DISCLAIMER: I DOT OWN NARUTO OR PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS.

Percy Jackson was use to being in weird situations. He was use to getting into trouble that either had him getting kicked out of his school, suspended, or expelled. They were usually always over quite quickly and he was back on his feet soon after like nothing ever happened.

It has been weeks since the whole fiasco with Mrs. Dodds happened back at the museum. It seemed like ages ago but he just couldn't wrap his head around it. Was Mrs. Dodds really real? Had she truly become some monster that only wanted to kill him or was it all some type of hallucination that he convinced himself he was having?

Everyone denied there was ever a Mrs. Dodds that taught at their school. In Mrs. Dodds place was a perky blonde woman by the name of Mrs. Kerr: the complete opposite of the old and hostile lady that had turned into some shriveled up old winged hag that was dead set on ripping his head off if Naruto hadn't intervened.

Every time he brought up the name Mrs. Dodds, everyone would look at him as though he belonged in the mental institution with a straight-jacket and the works. He had even begun to bang his head lightly against the wall out of frustration.

He was beginning to believe that he should admit himself in a loony bin, too.

But if it weren't for Naruto always reassuring him that Mrs. Dodds really did exist and he had in fact killed her, then he would have truly lost his mind long ago.

But there was one person who they could count on to not entirely dismiss her existence as some type of fucked up joke.

Grover.

Grover had always been a horrible liar. He would begin to sweat and stutter, his face turning red and his eyes avoiding their gazes. But still, he continued to lie to the both of them. Percy was livid that his friend would keep something so drastic away from him, especially since it considered his best friend too. He would wait until the right moment to make Grover spill the truth to him because he knew the boy knew something was up.

The crippled boy was adamant on trying to convince them that Mrs. Dodds wasn't real. He would say that he didn't know who they were talking about, and that they had made her up.

The freak weather continued, which set poor Percy even more on edge. One night, a thunderstorm had blew out the windows in the trio's dorm room. A few days later, the biggest tornado ever spotted in the Hudson Valley touched down only fifty miles from Yancy Academy.

Percy started feeling cranky and irritable most of the time. His grades slipped from D's to F's. He got into even more fights with Nancy and her friends and was sent out into the hallways in almost every class. When his English teacher, Mr. Nicoll, basically called him lazy, Percy snapped and called the man an old sot. The headmaster had sent his mom a letter the following week: he would not be invited back next year to Yancy Academy.

Whatever, Percy thought, That's fine. I'm so over these assholes anyways.

But there were some things he would miss about Yancy Academy: Mr. Brunner and his faith in him. But most of all, he would miss his two best friends.

Well, Naruto can certainly protect Grover, he thought to himself as he switched the lamp that was placed on his mess of a desk off. And with those final thoughts, he closed his eyes only to be met with talons and leathery wings.

The next night:

Right now, the duo were sitting in their dorm room. Percy was studying for his upcoming Latin exam while Naruto was at his computer, giggling like a school girl every few seconds. Grover had claimed that he needed to strengthen his legs, hobbling out of the room as fast as his legs would let him. Neither boy mentioned that it was near midnight and that Grover could be caught for roaming the halls after curfew.

They saw it as petty revenge for their friend hiding things from them.

"Damn it! This is impossible!" Percy yelled, throwing his Cambridge Guide to Greek Mythology book across the room.

Unfortunately, the book landed on the back of Naruto's blonde haired head.

"Sonofabitch!" Naruto hissed, clutching his head as he spun away from the computer and sent a chilling death glare at his best friend who was now pouting sulkily across the room. "What the Hell man?"

Percy looked at his best friend, his eyes watering slightly. Shit, Naruto thought, anything but those.

The black haired twelve-year-old continued to look at his friend with puppy dog eyes, unwilling to apologize and hoping that Naruto would forgive him without Percy having to utter a word.

