CHAPTER 42
Sinbad would leave Parthevia with a new opportunity, a new friendship, and a new form of information and knowledge; Sakura would leave it disoriented, disturbed, and more anxious than when she had first arrived. Before they departed, Sinbad had asked Barbarossa about the purge rumors of humans being tested on and turned into monsters. To which Barbarossa admitted that the rumors were true but only meant for the criminals or 'inferiors' as he had labeled them. There wasn't any further questioning about it from the two, but Rashid had called Sinbad on whether or not he thought the purge was right and suggested that he take the time to think things through, treasure what he had learned in Parthevia, and decide for himself.
"It seems you always manage to get more out of a journey than you initially planned, huh?" That was the first thing that Sakura had said to Sinbad since they left the docks and were barely able to see Parthevia in the distance any longer. The only comfort that Sakura had at the moment.
"Yeah, I did. That's just a bonus to the thrill of travelling." Sinbad took that moment to turn away from his home country, fading in the distance to focus fully on Sakura. "What about you? We didn't really see each other during this trip. Which was a real downside of it."
Sakura averted her eyes to the vast ocean, almost tempted to drown herself. She wanted to tell Sinbad about King Rashid's third son, and she wanted to tell him about last night when she spoke with Barbarossa, but what good would that do? Discovering something like this about his mentor, about his new friend, about her? The option of telling him was far less promising than the relief she might feel from revealing the truth at last. It risked more than she was willing to bet on at the moment.
"Nothing much." She smiled as best she could, wrapping her arms around his neck. "As for not seeing each other, we can make up for that when we get back."
Sinbad's ears seemed to perk, and his face lit up, but he wanted to make certain he understood what she was insinuating. "And by make up?"
Snickering, Sakura leaned forward to whisper in Sinbad's ear something that would have had her turning away with a heated face. Sinbad didn't even question Sakura's boldness because of the blood to his brain he was suddenly lacking, and in his excitement, didn't even question if Sakura may have alternative motives for the out-of-character declaration.
"Huh, you mean it!?" Sinbad asked almost too fast for his voice to form the words properly. Sakura, in turn, just gave a curt nod.
Giving her a quick peck on the lips, Sinbad rushed off to the captain to help him get back to Balbadd sooner, and Rashid didn't mind, although he was completely unaware of Sinbad's incentive to return home sooner.
'That should keep him occupied.' Sakura thought, turning back to the ocean with what seemed to be nothing in sight, full of uncertainty. Like her future.
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Arriving back in Balbadd, Sinbad and Sakura gathered everyone in the main office to report back to them on their findings in Parthevia. Serendine, Drakon, Sahel, and Tamir were amongst the first to arrive, quite eager, of course. They told them about how Parthevia's government system had changed to a constitutional monarchy and how the government became centered around the political parties chosen by the people, and most importantly, about Barbarossa leading the Industrial Nationalist party. Everyone was a little baffled and surprised by this news since they weren't familiar with the political system that had been installed.
Sakura also assured Serendine that her brother was safe. That, in actual fact, due to the new political system, his safety was guaranteed now more than ever. Although the positive direction that the news of Parthevia was pointing in, Serendine still sat with her fists clenched at her skirt and her eyes narrowed in disdain. In complete disapproval.
"This is ridiculous…I can't forgive the fact that this reform was caused by a coup d'état and my father's assassination. By stripping away all their power, it's like he's made an example of the royal family. Using them as puppets. This system has no compassion for my brother, who has survived through so much."
Sakura moved to sit beside Serendine, taking one of the princess's hands and rubbing small circles at the back. "Serendine, I know this can't be easy for you, but at least your brother's safe and because of this system, things have improved for Parthevia too."
"Of course," Serendine said, gripping Sakura's hand, feeling the warm comfort it brought. "Placing the government in the hands of the people causes them to think only of their advantage. It's temporary."
"I disagree." Sinbad leaned forward, resting his arms on his legs. "A country should exist for the sake of its people. Its land, assets, they all rightfully belong to its citizens. There shouldn't be a problem with the citizens deciding for themselves how they want their country to run. I think we can learn from this reform. You can govern without a king. A country can be created that way."
It seemed that those three days of newfound knowledge Sinbad had found and learned from Barbarossa were already firmly planted and beginning to produce the fruits of ideas from the soil of his mind. "Besides, Emperor Ceylan plays a role as the symbol of royal authority. Just like you said, Serene. There's no need for him to be a leader; what is necessary is his bloodline."
