Hello!

Yeah,, I know it's been – what? 6 months? – since I last updated… I would chatter down the reason/s as to why that happened but I know that (if not all) most of you don't really care… :D yeah, so anyway,, I'm back for the summer vacation and hopefully, like last summer, be able to update regularly.

As for the review (love you all for that) replies, they're all below. I tried my best to reply to all those who reviewed on the previous chapter… soo yeah, thanks!

I've had this chapter written 2 weeks (I think) after my last update, however, due to some conflicts, I wasn't able to edit it that much and that was why I couldn't post it then, and I also had to retype this since the original file has gone *poof* .

(This isn't my best writing so far, please understand that I'm out of practice for a long time. And also, I might be ending this story soon so that I could really focus on my studies since I'll be graduating student next school year.)

And well, I have planned since then to dedicate this to someone…

To olympianhero , thank you for helping solve the problem I had here. Without you, well… yeah, there might not be a continuation to this story.

Sooooo here we go!

(and prior to olympianhero's request, I'm placing a short recap of the last chapter)

recap:

" . . . it is the moment." He was saying, "May we now call on our new god, Perseus, in front."

Percy squeezes my hand one last time before making his way to the platform. There, a nymph comes up with a platter containing the food of the gods. The nymph gives father the platter, which he took. He then gave it to Percy, "Welcome to immortality, Percy." He says.

"Well Percy, congratulations!" Poseidon says as he climbs he platform, "I believe there's only one thing missing…"

"Of course!" Zeus agrees, "Who will be the lucky woman?"

Chatters started forming everywhere.

"Who is it, Percy? Is she here?" father asks.

"She is," Percy replies as he then started coming down from the stage. "And I believe you all already know her." cheers started getting louder as he started getting closer to me until we were standing face-to-face.

He takes my hand then faces back to everyone, "Everyone, I would like to introduce to you my girlfriend, and hopefully wife-to-be, the goddess of the hunt, Artemis."

I looked over to him and nodded and smiled. Then somehow, I managed to catch a glimpse of Annabeth walking away, her hands wiping her face – she was crying. And it was probably because of me.

Super recap: Percy becomes a god and then announces his relationship with Artemis during the celebration of his entering to godhood. XD

sidenote: this is a bridge chapter to make ways.

Chapter 27: Opening-up

Artemis' POV

It was finally out.

Until now, I still can't get over the fact that everyone now knows. So no more hiding; no more secrets, no more lying. Before, I was really afraid that the other immortals might not actually accept our relationship but now . . . well, I guess I was wrong.

"You're biting your lips again. Come on, Artemis, I know something's wrong. Why won't you tell me?" Percy spoke again to my ear.

I looked up at him and replied, "Just overwhelmed, I guess."

He lowered his gaze on me as if saying, "You don't actually think I'll believe that, do you?" with a playful smirk on his lips.

I tried to smile, "I just can't get my bearings that clear here, it's a little too noisy. I'll just go step out for a moment." Raising my voice a little for him to hear me over the cheers, and before he could say more, I told him to stay and that I would only be a while.

On my way away from the party, well, that alone took me a couple of minutes since almost everyone who I would come across would be congratulating me and sending me their best wishes, also saying that they never thought I would actually fall in love again. And when I finally got out, I could finally breathe again.

However, I didn't just stand outside the crowd to get my bearings again, for the first thing I did was look for Annabeth.

I was walking aimlessly along the path, getting farther and farther away from the party, while thinking where she could be, I tried thinking like her and I thought of only one place: the garden dedicated to Athena.

I teleported to the middle of the garden, the entire garden alone was wide, filled with the different designs creatively made by Annabeth, and as I looked around, my heart sank. She wasn't there. I was so sure that she'd be there. I looked around for a while, and as I was about to give up, I heard it: little sobs, pained to be precise. I knew it was Annabeth.

I followed the sound and found her sitting at one edge of the fountain there. She had her face buried in her lap, her arms hugging her legs. It pained me to see her like that. Brokenhearted, looking so fragile. I hated myself for causing this to a maiden.

I walked up to her and gently touched her on the shoulder. She was startled to see me, and so to not scare her, I smiled. "May I join you?"

