So my surgery went well and I am home but I am so sore and tired it is hard to write... please forgive me if the chapters are slow and low until I heal.

Aaron barely managed to wake up and stay conscious as waves of pain spiked through him, shocking his system and making him groan. He felt his connection to Agnes and the Earth explode into growth as their power flooded into him to aid in his recovery. Instantly the cloud of confusion was brushed aside and crystal clarity over took him, he remembered everything.

The first thing that hit him was how utterly powerful he had just been. It just didn't make sense, he was far too weak to do something so... impressive.

Thankfully Agnes was listening to his thoughts. "Just like Adrenaline can let you past your natural physical limits, so too can anger allow you to access more power then you naturally are allowed. Do not expect it to be a normal occurrence, too much exposure could kill or damage you but in this instance... it was fine. You might be tired for some time though as your body lowers itself to your natural power level."

'Oh, that would explain a lot. I was pissed, how could someone hurt their child like that... I... I was wild, but in a good way. I don't regret killing that bitch. Pity I couldn't heal the girl though... the Hunters interfered, they shot \me. I remember that. How did their arrows get past my hoodie? It reduces sharp trauma and their arrows are made of Celestial Bronze, I am immune?'

"Their arrows only affect magical things, perhaps with the level of magic in your blood you were temporarily vulnerable? I am not sure but we both know it was always a possibility for you to become eventually magical enough to be hurt by Magical Metals. This might just be an early trial... or we are overthinking this and it is merely that the arrows are covered in silver? Who knows?"

"Either way, it wasn't pleasant."

A rough hand moving him around forced Aaron's eyes full away. The first thing he saw was an angry girl in a silver parka looking down at him. She was a big girl, radiating the power of Apollo as much as she did Artemis.

"What are you looking at?" She growled at as she lifted him to a sitting position, waves of pain emanating from his shoulder.

"One of the people who attacked me for no reason." He didn't care for her next hateful look, to busy taking in the incredible warmth of the tent they were in. He saw a small room heater, furs coving the walls along side bows. It was a hunter's paradise.

"Be grateful boy, your lucky we are healing you at all."

"I am protected by Dionysius, It wasn't luck, I earned it for saving demigods and just generally being helpful despite being entirely mortal. I was protecting that girl from her abuser when you shot me."

The girl moved, as if she was about to strike him, when a sharp whistle stopped her. They both turned and saw a very, very unhappy Artemis.

"Phoebe, he is a guest, and you were going to strike him? Even if he is a boy, he saved Alexandria and removed her abuser. The least we can do is show him some respect and hospitality. Am I clear?"

The girl, Phoebe, sighed and nodded. " My apologies, my lady."

Artemis turned to Aaron. "Though you are a right, we were in the wrong my sisters will not appreciate being called out by a male. Be more careful."

'I will if they will, my lady. How is Alex? How bad were here wounds."

Artemis smiled. "Why don't you come and see?" And with that she turned and heel. "Follow quickly as you can."

Hobbling to a standing position, he followed her out of the tent and towards a comfortable roaring campfire that let off just enough heat that he wasn't. The world around him showed signs of fall, the leaves were red and yellow and coming down in random patterns to collect upon the forest floor. The moon was high in the sky, not full but still it filled the world with light. There were silver tents spread about, with young girls patting about chatting or cooking or playing with literal wolves, wolves that seemed to be on guard. Above them all were hawks, doing the same.

"This place is remarkable." He said, getting Artemis to turn and look at him with a pleseant smile.

"My brother said you were very respectful. It is one of the reasons I allowed you to live and not be turned into a jackrabbit."

Aaron wanted to kill her for that, knowing how serious it was, but held back. "Color me grateful then. I owe you both something it seems."

"It seems you do." She smiled this time, softer then before, as if the ice had melted from her heart. "I heard of your skill and your gift from Dionysius, I have expected you to be arrogant as so many males seem to be and yet I look into your soul and all I see is humility, kindness and respect. You are a rare soul, boy. I will not allow my sisters to harm you, so long as you stay like that."

"That would be ideal. Thank you."

Her smile shifted to a smirk. "You are most welcome, child. Now, let us get to your charge. She is not very happy with my sisters or I. She actually shoved me, if she was a boy I would have blasted her into nothing. Her courage is vast, as is the power I sense in her heart and blood. Do you know whom her mother is?"

