A big thanks to jellyfish'confetti (glad you're enjoying it. And yeah, I try to keep the story as consistent as possible but sometimes I slip up, lol. I don't mind if this is pointed out, not going back and fixing anything I missed. Just a looot going on :)) and Akumarayne (I noticed just how how many of the generals either fought Sinbad or tried to kill him. It's nuts!) for their comments. And the rest of you reading so far. Stuff might get a little crazy from now on...

Anyway, my updates are done and I want a strong drink. Enjoy~

Chapter 19

"...Then why is it I still feel you're hiding something from me? Can you answer that?" Once Alibaba had dared to press his ear back to the closed door, that muffled demand of Aladdin to Sinbad proved as terrifying as the storm raging outside. He frowned, and the prince instantly felt bad for eavesdropping like this. It was a much more personal conversation than he had anticipated. Not only that, but the young Magi seemed so upset and troubled. "...Or are you going to say I'm imagining it? Please don't lie to me."

Alibaba shuffled quietly, trying to get comfortable where he was crouched. Lightning from outside continued to flash at irregular intervals down the blue and white hallway outside of Aladdin's rooms. There, on the highest floor of the Purple Leo Tower, was there the Magi was kept so close to the king himself. It was quiet, so quiet he doubted anyone would see him there. At least he hoped not; as he knew he shouldn't be spying.

And that he really should have just left when Sinbad had asked him to.

Literally the moment the two had arrived there, with the thought to ask Aladdin about accompanying Alibaba and Hakuryuu to a dungeon, this had happened. The Magi's fury really was something else, and it was all directed at Sinbad. The king had then asked Alibaba to leave and return to his room. And even then had lingered outside, the king listening for faded footsteps to show Alibaba had left before reluctantly returning to that heated conversation. Alibaba had just walked for a while, before returning. He then had realised that the only way to overhear the two over the foul weather was to do something as despicable as listen at a closed door.

Usually of course he would have obeyed such a request. But he definitely didn't like seeing Aladdin so upset. Or so he thought; it might just be the case he had picked up an array of bad habits from his prolonged stay in Sindria. And most of those were from its king.

Sinbad spoke finally, and after a long pause. It seemed he needed the time to work out how to respond to that accusation, and his rich voice battled against the sound of plummeting rain. "Aladdin...why are you so certain I'm hiding anything from you? Why are you so suddenly sure I can't be trusted? We've known each other for a long time; it doesn't make any sense."

He was pleading, and might well assume that this was due to the Magi having one of those troubled dreams of his. It might even be an after-effect of seeing that stream of black rukh pour into the world. Regardless, Alibaba felt himself wishing he had heard the start of the conversation; almost as much as he partially wished he had just gone back to his room and heard none of this.

Admittedly, accusing Sinbad didn't really make sense to him; especially not when he had so much interest in Aladdin's safety. It had been him insisting Alibaba speak no more of those black rukh, after all. all of that considered, he refused to believe the king had done anything wrong.

Yet the one accusing him felt otherwise. "...Then I'd like you to prove it. Tell me you didn't take what Judal gave to me...that there's nothing wrong with him."

"The braid he gave you, you mean?" another pause. As if Sinbad was considering whether to lie. And seemed to decide against it; possibly as he was more frightened of the thought of his leaving Sindria than anything else. "I took it, yes," Alibaba briefly recalled that keepsake Aladdin had of his brother, and being asked if he had seen it. He swallowed; this really didn't seem like the sort of thing he should be listening to. "...What? Is it so hard to believe that I miss him as well? He didn't even see us off when we left Kou. He hasn't even returned the letter either of us sent. I don't think there's something wrong, he might just be busy."

"I don't really believe you," the younger man admitted quietly. Yet he sounded more fearful than angry now. "Why can't you just tell me the truth? You took it from me as you didn't want to see the state of his rukh? That it was almost like yours were, fighting Hakuryuu-kun."

Another hesitation. From what Alibaba recalled, the three had known each other for a long time. Sinbad seemed to have met the twin Magi of Kou several times before he had become king. Back when Aladdin's brother seemed to have raised dungeons, only for Sinbad to intrude upon. Many years to build a level of trust, only to have it possibly destroyed in moments. "...I had hoped that you wouldn't be able to see something like that, you know."

"Mm, and I guess that's why you took it. But still...it's mine. And I'd like it back. And to know what's going on."

"You know I was just trying to protect you, don't you."

"If something's gone on though with him, protecting me isn't as useful as you think it is, oji-san."

