Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, it belongs to Bandai, Sotsu and associated parties. I just borrow the guys from time to time and return them a whole lot happier. I do own the plot and any other characters, especially the equines, that you will find in this fic. Please do not take them without permission. Written for pleasure not profit.
Pairing: 2x1x2, 3x4, 13x6, H+C
Warnings: Yaoi, lemon, sap, angst, vet themes, AU
Rating: NC 17
Archive: gundam-wing-diaries. foreverfandom. .net and gundam-wing-diaries. 150m. com Anyone else please ask.
Betaed by Karina *snugs*
Summary: Set 2 years after Equus and Heero is doing so well in his own business that he's taken June on as a working pupil. The qualifying shows for the International teams are well underway and it looks like it will be a good year for Heero, his pupils and horses... until Mother Nature steps in.
AN: This fic, although a complete work of fiction is based partially on fact. I will add notes at the end of chapters where necessary to clarify events and provide links where needed.
Dedication: To Leslie and Karina. Leslie for giving me the original idea for Equinity and encouraging and supporting me through the writing of all the fics thus far in the arc. And Karina for not just taking over as my much needed beta, (poor woman needs a medal!), but for also poking and prodding Fred until he went on strike, refusing to work on anything at all until I let him start this. Needless to say, we managed to come to a compromise... Fred gets to write a chapter of this one week... the next week he has to write a chapter of 'Bound'... Did I ever tell you all I hate my muse? :-)
Fic 5 in the Equine Intervention Arc.
Commenced December 2013 – ShenLong
"Rival Riders"
Chapter 6
"Well done, Treize, that was a great round," Heero said as the rider returned to the group all waiting under the tree.
Other team hopefuls also expressed their congratulations and caused Treize to blush and mutter his thanks, telling anyone who would listen that it had all been Romeo. Wufei and Meiran looked very impressed with Treize's round and let the man know it. Geoff also looked a little stunned. He'd heard quite a lot about the man from June, but hadn't realized just how good he and his horse were.
Good luck wishes were passed on to Sam as he pushed his mare into a canter and began to circle in readiness for his round.
"That was a really good round," Zechs said softly when Treize dismounted. He gave his lover a smile and a friendly pat to the back.
"Thanks, it was all Romeo though. He was such a good boy." Treize patted the bay neck while Zechs reached into his pocket and found a carrot for the stallion. Romeo wuffled happily and took the offered treat, crunching it up and politely asking for more.
Joe had appeared at Treize's side and took the reins from the rider."I'll walk him around for you, boss."
"Thanks, Joe."
Slipping a light rug over the horse's saddle and body, Joe buckled up the front before taking the bay off to the side where he could walk him around and still watch the other horses and riders.
Everyone's attention turned back to the course where Sam and Misty were currently clearing the third jump. June, along with Heero managed to get to Treize's side and with one eye on Sam, they asked the other rider if he had any information on the course and how best to ride it.
"It all flows really well and as long as you keep the horse's attention on you and keep them balanced, there's no reason why either one of you shouldn't get a clear round. The toughest bit is what we thought when we walked it, the water jump followed by the wall." Treize turned to June and addressed the woman specifically. "Just let Orion stretch out for the water, push him on hard so he has the reach and speed to clear it and as soon as he lands, sit down hard and deep, firm on the reins and bring him back to hand as quick as you can. If you swing out slightly to the left once you land you can pick up an extra couple of strides which will give you a little more time to re-balance and get the impulsion back."
"Thanks, Treize," June replied, the gratitude clear on her face.
"You're welcome. Heero, Nataku shouldn't have any problems either. She's a seasoned horse now and completely trusts you. Just remember you do have that option of a couple of extra strides if you need them by swinging out to the left after the water."
"I'll remember that. Thanks, Treize," Heero replied and once more fixed his attention back on the ring.
