Chapter seven:

The match!

Sharrkan was getting kinda heavy as well, Ja'far assumed a brick must've hit his head. He tried to push Sharrkan off, to take care of Sharrkan's wounds, but wasn't able too. Fortunataly, Sharrkan suddenly groaned. ''Sharrkan.'' Ja'far hushed, as the other stirred. ''Are you okay?'' Sharrkan asked. Ja'far rolled his eyes, ''Aside from getting crushed, I'm fine. Are you okay, moron, you shouldn't have done that. You should have dodged the falling ceiling, what if you got a concussion?'' Ja'far asked.

Sharrkan smirked, ''Only you would say that. Hadn't I protected you, then you would have gotten hurt, and then you couldn't help at the game.'' Sharrkan whispered, as he slowly got up. ''Besides, it didn't hit my head, and if it did, my grades would still remain the same, so not a single soul would notice that.'' Sharrkan told him, as he rubbed his sore arm. ''The game, Sharrkan, you've got the game tomorrow. What if you're too injured to play, Sinbad will kill you. He really relies on you.'' Ja'far said, eyeing the arm. It seemed like he didn't break anything, but it could be a sprain.

''It's fine. I can still move my legs, and I have two arms, so won't miss one, will I now?'' Sharrkan replied. Ja'far furrowed his eyebrows before nodding, ''If you say so.'' he replied. ''More importantly, what are you going to do? I mean, ceilings don't collapse for no reason.'' Sharrkan said as he eyed the hole. ''I should call someone to look into it. As it obviously need some repairing, I can probably sleep at a nearby hotel or maybe crash at the library.'' Ja'far pondered, wondering if the library was actually an option. He'd like it.

''Nonsense, a hotel means money, and you aren't a hobo, so library is a no. Why not stay with me and Alibaba, we live close by.'' Sharrkan said. ''Your house isn't that safe either.'' Ja'far deadpanned, remembering Sharrkan's fall from the staircase. ''Eh, it will be fine. You can crash on the couch if you like. Of course, I can always call Sinbad and see if-'' ''Your house is fine.'' Ja'far said with a blush.

''Really?'' Sharrkan asked, thinking Ja'far would have jumped upon the offer to stay with Sinbad. ''Yeah, it is. I have never been at Sin's place before, the thought frightens me. What if I make a move, and he'll reject me.'' Ja'far said. ''You are going to end up there anyway, but okay. Your coach will take care of things for now.'' Sharrkan said. ''That is what I am worried about from the beginning.'' Ja'far said, only now starting to question if Vegas was a joke or not.

The next morning, he woke up early, Sharrkan's couch had slept suprisingly nice. He got up, before he spotted Alibaba sitting at the table, eating his breakfast. ''Morning, Nii-san got up and is making preparations for the game together with Sinbad. He told me about your ceiling collapsing, that has got to suck.'' Alibaba said. ''It was kinda random, and I didn't account that into my budget yet.'' Ja'far replied, as he sat down as well, taking a slice of bread, and some tea.

''It's very nice I can stay over here.'' he added. ''Yup, now I'm not the only one suffering from his sheer stupidity.'' Alibaba said with a bright smile. ''I have some experience with that by now. After growing up with Sin, and being coached by your brother few things can suprise me.'' Ja'far said. 'Not to mention high school burglars' he added in his mind. ''I suppose so.'' Alibaba said. ''Excited for the game or for meeting Morgiana?'' Ja'far asked teasingly, making Alibaba blush.

''What, who, me? Of course not.'' Alibaba firmly denied, making Ja'far chuckle. ''I'm anxious for seeing their opponent, they must be very tough, if they make coach Sinbad tense like that.'' Alibaba said. ''It's a healthy form of stress. It's better having an oppenent that's tough, keeps you awake. And Sindria high's team is full of progidies. We have Sinbad, Hinahoho, that new sneaky one Judal, and last but not least your brother.'' Ja'far said.

''That's true, but rumor has it that these guys tend to play dirty. They wouldn't mind injuring one if it's in their advantage. Judal came from that team, and you said it yourself, he's already sneaky.'' Alibaba explained. ''Knowing Sin, we aren't going to stoop to that level. The best we can do is cheer them on.'' Ja'far said, getting slightly worried as well. ''You're right.'' Alibaba said, ''We should go soon. You should be prepared for a lot of care taking today.'' he added. ''Yay me. Mind if we pick something up from my house before we go?'' Ja'far asked.

