(A/N Disclaimer; I don't own any Magi except Aika and maybe another character or two later on)

The kingdom of Sindria loomed over her as she took a step off of the small boat. She breathed in a sigh of relief that she reached port in time. If she didn't her leaky boat would have sunk and her with it. I certainly didn't plan on stopping here. Now I need money, a boat, and someplace to stay.

She would avoid running into the King and whatnot. She heard rumors that ever since the last battle between Sindria and the Dark Djinns they've been taking extra precautions. As she walked towards the gate, she noticed five guards that were checking the cargo coming in and out. Biting her lip she quickly turned around and headed back the way she came.

When she came by an old guard post, she decided to climb her way up the wall and pass into the city undetected. As her hand found a notch in the stone, two voices made her stop in her tracks.

"Sinbad, you sure it was alright to run from the Kou Empire instead of staying to fight?"

"There's a fine line between running from an enemy that one, has you outnumbered, and two, you know you can't beat, and just being a coward running from the fight. It was the right choice to leave the city before a fight broke out." As the man finished his sentence, the pair came into sight. The one whom just finished speaking was the man she recognized to be King Sinbad. And to his right was one of the Eight Generals, Jafar.

"True." Came Jafar's answer. They were just about to pass by when Jafar snapped up his hand to prevent King Sinbad from walking any further.

"Jafar? What are-"

"Quiet. There's someone watching us." She held in a breath and waited for the two to pass, but instead Jafar turned his head in her direction and said. "We know you're there. Come out before I consider you a threat." She slowly stood, revealing her hiding spot from in the greens. While holding her hands up in a surrender, she jumped back to the earth landing a few feet from Sinbad.

"Who are you?" Jafar spoke to her in a cold voice. "You wouldn't be trying to sneak into the city now would you?"

"Now now Jafar. Is that any way to speak to a beautiful young lady?" At those words, Jafar smacked his forehead and sighed while a blush creeped onto her face.

"Sinbad! Could you please try to control your flirting?!" Came Jafar's annoyed voice.

"Now," Started Sinbad as he leaned towards her. "Mind telling us what you're doing back here?"

Her mouth opened slightly and no words came out. Then she decided to tell, mostly, the truth. "I just came from the Kou Empire and was on my way to the Reim when my boat started to sink. I arrived here a couple of minutes ago."

"The Kou Empire?" Sinbad's voice was full of distaste. "What were you doing there?"

"I'm part of the messaging service that the Reim Empire set up. It's rare that the two Empires will compromise, and if a messenger from one country was sent it's possible that the other will be hostile. I've been chosen to relay messages because I belong in neither country. And I have also gained their trust."

"What do you mean you belong in neither country?" Asked Jafar.

"My homeland is Balbadd. I escaped before war broke out only for me to be captured by one of the Kou Empire prince's." When she mentioned Balbadd, the pair of men eyes widened.

"You're from, Balbadd?" Jafar asked his voice a bit shocked. "How'd you escape the Kou Empire?"

Sighing she said, "Like I said, I relay messages." With a smirk on his face, Sinbad took a step forward and asked,

"You got any messages for me?"

"Uh-no."

"Well, we better head back. Come on Sinbad. And you," Jafar pointed at her. "I don't think we know your name."

"Name's Aika."(A/N Pronounced i-Ka) She said as she stepped over a piece of rubble.

"Aika, have you head of Alibaba Saluja? He's the prince in your country." Her eyes widened.

"Alibaba?" She asked just to confirm.

Flashback

She looked at herself in the shard of broken glass. Her long brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail and her raggedy clothes she pulled as much as she dared to get them almost above her knees. With an approving nod, she ran out of her home as fast as her legs would take her, and down the alley which would lead her to one of her oldest friends.

She slowed down as she recognized the makeshift home. "Hello?" She called out to check if anyone was home. She waited a few minutes and decided that he was not. Just as she was about to turn, a blonde head popped up from inside.

"Aika! What are you doing here?" A familiar voice called out. She turned joy returning to her eyes.

"Alibaba! I just came, to wish you good luck." Alibaba's eyes flickered in confusion before a trace of sadness filled them.

"Aika…listen." Alibaba took in a deep breath and took a step forward and gripped her shoulder. "No matter how far apart we are we'll always be the best of friends."

"Alibaba…" He gave her a fierce expression before releasing her shoulders. She didn't even realizing what was happening for it was done and over within a blink of an eye.

A blonde suddenly snapped forward and she recognized the warmth of another's skin against hers. Her eyes widened and a blush creeped onto her face. The warmth disappeared in a second before her mind processed what had happened.

Alibaba now stood facing the wall a blush also clearly on his cheeks. It was silent for a minute before she said, "Like you said," She raised a foot and dragged the tips of her toes on the floor. "No matter how far apart we are, we'll always be the best of friends."

Flashback End

"Hey!" She snapped out of her daze pushing the memories farther back into consciousness. In annoyance she smacked away the hand of Sinbad which was waving in front of her face. Realizing that they'd stopped walking, she pushed past the two and continued farther down the street.

"Come on." Was all she said until they entered the palace.

"Right about now Alibaba should be training with Sharrkan." Jafar said as they turned a corner. And sure enough, when they entered a courtyard, her old friend was training. With a hardened gaze and one hand behind his back, he attacked. First dodging the blade the one known as Sharrkan went to stab him with, then blade met blade in a fury of clanging metal.

"Alibaba! There's someone here who I'd like you to meet!" Sinbad called out. The blades attacked one another for a couple more seconds till Sharrkan reached over and patted Alibaba on the back with a smile. The pair made their way over to them, but as soon as Alibaba's eyes met her, he stopped dead in his tracks.

"Aika? Is, that really you?" Alibaba asked his eyes wide as saucers.

"Yeah." Was all she said. Even through she was brimming with joy, the agreement she had with the Kou Empire would prevent her from staying any longer than she had to.

"So you two already know each other." Jafar stated. Alibaba blinked rapidly before saying,

"Yeah, I met her when I was still living in the Slumps. But Aika," Alibaba faced her with pained eyes. "How are you still alive?"