stallion. Intrigued, Kara headed toward him, but Itsuki caught her by the arm.
«He’s off limits.» He said firmly. «He already killed three men. We keep him for breeding, not for riding.»
«Let me see him, please.» Kara replied. «In all my years as a rider I have never met a horse who couldn’t be tamed. I have worked with so-called killers and turned them into fine companions each time.»
«Fine.» Itsuki sighed.
They walked up to the paddock, and Kara noticed the stallion tense up and run at them aggressively. He couldn’t reach people behind the tall fence, but he was obviously not happy with them being there. She watched him for some time, and climbed the fence before Itsuki could stop her.
Walking towards the stallion, she showed the animal her empty hands as a sign of peace.
The horse snorted and jumped, furious at the intruder, but Kara stopped in the middle of his paddock and froze, looking straight at the stallion.
«Nakano! Get back here now!» Kara heard Itsuki calling, but ignored him.
«Hello, handsome.» She said to the horse and noticed the stallion jump to her.
She didn’t move, when the stallion ran up and dug into the ground, stopping himself. She didn’t move when he tried scaring her by stomping and kicking near her.
Kara let him thrash around, until he finally stopped and looked at her in confusion.
«Your tricks won’t fool me, pretty boy.» She said calmly, feeling that this horse was never spoken to or treated with kindness. «Would you like to be my friend?»
She slowly reached out her hand and the stallion snorted angrily, stomping his hoof onto the ground. But she didn’t flinch, staying still and looking at him expectantly. She watched him, as he flinched and jumped nervously, too afraid to approach her. But she was patient and kept smiling, catching every move and glance that he made.
A long time had passed before the stallion reached his neck out and sniffed her palm – not even touching her, but getting acquainted to her smell.
«See? I’m not that bad.» Kara whispered. «And so are you.»
She slowly turned her back to the stallion and stood like that for a couple of moments before taking a careful and slow step forward.
Kara could hear the stallion stepping behind her – attentive, tense and ready to jump away. But he was intrigued and wanted to know more of this strange human who wasn’t afraid of him.
«I’ll share an apple with you tomorrow, if you let me touch you today.» Kara smiled, noticing Itsuki and a few other men frozen at the fence with their mouth open from shock.
She stopped, not reaching the fence, and let the stallion walk up to her. He first sniffed her back, then stepped a bit closer and sniffed her shoulder and head, brushing his nose against her cheek.
When he reached over her shoulder, glancing at her with curiosity, Kara slowly raised her hand and let him sniff it again, before gently touching his nose.
The stallion flinched for a second, snorting with surprise, but then approached again and let her touch him once more.
«There you go.» Kara smiled and turned slowly to face the stallion. «See?»
She caressed his forehead, while letting him sniff her clothes. She reached up to scratch under his mane and noticed a small red star-shaped scar on his forehead.
«Did someone hurt you? Is this why you’re so angry all the time?» the young woman asked, gently petting the horse.
The stallion shook his head and turned away, looking at the people watching them.
«It’s okay. Go. I’ll see you tomorrow.» Kara smiled and caressed the stallion’s neck.
He stepped away and calmly walked off, leaving Kara by herself. The young woman chuckled and went back to Itsuki. As soon as she jumped off the fence, he looked at her with awe.
«I have no idea what magic you used with that beast!» he said. «And I don’t even want to know.»
«You said I have to choose my horse.» Kara smiled. «I want him.»
«Akuma?! You want Akuma?» one of the men asked in shock.
«I don’t know how you tried to tame him, but he seems quite tame to me. Perhaps, you just don’t understand him?» Kara shrugged her shoulders. «Of course, I won’t be able to ride him straight away, but give me a little time and he will become a perfect friend for me.»
Itsuki exhaled, shaking his head.
«When will you ever stop surprising me, Nakano?» he whispered.
Kara shrugged her shoulders, feeling quite confident that Akuma can become a perfect horse.
«Oh, did I miss it already?» suddenly they heard Ayame’s voice. «I was told Akuma was killing our guest.»
«He didn’t even try, Ayame.» Kara replied with a smile.
«She’s a wonder! He tried scaring her and she didn’t even flinch!» Itsuki replied. «You should have seen it! He even allowed her to touch him!»
«Nakano, I hope you won’t mind if I join you some time to see what you have done to this demon of a horse?» Ayame glanced at Kara.
«You can join me tomorrow, when I’ll try and work with him trusting me a bit more…» Kara replied with a chuckle. «If I will be allowed to take him, of course.»
«I am sure Lord Ryuu will agree that there can be no other way, Nakano.»
«Meanwhile…» Itsuki said with a sigh. «I wanted to see how you do on a horse, not next to it.»
«We can offer a couple of training horses, Master Inei.» One of the men said. «But I’m not sure if Nakano would want to ride them.»
«Oh, I can ride any horse. I just love mine with an attitude just like mine.» Kara smiled.
«Saddle Sakura for her.» Ayame smiled. «I am sure she will suffice.»
«Yes, Spy Master.» The men bowed to Ayame and ran off.
«Take care of my mare, Nakano. She has a temper, but I am sure you will find a way to negotiate with her.»
«I will do my best, Spy Master Ayame.» Kara bowed slightly.
«And you…» Ayame turned to Itsuki. «Take care of Nakano. Lord Ryuu will be furious if our wounded hero will get hurt riding a horse.»
«Some why I doubt she will be the one hurt.» Itsuki chuckled.
«I’ll look after him, Ayame.» Kara winked at the woman.
Within minutes the horses were ready and Itsuki jumped into the saddle. He was riding a big stallion – black and with a very lush mane and tail. If Kara wouldn’t know better, she would have said this stallion
