XP: Thank you very much for your interest in the story! The ratings might change to M in the future, so please look out for that. Also, this story will be turned into a genderbender yaoi, and if you don't like that, time to click back.

**The beginning**

"This is serious," Sinbad sighed, holding his head. He rubbed his aching temples and signed, much to the worry of his metal vessel users.

"What's wrong, Sinbad?" Alibaba quizzed, standing before the king that has graciously allowed him, Aladdin and Mor to stay in Sindria for months and all of their lives if they pleased. He didn't feel right just lazing around though, so he continued to train under Sharrkan as his disciple, while simultaneously offering to aid Sinbad in political and economical affairs. He had settled placing a monetary value for the trade of the seven seas, creating a floating monetary system that he had read about.

He had put himself to good use, and improved trading routes, boats, infrastructure and roads, using his wide read knowledge. He had saved so much time and efficiency that Sinbad was impressed enough to honor his efforts with a title of honorary adviser. Alibaba's only regret was that he could not go back to his own country, Balbadd and do the same with his knowledge.

"Ah, Alibaba..." Sinbad acknowledged, eyebrows still furrowed in thought. He appraised the slender boy before him. His eyes suddenly brightened, and a boyish smirk lit up his troubled face. "Yes, this will do."

"Alibaba, you will go infiltrate the Kou empire and free the spies they have caught. They are valuable Sindrian people and I cannot bear to let them die when they have been so loyal as to not even speak a single word against me."

"Me?" Alibaba gaped. "But they all know my face!"

"Yes, Sinbad, what are you thinking? You cannot send Alibaba over to be their prisoner instead," Aladdin demanded an explanation, looking at his panic stricken face.

"Of course not. Alibaba has feminine features, we can disguise him as a girl. There is no one better for the mission with his looks, social adaptability and intellect," Sinbad praised, glancing at his followers. "Sharrkan and the ladies will help you disguise yourself. There is no one else who can undertake this mission. Do you understand, Alibaba? Will you agree to help me?"

Alibaba felt small and powerless under Sinbad's severe gaze. He felt like he owed the king for helping him pull Balbadd from a dying country into a prosperous one. Even though he had tried his best to aid Sinbad, he has also taken from Sinbad in terms of free training and lodging. "I... I understand," he gulped.

"You are of course not without protection. Although you cannot bring Amon because they will detect him, you will be given magical tools invented by Yamraiha that will maintain contact between us and can teleport you back in the event you are found out," Sinbad clarified. "Weapons will be hidden on you for self defense, but they obviously cannot fend off metal vessel users."

No Amon? He suddenly felt like he was defenseless.

"Don't worry Alibaba, if it's you, you can do it!" Aladdin grinned. His friend was skilled in social pretense when he used to be a caravan driver.

"My disciple, let me bring you to the ultimate dancer in the city. We'll turn you into a woman no man can keep his eyes off!" Sharrkan grinned.

*** Line break**

"Why Sharrkan, such a cute young man you've brought over," Juliana said coyly, fluttering her eyelashes in such a manner that made Alibaba blush. When her eyes gazed him up and down, and then she smiled at him... Alibaba's face completely heated up.

"A cute young girl soon. Our lord wants him to be a dancing girl to infiltrate Kou," Sharrkan grinned, ruffling his disciple's hair.

"Hmm... I think I can arrange that. Come with me, little boy."

Juliana sashayed off, and indeed, Alibaba couldn't take his eyes off those sashaying hips.

In the next few days, Alibaba learnt the act of dancing and seducing. It was something he only watched thus far, and being taught it was both intriguing and strange. He took well to dancing, due to his flexible body and supple body. He easily showed elegance in his movements due to him being trained in the royal swordplay. Seduction was much tougher to learn, because Alibaba kept blushing and being distracted in Juliana's lessons. In the end, Juliana taught him how to be charming in his own shy way to leave men wanting more. It would be a better tactic to keep them from finding out he was a man.

When the day of his departure came, Yamraiha came to help him with his disguise, using magic to extend his hair, and giving him the accessories embedded with magic. Juliana had taught him how to use makeup, and lent him many of her own costumes, altered for his size and his lack of a chest. He was presented in front of King Sinbad alongside Juliana.

"Amazing, such beautiful ladies," Sinbad exclaimed, clapping his hands. "Thank you for teaching Alibaba. So, where is he?"

Alibaba looked up, startled. The necklace around his neck altered his voice into a feminine one, and he replied in confusion, "But I am here, Sinbad?"

Everyone around gawked openly, while Sharrkan snickered, proud that his disciple was such a convincing spy.

"I...I see," Sinbad nodded in disbelief. "Then, show me what you have learned."

"Yes, my lord," Alibaba bowed submissively. The musicians around him started to play the flute, and everyone was enamored when he started to move. His long sleeves and the colorful clothes around his waist fluttered, making him seem like a butterfly taking flight, or a flower swaying in the wind. He twirled, and the colorful clothes spun along in beautiful cascades and arches, easily manipulated like ribbons. Sinbad had never seen anything like it.

"Beautiful..." he murmured without knowing as he watched Alibaba smile demurely like a fairy of the flowers.

He was met with a standing ovation, and Alibaba was so embarrassed he hid his face behind his sleeves, which made Sinbad feel an urge of curiosity towards Alibaba's face despite knowing it well.

"He has even surpassed me in my dancing skills, my lord," Juliana praised, beaming with pride. "We are calling him the Fairy of Flowers, Aliana."

"Is that so?" Sinbad smiled. "Come closer, Aliana."

Alibaba stepped in front of the king's throne, blushing lightly in such a way that aroused protective feelings in any man that glanced upon her. Perhaps it was the makeup, but Alibaba was easily one of the prettiest women Sinbad had ever seen.

"You've done well. I look forward to your safe return. It's almost a shame, sending someone as beautiful as you to Ren Kouen," Sinbad lifted his hand to hold Alibaba's chin to look into his eyes, but Alibaba stepped back and pervasively looked away.

"Sorry my lord, but I am afraid of men."

Sinbad couldn't help but burst out into laughter at the meek image Alibaba had taken. It seemed like a totally new person, but the mischievous smile and glittering eyes that looked his way now told him it was unmistakably Alibaba Saluja.

"Well done. A contact of mine in Kou will be arranging for you to join a travelling troupe which I'm sure, will gain fame because of you. You will be summoned to their palace as a performer soon."

"Understood," Alibaba curtsied with a smile.

He was allowed some time to say goodbye, but he didn't want to dally too long once he thought about the fate of the Sindrian spies taken hostage and interrogated. He was naturally very nervous to leave Amon with Aladdin and head to the empire of Kou alone, but he knew there was little choice. It was much easier to act alone to infiltrate a place, free the spies and steal the intelligence list.

Gritting his teeth, he set out on the journey to the Kou empire alone.

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