Disclaimers: See Part 1

It was a field, endless it seemed. Gabrielle smiled as she felt the grasstalks tickle her bare feet. She could hear the soft sound of water flowing up ahead and she spotted a familiar figure sitting near the stream. Akemi rose to her feet, waving at her. "Gabrielle!"

"Gabrielle!"
The bard gasped in a breath as her dream suddenly ended and was replaced with an intense pain searing through her entire body. Her eyes flew open to see Xena's face hoovering over her, the blue eyes filled with a mixture of concern, doubt and utter fear. 

Gabrielle focussed on just breathing for a moment, since that was hard enough to accomplish. Finger stroked her skin lovingly, and she finally managed to lift her eyes again and look up at her friend. "I had a dream."
Xena produced an unconvincing smile in response. "Did ya?"
"It was a field. Pretty. Akemi was there."
The warrior diverted her eyes, pulling the blankets up a little higher and straightening the edges meticulously. "Sounds nice."

Gabrielle remained silent for a few moments, then: "It wasn't a dream though, was it?"
Xena's head shot up, and Gabrielle saw the lingering panic she'd been trying to hide. "Of course it was," the warrior waved off the suggestion, managing another smile, which was about as convincing as the first. She rose from the bed, turning her back on the bard and returning to her herbs, selecting some more before grinding them to even smaller bits with a mortar. "You were asleep. You had a dream." A shrug. "That's perfectly normal. You…. You're doing fine." 

Gabrielle turned her head, laying her cheek to rest against the soft pillow as she regarded her friend's tense form. "I'm dying."
"You're not," Xena returned, her movements becoming a bit more agitated. 
"Vital stuff got sliced up," Gabrielle ignored her. "I lost a lot of blood. I can't drink anything, or eat." Xena's motions stilled and the bard could hear her exhale. "I can feel it, Xena. I… I know you tried, but…"

A loud crash shook the hut, as the bowl impacted with the wall and shattered to bits on impact. The pieces clattered to the floor and moments later tiny bits of herb fluttered down around the shards.

Gabrielle looked at the remains of the bowl for a moment, then returned her gaze to Xena, who'd placed both hands on the table for support, her head hanging forward, clouded in shadows. "Decided it was all the bowl's fault, did you?"
"No. It's mine." Xena closed her eyes, sucking in a deep breath. "He was after me."
"I knew what I was doing," her friend tried comfortingly. "I had a choice, and I made it, knowing what the outcome would be." A small smile. "I don't regret it."

Xena produced something between a sob and a snort, shaking her head. "You don't understand."
"I do."
"No, you don't!" The warrior spun around, revealing watery eyes and cheeks dampened with tears. "I…" she choked on the words, taking a few steps closer and sitting down at Gabrielle's side again. "I was gonna stay with you."
The bard's smile grew a fraction. "I know."
"I was…" A pause, then blue eyes lifted in confusion. "What?"
"I realised I forgot to ask you something, before the battle, and I walked back and…" Gabrielle swallowed, focussing on her words. "I heard you talking. To Akemi."

Xena's mouth opened a few times to speak, but nothing came out. "Oh," was all she could manage, finally, dropping her eyes.
"It's the most amazing thing you ever did for me," the blonde reached out, covering her friend's hand with her own. "Giving up everything, your honor, for me." She felt the warrior's fingers weakly entangle with her own. "But I would never let you give up everything you believe in."
"I believe in us," Xena countered. "I mean, we're here together now. You were in Egypt and I was dead and we ended up together. Isn't that a sign?"
"I got gutted. Isn't that a sign?"

Xena growled a little under her breath. "It was my decision to make."
"No, it wasn't," Gabrielle retorted. "Your last decision was about your past and I understood you had to make that one on your own. But this one is about our future." A breath. "And if you stayed at their expense, it'd come between us. And you would give up everything that makes you you. We'd feel guilty, and take it out on each other." She pulled their linked hands closer, laying the palm of Xena's against her cheek. "Destiny's offering us a way out, Xena. And it's a good one." A pause. "You know that peace I said I've been looking for all my life?"
The warrior nodded faintly.
"I think I know where to find it now."

