Hello fellow Magi lovers! I shouldn't be doing this, especially because I have some stories I'm working on right now, but after watching the anime and reading the manga, I've fallen in love with it, and I can't help but right a story for it. :)

Thanks for clicking on it! I hope you all enjoy!

I do not own Magi.

Enigma

Chapter One:

First Class Anomaly

It was silent.

Trees rustled, birds cooed and the world around sang to the music of life.

A shadow fell over the wide spread meadow, flowers growing in abundant bundles bursting through the light shade of green grass. Fluffy trails of white clouded the blue canvas above, and a bird soared before the sun, casting a long shadow down below.

It was beautiful, this graveyard.

Grays eyed, stained blue, blinked up at the sky above them, silent.

Black hair, a shade near a dark gray in the light, splayed out beneath them, entwining with the grass. The girl let her eyes follow the clouds, and she shut her eyes, letting the sounds of the meadow around her—of life around her, hit her ears.

Her gaze caught onto a flower, nestled gently against her hand, and she twisted so she would face it, silently wondering if there was a flower for every person that once lived in the meadow.

"It's a beautiful day." A voice whispered quietly, softly, and the girl blinked, playing with a flower in her hand.

"It is." She agreed, her fingers ran along the stem, all the way to where it disappeared into the ground. "As always."

"We should go somewhere."

The girl paused, her fingers pausing on the middle of the stem. "Where would we go?"

"Anywhere you'd like." The voice was quiet, coaxing almost. "There is much of the world to see you know. They've made great countries these days—kingdoms."

"Where there are kingdoms there is war." The girl answered, her fingertips brushed the tip of the flower petals lovingly. "There's none here."

"For there are no people."

A petal fell and the girl frowned, letting her face rest against the grass. The voice was silent for a moment, and the air of guilt swirled around. "There are lots of foods you could try too. Sweets and fruits from all over."

A small smile touched her lips and she shut her eyes. There was no getting around this it seemed. Perhaps he was right, how long had it been?

"The world can be ugly." She warned, though there really was no need. Her companion was far older than herself. "What if I don't like what it's become?"

The flower bent beneath her fingers and she paused, waiting for the voice to reply as she tested the strength of the stem.

"You can just disappear."

The stem snapped.

"Thief! Someone stop them! Get back here!"

The people of Sindria paused, looking up from the day's activities as two figures shot by, closely followed by a third.

The third, a large, round man who sold bread huffed and puffed, foam forming at the corners of his mouths as he chased after the two figures.

The two, children, ragged by their clothing and eyes wide ran hard, bare feet slamming into the dirt floor beneath them, One boy and one girl, siblings perhaps, clutching a brown paper bag to their chest.

Scrapes of bread fell to the floor at their feet as they ran, the baker cursing them to the high heavens as he struggled after them. The crowd of people watched in faint amusement, the baker was a stingy man, perhaps it was a lesson well taught.

The boy shot forward, bumping his shoulder into another and shouting a quick, breathless apology as he continued to run. The woman he had bumped into blinked, slowly turning to watch the children, curiosity sparking gray eyes stained blue.

The little girl let out a squeak, however, when her foot collided with a rock, sending her and the loaves of bread tumbling to the floor. The older boy quickly braked, his eyes growing wide as he bent down to help her up. "Hurry!"

"I've got you know, rats!" The man spat, his face a cherry red. "Stay right where you are!"

The children looked up with wide eyes, fear lining the large pupils as they braced for their impending doom.

"So much for staying under the radar."

The baker came to a quick halt, his eyes growing wide as he paused, breathing heavily at the sight before him.

Nothing.

The crowd that had been around had paused as well, eyes wide in surprise. Murmurs began to sweep through the lively market area as people scratched their heads in disbelief and puzzlement.

The children had disappeared.

"Now, stealing isn't very good, all right?"

"Sorry." The girl murmured, her voice meek as she held back tears, clutching her dirtied dress. "I'm sorry."

Gray eyes, stained blue softened and the woman let out a half hearted sigh, ruffling the girl's head. "That's all right. Just don't do it again."

"Thank you." The boy murmured, clutching his hands into fists. "But why?"

The girl blinked, crossing her arms over her chest. "Why? That is a good question... I'm going to get in a lot of trouble for doing that you know."

The boy grit his teeth and she smiled, patting his head softly. "Why not?"

