Well I managed to get this up faster then I thought so I think I'm getting better at updating faster...I think...anyway! Thanks for everyone that's reviewed so far!:
David-EL: Lol well the reason I had Triton act like was because Triton felt that his father had thought this mortal woman and son was more important then Amphirtie and himself, its along the lines of an only child who's use to getting all the attention when a new sibling comes in and they get jealous when the attention is on the other sibling and not them. So yes Triton is going to be a bit of a brat for a while.
Shinigami: Hahaha that'd be a good punishment for what Triton is planning! Yes Nico will be protecting Percy and to an extent the camp. Yup you hit the nail on the head about how Triton doesn't care what happens around him as long as Percy is dealt with. That's another good point if Triton gets to Percy first and Tatsuya assumes its the camp he won't let Percy take one step in there no matter how 'safe' its declared. As for why Bianca doesn't have Luke follow Nico well its kind of hard to track someone that can travel through the shadows though you have a good point about Luke being good at sneaking around.
Tonbo-Kitsune: Thanks very much my very helpful Beta xD, and Triton won't hurt Percy too bad (I have yet to plot...er...I mean plan it)
HappyAce88: Thanks you very much for your review on each chapter! And I'm glad you like I had Josh and the twins as half-bloods, and as annoying as Zach is to Josh he's softening up him as well hahaha, I will probably have Triton and Percy bond but not until Triton gets over himself and his anger at Percy.
Well that's about it! just a little notice, Bianca may be a bit OOC but its needed for this and I guess you can say this chapter is a bit emotional on Nico's part but I hope nonetheless you guys enjoy it! Don't forget to read and review please! any suggestions/comments are appreciated and helpful.
In a secluded corner of a coffee house two adults were conversing quietly with each other in a serious conversation as they sipped their drinks from their cups.
"I'm happy that you could make it here so suddenly Ms. Alvis." Tatsuya said as he sipped his coffee.
"I was just surprised that you called me out here, usually I have to call you so that we can talk." Shannon replied smiling a bit as she drank some of her tea, "they have very good drinks here."
"Its one of the best places to go and relax." Tatsuya replied before he put his drink down and looked over at the woman across from him, "I'm afraid there's a particular reason I had called you here."
"Oh? What is it?" Shannon asked.
"I must tell you that since my classes are over at the University, I won't be able to meet with you anymore." Tatsuya stated as Shannon nearly choked on her drink surprised by the abrupt statement.
"I-I'm not sure I understand, wouldn't you not having classes at the University allow you to have more free time?" Shannon asked confused.
"Not when I'll be focusing all my attention elsewhere. I really have no time to indulge other people about trivialities, so as I have previous stated we will not be meeting again. Ever." Tatsuya replied as he finished his drink and pulled out his wallet to pay for the drinks.
"T-trivialities!" Shannon exclaimed looking insulted as a frown marred her face, "exactly what do you mean by that!"
Tatsuya raised an eyebrow as if he was talking to a child, "If you need an explanation then let me be blunt with you, I am not going to sit here and pretend I do not know of your hidden agenda to find out information about my family…miss lady goddess…" he replied as he said the last part quietly that only Shannon could hear it.
When she heard the last part her entire body seemed to freeze up as she stared horrified at Tatsuya who was looking at her calmly as he found the necessary bills in his wallet and pulled them out.
"How…what are you talking about!" she hissed angrily as she looked around hoping no one heard them.
"Your disguise is very good but its nearly impossible to hide an aura like yours." Tatsuya replied.
"Aura?"
"Signature, glow, feeling, presence pick whatever but bottom line is your disguise is good but no matter what it can't hide that from other beings who are…familiar with it." The dark blue haired man stated firmly folding his arms, "I know you came to try and 'convince' to spill some information out of me I've had the feeling since you first approached me."
"Then why didn't you say anything?" Shannon scowled.
Tatsuya smirked at that.
"Because I'd like to see how long you would keep trying to get information from me." He replied smartly, "I already know of your camp looking for my son because of his 'heritage' and I am not going to allow him to go there until I deem him ready."
"How do you know about the camp!"
"I have my source…"
"You can't keep him out here in the open! He needs to go to the camp, he's much safer there!" Shannon stated crossly.
"How can you be sure?" Tatsuya growled back, " he's been with me for a while and has yet to be dealt a so called attack."
"The camp has a protection around it that keeps monsters out. They are trained and protected there." Shannon argued.
"I will be keeping my son with me and there is nothing you say will deter me." Tatsuya said as he stood up.
"He is not your son he is Poseidon's son." She hissed.
That stopped Tatsuya but he turned his head and his cold electric blue eyes seemed to glow as he glared darkly at the woman at the table.
