I am thinking over the possibility of searching for a beta reader, just to have a set of eyes searching for errors. If anyone is interested, feel free to contact me. For A03 readers, you might have to message me on T.u.m.b.l.r since as far as I know there is no inbox system. Or you can leave a comment and we can figure out a way to communicate.

Also, I'm working on finding a new username, so if you see my name change a whole bunch in the next few days, I'm just seeing what's available.


Chapter 2: The Memory

"Stay close to me, little one." The queen's gaze beamed down at her daughter.

"Yes mama," the young princess happily complied. The streets were nothing like the palace; with new people at every turn and an endless array of noises. Jasmine loved it.

She watched her mother smile to everyone they passed, while the others bowed politely back. The queen busied herself with a group of commoners, while the princess scanned the surrounding area. With so much to see there was an endless opportunity for adventure.

"Mommy, what's that?" The princess tugged at the woman's dress frantically, gazing at the new sites in fascination.

"One moment darling," the queen replied.

Jasmine huffed but her mother remained unmoved. She began stepping forward, testing her allowance of freedom. When no one stopped her, she continued her exploration.

"Hello princess!" She startled as a man address her from behind a cart. "Would you care for one of the finest baked cookies in all of Agrabah, young one?"

"No thank you sir," she smiled, knowing it was what her mother would have wanted. "Mama does not allow treats before dinner."

"I shall wrap it for you then!" He began covering the cookie in a cloth before holding it out for her to take. "You may eat it later."

"Thank you!" She happily accepted his gift before scurrying to the next table. So much of the sights were unknown to the princess and how exciting the new experience was. A flash of color caught her attention and she moved closer to see the pendant that caught her eye. It was in line with countless other gems and jewels, yet this one seemed to shine brighter than them all. It matched the teal of her dress and the stone was encased in the center of a carved silver cat. Her fingers reached out instinctively, to feel the smooth stone.

"I see the princess has good taste."

Jasmine jumped as the voice snuck behind her. She turned to see the cart's guardian, gazing upon her with the same expression that her father would use when caught sneaking an extra cookie from the servant's cart.

"I wasn't going to take it, honestly." She quivered and prepared for her scolding. The woman's expression changed as she reached past the child to grasp the pendant.

"Not to worry, your highness. You have your mother's eye for jewelry." The vendor began weaving the pendant unto a leather cord. "This gem comes from Sherabad, the queen's homeland. The tiger is a symbol of strength to them and strength is what you need, princess. One day, you will carry us all on your shoulders."

She smiled kindly to the princess before holding the necklace for her to take. Jasmine stared at it for a moment before meeting the woman's gaze in question.

"Take it, may it help you find your way." The necklace was pressed into her palms. Jasmine smiled widely at the gift and then back to the woman.

"Thank you!" she failed to mask her excitement. The lady nodded and waved her off before returning to her place behind the cart. Jasmine clutched the necklace close to her heart before placing it safely into her pocket.

She had planned to return to mother, but then the most curious sound caught her ear. It was a snap of sorts, like a twig breaking only louder and more frequent. Following the sound, she found herself weaving through the crowd.

The alley was dark up ahead, but the end was alit well enough to see the terrible sight. A boy laid on his belly atop an array of boxes, crying out each time the crack sounded again. The whip moved so quickly that it took a moment for the princess to understand what harmed him.

She raced forward, as quickly as her small legs allowed. People frantically moved to avoid colliding into the girl, annoyed at first until recognizing the crown upon her little head. Her heart pounded in fear and her lungs burned from the run, but mother's teachings were enough to drive her onward. 'Protect our people.' When she reached the boy, she was surprised to find that it was a man causing such pain.

"Stop it! You're hurting him!" she pounded her fists against the man's leg. She groaned with every punch but was thrown roughly to the ground with a thud.

"Away girl!"

"Fool! You struck the princess!"

Jasmine's hands moved to cover the pain at her forehead. She was confused by the attack, recalling mother's promise that no harm would ever befall her.

"Stop hurting him!" She cried through her own pain.

"The rat is mine to hurt, be gone girl." One man spoke confidently, while the other stared at her with widened eyes. Jasmine did not understand what was happening, she only understood what it meant when the man raised the long string.

"No!" She raced forward. Her feet caught and she fell a bit roughly over the boy. Her arms spread around his shoulders, knowing just enough to avoid the damaged skin at his back. She tensed and prepared to share in his pain.

"Stay your hand!" Her mother's voice was frightening even to the young child. Jasmine's clouded eyes watched as the men scurried to their knees while their heads bowed to the ground. Guards surrounded them both, holding threatening blades to their throats.

