Chapter 14

Naruto huffed as he stared out of the window and looked at the scenery pass him by as the train made its way to St Louis.

Amazingly they had not been attacked by any more monsters during the trip so far and were enjoying the peace and quiet for once. However Percy and Naruto had to keep their covers low since they discovered Gabe had filed Sally as missing persons and had blamed it on Percy and Naruto.

The fool had even managed to gather media attention that the two boys were delinquents and would do nothing but cause harm to other. Gabe even told them how Naruto had threatened him since Gabe no doubt believed Naruto could not do anything with the police now being involved.

How wrong he was since Naruto was already planning what to do to Gabe the next time he saw him

Another downside to the trip was that they were all incredibly bored. Almost two days on a train was murder for three kids who all had ADHD. They tried their best to sit still but most of the time they ended up walking up and down the train. Naruto even climbed out the roof and did a few laps of the train outside just because he was so bored.

Naruto glanced at Annabeth who was still sitting beside him and had fallen asleep about an hour ago and was resting her head on his shoulder. After freezing up in the train station when they encountered the Nemean Lion, a beast Naruto did not want to meet again anytime soon, it had taken a little while but Annabeth had managed to shake herself out of it. The real necessity and impact of the mission finally hitting her.

The two blondes had bonded more and Annabeth had even confided to him about her history. She told him what life was like with her dad who simply forgot about her and turned most of his attention to his new wife and kids. She did not get on with her step mother and her presence there was bringing monsters to them which only angered her step mother more and the constant danger they were placed in.

He reassured her and reminder her that she had a family with them and with camp half blood which she nodded thankfully to. She was even beginning to get on better with Percy since neither of them looked like they wanted to bite each other's heads off anymore.

While Grover was either sleeping or trying to practise with his reed pipes. However that was quickly put a stop too by the three demi gods and some of the passengers. Grover just sheepishly scratched is head and placed his reed pipes away for another time.

"She has taken a real liking to you Naruto. Annabeth had never really been the type to trust in others so easily," Grover said looking over at Naruto. Percy had fallen asleep next to the window and was letting a bit of drool slip down his mouth. Percy was always a messy sleeper.

"At least not since Thalia," Grover muttered.

Naruto winced since Thalia was always a touchy subject with Grover and no doubt Annabeth and Luke. The name was kind of taboo Naruto guessed.

"Tell me about her," he said surprising Grover who just looked at him. "Tell me about Thalia. I want to know what she was like", he asked getting a wary look from Grover.

Grover looked like he was struggling to decide on what to do since Thalia was never a topic he liked to talk about much, even with people like Annabeth or Chiron.

"Thalia, well I guess the best word to describe her was fierce," Grover said."She was an amazing fighter especially with her spear and her shield Aegis. A scary combo. She was fierce when protecting those she cared about and valued everyone's friendship. Hell she saved mine and Luke's lives on a number of occasions. She would fight with everything she had and would not stop until she was so exhausted she couldn't get up."

Grover snorted. "Hell ever the first time I met her she thought I was the enemy and tried to take my head off. I almost crapped myself when I saw her coming at me with that angry and powerful expression on her face."

"She was always strong and not just for herself. She was strong for others and she looked after them. Heck she pretty much raised Annabeth for a good six months before I found them. She was big sister to Annabeth and she always had a special place for Annabeth in her heart."

"She was the best," a whispered a voice making them both look over to see Annabeth with her eyes open but her head still against Naruto's shoulder. "I still miss her."

Naruto glanced down at her and let a small smile form.

"That's good that you miss her you know," he said getting odd glances from the two. "If you miss someone then it means you truly cared about them."

"Really?" she asked getting a nod from Naruto. "What about you? Is there anyone you lost who you miss?"

Naruto nodded. "Yeah there's my dad of course but I never really met him. Did he love me? Did he care about me? You know those are answer that I think only my mom can really answer. I miss him but I just wish I actually knew him. I wish I just had an image of him since a giant stone sculpted head on the side of a mountain does not really do justice," he said making Annabeth laugh.

"No I guess it wouldn't."

"But there was the old man Hokage. He died a few months before I came to this world during an attack on the village by a former student of his. He was not blood related but when I was little he was the closest person I had to a living family member. He made time for me when he could and would either take me to the park, take me for ramen or just look at the village from the Hokage monument."

"He sounds like a good person" Annabeth said.

"He was. Just like you said about Thalia, he was the best."

"What about others that our still alive like your teammates. Do you miss them?"

Now that was a good question in Naruto's mind. Sure there were a few people he missed like Iruka, the Ichiraku's, Choji, Shikamaru, Kiba, Hinata maybe even Ino since the platinum blonde did warm up to him before he left. But he certainly did not miss Sasuke and Sakura. Those to not being in his life anymore along with the majority of the villagers just felt like a weight had been lifted from Naruto. Like he didn't have to keep hiding who he was while they were around. There were just three that he was not sure about.

