kenegi - You should give it a try, you'll never how it'll turn out. Oh my, I remember that scene-it was hilarious and absolutely awesome! Though Aladin ad kind of abused poor Dunya.

Guest 1 - I shall do my best to insert some fluffy and funny fillers.

Guest 2 - Yeah, I can definitely see what you're saying. Sinbad is quite a catch. :p

NoName (guest) - You flatter me too much. But I'm glad you liked it. Enjoy another one!

P.S. What does "ciou ciou" mean?

JinHime - Thank you! I'm glad it was well, although about my grammar and vocab, but considering a beta reader had never crossed my mind since I like to work independent. I know it would make my story better, but I'd rather write and update it myself. ;)

voidharpy - I'll let more lovesick boys fight over her-now where would the fun be in there if no love or drama was in it? And yeah, it's freaking cold up here and it keeps raining, although in the summer it can "sometimes" be lovely sunny and warm. But I'm sure that you had never heard about Belgium before, right? it's a tiny, tiny tiny dot, next to France. :p O, of course not, dear, no Sinbad will manipulate my dear May, he will occasionally try it, again and again. As for your small request, I shall do the former-May isn't one to play matchmaker, she is more of a tease. I have so many things in my mind that I don't remember which Djiin you mean-could it be the one called Asmodeus?

sweetchill - I'm glad you liked it and that scenario will surely happen. Sharkkan and Masrur keep pestering each other. :p

OwlfieOver - I don't know if I will place other POV in this story. But if I do, you'll notice it immediately.

Syra Sunn - I'm glad it's to your satisfaction and thank you for the review. :)

Guest306 - My dear, no need to beg, I'll gladly provide you with another chapter. ;)

Sinbad's age: 29 years old

Ja'far's age: 25 years old

Masrur's age: 20 years old

May's age: 19 years old

Judar's age: 18 years old

Kassim's age: 18 years old

Alibaba Salujas age: 18 years old

Morgianas age: 14 years old

Aladin's age: 11 years old

Pride of the Fanalis Clan

.

.

By Angelbloodlover

.

"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."

–

Albert Camus

.

.

Chapter 20: Preparations

I sat on Sinbad's desk as we talked about yesterday's occurrings and our battle plans, "I have stayed here for a couple of months and the situation is downright awful. These people..." Shaking my head, I closed my eyes, "I have done my best with distributing food and keeping this place under control, but it's never enough, it never is."

"And judging from what happened yesterday night, the ones that attacked Sinbad in his area weren't even members from the Fog Troupe, but just ordinary citizens, am I right?" Ja'far spoke gravely, arms hidden in his sleeves and his usual posture taken.

"That's right, they were citizens who could no longer endure the hardships of extreme poverty. But to go to the extent of attacking and raiding the rich's homes... It seems that Balbadd is experiencing a major economic gap. Just what is going on here?"

"The country seems to be having chaotic problem with the economy. This may be one of the reasons. Not only that, other countries seems to be intervening with tis country's affairs." Ja'far explained to the confused King, his face gloomy and sad.

"What do you mean?"

My eyes flickered to Sinbad and then to Ja'far, interrupting them as I took out a so-called paper note, "He means, Sinbad, that this country seems to be relying in this paper note called 'Kou', which was issued by the Kou empire. But that's not all to our lovely story, isn't it Ja'far?" I remarked sarcastically, despising the King of Balbadd to the point where I would love to hurt him physically, even though knowing that I shouldn't foster such feelings, I couldn't help it. After seeing the state of this country, I had learned enough about him. In some ways, you could even say that I favor Alibaba as the rightful King from Balbadd.

Said person nodded, eyes narrowed, "May is right-when I went to investigate this thoroughly I found out that the King of Balbadd, Abumad Saluja, is engaged to a princess from the Kou empire."

I pinched my nose in disgust. Whoever would want to marry that rotting core? Poor Kougyoku, being used like this. I really pitied that girl with the way she was being used...

"What did you say?!" Sinbad cried out indignantly, eyes blazing with anger, "That bastard, why didn't he tell us anything?"

"That's because he is a disgusting, despicable, dishonourable and disgraceful beast, sucking the lives out of these poor people. He should be burned at the stake, alive, and everyday, but not enough to kill him since he should indulge in his sin. That way, Abumad's scream will echo throughout Balbadd City and his pleads for mercy shall be a reminder of his unforgivable sins, until the day he would die and descend in Hell."

Even Sinbad was surprised by the sheer hate of my words, but could you blame me, having lived in this place, witnessing the gruesome and inhumane things? Would you?

