Breaking the Titan's Curse

Chapter 2

So glad this was well received. My internet has been faulty as of late and i guess i am lucky i have it at all. Anyway, Here is the next chapter.

"Ow!" Naruto cried as Thalia smacked her boyfriend on the back of the head. "What was that for?"

"Don't ask the Goddess of the Hunt such a stupid question." Thalia replied, a little annoyed but still smiled at her boyfriend.

"Alright." Naruto sighed. Zoe saw this and merely raised an eyebrow, but said nothing for the moment. However, the blond swore her heard Grover mention that he was whipped.

"Um…Okay." Percy replied as he stared at Artemis in disbelief. It was odd for him to see a Goddess as a kid. However, his brain was still trying to process everything that was going on.

However, before he could say anymore on getting Annabeth back, Naruto stopped him. The blond put a hand on his shoulder and said, "I am sorry I was late, but I promise you, we'll get our friend, no matter what. We'll just ask to get a quest back at camp."

"And if we can't?" Percy asked.

"Then we'll see if we can tag along with who even does get a quest." Naruto replied nonchalantly before he noticed the state Grover was in. "Uh, Grover? You ok buddy?"

Grover's face was red and he knelt on the ground in front of Artemis. "Thank you, Lady Artemis! You're so…you're so…Wow!" Naruto shook his head at that because Artemis looked a little uncomfortable.

"Get up, goat boy!" Thalia snapped. "With Annabeth, gone we have to find a way to save her!"

"Whoa," Bianca di Angelo said. "Hold up. Time out."

Everybody looked at her. She pointed her finger at all of them in turn, like she was trying to connect the dots. "Who… who are you people?"

Artemis's expression softened. "It might be a better question, my dear girl, to ask who are you! Who are your parents?"

Bianca glanced nervously at her brother, who was still staring in awe at Artemis. Then her eyes went to Naruto, something that Artemis picked up on.

"Our parents are dead," Bianca said. "We're orphans. There's a bank trust that pays for our school, but…" She paused as she took out a kunai, which made them gasp. "However, back in the casino, Naruto gave this to me."

The other looked in shock. The bank thing was odd enough, but the kunai? That was different. Bianca seemed to pick up on this.

"What?" she demanded. "I'm telling the truth."

"Yeah, I gave it to her while saying that family should stick together." Naruto said with a shrug. However, most thought he was talking about the camp in general. Not a Brother/Sister thing. Bianca was hoping that was the case though, however Zoe spoke.

"You are a half-blood," Zoe Nightshade said. Her accent was hard to place. It sounded old fashioned, like she was reading from a really old book. "One of thy parents was mortal. The other was an Olympian."

"An Olympian…athlete?"

"No," Zoe said. "One of the gods."

"Cool!" said Nico.

"No!" Bianca's voice quavered. "This is not cool!"

Nico danced around like he needed to use the restroom. "Does Zeus really have lightning bolts that do six hundred damage? Does he get extra movement points for—"

"Nico, shut up!" Bianca put her hands to her face. "This is not your stupid Mythomagic game, okay? There are no gods!"

"Eh, Nico…I am not sure about the points system, but Zeus' toy of mass destruction is like setting off multiple nuclear explosions."

"Whoa…" Nico replied in awe while everyone sweatdropped at how casually Naruto had said that.

However, Percy saw how badly Bianca was talking this and felt sorry for her. However, Thalia was in the same boat and spoke. "Bianca, I know it's hard to believe. But the gods are still around. Trust me. They're immortal. And whenever they have kids with regular humans, kids like us, well… Our lives are dangerous."

"Dangerous," Bianca said, "like the girl who fell."

Thalia turned away. Even Artemis looked pained. Naruto wisely stayed quiet.

"Do not despair for Annabeth," the goddess said. "She was a brave maiden. If she can be found, I shall find her."

"Then why won't you let us go look for her?" Percy asked.

"She is gone. Can't you sense it, Son of Poseidon? Some magic is at work. I do not know exactly how or why, but your friend has vanished." Artemis replied.

"I am with Artemis on this one." Naruto replied sadly. "When I was high in the air, I didn't see them down below. Think about it, if she was in the water, wouldn't you be able to feel that?"

Percy looked out on the water below and sighed. The blond ninja was right, like usual. "Yeah, you're right and I guess you would know if she was dead."

"Got that right." Naruto replied and many understood what they meant…except for Nico and Bianca, the former of which didn't really catch on.