He didn't know what to feel about Kakashi, Tsunade and Jiraiya. They were supposed to be a family to him when he was born since his dad was gone and his mom had to return to Earth but they took off and left him. He didn't even know who they were until he became a genin. They left it all to Hiruzen and he simply did not have the time to raise a child, especially at his age.

Then they kept his heritage from him since they believed he was not ready to know who his parents were. He wondered whether they planned on ever telling him who his mother was since Naruto doubted many could say they had a goddess for a mother.

He didn't hate them, it just not in his nature to hate people but he didn't really care for them any more either. When it came to them he was just hollow. He was tolerant.

"There are a few people I miss but I know they are probably living good lives so I don't worry about them much. Maybe I will see them again one day but somehow I doubt it," Naruto said getting a nod from Annabeth making the cart fall silent.

"You want to see a picture of Thalia?" she asked surprising Naruto as Annabeth sat up a little before digging her hand into her pocket. In her hand was an old photo that looked like it had seen better days and had a few tears on the side and was a bit crumbled up.

"I always keep this with me. Sort of like a keepsake I guess," she said as she held it in front of Naruto.

Naruto scanned the picture and first saw who must have been a younger Annabeth. She must have been about seven years old when it was taken. She was very adorable.

Next to her with a hand on her shoulder and with a big smile on his face had to of been Luke if the elfish feature were anything to go by. He looked happy. The biggest difference was of course he didn't have the scar on his face.

Then his eyes went to the girl standing next to them. She had black shoulder length hair that spiked at the end. She had electric blue eyes with freckle across her nose and under her eyes. She was wearing all black punk style clothes. Black shirt, black jacket, black jeans and wore dark blue lipstick. She was smiling while her gaze had drifted to Annabeth who she looked like she was keeping close to her.

Naruto smiled. They looked like a little family and he couldn't help but blush a little at Thalia. She was very pretty.

"She's very beautiful," he said with a tint of red in his cheeks which caused Annabeth and Grover to both smile at.

"She would have liked you. She always liked strong people who had kind hearts. You both would have gotten on well."

His attention turned over to Percy and grinned when he saw Percy was beginning to drool even more.

"I guess you were right," he said to Annabeth who had a quizative look on her face. "Percy really does drool in his sleep," he said causing her to snort with laughter which made Percy stir.

"He is the son of the sea god so it's makes sense," she said causing him to bark with laughter.

This made the whole cabin laugh which broke Percy out of his sleep and stare at them in confusion.

"What?" he asked unconsciously wiping the drool of his face making them all snigger a little before their stomachs growled a little.

"I'm guessing we are all a little hungry," Naruto said standing up. "I'll go get some food for us. I'll be back in a few minutes."

"I'll come with. I need to stretch my legs," Annabeth said as she got up and followed after Naruto towards the dining cart.

It only took them a minute to reach the dining cart and thankfully there was only a few people still there and here was still plenty of food to go around.

While the two quickly scanned the choices before they grabbed a tray and just started filling it up with most thing they could find. They made sure to put things that vegetarians could have so that Grover didn't go all veggie on them.

They got to the cereal section of the dining cart when Naruto got a strong scent hit him. It didn't smell foul or evil in anyway. If Naruto had to describe it in any way then it would have to have smelt like a giant wheat field.

"Any cereal dears? Growing children like you must need plenty of cereal to grow big and strong," a velvet like voice said making Naruto and Annabeth look up and see a woman wearing the usual attire for those that worked on the train but Naruto and Annabeth did not recognize her.

"Urm sure that would be great," Naruto said seeing the please look appear on her face. When Naruto saw Annabeth her eyes were as wide as saucers and did a quick bow which confused Naruto.

"Annabeth what are you-"

"Lady Demeter," she said surprising Naruto. He wondered how she knew who it was before he remembered that Annabeth went to the Last Winter Solstice and no doubt recognize her straight away. He was standing in front of the Goddess of the Harvest and the Seasons. Something he certainly was not expecting. He did a short bow before looking at the lady in front of him.

She was very beautiful and had hurt long raven hair flowing down framing her face with bits of straw in her hair tying parts of it together.

"Lady Demeter to what to we owe this visit?" Naruto said trying to act as polite as he could since he doubted the other gods were like Dionysus who simply didn't give a damn.

"Oh I'm just passing through; I am just here to deliver a message your grandmother wanted me to deliver to you. Hermes would have done it but since I was going this way I thought I would do it. Plus I wanted to meet the boy that is talk all over Olympus," she said confusion Naruto.

"Grandmother?" he asked.

"Yes your grandmother. My sister Hestia," she said politely causing Naruto's eyes to go as wide as saucers while Annabeth had an amazed look on her face.

"S-She is my grandmother?" He asked stuttering finally understanding what the connection between the two of them was. She was his grandmother, his father's mom. All he could do was break out into a big smile. He had a grandmother who was watching over him. He had another person that he could call family.

