CHAPTER 43
Sakura and Serendine trained together with Judar's guidance to master their djinn equipment. They would leave in the mornings to go into the forest, on the outskirts of Balbadd where they were able to use their metal vessels at their own discretion. Sakura, who had mastered three full-body djinn equips already, made quicker progress than Serendine and unlike the princess, she didn't spend her entire day training as she still had commitments to the company.
They agreed to keep this from everyone until after Serendine mastered her djinn equip; although Sakura didn't still didn't fully understand why Serendine was keeping her training a secret. As the days went by, the work at Sindria continued to grow, and Sakura was barely able to keep up, and by the time night fell. If Sakura was lucky enough to be able to withdraw to her chambers for a few short hours of sleep before waking with the sun, she would take it.
This left Sinbad and Sakura at a distance once again, despite sharing the same office and room. Sinbad himself was also weary from the day, and would when he would come to their room, Sakura would either be sleeping or not present. Although there was mutual understanding in accordance to their responsibility to the company. The discontent however, wasn't something that was easy to keep completely at bay.
Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, Sakura felt herself engulfed in a warm, familiar embrace. She breathed in the strong scent that reminded her of rare spices and immediately identified it as Sinbad's. It was ironic in a way that she enjoyed Sinbad's smell when she couldn't even digest the foods that often produced a similar aroma but there was a salty mix of the sea added to it. Even after staying on land for so long, it was as though the scent was a permanent part of him. A reminder of his voyages and conquests and a reminder to Sakura of how she would always end up coming back to him, no matter the distances between them, even the vast sea.
"Are you still awake?" Sinbad broke the silence, muttering against the back of Sakura's neck, brushing the short strands against her skin.
"Only for about another five minutes, so I suggest you say whatever you need to quickly." Sakura smiled, wrapping her fingers around Sinbad's hands that were settled at her chest.
"Well, how about we take those five minutes and split it to hear each other's voices?" Sinbad suggested; he then turned her so that they could face one another. Once their eyes met, their smiles grew, and the fatigue that both were experiencing seemed to dwindle like a candle that had been left burning for a minute too long.
"This is a bit surprising and rather unlike you." Sakura pointed, usually, in their free time, talk was something Sinbad usually wanted second than first now, with the little private time they had together.
"On one condition."
Sakura rolled her eyes. "Ah, yes of course, you do know that we've both got to be up early tomorrow, right or we're going to get checked on?"
"It's not that, contrary to popular belief. That's on hold right now-unfortunately." Sinbad kissed her forehead before continuing. "This five-minute conversation is reserved for speaking about something revolving around us-meaning nothing concerning the company, our alliances, planning, basically no business talk." Sinbad leaned forward so that their noses were touching. "That is the responsibility of a good man, isn't it? To listen to his partner's reviews of the day, even if he has lived through most of it with her."
Sakura propped herself up on the bed to lean against the headrest. "Well, now, I didn't think you had a romantic side."
Sinbad, partially confused, sat up as well next to her. "What are you talking about? I'm romantic all the time."
Lightly tapping her head against the headrest, Sakura proceeded to argue against Sinbad's words of self-assurance, finding a bit of satisfaction in her being at seeing his confused face. "No, you're flirtatious, charming, and without a doubt passionate, but romantic…." Sakura gave a side smirk to make Sinbad rethink his answer.
Sinbad sighed in defeat, already realizing that Sakura had angled and shot him into this conversation that he wasn't going to get out of. "Okay, what did I do wrong this time?"
Sakura laughed, watching Sinbad's expression and breathing in the nervous air around him; it was a reminder of the time they spent working together at the beginning, where they were still about to fit in light conversation and poke fun at one another. "Nothing really."
"Then why would you say I'm not romantic? Did I do something to make you think that?" Sakura knew when he raised his hands midair when speaking that he was not only baffled but bordering on desperate, wanting an answer. Sinbad was a very straightforward person when it came to what he wanted, although the means to achieve it were more obscured didn't make them anymore honest, just not as pure.
