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Equus	By : Deb Category: Gundam Wing/AC > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2855 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing, it belongs to Bandai, Sotsu and associated parties. I do own the equines though, please do not take them without permission. Written for pleasure not profit.

Chapter List
- 19
- 20
- 21
“Equus”

Chapter 20

As soon as the words 'Deal' left his mouth, Heero went cold all over. Not that he regretted his decision, no, not at all. It just suddenly hit him he now had a whole new set of problems to deal with.

“You don't have the cash, do you?” the man snarled. “Thought as much.” Yanking on the lead rope, the guy pulled the horse around to attempt to load it onto the float again.

“I have the cash,” Heero snapped. “If you can wait for a few minutes I'll go get it and be right back.”

The guy shrugged. “Okay. I'll give you half an hour. If you're not back with the money by then the deal is off.”

“Tie the horse up and don't touch it again. I'll be back shortly,” Heero said and spun on his heel.

“Um, Heero?” Heero turned to look at Duo. “Not that I'm questioning you or your decision, but where in the hell are you going to get four hundred cash in the next thirty minutes? I've only got around sixty on me, I know you've got about the same and it's not fair to ask June or Carl to chip in.”

Heero sighed. “I know, I wasn't thinking straight when I said I'd buy her. All I could think about was getting her away from that bastard. Not only do I have to find the cash and quick, there's also the problem of getting her home. The goose-neck only carries four horses.”

Duo shook his head. “Oh well, I always did like a challenge,” he said with a grin. “Come on, we need to fill June and Carl in and make plans.”

Both June and Carl had waited to the side, Shinigami behaving well for once and not trying to nip anyone. He could sense there was something up and the scent of the other horse on his master and that nice human only confirmed Shini's thoughts. She was a mare – and scared. Shini wuffled when Heero and Duo returned.

“What's going on?” June asked once the pair were back.

Heero quickly filled the other two in on what had transpired.

“Excuse me for asking, but do you have that sort of cash on hand?” June questioned.

“Um, yes and no.”

“I don't know about Carl, but I have about fifty dollars on me that you're more than welcome to borrow if it will help.”

“Thanks, June, but that won't be necessary. I don't have the cash on hand per say, but I can get it. I have enough in my bank account, but the problem is, getting to a teller machine to get it out. I'm sure there would be a machine in the town, but it's going to be a little hard to park the goose-neck anywhere and it's too far to walk and get back in time.”

“I can run you there in my car,” Carl offered.

“Would you?” Heero asked, the hope shining in his eyes again.

“Of course. Come on, we can go get the money now if Duo and June don't mind settling Shinigami.”

“No worries. Heero, you go with Carl and get the cash. June and I will stay here and get the horses ready to travel home and we can also keep an eye on our friend over there to see he doesn't try to take off with the horse or lay into it again,” Duo said.

“Okay, thanks.” Heero ached to lean in and give his lover a kiss of gratitude, but it would have to wait.

“Come on, Heero, there's no time to waste. Car's over this way.” Carl turned and began to jog off in the direction of the public car park, Heero right behind him.

Once Heero and Carl had disappeared, Duo and June continued on their way to the goose-neck to get Shini unsaddled and comfortable. June carried Heero's cup and envelope, Duo led the gray. As they busied themselves preparing all the horses for the ride home, Duo gave June a deeper insight into what exactly had gone on between himself, Heero and the guy abusing the horse. The more he spoke, the angrier June became.

“I'm glad Heero said what he did, the sooner that horse is away from that guy the better.”

“Yeah, I agree. We still have a problem though.”

“Oh? What's that?”

“Even if Heero does make it back in time with the money, there's still the small problem of getting the horse back to the stables. Drumstick only carries four horses and we're fully loaded.”

“That does pose a bit of a problem.” June finished putting on Orion's floating boots, her face scrunched up in thought.

“We need to get hold of another float,” Duo muttered. “I wonder if there is anyone here that's going our way that wouldn't mind an extra horse.”

“Duo? Might I suggest something?”

