Disclaimer: Don't own PJO or the Whiskered Warrior.

Lunar Phases

Yuletide

Christmas.

The most wonderful time of the year. A time of gifts, of glamorous trees, blinding decorations, catchy jingles, fluffy snow and delicious cookies. The now heavily commercialized holiday is synonymous with the United States' winter solstice. Citizens who celebrate it claim days off to bond and reconnect with family and friends; citizens that didn't celebrate often did the same. The Gods of America — Olympian, Egyptian, Norse and whatever else may be — interpret the holiday as something celebrating their respective pantheons. The last time a god had tried to ruin Christmas for the world? It hadn't ended well. Needless to say, those few deities with the domains of Family rallied. A unanimous agreement was made by the existing pantheons that wished to remain in existence: Christmas was not the day to pick a fight. That agreement would shortly expand to other holidays' over the years, and whether the mortals did or not fight was not of the gods' concern (much to the dismay of many bloodthirsty war deities). All that mattered was that the Season of Peace and Time of Giving remained as such between immortals.

December 24th, 2008

"You're sure of this?" Zeus' mumble was akin to a roll of thunder. Although that could be blamed on the stormy weather that was starting to stir.

Thalia kept a glower directed at her divine father from where she stood in her bathroom. Given that they had invited both a Valkyrie and a Norse demigod into her apartment, an Iris Message to Olympus had to be made. She was just glad she caught him while he was alone and not trying to appease his Almighty Libido.

"For the last time, yes. It was Loki." She ignored the way his scowl grew at the Norse god's mention. Whether it was because it was a norse god at all or because of her attitude, she didn't know nor did she care. This was strictly a courtesy call. "He was right under your nose."

"Trickster Gods are notorious for it." Zeus waved the criticism off as he glared off to the side. "But I will have to, ugh, speak with Borson about this."

"Borson?"

"It is not your concern, Thalia Grace." Zeus wanted to play it that way? Fine, she'd just ask Whiskers about it later. "The Demigod?"

"She's alive." Thalia turned to look at the closed door, listened for a moment at the faint laughter and giggles from down the hall. Ameila Cho was a sweet girl when she wasn't being forced to be food for a Scandinavian monster. She loved horses, coloring and had a fondness for playing board games. Her favorite was Guess Who.

"...She's in your apartment."

"She is."

"See her gone by the morrow."

"You want me to kick her out on Christmas Day? Are you serious?" Thalia glared at her father. He glared back at her.

"The day matters not–"

"She'd been held captive by a Norse God, tortured by a demonic orangutan, and just found out her mother is dead! And you want me to throw her out on Christmas?!" Thalia was beyond upset at the prospect.

"Yes. Aside from the first two, which were not your concern, you've done the same." Zeus noted. Thalia scowled. He wouldn't dare—who was she kidding? Of course, he would. "That storm over Long Island last year was quite memorable, but you recovered quickly."

"One, we're not talking about how I feel about That Woman. Ever. Two, she's six!" Thalia threw a hand behind her towards the door. "Norse or not, can't you show her a little compassion here? She's still just a kid. That's not too much to ask for, is it?"

"Age matters not. The child is a hero that belongs to the one-eyed prick's pantheon and it'd be best if we sent her on her way." Zeus crossed his arms. "I fail to see why you're so upset. She will even have an escort–"

"Lord Zeus, she's six-years-old!" Thalia snapped. She glared at the King outright. "I will do a lot for you – I have done a lot for you! But I will not, and listen to me closely on this one Dad, I will not send a kid that young out to their death! I am many things, but I am not my mother!"

"Thalia Grace, you will not raise your voice at me!" Zeus' demand was echoed by the crash of lightning outside.

"Because no one ever does, right? Well here's something new for you, Lord Zeus, I'm not like your favorites! I'm not going to stumble over myself or others just to impress you!" Thalia snarled at the King of Olympus, who looked incensed. She paused, hearing another loud series of laughs come from the other side of the door. She took a deep breath and let out a tired sigh. Getting into a shouting match with her divine father was not going to help her get her point across. "Look, you saved my life and I am grateful for that, but I'd be a terrible hero if I couldn't help one kid have a good Christmas after they woke up from Hell."

Zeus' incensed rage dwindled, but his scowl remained.

"...You would defy me for this child?"

"I would defy you for every kid out there that deserves one happy Christmas memory." Thalia crossed her arms. Zeus didn't look pleased. She tried to make it more understandable. "To put it in perspective for you, for every good day I ever had growing up, there were a hundred bad ones."

The King was quiet and contemplative. At least, Thalia liked to think he was. There was a murmur on the other side of the call and Zeus glanced behind him. A goddess clad in a simple brown robe stood just out of view. Rapid Ancient Greek was exchanged between the King and this goddess, too fast for Thalia to pick out any single word, before she bowed and left. Zeus turned back to her, his brows furrowed and he let out a heavy sigh.

