The canoe sailed over the deep blue waters at as high a speed as Maui dared to encourage. The very ominous storm they had left behind had begun to catch up in the distance behind them, gray skies stretching even past the horizon they sailed toward. At the same time Motunui's skyline was in sight. And yet instead of standing or even leaning forward in anticipation like so many times since the voyage had started, Moana remained seated on the floor of the boat. Her silver head lifted and she gripped one trembling hand at the canoe, her dark eyes trained on the island in the distance. "Motunui. I'm home."

Maui's brow knitted. He glanced over his shoulder, wind whipping at his hair and face, but of course the storm hadn't changed course. He looked back at his friend worriedly. A change had settled over Moana. She seemingly dropped the stubborn attempts to push herself physically, which should have been comforting considering Maui had thought her actions to be downright nuts at times. But now he noticed little things. A constant tremble in her limbs. Her shoulders stooped. And ever since the visit from Feleti and the other wayfinding spirits, Moana kept pressing her hand against her heart. Maui assumed the joy and shock of the encounter had shaken her.

"Sit tight, you two," Maui commented, making arrangements to push the boat forward faster. Akamu dropped to his knees beside Moana and braced himself. As the canoe hurried ahead and began to cross over the reef, laughter rang from the old woman's voice. A smile pushed it's way onto Maui's face. Despite the weather, Moana was home and she was overjoyed.

Maui soon found himself splashing into the shallow waters and pulling the boat securely onto the pale beach of Motunui. In fact, everything seemed paler with the sun blocked by gray skies. The line of lush green trees and plants that met the sand rustled uneasily from the oncoming storm winds. Maui's sight stretched over the island. A village was bustling and tense voices were calling out advice as the people were preparing for the evident danger. He felt a little disappointed, but not for himself. Moana had yearned for this moment for decades, and the first time she steps foot onto Motunui there was a hurricane passing through. Her people would be more concerned with finding shelter than rushing out to meet the unexpected canoe.

So he wasn't expecting any welcoming committee on the beach. Maui plunged his hook into the sand and turned to see to Moana's departure off the boat when the sound of someone running through the brush made him whirl. "Huh?"

A pair of teenagers, a boy and girl, burst onto the beach, faces concerned and eyes wide. "What are you thinking, sailing with the storm?" the girl asked, her tense gaze directed somehow at Akamu helping Moana to her feet.

The boy's brows lifted at the incredulous accusation and his eyes flitted over to Maui as if hoping for the demigod to set things straight. The girl's companion let out a long, wheezing gasp and pointed. "It's Maui."

"How do you know it's Maui?" the girl demanded.

"Who else is that large and carries a giant fishhook?"

"Heh." Maui allowed himself a brief smile and squared his broad shoulders. "Yeah, I'm Maui. And the only reason I'd be sailing in this weather is for her." He extended a hand and Moana grabbed it, hopping to the beach. She fixed the two youths with a searching stare. "Where is Tala? My granddaughter?"

"You're Moana," the girl said, recognition sweeping through her features. "Tala is here. I mean, she's with the others. We need to find safety from the storm."

"And you're not?" Maui raised an eyebrow.

"We saw your canoe," the girl admitted with a wobbly smile. "Wondered who it was."

Akamu jumped down to the shore as well and grunted. "If eveyone's heading for safety, shouldn't we do the same?"

"And find Tala." Moana tugged on Maui's hand once and he met her eyes before nodding firmly.


The brief trip from the beach to the village was far too rushed than Moana would have liked, but she reminded herself grimly of the reason for the lack of calmness and joy. Motunui had stood its ground against many severe storms in the past. There would be time for taking in her beloved island later, when she was with her family and they were all safe. The two youngsters that had met them on the beach had gone on ahead to alert of Moana's arrival, and she hoped Tala would hear and come find her.

Akamu held her arm with his and basically supported her along. Moana did not wish to say so, but her energy had weakened incredibly. Admitting that to her two companions was not something she wished to do. Forget jumping off the boat and striding down the beach full of pride toward a group of happy islanders awaiting her return. None of this was going as she had planned. The only thing that mattered now was finding her granddaughter and knowing she was safe.

"We'd weave baskets over there." She quickly pointed to an area among the trees. "So strange to see it empty."

Akamu turned his head and smiled slightly at the spot she indicated. "You? Weave baskets?"

"I'm every bit as good a basket weaver as I am a wayfinder."

A shriek made her turn her attention forward again. There was a large group of people in the distance, families gathered with handfuls of belongings and awaiting direction from their leaders. Now several faces were turning to look at the old woman who trudged alongside Akamu with a demigod following behind. Realization spread as many whispered her name. And then one slender figure detached from the crowd and darted for Moana, crying, "Grandma."

