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Mystic Ring - Part Three
By: Lady Genrou

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Disclaimer: Usual disclaimers apply.

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Early the next morning, Tasuki went to his chambers and to his bed where Princess Sadako slumbered. He stood by the bedside for a moment, watching her before reaching down and shaking her gently. "Hey, Princess," he called softly. "Wake up."

Sadako turned over groggily and opened her eyes. "What time is it?" she mumbled.

"Around six in the morning."

"Too early," she replied with a slight whine in her tone, pulling the blankets over her head and turned back over.

Tasuki grinned and yanked them back down. "C'mon, sleeping beauty," he teased. "We gotta find that ring of yours."

Sadako sat up quickly, suddenly wide-awake. "Come on! Let's go!"

"Hold on a second, Princess. Do you even have an idea of where to start looking?" Tasuki questioned, setting his hands on her shoulders to hold her back.

"Lord Mashou's palace is deep in the forest just outside of Konan."

"Konan?" Tasuki echoed.

"Yes! Do you know where that is?"

"I do, and it's a few days ride from her ... possibly a week depending on the weather and if all goes well on the way."

"I'd go to any lengths to get the ring back."

"I know, but you have to slow down just a bit. This land is pretty dangerous."

"I don't care. My people, including me, are in desperate need of it."

"Well, you're not gonna do your people any good if you're dead."

Sadako sighed and hung her head, knowing that he was right, but not admitting it. Tasuki scratched the back of his head, suddenly speechless. "Do-do ya want some breakfast while I get everything ready to go?"

Sadako looked up at him and nodded lightly. "Yes, thank you."

Sadako sat outside and watched Tasuki load a few bags onto two horses while she ate her breakfast. Rice certainly wasn't what she was used to compared to the big buffets that they had in her kingdom, but it was filling and that was all that concerned her. After securing the last bag, Tasuki went over to her and asked, "Finished?"

"Oh, yes. Thank you," Sadako replied, handing the bowl to him and stood. Tasuki handed it to one of his men, then motioned for her to come on. A small group had gathered around the horses, awaiting their leader's departure. Koji helped Sadako onto her horse, then turned to Tasuki with a grin playing on his lips. "You be good now, okay? No kissy-kiss," he said, making fish lips at the end. Tasuki playfully grabbed his face with one hand from beneath his chin and made a kiss face back.

"Don't worry, Koji. I'll save my 'kissy-kissies' just for you."

Koji's eyes went wide and he pulled back from his friend. "I know you were just foolin' around, but that was just wrong, Genrou."

Tasuki smirked and mounted his horse and looked down at him. "Was I just foolin' around?"

Koji narrowed his eyes. "You better have been."

"I was."

"Good."

Sadako, who had been watching this scene, was very amused, and slightly embarrassed, at their conduct. It was obvious that the two had been friends for quite some time. She smiled lightly at Tasuki when he turns to look at her over his shoulder. "Read to go, Princess?"

"Yes, lets go."

And with that and a final wave to Koji, the bandit and the princess were off on, what they soon will find out, the adventure of their lives.

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To be continued...

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