They stared at each other for a long moment, filled only with the faint sound of wind brushing through the leaves and the soft twittering of birds. Finally Xena spoke up, her voice slightly hoarse. "You realise you're not going anywhere without me, right?" 
Gabrielle managed a faint smile at this. "I know."
"Good," the warrior leaned closer, pressing a kiss agianst her forehead, before rising to her feet. "There's things I need to get."

Haru slowed his pace, going from a jog to an easier pace and finally halting. He stood quietly, watching the scene before him. The battlefield, silent now after the bloodshedding was done. Himiko had collected the villagers who'd lost their lives and had even ordered for the bodies of the enemy to be covered by white cloths. It had an eerie air to it, the path covered with small mounds of white fabric. 

So many had died. And so many more would die, Haru realised as he stared blankly at the field before him. This… This was just the beginning, even though it seemed like an end. The two rivalling daimyo's would wage war over Hojo's furtile lands and many innocents would die in the process. The few soldiers that had survived today's battle, and the few men that had stayed behind would either be killed in battle, or be executed by whoever won. 

Haru bent his head, closing his eyes. He had failed. He had failed his lord, he had failed his father, and he had failed his people. And there was no one left to serve, to make amends for his failure. It was clear what he had to do. 

Footsteps behind him and then he heard the rasps as the remaining soldiers slid to a halt beside him. "Don't look," Haru spoke up, quietly. "Don't think. Just keep running home."
"But…" One of the soldiers stammered. "Sh… Shouldn't we…"
"You can come back for them later," the samurai cut him off. "Now it is important to return to Hojo. The people must know before the other daimyos, so plans can be made for defense and evacuation."
The soldier next to him blinked a few times, then nodded a little. "Yes, sir."

The samurai drew in another breath, then laid a hand on the soldier's shoulder. "Lead them home. There is something else I must do."
"Yes, sir." The soldier nodded again, then he moved forward again, motioning the men to follow him. 

Haru watched them as they ran down the path, as fast as they could, not looking at the white outlines of their friends and family. He watched them until they'd disappeared around the bend. Then he squared his shoulders, walking forward and kneeling down next to a young man's body, moving the cloth aside a bit to reveal a sheath attached to his side. Haru reached over and removed the dagger inside it, then turned and walked off the path, deeper into the forrest. 

He wasn't sure how far he strayed from the road, his mind elsewhere, preparing for the task that lay ahead. His feet felt heavy, as if he'd walked for miles and miles, when in fact he had probably only been walking for a few minutes. 

A small clearing opened up before him, nothing more then a tiny space without trees or a multitude of roots lying in the way. There were only soft autumn leaves covering the harsh, cold earth. 

Haru let gravity do its work and he fell to his knees. He laid the dagger in front of him, then sat up, squaring his shoulders. It would not be according to ritual, but he had little choice. He removed the bracers he'd worn, then reached for his side, unstrapping his armor. He tossed it all to one side, until he was dressed only in a simple smudgy white tunic. Carefully he loosened the belt securing the garment and he let the kimono fall open, exposing his chest and abdomen. 

He closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath, attempting to calm himself. It would be a slow, excruciatingly painful death, but that was what he deserved. In one single day, he had managed to ruin everything. With one single stroke of his katana, he had destroyed everything he stood for. 

He reached forward, taking hold of the dagger with both hands, turning the blade towards him. He brought it closer, laying the tip against his abdomen, slightly to the left. He tilted his head back, finding small patches of blue through the thick foliage, and he focussed on them, as he tightened the hold on the dagger's hilt and…

"Don't."

It was barely more than a whisper, but Haru heard it nevertheless. He swallowed, not having to turn around to know who it was that was standing behind him. "Leave."
"Please don't do this," Himiko spoke up again, tentatively stepping closer, dry leaves crackling softly under her feet. "Whatever you think is the reason you should die…"
"Reasons," the samurai corrected her. "There are so many reasons."
"None can be good enough to justify you taking your life."

The girl circled him, and he tilted his head back to look up at her, the knife still in his hands, pressed against his abdomen. She had changed and was now dressed in a simple light blue kimono. It looked better on her than armour, he thought. "You don't understand," he said. "As a samurai, there are rules I must obey. I lost in battle. It would be dishonourable to go on."
"But…" Himiko lowered herself to her knees as well, the earth staining the fabric of her kimono. "But what about your people? If you leave them now, when they need you the most, they will die. There is no honor in that."

