In my culture, death is not the end. It's more of a stepping-off point. You reach out with both hands, and Bast and Sekhmet, they lead you into the green veld where you can run forever.
Chadwick Boseman
1976-2020
Rest in Power and Peace
Naruto/Percy Jackson Crossover
Dining With Divinity
Part Xl
Years Ago
Away from Olympus, Hestia could finally hear herself think as she kept her eyes on the dark path ahead of her. Selene's light illuminated her way as she trekked through the undergrowth.
The first decade had come and gone since the Olympians had begun their rule over the known world and as expected, her youngest brother and King of the Gods had something big planned for Olympus. All the gods that aligned with Olympus gathered together in the Throne Room and listened as Zeus decreed a week-long celebration to commemorate their victory over the Titans. The announcement made her roll her eyes good-naturedly but seeing her siblings excited at the prospect of a week of fun was enough for her to support the decision. It was just a very Zeus decision.
The King of the Gods loved a good party, though what he loved more was the beautiful nymphs who vied for his attention in their short-length chitons and fluttering eyes. She was sure that was why Zeus threw as many parties and celebrations as he did. He had a weakness when it came to pretty girls, and his wandering eyes and hands were going to get him in trouble one day. She could only hope he and Metis one day tied the knot. She felt Zeus was the kind of man who needed a strong woman to anchor him down and keep him from getting away with everything.
Metis was strong-willed and smart. The perfect choice for someone like her youngest brother.
Though she wasn't a goddess who frequented many parties and kept to herself most days, the anniversary provided her with the chance to see all her brothers and sisters. Since coming into their domains, Zeus, Poseidon and Hades were rarely in the same room as each other. Hades, since taking over the Underworld, rarely came above ground. Her brother didn't talk much about the work he was doing beneath the earth on the few meeting they shared over the decade. All she got was the snippets from her mother. According to her, the Underworld had been a mess when Hades took over, and Hades was doing everything he could to overhaul it and bring the creatures that dwelled there to heel.
For Poseidon and Zeus, taking control over the Sky and the Sea was simpler. With Poseidon, reign over the Sea was smoothly passed over to Poseidon by their uncle, the eldest of the Titans, Oceanus. The Titan of the Sea was the only son of Ouranos and Gara that refused to aid Kronos in his war against the younger immortals and remained a neutral party. The elder Titan left for deeper sanctuaries within the Ocean along with Tethys and many of their children. Since then, Poseidon had built his palace to rival Olympus, to which he dubbed Atlantis. Though she visited only one, Atlantis was a sight to behold.
Zeus, on the other hand, had assumed the role of God of the Sky in no time, due to the Sky having no one to rule over it since the slaying of Ouranos. The sky had remained untouched, with only Helios and Selene to safeguard it until someone assumed power over it. It fitted Zeus to a tee and went pleasantly with his dominion over lightning. She feared the kind of fun Zeus could get up to up there.
Two days into the celebration on Olympus, Hestia decided she needed some much-needed peace. She tried to escape to her temple to get a few hours to herself, but she was rudely interrupted by Demeter and Selene. The Moon Titan and the Goddess of the Harvest wasted little time in looping their arms through hers and dragging her back to the throne room. Everyone cheered when Hestia got pulled back, making her huff in annoyance at her rotten luck.
After much due diligence on her part, she was finally able to slip away unseen and unnoticed when everyone was distracted by the scene of Hera trying to poke Helios full of holes with her spear. The Sun Titan continuously tried and failed to woo the young goddess. The only thing he was successful in was pushing Hera's buttons and causing her infamous temper to spike. For once, she would have to thank the Sun Titan for his efforts, despite him being none the wiser.
With Olympus out of her line of sight, she took to the earth and walked with no clear path on her mind. The world was vast, and she had yet to see the wonders that Mother Earth provided them in plenty. After the Great Shift from Gaea at the end of the Titanomachy, much of the known world had changed. A new world was ready to be explored, with mountains unclimbed and forests untouched. She remembered watching as the world earth began to change, and she couldn't deny a small part of her was excited at the new prospects she could examine.
One day, perhaps she could say with certainty that the Goddess of the Hearth had walked the earth corner to corner. When would that be? She didn't know. She only had an eternity to find out.
She hummed to herself as she walked. Away from Olympus, she trailed the edge of the yet-to-be-named middle continent that rested on Gaea surface. The world had become so different. It was odd to think it was the same one her father once ruled.
"Hmm, what's that?"
There was a soft glow coming from in front of her, a hundred meters away by a cliff face. She was familiar with the type of glow cast. Spying shades of orange and yellow, it was clear someone had a fire going.
'Who could it be?' She wondered. She didn't sense the divine aura from her kin.
