Chapter 5: Reunions

PERCY POV

"Hey Pinecone Face. Been awhile huh?" I was abruptly tackled into a tearful hug after I said that. Thalia was a wreck for all of 5 minutes. I hugged her and apologized, rubbing soothing circles on her back as I did so. The hunters didn't appreciate that much. After Thalia was done crying and let go of me, her face shifted and I knew I was in deep shit.

*SMACK* I received an electrical slap to the face making me stumble back. " ALMOST 5 YEARS?! NOT A SINGLE GODS DAMNED IRIS MESSAGE PERCY?! YOU FUCKING KELP-HEAD!" she screamed at me while she punched me in the gut. The hunters snickered while I doubled over trying to catch my breath. "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! WHY DID YOU LEAVE?! WHAT ABOUT ANNABETH?!"

I flinched at the mention of her and it didn't go unnoticed by Thalia as her anger shifted to confusion. Luckily Artemis saved me from explaining, "Alright hunters. Now that you've met our guardian, it's time for breakfast. Perseus, you're cooking." She smirked at me as we all made our way to the food tent. Thalia gave me a glare that said 'We're talking later.' I gave her a sad smile and walked after them.

After they were all seated, staring at me expectantly I asked, "So what does everyone want?" They all shouted out their orders, rather incoherently, but I shut them all up by summoning a huge buffet of bacon, eggs, sausage, french toast, pancakes, waffles, and orange juice. "What the hell Kelp-Head?" Thalia spoke out, breaking the silence.

I rubbed my neck sheepishly and said, "Before I disappeared, Hestia kinda made me her champion." Thalia stared at me in disbelief, Estelle dove in immediately while the rest of the hunters eyed the food skeptically. "I swear on the Styx I haven't tampered with the food in any way, shape, or form," I sighed. Phoebe tentatively took a bite and melted at the flavor. The remainder of the hunters followed suit enjoying their meal.

"Perseus?" Artemis asked me. "Why are the pancakes and waffles blue?" I chuckled at her question which confused her. Estelle spoke up for me, "Mommy used to make him blue food all the time because it's his favorite color!" then she dove back into her plate. "Lady Hera?" one of the hunters asked and I shook my head. "No, mine and Estelle's mortal mother." Thalia spoke up after I explained, "Gods I love Sally! How is she?" Estelle stopped eating and put her head down and I froze at the question.

I turned to Artemis, "May I take my leave to set up mine and Estelle's tent milady?" She nodded swiftly and I turned to go about setting up our home for the foreseeable future, not even looking at Thalia.

3RD PERSON POV

"What was that all about?" Thalia asked confused. Artemis just shook her head softly and said, "It is not my place to tell you. Just give him time. He will tell you when he's ready." Thalia looked even more confused, but reluctantly nodded as they finished up breakfast.

Artemis sent a mental message to Percy to report to her tent after he set up his own. He set the tent up away from the other hunters as to not make them any more uncomfortable than they already were with his very existence. Inside the tent, 2 cots were set up along with two desks and enough room on the floor in case a third person wanted to set up a sleeping bag.

ARTEMIS POV

I heard a knock on my tent and I called for them to come in. Perseus moved the flap and entered where I gestured to a chair for him to sit. "What can I do for you Lady Artemis?" he inquired, and I pulled out a list of his chores to be done. "I have a list of your chores you will be tasked with during your stay here." He grumbled slightly, but nodded as I continued.

"You will be in charge of breakfast, lunch, and dinner while you are here as everyone enjoyed the meal from earlier. You will do the hunters' laundry twice a week. I expect them to be spotless and dried so that they are soft and fluffy. You will help set up the archery range when we move to a new campsite and help break it down once we are to leave. You will handle the maintenance on all the hunters' weapons, including sharpening the arrows and knives once a week, and after any battles that dull them. You will take watch over the camp while I pilot my chariot every night and may sleep upon my return. You will feed the wolves and clean the kennel when necessary. And finally, you will NOT go anywhere without prior authorization from me. Any questions?"

Perseus was hard to read as I laid out his chores for his stay in the Hunt. He wore an emotionless mask. 'No doubt trying to find a way to get out of some of these,' I thought before he stood and took a half bow, "With your leave milady." I was surprised he had no questions and didn't even complain. I briefly nodded and he exited my tent. 'Interesting,' was the only thing that crossed my mind as he left.

PERCY POV

Hades this is going to be far more work than I had anticipated. Estelle is off with the hunters to the archery range to practice. I was a little hesitant to let her go, but I quickly pushed that thought aside. They'd never hurt a maiden and plus, I have to get these chores done.

I found the laundry by the lake near the camp and took a deep breath. The pile was as tall as me, no doubt the hunters taking advantage of their new Guardian. 'More like their new butler,' I thought bitterly as I got to work. I dumped all the clothes into the lake and began working. With my control over water, it took me about 3 hours instead of the rest of the day. I thought about simulating a washing machine, but was afraid they'd get tangled and cause me to waste even more time.

