Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto nor Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. I am just a lowly writer with too much time in my hands.

Warning: This is a sequel story. Read the following first before you read this story.

Child of the Moon: The Lightning Thief

Child of the Moon: The Sea of Monsters

Child of the Moon: The Titan's Curse

Chapter 12

The column of fire approached the beach. Calypso had a hint of fear in her eyes. I mean who wouldn't when your home was about to be consumed by a blaze.

Slowly their faces started to relax as the flames started to shape into a man. One had a look of recognition in his face while the other had a look of confusion.

"Hephaestus-sama!" Naruto exclaimed in glee. Knowing what happens to people who get stranded on the island, he thought he would never leave.

Calypso looked at the blonde in confusion, this had not been what the god looked like in the first war with the titans.

"Naruto, I see fate had chosen to send you here," The smith god greeted. "And Calypso, beautiful as always, I see."

He studied both their reactions, and focused on Calypso. "I see. We haven't seen each other in quite some time, have we? Well I should get used to reactions like this."

"Yes, Hephaestus-sama," Calypso bowed. "It was rather startling to see you in your new looks."

The god nodded, and sat clumsily on one of the picnic tables.

"So, Lord Hephaestus, to what do I owe this rare honor?" She asked as the god ordered a can of Coke.

"I came because of him," The smith god pointed at Naruto after a long swig of the carbonated beverage. "So, will you excuse us for a moment?"

Calypso bowed and left. The two men watched her leave. When the boy was sure she was out of ear shot, Naruto spoke.

"Is it time for me to get back on the quest?" Naruto asked hopefully.

"That is not for me to decide," Hephaestus shook his head. "You do know how this island works, right? You sure are taking your sweet time; they're all worried sick of you."

"I know that!" Naruto exclaimed. "If you know I'm here, why didn't you tell them?"

"It is not my place to say," Hephaestus said. "That is, assuming you are coming back."

"Of course, I'm going back! My friends need me!"

The god studied him skeptically. "I'm sure you are. Now for the second reason, I'm here…"

He fished something out of his pocket, a metal disk that resembled an iPod. He pressed a button and it expanded into a tablet.

"Still uncertain about further eruptions," the newscaster was saying. "Authorities have ordered the evacuation of almost half a million people as a precaution. Meanwhile, ash has fallen as far away as Lake Tahoe and Vancouver, and the entire Mount St. Helens area is closed to traffic within a hundred-mile radius. While no deaths have been reported, minor injuries and illnesses include—"

Hephaestus switched off the video. "You caused quite an explosion."

"I see…" Naruto didn't know what to say. "He single handedly caused the displacement of countless people from their homes. All because the Nine Tails was picking a fight with whatever was trapped inside the volcano.

"You seem to be taking this well," Hephaestus studied the blonde. "Are you aware of what you have unleashed?"

"The Nine Tails was angry," Naruto said. "He was picking a fight with something…"

"Hmmm, the beast inside you can sense the ancient monster even with the seal in place," Hephaestus stroked his beard poking out of the bandages. "Anyway, I will not pretend to understand the sealing arts; that would be your job. It is your clan's birthright, after all. Anyway, I take it you met my wife sometime ago?"

"Yeah," The blonde nodded. "Is she responsible for sending me here?"

"Who knows? It's hard to say," the smith god shrugged. "In case you leave here though, I promised a way to navigate through Daedalus' maze."

"I'm listening…"

"You've read from the stories that the string was the key for finding your way through. That is only part of the solution. Sure, the string works to some degree, but the true answer lay within Ariadne herself. There was no trace of godly blood in her, but she could see more than even some half-bloods can. I see your mind is beginning to wrap around the solution to your conundrum."

"Is that why I can see the right path? It is faint, but it is there."

"Originally, you were supposed to be born mortal, yes? But with that incident with Artemis, things changed. Now that you're here, your godly blood is slowly getting stronger. But you're different somehow, there's something there that's different…I just can't quite place it."

"What are you talking about?"

"Never mind. Ignore my stupid rambling, it's probably just nothing. You're strong enough as it is. The better question is, are you willing to leave this place?"

