Alright...it's been a while again, but I'm not really having my best year off all time so far, lol. I'm sort of hoping the second part gets better, as it sure can't get much worse with everything that's been happening :p.

Many thanks to duhorcommonsense, nomyriad, LWHxExpress, and Akumarayne for their comments., and anyone else following this story still. A lot of Judal lovers, but then I have more fun writing him than anyone else so I can't say much on that. Sorry it's taking a while, but I'm going to finish this (...eventually) and hopefully things will get less chaotic. I feel I've thought that before though/ sigh.

And a big thanks to Silver Ecstasy for beta-ing and sorry for the trouble.

Hope you guys enjoy this, despite the lateness...

Chapter 23

"...Look out!"

Hakuryuu's warning had only made sense after Alibaba had stepped out onto the balcony, and noticed the beast for himself. The very moment he had left their bedroom and felt the morning heat on his skin, he heard a low and drawn out hiss. Dull red eyes met with his, and the snake basking out on the railing grew tense. Its lithe body whipped forward, a blurred flash of discoloured fangs and alabaster scales, and he felt Hakuryuu elbow him out of the way with a disparaged sigh. Falling back into the doorway, Alibaba silently cursed himself. He hadn't seen it. However, he wouldn't have expected such a creature to be up there in the palace's towers to start with. He watched Hakuryuu shove the brutish thing away; slamming shut the balcony doors behind him before turning with a bemused expression.

"S-sorry. I didn't see it," Alibaba gasped. As he looked down, he noticed a vivid smear of red at his friend's wrist. Already twin beads of crimson were oozing up against his pale skin; Hakuryuu had been bitten. And it was his fault. "...A-are you alright?!"

"Huh? What?" it seemed he hadn't even noticed. Hakuryuu looked down, calmingly assessing the injury with a glance before nodding. "I'm fine. It just looks like a scratch."

"A scratch?" his eyes widened. "No way, that's more than just a scratch. Let me see it," as he reached out however, Hakuryuu crossed to the other side of the room. "Don't be like that, for all you know that thing was poisonous." Hakuryuu sat down on his bed, and began to wind a thin strip of material around his wrist before smirking. "Hey, I'm serious. The snakes back home-"

"Alibaba, that was back in Balbadd. Can you name one residing in Sindria which is actually venomous to people?" pausing, he shook his head. As Hakuryuu was so well versed in such things, it was difficult to argue with him. "See, there's nothing to worry about. I've treated worse injuries than this."

He had; including those Alibaba had sustained three days earlier, when Judal had attacked him. Alibaba sat down, rather heavily and aware of how aching and sluggish his body still felt. This wasn't how he'd have wanted to repay Hakuryuu for treating his wounds, and he tried not to feel irritated with himself. "...If I had just seen that snake out there, though. Then you wouldn't have been bitten."

"True," Hakuryuu agreed, before reaching over to gather his weapons. "But it's done now. Just try to be more careful in the future."

Alibaba glared slightly and tried to change the subject. "Are you going somewhere?"

"Yes. Sinbad-sama told me sensei had a day off from searching for that magician today. So I get to meet and train with him."

"Hm?" he frowned, feeling confused. "Get to train? And what do you mean – someone went missing?"

"Huh? Oh right, I guess you haven't heard yet," Hakuryuu turned to face him. "From what I gather, Aladdin-san's brother was sent by someone to attack this place; a magician. Sinbad-sama believes that he's here on the island, hiding out somewhere. The past days his generals have been searching, but they've found no sign of that person yet."

"...Right," he flopped back on his bed. "I bet this has been driving you mad. Struck here, no one to spar with..."

"I do other things than just train, thank you very much," Hakuryuu sniped back. "Anyway...Sinbad-sama thinks that this same magician will come and try to take Judal-san's back. So he hasn't left his side since. He seems to think Judal-san was made by that person to attack us, he's not even being treated like a prisoner anymore. Really, you should see the room he's in."

