It was midnight by the time the princess began to stir. Her slender body was entwined in the silk sheets. The moon's rays beamed down through the windows and upon the princess. Jasmine moaned and rolled over to the side of the bed. She felt light headed and her eyes refused to focus. Then with one thrust from inside her stomach, she let it all out. A burning sensation erupted in her throat as bile among other foreign liquids escaped her body. It was a feeling like no other. Pure burning and pain not only in her throat but in her eyes, nostrils, and head.

Fluttering was heard escaping the room and out the door. As she finished one last time she heard rapid footsteps running up. The flights of stairs. Then her door swung open and a pair of arms pulled her away from the edge of the bed. They helped her lay down and flicked on the lamp nearby. When her eyes finally focused she could make out Aladdin. He had a concerned look on his face. Iago sat perched on his shoulder. Recently the bird had volunteered to be put on night duty in case something like this happened again.

"Did the biscuits not sit well with you?" he asked, feeling her forehead, "You're warm Jasmine. Are you sure you're feeling fine?" Aladdin asked.

Jasmine moaned. She had been feeling off ever since she had returned home. For 3 days straight she had been vomiting non stop and wouldn't eat. Tonight was one of the few times she had eaten something.

"Jasmine?" Aladdin asked. Noticing she had now started to fade back into sleep.

"Huh?"

"Are you sure you're feeling fine?"

"No… I feel sick,"

"You have been feeling off ever since you returned home,"

"Do you think she picked up something?" Iago asked.

"Probably. She's burning up and has been sick constantly," answered.

"You can say that again," Iago said, pointing to the mess.

Jasmine moaned and pulled the sheets up. Shivering.

"Are you cold?" Aladdin asked.

"Yes very," she mumbled.

"Maybe we should schedule for the healer to come visit,"

A loud stomach growl erupted from Jasmine and a moan soon followed. Low, long, painful one. Aladdin sighed and felt her stomach. Recently to everyone's disappointment she had begun to lose more weight. Her ribs were now more profound and she had become literal skin and bones. The princess was not herself anymore. She looked like a monster at times, one you would find in a horror movie. Pale skin, thin wiry hair, red bloodshot eyes. She was scary to look at, and she knew it. Everyone did.

Jasmine clutched onto her small stomach and let out painful whimpers and moans. Aladdin left Iago in charge of watching Jasmine and left the room in a hurry. Iago fluttered down on Jasmine's pillow.

"Aladdin will be right back. He went to fetch the healer,"

"Why?" Jasmine asked. Still on the verge of passing out due to stomach pains.

"He couldn't stand you moaning like that and wanted to do something to help. You sure you're ok? You've been acting up non stop. Throwing up, headaches-"

"Yeah I know. I think I've come down with something,"

"That's awful. Hopefully you'll get better,"

"I don't know. I've been having trouble breathing at night and I can't seem to eat. I feel weak all the time and I think I might die…"

"Jasmine, you will get better. Don't say that you'll die ok. You just need some medical interference,"

"But why? I was able to get over a sickness before? Why not now? I'm strong,"

"Well that's when you weren't less than 90 pounds,"

"So?" It was clear she did not understand what he was getting at.

"You were healthy back then. But now you're too weak. So your body isn't as strong as it was to fight off illnesses," Iago explained.

Jasmine moaned and then wiped some tears, "How did you know that?" Jasmine asked.

"Well I did overhear some things the healer said. And I'm not that dumb to understand common knowledge,"

Just then the door flung open. A girl slightly older than her ran up to Jasmine's bedside. Her brown hair was pulled up loosely by a bun. It was clear she had just been woken up due to her still being in her nightgown. Jasmine felt awful for letting people lose sleep over the fact she couldn't make it to the toilet.

"Hey princess. Heard the biscuits didn't sit well," she said in a gentle voice.

The princess tried to speak but doubled over in pain. One hand was rubbing her stomach and the other was on her head. She was moaning and whimpering.

"Here princess let me," she whispered. The healer grabbed Jasmine's bony hand and slowly pulled it away. Then she rubbed her hands around Jasmine's stomach. The healer felt Jasmine tense up.

