Big, big and possibly huge thanks to Perpetual Dreams and Akumarayne and...yeah, I changed the title, lol. Sometimes I do that, not often though as I can see how it would get confusing /bow/ my apologies there. This one fits better, to me anyway. Yeah, Alibaba sort of ends up flustered again, lol. It happens, Aladdin seems to enjoy driving him nuts ^^. And Sinbad, he likes having secrets, really, even if told not to. And Judal is...well he's happy about himself getting power, at least. But he does get a little of a tough run, certainly. But thanks a lot, along with everyone else reading, following and favouriting etc. thus far.

Anyway, enjoy~!

Chapter 13

A week passed before those storms finally subsided. And it was then the two princes made their way to the north-most part of the island, and the heart of its dense forests. There the grass lay thick and vivid, and shining from that drenching chaos still from the previous, unfortunate weather. Leaves were bright, and beaded from glistening rain and from the moment the sun had risen Alibaba couldn't help but notice how warm it was. He had gone there with Hakuryuu to resume their training, yet already the shadows cast by the crowning canopies was sweltering in heat. And already the tropical humidity clung so heavily to the trees around him.

Alibaba cast a resentful eye up to that flaming orb, the sun holding such a scorching dominion over the tranquil island. But then, he hadn't been so keen on returning to training – which wasn't all too surprising. Training was so gruelling and the hours were long with just Hakuryuu for company. He sighed, casting aside his tunic, and knew that already and within mere hours of taking up his weapon his body was aching and tired. Even if, he kept being tediously reminded, it was something he had to get used to. Mostly from his sparring partner, dancing so effortlessly around him.

He took a moment, and just a moment, to remind himself why he was doing this. And reminded himself that revenge for Balbadd – no, for his people – was something he needed to do. Regardless of Sinbad's warnings, and whatever danger he would face returning there. Such had been laid out for him, from that moment his mother had passed away and he discovered his birthright, up to the moment his hopes for a bloodless coup had faded to nothing. Even when he had been brought here, close to death, and feeling he had nothing left. That knife twitched in his hand. How...strange it was. Thinking that the only way to rectify this to train in how to shed even more blood. He really wished he had been as naive as he had once been, and that he could believe everything Aladdin had said to him.

More than anything, he wanted to feel worthy. Like he thought his fellow prince of being, and envied him for it. They were different, which was apparent even when Hakuryuu insisted on using that...damnable sword to train with. Especially as his light gold eyes flicked somewhat apprehensively to that darkened, shining blade as its frenzied wielder rushed at him. And right as he just about managed to force his way out of the bloodthirsty path it was cutting, even if he still felt his knife being knocked clean out of his hand. He uttered a low hiss of pain, looking to the shredded bandage and a new series of shallow grazes covering the back of his hand.

Careless again...

"...You're still thinking about him. Aren't you?" Hakuryuu demanded accusingly. His bare torso had straightened from where he had stopped, back still turned as he sighed. As though he was convinced Aladdin was the reason why Alibaba was distracted. Which was the case following the...last he had seen of him. But it wasn't always the case. He often found himself distracted over so many things. "I-is seeing him like that so much of a big deal?"

He just lowered his eyes, feeling as embarrassed as he had then, in that bathroom, avoiding Sinbad's eyes. No, there was no reason why it should be a big deal, even if Hakuryuu seemed to enjoy making it one for him. He really shouldn't have mentioned any of what had happened. And now reminded, yes, it was all he could think about now.

"It was...different," he admitted quietly. Alibaba rubbed at his bare, mildly sunburnt shoulder and wished for his heated, calloused fingers were enough to calm the stitch of an ache running across it. Hakuryuu had turned, his miss-toned eyes considering him with something dancing between deep dismay and mild amusement. Right before he resumed to circling Alibaba. Who took that as a bad omen, backing away into the mottled sanctuary of the trees and away from the forest clearing. And attempted to prepare himself. "But...you know, you might be right. I might like him after all. I – hey!"

