Chapter 13

A Day At The Race's

Saturday was the last day of Kagome's training. Both Katrina and Kyle thought she was ready for a race and reassured Inutaisho that she was. Kagome's friends had basically said 'I told you so' when she told them about her date with Sesshomaru and the talk they'd had. Every day since being pulled over she had rushed out to the mailbox before anyone else so that Sesshomaru wouldn't know about it.

On Sunday, usually a partial day off due to the fact they didn't work the horses on that day, everybody was busy helping to get ready and loading up all the equipment and supplies that Bankotsu would need at Santa Anita for the three week meet that started Tuesday. The farm was taking seven of their own horses and three that belonged to private individuals that boarded and had their horses trained by the farm. Kaname, Sota, and Kohaku were the only exercise riders going to the meet to work the horses at the track and a couple of the grooms as well. Being assistant trainer, Jakotsu would be staying behind to watch over the remaining horses at the farm that were still in active training.

The next couple of days flew by and Wednesday was finally here. Kagome was nervous as Sesshomaru drove her, early in the morning, to Santa Anita for her gate début. Her friends would meet up with her later at the track, after they were done with the morning workouts, to spend the rest of the day at the races.

An hour later they were pulling through the gates at the famous California track. "What if I fall off when the horse jumps out of the starting gate?"

"Then I guess you won't be approved to ride in a race," Sesshomaru chuckled.

"Thanks. That makes me feel a lot better."

"You're the one being silly about this. You'll be fine."

They parked and headed to the shed row were Dragon Strike Farm was stabled for the meet. They saw Izayoi waiting for them as she waved them over. "Hey. Just in time. Kaname is now headed back with Silver Lining. He's the horse you'll be breaking from the gates. Bankotsu said to tell you to head over immediately to the track when you got here."

"Okay."

Kaname arrived shortly after with Silver Lining and he gave Kagome a leg up into the saddle and wishing her luck. Kagome headed to the track with Sesshomaru and Izayoi following her. She saw Bankotsu and Inutaisho and headed in their direction.

"Perfect timing," Bankotsu said with a smile as she approached. "You need to head over to the gates and tell the steward your name and they will take care of everything. Good luck."

"Thanks." Kagome headed over to the gates and once she had gotten to them the steward approached her. "Are you Kagome Higurashi?"

"Yes."

"Okay then let's get you loaded. Once you're in, get ready quickly because once the horse is settled the gates will be opened instantly just like in an actual race." Kagome just nodded her reply as an assistant starter grabbed Silver Lining's bridle, leading her into the number three spot of the gates. Once the gate doors were closed Kagome instantly grabbed a handful of mane with her left hand bracing for the surge forward out of the gates that would come after the doors were opened.

A matter of seconds seem like forever to Kagome as she held her breath waiting for the gates to swing open. Instantly, after she was settled, the doors sprang open with Silver Lining surging out in a tremendous leap. Kagome was grateful for the hand-full of mane she had grabbed hold of because without it she probably would have been left at the gate. She settled Silver Lining into a nice ground-eating gallop and rode out the short distance that was required for the demonstration and all to soon it was over. Kagome stood in the stirrups and hulled back on the reins slowing Silver Lining into a trot turning him and headed back to the racing steward. As she approached the steward she slowed her horse down to a walk coming to a stop in front of him. "Congratulations. You're approved to ride in a race." He handed her a piece of paper then added. "This gives you clearance to race so give this to one of the racing officials in the office when you have your race set up."

Kagome took the slip. "Thank you."

Kagome headed back to the rail were Sesshomaru, Inutaisho, Izayoi, and Bankotsu were waiting. Bankotsu looked up at Kagome when she arrived in front of them. "So what's the verdict? It looked good."

Kagome handed him the slip before dismounting. "I'm approved."

Izayoi immediately hugged Kagome. "I'm so happy for you."

"You'll be riding Silver Lining in a race on Friday then," Bankotsu said.

"That soon?"

