I do not own Magi.


Enigma

Bonus Chapter:

The Troubles of a Teacher and the Tales of a Student


And the air grew warm around her, flames threatening to engulf her form as she bared her sword against the masses against her.

Silver eyes, tainted blue, shone fiercely, shimmering, smoldering as she grinned, raising her sword above her head. They raised their staffs, chants leaving their lips, but she paid it no heed, sliding her eyes shut as she pressed her lips to her blade, the heat warming beneath her touch.

"Raum."

And there was a flare and a heat beyond any scorched through her, warming, threatening, but not burning. She felt the slow grow of horns over her head, the scales that began to adorn her body, and the heat that flickered of her sooty locks as she curled slightly clawed nails around her sword, grinning feral at the so-called priests before her.

"Destroy the beast."

Her eyes shone.

"I dare you."

And with a lunge she was running, flames licking at her feet, burning, faster, faster, until—

"Kali."

What?

"Kali."

This was her battle, what did he want?

"Kali!"

Gray eyes stained blue flickered open, and Kali blinked, eyes adjusting to the sudden brightness shining through the window beside her as she paused, sluggishly turning her eyes this way and that. Her cheek rested against her palm, head titled towards the window, and Kali yawned, rubbing her head messily. "What?"

The other students in the class snickered or giggled, and Alibaba a seat behind her nudged her chair as she blinked fully into focus this time. Before her eyes could settle on anything else, they landed on long, silky purple locks, falling down before her. There was a moment of silence before she turned her eyes upwards, and her history-government teacher beamed down at her, calloused fingers drumming along his book as he grinned.

Ah.

It seemed she was not in some fantasy world where she was destined to save the world, but still a regular student here at Magi Academy.

And her teacher, Mr. Sinbad, was not a charismatic king, but a teacher, currently smiling eerily at her.

"Glad to see you finally join us here in the real world," Mr. Sinbad drawled, causing the class to snicker as Kali blinked, idly flipping a page over her doodles of her in her transformed form.

"I wouldn't miss it for anything," Kali said sincerely, offering Mr. Sinbad a crooked grin. "I love your class."

A look flickered through Sinbad's eyes before he arched a brow, leaning back. "Really? Enough to fall asleep in the middle?"

"In my defense," Kali offered, making idle circles with her finger across her desk as she beamed up at one of her grudgingly favorite teachers. "I was up rather late finishing an essay for Mr. Ren's ideals on unification."

Sinbad's gaze flickered, as if displeased by the news, but it was gone and he hummed, drumming his fingers along taut muscles threatening to peek from beneath his collared shirt and tie. "I see."

Kali beamed.

"Then please do begin reading from where we left off," Kali pouted, letting out a sad sigh as she began to leaf through her book. "And do see me after class."

"Yes, sir."


To be honest, Kali considered herself a fairly good student.

She got average grades, excelling in her history-government class, passing her math and science, though her grade was very sensitive in her economics and politics class with Mr. Ren, overall, she was doing pretty fair.

Her record was not the cleanest, she'd give them that. She'd had her history of detentions, and she did have a bad habit of disappearing from classes without warning, but otherwise, she was a good student.

"Get back here you little punk!"

Kali's legs pumped faster, a wicked grin split on her lips despite herself as her necklace thumped over her chest, feathered ornament bouncing against the side of her head as she slid past two girls and over a student picking up his things. "You're going to die tonight, Kali!"

"Oh, come on," she turned on her heel, flashing the large muscled students behind her—were they really high school students?—a wide grin, eyes glittering. "All I did was...decorate your lockers!"

"Why don't you hold still so we can decorate your face?"

"I'm not really into make up!" Kali adjusted her knee high socks, pulling down her skirt—she should really try to get that dress code removed—and took off running, laughing wildly. "Besides, you wouldn't want the teachers catching drift of that little cult going on, right?"

"You little bi—"

"See ya!" Kali leapt over the side of the stairway, landing gracefully on the ground and startling the students around her.

"K-Kali-senpai?" She glanced up, Alibaba's eyes wide as he gathered his books together. "What are you doing?"

"Running from bullies." She answered simply, brushing off her shirt, adjusting the collar before she added. "Hey, could I borrow the notes from politics? I hate Mr. Ren's lectures."

"I know the feeling," Alibaba rolled his eyes, puffing out his chest. "The world should be one. There is no need for different powers struggling to survive."

"We should erase all ideas of diversity," Kali added, deepening her voice as her back went rigid. "The world will thrive under one ruler."

"If war is necessary, then it shall be done."

"Sacrifices must be made for the greater good."

"One world—"

"One true king." Kali finished.

