Disclaimer: You all know it by now, so stop complaining.
Co-Written by Engineer4Ever
Fils de l'Amour: The Lost Hero
Chapter 4: The New Campers
Naruto watched in amusement as the short demigod tried to avoid being set on fire by his claiming, moving his head around while his symbol followed with ease. The poor kid thought his head was on fire by the light. Admittedly, that's a better reaction than Naruto's. He still doesn't have his calluses back, dammit. Like his mother is purposely keeping him from getting them.
Not cool, Mom.
"The symbol of Vulcan..." said the new blond guy distractedly.
"Vulcan? What like Star Trek? Dude, I hate that show!"
"You mean Hephaestus," said Annabeth to the blond. She nodded to Naruto, who nodded back as he stepped forward. His movement gained the newcomers' attention, prompting him to smile at them welcomingly.
"Hi there!" He said, raising his left hand since Miu was perched on his right shoulder and his staff was in the adjacent hand. "In case Annabeth hasn't already done so, welcome to Camp Half-Blood."
"Well aren't you chipper? Will someone kill the light already?" the claimed boy asked.
"It'll fade away in a bit," said Naruto with a smile. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki." Miu shrieked and he looked at her apologetically. "Sorry. And this is my friend Miu. She's been with me ever since I came to camp."
To the newcomers, the eagle seemed to puff her chest out in pride at that claim. She looked over each of them like her species should, as a predator. Her gaze met the blond boy across from her before looking to the girl standing next to him. She then weighed the new member of Cabin Nine with a gaze. Miu cocked her head slightly before shrieking again and flying off, making Naruto hum in curiosity of what she was doing.
He laughed when she flew over his head and dropped the stick he had thrown in front of him. She landed on his shoulder and he smiled at her. "I did promise you a treat and you did catch it before they showed up."
"Will, it's good that you're here," said Annabeth, capturing the newcomers' attentions once more. She put a hand on the blond's shoulder. "This is Jason, he's got some kind of amnesia. I need you to take him to Chiron for me."
"I'll do it." Naruto looked over at Drew as he gave Miu a small piece of meat he kept in a pouch hanging from his jeans' belt loop. She had eyes for Jason, and that really upset the other girl, from what Naruto could tell of how she felt.
"Drew." Naruto's voice seemed to make her go tense and frown. "Let Will take, Jason?" Annabeth nodded and Naruto shook his head at yet another strange name. "Let Will take Jason to Chiron."
"But Naruto-!"
"Drew." Naruto was stern as he addressed the charmspeaker of his cabin. He was very lenient at times, like when it came to lights out, but when it came to the health of others he didn't take any chances. Naruto nodded at her backing down while giving him a small scowl, returning his attention to the blond just a bit shorter than himself. "Go with Will, he and Chiron should be able to help you with your problem."
"...Thanks." Jason said, getting a nod from the sage-in-training. The girl that was standing next to him looked like she wanted to follow him, but stayed where she was with a glare locked on Drew, one that was returned full force. Naruto sighed at that before meeting Annabeth's gaze.
"I'll take Piper," she said, nodding to the girl exchanging glares with Drew.
"Alright, then I'll take the new son of Hephaestus. C'mon, kid." Naruto said, turning on his heel and walking from the beach to the south, in the opposite direction that Will and Jason had gone. As he passed her, Naruto put his hand on Drew's shoulder. "Don't start anything, Drew. Please?"
"...Fine." Drew said with a frown. Naruto nodded and turned back to the new son of Hephaestus, waving him to come along. They left the beach behind, Naruto using his staff as a walking stick though he didn't need to.
"The name's Leo Valdez," the newcomer said as soon as he caught up to the blond sage-in-training. "Not kid."
"Well, you weren't forthcoming with your name. It was better than saying 'hey you!'" Naruto said with a chuckle.
"...Yeah, okay." Leo said, rolling his eyes. He looked at the taller blond with an arched brow. "So what was with the light show?"
"A claiming," said Naruto. "I assume Annabeth told you about demigods and stuff like that."
"Yeah, but I thought she was kidding," said Leo. He shook his head. "Man, what government agency is keeping this top secret?"
"Not any." Naruto said. "The camp is protected by the gods, there is a boundary and a safeguard against mortal eyes called the Mist, controlled by the goddess Hecate."
"Uh-huh. What next, there are magical fairies...?" Leo's voice died in his throat as a girl around his age came out of the tree just ahead of them, walking up to Naruto with a smile on her face.
"Naruto, Grover wanted me to tell you that he'll be at the Big House to help Chiron."
Naruto smiled back at her. "Thanks Juniper. Oh and thanks for the extra rations for Miu today."
"Not a problem," she said, looking at the eagle as it crooned at her. "Such a sweetie deserves a treat."
"Oh don't say that, she'll get fat in two places: her head and her belly." Naruto said, getting Juniper to laugh. Leo just continued to stare at them, catching Juniper's attention. Naruto gestured to him. "This is Leo Valdez, new arrival and a member of Cabin Nine."
