Ba dad dum da doo. Here's another chapter my lovely readers.

Chapter Six: Sometimes...

Point of view: Perseus Jackson

~Eight days later~

"Percy!" Lycaon yells for me. 

I run into the living room grinning like crazy. "Yeah?" 

I'm plowed into by Sylvia and we roll over next to the fireplace. I pin her and help her up. "No fair Percy. You're bigger than me." Sylvia pouts. 

"You attacked me. Pick on someone your own size. Geez Syl." I stick my tongue out at her and she returns the gesture. 

"But I have to to help you learn." Sylvia complains. 

"Learn what?" I ask exasperated. 

"That's true. You're technically done with the learning. You took down Charvank easily. It was funny to watch." She jumps up and down excitedly and joyously while she claps. 

I chuckle. "Charvank is too slow." I whine. 

"I heard that." I hear Charvank and he puts me in a headlock. Sylvia is giggling. 

I yelp and laugh as he just gets his butt planted solidly on the ground when I flip him over my shoulder, after I wrench his arms off of course. Sylvia high fives me and we laugh and giggle at him. 

"My, my. You've grown stronger." Lycaon chuckles as he pulls me into a hug.

"Yup. But the mark is still growing. They were blending together last night." I tell him. Lycaon pulls back to look at me and looks at the mark that stopped creeping up my neck. It touches my jaw, but that's as far as it goes up. 

I'm wearing a shirt with sleeves that end at my elbows. The mark branching past both of them, just barely. The white mark runs clear up to my chest now and mixes with the black as it curls down my leg. They run together. Both arms and legs are decorated by it. Lycaon told  me that some markings along my skin have meanings. But the way it swirls over my heart and constantly changes perplexes Lycaon. 

I look at the black and white growing up my arms. Lycaon is smiling at my interest in the marks. He leads our little group through the magnificent city. The waterfall falling into the lake and spilling over the chasm, surrounded by a natural prairie on the cold stone ground. We all walk barefoot, it stopped bothering me after the first day. I got used to it. Now I just go barefoot all the time. I listen to the peaceful gush of the water. It may be water and I can still control it, but it isn't sea water. I still try my best not to touch it all that much. Lycaon says Poseidon cannot feel the water in here, so I could stay in it forever and he still wouldn't know I was there. It gives me a better outlook on fresh water. And he didn't appear in the stream when Lycaon found me, so that helps. 

We walk into a building they like to call the Family House. I get to meet the only other Claimed One today. Charvank said he was excited to see me. 

A man stands at the end of the room, looking at the walls. I see they have penciled drawings framed beautifully and hung along the walls. This man stares at all of the ones in his immediate area. Searching for no one in particular, just looking. He glances over and smiles. He bounds over and grabs my hands. I've grown used to the aggression that werewolves express in their everyday lives. I myself have turned to this method, unless I'm around other people. Then I'm uncomfortable and trying to shy away as much as possible. 

The man pulls me over to a set in tub-like thing. He looks down into it and I follow his gaze. I smile at the very detailed mini sculpture of practically all the major cities in the world. And Lycaon is the one who made them. All but one, it's of a natural air. Something that formed up on its own, but you can sense the power coming from it. 

"Touch it. It glows for you doesn't it?" The man asks. 

I smile and nod. I reach down and lay my hand in the curve of a type of pedestal that looks like the cliff near the entrance of the cave opening that leads to the city. A huge royal blue light pulses from the place where my hand touches. It settles over me and the others watch in quiet observance. I lift my hand and look at it, the markings now spiral around my wrists. 

"I'll tell you my name if you tell me yours." The man offers. 

"I'm Perseus Jackson." I hold out my hand. 

"Nice to meet you Perseus, I'm Rogue." The man answers and shakes my hand. "Can I see your claim?" Rogue asks. 

I look at Lycaon and he nods with a grin. "Okay." I reply. 

"Where is it? Mine is just on my right shoulder and hugs it." Rogue says and pulls the collar of his shirt over and I can see the mark he has. Black scenes of crystals with wolves dancing around them. Not actually dancing, but playing. 

"Uh, mine covers almost all of my body." I say awkwardly. 

"That's a change." Rogue chuckles. "Come on then. Not in front of the lady." He grabs my arm and leads me to a room in the back, Lycaon following. 

Basically, I strip down and am inspected by the both of them. When I get my clothes back on, we walk out and Sylvia is having a heated conversation with Charvank that she cuts off when she sees us. 

