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 my readers and beta reader, Jinxie 2013-14. Also, a shout out to Silvermoonlight. If you haven't checked out her series, Shattering of the Silver Light & Ethereal Ark of Fire, stop living under a rock and do so. Well, not now! After you read mines. :-) Enjoy.
Xena & Gabrielle,
A Turn of Fate,
By, Ahkiken
Chapter 25: Water Dragoon
Five days passed after the beheading of Neji. Since then, Xena's trials were held off to allow the Samurai a reprieve for their deceased comrade. During this time, Gabrielle practiced tirelessly inside the armory. Although it was filled with other Japian warriors, aiming to hone their skills, the petite Amazonian Samurai continued her drills without interruption, even on the one occasion her and Xena was training at the same time in the morning. They did so without saying a word to one another.
Gabrielle wished the other Samurai were more compliant in that fashion. She silently became annoyed as the men watched her in murmurous scrutiny, and when she'd exit the armory, they bestowed a unique title for her, liken to the creature on her back. The rare times Gabrielle had the entire training area to herself, she would practice with the chakram tediously, hoping to finally catch the ricocheting disc to no avail. With every throw, Gabrielle examined its trajectory, anticipating where it would bounce next, but it never returned to her. Instead, the chakram became embedded in the wooden walls of the room. Several times it knocked over weapons on their shelves and once destroyed many yumi bows.
'Xena gave me the damn thing to cause me headaches.' Gabrielle alleged, using the mirror in her cabin to cut the last few tresses of golden hair.
The bard realized it was getting longer and decided to crop it short again. Utilizing Kenji's tools, Gabrielle snipped her hair shorter, stitched the tear of her sky blue kimono, and sewed a clip on her scarlet red battle skirt for the chakram. She also was able to get a perfect view of the dragon tattoo, courtesy of the mirror, and was astonished. No wonder the people who saw it marveled at its appearance. The magical design had saved Gabrielle's life as well.
'If it weren't for the Muses, I'd be dead.' She theorized, placing the scissors on the table, running a hand through her new haircut. 'I hope it'll protect me from whatever befalls me in the other world.'
The Omphalos shard granted Gabrielle mercy. Each passing day went by without incidents. No loss of consciousness, glimpses of outer-worldly events, or the Conqueror. Because of the vision that showed the cropped blonde in prison, Gabrielle chose to train harder. Her body was even more toned and she had no intentions of sitting in anybody's cell without a fight.
"Hey, Kenji." Gabrielle greeted as she heard the door open behind her.
"Hello, Gabrielle San. Are you finished with everything?" He asked.
"Just wrapping up." Gabrielle arose from the chair, broadcasting her look.
"You did a good job." Kenji evaluated.
"Thanks. Do you need assistance taking your items out?"
"No. I'll be okay." Kenji said, gathering the sewing kit and scissors.
Gabrielle didn't want to part with the borrowed mirror. It was easier, with a reflection, to check over her appearance, but it did belong to Kenji.
"What about the mirror? I can help you with it."
Kenji stuffed the items in his bag. "Actually, you can keep that, Gabrielle San."
She smiled. "Thank you, Kenji."
"No problem. Lunch will be ready soon. Do you want me to bring you some?"
"I'm okay. I am going to the armory." Gabrielle responded.
"I can bring the marking tools for engraving symbols on your katana if you like."
"I won't be needing that, thanks though." Gabrielle declined.
"But you have taken a life." The monk pointed out.
Gabrielle dismissed the thought. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"I'll bring it by later. We'll talk then." Kenji walked out the cabin.
Gabrielle was vexed by Kenji's declaration, but had let it go. Next, she equipped her sais in both boots' straps. The katana was sheathed on her right hip and the yin-yang chakram was clipped alongside it. Donning her kimono, she departed the room too.
{X&G}
The Warrior Princess' blue orbs were closed as she breathed in the ocean's scent on the main deck. It reminded her of the past when she was a pirate; Xena's ideal way to protect Amphipolis after getting exiled by the villagers, including her mother. She'd enjoyed the freedom of those times. No people, outside from the ship's crew, bothered her, and she loved the tranquil feeling of losing herself at sea, letting its waves lure her in a state of grace, including security. That all came to an end once she encountered an upstart Roman General who promised her the world, but delivered death to Xena's love for others, her crewmates, and M'Lila.
'Caesar.' Xena opened her eyes.
