A/N: I'm alive. Yes, I am. Believe me I am. See, I'm right here! Nico? Raising me from the dead as a zombie? Please! He hasn't even appeared in the story yet! And no, I'm not telling you when he will. That'd be spoiling.

But yes... I finally managed to write this chapter. Next will be Dream or Not. Or Trapped in Whoniverse. Man... That's an ancient one... OR then I write a chapter for Professor Layton fic. That I started recently... Sorry.

I had planned to have Hannah Summer introduced in this chapter but then came plot bunnies to obstruct my way. A lot of information here is something I planned for later in the story... But also a lot of it is something that needs to be found out.

Chapter 10: In which I'm home again

6th January, 2005

I laid my cards on the table. It was the last game. Opposite me, Mr. D tossed his own to the side. It was his tenth loss in a row. And while I hadn't beaten Chiron in this game either, it didn't matter. I beat Mr. D ten times in a row meaning that I won the bet. Now I had the permission to leave the camp anywhen I wanted to as long as I informed either Chiron or Mr. D about it. And yes, while I had beaten Mr. D on my first day at the camp it didn't I mean would've necessarily succeeded with ten in a row. But I did it. There was a stunned silence around us. Only Candice was smirking with me. She probably predicted the outcome, being the daughter of Nike and all. At least her attitude improved vastly after being determined.

"You leaving right away then?" Mr. D grunted, nodding at the back pack at my feet.

"Yeah… Ought to go home to check how the things are before the next school terms starts. Catch up with mortal relatives and all that jazz." I shrugged. "Probably catching up with school stuff too… So I'll be back within two weeks unless something comes up."

"Hop along then. And remove that smug look off your face!"

"Yessir!" I bit back a laugh as I vacated my chair. Candice, the Stolls and a couple of other campers followed me to the border of the Camp.

"You will be careful, alright?" Lou Ellen told me concernedly. Samuel put an arm on her shoulders comfortingly.

"Of course Lou. No worries." I smiled to the girl. "I'll Iris message you when I'm home. And who knows… Maybe I'll get Luna to talk with you guys too." Yep, it was still a public secret. The matter of my sister. Though only my closest friends knew about her. Closest friends meaning Lou Ellen, Samuel, Candice, Mirco, Clarisse, Luke, the Stolls, Lee… None from Athena or Aphrodite cabin. I hadn't met any Demeter kids this far… Except for two who went home for holidays but I didn't really interact with them. Aside from beating the boy in sword fighting during the first week in.

"You would?" Connor asked excitedly.

"Yeah. Gather to … the Zeus' Fist in the afternoon." I nodded. "I bet she'd like to talk with you guys too." I heaved my back pack on my shoulder. "But I'm off now. See ya guys."

"Hey, Clay!" Luke was coming running towards up. I got a strange sense of Déjà vu. After all in the Lightning Thief he did – will do – the same with Percy and company. Right here on Half-Blood Hill.

"'lo, Atmey!" I raised my hand in greeting.

"Going home, eh?" The older boy grinned, clapping a hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah. Like I told you I would."

"Say… Your sister's surname is Cykes, right?" The son of Hermes enquired. I raised a skeptical eye brow.

"Yeah from… her father. How so?"

The teenager gave me an envelope. "I want you to ask her about this photo. It's alright if she doesn't know anything about it but…"

I took the envelope. "Is this about some other person named Cykes?"

"…Yeah." Luke shrugged. "Someone I knew. Knew about demigods all along but wasn't one herself. The way you spoke of your sister… The description was familiar."

"Okay then. I'll ask." I pocketed the envelope. My tone was light and nonchalant but deep down I had a cold feeling gnawing me. The implications behind this person in that photo could be anything. Maybe she was real and this was a coincidence. Maybe she was real and this was not a coincidence. Maybe Luke had made her up and this had some superior motives. If the last one was the real option, then what were those motives exactly? Some small part of Cronos's plan? Some part of Luke's plan?

