I can't believe I did this…I ran off on my friends after an argument and disappeared for nearly an hour. Doesn't sound that bad but if you add that it was 5 miles away from our houses (we were at the cinema), late at night in the pitch black and we were by ourselves then it sounds bad. I got them worried sick and they kept calling my mobile but I wouldn't pick up. They got home and told my mum I was missing so she phoned me and asked what I was doing. I explained everything and lied by saying I wasn't alone when I was so she said just to come home but I didn't get into trouble. I feel really bad because one of them was almost crying and when I went to her house this morning to say sorry she jumped into my arms and gave me a hug, asking several times if I was OK. Don't think I'll be doing that again anytime soon…

The Horse Whisperer

Chapter 14 – Milly's big secret

The storm had died down and the sky became clearer. The one's that had been left waiting at the Tao household were starting to become inpatient. The four runaways had been gone for over three hours and, after a storm like that, anything could have happened to them. Troy stood at the back looking over at the stables and nearby field in case they suddenly appeared from the woods. Birds chirped in the trees and water dripped from the roof, but there was no sign of anymore movement in the waterlogged yard. "Where are they?"

"Out there" Hao appeared beside him.

"Um, your brother has been missing in a thunder storm for the past three hours, aren't you worried?"

"He's strong; I don't need to worry about him. They'll be back. Just wait and see" Troy sighed.

"I hope your right. How's Tain?"

"Still a bit sore but apart from that he's fine" They were silent for a moment before he broke it. "I shouldn't have let Jason hold me back. I wanted to rip his…"

"Do I want to know where this is going?" Troy interrupted.

"I was going to keep it clean" he smirked.

"Right. Anyway, I think I might just get something to eat. Haven't eaten in hours" He walked away and left Hao watching out the door by himself. He leaned against the frame and looked out across the fields. Where was his brother? He didn't say it in front of Troy but he was pretty worried about Yoh. That boy could do the most stupid things at the worst of times but he would always come out just fine in the end. So why was he so worried?

He was about to turn back into the house when a couple of figures emerging from the trees caught his eye. As they came closer his face lit up as they became clearer. "Troy they're back!" The taller teen came to the door and laughed at the sight of them. They looked a mess but unharmed. As they entered the stable yard they ran to them.

"You two had us worried sick!" Troy helped Ren while Hao helped his twin.

"Aww, you were worried about your little brother!" smiled Yoh.

"Of course I was! If anything happened to you I'd have no one to fight with" He ruffled his hair and laughed.

"Where did you two go?" asked Troy.

"We found a cave and stayed there until the storm died down, but we kinda fell asleep in the process" explained Ren.

"Aw, real smart!" Hao got a slap on the back of the head from his twin for that.

"Like we could help it. If you're tired then you gotta sleep"

"Whatever, I think you should go get washed now" he pointed out. Both runaways went to clean up while the other two took the horses to rest. But Milly was acting strangely. She didn't like the fact of anyone touching her and refused to be led into her stall. Troy was having quite a difficult time with her.

"Milly, come on! What's wrong with you?"

"Maybe she's just spooked by all the excitement" Hao closed White's stall door and went to help. "Come on girl, its OK now" But still she refused to be helped. "Maybe getting Tain is a good idea"

"I think I'll agree" Troy disappeared leaving him to deal with the unsettled mare.

"Chill will ya! God, girls are so touchy" She ran past and ran into a corner pacing around as I something was after her. Tain and Troy appeared and he ran to her, grabbing her head collar.

"Settle girl, I'm here" She began to calm and finally settled when he stroked her nose. "What happened?"

"I don't know, she just went wild when I went to put her in her stall. She wouldn't let either of us touch her" Tain turned back to his mare and stroked her neck. Nothing. Stroked her legs. Nothing. Stomach. Bad idea. She nickered uncomfortably and moved away from his hands. He tried again but only let him do it a few times.

"Something's wrong with her stomach" he said. Checking it over for any injuries he found nothing. "She's no cuts or bruises so I'm stumped"

"Tummy ache?" suggested Hao.

"No, she's had that several times before and she lets me rub it. Right now she doesn't seem to like it" He slowly led her into her stall and watched as she immediately lay down. "My poor girl" he whispered.

"We'll get the vet out here tomorrow. Right now its best she gets some sleep" Tain nodded at Troy and took one last look at her before going back into the house.

Wayne sat in his living room and groaned as someone knocked at the door. He opened it and watched Horo stumble through. "Come on then"

"Wayne, bad news!" He was out of breath from running.

"This better be good" He shut the door and went back to his warm seat in the living room. Horo followed but didn't sit.

"I kinda, um, spilled everything" Wayne gave him a confused look.

"What are on? Drugs?"

"Listen you idiot! I told Yoh and everyone everything by mistake!" A shocked yet angry expression came over the orange haired boy's face.

"You what?"

"I didn't have a choice; they found it out themselves and had me tell them our plan"

"You twat…" hissed Wayne. "What happened then that you had to run for your life over here?"

"Ren didn't take it very well and disappeared then Yoh chased after him. I didn't want to stay any longer in case they used me as a punching bag" Wayne just snorted.

"That's not a bad idea. Oh well, I suppose they would have found out sooner or later"

"I saw White's mane. Was that you?"

"Darn right! Bloody horse tried to attack me so me and Ben tied it up and gave it a new hair due. Did you like it?" he smirked.

"Uh, yeah, sure, whatever" He sat in one of the chairs and caught the rest of his breath. "We need a new plan and fast. The race is in two days"

"If only there was some way to…" A big smile emerged on his lips.

"What?" asked Horo.

"I have the perfect plan to get rid of them and make Ren yours"

"I'm listening…"

Everyone waited outside the stables as the vet and Tain were inside trying to find out what was wrong with Milly. They had been in for 45 minutes and were getting tired of waiting until the door opened and they walked out. Tain thanked the vet and waved him off before he got encircled by everyone. "Well, what's wrong with her?" asked Yoh.

"She's, uh…"

"She's what?" Jason was dying to know.

"She's…pregnant" Everyone stopped dead.

"Really?" Troy was smiling. Tain smiled back.

"Yeah, she's going to be a mum. But that means I can't…" He looked at Ren sadly.

"You can't race anymore" he finished.

"What!" shouted Hao. "By how not?"

"Hao you can't ride a pregnant mare. You'll damage the foal" explained Tain. "Never mind, it's not that big a deal to me anyway. As long as someone beats Wayne I'm happy"

"But, who got her pregnant?" asked Jason.

"Do I need to tell you?" he smirked. Ren face suddenly dropped.

"No. Way"

"Way" laughed Tain. "The vet did a test and it's White's. That's what's happens when two lovers come together"

"Why that little…" Ren laughed. He yelped as Yoh swung him round.

"You're going to be a granddad!"

"I'm 17 not 70! And put me down, I feeling dizzy!" Yoh did as he was told and smiled like an idiot.

"Well, better go phone and pull out from the race then" They all went back into the house unaware of someone hiding in the bushes. Horo stood up and smirked.

"Milly's expecting is she? This makes things more interesting…"

OMG! What is he planning now? Guess you'll have to wait and see!