Disclaimers: See Chapter 1

Additional Note (Please Read): This tale is tied in with, The Conqueror & Ri: A Twist of Destiny. If you haven't read both stories' chapters preceding this one, you should do so now. Thanks to all the readers who make me happy by reading my tales. Enjoy! :-)

Xena & Gabrielle,

A Turn of Fate,

By, Ahkiken

Chapter 19: Jubilant Vindication

Hiro ducked under the katana that was headed for his neck, but, bringing his blade upwards, it got blocked by Lei's. Pulling back, he and Lei sized each other up before their swords connected again.

'This has been better than I had expected.' Xena cogitated excitedly.

It would be the final match of the day, and so far, the ninety-eight Samurai who'd fought showed that they had the aptitude to participate in any incursion once they'd reached Japa. Although forty-nine moved on to Xena's special class, she altered her mind about not caring for the others that lost. They still would be oust from further training with her, howbeit, the Warrior Princess would tactfully place them strategically among the winners.

Parrying Lei's strike, Hiro took a huge gambit by performing a flip that Xena taught them. Hiro's opponent gazed in wonderment as he landed and swept his foot from under him. Placing his sword at the chest of Lei, the fight was over.

"Congratulations." Xena applauded. "That was well done."

After Hiro aided Lei to his feet, the one hundred ninety-nine Samurai lined up in formation.

"Those of you who'd achieved victory today can rejoice. Y'all will move on and won't be needed the next time the first squad comes back. You all have a reprieve."

"Yeah!" The victors shouted gleefully.

"For the fifty Samurai whom put forth a valiant effort, but came up a little short, sadly y'alls time with me is at an end." Xena elucidated. "Nevertheless, y'all have proven to me that you are skillful. I wholeheartedly promulgate continuing your training, for you can only excel forward if you do. The ones who haven't been in battle today, be ready at our future session. Dismiss."

The Samurai bowed and began to scramble.

"Whoa, Hiro." Suzu was elated for his friend. "Some move out there. I'm not trying anything that parlous during my contest."

"Yea." Hiro replied concisely. "Help me to my cabin, please. My foot might be sprained from that landing."

Suzu looked at his limping companion in shocked disbelief.

"A good days fighting." Xena stated to herself, walking below deck.

Her joyous mood remained intact and she planned to boost it by reading more of Gabrielle's scrolls. It was the bard's writing that impelled her to be so jovial since she'd woke. Addition to her regiment, the beautiful kimono she wore, and stupendous duels that took place, Xena was in heaven, feeling a jubilant vindication for her antecedent venomous bearing.

Once she arrived on the third tier, Xena chose to take the route that led her to the Amazon's cabin. When she'd passed it, the dark-haired woman backtracked and stood in front of it.

'What am I doing? She doesn't want to see me. I caused Gabrielle pain and made her hate me.' Her knuckles tapped on the door anyway. 'Gods, what did I just do!'

The door opened and Xena's heart drummed wildly in her chest, until she glimpsed reddish-brown tresses.

'Why the fuck is she here!' Xena's smile twitched.

"Xena?" Tanya inquired. "What brings you by? Hopefully not another brutal, verbal lashing."

"Uh, where's Gabrielle? This is her cabin."

"Hello, Tanya, how are ya? I'm fine, Xena, thanks for asking." She mocked.

"How are you, Tanya?"

"I'm great. Kenji set me up in this cabin and I no longer have to help or sleep in the galley, nor Brownie's stall. I don't know where your blonde friend is at, neither do I care."

"But this is Gabrielle's lodging." Xena rephrased.

"It isn't anymore." The teen who was donned in solely a beige tunic declared. "Kenji told me it's been unoccupied for a while now."

'Where is Gabrielle?' Jealousy and pain gripped her. 'Is she staying with Zicalus now?'

"You look gorgeous by the way." Tanya complimented.

"Oh, thanks." Xena responded, lackadaisically. "I'll be off."

"Kenji informed me that Gabrielle has another room to herself." Tanya announced, stalling Xena's departure. "I don't know which one it is, but it's on the first tier."

'She's not with Zicalus.' Xena's jolly attitude returned. "Thank you, Tanya."

"No problem. Would you like to come in?"

"Nah, I'm going to the stables." Xena started to amble away, then decided to do something kind for Tanya that would benefit them both. "There's been a slight oversight on my part regarding the Samurai's trials. A spot on the first squad is available if you-"

"Yes!" Tanya shouted.

Xena laughed. "Okay, but you will have to contend with a Samurai to maintain your position within the squad, and to advance your learning with me."

"That's not a concern." Tanya bragged.