Soon enough, they were at the game. ''Wow, this gym is huge. No wonder Nii-san always complains about their laps.'' Alibaba said as he eyed the gym in it's full glory. Ja'far, who was checking the first-aid kit for it's content, nodded as he said, ''It's supposed to be large enough so even the principal would've to face a challenge if he were to train here.'' he answered. Yunan, who had seen the two, walked over as he cheerily said, ''That's right. Did you remember to bring it by the way?''

Ja'far nodded, ''I was grateful for your help, so I remembered it. Whatever Sharrkan wrote yesterday, I'm sorry.'' Yunan laughed, as he said, ''That's water under the bridge. His answer was kinda rude though.'' ''Sounds like nii-san.'' Alibaba added to the conversation, not even knowing what the others were talking about. Soon they heard a loud slam of a door, and turned to look where the noise came from.

The other team had arrived, and looked fierce as the barged over towards the dressing rooms. ''That's Cassim.'' Alibaba commented, talking about the captain of the other team. ''He seems, interesting.'' Ja'far commented. ''He is. He's really good, but relies on petty tricks. He could make an international career if he wanted too.'' Alibaba said. ''He certainly has the attitude for that world. Let's go and see principal Ugo.'' Yunan said. ''Principal Ugo...'' Alibaba said, the man was a legend.

''It's his birthday today. Give me one sec.'' Ja'far said, checking the final things. ''Okay, all done. Wanna come too?'' he asked Alibaba, who nodded. They followed Yunan, who led them towards principal Ugo, who was chatting with Aladdin. ''Aladdin!'' Alibaba shouted as he rushed over, happy to see his friend. ''Let's get this over with.'' Ja'far said, before Yunan gave him a good look. ''Something wrong?'' Ja'far asked.

''Just taking in how you looked before a Ugo-hug.'' Yunan replied. ''A what?'' Ja'far asked, as Yunan skipped to Ugo. 'A Ugo-hug?' Ja'far wondered, should it scare him? His steps trembled as he made his way towards the taller man, talking to the siblings and Alibaba. ''Ah, here he is, mr Ugo.'' Aladdin nearly cheered as he spotted Ja'far. ''Ja'far, so you did come?'' Ugo said, clearly looking for a certain package.

''Yeah, as promised, sir. I have your package here in my bag. Please enjoy it.'' Ja'far said, before taking the package and handing it as he bowed. The taller man's behavior was like a three year old toddler as he took the package and ripped the paper off. Ja'far was glad Sharrkan wasn't here to make some weird comment. It'd probably embaress any of them. ''A flute! A flute I can hang around my neck, that's great!'' Ugo cheered, as Aladdin nodded, and said, ''Look, I've got one as well! Now we're best friends for life!''

''Oh, that's great!'' Ugo cheered, and Ja'far noticed that Yunan and Alibaba stepped back, before he was grabbed into a bone-crushing hug. ''Ah, please put me down.'' Ja'far said, before one more pair of arms joined them. ''Happy birthday!'' the voice cheerily said, Ja'far reconized it as Sin's. ''Sin, help me!'' he yelped, before Ugo suddenly let him go, and he fell on all fours, trying to catch his breath. Sinbad chuckled as he helped his friend up. ''Sorry, Principal's Ugo's hugs are firm and fantastic, can't resist one. They are legendary.'' Sinbad said. ''They are something alright.'' Ja'far agreed. ''Sorry, I was just that enthusiastic. Usually, only Alladin, Yunan and Sinbad do something on my birthday.'' Ugo said. ''It's okay, sir.'' Ja'far said.

''Well, gotta get going. Game starts soon. Good luck, Sin.'' Ugo said, as he, Aladdin, Alibaba and Yunan headed off, leaving Sinbad alone with Ja'far. ''Your opponent looks like a though one.'' Ja'far said. ''They are, I'm getting a little nervous. I trust you in keeping us in good shape. Did you check the first aid-kit, already?'' Sinbad asked. ''I did. I can manage any minor injuries just fine.'' Ja'far said. ''Good, thanks. You're the best!'' Sinbad cheered, pulling Ja'far in a hug. 'Sin.' Ja'far thought content, as he hugged back. ''Are you that nervous as well? Usually, you push me off during a hug, you little tsundere you.'' Sinbad asked. ''Don't call me that, you know I'm not that shy. And it's my way of wishing you good luck.'' Ja'far replied, as he let go off Sin, slightly blushing.