Naruto looked at the goddess before a thought crossed his mind. "Your Katie's mom," he said getting a small smile from Demeter.

"Ahh yes one of my youngest at camp. She keeps those sons of Hermes on their toes from what I hear," she said getting a nod. "I should also thank you for defending her. Ares brats always enjoy picking on those they think are weaker than them. She has come to like you greatly you know. She sends me prayers from time to time telling me about you."

"Well Katie a good friend. She was the first friend I made at camp so she means a lot to me and I greatly value her friendship."

Demeter smiled obviously liking the answer he gave.

"Yes well as lovely as this is, I have places to be. I have my daughter Persephone for a few more months before she has to back to that wretched underworld with my damnable brother."

"So urm what is the message?" Annabeth asked hesitantly not wanting to make a single mistake in the presence of a goddess.

"Zeus still believes that the son of Poseidon took his bolt and has sent monsters to meet you in St Louis" she said getting a groan from both of the blondes.

"He is still not happy with him and wants him dead. He is not particularly happy with the little gift he sent to Olympus. Or yours for that matter," she said with a playful smile no doubt telling Naruto she found it funny. "Though it did make for a good laugh. The other gods all found it funny."

"I told you this would happen," Annabeth said punching Naruto's arms lightly while he chuckled that Zeus got his gift. "But no you and Percy had to be idiots and get us in more trouble."

"He he sorry," he said scratching the back of his head a little embarrassed at the fact.

"Did she say which monster it would be?" Annabeth asked causing Demeter to shake her head.

"She did not say. Though I doubt it would just be any monster. It will no doubt be a powerful one. One that you must not take lightly," the goddess said.

"This trip just gets better and better," Naruto muttered with Annabeth nodding in agreement.

"We better warn Percy and Grover too," she said. They no doubt will need to know this so Grover can keep his nose aware. Both then turned to the goddess and bowed.

"Thank you for telling us Lady Demeter. We greatly appreciate this piece of information. Since we are going to the underworld I don't suppose you have any advice for us?" Naruto asked tentatively.

Demeter pondered it for a second before she simply said "never trust a word that man says. He is not the God of the Underworld for nothing. He has minions all over the place that act as his eyes and ears. When you get there trust no one but those in your group," she said.

"Well nice meeting you dears. Remember to eat your cereal," she said before with just a click of her fingers Demeter disappeared leaving the smell of cereal and wheat behind in her wake and leaving both demi gods a little baffled before they quickly finished up in the dining cart and made the way back to Percy and Grover.

When they got back they quickly told them what happened and the message Demeter delivered them.

Both were amazed they met the Goddess of the Harvest but groaned when they discovered Zeus sent a monster after them and would most likely run into it at St Louis. Percy had some choice words for Zeus while Grover was now acting very jumpy.

"Let's not worry about it until we get there," Naruto said digging into his cereal.

They all agreed and dug into their food mentally preparing themselves for the trouble they knew they would find in St Louis.

Few Hours Later

Eventually the train made its way to St Louis and passed the golden hills and the Mississippi river. They saw the giant gate way arch and Naruto could see the giant smile on Annabeth's face when she saw it. It did look amazing although Percy mentioned it just looked like a giant shopping bag handle which earned him a punch on the arm from Annabeth.

"I want to build something like that one day. Like the Parthenon too. Something that will last hundred of life times," she said.

"Is that your dream?" Naruto asked getting a nod from Annabeth.

"As a child of Athena I'm expected to do thing like that. To built something that will last through the ages and not knock things down like a certain sea god and his children."

"And we are back to this," Naruto said rolling his eyes expecting Percy to start arguing with her again although was a little surprised when Percy didn't act like that and just spoke to her calmly.

"Can't we work together a little?" Percy pleaded. "I mean, Athena and Poseidon did make the chariot together right. Your mom made the chariot and my dad supplied the horses to pull them. That shows they can at least work together."

Annabeth eyed Percy a little warily trying to see if he was trying to pull something and trick her but she could see that he was being truthful and over the last two days they did get on a little better.

"Okay fine, a truce," she said holding out her hand for a handshake which Percy happily returned.

"Praise the gods there is peace at last," Grover said get playful glares from Percy and Annabeth.

"This team might just make it," Naruto thought as he watched Percy and Annabeth converse with each other.

The train finally arrived at St Louis in the Amtack station and in single file the group got off the train and kept their eyes and ear open for any sign of the supposed monster in the area.

Grover led the group at the front with Percy behind him, then Annabeth and then Naruto watching the back. The last thing they needed was it jumping up at the from behind.

The tannoy system overhead told them they had three hours before the train would head off to Denver.

"Okay we have a few hours to kill while we are in St Louis. We can't risk splitting up so we stay as a group no matter what. If we have to go off for whatever reason you go in pairs. Never alone okay?" Naruto said to them getting confirmed nods.

