Disclaimer: I do not own Magi, its story, or the characters. That right belongs to Shinobu Ohtaka. I own the idea(s), and OCs contained within this story. And hope that you as read respect that. Please don't use the OCs without my permission, as she has been with me since I was six. On a different note, she and her other half are starring in another of my stories.

Author's Note: The story will take a bit of a faster twist and turn now. But as the 2.5 yr gap between the end of the Mandstadt war and Alibaba returning is free play, I will have some delicious story-altering fun. So if you do not like that, I politely ask you toturn around and leave now because I don't see the point in wasting your time and mine.

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war·ri·or /ˈwôrēər/

noun

(especially in former times) a brave or experienced soldier or fighter.

"the warrior heroes of ancient Greece"

Synonyms: Fighter, Soldier, combatant

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One year plus after Ren Kouen arrives on samon island.

Year 2, Month 15 (August), Day 30

Kouen's Pov

He watched in exasperation. The scene before him was ridiculous. It had been two and a half months since the double incidents involving himself and Lunaria. The latter had become shy and extremely modest around him. Something he found both cute and annoying.

Never would Kouen have thought he'd missed verbally sparring with someone.

"Dammit, you vile woman, release me!"

Kouen closed his eyes at Kouha's screams. Because he, Koumei, and Kouha had been training, something had been said at lunch, resulting in the current situation. A part of himself was glad he had not provoked Lunaria.

Koumei and himself agreed with Lunaria that to be an efficient fighter, having the ability to gain a tactical advantage on the battlefield (or training ground) was important. And Kouen knew what kind of fighter Kouha was. He'd trained him after seeing his talent in martial arts at a young age.

Kouen also knew his younger brother was brilliant. But as an emotional person and fighter. Thus affecting his rationale on the battlefield. Hence why Kouha was in his current predicament, hanging upside down on both feet from a rope attached to a palm tree.

"Lunaria, will you let him down?" Kouen asked, looking at the petite raven-haired girl.

"Yes, Kouen."

The soft reply had him pursing his lips. Lunaria had been so fierce, so now she was back to being demure.

Kouen knew she was still at odds with him. That if Lunaria met his gaze, she'd turn red from the roots of her hair to her toes.

He stayed silent as he watched Lunaria pick up one of the wooden training daggers, flip it with practice ease, and throw it with deadly accuracy. His eyes tracked it as it flew, slicing the rope, holding Kouha's legs, and embedding itself into the palm tree.

The loud thud followed by cursing Kouha and laughter from Koumei didn't register as Kouen looked back at Lunaria. He recalled some of his memories(dreams) of her home. There were wars, and she wasn't an average human or trained fighter.

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Kouha's Pov

Spitting out sand, Kouha sat up and glared at Lunaria. The past week had been the best yet since being exiled and her showing up.

Kouen had been training with Koumei and himself. It was bliss since he got out, still sparring later with Lunaria. However, he'd been pissed when Koumei finally explained what happened at the bath hut. Mostly at Koumei for setting the two up and making Lunaria passive in front of his elder brother.

Standing up, Kouha thought of how he had fallen into such an obvious trap. He was battle-hardened. He had been fighting since he was young, trained by Kouen himself. But Lunaria led him into a basic trap that was so obviously laid.

"Dammit," Kouha cursed, only to freeze when he met Lunaria's gaze.

Her eyes were bright and cold. And for a second, Kouha swore they were not the odd silver and brown concentric rings. It sent a chill down his spine before she smoked mockingly at him.

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Koumei's Pov

He couldn't help but admire the subtle tactics Lunaria had used. It proved she knew Kouha's personality well. This led him into a trap only a novice wouldn't notice.

And he could find no fault in her form, skills, or tactics to manipulate her opponent (His younger brother). Kouha still had the flaw of allowing his emotions to lead him while fighting.

But seeing the level of skill Lunaria displayed had Koumei re-evaluating her. Lunaria was an enigma he desired to figure out. Yet Koumei had given up on earning her affections as a man.

No, he enjoyed watching his elder brother and her poke each other in their obliviousness. Well, in the case of one person, his older brother. It was clear Lunaria was in love with Kouen, though rejected a lot. Two stubborn people provided hours of amusement and frustration for him.

And, of course, Koumei had been verbally flayed by Kouen for setting him and Lunaria up two months ago. Seeing his practically unflappable brother's ears turn red from embarrassment was amusing. Hence the 'training' Koumei had to endure again.

Even missing limbs, Kouen's talent for fighting and battle did not diminish.

"Koumei, what's so funny? You're smiling like a fool?"

At Kouens question, Koumei looked at his brother and glanced back at Kouha and Lunaria. The latter was taunting Kouha into a frenzy(again) while attempting to dodge his attacks.

"Ah, the children."

Shaking his head, Koumei smothered his need to laugh. He was aware Kouen didn't know how possessive and jealous he said with that simple three-word sentence. And that his brother was clueless about his own feelings or in serious denial.

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Lunaria Pov

Laughing, Lunaria skipped back from Kouha's punch. She was enjoying herself. No real thought floated in her mind. A pleasant state since she was acutely aware of Kouen's gaze on her. And she was still having issues looking at him with a particular and detailed image that seemed to overlap each time she met his eyes.

He was toned. In her opinion, he had a perfect body(in her opinion), and Lunaria knew he was neither thin, small, nor over-endowed.

Feeling heat rush to her face, Lunaria closed her eyes. A mistake as pain burst from her stomach as she sat down hard.

"Hey, you okay?"

Slowly cracking her eyes, Lunaria jerked back at how close Kouha was to her face.

"Damn, you are so red in the face. What were you thinking about getting distracted and embarrassed?"

Embarrassed was right, and she did not want to talk about it. Lunaria reached out and pulled Kouha into a hug. How still he became was a relief until a coldness from Kouens gaze met hers.

Looking away, Lunaria let her body fall back to the sandy beach, dragging Kouha with her. She was not ready to deal with him. However, he seemed to delight in making her act like an idiot!

TBC!