Hey everyone! Good news! This fic finally reached 100 reviews!

Most of you guys seemed too really like the lemon, and thank you for all your positive reviews, I really appreciate them. I really wasn't expecting there to be as many as there was, to tell the truth. But I will say this, lemons will not be a dominating part of the story, there will be the occasional one thrown in here or there, but there won't be too many of them.

I personally believe that too many lemons ruin a good story. But please don't let that discourage you from reading this. There will be more down the line, but like I said not too many.

There were some reviews that said that Percy was a bit of a wimp. It may seem that way but I just haven't a right place to reveal what he's capable of. I might just have to hold up until he faces Ares himself.

To the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Percy Jackson.

Chapter eleven: A train ride, and a discovery.

He jumped from roof top to roof top, masking his presence, following his prey.

The figure looked down at his target, a young man no less than seventeen and no more than nineteen, carrying two items that radiated immense power under his arms. The boy was running, as if his life depended on it, from the ones he had stolen from. In all honesty if he was able to catch him, his life really would depend on his running.

'Not that it'll help,' the figure thought with a sinister smirk.

He watched as the boy stopped for a quick rest. The predator took his chance to surprise his prey.

He jumped from the buildings, and landed in a crouch in front of the boy, who froze in fear and surprise.

"You know," he said, standing up and crossing his arms. "Steeling from the gods is highly frowned upon."

The boy stared at the figure in fear; only the lower part of his face was visible as the rest was in the shadows, before what could be seen of it turned into a smirk, "I should have known that you would be the one to find me." He said.

"Ares."

Naruto jerked awake when he felt someone shaking him. His eyes opened only to be shut again due to the blinding sunlight.

"Well," a voice to his right snickered. "The Prince of the Dead lives."

Naruto groaned in annoyance, his head was filled with the image of his dream; he could still hear the person's voice. It sounded strangely familiar too.

It was then that he remembered the activities he and the girls had had in the mindscape and it brought a small blush to his face. He was inwardly thankful that mask covered it.

"H-How long was I out?" he asked, looking up to a smirking Annabeth.

"Long enough for me to find something for breakfast." She tossed him a bag of nachos. "And Grover went exploring. Look, he found a friend."

Naruto looked over to where Annabeth was pointing with unfocused eyes to see Grover, sitting cross-legged on a blanket with a dirty, and unnaturally pink, poodle.

Said poodle yapped and bounded off of Grover's lap and onto Naruto's, licking his masked cheek.

Naruto chuckled, "he-he. Hello little one."

Grover chuckled a bit, and said, "She likes you."

After calming the little animal down enough to where it was just sitting down and waging its tail happily, Naruto looked to Grover with a raised brow. "You can talk to animals?"

Grover nodded, "Yeah. It comes with being part goat."

Naruto nodded before Percy shot straight up, his eyes wide and gasping for breath.

The others stared at him worriedly; concerned for their friend, and wondering what had gotten him so worked up.

"You okay, Percy?" Naruto asked his eyes narrow.

"Y-Yeah." Percy said, trying to get his breathing under control.

"Another dream?"

Percy nodded, not bothering to say anything as he calmed himself.

After calming down, Percy looked up to see the poodle who growled at him.

Grover shook his head, "no, he's not."

Percy quirked a brow but shook his head, not the least surprised that Grover could talk to animals.

The poodle continued to growl at him, Grover started to look a little nervous. "Percy, Naruto, meet Gladiola. Gladiola meet Percy and Naruto."

Naruto chuckled, and continued to pet the now named Gladiola; Percy stared at Annabeth, figuring she would crack up at the practical joke he hoped they were playing on him.

When she didn't he sighed and shook his head, "whatever."

The poodle continued to growl. Grover rubbed the back of his head, "Percy, you might want to say hello to her."

Percy turned to Grover with a blank expression, "I'm not saying hello to a pink poodle," he said. "Forget it."

