Aladdin brought Judal to her apartment, leading the way to the small room with the piano. She set the music books she bought in the bookshelf standing against the far wall. Judal sat down at the piano, reading over the music set on the piano's stand. It wasn't bad, a little messy, a bit inexperienced, but not too bad.

Aladdin sat on the piano bench next to him. She was nervous about having him look at her music. It wasn't finished yet.

"Not bad for a newbie Chibi. Play it."

"Ah. This one isn't really finished yet though."

"I can see that. Stop being all nervous and play the damn song Chibi."

She did. It wasn't perfect. She stumbled through her playing, though it didn't bug Judal as much as it normally would. When she finished, she looked over at him, waiting.

"You should practice more. Your technique sucks."

"I know! That's why I bought those books. If your so great why don't you play it instead."

He did. She watched his hands glide across the keys, floating through the notes she had stumbled on. "Sing Chibi. This isn't some private concert."

She sang the lyrics she had written for the song so far. He transitioned from the end of that song to another of hers so that she would keep singing. They continued like that for several more songs until he started playing one of his own, testing her. She didn't falter. His lips twitched into a small smile when she knew the lyrics.

They continued, turning it into a game. She named a song, he played it, she sang; he played a song, she sang as much of the lyrics as she knew, when she faltered he sang the rest. His voice was even nicer in person. Better then the concert she had gone to with Alibaba and Morgiana a few years earlier. She loved it. She felt happier then she had in months. She was genuinely smiling, she even laughed at some of the comments he made in between songs or during breaks in the lyrics. She wanted this to keep on going forever.

Of course, that couldn't happen. The doorbell rang. Aladdin moved to get up, but Judal grabbed her arm to keep her in place, continuing playing with the other hand. When Aladdin made no move to get up again he went back to playing with both hands. The doorbell went off again. And again.

"Just ignore it. They will go away."

"But whoever it is seems really persistent. I should go check."

Judal just kept playing, and Aladdin didn't move to get up despite what she said. The last ring had been a while ago and she figured whoever it was had left. Until the knocking. Very loud, demanding knocking filled the Apartment.

"Aladdin I can hear the piano. Come open the door."

Aladdin groaned. She was in no mood to talk to Sinbad again. Judal stopped playing the music. He didn't look particularly pleased. With a huge sigh she stood up and walked slowly to the door. She unlocked it and greeted Sinbad with as much enthusiasm as she could. He didn't wait to be invited in, just pushed past her and walked through her home.

"You didn't answer your phone. Ja'far and I have been trying to get a hold of you for hours."

"I'm sorry. I was practicing. I didn't hear my phone go off. What do you need?"

"I want to hear the album so far. It's been talking a lot longer then usual to get this one out and I want to hear your progress."

"Um, could you maybe wait until tomorrow? My voice is really tired and I'm in the middle of writing the last part of one of the songs. I could sing the whole thing tomorrow inst-"

Sinbad had continued to walk through the rooms and into the piano room, finding Judal playing quietly on the piano. Aladdin looked at Sinbad in time to see the extremely unhappy look cross his face before he smoothed over his expression.

"Aladdin, I thought we had finished discussing a collaboration with Judal. The Al Thamen Label and the Sindria Label don't get along."

"Well if it isn't my least favorite person in the world. How kind of you to barge into your most popular singer's home uninvited."

Aladdin could see Judal's mood drop. They knew each other somehow. Well that made sense they were both extremely popular. Aladdin felt the tension in the room.

"Chibi, I'm leaving. I have shit to do. I'll show myself out."

"Judal wait. We can keep practicing after I show Sinbad my album."

"No, Aladdin, Judal should go. We can't have someone outside of our label hearing the album before it gets released."

Aladdin sighed, defeated. It had been such a good day up to that point. So much for a fun day off with no work to do.

Judal left and Aladdin played her album for Sinbad. He grinned at her and complimented the album so far. She didn't feel happy about it though. In fact the emptiness inside of her seemed to completely consume her. It hurt.

She wanted the private concert of two to continue, but Judal was gone and she was alone again, Sinbad having left shortly after hearing the album and telling her to 'keep up the good work.'

This chapter is pretty short, I know. Next chapter I plan to give a background for Judal. I've been waiting to write it for a while now so I'm pretty excited.

As far as pairings go you will see some soon. I don't know exactly who is going to be with who because I have a few different ideas. It's so hard to choose :P

On the same note I have a request for a love rival for Judal with an interesting suggestion, but I'm not exactly sure if I can write it in a satisfying way (I will try my best) so if there are any people you want to see compete with Aladdin for Judal's attention let me know!

Anyway look out for those chapters they should be coming up really soon. Get excited.

Until next time!

-Kizuna