A Princess's Diaries: A Not-So-Shining Armor

by darkladywolf

AU-For the first ten years of my life I always imagined myself as a princess. Then a boy in my class called me a hag and I realized that I was definitely not a princess...And that kind of sucks, you know...*I do not own Naruto and/or Magi*

3. Chapter 3

But as it happens in every proper fairy-tale, drama is never absent for long…..

Some people like drama. They actually thrive on it. Take my friend Ino, for example. I've known her since fourth grade and I can honestly say that she has always had a knack for anything dramatic. During our school years, Ino used to have the most extravagant ideas of how her own fairy-tale-inspired life would play out. She's had some of the most dramatic break-ups in the history of relationships and I was unlucky-or lucky. It's a matter of perspective, really-enough to have a front row seat. I'm not kidding. Trust me, it was not a pretty sight. All snot and tears and hair-pulling. No wonder she ended up becoming an actress.

The thing is that I don't like drama. I hate it. It brings about unnecessary complications and now, that was something I didn't-and still don't-want in my life. I know, some say that drama is what makes life a little bit more interesting. It spices things up. I say that's a load of crap. Drama tends to mess with your head and turn simple situations into nerve-wrecking riddles that throw your mind in turmoil. Not pretty, believe me. Back then, complicated situations were the last thing I wanted or needed and my close friendship with Judar provided me-and still does-with enough drama to last me a few years. I certainly didn't need more, thank you very much.

The problem is that Karma hadn't been in the best of moods back then and good old me just happened to be a very easy target. Well, too bad for me. In hindsight, that situation turned out extremely good for me but at the time, it seemed like the world was falling apart around me and I could do nothing to stop it.

And it was all that bloody party's fault.

Don't get me wrong, I did like parties. It was not the type of entertainment I frequently indulged in but I was not against the idea either. Didn't say no to a party or two every once in a while and parties in high school used to be a blast. I suppose most of you have watched those high school chick-flicks about the new girl that catches the attention of the hot football player. Well, those almost always involve some kind of crazy, outrageous party that usually ends up with some kind of dramatic twist for the main heroes. Let me inform you that while our high school parties weren't exactly like that, they were pretty damn close. There was drinking and dancing and snogging and a hell lot of vomiting. Now, that is something I don't like to remember. Needless to say that drama is never absent from anything high school-related. Seriously, it seems like that particular period of time in a person's life revolves around dramatic situations of any and all kinds.

As I have already mentioned, I don't like drama and I certainly didn't back then. Heck, Sinbad was enough a complication and the last thing I needed was any more of it. I used to do everything I could to make my life as simple as possible. Simplicity usually leads to certainties and certainties tend to rid you of everything that might unsettle you. I know, not the most youthful of ways for the teenager girl that I was back then to think but it was a way that guaranteed as simple a transition to adulthood as it could get.

I've always been a creature of order and I used to try-and still do sometimes-to keep away from anything unorderly. I used to be rather successful at it up until Judar-and later Sinbad- entered my life and promptly threw it in a whirlwind of unexpected situations. That's why, when Sharrkan mentioned that party, I wanted to disappear until it passed…

XxxOxOxOxxX

"Forget about it, Sharrkan. I'm not coming."

"Oh come on, Saki! Don't be such a kill-joy. Everybody's going to be there."

"Good for them. I'm staying home."

"Live a little, Saks! Party, have fun. You are too young to leave all that behind."

The girl breathed out in exasperation. "For the last time, Sharrkan, I'm not-"

"Oi, what are you guys talking about?" interrupted Sinbad as he emerged from the kitchen with three cups of tea balanced on the tray in his hands-mainly due to Sharrkan. Sakura would have preferred some orange juice-even a can of coke-and she was sure that Sinbad would much rather drink some beer but their white-haired friend had called it an obligation on their part to support him in his sick state so anything other than herbal tea or boiled water was out of the question.

"Saki here, refuses to even entertain the idea of attending the party this Saturday." said Sharrkan, throwing his arm across the girl's shoulders. "And being the incredibly handsome and kindhearted, not to mention great friend that I am, I'm trying to change her mind."

