Chapter 22

Hades POV

(betcha didn't see that one coming?)

Something has been on my mind since my brother had said he couldn't sense his own son. All gods know you can always sense your own children unless, they are hidden from you. Now either my brother lied, which by the way he reacted to Percy seems unlikely, or he was honest and someone cloaked Percy. Now why, and who became my main questions. Who would gain anything from such a move? I have a hunch, a couple actually, however to speak them aloud without proof could be, bad for my health.

So, I am currently stewing over the possibilities in Persephone's garden in my castle in the Underworld. I enjoy coming here, it reminds me of above and calms me. Often times me and Persephone can be found in the garden simply enjoying each other's presence. A thought popped into my head when staring at a certain fruit tree, my eyes narrow at it, some dots connect. Now the question of why?

"Why the constipated look Hades?" Persephone is sitting in one of the garden beds to my left, she was looking over her shoulder at me, an eyebrow raised in confusion.

"Thinking about something rather, discomforting..." I mumbled. She nodded and went back to weeding her beds. Sometimes I forget that she's amazing like that, curious but not pushy.

"Let's go topside for dinner, what do you want to eat?" I ask her, surprised I spoke so soon she turned to look at me with both eyebrows raised, a question in those beautiful brown eyes, she studied my face, before nodding and saying Shrimp Scampi. I smiled and told her to go get washed and dressed up, we'd make a night of it, smiling she hurried off. I need to take a break, and she's the best stress reliever.

As I made my way back to my room to get ready I pondered whether or not to start Nico and Bianca's training, real training, not that pansy training at the camp, but with old heroes ghosts' and actual guiding from the Underworld Gods and Goddesses, perhaps Percy and Leo could join as well? Skeleton guards shamble past me making their rounds, bowing and clanking, their jaws clacking a chatter very few can speak. I nodded and continued on, I never think of my castle as 'dreary' though my family says otherwise, I simply like the dark. Bright colors hurt my eyes and often times give me headaches, gods know I can't walk into Aphrodite's palace without a migraine for the next three hours at least, Pink, pink and sparkly and horrifyingly sweet smelling.

Plus the SOUNDS, Percy is NEVER to go there, if the boy wasn't already traumatized in everything sexual, then he would be. I shudder just thinking about it. My robes sway over the stone floor, a soft sweeping sound just noticeable, relaxing. I reach my room, Persephone is already there, in a gorgeous sweeping ballgown dress of dark green and black with just the perfect smattering of gold along the chest and hips.

Her hair is tied up in a loose bun with curls escaping to frame her face and a touch of gold eye shadow graces her face. Absolutely devastatingly gorgeous. She smiles at me, coy yet with that confidence that just speaks volumes, she knows she has me wrapped around her green thumb. I trade my robes for a suit of black with a shirt the same dark green as her dress, she runs the brush through my hair, it's getting long. To my shoulders now, she gently ties it back out of my face and rests her hand on my cheek.

"What's brought this on love?" she implores. I close my eyes, I knew i'd not get far into the night without her asking,

"Suspicions love, ones not yet ready to come to light for fear they may slip away and never be caught, but weigh heavily on my mind." She nods and presses lips that taste of honey over mine, soft and warm. I sigh,

"Well, then let me ease your troubled mind." she smiles and pulls me to my feet. I catch her round the waist and shadow travel us to dinner, i'll let my mind rest for tonight.

Percy's POV

Ok, I promised mom I could do this, so i'll do it. Just because I can't let go of Leo's hand doesn't mean I can't do it, right? Leo hisses, I'm pretty sure his hand is bruised. I can't help it. We are at our first official class without my mom or sisters, luckily me and Leo have all the same classes, though I think mom had something to do with that. First class was sparring, with boys. Not a great start.

Me and Leo are sitting in a corner as the instructor, a ridiculously large teen with muscles as big around as he is tall was trying to explain the rules, but every time he comes within 10 feet of me I whimper and crush Leo's hand, causing the instructor, I can't even remember his name, to back away. Needless to say we were all frustrated by the time he finished explaining and Leo informed him that until I could speak to another camper, I would only spar with Leo, separate from the others.

