Here's the second chapter, and a very warm thanks to Ma Chun Xia and The Droplets of Blue Rain. Both of you are my best friends. And to everyone else reading this, be safe, and keep on reading. You are in quarntine right now, so you have all time to read this fic. Read and Enjoy!

Chapter 2: The Giggles of Childhood

The sun was slowly disappearing below the mountains. A few children were staring at the sun from an old creeper covered tower. Though they all were dressed in old brownish clothes, one could easily tell a certain boy from others.

Now that certain boy stood up and announced- One who reaces the scarecrow first gets five mangoes!

And without a seconds delay, the boy was down in a dangerous somersault. Others were slowly coming down. Once in zeal they had tried to imitate the feat, and ended up in bed for two months. No one would evr want that again.

A distant voice announced-Think like a sparrow, act like a hummingbird

As you might have already imagined, Mystel had already started eating the big juicy mangoes. When the poor friends reached the place, two mangoes were gone, and a third one was almost finished.

"Hey Mystel!" The group had arrived, out of breath. "You cheated"

"I didn't"

"You do"

"Not my mistake that you all are so slow"

"We aren't slow!"

"You are!" and thus went down the stone of third mango.

Three pairs of eyes stared at it.

The massive yellow things were getting more tempting. Mangoes seemed to invite them. What if Mystel sits on a high horse all time? He has mangoes.

It didn't matter now that Mystel cheated, or called them slow. What mattered were the mangoes. They couldn't get such big ones. They were found in the landlord's garden. Only Mystel knew how to get some from under the fatman's nose.

The mango magic was done. Effects were quite visible. And dear Mystel," The three lads advances towards the mangoes "We know how big is your heart. You will never eat everything alone"

"And what if I can?"

"We know you can't. You are our king. Kind king Mystel! The greatest of all, the fastest of all!"

"Let me think" Mystel got into the act of pretending to be in deep thought.

But quite suddenly he saw something in distance and said"Alright! These are your mangoes" The mangoes were received with great joy but Mystel was being quick-" So here you take these, an..and I'm just coming... Okay? Bye."

And Mystel sped off faster than he ever had.

The other lads were left a little confused. What happened to Mystel? But nevermind. Who cares?

One mango was ripped open and just as they were about to eat, an angry and tired voice came shouting-" Ugly pests! Bloody theives! Who dared to steal my mangoes?!"

There was a quick realisation in the group of three. The action of running and devouring the mangoes in one go was sped up by the sight of a fat stick in the fat Gardener's hand. Probably the stick was the loyalest entity the Gardener ever met.

When the three reached a safer spot, the youngest of the three complained-You didn't gave me any!

Not our fault"

"All for that cunning Mystel"

The sun had given way to the Emperor of night. Thousands of stars could be seen at a glance. Mystel and his friends were home.

His mother managed to sort out the mango problem with a few sweets. Mystel always thought his mother was a genius in this respect. He never yet had a problem which his mother couldn't solve.

Sheseemed a little tpo intelligent to be an ordinary feild worker, as all others said, but she didn't pay any attention.

Every night, hisothwr would prepare a really selivious dinner of r9ce amd any vegetable she got her hands on and his father narrated tales to him ( primarily stories of people in distant lands and tales when a beautiful madien was rescued by a handsome young man with some help from the heavens. Mystel wondered if he would get the chance. How would his maiden look?

Nurezanshi dashed frward with full momentum towards her opponent as he did he same. The two clashed swords-first, pushing hard as the swrods threatened to cut through each other. For a moment Zhang lounged forward, almost over powering Nurezanshi, but Nurezanshi swayed rightwards, slipping outand with her sword slicing along his leg.

Zhang turned swiftly and his sword landed in her wrist, and Nurezanshi screamed quietly, and scolded him "Idiot this is a practice match. At least wait for the Battle."

"Oh sorry Nura" withdrawing his sword, he sat down beside her,inspecting the wound.

"C'mon that's not deep"

"Oh really?" with an evil grin she punched him on the jaw hard, and jumped back a few feet in defensive stance.

"Dear you shouldn't let your guard down so easily" She spke with an evil smirk.

"You bi***" He stood up nursing his jaw, "You'll suffer" And he ran after her, and she ran away .

Soon they were out of the open practice hall, which looked much like a greek temple.

Out in the sunshine she sprinted on the grass, with Zhang chasing her with his sword in full charge. A jutting rock got her tuble, and her grip came lose. But Zhang was nearing, and so she rolled forward standing up and began running again, leaving her swrod.

They ran and ran, over the the meadow and over the mountain, over the stream and through the temples. Occasionly she would stop to catch a breath, and he would rest lreaning on a tree. But soon she would run, and he would climb up trees to locate her. IF seen, he would charge madly after. That idiot had dropped her sword. So he had dutiflly carried it in his other hand. They must have done this for two hours at least, because they set out in the burning heat of the late afternoon sun, and when Nurezanshi reached a dead end, on the edge of a cliff, and Zang stopped, panting. They bith were too worn out to fight. He fell on his knees, pointing her sword at her" Girl, two swords are heavy to carry around you know"

And she smiled, looking into his eyes.

Hours later, one could see two young warriors, lying down on the grass, gosspining and staring at the starry sky.

"Hey don't you think it's getting late?"

"Yeah but i we return now we will be caught. Let's wait till everyone is asleep"

"Right. What do we eat now?"

And a finger pointed tot he fruit laden trees.

I've never enjoyed writing a chapter more. I was about to end with just the fight scene, but I felt it won't portray their friendship. So, did you like it?