"He is my son…I'm the one who is raising him like a father should." He snarled back as he turned to leave but Shannon stopped him one last time.
"Wait!" Shannon said pushing herself up off the chair, "how do you know all this, about…us?"
Tatsuya was quiet for a moment before he gave the woman a secretive smile, "Do you really believe that you and your…family are the only immortals of your kind?" he replied before he left the coffee shop.
Shannon hurried after him and slammed the door opened, looking around for any sign of Tatsuya but he had completely disappeared as if he had just vanished.
"This, is more serious then I thought," she said to herself, hurrying off to inform the others about what she had just found out.
oOo Meanwhile oOo
"Oh man I can't wait to tell mom the good news." Percy laughed as he was carrying his violin case in his hand.
He had to stay a bit after school since he was in the band and had practice today but he didn't mind as he still had a bright grin on his face. All around him he could see the older students setting up decorations and booths around the large front area of the private school. Many groups of girls were painting banners and posters on the ground as other girls were running around with materials in their arms shouting about costumes. Many of the older boys were building the booths, making backgrounds and moving in other stuff in and out of the school.
Just as he walked out the gate he suddenly felt pricking on the back of his neck and held his violin case tighter as he looked around for anyone that was looking at him. Unfortunately he only saw students leaving the school and talking about events or plans for the summer. Swallowing nervously he continued down the usual pathway to the bakery but the feeling still wouldn't go away, he tried blending in with the crowds and sped up almost desperately to get rid of the feeling that he wasn't watching where he was going and ended up crashing into someone quite roughly.
"Whoa Percy what's wrong?" Nico said steadying the younger boy who looked nervous as his eyes kept looking around scared.
"I felt like there was someone watching me…" he replied clutching his violin tightly, "gave me shivers and made the hairs on the back of neck stand up."
"What?" Nico said narrowing his eyes as he pulled Percy closer and looked around as well, his dark eyes looking at everyone but he didn't see anyone that looked out of the ordinary. "I think they're gone now Percy."
"That's good." Percy replied letting out a relieved breath, "do you really think someone could be watching me?"
"I don't know but I think I'll come pick you up after school from now on." Nico stated, "the last thing your family or I want is for you to get abducted."
"Thanks Nico, so why are you here again?" Percy asked.
"I'm visiting Amelia and she got me working part-time in the bakery and she was busy again so I volunteered to pick you up." Nico explained, "come on your mom is expecting you back by now."
Percy nodded as he smiled up at Nico as the two headed down the street together as a figure hidden between two buildings watched them disappear off into the crowd.
"I apologize Sir Aquila I thought it would be easy to take the child but it seems that we may have to forgo those plans." The figure said as a taller figure stood behind it.
"We don't need to forgo anything, we just have to be a bit more patient." Aquila replied, "come we must regroup and plan."
"Yes Sir."
"Ah! Percy, Nico you're back!" Amelia said happily as she saw the two walk in as she put in a new tray of cookies in the display case.
"Hi mom!" Percy said as he ran behind the counter and hugged Amelia who giggled.
"Watch it sweetie I have flour all over my apron." She said, "but I'll have Tobias bring you a snack but you have to get your homework done."
"I will!" Percy said as he walked out from behind the counter and sat at a table with Nico right across from him as Amelia was checking the other treats in the display, making sure they had enough.
Tobias smiled as he walked out and carried two plates; one had a few cookies on it while another had a slice of a cheesecake Tiramisu for Nico who blinked.
"We saw you eyeing it when we pulled it out of the fridge today and figured out you'd like a slice." He replied laughing at Nico's embarrassed face.
"I was that obvious huh?" He coughed as he grabbed his fork.
"Uh huh but don't worry we made several of these so you getting a slice is fine." Tobias stated grinning.
Nico took his first bite and his eyes widened with how good it tasted, he could taste everything, and it wasn't overly sweet as it just melted in his mouth.
"This is amazing!" Nice grinned as he dug into his slice.
"I'm glad you like it! It's a personal recipe of mine." Tobias said winking, "I'll get you two some drinks okay."
"Can I have a blueberry smoothie?" Percy asked.
"Always with the blue huh kiddo?" Tobias chuckled as he nodded, "and for you Nico?"
"Uh just a cherry coke." Nico replied wondering what he meant about Percy and the color blue. He turned to look at the pre-teen across from him and saw that Percy's cookies were colored blue, "Percy are those cookies suppose to be that color? Aren't they usually brown?"
"Uhm its something I got from my real mother she loved making me blue food and drinks so it kind of just stuck." Percy said softly as he looked down at his snack. He would remember helping his mom in their tiny apartment making these kinds of treats whenever she came home and had time it was always something Percy enjoyed doing.
Nico winced.
