A/N - Hello first time readers~ and thank you to those reading the second time around. I originally started this story because I wanted to write more about Hakuryuu. But more specifically, tentacle sex with the pervert who took up being my head cannon. You can say it's a revision of the Sindria and Zagan arcs. Since you can't have smut in that style of manga I wanted to bring out Zagan's perverted personality. Then I ended up wanting to write for the Djinn's themselves as they don't get enough time with their masters. I really hope I've kept everyone IC but with added ideas and originality for the stories enjoyment.
Smut, random boners and implied couples abound. (Yes, I am doing Sinju *and* Sinja. I must be crazy. Or Sin is just a slut...) Ja'far/Jafar is spelled in a way you will see later. For Judal, that's personal preference. Also, Judal will be fluffy, cute and brattish instead of cruel and violent because I don't want to write violence just smut.
Anyways, please enjoy the improvements and many thanks to SarcasticSeraph and Kheelwithit for the beta work they've done for me. Please consider reading their works as well.
The First Loss of Innocence
The trip to Sindria had been a long, yet somewhat pleasant three months of ship travel. Weather, for the most part, had been fair. Calm seas with bright, clear nights. The increasingly warm gusts signaled their voyage into the island's more balmy weather. When Hakuryuu had finally arrived he was shown to what would be his room for as long as he remained there.
Leaning against the open window of the upscale green and gold trimmed room, the prince gazed down at the city below; at its quiet gardens, graceful slopping hills and markets with the dotting of people over the landscape. Escaping a bright sun he was unused to, Hakuryuu was glad for the canopy overhead.
Reflecting a bit, as he was not expecting to be called for some time, his thoughts turned inwardly from where he had come from to what he would do. The hard part was over and he was confident the rest would be easy. If it wasn't for his cousin's offer he'd never have gotten the courage to leave in the first place.
The prince's mind centered on the blanked darkness that had fallen over his home, a place of muted tans and shadowy grays set against a leveled skyline. Its rooftops cut a thin red line against the duller skies and the presence of dark rukh often glimmered acrossed his vision; catching the light tint of his eye; an eye scarred and forever branded by the darkness of his home.
Not too long after the fire that forever marred the young prince's body had his sister, Hakuei discovered the fading light and vision within her brother's eye. Not wanting him to lose anything else she took his brother by hand to one of their mother's magicians. Hakuryuu barely remembered the man, other than wanting to run the moment they approached. His small, trembling hand gripped tightly against his sisters but she reassured him, passing him off to the taller unsettling figure. As cold red eyes fixed upon the blur of a half-dead one it felt as if he knew things that had been long forgotten, of a past and life he'd never see.
Crying out as inky shades invaded his eyes he struggled against the magician, seeking to escape that terrible feeling welling inside him. He was held fast and after several moments of uncomfortable pinpricks his vision seemed to return. The ritual – as he had called it – was complete and the resulting infusion of magic had granted Hakuryuu a unique ability; the power to see the rukh.
What started as an indistinguishable blur had become clearer over the years and focusing upon the discolored eye not only clarified the rukh but also let them be felt. With this, the prince was able to tell a man's deception as well as his intentions.
Hakuryuu drew away from the window, looking into the sizable mirror that sat upon a glass table. Through his scarred eye he had witnessed the peculiar pulse of darkness that begun to rise within the Kou Empire, filling him with unease. The once rare flickering shades of ink that permeated the air began occurring more and more often and it hadn't been until the Organization's priest had begun to notice him that he found out why. It also marked the time Fate would begin its increasingly cruel path, taking away those who had been protecting him and leaving him utterly alone.
Whether they had sensed they were the same or unconsciously thought to soothe their lonely hearts, Judal and Hakuryuu began to seek each other out more and more throughout the years. Eventually they began thinking similar thoughts. That the world was cruel and nothing pleasant would last. Judal had learned to revel in this. Hakuryuu had not.
Judal fully intended to get the most out of life and everything in it for he never knew when those days would come where his masters drew upon him in terrible ways, pushing him to near collapse. There was simply no point in fighting the enviable, or so his masters had told him.
Hakuryuu had tried to cling to his sister's words. To believe the world wasn't a terrible place; that its beauty and its people were worth fighting for. As much as he loved her, her words were slowly eaten away by hatred and the truth his family refused to see.
Two months earlier…
Slipping against a curved wall just outside the throne room, Hakuryuu watched as his mother departed, pausing slightly before walking down the opposite corridor; her myriad of attendants swirling like an oncoming storm. Letting go of the breath he had been holding, the prince walked inside the large gilded room; a place so saturated by the Organization's rukh that even Kouen's usual commanding rukh were quieted by their dark chatter.
"Hakuryuu," Kouen greeted his cousin as he entered, focusing on that two-toned neutral gaze as he approached. They regarded each other with an unreadable expression; both pausing as if to read what the other was thinking. It was something of a smirking acknowledgment that those of the Ren family lined inherited a serious nature, strong features and obsessive tendencies.
"You've trained hard." The General Commander continued, getting to the point. "But you refuse to advance and take on a dungeon like your brothers and I have."