"First of all, I am in no mood to catch your germs, you arrogant narcissistic prat." started the rosette, throwing his arm off her shoulders and moving out of his reach to get her point across. "Second, we have a biology test that Monday and I, unlike some people I know, actually want to get a good mark."

"Boring!"

"It's called being responsible!"

"Still boring."

The pinkette rolled her eyes at her white-haired lab partner and took her cup of tea off the tray in Sinbad's hands, who immediately set it on the table and made himself comfortable on the sofa beside her.

"Why don't you give it a try, Sakura? Who knows, you might like it there."

"Not you too, Sinbad. Besides, it doesn't have to do with me liking it. I have to study." answered the girl and glared at Sharrkan, who made no effort at all to muffle his comment of 'nerd'.

"Oh, come on." urged Sinbad and turned to face her fully. "It won't be that bad. Not to mention, I'm sure you are going to ace that test anyway. Besides, we are going to be there as well."

'Thank you for giving me another reason to avoid that party at all costs' she wanted to say but the words immediately got caught at her throat. Wouldn't that be a terrible, terrible lie? She hated lying. She downright abhorred it. That's why she couldn't deny just how tempting that thought sounded to her ears. Sinbad was going to be at that party and with the way he was looking at her right now, with that smirk and the hopeful eyes, uttering a simple 'no' seemed more difficult than ever before. Gods, why did he have to look so delectable in that black sleeveless T-shirt?

The girl sighed deeply. "Look, I'm not the 'party' type so I don't really have that exhilarating fun you guys speak of when attending one."

The smirk on the purple-haired man's face widened. "Well, I'll just have to change that right?"

Sakura's pink eyebrow shot to her hairline at his words. "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean…" he started, leaning closer to her with his eye burning her like molten gold. "That I am going to make that night the most memorable in your entire life. I can promise you that."

XxxOxOxOxxX

And to be frank, Sinbad did keep his promise. Just not quite in the way he had intended to.

Remember how I told you that Judar is possessive? Let me tell you, the git almost forbade me from ever seeing Sinbad again after that. Not that I would have listened to him or anything anyway. He did get a bit overwhelming for some time but it that was only his worry and-dare I say-fear for my wellbeing coming to the surface so I can't really blame him. It was kind of sweet but please don't tell him that. I had to promise bodily harm to him to get him off my case. I really don't need him thinking that I actually enjoyed having him hover around me at all times, even though I did….kind of. A girl can only take so much before going crazy. And best friend or not, Judar is the only man on this planet that can me think of murder as mental relief.

When I was younger-like 12 or something-I used to read those stupid romance novels about those cliché stories of bullies falling in love with nerds, high-school heartthrobs falling in love with the shy new girl and mortal enemies falling in love after a series or unfortunate-or fortunate. It depends on the author, really-events that lead to guess what, finding their other half in each other. Generally, stories of very popular people falling in love with very unpopular people. I know, not the best of phases I've been through. Looking back, I wish I could take back all those hours I spent on those lame-excuses-of-literature and spend it on something more productive and mentally arousing. But what's done is done. The past is just that and I happen to be a human being, therefore prone to making mistakes. So don't go judgmental on me people!

Anyway, as a pre-adolescent girl I was kind of an air-head, I regret to say. Not the kind of air-head that doesn't think before acting or that chases after boys without paying attention to anything else that even appears remotely educational. I was neither of that. But I have to admit that my head was indeed up in the clouds. Not in an 'I-have-no-idea-what-real-life-is' way. It was more of a 'spend-time-alone-in-order-to-daydream-a-bit' kind of thing. I'm sure a lot of people do that. My life used to be so much more interesting and exciting in my head. It was so easy to get away from everyday life just for a little while. In my world motorcycles and their riders were knights on horses, my house was the royal castle and my annoyingly loud neighbor the Evil Queen. The birds were dragons and the butterflies flying around my mother's garden were colorful fairies. Remember that whole princess thing? Yeah, I had that too. Reality used to seem a bit boring to me back then, so you can say that daydreaming was my way of coping with the never-ending circle of everyday routine, my little heaven of magic and excitement. Good old days right?

