a/n: Well, I just thought this up, and since I really need to get writing, I figured I might as well write this. Hope you enjoy this Aeris-centric fic of mine!!

Everybody has that someone they can vent their troubles on. Everyone's got their shoulder to cry on when things are hard. Right? Well, I'm not so sure.

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We walk along a beaten dirt road, the breeze teasing the carpet of grass that surrounds us. Just as we were so many times before – it felt like we never stopped.

"Now…on to the next town!" Yuffie cheers, skipping ahead of the group. I can't help but smile wryly, seeing her so full of energy. Unconsciously I think back to the night before; she was much different then.

That cheery smile of hers was gone, replaced by soft sobbing and puffy red eyes. Her face was buried in the crook of my neck, thin arms wrapped around my shoulders tightly – as if loosening her grip would mean losing me. She sobbed about missing her family, about not being good enough for anyone, about every doubt and insecurity she had.

All I could do was hold her and rub her back soothingly, whispering words of comfort. Just like I had done many times before. When she lifted up her tear-soaked face, I smiled comfortingly.

"You should sleep now…you've had a long day." It felt halfhearted and almost foolish coming out of my mouth, and my smile felt so fake I wanted to scream - but it seemed to be enough. She nodded and curled up in her sleeping bag, leaving me to stare at the dying embers of our fire. Alone.

How many times had that same scene replayed? But everyone was like that; everyone could find faults within themselves. It was heart-wrenching, to think of all the problems and uncertainty inside myself. It was painful, having everyone think I was so perfect.

And it hurt the most because no one listened. I didn't have that shoulder to cry on – I was too busy offering one. I had to be there for everyone else, and it hurt to think no one was there for me.

What am I saying – I'm surrounded by people who care. I shake my head to clear my thoughts. I'm surrounded by people who care, but none of them hear me. I couldn't find my own voice, as hard as I tried.

Staring at the backs of all the people standing in front of me, I could feel their doubts all too well. Night after night, I heard them as well. One night, it would be Tifa, the next night, Cloud. This, too felt never ending – as vast as the road we were on.

Suddenly I snap back into focus, and remember where I am. The weight of all their problems seemed to rest on me, and at times I feel like it's too much for one person.

All at once I get the horrible urge to shout, "What about me? Won't anyone listen to my problems?" but I know that if I do, the only people who ever have the chance of listening will be gone. As much as I want to, I could never face them if I said it.

Tifa turns to me, her brows furrowed slightly. "You're so quiet," she says, her voice tinged with worry. "Are you okay?"

I hitch on my plastic smile once more and shake my head. "I'm fine! Don't worry about me." My same, tired response left a sour taste in my mouth.

It's all my fault. If I keep pushing them away, how will they ever get close to me?

I look up at the setting sun, spilling bright oranges and crimson across the sky. Soon the stars will come, and some one else will come to me too.

Until I can find my own voice…it will always play out like this.

a/n: So…did you like it? I thought this up after reading some other fics focused on Aeris, and thought I'd try my hand at it. I know she's a bit OOC – Aeris isn't really that bitter, is she:P – but I tried to portray a different side to her. Constructive criticism is greatly welcomed!