All rights belong to Rick Riordan

Chapter 61

Cats and Dogs

(Percy)

Houston we have a problem, well that was what it felt like after I returned to the chariot and found it empty. The thing was I realized I had made a mistake in my calculations or at least my in built sense of time had made a mistake.

I had thought it was 5am while we were still at Orthrys and sure it was in California the problem was back on the other coast where the Hunt was it wasn't. Which meant Artemis had since had to return to keep an eye on them, which meant I had no idea where the hades Diana had gone or at least without asking her other half and revealing the fact her other aspect was upset. Well unless the pair had combined.

Nevertheless though I had a great view of Asia through to the rapidly disappearing Western Seaboard and I was almost certain she was not there.

Of course a normal worried boyfriend could always try ringing his girlfriend and finding out where she was, but A) We were anything but normal and B) I didn't want Iris listening (for training and listening purposes) to what we were saying.

Which left me with very little choice, as certain individuals (Thalia) would start to question where I was and why I was late. Which while I could be honest and say at Orthrys, I couldn't be bothered to explain further besides if I was too long Nemea would go on hunger strike.

That was to say she would strike by sating her hunger on the nearest food source. One of a dozen or so hunters.

Oh well then back to the girl scouts.

(Artemis)

I was just preoccupying myself from thinking about how exactly I was going to punish Percy for not coming back by testing the points on some arrows the hunters had supposedly sharpened. When the familiar tangle of shadows formed below the branches of a tree in front of me, before they faded away revealing my errant 'lover'.

I guess it was a sign of my aggravation when I thought of him like that. Neither of us after all was to blame for our situation but I still liked to make him feel more to blame. He just had to make us drink that Champagne.

Well him and my annoying other half who didn't seem to be with him which confused me. But not as much as it would confuse the hunters who had never seen both of us at the same time. Then again before Percy came along they had not seen my Roman aspect since well Rome. Even Phoebe had been recruited after I practically forced us to stay separate and banished her to the moon.

However back to the point of my reappeared boyfriend who was looking around frantically before focusing on me and I was glad to see his eyes flick from my face to the sharp instrument in my hand and back before gulping.

'Hi Artemis, don't suppose you have seen any wandering aspects lately?' He asked nervously. What the hell was that supposed to mean.

'Why what have you done?' I asked accusingly. So help me gods if he is late because she broke that damned promise.

'Truthfully nothing we were talking to your mother and she freaked out and left.'

'I take it you told them then?'

'Your mum is fine with it, so was mine after a while…. By the way where are the girls?'

'Shopping.' I replied simply.

'What seriously? What could they need? Don't they get free food and clothes, what more could they want?'

'I don't know I let them get free time and money occasionally. Besides you are getting off the point what happened?' I asked firmly realizing I was being led away from the real issue.

'Well Leto was explaining how no one was perfect…'

'Like your intelligence.' I couldn't resist.

'… including you and that your fatal flaw is Rashness and how it affects those around you and you cause people to suffer.' Percy said after a moment's pause.

'Like when?' I asked incredulously.

'Niobe, you know the whole incident with her kids.'

'That's not fair I spared one and Apollo didn't so he is guiltier than me.'

'Kind of missing the point, that was an example you haven't exactly done it once have you? The stories kind of all have you punishing people severely for minor infractions.'

'That guy spied on me while I bathed, and unlike you he wasn't nervous about looking at me naked.' Then again if Percy had done before he would have been severely punished which was ironic because if I remembered our whole twisted relationship began because I was doing the same to him.

'So you had him ripped apart by dogs if I remember?'

'Only after I warned him to never speak about it to anyone and he did. His fault.' I defended firmly.

'Fine Atlas and Zoe's death.' And there it was I should have seen that one coming. The worst bit was it was true hers and Bianca's death was entirely preventable if I hadn't rushed in and challenged him.

'Oh by the way he knows as well.'

'WHAT!' I screamed at him.

'Atlas knows about us, you breaking your oath. Though he doesn't know about the child or at least I don't think he does.'

'YOU TOLD HIM? OF ALL PEOPLE YOU STUPID IDIOT.'

