The Sport Of King's by beermoney5

Stormy Paradise

Chapter 24

Stormy Paradise

It seemed like the weeks flew by, as Kagome continued with Storm’s gate training, and in no time it was time to get ready to head out to Florida to Gulfstream Park. Ayame still hadn’t made up with Koga yet, and since she wasn’t still trying to make him jealous, Kagome gave her until she got back from Florida to tell Koga everything; otherwise, Kagome was going too. Ayame agreed to her terms.

Kagome, Sango, Miroku, and Kaname accompanied Bankotsu in the horse van to Gulfstream Park for Storm’s first race. They were also taking five other horses, including Silhouette and Silver Lining. Inutaisho, Izayoi, and Sesshomaru would join them later, after they arrived at the track. Kagome missed Sesshomaru, calling him every day, impatient to be at the track so she could be with him again.

The next day, after arriving at the track, Kagome and Sango worked the horses. Storm was a disaster, running out on her and almost going through the outside rail, just like he had with Kaname, where Kaname had been thrown over the rail and broken his arm. Thankfully, Kagome got Storm straightened out before he went through or stopped at the outside rail and finished the gallop. The next day wasn’t much better. Storm had bucked part of the way down the track and then bolted, swerving down the track, forcing other horses and riders tried to get out of his way. He had almost collided with another horse on the track before Kagome was able to get him back under control.

“He’s still not answering?” Sango asked, after Kagome hung up her cell phone. They had just finished the morning workouts and were done cooling out and putting away the horses.

Inutaisho had decided to wait another day to arrive at Gulfstream Park, hoping his prize mare, Portia Power, would foal before he left for the meet. To Kagome’s disappointment, Sesshomaru also decide to wait, along with his father and stepmother, to arrive at Gulfstream Park.

“Yeah. I’m a little worried. He always picks up. Usually when he doesn’t hear from Me, he calls me, and he hasn’t done that either.”

“Maybe he’s busy,” Miroku suggested.

“All he has to do today is pack for his plane trip, which I’m sure he’s done already since its noon. I guess I’ll try again later.”

“Well, let’s go check out more of the competition for the Fountain Of Youth before we go to lunch,” Miroku said, trying to distract Kagome.

“Yeah. Let’s go,” Sango said, linking her arms through both Kagome’s and Miroku’s.

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“Hey, what are you doing here?” Bankotsu asked with surprise as Sesshomaru walked up.

“I came early.”

“Nobody told me. I guess you couldn’t stay away from Kagome any longer,” Bankotsu chuckle.

“Nobody knows but my father. I wanted to surprise Kagome. I’m assuming she’s walking around with her friends, checking out the other horses.”

“Yep. She’ll be real happy to see you. She misses you terribly and has been driving us all crazy.”

 “I can imagine. My father said Storm has been acting up on the track.”

“Yeah. He’s reverted back to his old ways. It’s a little disappointing, and I’m hoping he’ll work out of it before the race. Kagome’s been more nervous than she’s ever been, and I don’t blame her.”

Sesshomaru paused as he took in everything Bankotsu said. He didn’t like the idea of Kagome riding Storm in a race to begin with, and now, he definitely didn’t want her to, but unless his father thought she was in danger, he would relent with his decision. “I’ll be back; I’m going to go find her.”

“I’ll be here.”

Sesshomaru decided to go check Fast Break Stable’s shed row first, assuming Kagome would want to check out Entei, if she hadn’t already. When he walked into the shed row, Kagome wasn’t there. Before leaving, Sesshomaru walked over to Entei’s stall to see how his former pride and joy was doing under his new ownership. The grey colt was standing at the back of his stall, dosing. Sesshomaru noted that Entei looked just as stunning as ever and every bit the champion that he was. Anger and frustration at his father for selling him was starting to surface when he heard someone walk into the shed row. Turning, expecting to see Issin or Naraku, he was surprised to see Yuki standing there alone.

“Oh, Sesshomaru, I didn’t know you were here,” Yuki said with fake surprise. “What a surprise and pleasure it is to see you again,” Yuki added, as she seductively walked up to him and placed her hand on his chest.

Immediately swatting her hand away, Sesshomaru replied, “I assure you it’s no pleasure for me, and I must be going.”

“Oh, come on. I just want to talk.” Yuki said as she tried to replace her hand upon his chest. Sesshomaru immediately grabbed her wrist.