"Please don't…" she mumbled through tears.

"Don't worry about it princess. I'm not going to hurt you-"

"Ow please stop!" she cried. Jasmine pulled away from the brown haired girl like a scared animal. Jasmine clutched her stomach and moaned. Then she felt a dizzying feeling overwhelming her.

"Oh, get a bucket!" the woman demanded as she could sense what was about to happen.

Aladdin raced across the room and into her bathroom. Soon without a moment to spare he came out with a wooden bucket. As soon as the bucket was pushed underneath the princesses chin another flood of vomit exited her.

'When will this ever end?' the princess asked herself. Jasmine could feel herself fading. It was as if all her body focused on was vomiting. It didn't matter what was going on around her.

"Jasmine?" Aladdin asked. Cautiously he grabbed a bit of loose hair and tucked it behind her ear. Jasmine never noticed. The three of them watched and listened as sounds of gagging and coughing echoed throughout the room. They didn't know when but eventually the gagging stopped. By the time it did Iago was already fast asleep.

"Are you done princess?" The healer asked, rubbing her back. As she waited for a reply she took note on her bony back. Her fingers moved up and down as they graced along her spinal cord. The princess looked up and then wiped her mouth.

"I'm done… sorry…"

"No need to apologize Jasmine. You just didn't feel well," Aladdin told her, sitting down next to her. "I think maybe we should start you on some medications. You've been off all week and I think you're coming down with something,"

"It just seems like the common cold," the healer told them, "all she needs is rest, water and some medications,"

Jasmine could feel herself passing out. It was becoming a chore now just to keep her eyes open. She jolted awake when she felt something damp touch her forehead. Jasmine tried to move but was held back by Aladdin.

"Don't move. It's just something to help you cool off," he explained. Aladdin held a damp towel across her forehead. While it did cool her down it did nothing to help with the stomach pain.

"Here this will help with your pain," the woman said, walking over with some sort of drink.

"What is it?" Jasmine asked.

"It's a herbal tea. Warm to help with your dry throat and the extra is to help with headache and pain,"

Aladdin picked up the tea from her hands and placed it in Jasmine's. The warm pot heated her hands enough and brought some warmth.

"How about some crackers?" Iago asked, flying back into the room.

"I don't really want anything now but to rest," she declined.

"How about you go into the lounge or library to enjoy your snack. Then we could clean up the vomit," the healer suggested.

"Again I-" she started but stopped when she thought about it more. Again she was refusing to get help. Yes she was tired, but she couldn't let that get in the way. "Ok,"

Aladdin picked up Jasmine from the bed. Iago followed close behind with the tea pot in hand. The healer waved the 3 goodbye before turning her attention to the vomit mess. Aladdin watched as 2 other girls walked up the stairs with cleaning supplies in hand. When the three had made their way to the lounge Jasmine was almost asleep. He hated what he was going to have to do.
"Iago can you help me draw the other curtain back?"

"Yeah sure kid. Just once I put this pot down," he struggled to say.

Iago quite literally landed on his side after he had managed to drop the pot on the landing. Out of breath and exhausted, Iago could only watch as Aladdin struggled to open the curtains by himselfs. The moonlight caused Jasmine to whine and hide in Aladdin's chest.

"So Jasmine. Why don't you try some of this tea I dragged down for you," Iago said. Iago placed the mug in Aladdin's hand and flew down to join the two for a late midnight snack.

"How about these crackers?" Aladdin asked, pulling them out of his vest.

"Just the tea for now," she whispered.

Aladdin helped Jasmine get comfortable and placed the tea cup in her arms. A moment of silence ensued as the three sat.

"So uh what should we talk about," Iago asked.

"Maybe about the stars," Aladdin suggested.

"Stars are boring," Iago quickly retorted

"No they're not. They are a beautiful creation of Allah and you can get lost in them for hours," Jasmine told the bird.

"They still are boring," the bird replied, obvious

"Maybe to you," she told him as she took a sip of the tea.

