Disclaimers: See Chapter 1

Additional Note (Please Read): This tale is a companion with, The Conqueror & Ri: A Twist of Destiny. If you haven't read both story's chapters preceding this one, you should do so now. Shout out to my readers, specially, SomethingExtra. Thanks for giving my tales a chance to thrill you. Happy New Year to each and every one of you! Enjoy! ;-)

Xena & Gabrielle,

A Turn of Fate,

By, Ahkiken

Chapter 21: For Eternity

'Omphalos stone? Another world? What am I to do? I can't take the ring off and it's only a matter of time before it whisk me away. There's nothing to be done, other than hope that Eli fix this problem and stop it from becoming a catastrophe. With the devastating news from Japa, disclosing Yodoshi's attack on Higuchi, we can only ask for a miracle that the Daimyo, Morimoto and his men holds off the destruction of the village, especially its temple. If what Eli told me is true to its core, Korei-den is the means to strengthen this unknown goddess and one step to powering the Omphalos shard.'

Her arm instinctively fended off every strike as Gabrielle continued her rumination. 'Eli said Xena loves me more than anyone, or thing. If so, why didn't she tell me the truth? Why not be honest, instead of lying and hurting me? I'll never forgive her for that, even if Eli implied I would choose to. If I do talk to her, it will be to inquire where she got this band that's threatening to send me off somewhere else.'

Twisting her kendo stick, Gabrielle flipped Tanya onto the armory floorboards, on her back.

The auburn haired woman grunted. "Can you give me some instructions and not go silent on me?"

Gabrielle helped Tanya to stand. "Sorry about that. I zoned out for a moment."

"You've done that a lot lately." Tanya stated. "Each time you do, I wind up on the floor."

"You remember what I've taught you in the past two days?"

Tanya picked up her wooden sword. "To not be so offensive with my attacks and defend. Try to control my sense of balancing while aboard this ship, because the motion of the waves can offset my balance. As well as to incorporate patience and wait for openings in my opponent's defense."

"To look for openings in your opponent's offense." Gabrielle corrected.

Tanya wiped the sweat from her brow. "Yea, that's it."

"Let's take a break." Gabrielle sat down.

"Do we have to? I only have today to get better. Tomorrow I gotta be ready for my duel."

Gabrielle looked at Tanya and the young woman took the hint, sitting in front of her mentor. "Alright, you're the boss."

The Samurai smiled at Tanya's witty remark as she began thinking of the predicament concerning her so-called twin from the other world, Xena, and the circlet on her index finger. Gabrielle also pondered on her happiness at discovering Xena's golden ring wasn't discarded. She thanked Kenji for leaving it in her cabin the next day she'd seen him after apologizing to the monk for exploding when he had entered the room to check on her that noon. The bard was still upset with the men who knew of Xena's death and kept it secretive from her. She hadn't sighted Zicalus since she'd promised to train with him. Nor have she spoken on her discontent with the Shogun, deciding to play the role of dutiful pupil when they'd sparred together, focusing to hide her rage and dismay.

"Thanks again, Gabrielle."

"You don't have to tell me that every day we practice, Tanya."

"I want to." she admitted. "I wasn't nice to you and all you've shown me was kindness. I'm truly thankful."

Gabrielle crossed her legs. "Again for the last time, you are welcome."

The Amazon closed her orbs, only having a few seconds of silence when Tanya queried. "Have you spoken to Xena?"

"Tanya." Gabrielle warned gently.

Sighing, Tanya crossed her legs too. "I know it's none of my business, but I think y'all should make up and-"

"You're on the outside looking in, Tanya." Gabrielle's eyes remained closed. "Me and Xena has gone through a lot together. Try to imagine the greatest joy that fills your life. Then, imagine the worse kind of madness ripping the joy away. Now, time that exponentially."

Gabrielle opened her eyes. "The madness overcomes the joy. Lies aren't significant substitutions for honesty."