"Really?" Juniper asked, giving him a small sad smile. Leo was trying to come to terms with the girl that just waltzed out of the tree still, so he couldn't say anything. "Uh, how new is he?"
"Literally just got here five minutes ago."
"Wow..." Juniper said with a smile before looking back at Naruto. "I'll see you later for tree treating?"
"Of course, and tell Grover if he needs to call me just to send a rabbit or something," said Naruto with a chuckle. She left back into the tree and Naruto looked at Leo.
"So how's that skepticism going for you?" Naruto asked with a smile.
"...She...was hot."
"Yeah, Juniper is pretty, but she's taken. I'm pretty sure Grover would pelt you with tin cans if you tried anything," said Naruto with a laugh that shook Leo from his stupor.
"How'd she do that?" Leo asked. "Walk in and out of the tree?"
"Juniper is a dryad, a tree spirit." Naruto said. He turned to the campers walking around to their next activity and gestured at them with his staff. "Camp Half-Blood is one of the last sanctuaries for them and satyrs. They help us train and grow as heroes, and in the satyrs' cases, go out into the world to find more like us."
"So...there are more like her?" Leo asked, watching a lot of pretty girls walk by and wave in their direction. He looked at Naruto who was waving back with a small smile and his eyes narrowed in thought.
"There are, but the satyrs, who are faster than demigods at times, can't catch them, so you know. Good luck catching a tree." Naruto said with a smirk. He loved that joke.
"...What's with the different buildings?" Leo asked after they resumed walking.
"Cabins for each of the gods. From Zeus," Naruto said, pointing at the larger of the two large cabins at the edge of the camp, "to Hades." He pointed to a cabin in the opposite direction. "They are the homes to the demigods who stay here."
"What is this place, a summer camp?" Leo asked.
Naruto laughed. "On the nose with that one, Leo. Yes, there are others like us who spend most of the year with their mortal parents, but for kids with nowhere else to go, they stay here year round."
"You mean I could live here year round?" Leo asked, grinning as another pretty girl walked by.
"Hi Naruto." She said with a small wave and a smile.
"Hi Leanne." Naruto said in return, making her smile widen before he looked at Leo. "Your father's cabin is Cabin Nine, which is across from my cabin."
"What is my dad the god of?" Leo asked, full of questions. Like how he could get some of these girls to look his way, but that could come later.
"Hephaestus is the god of the forge and of fire," said Naruto, catching the small stiffening Leo made at the second word. "His children can make amazing things from weapons to vehicles and are experts with machines. Though I still don't know where my staff came from."
Leo looked at the staff curiously. "It's made of bronze?"
"Celestial bronze," said Naruto. "The only material in camp that can fight off monsters, which I'm sure are aware of that exist."
"Yeah, those I know exist," said Leo. That spirit that attacked them in the sky was no joke. And he should know.
"Good. Because you'll probably be making weapons for the rest of the camp to use in case there's an attack...if you can, that is," said Naruto, frowning as he thought about the problem afflicting Cabin Nine.
"Why wouldn't I be able to?" Leo asked.
"I'll let your cabin counselor fill you in." Naruto said with a smirk. He looked to the eagle perched on his shoulder. "Miu, go back to the cabin and wait for me will you? Last thing we need is you to be attacked by another anti-air trap."
At his request, Miu flew off before they got too close to Cabin Nine. Leo watched the eagle fly to the cabin that just screamed girl-power, making him arch a brow and look back at Naruto.
"...Are you part of Butch's cabin?" Leo asked.
"No." Naruto said flatly, glaring at Leo for even insinuating it. He dropped his glare after a moment and sighed. "I'm the counselor of Cabin Ten, Aphrodite's cabin."
"...Aphrodite?" Leo asked.
"Goddess of Love."
Leo started to snicker. "No way. Seriously? First two guys I meet are the sons of the rainbow and love? Wow..."
"You just watch out for when my mom makes your love life a living hell," said Naruto with a frown.
"Yeah, okay," said Leo, snickering.
"Just so you know, I'm technically your older brother."
That stopped all snickering. "What?"
"Hephaestus and Aphrodite are married...You're my new stepbrother," said Naruto with a smirk. "And I'm also related to the goddess of wisdom and war..."
Leo wasn't missing the threat and swallowed. "S-Seriously?"
"Yep, Athena's my grandmother," said Naruto, nodding proudly. He smirked at Leo again. "Love and War is a dangerous combo, kid. Remember that."
"You got it," said Leo, making a mental note not to piss Naruto off too much.
Hearing Leo's understanding made Naruto grin and clap a hand on his shoulder. "Cool. Glad we understand each other. Now c'mon, Jake should be awake right now."
Naruto led Leo closer to the cabin for Hephaestus' children and Leo looked it over, admiring it. "Steampunk much?"
"Steam-what?" Naruto asked with his brows furrowed together in confusion.
"...Steampunk, you know, the theme?" Leo said. Naruto just continued to stare at him in confusion and Leo sighed. "Never mind."