"Ok so stars ARE boring but you have to admit that planets are better. They're bigger, more colorful-"

"Not as twinkly. Compared to stars they have less cultural reference to those traveling the desert roads and in fairy tales," Jasmine argued.

"Yeah but planets are just cooler,"

Jasmine took another sip of the tea, "Well that's your opinion. I guess Aladdin will just have be the tie breaker," she looked over to Aladdin awaiting an answer.

"Well I mean both are cool. But I could get lost in the stars more than I could in the planets. And we did see a lot of them on our carpet ride,"

"Maybe you could see more once she gets better," Iago said.

Jasmine frowned and sipped a bit of her tea. She was tired of constantly hearing about her disorder. What she wanted was for people to treat her like a human. She wanted to have a normal conversation without them mentioning about her disorder.

"Jas are you ok?"

"Yeah I am. Just uh… ready to talk about more stuff," she lied. She knew that it was childish to get angry about people asking her simple questions.

"Is the tea doing you any good?" Aladdin asked.

"I mean it's tea. I like my jasmine tea better. But this will do,"

"Oh course you do. It's literally your name," Iago told her.

"It's not just that! The jasmine tea tastes sweet and savory. This one tastes just earthy and gross," she frowned.

Aladdin passed her the crackers and nodded at her. Jasmine reluctantly grabbed them and began to unwrap the packaging. She could feel all eyes on her and she began to regret accepting them. Suddenly all she could think about was the crackers. The amount of weight she might gain due to eating them and the pain that would ensue later. Yes she wanted them. Yes she was hungry. But she had no appetite for crackers at the moment. Eventually she had waited too long.

"Are you going to eat?" Iago asked.

"Well I'm not in the mood for crackers,"

"Well I won't let a good snack go to waste," the bird said, grabbing the crackers from her hand. He used his claws and then began to munch down on them. Not bothering, he was chewing with his mouth open.

"Oh Iago you're gonna make me sick. Learn your manners," she said in a playful manner.

The bird only laughed and flew out of the room. Leaving the couple behind. Aladdin, finding nothing else to do, poured some of the tea for himself. He took a sip and found it tasty.

"It doesn't taste too earthy. Or maybe it's because I've been eating stuff of the ground since I was a child,"

"Oh Aladdin don't say that," Jasmine set the mug down and curled herself in Aladdin's arms. The two sat on the couch, embraced in eachothers arms. Wanting nothing but for the moment to end.

"So who's hungry for some rice cakes?" the bird asked. Jasmine smiled as one landed in her hand. It was as if the bird had read her mind. Without thinking the princess chowed down on the cake. It wasn't until she was half way done she remembered her manners.

"Sorry. Did you want one?" she asked.

"No No, don't apologize. I'm happy we found a food you like," Aladdin quickly told her.

"I just like that it doesn't taste like anything," she admitted.

"Really that's the best part about food," Iago butted in.

"Maybe for you," she repeated.

"I'm about to head to bed. It's late," Iago told them.

"Well nothing's stopping me. I'm going to stay up and spend time with my prince," she joked. Jasmine smiled and then curled up in Aladdin's arms.

"You're awake," he yawned.

"Blame the tea," Iago blamed, flying out of the room.

Jasmine grabbed a blanket nearby and brought it up to the two.

"Are you saying you want to spend the night here?"

"With you," she added.

"Fine with me,"

Jasmine smiled and then kissed Aladdin on the lips. The sudden act shocked Aladdin, but in a good way. They hadn't had a real kiss in so long. Jasmine laughed and then closed her eyes. And then she started humming.

"That sure was a magical time," Aladdin said. Noticing what song she was humming.

"Yeah when we soared through the clouds and saw all those places. I'd like to do that again but I'd probaly get seasick, sea sick? Air sick," she laughed.

"Well maybe once you get better. And we can go on Marketplace dates,"

Jasmine cringed at the idea and grasped the mug harder. She took another sip before speaking.

"After what happened a few days ago… I'd rather not,"

"Jasmine, it was embarrassing, obviously. But I think the people were more in shock and worried for you than angry,"

"You don't know that?"

