Retribution

PrairieWinds

A/N: This is my first ever Young Riders story, as well as being my first multi-chapter fic. Reviews are welcome! Since I will be writing this in my notebook and then online, updates might be a bit slow, but I am determined to finish this.

Dedication: To BrilliantDarkness for her encouragement and quick PMs. Thank you so much!

Chapter One

The sun was setting in the west when the two exhausted riders pulled their equally worn out mounts to a halt in a quiet clearing.

The first rider looked around at the darkening landscape, pulling off his hat to run a hand through his brown curls. "We'll camp here tonight; head back to Sweetwater in the morning. I can't wait to taste Rachel's cookin' again."

The second rider nodded quietly, his soft "Yeah" of agreement hardly reaching his companion's ears.

Kid glanced sideways at Buck, half-suspecting that the other rider's abnormal reticence had more to do with the encounter earlier on at Blue Creek than with mere tiredness.

The two boys had been more than a little pleased when Teaspoon had chosen them to take a packet containing valuable Army documents to the regiment stationed at Blue Creek. "If anyone can do it, I know you boys can," the grizzled stationmaster had said, a proud gleam in his eye.

The trip had been remarkably smooth, with little to no trouble. After delivering the packet and receiving thanks from the regiment's commander, the boys had headed over to the saloon to get something to eat before the journey home. And that's when things had gone wrong.

"Shooee! Wouldja look at that? Seems like we got us an Injun tryin to be white, boys!" The callous comment had come from a bearded cowhand lounging at the poker table in a corner of the saloon with his cronies, who laughed uproariously at the jibe.

Ignoring them, the boys had ordered some food and drink and sat down at an empty table.

Incensed by their lack of reaction to his insult, the cowhand put down his beer and strode over. Leaning down, he hissed in Buck's ear, "What's the matter, boy? Didn't yer mama teach you any manners?"

Buck's jaw clenched. Before he could stop himself, he shot back, "Did yours?"

The cowhand's eyes flashed viciously and he grabbed Buck by the jacket, dragging him to his feet. "You good-for-nothing savage," he snarled, spittle spraying from his mouth. "I should teach you a lesson right here."

"Leave him alone, mister." Kid's quiet drawl cut into the tirade, his pistol steady in his hand.

"I don't want no trouble in here," the bartender yelled from behind the counter. "You boys best take your business outside 'fore I call the sheriff!"

"No need for that, mister; we were just leavin'," Kid returned, holstering his pistol. "C'mon, Buck, let's go."

Buck didn't move, even though the cowhand had let go of his jacket. His dark eyes flashed as he glared at the taller man.

"Buck, he ain't worth it. Let's just go," Kid pressed.

At the pleading note in his friend's voice, Buck pulled his gaze away from the cowhand and followed Kid out the swinging saloon doors. He could feel the man's furious scowl burning through his coat all the way.

PX

After building a fire and settling their horses, the boys ate some of the jerky Rachel had packed for their trip. It was dry and tough, but filled their stomachs, if only temporarily.

Kid glanced across the fire at Buck. Even though the half-Kiowa's face was an unreadable mask, you only had to look into his eyes to see the pain and confusion lurking there.

"About earlier..." Kid began tentatively, aware that he was treading on sensitive ground.

"How long's this gonna keep happening, Kid?" Buck's quiet voice cut through Kid's question, full of frustration and anguish. "When are folks gonna stop judging me by the colour of my skin?"

Kid stared at the ground, unsure what to say. Coming from the South, where all dark-skinned people were viewed as slaves, he could only imagine what Buck must be feeling. He bit his lip and didn't reply.

After several minutes of silence, Buck reached for his blanket. "We'd better turn in. It's a long ride to Sweetwater in the mornin'."

Kid nodded. After putting out the fire, he lay down, wishing desperately that he could say something to comfort his friend, but no words came to mind. After a while, sleep took over, and the only noises emanating from the riders was gentle, even breathing.

PX

"Wake up, Injun." A sharp kick to Buck's side jarred him into wakefulness. He instinctively reached for his gun, but found it gone, along with the knife that he kept in his boot.

There was a mocking laugh and a familiar bearded face leered down at him. "I wouldn't do that if I were you, Injun. You see, me and my friends figure you got a bit of...payback comin' to ya."

A movement behind the man caused Buck's gaze to shift slightly to the left. Kid was on his feet, gun in hand, sneaking up behind the cowhand, but before he got close, a second man appeared from the bushes, bringing the butt of his gun down on Kid's head, causing the other boy to crumple to the ground in a dazed heap.

"Kid!" Buck ran to his friend, just as the cowhand issued a sharp whistle. A third man, scrawny and narrow-faced, stepped into the clearing, a bullwhip strapped to his belt. At the sight of the whip, Buck drew in his breath sharply.

"You done what I asked you?" the bearded cowhand demanded.

The third man nodded. "Yep. By the time mornin' comes, those horses'll be halfway to the ocean." He touched the bullwhip at his side, all but slathering with eagernes. "You want me to do what we planned?"

"There's gonna be a slight change," the cowhand replied. He gave a slight jerk of his head and the second man moved forward, grabbing the still-stunned Kid by the arms and hauling him to his feet. Buck lunged forward, only to be stopped by the cowhand's gun jabbing into his chest.

"You move, Injun, and your friend dies. Understand?" The cowhand smiled as he saw the conflict in Buck's eyes, and then the slow nod. He turned to where the man with the bullwhip stood waiting behind Kid, who was tied to a nearby tree. "Go ahead, Jensen. Teach these boys a lesson."

Buck clenched his fists as the scrawny man cracked the bullwhip, chuckling at the sound it made. He had never wanted to kill anyone so badly in his life, but if he moved an inch, Kid would be shot dead right in front of him. He snapped his eyes shut as the whip was brought down on Kid's back, causing the boy to scream as the nightmare began.

A/N: Review, please!