Haru dropped his head, closing his eyes. "I cannot lead them. I killed the daimyo."
"It was an accident."
"It would not have happened if it hadn't been for me. I am to blame. I am to blame for all of it," the samurai countered, his fingers clenching around the wooden hilt. "I failed my lord, and he left no heirs for me to serve." A breath. "Leave me now."

"No!" In reflex Himiko reached out and grabbed onto his wrists, to prevent him from driving the blade into his abdomen. His eyes shot up and met hers. They were so close now she could see tiny flecks of hazel floating around in the deep brown of his irises. "I…" She managed, her throat having gone dry. "I…" A million thoughts crossed her mind at once, leaving her in chaos, but knowing she had to speak she grabbed onto the first argument that presented itself. "What about my daughter?"

A moment of silence, then Haru's hold on his weapon loosened just a fraction. "What about her?"
"Well…" Himiko swallowed, her fingers still wound tightly around his wrist. "Technically, isn't… Isn't she Genyo's heir?"
The samurai frowned, pensively. 
"I mean, you're supposed to look after the daimyo's family, right?"

"Fight for me, Haru. As you did for my father and will for my children." Genyo's words of the previous day echoed in the samurai's mind. He cocked his head a little, considering. Genyo had made him this request, to fight alongside him, and he had accepted. And by doing so had he made him a promise. He stared into the anxious brown eyes looking back at him. This was of course not what Genyo had intended, but…

"I mean, I'm… I'm not saying y… you should…" Himiko drew in a breath, trying to stop her stuttering. "I'm just saying there's other ways to gain honour than through death. You're… You're a nice guy." She blushed a little, as she realised what she'd said. "I mean, what you did for me today and… And Gabrielle spoke of you respectfully."
Haru dropped his gaze once more. 
"She doesn't want you to die," the girl hastily blurted on. "I've gotten to know her a little, and I'm positive she doesn't. And I sure don't, and your people don't, so…" A breath. "So, why were you doing this again?"

A silence fell. Himiko bit her lip, a tiny voice in the back of her mind asking her how the hell she'd ended up here, in this absurd situation, trying to keep some man she hardly knew from following his chosen path. This man who had fought with her enemy, had hurt her friends. So, why was she here, trying to convince him to not take his life?

Her gaze shifted then, as suddenly the wrist she now realised she was still holding onto moved. The muscles that had been tense moments before relaxed, and Himiko found herself able to pull the samurai's hand away from his body, and the dagger with it. Tentatively, she took the weapon from him, their fingers brushing lightly as she did so. Only then did she look up, and their gazes met, and held for countless seconds. "So…" Haru spoke up finally, a touch hesitant. "What do we do now?" 

It was a while later when Himiko reentered the village, a tiny smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. The sun beamed down and warmed her face with the soft late afternoon rays and she tilted her head back to soak up the warmth fully, closing her eyes contently. 

"Oef!" the breath was pushed out of her as she impacted with another body. She opened her eyes, blinking a few times to chase the red blur from her vision, to see Xena had crouched down in front of her and was collecting several plants and roots that had fallen. "Oh, Kami, I…" She hastily dropped to her knees as well, helping the warrior. "I'm so very sorry. I didn't…"
"It's okay," Xena hastily cut her off, straightening again and holding out a hand for the other herbs, a touch impatiently. "Don't worry about it."

Himiko cocked her head a little, noting the kami's tense features. "Are you all right?" she inquired, before she could reconsider. "Gabrielle isn't…?"
"No," Xena managed a smile, waving the girl's ponderings off with her free hand. "Gabrielle's fine." A breath. "We're both fine."

"I'm glad," Himiko produced a warm smile in return. "I was just on my way to the priest to see if I can help him find a way for you to stay with Gabrielle and have your happy ending." The smile grew even further. "Everything is working out so well now, I'm sure this will too, Kami." She reached out and gently squeezed Xena's upper arm. "I will see you soon."

