Xena stepped out onto a damp dirt trail. Dense foliage from the forest immediately hiding the spot from whence she came. She hung a pine needle woven basket on her right arm. Filled to the brim with various herbs and nuts from the forest. She lifted her nose to the sky and took a long breath.

A quiet, "goodbye" left her lips. Before she turned and started walking down the path. Long black hair and the basket swinging side to side with every step she took. Howls cascading through the trees in the distance.

­­­~~~

"You found all of this on the path from Yornik to here? I'm surprised it was not picked clean this time of year." An older lady mused from her place at her market stall.

"I seem to be good at sniffing them out." Xena simply gave in reply. She glanced around at the numerous people all dressed similarly. They were wandering around the small village. "Is there a celebration day? I would've thought the population here was smaller."

"How long were you foraging for, girl? Prince Larry is passing through with the Corinth Army!"

"Forgive me, I have been more out of touch than I thought." Xena looked at the soldiers with renewed interest. Some of the cuffs of their uniforms were too short. Others, too long. Dirty and torn at the ends from dragging. Their faces hollow from lack of proper nutrition and rest. Some of them were young enough to still not be considered men. And others were practically fossils. They would not last long

"So it seems..." the lady stated. Evaluating Xena with suspicion evident in her eyes.

Xena did not miss that she did not take her eyes off her while pulling up a box from under the cart. She counted out several coins before briskly slapping them down in front of Xena.

"Thank you," Xena supplied. Picking up the cold metal coins while turning away from the stall. She placed them in a small leather pouch as she continued her walk through the village.

"Subtle... I think she thinks we're a Tola spy." Tacoma laughed out into Xena's mind.

"What point would that be? I want no part of the human war. I have had enough of war already in my life! And I am sure that you agree." Angrily, Xena abruptly stopped at the edge of the village. Tacoma whined in response to her sudden mood change.

She could still smell the scent of the man who killed her parents. The moment her mother died, her father did as well. Werewolves shared their lives with their mates. Once the soul mate bond is sealed, their life forces are tied.

The vampire who killed her parents, and disabled her younger brother, was deranged. He was dead, but he lived in her dreams. In her nightmares. Tormenting her year after year.

He had made a permanent place for himself in her mind. But some days she was granted relief. It had been almost 500 years. Several lifetimes for a human. She had had time to process what had happened. Regardless, it still hurt. It still scared her.

She was not tormented every second of her life like she was when it first happened. But she was still left with mental scars. Her memories were still vivid. She had not forgotten a single detail of that night. His scent, voice, and face were heavily imprinted into her mind. So much so that it was easier for her to remember him than to remember her own parents.

Xena was so heavily immersed in her own mind that it took her a second to realize that she wasn't just imagining the smell. It was not his scent in the air. But there was a group of vampires nearby.

Instantly, her back straightened and her ears strained to listen around her. She followed her nose to get closer to the group. Curious to see if they were neutral or foe. She did not trust most vampires at first sight. But she was not willing to mercilessly attack them on sight.

Werewolves and vampires are not natural foes. They have similar origins and beliefs. But due to their unfortunate history, many vampires despised werewolves. They are either old enough to remember the war between the two. Or are taught to hate.

And werewolves were hunted to the brink of extinction because of it. Besides her brother, Xena did not know of another living werewolf. She was certain there were others. But they were few and far between. And constantly on the run.

For a species that naturally craved to be in a pack, it was incredibly lonely. Werewolves did not decline in population without a fight though. The witches tried to help.

They created wolf shifters, but they are a far cry from true werewolves. Even the Moon Goddess' own children could not replicate her original creation. The only way to create more werewolves is to reproduce. Unlike vampires who can turn humans. But the only way for any of the creations of the Moon Goddess to reproduce is with their soulmate.

Xena hid herself as she got closer. She counted about 15 vampires in the group. She evaluated and decided that she could easily take them all out if she needed to.

She stayed hidden for some time. Listening to the vampires. Trying to figure out their goal and whether they were a threat.

"Are we sure that it is safe to travel so closely? What if Tola attacks us as well?" A clearly younger vampire asked. He had dusty blonde hair and a concerned tone of voice.

"Who cares? We should just kill them if they do. Human soldiers are nothing. Plus I imagine your own kill is tastier-" A second vampire responded. His hair a light brown in color.

"Do not even think about it. The moment you consider killing is the moment you are kicked out of our clan. A vampire without other vampires is nothing. Unlike humans who have trained to fight." The leader of the vampires quickly cut the second one off. A scathing look in his eyes as he dared him to challenge him, "Do you understand? We do not kill. We only feed from those who have already died. Or from animals. And we never drink too much and kill them when we do so. The frontlines of war are an unfortunate, but yet glorious, buffet. Do not create any unnecessary deaths. Do. You. Under. Stand?"

The brown hair vampire looked at the two vampires directly next to him. Then he looked at his leader and hissed, "forget it. We don't need you."

All three of them stood up and left.

"Damn young bloods. They will be dead within the week." The leader sighed out. The young blonde haired vampire who had originally spoke only gulped in response.

Once the shock wore off, the rest of the vampires started gossiping with each other. Only the leader staying silent as he stared at his interlocked hands.

Xena stayed listening to the vampires for a little while longer. Eventually, she had gotten up and walked back into the village.

She could not get the three vampires who left out of her head. The twelve still in the clan were no threat. But those three were malicious.

The thought of anyone's family being torn apart like hers made her heartache. She glanced over at a pair of soldiers who were drinking outside the village tavern.

But then again, isn't this war also tearing families apart? Isn't it best to just let it be and ignore it like she does the war?

Xena shook her head to clear her thoughts. And decided it best to continue her walk to clear her head. She would stay out of it. It was best to stay unknown. Best to leave no trace and to let what happens happen.

"Are you sure? You have never been one to just stand to the side and let things happen. Even back then you fought." Tacoma reminded Xena.

"And look where that got me."

"But it could have been worse. He could've killed you and Xavier that night."

Xena let a growl escape her lips as she kicked the ground. Only for her ears to perk up to the sound of a distant cry.

"P-please, just leave me alone!" A village girl's voice pleaded.

"I've had a rough night. I deserve a treat. You are nothing but food, don't bother pleading. I like my meals silent."

Xena's heart pounded as adrenaline shot through her veins. She recognized that voice. It was the voice of the brown haired vampire from earlier.

"If you please me, I'll keep you alive. Only the best food is worth keeping around." He continued, laughing.

She needed to make up her mind and fast.