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. Thanks to all my readers, and a special thank you to my new Beta, Jinxie 2013. ;-)
Xena & Gabrielle,
A Turn of Fate,
By, Ahkiken
Chapter 22: Omphalos Stone
The Amazonian Samurai held Xena's ring in the palm of her hand while waiting for Kenji to bring hot water for her bath. Unable to obtain a full night's sleep, she had awoken early during the pre-dawn. Looking out her window, she remained gazing, until the rising sun was threatening to take over the dark sky. Dawn's morning light illuminated Gabrielle's cabin as she noticed its shining rays beaming on the table. It was holding the basin of liquid and the golden circlet.
Like a magnetic pull, the pretty woman couldn't resist picking it up, cradling it to her. She stood for long moments trying to come to terms with her life and every unfortunate circumstance till the monk entered to switch out her bowl of water for a fresh one along with breakfast. It was then Gabrielle requested the hot water for her tub to bathe, and Kenji acceded to doing it when he finished delivering every one's fresh basins. Once he left, Gabrielle still remained standing where she was, distracted by thoughts of gloom, wishing she had a friend to turn to.
Making a tight fist with Xena's gold ring inside, Gabrielle began to teeter on helplessness. Never before had she felt so alone. She always had Xena in her corner when facing a crisis. The blonde knew her soul mate spoiled her, but now she realized just how much. Did Gabrielle return the favor? Was Xena's disposition damaged because of her selfish decision to lie and break off their relationship? How would the Warrior Princess react if the Omphalos' shard teleported Gabrielle away?
The bard glimpsed the immovable silver band on her left index digit. 'If Eli doesn't find a solution I'll have to consider removing my finger altogether with a blade.'
It wasn't Gabrielle's first time thinking self-mutilation could be the final outcome that will solve the Omphalos problem. She had dwelled on severing her ring finger since Eli's visit in the armory four days ago. Gabrielle didn't want to be disfigured, but she wasn't vain either. If she knew for a fact it would stop the mysterious goddess' plans, she'd do it in a second.
A soft tap was heard on her door, and Gabrielle's heart sped up. If it was Kenji he would have walked right in and nobody else came to her cabin.
'Xena?' she assumed the scary answer. "Who is it?"
"It's me Tanya."
Relief mixed with a strange disappointment calmed Gabrielle. "Come in."
The auburn-haired woman opened the door, entering the room. She wore different attire consisting of a v-neck tunic, which showed plenty of cleavage, blue trousers that was cut below the knees to reveal her bare legs, and brown boots.
"Awesome morning isn't it." Tanya announced.
"Good morning. What brings you by?" Gabrielle inquired.
"Aren't you gonna ask how I found out this was your cabin?"
"I already know it was Kenji who informed you." the bard replied. "What's up?"
"You'd be correct. It was Kenji, and me defeating my Samurai challenger this afternoon is what's going to be up." Tanya boasted.
"I'll be rooting you."
Tanya sat on the cot. "I know you will. It's why I'm here. I want you to see my duel."
Gabrielle smiled. "I wouldn't mind, and thanks for offering, but I have a lot to do."
"Come on, Gabrielle. I'll win so quickly you will only be outside for two minutes." Tanya implored.
Gabrielle shook her head at Tanya's confidence. "I'm certain you will do great. However, I could be on the deck for a long time before your fight. You're not the sole person battling today."
"Please, Gabrielle. Have I ever begged you for anything?" Tanya questioned.
"Yes."
Tanya remembered the fourth tier incident. "Other than that, have I pleaded for anything since?"
"Let me eat and take my bath. I'll think on it." Gabrielle asserted.
"But it'll be noon in fifteen minutes." Tanya responded.
Gabrielle gazed out the window. By observing the position of the sun, Tanya's estimate was right. During her rumination, hours had passed.
"Kenji should have already returned with the water for my bath." she spoke aloud.
"Oh." Tanya said. "I wouldn't count on that. I told him he could bring it up after my duel."
"Tanya!" Gabrielle shouted, making the teenager jump.
"I'm sorry. Don't be upset with me. He was so busy. By time he begun bringing you the water I figured it would hold you up and you'd miss my battle. I just really want you there. I'm nervous and a little worried. Your presence will be a great motivator."
Gabrielle accepted the sincere apology and declaration. "It's alright, but no matter how big or small, don't ever take it upon yourself to interfere in my affairs again."
"I won't." Tanya assented. "Will you come?"
"I'll be there." Gabrielle responded. "You should head on up. If Xena gets started and you're late, she's gonna be miffed. She hates tardiness."
"Thank you." Tanya embraced Gabrielle with a warrior's handshake.