Naruto looked towards Calypso, who was watching them longingly, no doubt preparing for bad news. Calypso saw Naruto's gaze turn towards her, causing her to look away.

"I can't leave her here…but I can't leave my friends to fight agains the Titans…." Naruto said.

Hephaestus turned to see who Naruto was looking at, just in time to see his fellow immortal scamper away. "You're faced with indecision. I understand…wait until daybreak; that would be the best time to make decisions."

"I guess you're right…" Naruto fell into his comfortable chair. "But what if I get out of here? Will he even help? If the dreams were correct, then he'd sooner sell us out to the Titans."

Hephaestus sighed, "I understand that man completely. After all, I was just like him: always alone, always misunderstood. His start was well enough— Theseus and Ariadne. In his effort to do a good deed, everything went to shit. Was that fair? Nobody knows. Even I don't know if he'd help you, but when you meet him, all I ask is don't judge him until you've stood at his forge and worked with his hammer, eh?"

Naruto nodded. "I will do that."

"Good. If you'll excuse me, I better get back to Aphrodite's cookies. She'd throw a fit if I didn't try her baking. You've done me two favors so far. I will remember you for that."

That farewell sounded permanent. He erupted in a column of flames, and the fire moved to the water, heading back to the outside world.

CAMP HALF-BLOOD

It was a tough decision to make.

On one hand, he wanted to keep Calypso company on the island. He felt like he owed it to her because of the gods' stupid and paranoid decision. Plus, being all alone like this…there was no better person to understand her than Naruto, himself. On the other hand, he had to get back to his friends. They had to know he was alive, They had to know how to navigate through the Labyrinth.

He walked along the beach trying to decide on what to do. But he was torn between the two. He walked for a long while until he found himself back at the meadow. It was very late, or very early depending on your perspective. Calypso was tending her garden under the starlight. The moonlace glowed blue. The other plants glowed red, yellow, and blue responding to the magic.

"It's hard being alone, isn't it?" Naruto said.

"Have you experienced it?" Calypso asked.

Naruto nodded. "Basically my whole childhood. Imagine getting shunned, ignored, and even punished for a decision you didn't have control over." His knuckles clenched. "You and I are more alike than you would think."

"I see," Calypso cupped Naruto's cheeks, her touch sending a shock throughout his body. "All the more reason for me to offer it to you, but from the start, I promised myself I would not."

"Offer?" Naruto was curious. What could she be offering to him that she was having second thoughts about?

"A place on my island," Calypso answered. "You could hide away from the pain and sorrow of your home. You could stay here, build a life here with me. You could live the life you had never lived."

Naruto understood, but he had to decline for the sake of his friends and the camp.

"I understand," Calypso said, but the hurt was evident in her voice. "You were sent here by the fates for a reason, such is my curse."

"I'm very sorry. I truly am…" Naruto said.

He could sympathize with her, but there was nothing he could do. A hero, someone who she could truly fall in love with, would be sent to her island. It wasn't a bad deal on the surface, but the catch was–there always had to be a catch– the hero could never stay on the island, never accept her offer of companionship. There was always something he must go back to, a quest or a family.

"I understand ," she tried for a smile. "For what it's worth…I enjoyed our time here together."

She picked up a sprig of moonlace and placed it on Naruto's hands. They stood there hand in hand as the first streaks of daylight lit up the sky. Her face inched closer to Naruto's, who was staring into her eyes. Their lips touched for a brief moment, but Calypso pulled away afraid she would hurt herself more as she allowed the blonde to leave.

Calypso's expression changed. The hurt disappeared like nothing happened. "Now then, I believe it's time for you to go home, young hero?"

She took Naruto back to the beach. They waited for a while, until a raft washed up to shore. It was a simple one, nothing special about it. It was a simple ten-foot square of logs lashed together with a pole and a simple white linen cloth for a mast. It did not look very safe to ride on.

"This will take you to wherever you desire," the sorceress explained. "I guarantee that it is quite safe."

Naruto took back her hands, but she let them slip out.

"I will come back for you. I promise," Naruto said.

