26 Tarou the Brave (2/2)
Despite being irked, Tarou ignored Kaia and directed his question to Aure. ”Did you see a black cat?”
”There is something wrong with that Tarou's memory. The cats in the capital are” Kaia started again. This time, however, Tarou would have none of her high-handedness.
”No, there is nothing wrong with my memory! I am not looking for a cat in THE capital, Boss arrived with me,” he exclaimed, clearly annoyed.
'If this mouse keeps on pestering me I will hack her to pieces with my teeth!'
”You brought ...a cat? That's bold!” came a high pitched squeak clearly impressed. Hearing this, Kaia suddenly retreated behind Aure. Tarou did not correct them, trying to take advantage of the situation. It was better if they thought of him as a brave and daring mouse!
Aure replied stiffly while looking at him cautiously. ”We did not see a cat on the way here but a while ago, I saw Nightmare heading to the stable.”
”Nightmare?” Tarou asked in confusion.
”Nightmare, that horse lives to its name,” Kaia squeaked before pausing abruptly. She elbowed Aure who continued.
”Nightmare is a black stallion, he is the general's mount.”
'Oh, so the horse's name is Nightmare. Maybe Boss is with him.' Finally uncovering a clue on where Boss can be, he quickly asked for directions. After Aure gave the directions to the stables, he rushed towards the door. But before he could squeeze through a narrow opening, Aure called out.
”You should follow the scent of horse dung. Its easier to find the stables with your nose.”
Making his way out of the room, he caught a whiff of something sweet and fruity. He scanned the room and saw wooden barrels near him. He popped back in to ask another question.
”Do you live here?” he reluctantly asked Aure. The mouse shook its head.
'What if Boss is not there? What should I do?' Tarou tried to control the anxiety and fear in his voice before asking Aure another question. ”Can I look for you if I need help?”
Stunned, Aure reluctantly answered. ”We don't live here. We were only surveying the area.”
”Aure, stop playing coy. My sister is expecting to see a human called Barca.”
Tarou's eyes widened, he wanted to know more but he had other things to take care of. Kaia continued, ”She fawns on that human so much, the male mice at the--”
”It's late! You should look for the cat Tarou” she interjected while covering Kaia's mouth with a paw. ”If you need help, wait for us at the orange tree tonight.”
'That Aure mouse reminds me of wifey,' he smiled while exiting the room with relief. It was nice to have other rodents to rely on, but the duo scared him so much he wanted to give himself a pat on the back.
'Today, I have been a brave mouse!'
When Tarou left, Aure shot the brown mouse with a serious look before squeaking.
”Kaia, we have to inform the elder about this development.”
”Yes, we do.”