Chapter 7

Jasmine woke up earlier than usual with Raja sprawled out on the ground near her as usual. She would normally wake up much later, but this was before the sunrise even.

She tried to go back asleep, but eventually she decided to get up and start the day a lot earlier than she intended.

After freshening up and putting on her usual outfit, she decided to go to the tree and start trying to catch those leaves. She was going to prove to him that the belief he had in her was correct!

She passed the workout room when she heard the same whipping noise from last night when Ali was jumping rope last night.

How long has he been up? Jasmine thought as she walked in.

Ali was in the middle of the room jumping rope as sweat fell off him. His eyes were closed and his feet were really light when he jumped. He was hardly making any noise at all.

After about 5 minutes, he finally stopped with his eyes closed. He smiled before he spoke.

"Morning princess, why are you up so early?" Ali asked smiling at her.

"Not sure actually, I'm usually never up this early. And I told you to call me Jasmine." Jasmine said as she moved closer to him.

"Oh right. Well I need to freshen up. You want to meet in the garden after I'm ready?" Ali asked looking down at her.

Jasmine nodded. Ali waved as he left to freshen up. Jasmine started to make her way to the garden in deep thought.

She wanted to ask more questions about his past. She was even more curious now. But she also wanted to catch these leaves and start training with him. She had a feeling it would be fun! Besides how hard would take 10 leaves be?

She made her way to the same tree and backed her body into it watching the leaves fall. She was able to grab the first leaf no problem.

However, when she went to grab the second leaf, the first leaf slipped out of her hand easily!

She tried again and again and the same result happened! She began to grow discouraged. Could she really do this?

Ali finished freshening up and changed into his prince outfit. His weight was finally low enough to be in his weight class! But he wouldn't be able to fight until he headed back to Ababwa. He didn't think it would be going so well with Jasmine though. She really was something special.

She must've found out how difficult it is to grab the leaves. I wonder if she can really grab 10 by one week. She's determined, but that won't be enough. Ali thought as he made his way to the garden.

He sat down at the fountain and watched as Jasmine continued to grab the second leaf. He was a little amused when she stumbled and fell after another failed attempt.

Jasmine looked up and saw him watching and smirking.

"Oh real funny. You know I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't you." Jasmine said with a glare.

"Well you're the one who wanted to learn. This is me teaching." Ali replied as he walked over to her and offered his hand.

She accepted it and he pulled her up. They walked together and sat down near the fountain like yesterday.

"When did you get up Ali?" Jasmine asked curious.

"Around 2-3 hours ago." Ali said casually. It was a force of habit. He always got up early to train.

"That's so early!" Jasmine exclaimed. The sun was barely out when she got up! He was up way before that?!

Ali gave a small shrug before replying. "Habit is a scary thing." He said casually before leaning back. A comfortable silence overtook them.

Soon though, Ali noticed Jasmine begin to look a little sad. She twiddled her fingers together and her eyes looked a little downcast.

"What's wrong Jas?" Ali asked moving a little closer. The short version of her name went unnoticed by both of them.

"N-nothing." Jasmine said as she tried to deflect away from the question. However, Ali wouldn't have it.

"Come on, you can trust me. You don't have to tell me if you don't want too. But I don't like seeing you sad." Ali said as he scooted as close as he could to her.

"I'm just scared." Jasmine said as she looked up at him sadly.

Ali looked at her confused before answering. "Of me? I wouldn't do anything to hurt you or that you're uncomfortable with I promise."

Jasmine shook her head with a small smile and looked back up at him. "No not of you. I'm scared that I'll lose this with you. And then I'll have to deal with those annoying suitors trying to win my hand by treating me like an object. Not as a person like you."

Ali gave a look of understanding and nodded. "You won't. I'm tired of that too. I already feel more of a connection with you in one day than I ever felt with anyone else."

He felt Jasmine's eyes look deep into his as he continued speaking. "In the time we were together yesterday, you cared about me as a person, didn't treat me like a prize, and actually listened to me. It's crazy how much of a connection I feel with you so fast."

Jasmine grinned and Ali grinned right back as he pulled her into his arms. They stayed like that for a little while until Jasmine spoke.

"Ali?" Jasmine asked looking up at him. She wrapped her arms around him pulling him closer.

"Yeah?" Ali replied looking down at her.

"Will you tell me more about your past? I want to know more about you." Jasmine asked. She made sure to look deep into his eyes.