I grew out of that phase, of course. There came a time that motorcycles stopped being white steeds and once more became two-wheeled means of transport that make a lot of noise and make men drool. I know Judar has a weak spot for them even though he'll never admit it. I really don't know what's up with that man and admitting to having a weakness, even if that happens to be a mass of steel and machine parts. Oh, I would be another one of his weaknesses but now that's something he'd rather die than admit. I mean it. It's so nice to have friends…

Anyway, it all comes down to the fact that I no longer believed in fairies and happily-ever-afters. Why, you might wonder. Well, to tell you the truth, life just caught up with me I guess. Adolescent dreamers aren't really popular among their peers and I had to learn that lesson the hard way, I must admit. It wasn't anything too bad. At least not 'Hollywood-bad'. A few snickers here, a couple of spit balls there…..Anyway, almost everything stopped when I started hanging out with Judar so it doesn't really matter right now.

Have you ever heard about those life-changing things that happen once-twice, if you're lucky-in a lifetime? I'm sure most of you can recall a moment in your lives that changed them. What I am about to describe just happens to be one of those moments. And boy did it change my life…..And certainly not in the way I had expected. Why, you ask?

Well, allow me to elaborate….

XxxOxOxOxxX

Sakura stared at her mirror, fidgeting with the burgundy fabric of her dress. It was tight and reached mid-thigh with one shoulder bare, clinging to her curves in a way she was not used to and making her feel more self-conscious than ever. It would be a lie to say that she wasn't even a bit uncomfortable. Her make-up was basic-just something to bring out her eyes and a touch of red on her lips-and she had swept her pink locks to one side. She had to admit that she wasn't that hard on the eyes but that wasn't enough to alleviate her nervousness one bit. Dressing up really wasn't her thing. She could do it, of course, but it wasn't something she did all that often. And parties really weren't her thing. She enjoyed a party every once in a while but those usually were art or book-related gatherings that never got out of hand. Now, high school parties always got out of hand.

Nevertheless, she had given her word that she would attend and she hated going back to it. After all, Sinbad's promise made the whole thing all the more tempting. With one last look at the mirror and a silent prayer that the night didn't end up a total disaster, Sakura put on her black high-heels and her black leather jacket. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her purse and locked the door behind her. She immediately saw Sharrkan waiting for her in his car right outside her house and she thanked the Gods that he had remembered to come pick her up. She hated walking long distances in heels.

Sharrkan wolf-whistled and winked at her when she got in the passenger's seat. "Looking mighty fine, Saki!"

The young woman rolled her eyes at her friend's antics. "Just drive the car, Shar."

"Your wish is my command, fair Lady!"

XxxOxOxOxxX

The party was already in full swing when they arrived. Sakura had to grab Sharrkan's hand in order not to lose him in the dancing crowd as they made their way to the table the boy had reserved for them and a couple of other people he still hadn't bothered to tell her about. She cringed slightly when a dancing pair bumped into her, making her loose her balance momentarily. She caught herself just in time and hurried after Sharrkan who seemed in no hurry to get away from the pressed-up bodies. She had the suspicion that the white-haired youth was probably enjoying her discomfort. Sadistic bastard…..

She breathed sigh of relief when she noticed the crowd starting to thin out and she hurried after Sharrkan to a table at the far end of the club. The faces around the table were familiar, some more than others. She recognized Jafar's reserved but kind smile along with Masrur's stoic expression. The huge red-haired football player looked even more out of place that her. On Masrur's left sat Drakon, his dark green hair styled as always with the red earring hanging from his ear glistering under the lights of the club. She had spoken to him on a couple of occasions and even though he was almost as reserved as Masrur, he had an interesting insight on things. Across from the boys Sakura could make out the shapes of two women. She easily recognized the blue hair of Yamraiha, the girl that sat beside her in Physics, and the twin plaits of Pisti, the school's computer genius. On Pisti's right sat Spartos, a silent but very polite boy that she had heard about from Sharrkan but hadn't had the chance to meet personally.

