Welcome to the Sea of Monsters
Chapter 17
Duo of Naruto and Clarisse made it camp without much trouble. Since they didn't bring any carry-ons, they quickly got out of the airport, hailed a cab, and hightailed back to Camp Half-Blood in very little time. Another plus was that Naruto finally got to use some of the money that he had.
As soon as they got there, they noticed a few things different about the camp. The Camp had a rough two weeks without them. The arts and crafts cabin had burned to the ground from an attack by a Draco Aionius, which was a huge lizard that blew things up with its breath. Not something you wanted as a pet. The Big House's rooms were overflowing with wounded. The kids in the Apollo cabin, who were the best healers, had been working overtime performing first aid.
That was the scene Naruto and Clarisse came to see when they entered. "Oh joy, your back and not a moment too soon." Mr. D said borely.
Naruto smiled, but noticed something different. "Hey, where is the child hater?"
Mr. D gave him a dead panned look that said he hated children as well. "If you're talking about Tantalus, we fired him after we found out that Chiron was framed by Luke, who poisoned the tree."
"Great. I had a feeling it was him, but I didn't have the proof." Naruto said with a sigh.
"So, this is the Fleece? I expected something…more."
"Hey, we busted our asses to get this!" Clarisse responded. "I lost my vessel and nearly got married off to Polythemus!"
The room got quiet at that before everyone burst out laughing. Even though bad things happen, they need to laugh once in a while and that was the perfect opportunity. Hell, even Mr. D laughed. Clarisse's face grew red with anger.
Seeing this, Naruto changed the subject. "So…where is Chiron?"
"He should be here soon with Percy and the others." Mr. D waved him off until the ground started to shake. "Ugh, why do I get that feeling that that is him now?"
Those that could, made their way outside to see a large horde of centaurs heading their way. "Great…he's brought the whole family." He said as all the other had looks of disbelief on their faces. Why? Well, you would too when you first see the Party Ponies.
The horde of Party Ponies crowded the camp and were eager to meet Mr. D because being the Wine God, they figured he'd throw some wild parties. Unfortunately, they were disappointed because he was in no mood for it at the moment.
After a few moments, the whole camp had crowded around Thalia's tree. Naruto decided that it since this was Clarisse's quest; he would let her do the honors. Clarisse nodded as she walked up to the tree and put a hand on it. Somehow, she felt that Thalia could understand her feeling for Naruto, but with everyone there, she would wait until later to talk with the tree girl.
The moment Clarisse draped the Golden Fleece over the lowest bough, the moonlight seemed to brighten, turning from gray to liquid silver. A cool breeze rustled in the branches and rippled through the grass, all the way into the valley. Everything came into sharper focus— the glow of the fireflies down in the woods, the smell of the straw-berry fields, the sound of the waves on the beach.
Gradually, the needles on the pine tree started turning from brown to green.
Everybody cheered. It was happening slowly, but there could be no doubt—the Fleece's magic was seeping into the tree, filling it with new power and expelling the poison. Naruto smiled happily in return at all this. He was able to help keep her alive, now all he need to do was free her from the tree.
Chiron ordered a twenty-four/seven guard duty on the hilltop, at least until he could find an appropriate monster to protect the Fleece. He said he'd place an ad in Olympus Weekly right away.
In the meantime, Clarisse and Naruto were carried on their cabin mates' shoulders down to the amphitheater, where they were honored with a laurel wreath and a lot of celebrating around the campfire. Ares children had really taken a liking to Naruto. Plus, the children of Aphrodite all had smirks on their faces, wondering if Naruto and Clarisse's alone time brought about something between them. Although, Silena stayed close to her cabinmate, he was like a brother to her after all and she was kind of protective of him. But for some reason, when she heard the girl's talking she felt a little jealous…
Nobody gave Annabeth or Percy a second look. It was as if they'd never left. In a way, the water boy guess that was the best thank-you anyone could give them, because if they admitted the duo had snuck out of camp to do the quest, they'd have to expel the two. And really, Percy didn't want any more attention. It felt good to be just one of the campers for once.
Later that night, as they were roasting s'mores and listening to the Stoll brothers tell the camp a ghost story about an evil king who was eaten alive by demonic breakfast pastries, Clarisse shoved Percy from behind and whispered in his ear, "Just because you were cool one time, Jackson, don't think you're off the hook with Ares. I'm still waiting for the right opportunity to pulverize you."