"...No thanks," given everything that had happened, that was definitely someone Alibaba wasn't anxious to meet again. "Well, it's not surprising. King Sinbad's known them both for years, hasn't he? Since they were young. Given how much he watches over Aladdin, it makes sense he'd do the same with his brother."

"Perhaps..." Hakuryuu looked over him. "But he's dangerous, he's not some victim in this, is he? Not if he's done so much damage and hurt people. Aladdin-san said he had found a way to inhibit his magic but...still. I guess I just feel Sinbad-sama's got it into his head that he's some victim in this."

"King Sinbad will know what he's doing, won't he?" more than anything, Alibaba was fully aware that this was something he didn't want to think about. Being reminded of Judal made him remember Kassim. And that meant wondering how exactly he had become that...monster. "It's just...he'll know them well, won't he? And what they're capable of. If Aladdin's really found a way to stop him hurting anyone else, it's fine. Once that magician is found, everything will go back to normal."

Hakuryuu nodded slowly. "It's just...I guess it would be easier if I believed that. I don't think Judal-san regrets what he did, though. He wasn't forced to attack anyone; he wanted to. I'll admit that I was wrong about Aladdin-san; when he came here I judged him unfairly. But I'm not wrong this time. It's not just a feeling; when I took Aladdin-san to see him, Judal-san just laughed about what he did. Sinbad-sama didn't say a thing when he boasted about attacking you. He was even demanding to know what I was doing here. As though he felt, being a prince of my empire, I had no right to be."

He watched a dark flicker pass behind Hakuryuu's eyes, only to be gone just as quickly. Even now, after all this time, Alibaba was aware his friend never had divulged much of his past. Aside from only scarce details on when Hakuryuu had fled his home, or his plans to eventually reunite with his sister and cousins, he felt he didn't know him well at all. "I think if King Sinbad wants you here, it doesn't matter what Judal says. Once you gain power, you can do whatever you want to anyway."

"What I want is to get power, and go home. I can make Kou what it was, before our Magi were both brought there," he commented, as if reciting a mantra to himself. He stood, retrieving his weapons for the second time and headed to the door. "I shouldn't keep sensei waiting. You should come too; if we go outside of the city you can sit and get some fresh air."

"Right; the last time I got air turned out so well for you," he yawned. Alibaba felt he didn't really want to deal with people, not yet at least. In the past days, he was aware of just how noisy the palace had gotten. Its grounds all but bustled with officials busying themselves with repairs, and he doubted any training session involving Hakuryuu would be less hectic. "I still feel a bit tired. I'll see you when you get back."

"Very well. But you won't do yourself any favours hiding away like this."

"...I'm not hiding," he insisted, aware of the fact the door had already closed and Hakuryuu had left. Grimly he had to wonder if it was better this way; without his sparring partner being held back by someone as useless as he was. Alibaba slumped back, a bandaged forearm covering his face as beams of sunlight permeated the room. It was still early, yet the heat was already uncomfortable as it pricked against his clammy skin. He closed his eyes, too tired to stop those fevered and disturbing thoughts from trickling into his mind...

...Deep down, Alibaba knew what really haunted him about Judal's attack. It hadn't been his injuries, which hadn't been too severe given that Aladdin had arrived quickly to save him. That had just proved to be embarrassing. It also hadn't been Judal's malicious taunts, as they hadn't been anything he hadn't told himself. He knew he was weak. He also was aware that he was useless. It was true that Aladdin should have chosen someone more worthy, and he hadn't done a thing to earn a Magi's favour. Oddly enough, it almost reminded him of his situation shortly after his beloved mother had passed away. When the father he had never known had arrived in the slums, with the sole purpose of whisking Alibaba away for a life of luxury in Balbadd's palace.

Never in his wildest dreams would he have believed he was a prince, illegitimate or not. It was merely a fortunate circumstance, and something he had never done a thing to deserve. Somehow, it made him feel dishonest; as though those around him would see him for how inadequate he was. And then, everything would rightfully be stripped away from him.