She quickly wiped her tears away, and placed her feet down on the ground, "of course, lady Artemis." As she tried to return the smile.

I sat down, contemplating what to say next. I honestly haven't thought about this. I started gripping my skirt and biting my lips. And then, I decided. "I'm sorry," I finally whispered.

Annabeth looked at me, obviously shocked. Before she could ask why, I continued, "I'm sorry for hurting you. I know you loved Percy and still do! And, I just . . . " I trailed off, trembling. It was so selfish of me. I shouldn't have fallen for him. This is exactly why I made the hunt. To make sure that no girl ever gets hurt because of a boy, and now. . . I'm causing the pain.

My shoulders started shaking, was it raining? No, it couldn't be. Then, what was this water falling down my face?

"Lady Artemis," Annabeth held my hand which I saw already had drops of water, "you're crying. Please don't. It's okay,"

I looked at her, we were both crying. Then at the same time, we started laughing at how silly we must have looked.

"Percy's moved on. And I should, too! Don't feel bad about it, Lady Artemis. Percy and I could still be friends, and besides, he loves you, more than he loved me." Annabeth said, assuring me.

I nodded, and started wiping my face. I looked back at her and said, "Thank you. Maybe, we, too, could be friends."

She smiled, "BEST friends," and then, she hugged me.

She felt warm, and to be honest, I've never had someone hug me like she did. I mean, sure, Percy hugs me, but it was different. I returned back the hug, and when we pulled away, we both smiled, got up, and started to walk back to the party.

Apollo's POV

Well, there was a shocker.

I think, everyone was as shocked as I was; not about the relationship, but about how Percy actually announced to the whole of immortals their relationship! That guy's really worthy of my sister, going through that.

"So, Apollo," Aphrodite, suddenly appearing beside me with a huge grin, greeted me, shaking me out of my thoughts. "I believe I won,"

I looked at her, "Oh you've got to be kidding me," I said as I handed her the amount of drachmas agreed. "You set this up didn't you?" I asked her, while pointing an accusing finger at her.

"My dear, no! How was I supposed to know? And besides, love makes people do crazy things, and what Percy did was proof," she replied as she accepted the drachmas.

"But how did you know he'll actually ANNOUNCE it?"

"You said that he'll announce it, but you took it back so I bet on it that it would happen, and you bet that they would tell the upper gods first before the others. And so, I won."

I was in a total lost for words. She then simply winked at me and walked away.

Girls. Sometimes they're just impossible to understand. But hey, I wouldn't want her to getaway that easily. I know Aphrodite plotted it, so who better to confirm it to than Percy?

It was rather hard to find Percy since almost all of the male guys had the same shade or color of clothes, so I stepped out of the crowd, and by some weird miracle, there he was, talking to his parents and step-dad.

"Are you sure, Percy?" Sally was asking,

"Hundred percent, mom. And don't worry, dad, I will still be able to do my responsibilities as a god, I can balance them and there will come a time when I'll perfect splitting myself into copies of me." , Percy replied.

Poseidon was about to speak out when he saw me approaching, "Apollo."

"Hey there. Something going on?" I asked,

They all looked at Percy before Percy took a deep breath and told me his plan. I looked at him weirdly, "why would you want to do that?" I asked.

"I've missed too many things that I could never experience if I let it slip. Things would be different in the future." He defended.

"Hey, it's your life." I responded, "and speaking of your life, the announcement that you did, did you and Aphrodite planned it?"

I saw his cheeks quickly redden, "Please don't remind me of that,"

I laughed at his embarrassed state, and then flung an arm around his neck when Poseidon started glaring. "Well, I was just asking if you plotted it with Aphrodite or not. Come on, did you?"

"Actually, no. No one knew that I was going to do what I did."

I narrowed my eyes on him jokingly, "I'm watching you." And then I left them to bargain once again with Aphrodite. This time, I know I'm going to win the bet.

And the timing couldn't have been more perfect, I saw Aphrodite talking with Aries about something I don't seem to care about anyway, "Hey, Aphrodite!" I shouted, making sure she could hear me, "Want to make another bet with me?"

She turned to look at me, "Oh my, I didn't know you wanted to be broke."

I just smirked, told her my proposition, she agreed. Yeah, I know I'm going to win.