Her white haired lab partner pulled her down in the seat beside him and he immediately made the necessary introductions before starting to chat up a storm with Pisti. Sakura smiled awkwardly at Jafar and avoided making eye contact with Masrur. She liked her red-haired classmate-he was silent, polite and had never made fun of her-but he intimidated her and his unreadable expression made her nervous.

"Hey guys!"

Sakura contained her excitement at the sound of that voice and took a deep calming breath, his promise ringing in her ears. She unconsciously dusted non-existent dust from her dress and sat a bit straighter, turning her head just a tad so she could now see the purple ponytail in the corner of her eye. She felt more than saw him come to sit in the empty seat beside her, his fingers leaving an intentional feather touch on her shoulder that she almost didn't feel. The girl turned to face him and subtly-though she had an inclination that he caught her if the smirk on his face was any indication-ran her emerald eyes over his form. He was dressed in black from head to toe, with black pants that hugged his waist and a tight fitting T-Shirt that clung to his body deliciously. There was a black leather jacket draped over his shoulder. He turned to her with a smirk and winked in greeting making her flush. Sakura was thankful for the darkness of the club.

"I knew you would come." he said, leaning closer to her ear.

Sakura smiled. "Yeah. You and Sharrkan can be…..pretty convincing." she said, offering him a mischievous look.

Sinbad chuckled making a shiver run down her spine but she hid it as best she could. "Well, I'm glad you came. I would have been greatly disappointed if you hadn't." He flashed her a wide smile that had her stomach doing flips but she returned it with one of her own, her cheeks darkening at his words.

"I'm sure would have found something to occupy your time even if I hadn't come."

"Perhaps." he answered. "But it wouldn't have been quite as interesting as you." He gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She looked away shyly and Sinbad couldn't help but smile at the cute expression on her face. This was a new Sakura. Another part of herself was unravelling before him and he couldn't help but admire her. This Sakura was different than he was used to. She was different than the strong-willed, fiery-eyed girl he saw every day at school. She was different and yet it suited her. It was something that had always been part of her but had remained hidden. Until now.

"I meant it, you know." he added as he pulled his hand back, lightly touching her shoulder in a seemingly unintentional caress that at the same time held all the meaning he could put in a simple silent gesture.

"You meant what?" she asked in a breathless whisper that he had to struggle to hear. He read her lips more than heard her voice.

"I am going to make this party memorable."

Little did he know, that his promise was about to get to a whole new level…

XxxOxOxOxxX

She could honestly say she was in a better than she had been in a while. She felt a bit light-headed-damn Sharrkan and his insistence that she drink alcohol-but it wasn't as bad as she had pictured it would be. It actual was…..pleasant. A kind of warmth that spread from her throat to her belly and made her feel more relaxed, more at ease. The flickering colorful lights of the club were dizzying and made her eyes hurt a bit but she couldn't really care.

The music was louder than ever but she enjoyed the rush of adrenaline the drum of the speakers brought her. She began to sway her hips to the rhythm, not caring she had no partner. She was lost in the moment and the slight dizziness of alcohol when she felt hands on her waist. She should have been even slightly alarmed but she wasn't. She knew perfectly well whose hands they were. She leaned back against his broad chest, acting bolder than she actually felt. For a while they followed the music, dancing to the rhythm and not exchanging a single word. There was no need for words; their body language was more than enough.

His smell was intoxicating and sent her already clouded mind reeling. She could feel his breath fanning the base of her neck as he leaned his head closer to her skin. They were both covered in glistering drops of sweat but it only added to the heat of the moment.

"I'm going to grab us a drink." he said in her ear. "I'll be right back."

She barely heard him over the loud music but she nodded nonetheless as he walked away. She continued swaying to the beat amongst the other dancing bodies, reveling in the freedom it brought her.