"Okay so while we are here what do you want to do?" Naruto said as he listened to their answers while looking around the area.

"We get some more food," Grover cried out but was quickly shot down by Annabeth.

"No we are going sightseeing."

"You just want to see the Arch don't you?" Naruto said getting happy nods from Annabeth.

"Alright let's go but everyone be on the lookout. One slip up and that could be it."

"Lighten to Naruto. St Louis is a big place. What are the chances that we get found by this monster," Percy said obviously trying to keep in high spirits despite having an all powerful god wanting to zap him.

"Try telling that to the Kindly ones, Gorgon sisters and the Nemean Lion," he said making Percy think twice about his comment.

"Do you think there is a snack bar at the arch," Grover asked getting odd looks from the group.

The group didn't have to walk far since the arch was only a mile away from the train station so they could make a hasty run back if necessary.

When they arrived at the great arch instead of immediately going up Annabeth decided to give them a whole tour of the underground museum much to the three boy's dismay. As she spoke about how it was built and other interesting facts about it.

Grover was too hungry to listen despite only eating al little while ago, Percy looked like he was falling asleep if the drool was anything to go by and Naruto was both listening and looking out. There was some kind of faint scent around but it kept coming and going.

"You smell anything Grover?" Naruto asked getting a shaking head from Grover.

"Not really. Usually place underground like this smell of monsters so I'm not surprised if we catch a scent down here. If we do then whatever it was is most likely long gone," he said getting a nod from Naruto but he was not planning on taking any chances.

"Hey doesn't Hades have a have a hat like Annabeth?" Percy suddenly asked getting a yelp from Grover and worried looks from Annabeth. Naruto meanwhile had to face palm. Percy still didn't quite get that names have power.

"I think you mean our pal way downstairs," Grover said while looking down at ground like it was going to swallow him up.

"You mean the Helm of Darkness," Annabeth said getting a nod from Percy. "Yeah, that's his symbol of power. I saw it next to his seat during the winter solstice council meeting."

"He was there?" Percy asked since he thought Hades was not welcomed on Olympus.

Annabeth nodded. "It's the only time he's allowed to visit Olympus since the Winter Solstice is held on the darkest day of the year. But his helm is a lot more powerful than my invisibility hat. My hat can only go invisible while his helm can pretty much do anything. It can radiate so much fear that people could probably die just from fright from it. It literally makes him become the darkness itself. That why his helm is one of the three mighty weapons. Hades Helm, Zeus' Master Bolt and Poseidon's Trident. The three together are pretty much unstoppable"

"Well thank the gods that it's only the Master Bolt that's missing. If the other two went missing the whole world would probably have ended already," Naruto said shivering at the thought of the three brothers going super angry on the world.

"So what's stopping him from watching us right now," Percy asked as the other three all exchanged looks.

"We don't," Grover said as Annabeth and Naruto's eye started darting all over the room.

"I don't know about you guys but I think I'm ready to the top of the arch now," Naruto said getting rapid nods from the others as they walked to the lift.

"Yeah somewhere a bit bright then down here," Grover said as he started looking towards the darkened areas of the room as if Hades was going to jump out at the mat any moment.

"They didn't have to wait long before the lift came down and open for them. They stepped in and they immediately felt way too confined. The lift was not very big.

Just as the lift door were about to shut a hand shot forward to stop it and in walked a very husky looking woman carrying a small Chihuahua in her left hand. Looking at the woman she reminded him of the owner of Gladiola looking like some kind of honey monster with all that make up on her face.

When the lift doors closed the woman was standing in the middle of them with Naruto and Grover on the left and Percy and Annabeth on the right.

As they all stood in silence Naruto looked at the Chihuahua and saw it baring its fangs at him. A little put off with the little dog attitude he tried to see if he could speak to it by whispering hello to it but he was not getting any response from it.

"That's weird, I thought I could talk to animals?" Naruto thought as he stared at Chihuahua which was now baring its teeth at Percy with little bits of saliva dripping from them.

"If I can't talk to that dog then it must not be an animal. And that dog is not an animal then what could it-"

"Oh no," he immediate thought as Naruto began connecting the dots. He looked at the woman and he saw her talking to Percy and Annabeth who were looking past her a little warily. He took the chance to make a step back and whisper to Grover.

"Grover we have a big problem" he said getting Grover's attention and motioning to the Chihuahua and possibly the woman. He looked at Grover and mouthed the word 'monster'

"Are you sure? I'm not getting a scent or anything," he said a little puzzled staring warily at the dog and owner.

"I tried talking to the dog but I was getting no response. It could only mean it's not an animal and there it has to be a monster. But I'm not getting a scent from them though.

"The underground," Grover whispered to him getting a confused look from Naruto. "Since this place has underground museums and tunnels, no doubt monsters come by here all the time. Maybe whatever they are, they are just masking their scent."

