Maui stared at the fish on his banana leaf plate. Suddenly, it didn't look as appetizing anymore. Emere's voice echoed in his head. What should he do to repay the horrific crime that he did? How would Moana react when she knew about this? He must have so engrossed in his thought that he didn't see when Moana sat next to him while Emere had disappeared from view.

"Hey, are you okay?" A gentle graze on his shoulder alerted him, next to him Moana studied him scrupulously.

Maui blinked rapidly to make a normal 'I-am-okay-nothing-happen-i-swear' kind of face. "Yes, of course!" he said without much thinking.

"Oh, good. I just want to let you know Ngaire just arrived. I've told her we could come over to her fale later on tonight."

Maui gulped thickly, thankfully Moana didn't register the slight trembling of his hand nor the quivering of his voice. "Sound like a good idea," he retorted, lifting his face with caution, not breaking his mask. And then their sight unwittingly collided, her eyes looked into him with so much care, and instantaneously Maui felt guilty for being a cowardice that had deliberately betrayed their friendship by covering so many truth with lies―his disguise included.

Tomorrow. He promised to himself. When we sail to Kailua, I'll tell her everything. Everything.

The evening continued on. After the dinner, the citizens of Kabara excitedly gathered around the clearing where various matches took place.

The catch-the-pigs contest was one of the game Maikai had suggested. This was the first, and throng of curious people had swarmed around the pigpen to witness the battle took place. The pigpen was filled with mud puddles, on the other side, about a dozen of pigs that had been smeared with coconut oil to make them slippery. The rule was simple. The winner would be the man who managed to catch the most pigs in five minutes―won the prize.

The contest began, a good number of male contestants climbed into the pen and tried to catch the panicked, squealing and slippery pigs within the time limit.

Moana pushed her way through the crowd to find her aunt. She saw Emere's distinct, portly silhouette at a good spot with unobstructed view in front. Her attention was glued to the arena, enjoying the humor and the sheer absurdity of the contest.

"Hi," Moana tapped her shoulder.

"Oh Moana, just in time!" her aunt smiled meaningfully.

Next to her, Anahera grinned smugly. "Maikai is next," she said, batting her eyelashes, pointing towards the direction of a clean looking bunch of men that began to make way inside the pigpen."No one managed to catch the pigs on the previous run," she reported.

Moana held her breath, watching Maikai hopped into the arena, blowing imaginary kisses as the girls in the audience whooped and called his name."Thank you! Thank you!" he gushed, taking the full advantage of the moment and grinned dashingly.

Moana couldn't help but to laugh fondly at his antics as she watched him. So typical of Maikai―he was just addicted to attention.

As soon as the man who served as the referee gave his cue that the time began to tick, all the men inside the pen ardently began to chase the pigs as though they were trophies. Moana watched as Maikai narrowed his eyes, observing his target with his undivided attention. Unlike the other men who just frantically chased their victims, Maikai was incredibly calculative. He picked one pig, he studied its movements before making a sudden leap.

Moana balled her fist and threw it up in the air when she saw Maikai trap a pig with his muscular arms with one, swift move. Hearing Moana's shout of victory, Maikai immediately turned his head towards her, shooting one smug grin and wink one of his eyes coyly.

Moana stiffened, feeling her heart throbbed in her ribcage and blood rushed to her cheek.

Unluckily, just a fleeting moment of lapse concentration, Maikai's prisoner wriggled free―but before long Maikai managed to imprison him again in his arms. Grinning and laughing in delight, he strode pompously to place his first catch in a separate pen. The referee put a charcoal marking indicating Maikai's name on the pig's belly. He went in again, and within less than a minute banked his second pig, right before the countdown ended.

Maikai raised the squirming pig triumphantly, while everyone cheered and howled.

Moana was suddenly struck by how lively Maikai was. He was energetic, bursting with life, owned boundless enthusiasm that seemed never to run dry. Her few short week with Maikai was filled with laughter, fun, and excitement. He made her felt alive, as though he had opened the door to the new world that was full of thrilling adventure and surprises. He had breathed new life into her, mended her broken heart and gave her hope.

