Author's Note Hello everybody! Sorry that it has been a while since I last updated this story. See, I bought the soundtrack to "Xena Warrior Princess: The Bitter Suite" and the VHS episode of "Hercules the Legendary Journeys: Unchained Heart" So I got a little side tracked. But now, I'll try to go back to updating regularly!

Secrets of the Past

DDR

Xena had Argo running harder than ever before. She was very concerned because Draco's army had been headed to Amphipolis next and would already be there. The town would have had no warning and no defense.

When they arrived they saw a crowd of people gathered outside of Cyrene's inn. It was a mix of villagers and soldiers.

"Just turn over your property to us and nobody will be hurt." said a man with a long ponytail. It was Draco. Cyrene was standing in front of him with a look of defiance on her face and her hands were on her hips.

"No. I'm not turning over my property to a group of thugs like yourselves. I have worked too hard over the years to sit back and watch everything destroyed."

Draco laughed. "Look lady, we don't have time for this." He reached out his hand to grab a hold of her but she firmly slapped him away.

"I said no."

Draco scowled and looked at his men.

"Torch the place!"

Cyrene watched in horror as one of the men headed towards her inn with a torch. Then Xena's warcry was heard and she came out of a flip right in front of the man with the torch. She knock him out and took the torch.

"Xena?!" Both Cyrene and Draco exclaimed. The towns people started talking

"It's her!"

"Remember the last time?"

"She's no good!"

Xena turned to her mother

"Hello mom." then she walked up to Draco.

"Hello Draco."

Draco smiled "It's been a long time since we last met."

"Yes, it has." Xena's voice was smooth as if nothing big was happening.

"I heard the craziest rumor. People are saying that we're on opposite sides now. That you've gone good. Is that true?" Draco asked.

Xena knew that the second she said, yes, he would order his men on her.

"It is. I know about Potedia and I am afraid that you're going to have to pay for that little deed."

Draco was obviously angry. "Kill her!" he ordered to his army.

Now Xena was engaged in a fight. The men fell easy for her. Xena hadn't fought in a long while, this was kind of fun. Gabrielle crept over to one of the wagons, that's where she found her mother and fellow villagers. She set them free and hugged her mom. Everyone watched as Xena took down the last of Draco's men and went after Draco himself.

"C'mon Xena, Why don't you just rejoin me? We've always been great together." He said trying to spare himself pain.

Xena flashed him an wickedly innocent smile.

"No. Not anymore, Draco." Then she drew her sword. The towns people drew a collective breath and stepped away. Xena twirled the sword, sounded her warcry, and flipped to the other side of Draco. He turned to face her. They fought, and Xena was kicking his butt. She was actually going to kill him, but before she could thrust her sword through his gut, she heard a woman cry out in pain. She turned to see who it was. One of Draco's men had regain consciousness and stabbed Cyrene, then set fire to the inn.

Nothing mattered anymore.

Xena dropped her sword and ran to her mother. She knelt down to her and cradled her in her arms. Draco got up and he and his men ran for their lives.

"Xena…" Cyrene whispered.

"Mom. Shh… you're okay. I'm here mom." Xena said, her voice cracking.

Cyrene smiled. "It's alright. I love you, Xena."

Xena felt warm tears trickle down her face.

"I love you too mom." Cyrene stared up at Xena for a minute then she died.

The town was deafly silent. All eyes were on Xena. She closed her mother's eyes, laid her body gently on the ground, and stood up.

"Was anyone else hurt?" Xena asked quietly.

The people looked at each other and then the oldest one spoke.

"No. Cyrene was the only one who was unwilling to meet the demands."

Xena didn't look back down at her mother's body, however, she did look back at the burning inn.

"C'mon everyone, we need to put this fire out so it doesn't spread."

DDR