Naruto shook his head and went up the steps, knocking once more on the front door with his fist. They waited for a few seconds before Nyssa opened the door again, her face looking freshly wiped clean. Naruto pushed that thought to the back of his mind, smiling at her in greeting.
"Hey Naruto, did you come to see me?" she asked with a smile. To Leo, she sounded half-serious, but apparently Naruto missed that as he chuckled.
"Partially," he said. His free hand gestured to Leo. "I mostly brought your new brother to his cabin, you should introduce him to Jake before he passes out."
"He just woke up, so he won't mind waiting a bit," said Nyssa, stepping out and offering Leo a hand. "Hey, I'm Nyssa. Nice to meet'cha."
"Leo Valdez." Leo said, taking her hand for a very brief shake before she once more turned to Naruto.
"Are you coming to check on Jake, too?" she asked him.
"Nah, I already did that before lunch and I highly doubt anything's changed in the last two hours," said Naruto. "I've got to get back to my sisters and prepare them for their races with the dryads."
"So you have to offer more stories about your friends back home," said Nyssa, her hands folding behind her as she smiled at him.
"Pretty much." Naruto said with a chuckle. Leo looked between them, feeling slightly uncomfortable.
"Well, if you ever need your armor polished you know where to find me." Nyssa said with a coy smile.
Naruto smiled back at her. "Thanks Nyssa, you're always looking out for me."
"Oh believe me, it's my pleasure." Nyssa said, then shocking Leo as she winked at him, making Naruto chuckle again before he turned and left down the steps.
"...Wow that was-" Leo was silenced by a finger being put on his lips.
"Shh, quiet Leo. I'm watching the show." Nyssa said with a small smile and half-lidded eyes as she stared at Naruto. Following her gaze, Leo regretted it and quickly looked away. Why was he surprised that she was checking out his ass? She was flirting with him rather obviously. That made Leo wonder how Naruto missed it. Was he gay or just an idiot? Well, he did say Juniper was pretty, and he seemed a bit simple...Leo was leaning towards Naruto just being an airheaded blond.
Nyssa's finger fell to her side and Leo looked at her, then to where Naruto was, more than halfway away from their cabin. The Latino shook his head and raised his fingers to snap them in front of Nyssa's face. She blinked several times and then gave him an annoyed look.
"What the hell, Leo? I said I was watching the show." She said, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Yeah, but the show is pretty much over. You're watching the end credits like there's going to be an extra scene or something ridiculous like that," said Leo dryly.
"You never know! He could get pantsed or something!"
"...I really didn't need to hear that."
Naruto walked back to his cabin after his lesson with Juniper, catching a glimpse of Annabeth before she disappeared into Hypnos' cabin. He was curious, but it was not really his business, especially if it involved Percy. Did he want to help her? Of course he did, Annabeth was his friend and his aunt, but there was nothing he could genuinely offer to help her with that she hadn't tried already, so he would wait for her to come to him. Something told him that waiting would be the right thing to do. And those gut feelings he had were usually spot on.
Naruto entered his cabin and after leaning his staff against the wall, went to Miu's nest, stroking her head softly as she greeted him.
"Hello, Miu," said Naruto, smiling at his loyal friend. "Did Travis or Conner try to sneak in another golden fruit?"
Miu crooned under his touch and Naruto took her answer empathically to mean no. Nodding in content with that, he took his jacket off and hung it on the edge of his bed, then taking his necklace off and offering it to Miu. She took the cord in her beak and looked at him while he smiled.
"Gonna shower some of this sweat off," he said. He stripped and walked into the shower, relieved that his siblings were still out at their last activity for the day before the campfire so that he could hop in without an issue. He was in and out in five minutes, making him wonder why it took his sisters at least fifteen and his brothers at least ten.
Really, how hard is it to get wet, soap up, and then rinse?
Naruto used a towel to dry off, throwing it over his shoulders as he pulled on a pair of dark shorts made of a flimsy material, basketball shorts Annabeth said they were called. He grabbed a sleeveless version of the camp T-shirt, something Mitchell did with the excuse of "trust me, it'll look good." Naruto honestly didn't care about looking good (jacket and necklace not withstanding) and the stares he got at the campfires when he would wear that shire unnerved him, like he was a piece of meat or something.
Taking his jacket to protect himself from the small chill in the air, Naruto headed out towards the campfire setup, grabbing his staff as he left. Miu followed after him, dropping his necklace into his hand before banking around and landing on the opposite shoulder. Naruto tapped his finger under her beak slightly in thanks before returning his attention forward.
He was pleased to see that he wasn't among the first to arrive, the first two actually being the new unclaimed girl and their resident Oracle. Now she was a character. Red frizzy hair, emerald green eyes and freckles that added to her attractive appeal, Rachel Elizabeth Dare was a very unique girl. When they first met, she playfully complained about her position.
"Why is it that every good looking guy I meet is untouchable? First Percy, then Luke, and now you. Life is so not fair at times. Oh well, name's Rachel Elizabeth Dare, and I'm the Oracle for you lot."
