So, a small change of plan. This was meant to be the conversation between Naruto, Zeus and Hestia, but the initial part of the chapter ended up stretching out longer then I thought. I didn't want to squash it all into a single chapter, so it's been split into the two parts, with Part XVl containing the rest of the meeting. You'll understand why as you read.

Also, thank you to everyone who enjoyed reading my Naruto/Danmachi story, Baked Divinity. It means a lot to see how much everyone enjoyed it.

I hope you all enjoy Part XV.

Naruto/Percy Jackson Crossover

Dining With Divinity

Part XV

Olympus

"Goodness, it's the same every year," Hestia muttered, weaving her way through the line of gods and goddesses that lined the streets of Olympus, queueing outside the temple of Zeus like they did the same time every year. Immortals major and minor, and even some of the nymphs and satyr that looked after Olympus were in attendance. Each was looking for a minute with the King while he was in a good mood. She spotted Artemis and Athena near the front, while near the back was Apollo and Ares, the pair likely having arrived late and didn't appear happy by it if their grumbling was any indication. She wasn't sure why the daughters of Zeus were queuing up when her brother tended to give them everything they needed and wanted regardless, "Excuse me. Coming through."

"Lady Hestia! No cutting in line!"

"Miss Hestia, there's a line!"

"Can she do that?"

"Beats me."

She gave everyone her signature warm smile, "I'm sorry everyone, but I need to speak with my brother. It won't take long." Some of the other gods appeared pouty, causing her to shake her head. For deities that could live forever, they were sure impatient.

"Aunt Hestia? I think this is the first time I've ever seen you take advantage of father after his night with Hera." The voice came from Athena, as Hestia came to a stop at the doors of her brother's temple, sparing a glance as Athena tilted her head in her direction, gazing at her with those stern grey eyes of hers, "Do you have something you wish for from father?"

The Goddess of Wisdom looked perplexed. She'd never known her aunt to ask for anything. Unlike the rest of their family, Hestia enjoyed the simple things and wasn't one for extravagance. She didn't need the fines jewellery, or a giant temple. She too comforts and warmth over grandeur. It simply wasn't in her nature.

The Goddess of the Hearth shook her head, and a small smile appeared on her face as she gently pulled the doors open, "No, nothing for me. I've just come to visit my little brother, that's all. Don't worry. I won't keep him too long." She meant to go inside, but stopped and turned back towards her niece, " What are you asking for this year, Athena?"

Athena straightened her back, "Many of the world museums are in desperate need of refurbishment. Some go as far as needing renovations, but the mortals in charge are being difficult. I'm merely going to check with Father to see if I can go down and hurry things along." Athena crossed her arms, "Maybe ask for an additional museum, or maybe a library to be built in a location of my choosing later on."

"I'm sure you have a list made up for possible locations?"

"Of course. Without lists, nothing would get done."

'Something's never changed,' Hestia thought, before wishing her niece good luck, "I hope you get what you're after." Behind Athena, Hestia offered Artemis a wave. The Goddess of the Moon offered one in return before she disappeared through the doors. She heard some groans as she entered, but could only laugh as the doors closed behind her.

Trekking inside, she unsurprisingly found her brother situating himself on his veranda that looked out across Olympus, and down on the mortal's world. The temple of Zeus was one of the two structures built on the highest point of the fabled mountain, the other being the throne room which took up the left-hand side. The King of the Gods was still dressed in his sleepwear, a dark blue robe covering his body, while a mug of coffee sat in his right hand. A range of breakfast food spread across the table, with a copy of the New York Times newspaper off to the side. To her surprise, he wasn't alone, and sat in front of him was the Queen herself.

Bathed in the light of the morning it was no wonder why Hera was recognised as the most beautiful goddess on Olympus before Aphrodite arrived on the scene. She appeared to favour her original form with her long black liquorice-like hair swaying down freely down her back, untied from any braid she often styled it in. A smile was on her face that matched her husband with small crumbs dotted across the top of her mouth with a half-eaten pastry in hand. Her dark brown eyes shimmed with happiness and amusement. She and youngest daughter were near copies of each other, but there was a regality in Hera's form that Hebe couldn't mimic. Beneath the table, her feet were bare with a golden ankle wrapped around her ankle. She couldn't help notice her foot brushing against her husband's leg.

