Chapter Sixteen

         The next morning Nishi laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, "Oh my god." She thought over the night before and could help but get excited, "Judar kissed me! He likes me even!" She smiled and sat up. Someone knocked at the door and she told them to come in, surprised when it was Kougyoku. "Good morning!"

         "You seem happy. I assume last night went well?" Kougyoku smiled, sitting on the edge of the bed.

         "Huh? You knew?!"

         "Mhm. Me and Brother Kouha saw you two talking. What happened?"

         "We kissed..." Nishi admitted.

         "Aw! That's great!" Kougyoku clapped happily.

         "Mm..." Nishi smiled as she replayed the night over and over. She hated how she remembered about her first life and how it made everything awkward. But it's better that I didn't...

         "So are you two dating now?" Kougyoku's question dragged Nishi from her thoughts.

         "No...I don't think that would be a good idea." Nishi shook her head.

         Kougyoku frowned slightly, "You never know, it could work."

         "I don't know...I have to talk to him anyway..."

         "You should talk to him now, you're leaving today, aren't you?" Kougyoku stood from the bed.

        "Oh yeah...Aw, I don't want to leave." Nishi smiled sadly. "But you're right, I'll go talk to him now."  She got out of bed and began getting ready for the day.

 ~

         "Good morning, Judar." Nishi greeted the other magi as she approached him.

         "Hey." He answered simply.

         "Can we talk...alone?"

        "Hmm? Sure." Judar shrugged and followed her as she led him outside where they were the night before.

         "So...about last night." Nishi began.

         "What about it?" Judar acted casual.

         "What now? I mean...I didn't want to admit it and I tried acting like I don't, but I do really like you...I think." Nishi tried to explain herself. She looked away from him as she forced herself to speak again, "Maybe even love..."

         Judar had a pretty good idea of where she was going with this, "But...?"

         "It's not going to work." Nishi cut to the chase.

         "It could."

         "Sinbad hates you, and I can't just betray him like that. I'm Sindria's magi." Nishi continued to look at her feet as she spoke. "And you could get in trouble with Al-Thamen."

         "Who said we have to tell them?" Judar pointed out.

         "You mean we should lie?" Nishi looked up at him.

         "Well, I know we're not just going to stop and act like nothing happened, so, yeah."

         Nishi bit her lip as she thought it over. Sinbad doesn't have to know...This could work... "Okay."

         Judar smirked and raised a hand to cup her face, "Good." He leaned in to kiss her and Nishi allowed it, convincing herself that somehow Judar was capable of caring for another person. They both knew it was a bad idea, but neither magi really cared at the moment.

 ~

         Nishi leaned against the wall of the ship she as on. She could see Sindria in the distance, and it was making her almost nervous. Calm down, it's not like you've never lied to Sin...You kept your first life from him for how many years? It's fine. Although she was nervous, she was also excited to be back, she had missed all the generals.

         Once the ship docked, Nishi could already hear Pisti excitedly calling her name. "Nishi! You're back!"

         "Hey!" Nishi smiled as most of the generals greeted her.

         "How was Kou?" Yamuraiha asked.

         "It was really fun, actually." Nishi answered.

         "Nishi, King Sinbad would like to speak with you." Ja'far announced as he joined the group.

         "Oh, alright." Nishi nodded and followed Ja'far to the palace.

         "Welcome back, Nishi." Sinbad greeted her once her and Ja'far entered the room.

         "Hello. You wanted to speak with me?"

         "Yes. I wanted to ask if you noticed anything strange while you were in Kou?"

         "Strange?" Nishi echoed. Well Judar actually showed affection towards someone, if that's what you mean. "No, not really. I saw a few Al-Thamen members around but that's it."

         "Hmm...Okay." Sinbad studied her for a few moments. "How are you feeling?"

         Nishi assumed he was talking about when she told him about Kana, "I'm alright. It still bothers me, but it's nothing I can't handle."

         Sinbad nodded and Ja'far looked between them with a confused expression. "That's all, you can go." Sinbad told Nishi.

         Nishi nodded and bowed her head to him quickly before leaving the room. That wasn't too hard.

         "Hey, Nishi!"

         "Hey, Sharrkan." Nishi greeted the swordsman as he ran over to her.

         "Wanna spar with me?" He offered.

         "Sorry, I would but I'm exhausted. We can tomorrow if you'd like?" It was already nearing evening when her ship had arrived, and sitting on a boat the past few days had drained her energy.

         "Yeah, alright." Sharrkan agreed. "You better not use magic again!"

         "I won't, I won't." Nishi assured with a laugh. "Goodnight, Sharrkan."

         "Night!"

 ~