Through the Looking Glass (Magi x Naruto) (Sinbad x Sakura) crossover

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Or Soon to be. I hope you've got your costumes ready, I'm living mine as a zombie after this terrifying month. But it's always worth it to know that at the end of the day you can kick up your feet, lean back and enjoy a good story.

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Waiting until they were out of the sight of prying eyes and ears that sharpened at these kinds of whispers, in a vacant hallway, Sakura finally decided to voice her thoughts.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

Broad shoulders visibly stiffened and even from behind, it was possible to determine Sinbad's expression of nothing still. He did not respond and continued walking but Sakura refused to relent.

"Why didn't you tell Madaura that it was Fatima who set those slaves free?"

Again no response, and frustration grew within Sakura but she refrained from allowing it to control her actions. This wasn't Sinbad's fault, she told herself, he couldn't help it, she repeated that in her mind a few times.

"Sinbad," Sakura called again, her voice firm she stopped walking and so did he.

He didn't turn around, not that she would let him see her entire face anyway so it was a loss cause but still, the way this girl addressed him, there was a familiarity when she spoke his name, as if she had said it many times before and knew just how to say it. How to make him speak.

"I am still just an apprentice head slave, I do have a set of keys to the cells but when I finish my work the keys go back to Lady Madaura."

Sakura gasped, that would mean that Madaura knew the truth the whole time, and yet…instead of pointing that out in front of everyone she chose to keep to herself, pretend she believed Sinbad was responsible and then show some kind of motherly 'forgiveness', that being the case however….

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because it wouldn't have mattered," Sinbad stated

"So you were just going to let them lie and accuse you of something you didn't do?" Sakura stomped her foot on the ground (not using chakra of cause to avoid cracks).

 "Whether or not I said anything would not have affected Lady Madaura's decision, she already knew I handed in my keys so there was nothing to fear…I would only get in trouble if I made a scene-

Sinbad was barely able to get his last word out as he was spun around and then his head snapped to the side, and a prickly pain began to bloom across his right cheek, throbbing. He touched the area, fingers stilled and calm, eyes void of any feeling or reaction to the slap.

Soft pants left Sakura's mouth, her chest heaving, her hand almost stinging from the slap she delivered.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Sakura muttered, voice shifting from firm to a dim whimper, "How could you let this happen? Why did you let this happen? You should have stopped this, you should have…."

Sinbad looked at Sakura with a stoic expression, arms at his side as she crumbled to the ground, both hands over her face, uncontrollable sobs spluttering out in an ungraceful manner. Sinbad was unaware of the real reason behind her crying but Sakura was all too aware. All those questions she asked, were not directed at him but herself. She blamed herself for all of this, it was irrational but then again so were feelings and the people who harnessed them.

'I couldn't do it-I couldn't stay strong-not even for him!'

Why? She wondered. Why was she trying hard? A flicker of fear coursed through her, as a question settled in her mind. One that she was afraid to answer…

..

..

..

The room was filled with soft snores, of the three children who lay in bed, sleeping peacefully but there were not only three children in the room there were five. Sakura stared up at the ceiling, her eyes wide open despite her obvious exhaustion. After her outburst of crying, Sinbad took Sakura by the hand and led her back to the room where he suggested she get some rest but no matter what her eyes refused to close. Sinbad was disappearing slowly and she was afraid that if she looked away for too long, he would be gone for good. She knew that he was still awake as well but most likely for different reasons than her own.

She wanted to cry again but it was as though she did not have any tears left, glancing to her left, the moonlight shone through the windows depicting the silhouette and one thing came to Sakura's mind when she looked at Sinbad, he appeared shallow, nothing like the Sinbad knew. Madaura was taking him away piece by piece and right in front of her.

'I'll get you back,' Sakura vowed silently.

Though Sinbad did not turn, he knew without needing that the new girl and his charge, Sumire were looking at him, with eyes that he was yet to see but he believed most likely to be filled with hate. Madaura had told him that Sumire was apparently a 'difficult child' and that she did not respond well to punishment, so he was placed with the task of looking after her in hopes of swaying her as he did with the other slaves but this girl, she was different. Resilient and stubborn are not something you see around here. She invoked reactions from him, reactions that he had not revealed since he closed off and yet only a day goes by and she has begun to creep into his mind.

For the first time, an image pushes its way through the barriers guarding his heart as he remembers her.

'Sakura…'

..

..

