Chapter 9

~2 weeks later~

Artemis POV

Where in the world- I was currently looking for Percy when I saw it, the sight I know I wasn't meant to see. My little boy, hunched over a tiny grave, laying flowers, he had been trying to nurse a small injured rabbit back to health after it had been attacked. Unfortunately it was too badly injured and had passed away the same day, that was a week ago.

He still comes and leaves flowers, he is currently crying while murmuring to the small grave, I could only hear pieces of his tear filled mutterings, 'I'm sorry', -'couldn't save you', -'wish I was smarter', -'can't save anyone', then he broke off into heart wrenching sobs, still muffled with a time worn fear of being loud.

Not wanting to interrupt, I slowly backed away towards camp, he needed his space and time to mourn. I just needed to be there to show him he is still loved and cared for. Right? Walking into camp I look around, we had been here much longer than usual, mostly to give Percy time to rest after his first quest but also to give ourselves a break from monster hunting.

We were getting tired of the same old routine and I think it's about time for Percy to start meeting other demigods, though I was wary of him coming into contact with older boys. I figure it would be best if I was there for his first meet and greet. Making up my mind I decided we would be leaving for camp Half-Blood by the end of the week.

Zoe POV

Where could he be? I thought to myself, running through the camp, we were supposed to be breaking down camp, but Percy was nowhere to be found. Sighing quietly to myself I gave in and went to the one place I knew he'd be. As I walked I whistled and Ms. O'Leary came bounding out of the shadows straight at me.

Smiling I ruffled the gigantic puppy's head, which came up to my chest now, I could remember when she was small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

LICK...

Gross, I wipe the drool from my face and glare halfheartedly at her,

"No treats." I said sternly, her ears laid back and she whimpered, oh well someone has to teach her manners, because Percy sure wasn't, he was much too lenient on her. I started back on my trek into the woods, Ms, O'Leary walking quietly behind me, depressed at the lack of treats. After a few minutes of walking I came to the clearing I knew i'd find him at, and low and behold, there he was.

Kneeling in front of the grave placing the last flowers he would on it, and muttering a final goodbye. I smiled sadly at the boy, such a horrible string the fates have threaded him, one that I hoped I could untangle. I slowly approached him and gently placed a hand on his shoulder, his muscles coiled tightly, and then relaxed realizing it was me. He tried to discreetly wipe away his tears and I looked away to give him time to compose himself. Ms. O'Leary coming up behind him to nudge his shoulder and give him a tiny lick to his face, instantly his frown turned upside down and he ran a hand through her fur.

"It's time to break camp, we are moving again." I said quietly in the silent group. He nodded and we all turned back towards camp, today we would be heading to the demigods camp, today Percy would meet other half bloods, today, we would see just how far Percy could push his limits.

Percy POV

Somethings off. I think to myself, everyone is either avoiding eye contact or looking at me with something akin to worry or apprehension. Feeling slightly weirded out I hurried to my tent, compacting it and sticking it in a zipper pocket in my coat so I wouldn't lose it. I looked around only a couple of tents were still up and they are probably whoever is making breakfasts'.

I headed to the breakfast table, the clearing we had used for the three weeks we had lived here hardly showed any signs of having been camped at. The grass was already standing back up and looking greener by the minute. Once I sat at the table I quickly grabbed Ms.O'Learys' plate piling it with her food I sat it down behind me hearing her tear into it I smiled, glad my "little" girl is enjoying her meal.

I had taken her under my wing so to speak, no one and I mean NO ONE would hurt my little girl, over my dead body. An image flashed through my mind, a body, bleeding profusely, staring at me with wide fear filled blue eyes, I knew those eyes, scrunching my eyes closed I tried to slow my breathing like Apollo taught me.

It had taken a long time until I started to trust him but it helped that he taught me how to deal with the frightening images that would randomly pop up in my head, I remember him saying something about, repressed memories or PDST or something, maybe it was PSTD? Shaking my head I cleared the image, and went about eating breakfast.

Hades POV

I smiled, yes smiled, I finally finished all my paperwork and could go visit Percy now. I got up from my desk and flashed to the hunters camp, they were cleaning up what appeared to be breakfast. Looking around I spotted Artemis first, the man hater had become a close friend in the two years they had spent in semi close quarters what with all my random appearances to teach Percy how to properly care for Ms,O'Leary, how to fight using his sword, and how to shadow travel short distances.

Percy still wasn't that good at, but I was expecting that considering they aren't the powers he should be using. Percy was told a year ago that his father was Poseidon and he took it fairly well, he practiced with his water but was still pretty bad with control, he had gotten better when Poseidon sent a water nymph to teach him the basics though. Finally arriving at Artemis' side I asked the first question that had popped into my head,

"Where to now?" She raised a delicate eyebrow at me but didn't comment on my lack of formalities,

"Camp Half-Blood." She replied. I felt my blood run cold, Already? Did she think he was ready to face man again? I would have at least started him off with small doses to help reintroduce him to the world, but, apparently not. Deciding it best not to argue with her, I had learned the hard way not to, I nodded and asked where Percy was.

"He should be by the stream with the girls he said he wanted to help out even though he didn't have to." I nodded my head once more and headed to the group at the stream, immediately I saw Percy the difference in clothing giving him away rather quickly. While walking over I looked at the boy, who was so at ease in the group of man haters, so wrapped around his finger were they and he didn't even notice. Smiling again I tapped his shoulder which was already starting to gain some lean muscles from all the training I and Artemis put him through.

Stiffening and relaxing almost immediately he turned and faced me, smiling I noticed he was missing a tooth towards the right side of his mouth leaving a small gap in his smile. Patting him on the head I looked him in the eyes, he flinched a little and tried to avert his gaze but my hand kept his head still,

"Did Artemis tell you where you are going?" I asked slowly, he looked at me just below my eyes and shook his head 'no'. Sighing I let go and told the boy to go and ask her, I was not going to let him walk into this without letting him mentally preparing himself. Nodding her dashed over to his second mom, thinking that made me smile, the judges had told me that his mother, Sally Jackson had had only one request, that her little boy be took care of and loved again.

Looking over to Percy and Artemis who had leaned down to hear him over the noise of clattering pots and pans giving him her full attention, I realized he couldn't have found a better or more overprotective family even if he had tried.

AN:

PHEW!

Sorry that took so long, i've come back and am back to writing, hopefully i'll be able to get some headway on this story I really like it it's just taking a bit longer to write than I thought it would but, oh well. I hope everyone liked it and are as excited as I am to see just how our little Percy will react to older boys. Thank you all for sticking with me and my story. :)

-Love WolfMistwood