I Wish

Disclaimer: Mine and dragon's. We wrote this chapter together. My plot though. He created Andel and characterized a couple others for me.

A/N: And it is tomorrow..kind of. So I post.

Warnings: Girlish actions ( LOL ) Assumed stuffs. Usual

Enjoy!

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“Sir,” Badawi rode up beside Leon. It was around eleven and things were starting to get pretty warm now. “My scout hasn’t come back. That means we have problems following us and the town is still about a half hour away.”

“Have you told Abdel yet?” Leon glanced around. “Or the Sultan’s group?”

“No sir. I report to you first. “Badawi turned his camel, slightly. “What do you wish me to do?”

“Okay..they aren’t going to attack the group in the open like this. We have to keep heading on like we don’t know anything is wrong, but...inform Abdel alone. If the Sultan wants to be careless and not check for these things, I am not saving his hide.” Leon shifted his Camel. “I am going to go talk to my daughter and Rami. Go and tell Abdel.”

“Yes sir.” He turned, riding off as casually as he could. “Abdel..come here.” Badawi called.

“Yes?” Abdel said, riding up beside Badawi. Something was bound to be up, as most everyone left him alone. To be summoned as such wasn’t good. He had a feeling that it was more than just the water.

“We have problems following us. Mr Gyreshon is correct in saying they won’t attack the large group but..keep your eyes open just in case. He said keep it casual as the sultan seems unconcerned with problems after that bandit attack.” Badawi looked at Leon, talking to his daughter and Rami. “He is also informing her and the herder, I believe. You might be able to ask the herder if he sees anything odd or usual during the ride. At any rate..that’s the whole thing and keep water rationed. The sultans group is already out. But..we will hit the small trading town in about half an hour. Hopefully we will not have problems before then.”

Abdel nodded, though he wasn’t sure about them not attacking. They bandits knew the desert sands like no others, and wouldn’t be following unless they were after something specific. And if that were the case, they wouldn’t be likely to let the group reach the safety of the town and replenish their supplies. It wouldn’t surprise him if they were watching the group now, well aware of their water shortage. “I hope you are right, though I am not sharing your optimism. We perhaps are heading straight for a trap. Have we had anyone scout to see what is ahead?”

“We did and he hasn’t come back either..which is why I am heading us to a near by secret Oasis. I have already made this decision. I will inform Mr. Gyreshon of our turn and he can decide wether to tell the sultan or not. Now, go and make sure things are in order. If we ride fast, and believe me we will be sprinting when I give the command, we can make it in a few minutes through the pass. It is our only chance if we are being followed by Akhbar.” Badawi nodded. “So..prepare them and be ready.”

Abdel nodded, heading over and picking up the canteen, taking a small drink. He then made his way to all the others, informing them of Badawi’s plan as he allowed them a drink as well. As for the Sultan and his group? They weren’t his problem, as far as he was concerned. His task was specific, and an outside minute details that didn’t directly affect his tasks weren’t even considered.

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The Outskirts

“They’ve turned!” Baquir galloped towards Akhbar. “The sultans group is still heading for our trap but the other group has turned. They took off in a sprint. They know..but it puzzles me why the sultan did not follow.”

“They probably didn’t believe them when they were told.” Basel, Akhbar’s younger brother spoke up. “The larger haul is with the sultan’s group. More women to trade..so on. Who are we going after?”

“You are a fool, Basel,” Akhbar said. “You may go after the Sultan if you wish, and no doubt you would best him. But the ‘larger haul’ is with the other group. That one woman is worth more than any the sultan has, and we would still keep her. Many riches would be offered to us to simply be with that one.” He stroked his chin in thought. “Though I think I would keep her for myself.” All the raids were starting to become the same, now. All the traders had the same goods with them, the same stinking spices. But that American, he truly had something worthwhile with him. “Saddle the horses and prepare the men. We ride now.”

“Yes sir.” Baquir ran moved off. “Saddle up!”

“You would face a better prepared group of Nomads for just one girl?” Basel shook his head. “We both know that Badawi is a nomad leader. Their men still have water left, even after the sabotage.” He grunted. “It’s your funeral.” He turned his horse, following Baquir.

