Chapter 16: Things Left Unsaid

Moana didn't realize how much she had missed the sunlight. Though Rohe's Palace was beautiful, nothing could compare to the open ocean on a clear day. Currently, Moana sat at the bow of her canoe, letting the wind whip her curls as the Ocean propelled them back towards Rapa Nui at amazing speed. Around Moana's neck was the recovered Comet, and a smile was set on her lips as droplets of water gently wet her dirty skin. It had been a long journey, one Moana was sure she would never forget. But Muai had been quiet since leaving the underworld, seemingly in deep contemplation. This left the young wayfinder time to think about her own emotions, and the question she had asked back at the palace. Did she need to cool off? Deep in her heart, Moana thought Maui would profess his undying love for her right out of the gate. He had (nearly) done it in Te Uranga-o-te-rā i when her life was in danger, so why not when it was all said and done? But of course, Moana knew Maui better then that.

His pride was much too important to him, too bloated to even let him think of some cheesy romantic gesture. And, if Moana thought about it, she didnt think it suited Maui anyway. His idea of romance was...well, killing a creepy stalker eel and burying its guts. Maui was a man of action, not romance. Yet he still sat at the back of the canoe, silent as death, his brow perched forward in thought. Mindlessly, his hand stroked Hei-Hei whom hadn't moved (thank the gods) since Moana and Maui had left for Te Uranga-o-te-rā i. Moana had never really seen Maui so concentrated before, and what he was thinking about was a complete mystery. Moana's first thought was that he was thinking about her. Maui was thinking about their possible relationship, or perhaps the spur of the moment profession when Moana had looked into the eyes of Rohe. But then again, he could have been thinking of something else. Rohe was much prettier then Moana, and she was a goddess. Maybe he was thinking about her instead, or Pele, or just...their adventure in general. Moana quirked a lip at that. It was certainly an adventure for the books, Moana wouldn't hesitate to tell Sina all about it when she got home.

Moana couldn't help but beam at the thought of Montuni. She was desperately homesick. She wanted to see her island and her people, she wanted to see her mom, and the mountains and the sky. Being chief was nothing compared to facing down gods and goddesses of the underworld. Laughing to herself at that, Moana glanced down at her shoulder. Mo was resting on a hammock on her little island, while Mini Maui sang to her while playing a Ukulele. The little inked girl appeared to be dozing off in her little paradise. Moana frowned slightly. Would she and Maui ever be like that? Content and peaceful, dozing off in the island sun together? Moana had no idea. After all, Maui was a free spirit. He would go where the wind would take him, and, there was a chance he wouldn''t come back. Rohe seemed to be in tune with that aspect of him, and how he came and went like the tide. Indecisive. Moana sighed and shook her head, looking down into her flickering reflection water. Was there ever a chance of him staying?

"Ahem..."

Moana nearly fell off the canoe in fright, turning around slightly to find Maui staring at her. His eyes were still dark and cloudy with contemplation, but he was addressing her now,

"Maui," Smiling stupidly, Moana unconsciously tucked her hair away, though the wind merely tossed it right back anyway, "is...hem, is everything ok?"

There was a second of nothing before Maui sighed heavily, closed his eyes and nodded,

"Yeah. Listen, what you did for me back there-"

"Maui, no," Moana shook her head slightly, "no need to thank me or anything,"

"But I have to," Maui insisted, "you...you talked to Rohe. You made her believe in herself. In...in you. That was," Maui chuckled half heartedly, "that was pretty amazing. But, I just..." Maui stumbled with his words, seeming to become frustrated with his lack of comprehendability, "I just think that I would probably still be down there without you. And you totally risked getting hurt for me. But...you always come back, and I..." Maui sighed in defeat, his shoulders slumping as Moana knitted her brows, "I guess I just want to say thank you,"

Moana stared at Maui for a long while, watching him squirm and play with his lavalava. There was still something on his mind, Moana knew. He didn't just spout off a bunch of jibberish, only to not go back to his usual, happy go lucky self. Not pushing the subject though, Moana turned away with an aching heart,

"You're welcome, Maui,"

Moana hoped her heartache didn't seep into the softness of her phrase. Turning back to the ocean, the young wayfinder felt the burning of her eyes, as tears of sorrow mixed with the saltwater already spraying her face. Rohe was right all along about love; it was foolish and left you with nothing but hurt. Biting her lip, Moana watched as the small dot of Rapa Nui grew closer by the minute, signaling the conclusion of their mission to retrieve the stolen comet. Moana would go back to her home - her Montuni - and Maui would leave again, just like before. But this time, Moana wouldn't wait for him to return. She would go back and marry Aisake, have children and be the chief of her island. She wouldn't suffer through the heartache of waiting for Maui again, it was just...too hard. Frowning and sighing heavily, Moana looked up at the small dot that was Rapa Nui. The end of their quest was growing closer by the moment, and all Mona could feel was hurt.