"Until I feel I am strong enough to stand on my own I won't," Hakuryuu desperately wanted to hold his own in battle and his obvious want of power confused many who learned of his rejection to the proposals to conqueror a dungeon. Kouen, however, found this rather intriguing.
Staring down his cousin, the General Commander was attempting to figure out why Hakuryuu was being so stubborn. Even going so far as preferring other styles of combat and using those instead of traditional training. Above all else was Hakuryuu's constant refusal of their Oracle's help. It was obvious he had learned all he could in terms of combat and was bored enough to spend his time pouring over tomes meant for magicians.
"Given time you'll be stronger than anyone here," Kouen replied, wondering how much longer his cousin's rebellious phase would last. "So I want you to talk to Judal about raising you a dungeon."
"...Going with the oracle I don't feel is the right thing to do," Hakuryuu explained. With Kouen's legendary stare directed at him he knew he couldn't pass on anything less than the truth this time. He knew eventually he would have to justify his refusal and, much like the rest of his family, would need to make a choice; to lend his power to his family or to his mother and that Organization.
"Why is that? He's enthusiastic and favours you. He's offered his help and you should take it," Kouen drew up from resting his chin on his palm. "Is it wrong to speak to someone your age?" He knew Hakuryuu was withdrawn but unlike him and his brother had the talent for conversation.
"No, we talk sometimes," when the Magi wasn't bothering his training, sitting on his desk or kicking him out of bed.
"You...dislike him?"
Hakuryuu's eyebrow rose at Kouen's pause. He had never heard him sound so questionable before. It wasn't in his expression, just the tone. As though to ask why no one would find the Oracle anything but adorable. He was pretty sure everyone had reached the point where Judal got on their nerves.
"Despite the things he does I like him for who he is not who he represents," Hakuryuu kept it short. Sparing his cousin the rant he'd have gone on about all the things he detested about Judal.
Kouen gave a brief, agreeable nod. "If that's the case there's no point in doing something you don't feel will help you. I do have a suggestion," Hakuryuu perked up slightly. "Kougyoku wishes to visit Sindria. Currently she's a liability I'm worried about and calling you her escort is a fairly convenient way for you to train there."
Being the fourth imperial prince, Hakuryuu had no real responsibilities to keep him within the Empire's walls. "It might help you understand our enemies a little more," Kouen drew his fingers through his beard before continuing. "And Kougyoku's in love with their King. Or thinks she is. Girls like her don't fall in love with men like that. Men like that are only good at deceiving young women. He'll do all he can to convince her to become his ally. If it gets too serious, I'd like you both to return if possible.
Drawn in by the islands calm breeze Hakuryuu hadn't noticed he had drifted so far into his thoughts that his unfocused gaze had returned to staring out the window. Still, he had the feeling his conversation with Kouen held deeper meaning. To what, he didn't know. His cousin had been entirely straight forward with him and until he figured out what to do he would simply watch over Kougyoku and act as necessary.
His first time meeting Kougyoku had been as they were boarding the ship. Passing him with an air of independence, sleeve demurely up to her mouth, she excused herself to her cabin for the remainder of the trip. Her shy, slightly haughty look set Hakuryuu's emotions ablaze. It reminded him so much of his mother that he had to stop himself, fingers gripping tightly to his weapon as dark thoughts played in his eyes.
During the trip the prince's mood had improved and after the first month he had completely forgotten that first day entirely. The princess never left her cabin and Hakuryuu spent his days either cooking, reading or in training.
Setting foot on Sindria soil the prince was met with a scene he hadn't expected. Right from the start he had to hold his cousin back from murdering its King; then himself when she spoke of the man's indecent nature. Apparently, Sinbad had taken the princesses virginity. Or so it seemed. Hakuryuu was surprised that no one in the country had believed their Kings innocence. But a magician proved that Sinbad had, in fact, not stolen his cousin's chastity and the situation was settled. Somewhat.
The prince was set to put this whole embarrassing affair behind him. Right after throwing the princess's retainer into the ocean and threatening for him to swim back to the Empire. Not only had he attempted to frame a King but had forced Kougyoku to endure an embarrassing situation. While his cousin forgave him, he would not.
With an exasperated sigh Hakuryuu hoped that would be the end of troublesome situations. Fate, however, seemed to have a different idea.
As darkness obscured his vision, the prince opened his eyes. A body swathed in black stood before him, its bare feet touching the windowsill while black rukh chirped at his heels.
"Yo, Hakuryuu~" A lazy and familiar voice called out as cerulean eyes met bemused ruby.
Stunned and somewhat annoyed the prince watched the figure slip in. The Magi moved about as though he were an invited guest into the kingdom and Hakuryuu's privacy. The hood of his black cloak drew back and a thick coil of ebony whipped past the prince's vision. It was then that Hakuryuu saw Judal – Oracle, Priest and Magi of the Kou Empire – dressed in the robes of Al-Thamen.
Turning and staring at the intruding figure, Hakuryuu was still skeptical. He had some measure of what the Organization's priests could do and remained wary. It could be Judal. Or it could be someone else. Those sullied priests had been trying to get into Sindria for the longest time and so far none had managed it. Perhaps they had taken their chance and had followed him in.
