Author's Note: This isn't a new story. This was originally written in 2002 by my friend Catie and me. I recently rediscovered it, and realizing that it was a pretty good story, I'm publishing it again.

Also, if you're interested in reading NEW Aladdin fics by me, I've written two one-shots that feature Iago and Cassim. They're posted under my other profile here: Sindie. They're called A Shadow of Doubt to Every Light of Faith and Good, But Not Too Good, written in March 2015.

~Catie and Sindie Present an Original Aladdin
Fanfic~

~Unforgiven~

To everyone outside,
All they see is his hard shell.
Very rarely does he let them inside
To see just how beautiful
His hidden heart of gold truly is.
The darkness all around him
Covers the warm glow from within,
And to his own dismay,
He has dealt with this burden
His entire life.
Never taught as a child
The meaning of love,
He now runs from it,
Always feeling at odds with the world
And with himself,
Feeling incomplete and constantly running
Toward an unseen goal,
Living life as if it were a race.
If he dare slow down or even stop,
What monster would grab hold of him?
Afraid to trust, to let anyone too close,
For the last time he did so,
His heart was nearly ripped out.
Yet there it continues to beat,
And still he goes on breathing,
Awakening every morning,
And taking yet another step.
Now perhaps in this striving
To keep on living,
He has already triumphed
Over many monsters.
Though the load is not light,
The path is unclear,
The light is dim,
He endures and somewhere
Someone see just how beautiful that makes him.
For the first time in years,
He hesitates over the choice
To open just the tiniest door to another.
He is reluctant to trust,
But perhaps against his better judgment,
He reveals one fragment of his broken heart
To this other, this stranger of sorts.
Time rolls on,
And the most wonderful surprise happens:
Those broken pieces, though slowly revealed,
Start to form a whole heart.
To solve this puzzle takes many ingredients:
Commenced with trust,
Continued with understanding,
Brought together by caring,
And above all,
Completed by love.
Now he has truly won.
(Won, by Sindie)

Chapter One

The lamp had been destroyed and along with it, the horrible genie who
lived in it for a very short time. Yesterday seemed like it was ages ago,
the nightmare of years past. The sun rose that morning just as it had
every day since the dawning of time, but this day was the beginning of the
adventures they would live together for the following few years. Little
did any of them know what would lie ahead, but this much was for sure:
They would face anything together, for it is only together that friends
triumph over evil. Separate, they are just as good as a lost ship at sea.

Aladdin was the first to awaken that fine day. He looked around at his
surroundings, not quite sure what to make of them. Not so long ago, Sultan
had announced his plans to make Aladdin the new royal vizier, but Aladdin
kindly declined the offer. The young man had other ambitions he wanted in
life before settling down. So much had happened in such a short period of
time. Just days ago, he was living all alone on the streets with only one
friend in the world, Abu. Now, here he was, dating the princess and had a
genie for a best friend. Life certainly had its way of surprising people;
that was for sure.

The elegant palace room was almost too much for Aladdin to handle. He
swallowed hard and nervously as he stood up from the bed, and turning
toward the balcony, he looked outside over the city. The view was very
different now, and he could only imagine what it would be like in the
future when he would be Sultan. Aladdin placed his clammy hands on the
railing of the balcony and leaned slightly forward, taking in the
wonderful view before him. The streets were just beginning to fill with
people as they awakened that day, and he could hear the faint cries of the
merchants selling their goods.

Despite his captivation with the scene before him, Aladdin sighed and
turned away, remembering that there were new matters to attend to. He
smiled as he recalled how beautiful Jasmine's smile looked first thing in
the morning, and so, keeping that thought in mind, he quickly dressed and
exited his room. He didn't want to be late for breakfast, after all. His
princess would be there, and that made living in a strange, new place all
the worthwhile.

Once Aladdin reached the dining hall, he slowly, almost cautiously,
pushed the door open. The doorknob clicked suddenly, sending a rather loud
echo through the walls on either side of the entrance. He peeked into the
room and found it empty and dark, so he figured it would be best to simply
wait for the others. After a few minutes, Genie came bouncing into the
room with Abu perched on his right shoulder. Carpet was right behind them.

"Good morning, Al, little buddy!" Genie cheerfully exclaimed. "How are
ya doin' today?"

Aladdin smiled at his energetic friend and chuckled, "I'm good, Genie.
How are you?"

"I'm no other way than great!" the big, blue lug mused. "I wonder what
we're a-havin' for breakfast. You know, Al, breakfast is the most
important meal of the day."

"Thanks, Genie," Aladdin replied, still thinking about his princess.

