DARK DESIRES THAT HAVE NO EQUAL

Huitzilopochtli turned looking to Gabrielle who was wiping away her tears she was still sitting on his lap. He knew it wasn't her who had done this it was someone else's doing someone posing as her. He slowly put his hand under her chin raising her head. "How's about we take a walk?" Gabrielle looked up meeting his amber gaze she breathed in deeply before nodding. Huitzilopochtli slowly watched as she stood up he took hold of her hand as he pulled himself up. He looked down realizing that he would have to leave her on her own once again as he dealt with other matters in the city. Mostly the captured prisoners, namely the other skeleton warriors he still had no idea what to do with the head of his army.

He knew that now was the time to face the other prisoners and put forward an offer, one which they wouldn't refuse. No skeleton warrior ever had, after all to get your true skin back and your life was much more prized than spending an eternity encased in your own bones. Time was off the essence though he needed to put this offer forward before he punished the elite head warrior. The chances were that once the others skeleton warriors got there lives back they wouldn't care anymore for their leader. Because being alive again would mean so much more to them. They'd be able to eat, drink and sleep with people again something which some had been denied for years because of their frightening appearance.

He smiled as a thought crossed his mind he could take Gabrielle to the school building which was just outside the main temple. The building was used to train priestess, and priests. There would be many young adolescents there and it was always very vibrate with music and fun things going on inside that she might enjoy. He looked down meeting her glowing green eyes. "Come with me we'll go to the school which is just bellow the temple. I'm sure the training priestess and priestess would like to meet you. Gabrielle looked down sadly. "Do you have to be somewhere My Lord?" Huitzilopochtli breathed in deeply. "Yes Gabrielle, I have to go somewhere."

He gently took hold of her hand. "I will not be long though, I promise you that Gabrielle." He slowly walked forward watching as she followed him holding his hand tightly. Gabrielle stop in mid motion realizing that the small dog was following her, she leaned down gently picking it up with her other hand and bracing it with her arm as they carried on moving. Huitzilopochtli eyed the Greek war god who said nothing as they walked past. This was not turning out to be the day he had hoped that it would be, still no matter as soon as they caught the person posing as Gabrielle this would all be over. He gave her a wide smile as they walked out in to the sun light, yes then it would be all over and they could both live out their lives in peace.

He moved down the steps keeping a tight hold of her hand, when he found out whom it was who was posing as her, he'd kill them personally. She had not been brought wrong ether he had spent so much time working on her resurrection. He had done everything perfectly there was no chance that any off her violent behaviour could came back again. He caught sight of the building he could see the adolescents who were outside playing with their instruments and talking. He moved forward watching as everyone moved aside letting them through. The young men and women instantly stopped their music and studies as they lowered there heads as they got down their knees.

Huitzilopochtli came to a stop seeing that the head priestess was behind them her head bowed. "I wish to ask something of you." The priestess looked slowly. "What do you wish of me great sun god?" Huitzilopochtli gently pushed Gabrielle forward as he let go of her hand. "I want you to take care of the Blood Jaguar until I return." The teacher nodded quickly. "It would be a great pleasure." Gabrielle watched as Huitzilopochtli stepped back. "When will you be back, My Lord?" Huitzilopochtli eased up his hand gently running his fingers down her cheek. "I'll be back soon I promise." Gabrielle stepped back watching as he vanished in a flash of gold light she put her hand to her face were his fingers had been.

She looked down sadly why did it have to be this way, why did he always have to go? Maybe he didn't love the way she thought he did. She slowly sat down on one the stone slabs outside of the building next to one of the young men, who gave her a wide smile. She eased up the dog in her arm stroking its ears. The priestess moved coming to stand in front of her as the other young men and women gathered around. "Great Blood Jaguar it is wonderful to have you here." Gabrielle gently put the dog in her lap as she looked up. "Thank you." The priestess looked around her at the instruments on the floor she turned to the heavenly warrior. "I've heard that you like music and poetry do you play any kind of instrument?"