"Hey sorry for bringing up something painful." Nico apologized but Percy shook his head.
"Its alright, I'm alright now. Especially right now since dad is off of work for the summer!" Percy replied happily.
"Oh right, school usually doesn't have classes in the summertime so what are you and your dad going to do?" Nico asked eating another bite of his slice, "and are you out of school?"
"No not yet almost though! Just have to get through another two weeks or so I think." Percy replied as he started working on his assignments as he snacked getting a few crumbs on his worksheets, "we're also going to go to a festival!"
"What kind of festival is it? I don't recall any in New York that I'm familiar with I think." Nico asked.
"Oh it's a Japanese festival!" Percy explained, "my dad says they have them in Japan in the summertime but they're actually holding one in Japan Town in New York to celebrate the tanabata festival."
"Tanabata?" Nico asked frowning.
"Uh huh I forget some details some time but I remember mom said it's called the Japanese Star Festival It celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi who can only meet once a year." Percy explained as he tapped his head trying to remember the details but his ADHD was acting up so he was having a bit of trouble concentrating.
"Deities huh." Nico said amused and rather curious, "what else can you remember?"
"Oh! According to legend, the Milky Way separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the er…I think it was seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar." Percy added looking proud he remembered.
"So what exactly do you do at this festival?" Nico replied.
"I'll explain it Percy, you just concentrate on your work and don't be so messy." Amelia said brushing her hands on her apron as she moved the plate of cookies away from her son who looked sheepish.
"Sorry mom." Percy laughed as he brushed the crumbs off of his paper and went back to writing on it.
"Well In present-day Japan, people generally celebrate this day by writing wishes, sometimes in the form of poetry, on tanzaku or small pieces of paper, and hanging them on bamboo, sometimes with other decorations." Amelia explained, " The bamboo and decorations are often set afloat on a river or burned after the festival, around midnight or on the next day. This resembles the custom of floating paper ships and candles on rivers."
"What other decorations do you use besides the wishes?" Nico asked.
"Oh there are plenty of others! Paper kimonos for wishes for good sewing and wards off accidents and bad health, there are paper cranes which are always fun to make which represents family safety, health and long life, a paper purse for good business, net for good fishing and harvests, trash bag for cleanliness and thriftiness, then finally streamers which represents strings that Orihime uses to weave." Amelia replied.
"That's a lot." Nico stated.
"True but its an enjoyable festival, I remember when me and Tatsuya went to that festival in Japan they were always fun. We'd sometimes go down by the banks of the river and catch fireflies." She giggled.
"Sounds like fun."
"Its is…say Nico why don't you come with us!" Amelia suddenly asked surprising the child of Hades.
"H-huh!" he sputtered surprised by the sudden proposal.
"Oh please Nico? It'd be really fun if you joined and I'm sure mom can get you a kimono in time for it as well! She's really good at that kind of stuff! Please please please?" Percy begged giving the older boy a look as he pressed his hands together.
"I wouldn't want to intrude…" Nico tried to say but Amelia shook her head.
"Oh don't be silly Nico, we don't mind you coming along in fact I think it would be wonderful if you joined us. You're a really good kid and I like having you around as does Tatsuya though he won't say anything and Percy loves having you to hang around as well." The woman replied smiling gently down at the boy who suddenly felt his chest tighten.
Nico bowed his head a bit when heard that. He couldn't help but feel really happy for once in his miserable life. For the first time, people actually wanted to be around him for being himself, not because he was Bianca's brother or fear him because he was so cold and the son of Hades…he felt elated and didn't want the feeling to end.
"Nico? Are you okay?" Amelia asked worried when the boy didn't reply.
"I'm fine Amelia." Nico replied quietly as he brought his head up and smiled back at the woman, "I would be honored to go with you and your family to this festival."
"Well that's great! After work I'll have to get your measurements so I can make sure you fit in your outfit." Amelia said eagerly, "do you have a preference of color?"
"Black…" Nico said and the woman nodded.
"Okay then, oh, do you think it'll be alright with your family to come with us? You don't think they'd mind?" Amelia asked.
Nico thought back if he actually did ask his 'family. Hades would probably just ignore him or say something along the lines of 'don't bother me with something so ridiculous'. Persephone would be the same only threatening to turn him into a daisy and Bianca…Nico shook his head.
"Oh it'll be fine trust me…" Nico replied a bit dryly.
"Alright then we'll let you know when it is since Tatsuya is the one who knows when its going to be." Amelia said.
"its going to be fun! They have all sorts of games and stuff you can do at the festival!" Percy grinned.
"Speaking of festivals, how is your festival going Percy?" Amelia asked.
"Oh its going really well mom! All the bigger kids are already setting up booths, decorations and other things!" Percy replied grinning.