..

When morning came, the tension from the previous day had not dissipated between Sinbad and Sakura, their acknowledgments were brief, their interactions even more so. As if they were treading around a floor of brittle glass, ready to shatter any moment but because of Sinbad's obligations to take care of 'Sumire' under Madaura's orders and Sakura whose entire purpose of being here was to find a way to free Sinbad did not leave much room to full fill the idea of distance matter how appealing it may have appeared to be. Though Sakura had reached a peak of revelation there was still that awkwardness between her and Sinbad that had developed within such a short period.

On their way to the common room for breakfast Sinbad was called in to Lady Madaura and Sakura of course came along.

..

..

..

Madaura did not appear angered nor disappointed when Sakura appeared with Sinbad, much to her suspicions, it was almost as though she wanted her here.

"Ah, good morning my dears, Sinbad has Sumire been behaving?" Madaura asked and Sakura felt a bitter taste in her mouth. Her hidden eyes glanced over at Sinbad in wonder, was he going to tell her about yesterday….' exchange'? Right now to Madaura, Sakura was too strong-willed and prided to control but if she heard about this little slip-up, chances were she might attempt to take advantage of it-Sakura would of course rebel and in retaliation probably be punished once again and while she could withstand it, there was no way to completely disregard discomfort or pain at a certain degree.

'And I'll be separated from him again,'

What worried Sakura though, was what Sinbad was going to tell his oh-so-wonderful master…

"She has Lady Madaura," Sinbad said, his tone neutral.

It was surprising and Sakura did her best to hide but she couldn't help feeling a warm flutter in her chest at the simple gesture of deceit and perhaps kindness. 

"Oh, well that's good to hear. I see you're already having a good effect on her, I am happy she is learning." Madaura smiled, moving to the exit of the study she gestured for them to follow. Sakura did not like the way she looked at her.

"Now I think it's time for another lesson," 

..

..

..

The sight to Sakura could only be described in one word-appalling, the dark bruises contrasting with light skin, bite marks traveling from the shoulders down, eyes that spoke of long, tireless, and fruitless nights….though she had seen many terrible things on her travels, this was a discovery and it was one she would have liked to live without, putting it bluntly it was horrifying. Fatima sat up in a large luxurious bed not meant for him, the sheets covered his naked form from the waist. Sakura and Sinbad stood behind Madaura as she stepped forward.

"You were wonderful Fatima, our customer was very pleased with you." Madaura praised "It seems he has taken a liking to you!"

"It was all for Lady Madaura,"

The weary eyes that still held happiness and not a sign of shame caused a knot to twist itself inside of Sakura as her thoughts came to place; Fatima was a head slave, absolutely loyal and devoted to Lady Madura so much so he was willing to do 'anything' for her sake. This has only opened her eyes further, allowing her to delve deeper into this woman's mind, Madaura had retaliated against Fatima for freeing all of the slaves and his punishment came in such an obvious form yet because of Fatima's devotion to Madaura he was not able to see what was beyond the surface of her intentions.

"Yes, thanks to you our business negotiations went smoothly. And that gentleman wants to hire you." Madaura spoke with a tone of causal praise, leaving nothing to be discovered. "It looks like you'll be leaving us, Fatima, congratulations."

This time, Fatima became frantic, her composure lost, and well was concerned about the consequences. "Why Lady Madaura, I've been such a good boy, why can't I stay by your side!?"

Sakura couldn't withhold a shudder, the concept of hearing and seeing did give everything a different perspective.

'This women…'

"Now, now Fatima, don't cause trouble for me." Madaura soothed the boy's hair "Every child has to leave the nest someday…now is that time for you. Besides the only child I could ever let serve such an important customer of ours, is you, Fatima. There's no one I can entrust this to but you...I mean isn't that the truth? You're my most reliable child aren't you?"

Sakura was in shock before but she was even further shocked by Fatima's response. Lady Madaura. "Please leave this important task to me." Fatima smiled, his entire body trembling "Just leave it to me, you're a most reliable child!"

"You've got to be fucking kidding me," Sakura whispered under her breath, but Sinbad had heard her because he nudged her in warning. 

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..

..

