A/N: Hi! Well, this is my first Greek myth story, so I hope you enjoy :). In this, Daphne was joining the Hunt of Artemis, hence Artemis's intense anger. I'd do a disclaimer, but… I don't quite no who I'd credit the Greek gods to… Anyways, I guess I have to do one, so: *ahem* Everything mentioned in this story is an invention of, and also belongs to, respectively, the Greek scholars and peasants of ancient times. Review please!

Anger coursed through Artemis as she stormed over the earthy hills of Greece. Her hand twitched subconsciously towards her silver bow as her ever arrogant brother, Apollo, entered her view. He stood dumbly by a creek, staring at an elegant tree, whose species had never before graced the earth. A laurel, Artemis reminded herself, frowning. It should have been a Daphne.

"Are you a fool?" she demanded as she neared her sibling. In their good moments, the twins were best friends, rarely leaving each other's sides. In their bad… Well, it was best to leave them alone in their bad times. No good could come of standing in the way of either of the twin gods' wraths.

"Artemis, I haven't the time-," Apollo started sorrowfully, holding up a hand to stop the raging rant he knew was coming. As usual, it was an ineffective method.

"You imbecile! You have all of eternity to muse on your little Daphne! The eternity she would have had with me, had you not tainted her virgin status with unwanted advances!" Artemis glowed slightly with anger, driving what wary mortals might have stood nearby away out of fear of being incinerated by looking upon a goddess's true form.

"Could fair Artemis be jealous that I received her servant's respect before she did?," Apollo spat back angrily. "Or is this a childish way of expressing her grief?" His liquidy, ochre eyes narrowed at his sister, challenging her anger.

"You are more of a brute than I could have guessed, Apollo. You know as well as I that poor Daphne harbored no respect, or feeling for you other than repulsion! She had forsworn the company of men, as I have, before you approached her, or need I remind you of the sacred oath?," she hissed, her face inches away from her brother's. "Although this is a most unfortunate outcome of your actions, had you lain with her, you would have killed her in a crueler way."

"And whose fault is that?," roared Apollo. "It would be your oath that killed her, had I been successful!" Artemis stomped in an almost childish way, throwing her hands in the air.

"Had she broken the oath, she would have died because the oath is not meant to be broken! It would be your fault that it was, as it is your fault that she died now. Or, that she has become a lowly tree now, that many a man will gladly cut down for firewood and papyrus! Shame, Apollo! I am through with having my maidens become landforms! You have crossed my cause one time too many! I can hardly find it in my heart to forgive you!," Artemis told him boldly, bottom lip quivering.

"Yet I am still forgiven! If not by you, then by the rest of the world! Forgiven for my cause was love," Apollo declared in response.

"No, no, Apollo," Artemis laughed sardonically. "Your attraction to Daphne was not love, but lust. Do not pretend to know of things which you haven't experienced. I don't pretend to know the bond of love to a man, nor do I long to, but I know if I were ever to lust for a man, it would be because he was noble, not because he was beautiful! It is your kind of men that have driven me out of the pleasures," she spoke with a hint of distaste, "that so many others partake in. You are cruel, and just by watching you, and my father, and yes, every Olympian god, I have instilled in me a fear of the world's cruel intentions!" Tears snaked their way down her face, salty water dribbling into her mouth. Apollo's face softened at his sister's plight, for he always claimed to be her sole protector, and hated passionately anyone who hurt her.

"Sister," he murmured regretfully, reaching out a hand to put on her shaking shoulder. Artemis moved away. Apollo's eyes widened, and his pout deepened. Closing her eyes, Artemis mentally composed herself. Finally, she stepped lightly to his side, wrapping her hands around his neck. Happily, he returned the embrace, leaning his head against hers.

"I'm sorry, brother. Truly, I am just a little shaken, for Daphne really would have made an extraordinary addition to my troupe of huntresses. I forgive you," she whispered. "Return to Olympus, Apollo. I'll be there shortly. I want to think of the day's happenings over a long hunt. Alone, if you don't mind," she added when Apollo moved to follow her. His face fell a bit, but he smiled again, happy to have been forgiven. "Go," she insisted. "I'll just be a moment." Apollo nodded hesitantly, an uneasy feeling overtaking him. Some obscure voice told him not to let her hunt alone today, to insist on coming with her. He shook it off, wary of angering his proud sister so soon after he had been forgiven. He watched her trudge away, painfully noting the disappointment in her step. He briefly considered following her from a distance, but knew in his heart that someone as clever as his sister would know immediately. Sighing, he raised his hand to return to his throne on Olympus anyway, shifting his weight anxiously. In a flash, he was gone.

A/N: The next chapter will delve more into the actual myth. Sorry for the shortness! Review! Review! Review!