Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Reading: Sun's Heir, Death's Guardian II: A Hero's Peril
XXX
Naruto stood silent next to his mother – who had been allowed a few days of freedom while Persephone and Demeter discussed how to handle Pan's death, since he helped keep animals from going crazy on farms
"Really?" Hermes asked his grain-obsessed aunt. Demeter nodded, it was very troubling to deal with.
– Nico and Bianca, the campers sorted in their respective cabins with the children of the Big Three seated at the front of the Amphitheater. They all wore black T-shirts like the other campers, watching the bodies burned while wrapped in their shrouds.
Everyone bowed their heads to that. They were all sad to see such life gone.
It was a bit selfish of him, but he wanted to be with his siblings.
"It's perfectly understandable." Artemis said.
Michael was not the only child of Apollo to die in the Battle of the Labyrinth. They had lost six others, the most out of a cabin.
Apollo dimmed greatly at this while Artemis took his hand, squeezing it to be there for her twin.
Naruto's head dipped down as he silently listed the names of his little brothers and sisters.
Samantha Anderson. Age Thirteen. Second year at camp. She wanted to be a singer. A giant stepped on her.
Ross Cunningham. Age Fifteen. Third year. He was a cartoonist and wanted to work at Marvel Studios. Killed by a turned demigod.
Clifton Owens. Age Ten. First year. Burned in the trees with Jenna May. He wanted to be a racecar driver.
Jenna May Peters. Age Ten. First year. Burned in the trees next to Clifton. She wanted to be a dancer.
Colin Rogers. Age Fourteen. Third year. Burned trying to save Clifton and Jenna May. He wanted to play in the NBA.
Jon and Owen Vale. Age Fifteen. Fifth year. Jon wanted to go into music study and Owen wanted to be on Broadway.
"All that potential, gone." Apollo whispered weakly. He hated this, all gods did, and it was terrible to hear and feel.
Eight lights were snuffed out in that battle, and more would follow with the coming war. Naruto watched the pyre get lit and his fist clenched tightly as it passed over the first golden shroud. There were others that were lost, a poor son of Demeter, a daughter of Hephaestus...in the grand scheme of things, it wasn't actually a lot of dead,
"Statistically, yes." Hades nodded. "For the record the other side lost far more."
but to these kids it was enough.
Percy and Annabeth nodded.
Naruto had lived through an invasion like this once before, though then he was lucky enough not to have to kill an opponent – though the trade-off of nearly dying from a pierced lung wasn't as great, either – but had lost fellow comrades and his pseudo-grandfather. Losing the old leader was like losing half his childhood. Then losing Jiraiya to Pein... Naruto shook his head. That one still stung a bit, especially now. As the ceremony ended, Naruto thought back to his prophecy's last two lines.
After the Guardian's past returns twice more,
Two brothers shall fall during the Labyrinth's War.
"Aren't there more than two?" Leo asked.
More than one brother fell... Naruto thought bitterly.
"Exactly, what the hell?"
"Well...there's actually a reason for that line, Naruto." Helios said. Naruto said nothing, and the Titan continued on. "Brothers in this case refers not to blood..."
"But to bonds..." Naruto said under his breath, getting a look from Bianca that he waved off. But Michael was my blood brother and while we had a strong bond, it wasn't like the bond Sasuke and I had.
"Kid, the bond you and Sasuke had was one akin to Orion and Artemis. Sexual tension included."
Artemis turned cherry red at that while Aphrodite giggled at her and sighed, such a waste!
Fuck you!
"Just saying." Helios said, chuckling. "The point is the bond we're talking about here is one of outcasts..."
"Blackie's." Leo frowned, he totally got that.
Michael was the 'brother' to Leo... Naruto said, it all falling into place in his head. He furrowed his brow. There wasn't any sexual tension there.
"Yeah, seriously." The pyro nodded.
"Well...not from Leo..."
Leo went wide-eyed, "Say what now?!"
"Hmm."
"Don't you dare 'hmm' this, Piper!" The Latino panicked, he did not play for the other team!
...Huh, go figure. Never saw that coming.
"Neither did I." Percy admitted as Annabeth nodded with him.
"Tch, rookie."
The ceremony ended and Chiron gave a nod to the impatient satyr standing off to the side. Percy, Thalia, Grover and Annabeth followed him into the cloven.
"Time to face the music." Percy muttered.
With his mother's approving nod, Naruto swiftly joined up with them, giving Lee a small apologetic glance as he walked past while Apollo's Cabin counselor comforted Katie Gardner. Naruto let his hand slip around Thalia's, the daughter of Zeus intertwining her fingers with his in support as they walked.
"Aw, now that's a couple." Aphrodite cooed as Thalia rolled her eyes.
The trial was a farce as far as Naruto was concerned. The satyrs were too stubborn, unable to accept that gods could 'die'.
"Morons, the lot of them." Hades snorted, slightly upset that he could never torture a satyr soul.
Aside from the fact that he, Phoebe and Reyna were proof of otherwise, Grover had apparently used Panic, Pan's mightiest weapon in early god wars.
"Always fun to watch," Ares commented with a laugh.
That, coupled with Nico releasing Daedalus' soul from its confines, would explain the shaking of the earth he had felt when he fought Python/Sasuke.
"This is bullshit." Naruto said, getting a nod from Thalia as they listened to the angry elder satyr call for Grover's banishment.
"Pan is dead." Grover finally said in his defense. He looked confidant and stood tall, Percy and Annabeth at one side while Juniper was at the other. The wheelchair bound Chiron gave a proud smile to the satyr and Naruto stood from where he leaned against a tree, Thalia doing the same. They came to stand behind their satyr as he continued. "It falls to us to save the Wild.