The two were silent before they burst into laughter, tears springing in their eyes as Kali gripped her stomach. "Oh my god, should he really be—"

Alibaba had stopped, frozen and she blinked, a chill running down her spine before she chuckled, standing up and adjusting her tie. Her friend's golden eyes flashed alarmingly and she sighed, running a hand through her hair before she turned, a bright smile on her face.

"Hi, Mr. Ren!"

Eyes like flames, smoldering, intense, gazed flatly back at her. Suit prim, pressed, the ideal teacher look really. Mr. Kouen Ren gazed down at the students before him, Alibaba shifting nervously while Kali continued to grin, bright despite the slow sweat building up at her temple. "Kali."

"We were just talking about your class actually," Kali started, clasping her hands behind her back as she beamed, and had it been anyone else, she would have looked nice and innocent.

Ren Kouen was not anyone else.

"Were you?" He blinked, inkling his head as he slid his arms over his toned chest. "I thought you were having issues in my studies."

"Oh, I get them fine," Kali nodded her head politely. "The ideals are just very... conflicting to what I'm used too."

"I see." Kouen drawled, and Kali continued to beam, silver eyes shining brightly while Alibaba slowly inched his way backwards from the stand off about to occur.

"But otherwise—" Kali's eyes fluttered wide in surprise as Kouen stepped forward, his towering height forcing her to take a step back, her grin faltering as she laughed nervously. "Mr...Ren?"

"If that's the case, then there are plenty of options." Kouen titled his head downwards, and Kali suddenly had the impression that she was cornered by a tiger, and she had nothing but the clothes on her back to defend her. "I am after school most days; we can work around your...schedule, and have side lessons to give you a different outlook on this."

"Oh, that's not—"

"And understand, Kali," she shuddered at her name and Kouen's eyes narrowed, flickering flames. "That these lessons are not optional. Not unless you'd like to repeat my class for another year."

"Another—but it's my last year here!" Kali protested, brows furrowing. "And I've got enough credits to see me through—"

"I expect to see you after school, starting today." Kouen said finally. The girl blinked in disbelief at the fact that she had no room to argue at all.

Resigned, but not completely through Kali allowed her shoulders to slump. "Yes, sir."

Kouen's eyes flashed, looking slightly pleased and he moved to turn when Kali added. "But I can't today, is it alright if we start tomorrow?"

"Why not today?"

"I have to meet with Mr. Sinbad after class."

Kouen froze, his eyes narrowing as he slowly turned his body back around to face his—though troublesome—semi-favorite student. A strange look, one like she'd seen on Mr. Sinbad earlier flickered across his face. "Mr. Sinbad?"

"I fell asleep in his lecture today, so he asked to see me after school." Kali shrugged. "It's my fault really, so nothing I can do about it."

"I see." Kouen looked thoughtful for a moment. "I'll speak with him then, just be there after school."

"Of course!" Kali beamed. "I don't mind spending extra time with one of my favorite teachers."

Kouen's ears perked at that, red eyes slowly turning back to her, languidly. Despite the disbelieving look on his face she nodded her head honestly. "I think Mr. Sinbad's a pretty cool guy."

Ah.

His eyes narrowed slightly, but before another word could be said Kali blinked, her eyes widening at the sight behind him as she grinned suddenly. "Well, I've got to go now, sorry for the trouble Mr. Ren, see you after school!"

With that she was gone, disappearing as if she'd never been there as she dragged Alibaba along with her and sprinted down the hall. Kouen's eyes narrowed, but a rough figure suddenly pushed into him and he stopped, tensing. "That bitch is getting away!"

Kouen's eyes turned into slits.

"Stupid little—wait till we get our hands on her. We'll see where she's running off to after we're through."

Yes, Kali was a very, very troublesome student. But Kouen was not so childish as to ignore the fact that he was very fond of her, to a point where he would certainly pry if she were to be involved with something bad.

The tough kids from before scowled, rubbing their heads. "Watch it old...man?" Their eyes went wide as they realized just what teacher they'd bumped into. Kouen turned fully, and the two teens stiffened, faces paling as they took a step back.

"Shall I remind you two about the rules on campus?"

They'd awakened the beast.


"Eh? Kali-senpai, why have I been hearing rumors that you've been running around from gang members?"

Kali blinked, her mouth curved around her straw as she drank her carton of vanilla flavored milk. Kougyoku fluttering worriedly about her as her brows furrowed. "I just had a few bad run ins with them is all. They've been causing some trouble around so school so I figured I'd give them a little trouble back."

"Kali-senpai that's dangerous!" Kali smiled as Kougyoku's eyes went wide. "You could get hurt, or shot, or—well, I'm sure my brother would never let one of his students get hurt, but still!"