Sam was enjoying himself. Misty was traveling well and the jumps were well within her capabilities. They flew over the oxer, settled for the hay bales then made the sweeping right turn to line up for the water. Sam pushed the mare on and she gladly galloped forward. The pair cleared the water, settled back within a couple of strides and met the wall perfectly. Moments later they were through the finish flags with the third clear.
The usual congratulations were exchanged followed by good luck wishes for Victoria who was next up.
"Jeeze, I'm glad I'm not one of the selectors," Duo muttered to Heero. "It's going to be a tough call with everyone doing really well so far over the course."
"That it will, Duo. Anyone who makes the team this time will have well and truly earned the right to be there," Heero replied.
Victoria rode a calm, steady round, giving her horse the room he needed to make his turns and re-balance. She kept the impulsion going throughout, Pushing the stallion on for the water and clearing it with several inches to spare.
"Looks like none of them particularly like getting their feet wet," Duo snickered.
"I don't think any of the riders want to end up swimming for it either," Heero muttered with a grin.
The chestnut listened to his rider and settled back as he approached the wall. Victoria checked his pace, holding the stallion back until the last minute and then letting him go.
"Shit! Now I know why he's called Rocket Man," June muttered. "He almost went into orbit over the wall!"
Duo laughed and shook his head.
The chestnut cleared the triple and galloped through the finish flags for another clear round.
"That's four clear so far," Treize informed the group, just in case they weren't aware of it.
"Soon to be five," Duo quipped. "June is going to go clear as well." Duo petted Orion's black nose. "You be a good boy for June and look after her. Clear everything and make us all proud of you. I promise I'll have carrots waiting for you when you do," he told the gelding.
"Good luck, June. You'll be fine," Treize said as the woman began to collect up her reins.
"Just remain calm and relaxed, push him on for the water then sit deep and check him back as quickly as you can after the water," Heero said. "You'll both do just great."
"Thanks," June said to each of them and turned Orion towards the course.
"Whatever happens, Max and I are still going to be here and we're both so proud of you," Geoff said with a smile to his wife.
Nodding to her husband, June set her mouth in a firm line, pushed Orion forward and sent the butterflies in her stomach away on vacation.
"Ready when you are, June," Noin called out.
Pushing Orion into a canter, June sat lightly in the saddle, took up a good contact and settled her horse into his rhythm. "I can do this," she muttered. "You can do this," she told Orion. "Together we can complete a clear round. Let's do it boy and make everyone proud." Orion snorted and tossed his head. He was more than ready for this!
Having her horse now completely focused on her, June turned and passed through the start flags to begin her course.
Standing next to Heero, Duo forced his hands into his pockets. It was bad enough that he bit his fingernails when Heero was jumping – he didn't need to be doing it when June was too!
Orion steadied himself, picked his take off point and cleared the first jump with ease. With the first one cleared, June began to relax a little. Jumps two and three were similarly cleared, Orion appearing to be quite happy and enjoying himself. The jumps were around the heights he was used to jumping and with his mistress carefully guiding him, he had no reason to fear anything.
The fan jump and gate were also cleared and June began to sit a little deeper into her saddle and collect the horse up a touch.
"Now comes the first test," Heero whispered to Duo who raised an eyebrow in question. "The double," Heero clarified.
Remembering all she'd been taught by Heero, June made sure that Orion was well balanced and full of impulsion as he approached part A. Black ears pricked up as Orion spotted the jump. He gauged the height of the fence, picked his take off point and lengthened out his stride. Moments later he was pushing himself up and over the jump.
Following the movement of her horse, June gave with her hands and went forward in her saddle. As Orion descended back to earth, she began to sit down and take the contact up a little more. Putting her legs on, she drove Orion's hind legs under his body, regaining a little of the impulsion he'd lost with the jump. Two strides and the pair were once again soaring into the air and over the spread element. Immediately they landed, June was there with her seat and legs. There was a sharp turn to jump seven and she needed to have Orion balanced in order to make the turn and bring him in on the correct stride.
"She's doing very well."
Heero turned to see Geoff had appeared at his side. "Yes, she is. There's no reason why she shouldn't go clear either."