She couldn't quite pinpoint how long he had been gone. Could have been seconds, minutes…..maybe an hour. Time was a term that seemed so far away. She felt hot and was slightly dizzy but she was sober enough to be in control and experience this to the fullest without making a fool of her herself. She had seen Masrur drag Sharrkan out of the club a while ago, probably to take him for some fresh air. Really, sometimes Sharrkan overestimated his ability to hold his liquor.

Sakura laughed quietly to herself as her mind conjured up images of Sharrkan being so out of his usually cool playboy character. She spun around, following the beat of the music and raised her gaze to the dancing crowd for the first time in the last hour.

She wished she hadn't.

She froze in the middle of the dance floor and her blood ran cold. Deep down she knew that she had no right to feel betrayed. Deep down she knew that it was completely irrational to feel that she had any sort of claim on him. After all, they were nothing but friends. There was nothing going on between them, right?

No matter what her mind was screaming at her, she couldn't stop the onslaught of emotions that washed over her like a tidal wave. Her eyes grew wide and she was sure that the image of Sinbad being kissed within an inch of his life by another woman would be forever engraved in her memory, tormenting her and making her lament what she could never have.

She took an involuntary step back, the club suddenly growing too small and their air too thick for her to breathe. She was suffocating; she had to get out. Now. Her eyes remained glued on the two forms as she backed away, oblivious to the bodies moving around her. Suddenly, he pulled back and turned his golden eyes on her, managing to catch her horrified expression. He broke away from the stranger woman and reached out for her, making to follow her but she was swift, her desperation making her run faster than she could have hoped in heels.

She ran out, wiping her eyes as she went and paying no mind to the world around her. Why would she, when her own was crushing down on her?

She stopped at the side walk to catch her breath and choke down the bile and sobs that threatened to surface.

"Sakura! Wait! Let me explain!"

His voice and the sound of his footsteps broke her out of her trance and she didn't even spare a glance in his direction before beginning to run forward. She was desperate to get away from him, away from the pain in her chest, away from the sorrow burning her veins.

Everything happened too fast for her to process. One moment it was dark and the next, two glowing yellow eyes were heading towards her at an alarming rate. Clouded as it was, her mind couldn't warn her in time and she remained rooted in place, like a deer caught in the headlights of a truck. The last thing she remembered before her body jerked violently and everything went dark was the sound of her heart breaking and someone calling out her name in anguish.

"SAKURA!"

XxxOxOxOxxX

Judar walked down the hallway with his hands shoved in his pockets, sending dirty looks to any nurse or doctor that dared look at him the wrong way. Not that there were many to do so, to begin with. After two months of constantly seeing him and experiencing his dirty glares, they had grown used to him and barely bothered him about violating visiting hours anymore.

He glanced outside of the big window and directly into the garden of the hospital where the infamous sakura trees were beginning to bloom. Spring was well on its way and the world itself was changing to welcome it.

'Sakura loves spring…..'

He averted his gaze and resumed his silent walking towards the room that hosted the pink-haired girl. He had never been particularly fond of hospitals but he had never felt hate towards the building either. Until now. He could feel the disgust in his system at the lingering sterile smell of the place and the mandatory silence that came with it. He had never wished for a building to be demolished so much in his life. He wanted to tear down the walls, break the glass, burn the beds...He wanted everything to be reduced to dust until nothing remained to remind him of the pain of seeing Sakura….like that.

Broken leg, fractured ribs, punctured lung, concussion, internal bleeding, possible damage to the brain…and the list just went on and on.

Judar closed his red eyes, hoping to block out the images of Sakura being rushed to the hospital bloodied and battered and broken…..He had never been so scared in his life. Not when his father had abused him, not when he had to leave his house and start a life on his own, not when he had to beat those thugs up for bullying a younger kid.