Deciding to investigate, Hestia walked towards the faint glow with trepidation. Though there was no divine aura, that didn't mean she didn't need to have her guard up. There was an abundance of creatures that inhabited the world. Lacking a divine aura didn't squander their potential for being lethal and dangerous. Although she wasn't a fighter like her brothers and sisters, it didn't mean she was defenceless. As the Goddess of the Hearth, she possessed divine authority over the fire in a way her siblings could only hope to have. It was comparable to Zeus with lightning, or Poseidon with water. Though her two younger brothers possessed a great deal more in terms of power, her advantage was her advanced control in comparison.
In a short moment, she was near her target. She stood silent in the brush of some tree's, keeping out of sight as a figure sat beside a campfire. The person sat on a log, with his body leaning forward with hands clasped together. His back was facing her, though she could see blonde hair covering his head. It was rather long, with bangs framing his face on both sides and reaching past his chin. He dressed in tattered clothes covered in rips and tears. She frowned. It didn't look like any kind of chiton she'd seen before.
She hid behind a tree. She'd never seen this person before.
'Is he a human?' That should be impossible.
Humanity, or at least, the first generation of humanity was no more. The Golden Generation as some referred to them perished in the Great Shift near the end of the war. When the single landmass that made up the world began to shift and change, the Gods and Titans watched as the world was forced to change. The other pantheons throughout the world, like the Norse and the Egyptians, could do nothing but watch. Despite the history that came with each Pantheon, Gaea was the first. No matter how hard each pantheon tried to dismiss it.
Gaea spared no one. Her creations were taken out of the world by the very person that breathed life into them centuries ago. Why it happened, no one knew. Gaea had been in a constant state of slumber for centuries, ever since the Titans were given the reigns over the kingdom. Her consciousness periodically acted, despite remaining asleep, such as when she shielded Zeus from the Titans and allowed him to grow and attain his strength. The changing of the continent had been without warning, and no one could do anything but get out the way.
When Gaea chose to alter the world, she did so. The choice belonged to no one but the Earth Mother.
To see a survivor after all this time was a surprise.
"I know you're there."
She almost jumped when she heard the voice. It was low and soft, but she heard it as clear as day. The figure was a he, and he hadn't turned around. His back was still facing her.
"I won't hurt you. I just don't like people spying on me." He said again, unclasping his hands and making a motion to the other side of the fire. Another log sat against the earth, "If you'd come any later, that log would be getting used as firewood. Unless you prefer to sit on the ground."
She didn't move at first. Hesitation lingered on her face, though she did peek out from behind the tree, letting the glow of the fire wash over her face. Extending her hand, the man finally moved when a stream of fire shot through the air and curled into Hestia's palm. It moved and danced between her fingers like water, moving around rocks in a river. She didn't want to come across as hostile since the man next to the fire hadn't done anything to warrant it, but she needed him to know that despite her appearance, she wasn't defenceless. She may have been a pacifist by nature, but that by no means meant she was incapable of protecting herself. Numerous members of the Titan forces could attest to that.
"You have fine control over the flames." He replied, with Hestia's getting a good look at the man's blue eyes, "I won't harm you. I have no reason to do so."
She detected no hint of deception in his words. Walking out from the woods, she walked across the campsite, her brown eyes keeping watching on him. She felt his gaze on her as she sat on the log, brushing down the fabric across her knee's. She saw no weapons visible on his person.
"Who are you?"
He looked back at the fire, and Hestia could see the reflective glow in his eyes, "No one special." He admitted, "Just a man who's grown tired with the world."
His eyes were sad and tired. He looked like he hadn't got a wink of sleep in days or weeks.
"You're from the golden generation, aren't you?" She asked.
She tried not to react when he nodded his head. He didn't appear bothered by her statement.
"I am. Very astute of you."
"How are you still alive? We couldn't sense any living member of the golden generation after the continent broke apart. We assumed you all perished." They searched for as long as they could for any survivors before returning to close off the war.
"No. Only I remain." He stated, before adding, "We? You mean your divine brethren?"
Again, she didn't show her surprise. "Yes. You know us?"
"I do," He admitted, "At least, I've heard of you. The Olympians? The one that fought and defeated the Titans." Hearing the question in his words, Hestia nodded, "I'm glad your family won."
"I think most in the world are glad we won. The Titans were responsible for a lot of the world's problems, with my father spearheading them. With them gone, I can only hope my siblings and I can bring about a change for the better."
She heard him hum, watched him nod his head before looking her way again. This time she got a good look at his face. He was still a man in his youth in appearance, with the strangest markings on his cheeks. They reminded her of the whiskers from her mother's pair of lions. His hair even resembled a mane like one too. She remembered observing members of the golden generation in the early days of her release from her father's stomach. She'd been so curious to discover more about the world they lived that she spent weeks just watching and learning. The mortals in the world were bizarre and wore clothing vastly different from their own.