“She is not ‘just one girl,’ she is… a diamond,” Akhbar said. “And while Badawi is a nomad, the others are not. They have been traveling hard with little water, and obviously know we are coming. They are scared, and we have to catch them before they reach some sanctuary.” He mounted his horse, drawing out his rifle. “Besides, I have a little surprise for Badawi and the others. Their numbers are about to become even less, as I have a little secret surprise.” It was something that he had leaned a long time ago. To truly gain the upper hand in any battle, he had to favor the odds to his side. “I have one of my men inside their party, and no one knows about him. Perhaps it will be their funeral, and not ours? Though I think I would prefer leaving them to the desert so that the birds may feast off their bones.”

“You mean the one that Badawi sent off to inform the sultan? The one that got left in the dust because Badawi took off on him. Badawi found out.” Basel rounded the corner. “Baquir watched them leave him in the dust. Just ask for your self.”

“Uh...yes sir.” Baquir nodded. “It is as he said but I was not aware the person I described was one of ours.”

“Congrats, brother. And I would have to say that we are going to have problems now.” He took off in a gallop. “Lets move!” Basel was right.

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Into the secret Oasis and caves

The group gathered into the caves. Badawi hurried his men along, counting, watching.

“Hurry and cover the tracks.” Badawi commanded.

“The tracks are covered.” Bashshar galloped over. He had a horse and that horse had twigs and other things tied to his tail. “My other men are coming. We need to secure the caves. We heard thunder on the air. That means they are looking for us.”

“Get in there.” He nodded to Leon. “Hurry and get the men watered and situated. We have to set up a defense.” Badawi had traded his camel for a horse. “You three, help get the water inside.”

“Daddy?” Kitten bit her bottom lip. “Are we going to be okay?”

“Yes, we are.” Leon smiled and hugged her. “Badawi took care of our problem.”

“You are a tricky one. I had no idea that you hired a nomadic tribe as your Caravan leader.” Rami smiled. “You have even more of my respect.”

“I haven’t made it this far in Arabia by my looks alone.” Leon turned. “Rami..take Kitten and protect her, no matter what. I have a feeling that this battle has only just begun.”

“I will protect her with my life.” Rami pulled Kitten towards him. “I swear this.”

“Daddy..you have to be protected too.” Kitten frowned. “I can’t hide while you go off fighting.”

“I am right here in the cave. Now go into the back. Please, Kitten.” Leon nodded to Rami. “Go now. Get water, help with the supplies. Help get the men some water while we have time.”

“Yes sir.” Rami tugged at Kitten’s arm. “Hurry. We have to get the Canteens to the other men.”

“May the gods protect us on this one.” Leon leaned against a cave wall. “We will need all the help we can get.” He whispered as Rami and Kitten ran off.


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“Kitten..” Rami pulled her to the side. “Listen, things are fixing to get really heated here. You want me to help your father and he said protect you at all costs.”

“Are you still listening to him?”

“Like I said, only on the important things. You are important.” Glancing around , he sighed. “Let me have the amulet.”

“Why, Rami?”

“Kitten, please. I can not help your father if I have to worry about you.”

“But...” Kitten bit her bottom lip, pulling out the amulet. “What are you going to do?”

“Place you somewhere safe so that I can help your father without worry.” Leaning forward, he kissed her forehead. “I promise to keep you safe.”

“What are you...going to..”

Rami clasped his hand around the amulet. There was a simple puff of smoke where Kitten had been. The amulet then faded away into the air in front of him.

“Keep you safe..” He whispered.

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“To do..” Kitten fell onto a bed, oophing. “Rami!?” Looking around, she couldn’t help but to gasp. “Where am I?”

The room was large. The bed was at least a double king and very soft. Kitten pushed her self up, off of the bed. This was not the cave. This was not any where that she recognized.

“Rami?”

She stood and walked towards the window. An even louder gasp came from her. She had to steady her self just to keep from falling back.

“Rami!”

She was in a Palace? The land outside was vast. Multiple waterfalls flowed and thick, plush grasses swayed across the open areas. Birds of Paradise sand their songs with in the trees. Horses grazed in the fields. This was a paradise. She sighed though. How could she enjoy this if Rami and her father weren’t’ here. Better yet, where was she?

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“Rami?” Leon blinked. “Where is Kitten? I said protect her.”

