Off to the Races 3
Ichigo jogged to the railing where everyone was gathered except for Tensa who was still warming Zangetsu up. Nodding to Orihime who held a heavy bell in one hand, she swung the small hammer releasing a loud peeling sound causing Tensa to rein the tall black colt in before turning him towards the railing where Ichigo climbed up to grab his bridle, petting the beautiful creature.
"The man I just spoke with is Sosuke Aizen, the president of Hueco Mundo, owner of Los Noches Stables and full owner of Hougyoku, the only competition besides Shikai we had to worry about. According to him, Hougyoku has a severe quarter crack and Aizen is refusing to race him in that condition. Because of this, he was looking for a candidate to go against the Soul Society and we fit the bill. He made an amazing offer that only has a few kinks. He has invited his personal Jockey over to see if he can ride Zangetsu."
Everyone gasped though Tensa looked distinctly annoyed but it was Shiro who voiced his complaint. "Oh come on Ichi! We fuckin' know no one is better than Tensa! Zany-boy here ain't goin' anywhere without Tensa or ya on 'is back!"
Ichigo nodded. "Exactly, but Aizen doesn't believe me. I decided we'll let him learn for himself. The other kinks are that he want's Zangetsu moved to his stable which isn't that big of a deal. He also wants me to train the filly, Pantera for the Kentucky Oaks which should be no problem. The only other problem relies on you, Shiro."
He turned his dark chocolate eyes on the albino, meeting his unique eyes of gold with black sclera. "He wants you to be his transporter and you know I am gonna need your help with Zangetsu's and Pantera's legs." Shiro gave a smirk. "Fine fine…. If only because you begged so cutely." Ichigo flushed darkly and flipped the annoying flirt off before turning back to Zangetsu and Tensa, the latter of which had an amused expression. "I swear Tensa, keep your dog on a shorter leash before I drop kick him into next week." Everyone knew the only person Shiro would practically bow down to was Tensa who had once beaten the elder boy bloody for being a little to touchy feely while flirty with him. Since then, Shiro was at Tensa's beck and call like a dog.
Tensa climbed from the large stallions back, moving to the railing while Ichigo climbed over the railing and stood with his beast. It wasn't often he got to see the undeniably cruel side of Tensa and it looked like this was going to be one of those times if the other jockey hurt Zangetsu.
"Ulquiorra should be here in a few moments, Kurosaki Ichigo." Ichigo turned towards Aizen slowly, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. "First off, you had no problem calling me Ichigo before so keep it like that; I hate all that formal shit. Second, good but I'm telling you, he's gonna end up bucked off." Aizen gave the smaller boy an amused look before turning to the rest of the group.
"I'm Sosuke Aizen though most just call me Aizen. It's a pleasure to formally meet all of you…though it seems one is missing?"
Tensa cut his ice blue eyes to the taller one, lounging along the rails as he sized up the other. "He doesn't stick around most of the time…" Aizen smiled pleasantly. "Ah, you must be the young Tensa Zangetsu-kun. I'm sad to say I've never seen you race but I've heard you are very talented." Tensa shook his head, a bemused expression on his face. "If you thought I was that talented, you wouldn't be trying to replace me. Ah…I should probably inform you of something before I forget. Lying to me is not in your best interest. I don't work for you, nor do I depend on you so don't force yourself to get on my good side." With that, the short, black haired boy hopped away from the railing and headed into the stables, most likely to find a vending machine.
The momentary shock on Aizen's face made Ichigo burry his face in Zangetsu's neck to smother his laughter while the brunet continued to try and make introductions. Orihime instantly liked him, smiling happily and talking nonstop about "How wonderful it is that you will be able to see Zangetsu up close!" and "Thank you for sponsoring us!" It wasn't until Shiro came sauntering up with a small pale man with pin straight black hair and emerald green eyes that everyone became serious.
Tensa walked out of the barn, obviously having noticed the pair coming up to the track. He pointedly ignored the other jockey, only nodding once to the tall albino. They could hear Shiro talking loudly to his companion.
"There, you see that monster? That's Zany-boy. Big old beast but he's got nothing on his dad! Old Mugetsu really ain't that old but he is so fuckin' big that Ichi can ride him in a race and the fuckin' animal still runs like the wind!"
Ulquiorra made no sign of answering; only nodding slightly as he stared at Zangetsu before turning void, emerald eyes on Ichigo. When they made eyes contact, Ichigo nodded and waved a hand, motioning the other to come through the railing. Warm brown eyes took in the white riding pants, white tucked in button up and white riding helmet. Even the ankle high riding boots the man wore were pure white.
"Alright, I'm Ichigo Kurosaki but you can just call me Ichigo. Now, if you feel him start to bulk, I need you to remove yourself quickly from my horse cause if he starts bucking, you're going flying." As he spoke, the orange haired man waved Shiro over and when the albino reached them, he passed him the reins.
"You hold Zan, last thing I need is him side stepping. Keep his head down, make sure he can't see Tensa." Shiro nodded and held the reins, pulling Zangetsu's head down and murmuring softly to the horse in Japanese. It was one of the few times you could see a softer side to the golden eyed male. Ichigo rounded on Ulquiorra while the beast was distracted.
