Arion's hooves were silent against the forests floor, thanks to the damp leaves that covered it. Persephone gripped the reins tighter as the mare made a sharp left and then another, dodging the thick trunks of the ancient trees. Persephone's braid was coming loose from the ride as her hair whipped against her cheeks. She glanced over her shoulder into the darkness behind them and urged the mare on…she had to get there first. She looked up at the sky or what could be seen through the thicket of the trees, the moon was still high above but dawn wasn't far away. She saw the clearing in the trees ahead and sighed, her heart slowing in her chest. She made it. She pulled the reins, bringing Arion to an abrupt stop. The mare neighed as Persephone kicked her legs over and dismounted. She dropped to the floor, looking around before slowly standing once more. She couldn't hear anything, she might have made it but it was still a full moon and beasts were still hunting. She pulled her sword from the horse's saddle and sheathed it. Patting the mare she made for the clearing. Arion made a sound of displeasure but Persephone kept going… she could handle herself. Her hair was still in her eyes, clinging to her damp cheeks, but she saw the opening in the trees clearly enough. The full moon shone down, lighting the large expanse of grass and making it seem silver. Persephone stepped into the light, looking round at the surrounding trees but they were still shadowed by the darkness of the forest. It was then she saw him. She had heard he was just a pup…but she expected him to be bigger. The creature Cerberus lay in the centre of the meadow, barely bigger than a foal. His three heads were resting on the ground as his thick legs were tied together, small whimpering sounds were coming from his direction and that made Persephone move forward.

She was halfway across the clearing, eyes down as her hand rested loosely on the hilt of the sword that hung at her side. Her boots grew damp with the moisture from the grass as she neared Cerberus. The pup made a sound of distress when it saw her. Persephone lifted both hands up, palms out as she made a soothing sound. He watched her with sad yellow eyes. She made to kneel before him but something caught her off guard. A cool breeze swept through the meadow. She'd felt it before. Something made her look up, eyes snapping to the trees ahead where she could see a tall dark silhouette against the tree's. He was here. Her stomach knotted as her heart flew to her throat…that sensation only lasted a moment…then anger set in.

"You followed me?" She addressed the air, he wouldn't ignore her. He wouldn't be here if he wanted to ignore her. She sounded furious even to her own ears; her face unreadable as she just glared at him across the forests' clearing. He was before her in a flash of dark mist, only the creature and a few feet of grass lay between them.

"This is pure coincidence." His shrug was nonchalant but his eyes said something else. They held her own steady gaze, icy blue sending a chill down her spine. She hadn't seen him in a long time, but he looked no different. Black thick hair brushed away from his face as it curled slightly towards the ends, his eyes almost silver like a wolf's. He seemed to have gone taller, built of pure muscle as he seemed to surround her. His dark silver armour made his status clear to her. She took a moment to look down at her own hunting gear made up of leather and cotton…she was merely a servant in comparison.

"I know you want to free the creature." His words were calm and collected, calling her gently out of her thoughts. She looked up slightly startled…he was acting like they were close, like he wasn't causing treason by being here or risking his second in command status by talking to her. His steps were smooth as he slowly came nearer to both her and the animal at her feet.

"And you're not going to let me…because you want to kill it." It came out in a rush, her eyes wider now as she took a few steps back, the clearing was large but even that wasn't enough space between them. Persephone realised then that she'd only be happy if Hades went back to the depths of his hellish domain and if she took residence with Luna in the sky. Her internal rant was stopped by his whisper of laughter.

"That's not why I'm here." His smile was one of teasing as he shook his head, knocking strands of his onyx hair onto his cool eyes. If she wasn't so furious she'd take the time to admire the angles of his face and the blue tint his hair had in the moonlight. But she was furious.

"Why else would you be here." She snapped, taking one step forward as she firmly grasped the hilt of her blade. She knew she couldn't kill him. But it was impossible not to feel like prey around him, holding a weapon made her stand taller.

"Zeus wants it destroyed because in the wrong hands it can cause him problems." He quoted, his voice a mixture of bored and factual. His hand gestures were smooth as were his steps…his grace was like nothing she had ever seen, she couldn't resist listening.

"I'm the wrong hands." He finished, his eyes meeting hers as he spread his arms, muscles flexing like a huge bird spreading its wings.

"What you'll use it for your own advantage? Keep it chained to a wall to annoy Zeus? I don't see how that's better." Her laughter surprised him as the icy wind brought some of her copper curls loose. She pushed them roughly back behind her ears, her amber eyes watching him as if he were about to pounce.

"It's going to help me stop him stealing souls to bargain with." He was serious now, his eyes were warmer as he looked her over…trying to make her trust him without saying any more. Persephone just stood there inspecting him; he wasn't what people thought he was. He had a heart. She knew that. But she couldn't trust him…no matter how her hand twitched to release her hold on her weapon. She looked back into his eyes, holding so much emotion… and her hands fell limply to her side. She opened her mouth to say something…anything really, but the beast at her feet made a small cry of pain. Suddenly she was on her knees, one of the creatures heads was in her lap as she stroked the matted fur on his back.

"There." She half cooed, looking down at him and wishing she could do something. All she could do was release him, she couldn't care for him like the mother he'd lost. It was rare to find a hellhound…to see one even. They were known for their loyalty…for their weak hearts. If the one they depend on is harmed or killed, they slowly wither into nothing unless they can find a new individual's energy to latch onto. Someone new to love. She didn't want him to pass…he was just a pup. A defenceless creature.

