The Sun and the Sea

A Camp Half Blood Love Story

Part Two

Gifts from the Family

Sky POV

"Percy its not fair! This sword is so unbalanced it feels weird to hold you should let me borrow Riptide and you take the practice sword." I pouted at Percy who had yet again beat my butt in front of everyone. Travis and Connor told me not to worry that Percy was the best swordsman in the last hundred years but I just hated the fact that my older brother beat me at just about all the activities at camp.

He smiled at me teasing me by waving the now capped sword in front of my nose. I turned around and walked to stand near my other brother Tyson. He put a hand on my shoulder lightly so he wouldn't knock me over. "Do not worry sister your surprise will be done soon and then you will beat Percy. Plus you will have something that even he does not have! So do not be sad." he told me smiling showing his yellow brick sized teeth.

I just nodded and smiled back at him. Tyson couldn't talk very well but he always knew just the right thing to say though I wish I knew what surprises he was talking about. All I knew is that he said our father, Poseidon God of the Sea, would soon be sending me something. I just wish it would come soon because it felt weird not having anything to really call my own. Of course Travis had stolen me some odds and ends from the camp store and Connor was always sneaking me candy and sometimes flowers that made me blush.

I didn't hate being at camp half blood in fact I actually loved it but you have a lot to live up to when your older brother is known as the kid who brought down the Titan lord Kronos. Talk about pressure. Nobody looked down on me of course since according Grover everyone pretty much loved me, except the Ares cabin who hated me something about Percy disgracing there dad. But I hated feeling weaker or dumber or just plain not as good as someone. I either wanted to be equal or better. Percy knew that and tried to take it easy on me but he had the upper hand in both experience and the better sword.

I watched Travis and Connor spar for a bit and a couple other pairs before I left trying to find another activity. I canoed for a bit and practiced my controlling of the water. Percy had been giving me lessons in controlling my powers and it turns out that was one of the only things I was better at then him. No one could figure it out but I could create larger waves and even found out I could create small earth quakes and tornadoes. It was pretty cool. The only other thing I had my brother beat on was my archery. Now I was no where close to the campers in the Apollo cabin but for a sea girl I was pretty good.

I decided to go practice my shooting figuring that if I couldn't beat Percy in a sword fight I was determined to become a great archer. Besides with me I always went above and beyond in everything I did and we figured out that it was also true with my training. Most people at the camp specialized in one specific weapon, yea they used others but most had one they loved the most, and I was going to prove I could use both a sword and the bow.

I made my way over to the archery range not paying attention staring up at the sky watching the Pegasi fly in the air. Not even watching where I was going I ran, literally, into my friend Will Solace of the Apollo cabin. "Oh Will im sorry! I cant help but watch the Pegasi I think it has to do with my blood you know." I laughed and helped him up off the ground.

He blushed as soon as our hands made contact. He was always blushing around me it was really cute but then again he was in general really cute. Like most of the Apollo campers he had locks of dirty blonde hair with his bangs hanging in light blue eyes (I always wonder how he shoot so well) and it went so well with his tall, 6'2, athletic build and beautifully tanned skin. Thinking about how cute he was was now making me blush. I got over it quickly though and said "Oh hey I've been meaning to ask you! Would you please help me with my archery like one on one lessons? Percy beats my butt in sword play and I heard he sucks at shooting but im doing ok with it so im hoping I can stop living in his shadow. I want to make a name for myself you know?"

"O-oh like alone? Oh well of course Sky! And just so you know I don't think people really only think of you as Percy's sister. Your so unique and wonderful I don't see how they possibly could and you set yourself apart with way intense powers with water!" he said obviously trying to make me feel better as we walked to the archery range but there was something in voice that made me believe he meant every single word. Now it was my turn to blush like crazy.

"Oh Will your so sweet but your making me blush. But thank you it means a lot to me that you said that. But is still cant help feeling that I can live up to someone who did so many amazing things. All I can hope for is that he gets another quest and this time I get to have a little fun." I said smiling as we finally reached the range that was completely deserted. Probably because right now was free time and a lot of people were just sitting back and relaxing or they were helping build cabins. I was sorta happy that it was empty though. I mean who wouldn't want to be alone with someone so handsome?

"I understand it must be hard but you shouldn't think of yourself like that or people will start thinking of you like that. Don't title yourself Sky sister of Percy title yourself Sky daughter of the sea god. Huh that actually has a nice ring to it but also a bit ironic if you ask me. But anyway you put it Sky is a beautiful name just so you know." he said setting down the bag he had been carrying and pulled out his bow and some arrows.

I hit myself in the head with the palm of my hand "Oh now I remember where I was going before I ran into you. I was going to get a bow so I can shoot. I suppose I should go get one." I sighed thinking about how far away the artillery room was. I was just starting to head in that direction wen he grabbed my arm.

