Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or Heroes of Olympus

Hello once again everyone. I'm in a bit better mood today, and I got 3 more reviews last chapter. Again, to avoid confusion, I'm planning on re-publishing this story as 2 different stories so each branch will be alone, making it easier to read. I apologize for confusion.

Not much to say today, so I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 15 Branch 2

Percy's POV

Last day of Camp

The last week of Camp had gone by really quickly, and I was sad to see it end. Nothing had happened since the arena, and I was finally getting my emotions somewhat intact again. The last days until now had all been the same; Eat breakfast in the pavilion with Nico, go train through the whole day, eat dinner, talk for a while about various topics depending on the day and how I was feeling that particular day, then separating for our cabins for the night until the next day.

I would soon have to go back to the mortal world and suffer through another year of school, but at least I would have the year to straighten out my emotions without having to worry about something happening to mess them up again. Besides, I was excited to get home and see my mom and Paul.

I didn't know if anyone had told my mom about what had happened, but I hoped not, I didn't want to have to get through a several hour talk with her about it, and I didn't want her to worry about me.

I gave up on my thoughts and quickly got ready. I packed up all of my clothes into my bag and left it on my bed to pick up again later, before I left. I walked outside and made my way to the pavilion where I knew I would find Nico sitting at the Poseidon table waiting.

He was there as I assumed he would be, and I saw down beside him with my breakfast. I started eating in silence for a few minutes, then glanced over at him. He seemed to be staring at the table in front of him, deep in thought about something. He did this occasionally, so I was used to it by now.

I kept eating for a few minutes, expecting him to ask me a question at some point like he usually did, but it never came. I looked at him again and saw that he hadn't moved since the last time I looked over.

I gave up waiting for him and asked him, "So what are you going to do now that the summer is over?"

He stayed quiet for a few seconds then replied, "I don't know. Maybe I'll go back to the Underworld. I'll train with the dead and maybe find out more about my family if I can."

"You're going to go back to the Underworld and live there?" I asked him.

"That's how it always has been." He replied, very little emotion showing in his voice.

"So even after all of this, my last friend is abandoning me." I said, a bit angrily, looking back down at the empty plate in front of me.

"The only reason I stayed here was to help you recover Percy, and from the looks of it, you've recovered."

I sat in silence for a few more seconds before replying to him, "Maybe that's just because I have a friend here who understands what it's like. Who's to say that once you leave it won't come back?"

He looked back over at me, "It won't come back Percy, unless you let it. Like you said, I know what it's like. You've recovered enough that you'll be fine if you don't let it back in."

I was silent again. A few seconds later, I asked "Won't you at least visit some? Even if it's just for your own sake, you need company that isn't the dead sometimes Nico. Beside, you've seemed like you've enjoyed being at Camp for the summer, and along with that you're not so pale that we can see through you anymore."

He smirked for a fraction of a second at that, but quickly went back to his emotionless expression. "Maybe. I don't know if I will or not, you're recovered now, along with… Other reasons."

I could tell he hadn't meant to say that last bit out loud.

"What do you mean?"

He hesitated for a few seconds, "You know why. I told you how I felt weeks ago Percy, and you just kept treating me as a friend. I don't think I can stay up here with that in my head."

I wasn't sure what to say back at that. "Nico, I've thought about you telling me that, and I don't know. I wish I could give you an answer, but I haven't been able to figure it out myself yet. But I did make you a promise not to treat you differently, like you did for me, and I plan to keep that. Come visit sometime Nico, we'll hang out like we have this summer, and you never know. You might actually learn how to relax."

He kept staring at his hands on the table.

"Come on, we need to get our stuff and leave before the harpies eat us."

Once again, here I was standing at the top of Half-Blood Hill. I looked over the valley, remembering everything that had ever happened. I looked at the sea, the canoe lake, the strawberry fields, Thalia's tree with the Golden Fleece hanging in the branches, and the Big House.

I smiled looking over the valley. Despite the summer I'd had, I couldn't help but remember all the amazing adventures I'd been through with my friends.

I looked the other way and saw campers loading their stuff into the van that was going to be driven into the city by Argus. I saw Annabeth look up the hill at me. She looked for a few seconds then waved at me, so I returned it.

I looked over at Nico who was standing beside me. "So will I see you over the year?"

He stood silently for a few seconds, then said "Probably."

I turned to him again, then said "I'll see you soon then." And offered my hand.

He seemed a little surprised, but tentatively took my hand for a handshake before he left.

I watched him step into the shadows by Thalia's tree and watched as he dissolved into shadows and vanished.

I took one last look at the camp, before I looked up to the sky and whistled for Blackjack. He landed beside me and I climbed onto his back.

"Take me home." I told him as we soared into the sky.

The end of Chapter 15 Branch 2! I hope you enjoyed this, and please review. Like I said, I don't have many friends so it makes me smile to see if people are actually enjoying my story. I hope you all like how this is going, and I hope to see all of you in the next one!