"It's possible. It would explain why we aren't picking any scent up. But to be able to do that must mean what they are, they are powerful."

Eventually the elevator stopped and Naruto hurried up and grabbed Percy's arm while Grover did the same with Annabeth and led them to the far side of the arch.

When they did both Naruto and Grover explained the situation to the two who immediately shot a look towards the woman and her dog.

"I knew it. I knew there was something off about her. She just kept asking us question while giving us this weird predatory kind of look. I should have seen it."

"Don't worry," Naruto said reassuringly. "We know now and we can start thinking about what to do."

"But what can we do? She is staying right near the elevator," she said pointing over towards the elevator where the fat woman and her dog were standing just to the left of it.

The group frowned as they stood in front of the glass window and looked at the view of St Louis from this height. They all had to admit it was quite something as Annabeth started talking about what kind of improvement she would make to the arch if she could. The other three could only nod since their thoughts were more focused on the monster they were against.

They all looked down and they saw the giant river beneath them.

"Well there could be one way to get down," Naruto said. "But it's a bit ballsy and it will no doubt get the blood pumping."

They all looked down at the river and saw it was directly beneath the arch. Percy, Annabeth and Grover immediately caught onto what he were saying and was shaking their heads.

"No chance in hell," Annabeth said with a bit of a fearful look on her face

"I would rather fight the monster then do that," Grover said.

"Yeah i'll stick to the elevator," Percy muttered.

"Come on Percy You're the son of the sea god. Its water so it's not going to hurt you.

"Yeah son of the SEA god. That's a river. I don't know if my dad's domain goes as far as the rivers."

"You won't know until you find out," Naruto encouraged but saw the three were not budging in their decisions.

As the three talked Naruto looked around and saw there were not too many people up on the archway. Aside from them and the mysterious monster duo, there was a small family along with a security guard on the other side of the arch.

If a fight does break out we have to keep the fighting away from them. I'm guessing the mist can only go so much and I doubt it can hide any physical pain.

"Guys," Grover said getting everyone's attention and pointed over towards the elevator. They all turned around and saw the woman holding her dog that was thrashing around in her grip and trying to get down. Her gaze was firmly on them with a sickly sweet smile on her face.

"Well, son," the fat lady sighed. "If you insist."

The team looked at her a little funny. "Urm, did you just call that Chihuahua your son?" Percy asked getting a nod from the fat woman.

"Oh no he is not a Chihuahua my dear, he prefers the term Chimera," she said making all four eyes widen.

"Wait Chimera?" Percy said staring at the woman.

"And she just called it her son? Grover followed. "But the Chimera is the son of-"

"Echidna," Annabeth whispered out as the fat woman now revealed as Echidna cackled a little. No doubt she enjoyed people being afraid of her.

"Okay I guess Zeus really does not like us," Naruto said getting a narrowed gaze from the woman as a forked tongue flicked through her teeth.

"How did you know Zeus sent me boy?"

"A little birdie told us," he said immediate praying he was sorry to Demeter since he didn't want to be turned into some kind of cereal.

"No matter," she said as she put her Chimera on the ground. As soon as she did the creature began to transform.

It grew in height greatly until it was eventually touching the ceiling. Naruto was amazed it didn't fall through the ground just from its weight. It had the head of a lion with a blood-caked mane that went down to its stomach, the body and hooves of a giant goat that looked strong enough to easily trample a person to death , and a serpent for a tail that was swishing around.

There was also a rhinestone colour around its neck with a little tag on it. Naruto couldn't quite see what it read but right now he would rather not find out.

Though the dog was not the only thing that transformed. Echidna began rolling up her sleeves to reveal scaly green arms similar to the Gorgon sisters. Her forked tongue was flicking out of her mouth between her teeth which were now sharp fangs and her eyes had turned in snake like eyes with golden iris's and slit pupils. The woman looked like she could pass of as the sister of Orochimaru.

They all heard a scream and saw the little boy hiding behind his parents who were looking at the Chimera fearfully and tried to get to the exit with the security guard who looked ready to wet himself.

Naruto wanted to know how they could see Echidna and the Chimera but he didn't have time to ask questions.

The ugly snake lady made a hissing noise that sounded a lot like laughter but it was hard to tell.

"Be honored Percy Jackson. Lord Zeus rarely allows me to test a hero with one of my brood. For I am the Mother of Monsters. You will make a great sacrifice for him. My Chimera will enjoy eating the other three. He has been very hungry and testy as of late," she said petting the Chimera as it roared at the demi gods before it began charging at them.

"Work together," Naruto shouted as the four charged together at the Chimera before the great beast roared at them causing a strong stench to make it way to them. Then a long column of fire shot out of the Chimera's mouth.