'I didn't think Hera would be here. Normally, she retires to her temple after her night with Zeus.' Though it appeared that didn't seem to be the case, it didn't hinder her plans. She and Naruto had been planning today for a time and needed to see it through. Hera's presence wasn't going to stop her. Stepping onto the veranda and approaching the table where the happy couple sat, it took but a moment before both sensed her presence and turned their heads in her direction.

"Sister!" Zeus's voice reached her first. The large god pushed himself out of the chair, a beaming smile on his face as he quickly crossed the veranda and scooped her up in a hug. His beard tickled the top of her head, and she found herself kept there for a few moments before finally getting settled back on her feet, "This is a nice surprise. Come! Come! Join us for a late breakfast."

"Zeus is right, this is a nice surprise and a welcome one at that," Hera replied, putting her pastry to the side and dusting off her hands, "To what do we owe the pleasure on this fine morning?" Hestia settled on the chair between them. It seemed Zeus wasn't the only one in a good mood. Her sister looked happier then she'd been in months. Perhaps their yearly ritual of Zeus taking her virginity was the final action needed to repair their marriage, however temporary it may be until something else came along to infuriate the pair. Hopefully, today's meeting wouldn't be that event.

"Oh, nothing. I wanted to see if Zeus was free today and if he had time to come into the city with me. Maybe get a spot of lunch."

By the look on the God of the Sky's face, that appeared to be something he wanted to hear. His broad smile got broader, and his electric blue eyes, the ones Thalia's inherited, glowed brighter in delight.

"That sounds like a terrific idea. I can't remember the last time we went into the city for a meal. Certainly not this decade." He looked across the table and back to his wife, "Would you like to join us, my love?"

For a brief moment, worry-filled Hestia's heart. She hadn't counted on Hera attending the meeting with her, and if she did, then it would likely spell disaster. Thalia would be there, and since she had been at the centre of her sister's ire over the past couple of months, she didn't think Hera would be able to keep herself in check. If she lashed out, not only would Zeus's anger also begin to burn, but Naruto would step in as well. It would be a mess and not one that could clean up with a simple motion of someone's hand.

Luckily for her, that worry was nought, as Hera shook her head, "I'm afraid I already have pre-existing plans with Hebe and Elithiya, though maybe some other time. There's this little place in the city that's been all the rage amongst the gods of late. Maybe we could try it sometime soon."

"Strangely enough, that's where I was hoping to take Zeus today."

Her sister visibly deflated, sticking her perfect lips out in a pout, "How unfortunate," Hera muttered, now looking genuinely disappointed, "Well, never mind. You'll have to tell me what it's like when you return, my love, and we can plan a trip ourselves."

"Of course. I would love nothing more, my Queen." Standing up from her chair, she walked to the other side of the table, and planted a soft kiss on her husband's lips, a hand gently brushing against his cheek, "Last night was..."

"I know. We haven't had an evening like that in some years. Let's hope we have many more nights like that in the future." She whispered back. The two were acting so lovey Dovey that Hestia started to feel out of place, and tried to look anywhere but the happy couple. She didn't need to hear any details on their night together and gently hummed to herself as she waited for them to finish. Eventually, Hera parted from her husband, "I need to go and get ready. I meet with the girls in an hour. Enjoy your day together. Perhaps try and bring me back something sweet for dinner tonight."

"Am I not sweet enough for you, my beautiful wife?" Zeus replied a look in his eye that Hestia didn't like. If she hadn't arrived when she did, the pair would have likely started using the table for something else.

"We'd be happy to sister." With that, the Goddess of marriage disappeared in a golden shimmer, leaving the King and his elder sister alone together, "Enyo won't be joining them?" The twin of Ares hadn't visited Olympus in a long time. Many of their family hadn't seen Enyo in decades, maybe even centuries. The only person who had any contact with the Goddess of War was Hebe. Hera had tried on different occasions to coax it out from her daughter, but with no success. No doubt she would likely try again today. The relationship between Enyo and her parents was tender at best.

