I just noticed something in the last chapter…I missed out Horo. Sorry! Guess I wasn't thinking. Thanks for reviewing guys!

By the way I was on holiday last week and that's why I haven't updated.

The Horse Whisperer

Chapter 8 – Let the training begin!

It was early in the morning and Horo was pacing back and forth in the living room. He looked at Jason and Hao, snuggled up on the couch and then left to go upstairs. He was worried about Ren and why on earth he just disappeared like that the night before. He knew Troy understood his reason but he wouldn't tell him, which annoyed him quite a bit. Walking upstairs he headed to over to Ren's room and was about to open the door when a hand stopped him. Troy shook his head. "Leave them"

"Them?"

"Yes, them"

"So, that's where Yoh went"

"And?"

"Nothing…was just wondering" With that he walked away. Troy suspiciously eyed him. What are you up to Horo?

Stirring in his sleep Ren awoke to find he wasn't alone. Yoh was sitting on the end of his bed smiling at him. He sat up and gasped when pain shot through his head. "What happened?"

"You had an accident and we found you"

"How'd you know where I was?"

"We didn't, your horse took me to you and I brought you home" Ren looked down and felt his head. He could only remember falling of White and then everything else went blank.

"I can't remember…"

"You wouldn't. I found you with your head busted wide open. Why did you go? You didn't have to prove anything"

"I just wanted…" His voice went quite and he sighed sadly. Yoh finished for him.

"To prove yourself, I know. But I still think you shouldn't have gone off" He crawled up the bed to get closer to him. "What if I never found you?" Ren was starting to get a bit uneasy about the distance between them.

"T-then…then…" He could seem to find the write words to finish his sentence.

"I don't want to lose you…" Yoh was getting even closer. Ren suddenly jumped out of bed.

"Well you didn't, I'm still here" He headed towards the door. "I'm going to see White"

"He's fine Ren" moaned Yoh.

"But I don't know that"

"You don't believe me? I took him home last night myself" Ren stopped in the open doorway and turned round.

"But you're scared of him"

"Not any more. When I saw you hurt I put that fear behind me and rode him home with you" Ren gave a small smile and whispered what sounded like a thanks before heading downstairs. Yoh lay back on the bed. I was so close…

"Hao, give it back! I'm not eating with my fingers!"

"But I wanna feed ya!"

"How old do you think I am?"

"Mentally or physically?"

"Give me the god damn spoon!" Ren walked into the kitchen to find Jason leaning over the table trying to retrieve the item from Hao.

"Please, just one spoonful!"

"Oh fine!" Jason let him feed him some cereal and smiled when he got his spoon back.

"That is just sad" They turned to the doorway and smiled at Ren.

"Hey you're all right!" said Hao, waving his own spoon in the air and sending it across the room.

"Yes and, please don't throw stuff about my house" He walked past them and headed for the back door.

"Where you going?" asked Jason.

"To see if White's OK"

"Oh, before you go, this came for you today" He held out an envelope and Ren took it with a suspicious frown. Opening it he read the contents and his frown deepened. "What is it?"

"It's…nothing" He slipped it into his pocket and walked out into the yard. Opening White's stall he saw the stallion standing proud and tall. Smiling he wrapped his arms around his neck and hid his face in his soft mane. "I'm so sorry boy. I never should have taken you out last night. I was being foolish and didn't think anything would happen"

The horse turned his head and blew into his purple hair. He used his large nose to rub the teen's back. It was the only way he could comfort. Looking up Ren stroked the snow white neck and smiled. Phoenix lightly placed his nose on the bandage wrapped around Ren's forehead. "Oh, I'm fine White really. But, we have to go to the track today. It's time to practise"

The stallion seemed to understand what he meant and excitedly nickered. Ren began saddling up his steed and lead him out into the warm morning sun. He headed towards the gate and stopped when he saw a figure leaning on it. "What are doing Yoh?"

"The real question is what are YOU doing?"

"I have practise at the Racing Star"

"Thanks a lot for telling me"

"I don't have to tell you everything"

"After what happened last night I think it would be beat if you did"

"We're going to be late" He started walking again and Yoh politely moved so the gate could be opened.

"I'm coming with you" Ren narrowed his golden eyes. "I told you I would stand by you and I'm going to keep my word" They walked to the stadium in silence and Ren joined the other riders on the track. But there was one horse and rider that stood out from the rest. A tall boy with cameral coloured hair and deep brown eyes was mounted upon the biggest horse Ren had ever seen. It didn't look too friendly either with its pure black coat and eyes. White seemed to take interest in these too as well.

"What are you staring at? Wish you had a horse like mine instead of that pony beside you?" he shouted.

"What did you say?" Ren felt his blood boil.

"Ooo, not very friendly are we?" He steered his horse towards Ren and smirked at the small boy.

"Don't insult something just because of the way it looks"

"I would have expected something like that from someone with a goat for a steed"

"Take that back!"

"I will, if you beat me at this practise race" His horse snorted at them and they headed towards the starting gates. Ren glared like anything at the teen's back but was disturbed by a beautiful chestnut walking in front of him, blocking his view.

"Don't let Wayne get to you. He finds anyone with a horse like yours a threat" Another boy dismounted beside him. He had dark green hair that fell half way down his back and light green eyes. "My name's Tain and this is my mare Milly" He rubbed the dark nose that now rested on his shoulder.

"I'm Ren and this White Phoenix"

"Odd name. His got a great looking coat"

"Thanks, yours is nice as well"

"I enter her in lots of shows so she obviously needs to look her best. You know girls" He rolled his eyes making Ren smile. White and Milly began to rub noses. "Looks like they have a thing for each other"

"He always did have a thing for the girls. Can I ask you why, what's his name, acts like that?"

"Wayne. He's always been like that. His stallion is called Air, apparently because he's so fast it looks like he's running on air. He's never lost a race"

"Well I'm about to put a dent in his winning streak"

DUN DUN DUN DUUUUN! Looks like this race is going to be harder than Ren thought. Don't worry; I've finished my main fic so there'll be lots of updates on this. See ya for now!