"You're probably right. After you killed Jargas to save me, I'd lied to Xena by saying I had never seen a dead person. Seeing his lifeless body on the ground reminded me of my father, minus the blood. That's why I was so distraught, besides the fact my life could have been taken by Jargas. I couldn't shake the image of my father lying dead in his bed. Sometimes I feel so full of anger just to cover my sadness and grief." Tanya declared. "If I'd told you and Xena the truth about my father, probably things would have gone differently. My mother died in child birth while having me and my father was the only family I had. I miss him so much."

Gabrielle grasped the younger warrior's hand. "It's alright to miss him. Just don't let the loss consume you. Not a day go by when I do not stop missing my parents. My mother, father, and brother-in-law were executed by a warlord in Africa. His name was Gurkhan and he placed my niece in his harem before taking her as his wife. I was bent on revenge, willing to do anything necessary for retribution. All I wanted to do was murder the man who took my family from me while I slumbered in an ice cavern."

"You slept in an ice cave?" Tanya asked surprised.

"That's why me and Xena disappeared for twenty-five years."

"That explains things." Tanya grinned. "Did you kill Gurkhan?"

"No." Gabrielle asserted. "Although I did beat him up badly."

"He lives?"

"Gurkhan was going to have my niece executed and planned to take Xena as his new wife. So we put him in my niece's place and his men killed him instead." Gabrielle elucidated.

"You acquired vengeance and kept your hands clean." Tanya affirmed.

"Putting it that way, you're right. Gurkhan died by his own hand and my conscience wasn't bothered by the evil grips of doing the deed myself." Gabrielle said.

"Y'all plot worked out well and vengeance was still yours." Tanya confirmed.

The petite Samurai withdrew her hands, thinking on what Tanya clarified. 'Xena orchestrated everything in Africa perfectly. I would have ruined myself by killing the wrong man. She even took a beating for my folly.'

Memories of Xena's words in the woods outside Phoenicia resonated in Gabrielle's head.

'Everything I do, or done lately is for a purpose.'

Gabrielle shook off the past. It didn't have anything to do with now, nor the promise Xena gave her in Thebes. The cropped blonde trusted her ex-fiancee only to be let down.

"Being a Samurai, what's that like?" Tanya inquired.

"Other than focusing on the art of kendo, Samurai follows Bushido. A moral code that stress frugality, loyalty, martial arts mastery, and honor unto death."

"That's a mouthful." Tanya teased. "Does it aid your anger at Xena or diminish it?"

"I'm not angry."

"You're not?"

"Some things you simply can't control. Like madness and joy, you have to deal with it either way it comes." Gabrielle replied.

"True, I guess. Me and my father had lots of ups, including lows. However, even if madness occurs more, isn't the joy worth it all?" Tanya challenged.

The Samurai adorned in her sky blue kimono didn't have an answer. Tanya's relations with Marmax was different. She wouldn't understand Gabrielle and Xena's relationship without revealing all the details of their life together.

"Come on, Tanya. You have a little more ways to go." she arose. "Time to resume your training."

"You're not going to zone out on me again are you?" Tanya questioned, standing to her full stature.

"I won't." Gabrielle swung her kendo and Tanya blocked it. "But I'm not going easy on you either."

{X&G}

The final two fighters of the fourth squad was battling while Koska and their Shogun gazed down at them from the top deck.

"They fought hard." Harukata announced. "Incredible how the Samurai strive to stay in Xena's sessions."

Koska glanced at the tutor, clad in her red kimono. "Xena Sama has really gotten into her role as instructor and sensei."

Harukata was shocked by his third in command. "Sama is it?"

"I've watched her with the four squads and have to admit, she's a really good teacher." Koska responded.

The duel ended and Xena addressed the two hundred men.

"Shogun, forgive my adamant opinion about going to Shinto." Koska apologized. "I fear for our people."

"Have faith, Koska. You've mentioned the other Samurai clans and why they aren't defending their rightful temples, but we both know the other clans haven't shown themselves in decades. The protection of Korei-den falls upon us. It's not fair, yet it is what Amaterasu ordained. I will do as she commands." Harukata pronounced.

"I understand." Koska agreed.

The two men observed the Samurai on the bottom main platform dispersing.

"Xena Sama accepts her death in Japa, but consistently seeks solitude in her cabin." Koska averred.