'Hey don't blame me he already knew he saw us that night apparently, we forgot to shut the door or something.' He said raising his arms defensively and I realized I had subconsciously summoned a knife into my free hand. OK maybe I didn't always think my actions through.

'Your bedroom is 2 doors away from the entrance so unless he was inside, how the hades could he have possibly seen?' I asked remembering that little fact which he obviously hadn't judging by the thoughtful expression on his face before he simply shrugged. Seriously if he told anyone else he would beg to have his burden back in place of what I would do to him.

'I don't know but I am guessing it was before we left the lounge then, he didn't exactly hang around for me to ask him last night. By the way how did they get to the mall? It is like 30 miles away and we are in a forest?'

'Stop changing the subject and they drove.'

'Who out of them can drive and where did they get the vehicle.'

'The twins can legally and the school had a minivan which Jacqueline happened to find the keys for.' Meaning she hotwired it.

'Oh great first I am an accessory to killing its vice-principle and now I am associated with a bunch of car thieves.'

'They were not using it anyway, or at least they aren't anymore.' I replied cheerfully.

It was ironic where Percy had chosen to be our new campsite after all it was near where we had first met, back when I thought he was just another demigod male who had recklessly tried to singlehandedly kill the Manticore. Oh how wrong I was.

'How convenient for the girls. So do you have any idea where Diana is seeing as she is well you?'

(Percy)

The goddess seemed to go a bit vacant as she considered what I said and I wasn't sure if she was trying to locate her other half or was thinking about getting her ankle tagged for easy finding.

'Well closer than I expected and the good news is she is not alone.' Artemis finally answered and I noticed almost a feral grin on her face as she suddenly bounded off through the woods without further word.

I wish I could say that I followed her with as much agility and stealth as she had but I would be lying as I blundered in her wake.

'Shhhh watch this is going to be fun.' Artemis whispered as I finally caught up with her kneeling behind some bushes.

Ahead sure enough was her other aspect sitting on the edge of the cliffs with her legs seemingly hanging over the edge with her hood up completely oblivious to the pathetically small dog furiously barking behind her.

The thing was there was something familiar about that runt of a mutt but I could not place it well until its overweight ugly owner came along after it.

'Is that?'

'Yep, oh this is going to be hilarious. She must think I am a hunter all on my own.' Artemis answered eagerly.

'But that's not fair I owe that Chihuahua a major beating.' I protested quietly. Damn mutt was the only thing I never eventually got to beat or play a part in beating. Something that still was a sore point, it was more the fact the Chimera nearly killed me and I only survived by cheating and running away.

'Even you can't kill everything, now shut I want to hear.'

(Diana)

How could he truly love me, mother was right I did do horrible things to people on a whim.

I had murdered, tortured and cursed people for no real reason. I liked to think that the Augur was the closest a human could be to a real monster but if that was so what did that make me?

I had long since lost count of all the people (mostly males) I had sent to my uncle for eternity. Sure sometimes it had been for the greater good but a lot of the time it had merely been to set an example and to uphold my reputation for being cold and ruthless.

Even those I held close were not exempt from it either, there was certainly more than one example of a hunter who had broken her oath and had not lived as a result of it despite centuries of loyalty on their part and sometimes even admitted it to me. While I had done the exact same thing and was hiding it from them.

I seriously had one set of rules for myself and another for others or were all of us immortals like that. No it was a result of that one fundamental flaw in almost everyone no matter what they were: selfishness.

Well unless you were a certain someone who would do anything for anyone including lay down their life.

But then that brought me back to my original point why would he love me? I was cruel, I was selfish so what could he see in me?

The same cycle had been going around and around in my head for the last 15 minutes as I silently watched the waves crash against the rocks below fiercer than usual likely as a result of my conflicted feelings.

However just as I was about to start the cycle again I became aware that I was not alone as I was alerted by the barking of a small 'dog' behind me.

Hopefully it will realize its mistake and go away. I am in no mood to deal with foolish monsters that bite off more than they can chew.