Percy gave her a grudging smile.
"What?" she demanded.
"Nothing," Percy said. "Just good to be home."
Naruto chuckled from his spot before she came over to him and asked, "What's so funny?"
The blond smiled. "At least give the water boy a chance."
"That's…insane." Clarisse deadpanned before she noticed his thoughtful look. "What's one your mind?"
"Well, Mr. D said that Tantalus returned to the underworld. I just wonder how my mom is treating him." Naruto said while Clarisse gained a thoughtful look on her face.
XXX
The next morning, after the party ponies headed back to Florida, Chiron made a surprise announcement: the chariot races would go ahead as scheduled. Everyone figured they were history now that Tantalus was gone, but completing them did feel like the right thing to do, especially now that Chiron was back and the camp was safe.
Tyson wasn't too keen on the idea of getting back in a chariot after their first experience, but he was happy to let Percy team up with Annabeth. He would drive, Annabeth would defend, and Tyson would act as their pit crew. While Percy worked with the horses, Tyson fixed up Athena's chariot and added a whole bunch of special modifications.
The duo spent the next two days training like crazy. Annabeth and Percy agreed that if they won, the prize of no chores for the rest of the month would be split between our two cabins. Since Athena had more campers, they would get most of the time off, which was fine by Percy. He didn't care about the prize. He just wanted to win.
Naruto was once again with Clarisse, making the finishing touches of their enhanced chariot. Of course it still looked like the scary as hell death chariot from before, but it was more aerodynamic. Plus, if they ran into trouble that made them swerve suddenly, they could just…bounce over it. Oh yeah, they also put in a few traps…especially if someone got behind them.
The train now and again, but since they won already, they decided they if they won, great, but it was no big deal to them if they lost. Ok, Naruto didn't care if they lost, Clarisse did and wanted to beat Percy and rub it in his face that she and Naruto won again.
The night before the race, Clarisse was on guard duty. She was leaning against the tree and sighed. "I feel really stupid about what I am going to do, but…whatever." She passed as she lean her against the trunk and said aloud, "Listen, I heard that you can hear what goes on out here and I am sure you can hear my voice Thalia. My name is Clarisse, a daughter of Ares."
Deep within the tree, Thalia, who felt better now, heard the girl and knew who she was. She was a friend of Naruto's and figured that the girl like him from the way he talked about their interactions.
"I know you make him happy and he wants to make you happy by freeing you of that tree curse, but it could take years and he could drive himself mad. I….I don't want that. He is just too nice and I really like him. He treats me like a normal girl instead of the rough and tumble bitch I make myself out to be. Sure, I am like that and he knows it and doesn't care. I could grow to love him." By this time, she felt she was on the verge of tears. "He loves you and I can understand that…somewhat, but I love him too! You…if he can't free you soon, please, let him go!"
Thalia sighed and she listened to the war girl pour her feelings out to a…tree, but even she guess that Clarisse need to tell someone about her feelings. She herself felt that she could love Naruto as well, but she didn't want Naruto to drive himself insane as well. Eventually she would have to tell Naruto to let go….but it would be hard for both of them. However, if she was ever free from this tree, she figured she would have to share Naruto with her. The more she thought about it, the more she liked it and knew it could get complicated. But…there were some things that they could do together. This required more thought and right now….that is all she could do.
XXX
While that was going on, Naruto was laying on the roof of the Aphrodite cabin, looking at the moon and stars. He came up here to think. Wondered if he should let Percy win or win himself so the Hades, Aphrodite, and Ares cabin didn't have to do any chores for the rest of the month.
He then thought about what he should do until school starts up. Sure, he could go to school if he wanted to, but he really didn't and he blamed the academy back in Konoha for that. Maybe he would IM the Underworld later. Besides, he also wanted to see what Kushina was doing to Tantalus.
Then there was his situation with Thalia and Clarisse. He figured he would have to choose between the two when the time came, but it was going to be hard to do so. He cared for both of them and their personalities were great. He just could not figure why they liked him.
"Something on your mind?" a female voice asked.
Naruto looked to the side and saw Silena on ladder, leaning on the side of the cabin with a smirk on her face. The raven haired girl climbed on top of the roof and laid down next to him. "Yeah, I actually got a much of stuff on my mind, like the chariot race tomorrow."
Silena was quiet for a time, deciding one what to say. "Hey, what if I joined you in the chariot race tomorrow."
