Thank you Lynda for advertising my story in your fic 'Parenthood: A new world war' Is that the right title? Anyway, thanks to everyone who reviewed! LOVE YOU!
The Horse Whisperer
Chapter 5 – The Golden Heart Race
Troy and Jason slowly walked up the long, darkened track which lead to Ren's hou…eh, mansion. Unfortunately Jason didn't like the idea of having a sleepover with Hao. "Do we have to go? I really don't like this…"
"The reason you don't like this is because you have a crush on him"
"Shut up! Do you mind not saying that so loudly" Troy laughed and knocked on the large door before walking in. (Me and my friends do that with each other)
Walking in they found Ren, Horo, Yoh and Hao seated on the sitting room floor in a circle. "Hey guys, what's up?"
"About time you got here!"
"Sorry Hao, but I had to convince J here to come"
"Why?" Hao was eyeing Jason who went bright red.
"Never mind! Let's just have some fun tonight" Everyone laughed at his comment which made him go even redder. They sat in the circle and looked at each other as if waiting for someone to say something.
"Well, what are we going to do?" asked Yoh. A smirk came over Horo's face.
"Whatever it is the answer is no" Ren glared.
"But it's a real good game! Just hear me out OK?"
"Fine"
"K, how about we play hide and seek, three hiding, three seeking"
"That's kids stuff"
"Not finished Ren…anyway, here's the twist. Whoever you find, you have to kiss that person!" Ren and Yoh went red in the face.
"NO WAY!"
"Come on guys, it sounds like fun" Troy was given death glares by the two.
"I'm up for it" Troy gave Jason a questioning look but he just smiled back.
"Please guys!" Horo used his best puppy dog look on the two who growled and eventually gave in.
"So, who we gonna pick to hide?" Troy looked around at them but no one said anything. "Fine, I'll hide"
"It's my house so I'll hide too"
"But you know all the good hiding places!" moaned Horo.
"Exactly" Ren gave him a smirk.
"I'll seek" Hao raised his hand in the air. Yoh and Horo decided to seek while Jason wanted to hide. They began counting while the other three ran to hide. "READY OR NOT HERE WE COME!"
"Haven't heard you shout that in years" smiled Yoh.
"I feel like a kid again" Hao went all starry eyed.
"When you're done having your little flashback…" sweat dropped Horo. Yoh decided to start upstairs. Looking through a few spare rooms he came out with nothing. He decided to check Ren's room. His room was quite large and open spaced. Walking in he looked around and something on the floor caught his eye. Sticking out from under his bed was a sheet of paper with some sort of symbol on the corner. Bending down Yoh picked it up and read the contents.
Dear Master Ren
We are pleased to announce that you have been selected to compete in this year's Open. This year, you will be competing against eleven other riders to win the Golden Heart trophy. The competition is to be held at Racing Star Stadium on 20th July. If you cannot enter on this day for any reason please contact me as soon as possible.
On 19th July we will be doing a health and safety check on all competing horses to make sure they are liable to race. We would like you to bring your horse to the stadium on that day. If you do not go through this procedure I am afraid we will have to withdraw you from the competition. Further details of this will be posted to you later.
Here are your jockey stats:
Rider number 6
Jockey outfit colour – Blue and white
Horse name – White Phoenix
Horse age – 7
Stallion/Mare
We wish you and your horse the best of luck in this tournament.
Yours truly,
David Walsh
Chairman of the Horse Racing Society
P.S We are warning all riders that any attempt of cheating or rule breaking will gain them an instant disqualification from the race.
Yoh gasped when he finished reading: Ren was going to compete in the biggest race of the year. Usually he would be happy about things like these, but this race was known to be dangerous. Riders would play dirty tricks on each other just to win and on one occasion that cost a life. He knew Ren wanted to race but this was just out of the question. He turned when the closet door opened and Ren appeared out. "So you found out?"
"Are you mad?"
"I really wanna race Yoh. I want to prove something to myself…that I can trust Phoenix and myself"
"What, by signing a death contract? Are you forgetting about my dreams, you even said that strange things were happening to you"
"Your dreams consist of trucks; I don't think that's something to worry about on a race track"
"But the other riders…"
"I know everything about it"
"Then why are you doing this!" Ren sighed and closed his bedroom door.
"To prove that your stupid dreams are a load of rubbish!" Yoh was a little taken back by his outburst. "You're too protective of me sometimes and I want some space of my own, even if that means galloping at full speed among dirty, no good racers"
"Ren…I'm sorry" Yoh spoke quietly and looked at the ground. "I just don't want to see you get hurt" When he said that Ren looked at him with what seemed to be soft eyes. He couldn't believe what he had just said.
"No…I'm sorry. You were just being a good friend"
"Ren"
"Yeah?"
"Can I give you something?"
"Uh…sure"
"Close your eyes" Ren did as he was told and before he had time to think he felt warm lips against his own.
Don't worry; it gets better in the next chapter. Keep the race in mind as this is going to be very important to the story.
And, yes, the hide and seek game will continue in the next chapter also!