He didn't seem dangerous. Admittedly, looks could be deceiving. Looking at Hera and Demeter, one would not think the two were warriors until you saw Demeter wield a sword and Hera a spear. Many of their foes made the mistake of looking down on them and paid the price.
"Well, I wish you luck. Hopefully, you'll do better than your predecessors."
"I hope that too." She could only hope Zeus didn't fall the same was Kronos did. Their father didn't raise the bar to a high standard.
"So, what brings one such as yourself out to the middle of nowhere?"
"Taking some time to myself. I love my siblings, but they can be a bit much some times." Zeus and Poseidon, in particular, could be very loud and boisterous. Hades could be very glum, and it tended to be infectious. Hera had a temper, and Demeter was very clingy. Each one had their personality quirk. "I enjoy the quieter moments."
An understanding look appeared on his face, "Well, don't let me keep you. Thank you for stopping to talk with me, even if it was brief. Have a good night." He replied, turning away from Hestia and returning his gaze to the fire. It didn't sound dismissive to Hestia. It was more like he wanted to be left alone, despite Hestia getting the sense he wanted the opposite.
"There's no rush."
Her words made him look back again.
"I only just got here, and I wouldn't mind the company.
A lone eyebrow rose, "I thought you wanted to be alone?"
"I wanted to get away from my family for one night, which I've done. Plus, you look like you could use the company."
His expression didn't change from her words.
"You don't know me."
"I don't, though we could change that." She said back, "I'm Hestia. Since you know my name, perhaps I could learn yours?"
He looked at her for a few moments, as if having a silent debate in his mind.
"Naruto. My names Naruto."
A pleased look wove onto her face, "It's nice to meet you, Naruto."
For the first time since she sat down, the edges of his lips edged up.
"You too, Hestia."
Present
Standing in the doorway to the guestroom Thalia was sleeping in, Naruto watched as his old friend took a spot on the bed next to the sleeping girl, smoothing down her dress as she sat down.
Dressed in casual mortal wear, the Goddess of the Hearth gently reached over and swept her fingers through Thalia' dark locks. The girl didn't stir. Instead, the warmth coming from Hestia's palm seemed to comfort the little girl, with the goddess watching as she snuggled herself into a tight ball with the covers wrapping around her like a cacoon.
A gentle hum came from her throat, and her lips curved into a smile. Thalia was a cute one. Being a former member of the Major Twelve Olympians, the eldest daughter of the Titan King had more time then her siblings to watch over the children spawned from her immortal family. Due to her lighter schedule compared to Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, her younger brothers often sought her out and called favours on her to keep an eye on the children with their ichor running in their veins.
Thalia's existence hadn't been a surprise to Hestia. She loved Zeus, but he was too easily led astray from his marriage with Hera. His wandering eyes and hands hadn't settled with growing age, despite being married to one of the most beautiful goddesses in existence. One woman never seemed to be enough for Zeus. The same could be said for her other brothers, though not to the same extreme. Poseidon was much like his younger brother, though he could be picky and didn't try to pick up the first pretty woman that came his way. For Hades, it was companionship to fill the void until Persephone rejoined him in the Underworld.
A low laugh escaped her lips, gaining Naruto's attention.
"What is it?"
Hestia shook her head, making the dark curls of her hair bounce in the air, "It's nothing. I've just never seen one of my brother's children have freckles before."
"Really? None of the other few hundred kids had freckles?"
"I think it's more like a thousand when it comes to Zeus." She chirped back, a finger delicately tracing over Thalia's face, "But no. None of them had a splash of freckles across their nose and cheeks before. She has his traditional features, like his blue eyes and dark hair. I can feel the ozone coming off like a vibration in the air. She'll be a strong one if she makes it to adulthood."
If. It was a very big If. There was no guarantee any demigod could make it out of their teens, or even there preteen life. As the blonde already knew, monsters were attracted to demigods like a moth to a flame. The moment a demigod with a strong enough aura or the scent entered their senses, they took after them. It was like blood in the water sending a shark into a frenzy.
"In the last couple of centuries, I've been keeping an eye on my brother's children from time to time," She told him, "Though, it always possible a few slipped through the cracks. Even I have a hard time keeping track of my brother's infidelities."
"I remember you saying." He replied, watching with a small smile as Hestia interacted with Thalia. Technically, Hestia was Thalia's aunt and wasn't surprised to find out she had been keeping an eye on her when she could spare it, "You keep an eye on Thalia often?"
"From time to time. For the most part, little Thalia has been happy enough, though the mother troubled me from the onset." She turned her head, "If Thalia is here, and Beryl is not, that she chose to walk away from her child?"