Hakuryuu had rolled his eyes at then. Then, and giving no warning or hesitation, he broke his stride to lunge forward. Something of a humourless smirk played over his lips as he did, even as his eyes grew so much more animated as he drew close. And with a whistling of burning air, the strike of that malicious blade only just missed its target.

The exiled prince of Kou even looked disappointed to have done so. "...What? What are you shouting out 'hey' for? I should be shouting that at you! There you are, just off wondering – again – if you like that...that person. Or if – again – you should go and talk to him. and asking me if you should. Yet again. Too distracted to train just thinking about...oh, come on, already! It's so obvious what you're thinking. You talked about him a lot. U-unless you're thinking about kissing him, and being a coward over that again. You should tell him, though, yes. It's driving me crazy!"

"...That would be a pretty short trip," Alibaba murdered and paused. As if making sure the fellow prince's outburst was truly over before continuing. "Besides – if you're that worried about my first kiss, you could help me." He regretted that, especially with Hakuryuu looking more than mortified at the idea and draw back abruptly. "Calm down, I wasn't serious at that. And listen, I told you. Once. And after that, it's you who keeps bringing it up."

"...No. it's obvious what you're thinking about," even if he hadn't been thinking about it. He tried not to, it was distracting. "L-look we're out here to practise. So just...do something about Aladdin already, please."

"...Alright," it was worth it, seeing that Hakuryuu had calmed down. To stop...trying to kill him, and remember they were here to train. Not to kill each other. It was a little of a strange think. Hakuryuu, so focused on his revenge and fighting he tended to forget himself and everything else. And Alibaba himself – so distracted, reluctant to get into this, and wondering what it would all amount to. "...And maybe I won't even get to talk to him if you keep almost killing me. You're dangerous!"

"...W-well you're fixated. Think about something else."

"...Like I need to hear that from you. You can't call me fixated when you get so crazy over this," he sighed. "Since you got that sword you're worse. You're more than dangerous, you're deadly."

"...I am?" Hakuryuu flushed. And that seemed to have done it. He looked pleased with himself, and all that aggression seemed to fade away. "This...that blade just feels like it was made for me. For only me. Does that sound strange?"

To him, it did. Regardless of whatever miraculous and magical transformation such a thing had undergone, Alibaba still saw such a blade for what it had been. The foul weapons used widely which had brought his country to ruin. But then, such things were the focus of Sindria right now. It was also the reason why the two princes were there along, without Sharrkan's help. For now, those usually boisterous and busy generals' chambers back at the palace had grown so quiet, with all attention directed to fixing those foul weapons.

He could understand why, at least. Especially as Hakuryuu had that one Yamaraiha had successfully completed, and he had been using ever since. And what he had even temporarily abandoned his spear for. At the very least, it equalled the two of them, and at least gave Alibaba a chance.

"...You're right, though, I guess," Hakuryuu was saying. "I think I've gotten the hang of this sword, too. I just wish you weren't so distracted that I could train with it properly."

Alibaba looked over at him wearily. "You know, I was just thinking I was more of a match for you."

"Oh. I-I mean, yes. Of course you are..." he was assured. Right as Hakuryuu leaned back under the shade of the closest tree, rubbing the scarred side of his face and avoiding looking at him.

"Even if you just said the opposite," he muttered. "But...that weapon is different, isn't it? It can't be as bad as I'm thinking."

"No, it's not," he assured him. "You might even count it as being a different weapon. Or at least that's what I understood from what sensei told me. They really want it so eventually all their generals and best fighters have one. Yamaraiha-san's magic, well – how shall I put this? Instead, she made it so swords like this are only dangerous to the people black rukh cursed. So if that person's fallen to them, a weapon like this can poison or even kill them. Just think...even this could be enough to destroy everyone who harmed your country..."

