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

Chapter 38

-Sinbad's POV-

I start to mess with the braces on my wrists, working to get them off. Maader will have be facing one hell of a fight once she gets back between Leila and Masrur.

I look at Ja'far studying him as he watches Maader walk away. He's upset about his sister, but I won't let her get trapped here.

"Leila's coming home," I say to Ja'far as he still stands there and watches Maader confused.

"Don't worry, Ja'far," I say getting his attention. "Maader brainwashes her slaves, and once their under her control, uses that to manipulate them. That woman still thinks I'm under the influence of that brainwashing. Unfortunately for her, I've already come to my senses. Leila never caved in and was always fighting back. And that's just the beginning...because soon we'll see the last of that woman…"

"Sin," says Ja'far hesitantly. "...have you done something?"

"I left something behind…two tiny...tiny embers that will engulf everything in flames."

-Leila's POV-

I don't hesitate before kicking two other guards in the face to keep them from killing one of the children.

Even with my right arm in pain and injured, I'm not going to back down. There are children fighting for their lives and freedom, so it only seems fair to put my life on the line.

After punching one guard in the face, I grab his sword before stopping a blade about to strike a child. Deflecting the blade, I move forward swinging to slice the man's chest.

I can hear lighting starting in the distance, meaning Sinbad has probably arrived to put an end to this. I hear a high pitched scream, seeing a child with a deep cut in their leg. Not waiting I move forward, stabbing the guard who attacked him.

"Someone apply pressure to their wounds and get the injured out of here," I yell to many of the children here. I can see many of them start to pick up the injured carrying them away from the guards.

I move quickly and efficiently to take the guards down before they can pursue the kids escaping. A few of the older, stronger slave stay with me taking out as many guards as they can.

After almost an hour of fighting one of the guards from outside comes in yelling.

"STOP! Lady Maader is giving up all of her rights to Sinbad!" I can see many of the guard stop and look scared not sure what to do.

"Listen up," I yell getting their attention. "As an ally of Sinbad in this matter I suggest all of you stop fighting back." I can see many of them turn to me and some whisper not sure what to make of me. "If you stop fighting, so will we and you will be allowed to move on with your lives. Go outside and see for yourselves. You have my word that we will not attack you unless provoked."

I hold my breath a moment before many of the guards drop their weapons and start to go see if what they were told is really true. Many of the older slaves follow them out to both make sure they don't try anything and see themselves be freed.

As they leave I start to instruct those remaining to go and take care of the injured on both sides. We need to save all the lives we possibly can. There were many children who have lost their lives here, and I hope that all of this was worth it.

After several hours I can hear many of the children moving around telling people to come to the harbor, because they're going to Napolia. I smile to myself despite starting to feel the effects of all of this on my body.

I come to the final room opening the door not seeing anyone there. I go to shut the door but stop as I hear a child softly crying. Going back and stepping into the room I look around seeing a young little girl crying over the body of an older girl. It takes me a moment before I realize that it's Salena and her sister.

"Salena," I say slowly walking into the room. I sit next to her as she continues to cry, clearly upset by this. "What happened?"

"She was protecting me," says the little girl, very upset. "It's all my fault."

"That's not true," I say seeing the girl cry a little harder. I rub her back as she starts to hiccup, still crying.

"Do you want to know something," I say as Salena looks at me still crying. "Your sister is very happy that you're alive. She would have rather seen you be okay, than live without you."

"You don't know that," she says turning back to her sister.

"Yes I do," I whisper trying to be as calming as possible. "Did you know I have a little brother?" I watch as she shakes her head. "I may not have died for him, but I would do it in an instant, because I want him to have a good life. One with friends and family."

"But she's my family," says Salena still crying.

"How about I be part of your new family," I say as she looks back at me, wiping her eyes a little. "We won't be able to replace your sister, but we're not bad. It includes Sinbad, and my little brother, and well…me. Its big and weird, but we all care about each other a lot."

I watch as Salena seems to debate this, still not sold on the idea.

"There's a boat taking people back to Napolia," I say noticing she seems a little more willing to trust me. "Why don't you at least come with me, and we can figure out what to do next once we get back?"