Just at that moment, Jasmine strolled into the room, followed shortly
by her father. Sultan joyously greeted everyone at the table and took his
seat at the head of the table. The meal began without any hesitation, but
about halfway through breakfast, Jasmine noticed that someone was missing.
She glanced over at Aladdin and gave him a strange look.

"What?" Aladdin asked dumbfoundedly. "Do I have something on my shirt?"

"No," Jasmine whispered. "Isn't someone missing? You know, a little
someone."

"Oh, you're right," Aladdin responded. "Uh, I'll go see what's holding
him up."

Aladdin excused himself as he stood up, and he left the dining hall and
proceeded to the room where a certain someone was staying. Aladdin came to
the door and stopped, unsure of what to do next. He felt almost like he
was intruding, but he knew that since everyone else was awake, it was time
for this little guy to be awake as well. Aladdin cleared his throat and
knocked lightly on the door, but there was no answer.

"Darn it," Aladdin muttered. "Don't tell me he's a heavy sleeper."

Aladdin knocked again, only a little harder this time. When there was
still no answer, Aladdin opened the door and began going in. When he
arrived at the bed, he could see the little bird sleeping soundly on a
pillow. He looked like he's really out of it, thought Aladdin.
Maybe I should just let him sleep.

Aladdin thought it would be best to just leave his new friend alone,
but he also knew that he was supposed to be keeping an eye on him. Aladdin
sighed heavily and gently tapped him on the bird's beak. In a quick
moment, his eyes jolted open, and he screamed, "Do you mind?! I was in the
middle of a dream!"

"Oh, sorry," Aladdin apologized. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"Well, it's too late for that now, isn't it?" the bird shot back.

"Iago," Aladdin sighed, "what's wrong? Why are you acting so cranky?"

"Hello, earth to Aladdin!" Iago yelled. "In case ya didn't know, this
is HOW AND WHO I AM! You'd best just get used to it!"

"Iago, don't yell at me. Please, spare me your short temper today.
Look, I know you've had it rough these last few days, but you've gotta get
over it. Jafar's gone now, okay?"

"Um, duh, I know that. I'm the guy who destroyed him, remember?"

"I can't take this attitude of yours," Aladdin said, trying to control
his own temper. "I thought you were gonna be one of the good guys."

"But I am!" Iago protested. "What more do you expect out of me? I got
rid of that stinkin' Jafar once and for all. Isn't that good enough for
you goody-two shoes? Or am I not yet qualified to wear the Badge of
Honor?"

"What?" Aladdin asked, puzzled at Iago's sarcasm and rudeness. "Of
course you've proven yourself able to do good, but come on, there are a
lot more trials ahead. You can't just act like doing one good deed is
going to make you a straight up good guy."

"Funny," Iago muttered. "You used to be a thief, and you're trying to
tell me how to live my life?"

"I'm not proud of the fact that I used to steal. My life wasn't easy."

"What makes you think mine was? Aladdin, you really don't know me very
well. You don't know what I've been through, so why don't you just give it
up?"

"Is there something you want to talk about?" Aladdin asked, hoping to
calm the parrot down.

"The only thing I wanna know," squawked Iago, "is what you're doing in
here. Well?"

"I just came here to tell you that it's breakfast time."

"Oh, breakfast!" Iago exclaimed, finally sounding a little pleased.
"I'm starving!"

Iago stood up from the pillow and stretched. His brightly colored red
and blue wings spread, and he took off in flight toward the door. Aladdin
quickly moved out of the way to avoid being smashed in the face by the
hungry bird. Well, at least he seems happier now, thought Aladdin,
shaking his head in dismay.

Aladdin came to the breakfast table moments later to find Iago eating
from a pile of fruit that was on the table. His manners certainly left
something to be desired. Jasmine wondered if Iago was ever going to stop
eating like he was dying of starvation. She never really had eaten with
the bird before, for when Iago was with Jafar all the time, they ate alone
most of the time.

"Hey, Birdman!" Genie exclaimed. "Are you gonna leave a little for the
rest of us?"

"Huh?" Iago asked dumbly. "What? You didn't get enough? You were here
already, so that means that what's leftover is mine."

"No!" Abu squeaked, coming toward Iago and grabbing an apple away from
him. "Mine."

"You didn't just take that apple from me, did you, Monkey?" Iago
questioned with growing anger in his voice. "That's my apple! Give it
back!"

Abu stuck his tongue out, making a raspberry sound and ran away from
the bird. Iago started to chase after Abu, but Jasmine placed her hand in
the way to prevent Iago from going any further.

