Hey everyone! Ready to see our Assassin's try to tackle this horse? Oh this should be good.

I apologize for any grammar errors seeing as how I uploaded this right before English class. XD Enjoy guys! READ, REVIEW, BE MERRY! :DD

Chapter 35

Riding A Shadow.

*Altaïr grabbed a dark brown leather bridle and made his way down to the last stall. He could feel Alera's eyes on him and he smirked slightly. He stopped at Shade's stall door and saw the tall, muscular black horse standing all the way back against the far wall. His head rose as the assassin approached. His ears flicked towards him, then he realized the man was nothing of interest to him and he put his head back down, grabbing a mouth full of hay.

Altaïr bit his lip and gripped onto the bridle. He watched the horse and clicked his tongue together.

"Chk chk chk. Come on shadow..." he tried to beckon the horse. It rose its head, his ears flicking towards the call. He continued to munch on his hay but his eyes were on the assassin. Altaïr smirked slightly and opened the stall door, slipping in and closing it behind him. Shade snorted and pawed the ground. He turned away from Altaïr and paced over to the farthest corner. Altaïr made sure to stay away from his back end. He didn't want the fire kicked out of him...but he was determined to get this horse.*

I saw him disappear behind the wall of the stall and I jumped. I bit my lip and fidgeted with Àlkimos' reins.

"Altaïr..?" I called softly. I heard Shade's hoof hit the ground a few times and I shook my head. I had to go check on him. Àlkimos was already tacked up so I left him standing in the hallway and walked over. I heard him snort in protest and I patted his backside. "Calm down I'll be back." he snorted again and I smiled softly and shook my head. I turned my attention back to the last stall and walked cautiously over to it. "Altaïr?" I called quietly. I looked around the corner and saw him standing in front of the dark horse. He held the bridle up and Shade had retreated to the farthest corner. "Altaïr... be careful...Don't startle him he'll turn around and kick you!" I warned softly. "Don't be foolish!" I was worried for him now.

*Altaïr smirked gently and turned around to face Alera. "Worried about me love?" he asked. He saw Alera clench her fist and a soft growl came from her.

"Yes I am worried about you! Don't turn your back on that horse!" she warned. He only sent her a wink.

"Watch me work." he turned back around and slowly walked forward. He walked around and stood beside the great stallion. He gently laid his hand on the horse's side. His black skin twitched slightly and Shade lifted his head and turned to look at Altair. He let out a low nicker and watched him. Altaïr's hand trailed along the horses back.

"Easy boy... It's alright...I'm a friend." his voice was low and soothing. Shade's ears twitched towards the assassin.*

I watched cautiously as he got closer and closer. I didn't say a word but I was so nervous for him. Shade could turn on him in a second. I saw his hand creep up the beast's neck and yet he still didn't move. Altaïr was so close to having him. I could hear the faint, low hum of his voice...that voice that made me go weak. I smirked. Maybe it could make the horse obey just as well as it does for me.

Suddenly, in one quick motion, Altaïr had the bridle on the horse. Shade didn't protest, didn't shake his head or kick or anything. I saw Altaïr turn around and shoot me a wink. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding and a smile spread across my lips as I leaned against the stall.

"Well... I'm woman enough to admit when I'm wrong. Nice job, love." I shot him a wink in return. "Now...let's see you get on his back." I challenged. Altaïr shot me a smirk from underneath his hood.

"Done." suddenly he turned around, ran up the wall and jumped back, landing right on Shade's back. He grabbed a handful of the horse's mane and he grabbed the reins. Shade let out an ear splitting neigh and began to buck around in the stall.

"Oh my god Altaïr!" I yelled, jumping away from the stall. I didn't mean it like that!

"Open the door Alera!" he yelled. Shade slammed his side into the wall and Altaïr let out a few curses but I could barely hear him over the banging and the high pitched neighing of the horse.

"No I can't! If he runs out Àlkimos will be trampled! Jump off of him you're going to get hurt!" I yelled at him. The horse let out another neigh and reared up. Fear struck my heart as I lost sight of Altaïr.

"OPEN THE DAMN DOOR!" I heard him yell again. I gritted my teeth and growled.

"Ugh... FINE! God you're such a fool!" I yelled, reaching out and unlatching the door. I swung it open then took off down the hall. "Get out of the fucking way!" I yelled to the stable hands. I could hear Shade thundering down the hall behind me and I picked up my pace. I ran forward and jumped, placing my hands on Àlkimos rump and pushed up, jumping into the saddle and spurring him in the sides. "HYA!" Àlkimos let out an equally loud neigh as he shot out of the stables with Shade following close behind.