Fatima's departure was only minutes away and Sinbad and Sakura were going to see him off. Sakura knew Madaura's intentions of making her stay to witness this 'special occasion', after all, what better way to help her understand her place here than making an example of one of her most 'reliable children'. Glancing at Sinbad's face, lips curved with disdain, eyebrows coming together, it was obvious he had not expected this either but another realization came to mind, while this was a deplorable situation she would take it as an opportunity. A chance to make Sinbad turn to the terrible truth that he was avoiding…

'I'll do whatever it takes.'

"You seem surprised," Sakura said, her voice now echoing with their soft footsteps through the halls.

"What do you mean?" Sinbad asked this question, unable to even turn in the girl's direction.

"Well, Fatima is one of Madaura's 'children' isn't he, yet she is giving him away so easily," Sakura said, her tone laced with a casual content that was far from the truth.

"Yes, it is strange…"

Sakura scoffed "I didn't say that, I only stated a fact. After all at the end of it all, we're just slaves. Those who think otherwise are either fools or blind."

Sinbad frowned, he looked back at Sakura, "It's not that we don't know that-

"No, you don't know why? Because you forget. Forget that you were sold or captured, forget about your family and friends, forget about your goals and ambitions, forget about what has happened to you, forget that you were turned into slaves, and forget that you're not her children!"

"Sumire-

"Start thinking about the real reason you are here and stop deluding yourself." Sakura hissed, turning around, like trying something for the first time and desperately wanting to succeed at it but knowing that the odds were not in your favor.

 She walked away from Sinbad, ignoring his calls for her fake name. She had just planted the seed within a heart that already had vines growing around it, vines with poisonous thorns that would destroy anything that tries to outgrow it but Sakura promised she would not surrender-not until Sinbad was free once again.

The ache returned once more.

'I-

"Hey Sakura, I'm tired!" Sinbad slumped over his desk, arms stretched out across the untidy paperwork on his desk. Sindria Trading Company was silent, as the day and shifts had ended many hours ago, however, the situation was different for the company's leader and his trusted partner.

Sinbad's eyes trailed over the pink-haired girl who was sitting on a pillow on the floor with stacks of scrolls and papers neatly placed around her Sinbad had tried, but she insisted on seating herself where she could keep an eye on him and making sure he worked while keeping a 'safe distance' from him.

"Well, then you'd better finish up the rest of that overdue paperwork," Sakura instructed, holding back from rubbing her own tired eyes.

Despite the vigilance of his staff, it seemed that Sinbad had still found ways to duck out of his work and started developing a habit of visiting entertainment homes one place Sakura refused to visit after the last time when she was looking for Sinbad and someone assumed she worked there and groped her during 'service time' to put things kindly, the man was still alive. But after that, she swore never to go in there again or any other establishment remotely similar.

"Honestly," Sakura shook her head "Could you be any more sleazy?"

Sinbad frowned, "Hey I resent that comment it's not like I'm the only guy in the world who appreciates the comfort of women."

Sticking her tongue out in disgust Sakura returned to her work, these kinds of conversations usually took a long turn for arguments that meant getting less work done and they didn't need that right now however the next comment Sinbad made had Sakura flying off her spot on the floor and in front of him in a second.

"I bet your love interest does the same."

Moving past the clothes, grasping the flesh of Sinbad's neck knocking him back into the wall, the shelves rattled as she held him in place, her eyes blazing in fury.

"He wouldn't, he's nothing like you." Sakura hissed like a snake, tightening her hand much like a coil. "Don't-ever-say-that-again."

Sinbad gasped for air after Sakura removed her hand, he made a mental note to never again slight the person Sakura proclaimed to love because he wanted to keep his head. He had seen Sakura get angry, but it was an anger that came from care and concern but this time, there was nothing behind this anger but fury for insult and perhaps a natural desire to defend the one she loved and if he was honest…he felt a pang of pain deep within him.

"Sorry…"

Sakura let out a breath, already the feeling of guilt started to set in, berating herself for losing her temper as she had. There were already marks appearing from her grasp and she realised if she pressed further, she might have caused real fatal damage.

"Damn," Sinbad chuckled, although it was obvious it was meant to lighten the tension "You've got a real grip on you huh?"

"I-I'm so sorry," Sakura gasped kneeling, placing her hands over Sinbad's neck and watching as his wounds began to heal, the red mark being erased. In this position, Sakura could feel Sinbad's breath hitting her forehead, reminding her of their proximity but she remained focused on the task at hand. Not a second later after he was healed she pulled back, and Sinbad's hand ran over his neck immediately.

"Thanks."