The children's eyes grew wide and she grinned, ushering them off and slipping a coin bag into the boy's pocket. "This should last you for awhile. Sindria is a wonderful place you know, the people here are the kind who won't turn away two hungry children."

Two heads nodded and the girl rocked back on her heels. "Now you two better run off before that baker comes back."

Their eyes grew wide, and with rushed thank you's and good byes, they were gone. The girl tucked a strand of black hair behind her ears and sighed, eyeing the area around her suspiciously.

It was a calmer part of town, close to the port so that you could see the sea spread out before you. A small village further off from the main city, away from the royal home.

But that wouldn't exactly stop him now, would it?

The girl's shoulders slumped and she looked up to the sky. "I might be able to stay a little longer...depending on how fast gossip spreads. Maybe I can still remain under cover."

Maybe he won't notice. She added silently, rubbing the back of her neck, her fingers brushing over a darkly inked marking just below the hem of her collar.

"We could leave if you'd like." The girl blinked, frowning as she thought over a new plan.

"I guess we could go to Balbaad. That was our next stop wasn't it?" She questioned and when the voice whispered a confirmation she grinned. "All right then!"

"Shame you don't have plans to stay longer."

Damn.

The girl's face paled slightly and she swallowed the lump in her throat, rubbing the back of her head as she turned around, ever so slowly and offered a sheepish grin. "Ah, Sinbad, long time no see, how long has it been?"

Hair a dark, near violet shade framed his face, leading downwards to the longer strands tied at the base of his neck. Eyes like melted gold shading to dark amber watched the girl before him in faint amusement, extravagant pieces of jewelry adorning his figure. "Two years, as of yesterday."

"And you promised to see him in a few months." The girl hushed the voice and grinned, looking at him with wide eyes. "Two years? My, time sure does fly."

Tanned and toned arms, muscular from years of expeditions, conquests, and adventures of all kinds crossed over an equally muscular chest and the King of Sindria arched a fine brow. "It does, doesn't it?"

Maybe I can leave... The girl pondered, looking anywhere but at the chips of gold in front of her.

"You dug this grave," The voice chided. "Lying is very unbecoming."

"How'd you find me?" The girl sighed, her shoulders slumping in a sign of defeat. She'd resigned herself for the day.

"I was out on some business matters." Sinbad started, the Conqueror of the Seven Seas taking in the profile of the girl, the woman in front of him, assessing her health over the years. "When there was a great rumor going about, something about disappearing children was it?"

Her eye twitched and she grinned, shrugging helplessly. "At least I was out doing something better than getting drunk and spending all my time with women paid to pleasure."

The King flinched, caught, and the girl smirked, walking past him and brushing her shoulder against him. "Haven't changed much have you now, Your Majesty?"

"You're looking well." Sinbad steered the topic off his usual past times, trailing beside the girl, his eyes following her movements, a look flickering through the melted gold.

"I've been well." She answered, swinging her arms beside her, chains brushing against each other occasionally as her arms moved, the leather bracelets moving, a single metal flower strung in the middle of each.

The dark purple haired man frowned slightly at the lack of conversation and felt a small grin touch his lips. "Where have you been?"

"Everywhere and nowhere." She blinked, halting as they reached a cobblestoned wall, allowing people to look over the sea and harbor. "Sindria is looking well."

Relieved to know this conversation wasn't one-sided (he had hoped they were past that years ago) he smiled proudly, looking out back to the sea. "It is thriving with the hard work of the people."

The girl let a hum leave her lips and her eyes softened. "I must admit, Sindria is one of my favorites."

There was the briefest of pauses and the girl inwardly winced. She shouldn't have let that slip. Sinbad's smile was warm, a smile in his eyes as he looked at her, a friend welcoming another after a long distance apart. "I'm honored."

She eyed the man out of the corner of her eye and grinned slightly. "Though, the view could be much better though. I can't see with the way you seem to reflect everything."

The king of Sindria pouted, resting his arms on the wall and looking to her. "I'm hurt, Kali."

Kali paused, letting her name sink into her ears. It'd been awhile since she'd heard someone call her name with such familiarity. It sounded natural coming off this charismatic man's lips.

And that was dangerous.

"What brings you back?" Sinbad inquired, carefully and coyly, watching her out of the corner of his eyes. Kali paused, looking thoughtful herself as she pondered the question.

