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
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 23
Duo barreled down the steps and out into the collecting ring just as Heero had exited the main arena and was working his way to the side. Several other riders congratulated Heero as he moved through the remaining riders, the dark haired man politely accepting the congratulations and wishing the others good luck.
Bringing Nataku to a halt, Heero couldn't help but smile as he watched the chestnut head of his husband bouncing through the people and arriving at his side.
"That was a fantastic round, Heero," Duo congratulated, the smile on his face almost stretching from ear to ear.
"Thanks, but it was all Nataku," Heero replied with a soft smile and patted the bay neck.
"She was a good girl, wasn't she?" Duo said and reached into his pocket for the carrot slices he always carried. "You were a very good girl, Nataku," Duo said and offered the mare a carrot as he rubbed her between the eyes.
Nataku wuffled softly and lipped up the carrot. She'd really enjoyed herself out in the arena and was even happier to have the fuss and treats currently being bestowed on her.
"That was a wonderful round, Heero."
Heero swiveled his gaze from his lover to see who had spoken and spotted Wufei approaching with Meiran. Sliding his feet from within the stirrups, Heero slipped to the ground and turned to face the Chinese couple. "Thank you," he replied. "Nataku was excellent, she did everything I asked of her." Heero again patted the bay neck.
"She couldn't have done it without you, Heero," Meiran said and placed a hand on the rider's arm. "Thank you for seeing her safely through the course."
Heero began to blush with all the praise.
"You both made the perfect team out there. I am so proud of my horse and honored to have such a skilled rider upon her back," Wufei stated quietly.
"And I am honored that you both have trust enough in me to ride her for you," Heero replied.
"How about we give the girl of the hour a bit of attention now?" Duo quipped, breaking the solemn moment that seemed to be forming. Heero gave him a grateful look.
"But of course," Meiran smiled. "Here, Nataku." Meiran took the carrot that Duo had passed to her and offered it to the horse. Nataku gently took it and crunched it up.
"You were so good out there, Nataku," Wufei said and ran his hand along the bay neck. Nataku pushed her muzzle against her owner's chest and began to nuzzle the man. Wufei found a couple of sugar cubes in his pocket and fed them to the mare.
The rest of the team arrived and the congratulations began all over again. Once everyone had said their piece, Treize and Noin took Heero to one side to question him in regards to his tactics on the course and how he'd found them to work.
"It's really difficult to get them to slow down for that water jump," Heero informed them. "Once they spot the water up ahead they instinctively want to gallop on and you can't blame them as that's what they're used to doing. I found I needed to keep a very firm hold on the reins to prevent Nataku from going too fast. You shouldn't have too much trouble with Romeo though, Treize. He's a very well educated horse and once you insist he listens to you he should slow down. It seems to be best to keep them at an extended canter for the water, there's enough speed to clear it and once you land you can get them back within a couple of strides."
"Thanks for that, Heero." Treize took note of his former pupils words.
"The triple is quite testing though and I'd suggest you get Romeo right back to a collected canter if you can as you're going to need all the impulsion you can get to clear it."
"I'll make note of that." Treize looked thoughtful.
"Good advice, Heero," Noin stated. "I'll get you to have a bit of a chat with Peter and June later and explain to them how you found the new tactics worked and offer them any advice you can."
"No problem, Noin, I'll be happy to. I know it will benefit Peter, but June?" Heero was a little confused.
Noin smiled and decided to enlighten Heero – Treize too for that matter. "With Sam having to retire through injury to his horse, that only leaves us with three riders. June is our reserve and I will be speaking with the head steward at the conclusion of today's competition to see if I can substitute June in Sam's place."
The words slowly sank into Heero and Treize's minds, both men smiling once the logic took hold.
"I'm sure June will be both honored and terrified," Heero snickered.
"Just as long as the steward accepts her as Sam's replacement she can be as terrified as she likes. I'll ask the pair of you to keep that information to yourselves for now though. I'll let June know later after I've spoken with the powers that be."
"Of course, we won't breathe a word," Treize replied for them both.
"Good. Now, Treize, I suggest you go get Romeo saddled up and start warming up. Heero, take that mare back to the stables and make sure she's comfortable. She put in a supreme effort in that round and you should be very proud of her; I know I'm very proud of you both. I'm going back into the arena to catch up on scores and see how the other Nations are doing. I'll be out later to work a little with you before your round, Treize." With a nod to both riders, Noin left.
# # #
By the time Duo and Heero returned to the arena and their friends, the fourth riders were just starting their rounds. Sitting themselves down, Heero leaned slightly to his right to ask Meiran how the scores were going.
"The Japanese rider scored four faults, the New Zealand rider went clear and the French rider also had four faults," Meiran replied. "Here, you can have the note pad back now."