"I hope so. You have no idea how much she wants this, Heero."
"If she wants it bad enough, she will get it," Heero replied with a smile. "And trust me, she has worked hard for this and regardless of the outcome, she should be very proud of herself and her horse."
"I can't believe how far she's come since having you ride the horse for a while for her and now that she's taking lessons with you too. I always thought she had a chance to make it into the big time and if it hadn't been for you I don't think she would be here today."
Blushing at the words, Heero turned to the man and saw the sincerity in his eyes. "It's one thing to teach a person, but no amount of teaching will do any good if the rider doesn't want to listen or learn. June has the drive and determination to succeed and she is an excellent pupil. She practices hard, she listens to what I try to teach her and always asks questions. I'm only a small part in this, she's the one that has made it happen, her and Orion."
"I don't know all that much when it comes to the horses and riding, Heero; but I do know that I'm grateful to you for helping her all you can."
Standing on the other side of his partner, Duo couldn't help but overhear the conversation. He turned a little and gave his husband a warm smile. He already knew Heero was special.
Orion had landed safely over the hay bales and was on course for the water. June remembered what Heero and Treize had advised her to do and she made sure to keep a light contact, lifted her weight a touch and drove her legs against Orion's sides. The black lengthened out his stride and noted the expanse of water ahead. The small hedge at the very front gave him his ground line and he eyed the spread as he approached. June continued to ride him forward, letting the gelding stretch right out and hoping they would clear the water. Having jumped water with Heero on a few occasions and also with his mistress a couple of times, Orion knew all about water jumps. He wasn't opposed to water, even stood calmly and patiently when his mistress gave him a bath, but he didn't much care for getting his feet wet when jumping the stuff.
Back under the tree, Heero held his breath as the pair approached the water. Blue eyes tracked the line and approach of the black and his rider, noting how June was pushing the gelding on. Beside him, Duo also watched, one eye on June and the other on his husband. He found it endearing that Heero obviously cared a lot about June, something that didn't happen very often considering that the pair were rivals in the jumping ring.
Reaching his take off point, Orion flattened out and launched himself across the water, front legs extended to gain the opposing 'bank'. He cleared it with a couple of inches to spare.
"Heero, you need to breathe," Duo said and poked his lover in the ribs, causing Heero to draw in a sharp gasp of air. He gave his partner a sheepish look before returning his attention to June. Duo snickered but also switched his gaze back to the pair on course.
Having landed safely, June remembered what she'd been told about sitting deep and getting Orion balanced and full of impulsion again. She took a very firm hold of the reins and dropped her full weight into the saddle. Orion yielded and slowed his pace, the speed leaving in favor of elevation.
"That's it, nice and steady," Heero muttered under his breath. A soft snicker to the side had him looking at Duo, the vet staring innocently back. "What?" he questioned.
"Oh, nothing, just that anyone would think you were riding the course right now, the way your hands and body keep shifting slightly," Duo replied with a smirk.
Realizing what he'd subconsciously been doing, Heero blushed and went to shove his hands in his pockets only to find his jodhpurs didn't have any.
Meanwhile, June had got Orion to listen and slow right down, the impulsion had built back up in the black's hind quarters and he came into the wall on the perfect stride. He sailed into the air, the height of the wall not giving him any trouble at all.
"Good boy," June praised. "One to go and we're home, Orion."
The black flicked an ear back as he continued to stride forward. He was enjoying himself and eager for more jumps. The triple appeared in his line of sight, Orion adjusting his stride a touch and collecting up as his mistress asked. Three strides later and Orion was driving his hocks deep under his body and pushing off the ground once more. The poles passed beneath him, forelegs came out to take the landing followed by those hind legs and Orion was cantering through the finish with a clear round.
Pats and praise rained down on the black neck, June almost in tears with how happy and proud she felt. Riding back towards the others she could see the smiles on their faces and it made her even more happy.
As June cleared the last fence, Heero quickly mounted up and collected his reins. He was next to go and could speak properly with June once he'd finished his round.