Next, Tanya departed Gabrielle's lodging as the Amazon fretted over her choice. She would have to see the blue-eyed woman, and Gabrielle was unsure how it could affect her. Opening her hand once more, aqua orbs stared at the golden ring before placing it back on the table.
The petite Samurai's affectionate words began ringing in her brain. 'My soul, my life. All I have given Xena.'
Lifting the cloth to wash her hotspots, Gabrielle stated angrily. "I want it all back."
{X&G}
Tanya stood on the bottom platform amongst fifty Samurai warriors. They were all eager to earn their place in Xena's special class. The auburn-haired woman was suffering from butterflies flitting inside her stomach. Tanya's anxiety boosted more as the Japian men that were standing in line with her kept peeking in her direction. Many with scowls, wondering what she was doing in their squad. Light brown eyes glanced upwards at the top deck's railing hoping to see a familiar figure, but Gabrielle wasn't there. Only the other Samurai from different squads were.
"Hey." the Samurai next to Tanya nudged her a tad roughly. "Aren't you a galley worker?"
"I use to help out so I could come aboard. The name's Tanya." she proffered her hand.
He ignored it. "You belong back down there."
"Lay off her, Denzo." the other man on her right side affirmed. "If she's with us we can only deduce Xena Sama has arranged it. If I was you, I'd keep my comments to myself."
Denzo wasn't foolish and heeded his compatriot's logic. Nonetheless, he still scoffed at Tanya and went silent.
"Thanks." Tanya whispered.
"You're welcome. Tanya, is it? My name is Suzu." he offered his hand.
Tanya acknowledged the gesture, asking. "My being here isn't going to make me many friends, huh?"
"Samurai has customs, and for the most part they've been broken being aboard this ship. However, we concede to a warrior's fighting abilities. If you can prove you got what it takes, most of us will overlook the other facts." Suzu explained.
"And the ones who doesn't?"
"Don't pay them any attention." he answered. "We are here for a clear mission and it's to stop Yodoshi. If you can contribute to the cause that's all that should matter."
"Who's-"
"Shut it." Denzo interjected. "Xena Sama is approaching."
Tanya glared at him, but soften once she saw her hero adorned in the beautiful red kimono with ebony hair tied in a pony-tail showcasing sapphire gems for irises. The legendary woman she pretended to be for two weeks, whom taught her about the Greater Good had taken a chance on her. Letting Tanya prove her worth by competing in combat that would land the teen in a spot she'd wanted since hearing the tales of the former Destroyer of Nations.
'To be tutored by Xena I have to win.' she cogitated.
"Afternoon first squad." Xena stopped in front of them similar to the way she have done for the past four days she'd commenced the trials. "You have a new member that will be participating in the duels. Her name is Tanya, and she will be shown every ounce of respect. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Xena Sama!" they concurred.
"That's what I like to hear." Xena grinned briefly, then it was gone. "You all have heard the distressing news that is happening in Higuchi. So, our skills have to improve every second, minute, and hour of the day. Now is not the time to slack whether you win or lose. I wish I could train you all."
"You have!" a Samurai yelled.
The statement warmed Xena. She did teach them all with the exception of Neji.
"In a manner of speaking I have, but I would love to continue every one's training. However, to do that, it would be taking the focus off the people whom really can benefit from it. Who those warriors will be overall is what we are to find out. For our newcomer, the rules are like any other sparring match. No killing and you are beaten if you're disarmed or incapacitated." Xena elucidated. "Let's begin!"
"Yeah!" the Samurai cheered.
Tanya remained quiet throughout the whole speech. The organ in her chest was beating like a hammer. As Xena notified the pair that would duel, Tanya looked up at the upper railing again and most of her jitters melted away.
Gabrielle watched the Samurai and Tanya below. When she caught the auburn-haired woman's eyes with hers, the bard smiled for encouragement. The Amazon tried to ignore her soul mate, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, but was failing. Luckily, Xena's back was to her as the tutor scrutinized the combatants. Gabrielle viewed the sight of her ex-lover and had a longing for the Warrior Princess tugging at her spirit. The knowledge of Xena's death pained the blonde.
'God, she looks amazing.' a tear escaped Gabrielle's greenish blue eyes and she hastily wiped it off her face.
"Gabrielle Chan." Zicalus pronounced, ascending the stairs.
Although she hadn't seen him in days, Gabrielle's happiness at sighting the blue kimono donned Samurai was mired with displeasure. He too had withheld the truth about Xena from her.
"Zicalus." she greeted. "Long time no see."
He stood beside her. "I had to get some things in prospective."
"Are you being equivocal?" Gabrielle queried.
Zicalus chuckled. "No. Forgive me if it appears I am."
