Fields of Elysium Chapter II

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"Come on, Rook, let's go." Sparing her father a glance as he walked to speak to the wheelchair-bound Mr. Brunner, Helen took off towards the side of their house, closely followed by the golden kitten. They were chasing after Mrs. Dodds, who was pulling the boy roughly behind her. Helen took a moment to glance around. Nobody was paying any attention to them. "That's odd. Don't you think so Rook?" The kitten mewled in agreement.

By the time the duo rounded the house the teacher was already interrogating the student, Percy Jackson.

"Excuse me." She cut in with all the self-confidence of a fifteen-year-old. Both of them turned to her for a moment. "What are you doing? This really isn't the time, or the place, for whatever games you two like playing." She grinned when the boy's face twisted in disgust. Never let it be said she was not her father's daughter.

"Leave, child." The woman's head was turned to face her while the rest of her body was angled towards the boy. It was really disturbing, but it sent a jolt through her brain.

"Harpy?" She muttered to herself, too quiet for anybody but the golden kitten to hear. "Sorry, can't do that. Why don't all three of us walk over there, and then we can deal with the problem you two are having?"

"She keeps saying I stole something!" Percy yelled at her.

"Quiet, boy!" The woman snapped, eyes still drilling holes into Helen.

This is all too weird. The girl thought to herself. I knew today was going to be a bad day. "No?" she asked aloud.

"I couldn't pinpoint it before, but there's something about you, girl." Mrs. Dodds raised her head, keeping her eyes trained on Helen, and took a deep sniff. "It's your scent."

"Excuse me? I showered this morning." Now would be a really good time for dad to just happen to come.

"It was hidden before, but it's so strong now." The woman's body turned to march her head and she took a step forward. "It's so… captivating."

"No, stay back." Helen pointed at the woman. "Stranger danger. Stranger danger!"

"Be quiet girl, this won't take long." Mrs. Dodds curled forward as a pair of leathery wings burst from her back. With a mighty thump they took her up, her frame elongating on the way.

"What the hell?" Percy Jackson gasped; eyes wide.

"Oh crap." Helen gulped. Rook took up a defensive stance in front of her, baring his teeth at the flying woman. "DADDY!" Helen yelled as loud as she could.

"Nobody can save you now. Not your father, and not your little cat."

"Rook, stall her." The little kitten gave out a mighty roar the shoot the ground, before a golden light shone from within him and he grew.

"What the hell!" Percy Jackson gasped, taking a step back.

When the light finally dimmed, there stood a massive golden lion, lightning still arcing through his fiery-red mane. He gave off another roar, this one even louder than before, and glared at the flying woman with slitted, golden eyes. Mrs. Dodds stood still for a moment.

"A Nemean Lion." She said, eyes bulging. "Why are you here, noble beast? Were you attracted by the girl's scent as well? We can share the meal." Her lips stretched in a caricature of a smile, showing off her sharp teeth.

"He's with me." Helen managed a weak smile.

"Such a shame." Was all the woman said before she swooped down.

She sped off towards the lion. With a massive leap, Rook dodged to the side, but the winged woman continued towards Helen.

"Fury. Not harpy." The girl muttered, her eyes giving off a muted glow. "Halt!" She threw her arm in front of her, palm turned towards Mrs. Dodds. The woman stopped in the air, a bewildered look on her face for a second before a golden mass pounced on her back, sending her to the ground.

"HELEN?" Her father finally arrived, running full speed towards them, something metallic glinting in his right hand.

Mrs. Dodds managed to throw Rook off her back, her shoulder bleeding heavily, and took to the air again with one functioning wing. Helen watched as her father took that moment to throw an orange knife at her. It arced through the air, sparks traveling down its length, and, with a sickening thunk, embedded itself hilt-deep into the woman's head.

She dissolved into a light golden dust.

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Naruto took a quick moment to compose himself and glance at his surroundings, before bounding towards his daughter.

"Hellen? Are you alright?" He took her into his arms, ignoring Brunner as he wheeled himself towards the black-haired boy. He kissed the top of her head gently as she snuggled into his chest.

"Yeah, I'm fine daddy." She let out a breath. "I did it again. The voice thing." She added after a moment, quietly.

"Hush, φιλτάτη, as long as you're alright." His grip on her tightened slightly. Suddenly, a large golden snout pushed between them, causing the father and daughter to let out a laugh. "Thank you Rook." Naruto gave to top of the lion's head a kiss as well while Helen scratched the side of his neck, her hand disappearing in his mane. Rook let out a loud purr.

"Mr. Namikaze, please step away from it."

"Hm?" Naruto looked up, glancing at Brunner. The boy was behind him, sitting on the ground with a clouded expression on his face. "From what?"

"The lion. It's dangerous."

"You mean Rook? He's fine. You can calm down, Brunner."

"His name is Chiron." Helen whispered, her eyes giving off a muted glow. "Centaur. Trainer of Heroes." The wheelchair-bound man's eyes widened.

"Yeah, I figured. She told me about you."

"She?"

"Helen's mother." The girl gave out a gasp, the light in her eyes disappearing. Naruto's tone turned wistful. "I just always thought I'd have to bring her to you."

"And how old is she?"

"Fourteen." Helen answered, glancing between the hidden centaur and her father. "Dad, what…?"

"Sorry sweetheart, but maybe this is a talk for later. Take the boy back to the group, Chiron, and don't worry about the Nemean Lion. He won't harm Helen." The centaur glanced at the large lion, who was sitting obediently beside the family.

"It is against my nature to leave a defenseless demigod with a monster, no matter how tame."

"She's hardly defenseless." Naruto sent a significant glance towards the pile of dust that was slowly disappearing in the wind.

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Later that night Naruto sat at the dining table, nursing a warm mug of tea. His daughter sat on the opposite side, nursing her own mug of hot cocoa.

"Are you gonna tell me anything, or are we going to stare at each-other the whole evening." She took a sip.

"I dunno, what do you think?" He took a sip of her own. There were some hollow sounds from the outside followed by the doorbell ringing.

"I think our visitor's here."

"Go let him in, then." Helen sighed but stood up, heading towards the door. Rook jumped up on the table, back in his tiny form, carrying a closed can of cat food, a can-opener and his bowl in his mouth.

There was a gasp from the door. Naruto gave a low chuckle and drew another cup of tea.

"Good evening, Chiron." He said as the two of them came into the room. "Tea?"

"If you wouldn't mind." The centaur watched the golden kitten wearily for a moment. Rook ignored him, tucking into his bowl full of food. "And I see you feed it as well.

"Him." Helen stressed as Rook let out an offended mewl.

"Apologies." He took a sip. "This is lovely."

"Thank you, I grew it myself." Naruto chuckled. "But my tea is not why you're her."

"No indeed. Why don't we move on to the topic of the day?"

"Finally." Helen let out quietly, looking eagerly at her father.

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Φιλτάτη should mean dearest (granted, I'm missing the article, but I felt it was a bit much), but I can't be certain. It's been a long few years before I studied ancient Greek. I kind of miss it, I'm not gonna lie.

This story was churning in my brain for a long while, it's why it was the first one posted and the first one to get a second chapter. I'm curious to see if anybody can guess the mother. There were a lot of clues in both chapters. I might show them in the next one.