“I have no time for you or your nonsense. We are through, and there won’t be any more chances. End of discussion! Now I have to go!” He growled out.

Before Sesshomaru had a chance to leave, he and Yuki heard voices coming from the end of the shed row. As soon as Yuki realized who was coming, she immediately threw her arms around Sesshomaru’s neck and planted a kiss upon his lips.  Kagome, Sango, and Miroku walked around the corner of the shed row to witness the intimate display as Sesshomaru instantly pushed Yuki away.

“What the hell are you doing?” Sesshomaru growled out.

“What do you mean Sesshomaru dear?” Yuki replied sweetly with fake confusion, as she turned in the direction of his gaze. “Oh, Kagome, I didn’t know you were there,” Yuki added, covering her mouth with her hand, looking like she was surprised at being caught.

Kagome walked purposely up to Sesshomaru, glaring at Yuki as she wrapped her arms around Sesshomaru’s bicep. “He’s mine, so back off!”

“Not for long. Aren’t I right, Sesshomaru? I’ll see you later Sesshomaru dear.” Were Yuki’s departing words.

After Yuki left, Kagome released her hold on Sesshomaru’s arm and looked up at him with hurt in her eyes. “I thought you weren’t coming till tomorrow.”

“I decided to come early to…”

“To be with Yuki?” Kagome interrupted him.

“No. To be with you.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me? I’ve been calling you all day.”

“I wanted to surprise you.”

“Well I was definitely surprised.”

“It’s not what it looked like.”

“Really? Because it looked like my boyfriend was making out with his ex. That’s what it looked like to me.” Turning to Sango and Miroku, she asked. “Am I right?”

“I hate to say it, but Kagome’s right Sesshomaru,” Sango said, Miroku nodding his head in agreement.

“She forced herself on me when we heard you three walking up. Kagome you know you’re the only one I love.”

“Do I? Because it didn’t look to me like she was forcing herself on you. Sure you broke apart from the kiss when we entered, but that could have been because we took you by surprise.”

“Do you know how ridiculous you sound and how stupid you’re being?” Sesshomaru snapped, his anger flamed by Kagome’s accusations.

“We were going to go to lunch after we checked out Entei, and I would invite you to lunch with us, but I’m assuming you wouldn’t want to spend time with someone as ridiculous and stupid as I am,” Kagome said calmly. She then added as she turned heading out of the shed row, “Let’s go you guys.”

“Kagome! That’s not what I meant.”

Kagome stopped for a moment and looked over her shoulder at Sesshomaru. “I don’t want to be around you right now.” She then left the barn with her friends.

Sesshomaru punched his hand into the side of the barn. He didn’t need this obstacle in the way of their relationship, especially after the talk they had a few weeks ago. Yuki’s actions did look suspicious, but Kagome should know how much he loved her. How was he going to fix this mess? And he assumed he was going to have to make other sleeping arrangements, so he headed back to their shed row to talk to Bankotsu.

“Where’s Kagome?” Bankotsu asked, seeing Sesshomaru without her.

“We got into a fight. Speaking of which, do you mind if I sleep in your room tonight.”

“Of course not. Do you mind me asking what happened?”

“No, not at all. I went to Fast Breaks stabling area to look for Kagome. She wasn’t there, but Before I left, Yuki showed up. Just as I was leaving, Kagome walked into the barn, and Yuki kissed me.”

“Oh, that’s not good.”

“No it isn’t, and Kagome thinks I planned on meeting Yuki since I hadn’t told her I was coming early, and she wouldn’t let me explain what happened.”

“I can see why she would be suspicious. Yuki is an old girlfriend that you dated not only once but twice, and Kagome was expecting you tomorrow not today. You also didn’t return any of her calls today.”

“I know I should have told her.”

“It was really bad timing for Yuki to show up while you were there without Kagome.”

“I don’t think it was an accident.”

“You think Yuki planned it?”

“Yes. And that’s not all that happened. I kind of told Kagome she was being ridiculous and stupid.”

Bankotsu started to laugh and then stopped quickly as Sesshomaru glared at him. “Sorry. You kind of told her. I don’t know what to say, except that I understand why Kagome would be mad at you. Give her some time to simmer down. She’s been under a lot of stress with Fire Storm acting up, and having to race against Entei. You know your father is considering scratching Fire Storm from the race. He’ll make his decision after he sees him work on the track. He’s afraid for Kagome.”

“That’s something I don’t need to hear. I already don’t want her racing, and if my father is worried, that can’t be good.”