Moana watched as muddy Maikai climbed out of the pen, and the girls abruptly surged around him―leering and battling a piece of his attention.

Sure, Anahera and Tai were right. Maikai was irresistibly charming, devilishly handsome and incredibly entertaining. Not to mention those to die for biceps and delicious abs. He was cool and suave, and his tendency to brag about his magnificent physique had never been ending source of entertainment. He had beguiled her attention with his colorful story and was amused with his shameless exaggeration of his wonderful exploit. Moana was positive some of them were blatant lies (like he said he had ever pushed a mountain). Nonetheless, it still warmed her to know Maikai wanted to impress her desperately.

But that wasn't why he had captured her heart. Moana was fond of the real Maikai―who offered her his blanket on the frigidly cold night, who agreed to join her random venture in braiding wars, who braved himself joining her family's formal dinner for her sake, and the man who had selflessly saved her without even thinking twice. She could see beyond the concealment of his absurd vanity and tendency to brag, Maikai was quite a sentient individual, and he had treated her with absolute respect and decency.

A few village kids passed by. Seeing Maikai posing victoriously with a stack of leis on his neck, they raced up to the clearing.

"Hi Maikai!" they shrilled, swarming Maikai who was still grinning like a mindless lunatic, half covered in mud and flowers, basking in adoration the crowds throwing him.

"I wanted to be on your team!" they blustered with feverish enthusiasm. All the kids adored Maikai, he was just like one of them, only larger, taller and better at any games, and he always loved showing off his magnificent strength by scooping them up and swinging them up, even tossing them in the air. The kids obviously found him thrilling and pleasant to be with.

Moana smiled, feeling her heart wrapped in warmth by the sight. Maikai was like an overgrown kid, full of zeal, fun, and enthusiasm, even though he could be downright obtuse and childish at times. But she had seen the soft, solicitous even matured side of him, although rarely.

Seeing his little fans squealing in feverish excitement, Maikai's smile grew an inch wider. "C'mon kids, join the winning team!" he encouraged with his usual prideful tune. "The next game is the tug of war!"

"Wha-what? But he got the whole village team up with him!" one man said, disagreeing. "Even my kids are on his team!"

"That's cheating!" the other young man shouted, chuckling and shaking his head as he went along.

"The loser always says that," Maui rebuked, wagging his brows up and down teasingly. "You all watch me, this is how a hero should go in the battle," he declared boastfully, entering the clearing with much bravado. The crowds laughed listening to the men exchanging harmless banter.

First, both teams stood, face off each other, and took turns performing their haka. Moana observed Maikai, as he animatedly led the throng of kids on their haka moves, sticking their tongue and rigorously slapping their thigh and arms.

The crowds chanted Maikai's name as he picked on one side of the rope while a few young men grabbed the other end.

Watching him with the village children, Moana could easily picture Maikai with his own brood. Not to mention he would be a super fun kind of dad, wrestling with them and tossing them around. And of course, his kids would brag how their dad was the biggest, strongest, most awesome man in the village.

Hell, why she even thought of that, Moana had no idea.

Each side of the rope stood firm, it was now Maikai with about twenty children on his side against eight villagers, all looking burly and menacing. Maikai appeared to gain the upper hand in the first few seconds. (Well, he had strength to pull an island, nevermind eight mortals!) However, his eyes inadvertently collided with Moana's. He captured the dreamy look that glazed her eyes as she stared at him, and in return, he flashed his debonair smile. Unfortunately, a split second lapse of concentration caused him to accidentally misplace his foot and lost his balance. Certainly, the slippery mud didn't help.

"Ouch!" He fell down face first.

How could he be so stupid to repeat the same mistake twice consecutively? Moana thought, but was glad she knew that she was the reason of his lapse of grace. The crowd howled in laughter, watching him sit on the mud, expression flabbergasted and disbelief, with mud dripping from his hair.

"Aw… poor Maikai," Emere gushed, pretending to sound pitiful. "Moana, quick, go help him to clean up and soothe his wounded pride!" Inadvertently, she pushed her niece, nearly sending Moana straight into Maikai's hug, luckily she managed to halt just at the right time.