"Don't make promises you can't keep, brave one," Calypso shook her head. "No man ever finds Ogygia twice."

Naruto fished out his pen and clicked the button on the end, transforming it to its true form, a pair of forest green tri-pronged kunai. He pocketed one of them and kept the other on hand. He then fished out a scroll. He applied chakra to it, and out came a bowl of ramen from Godly Ichiraku. He handed both to Calypso, who curiously took them. It was still hot, like it had been freshly prepared.

"The kunai was a gift from my mother when I was first sent to this world," Naruto explained. "I'm giving this to you as a seal of my promise to you. The jutsu formula will serve as a homing beacon for me. I will return, fates be damned. I never go back on my word. That's my nindo."

"And what of the dish?"

"It's a dish from my favorite food stall in the world," Naruto explained with a grin. "It's the food of the gods."

"The food of the gods is ambrosia," Calypso disagreed.

Naruto scoffed. "That thing might taste good, but nothing compares to the glory of ramen!"

Calypso giggled. A little part of Calypso wanted to believe. Against her better judgment, she took the bowl of ramen and handed it to one of her invisible servants, who whisked it away to her kitchen. The kunai stayed in her hand. She studied the intricate markings. It was a language she had never even read before, and she was a thousand years old.

"You are such a sweet and determined boy, brave hero. Fine," Calyso said. "If you are not able to fulfill your promise, I will not blame you, such is the fate of my curse. But until you are able to return, promise me this…"

"I'll do anything," Naruto said.

"Don't forget me and the time we've shared here," Calypso said. "And plant a garden for me in Manhattan."

"I promise," Naruto said.

They shared one last look before Naruto made his way to the raft, waterwalking on the way. At this point, nothing could surprise her anymore.

He climbed onto the raft. When he was settled, the raft began to drift off.

(LINE BREAK)

Hours of traveling alone were murder on the ADHD demigod. What will you do in a magical raft that will whisk you away to any destination. He was also worried. Getting trapped in magical places like Ogygia tend to keep you there for longer than expected.

The raft landed on the surf of Camp Half Blood. The place looked solemn, like it was in mourning. A bad feeling sunk into his gut.

He wandered around camp. It was deserted. None of the campers were going through their daily activities. The climbing wall rumbled with lava flow all by itself. The archery range or sword arena didn't hold any classes on that day.

Then, Naruto saw the smoke billowing from the amphitheater. His blood ran cold. If he had been gone for weeks now, then maybe…oh gods…they had to know he was alive.

"After weeks without a word, we should presume he is dead. As much as we would like to hold up hope that he is still out there…" Chiron began the ceremony. Sobs could be heard from the crowd, most likely from the Aphrodite Cabin. "It is unlikely that our prayers will be answered. May I ask his dearest friend to do the final honors."

Percy stepped forward. "I don't know what to say. I could have gone in his place, but he put himself above his friends. He was brave, strong, and cunning. He was the best prankster and–"

The Son of Poseidon was at a loss for words. He had a lot of things to say, but he would never get the chance to say it, for standing at the back of the crowd was the very subject of this funeral. It was Naruto Uzumaki, himself.

"Naruto?" was all he could form in his confused state.

"Why'd you stop? Let me hear the whole thing," He managed to joke.

Before anyone could say anything else, the Aphrodite Cabin erupted to go and meet him, but there was someone faster than them. She shot to her feet and tackled the boy to the ground.

She sat on Naruto's chest and gave a well-placed punch to the boy's face.

"Okay, I deserve that," Naruto said.

The girl didn't answer. She wrapped her fellow blonde in a hug, like this was their final embrace. Instead of being jealous, the daughters of Aphrodite were touched by the scene. Some pumped their fists, while some exchange of money happened to others.

"About time these two got together," Clarisse said.

"I told you Chiron," Kakashi said. "This boy will surprise you in more ways than one."

"Yes Kakashi, I believe you now," Chiron said. "I have never been happier to see a camper return like this, but where have you been?"

Annabeth released the blonde from the bone-crushing hug and looked at him straight in the eye. "YES, NARUTO! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!"

