Chapter 2

It was later in the afternoon, and Persephone was definitely not hiding. Goddesses do not hide. She simply wished to be alone. Unfortunately, having an overprotective mother means you have to be incredibly sneaky and can rarely use the same hideout twice. So while the branches of the large fir tree in a Roman forest were secluded enough, the young goddess was watchful.

Up in the branches, sheltered by the sun-glowed leaves, Persephone tried to remain undisturbed. Meanwhile, her thoughts were doing the job of annoying her almost as well as the subject of them himself could have.

He was convinced that they were connected. For gods, connection was a serious thing. A fling was a fling was a fling, but a true connection of spirits... ridiculous. She was the goddess of maidenhood, curiosity and springtime. He ruled the dead. The very idea that they could be... destined... was absurd. Even if he was fascinating...

The way he spoke to her, not down to her, but directly was unlike anyone else. And his voice, with those layered tones that whispered and growled and purred. And sweet Gaia his mouth... those lips...

There was a large snapping sound as Persephone kicked out at a branch in fury. "Damn him!" She hissed.

There was an echoing creaking, like moaning through the tree trunk and Persephone stiffened. Clambering down as fast as her short, barefoot legs would carry her, she quickly pressed her face to the tree. Whispering apologies she wrapped her arms around most of the tree and focused. The tree began to glow a golden green and seemed to grow taller, the broken branch was absorbed into the roots and a new branch grew from the cracked place where it's predecessor had once been. The trunk of the fir hummed in delight and Persephone smiled wanly.

Deciding it was time to go, she gathered a few stray flowers as an excuse for her delay and began to follow no particular path out of the woods. Usually she would have walked with several woodland creatures, but today the animals sensed her tension and merely avoided her. She did not mind, she simply focused on kicking small stones in front of her.

While she had intended to exit the woods she found her bare feet were leading her elsewhere, curious as always, she followed them to a small clearing where a delicate trickling waterfall splashed deliciously into a clear, clean pond beside a moss-covered rock wall. Smiling in delight at having discovered a new place in the woods, she glanced around, then tugged off her plain white shift and underwear, and stepped into the pool.

The chill water was a tremendous aid in distracting her thoughts and she quickly stepped closer to the miniature waterfall, noticing that the water got deeper until eventually, she could not stand up in it. With a gasp, she dove under the surface and was rewarded with the comforting silence that the water provided over her ears. The only sound was the consistent rumble of the waterfall hitting the water. Surfacing a few moments later, Persephone smiled and splashed water on her face, as if washing away the kiss from earlier.

Straightening her limbs comfortably, she lay on her back and floated on the water. Her toffee colored hair was waist length and now it fanned around her in the water like a darkened halo. Her matured wasn't a dark tan, merely sun-kissed, like honey. And now in the clear blue water, her immortal glow was heightened by her pleasure and she looked truly divine.

So relaxed in the water, she could have easily fallen asleep, but under the water, she heard and felt a slight vibration and crunch from near the pool. Standing, the water just covered her breasts, although the clearness of the water did not hide her voluptuous curves in the slightest. Glaring around accusingly for the source of the noise, Persephone tossed her hair our of her face and searched the clearing with her eyes thoroughly. But there was nothing to be seen. Nothing had changed from when she first stepped into the water.

Shaking her head, the goddess tipped her head back into the water and allowed her hair to cling to her skin as she stepped out of the pool. There was a faint animalistic growl from somewhere to her left and in an instant Persephone yanked her shift up to her chest and spun around towards the sound, demanding, "Whatever creature you are, I demand you come forward now."

There was shuffling and a branch to just at the corner of her eye bent and the sound moved out of the clearing and away rapidly. Furious at the obvious attempt at escape, Persephone pulled on her clothes as she moved after whatever it was, following a trail of moving branches and shifted grass. When she finally burst out of the forest she looked around wildly for the intruder but saw nothing. Stamping her foot in frustration she flopped onto the ground with a curse and a scowl.