"Oh, I'll be fine." Kali fondly rubbed the younger girl's head, offering her a small smile as she added cheekily. "But it's nice to have someone worrying over me."

Kougyoku blushed, stuttering until a shoulder wound its way over Kali's shoulders and she blinked. "But you shouldn't underestimate those kids, kitten."

"No." She agreed, carefully turning to a smirking Judal with a bright smile. "But I think I can handle kids who can't even pass English."

"Not everyone's got teachers playing favorites for them," Judal smirked when Kali's eyes narrowed. "Only a matter of time before they offer up some extra credit—"

"Judal!" Kougyoku slapped her notebook over the black haired teen's head, causing him to shoot her a glare. "Don't talk about En—I mean, Mr. Ren that way!"

"I wasn't just talking about him—"

"I'd rather watch out for him than Mr. Sinbad," a new voice chimed, and firm hands grasped Kali, plucking her from the Ren family's arms as they pulled her along. Kali blinked as Sharrkan smirked. "It's your teacher who needs to be careful."

"Please, have you seen Sinbad? That guy is just screaming 'sleep with me'—"

"This is really gross guys." Kali frowned, Sharrkan's arms wrapped around her neck as he pulled her to his chest, glaring daggers at the other two who glared back. "Can we not talk about our teachers like they're possible pedophiles—"

"I wouldn't be surprised if it were on Sinbad's record." Another voice added, and Kouha tugged at Kali's shirt, narrowing his eyes as Sharrkan glared, keeping his grip firmly on the girl. "And shouldn't you be on your way, senpai? The dumpster group is that way."

"Why you little—"

"Juniors should show more respect to their seniors." Kali's circulation was cut off when a pair of well endowed breasts suddenly cut off her breathing options. Yamraiha wrapped her arms fondly around Kali, Sharrkan fuming beside her as she narrowed her eyes at the other students. "Isn't your class about to begin, kids?"

Kougyoku flushed, Judal narrowed his eyes and Kouha stuck his tongue out, turning his head. "Hag."

"What was that?" Yamraiha snapped, flames igniting around her as she towed Kali along with her and stomped forward. "I dare you to—"

"Hahaha, Yam, I think Kali can't breathe!" Pisti chimed in; popping up from the tree she'd been sitting in with the birds perched on her shoulders. "She looks really pale."

"Wha—Kali-chan!" Yamraiha pulled Kali away, swirls in the girl's eyes as she swayed unsteadily on her feet.

"H-hello, Yam..."

"Stupid hag." Kouha muttered.

"You idiot!" Sharrkan jerked Kali from the blue haired girl's grip. "You killed her!"

"She isn't dead you brute! Like it's that easy—you're so stupid!"

"Says the one who just crushed her!"

"You want to go—"

Kouha tip toed over, slipping his arms around Kali's waist and pulling her toward the other two. Pisti whistled and Yamraiha and Sharrkan looked up, eyes widening as Kali rested in the arms of a smirking Kouha. "She's better off hanging out with us anyway—way better than you losers."

"What was that?" Yamraiha spat, glaring evilly.

"Kali was ours first!" Sharrkan snapped, surging forward and grabbing Kali's arm while Kouha stubbornly clutched onto the other. "You guys just keep following her around and stalking her!"

"You're too clingy!"

"Stop trying to hook her up with your gross brother!"

"Stop supporting her relationship with a guy who's practically old enough to be her dad!"

"A few years—a few! Stop trying to share her amongst your creepy little family!

"At least we can share!"

"Tell your brother to shave first!"

"Tell him to get a hair cut!"

"Guys, this is starting too—" Kali was cut off as she was jerked, her arms suddenly spread out wide as Sharrkan, Yamraiha, and Pisti pulled on one arm, Kouha, Judal, and Kougyoku pulling on the other. Really, really hurt...

Kali's eyes darted around, suddenly wishing she could just disappear when her eyes locked onto a laughing group of four. Her eyes met deep blue and Aladdin blinked from across the hall. Kali's eyes were pleading and Aladdin glanced to his three friends.

Hakuryuu nodded, Alibaba shaking his head while Morgiana nodded curtly. Aladdin smiled and he and Alibaba cupped their hands over their mouths.

"Eh? Someone has the photos from last year's school festival!"

Kali blanched at the topic while the six around her froze, glints flickering through their eyes as they turned their heads. Not wasting a second she slipped from their grip, gently setting a confused freshman in her place as she took off running down the hall.

Last year's festival. Kali laughed nervously, glancing to the side. Wasn't that eventful...

Images of maid costumes and cold hard desk tops flickered through her mind and she shuddered, pumping her legs faster until she was sure the hallway was clear.

