WHERE THE WILL IS STRONG

Huitzilopochtli watched as the portal closed from sight as the Ares returned home. He breathed in deeply a part of him was not looking forward to the next few minutes. A part of him didn't want to say good bye to Gabrielle and it probably never would for as long as he lived, despite that Xena was her partner he would never stop loving her. He would love her even when she was a distant memory to his people and had long since changed bodies in her next lifetime and once more met her soul mate in the wake of time. He'd remember her always, even when the stars faded and the sun died in the sky above him in the far distant future.

He'd make sure that her image adorned his temples for the ages to come, so that even in the wake of time some one who didn't know him or even his kingdom of Mexica would know about her along with his kingdoms history. He looked at his hand he would only have his memories of her but in his view a memory was enough if every thing else failed, because it could live in him forever just like the memory of his first love. The love he had destroyed so terribly it was horrible to think that he'd come just as close with Gabrielle. What the love god had said was right she would never have loved him in the way he wanted. She would have just become unhappy and he didn't want to invasion watching her pure self try to destroy itself while the other dangerous part tried to destroy Mexica piece by piece.

He shook off his thoughts now it was time for her to return home with Xena that was where she belonged and nothing would ever change that. He turned looking at the gifts which he set aside on the table all of them apologises in some shape or form and another reason that he had sent the Greek god of war ahead of them. He didn't want the bastard to be there to mock his love or his gifts he slowly picked up the first gift watching as Xochipilli helped him with the others as he followed him walking towards them. He stopped in front of Gabrielle taking in a deep breath as he spoke. "I am sorry that you have to leave us."

Gabrielle looked down for a moment before leaning down to pick up the little dog which was nudging at her boot. She looked up slowly feeling unsure of her next words. She knew that these words had to be said despite the painfully history now between them both. "Thank you for giving me my life back, I know that you didn't want to give me up." She shook her head. "I know that you never meant to do me wrong." She turned feeling slightly subconscious off her sister who was watching with deep interest. "If it weren't for your help I would not have been able to get my sister back I can only thank you once more and apologise for my previous actions I only lashed out at you because I was hurting inside."

Huitzilopochtli breathed in deeply in a strange way he was happy to hear this she'd come to see that he loved her and his sleeping with her had not been out off any cruel intent. In a way this was like a truce in which they could both leave each other with out any pain knowing that wrong had been done and though it had not been forgiven completely they could both move forward. He felt a sad smile form he knew his next action might be wrong but he had to do them he leaned forward giving her a gentle kiss on the lips before pulling away. He turned seeing no anger in the Warrior Princess's eyes the tall woman said nothing only nodded. He knew what it meant he would be allowed this kiss but never any other.

He leaned back watching as Gabrielle green eyes darted as she looked at her lover who said nothing only smiled in reassurance which caused her gaze to drift upwards. Gabrielle breathed in deeply. "A part of me will miss you and the other gods." Huitzilopochtli felt his sad smile widen "We will all miss you, all I can say is that Xena is the lucky one, she gets to stay with you always." He breathed in trying to hide his pain as he raised her gift. "I wanted to give you this." He eyed the newly decorated pan flute in his hand which had a cord so it could put over the head. "The temple priests told me that you are very gifted and can play this instrument you played it to them, though you may not remember." He leaned over putting the flute's twine carefully over her head. "I believe you should always play it and let the song guide you once more."

Xochipilli nodded looking at the flute with its Aztec symbols which had been engraved in gold's and reds and blues. "Its heavenly symbols will help you make your music even more powerful." Huitzilopochtli leaned over nodding. "Take this flute and the dog as my gifts to you their gifts that will always be yours." He gave her a smile as he moved towards Xena taking out the gift from Xochipilli hands watching as her eyes widened in surprise. He looked at the scroll in his hands which was the poem which he'd taken from her and was by all right hers. "You said to me once that this was yours and that I had no right to take it and you were right I did not."

He leaned over putting it in her hand. "I did not feel that giving a weapon as my first gift would be right, I don't think metal and steel guide your heart." He looked at the poem watching as she unravelled it a grateful smile appearing on her face. "I think this does matter to you though and I think it belongs in your hands and not mine." He turned looking at Gabrielle for a spit second. "Who knows maybe a time will come when you can give this gift again or even write your own." He leaned over patting her shoulder. "That is what you deserve after what I put you through, I am sorry that I took what you love from you, because I now know that you are the only one who deserves Gabrielle."

