Hey again all. This one took me a while to write just because there were so many parts to put together. Hope you all enjoy.
Reviews:
booklover2613: Thanks a lot. Nina's Destiny is actually being edited. I think MeggieBlack has up to chapter 18 or something edited. Once it's all edited, she's going to be continuing it, so check it out!
Kitty McMeowmers: Thanks. I'm trying to update as much as I can before school starts.
Percy sat down next to Sirius beside Thalia's Pine. Sirius had his back up against the tree, a scroll of parchment stretched out on a rock next to him, quill in hand, and ink balanced carefully on a root in the ground. Percy sat with his knees to his chest, chin resting on top, staring out into the mortal world. The two boys sat together in silence together for several long minutes before Percy spoke.
"It's weird," he said softly. "I've always been an only child, and now I find out I'm a big brother. I've always wanted a little brother, but now that I have one, I think I've changed my mind."
Sirius turned to Percy, affronted. "Changed your mind?" he asked. "Why in the name of bloody Hades would you have changed your mind about that?"
Percy shrugged. "I don't know. It's just, Tyson's a cyclops. I don't know how to deal with that."
"Don't know how to deal," Sirius scoffed. "Do you have any idea what I'd give to have my little brother back?"
"You have a little brother?" Percy asked.
Sirius leaned back against Thalia's pine, putting down his quill. "His name is Regulus. My mother's son, the perfect son. I love him so much it hurts sometimes, but he doesn't feel the same. Since I left, I doubt he ever wants to see me again."
"I don't believe that," Percy said. "You're pretty awesome, Sirius. Connor and Travis look up to you enough, and your the one who really made me feel welcome here. I'm sure your brother still loves you."
"You really think about me like that?" Sirius blanched, turning to look at Percy. "I mean I understand Travis and Connor since we practically live together, but you, Percy? We hardly even know each other."
Percy shrugged. "You were the only person who didn't treat me any differently what-so-ever once everyone found out I was a son of Poseidon."
"It's because I know what it's like to be a pariah," Sirius replied. "I think you and Tyson just need some time to get used to each other."
Percy nodded his head. "Why are you up here, anyway, Sirius? It's rather lonely."
"I was helping Thalia," Sirius replied. He patted the root of the tree. "I'm trying to help take some of the pain away and keep her alive as long as possible."
"Son of the death god thing?" Percy asked. Sirius nearly rolled over in laughter.
"You're leaving."
It wasn't a question. Sirius knew Chiron was going. No one could prove Luke was the one who had poisoned Thalia's Pine, so the gods were getting rid of Chiron.
"I'm sure we'll see each other again." Chiron tried for a comforting smile, but it didn't help Sirius at all.
"I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you as well, Sirius."
Sirius turned his head away as Chiron cantered off. He didn't think he could bare to watch it.
"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Clarisse asked.
She and Sirius were standing next to each other on top of Half-Blood Hill, Sirius' almost permanent spot these days. When in doubt, you could always find Sirius sitting next to Thalia's Pine.
"Positive." Even as he was speaking, Sirius was letting his essence seep out of him into the pine tree, hoping to at least alleviate some of the pain, if not slow the poison down. "I can't."
"You're getting pale," Clarisse said reproachfully. "You're putting too much of yourself into this. You'll get hurt, Sirius."
Sirius raised an eyebrow at his friend. "Is that a touch of concern I detect, La Rue?"
Clarisse rolled her eyes. "Just promise you'll be careful."
Sirius couldn't bring himself to meet Clarisse's eyes as she ran down the hill to Argus' awaiting van.
Sirius had fallen asleep leaning against Thalia's Pine. That in and of itself wasn't odd. Connor and Travis, sometimes Percy, would often come up to drag him to his bed in the Hermes cabin. They worried for Sirius, and he knew it. He just couldn't abandon Thalia's Pine, though. The tree was the only thing keeping the camp safe.
Sirius was awoken by the sound of someone sitting down next to him. He opened his eyes blearily and mumbled, "Five more minutes, Percy."
A deep rumbling laugh sounded from beside the sleepy demigod. Sirius sat up and rubbed at his eyes.
"Dad?" he asked.
"Yes, Sirius." Thanatos rested his hand on Sirius' shoulder. "Your friend Percy, along with the cyclops and daughter of Athena left earlier this evening to follow Clarisse to find the Golden Fleece."
"Why are you telling me this?" Sirius asked, sitting up straighter and leaning back against the tree. "I would've found out in the morning."
"That is not why I am here," Thanatos admitted. "Tantalus does not like you, Sirius. I take full blame for that."
"Why, Dad? Did you personally bring him to the Underworld?"
Thanatos' lips curled in the trace of a smirk. "No. I planned his punishment."
Sirius grinned widely at that. Watching Thanatos be tormented during the few meals Sirius had shown up at had been the highlight of his summer so far. Although, his summer hadn't been going quite as planned.
"Why are you warning me?" Sirius asked.
"Tantalus will accuse you of poisoning the tree, Sirius." Thanatos' face was dead serious as he looked at his son. "When this happens you will come straight to my palace in the Underworld. Do you think you can manage to Shadow Travel there?"
"I can do it," Sirius said.
"Good." Thanatos paused as if considering his next words. "Be careful, Sirius. I love you."
"I love you too," Sirius whispered into the night as his father disappeared into the shadows. Sirius let the shadows surround himself, bringing him to his warm bed in the Hermes cabin.
As if on schedule, as soon as Sirius walked into the dining pavilion the next morning, Tantalus was on his feet, finger pointing.
"You!" Tantalus shouted.
"Me," Sirius mocked, rolling his eyes in annoyance. "Did you miss me, darling?"
Tantalus' scowl deepened, his eyes barely containing his contempt for Sirius. He glared threateningly at the young demigod.
"Watch your tone, filth," he sneered. "I know what you've been up to. Poisoning the tree, weakening our borders. You'd gladly see us all dead!"
There were many gasps around the pavilion. Sirius ignored them in favor of taunting Thanatos more.
"You are dead," the demigod said. He gave Tantalus a mocking smile. "Don't worry, though. I was leaving anyway. Just grabbing some toast first."
Sirius grabbed a couple pieces of toast from the nearest table. He bit into it, smiling toothily all the while. As soon as Tantalus took a step towards him, Sirius let the shadows swarm him, gathering him up and spitting him back out in the middle of his father's living room.
"You missed the couch, Sirius," Thanatos said lazily, not looking up from his iPad. He used a finger to scroll down on the page he was looking at.
Sirius stood up, rubbing his backside carefully. "I realized," he said. "In case you care, wood floors hurt a whole lot."
Thanatos smirked. "You should have thought of that before you crash landed on one. Are you ready to train?"
"One sec." Sirius shoved the rest of his toast in his mouth. ""kay, Dad."
"Attractive," Thanatos mutter, rolling his eyes fondly.
Sirius grinned, swallowing his toast.