"Still no luck on that front." Zeus sighed, and crossed his arms, "That girl. She was never an easy one."

"She was never really the same after being denied a position on the Olympian Council." She remembered that day. Zeus chose Athena over Enyo and gave her the seat instead of Enyo, a seat which he had promised to Enyo for a long time. She could still remember the hurt expression on her nieces face, worsening when Hera, who initially supported Enyo, sided with Zeus on the decision. Athena was the better fit for the position. There was no denying that. As the Goddess who resided over Wisdom, Strategy and Warfare, the Olympian Council was the best fit for her. Afterwards, they all agreed they didn't need another deity of War, and Enyo grew bitter and angry as a result. The little girl that would fawn for attention from her mother and father was arguably one of the most bloodthirsty deities on Olympus. Perhaps even more so then Ares, and that was a frightening thought.

Zeus didn't say anything. He merely turned his head and looked out across the world that was open to him. He didn't say it aloud, but he missed his daughter.

"Don't forget you have a long queue of people outside your temple waiting to ask you for things."

All the God of the Sky did was grumble beneath his breath. He was well aware of the other immortals of his pantheon, as well as the nymphs and dryads used the morning after his night with Hera to take advantage of his good mood. Whether they knew it or not, he caught onto their shenanigans centuries ago but being the benevolent deity he knew himself to be, he went with it and acted in a manner that wouldn't give himself away.

"Oh, joy. Who's first?"

She gave him a look, "Who do you think?"

He sighed, "Which one is it this time? A museum? Or a library?"

Hestia laughed, "I think she might be aiming for both, along with some renovations."

"Maybe I should have given her divinity over greed too, and gluttony to Artemis. I imagine she's out there too."

"She's second in line."

"Of course, she is." Letting out a small huff, Zeus quickly drank the rest of his coffee and stood up from his seat. With a click of his fingers, his robe transformed and was soon standing in his usual blue pin-striped suit with thunder dancing across the fabric, "Alright, let's get this over with, and then we'll head down to the mortal world." He visibly deflated a little, and walked a little slower back inside his temple, trying to look upbeat and happy, "Wish me luck."

"Good luck, Zeus."

Underworld

"Why are you telling me weeks later?" The low and barrow tone voice of the Ruler of the Dead asked, his dark and obsidian-like eyes glancing down at his daughter from his throne, "Did you not think this was information you should have shared then, instead of now?"

Suddenly finding the marble tiles of her father's temple more desirable than ever before, the Goddess of Ghosts avoided eye contact, not wishing to see the coldness that was radiating from them. Why did she have to be so indecisive? She sat on the information about Naruto Uzumaki for well over a month, going back and forth whether to inform the ruler of the dead or not, before finally making her mind up earlier that morning.

"It wasn't something I thought I would ever discover. I wasn't sure how to approach the subject. It's not every day one comes across a man from the Golden Age that's found a way to defy time." She reasoned, though, by the look on her father's face, an expression of sheer neutrality, he wasn't buying it.

"The very fact that you came across such a person should have sent warning bells off in that head of yours. Were you planning on hiding this from me?"

"No!" Melinoe replied, stomping one foot on the marble, "As I said. I didn't know how to bring this to you. I didn't know how you'd react."

A clap ran through the room, the sound coming from the Hades two hands, "Well, now you know." He glared down at her, "If you had told me right off the bat when we first visited his place of work together, then perhaps my reaction would have been different." Hades wasn't sure how he would have reacted if Melinoe had brought this information to him weeks ago, but at least he wouldn't have been feeling angry at his daughter for keeping such information to herself for over a month, "You've told me everything you know? You haven't left out any details?"

"That's everything I found out," Melinoe confirmed, finally raising her face and looking him square in the eye, "His relatives live in the oldest part of Elysium as I said. They, um," She started, though thumbled over her wording as she tried to find the right words, "The way they describe him."

"What about it?"