I decided to take each outfit individually in its separate vessel of water to wash them simultaneously. I was drenched in sweat by the time I had finished as I have never manipulated 15 separate orbs of water at the same time before. I found the clothesline and hung them all quickly and used my fire powers to dry them to perfection, being careful not to burn them. After they were all folded it took 2 trips to drop them at their respective tents. The hunters' undergarments were at the lake, but even though I haven't yet used my manhood, I would like to have the option to do so. I returned to Artemis's tent to report on my chores. I knocked on the tent pole and heard her call me in.

"Perseus? What's the matter?" she said. "Nothing Milady. I just came to inform you that I finished the laundry with the exception of the undergarments. I don't think anyone would appreciate me touching those." She stared at me wide-eyed and spoke, "It's only been 3 hours! How?" I smirked at her and replied, "It would've taken me longer if not for my birthright powers and Hestia's blessing." She nodded and I did another half-bow before returning to my chores.

ARTEMIS POV

Gods dammit! Is Perseus incapable of acting like any other male? He left the undergarments that even I had totally forgotten about! 'Maybe this won't be so bad,' I thought with a soft smile on my face.

PERCY POV

Arion would be impressed. I was in the armory tent sharpening the seemingly endless arrows and a dozen hunting knives, all while swearing up a storm. I didn't think it was possible to sweat more than I had during the laundry. I was wrong. It took me an hour and a half to get them all done. No doubt the hunters taking full advantage of my "services".

I stood up from the workbench, my joints popping from being idle, and went to go prepare lunch. Though with Hestia's blessing, preparing it wasn't much of an issue. I arrived at the dining tent with all of the Hunt waiting for me expectantly. To save time from getting orders, I summoned a large assortment of sandwiches, fruit, and blue cookies as a treat and everyone dug in. Happiness was clearly visible on their faces at the meal.

"So Kelp-Head," Thalia said and I turned toward her. "How about a spar after lunch?" She had a mischievous smirk on her face as she said it. I looked to Artemis for an answer. "I think it would be fun to have the Hunt to see exactly what our Guardian can do," she said with a sickly sweet tone that made me uneasy. I gave another half-bow and tended to the dishes, while the hunt headed to the training clearing.

"So what are the rules Thals?" I asked as I paced out 10 meters and turned to face her. "All out. Powers and all weapons. Go until unconscious or killing blow withheld." I nodded in agreement and summoned my katana and a throwing knife, holding each down to my side at a 45 degree angle. Artemis was to referee the match. On an unspoken signal Thalia drew her bow and began firing away.

I dodged and blocked her arrows waiting for an opening in her fire rate. Once one came, I sidestepped an arrow headed for my shoulder and threw my throwing knife with the same intensity. Before Thalia could react, the knife flew past her head and cut through her bowstring, rendering it useless. She stared at me in shock, growled and summoned her spear and shield, Aegis.

Most people flinched at the sight of the terrifying shield displaying Medusa's head, but it had no such effect on me after seeing it so many times. She growled again and lunged to attack. Thalia had gotten far better than the last time we sparred. Parrying my katana and dancing around my strikes with the throwing knife. We exchanged blows for about 5 minutes, being cautious to watch out for her lightning attacks. I felt a little bad for holding back with Thalia, but I had enough and decided to end it.

I slipped a jab from her spear and lunged only for her to bring up Aegis. I decided to use my Earthshaker abilities and punched the shield with the throwing knife in my hand. During my time in Japan, I had gotten into an anime (Japanese cartoon) by the name of One Piece. To sum it up, this kid is a pirate with the goal to be the King of the Pirates and find a legendary treasure. In the show there are these things called "Devil Fruits" which give people abilities in exchange for the ability to swim in seawater. One of the characters had an earthquake power and channeled it through his hand-to-hand combat.

Being the son of the Earthshaker, I decided to see if it was something I could do as well. I couldn't use it frequently, as my bones vibrated to the point of pain, and if I used it repeatedly, my bones would snap. However, with Thalia, it was enough to create an opening. Aegis dented upon impact and blew her back a few meters.

Before she could recover from the shock, I vapor traveled behind her and had my knife at her gut and katana at her neck. "Yield?" I asked innocently. She didn't give me a coherent answer and just grumbled retracting her weapons in defeat. The Hunt and Artemis just stared at the two of us in shock.

"Thalia lost?" some of the hunters whispered, not believing their fearless lieutenant was defeated by a male. "Geez Kelp-for-Brains. We used to go for hours! How did you get so strong?" Thalia asked and the rest of the hunters crept forward to hear. I looked around and rubbed my neck sheepishly before speaking, "Well when I was traveling around for those 4 ish years I picked up a few things. I trained Hestia's powers while I was in Australia and then honed my archery and stealth amongst other skills during my time in Japan."