Yet, this annoying and attractive figure was far too familiar to be anyone but Judal. No one held such excitable power or dual rukh that stirred about so restlessly.
"Ju–" Hakuryuu began but the priest quickly approached him, slapping a hand over his mouth firmly.
"Shut up crybaby," firm lips met Hakuryuu's as the magi then kissed him. "You know I'm not supposed to be here," the kiss was meant to hide the Magi's anxious eyes but Hakuryuu was drawn to them regardless.
Noticing the prince's stare the Magi began staring back. As usual they would continue until one of them looked away. This was always Hakuryuu, and Judal would then smirk in a triumphant, downright supercilious way. Everything was always a game. A game he'd do anything to win at. It was another to the list of things Hakuryuu would never understand. "W-Why are you here?"
Judal laughed, spinning on his heel before flopping down onto the bed. He spent the next few minutes stretching and squirming about; kneading his feet against the cool white sheets and flopping about as much as possible. "Ah~ it's so~ hot out there."
Hakuryuu paused, watching as the Magi continued to complain. He couldn't figure out if Judal was making a mess or experiencing a sugar rush. It was slightly distracting either way and through the heavy robes he could see the curves of his hips as they pressing against the dark fabric. Feeling a strange, yet familiar sensation stir between his legs Hakuryuu looked away.
"F-First of all..." Hakuryuu began as Judal laughed, noticing the color rushing into his cheeks. "I'd like for you to stop defiling the bed. Secondly, you were there? On the ship?"
"I got bored and it seemed fun," Judal replied as he finally settled down within the sheets sighing softly. "Hey, is that really how people travel?"
"It is."
"But it's so~ slow. And smelly and moves around too much," Judal flopped around in irony of his words. "Flying is so~ much better than being stuck on some boring, ugly ship."
Hakuryuu noticed the magi's complains were quieter than usually, as if he were trying not to draw attention to himself. "That is what happens when you become a stowaway,"
"Stowaway? No way, Kougyoku let me stay," Judal replied shifting around on the bed to arrange the sheets and pillows into something more comfortable.
"She did?" Hakuryuu was somewhat surprised but he did know the two were close and likely she'd go out of her way for him. And had.
"Yeah, you'd be so busy you'd never have found me," Judal smiled in triumphant, his attention was still occupied in his creation however; a pile of pillows and blankets that he then jumped into, much like a cat diving into a pile of leaves.
"How was that possible? You simply cannot last five minutes without being a nuisance to those around you. Also, you're very loud. Enough a whole ship would notice you the moment you spoke. And your voice is as memorable as your face. You're extremely hard not to notice and―"
The prince was cut short in his rambling as Judal rose, turned to face him then kissed him. It was something Judal used to shut him up and those sugary lips made the prince want for more. Unable to stop himself, Hakuryuu kissed back; embarrassed at how heated his body had become.
After flicking a tongue over the prince's lips Judal shifted a hand under his robe, arching his body just enough to bring a bright flush to his prince's face. He slipped a vial out from the pocket in his pants and held it out between his fingers, letting the opaque glass bottle catch the light. Pearly white liquid sloshed against the sides as it was tilted back and forth.
"The old hag gave me this to use," Judal slipped it into Hakuryuu's palm, caressing his soft fingertips against his prince's coarser ones as he moved away.
"What is this?" Hakuryuu opened the bottle, sniffing at the cork. The smell of honey and verdant herbs wafted up to his nose but it didn't seem all that dangerous.
"Just some thing to make me sleepy."
That explained why no one, aside from Kougyoku, had noticed the Magi's presence aboard the ship. But the situation was still unsolved. Why would Judal go to all this trouble? Why bother sneaking aboard a ship? Or was Kougyoku pressured into looking after him to the point he was put to sleep? Hakuryuu couldn't imagine why Judal didn't want people to notice him.
The obvious answer seemed to be that this was enemy territory and Judal – in one way or another – had far too many confrontations with the Sindrian King. Too many in Hakuryuu's opinion and likely not enough in Judal's.
"Jud—" Before Hakuryuu could finish lips were drawn over his again. Angry at the distraction he drew away, looking up into excited red ringed eyes.
Judal flopped back onto the bed again, pleased with the situation and that annoyed look on his prince's face.
"Why are you here? Not just in this room but in this country," Hakuryuu finally managed to ask, keeping away from the bed in case he was attacked again by those errant and sudden kisses.
"Ha~ ask me after you taste this," Judal replied, snatching away the glass vial that was still clasped between his prince's fingers.
Without warning Judal pried open the prince's jaw, dumping the liquid into his mouth. Hakuryuu attempted to fight back; to not swallowing that bitter mixture but with the Magi's lips firmly against his throat he had no choice but to do so, moaning softly after.
Within moments Hakuryuu felt his vision blur and fade, his limbs growing weaker and with a firm push from pale hands he felt himself fall back against the bed. Those same hands now roamed his body, tugging at his clothing and drawing them off. He wasn't certain why – or what – Judal was doing undressing him but the last thing he remembered before he lost consciousness were those blazing scarlet eyes boring down upon him.
