Artemis's POV

I will always deny the fact that I had anything to do with the kiss that happened that night, but truth was, that somewhere deep inside I wanted it, maybe even needed it. That's something that's hard to admit, even to myself. I didn't regret it one bit even though there was small hatred I felt for Percy and myself because I believed that this was mainly his fault, and mine for falling for it.

Ever since Percy left the Hunt went to our everyday routines but it was noticeably quieter and less lively without him around. There was less laughing, they were all slightly glum, and weren't as effervescent as always. Even I wanted the lively god here. Many Huntresses had asked me where he'd gone or what had happened. I didn't know the answer to the first question, and I lied about the second one by saying that he didn't accept the apology. Unfortunately, that didn't help one bit considering that it made them feel guilty about themselves.

It broke my heart to see them that way, but what could I have done? Told them that their very idol, the woman who spares no mercy on those of who break the rules, has broken the most important one of all? I didn't think so. Instead I had decided to ask Percy to come back during the council meeting Zeus had planned for only the three of us yet I would keep my distance from him when he returned.

But I had no plans of taking the girls with me. What if Percy were to speak of that night? There wasn't a chance that I would let them go with me then have the risk of them finding out. Sadly I have no such luck and it couldn't have gone that simple.

"Where are you off to?" Thalia asked me as I changed from child form to woman form.

"To yet another, small, insignificant discussion on Olympus." She eyed me skeptically. Any normal person could've guessed I was telling the truth since I'm an impressive liar, but my lieutenants always knew better.

"It's about Percy isn't it?"

"I didn't say that." Right as I said that, a large explosion was heard from outside the tent. Apollo. We walked out only to find him as he walked out of his sun chariot, his red Maserati Spyder.

"Hey sis! Ya' miss me?" I groaned and rolled my eyes. Apollo was such an annoying person. He could be used as a lethal war weapon to pester someone to death.

"Of course I did! How can anyone not miss you?" I said with mock sarcasm.

"Ah, I see you've picked something up from little old Percy. His sarcasm how cruel can it be? That's interesting to me, considering that you'll meet him today-"

I stopped him by placing a hand over his mouth because one, he was starting one of his awful poems, and two I didn't want the huntresses to know but it was too late for that.

"Lady Artemis, you didn't tell us that you'd be meeting him." A huntress, Claudia, said.

"I wasn't sure if he would be comfortable meeting all of us yet."

"Comfortable or not, I think that we should go see him and apologize personally. Wouldn't that have more of an effect on his decision of coming back or not?" Thalia interjected. I had taught her too well, for she knew that I was hiding something.

"It's only between Zeus, Percy and I. If other gods cannot attend, I'm certain that you can't either."

"Oh contraire sister, Father won't mind a small audience." I glared at him and sighed in defeat. My brother certainly never made things easy for me. With no other reason to deny their request, they tagged along as well.


Percy's POV

Thankfully, when I told Zeus about my idea, he was furious at first, but grew to like the plan. In the end he decided to hold a meeting with Artemis and me to discuss what to do now. Personally, I was thinking that there was no way that Artemis would agree to the meeting, but surprisingly she came, and brought the whole hunt with her too. Zeus didn't seem to like that, but let it go.

I noticed that the huntresses were giving me small glances out of the corner of their eyes. I put the pieces together and thought that maybe Artemis told them that I just couldn't stand them anymore. There's no way that Artemis would tell them the truth, and I certainly wouldn't be the one to ruin Artemis's life by telling the girls about it.

After Zeus's long speech and explanation of what we were here to discuss, Artemis said, "Percy… as hard as it is for me to admit this… we want you to come back to The Hunt. Honestly, when you left it felt as though you took away the source of our cheerfulness. Also, I believe The Huntresses have something to say to you." Thalia stepped forward with the rest of them standing orderly behind her. It was funny seeing Thalia look so small.

"God of Waves… we are extremely sorry for what we have done to you and promise to never try anything like that again. It was wrong, cruel, and just plain evil." I had already accepted their apology, but seeing them say it to me personally was even better. I smiled at them.

"Now, was it so hard to say it to my face? That's all I wanted you to do." Artemis had this grateful look on her features, I played along pretty well.

"Now, have you decided to go back to The Hunt Perseus Jackson?" Zeus questioned.

"Yes sir." I replied with a nod. He rose from his throne.

"That was rather short. Very well, meeting dismissed. Percy, you are now officially and permanently a member of The Hunt." When he said that, I started wondering if I would regret going back, but that didn't matter to me as I gazed at Artemis. She gave me a small smile, ran a hand through her long red hair and then changed back into human-size form as she headed out with the girls. I had a feeling that my new position as a Hunt member was going to be getting a lot more complicated.


A/N: Sorry it took a while but I was in Canada. Hope you enjoy, and more updates soon. EscrimaNightwing out!