"She has," He confirmed, and saw the disappointment and sadness lace through Hestia's features, "Your brother sure knows how to pick them. Beryl showed no remorse or love for her daughter. All she cared about what the fame and riches robbed from her by Thalia's existence." He shook his head in disappointment, "I haven't met such a selfish person like that in some time."
"Sadly, Beryl Grace is not the first mortal parent to abandon their demigod child, nor will she be the last. The gods in my family, as well as the goddesses, don't have the best track record when it comes to the mortals they bring to their beds." She returned her gaze to Thalia. She looked so innocent and uncaring of the future that now sat in front of her. All Hestia could do was hope Morpheus was giving the girl pleasant dreams.
"She is a cute one."
A low laugh came from Naruto, "She is. Cheeky as well."
"Sounds like you got to know her today."
He shrugged, "Someone had to keep an eye on her today. A monster was following them, but I got rid of it before bringing them here. Didn't think I needed any more complications today."
Tucking a strand of Thalia's dark hair away from her face and behind her ear, Hestia quietly stood up from the bed. She made sure the girl was well covered by the sheets, before moving away, "Let's leave her to sleep. I bet today has been a long one for the poor dear." Both Naruto and Hestia left the room, with Naruto silently pulling the door until a three-inch gap remained.
Together, the pair returned downstairs, with the Naruto leading Hestia into the living room. The goddess took the spot on the armchair next to the couch and placed a cushion behind her back. Her eyes scanned the room, taking in her old friends new home. Despite its size, Naruto had done well at making his home feel welcoming. In particular, Hestia eyed up the fireplace that sat in the centre of the wall. The perks of having a friend who's domain was the Home. She may have given him a few tips in the past on how to make ones home feel like an extension of themselves.
For Naruto home, it was a place that made you feel safe. It perfectly summed the blonde up.
"Would you like the usual?" He asked, standing in the doorway and watching Hestia scanning over the room.
"Yes, please. And why don't we make use of the fireplace as well."
"Coming right up."
Sitting in peace for ten minutes while Naruto whipped something up for them, Hestia took the chance to move herself to the floor in front of the fireplace. Conjuring a blanket, Hestia tucked her legs to the side while her poker appeared in her hand. Gently, she stoked the flames.
It wasn't long before Naruto rejoined her, carrying a small tray in his hands.
"You've made yourself at home." He commented, lowering himself down until he was sitting on his backside with his legs tucked against him. He picked up a teacup and saucer and guided it over to Hestia, who happily took it from him, "Your usual. One Apple and Elderberry Tea with a tiny splash of honey."
"Thank you." Bringing the drink up to her mouth, Hestia sighed in delight at the fruit punch that hit her sense of taste, "Delicious. I see your teamaking skills are still up to par."
"Well, when you live in Japan for as long as I did, making tea becomes a required skill. People think Brits drinks a lot of tea. They've never been to Japan and visited a tea ceremony. " He spent a long time in the East, in particular, Japan. Japanese culture was the one that resembled his old home the most, and being around their towns and cities in the early days helped him to feel like he gained it back in a small way. "Plus, Hinata would never forgive me if I forgot all her lessons in tea making."
"The smores?"
A snort broke from Naruto, before lifting the plate of smores from the tray and handing them over to Hestia. They weren't anything fancy, but they would do. All you needed was graham crackers, marshmallows and some chocolate, and in return, you'd have a very pleased Hearth Goddess. Watching her conjure a small poker like the one she created earlier, she stuck two smores on the end of each and handed one over to the blonde.
"You have a lovely home," Hestia told him, as the pair held their sweet treats over the flames, "I'm sorry I haven't come to visit you sooner. I was planning to see visit during the first months, but things at home got in the way."
"That's okay. I had a feeling you'd come calling at some point, so I kept an eye out for you most days." He let out a low chuckle, "I had a feeling that members of your family would visit the Den at some point since I'm in New York, but I didn't think some of them would become some of my best customers."
Smiling, Hestia replied, "I hear Artemis and Athena have both become regulars, and visit you nearly every week."
"Oh yeah. Athena is easy to cater too. Artemis though," He muttered, before letting out another low chuckle, "That stomach of her doesn't seem to have a bottom. She's like me when it comes to ramen, and I know how challenging I could be with my appetite."
"They always rave about you. It's was surprising to hear my two nieces complimenting a mortal man of all things. Athena is one thing, but Artemis is another." Her mouth formed into a smirk, "I hear you've gained Aphrodite's attention as well."
A groan escaped from his lips, "Don't start with that. That woman!" He muttered, his head drooping, "I've been alive a long time Hestia, and I've never met someone who's so blatant about those kinds of desires. She might as well just hold up a sign that says, Hey! Come over here and do me!"
A finger flicked his ear, causing him to wince, "Don't be so crass." The goddess had never been one for rude language.
The blonde blew a raspberry Hestia's way, "I don't hear you disagreeing."
