DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Ouran High School Host Club!
As you read, you'll probably come to the conclusion that I am a horse freak. This conclusion is 100% true.

Kagura waited until after dinner before finally sneaking out of the house, her eyes focused on one point.

As she drew closer, and her eyes began to adjust to the moonlight, she stopped dead, her breath caught in her throat. The sight in front of her was almost too beautiful to be true.

The white stallion circled the round pen, his mane and tail billowing behind him as he moved in long, graceful strides. Occasionally he would stop to raise his head and let out a long, drawn out neigh.

"Aiode." Kagura breathed, coming closer. The stallion froze at her voice and stood perfectly still, a gleaming white statue that reflected the moonlight so that his white coat seemed even brighter and more pure.

"It's OK boy." She smooched, stopping outside the pen to cross her arms on the fence, resting her chin on top of them. Aiode eyed her, his ears going back.

She sent reassuring pictures to him, grateful that she could communicate with him like no one else. As soon as her thoughts reached him, Aiode's eyes widened and he reared up, his hooves pawing the air as he neighed to the night sky.

Kagura backed away quickly, horrified that she'd frightened him. The stallion charged across the pen, kicking up his heels as he circled at a mad pace.

Gorgeous, but insane. Kagura recalled Arisa's words when she'd described him at the dinner table. Aiode neighed again, throwing his head back as he cried to the stars.

"I'm leaving, don't worry." Kagura murmured, backing away more slowly to return to her bedroom and hopefully get some sleep.

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Hikaru was sitting on the bed, watching the sun rise when Kaoru finally stirred beside him.

"Hikaru? You're up already?" He muttered, rubbing his eyes. "Yeah." Hikaru replied shortly, turning his tired eyes back to the sun. He'd barely slept last night; he'd mostly just sat here, lost in thought as he watched the stars.

"Come on. Let's go get some breakfast." Hikaru said, patting Kaoru's knee as he stood up and stretched, pretending that he'd just woken up.

"All right." Kaoru groaned, getting out of bed and stumbling towards the door.

"Kaoru."

"Yeah?"

Hikaru said nothing, and just tossed him a clean shirt. "You're useless in the morning." He grinned, passing by his blushing twin as he fumbled to get the white shirt on.

Hikaru went downstairs ahead of his twin, and noticed that Kagura and Sakura were already down there.

"Early risers?" He guessed. They nodded, and Hikaru almost instantly noticed Kagura seemed brighter today; the circles under her eyes were less dark.

At least one of us got a good night's sleep. Why do I keep having the same nightmare? He wondered, not for the first time. He should have been used to it by now, but it always left him shaken up.

I'll go riding today. Hopefully that'll tire me out. He thought, trying to be optimistic as he sat down and silently dug into the plate laid out before him by his aunt. She was a marvelous cook; Hikaru gobbled down the crunchy bacon, warm eggs and fluffy pancakes in record time.

"I'm going to go riding." He announced, standing up as Kaoru sat down.

"Want me to come?" Kaoru asked. Hikaru hesitated. "Nah, you eat your breakfast. You've got a girlfriend to entertain; I'll be fine." He said with a wink as he headed out the door.

"Going out already?" Arisa asked from where she was in the barn, holding coffee cans filled with grain.

"Yeah, I can't wait to get riding." He grinned. "Then take Flash; he's eaten already and he needs to stretch his legs. Remind me to make you two help me put them all out to pasture later." She said, disappearing down the aisle.

Hikaru headed over to Flash's stall, and peered in only to have a nose shoved into his face. He smiled slightly, remembering Flash now. He was like a massive, dun pinto dog.

"Good boy." Hikaru smooched, opening the stall and leading the huge gelding out. There was no need to hold his halter; he trotted ahead to the cross-ties and waited eagerly.

Hikaru laughed and patted his shoulder as he passed on his way to get the tack and brushes to get him ready.

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I'm going to get him to trust me or die trying. Kagura thought determinedly, walking quickly over to the corral where Aiode circled endlessly.

She sent soothing images and feelings towards Aiode as she climbed over the fence and dropped into his round pen. She looked him straight in the eyes, confident that he would warm up to her.

I'm here to help you. She thought, taking a step closer. Aiode took three back, his ears flat against his head.

I know you're scared, but I promise I won't hurt you. She assured him. Aiode, who had previously kept his mind completely closed from her, now sent her feelings of intense anger and rage.

He let out a bugling neigh, pawing the ground and giving a half rear, his teeth bared.

Oh no. Kagura's eyes widened, finally realizing how stupid she had been. Escape was futile; any movement from her could provoke a charge, and most likely severe injuries, if not death.

"Kagura! What do you think you're doing?!" She glanced over at Sakura's furious shriek as she hurried over to the fence, Kaoru right behind her.

"Don't come in." She kept her voice low and calm. "He'll settle, and then I'll get out." She tried not to look Aiode straight in the eyes.

