Night 36- His Name is Ren Hakuryuu

Magi © Shinobu Ohtaka

Shahra © Me

Alozza and Alath © Darkdarling98

Aladdin, Shahra, and Alibaba stood before Hakuryuu, who was shocked upon hearing the name of Ren Hakuei being uttered from the former's mouth.

"You know my sister?" Hakuryuu asked.

"That's right!" Aladdin answered.

"Wait…could you be Lord Aladdin, the Magi, and his tigress, Shahra?" Hakuryuu asked.

"You know us?" Aladdin asked.

"Yes," Hakuryuu said as he went to sit down, and Aladdin, Alibaba, and Shahra soon did the same. "When Hakuei returned from the west, she told me about you two. She said a boy called a 'Magi' saved her on the plains, along with his pet tiger from the traitor, Ryosai."

"Well, Ugo and I just stopped the soldiers," Aladdin said. "Shahra's the one who broke that man's arm."

"Is he talking about the Kouga Clan you mention earlier?" asked Alibaba.

"That's right!" Aladdin answered.

"Lord Aladdin," Hakuryuu said as he stood up. "Please…allow me to thank you and your noble beast." He then put his right fist in his left palm, making the Imperial Kou Salute. "Ren Hakuei is my beloved older sister. I am forever grateful that you saved her life." He then bowed before the young Magi.

"Oh! It's no trouble! Really!" Aladdin said.

Meanwhile, Alibaba smiled at Hakuryuu.

'I was a little worried about what he would be like, since he's from the Kou Empire,' he thought, 'but he's actually a pretty nice guy!'

"We wanted to talk to you, as well, Prince Hakuryuu," Aladdin said, "but it looked like you were about to step out for a little bit. We aren't bothering you, are we?"

"Oh, no, not at all!" Hakuryuu assured. "I'm grateful for wherever the Great Rukh of Solomon leads me!"

Aladdin and Alibaba both gasped silently as the Kou Prince kneeled before them.

"I've actually been wanting to meet you as much as I wanted to meet King Sinbad," he said. "Please listen to me, Lord Aladdin."

"Listen to you?" Aladdin repeated.

"Huh?" Alibaba muttered, confused and a bit surprised, but then, there was a knock on the door, and soon after, a Kou soldier entered.

"Prince Hakuryuu," he said. "King Sinbad will see you, now."

"I see," Hakuryuu said before he looked to the trio. "My apologies. I must be going, now."

"That's okay!" Aladdin said. "We can talk later, right Alibaba?"

"Uh…yeah!" Alibaba answered. "I'm Alibaba Saluja, by the way. See ya later, Hakuryuu!"

"Of course," Hakuryuu smiled. "I hope to speak with you again, sometime, Lord Alibaba."

"Sure thing!" Alibaba said.

With that, Hakuryuu walked out of the room.

"…That Hakuryuu's not such a bad guy," Alibaba noted.

"Yeah," Aladdin concurred.

With that, they left the room and headed outside, but as they walked down the corridor, Aladdin noticed his King's Candidate was rather quiet.

"What's wrong, Alibaba?" Aladdin asked. "Why so quiet?"

"Huh?" Alibaba muttered. "Oh! Uh…it's nothing, little buddy, it's just…"

"Yeah?" Aladdin asked.

"…Hakuryuu…" Alibaba answered, scratching the back of his head. "He reminds me of someone, but I can't put my finger on it."

"Maybe it was his sister," Aladdin surmised. "They do look a little alike. They even have the same mole!"

"No, it can't be her," Alibaba answered. "I've never met her before. Must be my imagination."

Shahra only let out a lazy yawn, but then she perked up when she saw Morgiana running down the intersecting hallway, glancing as if she were looking for someone. In her hands is a sparkling box.

"Oh, look! It's Morg!" Aladdin exclaimed. "She's back from the workshop!"

"Which must mean that her Household Vessel is ready!" Alibaba added. "Sweet!"

XXX

Outside in the garden, Alibaba, Aladdin, Shahra, and Alozza sat in front of Morgiana, who opened the box, revealing a pair of silver ornaments with a red ruby in the middle of them both. They had long, thin chains, and a bird-like emblem on them.

