Chapter 100

"I have. I'm sorry. I just…I know I have a lot of explaining to do," Talei said with a sigh, her voice catching from the tears still in her throat. Talei pulled herself up onto the steps once more with a grunt. "If you would like to come with me, I'll take you into my home." Using her powers, she was human within seconds. The mermaids looked at each other before following suit, drying themselves on the steps. Talei and Vatu led the way up the steps which spiralled upwards around the cave walls. The convoy of adults and children looked around appreciating the beautiful blue that the rock was lit up by with every step they took.

Talei led them through a tall archway at the top of the staircase.

"Welcome to my abode,"

Dried seaweed clumps burnt as lanterns around the circular cave. Detailed tapa cloth or masi were hung around the room, and a few unfinished items sat on the floor beside a wooden chair. A fire pit with a cooking pot hung above it was to the right. There was frozen box in which fish could be seen. Talei obviously froze perishable food. Fruit was in a woven basket.

"Where do you get your food from?" Arieta asked, curious.

"I do venture out of the caverns," Talei said, "The fruit is from around this island. Fish is easy to get, and sometimes Vatu will get some for me, and herself of course. It's not really different from what you eat in the village. I usually spend my days swimming or creating masi cloths. It's not a bad life," she said, giving them a half smile. "Arieta, I'm sorry I left, but I think you would understand why."

OoOoO

"Would you think about moving back to the village, Nana Levu?" Arieta asked. Talei sighed.

"I don't know, luvequ yalewa. Do you think I would be welcome after all this time?" she asked.

"There is only one way to find out," Arieta responded.

After being served a delicious meal of fruit (severely depleting Talei's fruit supplies), the convoy set back out through the caves and swam back to the main islands. Arieta taking the boat of course. The children has reluctantly said goodbye to Vatu, who they had played and bonded with while the women were catching up.

On the beach, the mers dried themselves off and walked to the dock to wait for Arieta. Talei had her fists clenched. She felt unbelievably nervous. Would her family feel betrayed? Would they betray her? Did they still remember the secret? Of course they did, she chastised herself. That kind of miracle became lore in Fijian villages. Talei took a deep breath. She didn't want to have to hide away forever. She could do this.

The sun was high in the sky by the time the group made it back to the resort. The mermaids decided to stay back and look after the children – the adults doubted the young ones would enjoy more socialising with adults early in the morning. In addition to this, they mutually decided to let Talei's reunion with the villagers be a private moment, without their foreign presence being obtrusive. Arieta and Talei trekked the familiar path to the village, the latter becoming increasingly anxious.

Arieta reached for her great aunt's hand, and squeezed it in reassurance.

"They're going to hate me," Talei muttered under her breath.

"They're not going to hate you," Arieta responded rolling her eyes. "They'll understand, just like I do."

Talei looked at her somewhat disbelieving. "Not everyone is as forgiving and open minded as you are, Ari."

Arieta and Talei walked straight to Arieta's home. Her mother would be starting her chores for the day.

"Bula Nana," Arieta greeted her mother.

"Bula Arieta," she responded.

Arieta entered the hut, leading Talei by the hand.

"Guess who I found," Arieta grinned. Her mother's eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open.

"Bula Kasanita," Talei greeted her sister by name, a timid smile on her face.

"Bala! Talei? Is that you?" Kasanita asked, getting over her momentary muteness. Talei nodded, moving forward.

"How are you, sister?" Talei asked.

"How am I?" Kasanita asked shocked. "How are you? Where have you been all these years? Why did you just vanish?"

"I…" Talei started with difficulty, "I couldn't stand the strange looks and attention everyone was giving me…I…couldn't handle staying. I was scared." She said honestly. "I wasn't sure if you'd like to see me after I left without saying goodbye…so I never came back."

"Come here," Kasanita said, wrapping her arms around her sister. Talei stiffened from the touch but soon relaxed into the warm embrace, bringing her own arms around Kasanita.

"I've missed you, Kasa," Talei said.