He wanted to be impressed by that much. Still, Alibaba remained uncomfortable looking upon him. Even no, looking upon such a thing reminded him too much of his nightmares. Of those sleepless nights he had lost whilst recovering, just thinking of his world engulfed and drowned by the flickering of black and magical flames. As for the enemies Hakuryuu spoke of, they had once been his own people. Friends he had lost, once they had failed and resorted to throw themselves upon such weapons.

He cringed, and was repulsed to remember even that much. They would do this regardless, of course. And he just chose to think that this was worth it. A hand played over the red cuffs in his ear, looking down at Hakuryuu as he sat there, and forced a nervous laugh. "It's just a shame those weapons can't fix me, too."

"...Perhaps they can. Has anyone tried it?"

He felt the colour drain from his face. "Well...I'd not want to try it. I'm guessing they don't affect me..." he waved that scratch of his as an indication. And mainly to stop Hakuryuu eyeing over his sword as if considering if such a thing could be possible. "Anyway, if it was dangerous for me, Sharrkan wouldn't have given you that. He knows just how insane you can get."

"Perhaps..." he agreed. "There's something I wanted your opinion on, anyway."

"...You like someone, and want my advice."

Hakuryuu's hand tightened on the hilt of his weapon slightly. "No," he answered shortly before continuing. "But...as you know, we're planning to go to a dungeon soon. And well, if we fail then we could die. Or more accurately, we will die."

"...That's a bad attitude. Don't assume we're going to mess up right away. If we get Aladdin's help –"

"Then we'll still be the three of us," he was interrupted as those eyes fixed on him thoughtfully. "I said it before, some people take full armies with them. And...I don't fully trust Aladdin," he added quietly. "So I wrote to my sister. And my cousins. And they agreed to help us, if they get our help with something."

"...Help with what?"

"They didn't say," he hardly liked the sound of that much. "L-look I have...a familiar big family," he admitted. "Even if I haven't seen them for a long time, not since I left. But – if we work out something with them, we could really do this. Koumei wrote to me, and he said it wouldn't be anything too dangerous. And definitely more than what the king here will let you do from the sounds of it. Four dungeon capturers too –"he added excitedly. "What do you think?"

He raised an eyebrow down at him thoughtfully. "Koumei – so Kouen's younger brother, your cousin who's all but taken over my home. If...I'm exiled, and you were – why would they want to help us? Either of us?"

"Hakuei told me they aren't too keen on what the empire is doing either. She said she couldn't tell me more yet, not in writing but...I trust her," he explained. "From the sounds of it, it wasn't just me driven from my home. At least let me write and ask them more about the situation."

"...If that's all true, we should do it," Alibaba replied. If that was true, it at least meant they would get somewhere. Even if this might well happen a lot sooner than he had anticipated. He paused, leaning against Hakuryuu's tree. Right as the beautiful, faraway echo of music resonated in his ears. The sound of a flute being played, and was definitely something he had heard before. "...Aladdin?"

Hakuryuu looked up curiously, as the other prince looked about curiously. And as he heard the same pleasant tune wash over him. "...I guess he was training too." he watched Alibaba reach out, grabbing his tunic and throw it back over his upper body. "I...it might be a good idea to ask him what he thinks about this, too. T-that is...if you can stop gawking at him long enough to ask."

"...I'm not going to gawk at him, thank you. Don't be so accusing of me, or I won't ask," he smiled, as he turned to leave. To him, that was the closest Hakuryuu was going to get to asking for help. Either way, it was a somewhat convenient excuse for seeing him to leave. And seeing him again seemed to be a better way of passing the time than being attacked by Hakuryuu.

On exiting the thick forest to the surroundings cliffs, it was fairly clear for Alibaba to see where Aladdin was. Ahead of him, where a deep river cut through the trees, the Magi were there, and wasn't alone. Quickly the prince had ducked back into the shadows, before identifying his company as Yamaraiha. The female magician who had been tutoring him, and the one recreating those weapons.