Gabrielle breathed in deeply she couldn't remember if she did or not. Her gaze drifted to the drums and different kinds of carved flutes her eyes seemed to fall on an odd instrument with many wooden pipes all tied together with thick leather twine. It had been separated from the other instruments for some reason. She put the dog on the stone next to her then walked over to it. "What is that instrument?" The priestess looked at the young men and women around her. "It was found on our shores some years back we've been trying to work out how it's played." Gabrielle slowly picked up the wooden instrument looking at it, it seemed so familiar somehow.

She slowly walked back to the stone seat and sat herself down she watched as her dog moved closer to her side. The priestess slowly sat down on her opposite side. "Do you know how to play it?" Gabrielle looked at the brown pipes she did know how to play this instrument she could feel it. She raised the pipes to her lips hearing the beautiful soft notes travel through the air. She carried on playing, enjoying the sounds of the song which sounded merry and uplifting. She closed her eyes yes she remembered this beautiful sound so clearly now. She felt the song change as an overwhelming sadness tour at her heart. She had no idea why she felt this way only that it encompassed everything like a dark shadow.

The notes were becoming something sad as she played them the song was also slow and deep. She breathed out the last note only to stop as she felt the tears start to run down her face, before she could stop them. She leaned forward easing the instrument away from her lips she felt her voice break as she spoke. "This instrument is called the pan flute." The priestess looked at her as she took hold of the pan flute then handed it to one of the young men. "Are you all right great Blood Jaguar…your crying?" Gabrielle stood up ignoring the looks of surprise in all their faces. "Excuse me for a moment I need to clear my head." She leaned down taking hold of the dog then passing it to the priestess who took hold of it. "Please look after my dog I just need to take a small walk."

She watched as the woman nodded before bowing her head, she slowly walked away ignoring their eyes as they followed her. Gods the pain it hurt so much and she had no idea why. She walked over to the side of the building which was out of view of everyone. She couldn't stop the tears as they ran down her face gods the pain hurt so much, it felt like she was dying in side. All the anguish and sadness was suddenly replaced with agonizing pain which went through her head. She felt both her hands slam in to the wall as she leaned against it feeling the pain as it became even more intense. She cried out feeling both her hands form fists. Why was this happening to her again? It hurt so much the fist time and this time it felt even worse!

8

Itzli looked up sharply catching sight of the huge city in the distance he could see a couple of traders with llama's herds slowly working their way up the old beaten track. No doubt making there way towards the city to trade with the market sellers, which they did about twice a week which meant this track was very well used. He slowly met Xena's ice blue gaze. "We need to land now, before we are spotted." Xena pulled on the reins feeling Argo glide downwards. Itzli pulled out his hand as he caught sight of a small clearing. "Land over there that way we'll be away from the traders." Xena felt the force as Argo's hoofs hit the ground of the clearing hard.

She pulled on the reins feeling the mare come to a stop she put her hand on her face feeling the sweat. Gods the heat today was worse than any other day she had been here. Today it was sticky and humid and there was no breeze moving through the jungle. She eased herself out of the saddle watching as Itzli got of after her. She moved her hand grabbing the water skin and taking a long drink from it she capped it then turned passing it to Itzli who took a long drink. "It's as hot as Tartarus, how can you people stand the heat?" Itzli swallowed the water in his mouth before turning to look at her. "Gabrielle used to complain about the heat as well."

Xena took the skin as he handed it back. "Her skin is much fairer than mine, so she always felt the heat more, even in Greece." Itzli shook his head. "No offence but your land is cold and I hated the rain showers." Xena took another long drink. "Just be happy Gabrielle never took you to the Mount Nestus during your time in our land." Itzli slowly met her gaze. "What's in Mount Nestus?" Xena slowly put the water skin back on the saddle. "It's a snow covered mountain where it's always winter." Itzli breathed in deeply. "I hate snow." Xena moved forward putting a hand on his shoulder. "Where is the road in to Huitzilopochtli's city?" Itzli eased up his hand. "Its not far from here about five minutes walk."