"Perhaps not," Sinbad admitted. His heavier footsteps indicated he had moved away from the door. "And I guess it's inevitable for you to see such a thing, being a Magi. But...to be honest I don't know what's going on, with him or Kou. I'm still trying to find out what. And I didn't tell you in case you wanted to go back."

"So what? You just thought you'd keep me here?"

"It seemed for the best," Sinbad replied, as the two fell into a changed silence.

Alibaba agreed with Sinbad really; if those black rukh were enough to make Aladdin pass out and suffer nightmarish dreams, surely it was best to not have him deal with them. At least not until more was known about the situation. Besides, he tended to assure himself they were nothing to fear. It's what he thought as he grasped idly at his tunic. Kassim's rukh still dwelled within him of course, even if he barely thought of them. He agreed with Sinbad's explanation that here, in Sindria were it was safe, those rukh wouldn't trouble him. As unless there was something involving a curse, he was in no immediate danger. It seemed such things were hard to get rid of, and it might be the same for Aladdin's brother he thought.

"Aladdin...you know how important you are to me. Both you and your brother. That was the case when we met all those years ago, and it's the case now. I will do all I can to find out if he's in trouble, so don't think badly of me."

"...I don't, not really. But given how those rukh feel, how they make me feel...let me know what you've found out."

"Alright," he seemed to surrender at that. "Understand that much I hear is rumours. When we're done I'll write again to everyone I know in Kou. To see if I can find anything new. Judal too...even if I don't think he'll respond. But as you've seen from what happened with me, the black rukh are a bad sign. There are bad rumours only just now reaching me from the palace. People going missing, people fleeing the country...it seems it might be dangerous there."

"...I don't think my home will ever become dangerous, though."

"In part I felt like you might ask to go back there, to see if it's true."

"Well, I want to ensure Judal is alright. Is that such a bad thing?"

"...No. Part of me was half tempted to find out too. But it might be the case of if he's not writing back to us he might not be in Kou anymore."

Alibaba shifted slowly and uncomfortably from one leg to another. To him, it seemed that Sinbad might well jeopardise his relationship with the Kou Empire over this. That perhaps he meant to keep its twin Magi in Sindria, away from any civil conflicts besetting it. It seemed likely; he'd taken the gamble in saving the prince's life after his failed coup."

Aladdin considered this. "So you've heard people say onii-san's not there? And a lot of things are happening?"

"It's not as simple. I'm not hearing much of anything these days. Which in itself is a bad sign, and I can just try and contact the friends I know there. But I have sent someone to Balbadd, and perhaps he can see what Kouen knows."

"...Jafar-san you mean?"

Sinbad sighed, and rather heavily. "I never appreciated just how tough it might be to hide anything from you. You're right though, he arrived there not so long ago. But it's been a while since he's continued his regular reports to me."

"I hope he's alright."

"He will be; he can take care of himself. But if it's hard contacting anyone in Kou, then Kouen is a good person to ask. When Jafar returns here, you can even ask about this first hand if you like," there was the creaking of floorboards as Sinbad appeared to move back to the door. "Aladdin...I hope this explains why I was keeping something from you. I didn't want to lie to you, just to protect you but – promise me something. You'll stay here in Sindria until we find out more. So I know you're safe. If I'm worrying for nothing then I'll let you make up your own mind of what you want to do next. But I'd like you to stay, and Judal if anything happens."

"...I feel you would never want me to leave, oji-san. Sometimes it's almost as if you're so bright to look at. Like I'm staring at the sun itself. If I look too long, I might go blind."

The king gave a quiet laugh. "That doesn't sound too flattering, does it?"

"Perhaps not. But...I just want to see Judal to know he's alright. And I don't really want you to fight a war with my home over this."

"Yes. I know you don't like wars; I don't either to be honest. I'd prefer to just make friends and come to a peaceful resolution. But if it is dangerous in Kou, I won't let harm come to you. Or him."

The door opened slowly, and Alibaba stood with a start. Nursing the ache in his right leg of where he had leaned on it for too long he hobbled round the corner. And not a moment too soon. Sinbad emerged, looking to have lost his earlier confidence. He glanced about himself, as if paranoid and checking the hallway was quite empty. Which, of course, it really wasn't. He passed back the other way, as if back to his own rooms. Once Alibaba was sure the tall man had faded from sight, he allowed himself to breathe normally.

Now, after showing such manners ill-befitting his station, he went to leave, as he should have done before all of this. Rain still gushed past outside of the tower as he motioned to go back to his room, when he felt a warm hand take hold of wrist.

He started, and did all he could to stop himself from crying out in surprise. It wasn't even a strong grip, but likewise it wasn't one he intended to break away from. He hadn't even heard that person step lightly up behind him, clearly aware he had been there all along. Those deep blue eyes looked over him; pools of deep and troubled sapphire that seemed to stare straight into him. "...You'll become as irresponsible as oji-san if you sneak about like that. Just don't start stealing as well."