"Now, he uses a bitless bridle so don't go sawing on the reins, it's not gonna have an effect. He uses leg pressure, a guiding hand on the reins and a commanding tone. English, Japanese and Spanish are his favorite languages so use one of those when you command him." When the smaller male nodded, Ichigo gave him a boost until he was seated in the saddle. They all watched as Zangetsu's ears pricked and swiveled, a snort blowing from his nostrils.
Ichigo backed off and Shiro turned the beast away from the railing so he didn't get the chance to see Tensa but the albino held in a smirk when Zangetsu's skin trembled, a sure sign that he knew something was up.
"Alright pretty boy, let's see what ya got!" Shiro yelled and released the stallion.
Ulquiorra held perfect posture, leaning forward in the saddle and giving the black flesh a pat. "Walk on." He stated calmly, the horse staying for a moment before doing as told. The walk was stiff though and Ichigo watched critically and Zangetsu shook his head and drug his feet. "Alright, let's see you go faster!" he called out. Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see the smug look on Aizen's face.
Ulquiorra tapped the colt with his heels and it was then that everything fell apart. As soon as the raven did that and spoke the words "Move on" Zangetsu's head snapped straight up, his ears pressed back and all four feet planted perfectly. Ulquiorra had a slight frown of his face and tapped the horse with his heels again, pulling the reins to try and pull his head back down. Sure enough, Zangetsu lowered his head and Ichigo's eyes widened.
"Oh shit… JUMP!" he shouted but Ulquiorra either didn't hear him or ignored him for he made no move to leave. At least he didn't move until Zangetsu humped his back and buckled his knees slightly, preparing to launch a massive buck. Ulquiorra jumped away from the horse as fast as possible, hitting the ground hard and scrambling away as the beast leapt into the air like he had wings.
The black colt took off for the railing as soon as his hooves were back on the dirt where Tensa was waiting patiently. As soon as Zan was in front of him, he pulled himself up into the saddle and calmed the horse who was snorting loudly and stomping his foot. Ulquiorra strode towards them, his green eyes flashing though his face remained eerily calm.
"That beast of yours, Kurosaki Ichigo, lacks all forms of training. I don't see that horse winning anything, let alone the Derby."
Aizen was watching the scene with a calculating look but Ichigo answered the enraged raven calmly. It was as though he had known this would happen and Aizen instantly thought of the warning.
"My horse is trained perfectly. For Tensa that is. He wasn't meant to be ridden by others and since you have never seen him race, you have no right to judge based on your failure alone."
When it appeared the green eyed male was going to argue, Aizen stepped in.
"Calm yourself, Ulquiorra. He did warn me before I invited you that no one but Tensa was able to ride the horse. Why don't we wait and see how Tensa does?" The voice was calm but obviously brooked no argument and Ichigo walked away to take Zangetsu's reins, walking the beast to the center of the track.
"Tensa, I want you to show them what this guy is made of." Tensa gave a tight nod and pulled down the goggles that rested on top of his helmet. Ichigo went back to the others and gave a tight nod making Shiro, Chad and Uryuu pull out stop watches, Ichigo holding his own old metal one in his palm. Orihime lifted the metal bell and watched Zangetsu with practiced eyes. Silence rained until suddenly, the ear splitting ding of the bell being struck with all the force she could muster sounded and they all slicked their stop watched at the very moment Zangetsu launched from his standing position.
The horse raced down the track at a blazing speed, a trail of dust left in his wake. Ichigo turned his eyes away for a moment to stare smugly at the entranced sponsor and jockey.
Aizen was in awe of this beast that raced around the track as though made of the wind itself. Although he heavily favored his Hougyoku, he would not be surprised if this creature gave him a run for his money.
Ichigo turned back to the track and watched as Zangetsu reached the half mile mark. He knew Uryuu had the quarter, Chad would mark the half and Ichigo would be watching for the mile marker. As Zangetsu cleared the turn, and stretched out for home, they watched how his body moved closer to the ground, each stride longer than the last. It was as though the horse never touched the ground.
"Time!" Ichigo yelled loudly, Orihime striking the bell while Zangetsu slowly came out of his drive to canter back towards them. Aizen didn't wait to hear the times, instead he gripped Ichigo's wrist and read out the numbers aloud. "One minute and twenty-four seconds for the mile…" Ichigo scowled at the hand holding his but smirked at the slight tint of awe in the brunet's voice.
"So, Aizen, do we have a deal now? I can have him shipped to your stable area tomorrow." Aizen nodded at the cocky orange haired man. His own smirk coming into play as he shook hands with him. "Then tomorrow I will meet you and introduce your team and yourself to my crew. I'm sure you will all get along. Don't expect a chance to rest though, I intend to make you work for every dime I put into you." Ichigo raised an eyebrow at the heated words before smirking himself.
"Wouldn't have it any other way." With that, Aizen walked away, Ulquiorra pausing in following the man to turn back to Ichigo.
"That is a rather impressive creature you have. I humbly apologize for my harsh words." With that, the stoic man bowed and wandered away before Ichigo could say anything.
Turning back to his crew, he grinned broadly. "And we're OFF!" everyone laughed loudly and cheered. Ichigo stared up at the sky with a large grin…he was finally making his dream come true and no one was going to stop him.
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