'Now look here sonny a precious little hunter all on her own without her precious sisters to back her up.' A patronizing elderly female voice called out. Great could this day get any worse.

'Go away Echidna and take your mutt with you.' I called back absentmindedly, I never could figure out why father spared the insufferable hag and to make things worse I was not legally allowed to hunt her because she was a 'test' for demigods. More like he used her to hunt his brothers kids down when he got in a bad mood.

'Oh so the hunter knows who I am, I am so flattered. Say thank you sonny.' She called out only to be followed by the sound of a creature that was definitely not a dog. In fact it was not even coming from the place, in fact I had come to know it quite well recently as well as its owner. But the question was where did her loyalties lie now.

With us or her mother?

(Percy)

It was almost hilarious to see the double take Echidna took when Nemea appeared crashing straight through a tree without stopping before grinding to a halt a few inches behind Diana barely avoiding bumping in to her and knocking her off the cliff.

'I guess that was where she went after she ran off when Jacqueline wanted to try and bath her and someone wasn't around to shrink her down.' Artemis whispered accusingly.

'Wasn't my fault lost track of time.'

'Ironic.' She muttered before turning back towards the action.

(Diana)

'Hello dear did you miss your Mommy?' Echidna called out and you could almost think she was talking to a pair of toddlers rather than a 3 ton armored lioness and its hybrid fire breathing brother.

'And what exactly have you done for her recently Echidna? Though I would suggest you take this family reunion to get away from me now.'

'Go dear knock the silly hunter of and make me proud.' She said encouragingly while judging by the lack of earth movement Nemea didn't move at all.

'Wrong answer though I believe that attempted murder classifies as allowing direct involvement. So I can reply in any way I see fit.' I called to the mother of monsters before throwing aside my hood and turning towards her. Leaving her slack-jawed in shock as she realized just who I was.

'Lady Artemis, I am sorry.' She sputtered out taking a step back.

'Wrong aspect bitch and that was your last mistake.' I said coldly summoning my bow to hand.

'Sonny protect mommy.' She screamed out as I released the arrow at her only for the Chimera to suddenly change form and narrowly take the shaft in its scraggy mane.

As I cursed missing her I realized that being against a cliff top next to a pair of multi-ton monsters squaring off was not exactly the safest place to be as I quickly skirted around Nemea's hindquarters keeping an eye out for her mother as I held a fresh shaft to the slack string.

However Echidna had managed to escape into the tree line and sure I could no doubt hunt her down there were closer issues to deal with. After all her children as a rule were generally more dangerous than she was well except maybe Orthrus who was rather pathetic for a child of Typhon.

However while I was pondering her other children I should have been focused on the face off between the sibling monster right in front of me. Fortunately I was pretty used to Nemea's familiar tensing so I was able to dive back just as I noticed her pounce forward onto her opposition in a tangle of limbs as both tried to overpower the other despite the fact they were both pretty much indestructible apart from the weak points.

Nemea's the inside of her mouth and eyes and the Chimera the fact only suffocation could kill it as all other injuries instantly healed. So while it looked like Nemea was tearing great amount of flesh out of it, it was ultimately futile. While it seemed the Chimeras claws did not have the same effect on her hide as her one's own did.

Finally the pair broke away from each other and began to slowly circle the cliff top eyeing up the other. Aside from some rumpled fur neither looked worse for wear after the scuffle.

I was just beginning to decide whether to leave them to it when the Chimera released a jet of flame towards Nemea which would have hit her square in the face were it not for the fact that she suddenly dropped her head between her paws as to protect her face. Even so it seemed the heat had some effect on the Lioness as she roared in pain before the blast furnace applied to her abated and she straightened out and I could see her fur while still intact had seemingly become red hot across her forepaws and ears which had not been covered.

I was beginning to question whether she would be ok and if she would need my help when the Chimera suddenly looked ready to release another blast. Only for it to die in its mouth leaving it looking extremely confused at the event.

Fortunately this was enough of a break for Nemea to recover from her unexpected injury as she pounced forward towards the Chimera only for it to sidestep at the last moment with a blur of motion at its rear as the snake end attempted to attack her face which had turned directly towards it in search of where it had gone. Even as I knocked an arrow there was no way I could stop the serpent from biting her open eyes.

