Hika shifts at the edge of the old lava flow, the meeting place of her family. It isn't well known by the people inhabiting the biggest of the islands, and they avoid it if they do know of its existence. They do so more out of respect than fear, history recording this place as where the gods would meet.

The water sparkles in the distance, just a short walk from where she stands. Her pa'u is soft against her leg, combining the older design with some of the modern additions. Like pockets, she loves the pockets. Her bag thumps lightly against her side, the strap cinched tightly over her shoulder. Her mother lays a hand on Hika's shoulder, smiling down at her.

"Are you ready?"

Hika nods, biting her lip surreptitiously. "I think so."

"There is no shame in being nervous."

"I know, Makuahine."

A wave splashes at the edge of the water and Nāmaka steps from the sea onto the black sand of the beach. A wave curls back behind her at the same moment her lip curls with distaste and Pele steps from the sea, steam curling around her. Hi'iaka raises an eyebrow.

"Must you be so dramatic, kua'ana?"

Pele grins. "Why yes, my darling pōki'i. I must." Her gaze turns to Hika. "How are you, kaikamahine?"

Hika shrugs. "Pretty good. Excited." Her mother raises an eyebrow and Hika feels her cheeks warm as she turns brown eyes to meet her mother's, her gaze begging. Hi'iaka chuckles but stays silent, and Hika sags in relief. There is a short spattering of rain and Hika grins, whirling around to find her uncle standing there. He's often too busy with agriculture to spend much time with her, she gets a few short moments every few weeks or so.

"'Anakala Lono!"

He stretches out his arms for her hug, laughing. "Hello, Hi'ilani. How are your stars doing?"

Hika pulls back and summons a small star to her hand, the size of a pinprick. It hovers there a moment before exploding, a low sound reverberating outward from the center. Lono smiles.

"Well done."

Hika's mother snorts. "You know, hele mua, she did that right in my face."

Lono laughs, booming like thunder. "Of course she did. Isn't improvisation a marvelous thing?"

Hi'iaka gives him an unimpressed look. "I'm sure. Now," She turns away from her older brother to someone else who has just arrived. "Kāne, it's been too long."

"I apologize, kaina. Work has been busy the last few years."

"A few? You've missed half her life."

Kāne winces. "Pōki'i, you know how busy I can be."

"Yes, I do. But you should have visited, to see her grow up."

Turning away from Hika's angry mother, Kāne looks directly to Hika. "You've grown, little spark."

Hika laughs. "I think that happens as you go through childhood."

"Spark-"

Hika shakes her head. "I understand, 'Anakala. You have the most work of anyone in the 'ohana."

He laughs. "I'm sure the others wouldn't like you saying that."

Hika shrugs. "I think I'm entitled to my own opinion, don't you?"

Kāne grins. "I like who you're becoming, little spark."

Hika flushes and looks to her mother, who smiles and motions toward a small group of new arrivals. Hika's never seen this many members of her family in the same place, she hasn't even met some of them in her life. She smiles at a woman with a twisted foot, her brown hair shining against the backdrop of the descending crescent moon. A silvery path stretches out behind her, extending all the way to the moon itself.

"'Anakē Hina."

Hina smiles. "Young Hi'ilani, I've heard lovely things. I can see your starlight shining from my crescent, but never up close. Could I see it?"

Hika spreads her hands out and a ball of light fills the space between her palms. As she extends her hands out, the ball flattens and fills the space above with a lovely, warm and soft glow.

Hina sighs and stretches her hands into the light, a soft moan of relief escaping her mouth. She stumbles and Hika banishes the light, reaching out to catch Hina. With her mother's help, Hika lowers Hina to the hardened surface of the lava flow.

"Is something wrong?"

Hina stretches out her leg, running her hand along the twisted scar tissue wrapped around her ankle.

"For a moment I felt-"

"Felt what?"

Hina shakes her head. "Oh, it's nothing. Look, everyone is here. It's right about time to start."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Awalu = eight, when counting

makuahine = mother

kua'ana = older sister

pōki'i = younger sister

'Anakala = uncle

hele mua = brother

kaina = younger sibling

'anakē = aunt

'ohana = aunt

kaikamahine = niece

What was happening to Hina? What do you think of the small family interactions? What's going to happen next? Tell me your thoughts!

Happy reading and I'll see you next chapter!

~ Goddess of Fate, signing out