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Recently I have had a long pile of stories I want to write and projects I want to get on and share, but I realized that I can't do everything at once.
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CHAPTER 33
The sun was setting over Balbadd, the skylight with a bright mix of orange and violet. Sakura walked through the slums, that had grown quieter.
After an eventful game of 'Capture the Flag' Sakura had given each of the children a bag of coins from her dungeon treasure and to ensure it reached their homes safely, she escorted every child to their homes. However, she watched carefully and found that some of the children weren't as eager as others to bring home their gifts.
The only three left were Cassim, his little sister Mariam, and Alibaba. Sakura had Mariam propped on top of her shoulders. Alibaba and Cassim holding one of her hands.
"Here it is," Alibaba called pointing to a little space, with bricks covered in fabric. "Mom, I'm home!"
A woman came out of the opening, beautiful, with long black hair and dark eyes, pale skin clear but not unmarred by the environment. Yet her face held a brightness that the slums had taken from so many of its residents.
"Alibaba!" she called happily. Alibaba started pulling Sakura with a bit of force to get to his mother. Sakura now stood in front of the women, who looked at her.
"Oh, is this a new friend Alibaba?"
Alibaba nodded, "Uh huh, this Sakura!"
"Nice to meet you Sakura, I am Anise." The woman introduced herself with a kind smile that Sakura couldn't help but return. This might explain why Alibaba stood out to her before; his mother was similar.
"I'm sorry for getting him back so late," Sakura said.
Anise shook her head, "Don't worry about it."
"Mom look!" Alibaba said holding up the bag of coins.
Anise's eyes widened "Is that-
"It's his reward for winning the game," Sakura interjected, smiling down at Alibaba.
"We all got!" Alibaba said cheerfully, gesturing to the bag Cassim held.
The dark-haired boy then let go of Sakura's hand and went in front of Anise, "Um, Aunty Anise, could you…." He held up the bag in front of her and the woman's face showed a kind of understanding. She nodded and took the bag from him.
"Don't worry," Anise said reassuringly.
Sakura was confused, but she had a feeling that this was a personal matter; a boundary she shouldn't cross.
"This is certainly a lot though, are you some kind of noble lady?" asked Anise, it was pure curiosity that laced the question and nothing of hostility.
"Oh no!" Sakura shook her hand around nervously, "I am no lady,"
Stepping forward Anise grasped Sakura's hand gently, bringing it to her mouth and planting a small kiss on it. "Thank you."
For the first time in a while, Sakura was hit with a familiar wave, a warmth-a true mother's warmth.
It was dark by now, Cassim had led Sakura by the hand through the slums. Even in this darkly lit area, the boy seemed to know his way around perfectly. Mariam seemed to be half asleep on Sakura's head. Cassim suddenly stopped, "This is far enough."
Sakura frowned, "I want to get you home safe-
"It's just down this road," Cassim said gesturing in front of him. "I'll take Mariam."
Bringing the little girl off her shoulders; Sakura handed her to Cassim. He held his sister with great care, not usually the kind you got from a six-year-old. He seemed to have a strong sense of protection for her. Almost as if he was the only one who did.
"Are you sure?" Sakura asked; she knew that there was something going on with him. First, he handed the money to Alibaba's mother. It didn't seem like an offer. Now he didn't want her to take him home.
'What kind of home does he live in then….' Sakura wondered sadly.
"Thank you for everything," Cassim said about to leave.
"Cassim," Sakura crouched down, she put her hand on his shoulder; her eyes seemed to shine under the moonlight. She appeared ready to give a long speech, but instead, she leaned forward. Placing a small kiss on the boy's forehead. She heard a small gasp of surprise.
Sakura pulled away, smiling gently. "Don't ever lose hope."
..
..
..
"When you said, I won't be long, you should've elaborated I won't be back till night," Sinbad said, crossing his arms over his chest to look at his pink-haired partner; who had literally just come in through the office window.
"I just lost track of time." Sakura shrugged. "It's not like you haven't before."
