Chapter Text
Moana waddled around in the cloth that covered her bottom half, which was hand-woven by the villagers. An eager grin spread across her softened features as she headed right towards the water. It sparkled in her view just so, almost as a way of tempting her. She tilted her head before glancing over her shoulder to see if she'd been followed.
Nope. No adults to intervene.
Moana giggled with delight as she took one step forward, the ocean tickling at her tiny toes. The water gradually began to sweep the child off of her feet, lifting her like a mother would. She excitedly blew spit bubbles while clapping her pudgy hands together. The little girl gazed up at the glistening liquid that seemed to tilt its own head-like feature. Moana tilted hers in response as she reached up to touch it. Just as her fingertips were mere inches upon feeling the cool sensation, a booming voice rang out.
“Moana!”
Said child turned her head to the side with a pout. The ocean automatically set her down, but not before placing a beautiful pink conch in her grasp. It then nuzzled her gently to urge her forward, despite the toddler’s blubbering pleas of protest. Seconds later, Tui and his lovely wife Sina rushed over to retrieve their child. Tui scooped her up in his arms and headed back towards the village with the rest of his family, all while ignoring his daughter’s cries.
Before they disappeared up the grassy hill, however, baby Moana couldn’t help but notice rustling movement from the bushes.
She managed to crawl away after dinner; only this time, she wasn’t sneaking off towards the ocean. The chief’s daughter scurried underneath the shade of the palm trees overhead, heading further into the jungle of plantation. Moana’s eyes widened as she heard something smack against the large, low leaves behind her. She whirled around but saw nothing, so she continued on. Shaking, the child warily ventured further as the sky grew darker. Scared as she’d been, she was determined to find out whom or what had snuck its way onto Motunui.
A sudden low growl could be heard from a nearby bush. The little girl froze in her path, eyes wider than before. Silence engulfed the air while she stepped closer. Moana's heart thudded against the inside of her chest as she swiftly pulled the serrated leaves aside and-
She let out a scream as a shadowed figure launched itself at her, trying to claw at her face. Footsteps slapped against the ground, nearing toward the child in danger. Sure enough, it was Chief Tui who had come to the rescue. He shoved the unknown force off of his daughter and pulled her close to his chest. Moana shivered and wept some more. Through her teary-eyed vision, she was just barely able to make out the small figure retreating to the bush, but not before it glared back at her glowing green eyes.