"No death shall befall upon the current King, am I understood?" Sinbad worded carefully, eyes narrowed.

I raised my chin up in defiance, staring him down, "Is that an order?"

With smooth movements, he stood up, eyes locked with mine, "Yes, if you have a problem with it, then I suggest you leave. I don't feel like involving you in this matter if revenge is all you care for."

Masrur stiffened, looking between us as the tension rose enormously.

Clenching my fists, I bared my teeth, snapping, "Fine."

Not really appreciating my tone, he kept glaring at me, until he, finally, sat down. But I could feel his eyes flickering towards me from time to time. He was still unsure about my words, but once I said something, I would stick to it, no matter how hard it was.

Ja'far sighed, shaking his head in slight annoyance, "Our current goal is fight off the Fog Troupe, not each other."

His chiding was needed and I inclined my head in his direction, "I apologize Ja'far, you're right."

I tried with all my might to ignore Sinbad's smug face. Thankfully, Ja'far narrowed his eyes in his direction and continued talking, "Since our opponents have a Djiin's Metal Vessel , as well as that many magic items, we'll need a solid proof battle plan. May could only fight of a couple of them-she can't fight everyone. Establishing contact with our country remains the best choice."

I tilted my head to the side, sickening sweet smile on my face, "Yes, that's a wonderful plan Ja'far since a certain person whose name I shall not call has lost all his Metal Vessels."

Sinbad glared fiercely at me, "Are you still going on about that?!"

Yes, as a matter of fact, I am! Got a problem with it?"

He slammed his hands against the table, his face inches from mine, "You're starting to annoy me."

Masrur sighed, "Please stop fighting, May Sinbad..." and Ja'far shook his head in exasperation, already giving up with this lost case. I couldn't help it, pestering him was too easy, especially the way he got riled up.

I smirked in amusement, my eyes flickering to his lips, "How cute. Sinbad is starting to lose his temper." Patting his cheek, I jumped off the desk. "If you don't mind, I'm going a bit out, need to stretch my legs." Glancing towards Masrur, I winked towards him, "I'll be off, Masrur-kun."

"We're not done here!" Sinbad cried out in irritation.

I chuckled softly, "Yes, we are, my dear!"

I made a detour towards Aladin's room, wondering how he was faring with everything. With soft footsteps, I walked through the hallways, stopping in front of his room. His voice was muffled through the oak door and I knew he was trying to cheer himself up, but failing miserably.

Having heard enough, I knocked on his door and waited for his confirmation. "Yes?"

I opened the door and looked inside, a gentle smile plastered on my face, "Can I come in?"

He nodded, eyes straying from the window where the beautiful moonlight lit up the dark room. Eyes focused on the moon again, he spoke up, "May-chan, what's your goal?"

So this was what he was talking about. He was worried about his goal since Alibaba had changed his mind. I stopped next to him, stargazing, "What I want to reach isn't something simple, my goal is to protect my sister and Masrur. They are the only people who I would go through fire and water for them. That, my adorable Aladin, is my long-life goal."

"Yes, I can see it in the flow of your Rukh that you love them more than anything else." He looked down, a hurtful look plastered on his face, "...that's a beautiful goal."

Placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, I smiled brightly, "Aladin-kun, don't worry too much about your friend. Right now he must be thinking about you."

"You sure?"

The way his eyes lit up made my heart twist in odd ways-it wasn't fair for such a boy to be shouldering such a big burden. I wrapped my arms around him, inhaling his melon scent, which brought a smile on my face, "I'm hundred per cent sure about it, Aladin-kun. Alibaba may even barge through this window at any moment."

He laughed softly, his silent Rukh starting to flutter lively, "Thank you," he murmured softly, nuzzling his face against my chest area, "Thank you very much."

I bit my lip, withholding my anger-he was sad, May, don't kill him. "Aladin, don't try out my patience, you know I don't like that."

"But it's so soooooft~!"

Sighing in defeat, I stroked his head, "Fine, but only this once."

"Wohoo~!" He whooped in joy, snuggling closer and emitting a relaxed sound.

I was glad that Aladin wasn't like in the manga when he looked defeated and lost. My heart ached thinking of that image and if it meant letting him snuggle to my breasts, then so be it. I don't know why I liked him very much, but I just did-his aura, his childish face. He was adorable

Suddenly, he peered at me through his long, feminine lashes, frowning questioningly, "But what I don't understand, May-chan, is the flow of Rukh around you. A lot of them are sticking to you...?"