“We’ll give him a few more days. Some horses can’t take the stress that comes with being at the track, and that could be Storm’s case, or maybe he just needs to get used to it. We have to remember this is the first time Fire Storm’s been away from home.”

“I don’t even know if I want to be here tomorrow morning for the workouts.”

“I think it would make Kagome feel better if you were here.”

“I’m not so sure.”

Give her time,” Bankotsu said as he placed a hand on Sesshomaru’s shoulder. “I bet by tomorrow she will have forgiven you.”

“I hope so.”

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Kagome tossed and turned in her empty bed, trying to sleep, but failing. She sat up and glanced at the clock again for about the tenth time that night. “It’s ten o’clock. Where is he?” Kagome asked to herself as she reached for her cell phone. After lunch, she had called Sesshomaru to apologize to him for her behavior and to give him a chance to explain what happened between Yuki and him. When he hadn’t answered, she had searched for him. Bankotsu had told her that he had left for the hotel, but when she went to look for him, he wasn’t there. She didn’t blame him for not wanting to talk to her. She had acted immature, but in her defense, the whole scene did look suspicious.

“Yes.” Sesshomaru answered.

“Where are you?”

“I’m in Bankotsu’s room.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m trying to sleep,” Sesshomaru replied with slight irritation. “You were quite angry with me, and I figured you didn’t want me sleeping with you tonight.”

“Well you’re wrong. Can you blame me for being angry?”

“I don’t want to argue, Kagome,” Sesshomaru sighed.  “That’s why I turned my phone off earlier.”

“I’m not angry anymore, and I’m sorry for getting so mad at you. Can you please come over?”

There was a pause before Kagome got an answer. “Let me get dressed, and I’ll be over.”

“Okay. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

Once he was in Kagome’s room, Sesshomaru undressed and crawled into bed next to Kagome, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against his bare chest. He started to nuzzle and kiss her neck but stopped when Kagome scrunched up her shoulders.

“I’m not in the mood.”

I thought you weren’t mad?”

I’m not. I’m sore, and I haven’t been sleeping well lately, so I’m also tired,” Kagome said as she turned in his arm’s so she was facing him. “You know, after lunch I was done being mad at you. I felt bad afterwards for not letting you explain what happened.”

“You should feel bad,” Sesshomaru said, half joking. “It was completely innocent on my part. But I do admit: I probably should have told you I was coming earlier than my father. I wanted to surprise you but instead, all hell broke loose. I went looking for you and started at Fast Break’s stabling area. As I was checking out Entei, Yuki walked in. It was almost like she was following me. It was kind of weird how she showed up at that moment without Naraku. I was about to leave when we heard you and your friends walking up, and she kissed me right when you rounded the corner. And I’m sure she did it to make you jealous and to try and get between us.”

“I guess we both have stalkers. What’s funny about that is that our stalkers are dating each other. I guess I played right into her hands for letting it get to me. Again, I’m sorry. It’s no excuse, but with everything going on with Storm, having to race against Entei, and then walking up and seeing Yuki kissing you, it was just too much for me to handle, and I lost my temper. In my defense, though, what would you have done in my shoes? If you had walked up and saw some guy kissing me?”

After a short pause, Sesshomaru replied, “You said you were sore. Does it have to do with Storm?”

“Trying to change the subject, I see. You avoiding the question is my answer, because you would have been livid,” Kagome said with a smile. “And to answer your question, yeah, it takes everything I have to hold Storm back out there on the track, and my shoulders are real sore.”

Sesshomaru sat up and pulled Kagome into a sitting position, facing away from him. He then started massaging her shoulders. “How’s this?”

“It feels good,” Kagome answered as her head dropped. “I’m assuming you talked to Bankotsu about what’s been going on.”

“A little. I feel like he wasn’t telling me everything though.”

“Did he tell you that Storm ran out on me the first day I took him out on the track? He almost went through the outside rail.”

At this information, Sesshomaru paused in his massaging of Kagome’s shoulders before he answered and resumed the kneading. “No, he didn’t tell me that.”

“He hasn’t done that since, but I’ve had trouble keeping him running straight, and he bucks almost a quarter of the way though his workout. I’m really nervous, and to be honest with you, I’m a little scared every time I get on him. I didn’t think I would ever say something like that, but it’s the truth. He’s really scaring me. The way he feels beneath me, it’s more than just feeling like a live wire. I can’t even explain the feeling. I’ve ridden a lot of hot horses, but none of those horses have felt the way he does right now. Storm’s never felt this way before.”

