Off to the Races 5
Yay! So I hope you all liked the last chapter!
Um, I wanted to let everyone who suggested side pairings that I have changed my poll to include side pairings and you can now vote twice! So please go ahead and vote on your side pairings! Also, I really like all the side pairing comments I have gotten involving Tensa because I really like Tensa and you all picked such cool people for him to be with!
Anyway, before I drag this on I just wanted to say thank you to those that are indeed reading this and it means a lot to me!
Pantera let out a soft whinny when a person she had never seen before walked into her stall. They didn't seem like a threat so the large blue roan let her hazel eyes roam over him curiously. This stranger had bright orange hair; warm chocolate eyes that flashed amber in the little bit of sun that filtered in and a gentle smile that made Pantera feel calm.
When he placed a warm hand under her nose, the filly inhaled his scent deeply; catching the scent of a colt as well as the delicious sent of honey and the human's unique scent reminded her of the spring clovers she loved to eat. Wuffling his palm with her lips, snow colored ears tipped forward to catch his gentle laugh.
"You're a friendly girl aren't you? Beautiful too…and so intelligent!" His other hand reached up, trailing between her hazel eyes before moving down her neck. "I'm Ichigo…I'll be working with you from now on, pretty one. I hope you don't mind cause I really want to get along with everyone here." Ichigo placed his cheek against the beautiful creature's neck, breathing in her warm scent and reveling in the silky fur under his skin.
Running hands over her spin, Ichigo counted every ridge before sliding over her flank to check each leg and hoof. When he was done, he fished a sugar cube from his pocket to feed Pantera, making the filly nicker excitedly. Before he left the stall, Ichigo pressed a kiss to her nose and walked away, leaving the mare in peace. That calm was easily broken though when her blue haired owner stepped into the stall a few moments later making the filly whinny loudly.
"Shhh shh girl, you'll make him come back." Grimmjow pressed a hand to her nose which she nuzzled making the tall man smile. "I guess you like him huh, beautiful? Did he give you lots of compliments and check you over?" The horse snorted as though she understood her owner and pressed her forehead against his chest.
"Good, good…guess I won't have to worry then. Just don't be too hard on the kid, he looks like he might cry if you didn't like him." Pantera's ears flattened and she clacked her teeth at him in reprimand. With a final pat, Grimmjow left the stall since it was the beasts rest day, Sunday. He knew the Derby and the Oaks wouldn't be held for another 6 days and that they wouldn't move to the on sight stables for another two days but he couldn't help worrying about his precious girl.
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Line break
(Sorry for that fluffy ass beginning!)
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Aizen watched calmly as Zangetsu raced around the track with one of the many training horses by his side. Ichigo stood a few feet away with a calculated expression on his face, taking in every movement.
"He's not lining out…it's as though he is bored." The whisper made Aizen turn to the orange haired male. "You think he's bored? He just looks playful to me, like he is trying to make the other horse challenge him." Ichigo nodded. "Exactly, he is trying to challenge a horse he knows couldn't hold a candle too him and is purposely not going all out."
Aizen nodded in though, turning to look back at his stable. "Well…do you want to try racing him against Pantera? Even if she is a filly, it should give him a run for his money." Ichigo grinned excitedly. "That's a great idea!" He reached over and smacked Aizen on the back before rushing back to the barn. Aizen blinked, his eyes a widening slightly. He certainly didn't catch the grin on Grimmjow's face, the blue haired man watching from a nearby tree as he smoked a cigarette.
Ichigo trotted down the hill, slowing when he neared the barn and took a deep breath of the mountain fresh air. This would be one of the last times he could work Zangetsu hard so he was really excited about racing the filly against his favorite stallion. Over the days, he had gotten very close to the large roan and even had the chance to work with Ulquiorra on her training. It had surprised him how well he got along with the dark man but even more so at the instant friendship/rivalry Tensa had struck up with the green eyed boy.
Grabbing the small basket containing Pantera's grooming kit; Ichigo stepped into the stall and greeted the filly.
"Pan! Hey pretty girl, you want to come help me with something?" he spoke softly, smiling when she pressed her nose to his chest excitedly. "Zan is being a lazy ass so I want you to go out there and make him run!" Pantera nodded her head in a swinging motion before prancing in place and twisting her body to the side so he could groom her easily.
He ran a curry comb in long circular movements, dragging up all the dead hair, along her coat. Her skin shivered in appreciation as he circled her, getting everywhere but her head. Once he was done there, he took a hard brush over her to collect all the hair and leave behind her healthy fur. A soft brush turned her blue/grey/black/white coat into the shimmering waters of the Bahamas.
When he was done with the main portion of her body, he took out the small set of hair brushes to work out any knots in her main and tail. He couldn't help but marvel at the silky texture, knowing that it came from the effort Grimmjow put into her. A quick once over on her hooves and Ichigo was ready to fetch her tack.
Leaving the stall, Ichigo calmly walked to the tack room and grabbed the white, leather racing saddle. It was embroidered with a bright blue P for her name. The bridle was a matching white but had hardened leather accents that looked like grinning teeth along the right side. Grabbing a blue girth to wrap around her middle, he checked the list on the bulletin board that said what went with each horse to make sure he had everything.
Sure enough, he had guessed right and set back out to dress her up. Ichigo was about half way to Pantera's stall when someone grabbed the back of his shirt and yanked him backwards harshly, causing him to fall on his butt and drop the beautiful tack.
"Yo, Ichigo, looks like you finally realized you can't make it on your own with that crappy little stable." A shiver of disgust went up his back as he recognized the voice. "Renji…"
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Line break!
(yes, I am leaving you with a cliffy there)
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Aizen waved Tensa over when the brunet had slowed the giant colt. "Yes Aizen?" the teen's soft but commanding voice sounded when he had pulled up to the railing. "Ichigo is fetching Pantera, why don't you take a short break?" Tensa's silver/blue gaze studied Aizen from the small, genuine smile to the calculative brown eyes before nodding his head in acceptance. "I approve." Aizen raised a brow as though to ask what the younger was talking about. "Do not worry about it….you are not required to understand me."
With that, the boy flipped the reins over Zangetsu's head and jumped to the ground, handing off to Aizen who looked wearily at the stallion. "He doesn't bite, just pet him and speak to him. I shall go get a drink." He watched Tensa walk off towards the dorm like buildings he had, knowing the small boy was looking for vending machines.
Turning back to the horse who was currently staring towards the barn Ichigo had disappearing into, Aizen raised a hand slowly so the creature could sniff it. It didn't take long for Zangetsu to turn his deep black eyes to Aizen and take a deep breath of the man's scent. The long pointed ears swiveled to pitch towards the brunet who opened his mouth to speak softly.
"You know, that owner of yours really loves you… He looks at you like you're the most amazing creature on the planet and maybe you are. Everyone's eyes are you pretty boy…so you have to train hard. I don't care if Pantera is a girl and you want to be nice to her, I want you to show us what you're made out of." In his head, he imagined the blinding smile Ichigo showed every time Zangetsu did something amazing.
He spoke to the stallion as though it was a human and in return, Zangetsu nuzzled him and nipped gently and the brunet's shoulder. It was the closet Aizen had been to the stallion since he had met it just a few days prior and it made him reconsider the articles he had read about this horse being vicious. Maybe you just needed to treat him like you would a friend instead of like a product.
So I hope you all liked it and to those who did indeed review (there were very few of you *sniffles*) Here are your cookies!
Mwahahaha, sorry about the cliffy but I thought it would be much more interesting to leave it there!
So please please please review so I know this is really worth my time!