Ooooooo...Is this an update? Yes it is! Read away to your heart's content my lovely readers!

Chapter FIve: Am I Truly Accepting of You, Thalia?

Point of view: Third Person

Lycaon is trying to pull the arrow out. Percy pushes himself up and grips the arrow in Lycaon's leg. He looks in the werewolf's eyes and Lycaon nods. Percy braces Lycaon's leg and wrenches the arrow out. Lycaon curses from the pain that shoots through his body and centers in the wound. Percy looks around for something to stop the bleeding, not trusting Apollo to help Lycaon.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid. Should not have pulled it out." Percy scolds himself. He slides his arms under Lycaon and Thalia and the Hunters watch in disbelief.

"What are you doing? He just attacked you!" Thalia screams and comes towards Percy.

He picks up Lycaon and backs away shaking his head. "You don't know what he's done for me."

Thalia reaches out to him and he looks away at the ground. "Percy?" Thalia asks hurt.

"You're a daughter of him. You're her friend. You're Greek too. You almost killed my friend. Don't come near me. I hate them all!" Percy says and runs off with Lycaon.

Thalia looks after her friend in shock and hurt. She turns to Artemis. "Why did he say that? What's wrong with him?" Thalia's voice breaks.

"Why is he hanging around those mutts?" Phoebe snarls.

Apollo darts after Percy in vain at hoping to catch him. Artemis looks at her lieutenant. "Percy is sick. Really sick. It breaks my heart to see him like this. Don't take it personally sister, he can't help it. He'll warm up to you again. But he needs time to heal. It seems Lycaon and his pack are helping with that."

"I can't believe it. He was just attacked and he saves him." Atalanta says confused.

"They were playing a game. Lycaon and Percy were having fun. Percy has turned-" Artemis starts.

"How is he not burned by silver then?!" Phoebe shouts.

"If you'd let me finish please, Phoebe. Percy has turned into a child. Or rather, that is his state of mind. Lycaon reached out to him and now Percy sees him as his father, someone who loves him with all his heart. Percy would already do anything for Lycaon and any of his pack. We have to be careful where we tread." Artemis says.

The Hunters are looking at her in disbelief. "A child? My commanding army cousin has been reduced to a kid?" Thalia asks incredulously.

"Yes and our father and fishy uncle are at the heart of the problem. Apparently, they kept Apollo and I out of the loop. The rest of the council joined in the games they played with Percy. He isn't in the best of shapes sister." Artemis says.

"Are we allowed to follow him?" Atalanta asks.

"I don't know. Come with me." Artemis says and they take off for the cave.

Percy runs easily with Lycaon, using his primal and hidden strength to keep going. Lycaon looks at him in pride and worry.

"Almost there." Percy says and Charvank stands at the cave entrance, leaning against the walls on the inside of it.

He runs up to Charvank and starts to tell him what happened. Charvank tells him to find Olivia while he keeps the followers from coming inside the premises. Percy darts into the cave without hesitation, Lycaon holding his thigh where he was shot.

Apollo sees Percy go inside and starts to follow when Charvank holds out his arm, in the path of the sun god. Apollo jumps back. "Let me go in and help him." Apollo says. More worried for Percy's safety.

"Though we appreciate the notion, I cannot let you pass. The young pup is allowed to enter because he has Lycaon's and the favor of our ancestors. Please refrain from entering." Charvank says and Artemis and her Hunters burst into the small clearing showing the entrance.

"Let us through." Thalia demands.

"I cannot young huntress. You are not favored." Charvank answers sternly.

"And my brother is?" Thalia asks in disbelief.

"Brother? The pup is no child of that arrogant King. Nor is he the son of the sea god. Here he is a child of nature and can live freely amongst our kind. The Old Ones favor him along with our leader. They call to him and have claimed him worthy of passage. You may not enter." Charvank replies.

"Claimed? That tattoo you put on him?" Artemis asks.