"Should I go get Arisa?" Kaoru asked anxiously. Kagura shook her head. "No, she'll kill me." She murmured, her eyes fixed on the ground near Aiode, watching his hooves out of the corner of her eye so she would know when he finally charged.

She could see he was tense, shaking his head and baring his teeth, his eyes rolling as he debated whether to charge or not.

She and Aiode both turned when they heard running footsteps. Before she had turned all the way around, a body jumped in front of her, his arms spread out protectively as he stared down Aiode.

"Hikaru-san? What are you doing here?" Kagura asked quietly, trying to mask her relief.

"Saving your stupid little head from getting trampled." Hikaru hissed between gritted teeth. Kagura looked down at the ground, humiliation blooming in her cheeks.

"Now, back away slowly. I'll distract him." Hikaru said quietly, the menace gone from his voice.

"But what you get hurt?" Kagura demanded. "I'll be fine." Hikaru replied. "Now go!" Kagura hesitated before backing away slowly, fully aware of Aiode's eyes on her.

As soon as she was out of the pen, Sakura grabbed her.

"What were you thinking?!" She hissed, shaking her shoulders. She sounded furious, but she had tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry I scared you." She said sincerely. Sakura said nothing, merely engulfing her in a hug.

Kagura broke free and turned to the corral, anxious to see if Hikaru would make it out.

The stallion and the boy faced off, staring at each other as though preparing to fight.

"I hope he makes it out." Kaoru said anxiously. Sakura took his hand and squeezed it while Kagura leaned closer, surprised by the racing of her heart as she watched to see if Hikaru could escape.

Slowly, Hikaru took a step backwards and Aiode snorted, lowering his head as his ears went back even further.

He's going to charge! Kagura thought in horror.

Aiode pawed the ground, sending another trumpeting neigh into the air as he reared up. To everyone's shock, Hikaru stared back, lowering his head and bracing his shoulders in an aggressive stance.

What is he doing?! Kagura thought wildly. The small crowd of three both gasped when Hikaru lunged forward, running straight towards the stallion.

"Are you crazy?!" Kagura shrieked. But to everyone's surprise, instead of charging back Aiode whirled and galloped away, his eyes alight with fear.

So he was really just trying to scare us off? Kagura realized, watching as Aiode circled the corral around Hikaru, shaking his head and bucking occasionally.

Kaoru's eyes widened and he smiled slightly. "Ah, I see what he's doing now." He announced. Both Sakura and Kagura turned to him. "What?" They asked in perfect unison.

"You'll see." Kaoru said simply, relaxing his previously tense form. Kagura shrugged and leaned against the fence, watching Hikaru with curious eyes as Aiode circled him.

Every time Aiode would come closer to Hikaru, Hikaru would stomp firmly in his direction, sending Aiode into a faster gallop.

The circling went on and on, neither of them seeming ready to give in to the other. Finally, Kagura noticed Aiode's ear turn towards Hikaru and his head lower slightly.

She could feel strange emotions rippling off of him; she thought she could feel respect, but she couldn't be sure.

"He's almost done. Watch." Kaoru whispered, his eyes focused on his brother. Aiode's head lowered until his breath sent clouds of dirt up from the ground and he began licking his lips. After a moment, Hikaru relaxed his stance and turned his back on Aiode, standing as still as a statue.

Aiode came to a snorting stop. He stood, trembling slightly, before he took a hesitant step forward. Step by step, he came closer to Hikaru until he stood just behind him, his nose by his shoulder.

As soon as he was there, Hikaru walked forward and Aiode followed just behind. Kagura pressed a hand to her mouth, amazed by the sight of the previously insane stallion following Hikaru calmly around the round pen, his eyes respectful and adoring instead of fearful and angry.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Kaoru murmured, a smile gracing his lips. "Has Hikaru done this before?" Sakura asked in a hushed whisper. Kaoru shook his head. "No, this is his first time, though he's been dying to try it since he first saw Arisa do it." He explained.

"It's called 'join-up'. You see, Hikaru took on the role of a herd leader by chasing Aiode away, until Aiode showed him some respect. Then he allowed Aiode to join his 'herd', so now Aiode should respect him and follow him." Kaoru said. Sakura and Kagura both nodded. "That's amazing." Sakura breathed.

"I can't believe he did that." Kagura agreed as Hikaru and Aiode both came to a stop. Hikaru turned to face Aiode and the stallion promptly rested his forehead against Hikaru's chest, closing his eyes as Hikaru rubbed his ears, smiling slightly.

"Come on, let's go." Kaoru whispered, leading the small, awe-struck group away.

I think I'll end here for now. Don't worry, I'll update again soon! And yes, I actually did watch someone join-up before- they took this terrified, abused horse and turned her into a calm, loving one. It was amazing. Please review! I've only got one review so far- if I don't get anymore I may not put my next chapter up! (Yes it's a poor threat but I do mean it!)

Any and all reviews are appreciated; I'd like to know my story's being read!

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