When news of the accident reached his ears, he didn't believe at first. He had thought it was just some cruel joke and that whoever had come up with that was going to be beaten to bloody pulp. When he found out that it wasn't a lie…All his moments with Sakura flashed through his mind and he realized that he couldn't remember most of his life before he had met Sakura. Most of his happy memories were with her. She was a certainty in his life, his anchor. He had based his life around the certainty that was her because since their meeting, she had always been there. It was her that had kept him sane when insanity had been knocking on his door.

Seeing her life force slowing slipping away, those tubes sticking out of her pale skin, her emerald eyes closed…It was sucking the life out of him. Sakura was the only person close to his heart other than his mother. Is that how it felt to lose a sibling? A sister?

'Shut up, you idiot!' he screamed in his mind. 'She is not gone. Sakura is alive so wait for her to wake up and then you can bite her ear off for being so reckless. She is not gone…..'

He stood in front of the door to room 402, dreading what he would meet upon entering. Would she still be there? Would she be weak and pale but still there? Would she be…gone? Every night could be her last and he was scared to death of the moment that he would enter her room and she wouldn't be there. He dreaded the moment that a doctor would walk up to him and tell him that something had went wrong and she hadn't made it.

He took a deep breath, preparing himself for the image he was about to face. An image that he had been facing for the last two months but he would never get used to. He pushed her door open and was about to say his usual greeting of 'good morning hag' when he froze and his scarlet eyes flooded with anger.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" he demanded, each word dripping with venom.

The other man turned to face him from his place beside Sakura's bed, his golden eyes filled with sorrow and guilt. "I'm just here to see her, Judar….."

"You have no right to be here." the dark-haired youth hissed back, closing the door behind him with as little noise as his anger allowed him.

"Judar…."

"Shut the fuck up!" he barked, his clenched fists turning white. "It is your fault that she is like that. It is your fault that her life has been in danger for the last two months. It is your fucking fault that she is in a coma!"

Sinbad looked away in shame for a moment but turned to meet his gaze. His eyes were tired, guilt-filled, nothing like the once joyful gaze of the purple-haired teenager. "Do you think I don't know? Do you think that I don't wish to take everything back? Do you think I don't wish with all my heart for her to wake up?" He glanced at the comatose girl with all the guilt one's eyes could contain. "I come here every day, wishing that the next morning will be the morning she wakes up. One more chance. That's all I want. One chance to explain what really happened and make sure that she is ok. That's all I want. She can hate me after that but I just want to see her eyes one last time."

Judar stared at him with an unreadable look in his eyes and though they were still unforgiving, he nodded in understanding. He knew guilt and he knew how it could eat a person alive. He had known Sinbad in his good days and the young man standing in front of him was nothing like him. Judar was sure that Sakura would hate to see the purple-haired man like that.

"An hour. That's all you have. And next time make sure to come at a time that I won't be here. If I ever find you here again, I will bring that wall down with your face."

Sinbad smiled though it didn't reach his eyes. "I promise."

"Don't." shot back Judar as her turned the knob. "You suck at keeping your promises."

Sinbad winced at the boy's words as he slammed the door shut behind him and retook his seat beside Sakura's bed. He took her hand in his, unable to ignore how fragile it felt. He feared that one wrong move would break her. Well, whatever was not already broken…

"Judar hates me. I don't blame him. I hate myself too." He took in a shaky breath and ran his free hand through his disheveled hair. "People always told me that I was good with words, yet I have no idea what to say to you. I don't think there is anything good about me anymore."

For a moment he stared at her pale face, focusing on the steady beating of the machine connected to her body. It was an awful sound but it meant that she was alive. "I guess I just wanted to say that you need to wake up. Class is empty without you and Sharrkan hasn't been the same. He smiles less, he's not as cheerful as he used to be. Judar's not good either. He wants to appear strong but he's in pain."

He took another deep breath to swallow the bile that was threatening to rise to his throat. He had to say this and she had to hear it. "I'm a wreck Sakura. A bloody mess. I can't eat, I can't sleep without having nightmares. I can do nothing without being reminded of the accident. And it is all my fault. You are here, fighting for your life because of me. I miss you, Sakura." he said brokenly. "I miss you and you need to wake up. I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you, I promise. Judar doesn't believe in my promises and he is right to do so but I have never meant anything more seriously in my entire life."

