The sun was at its highest point when the men and Gabrielle carried a subdued Xena to the barn. Gabrielle was lead towards the house that was on top of a small hill, fairly close to the barn. Even though they told her she could wait inside, Gabrielle declined and decided to watch over the barn from right by the house.

"It will take a while for him to examine your friend." One of the men told her. "It gets cold during this season."

"I appreciate the offer. I do really. But if Xena got attacked by some random thief that broke into that barn and I wasn't there to stop them, I wouldn't hear the end of it." She gave a smile to the man, trying to hide her secret concern and worry about her friend. "But as soon as he's done examining her, I can come in and talk to him." The man could only nod before turning towards the group of men. He sent them back to the village that was half a mile away. The man himself went inside the house.

For a short while, Gabrielle sat and waited, going over stories in her head to pass the time. But she started to get a little restless and moved onto doing something a little more physical. Holding her staff, she practiced and tried out some new moves that she had seen Xena pull off in past battles. Argo, Xena's horse, simply stared with a blank expression. Despite Gabrielle purposefully almost hitting Argo in order to get any kind of a reaction from him.

"Oh come on! You have to do something at least once! What if I was an actual attacker?" Argo flipped his tail and turned away, snorting his nose in response. "Don't have to be so rude about it." Gabrielle spoke under her breath and resumed her training, but she stopped once she saw the old man open the barn door and began walking up and towards the house. This was when she also saw how low the sun was. Not quite setting just yet, but just about. The old man reached the top, motioning with his hand to follow him inside.

Closing the door behind her, Gabrielle moved to sit down at the table. The old man moved towards the far end to grab some food. The younger man looked up at the elder. "How is she father?"

"She is fine. Nothing that can kill her. Or spread to the people. At least, not that I can tell." Gabrielle felt herself relax a little bit at hearing the news. But she silently noticed that the younger man sitting across from her only seemed to care about the second part of his father's response. "Now Celsius, go home to your wife and son. I'm sure they have missed you."

"I just want to make sure that you are safe." While she couldn't be sure, Gabrielle sensed that Celsius was distrustful of her being here. She was about to respond, but the old man beat her to it.

"This young woman isn't going to kill me in the middle of the night!" He carried over some food and set them down on the table. As he looked at his son, he gave a small grin. "Besides, everything you know about fighting you learned from me. Never forget that. I'm not too old that I can't defend myself." While not exactly happy, Celsius seemed to give in and got up, making his way out of the house and towards his own home assumingly closer to the other villagers.

"A little weird that he had no problem brining my friend and I to you and then show that he doesn't trust me to be here." Gabrielle said. She quickly turned to the old man and blushed. "No offense! I'm sure he is a good man."

"He is when he wants to be. Arrogant the rest of the time." He sat down and offered the young traveler some food. "Gotten himself into his fair share of fights and brawls over the years. Even as a young one. But he does seem to have grown a little more mindful of his actions ever since he had a son of his own." Gabrielle nodded in understanding and ate a little bit of what the old man offered her. "Now, I want to discuss your friend who we have in chains in my barn."

"Didn't you say she was fine?" Gabrielle asked.

"I said she will live. But…can you explain what had happened before the men came across you."

"We were travelling; I was talking Xena's head off but she pretended to ignore me as usual. Then, we came across this group of thieves. Of course this lead to a fight. But towards the end of it, Xena was getting extremely rough. Way out of normal. I tried to stop her. I hit her with my staff, thinking it would just daze her for a bit. But I guess, I got a lucky hit and she just fell down. That was roughly when Celsius and those other guys came and helped out."

The old man rubbed his chin in deep thought. "I'm just trying to capture a mental image of the area my son found you in. He described it earlier to me…Did your friend, during this confrontation, fall into a nearby bush with unusual colored flowers?"

"I don't know, I was really more focused on the attack…" Gabrielle paused, a sudden flashback hitting her and she was trying to process it. Her eyes widened. "Yes actually! I remembered turning to her, asking her to get back up quickly! I think the flowers were some sort of purple and pink mixed together. I didn't think much of it then, but it was a very strange color."