She shoved her reminiscence aside and focused on the greenish blue waters, pondering on unwanted thoughts from that as well. It caused Xena to think of the young woman who breathed life into her existence, and that was painful to think of. Just three days ago, they both were in the armory doing their regiments and Gabrielle didn't acknowledge her at all. Xena tried to ignore her soul mate's presence, but it was futile.
The tall woman couldn't stop glancing at the warrior-bard sporadically while she performed her flips, kicks, and punches. When she'd begun using her katana, Xena was mesmerized by Gabrielle. The mysterious dragon tattoo did not help matters either. It appeared to come alive with Gabrielle's motions and by time the petite blonde worked up a sweat, Xena's hormones were raging. The glistening wetness that accumulated on Gabrielle's firm body was too enticing, so Xena bolted out of there to sulk in her cabin.
'The Shogun's teachings seems to have paid off for my bard.' Xena ruminated with glee.
Then her expression became gloomy. Gabrielle wasn't hers anymore and soon, Xena will be dead, leaving her ex-lover for good.
Leaning on the railing, Xena wondered, 'Everybody believes the dragon on Gabrielle is a gift of some kind from Japa's sea-god. Maybe I should speak with her about it. I'll have to apologize again.'
Xena's hand rubbed her forehead in agitation, remembering the fiasco of talking to Gabrielle in her room. "Yeah, cause when I tried apologizing last time, it went really well."
"Chatting with yourself is a clear sign for lost of mental stability." Tanya jived as she leaned her back on the railing next to Xena. "Am I interrupting?"
"No." Xena continued watching the ocean. "The postponement of the Samurai's trials will be over tomorrow. The duels will begin at noon."
"I can't wait." Tanya was excited. "I'm ready for my next challenger when the squads face each other."
"How has your training been going?" Xena questioned.
"I get some in when I can." Tanya sounded glum. "Gabrielle won't teach me anymore."
"Why?"
"She's under the impression that I told you where her cabin was. Indirectly I did, didn't I?" Tanya queried. "I did tell you it was on the first tier."
"The Shogun shared Gabrielle's location with me." Xena replied. "I'll see to it that Gabrielle learns the truth."
"That's not necessary. Gabrielle will still be mad at me because of what you said."
"What I said?" Xena replayed her conversation with Gabrielle, remembering that the pretty Amazon was nude and wet at the time. "Damn. I did mention you telling me she still loved me. Is that it?"
Tanya nodded. "I shouldn't have spoken on it. Just like I shouldn't have spoken on you reading her scrolls."
'That's why Gabrielle took them.' Xena thought.
It was Tanya's fault for Gabrielle taking the detailing parchments. Deciding not to carry a grudge towards the young lady beside her, Xena dropped it.
"It'll work out, Tanya. Gabrielle will forgive you in time, and whether you win this duel or not, you've already earned your place in my special class." Xena grinned at the auburn-haired teen.
"That's nice to hear." Tanya returned the smile. "I'm glad the postponed contest will continue. It's a shame they had to stop on account of Neji."
Xena scoffed at the name of the disgraced Samurai. Though the whole ordeal of Neji's attack on Gabrielle was sketchy, his murder attempt would've succeeded if not for the tattoo shielding her, which befogged Xena more.
"Postponing it so the Samurai would have a mourning period for Neji is ludicrous to me. However, it's what the Shogun wanted."
"I'm just happy Gabrielle survived." Tanya declared.
"You and I both." Xena conceded.
"I don't know if you'd seen it yet, but she has a drawing on her back. It looks like a snake monster or something."
"I've spotted it." Xena responded.
Smiling, Tanya divulged, "I've talked to Suzu and he says most of the Samurai started calling her-"
"Tanya Kun." Harukata interjected, walking to the two women. "I need to speak with Xena, if that's not a problem?"
Tanya immediately consented. "Nope. See you later, Xena."
She bowed to them before going below deck. Xena remained leaning on the railing as Harukata did the same thing. They both gazed at the ocean, which the sun beamed down upon, making the surface of water look orange now.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Harukata commented.
"It is."
Next, he announced, "The respite for the Samurai won't conclude tomorrow. It will be concluded the next day."
Xena swayed her head to the left and right side, loudly cracking the bones in her neck. She was deeply pissed off by the news, but stayed quiet, not voicing her disapproval.
"I shouldn't have sanctioned this reprieve to be five days when it's normally six, and I can understand your desire to get things rolling again, Xena. Nonetheless, Neji was an amazing Samurai. His dishonor in life and restorative grace by death should be honored fully."
