DA: Jeez, I haven't posted on here in a while, but I decided that I wanted to cross post this particular fic on three different sites: here, tumblr, and AO3. So here I am!

Anyways, I'm not going to bother rambling, it's just not worth it, so enjoy the first chapter everyone!

Chapter 1

The halls in the Sindria Trading Company headquarters were lively, filled to the absolute brim with people going about their business. Men carrying boxes skirted the edge of the main path, attempting to avoid the traffic as much as possible while still managing to make good time. Others crossed near the middle, paperwork clutched to their chests and stern expressions pressed solidly across their faces. The bright sunlight streamed in through the open windows, bathing all who passed in the warmth of the afternoon. Humid air pooled in the packed space, dots of sweat beading on Sinbad's forehead as he too made his way through the building. His shirt clung to his damp back, sticking uncomfortably to the already hot and sticky flesh.

Such was the climate of Balbadd in the summer months. Sometimes living near the ocean wasn't as incredible as people made it out to be.

Sighing, Sin dragged the back of his hand quickly across his forehead, his lips curling back in disgust when it came away soaked. But still he walked on, weaving through the traffic. Employees smiled at him as he passed, a gesture he returned effortlessly, a bright grin stretching easily across his face. Despite the weather, the company employees were in high spirits, even with sweat dripping down their backs and making their uniforms cling to their bodies. The move had been a good move, for just about everyone. On top of it all, the company was busier than ever. Two caravans were leaving today: one headed by Drakon and Serendine and the other by Ja'far.

Sinbad had swung by Drakon's room earlier today, going over the general plan. Drakon was leaving by boat later in the afternoon, when the tide was due to roll out, transporting the shipments packed within to the countries that the company already had affiliations with. He'd likely be back within a few months, if not earlier. Sinbad wasn't overly worried about them as the trip should be easy going, with few to no problems.

He was, however, worried about Ja'far's expedition.

Slowing near the bend in the hall, Sinbad turned to the closed door on his right, lifting a hand to rap his knuckles gently against its surface. "Come in," Ja'far called, even before he could knock. Sin rolled his eyes, his lips pressed into a thin, flat line. His hand dropped to the doorknob, turning it and shoving the door open. Ja'far had his back to him, digging through the large pack resting on his bed. The room was surprisingly untidy, for Ja'far's room at least. The clothes scattered around the room were still folded neatly and stacked, but were outside their drawers. Sin leaned up against the door frame, arms crossed loosely over his chest.

"You really have to stop doing that, Ja'far," he remarked dryly, golden gaze blinking slowly at the boy before him. Ja'far hummed his response, not even bothering to glance back at Sinbad. One of his hands shot out to grab a pile of clothes piled in front of his pack, carefully stowing them inside with the rest. His red wires were wrapped firmly around his arms, their presence constant even now. Sin's gaze lingered on them for a moment, his mouth twisting into a light frown. The first flutterings of concern welled up in his thoughts, a feeling he quickly shoved aside.

"Stop what? It's not my fault I can hear your breathing from down the hall," Ja'far replied, his voice roughened by the beginning stages of puberty. Sin's lips twitched at the crack that broke what would have been a snide comment, swallowing back the laughter that was already building in his throat. Ja'far rolled his eyes, turning finally to glare openly at Sinbad. He took a deep breath and released it slowly, crossing his arms across his chest. "Really? You're such a child, Sin. It's not like I can control this." His voice was soft, carefully modulated so lessen the breaks in his tone.

"You know, you always want me to listen to you, Ja'far," Sin snickered, his cheeks flushed from the laughter he concealed deep in his throat. "But now it's impossible to listen to anything but you. Your voice rivals even Piprika at times, I swear." Onyx eyes darkened with a molten glare, a scowl carving deeply across Ja'far's face. "Doesn't it hurt when you squeak like that? I heard you broke a window yesterday."

"SHUT UP!" Ja'far snarled, his hands, curled into fists, shoved down by his sides. Sin would have been intimidated if not for the wondrous crack that jerked the warning up two octaves. He dissolved into laughter, his hands wrapping around his sides to hold them together. Bending over himself, he slid down the doorframe, roaring guffaws building in volume as he did. Ja'far stood before him, his hands curling tighter into themselves. Tendons bulged from his arm, the sinewy cords of muscle taut against his skin. His eyes were narrowed into thin slits, his lips pressed tightly together in fury. Eventually, Sin calmed, tears streaming down his pink cheeks. A golden hue glittered up at Ja'far, a wide grin splitting his expression,

"Well if you put it that way, I have no choice but to listen." His tongue shot out to wet his lips, swallowing down the giggles that threatened to escape. Ja'far took a breath, his eyes shutting briefly, and relaxed, his fingers hanging loosely by his sides. One of his hands came up to pinch the bridge of his nose, a habit he picked up from Rurumu, his head shaking briefly.