Moana pulled her arm from Akamu and hurried forward. "Tala!"

They fell into each others arms and Tala asked in a voice of disbelief, "How did you come? And now? Grandma, you didn't sail in that storm!"

"No, no." Moana eased back and stared at Tala with a smile, finding her granddaughter had not changed too much since she'd seen her last. Perhaps her long hair was braided now, and her face held more maturity than before, but Tala was still Tala. Moana blinked. "Oh, I mean, yes I sailed, but don't worry. I was in good hands."

"Demigod Maui." Tala nodded and Moana turned, following her granddaughter's gaze. Maui stood back a little, fishhook slung over one shoulder, but his attention was not on the happy family reunion, but on the mass of dark clouds and choppy waves meeting the beach. He turned and Moana sensed concern in her friend's eyes.

"Grandma." Tala took Moana's hands and stared into her face urgently. "I can't believe you are here. I have something to tell you."

Moana's eyes widened at the cautious weight in Tala's voice. "Yes?"

"I … I don't want you to be too shocked."

Moana frowned. "Hmph! Shocked? I traveled the seas more times in my lifetime than anyone you'll ever know, endured illness and monsters and storms and spirits, and you think I will be shocked? Tala. Out with it."

"Okay, sorry to rush you guys, but things are getting serious," Maui called, stalking over. When he spoke again, it was addressed to everyone present, if not the whole island. "The storm's gonna hit the island hard. We've seen it in person. Everyone needs to find shelter now."

"We have caves for this very occasion," a man's voice replied. "Some have already gone ahead."

"Well, now's the time to get over there," Maui answered.

Tala grasped Moana's hand. "Come, Grandma. My husband, Nahor and I have missed you. And you can finally meet Ahu and Taiki."

Moana brightened despite the atmosphere of focused tension as the villagers prepared to head for the mountain caves. "You've had children."

Tala looked ahead and extended a hand. A tiny girl separated from a hefty man Moana remembered as Tala's husband, and toddled over to her mother. Tala beamed and scooped up the little one. "Ahu, this is your great-grandmother. Moana."

"M'na," the child repeated, staring with wide, dark eyes at the old woman before cooing softly and reaching curiously for the necklace around Moana's neck.

Moana caught the tiny hand and grinned, her heart swelling. As much as she wanted to get further antiquated with her great-grandchild, reason reminded her they all had an important priority. "And Taiki?"

"He is with a friend. They will meet us at the cave. He's a few years older than Ahu." Tala's face grimaced slightly while they started walking. "He's been a bit of a troublemaker, but this is different. Even he knows the storm is too powerful."

Moana nodded and squeezed her granddaughter's arm, relating with the mother's concern. "If he's my great-grandson, he'd better have enough sense in his skull to flee from danger."

A snort from behind told her Maui had heard the comment. Moana cast a dark frown over her shoulder at the demigod. After all, she was trying to ease Tala's nerves. Maui met her gaze and offered a small smirk before returning his attention to the people. He asked if families were together, if not, then if they knew where other members were. He had totally slipped into the role of making sure the people of Motunui were on the right track in reaction to the hurricane incoming.

Moana smiled weakly. "Hero to all."

Akamu seemed to appear from nowhere at her side and once again took her arm. Moana gratefully accepted his support, remembering if they were heading to the same caves she knew of, there would be some steep climbing involved. Already her knees were protesting the rushed movements.

Arriving to the caves themselves was like stepping into the past. A specific cave within the mountain had been used for centuries to wait out the more powerful, devastating storms that could travel near Motunui. It's caverns were enormous, enough for the whole village to take shelter in. Only a few times had Moana and her family in the past needed to wait out a storm inside with the people. Other than that, the only reason one came to the cavern was out of curiosity.

Just as the people began arriving, the rain began to fall. The islanders scurried inside and lit torches and worked to get small fires going. Moana clung to Akamu's arm with one hand and gripped Tala's hand with another, Nahor carrying their little girl. Once under the roof of stone Moana let go and spluttered, shaking water from her gray curls. "Getting up here didn't seem so steep in the past."

"How long do you think we will have to wait here?" Akamu asked her, his eyes surveying the dim cavern filling with families.

"Depends on the storm," replied Maui's voice from the cave opening, followed by the boom of thunder. He stood alert, watching to make sure everyone on their way made it safely.

"There's Taiki's friend," Tala suddenly gasped before darting swiftly out into the rain to greet a group of people, mainly a young boy who looked to be about seven or eight years old.