"Very well, Daughter. The child may remain until the dawn of the next business week."

"...Thank you, Father." Thalia mumbled, confused and wondering just who that goddess was. She racked her brain, but without a good look at the Goddess' features, she couldn't think of any that would fit.

"I must go, there will be another Council Meeting concerning this development. I have to prepare myself."

"For the others' reactions?" She could imagine a few would be pissy that there had been a crazy Norse God of Mischief hiding in their midst.

"For my brother." Zeus grumbled with a sneer. "Selfish prick keeps complaining about the chaos brewing under the waves. He's the one that wanted to rule the sea, but when things get too hard, who does he complain to? Ungrateful squid."

While she noted the interesting insult, Thalia doubted that Poseidon was that ungrateful. He seemed too laid back now to be so petulant. Her father was probably being melodramatic. With nothing more to say, she shrugged.

"Well, uh, have fun, I guess?"

"Feh. Fun, she says…" The King muttered. He looked her in the eye and crossed his arms. "Monday, the child leaves. No later than Apollo's chariot breaching the sky. Understood?"

"Yes, sir." Thalia didn't like being told what to do, but she knew not to press her luck. She'd gotten very lucky today.

"Good." Zeus nodded back. His jaw flexed and his shoulders lost some tension that was held in them. She was caught off guard when his gaze softened. "...Merry Christmas, Thalia Grace."

"...Y-...You, too, Lord Zeus." Thalia blinked. The Iris Message cut out and she was left in a bit of a stupor. The King of Olympus just wished her a Merry Christmas. She turned the shower off and then leaned against the sink. A sardonic chuckle broke out of her lips and she rubbed her face. "Zeus just wished me Merry Christmas. Oh, gods, the world really is coming to an end, isn't it?"

Thalia shook her head as she walked out of her bathroom and then into the repaired and refurbished sitting room. It would seem that her mysterious benefactor had come and fixed things while she and Whiskers had been away. Annie was going to be disappointed she couldn't remodel the layout, but she could always help her pick out new furniture. Leather looked good, but Thalia wasn't a fan of how it clung to her on summer days.

Walking into the main room, she cracked a smile.

Samirah, aka the okay Valkyrie, was smiling as she and Amelia made a mess in the living room, crafting decorations with the supplies that had been left alongside the grandiose fake pine tree that had been left where her television set once was. Thorsdottir had left to report to her superior about Loki's last known whereabouts and what he'd done. Thalia wasn't about to miss her making weird eyes at her boyfriend, so good riddance. The lone male in question was leaning against the kitchen island, watching the two girls with a small smile on his face. Feeling her own smile grow, Thalia made her way over to him and, upon reaching him, slipped her arms around his waist.

"How'd he take it?" He asked, resting his arm over her shoulders. "Are we going to be preparing for World War Three?"

"No, he was miffed, but said she could stay until after the weekend and he wished me a Merry Christmas."

"Funny." Whiskers smirked. Thalia hummed non-committedly. He blinked. "You're not joking?"

"Scary, right?" Thalia rested her head on his shoulder and relished in the familiar weight of his arm wrapped around her side. She'd never get over this feeling, his warmth, the constant race of his beating heart. "How's she doing?"

"I think she's taking it well." Whiskers muttered. His thumb started rolling a circle into her shoulder. He was quiet for a moment. "I want to kill him."

"Who? Loki?" Thalia asked. Whiskers nodded and his gaze darkened.

"I'd very much like to show him what his sinews look like."

"Pretty sure there's a line for that privilege."

"...Unfortunately, you're right. He's supposed to die at Heimdall's hand."

"Who-doll?"

"Tell you later." Whiskers muttered, his eyes locked on Amelia as she rushed around the couch to them.

Whiskers had been rather subdued when Amelia first awoke and left the explanation of what happened to her to the Valkyries. There was a brief period of time where he pulled the quiet girl aside and spoke softly to her, just outside a general store. Thalia had left them to their privacy while she argued with Thorsdottir over their next move. After their little chat, whereupon it was decided the young demigod needed a few days to recover in a safe location, Tyr's girl had become a reflection of the Annie she used to know and showered Whiskers with the same adoration. It was so sickeningly cute.

"Naruto, Naruto, look!" The excitable girl rushed over and thrust a cut and glitterbombed ornament made of the finest green and red Krazy Glued cardboard up toward him. Thalia arched her brow, somewhat unimpressed with the simple, if extravagant, directional arrow that was thrust up to them. "Sammy and I made this for your tree!"

"Her name is Samirah, Amelia." Whiskers gently corrected her as he broke away and crouched to meet the girl at eye level. Thalia noticed he did that a lot, he would ensure that he met the gaze of all he spoke with; he even did it to her. The only times she had to crane her head to look at him was when she was leaning against him. Whiskers took the arrow in his hand and he hummed as he looked it over. "So, what's the story here? Are you trying to tell me our tree is lost?"

