The Hope of The Moon and Sun
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Percy Jackson. Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto and Percy Jackson is owned by Rick Riordan respectively. Certain elements were inspired by various Naruto/Percy Jackson crossover fanfictions.
Posted December 6/2019(Friday)
AN1: Part of this chapter was inspired by The Legacy of Athena and Hermes: The Lightning Thief chapter 18 by Yugioash. I have formally PM him beforehand and gotten permission to use inspiration from his story as long as I put in an AN beforehand and acknowledge it.
Sorry my chapters are usually around 3K words but it gets tiring writing chapters to be honest. This one is abit longer than usual but I wanted to end after a specific point.
Chapter 18 A Visit to Santa Monica Beach and a First Date?
The Questors quickly entered the cab with Percy in the 'shotgun' seat while Grover, Annabeth and Naruto piled into the back seat. The middle-aged cab driver gave them a raised eyebrow seeing them as young kids.
"Where to?" The Driver asked gruffly as he grabbed a cigar out of his pocket and prepared to lit it.
"Los Angeles please." Naruto said politely as the cab driver widened his eyes and nearly dropped his cigar.
"Kid, that is at least 300 miles. For that kind of mileage, you are going to have to pay up front." The cab driver said skeptically.
Annabeth was about to grab her Casino Debit card until Naruto took out of his pocket several 50-dollar bills making the cab driver eyes almost turn to dollar signs.
"This enough?" Naruto asked rhetorically as the cab driver greedily took the money into his hands and nodded several times.
"Of course. I will make the trip right away! Where in Los Angels my Lord?" The Cab driver asked eagerly as Naruto raised an eyebrow at the title.
"Santa Monica Pier." Naruto said before he added "Get us there fast and you don't need to give me change."
The Cab Driver floored his foot to the gas pedal as everyone but Naruto almost flew out of their seats even with seatbelts. Naruto looked calm as the driver flew past the city limits and once he was free to get on the highway he accelerated until he was going about 95 miles per hour.
Percy and Grover looked ready to hurl but eventually got it under control while Naruto gently held Annabeth's waist making her have a faint blush. She smiled gratefully at Naruto who smiled easily back before he took his hand away.
Percy was about to start talking about the quest until Naruto quietly put his finger to his lips. Percy looked confused as Naruto leaned forward and snapped his fingers in front of the cab driver who got a glazed look in his eyes.
"You will keep driving." Naruto told the driver.
"I will keep driving." The driver said in monotone.
"Anything we say in the cab is just mindless drivel from kids." Naruto said as the driver nodded.
"You are not talking about anything serious." The driver agreed.
"You will just remember that you got a lot of customers this month and not that one kid gave you all this money." Naruto commanded.
"I got a lot of customers this month." The driver said.
Naruto nodded to himself before he snapped his finger again causing the glazed look to disappear from the driver eyes as eh continued to drive looking straight ahead.
Percy looked wide eyed and in awe of him while Grover and Annabeth looked impressed.
"Dude! You just did a Jedi mind trick to the driver!" Percy exclaimed as Grover and Annabeth looked intrigued. However, Naruto looked confused.
"A what?" Naruto asked utterly confused.
"You know From Star Wars?" Percy asked as Naruto still looked confused. "A new Hope? Obi-Wan Kenobi?" Percy elaborated abit frustrated Naruto was not catching on.
Naruto still looked confused so Annabeth decided to try to help him out. "Star Wars is a famous movie series." Annabeth told him as Naruto blinked before nodding.
"I see. Yeah I didn't watch any Television or movies growing up." Naruto informed them as the other 3 questors looked at him like he grew a second head. Naruto grew defensive and raised his hands up. "Hey! I grew up with Artemis and Apollo and the hunters as my family. Do you think they would want me watch television and waste time?" Naruto told them as they looked up in realization.