Duo finished clipping up the leg straps to Shini's rug and gave the woman his undivided attention. “What is it?”

“Would it help any if I were to go back to the stables, hitch up my float and come back to pick up the horse?”

“Actually, that's not a bad idea,” Duo mused. “One problem there though.”

“What problem?”

“You're pregnant and you shouldn't be doing anything strenuous that could harm you or the baby.”

June snorted, she didn't think backing up to a float and hitching it up was strenuous, but then Duo did have a point. If she couldn't get it lined up exactly, she would need to push or pull the float across in order to hitch it to the car. “What about if I took Carl, or Heero, or you with me?”

“Heero shouldn't go, he'd need to stay here with the new horse,” Duo stated. “Look, that is a damn good idea and I think we should run it by Heero when he gets back – providing he makes it in time. We may yet not have a horse to transport.”

“No problem, the offer is there.”

The pair returned to finishing off the horses and begin the task of loading all the gear back inside the grooms compartment for the trip home. Much to Duo's delight, it all went back in very easily.

Finally I've conquered the breeding problem with the gear, Duo thought to himself as he hung the saddle up and surveyed the neat state of the compartment. During the course of their getting everything ready for the trip home, both Duo and June had been sure to keep an eye on the guy with the bay. Duo was pleased to see the guy had tied the horse to the float and had disappeared off somewhere. With everything packed away and only the horses left to load on, Duo and June slipped inside Drumstick where Duo made them both a cup of tea to sip on whilst they waited for Heero and Carl to return.

* * *

Carl drove down the streets to the town and managed to locate an ATM for Heero. He kept the engine running whilst Heero darted out, used his card and made a withdrawal. Within a minute he was back in the car and Carl was pulling away. Going as fast as he dared without breaking the law, Carl concentrated on getting them back to the showground within the half an hour.

“Have you thought about how to get the horse back to your place?” Carl asked in an effort to break the silence and heavy feeling in the car. Heero had given him a little more information on the altercation as they drove into town and Carl backed the man one hundred percent.

“I wasn't thinking clearly at all when I said I'd buy the horse,” Heero admitted with a sigh. “I'm not too sure what to do. The goose-neck only takes four so I'm going to need to find an alternative way to get her home.”

“Heero, this is just a suggestion. If it will help you any, I can go back to the stables, hitch up my float and come back with it. Then you can put her in there to get her home.”

Heero frowned as he thought on the suggestion. “Actually, that's not a bad idea, but it wouldn't be fair to you to travel all that way, using your gas. Also, what if this horse decides to be difficult and damages your float whilst traveling?”

“I don’t think she would, and as for the gas, don't worry about it.”

“Thanks for the offer, I'm not trying to be difficult or ungrateful, but I think we should wait until we're back at the showgrounds and purchase this horse first. Then we can run the suggestion by Duo and see what he thinks.”

“Fine with me, but the offer is there.”

“Thank you.”

*

Glancing at his watch, Duo noted that twenty-five minutes had passed. He still couldn't see any sign of Heero or Carl and was beginning to get a little worried. If they didn't make it back in time, Duo knew he'd report the man for cruelty. “Come on, June. I'm gonna head over towards that bay and see if I can't get a registration number for the car and float just in case Heero doesn't get back in time. If the worst should happen at least I can pass on the vehicle details along with the video footage on my cell to the R.S.P.C.A.”

“Good idea.” June rose and rinsed her mug through before following Duo out and towards where the bay horse still stood, tied to the float. The grounds had cleared a lot now that most of the events were finished and it was much easier to walk across the area to the other float. They spotted the bay's owner also coming across the grass just as they stepped up to the vehicle.

“Got the cash?” the guy asked as he stopped by his car.

“Heero should be back with it any second,” Duo replied, doing his best to keep his tone civil and steal a glance at the number plate of the car.

“He's almost out of time,” the man sneered.

With the words barely out of the man's mouth, Duo spotted Heero and Carl jogging across the grass. “He's here now,” Duo snipped.

