I Wish

Disclaimer : Mine and mine. The characters are created by me and written for me. Please do not use them in any stories without my permission. I believe the next chapter is when I picked up help in writing this. Owe dragon credit for that, so I won't deny it.

Enjoy and as always, please read and review.

Authors note: This new chapter was posted up early for Dagger. Her review was just really great and I felt I wanted to give her something else to read if she so wanted it. ( See what Reviews do? )

On to the story


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“Good morning you two.” Leon smiled at his daughter. “Missed you at supper last night.”

“I wasn’t very hungry. Sorry daddy.” Kitten turned around to face him. She had the chopstick hair pieces in her hair. “I’m all packed though.”

“And you, Rami?” Leon glanced over the young man. He seemed to be hanging around his daughter, a lot. “Got everything ready to go?”

“Yes sir. I have the gear already packed. We are waiting for the last of the tents to come down right now.” He was on top of his game with this one. Rami shifted, “Your camels are also ready.”

“I hate riding Camels.” Kitten sighed.

“They are best for travel like this, sweety.” Leon nodded to Rami. “Oh and we have another group joining us at the oasis. We are joining in with the sultan’s caravan.”

“What?” Kitten blinked. “I thought this was a private Caravan.”

“With the bandits out here, it is best to travel in a large group. Don’t worry, alright?” Leon waved.

“I really hate..the Sultan’s son..Prince Bruhier.” She grunted. “The last time..which was about three months ago, he expected me to wait on him hand and foot. And my father let him do this.”

“I will not let this happen.” Rami placed his hand on her shoulder. “You’re my companion, remember?” His whisper tickled her ear.

“So you want me to wait on you hand and foot instead?” She playfully answered back.

“Well..I do like getting fed fruits.” He chuckled.

“Okay then.” Turning, she leaned up and kissed his cheek. “I’ll do just that.”

She kissed him? Rami went silent for a moment. She had said she would feed him too? His heart, for the slightest moment, raced. There was a new feeling in his cheeks as well.

“Rami?”

“Uh..yeah. Sounds good.” He quickly answered. “Lets go get your stuff loaded.”

“Are you blushing?” Kitten’s smile grew wider. “You are..I see it.”

“Come on.” He stepped off, quickly. “Won’t ever get packed by standing around.”

Kitten paused to watch him walk off. She saw his blush. She hadn’t really thought that someone like him would do that. He seemed so worldly and definitely more traveled than she. For a moment, she giggled. Her like for him was growing with every passing second.

“Ms. Kitten.” Badawi, one of the riders approached. “I was wondering if you would like me to help prepare your camel and..If I could possibly ride with you. This area of the desert is known for having bandits. It is not good for a young lady, such as your self, to ride unescorted.”

Normally, a arabic man would never ask a female if she wanted anything but, being American, they knew she was from a different culture and that she was raised differently. Their interest had been nothing before but it seemed that things were changing since her new ‘look’ had come about. She was a desirable female and a real trophy if they could win her.

“I was just about to go help Rami get the rest of my things and..Um I think he was going to ride beside me. But I thank you for your concern.” Kitten smiled, starting to walk away. “What?”

“Ms. Kitten..” Badawi’s hand was on her shoulder and he was pulling her back. “I think it wise to avoid him. I do not trust him and you are much safer with me.” Old Arabic ways died hard too. “You ride with me.”

“Let me go.” Kitten pulled from his grip. “Just who are you to tell me what I can and can not do?”

“Is there problems?” Rami came around with the camel. “I have your camel, Kitten.”

“If Badawi doesn’t back off, there could be a problem.” Kitten moved beside Rami. “Like I said, Badawi..Thank you but no thank you. I have my escort and ride taken care of.”

Momentary glares met between the men. Rami was naturally protective off Kitten now. He stepped more in front of her and stood. This was a clear sign that said back away to any other male. Kitten gladly stayed behind him. She had no idea what had gotten into Badawi to make him grab her like that.

