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Mystic Ring - Part One
By Lady Genrou
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Disclaimers: Usual disclaimers apply
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It was because of me that devastation was brought on to my land and people. Disease swept over all of us and consumed us like a hungry fire does dry wood. There was no food or water except those remains for our dead livestock and of contaminated puddles that only the bravest of scavengers dared to venture near. The ring was my responsibility and I lost it; the key to life in Kejuti was gone and we all were doomed. But I couldn't just sit back and wait for death to conquer us all. As princess of the land, I had to do something and find help though I had no idea who to look for or where to even begin. I only knew that I had to find someone to help and fast.
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Tasuki lounged back with his feet on the table and his chair tilted back with him so it balanced on its two back legs. Before him on the tabletop were empty dishes messily piled in one another, waiting to be picked up and washed. The dinner was very delicious and left his men in bright spirits as the chorused around the camp, drinking, laughing, and just having fun like they always did. Yes, being a bandit was definitely rewarding and full of adventure. Especially if you were the leader like Tasuki (better known as Genrou).
Tasuki simply sat there and looked over his men, being unusually quiet that night. He himself didn't know why and only shrugged when others asked what has gotten into him. He was happy though, but there was an undefined emotion within him that he couldn't figure out. After a long moment, he got up and made his way out the door and outside where he was greeted by tranquility and the cool, evening breeze. It was growing late and the sky was dark only with a tinge of pink left above the horizon. The stars had started to come out and winked down at him from the heavens. His boots mad dull padding sound as he walked at a sluggish pace down the dirt trail in thought. He paused when he reached a little footbridge and leaned his arms on the railing, letting his hands hang over and watched the water as it tricked between, over, and around rocks in the streams bed. 'Damn,' he thought to himself. 'What has gotten into you, Tasuki?'
He stared down at his reflection for a long time before sighing heavily and standing upright to continue his walk through the camp. He paused though once more, noticing a small group of about a dozen fireflies merrily dancing in a mini swarm over a small pond where some of the stream had leaked into the dip in the land during the rainy season and gathered. He clasped his hands behinds his back and watched the tiny creatures. They seemed so happy being together like one big family. 'Family...' Tasuki thought wistfully just then. His family had always been Kouji and the other bandits, and he always thought that they were all he needed, but seeing those fire flies made him realize that he yearned for something just a little bit more.
This loneliness was new to him, and he wasn't quite sure if he liked it. Tasuki always was full of energy and adventure that he never even gave it a second though; always feeling as though he was content with all that he had. He was a little flustered that he let his commanding facade down enough to let the men see that he had somewhat of a soft side. He was well aware that if they ever found out how he felt, some would try to take his position. The group couldn't afford a weak leader, and Tasuki vowed to ignore what he felt and continue too ruthless like the others.
The serene beauty of this scene was shattered by a piercing scream and hoof beats of horses galloping through the trees just up ahead from where Tasuki stood. He snapped his head up and could make out the silhouettes of the figures that broke his train of though. "All right!" he said out loud, taking his iron fan out from the sling over his shoulders. "Finally a little action around this place!" All his previous thought was forgotten as he raced off towards the intruders on his camp sight.
"Ha! Ha! We have the Mystic Ring at last!" cried a burly man clad in warrior armor with black, beady eyes, and greasy hair that was tied back in a sloppy pony tail triumphantly as he slid from the saddle of his horse, unaware of the camp near by. "Bring the girl forward!"
A young girl with long black hair and wide blue eyes was thrown to the ground before his feet. Her silk robes were soiled and ripped, indicating that she had defiantly been roughly handled by these barbarians. The man picked her up and forcibly pulled her to her feet and drew her close to him. He smiled wirily at her, revealing crooked rows of stained, yellow teeth. "Thank you for making it so easy to kidnap you, Princess Sadako. The ring will be most useful to me in my ploy to take over Kejuit. You're mother would be so disappointed that you couldn't keep a hold of the ring she trusted you with if she were still alive!"
Infuriated, the girl whom the man called Princess Sadako spit right in his face. Tasuki, who had been watching from near by bushes couldn't help but smirk. She wasn't too dainty for a lady. The man passed a thick hand over his face, and then drew it back, landing a hard blow across the girls face, sending her sprawling to the ground. "You little whore!" he screamed in fury, drawing his sword. "I'll kill you!"
