I am healing well from my surgery, all is going well. I hope to continue to rapidly update while I am recovering. I just need to get back into the groove.

I hope you all enjoy it all.

Love you all lots.

"Oh Iris, Goddess of the Rainbow, please accept my offering and allow me to speak to either Chiron or Mr. D at Camp Halfblood." Aaron tossed a coin, a Drachma, into the rainbow he summoned with a very simple spell. Alex, who was standing next to him, gaped as the rainbow shimmered and rippled until an image formed, clear as day. It was Mr. D and Chiron, both of whom were in his garden where a very happy looking Meggy and Charlie were planting a statue of Dionysius into the center of the Small pond they had carved out. "Hey you lot."

Mr. D turned around, as did Chiron and the kids working.

Mr. D frowned for a moment. "Your hurt... who touched you?" His eyes flickered with a rare purple light, a mix of insanity and rage boiling with them,

Flattered, Aaron smiled. "The Hunters thought I was a threat cause I killed Alex's abusive stepmother. Their healer, Phoebe, is having trouble healing me due to my pure mortality."

"Then ask Artemis to do it, she is a powerful healer. Not on par with Apollo but still, strong."

There was as light cough behind them, making both kids jump, only to see a very annoyed Artemis. "Dear brother, he is not a maiden nor is he one of my chosen few, I cannot just heal him."

"Tell me he doesn't remind you of Hyppolitus, he is loyal, asexual and respectful. I think you could spare a little bit of power and help him."

"You are one of the most judgmental towards humans, dear brother, what has changed that you would defend him so fervently?

The god shrugged. " He reminds me of Ariadne, but more then that he is loyal and respectful. I cannot find anything I dislike in him, at least not yet. That might change down the line but for the time being he has my blessing. So, will you heal him?"

Artemis scowled. " Fine, but you owe me." She stomped over to Aaron and put her hand gently on his shoulder, her limbs glowing a soft silver color that sank into Aaron's skin, muscles and even the bone. He gasped, there was pain, but beyond that was a sense of relief. When she released him, he moved his arm in each direction, only to realize how much mobility he had lost before.

"Thank you, both of you."

Artemis actually smiled, if only slightly. "He is right about one thing, you are respectful. You arm may experience some stiffness but you should be fine. Now, if that is all I will be taking my leave." She turned on heel and marched away, leaving Aaron and Alex to talk to Mr. D.

Aaron gestured to Alex. " This my charge, she has elected to become a hunter. However I did save her, which should be enough for her divine parent."

Mr. D sighed. " That is for the best. Alex, I am required to let you know you will always have a place here, if you choose to leave the Hunters.

Alex nodded. "Thank you, sir."

The god just waved her off. "When will you be back Aaron?"

"A few days, I want to stay with Alex for a few days if that is okay, she is new to all of this and I don't want hunters sexism to bleed into her. She is too good for that."

"Fine, but I expect you back by the weeks end at the least."

"Will do what I can. Thank you, Mr. D." he smiled at the man before turning his attention to Meggy and Charlie." The Pond looks amazing, as does the statue. You both did amazing. It is a wonderful addition to everything."

Meggy beamed a perky smile. "Meggy is glad you like it... hey is Alex my sister? She looks too pretty to not be one."

Alex laughed a little and blushed. "Your sweet."

"Meggy tries to be... this is our brother, Charlie Beckendorf. He is a son of Hephaestus and he is really good at building things."

"It is lovely to meet you both."

Charlie nodded. "You too, Ma'am."

"That garden is amazing, but it looks sort of new. Who made it?"

Aaron perked up. " I did, I can tell you the story later. The Iris message needs more coins if we want to keep it up long. I'll see you all later."

They all waved goodbye as the Iris message faded away into nothing.

;;;;

Meggy sighed when the message faded, turning back to the pretty pond they had made just earlier that day. "He is right, it looks lovely."

Charlie patted her shoulder. "It does, we did good. Not my usual style of work but it is something."

"Should we send a prayer, to those that aid Aaron? I mean it was through them that I was saved?"

"I think that would be nice."

Meggy nodded and bowed her head, focusing on the energy that she felt from Aaron whenever he spoke to or drew on Agnes's powers. She could feel it there, a subtle power that lingered in the air and the soil. It wasn't as potent as what Aaron produced but it was there. Without speaking, she imagined that energy filling her, reading her mind. 'Thank you, so much, for helping my brother. He has accomplished so much with your aid. My life was saved through him. I will offer a sacrifice later, when I have something to give.'