"Aphrodite has always been a bit of a character, even by Olympian standards. That doesn't maker her any less a friend and a member of my family."
"I still don't hear you saying otherwise."
Hestia huffed, and rotated her smore over the fire, "She can be a handful, and that's all I'm saying."
"A handful? Yeah, I guess that's one way of putting it." He brought up his drink, taking a good long swig of the hot substance before following up with, "Then there's that nephew of yours, and the little show he was putting on in my restrooms." He heard a sigh from the goddess, "Let me guess. Apollo?"
"That boy is as bad as his father. Worse at times. He's Zeus's son alright. Never any doubt about that." Hestia commented. She heard about Apollo's little incident from the Olympian gossip grapevine. Nymphs could be the worst gossips, and when the Goddess of Love was involved, then nothing stayed a secret for long. No matter where in the world an embarrassing event took place, it always ended up coming back to Olympus.
"Hephaestus had even made a side hobby with Olympus TV. His cameras were everywhere, ready and waiting."
Naruto hummed in amusement, "I wonder when he'll be popping in for a visit."
"Oh, I don't think you'll see him any time soon." She admitted, her eyes flickering between brown eyes and flames, "Hephaestus prefers to keep to himself. He's never been a sociable person the same way his brothers are. I think that's why most of the goddesses in my family prefer to be around him than the likes of Apollo, or Ares."
"Everyone except Aphrodite," Naruto commented.
"Everyone except Aphrodite," Hestia confirmed, before giving him a funny look, "Strange, how we looped back around to her."
"Hey, you brought her up." Naruto held up his hands, before letting out a low chuckle. It wasn't long before Hestia was chuckling along with him, "It's good to see you again, Hestia."
"It's good to see you too, my old friend." She replied, looking at Naruto fondly. Their friendship spanned millennia. It could have been the longest-lasting friendship in history for all they knew. For Hestia, Naruto provided her with a reprieve from the family she cherished so much. When she needed time away, she visited him in whatever land he chose to make his temporary home. She would stay for a few weeks, sometimes even months catching up and going off on little adventures of their own. As she quickly came to realise, Naruto had this uncanny ability to draw the most peculiar people towards him, akin to a magnet. Oh, the people they met, and the things they saw would make her siblings green with envy. He was an escape, and one of the few from outside of her family that she cherished dearly.
For Naruto, it was the friend he needed during the most agonizing time in his life. Without Hestia by his side, he wouldn't have been able to escape the hole of loneliness and despair he found himself trapped within.
"You've found yourself in quite the predicament. I'd say I'm surprised, but we both know I'd be lying."
"Yeah, it's been a crazy day," Naruto confirmed, taking his smore out of the fire and gently blowing on it, "I didn't think when I woke up this morning, I'd be housing an abandoned demigod. Said demigod also happens to be your niece and your brother's daughter." A serious look crossed Naruto's face, "Tell it to me straight, Hestia. What options does Thalia have?"
Hestia mimicked his actions with her own smore, gently cooling it down with her breathe, "At this moment in time," She started, taking a small bite from her smore and licking the corners of her lips, "She has three options that I can see."
"Three? Alright, then let's hear them."
"The first option is the least likely to work, so let's get it out of the way. The first choice is to take Thalia back to her mother in California." She watched as Naruto's face morphed into a grimace, "I can see you don't favour that idea."
"Not in the slightest. If Thalia gets sent back to Beryl, it will only spur her to do it again. Next time, she could get left with someone who wants to harm Thalia, rather than help her." It was luck Beryl and Thalia stumbled into the Fox's Den. Any other establishment would have called child protective services, and Thalia would have found herself in the foster system where anyone could get to her. She'd be a target for monsters, inhuman, and human, "I think we'll pass on option one."
"Agreed."
"Option two?"
"Well, it's more favourable, though it still has concerns. I contact Chiron and inform him I'm bringing Thalia to Camp Halfblood. The likelihood of Thalia joining the camp has always been high since her birth, though not until she was older. Kids as young as Thalia don't typically go there unless there's no other choice. Kids who have no homes, and have been abandoned by their parents, much like the situation she's currently in."
Naruto nodded, taking a bite from his smore, "Camp Halfblood."
Of course, he was aware of the existence of the camp. Located on Long Island, Camp Halfblood was one of the few places in the world that acted as a haven for the demigods. Somewhere where they didn't need to look over their shoulders every five minutes, and where they could meet people like themselves and build real relationships. He'd never seen it, but Hestia told him a few stories about some of the people that went there. He met a fair few of them as well, though none were aware of his real identity.
Frederic Bartholdi.
Harriet Tubman.
Amelia Earhart.
William Shakespeare.
Just to name a few.