"No don't do that its so far away and we are already here. I told you I would give you lessons so you can use my bow so I can help you even better. I mean I know my bow better then anyone so it will be easier to help. And its easier when you have one on one contact anyway." he said handing me the bow with a smile on his face. I never realized before how that smile could make your heart melt … I was just staring at him for a few seconds before my brain finally told me to take the the bow from him.

The practice was a lot more fun then I could have imagined even though it was hard to concentrate on the actual shooting part of it. Will was telling the truth about using one on one contact and he used a lot of it but I didn't mind. I liked having him standing there behind me grasping my hands in his and helping me shoot. I was actually getting really good at it but I made excuses for him to help me more though he didn't seem to mind. We were there for a good hour before other people started showing up and I could see them whispering about me and Will being alone together. Making us both blush. But it was Travis and Connor who with there glares that made me feel most uncomfortable.

I was happy when Will asked if I wanted to take a break and go for a swim. I being who I was never turned down an offer to swim but I was also glad to get away from all of the piercing eyes of the others. I led the way out into the woods to a large stream so that we didn't have to suffer the same scene like the one at the archery range. When we got there he took off his shirt revealing a toned body from years of training and it was hard not to stare. As like most of the time I had my bikini on under my shorts and tank so I started to take them off, Travis and Connor had giving it to me picking it out because it was the tiniest one they could find, but evidently Will didn't know because he turned redder then I had ever seen him and he had a hard time stammering out "W-what are you doing? Your not gonna go in your underwear are you?"

I looked at him confused then laugh realizing that it must have been completely embarrassing, or maybe he felt lucky, that I had started to strip out of my clothes. "No of course not! I wear my bathing suite underneath my clothes since I go swimming all the time. So don't worry or maybe I should say sorry?" I grinned and winked at him.

He still stayed red saying "Oh Sky I wasn't thinking like that I mean your beautiful but I wouldn't imagine you oh I mean that I wouldn't want you to … I just didn't want anyone to see you like that is all. I mean I would look away but a lot of people would take advantage of a situation like that is all." he looked down at his feet creating a pattern in the dirt.

I was the one blushing now. That was one of the nicest and sweetest things I had really had heard someone say to me. Without warning I gave him a hug and it took a second but he hugged back. I wasn't even embarrassed by the fact that we were both pretty much half naked at the time. I released him and said "Thank you will thats really nice of you to say. The sad thing is your right a lot of guys would but I guess im just use to it by now. Anyway even if they did they would have to deal with Percy Travis and Connor though Travis and Connor may be one of the people looking … oh it doesn't matter. Im just happy you actually cared enough to worry about something like that"

He smiled at me shyly saying "Its nothing. I should have guessed you wouldn't do that in the first place your a lot better then that. But anyway its getting really hot lets get in that water but no splashing me with ten foot waves." he laughed as we ran towards the bank of the creek and jumped in.

I never imagined I would have that much fun with one person in just an hour. I would create a whirlpool around us making us spin until we were so dizzy we couldn't swim straight then I would splash him with huge amounts of water causing him to chase me and when I finally let him catch me he would pick me and fall back in the water with me on his shoulders. It was nice to do something that wasn't training for our survival for once. It was just for fun I have no other way to explain it.

Finally we just sat by the shore with the lower half's of our body in the water and our upper half basking in the sun. The coolness of the water and the warmth of the sun made a perfect combination and I wished I could just sit there forever. I was so preoccupied with soaking in the sun that I hadn't realized that Will was staring at me. I didn't blush or anything this time but instead looked back his icy blue eyes looking straight into mine and it was like looking straight into his soul. It was hard to pull away from his gaze.

"Sky I don't think I have this much fun with just a single person before. I hope it doesn't sound weird but I think your pretty amazing Sky. I mean I have never really met anyone quite like you before and I think if more people were like you people wouldn't fight so much. Your so kind and you don't judge. Heck even Clarisse cant find a specific reason to not like you other then the fact Percy beat her dad awhile back ago. I cant explain it right but your special Sky and I hope you don't ever change. A lot of people change after a summer or two here or when they go out in the real world but I would really be sad if anything about you changed." Will said placing his hand on top of me and smiling that heart melting smile again. I felt the sudden urge to kiss him. I probably would have too if at that moment Grover came out of nowhere and took a seat next to me.

"Oh hey Grover. didn't expect to see you over in this neck of the woods." I said trying to not sound to disappointed that Will had moved his hand from mine and was now looking the other way. I knew Grover could read my feeling but im pretty sure he just chose to ignore what I was feeling.

"Yea well I thought I heard you when I was walking so I decided to come see what you were up to. I hope I wasn't disrupting something" he said raising an eyebrow and looking from me to Will. I blushed and told him no a bit to quick which probably didn't sound to convincing.

"Ok whatever you say but anyway Percy and Tyson are looking for you." he said getting up and tossing me my clothes that I threw on after just willing myself to become dry. Then thinking of Will I touched him on the chest, I didn't have to but I had been dying to touch his muscles, and at my touch the water slid off of him onto my hand then I just dripped it back into the creek.