Kassim knew such things about him, of course. They had grown up together, and that person as close as a brother had grown to truly hate him. That was what haunted him; the very moment Judal had summoned that horrific monstrosity to tower above him. Once the clouds of dark magic choking Sindria's courtyards had dissipated, he had looked him. Stopping dead in his tracks, he realised there was no mistaking that vitriolic gaze. Somehow that inhuman thing, that djinn, had Kassim's eyes, and wore the same expression Kassim had when he told Alibaba how he despised him. That he had only been invited to lead their Fog Troupe as a convenient figurehead; a naive and foolish tool for Kassim to manipulate. Far from intending to save Balbadd, Kassim had wanted to destroy the monarchy, along with killing him.

Could he really blame Kassim for that? If only Alibaba had been a better friend, and stronger, he could have stopped the one he considered a brother from such a fate. If only he knew what had happened those years, and understand Kassim's suffering in that time, things wouldn't have turned out this way. Even after the coup had failed, he had just wanted to run, and forget everything which had happened. Back then Alibaba had met Kassim again, he had been so sure nothing had changed. He had assumed that despite all the years apart, they were still as close as they had been as children.

How wrong he had been...

"...Alibaba-kun?"

He blinked slowly, and drew his arm away from his eyes. The room gradually came back into focus, and he realised he was no longer alone. He was grateful to be torn away from those unpleasant thoughts and noticed a familiar, blue-haired figure leaning over him. Someone who was lightly shaking his shoulder, certain Alibaba had been asleep. "A-Aladdin? What are you doing here?"

His visitor looked concerned. "...I came to see if you were alright." Quickly Alibaba sat up, wiping at the sheen of perspiration forming on his forehead. "I...I missed you. I was worried about you. About how you were getting on side you...I mean onii-san attacked you. Every time I've come, Hakuryuu-san said you were sleeping."

"Ah..." he felt nervous. It wasn't as if he felt unhappy to see the young Magi, but he knew he dreaded where this conversation would lead. About Judal, and what he had done. About Kassim, and the fact his fate had lead to becoming the djinn of his brother. Such things he didn't want to talk about. "Did...you need something from me?"

"Need something?" Aladdin repeated. "No I...you blame me then, I take it. For Kassim. I didn't know that's what happened to your friend. Really. I thought-"

He sighed deeply, hearing the frenzied explanation fall too silence as Alibaba fell back on his bed, covering his face with a pillow. It wasn't as if he blamed Aladdin. Even if he had remembered the name of Judal's djinn – who would have thought it would be the same person. "Yeah, look, I know. I believe you, alright? I know you'd not have anything to do with something like that. I'm fine. Thanks to you, your brother didn't even hurt me too much. So if that's why you're here –"

"That's not why I'm here at all!" Aladdin was insisting. "L-look I...those men back at the palace gave onii-san a djinn. I didn't know what it was, and nor did he. If I did, then –" abruptly he felt the pillow snatched from him, and cast aside. His eyes met with misted, pleading ones as Aladdin leaned in. "...Just don't hate me for it. Or him. We didn't know, really. I just...I've been so worried about you..."

"Y-yeah," he agreed a little dumbly. "But I'm fine...really. I don't blame –"

"You're not fine, though. I know you..." he heard Aladdin's voice soften. "I know Judal said really awful things to you. Stuff that would probably make you want to run away, and not see anyone. If you want me to go..."

He reached out, grabbing Aladdin's hand but refused to look at him. "If I wanted you to leave, wouldn't I have just said I blamed you? That would make you leave?" he was aware Aladdin was looking over his hand, or more precisely its heavily bandaged fingers. The wounds of someone forced to defend himself, rather than fighting back. If it had been Hakuryuu, he knew he would have fought back...he felt ashamed of himself. "If you or Judal didn't know, then how is it your fault? I blame whoever it was who turned Kassim into a djinn in the first place. Even then, Kassim made the choice to become like that."

"Why do that though? How did he..." he watched Aladdin sink down on the bed slowly. "I'm doing this all wrong. I just wanted to say sorry. For that, and what onii-san said to you. The moment he calms down. I'll make him apologise."