"Oo!" Nico raised his hand. "What about Dr. Thorn? That was awesome how you shot him with arrows! Is he dead?"

"He was a manticore," Artemis said. "Hopefully he is destroyed for now, but monsters never truly die. They re-form over and over again, and they must be hunted whenever they reappear."

"Or they'll hunt us," Thalia said.

Bianca di Angelo shivered. "That explains…Nico, you remember last summer, those guys who tried to attack us in the alley in DC?"

"And that bus driver," Nico said. "The one with the ram's horns. I told you that was real."

"That's why Grover has been watching you," Percy said. "To keep you safe, if you turned out to be half-bloods." He then looked at Naruto. "Although Naruto seemed to be already in the know."

"What? I had a feeling." Naruto replied. Zoe saw the look in the blond's eyes. He was nto telling the whole truth, but she left it alone…for now.

"Grover?" Bianca stared at him. "You're a demigod?"

"Well, a satyr, actually." He kicked off his shoes and displayed his goat looked like she was going to faint right there.

"Grover, put your shoes back on," Thalia said. "You're freaking her out."

"Hey, my hooves are clean!" Grover replied.

"Yeah, but she is still trying to process all of this." Naruto offered, making the Satyr sigh.

"Bianca," Percy said, "we came here to help you. You and Nico need training to survive. Dr. Thorn won't be the last monster you meet. You need to come to camp."

"Camp?" she asked.

"Camp Half-Blood," I said. "It's where half-bloods learn to survive and stuff. You can join us, stay there year-round if you like."

"Sweet, let's go!" said Nico.

"Wait," Bianca shook her head. "I don't—"

"There is another option," Zoe said. "No, there isn't!" Thalia said. Thalia and Zoe glared at each other. Naruto looked that them and could tell what happened between them. He knew what Artemis did…with girls only. Thalia must have rejected her in such a way to piss of the raven haired girl.

"Oh boy." Naruto sighed and Artemis seemed to share his thought.

"We've burdened these children enough," Artemis announced. "Zoe, we will rest here for a few hours. Raise the tents. Treat the wounded. Retrieve our guests' belongings from the school."

"Yes, my lady."

"And, Bianca, come with me. I would like to speak with you."

"What about me?" Nico asked.

Artemis considered the boy. "Perhaps you can show Grover how to play that card game you enjoy. I'm sure Grover would be happy to entertain you for a while…as a favor to me?"

Grover just about tripped over himself getting up. "You bet! Come on, Nico!" Nico and Grover walked off toward the woods, talking about hit points and armor ratings and a bunch of other geeky stuff.

Naruto inwardly chuckled at that before he looked to Artemis and asked, "Lady Artemis, I know what you will ask of her, but may I speak with her for a moment?"

Artemis considered the boy and saw that his eyes were telling the truth. He just wanted to speak with the girl and let her make her own choice. "Very well. Just don't be too long Son of Hades."

Naruto bowed in thanks as he then lead the girl a little away from the main group. He could tell the groups were not happy. The girl named Zoe seemed to be very weary of him. It looked like she wanted to bar Bianca from him for a moment. Her eyes spoke of deep mistrust. From him or men in general, he was not sure.

"What did you want to speak with me about?" Bianca asked.

He looked the girl over for a moment. She was a cute girl, around 12 while he was 16. He had heard the story from his father and felt sorry for her. Being that casino for that long while the world changed completely while you were gone. He could also easily tell that her and Nico were children of Hades. He wanted to hug his sister but settle for putting on the girl's shoulder.

"Ok listen. I know what Artemis will ask of you. I may not like it but it is your choice. It is your life after all." Naruto stated.

"Why are you telling me this?" asked the girl, though she had a feeling as to what it was. Her suspicions were proven correct when he whispered something in her ear, making her eyes widen.

Back with the others

The Hunters began unpacking their knapsacks and making camp. Zoe gave Thalia one more evil look, then left to oversee things.

As soon as she was gone, Thalia stamped her foot in frustration. "The nerve of those

Hunters! They think they're so…Argh!"

"I'm with you," Percy said. "I don't trust—"

"Oh, you're with me?" Thalia turned on the seaweed brain furiously. "What were you thinking back there in the gym, Percy? You'd take on Dr. Thorn all by yourself? You knew he was a monster!"

"If we'd stuck together, we could've taken him without the Hunters getting involved.

Annabeth might still be here. Did you think of that?"

Percy clenched his jaw. He thought of some harsh things to say, and he might've said them too, but then he looked down and saw something navy blue lying in the snow at his feet. Annabeth's New York Yankees baseball cap.

