Unlike Siren's wake, Anwar had a bustling trade town built beside it. Many people were out talking and laughing in the heat. Some were selling items others buying. There was trading going on as well.

Marduk smiled as he noticed Aladdin. Though he knew how pissed Aladdin was after the attack on him, the king of thieves said he'd give Sai another chance. One slip up though and Sai was going to be missing a few parts.

Sai smiled brightly, noticed a few glares and whatnot, but still cointinued to smile. Seems the people don't look on the bright side. I have info on the Devil himself! He thought happily ignoing the glares. "Wow, this place is pretty neat! All hustle and bustle and whatnot." Said Sai happily.

Marduk laughed. "Yes it is. It's one of the leading trade centers here in the desert. The others are further in." He said happily as Aladdin walked up to them. "Here you go. He said to becareful with them. One of the herbs got killed during the summer so he could only make a limited supply."

"Thanks, Mar." Aladdin said as he took the package. "Well, do we have to worry about you killing us in our sleep?" He said half joking half serious to Sai.

SAi grimanced, "No." He said softly, "I didn't want to in the first place." He mumbled, looking at the clouds as if it was the most beautiful thing in the world. It wasn't, but it truly was a site to behold. "Listen, "Started Sai with a sigh, "I'm really sorry for what I had to do, but I wasn't given a choice. Please accept my apologise(sp), but I understand if you do not." Said Sai.

Marduk watched as Aladdin walked over and placed a hand on Sai's shoulder. "We are thieves here, Sai. We are rogues and killers. Liars with tongues of a serpent. We can tell when one is lying to us and who speaks the truth." He said.

"Aladdin..." Mar said then stopped when Aladdin lifted his hand.

"I believe you. And that is all that matters in our guild. Our heads of the guild spoke while Mar was away. We would like you to join us as an official member. You know more about Diablo's lair and his plans than anyone else." Aladdin said causing Marduk to just stare at him.

Sai gapped at Aladdin as though he had grown a second head. "U..um? What?" Said Sai, throughly confused. "I thought that..I mean...whoa..." He said...blinking. "Well, I suppose...that sounds....I mean. It's great! I...I would love to join and help!" Said Sai after he had gotten over the shcok.

Marduk couldn't help but fall over laughing at Sai's confusion and shock. "Well at least we know they don't want to kill you." Mar said when his laughter got under control.

Aladdin chuckled as well. A few others came up behind him bowing a little to his back. "Lord Aladdin, there has been word about the Empress's movements. She is in Troy hunting Estrella now." One said as he raised.

"At least we know the rumors are true then." Aladdin said as he turned to look at the men.

Sai smiled, "About Ket?" He asked. He wondered idly about how she was doing, but shook his head knowing she was full well and able to fight. He streached, his long pale fingers curling, before he let out a breath he was holding and relaxed. He may have been an ice demon, but he could get used to the heat. It was very relaxing.

Marduk smiled at Aladdin's slight confusion before he got it under control. "So you saw her then?" Aladdin asked a little sad. "She is our leader. This guild was started by her over 2000 years ago. Not many know that."

"You're right...I didn't know that." Mar said blinking in confusment. "That's why we are always up against Diablo's units?"

"One of them. The other is he keeps intruding into our lands and our business. Keeps trying to destroy any hope for peace that the Priestess wanted." Dusk said as he pushed his hood back.

Marduk fell on his ass this time from shock. "What the hell are you doing here? You could have delievered your own damned package then!"

Dusk laughed. "I have business here. Chronos is in trouble and I was asked to talk to an old friend."

Sai nodded, "Yeah, her." He said as he looked over the shops. He jumped a bit when Dusk randomly appeared. He glared lightly at the demon.

"Your good at that. Appearing out of nowhere. Geez, I need to stop letting my gaurd down." He mumbled, slightly ashamed of himself. "Anywho, what's up with Chronos?" He asked pleasently.

Dusk chuckled. "I do that to a lot of people." He said to Sai. His smile turned to a deep frown as he looked around. "Chronos had most of his powers stripped from him."

Marduk was stunned. "Why???"

"He aided Ket's daughter. Showed her what would happen if she didn't make it to Troy before the blood shadow passed over the land." Dusk said looking up. "Someone's messed with the timeline and he was trying to set it right. Higher ups didn't see it that way. He and his master both recieved punishments."

