Cid
Highwind stood on a hill, overlooking his hometown, watching the sunlight of
early morning stream in. He scratched the back of his head nervously, and blew
out a quick breath. God, it's been so long, he thought. The town looked
basically the same way it always had. People walking through rather dirty
streets, and past…his home. He took another deep breath, expelling it again,
and straightening his shoulders, stepping forward down the path to Rocket town.
He
passed people on the way, people he knew, people he didn't know, and old
buildings and homes that he had grown so accustomed to. The people who knew him
gave him strange looks as he walked by, some averting their eyes from the man
who had destroyed their dream, and then left with a group of reckless 'heroes.'
He couldn't really blame them. He'd feel the same way himself, if it had been
he who'd had to watch the rocket deteriorate over the years, while the person
who'd stopped it's launch went adventuring. I'll just turn around and walk
out, he thought. They don't want me here. I'll just leave, and…
Turning
to do so, he came to face his own house, and stopped dead. Shaking his head at
his own foolishness, he stepped forward, and cautiously, nervously opened the
door. No sounds came from within as he walked inside, and his heart began to
beat faster. I've abandoned her all this time, that idiot. What if
something's happened to her? He found himself picking up speed, running to
the end of the hall, and throwing the door open, rushing outside-
She was
there, sitting with her back to him on the grass, leaning on her elbows and
gazing up at the sky. She seemed entirely lost in thought as he stepped
forward, and stood for a moment, unsure of what to say to this person he'd left
behind 2 years ago, without a word of goodbye. He cleared his throat and
shuffled his feet in confusion. Slowly, she turned around, stood up, and looked
at him, eyes wide. "…Captain." Shera. She stood there for a moment, then
a large smile spread over her face, and she rushed forward, throwing her arms
around his neck and hugging him.
"What
the-?? Shera, what the hell you doing huggin' me like that in the middle of the
town? You tryin' to embarrass the livin' daylights outta me??" She
backed up, still smiling. "I-I'm sorry, Captain. I'm…very glad you're home."
His heart was beating fast, and he couldn't explain to himself why. "Yeah,
yeah, me too. I'm hungry. I need something to eat." She immediately nodded and
went inside, calling over her shoulder,
"Coming right up!"
He
stood where Shera had been after watching her go, looking at the sky the way
she had been. He could understand why she found it so fascinating. It was, he
admitted grudgingly to himself, good to be home.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lounging
in a chair at the table, Cid listened to Shera whistling while she tinkered
with the controls on the TV. "It's been a long time since I've used it," she
explained. "I never really watch the news or anything. I guess…I didn't really
want…" she suddenly stopped speaking, and bent down out of view. He frowned,
and realized that she was probably going to say, "didn't want to hear about
something bad happening to you." He coughed gruffly, not really sure what to
say or make of this situation. It's been too long…
"I'm
gonna go outside for minute," he called at her, and walked outside. He gazed up
at the rocket, closing his eyes and imagining a time when he might have been
inside that rocket, sailing along in outer space, the first man to see the
starts and the land of other worlds. "Stupid
Shera," he muttered…but he knew he didn't really blame her. He couldn't blame
her anymore. Though he'd never say it out loud…he'd missed her too much. He'd
missed the whole town too much.
Feeling
a touch on his shoulder, he turned around, and came face to face with the lady
in question. "Aaah! What you doin' sneakin' up on me??" Shera shook her head. "Lunch
is ready." "Oh…uh…thanks." She blinked. "W-what?" He turned around, having been
heading back to the house. "What's wrong?" "W-what did you just say?" She
looked dumbstruck. "Hey, what's wrong with what I said??" She shook her head
again, as if to clear it. "You…thanked me." He cleared his throat gruffly, and
turned away again. "Yeah, well."
Shera
stood, watching him go, with a big smile on her face.
(This is not the end!!!! This is going to be a long saga,
with lots of good stuff, so stay tuned!! Oh, and please R&R!)