It's still Sunday where I am so technically this chapter isn't late XD

Aafje1998: She isn't falling for Spartos, is she? Don't know, is she? :D I'm going to leave that up to your imagination for now.

Stars twinkled cheerfully in the deep blue sky; the moon bathing the mountainside in an unearthly glow; the undisturbed village lying in semi-darkness, all but for a lonely, flickering little light.

Safiya let out a sigh as she leant on the windowsill of their house; the flame of the oil lamp dancing around in the slight breeze that swept through. It had been almost two years since she and her brother had started living by themselves but she still couldn't get used to the long nights of waiting for him to return from his 'jobs'. Sometimes he would be gone for days leaving her alone in their home; this time it had so far been three. It was lonely without him and Safiya was still uneasy when her brother wasn't around, feeling safer with his presence. It was difficult for her to sleep without him, too; flashes of that day still creeping into her dreams.

She was lonely during the day too, but since her training had started there had been less time to think about this; mainly she was just glad her mentor wasn't Ja'far, remembering all too well what the 'graduation ceremony' was. This was also the reason she was trying not to get too attached to the people who were her mentors. Instead choosing to wholeheartedly throwing herself into the training; the naive child that she still was, thinking that if she could be really good at this 'job' then she might be able to ease the burden on her brother.

So day in and day she was a good little girl who did as she was told and learnt whatever was asked of her. She even chose to have other weapons or knowledge (such as poisons) taught to her, for, as the 'boss' told her, "Make sure you're prepared for any situation, then you can deal with whatever comes your way". Safiya interpreted this as "Know as much as possible and you won't get killed", so that was exactly what she was aiming to do; the village had plenty of people who specialised in different ways of killing and the boss seemed to approve, and as long as he was happy no extra harm would come to her or her brother.

Today she had been learning survival skills such as cooking, what you could and couldn't eat, and sewing, apparently. Safiya didn't asks questions though, she just learnt; she also didn't want to ask how exactly sewing helped with assassinations, weird gory thoughts coming to mind (and her brothers scars). Safiya wasn't certain how he'd got them, and he didn't seem to want to mention it so the subject was never broached, but the sewing had brought them to mind; was that what she was being prepared for?

Light was creeping through her eyelids; the sun had risen and it was the start of new day. When did I fall asleep? She couldn't remember, but it seemed at some point she had slipped down the wall and nodded off. Quickly scanning the small space they called home she could tell that Ja'far was yet to return. A small sigh escaped her; today was a non-training day, too, so she had nothing to really occupy herself with. As most of the children in the village were still oblivious to the environment they were growing up in, probably to make the final test harder, she had though to herself, training wasn't every day; after all, they needed to keep up the appearance that they were allowing them a normal childhood. As such, she had been warned to keep her mouth shut when interacting with them.

Thinking that she might as well find something to eat, Safiya began heading outside, I might be able to catch something in the woods. As she was thinking that some of the village's other children ran up to her, gaining her attention.

"Hey, Safiya! Want to play?" asked one of the boys. Rahim, she recalled, he was a couple of years older than her, from what she could remember. Gold eyes and deep, purple hair that had been hacked to shoulder length bounded around in her vision. Apparently most of Parthevia's inhabitants had golden eyes and dark hair; Ja'far and herself being oddities; thinking back, their traits were from their mother, Otou-san was like everyone else.

"Play?"

"Yeah, we were going to play hide-and-seek, want to join?" I guess that has some practicalities, I can improve my stealth.

"Okay...but I was going to find some food. Can we hunt first?"

"Hunt? Mmm, I don't mind, but I know where we can find some berries. Wouldn't that be better? Then we don't have to kill" he added with a smile. No killing? This gave Safiya a weird feeling; it wasn't as though she enjoyed it either, but with a mentality like that, in this village? Would he make it?

"That's ok too", she replied, returning his smile, maybe I can help him understand later?

That day she had fun; it was the first time since as long as she could remember. It was not that she wasn't happy just being with her brother; he made her smile and laugh too, even if sometimes it was at him and not with him. However, this felt different; as if for a moment she could really forget what her future held and was just a normal child. Hide-and-seek turned out to be good training for stealth, just as she'd thought, but playing it with friends was different; it was exhilarating. They were genuinely impressed by her skills too, unlike her mentors whom she knew had an ulterior motive when dishing out their praise.