"B…" Xena started to protest, but the girl had already jogged off, on her way to visit the priest. She released a breath, considering whether to go after her for a moment, but she realised she didn't really have the time to do that now.

Moments later she pushed open the door to the healer's quarters, and peeked inside. Green eyes lifted and smiled at her, and she released the breath she didn't even realise she'd been holding before she stepped inside fully. "Hi."
"Hi," Gabrielle greeted her in return, before she let her gaze drift down again, back to the parchment lying at her side. She lifted her quill again and jotted another few words down. 

Xena continued into the room, laying her findings on the table and pulling over a new bowl. "Whatcha writing?"
"Just some thoughts," Gabrielle murmured, as she absently dipped the tip of the quill in the small inkjar balancing on the bedside table. 
"Still the bard, huh?" Xena commented with a small smile, as she selected some of the plants and placed them in the bowl, before starting to grind them to a pulp with the mortar. "How are you feeling?"
"Crappy," the blonde replied honestly. "But at least it doesn't hurt so bad anymore. Pressure points rock."
" I would have used them before, if I could have. But…"
"I know," Gabrielle interrupted her. "Sucky aftermath."
"Yeah," Xena darted a small smile over her shoulder, then faced forward again. "Are you nearly done? Sun's setting soon."
"Nearly there," Gabrielle replied, rereading the words she'd written as she chewed on the end of her quill pensively.

"There must be something." Himiko unrolled the scroll she was reading a bit further, her eyes hastily scanning over the old text in front of her.
"Mama?" Iyo tugged impatiently at her mother's kimono. "Mama, no fun!"
"I know, honey," Iyo reached down, lifting her child onto her lap. "But this is important. We have to help the Kami."
"Sena?" the toddler bounced happily on her mother's lap. "Sena good!"
"Which is why we must help her," Himiko mumbled, unrolling the next bit of text. 

"Go see Sena!" Iyo helpfully suggested, squirming around in her mothers hold and grabbing for her shoulder, attempting to pull herself up and over, in the direction of the door. 
"No, no," Himiko left the scriptures again, holding her daughter back with both hands. "Later. When we have answers."
"Go now," was the retort, Iyo continuing to stuggle vehemently. "Mama, leggo!" the child tugged hard to free her hold, and finally managed to do just that. Unfortunately there was only thin air behind her, and she tumbled back, towards the ground, until…

She landed on a nice soft surface. She bounced a little and the surface moved, which was fun, so she bounced some more. 
"My lady?"
Iyo blinked as her bouncy surface suddenly started talking, then she looked to her right to see it actually had a head. "Yes?" 
"Would you please not jump on my stomach?" it said. "It is rather painful."
"Iyo!" This was her mother's voice, sounding a bit upset. "Come here, you." She was lifted up again, hugged tightly to her mother's chest. "Don't you ever do that again. You could have hurt yourself."

Himiko looked up, shooting a grateful and slightly embarresed look at her visitor. "Thank you."
Haru rose to his feeet, then bowed respectfully. "My pleasure," he said, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Just protecting my lady." A breath. "I uhm…" he pulled a piece of parchment from his belt, a green ribbon tied around it, and held it out to the girl. "I came to offer you an alliance, on behalf of my people."
"An alliance?" Himiko placed her daughter on the ground and took the offered parchment, unrolling it, her eyes scanning over the content. 
"As I see it, alone we will be easy prey for the other daimyos," Haru went on. "But together, we may stand a chance." He waved a hand at the paper. "I know it's an uhm, an odd request, after the events of today, and I'll understand fully if you'll need time to…"

"I accept."
Haru blinked at her. "Pardon?"
"I accept," Himiko repeated, with a small smile. "I'll have to talk to my people, but I think they'll understand that it is wise to join forces, now especially." She laid the parchment on the table and picked up a wooden pen and dipped it in the ink, scribbling down her name at the bottom of the document. She blew on the ink to let it dry, then handed the parchment back to Haru. "Here."

The samurai took the offered alliance, glancing down at it for a moment with a blank look. "Thank you," he finally managed, rolling the paper up and returning it to its place on his belt. "That's uhm… much more than I ever exected."
Himiko's smile grew a fraction. "We will have to talk about the exact details of this alliance sometime soon." She waved a hand at the papers scattered around her. "I'm afraid I don't have the time now. I'm searching for information for the Kami and her friend."