Thalia shook her head softly and said, "Only you Seaweed Brain." I frowned at the old nickname before masking it in a joking manner, "Whatever you say Spark Plug." Thalia glared at the nickname and asked, "What was that?" I froze and paled slightly as she rushed me and shocked me adequately. After relishing in her small victory, Phoebe spoke up in a teasing manner. "You got lucky! You don't have the skill to best her again."

I rolled my eyes at her and fired back, "Why don't you try me then." She smirked at me and drew her hunting knives. "I'll gladly put you in your place." "What are the rules?" I asked, putting away my katana and throwing knife. "No powers. Until unconsciousness." she replied twirling her knives in hand. "When do we begin?" "NOW!" she yelled as she lunged, catching me off guard and landing a cut on my cheek. I growled and began to dodge the disrespectful onslaught of her attacks.

She began getting frustrated, not being able to land a hit, when an arrow whizzed by my head. I turned to see Atalanta notching another arrow with a smug look on her face that was mirrored by Phoebe. I began moving faster and faster dodging the two attacks. Atalanta fired one last arrow that I caught inches from my face as Thalia managed to rip her bow from her. Artemis was fuming at the display by her hunters.

I decided to end it, stepping into Phoebe's guard and twisting her wrist making her drop a hunting knife. She yelped in surprise, but before she could recover, I caught the knife and struck her temple with the hilt knocking her out. The hunters looked at me wide-eyed, while Thalia, Artemis, and Estelle smiled at my display of skill. I bent down to Phoebe and my hand glowed warm orange as I brought her back, but not before the hunters drew their bows.

I held up my other hand as I healed Phoebe and quickly stepped away from her as she came to. Phoebe's eyes fluttered open and she looked confused before laying her eyes on me and glaring. Artemis and Thalia came up to her and began scolding her for her dishonorable actions.

"Phoebe. Because you blatantly attacked Perseus without giving him time to prepare and going for actual kill shots, you and Atalanta are to finish his chores for the next 2 weeks." Phoebe and Atalanta went to protest, but a harsh glare from Artemis shut them up.

"Lady Artemis. They don't have to be punished." Artemis whipped around to look at me confused. "While I agree their actions were dishonorable, they were only doing what you have taught them from their time in the Hunt. I can't blame them for that." The two hunters in question each gave me a swift nod in thanks.

ARTEMIS POV

I can't believe Perseus! There he was, having his life threatened in a simple sparring match and he asked me to let them off the hook with no punishment. This man simply cannot stop proving to me that he is completely different from the rest of his species. 'Gods damn him! He doesn't want the Hunt to start questioning their views on males so he defended their actions. How can he be so forgiving?'

I was brought out of my thoughts as he spoke up, "Lady Artemis, I have finished my chores for today and would like to ask if I could visit the Underworld?" I furrowed my brow in confusion, "Why would you want to visit the Underworld?" He rubbed his neck again and continued, "Well I haven't seen my cousin Nico in awhile and he's probably gonna be pissed at me."

I smiled at him and nodded, "Yes Perseus, that is fine. Just make sure to be back from dinner as you still have to cook, err summon it for us. He smiled widely before going over to his sister. "I'm gonna go see Nico for a bit, but I'll be back for dinner my little star. Make sure you behave yourself." Estelle rolled her eyes at her brother's antics and said, "Yes big brother." He ruffled her hair before disappearing in a column of flames.

'He's so good with her. He acts so fatherly and it's refreshing to see that side of him. Especially after all he's endured,' I thought then stiffened at my own thoughts. 'I don't actually enjoy being around him, do I?' I must've been frozen in thought for a while because Thalia spoke to me.

"Everything okay, Milady?" Thalia said with a curious expression. "Yes. Everything is fine. Get back to your duties." I said quickly before heading off for my tent.

PERCY POV

"Hello Mrs. Dodds. Long time no see!" I called out to my ex-teacher and fury as I approached the gates to my uncle's palace. "Jackson. Finally come to let me kill you?" she spat with venom. "Ah. I'm afraid not. I'm here to see my Uncle. Now are you going to let me in? Or do we need to have a rematch from all those years ago?" I quipped sarcastically making her growl. "Lord Hades has permitted your entry." She said reluctantly as I continued on to my Uncles palace, giving her a victorious wave.

'Alright, let's go see Death Breath. Man he's not gonna be happy with me.' I chuckled internally and made my way to the Throne Room for a long overdue reunion.

AN: And that's Chapter 5! I appreciate the feedback and suggestions! This is my first ever fanfic and it warms my heart to get such positive feedback, but still let me know if you have suggestions or comments of any kind they are appreciated! Until next time!