"Tattoo?" Charvank looks at the ground until he realizes what she is asking. "Oh no, that is not a...tattoo? Isn't that what you called it?" Artemis nods. "No. It is a part of him and we did not brand him with it. The Old Ones claimed him. That is what it is. What is a tattoo?" Charvank answers.

"It's a mark on your skin that people specialize in drawing anywhere you want on your body." Thalia answers without thinking.

"Oh, it's not drawn on. That is his skin. It's more of a...layer. I suppose. Only one other has one of these claims ever in our history. And his is not as detailed or big. From what I can tell of the young pup, it is expanding. We have no idea where it will cover him. It seems to be racing for something, searching for another. He is different, special. You can smell it, he is so talented. We love the little one. He brings joy and serenity to our homeland." Charvank says.

"May we see it if he comes back?" Artemis asks.

Charvank looks at her uncomprehendingly. "You're a maiden goddess and you are asking a male to take off his clothes? I do not understand this concept. Is this normal as long as you do not touch them?" Charvank looks at Apollo confused.

Artemis turns red. "Where the hell is it that I should be concerned about my oath?" She hisses in embarrassment.

"I sense it is growing across his entire back and front. There is something else, it creeps up his legs. Definitely different and Lycaon is ecstatic at such a wonderful person to offer the gift we have received." Charvank replies.

"Offer? You mean you aren't going to force him?" Phoebe asks in suspicion.

"No. The young one may choose to stay or go. But we are determined that he stay here with us. Where he is most comfortable. In three days, he has learned more than many of us could perceive in the first year. Special prodigy. Lycaon doesn't plan on offering the gift until the boy is fully healed and able to process the change." Charvank tells her.

"Like hell am I going to let you change him. He doesn't want to be a werewolf. You put a spell on him didn't you?" Thalia accuses the werewolf.

"Charvank! Lycaon says that they cannot pass now without a werewolf's or a claimed one's permission. Come on, Sylvia is waiting for you." Percy comes out smiling and stays inside the entrance where the others cannot get him.

"Sylvia is really waiting on you. But alright. What are we learning today?" Charvank smiles at Percy as he turns around.

"She said it was a surprise. She was acting weird though." Percy chuckles and walks into the darkness.

"Percy! Wait!" Thalia yells.

Before he is completely engulfed by the cold shadows of the natural opening, he turns back with a look of fear mixed with hatred. "What?" He asks timidly.

"Why did you come here in the first place?" Thalia asks.

"Lycaon brought me here. He found me and gave me a home. I like my new family. The old one can go to Tartarus. I hate them all, especially the Greeks. At least the Romans have enough honor to overlook lies and try to find me. The werewolves are way better than the gods and their children. They love me, unlike you." Percy says bitterly. Charvank puts an arm around Percy's shoulders and leads him further in.

"It'll be alright, young Perseus. You'll forgive them eventually." They hear Charvank whisper comfortingly.

"I don't think I can." Percy whimpers quietly, his voice fading as they walk farther away.

"Percy?" Thalia asks.

Artemis puts a hand on her half sister's shoulder. "Time, Thalia. He needs time to heal. Give him some space as I tell you everything our council did. Apollo, will you camp with us during the time you stay away from the council?" Artemis turns to Apollo.

"I will. Thank you for inviting me, sister." Apollo answers absentmindedly, but has a serious look on his face. Surprising the Hunters.

"Lord Apollo, what is the extent of his condition?" Atalanta asks.

"He is so far regressed he never leaves Lycaon's side as far as I can tell. Or that Charvank one. Lycaon will hold his hand like a little kid when he gets scared or confused. Lycaon told me it was like helping Percy grow up, but he keeps referring to his intelligence over the subject matter he teaches him. It's the triggers around him that make him turn into that kid. Come, let us finish this in camp." Apollo looks at Artemis who flashes all of them to their camp.

So...How do you think it's going? Rick Riordan owns PJO/HOO, until we meet again my lovely readers.