Naruto jumped in front. He knew he was fire proof to some degree but the others weren't. "WIND STYLE: GREAT BREAKTHROUGH," he shouted as a blast of wind shot forward and collided with the fire. The fire began to feed from the wind before a small explosion went off causing a small shock wave and black smoke to form.

Out of the smoke Percy jumped in front of the Chimera and swung riptide and put a deep slash into the monsters face causing black blood to seep out of the wound.

It roared out in pain as it thrashed around before it knocked Percy away with its shoulder. Thankfully though Grover was using the magic shoes and caught Percy in mid air before the two shot forward back to the battle.

Meanwhile Annabeth had used her invisibility hat and with her dag slashed the joints of the Chimera on the right side while Naruto shot four arrows at the other two joints of the Chimera on the other side.

The Chimera's legs looked like the were beginning to give way as it legs shook from where the slashes arrows had caused the damage.

"Keep going," Naruto shouted. "Don't give it a chance to heal or catch an opening," Naruto said as he and the others kept applying pressure to the great beast.

Separate they were each strong in their own right. Fighting together they were proving to be an unbeatable team.

Grover was still using the magic shoes and was throwing whatever he could find at the Chimera's head which was just making it angry. It tried to swing at him but the damage to its joints was causing it to throw weak hit.

Naruto meanwhile fire arrows after arrows at the creatures at the more vital points like the throat and the heart but the thing just would not stay down.

Echidna meanwhile was watching the battle from the side lines and was getting more and angrier and how easily her son was getting defeated. These were children and yet they were overwhelming the Chimera.

She saw Annabeth and Percy appear on the Chimera's back and hissed in annoyance no doubt thinking they were trying to deliver a final blow. She saw Grover fly away after dropping them on top of it while Naruto was keeping it busy by keeping its attention on him.

"Come on you dumb beast. I thought you were the mighty Chimera. Don't tell me all the stories about you was all talk," he shouted further infuriated the beats as it giant jaws shot forward trying to bite him but Naruto just easily dodged by rolling to the side.

"It was just like any other creature. Make it angry enough and it will make mistake that will cost it."

Percy and Annabeth meanwhile tried to hold onto the back on the Chimera with their weapons held high.

"On three Seaweed brainm" she said getting a nod from Percy.

"One"

"Two"

"Three"

As soon as they said three Percy bought his sword down while Annabeth did the same with her dagger right on top of the Chimera's head causing a loud roar of pain to erupt from the beast.

Everyone watched as the giant monster began swaying a little from side to side before eventually it slumped forward and collapsed.

As it began to erupt into gold dust Percy was smiling at Annabeth who was grinning before he felt a sharp pain in his calf muscle.

He winced in pain before he and Annabeth looked behind them and went wide eyed when they saw the snake tail had bit into Percy's leg injecting whatever poison into Percy's system.

"Percy," Annabeth shouted as she brought her dagger forward and cut the head of the snake off as the Chimera had now completely been defeated. Percy slumped forward and held the snake bite as he winced in pain from the venom shooting through his body.

"NARUTO," Annabeth shouted and signaled for the older blonde who quickly came over. He looked at the wound and saw two tiny holes in the skin where the fangs must have pierced his skin.

"My leg," Percy said holding the would again. "It feels like its on fire."

"Water, we have to get him in the water. It healed his wounds back at the capture the flag game so it should do the same for him with the poison," Annabeth suggested with Naruto nodding.

"Grover," Naruto shouted as the satyr flew back down to the ground. "Take Percy out of here and drop him in the river. It should heal him and don't worry about him drowning. He is a son of Poseidon so I get the feeling it's pretty impossible for him to drown. It won't have long until the poison spreads."

"Urm r-right," Grover stuttered out as he looped his arms around Percy and flew through one of the smashed windows that was destroyed during the fight and quickly flew Percy put and get him to the river bellow.

Naruto turned his attention over towards Echidna was about to make a hasty retreat since the Chimera was now gone proving just how strong the group of demi gods and satyr was. It didn't matter that it was only Naruto and Annabeth left. They had both proven to her just how strong they were, especially Naruto.

Echidna looked over and saw Naruto draw an arrow and looked to shoot her before she did the first thing that came to mind.

Her right arm turned into a giant snake and shot over towards the family that were trying to pry the elevator door open with the security guard and wrapped around the young boy.

"AHHHHH," the boy yelled out as Echidna bought the child in front of her which earned scream and protests from the parents. The mother was trying to run to her son but the father and security guard was holding her back knowing she would be killed if she tried anything.

Naruto gritted his teeth. "So the mother of monster is nothing more than a coward hiding behind an innocent," he said getting a scowl to form on Echidna's face.

"Oh I wouldn't say boy," she hissed out. "I just don't need to waist my energy on your son of Artemis. You have that same look as she does. That same look of hatred. And that eye," she said looking at his silver eye. "I hate those eyes and I would like nothing more than to rip it out of your face. Many of my children have met their end because of that bitch and those little girls."