"Indeed it does." Artemis nodded, glancing around and got some nods of support.
If we don't act-!"
"Silence, Grover Underwood! You shame your ancestors for speaking such lies!"
"Excuse me? Did I hear something about lies?" A new voice asked. Eyes went to the clearing and dressed in a relaxed business suit was one of Naruto's two favorite uncles: Hermes.
"Cameo bitches!"
"Hermes."
"Sorry aunt Hestia."
He wasn't playful at the moment though, he was distraught and angry, and it could be seen in his cold blue eyes.
"L-Lord Hermes!" The elder satyr, Silenus, said, blinking in surprise before he recollected himself. "Y-Yes, well we were just discussing the banishment of Grover Underwood, who claims Pan to be dead. Wh-Which is ridiculous! Pan-!"
"Is dead." Hermes said, the grove going silent.
"…Like a boss, Herm. Like a boss."
"Thank you, Apollo."
He looked to Grover and gave him a nod. "You do me great honor, Grover. Finding Pan before he..."
Hermes definitely looked like he was living a poor life at the moment, and Naruto understood. Many parents would tell him how horrible it was to have to outlive your child. Apparently it was no different with the gods. Naruto wondered exactly how horrible that was, seeing each and every mortal child you ever had die while you continued on.
"It honestly sucks." Hermes said as all the gods nodded.
He quietly vowed never to put himself in that situation.
"Anyway." Hermes' voice broke Naruto from his inner questions. "Pan is dead. I feel it in my very ichor-filled veins. The gods he worked closely with have felt it, his passing. You shame us by dare suggesting that the one who found him, is delivering his message, is lying."
"Hermes, that was the best verbal goat slapping, ever, of all times." Ares nodded in respect, making the speedy god smirk.
"Thank you."
"B-But lord Hermes! It is a li-!"
"If you finish that accusation Silenus, I will ensure that Hades has his first satyr soul to torture." Hermes said with a glare.
Hades turned to Hermes, "You will be my favorite nephew of all time."
"Hey!" Ares shouted, feeling down at that…he thought he was his uncle's favorite.
The Cloven Elders collectively shuddered at the look. "Now, as to whether this begets banishment...I vote it doesn't."
"I vote no on the banishment as well." Chiron said.
"The council will vote. All in favor?" Silenus asked. His two goons flanking him, both equally aged satyrs, shared concerned looks before they raised their hands along with Silenus. "Three-to-two."
"A god's vote is worth two." Hermes said coolly.
"And the epic slaps continue." Apollo said.
Silenus opened his mouth to argue and Hermes' eyes narrowed. "I warn you, I have just come as close as I ever will to terms with my son's passing, and if you try to trifle with me, you will regret it."
Silenus' mouth shut again with a click.
Hermes nodded. Damn right bitch. You shut your mouth.
"The motion is dissolved." Hermes said, daring the council to challenge him again. They were no fools, though, as they collectively left, but not before Silenus sent Grover a look of anger. Hermes watched them leave before he approached the satyr on trial. "...You have a big job ahead of you, Grover Underwood...but your message will be passed along without issue. There will be bumps...but it will get through."
"It most certainly will." Demeter nodded.
"I...Thank you, Lord Hermes." Grover said, bowing. Hermes smiled, a lot like Pan's, and rubbed Grover's curly hair.
"Aww, sweet of you Herm." Apollo teased as the god in question rolled his icy blue eyes.
"Don't mention it."
Hermes turned to leave, his eyes catching Naruto's before he did and the Heir of Helios nodded slightly. The messenger god left the grove and, after giving Grover a pat on the shoulder after Juniper gave him a kiss, Naruto followed after him. Surprisingly, Naruto caught up to his uncle rather quickly. Unsurprisingly, Hermes had changed from a formal suit into a UPS uniform, talking on his phone in Attic Greek. Naruto heard the words for 'immediate', 'important' and 'do not fail'.
"Be sure to add a self-destruct function to that message." Ares grinned while his younger brother shook his head.
Hermes shut his phone with a click, twisting it in his hands as it became his Caduceus. The god turned and gave Naruto a smile, and while it looked like Pan's, there was a weight of sadness behind it.
"Hey kiddo, how's it going?" Hermes asked.
"...Not good." Naruto said, getting a nod from the god.
"I hear you. Packages in Florida are backing up again. It's horrible mess down there because of a bunch of floods." Hermes said, giving a fake smile that Naruto had seen many times in the mirror.
"Ooo," Ares grinned widely, "He's gonna tell~!"
"Great," the messenger god's mood soured.
"Uncle Hermes..." Naruto faltered for a moment. He didn't want to blame Luke for all of this, especially not to the god's face, but he had to tell Hermes what was wrong with the demigod. "You might want to sit down."
"Pop a squat, squirt."
"Fuck you, Ares."
Hermes' failed smile fell. "Something wrong?"
"You need to sit down, first." Naruto said. Hermes nodded and he brought a toppled tree over to them with a snap of his fingers. The dryad that came out gave him a dirty look before realizing just who she was looking at and bailing.
"Flee! Flee!" Frank cried out.
Hermes sat and gestured for Naruto to join him.
"What's on your chest, kiddo?" Hermes asked.
Naruto's tongue felt like lead. He wondered if this was a curse, always being honest and telling the truth.
"Major pain, sadly." Apollo grimaced.
Seeing the broken look in Hermes eyes was horrible, like one more bad thing would make the Olympian snap.
"I was close." Hermes admitted.
"Yes," Athena nodded, "All package deliveries went into a crisis mode that day."
"I was taking a grieving day!"