“Of course, Ms. Kitten.” Badawi stepped back, returning the glare. “I apologize.” He said before he turned and walked away.

A battle for Kitten was already starting and it was only going to get worse as the men started to notice her now. Before, she was something that blended into the background, unnoticed and large. Now, though they couldn’t recall why, they were seeing her. Was she always like this? Was she always that beautiful?

“Thank you, Rami.” Kitten hugged him from behind. “Can you believe him? He grabbed me and started ordering me around.”

“I do not agree wit it but..that is the way most Arabic men are raised. My parents did not raise me like this. My father always said that women are to be treasured.” Rami turned, facing her. “Without women, we could not be here. It is by their grace that we can have children and by their beauty, that we can have the sun to always look upon.”

“I like your father’s opinions.”Blushing, she started to look down.

“I agree with them.” He touched under her chin to bring her gaze back up. “The sun, the moon and the stars could not compare to what I see before me.”

“Thank you..” She held his hand, softly. “For everything.”

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“Badawi?” Leon came up beside him. “You look angry.”

“I do not think you should let your daughter ride with Rami. He is not good for her.” He shook his head. “When I offered to escort her, she said no and then he came. She got behind him. This is not good.”

“I see.” Leon smirked. “You never notice the treasure in front of you, until someone else does.” he kept his camel walking beside Badawi’s. “If she wants to ride on the camel with him, she can. Besides, you..are much too old for my daughter. Your interest..is yours to have but..keep it at interest alone.” Leon smiled. “Do we understand one another?”

“Of course, sir.” Badawi nodded.

“Good. I’ll just go check on the others. Keep us moving and make sure we reach the oasis by noon.” Leon said.

“I will, Sir”

Badawi turned and got his Camel riding along the side, hurrying people along. Leon had to chuckle at this. His little daughter was grabbing attention. The smile on his face couldn’t be wiped away.

“My girl is growing up on me.” He sighed. “Wish you were here to see it.” His thoughts went to Kitten’s mother. She would have been really proud of the way that Kitten had grown. She was smart and she loved school. Plus she had the sweetest personality in the world. “Time to move boy.” Leon patted the camel.

He did, however, stop to watch Kitten and Rami. She was in front of the saddle and Rami was on the second seat behind her. He seemed to have a good head on his shoulder and definitely knew how to control the camel. He felt that he could trust this teen. This was good, considering how close his daughter was sitting to him. She was riding in the same saddle with him on that two seat saddle, after all.

“Kitten?” Leon called.

“Yes, daddy?” She looked up. “Is something wrong?” Kitten smiled.

“Nothing. Just checking on you.” Leon maneuvered his camel beside them. “We should reach the Oasis by noon. Sultan Aziz and his group will be meting up with us there.”

“I hope he keeps his son on a leash this time.” Kitten sighed. “He was a real jerk the last time we met.”

“I’m sure your escort will keep an eye out for you.” Glancing at Rami, Leon smiled. “He seems to be doing a good job of it so far.”

“I will do my best, sir.” Rami smiled with a nod.

“You know what respect is. I like this.” Leon handed his canteen to Kitten. “And you...drink. I have another one.”

“But..”Kitten took the Canteen. “I will daddy.”

“I have to go check on the others.” Leon moved away from them. “Make sure she drinks plenty of water.” He called back to them.

“This is loving father. I like him.” Rami reached around and opened the water bottle. “Drink. Your body needs the water in this heat.”

“Did my body tell you this?”

“No, but your father said to and that is reason enough to drink.”

“I hate this water though. There is a little salt in it which makes it gross.” Kitten groaned. “I know salt is good in this heat but it tastes bad.”

“Just take a drink. I promise it will not taste as bad as you think.” Rami gave a little wink as he leaned forward. “Hm?”