After a few moments, the petite goddess huffed and stood up, her hair had begun to dry, though now it had small leaves and twigs in it from her hurried pursuit. Summoning her energy around her she spun and disappeared with a soft shimmer.

Reappearing back on Olympus, the goddess instantly sought out her favorite "Aunt" Artemis. She found the moon and hunt goddess in a courtyard and seated herself on the bench next to her. Artemis instantly greeted the younger goddess with a smile and warm hug.

"Hello, dearest, where did you run off to? We looked for you after the games when you went wandering off."

Persephone evaded the question, "Oh I was just exploring a bit then went to the forests because I had a headache." Artemis nodded, accepting this. She herself knew the feeling of being overwhelmed by Olympus and its occupants at times. "But I meant to ask you something, would Apollo be able to identify something for me?"

"What do you mean, Kora?" Smiling faintly at the nickname, Persephone sighed.

"Well, in the forest I bathed in a glade and was startled by a noise. I believe there was an intruder who was watching me in the glade and I wish to find out who or what it was." Artemis frowned.

"The last time anything dared spy on me I turned him into a beast and had him hunted by his own dogs." Persephone smiled.

"I remember, Aunt."

"Oh I do wish you wouldn't call me that, it makes me feel old. And I'm not even really your Aunt..." Persephone twisted her lips. "But I will ask my brother if he noticed anything, don't worry yourself."

"Thank you." Persephone stood form the bench. "I'm sorry, but now I must go, if you noticed my absence then my mother certainly has, and I should go reassure her." Artemis stood as well.

"I suppose you should, that woman really does need to calm herself though, honestly. I will go and ask my brother now, and contact you tomorrow. Good night, little one." The tease made Persephone roll her eyes, then, after a brief hug, they parted.

When she reached the forest temple where she knew her mother was, Persephone gently pushed on the large oak door and went in. The large hall was decorated with flowers and baskets of grain to be blessed. A fresh sacrifice was on an altar on the far wall, but the Spring goddess ignored it and walked on to a small door on the side of the large marble likeness of her mother. Knocking lightly, Persephone opened the door.

Demeter was sitting on a wooden stool by the hearth, sorting through a basket of grapes. Occasionally popping one into her mouth. When she saw Persephone she narrowed her eyes. "And where exactly did you run off to without telling me?" She was still in anger mode, that hadn't shifted to teary worried mother yet. Oh well.

"Mother, I'm sorry for not informing you but I only went exploring on Olympus then went to the forest in Rome to gather flowers." Persephone closed the door behind her and went to sit at her mother's feet on the Athenian rug by the fireplace.

"Really? Then where are these flowers?" Persephone cursed inwardly. Leaving out details was one thing but directly lying to her mother was something she had found she couldn't bear to do.

"I must have forgotten them at some point. I went to visit Artemis on Olympus just before coming here." Her mother frowned.

"That woman is a bad influence on you. She encourages your independence entirely too much for my taste." Persephone agreed and listened to her mother rant a few more minutes about Artemis, then stood, kissed her mother on the cheek whispering a good night and left the room through another small door.

This room was a guest room. Demeter was always moving to new temples and Persephone had many rooms like this one, this month they were staying in a forest temple in Athens, although their main dwelling was a smaller cottage by a forest on the outskirts of the foot of Olympus. Once more pulling off her dress, she lay on the soft cot-like bed and closed her eyes. Instantly a clear vision of a face swam into her sight.

"We are connected, Persephone, and you will recognize me as your other half before long."

Persephone groaned and wrapped a pillow over her ears to try and stifle that silky voice that held that distinctly dangerous and intriguing purr to it. "Shut up." She mumbled into the fabric of her blanket.

When sleep finally enshrouded the young goddess, it only brought on more echoes and dreams, every one centered on the figure, voice, and mouth of the Lord of the Underworld.

A/N: Felt bad for not updating sooner, so here it is. I don't like updating till I'm comfortable witht he chapter, but hey, demand is demand... you can blame yourselves for making me love you. XD Remember... review...