Chapter Text
This is seriously not how I expected to start my Christmas vacation. I mean, come on! I just saved Japan! I was hoping to have a nice relaxing time, sipping peppermint hot chocolate while sitting next to the Jackson family Christmas tree after a few days at Camp, but nnnoooo, I have to do what the Olympian gods tell me. Getting treated like I’m a bug, and being sent where I get blasted with magic. You heard me right. Magic.
Some of you might know who I am, but for those of you who don’t, my name is Tsunayoshi Noble, but just call me Tsuna. Recently, I just learned that the ancient gods that humanity used to worship are real and very much alive. At the same time, I lost my mom. But then, I found a new family with none other than Percy Jackson as my adopted brother. Oh, I forgot to mention that I’m the son of Susanoo. Yes, the Shinto gods were real, well are…it’s really complicated. Anyways, you can say that this started like any other day, well…any other day when you’re a demigod.
As a teenager with ADHD, I have to tell you that, in my opinion, History is absolute torture. The only good thing about it is that Percy is with me in the class, so at least we can help each other. And the only reason we even have History is because we missed a large chunk of the school year due to saving Japan. So we needed this class to make up the credits. That doesn’t make it any more fun though.
I was bored out of my mind. Taking a look to my right I saw Percy was twirling Riptide in its pen form around his fingers. I was doodling absent mindedly, only half paying attention to Miss Fore the teacher. Funny thing about Miss Fore. She was born in Norway and is pretty buff for a woman. And she stands a good six feet in flats. Because of all this, she has a nickname around school as Miss Thor, after the Marvel superhero. She actually likes it, as she is a big Marvel fan.
“Tsuna.” Miss Fore said. I looked up at her standing next to the whiteboard.
“Sorry, what was the question?” I asked.
“I asked you to tell me what was the breaking point for America to decide to enter the Second World War.” she asked.
I looked over to Percy, half wanting to say ‘It was this giant dragon monster called the Orochi and he was a DICK, but don’t worry me and my friends got rid of him!’ but I’m pretty sure that isn’t the answer she wants to hear. “Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor.”
“And why did Japan attack this particular naval base?” she asked.
“A preemptive strike.” I said, though that’s only about half right.
“Correct.” She went back to her lesson, apparently happy that I was paying some attention to her.
Not even a minute after she turned to write something on the whiteboard my ear was being flicked. Letting out a breath of annoyance I turned see what the greatest pain in the ass of Goode High School wanted. Percy was already glaring at the Ginger bully.
“I guess all you chinks are sneaky little bastards huh?” Dylan whispered. He was loud enough that he wanted Percy to hear it, but quiet enough that Miss Fore couldn’t catch his racist comment.
I raised my eyebrow, completely unimpressed. “That the best you got?” He shot me a dirty look before slumping in his desk in defeat.
“Now I know you are all excited for Christmas Break,” said Miss Fore, “But remember that we have a test the first Friday you come back,” Everybody groaned as she kept talking. “So make sure to reread chapter 12-15 at least once during your break. And since we have a few minutes before class ends, let’s have a lightning review. Cassie, name the people who Hitler…”
At that moment her voice went away. I could see her mouth move but no sound came out. And then everything went all ‘Silent Hill’, turning a dull gold-ish grey. I turned to Percy, only to see him blow away like dust. I was all alone in this now abandoned and rundown class room. I tried to remain calm despite my heart beating like I just jumped off Olympus.
“Tsunayoshi.” I jumped at the mention of my name. Sitting on Miss Fore’s decrepit desk was none other than my grandmother Izanami. “It’s good to see you again.”
“This is a bit over the top for you, isn’t it?” I asked after taking a breath to calm myself.
“Maybe, but I thought I’d try something different.” she said.
“What do you want this time?” I asked, although I already knew the answer.
“Is it wrong for me to come visit my dear grandson?” she wondered, acting all innocent.
I let out a breath of frustration. “This is getting ridiculous Bāchan.” I said. “Please, just leave me alone. Let me live my life.”
“No.” She said immediately, losing the love in her voice. She stood up and walked over to, and then leaned over my desk. “You were dead Tsuna. You belong with me, in the Yomi. I must keep balance to the Natural Order.”