Moana shuffled up beside Maui to watch, her face grim. There were no other youngsters with this new group. "Maui … what if …?" She looked up and met her friend's worried gaze. He tightened his grip on his hook's handle.

Tala soon came running back, utterly distraught. "He ran off," she gasped at Moana, then shifted course and moved to her husband, grabbing his shoulders. "Nahor, Taiki is out there. We must go back for him!"

Moana stepped forward, compelled by the desperation in Tala's voice. Then realization stole over her and she turned to Maui. She did not even bothering forming the words to ask for his help. Determination filled his features. "I'll find the kid. Nobody has to leave."

"He's my son," Nahor objected.

"Yeah, and you've got other people who need you, too. I'm a demigod. This is what I'm here for." Maui lifted his fishhook from his shoulder and held it between his hands, looking back at Moana with a light, encouraging smile.

"Two can find him faster." Akamu joined them. "I can be of help, Maui. Don't go and give me the whole 'you need protecting,' thing. My family here is Moana, and I would rather help find her grandson than sit here and do nothing."

Maui cringed slightly at the cave roof. "You and your loyalty, kid. I coulda learned a whole lot from you in the past."

"Learn later. Please, go bring him back," Moana pleaded.

Maui placed his hand on her shoulder and nodded. "We'll find him, Moana. Don't worry."

Akamu and the demigod ducked out from the shelter of the cave and into the rain, the young man taking to the path quickly while Maui transformed into a giant hawk. Moana watched until she could no longer see them before turning to join a very worried Tala and Nahor.


It wasn't until Akamu was nearing the outskirts of the village that he realized exactly what burden he had decided to shoulder. Sheets of rainwater fell from above, hammering the trees and earth and stinging Akamu's body. He could barely keep his head up without having his eyes splattered from the onslaught. But the worse enemy was the wind. When the stronger gusts happened his movements reduced to a snail's pace as he made his way around an island he knew little about, doing his best not to be flung aside and rendered useless.

He knew Maui was airborne. Or at least, he had been. When they left the mountain caves the giant hawk had passed over Akamu twice. Maui had shouted something about above and below, which Akamu had decided that the demigod believed with him on the ground and himself in the air, they would have better chances at finding the lost boy.

Along the edge of the village Akamu grabbed onto a tree trunk to steady himself and tried to form a plan. Where would a child go during a storm like this? Particularly, if that child didn't share Akamu's fear of water. That combined with the lack of maturity that came with young age to sense danger …

Akamu coughed and lifted his head. "No. Oh, no he couldn't be ..." He swung his body to face the direction of the beaches. His stomach began to tighten. Of course, now that he'd thought of it, if he returned now without even bothering to check for Moana's great-grandchild due to his own fear, he would live forever ashamed.

"Maui!" He yelled the name a few times, but there was no reply. Akamu steeled himself and took a deep breath before pushing away from his tree and forcing his legs to move as he headed for the beaches.

Oddly enough the sea was not where it normally should have been. Much of the shallow areas were bare, speckled with shells and sea plants. The unique sight was enough to make Akamu stop and stare dumbly, until he noticed a small brown shape from the corner of his eye. Sure enough, there was a young boy standing out where there should have been water, facing the sea.

Akamu waved his arms. "Hey!" He called a couple times before the boy looked over his shoulder, confusion on his face as he spotted Akamu. He quickly turned away again, because water had started flowing over his feet and toward the beach.

From where he stood, Akamu could see clearly that the pulled back ocean was getting ready to make its return. The knot of dread in his stomach grew heavier. If he didn't act now, that boy's life would end in the waves.

Akamu sprinted across the extended beach, mentally hoping he wouldn't be too late, and that the incoming water would take its time. He reached the boy and grabbed his shoulders, spinning him to face him. "What are you doing?"

"Look!" Taiki threw an arm out to point at the surging ocean. "The ocean's alive!"

Akamu felt like slapping somebody. He shook the boy's arms. "Where's your head? This isn't a show, those waves are coming back, they're coming back now!"

"I know!"

"Why are you here?"

"I just wanted to see it for myself!" Taiki's voice shook with regret and excitement. For a moment Akamu thought he understood. This boy was exactly the opposite of himself. Anything that had to do with the waves interested him. He just wanted to see it all for himself with little regard to the danger or risk involved. Much like his great-grandmother.

"It's dangerous," Akamu blurted, casting one quick glance at the ocean as he turned them toward Motunui, but what he saw behind them caused panic to shoot through him. What he'd hoped to avoid was about to happen. Massive waves were surging for the beach, far taller than a grown man, and they were exactly in their path.