Naruto sighed, "Percy," he said. "I said hello to the poodle, Annabeth said hello. You say hello to the poodle."

The poodle bared her teeth.

Percy said hello.

After that, Grover explained that he'd come across Gladiola in the woods and had struck up a conversation. The poodle had run away from a rich local family, who'd posted a $200 reward for her return. Gladiola didn't really want to go back to her family, but if it meant helping her new friends then she was willing to, especially since they needed all the money they could get.

"How does Gladiola know about the reward?" Percy asked.

"She reads signs," Grover said. "Duh."

Percy shook his head. "Of course. Silly me."

"So we turn in Gladiola," Naruto explained. "We get the reward money, we use that combined with what we already have, and buy tickets to Los Angeles."

As he said that Naruto couldn't help but think about his dream-Ares, the master bolt, his father's Helm, and the voice that seemed so familiar. They all waited for them some place in the west.

For some reason though, the dream hadn't felt like a dream. It had felt as if he had actually been in Ares' place, like he had been the god himself. It was almost like he had been reliving an old memory.

He was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard Percy warily say, "Not another bus."

Naruto looked up to see Annabeth shaking her head. "No," she agreed.

She pointed downhill. To some train tracks they hadn't seen the night before. "There's an Amtrack station half a mile that way. According to Gladiola, the west bound train leaves at noon."

"So that's three hundred and twenty three dollars," Naruto said, counting out the bills.

They were standing in front of the ticket booth of the station. After turning Gladiola over to her owners and getting the reward they had immediately gone to the station to purchase their tickets.

Annabeth nodded to him and held out her hand for the cash, "right," she said. "I'll get the tickets."

Naruto nodded to her gave her the money.

As they watched her walk up to the booth Naruto felt the girls in his head stirring, he smiled under his mask, 'morning ladies.'

"Good morning Naruto-kun/Koi." They replied.

'Have a good rest?' he asked, blushing slightly at the honorific Helena used.

Thalia nodded to him a large, happy smile on her face. "Best sleep I've ever had!"

"Yep, defiantly the best night of my life!" Helena exclaimed causing the other two to blush when images of the night before flashed through their minds.

"S-So what's the plan for today?" Thalia asked, trying to get her blush under control, and wiping her nose free of the blood that had started to fall.

'W-We're getting train tickets west. So that we can get to Los Angeles faster.' Naruto explained trying to control his own blush and sending a silent pray of thanks to his father it covered his red face.

Just as Helena was about to say something, Annabeth came back with their tickets. "Alright," she said, walking up to the group. "There wasn't enough to get all the way to L.A. it was only enough to get as far as Denver, with a quick stop in St. Louise."

The others nodded and they boarded the train.

They spent two days in the train, heading west through hills, over rivers, and past the amber waves of grain fields.

They weren't attacked once, but neither Naruto nor Percy relaxed. Naruto due to years of shinobi training was paranoid. Percy, because he felt that they were traveling around in a display case, being watched from above and below, he felt that something was waiting for the right opportunity to attack.

They tried to keep a low profile because their names and pictures were plastered all over the front of several East coast newspapers. The Trenton register-News showed the picture that was snapped by the tourist as they had gotten off the Greyhound bus in Manhattan. Naruto's and Percy's eyes were wild looking. Their swords were metallic blurs in their hands. They could have been baseball bats or lacrosse sticks.

The caption read:

Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson, wanted for questioning in the Long Island disappearance of his mother two weeks ago, is shown here fleeing from the bus with thirteen-year-old Naruto Uzumaki-Hariken (also wanted), where they accosted several elderly female passengers. The bus exploded on an east New Jersey roadside shortly after Uzumaki and Jackson fled the scene. Based on eyewitness accounts, police believe the boys are traveling with two other teenage accomplices. Jackson's stepfather, Gabe Ugliano, has offered a cash reward for information leading to both boys' capture. Uzumaki's mother, Konan Hariken, refused to comment.

