Author's Note: I just got done with watching Advent Children, and I feel the ideas starting to circulate.

Author Note 1: I guess I should explain the idea behind a "Summon" in this story. Summons are powerful deceased warriors that serve the gods. There are nine accounted for (except there's actually ten, but the tenth is a child still), but in this story, the only ones the readers need to know are just Shibuki, Faera and Sigmund. Any questions, just ask and I'll get back to you on that…

Disclaimer: I don't own FF7, just anything outside of the game I own…Roll on the floor like gerbils y'all!! Woot!!

Part 9

CRASH

BOOM, BOOM, BOOM

Cloud tumbled down the stairs and scrambled to his feet as Sigmund dashed down the stairs after him. There was a minimal distance between the man and the Wolf Summon as Sigmund slowly circled Cloud.

"If you think I'm going to let your little lovebird get away with striking out at my goddess, you're in for a rude awakening human." He growled and transformed into a wolf about the size of horse. His silver hair looked like icy needles as it stuck up with impending fury about to be unleashed and his eyes were like frozen fire, they were chilling enough to burn through Cloud. The swordsman stared at this magnificent beast in both astoundment and fear.

So this was Sigmund's true form.

Cloud glanced from Sigmund to the stairs. Of all places to leave his swords, it was upstairs and on his bed! Sigmund's tail twitched as he stopped pacing and crouched low. Slowly, Cloud reached behind him and felt a chair behind him.

Sigmund lunged so fast, Cloud could just barely keep up as he grabbed the chair and swung with all his might. The chair shattered against Sigmund's head and he was knocked out of the air and through the bar wall, into the street. Panicked screams erupted from outside as Sigmund crashed through the wall again and rushed at Cloud. Cloud danced to the side and pushed a table forward. Sigmund tore through it and pressed towards him.

"You're making this battle far too easy mortal."

"Well, let me get my sword and let me enliven it."

Sigmund shifted back, grinning like the devil himself. He moved to a glass of water and removed two sais from it.

"Hurry up. I'll be waiting for your return, but keep in mind, that when you step down from the last of the stairs, I will destroy you."

Cloud warily watched him as he slowly ascended the stairs, pushing past the frightened women. Selena was the first to collect her wits as she rushed after him. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and he turned to face her.

"Cloud, let me talk to him. He'll listen to me."

"Selena, he means business-"

Before he could finish, the goddess dashed away from him and he sighed. Could she really soothe this beast? He shook his head and grabbed his sword. Whatever the outcome, he would be ready no matter what.

"Sigmund, stop this now! I'm not hurt."

"That's not the point Selena! Striking you is like striking me! I will not tolerate it from anyone!"

Sigmund stared icily at the stairs and Selena glared at him. She out stretched her arms and narrowed her glowing eyes.

"If that's the way you want to play it, then try getting past me."

"S-Selena…Why are you protecting them? They are dishonoring you: a goddess! You're not like them. You deserve respect from all beings great and small."

"Respect?! How can I get respect when you're always trying to kill people off for little or no offenses? Tell me Sigmund, what's the real reason you're doing this?"

The flame in Sigmund's eyes faded and in its place sprang an unspoken sadness. He shook his head and looked away from her.

"…It's forbidden…"

"What?"

"Selena, a Summon may serve a god or goddess, but they are forbidden from having any sort of sentimental attachments to anyone. They are a spirit bound to very little in both mortal and immortal worlds…The only thing we can do is serve…not love…"

With a forsaken sound, the sais fell to the floor and instantly turned back to water. Sigmund could only stare at the floor, while his words seeped into Selena's mind.

"You…you love me…"

"Ever since the day you came into this world. I would gladly sacrifice my very soul for you without thinking twice, regardless as to whether or not it's wrong or right."

"…Sigmund…"she gasped. He slowly turned his gaze toward her and his eyes no longer had the look of blood lust, but of longing. The very love he kept secret for nearly 21 years had been spilt to the last person he couldn't tell. Selena's eyes softened and she gave a gentle shake of her head.

"Sigmund…You are like a brother to me. I just don't feel the same way about you."

"I'd figured you'd say something like that…Is it still wrong to love you like I do?"

She approached him without a word and quietly put her arms about his neck, pressing her face against his chest.

"Sigmund, I'm not worth the grief. If I mean anything to you, then do me one favor: let me go."

She pulled away from him and tilted her head up to look into his eyes. Even as he gave a gentle grin, the internal struggle flashed behind those crystal like irises. As much as it hurt knowing how the goddess felt about the issue, he knew he couldn't be angry about it. After all, she had known him from childhood until now and to break that relationship, it probably wouldn't feel right in the end. He gave a small nod and backed away from her.