Maui didn't let the moment of defeat outshone his pride. He stood up, clasped his hand together, lifting them above his head in a victory gesture, turning around to pose, basking in every second moment of adoration. The crowds burst in rapturous claps and cheered him on. Unfortunately, such action encouraged him to do even more.

"Thank you… thank you!" he waved his hand and began to blow his signature heart-stopping kisses to a bunch of howling ladies, encouraged them to lavishly praising him more. The crowd dutifully comply, howling and hooting mercilessly, by now everyone in Kabara had acclimated to Maikai cockiness. Asking the guy not to brag was like asking a man not to breathe.

"You did very well there," Moana told him. Maikai was practically glowing with pride.

"Of course!" he grinned.

"I rephrase," she said, coming closer and giving him a quick peck on his cheek. "You are amazing!"

That was positively the closest Maui had got to heaven if such things exist.

And Moana couldn't help it. She couldn't help to smile at his euphoric laughter, to admire his infectious enthusiasm, to laugh at his dry jokes, to admire his thoughtful spontaneity and to fell in love with his never ending charm.

That evening, before the celebration ended, Moana and Maui excused themselves from talking to Ngaire. Before they went, they updated each other on some of the new information revealed by Emere and Ngaire's husband (in which both of them equally surprised to learn the truth, but there was hardly any time to discuss).

After asking a few villagers for direction, a modest hut with a spacious garden around it. Maui knocked the door, and the same man who went to talk to Moana a few days earlier welcomed them.

He guided them into the living room, where a woman with a large stature sat on the floor among three little children, presumably hers. She hardly noticed her guests and seemed to be preoccupied with three of her young children, all whining and bickering around her. Thankfully, her understanding husband quickly shepherded them all when he saw Moana and Maikai stood patiently by the threshold of the door, not wanting to interrupt.

"Excuse me, Ngaire," Moana was the first to open the conversation. "My Aunt, Emere, told me that you are previously a citizen of Kailua."

The woman gave Moana an inscrutable look, but her mouth pulled into a scowl. Moana fidgeted a little. She was overthrown by Ngaire's unfriendliness. Perhaps people of Kailua was born to be inhospitable and intimidating?

"I am Moana Waialiki, and I..―"

"I know who you are," Ngaire finally opened her mouth. "And I know why you are here. My husband already told me," she said flatly, her eyes riveted as she spoke. "You are the Demigod's best friend...aren't you?"

There was an undeniable hatred in the way she referred to Maui that tickled Moana's inquisitiveness. "Uh, sounded like...you… you dislike him...?" probed Moana cautiously. To her bewilderment, Ngaire burst out laughing.

"Have your grandmother or elders in your village failed to tell you about the relationship between Maui and his siblings?" she countered with another question. Perhaps Gramma Tala did, but Moana was too captivated by the story of Maui, the Shapeshifter, Demigod of the wind and sea, venturing out to steal the Heart of Te Fiti, to pay a real attention about the embellishment of minor details around the legend.

"Mind if you tell me?" Moana requested, grinning sheepishly as Ngaire's folded her arms tightly across her chest, looking unmistakably unimpressed. Nonetheless, the woman heeded.

"The tale that being passed down by our ancestor said that after Maui's mother, Taranga, buried him in the ocean, she..―"

"Wait," Moana raised her hand,"Did you said… she buried him?" she repeated, face intrigued. Next to her, Maikai stiffened. All along he thought that his mother had abandoned him, this was his first time hearing the other side of the story.

"Yes, she thought he was stillborn… so she cut her topknot and wrapped him with it, before leaving him on the water," the woman replied. "What she didn't know was―the baby was still alive, and the ocean's spirit rescued him and took him to Tama-nui-te-rai, who then raised him and gave him power and immortality."

"So, she...never intended to abandon him?" Maui felt an undue urge for reassurance. His voice sounded reluctant and small, and his tummy twisted in the most unpleasant way, but he needed to know the answer!

"No, she loved him. Just like her any other children."

And those claim was enough to make Maui gawked incredulously; thankfully the two ladies completely ignored his expression altogether.