"Ahem," she said. "I think you've had enough food for one meal."

Iago looked at the princess and was about to protest, but when he
noticed that everyone was giving him disapproving looks, he didn't say
anything. He sighed in annoyance and flew away from the table.

"That could have gone better," Aladdin sighed. "I'm sorry, guys..."

"It's not your fault, Aladdin," Jasmine softly replied. "It would seem
that Iago has a lot to learn about table manners."

"Heh, among other things," the sultan added. "That bird is causing more
trouble than it's worth keeping him around."

"Oh, Sultan," Aladdin replied. "I know he didn't mean it like that. I
told you I would look out for him, and well, I guess I just got to do a
better job."

"I don't think you're doing anything wrong, my boy," Sultan explained.
"You've been doing a fine job. It's that bird who needs to learn a few
things."

Genie looked at the humans sadly and shrugged his shoulders. He didn't
know what to say, so he just disappeared into his lamp. Aladdin stood up
from the table and excused himself. When he was in the hallway, he could
hear footsteps behind him. Turning around, he noticed Jasmine right there.

"You're a great person, Aladdin, and even though I haven't known you
that long or very well, I know that you are a good person inside, despite
what you went through in your past. It's hard for me to accept, and it's
just as hard for me to admit, but I think that same thing is true about
Iago. Somewhere inside that little bird is a good bird, but I think he's
hiding a lot of things, Aladdin."

"You're right, Jasmine, and I'm not about to give up on him. I know he
is good, and we've seen just a glimpse of his ability to do good. I wonder
what else he's hiding."

"Just remember, Aladdin, there is good in him, but because of his past
with Jafar, there's also a lot of bad in him, a lot of things that confuse
him."

Aladdin tried to smile, and the smile finally broke loose on his face.
Jasmine took his hand, and together, they walked down the hallway and out
into the menagerie. The gardens were splendid and gorgeous. The lush
plants that grew there were such a contrast to the dry, arid sands of the
desert that surrounded them. They took a seat near the fountain and looked
at the sky, which was a bright blue. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, and
the sun shone brightly as ever.

To their surprise, they noticed a movement within the flowers nearby.
Curious, Jasmine went to the flower bed and pushed the roses aside to find
Iago hiding there.

"Iago?" she asked.

"Um, hi, Princess," he replied, trying to act innocent.

"What are you doing?"

"Just thinking."

"Oh? About what?"

"Things."

"Um, okay...Do you want to come out of there?"

"I guess so."

Iago came out of the flower bed and stood in front of Jasmine, not
wanting to look her in the eyes. Suddenly, she felt bad for him, so she
picked him up gently and brought him over to where Aladdin was sitting.
Iago didn't say anything, which was a strange contrast to the way he had
been acting earlier. He was quiet, almost too quiet.

"What are you thinking about, Iago?" Aladdin pressed.

"I- I was just, um, thinking about...it's nothing."

"I have a feeling that's not true," Jasmine replied. "Don't be keeping
secrets."

The parrot sighed long and hard. "Fine," he muttered. "I was just
thinking how pretty it is out here. You know, I never got to sit outside
in the menagerie before. I know I've lived in the palace for a while now,
but now everything looks and feels different...strange almost. I don't know
why."

"I think," Jasmine smiled, "it's because you're seeing the world
through a new set of eyes."

That last statement confused Iago, causing a look of being puzzled to
appear on his face.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I mean, a lot has changed for you in the past couple of days. The
gardens have always been here and have brought forth lovely flowers for
years; you just didn't notice."

"Uh, yeah...okay, Princess, don't be waxing poetic on me here. I know a
lot of stuff has happened; I'm not stupid, ya know."

Jasmine felt caught off-guard and completely unprepared for a reaction
like that. A part of her wanted to reprimand Iago for being so blunt and
rude, but it would have been against her better judgment. Aladdin stepped
in instead.

"No one is saying you're stupid, Iago," he tried calmly to explain.
"It's okay to be confused, but you'll see that you'll feel better in
time."

"Look, I don't need your psycho-analysis of how I'm supposed to be
feeling. If you had gone through what I have, then maybe, just maybe, that
would give you the right to judge me."

"What?!" Aladdin exclaimed in anger, standing up. "Iago, you're not the
only one who's had it rough. If you think for one moment that I should
feel sorry for you, you're wrong."

Iago didn't know how to react. Before anyone could say anything,
Aladdin firmly grapped Jasmine's hand and stated, "Come on, Jasmine, we're
leaving."