No, he has to know. He deserves to know. Naruto told himself as he sat on the log.
"Uncle Hermes...Luke is...He..." Naruto failed to find words at first. Mentioning Luke's name had the god stiffening where he sat. The following news would probably shatter Hermes' spirit. Taking a deep breath, Naruto told him. About the thing with Kronos. About his actions in the Labyrinth. About what happened with Atlas.
"Oh man, I cannot wait to see his face!"
"Ares, be silent." Athena frowned at him, enough already.
"Nah."
Hermes just stayed quiet, still stiff and his knuckles turning white around the Caduceus as Naruto continued. Finally, when Naruto finished, he studied the god just as Hermes stared back at him. There was a storm behind Hermes' eyes. Denial. Anger. Depression. All sorts of human emotions. It made Naruto wonder just how wonderful immortality was.
"Everything has its ups and downs." Hades shrugged, just look at his job.
"Is that all?" Hermes asked, his voice even and betraying nothing.
"I'm sorry, Uncle Herm." Naruto said, looking at the ground. This was the hardest part for him to admit. "But...But we might have to..."
"Don't...Don't say it." Hermes wasn't pleading, he was ordering Naruto not to finish that thought.
Ares turned to Apollo, "Seems someone can't handle the truth."
"Dude, dick move…but true."
"Apollo!"
"What? Can't lie. Remember?"
He took a deep breath before putting his hand on Naruto's shoulder. "You're so much like Helios it's scary, do you know that?"
"Amazingly, yes." Artemis nodded.
"Trust me. I have an idea." Naruto said, getting a sad smile from his uncle.
"Brutally honest, bad news when we don't want it...not even Apollo would make those choices." Hermes said, his hand pulling back to rest on his lap. "I wouldn't like this information to spread, Naruto. He wasn't here at the Battle...So I can have some hope, right? You said the mortal girl's hairbrush stirred something in him?"
"Send another fruit basket." Zeus informed Hermes, who made a note of it.
"Yes." Naruto said.
"Then there is a way to get him back." Hermes said, not leaving room for discussion. "Thank you for bringing this to me before any of the others..."
Zeus glanced at his speeding son, who gave a stony face right back to him. The younger god had every right to try and help his child.
He stood and began walking away.
"Uncle Herm!" Naruto said, getting to his feet. Hermes turned and Naruto gave him an apologetic smile. "If you can't find a way to save him..."
"I will." Hermes said, giving his nephew a glare for suggesting otherwise. "I've lost one too many sons this millennium, Naruto."
"Definitely." Hermes sighed to that.
Naruto said nothing, his warning was given and Hermes was aware of what he would do if necessary.
"Least someone has the balls to do it." Ares muttered but Hermes still glared at him.
They said nothing more, Naruto watching as Hermes vanished, space bending around him and fading away until nothing but the breeze filled the air. Naruto looked up at the sky, where the sun continued to shine down on him between the clouds.
Naruto stayed with Cabin Seven that night, leaving clones with Bianca and Nico, the normally glowing cabin looking dim when people walked past. He took a bunk that was once Jon's, and at night they had a sing along, choosing The Fray's 'How to Save a Life' to sing before bed.
"That song always makes me feel like crying." Piper admitted, getting some nods.
It hit Naruto hard, considering he was taken out of the battle early.
How many lives could've been saved had he been able to fight?
"Ah, the what-if's." Athena sighed, the biggest thing after any battle.
Does anyone blame him for not being there?
Why was it always the youngest, that had the brightest futures ahead of them, had to die?
"The Fates suck." Percy noted, getting nods all around.
It was questions like these that kept him awake until he finally fell asleep. Naruto woke up in tears that night, the faces of his siblings who had died were smiling in his dreams. He sat up and put his hands to his face, feeling the tears fall silently down his cheeks.
"That is just so sad." Hazel frowned, feeling terrible for Naruto. So did the rest of the demigods.
"Sochi..." A gentle voice said, pulling him into a hug. "It's okay to cry."
So he did. His arms wrapped around his mother's side and his face buried itself in her shoulder, dry heaving but quiet sobs leaving him while Kushina hummed and pet his hair. Naruto clung to her, feeling so very small at the moment and his heart felt like it was in a vice.
"A man showing his vulnerable side," Aphrodite sighed. "It's so magical."
"There is something wrong with you." Artemis commented to herself.
"They're gone...and it's all my fault." Naruto choked out.
"No, Sochi...No it's not." Kushina said softly. "You did your best."
"I could've saved them." Naruto said.
"Hero guilt." Percy nodded in understanding, he knew it all too well.
"Maybe." Kushina said. "Maybe. You do so much good, Naruto, but even you can't be everywhere at once. Only you could've stopped Sasuke." She pushed him back gently, giving him a warm smile. "You're so hard on yourself. You do so much for others and put so much weight on your shoulders." She kissed his forehead and pulled him into another hug. "And I'm so proud of you."
Naruto just broke down in tears.
"Thalia, hug him!"
"Shut up." Thalia told the love goddess.
A few days later, Camp was getting back to normal and the two newcomers were settling into their jobs of choice.
Kakashi as sword master, always reading a book (not Icha-Icha) as he taught the kids. Ares' Cabin hated him. That wasn't surprising, as the sarcastic laid-back shinobi just ground on everybody's nerves when he was teaching them.
Ares frowned at that while some snickered.
Outside of the lessons he was probably the Hermes' Cabin's favorite, and the Stoll twins picked up masks of their own to emulate him.
"Ninja kids, alright!" Hermes cheered. "Go kids, go! Live ninja lives as only ninjas could!"
Kushina took up residence as sort of a guidance counselor and teacher for other forms of combat.