Sakura accidentally gripped Serendine's hand a little tighter when Sinbad mentioned the importance of a royal's bloodline. The princess noticed this but didn't flinch as the grip quickly loosened to a comfortable hold once again.
"Citizens control the government, and the king is a symbol. Together, they create a new country in which everyone works to sustain it. I'd like to acknowledge the value of their efforts." Sinbad paused briefly, as a sign that everyone should heed what he was going to say next. "So, I think Sindria Trading Company should make a deal with the Independent nationalist party."
This declaration, of course, had everyone leaping from their seats with a spring of questions on the matter. Sinbad added quickly that he still didn't completely trust the party, but if they became a political party, they would be a great asset to the company. Since Sinbad was no longer a wanted man in Parthevia, the country was no threat.
"The Parthevia we saw with our own eyes," Sinbad looked at Sakura for a second before focusing on the rest of the group. "It is no longer the same country it used to be; that is why I thought about working with them. However, I won't rush into things on my own-not again."
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No one had any real objections to Sinbad's decision for the company to begin trade with Parthevia. His mind was already made, and his promise not to make the same mistakes he had with the Mariadel company seemed to be enough to put them at ease. It was an opportunity with little downfall. What's more, the belief in Sinbad's ability as a leader was the turning factor for everyone to side with him in the end.
Unfortunately for Sinbad, the workload had increased after his declaration, and he had set a pause on their plans to make up for the time in Parthevia-Secretly to Sakura's relief.
Sakura was also a little preoccupied, attempting to educate herself and enrich her knowledge, but it wasn't easy. Her method of learning didn't extend further than the writing on a scroll. She took every chance she could to read up on anything she could get her hands on, and no one noticed because they were well hidden amongst her desk with all of the paperwork that would pile with each passing day. Those days spent in Parthevia left her with quite a bit of work.
When Sakura was in the office alone, working on some documents, Mystras came bursting through the door. His arms wrapped around more than a dozen scrolls; his face flushed and panting like he had run through the entire building twice.
Sakura put her quill down, "Mystras, are you alright?"
He staggered over to the desk, dropping the scrolls, "Yes-um-here are the reports."
Sakura stared at the new additions on her desk, gaping. "Um, Mystras; you didn't have to deliver these till later-
"I know, but-but I-I won't be here later on be-because-because-
Holding up her hand, Sakura stood up and walked around the desk to Mystras. Gripping his shoulders gently and telling him to take a deep breath before continuing. He did as instructed, regulating his breathing, and was able to speak without blubbering.
"Okay, now what's going on? And use words."
"I'm going sightseeing today and I won't be back till later this afternoon," Mystras interjected before Sakura could bring up the list of things she knew he still had to finish before the day was out. "Vittel and Mahad have offered to take care of the rest of my work."
"Well, that explains why you finished your work early, but why do you look like you're about to pass out?" Sakura was still curious about what brought on this sudden development, considering that they were so busy.
She knew that, like most of the company members, since they arrived in Balbadd, Mystras hadn't had the opportunity to explore Balbadd because of the work that took up most of their days and sometimes nights. Even Sakura hadn't gotten much leisure time since they arrived, and Sinbad was even worse, barely able to sneak out for a drink before Sakura or Ja'far would drag him back, in just enough pain so that he could resume his duties while retaining a firm memory of the consequence should he attempt to stray from them a second time in a day.
Mystras had a very visible blush on his face, and his next words explained everything to her. "I invited Pipirika to come with me."
Sakura's lips formed a knowing grin; his sudden anxiousness now completely clear. "Alright then, so what are you waiting for?"
"I want to take this chance to get closer to her, but…" Mystras trailed nervously, rubbing the back of his head, before poking his index fingers together. "I-I don't know really about relationships-So I was wondering if you could tell me-
"You're coming to me for relationship advice?" Sakura asked, a bit baffled. She had only been in one relationship-the one she was in right now with Sinbad. Hardly qualifies her to give out advice.
"Yes," Mystras said firmly when he heard Sakura's disbelief. "You and Sinbad are one of the few real relationships I have witnessed. I couldn't go to Hinahoho about this because Imuchakk courtship traditions are very different from what I have learned."