AN2:
"I can tell you what mother would say 'Naruto why would you waste time on such nonsense! If you want entertainment go outside or read!'" Naruto told them in a higher pitched voice to imitate his mom. The guys looked amused at his attempt to mimic his mother while Annabeth giggled.
"Alright alight. So, Naruto what did you do to the driver?" Annabeth decided to ask and get things back on track.
Naruto looked pleased to be back on track as the Taxi continued to drive through the Mojave Desert. "I used the mist." Naruto explained as Grover and Annabeth nodded in approval. Percy looked abit confused.
"Mist? You mean that veil or whatever?" Percy asked as Naruto nodded at the condensed answer.
"Yeah. If you know how to use it you can convince mortals of certain things. It even works on Demigods to a certain degree but its effectiveness varies. It is what keeps normal people from knowing that the Gods are running the show basically." Naruto explained as Percy looked satisfied with the answer.
"Except you." Grover decided to answer as Naruto rolled his eye as Percy and Annabeth laughed at his expression.
"I am not the only mortal who can perceive things as the way they are. There are probably plenty of other people who can see through the mist." Naruto commented. "Anyways tell me about the quest." Naruto asked as the other questors decided to fill Naruto in on what happened so far.
"So, we fought the furies off but lost our supplies." Percy started as Naruto looked sympathetic.
"That sucks. Luckily I brought some stuff with me." Naruto replied as Annabeth gave him a smile.
"We fought Medusa and Percy chopped off her head!" Grover said excitedly as Naruto gave Percy a thumbs up.
"It was nothing and it was more a team effort anyways." Percy tried to claim modesty as Naruto shook his head.
The group told Naruto about Percy fighting Echidna and the Chimera making Naruto hiss in anger.
Percy decided to ask Naruto "What's wrong?". Naruto eyes grew angry and he could almost feel him start to transform but luckily, he kept his anger in control.
"That thing calling herself the Mother of Monsters is one of the worst scums to walk this Earth." Naruto claimed as he gripped his hands angrily. When they gave him concerned looks, he decided to explain, "In the old days when the Hunt was just starting out Mom would usually send a hunter out by herself or maybe with a small group to hunt a group of monsters as a form of joining the group. However, Echidna would use this opportunity to slaughter the lone hunters in ambushes. My mother has never forgiven Echidna for this and they are constantly attacking each other whenever they meet."
Annabeth looked horrified at the thought of a lone girl getting slaughtered by monsters in pre planned ambushes while Grover and Percy looked angry. Naruto took several deep breathes to calm himself as an imagine of Silena appeared in his head for a moment greatly confusing him. However, her smiling face did calm him down.
"Echidna claimed Zeus sent her to test me." Percy said as Naruto scoffed.
"Maybe grandfather did do it but I am sure she just used him to attack you anyways." Naruto commented spitefully while Percy looked annoyed.
"Next we had to find a stupid shield for that jerk Ares." Percy said as Naruto smiled at the apt decision of the War God. Annabeth and Grover were less pleased at Percy open disrespect of one of the Olympians.
"Mom and Dad told me that if Ares was a not a child of Zeus himself, he would've been killed long ago and never would have been an Olympian. Don't worry Percy nobody really likes Ares." Naruto told him assuredly as Percy smirked. Grover and Annabeth expected thunder but luckily the was nothing outside.
"To get the shield we had to go to the 'Ride of love' where we got trapped by a trap meant for Aphrodite and Hephaestus! Talk about embarrassing!" Annabeth revealed as Naruto felt uneasy.
"Mom hates Aphrodite a lot but I mean how bad can the Goddess of Love be right?" Naruto asked as Annabeth scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"You are only saying that because Silena is a daughter of Aphrodite." Annabeth said in accusation while Percy and Grover chuckled at Naruto red face.
"I mean if Silena is that nice and pretty how bad can her mom be right?" Naruto mumbled as Annabeth sighed.