June and Duo stepped back to allow Heero to approach the guy. “Here, four hundred dollars,” Heero said and handed the money over to the man.

With a scowl, the guy took the cash and began to count it. “Fine, she's yours.”

“I want a receipt and any papers she may have including her EFA registration and performance cards,” Heero stated in a cold tone.

“Do I look like I carry a receipt book around with me?” the man snapped.

“You can write one out on a piece of paper,” Heero returned.

June reached into her bag and pulled out a note book and pen. “Here, you can use this.”

Heero took the offered items and turned back to the man. “A receipt, please.”

Still muttering under his breath, the guy snatched the items and leaning on the car's hood, he wrote out a receipt, asking Heero for his details. Once done, he handed the book and pen back.

“Her papers and card?”

Still scowling, the guy unlocked his car and reached inside. “Here, that's her EFA registration and her performance card. I don't have her breeding papers with me.”

“I'll give you my address and you can send them through, along with the transfer of ownership papers for the EFA,” Heero replied.

“Fine!”

Heero duly wrote his details down and handed the paper over to the man, asking for and getting the other guy's address in return. Whilst the exchange was taking place, Carl had slipped back to the goose-neck and fetched a spare halter, lead rope and Lunar's rug. He figured his mare would be okay without the rug for a bit, the bay needed it more and he couldn't see this guy letting them have the rug, halter and rope as well as the horse.

With the paperwork taken care of, the guy moved to where the bay was standing, her eyes growing large and fearful as he approached. “I hope you got a halter with you, 'cause you ain't getting this one,” he snarled.

“It's fine,” Carl said with a smug smirk and handed Heero the halter and lead rope.

Heero took the items, a grateful look on his face. “Move away from her,” he ordered the other guy. “I'll swap the gear over.”

With a dark look, the guy did as requested, moving to the side.

Heero approached the mare cautiously, not knowing how she would react. She snorted at him through wide nostrils and trembled a bit. “It's okay, sweetie, I'm not going to hurt you,” Heero murmured. The bay stood her ground, nervous twitches of her skin indicating her unease. Heero managed to lay his hand upon her neck, the mare flinching a little and then settling when she found she wasn't about to be hit.

Still talking softly, Heero managed to slide the halter on and remove the other one. Once the task was complete, he continued in his soft tone. “Duo, would you mind removing the rug, please?”

“Uh, sure, Heero.” Duo was wary as he approached; the mare equally so. With Heero continuing to talk in soft tones and gently stroke the mare's neck, Duo kept his movements slow and his voice soft as he joined in with Heero's soothing of the frightened animal.

The mare didn't try anything, although her ears and eyes were constantly moving and her body ready to spring into action if needed. Duo slowly unclipped the leg straps and then the chest strap, sliding the rug from the bay hide. His eyes turned hard when he saw the damage the rug had been hiding and he had to fight to keep his anger in check. Several welts criss-crossed the bay hide, the hair a matted mess of dried sweat, foam and what Duo thought was a bit of blood too. He really wanted to string this man up by the balls for what he'd done to such a fine animal. Duo vowed then that regardless of what deal had been done with the guy, Duo would be letting Quatre know of this incident.

Once the rug was removed, Duo brought it around to the man and threw it at him. “Here, take it and fuck off,” he snarled.

The man was about to protest, but the looks on the other four's faces convinced him it would be better to bite his tongue and simply leave. Still grumbling under his breath, he got into his car and started it up.

Heero began to lead the bay towards the goose-neck, the mare following well enough, even if she was still very wary of these new humans.

Once they were back at Drumstick and the discussion on the many different ways they could have sliced and diced the guy for his cruelty had been brought to an end, Duo informed Heero of June's suggestion for getting their new acquisition home.

Heero couldn't help but chuckle.

“What's so funny?” Duo asked, clearly confused. He'd just offered his partner a solution to their problem and Heero was laughing?

“Sorry, Duo. It's just that Carl offered the exact same thing, only with his car and float.”

Duo scratched his head and snickered. “Well stuff me.”