Sakura opened her mouth and paused midway, as if rethinking her answer before closing her mouth. "Nothing at all, I just haven't gotten an opportunity like this in a while."
"An opportunity at what?" Sinbad asked.
"To get the better of you for a moment," Sakura stated casually, flattening the sheets she was under. Her eyes cast downward. "Just for a moment longer."
"Some men aren't meant to be happy, Sakura; they're meant to be great."
Sinbad noticed his partner shifting away again; her eyes were beginning to grow very dark underneath from the continuous work that linked night and day like the sky. Unlike the others, Sakura had a lot of stamina but it was already two weeks in, and Sinbad had seen her finishing her work at what looked to be the last minute. Of course, it was all done and up to code but Sakura wasn't as slow a worker. She didn't seem to be spending a lot of time at the company either, and when she was, she would always have a scroll in front of her.
Instead of burdening her with questions that would take up more than the time they actually had, Sinbad chose to take his time to draw her away from whatever thoughts she might be having. "You weren't around for the announcement, so I'll ask, did you know that Mystras and Pipirika are now courting?"
"What? That's fantastic!" Sakura nearly fell off the side of the bed; she hadn't heard anything about this, and news around the company usually circulated the moment something was whispered, and yet this managed to elude her. This is wonderful news. As if any trace of happiness was fleeting.
With devoting her time and energy to the company, mastering her djinn equip and educating herself on the matters of politics and rule, Sakura didn't have much time left to give to the small pleasures of life. The more she read on politics in an attempt to teach herself, to earn the integrity and intelligence of a ruler, with every script, it felt as if she was only seeing the path that Sinbad had chosen to walk, and it was so long and wide; she wasn't sure she could see an end. It was also discomforting to think this far into the future and to already be planning her journey towards it-without telling Sinbad for fear he may not wish to walk the same path with her.
She had resolved at least that whatever happens, whether Sinbad was still with her or chose another, that she would be there with all the necessary tools to help him rule a country. It wasn't a way of thinking she wanted to alert him to; otherwise, he would pursue her on it until she gave it up. If Sinbad wanted to be with her, it would be of his own choice and desires and not ones that she unconsciously placed on him.
'I'm worried about a future that might never come.' Sakura thought, but before that comfort could rest properly in her mind, another came in as well.
She hadn't worried about the future with Sasuke or Naruto, and look what has happened by far. She lost them both. Situations changed all the time, and the future was unpredictable, but she needed to be ready for it; she would not become a victim of destiny again because of her own shortcomings.
For now, she would enjoy this moment, the present, for as long as she could.
"What did Hinahoho do when he found out?"
"Oh, don't worry, we already repaired the damaged wall and Mystras is alive," Sinbad assured. "For now."
Moving to pull Sakura into his arms, Sinbad rested his chin on top of her head. "Rurumu actually asked them about having children."
"They only just got together, and they are both still so young." Sakura knew that marriage at a young age wasn't that unusual, mostly amongst high-born-which both Mystras and Pipirika were. However, their relationship wasn't one based on politics.
"Call it taking a moment to get the better of them." Sinbad jested, lingering in the feeling of Sakura's hands falling on his.
"Well, at least now our relationship won't be the only topic to fall from everyone's lips." Sakura pointed out. "I'm getting tired of turning into a tomato."
"You were lucky you weren't there, or we might have become her second target."
Sakura snickered; they hadn't given any hints about their recent development since they returned. All the work kept them both occupied and at a distance where their urges could taunt but not be placed into action.
When a yawn escaped her lips, Sinbad maneuvered Sakura in his arms to lie on her back. Still holding onto her, he rested his cheek on her shoulder. "Seems five minutes is already up; it usually lasts longer when we're arguing."
"I don't feel like doing that right now," Sakura whispered, her eyes already closed, but her body had not become immune to Sinbad's affection yet as he kissed her head.
"So I won't be getting a review on your day?"
Sinbad felt Sakura's grip on his waist tighten, her fingers digging slightly into his bare skin. "No, I just want to lie here quietly with you. Please, just a little while longer…."