He stood up. "So take your time and get better. I'll be waiting for you to wake up." With one last squeeze at her hand he turned around and made to leave. He was with his hand on the doorknob when the machine connected to Sakura came alive. The beeps became frantic and loud and her heartbeat was rising at an alarming rate. Sinbad felt panic rush through him and he almost tore the door from its hinges.

"Help! A Doctor! Call a doctor!"

Doctors and nurses dressed in white rushed in the room and threw him out at some point, thought he couldn't pinpoint exactly when. The door was shut to his face and he was left staring at the number 402, his heart beating erratically.

'Please, Sakura…..Please be ok…'

XxxOxOxOxxX

For the first time after two months of sleep, Sakura's eyes were flooded with light. She shut them immediately and waited a couple of minutes for her corneas to get used to the intensity of the light before reopening them.

The first thing she was met with after two months of darkness was two pairs of worry-filled eyes watching her attentively. She had trouble focusing on the faces at first and it took a while for the images to set but she finally recognized them.

"Judar?" she wondered weakly, her voice coarse from not being used for so long. "Sinbad?"

"Sakura! Are you alright-"

"How are you feeling-"

"Does it hurt-"

"Do you need me to get a doctor-"

She groaned at the onslaught of worried questions, though she couldn't help the happiness that washed over her at hearing their voices. "Shut up, you idiots. You are giving me a headache." she said good-naturedly and the voices immediately ceased.

"How are you feeling, hag?" asked Judar and Sakura glared at him half-heartedly.

"It's good to see you too, Judar." she said sarcastically. "I'm fine. A bit sore and slightly dizzy but I'm better than I've been in a while."

Sinbad took her hand in his and stared inside her eyes. "Do you need anything? Anything at all? Just say it."

Sakura smiled at him. "I'm fine Sinbad. All I need is my friends around me."

"You heard her. She said her friends. You have no place here." said Judar, taking a step forward.

"Watch it, Judar. I have as much right to be here as you have."

"Don't fool yourself and certainly do not put me in the same level as you."

Sinbad's eyes darkened. "Don't insult my intelligence. I know my place but you should start learning yours."

"Wanna say that to my face, punk?" growled Judar and took a threatening step forward.

"Oi, shut up both of you! This is a hospital, you idiots! You are not supposed to shout and you are certainly not supposed to get in a brawl!" reprimanded the girl from her bed.

The two boys exchanged looks before Sinbad chuckled genuinely for the first time in months and Judar smirked.

"Oi, what are you laughing at?"

"You." answered the purple-haired youth. "Still the same old Sakura."

The girl huffed but smiled nonetheless. "So, when am I getting out of here?"

"Don't even think about it!" answered Judar. "You are getting out of here only when the doctor says you can."

"I feel fine. There is no need to keep me confined here. I hate hospitals!"

"How can you hate hospitals? Don't you want to be a doctor or something?" shot back Judar. "Think of this as early practice."

"I hate them when I'm the one to be treated." retorted the girl. "And this hardly counts as practice."

"Judar's right, Sakura." said Sinbad. "You don't realize it now, but you almost died." His eyes darkened at the last word and they were immediately filled with guilt.

Picking up on his change of mood, Sakura took hold of his hand. "Hey, it wasn't your fault. It was an accident."

"But it was my fault. I should have gotten to you in time in order to explain. I should have..."

"You don't need to explain. I know."

He looked up at her in surprise. "What do you mean you know?"

The girl smiled. "Did you know that comatose patients can hear people talking to them? Each time either of you came to see me, I could hear everything you had to say. I couldn't respond but I heard every word."

Sinbad's eyes widened. "Then…you know."

"Of course I do. So don't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault that drunk woman kissed you. I shouldn't have reacted the way I did and put both of you through this. I'm sorry for-" She never got to finish that sentence.

