Stars Align

Aisake

The clear blue water sparkles and shined under the hot midday sun. Tall green grass and lush bushes filled the border between the shore and main island. Salty pacific wind blew on Former Chief Tui's face as he limped down to the shore to talk with his daughter Moana. Moana took the role of Chief a year ago after a devastating disease took over the village, killing almost half the population and crippling Chief Tui. Since then the people of Motonui have gradually recovered and the island is almost back to its former glory.

Chief Tui was tremendously proud of his daughter. She was doing an amazing job as a Chief and lead the people gracefully. They've been on many great voyages, and they just finished one a few months ago. Moana was already hard at work planning another.

This visit to his daughter wasn't about her next voyage, however. After the trip to a huge jungle-like island, some villagers were showing symptoms of another disease. Tui worried that another plague will torment the village. Unfortunately there was only one way to resolve this.

He went up to the beach and saw his daughter out on the sea with the fishermen pulling up nets from off the coast. Tui sighed and smiled as Moana caught him watching and she waved. Tui motioned for her to come over to him and she quickly obeyed.

"Hi dad!" Moana ran off the canoe and embraced her father, "We caught at least five and a half nets full of fish. That will at least last us two weeks. Maybe." She smiled.

Tui hesitated what he was about to say next, wondering how he was going to word it right.

"Moana, your mother and I have to talk about something with you."

Moana's smiles, "Sure, is there an issue?" Tui nodded his head, and Moana's smile faders

"Okay, then lets go..." She said, trying to conceal her worry. Tui held her hand and together we walked through the village.

"Moana, remember the horrible sickness brought upon us a year ago," Tui said. Moana shuddered. She remembered it all too well. Families losing mothers, fathers and siblings... the healing hut jammed pack with the sick and dying, and many many ceremonial funerals. She even remembers seeing her own father pale and unable to lift a finger. She was so afraid he was going to die.

"Of course I remember," Moana said gravely.

"It seems a new disease could be beginning," He said. Moana gasped and looked up at him with a worried expression, "There's already a person at the healer right now. Another person is showing some kind of sickness but we CANNOT tell anyone else," Tui turned and briefly looked at the carefree fishermen hard at work, "we don't want to cause a panic."

Moana nodded solemnly, "What are we going to do?" Her father looked at her briefly and then turned to the main part of the village.

"Follow me."

•••

Chief Moana and Tui walked down to the two main buildings in the village. They walked the dirt pathway to the smaller one, where it seemed people already were inside.

Moana was first to slide the tapestry aside, revealing a small group of people. Some familiar faces such as her mother were there, but also some strangers. A tall, muscular man seemed to grab her attention as soon as she walked in. Around him were equally as strong men carrying spear and clubs stood behind him. A less strong yet tall man stood right beside him.

"Moana, meet Chief Inu," Tui said. Moana bowed her head to him for a second and gave him a sort of smile.

"Welcome to Motonui," she said.

The man smiled, "Thank you," he sat down on the dirt floor, his people sitting too, "shall we begin?" Moana and the rest sat down and turned their attention to Chief Inu.

"We understand the struggle your people have been through," Inu said, "a decade or so ago, a horrible disease spread through our nation, Lā. We lost over four hundred people, including my wife." Moana shook her head.

"I'm so sorry," she said sympathetically.

"Thank you," Inu nodded, "since then we have grown tremendously, land wise and our people. We've fought and tried to perfect Lokahi, or the practice of perfection. We strive to keep ourselves healthy- mentally and physically."

Moana didn't like his arrogant tone, but she continued listening.

"Also with our mental and physical strength, we've also conquered many islands," he said proudly, "Some small, some bigger than Motonui! Even Motonui was on my father's list of islands to rule, but he met my mother there and since then we're now banned from laying a finger on your gorgeous island."

"This disease that is just starting reminds me of the one that took my wife," Inu said gravely, "If not treated immediately is could possibly wipe your people out. So I've offered you something. There's a decent sized island in between our two island nations. It's very calm and hasn't been in use for a good decade or so. It could work as a healing place for the sick and dying. We could send massive boats filled with supplies to your people and bring them there. We'd share the island but on one condition- you marry my son." 

A lump formed in Moana's the light. 'Marriage?' She thought, 'how is that fair?'

"This is my son Aisake," Inu proudly patted the back of the tall man sitting next to him. He had feather black hair that was cut short, suntanned skin and a sleeve of traditional tattoos. He looked at Moana nervously and smiled.

"Hello," Aisake blushed. Moana furrowed her eyebrows and looked at her dad.

"Did you plan this?" Moana asked. Tui nodded.

"I feel it's the best option to keep our people safe," Tui said, "and besides, Aisake is a wayfinder as well. He's been on many lone voyages and enjoys the ocean as much as you do." Moana looked back and forth between Chief Inu and Tui.

"It wouldn't be right away," Aisake said, finally breaking the silence, "We'd have a ceremonial wedding within a month, and then after a few weeks I'd move to Motonui to live with you. You would remain Chief of Motonui, I'd just be your husband." Moana looked at Aisake. He wasn't ugly nor was he rude, she just wasn't ready to settle down yet.

"Think it over Moana," Tui said, "it could be right for our people." Moana looked down and started picking at stray pieces of grass coming up from the layer of dirt on the floor.

She looked up at her mother, who gave a sympathetic look. Aisake looked neutral about the entire situation, but there was something off about Inu. He seemed to be stone cold, only forcing himself to be kind.

"I really don't know," Moana said, looking from her mother to father, "I really don't." Tui sighed, annoyed. Inu started tapping his fingers on the ground.

"No marriage, no island," Inu stressed. Moana looked at her father for reassurance.

"Think about the people," Tui said.

Moana stood up abruptly. "I really don't know," Moana said, then walked out.