Akamu swallowed and quickly decided on a plan.

"Get on my back," he instructed, and Taiki obeyed by hastily scrambling on top of him. With the boy's weight being carried, Akamu was free to run. But the rumble of the incoming waves only grew louder. Akamu pushed himself to go faster, but it seemed as though the damp beach stretched on forever. He felt the spray of sea water on his neck, heard the boy he carried cry out in alarm. Akamu braced for impact and shut his eyes. "Don't be afraid," he commanded himself. Whatever came next, he knew he would need to use all his strength to keep Taiki alive.

But impact never came.

Akamu opened his eyes and saw water racing all around him, reaching for the island, plowing against the trees and foliage on the shore. He turned around and stared, awestruck at what was taking place. The sea was still surging for the island, but none of the water made contact with Akamu and Taiki. As if some invisible barrier had formed to block the powerful surge from touching them, the sea was pulled up and back, flowing instead to the sides and away from the two humans in a powerful frenzy. Akamu suddenly had a flashback to Moana standing out in the sea, completely dry while the ocean was pulled back in a gentle wave.

As he watched, a dome of water formed and dipped its head at Akamu.

He let out a weak laugh and grinned gratefully at the protection demonstrated by Ocean. He tightened his hold on Taiki. "Moana was right."

"Kid!"

"Maui?" Akamu turned.

A giant hawk swept down into the very limited zone free of water, flashed with magic and then Maui raced up to them. In a matter of moments the demigod returned to hawk form, carrying Akamu who switched to carrying Moana's great-grandson in his arms. Taiki kept his head ducked against Akamu and the whipping wind as Maui flew them far away from the dangerous shoreline, but Akamu looked back and watched as the ocean collapsed its barrier that had shielded them from danger. All he could think of was how much respect he now held for Moana's friend, Ocean.

And he hoped no matter what that he wouldn't fall over in a faint once they reached the caves.


"Taiki!" Tala pulled her boy close and let out a shaky breath. Maui had landed within the cave's opening and barely had time to release Akamu and Taiki as well as shift back into human form before Tala was rushing over to inspect her boy. She looked over at Maui and Akamu, gratitude and relief shining on her face. "Thank you. Thank you, Maui."

"Don't thank me. Waterboy here saved him first." Maui smiled and lightly punched Akamu's shoulder. The young man wobbled faintly sideways, but he nodded solemnly. "Found him on the beach." He didn't go into explanation of what had happened, Maui noticed. Probably a good idea.

"Of course!" Tala's relief did a sudden stop and she frowned. She gently whacked her boy upside the head. "You fool, what were you doing? You could have been killed out there. Haven't we told you what happens when a bad storm comes to the island?"

She led a sober Taiki away to join the rest of his family. Maui let out a small chuckle. "Well, that kid's probably more sorry than his mom realizes. Good thing you were there at the right time."

Akamu shook his head. "I did nothing. The Ocean saved us, then you saved us. I just held on."

"You ran out in front of the water to save a little boy," Maui stated quietly while they continued to watch Tala's family reunite. "You didn't let your fear keep you from doing what was right."

Akamu brightened slowly. Then he confided in an anxious whisper, "That's true, but ... I thought I was gonna die, Maui."

Maui dissolved into snickers. The boy next to him rolled his eyes.

Moana shuffled over to them, her face splitting into a wide grin. "I hear two heroes saved the day, hm?"

Maui grinned right back and opened his mouth, only Akamu stepped forward saying, "Moana, the ocean. It's … It's like you told me that day I fell out of the boat."

Moana lifted her eyebrows and studied the young man's face with a tilt of her head. She smiled a little more softly, seeming to have guessed at what had truly taken place.

"Ocean was there for me," Akamu finished.

"I knew it would. And I'm so glad."

Akamu nodded and headed further into the cave to find a place to sit. Maui stepped beside the proud grandma and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey. You okay, Moana?"

Moana nodded, taking a deep breath. She grinned up at him and patted his arm. "Just fine, Maui. I just needed to hear Taiki was all right. Poor Tala was so distressed. Come, why don't we tell some stories to help pass the time?"

Maui smiled. He could never pass up a good story. "Am I in any of them?"

"Sure, sure."

They had only taken a few steps when Tala approached, her movements much more calm. Possibly even cautious, Maui judged.

"Grandma," she said carefully, large eyes watching Moana. She clasped her hands nervously. "There's something I need to let you know, now that we're all together and safe."

Moana planted her hands against her hips and regarded her granddaughter with amusement, sharing a quick glance with Maui.