"Your majesty," they both cowered before their queen.

All fear vanished at the sight of her mother and after carefully lifting herself off the injured boy, she ran into the queen's arms.

"Are you alright, my dearest?" Her soft hands held her gently, examining the growing bruise at her forehead. "I told you to stay at my side."

"But mama…"

"No excuses, my child." The queen scolded firmly, though not un-kindly.

"But he's hurt, mama," she argued gently. "You said that it's our duty to protect people."

"Who is hurt?" The queen scanned over the two shivering cowards before noticing the small body hidden in the dirt. "Razoul! Fetch a healer immediately."

"Yes, your highness." The captain saluted before turning.

Jasmine ignored the scene behind her and instead focused her attention to the boy. She thought it odd that his body shivered while the sun was at its peak. She had only witnessed the sight of blood a few times before, the most being the moment she fell and skinned her knee in the courtyard. Remembering how vigorously she had cried at the pain from such a small wound, her stomach churned at the sight of the boy's back. Yet, despite all the marks and blood pooled at his skin, there were no tears in his eyes. He simply stared at her with lids half closed as if he was ready for sleep.

"You poor thing," the queen gasped while moving beside her, before lifting a hand to graze the boy's forehead. He flinched at the touch, but relaxed when no harm followed. "Jasmine, fetch me some water and a cloth."

She did as she asked and quickly collected a pale from a nearby cart.

"I will help you, your majesty." Hakim, a younger of the guards, moved beside her. As they gathered the water, the ferocious voice of the queen echoed behind them.

"What was this boy's crime?"

"He stole an apple, your majesty." One of the men groaned in response.

"And for that you take the law into your own hands? An apple is worth skinning a child to death?" Her voice rose to a terrifying tone. "Are you foolish enough to claim that this boy is in your care, whilst he lies clearly starved?"

"He earns his rations based on his work."

"Take these men away." The queen ordered in disgust. "Bring a loaf of bread and some meats for the boy."

Jasmine hurried back to him when her bucket was full and the woman thanked her with a smile. Taking the wet rag in her hands, she carefully began washing the dirt from his skin. Jasmine kneeled beside them both, awaiting her next order. It did not come until together they moved to help the boy to sit properly. The moment they forced the child's movement he finally began to sniffle. The queen softly hushed him with promises of relief.

"You cannot be a day over seven," the queen noted. "Where are your parents?"

The boy didn't answer. Instead, he began sobbing as if only just noticing his pain.

"Where is the healer? I shall return with salves. Jasmine," the queen stroked her daughter's cheek. "Help him take water."

"Yes, mama."

When left alone with the boy, she coaxed him to drink. Much time passed before his cries softened into mere sniffles. After a few gulps of water and some bites of her cookie, his eyes finally became more alert. However, as he gazed at the princess, a new wave of tears overpowered the child. Jasmine thought of her mother's treatment when handling her pain. Leaning forward, she placed a kiss the boy's forehead.

The boy tensed. All new tears had ceased as he stared at her strangely.

"I'm Jasmine," she introduced herself excitedly. "What's your name?"

He simply glanced at her and after a moment passed, they remained without speech.

"What's the matter? Can't you speak?" She asked.

"I don't have one anymore," he answered quietly.

"Everyone has a name!" She insisted. "Even baba's horse has a name. Though I call him Fluffy, because he has long hair."

"They call me street rat," he shrugged. His eyes fell to the spot where the men used to stand. "Where are they taking them?"

"I do not know." She replied honestly.

"I must go, quickly." The boy struggled to his feet.

"Wait!" Her hands clasped around his wrist. "You have to wait for mama! She will make you feel better."

"I have to get away from here," he gritted through the pain that all movement caused. However, the moment she tugged again he obediently stilled. "Those men will return, I must not be here when they do."

"Mama will help you," she promised with another tug at his hand. The boy glanced at their entwined fingers, feeling the smooth skin as if confirming its realness. When their gazes met again, he looked to her with sad eyes.

"I must go."

"Then I'll come back," she insisted.

"I won't be here," he shook his head.

"But, but…" Any proper words failed to find her. Glancing once more for her mother, her heart fell upon realizing that they remained alone. The boy looked ready to deny her once more, so Jasmine reached for the gift she'd been handed only a short while ago. The pendant was sloppily pushed into his hands and, recalling the vendor's words, she explained. "It will help you find your way."

"This?" His brow raised before he examined the tiger. "It's just a fairytale, princess."