“We’ve been through this like a thousand times,” I said, “Ryūjin traded his life for mine.”
Bāchan let out a snort before she walked over to Percy’s desk to lean against. “Wasn’t a fair trade. I mean, a god’s life for that of a demigods’? In what world is that fair?”
“What do you want from me?” I asked.
“I want your soul, with me, in the Yomi.” she said as she grabbed my chin tightly. “You have no idea how much trouble the other Reapers have been giving me.”
“Reapers?” I asked. She didn’t answer me, just forcing me to stand up. I heard my chair slam against the floor.
“Just come with me Tsuna, please.” Was she actually begging? She even started shaking me. “You don’t want him to take you.”
I can’t do this anymore. I don’t want to die again any time soon, or leave Percy or Sally, or gods forbid…Nico…The fact that my Bāchan, my only grandmother wanted me dead hurt, but it made me angry, angry enough that my jaw was starting to hurt from how tightly I was clenching my jaw. The Yasakani no Magatama was glowing hot against my chest, radiating in their power.
“This is the last time I’m going to tell you Bāchan.” I warned. The Magatama glowed even brighter. “LEAVE ME ALONE!”
“Tsuna!!” Percy yelled.
After blinking my eyes I saw that Izanami was gone and that Percy was the one who was shaking me. Miss Fore was there next to him, visibly concerned. My other classmates had a mixture of emotions on their faces. A few of them were concerned about me, others had a look of ‘what’s his problem’, and a very small, select group (who am I kidding, it’s just Dylan and his best friend Joey.) Their faces screamed ‘what a freak!’
“I’m sorry.” I said, but it was so quiet I could barely hear myself. As soon as the bell rang I ran out of class, leaving Percy calling out to me.
I ran straight for the restroom and locked the door. I leaned against it and tried to calm down. I’m almost considering transferring schools to avoid the embarrassment that Dylan will be sure to spread like wildfire. The downside? I won’t be close to my brother… options, options. After throwing water on my face someone started knocking on the restroom door.
“Tsuna, let me in.” It was Percy, obviously. Who else would hunt me down in this school? I unlocked the door and stood back as he came in. “You okay?” I nodded, not really feeling like talking, so we stood there as the bell for last period rang, and stood there silent for another five minutes. “So you want to tell me what’s going on?”
“Trust me, you don’t want to know.” I said.
“Tsuna…” Percy said, being his stubborn, overly protective self.
“I’m alright Percy.” I said. His face screamed disbelief. “I am. I just needed a minute to calm down.
Percy sighed and placed his hand on my shoulder. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”
“I know.” I said as I took his hand in mine. I gripped it tightly, as if that simple action would reassure him that I was alright. “Come on, we’re late for gym.”
Despite doing the ten laps around the court for being late, I felt much better after we played basketball. It was a good distraction that brought my spirits up. Being voted team captain with Dylan forcing himself to be the other team’s captain, and then kicking his butt left, right, and center really helped. Percy and I were drenched in sweat, since we had to pick up the slack of the less than athletic members of our team.
I personally hate public showers, but if I didn’t take one I’d fail gym. But the running water did relax me, so I guess it was okay. Walking out of the steam I got redressed into my civvies. Before I slipped my shirt on Dylan saw my necklace.
“Hey fag!” Dylan sneered. “Where’d you get that necklace?”
“Leave him alone Dylan.” Percy said, although it wasn’t as threatening as it could be since he was standing in only his Aquaman boxers (Paul has a great sense of humor).
Dylan ignored him and grabbed for the necklace as I was putting it on. I slapped his hand away and glared at him. He pushed me against the lockers, pissing Percy off. As Dylan touched my necklace again Percy pulled him away and went to slug the fat Ginger, but I yelled for him to stop.
“He’s not worth it.” I said. “Just finish getting dressed so we can go home, okay Perce?”
I grabbed my backpack and waited for Percy right outside the locker room. Dylan and his lackey came out first and sneered at me, walking away with a comment along the lines of “Aww, look who’s waiting for his boyfriend like a good little bitch!” His little gay jokes were getting old real fast. He really needs to get new material.
“Did he just say what I heard him say?” Percy asked when he walked out of the locker.