He leaned over pulling a golden hilt dagger free from his belt it was encrusted in gold and bone. "I want you to have this as well I have always believed that those warriors who are true to the laws of war should receive daggers like this one. This is one of my sacred daggers." He watched as she rolled up her scroll, he leaned over putting the dagger in her free hand. He looked at the gleaming weapon. "Any lesser war god who sees this will know that you are one of the few who has my respect." Xena turned the dagger in her hand looking at its highly decorated surface. She pulled up her right boot sliding it in to the empty holder before placing her foot down again.

She leaned over taking his arm shaking it. "Thank you for everything." Huitzilopochtli moved forward giving her a hug which was more of a pat of the back. "No thank you, you have taught me a lot." He pulled away giving her a smile watching as her hand tightened around the scroll it was clear that it was what she had wanted back the most. He stepped over looking at Lila who lowered her gaze. "As I said before you should have never been caught up in this mess and I promised I will compensate you for all you have suffered." Lila didn't look up as she took in a deep breath. "You can not take away my pain, how can you give me anything of value?"

Huitzilopochtli watched as Gabrielle eyes showed their pain openly for a spilt second. He knew he wasn't the only one to see it Xena had seen it as well. He turned back Lila's words were honest as honest as Gabrielle's ever could be there was no doubting that. In that they really showed that they were both from the same family. He put a hand on his under his chin in thought before looking down meeting her sea blue eyes. "You are correct I can not take your pain, but I can give you a better future." He leaned over easing his first gift free from Xochipilli's hands. He slowly put the bag in her hand watching as she pulled the cord free.

Her eyes widened as the sight of gold and jewels came in to view. "Here is some of the richest gold I have there's enough here to rise your families status for the rest of their days if they choose to do so in the future. It will also help you if you choose to get married or if you have children on day far from now." He paused watching as she stared at the gold and gem stones unlike Gabrielle she had never seen gold before at least not the real kind that people dream about. He leaned over easing the eagle warrior's mask free from Xochipilli's hands with it gold plated beak and red, yellow and orange feathers. "This is your sister's head dress one of my warriors found it after her resurrection. One of my other hummingbird warriors brought it here not more than an hour ago along with all your other gifts."

He watched as Lila looked up blinking in confusion which he had expected. He looked at the head dress ignoring Gabrielle's shock. "You see I think you should have it as an air loom not just of your sister's bravery but of your own. It's a symbol that you both survived Mexica and that you have something to remember this land by." He felt his smile widen. "In this land there is no greater symbol than that off a warrior's headdress it is the greatest symbol of honour and bravery." Lila looked at the headdress in her free hand before looking up. "I think I understand." Huitzilopochtli smiled patting her shoulder. "I am glad to hear that."

He stepped back. "I believe others have gifts for you as well." Xochiquetzal moved forward watching as Chantico followed. "Yes we have gifts." She turned to Gabrielle pulling out a thin quill with a multicoloured feather. "My brother told me that you like to write, I think you'll like this quill better than you're others, you will never need to soak up ink with it and it does not leak." She watched as Gabrielle took the quill from her hand looking at it for a long moment. "It will never run out of ink and let's just say that you only have to imagine what colour you'd like the feather to be and it'll change to suit the mood you feel at the time." She stepped back. "Try it, just imagine the colour."

Gabrielle looked down thinking only to watch as the multicoloured feather turn white, she eased it up feeling a wide smile form as she met Xochiquetzal's violet gaze. "Thank you." Xochiquetzal put her hands together. "Its just may way off saying thank you, because it was your death that allowed me to find Chantico once more and for that I am forever grateful." Chantico smirked as she moved towards Xena. "I wasn't sure what to give you, weapons I doubt any mean that much to you, then I thought jewels but I realize that maybe you're not that kind of woman." She came to stand in front of Xena not really caring that she was right in her personal space. "So tell me what is it that you want?"