"Well, he doesn't come across as a bad person. They had nothing but good things to say about him." Her hands twiddled together in front of her, "He's very loved. I can't deny it wasn't sweet to see and hear."

Hades leaned back in his throne, letting out a small scoff before rubbing his head forehead with his pale hand, "A man of the Golden Age living beneath our very noses for centuries. No, millennia. One wouldn't think it was possible." Despite his birth coinciding with the final decades of that Age, Hades never met anyone alive from that generation. He was too busy residing in the stomach of his father and waging war with him. There had been talk amongst his siblings to try and go down to the mortal world and observe them. The mortals of the old age had abilities and gifts those of today could only dream of possessing. Everything they learned and knew about them came from their mother, the Titaness, Rhea. Unlike the other Titans, she had watched them in idle curiosity and fascination from above, "How is he still alive after all this time?"

"I don't know, nor do his loved ones in Elysium. They are as confused as us how he still lives."

"He should have died in the Great Shift. No one from the Golden Generation could have survived the destruction that the Earth Mother wrought upon the world." All he and his siblings could do was watch from atop Olympus as the world beneath them churned and twisted the world into something new. Landscapes changed, and oceans took new shapes around them. The once-mighty supercontinent broke into the ones they knew today. The very thought of a single person surviving such an upheaval of the planet was ludicrous to acknowledge.

And yet one did.

He served his family hot drinks, and delicious delicacies, while making idle chit-chat with them, never revealing what he was. He wasn't sure how to feel with this revelation. The man seemed nice enough, and his wife hadn't caught onto anything negative about the man. Persephone was a good judge of character, much like his elder sister in that regard. However, the fact he and Persephone hadn't caught onto the man's emotional ties to those in the Underworld, and Melinoe had, showed him how complacent he'd become. That piece of knowledge didn't sit right with him.

Clicking his tongue, Hades stood from his throne and descended the steps. With a flick of his wrist, his attire changed. Gone was his dark robes, replaced with the usual outfit he wore when visiting the mortal world. He needed answers, and he wasn't going to sit around and wait for someone to bring them to him. Sometimes, the only thing to do was to go and get them yourself. Hopefully, none of his family on Olympus would be visiting the Fox's Den today, though he planned on shrouding his divine signature, so no one stopped by for a visit at the same time.

"Change your attire, and follow me."

"Father?" Melinoe replied, watching as Hades moved past her and falling in line a few steps behind him, "Where are you going? I mean, where are we going?"

"We're going to the human world, and we're going to pay the Fox's Den a visit."

Melinoe said nothing but did release a small gulp, her eyes remaining on the frosty back of the lord of the Underworld.

West Village

"I can't remember the last time I visited West Village. Admittedly, not much has changed, though I do get a sense of nostalgia fall over me." Zeus proclaimed, walking side by side with his elder sister and glancing all around him, "I wonder if that Chinese takeout place I use to like is still there? I remember I use to order from there nearly every day."

"I remember," Hestia replied. They must have looked like quite the sight with Zeus's enormous height and frame and Hestia's petiteness. Hestia barely came up Zeus's chest, "I also remember Hera banning you from going there ever again because your temple and your clothes were beginning to smell exactly like the said restaurant."

"Oh, yeah."

Instead of teleporting into the West Village, the pair had settled for travelling the old fashioned way, ging down the lift of the Empire State Building, and walking through the streets like a pair of regular mortals. The guard stationed at the elevator that stopped anyone using the Olympian transportation system to Olympus looked ready to have a heart attack at the sight of the King. Clearly, Zeus didn't use this passage very often, though Hestia was a regular during her walks around the city. They walked for a good forty minutes, taking the long route purposefully to chat as brother and sister. Zeus being who he was didn't get as much free time as one would think, while Hestia had been notably absent due to her new commitments. Hestia being who she was, was one of the few gods Zeus could drop all walls with and speak honestly and truthfully and would confide about his problems for hours. She was his shrink in a funny way, and a shoulder to lean on when the stresses of being King became too much.

Their love, unlike that he had for Hera, and once upon a time, Demeter was strictly that of siblings. Nothing more and nothing less. She believed her brother needed that female presence in his life. More so than her other brothers.