Thalia didn't say another word. She wiped a tear from her cheek, turned, and marched off, leaving him alone with a trampled cap in the snow to wait for Naruto to get done talking with Bianca.

Said blond came over to the girl a few minutes later and saw that she was upset. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"Percy is an idiot." Thalia replied.

"I know, but he is learning." Naruto sighed. "He may be stubborn at times, but he will learn soon enough to calm down and think."

"Yeah well, it better be soon." Thalia replied with a scowl before she looked at the blond and smiled. He was leaning on a tree, observing the scene before them. "I missed you."

"Really?" Naruto asked.

"Yeah, I got a boyfriend and then a few weeks later, he leaves to train. Of course I missed you and I know Clarisse won't admit it, but so did she. Hell, Silena did too." Thalia replied.

Naruto smiled. "I am sorry, but I did it to better fight better to protect and fight with you all."

"I figured as much you idiot." She said before she leaned over and kissed him on the lips.

XXX

The Hunters set up their camping site in a matter of minutes. Seven large tents, all of silver silk, curved in a crescent around one side of a bonfire. One of the girls blew a silver dog whistle, and a dozen white wolves appeared out of the woods. They began circling the camp like guard dogs. The Hunters walked among them and fed them treats, completely unafraid. Falcons watched the group from the trees, their eyes flashing in the firelight obviously keeping watch as well. Even the weather seemed to bend to the goddess's will. The air was still cold, but the wind died down and the snow stopped falling, so it was almost pleasant sitting by the fire.

However, Percy didn't feel that way. He was feeling guilt about Annabeth. Naruto did say that they would get her back, but he had his doubts. He just felt down about it all. he couldn't believe Annabeth was gone. And as angry as he was at Thalia, he had a sinking feeling that she was right. It was my fault.

What had Annabeth wanted to tell him in the gym? Something serious, she'd said. Now he might never find out. He thought about how they had danced together for half a song, and my heart felt even heavier. Stupid school dance.

He peered over at Thalia and Naruto. They were both fearless and brave in his opinion and it sort of made him jealous. He saw as they kissed and he sighed. He still didn't know if he felt that way with Annabeth. She was a good friend and it was confusing. However, he couldn't help but be happy for them. Thalia was tree for so long and then Naruto came around. He usually helped everyone he could. He watched as they walked with the wolves without fear.

However, his attention was cut off as one of the hunters came over and dropped his bag in front of him. The Grover and Nico came over to tend to his wounds. While that was going on, Nico rummaged through his own bag, which the Hunters had apparently packed for him, though how they'd snuck into Westover Hall unseen, no body knew. Nico laid out a bunch of figurines in the snow—little battle replicas of Greek gods and heroes. Percy recognized Zeus with a lightning bolt, Ares with a spear, Apollo with his sun chariot.

"Big collection," Percy said.

Nico grinned. "I've got almost all of them, plus their holographic cards! Well, except for a few really rare ones."

"You've been playing this game a long time?"

"Just this year. Before that…" He knit his eyebrows.

"What?" Percy asked.

"I forget. That's weird." Nico looked unsettled, but it didn't last long. "Hey, can I see that sword you were using?"

Percy decided to show him Riptide, and explained how it turned from a pen into a sword just by uncapping it.

"Cool! Does it ever run out of ink?"

"Um, well, I don't actually write with it."

"Are you really the son of Poseidon?"

"Well, yeah."

"Can you surf really well, then?"

Percy looked at Grover, who was trying hard not to laugh.

"Jeez, Nico," Percy said, exasperated. "I've never really tried."

After about…fifty more question of random nonsense, in which Percy was slowly losing his mind and seriously wanted to throw the kid in a sack and throw him to the wolves. However, he didn't and was rewarded with another question.

"So, what's the story with that Naruto guy? He is awesome!" Nico shouted.

Percy and Grover laughed nervously. "Well, would you believe us if we tell you he is a ninja?"

Nico stared at them blankly before he exploded with enthusiasm. "THAT IS EVEN MORE AWESOME!" He shouted before going off about what the blond could do and such.

The two boys looked at the younger one in disbelief. What have we done?

Thankfully, someone came over. However, it was Zoe Nightshade. "Percy Jackson." She had dark brown eyes and a slightly upturned her silver circlet and her proud expression, she looked so much like royalty that Percy felt that he had to resist the urge to sit up straight and say "Yes, ma'am." She studied him distastefully, like he was a bag of dirty laundry she'd been sent to fetch. "Come with me," she said. "Lady Artemis wishes to speak with thee."