She leaned closer. "That is if you could have anything." Xena breathed in she had always been uncomfortable with Chantico maybe it was the woman's bravado or lack of manners. Or may be it was just that she felt out of her depth looking in to the woman's green eyes which were identical to her own lovers. Chantico felt her smile widen. "Oh that's what you want I understand why you don't say aloud." She grabbed her hand shaking it feeling the sensation as the item was created. "You want me to get out of your personal space." She stepped back enjoying the moment. Xena looked down realizing that there was something in her hand, a small jewelled bracelet made of crystal, seashell and pearl.

She closed her hand looking up seeing that Gabrielle eyes weren't gazing in her direction. "What in Tartarus? I didn't say anything…how?" Chantico raised her eyebrow a part of her was enjoying this there was nothing like seeing this warrior woman out of her depth. "May be one day when the time comes you'll be able to use it." She nodded respectful watching as Xena instantly hid the item out of sight. Xena watched as the fire goddess winked as she stepped back she turned realizing for the first time that Tezcatlipoca had left the room. Saying that it didn't surprise her, he wouldn't want to be present for this. He hated them both and he'd have to stomach the watch his ex wife be with the other woman so it made sense in her mind that he'd not want to stay around. She narrowed her gaze, not that she wanted to see his face any way.

Xochiquetzal leaned forward giving Gabrielle a deep hug before stepping back. "I hope that I see again, because I know I will miss you. For all you can do wrong you will forever show that any one who believes they can do what's right can accomplish it and prove even the gods wrong." She stepped back taking hold of Chantico's arm. Xochipilli moved forward it was finally time for him to give out his gift to Itzli he eased out a long warriors sword which had gold embedded in its beautiful decorated hilt and painted grooves. Pure white gold was running up the weapons centre in beautiful patterned waves. He normally gave these swords to his elite warriors but this one was special it was the first to have the colours of love and war together.

He raised it as he stepped closer to Itzli watching as he looked up. "I promised you a gift for serving me, and I feel that this will suit your needs much better than the sword you have carried." Itzli looked at the gleaming weapon he slowly eased it free from the love gods had admiring its beauty. "This is a beautiful sword." He looked at his other sword. "Thank you I will wear it along with my other sword." Xochipilli smiled looking at him. "I feel that there is something else you want but you are afraid to ask. Please tell me what that is?" Itzli lowered the weapon looking up slowly. "I wish to have the scar back the one I had."

Xochipilli looked at him for a long moment. "You mean the claw marks that the Blood Jaguar gave you on your face?" Itzli looked up ignoring Gabrielle's utter shock. "Yes I want them back but not on my face, they were on my face to show my shame. I want the claws to be on my chest near my heart to show my honour." Xochipilli felt a smile form. "I believe I understand you might have to breath in, sadly this will hurt I can only heal open wounds but to make new ones I have to slice fresh again as if it has been struck by the weapon." Itzli lowered his head ignoring his brother's confusion one day he would understand. "Do it."

Xochipilli moved his hand up to Itzli's face seeing the three claw mark which burned with blue light which was un-see able to mortal eyes but obvious to him as the godly magic that had made them show up originally was still there. He opened his hand watching as the blue light went in to it. He lowered gaze as he opened his fingers watching as the blue light drifted in to place on Itzli's upper chest. He squeezed his hand watching as the blue light turned to red he slowly opened his hand as his normal sight came back only to hear Itzli cry out in pain as the three claw wounds sliced open causing blood to run down his chest. Itzli grinded his teeth together feeling his mouth form a painful smile. "Thank you."

Xochipilli moved his hand forward. "I will just heal this enough that it scars." He watched as the white came out of his fingers closing the open wounds enough that they'd heal up partly. He knew why Itzli had asked for this he wanted to carry Gabrielle's claw marks for the rest of his life to show that he was her friend. It was a custom that warriors of sun liked to carry the scars of honour and if they had travelled with another great warrior they would ask him or her to give them a battle mark with their weapon which would become a symbol of remembrance. As it was doubtful that Gabrielle would hurt him even if he asked it off her he had asked for this instead.