My mark is basically a ton of scenes in black and white of wolves and the human sides of werewolves inflate rafting in many various ways. There are just some things that Lycaon taught me how to read. It's in their ancient language and he is teaching me how to read and speak it. It sounds really amazing when it is spoken. And most of the werewolves can talk in it. 

I have scripts from old books that long ago burned up in the Catastrophe. Something where a werewolf brought in an outsider. A Greek demigod and they were scared to death. But when they got used to it, they burned several older buildings and killed many of the species. 

I asked Lycaon why everyone was so easy around me if that happened. He just said that I was different and brought something they haven't experienced in a long time. And if I was claimed, then it was all the better. The werewolf who brought the outsider in was punished and still is. He is in the dungeons and the werewolves don't dish out the punishments, the dungeons do. 

I have to go down there and watch it happen. Lycaon is not happy with it. Afraid it might make me relive my own 'punishments.' He isn't going to be down there with me. He has to wait outside and he keeps grumbling about it like it shouldn't be that way. That's where we are headed now. The reason I have to watch is because I have to learn by example what will happen to me if I'm caught alive if I ever do something like that, which I won't, and what will happen to Lycaon since he was the one who brought me here. 

We stand in front of a black hole in the wall and I can tell it leads down and that it most likely has stairs. I delve into the darkness without waiting and walk down carefully, using my senses to help guide me. 

When I reach the bottom, I can hear the screams before I find the cell. I have to stay in one for the night if I recall correctly. But I don't have to endure anything other than the cold, hard floor. So I have no qualms with it. 

I walk over to the cell and it opens for me automatically. Though I don't know why. I walk in reluctantly and the screaming stops. The man whimpers gratefully and I kneel down next to him. He looks up at me. 

"How long has it been? How long since my brethren were forced to put me down here?" The man asks in a hoarse voice. 

"I think they told me it has been a few centuries. Lycaon says he isn't allowed to enter unless it's to put someone in." I whisper and he sniffs at me. 

"You aren't a werewolf. You're a demigod. Who let you in?" The man asks. 

"Lycaon brought me here. I have this mark from entering the city." I say and roll up one of my sleeves to my shoulder. He stares at it and nods. I roll my sleeve back down slowly.

"Lycaon told me I couldn't enter the cell, but it opened when I got close to it." I look back at the barred door that is still swung open. 

"If the door opens..." The man whispers hopefully.

"What?" I ask in curiosity. 

"I was told by the Old Ones that if that door ever opens, I would be free to go." The man says and the chains binding him unlatch from his frail body. 

'The werewolf is free to leave at a price.' An echoing voice resounds in the close chambers. 

"What price?" The man asks and looks at me in fear. 

'The little one must endure two days of what you have been through.' Another voice, female, calls. 

"What? What little one? The boy?" The man looks at me in sorrow. 

I just stare at the ground. I glance at the werewolf and touch his arm. "Go." I tell him. 

"Are you crazy?!" The man asks. 

I shake my head. "I can't feel it." I say sadly. 

He looks at me confused. "What do you mean?" 

"You could break my arm and I wouldn't care. Ask Lycaon about it. Just go. You are free. I will be fine." I push him across the threshold of the cell and the door slams shut. 

'So you are pure.' The female voice admires approvingly. 

'But can your resolve never falter?' A different male voice asks. 

"I may not be in the best of conditions, but I know what needs to be done." I answer and the voices are silent for a minute. The man is still looking at me in shock. 

'Then you have proven yourself. Tell Lycaon he may present you with the gift even more so now.' The first man says. 

The door opens again and the man rushes me out. I help him clamber up the stairs. Who knows who can hear us making all this ruckus. We reach the top and strong arms surround me. I hug back the father I want so badly I could kill for it. "Figures you of all people would save one of our own." He whispers in my ear and I grin. 

"Thank you so much kid." The man says. "My name is Julian by the way." 

"Nice to meet you. I'm Percy." I smile at him. 

Sylvia's lips are on mine and she squeals as she hugs Julian. "My old friend is back. Thank you Percy!" 

"No problem." I tell her in a quiet voice. I turn on my heel and walk with my shoulders slumped as I stroll away. I look at my right hand as I go along. 