"Thanks." Heero took the note pad and did a few calculations in his head.
"What are the overall scores looking like, Heero?" Duo whispered. The first of the fourth riders was starting his round and Duo didn't want to make any noise and upset the competitors concentration.
"At this stage, and bearing in mind there's still all the fourth round riders to go and then scores to be dropped, the New Zealand team are leading with no penalties..."
"But didn't one of the Kiwis have eight faults?"
"Hai, they did and I'm assuming at this point that will be the score they drop," Heero replied patiently.
"Ah, I see." Duo's mind clicked that Heero could only go on the three scores currently from each team and of those three scores his current results would be based on the best two scores.
"As I was saying, the Kiwis at this point have no penalties, they are followed by the Aussies with four faults, then come the Germans, Italians, English and French teams all on eight faults. The Japanese have twelve, the Swedish team have twenty and the South African team have eighteen. A lot will be riding on these last rounds."
Duo gave a low whistle. "Sure is tight. I guess it's still anyone's competition."
"That it is."
After watching the Italian rider score four faults and the Swedish rider also finish with four faults, Noin left the group to go outside and work with Treize for a few minutes. The German rider entered the ring and proceeded around the course. The pair started out well but as they progressed towards the water jump it became apparent that the horse had no intention of slowing down as his rider asked. They flew over the water and cleared it easily enough, but the rider couldn't get the horse back to hand quick enough and they flattened jump five. The triple also proved to be a bit of a problem for the pair, the horse clearing part A but taking out the top rails on both B and C. They left the arena with a score of twelve penalties.
"Not a good round," Heero muttered and jotted down the score.
The fourth rider for the South African team entered, saluted and began his course. He'd obviously been watching the other riders very closely and talking with his fellow team members. He managed to get his horse to slow down significantly for the water and only just cleared it, but they went on to leave jumps five and six standing. The pair remained clear all the way to the triple and Heero was thinking that this would be another clear round when the horse barely touched the top pole on part C. The pole rocked for a moment, settled and then decided to fall. The pair went on to complete the last two jumps and finish with four faults.
The English rider entered and rode towards the judge. Noin came back into the stands and sat herself down behind Heero. "How are the scores looking?" she asked, leaning forward to whisper in Heero's ear.
Heero passed the note pad over, taking it back a moment later. "It's pretty tight," he muttered.
"I agree."
"How are Treize and Romeo?"
"Both calm and ready to give it their best shot," Noin replied.
"He should go well."
"I hope so, Heero, we could do with a bit of luck given Sam's horse and its injury."
Silence fell over the pair as they turned their attention to the English rider currently on course.
There was no doubt at all that the word about the water jump and the problems it could cause had passed through all the teams' riders. Every rider that tackled the course now paid the water jump a lot more respect. Sometimes the tactics worked – other times they didn't.
In the case of the English rider he slowed his horse a little too much and the animal left a hind hoof in the water which gave them four faults. The pair went on to clear the rest of the course though and left the arena to loud applause.
Heero added the four faults to the list.
Zechs came up the steps two at a time and flopped into the chair next to Duo, his face a mix of apprehension and resignation.
"You okay?" Duo muttered.
"I think so, but I'll be better once this is over with," Zechs muttered back.
"There, there," Duo comforted with a pat to the other vet's knee. "I thought you would be used to all this by now."
"So did I," Zechs replied with a roll of his eyes and a soft sigh.
Duo snickered.
"Our next rider to compete is Treize Khushrenada riding Romefeller representing Australia."
Treize rode into the ring as the applause and cheers sprang up all around him. Romeo tossed his head but remained calm and obedient. Treize wore a look of concentration on his face as he rode to the judge and saluted. The noise died down as the bell rang and Treize collected Romeo up, riding for the start flags.
"Nice and steady, Romeo," Treize muttered, sitting into his saddle and pushing his horse together.
They broke through the starting beam and were on their way. Romeo cleared the first two fences easily, his rhythm steady and body full of impulsion. Treize turned the stallion between the elements of the triple and brought the bay around for the gate. Romeo sailed over it with ease, ears pricked and looking for the next fence.
"This is the tough one, Romeo. You have to listen to me boy," Treize said softly. A bay ear flicked back.
"Take it steady, Treize," Heero whispered to himself, eyes glued to his former boss.
"I hope he keeps him slow enough but not too slow," Zechs moaned quietly, hardly able to watch his lover.
"He'll be fine, Zechs," Duo said with a smile. "I'd offer you my fingernails to chew on but I'm afraid they're already pretty much decimated."
Zechs gave his boss a disgusted look. "Thanks, but no thanks," he replied and then added, "In any case, I have my own to chew so why would I want yours?"
"It's the thought that counts," Duo quipped.