"A guidance counselor does sound nice." Annabeth commented.
"Well look into it." Athena said, as it was indeed a good idea.
Her favorite duty, however, was to dote on her stepchildren.
Zeus took a side-glance at his wife, while she glared at him, clearly saying never going to happen.
Did she like the fact that other women have been with her husband? No, not particularly.
"Exactly." Hera nodded.
But that didn't mean she hated her stepchildren.
"You could learn something from her, sister."
"Silence, Hades."
It was no fault of theirs that Apollo stupidly sealed his married memories away, after all.
"Yes, stupid Apollo."
"Arte!"
She adored all of them, becoming a second mother to them and doing her best to learn all about their lives so far.
Zeus send pleading eyes to his wife, whose scowl deepened while glaring at him for even thinking of the notion.
It was when Kushina was talking to Lee about his girlfriend that she stumbled across some very interesting information. Information that her son had neglected to tell her about. Information that was life changing.
"Wow, he's in trouble." Frank figured, getting a few nods.
"It's not like he's a virgin." Apollo shrugged, his sister glaring at him in remembrance of how that happened.
"Naruto Uzumaki!"
Naruto winced, wondering what he had done now to incur his mother's wrath. All he had been doing all day was lazing about with Thalia and Ranger on the couch, the big cat resting his head on Naruto's lap while Thalia rested her head on his shoulders and they watched The Fellowship of the Ring.
Thalia blinked, not really her kind of movie, but whatever she guessed.
Hopefully she wouldn't find him in Cabin One. The last thing he needed was to be chewed out in his girlfriend's cabin.
"Totally embarrassing." Piper nodded in agreement.
The back door of the room was banged on and he paused the movie. Thalia gave him an amused look while he pouted at her.
"She'd find out sooner or later." Thalia said.
"Yeah, but I thought that bribe with Cabin Ten was good enough to keep their mouths shut for another month." Naruto said.
"Wasn't our fault." Piper pouted at the accusation.
The door was banged on again and he groaned. "Hai, Kaachan, be there in a second."
"Momma's boy."
"Oh shut up, Lia-chan." Naruto said to his snickering girlfriend. He grumbled as he unlocked the door and opened it, seeing his mother standing before him with an eerie gleam in her eye. "Uh...Hey, Kaachan."
"Where is she?" Kushina asked.
"Someone's in trouble." Hera smiled as Thalia scowled at her stepmother's words.
"In the cabin...?"
"Well bring her out here." Kushina said. Naruto blinked and she shook her head. "Technically I work for Hades..."
"Ah, technicalities." Zeus smiled fondly while his siblings rolled their eyes.
"Oh, right." Naruto said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. He might have a pass – through Naruto felt that pass might get revoked sometime soon
"Yes." Zeus said, his smile slipping into a scowl.
– but there was nothing that said Kushina did. He turned back into the room and walked to the couch, snatching the remote from Thalia and pausing the movie again. "Kaachan wants to talk to you."
"...Wh-What?" Thalia asked, looking at Naruto like a deer in the headlights.
"Scared, Thalia Grace?" Hera asked her mocking.
"No." The hunter scowled, okay, maybe a little…but not like she'd ever admit it!
"Yep. So c'mon, Lia-chan." Naruto said, dropping the remote on the couch before tapping his lazy sabertooth. "Get up and greet Kaachan, Range."
Ranger yawned and slumped down to the floor, stretching out his limbs as he walked behind Thalia to the front door. He bounded past Thalia once he got outside, sniffing the bodyguard of Persephone before he rubbed against her legs, claiming her as one of his humans so his siblings didn't get any funny ideas.
"Dem cats are weird like that." Leo nodded.
Kushina just laughed and pet the giant sabertooth on the head, getting deep purrs from the giant cat.
Thalia watched this, taking in Kushina's appearance once again and feeling just a bit jealous. She was a beautiful woman, whose skill with a blade and ninjutsu surpassed her in ways Thalia couldn't begin to describe.
"Looks and strength, definitely jealous." Annabeth giggled as Thalia pouted at her.
She was the epitome of 'mother bear', and frankly, wouldn't be surprised if that was the animal she chose to represent her.
"Epitome, I'd think mother Rhea would take that name." Poseidon commented, getting nods from his siblings.
"Or grandmother." Hestia added.
That got shivers all around.
"Kaachan, Thalia Grace." Naruto said from behind her, pushing the daughter of Zeus forward. "Thalia, this is my Kaachan."
"Hello." Thalia gave a small wave, wondering why she felt like she was just thrown to the wolves.
"Well, that might be a bit much." Jason frowned, he liked wolves.
Kushina stood upright and began walking around Thalia.
"Judging every single part of you."
"Hera." Zeus frowned as his wife gleamed happily.
Her hand went to her chin, the elbow supported by the other hand and amethyst eyes were washing over the daughter of Zeus. The redheaded woman hummed, making Thalia squirm.
Hera was loving this if the smile on her face was any indication.
Thalia yelped – she did not squeak, despite whatever her idiot of a boyfriend ever says
"You so squeaked."
"Annie!" The hunter whined.
– as hands she was not familiar with began patting her hips from behind.
The gods snickered, figuring out why she did that while the demigods were confused as hell.
Thalia was worried about the fact that she was being felt up by another woman!
"Hmm...I suppose they'll do." Thalia heard her mutter. Do what, exactly!?
Aphrodite was a bundle of giggles, well aware of what Kushina was looking for.
Kushina turned to give Naruto a thumbs up. "Well done, Sochi! Now, when should we expect?"
"...Huh?" Naruto asked with a blink.
"Expect what?" Thalia asked, her arms crossed over her chest after the weird touch she got from the redheaded woman.