"I think I have an understanding now." The old man folded his hands on the table and looked over at Gabrielle, speaking and collecting his thoughts at the same time. "There was a story of a time when the goddess Aphrodite and the god Ares met in secret in the mortal world. They joined in union, celebrating their secret love. Their sweat joined together and when it dropped onto the ground, it created that bush that your friend fell into."

"Two gods mate and they create a bush?" Gabriele raised her eyebrows. "I guess things work differently with gods when it comes to that."

"Yes, well the bush had an unusual and dangerous power." The old man continued. "If one were to disrupt the bush, it would release a scent that would transfer the bush's anger and frustration into the one who hurt it. That person would be overcome with aggression and anger. The kind most would be unable to control. It is said that the only way to get rid of the bush's anger was for that person to lay down with a partner."

"That's…very weird." Gabrielle chuckled at that, forgetting for a moment why this was being told to her. But then her grin disappeared and concern took over her face. "Wait, are you saying that the only way Xena can turn back to normal is if she finds a man?"

It was the old man's turn to become the curious and confused one, raising an eyebrow. "How long have you travelled with this Xena?"

"Well, it has been a little while. She has taught me a lot. But not so much about her own personal life. She's the strong and silent type you see." Gabrielle said. "I have come across a few people from her past while travelling with her. Maybe even a lover here and there."

"Well, I would suggest you hope for one of them to come by right now. But only if that past lover is a woman." Gabrielle tilted her head, forcing the old man to elaborate. "Your friend may have lain with men, but there is a…physical reason it needs to be a woman right now. Especially considering what has happened to her."

Gabriella was still confused. But as the old man grabbed some water to drink, her eyes looked away. Her head was slowly trying to piece together what the old man just hinted at. "No…there is no way…" As she thought back, how every night Xena made sure that Gabrielle never saw her naked and slept a little bit away from her, the possibility grew more likely. She got up, paced around for several moments. Eventually, Gabrielle had no choice but to turn back around to the old man, a look of confused wonder on her face. "Are…I mean, did you -?" He simply nodded, confirming that he has seen it. Gabrielle sat back down, running her hands through her hair.

"Wow…just, wow." Gabrielle said.

"I understand why she kept this hidden from you. I apologize for telling you, especially if your friend wanted to tell you herself at some point." He patted her on the shoulder as he stood up. "Tonight, feel free to head to the inn that is just on the other side of the village. There might be a maiden there you could convince. I myself will get ready for bed."

Gabrielle turned back to the old man. "Wait! If she…lays with a woman once, will it go away."

All he could do was shrug his shoulders. "It depends. It's possible. Or, she will have to learn to control the random bursts of anger that threaten to overwhelm her from time to time by laying with others to push it back." He felt like he should say more but couldn't think of anything else. Gabrielle looked away, deep in thought. The old man went upstairs, making his preparations for bed as the sunset starting to darken the sky. Some time past before he truly fell asleep, but just before he did he thought he heard the young girl downstairs open the door and leave the house. Assuming she left to find a strange woman at the inn for her friend, he thought nothing of it and let the dreams take over.

Gabrielle tried to close the door without making any noise, holding a torch in the other hand. She looked out towards the village, trying to see if she can spot the inn at the other side. She thought about what the old man said, trying to find a woman there. But she felt herself turn her gaze towards the barn. She thought she should at least go down there and see if they treated her properly. Walking down the small hill, she approached the barn door and slowly opened it and stepped inside.

She used her torch to light another one, finding nearby spot to safely place them and help her see Xena. She was laid out on a bunch of hay stacks, a blanket covering most of her body which appeared to be naked underneath. Her arms were laid out to the side, both of them chained to the ground beneath her. But the chains did appear very old and rusty. Gabrielle knew it was necessary to help restrain her unexpected bush induced anger, but she couldn't really see how effective they could be against Xena when she was her normal self. Bu her eyes drew away from those and back to Xena. Her eyes were closed, asleep. Gabrielle's eyes ran over Xena's body. The warrior princess's feet were touching the ground, the blanket managing to reach just above her knees. Stepping closer, curiosity took control over the young blonde as she gently grabbed the blanket and pulled it up just enough to see if what the old man said was true.