"No, silly!" Amelia's brief bout of giggles ended far too quickly and her smile dimmed. Her voice got soft. "It-It's my daddy's sym-bowl."

Oh, gods.

Oh, no.

Thalia knew this sudden ache in her chest all too well. It wasn't a bad one, per say, just very nostalgic. She felt it when she, Luke and Whiskers would take turns on watch duty, or whenever little Annie had a bad dream she had to protect them from. She felt it whenever That Woman was too drunk to change Jason's diaper.

Stupid maternal instincts. Thalia groused as she quashed the urge to hug the small girl and never let go.

"It's his Rune, hm?" Whiskers' smile had turned soft as the girl nodded shyly. He gave the ornament back to her and put his hands under her arms. She let out a sharp squeal as he shot up to his full height, settled her on his hip, and walked her over toward the tree with a grin on his face. "Well, then, I think you should get to decide where it stays."

There was a new ache that accompanied the old one. Thalia pursed her lips, momentarily perplexed by it. She crossed her arms and watched Whiskers tease the girl, floating his hand around the branch she had picked out. Her chest tightened as they laughed.

"He'll make a fine father."

If Thalia had been drinking anything, she would've just spat it out, but as it was, she only nearly choked on air.

Thalia, the Daughter of Zeus, nearly choked on air.

Samirah was dusting her hands off and closed the garbage can, the workspace she and Amelia occupied now cleaned of evidence of their chaos. The Valkyrie looked at Thalia with an arched brow. Probably because of the incredulous and shocked stare that was leveled upon her.

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

Yep, the staring did it.

"Wh…" Thalia felt her lips go dry. She had to wet them and swallow the excess spit. Once she was sure her voice wouldn't crap out on her, she tried again. "W-What did you say?"

"Naruto will make a good father. Do you not agree?" Samirah tilted her head. "You two are dating, aren't you?"

"Y-Yes, but I—We haven't been—" Thalia felt heat shoot up the back of her neck, pass over the tops of her ears, only to then meet in a bridge across her cheekbones and nose. Geez, how old was this girl? Sixteen? Seventeen, at most? Or was she like Thorsdottir, and much older than she looked? "Not long enough to think about that."

"Really? You haven't thought about it? At all?"

"W-well, n-no. Given the, um, the circumstances..." Thalia trailed off, hoping the girl got the hint and left her be. She hadn't been thinking about a future with Whiskers like that, but now that she was, she couldn't stop. Would our kids have freckles like mine or whiskers like his? Black hair? Blonde hair? Both? Neither? Ugh, I really shouldn't think about this right now! …I hope they get his nose—No, bad Thalia! Not the time!

"Ah, yes. The War." Samirah gave her a sad smile. "I don't envy you, but I…I understand."

"Do you?" Thalia asked, arms crossed, face flushed and desperately trying not to think of a blond child with freckles running around her apartment. She'd almost prefer dealing with Aphrodite's stupid comments than the 'What-If's' scenarios her mind was cultivating.

"Yes. I'm engaged."

Make that left curveball turn hard to the right, why don't you?!

"S-Seriously?" Thalia blanched when the Valkyrie nodded. "But you're like…sixteen?"

"Seventeen, but that's beside the point." Samirah shrugged. "My family's Muslim, and my grandparents are, er, old school. It's a very archaic, old school. They arranged a marriage for me and…well, luckily he's a boy I'm happy to say that I'm very fond of. And… always kind of have been."

Samirah withdrew into herself with the admission, her cheeks dusting slightly, while Thalia tried to wrap her head around an arranged marriage still happening in this day and age. The Valkyrie seemed happy with it so, hurray for supportive grandparents? Weird way to show it, but Thalia didn't have the best example of a family life. Who was she to judge? Still, it raised the question—

"What does that have to do with what you asked me?" She frowned.

"I, um, I think about it. Sometimes. Worry about it really." Samirah braced herself against the island in an attempt to regain composure. "Balancing my duties as a Valkyrie and my future family."

"Does he know?" Thalia asked. Samirah tucked her head down.

"He knows I'm…that I'm employed."

"…That…Okay, wow." Thalia rubbed her face. There was too much weirdness in her life today. That, though? That almost took the cake. Zeus' holiday well wishing was still winning for the time being. "I mean…Really?"

"…You met my father," Samirah said, a scowl crossing her face. Thalia understood then and there. It must've shown on her face because the other girl continued. "Yeah, how do you think a normal mortal would react to that?"

"He's not clear-sighted?"

"He doesn't have to be." Samirah frowned, almost affronted by the query. Thalia realized she might be on the edge of a line and backed away before she crossed it.