The Shogun waited for Xena's response, but when none came, he began to walk away.
"You told me five, Harukata. I don't comprehend why that reprobate should have any days honoring him." Xena stated.
"He was a Samurai." Harukata turned back.
"He nearly killed Gabrielle!" Xena pushed off the railing to glare at the old Shogun. "Neji deserves nothing other than what he got. He should've been punished severely for what happened in the armory with her in the first place. Your leniency almost caused Gabrielle's death."
"She lives, Xena."
The raven-haired warrior grunted in irritation and looked back at the sun-bathed ocean.
Harukata strolled to her again. "Xena, these are our customs. I have broken numerous of them with you. I've even trained Gabrielle San and made her the first female Samurai. I know Neji doesn't mean anything to you other than his detestable deed, but to us, he was a proud member of our clan and will be missed. Respect that, please."
"I can't." Xena sneered, looking at him. "Whatever. I will submit to your decree anyway."
"Thank you." Harukata pronounced.
"The tattoo on Gabrielle, is it really a replica of your god, Ryujin?" Xena queried.
"Yes. Do you have an idea how it formed on her?"
"No. She will not talk to me." Xena professed.
"The schism between y'all hasn't been resolved?" He asked.
"What do you think, Harukata?" Xena was sardonic.
"Be honest with her."
"Get off that. It's not happening."
"What if I told you I plan to commune with Amaterasu on your behalf, perhaps reviving you?" Harukata inquired. "Would you tell Gabrielle San the truth then?"
Xena never thought about such a possibility. In Greece, it wouldn't be hard to conceive the probability of being brought back to life; it had been done on many occasions by ambrosia, Greek deities, and Eli. But in Japa, a land she didn't have full knowledge of, would the sun goddess bestow a profound compassion on the harbinger that caused its turmoil? Xena hadn't ever put strong faith in gods before, other than Krishna whom healed her and transformed her into the destructive goddess, Kali, so she could defeat the king of demons, Indrajit, in India. Could she place hope in Amaterasu too, for not only her sake, but Gabrielle's also?
Xena became skeptical. "I'm sure Amaterasu demands penance for my crimes."
"Your repentance will be paid when you die, Xena. As long as I'm the one to slay Yodoshi, the entrapped souls will go to the afterlife and be reborn again."
"What if you die before fighting Yodoshi?" Xena questioned.
Harukata pensively cogitated on the horrendous scenario. "That's an outcome that won't happen. It is my destiny to kill the daemon."
"What if you fail?" Xena pressed.
"You would have to kill him and remain dead till the freed souls are reincarnated." The Shogun inferred. "Then you will enter the state of rebirth."
Much was made cleared to Xena; Amaterasu's aid in her resurrection won't occur if Harukata died. The enslaved spirits' freedom and reincarnation would fall in her hands too. Everything working out perfectly coincided with the Shogun staying alive and killing Yodoshi. Throughout the upcoming battle, it seemed unlikely, but it did give Xena that bitter taste of uncertainty. An emotional fortitude she'd denounced once her fate was disclosed for bestowing peace in Japa.
It gave her hope.
"It'll serve us well if you don't die." Xena affirmed. "Speak with your goddess, Harukata. I will consider informing Gabrielle honestly of my fate."
Harukata inclined his head in acquiescence.
"It's going to be quite boring with no action." Xena bit off her laugh. "If I knew you'd be giving Neji six days of mourning, I would've gladly viewed you severing his head from his body."
"I wasn't the one to honor Neji's hara-kiri."
"If it wasn't you, who?" Xena's concernment was based around dread.
She feared the answer to the question before the Shogun's confirmation.
"It was Gabrielle San."
{X&G}
Gabrielle entered the armory and was content to see just one man inside it. She observed the blue-armored Samurai complete his thrusts and slashes with his katana. It tempted her to spar with him, but she diverted the notion, although her itch for a decent fight needed to be scratched. Xena would say she needed a thorough scratching in another way, but Gabrielle wasn't in an accommodating mood for sex.
In the middle of a swing, Zicalus noticed he was being watched. "Gabrielle Chan? You have cut your hair."
"Yea. It was growing longer." She self-consciously ran her hand through it and closed the double doors. "I didn't mean to disrupt your drills, I planned to meditate and workout my sword arm also."
Zicalus sheathed his blade while Gabrielle sat cross-legged on the floor. He was satisfied she'd spoken to him and didn't want to press his luck.