She looked around Sinbad's new office, it was much larger than the previous one in Napoli. More space to put file the dozens of documents; all neatly pilled in shelves around the office rather than at the back. There were windows situated behind Sinbad's desk so that light could come in. However, Sakura noted that there were actually two desks a little ways beside each other; a red embodied carpet under each desk.
"I figured you might want your desk," Sinbad said after realizing she had been staring at the desks. "Now back on topic; where the heck have you been?"
Trailing her hand along the edge of the desk, Sakura spoke. "I just went to take a closer look at the slums. Ran into some kids and played some games with them."
"I see….."
"Is there a problem?"
Sakura didn't think of going into the details with Sinbad about what drew her to the slums in the first place. She wasn't entirely sure herself until she got there, but she didn't regret it. Listening to the rukh had helped her some, if anything it made her experience in this world more interesting. There were times when she was able to look at a person and assess their character based on the rukh's behavior around them.
"No; it's just wish you would at least tell me you were going to be out this late," Sinbad mumbled.
When she saw the frown on his face, Sakura realized that Sinbad was quite upset, more than he'd care to admit.
Hands on her hips, Sakura leaned forward glaring at Sinbad, "Why are you so upset?"
"I'm not upset,"
"Tell that to your face," Sakura pointed, watching as his eyebrows knitted closely together, a scowl forming.
"Okay, I'm upset," Sinbad grumbled, crossing his arms.
"It's not like I have a curfew or anything right?" Sakura asked sarcastically. "Honestly relax."
"Sorry for worrying."
Now Sakura was confused; with her head titled to the side, she attempted to look at Sinbad's face when he turned his back to her. "Why would you worry about me? You know I'm able to take care of myself."
Sinbad's voice came out sharply, "Yes, I do know that. I also know you can pull an amazing disappearing act when you least expect it."
Sakura's jaw dropped, though you could see in her eyes she was fuming. She could only describe this as a low blow from Sinbad. She thought that this had been settled but it looked like she had assumed wrong. Turning on her heel, she began walking passed Sinbad to the door but her wrist was captured and she was pulled back.
"Wait, wait." Sinbad sighed, rubbing his eyes "I didn't mean-
Sakura cut him off, pulling her hand back "I know what you meant. You think if you take your eyes off of me for more than a few minutes I'll leave. No, abandon you."
Walking around so that he was facing her, Sinbad placed his hands on her shoulders. "Sakura please,"
"You don't trust me do you?" She knew it; he didn't trust her not to leave him even when she had made it clear she had nowhere else to go. She had nothing left but him and their friends. Everything she everything she was; had been left behind in the shards of a shattered mirror.
"I do Sakura," Sinbad said holding tighter, his fingers digging into her shoulders but she didn't flinch. "It's just that it's hard." She looked up at him, waiting for an explanation, Sinbad took a breath in and then exhaled. "Even though I have you now; it feels like you're trying to keep a distance from me. You seem to be fine with everyone else but with me….."
Sakura knew what he meant. Although their relationship had changed they were still behaving similarly to when they were friends, Sakura hadn't taken any actions to step out of that routine since the confession. It was always Sinbad that took initiative; be it talking to her outside of office grounds, offering to go out to dinner, and such. She would always be the last one to finish her work and she had hardly given into any of Sinbad's advances.
A part of her also felt guilty. Sinbad had given her his whole heart-felt confession and she hadn't even been able to muster up the will to tell him who she really was. She felt that; while he poured his heart out to her; she had kept hers close to him.
'He could already tell I was hiding something.' Sakura thought. 'But, I don't want to reveal anything right now,"
Sinbad had already asked her if something was bothering her and he hadn't brought it up again, but he wanted to know. She was working hard all the time and there was something off about that. She was like this before, but he noticed a change in her. Partly the reason he hadn't tried to bring it up before was because he had a feeling it was related to the incident with Madaura. He had hoped that she would come to terms on her own as he had; since he just seemed the serve the same purpose of a scar-a reminder of a mistake.