"Good luck, Heero and be careful," Duo said softly, giving Heero's knee a gentle squeeze.
"I will. I'm not out to break any records, I plan on going around nice and easy, give Nataku all the space and help she needs," Heero replied.
Realizing that Heero was about to ride off to start his course, Wufei stepped forward. "Good luck and stay safe, both of you," he said and ran a hand down the mare's neck. Nataku turned her head and pushed her muzzle against Wufei's chest. "Be a good girl and do everything Heero asks of you, Nataku." The mare wuffled softly.
"She will be fine, Wufei," Heero said and with a nod to Duo, he applied his legs and moved off towards the start of the course. Passing June on the way, he offered his congratulations to the woman and accepted her good luck wishes.
As June returned to the fold, everyone was quick to congratulate her and shower Orion in pats, praise and in Duo's case – carrots. Geoff was ecstatic with his wife's round and kissed her soundly when she dismounted. Noting Heero warming up, June left Orion with Geoff and stepped over to Treize to have a quick word with the man.
"Thank you, Treize for your advice. It really helped."
"You're welcome, June. That was a really good round, you should be proud of yourself and your horse," Treize replied.
Blushing, June gazed across where Heero was circling. "I really do appreciate all the help and advice that both you and Heero have given me. It means a lot to me."
Treize smiled. "You have a very good teacher in Heero."
"I know."
#
"Nice and steady, girl," Heero said to the mare as he cantered his circle, letting the mare find her rhythm and settle into the gait. Happy with how his mount was traveling, Heero took a little more contact and turned the mare for the first jump. Nataku's ears pricked up and she lined up the first fence.
A sweeping left turn brought the pair into the second jump; a simple spread fence. Nataku cleared it easily and cantered on, listening carefully to the instructions she was getting from her rider. They made a right hand turn and sailed over the barrels.
Back under the tree, everyone was watching Heero and the bay mare. Wufei was feeling decidedly nervous. Although he didn't understand a lot about the sport of showjumping and had originally purchased the mare as a tax reduction, he had learned a little from Heero and Duo in regards to the sport. Despite having purchased the mare as a form of tax relief, the circumstances in which Nataku came to be in Heero's possession and the subsequent offer to purchase her had hit Wufei hard. He couldn't understand for the life of him how someone could treat such a kind and willing creature in such an abhorrent manner. After spending a little time with the mare, the two had become very attached to each other, Nataku had crawled under Wufei's skin, there was nothing he wouldn't do for her and the mare simply adored Wufei. To have had her selected for the short list to represent her country was the icing on the cake for Wufei. He didn't care if she didn't make the team - although he would feel bad for Heero who had put so much time and effort into the mare, he was content enough that she'd gotten this far. He never dreamed anything like this could or would happen. He subtly crossed his fingers and prayed hard that the pair would clear the course.
Duo's eyes were glued to his husband, hands shoved into his pockets to stop himself from biting his nails. He hoped and prayed that the pair would do well and so far all seemed to be going in that direction.
"Good girl," Heero praised the mare and risked a pat to the bay neck as they landed safely over the fan jump. "Next one's the gate and then we need to settle for the double," he murmured softly.
Bay ears swiveled around, listening to the voice from her rider. It had taken her a long time to come to terms with her new home, but after the fire that had almost claimed her life and the life of the other nice human, Nataku had finally given in and began to trust again. Since then she had progressed in leaps and bounds. Nataku adored her Chinese master and her trust in him had been further cemented when he'd stood up to the human that had owned her before and tortured her with whip and spurs, pushing her far beyond her capabilities. The only way that Nataku could show how much she appreciated the kindness shown to her by the humans that now surrounded her each day was by doing all she was asked in the jumping ring.
The pair cleared the gate, Heero sitting down a little deeper and shortening the mare's stride. The impulsion began to build further, the left turn being made and then the double was ahead of them. Sizing it up, Nataku lengthened out and launched into the air. She sailed over the first element, landed and took a stride, feeling her rider's legs and seat pushing her together again. Another stride and she was once more pushing off the ground and over the jump.