"So, I know what Athena asked for this year, but what about Artemis?"

A soft grunt came from Zeus, "She wants an upgrade on her chariot, but Hephaestus is, in her words, being a stupid-head and telling her no."

"So she wants you to convince him to do it for her?"

"More like ordering him to do it for her."

Hestia let out a soft laugh, "You give in too easily to those girls. Have you ever said no to them?" Zeus went to speak, but despite his mouth being open, no words came out, "I thought not. I think you need to be a little tougher with them if you want my opinion. You're certainly tougher on the boys."

The God of the Sky gave his sister a dry look. His sons were, for the lack of a better term, idiots. Where they got it from he had no idea. It certainly wasn't from him. It must have been from their mother's. His daughter didn't give him a tenth of the problems his sons would find themselves in.

"Stop staring at the beautiful mortal, Zeus," Hestia told him, annoyance laced in her voice. Across the street, a tall, and attractive blonde woman proudly displaying her rather sizable assets in a low-cut top had caught her brother's full attention. What made it worse was the pair appeared to be silently communicating to each other with a series of winks and smiles. She could see the woman giggle into her hand, and a grin wove it's way onto Zeus's face before a quick clap on the back of the head brought him out of it. Hestia gave him a look, and the King had the good decency of gulping at the ire in her eyes, "And you wonder why Hera has to keep such a close eye on you."

"B-But she started it!" He motioned over to the woman across the street, who appeared to be losing interest quickly now that Zeus's attention was no longer on her, "I was just...,"

"Oh, I know what you were just..." Hestia replied, grabbing his sleeve and tugging him away and towards their destination at a quicker rate, "I'm not being blamed for you forgetting your vows again because I didn't keep a closer eye on you. Hera's rage had already encompassed Olympus once this year, and that's already one too many. Do you really want to poke that bear again?"

"No." Zeus shook his head, took one last look at the blonde woman before ignoring her existence and continuing forward, "How much longer until we get there?"

"Not long. It's just up this way."

"I hope this place is as good as everyone's been making it out to be. Athena and Artemis, in particular, have really been hamming this place up."

"It's not that far. A couple of minutes, and we'll be there."

When a couple of minutes passed, Zeus couldn't help but stare at the brightly coloured outside of the Fox's Den, and couldn't help compare it too that golden monstrosity Apollo called a temple. Orange was a bold choice, especially considering it was the brightest shade of anything for blocks, 'Hera would have a heart attack the moment her eyes rested on this place.'

"This is the place Athena nad Artemis have been talking non-stop over?" Zeus asked, pointing up at the building with an incredulous look, "It's like a giant satsuma."

"Everyone has different tastes, I suppose," Hestia shrugged and reasoned. Truthfully, she thought the outside of the Fox's Den was a little too bold even for her, but she knew how much her friend loved the colour, "Shall we go in?"

"Hmm, lets." The brother and sister pair closed the gap and were soon just a couple of meters from the front door. Hestia couldn't deny, her heart felt like it was beating like a set of drums against her chest. She and Naruto had been preparing for this moment, but now that it was here, Hestia could only hope Zeus's mind was open to what he was going to learn. It would either end up great or end up very bad. She didn't feel like there was going to be any middle ground today.

Just as she was about to reach for the door, Zeus's voice broke the silence, and Hestia couldn't help but note the coldness laced in it. Turning her head, she felt her stomach drop, and her veins feel like ice was injected into them. Of all days, why did he have to appear?

"H-Hades!?" Hestia couldn't stop her voice from sounding like a squeak.

The God of the Underworld looked across from his sister, a few meters between them with a surprised look on his face, "Sister?" His voice was as cold and smooth as always, "This is a surprise."

"Yes, it is. I didn't think I'd see you until next Winter Solstice." Hestia looked behind her brother and noticed the younger goddess standing a couple of feet behind her brother, "Melinoe? Is that you?" Her niece/grandniece was a rare visitor on the surface world. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen the younger immortal, and how rare it was to see her in her normal form, instead of that ghastly ghostly appearance she tended to favour.