Of course, Naruto didn't feel like he was anything special. He was just himself. She gave him a dry look and then said "boys are idiots." He didn't feel like arguing it. More than on one occasion he lost in those kind of arguments...and wound up with another lump on his head.
"Hey there Handsome." Rachel said with a smile as he walked up and sat down on the log next to hers and Piper's.
"Hi Rachel," said Naruto with a smile. He looked to the other newcomer with a grin. "Hello...Piper, right?"
"Yeah," said Piper. She looked at Rachel with a smirk. "Handsome, huh?"
"Duh. You should see his abs." Rachel said. She looked at Naruto's concealed stomach with a leer. "You could grate cheese on them."
"And how did you see my abs?" Naruto asked, a brow arching in amusement.
"Water balloon fight two weeks ago," said Rachel. While he nodded in remembrance, Piper blinked in confusion.
"But...it's December?" Piper said.
"Have you seen snow around us?" Rachel asked. Piper opened and closed her mouth a few times, making Naruto laugh. She pouted at him and crossed her arms.
"Shut up. I'm new to this!" she said.
"Sorry, but that was funny." Naruto said, wiping a small tear from his eyes.
"All I can say is Cabin Eleven did a good thing by challenging you to a water balloon fight." Rachel said with a small leer. She grunted as Annabeth rapped her on the head.
"Let him be, Rachel. Don't you have a 'Hands off' policy?" she asked, sitting down between Rachel and Naruto.
"Doesn't mean I can't window shop." Rachel said with a frown. She crossed her arms. "Honestly, sometimes I wish Apollo was a bit more lenient."
"Funny, since he has the most kids at camp," said Naruto, cupping his chin with a hum.
"Rachel..." Annabeth said warningly. Her nephew was a good guy and practically innocent to all the things Aphrodite's children loved.
"Tch, just have to have all the cute ones, don't you?" Rachel asked with a smirk.
"Shut up."
Piper and Naruto shared a small laugh at the embarrassed flush Annabeth had on her face. It was quiet for a moment, peaceful thankfully and not awkward – Naruto hated awkward silences – until Piper spoke to him.
"So, um, Naruto...whose your parent?" Piper asked.
"That sounds more like a game show question than a real one," said Rachel, getting a glower from Annabeth. Game shows were not her cup of tea. Naruto laughed at Rachel's comment while Piper flushed.
"That would be a fun game to play with kids in Cabin Eleven," he said. Looking at the blushing Piper, Naruto said with a grin. "Cabin Ten."
"Naruto..." Annabeth said exasperated while Rachel chuckled at Piper's confused arched brow.
"What?" he asked.
"She's new." Annabeth said, giving him a look.
"Oh, right." Naruto had the decency to look sheepish. "I'm a son of Aphrodite."
"Really?" Piper asked, looking between Annabeth and Naruto. "I would've sworn you were her brother."
"Right?" Rachel asked with a smirk. "Handsome here has all the good genes. He is the new definition of smexy."
"Di immortales, Rachel! I'm sitting right here!" Annabeth groaned.
"Well then move so I can window shop." Rachel said with a pout.
"And let you corrupt him? I don't think so. It's a miracle his sisters haven't yet." Annabeth said. She turned to her nephew and pinched his whiskered cheek. "Isn't that right, Naruto?"
"Annabeth! Knock it off!" Naruto said with a whine as he batted her hand away.
"He's the definition of smexy?" Piper asked, amused.
"Well duh," said Rachel, rolling her eyes. "He's sexy fine, the perfect balance of sexy molecules and fine molecules. Not to mention being Athena's grandson, giving him the smart to go along with it. Thus, Handsome is the new smexy."
Piper was once again speechless after Rachel finished her explanation. Annabeth however openly glared at the girl for talking about her nephew that way. Honestly, as if she didn't have enough problems with the rest of Cabin Ten trying to show him off as their prime example of Aphrodite's children, like he's the new Aeneas. Her nephew was better than that barbaric idiot!
"Rachel..." Naruto said with a small flush. He scratched his cheek. "You're putting way too much into it again. I'm not all that smart."
"...And he's modest! Seriously, he's like near perfect. Just give him a white horse." Rachel said with a groan. She looked up at the sky and clasped her hands together. "Lord Apollo. Please, can you just make this gig seasonal and not a lifetime?"
"Rachel!" Annabeth did not look amused.
"I was just kidding, Annabeth, geez." Rachel said with a frown.
"So...you're Athena's grandson? That means your dad was a son of Athena, right?" Piper asked, looking at Naruto with intrigue. It wasn't every day that you met a kid with so much godly heritage in him.
"Yep!" Naruto chirped with a grin. He nodded to some of the coming campers, giving a friendly wave to Leo as he and Nyssa showed up to the campfire. Leo snagged the spot next to him, getting a small glower from Nyssa. "And apparently, I'm the first legacy to camp in over fifty years, I think."
"Forty, Naruto." Annabeth said, correcting him. "The last one was William H. Gates III, a son of Athena and a grandson of Hephaestus."