Her eyes met his and Sinbad felt his fingers twitch as she looked up at him. He took his time to admire the way the salty sea breeze seemed to play with her hair, sending it out behind her.

Her appearance hadn't really changed, save for maybe an inch or two off her hair—a shame, since he liked it long. Now it tumbled past her shoulders and stopped a bit further down. The black like the color of soot from a fire, dusty and near a dark gray.

"The food?"

Something heavy impaled his chest and Sinbad sighed as the girl looked down to the harbor, as if imagining the lines of stalls down below. "It's fishing season isn't it? Knowing Sindria, there's a party lurking somewhere."

"Whatever the tide brings." Sinbad sighed, turning back to the ocean. Ah, women were cruel.

"It may not be the best of things though."

His eyes flicked back to her and Kali remained facing the ocean, her eyes half lidded as she stared out into the endless blue. Sinbad watched her carefully, her words had been light, but years had taught him better, he knew a warning when there was one.

When her eyes fully opened he caught the look that flickered through them and felt a flicker of panic. "You must be tired, how about I escort you back?"

Kali smiled, amused as she continued to face the ocean. "To where?"

"Why, wherever you'd like." Sinbad stretched his arms wide, a charming smile on his lips as his eyes shone. "My home is yours to share."

Always.

"Hmm..." Kali looked playfully thoughtful, and Sinbad blinked, watching her. "Beats paying for a hotel..."

"Stay for dinner," Sinbad suggested, but even as the words left his mouth, the king knew her answer already. "We can catch up. Everyone would like to see you again. It's not everyday friends who've disappeared return after two years."

Ouch. She grinned, feeling a trickle of guilt. That was what happened when you let people get close, they expected things from you.

"I may take you up on the offer." Kali agreed, and Sinbad cursed. The girl had to contain her amusement as her legs began to fade away, he really did know her quite well.

Gray met gold and Sinbad blinked as she flashed him a loose grin, her eyes shining. "See you around."

And with that, she was gone.

The conqueror let out an aggravated sigh, running his hands through his hair as he eyed the spot where blackette had just stood. He never would get used to that annoying habit and skill of hers.

Sinbad rested his cheek against his palm and looked out to the ocean, sulking and feeling slightly annoyed, disappointed, but undeniably relieved.

"She didn't say when."

True enough, just as Kali had assumed, Sindria burst forth in a night of festivities later in the evening. For which event though she was unsure of, but a festival was a festival and the blackette had full intentions of enjoying the night.

"Maybe I was a bit cruel." Kali blinked, looking down at the fried fish impaled through the skewer. "I was gone for two years..."

But then again. The girl frowned, biting into the sweet yet tangy fish—Sindrians knew how to cook. It's not like I'm bound to him. I'm free to do as I wish.

"I thought he was a friend." The girl blinked, swallowing her mouthful.

"He is." She bit down again, harder this time. "But it's not like we're as close as most would think—no ties remember?"

"You did say you'd come back in a few months."

"People get busy."

"You never wrote."

"Didn't say I would."

"Or contacted him in anyway."

"He should have faith in me."

The voice was silent, as if at a lost for words and the girl sighed, setting down the now clean stick and rocking back on the wooden stool, eyeing the mass of people before her.

The bazaar was perhaps at its best at night. Vendors were aglow in the darkness, bright lights and loud voices driving all shadows away from the Kingdom. Sindria really was one of her favorites.

"Kali? Is that you?" A male voice inquired, somewhat incredulously and Kali blinked, turning around and coming close up with a freckled face and wide gray eyes.

"Ja'far?" Kali eyed the white haired male before her in surprise. "Fancy meeting you here."

"Is that all you have to say after going missing for nearly two years?" Ja'far questioned in disbelief, mouth agape as he stared at her. "Do you have any idea—"

"Sin isn't with you is he?" Kali glanced over the white head, covered by the green cloth. "I don't see him, but knowing him—"

"Kali!" Ja'far snapped and the girl flinched, looking up sheepishly. "Where have you been these past years?"

"Around." Kali answered; there was no sign of violet in sight. And if Sinbad was anywhere near, the hordes of women would alert her of his presence. "Traveling, just as I said I was going to do."

"For a few months!" Ja'far exclaimed, near throwing his arms up in exasperation. "You were gone a few years!"