She had always thought that her first kiss was going to be on some beach, under the stars or at the porch of her house after a romantic date with a guy stealing a kiss secretly so they wouldn't be seen by her parents. She had never thought it would be on a hospital bed after she had just woken up from a coma.

It was slow and sweet and loving. Sinbad was hesitant at first, afraid of causing her any pain but he relaxed when she responded. Their lips danced against each other as if they were made for that moment from the very beginning. She tangled her hand in his hair and he stroked her arm with his thumb.

"Oi, keep your hands to yourself you lecher!" said Judar, interrupting them and they broke away laughing.

Sinbad leaned his forehead against hers and they both smiled.

"Ok, ok! That's enough!" spoke Judar, pulling Sinbad back by the shoulders. "You need to rest, hag, so take it easy. And you" he said turning to Sinabd "No funny business, lover boy. You better watch out 'cause I got my eye on you. If I ever see her unhappy, I'll hunt you down and turn you to dust. Am I clear?"

Sinbad mock saluted him. "Crystal clear, General."

"Oh, shut up!"

For the first time in two months, hospital room 402 was filled with genuine laughter.

XxxOxOxOxxX

So, as you see things turned out alright. It was difficult at first. I had to catch up to the two months I had lost and I had to get accustomed to being Sinabd's girlfriend. The first month or so there was nowhere we could go without eyes following us and I have to admit that it took me a while to overcome my insecurities.

Judar was present every step of the way and made sure that nobody was giving me any nonsense. His presence was a bit overwhelming but it was sweet and it often got especially funny. He's such a lovable idiot when he wants to…..He and Sinabd fought a lot a first. And when I say a lot I mean it. The smallest thing could trigger a fight but it never got past a few insults thrown between them.

It took them a while but at some point they reached an understanding and called a truce. I dare say that they are friends now, though ask either of them and they are going to deny it vehemently.

After I got released from the hospital the both of them along with Sharrkan followed me around like shadows. At least one of them was with me at all times to the point that I grew sick of them. I had to threaten that I would never talk to any of them again to get them off my case. Guys can be so overwhelming….but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Eventually I became a doctor and Sinbad started his own business in the world of real estate. His silver tongue has proved useful countless times and his business is thriving. Judar is teaching Math and Physics at our old school much to our old Headmaster's exasperation. He is a bit hard to deal with but the kids love him and I have heard that more than one of his students are crushing on him.

Sharrkan, with his unlimited energy and playboy attitude, pursued a career in football and he's been winning games for his team. We don't see him very often but he always makes time to give us a call on Skype and catch up. Of course he was present for mine and Sinbad's wedding. Yeah…..things have been good.

Life gave me a second chance. I don't know if it was fate or something else but I'll be forever grateful. No matter how strange it might sound, I'm actually thankful for that accident. It changed my life for the better and opened my eyes to many things that I would have overlooked in any other situation.

You can say that even though I failed my childhood dream of being a princess, somewhere along the line I found a new one. It doesn't involve castles or witches or dragons-though Judar does come close-but it does involve a prince. Not the 'knight-in-shining-armor' kind of prince but one that can't seem to learn how to put the towel back in the rack, that likes to drink my coffee in the mornings even though he has a steaming mug of his own sitting in front of him, one that complains every time I leave for work without giving him his good-morning kiss. A prince that makes me feel like a princess every second we are together, one that wasn't ashamed to cry when I told him that there is a little life growing inside of me. We don't exactly live happily ever after but it is pretty damn close.

Just wait until I tell him that Judar is going to be the godfather…

THE END

I'm aliveeeee!

Hello everybody! How are you guys doing? I know I've been AWOL for a while and I haven't updated any of my stories but I intend to change that. A couple of months ago I got my Siberian Husky puppy and I've been busy with him since then, so my writing time has been limited to a minimum. To make it up to you, here is a looooong chapter that concludes "A Princess's Diaries". I know, drama, drama and drama in this chapter but I hope you liked it. I'll start working on my other stories right away!

You'll hear from me again soon! Until then READ AND REVIEW!

Lots of love!