It was everything Maui could do to stay aloft. He hurt all over and was bone weary. His missing feathers made it extremely difficult to catch the air to float or steer properly. He felt the urge to let himself sink into a healing sleep. Although Moana was light, she was still extra weight and drag in the air currents. When Maui flattened out to take as much advantage as he could of the drafts, the wind buffeted her, threatening to knock her from his back. He needed to get someplace where he could sleep and heal and not have to worry about being attacked. Blearily, he looked about and thought he saw a smudge in the distance that might be an island. With a sigh, he altered his course and flew on.

Moana was numb. The wind tore at her, buffeting her left and right. Her ears were ringing from the constant roar of the wind. She had lost all feeling in her extremities and was starting to cramp horribly. Knowing that shifting around on his back would make his job harder, she strived to keep still. Her mind reeled with recent events. She had been so helpless. She had actually froze in fear, unable to fight back. She had never felt so weak in her entire life. She had been afraid when she stood against Te Ka, had even known that her actions might cause her death. But Pe'ape'a had terrified her to the point of not being able to even move or help herself in any way! She was powerless to help Maui during the ferocious battle and she had nearly seen him get killed. She had always thought of the great demigod as indestructible, but thinking back on their adventures, she found that there were tons of signs proving the opposite was true. When Maui had left her after their first battle against Te Ka, he had said he wasn't willing to die fighting her battle. Tamatoa had even tried to eat him and sang of his demise. The idea of Maui being able to die was shocking. This big lug with his devil-may-care attitude is going to get himself killed! The idea of a world without Maui was incomprehensible. Never hearing his laughter? Never being caught up in his big arms again? Never able to breathe him in or feel his curls tickle her face. Maui was the type to glibly waltz into a situation with no thought for the future, and she would be powerless to stop him or even to help. Powerless, stupid, insignificant, weak little girl that you are.

It wasn't an island, really. More a really big mountain jutting from the ocean floor. A huge waterfall cascaded down to a pool in a small meadow. A small stream meandered its way to the ocean from the pool. Maui sighed gratefully as he settled himself on the grass. Moana tumbled from his brawny shoulders, stumbled a few steps, then hunched on the ground holding her ears. They rang something fierce!

Maui shifted back to his human form, dropped his heavy hook and slowly stretched his aching body. He looked around, searching for any possibility of threat and for the best place to settle down for a good sleep. The meadow was quiet and peaceful. It would do nicely for their immediate needs. He looked at Moana and was surprised to see her curled in a ball, rocking back and fourth, hands over her ears. Stupid dolt. Maui thought. Didn't think about making her comfortable, did ya? Although not entirely true, Maui did feel bad for causing her discomfort. He had been completely absorbed in getting them out and away from that sadistic bat. But thinking back on it, there really wasn't any way that he could have made her more comfortable during their flight.

"You ok there, short stuff?" Maui said, trying to keep the mood light. He just wanted to pass out and forget this day had ever happened.

Moana slowly uncurled and stood with her back to him. She didn't answer.

"Moana?" Maui asked, truly concerned now, he walked towards her. When he was right up behind her, he reached out and gently touched the back of her arm. "C'mon princess, talk to me."

She turned lightning fast and slugged him as hard as she could across the jaw. It didn't hurt, but Maui was so taken aback he took a step backwards. Hand going to his jaw, he looked at her in shock.

Tears stood in her eyes. She stood in a wide stance, fists balled and held away from her body, ready to fight. Maui thought for a moment that she believed him to be some sort of enemy and was horrified to find her eyes saw him, knew him, and accused him. Maui stood, confused as to what he had done wrong.

Lip quivering, Moana glared at Maui. She rubbed her hand, knuckles red and swelling.

Maui reached for her. "Moana, I-"

"Don't!" She yelled, cutting him off. "Don't you dare!"

Maui's mouth clapped shut with an audible click. Hand jerked back, he looked at her, pleading. Moana was crying openly now. Huge sobs wracked her tiny frame. "You don't get it. I-" she gulped, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. "I almost got you killed."

Maui cocked an eyebrow. This had to be a first. A mortal was worried about his mortality. Yeah he was banged up, but he'd taken rougher scrapes than this one. He was actually able to walk away from this time. Fly away. Whatever. And save the damsel! Not bad for a nights work. Maui also knew that there were much worse things than death. Upon reflection, he began to wonder if Moana just figured out that truth for herself. It was a frightening truth to be learned. "Moana," he started again.

"No!" She screamed. Turning her back to him, she stomped in frustration. "Between your cavalier attitude and the antics of that fellating bat, I'm at my wits end!"

Inflating bat? What was she talking about?

"It's like you don't even notice when another cares about you!"

Is she saying she cares about me? Maui's head was throbbing. He just wanted to lay down and sleep, but a part of him was kicking up his heels. Me! Cares about me!

"I'm already a failure to my people, shucking off my duties as chief onto my little brother. And then leading them to death with poor choices as a way-finder."

Wait. Did she say fellating?

"And if it wasn't for you I would never be in this mess to begin with! Had you never stolen the heart of te fiti, I could be happily oblivious and SAFE on my island. And I never would have met YOU."

The words cut deep. Maui felt like his heart had been ripped out of his chest and the breath knocked out of him. If he was weary before, he must be bone dead now. He sunk down to his knees. Sat back on his shins, stared forlornly at the ground. "You're right." He said, flatly.

Moana whipped around, thinking he was mocking her. What she saw broke her heart. The great demigod sat with rounded shoulders. She just now saw the bruises and cuts he had sustained during his battle, the battle to save YOU, you ungrateful wench. She walked quietly up to him. Maui refused to meet her eyes. "I'll take you back to your island. I will leave and you will never hear from me again, if that is what you wish." Maui slumped farther down as he spoke. His eyes shadowed and bloodshot. His hair hung in stringy, dirty clumps. A single tear slid from the corner of his eye, traced its way down his cheek and along his jaw.

"Maui." He flinched, and looked at her feet.

"Maui." Moana put her hand gently under his jaw, urging his head up to look at her. He lifted his face reluctantly, not wanting to see the hatred that must be there. After a brief but gentle battle, he looked at her. Her eyes were still wet with tears, but there was no hatred. Instead they shone with concern and care. "Maui." She said again, softly, running her fingers through his hair. "Shapeshifter. Demigod of the wind and sea. Hero to all." A smile ghosted across her lips. "I am Moana of Motunui. You have boarded my boat and helped me take back the heart of te fiti." She pressed her forehead to his, slid her hands around his neck. "I do not, and will never want you to leave me. Ever."

Note:

Thank you for your time in reading my ramblings. A bit of a mental struggle this chapter. Thoughts, critiques and comments gratefully accepted.