"It was only two." Kali defended weakly and the white haired male's eye twitched. Using his long sleeves to cover the bottom portion of his face he sniffed.

"I see you haven't changed."

"I didn't mean to be gone for so long," Gray met gray and Kali offered a small smile. "Things just tend to come up is all. How have you been?"

"Fine." Ja'far grumbled, crossing his arms together so they were hidden in the sleeves. "Though I would have been far better off without someone else to worry about."

Ah, how she had missed the freckled vizier. Kali let out a laugh, loose but carefree, like the wind. "Sinbad isn't working you too hard now is he? The Kou Empire stirring up trouble?"

Ja'far sighed, resigning himself to taking a seat on the stool beside her. "That man is like a child. And the Kou are simply a thorn in everyone's side, one that is ever so hard to be rid off."

Kali blinked, bringing a cup to her lips and letting the liquid inside fill her mouth—it didn't taste like wine, so she assumed it was some fruit beverage. "They're...interesting."

Ja'far blinked, looking to the girl curiously. "You've been to Kou?"

Kali shrugged, ignoring the fact that her face paled just a bit. That was a story for another day. "A day or two, mostly the country side to see what it was like."

"A day?"

We promised never to bring that up.

There was a loud cheer and a string of dancers, decked in flowing white gowns and beautiful flowers flew by, feet skimming the floor. Kali's eyes followed them for a moment, her leg thumping to the beat of the drums, the metal band on her ankles clinking in response.

"How long will you be staying?" Ja'far plucked the cup from her hands. Kali pouted as the vizier examined the contents.

"Who knows?" Kali mused, tilting her head back to eye the darkening sky above. Ja'far glanced to the girl and sighed, stuffing his hands within his sleeves.

"You're a troublesome one, aren't you?"

A breeze whistled by, ruffling the loose royal blue tunic she wore, tied around the middle with a silver sash. The tunic stretched to her mid thighs, overlapping and opening in a v-pattern, revealing white shorts beneath.

Kali tugged on the twisted up sash tied in a loose collar around her neck, her fingers trailing down to the v-neck of the tunic so she could touch the necklace hidden beneath the collar.

"He was worried you know."

Kali blinked, snatching the cup from Ja'far's hands and taking a sip.

"We all were."

"You shouldn't though." Kali glanced to him over the rim of her cup, her eyes flickering silver in the golden glow of the lit torches. "I'm no one important."

Ja'far scoffed, rolling his eyes—so stubborn. "Perhaps in your world, but in reality, people do make bonds you know. People care."

A wry grin twisted on her lips and Kali's ears perked at the familiar jingle, she glanced to Ja'far and smiled. "I think I saw someone selling some of those little cakes I like—see you around, freckles."

The vizier twitched at the nickname and opened his mouth to protest, but before his eyes, they girl had disappeared, leaving not a trace expect for the now empty cup where she had sat.

Ja'far moved his gaze to the purple haired headache coming his way and sighed. "That coward."

"And with a flick of my wrist—down went the monster!"

"Ah, Sharrkan, how amazing you are!"

"Please, tell the other story, the one with the bandits!"

"That silly one?" The white haired swordsman blinked, taking a long sip of wine from his cup as the women crowded near him, adoring eyes and fawning gazes. "You've heard it so many times!"

"But it gets better every time you tell it!" The darkly tanned male let out a loud laugh, pulling the women close to him with both arms.

"Well, who am I to deny such beautiful women?"

"It does change every time." Long lashes fluttered as the blue haired magician blinked, looking over her cup to the white haired male before her. "Maybe the monster will be a lion-hybrid this time."

"Sharrkan can tell a good story." Pisti giggled, tossing her blonde hair over slim shoulders.

"But it's the same one every time!" Yamraiha protested, slamming her cup down on the table. "I'm sick of hearing it!"

"No one's asking you to stay." Sharrkan called, waving a hand dismissively to the beautiful mage.

"I wouldn't mind hearing this one again." Kali offered, leaning back in the chair, settled between one of the women near Sharrkan and Yamraiha.

...

...

...

"Kali!" The three generals present exclaimed, heads jerking towards the girl that had suddenly appeared.

Kali blinked, tipping a cup downwards, when she noticed it was wine inside she let it settle back onto the table. "That is my name."