“I think it might be best if either you or I go back with Carl or June and pick up my car and float. I'd feel much better if I were to use my gas for the trip and if the mare does get upset and does damage, it will be my property she damages.”

Duo couldn't argue with that logic. “Okay, no problem there. Now, which one of us should go and which to stay?”

“I think it might be best if I go,” Heero replied. “If you stay here with the mare you can give her a check over and see what treatment she's going to need once she's back home.” Heero hadn't fooled himself into thinking the mare wouldn't need some form of veterinary care.

“Good idea,” Duo said.

“Can I make another suggestion here?” June said.

“Sure, go ahead,” Duo replied.

“How about I take Heero back to get his car and float? Then whilst he's on his way back here to you guys and you're all on your way back to the stables I can get a head start on putting the feeds in and bringing the other horses in for the night.”

“But that's not fair-” Heero began but June cut him off.

“Think about it, Heero. By the time you get back here with the float and get her on, then make the trip back to the stables, it's going to be dark. The horses are used to being brought in and fed whilst it's still light. I can get a head start on all that so there won't be anything for you to worry about when you get home; other than tending to that mare.”

What June said did make a lot of sense and reluctantly, Heero agreed. “All right, you win.”

“Good. I suggest we get our butts moving then. You have no idea how long it will take to get that mare on the float and then it's another hour's drive home.”

“Thank you, June.” Heero turned back to Duo. “You sure you will be okay here until I get back?”

“I'll be fine. Carl is more than capable of helping me out with a preliminary check of the mare and I'll treat as much of her as I can while we wait.”

“Okay then.” Seeing he had a minute's opportunity, Heero grabbed Duo's wrist and pulled his lover into Drumstick, quickly closing the door and wrapping Duo up in his strong arms. He pressed a kiss to Duo's lips, devouring his lover as much as he could. “Thank you, Duo,” he managed to get out when they broke for air.

“Mmm, I like,” Duo returned and stole a kiss of his own. “You'd best get moving Heero if we want to be home before midnight.”

“Hai, I suppose so. I'll be back as quickly as I can.”

“Just drive carefully and safely,” Duo insisted.

“I will.” Partaking of one last kiss, Heero reluctantly let his partner go and stepped back out to locate June.

* * *

With June and Heero heading back home to pick up Henrietta and Tank, Duo rummaged around in the goose-neck for the first aid kit he knew he'd packed in there somewhere. Finally locating it, he stepped back out with the case under one arm and closed the door. Heero had tied the mare up next to Lunar and Orion. Shini and Wing were on the other side, both stallions on their best behavior. They knew something was going on, aside from what they could scent in the air, the extra hay that had appeared also pointed in that direction.

Heero had hoped that another mare might help the new one settle a bit. Lunar was a sweet mare in herself and Orion, being a gelding, was also calm and reliable. It seemed Heero's theory had worked a bit. The bay was standing quietly, although her eyes and ears were in constant motion.

“Does she have a name?” Carl asked as Duo stepped back out with the first aid kit.

“I suppose she would, but I couldn't tell you what it is,” Duo replied. “I never thought to ask and I refused to speak to that low life bastard again.”

“Heero got her EFA registration card, didn't he?”

“Yeah, he did.”

“Her name will be on that.”

“Smart thinking, Carl.” Duo's face lit up into a grin. “I think Heero left the paperwork on the table inside. Want to grab it and take a look?”

“Sure.” Carl disappeared inside, reappearing a moment later.

“Well?” Duo asked.

“According to the paperwork, her registered name is Nataku,” Carl informed.

“Ohh kayy. I think I'll let Heero translate that one,” Duo chuckled.

“Yeah, good idea. I have no clue what it could mean. You want a hand?”

“Please. I'm not sure how she's going to react and I'd really like to check her over and treat anything I find while I can, if that's possible.”

“No worries. I'll see if she will let me near her.” Carl approached the mare with caution, his voice was low and soothing, his stance soft and non threatening. Nataku watched him carefully, her instincts on high alert. Just when Carl thought he was getting close enough, he raised his hand to pet the bay neck and Nataku shied away.