“Ohh..oh..okay.” Kitten kept forgetting little things but then she would remember and smile. “You drink too.”

“You first.” He tapped the canteen.

“Okay, okay. But for future reference, I hope you don’t do everything my father sais.”

“Only important things.” Rami chuckled. “Now drink up.”

Now they were double teaming her on the important stuff. Kitten took a sip, mming. This didn’t taste like nasty salted water. It had a really good cherry flavor to it. Cherry happened to be her favorite and apparently, Rami knew this. It was just one more plus for Rami.

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“Well, well. Looks like our favorite explorer and trader has brought his little daughter.” Aziz glanced over.

“You compliment her too much. Little is hardly the word I would use to describe her, father.” Bruhier walked over. They were set up in their tent for the moment. “And..the name Kitten..should be more like fat cat..” He peeked out of the tent flap.

“I think you will re-think your statement, my son.” Aziz grinned.

“Ohh...”Bruhier blinked. She has changed. A small smirk played on his lips. “She has changed quite a bit.”

“Now see, I thought you might say this but...who is she riding with? Hmm.” Aziz stepped out of the tent with his arms extended. “Welcome, welcome. We weren’t expecting you for another hour at least.”

“Sultan Aziz.” Leon bowed his head lightly. “My Caravan leader got us here quickly this time.”

“So I see and ahh..Ms. Kitten.” Aziz smiled. “You have grown more beautiful by the day, I see.”

“Sir.” Kitten shifted uncomfortably in the saddle. “A pleasure to meet you again.”

“Who is your ..friend?” Aziz motioned to Rami.

The others around them all started to dismount and take the animals to the water. Leon chuckled to him self as he listened to Aziz and Kitten.

“This is Rami..sir.” Kitten nodded. “Can we get down?”

“Of course.” Rami nodded to the sultan as he worked the camel. “It is a high honor, sultan.” He gave a light whistle and the camel kneeled. “Please..pardon me for a moment.”

“And you..” Aziz hmd. “I will let you get your selves rested. We hope to see you for lunch.”

“Thank you, sir.” Kitten reached over, grabbing onto Rami’s hands as she climbed down. “And thank you.” Smiling up at him. “That was so much better than having to control him my self. I can never get them to listen right.”

“My pleasure.” Rami smiled.

The sultan’s presence was seemingly forgotten as the two got to talking to each other. This didn’t go unnoticed either. Aziz turned, walking back towards his tent. Bruhier came out, rubbing his chin. He was twenty-two and every bit as arrogant as his father.

“It seems you have competition, my son.” Aziz said as he walked past.

“It would seem so, father.” he turned and followed his father. “But I can handle it easily enough. I am your son after all.” Bruhier smirked. “A poor Camel handler is nothing when compared to a Prince and future Sultan.”

“To our women, perhaps..” Aziz sat down in his chair, smiling. “But this girl is American. She thinks she is actually equal to a man.” He chuckled. “These notions will be quickly stomped, hm?”

“Woo her, win her, tame her. She had to have a reason to change so much. I can only guess that I am the reason she did.” Bruhier nodded. “I am going to go for a drink outside.”

“Watch this Camel herder. There is something very different about him. I can feel it.” Aziz leaned back and closed his eyes. “My instincts are never wrong.”

“I will, father. I will.” Exiting, his son put on his best, fake smile. “And now to get a look at things.” He whispered to him self.

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“Okay everyone. Get your tents up and relax. We can’t ride during the heat of noon.” Leon smiled at Kitten. “We will continue with our normal schedule.”

“Looks like were camping. At least we have an Oasis to camp by.” Kitten waved to her father. “But then we ride again tomorrow, early morning. You will ride with me again, right?”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Rami started pulling some packs off of a pack camel. “We can set up over there..on the other side. The sultan’s camp is spread out all over here.”

“That’s what I was thinking. And was it me or..did he seem really smug.” Kitten started helping him unload the camel. “That man has never called me beautiful.”