I watch as she nods before standing up, looking at her sister one more time. She reaches out taking my left hand wanting to be close to someone. I stand up, now really feeling sore and tired, but try not to show it as we make our way to the boat.

After a few minute, I get closer noticing Salena seems really nervous around all the people, and in all honesty, so am I.

"Leila," says a voice causing me to turn, only to see a blur of purple as Sinbad grabs me by the waist before hugging me. "Are you okay," he asks pulling away as Ja'far comes us giving me a quick, much calmer hug.

"I think so," I say noticing Salena is hiding behind me.

"Why didn't you tell me that they were planning something," asks Sinbad looking confused.

"Your company," I ask as the two nod. "I didn't know that."

"But we saw you here," says Ja'far seeming worried. "Rurumu and I were both here a little over a week ago."

"I thought you were just trying to buy us back," I ask noticing absolute confusion on Ja'far's face.

"Well that doesn't matter now" says Sinbad stopping Ja'far from saying more. He turn towards Salena as she just watches Sinbad. "Are you okay, Salena?"

She shakes her head as Sinbad looks at me.

"Can you give me just a moment with Sinbad," I say softly seeing her look nervous. I point to Ja'far as he seems to try to figure out what's going on. "This is Ja'far, my little brother. Can you talk to him for a minute?"

She nods and walks over to Ja'far as Sinbad walks a few steps away.

"Her sister was killed during this," I say noticing Sinbad look guilty. "She seemed so scared, and I just couldn't leave her there."

"She can stay with you Leila," says Sinbad calmly. "Are you sure you're feeling okay?"

"As well as I can," I say noticing Sinbad lightly reach out and touch my shoulder. I wince, but don't pull away as Sinbad lets out a sigh.

"Let's get on the ship then," he say moving to place one hand on my lower back. "You look like you could use some sleep, that isn't in anticipation of a life or death fight."

"That describes half my life though," I joke happy when Sinbad smile a little. As we get closer I can see Salena and Ja'far having without a doubt the most awkward conversation I've ever witnessed. "I think we should get on that boat," I say noticing Salena quickly come over towards me.

As we get onto the boat, I notice there are a lot of people from the company helping the children and even helping the wounded guards who ask for it. I stop figuring that we were going to stay up here and help, but just look at Sinbad confused as he continues to urge me towards the lower level of the ship.

"Sin," I say as I look at him confused. "Where are we going?"

"The captain's quarters," he says as I just look at him confused. "There's a bed in there and whether you admit it or not, you are about ready to fall over? It will be quieter in there and a little more private."

"I'm still standing so I should help with-"

"You're an amazing person, Leila," says Sinbad making sure Ja'far isn't paying attention to us. "And you've put yourself at enough risk today, that you going and lying down for a while is absolutely fine."

I look around at the large groups of people, many of whom are injured.

"I don't feel like I did much," I say noticing Sinbad seem to debate saying something before continuing forward.

"Regardless," he says as Salena stays close by. "You need to rest. You've been through a lot."

I sigh, knowing that right now I can't change Sinbad's mind. As we get closer and closer the ship seems quiet, something I wasn't expecting.

I follow Sinbad inside with Salena close to me, looking around the fair sized room. It's sparsely furnished, with a rather large bed and a chest of draws, but that's all that's in here. There's an oil lamp sitting on top of the chest of draws producing a warm orange glow.

"You should go ahead and lay down," says Sinbad pushing me a bit towards the bed. "I'll grab an extra blanket."

"Are you going back up," I ask not sitting down yet.

"Yeah," he says looking up from trying to find a blanket. "We need to get ready to set sail and I am the captain."

"Are you sure you don't need my help," I ask as Sinbad lets out a sigh before walking closer to me. "I want to help and I know-"

I stop talking as Sinbad crashes his lips into mine gently. He takes a moment before pulling away. "Leila…I know you want to help, and that means a lot. All I ask is that you for right now let me handle things."

I let out a sigh before nodding and sitting down on the bed. I notice Salena is standing a little bit away from us.

"Get over here," I say with a smile. She nods and comes sitting next to me. "Do you want to talk for a little bit?"