XXX

Zoe led Percy to the last tent, which looked no different from the others, and waved him inside.

Bianca di Angelo was seated next to the auburn-haired girl, who he still had trouble thinking

of as Artemis. Then there was Naruto, who was sitting off to the side. Zoe didn't seem very happy that Percy was there and it showed the same with Naruto as well. Still, Percy wondered how Zoe got Naruto away from Thalia.

In the center, a golden brazier of fire seemed to burn without fuel or smoke. Behind the goddess, on a polished oak display stand, was her huge silver bow, carved to resemble gazelle horns. The walls were hung with animal pelts: black bear, tiger, and several others they didn't recognize. Percy figured an animal rights activist would've had a heart attack looking at all those rare skins, but maybe since Artemis was the goddess of the hunt, she could replenish whatever she shot. There was a deer with glittering fur and silver horns, its head resting contentedly in Artemis's lap. Odd.

"Join us, Percy Jackson," the goddess said.

He sat across from her on the tent floor. The goddess studied him, which made him uncomfortable. She had such old eyes for a young girl.

"Are you surprised by my age?" she asked.

"Uh…a little."

"I could appear as a grown woman, or a blazing fire, or anything else I want, but this is what I prefer. This is the average age of my Hunters, and all young maidens for whom I am patron, before they go astray."

"Go astray?" Percy asked.

"Grow up. Become smitten with boys. Become silly, preoccupied, insecure. Forget themselves."

"Oh."

Artemis' attention then shifted to Naruto. "I, along with many others, are put off with your attitude."

"Really, are all of Hades's kids that bad?" Naruto asked, a bit annoyed.

Artemis looked a little pained at that. "Some are not even given a chance because of their siblings' history. Some are already that bad by the time we meet them. However, after all that we have heard that you have been through, you are the exact opposite of the norm. Also, we also thought you would be worse because you came from the other world."

Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, now that I can see from some of the people I have met. Orochimaru being one of them. So, you have been there before?"

"Yes, but all recruits replied in the negative. Saying they had something to prove or wanted to achieve. Your mother being one of my top future recruits." Artemis replied, gauging his reaction.

Percy looked at Naruto in worry, wondering what he would feel about that. He was kind of afraid now. Sometimes Naruto had a temper.

However, all the tension was brought to a halt when Naruto spoke. "Really? My mom was that bad ass as a kid?"

That made everyone in the group blink. "You are not mad?" Artemis asked, curious as too why.

"Why should I be? You can't change what's been done in the past, you got to keep moving forward or you'll regret everything you done and go insane. Besides, my mommade her choice, so I don't feel I should be mad." Naruto replied.

Zoe eyed Naruto with narrowed eyes and could find no deceit. He was telling the truth and it baffled her. "So…you respect women?"

"Yep!" Naruto replied happily. "Back in my world, our Hokage, the strongest ninja in our village was the Tsunade of the Sennin. You could say she had Hercules' strength and the bed medic around. Don't mess with you or she mess with your insides, in more ways than one. Then there is Anko. The Snake Mistress. Kurenai, our Genjutsu master, now she can really mess with your mind!" Went off tangent to other women he meet like Ino, Sakura, Tenten, and Temari. He was truthfully for each one and most would think that was fear, but it was respect for them that he went on about. "Finally, there is Hinata. She is part of the Hyuuga clan. She may be shy, but, I see great things from her."

Zoe and Artemis were impressed, but now was not the time to dwell on that. They had other things to do and Artemis feared that there was a possibility that Zoe could fall for the blond one. Yes, she lost some good hunters to men, but Zoe was among one of her best. Still, all good things come to an end, but she hoped that this lasted longer.

Zoe didn't know what to think at the moment. This male had actually gain some of her respect for actually respecting women, but she knew he was with Thalia. Still, he was a good person and she like that. However, Percy had not gained any respect from her. So she settle with glaring at him. But Naruto had caught some of her attention and she felt that she needed to watch him.

Artemis had noticed that her hunter, Zoe in particular, still hated men. "You must forgive my Hunters if they do not welcome you," Artemis said. "It is very rare that we would have boys in this camp. Boys are usually forbidden to have any contact with the Hunters. The last one to see this camp…" She looked at Zoe. "Which one was it?"

"That boy in Colorado," Zoe said. "You turned him into a jackalope."