"Do you?" He asked.

Jasmine thought for a while and then shook her head.

"See it's probaly in the past for them. You should stop thinking about that,"

"I know but it's hard. Now I won't be able to go out in the city again without people staring,"

"Who said they're going to stare?" Aladdin asked, curious on what she meant.

"My brain. My thoughts. My nightmares…"

"I think it's best if you block all that out and think of the positives of going back out. Think of all the dates and how helpful it could be when we rule,"

"If I rule…" Jasmine wispeared. It was quiet but Aladdin could make it out. He felt her tense up in her arms.

"Don't say that. Please. You're already getting better by us having a normal conversation. And you're drinking something," Aladdin told her.

"Sorry… I'm just worried. I don't want to go out in the city for now. I guess I just want to hide in the palace until I'm ready,"
"Are you ever going to be ready? Like to go out in the city? And walk around and have a normal conversation? It's what a sultana does,"

"I don't know. Stop asking so many questions," she shot back. Jasmine took another sip of the tea to help calm herself.

After she said that Aladdin backed off for a while. Now she was getting annoyed and had no problem snapping back at him. Something she would do before whenever she got upset.

"Ok well.. Uh…" Aladdin tried to find something else to say.

"What do you mean in a normal conversation?" Jasmine finally spoke up.

Aladdin looked at her confused, "I mean we're talking and you're not screaming or yelling at me. And I guess I'm not on top of you shoving food in your mouth," he cringed as he said the last part.

"Yeah but we're still talking about my disorder and the future for me,"

"And?"

"And I think normal conversations should just involve us talking. And not mentioning anything about my disorder. Like before with Iago. Don't you agree?"

"Maybe to you," Aladdin quickly responded. He had waited for a moment to say it, "Maybe to you it means not talking about your disorder. But to me it means not screaming or fighting,"

"Yeah I guess you're right," Jasmine thought for a while of what Aladdin had said. It was true, they weren't fighting or screaming. Something that always bothered her whenever she cooled down afterwards.

"I think it's mainly that it makes me feel uncomfortable talking about it. I just think it would be nice to talk about something other than my eating disorder. Like the stars or planets. You know… because there's more to the world than just eating disorders and depression," she said without emotion.

While Aladdin did understand what she was getting at he still didn't think she understood what he was getting at.

"I don't think you understand what I'm getting at-"

"I do. I don't think you're getting me. In fact nobody gets me,"

Aladdin sighed. He was beginning to understand what she was saying. Though his main goal now was to get her back thinking positively. Through their conversation he felt her tense up multiple times.

"I understand what you're saying about normal conversation. But what do you mean nobody gets you? If you don't mind me asking,"

Jasmine took a sip of her tea as she thought of what to say. She knew that what she was about to say happened in the past. And she knew that what she was about to say might make Aladdin leave. But it was worth a shot.

"I guess what I mean is I wish people understood me. I feel like at times they don't understand that I have a disorder which is making me feel this way. They probaly see me just acting like a child. But there's more to it than that, and people don't see it. I hate how I have no one who truly gets me because no one I know has ever struggled with an eating disorder. I mean…" Jasmine was now looking at the night sky as she talked. Trying to find some way for Aladdin to understand her. Unfortunately she would have to mention rough times in order for him to truly understand. She breathed in deeply and then spoke.

"It's like before when you were shoving food down my throat because you didn't understand how eating disorders work. You just expected that all I had to do is eat and I'll get better. You just expected that it was all about that weight and nothing to do physiologically. And I feel like that's everyone…" Jasmine looked back at Aladdin, "It's always the same. All they say is, You're going to get better and it will be ok, but like… No… I mean it's not like that. They don't understand that you can't just talk someone out being depressed. It takes more than that and the same goes with an eating disorder. All they see is someone who's sad and nothing else. They don't see anyone with major physiological damage done to their brain or anything. They just see a skinny person who's sad," Jasmine began to tear up, "They don't see someone who's suffering from a debilitating disorder. They just assume that saying the exact same phrase over again will work. And then they're surprised and angry when it doesn't!"