Her eyes widened in surprise, covering her mouth with one hand quickly before she could gasp out loud. There it was, Xena's natural shaft out in the open. Gabrielle let go of the blanket and got on her knees, putting herself in between Xena's legs. She gazed at it as if in some sort of gaze. No wonder she had never let her see her stripped of all clothing. Well, Gabrielle was a little surprised Xena hadn't told her before, the idea of someone still sleeping with Xena after seeing this is still very realistic. But she understood how there would be others who wouldn't look at this so kindly. It was fairly close to the edge of the hay, Gabrielle just had to bring her hand up and out only a little bit. Without even realizing it, she started to touch and wrap her hand around the width of Xena's member.

"What am I doing?" Gabrielle whispered to herself. But she did have answer and she knew it as soon as those words left her mouth. She admired Xena, but sometimes admiration can lead to stronger feelings. But still, should she go through with this? Well, as long as she doesn't wake Xena it would robably be all right. Leaning forward, she could breathe in Xena's scent. Something about it felt unnaturally intoxicating. Maybe that was also a side effect of the bush created by Ares and Aphrodite as they made love on the Earth? She felt her lips kiss the side of Xena's cock and kissed it softly. Her hand that was holding Xena began moving and stroking. She could feel it grow and harden in her hand. Since she didn't want to wake Xena, it took a little longer than it might normally take. But it eventually stopped as it couldn't grow anymore. Looking at it now, Gabrielle pushing her face back towards it, her lips repeatedly kissing it before finally working up the courage to wrap them around the head of the shaft and push her face downwards.

She got halfway down the first time. Her tongue was pressed against it, taking in the surprisingly sweet taste of it. Her eyes looked up at the rest of Xena, seeing if there was any reaction. She could hear the chains clink together quietly, Xena letting out a barely heard moan. But it looked like her eyes were closed, probably thinking it was simply a dream. With that being observed, Gabrielle closed her eyes and let her mouth move up and down repeatedly as slowly as possible. This way, it didn't take too long until she was taking in the entire length of Xena. The taste, somehow it was making Gabrielle push all intelligent thoughts and questions and doubts out of her mind. All there was within Gabrielle were her feelings, her urges. Her other hand remained close to her body, reaching under Gabrielle's clothes until she felt the entrance of her womb on her fingertips. She pushed her fingers inside herself, forcing Gabrielle to quietly moan as she continued to swallow Xena's cock over and over again.

She wasn't sure how long this went on. Her focus was completely on her actions and nothing else. But if she could have pulled a little focus away, she might have opened her eyes to see that Xena was starting to wake. The warrior's hands wrapped themselves with the chains and quickly pulled in just the right spot, with just the right amount of strength, and instantly broke free. If Gabrielle heard the snap of broken chains, she didn't show. Her eyes remained closed, her mouth continued to taste Xena's shaft, her free hand continuing to pleasure herself as she did so. Xena pushed her hands against the hay she was laying on top off and forced herself to sit up. She looked down to see her traveler and friend pleasing both her and herself. But like the blonde on her knees and in between her legs, there were no thoughts or questions in Xena's mind. Just raw, animalistic instincts and urges.

Reaching forward, she grabbed Gabrielle by the head and forced her to release her shaft. Gabrielle opened her eyes in shock, meeting the gaze of Xena. She thought she might be angry at what she was doing. But her eyes…Gabrielle saw something she had never seen. Lust, desire, greed…and by the way Xena grinned down at her, Gabrielle knew all of those urges were aimed right at her. Allowing Xena to pull her up and on top of her, Gabrille and Xena locked lips and closed their eyes. Their tongues battled each other for dominance, their spit entering the other's mouths. Gabrielle pushed herself backwards until she felt her covered ass press itself against Xena's hard and wet shaft. The warrior's hands reached forward and under the blonde's clothing to feel the skin of her round and firm ass underneath. She squeezed, her fingernails digging into the skin. Gabrielle moaned and even lightly giggled as she felt Xena's hands. They continued on like this about as long as when Gabrielle was quietly pleasuring Xena just moments ago.