"I was finishing up myself. I'll see you later."
As he started to head for the exit, Gabrielle conveyed, "You don't have to leave."
"I'm done here and I worked up an appetite." Zicalus claimed.
"Zicalus, sit with me." Gabrielle peered up at him. "Please."
He acceded, sitting down in front of her.
"I haven't been myself lately and I was rude towards you."
"It's alright. With everything that's going on, I-"
"I know, Zicalus."
The dark-haired man became baffled by the abrupt assertion. "Huh?"
"I know Xena has to die in Japa." Gabrielle confessed.
Zicalus was shocked. As far as he knew, the Shogun's oath remained valid. "Did Xena Sama confide in you?"
Ignoring his query, Gabrielle parried, "Why did you and every one else keep it a secret from me?"
"The Shogun made every Samurai swear on our honor not to."
"Because of Xena." Gabrielle surmised.
"She wanted to spare you pain of knowing-"
"Don't defend her with unfounded allegations." Gabrielle averred. "Xena's reasons were selfish, plain and simple."
"Xena Sama didn't tell you, did she?" Zicalus inquired.
"Kenji did."
"I guess the Shogun forgot to include him as well." Zicalus avowed. "Are you upset with me?"
"Not anymore. You were honoring your code. I can accept, as a Samurai, we have obligations. If I didn't, I wouldn't have aided Neji's hara-kiri." She admitted.
Zicalus breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, I'm assuaged to know your kindness hadn't vanished solely on account of me. Have you revealed this knowledge to anyone else?"
"Only you, Zicalus. I'd like to keep it that way." Gabrielle was adamant.
"This is kept between us. Thank you for entrusting me, Gabrielle Chan." Zicalus began to chuckle. "Or shall I call you by your new name, Little Water-"
"Stop it." Gabrielle tapped his shoulder lightly, smirking. "Certain spectators see my tattoo and now I'm some protected vessel of the water Kami."
"It isn't just that. It's your movements and display of skills when you're practicing." Zicalus elucidated. "How did you get the marking of Ryujin?"
"I can't explain it." Gabrielle responded.
"Is it connected to your ring?" Zicalus queried. "The day Neji tried to kill you, it was glowing as you laid on my cot."
'So the Omphalos shard glowed again like the first time I received a vision.' Gabrielle mused.
The Amazon rejected telling Zicalus that her ring was the source for a different means other than the Muses' sacrificial gift.
"My ring does that sometimes. It has nothing to do with the tattoo." Gabrielle twirled the silver circlet in wonderment.
Glancing at Gabrielle's fingers on her ring, he asserted, "You always swirl it around like that when you are wandering in your head. You must really cherish it."
'Funny how the cursed thing can rotate, but won't come off.' Recognizing what she was doing, Gabrielle ceased her actions. "It's not important."
"But, you'd apprised me that it remind you of something you once had." Zicalus recalled. "Clearly it has some significance."
Gabrielle gave a sad smile. "I don't want to talk about it."
Understanding he pushed too far, Zicalus decided to let-up. "Forgive me, Gabrielle Chan. You're a remarkable woman and I have an urge to discern everything anent to you."
Gabrielle appreciated Zicalus' heartfelt honesty.
"Maybe in time you will. I am planning on living in Shinto, if I don't-" The petite blonde halted her words. "I should get my meditation underway."
"We never did train together." Zicalus didn't want to depart from Gabrielle now. "Do you mind if I stick around with you?"
"Not today, Zicalus. Go and eat." She grasped his hand. "Tomorrow evening we will, I promise."
That cheered him up. "I'll be here."
Kissing her hand, Zicalus stood and left the armory. Gabrielle was feeling slightly better now that she had spoken with Zicalus. Though Xena impelled it, he didn't merit her anger, and the way she treated him was unjust. Gabrielle no longer wanted Zicalus thinking she was being cruel for unknown circumstances and she did miss his companionship. Conversing with him truthfully, almost led to her exposing the Omphalos shard. Instantly, Gabrielle's mind dwelled on Xena. She craved to speak with the Warrior Princess, sharing the fears that hounded her.
'Why won't she unburden her heart to me!' Gabrielle started to explode. 'Here I am longing for her and she constantly denies me the truth!'
Meditation was unlikely to happen as Gabrielle arose on her feet. She regretted not taking Zicalus' offer to stay, then she could've coaxed him into sparring. Her itch to contend physically with a person was overwhelming. Looking at her surroundings, Gabrielle noted she was alone and could work on perfecting the chakram. Reaching inside her kimono, she withdrew the katana instead. Throwing the circular disc, in her mind frame, would cause her to destroy most of the armory unintentionally.