"You have to bring it back," she ordered. "And mama can give you medicine and food. You have to promise."

The boy looked down the alley towards his freedom from both the princess and torture. Jasmine moved to pout with her hands on her hips, but was taught just enough to know that the people must obey her.

"Promise!" She insisted louder when he did not respond.

"Okay, okay," he smiled for the first time. "A week from today, I'll return. I promise."

The boy was unprepared for her tackle. Wincing from her forgetful arms as she placed a grateful hold around the child. Jasmine waited for him to return the hug, but the moment never came.

"What's the matter?" Her head tilted in question. Surely the boy knew how to hug?

"I was told to never touch the princess," he explained quietly.

"I don't mind. I like you," she simply smiled before taking his hand into hers. His brown eyes widened at the gesture, before meeting her gaze once more.

"Are you going to lead us one day?" He whispered.

"That's what mama says," she spoke excitedly.

"Will you remember me?" His voice nearly cracked as his desperate gaze fell upon her. "When you're queen, would you remember me?"

"Of course!" She answered without question. The boy blinked back tears before doing something very strange. He leaned forward, placing a warm kiss upon her forehead. A blush filled her cheeks as Jasmine watched him step backwards after offering his gift.

"Until next time, princess."

As the boy faded, Jasmine felt as if she was floating while her vision became cloudy. Scenes played out before her; memories of a little girl sobbing from the pain of losing her mother, to a tear-filled princess begging her father to take her back to the marketplace. For many days she would stare at the gates preventing her from reaching the boy, waiting for the guards to release her. She waited patiently for so long, holding on to the promise she had made. Never knowing that it would be left broken.

Jasmine woke to a throbbing headache. The stress and exhaustion from the previous day appeared to extend its punishment. The dream did nothing to soothe her, reminding her of the last moment she had been allowed outside the palace gates. Of the boy that captured her memory for a lifetime. Not even a week later, her mother was murdered while roaming the very same streets. When her mother had died, so too did Jasmine's promise to find the boy.

She often wondered what had happened to the child. The child who had been broken and abused within her own city. Her childish naivety had extended into years where she believed they would meet again, that he would forgive her abandonment. Her heart tumbled as she knew all too well that it had been nothing more than foolish fantasy. He likely reviled her for breaking their contract or, even more likely, he took the jewel and ran far away without ever looking back. Yet still, she could not help but wonder if her nameless friend was still out there, roaming the streets with her pendant; clinging to a broken promise. However, she knew better than to hope that the poor child had been given a future, knowing that he had most likely perished to his injuries in his youth. She was uncertain as to what had prompted her mind to replay the moment from so long ago, but her aching head did nothing to clear her thoughts. Groaning without thought, her tired arms moved to push her out of bed.

"Good morning."

Her entire body flinched at the voice. How could she have forgotten about him? Ali smiled while folding his makeshift sheets. At some point, he had changed into simpler clothes and based on his damp hair the prince had taken it upon himself to use her bath. Jasmine would have felt appalled if all her fears hadn't returned like a tidal wave slamming against her chest.

"I have some letters to write to my kingdom, but was hoping that you would join me for breakfast after?" He asked politely before adding. "It would probably be best to make an appearance side-by-side."

Her head continued to throb as she considered his words. There was no desire to spend time with him, however there was even less of a desire to extend this conversation. Wanting desperately for him to leave her chambers, she managed to nod.

"Shall I fetch your handmaid to help you change?"

"Please," her voice sounded pathetically weak. She attempted to clear it as quietly as possible.

Ali moved to open the door.

"Where would she… Whoa," he stiffened as the door opened on its own. An irritated growl followed the pitter patter of heavy footsteps. Jasmine sat up straighter to find Rajah shove himself through and the weight of a thousand suns slipped from her shoulders. She found herself smiling at her friend and waited anxiously as the tiger sniffed his hand.

To Jasmine's amazement, Rajah relaxed before brushing his large head against her captor. Ali tensed, but eventually moved his arm to pet the animal. "Friend of yours?"

If her jaw hadn't dropped in awe, she would have glared at the tiger. Ali rubbed behind the beast's ears, causing the animal to lean gratefully into the touch. His eyes closed to revel in the prince's massage.

"His name is Rajah," she finally answered.

"Rajah," he tested the name. Smiling as the tiger moved to lick his hand. "Nice to meet you too. I'll leave you two alone."

He nodded once more before closing the door behind him. Rajah's claws clicked across the floor as he moved to sit at her feet. Narrowing her gaze at her friend, she groaned at the large cat.

"Traitor."


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