I am Artemis

Sanctuary

Kaori(Artemis)

We stepped through the wall and Savitar gasped. I let go of his hand.

"This is part of my new temple. The one I worked for." Savitar looked around in surprise.

It was homey. I didn't want this place to be unwelcoming and cold. So I made it warm and welcoming. Savitar turned to me.

"You did this by yourself, little one?" I smiled at him.

"I did. I didn't feel right at Artemis's temple. It felt wrong, so I made a new one. One with a sanctuary." He looked amazed.

"You have done very well, little one," Savitar stood in front of me, "I have stayed too long. However, I will be watching you little one."

He leaned down and kissed my head.

May this world never change you, little one. Many dangers and struggles await. Stay safe, little one.

I was in front of my law firm and Savitar was gone. I saw Apollo on the ground. He was angry.

"Mother will have your head!" I scoffed.

"No she won't. Our mother has accepted that I have changed. It is time for you to change as well, brother." I turned away.

Ash was right there. He was glaring behind me.

"Ash," I could tell his attention turned to me without seeing his eyes, "he will be human for 10 years. His punishment was decided by Savitar."

Ash looked troubled, "why would Savitar come to you?"

I shook my head, "Apollo broke a rule. Besides Savitar means no harm. I have broken no rules and never will. If I do, I will face the consequences."

"You! I remember you! You used to be a-" I spun around.

I stormed up to Apollo and gripped him by his collar.

"Learn your place, brother. Or I will ask Savitar to extend your punishment. Do you understand, brother? Or shall I," wait, was I going to threaten to rip his tongue off, "you got lucky, brother."

I let him go and walked away. I walked past Ash back into the building. I walked back upstairs. I couldn't handle the elevator. I had wanted to hurt Apollo like he hurt me.

"Kaori?" I kept walking.

Suddenly someone grabbed my arm. It was Ash. His glasses were still on. I frowned.

"I'm fine Ash." I pulled away.

I wanted to hurt him because he was going to call Ash a Tsolus. I stopped because then I would be no better than him. I continued up the stairs.

You're not like him, Kaori. You're just protective of Ash. You care about him.

I ran into someone. They wrapped an arm around my waist so I wouldn't fall.

"Kaori," I looked up at Ash, "what is it? What went through your mind?"

I looked down at his chest.

"I was angry. I wanted to cut off Apollo's tongue so he couldn't say anything bad about you. So he couldn't say anything at all. I just, the thought took me by surprise. I was ready to do it. I was ready to take his tongue so he couldn't say a single bad thing about you." I saw Simi up on his neck.

I bit the inside of my cheek. I looked up. I hated that I couldn't see Ash's eyes. I wanted to reach up and remove his glasses, but I wasn't going to. He hated people looking into his eyes.

"Kaori, you don't have to be ashamed for wanting to do that to Apollo. You wanted to because you wanted to protect me. Having those thoughts isn't wrong, it shows you care. You were mad on my behalf. Not very many have been." I gave him a small smile.

Then he reached his hand up. He took off his sunglasses slowly. I looked into those swirling silver eyes. Nothing, I felt nothing except the love that was already there. I reached my hand up and slowly moved a strand of hair out of his face. He didn't flinch. I put my hand down afterwards.

"That's what she meant. You love me," I grew worried, "you truly love me and so you are somehow immune to Epithymia's touch. Why didn't you tell me? Leto said you love me. Why wouldn't you just tell me?"

I pulled away, "I wasn't going to because you wouldn't ever do anything with me. Why? I am Artemis. I am stuck in her body, I have her face, her red hair. Her stupid green eyes. I do love you Ash, but you will never be able to look at me and not see her. See all the things that she ever did to you. It's alright, Acheron. I knew the first day I came here that my feelings would end up locked away. So I found something that I always wanted to do and I am doing it. I'm happy now Ash."

He looked troubled.