Kit and Eliza scrambled up the jungle gym after the "pirates." The perfect place to keep the "treasure" out of reach. From a certain point, they did indeed look like pirates climbing up a ship's lines.

"Captain, enemy approaching!" the boys yelled. Ernie perched from the highest point, waving the cap like a flag. With all the climbing and screaming, Eliza lost herself in the adventure. Weeks of entrapment bottled up enough energy to urge her on. Memories of isolation were replaced by the frustration of getting the "treasure" from those "villains."

"Any ideas?" she asked Kit, who was just another bar over.

"I was going to ask you that."

"Are you kidding?"

"Hey, you agreed to this."

"So did you," Eliza panted, continuing her climb.

The boys surrounding them cackled like real pirates. They didn't need to act to make it sound genuine. Ernie scowled, waving the cap tauntingly as if to say, "I told you so."

Maybe she could use their taunting against them. She climbed sluggishly up a bar and let out a dramatic sob.

"I can't do it!" The boys' laughter increased.

"Don't give up!" Kit called. "We're almost there."

"See," Ernie hollered. "What did I tell you?" At the same time, Eliza climbed up another bar. This time she was quicker but still panted as if it was hard on her body. She closer to Ernie now.

"Wait," she gasped with pleading eyes. "The game's not over yet."

"Yeah, but recess almost is." Ernie laughed so hard there were tears in his eyes.

That was all Eliza needed. From one bar to the other, she was enough to snatch the cap out of the flailing hand.

Ernie had only a second to notice and shout "Hey!" before Eliza donned the cap and clambered toward the slide. The other boys stopped their merriment when they realized what was happening. One of them tried blocking slide, but Eliza swung to the bar beneath him and back up behind him. Victory was so close, converted her determination to energy.

"Go, Eliza!" Kit cheered. One more bar and she was on the slide. She gripped the cap's rim as she zoomed down and took off at a run. The boys shouting and Kit's cheering were soon drowned out by the bell's ringing.

"Game over!" she called, waving the cap as Ernie had. The boys descended the jungle gym in a chorus of groans. Kit caught up with Eliza and slapped her on the back.

"You did it!" he announced.

"Yeah," Eliza panted, this time for real. "I guess I did." The reality had finally sunk back in when she watched the rest of the children lining back up for class. "It's just a game really," she shrugged.

"But you had fun right?"

"Yeah." First time in a while too. She handed back the cap. "Here."

"Thanks." He returned it back to its proper place on his head. They followed the rest of the class back inside.

"Still," Eliza added. "I bet the real thing is even more exciting."

"Yeah, but more dangerous."

"That's why it's exciting. I've read about all sorts of pirates and I always wanted to see some for real. Oh!" she perked. "I almost forgot." She ran back to the bench where she left her book. Kit was still waiting when she ran back, looking serious.

"You know, those are just stories. It's less scary when you haven't seen pirates up close."

"But if I did meet one, I'd show him who's boss just like I showed Ernie and the others." Besides, Uncle Shere's scarier.

"If you say so," Kit shrugged. "But being a pilot's plenty exciting."

"If you say so," she shrugged back, making Kit giggle.

"You know, you could probably fly with us."

Eliza brightened. "You mean it?"

"Yeah, I just have to ask Baloo and Miss Cunningham."

"Great, I'll ask-"Eliza paused. Ask Shere Khan? Talking to him was already hard enough. I bet I'd have to set up an appointment just like his everyone else.

"Ask who?" asked Kit.

"My uncle." Or at least I'll try.

Eliza watched through the balcony doors to make sure her uncle was alone. She waited until he switched from paperwork to his jungle because she was sure he would be less irritated. With a deep breath and her nerves stilled, she entered the vast office. It was like walking into a real jungle, and she approached the working tycoon as if she were approaching a real beast. She didn't need to make a sound to draw his attention.

"What is it?" he asked, keeping his eyes on the plants. Eliza almost jumped out of her skin, but she willed herself.

"Well, you see," her voice came out low and she cleared her throat. "I made a friend at school."

"And?" Even with his calm demeanor, Eliza could tell he was getting impatient.

"He invited me for a visit."

Shere paused his trimming but didn't look her way. "Then I assume you're here to ask for my permission."

"Yeah." She stared down at her feet to avoid his eyes. "And maybe David could pick me up later."

"From where exactly?"

"I'm not sure. I don't know where he lives."

"Then you'd best find out soon and decide when."

Eliza looked back up. "You really don't mind?"

Shere returned to his trimming. "I care not what you do with your time as long as it's not in my way. Besides, I made an agreement with your father."

Before Eliza knew what she was doing, she threw her arms around his arm, causing him to drop his shears. When she realized what she did, she drew back, horrified at her own action. Shere, however, kept the same blank expression.

"Sorry," she stammered. "I just got excited."

Instead of answering, he picked up his shears and resumed his work. Eliza froze in her place, not sure what to expect.

"Well," said her uncle, eyes on his trimming. "Anything else?"

"Um, no."

"Very well, you may go."

"Yes, sir." She wondered if this was what it was like for his employees. Most likely they excited with poise, while she ran out as if the devil was at her heels.

Out of the corner of his eye, Shere Khan watched the fleeing tigress.

"And I thought my brother was my only opposite."