Practice (PRIVATE WITH DRAGON)

Kodee looked shocked as he was grabbed by his shirt and the words were spoken by the angry girl who sat next to him and Ashley. His mind went slightly blank and he could think of only one course of action. Kodee kissed Ashley again just to show Anna that as long as Ashley didn't care then he would kiss her as much as he wanted.

After awhile Kodee had wrapped his fingers around Ashley's and had actually began to doze off but as soon as they entered the small road to Camp he woke up and barely heard the words Anna said about staying at the Apollo cabin. For some reason he didn't like how that sounded to have not only Kat staying there but to also have Ashley there as well, the same three people who had been there when they were attacked and kidnapped not even 24 hours ago. Kodee blinked his eyes a few times and let go of Ashley's hand to prod Anna in her shoulder rather uncomfortably. Did you forget that it was just you three when you got captured and we had to go searching for you? I'm not real sure I like letting my sister or my girlfriend being there in that same situation without knowing for sure that you won't be captured again. He looked at Ashley and Kat when he spoke about them but kept his eyes on Anna for the rest of the time, defiance and anger in the orbs that showed he was not going to argue and would get what he wanted one way or another.

Kat shrugged and was about to agree when Kodee started his long spiel about how he wasn't going to let her and Ashley stay there without being able to make sure they were safe. It was just like him to worry so much but she could see his point because they had been the only three in the room when the men had busted in and taken them captive. So the daughter of Thanatos and sister of Kodee sat there while wondering how this could get any worse if Anna decided to refuse to listen to what Kodee was saying.

Kodee glanced at his cousin who nodded slowly with a serious look in his eyes. The son of Thanatos didn't know Zephen real well but when a Greene needed help then they could count on their family and right now Zephen was the safest thing aside from himself and Austin. So Kodee looked back at Anna with a more hostile look in his gaze than before and he spoke through gritted teeth. Okay but if anyone gets so much as a papercut then I will come for you and it won't be fun for anyone involved. Kodee glanced at Ashley and then stepped back a few times before turning and walking away. It was late and he didn't like good byes. If Zephen believed he could take care of it then he would have to accept that. Do you realize that Ashley and Anna are best friends and that every time you get upset with Anna it is like getting upset with your girl friend? It isn't a good idea for them to be alone but I trust Zephen and if a son of Zeus can't beat some punk demi gods then no one will be able to. Just trust your family and your girlfriend. Austin spoke from right next to Kodee and then disappeared as well.

Slowly the air grew colder as Kat walked a bit toward the cabin and then pulled Ashley to the side and motioned for Zephen to stop so he couldn't hear what was being said. She was worried about her brother and how things were going with him and Ashley so she was going to talk to the girl herself. Kodee...he wants to talk to you alone. I can tell by how he got in Anna's face like that and how he was holding onto you in the car. When he heard the words sleepover and then without him his face fell. He really is worried about you Ashley and I think that things might be better if you talked to him before going to the Apollo cabin. At least for a little bit so he doesn't get too worried right now. Kat could just see the outline of Kodee as he slumped against a wall and slid to the ground with his head in his hands. He was utterly devastated that he hadn't been there to help them when they needed him and it hurt Kat to see him like that. She looked at Ashley again and smiled weakly. I'll meet you at the Apollo cabin. With that the girl dashed off and ran to the cabin to enter and see Anna.

Zephen nodded and walked away to the Apollo cabin where he set up post right outside the door with his back to the wall and his sword leaned against the wall next to him.

Kodee felt his head begin to throb as he realized that he had made a mistake in how he had treated Anna back at the car. She had obviously been upset about something and he shouldn't have been so harsh on her for wanting to have her friends there with her but he still couldn't understand why she didn't see his worry. Kodee wanted more than anything to just get along with the girl but she had been there when Ashley had gotten captured and she had even told him to leave and that he was to get a full night's sleep. If he had been there then maybe there wouldn't have been as much of an issue but now he was stuck with how to please Ashley without hurting anyone in the process. Austin was right when he had said that all Kodee's fighting with Anna did was hurt Ashley.

As Kat came into the cabin, Anna had drunk a full flask of nectar and was on her second one, not facing Kat. She knew it would affect her and she couldn't care less. She was so confused, hurt, and afraid, she couldn't think of anything better than drowning her sorrows in nectar. She realized she had drowned it, and she started on her third. She felt better now. Much better, in fact. 

 Ashley knew it was the right thing to do, but she couldn't imagine anything Kodee would want to talk about. However, she ran over to him anyway, and sat next to him. "I'm here now." She said softly.

Kat looked at Anna with horror and walked over to the bunk before taking all of the Nectar, including the one in her hand. It wasn't right for anyone to drink so much Nectar and this girl was just upset so why would she do that in the first place. Zeus Almighty, what was wrong with all of the people Kat knew? You don't have to kill yourself because of Kodee. What's wrong anyhow? All he was upset about was the fact that he wanted to talk to Ashley alone and you immediately asked her to come here away from him for another night.

Kodee looked up in shock as Ashley sat next to him and he smiled before looking away again to think about how to say what he wanted to say to the girl. Are you alright? I mean...do you remember everything now? Kodee wasn't sure why but those were the first words he had to ask his girlfriend.

