"I pranked someone I shouldn't have. Jafar- we both work for the same guy. I don't usually get scared and hide, but this time I know I'll get it if he finds me." The boy forcefully reached for the closet door handle. "So if you would just let me hide in this house until I am convinced that he left then I will definitely repay you someday."
Yamuraiha grasped the handle before he could. "No. I won't let a stranger stay in my new house. So if you want you can escape through the backyard. You know it's really rude to-" she stopped talking once she realized that he was looking at her while extremely focused. "Why are you staring me?"
"Sorry-" he shook his head. "You look just like someone I used to know." He held out his hand for her to pull him up. A sly smile appeared on his face. This guy was nothing but trouble. She could tell by the way he moved- just like a snake or some other sneaky reptile. "Come on, help me up you huge marshmallow puff."
Marshmallow puff? She looked down at herself. Oh, well three thick layers of pastel red, blue, and green sweaters would do that to a person. His attitude was something else. She couldn't even begin to fathom the thought that someone as bold as him existed. Who barges into a stranger's home and insults their clothing? "It's cold in here." she said trying to hide her embarrassment while pulling him up.
"I can tell, even the little dogs on your socks are shaking."
"Shut it- you."
"The names Sharrkan." he said while dusting off his grey sweatpants.
Sharrkan. She heard that name before. "How long have you lived here?" she questioned him.
"Most of my life." he answered. "Why?" He raised an eyebrow.
Suddenly she began to think about the past. About her childhood and the people she used to chase the groundhogs with and ride horses with. "I think we have met before." She pushed her hair behind her ears. "I think we used to be friends- or something when we were kids." They shared a moment of awkward silence. Yamuraiha felt foolish for saying that. How was that even something worth mentioning, and even if it was, how would he remember if she herself hardly had any idea on the topic. "Sorry- I'm probably wrong." she added.
He inspected her once more. "Hmm. Is your name Yamurai? Or something like- Laika? You look just like her- at least what I can remember what she looked like-" He placed his forefinger on his chin. "Am I right or am I right?"
"My name is Yamuraiha." she said.
His face lit up. "That's right!" He put his hands on her shoulders. "I think we were either best friends- or maybe we hated each other- or maybe something in between."
She brushed his hands off her shoulders. "UHM personal space," she said. "Anyways, I think we used to run after the owners of the Kou farm's dog all the time. That was with you right?"
He smiled and nodded. "Yes! I remember that! I remember that mean kid Kouen threatening to tell our parents when he finally caught us hiding behind the old barn close to Sinbad's property."
"You remember so much more than I do." she said enviously. She couldn't recall much from her childhood, but she knew it was one of the best parts of her life- and for whatever twisted reason she forgot most of it.
"Of course, not much happens here. It's been pretty quiet lately." He put his hands in his pockets.
"Is that why you pissed off some scary man? What did you do? Break bottles on his house?"
"No I just rearranged the files in his office." He shrugged. "I mean I thought it would be funny for him too, but I guess he doesn't like new ways to improve his workspace."
Yamuraiha rolled her eyes. "Wow and here I was thinking you did something really childish." she said sarcastically. Seriously? Was he a twelve year old in a teenager's body? She would have thought he would have at least made an effort to do something bad. "Is rearranging files even worth it? I don't think anyone would think anything of it."
"Oh trust me, Jafar loves his files arranged just the way he likes them. He even yells at his boss if he touches them."
"Sounds like a force to be reckoned with." she scoffed.
"Well you used to be afraid of him too." he said. "Of course that was when we were Sinbad's 'eight generals'." He studied the blank look on her face. "Come on, you have to at least remember that. You were the magician and I was the swordsman." He used one hand to pretend to wave a wand and slash a sword in the other. "We slayed the sea creature and defended our land from pirates."
Yamuraiha shook her head. "Sorry I can't- I can't remember any of that." she admitted. It was really awful that she couldn't share his excitement. "Anyways, let's get you out of here." It would be good to know more about her past, yet she wasn't up for hearing incredible one sided adventures she may have had.
