okay so it turns out this chapter comes out early. Its 1 AM. SO I couldn't sleep and i feel i just have to write this. Again, thanks to you all fir reading and dont forget to review please! :)

Chapter 9

As the years passed by, Annabeth and Percy grew closer together. The royal family was grateful to Percy, and at times, Annabeth would visit Percy's family and they would take good care of her. So far, the two have kept their promis and the huge tree that stood on a cliff by the side of the castle remained untouched by anyone else but the two, no matter how much friends they made .

Thalia and Grover had became friends with Annabeth as well, and they would usually play around with her and Percy. And about three years ago, Thalia and Sally were walking down the street after going to the market when they found Jason- Thalia's long lost little brother. It was a long story, but Jason got settled in Percy's room and they shared it ever since.

There was also Nico DiAngelo, Percy and Thalia's cousin. He was only 9, but he was sent to live here in the kingdom by his father, his mother had been killed when he was young, and for some reason, his sister Bianca was living back in New Orleans with their father. But even though, he was still playful.

Percy, Annabeth, Grover, Jason, Thalia and Nico were usually in a group, hanging around in the palace or around the Den, but Percy and Annabeth were especially close friends. No one could separate them. Ever.

"PERCY GET DOWN FROM THERE!" Annabeth screamed at the top of her lungs, but Percy still wouldn't listen. He was working his way up the branches of their tree because he spotted something amongst the leaves. Annabeth was now desperately trying to get him down, screaming from her place on a branch a few feet higher than their special branch.

They were twelve now, but Annabeth was pretty sure a twelve year old boy would still be heavy for a few branches that might break.

"Percy get back down here! You don't even need a white flower!" Annabeth screamed. "I'll be back! Don't worry." Percy reasured her, still working his was upthe branches. "I can climb this easy. Just- WOAH!" A branch had broken under Percy's right foot and he slipped, but he managed to set foor on another branch. Annabeth had let out a small shreik. Percy grinned at her . "Scared, Wise Girl?" He smirked. He had come up with that nick name for vengance, it was an utter failure at the time, but he was accustomed to using it.

Annabeth glared at him. " Just don't die or I swear I'll kill you myself. And I don't CARE if there isn't any logic in that at ALL."

Percy laughed at her. But that loss of focus for just a bit caused him to slip, and in a split-second, he went sliding down the tree, hitting branches and scraping himself accross the trunk. Luckily, he stopped himself from splattering onto the floor and swung his arm along a branch, causing him to land perfectly in their special branch.

"Gods, Percy!" Annabeth exclaimed, jumping down from the branch, landing gracefully on her feet onto their branch. Annabeth helped Percy up . He had a few wounds, his left elbow was bleeding, he had a LOT of scratches on his arms, legs, and face aswell. But he was grinning. "You Seaweed Brain! What were you thinking?!" Annabeth scloded him, her stormy grey eyes glaring into his very soul. But he was still smiling.

Percy held up a peculiar looking flower. It's petals were white, but had tinges of grey creating a beautiful pattern, matching Annabeth's eyes. "For you, milady." Percy bowed playfully, handing the flower to her. She blushed a bright shade of pink, taking the flower. "You... you got this for me?" She muttered in disbeleif. Percy nodded. "Yup. I thought you'd like it."

"And you almost died just trying to get it!"

"So?"

"So everything! You risked your life just for a flower!?"

"A flower for you ."

Annabeth stared at him. He was serious. Annabeth's mind drew an absolout blank. He did this for her? But it was just a flower... a beautiful greyish white flower. Annabeth's favourite blend. And it seemed to glow in the sunlight. "Th-thanks." Annabeth finally managed to say . "That was really sweet of you." She smiled as Percy smiled back, slowly putting the flower in her hair.

"Please promis me you won't do that again." Annabeth groaned. "Don't ever put your life at risk for something like that. Please."

"Alright." Percy agreed, wrapping his pinky around her extended one. "It's noon. We should get down now, dad will be looking for me."

"And Jason will kill you for not helping him go to the market with Thalia."

"OH GODS RIGHT." Percy exclaimed, quickly scrambling down the tree, nearly killing himself again. "PERCY!" Anmabeth screamed.

Annabeth followed closely behind Percy as they carefully sneeked into his house. They were only a few steps from the room to Percy's door when suddenly, the door swung open violently. A ten year old boy with blond hair and sky blue eyes came barging in the door, a basket of vegetables in one hand, and a basket of fish in the other. He looked furious, glaring right at Percy. " WHERE WERE YOU?" Jason Grace screamed. "How dare you make me carry all these stinky baskets, following Thalia around the slippery market, and faceplanting on fish?! You said you'd be there! You backstabbing little-"

Before Jason could finish his rant, Thalia barged strait throught the dorrway, her electric blue eyes looked furious and ready to kill. In short, it made Jason, Percy, and even Annabeth cower in fear- but mostly Jason. "I told you to not buy the fish for more than two shillings! And now we're bankrupt!" Thalia scolded jason.

"But-but it was only two m-more shillings." Jason stammered. "A-and the man said th-they were in g-good quality!"

"Ugh! All fish quality are the same! " Thalia huffed. "Just... Just go and clean the fish out the back." Thalia then went to store away the newley bought goods.

Percy was laughing at Jason, and Annabeth stood next to him shaking her head. "Sorry Jase!" Percy said, barely able to contain his laughter. "I'll come with you next time."

Jason rolled his eyes. "Yeah right. You'll just be on a date with Annabeth again." He muttered, strolling to the kitchen.

Percy flushed a bright red. "What?! No! I mean- I don't.. we can't... Ugh! Jason get back here!" He stammered, but Jason was already out the backdoor. Annabeth was laughing at Percy as he crossed his arms, but a small grin was etched onto his features. "Whatever." He muttered under his breath.

"Hey Percy, I gotta go. Dad will be looking for me and I also have classes tommorow so I probably wont get to see you." Annabeth said. There were some occasions when Annabeth's classes were taking up her entire day so she couldn't have time to play, and it sucked for both of them.

Percy suddenly looked alarmed. "No- wait!" He called, stopping Annabeth from exiting the door.

"What is it?" She asked.

" I- uh... I need to tell you something."

"Percy can it wait until the other day?"

"It's important!"

"Fine. How about tommorow? Sunset, at the tree, okay? I just really have to go now."

"Promise you'll come?" Percy asked, holdong out his pinky, a serious expression on his face.

"Promise." She wrapped her pinky with his, and headed out the door saying goodbye. If only she wasn't in such a hurry, she would've already asked what he was going to say, but he looked hesitant himself. She ran for the castle, Percy's statement still bothering her.

But her father would kill her if she was late. He might not even let her out tommorow. But still, she would find out tommorow, sunset.

Okay sorry guys to stop here! I'm in a hurry myself, I just wanted to publish this. Oh, if you're wondering: no Percy won't tell her he loves her. He's still too innocent for that... i think. Meh. Anyway, please please please please REVIEW.

~Apollo's Pirate DAughter