It was a place where kids like Thalia could learn to control whatever gifts they inherited from their godly parent, and learn how to fight. If he was honest with himself, though Camp Halfblood sounded ideal, he didn't like the idea of children as young as Thalia learning how to wield a sword and fight monsters. The people of today weren't like the people from past cultures. They certainly weren't like the people of his era. The two were like night and day.
Teaching children to fight and kill at such a young age could have harmful consequences on how said children grew up in the world. You only had to look at Kakashi, or Itachi, to see the lasting effect it had on them. There was a reason old man Third Hokage ensured no genin left the Ninja Academy any younger than twelve after the events of the Uchiha Massacre.
Children that young shouldn't have to worry about wielding a sword. They shouldn't have to go to bed feeling pleased that they managed to survive one more day, before turning fearful about what the next day might bring. Camp Halfblood, though it would be a place Thalia would eventually have to visit when she inevitably embraced her heritage, didn't feel like the right fit for someone barely out of diapers.
"It's better than the first option, though she's a bit young to learn how to kill monsters" He mumbled before asking, "What's the third option?"
Finishing another bite from her smore, Hestia fluttered her eyelashes, "Are you sure you want to hear it?" Naruto gave her a look, "Fine, fine. The third option is she stays here with you. You raise her, protect her, and teach her how to defend herself when the time comes."
"Oh? Is that all?" Naruto feigned surprise, "You don't ask for much, do you?"
"It's not like you haven't done it before."
"That was a long time ago." He replied, looking away. A pretty little blonde girl with big blue eyes flashed across his mind. She was a cute little thing, though she didn't stay that way. She grew up and became a formidable warrior in her own right. She was more likely to run a spear through you if you earned her ire, "Five hundred years ago. Not to mention, she wasn't even a demigod from the Greek Pantheon. She was from the Norse. I know you guys don't like to mingle." He waved his hands in the air.
"A demigod's a demigod, no matter where they're from. Just like monsters are still monsters, no matter what form they take," Hestia reminded him, "What was her name again?"
Naruto turned his head her way, "Gunilla."
"Ahh, yes," Hestia nodded, "I remember. She was a cute one if I remember right, and a daughter of Thunder, much like Thalia is."
"Thor was never more annoying then he was while Gunilla was under my care. He used visiting her as an excuse to pick a fight." Naruto sighed and fell backwards until he was looking up a the ceiling. Could he look after another demigod again? "I don't know Hestia."
Hestia giggled, and soon found herself staring up at the ceiling with her blonde best friend, "Would it be that bad?"
"I don't know. Maybe?" His thoughts turned to all the time's his customers would visit the Fox's Den with their kids. They gravitated to him, and vice versa. He would pull silly faces at them, and make them food that wasn't even on the menu if it's what they wanted. It never bothered the parents, simply cause it was keeping the kids happy.
He liked to think it all stemmed back to him being a father. He loved being a father when Boruto and Himawari were born, despite how terrifying it was. When he took Gunilla in, it was because he saw a little girl who needed love and attention. He treated her like she was his own. It helped that he got on with her godly father, despite his unnatural love for fighting and causing a mess. However, another reason was that he didn't want children growing up the same way he did. Alone and without a family by your side, "I made it a point not to reveal myself to the world unless necessary. I keep myself to myself because it's easier that way. Meeting you had been a happy accident, one that I'll never regret. Meeting Norse Gods were the same, despite some of them trying to poke me full of holes."
He sighed and rested the back of his head on the carpet.
"I'm tired, Hestia. I miss home. I miss my family. I shouldn't be here." His words came out as a whisper, but Hestia had heard him. Reaching over with a free hand, she woved her fingers through his and gave it a reassuring squeeze, "She pops up every now again, you know. More so recently, since I moved to New York. She has this habit of appearing in my mind whenever things seem to be going well."
"Do you think she's waking up?" A lace of fear etched into Hestia's voice. To her relief, Naruto shook his head.
He shook his head, "She stirs from time to time to time, but not since the 1940s have I felt it. I'd know if she's awake." He put down the rod holding the half-eaten smore and patted his chest, "I'd feel it if I did. That woman and I have linked thanks to the curse she put on me."
"Many would see immortality as a gift."
"She didn't intend it to be a gift. She never did." His gaze hardened up at the ceiling, "I wouldn't give her what she wanted, so she took everything from me." He turned and looked at Hestia, his eyes shifting from anger into sadness, "Taking Gunilla into my care was one thing. When she died, Odin turned her into a Valkyrie. When Thalia dies, she goes to the Underworld, and I never see her again. I'm inviting more pain into my life, and there's enough in there as it is."
Hestia rolled onto her side, "True, but would you turn away a child in need of help? That's not the Naruto I know." Despite his words, Hestia knew her friend too well. He wore his heart on his sleeve. He couldn't help himself when it came to helping people. It was like he was hardwired that way. Something inside him wouldn't allow him to walk away from a situation where he could make a difference.