After the ranting Jasmine drank the last of her tea cup before slamming it down on the table. Finally she had gotten some of her venting done. Thankful it had been Aladdin and not her father who would have interrupted her every sentence. Calming down she curled up back in Aladdin's arms and sighed.

"Sorry about that… I just needed to…"

"Vent,"

"Yeah. I'm sorry if it felt like I was targeting you out of everyone. I just didn't know how best to explain it,"

"No, it's fine. I need to accept responsibility for my actions and I needed to see just how much my words affected you. It was a necessity,"

Jasmine sighed and then closed her eyes. For a moment she imagined the two on a magic carpet soaring through the sky like on their first date.

"You know this actually felt better than having a normal conversation. I got to vent stuff out on someone who I trust,"

"That's great. Are you still going to follow up with therapy,"

"I think so. It's probably going to help having someone else to talk to,"

Aladdin smiled and then kissed her forehead, "You're still warm. Surprised you don't act sick,"

Jasmine smiled, "Blame the tea,"

The two laughed and then kissed each other. Both could feel that the real Jasmine was shining through and soon she'd be back to how she was before. Happy and content for spending the night in each other's arms the couple called it a night. Jasmine was the first to fall asleep, unaware of just how much energy it took to stay up. She had fallen asleep on Aladdin's chest. The blanket entwined around her. Aladdin smiled. She had been a blanket hog ever since they were able to share a bed. Every night he would wake up freezing due to the sheets being pulled off of him. When he rolled over he saw Jasmine fast asleep in a cocoon of silk and fleece.

He didn't mind though. Jasmine needed it more than anything and he was willing to lose some warmth if it meant Jasmine was happy. He knew that no matter what their love would surprise any obstacle. Whether it be an evil black magic sorcerer or a debilitating disorder. Nothing could stop them from living life to the fullest. Yawning, the prince looked at her one last time before letting sleep take over. Ready for the long day ahead of him.

Aladdin woke up to someone shoving him away. His eyes opened briefly before he heard the sound of puking echoing through the room. Tired and frustrated he let out a loud annoyed sigh.

"I'm sorry…" Jasmine mumbled.

"No no it's fine," he replied, annoyed.

Jasmine could tell he wasn't in the best of moods. It had been a few days since the couple had spent their night in the lounge and nothing had changed. She was still as sick as ever. Aladdin sighed, rubbing her back.

"Jasmine, we seriously need to get this flu under control. This is like the 8th time today this has happened,"

"I know that… and I'm sorry,"

Aladdin sighed again. Lately the princess had been vomiting more even when she hadn't eaten anything. Even when she did it didn't stay in her for long. She had been complaining of headaches, stomach aches, and breathing difficulties for the past few nights.

"Aladdin… please go get me some tea please," she begged.

"Can this wait? I've gotten like 5 hours of sleep at most and it's almost sunrise. I have a huge day ahead of me," he declined.

"Please Aladdin. My stomach's acting up,"

"You're just going to vomit it up later," he said. Aladdin had put his head back down on the pillow and closed his eyes. He was facing away from Jasmine.

"Please-"

"Jasmine, if you want it so bad go get it yourself. And clean up the mess while you're at it,"

Jasmine sighed and brought the blankets up to her, "Never mind. It's not going to work anyway,"

"What do you mean?" Aladdin asked, rolling over.

"I mean it's not going to work. All I've drunk these past few days was tea. Like three pots of them a day and it's not working. My pain doesn't go away and it only helps warm me up for a short amount of time," she explained.

"Well then maybe we might need more than just herbs and spices,"

"Like- like medicine,"

"Yeah…"

"But what if I don't eat? Will I have to…" she asked. Terrified of what might happen.

"I don't know. But you're right. That tea isn't working,"

"I mean it does. For like twenty seconds,"

"How about we head to bed now and I'll look more into it tomorrow when I have free time," Aladdin suggested.

"Fine by me," she mumbled.

Aladdin sighed. Jasmine not only had been sick but she'd seemed to drift away from him more. She wasn't as open to conversation as she used to be and would get annoyed easily. Anytime he would even mention getting up or taking a bath she would get angry at him.