"If you're not ready we can put your first race back until next week," Inutaisho interjected a little concerned with Kagome's nervousness and still uncertain himself if he really wanted her to do this.

"No. Friday will be fine I was just taken by surprise that it would be so soon."

"There's nothing to worry about. You've ridding Silver Lining in some of his workouts so you're already familiar with him. And he's one of the most seasoned horses we have running at this meet," Bankotsu added.

"Yeah, I know. I'll be fine."

Sesshomaru took Kagome's hand. "You want to go look around?"

"Yeah."

"We'll see you later," Sesshomaru said to his father and Bankotsu.

"You kids have fun. If you want to watch the races latter come up to the box, we'll be there."

Kagome and Sesshomaru spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon walking down the different shed rows from different farms checking out the horses and competition. They walked around a corner on their tour of the different barns when they came upon a big beautiful dark gray colt that was being hand walked by a groom. When the horse saw them he stopped and looked in their direction for a few seconds then the groom had him walking again. He was the embodiment of the thoroughbred. Tall, lean and toned with mussels that rippled underneath his skin. He was truly the picture of perfection. Kagome just looked in awe and then realized who she was looking at when she saw the jacket the groom was wearing. It was Entei.

Immediately Kagome looked up at Sesshomaru trying to read his expression as she worried what emotions this meeting would bring. Entei was the horse that Sesshomaru had chosen to have a personal hand in his training and he was also the original cause of the troubles that had begun with their relationship. His face was a mask of indifference showing no signs of how he felt. They stood there for a while just watching the groom walk Entei around in front of their shed row. Finally Sesshomaru started off again in another direction without a comment gently pulling Kagome along with him. Kagome continued looking up at his face trying to read him.

Sesshomaru stopped when they had gone a short distance and turned to face Kagome with a slight smile on his face. "I know what you're thinking. I'm fine with seeing Entei. I came to terms that he is no longer our horse a long time ago."

"Are you sure?" Kagome asked with concern in her voice.

Sesshomaru gave her a gentle kiss. "Yes." Then he headed off again holding Kagome's hand. "He looks good. Like a champion. But we also have one in our barn." Sesshomaru looked at Kagome with a genuine smile on his face. "Don't we?"

Kagome let go of his hand, wrapping her arms around his bicep leaning into him as they walked. "Yes."

"Hey Kagome." Kagome turned around when she heard her name called and saw Sango waving and running her way with Ayame and Kikyo fallowing close behind. "Did you get approved?" Sango asked when she reached her friend.

"Yeah."

"Awesome," Ayame cheered. "We'll defiantly be here for your first race."

"Wouldn't miss it," Kikyo added. "When is it?"

"This Friday."

"Wow. That soon?" Sango asked.

"Yeah, I know. I was a little surprised."

Katrina came walking up to the celebrating group. "Hey Kagome I heard the good news. If it's okay with your friends I would like to take you to the jockey's room and introduce you to some of the jockeys."

"It's fine with us," Sango answered for everybody. "We'll meet you up in the stands."

Kagome turned and looked at Sesshomaru. "You don't need my permission. Go."

"Thank you. I'll see you guys in a few."

Katrina showed Kagome around the jockey's room. There was one large communal room were the jockeys hung out talking to family and friends or playing pool and watching TV while they waited for their races. And there were two other separate rooms for showering and dressing that separated the men and women. Katrina and Kagome hung out in the communal room as Katrina introduced Kagome to the other jockeys that were riding at this meet. Kagome couldn't believe all the famous jockeys that were here and was awe struck sometimes stumbling over her words as she was introduced to them. Most of the jockeys were friendly but a few were cold and Kagome knew without Katrina telling her that she would have to watch out for them on the track. Kagome was excited to see Kyle and told him the good news then found out that they would be riding in the same race on Friday, which made her nervous. Afterwards Kagome headed back to the stands to watch the races the rest of the afternoon with Sesshomaru and her friends. Afterwards they all went out to dinner before heading home.