"Y-You..." Sharrkan stumbled over his words, eyes wide as he gaped at the sight before him.

Yamraiha and Pisti recovered quicker and lunged, arms wrapping around the blackette. "Where have you been? You just up and left!"

"Traveling." Kali answered, reaching up and patting the two women's arms. "And I've been fine."

"That's no excuse!" Yamraiha pulled back, examining the girl before her with happy eyes. "You cut your hair!"

"Where did you go? Why were you gone so long? Have you been eating right?" Pisti tossed the questions at the girl, her eyes wide. "What kinds of animals did you see?"

"All around. I took my time. Yes. And all different sorts." Kali replied calmly as she gently attempted to pry Yamraiha's arms from her neck. "How have you all been?"

"Worried sick!" A toned arm slung around her shoulder, just as she got Yamraiha to release her grip. And she was tugged into a firm chest. "You never wrote to us!"

"And when I tried to find you, I couldn't!" Yamraiha added, her brows creased in worry. "Did you know how mad we all went when my clairvoyance magic wouldn't work?"

"Never mind that witchery—what's been going on?" Sharrkan grinned widely, ruffling Kali's hair affectionately. "How long are you staying?"

"Witchery?"

Kali shrugged, Sharrkan's arm moving with the movement. Yamraiha smiled exasperatedly, her eyes softening. "Will you be staying long at least?"

"This is so wonderful!" Pisti cheered, her eyes shining. "We should celebrate! Where's everyone else? Does Sinbad know?"

"He found me." Kali eyed the platters of fruits on the table, and Sharrkan grinned, stabbing one with a fork and waving it before her. "And there's no need for a celebration. A simple visit isn't anything big."

"But we haven't seen you in years!" Pisti protested. Sharrkan made 'ah' motions with his mouth, attempting to feed the blackette.

"Two." Kali snatched the fruit off the fork and Sharrkan blinked, staring at the now fruitless utensil. "I'm really not that important."

"What brings you back?" Yamraiha questioned curiously, crossing her arms together as she turned to face Kali. "After all this time?"

Kali paused, something flickering through her eyes for the briefest moment before she allowed a lopsided grin. "The wind."

"You're still so cold." Sharrkan frowned, resting his cheek on top of Kali's head. "Is that all you have to say after two years?"

"There's not much." Kali mused, her eyes glittered though and she tilted her head up to face the white haired swordsman. "Although, I happened to pick up a few new sword play tricks while I was away."

Emerald eyes shone and a coy smirk touched Sharrkan's face. "Oh?"

"There were some new magic tools I happened to stumble across too." Kali added, and Yamraiha perked up, her eyes shining.

"I found an old book as well, something about taming tricks tribes used on animals using their magoi." Kali finished, and Pisti grinned.

"These are not your friends?" The voice murmured and Kali blinked, smiling inwardly.

No. She thought, turning her gaze upwards as the three burst into conversation around her. They are mere acquaintances.

Just as Yamraiha had promised, her room hadn't been touched at all over the years.

The far too extravagant (in Kali's opinion—but Sinbad won that argument for once.) guest room was silent as she stood in the center, making a full circle to examine the entire room.

A queen sized bed was pressed against the wall, mini pillars arching across the top to allow a thin veil to fall over the edge like a curtain. The royal blue comforter lay askew—just as she had left it the day she left. The silk white sheets were slightly wrinkled; it must've killed the maids knowing they had to leave it alone.

"Guess he can follow instructions." Kali mused, running her fingers along the wooden wardrobe off to the side, different knick knacks from the years before lining the top. She would have wanted to take them with her, but there was no room in her bag.

"You did say you would be back in a few months. He held you to your word."

Kali let her bare feet relax on the silky rug beneath her, a stark contrast from rocky roads, and let out a sigh. "We got busy, didn't we? What was I supposed to do?"

"Is busy the right word?"

"Don't patronize me, Camio."

A change in the room caught her eye and Kali paused, staring owlishly at the vase of flowers on the nightstand. It was a gently arranged bundle of white roses, accented with some dark blue flower she didn't know the name of.

Kali judged the life of the flowers and blanched, realizing that they were fresh, no more than a few days old.

Her emotions, for only a second, betrayed her, and there was a flicker of guilt that she quickly shoved off. Kali let out a longer sigh this time and made her way to the flowers, fingers brushing the coolness of the petals.