"Jasmine, look at me," he ordered. The princess reluctantly rolled over and looked at Aladdin. Her eyes darted away from him and to the sheets.

"Jasmine I don't want you to be in pain… I really don't. But if that needs to be done then it will be done,"

The princess rolled back over and moaned. She was annoyed at being told the exact same thing.

"You know what you guys care about? The kingdom. You don't care about me, only the future of our kingdom! If I was just a nobody I bet you guys wouldn't go this far to 'save' me,"

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't be stupid! You know exactly what I mean. Every time I feel down or want to die all you say is 'think about the kingdom'. How about you think of me as an actual person and not just heir to the throne. You don't think the pressure of me not producing an heir and destroying a 100 year bloodline puts pressure on me? Well it does! And you guys act like it's the only thing that matters,"

"Jas…"

"Don't play that on me! You're just saying that to make yourself look sorry for me!" she accused.

"I do feel bad Jasmine! I do! I hate seeing you in this much pain and in so much stress. Do you not know how hard it is to just watch you throw up and not be able to do anything about it?"

Jasmine didn't respond. It was clear that she was not moved by what he said.

"You're not responding," he told her, annoyed.

"I'm aware! I'm not stupid!"

Now the princess was getting more angry. Tension was arising between the two.

"Jasmine, do you see how ridiculous you are acting?"

"No, I think I have every right to feel this way. I don't think anyone feels sorry for what I'm going through and I don't see any way out of this. I want my life back Aladdin. I don't want to die…" she cried. Jasmine then began to cry to herself. She tucked her legs to her flat chest and let everything out.

"Oh Jasmine please don't cry-"

"No just leave me alone!" she screamed.

Aladdin cursed himself under his breath. He had made Jasmine cry again.

"Look Jasmine, ignore what I said now and in the past. That doesn't matter-"

"Of course it freaking matters! What you said won't ever go away. I don't care if you weren't thinking it still matters! You just expect me to walk off when you said you wish I never met? You expect me to walk off you blaming me for everything? Clearly you don't know me at all!" she screamed. Angered and tired the princess flung off the sheets. She wanted to walk away but froze from what she saw. She prayed that Aladdin wouldn't see it, but it was too late. Next thing both of them knew both of them were out of bed staring at the pee stained bed.

Jasmine tried to walk over to Aladdin but he pulled back. It seemed like he was more angry than her now.

"Look I- I'm sorry. I didn't know that-"

"How do you not know what you're peeing!?" he asked. Surprised yet confused on how she couldn't wake up.

"I guess I was in a deep sleep," she stuttered.

Jasmine looked down at her legs and shrieked when she saw a wet, sticky liquid running down her legs. It was clear by the freshness and warmness of it she had done it recently. She tucked her legs together and screamed.

"Look at yourself! How could you let yourself get this low?" he asked angrily.

"How about you read my journal again," she said without emotion.

Aladdin froze. He had no idea what to say or do. He was taken aback about what she said. Without any further exchange of words the princess left the room. Fresh urine dripped from her legs onto the floor.

Aladdin sighed and then took a seat nearby by her vanity. Again he had let his tiredness and anger get the best of him. He again had lashed out on Jasmine and now another drift was in their relationship. He hated to say it but right now the two weren't on good terms. With Jasmine's disorder and his anger issues something was bound to happen. To the point of no repair. Aladdin cringed at the idea of them not being together anymore.

"That can't happen. I love her too much for that," he whispered. He ran his fingers through his frazzled hair as a way to cope. The two had been together for almost 3 years. He knew in his heart that nothing could come between the two. But right now it seemed as if one wrong move could send their relationship to an end. He cringed at the idea. Aladdin couldn't imagine life without Jasmine. And he couldn't imagine what she would do if he left her. She would probably become even more depressed or even- Aladdin sighed and looked over toward the bed. He hated the fact that he had gotten so angry over something Jasmine couldn't control. Sure it was definitely disgusting that he had been sleeping and possibly even covered in urine for quite some time without his knowing. But in the end he felt more bad for Jasmine, she was the one who did it. And she was the one who couldn't control it.