It seemed more of an attempt for the Magi to falsely cheer himself up than a serious berating. "...Wasn't that more what you'd do? The first time I ever saw you, there you were just stealing from the kitchens." Even if, it seemed, that person who he initially took to be a girl and not up to no good could do whatever he pleased, due to how deeply Sinbad cared for him. "...How did you know I was here?"

"...Why ask that? Alibaba-kun knows I recognise his rukh by now, surely," Aladdin had released him. Instead he pressed his palm to his candidate's chest, gazing over him with that warm yet piercing gaze. His eyes seemed to flick back and forth, as if scrutinising the flight of the fluttering darkness permeating him to his core. To the black rukh of Kassim, which had become a part of Alibaba, and the Magi had forgotten about. "...You lied to me too, though. Or at least you never said there was anything wrong with you."

"And there is nothing wrong with me. See?" Alibaba replied softly, gripping his hand as if to keep it there. He didn't really see that second set of rukh rushing through him, at least not often. He didn't feel he needed to. Sinbad was right; this in itself wasn't too dangerous. Not until he knew how to get rid of it... again, if he still wanted to. Aladdin looked over him slowly. "I've told you about this before. You just... have a habit of forgetting things like that. You usually just pass out."

"Mm...but I'm not, am I?" he seemed equally surprised himself. He had stepped in, leaning into Alibaba's shoulder. Who in turn felt his heartbeat pick up slightly, and just froze where he was and wasn't sure what to do. "You aren't even worried about them though. I can tell."

"No, and do you want to know why?" the shimmering head of blue hair at his shoulder nodded slightly. "Because King Sinbad told me I'd be alright. If I'm here, there's nothing hurt me. Alright, I know that black rukh isn't a good thing, but it's still part of my friend. My father trusted him, so I do as well. And without his help... I'd have died with my friends back in Balbadd.

Aladdin stiffened at the thought of that. He drew away, wiping at his face as he did. "I'm glad you didn't. I'm happy to have met you..." he turned, apparently to walk back to his room. And was closely followed. "So you know, I'm not actually angry with oji-san anymore."

...What a nickname, to give a powerful dungeon capturer and king. "You could have fooled me. You actually are pretty loud when you start shouting."

"And you're actually more of a sneak than I thought you were."

...He might have a point there.

Once Alibaba had closed the door, he was met with a room much cooler than the hallway. Those expansive rooms were as tidy yet cluttered as the last time he had seen them, if not more so. Piles of dusty looking books were piled against the wall, no doubt from his studies. That ill-decided shade hyacinth he personally had given as a gift was sitting on the windowsill outside, as if to drink in the wrath of the storm. Papers circled Aladdin's desk, which he was currently looking over with a sombre expression. "...You know, that time I wrote to onii-san it took me ages to work out what to say. And he never wrote me back after that. I should have known something was wrong."

"I heard. He could have been too busy though, as King Sinbad said," he tried, despite suspecting that wasn't the case. "You meant what you promised King Sinbad, correct? That you'd not go back to Kou until he finds out if anything is going on?" he received a slow, yet distracted nod. "Because if something happened it would be dangerous. And if something did, then I want to go back with you."

"...I know. And if onii-san's not there then..." Aladdin trailed off as he sat down at the foot of his bed. He waited there, somewhat politely, as if expecting to be joined. The moment Alibaba sat down the other young man curled up to his side. He felt his hands be taken in the Magi's warm, slender fingers, a thumb stroking over them as that light weight leaned into the crook of his shoulder with a sigh. "That's not all there is though. I feel almost like I can't trust Sinbad anymore."

"...Really?" the prince looked over, surprised by the action and his words. He liked the contact, even if he felt it would usually be something he found daunting. He squeezed at one of his hands, lifting it up to his lips to brush over its knuckles softly, as if to calm him down. As, really, he didn't like the idea of that man being accused. Especially as he shared the fear the Magi might leave.

"...Maybe," Aladdin started at him, equally as surprised. But calmed, almost as if that was enough to calm his fears. "...It's like I woke up, with all these strange thoughts in my head. Yet the moment I tried to remember them, I couldn't. All I could think about was Judal, and that onji-san lied to me. It...scares me a bit. Like there's so much I've forgotten."

"It could just be a bad dream, you know"

"No," he shook his head. "It's not it...feels like a warning somehow. But if anything's happened to onii-san, I..."

