There Are Many Paths To Tread

Disclaimer: 

The movie, 'Moana', is copyrighted by Walt Disney Animation Studio. It was directed by Ron Clements and John Musker and the co-directors were Don Hall and Chris William. It was released by Walt Disney Pictures in 2017.

I only claim copyright to the characters, and some of the elements of the story, that are of my own creation.

Chapter Soundtrack:

Swordland- Taylor Davis (thought this song might describe the current companionship between Maija, Moana and Maui)

(*3) Who Needs You- From Land Before Time

...

Chapter 5

I was eventually pulled back from the black void I'd fallen in, by the sound of wind ruffling the sail and the water lapping against the sides of the wooden canoe as it cut across the ocean surface.

But as I was yanked up from my deep unconscious state, I still felt weakness in my limbs and there was slight nausea present, too.

My mouth felt parched and scratchy and even with the summer-jacket, I was definitely shivering as the wind caressed my skin.

I looked up to see the sail rippling in the wind and smiled slightly at the sight before turning to look up at the sun for just a second before averting my eyes.

The sun seemed to be rising, not setting and therefore I knew that I'd been out much longer than I'd believed at first.

I shifted slightly and found my leg reacting to it with pain. It was a testament as to how much it had been aggravated by me not staying off the injured limb after it had been hit by the harpoon.

I couldn't suppress a slight noise of discomfort at the persistent ache in my limb and therefore, almost immediately, there was a pair of large warm hands suddenly patting lightly at my cheeks until I was screwing my face into a grimace.

'' Hnngh... what is it?'' I groaned out to whoever was bothering me.

'' Did you get enough beauty sleep?''

I turned my still slightly fuzzy vision in the direction of the familiar voice and found Maui kneeling nearby with a rather worried expression to his face.

'' Again with that question, eh, Maui? But yeah, I think I'll be fine,'' I croaked out softly with a weak chuckle.

Maui laughed at my response and moved closer to me to wound his hands under my armpits to gently pull me up into a sitting position before removing one hand to grab a coconut shell from the deck.

'' Drink slowly or you'll choke on this,'' he warned and lifted it up to my lips.

I gave a slight noise of surprise when I tasted rainwater in the cup. It was fresh rainwater, so there must have been a small rain-shower while I'd been out like a light.

I gratefully drank the water, being careful to not spill even a drop of the precious liquid until it was all gone.

'' Thank you,'' I muttered as Maui helped me back into a lying position on the deck.

'' Your welcome,'' Maui answered with a playful singing voice.

I couldn't help but laugh at his way of lifting my spirits.

But Moana uttered an exasperated sound from where she was attempting to steer the boat.

'' So how is the navigating going, Moana?'' I asked, turning my head slightly to see the chief's daughter.