Disclaimer: I do not own Xena. Gabrielle or Akemi, for that matter, too.

Disclaimer: I have taken creative liberties when it comes to portraying religious (and/or philosophical) imagery. As such, any spiritual deities or state may or may not be who or what one thinks they are. There are explanations as to their relevance within the context of the story, however.

Note: Thanks for the reviews. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. :)

Onward! :D

II. A New Kind of Paradise

Xena.

"Where am I?"

Xena. The voice sounded ethereal. Spiritual. Surreal. So tender and warm. She could lose herself in it, were it not for someone shaking her softly.

Xena finally opened her eyes to a tender gaze that looked at her expectantly. "Akemi!" she reached out to the frail figure crouching by her side.

"You're finally awake," Akemi said as Xena motioned to get up. She felt light.

A fog permeated their surrounding albeit it was warm. She could hear a faint flow of stream in the distance not far away although she could not point out its certain destination. Almost like being lost in a dream only she was conscious and aware. She felt her presence and at the same time she was not there. It was unlike anything she has ever been or seen. The feeling of certainty and uncertainty settling in her gut. It went against any of her instinct.

"Akemi, tell me, where are we? Gabri…" she looked around frantically looking for signs of Gabrielle but stopped abruptly as Akemi's downcast eyes said it all. She remembered now. She had to stay dead this time.

"I… I'm sorry," Akemi meekly let out. Xena slowly stood up and turned her back on her.

"Me, too," she said softly. She said it more to herself than to anybody else. A lone tear fell from her iridescent blue eyes. It seemed to turn to crystal as it sparkled on the way down. "What… what is this place?" she finally started after a moment or two of silence.

"They call this Nirvana," Akemi approached the taller figure and stepped in her shadow as she scanned the horizon calmly. "It's beautiful, Xena," she stole a glance at the warrior who looked immaculate in her red kimono. Xena looked downtrodden. Akemi turned her face towards her and cupped the fullness of it in her small hands.

"It's okay. I'm here. I'm here for you," Xena smiled halfheartedly, defeated. "Just like the old days, Xena."