Iago continued to take food from the tellers. Abu too, but not as much. He mostly ate at the palace in the morning and evening. But he just got hungry in the middle of the day, and everyone was so busy that he couldn't help it. It had started becoming a dangerous habit.

He had no idea what a certain man was planning for him.

There were also times when Al, Jasmine, Genie, and all of them were out on the streets checking things out to see how things were. And to have lunch sometimes.

Bahshir did get a glimpse of the bird sitting on his master's shoulder a few times. So, the bird did have a master. Maybe he would be willing to sell him. He recognized the white uniform prince look that the young man wore. He was the suitor to the princess. So, why did the bird and monkey have to steal if they had a master that was rich? He didn't care. He just wanted that bird. Besides, there weren't many parrots out here in the desert anyway. But he wanted to pay him back for all the stealing.

One day, Aladdin was just out walking the street without Iago or the genie. It was just him and Abu.

"So Abu, what do you want for lunch today?" Al asked his faithful friend.

Abu pointed to bananas and watermelon.

"Very well, that's what we'll have today, you and me." Al said and paid the teller for the food.

Bahshir decided to make his move after they had begun eating. "Hello there, Sire." he greeted.

Al and Abu stopped eating. Abu got nervous. He didn't like the look of this guy. He had a certain kind of trouble look to him. But he was smiling.

"May I help you, sir?" Aladdin asked.

"Yes. I have noticed some animals of yours that like to hang out in the marketplace nearly every day." Bahshir stated. "He's one of them."

"Abu is really independent. I hope he's not causing trouble." Al said.

Abu grinned innocently and nervously.

"Maybe, but I was thinking more along the lines of your pet parrot. Where is he?" Bahshir asked.

"My parrot? He's not exactly my pet, but what about him?"

"I'd like to buy him from you, if possible."

"You would want to buy my bird? No one ever has before." Aladdin said.

"Well, someone does now. Where did you get him? How much did you get for him? With the way he talks, he would be real useful to me in my dealings from town to town."

"Excuse me, who are you?"

"I am Bahshir Darwoud. I specialize in exotic animals and treasures. And, I see you have a very special parrot. Not any I've seen that can talk as good as he can. Will you sell him to me?" he asked again.

Abu found that a little funny. He started screeching in laughter. That guy wouldn't know what he would be in for with that parrot.

"Uh, Iago's not your typical parrot." Al said. "He's also independent and can have a loud mouth on him. He's very... opinionated. I got him from an old enemy. And it cost me nothing."

"Iago, huh?"

"Yes. I'm afraid he's not for sale, my friend." Aladdin said. "I'm sorry."

"I understand. He means something to ya."

"Yes." Al replied. Of course, Iago meant a little something to him. Rather they had a tough love kind of relationship, but Aladdin did care about him, and this guy did look like trouble.

"Very well. I'll be going then." Bahshir said and walked away peacefully. Not all the men here in the desert were so understanding, but if this boy wouldn't sell him the parrot, he would get him another way.

...

That night, at dinner, in the palace, even Iago was there at the table. Aladdin spoke up. "Everyone, you wouldn't believe this, but a guy approached me today in the marketplace, asking me if I would sell Iago to him."

Iago gasped and spit his food out. "What?!"

"Really? Who would want Iago?" the Sultan asked.

"I don't know, but he looked like trouble." Al said. "He said his name was Bahshir Darwoud."

"You weren't going to sell me, were you?" Iago demanded.

"No. He seemed to understand that you belonged here." Al said.

"Whew! I don't want to be sold anytime soon." Iago declared. "I'll decide who I live with."

"And you like living here in the palace?" Genie asked.

"Yes. Good food, comfy bed. Not struggling on the streets for survival." Iago stated.

"True." Jasmine agreed.

"But what did he want with me?" Iago asked.

"He said he understood about animals that are exotic. You had somehow caught his attention. It wouldn't have anything to do with you and Abu being in the marketplace nearly everyday, is it?" Al demanded.

"Uh, maybe." Iago replied nervously. "But I don't know who this man is."

"You might want to avoid the streets for awhile." Jasmine said.

"Okay." Iago said.

...

For the next few weeks, Bahshir watched for the signs of the parrot being out in the marketplace. He had a plan to capture the parrot for his own purposes. One way or another.

But there was no sign of the parrot or monkey for quite a while.

Bahshir kept some special grapes on standby in case he would happen to see Iago.

...

Aladdin and his friends had started going on some outings to help others in other places again. And an occasional treasure hunt. That was something that Iago and Abu loved to do. It was their favorite thing in the whole world. Though Abu loved his friends as well. Iago had a different meaning to the thought, but would do his part as needed. And sometimes he was cowardly just because he was trying to avoid getting hurt. And at times, he was being the smart one.