"Well I guess I better go see what my brothers want with me this time. But lets do this again soon. I had a lot of fun. Plus remember I still need help on my archery so see you later Will." I said then debated giving him a hug but decided against it with Grover around. He would have told Percy and as much as I loved him Percy was a bit over protective when it came to me and guys.

Will nodded while putting his shirt back on then me and Grover walked back through the woods. He kept giving me that what did I walk in on look but I ignored it and instead asked "So why are they looking for me exactly?"

Grover seemed to have gotten the hint that I didn't want to talk about it so he answered "It seems you got a present from your father. Plus Tyson and Percy said they also got something for you." Suddenly I wasn't even the littlest bit annoyed with Grover for taking me away because now I was to excited to think of anything but what my father had gotten me.

It seemed like it took ever till I finally got back to my cabin and there I saw my brothers waiting for me with three gifts on my bed. Two in boxes clearly decorated by Aphrodite's kids but the other was wrapped simply in what looked oddly like dried seaweed and was very small. I could tell which one was from my my brothers and which one was from my father easily.

Percy grinned at me. It was the grin that made me really see how much we were alike because it made you think if he was just happy to see you or if he was just waiting to do something rebellious. I couldn't help but smile back. "Percy, Tyson, what are all these for? My birth days not for another week and even then I didn't think father would ..." my voice failed me. I was so happy yet there was also something else there maybe sadness? Sad that he had never really even acknowledged me till I was in trouble? I put it in out of my mind that didn't matter any more all that matters was that he claimed me and now he was giving me something to prove to me that I was truly his daughter.

"Yea we know but were kinda combining your welcome to the family and birthday present. Plus well we figured all three presents go together so it was best to give them to you all at once. But on my gift it was my idea but Tyson did most of the work so he should get credit for part of it." Percy said handing my the smaller of the beautifully wrapped presents.

I opened it carefully trying not to completely destroy all the hard work put into it and inside was a cuff like bracelet with a silver trident on it. I put it on and looked at it smiling. It wasn't much by I loved it already then Percy said "Tap the trident. Trust me its a lot better when you do."

I looked at him puzzled but gasped when I saw what happened when I followed his orders. Out of the bracelet came a startling silver shield with scenes of my favorite Greek stories raised in celestial bronze. It was absolutely beautiful and I could do nothing but hug Percy. He smiled then said "I remember when you told me that you loved all the stories of ancient greece so I took your favorite and helped Tyson put them on your shield. I'm glad you like it."

Then Tyson handed me his almost jumping with excitement and saying "I worked hard to make something nice for our new sister!" I took it from him but fell slightly from the weight of it. I hadn't excepted it to be as heavy as it was. I opened it and again gasped as I pulled out a beautiful set of greet armor. It was silver to match my shield but instead of raised pictures it had light blue details of waves on the bottom of the chest place and matching blue bristles on the helmet. It also had a cool traveling feature that aloud me to change it into regular mortal clothes by hitting a button on the side.

My eyes swam with tears that I tried to hold back as I looked at the gifts my two brothers had worked so hard on for me. "Oh Tyson … Percy I really don't know what to say this is really to much. I haven't don't anything to deserve this. I really don't understand ..." I said as I ran my fingers along the wave detailing.

It was Tyson who spoke first "You are our sister and you are the best sister ever. You deserve something special. Do we need another reason?" At this I really did begin to cry with tears of joy. They were doing this just because I was there sister. For the first time I really felt really loved by someone other then my mom. "And you two are the best brothers I could have ever imagined thank you." I said completely forgetting about the gift from my father still waiting to be opened.

"Sky its nothing really like I said its for your birthday to plus Tyson is right your family now and we want you to feel accepted. But here you still have dads present to open. Trust me your going to love it." He said handing me the package.

I looked at it and just breathed in he sent that was coming from it. It was the smell of a fresh sea breeze and all the good things that you could ever possibly find on a tropical beach. I opened slowly and for the third time that day I was speechless. But this time so were Percy and Tyson. It was a double edged sword of celestial bronze like Percy's but it was the handle that caught my attention. The hilt was silver and the handle was engraved with a pattern of green and blue swirls and it had little studs of aquamarine in the center of the swirls.

"Woa I knew it was a sword but I never imagined it would be like this." Percy said looking at it his eyes as wide as mine. He was right it was beautiful but there was something about it mixed with it something magical. I couldn't explain it but I somehow knew that when I was in trouble this would increase my powers dramatically.

"Its … its name is Stormbringer … di immortales how did I know that?" I asked more to myself then to Tyson or Percy. As soon as I asked the question I already knew the answer. My father had somehow let me know it. I silently thanked him and promised him I would make him proud he gave it to me. I still wasn't sure if I could really live up to my brother or even live up to the hype of being the daughter of the sea god but I was going to try.