But then Xena couldn't last much longer, grabbing Gabrielle and flipping her off and onto her back. Tearing off the blonde's clothing, now the two of them could stare at the other naked as the light from the nearby torches illuminated their curves and features. For a moment, all they did was look and gaze at the other, both in amazement and appreciation. But then the brunette forced the blonde's legs to spread apart and then she needlessly forced herself in the body of someone who eagerly accepted her. Gabrielle's mouth opened, her head leaned back slightly as she let out a silent gasp. Xena bit her lower lip as she forced her entire length inside. Taking a second to feel Gabrielle's body once every inch successfully penetrated her, Xena slowly but roughly thrusted herself back and forth into her friend. Gabrielle wrapped her hands around Xena's neck, the two of them keeping eye contact and never breaking. Every time Xena pushed herself forward, it sent a pulse of shock and pleasure throughout Gabrielle's body. They grunted and moaned, no words were spoken as everything unfolded. Eventually, Gabrielle felt more happening inside her. Xena's cock pulsed and throbbed as it thrusted, Gabrielle's own body and womb beginning to tremble and shiver. They both knew instantly what was about to happen. Gabrielle wrapped her legs around Xena's waist, the warrior now allowing herself to go faster. Even though both of their mouths were open and the sensations started to overwhelm them, they continued gazing into each other's eyes. It was never broken. Even at the moment when both women reached their unavoidable climax, Xena filling Gabrielle with her seed, Gabrielle letting the fluid and juices from her body splatter on Xena's thighs and legs as well as the hay below.

Gabrielle was just starting to regain some sense of intelligent thought. Began to wonder if maybe this has cured Xena's condition. But just as she was starting to think, it became clear that Xena was far from catching up to Gabrielle. She flipped the blonde over onto her front, her hands grabbing and squeezing the blonde's firm ass. She felt the warrior's hands spread her ass cheeks away from each other. The brunette lightly stroked her very wet cock before slowly pushing it into Gabrielle's other entrance. The girl below Xena felt her eyes widen in pure surprise. This possibility never occurred to her before. Her eyes quickly shut themselves as it was initially painful. Xena felt this and carefully moved back and forth in a way that was slowly helping Gabrielle get used to the new sensations. Eventually Gabrielle reached a point where she was no longer in pain. The cock in this other hole was bringing brand new joys to Gabrielle. The blonde forced herself to get up on her hands and knees. Xena pulled back a bit, still inside Gabrielle. Her hand reached down and slowly moved up Gabrielle's thigh, her nails scratching the bard's leg and leaving marks as it did so. When it reached back to the ass, Xena roughly slapped it before resuming her slow yet hard thrusts.

Gabrielle felt her breasts dangle below her and swing back and forth in unison with Xena's thrusts. Juices from her previously used hole dripped down her thighs as her other hole became penetrated for the very first time. Her moans and grunts and whines were louder and more filled with pleasure than before. She felt Xena lean down, her breasts press against her back. The brunette reached one hand down under the blonde and pinched on of her hardened nipples. Gabrielle bit her lower lip, which did almost nothing to muffle her. Soon, she felt Xena pull Gabrielle up and back, Xena herself leaning backwards as she was now forcing Gabrielle to bounce herself up and down her member. The young woman did so, reaching one hand back to the back of the older woman's head. Her other hand reached back to try and squeeze one of Xena's ass cheeks. Gabrielle's eyes were closed as Xena kissed and bit into her lover's neck.

This was a night of raw urges, powerful emotions forcing two women who have been traveling together for a while start to truly explore and understand the other. How long it lasted that night couldn't be said for certain. What can be said is that the torches soon burned out. The sun of the next day arrived like it always does, rays of light piercing through the cracks of the barn to shine light on whatever is inside. Underneath a blanket, on top of hay, Xena laid on her back fast asleep. Gabrielle was also underneath, on her side facing Xena and har arm wrapped around the warrior's body. The two were exhausted, glistening with sweat, and satisfied in a way they never thought possible.

That's the story that came into my head. I originally imagined this as a one-shot, but depending on how people react I could write a follow-up later on. Hell, I might even make this an ongoing story. Hope you all enjoyed!