"...I'm related to Bill Gates?" Leo asked with bright eyes. Naruto shrugged. He still didn't see what was so special about technology. Oh the door can open with a click of a button! Mortals were just getting lazy if you asked him.
"Yes, but don't let that go to your head, Naruto. It's a very rare for a legacy to show up at camp." Annabeth said, to which he rolled his eyes, but nodded nonetheless.
Soon enough, the rest of the kids at camp had gathered around the campfire. Naruto noticed Piper stealing glances at Jason and Leo was doing the same, but not for the same reason. Jason, the poor guy, looked distraught and confused, which was understandable, considering he was suffering from amnesia. Naruto didn't know what that was like, but he supposed it was akin to a Jinchuriki losing their tailed beast, like when he almost died from Kurama's Yang separation. Thank goodness his dad had given him the Yin half of Kurama.
Naruto wouldn't know where he would be without the giant fox inside him. Kurama was his friend, practically a brother, and his current 'coma' was upsetting to the blond Jinchuriki. He knew that Kurama had to find balance between his two chakras, but it was taking so long. Naruto hated waiting, he missed his friend. He wanted to share the new world he discovered with Kurama.
Naruto was broken from his thoughts when a bolt of lightning came down and struck the bonfire. He immediately hopped to his feet with his staff in his hand. Jason was standing as well and the air suddenly became still, as if it were confused over who to side with. Annabeth stood and sat the older blond down, while Chiron did the same with Jason.
"A son of Zeus," said someone from where Apollo's cabin sat.
"Zeus' kids get all the cool stuff!" A son of Ares whined.
"Jupiter." Naruto caught the name and blinked, his head tilting in confusion. Wasn't that a Roman name as well? This Jason kid really knew his Roman pantheon, didn't he?
"Zeus is your sire, Jason." Chiron seemed a bit too eager to enforce that. He really was being Mr. Negative lately, even with training. He was shifty when it came to questions about the big three and events after Greece's fall. It made Naruto curious.
"A son of Poseidon goes missing and a son of Zeus arrives?" Naruto asked with a frown on his face. "Doesn't anyone else find that a bit strange?"
"Like you're one to talk," said Mark with a snort. "Mr. Ninja-son-of-Aphrodite-and-legacy-of-Athena. Seriously, how does that happen?"
Naruto flushed at that being pointed out while the other campers laughed.
Rachel opened her mouth to add something when she suddenly shot to her feet, her eyes going blank.
"Child of lightning, beware the earth,
The giants' revenge the seven shall birth.
Child of love, beware the king's wrath,
Lest the sons of the sage walk a different path.
The forge and dove shall break the cage,
And death unleash through Hera's rage."
"She's coming out of it," said a child of Apollo. Rachel was caught as she fell down to her seat, the boy that spoke before being among the few that helped her into a chair that was set behind her as soon as she shot up. Rachel looked exhausted after giving her prophecy. Naruto didn't envy her for that, still... 'Child of love'? Twice?
"It seems, Jason, that you have been given a quest by the gods," said Chiron. He looked around the campfire. "Forge and dove are quite obvious indeed. Do we have any volunteers from Cabins Nine and Ten?"
"Count me in, Jason!" Leo said hopping to his feet. "I had your back at the canyon, and I got it now."
"Are you sure, Leo?" Jason asked. The guy had been nothing but helpful and kind.
"You know it." Leo said with a smirk.
"Alright, but you have to find us some transportation," said Jason. The 'beware the earth' line had him a bit concerned for the way they would be moving.
"That takes care of our cabin," said Nyssa. She looked over where the Aphrodite daughters and sons were gathered, and then stole a glance at Naruto as he fidgeted with his staff.
"I'll go!" Drew said, hopping to her feet. She smiled. "I'll be a great help on the quest, won't I?"
"Drew would be good." A camper said. Others swiftly agreed with him. Naruto shook his head. Drew must really like the way Jason looks if she's using her charmtalk to get on this bandwagon.
"No!" Piper said, rising to her feet. "I should be going on this quest! I've known Jason longer."
"Really?" Drew asked scathingly. "And how is that, miss unclaimed girl?"
"Drew!" Naruto said swiftly, his eyes narrowing in disapproval.
"Naruto could go," said Annabeth, getting some eyes on her, including a look of betrayal from Piper. "He is the only counselor of Aphrodite without a quest."
"Now there's an idea," said Will with a nod of agreement. Many others soon began mumbling in concurrence.
"But...I should go. I can help Jason," said Piper firmly. It was as if the campers had been doused in something, their murmuring changing to support Piper.
"No! I'm a daughter of Aphrodite, I can go!" Drew said with a frown.
"You just like the way Jason looks." Piper said accusingly. "You want to use the quest to get closer to him."
"Isn't that what you want to do?" Drew asked with a scowl.
"That's-!"
"And the fact remains that you're not claimed! If anyone doesn't have a right to volunteer it's –" Drew was cut off by a bright rose colored light appearing around Piper. Her hair was pulled up and the jeans and shorts she wore were replaced with a long white dress. Above her head after the light faded was a pink dove.
