"Nalani! Watch were you put your feet! That was my tail!"

"Watch were you put that tail then."

Nalani dogded her brothers atempt to tackle her. Jason insted rammed into Kian. Nalani laughed at the suprised looks on their faces.

"All right you five, settle down."

The pups looked up at their mother. With sunlight  highlighting her golden coat, Nalani thought her mother was the most beautiful dog in the world. Even though Nalani was the only one to inherite her golden coat, she didn't think she'd ever be as beautiful as her mother. Unlike her mother, she had brown paws like her father.

Jason gave a good natured smile. "Yes mom."

Their attention was averted as a young gir.l came up to the box. "You can get one dear." the gir.ls mother said. The gir.l looked over the pups. Carol jumped up and planted a lick on her cheek. The gir.l giggled and picked her up. "I want this one!"

Carol waved as the gir.l carried her away. Nalani looked over her shoulder and saw her father nuzzle her mother. A sudden weight slammed into her side. Jason had tackled her.

"Never let your guard down." he said playfully. Nalani smiled, then kicked him off. "Take your own advice." she teased.

                                                             ~^~^~^~^~

Nalani watched as Kian was carried off by a little gir.l. Jason tackled Monica, who threw him off. Nalani watched them for a bit, before her attention was adverted to a gir.l walking down the street with a woman, who she assumed was her mother. The gir.l was bundled in a blue coat and had her shoulders hunched up right below the tan headband she was wearing ended. Nalani watched her curiously.

The gir.l didn't look happy. She looked downright misrable. As she and her mother came closer, she was able to hear what they where saying.

"But mom, it's so cold here. I miss the islands. I miss the ranch. I miss being warm!"

"Now Kani, you know we won't be here that long. A year at the most."

"Yeah, by then I'll be a popsicle." the gir.l mutterd.

Her mother smiled. "Then you'll de-thaw when we get home."

A faint smile flickerd across Kani's face for a minute, then disapeered.

"It's still boring around here."

Nalani barked. Kani stopped in her tracks. She left her mothers side and came over. Nalani propped herself up on the side of the box.  Slowly, Kani reached out her hand and stroked Nalani behind the ear.

Nalani's tail wagged. A smile grew on the Kani's face as she picked Nalani up. Kani's mother stood behind her.

"Mom? Can we-" Kani looked up at her mother with pleading eyes.

Her mother seemed to ponder for awhile. "You know how exspensive it would be to get her home?"

Kani nodded. "I could dip into my savings." She held Nalani up to her mothers face. "Please?"

Nalanis tail wagged as the mother patted her on the head. "All right, all right. I heard your grandmother mention they were considering getting another dog anyway."

Kani made a sound that sounded like a squeal and a laugh. Hugging Nalani close, she and her mother walked away. Nalani looked over her shoulder and waved goodbye to her siblings.

                                                         ~^~^~^~^~

Nalani watched her brother Jason leap from rooftop to rooftop, while his small band of friends ran below.

"How come I'm the dull one?" she sighed.

It was true, Nalani didn't see anything speacial about her. Sure she was the only one of her siblings to inherite her mother golden coat, but she didn't see anything so speacial about that. Not when your siblings were so talented.

"Nalani?"

Nalani wheeled around to see her mother standing behind her. "Hey mom." she mutterd.

"Nalani, are you okay? You seem to be down latley." Sonya asked, concern showing in her eyes.

"It's nothing." she lied.

Just then Jason came bounding over the rooftops again. Nalani must have looked envious, or her mother could read minds. She was pretty sure she looked envious.

"Are you jelous of Jason?" Sonya asked, a hint of concern shown in her voice.

Nalani sighd. "It's not just him, it's everyone."

"What do you mean?'

Nalani's words tumbled out in a rush.  "Their all so special. Carol sings like a angel, Jason's not afraid of anything, Kian can make anyone feel good, and Monica can make friends with anyone! Whats so special about me?"

"Nalani, everyone has something special about them. You just havn't discoverd yours yet." Sonya assured her.