"You only see that because of how close you and Silena are. She is usually polite to boys but would never offer to talk to them in private. She is used to silly boys trying to ask her on dates." Annabeth said condescendingly and for some reason Naruto saw his mother in her words. Naruto quickly blinked away that very bizarre thought.
Naruto was abit annoyed that such a nice girl like Silena would be hounded by boys he was sure only saw her pretty face and not the amazing girl underneath but touched Annabeth considered him and Silena rather close.
"Well putting aside Naruto and Silena love problems." Grover said as Naruto denied they had love problems. "Ares gave a ride in a truck that transported animals! How evil!" Grover claimed as Naruto grit his teeth in anger. His mother was a defender of animals and even though she hunted them she still treated all animals as part of her domains. As her son Naruto felt his blood boil.
"Any idea what the truck was called?" Naruto asked sweetly as a dark aura appeared behind him making everyone shudder.
"Uh yeah. KINDNESS INTERNATIONAL: HUMANE ZOO TRANSPORT. It was like a 18 wheeler with 2 truckers called Eddie and Maurice." Grover informed him nervously.
Naruto nodded before he closed his eyes and concentrated. He opened his eyes with a grin.
"What was that about?" Annabeth asked as Naruto just smirked.
"Just asking a favour." Naruto said with a wink.
Meanwhile in a dusty desert
The mortal police were baffled when they came to investigate an explosion that happened in the middle of the highway. Luckily nobody was hurt but there were the 2 people inside. Eddie Henson and Maurice Bomber who were known Animal transporter. They had no family so nobody claimed their charred corpses. What baffled the police was how the truck exploded. There was no evidence to suggest any kind of explosive residue or bomb on the truck. Nobody felt particularly sad the truckers died as despite the lack of laws actually preventing the trafficking of animals nobody particularly liked the drivers who did the act.
Nobody saw the Gold and Silver arrow that happened to hit the engine at the same time causing the explosion. However, One Goddess of the Hunt felt a sense of Gratitude despite how worried she was for her child.
Back with the Quest
"Guys there is something I need to tell you about my dreams last night." Percy spoke up as everyone turned to him. Naruto heard Demigods got strange dreams showing them either current events or events from the past. Due to Naruto's unique heritage he didn't get them besides Kurama sometimes hijacking his dreams to talk to him. AN3:
Percy quickly told them about his dream with the voice and the pit making Naruto both intrigued and worried.
Annabeth however seemed to far more confident on what the dream meant. "You said the voice was called the rich one, right?" Annabeth asked as Percy looked thoughtful trying to remember.
"I think so. Or maybe it was Crooked one?" Percy said as he looked abit confused.
"It must've been Rich One as Hades is the God of the Underworld and Riches." Annabeth said with her eyes blazing with confident.
Naruto looked less certain while Grover looked like he agreed with Annabeth. "Your dream sounds like Hades throne room or at least from what people say." Grover told him while Percy still looked abit uncertain.
"I dunno. The main focus was on the pit in the dream." Percy told them as Annabeth still looked resolute.
"It has to be Hades. It has to be." Annabeth whispered while Naruto felt sympathy. He assumed Annabeth needed to blame Hades for what happened to Thalia although Naruto was sure they were missing something.
"Why would Hades want the Bolt anyways? If he already has it why send his minions after you?" Naruto decided to ask.
Annabeth already deemed to have an answer ready in her head. "Maybe the Thief lost the Bolt and Hades wants it back? As Gods cannot steal the weapons themselves so maybe the Thief blundered it for Hades?" Annabeth suggested as Grover looked convinced.
"But in the dream whatever it was mentioned 2 weapons. I the Bolt is one what is the other?" Percy asked as Annabeth looked troubled.
"Doesn't matter. We have to go to the Underworld and Hades has to be the culprit. We don't have the time to worry about anything else." Annabeth said trying to reassure herself. Naruto had to agree. Even with him getting them out of the Hotel they barely had any time to spar before Zeus decided to declare war.
