"She did WHAT?"
The villagers cowered in fear. The demigods anger was terrifying. The village chief stood quaking in front of Maui, uncertain of what to do. Maui picked up a boulder and threw it as hard as he could in frustration. It soared well past the village and out of sight. With an exasperated yell, Maui shifted to the hawk and thundered out to sea. He flew swiftly towards the main island of Motunui, cursing himself for not coming back sooner. Of course she had left. The obstinate girl just never knew when to quit. If she was still alive he was going to have a very stern talk with her. If? No. Of course she was alive. Moana wouldn't die. She was the chosen one. The ocean loved her. She was favored by Te Fiti. She couldn't die. He refused to let her! Hang on, princess. I'm coming for ya.
He reached Motunui late that afternoon, thunder clouds rolling in the distance. He shifted into his human form and landed with a thud in the middle of the village.
"Tui." He barked at the nearest villager who was gawping at him in surprise. The people scattered. Maui stomped towards the main hut. When he was halfway up the hill, Tui burst from the hut and jogged towards Maui.
"Is she here?" Maui demanded.
"No. The other boats made it in last night. Moana was not with them. They said..." Tui's voice broke. "They said an eel..." Tui's voice trailed off.
"Where?" Maui growled.
"About 4 hours sail, that way." Tui pointed.
Maui swung his hook and shifted again, speeding out in the direction Tui had pointed.
Maui circled the spot where the fight had happened. He was certain this was it. The massive oil slick coated the surface of the ocean, refusing to dissipate. Thick ropy strands of mucus and blood snaked through the foul water. Here and there, bits of wreckage floated forlornly amidst the scum. After seeing all his hawk eyes could see, he dove into the water and became the great white shark. He breathed deep, tasting the water. The eels' foul slime coated him, it's blood cloying his senses. Maui concentrated on the blood. Yes. He was certain. Not a drop of it belonged to Moana. She was still alive, or at least the eel had not got her.
"Ocean." He called. "Where is she?"
The ocean didn't answer.
Frustrated, Maui jumped out of the water and transformed to the hawk. Flying high, he looked for a likely place that the ocean would have taken the girl.
Moana woke with a start. She had slept poorly, jumping at each tiny noise, afraid that she had gotten too close to the opening of her shelter. She shivered with cold, legs stiff and cramped in the tight confining space. Morning had come, tiny dust motes played softly in the weak light. Moana strained to for some sign of where Pe'ape'a was. All was silence. Quietly as she could, she crept forward inch by inch, eyes and ears straining for any indication of the giant bat. Heart pounding, she reached the opening and peered out.
"Good morning, princess." The smooth voice floated to her.
Moana felt a surge of anger and almost left the confines of her area just to scream at him. Only HE can call me that! She thought indignantly. "Don't call me that." She snapped, irritably. Sulking, she drew back into her sanctuary.
"Ohhhh. Does your lover call you this?" The voice mocked sardonically. "Put him from your mind, my pet. Come break your fast with me."
Moana didn't deign to answer. Her stomach rumbled hungrily and she was very thirsty. Worse, she was starting to feel the need to relieve herself, and the idea of fouling her tiny space made her cringe.
"If you're a fruit bat, what on earth could you possibly want with me?"
"I'm so very glad you asked!" Pe'ape'a seemed genuinely happy with this question. Moana heard his wings beating the air, dust and dirt swept into her shelter and she drew back, hugging her knees to her chest. Pe'ape'a settled outside her area, got down on all fours and peered in at her, fur shining in the dim morning light.
"You see, sweetie. I have a problem." He set his shoulders against the entrance and gave an experimental push. Moana held her breath, watching for any sign of movement. The rock stayed put.
Pe'ape'a hopped to the top of her sanctuary and started scraping at the rocks. Moana followed his progress as best she could. "A few months ago, my family was, shall we say, eradicated."
"I'm so terribly sorry." Moana replied. Nervously watching a small trickle of sand sift down from her roof.
"Yes, it was quite devastating. Thank you for your concern." Pe'ape'a continued in a nonchalant voice sliding down the backside of the shelter. "The mess was unbelievable."
Moana swallowed hard "I bet." She heard some stones shift and bounce with loud cracks on the other side.
"Fortunately." Pe'ape'a continued conversationally, grunting with effort "I survived."
"Lucky you." Sweat stood out on Moana brow.
"Yes indeed." Pe'ape'a continued his prowling.
"So, you just need a sympathetic shoulder to cry on?" Moana backed again away from the opening as Pe'ape'a returned, staring in at her.
Pe'ape'a soft laugh sent shivers up her spine. "Not quite, love. I find myself in need of a mate. Someone to bear me children so my line can continue. You, my little dumpling, have delicious curves." His eyes gleamed wickedly at her.
Moana felt her insides go suddenly very cold. "Lucky me." She said in a small voice.
"Yes." He purred. "Lucky you."