Alozza made an impressed whistle while Alibaba and Aladdin stared in awe.

"Holy Solomon…!" Alibaba whispered.

"So this is your Household Vessel, Morg?!" Aladdin asked.

"Yes," Morgiana said as she took them out. "They're anklets. They show the Phoenix, a symbol of the sun in the Dark Continent. That's what the metalworker said."

"They're so pretty!" Aladdin exclaimed. "It's hard to believe they're your old slave shackles!"

"Go ahead and try them on!" Alozza said.

Morgiana nodded before she put the anklets on, the chains draped around her feet.

"The chains are so pretty!" Aladdin exclaimed.

"Yeah!" Alibaba agreed. "They look like the ones that belly dancers wear! I've seen them in Balbadd!"

"Ooh, neat!" Aladdin chirped.

"Hey, Morgiana, why don't you show us something?" Alozza asked.

"Hey, Morg! Show us something!" Aladdin exclaimed.

"Yeah, show us what you can do with those, Morgiana!" Alibaba added.

'Why do I have a bad feeling about this?' thought Shahra.

Morgiana raised her leg and gave a swift kick, causing the chains to swing. However…they ended up getting snagged on Aladdin's and Alibaba's heads!

"AAH!" Alozza cried. "GUYS!"

"Oh, no!" Morgiana cried as she tried to get them off. "I'm so sorry!"

Soon, the boys were free from the deadly chains.

"Uh, Morgiana?" Alibaba asked. "Maybe you don't need the chains."

"Yeah," Aladdin agreed as Shahra gently licked his head. "If you wear them somewhere else, they won't get in the way when you kick!"

"…" Morgiana looked down, dismally.

"What's wrong?" Alozza asked.

"They're just pretty ornaments," said Morgiana. "How could I ever use them in battle?"

"How can you use them?" Aladdin asked. "Well…that depends on how you wanna use them."

"Huh?" Morgiana muttered.

"Whenever Yam makes new magic," Aladdin started, "first she thinks about what she wants to do. I bet it's the same for Household Vessels!"

"…What I want to do…?" Morgiana murmured. "…What I want…is to be strong enough to help you two."

"Strong?" Alozza repeated.

"But you're already really strong, Morg!" Aladdin said as he sat next to Shahra.

"That's right!" Alibaba agreed. "You've helped us, loads of times! Like that time you threw me up into the air in Balbadd! Without your helped, I couldn't have fought an airborne opponent!"

"And you helped me, too!" Aladdin added. "And you could carry Shahra, Alozza, and Uncle Sinbad without so much as breaking a sweat!"

"In a way," Alozza started, "with you around, it's like we've got wings or something, huh?"

"…Wings, huh?" Morgiana murmured as she thought of a very muscular version of herself with wings, and Alibaba and Aladdin sitting on her shoulders, praising and complimenting her. "I understand."

"Wait a minute," Alibaba said, nervously. "What were you thinking, just now?"

"I'll be wings," Morgiana said. "Your wings."

"I said wait a minute! What kind of wings?! What were you thinking, just now?!"

Aladdin and Alozza only laughed while Shahra quietly snickered.

XXX

Later on, Kougyoku is seen, watching the sunset and the city below. Her face is etched with awe and wonder as she gazed at the view.

'How marvelous!' she thought.

"So this is where you went off to."

The Kou Princess gasped before she turned and saw Sinbad approaching her.

"L-Lord Sinbad!" she exclaimed.

"Sorry," Sinbad said. "Did I startle you?"

"A bit," Kougyoku said as she looked back at the horizon. "I was just busy admiring the view."

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Sinbad asked as he stood beside her.

"It really is," Kougyoku answered. "I can't believe you turned this once savage land into such a marvelous and prosperous country. You really are a remarkable man, Lord Sinbad."

Sinbad chuckled at this.

"Sometimes I like to come out here and reminisce on all the adventures I took before I established this kingdom," he said. "The friends I made on my journey…the mistakes I've made…the lessons I've learned…I remember every one of them. It's funny, though…back when I was just a troublemaker back in my home village…I never once thought of becoming a king."

"…I guess you and I have something in common, then," Kougyoku said, although she sounded a bit…solemn.

"What do you mean?" Sinbad asked.