Naruto let an animalistic growl escape his lips as his eye began to flicker from blue to red and his whisker marks began to get a deeper look to them. Both Echidna and Annabeth frowned when they saw it before Echidna began to cackle with delight.

"Oh this is rich," she said staring at him with a sickly sweet smile. "To think the mighty huntress has a child with a real demon in him. This is just too priceless,' she said laughing. "Does your mother even know what you are little jinchuriki," she asked causing more growls to escape from Naruto. Annabeth meanwhile just looked confused while the word jinchuriki went spiraling through her head.

"Do not call me that name and do not insult my mother," Naruto growled as he clenched his hands in fists.

"The scarlet red eyes with slits in them, the whisker marks. Oh you have the Nine Tailed Fox within you don't you? I know all about the Elemental Nations boy and I know about the famed Kyuubi. A great beast that could rival my husband."

Naruto just stared at her with hate in his eyes. He wanted nothing more than to rip this monster to pieces.

"Oh what's the matter? Fox got young tongue Kyuubi brat?"

The whole room was silent as Naruto stood their frozen on the spot. That name.

A name he had been given and stuck with him for some many years. He hated that name. When he heard that name all he heard was the insult, the beatings and the life he had before he finally found some kind of normality in this world. Where people did not know of the fox. Where he was free to actually live his life.

Demon

Monster

Kyuubi brat

Those just a few of the names the people of Konoha had given him. Many varied but those were always the favorite.

Echidna snickered to herself while Annabeth looked at Naruto a little worriedly before both gasped and went wide eyed. Around Naruto orange bubbles began to form around him and form a type of cloak around him. His canine teeth got a little longer along with his nails while his hair seemed to get even spikier then before.

"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?" he said in a hollow voice before suddenly he was in front of Echidna who's eyes went even wider then before.

His hand grabbed Echidna's arm that was holding the boy and ripped it off before he quickly grabbed the boy from her grip and threw him over to his parents who got him. He suddenly appeared in front of them ripped the elevator doors of its hinges and looked at them.

"Go!"

Nodding the family and security guard just got into the elevator and left not looking back. When they were gone Naruto appeared in front of Echidna again and held her by the throat before he deliver and earth shattering punch to her face sending her across the room.

Echidna landed on the ground with a hard thud and hissed in pain and she held her face which was beginning to ooze black blood.

However she didn't have time to think or even stand before Naruto appeared in front of her again and punched her again. The Kyuubi chakra making his punches even stronger then they were before and it made Echidna feel like a tank was hitting her.

"NEVER CALL ME THAT NAME."

Punch

"NEVER ATTEMPT TO HARM AN INNOCENT CHILD AND USE THEM TO COWER BEHIND."

Punch

"AND NEVER, EVER INSULT MY MOTHER," he shouted before he uncapped his hunting knives and drew one arm back before driving one of the knives through Echidna's mouth and out the other end causing black blood to come pouring out of the ugly woman's mouth.

Echidna had mouthed a cry of pain before she dropped to her knees holding her mouth and throat. The black blood just dripped and drooled all voer the floor as Echidna's shot her head up to Naruto and shot him the angriest look she could muster.

"YOU WILL DIE BOY. I WILL BE GONE A FEW YEARS AT MOST AND I WILL COME AFTER YOU. AND WHEN YOU DO I WATCH WITH GLEE AS YOUR TEARED LIMB FROM LIMB," she managed to mutter out but with all the black blood that was coming out her mouth it was hard to understand but Naruto understood everything she said.

Naruto just stared at her with cold eyes, not a flicker of emotion making its way through this cold mask.

"Well until that day come, you will know your place," he said before he drove his other hunting knife right through her chest before Echidna erupted into golden dust.

Naruto watched as she evaporated with cold fury in his eyes before the adrenaline of the fight if you could call it that disappeared. Slowly his feature returned to normal, his eyes going back to blue and silver as he took deep breaths to calm himself.

"Shit," he thought before he dropped to one knee and breathed a little heavily.

It had been more then a year and a half since he had used the kyuubi's chakra and he forgot how foul the demons powers were. It might have made him stronger but he hated using it. He never wanted to depend on the fox. He already did enough of that with the healing factor. He liked using his own strength and powers and not someone else's.

"I should not have done that. I should have stayed calm. But that name. I hate that name and the insult to mom was too much," he thought as he looked down at the golden dust that remained of Echidna as it was slowly beginning to disappear.

"Naruto?" a soft voice called making Naruto remember just where he was and who he was with.

Slowly Naruto turned his head and his gaze slowly went over to a shaking Annabeth who was just standing off by the side idly looking at him in both amazement and fear at what she just saw.

"I forgot she was there," he thought looking at her. "She no doubt has questions now and she is going to be on me like a hawk. I just hope what she saw didn't scare her."