"If that is what you wish for, then I'll do as you say without question…my Lady…"

Selena watched him turn into a silver wolf and walk back through the damaged wall. He was leaving and he wasn't going to be coming back. Tears slipped down her angelic features. He wasn't coming back. He was never coming back.

"…Sigmund…Brother…where ever the wind beckons you, follow it and try not to look back…" she whispered softly as she placed her interclasped hands near her heart.

"Selena…"

Selena turned just enough to see Cloud and Tifa standing at the base of the stairs, watching her warily.

"…He's gone…and I don't think he's coming back…"

Cloud shifted uncomfortably as she cast a tearful gaze at him. His eyes shifted from her gaze to the door.

"Do you still want to go with me?"

Selena gave a soft nod. She couldn't bear to be in this bar any longer knowing she had caused pain. She hurt Tifa. She hurt Cloud. Worst of all, she had hurt her best friends in the whole world. Death looked to be an oasis in itself. Anything just to keep the pain from spreading to anyone else.

The resonant foot falls of boot clad feet approached her and slowly, Cloud walked past her to the door. He paused briefly, the door opened and the sunlight peering in. He seemed to glow before her like…like an angel. Was he an angel? Selena instantly shook off her thoughts and trotted after him, not even daring to look back at the glaring Tifa. Honestly, what was her problem?

Outside of Midgar…

"Do you think we should be going this fast?!"

"If we wanna make it to Healin Lodge and back in a short amount of time!" he yelled back to her. Selena's grip tightened a little as they sped along through the dusty wasteland outside of the once industrial city on Fenrir. She soon found herself burying her face into his muscular back and a blush crept into her cheeks. Should she be doing this? Well, there's no sense in turning around now.

Healin Lodge

"She's coming…Remember our agreement Shinra. If you go back on your word I'll punish you for your incompetence."

A woman with jet black hair pinned into an extravagant bun glared down at the man before her. His strawberry blond hair was smoothed to the side and his gaze did not waver as he faced down the deadly goddess before him.

"Of course, Lady Artemia. You have nothing to fear from me." He answered coolly and the woman smiled.

"I should hope not…for your sake." She purred as she took his chin into her hand and planted a cold kiss upon his brow. "If you wish to bring Shinra back to its former glory, you must fulfill your part and deliver the goddess to me. If you fail, then it's really no skin off my back. I have other means of having her delivered to me. Speaking of which, has by now has alerted her beloved of a meeting with you. Predictably, he should be bringing the goddess in hopes of finding her little friend."

"So what did you want me to do? Why can't you catch her when she arrives?"

The goddess rolled her eyes and laughed.

"Silly mortal! To kill a goddess is no easy task and to a kill a goddess who has body guards is a much more difficult task. By now, she is separated from her summons and is currently left in the hands of a group of mortals. Your job is to separate her once and for all, then bring her to me. No questions asked."

Shinra's brow arched. Separating this being from the Cloud Strife was like trying to take a chocobo chick from its mother. It would be difficult, but not entirely impossible, especially if the Chocobo mother in question is outnumbered and overwhelmed. Then again, what's to stop the so called mother from lashing out and mounting the Turks' heads on pikes? Damn.

Artemia's head quirked and pulled away from Shinra.

"I think it's best if I leave now. Even though Selena can't sense my presence like long ago, it still doesn't mean she can't. She's still a goddess. It's up to you now, mortal."

Before Rufus Shinra could say anything more, Artemia's wrist flicked and she was gone in an instant. Everything was quiet and the plan to capture Selena Talos was expected to be carried out.

What did I just get myself into? He groaned mentally and waited for the said guests to step onto the set stage.

Outside of Healin Lodge…

He hit the brakes and threw up the kickstand. Both passengers relaxed and Selena looked up at the strange edifice before her.

"Is…Is this Healin Lodge?" she asked and Cloud sighed before dismounting. He looked from Selena to the building then back again. He was having a bad feeling at the moment. Should he leave Selena here for the moment, or bring her along?

"Selena, why don't you stay here for a minute. I won't take long."

However, Selena had other ideas.

"But I don't wanna stay here by myself!" she whined and started to get up. Cloud waved her down and repeated "Just stay there! I told you I'll be right back, okay?"

She, grudgingly, stayed put and sighed as she watched him go.

…I wonder what's bothering him…

Author Note #2: And the plot thickens!! So as it stands, Selena's guardians are incapable of protecting her at the moment because:

Faera's been kidnapped

Shibuki's injured and trying to recover

And now Sigmund's gone off to be by himself (Poor guy T.T)

So what will happen now? Stay tuned…

P.S.: Are you ready for a new character?