Somewhere he could turn a negative into a positive.
"I think that's what people used to call my Hero complex. I can't help but meddle, even when everyone else avoids it." He shook his head and laughed to himself.
"A good quality to have. Shame more people don't have it."
"I guess." He let out another sigh, before pushing himself back into a sitting position. Hestia quickly joined him, watching as the cogs in his mind started turning. She could tell he was always pondering over the idea. Letting it sink in, picturing the potential outcomes of letting a demigod of Thalia's calibre remain with him.
"I'd have to come public to your family if I do this." He said, "To your brother at the very least. He should know where she is, even if he doesn't pay her the attention he should." He didn't need another Thunder God trying to pick a fight with him. One was enough.
"Zeus shouldn't be an issue. Despite his reputation when it comes to his daughters, he does develop soft spots for them," Hestia revealed, thinking on all the times Zeus coddled and spoiled Artemis and Athena when they were young goddesses, "Luckily, next month is June. Zeus will be celebrating his anniversary to Hera, which will put him in a positive mood."
"How positive?"
"So positive that it's the only time in the year that the gods can request practically anything from him within reason, and he'll say yes." It was hilarious to watch, and Hestia found herself in a fit of giggles whenever she saw the queue of immortals lining up outside of Zeus's temple. Taking the virginity of his beautiful and faithful wife every year thanks to Hera's sacred bath within her temple always put a spring in his step. Once she saw him dancing along the streets of Olympus because he was in such a good mood, "There's no better time. I'll bring him to the Fox's Den in June. I'll let you know the date beforehand."
He ran a hand over his face, and pinched the bridge of his nose, "One little detail I think you're missing."
"Oh?"
"Your sister." A knowing look ran over his face as he stared at Hestia, "Could she become a problem in the future?" The stories around Hera and the demigod children of her husband were infamous. Any child born from the union between the King of the Gods and a mortal woman would find themselves at the mercy of the enraged Queen, and their lives rarely ended on a positive note.
"My sister is aware of Thalia's existence. So far she's left her alone. Whether that's because Zeus threatened action if Hera tried anything, or she's playing the long game, I can't say." Hestia explained, "In the past, her decisions towards Zeus's demigod children have been the result of spontaneous decision making. Hera's dream is to have the perfect family, and children of Zeus that don't come from her ruin that image. It took her a long time to accept Zeus's Olympian children since they weren't going anywhere. Since demigods have mortal lifespans, actions against them only have temporary consequences."
She never agreed with her sister's actions in the past. Though she could understand Hera felt betrayed, and it was never easy to watch your sister's heartbreak over and over again by constant infidelity, her actions towards demigods couldn't be justified in her eyes. Zeus was the one at fault, not the child. If Hera wanted to take her anger out on someone, then it should have been her husband.
However, as would always happen, Hera would kick him out of their marriage bed for a while, but Zeus would sweet-talk his way back into Hera's good graces. It was a cycle that continued for millennia and knowing them as she did, it wasn't going to stop any time soon. It was the definition of a dysfunctional marriage. It was no wonder the aspect of it became riddled with divorce. How could the domain thrive when the goddess who watched over it was in a one-sided marriage of their own.
Naruto let out a low hum and sensed the aura of the little girl sleeping upstairs. So innocent and small.
"What are you thinking?" Hestia asked, recognising the look on his face. He was in deep thought, his fingers tapping against his knee. It was a little sign she picked up over the years when he was thinking about something. His fingers couldn't keep still.
"I understand why you're sister acts out," he replied, garnering Hestia's attention, "I think we all would be if we married to him. She's angry and frustrated. She's at the end of her rope as it were. I remember you saying a long time ago that she wanted nothing more than the picture-perfect family. No offence to your sister, but she's not going to have that with Zeus."
"Many of us have told her, but she chooses to ignore our advice." Hera was incredibly stubborn, and her temper could go unmatched when pushed the wrong way. Even Zeus was hesitant to deal with his wife when she was angry beyond words, "Since marriage is her domain, she doesn't take advice well on the subject."
The blonde nodded "I sympathise with her, but that's no excuse to take that frustration out on children, even if they're her unfaithful husband's children." Adults harming children didn't sit well with him. Gods and Goddesses who thought they could mess with children, they would have a rude awakening with him around, "I'll make this blunt Hestia," He confident look appeared on his face, "Whether it's your sister, or someone else. I pity any God from any pantheon that comes to MY doorstep looking to pick a fight. Whether it's with me, or it's with Thalia. They'll be on a one way trip to whatever version of Hell you gods have."
"So, does that mean the girl can stay?" Hestia asked, sounding hopeful.