"Generous man." Camio offered.

"Cunning." Kali added.

"Charismatic?"

"Albeit devious."

"A good king." Camio settled at last and Kali smiled, playing with a petal in her hand.

"True enough."

The Djinn was silent for a moment. And Kali's free hand reached up to play with the necklace. It grew warm beneath her fingertips and Kali shut her eyes, feeling a sense of calm settle over her—no doubt Camio's work.

"I hope they're to your liking."

Ah. Kali blinked, turning her head slightly so she cold spot the man in the doorway, arms crossed as he leaned against the frame. "Pisti choose them this time."

"This time?" Kali echoed, brushing the petals as if they would break.

"We changed them every extra month you were gone."

She could feel Camio tut and she rolled her eyes, turning around to face the Sindrian king. "You shouldn't have."

"We didn't expect you to be gone so long." Sinbad replied smoothly, his face was cool, friendly, but there was that look she always saw, a look that told someone there was always more to this man.

It had been what drew her to this place to start with.

"Now I feel bad for leaving," Kali joked, moving about the room soundlessly, inspecting it. "You really didn't touch anything."

"We never knew when you would be back," Sinbad explained, he took a step forward into the room, and Kali's eyes darted to his figure for a moment before glancing away. "Rather not risk you walking in on us."

"Nice to know my privacy was respected," The corners of her lips twitched upwards, and she wondered why he was here. Reason dictated he was here to simply greet a friend after a long absence, but knowing this man, there was always more.

Her fingers skimmed over the silk curtains, the color of the ocean. Her body was positioned in front of the window, an easy exit if need be.

"You look like I'm here to assassinate you." Sinbad mused, though he looked slightly hurt by the fact as he gazed around the room, taking in the knick knacks on the table, and her possessions strewn about the floor.

"Life does that to you." Kali shrugged, but her shoulders visibly relaxed, and she leaned against the window pane, shivering at the cold touch. "It's good to see you again."

Sinbad's eyes flickered and the corner of his lip curled upwards. "You took the words right from my mouth."

"Camio's been nagging me to make amends." Kali answered dutifully, letting out an exasperated sigh as she ran her fingers over the necklace.

"Did you conquer any new dungeons?" Sinbad questioned curiously, eyeing her form.

There were leather bracelets on her wrists, two of which had steel flowers in between. There was her necklace, but he was already aware that Camio resided there. Sinbad knew she carried several weapons on her, and she had a hairpiece resembling a dragon hidden and entwined with the thin braid on the side of her head.

All of which were possible metal vessels.

Kali's brows furrowed, as if it were a struggle for her to remember. Finally, she offered the man a sly smirk, shrugging. "That's for me to know, and for you to find out."

Clever vixen. Sinbad leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest as he faced her. The last time he'd seen her, she'd had three.

"I hope this time you're here to stay." Sinbad sighed, running a hand through his hair. Kali wondered if it'd gotten longer while hers had gotten shorter. "It would kill Yamraiha and Pisti this time if you simply disappeared."

"But that's what I do." To make a point, the girl had teleported from her seat at the window to standing in front of the man. Sinbad's face wrinkled slightly in displeasure and Kali grinned, patting him on the shoulder. "You worry too much."

"That is what friends do." Sinbad reminded, and Kali paused at the term, liking the sound and yet fearing the meaning. "They worry about each other's wellbeing and make sure not to disappear for several years without a word."

"You make it sound like I'm supposed to report to you every time I leave," Kali commented offhandedly, and though she knew she was being cruel now, he had to be reminded.

She did not belong to this country.

Nor to any.

"If I had such control over you, it'd be less hours worrying." Sinbad sighed. "You know I didn't mean to offend you."

"I know." She allowed a small smile. She loved Sindria, but she loved her freedom more. Sinbad was a good friend, and so were the rest of his generals and the people here, and she'd be there in a heartbeat if they needed help.

But that was all.

As it should be.

"I've actually learned a new trick." Kali grinned, and her form flickered out of existence, a flash of light illuminating the room and flickering again as she appeared on the ceiling, hanging upside down. "Interesting, isn't it?"

"I'm afraid the next day you'll be teleporting into people's minds," Sinbad commented dryly, and Kali feigned looking hurt. She was aware Sinbad had a particular dislike for her ability to disappear and reappear at whim, teleporting from one place to another.