"Annabeth," Chiron calmed the girl. "Perhaps we should take this to a more private location, hmm?"

Ignoring the protests of the campers, he picked the three from the quest and galloped to the big house.

BIG HOUSE

"So Naruto," Chiron began. "Tell us where you have been."

"Well, you see…"

Naruto told the story about a deserted island, where he nursed himself back to health after giving everything he had to wipe out the monster army. He had stayed there for two weeks, until Hephaestus found him and told him that they were worried sick about him. Then, one day, a magical raft came to transport him back to camp.

"Deserted island…Magical Raft…" Chiron muttered piecing together Naruto's story.

"I see…" He finally looked at the demigods present. "You are one of the lucky, or perhaps unlucky ones depending on how you look at things, to have been sent to the untethered island."

"Ogygia?!" Annabeth raised her voice. "All this time we were worried sick about you and you were just fooling around on some deserted island?"

"Calm yourself, girl," Chiron said. "It was not his choice to be sent there."

"If I remember correctly, only a scarce few are chosen to be sent to the island, am I right?" Percy said. "Naruto, this puts your luck on a whole different level."

Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "You got that right."

He shifted his gaze to the daughter of Athena. "I'm sorry Annabeth. It took longer than expected to recover. But if it's all the same to you, I came back didn't I? I know you still need me here."

Annabeth blushed at that statement. He knew that the blonde shinobi was talking about the quest, but her heart couldn't help but skip a beat at the double meaning of what he said.

"Y-you better be sorry," She stuttered out a response. "Because if you didn't come back…"

"Mom would be devastated!" Percy chimed in.

"Yeah! What he said!" Annabeth added, gaining back her confidence.

"I know, I know," Naruto said. "I really am."

"Now, that we have established that," Chiron continued. "I believe there has been a new development in your quest."

Annabeth's eyes brightened. "Hephaestus told you the way to navigate through the labyrinth?"

Naruto nodded. He told them exactly what the smith god had relayed to him.

"You don't mean…" Percy began but Annabeth beat him to the punch.

"That's crazy!" Annabeth's jaw dropped.

"No, there is precedent," Chiron argued. "Theseus had the help of Ariadne. Harriet Tubman, daughter of Hermes, constantly used mortals when she was building her underground railroad.

Annabeth's eyes widened. Her teacher, the one who had taught her everything she had ever known, was actually siding with this idiotic plan.

But then Naruto spoke up which was the last straw for the daughter of Athena. "If it worked for them, Annie, it would work for us. Even you have to admit that we need a mortal on this quest."

Annabeth had a look of shock and resentment on her face. She had never thought that two of her closest friends would not side with her. Even her oldest teacher had suggested something so unthinkable. She couldn't bear it. She felt betrayed.

Without saying another word, she stood up and stormed out of the room.

"What's gotten into her?" Percy asked.

"Leave her be for now," Chiron said. "She is just having a bad case of jealousy."

"I get that she doesn't want to leave the quest in the hands of a mortal, but why else would she be jealous?" Naruto asked cluelessly.

Percy slapped his forehead at the denseness.

"Should we tell him, Chiron?" Percy asked the immortal teacher.

The centaur did not answer his question, but he did say a few words. "Do not dwell on matters that will disrupt your focus on this quest. For now, we will not dwell on that any further. You came back. That is what matters."

Percy shook his head. An action that only confused the blonde even more.

After that, he went back to business. He remembered that fork in the road when they got separated from his brother and his best friend. "What about Grover and Tyson? Will they be okay?"

"That, I do not know," Chiron said with worry. "Juniper is quite distressed. Her branches are turning yellow. The Council has revoked his searcher's license in absentia. If he returns, and that is a very big if, he will be forced into a shameful exile."

"How could they? Grover has gotten closer than any satyr has ever been," Naruto snapped.

"Unfortunately, they have full authority in this scenario and I am outnumbered in the votes," Chiron said.

"We shouldn't have let them go!" Percy lamented.

"The two of you are connected to the young goat. You of all people should be able to tell if he is safe or not,"

"You're right…" was all the two boys could say.