I haven't felt affection like that in a long time. I can tell you it was just friendly and that's all it was for both of us, but I can't help but think of the girl I used to love when another girl kisses me. I'm over it, when I think of her, all I feel is an endless void of emotion other than betrayal and hate. When I see Sylvia, I love her as a friend and a sister. I know she likes me like that too and it's nothing romantic. I'm glad she has another friend for when I'm not there. Julian seems to be happy enough for now. 

I stand at the edge of the lake and stare out at the vast body of water. It's too big to be a lake, but that's the best term for it. I sit down on the soft grass and slide my feet into the water. No one bothers me for hours. I finally stand up and take my shirt off. I let it drop to the ground. I take a deep shuddering breath and dive in head first. 

I swim all the way to the bottom and walk along it. I see catfish and a few other kinds that say hello to me. They insist on calling me lord even though I ask them not to. They seem surprised and redouble their efforts at my non-interest of the title. 

I shoot upwards and break the cold surface. I drink in the cold air and stare up at the bright crystallized ceiling. Adding to the beauty of the place in its entirety, especially the lake. It's all natural light. The sun and moon both making the crystals bright. The moon making it look like stars because of the magic of werewolves imbued in the crystals. The sun not glaring, but perfect for werewolf sight. The sunset and sunrise making it look so exquisite. 

"Are you alright Percy?" I look over to find Lycaon sitting at the edge of the lake. 

"Yes, I hope I didn't hurt her feelings." I say and swim over to the shore. I replace my shirt and sit next to Lycaon. 

"You are doing well with adapting. Are you ready to go see Artemis? She promises to make sure the Hunters are on their best behavior, as well as Apollo." Lycaon tells me.

"Okay. She is nice. More nice than the other ones. I like her." I smile. 

"And don't worry about Sylvia. She understands. She wanted to know if you were okay." Lycaon tells me as we stand. I nod and he smiles. 

We race for the entrance.

Point of view: Third Person

Percy and Lycaon tackle each other near the opening and roll out of the cave fighting like father and son. 

The Hunters, Apollo, and Artemis watch in horror. 

Lycaon pins Percy again and Percy is laughing breathlessly while Lycaon is grinning. "I won that fight." Lycaon says victoriously. 

"But I won the race. That's what the fight was over. I won the war." Percy grins triumphantly. 

"Curse the smart talk. It's not fair when you put it that way." Lycaon growls in frustration, but it is insincere. He stands up and helps Percy to his feet. 

"It's completely fair AND true. Besides, it's not my fault you're way older than I am. You have the upper hand in any fight we have." Percy argues with him.

"You won the one time." Lycaon points at Percy. 

"Because I was out of control." Percy groans.

"You were perfectly fine. It was just more aggressive than most of my kind." Lycaon chuckles. 

"Influence from Sylvia. Blame her. She's probably more ADHD than I am." Percy laughs. 

"But you're more instinctual. That's a fact. I'm glad you learned so quickly today. The city is buzzing it's so happy. It approves of your progress." Lycaon tells him. 

"Great." Percy smiles warmly. 

"Percy, why are you barefoot?" Artemis asks. 

Percy looks over in surprise. "It's the lady." Is all he whispers to Lycaon. 

"Lady Artemis." Lycaon corrects him. 

"She was twelve the other day." Percy says. "Why is she older? She normally doesn't take an older form." Percy argues. 

"To make you feel better." Lycaon pats him on the shoulder. 

"Oh." Percy seems confused. 

"Why are you barefoot?" Artemis asks. She is in a thirty-two year old form. 

"Because everyone else in the cave is." Percy answers a little shyly. 

"Just a cave? What about this city?" Phoebe asks seriously. 

Percy just looks away and stares at a tree. He doesn't like the Hunters because Lycaon got shot by one. "Is the forest supposed to be doing that?" Percy tugs on Lycaon's hand. 

"What do you mean Perseus?" Lycaon looks in the direction Percy is and raises an eyebrow. Then he seems to get it. "Why don't you follow it? Perhaps it will lead you somewhere nice like the city." Lycaon nudges him in the back gently with a hand. 

Percy starts walking. Artemis and the Hunters follow after him. Lycaon falls into step beside Artemis with ease, no fear at all. Apollo walks with the Hunters, watching Percy from afar. Artemis looks at Lycaon from the corner of her eyes. She looks at him full on when she notices the fatherly look he bears toward Percy. Lycaon looks at her unexpectedly and smiles a little when he catches her looking. "Surprised still? Believe it or not I do love him like he is my son. He reminds me of me when I first came into being." Lycaon returns his gaze to Percy. 