"Your school has their own festival?" Nico asked.
"Yep! Its like an end of the year kinda thing all the grades in the school participate in an event, booth, activity or something it just gets the whole school involved and its like a party for the seniors to have a good time on their last few days at the school before they graduate." Percy replied smiling.
"Percy here is a 7th grader that goes to a private academy here that has pre-school all the way up to high school." Amelia stated, "so what's going on this year?"
"Well the pre-school classes are going to be in-charge of the easy stuff like simple games like fishing with a magnet, fingerpainting or bean bag toss with the teacher's help of course, same for the kindergarten classes who will have the musical cake game and some other stuff I think." Percy started looking excited.
"Musical cake game?" Amelia questioned looking interested.
"Yeah see its set up like a giant game pathway and when the music start the participants start walking and they stop when the music stops. A number is called out and whoever is standing on that number wins a cake!" Percy replied, "they're gunna make it so if you already won a cake you can't win another since that wouldn't be fair."
"That's a good idea, tell your teachers that I'd be willing to donate some cakes and treats of my own." Amelia said.
"Really! That'd be great mom! Okay and then the first, second and third graders will be together doing games like a huge sponge with paint and throwing it a bulls eye or a floating duck game. You pick a duck and whatever is on the bottom of it that's your price. They're also going to be doing a Bucket Bonanza by throwing ping-bong balls into either cups or empty coffee cans I think they might do other games like a ring toss." Percy added.
"Wow sounds like a lot is already going on what about the other grades?" Nico asked as he finished off his slice of cake.
"The fourth, fifth and sixth graders are gonna be doing more big kid stuff like frog launch, mini golf, bowling game, they managed to convince their gym teacher to be part of the group of adults to be used in their dunking game. My group the seventh graders are with the eight graders and we're in charge of some of the food but the group I'm apart of is going to be working on a maze inside the huge gym inside the school! Its gunna be fun! We're setting up all sorts of traps and interesting stuff!" Percy grinned.
"Like what? Water balloon pelting and buckets of water falling on them?" Nico replied jokingly but Percy blinked.
"Hey that's a good idea! It is summer anyway thanks Nico I'll tell the others!" Percy laughed as Nico groaned slapping his head while Amelia laughed.
"Me and my big mouth…" Nico muttered.
"Anyway! Then the ninth graders are by themselves but half of them are in-charge of food/drinks but I think they're be having mostly candy, but they're doing arts and crafts along with putting on a magic show for some of the kids. They're gonna let the kids decorate empty jars for whatever use they want and make sculptures out of popsicle sticks and make your own snowcone too." Percy added before he had to stop and take a breather to sip his blueberry drink before he continued. "
"The 10th graders are in-charge of the bounce house and slide with teacher's help and they're also going to do a shooting gallery with cork guns along with a balloon dart game. 11th graders came up with doing karaoke contest and they also had the funny idea for tricycle races, they made a course where big kids had to ride a tricycle around a course, tricycle jousting and other events like that." The younger dark haired boy added laughing.
"That's…interesting it should be fun to watch them struggle…" Nico snickered.
"Everyone couldn't wait for that event it really looks like it's going to be popular. Besides the races they're going to some stuff with science I think but can't remember what exactly…finally the seniors are gonna do tradition games but with a twist, like a three legged race but you're going to have to carry something and go through a course, a water balloon toss but instead of water the said they may use other liquids but I think they just said that to get a reaction. They're doing an obstacle course with a potato sacks, and something with a slip and slide." Percy finished.
"Doesn't your drama teacher usually hold a play?" Amelia asked tapping her chin.
"Oh yeah I nearly forgot about that, we are doing a play and this year most of the grades are going to be participating. So instead of just the senior class there will be parts played by kids from all different classes." Percy replied.
"So what's the play this year? Last years play of Beauty and the Beast was cute." She giggled as Percy groaned.
"Only cuz the girls won the raffle that year…" he pouted, "the guys wanted to do the Hobbit."
"And this year its?" Amelia asked.
"The drama teacher wanted to…change things up so we're doing a different play that hasn't been done before at least from her knowledge. We're doing the "Swan Princess" " Percy replied.
Amelia and a few other girls nearby who heard squealed happily.
"Really! That's my favorite Disney Princess movie! I love the music and songs its just all so sweet! You are doing the singing parts right?" Amelia asked almost worriedly.
Before Percy could answer Nico interrupted with a question.
"Excuse me but what exactly is this 'Swan Princess'?" he asked getting shocked and horrified looks from Amelia, Melanie another woman from behind the counter who he surmised was missing women from the first time he came here Danette and some other girls.
"Er…was it something I said?" he asked looking around.