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Whatever man." He relented, turning back to his computer with a big and lecherous grin on his face. His eyes roamed over the luscious body that was displayed on the screen, causing his face to redden and his nose to leak a bit of blood. "Shit!" he yelped as he quickly stood up and crossed the room for a Kleenex that was on Grover's nightstand. He grabbed one and held it to his nose, the blush still spread across his face.

Seeing this, Percy raised an eyebrow at him. "What's wrong with you?"

Naruto shrugged, looking away from his friend as he mumbled, "Nothing."

Percy narrowed his eyes. Red face, bloody nose… His eyes widened before he snorted in amusement as he glanced over at Naruto's computer. There was a woman's curvaceous body proudly displayed on the blue eyed boys' computer for the entire world to see. A blush quickly overcame Percy's own shocked face. A Kleenex was shoved into his face and he snatched it away from Naruto's hand as he held it to his nose that he barely realized was bleeding too.

He glared at the blonde. "This is all your fault."

Naruto laughed as he walked back to his computer and turned the electronic device off. "You're a perv too, dude. That ain't my fault." He quipped as he threw himself onto his bed after throwing the bloody tissue away. Percy scoffed. "Why did you throw that big ass book at my head anyway, butt face?" Naruto question as he looked at his friend.

"My dyslexia was messing with my head again." Percy grumbled as he tossed his tissue into the tiny black trash can near his bed. "There's no way that I'm going to remember the difference between Charon and Chiron. They might as well be the same damn person."

He got up, pacing around the room. Naruto watched him, perplexed. "That's simple, bud. One has an A and the other has an O." He said simply. He was glared at for his advice. He smiled sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head. "I don't know man. We suffer from the same shit. Maybe you should pay Mr. Brunner a visit. I'm sure the old man would be glad to help you since you're his favorite student."

Percy paused at this before nodding. "All right." He glanced over his shoulder at the blonde that was still lazing about on his bed, picking at his teeth. "Are you coming?" Naruto nodded as he threw on his jacket and slipped on his still laced up boots before following his friend out their dorm room.

"Dude, have I ever told you that you completely suck?" Naruto asked boredly as they strolled down the dark and quiet hallway that led to Mr. Brunner's office.

"Yes." Percy deadpanned with a roll of his eyes.

"Angeline Jolie or Megan Fox?" the blonde questioned randomly.

Percy thought this over as he stroked his chin. "Angelina Jolie." He whispered with a grin. Naruto nodded a proud nod.

"I'm glad I took you under my wing and taught you the ways of manhood." Naruto said proudly with a puffed out chest. Percy laughed at him. His friend could be such an idiotic goofball sometimes.

Okay, most of the time.

They once again fell into a comfortable silence before Naruto began to sing Lonely Is the Night by Billy Squier silently.

"Lonely is the night when you find yourself alone

Your demons come to light and your mind is not your own

Lonely is the night when there's no one left to call

You feel the time is right, say, the writin's on the wall

It's a high time to fight when the walls are closin' in

Call it what you like – it's time you got to win

Lonely, lonely, lonely – your spirit's sinkin' down

You find you're not the only stranger in this town"

Naruto quieted down once he saw Mr. Brunner's office down the hall. All of the teacher's offices were dark and dim, except for Mr. Brunner's whose door was cracked ajar. The duo quickened their paces when they saw the light that was stretching across the hallway floor.

They were about three steps away from the door handle when they heard voices coming from inside. When they realized just who's voice it was, they froze.

"…worried about Percy and Naruto, sir."

They tossed confused glances at each other before Naruto held a finger to his lips and gestured for him to be silent and just listen in. Percy hesitated because he wasn't usually an eavesdropper but he was damn curious and from the look in Naruto's blue orbs, he knew that he was as well.

Why the Hell were they discussing them anyway?

"…alone this summer," Grover said, "I mean, a Kindly One in the school! Now that we know for sure, and they know too-"

"We would only make matters worse by rushing them," Mr. Brunner said calmly. "We need Percy to mature more. But Naruto, there is something," he paused, as if considering his next words. "Off and different about him; something powerful."