I held onto my horse's reins as I looked back to see Shade run out of the stable and start to spin in a circle. He bucked and kicked and shook his head, trying to make Altaïr fall off. I pulled Àlkimos' reins and whipped him around so I could see. Àlkimos danced nervously and shook his head, and I watched in horror as Shade reared back and bucked into the air. My eyes widened as Altaïr hit the ground with a thud.

"Altaïr!" I called after him and jumped off Àlkimos, immediately running over to him.

*Altaïr groaned as he rolled over. His eyes fluttered opened to be met with the worried blue gaze of his lover. He smiled.

"Alera..." he groaned again, but the smile still remained on his face. He heard her give a frustrated growl.

"Ugh! I told you to be careful! I told you that horse was going to throw you. You're such a fool!" she huffed. He only smiled and opened his eyes to look back at her.

"At least I'm your fool." he said as he reached a hand up and placed it on her cheek. She bit her lip and rolled her eyes, a smile coming to her lips as she placed her hand over his.

"And don't you forget it."

"Hey! Assassin!" came a yell from behind them. Altaïr relinquished his hand and he sat up slowly with the help of Alera. They both looked over at the stable hand. "Are you alright?" asked the boy. Altaïr nodded.

"Yes. I'm fine." he looked around and saw Shade prancing around them, as if challenging him. "And I'm going to get back on that horse." he growled as he stood up, but he felt a tug on his arm that stilled him from going.

"No! I will not let you get yourself trampled by that wild horse!" hissed Alera. She bit her lip and slowly looked over to where the stable hand had been. The nosy boy had walked back into the stables and Alera snapped her head back over and kissed Altaïr right on the lips. He blinked and looked down at her, but smirked and gave a teasing lick to her bottom lip. She bit his lip back in return and he reached down and smacked her ass. She pulled away from him with a gasp and he chuckled.

"Don't start something you can't finish, my dear." he winked. "I, on the other hand, am not one to leave things undone~" he placed one last teasing kiss on her lips before turning his attention back to the Shadow that had slipped from him.*

I blinked at the quick teasing kiss that he gave me and was about to say something else until I saw him catch Shade again. It seemed like he had already been broken into a bridle and being led and being around people...but somebody on his back was a totally different story.

I shook my head and walked back over to Àlkimos and planted a kiss on his muzzle. He gave a soft nicker and nuzzled into my neck which made me smile.

"Mmm...You sweet thing. You'll have to teach Shade some manners, eh?" I cooed to him. He snorted and I chuckled. "Now... If only my assassin wasn't such an idiot..." My eyes then drifted back over to Altaïr, who was leading Shade over to us. I grabbed Àlkimos' reins and backed up.

"What are you doing Altaïr ... Don't bring him over here." I warned. "He's a stallion. I don't want him fighting with my baby." all he did was smirk and shake his head.

"He's not going to touch your baby. So calm down. I figured he could use the soothing touch of my woman. Try to get on his back."

"What? No." I shook my head and crossed my arms. "You've got to be kidding me. I'm not going to hurt myself." I rose a brow at him and cocked my hip to the side. Altaïr's eyes ran up and down me...that damn smirk still rested on his lips and he stepped up closer to me, his face inches from mine.

"Don't worry, my rose. I'll be there to catch you~...but just so I'll make sure you do this how about a bet?" he winked. I bit my lip and narrowed my eyes at him.

"Alright...what are the terms to this bet." I asked. He chuckled deeply and curled an arm around my waist. I panicked slightly and looked around, but everyone had gone back into the stables and back to their business. I sighed and relaxed in his arms, placing my hands on his chest. Shade shook his head and snorted and I heard Àlkimos snort back and paw at the ground. "You've got to stop that. Someone will catch us."

"Shhh~ You let me worry about that, Desert Rose. Right now, I want you to listen to my terms. If you can climb onto Shade's back slowly and carefully without making him buck or jump or throw you off, then you can do whatever you want to me when we get to Acre and you can do it whenever you want..." he leaned down and nuzzled into my neck. I took a shaky breath and pushed him back away from me.

"And If I can't do that?" he smirked and shrugged.

"I get to do everything I just said, to you." he shot me a wink and I narrowed my eyes.

"We're never going to get around to leaving..." I mumbled. He chuckled.

"Oh yes we will. If you hurry up we will."

"Me? You're the one who took the unbroken horse!"

"You're the one who challenged me and gave me the idea~" damn it I hate when he's right... I growled and felt him kiss my forehead.

"Just give it a shot and then we can go."

"Alright. Fine." I slipped out of his arms and felt Àlkimos nudge me gently. I gave him a reassuring stroke on his muzzle, then walked up to Shade. His ears pricked towards me and his dark eyes watched me. I bit my lip and held my hand out.