"How can you not know about the Swan Princess! It's a classic!" all the women shrieked in unison making Nico's ear wince.
'Maybe because I was trapped in a hotel in Vegas for few decades and didn't know anything since I was sent straight to camp?' Nico replied in his head but outwardly he laughed nervously. "I er…don't watch a lot of movies…"
"We are going to remedy this! I know I still have the video at home so he can watch it and just see how great it is!" Amelia said determined.
Percy sensing his mother about to go on a rant quickly saved Nico as he answered her earlier question.
"Yes mom we're doing the singing parts." Percy laughed, "and guess who I play?"
"Who sweetie?" Amelia questioned immediately calming down as Melanie and Danette went back behind the counter to work, but were still muttering how someone could not know of that movie.
"I play young Prince Derek a little bit after the beginning of the play. A 3rd grader is gunna play him first in the start of the play with the baby Odette but I'm the one that starts off when they actually meet." Percy explained before Amelia enveloped him in a tight hug.
"Oh this is so excellent Percy! I can't wait to see you as a young Derek and sing as well! I'll help you memorize your lines and everything! Oooo I can't wait!" Amelia said practically squealing.
"Th-thanks mom I just hope I can sing good enough." Percy said embarssed.
"Oh you'll do find! Just be confident." Amelia said.
"Yeah if you set your mind to something you'll manage." Nico said ruffling Percy's hair, "congratulations on getting a bit of a lead role but what are you going to do once that's over?"
"Oh I'll join the band in playing the music for the play. We're going to mostly do the music on our own rather then risk the chance of a pre-recording messing up but we have it just in case." Percy said.
"Well good luck because I wouldn't be caught dead doing what you're doing, seriously I can't sing nor do I even want to try." Nico joked.
Percy just stuck his tongue out at Nico making him and his mother laugh amused.
"Percy did you finish your work?" Amelia asked looking down at the table.
"Most of it." Percy said holding it out for her to look over.
"Hmm well this is good you can finish it at home right?" Amelia said eyeing Percy who quickly nodded, "okay then put this away and go upstairs to practice your violin."
"You can play the violin well?" Nico asked as Percy grinned and held up his violin case, "aren't you full of surprises."
"Hehehe." Percy said blushing at the praise, "are you going stay a bit longer Nico?"
"I think I better head back for a bit, you know check back in for while." Nico said as he stood up, "Mrs. Amelia? Would it be alright if I could bring home another slice of the cheesecake, for my sister. You can take the payment out of pay for part-time working here."
"Sure, let me just go get the slice for you and alright." Amelia said smiling as she walked behind the counter.
"Are you sure you'll be back?" Percy asked looking at Nico shifting a bit on his feet.
"Yes don't worry besides I think your mother is adamant in making me watch the "Swan Princess" Nico said rolling his eyes as Percy snickered.
"Dad didn't know what it was and she made him watch it and dress up as Derek as she dressed up as Odette for Halloween as well." Percy said.
"You don't think she'll make me dress up?" Nico asked not wanting to walk around in a stuffy outfit that probably included stockings.
"Naaahh mom isn't that mean, at least to you." Percy replied, "although it would be funny seeing you in that."
"Don't push it brat." Nico replied pulling Percy's face a bit.
"Ow!" Percy pouted back at the older boy as Amelia came back with a small box that had the slice for Nico's sister.
"Here you go Nico and tell your sister if she'd like anymore she's welcome here as you are." Amelia stated handing over the box to the boy.
"Sure thank you I'll see you soon." Nico said.
"You better you are so going to watch the movie one way or another!" Amelia teased as Nico just waved back walking out of the little bakery. He walked down a bit farther down the sidewalk until he got to an alley where he quietly shadow traveled back to Camp-Half blood.
oOo Back at Camp Half-Blood oOo
"What if we used a combination of poison oak and ivy replacing the leaves here." Elijah said pointing to picture of a cabin in a flower made map of camp half-blood.
"No we used that last week remember after they used the itching powder." Noah replied shaking his head, "we should probably work on our concoctions combining plants we can talk to the wood nymphs and ask them! They like us."
"probably one of the few that do…" Elijah replied chuckling.
"You know I'm really starting I should warn my brothers about your twins going after them." Luke said amused as he watched the two in front of him and Joshua plot.
"Oh what would be the fun in that, you know having a healthy competition brings out the best in the groups." Josh replied rolling his eyes, "besides if you try and break the competition apart you know they may turn on you."
"…I think I won't say a word." Luke coughed knowing how his half-brothers the Stolls could be in their idea of revenge.
"You know what if do this…" Elijah started,
"Then we can add these two plants and that should be able to, " Noah added grinning.
"create something to really 'stick' it do those Stolls!" the twins said in unison smirking at each other as Luke and Josh rolled their eyes behind them.