"Don't worry," Annabeth told them. "Mortal police could never find us." But she didn't sound so sure.

The rest of the day Percy spent alternately pacing the length of the train (he had a hard time sitting still it seems) or looking out the window.

Once, he spotted a family of centaurs galloping across wheat field. He had looked around the passenger car to find nobody had noticed; the adult passengers had their heads buried in their laptops or magazines. Another time, around the evening, he saw something huge moving through the woods. He could've sworn it was a lion, except that lions don't live wild in America. He lost sight of it after leapt through the trees.

As for Naruto, he had alternated between meditating, talking to Helena and Thalia, or thinking about his dream.

Currently, he was in the mindscape talking to Helena and Thalia about the dream.

'Mindscape'

"... I don't understand it guys. I know it was a dream, but why was it about Ares finding the one who stole Zeus' master bolt and Dad's helm?"He asked, confused.

The girls just shook their heads; they really had no idea as to why.

"I really have no idea Naruto-kun." Thalia said. "Usually, when a half-half blood gets dreams like those it means that it's a prediction of the future, their mind is trying to tell them something, or, in really rare cases, a god is contacting them."

Naruto nodded to her, all the reasoning's sounded possible, but it still didn't explain why it felt like he was reliving the event.

"While it could be one of those, Lia-Chan," He started. "It still doesn't explain why it felt like I was Ares himself. And I'm sure that no god is trying to contact me since if it was Dad he would send his messenger, and I really don't know any other gods that would want to talk to me."

Thalia shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know what to say about that then Naruto-kun, I haven't had any dreams like that in my life, so I can't help you there." She said a little sheepishly.

Naruto sighed. Going over this repeatedly and not getting any answers was really starting to get on his nerves.

"I think that I might have an idea."

When they heard Helena say this, the Naruto and Thalia turned their attention to her.

"What is it?" Naruto asked curiously.

"Well," Helena started, unsure about how to explain it. "I'm not entirely sure it's what is happening, but there's a possibility that your human path may have unconsciously used its abilities on Ares when you fought him. And you might be experiencing his recent memories in your sleep."

The others looked at her surprised, it sounded possible when she explained her idea. It would explain why Naruto was having those images, why he felt as if he was Ares and it would defiantly explain why it felt like he was in a memory.

But Naruto had to point something out.

"B-But, Lena-Chan, it couldn't have been that. Remember what the scroll said about the Rinnegan? It said that if I were to read someone's mind, then it would suck out that person's soul as a side effect." He protested.

Helena nodded to him, "true." She said. "But, you shouldn't forget that Ares is a god, and by being one it also means that he is immortal, and by being immortal it means that, while you can get seriously injured, nothing can kill you."

"Okay," Naruto said, slowly processing the information. "But if this is what's happening, then why am I only getting them now? Why not when I was passed out after the fight?"

Helena shrugged, "I don't know Naruto-kun, but it could be because you were talking to Masumi and your mind wasn't allowed to rest. With the recent fights and the news of the thefts your mind has been to active to rest or process what it took from Ares. As to why you're getting them now," here she blushed. "It could be that our, um, escapade last night allowed your mind to finally relax enough to process Ares' memories."

Naruto and Thalia were bright red at the reminder of their recent activates, but they shook it off as Helena's explanation registered in their minds.

"That," Naruto began.

"Actually sounds like the most possible explanation." Thalia finished for him.

Helena nodded to them, "keep in mind though; there is a possibility that there are more dreams to come." She warned and Naruto nodded. While it would be unsettling to view someone else memories, it would give him the chance to find his father's helm and quite possible the location of the master bolt.

"But this also opens up a whole new possibility for the human path." Helena said with a thoughtful look.

The others looked confused, "what do you mean?" Naruto asked a brow quirked.

"Well, it's just a thought, but what if you could push the mind reading ability to the point that you wouldn't need to pull out a person's soul?"