Tired from constantly being woken up Aladdin yawned and walked out of the room, completely forgetting about the vomit mess. He walked in the moonlight, his eyes refusing to stay open at times. So sleepy in fact that he wasn't aware of the thin slender figure watching him from the shadows. For a moment he had completely forgotten about Jasmine and by the time he did he was already tucked into his bed half asleep.

Meanwhile the princess had calmed herself down and snuck past Aladdin. As she watched from afar she couldn't help but feel a bit of sadness as she watched him walking down the hall all alone. The fluttering in her heart wanted to convince herself to walk up to him but she stopped it from happening. He was probably tired of her and just wanted to sleep. So instead she snuck away deep into the palace. Using the moonlight as a guide since her eyes at times refused to focus at times. She even had to stop midway to catch her breath and give herself a break from standing. At times when she sat down her mind drifted to sleep. But she knew that if she did the princess would have a lot of explaining to do. If they found her there, what would she say?

In her bedroom the princess walked across the marble floor and into her closet. Finding the light the princess flicked it on, it illuminated the closet. Jasmine stumbled around her closet in search of an outfit. When she found it she pulled it off the hanger and sighed. Was she really about to do this? She will be back soon. Just for a couple days. All she needed was to get out. Get away from the pressure and responsibilities of being a princess. As the princess pulled back her hair and put on the brown cloak she thought. All she would be doing is walking around and she would be back in a few days at most. They probaly wouldn't even notice she was gone.

After wiping off the urine from her legs Jasmine she walked out of the closet. Before leaving she took the chance to go and look out of her balcony. The lights were out and all was quiet. She just needs a few days alone away from the palace. She convinced herself that the way to get better was to be alone to sort her thoughts out. Making her choice the princess exited the room and walked toward the garden. As she passed the kitchen she grabbed some rice cakes and a few apples. Stuffing them in her bag she got one last look at the palace before leaving toward the lush gardens. As the princess walked her way around the garden she couldn't help but remember the time she had done it before. The time before she had met Aladdin, the time she had felt alone.

As Jasmine shuffled her way through the garden she couldn't help but feel an overwhelming feeling of being alone. Even more than when she hadn't met Aladdin. Sure she had more friends, and a partner too. But they didn't understand what she was going through. And it seemed at times they were only making it worse. Jasmine after some time the princess found the tree she had climbed over before. She gulped at the daunting sight of it.

'I don't remember this being so tall last time…' she thought.

She took a deep breath in, looked back at the palace, and then grabbed onto the branch. Immediately as she tried to pull herself up pain coursed through her body. It was clear she was in no shape or form for climbing or any exercise. It was so easy last time to do it. Jasmine could feel herself slipping. She whimpered as she thought of what would happen if she fell. The princess knew her body couldn't handle the abuse of being dropped. She had already been told that she was beginning to develop Osteoporosis by the doctor. Her thin bone's couldn't handle a drop or fall of any kind. Suddenly her hand slipped and she began to fall from the tree. She braced herself for the impact below but instead her fall was braced by something big. And soft?

Jasmine looked at the thing surprised and sighed. The tiger looked at her with concern in her eyes.

"Oh Rajah,"

Rajah tugged at her cloak which made her fall into the tiger. She grasped onto the tiger's fur and gasped.

"I'm sorry bud. But I have to leave,"

Rajah shook his head and tried to pull her back.

"Rajah, please stop!" she felt tears in her eyes. Again she was leaving her tiger and her life behind, for now. "Look bud I can't stay here and continue to fight with Aladdin and my family," Jasmine leaned in and hugged her tiger. Her tears soaked his fur, "I know it isn't fair. And I'm sorry. But I have to leave. Just for a few days,"

The tiger whined and then turned his head to the floor.

"Rajah, please don't be angry with me. It's the only way and I really don't need anyone else angry at me right now," she tried to explain.

The tiger looked up at her. Then he rubbed his head into her chest.