"I would hit the armory, just in case." Xena insisted.

"Mm-hmm, I will, Xena. I mean, Master." Tanya corrected.

"Xena will do nicely." The Warrior Princess clarified. "Be on the bottom deck at noon in four days."

"I'll be there. Thank you so much for this opportunity."

Tanya's new teacher gave a small wave, prior to strolling toward her destination, as the nineteen-year-old closed the door to get dressed and shake off the battle-rust from lack of training.

Descending the fourth tier's ladder and traversing the route to enter Argo's stall, Xena patted the cream-colored mane of her horse.

"Hey, girl! I'm in such high spirits today, I can't control myself."

In sync with Xena's comportment, the mare nickered a cheerful response.

"You said it, Argo." She beamed, grabbing the saddlebag that contained Gabrielle's writings.

Thereupon, her happy visage faded.

{X&G}

'She won't be reading anymore of my damn scrolls.' The vindictive bard tossed the multiple rolled parchments, which were enclosed in a new satchel, on the floor of the armory.

Gabrielle sat crossed-legged, the katana on the right side of her, and Xena's acquired chakram on the left. Shutting greenish-blue orbs inside the empty area, she commenced meditating. The Amazon ruminated on her soul mate's deception, including the mental and physical turmoil Xena had authored when they were in the third tier cabin. All she'd wanted was to be privy of the truth, however, the Warrior Princess denied her that tiny concession.

'Stop it!' Gabrielle reprimanded herself. 'I have to cease my cognition of Xena. If I don't, I'll make myself have a conniption, and she isn't worth my health. She's not worthy of my love, or anything else I once yielded to her.'

Dissipating the anger and unresolved queries of why Xena lied, she concentrated on shoving her ex-lover aside once more.

"I'll never submit to her again." Gabrielle averred whilst the armory doors opened and closed.

The kimono-clad Samurai's eyelids rose, observing the person who stalked in. The late adolescent was wearing the same clothes she'd worn when they first met; a sleeveless red tunic, dark-brownish trousers, brown boots, and a sheathed sword on her right hip.

'Isn't this dandy.' She puffed.

"Wow!" Tanya exclaimed. "This is the armory? I imagined something entirely different when Xena mentioned it."

'No way I'm getting any meditation completed now.' Gabrielle speculated, viewing Tanya's steps coming her way.

"Hey, Gabrielle." Tanya greeted, curious how she'd gotten a silk garment like Xena and the scarred man she espied yesterday. "Don't mind me. I'm getting some um, um... What is it called again? Practice? No... Drills? Yeah, just gonna get some drills in for Xena's session in four days."

Gabrielle stayed quiet, musing, 'So, Xena has chosen to teach her after all.'

"I have to fight a Samurai, but I'm sure I'll make the cut." Tanya went on. "See, I didn't need your help. Nor Kenji's, though he did get me a cabin of my own. Xena stopped by, thinking it was still yours."

Gabrielle unintentionally revealed her puzzlement and distemper at the divulgement.

Tanya noticed the cropped-blonde's expression. "Yup. She was looking forward to seeing you and didn't know that you're lodged somewhere on the first tier. Well, 'til I told her. I wonder why Xena did not have knowledge of that to begin with?"

"Mind your business, Tanya." Gabrielle cautioned. "It has nothing to do with you."

"In a way it does." She asserted. "If you and Xena are no longer friends for whatever reason, which I'm starting to discern, I have a chance to take your place."

"You're covetous of my position at Xena's side?" Gabrielle chuckled with mirth. "By all means, it's yours, but be wary; you won't be her sidekick for very long."

"And why not?" Tanya became obtuse. "Because I'm not you? I affirmed it one time and I'll say it again, I can be better than you. You are a simple versifier. How you'd garnered the Warrior Princess' attention and coaxed her to allow you to travel beside her, is beyond me."

Keeping her temper in control, Gabrielle recast her statement, "Tanya, if you want my former place alongside Xena, you can have it. Just don't plan on-"

"Why? Xena is honorable, honest, and a respectable person. All the Samurai think so. That's why they call her Sama."

"She will disappoint you."

"How?" Tanya urged.

The Amazonian Samurai remained silent, not answering the quiz.

"How?" Tanya echoed, standing in front of her. "If she is the opposite of what I have spoken, why did you stay with her all these years?"

'Good fucking question!' Gabrielle felt disinclined to voice her reinforced rejoin.

There were a thousand axioms why she hadn't ever left, albeit to list three; one, Gabrielle swore to never leave her soul mate after the few times she did. Two, Xena made promises that the bard held onto like sacred words on a blessed scroll. Third, and the most important, she was deeply in love with the blue-eyed beauty. To be truthful, she still loved her, hence being kept in the dark anent to Xena's death pained her extremely.