"Well ridden," Treize murmured from where he was watching.
The brush fence and oxer followed the double, both being cleared easily by the bay. Heero collected the mare a little then let her lengthen out to soar into the air and over the hay-bales.
"Now for the true test," Treize muttered.
"Come on, Heero, come on, Nataku. You can do this," Duo whispered to himself and pulled a hand free from his jeans to grasp the end of his braid and fiddle with it.
Having safely cleared the hay-bales, Heero kept a light contact with the mare's mouth and used his seat and leg to ride her together. He steadily built impulsion while at the same time making a sweeping turn to the right and extending the mare's canter stride. Straightening up, Heero looked for the water jump and did a quick mental calculation of how many strides they had until they reached the take off point.
The water shone in the sunlight up ahead, Nataku seeing it and sizing it up. She's jumped water on several occasions and had no fear of it at all. She knew she would need to stretch out to clear it and given the way Heero was riding her forward she would have enough impulsion in her hind quarters to make the long leap.
Pushing hard, Heero sent the mare forward, her pace increasing until she was almost in a gallop. Three strides out and Heero started to come forward in his saddle. Nataku had gauged the length of the jump and as she reached her point of take off, she dug deep with her hind hooves and flattened out her body. Heero remained still on her back, keeping his center of gravity as close as possible to the mare's and giving her every chance to clear the expanse. Nataku had seen 'dry land' ahead and was reaching for it with her forelegs.
Those front hooves connected with the dry grass, Nataku, digging them in deep and using powerful shoulders to pull herself forward as her hind legs came under her body to take the place of her front hooves. There was no splashing sound and Heero gave a soft sigh of relief.
Two strides after the water and Heero was dropping his weight as deep as he could get it into the saddle. His legs were applied to Nataku's sides, his hands taking a firm contact with her mouth through the bit and reins. He managed to half halt the bay and then used his legs hard to drive her strong hind quarters right underneath her body. The mare's weight shifted off her forehand and sank onto her hind end, her hocks coming deep underneath and building the energy.
With her forward momentum slowed and the weight being transferred to her hind quarters, Nataku was able to build up the impulsion she would need to clear the wall. Her stride became more elevated, and for a couple of those strides she appeared to be cantering on the spot before Heero urged her forward towards the wall.
"I don't think I can watch any more."
Duo turned slightly at the softly spoken words to see Wufei standing beside him, his normally golden skin very pale. "I know what you mean," he muttered back, "but they are doing very well, Wufei." To tell the truth, Duo was a little concerned about the Chinese man. He sure hoped that Wufei wasn't about to pass out on him or have a cardiac arrest!
Meiran stepped up on the other side of Wufei and rested her hand upon his arm. "Are you okay?" she asked.
Wufei nodded. "I'm alright, it's just the nerves I think."
"Good because I think I'm going to pass out from all this tension."
Duo spun further around when he heard the woman speak. If he'd thought Wufei was looking pale then Meiran's skin was almost chalk white! "Oh crap," he said and moved behind Wufei to Meiran's back. "Sit down for a bit," he advised.
Between them Duo and Wufei managed to get Meiran to sit on the grass so if she did pass out there wasn't far for her to fall. At least that was Duo's reasoning.
#
The wall loomed before them, Nataku drawing her hocks right under herself. Muscles rippled under the bay hide as the mare launched herself into the air. With pricked ears she sailed over the wall and landed safely on the other side.
"Beautifully ridden," Treize commented.
"One to go, girl and we're home," Heero murmured. A bay ear flicked back for a moment then returned forward as Nataku set herself up for the final fence, the triple. They met it dead center, hind legs once again sending the mare and her rider upward and over the jump. Front hooves bit deep into the turf when they landed and took the full brunt of the mare's weight. With all four feet firmly on the ground, Heero sent the mare cantering through the flags for a clear round. Bringing her back to a walk a few moments later, Heero praised and patted the sweating neck. "Good girl, that was just great."
