If you've been reading my other stories, it's probably no secret that I ship John Smith and Jim Hawkins hardcore and I love pirate stories. But, I also love Aladdin and Jasmine, so this is a pirate story about Jasmine and Aladdin. Of course John and Jim will be in it as well, but this time their story will be secondary to Aladdin and Jasmine's. I hope you enjoy Desert Rose. Please review and let me know what you think.

When the ship attacked, they were ready. Fifteen-year-old Jasmine held a sword in each hand and waited for the crew to board their ship. She didn't have to wait long. As soon as the other pirates were on their ship, Jasmine and the rest of the crew attacked them. They had the upper hand for a long time. Jasmine swung her swords, slicing one man after another. All around her were the sounds of blade against blade and men dying; mostly the enemy.

But in an instant, the tables were turned. The captain of the other ship boarded their ship and all eyes were on him. Everyone knew of Ruber, even Jasmine; but she had never seen him before. He was bigger than any other man she had met, with red hair and dark eyes with shadows around them. He wore red armor with spikes protruding out of it. Ruber looked right at Jasmine's father. Her father nodded at her older brother, Sinbad, then locked his gaze on Ruber. Within seconds the two men were fighting.

Jasmine's father was the best swordsman on the seas, but Ruber bested him in strength and was certainly bigger than him. Sinbad rushed over to Jasmine and started pulling her away from the fight.

Jasmine fought against him. "Let go of me! We have to help him!"

"It's too dangerous," Sinbad stated. "I have to protect you."

Their father was losing. Ruber beat his swords against their father's over and over. Their father swung his sword at Ruber, but Ruber dodged him and knocked his sword out of his hand. Without hesitation, Ruber plunged his sword through him.

Time stopped. Jasmine dropped to her knees and screamed. Sinbad tried to pull her away, but it was as if the sight of their father's blood was keeping her frozen in place. Ruber dropped their father's lifeless body and turned his gaze on Jasmine. He smirked at her and started walking towards her. Sinbad picked her up and, with his arms wrapped tightly around her, jumped into the ocean. The dark, ice cold water swallowed Jasmine.

...

Jasmine woke with a jolt. Her heart was pounding and it took her several moments to realize where she was. She was in her quarters on Sinbad's ship. She had been dreaming. Though her father was killed ten years ago, the memory of that day haunted Jasmine's dreams; making her relive it every night, but also fueling her anger and vengeance towards Ruber. It had also been ten years since Jasmine and Sinbad have seen Ruber, but they were looking for him and the moment they saw him again, they would kill him.

Jasmine knew she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep now. She slipped on her robe and made her way down to the main deck. She and Sinbad stole this ship the day they were forced to leave their father's and Jasmine knew the layout so well, she didn't bother bringing a lantern with her.

The sky was dark, but covered by thousands of stars. Jasmine leaned forward against the bow of the ship. She was surrounded by sky and stars and she felt like she was flying above the ocean.

"Couldn't sleep, either?"

Jasmine didn't take her eyes off the sky as John Smith walked up beside her. John had been Sinbad's best friend for as far back as she could remember. His father was their father's first mate and John grew up with them. They were separated after the attack and Jasmine and Sinbad thought John was dead, until two years later when they came across him at a port. His father also died that day and John had given up sailing. But, when he saw Sinbad again, he couldn't resist joining them. Though, Ruber hadn't killed John's father, John still wanted to go after him and kill the man who had.

"I had the same dream again," Jasmine told him.

"We'll find Ruber," John said. "Maybe once he's dead, the nightmare will go away."

"I don't think so," Jasmine admitted. "The nightmare is just a memory on repeat. Even when we kill Ruber, the memory won't go away."

John put a comforting arm around Jasmine's shoulders, but didn't say anything. He didn't have to; she knew he understood.

"Makin' a move on my sister, eh, Smith?" Jasmine and John glanced back as Sinbad walked towards them. He had a lopsided grin on his face and his eyes were still full of sleep. He shrugged. "I suppose it was only a matter of time."

"Aye, Sinbad; it was," Jasmine agreed. "We're planning to runaway together."

John quickly pulled his arm back and put up his hands in mock surrender. "Now, hold on. Don't be sayin' things that'll make your brother wanna kill me."

Sinbad laughed. "Relax, Smith. If she has to end up with somebody, I'd be happy if it was you."

Jasmine felt herself blush and she was grateful it was too dark for them to see. Jasmine would be lying if she said she didn't have a thing for John Smith. After all, she grew up with him and he was the only person other than Sinbad who she was actually close to. On top of that he was incredibly handsome. She was fairly certain she would end up with John; isn't that how stories about love end? The man who was right in front of you the whole time ends up being your soulmate... For Jasmine that had to be John. Right?

She hoped so.

"Of course..." Sinbad continued, his words slightly slurred. "The only way I'd let you marry my sister is if you kill me first."

"Of course," Jasmine muttered.

John laughed. "Come on, Sinbad; I think you're still a little drunk. Let's get you back to bed."

"I'm serious," Sinbad insisted. "You have to prove you're worthy of my sister."

John led Sinbad away, looking back just long enough to wink at Jasmine. She sighed and looked back up at the sky. She couldn't help wondering, what is written in the stars for me?