Sai blinked, "Oh, that sounds crappy." He said, looking kinda pissed. "Actaully, that is crappy. Poor guy." Said Sai, looking dejected. "He was weird, but totally didn't diserve that..."

"Well concidering he could tell you every detail about your past wether you told him or not..." Mar said shivering a little. "He's a good guy though. Why didn't they listen to him?"

"Who knows?" Dusk said shrugging. "I'm not sure what's going on. I'm headed to Sachmet's Plains to talk to the goddess of the desert. I'm hoping she'll have some sort of answer."

Sai remained silent, having never before entered the desert he had no idea who the gods or godess were, so he couldn't really talk about it. "Okay, that would be creepy..." Said Sai to Mar previous statement.

"Chronos is a time demon." Mar said chuckling a little. "He could possibly tell you several diffrent paths your life could take if he was vague enough. Not too many details but just enough to get you hooked."

"When are you going?" Aladdin asked Dusk.

"In the morning. Starting before sunrise." the alchemist said as he sat down.

"Anyone going with you?" Aladdin said looking at the demon. Dusk just shrugged.

"Eh, he's still slightly creepy and I'm good not knowing when I'm going to die or buy a new sword or something." Said Sai, shrugging. He wasn't to big on the whole, KNOW YOR FUTURE thing. It made him feel akward and as though he didn't have any control in his life.

"Hooked? What do you mean by hooked?" Said Sai, looking oddly at Mar.

Mar smiled a little. "Well those that seek their future are always tring to find someone that can tell them things no one else can. When they come across Chronos, they tend to keep coming back to him for more and more answers. He's amassed quite a fortune from it."

Sai blinked, "yeah..I can see why. Many people are afraid of the un-known." He said, scratching his head in thought. "Have you ever gone to him Mar?" He asked, curious.

Mar shook his head. "Nope. Never needed to. He's always found me." Marduk chuckled. "After the accident, I sort of blocked everything out. I knew what I was doing but I didn't know what I had done. Something about it bothered the old fool and he came looking for me."

Sai raised an eyebrow, "Issues man, " Said Sai Jokingly, "But I can see why, it would bother anyone. Your okay now though, right? Cause...aparently I have nothing to do and I am a great listener." Said Sai and after a pause, he smiled, "I should be a freaking counsiler...but it pays crap." He said smiling.

"I'm fine. I talk about it when I'm upset...normaly to fish but that's what happenes when you live underwater and tend to travle." Mar sid chuckling before randomly glomping Sai. "If you were a sex counciler I bet you'd make some money." He said teasingly.

Sai blushed and laughed, "Most likey, but I might be too tempted to give...heh..hands on lessons." Said Sai laughing again. He hugged Marduk back, happy that his life was finally taking a turn, although a small one, for the better.

"I would get jelouse about that." Mar said smiling as he rested his head on Sai's shoulder.

"Alright you two, get a room." Dusk said as he threw a sand ball at them.

Saii stuck out his tongue and cought the sand ball, which returned to regualr sand in his hands. "You just jealous." He said, laughing. He huggled Mar tightly.

"That you don't have a hot Siren to share your bed with." He grinned.

Mar blushed at Sai's compliment and hid his face a little.

Dusk laughed. "Maybe I am maybe I'm not. But you are lucky, Sai. YOu both are. Just remember not to let this war tear you apart. You don't want to live with that regret." He said smiling, a hint of sadness that was quickly covered. "But seriously, get a room. You are starting to cause some people to get majorly turned on." he said smirking as he looked over at some girls who were staring at the two hot guys hugging.

Sai looked around and smiled at the two females and waved, which caused them to blush and gush over the two of them. "Shweet." Said Sai, "but who says I want a room. What happens if I like doing it in public." He grinned in a perverted way, then laughed. "Nah, I"m good. Doing it in public leads to questionong glances." Said Sai, chuckling.

Mar was deep red from the converstaion. You'd think a Siren wouldn't be so easily to embarass.

Dusk laughed. "Well they might like a private viewing." He said as the girls blushed even more before they started to leave. "But you two are going to have a fun time. What are they being assigned to, Aladdin?"

"Not sure yet. Depends on what the information Sai has." Aladdin said as he chuckled.