Friends, she thought with a smile. Safiya had been keeping a distance from her mentors for a reason, and she had been using a similar reasoning to stay apart from the children in the village; simply, she didn't want to lose any more precious bonds, choosing to close herself off from them instead. Today had changed that, I'll protect them instead, if they can just pass their 'tests', I'll protect them after that! This gave her a new reason to train harder, not just for her brother now, she would protect as many of them as she could. They couldn't escape from this life, the boss had made that clear to her a while ago, but maybe she could ease their burdens, theirs and Onii-san's.

Feeling happy as they walked back to the village together, her attention was drawn by the doll that the other girl with them held. She had been playing with it the entire day, and Safiya wondered where she'd got it from.

"Where's it from? Okaa-san made it with me when she was teaching me to sew" the girl beamed, clearly proud of their joint achievement. It was nothing special, to most at least, but Safiya was intrigued; the doll was clearly made from fabric scraps and had straw for hair; little seeds sewn on in place of eyes.

"Ohhh, that's amazing"

"Nee, why are all those men in front of your house?" Safiya heard the other boy in their group pipe up to Rahim. Instantly she felt the heat drain from her as she looked up to where that boy's house was; there he stood, the boss, just like on that day.

"Don't know, seems Otou-san wants me though. See you tomorrow", with that he waved and ran off to his parents. Safiya was starting to shake, she knew what was coming and she couldn't be near it.

"I-I'll be going too!" she managed to get out to the two remaining children, "Onii-san might be back".

"Oh, ok. See you later". They both smiled and waved as she ran back to her home, which was unfortunately close to the purple-haired boy's.

Ja'far was yet to get back, so instead she huddled down near the wall; pulling a blanket over herself and trying to block everything out. It started the same as with Ja'far; crying, pleading, hoping they would change their mind, but they never did. She could hear the other villagers encouraging him now, just like how they had encouraged Ja'far.

"No, no, no, no, please, I can't kill them. Don't make me"

She could hear him sobbing it out, but she knew the pleading wouldn't get him anywhere. I could do it for him, but what would the boss say? What would he say? Would I be protecting him? Would we be punished? Would Onii-san be punished? Thoughts flashed through her mind, only being pulled out when there was a clank as something metallic hit the ground, a clank, not the thud of a body.

"Then you fail, worthless creature! Kill them"

No, don't! It was too late though; their screams pierced the air, and then there was silence. Flashes of his hair and eyes danced around in her mind; his happy smiling face, gone, because he couldn't kill his parents? How was that fair? He'd been too kind for this village. Tears appeared around her eyes; he'd been the one to ask her to play; she'd just made a friend, and now he was gone? I should have pushed him to go hunting, maybe if he'd just got the hang of blocking out his emotions! Tears streamed down her face as she berated herself for not trying harder. She wanted her brother!

"Onii-san", she sobbed, hoping he would suddenly appear and she could curl up next to him.

Another new day was breaking through Safiya's eyelids; she had cried herself to sleep, wrapped up in the blanket. Ja'far still wasn't back, she'd be worried but she could be pretty certain that if he died whilst on a job the boss would come and tell her; not because he cared, just because.

There was no training again today, but Safiya had no intention of leaving the house this time; the other children may ask questions and she didn't know what to tell them. So instead she would sit in the house all day and wait for Ja'far who would hopefully be back soon, maybe I should practice my sewing.

Getting up she pulled out her newly acquired sewing supplies. They were nothing special but they served their purpose; a needle, some thread and a few scraps of fabric she'd been given to practice with. The question was what to do with it. She mulled this over in her mind for a bit before remembering the doll that the other girl had had with her; that seemed interesting and it looked like it should take some time, nicely filling up her day.

"Onii-san!" Was about all the warning Ja'far got before something small and silvery ploughed into him as he tried to return home.

"Oh look, his little sister greeted him. How cute", she heard one of the older boys who had been with him saying.

"Fuck of you stupid fucks!" Safiya had to stifle a laugh; it was definitely funny watching her brother try to act tough, but she knew him better; he never spoke to her like that.

Drawing his attention back over to her she thrust something into his vision, "Onii-san, look what I made" she said, beaming up at him.