"REKKA SHIEN!" A burst of flames shot from nowhere, spooking the horses and causing them to run off.
"God dammit! Get the horses! The loot is in those bags!" the man ordered after recovering from a moment of initial shock.
"What about the Princess?" one man asked before going off with the others.
"I'll take care of her! Now go!"
The man turned back to Sadako, but the clever girl had used the distraction to her advantage, and slipped into the nearby bushes, unnoticed. "Damn you, you little wench! I'll be back! Do you hear me! You will be sorry!" With those last threats, then man ran off after the others.
When all was still again, Sadako emerged from her leafy hiding spot and collapsed on the side of the road. Hesitating a moment, Tasuki stepped out and made his way to her and kneeled beside her. He gently shook her, attempting to wake her up. "Hey, girl," he called quietly. "C'mon and open your eyes." He sighed when she didn't respond and he realized that she had fainted. He couldn't blame her really. That was a pretty tough situation, but fainting was such a... girly thing to do. He picked her up effortlessly in his arms and carried her back to the camp and to his quarters, disappointed that there wasn't more fighting.
When Sadako awoke sometime late the next morning, she found herself in a comfortable bed with numerous, soft pillows and warm blankets that made her never want to get up. She looks about the tiny room, figuring she must be in a peasant home with the way it was set up. There bed was made out of stumpy blocks of wood and hand no headboard. In front of it was a large trunk that was latched with a rusty lock and hinges. On the far wall that she faced was a small dresser where a mirror hung above it. A black trench coat was draped over its top along with a necklace made of glass beads of red, green and black. She looked to her right and squinted her eyes at the sunshine that shone down through the window of that wall through deep blue, sheer curtains. When she looked to her left, she started a bit, finding a young man dressed in a light blue shirt, tan pants, and knee-high boots with a shock of fiery, red hair fast asleep in a chair beside her. His fine lips were parted slightly, letting one of his two little fangs peek out. His toned arms were lying over his trim stomach and rose up and down with each deep breath of slumber he took. His long legs were stretched out before him and crossed at the ankles and the large, iron fan was propped up next to him against the wall.
Not wanting to wake him, she rose soundlessly and made her way to the dresser to look at herself in the mirror. A large bruise was now bright on her cheek from where the man had struck her the night before. Her once silky hair was ratted and was falling out of the bun she had it tied back in. She really didn't look like princess anymore. Tears welded up in her eyes as she replayed the night's events through her mind. She had to get that ring back somehow, but wasn't sure how to go about it. She then gazed at Tasuki by way though the mirror. He must have been the one that caused that explosion to save her. She turned and faced him, wrapping her arms around herself and going back over to the bed and sitting down on the edge of it.
The gleam of the sunlight reflecting off the fan caught her attention. She looked to it and didn't move for a moment, then reached out to touch it in innocent curiosity. Suddenly there was a hand about her wrist. The quickness of the motion caused her to gasp and look up, finding herself face to face with the red-haired man. He narrowed his deep green eyes in a menacing glare. "That's not yours to touch," he said in a voice that was raspy from sleep.
"I-I'm sorry," she stuttered, obviously frightened. "I didn't mean any harm."
Tasuki released her and stood, picking the fan up and making his way across the room to the dresser as well. She watched him as he did so, remaining silent. He looked at her by way of the mirror as she had done to him jut a few moments before.
"Are ya feeling' better?" he asked in a tone that was softer now as he looped the necklaces around his neck.
Sadako nodded. "You saved me last night?"
"Well, I couldn't very well just let those men on my territory. I didn't know they had you. You're lucky day, I guess."
Sadako was taken aback by his cold tones and looks and glared at him as she slipped on the black trench coat.
"Do you eve know who I am?" she demanded.
Tasuki shrugged and turned to face her. "Do I look like I care? Now do ya want some breakfast or no? I don't have time to play your girly game of twenty questions."
He really didn't mean to be so cold to her, but the thought of having the men rebel against him for being too weak was now fresh in his mind again. He had to be cold; otherwise they would suspect something was up. They all knew that he hated girls and bringing this one back to camp was bad enough. He had to be indifferent towards her to protect his position there as leader, but didn't bother to tell her that. After all, she was a girl and probably wouldn't understand anyhow.
"Could I at least have a change of clothes?" she asked.
Tasuki turned and looked at her and replied simply, "We don't have any girl clothes around here."
