Part of why I wrote these chapters is to flesh out Artemis who is kind of... bland at times.

I want to show that she isn't blindly hateful but is multilayered and can be more interesting. I also hate Zoe but wanted to show that even Artemis can be annoyed by her.

Lastly I wanted to showcase Aaron's respectful attitude and that he can bond with anyone given the chance.

Artemis watched the boy as he moved through his stances, slashing and swinging his sword, throwing his body around and about as if to dodge imaginary opponents. She couldn't lie, it was impressive. He was not a bad swordsmen, especially for one brought so recently into their world. The boy's movements were fluid, realistic and without over extension.

She was impressed.

'I wonder what his archery skill would be?'

And so she continued to watch him for the next few hours as he moved from swordplay to archery. By the time he started, the other hunters came out of their tents to watch him. She heard many ill remarks, saw many sneers but the truth was the boy was very skilled. His archery skills, for a boy without blessings who started only months ago, was remarkable. He was clearly a better archer then he was a swordsman, she could tell via her godly powers that one day he would rival even her most skilled Hunters. A reality that bothered her as much as it impressed her.

She felt Zoe's approach, the sneer on her lips, the tiresome hate in her eyes. "The boy is lacking in the skills needed to be of use to us, why do we allow him to linger?"

"He is more skilled then you are giving him credit, Zoe. I give him two years before he rivals you all, he is determined. I may not entirely agree with Dionysius but the boy does remind me of Hyppolotus."

Zoe almost growled. "Great, another boy you like."

Artemis was furious but held it in well, turning to face her Lieutenant. "That boy, you so despised, was one of our most loyal and powerful Hunters ever. He was more dedicated to me then anyone bar you and served me for decades even after he was forced to leave us. You will not disrespect him."

Zoe actually flinched back. "My lady?"

"I will not tolerate any abuse towards Aaron, no not because he reminds me of Hyppolotus, but because he carries Dionysius' protection. My brother could easily turn all of you girls into Maenads on principle and that would remove any desire to be with me. He is not to be underestimated, in both cruelty or power, dear Zoe."

The anger in her beloved Zoe's eyes faded, leaving the girl looking quite deflated. "If thou insists, my lady."

"I do insist, I would rather you show respect towards a boy who actually deserves it and not suffer pointless consequences then be cruel and suffer pointless punishment. Can you do that for me? For your your sisters?"

"If I must."

"You must, if you are to survive alongside your sisters, you must."

Turning back to the face the boy, Artemis saw the a thin mystical grape vine wrapping around the boy's head like a crown, the symbol of Dionysius' protection. It had been centuries since she had seen it on any one but the Maenads. She wondered what the boy did that granted him that much protection from her temperamental brother...

She could only guess.

"''

The Hunters, as it turned out, expected utterly nothing of Aaron. They would not let him help with the tents, with carving or cooking the meat, with hunting their food... nothing. He hated it, the laziness they were forcing on him. To his gratitude however Artemis sighed when she saw and heard her sisters refusing him the potential to aid them, which he hoped meant that she understood that it wasn't his fault. The last thing he needed was an angry goddess, especially one he could sense was even stronger then Dionysius, and by a far margin. Hell she was stronger then what he sensed in Ares as well, and the power of Hephaestus he sensed in that trap all those months ago.

She was not an enemy he wanted, ever.

So, to make use of the time he was given, Aaron decided to practice his magic. Since it was a little nippy, he started with a typical body warming spell. He had never needed to cast one, but he knew them from his first Grimoire. Drawing solely from the magic in his cells, he whispered a little Latin. "Calide inuoluuntur." The drain was weak, he barely felt it even with his low power, but soon heat rippled around him. It was slow going but within a few minutes any cold he felt faded away entirely, leaving him very, very comfortable.

Satisfied, Aaron walked over to Artemis, ignoring the hateful glances of the various Hunters, including the queen Bitch Zoe. "How long tell we are close to Camp Halfblood, my lady?"

"You dare speak to her as if you are familiars?" Zoe's hand blurred towards her hunting knife but before she could even touch them, Aaron summoned the blade to his hand and tossed it away. Zoe froze, hate in her eyes.

"Stop being a brat, I just wanted to ask her a question. There is is rules that say I cannot ask her something so simple."

Artemis sighed, placing a hand on the stewing Zoe. "Enough, he was being respectful, there is no need to be so worked up."

Zoe looked betrayed. "But, My Lady?"

"You are acting out of turn, Zoe, go and think about what you have done. I do not like having to scold my Hunters but I am getting close to it. Go, now." The girl actually recoiled, sending Aaron a look of loathing before stomping away like an errant child. Artemis turned her silvery eyes back to Aaron, tight but not cruel. "I am sorry for her behavior and I thank you for your safe handling of the situation. Most boys would have hit her or something similar and I would have been forced to turn you into a Jackalope."

Aaron smiled. "I don't like her, I won't pretend otherwise, But I will not try to cause issues, there is no point in that. That's why I disarmed her, nothing more. I would have killed her, but I chose not too. Not just out of fear of your retaliation but because there was no point in it. However if she attacks me again I will defend myself, even you cannot fault me for that."