Percy glanced curiously at his big brother figure. Naruto shrugged so Percy went back to listening to Mr. Brunner's and Grover's conversation, completely missing the guilty look that shadowed Naruto's chiseled features.

'I'll tell you soon... just not now. I'm sorry bud.' Naruto promised Percy inwardly.

"But they may not have time! The summer solstice deadline-"

"Will have to be resolved without them both, Grover. Let them enjoy their ignorance while they still can."

"Sir, they saw her…"

"Their imagination," Mr. Brunner insisted patiently. "The Mist over the students and staff will be enough to convince them of that."

"Mist?" Naruto mouthed at Percy, blonde eyebrows furrowed. Percy shrugged his shoulders, his eyes wide at the weird conversation that they were listening in on. 'About us', he thought.

"Sir, I… I can't fail my duties again." Grover's voice was choked with emotion. They never heard their friend sound like that before. "You know what that would mean." He sniffled.

"You haven't failed, Grover." Mr. Brunner said in his fatherly voice. "I should have seen her for what she was. Now let's just worry about keeping the boys alive until next fall-"

The mythology book that Percy had taken with him fell to the floor with a thud.

Naruto quickly grabbed Percy's shoulder and led the shocked boy down the hall and into an empty classroom where they would still be able to hear the conversation that left them with more questions than answers about the whole Mrs. Dodds situation. They fucking knew it!

The conversation went silent. Percy stiffened when a shadow slid across the lighted glass of Mr. Brunner's office door, the shadow of something much taller than the wheel chair bound man, holding something that looked suspiciously like a crossbow.

"Nothing." Mr. Brunner murmured. "My nerves haven't been right since the Winter Solstice."

"Mine neither," Grover agreed. "But I could have sworn…"

"Go back to your dorm. You've got a long day of exams lined up for you tomorrow." Mr. Brunner said.

"Don't remind me." Grover groaned.

A few seconds later, the lights went off in his office and they heard a strange clopping sound echoing down the hallway. Once they could no longer hear anything, they hurried back to their dorm room so that they would be there before Grover.

"Hey guys." Grover said when he entered their dorm room. He hobbled back to his bed. He leaned his crutches against the wall, and sat heavily onto his bed with a sigh. He looked over at his friends, each lying in their own beds. He held back a grin when he saw the green nightcap with large round eyes that was sitting on top of Naruto's blonde mop of hair.

He looked over at Percy and saw how pale and shaky his friend was. His eyes widened in concern.

"Woah, Percy. You look awful." He frowned. "Is everything okay?"

"Just…tired." Percy said as he turned his back on Grover, burrowing into his warm blankets and fluffy pillow that smelt like home. His heart clenched. I miss you mom, he thought sullenly.

Percy caught Naruto's eyes from across the room. Those eyes that reminded him of the clearest skies were full with unknown emotions. But there was one that he could read easily: distrust.

Naruto didn't trust Grover anymore. He took in the blonde's form, the way his body was coiled beneath his blankets as if he were ready to throw a punch at any sign of a threat from the boy.

Percy knew where he was coming from. He didn't know if he really trusted Grover and Mr. Brunner anymore, too. They were talking about them behind their backs about something huge, and it sounded as if they believed that the two best friends were in some kind of danger.

The next day:

The next afternoon, the boys left the three-hour Latin exam with mental exhaustion. I'm an eighth grader in a sixth grade Latin class, Naruto thought grumpily, No wonder since I'm pretty sure I fucked up really bad on most of the names.

When Mr. Brunner called Percy back, Naruto waited outside the classroom for his best friend.

"Percy," he said, "Don't be discouraged about leaving Yancy. It's… it's for the best."

Naruto cringed. "This isn't going to go over too well." He murmured to himself when he saw the downcast look on Percy's face, his arms crossed over his chest self-consciously as he listened to what Mr. Brunner had to say.

"Okay, sir." Percy mumbled, his tone embarrassed.

"I mean…" Mr. Brunner wheeled his chair back and forth, like he wasn't sure what to say. "This isn't the right place for you. It was only a matter of time."

