Aetiyu

[The Painted Lady]

Ashlynn gave a squeal of a giggle, but still nodded, causing Yuffie to give a snort of laugher from the corner.

"Well, the verdict's in," the ninja snickered.

"But I still love you," Ashlynn declared happily.

Aerith laughed too, gently urging Ynyr a little closer, cradling him to her tenderly.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Zack looked playfully downtrodden when Ashlynn said she thought he was silly, and he made a note in the background to punch Yuffie for her comment XD
Zack gave Ashlynn another hug before he set her down on her own feet, "That's just as well Ashie, because silly people need more love than everyone. Look at Uncle Spike for example." He gestured to the blonde who had been politely minding his own business until now.

"H-Hey!" Cloud exclaimed, laughing slightly before he stepped forward, "Did you wanna take this outside?" He said, laughing the whole time.
"Anytime!" Zack teased, the two SOLDIERs then clapped each other on the back.

[The Painted Lady]

Ashlynn giggled, apparently not understanding completely. She ran up to the two men hugging their legs together.
"Outside! Outside!"

[Tifa Lockhart]

Both Cloud and Zack looked down at Ashlynn as she ran to them giggling, then they looked up at each other and burst into laughter.
"What's outside huh Ashie?" Cloud asked gently, kneeling down to her level.

"Mummy." Ynyr called, looking up at his mother with deep green eyes. "Uncle Spike has a new magic mark." He brushed his thumb across his neck near the base of his ear. The boy was proving to be far more observant than a normal child his age. Cloud's new scar was only small, and it was towards the back of his neck beneath his ear, not a particularly obvious spot.

[The Painted Lady]

"Ocean?" Ashlynn shrugged.
"Let's go outside," she appealed to Cloud.

Aerith turned her attention down to her son the moment he spoke, giving a small smile.
"Yes, he does," she said, standing with him propped on her hip.
"Do you remember how you get magic marks Ynnie?"

[Tifa Lockhart]

Cloud smiled a little more when she implored him to go outside with her, "Well i..." He begun, glancing up at Zack, who silently encouraged him before adding in a few words.
"We'll catch you up in a minute huh?" He urged.
Cloud blushed a little and then nodded, "Alright Ashie, show me where you want to go." He said, straightening and taking the little girls hand.

Zack would watch his friend go with his daughter, he knew that Cloud was much better with the children one on one, and when alone with no one around to tease him or make him feel judged XD

Ynyr looked thoughtful for a moment before he shook his head before he started playing with a bit of his mother's fringe.
"How again mother?" He asked.

[The Painted Lady]

Ashlynn took hold of Cloud's hand tightly.
"Rock pools!" she said brightly, trying to drag him along.

Yuffie looked to Zack as he was freed up.
"I guess we'll be heading home soon then..."

Aerith smiled, touching Ynyr's nose gently.
"You get magic marks when you do something very brave," she smiled.
"Remember?"

[Tifa Lockhart]

Ynyr looked excited all of a sudden, he seemed to remember now and the topic seemed to be something he enjoy.
"Like when daddy stood up to those bad people and got his chin one?" He asked, tilting his head.

"Alright Ashie, let's go." Cloud said letting Ashlynn drag him along, he was smiling warmly. He didn't realise Tifa was watching him leave with the little girl, a loving smile on her face.

Zack turned to Yuffie the moment she spoke.
"You don't have to rush off. We've plenty of space." He smiled, "But i understand you'll be wanting some privacy. I really do appreciate everything you did for us."
"It's alright buddy, i'm glad we didn't break them on you." Kunsel joked.

[The Painted Lady]

"That's right," Aerith smiled.
"Do we want to join Ashie outside?"

Yuffie grinned.
"We'll stick around a little longer if you insist..." she said with a mock sigh.
"But I think we'll head home for the night... finally."

Ashlynn released Cloud's hand to run ahead as they neared the rock pools, her light azure dress quickly becoming wet as she moved into the surf.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"Careful Ashlynn!" Cloud called gently as the little girl dashed out ahead of him. He ran forward to keep up with her. "I'd hate for you to slip." He said when he was finally beside her.

Zack smiled and nodded, "It's decided then. We'll have dinner together as a thankyou, and then i'll let you go." He glanced from Kunsel the Yuffie for their affirmation, and he got one from Kunsel.
"Sounds fine with me."

Ynyr screwed up his nose slightly and shook his head.
"A crab bit me last time we went to the rockpools. I dont like crabs."

[The Painted Lady]

Aerith giggled a little.
"I'll protect you from the big mean crabs," she promised.

"I won't slip Uncle Spike!" Ashlynn declared.
Famous last words, of course. The little girl scuffed her sandal in the sand and tripped, landing in the surf. There was a moment of silence... but then the little girl started laughing.
"I'm wet Uncle Spike!"

[Tifa Lockhart]

Fear flared in Cloud's chest when the little girl slipped and he hurriedly picked her up, brushing the sand off of her as best as he could.
"Maybe we should go inside and get you dry." He said, blue eyes reflecting his nerves, "We wouldn't want you to catch your death of cold."

"Urrmm..." Ynyr murmured uncertaintly, looking out towards where Cloud and Ashlynn had gone.

"I'll put something on for dinner." Tifa said quietly so that no one would hear, before heading for the kitchen.

[The Painted Lady]

"You worry lots Uncle Spike," Ashlynn laughed, squirming away and continuing to make her way to the pools happily.

Aerith smiled, kissing Ynyr's nose.
"Your decision baby."

[Tifa Lockhart]

"No thankyou mummy." Ynyr finally said, shaking his head, "I am happy in here."

"I worry the right amount." Cloud mumbled as he stood to follow the little girl, keeping his eyes peeled for any big waves or ditches or something else that might hurt the little girl.

[The Painted Lady]

"Okay," Aerith agreed, kissing him again.
"What do you want to do then?"

Ashlynn stopped short as she ran, stooping to pick up a shell out of the sand.