Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Going For Gold ❯ Chapter 35 ( Chapter 35 )

Disclaimer: I don't own the G boys, I just borrow them from time to time and return them a whole lot happier. I do own the plot and any other characters, especially the equines, that you will find in this fic. Please do not take them without permission. Written for pleasure not profit.

 

Pairing: 2x1x2, 3x4, 13x6, H+C

 

Warnings: Yaoi, lemon, sap, angst, vet themes, AU

 

Rating: NC 17

 

Archive: www.gundam-wing-diaries.150m.com Anyone else please ask.

 

Betaed by Yami_tai & ginny *snugs*

 

Summary: Eighteen months have passed since Heero was advised he was short listed for the Olympic games team. With Zero going well and young Shinigami almost ready to make his showjumping debut, Heero looks set to reach his goal. Life though doesn't always play by the rules.

 

Dedication: To Leslie who gave me the original idea for Equinity.

 

Fic 3 in the Equine Intervention Arc.

 

"Going for Gold"

 

January. 2007 ShenLong

 

 

Chapter 35

 

Life pretty much settled into a routine over the next few months for both Heero and Duo. Angel's pregnancy went along smoothly, Duo giving her regular check ups and finding that all was progressing normally with both mother and foal. The other mares that Zero had served were all confirmed in foal and Heero had received the balance of payment from each owner. He'd paid Duo back and had a nice little sum in the bank to fall back on should he need to, which was just as well seeing that four horses took a large portion of his wages to keep them fed and well cared for - not to mention the startling amount of carrots he seemed to go through.

 

Zoe had called to let them know Periwinkle was confirmed in foal and promised to let them know when the mare foaled. Heero was particularly interested to see what a cross between Zero and the courageous little mare would be like. He really hoped that Zoe would get something special from the union.

 

The practice was going well, Duo had a steady stream of clients and most days the surgery was fully booked for consults and they were increasing in the number of operations they carried out in the afternoons. Granted most of them were the usual sterilizations of the local dogs and cats, but occasionally they had something different.

 

Duo had taken on more of the large animal side of the practice, but Hilde was keen to assist whenever the opportunity arose and found herself on several occasions called in to help with a horse or a cow when an extra pair of hands were needed.

 

Heero's work at Treize's was going well, Virgo was showing signs of being a very good A grade horse and Heero had ridden her at several smaller shows, upgrading her to B grade after only a dozen outings. Goose had been retired to stud and was back at Relena's where he would commence that career in the next breeding season. Duck had also gone along with his companion and Heero missed the mighty midget more than he cared to admit.

 

Romefeller was working well and so far living up to all Treize's expectations. Treize had set the next Nations Cup as his goal with the lanky bay and was well on track to reach that goal. Altron was still working well and Treize had decided to keep the brown stallion as he was also showing a lot of promise.

 

Shinigami had settled down a lot as he matured, he still had a bit of a mischievous streak in him, but nothing mean or nasty natured. He simply liked to have fun as Duo put it. Heero was secretly pleased with the way Shini was coming along. He had a natural sense of timing - something very handy in a show jumper - and a will to win. Zero had passed down more than just his jumping abilities to his son, he'd also given him that will, something that was necessary if a horse was to be any good in the top fields of competition. It was a cut throat world out there and it wasn't enough for the rider to want to win, the horse also had to have that competitive streak in it if the combination was to be successful.

 

Shini was now upgraded to B grade and Heero was hoping that during the course of the new season he would jump well enough to be upgraded again to A grade. Heero had mapped out a series of shows to compete in and combined with the work program he had set in place at home, Shini was improving in leaps and bounds.

 

* * *

 

Gosford Show grounds was a pretty impressive place, Duo's head swiveling around to take in all the sights as they pulled into the parking area designated for competitors. Heero brought the car and float to a stop by some shady trees and cut the engine. Noting the look of interest on his lover's face, he couldn't help but chuckle.

 

"Come on, Duo. We need to get Shini off the float and settled. Then you can go exploring."