Naruto raised an eyebrow at this. "Really? Come on. I know you too well for that." He said with a smirk. "You have never really been a fighter, well…except when that one camper dissed love."
Silena giggled. Sure she was bit peeved that he didn't think she was a fighter…and he was right, so she was also touched that he thought for her safety. "Yeah, he got what was coming to him. But I guess you are right, I am not that great a fighter and I would like to win. So I guess Clarisse is your best bet."
"Don't worry, I make sure we'll win so we won't have any chores for the month." Naruto said before he opened one eye in a teasing manner. "Of course with you being the neat freak of the cabin, you'll still be doing work."
Silena punched his arm with a smile and small pout. "You know, just for that, I will make you help me."
Naruto laughed, which made the girl laugh as well. "You know, don't take this the wrong way, but the moon light really lights you up."
Silena blush and giggled a bit, "Oh, is blondie hitting on me?" She asked. Even thought they were technically relative….the whole camp was…they would flirt for fun, but they thought nothing of it…well Naruto didn't. Silena gained a crush on the blond.
"Something like that." Naruto chuckled.
Silena smiled and looks apprehensive for a moment and then asked, "Hey ninja boy, can you teach me anything? Like that Sexy Jutsu you created."
Naruto blinked stupidly at that. "You want to learn how to be a ninja?"
"No exactly. I want to learn how to fight better, you know, just in case. I don't want to be useless. Plus, with your fighting style, I could do a few things. Plus, I can use my powers of altering my appearance like that henge jutsu you have….that was sort of why I asked about your sexy jutsu. I could base my style on that. Boys will be….down in a second!" Silena replied.
Naruto chuckled. "I see what I can do."
"Thanks." Silena said before she leaned over and kissed him on the check more getting up and sauntering away.
Naruto blinked stupidly at that as he rubbed his cheek. Out of the counter of his eyes, he could have sworn that she was swinging her hips suggestively and that grin she had on her face as she climbed down the ladder didn't help. Just what is going on? He thought to himself. He came up here to think, but now he had more to think about!
"My, you are popular with the ladies." Another voice said from behind him. Naruto got up to see a man behind him. He was a middle-aged guy in a postal carrier outfit and he had his arms crossed with a smirk on his face. He was slim, with curly black hair under his white pith helmet, and he had a mailbag slung over his shoulder.
Naruto blinked. "I think I can guess who you are…Hermes, right?" The man nodded with a smile. "So what, am I supposed to buy stamps from you?"
Hermes chuckled. "Now that I have not heard yet…surprisingly. No, I am here to deliver a message to you. I just deliver one to Percy and since you were close, I thought I would come here next."
"Ah." Naruto said as he was handed a pad to sign. The stylus was a bit weird because of the twin snake s on it, but he thought nothing of it.
Well, at least he didn't drop us. A male voice said in his mind.
"Did I hear someone or I am just going crazy with all this thinking?" Naruto asked.
"Oh no, that is just George and Martha, the twin snakes on the pen." Hermes replied.
"Oh…" Naruto said as he signed the pad.
Don't mind us to much Naruto. A female voice said. Although, I would like to say that Percy holds you in high regard.
"Well, we are friends, so I help him whenever he needs it." Naruto replied while thinking he had gone mad because he was talking to a couple of snakes on a pen…
"Helping friends is always a good thing." Hermes replied as he handed Naruto a black envelope and then disappeared.
The blond opened the black piece of paper, while idly wonder what it was made up….and hoping it wasn't from the souls. Only a few words were on the piece of paper.
Brace Yourself.
The hell did that mean. Oh well, he will deal with whatever it was in time.
XXX
As soon as Naruto and Clarisse parked their chariot onto the race track, Clarisse decided that they had a little time to goof off….or in her case, get Naruto to be with her. However, as she turned around, her eye twitched as Silena was wishing Naruto luck. After a hug from the girl, Clarisse dragged Naruto over to the tree line. "Naruto, there is something I have to say."
"Ok…what is it?" the blond asked, wonder what it could be.
"I know you like Thalia and I like you, which you already know, but….for the time being, I want to be with you." She said, throwing Naruto way off guard.
"What are you saying?" Naruto asked with a blush on his face.
"Idiot, I want to be your girlfriend, and if Thalia does get out of that tree, I'll share. Come on blondie, don't most guy want a few girls? What do you say?"