Shutting her aqua orbs and gripping the handle of the sword with both hands, Gabrielle made slow steady slashes in the air. The sluggish motions seem to calm her. She felt peaceful, cogitating on a time when life was at its best; Xena and herself lying on a comfortable bed in Thebes. Sex wasn't the most blissful moment in their lives, but in its duration, that's when they were truly one. They united in a divine manner beyond explanation. Even during their fights and arguments, it was always a prelude to loving each other. Surrendering every emotion to the other, no matter what it was. Allowing the love that blossomed within them to rejoin their souls and flow, bringing the two women unconditional harmony.
Gabrielle was losing herself in her memories, but her sense of alertness went off as the air in the spacious room altered. The thin hairs on her neck raised and the bard knew she wasn't the only person in the armory anymore. Spinning swiftly, her blade collided with Koska's.
"Eh, I see you have a keen awareness, but is that all your skills amount to." The furtive, yellow kimono-wearing Samurai taunted.
Gabrielle broke their connection with a powerful shove, pushing Koska backwards. Next, she let the battle-lust fill her; this was the scratch Gabrielle ached for. Koska initiated his offensive and the warrior-bard fended off each strike. When he executed a slashing arc, Gabrielle did a backflip out of harm's path. Again, Koska charged and she met him head on. His offense quickly degenerated into defense, as Gabrielle's attacks were fierce, however, focused. Koska wished he had engaged her with two swords and not one, but he was eager to know what the newest addition in his Samurai clan could do.
After Gabrielle's low thrust got countered, Koska renewed his offensive position, but it didn't last long when the short-haired Amazon swayed to his unprotected side, kicking him in the back of the knee, causing the Samurai to buckle. Before he could regain his footing, Gabrielle's sword clanged forcefully against his, making him lose precious balance, then a roundhouse knocked Koska down. Upon defeating Koska, Gabrielle was peeved. She barely enjoyed the unexpected challenge and her fire for a fight hadn't been quenched.
Pointing her katana at his chest, Gabrielle derided, "Pulling a Neji on me is foolish while I'm awake and conscious."
"Had to see what you were capable of." He rubbed his jaw.
"And if I hadn't guarded your blade?"
"The Ryujin on your back would have shattered my katana and that would have proven to be an equally bad thing, similar to me being defeated." Koska expressed.
"So, what's the verdict?" Gabrielle asked, grasping Koska's hand and helping him up.
"You attest to what the other Samurai has spoke. Your reflexes are fluent and your abilities are disbursed with haste." Koska praised. "No wonder they nicknamed you Little Water Dragoon."
"I was praying that name wouldn't catch on." Gabrielle was annoyed.
"The Shogun has trained you excellent, Gabrielle San. You might have transcended Xena Sama."
"That is impossible." Gabrielle admonished.
"Do you doubt your capabilities compared to hers?" Koska challenged. "I wasn't going all out, but I didn't make this easy on you either and still I was beaten with little effort. I'm hardly able to contain my embarrassment."
"I don't discount my fighting skills. I'm not fond of comparing them to Xena, that's all." Gabrielle prepared to sheath her katana and Koska examined the unmarked steel.
"Did Kenji tell you about marking your katana?"
"Yes, after Zicalus told me days ago. I haven't given it much thought, though." Gabrielle answered.
Koska huffed. "Of course Zicalus would be the one to inform you. He'll walk a million miles in your shadow."
Gabrielle didn't like what he was insinuating. "As I said, I don't ponder on adding symbols."
"It's imperative that you do so."
"Why, Koska?" She questioned.
"Your blade has taken Neji's life. You must honor your kill." He advised.
Gabrielle hasn't given a lot of rumination to that fact either. Neji's death didn't affect her at all. Now that she had embraced not only the Way of the Warrior, but the Bushido code of a Samurai too, decapitating Neji was a duty to her, nothing more or less.
"Kenji mentioned he would bring his tools to my lodgings to create the symbols, before I could decline fully. If it's custom for me to do that, I'm gonna go to my room now and mark the blade." The Amazon assented.
Gabrielle began exiting when Koska called out, "Samurai."
Gabrielle glimpsed back at him.
"Don't tell anyone about this duel. Wait until our second match."
Nodding her approval, the towhead woman traversed to her cabin.
To Be Continued...