"She's sacrificing not only her life, but others in it also. Xena will be losing the people who loves her." the Shogun explained.

"If only there was a way we could spare her this fate and defeat Yodoshi." Koska proposed.

"Perhaps we can." Harukata smiled. "I'm inclined to request that the Warrior Princess' life be returned."

The Shogun looked on as Xena walked below deck. "I believe the sun Kami can help."

{X&G}

Entering her lonely cabin, Xena laid on her cot, gazing at the wooden ceiling. Her choice to refrain from telling Gabrielle she's to die in Japa, affected the raven-haired woman. The bard's amorous declarations written on parchments, reintroduced Xena to the love she chose to surrender. Ratiocination of their last time spent in the third tier room assaulted Xena's senses. The cruel acts she enforced on her soul mate. The heartless words that were spoken. The dumb decision to remove the bonding ring off her finger, only to regret it immediately in following days.

'I rue it all.'

How many times did Gabrielle proclaim her love for Xena, so the tall warrior could test it repeatedly in many ways. There were moments in their travels when the Amazon went seeking something more in her life other than battles and death. Gabrielle always wanted someone whom could offer spiritual guidance like Eli. The younger woman needed it so much to the point she fell susceptible to manipulation from others.

Khrafstar, Najara, and Aiden.

Xena shut her cerulean orbs, remembering how close Gabrielle had gotten with the guru who tried to leech all of her goodness. She would've been doomed if not for Xena discovering Aiden's facade and saving her vulnerable secret lover.

"Well, just as well for me it worked! I... I'm free? I got a wife! I got kids! Oh! Thank you! Thank you! Freedom! Real... Freedom!"

I watch the man named Garr exit the cave, becoming grateful he's gone and hopeful he'll find his family.

"I learned something about myself... And you." Gabrielle states.

"Yeah?"

"I sometimes talk about your darkness like it's some sort of disease. But without it, neither one of us would be here. It's kind of ironic." she asserts.

"Yeah." I concur.

"Do I really have hands like a sailor?" Gabrielle ask.

I smirk, remembering saying that to her while she stitched the gash on my leg. I'm happy Gabrielle donned her sexy body with the fur before Garr seen her nude. I have no problem showing my assets off to people, but for her to... I'll hate to discover what I'd do if somebody other than myself saw the fruits of my bard.

Taking her hands in mines, I say. "No, Gabrielle. Your hands are smooth."

"I thought so." she sits down inside the cave with her legs spread open, bringing me down to kneel between them. "Thanks for rescuing me, Xena."

Gabrielle kisses my hand.

"We rescued each other." I confess, deciding to voice a question. "Are you upset about your paradise lost?"

Gabrielle sighs. "Aiden taught me some techniques that filled me with peace. I've learned to let certain aspects of our past go. I know he just wanted to feed off my goodness, but Aiden's teachings allowed me to move on from the haunting of Hope, Dahak, Solan, and my lies to you."

I try to cover my sadden expression, but fail as I think of my deceased son. I'd never got the opportunity to tell Solan how much I loved him, nor the chance to give him knowledge that I was his mother while he was alive.

Gabrielle touches my face gently. "I'm so sorry, Xena."

"We both lost a part of us, didn't we?" I question. "Your innocence. My son."

"Yes." Gabrielle gave a glum reply. "Xena, how did you know Aiden was planning on using me for power?"

"I... I went..." gods, I'm stuttering.

Do I inform Gabrielle that I was preparing on leaving her in the clutches of Aiden? How my vision of our deaths fuck with me no matter her belief we'll be alright? Or while we were in Aiden's world, I suffered from illusions broadcasting me physically harming her?

"The last time I seen you was when my back started to knot up and you gave me a wonderful massage, inducing sleep. Once I awoke, I had searched all over for you, however, you weren't around. Where did you go, Xena?"

"I started to pay more attention to the blue statues, noticing something awry with them." I answer.

"Were you set on leaving me?" she query.

The guilt is displayed on my face and Gabrielle sees it.

"You were." Gabrielle whispers, removing her hands.

Damn it! I use to be very good at concealing my true feelings. Now with Gabrielle, I'm an easy read.

