Chapter 31
Thalia hummed thoughtfully overseeing the preparations for the upcoming battle. She wasn't nervous, she knew they were well prepared. This time they had the Gods on their side, they had a huge number of half-bloods too. They were ready. She only hoped that everyone made it out alive. Especially Percy. She tried to ignore the unease in her gut, in hopes of assuring herself.
"Natalia Romanova." Natasha turned quickly as she felt a presence behind her. Realizing it was Lady Artemis, she bowed respectfully addressing the Goddess, "Lady Artemis."
Artemis laughed, "No need for that my dear, but I would like to talk to you. Follow me." And the Goddess began to walk towards a sliver tent.
A slightly confused Natasha followed her, she was a little scared to be honest. She had no idea what the Goddess wanted from her. Still she followed her inside the tent, when she saw the inside she gasped in surprise.
It was like a luxury room, it had cool air blowing through it and a number of soft pillows scattered around with some drinks on the table.
The Goddess was already seated on a table, watching her, with a slight smile. Natasha took a seat across her still glancing around.
"So Natasha, you must be wondering why I called you here." Natasha simply nodded.
The Goddess then elaborated, "As you know I have my followers, though I consider them sisters, the Hunters. We have formed a family within us. I would like you to join us, only if you wish, though."
Natasha looked stunned for a moment before replying, "What are the other conditions?" She wasn't foolish, she knew there would be other conditions it wouldn't be that simple.
Artemis laughed slightly, "You are sharp then. Very well, the first thing is you have to renounce the company of men, you cannot get involved in a romantic relationship. Once you join you will be granted partial immortality, which means you can be killed if you are wounded in a battle but you will not age."
Natasha looked thoughtful, "I will think about it my Lady, I don't think I'm ready to make a decision yet."
Artemis simply nodded, "Very well, have all the time you want, any questions you have you can ask me or Thalia, she is the current Lieutenant of the Hunt."
Natasha nodded but couldn't resist asking, "But if I may ask, why me, I mean, I'm just a mortal."
Artemis replied, "Yes, it has been a long time since any mortal joined our ranks. But you Natasha have a long past and you have endured a lot. You are much stronger and intelligent than most mortals. You have the spirit of a true huntress. I also know your need for a family and joining us you will have a large family. Think about it my dear. Go for now."
Natasha nodded and left. She was so engrossed in her thoughts she didn't even notice she had bumped into Percy, until she almost fell flat on her ass.
"Woah, Nat, watch where you're going." A deep, familiar voice said and she looked up to find Percy looking at her amusedly.
"Sorry, Perce, I was lost in my thoughts." She explained as they started walking together, no particular destination in mind.
Percy nodded, "Yeah, I saw, no problem though, can I ask what happened?" He could almost see the gears turning in her head as she replied, "Lady Artemis asked if I wanted to the Hunters."
Percy's breath hitched slightly and he fought to keep his tone neutral as he asked, "Oh? And what do you think?"
Natasha sighed, "I don't know, on one hand it sounds amazing and I will enjoy myself with them but on the other I've already found a family with the Avengers and SHIELD and I don't think I'll be able to give that up."
Percy stopped her, turning her shoulders to face him, he looked her straight in the eye and said, "Natasha it's completely your choice but I think you should stay with the family you have now, the Hunters will be around forever but these people are mortal, once they're gone, you can't bring them back. But you're happiness is your own to find, if you choose to go I won't stop you but as self-sacrificing as it may sound think about your family too."
Natasha evaluated his words carefully and asked, "You speak like you have experience."
Percy gave a bitter laugh and replied, "Bianca DiAngelo, Nico's older sister chose to join the Hunt. He was upset obviously and we had to go on a quest on, Nico had asked me to keep her safe, but she-she gave her life for us." He paused for a brief moment,
"Nico, he ran away when he found out and turned on a dark path, he was led astray, he went through a lot alone. In the end he did come back, but I'll never forgive myself for letting that happen to him."
Percy turned away blinking back the tears in his eyes. Nat obviously noticed them but chose to ignore them.
"Thank you, for sharing that with me Percy." She quietly said, knowing how much Percy hated talking about his past.
Percy then said, "I think you should talk to Thalia about this, she's their Lieutenant, she won't have that much biased opinion, it's not that I hate Hunters, no they're really nice and amazing but..." He trailed off, and Natasha nodded.
She pat him once on the back and left, searching for Thalia.
Natasha finally found her standing near a fountain, "Hey Thalia," She called out, "You mind if I join you."
Thalia turned to her slightly surprised but waved her over, "Sure, I can share."
Both of them stood in silence for a moment before Thalia asked, "So...what did you think?"
Nat understood what she was asking, "What do you recommend?"
Thalia was quiet for a moment before replying, "I think you should do whatever you feel like. Don't think about anyone else, choose what you want to do."
Natasha said the same thing she'd said to Percy and adding what Percy said. Thalia nodded thoughtfully,
"Yeah, Percy can't forget about Bianca. It was really difficult. I was angry at Bianca for joining too, Jason was my brother and that time I thought he was dead. I looked at Bianca and saw myself and Jason, I was angry at her for leaving Nico. It was hard for us all but Percy took most of the blame."
She took a pause then continued, "The Hunters are a wonderful family to have. We travel all over the world hunting in the dead of the night. You just never have to fall in love. That isn't that hard is it?" Thalia had a slightly bittersweet tone.
Natasha decided not to ask and Thalia continued, "Live your life the way you want it, Natasha. That's all I'm going to say." And she too left leaving Natasha alone with her thoughts.
She stared into the water, thinking carefully, analysing every option. She didn't know how much time had passed by till the time Clint found her.
"C'mon Tash, its dinner." They walked quietly to the dining hall. Clint kept silent knowing that something was bothering her.
By the time dinner was over Natasha had made her decision, she spent dinner with Tony, Steve, Clint, Thor, Bruce and Percy. She had come to realize over the course of dinner as she laughed at Clint's antics, rolled her eyes at Tony and Steve bickering and Bruce's quiet smile at Thor and Percy's exasperated glances and comments that she was happy here.
They gave her a sense of belonging for the first time, in a long time. She wasn't quite able to bear the thought of leaving these people behind. Who had taken her in without question and who had become a ragtag family, which composed of an eccentric, genius billionaire, a 100 year old vrgin super soldier (or as she liked to call him Grandpa Frisbee XD), a Norse God, another genius with anger management issues, a man child who had superhuman aim and a legendary teenager.
As soon as dinner was over she sought out to find Artemis and convey her decision. Artemis simply smiled and said, "I had thought so but it was worth a try. You would have made a great huntress but I think I know why you want to stay."
Natasha thanked Lady Artemis and went to Percy and Thalia of her decision. Percy before saying anything asked her, "Is the decision what you wanted?"
When Natasha nodded he replied, "Then it's good enough for me."
Natasha smiled at him then Thalia added, "Though I'd have loved to be with you, I know why you chose this. Someone does need to take care of this idiot after all."
Percy indignantly replied, "Hey! I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, thank you very much."
Thalia and Natasha laughed at him.
"Of course you are Percy."