"Yeah of course!" Ali said as he grinned. "But I would like to know more about you too."

"Just ask and I'll tell you." Jasmine replied.

"Ok, but first I have a surprise for you." Ali said looking away.

"What kind of a surprise?" Jasmine asked curious and a little suspicious.

"Just go outside your balcony during the night and you'll see." Ali said looking back and smirking at her. He couldn't wait to see the look on her face!

"Wait what?" Jasmine asked stunned. What kind of a surprise was this?!

"Just trust me. It's not anything bad." Ali replied trying to assure her. It wasn't anything bad. But it definitely was unique.

"Ok if you say so." Jasmine said narrowing her eyes. Ali only gave a reassuring smile in return forcing her to look away smiling as well.

"But anyways, how's the leaf grabbing going?" Ali asked.

Jasmine looked down sadly before replying. "Not so good. I can't grab the second leaf."

Ali stood up and walked to the tree and hit the bark making the leaves fall. He grabbed the first leaf and waited a little while before grabbing the second leaf.

"Did you notice how I grabbed the second leaf?"

Jasmine watched as she saw how quick his wrist was. He gave a snap like motion and pulled it in as fast as possible. She needed to build her speed up!

"Yes. But can't you just show me how to fight normally?" Jasmine asked exasperated. She never worked towards something like this before and it was tough.

"I was given a similar condition when I had to learn how to box as well." Ali said looking back at the tree.

"You has to grab leaves too?" Jasmine asked as Ali walked back towards her and sat down.

"Yeah. But for me, it was 10 leaves in 3 days." Ali said looking down at her.

"Just 3 days?!" Jasmine asked astonished. "And you were able to do it?"

"Yes." Ali said. "But it took me all 3 days. I never left the tree."

"What about sleeping and eating?"

"I didn't. I passed out when I was exhausted and didn't eat anything either."

Jasmine looked at him worriedly. How reckless was he?! "Is that even safe?" She yelled at him in alarm.

"Probably not." Ali said with a smirk. "I'm a pretty reckless guy. When it comes to political stuff, I think well and make decisions with a clear head. But when it comes to fighting, I'm definitely the most reckless guy ever."

"Well please try not to be to reckless. I'll worry." Jasmine said

"I'll try but I make no promises." Ali replied crossing his arms.

"Please?" Jasmine asked again as she moved closer. A look of longing in her eyes.

Ali shook his head with a fond smile. She already acted like a concerned wife. It would be nice, going back home to someone caring that wants him to return safe. He put his hand on her head and leaned closed so their foreheads were touching.

"I'll try to make sure you don't worry too much. Thank you for caring so much." Ali said as he pulled her in for a hug.

"You don't have to thank me. I don't want you hurt or being to reckless." Jasmine replied while nuzzling her head into his chest.

"Alright I'll be safer for you. But anyways, go let's go eat breakfast." Ali said as they both got up. Jasmine latched onto Ali's arm and they both walked to eat breakfast.

The Sultan was waiting in the room as they both walked arm and arm together into the room.

"Ah Jasmine and Ali? How is everything this fine morning." The Sultan asked both of them.

"I'm having a nice morning father." Jasmine replied.

"Yeah same here." Ali replied after Jasmine.

"Well Jafar won't be joining us, he said he was busy and needed to take care of something." The Sultan said as he started eating his food.

"Oh that's too bad." Ali said in mock disappointment. He sent a small smirk Jasmine's way.

"Yes that's too bad." Jasmine said repeating the same tone Ali had and returning his smirk. It was nice that they both hated him.

They sat eating in comfortable silence with Jafar gone. The Sultan asked the same questions about marriage towards Ali that Jasmine would normally get angry at. But Ali answered the questions with ease and maintained that he wanted to know Jasmine properly as a person before jumping into marriage. Jasmine agreed with it as they all finished breakfast and went there separate ways.

"I'll see you both for dinner!" The Sultan exclaimed as he went to his quarters. Ali and Jasmine waved as he left.

"Well I'm gonna play some games with my friends. Wanna come with?" Ali asked smiling.

"Yeah! I'd love to meet them." Jasmine replied taking his arm.

"Alright just try not to be shocked when you meet them." Ali said as they walked towards the room.

A/N: Jasmine meets the gang! But it'll be my twists on how they met. The circumstances will definitely be different!