"Why'd you name me 'Nalani' anyway?" she asked.

At that, her mother chuckled. "Actully, your father and I didn't name you, Shyla did."

Nalani starred. Shyla was her big sister, she'd never known she'd named her. "So, whats it mean?" she asked slowly.

"Shyla had heard it meant 'Calmness Of The Spirit" Sonya told her.

Before Nalani could anserw, a sharp whistle floated through the air. "I gotta go." she turned and started walking away.

                                                                ~^~^~^~^~

As soon as Nalani walked in the house, a loud piercing squeel rang through the house. It was comming from the kitchen, so Nalani went in. Kani and her parents were at the table. Well, her parents were, Kani was jumping around like a rabbit.

"Kani, settle down." Mrs. Loni, her mother, told her, but the smile on her face said she didn't blame her.

Kani stopped jumping for a minute. "We'er really going home? No last minute stuff that'll keep us here?"

Mr. Loni smiled and shook his head. "Nope. They cleared me and said I was free to go."

Nalani barked. "Nalani!" Kani tackled her with a hug. 'We'er going home gir.l!"

Nalani starred at her in confusion. Home? They were home, what was she talking about?

"Now the question is, how are we going to get her home?' Mr. Loni jerked his thumb at Nalani.

Nalani starred at him in confusion. What were they talking about? She was home!

Kani jumped up. "She could come with us on the boat!"

"I'll look into it." Mrs. Loni rose from the table and went into the next room. Mr. Loni followd.

When they left, Kani wrapped Nalani in a hug. Leaning close to her ear, she whisperd. "Mahi-Mahi Island gir.l! We'er going home to Hawaii!"

                                                           ~^~^~^~^~

Nalanis head spun. Hawaii? Where was that? Somewhere in Alaska? She'd never heard of it. Mabey Connie would know. Connie was a trainee to become a police dog, and she was a total brainac. Mabey she'd know where Hawaii was.

Nalani went over to the police station, hoping Connie was there and not out on training bussiness. She was there.

"Hey Nalani! Whats up?" Connie greeted her with sparkling eyes and a bright smile.

"Hey Connie. I need some help. Have you ever heard of a place called Hawaii?"

Connie nodded and motioned her over to a shelf near the main desk. She pulled a rolled up sheet of paper out of one of the drawers and rolled it out.

She placed a paw on a tiny spot of green. "Theres Hawaii. One of the newer states. It's made up of a large island surrounded by smaller ones. People ussualy go there for vacations."

Nalani starred at the spot of green and swalloed. "So, uh, wheres us?" she asked. Connie moved her paw to a larger spot of green. "We are right here."

Nalani felt her breathe catch in her throat. Hawaii was a looong way from Alaska. How in the world had Kani and her family gotten from there to hear? And how would they get back there?

Connie must have noticed her look. "Nalani? Something wrong?"

Nalani looked up from the map. "Uh, no."

Connie gave her a supicious look. "Why'd you want to know where Hawaii was anyway?"

"Uhh, I heard Kani and her parents talking about going home and they metioned it." As soon as the words were out Nalani wished she could them back.

Connie starred at her wide eyed, then slowly nodded. "You know, Kani never has struck me as, well, Alaskan."

"Well, thanks Connie." Nalani stood and started to leave, her head spinning again.

                                                       ~^~^~^~^~

The next few weeks were hectic for Nalani. Kani and her parents started putting everything they owned in suitcases. Mrs. Loni never seem to be around anymore, she said she was investingating on how to transport a dog. Kani was always singing some song Nalani had never heard of, and Mr. Loni was always at the table with piles of paper. Nalani wasn't even able to sneak out of the house, Mrs. Loni kept her inside all the time.

Then, one night at dinner, Mrs. Loni declared everything was settled, and they were leaving tomorow morning. Kani jumped up and and started dancing around.

"We'er finnaly going home!" she chanted happily.

Her parents exchanged smiles. Nalani's heart sank. She was really leaving, and not just a short move to another part of Alaska, but all the way across the ocean! And she hadn't even told anyone, except Connie, yet! How would her parents feel if she just left and hadn't even said goodbye?

