I do not own magi or the characters. I do own my oc.

Chapter 29

"You're an idiot," mutters Ja'far leaving the building with me. I glance at him with a raised eyebrow. "Why the hell would you agree to this?"

"Maader agreed to give me passage if Sinbad wins," I say with a shrug. "It's not like a really have a life here in Reim, so why not take a chance and if it helps Sinbad in the process…"

"Leila this might sound stupid but-"

"It won't," I reply before he can finish. I watch as he looks up at me, and for a minute things seem like this is how they always would have been if things didn't end up so badly 6 years ago.

I watch as he lets out a sigh before picking up his ridiculously large bag. "I just don't want you to disappear like that again. I know you feel like you can't stay and I get that you want to figure some things out, but at least that way I know there's a chance you'll come back. However, if you get forced into slavery, you could end up anywhere or taken by Reim. If things go badly here…"

"Ask Sinbad," I say as Ja'far looks at me. "Ask him what I was like when I met him. I know he hasn't told you and I don't know how to explain it. If I can survive that, I can make it out of this alive…probably hurt, but alive."

"Were you this reckless when we were kids," he asks really confused.

"I don't remember," I say honestly not sure. "I was probably a little reckless, but I always had…uh…never mind."

"Always had what?"

"I always just wanted to make sure that you were okay, so I'm sure I was more careful."

I watch as Ja'far seems to pause not sure what to say. "Well…I'm here now so…doesn't that mean you have to be careful."

"No," I replay with a smirk. "There are other people here now to help you, so I can show my true colors."

"Shut up," says Ja'far with an eye roll as I laugh at him. "You're still my sister so I'd rather you at least try to be careful."

"Fine," I say with a sigh and a smile as Ja'far punches me lightly in the arm. I follow him outside, with my hood up as we walk towards Sinbad, Hinahoho, and Mystras. The two seemed very nice, but Mystras was pretty awkward and Hinahoho was actually surprisingly soft spoken.

I look over as Hinahoho waves at me. He was probably my favorite (out of the people that I'm not related to) of Sinbad's friends and he seemed to get along with me so that was a plus.

"Wait just a minute, Sin," speaks up my brother dropping his bag. "I'm going with both of you."

"Ja'far what about work…?" I roll my eyes as Sinbad looks at me. I already tried to get Ja'far to stay here but failed.

"I've already given out all my instructions regarding work. Everything else can be handled by our excellent employees. It's not a problem."

"But this isn't the type of trip you need to accompany me on..."

"No, it really is," says Ja'far with a pause. "This whole incident happened because I wasn't paying close enough attention to what those around us were saying. You entered enemy territory and alone and accepted this ridiculous match...just what do you plan to do if it is a trap? You're too egotistical. Just think about how the rest of us feel!"

"You haven't changed a bit," says Sinbad laughing a little.

"What?! Is there something strange about that?!" I place a hand on my brother's shoulder as he gets angry.

"That part of you is still exactly the same as it was the day we met. You're the only one that sees the bad things about me, the things I dislike about myself, and tells me about them so frankly. It's because I have someone like you around that I can be sure that someone's watching my back for me. Thanks...Ja'far."

I freeze as I feel Sinbad turn to look at me. "And thank you Leila. For as long as I've known you, you've risked your own life for me. I hate that I keep putting you in that position, because I don't mean to. I care about you and wish I was able to help you as much as you help me."

"I'd do it again," I say ruffling Ja'far's hair. "I haven't always had it easy, but I've started to put my pieces back together and I owe you for that and so much else. Let's be honest you're stuck with me."

"You two remind me of Rurumu and me," says Hinahoho with a smirk. I just look at him confused as Sinbad seems to try to divert the conversation.

I look at Ja'far hoping he will tell me, as I hear Sinbad laugh and start to joke around with the other's still trying to change the conversation. I start to laugh a little as Sinbad makes an attempt to be charming with me stopping as we hear someone speak up behind us.

"...hmph, you have the devil's luck as always Sinbad."

I turn seeing no other than the princess of Partevia. I stand my ground crossing my arms, glaring at her as she shoots me a quick glare. I see most of the people here glance at me not sure why we're both a bit hostile.

"Being kidnapped by a business rival...moreover a female trader...Isn't that just like you and your company? With that lewd look on your face, she probably seduced you, too, didn't she? How deplorable...where's your humility as the leader of the company?"