"N-Naruto," she stuttered out looking at him slowly walking towards him but was looking a little hesitant. "W-What was that? What just happened and what was that orange cloak thing. And why did your eyes turn red?"

Naruto winced a little at the tone of her voice. She sounded scared and that was the last thing he wanted. He didn't want his new friend to fear him. He had enough of people fearing him for one lifetime.

"Annabeth I'm sorry you had to that," he said looking away not happy with himself for unconsciously using the fox's chakra. He had not used it in so long he forgot how bloodthirsty it made him feel and how foul its chakra was.

Annabeth didn't let it go and moved closer to him still with the same look on her face.

"W-What just happened? What was she talking about? What the hell is a jinchuriki and why did she keep calling you Kyuubi brat. And what was that talk about a fox?"

Naruto knew that his secret of the fox was going to come out eventually but he just didn't feel ready yet. He did not want to risk these new bonds he had made to be broken.

"Annabeth just- just forget what you saw. I will give you answers but please just not now," he said with a pain expression causing Annabeth to wince a little.

A secret. Annabeth had a feeling Naruto had some kind of secret, something that he was hiding from everyone else. The fact that he came form another world pretty much blinded Annabeth from that fact that she completely overlooked the fact that there could of been more to Naruto then meets the eye.

Annabeth didn't like it but she had a feeling if Naruto was not going to share something, then he wouldn't until he was ready. But she would ask again. That she knew for damn sure as did Naruto. He was so mysterious and just like many before her and like them she loved a good mystery when they came around.

She took a deep breath before she slowly walked towards Naruto and gave him a a shaky and small hug. The image of Naruto giving Echidna the beat down of a lifetime in such a brutal way being forever burned in to her brain.

"I won't push you but please tell me soon. Don't feel like you need to hide something form me. We are friends just like you are with Percy and Grover," she asked getting a nod from Naruto.

"I promise I will. I just need to think over what just happened."

"Thank you," she said before they parted. She was still shaking a little but she knew this was Naruto and he would not hurt her. She trusted him with her life.

"We better get back on the ground. Make sure Percy and Grover is okay," he said capping his hunting knives back into the pen.

"Right," she said before Naruto picked her up and carried her bridal style making her blush furiously.

"N-Naruto w-what are y-you doing?" she said stuttering while her face was going bright red.

"You might want to hold on," he said before Annabeth realized he was walking towards the giant hole in the wall making her eyes go wide.

"NO NO NO NO Just take the elevator," she shouted before Naruto jumped off the archway with a screaming Annabeth who was now clinging to him tightly with her arms and legs.

Annabeth could feel the wind wiping against her face before it suddenly stopped. A little confused she slowly opened her eyes and found Naruto now just casually walking down the arch way with a big grin on his face.

Just like he had demonstrated thee first night he arrived, he was sticking to the archway and was slowly making his way down. The jump was obviously just an attempt to scare her which it did.

She turned her head to look at him with an annoyed look on her face. "You're a jerk."

"And you hair is messed up," he said as Annabeth tried to sort out her hair which was now standing on end from the wind.

"How do we know no one will see us? I think they might be a little curious to see a blonde hired boy walking down the side of the archway with a girl clinging to him."

"Don't worry. Mr D said that the mist will just cover it up. See no one is looking at us," he said pointing to a crowd that was nearby but yet was not even looking at them. "Don't you think I would have been caught by now with all the jutsu's I have been using," he said getting an annoyed shrug from Annabeth.

Eventually they got back to the ground where they went to find Percy and Grover. It did not take long before they found their satyr friend standing at the edge of the river.

"Anything?" Annabeth asked while Grover shook his head.

"Not yet. He has been in their a few minutes," Grover said while he looked at the two blondes. "What happened to Miss mother monster?" he asked as Naruto and Annabeth glanced at each.

"Naruto took care of her," she said getting stunned look from Grover. He was about speak before Percy surface and began walking out of the river. The three took a sigh of relief before they went over to him and hugged Percy, being glad he was okay. Even Annabeth gave him a path on the back.

When the checking each other over for injuries was over Percy explained what happened while he down in the river. He told them about the weird spirit lady in the river that looked like a ghost. She had told him to go to Santa Monica bay and that his father wanted to relay a message and give him something.

"Whoa," said Grover. "We've got to get you to Santa Monica! You can't ignore a summons from your dad."

"Grover is right. If your dad has summoned you then it is for a good reason," Annabeth said as Naruto just nodded along.

"Come on we better get out of here," Naruto said getting their attention. "You are forgetting me and Percy are technically wanted criminals. We better not stay here much longer since news like two boys being potential kidnappers can spread pretty quickly."

"Let's go," Annabeth said before the four quickly and quietly made their way back to Amtrak station this time trying their luck with no running into trouble. Annabeth kept her eye on Naruto the whole time with one thing on her mind.

"What are you hiding Naruto?"

Chapter 14 complete

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