 

Giving his partner a grin, Duo reached for the door handle and got out of the car. "Sure is a big show," he commented.

 

"Yes, it is. Hopefully, Shini will go well today and be upgraded," replied Heero as he opened the small, front door to the float.

 

Shinigami was quite happily pulling at his haynet, but the excitement showed in his eyes.

 

Giving Duo a hand to lower the tail gate, Heero then went back to the front of the float and stepped inside. Undoing the lead rope, He called out to his partner, "Ready for the tail chain when you are, Duo."

 

"Right ho. Bring him out whenever you like," replied Duo as he slid the chain from its holder and stepped to the side.

 

"Easy, Shini," Heero soothed as he gently pushed the gray back.

 

Shini snatched another mouthful of hay and then began to move his body slowly backwards and down the ramp. Once all four feet were on turf, he raised his head and sniffed the air. He let fly with a whinny and twirled around.

 

"Settle down, you big lump," Heero chastised gently and led the stallion to the side of the float and tied him up.

 

Duo appeared then with another haynet and tied it to the side of the float. Shini eagerly tore into it. "Geeze, anyone would think you were never fed," Duo grumbled as he fought against the pulling motions of the horse to secure the net properly. "Water?" he asked Heero.

 

"I spotted a tap over there on the way in," Heero replied and pointed across the turf to the toilet block.

 

"Be right back." Duo grabbed the plastic water bucket and set off in pursuit of water.

 

While Duo was gone, Heero began to remove the floating boots and put them in the back of the car. Fetching the grooming kit whilst he was at it, Heero removed Shini's traveling rug and began to give the gray a brush down.

 

Duo returned with the full water bucket and set it to the side so Shini could still reach it but not drop his hay into it.

 

With Shini brushed down, Heero replaced the rug and locked the car. "I need to find the secretary and get my number. Hopefully there is a plan of the course up too."

 

"Then let's go," Duo said and smiled at his partner.

 

They wandered off towards what looked like an official set of buildings and soon located the show secretary. The woman was looking a little frazzled and no wonder, there were a lot of competitors milling about, all demanding her attention at the same time, firing off questions and generally being nuisances. Gosford was a large show that catered not only for horse events, but other livestock too.

 

Heero waited patiently and when the crowd seemed to thin a little, he reached the desk and gave the secretary a warm smile. "You look like you could do with another pair of hands," he commented.

 

"Isn't that the truth," the secretary sighed. "I was supposed to have another person with me, but they came down with some sort of stomach bug and couldn't make it. How can I help you?"

 

"Heero Yuy. I'm competing in the B grade championship jumping."

 

"Right." The secretary flipped through her book of entries until she found the horse section. Scanning down the page she quickly found Heero's name and ticked him off the list. Reaching to the box at her side, she flicked through the numbers until she found the one she was looking for and passed it over. "There you are. Number 34. There's a course plan posted outside on the bulletin board. It will give you all the details of your class. Good luck."

 

"Thank you. Try not to work too hard," Heero replied as he took the number.

 

The secretary laughed. "This is the last time I volunteer for this job."

 

"Don't blame you," Heero said as he departed. He found Duo standing out the front of the building, eyes scanning over the many stalls to his left. The main rings were to the right and riding classes were currently in progress in one of the rings. Cattle were being paraded in another ring and in a third ring, young children on their ponies were competing in a junior jumping class.

 

Heero located the bulletin board and scanned down until he found the course plan and details for his event. He had another three hours before his event was scheduled to start - it would take place in arena three, where the juniors were currently jumping.

 

Running an eye over the course plan, Heero decided it didn't look too difficult on paper; although that could be a completely different story once you walked the thing. He'd reserve his final judgment until he'd walked it.

 

"Want to take a walk around?"

 

Duo's voice jolted Heero from his musings and he turned to look at his boyfriend. "Sure."

