A/N: I own nothing... Except the idea of this little plot... And the girl... Who's name is Rene, btw.

A/N2: This takes place during FF7: AC.

They stood together in a clearing, his silver hair seeming to glow just as much as the trees surrounding them. Her blue eyes gazed at him intently, hope shining in their depths, though he didn't notice. The young couple had been meeting like this for some time now. Learning about each other, becoming friends... and maybe a little more.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" She wondered, kicking at a stone.

"Hm?" He had been looking off into space, but turned his attention to her at the sound of her voice.

"Have you ever been in love?"

"In love?"

"Yeah."

"I... don't know. I'm not even sure what love is exactly."

"Well, when you love someone, you'd do anything for them. Give up everything for them."

"I feel that way for mother." He offered, but she frowned at his reply.

"That's not the same."

"But you just said —"

"I know what I said. That's not all love is though, there's more to it than that."

"Like what?"

"Love is the seed of all hope.(1) It is the enticement to trust, to risk, to try, to go on. It's when two people feel that they are joined together to strengthen each other in all labor, to minister to each other in all sorrow, to share with each other in all gladness.(2) Love it all that, and so much more."

"I've never felt that way before."

"Never?"

"Never. And soon I'll have no need for it, once we find mother this world will end."

"Why?" Her face saddened when she realized he was once again going into his usual mantra.

"Because it's what mother wants. I've already told you this a dozen time, why do you keep asking?"

"Why do you keep coming back to see me?" She countered.

"What does that have to do with anything?" He asked, slightly bewildered. She only shook her head.

"I keep hoping your answer will change. That you'll stop this pointless mission of your's."

"It isn't pointless! Mother — "

"It's wrong!" She yelled. " Jenova isn't even really your mother damn it! It's an alien virus, a fucking disease!"

"I will not have you say such things!" He raged, slamming her up against a tree, his fingers wrapping around her neck tightly. Her eyes widened with surprise at his violent behavior.

"You... have to... face.. the truth.." She chocked out, her hands tugging at his arm. "You're not... the only.. one.. to.. have suffered... in life." His grip loosened, and she sucked in air. "You can't get rid of all the bad things."

"Why not?"

"It's not possible. What you're trying to do it wrong. This is the way life is, it's how it's always been and how it will always be. Without all the bad, we would never appreciate how wonderful the good is."

"You're wrong! Mother knows what's best! She's all I have." He shouted.

"No, you have your brothers..." She reached out a hand to caress his cheek. "You have me..."

He faltered, releasing his hold on her and stepping back. She collapsed to the ground, looking up as he turned from her and headed back to the tree line.

"Where are you going?" She questioned, tears forming in her eyes. He stopped, but kept his back to her.

"Midgar. That's where mother is. Once I find mother everything will be better. You'll see." He stated, before his form disappeared into the trees, leaving her alone.

"I wish I could stop you... but I know I can't. I wish I could make you see... but you're so blind." She sobbed. "... I was only trying to save you."

1 Quoted from Gloria Gaither.

2 Quoted from George Eliot.