He paused, and leaned in from behind a nearby and tall tree trunk, close enough to hear them. The Magi hovered slightly over the water's edge whilst Yamaraiha sat curled up on a boulder close by. All Alibaba could guess was that, like he and Hakuryuu, it was a good place to not be disturbed. And right now, instead of interrupting and asking Aladdin anything, he just chose to hang back there...and spy. And, more importantly, to truly appreciate the fragile beauty of Aladdin's music.

The Magi dipped down, his bare toes trailing over the rippling and crystalline, green water as it streamed past him and down the chiselled Cliffside. To what Alibaba could only image lay the ocean surrounding the island country. That somewhat long sequence of carefully picked notes ended abruptly, and within moments a thick pillar of fire blossomed into view all around the Magi. And tall enough to stretch from the flowing waters below Aladdin up to those perfect skies up ahead. Then, with a slight wave of his flute, a stream of that water rose. And proceeded to wrap itself around those glimmering, golden flames, like an aquatic and gleaming serpent looking to bask in its heat.

Alibaba's eyes widened at that, and saw Yamaraiha raise her staff critically as if to evaluate his work. "...There is something I think is crucial for you to focus on. Whilst we have time," she was telling her student softly. She swept up her long robes to get comfortable on that soaked rock she was perched on. Aladdin smoothed away the fingerprint marks on his flute before nodding. "I would like to help you better protect yourself."

"...I know how to defend myself, sensei," he was correcting her, even if his teacher seemed somewhat unconvinced. Neither was Alibaba. That indecent a while back, concerning when the Magi had fought of that giant, maritime beast, sprung all too readily to mind. "...Really, I can. Why are you staring like that?"

"Because I worry what will happen if Ugo isn't there to save you," from where he was, Alibaba could see those azure eyes widen. As if such a thought had never occurred to him. "You've never had someone trying to attack or hurt you. If you went to a dungeon, they might. So it could be useful to learn."

"...I guess you're right," he agreed. That towering monolith of heat surrounding the Magi lowered, as though reacting to him falling into thought. "You know – I've never really thought of attacking and defending myself at the same time. They weren't even that keen on making onii-san or me train up our bodies too much..." he flexed a slender bicep at her, playfully, as if to illustrate that fact. "Once we left Magnostadt, we never got to do stuff like that anymore. I missed it."

Yamaraiha smiled, perking up a little at the mention of her home country as she readjusted her hat perched over her trailing hair. "I miss it too. I remember you saying it was those priests who made you leave the academy."

"...Priests?" he seemed somewhat confused by that. "Oh – you mean those strange men around the palace? The ones onii-san kept following everywhere?" she nodded. "Yes, it was them. They just told us something had happened, and it would be dangerous for us to stay. Once we left, it was pretty boring. We just got locked up in the palace libraries, reading old books," he made a face at that. "And training together, when we were allowed to."

She looked a little troubled by that. "Strange. As you saw at the academy, they go out of their way to make sure everyone can defend themselves. And not just with their borg," she looked over the suggestion of the shimmering, golden shell which became slightly visible around Aladdin at her words. "Especially you and your brother, special as you are. But...then I guess you were safe in the palace. No one would hurt you."

"Of course not, sensei. Why would they?"

She smiled slightly. "Well...all the same, this might be good for you to learn. I'd like you to attack me – with water if you can. And use that fire of yours to defend yourself."

"Mm," Aladdin paused, as if working out how to make that much possible. And turned his instrument thoughtfully between his fingers. "Alright, but I'm a bit rusty."

"A lot has happened, yes. And I've been working hard," she sat up, hugging her knees as that gentle whisper of a song emerged as Aladdin lifted the flute back to his lips. "That's it. Try breaking this boulder I'm sitting on. And remember – with water magic. Keep that fire around you, alright?"

