Days had passed, and the sky was still a dark churning grey, ready to split open at any moment again and downpour. The wind was unpredictable, and the palm trees were quickly becoming bald as their leaves were torn and scattered about the island.
In the storm the few days prior, homes had been broken, and roofs needed replacing, canoes had been broken and while a few remained, the wind tossed the ocean around, causing massive waves that crashed down on the fishermen, flipping boats and losing catches.
Moana stood on the shoreline, wind whipping her hair around her face and stinging her cheeks, as she stared at the chaos that was her beloved sea. Thoughts had been running through her mind about how she could solve the growing problems of her people, but also of her people that were on the few discovered islands scattered about her. She had to help them too, there was no doubt about that.
But how?
"Moana?" Sina's voice was distant, as she walked down the embankment, the wind ripping the words from her mouth, Moana was grateful she was turning to walk up to the fala in time. "What are you doing out here?"
Shaking her head, Moana gave Sina a small smile, "Just thinking of what to do, Mom," Moana looked out to sea, "Who knows what kind of problems are happening on those islands that we found. Our people there do not have the means that we do," Looking back at her mothers creased face, the eyes understanding but worried, and the small wrinkle between her brow, "I have to go help them."
Sina nodded, and took her daughters hands, "Yes, Moana, I understand, but there are other things that we need to do here first."
Following her mother, Moana walked through the broken village. Many of the people were working on fixing the huts, while some of the men went out with ax and saw to fell trees to make new canoes. People walked here and there, greeting them with a head nod, too busy in their own matters, with their own jobs. Sina and Moana walked past a large group of women who were busy pounding taro root, husking coconuts, and making nets faster than she had ever seen. Lani, sat with the women, her leg sticking straight out in front of her, wrapped in layers of cloth. Moana had seen to the sewing of the injury watching the elder healer cleanse and disinfect the wound. Lani didn't look in her direction.
"Where are we going?"
"To see your father."
The reached the large fala, the curtains open, Tui, Kekoa, Maui, and a few of the village elders were gathered around the central fire pit. Discussions must of been heated as the elevated noise of their conversation reached Moana's ears before she walked in.
"We cannot abandon our people!"
"And you have more people on other islands!"
"What about food, water, shelter?!"
Sina stamped her foot and let out a cough. The men in the circle were flushed, chests rising and falling with pent in anger, but held their tongues as they looked to their chief.
Tui rose, smoothing the lava-lava down his legs, and walked towards his wife, kissing her on the cheek, then Moana. "Please, join us," He gestured to the circle, where the men shuffled on the reed mats to make room.
Sitting down next to her mother, Moana looked up at the people around her. The elder healer was here, her face wrinkled beyond recognition, the lead fisherman, Kekoa, the food handler, and Maui. The latter of the group sat hunched over, fist jammed into the underside of his jaw, looking as if he was falling asleep, but Moana saw his eyes alert, twitching between person to person as they spoke. His neck and shoulders were tense with irritation, and his full mouth had been set into a grim line. He must have noticed her looking at him as he finally settled his gaze on her and gave her a ghost of a wink.
Moana ran her fingers through her hair as she settled her heart down to a normal beating pace. A hand touched her arm and Kekoa leaned close to her ear as everyone spoke, "You are leaving, aren't you?"
"I have to help my people," Moana mumbled back, avoiding the closeness of him by leaning to the side a fraction.
"With what help? Maui? You two cant do this alone, I'm coming with you." Kekoa murmured, his voice commanding even in a whisper. Moana looked at him, the space between them closer than she though, she felt his breath on her face, breathing in the warmth of it she stared at him.
In another time, she would have gladly chosen Kekoa, he had the look of a warrior, strong, defined, and confident, he had the hard set jaw of a man on a mission. Even if this was a mission she didn't want him on, she couldn't turn away the help. While her and Maui made an excellent team, she may need more help.
Moana looked away, the warmth of Kekoa receded as he leaned away from her, a small smile on his face of knowing something the others didn't, he still kept his hand on his arm in a form of possession.
A wriggling feeling came up in the back of her mind, as she looked up at Maui, who was now sitting up straight and staring straight at Kekoa, the darkness of his eyes glimmered, as if he had his own plan.
I'm so sorry for the long absence, almost a year, but so much has happened in my life that it was impossible for me to focus on this. This short chapter is garbage, I know, but I just want you all to know that I will be back and working on this! Thank you so much to all of the followers, all of the reviews, and all of the hearts. You guys are so sweet to love this little idea that took place in my head one insomniac evening.