"How is she?" Haru immediately inquired. "The friend I mean. Gabrielle?"
"The Kami said she was fine," the girl replied, seating herself again, and pulling the next scroll closer. "Though she still seemed rather upset when I saw her. I hope that if I find an answer to her question, they will both feel better."
The samurai considered this for a moment. "Is there… maybe… something I can help with?" he tried then, tentatively. "I don't wish to be in your way, but I feel rather guilty and…"

Iyo, who'd been gazing up at this new arrival for a while now, got tired of all this talk, and decided it was time she became the centre of attention once more. "Ey?" She reached out and tugged at the edge of samurai's kimono. 
Haru glanced down. "Yes, my lady?"
"Who's you?"
The young man smothered a smile. "Well, according to your mother…" he knelt down, so their faces were closer. "…I am your humble servant."
"Sevvant?" Iyo considered this for a moment, then giggled happily. "Good!" As quick as she could she toddled towards him. "Go play!" She collided with him, and Haru lost his balance as a result. He let himself fall back, to avoid hurting the child and then winced as Iyo enthusiastically jumped on his stomach once more. He hastily reached for the child and lifted her up, so she was levitating above him. Iyo giggled, flapping her arms around enthusiastically. "Fly!"

Haru rolled his eyes, but couldn't repress a smirk. "You are quite the troublemaker, aren't you?"
The child nodded her head rapidly, laughing. 
"That's what I thought," Haru shot a glance sideways, finding Himiko watching them both, an allowing smile on her face. She nodded as his eyes questioned her whether she was all right with this. Haru held her eyes for a few more moments, then he turned his attention back to his new charge. "So you wish to fly, my lady?"
"Yes!" Iyo answered immediately. 
"Well then," Haru moved his centre of balance back a bit, then neatly hopped to his feet, the child chortling delightedly in respons. "Then you will fly."

"Hold on," Xena bent down and wrapped an arm around the bard's knees, and the other around her shoulders, before straighteneing again and lifting her up. 
Gabrielle laid her cheek against the warrior's shoulder, as she allowed herself to be carried to the window. Xena carefully placed her so she was seated on the wide windowsill. The warrior remained standing, her arms lightly around her friend, and Gabrielle leaned against her, so she wouldn't lose her balance. 

The setting sun outlined the small huts of the village in a red glow. In the distance Gabrielle could see the sea, and she could almost hear the hiss as the burning orb dipped into the water, the waves scattering the orange rays in all directions. 

She'd seen lots of sunsets in her life. Especially the last few months, where she'd watched them all with Xena, before the warrior would leave to return to the afterlife once more. 

Sunsets had been an ending. The end of a day, end of her time with Xena… But this sunset… She drew in a breath, tasting the sweet, slightly warm air and savouring it. This sunset was a beginning. 

"It's beautiful," she mumbled, nestling a bit closer to Xena. 
The warrior balanced her chin on the bard's head and closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face, the gentle rays colouring the insides of her eyelids in a deep red colour. "Yeah." 

Silence fell, and lasted, as the sunk sank deeper and deeper into the sea, the bright red turning into shades of orange. Xena kept her eyes closed, focussing on the sounds of birds twittering and leaves blowing in the wind. The faint voices of people in the distance. Gabrielle's gentle breathing. 

The colours changed, from orange to pink, and from pink to even gentler colours, until the faintest of shimmers remained. Xena saw none of it. She listened, for the first time in a long time, not to the sounds behind the sounds, but to the sounds themselves. And she heard them become a melody, a song she'd never taken the time to listen to before. 

Until now. 

A small smile crossed her lips, and she pulled Gabrielle a bit closer in response, breathing in deeply and simply enjoying the world around her. She allowed her eyes to drift open just as the sun disappeared entirely, leaving only a warm glow in its wake. She waited until even that glow had disappeared, then she drew in a breath and spoke. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," was the response, soft but certain. "Are you?"