"Of course."
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"Ouch! Quit pulling so hard!" Judar exclaimed.
"Then stop squirming if you want me to finish." Sakura ran her hands through Judar's hair, with his braid undone, it looked like a black wavy curtain from underneath the water.
Training that day had been especially rigorous, so before returning to the company, Sakura, Serendine, and Judar took a detour to the bathhouse. They rented out an entire outdoor bath for themselves, thanks to some swaying from Serendine and Judar's preferences. Sakura wouldn't have minded a public bath, though.
"You're being too rough!" Judar whined; though he was finally beginning to relax as Sakura combed her hands through his hair, massaging his scalp. "Suppose you don't know how different it is to comb out long hair, huh?"
"I used to, but not for a while," Sakura replied, chuckling. She looked over to Serendine, who was leaning against the stones that made up the bath, her eyes closed as if she was ready to fall asleep. "Are you okay there, Serendine?"
Another day had gone by, and Serendine was yet to master her full body djinn equip. Sakura had told her it would take some time, but Judar insisted that Serendine could learn it faster if she followed his instructions exactly, but when he spoke of magoi, it was no wonder Serendine didn't know what to do. Judar obviously had a lot of training; even at such a young age, he was more advanced on matters of magic and magoi than Serendine.
"Yes, I'm fine," Serendine said, in a bit of a far-off voice.
Sakura smiled back at her, "Don't get discouraged so soon, you almost had it today."
"That's unfortunately what makes it even worse, like tasting victory at the final line only to be struck down."
"It's because you lost focus." Judar chided, crossing his arms. "I told you, it takes a certain amount of focus to draw out the power and then maintain it. You lost it when you finally managed to get into your full djinn equip."
"It took me almost three to four months to learn my first djinn equip. There's nothing wrong with that. The first time I transformed was by accident, and I ended up using most of my magoi in one attack."
"Yeah, you told us the story already. You were inexperienced, but you still managed to get on a full djinn equip."
Somehow, Sakura felt that her attempt to lighten the conversation had severely backfired, partly on account of Judar's add-ons. After Sakura washed Judar's hair, she went to join the princess.
"You'll get it; stop pressuring yourself so much." Sakura soothed, resting her hands behind her head. "You're not learning on your own like I had to."
Serendine looked up at the night's sky, there wasn't much to marvel at, though; there were no stars that night, and even the moonlight seemed dull and fading as it couldn't reflect off the warm water and torch-lit area of the baths, but it gave her something to look at. She didn't want to look at Sakura when she said this.
"I envy you."
Sakura stopped, looking to Serendine with disbelief painted all over her face. Was there perhaps something about baths that made royals confess ludicrous things? Because if this were just a coincidence, it had a rather cruel sense of humor.
"I'm sorry, it's just-what?" Sakura blurted.
Serendine smiled at the girl's genuine surprise and disbelief. "I don't see why you're so surprised. I envy you, I really do."
"Why-you're a princess." Sakura pointed out. "A princess with a djinn metal vessel, she earned defeating me, besting me. I really don't understand what I could have that you would be envious of."
"Yeah, neither do I." Judar chided, swimming over to the girls to join them against the bath wall. Sakura splashed some water in Judar's face and giggled when he squirmed and grabbed for a towel, muttering some plot for revenge.
"Your strength is a start," Serendine stated. "Then there's your kindness, your intellect, integrity, array of skills."
"Serendine. You are a skilled fighter; very intelligent, without a doubt extremely beautiful, and even if you are not in your country, that doesn't change the fact that you are royal- a person of great importance. I'm the one who should be envious."
"Sakura, I'm weak." Serendine turned completely, her eyes gleaming with determination. "I'm envious of you because you don't have to rely on anyone."
Sakura smiled sadly, swiping a hand through her hair. "That's because I've felt alone in this world for so long. I didn't think I'd find anyone who would be able to get rid of it, until Sinbad."
Serendine pressed on, "But you are never a burden to anyone; you don't make anyone carry your weight."