"That'd be gross." Kali shuddered, and out of childish spite she added. "Have you gotten older? You look like you've aged a few years."

Sinbad's brow twitched and the girl laughed, breezy and light as she teleported to the window again. "Don't be getting old on me now, grandpa."

"I'm not that old." Sinbad replied hotly, a scowl on his lips.

"Could've fooled me." Kali sighed dramatically, resting her head against the window. "Everyone looks well."

"You mention everyone's wellbeing a lot." Sinbad observed, and she detected the pleased way he seemed to say that. Though he still looked annoyed from the age jab. "Still thinking about others before yourself?"

"I'm one of the most selfish people you know." Kali wrinkled her nose, eyeing the man from where she sat, silver meeting gold. "I'm just glad to see that Sindria is well."

"For we fear the peace will not last long." Camio's words were an echo of her own fears and her eyes narrowed as she gazed back out the window, her gaze searching somewhere farther beyond.

"A storm is brewing."

Part of her had come back to this country due to the need to see them again. It was against her principles to stay in one place to long, but Sindria was almost like a pit stop for her, one she couldn't help coming back to every now and then.

She'd grown fond of the island country, that she would not deny. But her heart would always be where freedom was.

That's bad.

"Be careful, Sin." It was rare that she called him such, and his gaze was on her in an instant, taking in her figure and examining her face. "People are beginning to move." Her eyes flickered back to him. "And I'd hate to see Sindria caught on the bad end of this."

"It makes me depressed to see you again and that's what you have to say." Sinbad shook his head, a smile gracing his lips. "I was hoping you'd come and tell me you planned to stay for good this time."

"And do what?" Kali looked amused. She knew he'd taken her warning to heart, but the boisterous man wasn't one to be easily put down. "Create rumors about disappearing children?"

"You could always become one of my generals." Sinbad shrugged carelessly, sounding as if it didn't matter. "The offer is always open."

"Then it wouldn't be the eight generals anymore." Kali rebutted, ah, this man was a stubborn one. "And the nine generals just doesn't sound right."

"Sindria's arms are always open to new citizens."

"I'm not sure if Sindrian sounds good with me."

"You could be my queen." Sinbad raised his brows suggestively, a smirk on his lips as Kali stared at him for a moment, a thoughtful look crossing her features.

"Too much work."

Sinbad deflated, looking at her in displeasure, and it reminded her of a child who'd been denied his toy. "Stubborn aren't you?"

"As much as you are persistent." Kali's eyes turned to the window, watching the moon illuminate the sky. She had to admit she loved this room, for it gave her a wonderful view of the ocean that surrounded the country.

"Shall we go again tonight?" Camio whispered, and Kali smiled, her eyes softening. Seere would like that, wouldn't he?

"You're going to leave again." Sinbad watched the girl carefully, as if dealing with a scared animal. Kali looked at him in surprise.

"How'd you know?"

"Experience." Sinbad's brows furrowed and he searched the room. There were no backpacks or bags, meaning there was no guarantee if she disappeared from his sight this time, she'd be back again. "Where are you going?"

Kali gazed out the window. "A stroll perhaps."

Sinbad held back a sigh, looking disapprovingly at the girl as her feet began to fade from his view. "Will you be back?"

Kali glanced back to him, and the moonlight turned gray silver, and Sinbad took the moment to admire the beauty of the moment. The man had an eye for such things, and he knew it when he saw it.

Her lips curled, and the action made her look feral—wild. Her eyes glimmered mischievously and by now, she was near gone. "Perhaps."

And she disappeared.

Sinbad was left alone for the second time that day, and a look of annoyance made its way onto his face.

The king was well used to making people wait, whether it be Ja'far or having women wait on him—the works. And when he'd stumbled upon a woman that was constantly making him wait for her, he found himself in a complex situation.

But he'd be lying if he said he didn't enjoy the chase.

Hope you all enjoyed the first chapter! It's going to be interesting for me, writing for a character like Sinbad, especially since as of late, the man is beginning to get so complex—but I love his character and I can't help it. Hopefully you all thought well, and I enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it!

And if any of you are confused, Kali has the ability to 'teleport' to her whim, more of which will be explained as the story goes along, but whenever she leaves, she appears to disappear, fading before being gone all together.

Thank you for reading!

Marshmellow-

-OUT!