Chapter 2

It was a disaster, a sign of the apocalypses level disaster. Jasmine couldn't believe what was happening to her. It had to be the end of the world if what was happening was really happening. But no matter how much she denied it all the signs were pointing to one thing, but still she denied it at much as she could. Because she couldn't be getting attached to that clumsy fool know as Alibaba, she just couldn't.

For she was a creature that didn't get attached because getting attached meant having something to lose, something that can be used against you, and it meant getting hurt.

Whispers of 'You can't always be all alone forever' battled against the ghost of 'Monster' before Jasmine pushed them to the back of her mind not wanting to deal with the past when there was a future to look forward to.

But the whispers were right in a way she was getting close to Alibaba in a way that can almost be called friendly. She knew that logically she should leave and continue her travels, she had a promise and a dream to fulfill, but something about the blonde had her wanting to stay. He was like a burning sun that shined the way in her world of shadows and darkness. That trait of his made her want to protect him from the moment she first met him, something that had increased these last few months she had lived with him.

The first few days were an adjustment to both of them. Since her clothes were a dirty simple tan long sleeves dress that ended a little above her knees along with filthy bandages that entirely covered both her legs the people of Quishan thought her a slave at first. That idea had gotten a blank stare from her and a forced smile out of Alibaba who cheerfully went on to correct the assumption. Even thus he was perfectly polite about it Jasmine could see that behind his mask of cheerfulness was a rage at the very idea of her being a slave. If that was because he was angry for her or at the concept that he would own a slave she didn't know, but the fact he was upset at all was strangely compelling to her.

His house was a one-room house, but there was a sheet that Alibaba used once in a while to separate the room in two whenever they needed privacy. They got used to living together fast when Jasmine started helping with job. They were tiring jobs like loading and unloading heavy good from or to caravans and when the jobs were quick like running a message they had to do multiple jobs. In the end on any day that they were working they crash straight to sleep the minute they got a roof on top of their heads. This made what would have been many embarrassing and awkward moment mean very little.

This was around the time Jasmine did something she tried to avoid; she got into a comfortable routine and started to enjoy herself. Missing that fact ('willfully dismissed it' spoke a whisper) she stayed in one spot for longer than usual which led to her situation now of becoming fond of the blonde fool calling himself Alibaba.

"Jasmine" called the voice of her dilemma as he entered the room.

"Yes Alibaba" Jasmine replied as she turned around to face the blonde and paused. Alibaba had an uncertain air about him most likely do to what ever he had hidden behind his back. Which brought her back to her previous thoughts, as he was being genuine about his feeling something he had only started doing not long ago without putting up an act and only with her.

Noise broke her out of her thoughts and made her pay attention. Shuffling his feet Alibaba seemed unsure how to go about what ever he had planed. Taking a deep breath he relaxed and spoke with confidences "You looked annoyed when people payed attention to your hair so when I saw this I thought you might like it."

In his outstretched hands was a simply yet beautiful light purple headscarf. Jasmine felt her eyes widen as she brought up her hands to grab the scarf. She had never been given a gift before only traded goods.

"You don't like it?" questioned a suddenly nervous Alibaba. It was at that point that Jasmine realized that she had been blankly staring at the scarf that was now in her hands.

Looking up Jasmine let out a small smile that was more real and happy then all others she had up till now graced the blonde with. "No, I love it. Thank you Alibaba." She replied with her eyes closed, head tilted, and her smile still upon her face.

'In the end I can't bring myself to leave him. It might be time that I try something different" thought the white headed girl gazing at the blond who without trying was getting behind the barriers she had constructed around her.