Together, Aladdin and Jasmine walked quickly out of the garden, leaving
Iago all by his lonesome self. He was seated on the ledge that overlooked
the fountain, and as he peered over the edge and into the water, he could
see his reflection. The water wasn't still, though, so his image in the
water appeared distorted, almost unrecognizable, much the way he felt at
that moment about himself. He felt like he didn't even know who he was
anymore, and who he was trying to be to his new friends wasn't what they
were seeing him as. This frustrated Iago all the more. He did want to be
accepted, but he certainly didn't feel that way. Even he knew that things
don't change that quickly in life.

Many memories played through his mind just then, ones involving his
time with Jafar. At first, he feared the wizard and wanted nothing to do
with him, but in time, however, Jafar had brainwashed him into thinking
that life was simply about doing what was best for oneself, even if that
meant hurting people. Jafar was a horrible curse of a man, and Iago was
ashamed for having ever associated with him. Another part of him wondered
if he should associate with Aladdin and the others, though. Iago knew he
wasn't a good guy, not exactly. He knew that a big part of him had only
destroyed Jafar, because Iago himself was afraid of Jafar hurting him
again. Those types of motives were reflective of the ones Iago had always
been used to portraying in his life...meaning, what was in it for him? How
would he benefit from this?

Iago had had enough of Jafar having control of his life, so he wanted
out, but only for himself. He didn't think he would have to care or worry
about anyone else, but then something happened...Aladdin showed Iago that
he did care about him, even though Iago probably didn't deserve it. Iago
was still confused by this. Why would Aladdin befriend someone like Iago,
someone whose intentions were obviously slanted away from goodness and
toward evil? Iago didn't understand that there were people who just did
what was right for the sake that it was the right thing to do.

Because Iago felt this confusion, he approached Aladdin and the others
with apprehension, not quite sure how he was supposed to act around them,
for he had never really entrusted his true feelings to anyone in life.
Feelings were a weakness that led to one's downfall, according to Jafar,
so Iago was basically forced to hide them and act as if he didn't care
about anything or anyone...not even himself, really. There was a really
strong feeling of fear inside the bird, not because of his past, but more
because of his future. He didn't know how to face the others. They, he
knew, were different than he was.

If only I could tell them how I really feel, Iago thought.
Would they understand? Can I really trust them? No, I can't...I can't
even trust myself to say things in a way that they would understand. What
could they possibly know about being evil, about how it hurts to know that
I was pulled into that way of thinking? No, I won't...I won't trust...I
can't...and I don't want to.

He stopped thinking for a brief moment and glared at his reflection in
the water. Taking his left wing, he angrily slapped the water, causing it
to distort his image even more. Likewise, the more angry he became, the
more he was confused and the more he didn't know who he really was. Iago's
own anger and confusion caused a vicious cycle to turn in his mind, one
that prevented him from seeing any hope in himself, and for that very
reason, he started to cry bitter, frustrated tears.

Back in the palace, Aladdin and Jasmine were sitting in her bed
chambers, discussing some of the matters that were bothering them. Aladdin
looked especially uneasy, for he didn't want Jasmine to take offense to
anything he was suggesting.

"I'm just saying, Jasmine, that I think it would be better this way,"
Aladdin explained.

"I know, I know, Aladdin," she replied, sounding a bit annoyed and
disappointed. "It's not that you shouldn't have the right to choose where
you want to live, but I was just hoping that you would want to stay in the
palace."

"Hoping?" Aladdin muttered. "Oh, Jasmine, it's not that I don't
appreciate everything you and your father have done for me and the others;
it's just that I don't feel ready to live here yet. I think the guys would
be fine with living back at my hovel. I already mentioned something to
Genie about it, and he didn't seem to have a problem with it. Abu is used
to it already, and well, Carpet shouldn't be a problem either."

"Well, what about Iago? Aladdin, I'm not so sure he's going to take
kindly to living in the hovel with you guys."

"Hmph, Iago," Aladdin mumbled, thinking about how rash the parrot had
been acting that day. "I don't care if he approves or not; it's not up to
him to decide. He should count himself lucky to be alive."

"Well, it's your call, Aladdin. Just think about it before you decide
to do anything too sudden."

"I will," Aladdin reassured his princess, taking her hands and
squeezing them gently and lovingly. "I'll see you later."