“If you’re afraid, you can ask my father to scratch Fire Storm from the race. If he’s that bad, I would prefer you did. I don’t want you hurt, and neither does anyone else.”

“I’m not going to ask your father to do that. He needs me to ride Storm, and if he’s going to race in the Kentucky Derby, Storm needs to race this weekend.”

“My father would understand.”

Kagome turned to face Sesshomaru. “I know that. I’m sorry, but I would feel like I was letting your father and Bankotsu down if I didn’t race, and I would never forgive myself for that.”

“Your safety is more important than a stupid race.”

“We have a few more days before the race. Maybe he’ll work out of it.”

“That’s what Bankotsu said.”

“Well, Bankotsu has been training horses for a long time, so I’m sure he knows what he’s talking about.” Kagome yawned before adding, “I’m tired. We’ll talk more about this tomorrow after workouts.”

Sesshomaru laid down, pulling Kagome with him. She laid her head on his chest and shut her eyes. “Thanks for the massage. My shoulders feel much better.”

“You’re welcome.”

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Inutaisho and Izayoi arrived the next afternoon. After talking to Bankotsu, and finding out that there was a slight change in Storm’s behavior that morning, and he seemed to be relaxing, Inutaisho decided that he would make his decision on whether to scratch Storm from The Fountain Of Youth Stakes or to keep him entered after he watched Storm work the following morning.

The next morning, Storm worked a wonderful mile gallop with only a few minor disruptions, so it was decided to continue with the plan of racing him in the Fountain Of Youth Stakes.

A few days later, the day of The Fountain Of Youth Stakes was here, and Kagome’s nerves were running wild. Even though Storm had been working like his old self the day before, Kagome was still worried. Sure, Storm had started to relax on the track during workouts, but it was going to be a different story when he stepped out of the tunnel entrance onto the track to see the crowds gathered in the stands and infield, not to mention the fact that he would be running for the first time in a pack of horses. But it was something Storm needed to get used to, so if Kagome wanted him to be a champion like she knew he could be, then she was going to have to push her nerves aside and concentrate on the task at hand. Kagome was glad to have her friends with her in the jockeys’ room as she got dressed for the race: it helped sooth her nerves a bit. After weighing in, she and Katrina, who was riding another horse that Dragon Strike had entered in the race along with Storm, headed to the walking ring and saddling paddock together to mount up and receive their instructions for the race.

“Everything is going to be fine.” Bankotsu tried to reassure Kagome as he gave her a leg into the saddle while Sango stood at Storm’s head.  Storm was prancing in place and flicking his ears nervously in every direction. After Kagome was mounted, Sango started to lead Storm around the ring as Bankotsu gave her instructions. “Just try to get a clean fast break out of the gates. The rail has been very fast today, so I would like to see him on the rail holding in fifth position until just before the stretch. Then ask him to run. Real simple. Got it?”

“Yeah, real simple,” Kagome said with a nervous laugh. “I’ll do my best.”

“You’ll be fine,” Bankotsu said as he patted her leg and left her with Sango, enroute to where Inutaisho was walking with Miroku and Katrina.

“How are you doing Kagome?” Inutaisho asked as he walked up to Kagome and Sango.

“I guess okay. I’m not too worried about walking through the tunnel since we worked with him every day on it. I’m worried about what he’ll do after we get through it.”

“For him, he’s been working wonderfully. I’m sure the two of you will be fine. Just ride the best race you can, that’s all I can ask for.” Inutaisho tried to sooth Kagome, sounding more confident in his words then he felt.

Before anymore could be said, the call to the post was played, and the jockeys and horses headed into the tunnel that lead to the track. As soon as Storm stepped out of the tunnel and onto the track, he stopped instantly, throwing up his head and snorting as he eyed the crowds in the stands and infield of the track.

Kagome reached down and patted Storm’s neck with a shaky hand. “it’s okay boy. Everything’s fine.”

Finally, seeming reassured by Kagome’s voice, Storm stepped forward, tentatively, and then started to prance, still snorting down the track away from the starting gates. Kagome willed herself to relax as she turned Storm towards the gates and let him move into a canter to warn up his mussels.