"Yeah," she says moving closer to me.

"Just don't talk to Ja'far about the kiss," says Sinbad seeming to have forgotten that she was here. I look at him, noticing the concerned look on his face. "He'd kill me."

"Why," asks Salena, not really getting the whole Sinbad's a flirt concept.

"Sinbad has a reputation and Ja'far thinks it a bad idea for us to be a thing."

"Why does it matter," asks Salena seeming to study Sinbad for a minute. "He's in love with you."

I look at Sinbad as he seems to struggle for something to respond with as I laugh a little at how lost for words he is. I look at Salena as she seems to be very adamant in her position, not really seeing why what she's saying is a bit uncomfortable.

"I'm going to go and see what's happening," says Sinbad blushing as he turns to leave the room, me still laughing.

"I'm going to have to explain to you how Sinbad and I work," I say still laughing a little as Salena just shrugs thinking she said nothing odd.

-Sinbad's POV-

I stretch my back feeling far worse than at the start of the day.

"Are you really that old, that you can't do a day of hard work without being sore," says Ja'far irritating me.

"I'm not old," I protest as Ja'far just smirks proud of himself.

"Do you think Leila doing okay," he asks as I try not to get flustered thinking about the conversation we had earlier and Salena's comment.

"I think so," I respond remembering how tired she looked, while she wouldn't admit it. "She needs some time to really recover, but I've seen her come back from worse."

"You two should tell me what happened," says Ja'far surprising me since I thought Leila told him at least some of it. "I've only been told bits and pieces and it's frustrating."

"I'll talk to her," I say earning a small glare from Ja'far. "I won't tell you anything unless she wants to tell you about it. I owe her that much at least."

"You two only knew each other for a few month," questions Ja'far, to which I nod. "I don't get how you two became so close."

I feel myself tensing remembering many of the times we spent dealing with problems and bad luck. "We've dealt with a lot more together than most people. And that's not even including this."

I go to say something else as I open the door, stopping as I spot Salena sound asleep in the bed and Leila sitting on the ground leaning up against the wall staring off into space.

"Weren't you supposed to be resting," I say noticing her jump a little bit, not having noticed me come inside.

"I couldn't sleep," she says standing up as I move to help her, only to have her wave me off. "I need to leave."

"What are you talking about," says Ja'far as I just look at her confused.

"Maader's still alive right?" I nod moving so Leila can't leave. "Then I'm going after her."

"No," I reply as Leila crosses her arms glaring at me. "Why the hell do you need to go after her? And why now?"

"I talked to Salena," she says looking towards the sleeping girl. "I wanted to kill Maader for what she did to us alone, but after what she said I can't stand by and let her get away with this."

I notice that she turns to Ja'far, who's refusing to look at her. "Ja'far did you happen to bring my metal vessels too? I can still go after her once we get back, but-"

"Shut up," yells Ja'far causing Leila to take a step back. I move a bit closer to her, not quite sure what's happening. "You're unbelievable. I felt bad, like I disappointed you, when the truth is that you're the disappointing one. I thought you were better than them, than Sham Lash, but you're just another killer. That's the only solution you've ever used to solve anything."

I watch as Leila seem to try to process all of this, not sure what to say. "I know," says Leila shrinking back from me, but there's this fire in her eyes.

I watch as without another word, she pushes past me and walks past Ja'far her body tense and shaking.

"What the hell," I say noticing Ja'far looking at me confused. "She's your sister."

"It doesn't matter," says Ja'far firm on his position. "She's a killer and that's all she'll ever be. She doesn't need to kill Maader, but she's adamant that she does. She's a bounty hunter, Sin. You need to realize that she's not a good person."

"You don't know her then," I say pausing knowing that finding her is more important right now than standing here and arguing. "I'm going to find her and I suggest you keep your distance for a while."

I go to exit pausing having one question to ask Ja'far. "Did she tell you why she was exiled?"

"No," says Ja'far not looking at me. "I think it's safe to assume she just didn't want to be a member anymore."

"You're wrong," I say noticing him look at me curious, but still angry. "She did it for you. She might have killed people, but for as long as I've known her it's always to protect people she cares about."