"Silly girl, of course you are welcome here," Kasanita said into Talei's neck. "I have missed you so…It is so good to see you," she said pulling back, tears in her eyes. "Your magic is a blessing, not a curse. Everyone just needs time to see that you are still the same woman that saved us from disaster all those years ago."

OoOoO

To put it simply, Talei's reunion with her family was a great success. There were many tears and stories shared. It soon became clear that her people were not going to betray her to others, and did not seem to be fearful of her like some were before she left. A few hours later, Arieta had to return to the resort for her work shift. On her break, she found the mermaids on the beach and informed them of the good news.

"Will Talei stay in the village now?" Jessie asked Arieta.

"Maybe," she responded. "I think this is all quite strange for her – considering she had very little human contact for such a long time. Nana Levu told me she will probably alternate between her home in Sawa-i-lau and her home here. Something about Vatu getting lonely. She has also promised me that she will tell me all her stories." Arieta smiled.

OoOoO

In the evening, Talei found her fellow mers watching the fire dancing performance at the resort.

"Talei," Emma greeted her. "What brings you here tonight?"

"I just wanted to thank you all for giving me my life back," Talei said gratefully. "Seeing my family again today…It has brought something back into my life that I didn't know was missing. Thank you."

OoOoO

Soon, it was time for the group to leave Fiji and return to their home in Australia. There were tears in Arieta and Talei's eyes are they farewelled them on a quiet beach.

"You have brought us much joy while you have been here," Arieta said. "I have loved getting to know you all. Make sure you stay in touch and visit again some time."

"We'll be sure to do that," Cleo said. "It's been a wonderful experience. Thanks for everything."

"No, thank you for everything," Talei said.

After many embraces, the group put their restocked waterproof packs on and ran into the water. After their transformation, they set off.

Arieta shook her head in awe. She would never get used to seeing that.

OoOoO

A short time into their trip, Rikki slowed to a stop.

'Do you feel like you're being watched?' She asked the others.

They had left the Yasawa Islands behind and were now at the southern end of the Fijian archipelago.

Emma looked around. 'Yeah… but I can't see anything'

'There!' Rikki exclaimed into their minds. Something sped past them too quick to see clearly.

Suddenly, they were surrounded.

A/N: Merry Christmas! I hope everyone is happy these holidays :) I also hope you enjoyed this chapter, chapter 100! I can't believe it :P I only wish I had a better chapter planned for this number of such significance. I'm also sorry for the cliffhanger, but I've gotta give you a reason to want to keep reading, right?

I am really sorry for the wait for this chapter! I was actually planning on writing and updating a week ago... let me explain.

Last Monday I was admitted into Hospital for excruciating abdominal pains and for a suspected appendicitis. I had a laparoscopic appendectomy (key hole surgery) on Tuesday at 2.30pm. The doctors were shocked at how bad it was (I have a high pain tolerance so apparently I wasn't reacting the way a normal patient does to one that bad) I got shown a picture (all black and pussy - really gross) - my appendix was gangrenous - this is life-threatening. Fortunately the appendix hadn't burst (really close to), and the puss hadn't got into my blood stream - if it had done, I could have died...and none of you would have known about it :P lol Anyway, I was discharged Wednesday night. I am much better now :) But I couldn't write earlier in the week when I wanted to because it was agony to sit up for too long (I didn't realise how much your abdomen does lol) I finally got a chapter out, so I'm happy :) I'm back to work now though so I still don't have much time to write, but we'll see.

Thanks so much for all your support :) I love you all. Reviews really help me to write and get inspiration.

I had a good birthday (despite actually going to a funeral on it), and I got my assignments done. I finished my second year of my bachelors with, in my 6 papers, 4 A pluses, 1 A, and 1 A minus :)

Thanks so much to The Writer Es, YaleAceBella12, CrazyHayniac, zikki 3, HybridsRose/Nameless5387, WannabeeAussie, Starlightdreamer12, and metsfan101 for reviewing. I love you all.

See you all next time!