A sigh of relief left her lips and she slumped in front of a classroom door. She'd just wait it out here until the bell for the next class rang. Then she just had to play it safe until she made it home. Maybe she could get Cam to pull her out early...

"There she is!" Kali froze, looking up in surprise as two bullies from before—was it her or did they look kind of...beat up? "Get her!"

"I'd love being so popular if I wasn't being chased all the time." Kali grinned and flashed them a wave before she ducked into the classroom, jerking the door shut behind her and turning.

Her eyes widened and she paused at the dozens of eyes that gazed at her panting form, looking confused and bewildered. Sinbad at the head of the class blinked; chalk in hand as he took in her appearance. "Kali? What are you doing—"

"Gotta go!" She sprinted past the front of the room as the door behind her slammed open.

"Stop her!" Sinbad's eyes flashed, flickering to the students chasing after his girl—ehem, student. But then his mind clicked and he turned as Kali skidded to a halt in front of the window. "She can't go anywhere—"

"Kali, don't you dare!" Sinbad rounded around his desk, headed towards the girl as his eyes widened. She wouldn't.

Kali glanced back and she grinned, propping the window open and crouching on the edge.

She would.

"We're on the second—" Kali let out a hoot and jumped, Sinbad's eyes widening as he rushed to the window, only to blink as she poked her head out from the tree branch beside them, shaking leaves from her hair. "Floor..."

"Thanks for caring," Kali added, offering him a cheeky grin that he would find endearing had he not been ready to grab her and haul her off to the nurse or his own office. "But I've got to run, see you after school Mr. Sinbad!"

Without another glance she quickly scaled the tree, landing on the floor and stumbling before she continued to run. Sinbad blinked, somewhat stupefied by the events that had just occurred when two bodies slammed into him from behind and he paused.

"Damn it, she got away!"

"That bitch is going to pay; we can't look like idiots again!"

Slowly Sinbad straightened his back, adjusting his tie as he gazed forward with a dead pan, golden eyes flickering dangerously.

"She's headed down, class is about to start and we can get her at her next class—"

"Now," the two froze, paling as Sinbad slowly turned, a bright, charming grin adorning his features despite the waves of danger rolling off of him. "Which one of you would like to explain why you're chasing one of my students around school, addressing her with such profane language, and plotting her capture?"

They realized then, that they'd really picked the wrong person to go after at this school.


Teachers do come in handy sometimes. Kali looked thoughtful, swinging her arms by her sides as she smiled, on her way to her next class, not a care in the world knowing she could easily slip past those idiots should they come her way again. But I should play it careful until the day is over... Can't get into another fight again.

Kali slid the door open to her next class, a few minutes before the bell as she slipped into the classroom and to her seat. She flashed Kouen a bright grin before taking her spot by the window toward the front of the class, setting her things down and leaning back in her chair.

"Where'd you go?" Fingers played with her hair and Kali blinked as Kouha pouted, looking at her through half narrowed eyes. "You ran off so fast not even Judal could find you."

"Not my fault you were all distracted with the idea of last year's festival." Kali shuddered. "Besides, I was about to lose both arms there."

"We only wanted to prove who you should hang out with," Kouha pouted, his brows furrowing. "You should make it clear you like us better."

"I don't like you guys better." Kali reminded gently, tilting her head to allow Kouha to begin braiding her hair as she added. "I don't like either of you guys better. I don't have a specific group, I like to wander around."

"You should consider settling, like my brother." Kouha jumped onto the topic, his eyes sparkling. "Get married young; you don't have all the time in the world you know."

"Kouen—Mr. Ren is getting married?" Kali looked up in surprise and Kouha rolled his eyes.

"He's considering looking for someone. Father's tried to set him up with tons of women, but he always sends them back without a second glance." Kali hummed, faintly interested, but she didn't exactly want to pry into the family business. Kouen was a good teacher to her, despite their rivaling views, and she'd gladly want to know if he were in trouble. "But the other night they got into a fight and Kouen just smirked and said he's waiting for someone."

"Surprisingly romantic for a guy like him." Kali blinked, resting her head on her chin. "He looks like the type to toss the ring in your face and drag you to court."

"Oh, he would." Kouha mused, tightening her braid and Kali winced. "But there's just some...complications this time."

"Well, she must be nice if he's willing to wait for her." Kali looked thoughtful, tilting her head back. "What's she like?"

"Wild." Kali jumped, Kouha grinning silently as Kouen responded from his desk, flipping through essays. "Unkempt, fierce, loyal, naïve, cunning, and despite the fact that she can come off as a street rat..."

Kouen glanced upwards, meeting Kali's gaze, and the girl was silent as he gazed at her, enthralled by the flames in his eyes as he blinked slowly. "Beautiful."