"Then King Sinbad will find him. Don't get yourself all upset until we know more," from the way the Magi gripped to his hands, and tried to hide that look of helplessness, Alibaba felt he wanted to do something. He looked down, to Aladdin, rested on his shoulder; eyes half-lidded and tired-looking. "...How's this. If you promise not to go shouting at King Sinbad I'll stay here with you. Try to cheer you up as...I don't like seeing you like this."

"...Really? You'll stay with me?" Aladdin looking up, some of that cheerfulness he usually had returning.

He nodded, and didn't really see the harm in staying anyway. At least, not until the raging storm passed or Aladdin finally was untroubled enough to sleep. He just wasn't sure which would come first.

The sun was rising over bright and cloudy skies by the time Aladdin had finally drifted off to sleep. So when Alibaba crossed those halls again, it was once the storms had finally subsided. At least it seemed the Magi wasn't going to have to endure those troubled dreams he often suffered from. If anything, Alibaba recounted with a slight blush, he had looked peaceful. Enough so he was less troubled by all he had overheard.

Strangely enough it was also the first conversation he had with the Magi he hadn't been playfully mocked and left somewhat frustrated. Which in itself was something of a new experience.

He had pushed open the door as quietly as he could to his room, fearing to wake up Hakuryuu. He shouldn't have bothered, given the person he shared a room with didn't seem to have made it back. His bed was still neatly made, and its smoothed sheets seemed not to have been slept in. Alibaba hesitated; did this mean that his fellow exiled prince was still out? That he was still drinking away the early hours, too intoxicated to ponder the usually strict regime he kept? If so then Sharrkan was somewhat impressive to accomplish such a thing. But then, what was the harm in Hakuryuu actually enjoying himself? He pushed himself too hard as it was.

Alibaba kicked off his shoes, sinking back into his bed with the thought to sleep. It was then he realised he wasn't actually tired at all. If anything he was thinking too much, and couldn't settle.

He was restless. Despite everything, he really did fear that Aladdin would take the opportunity to go home, for his brother if nothing else. He stared the ceiling, not as much as blinking. He didn't want that to happen; like Sinbad he knew he wanted the Magi to stay. He was even willing to enter a dungeon, for the sake of ensuring he spent more time there. At least until he felt he could catch up to Hakuryuu. He forced his eyes closed, well aware that the world remained there; mottled yet ever-lightening. The morning held a cool breeze, following over the tempestuous night. Something which fluttered about him as he lay on his sheets, keeping as still as he could.

Hours might have passed as Alibaba lay there, or minutes; he didn't know exactly. Just that sleep failed to creep up upon him as he had hoped. Eventually the door opened, only to close just as quietly. A light pattering of feet neared him, indication of Hakuryuu's return. Yet he didn't even take to shaking Alibaba awake, as he tended to dismay with when the older of them slept in. Instead he sat down, and on Alibaba's bed no less. He leaned in, the sweetness of alcohol on his breath, as if meaning to conspire with a heavily sleeping person.

He definitely had drunk a lot, to mistake an occupied bed for his own. Yet he just sat there, almost as if he was conflicted and daring himself to do something. Alibaba just lay there, perhaps curious what his fellow prince was doing.

"...Sharrkan-sensei had some interesting things to say," a quiet voice informed him. Even if that seemed strange, given Alibaba might not be able to hear anything. He wasn't even sure why he was carrying on this charade – he just was. It seemed he really was in an eavesdropping mood. Especially when the other person was speaking to him. "There's things I can learn before you and I leave for a dungeon. Certain things an old teacher, one of the other generals here, can help me with. As...they all want me to play a more active role in Sindria's defences. At least until I go back home. I accepted... maybe Sinbad-sama will even show me how to use a djinn. I-if I get one... I mean..."

There was a growing enthusiasm in his voice. Alibaba knew he was being watched, so much he was afraid to so much as breathe. Hearing this much just seemed strange. Then unexpectedly he felt Hakuryuu reach out, as if tucking a loose strand of blonde hair back behind his ear. But then his hand stayed there.

...What was going on?

"You see, Spartos-sensei used to teach me before you came here. After I tended to your injuries, he suggested I should train with you. Sharrkan-sensei said it was alright, but you know I'd never picked up a sword. Only when I persuaded him to give me this one. But they all said it would be good to spend time with someone my age. At first I wouldn't have wanted to. I'd just want to train alone. But... didn't mind if it was you. As... well even if it's fun to say it, you're actually not that bad at fighting. You're just not very aggressive with it. But... I liked that. I liked being better than you."

