A/n: Enjoy!

~~Read Disclaimer in First Chapter~~

Of Ares and Artemis

Chapter 2

Both gods turned at the sound of twinkling and spotted the shower of pink sparkles and groaned. Aphrodite.

Why does she have to be everywhere? Sheesh, one would think she'd have to life at all! Artemis picked at a pebble, frowning.

Ugh, it's that girly romantic whatever goddess, why do we need a goddess for.love?!? Ares flicked a leaf away and turned around, not noticing that it had accidentally slapped the goddess on the shoulder.

Artemis whirled around, thinking that it was purposely done, and growled threateningly. Ares noticed the low sound and turned back, his eyebrows creased in puzzlement.

"What did I do?"

"You know!"

Ares shrugged and walked off, trying to figure out how to punish the battling mortals properly. Artemis' eyes glowed, but she decided it was a petty thing; nothing to be mad with. Suddenly, a small fireball appeared in front of Ares and he waited. The scarlet fire expanded, revealing a scene in which a wounded soldier laid sprawled against a tree, praying to Ares to let him die a heroic death. Ares softened, realizing it was one of his most prized warriors and quickly vanished to reappear in front of the soldier.

"I have heard you, Tristan, and it shall be rewarded, for you have always been loyal. But there is a downside. You will live, for many years unless an enemy's sword cuts you down. But never fear, there will be witness for they will be hostages that you've saved before you died. They will talk of your bravery and sacrifice. You shall die a hero's death."

When Ares vanished, the wounds on the soldier disappeared altogether. At first, the mortal blinked, too shocked to comprehend what had just happened. Then, a smile bloomed and he knelt down to give thanks to the merciful war god.

~~~~~~~~~~

After Ares had disappeared, a silver arrow sped toward Artemis and she watched as it slowed down and splintered, revealing a picture as well. A young maiden stood at the edge of a forest. In her unskilled hands held a common wooden bow. Crooked arrows made of nearby oaks were strapped loosely to her back. Overall, anyone could see this was her first time at hunting.

The maiden looked up in frightened eyes when Artemis appeared before her in a silvery glow. The goddess looked down and saw courage in the maiden and smiled.

"I, Artemis, Goddess of Hunt and Protector of Maidens, has heard your call. What do you need child?"

The girl swallowed and said nervously, "Great Huntress, I have no skill in hunting at all. Yet recently, my father was killed in a battle and now I am the main support of my family. Perhaps I need a bit of your skill and knowledge?"

Artemis stared into the girl's blue eyes and knew this one would become a great huntress. If she was guided properly, that is. The goddess motioned for the girl to move nearer and smiled when the girl looked at her cautiously.

"I won't bite."

The girl grinned at the joke, after recovering from the shock that the divine being actually made a joke.

"Dear Goddess, I know you have many names to remember. As an offer, I give you mine. It is common, I think, around these parts. My name is Neva."

~~~~~~~~~~

Aphrodite paced around her lavishly decorated bedroom. Numerous thoughts invading her head as she walked. Step by step. It could've drove anyone mad, even the gods. But this was the method that love used to ponder. A perfectly manicured nail tapped her chin, trying to develop her thoughts thorough and slowly.

"I wonder. What will attract that war god's attention. Those beautiful ruby eyes, how will I capture them!"

Just then, Eros walked in, holding his love bow in one grip and readjusting his arrows with his other hand. Aphrodite saw him immediately and formed the loveliest smile with her ruby lips.

"Hello dear son."

Eros looked up, a strand of blond hair falling onto his sapphire eyes.

"Hello Mother."

He caught the glint in the goddess's eye and sighed.

"What is it now."

"My dear, make Ares fall in love with me. Come, take out the golden, love- poisoned arrow and shoot it through that stone heart of his!"

Eros's eyes widened.

"You'd fall so low? And to think you represent love (he shook his head in amazement). Indeed, that is the most boring mission you've ever given me. And pray, tell me how will you make him fall in love, for after I've pricked him, he'd just fall for the next maiden he sees."

"I'll stand in front of him, of course!"

"If I remember.doesn't he have a disliking of you, mother?"

"Come on, let's go."

Aphrodite ignored the last comment and waved her hand for Eros to follow along.

~~~~~~~~~~

Ares mumbled as he stepped over rotting leaves and dead animals. This is what nature is like? Artemis must be having a bad time. He saw a clearing up ahead and quickly jumped out of the forest. He looked around, admiring the view, then.THOCK! He turned and realized that a silver arrow missed his hair by an inch.

"Nice to meet you again, Ares."

He turned and sighed.

"And may I ask why you are here?"

"Training my new huntress of course. Now dear, fire the second shot and we'll see if we can get him."

Neva looked at Artemis as if she was crazy. Wouldn't the war god punish her?

The Huntress stared back and smiled calmly, encouraging her. Slowly, she shook her head.

"No, it must be too frightening for you, let me try. Run little Ares."

She stepped in front of Neva and slowly drew the bowstring back.

~~~~~~~~~~

The pair spotted Ares immediately, in the clearing. They didn't notice that Neva and Artemis were near the war god as well, since their eyes were trained at the target.

"Now, fire the bow and when I call his name, he will surely look upwards."

Eros swiftly drew out a carefully selected golden arrow and fitted it in. He drew back his bowstring and fired.

~~~~~~~~~~

Artemis's shot flew straight and true, pinning the left shoulder of the tunic the war god was wearing. Ares looked up and grinned.

"Nice shot Huntress, you couldn't."

He trailed off when Ero's golden arrow buried itself into his right shoulder. He glanced down at what had hit him and blinked. Artemis saw the streak of gold and realized what it was. Her eyes slowly widened when Ares looked up at her.



A/n: Terribly sorry for the cutoff part, but I must be getting with my homework. I'll try to write more soon, but as for now, bye!!!