Storm balked at the starting gates as an assistant starter tried to load him into the number five spot and lost hold of the bridle. The assistant starter quickly grabbed the bridle and tried to lead Storm in the gate again. Startled by the sudden movement, Storm reared and struck out at the assistant starter, narrowly missing his head.

“Reach up slowly,” Kagome told him after Storm’s front feet were back on the ground. “He’s a little skittish with sudden movements around his head.

“I would say so,” the assistant starter said before slowly reaching back up for Storm’s bridle and leading him into the gates.

Storm jumped when the back gate was shut. They were in the number five slot in an eleven horse field, something nobody at the farm was happy about. The longer Storm had to stand in the gates, the bigger chance of him acting up and possibly hurting himself, Kagome, or both of them.

“It’s okay. It’s just like at home.” Kagome tried to sooth Storm, stroking his already sweaty neck as she did so.

The other horses loaded quickly up until the number ten horse, who was refusing to load into the gates. Kagome prayed that they would get him in quickly just as Storm kicked out hitting the door of the starting gate, shifting from one front leg to the other and starting to prance in place, eager to be let out. Finally, the assistant starters got the number ten horse in, and the number eleven horse loaded quickly without incident. Kagome grabbed a chunk of Storms mane, curbed her nerves, and concentrated on the track in front of her just as the gates sprung open, and a wall of eleven horses surged out, vying for position on the rail.

Kagome was glad for the chunk of mane she had grabbed, because if she hadn’t done so, she would have been left behind by the surge of power that Storm had used as he jumped out of the gate in a full gallop. They were a second late out of the gates, though, and Kagome was forced to position Storm in Seventh, two horses wide from the rail. Storm’s gait was choppy as he galloped with the rest of the field around the track, flicking his ears nervously in all directions, as dirt was flung in his face by the horses in front of him. He was obviously confused by the flinging dirt and the large field of horses he was racing with, and he wasn’t sure what to do. Kagome continued to talk to him to sooth his nerves, asking him for more run, trying to move up to fifth where Bankotsu had wanted him so that they would be in a better position for the stretch towards the end of the race. Kagome pulled her first pair of goggles down to hang around her neck and quickly pulled a second pair down from the top of her helmet. Storm picked up the pace, slightly bumping the horse next to him as his strides finally starting to lengthen and even out. Then his pace slackened. Kagome asked him again for run, and Storm once again picked up his pace and shortly thereafter backed off again. Every time Storm backed off of the pace, Kagome would ask him, again, for run, and slowly they picked off one horse after another, moving up to sit in the fifth as they headed into the stretch for home.

The horse next to them on the rail started to tire, and Kagome angled Storm over to his spot, attempting to save ground. Kagome noticed that Entei, the only grey in the race, was seven lengths in front of the pack, leading the way to the wire as he continued to increase his lead. This meant that first was out of the question for them, but they could still get third or second.

Kagome asked once more time for more run, giving Storm his head, and instantly, finally figuring out what was expected, Storm switched leads, digging in as he gave her the speed she was asking for, heading for Tourist Attraction who was in front of him in fourth. But would it be too late? He flew past Tourist Attraction and headed for Royal Victorian, who was in the third. Storm was gaining rapidly on Royal Victorian and drew up alongside his flank, continuing to gain on him. It looked like he would catch him, but it was too late. Kagome and Storm crossed the wire in fourth, a neck behind Royal Victorian with Katrina at Storm’s flank in fifth. Kagome stood in her stirrups and pulled on the reins, asking Storm to slow to a trot. Once they slowed Kagome, disappointed, turned Storm and met up with Katrina who was riding Christmas Valley. Together they headed for the out gate.

“You guys did so good out there!” Sango exclaimed as she, Miroku, and Kaname met Kagome and Katrina at the gate.

“Thanks,” Kagome and Katrina answered together.

“Storm was really good out there, and we were so close to getting third. I’m disappointed we didn’t,” Kagome replied as Inutaisho, Bankotsu, and Sesshomaru joined them.

“You did wonderfully out there, and I’m glad it’s over,” Sesshomaru said, giving Kagome a hug after she dismounted.

“I couldn’t have asked for anything more. The two of you ran a good race today,” Inutaisho added.

“I had a bad break out of the gates, and then I couldn’t keep his momentum going though.”

“That’s common with horses in their first race. If he runs the way he did at the end, he’ll be a contender for first when he runs in the Santa Anita Derby,” Bankotsu said.

“I agree,” Inutaisho nodded. “Let’s get going. We have two horses to clean up and cool out.”