Xena eyed the deep jungle. "Is there a way under the bridge that goes in to your city?" Itzli slowly folded his arms. "Only by swimming and we'd be caught there are far top many warriors guarding the bridge." Xena looked at him for a long moment. "So what is your idea for getting us both across?" Itzli felt his smile widen. "How do you feel about playing the role of a trader?" Xena raised an eyebrow. "What kind of trader?" Itzli leaned forward putting his fingers on the pendent which was close to her breastplate. "Oh you can be any kind of trader you want to be. All you need is to ask the ghosts what you want and give them some blood in return." Xena pushed his hand away eyeing the pendent. "What would you recommend?"

Itzli moved a step closer. "I think if you get the ghosts to temporally change your leathers in to our clothing and change your eye and skin colour then you'll look like a great cocoa bean trader." He looked up slightly. "Only issue will be your height, but we can get around that by saying you're from a different region." Xena folded her arms. "Why don't you be the trader and I'll be the warrior?" Itzli shook his head. "I already did the whole slave warrior plan with Gabrielle everyone knows about it so it won't work." Xena turned to meet his gaze. "What do traders wear?" Itzli took a slow step back. "Nothing to fancy, just a tight set of white robes."

Xena grabbed hold of his belt pulling him towards her. "How tight!?" Itzli looked up meeting her ice cold blue gaze. "Their body hugging…." Xena felt her teeth grind together. "I don't dress in tight robes!" Itzli pulled himself free of her grip. "Look you people have robes back in your own land I don't see what the problem is?" Xena eyed him before turning away. "Gabrielle's worn robes yes but I don't dress in that sort of thing." Itzli rolled his eyes why was she being so difficult? Gabrielle had never been difficult about things like this. He raised his hand as he looked up. "Look this the only way to do this I know you don't like sound of it but we have no other choice."

8

Ares watched as the servant girl moved around the room, cleaning things up, he rolled his eyes as he pulled on his chains. He was getting bored he looked at the two hummingbird warriors who ignored him. He looked at his chains again this was so humiliating no matter how hard he tried he couldn't break them. He sneered as he leaned against the wall he ignored the living female warrior who came down the steps. She nodded at the servant woman who smiled back before putting a scroll on the table side next to the golden throne. He breathed in deeply he'd give anything to at least be able to do something right now instead of being stuck here.

He felt his body freeze as the feeling of something dark began to tingle at his senses. He stood up fully hearing the footsteps as they echoed as someone came down the steps. Their steps were slow but very forcefully as it they were feeling impatient and annoyed about something. He could sense their anger as well which seemed to be simmering. Gabrielle watched as the two hummingbird warriors stepped aside as she walked in to the room. She moved forward feeling her smile widen as she looked at the servant girl who slowly looked up. She moved closer watching as the female warrior stepped aside as she came to stand in front of the young woman. "I want something from you."

Ares raised an eyebrow looking at the blonde woman for a long moment. He tensed his muscles he knew he was sensing something dark and powerful. It was sending a tingle up his spine. He stepped closer feeling the pull on his chains, he watched as the glowing green eyes looked at him as the face twisting in disgust. Gabrielle turned back watching as the servant girl smiled her gentle voice travelling through the air. "How may I help you great Blood Jaguar." Gabrielle looked at her letting her eyes wander slowly down her body. It was okay to do this she could have anything she wanted, she eased up her hand running it through the girls long dark hair as she leaned closer. "Do you want to play?"

She watched as the young woman froze. "We could play a little game." She moved her finger slowly down her neck and then down her lower chest. She could hear the woman's breathing as it got faster. She didn't think as she used her body to forcefully push her back against the table. "Wouldn't you like to play with me beautiful little thing?" She turned realizing that the other warrior woman was staring at her in shock. "If you want to leave with jaw intact you'll stop looking at me." The warrior woman swallowed as she stepped back. "I'm sorry great Blood Jaguar…its just you don't seem yourself." Gabrielle narrowed her gaze as she turned away. "I'm very much myself right now."

She looked in to the young girl's eyes in front of her whose faces changed as she started to tense up. It was nice as was the rabbit in arrow sights expression on her face. She leaned forward meeting her lips forcefully ignoring her body as she started to struggle, she didn't think as she grabbed both her wrists forcing them back so she couldn't move. She pulled away from her lips. "I can give you so much more than this, this is just a taste." The servant girl swallowed. "Em…you didn't want this last night." Gabrielle felt her smile widen. "That was last night." The girl shook her head trying to control her fear. "I don't want this…your not yourself." Gabrielle pushed up against her. "But you might like it…."