"Huh...What? What is that?" The look of confusion on his face as his picked himself up from the floor was mingled with something bordering on recognition as leaned in closer to inspect his sister's creation.

"I call him Chibi-nii!" Safiya announced whilst beaming. "It's supposed to be you, Onii-san".

"Me?"

"Yep! Don't you think I did a good job?" Her face started to drop at the blank looks her brother was giving the doll. She looked down at it, she had tried her best.

She'd found some of the bandages he used to rap around his face and sliced them up into miniature versions. His clothes hadn't been a problem, after all, badly stitched together trousers and what looked like an old blanket with a hole for his head were easy to copy. It was true it had no discernible hands or feet; the limbs just ending in stumps. However, she had managed to find some red thread and had wrapped it around them to mimic his wires. Not wanting to venture out she had embroidered little black circles onto the face for eyes; the hair being-

"Safiya is this real hair" he piped up during his inspection of the doll that she claimed to be him.

"Yep, I used mine because it's the same colour" she proudly replied as she waved the end of her plait in front of him, and sure enough, when he looked closer he could see that the ends of her had been hewn off with something.

"But... Why did you make this?"

"Why? Because then I can keep the Onii-san that I love with me all the time!" She joyfully announced whilst beaming up at him, I'm not going to tell him it's because I'm lonely or that I get scared and remember that day; I don't want him to think it's his fault.

"Oh look, Safiya-chan made a doll of the chief! Oh, you got his cute side."

"What did you fucking say!? I'm not fucking cute! Come here and let me kill you!"

Vittel-nii never learns.

A gentle light made its way through pale lids; there was a pleasant fragrance in the air that made her feel relaxed. Soft sheets could be felt under hand and her head sunk comfortably into the squishy pillows. Bed?

"Safiya"

Ughhh, don't want to get up yet. Mind drifting around to what her tasks for the day were, the previous events came crashing back, bringing her into reality; eyes opening wide upon realisation that she was not where she remembered falling asleep.

I'm in my room. When did I get here? She thought whilst pushing herself up into a sitting position; a slight wave of dizziness passing over her in the process. Ugh, I feel so tired.

"You're finally awake I see"

"Aniue?" How long has he been there? "When did you get back?" It doesn't look like its much pass midday, Safiya thought, glancing outside. "I thought you would be back around dinner".

"We were, two days ago". Two days?! Uhh, he doesn't look impressed by something. What did I do? Unless it's just the Sinbad stuff still. Images of purple hair and golden eyes played in her mind, caught by surprise when she realised the similarities between the King and that boy she had been dreaming about, I wonder if that's what brought those memories up?

"-fiya... Safiya"

"Huh?... Oh, sorry Aniue, I just...remembered something. What were you saying?"

"I was telling you you're an idiot", Huh?

"What did you think you were doing, using your magoi up like that? If the maid hadn't come in to stoke the fire when she did you might have died!"

"Aniue, I don't think Buer would have let m-"

"I don't want to hear it" he said, a slight pained expression on his face as he rubbed at his temple, oh, I made him worry. "I've confiscated your metal vessels for now; you can have them back when I'm certain you've recovered"

"Confiscated them?! Aniue, they're not just bits of jewellery; they have people living in them" People? Is that the right term? Oh whatever. "What about my household? You're rendering them ineffective".

"I doubt they'll need to fight in the next few days. Kou have backed off and they're unlikely to attack with members of the Seven Seas Alliance here. Accept it Safiya, you're not having them back yet".

I'll just have to find them myself then!

As she was thinking about the possible places Arthur might have hidden her metal vessels; his office; the Kings office etc, she noticed a large bouquet of red roses and lavender on the bedside table near the window. The scent they gave off was pleasant and calming, but she didn't recall them being there before.

"Did the maids bring those in?" she asked, gesturing towards the flowers.

"No, they are a gift from King Sinbad"

"HUH?" From Sinbad? Why? What's he after? Has he done something else and these are an apology? Is he planning on doing something?

"Judging by the look on your face I think you might be over thinking them. Well, not that I blame you after what you did to him"

"You didn't need to bring that up Aniue"

"Don't worry; he doesn't seem bothered about any of that. These are, apparently, a thank you for rescuing Ja'far-san. I believe he is also trying to clear the air with you"

Is that so, "How is Ja'far-nii?"