"Eh...that could take a while. Your brother's pretty terrifying," he attempted to laugh nervously, before composing himself. "He wasn't entirely wrong, though. Wouldn't it be better if I hadn't been so awful? What if...I hadn't have frozen like that. If I had fought back. If I had, then you wouldn't have had to fight your brother."

"How's it better, making you fight your friend?" Aladdin asked. "It's not nice either way. But I wouldn't have avoided fighting Judal with what he was doing. He's my family and means so much to me – but there's no way he's attacking people like that. Or you. And really, I only think you're awful when you say such horrible things about yourself."

"Right..." he cleared his throat, and straightened up. Somehow, Alibaba felt calmer. "So you know, I don't hate your brother. I mean don't get me wrong, I don't exactly like him right now. But Hakuryuu told me you've stopped him using magic. Maybe I'll like him when you've talked some sense into him."

Likewise, Aladdin seemed relieved. He sat there, at the foot of Alibaba's bed and nodded. "Yeah. I want to fix what happened. To your friend, I mean."

"Ah..." realistically, if the twin Magi didn't know how Kassim had become a djinn, it might be something problematic to find out. If it involved men like this teacher of Judal's, Alibaba was almost frightened to find out. "I...don't even know how a normal human can become a djinn. But...that thing isn't even him anymore. Is there even any coming back from that?"

"I wish I knew what to tell you. But if there's a way, I promise I'll find it. I've already asked onii-san for his help," he noticed a flicker of brightness in Aladdin's expression at that. "I went to ask for his advice. I've avoided the black rukh for so long, but I can't do that anymore. Not f I want to set things right."

"Alright just...be careful," Alibaba told him nervously. "He could try to trick you. Just try to get his magic back and escape."

"No, I don't think so. He knows I wouldn't fall for something like that," he watched Aladdin reach into his pocket, drawing out a dark and glassy sphere. It was held out proudly, and Alibaba shifted forward curiously. He ran his forefinger down its chilled surface curiously, and realised he had no idea what it was he was looking at. "Hm? Oh...right. If it's just one on its own you probably can't see it. One of onii-san's rukh are in here. He gave this to me."

He drew back as though he had just been scolded. "He...wait, what?" it definitely hadn't been what he had expected to hear. All the while Aladdin seemed ecstatic, as though this eerie contraption his brother had given him was beyond remarkable. Alibaba reached out, taking the orb from him. immediately a violent current of cold surged under his skin, yet he refused to let go. "Why?"

"What do you mean why? Because I asked him to help me. He figured this way I can study it without getting sick."

"...You're insane, you know that?" whatever Alibaba had thought was possible to do in this situation, or about Kassim, it wasn't this. It was a glimmer of hope, however unnerving it was. Quickly he set the orb down on the table beside his bed, and set about massaging the warmth back into his fingertips. "We need to give this to King Sinbad."

"No. He'll just say it's dangerous and take it from me."

"Yes, Aladdin, because it is dangerous," it seemed almost unreal that, not even an hour ago Alibaba had been feeling sorry for himself. That he had just wished to shut himself away, forgetting and avoiding the world outside as long as possible. Needless to say, that no longer seemed possible. He tapped lightly on the table to get the Magi's attention. "Fine, this is what we're going to do. You're not going to avoid King Sinbad. When he asks, we'll say this is mine now, and I'm looking after it for you. You can figure this out, but only if I can help. Alright?"

Aladdin nodded a little too cheerfully. "Yes, that's just fine. I don't think I could do this without you, anyway..."