 

They walked side by side through the many stalls, stopping from time to time to look at something a little closer. Duo was particularly interested in the stall that was selling locally produced honey. He sampled some of the different kinds and then decided he liked the 'Red Gum' honey the best. Much to Heero's amusement, he bought a jar of the dark liquid.

 

They carried on, pausing from time to time to sample different products produced locally. There was a large variety on display from honey to cheese, locally grown fruit to pickles and preserves. Heero couldn't help but be amused as Duo stopped at each stall and sampled the free offerings. He didn't necessarily purchase though and that had Heero curious.

 

When they left the stalls and wandered back towards the float and Shini, Heero couldn't keep his curiosity at bay. Duo carried a jar of the honey, small block of cheese and a bag of apples. "How come you sampled everything, but only bought a couple of items?" he asked.

 

"Simple, Heero. We need cheese, honey and apples, that's why I bought those. But, have you seen the prices on the take away food vans?"

 

"Eh?" Heero was even more mystified. "What has that got to do with the price of eggs?"

 

"Everything, my dear Heero. Why should I pay out ten dollars for a hamburger that doesn't have hardly anything in it other than grease when I can happily eat free of healthy stuff right here?"

 

Heero couldn't help it, he threw back his head and laughed - loudly. "Only you, Duo, could come up with something logical like that."

 

Duo grinned. "It works though. I have a full belly and it didn't cost me anything, well, I did buy some things but we needed those anyway so technically speaking, it still didn't cost me anything for lunch."

 

Heero shook his head. "Come on, we need to get back to Shini." He had to give his partner points though. When it came down to simple things, Duo was pretty smart.

 

* * *

 

Shinigami had finished his haynet by the time the pair returned and was dozing lightly. His ears perked up when he heard his master's voice and he gave a low wuffle before returning to his doze. Duo placed the items he'd purchased into the car away from the sun and returned to give Heero a hand.

 

Even though he still had an hour and a half before his class, Heero wanted to work Shini around a little, let the stallion get used to the area and settle before he had to go and jump. Duo began to put on the jumping boots whilst Heero saddled the gray up. He'd just finished and was straightening up when he heard a familiar voice.

 

"Looks like we made it in time."

 

Duo spun around to see Quatre, Trowa and Jet standing just to the side of the car. "Quatre! Trowa!" Duo exclaimed and then charged forward to shake both men's' hands.

 

"Good to see you again, Duo. Heero." Trowa extended his hand to Heero who shook it in return.

 

"And aren't you looking just great?" Duo said as he crouched down to pet the black lab. Jet responded by giving Duo a tongue bath.

 

"How long until Heero's on?" Quatre asked as he petted the gray. He had a special interest in his horsey 'nephew'. After all, he did have a hand in Heero's securing of Shini's mother.

 

"About another hour and a half," Duo replied. "Heero's just going to take him out and get the tickle out of his feet."

 

"Right."

 

Trowa stepped forth and gave the gray neck a pat, then quickly retreated out of range of the stallion's mouth. He'd had more than enough encounters with Shini's playful side, he'd sported the bruises from those teeth and the nips they'd given him for some time in the past.

 

Heero watched in amusement. He really couldn't blame Trowa though. Shini did have a set of sharp teeth on him and Heero had received a few nips himself. Shini rarely nipped these days and never Heero or Duo. He knew where the hand that fed him came from and was careful to mind his manners around the two humans that looked after him. Didn't mean he'd lost that little bit of the devil though. Shini was always keeping an eye out and taking advantage wherever he could.

 

"We might take a bit of a walk around then and come back soon," Quatre said and turned to Trowa for confirmation.

 

Trowa nodded. "I'd like to go and see some of the displays."

 

"Check out the produce stalls," Duo advised. "There's quite a few free samples on offer."

 

Quatre laughed. He was fully aware of Duo's penchant for 'free'. "Will do," he replied. "See you both soon."

 

Trowa, Quatre and Jet disappeared to look around, Heero fetched his helmet and unclipped Shini from the float. "I'll go over there where it's quiet and loosen him up a bit."

