Title: What Makes a Community?
Fandom: Final Fantasy: Advent Children
Characters: Tifa, Cloud, Marlene, Denzel, others.
Prompt: 088 - School
Word Count: 287
Date finished: 10/05/2006
Rating: G
Summary: It's the first day of school.
Author's Notes: Gah - gave me fits.
Disclaimer: Characters are owned by Square Enix and Sony Pictures as far as I know.

"Yes, Denzel, you do. Marlene, are you ready?"

"Are you sure Daddy doesn't mind?" the younger girl asked.

"Yes, I'm sure. I called him yesterday and asked." Tifa's answer was absent-minded as she tightened the little girl's ponytail.

"You ready?" Cloud asked, appearing in the doorway.

"Yes," Tifa said, smiling at him.

"Let's go, then," he said.

"Do I have to?" Denzel asked, eyes big as he stared up at Cloud.

Cloud smiled a little. "Yes. I know, you know a lot already, but this is important, too. It means things are getting back to normal."

"But it's Shin-Ra," Marlene protested as Tifa herded them out and toward the stairs.

"Starting to do something right," Cloud said, and glanced at Tifa. She smiled at him, noting the concern in his eyes.

They'd definitely be quizzing the kids every day after school, to see what their teachers were teaching them.

Down the stairs and out to the street, the four walked - a strange, mismatched group - toward the building designated as the school. They were joined by others going the same way, families greeting each other as they walked on.

The short introduction by the principal was quickly over, then Tifa gave the kids a kiss on the cheek, Cloud hugged them, and they were ushered out with the rest of the parents.

Strange, Cloud thought as he walked home with Tifa, reaching to take her hand after a few steps, how something so mundane - and hated in his childhood - could bring together a community, and make him feel like he was a real parent.

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