Hawai'i Talks Story [Countryhumans and Statehumans Oneshots]

Na Keiki: Adored

A/N: HA, you thought I forgot about this, didn't you? Well! You are absolutely right. I am so sorry. This is the third of the Keiki oneshots, and the last of Hawaii's Biological kids.

"Why are we here? Why are you being so quiet? What's going on?" I asked, tilting my head. Makua had been very cryptic with this whole trip, refusing to answer anything other than very basic questions. "Are you going to answer me?"

"No, you have to wait and see!" Makua said, pulling me along quickly. She had a dullness in her eyes I had never seen before. Something was bothering her.

I frowned a little, sighing. "Mama, I've been to Volcanoes Park before. I've seen it all already. What's the big deal?"

"But have you ever met Pele herself?" Mama said, as she smiled, tapping my nose. "Come along. You're much too serious, Kalāhui."

She sat by the railing, and smiled, motioning to me. "Watch, Pua."

She set a few things down, and I frowned in confusion. "Mama, I... I don't understand."

"We're making an offering of Ohia berries. They are her favorite." Hawaii grinned. "And some Awa water."

I glanced at my mother, who had an odd look. "Are you sure this will work?"

"I see my daughter is a non-believer." Hawaii said, rolling her eyes. "Shh, little one. I told you the story of when I met Pele, yes?"

"Yes ma'am." I said, sighing. "Only about a thousand times."

"Funny. Hush and help me here." Mama said, as she picked up a few berries and threw them in the lava flow.

She watched them burn, and then poured the water down. The steam that rose dissipated quickly. It was really quite disappointing.

"That was Pele?" I asked, and Mama laughed.

"What did you expect, a dazzling light display?" She said, and smiled, before the worried, bothered expression came back. She sighed, and

"I don't know what I expected." I muttered, and looked out over the railing to watch the lava flow. It would destroy homes and land. That could be a problem.

"The real reason I brought you here is because... well, you know..."

"Is this because of the Apology Resolution?" I asked, finally putting the question in the air.

Mama closed her eyes, and smiled. "Smart girl. Yes, yes it is."

"Aloha ia oe, Mama. It'll be easier now." I said, and I saw my mother's face change, to one of sadness and pity. "What's wrong? This resolution proves we are fighting the right fight, and who knows! You might become independent soon!"

"Pua, wait."

"But Mama, I thought you would be happy! Did I do something wrong? I'm-"

"Pua, I'm scared that you will die!" Mama suddenly said, her voice shaking as she hugged me tightly. "If I become independent again... I don't know if you would live. I can't risk you, Pua. I hope... I pray you will live, once that time comes. But I don't know if you will, or if even I will."

"Mama." I said, letting myself cry. I didn't want to die either. But Mama dying was unimaginable! She was too strong! She is my hero! "You won't die!"

That was my purpose, right? To live and be there for my people and then die once Mama got her independence. That was the plan!

"Pualani, I kou hānau ʻana... uē au. No ka mea ua makaʻu wau." (When you were born... I cried. Because I was scared.) Mama said, before switching back to English. "I was scared that you would grow to hate me. I'm not doing enough for you, and I'm sorry."

"Mama, you do more than enough!" I could never hate Mama! No matter what happened, it was never her!

"You are my youngest, and I know I baby you more than your siblings. And it might be unfair of me, but none of them... none of them are a personification of the Hawaiian people like you are." Mama said softly. "And that might make you feel alone and scared, but believe me. You are never alone."

"I'm okay being alone, Mama." I said, trying to reassure her. "I like being alone. I work better that way."

"You're working yourself to the ground. And you are too young to be worrying about everything."

"I gotta make it all better. That's my job!" I said, trying to explain it for the millionth time. "There's too many homeless, too much traffic, not enough Hawaiians..."

"Pua, listen, sweetheart." Mama said, as she cupped my cheek. "You think you have to solve every problem this world throws at you. And it's a noble thought, but you cannot do it alone."

"ʻAʻohe puʻu kiʻekiʻe ke hōʻāʻō ʻia e piʻi." I argued with a proverb she had taught me. "No cliff is too high to scale."

"You follow one proverb, but ignore the others. Pua, I want you to be ready, in the worst case. Allies are important."

"Mama, I don't need help. This apology from America just proves our cause. I..." I started, but I realized Mama was crying again. I hated it when she cried. It made the whole world seem awful and horrible... and unable to be fixed.

"Baby, you were born because our people are restless. And they turn to you to help them." Mom said, sighing. "They place their whole world on your shoulders."

"I'm okay with that. Mama, I like doing it! I love my people! I just... I don't want you to worry about me."

"Pua, can you stop the lava from flowing?" Mama asked me.

"If I tried hard enough, probably." I said, and Mama smiled at me.

"As much as I believe in you, there's no way you can do it alone. And lava, despite being molten rocks, acts as a living being, as it is the extensions of one. You cannot stop it if it does not want to stop."

Why did she have to always be so confusing and proverby?

Suddenly, another huff of steam came up, and this time, it swirled and sat still in the air, and I could have sworn I saw a woman wink at me. My eyes widened in shock as I stepped back.

"I... I think I do believe." I whispered.

Mama smiled, picking me up and putting me on her shoulders. "Come on, my little Pua."

I wrapped my arms around Mama's head, and sighed. Even if she didn't see it, my work had only begun. Because even if I can't solve everything, I can still try.

I had to.