It was laughable at times to hear someone talk about her like this, call her strong and reliable. Imagining her as someone with so much to offer. Hoisting her up on a pedestal of their own assumptions. Which would crumble like charcoal sitting in a fire, if they knew about her previous self.
"Neither do you. You've resolved to become stronger." Sakura pointed out, assured. "It just takes time for your efforts to show once you resolve, but you shouldn't give up. And as for never being a burden-You haven't met my past self."
"What are you talking about? I find it hard to believe you were ever weak but, you do have the strength to subdue any man and conquer dungeons on your own. An enticement that draws people to you and makes them trust you quickly-like King Armakan and everyone at this company. You are brave; brave enough to pose as a slave to rescue Sinbad. You are so loyal and dedicated as well to those you consider your friends. I really admire you for that."
Sakura breathed out, flattered but unwilling to show it, feeling she had to right to. "You shouldn't."
"Will you tell me why?"
Sakura elaborated to Serendine, giving a brief summary of how she was back in her genin days (while avoiding accidentally sharing any information that would hint she wasn't from this world). She told Serendine the tale of the younger her. The girl with no particular skills or ability to do what needed to be done, who was always standing in the background while others took the lead, and the only valuable quality of her at the time-her intelligence, was marred greatly by her own arrogance.
She confessed to Serendine, the way in which she had lost someone she cared about because she was too weak to stop him from leaving; from walking the path of darkness for the sake of power. She wasn't able to stop his suffering.
Sakura smiled softly, looking at her reflection in the water; no matter how many times she retold the story, or how many ways she rewrote it, the outcome would always be the same, and it would always cause her pain. Through the ripples, she could just barely make out her face. She could still see herself clearly. "I'm really not as strong as you think. I know exactly what it's like to be weak."
"Sakura…." Serendine was near speechless. She wouldn't have even fathomed Sakura ever being the way she described herself, but she spoke with such honesty that it was impossible to believe otherwise. It could make the most incomprehensible thing seem sensible and factual. Yet at the same moment, Serendine felt herself further drawn towards Sakura. She had felt a gap between her and the other members of Sindria Trading Company. They had gotten along due to their close relations and references towards one another, but Serendine didn't know it was to this extent. Both had lost something important, and both were still in pain from that loss, aiming to become stronger.
"So believe me, I'm not someone to admire or envy," Sakura muttered.
The water rippled as Serendine moved through the water with purpose and determination. Sakura nearly slipped and lost her balance when Serendine glided in front of her. Serendine had wrapped her arms around Sakura's shoulders, pulling her forward with the slightest hesitation. Sakura had remained immobile, her cheek resting on the older girl's shoulder as there was a slight height difference between the two.
"Serendine?" Sakura called, unsurely. As though she was attempting to confirm the girl's identity because she was certain this wasn't a move that Serendine would make.
The Parthevia princess felt her own face grow warmer. "I-I'm not very good at this sort of thing, but-but I-I don't want to see you look like this. So please, if you have any other worries you haven't told me about, please tell me now. So that we can put it to rest together."
Serendine was a very reserved person for the most part, and she didn't come off as someone who favored intimacy. Suppose it was a trend amongst royalty, they were unable to touch the world in the same manner as everyone else, and it had created a gap within them in which they struggled to cross.
"I'm scared," Sakura admitted blankly, bluntly. "Lately, I've been worrying about the future."
"Tell me." Serendine urged, holding Sakura tighter. She could pick up the slight sweetness from Sakura's scent that danced on her taste buds from their proximity. Serendine stiffened slightly when Sakura wrapped her arms around her shoulders, taking comfort in her embrace and letting down a few of her defenses to bring them closer to a state of empathy.
Sakura told Serendine about her conversation with King Rashid concerning Sinbad and how it had brought up doubts within herself. Whether or not she was going to be able to be with him once he became king. How she had come to realize just how unprepared she was for that transition. The complications that came with being royalty. She didn't care to think about becoming a queen, but she at least hoped to still be with Sinbad as they were now. He didn't seem the type for marriage or settling, nor the type for family, but that didn't bother her nearly as much as the thought of having to leave him someday.
