I know, I'm late in submitting more chapters! Life has been extremely busy and time just got away from me. Thank you FloodedRose88 and Danny for all of your reviews! This chapter might be a little too clique for you, but please bear with me!
Once Taianui was out of sight, Maui breathed a huge sigh and faced his sister. A thundercloud had replaced the besotted look she had been wearing while with his friend, and Maui knew that he was now going to face the brunt of the tempest.
"Why did you do that?" His sister hissed at him. "We knew that you were in a hurry, so we were gathering as quickly as we could."
"It sure didn't look like that when I walked over." Maui frowned at his sister and began walking. Hina grabbed her basket and struggled to keep up.
"And what, we're not allowed to talk while we work, is that it? Or are you just that jealous that your best friend has someone else to talk to?"
Maui pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "It's not that, it's just that you're my sister, and I don't want to see you get hurt." He softened his voice and looked at her, trying to make her understand. "You and Taianui seem to have gotten very close in a very short time, and Taianui. Well, I hate to say anything bad about my best friend, but he's known for flirting with the women on our island. So I'm just worried you're going to throw your life away for someone you've just met. You're a goddess, and he's just a human."
The storm in Hina's eyes calmed, leaving behind a blank mask. Maui sighed in relief, glad that she had listened.
"Maui," she said softly, "you are many things, but I never knew a hypocrite was one of them." She shifted her basket and stomped past him, following Taianui's path through the forest. Maui stood frozen for several moments, processing what his sister had just said.
"What did you just call me?"
"Oh, so you're deaf now too?" Hina called over her shoulder.
Maui growled and followed, his blood beginning to boil. He reached for her shoulder and turned her around.
"How dare-"
SLAP
He stood stunned, cheek stinging and ears ringing from the blow.
"No, how dare you!" Hina shouted up in his face, chest heaving and hands fisted at her sides. Her basked lay toppled next to her, the fruit scattered over the ground. "You are the biggest hypocrite I have ever met! 'He's a human' you say, 'don't lose your heart' you say. But you did the. Exact. Same. Thing."
She emphasized her words with a finger to his chest. His skin itched as the Mini's scattered in fear of being poked, but Maui ignored them as he grabbed Hina's arm before she could complete her next assault.
"My situation was completely different and you know it."
"Uggg," Hina wrenched her arm away from him, "you're insufferable."
"Oh yeah? Then why did you come then, huh? If I'm so difficult to be with then why are you staying?"
"Well, I don't know, Maui." She rolled her eyes, voice laced with sarcasm even as her eyes became glassy with unshed tears. "Maybe because it's nice being around people again? Do you know what it's like, Maui, to not have friends? To be isolated from everyone and everything you love?"
Maui was shocked when Hina's voice softened and she stared at him, no longer shouting. He hated the fact that she was right.
He ground his teeth together, "You know I do."
Hina stepped closer to him. "Then why are you begrudging me this? I know the risks, I know that I'll have to return eventually." Her voice cracked.
Maui was taken aback. He had rarely seen his sister cry, and could probably count all the times he had, including right now, on one hand. He placed a hand on her shoulder but she shook it off, taking a step back. The storm had returned in her eyes.
"But I finally found somebody who likes me, for me. Who wants to learn more about me and who just happens to be handsome, and brave, and protective." She stared off into space, a small smile on her lips, but Maui stayed frozen. Her sharp gaze swung back to him.
"So forgive me if I copy you and enjoy the moment while it lasts."
A tear slipped down her cheek and she wiped it away with an angry swipe of her hand. No longer looking at him, she bent down and began collecting the scattered fruit on the ground. Maui raked a hand down his face, trying to wipe away the frustration and anger.
"I'm sorry," he started, though he didn't quite mean the apology, "I didn't realize-"
"What? Didn't realize what, Maui?" She collected the fallen fruit with unnecessary vigor. "You didn't realize that I might actually be lonely on the moon? That I missed you, would have more than welcomed a visit from you? That I might have been jealous of your freedom and wished that you would invite me to join one of your adventures? I know you had your own life, but I still would have liked to be a part of it."
Maui knelt and placed a fruit in the basket, the last of his anger melting away and replaced with guilt. She was right, he was a hypocrite. Moana still accused him of being arrogant, but he had never seen it until now. He had barely given his siblings a passing thought after he left home, let alone wondered if they would want to join him and Moana on their voyages. Silence between him and his brothers was never uncommon, but Maui didn't have that excuse with his sister. They were as close as siblings could be, yet he had pursued his own agenda and didn't consider what that would do to her.
He picked up the last noni fruit and placed it in the basket. Hina started to stand, but Maui placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her and forcing her to look at him with red-rimmed eyes. A bit of fire still sizzled in their depths, no doubt thinking that another argument would happen. They had always fought when they were younger, but they could never stay mad at each other for very long. Maui hoped that he hadn't damaged their relationship enough to where that was no longer the case.
"I'm sorry," Maui said again, praying Hina would recognize his sincerity, "I really am. I never once thought about your feelings, never once wondered what you must have been going through with your new assignment. I only cared about my own worries, my own agendas."
Hina's ridged stance finally softened and the beginnings of a smile crinkled the corners of her mouth.
"Thank you, Maui."
They both stood and Hina lifted her arms with a small smile, just like she always did when they were young. Maui grinned and bent to lift his sister by her waist, letting her wrap her arms around his neck. They both held each other, years of tension melting away.
"You know I love you, you big oaf." Hina whispered into his ear. "And I am sorry if all my drama caused us any delay."
Maui squeezed her tighter and Hina thumped his back in protest. "We needed this. Moana is strong, I don't think our extra hour will make much of a difference. And, if I haven't said it before." He set Hina back down and lifted her basket onto his shoulder. "I am glad you're coming with us. I've missed you too."
He smirked at her, causing her to roll her eyes and walk down the path.
"Don't you look at me like that! You don't get to play all innocent."
Maui chuckled and hurried to catch up to her brisk pace. "I'm just trying to soften you up, because I still want answers about your intentions with my best friend, who's no doubt eagerly awaiting your arrival."
Hina growled low in her throat and looked at him sharply. Maui took several steps to the side, just to be safe.
"Now don't be getting angry at me, I'm just asking since you're my sister, he's my best friend, and I need to know how uncomfortable the two of you are going to make me for the rest of the trip."
Hina laughed, "Don't worry, it's not like I'm going to ask you to stop by TeFiti and ask her for another favor."
Maui stepped out of the tree line and could see the canoe rocking in the waves farther down the beach. Taianui lifted a hand in greeting and hopped off the canoe, hurrying along the sand to meet the siblings. Hina paused and Maui looked over to see a small smile form on her face.
"Although, I have to admit Maui, right now I'm very tempted."