Naruto sighed. Somehow, he figured this would happen and now that Clarisse brought it up, he was trapped. "I don't mind, but I'll have to talk to Thalia about it later. Yeah, I think could make it work."
"Good." Clarisse replied before she leaned in and smashed her lips to his. Besides, if she can hear me, she probably already knows. I am also glad Silena gave me some advice before we left camp.
Soon the conch sounded and they quickly made their way back to the chariot, Percy not far behind because he had to talk to his brother, Tyson, about something.
"You ready to lose again Jackson?" Clarisse stated with a cocky smirk.
"In your dreams!" Percy shot back.
"Percy, I am not letting you win, just so you know." Naruto replied with a bored look. "You will have to pull out all the stops to win against us."
Percy looked off guard at that before he remembered what the blond said before. He had to fight his own battles and if that meant fighting Naruto, then he would try his best….and he was determined to win! The two boys smirked at each other, a silent conversation going between them as they stared each other in the eyes before they went to their respective chariots.
Chiron was at the starting line, ready to blow the conch. Once he did, all hell broke loose as the chariot rumbled down the track.
The horses knew what to do. They shot down the track so fast they would've fallen out if their arms hadn't been wrapped in the leather reins. Annabeth held on tight to the rail of their chariot. The wheels glided beautifully. they took the first turn a full chariot-length ahead of Clarisse and Naruto, who was busy trying to fight off a javelin attack from the Stoll brothers in the Hermes chariot. Naruto was having a blast as he drove. He wasn't even paying attention to the Stroll brothers. His main concern was Percy, who was ahead of them.
"We've got 'em!" Percy yelled, but he spoke too soon.
"Incoming!" Annabeth yelled. She threw her first javelin in grappling hook mode, knocking away a lead-weighted net that would have entangled the both of them. Apollo's chariot had come up on their flank. Before Annabeth could rearm her-self, the Apollo warrior threw a javelin into their right wheel. The javelin shattered, but not before snapping some of their spokes. Their chariot lurched and wobbled. Percy was sure the wheel would collapse altogether, but they somehow kept going. Percy urged the horses to keep up the speed. They were now neck and neck with Apollo. Hephaestus was coming up close behind.
Naruto growled as he was now behind and it was because of his pranking buddies. "Ok, enough of this!" He growled as he took Kusanagi and extended the blade to hit the Stroll Brothers' nearest wheel. It sliced through the spokes of the wheel and then it shattered. The Hermes Chariot spunning out of control and crashed off course, effectively talking them out of the race. He knew they would get back at him for this later, but he was prepared.
Naruto looked back at the race ahead of him to see that Percy and Annabeth had just gotten rid of the Apollo chariot and the Hephaestus chariot was gaining on them. For him, he would tread lightly and see if Percy could take them out for him and Clarisse. That way it just be the two teams. And that was just fine with him as he made his skeleton horses speed up to them as they swerved around the down Apollo Chariot.
Beckendorf grinned as he pressed a button on his command console. Steel cables shot out of the front of his mechanical horses, wrapping around Percy and Annabeth's back rail. Their chariot shuddered as Beckendorf's winch system started working—pulling them backward while Beckendorf pulled himself forward.
Nice thinking Naruto thought, impressed.
Annabeth cursed and drew her knife. She hacked at the cables but they were too thick.
"Can't cut them.'" she yelled.
The Hephaestus chariot was now dangerously close, their horses about to trample Percy's chariot underfoot.
"Switch with me!" Percy told Annabeth. "Take the reins!"
"But—"
"Trust me!"
"What are they doing?" Clarisse asked.
Naruto smirked and said, "Something we do, teamwork." The girl just nodded her head and got ready to strike once Naruto made it to them.
Annabeth pulled herself to the front and grabbed the reins. Percy turned, trying hard to keep his footing, and uncapped Riptide.
He slashed down and the cables snapped like kite string. They lurched forward, but Beckendorf's driver just swung his chariot to their left and pulled up next to them. Beckendorf drew his sword. He slashed at Annabeth, and Percy parried the blade away.
The Poseidon/Athena Team was coming up on the last turn. They'd never make it if they continued like this. Percy needed to disable the Hephaestus chariot and get it out of the way, but he had to protect Annabeth, too. Just because Beckendorf was a nice guy didn't mean he wouldn't send them both to the infirmary if they let our guard down. Then there was Naruto's team, who was hanging back and just watching!