“If you’re talking about Dylan’s gay jokes, then yes.” I said. “But it’s not worth getting upset about.”
“I don’t like him talking to you like that though.” Percy said.
“Percy, if it really bothered me I would make him shut up, but it doesn’t.” I said. “Can we go home now?”
“Yeah, let’s go.” he said. Although by the time we got to the main entrance, he had to go back. “I forgot my history book in my locker. Just wait by the front gate for five minutes, okay?”
“Just don’t get sidetracked by a monster again.” I said, remembering what happened two weeks ago with the Harpy.
“I’m just getting my book, no need to worry.” he said. “I’ll be five minutes tops.”
“I’ll be keeping track.” I said, waving him off as I walked out into the cool November air.
As soon as I stepped outside I saw Dylan standing next to the gate, acting as if he’s the most amazing thing to grace the planet with his lackeys Tyler and Fred. I blew out of the breath, knowing that he’ll get bored with tormenting at some point if I just ignore him, and walked over to the gate and leaned against the wall. But as expected Dylan and Tyler came over to annoy the hell out of me.
“Yo! Tuna fishy!” Well, that one’s new, although a bit pathetic, even for him. “Let me see your necklace.”
“And you’re interested in my necklace because…?” I asked.
“Because I think its cool.” he said mockingly.
I rolled my eyes at him. “Thanks” I said sarcastically. “Now leave me alone.”
“No need to be rude.” Dylan said. “I just want to see it.” He made a grab for my necklace but I slapped it out of the way.
“I told you to keep your filthy hands off.” I threated.
He must be spoiled, or at least self-entitled because his face was almost purple with how angry he must be. He punched at me, but I grabbed his wrist and twisted it, and his arm, behind his back. As I held his arm back he tried struggling out of my grip. His friends tried to help but I pushed Dylan into them, knocking all three to the ground. Thank you demigod combat training.
“Beat it Dylan.” I warned. “I’m really not in the mood to deal with you today.”
“Oh really?” Dylan asked as he was helped up.
He smirked and nodded his head. His friends swooped in on my sides and held me against the wall. They were a lot stronger than they looked, and they had a tight grip around my arms. As I struggled against their hold my necklace came out from underneath my shirt. Dylan smirked and grabbed it. I yelled at him to not touch it, but he slapped me across the face before ripping it off my neck.
“Get your greasy hands off my Treasures!” I yelled. Dylan’s goons laughed.
“You think this is a treasure?” Dylan asked as he inspected the Yasakani no Magatama and the Yata no Kagami. “This looks so cheap, I doubt I could get ten bucks for it.
“He’s as Mortal as it gets.” I thought. How did Percy describe his first step-father? Moldy garlic pizza wrapped in sweaty gym shorts? That pretty much describes Dylan to a ‘t’. “What exactly is he seeing?”
“Where did you get this from?” Dylan asked. “A .99 cent store?”
“It’s a family heirloom.” I said with a glare. “Give. It. Back. Now.”
“How did you even get it?” he asked. “Your bitch of a mother is dead.”
That was the last straw. I struggled with all my strength against Tyler and Fred, breaking free enough to almost wrap my hands around Dylan’s three chins. But his goons grabbed my shoulders and threw me back against the wall. They held me in place as Dylan slammed his fist in my stomach. After another punch Tyler and Fred let me slide down on the ground clutching my stomach.
“Just for that I’m keeping this cheap piece of crap.” he said, waving my necklace around.
“Please…” I begged, feeling sick for doing so. “Don’t take it. Just give it back.”
Dylan gave me a smirk and bent down to look me in the eye. When I wouldn’t look at him he grabbed my chin to force me to look him in the eyes. “If you want this back, you just need to do one little thing.”
“What do you want?” I asked.
“Admit that I’m better than you.” he said. “In every way. I want you to know your place.”
“What did I ever do to you?” I asked while looking at him like he’s crazy.
“Nothing really.” Dylan said, which surprised me. “I just don’t like you.” He then looked me over before giving me a face of disgust. “And I don’t like mutts.”
“Freaking little Nazi.” I muttered under my breath.