They passed a sign said CALIFORNIA STATE LINE-12 MILES. A short while later they got out of the cab while the driver was in a daze.
"Huh how did I get here? Oh well more customers!" The driver said deciding it was not important he was not in los Vegas anymore or how he suddenly had many more bills than before.
The group quickly noticed the stench of the beach at Santa Monica. They noticed Carnival rides, guys surfing and homeless men sleeping on the beach.
"Ok Percy we are here. Now what?" Naruto asked his friend who looked around before he stepped into the water.
Annabeth was instantly worried "Percy the water looks toxic!" Annabeth said before Percy completely walked into the water without complaints.
Naruto shrugged and said "I am sure the son of the Sea God will be ok in any kind of water." This eased Annabeth worries abit especially when they did not see Percy submerge instantly.
Naruto saw his friends look abit hungry despite their best efforts not to so he decided to offer to help them out. "Guys I will by us something to eat and drink from that snack bar. Here tight ok?" Naruto told them as Grover and Annabeth nodded. Naruto quickly unsealed some chips from a scroll he kept on him as Annabeth looked wide eyed trying to figure out how his sealing worked. He tossed the chips at Annabeth and Grover before he walked off.
Naruto than casually walked to the snack bar and secretly groaned. The line was at least several dozen people so it would take way more time than he would like just to get some food and drinks for his teammates. He quickly ducked into an alley and summoned a shadow clone that looked like him but had red hair instead.
The clone groaned before lining up while Naruto happily walked around. He figured he deserved to sightsee for abit while his clone did the hard work. He was about to go the carnival until he felt an urging to go a table that was far away from everyone. AN4:
Naruto walked to the table and felt his breath leave him as he saw a very pretty girl sitting there looking bored. It was a young girl who looked about a year younger than him but still very pretty. She had darker coloured skin making him guess at least one of her parents was native American along with choppy dark hair. She was wearing faded blue jeans, a purple shirt and a light black jacket. What really amazed Naruto was her eyes almost seemed to change colours as one second they were blue than green and then brown. It reminded him of a Kaleidoscope.
Piper took a look at the boy who was standing in front of her looking at her intently and she instantly felt herself get flustered. She considered herself a tomboy as she never wore any jewelry or makeup but she instantly felt her heart throb abit at the blond blued eyed boy.
"Hi can I help you? My name is Piper." Piper asked kindly as she regained her face coloring. She held back her last name so hopefully the blonde would not treat her differently just because of her stupid actor father. Little did she know Naruto would not gotten the reference even if her last name was known.
Naruto gulped before answering "Nice to meet you Piper. My name is Naruto." Naruto said putting his hand out in greeting. Piper grinned before gasping his hand in return. They both enjoyed the feeling of the others hands before Piper pulled away.
"So, what are you doing here Naruto?" Piper asked curiously as Naruto next to her in their empty table.
Naruto smiled mysteriously before saying "Oh my friend is going for a swim and I am just waiting for him to finish."
Piper looked disgusted as she said "In here? The water looks gross." Piper had a cute scowl on her face as Naruto chuckled.
"Oh, my friend is a HUGE fan of the water so I don't think he minds." Naruto told her as she looked at him skeptically. "Anyway, why were you sitting here alone Piper?" Naruto asked her as she looked away with a frown.
"My stupid dad was supposed to take me to the carnival today but stupid Jane convinced him to work instead." Piper said sourly as Naruto frowned as well.
"Is Jane you mom?" Naruto asked confused as Piper adopted a horrified expression.
Piper raised her hands up and waved them in denial. "Gods no! I would die if Jane was my mother! She is just my dad's assistant but she is super bossy and mean." Piper claimed as Naruto gave her a sympathetic look. "My mom died shortly before I was born. When that is what my dad told me but I think she just ran out on me." Piper admitted as she put her head down sadly. Naruto gently grabbed her hand comfortingly as she smiled softly at him for this kind gesture.