"I…I prefer not to talk about it," Kougyoku said. "I don't know why I brought it up. I'm sorry."

"What's wrong?" Sinbad asked in concern. "Come on…you can tell me."

"…Sometimes, I don't really see myself as a princess of the Kou Empire," Kougyoku spoke as she looked at the sky. "Instead…I sometimes see a worthless piece of trash who often goes unnoticed by her peers and her family."

Sinbad stared at the princess, who sniffled as she hid her mouth behind her sleeves.

"I'm sorry…!" Kougyoku whimpered with tears in her eyes.

"Don't cry," Sinbad said as he held her hand, causing her to look at him. "Everything will be all right."

"Lord Sinbad…" Kougyoku muttered.

"You know what I see?" Sinbad asked. "I see a beautiful and confident young lady."

Kougyoku's eyes went wide, gasping in surprise while Sinbad continued to smile at her. Without warning, she felt her legs shake until they gave out, causing her to collapse to her knees with one hand on her head and an almost dazed look on her face.

"Your Highness!" Sinbad cried. "Are you all right?! What's wrong?!"

"I…I just felt really light-headed all of a sudden," Kougyoku said before she looked away, as if ashamed. "You must think I'm a fool."

"I'm sorry," Sinbad apologized. "I didn't mean to come on too strong."

"No, it's all right," Kougyoku assured. "It's just that…no other man has said that to me, before…well, except for Judar, maybe. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have conquered a dungeon…but still, I feel like no one takes me seriously…not even my brothers."

"…Well, I do," Sinbad said. "You have plenty of potential…and I'm sure that one day, everyone will see that."

Kougyoku smiled at the king, who smiled back at her as he helped her to her feet. Then came a pause, both of them staring into each other's gaze. Then, slowly, they come closer and closer, their lips almost meeting…almost.

"Err…King Sinbad?"

Sinbad and Kougyoku yelped as they pulled away from each other, both of them blushing as red as a beet, and turning to see Hakuryuu, who stared at them with a slightly surprised look.

"Am I…interrupting something?" the Kou Prince asked.

"N-no," Sinbad answered.

"What do you want, Hakuryuu?!" Kougyoku questioned, angrily.

"I came to speak with King Sinbad," Hakuryuu answered.

"Oh, right," Sinbad said before he turned to face Kougyoku. "Forgive me, Princess, but I'm afraid we must cut this meeting short."

"I understand," Kougyoku said, dismally. "Some other time, perhaps."

She then walked away, giving Hakuryuu a glare as she did.

"Killjoy," she whispered, but not loud enough for the prince to hear.

"Prince Hakuryuu," Sinbad said. "I was waiting for you."

"Yes, King Sinbad," Hakuryuu said, bowing before him. "I've been meaning to speak with you."

"Then come," Sinbad said as he put a hand on his shoulder. "We have much to talk about."

"I agree," Hakuryuu concurred.

XXX

Later on, Sinbad is showing Hakuryuu his kingdom, pointing at various structures and facilities.

"That area there is for visitors from foreign countries," said Sinbad. "Feel free to use it whenever you wish. To expand your mind, try the Black Libra Tower for scholars. There, you can enjoy dialogue with pupils your own age from other cultures. You can also train in the martial arts at the Silver Scorpio Tower. It's often in use. Sindria has many visitors."

"Amazing," Hakuryuu said in awe. "In just one generating, you've created such a magnificent country! This is why I wanted to speak with you, King Sinbad!"

Sinbad chuckled and crossed his arms.

'I expected him to make a demand,' he thought, 'but he's really just a goodwill ambassador.'

"And in addition to the Kingdom of Sindria," Hakuryuu added, "you found the Seven Seas Alliance! You really are a talented and virtuous man!"

"Haha!" Sinbad laughed. "You're exaggerating."

"No," Hakuryuu replied. "You and your alliance are powerful. Our emperor, my stepfather, has never negotiated directly with another nation before. No one else but you has ever spoken to him so forcefully before."

"Is that so?" Sinbad inquired. "I hope he didn't think I was being disrespectful. I wanted him to his spears away from Balbadd. The Seven Seas Alliance is against invasion. That's why I want to maintain friendly tries with the Kou Empire."