(Percy)

I fucking hate that Poodle.

First it tries to kill me.

Then it tries to kill my girlfriend or at least its fat mom did.

Now it tries to kill my pet.

Yeah No. was all I could think as I focused on the darting appendage attached to its rear. The thing was it was easy after all I only had to slow one part it down while leaving the rest at normal speed.

To the naked eye it seemed that it suddenly lost all momentum which would have been incorrect as it still moved at normal speed and force only the time it took was extended. Which had an added bonus though it allowed to Nemea to notice the threat and raise a paw to counter it hastily. But when the serpent made contact with her claws it had all added force to slice itself straight to Tartarus as it suddenly passed between them and into three nicely sized chunks of disintegrating dust while the rest of it roar in pain.

As for the others present, Diana was seemingly distracted by the battle in front of her which left her with a confused expression as to what had just happened. Judging to the fact she was loosely holding an arrow to her bow with her head tilted ponderously. Her counterpart had taken the pretense that Echidna had technically threatened her and so therefore was free to do as she pleased with the offending monster.

So I had taken it upon myself to covertly help my pet which was why the Chimera could no longer use fire because I wouldn't allow it. Seriously control over light made Leo's domain null and void by comparison. Sure I couldn't summon it like he could but it couldn't be used by others if I stopped them or I could manipulate their attacks.

As both monster and goddess got over the surprise of the Chimera's failed attack, Nemea used the unexpected salvation to leap onto its back and begin clawing at its neck and back. Which it responded to by trying to buck her off unsuccessfully as she lodged her claws firmly inside its flesh before trying to bite through its neck.

However having a three tone feline perched on a slightly smaller monster causes a slight problem of balance issues which ultimately resorted in the pair toppling over…The side of the cliff. Accompanied by the sound of twinned roars of displeasure before a low splash silenced them both.

'Oh boy now she is gonna be pissed.' I muttered to myself as I considered Nemea reacting to an unexpected bath.

(Diana)

I knew something was not right when it stopped breathing fire but now I was certain something had affected it or rather someone.

The clue had been the serpents sudden lack of motion which appeared to practically freeze mid attack like it had gone into slow motion. The rest of I was seemingly fine which made no sense unless someone was fixing the battle in Nemea's favor.

Gee I wonder who that could be. He had to return at some point or another though why he would want to come back to me was beyond me. Perhaps as some sort of obligatory sense of duty for knocking my other half up. I mused bitterly.

The question was where was he? I thought as I alternated from watching the Lioness Rodeo and scanning my surroundings.

The sky was a no because his wings stuck out like a sore thumb in daylight which meant he had to be watching from the wood line. He had it easy being able to detect everything for some distance. We still were not even sure how he actually could do it as nothing made sense on why he had an inbuilt proximity scanner and no other immortal did then again it did not really seem that important before.

I was just turning towards the sound of a break in the hisses and pained roaring as the pair suddenly fell over the edge when I heard movement to my left as well and I focused on that instead. Sure he had radar but I had better hearing and sure enough there he was half hidden behind a fallen tree. I was surprised he had managed to hide that long given how clumsy he was and the fact he was wearing a sea-green sweatshirt which did not exactly conceal perfectly in a forest.

As the pair of us stared at each other we were suddenly snapped back to the situation at hand by a sudden jolt to the rocks below accompanied by more roaring as both of us broke away and made our way to the cliff edge. We could talk after this was over with… maybe.

(Percy)

Well she had to notice me eventually, how was it I was supposedly Titan of the Hunt yet I was about as sneaky as Zeus was a reliable authority figure which is to say in name Yes, reality No.

Both of us were broken out of our staring when the Chimera's roar reminded us that the battle was not yet over as I dashed over to join Diana at the cliff edge while she refused to look or talk to me so I focused on the battle below. After this was over we were going to talk this through if she wanted to or not. I was not ruining this relationship because she thought I had an issue with her past.