'That sounds like a demigod story. Whose kid, is she? Hmmm she isn't blonde so can't be Athena, she doesn't have the Earthy look like Katie so Demeter is out. Hera doesn't have demigods, neither does mom. Maybe she is like Silena and a daughter of Aphrodite? She is pretty enough." Naruto thought to himself as he gazed into Piper's eyes. He rather liked the colour of her eyes and he felt something like when he was talking to Silena despite the girls looking nothing alike.
Little did he know Piper was taking the time to gaze into his eyes. She liked how calm and warm his blue eyes were and she also liked his whiskers which she thought were odd but very cute.
Back on Olympus
Aphrodite was sitting calmly on her throne while Artemis once again was threatening to castrate Apollo for letting Naruto on the quest. The Gods were astounded that Apollo had let Naruto pass and sneak onto the quest with him defending his actions as helping the inexperienced Questors get the Master Bolt back.
Aphrodite took special delight in claiming that Naruto went on to save his 'crush' Annabeth much to Artemis and Athena ire. She didn't care what the maiden Goddesses thought of her afterall but she did like Naruto being a special one in her eyes as she could tell he was going to have a very full love life despite his mother's attempts.
Aphrodite had a self-satisfied smirk in her eyes as she watched Piper and Naruto look unknowingly lovingly into each other's eyes. She felt bad for one of her youngest children being lonely all the time so she slightly manipulated Naruto to 'happen' to go to where Piper was sitting. She could already feel a connection brewing which made her feel happy in a prideful way and in a smaller way happy for her child.
Artemis saw the smirk on her rival and glared at the Love Goddess. "Why are you smiling like that whore?" Artemis asked angrily as Apollo just sighed sitting back in his seat.
"Oh nothing." Aphrodite said in a singsong tone as Artemis glare intensified. "Just your son is chatting with my daughter and its really quite adorable." Aphrodite said happily as Artemis started to grip her hands angrily.
She could not exactly forbid Naruto from having friends of the female gender but she feared he would have his heart broken or be forced to break girls' hearts.
The other Gods were amused at the back and forth between the rivals while Poseidon sent a discreet nod to Apollo who understood. Poseidon was happy Naruto was there to help his son out.
Back with Naruto
Piper eventually broke eye contact with Naruto and decided to start asking her new friend questions. "So, Naruto where are your parents?" Piper asked curiously as he only looked slightly older than her.
"Well. My mom and Dad are not exactly married right now but they love me very much. Unfortunately, my Grandfather has forced them to focus on their work right so I am just travelling with my friends right now." Naruto said smoothly a very vague version of events. Piper was rather curious on what his family situation was like but decided it was rather personal for her to ask.
Naruto still sensed his clone was still waiting in line so he decided that Piper and him should at least have some fun as he never knew when he would see her again. "Well since we are here today what was one thing you wanted to do at the carnival today?" Naruto asked a shocked Piper.
"Wait you want to spend time with me?" Piper asked shocked as people thought she was a thief. She did not understand it but she sometimes asked for stuff just so her father would notice her but the next day her father would get calls from the same shop keepers who claimed she 'stole' their product. She would get in trouble making her father disappointed in her but at least willing to pay attention to her.
Naruto grinned at her grabbing her wrist gently as he pulled her up. "Of I would! If I didn't, I would not offered right?" Naruto asked her cheerfully as a beautiful smile appeared on Piper pretty face.
She looked and thought hard "Well if you were a one-time genie I would want to ask to go on the Ferris Wheel." She admitted shyly as Naruto beamed at her.
"Two tickets to the Ferriss Wheel coming right up!" Naruto exclaimed before he dashed off to her surprise.
