Nobody said it would be easy and I told her so. Yet she's so stubborn in getting involved she didn't take into consideration the many eyes watch her every move, the tension whenever she walks into the room, the upcoming lives she's going to unintentionally ruin, Morgiana muses but that's not the worst part.

But let's move to a lighter topic for now. And one of them sticking to struggles is the awkwardness when meets - well in her case would of been old faces. And its almost hilarious how Kougyoku tries fitting in someone else's shoes. Something told Mor that Alibaba didn't buy her not-so-convincing-story at first and was just playing along. Or maybe assumed his poor childhood friend and love of his life had some sort of amnesia.

Obviously he'd be glad since its been almost 20 years since last heard from her. Too bad the girl he's talking to isn't the one he remembers.

"You really don't remember?" The blond almost sounded sad and almost pleading her to remember. Or that she'd start laughing and reveal she was joking. But she wasn't. She can't remember a thing from their childhood because she's not her.

"I..."

"We'd sail these boats ashore to the sea goddess. I thought you sent this to me since no one else knew the exact location." He continued in hopes maybe would sound somewhat familiar to her and magically remember at least bits and pieces of the past.

Nothing.

Guess the good old amnesia card really comes in handy here.

She hesitates but musters a smile and grips his hands. "I did. I did send that boat floating out of habit. But couldn't anticipate you'd still remember that or find it. Or if even still lived here." Convincing enough. Fortunately for her he even bought it.

"You're right. Its been years now. Sorry."

That wouldn't be their first time bumping heads or come with unmatching stories. Who would of thought Alibaba could recall everything so vividly as if it just happened yesterday? Sure even Morgiana recalls some parts here and there but not everything in detail. And sure even with such little things she could of told Kougyoku and save herself the embarrassment every time the past was dug up but, she never asked. Nor was there time or place for such conversations.

All she can recall vividly to this day was the week before tragedy struck. They were probably 4 or 5 children of the streets playing all day long. If not sail handmade boats ashore they'd run around playing tag or hide and go seek with other kids, or terrorize a poor cat or puppy. Or on more calm days they'd rest on a field. She enjoyed the silence and grass tickling her feet, or the scent of flowers around them while laid there. Alibaba would busy himself making her flowercrowns every time while she'd rest her eyes taking in the peacefulness. She recalls one time her father catching them there and just as Alibaba placed the crown onto her head. Her being clumsy and not deal with delicate stuff well she'd uni9ntentionally break it before went home. Though her frown wouldn't stay as the boy promised he'd make her one every chance he gets; if not one daily. "One day I'll give you a real crown. And you shall be my queen!" Just as he merry like claimed the adult cleared his throat. Loudly. Making Alibaba jump. Morgiana only giggled and turned to her father. "Did you hear that, papa? He's so silly!" Alibaba for some reason snapped because this was no laughing matter. He was being serious. And if such things happen he always gets flustered. "I'm serious! One day I'll marry Morgiana!" That was a first time anyone surprised her father. Morgiana never thought she'd see an impressed look on the man's face who permanently seemed stoic. He gave him a warning but with such amused grin one could tell he was either amused and would be a fool take a kid so seriously. Or perhaps trusted Alibaba the more than any other friends his daughter had, even the boy's amongst their kind. "First you got to grow tall and strong then come before me claiming my lil girl." If only things happened the way they'd hope for. Both grow up together, maybe later in life went to school together, had a home, get married, have kids and live a happy life.

But fate had other plans...

That's where not long they came. At the time Morgiana didn't know better nor what was happening to her or her family. Over night bad guys came and separated families. Those who opposed and fought back got killed. Most, and especially children and women got kidnapped. It was an ambush and they were outnumbered. A sneak attack for weak cowards such as them since otherwise wouldn't stand a chance. It wasn't long since she knew no one was going to free her, or see her family ever again. She long learned both her parent's died in middle of madness. Twelve years of her life wasted on serving the people who planned this all, who killed and separated her from her kind and forced her into slavery, robbed her of freedom, love, family, home, friends. She had nothing. It wasn't until a riot broke through she managed to escape with very few lucky ones. All those years she lost herself in there. That joyful innocent child has become stone cold wench whom only seeks vengeance upon those slave traders. But she couldn't do much as she was but a teenager still. So she enrolled into a program that shaped her into the skilled fighter she is today. Kougyoku, a street child herself was also brought there for same reason. She been separated from her harlot of a mother since young but learned she passed away shortly after. She had no place to go, no one for help, just herself against the world. Just like her.

Its a no brainer they became friends quickly. And at times Kougyoku reminded Morgiana of herself when young. Bubbly, expressive, naive but outspoken and cheerful. The complete opposite of stoic, hard to approach, silent woman who has seen hell.

They trained together, went through hell and back just so they can get somewhere in life. Kougyoku long learned of her friend's past and ambition and she stick through with it. She and Morgiana had many argues over it but she couldn't falter her determination nor stubbornness.

"I want to help you!"

"You'll just get killed!"

" So will you! Please! I have no where else to go anyways! I have no one back waiting for me! Let me come along!"

That was her choice. Perhaps it was for the best. Morgiana needed every help she could. And with Kougyoku on board it was much easier to shroud her past for she was going to be both her partner in crime but also decoy; but most importantly: she's going to become her.

You think switching lives was off? Try calling your own name out loud and have someone else reply or go by it. But eventually they figured it out. And since they were very young then no one could tell for sure who's who. Nor did the traders ever cared for their slaves name or even well being. They were tools for them and nothing more; something for them to own.

And while all eyes were on Kougyoku since, as suspected some traders recognized the name and supposedly family trade of a fanalis it was easy for Mor to sneak by every defense and bring down one by one. Some had a merciful demise. By the crimes they committed, and her bring them to light for the public, could easily put them in jail. Some under fear fled and made sure to never made their face seen in town ever, abandoning even their house, fortune, business for their own safety. Some needed persuasion to flee and some...well, if needed, she'd kill for justice.

And fortunately no one even knew Kougyoku so it was easy for Morgiana to make fake excuses of where she was or what she been doing and come off not suspicious. Unlike some locals and Alibaba who knew Morgiana and if she held onto the name and who she used to be this she could never pull off. It was for her seeing her childhood friend interacting with Kougyoku As awkward as it was at times for her she could see the love blossom in between them. Was she jealous? Or perhaps perplexed? Or longing for love herself? Don't get her wrong she is happy for them. Alibaba as she remembers was always sweet and gentle with her and Kougyoku mirror the 'old' Morgiana perfectly. Hence was so easy to fool him. Although at times he'd give her looks of doubts but is quickly shaken off. Maybe he just accepts things as it is. Maybe he considers it fopolish to doubt his wife. Or maybe he just doesn't want to see the truth. Whatever reason its for the best for Kougyoku. Besides from what she been through she deserves the happiness and someone who can love her awhole, make her happy and keep her safe.

Its the more odd when in between all this she'd step aside to help her get her vengeance. Aside the good girl act she was a fighter too. Her and her heroic persona never ceases to phase her. Was it bad to worry for her friend? She swears the girl as helpful she can be she was average when it came to fighting. She was no warrior. Morgiana lost count of the times she and her argued over this. And it would always end up with the red head stomp off after she brought up the number of times she saved her.