Or maybe I was overthinking everything.

I just smiled and bid one last good bye before trekking down the hill towards the road. Once out of sight I let out a low whistle. A familiar gallop sounded when Kuroto emerged from behind the trees.

"Hello, old chap." And how British was that? "How have you been?" I raised my hand to pat his nose gently. The kelpie nuzzled my face and huffed hot air into my hair, making me laugh. "I missed you too, buddy."

I climbed on the saddle that Luna had apparently put on Kuroto beforehand, and adjusted my bow quiver on my waist to ensure it wouldn't jostle uncomfortably nor let any arrows fall off. Better safe than sorry after all. "Alright, Kuroto. Let's go home."

The journey went quickly by thanks to the magical speed of the horse. In no time I was in front of the house Luna and I lived in. And since the school term hadn't begun yet it meant that most likely Luna was also home. Teleportation stone or not.

I opened the front door of the European side of the house after relieving Kuroto from the saddle.

"Luna? You here?" I called and placed the saddle on a rack in the hall. I took off my shoes and put some slippers on. Something that both Japanese and Finns agree on: Slippers on inside the house. Though for different reasons. Courtesy at Japan but cold floors at Finland.

I got no answer. That didn't worry me though. No one could get in here without a permission. I laid my bow, quiver and back pack on the floor and made my way through the rooms. First the European side. The winter side so to say. She wasn't in the kitchen nor at the bedrooms. I quickly took a look at the Japanese rooms too but she wasn't there either. That left the living room. And indeed. The girl… or rather the woman, was lying on the sofa, her boot-clad legs hanging off the arm rest. She was still in the form she took as Thalassa. In the same clothes even. There must have been a heist last night. I didn't follow much the news and everyone had been busy around the camp so even Mirco or any of the Athena's. That's New Year's celebrations and aftermath for you.

Luna was deep asleep. She even had her mask on her face. That was probably what was keeping her illusion-like disguise on.

"Luna… I'm home…" I sighed and began pulling the boots off her feet. "And just how late did you stay up?"

She just dozed away. I carefully removed the mask from her face and laid it on the cloak she'd tossed on the coffee table along with her most recent trophy. It looked like a kid of a necklace with a spectrolite in it. Behind me, Luna's form glowed faintly in pink and shrunk to her normal size, leaving her in slightly too big adult clothes. Well at least her feet weren't hanging off the sofa anymore. I took another look at the mask and noticed it wasn't dark blue anymore but simple white of the same shape and the pink gem embed on its forehead. Probably one of Luna's own inventions.

I went to fetch my stuff from the hall and took them to my room. And from the pocket of my winter coat I took the envelope Luke had given to me. I gave it a hard look. I really wanted to open it and see what was inside but at the same I knew that'd be offending the confidentiality of correspondence. Maybe I should let Luna take a look at it first and then see for myself if she let me. Yeah, let's go with that.

I made my way back to the living room where my sister was still sleeping. The living room was… quite normal in my opinion. But for some strange reason it also really appealed to my sense of style when it came to furnishing… The overall look in the entire house was simple, functional and stylish. There was nothing extra and nothing extravagant. Unless you counted the black grand piano in the living room corner. Coincidentally it was exactly the same than back at our home. Down to the brand of it. And the more I thought about this place the more it felt like someone had made it specifically to us. There was Japanese style that we were used to in the previous world and European style that was familiar to us since we were little. Our rooms were just the right size. Not too big nor too small. The kitchen was simple and clear of design. And this living room… One sofa, two arm chairs. A low coffee table in the middle, a higher and smaller one at the side. A television set at one wall with a good view to it from the sofa. And naturally the piano at the other wall.

And of course that was when Luke's words came to haunt me along with the lines of the prophecy. Past is future… Future is past? Considering this was the world of gods… What if…? I shook my head. No, it was impossible. I better not let my thoughts wander to that direction. The present was the most important thing right now.