"Nothing to say, huh?"

"Whatever, Tanya. Go about your 'drills'."

"That's the best you got?" The auburn-haired female recognized the yin-yang disc and it fueled her to agitate Gabrielle more. "You imply that Xena shouldn't be held in esteem, yet you have her chakram with you."

'I deserve it!' The Amazon yelled mentally.

Shutting her irises in a vain attempt to ignore the loquacious irritant, Gabrielle wasn't aware of how much longer she could restrain herself from erupting.

"Hmm, must have given it to you for services rendered." The directed opprobrium compelled Gabrielle's eyes to quickly reopen, provoking Tanya to carry on, "I'm not stupid. Anyone with sight can tell you and Xena is an item. Correction, was an item. Seems she is more into some other chick. Akem? Kemi? Akemi?"

"You can leave now." Gabrielle had begun losing her sensibility. "As a Samurai, I demand you exit the armory."

"You're no Samurai." She challenged, before noting the sword lying next to Gabrielle was similar to the ones that the other Japian warriors had equipped, including Xena. "Isn't this grand! Not only did you get training from my new instructor, but you somehow managed to become close to the Samurai? What, you charmed their leader, too, after being on your back with Xena?"

"Out now, Tanya!" Her restraint was waning.

"I'm not going anywhere and you can't make me."

"Wanna bet?" Gabrielle spitefully prompted.

Tanya gripped the handle at her hip. "I'm the reason you are here to begin with. I am the person who told Kenji and those three warriors where they could find you both. It is I, in a sense, whom presented this chance for you to become a Samurai. Instead of being bitchy towards me, you should be thanking me!"

The curtailment for hindering her malice had snapped.

"You are right, Tanya." Gabrielle grasped the katana, standing to her full stature, unsheathing it. "You are the blame for Xena and I getting brought here. So, let me thank you properly."

She pointed her blade at Tanya to engage a duel. To oblige, the light brown-eyed warrior withdrew her sword and squared off.

"You asked for this." Tanya professed, swinging her weapon.

Gabrielle casually raised her katana, countering it. She was going to have fun with the impetuous teenager till she got bored, kindred to what Xena did with Zicalus. Another slash came that got blocked, whereas some more followed and all of them were deflected, also. Tanya tried a rushing thrust and when it got parried, she aimed for a swipe at Gabrielle's leg, but the skilled bard lifted a foot high enough to kick her lightly on the forehead.

"Do you know CQC?"

"What's that?" Tanya probed indifferently, shaking off the soft hit.

"Close quarter combat." Gabrielle imparted. "It would be dearly useful to you."

"I know how to fight!"

Gabrielle smiled condescendingly, frustrating Tanya, and the enraged novice began to attack ferociously without clear direction. The petite Samurai enjoyed blocking every strike that was coming at her, consciously counting the utter amounts of openings that her adversary left unguarded. She had to accommodate an easy target and struck Tanya's nose, busting it, causing the younger woman to backpedal to assess the damage.

"No worries." Gabrielle confirmed, "It's not broken."

Tanya was beginning to have second thoughts about defeating Gabrielle. Rubbing the blood from her nostril, she recommenced her offensive again, and once more, the trim blonde took delight in playing the defensive role. Thereon, she made the decision to not use her katana and only evade uncoordinated attacks. She'd sway her body from vertical slashes, and pivot to Tanya's unprotected side every time she tried trusting. Whenever she would occasionally use wide, wild strikes, the talented Amazon would dodge perfectly, as if dancing to unheard music.

Becoming weary of the challenger, Gabrielle countered a blow with her sword and kicked Tanya in the shin, nearly invoking her to fall. Steadying her balance, the pained fighter renewed her assault.

"I hate to say it and believe me, God knows I don't want to, albeit, Xena was right about you." Gabrielle assented.

Choosing to ignore her, Tanya focused on gaining a hit.

"And what a stalwart you are for committing the same mistakes repeatedly, even when it doesn't cede a satisfying award."

"I don't know what you've called me, but you better take it back." Tanya snarled breathlessly.

Deja vu assailed Gabrielle. In a resting-site many years ago, a braided, dark-haired girl had proclaimed the same thing to her.

'I had whipped Tara's ass that day.' Gabrielle remembered, and thus impeding a downward stroke, she locked their linked blades. "You lack concentration, Tanya. You think you'll last in a real battle with substantive contenders?"

"I know I can." Tanya gritted her teeth, straining against Gabrielle's strength.

