Zack, Ruby and Gaara: First Date

"Are you sure you don't mind?" Gaara asked.

"Yes, it's fine. I want Zack to feel safe and I know he doesn't really trust me yet." I told the young man with bright red hair.

Zack walked along between us, while I led the way through Centra. It was a busy place with lots to see and do. There were lots of shops and places to eat, the gardens and farms that one could visit to see all kinds of little critters. Some of the shops even offered brief demonstrations on how to make your own carvings, pressed flowers, trinkets and treats. The large portal gates with people going to and from all kinds of places were scattered all through the city, it was called the gate city for a reason.

"Why did you even agree to this if you don't want to be here?" Gaara asked of Zack, slightly confused.

I watched Zack blush but he didn't respond. Zack had been here a little over two months now and he was beginning to see just how different the Vampires here really were from the ones he knew back in his home realm. I knew he wanted to see if I was as well behaved as the others. He'd already resigned himself to the fact that eventually I'd have to turn him or he'd die. As for calling this a date it was because he'd lost a bet with Ahzri. That smart ass of an Elf had bet Zack right before our first meeting that I wouldn't bite him even if he offered it to me. I learned about the whole thing about a week later when I heard Ahzri telling Zack to man up and ask me out even if only the one time. I had scolded Ahzri for setting the poor boy up, but Zack still agreed to do it since he had in fact lost the bet. His only request had been to be able to bring Gaara along, I had gladly agreed to his terms and now a few weeks later here we all were.

Zack took up Gaara's hand while we were walking through the butterfly garden and Gaara looked at me.

"It's alright Gaara. I don't mind."

It was true to some extent, if it made Zack more comfortable or happy then I wanted that for him. My only wish was that I could do that for him as well. As the weeks had gone by and I had the chance to speak with Zack now and then, I began to understand, to believe the pull I felt when I was around him. Alucard and a few of the others suspected that Zack might actually be my long lost soul mate. Of course Zack was unaware of this idea, none of us wanted to say anything just in case we were wrong.

I treated the boys to lunch over at the Inn, after that I took them out towards the companion farms. Companions were semi-intelligent creatures that would bond to a single person for life. If Zack found one he would be able to take it home with him, if not it would still be a nice experience for both of the boys. We were passing the stables when Zack finally spoke, "They keep horses here?" He asked almost exited.

"Of course." I told him.

He blushed again and then, "Can we go have a look?"

"Certainly. Come on the entrance is just around the corner."

I took up his hand without thinking but he let me, while he in turn held onto Gaara. I wasn't running but I kept a fair pace all the way to the open front gate. The boys followed me into the yard and we were met by a kind young woman with long dark brown hair and hazel eyes.

"Hello there. Is there anything I can help you with today?" She asked.

"We'd like to visit with the horses if that's alright." I told her.

"Sure thing. Most of them just love company. Come on, stables and field are this way."

She led the way to the large barn and opened the door to let us in, "Just talk to Heather when you're ready to leave, she'll let you out."

The young lady left us and we started to walk down the first row of stalls. The first few were empty but Zack already looked like a kid in the candy shop. So he liked horses? I would remember that.

The first stall we came to where a horse was still stationed, contained a very pretty cream mare with dark brown hair and points. Zack spent plenty of time admiring each horse as we went from stall to stall. He spoke fondly of riding and the grace that one could only experience from atop a horse. Beautiful and powerful, horses meant a lot to him. Orchid had said something similar once when I found her hiding in this very stables one day not too long ago, they spoke of horses and riding in general as if they were in love, and perhaps they were.

As we stepped out into the pasture, I saw awe cross his face and then a brief sadness flashed in his eyes. It was gone almost as quickly as it had come, so I didn't ask about it. The other girl, Heather was out in the pasture. She came over with a big old chestnut mare and asked if we needed anything.

"Not at the moment, but thank you." I said.

She walked the mare into the barn which was now behind us. There were several mares and young foals grazing around, while a single paint stallion kept an eye on them. The male was a big white horse with dark red brown speckling all along his rear, back and sides. His front was mostly white but his face was lightly freckled. His hair was the same dark color as his speckles and two socks ran up his back legs.

"Wow, he's gorgeous." Zack sighed.

"Firecracker? Yeah, he's a good boy." Said Heather having come back from the barn, "You want to meet him?"

"Absolutely." Zack said.

Heather whistled a very specific short tune and the male turned to look at her. She smiled and he came trotting over to her.

"Good boy." She crooned to him.

The horse nuzzled her shoulder for a moment, "These folks wanted to meet you boy. What do you think?"

Firecracker looked at us for a moment and then made his way over. He looked at me and let me pat his muzzle briefly before he moved on to Gaara, who he snorted at playfully and nuzzled briefly. He then stood there staring at Zack. Zack reached out and patted the side of his neck and the horse nuzzled Zack's shoulder. The horse looked at Heather and snorted and made a light whining sound.

