I must admit, the pairing of Yuffie and Reno was accidental for me. As strange as the couple seems, I've grown to love it. It's kinda cute! I will also admit that I have never played the FF7 game, only watched my sister play it. So if I make a mistake with something, don't shoot me! I've seen Advent Children hundreds of times, so that should count for something.

Izzy - This story is for you! (Not really, but you wanted me to post it, so here it is!)

Chapter One

"Jenna...my friends won't accept us, and now we'll probably be hated by everyone we know. But it doesn't matter, because—I love you!"

"I love you, too, Jason!"

"Aww, how sweet!" the sarcastic voice of Yuffie echoed throughout the theater. "This movie blows. How cliché..." She shoved a handful of popcorn in her mouth and stared sullenly at the fifteen foot on-screen kiss. Movies like this were so predictable. "That could never happen in real life..."

"You never know!" Yuffie jumped when she heard this familiar voice whisper next to her. "True love doesn't only happen in fairy tales!" The smiling face of Aerith had appeared beside her.

"What are you doing here?" Yuffie asked as the credits began to roll and the lights came on.

"Seeing a movie with Cloud," Aerith winked and pointed behind her to where Cloud was sitting uncomfortably a few rows back. "I've wanted to see this movie for some time, but I didn't want to go alone. It is a romance movie, you know!"

Yuffie smiled nervously. "I guess this wasn't the best choice of films to see alone!"

"You didn't have to see it alone. You should go out more and meet a nice guy..." Aerith grinned mischievously.

The female ninja crossed her arms and frowned. "Why are you interested in getting me hooked up all of the sudden? What's so wrong with being single?"

"Nothing's wrong with it! But don't you ever find yourself wishing you had someone whose arms you can fall into? Someone you can share those lonely moments with?"

"You're starting to sound like that guy on the movie we just saw!" Yuffie laughed. "Listen, I've got a future planned out for myself. So right now, I don't have time to think about a relationship. And besides—being single and free is way better than committing your time to one guy!"

"Hey you two." Cloud walked up to them from the aisle. "You know the movie is over, right?" The tone in his voice suggested that he was glad it was time to leave.

"I bet you weren't even paying any attention to the movie, Cloud," said Yuffie. "You had your eyes on something else, didn't you?" She grinned.

Cloud glared at her, knowing exactly what she meant. "So, Yuffie, how's your new singing career going?" He said quickly, changing the subject.

Yuffie's eyes suddenly lit up. "I sent my demo CD to the hottest record companies in Midgar. One of them will probably call me in a few days with the good news that I, Yuffie Kisaragi, am going to become a star!"

"I'm happy for you," Cloud nodded, trying hard to sound sincere. "So, when you become a famous singer, will you move out of my house?"

"Oh, just can't wait to kick me out, can you?" Yuffie poked his chest and grinned. "Perhaps I'll stick around a bit longer then, just to annoy you!"

"You could," said Cloud, pushing her hand away with slight annoyance. "Or maybe you'll meet a good looking celebrity boyfriend and move in with him. Then you can annoy him instead."

"Argh! Not you too!" Yuffie shook her empty soda drink at Cloud. "I told Aerith I'm not interested in hooking up with anyone! So don't even ask!" She stalked off toward the door, leaving the two of them in the aisle.

Cloud looked after her in confusion. "On second thought, no celebrity will ever be able to handle that!"

Yuffie left the theater in a huff. Perhaps she should have chosen a different movie to see. Not just because she didn't have a date or anything, but the movie was really lame. How could anyone possibly find the one person they want to spend the rest of their life with so soon? And in such a romantic way, too? It just seemed too good to be possible.

Aerith said it was possible. But then again, Aerith believes in lots of things, she told herself. And she already found the one she wants to spend her life with. She sighed. Perhaps true love was possible after all.

"So why shouldn't I be able to find it?" she said to herself. Suddenly, she was filled with a burning desire to find out the answer. If Aerith could do it, why shouldn't she? Yuffie smiled and felt a sudden happiness arise inside her. Her true love was out there, somewhere. All she had to do was find him!

But all those things she said to Aerith about being single...it would be embarrassing if she didn't stand by them now. So her little mission for Mr. Right would have to remain a secret. No problem—she was a ninja after all!

First, I'll ask the gang about their experiences, so I'll know what to look for, she thought. And then I'll—

"Oof!" Her shoulder hit someone who was passing by her on the sidewalk. "Hey, watch it!" she said angrily, not looking at the stranger.

"You ran into me!" he answered with irritation. Yuffie looked back at the person, who was now walking the way she had just come. She recognized the crazy red hair instantly. It was Reno, one of the Turks working for the head of the Shinra Electric Power Company. The Turks used to be enemies of Cloud's gang, but after Sephiroth's defeat the rivalry had pretty much died down.

Yuffie sneered. "That's no way to talk to a lady, you know."