Her idea/question brought her wide eyes from both Naruto and Thalia. Naruto because, while he had trained with the Rinnegan and it abilities thoroughly, he had never thought of the possibility. But now that Helena had suggested it he was mentally berating himself for not thinking of it.

Thalia was just surprised since she didn't know all that much about the Rinnegan, other than what she had asked about.

"H-How, did I not think of that?" Naruto asked himself, all the possibilities now running through his mind.

Helena giggled, but then her eyes gained a devious gleam. She looked over to Thalia who saw the look in her eyes. She blushed, but nodded with an equally devious look on her face.

"I don't know Koi." Helena said getting up from where she sat and beginning to walk over to Naruto, whose back was facing them. "But I think it's time we stop with these troublesome thoughts, and get to something that will be far more productive and pleasurable."

Naruto's brow quirked when he heard her sultry voice. He smirked when he felt two pairs of slender arms wrap around his chest.

For the next few hours all that could be heard in the mindscape were the sounds of their passionate love making.

'Outside the mindscape'

Naruto slowly opened his eyes, to see Annabeth and Percy conversing in the seat across from him. (I always imagined the dining car to be lined with booths so that's how it is this story. Just so you guys don't get confused.)

"…sounds like Hades' throne room. But why would he be laughing? He rarely does." He heard Annabeth saying.

"But he offered my mother in trade. Who else can do that?" Percy asked.

"Ares maybe, but if by some weird way it was Hades, I guess he could've meant, 'Help me rise from the Underworld.'" Annabeth said sounding unsure. "But don't you remember? Hades doesn't want a war with the Olympians, his helm was stolen too."

"Yeah, but-"

"You know," Naruto said, sitting up straight and sending them an annoyed look. "I would appreciate it if you guys didn't go around talking about stuff like that behind my back."

"R-Right." Percy said, rubbing the back of his neck and looking away.

"Mind telling me what you've been dreaming about? Since that is what you guys were discussing." Naruto asked curious as to what it was to have him talking about his dad behind his back.

And so they did. After the explanation Naruto sat with his head bent, thinking over what he had heard.

The chasm Percy described sounded a lot like Tartarus. Whatever that thing that was trying to get Percy to help it rise, sounded like it was really old, older than even the gods. One thing was clear to Naruto, whatever was down there was dangerous. But one thing stood out the most to him. Whoever it was that had been speaking to the thing in the pit, Naruto was sure it was the same person Ares had confronted.

He sighed; if the feeling in his gut was anything to go by, then things were going to get hectic in the future.

He looked up to see Percy and Annabeth looking at him expectantly. Naruto shook his head, "I honestly don't know what to tell you Percy, but I think things are going to get rough pretty soon."

"Yeah," Percy said, sighing in depression. "I thought you'd say that."

They sat in silence for awhile before Annabeth decided to break it.

"Percy," she said hesitantly. "We may not know who it is who wants the bolt, but you can't be tempted to make a deal for your mom especially if Ares is working with them."

Naruto nodded in agreement. He may not know what it was that was in that pit, but if his suspicion was correct then…he shivered, he didn't want to think of the possibility.

"What would you do if it was your dad?" Percy asked. His voice was a little harsh.

Annabeth's eyes became steel, "that's easy," she said. "I'd leave him to rot."

They looked surprised, "you're not serious," Naruto said, his voice reflecting his surprise. But Annabeth's expression did not waver in the least. "Are you?"

Annabeth's grey eyes fixed on him. She wore the same expression she had the moment she drew her sword against the hellhound. She had the look of a warrior. A warrior who had been through many battles and had seen many a comrade die defending what they stood for.

"My dad's resented me since the day I was born," she said. "He never wanted a baby. When he got me, he asked Athena to take me and raise me on Olympus because he was too busy with his work. She wasn't too happy about that. She told him that heroes had to be raised by their mortal parent."