"G-Good afternoon, Aunt Hestia," Melinoe replied. Her face was a mask of insecurities. Her dark eyes looked between the three older deities and gulped at how imposing the two sons appeared while squaring off with each other. Times like this, she wished Persephone was here to wrap her arm around her and tell her everything was going to be okay. It was no secret that the eldest and youngest sons of the Titan King did not get on, but if the stormy look on Zeus's face and the look of cold indifference on her fathers was any indication, the two were not pleased to see one another.

"Come here, my dear." Hestia noticed Melinoe's worry and ushered her over. She put an arm around her shoulders, bringing her closer to keep her calm. It did little to soothe her own. It was times like these she wished Poseidon was here. Though he had a temper like his brothers, the middle son was far more mellow in comparison. He wasn't the type to openly antagonise Zeus and Hades unless provoked first. It took a lot to rile the God of the Sea's up.

"Brother." Hades started, glancing at Zeus like the King of the Gods was a bug that needed to be stepped on. Seeing his youngest brother was not on his agenda of things to do.

"What are you doing here, Hades!" Zeus's voice felt like booming thunder from far away, "Haven't you got the Underworld to keep an eye on, or are you beginning to slack in your duties?" The same feelings were running rampant through Zeus as well and felt his good mood begin to fade. Seeing his elder brother once a year was already too much.

"You'd know all about slacking, wouldn't you?" Hades looked over his brother's shoulder, "What? No Hera? Did our sister finally let you off the leash again after your most recent affair? I'm surprised she'd let you out of her sight."

"Be silent, Hades! Do not speak of things you have no part in."

"Did I strike a nerve?"

Thunder boomed overhead, and very quickly the clear skies began to darken as thunder clouds started forming across the city. If that wasn't enough, the ground beneath them shook with nearby shadows visibly darkening.

Finding her courage, Hestia's let out a guttural cough, drawing their attention, "Stop it, both of you!" She snapped at them, "I know you two don't get along, but there are a time and a place, and this isn't it. Cut it out before you accidentally raise New York to the ground!"

Jingle

All halted their actions and turned towards the now open door of the Fox's Den, a bell ringing in their ears. Sticking his head through the door, the blonde head of Naruto Uzumaki looked around at the small group forming in front of his store. His blue eyes widened when he saw Hades, his thoughts running rampant in his head, before releasing a sigh. He looked between the two brothers, then at Melinoe, and then to Hestia.

"I take it things haven't gone to plan?"

Hestia snorted. It was a sound the two brothers didn't hear from their sister often, "That's putting it mildly."

He ran a hand through his hair, "Can't do much about it, I guess." He looked back at Hades, "By your expression, I'm guessing this isn't a social visit."

"Correct. By your expression and by the fact you appear to know my sister," Hades glanced at his elder sister, "You know who I am, don't you."

Naruto nodded, "I do. I've known since your first visit with your wife. I didn't feel it was my place to reveal such knowledge." The God of the Underworld grunted back and merely stared back at him. Above them, thunder boomed, and all eyes fell on the God of the Sky. Zeus had waited patiently, waiting for someone to explain what was going on. However, being out of the loop began to grind on his pride, and glared at Hestia.

"What is going on!?" He demanded.

"Don't glare at her, you idiot." Hades hissed, "She's not at fault here."

"No one is at fault here, but I think this conversation might be better had inside. We're drawing some unwanted attention." Naruto reasoned, and appointed out all mortals stood out on the streets looking frightened by the crazy weather, and the minor earthquake ripping through the city. Some were hanging on to street lamps as they tried to keep their balance, while others started taking shelter as lightning cracked across the sky, "Come on, let' go inside."

He put a hand on Hestia's shoulder, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I just didn't expect Hades of all people to appear today."

"You and me both," He joked before both disappeared inside, leaving a gawking Zeus and Hades. The reason their expressions looked so bewildered was simple. Neither had ever seen Hestia allow a man who wasn't one of her brothers or her nephews touch her, "Come on. I've got a peppermint tea brewing for you."

"You're a lifesaver."

"I've been known to do that from time to time."

