A/N: Once again, so sorry. It's been about 2 weeks since ive written :/ But I have basketball, 3 different programs I need to go to/ sign up for. A boatload of extra forms that need to be filled in. And homework. Im also deciding what classes to take (Honors Spanish two? Honors Geometry? Honors English? yuck!) But here's a chapter for my patient readers.

"It's not what you think" was my immediate first words.

The only thing Thaila did was hiss. "I trusted you. We may honor friends, but we do not hug potential dates."

Now was the time I should begin pleading. "Thaila, it was a friendship hug. Ask Darron. I have no romantic interest in him at all." Meanwhile, Darron was shaking his head vigorously, agreeing to my every word. But even I have to admit, his eyes were filled with lust for me. And let me tell you, that did nothing for my cause.

"Pah!" scoffed Thaila. "Just a glance at the way he looks at you. He is completely infatuated. Nicole, there is only one thing to do. Cut your ties."

My heart broke a little bit. But I had commited myself to a cause, and it was ore worthy than all the men in the world. When I looked at Darron, though, his eyes were misty and he had an expression of the worst kind of heartbreak on his face. "Darron," I began, but he cut me off.

"Nicole, are you happy?" A simple question, but once that was laced with double meanings.

I thought over this question. The Hunters were people that wouldnt ditch me because I was wearing the wrong shoes or my hair was slightly askew. They'd be there, for me. Through thick and thin. So I chose my words wisely.

"Darron," I started again. "Perhaps, if things had turned out differently, there would be a you and me. But now, its impossible. We cannot remain friends. Im afraid the attraction between us is too strong, one of us will eventually succumb. I believe that you will find someone, though. I just hope shes special as you are."

His head simply nodded, eyes closed in pain. But, truly as a Son of Ares, he put up a good front. His eyes snapped open, and the cruelty in them was had to get by. "Fine, then why are you waiting around. Go off with your girlfriends." He sneered the last word, though I saw one last desperate look. Then he turned of his heel and stalked off.

As he went, I murmered a little Aphrodite girl spell. It would make his heart heal, with the right girl to help. A simple trick, but effective for these circumstances.

Thaila only looked on in approval at these happenings. Then, she took my arm. "I know. It was hard. All of us have had to do it. My advice, don't get close. Their too unstable." She giggled a bit at a previous memory. It would all come out in the next centuries we had together. But for now, we were friends. Sisters. Bonded by oath, Companions by choice. The word companions made me remember. "ANA!" In all the excitement, I had forgotten her. I then bestode a hug upon Thaila, and skittered off for some long-lost girl time.

Ana, it would seem, had dissapeared off the face of the planet. She was not to be found in the strawberry fields, the forest, the beach, or any other area. Finally, I relunctantly went to Mr. D. I found him to be in a surprisingly good mood. He was humming and had rolled up the sleeves of his Sweatsuit Sweatshirt. It was about the most disgusting picture my mind could ever see. But when i breached the subject of Ana, he simply said, "Chiron."

The wise centaur was seated next to him. His eyes were troubled, and he had trouble speaking the words. "Nicole, something very unfortunate has happened. We know only the simple facts, but Ana has passed away."

Was it just me, or did his voice get dimmer? The light was fading from everything. No, no no no. "How?" I choked out.

"Well, ermm. It would seem that a certain Son of Apollo was trying to avoid punishment from Artemis for actions against a certain girl. He attempted to flee from camp, and Ana got in his way. She had learned of the... incident, and was beyond furious. But the poor Satyr had no chance. She was murdered, and Eric got away." Chiron said, all in a rush.

I stumbled off the porch. Ana.... was dead. Because of me. My sweet, enviroment-protector friend was gone. Forever. Because of my stupidity. It was then I commenced running. Behind me, I could hear cries of "Nicole! Stop!" But I was gone. All the way to my silver cabin, where I slammed the door and collasped against it, sobbing.

I noticed I had interrupted something. The Hunters were all in the Cabin, looking forlorn, and caught by surprise. But in an instant, they were by my side. Apparently, they knew the news. I could see it in their faces. But also there was a look of total depression, worry, and fear.

After several minutes of pulling myself together, I was ready to discuss the issue at hand. "What is it? Kronos? Hades?" My voice quavered a bit. But the girls were in full report mode, so one by one they dolled out the situation.

"Artemis was going to give punishment to the little scumbag" said Phoebe.

"But then he fled, killing an innocent in the process." contiued Joanne.

"Which didn't earn him any favor" added Adeline.

"And the little wimp went right to Daddy." Phoebe interjected.

"The one place Artemis couldn't touch him" Eris said frostily.

"Artemis now demands Eric, but of course Apollo isn't gonna give up his son." Lily thought out loud.

"So Artemis and Apollo are at each others throats. The world shall be in chaos. Which is the cause of the warm climate now." Penny said.

"They're too proud to stop. We must get them to talk. To compromise. Otherwise, it is gonna be certain death." Thailas voice was quietest. Most deadly. Most afraid.

A/N: Lullaby by Chase Coy