Artemis's POV

Complete and utter shock overwhelmed my emotions as I stood there, words escaping me. Could my huntresses really believe that Percy is like a father to them now? Is that how close they've become to each other? If I were to allow myself to love, I would've jumped at the opportunity to marry him like a mother who had just found a man her children accept. Percy slowly leaned away from me and chuckled.

"Looks like someone's blushing for the first time." I realized that my cheeks did, in fact, feel extremely warm. This couldn't get any more embarrassing considering that blushing is strictly something I don't do.

"That's a really sweet thought, Casey. Thank you, but we all know that I'm too good for him." I joked with a smirk playing across my lips. The huntresses laughed as Percy watched me, amused.

"Too good for me huh? I'm pretty sure it's the other way around."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night Mr. Sea God." He casually put an arm around my shoulder which surprised me. If it were any other man, I would've sliced his hand off.

"I may be Mr. Sea God, but who knows, maybe someday you'll be Mrs. Sea God." While forcing myself to escape his comfortable hold, I scoffed.

"Over my everlasting body."

"Well… you would have cute babies. I'm just saying." Thalia interjected. My mouth opened agape, I stared at her. It wasn't that the statement wasn't true, but a huntress wouldn't say anything so absurd. To my astonishment, the other girls nodded in agreement. It was extremely out of their character to play 'love game' with me.

"If only the world worked that way, Thalia. Sadly, your beloved Artemis has sworn to stay a virgin." He exclaimed with mock despair. I shoved him and smiled at my huntresses.

"Sorry girls but there never was, never can be, and never will be anything between me and this man over here. Now, if you'll excuse me I'm going to take a little nap." It was the perfect excuse to escape further embarrassment, and the only one I could think of. With that, I hurried off to let the words they had said sink in.

As I lay in my tent, I heard the flapping of soft wings outside my tent. It was unmistakably the sound of the God of Messengers making a run. Peeking his mischievous little face through the entrance, he shone his trademark sly smile. Sitting up in my bed, I ushered him in.

"Surprise seeing you here Hermes, need anything?"

"Not exactly, how's Percy holding up?"

"Better than I thought he would. Actually, he's doing swell with the huntresses now.

"Ah, so I've heard. There are even some rumors floating around Olympus about you two…" I narrowed my eyes at him in a death glare.

"Like what?"

"Oh, nothing, nothing at all. Besides, I'm here to inform you of a small duty Lord Zeus has assigned for you and a few others. Accepting it or not isn't exactly a choice."

"Alright, let me hear it."

Percy's POV

As soon as Artemis left, the girls burst into laughing and small little snickers, sharing whispers about how well their 'brilliant idea' was starting off. I turned to them and shook my head with a smile.

"You're all so evil, can't believe you got me to play along and actually flirt with her."

"No worries Percy. It's for her own good if you ask me. We are determined to get you two together!" Thalia exclaimed.

"Look, I know that you girls really want to hook me up with her, but neither of us are really… up for a relationship right now. Besides, she'll never be ready for one." Christy slapped my arm hard.

"You men are just too stupid for words." And with that blunt statement, they walked away, leaving me alone with just my thoughts. Could it really be possible that Artemis and I can end up together? No… there's no way! Besides, it's not like she would ever actually like me. She's a goddess, the daughter of Zeus, perfect in every way (in my eyes anyway) and not to mention that she's just too extraordinary for words…

I cut myself short so I wouldn't continue complimenting her. It'd be possible for me to go on all day, but everything else aside, my mind was finally starting to get this ridiculous idea that perhaps I was in love with this woman. Actually, this thought had occurred to me before many times, but now it feels like more of a fact than an idea. Could I really be in love with the Goddess of the Moon? The mere thought sent my heart flying, soaring, and pounding within me.

Walking away, I strolled around the forest until I spotted a river. Following it, the roaring and thundering splash of water was getting closer and closer. Finally, I laid eyes upon a beautiful and spectacular sight, a waterfall. Pure, untouched, clear-blue water rushed down the moist bronze rocks.

Jumping into the water, I let it soak through my clothes, enjoying the refreshing and calming touch of it. Resting at the bottom of the floor, I heard the gentle sound of someone approaching. Seeing long, slender, white legs in the water, I slowly and quietly pull my head out from underneath, running my fingers through my wet hair causing it to spike up.

A breathtakingly beautiful sight greeted me. Artemis laid back on the palms of her hands upon the rocks, staring up into the sky. Her gorgeous auburn hair flowing over her shoulder with bangs in her face and silver eyes staring off as the sun caused her body to glow like a thousand full moons.

Going back under the water, I silently crept near her, wanting to jump out and scare her like I did last time, but her hand reached into the water and pulled me up by my hair. "Ow, that hurts!"

"The same trick doesn't work on me twice, for your information. And I was looking for you. I had a feeling you'd be here."

"Seems like you know me better day by day, what do you need me for?"

"Hermes arrived with an important message. Apparently, you and I have a mission to do with a few huntresses by our side. Father's become a little paranoid when hearing news from Athena that monsters are becoming more and more prominent throughout America. Basically, we have to wipe them out as fast as possible and find out why they're increasing so rapidly."

"That's a lot to take in all of a sudden. You think I'm ready to go on an actual mission with The Hunt?"

"It's a wild shot, but I believe you're ready enough. We'll let you take on the small ones since you're only a beginner." She said with a small laugh. Raising my eyebrow, I smirked at her.

"Oh really, could a beginner dunk their captain into the water?"

"Huh what do you-" Before she could finish, I suddenly grabbed her hands and pulled her in with me. "Percy!" She screamed coming back up, and spitting water. I stuck my tongue out at her and she tackled me back down.

As we wrestled underwater, I realized that strangely enough I've never had more fun with anyone than I do with Artemis. She just completes me in a sense. It feels as though she's pulling me towards her, as the moon does with the waves.

A/N: Yes, yes I know I haven't updated in a long time and I'm incredibly sorry. You have every single right to be angry with me, but I've just had a lot going on (ironically enough, girl problems.)

But now since all my exams and pressures are gone, I'm here and going to try to update more often. Also, I have more stories coming up and I've been busy working on those. Here's what to expect:

Bleach:

Ichigo X Yoruichi

Ichigo X Harribel

Twilight:

Jacob X Rosalie

Jacob X Alice

(Now, I know they are incredibly strange relationship combinations, but you know me. I just love to enjoy impossible possibilities. You could call me an explorer in a sense. Next story/chapter coming soon!) ~L.L.