Sai nodded, "Ah, yes the information. I don't have in my mind, Mio has it cause Diablo would freqently check out minds to make sure we didn't...remember anything about his lair. Least he did that to me. So...if you want to hear about his little secret, I sujjest we find a quiter place away from prying eyes." He said smiling. He knew Aladdin didn't know who Mio was.

"Alright. This way then." Aladdin said nodding as he turned and headed into the town. Mar watched as the other two in cloaks followed Aladdin.

"After you two." Dusk said as he waited for Sai and Mar to follow Aladdin. He'd cover their trail concidering the hideout was underground.

"Alright!" Said Sai as he looked at Mar for a second, hesitating before he followed Aladdin away from the public square a song in his head and his foot steps light. If Mar trusted Aladdin, than he could too.

Mar followed Sai a little nervous about what could happen. "It's ok, Mar. You know Al wouldn't let any harm come to him." Dusk said as he walked with the Siren.

"Yeah but I still don't know what to expect." He said honestly.

Aladdin opened the entrance to the hideout, a rock covered a set of stairs that lead the way down into the earth. The two men still cloaked entered the hideout crying out when Aladdin suddenly shut the passage way with them in it.

"What the hell?" one of the thieves near by asked drawing their weapons and pointing them at Aladdin. The head of the thieves didn't move though. He didn't say anything as he waited for something.

Sai jumped, his eyes a bit wide, then sighed. "What the..." He mumbled, but stayed silent and looked at Aladdin for an explination. Mio entered his thoughts, telling him she was nervous, which made him laugh softly. It'll be okay. They won't hurt you, I promise. He told her, making her calm.

"There...." Aladdin said his voice cracking a little as he fought off the anger he was feeling. Screams filled the air as the two that were in the hide out were killed by their own trap.

"Sir...." another thief said startled by Aladdin's words and actions.

"Thanks, Mar." Aladdin said looking over his shoulder at the Siren who was hiding slighty behind Dusk.

"So the infromation was right?" Mar said softly.

"Yes. And if you hadn't recovered it when you did, we'd all be dead now." Aladdin said as he moved the rock again. A king cobra about 20 foot long slithered out of the passage way. "Thank you, Arboc." Aladdin said bowing to the snake.

"Any time, King of thievesssssss." the snake hissed before slithering out into the desert.

Sai twitched a little, "That...was a bbbiiiiiiigggg snake..." He mumbled, twitching again. He had a thing for snakes. I mean, they were cute and cuddle and deadly and..and....well...there were cool! He shook his head and sighed. "That was....troublesome." He muttered.

"Yes, Arboc is a rather large snake." Aladdin said nodding with a smile. "But as long as you don't trouble him, he's rather nice. Shall we?" he asked as he and two of the guards entered the hide out.

Marduk went over to Sai and still kind of hid behind him. "Snakes that big scare me..." He mummbled. Dusk just chuckled.

"I think there kinda cool, but yeah, I can see where your coming from. They creep Mio out as well." He said as he took Marduk's hand and followed Aladdins lead.

Dusk followed Mar and Sai, closing the door and placing the protecitve seal around it before decending the stairs.

Torches lit the path even though you'd think that Arboc would have put them out when he was in the underground bunk. Many other thieves were already there, some sleeping others working out details of their missions. Aladdin lead the way to a big meeting room. A few others were in there, all cloaked in desert colors and masks covering their faces compleatly. Only their eyes were visible thorugh the masks.

Sai shivered lightly in the damp undergroung tunnels. Not from cold, or fear, but pure nervousness. It was creeping over from Mio's, who wasn't used to being out in front of many people and talking no less. He, Sai, took a deep breath and let it out slowly. It's gonna be alright Mio. If things get dicey will split. He told her and sighed thankfully when she calmed down some.

Aladdin was floored but didn't show it as he noticed one of the figures. The figure sat near the head of the table, gold eyes watching them as they entered.

"Marduk, Dusk, Sai, please take seats." Aladdin said as he went to his own seat.

Dusk stared at the figure that caught Aladdin's attention. He shook his head. ~Can't be....could it? But how?~ he thougth as he took a seat near the end. Marduk took one beside Dusk an empty chair to his left for Sai.

Sai nodded to Aladdin, his eyes trailing to the gold ones that looked at them. He paused, before he sat down besides Mar and tried to relax as much as possible...and not break out in song in an effort to breath the un-comfortable silence.