"and it begins…" Josh said as the twins turned around and gave the two a raspberry.
"You're just sulking because your dear boyfriend got sent out for a mission today~" Noah teased as Elijah made kissing noises and faces.
Luke held his stomach as he laughed a Josh's expression, which resembled a bright red tomato.
"He is NOT my freaking boyfriend! Knock it off you two daffodils!" Josh shouted at them.
The Apollo child was greeted with two balls of dirt flung into his face.
"You two are deaaadddd…" Josh scowled as he wiped the mud off of his face and flung some of it at Luke making him sputter.
"Hey Josh! That got in my mouth!" Luke gagged as he spat out the dirt.
"Yet you don't seem to mind when he appears out of no where and hugs you." Elijah grinned totally ignoring the murderous look that Josh had on his face.
"Or when he brings you gifts like that soccer ball from last time~" Noah added batting his eyelashes.
"Don't forget about how he's actually a decent training partner for you." Elijah pointed out.
"and how he just tries to get you to pay attention to him." Noah laughed as Josh's face looked like it was about to explode at any second.
"You two little brats when I get my hands on you I'm gunna!" Josh threatened but Luke held him back.
"They're just teasing…and making good points." Luke coughed as Josh sent a scratching glare at Luke as he forced the other boy back down onto the grass. The twins continued sniggering at their 'brother' before turning their attention their plotting.
"Urgh I swear ever since we've found them they're doing this to make up for all the time they couldn't tease me back at our old home." Josh grumbled.
"At least you know this is their way of showing you affection." Luke said patting Josh on the back, "and you just need to find Poseidon's kid to complete your little group right?"
"Yeah…geez I'm still surprised well…maybe I shouldn't be but finding out Percy got his powers because he's the son of the big three is something a bit hard to swallow." Josh replied running hand through his hair.
"Well I was surprised to find out Thalia was the daughter of Zeus and that Bianca and her brother were the kids of Hades but you learn to get over it." Luke stated shrugging.
"I just wish I could go out and find him, I mean how do I even know he's being taken care of well? For all I know he could've ended up with some drunkard fat mortal that smells like old gym socks, garlic and old pizza." Josh retorted sarcastically.
"Ew…that's seriously gross." Luke said making a face but that seemed to give the twins ideas as they were grinning and quickly scribbled something down in a small notebook murmuring to each other, "so how did you know about Percy again? You've just told me that you took care of him."
"I took care of him and the twins when we were together in the orphanage, I'd was their surrogate older brother and would make sure no one picked on Percy because of his…unique skills." Josh replied, "it was fine the four of us were happy together…"
"Then it got bad when Joshy was kidnapped." Elijah grumbled folding his arms, "the matron tried putting out a missing child report but all the police said was the kid must've run away from the orphanage."
"It didn't help that Eli and I were adopted a week later we tried to get them to take Percy with us but they said they didn't have enough money to take care of three children." Noah added sighing.
"You really hate satyrs don't you?" Luke grimaced.
"I don't hate all of them that'd be stupid, I just hate the one that just grabbed me, knocked me unconscious and brought me here." Josh bite back as his eye twitched.
"Right…I think he's scared of you anyway…" Luke commented.
"He better." Josh huffed, "I wish I could just go join the others on the missions to look for him."
"Sorry unless Chiron says so you need a certain amount of experience to go outside of the camp for missions. He doesn't want to send anyone out that's unprepared." Luke replied making Josh curse, "don't worry I think you're almost done with your regime and he should let you go soon."
"Yeah yeah I get it, oh looks like the twins are ready to get their plan in motion." Josh said as the two in front of them nodded at each other and started to run down the hill with mischivious grins on their faces.
"Think it'll involve the Ares cabin again?" Luke asked as they stood up and walked after them.
"Doesn't it always?" Josh chuckled, "at least they're smart enough not to get any other cabins involved."
"I don't' know I think Zacharia could give both group of pranksters some ideas with his tricks." Luke teased as Josh went pale.
"Oh Zeus…don't even joke about that, having a prank war between your half brothers the Stolls and my 'unofficial' brothers Eli and Noah is enough do not add a trickster magician into the formula!" Josh groaned out just imagining the consequences of the combination.
Luke just laughed once more as they made it to the bottom of the hill and saw the twins stop and were staring at something.
"Hey you two what's up?" Luke asked.
"Uh…I think Bianca and Nico are having an argument…a rather loud one at that…" Eli winced as he could just feel how pissed the two were at each other.
Luke looked up and saw that the twins were right; Bianca and Nico were glaring at each other in the middle of the camp near the campfire where Hesita kept the flames tended.
"I think Bianca finally got tired of Nico's excuses…" Josh muttered.