"I'm afraid I'll lose him, because I won't have what it takes to stand beside him anymore." Warm tears fell from Sakura's eyes and glided onto Serendine's skin into the water, and in return, Serendine's tears followed in example. "I've been trying to learn as much as I could on my own, but, it's not enough. I don't know what I am missing and that's the problem; I can't even figure out what I need to do this."
"I understand now. I'm sorry, Sakura." Serendine spoke with such calmness in her voice that anyone would wonder if it was truly genuine, and yet Sakura could feel that it was.
"Lame!" Judar then took that moment to finally speak after listening to the girls. After his interruption, they finally seemed to recall his presence and pulled away to look at him. Glaring slightly at his uncaring brush off of their feelings.
"Judar-
"So you're both weak? So what?" Judar stood up, hands on his hips, looking down at the two girls. "Whining and crying about it isn't going to change anything. If you don't like the way you are, just make yourself stronger. You're both metal vessel holders; that means that you have the potential to become kings."
Judar pointed accusingly at them as they remained still in the water, unable to make another ripple when they saw the expression on the boy's face, his tone laced firmly with annoyance. "You stopped being weak after you conquered the dungeons! So quit your whining!"
That might have been the first and last time Judar would ever say anything remotely encouraging and a remedy to a painful situation. His harsh words were exactly what they needed to climb out of their sorrowful pit of dismal and bring them into a new light and resolve. When they looked at one another, their eyes had the same determined shine in them, mirroring each other.
"Judar is right." Serendine wiped her face, clear of the tears she shed. She then gripped Sakura's shoulders firmly. "Crying a river will not drown our problems, but perhaps we can solve each other's. Sakura; I will teach you everything I know about what it means to be a royal and inform you to the best of my ability."
"And I, will help you master your djinn equip Serendine."
Sakura then took both of Serendine's hands in her own and held them up, bringing her head forward to rest her forehead against the princess's clenched fingers. "Serendine, thank you so much for helping me keep him."
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"Come on, Serendine, you can't be running out of steam this early." Judar huffed. Sakura shook her head at the boy's brashness. Judar had clearly prove to be a magi during their training sessions, giving points on how to better control their magoi and use it sufficiently. He had even told them about the qualities of magic.
When Sakura had started training for her djinn equip, she had the same problem as Serendine was having as far as running out of magoi came. However, she learned to control it sooner because of her practice with chakra.
"It's okay," Sakura assured, leaning down to wipe Serendine's forehead with a towel.
"I don't understand. I still can't maintain my power."
"You're overthinking things."
"But Judar told us it takes a certain amount of focus." Serendine pressed, her fist gripping into the earth.
"And he's not wrong, but your overthinking is creating anxiety that draws you away from focus." Sakura sighed, she had hoped Serendine would figure out her own way of mastering her djinn equip, but it seemed that she was still struggling.
"Perhaps we should continue this tomorrow," Serendine said "It's already late-
"No." Sakura firmly held Serendine's wrist. "You're going to get this today."
Judar grinned, "Yeah, come on, Serendine. Where'd all that determination go; you leave it in the baths?"
Serendine seemed to come back, forcing herself to stand. "No, I am not giving up!"
Sakura and Judar glanced at one another, smiling and then back at Serendine.
"That's the spirit, Serendine."
"Alright," Sakura came forward, her arms folded. "I might have a way for you to draw out the power."
Before Serendine was able to ask any questions, Sakura covered her mouth and told her not to ask anything. Judar stepped aside, watching with a curious expression, his hands behind his head in a carefree manner.
Sakura ordered Serendine to close her eyes-promptly reminding her not to ask questions.
"Okay, now what do you see?"
"Darkness."
"Right, now I want you to picture that darkness-not just from your vision but in your mind. Make it completely dark."
Judar tapped Sakura's thigh. "What the heck are you doing?"
"Shh," Sakura instructed Judar. "This is something I learned a while ago; I'm not sure if it will work but it's worth a try but you need to be quiet."