For as long as he could remember, Sinbad had always loved to watch the ocean. Whether he had braved the seas himself, or merely watched the incoming tides as he was now, it was still his favourite place to be. He stood there, at the edge of the orchards overlooking the cliffs, relishing in both the silence and the dying heat of a somewhat impressive day. He leaned back against the tree behind him, watching the sun as it set over an endless horizon. Fractured hints of scarlet and gold played lazily over the crashing waves, only to be rendered broken upon chiseled rock miles below. The warmth of late evening clung like perfume to the humid breeze, billowing about his robes as he took his time in collecting his thoughts. This far from the palace, no one offered their words of warning nor glanced wearily when he abruptly announced he was bringing Judal out here. No one was present to state that venturing out into the countryside with such a person could prove dangerous. That, powerful as their king was, he might be wrong in trying to trust a prisoner who had so recently attacked them.

Of course, Sinbad hadn't listened to them. He rarely listened to anyone when he had made up his mind about something.

Even if there wasn't something he wanted from Judal, it was worth bringing him here for his reaction alone. It amused him how embers of gratitude had sparked in those ruby eyes, only for him to rudely barge past Sinbad and declare anything would be better than staying in that room. With that in mind, Sinbad glanced up into the dense treetops, locating where that prisoner of his hovered and was currently half-concealed from sight. Judal was using whatever magoi he had recovered to levitate in the skies there, and Sinbad doubted he was doing so for the view. More than likely, Judal was paying close attention to the barrier, and assessing any weak points it might have. Sinbad allowed him; confident as ever the island's defences were beyond satisfactory. After all, given the darkened Magi's condition he was barely able to stray too far from Sinbad, let alone escape Sindria.

Even if Judal had barely uttered a word out here, Sinbad knew why they had come to the orchards. There were certain things he wished to ask without being interrupted, or for the Magi to become distracted. This person could tell him details about those men who had given him power that no one else would know. Such things could be invaluable, if Kou chose to attack his people. He also wished for Judal to help him...even if that seemed neigh on impossible right now. He cleared his throat, directing his voice to the wind-rushed canopy, "it looks like it's going to be a beautiful night."

"I guess..." then Judal paused, as if he too had something weighing on his mind. "I was thinking...aren't you a little scared to have me out here with you? If Ithnan showed up, I'd team up with him to fight you. You know that, right?"

"Perhaps..." somehow, he doubted Judal would be much use in a fight and smiled thinly. "Perhaps not. From what I remember, you said that he was finding it impossible to locate you. I guess I have Aladdin to thank for that."

It was a possibility he would see Ithnan tonight, of course. As much as Sinbad's generals had searched for the magician, they hadn't found a trace of him. Far from accepting that meant Ithnan was in Sindria, however, he suspected such a person could be skilled at hiding their presence. More than likely, this person would reveal himself only when he felt certain he could take Judal back. It was the sole reason he rarely left his prisoner's side.

That, and if anyone was to kill Ithnan, Sinbad hoped to be the one to do it.

"I don't know everything about Ithnan, though. I just figured these gems would stop him finding me. Of course it might not be that at all..." Judal was pondering.

"I think we both know it's because of Aladdin he can't find you," he replied calmly. "Besides, it might be for the best he shows up here. That way no more of my people risk getting hurt."

"...Really? You're actually using me as bait to lure that old man out?" that familiar and lazy drawl asked, as though surprised. "You truly are a heartless man."

"I'd call it being practical; given the state you left my palace in."

"Whatever..." with that, it seemed the last of the Magi's magic finally waned. There was the sound of bare toes rustling over leaves as Judal dropped down soundlessly from the treetops. He stumped weakly in the long grass, and Sinbad started forward. A flicker of embarrassment crossed those pale features as he caught Judal in his arms to steady him.

"You realise this is why you should have listened to Aladdin and rested a while longer," he informed his captive gently. "And if you had been less noisy, I could have gotten more work done."

"Well, I wasn't begging you to stay with me all the time, was I?" Judal shot back. His body tensed, watching Sinbad's thumb as it stroked over one of the many golden bangles glittering at his wrists. They were there, concealing the gems Aladdin had placed on his twin from sight. Quickly he broke away from the awkward embrace. "You won't leave me alone; it's so annoying..."