It wasn't until way 'til midday that Luna finally woke up. She yawned and stretched and when she finally noticed me in the armchair, she greeted me cheerfully. How typical. It seemed as if nothing would surprise her.

"So… What have you been doing lately? Had a good holiday this far?" I asked and put my computer aside. It felt good to use some technology after those months at the Camp.

"Hmm… Nothing much. Tracking down stones, figuring out security systems, some of my own research, some homework on the first day out of school, figuring out the routes at the Labyrinth… Stuff like that." Luna waved a dismissive hand. "Being relieved that Grover isn't stalking me anymore, sleeping more than normally, reading books, doing other stuff…" She yawned again and pulled herself to sit on the sofa instead of just lounging on it.

"I see." I nodded. "You better take a shower and change clothes: makes you feel less tired. I'll start preparing our lunch. After that I'll call to the Camp."

"Only came back and already bossing around?" Luna laughed. "I missed you, lil' bro." She gave me a quick hug before skipping away towards the bathroom.

"And here I thought I was the older one…" I grumbled. Hmm… What to make for lunch? Spaghetti? That's sounds good yeah…

Food was good and nicely different to Camp food. Luna also enjoyed immensely. She didn't care much for the food at school and hadn't felt like cooking much while alone at home.

"It's just… Feels strange to cook if I'm the only one who will eat. Besides you are the cook of the family." She explained while gathering the plates. "I make the table and handle the dishwasher."

"Well, yeah." I shrugged. I dug my hands into the pockets of my trousers, encountering the envelope from Luke. "By the way… Luke sent you some mail."

"He did?" Luna looked up in surprise. I simply gave the letter to her. She ripped the envelope open and fished a single photograph from there. The expression she made… was quite interesting. Like a spit-take without any drink. Her eyes budged out and her mouth thinned into nothing. Then it was over. Luna's face relaxed and she began frowning, mouth slightly open. She was speechless.

"Well?" I enquired.

"This…" Luna began but stopped to search for the right words. "Who is this girl?"

"Something Cykes. According to Luke that is. Didn't tell me much, only told me to ask you."

"This gotta be some kind of bad joke. When is this taken?" She flipped the photo over to look at the back of it. "2000? During the time he was on the run?"

"What sort of background does it have?"

"Orange trees… Looks like an orchard. There are lilacs behind them. And some houses." My sister frowned some more as she squinted at the photograph.

"Who are in the picture?"

"Luke… He seems around your current age. Then there is that girl… a bit younger than him."

"If you aren't showing me that picture, could you tell me what she looks like?" I offered carefully. As an answer she pushed the photo back to my hands and went to arrange the dishes to the dishwasher. The photo had really shaken her up. I took a look at it. On the back of the photo was a date indeed. July, 2000. It also said that Thalia was the one to take the photo. If Luke had known this girl as a child and met her again during the time he was on the run with Thalia (and Annabeth too since this was the year they arrived on the camp) most likely the photo was taken when he visited home, the girl being his neighbor.

I turned the photo around to take a look on the picture. It had Luke indeed. Young, scarless and smiling. A bit thin and dirty but that was expected, having been on the run and all. He had thrown his arm around a girl with a sunny smile. Her hair was honey blonde, tied on one long braid that fell down on her shoulder, and eyes of very pale blue. She was wearing a light purple top and a crescent shaped necklace made of…

"Platinum. At least I think it is. It could be white gold too." Lune interrupted my thoughts. She continued clinking the plates whilst facing away from me. I could see she was obviously disturbed by the girl in the picture. No wonder. The alikeness was frightening.

"I think I need to ask Luke more about this. I'm going to call back to camp today anyways." I stated then. "Do you wanna talk with them? Travis and Connor really wanted to meet you."