"Hot."
"Leo!" Jason frowned sternly.
"What?"
"My sister."
"My other's wife." Apollo added.
"…So?"
"...touché." The god said.
"Grandbabies of course!" Kushina said, her eyes rolling. Her statement had the couple bursting into sputtering messes.
Thalia made a strangling noise as the demigods were either gaping or laughing their butts off.
"Shut up!" Thalia cried out. Her face was a blazing red. She was feeling dizzy!
"I'm not pregnant!
"Exactly!" the hunter agreed.
And I'm not ready for that!" Thalia said as she turned red. "I'm only nineteen!"
"And in a sixteen year olds body." Apollo corrected her, making Thalia pale.
She didn't want to end up like one of those girls!
"Yeah, and I'm not ready to be a father!" Naruto said, nodding in agreement.
"Nonsense!" Kushina said, waving their protests off.
"She just waves it off," Hermes snickered.
"Kaachan, we're in the middle of a war!"
"So? Your father and I made you in the middle of the Third War."
"Wow, go Apollo." Ares nodded in respect to his sunny brother.
"Thank you – ow." Apollo winced from the slap he got from his sister.
"I don't want to hear that!" Naruto said, his hands clapping over his ears. He wanted to shoot himself! He wasn't his aunt, he didn't want to know how, when or where he was conceived!
Apollo went green as Artemis nodded, it helped her make her choice to stay a virgin after all.
Thalia was no better, making strangling noises where she stood.
To make it a little worse, Kakashi was walking over to them with two cigars in hand.
"Like a boss." Hermes laughed.
He blinked. "Did I pick a bad time?"
"Come back later." Kushina said, waving him away. "We're making baby plans."
"No you're not!" Thalia cried out with a red face.
Kakashi blinked. He shrugged and turned around. "...I'll just save these for the stag party. Good luck, Naruto!"
"…okay now that is hilarious." Apollo pointed out with laughter as all the guys snickered in agreement.
"Gods...dammit, Kakashi!" Naruto said, his hands going to his face and dragging down before he continued. "Kaachan, we're not having babies."
"B-But sochi..." Kushina said, whining. She pouted at him. "Grandbabies! They're so cute and cuddly and fun to spoil!"
The goddesses and demigoddesses nodded, they were cute and such.
"You've got stepchildren," Naruto said dryly, making Kushina's pout increase.
"Indeed." Apollo nodded as Hera glared at him, "Hey, my other is married, not me!"
"You could learn a thing or two from him." His stepmother sniffed.
"True...but with me back, Apollo's pretty much cut off from having any more." Kushina said, smirking at him.
Apollo paled, but Hera was grinning ear to ear. She liked this woman.
"And when those run out...I'll be getting grandbabies."
Thalia felt really dizzy again.
"...Uh...Yeah, sure Kaachan." Naruto said with a nod, getting a look from Thalia.
"A scary look, mister!" Thalia cried out.
He leaned over to her and whispered. "Just roll with it."
"I don't want to though!"
"Yay!" Kushina said, her hands flying above her head with a wide smile. She gave Naruto a kiss on the cheek and then pulled Thalia into a hug. "Have fun you two."
"Lots and lots of fun."
"Aphrodite!" Artemis frowned as the goddess was giggling perversely.
"...We just dodged the biggest bullet to ever walk this earth." Naruto said to Thalia, who nodded numbly.
"A mother wanting grandchildren. Something to be feared." Zeus said, getting nods all around.
"We will never speak of this again."
"Yep."
"Oh poo." The lady of doves pouted.
Days had passed and Kushina was happily distracted with her stepchildren, leaving Naruto and Thalia free to do their own thing. Unfortunately, today was not one of those days, as Thalia had to teach the spear using class since Clarisse took a few days off to be with Chris in New York.
Ares grumbled at that while Hermes smirked at him.
This left Naruto alone, not in the mood to personally teach hand to hand and leaving the job to a clone.
"Bored...I'm so...bored..." Naruto said as he sat upside down on the couch in Cabin Thirteen's living space. He couldn't bug Annabeth because she was teaching Greek. Percy was actually studying on his own, so he couldn't implement tests.
"…Teach me your ways."
"Annabeth!" Percy pouted at her.
Leo was holed up with Beckendorf working on some top-secret project, so no good pranks could be done. Piper was in class with Kakashi, so he couldn't train her in the ninja arts or get a good spar. And his mother had gone to check on Persephone, so there went any ramen eating contests.
"The horror." Hazel snickered.
Ranger yawned on the floor and Naruto soon followed his example. There was just nothing to do. And that was the worst feeling imaginable to Konoha's Number One Hyperactive Knuckleheaded Ninja.
"I guess I could try and see behind Kakashi's mask again..." Naruto said, though while once enticing, he just didn't care anymore. It was hard to imagine the man without his mask.
"I'd want to see his face," Aphrodite commented, getting Ares to scowl.
Naruto groaned and clawed at his head. "I wish something would happen to make the boredom go away."
"You should be careful with wishes like that, young hero."
Naruto pushed himself off the couch, standing upright from his impromptu flip and looking in the direction of the newcomer. The speaker was a petite woman with short blonde hair and golden eyes. She was wearing a navy blue Nike tracksuit and shoes of the same brand. White wings spread slightly from her back and a golden wreath of laurel leaves in her left hand.
"Ah," Zeus smiled at his loyal follower, Nike was such a good goddess. Athena was also smiling at her good friend.
The woman gave a winning smile to him. "Hello, young hero. A pleasure to meet you."
"Nike." The younger gods grinned, she was so pretty to look at.