She felt her smile turn in to a sneer as her eyes met the female warrior's opposite who was moving towards her. "Why are you still here?!" The female warrior looked at her for a long moment. "You really aren't yourself Blood Jaguar maybe you should stop this before someone gets hurt." Gabrielle stopped in mid motion. She felt the anger as it started to boil up in her stomach as she met the warrior woman's nervous gaze. "Would that someone be you by any chance?" She felt the young woman free herself from her grip she moved her hand only to watch as the terrified servant girl moved out of her reach. "Don't defy me!" The warrior woman looked up seeing that one of the other hummingbird warriors at the door had changed and was flying up the steps. No doubt to tell the sun god that something was wrong.

She watched as the servant girl ran past the other hummingbird warrior and up the steps not looking back as she vanished from sight. She turned back not liking the look in the glowing green eyes which burnt in to her "Defy you, I don't understand?" Gabrielle couldn't stop the anger as it boiled up. "I can have anything I want! Anything I please so don't stand in my way!" She watched as the warrior woman eased up her axe. "You're really not that stupid are you?" The female warrior watched as the drifting smoke from the blond woman's eyes turned to fire for an instant. "You're not like this! You're a kind person, you don't hurt people!" Gabrielle didn't think as she brought her fist around smashed it in to the woman's mouth causing blood to fly through her teeth.

The female warrior hit the floor hard crying out in pain she raised her knuckles looking at the blood on them. "I hurt people who get in my way!" She didn't think as she brought up her foot then smashed it down in to her face before she could raise her weapon. She narrowed her gaze watching as the woman's head hit the floor as she passed out in an instant. She eyed her in disgust as she turned looking at the other hummingbird warrior who was running towards her. "Feeling brave to, well isn't this your lucky day." Ares looked up as the huge man's body smashed against the food table causing it to topple over sending food and drink everywhere Gabrielle leapt over it landing beside the fallen warrior.

There was a cry of pain as her fist came down over and over again, before everything went quite. She slowly stood up the fire burning again in her eyes as she stepped over the table then kicked one of the wooden plates aside. Gabrielle looked at the hummingbird warrior who had been knocked out, how interesting she could inflict pain on the living and the dead. She raised her hand looking at the blood from the female warrior, which was on it she slowly licked it off with her tongue enjoying the sensation which made her body tingle with pleasure. She felt her smile fade as the feeling off burning need returned the servant girl had run away, that was annoying. She tried to ignore it as she eyed the Greek god.

Ares narrowed his gaze she came towards him he could feel it, pure unrestrained anger. He didn't want to admit just how intoxicating it was and that he couldn't ignore it, he looked down as she came to a stop in front of him. He sneered watching as her glowing eyes studied him. He leaned forward more out of curiosity than anything else. He didn't get a change to think as she grabbed his head pulling it down causing him to meet her lips violently. He felt his eyes open he could feel the power and intensity. The need all un-caged and wanting, screaming and still wanting more. It was so much like Xena used to be, he stopped pulling away from her forcefully.

He ignored the grip on his hair which tightened as her glowing eyes narrowed to slits, she wasn't Xena. He didn't like this feeling he'd never liked her in his life and he didn't want to start liking her now. A part of him was begging to feel that again, that monster with un-caged violence, with no morals and no cares for anything. Gabrielle looked at the Greek god letting go of his hair in a violent motion. How disgusting, he wasn't even nice to kiss and it didn't turn her on. She stepped back feeling the anger burn as she walked away from him ignoring the look in his dark brown eyes which she couldn't read. She turned away moving towards the keeps inner steps trying to ignore the burning sensation which seemed to come back instantly by the gods it was such a torment! Ares watched as she vanished, he didn't want to think about what had just happened. He just wanted to forget it, forget that he was enjoying it for a spilt second and that he wanted more. He pulled on his chains violently why had she tormenting him by showing him the violence within! A violence which he couldn't embrace!

End of part 63

Silvermoonlight

Gabrielle was seen using the pan pipes or pan flute in the episode The Prodigal.