"Ah, yes." Artemis nodded, satisfied. "I enjoy making jackalopes. At any rate, Percy, I've asked you here so that you might tell me more of the manticore. Bianca has reported some of the…mmm, disturbing things the monster said. But she may not have understood them. I'd like to hear them from you."

Percy nodded and Naruto kept quiet. He did not want to turn into some rabbit with horns….at least that was what he thought a jackalope was. Why are all women to scary…well I guess woman could think the same about us…but still!

Percy explained his run in with the Manticore and what it had spoke of, making Artemis' fears come true.

Artemis put her hand thoughtfully on her silver bow. "I feared this was the answer."

Zoe sat forward. "The scent, my lady?"

"Yes."

"What scent?" Both boys asked, completely lost.

"Things are stirring that I have not hunted in millennia," Artemis murmured. "Prey so old I have nearly forgotten."

She stared at Percy intently. "We came here tonight sensing the manticore, but he was not the one I seek. Tell me again, exactly what Dr. Thorn said."

"Um, 'I hate middle school dances.'"

"No, no. After that."

"He said somebody called the General was going to explain things to me."

Zoe's face paled. She turned to Artemis and started to say something, but Artemis raised her hand. Naruto raised an eyebrow at that. Who is this General again? I don't remember, but it had Zoe concerned.

"Go on, Percy," the goddess said.

"Well, then Thorn was talking about the Great Stir Pot—"

"Stirring," Bianca corrected.

"Yeah. And he said, 'Soon we shall have the most important monster of all—the one that shall bring about the downfall of Olympus.'"

The goddess was so still she could've been a statue. Naruto groaned. "Great, I read something about that back at Yancy. This'll be fun." He said, confusing Percy.

However, Percy didn't really know how important it was, so he shrugged it off. "Maybe he was lying," He said.

Artemis shook her head. "No. He was not. I've been too slow to see the signs. I must hunt this monster."

Zoe looked like she was trying very hard not to be afraid, but she nodded. "We will leave right away, my lady."

"No, Zoe. I must do this alone."

"But, Artemis—"

"This task is too dangerous even for the Hunters. You know where I must start my search. You cannot go there with me."

"As…as you wish, my lady."

"I will find this creature," Artemis vowed. "And I shall bring it back to Olympus by winter solstice. It will be all the proof I need to convince the Council of the Gods of how much danger we are in."

"You know what the monster is?" I asked.

Artemis gripped her bow. "Let us pray I am wrong."

"Can goddesses pray?" Percy asked, wondering about that absent mindedly, making Naruto chuckle.

A flicker of a smile played across Artemis's lips. "Before I go, Percy Jackson, Naruto Uzumaki, I have a small task for you two."

"Does it involve getting turned into a jackalope?"

"Sadly, no. I want you to escort the Hunters back to Camp Half-Blood. They can stay there in safety until I return."

"What?" Zoe' blurted out. "But, Artemis, we hate that place. The last time we stayed there—"

"Yes, I know," Artemis said. "But I'm sure Dionysus will not hold a grudge just because of a little, ah, misunderstanding. It's your right to use Cabin Eight whenever you are in need. Besides, I hear they rebuilt the cabins you burned down."

Zoe muttered something about foolish campers.

"I don't have a problem with that." Naruto replied with a shrug. "Having more people in camp we be fun. So you girls burned down a cabin. I practically tortured Tanalus when he was there. Ah, pranks are always fun."

Zoe and Artemis bristled when they heard that man's name, however, they were glad Naruto made his life a living hell after what he did. "He is not still there is he?" Zoe asked.

"On no. He is long gone and is being tortured by my mom." Naruto nonchalantly, making Artemis smile when he mentioned Kushina.

"And now there is one last decision to make." Artemis turned to Bianca. "Have you made up your mind, my girl?"

Bianca hesitated. "I'm still thinking about it."

"Wait," Percy said. "Thinking about what?"

"They…they've invited me to join the Hunt."

"What? But you can't! You have to come to Camp Half-Blood so Chiron can train you. It's the only way you can learn to survive." Percy nearly shouted.

"It is not the only way for a girl," Zoe said.

Percy couldn't believe what he was heating and we even more enraged when he saw that Naruto wasn't saying anything. "Bianca, camp is cool! It's got a pegasus stable and a sword-fighting arena and… I mean, what do you get by joining the Hunters?"

"To begin with," Zoe said, "immortality."

Percy turned his to Artemis in shock. "She's kidding, right?"