Naruto found the line for the Ferriss Wheel and concentrated hard. He snapped his finger as all the sudden all the mortals in lines found reason why they couldn't or wouldn't want to go on the Ferris Wheel today. This happened just as the Ferriss Wheel was swapping out its current passengers. AN5:
The ticket Cashier was shocked and horrified when all his customers left the line leaving just one kid in line.
"Look kid. You have to be at least 16 to ride this thing without a parent." The cashier said sternly until Naruto snapped his finger in front of him making his eyes glaze over.
"My and my friend are old enough to ride the Ferris Wheel."
"You are old enough to ride the Wheel."
"You will start the Wheel when I come back with my friend."
"I will start the wheel."
Naruto happily grinned to himself as he left with two tickets while the cashier had a 50-dollar bill in his pocket. Naruto felt bad for depriving him of all his customers so he felt it was only fair he gave him a tip from Piper and him.
"Hmph. Nice job with the mist Naruto. Almost like genjutsu." Kurama praised as Naruto smiled.
"Thanks, Kurama. It was my first time actually using mist today as mom and Dad did not want Lady Hectate to be aware my existence till I was claimed. I think I did rather well." Naruto commented.
Naruto ran back to Piper who looked gobstopped at him with 2 tickets. She was embarrassed but pleased when he dragged her over by the hand. She rather enjoyed holding hands with Naruto while Naruto secretly felt her hand felt right in his. He waved his tickets to the oblivious Ticket Cashier who let them in.
"Enjoy your ride today." The Ticket Cashier said monotone as Piper was even more shocked the entire wheel was empty.
Naruto and Piper piled into a cabin sitting next to each other as it began to spin. Piper was caught off guard when it all the sudden started and clung to Naruto by surprise. Naruto held her close until Piper calmed down before they both blushed and pulled away but still sat next to each other.
Meanwhile on Olympus
Aphrodite squealed in delight as she used a one-way Iris Message to spy on Naruto and Piper and she was beyond pleased to see Naruto use mist just so he could take Piper on she considered a very romantic ride.
Artemis narrowed her eyes when she saw her baby's actions and how close her son and Aphrodite daughter seemed despite just meeting. Apollo had a secret proud smile on his face as he could see Piper would grow up to be quite a looker and it seemed Naruto had unintentionally made seeds in her heart.
"My Baby's first date! And your son's too!" Aphrodite sang out as she ducked an arrow sent by and irate Artemis.
"It is not a date you whore!" Artemis screamed while Aphrodite kept dancing around the Huntress. The other Gods just sat there used to the Opposing Goddesses antics by now.
Back with Naruto
Naruto and Piper just sat there in comfort as they talked about small things like some of there likes and dislikes. Naruto learned Piper was a Vegetarian which he could respect while Piper learned Naruto loved ramen.
"So, Naruto." Piper asked causally as she stoked her hair while Naruto looked at her in interest.
"Yeah?" Naruto asked trying to avoid watching Piper brushing her hair which for some reason he rather enjoyed.
"Your markings on your face. Are they like real whiskers?" Piper asked as Naruto got flustered but yet another girl asking about them. His parents had admitted to him awhile ago it was likely due to being a baby inside a female jinchuuriki. He got them from innate portions of Kurama's chakra before he was born.
'Well that confirms she is a demigod as mortals can't see them.' Naruto thought to himself. "I had them since I was a baby and my parents told me they are apart of me." Naruto said vaguely as he felt his eyes nearly roll back in pleasure as Piper decided to test the theory out herself.
Piper had to stop herself from giggling when she saw Naruto's expression while she noticed just how reactive and real the markings seemed. She found herself wanting to see what would happen if she kissed the whiskers making her entire head nearly explode at the thought of giving her first kiss of any kind to Naruto even on the cheeks.
She pulled back with an apologetic look and said "Sorry I was curious."
Naruto regained his expression and smiled and just said "Don't worry about Piper."
Naruto and Piper starred into each others eyes for another minute just as the Wheel slowed down showing the ride was about to be over.