Must be nice... Kali grinned, leaning forward. "Well, I hope I have a spot at this wedding whenever it happens. She sounds pretty cool."

Kouen's lips twitched upwards, Kouha stifling his laughter as he turned his head. Kali frowned at the unified response until the younger Ren patted her shoulder.

"Don't worry, your spot is guaranteed."


"Now," Sinbad took a seat on his desk, leaning back and crossing his arms over his chest as he offered the girl in front of him a bright, shining grin, golden eyes shimmering and enchanting. "What's this I hear about you getting involved with gang members?"

"Gang members?" Kali looked surprised, brows furrowing at her teacher. "This school has gang members?"

"Unfortunately, some students don't make the wisest of choices." Sinbad tugged at his collar, the bells that sounded for school to end had rung long ago, and he wanted nothing more than to button down and relax, but there were...pressing matters to attend too. "But I'm sure you're familiar with that, aren't you?"

"Hey, I stick to ditching class and the occasional prank." Kali held her hands up, palms splayed. "I'm not involved with any gang members."

"Then why did you have to jump from a two-story window to escape two particular students earlier today?" Sinbad drawled, his golden eyes flashing as Kali grinned. "And I'm writing you up for that by the way."

"More time with you." Kali sighed. "Wonderful."

"Kali." Sinbad shoved aside her comments and banter and narrowed his eyes, lacing his fingers together and leaning forward, and a wave of spices she couldn't identify wafted over her. "As your teacher... as your friend, I'm worried about you."

The sudden sincerity in his voice made her look to him, silver eyes gazing into gold silently. Despite the age difference, Kali had grown up around this man, knowing him when he was just a teenager, before this school and everything else. Sinbad gazed at her, unrelenting, waiting. "Are you alright?"

"I got back at some kids who messed with Alibaba and Kassim." Kali leaned back into her chair, pulling her legs up so she could circle her arms around her knees as she looked thoughtful. "Al Thamen, that weird little gang going around." Sinbad's eyes flashed and she waved him away before he could say anything else. "Just a little prank though. But I guess they don't take to kindly to being made fools out of, so the goons just have it out for me."

She flashed him a bright grin. "Nothing I can't handle."

"Which is why," Sinbad added, leaning forward so that he towered over her and Kali blinked. "You had to visit the nurse today."

"...I didn't think I was feeling well."

"You received several bandages." Sinbad corrected, tapping her left hand she winced. "Here." His fingers trailed up her arm, stopping at her shoulder. "Here." Kali glanced to the side and his fingers drew to a halt on her cheek, curving to faintly cup it as he wiped his thumb over, a trail of make up following after him and revealing a bruise beneath. "And here."

"Your power over the nurse is amazing," Kali commented, not moving her head from where his hand cupped her cheek as she grinned. "Remind me not to tell her anything important."

"Kali." Sinbad's eyes narrowed and he turned her head so she was looking at him. Dark locks framed her face and Kali's expression was calm, soft, actually, as Sinbad resisted the urge to pound his fist against the desk. "You're hurt."

"It's not that bad," she reached up and touched his hand, bringing it away from her face, but his fingers slipped through hers and he gazed down at her as she looked thoughtful for a moment. "And you know I can handle myself."

"You expect me to look away when one of my students are being bullied?"

"Bullied? I am not being bullied—"

"They've been expelled." Kali stopped as Sinbad's voice grew harder, more demanding, forcing her to listen as he swept on. "You could be suspended—when things like this happen, you're supposed to tell your teachers—not take matters into your own hands."

"I didn't think it would get—"

"You don't think." Sinbad agreed, leaning forward, and Kali could only remain silent, understanding that she had made him worry. "You just act. You do—you never think about what might happen to you."

"I get it." Kali said quietly, looking to Sinbad earnestly, and while he should have been the one stopping her with his eyes, the gold was getting pulled into pools of silver, her gray eyes flickering. "And it's nice, really, to hear you worried, but Sin..."

Her face hardened and Sinbad inwardly cursed at the expression, how was he supposed to get through to her? "But you're my teacher. A friend, one of my closest, yes, but while you're my teacher, the worry you should have for me has limits."

Rude, she knew, but she had to say it. I have to take matters into my own hands. "I can handle myself." I always have.

Sinbad withheld an aggravated sigh, running a hand through his hair when he paused. A sudden thought raced through his mind, devious, risky, but oh so tempting as he arched a brow at the thought. Golden eyes slyly turned to the girl still sitting at the desk, gazing out towards the window in thought.

You could get fired for this.

Well. Sinbad loosened his tie, popping the top buttons. I was never one for rules anyway... Besides, she does graduate in a few months...