"I'll think about it. But what's your opinion about that picture." Luna slammed the dishwasher shut and turned around, her hands on her hips.

"Without more information I can't say really… But either this is one hell of coincidence or…"

"Or the universe is screwing with us." My sister spat. The photo had obviously put her on a bad mood.

"Yes. That is also possible." I nodded slowly. "But now you should go and calm down while I call my friends. Okay?"

"Sure." Luna muttered and stormed out of the kitchen. I hoped she wouldn't go a break something.

"Oh, goddess accept my offering." I chanted to the rainbow that was sprouted from a water sprinkler outside our house. The golden coin was tossed in. "The Stoll brothers, Camp Half-Blood."

The image simmered to reveal my friends. Apparently they'd gathered everyone who were in on the secret. I wonder how long it would remain as a secret. Hopefully at least a year more. I had a plan for future.

"Hello guys!" I greeted them.

"'lo, Clay!" The Stolls chorused with Samuel and Lou Ellen.

"You made it safely home then." Luke smiled from his perch on top of the boulder.

"I did, yes." I grinned back. "Luna's here too. She'll be back soon."

"What about your parents?" Candice frowned.

"They're… at work still. Well, Luna's dad is. Mom is making last minute grocery shopping before the shops close." I lied smoothly. If they noticed it, none of them mentioned it.

"That's your house then?" Mirco asked. "Looks nice."

"Yeah, this is the outside of one half. Mom and dad… Well, they liked the uniqueness of this house. One half European and one Japanese. This is the Japanese side and the backyard." I explained.

"That's… interesting." Lou nodded thoughtfully.

"Yeah. I like this place though. We've been living here since summer."

"Is that house in New York by any chance?" Luke asked suddenly. I turned slowly to look at the older boy. He was frowning thoughtfully. And my thoughts were racing.

"Yes, it is. Close by anyways." I shrugged nonchalantly. At least as much as I could with the unease I was feeling. Thankfully right then the paper screen door behind me opened and Luna stepped outside.

"So these are your friends?" She said by introduction and plopped down next to me.

"Yeah. Majority of them live in the same cabin than I… I explained the cabin system to you, didn't I?" Oh, it was so easy to pretend Luna didn't know the details of the Camp. Almost as easy as pretending I didn't know everything beforehand when I first arrived.

"The system that sucks. Now introduce them. I wanna know everything." She grinned. After hitting me behind my head. That hurt. My feelings that is.

"Right…" I sighed. "The blond is Luke Castellan, the duo looking like twins are his half-brothers, Travis and Connor Stoll. The short kid with almost grey hair is also of the same line, Samuel Lucas." At that point Samuel protested my quip at his height. "The dark-haired girl is of the magical kind, Lou Ellen Remes, and next to her is warmonger's spawn Mirco Kirkland."

"You are really naming them all without saying their parent's name?" Luna interrupted.

"Of course." I scoffed, making about all of my friends laugh. "Then there's Mirco's sister Clarisse La Rue, the victorious one Candice Williams and our resident musician Lee Fletcher."

"Nice to meet you all. I'm Luna Cykes, this idiot's sister."

From there the conversation flowed on. Everything was discussed. Interests, school life, home life, knowledge on mythology… I kept tossing golden Drachmas into the rainbow every time the connection faltered. I didn't contribute much otherwise. It was simply brilliant to see them all getting along with her.

After about half an hour of conversation there was a shout off-screen. Candice leaned back in her seat and craned her neck to see to the direction of the shout.

"It's Chiron. He seems to be looking for us." She explained.

"We better go then." Lou Ellen got on her feet and dusted some snow from her skirt. "We came to the forest without a persmission after all. It was nice to meet you, Luna. See you again, Clay. Come on, Samuel."

"Bye you too, take care." Samuel waved and followed his sort-of-but-not-quite-girlfriend.

"Bye." Luna waved back. And so, the demigods left in small groups probably to divert attention from the Iris Message that was still on. Eventually only Luke remained.

