How do you react to that urge to see someone you've hurt? How do you protect them? That's Savannah's cross, battling her heart of right and wrong, feeling it best to remain hidden...for now.


Chapter Five- Suspicious Minds and Unanswered Questions

They traveled all through the night and into the morning. Lagged and exhausted, but it was worth it. The place Cassim never thought to tread again without treasure, he had arrived to. All of his men, including Savannah, knew where to begin. They would storm the palace, blend in as guests, those who could manage, and look for The Oracle. Perhaps even see his son again, regardless of whether or not he knew who he really was. Just seeing his son again would be enough to settle the middle aged man's heart.

Savannah swallowed hard and felt her chest contract. Her anxiety warned her to not take another step further, although Babkak perked a brow behind her. Something about this one was amiss, feeling himself tempted to figure her out. She had kept her composure, up until this moment of reaching the gates of Agrabah. He would never understand a woman's heart, all the secrets he was sure were locked inside. That's why he liked the concubines, simple women he didn't have to figure out. He cleared his throat, reminding himself that this one wasn't like the others.

"Scared?"

Savannah laughed her scoff, "Unlikely," she huffed. "Let's go."

Omar frowned gently, certain of where her mind lingered. He had a guess of where she would begin first, and it wasn't the palace. Consider it a hint of women's intuition. Omar wanted to see his friend, as well, and he had a feeling he wasn't in the palace getting ready. The dreamer's wish came true, he followed his heart, but he was an urchin first and foremost.

The old stomping grounds would be the first place they would check, nostalgia of good times that were once behind them, distant memories, distant loves. The streets were their calling; Babkak, Omar, and Savannah loved these grounds. Although, they all sought for better for their lives, as scaling and scraping were no way to live.

The horses blended into the parade, appearing as circus performers and gypsies as they wedged between wealthy caravans. The men had already begun their thieving and Cassim shook his head. This was not the time to have a case of sticky fingers, but this was the way his men knew how to play. Take all they could get and then get the hell away.

Savannah slid off her horse as Cassim and Sa'luk appeared preoccupied with the fooling around of the other men. Babkak gave her a warning look, although it had been too late. Savannah sprinted for an exit behind camels and horses. Her veil was up and slathered in blue, she dove past between other commoners, passing the baker's stand, the fish merchant, and the livestock seller.

Omar watched her with a gaping mouth, eyeing Babkak as he shook his head. "She's gonna get herself in a heap of trouble one way or the other," Babkak murmured. "I ain't bailin' her ass outta this one."

"You think Cassim will notice?" Omar asked quietly.

"Oh yeah, he'll notice his diamond in the rough ain't where he can see her."

Omar swore and looked down where she ran to. Of course she did, her heart, no matter what she said, could help it. Revenge driven or not, she just couldn't hate him.


"Can I be a good leader to Agrabah?" Aladdin asked, standing in the old hovel he once called home. "Can I truly be as great as the Sultan?" He asked, chipping away at a worn brick, picking it up whole and placing it to his side. He gazed down at a mahogany box and gingerly raised it between his fingers, setting the medium box in his lap and removing the lid.

"Al, don't aspire to be like the Sultan. You're your own man," Genie consoled behind him, placing a large blue hand on his shoulder. "The Sultan is his own man. You've come so far just being yourself."

"Am I ready to take on a palace and the people of Agrabah…the Sultan makes it look so easy!"

Genie watched Al unravel an item from cloth, moth eaten and musky. Aladdin gently revealed the prize beneath the wrapping. It was a dagger, with a sapphire ribbon handle, an emblem sealed, although unsure of which.

"It was my father's," Aladdin explained. "I really wish he could have been here for this, to see me marry. I shouldn't care, he left so long ago, but-"

"No matter what, your father would be proud of the man you have become," Genie assured his friend and granted him a loose, but humble smile. Aladdin returned the gesture and stared at the blade.

"You know, I thought about it. I want to strive for more…I'll never abandon my children, never. I'd never leave to seek out some wild adventure, or some woman, or whatever the hell he left for." Genie could hear the upset and anger rise in Aladdin. It was good to release all of that tension before he vowed himself to Jasmine forever. No use going to a wedding all stressed out, or having cold feet.

"And you'll be that, and so much more," Genie assured him. "To Jasmine, to your future, you won't let Agrabah down, either. You know what the people need, you know where they stand, and that's what'll make you a good ruler."

"You're starting to sound like Savannah," Aladdin inwardly chuckled. "If only she could be here for this. I really miss her, and my old friends Babkak and Omar, where ever they are." Aladdin shook his head. Not that he desired to feel any self pity, but, he couldn't help but think that everyone left him at some point. "Too bad there's no way to bring them all here together..."