This should be, so, so wrong.

"Are you saying then," Sinbad began suddenly, and Kali was pulled from her thoughts by the shift above her, but she didn't look to him. "That if I weren't your teacher, I could worry about you... differently?"

"Putting it in weirder words, but sort of." Kali frowned before explaining. "Right now, you're my teacher. I'm you're student. It's not like we're anything else aside from friends, so you shouldn't worry that much."

"Then if I'm not your teacher," Kali stiffened when the hand on her hand tightened, and she suddenly realized it wouldn't let go that easy. "Or your friend..."

Sinbad's hand slipped beneath her chin, fingers titling her head upwards and Kali blinked, looking absolutely dumbfounded as Sinbad gazed back at her, golden eyes smoldering. His shirt—when did he get those buttons undone?—rumpled slightly, and the girl's mind began to race as she realized something, very, very wrong was happening here.

"But perhaps," Sinbad titled his head downwards, his breath ghosting over her lips. "Something else. I could worry about you otherwise?"

"Y...Yes?" Kali replied slowly. Run. Run. Run. Run.

"Then if I were your lover," Kali froze, and Sinbad's head dipped lower. "I would have a different stand in the matter?"

"I would...think so." Kali was suddenly aware of every exit in the room, and the pressing fact that she was currently blocked off from everyone. "But what a thought that would be...haha, right... Mr. Sinbad?"

"Please," his fingers gripped her chin, and Kali paled, her eyes widening like saucers as the situation hit her like a freight train and—dear Solomon her teacher was basically saying, well, he was basically implying that we wanted to be more than friends. What the hell do I do?

She snapped back into attention, slowly trying to inch her head back only to back up, nearly toppling from her desk and onto the table as Sinbad loomed over her, nearly pinning her from this angle. His eyes, mischievous, smoldering, burning so bright she felt she'd be melted whole, met hers and he smirked.

"Just Sin is fine."

Holy Solomon my teacher is hitting on me—Sinbad is hitting on me—I'm stuck in a classroom with him for the next several hours... Kali's eyes went wide with fear. I mean, it's not like he's going to rape me or something, but if this... What if—

Sinbad...likes me?

WHAT THE HOLY HELL—

"Fast!" Her free hand shot up, slapping over his lips and shoving his head back. Sinbad jerked, startled and nearly knocked from his mood—nearly—as he blinked at Kali, arching a brow.

"Fast—"

"What is even going on?" Kali spluttered, laughing nervously as her cheeks flushed. "Weren't we just talking about how irresponsible I am? This is a really, really big turn of events—I mean, we should start those punishments—"

"If you want to be punished," Sinbad's eyes darkened. "That can be arranged."

"—and write those detentions! How many do I get again? Jumping from windows and ditching class is really bad—"

Sinbad watched the girl flounder about before him with an air of bemusement before he leaned forward, his arms on either side of her as she blinked, cowering slightly as she paled. "...Mr. Sinbad?"

"Kali." Sinbad gazed evenly at the girl before him. Years of dancing around her and he knew the only way to really strike home was to be upfront. "I am saying, through my actions right now, that I am in love with you."

"L-L-L-Love?" Kali squeaked, and Sinbad nodded encouragingly.

"And I want to kiss you right now."

"K-K-K-Kill?"

"Kiss, Kali. I want to kiss you. Very passionately, might I add."

"B-B-But—" Kali stuttered, eyes darting back and forth as she backed up, only to find her back pressed to a desk.

"And yes, I do understand that what we are doing right now is, in standards, illegal, and I may lose my job." Kali nodded her head rapidly. Sinbad smirked, his fingers winding around her tie as he jerked the knot, and with a flourish it came free.

Kali's eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape as Sinbad smiled devilishly at her. "We just have to do our best not to get caught then, don't we?"

"Wait one second—"

"And your voice may be a problem in a few minutes." Kali's eyes went wide and she did her best to bring Sinbad to a halt as he nonchalantly leaned over her, fingers beginning to tug down her high socks. "But we can fix that."

"M-Mr. Sinbad—"

"Sinbad."

"Sin!" Kali grabbed the man's face in her hands and he blinked, rolling those burning golden eyes up to meet hers. "A moment! Don't you think this is too fast?"

"Some say the best relationships start off from one night stands," the purple haired male shrugged, smiling charmingly at her as she paled when her shoes hit the floor, her socks soon to follow. "But I assure you, this will not be just a one night stand."

"Hold up—ack!" A muffled cry left her lips and Sinbad nearly pounced, the two toppling from the desks and onto his in the center of the room, papers flying this way and that.