"Unfortunately the gods didn't see it that way," Ngaire continued, her intonation was of annoyance. "Despite Taranga's explanation, she had already committed an unforgivable mistake. Hence, she had to bear the inescapable consequences. The gods cursed her, and her descendants―that the earth would constantly be at war with us, and that ocean would be our home."

"So, what happen then?" Moana prompted.

"Well, Maui reunited with his brothers eventually. However, they would never be in a good relationship for various reasons. Firstly, they didn't grow up among each other, not until they were in their adolescence and their parents already long gone. Secondly, the fierce sibling rivalry among them, and of course Maui's affinity to brag didn't help one bit," Ngaire said sourly. Maui cowered and fed his sight on the dirt around his toes. Vaguely, in his fading memory, he recalled the young, foolish and immature self, challenging his four brothers on various feats.

"So naturally, after working out they couldn't live together side by side in harmony, they avoid each other," Ngaire closed her story.

"What about Tane?" After satisfying her curiosity on the origin of the people of Kailua and understanding the reason for their hatred to Maui, Moana delved into more specific question. "What he could possibly accomplish by killing the Demigod. I mean, avenging is one thing… but…―"

"Miss Waialiki!" Ngaire clipped her sentence, glaring unpleasantly. "Have you ever lost your parents? Or lost most of your family member and grew up as an orphan? Are you deprived of the comfort and security of your home? Feeling desolate and hopeless?" Her eyes narrowed in aggravation.

Moana shook her head haltingly.

"In that case, don't judge! You may not understand how bitter people could be for losing practically everything. Since that conceited Demigod selfishly stole the heart of Te Fiti, a lot of people in Kailua had to bear that unfortunate fate of being an orphan, miserable and alone!"

This time Ngaire was positively looking affronted, her chest heaved, and her fists clenched tightly. Moana jerked back, not expecting to stand on the firing line and becoming the target of Ngaire's sudden outburst, while Maui tried to mask all the growing apprehension in his chest by chewing his lips.

However, Moana composed herself and managed to utter a strained, "I...I'm sorry." But, the girl didn't just apologize―everyone had their side of the story to tell since Maui wasn't there to defend his view, Moana felt it was her duty to straighten up the misconception. "But… You are mistaken about Maui!" she insisted, this time her voice was firm, and all the words were driven with conviction. "He wasn't stealing the Heart of Te Fiti for himself! He had risked it all for you, for me… for us, the mortal," she explained. "He wanted to give us the gift of life!"

Ngaire snorted sarcastically. However, Moana could see the words struck impact on the woman's heart, and her feature eased. Ngaire took a heavy measure of breath before continuing.

"Approximately a decade before you restored the Heart of Te Fiti, a large tsunami terrorized the island for nearly a week, destroying everything on its way, devouring nearly half of our people. It was the largest, most devastating calamity for quite a long time," Ngaire began. "Tane was barely a teenager back then. However, as a responsible Chief, who had lost his parents in the sea, he took the fate of our people in his hands. Seeing that we had tried every possibility under the sun to save our tribe from the brink of extinction, that brave young man suggested to give himself as the human sacrifice to appease the gods―something that we had never considered doing."

There was a coherent gasp heard as a response, and the atmosphere became eerily silent.

"So, we abide by his command―as he requested. Some of the elders tied him on the canoe and set him into the raging sea. However, three days later, he returned safe and sound to retold his tale of miraculous meeting with Tūmatauenga, the God of war, hunting, fishing, and agriculture. Apparently, the deity commended Tane's bravery and touched by his act of selflessness and promised Tane that he would replenish the island of Kailua with overwhelming corps. But Tūmatauenga was unwilling to do the transformation for free―he required a sacrifice for that…" Ngaire let her sentence ended inconclusively, but her tone was so conspicuous what she was hinting.

Maui shuddered at the implication of the story. It was clear now why Tane insistently pursued him, even took the hassle to travel great length to achieve his goal.