Riding over to his husband and waiting friends, Heero's face bore a wide smile, which changed into a concerned look when he spotted Meiran sitting on the grass, Wufei beside her. Coming to a halt and ignoring the congratulations for a moment, he dismounted to be confronted by an ecstatic Duo who immediately began to stuff Nataku full of carrots.
"Good girl, that was wonderful," Duo said, praising the mare and feeding her the carrots as fast as she was able to chew them up. "Great round, Heero. I'm so proud of you both," he continued on.
"Umm, Duo?"
"Yes?"
"Why are Wufei and Meiran sitting on the grass? Are they okay?"
"Oh, yeah, they're fine. The excitement was getting to be a bit much for them and they were looking quite pale so I told them to sit down. I figured if they were going to pass out from all the excitement then it was a shorter distance for them to fall and less likely they are to be hurt."
Heero shook his head.
# # #
Three hours later all the riders and grooms had gathered in the conference room of the manor to await the final results and the naming of the team that would represent Australia in the cup competition. It had been a hard morning, all the horses and riders doing their very best to clear the course and show why they should be selected.
Tim had been the last rider to go and had been unlucky at the last fence, Court Martial hadn't woken up quite enough and had dragged a hoof over the top rail of the triple, rolling it in its cups and unfortunately dislodging it. The remaining six riders that had gone clear all did a jump off. Although it was technically not against the clock, Noin had timed them all anyway just for an idea of how fast they had gone. She had stressed though that the times wouldn't figure into the equation when it came to their final selection. Treize, Heero and Peter had all gone clear again. June and Sam both finished with four faults whilst Victoria had eight.
The horses had all been taken back to the stables and settled, the riders, grooms and supporters all discussing amongst themselves who they thought would make the team, how their horses had gone and relating their experiences. Performances were dissected over lunch, each rider having something to say about their own mount's reaction to the course and the pressure they had been under.
With lunch finished, they sat around on the back lawn of the manor waiting for the selectors, Noin and Dermail to finish their discussion on the final team. Now it seemed they had made their decision and the riders and grooms had been summoned to the conference room. All the others – friends, family and the like - were asked to wait outside on the lawned area at the back of the manor.
The soft conversations that had been going on ceased when the door opened and Noin, Dermail and David Prescott stepped into the room. Noin stood at the head of the table, the two men standing just behind her. She cleared her throat and began to address the assembled riders and grooms. "First of all I'd like to thank you all for coming to this training camp and giving up your time. Captain Dermail and myself have enjoyed working with you all and hope you will all take something away from this camp with you. Each and every one of you has talent, good horses and should be proud of your achievements."
Noin paused for a moment and smiled at everyone.
"After working with you all this week, discovering your strengths and weaknesses, Dermail and I have passed on our recommendations for the final team to the board of selectors. The board has taken those recommendations into consideration and combined with your past performance records along with what the selectors have witnessed today, the final team for Werribee has been selected. I'll hand the floor over to David Prescott for the team announcement."
David Prescott moved forward and cast his eyes over the group. "On behalf of the selection committee I'd like to thank Miss Noin and Captain Dermail for their efforts this week in training and assessing you all. It's never easy to select an International team and even harder when you have to choose from such talented people. Each one of you would do your country proud and are to be congratulated on your efforts. Unfortunately there can only be four in the team and one reserve rider and after much consultation, the board has made its decision." Prescott paused for a moment and glanced at the expectant faces.
"The team we will be sending to Werribee this year is as follows..."
Everyone appeared to be holding their breath, the tension was thick.
"Peter Verns and Espresso, Treize Khushrenada and Romefeller, Heero Yuy and Nataku and Sam Goringe and Morning Mist..."
The four that had been selected all gave excited and relieved gasps. The other four all did their best to hide their disappointment and were about to start congratulating their fellow riders when Prescott continued.
"The reserve rider will be June Bailey and Orion."
tbc...