"Right." Percy said, his voice trembling. Naruto knew what his friend was thinking. Mr. Brunner was the only teacher that had believed in him and here he was, saying that he was destined to get kicked out. Naruto shook his head in anger at the man.

"No, no," Mr. Brunner said. "Oh, confound it all. What I'm trying to say… you're not normal Percy. That's nothing to be-"

"Thanks," Percy blurted out. "Thanks a lot, for reminding me."

"Percy-" Mr. Brunner tried, but Percy ran out of the classroom before he could get any more words out. Percy passed Naruto, his steps quick.

"Bud, wait." Naruto said as he put a hand on his friends shoulder and forcefully turned him around. He was met with sea-green eyes that were watered up, reminding Naruto of the ocean. "I don't think Mr. Brunner meant what he said. He has a habit of putting his foot in his mouth. He just wants the best for you, dude."

Percy nodded, wiping his eyes on his black sleeve.

"Come on dude. Let's eat." Naruto said after ruffling his friends dark hair with brotherly affection. He began walking down the crowded hallway. Percy followed after fixing his now messed up hair with a slight grin on his face. "Do you know any places with bad ass ramen?"

On the last day of the term:

Naruto sat on the same Greyhound as Percy and Grover to Manhattan. He lived a few blocks away from Percy, but in the extravagant and rich section of their neighborhood. He was going to go home and hang out with his parents for a few days. He had told Percy that he could come over whenever he wanted because his parents adored him, and Percy gave the same offer to him too.

During the whole bus ride, Grover kept glancing nervously down the aisle, watching the other passengers. It occurred to Percy that he'd always acted nervous and fidgety whenever they left Yancy, as if he expected something bad to happen. Before, he always assumed he was worried about getting teased. But there was nobody to tease him on the Greyhound.

"What's his deal?" Naruto asked Percy as he stared at their other friend. Percy shrugged but was staring at Grover with a frown on his tanned face.

"Let's find out, huh?" Percy murmured, his eyes never straying from Grover's form.

Both boys leaned over the seat in front of them and looked at the sweating and paranoid Grover.

"Looking for Kindly Ones?" Percy asked.

Grover nearly jumped out of his seat. "Wha-what do you mean?"

"We kind of heard you the other night speaking with Mr. Brunner. What was that all about?" Percy questioned, his large sea-green eyes burrowing holes into his friends face.

Grover's eye twitched. "How much did you guys hear?"

"Oh… not much. What's the summer solstice deadline?" Naruto asked nonchantly as he crossed his arms and tapped his brown Carhartt work boots against the bus's floor. Percy nodded, wanting to know as well.

Grover winced. "Look, guys… I was just worried about y'all, see? I mean, hallucinating about demon math teachers…"

"Grover-"Percy tried, but was rebutted.

"And I was telling Mr. Brunner that maybe ya'll were overstressed or something, because there was no such person as Mrs. Dodds, and…"

"Grover, you're a horrible fucking liar bud. You see, when you lie, your ears get all pink. Like now." Naruto said, pointing at said boys ears with a cheeky grin on his whiskered face.

From his shirt pocket, he fished out two grubby business cards and handed one to each of them. "Just take this, okay? In case you need me this summer."

The card was in fancy script, but it said something like:

Grover Underwood

Keeper

Half Blood Hill

Long Island, New York

(800)009-0009

"Did you make this yourself? It has some fancy ass princess writing on it." Naruto said, eyebrows raised. "I always knew you were a girl." He snickered. Grover glared at him, only making Naruto laugh harder because he looked similar to an angry and disgruntled goat.

Percy rolled his eyes at his friends' words. "What's Half-"Percy began but Grover hushed him, looking around the bus with panicked eyes.

"Don't say it out loud!" he yelped. "That's my, um…summer address."

"Grover," Percy said. "What exactly are you trying to protect us from?"

