Just a short and sweet chapter...

Seto's hooves pounded like flint on the dusty floor as he galloped away. He felt more relieved than ever to stretch his legs. Even his hurt foot, seemed to enjoy to be moving on the the terrain. If he could get home, Mokuba would take care of it, he knew that Mokuba loved ponies, surely he'd tend to the pain that had hacked at his leg ever since yesterday. The pain seemed to fade with every stride as he thought about taking a warm bath in his hot tub and sleeping in his warm bed that night, but his dreams were cut short by the sound of hooves clattering after him.

Seto looked and saw the girl mounted on a pinto Quarter Horse going at full speed after him. Seto gave snort of annoyance. Not them again! He thought and surged faster and faster. He knew the short-legged steed would tire quickly over a long time. Seto was just getting warmed up. Already sweat flecked the cow horse's sides. Avoiding them would be a simple.

Rae's heart pounded as she chased after the stallion. He was getting faster and faster and her horse was wearing down. His sides heaved and he was losing interest in his target as he struggled to maintain his stride. The Western saddle was rubbing her legs raw and she gritted her teeth fighting the pain. Sweat rolled down her face and she too was getting tired. They needed to slow down or her horse would trip.

Seto neighed triumphantly, taunting the tiring horse. The horse gave a wheezy come back through his lips, but Seto ignored it and began bucking playfully and prancing like a colt. Seto whinnied a sassy farewell to the girl and cantered away.

Rae felt angry inside. She had lost the horse of her dreams at the most closest of chances, she knew she had to get him soon. She had to!

Rae pushed her gelding into a gallop again. The horse snorted and broke into a clumsy lope after the horse. Seto caught them out of the corner of his eye, something told him, they weren't giving up. This girl must have been more determined than ever to catch him, if she even knew who he really was behind his satin black coat, she would think twice. Seto slowed down near a lush green pasture and stared at the duo that had followed him. The horse was snatching at the blades of grass, greenish slobber dripping from his lips. Seto shook his head and stepped farther away from them and lowered his ownhead to graze.

As the black stallion munched on the tender shoots, ignoring the fact that he was human on the inside. His big horse stomach couldn't resist the giant salad bowl before him. He grazed on feeling stronger, ignoring the horse and rider that were edging closer to him.

Rae held her breath and grasped the rope in her hand. Should she let the stallion graze, or catch him now. Well it would be too bad if he got away on her only chance. She lifted the rope, making a lasso out ofit and twirled it silently over her head, her heart pounding. The rope sailed through the air just as the black stallion lifted his head and SLAP! The rope landed elegantly on Seto's glossy black neck.

Seto suddenly jerked back. Putting all his body weight on the rope, fighting for his life. He bucked and faught violently. Rae let go of her reins and clung onto the horn of the saddle. Her horse leaned back, his nostril's flaring as he tried to look agressive. Seto pinned back his ears and charged them angrily. Rae gripped the horn as her horse swung to avoid the stallion. The rope, which was wrapped around Rae's stomach tightened painfully, she felt as if her organs were being constricted by a ferocious python. Sweat rolled down her cheek and she clung on for life, not daring to let go of the saddle.

Seto reared in frustration. The rope was choking him. The more he pulled back, the tighter it became until he could barely breathe. Seto stopped fighting, knowing it would be the only thing to help him. Seto sighed and lowered his head, he hated feeling defeated, it made him angrier. Seto gasped for air as the rope loosened. Maybe if he surprised the girl, she wouldn't be ready when he pulled the same thing he did on the cowboy.

Rae sighed as both horses relaxed. She clucked softly to her gelding. The pinto pulled away from the stallion. Seto felt the pressure on his neck and he jerked his head up and started the big fit all over again. He bellowed hoarsly and tried to tear at the rope with his teeth and flint hard hooves. The same panic he had before weakend him and he felt scared and trapped. Rae's soothing words didn't help either and he wasn't going to follow her. No matter what he was going home. To his real home.

Galloping hooves echoed behind Rae. It was the cowboy-dressed sheriff and he seemed to have followed her when she rode off. Relief washed over Rae, she knew this person could help her. He was riding a blood-bay mare and he looked concerned as he got closer to the struggling girl.