"I'm fairly content that I'd be better company than what you've endured the past months. Unless you're going to say Ithnan is somehow pleasant to be around," his eyes flicked to Judal's leg, again bound in dark silk as the slender figure moved away. "I asked Yamaraiha to heal your knee with magic, didn't I? I can't be that bad."

He hadn't intended to; his initial plan had been to use non-magical means to heal Judal. That had been short-lived when he realised just how much the younger man complained. "I don't think it's the best thing to say you're just a bit less horrible than the most horrible man ever, though..." Judal pondered, smirking slightly. He came to the tree opposite him, leaning heavily against its trunk with an exaggerated sigh. "If you want me to thank you...tell that brat to give me my damned magic back. I can't believe you made him do that to me in the first place."

"Do I need to keep reminding you I didn't make Aladdin do anything? He offered to do it. At least try to enjoy yourself whilst you're here; I'm told my home is quite beautiful," somehow he doubted that would work. In the past Judal would have been ecstatic to see Sindria, but so much had happened since then. He had to wonder just what that cruel teacher had made Judal endure in the past year.

Nonplussed Judal reached up, picking one of the apples hanging from the branches as they swayed above him. He eyed the rose-toned fruit with little interest however. "Can we just get to why you dragged me out here already, Sinbad?" he demanded coldly. "It's about that orb I gave Aladdin, right? You're angry I did that," Sinbad eyed him just as coolly however, watching Judal take a miniscule bite from the fruit in his hand. "I know you were eavesdropping. I saw that bird of yours."

"You did. Right at the end of your conversation, I was shocked it took you so long. But that's not why I invited you out here."

"Hm? It wasn't?" there was some satisfaction to be gleaned from Judal's scowl. That irritation he had when told he was wrong about something. "No way; he was so sure you'd get angry if you figured I gave him one of my rukh. You're just going to let him keep it?"

"That's right."

"...Why?" Judal scowled, certainly looking flustered, especially as he was given little more than a gentle smile.

"Because too much has happened. Whatever I do now, he'll want to find out about black rukh," he reasoned calmly. Judal listened to him with a dark look, taking a second and equally small bite of his apple. "I've lied to him about them, and tried to protect him from them. As Alibaba was afflicted with Kassim's rukh, it was hard to do. With you showing up here, I can't really do that anymore can I? At least with you here, he'll want to stay. He won't want to leave Sindria if he feels he can save you."

"Oh, right; I forgot about that. Even if he should go and take that weak king of his through a dungeon, you're happy as you figure he'll stay for me," Judal's expression brightened exponentially, content he could guess what Sinbad was thinking. "But, really, it's just as well; it's not as if you can protect that brat forever..." he paused. "Want to know what I don't get, though?"

"What's that?"

He tried to sound indifferent. "Well, Aladdin was from that world; the same those magicians are all from. Why do you think he never accepted power from the black rukh there? He'd have had gotten so strong if he did...he might have even saved that place. Then he wouldn't have had to even come here in the first place..." he met Sinbad's gaze. "But what am I saying – you agree with him. You only half-accepted their power, right?"

"In the end, I couldn't go through with it. I'd lose too much of myself," for a moment, Sinbad considered telling him about that time in Balbadd those years ago. How he had woken afterwards, half-cursed and forever changed by what had transpired. That those events had led to Rashid's death, and marked the first of many troubled times in his friend's kingdom. However, he didn't trust Judal enough yet to tell him something like that. "It's not quite the same, but it gives me some idea of what you went through. How much those men made you suffer."

"Huh? Suffer?" Judal asked blankly. "I mean...yeah, sure, it was tough but it was worth it in the end. I just think you and Aladdin are stupid; passing up all that power..."

"I won't speak for myself, but perhaps Aladdin was strong enough without it. He survived Alma-Toran's destruction, and even made his way here," with that, Judal bristled and looked away. "It's nice to know you're still willing to help Aladdin, though. I guess I'm fine with it as your giving him that orb means he's still important to you."

"Well... honestly? Not really; I just figured if I gave him something he'd shut up and leave me alone."

"Hm..." he didn't quite believe that. "Say, Judal – do you remember that last night in Kou before I left? When you kissed me."