Xena pressed a kiss against the top of the bard's head. "You know what just happened?"
Gabrielle leaned back a bit, gazing up at her friend. "What?"
"Nothing," the warrior replied with a smile. "No… tiny little noises poking at my senses, no muscles twitching ready to attack. No desires. No hate. I just… enjoyed living for a moment. I haven't done that since I was fifteen." Xena gently stroked a blond lock behind the bard's ear. "Thank you. For giving me this moment."
"I think you gave it to yourself." Gabrielle turned her head a bit, pressing a kiss against the palm of Xena's hand. "Maybe you finally realise you deserve it."
The warrior suppressed a grin. "Maybe." 

She allowed herself to drift in this moment, in Gabrielle's eyes, for a fraction longer, then she straightened and shifted her hold a bit, lifting the bard from the windowsill again. 

The sheets rustled as Gabrielle was placed upon them once more, with utter care. Xena moved back a bit, but she held on to the bard's hand, letting their fingers entwine as she reached for a cup she'd placed on the bedside table. She held it in front of her, gazing down at the contents, watching tiny black flakes drifting in the liquid. 

Her eyes tracked back up to Gabrielle's face. The bard smiled at her. Xena smiled back. 

The warrior lifted the cup, drawing some of the mixture into her mouth, then she leaned closer, hoovering over the bard for a few moments, before she touched her lips to Gabrielle's. 

Gabrielle simply enjoyed the kiss, allowing some of the liquid to slide down her tongue. Xena pulled back a bit, leaning her forehead against the bard's. They swallowed at the same time.

They lingered for a moment, then Xena half turned, pulling off her boots, before scooting a bit closer to Gabrielle and lying down next to her. The bard rolled over, instantly finding her spot curled up at the warrior's side and exhaling contently as arms curled around her in response. 

Xena closed her eyes once more, immediately feeling the effect of the herbs. Her limbs felt weak and heavy. She could hear Gabrielle's breathing start to slow. 

"How long?" the bard's voice drifted up softly, as she rubbed her cheek against the sturdy shoulder she was leaning against. 
"Not long," Xena responded simply. "Maybe just enough for you to say something really profound."
A faint chuckle. "Would you mind if I saved the profound stuff for later?" Gabrielle murmured. "And just tell you I love you?"
"No." The warrior smiled. "I don't mind." She pressed a kiss against the bard's temple. "I love you too." Another breath, this one slightly raspier than the previous one. "Now and forever."
Gabrielle drew their linked hands closer and laid them against her heart. "Forever," she repeated softly. 

"Argh," a throaty growl escaped Himiko as she angrily tossed aside yet another scroll. She'd stayed up the entire night looking for anything at all to help the Kami with, but her search had resulted in absolutely nothing whatsoever. Himiko released a tired breath, letting her head rest on her hands. Dawn was approaching now, and she was running out of time. 

Haru, who had remained at her side, watched the bent form sympathetically. He sat in a corner with one of the scrolls on his one knee, and a sleeping infant on the other. 

Footsteps made Himiko look up, to see the priest moving closer to her. "Anything?" She asked, her eyes desperate now. 
The kannushi shook his head sadly. "I fear not, my child. I'm sorry."
"We…" Himiko pushed herself to her feet and started pacing from left to right. "We must look harder. Maybe we missed something or…"
"We went over all the scrolls. Twice." The kannushi sighed deeply. "The Kami cannot stay on earth while the souls of Higuchi are dwelling in the afterlife. She must be with the souls for them to be at peace."
"There must be a way," Himiko matra-ed, as her mind raced past countless thoughts. "There must be a…" 

She stopped her pacing suddenly, her brows frowning. From his corner, Haru watched her in intrigue. The kannushi studied her as well. "Child?" he gently interrupted her pondering. 
Himiko turned towards him. "You said the Kami must be with the souls."
"Yes," the priest nodded. "For them to be at peace, yes."
Himiko hastily slipped past the kannushi, to one of the shelves, her fingers sliding over several scrolls until she found the one she was looking for, pulling it free. "Maybe we could…" She unrolled the scroll, her eyes flying over the contents until… "Yes!" She pointed at a a line of text. "That's it!"