"Wait," he stopped her. "How don't you remember?" His posture drooped. "Masrur? You have to remember Masrur!" She shook her head. "What about Pisti? She was my best friend, but I guess she was yours also. And Drakon! He used to pretend to be a dragon- and Hinahoho would be some type of giant man."
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I remember any of those people." She sighed. Really, she wanted him to shut up already. It was annoying that she didn't understand a word he was saying.
"Sinbad. You have to know Sinbad. He was our leader- our king!"
"I told you already, I don't know any of these people!" she snapped. "I think the only reason I remember you is because-"
"Because we used to fight more than anyone." he finished her sentence. "Yeah, well you haven't changed one bit. Still just as bossy and just as closed minded as before."
Her face turned red. "Well excuse me if I don't want to listen to some idiot talk nonsense after he broke into my home!" She picked up the stainless steel pot off the floor. "Go!"
"Are you threatening me with food storage that's meant to be in the kitchen?"
"Yes." She tapped on the pot with her knuckles. "This noise scares the squirrels maybe it'll work on you too."
"Fine I'll go. So calm down marshmallow puff." he jeered.
"So Yamuraiha is seriously back here?" Pisti exclaimed. Her short blonde hair was in a ponytail and seemed to bounce up and down with excitement along with her. "I should totally say hello!" She rushed over to her dresser to gather her makeup and bag. "Should I greet her with a smokey eye? Or maybe some professionally contoured cheeks? I want her to think I got seriously hot over 9 years."
"I wouldn't bother." Sharrkan laid in her bed reading a magazine. His eyes ran through studying her bedroom. High ceiling. Horse racing trophies everywhere. Pink. "She's suuuuuuuuper pissy." he said in flat voice.
"Did you do anything to make her mad?" Pisti asked.
"No, seriously nothing at all! I just asked her if she remembered you guys or when we used to play 'eight generals'. She got mad and said she forgot everything. And when I nicely tried to refresh her memory she just blew up."
Pisti sighed. "Do you even know why she moved away before?"
"No, I was staying with my mom that week. I never got to say goodbye." He tossed the magazine aside and walked over to her window sill. "You know," he said picking up a golden trophy of a horse jumping. "You have a lot of these."
"Stop trying to change the subject l." Pisti warned. "The rope swing we made- the one that we used to swing across the river- remember that?"
"Yeah, she was always scared of it so she had to hold on to Masrur or Jafar- she never used it herself, why?"
"Because when you were away she wanted to use it herself and she hit her head. Matal said she needed serious medical attention because she had a bad concussion."
"Oh that's why she can hardly remember anything."
"I'm pretty sure she doesn't even remember why she doesn't remember."
"Well why didn't anyone tell me?!" Sharrkan demanded. "That would have saved me the uncomfortable conversation I had with her today."
"Well, you were already sad because of the stuff with your family and we thought it was best that we just said nothing. It was so obvious you liked her before." she teased.
He turned away. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh come on, your sour face whenever she turned down your offer to use the rope swing together was priceless. I'm sure Jafar has a Polaroid picture of you pouting while Drakon or someone else helped her across."
"She never agreed to it because she thought I would drop her on purpose." he said acidly.
"That's because you were really mean to her." Pisti laughed. "It's not her fault for not trusting you."
"I was seven! And okay- maybe, just maybe I had a small crush, but nine years isn't a long time. It doesn't mean that she has the right to act like she's some queen."
"Nine years is a long time, bud. I'm sure she's changed. We all have." Pisti walked over to him and looked out the window. "But, I also am kind of hurt that she doesn't remember. It's not her fault- it just sucks." She held Sharrkan's hand. "Hey, I'm always here for you." she reassured him.
He turned to her and smiled. "Thanks Pisti." He took a deep breath. "Maybe we should try to refresh her memory."
"What do you mean?"
"Like we should try doing a lot of the stuff we did before. I think if we did that it might help. I'm sure she's just as frustrated as we are with her not remembering." He laughed to himself. "The funny thing is that she knew who I was- well, more or less. And I think that seeing everyone again will help."
"So we should try to get her to sneak out from her room at night like we did before?" Pisti questioned.
"Exactly. Round up the whole team." He rubbed his hands together. "I have a plan for tonight."
Chapter 2 is done. Good. Review please because they always help!