Moana dumped the last of the food in the bin on the boat. Maui had just got back from retrieving his hook and was nearly bouncing with energy.
"'Bout ready there, curly?" He asked distractedly.
"Hey, I'm not the one who's leaving their belongings and clothes all over the place." Moana quipped goodnaturedly.
With a sheepish grin, Maui shoved the boat into the water and hopped aboard. "This your way of telling me you'd rather me keep my clothes on?"
Moana rolled her eyes and shoved against his massive chest. Raising his eyebrow and grinning broadly, Maui stepped back and to the side. Moana, not expecting him to move at all, lost her balance and fell into the water with yelp. Maui laughed as the ocean, once again, lifted Moana up out of the water. Halfway to the boat the ocean wave suddenly deflated, dropping Moana hard on the canoe. The air left her in a loud "Whoof" as her chest hit the slats and she slipped into the water.
"Moana!" Maui yelled and dove in after her. Grabbing her by the arm, he swam back up and hauled them both onto the boat. Coughing, Moana laid a hand on the angry weal across her chest. "You ok?" Maui asked, concern etched in his features.
Moana nodded and took deep steadying breaths."I think the ocean is sick."
"The ocean can't get sick." Maui said, brow furrowed. "It's... the ocean. There's nothing to get sick, it's just... the ocean."
Moana looked at him speculatively. "And demigods can't die, and mortals can't become immortal. Maui, there's been something wrong for awhile. The ocean hasn't been talking to me like it usually does. The ocean doesn't always do what I ask, but every time I've ever really needed it, it's been there. Lately though, there've been some near misses. I really think there is something wrong."
Maui's brow furrowed further. He sat down next to her, staring into the waters. "What do you think it is?" He asked.
Moana shook her head. "I don't know. But Maui, I want to help. The ocean has helped me so many times. I can't just walk away from this."
Maui nodded his head. "Ok, curly. But first we get you immortal." A frown crossed her features and she looked about to start arguing. "Saving the ocean is going to be a big job." he hurried. "Can you hold your breath for hours while searching the ocean floor?"
She quirked an eyebrow and said sweetly "Can you?"
Maui gave her a flat look. "Point is; it's going to be a major undertaking. We don't even know where to begin. We have a place to start with your mortality. We'll think on the way. Come up with a plan."
"I thought plans cramped your style." She said with a grin.
"You're incorrigible."
Moana laughed.
Keahumoa was a vast land of rolling hills. Sweet potato plants grew in clumps and trees dotted the landscape. Maui secured the boat while Moana tied up the sail.
"I'm going to go scout around. See if I can find Kuolokele." Maui said to Moana, looking around the landscape. "Listen, the people here are-" He hesitated "-weird."
Moana looked at him curiously.
"Just," Maui sighed "don't talk to anybody. Don't even let yourself be seen."
Moana smirked "Afraid someone's going to take your place as the object of my affection?"
Maui grabbed her shoulders and shook her gently. "I'm serious Moana." He looked at her, begging her to listen. "Please. Do this."
"Alright, Maui." She said soberly. Placing a hand on his forearm and squeezing lightly.
Looking at her a moment more, Maui nodded, stepped back and turned into a hawk. Moana watched him fly away. When he was just a speck, she looked around. Thinking that some sweet potatoes would fill out their stores nicely, she trotted over to a sizable patch to collect some. She bent to start her work when she heard a shuffling accompanied with some mutterings. Throwing herself to the ground, hiding among the thick stalks, she peered through the vegetation.
Coming up the path was a very old man, bent nearly in two, struggling with a large bucket filled to the brim with water. It looked as if each shuffling step cost him more than his frail body could produce. His thin frame trembling under the precarious bucket. With a cry, he fell down. The bucket bounced ponderously before coming to a rest with a slosh, still upright.
Moana didn't even think. She lept up and ran to the man. His knees and back shook tremendously as she helped him up. He weighed no more than an empty gourd. Making sure that he was balanced on his shakey feet, Moana bent and lifted the heavy bucket. The water smelled sweet and she suddenly realized she was very thirsty. Licking her lips, she shifted the bucket to a more comfortable position. There were no handles, carrying it was going to be a chore.
The old man was staring at her with over-bright eyes. "Well thank yeh, young lady." The old man's voice creaked like a tree in a storm, but was stronger that what she expected. "I daresay you've been the first soul I've seen all day. Very kind of yeh to help me." He laid his papery hand on her arm and gestured up the hill. "My home is just a little ways up this way, if yeh don't mind."
Moana thought belatedly about Maui's warning. Too late to back out now. She thought, and started up the hill.
The walk was frustrating. The sloshing sweet-water in the bucket made her keenly aware of how thirsty she was. The hot sun beat down on her, making her sweat profusely. Worse, the doddering old man refused to speed up his gait. Hanging onto her arm, hunched over, he tottered along speaking animatedly about the world around them. Pointing out patches of potatoes or trees "My grand-pappy planted those there!" Or drawing her attention to a passing butterfly "I few decades ago, one of them there started a hurricane across the seas!" Moana gritted her teeth and trudged on.
"So what brings a nice young lady like yeh to Keahumoa?" the old man asked, suddenly.
Moana chewed her lip. She didn't want to be rude, but she really didn't know what to hold back, if anything. "We're, uh, looking. For someone." She said, evasively.
"We huh?" He poked her in the ribs. "Yeh got a mouse in yehr pocket or somethin'?" He cackled.
"Oh, I mean, me and... and my partner." She stammered. Not knowing how the old man would take knowing she traveled with the demigod. Trickster indeed.
"Eh? Where's he?" The old man looked around as if expecting to find a third person walking with them.
"He's out scouting."
"Ah, and who yeh lookin fer?" He stared shrewdly at her.
"A friend." She said.
"A friend, a friend, I see." The man nodded. Then looking over his shoulder, he put his hand conspiratorially on her shoulder and bent her close. "I know a few of those!" he whispered loudly. Nodding, he released her and continued his walk.
Wondering if the man was a bit loose in the head, Moana quickened her step, only to be slowed down as she pulled ahead of the old man.
Finally the old man pointed to a small meandering path. Leading the way, finally picking up his pace, he tottered to a small run down hut on the side of the hill. A large tree shaded his front door. The old man disappeared inside.
Moana stopped a few feet from the door. She looked at the bucket, debating on taking a drink. Thinking better of it, she stood at the threshold of the house.
"Excuse me, sir?" She didn't even know his name! The house was dark and she couldn't see very far. Carefully, she leaned into the gloom. "Sir? Where would you like me to place the bucket?" No answer. Slightly creeped out, Moana knelt at the doorway and set the bucket just inside. Grasping the door she firmly closed it, and turned to leave.
The old man was right behind her, inches from her nose. Standing tall he was grinning at her, showing every one of his yellow teeth. With a gasp, Moana stepped back. The old man reached out with lightning speed and caught her arm in an iron grip, easily holding her up.
Abruptly there was a piercing call, and Maui slammed into the ground next to them. His meaty hand closed on the old mans' thin wrist and he stared balefully at him.
"She's been claimed, honeykeeper. By more than just a mortal."
The old man didn't seem the least bit surprised by Maui's sudden appearance. Pouting, he released Moana, shook loose of Maui, and stumped off towards the house. "Come in, then." he harrumphed over his shoulder. "I'll put some tea on."
Notes
I swear this is going someplace. Little bit of a ramp up to lead to where I'm going. I'm hoping the story itself will be completed in a few more chapters.
Thank you for your time and patience. Thoughts, critiques and criticisms welcome.