"Have you talked to him about...?" Artemis rolls a hand in the air. 

"No. Not once. No one has bothered him. They just help him along the healing process. He does not fear weapons at all now, though he doesn't like it when one of us gets hurt in the slightest." Lycaon chuckles. 

"Where is he going?" Artemis gestures to Percy, who will stop every now and then and continue in another direction. 

"Wherever the forest wants him to go. It seldom happens, but I get a call every once in a while. Whatever he needs in his life is what the forest will give him. I once followed a call to a forest and it lead me to Sylvia, now she is one of us and she enjoys her time. She makes Percy heal faster by always interacting with him when she can." Lycaon replies as Percy turns to the right a little bit. 

"What do you mean by need? If your kind is helping him so much, what could the woods give him?" Artemis asks curiously. 

"What does Percy need the most that he hasn't received yet from the people around him?" Lycaon asks. 

"By that way, it could be a great many things. What has happened other than the childlike manner he sometimes slips into that he would yearn for from the forest? What has happened recently that could give him a desire that the forest may be able to let him have?" Artemis wonders. 

"Sylvia was so excited because he brought back one her long lost friends. She was being friendly with nothing but thanks behind it, but she kissed him. He spent time by the lake we have in our cave. He looked tired, scarred, unforgiving, and full of loathing aimed at himself. Ashamed almost. I guess it has something to do with that Athenian girl he loved. I have not asked him. I don't push him into anything. Only asking about the past when something triggers it." Lycaon explains.

"You mean Annabeth?" Thalia whispers. She walks next to Lycaon on the other side of him.

"I think that is her name. Has something gone wrong? He looked like he was heartbroken when he walked off like a weight was on his shoulders." Lycaon whispers back and looks down at the lieutenant. 

"Well, Annabeth was Percy's friend. His best friend. Like, in the whole wide world. They depended on each other for everything and they were in so much love Aphrodite herself thinks they are better than Helen and Troy. He went through-" Thalia gets cut off. 

Lycaon growls out the last word, "Tartarus. That's right. So..." Lycaon narrows his eyes in the direction Percy is heading. "Percy is not looking for love though. Sylvia isn't close enough to be his best friend. He is looking for someone to be there for him other than a father. Someone he can tell everything to." Lycaon's face softens. 

"Who would be out here in the middle of the forest that could possibly be stable enough for Percy to befriend like that?" Thalia asks what Artemis wanted to know.

"These days, there isn't much chance of a person being out here like some people. And demigods never come this way. Their instincts tell them to stay away. But his are stronger, he ventures wherever he wants. He cannot be quelled." Lycaon smiles. 

Percy darts away and they all run to keep up. Percy just keeps running faster and faster. "How is he doing that?" Artemis yells over the wind whipping in her ears.

"This is new." Lycaon chuckles and shakes his head. He gives in to his natural strength and pours on the speed instead of matching the speed of his strides to the rest of them. He stays behind Percy, almost unable to match his speed. But he doesn't want to startle Percy.

That's when Percy starts sprinting like his life depends on it and he disappears from sight. Lycaon slams to a stop and sits down. "What are you doing?! We'll lose him!" Apollo yells at Lycaon. 

In answer, the werewolf holds up one finger and stands. "One, I never lose anybody I consider family or prey. But in this case family. Two, in all technicality, I'm half canine, sun god. I can smell him in this form." Lycaon chuckles as he shifts into his wolf form. A silver wolf with white streaks running through his fur. 

He starts sniffing and then takes off. The others follow him. "Of course a dog could find him." Phoebe mutters. 

They come upon Percy after a long while. Lycaon turns back mid-bound and he faces the group, now stopping quickly. 

"He smells strongly of the ocean dear Hunter. It is not hard to track him down. Though it is a nuisance to smell the sea inland. Messes with me. Bleh. I thought I was actually looking for the sea. Made me feel crazy." Lycaon looks at Phoebe. 

They all turn to see Percy standing over something. Lycaon walks closer and puts a hand on Percy's shoulder as he looks down at the animal. Percy looks over at Lycaon in confusion. "Why did it lead me to the cub?" Percy asks. 

Everything is awesome! Enjoy thinking about that song for the next three days now, love you guys! Rick Riordan owns PJO/HOO. Hehe, see ya next time my lovely readers!