Eight years later …

Maui stared ahead of him silently. The beach of Motunui was spread before him, meeting a calm blue ocean and a steadily setting sun on a dark orange horizon. A faint breeze blew over the small grassy ledge he sat on and he heard the trees behind him rustle in response. Motunui was likely preparing for a peaceful night. He continued to watch the sun.

"It's been awhile, Maui. You don't usually stay away for so long."

The demigod lowered his gaze and hesitantly glanced sideways at his companion.

An old woman with wispy white curls gathered loosely behind her head sat on her knees. She, too, watched the sun setting, but with a peaceful smile on her aged, brown face. Moana turned her head. The woman's steady, dark eyes were gently probing for an answer. "Longer than usual," she added. "You know, you've really become more than a demigod to my island. I know that you kept returning to Motunui because you felt guilty for leaving me for so long the first time, Maui, but even you can't avoid the fact that you've gained something new on this island."

"What's that?" The words came out slowed and uncertain. But he knew what she would say.

"You've formed friendships with my people. Worked alongside them, laughed with them, cared for them. You are far more than a demigod now, Maui." Moana leaned back and smiled proudly at him. "You are a friend. A family member. And you've found a home to return to."

Maui smiled. "Huh. Yeah, that's true. Now I know why you had to return to Motunui no matter what. You just had to be home again."

"With my family." She nodded her agreement. "So why, demigod, did you stay away for so much longer this time?"

Maui shifted uncomfortably. He glared at the sunset and mentally wished he could toss his hook at the burning orb and stop it right in its tracks. Moana was far too at ease and gentle with him. Why couldn't she get angry and disappointed like so many years ago? He knew it had been months since he'd set foot on Motunui. A clear shift from the routine he'd established over the years by making a point to come back after a handful of days, or a couple weeks at the most. Moana was right. Motunui was now a place he found himself loyally returning to.

Until now.

"Hey," he said brightly, his old, energetic self returning. He held up a small, silver disc. "Look what I got. Thought Akamu could use this to settle his debt with ole crab-cakes, if he wants."

Moana studied the coin and lifted an eyebrow. "Oh, I'm sure he'll want it. That boy's been getting antsy to take care of his promise before he and his wife have their baby. Doesn't want a debt hanging over him when he's got a family to provide for."

"Tch. Tamatoa can't stand humans. He'd barely survive outside of Lalotai without his little shell castle to hide in, so I really don't think Akamu's got much to worry about."

"He's got new responsibilities to think of now."

"Yeah, and he's fussy. C'mon, you know he is."

Moana smirked. "Yeah." She leaned in closer and peered at the rather fat coin between his fingers. There was no doubt to anyone that the thing was a genuine piece of silver. "Just ... where'd you get it?"

"Eh, mouth of a giant sea snake, give or take?" Maui offered her a grin. "Ha! Apparently they like to floss with this stuff."

Moana grinned and leaned back, chuckling. "Don't tell Akamu that."

"Yeah, he's got plenty of other stuff to fuss over."

They were quiet for a moment, until Moana sighed. "Look at that sunset, Maui. Motunui's sunsets were always the best."

The large demigod frowned at the swiftly darkening atmosphere. He hummed and rubbed the back of his head, quickly finding a new topic. "Tell me about the others. Ya' know, everyone I've missed. Tala and her kiddos, Heketoro, the chief … How's, uh, everyone?"

"They would love to tell you themselves, Maui. You know how much you are welcomed here."

"They okay?"

Moana nodded. "They are all right. They miss their friend, though."

The sun was nearly out of view by now, and darkness began to creep over them, like it or not. Maui bowed his head and shut his eyes, blocking the transition. He released a heavy sigh and spoke lowly. "Moana, you know why I've been gone from Motunui so long."

He felt her hand press gently against his arm. "Yes. I know, Maui."

Quiet minutes passed by with nothing but the breeze and the sound of foliage moving in the wind to keep them company. Maui opened his eyes at last and turned his head.

Moana still sat beside him, withdrawing her hand as their eyes met. With the low light of nighttime settling over them and the shadows cast by the trees, a soothing blue hue of light could now be seen surrounding her frame. Her expression was still calm, but emotion gathered in her eyes, likely sensing the grief Maui felt building within himself at the sight of her spirit.

The demigod pulled his gaze off of his friend's spirit and fixed his eyes onto the grass instead. "I've never had to … deal with losing someone, Moana. Before you, I thought I was a friend to the mortals, but I knew I wasn't. Not really." He snorted softly. "I was a demigod who did amazing things, and that's all they saw. That was all I really knew to do."

He sighed. "I couldn't face coming back to Motunui with you gone, okay? You're … you're my family. The first real family I'd ever had." He looked at her slowly and whispered, "Do you get it?"

Moana nodded, eyes patiently watching him. "I do get it, Maui. I totally get it."

Maui winced, remembering her life story and what Moana endured. "How did you … do it? Get past the pain and all?"

"It's hard, and nearly impossible … if you try handling it on your own."

Moana stood to her feet slowly and gracefully, no longer hindered by slow movements of an aching body. "Maui, I know this is hard for you. I know you don't have to think about life the same way as we mortals do, but I know something. When I lost my children, and then my husband, I didn't know how I'd make it. But I did. I still had family."

Maui shifted, turning himself to the side to give her his full attention. Moana's blue-glowing form had her at his eye level as long as he remained sitting. The elderly spirit set her hands against his shoulders. "And so do you, Maui. You've gained so many over the years. Your family still needs you, and you them."

He looked over where he knew the village rested out of sight. A few faint glowing specks could be seen through the trees as torches gave light to Motunui's community. They were likely winding down for the evening, perhaps even a story or two would be shared over dinner. The people did not yet know of Maui's return to the island.

Moana poked at the tattoos across his chest, particularly the one of a girl on a canoe. "There. You look at that. That's a reminder, demigod. I will always be with you, wherever you are. You keep on being Maui, friend to all. Do that and you'll always find your family."

She pulled her hand back and her smile grew. A feisty sparkle shone in her eyes and Maui's eyebrows lifted. He could almost see the teenager who pestered him and impacted his lonely life so many years earlier. He blinked, all of a sudden realizing she was crying.

"I wont forget," he assured. "No, no. No way. Hey. This is Maui we're talking about. I learned my lesson, Moana. I won't ever … ever forget."

Moana gave him a lopsided smile. "Then don't give up."

Maui's eyes widened faintly, recognizing the importance in her statement. The choice was up to him. Maui finally sighed and offered her his own wobbly smile of acceptance. "I won't," he promised.

Moana leaned forward and pressed her forehead against the demigod's, cradling his head with her hand tenderly. Maui shut his eyes, if only to keep his own tears under control. "See you out there, Moana."

"See you out there … Maui."

The demigod of the wind and sea sat alone when he opened his eyes. Maui glanced around and sighed. He stood to his feet and stared out at the ocean, but the intense urge to flee Motunui and the pain had lessened. For the first time in his life, he felt the consequences of a life ending. But now he also had the encouragement to honor it. And remember.

Maui looked down at the silver coin in his palm and tossed it lightly in the air, smirking when he thought of Akamu likely harassing him into taking him to Lalotai so that he wouldn't have to brave the monsters alone. The demigod looked over the ocean and gave one nod before turning and heading for the path that would lead him to the village and his people.

Behind him, a pair of bright stingrays danced in the water.

End

Author's Note: I'd like to say thank you to everyone for all the follows, favorites and reviews this story has gained. I'm glad you all have enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed creating it.