"What?" The kannushi asked anxiously. 
"We've been looking at it all wrong," Himiko spoke, her eyes taking on a new glow. "We can't bring the Kami back to the souls, no." She handed the scroll to the priest, pointing at her findings. "But we can bring the souls to the Kami." 

The kannushi blinked at her a few times, then his eyes tracked down to the text, skimming over the words. "Reincarnation…" he mumbled, wonderously. "Of course, of course…"
"Get everything ready," Himiko instructed, as she ran towards the door. "I must tell her the good news."

It wasn't far to the healer's cot and Himiko reached it in no time. She felt like she was flying, in spite of her fatigue. "Kami!" She pushed open the door and burst inside, too excited about her news to consider the time of day. "Kami, I found…"

The words stilled on her lips. The room was dark, except for the faint glow of a candle, of which the wax had almost entirely melted away, only a puddle remaining on the table it had been placed upon. The faint glow just managed to illuminate the two forms wrapped around each other on the bed. She couldn't see Gabrielle's face from where she was standing, but the kami's was visible. A smile was tugging at her lips. She looked very happy. 

"Kami?" Himiko spoke again, in a whisper this time. "Kami, wake up. I bring good news." She walked a bit closer. "Kami?" She reached for the warrior's hand, then flinched back as her fingers touched the skin. 

It was cold. 

Himiko staggered back a pace, her eyes wide now. "No," she managed to whisper, shaking her head. "No." Blankly she stared at the scene, not sure what to do. 

The door creaked softly as Haru entered, halting as he saw Xena and Gabrielle's silent forms, and Himiko standing beside them, a hand pressed against her mouth in shock. 

Quickly he circled the bed, ending up on the opposite side of Himiko. He leaned closer and laid two fingers against Gabrielle's neck, feeling for a pulse. After a moment, he dropped his head, exhaling gravely. 

"Are…" Himiko spoke between sobs. "Are they…?"
Haru glanced sideways, spotting a cup placed on the bedside table and reaching for it, lifting it to his nose and sniffing. He winced. "Poison."
"Oh no," Himiko managed, hiding her face in her hands and turning away, facing the wall. "Please, no."

The samurai looked down at Gabrielle, reaching over and pushing a few errant locks back, to reveal her face. Her features were relaxed and she was smiling contently. Haru managed a smile in return. "The heavens must be twice as beautiful this day, having gained two souls so pure and loving," he spoke softly. 

Himiko drew in a shaky breath, closing her eyes as thick teardrops slid down her cheeks. "I was too late," she choked somehow. "If I'd been faster, maybe I…"
A hand touched her shoulder, comfortingly. "There was nothing you could have done."
"But…" Himiko sniffled. "She asked me to find a way. And I failed her. I…"
"No." Another hand was placed on her other shoulder, and she was gently turned around, so she was looking at the bed once more. "Look at them," Haru whispered.
The girl wiped at her eyes with her sleeve, the tears blurring her vision. 
"Do they look disappointed?"
Himiko gazed at the peaceful scene, then shook her head a little. 
"Exactly," the samurai squeezed her shoulder a little. "They are at peace now. Finally."

The girl continued the gaze at the scene, her body unconsciously looking for comfort and finding it as she leaned back against Haru. "I didn't get to say goodbye." A sniffle. "I… I didn't get to thank them for all they did for me."
Haru exhaled, his cheek brushing against Himiko's black hair. "Neither did I." A breath. "But perhaps we were not meant to s…" He paused then, frowning. 

Himiko tilted her head back a fraction, looking up at him. "What is it?"
In response Haru circled her and headed for the head of the bed, kneeling down and picking up a folded piece of parchment. Carefully he opened it, finding neatly scribbled letters on the surface. 

Himiko peaked over his shoulder, curiously. "What does it say?"

"I always imagined I'd die in battle," Haru read. "On some battlefield, somewhere, and that the last moments of my life would remain unwritten."

Yet now I lie here, faced with the rare gift of filling these last few pages. To write an ending to our story. 

So much has happened these past few days, so much I'd love to tell about, but I fear I have neither the strength nor the time to do so. What difference will it make anyway if I speak of another battle, another adventure. I've told of so many already after all. To show the cruelness of war. And to prove that one woman can stand amidst it all and make a difference, regardless of her past. 

