Cherokee pounced on an unaware Mikhail. The latter boy, in turn, jumped in shock, and they both collapsed on the floor. ‘Kee was the first back on his feet. He swished his sword down on Mikhail neck.

“Yar, ye be my captive now! I be Captain Sanders. Who be ye?”

“I am ninja.” He struck a pose from Karate Kid.

“You can’t be a ninja!”

“Hah, Captain Sanders is just jealous of my fatal side-kick!” Mikhail attempted the move, but landed on his arse. “Oooww!”

“You don’t fool me, you so-called-ninja.” ‘Kee grabbed the rope that was tied to his belt and proceeded to tie Mikhail up. “Ye shall remain tied to me mast fer the rest of the day. Until you learn to play along properly.”

“Oh, you’re such a spoilsport, ‘Kee. It was just a laugh, you baby.” ‘Kee marched off in a huff towards the house, leaving Mikhail tied up and unable to move. “’Kee! You’re not actually going to leave me like this? ‘Keeeeeeeeeee!”

Fortunately for Mikhail, it was a warm summer day and he wasn’t going to be left to freeze to death by his best friend. Of course, this doesn’t save him from pins and needles in all his limbs and general soreness. He noticed some movement in purple in the corner of his eye.

“I be a stowaway. I’ll help ye escape!” Bethany stuck her little fingers into the knots tying Mikhail’s hands. It didn’t take her long. Afterall, she was ‘Kee’s sister so she knew all his tricks. “Don’t tell him I helped. He doesn’t like it when I join in his games.” Mikhail stood up, his legs stiff and a little numb.

“What took you so long?” He pushed her over and ran into the house. Bethany was cool, when she wasn’t being a girl, but ‘Kee wasn’t allowed to know he thought that. “Hey, Mrs. Sanders!”

“Hey, Mikhail. Where have you been?”

“’Kee tied me to his mast and left me there ‘til I submitted and stopped my ninja training in favour of piracy!”

“Well, that’s exciting! Dinner’s almost ready. Go and tell Cherokee and the two of you wash your hands.” Mikhail ran full pelt out of the kitchen as Bethany wandered in, brushing dirt off her dress. “Bethany! What happened to you?”

“Nothing. I fell over.” Well, she was loyal.

Dinner was peanut butter and banana sandwiches at the kitchen table, with a glass of fizzy each and a packet of crisps. The food of champions. Bethany ate hers in the garden. She didn’t spend that much time with her brother, since he generally reduced her to tears with his teasing.

“Mikhail, Mikhail, Mikhail. What are you going as to the fancy dress party?”

“I dunno. What are you going as?”

“PIRATE! YARGH!” Mikhail gave him a rather scalding look.

“Do you think you’ll ever grow out of that? Y’ano, being like we are.”

“Tut, Mikhail. You’re ten years old, it’s not time for you to start thinking ahead yet. Just concentrate on being a child.” Mrs. Sanders dropped another batch of little square sandwiches onto their plate.

“I think you should go as like, a sailor or something, my captive.”

“Why am I always your captive? I’m older than you. You should be my captive!”
“Because I’m the pirate captain. I can’t be your captive. That would defeat my character’s purpose in life.” Mikhail sighed. He had a point.

-----

The next week sprinted by for the three children as they anticipated the fancy dress party. Cherokee never for a second let go of the pirate idea, and Mikhail went, rather unexpectedly, for a caveman character. Bethany, although only 8, was a big fan of old movies and went as the ultimate heartthrob: Marilyn Monroe. They sat in the car, with Cherokee in the middle. And they stood on the pavement, with Cherokee in the middle. Mrs. Sanders, as their chaperone, took a photo of them.

“Run on in, kids. I’ll be along.”

The hall was already a mass of kids and adults in costumes. Mostly generic superheroes: Batman, Superman, Spiderman, Wolverine. The girls mostly went as fairy tale damsels: Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Cinderella. Cherokee spied another pirate across the room and went to challenge him to a sword fight. Bethany spotted some of her friends from school, all dressed as beach Barbie, and skipped over to them. Mikhail sat by the buffet table and nibbled on some cake.

“Hey, little brother.” There stood Kyran, dressed as Flash Gordon. “Like... the... costume...” he said between bites of pizza. “Where is your little friend?” As if on cue, ‘Kee bounded into view. “There you are, little Indian.” ‘Kee growled.

“Pirate, see!” He jabbed Kyran in the side with his sword.

“Ow, ow, yeah, I see!” He laughed. “Oh, feared mighty sea Captain, please let me free! My pretty damsel needs me and she must not know of my evil other life.” ‘Kee jumped up on the table, almost sending a plate of pizza flying into the punch.

“Your brother knows how to play properly. I’d never have to tie him to the tree.”
“Kyran just thinks we’re kids. All adults know how to play with kids.” ‘Kee poked him in the head. “Hey, I’ll unleash my awesome ninja skills!”

“I’ve seen your ‘ninja skills’ and they suck! And you’re not even dressed as a ninja, silly.” They poised for battle. Mrs. Sanders practically launched herself between them before there was a real accident with the snacks table. She wrangled the sword out of Kee’s hand.

“Look, boys, have you seen Beth?”

“Mrs Sanders!” A little girl pushed through the crowd of kids. “Mrs Sanders! Come quick.” She lead the older woman by the hand and dragged her outside. Kee shrugged and followed, as did everyone else. “She just fell over and we can’t wake her up.” The were several adults surrounding her limp blonde-wigged form. Mikhail pushed his way to the front, and found himself clinging to Mrs Sanders hand as she called an ambulance. The party was broken up after that. Kyran drove the two boys home. Kee was going to stay with them as his parents sat with their little girl in the hospital. He didn’t show any sign of wanting to be with her, only talking of midnight snacks and whether Mikhail had a tree he could tie him too. Kyran laughed weakly from the front seat but Mikhail just pressed his head to the window and said nothing.

“Hey, stupid, what’s wrong with you? Not gone soft over my little sister have you. She’ll be fine. She just does it for attention.”

“It didn’t look like it was done for attention, Kee.” He growled softly at his best friend. “God, she looked dead. I ain’t ever seen anybody like that before…” Kee shrugged and started babbling again. Maybe it was just nervousness and worry and he didn’t know how to express it. Maybe.