Not one to be deterred easily, Carl tried again, and again... and again. Each time the result was the same, the mare would let him get so close and then pull away from him. After half an hour, they decided to give up. They didn't want to cause the bay any undue stress and it was clear she was starting to fret so it was agreed to leave her and wait until Heero got back. Duo would just have to be patient and wait until the mare was back at the surgery and in the crush for him to treat her.

From what he'd seen so far there were a couple of areas of concern. The flanks had specks of blood on them which Duo thought were most likely caused from the guy using his spurs way too hard when he'd been riding the mare. There was also a little blood around her mouth; possibly from rough use of the bit. As far as he could tell, the hide hadn't been split from the beating with the whip which was a good thing.

Deciding to leave her alone to settle down a bit, Duo and Carl checked the other horses and went back inside to chat over a hot drink while waiting for Heero to return.

* * *

June gave Heero a hand with the float, guiding him back to the tow hitch and assisting with connecting all the various safety chains, and light plug. Once the float was set to go, Heero thanked the woman again for all her help and tried to persuade her to leave the animals until he got back. June was adamant though and insisted she would be fine to put the feeds in and bring in the other horses. She didn't think she would have any trouble with the horses, having handled many in her life so far. If any horse was going to give her trouble it would be Jester, and only because he was a naturally high spirited creature.

With strict instructions to leave Jester out for Heero to handle if the bay stallion showed any inclination to be difficult, Heero drove out of the stables and back to the show grounds.

An hour and a half after Heero had left with June, he was pulling back into the grounds. The parking area was almost empty, the goose-neck and a handful of other floats all that was left as the show had concluded. Driving carefully across the grass, Heero brought the car to a stop alongside Drumstick and cut the engine.

Hearing the car pulling up, Duo and Carl packed away the deck of cards they had been playing with and went out to speak with Heero and get the horses loaded for home.

“How do you want to do this?” Duo asked.

“I'm not sure,” Heero replied honestly. “I don't know whether it would be a good idea to put another horse in with the bay or leave her by herself to travel home. I have no idea how she travels in the float and it could be a bit of a risk if she's a scrambler. I don't want any of the other horses to get injured.” [1]

“I think we should load up the other four into the goose-neck, bring your float a little closer to the side of this one and then if we run a lunge rein or something down the other side it will make a sort of raceway and the only way the mare can go is forward into the float. I'm not trying to be awful or anything, but you do need to get her home as soon as possible if Duo is to treat her,” Carl said and then shut up, unsure if he'd said too much and offended anyone.

That's a pretty good idea, Carl. Thanks. I did grab the tail rope when I stopped to get the float so that should help as well.” Heero looked happy with the suggestion.

“Okay, now we have the plan, let's put it into action,” Duo grinned.

Duo quickly explained to Heero that he hadn't been able to treat the bay as she was still too upset and wouldn't let Carl hold her. By leaving her alone for a while, they hoped she might have calmed a bit. Heero had agreed that what they'd done was probably a good thing.

“I”ll see if she will let me near her. I'll take her to the other float and tie her up there. Then we can put the other four on.”

“Okay, Heero.” Duo went to give Carl a hand to empty out the water buckets and put them in the tack compartment. Heero went to approach the bay and see if he could cajole her into coming with him.

Ten minutes later, Carl and Duo had the four horses safely inside the goose-neck and the ramp thrown up. Heero had soothed the mare and untied her, walking her around whilst the other two loaded the horses. Once the goose-neck was ready to leave, Heero handed the mare over to Duo to hold whilst he maneuvered the float next to Drumstick.

“Easy, girl,” Duo said as he spoke softly to the mare. She was trembling but not making any effort to try and bite Duo or hurt him which made Duo even more suspicious that the only reason the guy would have said the mare was vicious was because she was trying to defend herself from the cruelty. Looking into the liquid, brown eyes, Duo could see the fear there and his heart went out to her. “It's going to be okay, girl. You won't be beaten at all where you're going now. You'll have the very best of everything, lots of love, care and attention, good food, companions and Heero's a really good rider, he won't abuse you.”

