62 A Free Ride

After gobbling up as much as he can, Tarou could barely stand up. Just as he was planning to enjoy more downtime, Boss gave him a death glare which prompted him to stand upright.

The black cat didn't have to say anything but stared at the road leading back to the Capital. Tarou tried to suppress his grunts while feeling his bloated stomach.

'If I knew we will set out right away, I wouldn't have stuffed myself like a pig.'

Tarou could see Boss sashay out of the thicket towards the road and he couldn't help but kick the ground. He closed his eyes and pulled on his fur while staring at the elegant and sleek backside of the vicious cat. Before he could curse Boss, Tarou heads a snappy meow.

"Move it! We have a long way to go."

Tarou's mouth almost dropped to the ground as he ran towards the cat to keep up.

"Are you--we planning to walk all the way?"

Mina couldn't suppress an eye roll. She was in a hurry and she wanted to get to her task right away.

"We can't wait for those humans forever." With a firm meow, he silenced Tarou who looked as if he had a hundred unique complaints about what she planned to do.

Mina continued to walk but she heard a resigned squeak.

"Goodbye, my yummy treats."

Mina's eyes roamed around the area. Unliked before, she could see everything with the clarity of a human's vision. The collar had its uses after all. Having cat vision had its uses but she missed the way her human eyes saw the world. A squeak disturbed Mina's moment and she couldn't help but look at Tarou, who was now rushing to keep up with her. The mouse seems to be dragging one paw but the creature looked more wronged than pained.

"Hey, Boss going on horseback is way more convenient."

Tarou squeaked while struggling to keep up with Mina's strides.

"I mean Nightmare's stride is like twelve of yours. Let's not even mention the length of my stride, I have to make at least eight strides to keep up with you."

"Urgh!"

"And those steps are all large steps for me."

Tarou had to catch his breath after the successive squeaks. Mina walked faster, teasing the small creature who struggled to keep up with her pace. When she looked back, she could see Tarou's eager face trying to run towards her direction. The mouse was clearly displeased which made her smirk.

They've covered much distance since that morning but both f them knew that it will take them days to reach the capital with their pace. Mina finally relented when she saw Tarou struggle with his hurt leg.

'This mouse!'

'He is so annoying I forgot he got hurt while gathering food.'

"You're slowing us down!"

Mina meowed before stealing a glance at Tarou who tried to keep up with her to no avail. Seeing how the mouse struggled with each step, Mina stopped in her tracks. Tarou who was speeding up like he had a rocket on his butt bumped into the cat who stopped abruptly.

Mina looked back just in time for Tarou to see Tarou fall flat on his butt after bumping into her hind leg. The mouse was splayed on the ground and Mina tried to stifle her laughter at the sight. Embarrassed, Tarou tried to get up as fast as he could but his bulging tummy weighed him down and he simply plopped down on the ground.

"Come up!" Mina crouched down to allow Tarou to sit on her back.

Tarou's head suddenly shot up and he sniffed the air. Smiling, the mouse made a small squeak.

"Boss don't worry about me."

He thumped on his chest while saying the words with confidence.

Slightly annoyed at how the proud mouse rejected her offer, Mina couldn't help but quip back.

"You're wasting time."

"Trust me, Boss. We'll get there."

Mina smirked at the confident squeaks and she continued to walk towards their destination, now at a slower pace. Observing what the mouse is doing from time to time, Mina couldn't help but notice how Tarou moved closer to the middle of the road.

'What was this mouse planning?'

Mina didn't have to wait long to know the answer. Shortly after, she heard soft hoofbeats. Tarou looked at her and smiled, our ride is here. Mina couldn't help but feel amazed.

Nightmare was a loyal horse after all. However, what came into view was not the majestic horse but a grey donkey with an unusually happy disposition. When the cart became visible, Tarou jumped up and down as if to get the animal's attention. Mina was too awed and she simply stood on the side of the road.

"Hey, brother!" The donkey gave Tarou a toothy smile and nodded. The animal dragged a cartful of hay and stopped momentarily.

Mina found it unusual for the donkey to appear out of the blue. She should have heard him even from a distance. How come she didn't catch the sound of the animal.

"We're on the way to the capital," Tarou replied in small squeaks and the donkey simply nodded while chewing on something.

"Come on up, I can you a free ride. But we have to wait for someone."

Excited, Tarou looked at Boss with a proud smile.

'This mouse seems to be arranging everything today but it does come in handy.' Mina stared at the cart and then at Tarou. Without thinking twice, she bit Tarou on the neck like a kitten and jump up on the cartful of hay.

Mina and Tarou found the best place on the cart but the donkey continued looking for food in the area. Mina was about to ask Tarou why the donkey is not moving when she heard someone running. From the sound, it sounds like the creature has a large frame.

Looking at the direction where the sound came from, Mina eventually saw a middle-aged man running towards the cart. Mina and Tarou hid under the hay to avoid getting seen.

The farmer looked relieved after setting eyes on the cart. He wiped the sweat from his brow and stared at the donkey who seems to be sneering while looking at him. The man shook his head and boarded the cart before prompting the donkey to leave.

With a grunt, the donkey started moving but started to mumble.

"This man gets annoyed easily, it's so much fun to tease him."

Tarou and Mina hid under the hay. Mina shot Tarou a questioning look --how would a mouse become friends with a donkey?

"That's Pest. We've seen each other around ."

Tarou volunteered more information about the donkey.

"That donkey's sole purpose is to annoy the farmer. I think the farmer secretly likes him because he's still alive, isn't he?"

"It's a good thing you remembered my route." The donkey groaned while moving. The words were clearly for Tarou but he did not react.

"I didn't, but I could smell him from a distance." Tarou squeaked just loud enough for Mina to hear and winked at the black cat.

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'This Tarou sure is devious.'