"Huh?" the Magi's head snapped back to stare at him, both surprised and confused at why he was bringing something like that up. Gaping slightly, he gave a tense nod. "Yeah...I guess. Why bring that up, though? It didn't mean anything to me."

"Aladdin said as much. I don't like thinking I'm quite that easy to get over," he surmised. "I've been thinking a lot about it...usually someone does more than just kiss someone before giving up on the person they gave a crush on, you know."

Judal shook his head. "Just shut up about that already, you filthy old man..."

He felt himself scowl a little with that. "… There's no reason to say that to me, is there? I was thinking – why would you demand I take Aladdin back to Sindria instead? You always begged me, wanting to see this place for yourself. I spent months convincing your Emperor to let me bring you here – yet the day before we were meant to depart you changed your mind? It didn't make any sense," Judal remained silent, yet eyed him curiously. "You were protecting him, weren't you? You felt things were changing in the palace, that more of those magicians were showing up. You were terrified of what would happen to Aladdin if he stayed there. So you convinced him to go to Sindria instead."

Judal uttered a very loud and fake-sounding yawn. "… How do you even think up crap like that? Even if that's what I thought back then, what of it?"

"The point is... I know you feared them then. You still do. If you let me, I can protect you from them, Judal," the slight figure shook his head. "And whilst we're at it, you're not fine. How could you be; trapped there alone with all they did to you. I didn't go through half of what you did, and I know how terrible I felt. They forced this on you. They used you. They sent you here, alone. With magic you barely understand and with a djinn you can barely control. They don't care what happens to you, so long as you infected this place with black rukh. Think about it – what had happened if I hadn't helped you. Kassim would have killed you."

"I..." that confident grin faded from Judal's features. As he went to speak his mouth hung open, before snapping shut just as quickly. He slumped back against his tree, that apple slipping from his grip to disappear into the thick undergrowth. He huddled there, on the ground; his fingers becoming claws as they raked roughly at his long hair. "...You're right."

"Alright...but it's alright now. So long as you..." he paused, noticing the bright gleam of tears well up against Judal's eyes. He was unsuccessfully stifling a sob as Sinbad crossed the lengthening shadows towards him. "...Judal?"

"...You couldn't damned well shut up, could you? You had to make me say it," he was demanding in a horse and bitter-sounding voice. Stunned Sinbad crouched to sit on his heels in front of him, and reached out to the shaking figure before him. "What do you want from me? Of course I hate this. I just wanted to be stronger. I'm from this world; I'm meant to be special. So why did that brat have to come here..." he attempted to catch his breath as Sinbad drew Judal into his arms. "...They promised I would be, if I did what they told me. They came from me the moment you left. I didn't even get a choice..." both concerned, and horrified, Sinbad could only nod dumbly at the choked flurry of words. Whatever he had expected from bringing Judal out here, it wasn't this. "...Kassim hates me. It blames me for everything... what did I do to deserve that?! How is this my fault? I can't sleep... I can't eat... all because of what they did to me. Don't say you know what it's like. You don't have a fucking clue..."

"No... I don't. Of course I don't," he murmured, his fingers rubbing through tangled raven hair soothingly. "...I didn't intend to hurt you this much, I'm sorry. I just wanted to get through to you. But you can get past what they did; I did. I swear everything will..." he stopped. Slowly he was realising that Judal's shaking wasn't due to tears, but from badly suppressed laughter. "...You damned brat."

"…I can't believe you actually fell for that," voice still cracked, Judal rubbed at his face and the false tears sticking to it. Sinbad was willing himself to not snap in and hit the vile person still pressed against him. "I keep telling you, don't I? You just don't get that I'm fine with this. Besides it was my idea to come here – not Ithnan's. They forced this on me, sure, but this power makes it worth it. You just can't see it."

Furious at Judal, and at himself for falling for his outburst, Sinbad gritted his teeth. One solace he held from this was the fact he had locked the Magi in an iron-tight grip. Judal was there, trapped in his embrace and unable to free himself. He pulled the struggling person against his chest firmly and refused to let him go.