Sighing, I decided to let him in the secret, knowing that sooner or later more people would find out. "What I will tell you, Aladin, will remain a secret between the two of us until I decide to tell the rest. Can you promise me that you won't tell a soul until the right time would come for me to do so?"

"Sure, May-chan! You can trust me!" He chirped happily and I had to shield my eyes at the bright Rukh glowing in honored truthfulness.

"I'm certain you'll do." As I said this, a White Rukh perched itself on my finger and Aladin was watching me with wide eyes, disbelief and wonder written all over his childish 'innocent' (as far as that innocence goes) face. Pursing my lips, I sighed again and sat on the ground while patting the next spot. "Aladin, just like you, I don't know why I'm here, but my purpose is becoming clearer-" "What do you mean 'you don't know why you're here'?" He interrupted me confusedly.

Not having the strength to scold him, I explained him carefully, not giving out all my secrets, "Just like you I was dropped in this world with foreknowledge, just like you I can see the flow of the Rukh, and just like you I could or could not use the Rukh all around me."

"..you're a Magi?!"

"Shhh!" I chided him, slapping him gently on the head, which made him pout, "Don't say it too loud, silly, Sinbad might hear you." It was a good thing I wasn't in Sindria-there he might eavesdrop on me through magical means. "And to answer your question, yes and no." Before he would interrupt me again, I elaborated further on the matter, "You see, Aladin, like I had explained this beforehand, I can see Rukh flowing all around us, but there is one tiny problem with this, namely the fact that I can't use it to my advantage. And even though the Rukh loves me, it's fluttering uselessly around me."

His eyes were wide, astonishment clear in his shiny eyes. "But May-chan, that means you're a Magi! You're a Ma-ouch!"

I pinched my nose in annoyance, "Aladin, how many times do I have to tell you?"

"Gomen..," His lips puckered out and tears were glistening in his eyes.

"For the love of Solomon! Don't cry!" I fussed over him and pulled him into a tight hug, slapping his hands away from my breasts, "Will you stop that?! If you continue this I'll bring you to a doctor and I mean this, Aladin!"

Smartly, he decided to leave my breasts alone-smart boy.

"So, I don't really know what I am or why I'm here.." I looked to the ground, wondering what my real goal was in this world, "Now, don't get me wrong, Aladin, I love this place, I love the people and the buildings, I love the White Rukh comforting me," I sighed in happiness as said Rukh snuggled closer to me and bringing forth a feeling of happiness, "But most of all I love my family, Morgiana, my sweet sister, or Masrur, my best friend. I love Yunan, my hero, I love everyone and everything in this world. It's just that I..." I trailed off, unable to finish my sentence, not because of not wanting to, but because I had no answer to that certain question.

Shocked, I felt two soft, tiny arms wrap me in a hug and in a whispering sound, he spoke, "Don't be sad, May-chan, together we'll find what you're looking for."

"But I don't even know what it is..."

"I don't know why I'm here either! Maybe you came from that same room I had been in!" He pulled back, too hastily for my comfort, "Then how about I ask Ugo-kun. And before I forget May-chan, can I touch your sword?"

I blinked my eyes, tilting my head to the side, "Aladin, if you do that here then many people would be scared of their wit's. How about we go to a secluded place after you have your talk with Alibaba."

"Huh? What do you mean-" I giggled, pointing behind him as Morgiana threw Alibaba through the window and against the wall.

Smirking, I ruffled his hair, "See, didn't I tell you that we would get Alibaba at all cost?" I turned my attention towards Morgiana, smiling in gratitude, "You did a great job, Mor-chan."

She blushed at the praise, shuffling her feet adorably as her cheeks puffed out in pride, "Thanks, onee-chan."

"Awwww, you're so cute, Mor-chan!" I nudged her cheeks, "Who is my cute sister? You are! Yes, you are!" With the way I was teasing her I was sure that she would get annoyed, but instead, she stared at me, and in a deadpan voice, she said, "Onee-chan, you're hurting my cheeks."

"I know, darling, I know." Smiling sardonically, I patted her cheek and coldly, "Now, let's see what Alibaba has to say to the friend he had abandoned heartlessly."

Alibaba was, by that time, sitting and staring, but those words caused him to flinch and stare at he ground in shame. "H-hey..sorry for disturbing you, Aladin." Awkwardly, he stared at the ground and I sighed quietly, the tension getting me annoyed, but I decided to let the course of action take its own flow, without any disturbance. "H-hey, it seems like you're doing well."

Aladin bobbed his head cutely, "Mmm! Alibaba too!"

