(A/N Here's another. :D I continue to have issues writing in chronological order so they're gonna keep coming at random intervals. I have been entirely incapable of continuing Raising (Percy) Kane for some reason. [I even know exactly what happens in the next chapter...my keyboard just doesn't listen when I open that doc...

Writing is horrible. lol

Aaannyway! I hope you enjoy this bit!)

Percy

Training was something he was used to. It had been a constant presence in his life for the past sixteen years and now he had an entirely new field to train in.

He was only a day into his self-imposed week of exile, but he was already noticing patterns. He repeatedly showed his true form without meaning to, but it was less likely when he divided his consciousness. He vaporized several things by accident already, but found he could be more consistent if he assigned himself an action alongside his intention. Instead of willing something to appear, he would snap his fingers. Likewise he decided a nod would indicate he was about to teleport and squeezing his fist would vaporize whatever he focused on.

He controlled water in much the same way he had before, but noticed the earth was more sensitive to him now. He'd always been able to sense and cause earthquakes when his emotions were high or he overexerted his powers, but now it came as naturally as breathing underwater.

He sighed as his true form lit up his surroundings again.

When you fail at training alone you need a coach.

What immortal did he have a decent enough relationship with that they would react kindly if he asked for help, but would still push him hard enough that he would actually improve?

He smiled as he searched for her. She was surprisingly easy to find; it was as if a physical connection was leading him to her camp.

.

Artemis

What did she do to deserve this?

She could feel him in her camp; he didn't even need to extend his awareness to her, it was like he brought the sea spray with him.

She didn't want to see him. She couldn't explain it, and she didn't understand it, but when she'd seen Perseus on Death's doorstep it was like something in her had broken. The only time she'd felt close to that was when she'd lost Zoë. How could that make sense? She'd been close to Zoë for centuries, while she and Percy were barely more than acquaintances.

Regardless, she had been executing the two most efficient tactics she could think of to distract herself:

Her consciousness was stretched across every maiden that may need help that she could pull into her domain. Many only needed a boost of godly confidence, while others needed a jolt of unnatural strength or courage enough to seek help.

She was also employing seven forms. Two were in CHB, two were in New Rome, one was negotiating with Lupa, one was bickering with Apollo, and the last was here where she belonged, with her hunters.

But now he was here. She couldn't distract herself from that which was directly in front of her.

Slowly the sea spray sensation shifted to that of the stagnant water found in an underground cavern. She figured he was becoming uncomfortable waiting among her hunters.

Sighing, she switched to a more recognizable form and made her way through the camp to where he was awkwardly shuffling his feet.

The girls were all giving him a wide berth. Thalia and Reyna likely would have welcomed him, but she'd sent the two to speak to the Amazons. Reyna's connection to them was invaluable and Artemis wanted to make sure there was no lasting hostility between her hunters and the growing power.

"Yes, Perseus?" Artemis was pleased when she could detect the small bit of edge she'd wanted in her voice.

"Please, just 'Percy.'" He gave an uncomfortable smile and she scowled at him.

"Yes, Percy?"

"Uh… I-well can we speak in private?"

"I'm rather busy, so if you'd like to speak you can do so quickly. Now."

"Right. Well, I'm, you know, new at this. And I was hoping you could train me. Mi'Lady." He grimaced as he tacked on the title. She caught herself spinning her ring again as she considered him and crossed her arms to stop herself.

"Train you?"

"Yeah. To, you know, not kill everyone in my immediate surroundings." He shuffled his feet again and she noticed how he kept glancing at her hunters and stretching his fingers out like he had writer's cramp.

"You can't control your godly form."

"No."

"So you thought it'd be okay to put my huntresses at risk by coming here?"

"No. That's why I tried to get you to meet me at the stream away from camp."

She thought back to when he'd contacted her at his arrival. So much and so little could be said in just a thought. He had shared the image of a beautiful little piece of stream that she recognized from nearby, but she'd assumed he was merely distracted while trying to communicate with her.

"Of course," she leveled her voice out to something more conversational. "Let's head over and you can tell me why you're here, of all places."

"Like I said, I need training," he explained as they broke through the treeline.

"You could have gone to your father."

"Yeah, but I don't want to start out using him as a crutch. Yeah?"

"You are 'your own man,' or god, I suppose."

"If you don't want to train me I can find someone else, but I thought of you…"

"No, I… This will be good. It has been a long while since I've worked closely with a male, but I can make an exception for you."

"I appreciate it."

"And I appreciate you attempting to keep away from my hunters, even though I disregarded your caution."

"I should've been more clear."

"Well, that is in the past now. Tell me what you know and what you want to know, and we shall see what we can do." Artemis offered him a smile and was surprised at how easily it came to her, how easy it was to be around Perseus.