Aladdin returned to his own room and lay down on the bed to think. He
sunk deep into the cushions, feeling quite comfortable and wondering if he
really wanted to give this up to live in that hovel he had wanted to
escape from for so long. Ever since his mother had died there years ago,
there was a lingering sadness about the place. At night, when everyone
else would be asleep, Aladdin would often stay awake and look out the
large opening in the wall near his sleeping area. The city would rest
still beneath him, and he almost felt like a lonesome guardian watching
over the city to make sure nothing went wrong, but who was watching over
him? The cool night wind would blow chilling currents down his spine,
startling him and making him sad at the same time. Sometimes his ears
would pick up the slightest hint of a distant, faint lullaby in the
air...the lullaby of his mother.

Aladdin shook his head, trying to clear his mind of those depressing
thoughts. He wouldn't be alone now, though. He would have friends to keep
him company, and he hoped and prayed that Iago especially would
understand. The last thing Aladdin wanted was more friction between
himself and the parrot, and he really wanted to be friends with the bird;
he just didn't know how to approach him. It seemed like every possible way
he tried to talk to him, Iago just became angry and rejected Aladdin's
attempt at getting to know him better.

I wonder what he's up to, Aladdin thought, remembering how they
had left him alone in the menagerie. Aladdin stood up from the bed and
walked to the door, the thought being to go back to the garden and see if
Iago was still outside by himself. Aladdin walked slowly down the long
corridor, not wanting to feel there was a reason to be rushed. When he
came to the menagerie, he was actually shocked to find Iago still there,
sitting in the very spot where Aladdin and Jasmine had left him.

As Aladdin came closer to the bird's form, though, he could clearly see
that Iago was asleep. Aladdin quietly sat down next to the parrot and took
in the view that was before him. He noticed that there were the remains of
what looked like tears beneath Iago's closed eyes, and this both startled
and saddened Aladdin.

If only he would tell me what's going through his mind, Aladdin
wondered.

Aladdin wasn't sure it was a good idea, but he gently touched Iago on
the back, almost in the way someone places his hand on another to give
that person the feeling of reassurance, saying, "I'm here if you need me."

Iago didn't react to the touch at first, but he found himself slowly
drifting out of a dream and back into reality. Iago felt the presence of
something warm and loving touching him, but he didn't know what it was or
how to react to it. He opened his eyes and was surprised to see Aladdin
sitting next to him.

"Al, what are you doing here?" he questioned, still waking up.

"I wanted to see how you were doing. Are you okay, Iago?"

Iago remained silent for a moment and then swallowed. Should he dare
tell Aladdin the thoughts that had been racing through his mind earlier?
No, he told himself. Don't do it. You'll only regret it."

"Um, I'm fine," Iago lied, sitting up and not saying anything about
Aladdin touching him. "I was just tired."

"Are you sure?" Aladdin pressed.

"Geez, you don't give up, do you?" Iago questioned, sounded a little
annoyed. "Look, Aladdin, let me make one thing clear to you. If and when I
want to tell you something, I will, okay? Until then, kindly don't ask me
these kinds of questions."

Aladdin only nodded and looked away. He then remembered his discussion
with Jasmine about moving out of the palace and back to the hovel.

"Iago, there's something I need to tell you."

"Well, what is it?"

"Tomorrow I'm moving back into my hovel, and you, Genie, Abu, and
Carpet are coming with me."

Iago was completely taken aback. "So, is that why you can here? To tell
me that I can't live in the palace? You didn't come here to see how I was
doing; you came here only to break the bad news to me. I'm no fool,
Aladdin. I see right through your lies. Just go ahead, tell me the truth!
You don't want me to live in the palace!"

"What?" Aladdin stammered. "But, Iago, that's not true. I don't want to
live in the palace; I'm not ready yet. I really did come here to see if
you were fine, and that's the truth."

"Oh, please! You expect me to believe you? You, a former street rat,
don't want to live in the palace! Oh, that's a very likely story! Ha,
well, I won't live in some run down dump with you and that flea-ridden
monkey and that absurdly weird genie! You're crazy!"

By this point in the conversation, Aladdin had enough of Iago's
outbursts. Aladdin stood up and walked off, saying, "You're hopeless, you
know that?"

When Aladdin was out of sight, those words echoed through Iago's
mind...You're hopeless, you know that? Was Aladdin right? Was there
no hope for Iago? Iago found himself once again crying tears of rage and
bitterness, and he believed that he would never measure up to the
expectations Aladdin had for him, or so Iago thought Aladdin had for him.
What Iago didn't understand what that Aladdin was being honest and didn't
really expect anything more from Iago than for him to just be their
friend. It tore Iago apart inside, thinking that he wasn't really wanted
by Aladdin or the others. The poor bird didn't realize it, but he was on
the clear path that led only to self-destruction.