With a tired nod, Naruto agreed, "Yeah, I guess she can stay. As you said, it's her best option."
Hestia clapped her hands together, "Wonderful news. I think this is the best alternative." She didn't need to wonder if Thalia was going to be happy here. She knew in her heart that Naruto would provide a warm and loving home for her little niece. He might be rusty when it comes to raising a child as young as Thalia, but if anyone could manage, it was him. Children of Zeus could be notoriously hard to raise, and often inherited some of her brothers less than desirable traits. However, those children didn't have a knucklehead like Naruto raising them. She was sure as Thalia grew up, she'd realise there was little she could get away with.
"Don't think you're getting out this scott free," Naruto replied, replied and watched Hestia freeze mid-clap, "If you think I'm doing this alone, then you've got another thing coming."
She wasn't sure she was going to like this, "What do you mean?"
"I'll look after Thalia on one condition." He held up a finger.
"What's the condition?" She asked, looking at him suspiciously. He leaned in, a tired grin forming on his face.
"You have to help me raise her. I think it's time Thalia got to know her wonderful Auntie Hestia."
"What!" Hestia gasped, looking like someone who Stuck their finger in a plug socket, "What do you mean? I can't do that!"
"Sure, you can. It's easy. I mean, you've seen your sisters raise their kids, so you know what not to do." He shrugged and stood up, "You can't tell me you've never wondered what it would be like to raise a child of your own."
"You know I haven't." Hestia stood up and scowled at him. She would have appeared threatening if her cheeks didn't puff up when she got mad. She looked like an angry chipmunk who had her nuts stolen from her, "I swore I would never have children of my own. I'm not maternal. I don't have that...that...vibe!"
"That vibe?" Naruto snorted.
"You know what I mean!"
"Technically, you're not having kids in the traditional sense. You're merely helping me raise Thalia." He said again, "I'm not asking you to do the whole Mom act. I'm saying be her Auntie Hestia, and build a relationship with her." Thalia should have a female presence in her life, and who better than Miss Goody Two Shoes, Hestia.
"We're not supposed to be present in the lives of Demigod children."
He shrugged, "Your brother wasn't supposed to have any more demigods. Look how well that turned out. Besides, when was the last time you bent the rules a little."
"I don't bend any rules!"
He snorted.
"What was that for?"
A hand came up to his mouth, and he coughed out, "1969."
Hestia's eyes went wide, and pointed the finger at him again, "You promised we would not talk about that!"
"I recall we were at Woodstock?"
"I'm warning you!"
"I still remember the smile on your face as you crowd surfed from one corner to the other. The Who were performing," He grinned, before feeling a weight jump on his back and a small fist begin bopping him on the head, "Ow! You crazy goddess! Get off!"
"You sad you would never mention that day again!"
"My fingers were crossed!"
"Gah!"
His yelps soon turned into chuckles. Eventually, he was able to slide the annoyed goddess off his back and placed her back on her two feet. She looked less than happy, but he knew she wouldn't do anything to hurt him. It wasn't Hestia's nature to hurt. It was her nature to soothe.
"Come on, Hestia." His voice turned low, "I'm not asking you to make this girl your daughter, or anything like that. All I'm asking is for you to be a positive female presence in her life. I dread to think about what kind of presence Beryl had in her young life." His hand came up and rested on her shoulder. If it was anyone else, Hestia's might have scolded their palm, "Just be the cool aunt I know you can be. A good influence," His eyes softened, "For me?"
Now it was Hestia's turn to soften. It took a few moments, but when her shoulders dropped, he knew he had her. It wasn't like Hestia to turn away from someone who needed help. They were much the same in that regard. Naruto rarely asked for favours, and Hades knew, the blonde had helped her out a time or two. It wasn't like she was going to be solely responsible for the girl. She would be helping out and being the cool aunt, as the blonde stated.
She sighed.
"Fine."
"Really!?"
"Yes, yes. For you, Naruto. Only for you."
In typical Naruto fashion, Hestia found herself swept up in a tight hug, breaking her annoyed visage and turned her expression back into a smile, "Have I ever told you you're amazing, Hestia?"
"Oh, once or twice, though it never hurts to hear it." She patted him on the back, "Come on we don't want our drinks getting cold. I still have room left for another smore, or two."
"Of course. You can have all the smores you like."
Hestia giggled, "I'll hold you to that."
Sorry for how late this chapter was, but it was a struggle trying to write this. I've been feeling quite unmotivated recently, due to work commitments and personal stuff going on. I wanted to get this chapter out before August came to an end.
As you can see this chapter was solely based on the relationship between Naruto and Hestia. I know people have been asking for a pairing between Naruto and Hestia, but in this story, they're strictly close friends. Also, if you're wondering what happened with Melinoe in the Underworld, it will be addressed soon.
Thanks for reading and please review.