Judar shrugged but didn't say anything further.
"Alright, Serendine, now I want you to picture an imaginary sport in the center of the darkness, a small bright white dot and keep your focus there. Do not allow yourself to drift from the darkness for an instant."
Serendine could see nothing but true darkness; she envisioned the bright spot in her mind as Sakura instructed. For whatever reason, Sakura's voice sounded far off, like a drift. Her reality felt distorted and she was beginning to forget that physically, she was still standing in the forest. Even the presence of Sakura and Judar was becoming distant.
"See the dot slowly beginning to grow, Serendine. Its size increasing slowly,"
Serendine could see the dot growing, becoming more visible. It felt as though this was happening on its own accord and not within in the confines of her mind, which she ruled.
"Keep focusing on that light in the dark, Serendine." Sakura said firmly. "Do not wander yet. Now hold up your metal vessel."
Judar and Sakura watched as Serendine drew her sword to stand up straight in front of her, the blade pointing up to the darkening sky. Serendine seemed completely calm, it was as if she here but not. Deep in her own thoughts, which was what Sakura had aimed for.
This was something similar to meditation, but it was made to draw in focus and better control the flow of energy within the body. Sakura had come up with it while she was still attempting to store up chakra for the Strength of a hundred seal. To focus chakra to a specific part of your body for a certain period of time, only Sakura had reinvented it to help Serendine draw out and maintain her magoi and control it.
Despite her own anxiousness for results, Sakura spoke without wavering. "Call on Zepar's djinn equip."
Serendine's lips moved, a soft chant left her lips as she called upon the djinn of spirit and puppetry. The eight-pointed star on her sword's hilt emitted a bright light that could fill the darkest room. Serendine's body became engulfed in that light. It fell over her like a blanket and then shifted to the shape of her body.
When Judar and Sakura opened their eyes, rubbing and waiting for their vision to settle. They laid eyes upon Serendine in her djinn equip.
Zepar's djinn equip was more in relation to the djinn than any of the other djinn equips Sakura had seen by far. Turning Serendine's hair a dark sea green, giving her horns that resembled coral, black wings like a bat, she had a piece of white fabric wrapped around her, her legs transformed into hooves covered with brisk fur and a long tail. In short, she looked a lot like Zepar, including his physical stature.
Judar whistled, "Well, she's not turning back right away-looks like your little trick worked."
Sakura watched Serendine as she stared at herself, her eyes wide with surprise and then she looked up at Sakura, a bright smile spreading across her face. "This power-I can feel it-I can maintain it!"
Serendine took to the sky with a foreign excitement; she cried out from her accomplishment. She did a few twists and turns in the air before coming back down to Judar and Sakura, who waited patiently for her euphoria to calm. Serendine floated in front of the two now, looking over her form again, taking in the new power.
"Good job, Serendine."
Taking her original form, Serendine smiled before she charged towards Sakura, catching her off guard and managing to topple her onto the grass. Serendine gave her a tight, vice-like hug before pushing up on her hands to hover above her. "It's all thanks to you, Sakura!"
Sakura smiled, reaching up to touch Serendine's face gently, which in turn changed the princess's expression to surprise. "No Serendine; that was you."
Serendine had stilled as she felt the soft caress of Sakura's hand on her face. She still hovered over her, the way Sakura smiled at her then, her eyes glazed in happiness, and a proud smile on her face made Serendine's heart pound.
Judar coughed loudly, and Serendine quickly moved off of Sakura, in haste to avert her eyes and cool her suddenly warmed face.
"This is all well and good now that Serendine can use her djinn equip, but we still have to work on your magic attacks," Judar instructed.
The attacks was something that came more naturally once a djinn equip was established, at least that was how Sakura had experienced it.
Sakura drew out her blade, smiling at Serendine. "Since we both can use our djinn equips now-how about a little test run?"
Serendine gave Sakura the same smile, turning to face the girl, she held up her sword. "It would be my pleasure."
Judar held up his wand, pointing it forward between the spaces of the two girls. "This should be fun."