Artemis sighed, looking drained. " No, No I cannot blame you for that. I would like too but Zoe's behavior has been beyond repute. Just don't make harming her, which I doubt you could do due to her skills and experience, a natural first response. Now, you asked me a question... I think we will reach your camp in two days. We move faster across Forests then normally done, we bend space much as a centaur can. I will deliver you home safely."

"Thank you for that... I know it is a burden for you and your Hunters to take care of a boy. I may not agree with your sexism but It is your choice and I hate taking it away. Genuinely, for that I am sorry."

Something shifted in Artemis' expression, a kindness moved in where tiredness had been before. "You are a kind boy... I do not mind taking care of you if you are being so genuine in your attitude and your devotion to saving those like Alex. It is rare I see a boy worthy of my time, of my effort and I have a feeling you will be one of those rare few."

'''

Aaron's legs were shaking by the time they stopped and camped for the night. Traveling with the Hunters as they bent distance was exhausting, he had developed a great deal of stamina due to working out and practicing magic but that meant nothing when working against the hard work of the Hunters. He plopped to the ground, leaning against a very amused Alex as soon as they made camp.

"You looked exhausted."

"I am, you girls are technically nymphs so your powers emanate from Artemis, making your stamina so much greater then a normal mortal. My stamina is far greater then most mortals, due to practicing magic I am comparable to an college level athlete in terms of sheer stamina but it is not enough."

Alex nodded, kneeling next to him, her warmth sinking into his body. " Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Let me die in peace?" He chuckled out, getting a giggle in return. "I just have to catch my breathe." Sighing, he looked skyward. " We have been rushing for almost twelve hours... we will be at Camp by Night tomorrow I think. We are moving very, very fast."

Alex nodded, her eyes filled with excitement. " We are and it's amazing. I love being a Hunter, not all of the girls hate boys." She leaned into him and all but whispered. "Some of them actually think your cool, they said you were a good sorcerer and archer for your age and experience. Their too afraid of Zoe to say much to you though."

That lifted Aaron's spirits but brought low his view of Zoe. "She is kind of bitchy, no?"

"I don't like her, or Phoebe, their disrespectful and mean but the rest of them aren't terrible. I think I will be happy to be here for a while, a few decades a least."

Aaron smiled " That's good, I am glad you are happy with your choice. You deserve to be happy, girly."

"I am, I really am. One of the girls is helping me deal with Andrea's... well her attacking me. The only bad thing is that my mom hasn't claimed me yes, so I am a little... concerned really."

Aaron would have said something, anything, but in that moment red light exploded into existence around Alex, blinding him for a moment. It didn't fade but it was soon easier to see through and he couldn't help but gasp.

Alex had always been beautiful, exceptionally so, but now she looked utterly magnificent. Her Red was was wrapped into a delicate braided bun, shiny and with a few curls dancing around her temples, and a circlet like Zoe's only golden now lay on her head. Her silver parka was gone, and in it's place was a maroon turtle neck that wrapped tightly around her curvy body. Her pants had been exchanged for dark blue jeans. On each wrist were bangles of gold and silver, making her look like a royal princess.

Aaron, gay or not, realized she was an utter knockout.

Alex, seeing his gaping, looked at her body and started to freak out. " What the hell?"

"You have been claimed, my dear." Artemis' voice drew them both to her as she approached. "All hail Alexandria, Daughter of Aphrodite, Lady of Doves, Goddess of Love and Beauty. "

Aaron backed away a little bit, trying to hide his fear. He was terrified of Aphrodite. He was a gay asexual boy, he knew that Aphrodite wouldn't like that, she caused the death of Hyppolotus all those years ago for being asexual... he had no desire to suffer like that because of that petty Goddess. However despite that, he could not hold it against Alex, it wasn't her fault she was Aphrodite's daughter, so he kept a warm smile on his face.

She deserved to have people happy for her at that moment, and damn it he was happy she was happy.

"Wow... so my mom's the goddess of Love and Beauty,... is that why I am so pretty?" She looked not to Artemis but to Aaron.

"Yes, and it explains how you used charmed speech. The way your voice magically controls others... I wonder which aspect of your mother you draw from most, that will determine what powers you have."

Artemis approached. "I think her war aspect, Aphrodite Areia, given your strong heart and willingness to stand up for others. It is rare she is drawn through that aspect, most people envision the love or beauty aspect they rarely draw on her passionate protective side... it would also explain why you aren't willowy or thin like most of your siblings but more athletic and strong."

Alex smiled. " I like that... so am I super pretty forever or what?"

"The blessing will last for a few days, maybe a week but you can change the clothes as you please.

"I think I will change back into my parka, it was more comfortable. I was never much for jewelry and turtlenecks."

Aaron smile deepened, happy to see his friend and charge's happiness. She deserved it, after all she went through, she deserved it...

But it also left him with a thought. 'If this daughter of Aphrodite can be an amazing warrior and stand up for herself, what about her siblings. Other then Silena, they rarely do anything...if they are all at risk for the suffering Alex went through, maybe I can motivate them into being better for their own sake... yea... maybe. I think I'll do that... sounds like a good idea. I'll just have to run it past Silena.'

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

This was really fun filler.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.

Enveloped in Warmth