Romeo spotted the water jump ahead and started to increase his pace only to have his master increase the pressure to the bit in his mouth and prevent him from going faster. Romeo tossed his head and tried again to move into a gallop. Treize sat down harder and made certain to have a very firm hold on the reins.
"No, Romeo, just an extended canter is all we need this time," Treize muttered to his horse.
The water was getting closer and Romeo wasn't sure if his master had got things right or not. He was used to galloping on for a water jump, not going at this slightly slower pace. He tried once more to increase his pace only to have his master block the attempt with a strong hold on the bit in his mouth. Romeo gave an equine, mental shrug and decided that if this speed was what his master wanted then he wasn't about to argue any further – but he really didn't want to get any of his neat hooves wet either!
Keeping the speed in check, Treize brought his horse to the water jump, Romeo lengthening out in the last couple of strides and skimming across. He did manage to keep all four feet dry.
Remembering what Heero had said regarding the following two jumps, Treize sat deep and applied his legs, hands restraining the forward movement but driving Romeo's hocks deep under his body and rebuilding the impulsion.
"Perfect," Heero whispered, watching the bay stallion complete the water. His experienced eye could see that Treize had had his hands full getting the horse to listen and slow down for the water, but in the end Romeo's schooling had prevailed and the stallion had done exactly what his master had asked. Now they were well balanced and on the perfect stride for the following two jumps.
The barrels were cleared with a flick of Romeo's heels, the ditch and rail following quickly and Treize was making a right turn to bring them into the double. The poles appeared before the stallion, Romeo sizing up the height and adjusting his stride accordingly. They soared over part A, landed and took two strides before launching into the air again. The oxer passed underneath the horse , forelegs stretching out to meet the ground and take the impact of landing.
"Nicely done," Peter commented.
"So far, so good," Heero replied.
"Yeah, I really hope he can continue like this, another clear is just what we need after Sam has had to retire," Peter responded.
"I couldn't agree more," Heero sighed and returned to watching the pair on course.
A sweeping right turn brought the pair into the offset rails that made up jump eight. Romeo listened well and took the jump dead center. Landing safely the pair motored on towards jump nine. Treize dropped his weight a touch, steadying the bay and building a bit more impulsion. Once Romeo landed safely Treize was there with his seat and leg, asking the horse to shorten up and make a swift, left turn. Romeo obeyed and the pair came around in a half circle, the triple sitting ahead of them.
"I don't think I can watch anymore," Zechs groaned. "Why, oh why did I ever agree to watching him jump?"
"Because, like me, you're hopelessly in love with your partner and want to do anything to support them in their chosen career," Duo whispered with a grin.
"I guess it's way too late to wish he'd taken up a less risky sport such as stock car racing," Zechs muttered with a resigned look on his face.
"Stock car racing? Now where's the fun in that?" Duo snickered.
Having made the turn, Romeo was now on track for the triple. His stride was a little shorter, the impulsion building steadily in his hind quarters as the triple was a very testing jump. "Steady, Romeo, this one is a really hard one," Treize told his horse, a bay ear flicking back to listen.
Part A loomed before them, Romeo judging his striding and taking off easily. He soared into the air, arcing beautifully over the rails before touching down on mother earth again. As soon as he landed, Treize was there, legs driving the horse together, hands steady on the reins and guiding the horse along. Two strides and Romeo was airborne again, forelegs tucking up against his body, hind ones following over the large oxer. Again the pair landed safely, Treize using every ounce of skill he possessed to ride his horse together for the final element.
"Has he finished yet?" Zechs asked from behind his hands where he was hiding his face.
"Not quite," Duo replied and patted the other vet's knee. "Don't worry, he's almost home."
"I'll be a lot happier when he is home," Zechs muttered. "And I mean actual home, not the finish flags home."
Duo snickered.
The large leap that Romeo had put in to clear part C had drained a lot of the stallion's reserves, he was feeling very tired now but continued to plod on.
"Good boy," Treize praised and took a moment to pat the bay neck. "Two more and we're home, Romeo, then you can have a nice rest."
Jump eleven lay ahead, the bay spotting it and rallying together his depleted energy. He dug deep, muscles rippling under the bay hide as those hind quarters strained to push the body up and away from the earth. A soft grunt came from the stallion as they landed and he drew his legs underneath himself again, cantering away from the hay bales and towards the final jump, the wall.
Up in the stands, Noin and the others all sat and watched, each holding their breath and praying for the pair to continue their clear run. No one dared to move a muscle, eyes locked onto the two who were fast approaching the wall.
"Come on, boy," Treize encouraged.
Romeo found that last bit of energy, using it to propel himself from the ground and into the air, defying the laws of gravity for a few moments. They scraped over the top of the wall, all bricks remained where they should and once again, gravity won out, drawing the horse and rider back to the ground.