Before he could answer, there was a huge grinding noise under their feet. Black smoke poured from the dashboard and the whole bus was filled with a smell like rotten eggs. The driver cursed and limped the Greyhound over to the side of the highway.

"Everybody needs to get off." The driver ordered.

"Balls." Naruto groaned as he waited outside with everyone else. Grover and Percy nodded in agreement.

They looked around and saw that they were on a stretch of country road. On their side of the road was nothing but maple trees and litter from passing cars. On the other side, across four lanes of asphalt shimmering with afternoon heat, was an old-fashioned fruit stand.

There were no customers, just three old ladies in rocking chairs that were knitting the biggest pairs of socks they had ever seen.

All three women looked ancient, with pale faces wrinkled like fruit leather, silver hair tied back in white bandannas, bony arms sticking out of bleached cotton dresses.

The weirdest thing was, they seemed to be looking right at them – particularly Percy.

"Hey, why are they staring at us like that?" Percy questioned, gaining Naruto's attention. He looked over at three old ladies, who were indeed looking right at them. But he also noticed that most of all their attention was on the green eyed boy while occasionally taking curious peeks at him as though he was a treasure that they wanted nothing more but to keep.

To be honest, it creeped the Hell out of him.

Naruto and Percy looked over at Grover who they saw had the blood drained from his face. His nose was twitching.

"Grover?" Percy asked. "Hey, man-"

"Tell me they're not looking at you. They are, aren't they?"

"Yeah. Weird, huh? You think those socks would fit me?" Percy snickered, his cheeks turning pink.

Naruto snorted. "Nah, you're too short munchkin." He laughed, getting a punch to the arm from his best friend for the short comment. The blonde pouted.

"I'm not short jackass. You're just a giant. They're probably making those socks just for you, Sasquatch."

Naruto glared. "Take. That. Back." He growled.

"No."

"Yes."

"No." Percy insisted, his eyes filled with determination while the side of his mouth twitched in amusement.

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes!"

"No!"

"No."

"Ye-" Percy's eyes lit on fire. "Hey, you cheated!"

Naruto smiled smugly, lifting the collar of his brown leather jacket up a little more with flourish. "So?" he questioned innocently, blue eyes sparkling with mischievousness.

"You're such a jerk." Percy pouted.

"Bitch." Naruto said automatically, a handsome grin etched onto his face.

"Not funny guys. Not funny at all." Grover moaned, sounding like he was going to be sick. "This isn't the time to joke. We need to get back on the bus." He glanced over at the three old ladies again and paled even further when the lady in the middle pulled out a huge pair of scissors – gold and silver, long bladed, like shears. He caught his breath. "Now." He insisted, taking hold of his friends sleeves.

"Hey bud, watch the leather." Naruto sassed but complied with his friends urging anyway. He looked back over to the three old ladies himself and narrowed his eyes when he saw the one in the middle cut the yarn with a loud snip that Naruto with his Kitsune hearing could hear with no problem. 'Odd, he mused to himself, this seems really familiar.'

At the rear of the bus, the driver wrenched a big chunck of smoking metal out of the engine compartment. The bus shuddered, and the engine roared back to life.

The passengers cheered.

"Darn right!" yelled the driver. He slapped the bus with his hat. "Everybody back on board!"

Naruto looked over his shoulder back at the three old ladies that he got a deadly and dangerous vibe from, but they were gone, leaving behind nothing but balled up electric-blue socks carelessly thrown on the middle seat.

' I have a really bad feeling about this.'

AN: anyone a fan of Supernatural? I kind of based Percy's and Naruto's brotherly bond after the infamous Winchester brothers. I love Dean Winchester's character so much that I decided to mix it in with Naruto's to give him that really mature yet humorous personality along with Naruto's own traits.

And yeah, Naruto has lost trust in Grover but he would still put his life on the line for him because let's face it, it's obvious that Grover really does have the best interest at heart for them and he can't deny that.

I hope you guys liked this chapter. It wasn't that long but hey, there's still a lot I have to write and I got a pretty busy work schedule to work around.

So, please review. Thanks. ^^