"What do you want, Sin?" he asked wearily, running the hand slowly down his face. Sin settled down onto the floor, stretching his long legs through the entire opening. An amused smirk still graced his expression, matching the mischievous gleam to the bright gold that stared up at Ja'far.

"Just one thing really." He paused, his lips trembling slightly. Ja'far almost knew what he was going to say before he said it, the signs of the joke visible far before Sin spoke it. "Ja'far, I've heard rumors that you've been spending a long time in the bathroom lately. Should I be concerned? Or have you just been having a hardtime breaking away from the bath?" A flash of silver shot across his vision, the warning knife embedding itself in the wood beside his head. Sin froze, his mouth hanging open in surprise. Ja'far stalked up to him, his other blade clutched tightly in his free hand. He squatted down, the edge pressed against the thin skin of Sin's throat.

"If you make one more joke about the changes my body is going through, which are normal mind you, I will slit your throat and leave you for dead," Ja'far hissed, his eyes dark and threatening. He dug his weapon deeper, just barely slitting the flesh it was pressed against. Blood beaded along the edge, thin trickles running along the incline of the knife. "Do you understand me?" Sin nodded wordlessly, his eyes wide. Ja'far searched his expression before nodding and stepping away, the anger draining from his body. "Good." He recalled the blade in the wall, catching it effortlessly, and began the lengthy process of recoiling the wires.

Sin rubbed at the small wound at the base of his neck, wincing slightly at the sharp sting of his hand touching the open cut. "Was that really necessary?" he complained, gathering his feet under himself in order to stand. Ja'far snorted, tugging at the red ropes to test the tension of the weapons.

"Were you going to stop?" Sin didn't respond, a pout pulling at his features. "Didn't think so." With a final yank, he finished recoiling his weapons, crossing his arms over his chest as he turned an irritated gaze towards Sin. "Now why are you really here? Because I highly doubt that you showed up just to make a few jokes." Sin sighed, his shoulders slumping. He'd nearly forgotten.

"I…I came to check on you. I wanted to go over the caravan path with you one more time and the general plan of action to do at each stop." Ja'far raised an eyebrow, one of his lips twitching upward in an amused smirk. Sin blinked at him, expression carefully wiped of any and all emotion. They stared at each other for a moment, silence falling quickly between them.

"Sin, are you worried about me?" Ja'far asked, amusement laced in his words. Sin's mouth dropped open, a prepared set of denials nearly spilling from his lips. But he stopped them just before he spoke, slowly closing his mouth and nodding. Purple hair flopped over his eyes, but the gold shimmering behind them never wavered. Ja'far shook his head, his arms dropping away from his chest as he turned to continue packing his rather large bag. "Come on, Sin. We've been over the plan several times in as much detail as possible. I know the ins and outs of this mission better than anyone. You have no reason to be concerned." Sin's gaze dropped to the floor, the skin around his eyes tightening.

"I know, Ja'far. I just have a bad feeling about all of this…"

"Don't worry, Sin. There's a reason that you picked me to lead this expedition and I intend to see this mission until its end. Trust me."

"I do, Ja'far… More than anything." Ja'far paused in his movements, his hand hovering over a pile of clothes sitting at the foot of his bed. He sucked in a silent breath, a little rattled by the weight of Sin's statement. But in the next moment, he grabbed the clothes, hiding the tremble to his movements.

"Then trust me to succeed, Sin. I won't fail you."

"I know." Exhaling audibly, Sin stepped closer to Ja'far, noting the tension in the younger man's stance. "Are you sure you're going to be alright on your own, Ja'far?" Ja'far pulled himself upright and craned his head towards Sin, onyx gaze serious.

"Sin, I was an assassin for the first ten years of your life and I've been keeping after you for the other three. I'll be fine." Sin smiled, his hand dropping down onto Ja'far's shoulders and squeezing once.

"If you say so, mighty assassin. I leave it to you. Don't let me down." Ja'far rolled his eyes, returning to his bag once more.

"I don't plan to."

Sin's hand stayed on Ja'far's shoulder for another moment before he removed it, stepping back. "Then I'll leave you to finish packing. Safe travels, Ja'far." Ja'far waved at him, but didn't say anything. Sin shook his head but turned and left, pulling the door shut behind him. Standing in front of the closed door for a moment, he stared out the open window directly across from him, his golden eyes troubled. A weird sense of foreboding stole over him, warning him of something he did not quite comprehend yet. Something wasn't right here.

Sighing, he shook his head once to clear it and walked away, intending to make his rounds as he normally did. But that strange feeling didn't leave him, no matter how much he tried to ignore it.

DA: Hehehe, everything's going to hell very shortly. Which really should come of no surprise to literally anyone.

See you all next week!

DarkAngel555