Once Romeo was safely on all fours, Treize aimed for the finish flags and gave the stallion his head. Romeo took the bit between his teeth and galloped through the finish to stop the clock.
"Ladies and gentlemen, a clear round for Treize Khushrenada and Romefeller representing Australia," the commentator excitedly announced.
"Yes!" crowed Duo.
"Thank god," Noin said and slumped in her chair.
"Great!" Heero cheered.
"I think I'm having a breakdown," Zechs moaned.
"If you are, can I suggest you have it after you've congratulated Treize?" Duo snickered.
Zechs gave his boss a 'look' before his eyes widened a touch. "Shit! I'd better get out there and congratulate him." Seconds later Zechs was striding down the stairs and heading for the collecting ring.
Duo shook his head in amusement as he watched the blonde disappear.
# # #
The remaining riders all went through and completed their respective rounds. The Japanese rider made twelve faults, the New Zealand rider and French rider had four each. With the French rider being the last one to compete of the number fours, the coaches were all called to the stewards' room to advise which score they would be dropping and allow for the final tally to be made along with the announcement of the team standings after the first round of competition.
Treize had suffered through all the congratulations with his usual calm air and along with Zechs and Joe, had taken Romeo back to the stables and settled the bay. They rejoined the rest of their team inside the arena and discussed amongst themselves where they thought they would be in the final standings.
"I'm pretty sure we should be in the top three," Peter said.
"All I can say is that the scores are all very close," Heero added as he glanced at his list of figures.
"What happens next?" Meiran asked.
"The coaches all let the officials know which score they will be dropping from their team. The stewards then add up the remaining scores to give a team score overall. They will then announce those score and where the teams are currently sitting in the placings. Tomorrow we will all come out and do the course again, only this time it will be in reverse order and the jumps will have been raised and widened," Heero explained.
"Then it will be even more difficult to jump tomorrow?" Wufei surmised.
"Hai, it will be harder due to the increase in height and width. However, everyone has ridden the course once and now know where all the traps are and you can be sure that no one will be wanting to make the same mistakes tomorrow as they did today."
"But you need to tell the horse that too," Duo chuckled.
"Yes, you do in a manner of speaking," Treize chipped in. "That's the fun of the sport. The horses will all probably remember the course tomorrow too, and by the laws of averages you would expect each one to improve on their current score of faults; however, that's the logical thing and horses aren't always logical."
"I see," Wufei frowned.
"Horses are unpredictable things, Wufei. Yes, they should improve on their score from today, but it doesn't always work that way," Treize smiled.
"Well, tomorrow is another day and anything can happen," Peter said with a smile.
"I see a coach at twelve o'clock," Chrissy said and everyone turned to see Noin approaching.
No one bothered to question Noin in regards to the placings as they already knew from past experience that the coach wouldn't be able to tell them anything. All were quietly confident though that the team would be in the top four – especially after both Heero and Treize had gone clear.
The PA system crackled into life and the quite buzz of chatter in the arena died down. "Ladies and gentlemen, the coaches have met with the officials and we now have the current scores for each team. At the end of the first rounds of jumping the scores are as follows... Italy: twelve penalties. Sweden: twenty penalties. Germany: sixteen penalties. South Africa: twenty two penalties. England: eight penalties. Australia:four penalties..."
The commentator had to wait for a moment for the cheers and whistles to finish before he could continue.
"Japan: twenty four penalties. New Zealand: four penalties and France: twelve penalties." The cheers and applause started again and lasted for a couple of minutes before the commentator could be heard again. "That concludes the first rounds of the Nations cup competition for today. The second and final round will be held tomorrow and run in reverse order. Thank you."
Team Aussie all sat back in their seats with various emotions running through them – all of them wore a big smile on their faces though.
"We're tied in first place with the Kiwis!" Peter said.
"It's a damn close score though, the English are only four faults behind us and the French and Italians a further four behind them. It's still anyone's competition," Treize said.
"And it's going to be an even tougher second round if there are only the three of you jumping. I take it all three of your scores will have to count towards the final one?" Wufei asked.
Noin cleared her throat. "About that three rider thing." Everyone shut up and turned to face the coach. "I spoke with the stewards after the meeting in regards to having to withdraw Sam and Misty from the competition. I presented them with Doctor Maxwell's veterinary certificate and explanation of the injury to the horse. The stewards all agreed that under the circumstances we will be allowed to substitute our reserve rider for Sam..."
All eyes switched from the team coach to a very pale looking June.
"You mean...?" June whispered.
"Yes, June. You and Orion will be jumping in tomorrow's rounds as our number two rider."
tbc...
AN: In the actual Nations Cup competition there is no reserve rider. The teams all start out with four riders and should one have to withdraw due to injury or illness to either horse or rider then the remaining three team members' scores all count. I have bent the rules a touch for the purpose of this fic.