"Sorry, it—yeah, okay. I guess if I were you, I wouldn't want to have my fiancé anywhere near Lo—your father either." She corrected herself. Samirah nodded.

"Exactly."

"Look, I may be out of line by saying this, but you should tell him. If you don't want it to be an issue." Thalia pointed out. She sent her boyfriend a small frown. "I mean, I hate it whenever Whiskers lies to me."

"Even when he does it to protect you?"

"Especially then." Thalia's frown turned into a scowl and she crossed her arms. That argument was the dumbest, most chauvinistic excuse ever presented, and thankfully he hadn't yet tried to use it. "I don't need protection. I can stand on my own feet and have been since I was five-years-old."

"I can definitely understand that." Samirah nodded and crossed her arms. "But what if you can't defend yourself? What if the danger will still blindside you, regardless if you're aware of it?"

Thalia didn't have an immediate answer for that. The most recent things she'd had to deal with were issues that weren't considered important - the pseudo-mystical energy known as chakra that Whiskers knew he had but very little about how to use it came immediately to the forefront of her mind - or were considered outside of her concerns. She glanced over at the Norse demigod that was chatting up her boyfriend about things she did in Christmas past. His eyes flicked to her and she felt her heart pound faster when his smile softened, before his attention returned to the child of Tyr. Doing her best not to appear too flustered by the simple show of affection, Thalia looked back at the Valkyrie and shrugged.

"That's just what our life is, though, isn't it? A whole lot of risks for a few rewards?"

"True." Samirah admitted quietly. She drummed her fingers on her arm and looked at her charge as the girl and Whiskers talked about the pictures of reindeer she colored. "She will be sad to leave."

"She won't have to until Monday."

"How did you manage that?"

"I'll get back to you once I figure it out myself."

December 25th, 2008

Despite any accusations that might be made by her twin, Artemis didn't have anything against Christmas. Rather it was the 'jolly' old spirit Klaus who drew her ire. To her, the day itself was just another holiday that paid homage to the solstice and festivals that came before. Typically, on the day in question, the Hunt would make camp and bunker down while she would stop by her mother's place of residence for a quick visit.

This year, Artemis was struggling to return to the norm. Her mother's act of going behind her back to hide her son still stung. She knew that she would be able to put it behind her soon enough, but the wound was still fresh. So she really didn't want to go visit her. At the same time, it went against Artemis' nature to remain in one space for too long.

The Hunt was regrouped in Central Park once more, and in the midst of recovering from a series of scouting missions deep in the heart of the western United States. They'd earned their rest, and she was not going to work her loyal handmaidens to the bone. Even if it meant she had to suffer another bout of boredom.

I could visit the oaf's temple. Artemis entertained the idea for a half millisecond before scoffing it away. Her twin was likely popping in to drop gifts off to his children. Say what she might about his aggravating and loud personality, but Apollo was a generous, loving father and were it not for the Ancient Laws' restrictions, she'd no doubt he even might put an effort in to help raise his children himself. This was possibly due to his tendency for getting on Zeus' bad side, as she had not a month prior.

Thinking of the King's gavel hanging over her head like a guillotine had Artemis' mind drift to her son and the few Christmas days they'd spent together. Were it not for Apollo's pestering, she'd not even bothered introducing Naruto to the commercialized bastardization of the original festive holiday. However, Artemis would be lying if she said the memories of those days weren't treasured. As a babe, the boy was adorable, and as much as she hated Apollo for the scare she had when he abducted his 'Lil nephew' to meet 'St. Nick' on his first Christmas, that photograph of her two month old son's toothless smile while he wore a 'little helper' onesie was something she enjoyed gazing at. Alas, time passed and after he had been sent away, his next few holidays were reserved for a brief visit and a meal.

Then he disappeared for years and when he returned, he was nearly a man.

I don't even know what he did during his time with those bastards. Artemis frowned. The only saving grace was that she knew Naruto's chastity remained intact, so he hadn't been ruined too badly by the other 'divine' attempts to poach him. Over the past year, though, he'd proved the need for her surveillance. Her son had become too headstrong, masking it with an abundance of independence.

Popping in unannounced was not the best idea, especially given it was not her territory, but all the same…Artemis found herself outside the door of Thalia Grace's apartment.

Despite not being in her preferred surroundings, Artemis' keen senses were still divine. She could easily smell the treated boar meat, chicken eggs and potatoes as they were cooked on a pan. Beneath that fresh and more obvious fragrance were other odors, primarily a plethora of pheromones that resembled that of most mortals from Zeus' lineage, which reminded Artemis of a conversation she and her son's current 'warden' needed to have. She was not going to have Zeus' lust take another dear person from her—

The sound of a child's laugh, a girl's laugh, gave Artemis pause. Her instinct told her that yes, there was a young maiden on the other side of the door. Three, actually, which was two more than she had prepared herself to meet, but the one she heard was younger than she was ready for. Her mind raced.

