Naruto, Son of the Heavenly Rabbit, will be a huge inspiration for this series. At least for part of the familial connection aspect.

I have so many plans...

Three Days Later

Leo pounded the celestial metal with a hammer, using his bare hands to move and mold it. The instinct to create was easy for him to listen to, effortless really. He had been listening to that voice for as long as he could live, magnified by his mother's lessons.

The air thrummed with Mason's magic, humming a soft tune to add layers of magic to his work. He watched as waves of purple sank in and around his weapon. It was a large dagger, about ten inches longer.

Soon the blade was finished, leaving him with the finished product. "It's done." And the blade was beautiful shiny bronze, etched with sigils of power. He could tell, just by touching it, that the blade was beyond a typical Celestial bronze weapon. It would self repair, sharpen and repel monsters far more than normal. "Thank you for getting me here."

His Brother smiled. "Any time." They had found a forge, a real forge, where a lady named Bea made her own weapons. Swords and stuff for Ren Fairs. She had been spelled to let them use her forge, and she would forget they were ever there soon after. "Now, time to show you to use it."

From that point on, as they traveled and sought out Selene, Mason taught him to fight and control his fire. That meant a lot of sparring, learning first aid, sparring blade to blade, and exercises on fire control. Blasting rocks to melting, creating things from fire such as whips or odd shapes like an elephant, and so much more.

The days went fast, and Leo felt at home in a way he never could have dreamed. He felt himself getting stronger, knew he was happier and felt the guilt melting away.

After two weeks of traveling, they found themselves moving back toward New York, back to Mason's home. Leo loved the idea of habing his own room, so much so that he barely noticed the deer sprinting past him in the woods they were traveling in.

"Where's my room?"

Mason cackled. "I had my stuff moved into a two bedroom apartment a month after I first warped Bruce's mind. You can have the second bedroom, decorate it however you wish We won't be there forever, but I refuse to let you not have a home. My apartment will be our base operations while I study the craft and you learn to master your skills. I will be homeschooling you, kiddo, and getting you an education. I graduated at fourteen, but I remember most of what I learned."

Then he froze, startling Leo. "What?"

"Someone is coming!" He whipped around, throwing down a hex bag Leo had helped make. It rippled out, creating a barrier just as three silver arrows attempted to pierce them. "I did nothing wrong, neither of us did. Stop this pointless attack."

And then they were there, a collection of pretty girls all about Leo's age, dressed in silver parkas. One girl, with a tiara, strode through. Arrogant and cold, he hated her instantly.

She held her bow out, hate in her eyes. "Why does a mere mortal hold the power of My lady? We felt her near, and yet when we come we find you males?"

Rolling his eyes, Mason gestured to his hoodie. "I had hoped to keep this private... summon your Lady, she can verify what I am about to say. Otherwise you will never beleive me."

"And what, pray tell, would a male have to tell Lady Artemis?" She sneered.

"That I carry the blessing Selene herself."

All of the girls gasped, bar the leader who glared. "Nonsense, Selene faded eons ago!"

"Stop, Zoe." A strong voice radiated throughout, making them all turn to the right, where they saw a goddess as Pretty as Ganymede had been. She was glowing a soft silver, with auburn hair and the power of youth. "I am Artemis, child, tell me how you carry Selene's essence. I will verify the truth." Mason nodded and spun the tale he told Leo, and Artemis nodded as he spoke. "I see... I can sense your honesty. But why did she choose you, when you tapped into the Moon's essence, it should have summoned my presence..." She looked at Mason, then smiled. "You carry magic and the darkness to use it.

Hmm... we will leave you be, but I must tell my father what I have just learned. In fact,... come with me, both of you, and we will determine what is to be."

And Mason grabbed Leo's hand, smiling. "All will be well..."

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a joy to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.