"…Friendly ties between our nations, you say," Hakuryuu said…before his smile suddenly fell. "King Sinbad…you are lying."

"Hmm?" Sinbad hummed, inquisitively.

"'Friendly ties', as you put it," Hakuryuu stated, "are just a front. In truth, you actually dislike the Kou Empire. You think it needlessly spreads the flames of war, so Sindria must be wary of its aggression…am I wrong?"

A pause…but then Sinbad grinned.

"And just what are you trying to say, Prince Hakuryuu?" he asked.

"Do not misunderstand me," Hakuryuu said. "I do not seek conflict with the Kingdom of Sindria. I came here so you may understand my purpose."

"And what exactly is your purpose?" Sinbad asked, his smile fading.

"…I wish to destroy the Kou Empire," Hakuryuu answered with a serious expression on his scarred face.

XXX

The following day…

"HALHARL INFIGAR!"

"SWORD OF AMON!"

Aladdin and Alibaba are seen sparring with each other, using their fiery attacks against one another. Nearby, Morgiana is seen, throwing punches against the air with rocks tied to her arms, while Alozza is shooting arrows at a target. As for Shahra, the tigress is just snoozing in the shade to keep out of the sun.

After a while, Aladdin and Alibaba stopped sparring.

"Sorry, Aladdin," Alibaba said, "but it looks like your magic doesn't work on the Sword of Amon. Thanks for the flame, though!"

"That's not fair, Alibaba!" Aladdin complained.

"Now boys, you play nice," Alozza told them.

"Pardon me," a familiar voice spoke up. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

The group turned to see Hakuryuu and Kougyoku, the former bowing before them while the latter just quietly stood by.

"Oh! It's Prince Hakuryuu and that princess!" Aladdin exclaimed.

"What are you guys doing here?" Alozza asked.

"King Sinbad told me to find you all," Hakuryuu answered.

"I'm just his chaperon," Kougyoku added.

"Sinbad?" Alibaba repeated.

"He told you to come to us?" Aladdin asked.

"That's right," answered Hakuryuu. "He told me to wait upon and learn from you. I look forward to our time together!"

"Eh?!" Alibaba questioned.

"Learn from us?" Alozza repeated.

"I'm confused," Morgiana said.

"I wonder why?" Aladdin asked.

Hakuryuu stood before the group, thinking back to his conversation with Sinbad, yesterday.

Flashback; yesterday evening

"Now I understand the situation between you and the Kou Empire," Sinbad said, having learned of Hakuryuu's intentions.

"Does that mean I have your cooperation in fighting the Kou Empire?" Hakuryuu asked.

"…What if I refuse?" Sinbad asked, taking Hakuryuu by surprise. "It is unwise to reveal such an audacious plot to another nation. If I were to convey this to the emperor, what would become of you?"

"I don't think you will do that," Hakuryuu said, "but of course, I am prepared for it. I am prepared to risk my for your trust, so I've decided to keep nothing hidden!"

"…I see," Sinbad noted, causing Hakuryuu to gasp before smiling.

"Thank you, King Sinbad!" Hakuryuu said.

"However," Sinbad started, taking the Kou Prince by surprise, once again, "you're here to study. First, I want you to go out and observe the country."

"What?!" Hakuryuu questioned. "But there isn't time! I need your answer, now!"

Sinbad turned and glared at Hakuryuu, who gasped silently in slight shock.

"If you wish to continue this conversation," Sinbad started, "then you must enlighten yourself more. Observe the world and the people who live in it around you."

Hakuryuu didn't speak, but he nodded his head in understanding.

"Also," Sinbad continued, "I wanted you to meet someone. He would set a good example for you. You both share a connection."

"We do?" Hakuryuu asked.

"Yes," Sinbad nodded. "His name is Alibaba Saluja. He is the Third Prince of Balbadd, which your empire now occupies!"

Hakuryuu in shock upon hearing Alibaba's name and status.

Flashback end

'So this is Alibaba Saluja,' Hakuryuu thought, shaking Alibaba's hand.

"Pardon me," Kougyoku spoke up, suddenly. "I know that a lot happened in Balbadd…but don't you think we should give that a rest, now? Why all the dirty looks?"

