[*Cowers* I'm sorry for going MIA for who knows how long. I have no excuse, so... Please don't kill me. I swear on the River Styx to post more.]
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June 6, 2012. 18:46

Percy moved quietly through the forest, careful not to make and noise. The rabbit he was stalking didn't show any signs that he'd been detected, but that didn't mean anything with rabbits.

Percy silently pulled an arrow out of the quiver on his back, notched it, and drew back the bowstring. Taking every variable into account, the twelve year old boy let the arrow fly. The rabbit went down without a sound. Percy picked it up and began walking back towards the Hunter's camp site.

About three hundred feet from the camp, Percy heard something coming from the bushes. He turned, but nothing was there. Nothing but a trace of ocean breeze. Shrugging it off, Percy continued to the camp site. As he crossed over the border into the site, he was stopped by a Hunter.

"We don't want filthy males in this camp site. Leave now."

Percy cracks a smile, "Not even of he brings a peace offering, Kayla?"

She drops the charade and laughs, "I hope you used only the bow for this hunt."

"You know I'm not the best shot."

Kayla looks at Percy.

Percy sighs, "Yes, I used the bow."

She raises a single eyebrow.

"Fine. I swear on the river Styx that the only things I used to kill this rabbit were this bow and a single arrow."

She nods, "Good."

Together, the two enter camp. Percy hands the rabbit off to Cassandra, who was on cooking detail for the day.

"Woah, that's a big one!" She exclaims, "Where did you find this catch?"

Percy smirks, if there was one thing he could do, it was track an animal (Kayla says it doesn't make up for his poor bowman-ship, but whatever), "You know the deal Cass. You don't ask, and I keep bringing the good stuff."

"Yeah, I know, I know." She grumbles, and heads over to the cook fires.

"So, what's happened since I've been gone?" Percy asks Kayla.

"Nothing much. Artemis is in her tent. Zoe took a group out. Someone found hellhound tracks. They aren't back yet. We had a mini archery tournament."

"Which I won!" A voice sounds out behind Percy.

Percy turns. Mid way through the turn, he feels his legs being swept out from under him. before he can entirely lose his balance, Percy staggers back, but still falls over. The son of Poseidon is about to stand when an arrow appears in front of his face, causing Percy to go cross-eyed. Standing above him, smirking, is Phoebe.

"I got you this time, you little wannabe!" She gloats.

"Not quite." With that, Percy releases the ball of water hovering over the Hunter's head, drenching her and dousing her ego.

Phoebe sputters, and spits water out of her mouth, "JACKSON!"

Percy laughs and runs off, "I got you again, Phoebe."

"LIKE HADES YOU DID! THIS ONE ISN'T OVER!"

"Wait Per-" Kayla tries to call out, but gives up and shakes her head, "This is gonna be a shock to the new girl."

[A/N: every time a new girl joins the Hunt, its a little awkward. They have the no boys rule, and then five minutes later, someone has to explain the one exception, who happens to live in the camp.]

Percy runs through the centre of the camp, and bumps into a hunter. She goes sprawling to the ground.

"Woah, sorry. I didn't see you there." He stands up and holds out his hand, "Let me help you u- Wait a sec, I don't recognize you."

The girls just sits on the ground, mouth agape at the boyrunning through the centre of an all girls camp.

Then it clicks for Percy, "You're new, aren't you?" He dusts himself off and sticks his hand out again, "Nice to meet you. My name is Percy Jackson. I'm what you would call 'the exception.'"

The new girl takes his hand apprehensively, and stands up, "H...Hi. I'm Andrea. What..."

"What is a guy doing in the centre of the ultimate girls only club?" He laughs, "Well-"

"Perseus Jackson! Thou are not scaring the new recruit , are thee?"

Percy grins and glances over his shoulder, "Only what I normally do, Lieutenant."

Zoe strolls into the centre of the camp, pauses, then slaps Percy.

"Ow! Come Z, I didn't do anything this time!"

"Phoebe informs me you dumped water on her."