"I was trying to protect you."

"From the lie that crazy Amazon Shamaness showed you?" Gabrielle frowns. "I told you. I don't believe we are to die, Xena."

"I was protecting you from me." I aver.

Gabrielle is taken aback. "From you? Xena, you wouldn't hurt me."

"I have before." I respond honestly. "I won't ever do that again."

She shakes her head. "Gods, you were going to leave me with Aiden, similar to what you did with Najara. Is it because you thought I liked him?"

"When I spotted you being held in his arms crying as he consoled you, I did feel jealousy towards the scene."

Gabrielle's laugh caused me to feel foolish for confiding my emotional weakness. I get ready to stand, but she grips my arms, keeping me in place.

"Xena. Xena, you have nothing to be afraid of. From yourself, nor from others when it comes to me. I trust you will never hurt me and you can trust I'm not planning on being with another person after you." Gabrielle leans in, kissing me softly on the lips. "You've ruined me for anyone else."

We gaze in each other's eyes and I can't cease feeling doubtful about it all. Though we both will break from our paths to help each other, my dark side is real. It can erupt at anytime I lose myself and Gabrielle has proven not too long ago she's willing to give her affections away. She'd done it with Najara. I can't take the thought of her being with anyone else romantically, or sexually other than me. Nonetheless, it would be unfair to offer her a steady relationship, only to treat her unkindly when I flirt with some guy to get what I want. I haven't done that in a while, but old habits die-hard, particularly if I begin to feel cagey.

Still, how long till Gabrielle gets tired of me and my games.

Our eyes remain locked and Gabrielle grasp one of my hands. "Your hand is rough as well as gentle at the same time. Yet, I feel your strength."

She parts her fur open slightly, gliding my appendage down her fair facial features, her rosy lips, and neck. Slowly, she descends us farther inside her fur and I feel Gabrielle's breast. I allow her to keep the reins of control, even as my urge to usurp it is becoming strong due to my battle lust.

"Feel my body, Xena." Gabrielle profess. "Don't say anything and neither will I. Just feel where I guide you."

"You're sure you can stay quiet." I jive, grabbing her breast.

Gabrielle grunts, but recovers with a seductive smile. "Shut up and I'll restrain myself from making any sounds."

I nod in agreement, using my eyes to convey to Gabrielle that I plan on having her let loose a moan, while my forefinger and thumb began pulling the nipple of her breast. I feel the tit harden and grow taut. She keeps both our hands there before moving to her neglected twin, and I play with the pink nipple on the second breast also. Throughout it all, Gabrielle kept silent, boosting my desire to hear her.

Next, she guides us to her muscled abdomen and I use my palm to take in every glorious detail of her toned stomach. Terribly I want to relinquish the couple of greenish blue jewels to get a glimpse of the beautiful body I came to familiarize myself with. Moving a little below, Gabrielle lets me dally in the cropped copper curls of her down. I pull on her hair tentatively, observing as Gabrielle shudder somewhat from my playful tugging.

Finally, Gabrielle slips our enjoined hands into the abyss of her slit and quickly I feel the succulent flow of her viscous nectar. Gabrielle's breath catches as my fingers stroke the length of her sex. Repetitiously, she allows my hand to pace back and forth from her vaginal opening to her clitoris, making me soak it with the wetness that is leaking out of my bard's core.

My self-control is wavering.

"I have to taste you." I break her rule.

"No." she croons quietly.

I refrain from pushing her down and yanking the fur off Gabrielle's naked body to feast on her. Instead, when my hand traverse again to her opening, I force two fingers inside of her. Gabrielle's eyes widen and she repress a loud moan from the oblivious invasion of my digits.

The sensation of satisfaction drives me wild and I continuously delve into her, seeking information like how much wetter can she possibly get? How much longer can my love hold out before she's either taking in huge gulps of air, groaning erotically, or bucking uncontrollably during her climax? Gabrielle doesn't disappoint and her breathing becomes erratic as my fingers gets swallowed up by her pussy. My thrusts goes faster, finger-fucking her with haste, coaxing Gabrielle to suck in both her bottom and top lips in order to remain quiet. She's making me work for this, but Gabrielle knows I love a challenge.