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The next day Sesshomaru took Kagome to pick up her truck. Kagome was amazed at how her truck had turned out and almost didn't recognize it. All the dents were gone and it had a fresh new paint job. Instead of white with a plain bold strip the length of the truck, it was now white with a yellow strip. She opened the door to get in and was once again surprised that they had also fixed the cracked dash and reupholster the seats that had begun to tear in some places. Kagome jumped back out of the truck and flung herself at Sesshomaru hugging him. "Thank you so much. I love it."

Sesshomaru looked down at her smiling. "My pleasure. It's defiantly worth the money to see your reaction. Shall we head home now?"

"Yes," Kagome replied getting back into her truck.

Kagome followed Sesshomaru home planning to stop at the mailbox first thing when they got there. She worried a little about not being there yesterday to check the mail but Sesshomaru was with her so he wouldn't have known if her ticket had come, which it didn't. As they reached the drive to the farm Kagome noticed Sesshomaru stop at the mailbox. 'No,' She thought as she jumped out of her truck and ran to the mailbox to grab the mail before he did. But Sesshomaru beat her to it and started going through the mail right then and there, knowing something was up. He had seen Kagome going to the mailbox every day before anyone else. Something she hardly ever did unless she was expecting something. He was a little curious what she was waiting for, being that this behavior had started after she drove his car. As he flipped through the mail he came upon an envelope from the highway patrol with Kagome's name on it.

Sesshomaru held up the envelope in question. "Is this what you've been waiting for everyday?"

"I don't know what you mean. I wasn't looking for anything."

"Oh, really? Then why have you been coming out to the mailbox every day?"

"I didn't come out here every day," Kagome cringed at the look Sesshomaru gave her. "Okay. Yes."

"I wonder what it might be. Maybe a ticket?"

"It's probably the CHP wanting a donation," Kagome said as she tried to snatch the envelope out of Sesshomaru's hand and failed.

"I highly doubt it," Sesshomaru replied, as he started to open the envelope with a look of indifference on his face.

"It's illegal to open someone else's mail you know."

"So turn me in." Sesshomaru pulled out the paper and looked at it. "Hm." Then he put it back in the envelope without saying a word and headed back to his car, envelope in hand, with an unreadable expression on his face.

"Can I have that? It's my ticket."

Sesshomaru turned and looked at her with the same unreadable expression. "I'll pay it."

"No you won't. It's mine and I'll take care of it."

"Trust me. You can't afford it."

"How much is it? It can't be more than five hundred dollars." Kagome saw the look on Sesshomaru's face and was afraid to ask her next question. "It's more than five hundred?"

Sesshomaru just nodded.

"Seven hundred?"

"Try again."

"Eight hundred?"

"More."

"Is it over a thousand?"

"Yes."

Kagome could see a bit of anger in his eyes. "Well, I can set up a payment plan."

"And end up paying more due to interest? I'll take care of it."

"Then I'll pay you back."

"You don't have to. Oh, and you aren't allowed to drive my car again."

"WHAT! Never?"

"Never," He replied with a stern look.

"Not even with you?"

"No. Let's just say you're grounded until I say otherwise."

"Your grounding me like a child?"

"If you're going to act like a child I will treat you like one. I told you to keep it under a hundred and you agreed. This ticket says you were doing a hundred and twenty five."

"So if I drove a hundred I would still be allowed to drive it?"

"No. I said under a hundred."

"So then if I had drove it ninety nine?"

"Yes."

"That just sucks. That's not fair."

"How is it not fair?"

"Are you telling me you have never driven that car that fast?"

"Sure I have. But it's my car and I asked you not to drive it over a hundred and you promised me you wouldn't. End of discussion." Sesshomaru turned and got in his car heading back to the house.

A/N: off days at the track used to be Mondays. I'm not sure if they still are but that's what I'm going to go by and that is why the meet at the track starts on Tuesday. I'm not sure how much a ticket would cost if you were going a hundred and twenty five being that I have never had a ticket going that fast, I would assume that it would be around a thousand.