Percy's POV

Well, that was weird.

I watched Apollo move back towards the crowd, or more precisely, to the direction of Aphrodite and Aries. And what was that about anyway?

As I kept looking at Apollo's retreating figure, I saw at the corner of my eyes Artemis walking towards us, smiling. Her silver eyes, shining as always.

"Well now, I believe we shall continue this later, Percy. Go on ahead and go to her," says dad.

I looked at all of them and they all smiled. I smiled back ad made my way to Artemis. As I was nearing her, I noticed that she was walking with Annabeth, both of them smiling as they talked to one another as if they've been best friends since elementary.

I stopped at my tracks in wonder. When we all met up, I looked at both of them and they just stared back. "Is something wrong?" Artemis asked.

"Don't be surprised, Percy. It's not like we can't be friends, you know." Annabeth added. "Now then, I guess I better leave the two of you now. I wouldn't want to be a third wheel." She added before I could respond.

And when she was out of hearing range, Artemis spoke, "Annabeth is a really nice girl. She might want to reconsider joining the hunt."

"And follow a rule-breaker like you? Unlikely." I responded, and in response she glared at me, "alright, alright, just kidding!"

She smiled as she shook her head. She then turned her gaze back to Annabeth who was then speaking to Athena.

"You followed her, didn't you?" I suddenly asked, which I know shocked her because she immediately returned her gaze on me. "So how did it go?" I continued, not waiting for a response.

"We just talked. Nothing much," She replied.

From her answer, I knew she wouldn't be telling me much anymore. "Oh," I simply responded.

After some seconds of silence, she continued, "Maybe you too should go and talk to her. You've been her friend longer, and she might open up to you better,"

I looked at her and saw that she was being her persistent self again, "Okay," I finally said, kissing her on the forehead before leaving her to talk to Annabeth.

Annabeth just finished talking to Athena and was about to return to the crowd when I called her. She turned around, "Percy," and I could've sworn I saw Athena glaring at me from a distance before she herself melted in the crowd.

"Hey, can we talk?" I asked her, she nodded. "Well, you see..."

"It's about the talk I had with Lady Artemis, isn't it?" she continued for me, and I nodded, "Percy, don't worry about it. As they say, if you truly love someone, set them free. If it returns, then it's yours forever. You've moved on and found lady Artemis, I'm very happy for you. And it's time for me to move on."

I was seriously dumbfounded. Wow, was this Artemis' effect on her or did she arrived to this conclusion by herself? But either way, I was happy both for me and her. "Thank you, and I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry about, Seaweed brain." She said, "Now come here," I stepped closer and she enclosed me in a warm embrace which I gladly returned. "Now you better take care of Lady Artemis, dare to hurt her-"

"-you'll kill me?" I interrupted.

She shook her head, "I believe she's quite capable of doing that herself." at that, we both laughed.

"Spoken like a best friend," I commented. After that, we started talking about random things, but mostly things that has been happening at camp. The new progresses, the pranks Travis and Connor keep pulling at the Demeter cabin, and what nots.

It was like having tons of weight lifted off from your shoulders, I felt relieved, for it was only then again that we managed to talk the way we used to before me actually started our relationship before. After we parted, I went back to find Artemis, she wasn't where I left her so I tried looking around further.

I tried searching for Apollo to ask him if he's seen her, "Yeah, she said she needed to take care of something. I asked her what but she didn't tell me, you know how Artemis is, she sometimes hates my guts. It seemed really important though, and probably an emergency, I wanted to follow her, but she left off."

Hermes then joined us, he probably overheard our conversation. "Don't worry about her, Percy, she can take care of herself."

I nodded, Hermes was probably right. I mean, it was Artemis after all.

A couple of hours later, an iris message arrived to Zeus. As the mist was forming, everyone started to grow silent, awaiting whatever the message contained. And when the mist finally materialized, Thalia's face emerged.

And what she said has probably drained all the blood in me as well as everyone present.

To:

Rodo272 – haha… well first, I'm sorry but I cannot and will not turn or add lemons to this story, that is way way waaaaayyy beyond my range. XD . and rap, yeah, sometimes, I believe I've heard some of eminem's but I don't remember much, though some of the songs that I remember are "Stan" and "Changes" by 2pac :D.