"Fine, than I'll wear 'boys clothes.' I would just like something clean."
Tasuki narrowed his eyes at her, not certain if he liked her tone. "Fine," he retorted, colder than her. "But stay here. Ill bring you back something to eat too." And without waiting for a thank you or expecting one, he turned and started out once more.
"Wait!" Sadako exclaimed.
"What!?" Tasuki demanded, very annoyed now.
She hesitated a moment before asking, "Do you have a name?"
"Yeah, I do." And with that, he left the room, leaving her alone.
Sadako remained on the bed starting at the door for a long moment after he left. She was in utter shock that he even dared to be so cold to her. 'I must be far from my kingdom in a place inhabited buy social outcasts,' she thought. Sadako stood and tiptoed gracefully to the mirror above the dresser to survey her appearance once more. With trembling fingers, she touched the bruise, which had only grown bigger on her cheek. She closes her eyes and let tears trickle down her face and leaned forward on the dresser's top for support, feeling incredibly weak and dirty.
"You okay?" came a voice.
Startled, Sadako whirled around to find Tasuki in the doorway holding clothing in his arms and a small tray of food. She wiped her face and forced herself to regain her composure.
"Yes, perfectly fine."
"Then stop crying. Its annoying."
"Do you even know why I'm crying!?" she yelled, infuriated by him giving her orders.
"No, and yet again, I really don't care," Tasuki replied, setting the things down on the dresser
Without even thinking, Sadako pulled back her hand and slapped him hard across the face. As a reflex, Tasuki seized her wrists and forced her up against the wall, putting his face close to hers, raw fury evident in his deep, green eyes. Sadako froze and stared at him in terror, knowing she had gone too far this time.
"Listen here, girl," he hissed. "You are in MY territory now, and here, I give the orders. I didn't have to save you from those barbarians. To be honest, I really wanted to go after that horse that had the bags of goodies. I don't know what made me save you instead. Now you eat that food I brought you and change."
"I-I'm sorry..." Sadako replied quietly.
"Good."
He released her and stepped away, eying her, the anger fading only slightly from his eyes. Sadako remained there against the wall for a long moment before going to the dresser to eat the food like he told her too. Tasuki watched as she did so, taking his seat in the chair that he spent the night in. "So ... why were you crying?" he asked, his tone much softer now. Sadako glanced at him over her shoulder, not sure if she heard him right.
"Its a long story.."
"Well, I don't have anything else to do right now," he said, leaning back in his chair so its back was against the wall and put both his arms behind his head.
Sadako was silent for a long moment and made her way the bed in thought. She sat down and then looked up to him. "My mother was queen of where I come from. It's a tradition to pass a ring on to the prince or princess when he or she turns sixteen. But it's not just any ring. It's the reason why there's life in my land. Without it, it's impossible for me or my people to survive. That man ... he kidnapped me after the ceremony and stole it."
"Who is he?" Tasuki asked, sitting in the chair right and leaning slightly forward.
"Lord Mashou. He was my mother's sworn enemy since he first found out about the ring and its powers. He tired to steal it for years, and finally managed to do so. He had his men ... assassinate my mother. They-they did horrible ... unspeakable things to me before you saved me." Sadako paused for a moment and took a deep breath to collect herself and continued. "I tried to escape a few times with the ring... I have to get it back! But I need help," she finished, looking up at him.
Tasuki blinked and then stood. "Hey, wait a minute, sister. Don't look at me like that."
"But you have powers! You would be perfect to help defeat Mashou!"
"Look, I'm touches by your story and all, but I'm just a lowly bandit that has duties here with my men."
"Oh, please! I can't do this by myself!"
"I'm sorry. I just can't leave camp again. I would like to help ya, but-"
"Fine," Sadako interrupted and stood, going to the dresser and picking up the change of clothes.
"What are you doing?"
"I have the get the ring back with or without your help. And perhaps on the way I'll find someone who isn't a coward."
"Coward!?" cried Tasuki, going over to her. "Who are you calling a 'coward'!?"
Sadako looked at him as if he were an idiot. "You of course."
"Hey, I might be a lot of things, but a cowards is NOT one of them."
"So you'll help me then?"
"You betcha."
Sadako smiled and held out her hand to him. "I'm princess Sadako, and for your help, you will be highly rewarded when the ring is returned."
Tasuki hesitated a moment, then took her hand.
"I'm Genrou."
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To be continued...