"Oh, I dunno," Alozza answered, sarcastically. "Maybe because you attacked us outta nowhere?"

"Wait, Alozza," Aladdin said. "I agree with her. I think we should put this all behind us."

"Aladdin?" Morgiana asked, concerned.

"Mother once told me that fighting never really solved anything," Aladdin said, holding his flute as he remembered when Kougyoku attacked Ugo. "Besides, I'm sure Uncle Sinbad would want us to get along!"

"Yes, I concur," Kougyoku agreed, although she was also remembering when Ugo attacked Judar. "Let's just let bygones be bygones!"

As the two went to shake hands…they suddenly started gripping each other's hands very hard. In fact, Kougyoku's thumb nail stabbed into Aladdin's thumb!

"OW!" Aladdin cried. "Y-you're hurting me!"

"You're hurting me, too!" Kougyoku cried.

"It hurts! It hurts! I can't let go!"

"Hey, let go!"

Shahra snickered a bit at the scene unfolding while Alozza went to pry the two away from each other.

"There!" she said. "You're both free!"

"Look at this bruise you left on my hand!" cried Kougyoku as she held her hand.

"Are you sure it's a bruise?" Aladdin asked. "Maybe you just smeared some of your makeup! You wear gobs of it!"

"WHAT?!" Kougyoku questioned. "Why you little brat! I'll strangle you!"

"HOLD IT!" Alozza shouted as she got in between them. "Look, obviously, you two are still upset about what happened in Balbadd, but right now, we're supposed to be trying to get along! Now both of you say sorry and make up!"

"Sorry," Aladdin and Kougyoku said in unison.

"That's better," Alozza said.

"Hehehe…" Alibaba chuckled, sheepishly. "I guess Aladdin still misses Ugo pretty bad." He then turned to look at Hakuryuu. "Sorry, Hakuryuu…he's had a pretty hard time in Balbadd."

"I understand," Hakuryuu said. "As I recall, you had a hard time as well, did you not?"

"Huh?" Alibaba muttered.

"I've heard a great deal about you, Lord Alibaba," Hakuryuu said. "I'm sure you weren't very thrilled upon seeing me arrive here. You don't have to bare your heart, but you don't have to hide it, either."

"I-I didn't intend to," Alibaba answered, smiling.

"Don't force yourself," Hakuryuu said. "The Kou Empire has harmed your country, and they have further plans."

Alibaba looked at him in surprise and slight confusion.

"Do you not know who has been sent to Balbadd as Governor of the West?" Hakuryuu asked. "Ren Kouen, the First Prince of the Kou Empire. He's also called the Entei, the 'Flame Emperor'. He is the Kou Empire's strongest general. He posses 3 Djinn Metal Vessels. Only he and King Sinbad possess more than one. He is ambitious and sees Balbadd as a base for western expansion. To him, Balbadd's turmoil was only a stepping stone!"

"…" Alibaba said nothing.

Nearby, Morgiana happened to be eavesdropping from behind a wall.

"During the upheaval," Hakuryuu continued, "you have lost many beloved citizens, relatives, and friends…so I don't care if you've come to hate me and my country!"

A pause…but then Alibaba smiled as the rukh fluttered passed him.

"I don't hate you, Hakuryuu," Alibaba said. "I made a vow that I wouldn't!"

"Eh?!" Hakuryuu questioned as Alibaba put a hand on his shoulder.

"So don't worry about it, okay?" he asked. "You're not my enemy! You didn't do anything to me!"

"Ah…b-but I-" Hakuryuu stammered.

"Let's talk some more, later," Alibaba said. "Maybe not soon, but some other time, yeah?"

"Y…yes," Hakuryuu answered.

"…Alibaba…" Morgiana whispered, worriedly.

She didn't know why…but she felt that maybe Alibaba might be lying to himself. She felt that deep down…he actually hated Hakuryuu, but he just didn't want to show it in front of him.

Until Next Night…

Yeah, I know, I'm late with this one. And before anyone asks, A Little Wolf in Death City is still a work in progress, so please have patience.

Up next, Aladdin and Alath run away to go conquer a dungeon, but not if Sinbad's got anything to say about it!

Review, please!