Chapter 4 - Flourishing

It wasn't long before the large ship landed behind us on a green, open field, and people began to pour out from the inside, to greet me and my companion.

She stood by my side. I could tell she was slightly nervous of their acceptance, and I gave her a shoulder a small pat, and spoke quietly, "Believe me, their trust isn't as hard as mine is to earn."

She relaxed, somewhat. At least I could offer some condolance.

The group approached closer, and their faces finally became clear, as they caught glance of the young female that was standing to my immediate left. They were inquisitive as to who she was, and most importantly why I was with her.

They came to a halt, and stared silently for a moment, before anyone finally got the courage to break the silence, and ask the question everyone was eager to know.

It was Cloud, who finally took the initiative, "Who is this, Vincent?" he asked me, somewhat confused I would drag him from his normal duties to meet just a small girl.

"Friends," I finally said, after too many moments of silence, "This is Isako. Another surviving ancient."

Nobody could speak. I couldn't tell if that was necessarily a good or bad thing. Until Cid decided it was his time to roar.

"What in the GAWD-damned inferno do you mean, Freak Boy?" he howled, as I cringed at the horribly degrating nickname he had chosen to give to me.

I sighed heavily, as Isako stepped forward, "I am an ancient. Whether you agree to believe I am or not, it doesn't change the fact that I am eager to get to know you all very well." she said, a kindness ringing from her tone, which tamed even Cid down to a light simmer.

Maybe some good would come out of this afterall.

I had been wary to introduce her to the group. But it had been because of the particular situation, that was just narrowly avoided. Now it seemed clear to me, that maybe it wouldn't be such a problem.

Maybe. Only time playing its course would tell.

Vincent sat alone, on the deck of the Highwind, staring out over the vast, blue ocean. Isako was meeting with all his friends, so he had decided to move out of the way, and sit to himself to think. The sun, was once again setting, and he gazed up at the sky to witness the transformation of colors, which was breath-taking. He took time to think about the recent discovery of Isako, and what she was. More importantly, who she spoke with. The thought that she could speak with Aerith chilled him slightly. Although he was willing to accept death, he wasn't quite so sure that he'd be able to live so close to it, all the time.

A soft tap on his shoulder, caused him to jump from his contemplative daze, and he stared up shocked to find Isako smiling down to him. He relaxed, and stared back out into the horizon, as she found a spot right next to him.

"They try to find her image in me." she said, simply, closing her eyes, and looking upwards, with a disappointed sigh.

"What do you mean?" Vincent asked quietly, looking over at her.

"I can feel it in their hearts. They're all striving to find some aspect of her within me." she said, her eyes opening slowly, and her gaze falling to rest on the floor, "This wasn't quite what I had expected when I thought about being their friend..."

"I'm sorry." he said simply, closing his eyes, looking sorrowful, "I can see where they're coming from, though. They were pulled from their close friend so quickly, and of horrible cicumstances. She was and still is dear to our hearts. It's not that they mean to find her qualities in you. They're simply trying to close a gaping hole in their own hearts. I'd say especially Cloud, since he has come off as so coldly."

She glanced over at Vincent. He was staring out over the deck of the ship, at the horizon, and the stars which were beginning to light the evening sky. The expression he wore was pained. Again, Isako could easily discover the pain's root. "Why are you so upset?" she asked, shifting her body to face Vincent, "And don't give me that 'it's not important' response, either." she said, sternly, " 'Cause quite frankly, I'll bother the hell out of you until I find out!"

Vincent shook his head, "I've just seen a lot of hard things in my life." he said, glancing towards her.

Isako remained silent for a few moments, "I wouldn't wish such a hard life on anyone. Especially not one so with so kind a soul as you."

As she said those words, Vincent's gaze softened, "A monster deserves nothing more than to live a hell." he whispered.

She shook her head, "Vincent...you are far from being a monster. No monster could have such a loving and loyal heart."

He smiled, and shifted his eyes to meet hers.

"I...uh..."Isako stammared, falling silent, with a red hue tinting her cheeks. His eyes were beautiful, she thought, as he entranced her. she could have been staring at him for hours, lost in those eyes.

"You should go get some rest now." Vincent spoke, in a whisper, after a few moments of silence.

She came out of her daze and frowned slightly, "Yeah...I....I guess I should..." she said, reluctantly, rising from where she sat. She turned to leave, but glanced over her shoulder, to see Vincent staring over the balcony once more. She sighed softly, and made her way inside, towards the living quarters.

He smiled so softly. It was almost euphoric, as though he was cleansed of any pain. Did I bring that to him, that relief from his constant torture? I sighed, dragging my feet heavily across the ship's deck, as I made my way to the quarters Vincent's friends had been kind enough to make available to me. I was glad to be relief to this man. But...I still had to learn why his past was so heavily weighted, if I was to be of any help to him.

His smile lay etched into my mind's memory. It actually made me happy to see him smile at me like that. I slowed, as I approached the door to my quarters, and opened it slowly, to dull any annoying moan the hinges may protest with, then closed it slowly behind me. I walked towards the window and looked out at the pitch sky. It was cloudless, and beautifully littered with stars. He would open up with time, I thought to myself.

I welcomed the opportunity to get to know Vincent's mysteries. Everything about him felt intriguing. Something drew me to him, and I couldn't quite explain it. Perhaps that is why I wanted to meet his friends? Perhaps it was a selfish attempt, in my attraction to him, to get to be around him more often.

Then my thoughts wandered towards his friends; their superficial vision of me was very discomforting. I didn't enjoy the idea that I was compared to this savior, and almighty being they adored. No....not compared....something quite different. I was being scrutinized. Like I was expected to be like their fallen friend.

I lay down on the hard mattress that the room was provided with, and sighed. I'd just have to let time unfold, like Vincent said, and let them realize on their own that I could not be the person they longed to have back, but someone who could easily become a new good friend.

I was sleepy, and my eyelids were heavy. My last memories, while I began to drift off, were the soft smile of Vincent. His faced bathed in the full glory of the moon's magnificent rays. His eyes held a soft gaze as he stared deeply into my eyes.

I sighed once more. It was happening again.

Would it be different this time?