He nodded, and closed his eyes as if to concentrate. Slowly, and steadily, each of those soft intonations carried across the summery wind grew louder, and more deliberate. To the point Alibaba could feel the humidity crackle in the air around him. And then to the point that tower of flames surrounding Aladdin roared and trembled.

"...Careful!" he heard Yamaraiha cry out. And Aladdin broke off abruptly from playing his music. The towering flames surrounding him had scattered, fading into a shimmering of golden embers and scalding water which had all but pelted themselves at the unfortunate magician. She had barely gotten out of the way in time. And watched the chaotic fusion of magic collide with the boulder she had been sitting on and reduce it to smoking, cracked ruins. She then gazed back at her student apprehensively.

"Well...I broke it at least. See?"

"Yes, you certainly did," she agreed. "You were focusing too much on defending yourself, won't you? And on your heat magic. And see? When you tried to use water to attack, some of those flames got in there. And evaporated it."

Aladdin, nodded, watching Yamaraiha shake the light sprinkle of water from her long cerulean hair. But then, watching this made Alibaba feel slightly better. At least it wasn't just him, if someone as powerful as a Magi could also struggle in such a way. "It's pretty difficult," Aladdin agreed. "Focusing on four things at one, I mean. Telling my rukh to do something else, when usually we're all focused on the same thing," he pushed himself up from the river's surface, suspending himself back up in the air. Where a new circle of flames emerged to circle him protectively. "You're right though, water's hard to attack with. It's more something onii-san liked to use, even if he just liked freezing it over first."

She laughed slightly with that. "Alright...perhaps have you attack with fire and defend with water, now?"

"Mm...no, I think I might get it this time."

"You'll get there. Just try not to evaporate the river. It's bad for the fish."

Aladdin nodded. "I'll try. Give me a moment to focus."

"Remember – let your rukh use the water, and focus on attacking me. And you – Ah! No, too much fire!" her eyes widened, as that fire spread out from Aladdin's feet, and raced towards her. Until the clearing seemed all but buried under a flood of scarlet flames and grey spoke.

"Hm, sorry. It really seemed to get a mind of its own then," a surprised voice called over the chaos, and within moments the loud flames were wafted away.

"...It's from your rukh. And from your mind," Yamaraiha coughed, wafting the last trails of darkened mist from under her nose. "Again then...how about thinking back to the basics. Those years ago, and the first things you would have learned at the academy. First, focus on telling the rukh the form you wish for them to take with your magoi. Then, remind them of the purpose you need them for. Lastly, how you want them to express it."

None of that really made sense to Alibaba, but the Magi nodded and picked up his flute. "Here it-"

And again...he came to an abrupt halt, and a lot more quickly this time. As Yamaraiha swept back even closer to Alibaba's trees to avoid the bout of boiling river water directed at her. "N-no! Do you have any restraint?!"

"Of course I do, everyone does..."

Alibaba had shifted back, in order to avoid being seen as Yamaraiha came closer and closer towards him. Yet as he did, the loud snapping of a twig underfoot rudely announced his presence. Whatever conversation the two had been having stopped, as two pairs of eyes fixed on him. "Ah...sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."

Aladdin was lightly floating back to the ground, and smiling brightly as he carefully threaded his flute back onto the long, golden chain he wore around his neck. "We knew you were there all along. Your rukh told us you were spying."

Alibaba looked to Yamaraiha, who nodded as if to confirm that. "...Right."

"Alibaba-kun – don't start going round picking up all of oji-san's bad habits."

"...I wasn't just spying!" he protested. And immediately felt annoyed. "I actually had something to ask you about." Aladdin just looked over him sceptically. "Stop looking like that! I was training out here too!"

"Ah, you were? So Sharrkan is awake?" Yamaraiha asked. And sighed as he shook his head. "I should have guessed. Even if he's working a lot on those weapons with me, it's no reason to neglect teaching you and Hakuryuu. Well..." she stifled a yawn. "If you want to talk to Aladdin, it's good timing as I should head back soon anyway. I've still got a lot of work to do."