“What’s going on here?” I looked up and saw Percy, his fists clenched. He was showing a remarkable amount of self-control. “Get away from him right now.”
Dylan huffed, deciding that with Percy around it wasn’t worth antagonizing me. He ordered his friends to follow him, without returning my necklace. Standing up quickly I grabbed his shoulder to turn him around before ripping my necklace out of his chubby hands. As soon as they were gone Percy went into his over protective brother mode.
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there Tsuna.” He said as he made sure there were no bruises anywhere Sally or Paul could see. “I shouldn’t have taken so long, but Paul wanted to get ideas for Mom’s Christmas present and I-”
“It’s alright Percy.” I said. “I’m alright. Can we just go home? It’s been a long day.”
“Tsuna you need to stop bottling all this up.” Percy said. “Please just talk to-” I silenced him with a glare that would make even Nico back down. “Alright Tsuna, but we need to talk at some point, okay?”
“When I feel like it.” I said.
Our walk home was taking a lot longer than usual. Traffic was just really bad today, and I saw that several people were having bad days as well with how bad their driving was. Percy was going on about how he can’t wait to see Annabeth. They’ve been apart for a month and a half, and Percy has been driving me bonkers over how much he misses her. I mean, Annabeth is great, but he really needs to stop with it. It’s not like they don’t IM each other every other day.
“So have you heard from Nico?” Percy asked.
“Yeah, last Saturday while you, Sally and Paul went out.” I said
“While you were sick?” he wondered.
“I was bored, and I haven’t been able to reach him since Japan, until then.” I said.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.
“He told me not to tell anyone.” I said. “I was worried about him, but he assured me he was fine. I think he was somewhere in California.”
“How do you know?” Percy asked.
“Well, it was sunny, and then there was the Hollywood sign in the dista-” I said, but I tripped off the sidewalk onto the road.
“Tsuna look out!” Percy yelled.
I looked up and saw a car coming straight for me. I couldn’t move, frozen with fear. I could hear the horn being honked and Percy screaming, but I just couldn’t move. This is just like last time. The only think different this time was that Bāchan was sitting in the passenger seat of the oncoming car. She was giving me a sweet smile, as if she thought that would make this any better for me.
“Tsuna!” Percy screamed as he pulled me out of the road, the car that was about to hit me honking its horn.
I don’t know what came over me. I just broke down in Percy’s arms. I have faced monsters and stood up to gods. I have already died once in order to save my friends. But sitting there on the ground, with my death literally about to run me down, it finally hit me how scared I was for my life, how scared I was to die.
I cried into Percy’s chest, not able to stop making a scene. I could feel people staring as Percy held onto me. He tried his best to calm me, but it wasn’t working. After being yelled at by some random jerk (there’s a lot of them in New York I came to find out) Percy helped me up and led me to an alley way so we could get some privacy and to give me time to calm down.
It took several minutes, but I did eventually calm down. Percy put his arm around my shoulder in a one armed hug. I pulled in on myself, bringing my knees to my chest. We didn’t say anything. I didn’t really feel like talking.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going?” he asked. I shook my head. “Please Tsuna, just talk to me. I’ve never seen you freak out like that.”
I was quiet for a little longer. But with Percy as protectively stubborn as he is, it would be better to just tell him. “I’m being haunted by my grandmother.” I whispered.
“What?” asked Percy.
“My grandmother wants me to join her in the Yomi.” I said louder. “Izanami, that’s her name. She’s the Shinto Goddess of Creation and Death.”
“Why do you think she’s haunting you?” wondered Percy.
“Ever since we came back from Japan, she’s been appearing before me.” I explained, not looking at him, just staring at the wall in front of me. “She’s been telling me to kill myself and go back to the Yomi.”
“Tsuna we’ve been back for almost two months.” Percy said. “Wait, that’s why you freaked out in class today?” I nodded. “But, I thought you said Ryūjin traded his life for yours?”
I let out a sad chuckle. “Apparently, a gods’ life is worth much more than that of a demigods’.” I said. “According to Bāchan it wasn’t a fair trade.”
“So you’ve been seeing her at random times?” Percy asked.
