Night 12: Grieving Hakuryu

Alibaba peeked around a corner cautiously and glanced around before tiptoeing out from the corner. He saw a mirror hanging on the wall and glared at the mark on his neck. It was covering more of his body day by day and he knew it wouldn't be long until Aladdin and Morgiana noticed. It was also starting to cause some pain. He still had no idea what it was.

"Alibaba!" a voice called him. It was Morgiana! Alibaba looked around in a panic, but didn't see anything that could hide the mark. He covered it with his hand as Morgiana walked up.

"I've been looking all over for you. Are you feeling alright?" she asked.

"Of course! Why do you ask?" he asked with a smile that was obvious to Morgiana that he was hiding something. She frowned.

"Well, it seems as if you've been avoiding us lately. Have we done anything wrong?"

"No," Alibaba said. Morgiana leaned forward.

"Have you been getting enough sleep? Have you been eating okay? You're not sick, are you?"

"What? No, nothing like that!" Alibaba said, waving his hands around and shaking his head. He quickly covered the mark again. "It's nothing, Morgiana, really."

"Then why are you holding your neck? Does it hurt?"

"A little, but I think I just pulled a muscle," he lied. He rubbed his neck a bit to ease the pain and decided to change the subject about himself. "Anyway, what about Aladdin? How is he holding up?"

"He's alright, physically, at least," Morgiana said and lowered her head.

"He's taking Hakuryu's death pretty hard, isn't he?" he asked. Morgiana nodded.

"Alibaba, I still can't believe he's gone."

"Neither can I," Alibaba agreed. "I keep hoping that we'll see him again soon. Like he'll walk back here with a smile on his face, you know?"

"Do you think we should talk to Aladdin? Maybe it will help?"

"I suppose we can. I don't know if it will help. Only time can heal wounds like that."

Morgiana nodded.

"Alibaba and Morgiana!" came a voice. The two turned to see Sinbad and a young woman walking up. "I was wondering if I could have a word about Aladdin with the two of you?"

"Sure," Alibaba nodded, even though neither he nor Morgiana knew what it was about. Sinbad smiled and gestured to the woman beside him.

"This young woman with me is Yamahira. She's one of my generals and a magician."

"It nice to finally be able to meet you two," Yamahira nodded a greeting and offered her hand for a shake. Alibaba smiled and shook her hand.

"Likewise."

"Sinbad told me about Aladdin. He told me that Aladdin can wield magic?"

Alibaba and Morgiana glanced at each other, before nodding.

"A little, but he's not a professional."

"I wanted to ask your permission on me training Aladdin in the arts of magic? With my help, he can learn much more and could protect himself if anything should happen to him," Yamaihara explained. Alibaba swallowed and was a little mad, but he tried to act calm.

"Morgiana and I are both capable of protecting Aladdin. He doesn't need to learn magic. Besides, what if he hurts himself?"

"Alibaba," Sinbad frowned. "We are both fully aware that you and Morgiana can look after Aladdin just fine. We respect that. But what happens if one of the magicians his aunt sends is successful and kidnaps him again? You may not always be there for him."

"What does that mean?!"

"We are merely asking you to let Yamahra help Aladdin become stronger," Sinbad said calmly. Alibaba wasn't listening.

"I won't let Aladdin endanger himself when it isn't necessary! He's fine without magic!" he then turned and stormed down the hall.

"Alibaba, wait!" Morgiana called after him. She turned to Sinbad and Yamahara.

"I'll talk to him. I'm sure we are all still a little upset over Hakuryu. I'm sure he'll come around to the idea soon."

"We appreciate it, Morgiana," Sinbad nodded. "Thank you."

Alibaba walked into their room and closed the door. He growled and leaned back against the door and gripped his hair.

"Alibaba?" Aladdin asked, noticing how tensed he looked. "Are you okay?"

Alibaba looked up at Aladdin before smiling.

"It's nothing, Aladdin. The question is, how are you feeling?"

"Oh...I'm fine," he tried to smile. Alibaba noticed that Aladdin's eyes looked a little puffy like he had been crying. Alibaba smiled sadly and knelt down beside Aladdin. He hugged him tightly.

"It's okay. You can tell me. You're upset about Hakuryu, aren't you?"

Aladdin wrapped his arms around Alibaba's neck. "A little."

"I figured. I know how you feel. I miss him, too." Alibaba pulled away from him and looked him in the eyes.

"But everything Hakuryu did, he did it for you. He was going to make sure you got well no matter what."

"I know," Aladdin nodded, but lowered his head. "I just wish...that he was still here."

Alibaba nodded sadly. "Me too."

Pain shot out through Alibaba's body and he held his neck. Aladdin was worried.

"Alibaba? What's wrong?!"

As much as Alibaba wanted to tell him that everything will be fine, the pain was almost unbearable. He collapsed to the ground and held his arm. The mark was spreading down his arm now. Aladdin wasn't sure what to do and could only stay by his side.

"Alibaba! Don't worry!" Yet he wasn't sure how to stay calm in this situation.

With a final cry of agony, Alibaba lost consciousness. Aladdin tried shaking him awake.

"Alibaba? Alibaba?!" But the young man didn't stir. "Don't worry, Alibaba! I'll get help!"

Aladdin jumped to his feet and ran out the room in search of anyone who might be able to figure out what was going on with Alibaba.