"If you don't mind before you leave, can you help me climb the tree?" she asked.

Rajah took his head out of her chest. He looked up toward the tree and then back at her. Though he wanted to shake his head he knew that this is what Jasmine wanted. And needed in a way. She needed some alone time away from the palace. The stress and pressure was obviously getting to her. The tiger nodded and helped her up.

As she struggled to climb the tree the only thing he could think about was the million possibilities of her getting hurt. She was already ill and thin. The princess could easily be mistaken as a street mouse by just first glance. He could only imagine what could happen if she was caught. Rajah knew what horrible things people did to street rats like Aladdin was. The idea of Jasmine being caught and abused by gangs in Agrabah wouldn't escape his mind. He cringed and almost pulled back.

It had been a full minute and the princess was still struggling to pull herself up. Eventually Rajah flung his head upward. Jasmine was flung upward and was thrown onto the branch above. She breathed in deeply for a while, catching her breath. Now she was only mere feet away from the palace walls.

"Goodbye Rajah," she said before hopping over the palace walls. She looked down toward the side and used some piled up hay barrels to climb down. Now on the other side the princess took a moment to examine her surroundings. It was like before. But this time she noted the cleaner streets and the fixed foundations.

Using the moon as her guide the next hour would be filled with thoughts and the sense of peace. It was a new feeling but a good one at that. For the first time she felt free. Free from the stress of being a princess and the fighting that always ensued everyday. The princess took a moment and sat down on a nearby stone bench near the edge of the marketplace. Once she was sure she was alone the princess took out a package of rice cakes and began to eat them. For once Jasmine felt no eyes directly staring at her while she ate and nobody pressuring her into eating more than she wanted to. It was a moment that the princess wouldn't let go to waste. So with that she chowed down on the cake. She was three cakes down before her stomach growled, reminding her of where she was. She looked up from her hands and examined the area around her. She noticed that the sun was beginning to rise slightly in the horizon. If she didn't get out and further into the city then her family would discover her.

Jasmine stood up and brushed off her cloak before walking her way further into the marketplace. She knew she was tired and there was one place she knew for a fact that wasn't occupied by anyone else. A place that she knew Aladdin wouldn't check. As the sun began to rise the princess quickly made her way through the marketplace. By the time she had made it to her destination the sun had risen and the sky had turned from blue to orange. Jasmine climbed the stairs to the old hovel and sat down on a nearby pillow.

She pulled the curtain back and looked out into the city below. She knew for a fact he wouldn't check here. He had almost completely forgotten about this place from what they talked about. His life in the hovel was in the past. As the princess ate the last two rice cakes she thought for a while of what her life was now. Now she was running away from home, her family, and her future. Yes she was going to go back, but for now all she needed was a break.

As her eyes gazed from the city to the palace a thought hit her. 'What if they did find out she had left? And what if Aladdin does come to the hovel? And what would he do when he found her?'

Scared, the princess got to her feet and looked out to the city below. If she couldn't stay in the hovel where else would she go? She didn't have any close friends she could ask and she didn't know where any homeless shelters were. The only person she thought of asking was a certain sand witch but she talked herself out of it. They would probably ask questions and make her feel uncomfortable.

'But where would I go? I can't turn myself into a homeless shelter or else they would ask questions. Plus that would just feel de… princessnizing? Is that even a word?'

For now the princess would have to spend as much time as she possibly could away from the hovel, only using it for a safe place to sleep. Jasmine knew that if she didn't leave now her family wouldn't probably actually notice she was gone. And then they would discover her. For now the princess would have to leave the hovel and travel into the city. She would return later that night to get some shut eye.

With no other options the princess looked around for a blue and yellow pot nearby. Once she spotted it she took off the clay top and placed it to the side. After some digging she pulled out a pouch of gold coins. Jasmine quickly stuffed them in her pocket and walked out of the hovel. As she stepped into the familiar-ish market she felt a sense of dread and fear. The future she walked the more she hoped that this would be the turning point in her. Jasmine hoped that once she returned home that she would have learned and grown from her time away. And maybe, just maybe, regain her life back to what it once was.