The large teen shook his head and motioned us to a far corner of a large grassy field, the sun beating down on our necks and told us he would give pointers from afar. I appreciated the fact that he stayed a good distance from me, didn't mean I wanted him even a centimeter closer, but helped so I could at least nod. I don't know where I'd be without Leo, we spared for hours and I felt great when we finally stopped for breaks. My muscles aching just humming with after workout euphoria. We almost had the move we had been practicing perfected. I can't wait to show- right. I stop in my tracks and narrowly avoid being knocked over by Leo.

"Whoa dude, why'd you stop?"

"Nothing, just, got excited to show mom that we've almost got that move down, but she can't see it, so..."

"Well, there's still Hades right? I mean, he is the one who taught us that, i'm sure he'll be just as excited, as you know, he can get for being Mr. Marble face." I snort. Mr. Marble face came from years ago when Leo first met Hades, and finally confided in me that he looked like a creepy statue.

"Yea I guess."

"Come on dude, lunch!" Leo threw his arms in the air and whooped, I shake my head, only two things get Leo hyped, food, and technology. Although he has started to like girls... I'll have to keep an eye on that. No corrupting girls, or else my sisters will kill me.

"Wanna sit with me today?" I ask voice devoid of inflection, but inside I was a twitchy mess. Going to lunch sitting at a table by myself, where all those eyes would be one me, all their eyes... I shake my head slightly. I am safe. I have Leo, and Ms.O'Leary, and Nico and Bianca. I am ok. I take a deep breath, Leo is side eyeing me waiting to see if I could stop my own panic attack, when he noticed my breathing pick up. "I'm ok." I reassured him. I was not.

"Uh huh sure you are." He said rolling his eyes, his curly brown hair had some grass in it from our spar and some odd part of me really wanted to brush it free. "Yoo-hoo? Seaweed Brain? You in there?" A tan hand waved in front of my face, i jerked back and slapped him in response. Nicely, gently, on the arm. He yelped and glared at me, "Fine man, no famous Leo Extraordinaire Exploding Tacos for YOU." I pouted. I-I mean, frowned. "Whatever."

Nico POV

This place is so cool!

I think as I stare at the massive lava wall that shook and randomly had demigods falling screaming and on fire. So cool.

I eye B out of the corner of my eye, her face is squished like a mother looking displeased at a child's actions with a wary sort of fear tinging it.

"You ok B?" I ask, she turns to face me but her eyes never leave the lava wall,

"Nico... you are not climbing the wall of lava. That is final." She finally snapped her eyes to me in a scary copy of Lady Artemis.

"But, all the other kids are doing it!" I complained, "If all the other kids jumped off a cliff would you?" she retorted. I sighed the oldest saying in the book, I was done arguing.

"I doubt even Percy would play on that monstrosity." At the mention of Percy I felt that same funny feeling in my chest, I placed my hand over it, my heart was beating a little too fast. This started happening after I held his hand when we first got our cabin, now it seems every time I hear his name I feel weird. Maybe I should ask Bianca?... Nah, that'd be embarrassing.

"Why are you red Nico? Are you feeling alright?" She leaned closer, I scrambled for an answer, anything was better than I was thinking about Percy and he makes me feel funny. I opened my mouth, and was saved the humiliation as a conch horn blew signalling lunch.

"Wow! Look at the time, lunch already? Welp let's go sis can't be late." I scurried off towards the dining pavilion B hot on my heels demanding to know why I was acting so strange. The less she knew, the better.

AN:

Wow. I suck. Seriously how long has it been since I last posted? Too long. Honestly you guys. My brain is kinda fried right now, I tried finishing this chapter but it seems kinda lacking, and short. But I figured better short and lacking than not at all. Right?

Anyways, once more I am not giving up, i'm just ungodly slow to update, for that i'm sorry. But i've got some plans I might start putting into action here soon... :)

And as always, ideas are always welcome.

Love Wolf