Head bowed in shame, Sakura looked away "No, you shouldn't thank me. I was the one who just strangled you."

"Well…." Sinbad trailed "I did insult someone you love, so I guess I deserved it."

Shaking her head, Sakura slammed her hand on the wooden floors, careful not to break them like the last time. "You did, I will always defend those I care about and I will not let them be slandered."

The blanket of silence fell over them, emerald stared into gold before one decided to react. "What's it like to be in love?"

Sakura froze, there was hardly ever a time when Sinbad hesitated to ask her questions about anything and she didn't mean anything so much so it stopped surprising her but if there was one topic she believed Sinbad would never ask that was the topic he just ever so boldly brought up.

Just to make sure she heard him correctly she asked, "Um could you repeat that?"

"What is it like to be in love?" Sinbad asked again without a struggle.

'Oh holy crap, he did ask.'

"W-Why would you ask me a question like that?"

Sinbad shrugged, "I'm just kind of curious."

"Well, it's um….." Sakura paused, thinking carefully about how she was going to word this. "It's not a feeling you can explain, it's just something you know…You know you're in love with a person when you're willing to do anything for them no matter the consequences, no matter how much it hurts, even if it costs you everything…."

"That's a lot of sacrifice," Sinbad frowned, arms crossed.

Sakura shrugged "No one ever said love was fair but I do know this…" She placed a hand over her heart, "I would do anything for the sake of seeing the person I love happy even if it meant I wouldn't be."

Sinbad smiled. "Sakura, I am sure if I searched the world for someone like you, I would never find them."

'Perhaps not in this world.' Sakura thought laughing at her joke.

Sakura's hand barely covered her face as she allowed tears to slide down her cheeks and drip onto the floor. Tears that came with nothing but truth and realization.

'I don't care how long it takes, days, weeks, years, or the rest of my life. I will save you.'

…

…

…

 "Sumire,"

She twitched at the feeling of a hand roughly shaking her shoulder but she did not open her eyes, only stirred.

"Sumire."

Her lips twitched downward with annoyance, the night had been a long one, nearly sleepless again until she finally willed herself to rest.

"Sumire wake up."

Sakura just groaned and turned away, this person was addressing someone called Sumire who wasn't-

"Oh crap!" Sakura shot up, finally registering. Her forehead nearly collided with a startled Sinbad who pulled away just in time to avoid impact.

"What the hell are you doing?" Sakura hissed quickly covering her eyes with her hair.

"I need to talk to you."

"About what?"

Sakura's casual brashness dimmed after she saw the expression on Sinbad's face, it wasn't so much that as the look in his eyes, eyes that were once again shining with determination and strength that disappointingly must admit, thought to be completely dissipated.

"Sinbad?"

His expression did not change, "I need to speak with you about freeing all of the slaves and escaping."

At first, she thought this might be a dream, a cruel, wonderful dream but she knew that in a dream-whatever elements of reality they may claim, could not replicate this vivid depiction.

And once again, Sakura cried.

As Fatima prepared for departure to his new home and who evidently would be his new master, Sinbad couldn't help but replay the strong voice in his mind over and over again. Why was he always pondering her words like they had meaning in them? Words like that weren't meant to have value in this place and yet hers….they were taking root deep within him.

"Wait, Fatima!" Sinbad called, without really realizing what he was doing, and when he did not get a response, he pressed further for one. "Don't you think it's strange? Letting her treat you this way? Being sold off like that…Why are you okay with that?"

There weren't many times when Sinbad gave much thought to Fatima's opinions but it was more for the sake of confirmation than genuine curiosity or concern.

"You're the one that's strange," Fatima replied, yet to turn back, his fist foot on the step to the entrance of the caravan "Lord Zeutius is Lady Madaura's most important customer. I'll be serving him."

It was then when Fatima turned around did Sinbad saw it, the look on his face of someone who had nothing left of themselves, their eyes crazed with the ideal to satisfy another and Sinbad wondered; while he most certainly did not look like that now, how much longer would it be before he had turned into Fatima? The road didn't seem like a long one and he had already gone a few miles these past few weeks after being taken as a slave.

"It's an important responsibility to serve Lady Madaura's most valued customer…There's nothing better than this. I'm amazing! I'm loved! Much, more than someone like you!"

Sinbad had to step back a little as if Fatima's outburst created an invisible force that pushed him back.

Fatima was breathing the air through his teeth, with a clenched smile "I was acknowledged by Lady Madaura. I'm the most remarkable!"