 

"Okay." Duo followed and found himself a large tree trunk to sit against.

 

* * *

 

"Bite me and you'll become a rug on my lounge room floor," Trowa warned the gray stallion. Heero and Duo were currently in the ring walking the course for the B grade championship event and Trowa had been coerced into holding Shinigami.

 

Quatre stood on the other side of the collecting ring ropes, Jet sitting patiently at his feet. Quatre didn't want to take the dog into the area just in case there was a horse there that didn't like dogs. Most horses were tolerant of canines, especially if they were well behaved and didn't try to chase them, bark or nip at their heels. There were some equines though that simply disliked dogs to the point where they would attack first. Sometimes this was due to a bad experience with a dog and other times it was purely instinct to protect themselves from what they perceived to be a threat. Nature's instincts were a hard thing to ignore.

 

For all intents and purposes, Shini appeared to be completely uninterested in his surroundings. Resting a hind leg, his ears drooping and eyes half shut he seemed to be dozing. Underneath that display though, the stallion was wide awake and lulling his handler into a false sense of security. He was simply biding his time until Trowa's attention wandered - then he would strike.

 

Sure enough, the stallion fooled Trowa and the animal shelter owner began to relax and let his guard down. He turned to watch the riders in the ring and completely forgot about Shini.

 

Seeing his chance, Shini snuck forward and managed to get a quick nip in before Trowa was even aware the gray had moved.

 

"Shit! Why you little bugger!" Trowa all but screamed and grabbed his biceps, rubbing hard to try and make the sting go away.

 

Shini looked back innocently.

 

"Why I ought to skin you now, right here..."

 

"Trowa?"

 

"You rotten swine of an animal..."

 

"Trowa!!"

 

"I should dissect you up into little pieces and feed you to the dogs back home..."

 

"TROWA!"

 

Trowa spun around to face his lover. "What?! Can't you see I'm in the middle of trying to sort out this carnivorous beast and stop him from biting me again?"

 

"Yes, I can see that," Quatre replied calmly. "So can the rest of the people here."

 

"Ah." Trowa went a lovely shade of red as he realized that everyone around them was staring and watching in amusement at his little tirade. Narrowing his eyes, he lowered his voice and leaned in close to Shini. "Don't think you're off the hook, buddy. Just you wait until the next time we're alone. I'll show you what happens to a quadruped that insists on using my arms to sharpen his teeth on."

 

Shini blinked back.

 

"Everything okay?" Duo asked as he reached the collecting ring just ahead of Heero and noticed Trowa's slightly red face and Quatre's amused look.

 

"Everything is fine," Trowa replied stiffly and thrust the reins at Duo. "Here, you can have this excuse for an equine." Trowa beat a hasty retreat under the ring ropes and back to stand at his lover's side and stretch down to ruffle Jet's ears.

 

"What was all that about?" asked Heero, catching the tail end of Trowa's words and watching the retreat.

 

"Not sure, but I have a feeling Shinigami's responsible." Duo looked at the gray that looked back calmly.

 

"What did you do, Shini?" Heero asked as he looked the horse in the eye. Innocence gazed back at him.

 

"Somehow, I don't think he's going to tell you, Heero," Duo snickered. "In case you didn't know, he's a horse and horses don't talk."

 

"Mr Ed did."

 

"Pardon?"

 

"Mr Ed. It was a television show from years ago. There was this guy, Wilbur Post and he had a horse called Mr Ed. It used to talk to him."

 

Now Duo did look at Heero as if he was losing his marbles.

 

Heero shrugged. "What can I say? It was a kid's show and it was a long time ago when I used to watch the re-runs."

 

"I think you should warm Shini up again, Heero," Duo said. "And concentrate on the jumps, not television shows."

 

Sighing, Heero turned back to his horse. Could he help it if he'd enjoyed the show when he was a kid?