"Tane challenged the god's pledge, saying it was unreasonable to expect a young, inexperienced mortal like him to incapacitate a powerful Demigod. Tūmatauenga considered Tane's rationale and gave him power so that he was immune to the Demigod's assault," Ngaire went on. "Coincidentally, a week later, Akoni and his family moored on the beach. Allegedly they had never aimed to come to Kailua, but the storm forced them to anchor his boat in our water. Knowing that our people lacked in direction and council, he offered to be Tane's advisor―helping him running his office as a Chief, to which I think Tane very grateful for, and have considered Akoni like his adopted Father."

Moana contemplated for a moment. She speculated that the news of their success of restoring the Heart of Te Fiti must have given both Akoni and Tane a common goal to accomplish what they want. It was then revenge, forced marriage, and assassination was plotted.

Anahera had heard that Moana and her friend were due leaving for Kailua as soon as they gathered enough information from Ngaire. Therefore, the next morning, when the dew still thick on the grass, Anahera briskly went to the beach and searched for the glimpse of Moana to bid her goodbye. Instead, she found the hulking young man vigorously attaching new bits and pieces to Moana's canoe, getting it ready to sail into the unknown.

"Hi Maikai, where is Moana?"

"Oh, hi," he replied, only briefly looking at her before returning to his ropes and wood. Somehow, Anahera could sense Maikai's response wasn't as cheerful as he usual was. Perhaps he was sad to leave? "She is gathering some food and other basics for the journey," he added.

"Okay. I guess this is a goodbye then," and she gave Maui a small cloth sack. "This is for you and Moana, for your journey. I am sure it'll cheer you up." Maui took reluctantly.

"What is it?"

Anahera chuckled. "Just open it," she encouraged. Maui loosened the string and peeked inside and laughed.

"Sweets?" he grinned, reminiscing Anahera's crazy consultation in the bath house."Thank you," he said, bowing. "I had to admit I am not the only awesome person around here."

The girl smiled, "Don't worry, it didn't take me the whole night to make it." Maui rolled his eyes knowing she was teasing him.

"Hey, I wish you all the best with my cousin. I know you are an impressively tough guy, but please try to stay away from waterfall next time," she said, throwing a fake punch on Maui's arm. He made an annoyed sound but a genuine stroke of gratitude radiated from his face.

"Oh yes, Maikai. Consider this as my last love advice for you." Her facade suddenly became serious. "Failure isn't fatal, but hesitation can be."

With that, she left the Demigod alone with his thoughts.

After bidding her goodbye to her family in Kabara, Moana opened her sail and left the island.

Most of their journey was filled with pleasant and stimulating conversation which making the time fly by. They would sit and eat. Maui listened to Moana retelling the story about her first wayfinding journey, raptly observed her animated expression and the sweet sound of her laughter.

Truthfully, Maui was astonished by how different the way she looked at him. It was so different from the way she stared at him as Maui, the way she casually teased him with satirical jokes, the unbridled fierceness as she confronted him with her oar, but right now….Her lips curled into a resplendent smile. Her eyes were sparkling; her expression was lively and radiant. There was an element of shyness as their sight collided.

Maui sighed, Moana could easily be the most beautiful, irresistible woman in the universe. He wished he could grab her and kiss her right now! (And it didn't help one bit that he knew how those lips tasted like). Abruptly, Maui was reminded that he had planned to smite Moana with something special. Ok, he may not be a good hip-dancer (what's that dance again, Ori?!) or a flute virtuoso like Tane, but he knew what definitely would make a girl fell for him.

His voice.

Out of the blue, he broke into a song that he was sure Moana familiar with. At first, she stared at him, bewildered. But Maui confidently smiled and nodded and kept mumbling the lyrics, some clearer than the others, encouraging her to join.

Moana felt a tinge of blush as their shoulder brushed each other, and even further after intently reminiscing its cornily romantic lyrics. He leaned closer to her as he sang, a wide smile spread across his face, and his dark eyes breathed life to those words. And before she knew it, her higher-pitch voice coherently sang in harmony, while Maikai's masculine voice skillfully embellished the notes in between.