Sinbad did not say anything else as Fatima took his leave, the caravan rolled out of the gates that Masrur descended briefly and then began to raise again on his own. When he looked at Masrur's eyes he felt an urge, his hand crept up to clutch the fabric around his chest where his heart once lay.

"At least someone here still has their pride." 

"Is that what it looks like? Someone who has lost their pride? Then what about me?"

Sinbad began to realize that for him to survive in this place, he had blocked off his feelings and memories for the sake of survival, he pretended not to see anything, having thrown away all of his goals and ambitions…

'Just what am I doing?'

Then he remembered something else….his mother, his real mother. The way she held up his father's sword, now the metal vessel of Baal.

"Sinbad, you found it, didn't you? Something only you can do?"

And then he remembered someone else, a voice he in all honesty-forgotten last. 

"So you're willing to go to any lengths to achieve your dream?" Sakura asked

"Of course!" Sinbad said, "That's why, I promise that you can believe in me, Sakura."

How had he forgotten so easily?

'What would she have to say, if she saw me like this?'

..

..

"After that, it all started to come back to me," Sinbad explained to Sakura aka Sumire, "She deceived my company and trapped us in an investment, I lost a match meant to free us of debt, and I became a slave and to protect myself I succumbed to Madaura's brainwashing and become one of her accomplices. That woman planned everything from the beginning despite that I believed it would somehow be okay…my self-conceit, that's what led me here."

Sinbad's tone changed, one free of pity, as he did not seem to believe he deserved it, scorning himself. Sakura did not care, not that it was Sinbad's fault for landing himself in this situation, not that he gave into Madaura's brainwashing, none of it mattered because now, he had finally come to his senses. Hopes of returning him to the way he was-that was what Sakura wanted, and to do that Sinbad would not only need to be freed of his physical chains but the mental ones Madaura had placed on him.

"So, what are you going to do now?" Sakura asked, she wanted to know just how he expected them to set all of the slaves free and escape.

Sinbad held out his hand for Sakura. "Come with me and I'll tell you, we need to find one more person."

..

..

It hadn't been too hard for Sakura to guess who Sinbad was going to include in this meeting, Masrur, was the only other person Sakura had seen who was not under Madaura's influence not to a point where he would throw away his dignity for a bit of comfort from her and while a part of Sakura resented the idea of involving a child (regardless of them being a Fanalis) with whatever Sinbad had planned because no matter the options it was highly unlikely that even one would have little to no danger involved.

'Whatever it takes.' Sakura repeated thrice in her mind as she looked at Masrur, they were fortunate enough to run into him on their way to the bottom floor, now in an empty hallway without prying ears and eyes.

"Masrur I need to talk to you," Sinbad said, sitting down on the built-in benches, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "I am thinking of setting the slaves free."

Sakura believed it to be something rare, expression of shock on a stoic face, Masrur's eyes went as wide as they could go, he appeared very shaken by Sinbad's statement.

Then Sinbad spoke and Sakura couldn't help but recall his voice, the way he spoke, coaxing everyone around him to listen, to want to believe him, one of his greatest strengths and that she thought he had lost.

"You are a Fanalis, your race isn't a slave race and it's not like you became a slave by choice. Isn't your position as a slave something that was decided by someone else? So why do you have to go along with it?"

Gripping Masrur's shoulders with firm clarity Sinbad continued his speech to the speechless boy. "More importantly, you are strong! In our sword match, you followed Madaura's orders and went easy on me. Have you ever fought something using your real strength? You haven't have you? How much longer do you plan to hold yourself back?"

Sakura could see the old Sinbad returning, which included the power of influencing those around him with his intentions but unlike those other times, this was to a different degree. The fluttering of the rukh told her everything, Masrur was falling for Sinbad's words.

"Choose the world you live in. As long as you stay here, you may be a Fanalis but you're still only a slave. No matter how much pride you have, if you can't change your current position only make excuses. It's the same as doing nothing! You aren't the kind of person who can shut up in a cage like this. That's right; isn't it Masrur?"

Sakura chose to take the silence that had come over Sinbad and Masrur to interject, adding her input. "He's right Masrur, I told you before, didn't I? About the Fanalis I met? About the one who is now free? Don't you want to know what that feels like? It may be a risk but don't you think it would be worth it if it meant having a chance at living?"

Her words were short and simple, more than enough for any child to understand.