Mystic Ring - Part One
By Lady Genrou
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Disclaimers: Usual disclaimers apply
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It was because of me that devastation was brought on to my land and people. Disease swept over all of us and consumed us like a hungry fire does dry wood. There was no food or water except those remains for our dead livestock and of contaminated puddles that only the bravest of scavengers dared to venture near. The ring was my responsibility and I lost it; the key to life in Kejuti was gone and we all were doomed. But I couldn't just sit back and wait for death to conquer us all. As princess of the land, I had to do something and find help though I had no idea who to look for or where to even begin. I only knew that I had to find someone to help and fast.
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Tasuki lounged back with his feet on the table and his chair tilted back with him so it balanced on its two back legs. Before him on the tabletop were empty dishes messily piled in one another, waiting to be picked up and washed. The dinner was very delicious and left his men in bright spirits as the chorused around the camp, drinking, laughing, and just having fun like they always did. Yes, being a bandit was definitely rewarding and full of adventure. Especially if you were the leader like Tasuki (better known as Genrou).
Tasuki simply sat there and looked over his men, being unusually quiet that night. He himself didn't know why and only shrugged when others asked what has gotten into him. He was happy though, but there was an undefined emotion within him that he couldn't figure out. After a long moment, he got up and made his way out the door and outside where he was greeted by tranquility and the cool, evening breeze. It was growing late and the sky was dark only with a tinge of pink left above the horizon. The stars had started to come out and winked down at him from the heavens. His boots mad dull padding sound as he walked at a sluggish pace down the dirt trail in thought. He paused when he reached a little footbridge and leaned his arms on the railing, letting his hands hang over and watched the water as it tricked between, over, and around rocks in the streams bed. 'Damn,' he thought to himself. 'What has gotten into you, Tasuki?'
He stared down at his reflection for a long time before sighing heavily and standing upright to continue his walk through the camp. He paused though once more, noticing a small group of about a dozen fireflies merrily dancing in a mini swarm over a small pond where some of the stream had leaked into the dip in the land during the rainy season and gathered. He clasped his hands behinds his back and watched the tiny creatures. They seemed so happy being together like one big family. 'Family...' Tasuki thought wistfully just then. His family had always been Kouji and the other bandits, and he always thought that they were all he needed, but seeing those fire flies made him realize that he yearned for something just a little bit more.
This loneliness was new to him, and he wasn't quite sure if he liked it. Tasuki always was full of energy and adventure that he never even gave it a second though; always feeling as though he was content with all that he had. He was a little flustered that he let his commanding facade down enough to let the men see that he had somewhat of a soft side. He was well aware that if they ever found out how he felt, some would try to take his position. The group couldn't afford a weak leader, and Tasuki vowed to ignore what he felt and continue too ruthless like the others.
The serene beauty of this scene was shattered by a piercing scream and hoof beats of horses galloping through the trees just up ahead from where Tasuki stood. He snapped his head up and could make out the silhouettes of the figures that broke his train of though. "All right!" he said out loud, taking his iron fan out from the sling over his shoulders. "Finally a little action around this place!" All his previous thought was forgotten as he raced off towards the intruders on his camp sight.
"Ha! Ha! We have the Mystic Ring at last!" cried a burly man clad in warrior armor with black, beady eyes, and greasy hair that was tied back in a sloppy pony tail triumphantly as he slid from the saddle of his horse, unaware of the camp near by. "Bring the girl forward!"
A young girl with long black hair and wide blue eyes was thrown to the ground before his feet. Her silk robes were soiled and ripped, indicating that she had defiantly been roughly handled by these barbarians. The man picked her up and forcibly pulled her to her feet and drew her close to him. He smiled wirily at her, revealing crooked rows of stained, yellow teeth. "Thank you for making it so easy to kidnap you, Princess Sadako. The ring will be most useful to me in my ploy to take over Kejuit. You're mother would be so disappointed that you couldn't keep a hold of the ring she trusted you with if she were still alive!"
Infuriated, the girl whom the man called Princess Sadako spit right in his face. Tasuki, who had been watching from near by bushes couldn't help but smirk. She wasn't too dainty for a lady. The man passed a thick hand over his face, and then drew it back, landing a hard blow across the girls face, sending her sprawling to the ground. "You little whore!" he screamed in fury, drawing his sword. "I'll kill you!"