"They've hurt him." She cried, anger spilling through her as she looked at his bruised and bleeding paws. Hades crouched down on the other side of the beast, watching closely how her hair had fallen into her eyes, how her cheeks were the deepest shade of pink and how she bit down on her lip to stop the tears that were threatening to come.

"That's not what I'm going to do; I need you to trust me here Persephone." He was softer now, his voice gentle as she looked up. She remembered the last time he had spoken to her like that and how much he hurt her afterwards.

"Do not dare to address me so informally." She half spat, eyes hard and cold as he nodded his head in agreement. She had a right to be mad but he wasn't going to have her speaking to him like that.

"If formality is what you wish you should watch who you give your affection to." He shrugged, standing up and looking down at her in loathing. She was ungrateful. He had to leave her alone and yet here she was enticing him. That's all she ever did was distract him and he was begging to hate her for it.

"Affection?" She half howled with forced laughter, a look of shock across her face as he shrugged in response.

"Don't flatter yourself!" She finished cold once more as he tilted his head to one side, studying her in such a way it made her uncomfortable. She whispered a sleep incarnation to the creature before settling him back on the cool grass. His light snoring made her content that he was peaceful. Content, she stood, folding her arms over herself as a form of protection from his intense gaze. He smiled, a cruel smile that made her wish she'd never been foolish enough to touch him. But there was a sudden silence at her feet; Cerberus' gentle snoring had stopped. She looked down, her face turned ashen. He wasn't there. The only evidence he had been was a small puff of black smoke that slowly rose from black scorch marks on the grass where the creature once lay. Marks only left by a portal created too quickly for the world to adapt. Hades had stolen him right under her nose. She was outraged her feet working faster than her brain as she was already storming over to him.

"Bring him back!" She half screamed, brining both arms forward and pushing against the dark silver armour covering the Gods chest.

"What so you can ruffle his fur and sooth him before the guards come to destroy him?" His patronising tone made her blood boil as her skin flushed red. He folded his arms, studying her like some expensive item he wished to posses…the closeness and the look of complete anger on her face didn't seem to faze him.

"He's a defenceless animal! He doesn't deserve this." Persephone continued, her fists balled at her side so she wouldn't hit him…she'd only hurt herself that way. Hades face darkened at her words, twisting with anger as he bent slightly to look her in the eyes.

"You think I'd harm him? That I'd torture him for his energy like Zeus?" His words were crisp, cutting into her ears, his anger chilling her to the bone. She took a step back and he straightened up…looking pleased he was scaring her.

"You'll use him until he serves his purpose…then you'll move on…it's what you do. You don't care what happen to anyone but yourself." She had let her tongue run away with her, she was shocked at herself but he deserved it. He looked like he had been slapped, she was glad for a moment. Then that moment past, his arms shot out, gripping her forearms as he brought her flush against him.

"You're blind! You listen to girlish gossip and silly rumours. What do you know about this world?" He spat, eyes hard and cold like they were the last time they had met. He didn't scare her now, he just angered her more. She ignored the frantic beat of her heart at his touch…the part of her brain that noted he wasn't hurting her. His grip was loose; it was his eyes that displayed his anger. The memory of his betrayal overpowered anything else. It bit into her skin, the venom of jealousy spreading through her body. She knew more than he thought she did about this world.

"I know the cruel when I see them. Bring him back here…now." She had the dagger hidden in her belt at his throat in a second. She watched surprise flicker in his eyes before he hid it.

"You can't kill me." He laughed bitterly, any traces of anger vacant from his expression as he smiled down at her. She shifted the blade to his chest…travelling lower until it was prodding into the gap in his armour near his abdomen.

"No but certain things are harder to grow back than others." His eyes instantly narrowed, the anger was back as she smiled angelically.

"Bring. Him. Back." She was so close he could feel the heat radiating off her, her eyes were full of warmth even though she hated him, he knew that. He should probably talk himself out of his attraction to her…but she was right in front of him. He remembered the feel of her in his arms, her lips on his as her hands roamed through his hair. She was driving him insane and she wasn't even doing anything. His eyes were intent on hers, his hands dropping to his sides in defeat. Perhaps it would be better if she stabbed him… then he'd feel something. He'd relish in the pain because it proved he was living. She wouldn't do it. Because deep down she felt the same way…what had passed between them wasn't over. He wanted to lean forward and kiss her…the urge was so strong he didn't care if he impaled himself on the dagger in the process. He didn't get a chance to as there was a sudden flash of silver in the trees. He had been distracted. They had arrived. Men swarmed the trees as one figure in particular caught his eye. He glared at him before looking down at Persephone. Now the only anger in him was aimed at himself…he had put her at risk.

"Now you've done it." He muttered, nodding to something over her shoulder, she turned to see Zeus' guards surrounding the clearing…Ares watching the pair of them with clear interest. Persephone swallowed the lump in her throat as she turned back to Hades wide eyed. She was holding a dagger to a higher God's chest…standing where a creature sentence to death was supposed to be…and she was un-chaperoned. If this didn't get her thrown out of Olympus and placed on earth to suffer as a mortal she would be the luckiest half god in the universe.

Dum Dum! Have a good feeling about this one. Please review. Hope you all forgive me for the abrupt exit… but I'm back for good. Thanks

Ivy xxx