Why was there a child? Who was the second maiden? Had Thalia 'changed teams' so to speak? Or was this a new harlot of Aphrodite's attempting to take a swing at her son? Worse, was it a ploy of Eros'? Of Hecate? More importantly, why was there a hint of Nordic stench in the air?!

The last question had made Artemis' gaze turn to hard silvers and she rapped her knuckles on the door. Rapid pitter-patter of running feet accompanied the child's affirmation of answering the door. Artemis steeled eyes went wide as a young girl opened the door.

"Merry Christmas, Captain Gorri—Oh. You're not the Captain." The girl's big brown eyes blinked up at her. Before Artemis could say anything, her enthusiasm returned tenfold with a bright smile. "Merry Christmas, Pretty Lady!"

She was a demigod, but Artemis couldn't tell who she belonged to. Which was odd, she was normally quite decent at determining who a sire was. Here, though, the godly essence that had helped create the child was murky, almost imperceivable to her. It was also cold and that made her wary.

"Amelia, please keep your voice down." Artemis looked up as her son walked around the corner. Naruto gave her a small, if wary, smile. "Morning, Mom. Merry Christmas."

"To you as well, Naruto." Artemis nodded, her features going stony as a small tension formed between them. It was understandable if one considered that their last in-person meeting had been when she punished him for being careless and enslaved to Hecate. That didn't help with the odd tickle that suddenly appeared in her chest.

"Wow, she's your mom?" She glanced down at the girl that was looking between them with wide eyes. "But you look so different!"

"It's…complicated." Naruto sighed before he reached out and ruffled her dark curls. "Go back to the island table, Amelia. Breakfast is almost ready."

"Okay!" Amelia ran off with another bright smile.

"She's …different." Artemis mused.

"That's an understatement." Naruto huffed and gestured for her to enter. Once she crossed the threshold, he closed the door and made his way back to the kitchen. Artemis followed, welcomed by the sight of a festively decorated living room and two more demigods seated beside the young Amelia.

"L-Lady Artemis!" Thalia Grace sat up straight in her seat. Her eyes flicked over to Naruto, then back. Artemis fought back the scowl she threatened to make when the girl's pheromones rose. It wouldn't be right to scare the young child that was present.

"Ah, so you are Artemis." The other anomaly in the room, a girl closer to her son's age, gave her a nod. "I am Samirah al-Abbas. Valkyrie of Valhalla."

Artemis' eyes flashed before they fell on her son as he went back to cooking. She crossed her arms.

"I cannot wait to hear the explanation for this."

She'd heard it already, in the meeting the night prior. Loki had been in New York. Vile, wretched trickster. She hadn't known her son was involved, but really she shouldn't have been surprised.

"Mom, I'm still cooking breakfast." Naruto met her gaze evenly. Artemis was both irritated and impressed by his courage. Still, it wouldn't do to allow her wayward son to get away with such sass. A raised brow and a glance resulted in the breakfast being prepared, served and ready to be eaten.

"Done. Now, explain."

"Mom–"

"I will not ask again." Artemis felt her temper rise when he pursed his lips, almost as if he were considering rebuking her. What was wrong with this year!? Her son had never been so adamant to defy her prior to her capture at Atlas' hands, then he partakes in just one quest and now he thinks he is able to disregard her parenting?!

Thankfully, her son retained some semblance of intelligence.

"Fine." He rubbed his face and looked at the girls gathered at the island. "Everyone go ahead and dig in. We'll be back in a minute."

"We will speak now, Naruto."

"No, Mother, we will speak outside." The glare he leveled on her was galling and the tension rose to uncomfortable levels as she started to feel slighted. His gaze flicked to the young Amelia, and back. "Let the ignorant stay ignorant for now."

Ah. That would explain his staunch defiance. Artemis frowned as her ire was quelled. It warmed her heart at him protecting the girl's innocence. She was a mite troubled that she had overlooked the girl's age in favor of her son's attitude.

"...Very well."

Naruto led her back outside the apartment, and further still to the stairwell made of concrete and steel. Both of them curled their lips at the dreary surroundings, but they were isolated from prying ears. Artemis rolled her hand at him, giving permission to proceed.

He told her of the gamble he and Thalia made, to settle a debate over what they'd eat for dinner, before spotting a pickpocket getting pursued by Valkyries. Artemis had known they were in the city, but not why. She had made her guesses and wasn't surprised behind the reason: The winged warrior-women were seeking young Amelia, to remove her from the crossfire of the conflict that would undoubtedly reach Olympus' proverbial shores. However, then came the reason for Amelia's delay of extraction: She'd been held captive by Loki, being used to entertain that twisted mockery of a God as the food source for a monster that – typically – never breached the lands overseen by her pantheon.