The matter of her running away was another anxiety. When she hadn't come back after hours, that same sickening feeling fell over him like a fog, blinding him. He had gone to Ja'far on the matter and he reassured Sinbad that Sakura wouldn't run off again. He seemed so sure that Sinbad calmed down some, but that was before sunset.
"In the future, please just give me a heads up." Sinbad sighed.
"It's not like I was planning on taking that long," Sakura replied honestly, she placed her hands on Sinbad's who still had his resting on her shoulders. Then she smiled, a light blush on her cheeks; "It is kinda nice though."
"Huh?" Sinbad looked confused.
"To think that you were concerned about me leaving."
Sinbad pulled her close, resting his forehead against hers. "Of course; I meant what I said you know."
Closing her eyes, Sakura's smile grew wider. While she would miss her world, Sinbad had offered her a chance she never thought she would get again after Sasuke.
"Thank you; Sinbad."
A soft pressure swept over her lips for an instant before it vanished again. "It's nothing to thank me for Sakura."
Leaning up, Sakura brought her face back to his; as she kissed him, her hand trailed up his neck to his hair, caressing it. Sinbad's grip tightened; she didn't make it easy for him to restrain. Their lips were warm against each other.
'Stay with me self-control' he silently begged, not wanting this moment to end because of something he would inevitably do.
Sakura sighed softly when Sinbad drew his head back, his mouth moved to the corner of her lips and downwards to her chin…
There were still many barriers that they needed to overcome in their relationship. Sakura was more hesitant to take them on, but Sinbad was determined to get them through. One at a time. Sakura just hoped that when they were all stripped down; his feelings for her would not be deterred.
"Ouch!" Sakura yelped, pushing back and covering the side of her neck "Sinbad, did you just bite me!?"
..
..
South of the Reim Empire; 'The Dark Continent', is described as a savage, untouched land with only a few colonies like Reim's city of Carthargo. The area was lawless and therefore a cesspool of bandits that targeted travelers. At least that's what Sinbad and his companions were warned when they took to leave Carthargo. The guards at the stone wall exit, attempted to sway them back, considering how young they were; however, the appearance of Hinahoho and Drakon quickly silenced them before proceeding into the Dark Continent.
"AMAZING!! WHAT A DESERT!!" Sinbad looked out at the seemingly endless land filled with dunes and a few well-parted palm trees. "Sakura are you seeing this?!"
"Yes, Sinbad." Glowered the pink-haired girl, she was wrapped in a lightly colored cloak as protection from the heat but she was still getting hot. Removing her hood and adjusting the bag around her waist; she turned her head to look around but unlike her partner, her eyes were brimmed with caution.
"What's wrong?" Sinbad asked
Closing her eyes for a moment, she spoke, "I haven't had the best experiences in deserts by far."
"The Dark Continent has a great climate difference between the North and Southern regions," Ja'far spoke, rolling out a map of the uncharted area. "As you travel to the Southern region, it seems like the climate becomes more tropical and it has various vegetation. The part that's generally considered untouched is the Southern region."
"AND LAND AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE." Sinbad cried out excitedly, his eyes darting around with a child-like glimmer. Ja'far continued to explain their aims to travel south while Sinbad was talking over him until he finally yelled for their leader to pay attention to detail.
"It's not the heat that bothers me," Sakura deadpanned in her reply, glancing to the side, a small red-headed boy stood beside her; on his back bag with a far larger range in width and weight, yet it did not deter him as he stood up straight, clutching the straps in both of his hands. "We were warned of bandits"
And she knew that slave traders were no strangers to these lands either.
When Sinbad had announced his plans to explore the untouched lands of the Dark Continent; he insisted that he would only be taking those capable of defending themselves. Naturally, that was Hinahoho, Ja'far, Mystras, and Drakon; however, Masrur stated that he would be joining the group as well. It wasn't too surprising; making his intentions of visiting the birthplace of the Fanalis clear.