Aaron nodded. " A theory. Do you know of my sister, Meggy?"

"The cyclops daughter of Aphrodite who was tossed from Olympus, yes I know of her."

"She was banned from this mission, which made me realize that Aphrodite was probably the source of the mission. Just a theory but I digress. That most likely means that Alex is Meggy's sister."

"That was my theory as well, she used potent charmspeech and ignored your charmspeech entirely."

Aaron froze. " I can't charmspeech, I am too ugly and not tied to love at all. "

"Charmspeech is not just love bound, many find it in passion and determination and integrity. If that is strong enough it can fuel the magic in your voice. If you were that desperate, then it is likely you summoned that passive power. Be proud of that, it is rare."

'''

Alex all but tackled her savior the moment he entered her tent. She tried to be gentle, knowing he was still probably sore from the arrow to the shoulder. "Thank you, seriously thank you."

The boy hugged her back for a moment before pulling away and gave her a long look over. "Say what you want about the trigger happy hunters but boy can they heal. You holding up well?"

"Yeah, I mean physically at any rate. I am still not entirely okay in here. " She poked the side of her head. "I am just grateful the rape part of her attack was new. She had been beating me for years but something changed yesterday. I don't know what but it did." She shivered for a moment. "Enough of that, she's dead and in the Fields of Punishment according to Artemis. I just wanted to thank you, you saved me."

"Of course I did, it was my job but even if it wasn't I would have jumped in. No one deserves that."

They shared a warm smile then, and the Artemis coughed a little.

"Well, as sweet as this is, I do have to ask you, Alex. Have you come to a decision?

Alex sighed. "I wanted to here somethings from him first, get the whole story before I make my choice if that is okay?"

Artemis nodded. "That is preferable, I would rather you make an educated decision then an impulsive on. Very well, Aaron if you would please tell her about your camp."

"I would be honored."

And so the boy spoke, for what felt like an hour, on countless subjects involving Camp Half blood. From the Pegasi and Lake to the Garden he just planted and the magic he practice. To archery lessons and spars. He spoke of Mr. D and his rudeness, of the Camp's bias towards mortals and the need to offer sacrifices to the gods. When he was finished, Alex sighed.

" I thought this would be easier... but I think I will stay and become a hunter." She turned away, not wanting to see Aaron's possibly hateful glare.

A warm hand on her face turned her to face him. " I support whatever choice you make. I just hope you don't became a man hater, sexism is not pretty no matter who it is directed at. I also hope you stay in contact with me, if that is okay?"

She nodded. "I'd like that... the reasons I want to stay, mostly is the power and the immortality and the sense of family. Maybe I can make them less sexist, I hope so."

Artemis sighed. "We will discuss that later but for now it is time for you to make your oath."

Alex nodded and uttered the oath. "I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis. 'I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt."

"I hold your word as binding." A soft silver aura covered the room, Alex's entire body felt... different in that instant. Like she had been made of led before and now she could finally breathe. It was... amazing.

"Wow."

Aaron smiled at her. "I really hope you find a home here. You deserve it."

She nodded before turning to her new Mistress. " Can he stay until he is recovered? I heard Phoebe say he won't heal all of the way as he isn't divine. He would be in a lot of danger on his own. And before you say anything, I am speaking out of gratitude not love or lust or anything."

Artemis sighed. "I cannot say no... he did save you and for that I will aid him. " She turned and faced Aaron. " I will allow you to stay with us for the next week. When you are able to hunt for yourself, you will feed yourself but until then we will take care of you. It is the least I can do for the respect you've shown this maiden."

The boy nodded. "I appreciate it. Really I do. I will be on my best behavior as I usually am."

"I'd expect nothing less. Now, since you have joined us, Alex, you will have new duties. Like all of my sisters you will be responsible for the wolves and hawks, collecting firewood, pitching tents and so on. Aaron can help you if he knows how to."

"I understand." Alex nodded. " And thank you for letting him stay."

"We caused his injuries by making assumptions, it is the least we can do to help the boy as he recovers." Artemis stood and walked past Aaron, putting her hand on his unhurt shoulder. "For what little it might be worth, I am sorry. We know better but allowed our predijcue to get the better of us." And then she walked away, leaving both young kids alone in the tent.

Aaron smiled at her. "I need to contact camp, to let them know how I am... wanna see how that works? It's pretty cool, ya know?"

"Sounds fun, let's do this."

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was fun to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.