She'd heard he was spotted in the city from Zeus, but not why. She'd known he was forced to flee, but not from who.

Her son bested Loki in a game of wit, for the life of a demigod, at the stake of his own.

"...I feel the need to pepper that foul serpent-tongued fiend with arrows. Many arrows." Artemis seethed at the end of the tale, her knuckles white from how hard she was squeezing her fists. The things she would do to that 'trickster'. The only thing the Norse did that she respected, was ensure their troublemakers were kept under lock and key. What Artemis would do to put Hermes and Apollo in similar bindings sometimes. It would keep her chariot from being snatched, certainly.

"Trust me, I understand." Naruto grunted. Taking a breath, she rested a hand on Naruto's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze as she smiled at him. She was brimming with pride and showed it openly.

"I applaud you for what you did for that child. I've truly raised a righteous and noble son." He gave a small smile, but alas, she would have to dash it. "Sadly, now you are in The Trickster's crosshairs." And there was his frown. "This will need to be discussed further if any retaliation occurs."

"Loki made mention of Fenrir's interest."

"Of course it would be." Artemis cursed. The unbreakable lone wolf, the prophesied God-Eater, was still shackled in bondage within a moor outside of the reach of Olympus. The only chance she'd ever get at slaying it would be to make a more manageable peace with The Norse, and that was not happening under Zeus' watch. "There's not much we can do for that now, not with the Titans at our doors."

"I don't see a reason to be worried. I've killed one wolf already." Naruto shrugged. "Figured you'd want to know nonetheless."

"You're right, but you should be worried." Artemis frowned at her son. "The one you fought was a mortal king turned into a beast at the whims of Zeus. Fenrir? That is a Beast even my skill could be bested by."

It was appalling to admit that aloud. Yet, her son needed to understand what he might face if the unintentional warning the Serpent gave was true. His dubious stare showed her that she may have sheltered him a bit too much.

"It is a wolf-god, Naruto. One birthed solely to devour other gods. To devour an...an All-Father." She groused at using the term in reference to someone other than Zeus.

"Yes, I know that he's supposed to devour Odin, but Fenrir is just a wolf. Not a shapeshifter or active participant in the pantheon."

Goodness, was his hubris really that unchecked?

"It is not merely the species that matters, Naruto. For anything to match the powers granted to the head of a Pantheon. Take Typhoon, for instance." Artemis pointed out grimly. "That behemoth had required the strength of the entire Council to fell it again."

"Okay, so he's the 'Top Dog'." Naruto shrugged. Why wasn't her son taking this seriously? "As long as he's chained, it won't be a problem."

Ah, there it was. The misconception that a trapped monster hadn't escaped before. Artemis suggested often that the Greeks leave their myths vague for this very reason, but Zeus was confident in the Demigods' prowess against creatures if their slaying was kept in their tales.

"Naruto, consider the Minotaur's existence. Theseus slayed him eons ago." She ground out with an irked expression. Her son's eyes widened. "You understand now? Fenrir has escaped his chains before, thrice in the past two centuries alone."

"...O-Oh."

"'Oh' indeed! Now take this threat seriously. Please."

"That–Um." Oh, no. He had that look on his face. The same sheepish I-might-have-done/will-do-something-obscenely-stupid grin he learned from his doofus of an Uncle. He scratched his whisker-marked cheek and glanced away from her. "That explains why Alf said I was cursed."

Artemis felt all of the upper air rush from her form and her heart plummeted to her stomach. Her son had been warned before Loki said anything, and he brushed it off as a joke. As annoying as the Norse gods could be, they took their curses very seriously. Freyr, for all of the annoyance she felt towards him for merely existing and the ire he held for his part in corrupting her son, was known to be a very knowledgeable god on the subject.

"When did he say this?"

"...Promise you won't be mad?"

"No. Naruto, when would I ever promise such a thing? Now speak."

"January," he said softly. "Before he offered me the job."

"...You are very, very lucky." Artemis seethed through her teeth as she glared at him. "Very lucky that you are my son. Do you understand what this means?"

"I have a shot at not dying horribly?"

"...I'm going to kill Apollo one day." Artemis pinched the bridge of her nose at the cheeky response. She lashed out and snagged his ear. The boy cowed and whimpered as she glared at him. "No, Naruto! The Norse was going to use you! As a deterrent or servant or some other such thing! Just as that Sandcrawler plans to!"

"I don't think–"

"Clearly!" Artemis cut him off harshly. She tugged his ear and he let another whimper out. "I raised you better than this!"

"Ow, come on, Mom! I'm not that bad!"

"Do not make me take out The List." She said with all the fury only a mother could gather. Naruto stared at her owlishly, before he grimaced once more. His gaze fell to the left, toward his shoulder.