"REKKA SHIEN!" A burst of flames shot from nowhere, spooking the horses and causing them to run off.
"God dammit! Get the horses! The loot is in those bags!" the man ordered after recovering from a moment of initial shock.
"What about the Princess?" one man asked before going off with the others.
"I'll take care of her! Now go!"
The man turned back to Sadako, but the clever girl had used the distraction to her advantage, and slipped into the nearby bushes, unnoticed. "Damn you, you little wench! I'll be back! Do you hear me! You will be sorry!" With those last threats, then man ran off after the others.
When all was still again, Sadako emerged from her leafy hiding spot and collapsed on the side of the road. Hesitating a moment, Tasuki stepped out and made his way to her and kneeled beside her. He gently shook her, attempting to wake her up. "Hey, girl," he called quietly. "C'mon and open your eyes." He sighed when she didn't respond and he realized that she had fainted. He couldn't blame her really. That was a pretty tough situation, but fainting was such a... girly thing to do. He picked her up effortlessly in his arms and carried her back to the camp and to his quarters, disappointed that there wasn't more fighting.
When Sadako awoke sometime late the next morning, she found herself in a comfortable bed with numerous, soft pillows and warm blankets that made her never want to get up. She looks about the tiny room, figuring she must be in a peasant home with the way it was set up. There bed was made out of stumpy blocks of wood and hand no headboard. In front of it was a large trunk that was latched with a rusty lock and hinges. On the far wall that she faced was a small dresser where a mirror hung above it. A black trench coat was draped over its top along with a necklace made of glass beads of red, green and black. She looked to her right and squinted her eyes at the sunshine that shone down through the window of that wall through deep blue, sheer curtains. When she looked to her left, she started a bit, finding a young man dressed in a light blue shirt, tan pants, and knee-high boots with a shock of fiery, red hair fast asleep in a chair beside her. His fine lips were parted slightly, letting one of his two little fangs peek out. His toned arms were lying over his trim stomach and rose up and down with each deep breath of slumber he took. His long legs were stretched out before him and crossed at the ankles and the large, iron fan was propped up next to him against the wall.
Not wanting to wake him, she rose soundlessly and made her way to the dresser to look at herself in the mirror. A large bruise was now bright on her cheek from where the man had struck her the night before. Her once silky hair was ratted and was falling out of the bun she had it tied back in. She really didn't look like princess anymore. Tears welded up in her eyes as she replayed the night's events through her mind. She had to get that ring back somehow, but wasn't sure how to go about it. She then gazed at Tasuki by way though the mirror. He must have been the one that caused that explosion to save her. She turned and faced him, wrapping her arms around herself and going back over to the bed and sitting down on the edge of it.
The gleam of the sunlight reflecting off the fan caught her attention. She looked to it and didn't move for a moment, then reached out to touch it in innocent curiosity. Suddenly there was a hand about her wrist. The quickness of the motion caused her to gasp and look up, finding herself face to face with the red-haired man. He narrowed his deep green eyes in a menacing glare. "That's not yours to touch," he said in a voice that was raspy from sleep.
"I-I'm sorry," she stuttered, obviously frightened. "I didn't mean any harm."
Tasuki released her and stood, picking the fan up and making his way across the room to the dresser as well. She watched him as he did so, remaining silent. He looked at her by way of the mirror as she had done to him jut a few moments before.
"Are ya feeling' better?" he asked in a tone that was softer now as he looped the necklaces around his neck.
Sadako nodded. "You saved me last night?"
"Well, I couldn't very well just let those men on my territory. I didn't know they had you. You're lucky day, I guess."
Sadako was taken aback by his cold tones and looks and glared at him as she slipped on the black trench coat.
"Do you eve know who I am?" she demanded.
Tasuki shrugged and turned to face her. "Do I look like I care? Now do ya want some breakfast or no? I don't have time to play your girly game of twenty questions."
He really didn't mean to be so cold to her, but the thought of having the men rebel against him for being too weak was now fresh in his mind again. He had to be cold; otherwise they would suspect something was up. They all knew that he hated girls and bringing this one back to camp was bad enough. He had to be indifferent towards her to protect his position there as leader, but didn't bother to tell her that. After all, she was a girl and probably wouldn't understand anyhow.
"Could I at least have a change of clothes?" she asked.
Tasuki turned and looked at her and replied simply, "We don't have any girl clothes around here."