Alibaba was well aware he wasn't awful, he was good enough. Part of the problem was being at a disadvantage, having little more than a knife to defend himself with whilst a battle-honed ball of ranting destruction rushed at him, spear in hand. Perhaps his father had just requested he be trained in a different manner of combat. Something more for sport than to harm someone. Regardless, that hand still stroking somewhat tenderly through his hair. He felt he should really open his eyes, but he didn't dare. He was just thinking a way to wake, and not embarrass that friend of his,

"...I know this is very forward. But it's not as if I'll act on this, or even tell you to your face. I know there's Aladdin, and how close you two are. But you were the first person that made me feel I didn't need to prove myself. I am so glad I had you to believe me. You stood by me, whatever happened. I guess I realised how important you are to me. So I just wanted to say this; I think just out telling you would be awkward. That something would change. So I... I mean I..."

"...Hakuryuu?"

He just doubted he'd want to be the one saying all of this, with the other person listening to him, Alibaba felt too guilty over it. Those bandaged fingers playing softly through his strands of her retracted quickly, almost as if they had been scalded. Quickly Alibaba tried to pretend he was only just waking up, yawning and rubbing vaguely at his eyes before shifting to sit up. Hakuryuu had jumped back quickly, looking wide eyed and flushed. As well as seemingly wanting to get out of there.

"Y-you're awake," he was replying to the person be believed to be asleep. His short fingernails were scratching lightly at the hilt of his sword. That same dark blade returned to Hakuryuu, he noticed, and he was currently using to distract himself with.

"Well it is morning. And about the time you usually wake me up to train," Alibaba casually indicated the lightly bruised clouds outside. He wondered how much of an effective liar he was. Kassim had been one, successfully manipulating his best friend as he needed to. And Sinbad was another, even if he believed the man to harbour good intentions. For Alibaba...well, it was hard to tell. The miss-toned cerulean eyes just looked over him with a stony expression. "You only just got back."

"Y-yes, it took a little longer than I thought," he seemed to act as if that stolen confession had never been heard. As if believing that second time Alibaba had resorted to lying to him, for the sake of sparing his feelings.

"That is allowed, you can have fun you know."

"I can have fun! I just have a lot to do," Hakuryuu turned heel, back towards him as if not wanting to be seen. "I am sorry for waking you, I didn't mean it. I was going to leave a note. Spartos-sensei has a few things to teach me. Before we enter a dungeon..." sitting up Alibaba noted how dishevelled Hakuryuu looked, in contrast to his usually immaculate appearance. His rigid clothing was creased, as if from the night's festivities. His usually neatly pulled back hair was loosened, and he didn't seem to care. He just murmured, and moved back towards the door. "So we might not train for a while, not until I've learned this. I just want to make sure I can protect you when we get there, and Aladdin. So just leave it to me."

"Well... no, as I've decided I want to help you. You know that," he reached over, taking his dagger. The same weapon Alibaba never usually kept with him when not training, as there was no need for it. After awkwardly pressing his feet back into his shoes he rushed back to the door, ignoring the reluctant expression he was given. "It's still early – we could at least take a walk, right? And we probably both need to freshen up a bit."

"...I was going to say. Forgive me for saying this, but you do look a little terrible."

Alibaba sighed, scanning the slighter shorter of them in the suggestion he looked just as bad. "As do you."

A slight smile stretched his lips as they walked down the hallway as they usually did at the start of every day. "Have it your way. But you know, they want me to play a more active role here. If I receive a djinn and learn to use it, I might be pretty invaluable. W-well... until I go back home."

So he had heard. He rushed to catch up with Hakuryuu's curiously quicker pace, aware that the one he shared a room with seemed reluctant to so much as look at him. "But I am serious about pulling my weight. Even if you are going and getting trained by someone else. So it won't be all in you in the dungeon. Aladdin will be useful, and so will I."

"...Aladdin, yes. I think you might be a hassle."

"You really dislike saying anything nice, don't you? I refuse to believe you just think I'm useless."

"Of course I don't think you're useless. Very well then..." Hakuryuu came to a deliberate stop, a hint of amusement crossing his face as the blonde prince took several steps past him before realising he had stopped moving. Then he locked eyes with him, and with a somewhat strong expression. "How about this. If anyone hurts you, I'll make sure they regret it. Not just you, but Aladdin too because you like him. Because I... "He quickly corrected himself. "No, because you believed in me, no matter what, and you always have. It's my way of repaying the kindness you showed me. What do you think?"

"...That was a little strong. So you're either rude or lay it on too thick?" With another wry smile, Hakuryuu kept walking, quicker as if expecting him to keep up. It was just strange to think, that behind that scarred face and its stoic features, and he had seen a glimpse of the emotion behind it. And it had proved somewhat stronger than he had anticipated.