Aladdin shook his head. "Could you try getting some rest, sensei? You've been working so hard on those swords."

The prince gave a slight double take at that. "...Wait? You know about them?"

"Of course I do. It's a bit hard not to notice the generals all carrying those nasty black swords with them," he replied. Which...was a fairly good point. Alibaba had just assumed they would be more discreet over such things. Especially following all the warnings Sinbad had given him, concerning telling talking about black rukh. "Well...sensei, perhaps when I'm done I could help you. You're working so hard, and I've never worked on magical weapons before. It sounds interesting."

As Alibaba thought, she just looked over him uncertainly before speaking carefully. "Thank you for offering. But I don't think our king would like you involving yourself in something like that."

"...Why not?"

"Because..." she paused. "Because, I guess you're a little too young still."

"...That's not a very good excuse though, sensei. A lot of the generals aren't much older than me," he shot back. "Hm...what are those weapons for, though? I don't really like the idea of you guys fighting someone, or getting involved in a war."

"No, I don't want to get involved in a war either. Listen..." she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "This is all safe, and Sinbad doesn't want to fight anyone. But these weapons are dangerous otherwise, but once we're done they'll be used to protect the people here. We're just being careful."

"Alright then," he replied brightly. "What if I ask oji-san? If he agrees, can I help?"

"You never give up, do you? Alright, he'll appreciate the gesture at least. Thank you," she looked between the two. "But don't you think it's rude to keep a prince waiting?"

"Only as rude as it is for a prince to snoop in the first place," Aladdin nodded. And before he knew it, Alibaba could see that person turn and already was heading back into the forest. With a slight bow of respect to the female magician, he rushed off to follow him .

"H-hey!" he shouted. Right as he followed Aladdin's skipping steps that gracefully picked their way over the moss and fractured branches littering the ground. Right as Alibaba tripped and stumbled clumsily after him. He narrowed his eyes – where was he following him to? Why was he following him? "Don't you go and forget me already!"

"Hm? I haven't forgotten you, Alibaba-kun. You wanted to talk to me, remember?"

"Of course I remember, why else would I be following you? S-so stay still and listen, damn you!"

"...Oh," he stopped abruptly. And Alibaba skidded before running into him. Yet he paused, feeling something soft and warm brush over his injured hand. He looked down, seeing slim and pale fingers press themselves into its palm. And almost dropped Aladdin's hand in surprise. "Now I think of it, I have something I need to ask you, too."

"Uh? Sure..." he mumbled and glanced...anywhere but at him.

"Hm? Are you alright?" those deep azure eyes leaned down, as if to catch his. He felt Aladdin's other hand slip into his, and held it tightly without thinking. Stunned, it took him several minutes to look back. And when he did, the Magi glanced over him with a troubled expression. "Well...what do you think, Alibaba-kun? About those weapons they're working on – do you think they're doing the right thing? Those swords hurt your friends, didn't they?"

"Ah...that's what you're talking about?" Alibaba watched him nod. He stared back into those eyes, thoughtfully for a moment, and squeezed reassuringly at the hands held in his. "I guess so, yes. I mean, those weapons won't be able to hurt anyone now. They were horrible once, but I don't think you should worry about them. It's ok."

He was given yet another bright smile. "Ah, good. I was worried you'd be upset about them."

"...What?" it suddenly occurred to Alibaba. That, really, that strange person was actually trying to reassure him, and not be comforted himself. He sighed, irritated to be tricked in such a way. And he felt all the more annoyed to feel those hands pulling on his, and leading him further and further into the verdant shadows of the forest. "...Where are we going?"

"There's something I need to do, so you're coming with me too..." was all he was told. He just resigned himself to that much. Slowly and surely, that young Magi was becoming the most bizarre person Alibaba had ever met...