Satisfied, she turned to face her other brother and saw he was offering his own prayer. He was silent for a few moments before opening his eyes. "I think Aaron had the right idea to do this. I really think the dead will appreciate being remembered."

"I hope so... so, what's next on the agenda today? Meggy wants to distract herself, she misses her brother Aaron."

"I do too, Kiddo, I do too. Lets go work on some projects. We need to repair the climbing wall."

:::

"So, can I ask you a question?"

Aaron turned to Alex, nodding. " Anything."

"How did you know to find me? I mean you searched me out. Actually how did the Hunters know to find me?"

Aaron sighed. "Well, for me it's a two part thing. You see I made a deal to gather and take care of demigods as they move into Camp. So your divine parent called to me, to get me to help you. When I was almost to Alexandria station, I cast a spell to see where you were. I saw your injuries and the street sign and sort of booked it."

"I am grateful for that, I really am. I guess I need to offer my mom a sacrifice, huh?"

"Only technically... as for how the Hunters found you, I guess Artemis has a connection to maidens and what not and searched you out that way. That's my guess anyway."

Nodding, the girl looked skyward. "What's it like, being a witch? I mean I remember one of the girls saying you were entirely human, so why learn magic and stick in this world if you have need to be attached to it?"

"Power, prestige, a chance to be more then myself. A thousand reasons really."

"Ahh..."

"As for what it's like being a witch... that's harder, Really it's amazing, I am learning to control forces that most demigods can't even do. If I continue on this path. I could become functionally immortal like a Hunter. The limits are endless really, and I am just happy to be a part of it all. One day I might be powerful and it is something I look forward too."

She frowned. "You broke Andrea's knee, made her bleed out and choked her and was going to heal me? How aren't you considered strong yet?"

"It was like adrenaline really, a temporary power boost. One that I can't have typical access too. On my own I couldn't do have of that, not without risking serious injury to my body and soul but that's changing the stronger I get. I imagine in a year, I will be strong enough to do some of that without tapping into the Earth or the Spirits of the Dead."

"Wait you draw from the dead?"

"Now there is a story."

''''

"To Artemis, Dionysius, Hades and the Spirits I serve. Thank you for what you have done." Aaron tossed in a a few slices of fresh venison into the fire, watching it burn brightly showing his sacrifice was taken. Across from him, Artemis nodded in thanks. He offered her a warm smile, he may not like her but there was nothing that said he couldn't suck up a little. He would rather do that then die via hunting.

He turned to face Alex, who was hanging out with some Hunters, laughing and giggling along side them. She looked like she belonged, taking the slight sting of failure away from Aaron's heart. He was happy she was happy, it was something she deserved after a life of misery and pain. A sense of belonging, comradery and hope. He hoped, personally, she wouldn't lose her decency towards men. Having an ally among the Hunters would never be a bad thing.

Artemis standing drew his attention from his thoughts. "Hunters, Sisters... It seems, for the next few days, this boy Aaron Mathews shall be joining us. He is under the protection of Dionysius and serves him by saving young Demigods as he did our Newest Huntress Alexandria. I would ask you show him some measure of respect, for he has shown us nothing less then absolute respect. I also ask that you greet your newest sister, Alexandria, and make her feel welcome."

The girls all cheered then, making Alex blush and Aaron smile. He didn't bother to wonder if any of them cheering was directed towards him. He knew better then to make that assumption. He was still getting hateful looks from most of the girls, but it didn't bother him much. Some people sucked no matter how much good you did. The Hunters were no exception to that rule.

Keeping his head down, Aaron pulled out his grimoire and started to jot down some notes on a variety of subjects, peacefully ignoring the existence of the Hunters. He only had to survive them a few more days, then he could go back to Camp and resume his full training. He wouldn't let them impede on his growth or his new friendship with Alex. No, he would not allow that.

As the night darkened and everyone started towards bed, Aaron decided it would be a good time to practice some spells. Nighttime was the best time for magic, and he would not hesitate to take advantage of that while he could.

He would start with more advanced telekinesis, see if he could snap the branches of the trees near him. That would test his strength, he was sure of it. He had to be better, to get better. He had a taste of his true strength... he needed more.

'''

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

This was fun to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.