"You may want to grab the reins," he grunted slowing his horse next to hers. "Don't worry, if that rope gets too tight it'll come off...eventually,"

Rae stared at the reins that lay loosly on the saddle. Could she trust this man's advice? She looked at the stallion who was tossing his head and crow hopping left and right. Rae reached for the reins with one hand and then snatched them both before the stallion went crazy again. Luckily, he didn't.

Seto gave up. It was the worst and stupidest descion to make but he had to give in. This girl wasn't the "give-up-to-soon" type. She had a stubborn spirit, it reminded him of himself as a competitive duelist. Some strange instinct made Seto wondered if she dueled herself.

Rae leaned back on the reins slowly. The horse underneath her backed up. His body tense and he ears pricked anxiously at the stallion. Seto took a hesitant step toward her. The smell of oats caught his nose and he began to gradually come closer and closer to her until he was almost abreast of her horse. Seto nipped the gelding, Rae was riding and poked Rae's shirt with his muzzle to show that he wasn't happy with her.

Rae smiled and reached out to stroke the stallion's head. Seto's eyes widened and he threw his head up. How dare she try to make up with him again, he wasn't falling for that! Seto reluctantly followed Rae all the way to where the white trailor was parked. He looked inside the gloomy trailor and pretended to eat some grass, trying to stall. A tug on his neck made him jerk his head up again.

Rae sighed. The stallion was more challenging than she thought. She looked at the men on foot for help but they were busy examining the penned horses. One of the horses that was already inside, neighed shrilly and struck at the trailor wall. Seto bellowed and pawed the ground angrily. Rae clicked her tongue again. Seto sat back on his haunches and strained against the rope. Rae's horse half reared, Rae gripped the saddle and forced her horse to stand still. The horse was still anxious. It stummbled and leapt back, trying to brace back against the stallion's weight.

Seto reared and neighed angrily and another fight began. Rae's horse went crazy, it bucked and twisted clumsily. The horse's jerky movement unbalanced the mighty black stallion and he fell backwards onto his back. Seto whinnied in pain as his backbone was crushed by his weight. Seto floundered on the ground until he finally scrammbled to his feet. Seto shook his head, he felt slightly dazed from the fall and stood still trying to gain his composure again. Rae still hadn't lost mometnum and pulled back on the rope. Seto ran blindly in the other direction and nearly collided with a barrel of hay.

Rae gasped as the black horse nearly missed the hay and trotted in a circle until he finally forced himself to be dragged into the trailor. Rae shut the ramp before Seto gave an enraged whinny and charged the ramp. It was securely locked so he couldn't get out. There was a sickening thud as Seto hit the ramp, making the entire trailor rattle. The horses secured inside gave cries of terror. Rae panted and wiped sweat from her brow, her horse was also sweaty and he looked terrified at the moment. Rae patted his sweat-lathered neck, dismounted from the muddy saddle, and led him to the water trough for a drink.

Seto sighed shakily, his head hurt from the fall and every limb in his body was sore. His hurt foot throbbed and felt limp and hot. Seto lowered his head and nursed the wound with his tongue. Inside he was deeply frightened. He had no idea where he was going, or what would happen. Even if it was something for his benefit, it wouldn't make him feel safe and he had a feeling it had something to do with this girl named Rae. He felt defeated and broken. It made him feel angry inside. He hated that downward feeling he had, and he had felt it one to many times before. It all started with that stupid Yugi Moto and his faithful mutt, Joey. And then his retarded "step-brother" had to ruin everything again after he was just feeling his proud spirit kick in again. Seto looked around at the firghtened horses. The wimpy looking mare nickered and rested her chin on his back. Seto neighed angrily and bit the mare on the nose. She banged her head on the trailor roof and edged to the back of her tiny stall as far as her tie rope would let her.

Seto could hear tense voices outside. He peered through two boards and saw the men, the woman, and the girl talking to each other. They didn't seem to be arguing, but they had nervous looks on their faces and exchanged worried glances as the girl spoke. Seto strained his ears to hear them but all he caught was a few muffled words and then the mooeing of cattle. It wasn't long before the trailor began to rattle and depart from the small clearing where the rustlers had kept them.

Seto closed his eyes, he hadn't slept all night and his body was trembling from fatigue. He felt hungry and the moist tender grass he had eaten seemed like ages ago. He nipped his grumbling stomach and suddenly felt dizzy. He finally lowered his head and dozed fitfully.