Percy Jackson a Hunters tale c35

The next couple of days went by rather fast, as the 6th day grew closer the more activity could be seen as they prepared for the upcoming battle. Many of those there had been roped in to help one way or another. Natasha had been in contact with Tony the Romans had completed the ships they were getting ready to move. They had gotten word from the Greeks also ready they were waiting for the ships to come and get them. Cara had been spending most of her time outside in the forests, she would leave early in the morning and come back late at night, she did not answer any of their questions. On the fifth day she returned to the castle moving over to the area so that she was watching Okoye and her warriors training. She was leaning on her bow watching them as the sparred with T'Challa. Okoye tilted her head to him so he turned and saw her standing there.

"Are you alright?" he asked, he was unsure on how to act around her. Steve and Bucky had told him many things about her but so far she has been keeping to herself.

'Spar with me.' Cara told him.

"Me?" he asked

'Yes, I want to see the might of the panther.' Cara said making her bow disappear. 'Weapon choice?' she asked and he flicked his fingers revealing claws. Cara pulled out one of her hunting blades twirling it until it was a metal pipe. This made him pause and look at her he turned to Okoye.

"Did you see that?" He asked

"I did my king." Okoye replied

"Good luck brother." Shuri said she was moving to give Okoye something but would stay and watch this fight.

"You have no faith in me?"

"I have all my faith in you, just not against her." Shuri replied grinning. Cara banged her pole against the ground twice making a clanking sound T'Challa turned to her as she twirled the pole, he could tell her head was tilted even though he was yet to see her face. He then began, somewhat holding back as she was a child. Cara easily knocked him on the ground with her pole aimed at his face. Shuri was laughing and Cara was tilting her head pulling him to his feet.

'Do not hold back. Again.' Cara signed and they once again were at it, he was on the attack and she was deflecting everything he threw at her. The pole knocked him on the side then the back and lastly on the head as she moved away from him.

"Ow." He said spinning around to see her behind him she was just standing there. He launched into an attack this time his hand slipped past the pole only for her to whack it away with her hand while she spun the pole and ended up kicking his legs out from under him. This time he noticed not only Shuri was amused. He jumped back up and turned to her, her head once again tilted he went again and again each time ending the same with him on the ground. This time he waited and he would have sworn she smiled as she went on the attack. There was a major difference to her defending herself and attacking. Even his suit out putting the energy from her hits did not seem to stop her. She used his leg as a leverage and jumped up this time using her hand instead of the pole punched him over the face at the same time as kicking out with her legs putting her into a flip she landed gracefully on the ground and ended up catching the pole once again pressing it against his head as he looked up at her from the ground. He was still confused, when did she let the pole go? She took a step back from him letting him get up, which he did and he nodded his head.

"I think my sister is correct, you are an amazing fighter." He said taking his mask off and looking at her, only slightly hoping that she would take down the hood. She didn't.

'You lasted longer than I thought you would. You were a worthy opponent.'

"Seriously, you knocked me down time after time."

'And you got back up. That is the spirit.' Cara signed before walking away he turned to Okoye with a confused look.

"What just happened?" He asked

"You got your butt handed to you is what happened." Shuri said

"You will delete that footage." T'Challa said noticing the camera in her hands

"What footage? I must return to my lab." She said walking away

"Shuri!" He called after his sister but she ignored him. "Aye, that little…Can't I order her to hand over the camera?" he asked Okoye who only gave him a pointed look causing him to sigh.

"Here you are, we got word they are on their way…are you okay?" Steve asked as he had been on the phone to Tony who said the ships were launching to go and collect the Greeks.

"Me? I am fine, as fine as one can be on the brink of war."

"Yes, I agree. You should also know that Shuri sent something to us."

"What?"

"A video, I see you fought with Cara. You lasted longer than Stark."

"She did what? Oh I am going to…wait. You have all sparred with her?"

"Over the time she has been with us yes."

"How did…You do?" he asked quietly.

"She was quick…too quick for me. Knocked me down a few times. Took my shield. I think Natasha is the one that lasts the longest against her not including Lady Sif. When you see them spar you can tell she holds back on us."

"That was her holding back?"

"She likes to remind us that she is 2000 years old and not a child." Steve said

"My King?" Okoye asked grabbing his attention making T'Challa go over to her and they walked away talking over troop placement.

The rest of the day went by rather fast and it wasn't long until they were all sitting around the very large table eating dinner. The mood was rather light considering how close they were to a fight one that would have casualties. Cara sat next to Wanda and Shuri across from Natasha who was keeping a close eye on them. Cara looked around the table at those that were seated there, allies and friends united to face a common enemy. She felt a hand on her arm making her turn to look at Wanda who was looking at her with a small smile Cara tried to return it but it felt forced. After dinner they moved around a central fire in the middle of the room.

'Steve, I need a favor…a promise really.' Cara asked grabbing Natasha to translate for him.

"Okay?"

'If I die…I want you to take me back to Artemis. Do not leave me here on this land I do not know. Promise me you will take me home.'

"Cara."

'Steve please. Nat?'

"You aren't going to die Cara." Natasha said

'If I do, I need to hear you say it.'

"Okay." Steve said

'Say it.'

"If you die I will take you back to Artemis." He said and he saw her smile from under the hood

'Thank you.'

"What do you know?" Natasha asked after Steve had left them and she stopped her from walking off.

'It is war Natasha, people die. I needed the reassurance that if I do, that you will take me home.'

"That's it?" Natasha asked and she nodded but Natasha knew there was more to it. Cara ended up moving over to Wanda and sat next to her as they listened to Peter recount his heroic deeds in protecting the Nova core with Rocket and Drax entering their point of view every now and then. They all knew they would not be able to relax like this again, their time was up.