"She started it." Percy mumbles.

To Andrea's surprise, Zoe starts laughing, "I'm sure she did. Now, you might want to hurry, Lady Artemis wishes to speak to you."

Percy pales slightly.

"Don't worry, it's nothing bad." Her eyes grow slightly sad, and she whispers under her breath, "Not for you at least."

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

Percy looks at her, then shrugs, "Ok."

Percy walks over to Artemis' tent and takes a deep breath. He is about to call out when he hears Artemis for inside, "Enter."

Percy enters and sits in front of the huntress, "You wish to see me." It wasn't a question. Percy knew this already.

"Yes." She smiles softly, "How has your day been?"

"Artemis?"

She sighs, "We both know I'm not good at small talk, or beating around the bush, but this is difficult for me."

"Lady Artemis?"

"Well, I might as well say it. I believe it's time you leave." She holds up her hand to forestall any questions, "No, you have not done anything wrong . Just hear me out."

Percy closes his mouth.

"First off, you have just recently turned twelve. This is coming into the age range of the rest of the Hunters. Now you can see why this would be a problem."

"Uhhh..."

"Please don't make me spell it out. All of these girls have swore off men. And with you reaching the same age as them..."

It clicks for Percy, "Oh."

"Second, and slightly more important. You are the son of Poseidon. This makes you a potential candidate as the demigod of the great prophesy. This means you will have to know how to interact with everyone, not just my hunters."

"So, where will I go?"

"There is a place, not far from here, known as Camp Half Blood. If you can get there, you will be safe. you can continue your training."

Percy didn't want to admit it, but it seemed like Artemis was speaking the truth, and a command, "Yes, Lady Artemis."

"Pack your things, you will leave tonight. Oh, and one more thing, talk to Zoe, she may have something to give you."

"OK." Percy waited a second, but it was clear his audience was over. Percy stood up, and left the tent.

"How was thy audience?" Zoe asks as Percy exits the tent.

He sighs unhappily, "Apparently, I am leaving here to go to some 'Camp Half Blood.'"

Percy looks at Zoe, who is clearly having a mental conflict, then she rummages through her pocket and pulls out... a pen? She hands it to Percy.

"Um, thanks?" He wasn't sure what else to say.

"I cannot believe that I am giving this to thee. Its name is Anaklusmos."

"Riptide." He translates easily.

"Go ahead, uncap it."

He does. and instantly, the pen transforms into a celestial bronze sword.

Percy waves it around experimentally, "It's balanced." He says in awe.

This was the first sword which truly felt right in Percy's hands.

"It was forged in the sea, now it is time this blade returns to the sea."

Percy gazed at the blade. Zoe was one of the only girls who didn't tell him why she'd joined the hunt. Sure, he'd heard rumors, but still...

"This was the sword you gave him, wasn't it?"

Zoe look away.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't-"

"No, it is fine. You are correct, I did give this sword to thee."

"Are you sure you want another guy to carry this sword."

She looks at Percy coolly, "I believe no man is worthy to wield that sword. Prove me wrong."

Percy nods, and then slips Anaklusmos into his pocket. Then he walks to his tent, which magically folds up into a backpack. He shrugs it on, then proceeds to make his round of goodbyes.

The emotions were mixed. At least, on the outside. Everyone was sad on the inside.

"You can't leave on a win!" Phoebe exclaims.

"Good luck!" Cassandra.

"Show those camper who's boss!" Kayla.

In a rare display, of emotion, Zoe hugs Percy, leaving him surprised, and in slight shock.

Artemis nods from the back.

"Well, I guess this is it." He flashes one of his trademark, if somewhat subdued, lopsided grins, "Nah. We'll meet again."

"Count on it!" Amelia shouts.

With that, Percy Jackson leave the Hunter's camp, and heads towards Camp Half Blood.

"Uh Percy?" Zoe calls out.

"Yeah?"

"Camp Half Blood is the other way."

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[Again, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. But hey, its done and up! So yeah, where do you guys want this to go?
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