That wasn't entirely wrong, given that Hinahoho asked to marry Rurumu after he got his warrior name. Their custom was different and didn't apply to Mystras, which may bring up complications if Hinahoho found out about his intentions-plus he'd probably kill Mystras before he even got the chance to ask Pipirika for the opportunity to pursue a relationship together.
"Fine." Sakura sighed.
Mystras grinned. "Thank you, Sakura! So what should I do?"
"Tell me first; are you asking her out because you like her or because you're not certain if you like her and want to find out?"
"I like her," Mystras confirmed in full confidence. Sakura could see he was getting ready to defend his case and probably list why and that but Sakura spoke before he could do it.
"Then you should just tell her how you feel."
Mystras jolted a little to the back as if he had been hit by static. "Huh!?"
"Ask her to go with you today and confess to her before you return to the company."
"I-I can't just-
"Yes, you can," Sakura said firmly. She placed her hand on Mystras's shoulder. "If you like someone, you should tell them. Waiting around for something to happen will just be wasting your time. You need to take the opportunity to go after what you want. That's the best advice I can give you."
Mystras was still pulling at strings to climb out of the pit of predicament he had placed himself in, with advice from Sakura that didn't include him taking a risk by pouring his heart out and getting it broken.
"Did you and Sinbad do that? Just confess everything?" He had to know if that assured look in her face when she said those words to her were assured by experience rather than an attempt to hide ignorance.
Sakura's eyes averted to the ceiling, her mind flipping back like the pages of a book to re-read something and see what you have missed, but when she thought back, she realized that their confession had still been going on. Although by then, their feelings were weighing differently on the scale compared to Mystras's because there were more factors placed on top of one another.
"Well…um-when we started, our feelings were on equal grounds, but I was a bit more reluctant to express them. Though Sinbad did just fine for the both of us,"
The reason Sakura could not voice to others was not just for her but for Sinbad as well. She shared the same feelings for Sinbad as she had for Sasuke, and that was what kept her from confessing to Sinbad. She didn't want to advertise something like that, and especially not in a situation like this.
"Why is that?" Mystras asked.
Sakura chuckled, "Mystras, you know the saying that there is a fine line between love and hate? Well, that line is called 'like' and it's not as 'fine' as you think. Right now, you're still balancing on it, but Sinbad and I have already fallen off to the side we've chosen."
With a bright grin, Sakura tapped Mystras's head twice. "Just keep your balance for now and try not to be obscured."
When she was certain Mystras had enough time to allow his mind to process and solidify his resolve, she started shoving him towards the door. "Now go and have fun."
"Thank you, Sakura."
As Mystras closed the door, Sakura returned to her desk, smiling. She had told Mystras to be honest and upfront because she felt that Pipirika would want Mystras to do the same. Sakura hadn't missed those few looks that she had given Mystras when he wasn't facing her way, but she wouldn't admit to it, and Sakura hadn't brought it up either. There was always a chance of romantic teases that she fired to be reflected back at her with double the force. During this, Sakura also sadly realized something; she and Sinbad, for the duration that they had been together-have not gone on a single date.
'As if there wasn't enough at my desk to depress me.' Sakura thought, shaking her head before resuming her work. Attempting to suffocate her mind with ink so that it would forget to force Sakura to look back at memories.
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Although Sakura was fully aware, Serendine's personal feelings on the matter put her on a different front than the others but even so; she didn't openly object to their decision to trade with Parthevia, but she seemed to be showing another way of rejecting the decision. When preparations started, Serendine had distanced herself from the work that had any relation to Sindria's new alliance. Both she and Judar, in fact, would disappear for most of the day and come back later in the evening. Though no one questioned Serendine on her activities, assuming she just wanted to be away to avoid the discomfort of discussion revolving around Parthevia.
One night, when Judar and Serendine were particularly tardy had been saddled with even more work that had her leaving the office and walking through the hallways to her room; when she spotted Judar and Serendine returning. There wasn't any other presence other than the three.
"Sakura!" The princess exclaimed in surprise when she spotted the girl walking towards them.
"What are you doing here?" Judar asked, his hands on his hips.
"I could ask you the same thing." Sakura crossed her arms, taking in their appearance. While Judar appeared just as he had that morning, Serendine looked as if she had been dragged through the dirt three times over. Her hair was matted, there were dirt patches on her skin, made to stick by sweat and remain long after she had stopped perspiring. "You two are only getting in now at this time of night, and you look like this. Where exactly have you been?"