 

There were twenty-six entries in the B grade championship and several of them Heero knew from various other shows. Eying off his competition, Heero knew if Shini worked well and listened to him they would have a chance at finishing in the top three. He rode the youngster around, loosening up the muscles again and getting a feel for how Shini was going. The gray felt full of bounce and eager to jump, yet he was willing to listen to his master's aids and take notice of them. Heero's confidence lifted a little further.

 

Heero was jumping mid field and took a few moments from warming up Shini to see how the other competitors were faring and how the course was riding. It wasn't an overly difficult course, but rather one that tested the horse and his education. The only problem spot Heero could really see was the turn from jump four, the double, to jump five. The rest of the course flowed well with direct lines from one jump to the next. The real questions would be asked in the jump off.

 

As it drew closer to Heero's turn, he saw there were two clear rounds so far. He was fifteenth to jump with a remaining eleven riders after him.

 

"Good luck," Duo said softly as he stood next to Heero, checking Shinigami's girth. The steward had called Heero and he was next to go.

 

"Thanks," Heero replied and smiled at his lover. The previous rider was exiting with a score of four penalties and the steward was motioning for Heero to enter. Collecting his reins, Heero nudged the stallion forward, Shini responding with a bounce in his step and they entered the arena. Duo ducked under the ropes and found Trowa and Quatre, opting to watch with them rather than be on his own.

 

Heero saluted the judge and the bell rang. Gathering up his reins, Heero pushed the gray into a canter and headed for the start flags. They passed between the red and white flags at a steady canter, right on course for jump one, a small upright. Shini cleared it with a flick of his heels and was bounding eagerly towards the next fence. Jumps two and three were similarly cleared, Heero taking a slightly wider track from three to four, the double, to give Shini the best possible chance of clearing it.

 

"That's it, nice and steady. Keep calm," Duo muttered under his breath from the side lines.

 

Quatre flashed an amused look at his friend then turned his attention back to the arena and Heero.

 

The first part of the double appeared directly ahead, Heero closing his fingers on the reins and steadying the gray. He sat down a little deeper in his saddle and rode the horse together. Shinigami was very similar to Zero in his jumping style, courageous with a big heart on him. Heero knew the youngster would give Heero everything he had should he ask for it. It was a trust between human and equine that took a while to build up. The horse knowing just how much his master required and trusting him not to ask for more than he was capable of giving; likewise the rider knowing just how much to ask of the horse without betraying that trust and not putting the animal in a situation he had no hope of getting out of.

 

Three strides away, Heero went forward in his saddle, giving Shini enough rein and driving his legs against the animal's sides. Shini bounded forward, picked his take off point and soared into the air. They cleared the first element, landed and Heero was again there with his hands and seat, riding the horse together and driving Shini's hocks right underneath him so they would be able to clear the second element. Shini pushed up from the ground, tucking his legs up close to his body, then reached out for the ground as it rushed to meet them. They landed safely, Heero immediately there again with his aids and bringing his horse back together to turn for jump five.

 

"It is all rather exciting, isn't it?" Quatre said as he watched his 'nephew' clearing jump after jump.

 

"Exciting, yes, but I'd say there's a lot more to it than we would ever hope to understand," replied Trowa. "I'd like to know how anyone can get such a large beast to do what they want. I have enough problems just having them stand still and not bite me, let alone ever trying to get them to do something like that."

 

"It's not all that difficult," Duo replied. "In some ways, it's like driving a car."

 

"How so?" Quatre questioned, curious as to how Duo could come to that conclusion.

 

"Basically, the reins in your hands are the steering wheel and brakes. Your feet, seat and legs control the accelerator."

 

"But a car doesn't think for itself," Quatre pointed out.

 

"Or try to bite or kick you when it's idling," added Trowa.

 

Duo snickered. "Yes, there is that element to it. You do have to remember you're dealing with a living, breathing creature. As Heero puts it; you don't tell the horse what to do, you ask it. If you ask it nicely and properly then chances are, it will do what you want. It's when you try to force it that it can get jack of you and chuck you off. The trick is to make what you want it to do the easy option and everything else hard. A horse will always choose the easy way out."