"You're forgiven for equivocating me." Gabrielle was being secretly ambiguous.
Zicalus let the phrase pass. "I'm assured Kenji relayed my congratulations for your succession."
"He did. Among other things." Gabrielle began watching the next pair of men engage each other.
"He told you about the marking of your katana?" Zicalus presumed.
Gabrielle was puzzled. "Marking of the katana?"
Zicalus withdrew his katana, showing her its blade. "See the Japian symbol? The steel of the katana is bare when a Samurai first receive theirs. It is tradition for them to mark it with symbols of their choice."
Gabrielle rubbed her fingertips on the indentation of the katana. "What does it mean?"
"Courage." Zicalus answered.
"Courage." Gabrielle smirked at Zicalus, taking her hand from his katana. "Like the courage to do what's right?"
"Yes." he consented.
Gabrielle couldn't cease being sarcastic looking at the main deck filled with warriors. "Like the courage to tell lies?"
Zicalus sheathed his sword, curious at Gabrielle's choice of words and behavior. "If need be. Yes."
Gabrielle's silence deemed their conversation was done.
"Good job, Denzo." Xena praised the Samurai on his victory. "Next up, Suzu and Yeniza."
"Best of luck." Tanya professed her support for Suzu.
Suzu bowed slightly to her and walked from the line to face his opponent. They both unsheathed their katanas commencing the duel. Neji observed them from afar as he mopped the deck. He didn't need Xena's training. Though internally he had to admit, the Samurai did seem to have improved from it. Suzu was his friend and they have sparred together on plenty occasions, but the man who made quick work of Yeniza was a changed fighter.
"Very well executed, Suzu." surveying the remaining contestants, Xena knew who to choose. "Ekko verses Tanya."
Tanya swallowed hard.
"Best of Luck, Tanya Kun." Suzu echoed.
Neji's anger surged when he saw a female about to take on a Samurai. 'What shenanigan is this!'
Tanya was a bit shaken from Xena's announcement as her legs carried her forward to her opposition. Gazing at Gabrielle one last time, the genuine smile the bard gave reinvigorated her resolve.
'I can do this.' she coached herself, unleashing her sword as the Samurai did also.
She glanced at Xena, noting no matter the victor, or loser, her stoic facial expression hadn't altered during the trials. The katana's blade came fast and Tanya barely blocked it. A second slash followed causing her to guard against that as well. Shifting into offense, Tanya swung her sword repeatedly, while the Samurai continued to block and evade every strike.
'No, no, no, stop.' Gabrielle grew concerned. 'Defend Tanya.'
"Ekko has always been great at guarding attacks." Zicalus began noticing the female contender. "Gabrielle Chan, isn't she the-"
"Not now, Zicalus." Gabrielle sounded irritated.
Zicalus became aghast by her. It's true he had secluded himself in his cabin for a few days, but how could Gabrielle's gentle demeanor change drastically. What brought it about as he sat in his room, wary of not knowing how the conflict in Higuchi was playing out? He was dismayed by Koska's treatment of him, along with his parting words after the emergency meeting in the Shogun's conference cabin.
'If Higuchi falls before we get there, which I'm positive it will, and Yodoshi destroys Shinto because of our delay, the lives lost are on your hands.'
Zicalus was dealing with that, plus his feelings towards the petite woman beside him, and was dreadful that Koska had knowledge of it.
'Why is Gabrielle Chan being rude to me?' he questioned. 'What have I done to provoke her?'
Tanya kept swinging her weapon, aiming to find an opening in Ekko's defense. A well-timed parry from the Samurai caused her to be elbowed on the collarbone. The hit stung, coaxing Tanya to get angry and she begun attacking wildly.
'Stop it Tanya!' Gabrielle was getting excited from the scene.
Ekko allowed the continuance of Tanya's attacks so the young teen would tire, which was starting to show as her slashes and swipes became lagging. Growing agitated, Tanya performed a strong thrust and got her foot swept from underneath her for the effort.
'Looks like it'll be over soon.' Xena made the assumption.
"Get up." Gabrielle nearly blared.
'Gabrielle taught me no warrior is exempt from flaws. Whether it be their offensive, or defensive position.' Tanya mused, sword clutched in hand as she laid on the deck's floorboards. 'I can't find any openings in his defense.'
Clarity entered her mind like a searing light.
'To look for openings in your opponent's offense.'
'That's it!' Tanya flipped back onto her feet, courtesy of Gabrielle teaching her how to get up with quickness.
Xena was surprised by the move. 'Wonder where she'd learned that?'
Ekko had a smug appearance. 'I'm not losing to a novice woman.'