"...No, I don't think she's kidding about a list…"

"What was that?" Artemis arched her brow. He met her eyes again.

"The Fox–"

"Oh, does it have something to say as well?!" Artemis wanted an excuse to separate her son from this captive spirit. If it said anything that would anger her further—

"It, um, agrees with you." That doused some of the kindling on the fire. Artemis furrowed her brows and Naruto continued. "Well, moreso about my intelligence and lack of forethought. Which isn't true–It's not!"

"...I am greatly aggravated that there is a conversation you are having I am not privy to." Artemis admitted. She stared into her son's eyes for a moment and sighed. She released his ear. "But I am satisfied to know I'm not alone in thinking you're a fool."

"Momma…" Naruto pouted and she stared at him tiredly.

"Had I known just how troublesome you'd grow to be…." She sighed and rubbed her face. "But, alas, I made my choice and time is not my domain."

"I love you, Mom." He smiled sweetly at her. She leveled him with a flat stare.

"That will not save you, Naruto. There will be a punishment for this secret. I just need to think of it, first."

She barely managed not to smirk at him when he pouted again.

Breakfast was eaten with idle chat between Artemis and the Valkyrie, who had a surprisingly cordial introduction. Naruto took care of the dishes before disappearing back to his and Thalia's room to finish wrapping the presents he obtained. He emerged an hour later, relieved that a fight hadn't broken out.

"When in the world did you find the time to get these gifts?" Samirah asked as Naruto walked out with a bag of wrapped packages. He shrugged and plopped down on the couch beside his mother, before he pulled a small silver package out and offered it to her. Artemis arched a brow before she took the gift.

"I don't sleep well." He admitted as he watched his mother look over the gift like it was of an alien make. He'd stayed up a bit later than the others and went out to procure a few presents while Thalia and Samirah wrangled a scared and sleepy Amelia for bed—she had been having night terrors for who knows how long, her fear of sleep wasn't too surprising. The one he'd handed his mother was originally for Thalia, but after a debate with The Fox over it, he decided to offer it to Artemis. She'd not only appreciate it more than Thalia would, but given their small spat earlier, it might soothe her ire.

"A throwing knife?" His mother asked as she looked at the green blade that rested within the box.

"Made of Mistletoe, apparently." Naruto shrugged. "That one had been in Thalia's knee."

"Whiskers, you saved that? That's...kind of gross." Thalia gave him a flat stare. One of disapproval. Ah, all the better that she didn't receive it then.

"I cleaned it thoroughly. Besides," he shrugged. "Technically, it's my first spoil."

"From a Trickster god bested in a challenge of wit." Artemis smiled at him, and he felt pride swell in his chest when she tucked it into her cloak rather than vanish it away. "Thank you, Naruto."

"Yeah, it's also, you know, covered in super deadly poison." Thalia pointed out. Naruto gave her a flat stare that she shrugged off. Now he was really glad he hadn't given it to her, given how unappreciative she was about it.

"Oh, I can tell." Artemis had admired the craft, but hadn't dared touch it. The material had slain Baldr, after all.

"It smells and makes my belly feel icky." Amelia muttered with a greenish tint in her cheek that remained after she stared at the knife. She was sitting on Artemis' other side, atop Samirah's lap.

"Don't eat it then." The Valkyrie advised, poking the girl on the head. "Or maybe, you should've slowed your eating when I told you to."

"But I was so hungry, Sammy…"

"Samirah." Naruto corrected her. He would ensure the girl respected the Valkyrie's name before she left. The next gift he pulled out was set on the table. It was a thin square in gold wrapping paper. He looked at his mother. "That's for Uncle Fred."

"I'm surprised you even got us gifts." Artemis admitted. The girls also gave him a look. He shrugged.

"Well, it…it's Christmas. I figured it'd be nice. But, just giving one to you would mean Uncle Fred might feel slighted." Naruto scowled at the thought of his uncle being annoyed with him anymore than he already was. "That might make him...bother me."

"Yes, he does get rather creative and annoying when feeling petty." Artemis looked at the golden package and flicked her hand at it. It was sent to her twin's temple without much thought. Naruto smiled gratefully at her before he pulled another box from the bag, this one square and rattled with loose pieces. He looked at the girl seated on the Valkyrie's lap.

"This is for you, Amelia."

"Really?! Wow! Thank you!" The six-year-old tore into the paper without rhyme or reason, making quite the mess of Samirah's space. The Valkyrie didn't look amused.

"'Trouble'?" Artemis asked quizzically before recognition entered her eyes. "Ah, one of those board games."

"Can we play it?!" Amelia asked, struggling to get the plastic off. "Please?! Please-please-please?!"

"We'll play it in a bit." Naruto assured the girl. The last gift, a rectangular box, was handed to his left, where Thalia sat on the lone leather chair. She arched a brow at him and he smiled at his girlfriend. "Here, Thalia. Merry Christmas...And happy birthday."