Muffled cries and squeaks were all that could be heard and Kali was suddenly beginning to realize that she wished more than anything to have the powers of teleportation right now when the door slid open and the two froze.

Burning, searing red eyes blinked once at the sight before him.

Sinbad gazed at Kouen evenly, undeterred despite the fact that his hands were on Kali's vest, mid button down as he pinned the girl to his desk. Kali's eyes were wide, her hands on Sinbad's shoulders and her cheeks flushed as she blinked, horror and relief and a battle of all sorts of emotions flickering through her.

Kouen will surely do something, right? Kali's head shot up and she tried to weasel her way out from Sinbad as the two engaged in some silent stand off. I mean, what's he supposed to think seeing us like this?

"I had assumed I had made it clear," Kouen's eyes narrowed into slits, stalking into the lion's den bearing the fangs of a tiger. "That we weren't supposed to touch her till after graduation."

...what?

"True it would be fair game," Sinbad agreed, sitting up and Kali scrambled backwards, gathering herself as the purple haired teacher smirked. "But we never did say anything about getting a leg up in this, did we?"

Kouen's lips turned upwards, eyes dangerous. "Ho?"

"I was doing my job and making sure she was well and in need of help." Sinbad leaned back, titling his chin upwards slightly, a subtle challenge as Kouen's eyes narrowed. "There's nothing I can do if she came to me first."

Wait, what? Kali jerked her head back and forth rapidly, looking between her two teachers as realization dawned on her—did they both—wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. This was not happening. She drank a bad carton of milk and was hallucinating; Alibaba was probably trying to wake her up in the middle of class now.

"Then if I make my own move," Sinbad's eyes narrowed and Kouen tilted his head to the side, the corners of his lips turning upwards slightly. "You wouldn't have any protests, correct?"

Kali paled, her lips trembling as she tried to form a coherent sentence while Sinbad stood, the two staring each other dead in the eye as they faced off, and she was struck with the image of a golden lion and a dark tiger, tails flicking back and forth as fangs were bared.

And she was nothing but the poor bird stuck between their claws.

...or was she?

Silver eyes sharpened and Kali nearly slammed her head against the desk. Like hell she was going to sit here and let them decide who was going too...whatever it was they wanted to do, first! No, she couldn't fight them both... Especially if they decided to team up against her, but what she could do...

Kali slipped from the desk, silent, like a bird landing amidst the grass as the two predators before her narrowed their eyes, silent and willing the other to step down. The door would draw too much attention... which meant...

She paused, glancing between the two. "I-I get that there's some weird deal going on here that I was never informed of, but couldn't you two maybe... wait? You know, till I at least get out of school first?"

"That was the initial idea." Kouen answered, never taking his eyes off Sinbad. "But some can't keep to their word it seems."

"Like you haven't been playing your own little pawns this whole time." Sinbad rolled his eyes. "I've seen your siblings trying to drag her around school."

"And you're students haven't been?"

"She chooses to go with them."

"I've never heard her complain otherwise."

Kali smiled to herself, silently making her way to the window, and she blessed fate for having pity on her as she perched on the window, pressing a button on her cell before she glanced back. A moment of fondness rushed through her—yes, her innocence may have just been endangered, and she wasn't sure how she was going to get through school with the idea that her once close teachers intended to be much closer than she expected, but...they were important people to her.

A grin touched her lips and she leapt from the window, grabbing onto the nearby tree branch and swinging to the floor where she landed, beaming as she didn't stumble this time and took of running across the yard.

"What did you do this time?" Camio's voice reached her ears as her closest friend and caretaker gazed at her worriedly, his beautiful eyes, like every shade of green, met gray. "Are you alright?"

"Fine." She slipped on behind him as she mounted the motorcycle and he passed her a helmet. She brushed his long dark locks out of the way and patted his shoulder. "I'll...tell you about it when we get home. But for now, we should just get going."

"Yes, my king." Camio mocked, rolling his eyes as he started the bike.

I'll face them one day. She just needed...time. Kali nodded to herself. Time. And maybe one day she'd allow herself to stay put in one place. But for now...

She'd just do what she did best and disappear.


"And have you ever wondered about asking—Kali?" Sinbad blinked, turning to the now empty desk and pausing. "...Kali?"

Kouen narrowed his eyes, annoyance flashing through with the underlying hint of amusement at the girl's cunningness. "She must have escaped while you were ranting."

Sinbad's eyes narrowed and Kouen made his way to the open window, watching the figure shooting across the campus, sooty locks flying as she skidded to a halt beside another man dismounting his motorcycle, slipping on behind him. "Clever girl."

"I suppose we can pick them," Sinbad mused, leaning beside him as they watched her slip a helmet on and take off. "It's no fun without a good chase."