"But how?" Percy asked. "I mean, obviously you weren't born in a hospital…"

"I appeared on my father's doorstep, in a golden cradle, carried down from Olympus by Zephyr the West Wind. You'd think he'd remember that as a miracle, right? Like maybe he'd take some digital pictures or something. But he always talked about my arrival as if it were the most inconvenient thing that had ever happened to him. When I was five he got married and totally forgot about Athena. He got a 'regular' mortal wife, and had two 'normal' mortal kids, and tried to pretend that I didn't exist."

Percy stared out of the window, watching the lights of a sleeping town drift by. He wanted to make Annabeth feel better, but didn't know how.

"My mom married a really awful guy," he told her. "Grover and Naruto said she did it to protect me, to hide me in the scent of a human family. Maybe that's what your dad was thinking."

Annabeth didn't look so convinced, and kept toying with her necklace. Upon closer inspection Naruto saw that she was pinching a gold college ring hanging with the four beads that showed the number of years she had stayed at the camp. He realized that it must have been her father's. Though he wondered why she kept it with her if she hated him as much as she claimed.

"He doesn't care about me," she said. "His wife, my step-mom, treated me like a freak. She wouldn't let me play with her children. My dad went along with her. Whenever something dangerous happened-it was usually something with monsters-they would both look at me resentfully, like they were saying, 'How dare you put our family at risk.' Finally, I took the hint. I wasn't wanted. I ran away."

"How old were you?" Percy asked.

"Same as I was when I started camp. Seven."

"But…you couldn't have gotten all the way to Half-Blood hill by yourself."

"Not alone, no. Athena watched over me, guided me toward help. I made a couple of unexpected friends who took care of me, for a short time, anyway."

Percy wanted to ask what happened, but Annabeth seemed to be lost in sad memories. He decided to wait until she felt like telling him.

Naruto however, found his respect for his fellow blond growing. He knew it took a lot to put up with that kind of treatment on a daily bases, and for seven years too. He could see that it had taken a lot more patience than he probably would have had if he had stayed in Konoha. He left Annabeth to her memories; he already knew the full story thanks to Thalia. He wanted to help Annabeth see that there was still some hope in her family. But he let go for now, any attempts to talk to her would most likely result in failed.

He sighed as both he and Percy listened to the sound of Grover's snoring and watched through the train windows, as the dark fields of Ohio raced by.

June 13th, eight days before the summer solstice.

Naruto chuckled as Annabeth craned her neck to see the Gateway Arch. To him it wasn't such a big deal since it looked like the huge handle of a suite case or shopping bag stuck into the ground.

'Excited, isn't she?' he thought in amusement.

Inside the mindscape Thalia giggled as she watched her friend. "You have no idea Naru-kun." She said. "I once saw her almost jump out of skin once when she saw a picture of the Parthenon."

Naruto chuckled again and shook his head as he listened to Annabeth talk about her dreams of becoming an architect and building a monument that would last a thousand years in the gods' honor.

They pulled into the Amtrack station downtown, and the intercom told them they'd have a three-hour delay before departing for Denver.

Grover stretched. "Food." He groaned before he was fully awake.

The others chuckled, "come on goat boy." Annabeth said. "Sightseeing."

"Sightseeing?"

"The gateway arch." She said excitedly. "This may be my only chance to ride to the top. Are you coming or not?"

Grover, Percy and Naruto exchanged looks.

Percy wanted to say no, but figured that if Annabeth was going, they couldn't let her go alone.

Grover shrugged. "As long as there's a snack bar without monsters."

Naruto just smiled and nodded to her, "alright. Besides, I'm a little curious about it as well." It was true too, he was, but he had a feeling in his gut that there would be more than they bargained for when they got to the top.

Alright everyone that's the end of this chapter. Sorry that it's a short one but I'm kinda busy with school work and other things.

I do hope that you all liked it, even if it was a little short.

Please review.