He stepped back looking at the scared claw marks he felt now was the time to explain to and Gabrielle who still looked utterly confused by his actions. "I believe you will wear these always to symbol remembrance. As they say that a scar from a great warrior near the heart resembles one of greatest honours." Itzli watching as the sudden understanding appeared on Gabrielle's face as everything became clear to her. Her mouth slowly formed a smile before she lowered her gaze the deep thought taking over. Xochipilli moved so he was standing in front of Xena he watched as Gabrielle looked up again. "I am going to miss the both of you so much, I have leant so much from you being here."

He looked down sadly. "I wish you could both stay but I know you must leave this is not your home." Gabrielle didn't think as she put the items she'd been given in her horses pack. She turned putting her arms around him. "Thank you for saving my life, I know you helped Xena and I will miss you so much." She breathed in painfully. "You remind me of Aphrodite." Xochipilli smiled tightening his grip around her. He felt flattered that she saw so much of her friend in him. He looked up slightly. "I think there may be a day some time from now when I will visit your Greek gods and I know that when I do I will be sure to visit you both."

He gave her a light kiss on the cheek. "Then you can let me meet your friend Aphrodite." He stroked her hair as he pulled away turning to Xena, again. There was no anger in her eyes over his actions she excepting them because of their friendship. "I hope to see you to when I visit I'm sure you will have much to tell me of your adventures." Xena felt a smile form she leaned over pulling him in to a hug. "Thank you for everything." She let go watching as he stepped back. "We are both going to miss you." Xochipilli stepped back further. "As I said I think we will be seeing each other once again in the not to distant future in my heart that is one thing I am truly sure off."

Itzli watched as Xochipilli moved away allowing him to come towards the both of them. He slowly put the new weapon in his belt as he spoke. "I think I'm going you miss you both more than anyone." He turned to Gabrielle. "I find it hard to believe that I once hated you so much, yet now I wonder why I ever did." Xena watched as Lila put her things in the open saddle bag on her horse, she leaned over putting the scroll away along with the bracket in a quick motion then moved forward wrapping her arms around Itzli. "We are going to miss you friend, if it weren't for you I don't think ether of us would have lived to see this day."

She breathed in feeling her raw emotions well up before she could stop causing a tear to run down her face. "I'm going to miss you Itzli more than you'll ever know." Itzli breathed in keeping his arms wrapped around her closing his eyes feeling the pain hit home and the truth that they were both leaving for good a truth he hadn't been ready to embrace. "May be like Xochiquetzal said you will both return here one day. I know when that day comes I will be the first to greet you." Xena pulled away from him wiping the tear from her face as she stepped back. "We wouldn't expect any less." She moved back allowing Gabrielle to come in front of her. She watched as her lover put down her dog down and then threw her arms around the taller man who just smiled hiding the sadness in his eyes as best he could.

Gabrielle tightened her grip. "I'll miss you so much Itzli." The truth was that Xena had said a lot of what needed to be said and she was uncertain about what to say. She felt the tears as they started to come as she spoke. "I hope that you have everything you dream off, you deserve that more than any one I know." Itzli breathed in running his fingers through the long blonde hair. "No I feel that you deserve that life as much as I do. You have suffered far more than anyone and you deserve your happiness." He looked at Xena for a spilt second a part of him hoped that above all else they one day had another child together.

It was what they both wanted and deserved more than anyone the chance to start over and have a family again. They were both almost there and they had changed along the way for the better. Though he could not say this aloud as it was a private issue between them he hoped that they would have this gift more than anyone. Gabrielle took in a deep breath. "Then I guess we can agree to disagree can't we?" Itzli felt a sad smile. "Yes I believe we can." He watched as she pulled back the tears were still running down her face. "I hope that your family will be glad to see you, I am sure that they have missed you." Gabrielle kept her hand on his arm. "Yes I am sure they have, I believe you sister will be missing you to."

Itzli smirked. "Well I will be sure to stop by as me and my brother will have a lot to talk about when we return home." He patted her arm as he stepped away realizing that she was now leaving for what would be a very long time. "Hopefully I will be able to introduce my child to them." Gabrielle wiped her tear away. "I think they'd like that." Itzli gave her a smile as he stepped back further he ignored his brother's confusion as he came to stand by his side. Tlaloc leaned over. "Child! What child?" He turned to look at him taking in a deep breath. "It is a long story brother I will tell you when the time is right." He turned to Lila who was looking uncertain. "I think now would be the right time to say goodbye to your friend."