"Alright, Castellan, spit it out." Luna stated outright at the son of Hermes. "Who is this girl?" She pulled the photograph literally out of her sleeve.

"She…" Luke looked away. "She used to live in my neighborhood years ago. Haven't seen her in years though."

"What's her name?" I decided to interject before Luna lost her temper due vague answers.

"Lila. Lila Cykes."

"Right…" Luna was glaring still so I took over.

"How did you knew to ask if this house was at New York?"

"What is this? Twenty questions?" The older kid laughed nervously.

"Yes." Luna and I said.

"It looked familiar, is all. Five years ago we… Annabeth, Thalia, Grover and I used it as a safe house. Our last stop before making it to the Camp. It was abandoned and if it hadn't been for a guide we wouldn't have found it."

"Guide?" Lune frowned.

"Lady of Dusk. She directed us here. Let us rest properly for the first time in a while." The way Luke said it and looked away from us made him look quite young but so old at the same time.

"Could you… Could you tell us more about Lady of Dusk?" I asked tentatively. This was the second time I'd heard of her in such a short amount of time but I still had no idea who she was.

"Sure…" While Luke seemed relieved that the topic was off himself and his past, it was like he'd rather left the conversation completely. I wondered why…

"Lady of Dusk… That's the name everyone uses of her. At least those who don't know her personally. If she appears to you… Like she did to us back then… She then uses an alias. She is very fond of demigods but has none of her own. She is an elusive one. Some say she is sleeping goddess. Only occasionally awake."

"Does she… Does she have a knack of figuring things out before hand?" Luna frowned.

"Yes. I suppose it's because of the shared domain between her and her mentor Astraeus… Seeing the events to come from the stars." The son of Hermes nodded slowly. "Can I ask a question of my own now?"

"Alright." I shrugged. Hopefully it wouldn't be anything bad.

"Where are your parents really?" Of course he'd ask that question. Of course…

"What do you mean?" Luna seemed ready to attack again. Honestly, her impulsiveness would get her in trouble eventually.

"That house… It's not…" Luke stopped, searching for words. "The wards of that house are choosy of who they let in. Lady of Dusk explained that to us. No monsters, very few mortals… It is a sanctuary you can find only if you need it. It is not a place to be bought and settled in just like that."

"…" Luna and I exchanged a glance. The light green of the telepathy stone flickered at the back of our minds when we conversed. Eventually I sighed and looked away. Meanwhile Luna faced the other demigod. Well, Luke had no idea we knew what he'd do in the future so he had no reason to suspect us of… knowing anything. What harm would it do? After a year I'd know.

"There is no parents. Just Clay and I. We take care of ourselves." Luna told the older boy. Directly straight to the point. And the shock on Luke's face was… genuine.

A/N: Oh, my... A cliffhanger... In next chapter we'll know how Luna and Clay will explain this to Luke. They are being a bit reckless and it'll come back biting their butt during... yes, during Lighting Thief actually.

Replies to reviews: (yay I got so many)

-Grace F:
I see. Unfortunately I have school taking up my time. And so many fanfics going on at the same time. But it's great to hear that you like this. I could start doing recaps, yes... That's a good idea.
Yeah. The fanbases are so different in each fandom. I'm more partial to adventures so I also write them.(maybe the lack of romance in my personal life affects too)
It's alright. Even a little message is enough for me. :)

-Tsuki:
Yeah, I discovered the books last spring so I decided to start writing this fic after a while.

-Risna:
Thank you very much. :)
I have typos... And I swear the document manager of FF eats some words from the documents... ;)
The stones... I think I explained them in the first chapters. They are sort of excess power of the gods. Saturation that has taken a physical form. Luna steals them mostly because they are interesting and MAGIC. Because she is mortal and essentially Clay is too, they need every possible edge in that world. That and Luna loves the thrill of stealing.