"...Well, I think it's safe to say she can go," Naruto said dryly while everyone just stared at the girl.
"...What-who the heck jacked my clothes?!" Piper asked, making her new brothers and sisters – sans Drew – laugh. Naruto, wiping a small tear from his eye, chuckled.
"That, Piper, would be our mother's doing," said Naruto. He got to his feet and walked over to her. He stood a good head and a half taller than her and he lightly clapped a hand on her shoulder. "Welcome to Cabin Ten, Piper."
"...Thanks..." Piper said after a moment. He grinned and Miu gave a soft cry as she spread her wings, as if making the moment official.
"Rachel!" The new siblings looked to the Oracle as she got back to her feet.
"I'm fine." Rachel said, waving off the camper helping her recover from her prophetic vision. She walked around the campfire before standing in front of Jason. "Jason, you must rescue Hera before the solstice. You know the great prophecy, the Prophecy of Seven, some of the seven are here already, I'm sure of it." She looked exhausted and stumbled back, before Jason could help her, she was caught by Naruto's clone. She grinned up at him while the new three demigods gaped. "Thanks, handsome."
"Anytime, Rachel." The Naruto clone said, grinning back at her. He helped her back to her seat before he disappeared in a poof of smoke.
"...What the heck was that?!" Leo asked, a few campers murmuring excitedly about it.
"Another reason I wish Lord Apollo was more lenient," said Rachel with a sigh. "Handsome here is every girl's dream come true. A man who's good looking and can multiply."
"Mr. Uzumaki is a unique demigod aside from being a legacy." Chiron said with a roll of his eyes at the Oracle's comment. "He comes from the island where the Letoides were born, now named the Moving Continent by most of the gods and the Elemental Countries by the natives. They developed a way to manipulate their own life force and use it to do extraordinary things, such as Naruto's clones."
"Only downside is they last about a second in a fight." Naruto said with a sigh.
"Does anyone here really mind that though?" Rachel asked with a tired smile.
"No," said most of the girls sitting around the campfire, all of them smiling with eyes glazed over in thought. Leo scooted away from Nyssa with the look she had on her face.
"They do make great cannon fodder, though," said Malcolm, getting a glare from Annabeth for saying it. "What? They do."
"...You sure you still want to go, Piper?" Jason asked, thinking about the possibilities where Naruto could come in handy.
"Yes!" Piper said readily before looking down at herself. "Just...not in this."
"Highly impractical." Lacy said, nodding in agreement.
"Lacy, you help her get ready for her quest," said Naruto. He nodded his head in the Oracle's direction. "I'll help Dustin get Rachel back to her room."
"Carry me, Handsome?" Rachel asked, pouting at him.
"Only if you're good." Naruto said with a chuckle. He missed all the jealous glares sent the Oracle's way. Rachel just stuck her tongue out at them. Naruto turned back to look at Piper, putting a hand on her shoulder. "You'll probably leave as soon as possible, considering the time limit. Be careful, Piper. I've heard some horror stories and I don't want to lose a sister I just got."
"Th-Thanks." Piper said with a small stutter.
"I believe this calls for an end of the campfire." Chiron said. "Campers, back to your cabins."
There were a few disgruntled groans and grumbles, but Cabin Ten seemed to be excited to have another member, two in two months was a good record. Especially with Naruto overthrowing Drew, that was a very good thing. And him naming Lacy second-in-command, much to Drew's chagrin, was unusual, but still better than the alternative.
Naruto turned to Rachel, who pouted at him and held her arms out expectantly. Rolling his eyes, Naruto looked at Miu. "You don't mind, do you?"
Miu spread her wings and flew over to Lacy, landing on the girl's shoulder carefully. Naruto chuckled and then picked Rachel up, cradling her like a bride. The younger girl grinned at that while Dustin, the son of Apollo who was a part of the 'Oracle Care Group' as Rachel called them, rolled his eyes and followed.
"That lucky bi-"
"Nyssa!" Annabeth cut the girl off as she lingered behind with Jason and Leo.
"What? She is!" Nyssa said with a scowl.
"Who knew sisters could be such a pain?" Leo said with a groan.
"What was that elf boy?" Nyssa asked, glaring at him.
"Nothing~!"
"Can you tuck me in tonight, too handsome?" Rachel asked with a yawn. They were walking towards the Big House, where Rachel had a room. Naruto hadn't seen it, his meeting with her took place at Cabin Six.
"I think you're old enough to tuck yourself in, Rachel." Naruto said with a chuckle.
"Nonsense!" she said with a grin. "Who wouldn't want you tucking them in, Handsome?"
"You're too tired to think straight, Rachel," said Naruto. Dustin opened the door and Naruto walked in, setting her on the couch to the right of the door. She frowned as he stepped away. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"That's no fun...How's about a kiss goodnight?" She said, grinning at him. Her eyes clenched shut and she groaned. "Stingy jerk. Just one?"