 

"Ah. I think I understand," Quatre commented.

 

"Good. You can explain it to me later," Trowa said and returned his attention to the ring. "I still don't see how I can ever get that animal not to bite me every time I come into contact with it. I'm sure it simply hates me."

 

Opting to leave things at that, the three continued to watch as Heero and Shini cleared the rest of the course and passed through the finish flags with the third clear round.

 

* * *

 

In total there were five clears including Heero. The jump off course was announced and the riders given fifteen minutes to walk it. Duo went with Heero again, leaving Shinigami in Quatre's capable hands this time. Trowa flatly refused to be used as a teething ring any more.

 

The jump off course was fences one, two, four A, four B, ten and twelve. As Heero predicted, the questions would be asked of the horses and riders in the jump off. One could save time with tight turns between jumps two and four then ten to twelve. Heero figured the event would be won or lost on those turns. He carefully walked between the fences, plotting in his mind the line and track he would follow to get from one fence to the next. He had every faith in Shini being able to make the tight turn he'd planned from ten to twelve. He'd been practicing at home quite a bit with the stallion and Shini was getting a good grasp on being able to slow himself within a couple of strides of landing then spinning around and picking up momentum again. This would be the perfect opportunity to see just how well the stallion had learnt his lessons.

 

Returning to the collecting ring, they found Quatre in deep conversation with Shini, feeding the youngster carrots as he talked gravely to the animal. Duo couldn't help by snicker at the sight. Trowa was just to the side of the ring ropes with Jet - he didn't look all that amused.

 

“Talking some sense into him?” Duo asked as he approached and took the reins from Quatre.

 

“Just having a little chat,” Quatre replied, his face reddening a touch at being caught. “What's the jump off like? How does Heero think he will go?” he asked in an attempt to divert the conversation from himself.

 

“Seems okay from what I can tell,” Duo replied.

 

“There's a couple of tricky turns there where you can save seconds if you're willing to chance it,' said Heero as he went to tighten the girth. “If Shini concentrates and does as I ask, he shouldn't find it all that difficult.”

 

“Well, good luck,” Quatre stated and then went back to his partner and the dog.

 

The first two riders did what Heero thought they would do, they cut the corners just as he planned on doing. The first rider was a little unlucky though and his horse lost momentum, they knocked down a rail on jump twelve. The second rider was more careful and managed to go clear, but their time wasn't a fast one; 58:24 seconds.

 

Heero rode into the ring determined to give it his best shot. Shinigami could feel the tension and determination radiating off his master and knew this was important. He was by nature a horse that liked to please, he'd inherited that trait mainly from his mother. The bell rang and he flashed between the starting flags on his way to the first jump.

 

They cleared the upright easily enough, Heero collecting the stallion together and riding him at the second jump. That was also cleared and Heero was shifting his weight and applying his legs. Shini changed legs at the canter and altered his direction. They passed sharply between fences six and three before Heero turned the stallion again and they were lining up for jump four; the double.

 

“That's it, nice and steady,” Duo whispered and gnawed at his thumbnail.

 

“Come on, Shini, you can do it,” Quatre muttered.

 

Shinigami gathered himself together and flew over part A, he landed and took the two strides before becoming airborne again and clearing part B. As soon as Shini's hooves touched the ground, Heero was there, shortening his reins and sitting hard in his saddle. His legs drove the gray together, pushing the stallion's hocks underneath him and building up the impulsion. Checking back sharply, Shini almost sat on his hindquarters as he spun around, then his hind legs were under him, driving and pushing the body forward and towards jump ten. Within three strides they were airborne again, Shini's tail streaming out behind him like a banner as they cleared the jump.

 

Again sitting deep into his saddle and checking the forward movement of his horse, Heero was able to re-balance the gray, turn and have the impulsion building as he straightened up for the final jump, the wall. Gray ears pricked forward, the stallion gauging the height of the jump and picking his take off point. He felt his master's weight rising out of the saddle, those legs against his sides and he responded by shortening his stride a touch then drove himself into the air and over the wall. Immediately they landed, Heero gave the gray his head and they galloped through the finish flags.