"Your brother is still sleeping but the healers believe he should wake up soon"

'Your brother'? Ohhh, hehe, she thought as she watched Arthur glance over to the doll that was kept on her other bedside table.

"Aniue, are you jealous?" Safiya asked, a wide grin stretching across her face.

"What? No, I-I, we, we're not jealous"

"We? I was only asking about you", I guess the others have heard too; makes sense, "Aniue, just because we're not related by blood like I am with Ja'far doesn't mean I see any of you as any less my family".

"We know, it's just, none of us would blame you for wanting to leave and live where he is."

"You mean, move to Sindria? Oh, I don't think that will happen" I might actually end up killing Sinbad, "I enjoy being here with all of you, and, you realise I can visit him".

"Yes, but it's nice to hear it from you. Elyan and Safir were particularly worried they'd never see their 'Onee-san' again", Awww the little cuties.

"I'll have the maids prepare a bath for you so that you can sit with Ja'far-san. I'm assuming you won't stay and rest even if you're told to".

Of course he's here, so much for avoiding him.

"King Sinbad it's..." a pleasure? Nice? Good to see you? "You". Well done Safiya, of all the things you could say.

"Erm, I mean, I just wasn't expecting to see you here". Thinking about it, that Knight is usually lurking in a corner somewhere; is he here too? As Safiya was thinking this something took hold of her hand.

"Safiya-hime, it's wonderful to see you're feeling better" Sinbad remarked charmingly whilst encasing her hand between his and gazing down into her eyes, he's so close, she thought as her face was reflected back by the pools of gold that shifted smoothly to her hair, "Oh, you wore the lavender I sent".

"Ah-h, yes, thank you, the flowers are beautiful" and they matched my dress. Or did I pick the dress because it's purple? Whether consciously or not, Safiya had managed to pick out a cream dress with delicate purple embroidery and a purple centre; bordered in gold, just like that hair and those eyes; I doubt he'll notice though; it's fine. Looking more carefully at Sinbad, she also noted that colours she had picked matched exactly to his own outfit. No wonder the maids were happy with the choice, I bet they're trying to set me up with this one too, she thought with a sigh.

"Mmm, but they pale in comparison to your beauty, himegimi" he continued as he brought her hand up and placed a kiss on the back of it, a tingling sensation running through her body at the touch, before he released her from his grasp.

"...Um..U-uh, thank you" she spluttered out, eyes drifting to the floor in slight embarrassment whilst holding her hand to her chest, why am I blushing? Stop blushing, stupid body! Ugh, I should change the subject.

"Ah, your other General, Spartos-san, was it. He's not here?" Safiya asked, looking around to check every corner, after all, he seemed to have a habit of going unnoticed.

She wasn't sure but it seemed as though there was a hint of disappointment sparkling around in those golden pools when she looked back, though only for a second and it was gone.

"Ah, no. Spartos was asked by some of your Knights to show them his skills with a lance, and as it seems Ja'far will be alright he accepted".

"Oh, is that so", well, at least I can't embarrass myself in front of him again, she thought as she went over to her brother and sat down on the edge of the bed.

He was looking far better than when she had last laid eyes on him. His remaining injuries and bruises had clearly been healed by someone; there was some colour to his cheeks and his chest rose steadily as he drew in even breaths. Brushing some of the loose strands of silvery hair out of his eyes she could feel that he still felt slightly cold to the touch, the fire needs stoking, she thought as she looked round.

"Your healers said he should wake up any time now"

"Mmm, I heard. I'm glad but...I'm slightly worried we'll have nothing to talk about because it's been so long", unease creeping into her as she made her way over to the dwindling fire and started to add more coal.

We were so close, what if it's not the same? Were her feelings as she prodded at the fire with the poker, letting air reach the fire under the fresh coal. She was so lost in her thoughts that when she was finally brought out of them by a sudden hand on her shoulder, she jumped up in alarm; swinging the poker round in defence as her instincts kicked in, which brought with it fiery embers that flew out over to the source of the hand; King Sinbad. Even as she made to pull back, the little embers landed on his white clothing, igniting the fabric around the area they fell to.

.SOLOMON. I actually set him on fire!