Persephone couldn't say she was glad to be led down the dark passageways to Hades' realm. Her mother still waited at the very top of the cavern, and she could hear her wailing calls, bidding her farewell. But she couldn't look back.

After the pomegranate incident, Persephone had been sure to learn all the other rules of the Underworld. There weren't many; that applied to gods, anyway.

She stepped lightly, crunching over unidentified objects and nearly slipping a few times. Imagining what she was crunching over and slipping on made her quite depressed.

It wasn't long after her mother's voice dissipated that a lulling ruddiness appeared, reflecting off the walls. Hermes was scowling towards the end of the hallway. Persephone couldn't tell if he hated the Underworld or the man waiting for her.

Once there, Hermes grimly turned to the goddess and said, "This is Thanatos. He'll take you over the Styx."

Thanatos smiled, which was a hollow gesture, and bent and said, "You can call me Death."

Hermes seemed eager to leave, so gave a short wave and flew away.

Thanatos began to walk without another word to Persephone, so she followed. He seemed familiar to her, as if from a dream.

The Underworld was the same as she remembered it: the desolate dead, the lack of life, the trembling shades waiting to have their fate told by the three judges of the dead.

Persephone felt the anticipated chill wash over her like waves. The Styx approached quickly, cutting off any pass to those who couldn't pay. Charon, silently paddling across, glared at Thanatos, who still smiled like the shades were all adorable kittens.

To Persephone's surprise, Thanatos didn't lead her to Charon's ferry. He stopped right on the edge of the acidic river and took a deep breath in, seemingly enjoying the scent. Persephone knew that if she tried that, she would faint. Hades' castle loomed ahead, where Persephone knew he was watching her.

The moment the black wings spread out behind her, she recognized Thanatos as her captor. Then, the world was abruptly swept out from under her and she was involuntarily being carried through the musty air towards the castle.

Hades paced on the balcony.

Persephone would arrive very soon. Her room was ready, a wardrobe was stocked, and nearly all the flowers found in the Fields of Asphodel were scattered throughout the castle.

How could he make her more comfortable? The only way to do that was to lift the rule, which he couldn't do. If he did, all the shades in the Underworld would be released. Maybe, could he go up to Olympus and negotiate with Zeus in person? No, he didn't think he could face the wrath of Demeter.

"My lord?" Thanatos greeted, giving a polite bow. "Lady Persephone awaits you in the dining hall."

Hades' heart rate picked up. He paced faster.

"What in the Underworld should I say to her?" he asked, and put his hands to his head. "Oh, this was all a huge mistake."

Thanatos snorted. "There are no mistakes, my lord. Prometheus gave fire to the humans, against the commands of Zeus, and he was punished severely." Hades glanced over at the Fields of Punishment. "But, he will be released one day, he has made that clear. And, the humans are advancing as well. It surely appeared that he made a mistake, but look how much better off things are now."

Hades paused to examine Thanatos, wondering if Death was trying to comfort him or if he was attempting to divert the blame of kidnapping Persephone.

The culprit spoke up again, "Just try and get to know her. It has worked 99 percent of the time for every other man in the world."

The Lord of the Underworld scowled. With his luck, he would be that unfortunate one percent.

But still, he moved past Thanatos and down the halls to greet his guest.

Persephone was entirely discombobulated.

Without her consent, Thanatos had flown her over the Styx and unceremoniously dumped her in front of the doors of the castle. A morose shade had led her to the dining hall, where a long purplish table sat with dozens of chairs.

She sat at the head of this lonely table. Another ghost brought her a brush, with little bristles of what origin Persephone couldn't identify. She took out the braids in her hair and brushed it out, which took a considerable amount of time, since it fell to the backs of her knees. Then she put it back up in a waterfall braid.

Then, Hades appeared at the opposite head of the table. He bowed deeply, and took his place just as the first course was served.

Several shades were required to bring in each dish. (They were not particularly well-built ghosts.)

Partway through the second course, Hades mumbled something.

"Sorry?" said Persephone, ears now at attention.

He murmured unintelligibly again. Persephone picked up her plate and drink, and went to the seat next to Hades. Strangely enough, every place was set.

"What is it?" the goddess asked. Hades blushed and took out a rose.

Persephone recognized it as the same rose as she had had when she first came down. She took it gingerly, and it brightened again.

"I would not let Death take it," he said quietly, looking at his food. Persephone smiled fondly at it, and put it behind her ear.

"That's very kind of you," she said equally softly.

Persephone laid her hand on the table. It just so happened that Hades laid his hand down as well, close to hers. After a moment, like a static discharge, both of their hands were shocked.

Persephone blinked and smiled curiously, hopefully putting up her palm towards him. Hades raised his hand haltingly, and put it out flat against hers. His fingers were at least twice as long as hers, but her hands were smallish anyway. At first, it had no effect, but after a moment, there was something there.

Persephone brought everything to life, whether it was dead or not.

Hades made sure everything died when it was supposed to.

Both of their abilities were inflicted involuntarily. So, while Persephone tried to bring Hades entirely to life, his powers were trying to turn her into a shade. Because Persephone was a goddess, and Hades would never be fully alive, it didn't work on either of them.

But, between their hands, there came a glow. It was surreal, entirely unnatural, haunting, but beautiful. Tingles shot up Persephone's spine, and Hades felt dangerously warm.

At the same moment, they both looked up to meet the other's gaze.

What does this mean? Persephone wondered in her head.

It means that we are opposites, completely, Hades thought in return. The goddess was surprised to hear it in her own head, just as delighted Hades was to be able to communicate with her. You are life, Hades thought warmly, but then cold again, and I am death.

"Technically, my lord, I am Death," Thanatos corrected, materializing in the corner.

Persephone quickly took her hand away, glancing suspiciously at cleared his throat uncomfortably and sat up straighter for the final course. It was eaten in wordlessness.

Hades rose from his chair quietly, the chair barely making any noise, and swiftly bid the goddess goodnight. As she watched him walk away down the dark vestibules, she pondered over what he had said: "You are life, and I am death." Taking a last bite of the pomegranate tart, she floated like a shade to her room.

A/N- A somewhat short chapter this time, I hope to get up more soon.

Thanks to everyone for the support they've given, through PM's and reviews and favorites and follows! I really appreciate you all!

- A.Z.