"What in the world," Zeus muttered to himself. Seeing his beloved elder sister acting cosy with a male was urking him something fierce. Beside him, he noticed Hades begin to move, and motioned for Melinoe to follow, "Hades?"

The elder son didn't bother looking back at his brother as he opened the door and followed the pair inside "What? I'm not going to stand out here all day." Hades replied, before disappearing inside.

"I-It's nice to see you again, Lord Grandfather." Melinoe gave a quick bow before hurrying after her father.

The God of the Sky could do little else but follow after them, rampant with questions filling his head. Hestia clearly knew the blonde man and suspected he must have been the one his daughters spoke so highly of, 'He looks like a one of Apollo's spawn.' He thought to himself, just as many others had done before him. Shaking his head, he let out a loud huff, 'I should have stayed in bed with Hera.'

Now there was an idea he could get behind.

He didn't get very far inside and almost ran into the back of Hades. "Hades! What-" He started to say, but went silent as his eyes trailed to the spot Hades and Meinoe were staring at. Sitting on a table in the back with colouring books and crayon scattered across the table was none other than his daughter, Thalia. "T-Thalia!?" He croaked out, surprise lacing his voice.

The little girl looked up, hearing someone say her name and looked over at the group. Before anyone else could say anything, she hopped off her seat and the three Gods watched as she ran behind Hestia and clung to her top. The Goddess could only let out a low laugh and patted the top of Thalia's dark curls, "No need to be shy, sweetie."

Her little face peeked out from behind Hestia, and Zeus could feel his daughter's eyes linger on him before hiding away again.

"Hestia!? What is the meaning of this!" His daughter wasn't supposed to be here! She was supposed to be in California with her mother! If Hera found out she'd been brought to New York again, he was worried his dear wife would do something rash and unforgivable. Not to mention, the Gods were not to have any contact with their demigods. The rule was in place for a reason! Granted Artemis had a pass due to the nature of her duties, as did Dionysus, who was currently helping Chiron in looking after the camp. But no one else should have been!

In a lower voice, he asked, "Why is she here?"

Instead of answering him right away, Hestia took a seat and gently cupped Thalia's face, "Why don't you head on to the back with Mr Naruto, and have a little nap. I can tell you're getting tired, young lady."

A pout grew on Thalia's face, but couldn't stop the yawn from breaking out, "But I'm not tired."

"Of course, you're not," She smiled, "That's what happens when you stay up too late with Mr Naruto to watch a movie past your bedtime. Go on now. Mr Naruto has a blanket and pillow for you in his office."

"Okay." Was all Thalia said before, giving the new people in the Den one last glance. Like before, her gaze lingered on Zeus for a moment, before quickly disappearing through the door that led to the kitchen and Naruto's office.

Hestia's smiled widened as her niece disappear, and turned back to look at her family, "I think she knows there something about you that's familiar. They do say children can get a sense of when a parent or someone with a strong connection to them is near."

"What is she doing here!" Zeus asked again. Outside, lightning cracked across the sky. He wanted answers! What kind of game was Hestia trying to play?

The Goddess held a hand up, "I know you're angry and confused, but all will be explained shortly." Hestia replied, and motioned for everyone to take a seat, "Naruto will be out shortly with food and drinks for us." She looked at Hades and Melinoe, "He'll whip something up for the two of you as well."

Hades grunted, and Melinoe nodded.

"I'm still confused to why you're both here, but regardless, it is nice to see you both. I didn't anticipate the two of you being here, but you're here now." Everyone in the room took a seat around the table. The brothers each took a seat on Hestia's side, though opposite one another. Uneasily, Melinoe took the chair on the other side, stuck between the glaring brothers.

'This is highly uncomfortable.' She thought. She could practically feel the animosity between the pair.

"Please, stop glaring at each other and calm down. I know this isn't what anyone expected to happen, but please act civil." Hestia told them, before adding, "I'll be disappointed if you both start trouble."

Both grunted, with Hades leaning back in his chair.

"I'll be civil as long as he is." His hands rested on the table, "I would never dream of upsetting you, Hestia."