Sure enough the Chimera was partially buried under a pile of rocks but its head was still uncovered which allowed it to release another blast of flame just as it came into my field of vision which meant I was too late to stop it.

Not that it mattered as Nemea knew it was coming and simply stuck her head under the surf. Which had the curious effect of making the rest of her soaked body suddenly instant blow dry into a fluffy mess while her head remained sodden when she eventually brought it up, hissing at the water running off of her.

The Chimera had used the opportunity to pull itself free of its debris prison and I noticed that it no longer seemed so sprightly on its feet, as it slowly straightened out facing its lost sister. Maybe Nemea's onslaught had finally begun to take a toll on it.

Nemea by comparison still seemed fine if a little singed around the whiskers as she glared hatefully at it for the dowsing.

It seemed its successful third jet attack had raised its hope that it was able to use it again which I was happy to crush. Which left Nemea free to capitalize and once again pounce on the smaller monster who was this time unable to support the weight of the pair of them as its legs splayed to either side while its head was forced downwards below the water's surface by a pair of paws on the back of its neck. The immersion causing steam and bubbles to be given of around its submerged head as the water found its way down its throat. Though just to add further punishment Nemea grabbed its rhinestone collar between her teeth and begin to yank it upwards strangling to add further issues.

Before long it stopped struggling and eventually started to fragment into dust before collapsing in one sudden go as Nemea ripped the collar clean through its collapsing neck, leaving her alone in her victory in the golden tainted tide. Curiously the collar remained behind as a spoil which I thought was amusing. I had in the past wondered what I could have got if I had killed it all those years ago. A collar would have so not been worth it, at least Nemea when we had been forced to kill her before had dropped a bullet proof coat what would I have done with a collar. Gone to an S&M party? However now I think we could find a use for it I thought as I looked at the once again drenched Lioness who was desperately trying to get away from the water as she backed up to the cliffs and tried to forlornly climb them.

First things first retrieve the cat then deal with the Girlfriend's issues. She was less likely to use me as a scratching post after all. I thought as I spread my wings and jumped towards the surf below.

(Diana)

As I watched Percy shrink Nemea down in a burst of golden light and retrieve the furious soggy kitten who had instantly dried as soon as he touched her. I was half tempted to leave once again but knew it was pointless he would only come looking again which would not have been fair to him. Curiously it appeared that when Nemea was reduced in size so did the Chimera's collar in relation judging by the fact I could no longer see the great rhinestone circlet which would have dwarfed the now kitten sized Lioness.

Just as Percy suddenly cleared the crest of the cliffs with a few halfhearted wing beats he suddenly dropped her narrowly missing the edge and I was surprised to see Ichor running down his forearms. Evidently Nemea was in no good mood with him either after her bath.

'This was so much easier when she couldn't hurt me.' Percy complained rubbing his arms in pain revealing the long thin scratches near the inside of his elbows. However as he did so I noticed a faint black and white circlet in his left hand that must have been the Chimera's collar.

Nemea meanwhile had settled into grooming herself to which I thought was kind of unnecessary given that she was no longer even in the same form but whatever made her happy I suppose.

'Percy we need to talk.' I said slowly.

'About what?' He asked coyly.

'About us about me. What could you possibly see in a mon-.' I was cut of mid sentence when he suddenly grabbed a hold of me and I found my mouth suddenly occupied for the next half minute. By the time we broke apart I had almost forgotten what the issue was in the first place.

'Listen Diana I know more than you think about your past, what your mother said was something I learned ages ago and sure it was a pretty dick move on your part but then in those stories no one was a universal good guy or girl. All of the gods did their fair share of morally ambiguous things except maybe Hestia. I knew what I was getting in for when I fell in love with you so don't think a few hard truths are gonna drive me away.' He explained calmly while I simply stared at him surprised at his words.

'Besides don't go calling yourself a monster, because I like hurting them so they don't hurt others. You I much more prefer making out with.'

'You almost sounded profound before then you went and ruined it at the end.' I said no longer able to keep a straight face. I found myself once again edging closer to his lips when a shriek of pain could be overheard coming from the forest behind us.

'What was that?' I asked seeing as he didn't seem fazed by the sound.

