Ryeowook's POV

I scuttled away from Henry and in my haste to create some separation, I almost tripped over my own feet.  He grabbed my waist to steady me and let out a low chuckle,

"You seem as accident prone as ever"  I flinched at the fondness in his voice, and I quickly removed myself from his grip.

"I'm sorry Young Master, but I think you are mistaken.  I don't recall ever meeting you before in my life"  His face fell, and I couldn't help but feel slightly guilty.  I racked my brain for what seemed like the millionth time, but I still could not recall any memories linking this boy to me.

He straightened up and smiled again, but this time is was less genuine and I could sense the hurt he was trying to conceal.

"I'm sorry if I startled you, but I'm sure you are who I think you are"  I blinked, still not believing that there was any connection between us.

"Well, I know my mother helped raise you, and my father has also worked for your family for years now.  Maybe we met sometime in passing?"  He nodded, and looked about ready to speak again when the elevator dinged, indicating we had reached his floor.  I picked up his bags and headed into the room that I had helped clean only the day before.

"You can just put those in my bed chamber" he called as he headed towards the snack bar.  I bowed and complied with his orders.  As I pushed open the oak doors, the first thing my eyes landed on was that picture.  My eyes just traveled to it unconsciously and I found myself studying it intensely.  I was so intent on my observation that I nearly squeaked when a soft voice startled me,

"That picture... it's of you"  I whirled around only to find a serious looking Henry.  I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

"I'm sure that's you.  You must be that child in the picture, I'm certain of it!" he announced sounding both sure and adamant. 

"Well I suppose the child in the middle does resemble me, but I really think you have the wrong person"  He huffed and strode over to the picture, cradling it in his hands before holding it out to me.

"Look" he said, pointing to the boy in the center.  "This is you.  The one to the right is my brother, and I'm the one on your left"  As I stared at the photo, I could make out some similarities to the Young Masters.  The one he had indicated as Kyuhyun held the same dark eyes and the wavy hair, and the one he insisted was him had the same puffy cheeks and wide grin.

I could see the similarities, but I refused to accept the knowledge.  How could this be if I couldn't remember any of it?  I was never known to have a good memory, but it seemed like I should remember my supposed childhood best friends.  It seemed like something too important to be forgotten.

"C'mon, you seriously don't remember anything?"  I smiled sadly, but shook my head in the negative.  He sighed,

"You really don't remember us being the "Terrible Three"?  Your mom always made us take lessons together, I remember you always hated math, but loved English and history"  I was startled that he seemed to know so much about me, and to be honest I was getting a little freaked out.  He must have seen the doubt in my eyes because his voice turned almost pleading,

"Wookie, you really don't remember me?  I'm your dongsaeng!  You could never say my name right so you would always call me Henli..."  Something about that name struck me.

"H-henli?..." I asked and he nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes!  You called my brother Hyunnie or Kyu, and we always called you Wookie.  We used to always play at a little park at the bottom of the hill!"  Suddenly, the images from my dreams flashed back into my head.  The picture of the swing set and a jungle gym became clearer, and the three small figures also became sharper.

I gasped softly at the recognition and turned to Henry in shock,

"You're Henli!?!?"  He nodded again, a slow smile making its way to his lips.  With that, the realization started to come back to me.  Images of us playing, and running, screaming, and crying.  Memories of childish pranks and endless sleep overs.  I turned my head to better study this new grown up version of my old friend, and I couldn't stop my face from breaking out into a huge grin.

"Oh my gosh!!  Henli?!  My precious little dongsaeng!!"  He bounced up and down with uncontrollable happiness and he yelled,

"Wookie-hyung!!"  He crushed me into a happy, excited hug and I giggled as I returned the embrace.  I couldn't believe that I had forgotten one of my best friends.  The details were still a bit fuzzy, but I knew exactly who he was, and how important he had been to me.

"Wow, how long has it been?" I asked still in awe.

"Hmm... well you left for boarding school when you were nine so I guess it's been eleven years" 

"Omo, I can't believe my little Henli is all grown up!"  I pinched his cheeks and he whined, but his smile never faltered.  I grabbed his hand and started dragging him towards the elevator.

"Wookie, where are we going?" I glanced back and announced,

"We're going to your brother's room.  I can't believe I forgot you and Hyunnie!"  I stopped when he held back and an uncertain look crossed over his features,.

"Wookie-hyung... I don't think that's a good idea.  He's not the same person that you used to know"  I looked at him questioningly and he sighed,

"He isn't Kyu or Hyunnie anymore... he's changed"

"Henli what are you talking about?" I asked, genuinely confused.  He sighed and nudged me to sit down on his bed.  I did and he plopped down beside me.

"About a year after you left, my parents started training him to take over the business.  He was sent to study in Japan, and when he returned he was just different.  He hardly talks anymore, and his eyes are always cold.  All he does is lock himself in his room all day.

I bit my lip, and I couldn't hide the disappointment in my eyes.  I wasn't sure how I supposed to go about things.  My memories of Henry were coming back faster as I spent more time with him, but the memories of Kyuhyun remained blurry.  How was I supposed to remember if he wasn't the same?  If there was no resemblance then how would I ever link child-Kyuhyun and current day Kyuhyun?

I looked at Henry and he must have seen the disappointment in my eyes because he reassured me,

"Don't worry, just give him some time to approach you... I'm sure he'll realize who you are eventually"  I smiled at him and he grabbed my arm and started pulling me towards the elevator.

"C'mon!  I'm starving, and I want to go tell your mom that you remember!"  I giggled at his excitement and I let myself get dragged along.  I was truly happy I could remember and I just hoped that Kyuhyun would give me the chance to remember as well.

Kyuhyun's POV

I watched as my little brother and Ryeowook run out of the elevator and rush towards the kitchen.  I looked at their smiling faces and I felt a bitter smile of my own on my lips. 

"I suppose he remembered Henry" I mused to myself, flicking the hair out of my eyes by way of habit.  Of course I had realized who Ryeowook was the moment I saw him, but me knowing wasn't going to change anything.  It wasn't like my life would suddenly change because he had returned.

I stepped away from the staircase and headed into my gaming room.  However, instead of immediately opening my laptop I just flopped down on the couch and stared at the ceiling.  Despite my best wishes, I couldn't help but wonder if he had remembered me as well.  I tried to shove these thoughts away before the little flutters of hope could rise in my stomach.

But it was too late, the little flickers of hope had already started forming, and they couldn't be stopped.  I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair, resisting the urge to pull it in my frustration. 

"I can't rely on him" I mumbled to myself.  I knew I couldn't blame him for not remembering, but my life literally depended on his recollection.  I slung my arm over my eyes, blocking out the light that streamed in form the open window.

"If he couldn't remember me, then he sure as hell can't remember that promise"  I chuckled, but it wasn't a happy sound.  It was just filled with all my pent up frustration and bitterness.  I tear slid down my cheek and I cursed in irritation.

My whole life, my future... my freedom rested in that promise we had made together all those years ago.  It made me sick to know that he didn't even have a clue.

Ryeowook literally held the key to my salvation... and he didn't even remember...

Sorry for late update, but this is what I got.  It's not quite what I was going for, but it's still has the general point I was going for.

More will be revealed about the "Terrible Three" and their relationship as children in next chappie

Thx for reading!

Comments = ~<3

Location: attempting to yank Kyuwook out of the closet...

Mood: slightly irritated... my family is embarrassing...

Music: "Hello My Ex" by MBLAQ