"At least she's getting it off her chest?" Luke replied weakly.
"Yeah but at what consequence?" Josh replied frowning as the group and several other campers who had noticed move closer to see and hear what was going on, but didn't move too close.
"Oh so now you suddenly to decide to grace us with your presence! And at least you came back in the middle of the day!" Bianca shouted at Nico who scowled back.
"At least I came back at all! I thought you would trust me I know how to take care of myself Bianca!" Nico shot back.
"Oh yeah taking care of yourself is defined by leaving me with no notice and just disappearing off at a whim and forcing me to wonder where you are!" she hissed back, "you don't tell me anything so how can I trust you!"
"I'm fine! I don't know why you bother but here." Nico growled, "I at least brought you back something. Here."
He held out what looked like a nice looking light sea green pastry box with white stripes and had a clear cover to see what was inside. The campers were surprised at that, they thought Nico didn't like his sister and wouldn't bother getting him anything.
Bianca stared at the box for a moment before she growled and to Nico's shock slapped the box out of his hands. It fell hard onto the ground, as the box bent out of shape and whatever was inside was completely ruined as some of the contents spilled out onto the grass.
"Hey! What the Hades was that for Bianca!" Nico shouted furious at his sister for ruining a piece of the delicious piece of cheesecake that Amelia had worked hard to make.
"You disappear and try to make it up with a stolen piece of pastry!" Bianca shrieked, "why in the world would you think that was something nice to do!"
"I didn't steal it Bianca!" Nico growled, "the person who made the cake worked really hard and you just ruined it!"
"How in the world would you know that Nico! Just what are you doing outside!"
"That's none of your business what I do!"
"Oh so then what! You were in a bakery helping out! Decked out in an apron and everything!"
When Bianca didn't hear a retort her eyes widened as she stared at Nico who was clenching his fists tightly to the side and was looking away from her. All around them they could hear the remarks from the other campers about this revelation about Nico.
"Wait you mean little dark and gloomy actually goes outside the camp to bake!"
"Oh I bet he has to wear one of those pink frilly aprons that says 'kiss the cook'!"
"Man who knew death breath was so freaking girly."
"Is he really the son of one of the big three? He doesn't act like one."
"Tch, who would've thought this was what he was really like."
"No…you're serious?" she said his voice barely above a whisper before she snapped and grabbed the front of Nico's bomber jacket and started shaking him roughly as she shouted at him.
"NICD DI ANGELO HOW COULD YOU! WHILE WE'RE TRAINING OUR BUTTS OFF HERE TRAINING FOR ANY SORT OF DANGER YOU GO OFF AND PLAY CANDYLAND IN TOWN!" Bianca screeched,
"Wh-what's going on!" Thalia exclaimed as she stood next to Luke who looked just as shocked.
"It seems Nico has a hobby to bake goods and that's why he's been disappearing." Luke whispered to Thalia as Annabeth appeared next to her.
"Wait what! Baked goods! Nico!" Thalia sputtered trying to wrap her mind around that concept.
"Yeah and Bianca isn't taking it well." Josh grimaced as he watched the scene in front of him, he just knew that this wasn't going to end well for either parties.
"Of all the stupid ridiculous things you could be doing you're wasting your time and life just goofing around and not taking anything seriously." Bianca spat out.
Nico wrestled Bianca's arms off of his jacket and glowered at her.
"Who says I'm not taking things seriously!" Nico retaliated but Bianca answered back with a cold laugh.
"Right and being in a kitchen making sugar sweets is so productive to real problems like oh I don't know monsters! Where the Hades did your head go!" Bianca growled.
"My head is fine!" Nico shot back.
"Not from my point of view! What is your problem Nico Di Angelo!" Bianca argued.
"You want to know what my problem is! My problem is I am sick and tired of being either ignored, pushed away, feared and probably a whole bunch of other things I've been called or had to deal with!" He growled back before he started ranting, "its always I'm your little brother, or 'oh its you, where's your sister? Nevermind I don't need you' or they're just scared of me because I seem to leek more death then you do!"
"I knew hardly anyone in the camp liked him but to this extent?" Eli said horrified, "that's just wrong…"
"How about we invite Nico to help us in our prank?" Noah whispered to Eli who nodded.
"And our so-called parents! They probably treat me the worse! Our step-mother is always all sunshine and butterflies to you, asking you to help her tend to her garden when ever she sees you but when she sees me, you know what happens! She threatens to turn me into a DAISY and just leave me to wilt! Every single TIME! And our father? HA! He barley acknowledges my existence! He's always comparing me to you how I'm not perfect how I can't seem to do anything right he lets you get away with not wanting to fight and eagerly gives you stygian daggers and just throws the sword at my feet saying that he has no use for a sword if you weren't going to use it and decides to 'honor' me by letting me have it." Nico spat out his eyes burning with fury, "that…."