Nataku didn't understand a word of what was being said, the soft voice was soothing and she relaxed a touch. Her eyes and ears were still on the alert though, so used to suddenly receiving a blow or cut with the whip – what for, she never knew.

“Okay, Duo. Everything is ready now. If you could just hang onto her for a moment longer while I slip the tail rope on then I'll take her and see if we can get her into the float,” Heero said, keeping his voice low as he approached.

Nataku shied away when Heero went to slip the rope over her back, Duo doing his best to calm her. It took a good five minutes, but eventually Heero managed to get the rope around her rump and fed it through the halter. Nataku stood with a wild look in her eye and limbs shaking.

Taking the lead rope from Duo, Heero explained that he was going to try walking her up to the ramp of the float and then inside, using the tail rope to assist in his pull on the lead rope. Duo and Carl moved right out of the way and left Heero to his task.

Still maintaining a soothing voice, Heero slowly walked the mare towards the float. He kept a gentle pressure on the lead rope and a light touch on the tail rope. The bay stepped forward, hesitated, stepped again and then stopped. Heero let her take her time, confident she would give in and walk into the float – eventually.

Step by step the bay approached the float, still unsure but she hadn't received a cut with the whip as yet. Steadily she drew closer, the man talking to her keeping a soft tone which gave her a little confidence. Unable to scent the man who had beaten her anywhere around and only the scents of horses and the man leading her lingered on the float, Nataku decided to give in and walked into the float.

Once the mare was inside, Duo and Carl moved calmly and quietly to hook up the tail chain and lift the tail gate. Inside the float, Heero was praising the mare and gently petting her. Nataku was sweating and shaking, unused to the soft pats – but she could get to like them.

Opening the front of the float, Duo stuck his head in. “Oh good, you're still alive,” he snickered.

Heero snorted softly. “Of course I am.” Securing the lead rope, Heero ducked under the hay net and exited the front of the float, securing the door. “Okay, now we need to drive this lot home. You okay to drive Drumstick or would you prefer the float?” Heero asked Duo.

Weighing up his options, Duo made his decision. “I think I'd prefer to drive Henrietta and Tank. I've not driven Drumstick before and don't fancy a crash course with four valuable animals on board.”

“Henrietta? Tank?” Carl scratched his head in confusion.

“The car and horse float,” Duo informed him absently.

“Oh, kay...” Carl gave Duo a look that clearly translated into 'you must be on something'.

“That's fine,” Heero said, ignoring Carl's confusion. “I'll lead the way. If you have any problems, flash your head lights at me and I'll pull over.”

“When we get back home, I'll stop up by the surgery stables with her, you carry on down to the other stables. I'll leave her n the float for a little bit and come give you a hand with the others. I think Nataku should stay up at the surgery for a couple of days. I'm still not sure what injuries she has and how bad they are,” Duo stated.

“Okay. I'll just unload and put the others in their stables. The unloading of the goose-neck can wait until tomorrow,” Heero replied.

“If it's okay with everyone, I'll come and give you a hand,” Carl offered.

“Thanks, Carl. If you're sure you don't mind and you have the time that would be a real help,” Heero said.

“Happy to be of assistance.”

“Good, now that's all settled I think we should make a move, it's starting to get dark.”

Everyone piled into the various vehicles, starting the engines and pulling slowly out of the deserted showgrounds.

~ * ~

tbc

[1] Scrambler. Sometimes horses can't balance properly when traveling in a horse float (mainly around corners – rarely on the straight) and tend to have their legs going in all directions as they try to keep their footing. This is commonly called scrambling, hence the term for a horse that does this is a scrambler. Not only can they do damage to their own legs against the inside of the float, but they can also damage the horse in the float with them if their hooves happen to pass under the middle partition. It's also very scary for the person towing the float as when they do it, the float tends to rock around quite a bit!
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Equus