"Uh...Hi?" Naruto said, not recognizing the goddess. Taking a guess from the product placement, he asked. "Are you...Nike?"
"No." Leo shook his head mockingly, getting Piper to roll her eyes.
"First place goes to you." Nike said with a laugh. Naruto just nodded, wondering why the goddess of victory was visiting him. Luckily, Nike seemed to sense that and gave him another winning smile.
"You'd think you would see her on a commercial or something." Annabeth commented.
"She has been." Apollo said, "Seriously, you know how hard it is to get a winning smile? It's hard to get it so naturally like she makes it."
"Someone high up wants to meet with you, young hero. So I was sent to pick you up. Well, more like I volunteered."
"Volunteered?" Naruto asked, a bit on edge. Nike was a herald of Zeus, one of his most trusted companions. He could guess who had sent her and was pretty much praying that it wasn't to kill him.
"He wouldn't do that." Apollo waved off.
"Maybe." Zeus said with a neutral face, getting his sunny son to pout at him.
"Why...Why would you do that?"
Nike just smiled. "You're my granddaughter's godfather. I figured I should get to know you."
"...Come again?" Naruto asked. He had one goddaughter and she was... Well, that certainly explained Ayame's positive outlook on life.
"So, she was a demigod." Demeter commented.
"Certainly had to looks for one." Aphrodite nodded.
"Yes, dear little Reiko. She's a cutie, has her grandma's eyes. It's been driving Ayame's poor husband up the wall wondering where they came from." Nike said with a grin.
"This isn't my child!" Hermes cried out, getting a few laughs as Hera frowned at him for that.
"Yeah, Iruka-sensei would do that." Naruto said, chuckling. There was something he could do, sneak a visit to his goddaughter. After this trip of course.
"And gush how cute she is." Aphrodite nodded in agreement.
He walked over to the charioteer and nervously smiled. "So, to the gallows then?"
Nike bopped him on the head with her laurel.
"That thing hurts." Apollo said knowingly.
"Don't be so negative. We're just going to Olympus for a meeting. Now c'mon."
The winged woman grabbed Naruto by the wrist and pulled him along after her out the door. A golden chariot, not as bright as his own, adorned with lightning bolts along the sides and the front awaited them. Two storm-like horses stood at the end, their manes crackling with lightning that filled their dark storm cloud-like bodies.
Zeus gave a fond smile at his chariot, just magnificent. His brothers were rolling their eyes, theirs were far superior.
Nike just whistled and they whinnied, taking off after Naruto and Nike climbed onto the chariot. They climbed high into the sky, Naruto clinging to the chariot with chakra as Nike directed her horses like a master.
"Climb, Triumph! Onward, Strive!" Nike cheered her steeds on, the spirits whinnying at her urging and speeding up.
"Nice names." Frank said in a dry tone, how very of her domain.
She gave a grin to Naruto. "Newest batch born, their great-great-great-grandfathers pulled the original chariot."
"Cool."
"Yes they certainly are. You might have lucked out with Zephyr, but there's nothing more rewarding than taming the beast and befriending it." Nike said.
"Very true." Poseidon nodded to this, raising his own from time to time.
"I know that feeling." Naruto said, thinking to his nine-tailed friend. "So who asked for me? You can tell me that much, right?"
"Where's the fun in that, young hero?"
"Boo," Leo frowned, "We wanna know now!"
"Figures."
Nike laughed. "It is not Lord Zeus, if that is what concerns you."
"Aw," Zeus frowned as Apollo looked relieved.
"Oh...well, that's a relief." Naruto said, his shoulders relaxing.
"I cannot promise he won't pull you aside, though."
Zeus' smile returned as Apollo's tan paled quickly.
"Oh. Joy."
"Your question will be answered shortly, young hero. Here we are." Nike said, her chariot landing on the metaphysical mountain. Naruto could never get over the awe that he felt whenever he was on Olympus. The blond stepped off the chariot and followed Nike, the winged woman beckoning him to follow as she rushed ahead.
They finally came to a stop outside a temple whose doors were engraved with the image of a peacock and Naruto felt his blood leave his face.
"Bum-bum-bum!" Hermes sang as Hera scowled at him.
"Have a nice conversation, young hero." Nike said before giving him a clap on the shoulder. "And check in on my daughter every now and then."
"Y-Yes, ma'am." Naruto said, feeling the hidden threat in her words wash over him.
"She can be scary when she wants to be." Athena smirked at the minor goddess' sharp edge.
The goddess beamed at him and bounded away, yelling a playful challenge to a group of nymphs.
"I wonder what kind of-"
"Apollo, so help me!"
Naruto looked back up at the doors and steeled himself as best he could, walking up and raising his hand to knock on the doors. The door cracked open before he could and Naruto heard Helios humming the funeral march.
"See, Hel so agrees with me." Hermes beamed, the kid was doomed.
Ignoring it, Naruto entered, keeping his head high as he walked into the temple.
He stopped and knelt when he came to Hera's throne, the goddess sitting in it regally while a young girl poured her a glass of nectar.
"Who's that?" Percy whispered to Annabeth, who just told him to wait.
He guessed the cupbearer was Hebe, wife to the jerk himself, Heracles. Hera gave her daughter a smile of thanks before setting the cup on a small table that had a scroll of sorts next to it.
"Oh," Percy whispered, now he remembered, that automation of her son what's his face.
"Naruto Uzumaki." Hera said, making Naruto straighten up. "Son of Apollo. Heir of Helios. Neos-Sauroktonos."
"I like these titles." Apollo beamed, his kid was so boss.
Well of course that name stuck. Naruto thought with a small smirk. Snakes had to die.
"Amen." The snake-killer agreed.