'I think the predator just became the hunted. She really shouldn't have tried to attack you, certain other aspects become free to retaliate.' He explained cryptically.

'So I was with you, spying on me?'

'Something like that, I needed her help finding you and while you got distracted with the sibling rivalry she dealt with ant eater woman. By the way Nemea congratulations you're an orphan.' He said cheerfully only to be completely ignored by the pruning kitten.

'So who is looking after the hunters?'

'No one they are out shopping according to Artemis we got back a bit late if you figure in the time zone differences.'

'They'll be fine for a few hours besides I think the one who has to worry will be any male that tries it on with one of them.' I said calmly before sitting down on the cliff top. Percy looked ready to join me when my other half walked out of the woods totting a hideous handbag disdainfully.

'She dies noisily, she fights terribly and her fashion sense is equal to her ugliness.' Artemis joked before tossing it over the side of the cliff.

'Hey I could have kept that as a souvenir.' Percy joked sarcastically.

'Wasn't your style dear, stick to pointy objects they suit you better. Besides what did I miss?'

'Percy cheated and helped Nemea.' I answered in summary hooking a finger in the felines direction.

'You couldn't help yourself could you? She would have been fine.' Artemis chastised before sitting down a few feet to my left mirroring my position but leaving a gap large enough for someone to sit between.

'Do you need an invitation Seaweed Brain?' Artemis hinted strongly before grabbing his hand and half dragging him down between us somehow avoiding decapitating herself on a stray wingtip before he eventually sat down with his wings spread around the pair of us.

None of us said anything as we stared at the sea in front of us. The calmness almost making me realize that this was no doubt the calm before the eventual storm of when this became public after quiet moments like this would likely be few and far between. Providing we survived that far.

We were broken out of our quiet reflection when Nemea decided she had enough of not being the centre of attention anymore and promptly bounded over my lap before landing in Percy who tensed up at the prospect of sharp points close to sensitive areas. Nemea however seemed to have sheathed her claws for the time being and was instead focused on the collar in his hand.

'Percy give it to her unless you don't want it as a wristband because you have one of those already.' Artemis said gesturing at his shields concealed form.

With a little struggle he was able to force the loop over her head and sure enough it fit the Lion cub perfectly. So as long as it grew when she did she shouldn't have to worry about strangling herself mid transformation.

(Percy)

I was just about to say how all she needed now was a bell and the look would be complete when the kitten yawned tiredly and I could have sworn smoke came out of her mouth.

'You have got to be kidding me.' I said looking from goddess to goddess.

'Well one thing is for certain.' Diana began.

'The campers are screwed next time.' Artemis finished. Great I had a fire breathing living feline tank as a pet.

But as I sat there I realized there was nowhere else I would rather be than with two insanely hot if eccentric girls and the most badass pet ever. Why was it half the girls in my life made it worth living and the others wanted to kill me?

The question was which end would the hunters sit when they found out?

AN. In case it was not cemented that Nemea was not the most badass kitty ever.

For all of you asking me to do the Zeus chapter...Wait. I understand you are all eager for it but simply put it is a case of having to set things up and it is too early at this stage. same with the Pallas and Styx stuff it all his a time and a place.

The next chapter will be relatively short and will focus on the hunters as they relax and muse about recent events so you can consider it filler I guess.

Then we can allow some time to pass quickly to get to what you are all pestering me for. believe me I know how annoying waiting is for the same reason I have ideas for about 10+ chapters later constantly running through my head and that is for after the birth stuff.

back to the present however I was originally planning on Percy indeed killing the Chimera as a way of finally getting revenge on it for all those years ago but this was more fun and besides if Percy had killed everything where would the fun be. it is the few unbeaten ones that remind him he does not have to do everything and he can leave things up to others.

So as always please read and review.

AMENDED AUTHORS NOTE. Fuck Microsoft word, Fuck auto update, fuck automatic rebooting.

Well the next chapter was written until I went to copy it onto here and my laptop fucked everyone.

as you may have realised I have just lost the entire next chapter so it will be delayed, Fuck you Bill Gates