Pressed against the outside of the hovel, Savannah listened to the conversation that took place. She knew she'd find him here instead of the palace. How she wanted to tell him she was still alive, how his friends were here. She felt that pang in her heart as she heard him utter her name. Love never wavered, never faltered, but she knew what he wanted and this celebration said just what words could not. Overhead, she heard fireworks sounding, the rumble of the carts and chorus of orders and people slobbering over wedding details. Savannah thought to herself that she needed to accept what was.

"I know you miss her, Al. You miss your mother, and your father, too. But they're all here with you. Maybe they're not here in body, but in spirit. Now, come on. Everyone's looking for you; it's almost time for you to be a real prince." Aladdin granted his good friend a half smile.

Savannah hoisted herself to the roof of the hovel as she watched them exit and Aladdin solemnly leave. Her heart in her throat, she knew it wasn't time yet. He couldn't yet know she was near. Although Genie glanced back behind him, Savannah ducked out of view. She slithered into the hovel and looked around. The nostalgic feeling of home overwhelmed her as she felt the tears brim in her eyes. All of the times spent, just conversing about the future and their desires. Savannah peeled back the curtain to reveal the palace that shined for the day Agrabah's princess wed. It glistened, as did her eyes.

She had a mission to maintain, she reminded herself. She had a responsibility to Cassim, Babkak, and Omar. Savannah could not allow herself to be blinded and sidetracked from what she came here to do, and that was to find The Oracle, whoever that was, and then to find The Hand of Midas. After reading up on the history of these items, she, Babkak and Omar came to the conclusion that they would not find the two together. This mission required several steps. Steps that were more advanced than some game they played, life threatening steps that could end the very lives they were trying to save.

Savannah peeled through the pillows and tattered blankets, looking for something, anything for a weapon. In the back of her mind, she knew she wouldn't find anything. She needed an excuse to come. She lived in this hovel, and by the looks of things, when Savannah left so did Aladdin, and neither of the two stashed any weaponry. Turning around, she noticed flowers where she slept. It was a shrine, in its own right, dedicated to her. The same flower Aladdin placed behind her ear, the same scent that never left her. Her heart sank, though her fingers gently grazed the stem, then traveled up to the petals. "Oh Aladdin..."

She shook her head and left before she found anything else to cause her to stay, cautious to the guards though at the moment she needn't be. No one was on the look for her; just out of habit, she assumed.

"The next time you look to take a field trip, perhaps you should warn me."

Savannah gasped and turned around to face the eyes of Cassim, whose brow was raised in curiosity, anticipating her response.

"I told you the girl would be trouble. She's already taken us off course!" Sa'luk growled and reached out to punish Savannah. "I say we leave her and resume our plans. Cassim, don't tell me you've gone soft..." His eyes, hard, hands callous, Savannah wouldn't admit it out loud, but she feared those hands. He had a grip that could crush a man, never mind the frail structure of a woman. No matter how much muscle she had on her, she was well aware that she was no match for the strength of Sa'luk.

"I haven't gone soft. She will be dealt with after we've finished our mission. Now, come along. Babkak, Omar, make sure she doesn't leave your sight." His stern told was scalding as Savannah winced. Omar reached out to take his friend beneath his arm, guiding her back to his horse.

Babkak rode in silence as Omar helped Savannah up onto his, taking in the old streets. The duo of men looked up from where Savannah had come from.

"You found him, didn't you?" Omar inquired. Savannah nodded, looking back up to the hole in the wall, covered by the mere slight of cloth. Babkak shook his head, giving a slight glance before keeping his eyes straight ahead.

As they journeyed, Savannah took note of how much Agrabah had changed. The buildings were being restored, the children were clothed, food appeared more plentiful. All she had dreamed, all she had voiced was coming to fruition. She was amazed, as much as she wanted...she stopped herself. Agrabah was beginning to remold itself to, she paused, to her vision. She bit her bottom lip before addressing her friends.

"He misses all of us," she murmured gently. "We disturb the wedding, but we don't disturb him, do we understand? It's just coincidence that this happens to be Aladdin's wedding, and The Oracle just so happens to be within the belly of the palace. He can't know that we're here."

"Hey, little lady, we care just as much about him, you know," Babkak warned.

"And we all left him. What do you think that would do to him to learn that we destroyed the happiest day of his life?" Savannah hissed her response.

Savannah looked up onward and ahead, at the gates of the palace as her eyes followed the guard who had his eye on her. She made sure to ride side-saddled, her eyes capturing the guard, keeping his eye solely on her as they passed through and onto the palace grounds. That was job number one for her.