"It's ...been half a year, hasn't it? You look like you're changed quite a lot since the, no?"

"Mmm! Alibaba too!" Again, the same answer, Aladin must be pretty saddened by Alibabas cruel dismissal, not that I blamed him. For now, I didn't even like Alibaba for causing great pain in Aladin's innocent heart, but when that same awkward tension increased by a tenfold, I was starting to grow fed up with the situation. And it seemed that Morgiana was feeling the same, "Please get to the point." She spoke coldly, irritation rolling off her in waves and I smiled widely in pride, saying, "That's my little Mor-chan."

Alibaba looked away, clearly pissed off at Morgianas behavior, but she wasn't one to quit, she wasn't going to give up this case, "Yesterday, you even pointed your sword at Aladin. So, please hurry up and explain why you are in the Fog Troupe."

I clenched my fists when Alibaba spoke the next words, unknowingly hurting my dear sister's heart, "You're annoying, I was actually getting to that part, but since you said it like that, I don't feel like saying it anymore." He stared at the ground, his face dark and obscured by his blonde locks.

"Please, hurry up and explain it. This isn't the time to joke around." She started summing up the many conflicts within the rotting country and with each words, her voice became sharper at the edge, slashing within your souls, "Trading stopped because of this internal conflict, the government doesn't even care about the citizens well-being, , those innocent people who ran away because of this found themselves being caught by slave traders," Her voice grew desperate, tears stinging in her beautiful eyes and the way she spoke those words-it was like a touch to your heart, "I could never imagine you would be carrying out misdeeds like these..." A shuddering breath, a quiet sob, "When you were in Qishan, you were a kind person who was even willing to donate his entire fortune, just to free slaves like me." I flinched violently at that, biting my lips from crying out in misery and digging my nails in my skin, trying to drawl out blood. Anything that would keep these haunting images away from a scared Morgiana, stripped off her dignity and freedom and turned into a slave by force.

Her eyes shifted towards me, and within her eyes I could see that she blamed me for none. Then, she continued, "To think that I was so grateful to you for that!" Louder, angrier, "I seriously cannot imagine you're the kind of person who doesn't even care about someone's well-being!"

Again, Alibaba turned his head away from her, causing her to puff her cheeks out in fury, but before she would explode, I stepped in and narrowed my eyes, taking a step forward, "Wonder Man Alibaba," He perked up at his famous words, eyes locked with mine, "If you don't explain yourself now, I'll have to make you." Clenching and unclenching my hands, I kept my anger at bay, the Rukh fluttering wildly around me, "And you better watch your tongue, because if you say one more bad thing to my sister then I'll skin you alive, am I understood."

He narrowed his eyes, but he was intelligent enough to realize there was no escaping in this matter. And to further annoy me greatly would in his disadvantage. But, before he could speak, Aladin interrupted the heated and one-sided conversation, appeasing the situation, "Calm down, May-chan, Mor-chan, I can understand you both are angry because you have experienced a lot of problems. But think positively, once again, we are united and have a chance to talk freely and without worries. Speaking of which, the moon is very pretty tonight..." To finish the conversation, he smiled softly, warmth exuding from him as the Rukh fluttered in peace around his tiny frame, "So, let's talk about happy things, right Alibaba?"

"Y-Yeah..." He uttered in shock, not really believing what he was seeing nor hearing. But his calming posture helped to defuse the tangible tension that was increasing dangerously fast. "Speaking of which, where have you been all this time? Ever since we conquered the seventh Dungeon I only got to see this girl. When you didn't come over to find me at all I almost died worrying about you! Where have you been exactly?"

Morgiana glared at him and I smirked in amusement-these three were hilarious together, I could definitely see the start of a strong friendship blossoming beautifully.

Aladin laughed adorably, muffling his laughter with his hands, "Don't be surprised, alright? I was at a place called the Kouga village all this time...," So, he started retelling his adventures one by one, the way he spoke about them, luring all two of them since I had already known his story beforehand, but that didn't mean I didn't enjoy it, quite the opposite. Aladin started to talk about what happened to at the grass plains where he ended up after the seventh Dungeon. He talked about the people he met there. How he was seen as a family member by the people, and how he met an important person there. And why that person died because of war. As well as getting closer to solving the mystery of this world. Even how Kouga village turned out to be Goltas' birthplace, something that shocked Morgiana greatly, but then a peacefulness nestled in her heart. He spoke about his journey from the grass plain to the large desert, the sceneries and creatures that he saw for the first time, as well as how he got past a difficult crisis, and how he finally reached Balbadd.