"Zoe rarely kids about anything," Artemis said. "My Hunters follow me on my adventures. They are my maidservants, my companions, my sisters-in-arms. Once they swear loyalty to me, they are indeed immortal…unless they fall in battle, which is unlikely. Or break their oath."

"What oath?" Percy asked.

"Love. They won't be able to fall in love with men. I mean. They are not allowed." Naruto replied, breaking his silence to answer his friend. "It is a choice they because of this and their immortality, they never grow up, never get married. To be a maiden eternally." He then paused. "Think of it like the girl version of the Lost Boys in those Peter Pan movies."

Percy seemed to think of that before he looked back to Artemis. "So they will be like you?"

"Like you?"

The goddess nodded.

Percy tried picturing it….he couldn't. "So you just go around the country recruiting half-bloods—"

"Not just half-bloods," Zoe interrupted. "Lady Artemis does not discriminate by birth. All who honor the goddess may join. Half-bloods, nymphs, mortals—"

"Which are you, then?" Percy dumbly asked and she glared at him.

"Uh Percy, Not all questions are that great to ask." Naruto stated, trying to pull his friend's ass out of the fire. "Just like with asking an older lady's age." Percy widened his eyes at that and nodded. Zoe, still glaring at Percy, nodded at Naruto slightly.

"That is not thy concern, boy. The point is Bianca may join if she wishes. It is her choice." Zoe stated.

"Bianca, this is crazy," Percy said. "What about your brother? Nico can't be a Hunter."

"Certainly not," Artemis agreed. "He will go to camp. Unfortunately, that's the best boys can do."

"Hey!" Percy protested, however Naruto rolled his eyes, not bothering to argue. It wouldn't do him any good this time around anyway.

"You can see him from time to time," Artemis assured Bianca. "But you will be free of responsibility. He will have the camp counselors to take care of him. And you will have a new family. Us."

"A new family," Bianca repeated dreamily. "Free of responsibility."

"Percy, I know you don't like this choice, but it is not yours to make." Naruto stated. "I knew what this was about Percy. I remember some of our reading back in Yancy. So, we can't influence her. After all, it is her choice in the end.

Bianca looked at Zoe. "Is it worth it?"

Zoe nodded. "It is."

"What do I have to do?"

"Say this," Zoe told her, " 'I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis.' And then 'I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt.'"

Bianca looked to be in deep thought. Wondering whether or not she should do this or not. If she was honest with herself, she wanted this. She wanted to be free of taking care of her little brother all the time. She wanted to be free! But, with the arrival of Naruto….her brother. Her older brother! She could actually say that now Now, she was not sure she wanted that. He could help her take care of Nico, but she would not act all dependent on him.

There was also the oddness of it all. Their father, while having people take care of them, didn't want to reveal them to other people as he kids. Something some old pact of not having any more kids. However, all three of them were technicality. They were all conceived BEFORE the pact.

Naruto was something to her and while not revealing it out right, he promised to take care of them like an older brother should. And the thing is, she believed him. She could actually see them as a family and if what Artemis said was true about the children of Hades, Naruto could be the one to keep them out of the darkness.

With her mind made up, he looked straight at Artemis and said, "I am sorry, but there are things that I am needed for and family is important to me, no matter if I would lei some freedom form my brother. I feel that I would regret it later if I said yes to your answer."

Artemis looked at the girl for a moment and nodded. She knew how she felt, having a brother of her own. She also knew that Hades was their father, effectively making her Naruto's younger sister. Now if she knew that, she was good at keeping that hidden for now. "I can understand that. It is your choice after all."

That choice didn't sit well with Zoe, but she accepted it. At least it was not the Thalia rejection. Still she wondered if Naruto had a hand in this at all.

Artemis closed her eyes. "Dawn is approaching. Zoe, break camp. You must get to Long

Island quickly and safely. I shall summon a ride from my brother."

Zoe didn't look real happy about this idea, but she nodded and left the tent. Bianca turned to her secret brother and said, I hope I will not be too much of a burden at camp."

Naruto smiled. "I doubt you will, but don't worry, we got your back, right Percy?"

"Yeah. I am also glad you chose to stay with us." Percy said. Bianca just shrugged.

"Yes, now you all get to see my irresponsible twin, Apollo." Artemis replied with a gleam in her eyes.

"I do wonder what he is like." Naruto replied airheadedly, making Percy wonder how his friend was so knowledgeable about things and then dumb about others. Oh well. Naruto was Naruto after all.

XXXX

And we are done. I am getting the feeling that Naruto and Apollo will get along nicely in the next chapter.

Review!