Judal spoke again, as if suddenly nervous by the fact he wasn't talking. "...So you know, it wouldn't have made a difference which of us you took back with you. You know how that hag Gyokuen sealed away Aladdin's memories of that world? That he can't remember anything of that world – his family, friends, none of that? He's as bad off as I am, now. Eventually they'll rip this place up for us. They destroyed a whole world, after all. You think this place will fare much better?"

"Don't underestimate me. Did you think I'd take them on without a plan?" Sinbad asked finally once he had regained his calm. "I have people who can help me. You can tell me everything you know about them – their weaknesses, everything you noticed about their magic – I'll make use of it. I'll do whatever it takes to kill them; all of them, not just Ithnan," Judal lifted his chin to look over him. "Stay here, with me. We'll protect you, and Aladdin. Remember – you chose me those years ago, when we first met each other. You said back then if we worked together, we could do anything."

"...How interesting. So if I give the word, you'll go and destroy them all for me, then? Even that hag in Kou?" a bright and sinister had ignited in Judal's eyes, and it was hardly something he liked. No longer attempting to free himself, Judal leaned up, pressing his forehead to his. "You know...that almost sounds fun enough to try."

Hot breath billowed out over the side of Sinbad's face as Judal shifted, and he tried to ignore how pleasant it felt. "...Not if you're going to get that crazy look in your eyes again. I had hoped you-" Whatever it was he had hoped, it seemed Judal didn't care. That much was apparent as he felt warm lips roughly brush over his, and he froze. It was the second time that brat had stolen a kiss from him, and unlike that time in Kou, Judal wasn't going to run away.

The Magi drew back slowly, porcelain features creased in confusion as though he hadn't intended to do that. However, as their eyes met, he quickly rearmed himself with that sneering grin of his. "You should see your face right now."

"And you should see yours," he retorted lightly. The sweet tang of apple remained with Sinbad, mingled with the slight salt of tears. It was much more pleasant than he had anticipated. "You were only just saying you didn't like me anymore. If you want me to believe you – stop doing things like that."

"I only kissed you twice. That's nothing," Judal explained. "It doesn't mean anything; I just felt like it."

"...Right," by this point, he was fairly assured whatever Judal said or did would prove frustrating. Whatever mediocre progress Sinbad had made, he was considering leaving speaking with him for now. He no longer felt he understood what the younger man was thinking, and detested having being tricked by his tears so easily. Yet earlier it had been Judal confused over what he had planned to do with Aladdin and that black rukh of his. He glanced about himself. "We should be getting back, anyway. It's getting late."

With that in mind, Sinbad had to wonder how much time had passed since they had arrived in the orchards. The elongated shadows cast by its trees had long since grown thick, and shivering he realised whatever drenched heat lingering on the air had already dissipated. Carefully he stood, catching Judal's hands gently before also pulling him to his feet.

"What?! No way – I don't want to," his raven-haired prisoner grumbled loudly. His mocking smile had faded, replaced by a frantic and pleading expression. An honest expression, which Sinbad hadn't expected. "Let's just stay here. It's probably been years since you slept under the stars."

Indeed, it was, and it was something Sinbad missed as much as braving the oceans as he once had. All the same, he shook his head. "Someone will come looking for me soon enough. Besides, why would I want to? You've been a nightmare this whole time."

"Because..." yet Judal trailed off, apparently having no answer for that. He linked his slender fingers between Sinbad's much thicker ones awkwardly and eyed over him. Predictably he leaned in, and Sinbad ensured this time he acted first. He pressed back against Judal's palms, pushing him against the tree behind him to trap him there. Any protest he might have uttered died in Judal's throat as Sinbad's lips parted over his in a firmer, much more expert kiss than the two had shared before; as if to show how such a thing was done.

Then, with a slight and sly grin of his own, Sinbad leaned in to steal another. "Alright. I guess I could be persuaded to stay here a while longer..."