Feigning a strike on Tanya's left side, Ekko slashed at her right, but she defended it and used all her weight to shove the Samurai backwards. Enraged his trick didn't pay off, Ekko attacked once more and Tanya ducked the vertical swing, kicking him in his leg. Ekko maintained his balance while blocking the oncoming blade directed to his shoulder at the cost of getting kicked in his shin.
"Win this Tanya." Gabrielle expressed.
As Ekko grimaced, Tanya's confidence soared and she got cocky again. Slashing out with her sword, Ekko used his katana to lock their blades. The Samurai was stronger than Tanya and she felt the aching burn in her wrists before her knees began to buckle. Ekko was going to overtake the weaken teenager.
'Sometimes you just gotta go with it.' Tanya cogitated, letting him overpower her.
Ekko used all his might, causing them both to fall unexpectedly as he pushed against no opposing force. While he was shocked from falling with the teen, Tanya took advantage of it by using every ounce of strength in her free hand to roll herself backwards, flipping herself and him over to reverse their positions, making Ekko take the blunt of the descent. Flat on his back, Tanya pointed her sword at his throat and Xena ended the match.
'Who would have thought.' the Warrior Princess was grinning for the first time since the competitions. "The winner is Tanya."
Tanya sheathed her weapon and helped the defeated Samurai to his feet. Ekko inclined his head to her in respect and Tanya returned one of her own.
"Yes! Yes!" Gabrielle jumped up and down, shouting. "Way to go, Tanya!"
Zicalus was staring at the jubilant Amazon, unable to hold back the smile forming on his lips from the contagious blonde. Gabrielle's excitement brought a lot of attention to herself from the other Samurai and Neji.
'That cur is out here!' Neji cursed. 'She'll pay for what she's caused me!'
Xena recognized her soul mate's voice. 'Gabrielle?'
Looking at Tanya gaze at the top platform beaming with joy, Xena turned behind her and saw the woman she haven't glimpsed for nearly a month. She was stunning in her sky blue colored kimono. Gabrielle's hair seemed to have gotten longer, trailing down just above her shoulders.
'Gods, she looks amazing.' Xena ruminated.
Gabrielle realized the incommode of her felicitations for Tanya's victory when her orbs connected with Xena's. The bard became still while they communicated with each others eyes. The distance between them didn't matter as their souls begun reaching out for its mate inside one another, conveying the hurt, sadness, and love. It was too much for Gabrielle and she broke the connection by walking away from Xena's view.
Xena wanted to run to where Gabrielle was, but decided she couldn't. Words would fail her and the instructor had trials to finish up.
"Next, Tenzon and Heije." she stated.
Gabrielle trekked over to the other side of the upper deck, gazing out at the sea. She knew she'd risk the chance of being seen by Xena. Though the dark-haired beauty had beguiled Gabrielle, she couldn't stop loving Xena. And seeing her now, the way they just did, was bringing forth so many unwanted memories, good, bad, including ugly.
'God. What did I tell the Shogun?' Gabrielle was rueful.
'She's dead to me.'
'I was speaking figuratively. I didn't know she was actually on her way to death's door.' Gabrielle's cognition turned to frustration. 'They all knew! The Shogun, asking me all those questions, but didn't tell me Xena was going to die after I declared how I felt about her in the armory. Zicalus, was right up here with me when he almost slipped out the truth. Only to lie to me.'
"They're all liars." Gabrielle told herself.
Zicalus started to walk over to Gabrielle while watching Neji come up the stairs to mop the floorboards of the top deck.
Once he was standing near her, he inquired. "Gabrielle Chan, are you-"
"I'm alright, Zicalus." she responded. "I want to be alone with my thoughts, okay?"
Zicalus felt dejected. "I understand. I'm here for you if you need an ear to listen."
Sluggishly he went back to the railing with the other Samurai to examine the rest of the duels. Gabrielle remained viewing the vast bluish-green water, knowing it was drawing the vessel to Xena's final destination. The blonde Samurai was so preoccupied by her fearful ratiocination, she hadn't noticed the shard of the Omphalos stone on her ring was glowing. Suddenly, Gabrielle's eyes rolled in the back of her head as her body slumped forward on the wooden railing.
Neji mopped the floorboards pretending to be interested in what he was doing, while surveying the elite Samurai and the others. Seeing them immersed in the action below he stalked forward to the unconscious form of Gabrielle, surmising she was resting on the rails of the warship.
Dropping the mop, Neji pulled the tanto from its sheathe on his left hip. 'Wearing that kimono, you are an insult to all Samurai of Japa.'
Within reach of her, he grabbed Gabrielle by the hair, plunging the sharp knife towards the middle of her back.
To Be Continued...