"You don't intend to let her slip by that easily."

"Of course not. Unlike you, I don't have to force her to stay after school with me to get a good grade. She likes my class and doesn't mind helping me after school."

"As if she'd set foot in here again after today."

"I have my ways." Sinbad smirked, golden eyes meeting flaming red. "You have some catching up to do, Mr. Ren."

"Perhaps." Kouen tipped his head back, watching the window for a moment more before his lips turned upwards. "But you need to be careful, Mr. Sinbad."

Sinbad's eyes narrowed and Kouen stood from the window, stepping out of the classroom as he added. "You wouldn't want it going around that you're infatuated with your students now, do you?"

Sinbad smirked, golden eyes flashing as Kouen allowed himself a smirk. "I look forward to seeing what kind of a man you really are."

And like that, the chase was on.

They just didn't know that the girl they happened to be chasing was pulling a few steps ahead.


HAPPY LATE NEW YEARS! :D

I just really felt like writing a little special chapter for this story, seeing that I haven't made one in ages, and the idea of Magi as a high school and Sinbad and Kouen as teachers seemed really funny to me, so I just wanted to try it out.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR AMAZING, WONDERFUL, KIND REVIEWS YOU LOVELY PEOPLE.

I'll be diving back into the story next chapter, but I hope you all enjoyed this little break. :D I know I did, because it was just fun to write.

SHAMELESS ADVERTISING.

I've written a new story for Young Justice—a great, super amazing cartoon and comic series by DC if you're not familiar—and I would love it if you all checked it out and told me what you think! :)

A Marshmellowtime Production...

Veni Mecum

Summary: "It means come with me." Her hand slipped into his, and her gaze rose upwards, meeting his own. "Okay." She'd been fine with supporting them from the shadows, pushing them the right way, but then his hand grasped hers and he dragged her into the light beside them, and she realized she could never go back. Wally/Oc/Roy


"Shouldn't you be... I don't know, putting bad guys in jail right now?"

"Shouldn't you be knocking a few screws loose and building something?"

"Hey, mechanics is an art. It's not just throwing a wrench around."

"Well, so is archery. You should just stay at home and let us handle things."

"I am trying so hard not to throw this wrench at your head right now."

"Grease monkey."

"Arrowhead!"


"Any day, sweetheart." His hands gripped her as she paused, looking up at him sharply, startled by the softness in his eyes as he gazed down at her, smiling faintly. "You know that."

"...Wally, you say some really meaningful things sometimes."

"It comes with the charm." He grinned, and she smiled, relaxing. She could handle this Wally. This goofy, flirty, friend of hers, she knew this Wally West. But that moment of seriousness, that gentle shine and the soft gleam of beautiful emerald eyes she couldn't understand. "Falling for me yet?"

"Not really, but keep trying, you might just get lucky."


"Roy, look."

"In case you didn't realize it, I'm driving. So if you don't want us to crash and get into an accident—"

"Oh, grow a pair and look."

He rolled his eyes, making sure the road was clear before he glanced to the side and paused, his eyes widening slightly beneath his mask.

The motorcycle beneath them hummed, the engine a gentle purr as they shot down the street, deserted, empty save for the two of them as they crossed the bridge. The sky was their silent companion, but to their left, the city was alive.

The lights of the skyscrapers shone across the bay, flickering and casting reflections of a multitude of colors across the water. Shining, shimmering, like a mirage they could never quite reach, illuminating the way and cast a golden glow, mixed with reds and blues and violets as they drove down the rode.

The two of them—just them, alone in this huge, vast world full of crime and chaos, and happiness and laughter.

Roy was silent, wispy strands of black hair tickling his arms and his chin as Elliot turned her head to gaze out into the city. His eyes left the miraculous view and landed on the girl in front of him, her eyes shining, bright, golden eyes reflecting the lights across the bay as she smiled, in awe of the sight before them. She looked breathtaking, Roy realized, as strands of hair danced across her face, but she made no move to shove them aside, enchanted by the city before them.

He could kiss her right now, he realized.


"You know it beautiful—did you get shot?"

"Ye—no. No, I didn't."

"Yes you did! You're bleeding!"

"Oh. Um, well, I guess I got... scraped?"

"You did get shot! We need to get you out and—"

"I'm fine—holy shit, don't grab my shoulder like that!"

"You're not fine."

"I will be—stop it! We need to finish the mission—"

"Oh, and let you bleed to death?"

"I can handle one bullet."

"One bullet is all it takes!"

"...don't make me hit you with my wrench."


It'd mean tons if you'd check it out! :) And thank you for reading! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.

P.S—Just You and Me will receive an update later today or this week! :)

THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU.

Marshmellow-

-OUT!