The goddess smiled, "Thank you, Hades." She then turned to look at her youngest sibling, "Zeus? Can I expect the same?"

Zeus didn't say anything right away. He merely kept glaring at his elder brother, unease feeling him. Whatever reason Hestia had for bringing him here for had also gained the interest of the God of the Underworld. He didn't know if he was going to like what it was, though his gaze flickered between Hades and the door Thalia walked through. What was she doing here? Why wasn't she in California with her mother?

"For the sake of our sister, I will be civil. However, knowing my daughter is here, I can't help feel threatened with the feeling that our brother may try something against her." Zeus replied. Hestia sighed, and a look of defeat appeared on her face. She didn't need to look at Hades to know what expression was now on his face from the way the shadows darkened across the room. Zeus always had to get the last word in.

"I think you're getting confused with yourself, Thunder-thighs! I'm not the one who goes around blasting children and their mothers out of existence." Hestia and Melinoe could hear the venom in his Hade's voice. Melinoe was aware of the incident that Hade's was referring too, and could see the rage building in her usually composed father, "Or have you already forgotten?"

"Your children are dangerous!"

"And your's are worse! I'm thankful Persephone at least doesn't take after you, unlike the rest of your brood."

"Go hide in your dark holes in the ground, Hades!"

"Go back to Olympus and hide behind Hera's skirt!"

"Both of you stop it!" Hestia called for them to cease their bickering, but started dreading the worst when Zeus's pushed himself to his feet. Hades wasn't far behind, both breathing heavily. Her words weren't getting through to them. Gods! How stubborn and hard-headed could they be? They were neer this hostile to one another at the Winter Solstice, but then again, she had the other gods to reign them in. Hera would keep Zeus under control, while Persephone, though not a member of the Council, would stand by her husband and do the same. Meanwhile, Poseidon would keep an eye on the two, and step between them if called for it. It rarely happened, but there was a small handful of incidents when it did.

Would anything go as planned today?

"My children were innocent. They did nothing wrong!" Hades said in a low tone, his dark eyes getting dark by the second, "You punished them and their mother for no reason but your paranoia!"

"There is a prophecy looming over us! I took the incentive!" Zeus said back, and threw his hands in the air, "Bah! They went straight to your realm! What does it matter?"

"What matters is that they didn't even get a chance at life! You took it from them!"

The two gods started walking around the table, and towards each other. By some miracle, Zeus didn't have his Master Bolt on hand, nor did Hades have his Helm of Domination. She wasn't worried about the pair of them getting hurt. They had scuffled in the past, but this time they were in the lower world, and not Olympus. If they fought, New York might never be the same again, and many lives would be lost.

Before any more words were said, or a fist could be thrown, a small breeze blew past Hestia's ear. Between Zeus and Hades, another person appeared and threw their arms out to the side, hands pushing against the elder gods chest with enough force that the window shook from the impact. To Hestia and Melinoe's surprise, both Zeus and Hades got sent sailing through the air. Both impacted the walls behind them and fell to the ground. Both were in a daze over what just happened.

"I'm only going to say this once."

Where they once stood, both the God of the Underworld and the Sky found the blonde owner, his arms stretched out and palms glowing with gold energy. He looked annoyed, looking back and forth between the pair before they heard him say, "In the future when Hestia tells you to stop, you stop. Cause if you make her cry, I'll make you pay for it." He then brought one fist into his palm, and gave both a glare, "You better believe it!"

Hopefully, you all understand why this ended up being split into the two parts. Hades wasn't originally going to be in this confrontation, but everything with Melinoe and Hecate meeting Naruto's past loved ones needed to be resolved. So, I decided to bring them in, and resolve it, along with Zeus finding out about Thalia. There wasn't much Naruto in this one, but he'll be back next chapter.

Not to mention, I wanted to show what the relationship between Zeus and Hades was like, how uncomfortable it is for others around them. The way I wanted to portray them was as two brothers who just can't see eye to eye on anything. We all have those friends or family members that just don't get on, no matter what the subject is. I hope I did it justice.

Part XVl will likely be sometime next month.

Thanks for reading everyone, and please review.