"You answered my summons without hesitation. Impressive." Hera said.
"Most would have gone running and peed their pants." Poseidon joked, getting a few laughs and a glare from his sister for the remark.
Naruto said nothing, the goddess arching a delicate brow before she waved her hand. "You may speak, Naruto."
"...Why have you summoned me, Lady Hera?" Naruto asked, rising to his feet.
"Yes, I am curious as well." Zeus murmured while his wife had a good idea what her other was going to do.
"Prior to the Battle of the Labyrinth, I assisted Athena's daughter and she asked me why I chose to help her instead of you, since there was the rare event of two quests going instead of just one." Hera said.
"Helped." Annabeth mocked under her breath.
"I told her how I have watched you since you learned of your father's true self and how you are a true demigod
"Oh, here we go." Demeter rolled her eyes.
thanks to your mother miraculously tying down Apollo.
"Which in and out of itself is amazing." Hera sniffed as Apollo rolled his eyes.
Your bravery and the care you show for your family makes you a good man in my eyes."
"Even I agree, for the most part." Artemis nodded. She was still a bit sour for the taking of Thalia's virginity, but that was her domain so it was understandable.
Naruto was standing straight at the praise, though he ignored being called a 'true' demigod.
Hera pursed her lips at the snickers from the gods.
"Aside from your choice who you have a relationship with, of course." Hera said, watching him intently for an outburst of some sort.
"Okay, I actually saw that coming," Thalia said dryly.
Naruto managed to keep his anger down, though his gaze had hardened slightly. Content that he wasn't going to speak out, Hera continued.
"Wow, poke him with a cattle prod."
"Hermes," Hera glared, those devices were a monstrosity to her sacred animal!
"That all said, I would like to offer you the position of being my champion."
Jason went wide-eyed at that.
"...The offer is formal, right? I have to accept, don't I?" Naruto asked.
Hera smiled slightly. "Clever boy."
"Same happened to me," Jason muttered under his breath so not do offend his patron goddess.
"I try." Naruto said. He frowned. "Why me? Don't you already have a champion in Jason?"
Thalia grumbled at that while Hera smiled softly.
"Juno does, yes." Hera said, making Naruto nod. "But I need a true champion, just as Pan did.
"Well, not really like Pan." Hermes muttered.
Hera raised an eye brow, "I would like a Champion as well, Hermes. It is perfectly fair."
You are a demigod I never thought would've been born, yet here you stand. So, I ask again: will you be my champion?"
"It's a once in a life time opportunity for her after all." Hades rolled his eyes.
"It would be an honor." Naruto said, bowing. Hera smiled and rose from her seat, walking to him in a stride before placing her hand on his head.
"Kneel before Zod!"
"Apollo," Hera fumed at that as everyone gave a few laughs.
"I name you, Naruto Uzumaki, as my champion. Your body will never fall victim to mortal frailty and your loyalty shall never falter." There was a light glow and Naruto felt a warmth cascade over him.
"What he get?" Jason asked, he only got a sword.
"Who can say," Hera smiled a mysterious smile.
Hera stepped back and nodded at him, her smile still in place. "Go, Naruto Uzumaki, and prove yourself worthy of my blessing."
"Thank you, Lady Hera." Naruto said, bowing again before he turned and left the queen of Olympus to herself.
"To plot!"
"Hermes…" the Queen of Heaven warned sternly as the young god was grinning.
"...I think Hera likes boys with blond hair and blue eyes." Helios said after a moment.
Jason's eyes went wide as Hera face was stunned along with her husband as the others cracked up at that.
Naruto choked and nearly tumbled over a nymph that had crouched down to pick a flower of some sort from the cracks in the golden stone that lined the pathway. Giving a quick apology to the nymph and sending a silent glare to Helios,
Hera joined her new champion readily at that, how dare that brat even consider such a thing!
Naruto resumed his search for Nike, he needed a ride back to camp and Zephyr was also strangely missing. He kept wandering Olympus' halls, bowing his head to the minor gods he passed to show his respect.
"Smart move." Apollo nodded, get them on your side with some respect, seriously, they goofed on that.
"Not many would bow for a forgotten mother." A voice said as he bowed again. A hand lightly tilted his head up and Naruto's eyes widened. A goddess with milky skin and dark hair that cascaded down her back like a river. Two silvery eyes like stars in the night sky met his sunny blue sky-like eyes, and a connection was formed.
Apollo and Artemis' jaws nearly dropped.
"G-Grandma?" Naruto asked hesitantly.
"Why is she there?" Hera frowned.
"Mom can visit." Apollo told her stepmother with a mild glare, joined by Artemis.
The goddess of marriage just huffed at that.
Leto smiled at him, a smile that reminded him of his mother's and his aunt's, the smile that someone with only maternal instincts could have,
"That she does." Artemis smiled softly for her mother.
and she nodded. "Yes, I suppose I am. Hello Naruto."
"Uh...hi Grandma Leto." Naruto said.
"Thank you for killing Python again." Leto said. She smiled brightly at him. "Since the foolish serpent bound himself to a mortal, he'll be tortured for quite a while."
"Ah, indeed." Hades nodded, that was certainly a strange case.
"It was necessary." Naruto said solemnly, his eyes turning down. Leto tilted his head up again.
"Now, enough of that. Your friend chose his path and you chose your own. And I, for one, and very grateful for it." Leto said, giving him a kiss on the forehead.
"The only place a grandmother could ever kiss." Frank said.
Naruto flushed a bit, making her smile. "Such a modest boy. Why can't your father act that way?"
"I know, mother."
"Arte!"