"Why are you telling me this?" asked Masrur.

Sinbad held out his hand for Masrur, "I can tell that you're one of the few who can make that choice. I came to my senses thanks to the both of you." His gaze lingered on Sakura before turning back. "I'll get you out of here. Let's go the outside world together."

The second Masrur's hand fell into Sinbad's, it was clear that his fate was sealed, his decision made, and that there was no going back for any of them.

"Alright," Sinbad said "Now I need help gathering up all the other slaves."

And Sakura followed him without question. A long road of freedom beginning to progress but what lay ahead, what Sakura had said to Masrur about the fight for freedom being worth it- did she truly understand the gravity of the price they may have to pay? In her excited state of mind, she did not fully take the thought into account.

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 It wasn't very difficult to gather up all of the children at a time when Madaura would not become suspicious, a time when she was apparently in a meeting with clients. Of course, there was a bit of an exclusion of certain slaves deemed too far gone to be returned from Madaura's brainwashing; in other words the adults and thanks to Sinbad's authority as head slave that was a fairly easy task. In the underground level of the building everyone was gathered together, the children huddled on the floor as Sinbad sat slightly elevated on a crate with Sakura/Sumire standing beside him, Masrur a little ways from them leaning against an empty cage. 

"Hey everyone, thanks for coming."

Noticing the looks of anxiousness on the children's faces, completely understandable given where they were, Sakura flashed a reassuring smile and spoke in a voice of genuine sincerity that could only be played off as truthful.

"Hey now there's no need to fret, you don't have to look so scared, nothing bad is going to happen to you."

And nearly instantly the tension in the room dimmed to a calm at Sakura's words. However, something seemed to kick inside of Sakura after she said those words and the reason was going to be revealed soon enough.

 "She's right, children there's something I'd like to talk to all of you about." Sinbad's expression became blank, his intentions gone. "We must step back and re-evaluate our positions. We are "slaves" and as slaves, we can't ever be anything more or less than that. In other words Madaura will never really love you."

Sinbad's words were harsh and brash but his tone held nothing of the sort, making it an impersonal declaration and more valid. The expression of the children could only come off as nothing less than disbelief, for who would want to hear that the only one left to love them, did not truly love them? A child's ultimate source of weakness is the need to be acknowledged and cared for, to have someone who would be there despite their helplessness and Sinbad was attempting to take that person away.

"Sinbad…"

"What are you saying? There's no way that's true!" exclaimed a young girl. She also happened to be one of their roommates. "It's not true. Lady Madaura does love us!"

The other children soon chimed in and as expected, there was the first step of an uproar, they continued to shout on top of one another at Sinbad, accusations of how he was not 'one of them' not one of 'Madaura's children.'

"IF YOU CAN SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT YOU'RE NOT ONE OF US."

Sakura slammed her fist hard against the bars of the cage causing it to bring about abrupt silence, the children looked up at her in silent protest.

"Listen, children," Sakura started, her voice eerie, "You're only thinking like that because you've given into Madaura's brainwashing, she made you think she loves you so that you will do whatever she says but in the end, you're nothing more to her than merchandise meant to make her profit, a real mother does everything she can to protect her children from the evil of this world but she is more than ready to hand you over if they pay the right price."

The words were bitter in Sakura's mouth, she felt her tongue sting in disgust as she watched the children's faces flicker to a brief moment of sadness before they resumed their denials.

"WHY SHOULD WE LISTEN TO YOU?"

"THAT'S RIGHT, YOU'RE A 'BAD CHILD' AFTER ALL."

The protests were extinguished once again by Sinbad's next statement, "Fatima was shipped out, this morning. Just as you all know, he devoted himself to his role as head slave. He respected Madaura and was an excellent child but in the end, even he was 'shipped out'."

The children stilled…

"Th-That's just natural."

"Because we are Lady Madaura's children."

Despite them saying this it was hard to miss their facial expressions, a face one would always pull when they felt they were fighting a losing battle yet still wanted to win.

"You don't call something like that a 'child'." Hissed Sinbad "It's a slave."

The air grew thick once again, Sakura began to find it hard to breathe as she prepared for what was to come. Knowing exactly what Sinbad intended to do and what's worse, she had no intention of stopping him.

"You're not Madaura's real children, are you? You're taken care of as her merchandise like Sumire said, bought and sold. You'll be treated like a commodity until you die. You're nothing like real children. You're only slaves. There's no love for someone in your position."