"It'll be alright," Masrur said, looking at Sakura and although his face was unchanging she smiled at him nodding.
Hinahoho, crossed his large arms, his head covered almost completely by the large wrapping that could double as a blanket-an Imuchakk did not take well to heat. "Masrur's birthplace huh…it'd be great if he could find his family or friends."
"Yeah, it would," Sinbad replied.
Ja'far continued to look at the map, "Sin, about that…along with the Fanalis there is another culture that exists here on the Dark Continent. It's known as Heliohapt. A country ruled by a royal family for hundreds of years. There are rumors that its power surpasses both Sasan and Artemyra."
Sakura kept a smile, looking at Ja'far, "I see you've kept up with your studies; good job Ja'far."
"Well anyway, that has nothing to do with us. We're heading for the Southern Region after all-.
"Let's go check it out!" Sinbad exclaimed,
"What?" asked Ja'far, disbelief painted across his face.
"That country, let's go-
"No," Sakura stated firmly, crossing her arms over her chest.
Sinbad visibly deflated, slumping forward, his tone resembling a whining dog. "Why not?"
With a hard glare, Sakura stomped up to Sinbad, pointing at his chest "Given the fact you've got a record for causing trouble in every country you enter for the first time; I don't think a detour is a good idea."
"Aw, come on sweet-
"NO"
Drakon leaned over towards Hinahoho, he spoke in a whispered tone so Sakura and Sinbad would be oblivious to the conversation. "Is it true, does Sinbad cause problems everywhere he goes? I thought it was just in Parthevia."
Ja'far, Hinahoho, and Mystras started recapping from Imuchakk to Reim, Sasan, Artemyra…
"Yes." They deadpanned.
"Especially when it comes to the women of those countries…." Ja'far trailed.
"I think Sakura's aware of that." Mystras pointed.
Mystras, Hinahoho, Ja'far, Drakon, and Masrur resumed watching the two teens bicker over their travel plans. With the look on Sakura's face, no one wanted to jump in; for fear of dealing with the girl's wrath.
With his hands raised, Sinbad gave a nervous smile as he spoke. "Think about it, if there are people who live here, they must know a lot about the land surrounding them. They would be a good reference for helping us build our own country. Do you think we should pass up this opportunity…"
"It's basically in the opposite direction from where the Fanalis live in the Southern Region." Sakura pointed out, poking Sinbad's chest. "This trip isn't just for you."
Ja'far then decided to chime in, figuring it was safe, "She's right Sin, what will Masrur think about-
"I'll go," Masrur interjected, his mouth hidden behind his scarf.
Seeing an opening of security, Sinbad crouched down beside Masrur, hands on the boy's shoulders "See, he says he'll go!"
"That's not the point!" exclaimed Ja'far, he also didn't want to take an unnecessary detour. "And Masrur, you shouldn't agree with Sin so easily!"
Sakura nodded leaning over the boy, "We didn't plan for this and it's not like it's fair on you either."
Sinbad started whispering to Masrur, covering his mouth with his hand in case the two decided to read his lips; meanwhile, Masrur spoke in a mechanical manner his next words.
"It's okay….this is my decision."
"See, he said so!" exclaimed Sinbad in a coy manner; doing his best not to cringe at the daggers Ja'far and Sakura were glaring at him.
Sakura threw her hands in the air, "I saw you whispering in his ear!"
"That's right, don't use a child as your excuse for doing something!" Ja'far yelled.
Attempting to divert the tension and the already heated atmosphere, Mystras decided to chime in. "Hey Masrur, aren't you taller than before?"
Everyone turned to the eight-year-old Fanalis; Sinbad started petting his head speaking about how Masrur must be having a growth spurt, with Hinahoho commenting that it was normal while Drakon thought otherwise and Masrur saying he had been eating more than usual since arriving at Sindria. Meanwhile, Sakura noted the frustrating vibes of a certain ex-assassin with white hair.