"Goodnight, Rachel." Naruto said with a small chuckle, not aware she was serious. He left, giving Dustin a wave goodnight, leaving Rachel pouting on the couch.
"Dustin, think you can convince your dad to come meet me face-to-face?" she asked her caretaker for the night, who chuckled in amusement. She crossed her arms over her chest with her pout still in place. "I need to make a new deal with him."
"Good luck." Dustin said with a snort.
"Well, with a successful businessman for a dad, you pick up a few things." She said cheekily. "Maybe I'll get lucky.
"And then the gods will grant me immortality. Not likely," said Dustin with a chuckle at her pout.
"Jerk."
Naruto made his way back to the campfire, his mind racing with worry. He's had time to train his brothers and sisters, making them strong enough as genin who had been on a few c-ranks. Which, in terms of regular humans, gave them enough strength to put up enough of a fight against Ares' kids without getting creamed in five seconds. Heck, Lacy could last a good ten minutes against Mark, so that was something.
Apparently, camp was the primary way most demigods got trained, and without knowing her personal history, Naruto wasn't really one hundred percent comfortable sending Piper off without any training. Sure she'd have Jason and Leo to back her up – Naruto was confident enough that she wouldn't need to be protected, having enough sense to figure out she had charmtalk like Drew did – but still, something about the prophecy had Naruto on edge.
"Child of love, beware the king's wrath, lest the sons of the sage walk a different path."
Naruto groaned and sat down on one of the logs set out for the campers, his hands rubbing his face as he did. He heard a distant roar and turned towards Cabin Nine before shaking his head and looking back into the fire. His eyes narrowed in confusion when he saw a girl standing between him and the fire, sitting on her knees and humming pleasantly while poking a large iron stick into the campfire.
"Uh...shouldn't you be at Cabin Eleven?" Naruto asked her.
"While I think I would be welcomed, I have a duty to stoke the fire." She said softly.
"That seems like it would be a bit dangerous for someone your age." Naruto said.
"It's simply knowing how to avoid being burned." The girl looked over her shoulder and the flames seemed to crackle in her eyes as they met his. "You sound troubled, groaning to yourself."
"I'm just worried about Piper," said Naruto. He felt very comfortable around this girl, she gave off the same feeling Iruka did. She set her iron stick down and turned to face him fully. "She literally just fell into this role and she seemed more concerned about Jason than herself. I've had a friend who was like that once, unable to bear the thought that a guy she liked was fatally injured. I doubt Piper is that bad, but...I don't know, something feels wrong about letting her go off alone and untrained."
"Let me tell you a story..." the girl said, getting Naruto's attention. "There was a boy much like you at camp, once. Worried about his friend that was on a quest. He went so far as to break the rules and leave the camp to save his friend from the Sea of Monsters. He faced a sorceress, a hydra and the cyclops who held his friend hostage, all for the sake of his friend. This hero came back successful, and his name is heralded as one of the bravest, and foolish, heroes this camp has ever seen."
"Sounds like my kind of guy," said Naruto with a small smile. "What is his name?"
"Percy Jackson." The girl's eyes twinkled in amusement as Naruto burst into laughter.
"Oh man, I can't wait to meet him!" he said. Naruto chuckled and looked at the sky. "I think we'd get along just great. Wonder if he likes ramen."
"I'm sure you both would get along greatly." The girl said with a smile. She picked her iron staff up and stood, smiling at the blond as she did. "You will know what to do, Naruto Uzumaki. The Last Olympian smiles upon you."
"...Dionysus?" Naruto asked, getting a giggle from the girl as she walked away towards the big house. Naruto started to turn to follow her with his gaze before shaking it off and looking back at the fire. He watched the fires dance, thinking of words his grandfather-like leader said to him all those years ago.
"Naruto, to those like us who posses the Will of Fire everyone is family. The desire to protect one's family builds thicker and stronger bonds between each and everyone in the village. If the Will of Fire is embraced by everyone, the village will be alright no matter what happens." The old leader of Konoha said as he stood with a near graduated Naruto on the top of the Fourth Hokage's head, overlooking their village. That's when Naruto realized that to become Hokage meant to be more than acknowledgement and he made his proclamation to become the strongest and greatest Hokage the village has ever seen.
Naruto smiled slightly, looking up at the starry sky as he thought about his homeland. Cabin Six would love it, the architecture, the military structure and the school. His sisters probably wouldn't care about that, which made his grin widen. They'd probably be more concerned with getting Sasuke's attention.
Amused at the thought, Naruto gathered himself up and headed towards his cabin. He'd go back to Konoha after he was done helping his family. First son of Aphrodite to be Hokage...now that would be a goal to strive for.
The next morning came all too soon for Naruto, who woke with a groan as Miu cried out to the cabin along with the morning horn. Several of his sisters joined him in groaning, enjoying their beauty sleep far too much. They woke sluggishly, Naruto getting out of bed in all of his boxer-clad glory to give Miu a pat on the head.
Leaning against the wall as he stroked the eagle's head, Naruto yawned and looked over his siblings as they stumbled out of bed.