Kat sat there for a minute and then rested her hand against her leg before continuing with her thoughts. When she had seen Anna drinking Nectar the first thought had been she wanted to die and there were only a few reasons why that would be. The first reason was Anna had issues with Kodee being a jerk to her but the second was that she had a crush on her brother. So Kat looked at Anna and spoke softly, being careful to word her sentence carefully. Are you so upset that Kodee is angry with you because you have a crush on him? She was honestly curious and the girl needed to know this information.

Kodee laughed softly and kissed Ashley on the cheek in return before nodding. I know Anna is a cool person but she just didn't seem to understand I wanted to talk to you alone. It hurt me to find that you were gone and that no one knew where you were and so I was worried. I didn't want anyone to know and so I wanted to talk to you.

Kat was just beginning to wonder what she was going to do with Anna when the girl moved to take the bottle of Nectar. On instinct she gave a small shout and instantly Zephen was in the cabin, already with a bolt of lightning in his palm. He took one look at the empty bottles of Nectar and how Anna was drunk on the godly liquor before nodding. The son of Zeus fired the bolt of lightning straight into her chest and watched as it sent the girl backward with a paralysis that would last about two hours and leave one hell of a headache afterwards. What's the deal with everyone trying to kill themselves now? Why did she do this Kat? Kat shrugged and pointed to the girl, Ashley, as she walked into the room. Anna thought she was going to keep Kodee and Ashley apart...plus I think she might have a crush on Kodee but am not sure since she wasn't making much sense. Just too much stress I guess and she took to the bottle for comfort.

Kodee smiled and kissed Ashley before watching her leave. He stretched out and pretty much instantly fell asleep under the stars while looking up at the sky.

It had been midnight or later when Kat had finally fallen asleep so she wasn't quite surprised when she rolled over and caught sight of the time...nearly noon of the next day. The girl stretched and looked around bleary eyed while trying to figure out what was going on exactly. She could see that Kodee was over by the door talking to a wide awake and very alert Zephen about how he needed to be nicer to Anna since the girl had tried to kill herself last night. Kodee was looking rather shocked and his eyes kept drifting over to the girl who had apparently been moved to the bunk in the middle of the night and a blanket had been pulled over her carefully. She never would've tried to kill herself if I had just said what was on my mind in the car. I can't believe I'm the reason you had to fry Anna with so much power that now you look tired. On second glance she could tell that her brother was correct and that Zephen was indeed exhausted. Go to your cabin and sleep already! Kodee is here and I doubt he will leave until he can apologize to Anna for what happened. Zephen nodded and walked out of the cabin, barely able to keep his head up much less walk in a straight line.

Kodee sighed and sat down on the bunk that Ashley had just vacated with a careful glance at his sister. The girl appeared to be knowledgeable of the situation and he wished more than anything that he could talk to her about it more so he knew what had actually happened. I didn't mean to upset you Anna and no matter what excuse I give it will still seem like I am heartless in some way. All I can say is that I was just trying to find a way to talk to Ashley alone and I am sorry to have made you wish to kill yourself like that. Kodee wasn't used to trying to apologize and the words stuck in his throat maliciously as he forced them out so they got to her ears.

Kodee was about to stand up and walk away when he caught the slight scent of Nectar as well as a small drop of golden liquid that stood out on Anna's chin. He stopped moving and looked at the Hello Kitty water bottle suspiciously putting two and two together before smirking and smacking the bottle out of her hand. Look here, you insolent girl! I am not going to sit here and listen to you say that if I hurt Ashley then you will hurt me while you drink Nectar like it is water. That stuff kills you and I will hold you down and KISS you if you don't stop just because it annoys you. Now stop trying to act like nothing hurts you and just accept that you can't get everything you want. Kodee grinned at the thought of how he wouldn't actually kiss Anna because he loved Ashley but hopefully she wouldn't be able to call his bluff.

Kodee stood there slightly stunned before realizing that this girl was partially right but not for the reasons that she thought. He was only not hanging out with Anna because Kodee focused more upon not losing Ashley so he tried to make time for her and that meant he lost all time for the rest of his friends and family. If it had been any other situation then the son of Thanatos would've thought she was really cool. I don't want to see you die in front of me...or ever for that matter. Just because I haven't hung out with you doesn't mean I don't want anything to do with you. I have been focusing on hanging out with Ashley because I don't want to lose her and that means I am willing to sacrifice my relationship with everyone else for her. Besides, Zephen doesn't think you're stupid since he was just telling me that you were having a bad time and that I am the one being the idiot in this situation. Austin thinks everyone is a weirdo and that just means he enjoys hanging out with you but right now he doesn't hang out with many people. Ashley was talking about how I needed to talk to you and give you a chance and then slapped Zephen for zapping you when you were over dosing last night. She doesn't hate you and I don't think Kat does either. You just need to calm down and let everyone else help you. I know how it feels to lose people and it sucks when you can't do anything about it but sometimes it is better to just accept it and move on.

Kodee smiled to himself and stood up from the bunk bed while contemplating what the girl had said about how they had both tried to kill themselves and been saved by someone else but what really made him think was her words about how he should spend time with Kat. His sister was important to him but Kodee wasn't sure how to make everyone happy and Kat had been reasonably understanding about this situation but for some reason the boy was sure he was going to need to spend time with her and then rest of the family. Slowly Kodee walked out of the cabin and stopped next to Zephen who was still heading toward the Zeus cabin. Anna said she's going to slap you when you both are awake. Just warning you now like she asked me to.