SoftWare: On we go.
Artemis: (Smiles)
Chapter Four
I Meet Another Relative
After we walked around the island for a bit, we found a path of fake stones leading up a hill. I couldn't resist. "In
Ireland, those are known as 'sham-rocks.'" If Artemis got the joke, she didn't say anything. We walked on. Soon, we
reached a house, and some poor guy was laying on the ground. He was wearing one of those "Hello, my name is"
badges. Written on it was "Matt". He faced us and said, "Come in! Come on in!" Facing Artemis, I said, "I guess he's the
Welcome Matt." That got a chuckle. We walked over, and Artemis knocked on the door. Funny thing is, for some reason,
we heard a doorbell. I was confused because I didn't see any button. Artemis was confused because the doorbell had
sounded right as her hand touched the door, and we hadn't heard any thumps. Facing me, she asked, "Did you press
the doorbell?" I shook my head. "I didn't even see one." She nodded. The door opened, revealing a woman in a long
dress, the style you'd have seen in Ancient Greece. Normally, when I see that, my first instinct would have been to
draw my sword. Instead, all I felt was curiosity. Even more so when Artemis froze. I faced her, then waved my hand in
front of her face. I swear, if I wasn't her son, she'd probably gut me for that. She had read the previous letter after I
wrote it out, but had actually laughed when I commented on that princess dress I'd told you guys about. Anyway, she
didn't respond, so I could tell something was up. Facing the woman, I asked, "What did you do?" She faced me with a
look of confusion. "Who are you?" I decided to be honest. "Shawn Hodgson, Son of Artemis." If she was confused
before, she certainly was now. "Son of who?" It was then that Artemis came out of her trance. I faced her. "You okay?"
She nodded. "I was not expecting to ever see my mother again." That got my attention. Facing the woman, I asked,
"You're Leto?" She nodded. Facing Artemis, she said, "It appears you have a tale or two to tell me, my daughter." She
brought us inside, and told us to wait in the living room. We sat down on a couch, and I faced Artemis. "I thought Hera
killed off all of your father's ex-girlfriends." She sighed. "That was my assumption as well. Obviously, Hera either failed
to kill my mother, or she chose to spare her for some reason, the latter of which I would be very surprised at." I
nodded. Leto walked back in, holding a tray of cookies. I faced her. "You've only known me for maybe a minute and
you're already trying to spoil me?" Not understanding my point, she faced Artemis. /What does he mean?/ Artemis
spoke in a language I did not understand. That seemed to satisfy Leto. She smiled at me, sat down, and said, "No,
Grandson, that was not my intention. However, I am curious as to how many sons and daughters you have, daughter."
Artemis faced her. "Including Shawn?" Leto nodded. "Two sons, and four daughters. Four of them are gathered at Camp
Half-Blood in America. The other two are scattered, still. Shawn is my firstborn, as well as the second-in-command of
the Hunt. He leads a group of the Hunt that I named the Soldiers. Naturally, only I and Chiron can give him commands,
although Chiron rarely does. I only ask him to retrieve his siblings." Facing Leto, I added, "One of which was a
kidnapping." Upon Leto's startled expression, I added, "Her idea." She snorted, and said, "I see." Facing Artemis, she
said, "How is your brother?" It's a good thing I don't like talking about Apollo with anyone but Artemis, and even then,
only in private, because I am sure that if I said anything, Leto would have come after me with a two-by-four. Artemis
sighed. "He remains the seventh Olympian, and his most well known son, Will Solace, is Shawn's rival." I felt the need
to correct her. "My nemesis." Artemis faced me. "I did not know it was that bad." With a raised eyebrow, I said, "You
don't want to know what he does at night. The only reason I know is because Kayla told me, even though I asked her
not to." Artemis raised an eyebrow. "That will be an interesting tale." I sighed. "Please, it's weird enough." She snorted.
Leto was smiling at us. I faced her. "What is it?" She smirked. "I can tell you two get along nicely." Artemis faced her.
"He only retrieved three of my Hunters after they were resurrected, which we still do not know who did that, and he
rescued three of his siblings, and he took on Orion." That got Leto's attention. "I thought you killed him." Artemis's sigh
was enough. "He escaped Tartarus somehow. We learned he has a supporter, but we still do not know who it is." Leto
nodded. "In case you are wondering how I still live, Hera and I reached an agreement. She felt guilty about causing me
so much pain and promised to look out for you and your brother. I've been on this island ever since, alone, with only
the trees for company." I faced her. "You talk to trees?" She shook her head, laughing. "No, Grandson, I have not gone
mad with the heat, as they say. I speak with Hera regularly as she visits to check on me and makes sure I am well. She
also brings me news about your mother and uncle." I sighed. "I met him. Twice." Artemis snorted, and Leto faced her.
"He gave Shawn a bow that collapses so that he can carry it easily during their first meeting, on a train to Denver, I
believe." I nodded. "The second meeting was for their birthday party, which Ruka did not seem to enjoy." Leto faced
me. "Ruka?" I faced her. "My sister. Her father's Japanese." Leto faced Artemis. "You fell in love with a Japanese man."
It was all I could do to keep from laughing. Artemis didn't seem embarrassed. "Is that wrong?" Leto shook her head,
but did say, "I find them to be a tad bit lacking in looks." I put my hand up. Leto faced me. "She focuses on
personality." Leto nodded in understanding. Artemis shot me a grateful look.
A/N
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