"Piper's got first shower rights," said Naruto with another yawn, getting some whines. "She's got a quest, girls. First flights, first rights."
Naruto waited for his sisters to finish up in the shower, a whole morning endeavor all on its own, and after an hour finally managed to get in. After he got out, he joined them at breakfast, looking over and noticing Jason's absence from the Cabin One table. Must be nice, sleeping in before a quest. Maybe he should've let Piper sleep in. Nah, they would probably leave like he said the night before, as soon as possible.
They went back to the cabin to get ready for inspection, something Aphrodite's cabin was notorious for never doing wrong. Naruto thought that in itself was a miracle, considering all the clothes, accessories and makeup their cabin had. According to Mitchel, not only were their sisters, and a few brothers, worried about looking good, they wanted to look neat. Pristine, was the word Mitchel used.
It was all going well until the fight started. Naruto was getting ready for his lessons with the satyrs when Drew and Piper got into a verbal tiff that very nearly came to blows had he not forcibly kept them separated. Thank the gods for shadow clones, seriously that technique was so useful.
As he feared, Drew started it. She had started talking crap about Silena, again, claiming that she went against their mother's ideals. Apparently, Drew's idea of true love was to break hearts, like Aphrodite had to many of her lovers. Naruto, personally, thought that was bullshit. Piper apparently thought the same, coming to Silena's defense and asking what Drew knew about it, asking if she'd ever actually felt something for another guy.
And then Drew brought up Jason and Piper's history, which totally blew Naruto's mind.
Apparently, someone had used the Mist heavily around Piper and Leo's memories, making them think that Jason had been in their school for months. Not only that, but Piper's memories had her and Jason in a serious relationship. He really felt bad for his little sister, and felt really pissed at whoever toyed with her head like that.
Someone was going to get a good ol' Uzumaki talking to, i.e. pounding.
"You're just a mindfucked little brat!" Drew said as she finished her rant, getting a gasp from her sisters.
"Drew! Too far! Put the shoes on!" Naruto said, his clone forcing the Asian girl to turn towards the closet where they were kept, not being that gentle about it but not doing it hard enough to seriously hurt her. He looked at Piper, her jaw clenched and her eyes blinking back the tears rapidly, deciding that it was a bit too much for her and walked her out of the cabin.
"Come on, Piper," said Naruto as he led the younger girl out of the cabin on a walk. When he felt she had regained enough control over herself, Naruto decided to speak. "Do you feel better?"
"Not really." Piper said, frowning. "She's wrong...I don't...I'm not crazy. Jason and I, we...We have something."
"Well, it's not my place to say if you do or don't. It's not Drew's either. You and Jason have to decide for yourselves," said Naruto. He smiled at her. "I think you know that already though."
"...Did you want to go on this quest?" Piper asked, wanting to change the subject. Naruto hummed, making her look at him.
"Well, yes and no. Yes, because I would love to get out there and kick some more monster ass. No, because I feel like I could still do some good here." He said. "Do you?"
"...I don't know." Piper said, frowning. She really didn't. She had wanted to go to help Jason...and then there were her dreams. She wanted to find out what had happened to her dad. At the same time though, she wanted to take it all in. Lacy had told her she had a special power and she had no idea how to use it. Lacy also told her that while a strict trainer, Naruto was the best in the camp. He wasn't the smartest, but he was definitely up there when it came to infighting within cabins.
Plus...a whole cabin of siblings really beat out correctional facili-er, school.
"Well, I think you'll do fine." Naruto said with a smile. "You're a smart girl, I mean, you didn't just squeal in joy when mom jacked your clothes."
"She do that to you, too?" Piper asked. The blond deflated.
"She took my calluses..."
"...That's...bad?"
Naruto gave her a haunted look. "It's horrible...I've worked years and it showed with the calluses on my hands." Piper gave him a look like he was weird, but still smiled, letting a small laugh out as he looked away. "I swear only Cabin Nine understands me."
"Well at least someone does," said Piper with a smile. Naruto was weird, but he was funny. And he was a pretty nice guy. Piper was happy to have a 'big brother' like him now.
"True." Naruto said as he smiled back at her. "I want you to take care of yourself, Piper. I could use another sister that feels my pain when it comes to" he shuddered "pink."
"I feel your pain." Piper said, patting him on the arm sympathetically. She released a surprised squeak when he pulled her into a hug for about three seconds. "N-Naruto! What the hell?!"
"I can't let my new little sister go off without a hug," he said with a chuckle as he set her down. Piper huffed and gave him a mock glare while Naruto smiled at her good-naturedly. "Go find the others and kick some ass. Show 'em that Cabin Ten isn't all pink and hearts."
"Thanks Naruto." Piper said, her glare falling into a small smile that turned into a smirk. "Try not to seduce anyone else while I'm gone, will you?"
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked, confused. Piper just laughed, turning around and walking towards Cabin One. "Piper! Hey! What do you mean seduce?! I don't understand!"
AN: Here's chapter four! Hope you all enjoy it!