"Funny." Thalia took the gift with a small smirk. She, like Amelia, tore into it like a savage and a cardboard box stared back up at her. She curled her lip at the logo atop it. "Ambercrombie? Seriously, Whiskers?"

"Just open the box." Naruto sat back after he folded the bag up and watched her reaction with amused eyes. This gift had been the hardest for him to find and cost him more than he'd have liked. He owed Pollux quite the favor if it was as well received as he'd thought it'd be. He'd never have found it without the son of Dionysus' help.

"Fine, it better be worth… Oh." Thalia blinked as she pulled out a riveted leather jacket that he knew fit her tastes and had practical purpose to it. She stood up and pulled it on and he knew instantly that she loved it from the way her face lit up with a grin. "Holy cr...cow, Whiskers! This is…I can't even-!"

"Punk enough for you, Tree Girl?" He asked. Thalia threw herself at him and gave him a tight hug, the jacket's rivets pressed into his shirt, but he paid it no mind. He was just glad she liked it.

"Thank you, Whiskers." Thalia murmured into his ear, briefly tightening the hug. She restrained herself from doing more, he knew because he felt his mother's stare bore into them. Their hug broke far too soon for either's liking, but Naruto felt like he did good.

"Is giving her treated cow skin the best idea?" Artemis asked. The frown on her lips was audible.

"Hera already hates me just for existing." Thalia went back to admiring her new jacket once more. "In for a penny, as they say."

"I doubt you could pay the pound."

Thalia shrugged at the goddess' word and gave Naruto a bright grin again.

"Thanks, Whiskers."

"I know you've been looking for one since the last one got jacked."

"Cute." She gave him a look that could be called smoldering. Naruto felt his pulse quicken and clenched his jaw. He quashed those instincts as best he could but he knew there would be some heavy necking later.

Hey, genius? You're both radiating sex pheromones. The Fox was so kind to inform him. And it's making someone very unhappy.

"Ahem." Artemis coughed into her hand, making good on The Fox's warning. Thalia flushed bright red, her freckles glowed as she backed away to her seat. Naruto looked at his mother, fighting back the heat that crawled up his neck, and gave her a small reassuring smile. Thankfully, they had played it cool for the most part. Their secret remained safe.

Alas, there was a witness that was forgotten who hadn't yet been sworn to secrecy.

"Aren't you gonna kiss now?" Amelia asked curiously with a tilt of her head. The girl's big brown eyes staring innocently at the older Demigod and the Mortal.

You could hear a pin drop from the silence that overcame the room.

"Amelia!" Samirah hissed. Good on her for trying to help, but Naruto knew the damage was done.

"What? Last night they always kissed after they looked at each other like that!"

Correction, now Naruto knew the damage was done.

Busted by an attentive brat! The Fox chortled. Ah, of all my former hosts, I hate being sealed inside you the least!

"...I believe that I've been denied some critical information," Artemis said, giving him a look. Yep, that was the look he got before his new tracking piercing was screwed into his skull. And now she knew about Fenrir's curse atop of it.

Helios, Selene, Cthulhu, Primus…someone out there, please give him better foresight in the future.

"I, well, uh…" Naruto looked at Thalia, and she stared back at him. Okay, so, maybe they should've prepared for this after they got busted by Uncle Fred. He stood up beside Thalia, the back of her hand brushed against his and he clasped onto it. His mother's pupils turned to pinpricks before they met his eyes once more. Might as well rip the bandaid off in one go. "Um, ahem, Mom? Thalia and I are uh…d-dating."

A window shattered. Several actually. Likely from the flex of power that emitted from his mother before she reigned it in.

"Since when? Yesterday?" Artemis asked scathingly. Naruto shared a look with his girlfriend and then turned back to his mother. Her eyes narrowed. "Longer, then? Last week?"

"Erm," he started and cleared his throat. His nerves were making him lock up. The fight or flight instinct was teetering towards the latter, but he held strong. "Would you believe...since the end of November?"

The silence that overcame the apartment was deafening.

"Zeus is going to be very cross with me." Artemis grumbled with glowing silver eyes. "For I will be killing both Apollo and Aphrodite before the Titans get the chance."

"I mean, that's fair. They found out before you." Thalia muttered. Smart, shift some of the ire towards Uncle Fred and his mother's rival. The former would likely survive so long as they split the wrath. The latter Naruto could care less about.

"Painfully. They will both die so painfully." Artemis seethed as she stood from her seat and glared at them both. "But first...This...Explain. Now."

Naruto and Thalia exchanged worried grimaces with one another.

So much for a Merry Christmas.

AN: Well, sorry for the late update. Almost forgot and then it took ten minutes for one of the FOUR browsers available to me to load FF up.

Is...Is this the end?