They pulled away just as the ride ended and walked out. As soon as Naruto left crowds of people went back in line with them none the wiser.
"That was so much fun!" Piper exclaimed happily as Naruto sent her a grin.
"It sure was! I am glad I got to meet you today Piper." Naruto told her as Piper blushed.
"I am glad to meet you too Naruto." Piper admitted as they awkwardly avoided each other eyes.
Naruto felt his clone send him a signal meaning it was time to leave to his regret. "Well I think my friends are ready to leave so I best be off." Naruto said with clear sadness as Piper looked sad too to see her new friend leave so soon.
Before she could help herself, she barrelled into Naruto wrapping her arms around his neck while burying her face into his neck. Naruto by instinct wrapped his arms around waist and pulled her close. Piper quietly inhaled his scent while Naruto felt her sweet scent as his face was partially in her hair. AN6:
Piper and Naruto hugged for a minute before Piper pulled back with a massive blush but pleased smile which was mirrored by Naruto.
"See you again some time?" Piper asked hopefully. Naruto bit his lip not knowing if he would actually see her but he nodded.
"Yeah I am sure our paths will cross again." Naruto assured her as Piper still looked abit sad. Naruto pulled out a silver bracelet like he gave to Bianca but it was distinctively different as it had his Harashin seal engraved in the inner ring. Since he knew Piper did not have chakra, she could not activate the seal even if she knew how so the seal was set in awhile if she was in any real danger he would be alerted. He was sure his mother would not approve giving Piper one of his special Bracelets but he knew he wanted to do it.
"Here something to remember me by." Naruto told her gently putting it on her slim wrist. Piper gasped and marvelled at the bracelet beauty and the fact Naruto gave it to her.
"Naruto I shouldn't accept something like this." Piper tried to protest feeling bad since she didn't have anything to give back. To her surprise he shook his head.
"This will bring us back together again." Naruto assured her as Piper bit her lip but nodded.
"Alright this will bring us together." Piper said with a smile. "By the way my name is Piper Mclean." Piper offered expecting some recognition from Naruto. She was pleasantly surprised when Naruto just smiled same as before.
"Ok Piper. My name is Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto said finding it only fair if she gave him her last name, he should do the same.
Piper gave him one more quick hug before they separated their own way. Naruto had a he smile on his face as he began his walk back to his friends.
AN2: Not 100% sure when exactly the year the Lighting Thief takes place in but they refer to WW2 in past tense several times so I am assuming it is early 2000s. Anyways I am assuming the Star Wars movies are at least out so Percy and Grover watched it growing up. Annabeth hasn't watched it at least for fun but has heard about it due to how famous it is. Naruto however growing up in the Hunt is pretty ignorant to the Television and movie world.
AN3: Naruto is technically mortal so he doesn't get Demigod dreams. He just sleeps.
AN4: Aphrodite cannot 'force' love but she did interfere abit so Naruto would meet Piper and make an impression. She does what is best for her daughters and Piper seemed pretty lonely to her. But yeah Piper WILL be a harem member later on. (I am not sure if she will come back before HOO but I wanted for sure to an early scene to setup her and Naruto). Jason like Percy since their canon Girlfriends are with Naruto will get new ones later. (Jason I dunno. He might be single not sure yet)
AN5: I know it looks like Naruto is 'abusing' the mist but come on. Have you seen the countless times Genjustus is used in Naruto? (Mist is used constantly to fool mortals so they don't notice anything strange so Naruto just bent the rules abit for his sake)
AN6: Another Quick hug but it will be years (probably) before she sees Naruto so she instinctually wanted to hug him. Plus, she already has a mutual crush on him so she wanted gave a hug. (She almost kissed him so a hug is not that extreme)
BEFORE people complain I did not 'finish' the chapter with the Water Beds. This chapter was more of setting up Piper's intro than moving the Quest along. Just saying.