Moana remembered Maui transforming, hauling her up into his talons as they flew towards the island. She briefly remembered falling, and then both of them were passing through the watery portal back into the Lair of Tangaroa. Landing with a thud on the sandy floor, Moana's nose was immediately assaulted by the smells of salt water, and her ears picked up on the distant howling of unfriendly gods. Turning to Maui - who had come to land beside her - Moana smiled weakly and rubbed the back of her neck,

"Maybe you should just...wait here. I won't be a moment,"

"Are you sure, Curly? I could-"

"No, no it's fine. I just think it would be better if you stayed behind,"

Maui looked hurt, but nodded anyway and sat down against one wall to play with his fishhook. Sighing weakly and rubbing her face, Moana turned and made her way to the throne room. Opening the door a crack, the argument became clear to her ears,

"Face it, she's not coming back old man!" Rehua snapped, "I'll bring fire down on you from above,"

"It's your fault for trusting the task with a child!" Tangaroa complained, "she'll come,"

"She only has until sunset, and it's already close to night,"

"She'll make it,"

"Ahem?" Moana cleared her throat awkwardly as both gods turned, eyes wide as Moana lifted a hand, "hi,"

"Child," Tangaroa said, both gods shrinking down to human size as he folded both arms across his bare chest, "you've returned so soon,"

"Yes. But have you completed your mission?" Rehua growled, "your island is on the line after all,"

Padding forward nervously, Moana ripped the comet from around her neck and placed it into Rehua's hand as he stared wide eyed back at her,

"Rohe had it. She says she's sorry,"

"And...you made it past her alive? Unharmed?"

"Yes," Moana smiled and shrugged a bit, "she just needed a bit of...understanding," Rubbing the side of her arm awkwardly, Tangaroa cocked his head to one side,

"You have done an incredible deed, wayfinder. Why are you not joyous?"

"Huh? Oh, I'm thrilled everything turned out fine. It's just-" Moana bit down on her lip as both Rehua and Tangaroa nodded knowingly,

"The dense one?"

Moana nodded slightly too as Tangaroa chuckled,

"Maui has never felt the truth of love before, child,"

"Yes. Rohe thought she had Maui by forcing him to marry, but not even that could make him stay,"

Both gods shared a look as Moana sighed and slumped down slightly,

"I know that, now. It took me this journey to realize that,"

"Do not weep, young demigoddess, for there will be others whom are much better suited," Tangaroa stated, "now, you have done me a great service. I owe you in return,"

Tangaroa bowed slightly as Moana frowned and slipped the gods heart from inside her necklace. It's blue surface glimmered like water as she held it out,

"Take it back,"

"Whatever for, child?" Rehua questioned, lifting a furry brow. Tangaroa agreed with a nod, and looked confused as well,

"Yes. Being a Demigoddess, you'll live forever. It's quite an amazing gift."

"I know but..." Moana looked at the heart in her hands as her lip quivered, "I can't live an eternity knowing...knowing that..."

"You love him deeply child," Tangaroa said, lifting Moana's fallen chin with a hand as he wiped away her tears, "is it truly what you want? For me to take away this gift?"

"Yes. I just want to be me again. I want to be Moana, chief of Montuni. I want to marry and have children, and grow old and...die. I don't want to face an eternal life where I might not be satisfied forever,"

"A wise decision for such a little girl," Rehua stated, "your people will be proud of you,"

Moana felt herself nodding mindlessly as Tangaroa slowly took the heart from her hand. Immediately, Moana felt different. She felt empty inside, like something heavy had been lifted off her shoulders. Glancing at her skin, the Dark tattoos she had sported slowly vanished, Mini Mo waving a sad goodbye before disappearing completely. Sniffling, Moana cried, furiously wiping at her eyes as the rest of her immortality drained away. She was just Moana now, human, prone to death, "it has been done," Tangaroa stated, "I will send you back to your island, unless you would like to leave with the one you came with?"

'I can't face Maui again,' Moana thought solemnly, wiping furiously at her eyes again as she gnawed the inside of her cheek, 'he has better places to be anyway,'

"I'd like to go back," Moana whispered, glancing at the throne room doors as Tangaroa nodded and waved his hands,

"Very well. So long, Moana of Montuni,"

Rehua nodded as too, holding out the comet and crossing a fist over his torso,

"You will have Auahitūroa's thanks, and my blessing, young one,"

Nodding, Moana felt her feet turning to pure water as she glanced one last time over her shoulder before vanishing from the throne room completely. It was only a moment (at least it felt like a moment) before the young wayfinder washed up onto a golden shore, wet and coughing weakly. Moana's hands clutched the soggy grains as she lifted her head, and saw the beautiful brush of her island. Her Montuni. And Moana smiled sadly as she got to her knees and exhaled.

She was home.