Chapter thirty three

Nishi landed gracefully outside Sindria's palace. She could already imagine what they'd all say. She quietly made her way through the palace to Sinbad's office. It was the next morning and she knew for a fact they'd all be worried, especially with her wounds.

"Nishi! There you are!" Sharrkan exclaimed from inside Sinbad's office. "Where the hell have you been?!?"

"You had us all worried sick!" Yamuraiha added, Nishi was surprised they agreed on something.

"What were you thinking?" Ja'far demanded.

It was only the three generals and Sinbad in the room. "I'm sorry." Nishi bowed her head, completely sincere. "But I'd like to speak to King Sinbad alone. If...that's alright." She glanced up at Sinbad for his approval, to which he nodded.

The generals left the room, Yamuraiha pausing to look at Nishi again before leaving. Nishi knew she must have seen her rukh.

"What happened?" Sinbad asked, gesturing for her to sit. "Why is it something you can't say in front of everyone else?"

Nishi listened and sat across from him before speaking, "I figured it be better talking one-on-one, especially because you yourself are half-fallen too."

Sinbad's gold eyes widened in surprise, "How do you...?"

"I've noticed for a while, but it never bothered me, so I didn't mention it." Nishi explained.

"What do you mean, 'too'?"

Nishi then explained what happened with Aladdin and the result, once again leaving out the parts with Judar. "...So now I'm half fallen, just like you. The perfect balance of black and white rukh"

"Hmm...I didn't expect this...I didn't even know it was that bad." Sinbad thought for a while.

"Yeah...I'm sorry I've been doing a lot behind your back..." Nishi apologized again.

"As long as it's not going to happen anymore." Sinbad sighed, "What about you and Judar?"

"Judar?" Nishi echoed. "What about him?"

"You haven't talked to him again?"

"No..." Nishi tried. Sinbad gave her a knowing look. "I swear, nothing between me and Judar is going to affect Sindria. I am only loyal to you and I would never do anything that would harm Sindria." She promised.

"I know how loyal you are, Nishi." Sinbad sighed deeply, "I'm never going to agree to this or think it's right, but fine."

"S-Seriously?!" Nishi exclaimed. She smiled and jumped up and hugged Sinbad over the desk. "Thank you!~" She was glad Sinbad still trusted her. Nishi had messed up several times and lied to him even more, she wasn't sure she deserved to be trusted again.

"Oof! Ok, ok." Sinbad managed to laugh.

Nishi relaxed and backed off, "Sorry..." She laughed awkwardly.

"You've grown a lot since we first met." Sinbad smiled.

"Heh, yeah. When I ran into you." Nishi recalled happily, yet slightly embarrassed.

"You've become a fine magi, Nishi. I'm glad to have you as Sindria's magi." Sinbad complimented, still smiling.

"Me too."

~

"Hey~" Nishi sang from behind Judar, covering his eyes with her hands. "Guess who?~"

"Hey," Judar pulled her hands off his face, "Don't do that."

Nishi smirked teasingly, "Were you worried? It looks like you stayed here all night."

"Shut up. You took your sweet ass time to get here, didn't you?" Judar turned to face her.

"I had to explain to Sinbad first." Nishi explained. "Aw~ You were worried," She teased again, poking him.

"Stop it." Judar snapped, hitting her hands away. "What happened anyway? You seem to be in a good mood now." He wasn't going to tell her, but he was glad she was okay as she explained what happened with her and Aladdin.

"And~" Nishi added in a singing voice. "Kana likes you too."

"Aren't you the same person?"

"Shh, don't think about it too much." Nishi pulled Judar in for a kiss. "You'll just confuse yourself."

Judar chuckled a bit before kissing Nishi again, "Yeah, ok. So what now?"

"Dunno." Nishi shrugged. "Honestly, all I want to do right now is sleep." She stretched her arms over her head.

"Hmm...It's a bit early, but we could rent another hotel room?" Judar smirked suggestively.

Nishi raised an eyebrow, "Like I'd want to sleep with you."

"Hey!"

"What? You're always so mean to me!" Nishi pushed him lightly.

"What are you hitting me for? I should be hitting you!" Judar attempted to push her back, but Nishi jumped back just in time.

"If you can catch me." She challenged, sticking her tongue out at him before running off.

"Get your ass back here, I don't feel like running." Judar complained. He walked after her, but after searching the nearby area he couldn't find her. "Nishi? Where the hell'd you go?" Not like he'd ever admit it, never mind even think it, but Judar became a bit worried.

"Rawr!" Nishi jumped out behind him and attacked his back.

"Eh? Hey! Fuck off!" Judar whipped around in surprise. "What are you doing?!"

"Aw! I worried you!" Nishi smiled.

"Like hell you did." Judar crossed his arms. "Grow up, will you?"

"You're telling me to grow up? Why don't you try it out first, huh?" Nishi copied him and crossed her arms. This resulted in them staring at each other until Nishi cracked and began laughing, Judar not far behind.

Nishi wasn't really sure what was going to happen from now on. Sure, her own personal battles were settled, but she knew other bad things were going to happen. She was sure Aladdin would find something in Magnostadt, and it was impossible for things to be okay between her and Judar forever. Especially with him being in Al-Thamen and her with Sinbad.

But right now, neither magi cared. Everything was alright for the time being, and they were both genuinely really happy for the first time in a while. Nishi had been afraid of opening up to someone after everything she'd been though, but it somehow worked out with Judar. And Judar had never opened up to anyone, ever, his own feelings and thoughts still surprised him.

I'm just really happy 'Kana' found her peace...I'll never forget anything that happened to me, and I'll never get over it, but it's okay. I'll use this anger and my power as a magi to help others and make the world a better place. Not only for Sindria, but for the entire world.

~