START THE FIGHT

Only two more days till the solar eclipse over the English midlands. Which means that Apollo and Artemis are going to be pretty close to each other over there. Which also means that Hermes's plan is going to be pulled of rather easily. Humming his favorite tune, Hermes jogged over (in the speed of light, no wonder he's so fit) to that exact spot where both the twins were present, oblivious to each other.

He is no idiot to spy over Artemis (he was turned into a deer for that very crime once), but spying on Apollo was simply irresistible. He slowly tiptoed up to him and peeked out from behind the tree he was leaning on.

Apollo was at his best. No mortal would be able to see him,without being blinded (never mind the fact that there was no one for miles around) . He was dripping in traditional yellow attire and kept looking at the forest every now and then. Ah, trying to catch the eye of his little sister I suppose.

Hermes glanced at the PC Notebook on his lap and immediately stuffed his hanky up his mouth to prevent laughter. Apollo even hit the Send button. 'Another heartbreak,' thought Hermes ruefully. 'If only he knew what he sent,'

Your form is like my broken bow

Your hair is as white as snow

I know you'll never sat no

My silly,bitchy,little Jo.

'He always was zero at rhyme,' he thought. 'Poor Jo'.

He concentrated hard. Yes, Artemis was there too, rather close! Put the plan to action, now!

He assumed the form of a little girl. A red head wearing pink frills, pink ribbons and pink satin shoes, no that's overdoing it, he didn't want Artemis to puke. A cute girl with big round eyes and a shrill voice. Perfect, that will do. He materialized a huge, ferocious boar a little while away and made it charge at him..., oh wait, now it's her.

He ran a few steps, deliberately tripped and sent his basket clattering over, attracting the attention of Apollo. The boar was really close now. He opened his mouth (that part was spontaneous, he really got scared) and screamed piteously. Next second, the boar was lying on its side and two arrows, one gold, one silver protruded from its still form.

"Come off it Hermes," snapped an annoyed girl's voice. Shit. Game over. He returned to his form and grinned sheepishly.

"It is you?" Apollo asked dreamily. "Now why would you do that?"

"Simple; he's got nothing else to do."

"Now that's not fair sister, I've got the most number of tasks to do than any other God!"

"Lay your hands off her, she's my sister!"

"I'm sister to anyone who's Child of Zeus, Apollo and God knows there are many such people now. My question is,why are you fooling around here?"

All is not lost, yet, not when you have drama. "Well; you know," he began. "When Martha woke me up early this beautiful morning, I suddenly had a huge . . . ."

"Cut the crap and come straight to the point," she snapped.

"Stop it, sissy, it is very interesting! You continue," Apollo said, resting his hands on his lap and gazing expectantly.

"I had a huge doubt. Now who is the better archer? You," he said, pointing at Artemis, "Or is it, you?"he pointed at Apollo now. "It was a very big doubt and it threatened to eat me up, so I thought I'll come and see it for myself. But look! Both your arrows are sticking out from that boar." Silence.

"I shot the boar first." Artemis put her foot firmly down.

"Now my little sissy, are you trying to say. . . . ."

"STOP CALLING ME LITTLE SISSY CAUSE I'M NOT!"

"Okay,calm down, but I must say I shot it first."

"How DARE you!" she said, lunging for him. "I'm faster and better than you. And I taught you Archery!"

"That was only one little trick! I'm the GOD of Archery!"

"That is because I asked Dad to make you one!"

"No that was because I defeated Pythos."

"I, I ! WE defeated Pythos, you and I! How many girls did you tell that to?"

"I didn't. . ."

"Always with his lyre and smothered by girls. You're disgusting! You won't even let my Hunters alone!"

"Forget the past, okay!"

"Don't say that," she suddenly whispered, a maniac gleam in her eyes. "Don't you ever say that. You'll kill Orion and say, forget the past. You'll kill Daphne under my protection and say forget the past,okay! I WILL NOT forget the past. And I want you to know that." She had notched up her silver arrow which pointed straight at his heart. Hermes gulped.

"Um, why don't we . . ."

"DON'T say set it aside Hermes, I want to fight!"

"I just wanted to say we'll organise a competition of Archery with you two. In three hours time." Artemis nodded stiffly while Apollo stared hard at her.

"You're sure you want to do this?"

"Yes," she barked.

"I don't want you to get hurt, you know," he said condescendingly. Artemis simply growled in reply and Apollo left with a huff.

"Um, sister, I'm really sorry. . . ," Hermes began.

"About Orion? That's a million years too late,"

"About, well, so many other things!" Tears welled up his big eyes.

"What do you want?" she asked, studying him shrewdly.

"Actually, I'm rather embarrassed to admit it," he grinned,wiping his eyes.

"Is it about one of my Hunters?" the voice had become dangerous.

"No!" he replied swiftly. "It is, well,"

"Yes?"

"Can you teach me how to whistle?" Artemis stared unbelievingly.

"You mean you don't know?"

"Don't look at me like that, I just lost the hang of it and maybe, you can just, brush up my skills. . ."

"I don't teach conceited idiots."

"Please Lady Artemis, I'm woefully ignorant of the fine art of whistling and would like you to enlighten me."

"Under a condition," she said mischievously.

"What?"

"Lend me your shoes for a day."

"Hey!"

"Else I won't teach."

"Deal." She ran away, giggling. Hermes smiled. Well, that makes the scale even. He never wanted to annoy her. If only Apollo wasn't so possessive, Athena and himself would have benefited from the company of a fine fiery sister.