"Ok, ok I'll ask him." She said to the horse, "Do you know how to ride?"

"Me?" Zack asked.

Heather nodded.

"Yeah."

"Want to take him for a spin? He'll introduce you to his ladies."

Zack actually laughed at this and I knew I was going to find a way to hear that sound again someday, "Yeah sure, I'll go."

"You two want to go?" Heather asked.

"Sure alright." I said.

It had been a long while for me but I knew how to ride. It was Gaara who stood there looking a little lost.

"I can't." He said.

"Zack, Firecracker do you mind taking him with you?" Heather asked.

Zack looked at the horse who nickered pleasantly at him, "Yeah, that's fine. Come on Gaara, you can ride with me."

Heather led us all back into the barn where she handed Zack a saddle, "Can you get that on him?" She asked.

"Yeah, no problem." He said.

Heather went and got the pretty cream mare we'd first seen when we had come in, "This is Honeybee. She's a sweetheart, I'll get her saddled up for you if you like."

"That would be wonderful." I said while I returned my attention to Zack.

He really knew what he was doing. I watched while he got the saddle over Firecracker and began strapping it down. He pulled tight in all the right places and patted the horse as he worked his way around him. He was done in just a few minutes, adjusting the bitless bridle so it sat more comfortably on Firecracker's head.

A short while later Heather tapped my shoulder, "She's all ready to go." She said handing me the reigns.

"Thank you." I said.

Zack was standing with Firecracker and Heather briefly checked the saddle, "Great job. Yeah, you're good to go."

Zack helped Gaara up in front of himself and I got myself situated with Honeybee. Firecracker led the way out of the barn and into the field. Zack kept Firecracker at a light trot for Gaara's sake and the horse obliged to listen to him. He really did take us into the heart of the herd wandering the field. There were certain mares that he stopped by and nuzzled before moving on. Once he seemed satisfied that we had met them all he let Zack trot him around the field.

"You want to take them for a short run?" Heather asked coming out into the field.

Zack spoke to Gaara, "Would that be ok with you?"

"Yeah, I kind of like this." Gaara told him.

"Over this way." Heather called as she stood near a gate in the field. Once we got nearer to her she explained, "We have a set trail that they're trained to follow. You set the pace but they know the way. You'll see it too though, it's all marked out by neon orange tags on the trees as you go. Ready?"

"Yes." Zack said.

"Yeah." I responded.

Heather opened the gate and stepped aside. Zack urged Firecracker into a trot out of the gate and I was hot on his heels. Once we caught sight of the first marker we urged the horses into a smooth fluid canter. The trail was wide enough and I brought Honeybee up alongside Firecracker. I looked at Zack and he smiled at me.

"This is awesome!" He said.

"Yes it is." I agreed with him.

Even Gaara had a light smile on his face as the breeze tore through his hair. A full fifteen minutes later we could see the trail was heading back towards the barn and pasture, we slowed the horses back to a walk and went in through the same gate that we had left from.

"How was it?" Heather asked coming over to us.

"It was wonderful." I said hopping down off of Honeybee, "She is a darling." I said patting her muzzle.

"That was great." Zack said, "What about you Gaara?"

"It was nice." He said, "Maybe we could do it again sometime."

"I should teach you how to ride." Zack said getting down.

Zack helped Gaara down and we led the horses back into the barn, where we helped get them unsaddled. Firecracker gave Zack a brief but friendly good bye before trotting back out to the pasture, Honeybee nuzzled my shoulder then followed him out.

"Well thanks for coming by. I hope we'll see you again, but I've got to be closing up soon so I can get to dinner on time." Heather told us.

"Thank you for having us." I said shaking hands with her.

"I will absolutely be back again." Zack said as we headed out.

Once we were out on the main road again I turned to Zack, "I'm glad you enjoyed that."

"Yeah, I did. We should all come out here again sometime." He said.

He, wanted me to come along again? That made me happy. I took the boys to a nice dinner at a little café in the main part of town, before taking them home for the night. We were standing at the door of Gaara's room, which had recently been turned into more of an apartment, Zack was staying with him now.

"Good night Zack, Gaara." I said.

"Good night, Ruby." Gaara responded.

"Thank you, Ruby." Zack said quietly.

"Oh, it was my pleasure. Just try not to bet against Ahzri anymore, ok?"

"Yeah." He said looking at the floor.

He blushed for some reason but before I said anything he wrapped his arms around me, hugging me. I lightly returned the embrace and when I felt him move I let go.

"Good night." He said blushing again and darting through the now open door.

I looked at Gaara concerned, "He'll be fine." Gaara informed me.

"Thank you. Good night." I walked away down the hall, quite happy about how the whole day had gone.