"See ya, Percy!" Beckendorf yelled. "Here's a little parting gift!" He threw a leather pouch into their chariot. It stuck to the floor immediately and began billowing green smoke.
"Greek fire!" Annabeth yelled.
Percy cursed. He'd heard stories about what Greek fire could do. He figured they had maybe ten seconds before it exploded.
"Get rid of it!" Annabeth shouted, but Percy couldn't. Hephaestus's chariot was still alongside, waiting until the last second to make sure their little present blew up. Beckendorf was keeping Percy busy with his sword. If he let his guard down long enough to deal with the Greek fire, Annabeth would get sliced and they's crash anyway. Percy tried to kick the leather pouch away with his foot, but he couldn't. It was stuck fast.
Then Percy remembered the watch that Tyson had made for him.
Percy didn't know how it could help, but he managed to punch the stopwatch button. Instantly, the watch changed. It expanded, the metal rim spiraling outward like an old-fashioned camera shutter, a leather strap wrapping around his forearm until he was holding a round war shield four feet wide, the inside soft leather, the outside polished bronze engraved with designs he didn't have time to examine.
Naruto's eyes widened when he saw that and he was impressed yet again. He'd have to ask Tyson to make him one. Seriously, that could come in handy! A shield that could tell time.
All Percy knew: Tyson had come through. He raised the shield, and Beckendorf's sword clanged against it. His blade shattered.
"What?" Charles shouted. "How—" He didn't have time to say more because Percy knocked him in the chest with his new shield and sent him flying out of his chariot, tumbling in the dirt.
Percy was about use Riptide to slash at the driver when Annabeth yelled, "Percy!"
The Greek fire was shooting sparks. I shoved the tip of my sword under the leather pouch and flipped it up like a spatula. The firebomb dislodged and flew into the Hephaestus chariot at the driver's feet. He yelped.
In a split second the driver made the right choice: he dove out of the chariot, which careened away and exploded in green flames. The metal horses seemed to short-circuit. They turned and dragged the burning wreckage back toward Clarisse and Naruto.
Naruto smirked at the new trap ahead of them and yelled to the undead horses, "Jump!"
"What are you nuts?" Clarisse freaked. "They can't make us jump as well!"
"Just trust me!" Naruto said back with a smiled and he stomped his foot on the floor of the chariot just as the horses jumped over the burning wreckage and a spring jutted out of the bottom of the chariot, bumping them in the air, keeping them safe from the fire.
Percy could not believe his eyes. Naruto had maneuver around that death trap and now they were neck and neck! Clarisse smirked as she swung her sword down on Percy, who block with his Riptide and sparks flew as their blades grinded against each other.
Naruto knew he could win now, but one glace at their chariots, he saw that their chariots were connected. He chuckled to himself, he could easily remedy this by using a wind jutsu to propel them forward, but the finish line was very close…so he decided to make this a tie. This way they both won. That way he could lounge about with Percy all he wanted.
They hit a curve and they were sure they were all going to tip over, but thanks to Percy and Clarisse's deadlocked sword positions, that didn't happen. It kept them all in place as they all went past the finish line together.
Chiron chuckled as he knew what exactly went on in that race. Naruto really was a contradictory of his heritage of being a child of Hades. So he declared the race and tie and the two teams won. The spectators all mobbed them.
As Naruto and Clarisse were being carried off by the Aphrodite and Ares cabins respectively, Naruto head Annabeth said they didn't do it alone, that Percy's brother helped them. Naruto smiled at that. Percy finally admitted he had a brother and he was confident about it. Naruto saw the boy look at him and he flashed him a smile and a thumbs up. Percy just smiled as well, especially when Annabeth kissed him on the cheek, making his blond friend laugh as Percy and Annebeth were taken away by the Athena cabin.
XXX
Ok, the next chapter will be the last for this story believe it or not. As for Silena, I am debating on whether to put her in the harem. She of course would be in place of Bianca. Even if they are half siblings, it is weird for me. Anyway, if i do add her, i will not make her Luke's spy. It will be some other random person.
Next in the line up? Well, here is the list:
Grim Reaper of Iwa(A Naruto in Iwa story)
Naruto/Star Wars crossover.
Foxfire Part 2
Also, I put some new pictures on my profile, especially for this series.
REVIEW and VOTE!