“At first it was just nightmares.” I admitted. “But then she started appearing while I was awake. It started off as just seeing her in the corner of my eye, almost like the Silence, but then she started to get more up front with what she wanted. And she was in the car that was about to hit me.”
“Tsuna, I won’t let you die anytime soon, you know that right?” Percy said. “I already lost you once; I don’t want to lose you again. I would go to the Yomi myself to save you, and I’ll do it without an exchange.”
I smiled. “I know you will.” We hugged each other tightly.
“Come on.” Percy said after he helped me up. “We should get going. “Mom’s cooking a special dinner before we go back to camp, remember?”
“Like I would miss Sally’s homemade lasagna.” I said. “You know, the funny thing is that was the second time I almost got ran over.”
“When was the first time?” Percy asked with a raised eyebrow.
“It happened a few years ago.” I said. “I was…thirteen? Fourteen? Anyway me and my mom were down in San Francisco for one of her symposiums of all things marine and nautical. I don’t know, it bored me most of the time. So this one time mom let me go to the pier by myself, since the hotel was just a few blocks away from the ocean. But as I was crossing the road a car came barreling around the corner. I wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for him.”
“Him? Who’s ‘him’?” Percy asked
“This blonde kid, maybe a year younger than me.” I said. “He tackled me out of the road as the car zoomed pass.”
“Did you get his name?” Percy asked.
I shook my head. “He was gone before I could thank him. I tried looking for him up until Mom and I left San Fran, but do you know how hard it is to find a blonde kid with a scar on his lip? It’s a lot harder than you think.”
We joked back and forth as we walked back home. Percy told me that Annabeth is planning something romantic for the two of them. As I told him not to do anything stupid to mess it up, I started to feel…really irritated. No, make that angry. Really angry. Angry at Bāchan for wanting me to die, and even more angry at Dylan. I wanted to find him and punch his face in until my knuckles bleed.
“Ares?” Percy said. That got my attention, because then I noticed the god of war leaning against a large Harley Davidson, grinning like a mad man. “What do you want?”
“Nothing really pipsqueak.” Ares said. “Just need a favor.”
“And here I was hoping to live a normal life.” I said. “There’s no way we can say no, is there?”
“Nope.” Ares said with a cocky smirk.
“What do you need us to do?” Percy asked. “We have plans you know.”
“I want nothing from you little cousin.” Ares said. “This is only for the Shinto whelp.”
“Why just me?” I asked.
“I’ll tell you later.” said Ares. “Now hop on and shut up.”
Ares jumped onto his bike and revved the engine. It was so loud that Percy and I had to cover our ears, and I felt the whole block shake. I’m surprised that none of the windows were busted. I looked over at Percy, because I really didn’t want to do Ares’s little quest. Is it still technically a quest if there isn’t a prophecy?
“I really hate to say this Tsuna,” started Percy, “But you should just go with him. It’s better to get their stupid requests done and over with.” Ares revved his engine again. Geez, you think that with two thousand years under his belt he would have more patience. But he is the god of war, patience isn’t his strong suit.
“Fine.” I said. “Tell Sally I’ll be late for dinner.”
Percy pulled me into a hug, probably for good luck. “Worst case scenario I’ll see you at Camp. Just don’t get yourself killed, alright?”
“I’ll try to avoid being killed.” I said. “Oh, if you see Nico at Camp, ask him to come over for Christmas for me.”
“Will do.” Percy said as we bumped our fists.
“Hurry up!” Ares said.
“I’m coming!!” I screamed. I stomped over to the motorcycle and got on. It took everything in me to ignore the fact that the seat had to be made out of human skin.
“Here, you’re going to need this.” Ares said as he handed me a helmet. It wasn’t a motorcycle helmet though, it was a Spartan war helmet, just like the ones at that we use in Capture the Flag at Camp. It was solid bronze, maybe even Celestial Bronze, with a blood red plume.
“Uh, this isn’t going to help.” I said.
“What?” Ares asked. “Oh. Right.” The helmet changed in my hands into a standard motorcycle helmet. It still was bronze but with a black visor. The blood red plumage was still there, making it look gaudy.
Percy waved me off as Ares yelled ‘Hold on!’ I barely had enough time to grab onto the god’s leather jacket before he Ares blasted off like a rocket.