I think I've made my point. 

Exactly thirty one years ago, to this day, I was lying on the cold harsh ground, shivering under the blanket that had been tossed at me so carelessly. It was freezing, rocks poked into my back and the eerie sounds of the night filled my ears and kept me from sleep. 

I should have felt horrible. But I didn't. As I looked up to the stars peeking through the canopy above me, I remember thinking that this night, this first night in the wide outdoors with this odd friend I'd made, was likely to be the best night of my life.

But I've been blessed to see thousands of nights in her presence, and somehow they managed to surpass that perfect moment, entering a realm beyond perfection. 

I won't say my life with Xena has always been peachy. I've hurt her. And she's hurt me. I realise that if we hadn't met, I wouldn't have killed. Wouldn't have lost the child I loved with all my heart. Would have remained the innocent girl from Potedaia, with a good heart and a pure soul.

But in this moment, as I lie here, dying, I realise I would willingly darken my soul a thousand times if it'd allow me to relive this life with her. We have suffered more than two people should, but at the same time we have shared a deeper love than I ever believed existed. And in the end, somehow, this makes the hurt irrelevant. 

I love her. I have always loved her. Even when I hated her, I loved her. And soon, when the time comes where we will both pass on to the here after, I will be able to love her for the rest of my eternity.

I can feel that peace we've searched for. I can feel it like you can feel the rain, before it has fallen. And as I let it fill me, soothe the aches in my heart, I realise that this night, this night in which I will die, is likely to be the best night of my life. 

It was a field, endless it seemed. It was filled with flowers in all possible colours, and some even in impossible ones. The fragrant smell of blossoms lingered in the air. The cheerful laughter of children, as they chased each other around the trees. A bird twittered as it flew over, standing out starkly against the bright blue sky. 

Under a large tree, two figures rested in the shadows. One, a blonde, resting with her back against the bark, the other lying down, her dark hair scattered over the first person's lap. The blonde waved a hand about animatedly, telling some story or another, while her companion watched her allowingly. 

"So what do you think?"
"About what?"
Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "The story?"
"Ow, yeah," Xena grinned cheekily. "It's nice."

The bard sighed, poking her index finger at her friend's forehead. "You are no help what so ever."
"Hey," the warrior looked up indignantly. "Who's the story about again?"
"You."
"Damn straight," Xena made a grab for the finger near her forehead, capturing the blonde's hand. "You wouldn't have a story without me, bard. Remember that."

Gabrielle chuckled softly, absently entwining her fingers with the warrior's. "Hey Xena?"
"Hmm?" was the sleepy response, Xena having closed her eyes again, enjoying the warmth and her comfortable position. 
"Do you think we could pass into other afterlives?"
One eyelid opened. "What? Dying five times ain't enough for ya?"
"It's not that," the bard explained. "I'd just like to go see Ephiny sometime.And Solari and the other Amazons. My parents. Even Joxer." 
Xena smirked. 
"You think we could do that?" Gabrielle continued, curiously. "I mean, if you could appear on earth, another afterlife shouldn't be a problem, right?"

The warrior considered this for a moment, then shrugged closing her eyes again. "I guess."
"Can we go tomorrow?"
Both eyes opened. "We just got here!"
"Can we?" Gabrielle looked at her pleadingly. "I really would like to see them."
Xena gazed at her for another moment, then rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine." She muttered grumpily, as she rolled onto her side, wrapping her free hand around the leg she was resting on. "I was getting tired of these obnoxiously cheerfull birds here anyway." 

"Yes!" Gabrielle chortled, happily placing a kiss on the warrior's cheek. "This is gonna be so much fun."
Her companion exhaled gravely. "Somehow I get the feeling we're gonna end up in a whole lot of trouble."
"Ow please," the bard waved her off. "We're in heaven. How much trouble can we possibly get into?"

Blue eyes shifted up and gazed at the blonde for a long moment, then Xena sighed even deeper, letting her head sink back on its comfortable pillow in resignation. "I don't know yet," she muttered, closing her eyes again. "But I'm sure we'll find out tomorrow." 

The End

If you liked it, and feel like saying you did, you can reach me at allmightyannie@hotmail.com.