Ja'far looked up when he felt a comforting hand on his head; Sakura smiled down at him which he returned; however, it vanished; his eyes narrowed as he turned around to look on top of a sand dune. Sakura and the rest followed his glare, standing on top were several men; some riding on camels. By the looks on their faces and the blades in their hands; it was rather obvious they were a threat.
"Heh, you're crossing the desert with those kids?"
"Why don't you hand over your belongings before someone gets hurt?"
Sakura narrowed her eyes, "Those must be the bandits we were warned about."
"Yeah," Sinbad crossed his arms over his chest, smirking. They outnumbered the group five to one; even so, no one showed any signs of concern.
Then one of the bandits said something that set everyone off; his eyes lingering on Sakura; leering at her. "HEY THERE'S A GIRL WITH THEM."
That caught the bandit's attention, "Oh I see her!"
"Yeah, not bad!"
"You kids sure brought us a nice present!"
"How considerate!"
Sakura's sweat dropped when she looked around at the sinister aura growing around her from all sides; all coming from her six male companions. They were probably going to take it easy on the men standing above but not anymore.
Clearing his throat, Sinbad glanced at Sakura, "Sakura darling, would you stand back a little please?"
Usually, Sakura would have protested against Sinbad wanting to keep her out of a fight; not to mention correct him on all of his unnecessary terms of endearment for her but instead, she took several steps back from the group, her face blank.
"What are you doing?" asked Gaap "Aren't you going to fight?"
'Did you see their faces?' she asked, crossing her arms.
"Those bandits-
'No, not them.' Sakura said to Sitri, 'Just wait for it.'
Ja'far was the first one to launch an assault; throwing his arms out and trapping four of the bandits with his wires before attacking; then Mystras jumped in along with Hinahoho; Drakon-who only had to lift his hood back to scare most of the bandits into submission and Masrur barely touched the men to send them flying. She had guessed that Sinbad would've stayed out of the battle completely but his nerves had been shot; he didn't go full djinn equipped; but he didn't take it easy either. Within no more than three minutes the bandit's bodies were lying in the hot sand; unconscious or barely.
Sinbad had a satisfied grin on his face as he dusted off his hands; coming up to Sakura to throw his arm over her shoulders. "Well let's get going, shall we?"
"Wow" Sitri replied
'I almost feel sorry for them.'
"I don't usually say this, but I think you guys were a little overkill," Sakura said after they were a good distance away from the bandits and further into the desert.
"It was not; overkill would've killed them." Ja'far corrected.
"Will you move your arm; it's hot enough without you smothering me," Sakura said ducking under Sinbad's arm and shoving him to the side; which she had done three times already but he was persistent with keeping her within his reaching distance.
"Nope," Sinbad said, returning to her side to throw his arm over her shoulders again.
Sakura felt a vein on her forehead throb; "Ja'far."
"Right," the young boy wrapped his arms out, his wires wrapping around his leader's arms, effectively restraining him.
"Hey-Ja'far let me go!" Sinbad struggled against the binds, but Ja'far just kept tugging on Sinbad like a dog on a leash.
"Do not let him near me until we get to Heliohapt," Sakura ordered,
"Right," Ja'far nodded, tightening his grip on the strings.
Sinbad's eyes lit up, as he stared at Sakura's back. "We're going!"
"Yes," Sakura said, none too pleased glaring back at Sinbad, "And you had better keep your distance from me until then."
Drakon, Hinahoho, Mystras, and Masrur watched the scene unfold; making a mental note to never deliberately annoy the pinkette.
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- (Bleach crossover) Kunoichi amongst Reapers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
-Commission: Demon slayer x My hero academia (PART 1 & 2)
- Kunoichi amongst Benders (Avatar x Naruto crossover) (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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-Kunoichi amongst Heroes WHAT IF SPIN OFF: Dorms and Exams
-Kunoichi amongst Pirates chapter (36, 37. 38)
-Crossroads of Fate chapter 27, 28, 29, 30
-Through the Looking Glass chapter 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38
-(SEQUEL) Through the Spyglass chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6
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