There was a sudden smack and all the talking just stopped and everything was silent. Every single set of eyes widened as they were all lockjawed at the sight, the usual calm and kind Bianca looked just as furious if not angry at Nico and had slapped him.
"You're pathetic…" she hissed out making everyone gawk, "all I see is a little boy who's complaining about life and just running away and avoiding it rather then facing it. Maybe father was right you really aren't his son or worth him and saw it in you. You lack the proper respect for him and our stepmother, never bothering to try and do anything just accepting it. Well accept this, I have no brother who wants to spend his time in the back of a mortal kitchen baking then trying to protect the world…."
Nico stood where he was as his messy bangs shadowed over his eyes his entire body shaking but soon he disappeared, breaking everyone out of their spell as everyone turned towards the daughter of Hades.
"B-Bianca! Don't you think that was a bit harsh! I mean he is your only brother!" Annabeth tried to reason with the girl as she walked ahead with the two trying to catch up.
"Yeah sure I mean he's a bit weird but did you really have to say all that!" Thalia added.
"He needed to wake up from whatever stupid dream he had." Bianca retorted as she turned towards his friends, "if he wants to be accepted he should make an attempt instead of complaining like a little kid!"
"But Bianca…" Annabeth started but the dark haired girl shook her head.
"Just drop it Annabeth its nearly lunch time we should get going." The Hades girl stated as she continued on her way to the lunch area with Thalia and Annabeth passing nervous looks between them as they followed their friend.
"I really think she took it too far." Josh said frowning watching the girl go.
"She can't do that!" Eli said looking from the spot the Hades siblings had argued to Josh, "right? She can't just say she has no brother!"
"Did she really mean it? Nico really isn't that bad is he?" Noah asked.
"No he's not its just everyone else seems to already paint a picture of him and he can only take so much from everyone and his immortal 'parents.' "Josh added.
"I don't' feel like doing the prank today Eli…" Noah said looking at his twin.
"Yeah it suddenly lost its appear." Eli sniffed.
"It makes me wonder how Chiron and the other gods may think when they hear about this." Luke said, "Hades 'lost' his son I bet Poseidon won't be happy since he's trying to get his own back…"
"I wonder how our mom is going to take how Auntie Persephone treats Nico." Noah mumbled as the four of them walked slowly to the dining area.
"Dunno for all we know she could agree." Eli replied kicking a rock.
"Come on you two maybe some food will help settle your minds." Josh said gently.
"Doubt it but okay." The twins replied in unison.
Josh sighed as he looked up into the sky.
'By Zeus things just got more complicated…' he thought to himself.
oOo oOo
The door to the bakery practically slammed open as the bells were hit harshly.
"Welcome to The Sweet Dreams Bakery how may I-Nico? What's wrong!" Amelia said as she quickly moved from behind the counter to the dark haired boy who just stood by the door with a strangely upset look on his face.
Getting a feeling that she needed to be alone with him to find out what was wrong she looked over at Danette who nodded before Amelia ushered Nico behind the counter and to the back of the kitchen. Luckily for her both Tobias and Issac were on their lunch break so they had the kitchen themselves.
"Nico what's wrong you look really upset…" Amelia asked softly as she pulled the boy closer and hugged him gently playing with his messy hair.
She felt the young teen stiffen and was surprised when she felt the boy grasp her dress, burying his face in her apron as she saw tears falling from his shut eyes. She didn't say anything after that as she just wrapped her arms around Nico's shoulders and hummed gently, letting the teen cry on her knowing that he'd talk when he was comfortable.
"Don't worry Nico…you're always welcome with me, Percy and Tatsuya…you can stay as long as you like with us…" she said soothingly hugging the boy tighter as he she could hear the boy choke a bit and cry a bit harder, the sounds being muffled by her apron.
"Mom?" Percy asked quietly as he peeked his head inside the kitchen and saw his mom hugging Nico who was hugging his own mom back, "is something wrong with Nico?"
"I think so but don't worry about him I'll take care of him alright? Can you help Danette out front since Melanie is out on deliveries?" Amelia replied.
"Okay…is Nico going to be alright?" Percy asked biting his lips.
"He will, he just needs to let it all out." Amelia replied rubbing circles on Nico's back trying to calm him down.
Percy nodded since he trusted his mom to take care of Nico he shut the door the kitchen and walked up front ot help Danette as he was doing so he made himself a vow.
'I…I'll help Nico like he's always helping me, I'll make sure to become strong enough so no one hurts him.' Percy thought to himself with a determined look on his face, 'Whoever hurt him is going to regret it….'