Serendine and Judar gave each other no discrete glances; this made Sakura certain their recent disappearances didn't have as much to do with Sindria's new potential alliance, at least not to the degree they thought it had.
"Serendine, what's going on?" Sakura's tone made it clear, she wasn't going to leave with vague answers.
"It's none of your business," Judar stated carelessly.
"Judar!" Serendine exclaimed.
"Well, it isn't," Judar pointed as if he was speaking fact, waving his wand around. "She isn't even supposed to be here."
Sakura didn't detour from Judar's words. He was brash, harsh, and arrogant to a degree that may have surpassed Sinbad, yet Sakura could feel no malice towards him. In fact, she felt pity for the boy. It was obvious to her that he hadn't been given much care-not the kind of care he needed. The one of a true parent, that involved discipline and attention to avoid bad behavior and habits, which Judar had. He wasn't the only one in the company who lacked the basic social skills that drew people to conversation. Masrur, Sharrkan (and previously) even Ja'far.
Of course, that didn't mean she could just leave things as they were; she'd been trying to find a chance to talk to Judar in private about addressing her as an interloper and anything else he might know about her predicament. Maybe even explain to her how someone like Barbarossa knew about her, when the very people who were a blade of grass away from her most of the time, knew nothing of who she was or where she came from.
"I was training." Serendine stepped in front of Sakura, her hands in front of her.
Judar pointed his wand at Serendine. "I'm trying to teach Serene to use her djinn equip, but it's taking a while. She's a slow learner."
"And I don't want Sinbad to know what I am doing until I've mastered a full-body djinn equip." Serendine said quickly.
When Sakura looked between the two, there were no signs of hidden deceit, and she had lost all sense of doubt, because it was Serendine who had confirmed her doings. That was good enough. There was no harm in Serendine practicing to master her djinn equip; in fact that would be a huge advantage on their behalf.
Although she was completely against Parthevia joining the alliance, Serendine hadn't lost her composure or lashed out in any way. Sakura was honestly amazed at how well Serendine had handled the situation by far, and these disappearances had nothing to do with hiding out to brood or sulk. She was only strengthening herself. Serendine had a way of expressing her opinion without diminishing herself. She could debate and argue against the most rational and touch people's hearts-just like Sinbad.
Then another thought occurred to Sakura, finding out that Serendine was training to master her full body djinn equip, made her realize that she herself still had one more djinn equip to master. The timing wouldn't be convenient and probably make her even more tired, but it was a chance. One that she couldn't pass up.
Sakura smiled, turning back down to Judar. "So Judar, you're teaching Serendine how to use her djinn equip?"
Judar scoffed, "Weren't you listening before? Yes."
Sakura drew out Gaap's metal vessel from its sheath; the blade glistening in the rays of moonlight that shone from the small line of windows. "Well, I've had this guy for a while, but I still haven't mastered his full djinn equip."
"Sakura….are you?"
"I'd like to train with you." Sakura said, "Don't worry; I won't tell Sinbad anything about this."
Serendine paused, searching for any sign that would tell her Sakura had some other motives for this but couldn't detect anything. "I'd be honored to have an experienced djinn metal vessel user train with me."
"Thanks," Judar said sarcastically. "You just doubled my trouble."
Sakura smirked, putting a hand on her hip. "Oh, so the so-called great sorcerer of creation can't even handle teaching two experienced fighters to master their metal vessels?"
"Watch it." Judar snapped. "You're different-not invincible."
"I've also taught myself how to use three metal vessels; I'm sure I can handle a fourth."
Serendine smiled at Sakura when she looked at her again. "Then I look forward to training with you from tomorrow on, Sakura."
"As do I, Serendine."
That's all for now Folks. I hope this read gives you a breather from any tough times, and that 2026 will be your new best year!
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-Kunoichi amongst Heroes chapter (95, 96, 97, 98)
-Kunoichi amongst Pirates chapter (42,43, 44)
-Crossroads of Fate chapter (34, 34, 35, 36, 37)
-Through the Looking Glass chapter ( 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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-(SEQUEL) Through the Spyglass chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6
-SPECIAL HALLOWEEN CHAPTER: Shinigami amongst Shinobi