"You are mistaken." Gabrielle apprised, slowly overpowering her with the katana. "You'll be lucky if anyone takes mercy on you like Xena did on the outskirts of Mende."

"You bitch! You're mad because Xena doesn't care about you!" Tanya screamed, aiming a wicked punch to Gabrielle's mouth, notwithstanding, the Samurai caught the incoming fist, whilst totally conquering her in their power struggle.

Next, she twisted Tanya's wrist a little without breaking it, neglecting her yowl. Summoning massive strength, Gabrielle's katana descended on her opponent's sword and the impact made Tanya release it from her grip. Seeing red, Gabrielle kicked her in the stomach twice and was planning on doing more harm, yet, the teen fell to her knees in tears.

"You...got... You got it so good don't you?" She pronounced between coughs and brief wails. "The Warrior...Princess adores you...and...you can't...descry it..."

"Shut up, Tanya. You have no comprehension of what's-"

"But I do." Tanya refuted, holding her injured wrist. "I...watched... I had watched her yesterday. After Kenji granted me the cabin on the third tier, I went back...back down to the stables and she just sat there inside Argo II's stall...reading... Reading your scrolls."

"How are you certain that they were mine?" Gabrielle protested weakly, knowing the truth.

"Xena told me they were. She cares about you... Whatever happened between you both doesn't matter, she misses you. Hades, everyone likes you. Kenji speaks kindly of you. The Samurai leader has chosen you to become a part of his members. Even my father... My father would recite a story to me at bedtime." Tanya dried her face, catching her breath. "There was once this king, his name was Libarius. He was a brave warrior and a great hunter. He was so proud of his hunting skills that he decided to test them in the sacred forest of the great goddess Artemis. She was so angry with him that she turned him into a deer. The irony, brave King Libarius thought. Poetic justice for a great hunter to become the hunted. But then he became so fond of the peaceful ways of the deer that he actually grew to love them. Of course he still missed his friends and family, which made him very sad. So Artemis took pity on him, turned him back into human form. Living as a deer was the best thing that ever happened to him. He became a better king after the experience, a much happier man. King Libarius learned that the true peace of life is to find peace in yourself and to share it with the world. Life... Life is only what you make it."

Gabrielle recalled telling the tale to a warmongering general inside the healing temple in Thessaly.

"It wasn't merely Xena who changed my father." Tanya confided. "It was you. Once you declaimed King Libarius' tale to him, it planted a seed that the Warrior Princess nurtured within his heart and mind."

"Marmax disclosed this to you?" Gabrielle inquired.

"I always wondered why he would tell me that same fable over and over when I was a child." Tanya glanced at Gabrielle as fresh teardrops fell. "He finally shared why with me, while he was on his deathbed."

Gabrielle felt immense sorrow for the gloomy teenager. "Marmax...your father is dead?"

She nodded, and salty liquid poured from her eye sockets. Gabrielle kneeled, cradling Tanya whilst she cried.

"That's why I left home." She admitted. "He never wanted me to leave, and when he became sick, I stayed by his side, caring for him, till he drew his last breath. After he passed on into Elysium, I couldn't remain... I just... I couldn't..."

"Shh." Gabrielle cooed. "It's alright. It's alright."

"I can't go back to Thessaly. Any place on Gaia is a safe haven other than home. That's why I wanted to travel with you and Xena. Running into y'all proved my father's words. I'm sorry for everything I avouched and done to you, Gabrielle." Tanya abjured her unkindness. "What I avowed to you by the stream, I meant. Y'all both are my heroes, but Xena taught you, and I was hoping that she could teach me as well."

"Tanya, you really want Xena to train you?"

"Yes, but you are right. I'll only embarrass myself against a Samurai."

"You have four days?" Gabrielle pressed.

Tanya sluggishly bestowed a second nod.

"Go to your room and rest. Come back here tomorrow, and I will show you some moves so you'll pass the duels. Then, Xena can instruct you from there onward."

Tanya was unsure what to intone to the woman she had offended on more than one occasion. "I...I..."

"Go. I'll see you tomorrow. We'll have our chat during that time." Gabrielle enunciated.

Thereupon, she arose and aided Tanya to her feet, too. Ending the embrace, the auburn-haired teenager remained speechless as she picked up her sword and trudged out of the armory. Gabrielle let loose an emotional sigh, and was inwardly fatigued by current illuminations. Marmax was dead and Xena would surely follow the same status. Returning to the spot she'd recently occupied, she sat down, depositing the katana to the right side of her.

Shutting aqua orbs, Gabrielle made a choice to pray, instead of meditating, 'Please, Eli... Succor me.'

To Be Continued...