Draco Meets Orion Chapter 4: Riding with Gohan
disclaimer: I don’t own DBZ!! This is the Fourth time!!!!
*next day*
“Your parents weren’t too bad.” Gohan commented. “Which one do you want me on for this ride?”
“You’ll be riding Vega Megastar. She is the eleven year old Quarter Horse.” Echo declared. They got to the gate and she gave off a whistle. Then the five horses in the paddock galloped up to the gate. The teen girl easily took hold of her Appaloosa, clipping the lead line to her halter. “Vega’s the silver one.” Cecilia called over to Gohan.
“Hai, Echo-chan.” he replied, while taking Vega from the rest. The two horses were led into the barn and groomed.
“We’re using western saddles. The tack room’s this way.” Echo declared, leading the way. The mare and filly were easily tack up in the western saddles and ring snaffle bridles. “Better put on a helmet.” she cautioned. “There is a spare in the trunk.” the teen girl added while strapping on her hunter green one. Gohan grabbed it and put it on after a second of studying it.
The group walked outside and mounted the horses. “This way!” Echo exclaimed. The two teens wheeled their horses about and set off at a canter. They reached an emerald green meadow in the forest by midday.
“A good place for a picnic!” Gohan declared. Echo gave off a bell-like laugh as she dismounted.
“Good thing I came prepared. You had better dismount and make Vega comfortable before we eat.” she declared. The teen boy dismounted and loosened the cinch on Vega’s saddle. He then removed the bridle and placed a tie-out halter on the mare’s face. Echo did the same for Esperanza.
Then they took off their helmets and ate their picnic. Echo sighed softly and stared into the sky. “Gohan, was that you?” she inquired in a quivering voice. He nodded, realizing that she loved him as much as he loved her. He cuddled up to her and leaned his face towards hers. She looked at him with her expressive gray-blue eyes and leaned into him. Their lips met in a passionate kiss.
“You’re the one I was waiting for.” Gohan murmured. His hands traveled down her back and up under her shirt. She pushed him away, firmly. “Echo?” he inquired in confusion.
“We can’t go that far, Gohan. My beliefs don’t permit it until I’m married.” she explained.
“Oh, okay.” he replied while getting up. The teen girl also got up and they started to ready their horses to ride on. As soon as their helmets were on their heads and the bridles on the mares’ faces, a scream resounded through the woods. “Let’s go!” he cried, leaping up into Vega’s saddle. Echo leapt up and they galloped off towards the screamer.
“Dad!” Echo screamed. Gohan dismounted.
“Echo, stay here. I have a hunch that you might not want to see this.” he commanded.
“Hai, sir. You sound like a drill sergeant.” Echo declared. Gohan giggled and handed Echo Vega’s reins.
The young Saiya-jin flew into the scene, scattering the villains. “Mr. Luz, are you all right?” he inquired with concern.
“I’m fine, Gohan. Just a little winded.” he replied as Echo trotted up, leading Vega Megastar.
“Dad, are you all right?” she inquired of her father.
“I’m fine, Echo. I just saw something that scared me, is all. Head home!!!” he commanded.
*one hour later*
Echo came out of the barn, carrying a hunt seat saddle. “Looks like you’re going to jump.” a voice called out.
She turned, startled. “Ms. V, I wasn’t expecting you today. Yes, I’m going to jump.” the teen girl replied. Both of them walked over to the corral and Echo caught Esperanza, who was affectionately nuzzling Gohan. She groomed the spirited filly before tacking her up. Lastly, she placed the open-front jumping boots on the Appaloosa.
They walked to the outdoor ring, where jump standards were set up. Gohan leaned against the fence and watched the teen girl easily navigate the course. On the last jump, a six foot oxer, the wraith’s hooves tickled the rail behind her. The rail clattered about and settled back into its cups.
“That was a good round, Cecilia. The only thing that I saw wrong was the loss of impulsion over that last jump. Just remember to keep her hind legs under her, and you have a shot at the blue ribbon on Thursday.” Ms. V instructed.
“Thanks, Ms. V. I’ll keep that in mind. See you at the show!!” the girl replied joyfully as the riding instructor left. Echo then led Esperanza into the barn and took of her tack.
“Echo,” Gohan called, “I’ve never seen you jump Esperanza like that before!” She looked right at him.
“Gohan, you’ve been on her when she’s jumped like that. Remember Monday?” she commented in her joy at a good ride. He chuckled then and put away the tack.
“Gohan, you’re gonna spoil me!!” Echo exclaimed.
“Aren’t I bad?” he innocently replied.