She chuckled at Maikai's little impromptu concert. He was making up some of the lyrics to rhyme with the words that had failed to make it to his memory―confidently plowing through the song as if nothing happened. A minute later, he obstructively sang the wrong tune, but remained undeterred, barraged through the stanza and detoured to its parody version instead. However, a clumsy moment like this which instead pulling embarrassment had compelled her to grow fond of him. In the end, he recovered and picked up the tune in time to accompany her velvety voice. His strong voice was filling up the gap, loudly announced the words she was too shy to sing.

This was what Maikai was, plainly, in every little affectionate thing that he offered, in every simple, sweet, thoughtful act that he put, just made her smile in the gloomiest day. Maikai was life and creativity, sweetly encased in his large, provoking figure, and sealed with a cocky grin. Moana let the music wrapped around both of them, occasionally closing her eyes indulging the moment.

"Do you like it?"

"No, I don't," she replied tonelessly, straightening herself as she looked at him. "But, I love it!" she laughed witnessing a glint of annoyance streaked his eyes. "I know you are easily the most loveable person," Moana declared. She paused a while for the dramatic effect, testing the impact of the words she said.

'Loveable' she said? What did she…―? Maui mused, on the back of his mind, Anahera's words echoed repeatedly. Failure isn't fatal, but hesitation can be. He felt his breath suspended on his throat in anticipation of what he was about to say next.

"Mo, can I tell you something?"

She looked at him with excitement and expectation painted all over her eyes."Yes… what is it?"

There was an unspoken feeling between them, the air of promise.

"I am sure that… you know. That I like you," Maui confessed, his heart thudding so loudly in his ears he barely could hear his own voice."I mean….like like. Not just like. Y'know..."

And as their sight met, their soul connected and she knew he wanted her more than she could ever give right now. Moana had to stop herself before her heart overruled her logic.

"Maikai… I am betrothed. No matter how much you like me, we would never be together. I have a duty to protect my people, even when it cost me… my freedom and my happiness." Her voice was beautiful, courageous, heartbroken angel. "But, in another world, another life, perhaps it isn't so absurd to think of you and me… together."

Some tears slipped, but her countenance remained unnerved, shielding her internal sadness and masking the eruption of emotion from somewhere beneath her chest.

There was something warm, suffocating and deeply moving as those earnest words reached Maui's ears. His heart swelled, invading his eyes with unwanted moisture.

"I understand," he said tersely, brushing her tears stained cheek with the thumb of his hand and pausing there allowing the magic of the moment to blend into his thoughts.

"But I have something else to tell you, however… please promise me, Moana―that you won't change the way you see me, because deep down―I would always be the same person...And that you'll forgive me."

There was an undeniable fragility in his tone as her name slipped from his lips that made Moana's heartache without exactly knowing why. She really didn't like the way the conversation was going, but she was left with no choice. "Okay, I promise," she responded.

She watched intently as apprehension flooded Maikai's expression. He closed his eyes to brave himself, exhaling loudly understanding there wouldn't be any turning back.

And he took off his necklace.

What… ―?! Her world fell.

Notes: Ok, so that was a long, hard chapter finally done with! This is the portion of the story where I took liberty in twisting the legend of Maui into something that could fit the Disney story and my story. It's not long before this story hit the conclusive end, but let brought our beloved antagonist back in the next chapter.

My research suggests that human sacrifice needed in general when an important building (whatu) or canoe were completed. Sometimes, when a tribe was in the greatest danger of defeat, the priest of the war-god might demand a human victim as absolutely necessary for the purposes of divination. When an outside victim was unprocurable, instances occurred of a member of the tribe offering himself as a sacrifice to save his people from destruction. Mention has been made of the heart of the enemy first killed in battle having been offered to the war-god by the official priest.

Therefore, in this story, people of Kailua - as descendants of Maui's brother - was cursed because Maui's mother mistakenly threw Maui to the sea thinking that he was dead. Because the curse stated people of Kailua wouldn't be able to reap their harvest, for a long time, they had relied on the sea as for providence. After Maui stole the heart of Te Fiti, the ocean became an unsafe place and had killed a great number of their people. Until one day, a young Chief, Tanemahuta, strike a deal with Tūmatauenga, the God of war, hunting, fishing, and agriculture to exchange Demigod's life for Kailua's fertility.

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