"Heh. Fire away, girl. Just tell me what it is you want me to know."

Maui blinked, noticing the nervousness seemed to fade away from Tala, a strange type of joy lighting up her eyes even as she turned slightly to include a middle aged man no one had introduced to them before. Moana tilted her gray head and peered at the stranger curiously, then jerked suddenly. She gasped and clung at Maui's arm with sudden grip, as if he was the only thing keeping her alive. "No."

Tala sidestepped calmly to allow the stranger to stand before Moana. He was tall and had a strong body, yet bore noticeable scarring on his chest, mixed with faded tattoos. His head was crowned with dark curls that ended at his shoulders. He stared down at Moana with a mixture of pain and hope. Hope must have won out, because he smiled.

Maui gasped. The shape of his smile was obviously inherited from his mother.

"Heketoro?" Maui asked Moana lowly.

The old woman gave a single nod.

" … Isn't he supposed to be dead?"

Moana shook and gripped him even tighter, her body tilting. Maui dropped his fishhook and instantly moved to support her with two arms, glancing anxiously from Moana to an equally concerned Tala. They held their breath, waiting for the elderly woman to drop. For one long moment he thought for sure Moana would. But after a few seconds Moana's shoulders lifted and she parted from the demigod's support, head held high to met the gaze of the man standing before her. She stepped forward, one hand extended for his face.

"Heketoro, my son … you came back after all?"

Heketoro was obviously fighting with his own emotions on seeing his mother again, and enclosed the small, worn hand in his own. "Yes, mother," he answered. His voice was deep and rich. "I am home now."

Tears glistened in Moana's eyes, but she laughed softly, smiling with all the joy in the world. Heketoro knelt down to embrace her and Moana pulled his head to herself and held her son for the first time in several decades.


Maui stood guard by the cave's opening, watching as a dark, eerie night fell onto Motunui. The worst of the storm had plowed through, but there would still be rain far into the night. Witnessing Moana reunite with her firstborn who had been thought to have died somewhere at sea was wonderful and all, but he wanted to give the family some space. They had much to catch up on. And besides, Moana was now safe. Her son was back. Maui had full assurance that the man cared for her well being just as much as he did.

"I know what happened." Akamu poked his head outside, holding a small torch. "Don't you need any light? It's pitch black out here."

"Doesn't bother me. So what's the scoop? How'd the son vanish for so long and how'd he get back?"

Akamu took a place beside Maui. "Heketoro started a wayfinding journey out into the ocean. He was captured by foreigners, pirates maybe. They took him far away."

Maui blinked and nodded slowly. "Well, that explains why Ocean couldn't find him for Moana." He frowned darkly. "What did they do with him?"

"He was a slave."

Akamu dropped his gaze, likely reflecting on how wrong such a statement was. But Maui glared out at the darkness, feeling nothing but angry disbelief. And regret. Why couldn't he have found the pirates that took Moana's child from her? These were his people. Where had he been when young Heketoro was abducted? How could he have known?

"Gah," he sighed roughly. "Whole thing's wrong. How'd he get away?"

"This is the amazing part, Maui. Remember Moana's foreigner she helped? He gave her the gem that now lives with Tamatoa."

"Yeah. What about him?"

"He met Heketoro. Found out who his mother was. He remembered what Moana did for him and helped Heketoro escape so that he could come back to Motunui."

Maui's jaw slowly dropped. He was, honestly, amazed. Some guy no one but Moana, and now Heketoro, had never met played a huge role in the lives of two islanders. And a giant crab's treasure trove, but who's counting? "Okay, that's just awesome. So what's the name of this hero far, far away?"

Akamu's brow furrowed lightly. "Bar … Bartholomew."

"Pfft. That's a weird name."

"You say that only because you prefer Maui, demigod of the wind and sea."

"Hero to all," Maui added. "Can't leave that part out."

"Maui!"

They turned and looked inside. Tala was waving at them, smiling. Moana was seated in the background with her son and granddaughter's young family. Tala called, "Grandma wants to share with us the story of how she found you. Come!"

With a smile, Maui lightly flipped his hook over his shoulder and they headed back into the cavern. "By the way," he said slowly. "Just what was it that Moana did for this guy so long ago that moved him so much?"

Akamu offered a humble smile. "She gave him water."


Author's Note: I apologize for the wait. As usual, life got in the way, but I can finally say with certainty that this story is just about over and you'll see the ending very soon. Thanks to everyone for their wonderful support! I appreciate hearing feedback!

Also, while planning out this story I'd decided to use a hurricane months ago. My thoughts go out to those affected by the recent storms at the time that I'm writing this.