." She hurried toward him. He smiled and caught her in his arms, lowering them both to the boat so that they rested on their knees while Moana burst into joyful laughter.

Behind her, Akamu pressed a hand to his chin, then dragged it up over his face and hair. "You call this a slight thing?"

"Feleti. That means 'peace,'" Maui said slowly. "Your island. And Moana named her grandson after the island."

Akamu nodded, seemingly unable to move at all.

"Oh, let me look at you," Moana said, pulling herself back enough from Feleti so she could look him up and down. She laughed again, holding his hands in hers. "My beautiful grandson. Oh, I've missed you."

Feleti smiled, laughing gently. "I've missed you too, Grandma."

Maui edged forward and held up a hand, waving faintly. "Uh, hiya, Moana's grandson. I've heard about you."

"And I you, demigod." Feleti rose to his feet, releasing Moana's hands. He nodded respectfully to Maui with a huge smile decorating his glowing face. "He sings and carries a big fishhook. 'You're welcome!'"

Maui's mouth fell open and he glanced at Moana. She sent him a teasing smirk and he chuckled. "She's told you the basics, I guess. Nice to meet you, Feleti." Maui blinked. "But, uh, what are you doing here?"

The spirit of her grandson held up a hand. "I will get to you later, demigod. First ..." Feleti stepped around him and stood in front of a frozen Akamu.

Moana turned from where she knelt on the boat as Maui stepped closer, asking her, "Do you know what this is all about?" She smiled softly and nodded. "My grandson was named with far more purpose than being called after an island, my friend."

Feleti tipped his head at the other young man. "It's been a long time, huh?"

"I'm so sorry." Akamu's words burst out hurriedly. He squared his shoulders and balled his fists. "I never should have asked that we climb that mountain. Should have let you teach me how to swim in the first place, then none of this … Then you wouldn't have …"

"Akamu?" Feleti stepped forward.

Akamu lifted his chin, eyes blazing. "No. No, it should never have happened. It wouldn't have happened if I hadn't been afraid. Because of me, you had to … You d-didn't come back. Because of me, you ..." Akamu shuddered and screwed shut his eyes. A tear trailed down his cheek.

Moana shut her eyes as well, feeling the boy's pain as if it were her own. As she had loved her grandson, Akamu had loved him like a brother. And here he was forced to face his own pain and regret all over again. She felt the boat move slightly and quickly reached out, grabbing hold of Maui before he could move closer. "No," she whispered. "Let Feleti guide him."

Akamu sobbed quietly. "Forgive me, my friend."

"No, Akamu. I won't forgive you." Feleti stepped up before him and laid his hands on the other boy's shoulders. Akamu looked up and Moana's grandson continued, "And do you know why? Because … it was not your fault."

Silence followed. As Moana watched, Akamu scanned the calm face of his best friend, before his eyes widened faintly, recognizing the genuine truth his friend had stated so simply. He nodded mutely. The boys moved at the same time, embracing one another heartily. They pulled back, fists locked in a firm grip of friendship. Akamu's eyes clearly showed the peace he had finally found in hearing the truth spoken from the person he had lost.

"So, he's not just named after peace, but he gives it, too?"

Moana huffed and whacked Maui's arm. Still, the two young men laughed. "My grandmother knows how to give you a good name," Feleti stated, turning to the demigod. "But my visit is to help you as well, demigod Maui."

"Huh?" Perplexed, Maui reared back before dumbly pointing to himself. Mini-Maui copied him. "Me? Why?"

Feleti tilted his head again. "Haven't you guessed it? Even a demigod needs hope to hold onto. This," He moved an arm to gesture at the gliding blue ships carrying those who had passed on in the past. "This is all hope, demigod. Moana knows. And now, so do you."

Maui's puzzled look remained before he blinked, turning serious and thoughtful. The demigod turned slowly in a circle, watching the beautiful sight around them. He lowered his head and nodded. "I see."

"You must leave?" Moana asked her grandson, hand gripping at her heart again. She knew he had to. But still, she ached for him not to go. Not so soon.

Feleti nodded with a soft smile. He walked over and took her hands, pulling her to her feet. "But no matter where you are, Grandma, I will be with you. We all will."

Moana freed one hand and pulled his head down, planting a gentle kiss on the boy's forehead. He hesitated before throwing his arms round her one more time. Then Feleti stepped back and gave them all a smile that matched the calming glow his body radiated. He turned his attention to the ships and vaulted off their boat, leaping onto the nearest as it sailed past. Moana saw the people he had joined with on the ship and she gasped, hurrying to the edge of the boat. There were her parents, Tui and Sina, her mother's hands resting comfortably against her father's arm. With them stood the grinning figure of her Grandma Tala. And there was Hahona, Moana's husband. He flashed her a smile, and she swore there were tears in his eyes. Just beyond him was their son, Maru, attention drawn ahead of them. Their boat was moving on, and swiftly. Moana leaned forward, attempting to see who all she had known traveled on the boat. Only Grandma Tala turned to smile and nod in farewell as the ship hurried away.

Moana's hand reached out and she would have stepped clear off their canoe if not for Maui scooping her back in one careful motion. "Grandma," she breathed, gripping the demigod's arm in much needed support. Her heart was fluttering around inside her, all funny like. Her eyes strained to stare after the boats sailing away and the trail of calming blue light they left behind. The faces of her loved ones whirled in her mind, colliding with old memories and emotions. And songs.

Maui placed his free hand against her shoulder. "Moana?"

The old lady shuddered and wiped away a tear, laughing quietly. She looked up to meet the alert face of her friend. "It's okay, Maui. This old lady's not as resilient as she was the first night I was visited in this way." She chuckled in her throat and patted his arm, despite the fact she had no energy to pull away from Maui's support.

Maui lifted an eyebrow and began to smile slowly. "Well, hey … You got to see them all again, if just for a second."

"Are you kidding? Maui, they've never left me. How could they? What Feleti said was true. No matter where I go, I carry each and every one of them in my heart." Moana touched her fingers against the tattoo of herself that appeared over the demigod's heart a lifetime ago and met his eyes.

Brief sadness clouded Maui's expression, but he sighed and closed his eyes. Then, an accepting smile made its way across his features. He looked at her and nodded, and Moana knew he had at least begun to find the same hope she'd found for herself when losing her loved ones. More than that, she knew he was ready to continue the voyage.

"Better get going," she advised, sitting down once again. "Motunui needs to be warned of the storm." She regarded the two men with a serious frown. "We've been given the encouragement we all need, I think. Now let's not waste it. Maui, can you get us to Motunui as safely and as quickly as possible?"

Maui smiled, his eyes lighting up. "You betcha, Princess."

Author's Note: The scene of 'I Am Moana' in the film is one of the best and I couldn't resist not creating a similar scene for our characters to encounter. Enjoy those feels, guys.

As always, thank you so much for following/favorite-ing and reviewing this story. Please leave a review and let me know what you think. I'd appreciate the feedback :)