 

“Clear round in a time of 44:38 seconds. Heero Yuy and Shinigami now lead the field in the B grade championship event.”

 

“Yes!” Duo yelled and punched the air.

 

“Well done,” Quatre shouted and clapped his hands.

 

“Show off,” muttered Trowa under his breath at the horse.

 

Heero returned to the collecting ring where his 'cheer squad' waited. He was really pleased with the way Shini had jumped and quickly dismounted to give the stallion his reward. Carrots, and lots of them.

 

Shini took the offered carrots, crunching them happily and looking pleased with himself. He was enjoying all the attention he was getting, the pats and kind words from his master, the carrots and pats from the other nice human that cared for him and the attention from the new human.

 

The remaining two riders completed their courses, one finishing with four faults and the other going clear but in a slower time of 51:12 seconds. Heero had won. With a beaming smile, Duo helped Heero back onto his horse to go back into the ring and collect his rosette and prize money. Heero was over the moon. Not only had Shinigami won, but he'd done it in a convincing manner. The points he would score for this win would now see him upgraded to A grade, something Heero was looking forward to competing in again.

 

With the presentation over, Heero exited the ring to be congratulated again by his excited lover and friends. Even Trowa had to concede that Shini had done extremely well.

 

Heero loosened the girth and ran his stirrups up. “I'll take him back to the float and unsaddle him and get him ready to travel home,” he said to the group.

 

“Right with you, Heero,” said Duo. He was hoping they could snatch a couple of minutes alone in the float so he could show his lover just how happy he was for him by kissing him senseless.

 

“We'll come and help too,” Quatre said and with a look at Trowa they followed along.

 

Back at the float, Heero began to unsaddle the gray. Duo fetched the brushes and gave the stallion a light brush over to remove any sweat. Trowa stood to the side, accepting items as they were handed to him and putting them in the back of the car. Quatre emptied out the water bucket and fetched the haynet for the trip home. Jet had been tied up at the front of the float and temporarily forgotten about whilst everyone puttered around getting ready to go home.

 

Once everything was organized and packed away, all that remained was to put Shini in the float. Heero untied the lead rope and led the stallion up the tail gate and into the float. Trowa gave Duo a hand to secure the tail chain and then lift the tail gate up and lock it into position. Heero stepped out of the front door and secured it.

 

“Where's Jet?” Heero asked as he noticed the dog was no longer at the front of the float.

 

“He's tied up... Shit!” Trowa came to the front of the horse float where he'd tied Jet whilst helping out.

 

“He can't have gone far,” Quatre said as he placed a hand on Trowa's arm.

 

Trowa looked at his lover, his face clearly showing signs of worry. “We have to find him.”

 

“We'll all look,” Duo said. “Shinigami will be okay standing in the float for a few minutes, won't he, Heero?”

 

“Hai, he'll be fine. Come on, let's split up and find Jet.”

 

Trowa and Quatre went to the left, Heero and Duo to the right, searching and calling the dog's name.

 

“Over there,“ Quatre said as he spotted a black form sniffing around a horse float.

 

“Jet, come here, boy,” Trowa called out.

 

The dog stopped sniffing when he heard his name. He cocked his head and looked up. His tail began to wag when he saw his master. Turning, Jet began to run towards Trowa.

 

“Oh hell,” Quatre exclaimed as Jet began to run towards them. “Stop, Jet!”

 

It was too late. The dog continued to run, right underneath a big Clydesdale. The heavy horse saw the small, black thing running towards him and panicked. A large, dinner plate sized hoof came down hard. Jet screamed as the hoof connected.

 

Several meters away, Duo and Heero both heard the scream of an animal in pain. They stopped dead in their tracks and looked at each other.

 

“Jet,” said Duo and immediately began to run flat out in the direction he'd heard the dog's agonizing howl of pain come from.

 

~ * ~

 

tbc...