"Easy Shadow..." I whispered softly. He nickered softly and took a step forward. I took a few steps forward and closed the distance between us. I gave a soft sigh in relief as he let me pet him. I stroked his soft muzzle, then ran my fingers through his midnight bangs. He truly was a beautiful horse. "You need to be taught some manners, love." I cooed to him. He snorted. I took a deep breath then ran my hand down his thick neck and walked over, standing on one side of him. I shot a look back at Altair who only smirked.

"What are you waiting for rose?" he asked. I sighed as I looked back at Shade. I slowly placed both hands on his back. He turned his head and looked at me. I bit my lip and tried to calm myself, remembering what my Father had always told me.

"One motion."

I opened my eyes, slowly pushed up on him and laid my body down on him so he could feel all my weight. I slid my leg over his rump slowly and grabbed his mane in one hand and the reins in another. My whole body was on him, but he still didn't move...and it surprised me.

Maybe I could do this.

I slowly sat up on him and let out a calm breath, stroking his neck and trying to ease him.

"Its alright Shadow...Whoa...shhh..." I said to him in a soft voice. All he did was shift from foot to foot. I felt my body slowly relax and I looked over at Altaïr with a smirk. "I know exactly what I'm going to do to you and I know when I'm going to do it~" I teased, giving a wink.

*Altaïr rose a brow as he saw her conquer the horse...but he still had one trick up his sleeve. He chuckled at her words and took a few steps closer to her and the horse.

"Ah...my rose~ Are you so sure about that?" he grinned and smacked Shade on the rump, causing him to let out an ear splitting neigh and rear up.*

"Ahh! Whoa! Easy Shadow!" I panicked, holding onto the reins and tightening my legs around his back so I wouldn't fall off.

That cheating bastard!

Suddenly Shade slammed his front hooves back down, the kicked his hind legs out!

It was over with.

I shut my eyes and tensed, ready for the ground, but felt strong arms wrap around me and hold me. I opened my eyes and saw the horse trot off a little ways away. I was breathing hard and my heart was racing as I gripped onto Altaïr. He chuckled, causing his chest to vibrate and his voice to warm my blood.

"Are you alright my dear?" he asked softly. I felt him place a soft kiss on my neck that had chills crawl down my skin.

"Oh I'm perfectly fine...and you're a cheating bastard." I said, shooting a look over at him and standing back up straight. He didn't let me go, however. His arms just slid lower and pulled me flush against him by my waist.

"All is fair in love and war." he simply said. Then, I felt him nuzzle my neck and one of his hands slide around my body and run down my stomach. "And I know exactly what I'm going to do to you and where I will do it at~" he growled, his hand sliding lower and lower till I felt his fingers curl between my legs.

"Ah~!" I let out a gasp in surprise and grabbed his wrist. "A-Altaïr... y-you...need to stop..." I whispered rather weakly...hating the effect he had on me but also loving every minute of it.

"Make me~" he cooed.

Really?...He really wants to test me right now... Hm...So be it.

I rolled my eyes and smirked.

"You asked for it." I grabbed his wrist, twisted it around, dead-legged him and slammed him onto the ground. I smiled in victory as I was perched on top of him. He blinked up at me, his face had surprise written all over it. I shot him a wink and pushed up off of him. "Come on Altaïr," I gave a soft whistle to Àlkimos who trotted over to me. I swung up on him and he danced around, eager and ready to run. I looked down at my lover who sat up and watched me. "You're holding up the mission, love~" I cooed to him.

*Altaïr was surprised that she had thrown him to the grown so easily...but he also loved it. He looked up at his lover as she sat on top of her horse. All he could do was smile.

"Oh just you wait till we get to Acre...I've got something up my sleeve for you. You won't be able to think straight, rose." she shook her head and waved her finger at him in mock scolding.

"Ah Ah Ah...you didn't play fairly. Who says I won't turn the tables on you when the time comes?"

Altaïr gave a deadly smirk...

"My tongue says~" he thought to himself.

She really did have no idea what she had gotten herself into. He simply shrugged.

"We shall see."

He stood up and brushed the dust off of himself, making his way over and grabbing Shade and leading him back over to the stables.

Alera waited patently on him while the stable hand helped him saddle Shade up and pack everything that they needed. The boy also informed him that Shade had indeed been broken but he was skittish when it came to quick movements, loud noises and rough treatment. So this time, Altaïr slowly mounted Shade and got no problems out of him.

He lightly nudged the horse in the sides and he walked forward, heading back over to Alera. Alera shot him a smile as she watched.

"It's about time." she teased. He looked at her and chuckled, but before they took off, he gave her a soft smile and looked her in the eyes.*

"I love you." he said. His voice held so much sincerity in it... and his eyes were soft... it made my heart skip a beat. I gave him a smile and nodded.

"I know~"

Reviews are love~ :DD also...Brace yourselves. The smut is coming. Not next chapter..but soooooon~