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Sakura, Serendine, and Judar had sparred vigorously against one another till the sky had completely blackened, the stars came out, and the moon shone high above, playing as the only source of light. Serendine, Judar, and Sakura were lying on their backs, their arms and legs spread on the grass in a manner where their heads were the only part of their bodies that were close together as they made a T, Judar serving as the single vertical line and Sakura and Serendine making a longer horizontal. All were experiencing fatigue by now, but only two were willing to admit it, as one was too prideful (Judar).
Judar had his eyes closed, but he wasn't sleeping, being the first to disrupt the quiet that had fallen over all of them for the last few minutes. "I was right, that was fun."
"Yeah, I especially enjoyed the part where you turned my attacks against me," Sakura commented. Judar apparently excelled in ice magic, and with Gaap's base element being water, the odds were not in her favor. He was also a rather ruthless fighter, an unusual taste for the prospect that was spine chilling.
"You provided the ammunition," Judar said back. "At least Serendine thought to use her abilities to break the ice shards I sent to her."
"That was luck on my part, I barely realized what to do before you aimed at me." Serendine breathed, feeling the night's wind brush against her sweat-covered skin.
"I was aiming at both of you."
Sakura snickered; regardless, their training had proven to be quite fruitful. Both Sakura and Serendine were able to get a better handle on their abilities, and they were aware of each other's. Serendine had expressed her interest in having a battle with Sinbad, which was why she hadn't wanted to mention to him that she was training. After Sakura heard this, she was intrigued herself by what it might be like to face off against Sinbad; she had seen him battle before, but she hadn't gone against him in their djinn equips before. It struck her interest.
"I can't wait for you to show off your power to Sinbad," Judar told Serendine.
"I just hope I don't exhaust myself like this."
"It's because you stalled."
Sakura continued to stare up at the stars, Serendine's and Judar's voices becoming nothing more than humming in her ears; her eyes closing in content, her exhaustion had opened her and allowed peace to settle into her being and for once she managed to fall asleep without going through the list of work she needed to complete for the next day, without the troubling thoughts of her uncertain future or of Barbarossa and her secret he held in his hands.
Serendine heard soft breathing above her and propped herself up to turn and see Sakura. Her eyes were closed effortlessly, her cheeks slightly flushed, and her mouth slightly ajar; she glistened under the moonlight.
Judar looked up to realize Sakura had fallen asleep. "Oh, come on; I'm not sleeping out here tonight. Let's just leave her and head back."
The young magi stood up, dusting off his clothes before turning to look at the two. "Serendine,"
"You go on and wait at the path back to Balbadd. I'll bring Sakura."
Judar shrugged and started walking away, towards the thick darkness that the trees provided. Serendine turned back, her head hovering above Sakura's. She shifted carefully to move her head further over. She waited, waited for any sign of Sakura readying to wake, but her eyes remained closed. A few moments passed, and Serendine could still feel her heart beating wildly, more furiously than any other time she could think of in her life. This was because of the gaze she held for the young pink-haired girl, whose smile seemed to lighten Serendine's grief and ease her troubles. Sinbad's partner; she didn't know when or how, but Serendine had felt herself drawn to Sakura.
There was no explanation as to how her feelings for the pinkette had progressed to this level of affection; she hadn't thought it was possible. Serendine had never met someone like Sakura before; that she was certain of. In their first meeting, Sakura had given Serendine her first taste of friendship without strings attached; they were able to open up towards one another so quickly-which was not something she was used to. Being a royal had created an extreme sense of caution. Yes, she was close to her attendants and they were loyal, but their mutual friendship hadn't been instant, which drew away from the natural taste.
Then there was their battle in Zepar's dungeon; when Sakura had been defeated, Serendine had felt a strong sense of dismay, that Sakura had dissipated when she smiled reassuringly at her. Somehow, through this time, Serendine's feelings for Sakura had escalated, but the princess hadn't entirely understood that they might be reaching further than the point of friendship because she had not, in fact, ever felt like this towards anyone. That included her former fiancé Barbarossa.