"Because he's 'awesome'." Naruto said, using finger quotes on the word awesome. His dad was great and cool...but awesome was not the word Naruto would use to describe him. Well, at least not all the time.
"Lies!" Apollo cried out, it was true, and as the god of truth, he knew!
Leto giggled. "Yes, and hopefully that'll change with his marriage. Along with responsibility. Honestly, back when he first started out he was always on time, even in the winter. Now it's a different time every day, minutes off each day. If only he were more responsible like his sister."
Artemis looked smug to her twin, who was now pouting like a kid with crossed arms.
"Well we did send him an alarm clock." Naruto said, thinking of the gift he and his siblings picked out from Amazon.
"The Amazons he means." Percy said knowingly.
"Unfortunately, with him already married and Artemis swearing men off altogether – which I have no idea where she got it from.
Artemis looked pink as her twin snickered at her, making her scowl at him.
I mean, really, how are we supposed to bond if she can't come to me about her boy problems?" Leto asked with a pout,
"Wow, way to go Arte."
"Be silent, womanizer!"
Naruto snickering. Leto sighed. "Anyway, with both of them unlikely to come to me for this, I figure I should give it to a worthy legacy. Here, Naruto."
"Oh, oh, what, what?"" Apollo asked in an eager tone.
She placed a small item in his hand. Naruto looked it over, a simple yet elegant intertwining band of gold and silver.
"…Yeah, I can see why we wouldn't need it." Apollo ran his hand through his blond hair, Artemis nodding in agreement, despite it being beautiful.
Aphrodite was in giggles at the ring, oh, Leto, you sly one you!
The blond put it in his pouch, determined to find a safe place for it when he got back to the camp.
"A gift from my mother after I decided that my twins were enough." Leto said with a smile. "She wanted to give it to me after I got married...but I'm enjoying being a grandmother. My grandchildren's lives are far more entertaining.
"Anytime mom." Apollo said with smug to his twin.
"Humph, I still have the hunters."
"Who aren't her blood. So ha!"
"Mother isn't picky!"
"Apollo, Artemis," Zeus said, getting them to stop bickering.
And to be frank, I can't wait to have some one on one time with your mother. The stories I'll hear..."
Apollo paled.
"...You mean about dad's time in Konoha, right?" Naruto asked.
"Hm? Oh yes, sure." Leto said, waving him off. It didn't exactly reassure Naruto, but he wasn't about to argue with her. The mother of the Letoides smiled at her grandson, giving him another hug. "You must get going before Zeus decides to come investigate the strange feeling on Olympus. The rants he has about you sometimes.
Thalia looked at her father, who had the decency to look away.
It puts the rest of Olympus in stitches, but I suppose it would be rather frightening for you."
"Damn well should be." The king of the gods said.
"Probably." Naruto agreed. He hugged Leto back. "Bye Grandma. I'll tell the others you say hi. No offense, but we were all worried you faded."
"Nah." The twins shook their head.
"As long as Apollo and Artemis' stories remain, so shall I." Leto said to comfort him as she squeezed him back.
"Exactly!" Apollo pointed out.
"Now get going, Naruto. Give your siblings my love."
"You got it, Grandma." Naruto said once he pulled away. Leto pointed him in the direction of where Nike was last seen and with a final goodbye, he was running off, beaming at the encounter.
Leto watched him run, a smile spreading across her face. He certainly was a little storm, not unlike his grandfather,
Zeus scoffed at that.
but had a more prominent sunny personality like her son and his predecessor.
"And that is the solemn truth." The truth god nodded, beaming brightly.
The sound of a scoff had Leto turning, giving a small smirk to the owner of the noise.
"You shouldn't have stopped him. Zeus would've caught him if you delayed him any longer." Hera said, giving the Titaness a mild glare.
"Mom fight?" Ares asked, getting a glare from the twins and Hera.
"No."
"Aww, boring."
Leto's smirk widened by a margin.
"You're just mad that I gave him a ring before you could've."
"I am not." Hera frowned.
"...I am not." Hera said, her nose scrunching from her frown's growth.
"She so is." Poseidon snickered as Hera crossed her arms, her lips a thin line.
"I suppose you are right, Lady Hera." Leto said, giving a small bow before walking on. "Do remember that you cannot monopolize him just because he is your champion. Besides, a gift from his grandmother was far overdue."
"She's has you there, sister." Hestia commented, almost getting a pouty look from the youngest sister of the original six.
Hera scowled, her arms crossing over her chest as she watched the Titaness walk away.
"Owned."
"Apollo, so help me-!" Hera glared at the grinning sun god.
Naruto waved goodbye to Nike, walking back into his cabin and giving Will a sly look as he walked out of Bianca's room.
"What?!" Hades shouted in fury, Nico glaring at the screen.
"It was just a check-out! I mean we just finished a make-up...Shut up, Naruto!" Will said, storming out.
"Player be playin'!"
"Silence Apollo!"
"Must have been steamy if he's that red." Naruto said as he walked past Bianca's room. There was a squeak before the door slammed shut.
"Aw, she's all embarrassed." Piper snickered, it was cute to see to be honest.
Naruto chuckled. "Good thing Nico moved out. Hard to believe he's my second in command now."
"Because I'm good like that." Nico grinned, he liked that idea. Second in command, had a nice ring to it.
Naruto went to his room, digging through his back pouch and pulling the golden and silver ring out. He flopped back on his bed, Ranger jumping up from the floor to join him. The blond demigod idly scratched the sabertooth behind the ear as he looked at the ring.
"I wonder why Grandma Leto gave the ring to me and not any of my older siblings that got married?"
"Because, it's for Thalia, duh." Aphrodite rolled her eyes.
Thalia choked on air.