Vincent stood off to the side, watching his grandchildren run around and playing. Reno, Rude and Cloud were standing around the grill as Sephiroth and Yazoo got the table set. Kadaj was hovering around a heavily pregnant Elena while Tifa watched as Loz chased around a toddling Melody. Vincent shook his head in amusement. The ever protective father, Loz had become Melody's second shadow ever since she could start crawling. Tifa couldn't help but laugh.

"Loz, let her play," she said.

"But, she could get hurt," Loz pointed out, reaching out his hands as Melody started to tip forward.

The little toddler caught herself and waddled after her big cousins.

"She's going to get hurt sometime," Tifa told him. "It's all part of growing up."

"Renzoo Grimoire Sinclair! Watch where you're running," Loz yelled as Renzoo nearly crashed into Melody.

"Dude, relax," Reno said. "And stop yellin' at my kid."

"He almost stepped on mine," Loz argued.

"I'm sorry, uncle Loz," Renzoo apologized, his voice soft.

Seeing her upset brother, Launa stomped over to Loz and gave him a swift kick in the shin. Loz yelled in pain and jumped back.

"Stop picking on my brother, uncle Loz," Launa commanded. "You need to chill out."

Kadaj put a hand over his mouth to hide the grin that was threatening to come out. Vincent lowered his head, the top of his cloak hiding his face, a low chuckle escaping him.

"Don't cry, Loz," Yazoo said, walking over to his brother and patting his shoulder.

"Shut up, Yazoo," Loz snapped. "Did you see what she did?"

"I'm not blind, brother. Of course, I saw it," Yazoo replied. He looked down at Launa. "Next time, aim a little higher," he advised.

Reno spat out the beer he had been drinking and burst out into a fit of laughter. Rude took off his sunglasses and wiped the beer off his shades in his shirt. Loz glared daggers at Yazoo who smiled innocently and went back to helping Sephiroth.

"You know, maybe you shouldn't let her get away with things like that," Sephiroth said. "She needs to be disciplined more."

"I've tried disciplining Reno for years. It doesn't work on Turks," Yazoo replied. "Besides, Loz needs to relax more." He lowered his voice so only Sephiroth could hear. "I'll talk to her later."

Sephiroth shook his head and smirked.


Yazoo pulled the sheets up to his daughter's chin. He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the head. Launa looked up at him, a concerned look on her face.

"I didn't mean to hurt uncle Loz," she said.

"You shouldn't do things like that, Launa," Yazoo told her. "You know how sulky uncle Loz can be. Tomorrow I want you to call him and apologize, okay?"

Launa nodded. "Okay," she agreed.

Yazoo gave her another kiss before heading for the door. "Good night. Sweet dreams," he said.

"Loves you," Launa replied.

Yazoo walked out of the room and closed the door. Launa snuggled into her blankets and closed her eyes. She let out a long yawn before drifting off into a deep sleep.


Renzoo knocked on his sister's bedroom door. "Launa, get up. We're supposed to meet up with Rain," he called. There was no answer on the other side. "Launa?" Renzoo asked.

He opened the door and poked his head into his sister's room. Posters of ShinRa's logo and of different Turks who had worked for the company over the years were plastered to the red walls. There wasn't a girly thing in the entire room. Launa was still buried deep within her blankets. Renzoo tip-toed over to the bed, knowing that if he was caught in the room there was going to be hell to pay. He didn't know what it was about girls and not letting their brothers into their room.

"Launa," Renzoo whispered. "Launa, wake up."

When his sister didn't stir, he crept in further. Launa was sound asleep. Renzoo lightly poked his sister.

"Launie. Launie," he said, starting to shake her. "Launa!"

Launa never moved; didn't even utter a sound. Renzoo dashed for the door and ran down the stairs as fast as he could. He found Yazoo in the kitchen.

"Mama!" Renzoo cried.

Yazoo turned to face his son. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Launa won't wake up," Renzoo said, his voice panicked. "She won't wake up."

Yazoo ran out of the kitchen and ran up to his daughter's room. She was still in the same position as when he left her the night before. Yazoo went over to the bed and began shaking her.

"Launie? Launie!" He turned to see Renzoo standing in the doorway. "Call your father."

The boy ran out of the room and grabbed the handheld phone. He dialled Reno's work number and listened to the rings, hurrying back to his sister's room. Renzoo held the phone to Yazoo.

"Hello," Reno answered.

"She won't wake up!" Yazoo practically screamed.

"Who won't wake up?" Reno asked, immediately concerned.

"Launa! She won't wake up," Yazoo said, his voice beginning to tremble. He put a hand over his mouth in horror. "Oh goddess. It got her. Reno, it got her, too!"