''Ah, I will need all the luck I can get.'' Sinbad said, opening his arms again. Ja'far gave a quick hug all the while blushing, before walking to the first aid bench. Soon enough the game started, as the opponents team seemed ready to go full out. Most students of Sindria high were there to cheer for their team, though. Ja'far wondered if Cassim minded this fact. Sin seemed really tense out there, like he was about to attack an army, rather than playing a friendly match of basketball. The rest of Sindria high didn't seem that much on ease either.

''Psst, Ja'far, mind if we sit with you?'' a voice asked, he looked up to see Alibaba, Masrur and Morgiana. ''Sure, go ahead. You have to observe this game, right. In case you have to play against them in the nearby future, right?'' Ja'far asked, as Alibaba sat down. ''I suppose I have too. But these are also the best seats.'' Alibaba said. 'So naive, bet he didn't think about observing them before I mentioned it. In a sense, his brother is like that as well.' Ja'far thought, as he eyed Sharrkan.

Unlike most players, Sharrkan didn't seem on edge. Though that was only on first sight. But Ja'far knew better, he was most likely putting up a farce. His arm was still kinda stiff, and his movements didn't seem as natural as usually. He played, not only because he wanted too, but because Sin counted on him, as did the team. The new player, Judal, seemed more in his element. There was something sneaky about him, but as he sneaked, it was obvious that he, among with Sin and Sharrkan dominated the field.

'Things are working out better than Sinbad had anticipated. Other than the hostile vibe they seem to have, they are actually not that much of a threat.' Ja'far thought suprised. After the first half of the match, Ja'far genuinly wondered if Sinbad's concern and worries had been that necessary. Sharrkan sat next to him, asking Alibaba for his waterbottle. ''Things are kinda easy going out there, nii-san. Are you sure this is the right team? I mean, you have an advantage of eighteen points to zero.'' Alibaba said.

''They are tougher than this, I'm sure. I'm glad we managed to score those points. They always start off slowly. That is what is dangerous about their techniques, you underestimate them. You'll see that in the second half, they will appear much more merciless, one could even say brutal. That is why Sinbad is anxious. The first half was our time to shine, to score what we needed. The second half will be about trying as hard as we can, scoring points, but also trying to avoid any injuries. There has been one guy before, that got injured, Sinbad never truly forgot about that.'' Sharrkan said.

'Sin was pissed that week.' Ja'far remembered the incident as clear as yesterday. ''But I do think he's playing it too safe now. We could've easily scored more, if we had taken the risk.'' Sharrkan said. ''I think you should listen to Sin.'' Ja'far said. Sharrkan raised his eyebrow, ''We are listening to Sinbad, but this is pathethic. I wouldn't be surprised if most students have left by now. It's so boring to watch it, or do you think otherwise?'' Sharrkan asked.

Ja'far didn't know how to reply, it was more boring than he had expected of this supposedly great match. But it was for the better, were he to believe the rumors. ''Cheer him on.'' Sharrkan suddenly said. ''What?'' Ja'far asked, cocking his head. That was a fast change of subject, he knew Sharrkan was random, but that was a little too random. ''He plays better when there is some cheering going on. We'll improve, the heat will rise, and it won't be a boring victory, or massacre.'' Sharrkan said. ''Besides, it is what you're supposed to do for the one that you like, so see it as homework. And we don't have that many girls, so the empowering of a cheerleader cheer won't do.'' he added.

Ja'far rolled his eyes. ''I'm supposed to take care of any further injuries, that should be my main focus.'' he said. ''Pity. I love it when someone special cheers me on. And I know Sin would.'' Sharrkan said, getting up as he spotted Sinbad, motioning him for a talk. Ja'far sighed, before turning to Alibaba. ''Could you hold my spot, please? I'm about to do something utterly humilating.'' ''Sure thing, mr. Ja'far.'' he said. Ja'far rolled his eyes, not believing he was really about to do this.

''Where is Ja'far going to?'' Sinbad asked, spotting Ja'far leave. ''Probably to the toilet.'' Sharrkan said. ''He should be getting ready for the second half.'' Sinbad said. ''Really, rely more on us, will you? You're dragging us down with that attitude. We are doing great so far, but we can do better. They will beat us if we keep up being so cautious. Maybe it's time to have fun and play. If something happens, we have Ja'far. Don't you want to do this for the honor of Sindria High.'' Sharrkan said.

''This is why you're co-captain. For a moron, you do have the right spirit, and your heart at the right place. Assemble the group, and tell them to work hard, and play to win. We are going for the glory today, and show those bastards how basketball is supposed to be played.'' Sinbad said, fire returning to his eyes. ''Yes, sire!'' Sharrkan saluted him, before gathering the rest.