Swallowing hard, keeping her face as collected as possible though shattering within Sakura added on. "If you keep believing that someone in your position will be cared for then you're going to go through life living for someone else."

Sinbad went over to the children, placing his hands on two of the children's shoulders as they all looked at him with tear-filled eyes as the truth came to light, and what it shone on was their reality. The ugly reality that they were living. "I understand. I felt the same way that you do now. The truth is that somewhere deep in your heart, you have always known the truth, that Madaura is not a real mother. Despite that you wanted to feel close to someone, so you devoted yourself to her but let's stop clinging to a lie. Remember the world outside of these walls, there weren't any cells or chains right?" Sinbad gave a smile to comfort. "Outside you weren't 'slaves' and lived as human beings. It's a free world where you're not bound by anyone."

Sakura averted her gaze to her feet, Sinbad sounded so convinced of that but it was a point that she would not agree with him. She listened as Sinbad continued to build the children up with the promise of what the outside world had for them, in some case it was a very optimistic view of what the real world was like but then again these were only children in the end and it wasn't uncommon to build up ideals of a world that 'could' be.

It was right and wrong at the same time.

"In that world, there's a chance for you to be whatever you want to be, but there are people who want to take that away from you. Your future is being stolen from you by that false mother! We can't allow her inhumane acts to go unpunished! That is why we must take action now. To free ourselves from slavery and take back our freedom!"

Sakura gripped her hands tightly in a punishing grasp, a fluttering that began to grow and she knew that was her signal to speak again. She moved till she was beside Sinbad.

"The key to your freedom is something that has always been right in front of you, if you don't know I will tell you, the key is to fight!"

"F-Fight?" one of the children asked, their tone displaying their nervousness.

Again Sakura did her best not to strain her words, ensuring that her voice came out powerful and without doubt. "Yes, if you don't want to live a life where you are deduced to nothing then fight. Take back what is rightfully yours and do not feel remorse for those who had forced your hand."

"B-But we're…." a young girl trailed.

Sakura went over and picked her up, "I know it's not always easy standing up to those who seem to overpower you but every one of you has the power and strength to win, together. You outnumber all of the adults here and if you're still afraid-don't be because I will fight with you and throw myself in front of their swords before I let anyone touch you! I promise this."

The resolve became stronger now and Sakura knew this, she pushed back the growing fear.

"What?! Do you want me to help you convince them to rebel? Why?" Sakura asked in disbelief

"Because I heard from Madaura that you were quickly able to gain the children's affection. That's why she kept you around despite your defiance If they have someone else to turn to it will make it all the more easier to convince them. They need to be willing to fight with everything they have."

Sakura gaped at Sinbad, almost tempted to strike him for his stupidity as if he was under another spell and that perhaps the slap would bring him back to his senses.

"They are children! You know what could happen to most of them if they fight!" There was no question about it or a glimmer of doubt about what would be the outcome. "Not to mention those who survive after!"

They were in Reim after all, the local infrastructure supported slavery so a slave rebellion would result in an execution of those slaves that have rebelled, even if they were children.

"I do know," Sinbad said, his voice lowering, in strict confirmation.

"And you're still going to do it?" Sakura asked, arms crossed now.

"Yes."

Sakura fell silent, Sinbad's plan would entail a method that would without a doubt leave all of those children tainted-for those who managed to make it and what would it entail for her? To support this idea? She knew it might be something far greater than she could handle and yet….when she looked at up at Sinbad yet to reveal her identity to him.

"Okay."

Sakura was not a fool and she was not oblivious nor was she turning a blind eye to the indiscretions of this plan.

'But if it's for him, I can endure it even if my conscious can't.'

THAT'S ALL FOLKS!

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-Commission: Demon slayer x My hero academia

 Kunoichi amongst Benders (Avatar x Naruto crossover) ( 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)

-Kunoichi amongst Heroes chapter (72, 73, 74)

-Kunoichi amongst Heroes WHAT IF SPIN OFF: Dorms and Exams

-Kunoichi amongst Pirates chapter ( 30, 31, 32)

-Crossroads of Fate chapter 21, 22, 23, 24

-Through the Looking Glass chapter 28, 29, 30, 31, 32

-(SEQUEL) Through the Spyglass chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6

-SPECIAL HALLOWEEN CHAPTER: Shinigami amongst Shinobi

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