“I guess they see your inner beauty.”

“Only because of you. And I am happy like this, don’t get me wrong. I like my self like this.” Smiling, she picked up her back pack. “I owe you a lot for it.”

“As I recall..you owe me...nothing.” He chuckled, picking up the tents. “Shall I camp beside you?”

“Definitely.” Kitten nodded. “Need my protection beside me.”

“Considering the way some of these men have looked at you, I would have to agree.” Rami gave a few small whistles. “I will set the tents up if you like.”

“What was that whistle for?” Kitten followed him. “You have to show me how to control a camel one of these days.”

“That told them both to stay put and watch the bags. Camels are quite intelegant and can be trained to do many things.” He put the tents down, hmming. “I think right here.”

“Nice spot, away from the others but close enough to still be in camp and it is by the water. I like it.” She knelt down, starting to unroll her tent. “And I can help set them up.” She glanced over. “What tent is that one? I don’t remember the Sultan having two big tents before. Do you know?”

“I believe that would be his wives tent.” He moved beside her, helping to put poles and such together. “He probably was not traveling with his wives the last time you saw him.”

“That makes no sense to me. If they are his wives, why don’t they share a tent?”

“The Sultan has his own tent. He is the Sultan, after all and his son probably shares with him or has a tent off to the other side there. Remember what I said about Arabic men and women?”

“Yeah...” Kitten held the poles in place while Rami put the canvas over them. “So making them sleep in another tent is also a part of this?”

“Only the wife he chooses will share his bed with him for the night. It is as I said, men are raised like this.” Rami sighed. “It is very sad.”

“I agree.” Kitten shook her head. “I agree.”

From the other side of the water, Bruhier watched the two. It would be a problem if she liked this camel herder as much as she seemed to. Or even Vice versa. The girls father was letting it happen as well. He could see Leon very clearly and he wasn’t even rasing a brow. Bruhier would have to come up with a plan. There was no doubt in this.

“Something catch your eye, son?” Leon casually walked over.

“Why do you let this happen?” He motioned to the giggling Kitten and Rami. “His intentions are clear. They are of ill intent.” Bruhier turned to look at Leon better. “And he is camping beside her. Should she not be camping where the women are camping?” he made a quick motion with his hand.

“Well, son.” Leon nodded. “I like your questions. Let me answer those for you.” Smiling, he gave a nod. “For one..I don’t just let her do that with just anyone. I like the boy. He is respectful, kind and very helpful. He respects her as an individual and genuinely wants to help protect her. This is why he is camping beside her, I would imagine. For two...she is not an Arabic woman, and I mean no offense in any way. She is my daughter and her mother would hate it if I made her start acting like a lesser person. So no, she shouldn’t be in the woman’s camp. That is a bad spot for one and think about it. If bandits attack with the intention of kidnaping girls, you have all the women grouped together for them in a nice little bunch. Now, my daughter is beside a very capable young man who will see that she doesn’t get attacked or taken. Plus, the bandits, if they see that area, will not think a girl is over there. They will see a camel handlers spot and leave it alone.”

“I see, “ Bruhier nodded. “You have many points.”

“Also...let me make this clear to you as I have several others already. I see your interest, son. It’s a definite improvement. Last time you treated her like a servant girl. Now, on to the goods. While you aren’t too old for her, your ways are. She is NOT a lesser person and I won’t let her ever be treated that way. She is equal to any man in every way. That also means that I don’t care if you are a sultan’s son. I was invited here because your father likes my goods. Plus, she is MY daughter. Only her mother can over ride decisions I make about her and she unfortunately passed away a while back. That leaves just me. You respect that and I’ll keep my respect for you.” Leon left it at that as he walked away. “Just keep that in mind.” He called back.

“Arrogant American..” Bruhier grumbled to him self.


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A/N: Quick there is the review link. Tell Bruhier you don't like him or something.

Starfyre