Reno stopped and turned around, a surprised look on his face. However, the expression quickly changed to one of mischief as he answered, "Well, you're not exactly a lady now, are you?"

Yuffie crossed her arms. "You haven't changed a bit! You're still as rude as ever!"

"And you're still as immature as ever!" Reno grinned. Yuffie glared at him. Although Reno was annoying and sometimes immature, she had to admit he wasn't bad looking. If he straightened up his sloppy attire a bit, he'd probably be even more attractive...but then again, the messy look seemed to suit him best.

Reno turned around and waved her away. "I've got better things to do. See you around, princess."

Yuffie rolled her eyes. What a jerk, she thought. Oh, well. She didn't have time to worry about something as trivial as his insults. She had a soul mate to find.

She headed back to Cloud's place. She turned into an empty alley and walked with a happy spring in her step. Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her. She kept walking, pretending she didn't hear them. Then the footsteps stopped. Yuffie stopped as well, wondering if the person had gone. She turned around quickly, ready to defend herself, but there was no one there. She let out a sigh of relief and turned to continue walking home—and came face to face with a tall, cloaked figure.

"Eek!" She screamed, jumping back. "Dammit, Vincent, don't do that!"

"It isn't safe for young girls to be walking down dark allies at night, especially in this city," said Vincent, his voice not really full of concern.

"I'm fine! I'm a ninja, remember?" Yuffie said annoyed. "Why does everyone see me as some helpless little girl?"

"Maybe if you'd keep your head out of the clouds and use your brain more, we'd all think better of you." Yuffie's mouth opened in shock at this remark. Vincent turned and began to walk away.

Yuffie was about to insult him in return, but she suddenly remembered her secret mission. "Hey, Vincent?" She bounded up to him, falling into step beside him. "I was wondering...that is, if you don't mind my asking...um, have you ever been in love?"

Vincent's voice became sharp and cold. "Yes, I do mind you asking."

Yuffie frowned. Vincent was a tough shell to crack, but she knew that with the right words, she could maybe get him to open up just a little. "So—when did you know it was true love?"

"I just told you I'm not answering."

"What was her name?"

"Quit while you're ahead."

Yuffie knew he wouldn't answer her, but she was compelled to ask one final question. "Did you ever sleep with her?"

"Goodnight, Yuffie." Vincent wrapped himself in his cloak, and just like that, he was gone.

Yuffie sighed. She supposed he wasn't the best person to ask about love. But that didn't matter; she had plenty more people to ask when she got back to the bar.

Yuffie began her quest the next day. She bought a black notebook to record her findings for future reference and went to ask her friends about their past romantic experiences. She found Cid in the hangar doing repair work on his airship. He was carefully tightening a loose bolt when she snuck up behind him. She took a deep breath and:

"HEY CID!" She yelled.

"ARGH!" He fell back in alarm, knocking over the bucket of bolts, scattering them across the ground. "Damn! Yuffie! What the hell do you want!"

"And a good morning to you, too!" Yuffie answered cheerfully. "I just have a few questions to ask you."

"About what?" he asked in an irritated tone, scooping up the bolts.

"About love."

Cid stopped and looked at her, a confused expression on his face. "Listen, I know I'm sort of like a father figure and all, but this is really something you should talk to Tifa or Aerith about..."

"No! Not like that!" Yuffie waved her arms. "I want to know about your love life. About the first time you knew you were in love. How did it feel?"

"Oh, well!" Cid scratched his chin thoughtfully. "I remember that feeling..."

"Oh, but if it's something dirty and perverted like I'd expect, please keep it to yourself!"

"What!" Cid waved his wrench at her dangerously. "Well, if that's what you think of me, then forget it! I'm not telling you nothing!"

Yuffie pouted. "Aw, come on Cid!"

"Nope! You've insulted me! Now get out of here, I've got work to do!"

Yuffie sighed and left the hangar. She had a knack for pissing people off unintentionally. But despite this, she was determined to continue her search. She decided to ask Barrett, but when she did, he started to cry and ran off shouting that he had something in his eye. Tifa explained that her love for Cloud was built on friendship, and Cloud wasn't interested in talking about such a topic. The best answer she got was from Aerith, who suspected that Yuffie had a crush on someone, though she denied it. It was true, after all; she hadn't found the love of her life yet.

"I didn't just fall in love right away," Aerith had told her. "It happened over time. The more time I spent with him, the more I got to talk with him. He's always so kind to me, and wants to help me. He makes me smile. That's what I love about him the most."

He makes her smile, Yuffie noted in her book. She scratched the back of her head in thought. Lots of people made her smile: Cid, whenever he did something stupid on accident; Barrett, whenever he got angry with someone and went on a cussing spree; even Vincent, who never showed a trace of emotion. But they were only her friends, and she usually laughed at them when they did something stupid. Would she ever meet someone who made her smile because she loved them?

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A/N: The chapters are kind of long. The good stuff comes later, of course, so you'll have to wait! Review and tell me what you think! Flames will be used to make me some toast!