“She is safe. I have seen to her protection. Now I will see to keeping you safe, as she wished.” Rami smiled.

“Are you sure that she is safe?”

“Very sure, Mr. Gyreshon.” Rami nodded. “Now, we must tend to the defenses.” He glanced at the Entrance. “The dust on the air is thick. They are coming this way.”

“Yes they are.” Badawi pointed to a large boulder. “Hopefully, we can avoid a fight by pushing that in front of the entrance. They will think it is a blocked cave and..hopefully, leave.”

“What do they want?” Leon couldn’t understand it. “The sultans group rode on. They had a bigger supply wagon than I have.”

“Sometimes Treasures are not always the items that people seek.” Badawi suggested.

“He is correct. All items are the same between traders. But...you have someone that isn’t the same. You have someone that is very tradable and yet, she does not look at all like the women here.” Rami moved towards the boulder. “Kitten is a unique flower amongst the sand.”

“You’re saying that he might be after my daughter?”

“I believe Rami is correct.” Badawi also agreed. “Now...lets hurry and move this boulder.”

“That might be a little too late to do.” One of the men spoke up. “They are here.” He brought his rifle up as he spoke.

“Show time..” Leon grunted. “And somehow...I wish we could skip this viewing.”

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“Rami. This isn’t fun anymore.” Kitten called into the air. “Rami!”

Sighing, she laid back on the bed. It felt like she had been here for hours already.

“Now I am officially bored. Wonder what there is to do?” She glanced around. “Hm..closet..mirrors. Wonder what’s in there?” Wasn’t that snooping though? Kitten paused, rationalizing the situation. “Well, he did kind of stick me here.”

“Okay!”

Kitten got up from the bed and went to he closet. First, she pulled the mirrors around. That was impressive enough but what she saw? She wasn’t wearing that.

“Purple and black.” Nodding. “I think this house reads minds too. Shows hair styles as well.” Kitten giggled.

The mirror showed her in a Harem girl outfit. The silk of the dark purple was outlined with the black and some silver. She turned, looking at her self still. This new body of hers looked great in that outfit. Her hair accented everything. It was up in a Little curly pony tail up do.

“Oh..Nice.” The outfit changed to a flowing loin cloth type dress that split all the way up to the thighs. “Changing without changing clothes. Too cool. But I wonder where the clothes actually are?”

The mirror responded with a small little flash of magic. Kitten grinned, looking at her self. She had the Harem outfit on and her hair was fixed like in the mirror.

“Okay, now this is cool. Although..Feel kind of bad having fun while they are not here and possibly fighting.”

What else was she to do though? Rami stuck her here. Shrugging, she turned around, looking at her self in the mirror again.

“Well, maybe I can have a little fun. And..keep this outfit.” Kitten chuckled. “Make Rami blush?”

Her own cheeks turned red when she thought about it. The deep down feelings apparently weren’t ready to make them selves known yet.

“Or make me blush.”

Kitten walked from the room in thought. Where ever she was, it used magic just like Rami used. What could do that? Gasping even louder than she had before, Kitten looked up. He did ask for the amulet.

“Oh no he didn’t.” She took off in a quick sprint to the outside. “No, no..no. He did not put me inside the...”

The brilliant red jeweled sun above glittered. He did do it. Rami put her inside the amulet? This was inside the amulet? How was that possible? Magic was an explanation but it was still hard to believe. In every other Magic genie move, they complained about a really small living space. Then again, the creators probably never met a real Genie to ask what the inside was like either.

“When I see him...noo..” Kitten shook her head. “Fine, Just put me aside in some Amulet to keep me out of the way and safe. But...it was my fault that he had to split his attention. Okay so maybe...I won’t yell at him but I will definitely ask about where I am. Then I will yell, maybe.” She thought about him, his smile. “Or not.” Grunting, she sighed. “Why does he have to be so cute and lovable. Can’t stay mad at him at all.” Sighing, thinking. What a dilemma she was in.


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A/N: ANd yet another chapter. Guess Kitten is finally being a girly girl and lords, I guess every bad guy in the world is noticing. The Plot Thickens my gems. hehe

Oh and again..that's a review link. You should use it. You will love your self more when you do.

Starfyre