With my left hand, I bring Gabrielle closer to my body by reaching into her opened fur and grasping her bare hip. Damn, I wish I was undressed too, so I'd feel her sweaty, creamy skin against mines. Her eyes are glistening, altering Gabrielle's irises from aqua to emerald.

It's only a matter of time now.

I grip her tighter, adding pressure to the continuance of my thrusting and we lose eye contact because Gabrielle can barely hold out anymore. Leaning her strawberry blonde covered head back, she clings to my shoulders with both hands, letting the hand she'd once controlled free to do what it wants.

Withdrawing my fingers from within her, I tease Gabrielle's clit with delicate touches and her hips begin to rotate aggressively for added pleasure. Two out of three isn't bad, but I want to hear my usually vocal bard. Latching on to her breast using my mouth, I suck and bite her nipple, then enter her again with a thorough deep plunge.

"Mmm!"

That's it.

I can't stop the smile from beaming at the success of conquering Gabrielle. She'd managed a remarkable fight, but I always get what I want in the end. So does my sweetheart.

I don't want to, but I can't halt my actions sprung on by the battle lust, causing me to use my tongue to lick a path from the crest of her chest to her neck, utilizing suction I know will place a mark on it. My thumb finds her clitoris once again and I rub it intensely while sucking her neck as my fingers stroke Gabrielle. I feel her walls clench my digits, knowing she's there.

"Xena." Gabrielle rasp, her nails digging into the skin of my shoulders, giving me blissful pain.

The next sound out her mouth is a muffled cry. Gabrielle's hot liquid from her orgasm squirts onto my hand. I enjoy when her body does that. It gives me confirmation I've satisfied her greatly.

I'm torn wanting to bring her another, but need is making me wanton for my own release. I exit from inside Gabrielle's warmth.

"Cheater." she declares, panting.

"How?"

"I was supposed to be in control and you entered me without my authorization." Gabrielle affirm.

"Hmm." I hum, knowing she likes when I do it. "Perhaps when you get better at dominating the way I do, you won't have to worry about losing your control to me. You know I have many skills."

Gabrielle grins, placing my fingers that was tainted with her essence in her mouth, sucking them off. Gods, I want that tongue on every inch of me.

After she sucked the two digits, understanding full well I'm tantalized, Gabrielle shoves me down onto my back.

"Oh, you are a sneaky little one." I respond.

She laid on top of me briefly to taste my lips and claim. "No matter what happens, Xena. From our present, until the future, I will love you for eternity."

I'm unable to be responsive with anything that could rival Gabrielle's gifted statement. I don't know how to poetically fuse words together without copying hers.

Yet, my lover licks her lips, giving me a prelude of what's to come and takes the fur off. She sets it in the middle of my legs before lying on it. Lifting my battle skirt up, she removes my undergarment. I feel my heated sex exposed to the atmosphere. Next, Gabrielle's moist mouth enclosed on the apex of my thighs. Remaining in silence while having intercourse is something I have down pact, but with Gabrielle's growing skills at oral pleasure, I wonder will she make me break tonight.

I grip her long tresses in my hands, mouthing. "I love you, Gabrielle."

Xena kept her eyes closed, recalling the following morning after departing the cave all those years ago. The petite Amazon was livid that the Warrior Princess left a hickey on her neck, threatening never to have sex with the dark-haired woman if she has to lie about a pinkish-red bruise again. Xena only laughed, figuring the threat was false. It was a bit of payback for when Gabrielle put one on her before they arrived at the village Cupid cursed or blessed to repeat the same day over for the true love between Neron and Hermia.

Xena's emotions ran high. She missed her soul mate more than anything. To caress Gabrielle's face, touch her golden short hair, or a simple hug, would do wonders for Xena. However, it is not to be. The blue-eyed warrior has no intention telling the truth to Gabrielle, thus sealing her fate and emptiness throughout the voyage to Higuchi.

Placing her hands atop her orbs, Xena broke the vow she made to herself and let the tears fall unchecked, declaring. "I love you, Gabrielle."

To Be Continued...