"Excuse me," I say stepping. I notice entire group seems to freeze, not really used to me reacting to something like this. Well, Ja'far just rolls his eye, expecting this since I am a bit brash. "Tell me why you're here lecturing people on humility. You flee your country like a scared little girl, and can't get off your high horse. You're overrated and -"

I stop as Sinbad walks past me towards Serendine slamming his hand into the wall next to her.

"Young Lady...you..." I watch as Sinbad moves his hand looking down at the princess charmingly. "Are you...jealous? Oh…how nice. All because of me, even though you say you hate me? Is that really okay...Letting me see such a cute side of you?"

I glare at Sinbad turning quickly to not looking at him or the princess.

"Wh...What are you saying?! I don't...That's Ridiculous!"

"But you were waiting here just to see me off, weren't you. Even if you won't admit it, I know it's true. Look...There's a leaf caught in your hair. I wonder how long were you waiting here for me. I'm happy, but it wouldn't be good for you to catch a cold waiting out here. Don't worry we'll meet again soon. After all, I've got you, the goddess of victory on my side, don't I, young lady?"

Not wanting to hear more I start walking towards the ship. Quickly I feel the two catch up to me and fall into step. Sinbad moves to lightly touch my arm, but I pull away going on the other side of Ja'far. I can feel Sinbad looking at me confused, but I don't want to talk to him right now. I hate that I know I'm falling for him.

-A Little While Later-

"Hey," speaks up Sinbad earning a slight glance from me. "I never got to ask, but what was it like for the two of you being siblings and all?"

I look off of the edge of the Sindria Trading Company boat, shrugging.

"It wasn't that big of a deal," says Ja'far looking at me before turning back to Sinbad. "She was kind of protective though. Sham Lash isn't the nicest organization to be a part of."

"Leila mentioned that your parents were abusive," says Sinbad as I tense up before glaring at him. "Did they…"

"They didn't hurt me," says Ja'far looking at me curiously. "Did you really tell him about that?"

"Why is that a surprise," I hear Sinbad ask as I refuse to look at either of them.

"Even when it was happening she didn't react or talk about it," replies Ja'far still looking at me. "Honestly, I'm not entirely sure why they were like that to her. Leila, do you know?"

"No," I reply as I feel Sinbad shift a little closer to me. "I don't think I really want to know. What if their reason was legitimate? I don't want to justify what they did by knowing why."

"You're not even a little curious," asks Sinbad as I glance at him. He seems saddened by this and I guess I should have expected that. "Hell, I even want to know."

"I think I can find out why," I mutter as I feel both of them react surprised. All of a sudden the two of them start asking questions a million miles a minute, but I can't really understand them that well. "Can you two take this a step at a time? I don't know what you two are saying."

"What do you mean you think you can find out," asks Ja'far watching me closely. "They're both dead, so it's not like you can ask them."

"But I think Uncle Vartan knew," I say as Ja'far takes a moment to remember who he was.

"He was exiled years before you," says Ja'far as Sinbad seems to look guilty. "It's not like we could find him easily."

"That and he's dead," says Sinbad looking at me confused. Ja'far goes to ask how the hell Sinbad knows that but stops as Sinbad continues. "He died two years ago, in a town not far from Tison Village. He knew that Leila was alive and staying with my mother and I, but I don't understand how he would tell you."

"Before I was supposed to leave for the dungeon, he gave me a letter," I say as Sinbad seems to think back, not really remembering that day. "I don't know what it says, but it might tell me what happened."

"Why haven't you read it yet," asks Ja'far as Sinbad finally seems to remember the letter.

"I can't read," I say with a raised eyebrow. "I thought that was common knowledge."

"Sorry," says Ja'far realizing that it was kind of a stupid question. "I just kind of forgot."

"It's no big deal," I say moving to lean forward on the railing. "He might know, but like I said I haven't read the letter yet."

"Do you want one of us to," asks Sinbad standing only a few inches from me. I look at him and can see that he seems really concerned by this.

"No," I say as Sinbad places a hand on my back. "If he didn't just tell me, it can't be good. Plus I think he wants me to give it to someone in the country that I'm headed to."

I stop paying attention to the two as Ja'far continues to ask questions about what happened in Tison Village that we still haven't told him about. In all honesty, I don't really want him to know everything, but I guess it makes sense for us to give him a little more information. Maybe one day, I'll feel comfortable telling him everything, but he's my little brother. I don't want him to know about all the crap I went through.