Tlaloc eyed him for a long moment before stepping forward feeling Amoxtli grab his arm as she followed him. He took in a deep breath as he came to stand in front of Lila. He put his hands together he wasn't very good at this and his getting to grips with his emotions was so new. "I...I mean we just…wanted to say…" He looked down before looking up again taking in another breath. "I wanted to say thank you for everything." Lila looked at him she felt a smile form as she put her hand on his. "I didn't help you I think you helped yourselves." Tlaloc shook his head. "No I think you underestimate yourself Lila, I think you have strength that you have not truly come understand yet."

He patted her fingers watching as Amoxtli smiled. "I think that your power is in your words and your effects on others. Warriors may shape the world but it's those who whisper words of gold who can make people like us see ourselves again the way we were meant to." He put his other hand on hers. "You should cherish a gift like that because in my view it is a rare and beautiful thing." Amoxtli stepped forward putting her hand on Lila's shoulder. "Why with words like yours I think that you could guide others to what is just and true. You shouldn't think that because you don't hold a weapon like your sister that you are not brave. You are just as brave and just as strong and I am sure that you will find your true calling."

She raised her other hand. "I think that frankly you are destining to be more than a bread makers daughter. I think a time will come when you will no longer need to be in your sisters shadow and you'll have your own which others will look up to." Tlaloc smiled keeping hold off her hands. "We will both miss you Lila, to us you are our friend." Lila smile looking up at him. "Thank you I don't know what to say." Tlaloc leaned over giving her a gentle hug before pulling away. He watched as Amoxtli did the same before stepping back. "Just make sure that you visit us one day." Lila felt her smile widen despite her suffering she was happy that she had these two as friends. "I will I promise on my word."

Tlaloc stepped back feeling the pain hit home he watched as Amoxtli wiped away a tear which was starting to fall. He put his arm around her drawing her closer speaking in a gentle tone as he gave her a soft kiss on the lips. "I am sure we will both see her again." Amoxtli smiled sadly wiping away the last of her tears. "I hope we do I'll be disappointed if we don't." Xochiquetzal breathed in the time had come she moved her hand forward watching as the lightning flew out of it forming a large portal. She looked at them sadly. "I think its time for you return to Greece this portal will take back to Gabrielle's home. I believe that is where you need to be right now."

Gabrielle took in a deep breath she carefully picked up her dog watching as it yipped then she eased herself in to her horse's saddle. She turned seeing Xena do the same on the other side. She turned looking at her sister as she grabbed the reins. "Which horse do you want to get on Lila it's up to you?" Lila swallowed watching as the dark stallion snorted as it ruffled its feathered wings. She turned eyeing Xena horse. "I think I'll go on Argo, the saddle looks more comfortable." Xena leaned over pulling her in to the saddle, she looked up seeing the pain in her lovers eyes for just a second before it faded away, both these two had a lot to work out and it would take time.

She grabbed the reins turning Argo watching as Gabrielle did the same before turning towards the Aztec gods. "You know one day we are going to come back here and when we do I want the person who gives me food to tell me just what it is, do we have an agreement?" Itzli smiled raising his hand. "Yes I will." Xena turned kicking the horse in to action she watched as Argo galloped forward closely followed by Gabrielle whose horse spread its wings as they got closer to the light. She felt Lila grab her waist trying to hold on as Argo picked up her pace her hooves clashing against the ground as she galloped faster her wings spreading as she galloped past her lovers horse.

Gabrielle closed her eyes as her horse galloped in to the silver light of the portal spreading its wings out fully following Argo as she jumped in to the light. Gods a part of her was going to miss Mexica as hard as it was to say. It felt like she was leaving so many friends behind it almost felt unfair. Perhaps that in its self was the greatest irony of all that the very place she'd once hated would become a place that she didn't want to leave. In a sad way this was for the better for Lila though she needed to be home. She needed to be with Lector and she needed to heal and come what may she would stand by her side along with her lover until her younger sister had healed both emotionally and physically. She knew that this would take a while it had for her and it would be no different for her sister.

End of part 128

Silvermoonlight