"Oh and one more thing," the centaur added.

"Great, more bad news," Naruto sighed.

"Okay, Chiron," Percy said. "Lay it on us."

"Actually, I have two," he began. "Our guest, Chris Rodriguez…"

The two perked up at the news. They recognized that name from when the two friends were bunking at the Hermes Cabin back when they were still unclaimed. He was one of the campers that disappeared when Luke betrayed camp. Now, to think they found him in the labyrinth of all places.

"How is he?" Percy asked.

"He is weak, and Clarisse did not want to leave his side. I had to order her to return to her daily activities. I applied all my knowledge on medicine, but nothing is working. He would not take anything. I'm afraid he has lost the will to live."

Percy was surprised by what Chiron said. All his life in camp, he had known Clarisse to be a bully. They had clashed countless times, and Percy could not imagine her as the caring type.

"That sucks," Percy said.

"Which one, the fact that Chris had gone insane or the fact that Clarisse could be kind for once," Naruto remarked. I admire this boy's spirit, he was still able to joke around at a time like this.

"The second one, actually," Percy shuddered. "I will never look at her the same way again."

Chiron broke the two out of their banter.

"There is one more depressing news," He said.

They braced themselves for the news. What could possibly be worse or be as depressing than one of their fellow demigods driven to insanity.

"Quintus has disappeared."

Percy and Naruto perked up. They were honestly hoping that there wouldn't be any more betrayals by then. But I suppose they're wrong.

"Was he just really another spy for Kronos?" Percy asked. "I mean it can't be a coincidence for him to order scorpions who just so happened to be also supplying monsters to the Titan Army."

Chiron sighed heavily. Somehow, he had been more stressed from the recent years. "I was hoping we would not lose anymore campers to the Lord of Time. Kakashi had been sent out to scour the place. He was unlucky."

"I guess in a world of gods and monsters, even the best trackers will have a difficult time." Naruto sighed. "What about Mrs. O'leary? Is Luna still keeping her company?"

"She was left alone in the sword arena with our resident Dire Wolf," Chiron said. "She would only let Bianca get near her. I did not have the heart to put her in a cage or destroy her, not that she would let us."

"I never thought Quintus would leave her just like that."

"Like I said, we have been wrong about him. In any case, the three of you have much to prepare for."

"You're right Chiron," Naruto nodded.

"We'll go on ahead now," Percy said.

Chiron nodded and the two boys left him to stare at the fireplace.

SWORD ARENA

It was right before dinner. Mrs. O'leary sat dejectedly at the sword arena grounds. Luna was trying to cheer her up, but to know avail.

Just then, the two dogs perked up as they picked up the scents of their masters. Two black blurs were suddenly upon Naruto and Percy as soon as they entered the Arena.

"Stop, stop!" Both boys yelled as they were being slobbered. "Let up, girl! I can't breathe."

Naruto couldn't believe her eyes. The small direwolf pup that they found way back in the back of a Kindness International truck was now more than twice its original size.

In any case, the two boys gave the two doggos the love that they needed and fed them a pair of extra gigantic dog biscuits.

"Where's your master?" Percy asked.

Mrs. O'leary whimpered. It seems that the man had left without the hellhound's knowledge.

"You never cease to amaze me," A voice said. Mrs. O'leary growled but Percy calmed her down.

Naruto turned to look at who was approaching and smiled when he saw his old sensei.

"So, how was your trip on the magical island?" The jonin teased.

"You know?" Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"When everyone at camp heard you had been blasted into the sea, they immediately speculated. So basically everyone knows." Kakashi explained.

"I guess I'll get teased a lot now…" Naruto lamented.

"That is the least of your worries," Kakashi said. "Are you sure you're 100% ready to return to your quest?"

"That's why I'm here!" Naruto raised his voice. "I'm going to train till I drop."

"That won't be necessary," Kakashi advised. "I have a better idea. Your two friends can join us if they want to."

He brought up a pair of bells and gave the two boys an eye smile.

"Think you're up for it?"

Percy and Naruto shared a look and smirked at each other.

"Bring it on!"