PercyxArtemis – You're very welcome. Haha, me too, I slept really late during the weekends soooo yeaahh… hahaha, anyway, thanks for congratulating me! Well, school is now over here and currently in summer break, soo yeah, more time for update, hopefully. :D

RMWatanabe – thanks. Sorry for the late update.

Olympianhero – it's really funny how different your reviews are from the others. Hahah, but nonetheless, I thank you for all that you said and your suggestions. They are all very much appreciated. :D

Lovedoesn'thurt – Thanks! Haha, don't worry, at least Annabeth's okay now. Sorry for the late update, btw.

Thatguy97, Sealover13, Umbra8191, goddessincarnet, Dewfrost314, xPercyx, DemigodYuki, andi21 – thanks! Sooo sorry for the late update

Mrpuppy – sorry for the late update. Thanks for wishing me well on the NCAE, unfortunately, the results won't be given to us until next school year, (yeah, annoying) soo yeah.. good for you, but you had to take the NAT soooo,, yeah, pretty much like us.. hahah XD and are you sure that you were "kilig"-ed and not "korny"-ed? Haha

Hi I will Kill U – Well, I'm not sure about the ending yet though. I'm sorry btw about not posting the links, I forgot and well, my browser got weird and my bookmarks there are gone, so I can't find them anymore. Sorry..

Chulalongkorn0818 – Thanks again! I'm sorry for not updating early and for not being able to respond to your PM. I'm sooo sorry

Addicted2manystuff – hey, thanks! Sorry for the late update though.

Sonysun – I will finish this story. And it's okay, though I, too have been occupied by school to much, soo yeah,, very very very late update

Percabeth-fan-4-ever – haha, sorry about the errors. I'm just too lazy to reread the sentences I've done and yeah, I don't have someone to check on in before publishing.. soo yeah,, that's what laziness do to you. Sorry for the late update.

Shadowhunter morgestern – haha, yeah.. thanks! Sorry for the late update, btw.

Scyther27 – thanks, and well, as I said last chapter, someone suggested that it won't be Zeus, and I want the story to be different, so yeah, I followed. Hope this chapter answers your question! :3

Lvl-Zero – haha, for a moment there I thought the last chapter was sooo bad.. THANKS! As for the ages,,, hmmm… how old are you again? XD

Athena's gray owl – thanks! Haha, sorry about the wait, btw. And how should I address you, pussycat or this?

Milloinpages – hopefully there will be

TheIronRaven xvx – Thanks! And about Sally, I think I have mentioned that on one chapter, must have missed it, or I dunno.. haha… sorry for the long wait btw.

Anon – uhmm.. haha, I'm not sure if I'll be making a sequel for this yet, though I am planning.. haha.. thanks!

PiperElizabethMcLean – well, I tried doing what you suggested, hope it's okay! :D thanks! And about the OMB thing, yeah, I know what you mean, I refuse to say oh my God too since it's against one of the 10 commandments. Yeaah.. haha :D and no worries, I really like how you made your comment all hyper! :D

Nini – I will still continue, don't worry. And about your English, it's okay. :D English is not really my mother tongue too, so I make some mistakes here and then, it's okay! And thank you!

Tristanas1 – thanks, sorry for the late update.. haha, I'll try my best!

Zero – awww.. thank you soo much! It means a lot to me. And I'll try my best.

Darman242 – haha, sorry about that, just too lazy to check sometimes. Thanks btw. And sorry for the late update.

Mai Lynn Bennet – well, I'm glad. Thanks! Sorry for being late, btw.

Bananaspwn – haha, thanks soo much! If you have suggestions, please tell.. and thanks for understanding, though I think 6 months of absence is too much huh.

SeyJerseySey – Thanks! Haha, I wish someone would do the same to me too! XD

Goldenboy892007 – haha, thanks soo much, sorry for the late update though.

Bable631 – haha, hope this was okay

Lightpallyz – not yet, I believe… haha.. sorry,,

Niceone5790, huey6921, XxFlameofdeathxX, mythbookreader – sorry for being soo late

Alpha-Omega-Paradox – really? Why does it remind you of Jar of hearts?

Everything is welcome! (^_^)

Always,

kheilynn, D.N.