Serendine placed her hand onto Sakura's face, as the kunoichi had done to her, brushing her fingers along the girl's soft, slightly matted skin, smearing the dirt on Sakura's cheek. Her eyes fell onto thin lips, open slightly and without any real sense of consciousness, Serendine's entire body remained still from the neck down, but her head was moving downward. Her eyes were fully open now, without a single blink as not to flash away the small thread of resolve she had somehow grasped painfully between her fingers.
"Sinbad's ideals aren't vague; they are just various, which makes it seem so. A perfect world doesn't exist-I know that, and you can call it taking advantage of circumstances and benefiting from the fact that everyone wishes for some version of an ideal world. But Sinbad has been working towards his goal of this ideal world, and I believe that he will create it. No matter what you are going to say to argue and attempt to sway me. That scale is not going to move, so it won't matter how logical your comeback is because I honestly would have thought of it already myself."
Serendine's breathing grew slower as she cautiously moved downward. She fists the grass tightly, ripping some of it from the ground.
"I'm afraid I'll lose him, because I won't have what it takes to stand beside him anymore."
Serendine's vision of Sakura became blurred as she drew nearer, the darkness of her shadow grew over Sakura's face. Her heart felt as though it was attempting to hit her ribcage, increasing its speed the closer Serendine drew.
Sakura then took both of Serendine's hands in her own and held them up, bringing her head forward to rest her forehead against the princess's clenched fingers. "Serendine; thank you so much for helping me keep him."
Warm droplets of clear liquid fell on Sakura's face, nothing she could feel in her unconscious state. Serendine's shoulders shook as she sobbed quietly. When her skin had just barely made contact with Sakura, she had stopped. Able to feel Sakura breathe on her own lips, but didn't move forward or back.
"I-I-just..." Serendine still felt that pull, that urge to move just for another half a second, but she didn't. She could not bring herself to truly act upon her own desires, not when the object of her affections was so clearly devoted to another. What's more; she knew that she would not feel correct unless she was able to see Sakura's reaction; she'd rather suffer the painful truth than relish in ignorant bliss.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Serendine."
Serendine gasped, sitting up completely and nearly crashing, seeing Judar looking down at her with his hands on his hips. At that moment, he didn't look like a child. His red eyes shone like rubies under the moonlight's gleam, yet they had a dark tinge that promised no good.
"Judar, I thought I told you to wait for me."
The boy smirked, cocking his head to the side. "What you were about to do…It might seem like a good idea, but she can become your undoing."
Serendine frowned. Judar and Zepar had addressed Sakura as an interloper, but Serendine was yet to understand in what context it was to refer to someone as that and what Sakura had done to earn it.
"What do you mean, Judar?"
Judar shook his head, turning around. "I'm just saying; you wouldn't want to risk doing something that could undo what you're working towards right?"
"It's not like that."
"Oh? You can say that but it won't change your actions, and trust me, this girl." Judar gestured to Sakura. "Is better off left for Sinbad to handle."
Serendine looked down at Sakura and then to her sword and back again. She moved to pick up the sleeping girl, who wasn't as light as she appeared, but nothing that Serendine couldn't carry back to the company. Serendine walked forward, with Sakura sleeping in her arms.
"About this don't-
"I won't say a thing," Judar assured.
With that, they had both agreed to leave events with tonight. That way, when the sun rises the next day, the same night would never recur again.
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! I've been working on new and old stories, and I'll be sharing them very very soon, so keep an eye out.
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EARLY CHAPTERS FOR MEMBERS NOW: BUYMEACOFFEE
-Kunoichi amongst Heroes chapter (96, 97, 98, 99)
-Kunoichi amongst Pirates chapter (43, 44, 45)
-Crossroads of Fate chapter (34, 34, 35, 36, 37)
-Through the Looking Glass chapter (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
- (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)
-Kunoichi amongst Heroes WHAT IF SPIN OFF: Dorms and Exams
-(SEQUEL) Through the Spyglass chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6
-SPECIAL HALLOWEEN CHAPTER: Shinigami amongst Shinobi