Part 5

A week later Laguna was helping Raine in the shop as she taught Ellone about her flowers.

She held up some white orchids "What are these Elle?"

He smiled. Already she had given Ellone a pet name. Elle, he liked it.

Ellone frowned as she tried to remember. Then she smiled as she remembered "Orchids?"

Raine laughed and gave Ellone a sweet "That's right! My favourite flower, they smell so sweet" she held one out to Ellone "have one Elle, since you remembered!" Ellone grinned and put the flower in her hair.

Suddenly someone walked in the door. Laguna carried on playing with Elle whilst Raine got up to greet her customer.

"Hello, how may I help you? Is there a particular flower you are looking for?"

She smiled at the stranger.

"Well actually I was looking for a particular person instead of a flower…"

Laguna knew that voice. He turned around…

"Kiros?"

His friend laughed. "Last time I checked!"

Laguna hugged his old friend warmly. "Kiros It's actually you! How have you been my old friend? And where's Ward?"

Kiros sat down and Raine went into the next room to sort some bouquets to give them privacy "I am well. Ever since we split up I've just been a travelling mercenary, earning the occasional gil here and there. Ward? Oh he's somewhere, not far I expect. He's doing the same thing I am- looking for you"

Laguna was puzzled, "me? What for? I mean I did miss you guys but I didn't think you liked me that much…"

Kiros interrupted hastily "We don't. I mean it is great seeing you but there is a more urgent reason for us searching for you. Something suspicious is occurring at Esthar. We're not sure what but we wondered if you'd like to come with us and find out."

Laguna looked at Elle and then back at Kiros. He shook his head "I can't. I'm happy here with Raine and Elle. I'd love to come with you guys but…I belong here now."

"Well then I'm sorry Laguna, Ward and I really wanted you to come." He got up to leave "I better go find Ward and tell him. It was nice seeing you again Laguna. It's sad you won't be with us on one last adventure" He turned in the direction of the door.

"Wait!" cried Laguna. "Why don't you stay until Ward turns up? I'd love to meet the old sod again, catch up and stuff" he grinned "stay…please? We can catch up and reminisce and just be like we use to! Go on! It'll be fun!"

Kiros grinned "well I suppose I can stay until Ward gets here… he did say he wanted to see your ugly mug again…"

"Great! Then it's settled! You can stay here! I'll go tell Raine!" he got up to go but then paused…

"Hey! I'm not ugly!"