"Fine, than I'll wear 'boys clothes.' I would just like something clean."
Tasuki narrowed his eyes at her, not certain if he liked her tone. "Fine," he retorted, colder than her. "But stay here. Ill bring you back something to eat too." And without waiting for a thank you or expecting one, he turned and started out once more.
"Wait!" Sadako exclaimed.
"What!?" Tasuki demanded, very annoyed now.
She hesitated a moment before asking, "Do you have a name?"
"Yeah, I do." And with that, he left the room, leaving her alone.
Sadako remained on the bed starting at the door for a long moment after he left. She was in utter shock that he even dared to be so cold to her. 'I must be far from my kingdom in a place inhabited buy social outcasts,' she thought. Sadako stood and tiptoed gracefully to the mirror above the dresser to survey her appearance once more. With trembling fingers, she touched the bruise, which had only grown bigger on her cheek. She closes her eyes and let tears trickle down her face and leaned forward on the dresser's top for support, feeling incredibly weak and dirty.
"You okay?" came a voice.
Startled, Sadako whirled around to find Tasuki in the doorway holding clothing in his arms and a small tray of food. She wiped her face and forced herself to regain her composure.
"Yes, perfectly fine."
"Then stop crying. Its annoying."
"Do you even know why I'm crying!?" she yelled, infuriated by him giving her orders.
"No, and yet again, I really don't care," Tasuki replied, setting the things down on the dresser
Without even thinking, Sadako pulled back her hand and slapped him hard across the face. As a reflex, Tasuki seized her wrists and forced her up against the wall, putting his face close to hers, raw fury evident in his deep, green eyes. Sadako froze and stared at him in terror, knowing she had gone too far this time.
"Listen here, girl," he hissed. "You are in MY territory now, and here, I give the orders. I didn't have to save you from those barbarians. To be honest, I really wanted to go after that horse that had the bags of goodies. I don't know what made me save you instead. Now you eat that food I brought you and change."
"I-I'm sorry..." Sadako replied quietly.
"Good."
He released her and stepped away, eying her, the anger fading only slightly from his eyes. Sadako remained there against the wall for a long moment before going to the dresser to eat the food like he told her too. Tasuki watched as she did so, taking his seat in the chair that he spent the night in. "So ... why were you crying?" he asked, his tone much softer now. Sadako glanced at him over her shoulder, not sure if she heard him right.
"Its a long story.."
"Well, I don't have anything else to do right now," he said, leaning back in his chair so its back was against the wall and put both his arms behind his head.
Sadako was silent for a long moment and made her way the bed in thought. She sat down and then looked up to him. "My mother was queen of where I come from. It's a tradition to pass a ring on to the prince or princess when he or she turns sixteen. But it's not just any ring. It's the reason why there's life in my land. Without it, it's impossible for me or my people to survive. That man ... he kidnapped me after the ceremony and stole it."
"Who is he?" Tasuki asked, sitting in the chair right and leaning slightly forward.
"Lord Mashou. He was my mother's sworn enemy since he first found out about the ring and its powers. He tired to steal it for years, and finally managed to do so. He had his men ... assassinate my mother. They-they did horrible ... unspeakable things to me before you saved me." Sadako paused for a moment and took a deep breath to collect herself and continued. "I tried to escape a few times with the ring... I have to get it back! But I need help," she finished, looking up at him.
Tasuki blinked and then stood. "Hey, wait a minute, sister. Don't look at me like that."
"But you have powers! You would be perfect to help defeat Mashou!"
"Look, I'm touches by your story and all, but I'm just a lowly bandit that has duties here with my men."
"Oh, please! I can't do this by myself!"
"I'm sorry. I just can't leave camp again. I would like to help ya, but-"
"Fine," Sadako interrupted and stood, going to the dresser and picking up the change of clothes.
"What are you doing?"
"I have the get the ring back with or without your help. And perhaps on the way I'll find someone who isn't a coward."
"Coward!?" cried Tasuki, going over to her. "Who are you calling a 'coward'!?"
Sadako looked at him as if he were an idiot. "You of course."
"Hey, I might be a lot of things, but a cowards is NOT one of them."
"So you'll help me then?"
"You betcha."
Sadako smiled and held out her hand to him. "I'm princess Sadako, and for your help, you will be highly rewarded when the ring is returned."
Tasuki hesitated a moment, then took her hand.
"I'm Genrou."
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To be continued...
