Here is the next chapter! Expect the next one sometime next month at least, or sometime in two weeks or so.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: You guys remembered that I'm a girl, right?

2. Of Teddy Bear Killers and Wolf Goddesses

My advice to you when flying: don't open your mouth when you're squashed in-between clouds.

I know clouds aren't solid, and made from gas, blah, blah, blah, but they still have some sort of presence and they try to condense you...or something. All I know is that I would have suffocated if I didn't urge myself to fly faster.

Also, that fluffy cloud came back and covered me from the rain, and even though that was strange, I wasn't going to question it.

Ten minutes of heavy rain later, I landed in the forest, mostly dry as I wandered over to the line of wolves that guarded Lupa. Strangely enough, back at San Francisco, the weather was fine, minus the dark clouds.Jupiter must not be angry at San Francisco, I thought.

They growled in greeting at me, the middle two wolves stepping aside to let me through. I walked until I reached the entrance of Lupa's home where I made and left into Lupa's warm but scary den, ready to escort her to camp as she lectured me on Roman gods and history on the way.

Good morning, son of Jupiter, Lupa said, growling in greeting. Rabbit meat? she offered, pushing a bloody rabbit towards me.

I shook my head, shivering internally at the raw meat. "Already ate," I replied, forcing a smile, about to barf my sausages out. "But thanks."

Lupa regarded me, her silver eyes amused. Very well. Have you been studying the gods like I had told you to?

"Not really," I admitted, careful to stay away from her flicking tail. "There hasn't been much time with training and learning Latin."

God of war?

"Mars," I answer automatically. "He's the son of Juno and Jupiter, and he has a spear that shakes when danger is approaching. Second most important god besides Jupiter." My coin suddenly felt colder in my pocket, but I ignored it, blaming it on the morning breeze.

Goddess of war?

"Baloney?" I guessed, but by the look of amusement on Lupa's face told me that I was wrong.

Try again, son of Jupiter, Lupa said, her red tail curled up. Think carefully.

"Bell...Bellone?

Bellona, young pup. Try to remember her name, she recommended, a glint in her silvery eyes. She, along with Mars, will be great help to you in battle.

I nodded, and the she-wolf continued. Goddess of marriage?

"Juno. She is also the patron goddess of Rome, and queen of the heavens," I replied, a bit of resentment in my voice.

Do not bear hard feelings. Everything has a purpose. God of the seas? Lupa asked, walking faster.

"Neptin?" Lupa snorted in disapproval, if that was possible, and glanced back at me as I tried to catch up.

Young demigod, you must drill these names in your head, or my pack and I will help you. The she-wolf must have seen me wincing as she continued. The time will come when these people will aid you, but they will not spare you a second glance if you don't remember their name. It is Neptune, pup, she corrected me, stopping. I trust that you at least know who Jupiter is?

"He is the god of Justice, King of Olympus, and Lord of the Sky," I replied, but I could tell from Lupa's expression that I was missing one thing. "And he's also my father," I said finally, a spark appearing from my fingertips. Thunder boomed in the sky, lightning striking down hard onto Mars' temple, and I jumped back, slightly shaken, but I realized I was beside Lupa, so I recollected myself and turned away from the noise.

It'll also be in your best interest to remember that, young demigod, Lupa advised me, staring at the camp. We are here.

I stood up straight, walking towards my home. "What would you like to see first?" I asked Lupa as I smoothed out my camp t-shirt.

The arena, the wolf goddess replied, flicking her tail over to the coliseum. Is everything in place, and in good shape?

"Yeah, I think so," I replied, praying to Jupiter that everything went well and that Lupa would be pleased.

Yeah, right.

You see, Lupa is one of the most hardest people to please (or, well, wolf in this case), and I had a feeling that today just wasn't going to go my way.

I should have realized that when I saw Octavian muttering to himself and pacing like an idiot (that I knew he was) when Lupa and I walked into the coliseum.

"Hello, Octavian," I said warily, trying to get his attention. It was hard to believe that he was three years older than me, and I was pretty sure Lupa wasn'tgoing be happy with a Roman randomly muttering to themselves eight fifteen in the morning. I tried doing telepathy, screaming Octavian! Go away unless you want to be served on a silver platter! in my head.

Unfortunately, only gods could do that, and all I achieved was looking like Bobby when he was trying to look like he was paying attention in Latin class.

To break that down, I had squinted my eyes, puffed out my cheeks, and tilted my head to an unusual degree.

I don't know how Bobby got away with that look because I got busted right away by Lupa.

Son of Jupiter, what are you doing? she scowled me, growling. Stop acting like a graecus and help me knock some sense into that idiot descendant of Apollo!

Nodding my head, I walked over to Octavian and smacked him upside the head. He moaned, and I rolled my eyes. "What are you doing, Octavian?"

His ice blue eyes finally focused on me, and they widened, a gasp escaping his lips."How are you alive? It was your fault! Mars will set you in flames if you don't return it by summer solstice!" Octavian exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. "I don't really like you, but if Mars and Jupiter start fighting, then the world will be in complete chaos! My auguries have told me that! SO RETURN IT!"

Augur-in-training, tell me precisely what you saw, Lupa demanded, her silver eyes darkening with realization.

Octavian started to explain his vision as my jaw slowly dropped.

Ugh...Octavian. Stop being your stupid self.

I would love to write more, but Econ. homework's awaiting me, and my teacher didn't get his dose of Spongebob today because of some meeting, so if I don't finish it...you guys will hear about a girl that has been roasted for breakfast soon. -_-

Please read and review!

-DOTE