Mrs. Loni rose from the table. "I need to run to the police office quick, to make sure someone knows we'er leaving first thing."

Nalani imeditly dashed to the door and whined. Kani smiled.

"Mom, can me and Nalani come? She's been cooped up in the house latley."

Nalani put on the best 'pity me' face she could when Mrs. Loni looked at her. If it worked when Kani had begged her parents to let Nalani sleep in her room, why shouldn't it work now?

"All right, but put her on a leash. We don't need her running off." Mrs. Loni said finnaly.

Kani grabbed Nalani's leash and clipped it on. As they walked down the street toward the police station, Nalani kept a eye out for any of her siblings, or one of her parents. No luck.

Nalani's hopes rose when they enterd the police station though. Connie was there!

"Connie!"

Connie looked up and smiled when she saw her.

"Hey Nalani. Back again?"

Nalani cast a glance at Mrs. Loni. Mrs. Loni had a reputation for being short, quick, and to the point if she was in a rush. Nalani bet this was one of those times.

"Listen, we'er leaving for Hawaii tomorow and Mrs. Loni has kept me in the house the past few weeks. I havn't been able to tell my family I'm leaving. Could you tell them for me, please?"

Connie's smile faded slightly. "Your leaving tomorow?"

Nalani saw sadness in her eyes, and she felt guilty. Connie was her best friend, and now they'd never see eachother again.

She swalloed and nodded.

Connie gave her a quick hug. "I'll tell them." she promised.

"Thanks." Nalani told her gratefully.

"Come on Nalani, time to go." Kani gave a small tug on the leash. Nalani nodded goodbye to Connie before following.

                                                               ~^~^~^~^~

Nalani had never woken up before the sun. She was suprised it was still dark outside when Mrs. Loni flipped on all the lights in the house and started waking everyone up. Kani had jumped out of bed imeditly. Nalani sleepily walked downstairs. She couldn't belive how perky Kani was so early in the morning.

Still half asleep, Nalani climbed into the back of the familys truck with Kani. Resting her head on Kanis lap, she fell asleep and didn't wake up until they reached what Mr. Loni had refered to as 'the port'. Whatever that was.

"Come on gir.l." Kani coaxed Nalani into a carrier. Nalani went in willingly. After the carrier door shut, she felt it being lifted off the ground. Finding it easier to lay down then to stand, Nalani curled herself in a ball.

She felt the carrier land with a thud. Nalani peered out through the bars on the door. She saw boxes, crates, and what looked like two other carries, but smaller.

A large creaking sound made Nalani cringe. The area grew darker, and a small window provided the only light. A loud horn blared. Nalani had no clue what that ment, but she decided to catch up on her sleep. Getting as confertable as she possibly could, she fell asleep.

                                                              ~^~^~^~^~

"Oi man, whatch you thinks in that thing?'

"For the last time darling, I am not a man. I am a pedigree persian."

Nalani's eyes snapped open. "Whos there?" she asked.

"Oh now see what you've done? You awoke the poor dear."

"Oi, I did no such thing man."

Nalani peered out through the bars on the carrier door. The two smaller carriers had sunlight shining on them. The farthest from her had a fluffy white cat with a pink collor in it. Nalani guessed the cat was female, the way she talked, and it's voice sounded female. The one closets to her had...Nalani blinked. The thing was tiny!

The small orange thing was no larger then the cat and had ears that looked to large for it's head.

"Oi, whatch you staring at man?" the thing yapped.

Nalani shook her head.

"I-I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to." she stammerd.

"Oh now Pedro, don't be rude." the cat snapped.

"Oi, it's rude to stare for your information, Precious." Pedro told the cat.

Precious rolled her eyes, then looked at Nalani. "First time seeing a chihuahua dear?"

Nalani starred blankly at her. A what?

Precious laughed. "I'll take that as a yes darling."

"Oi, so where you going man?" Pedro asked.

"Oh, uh, Hawaii." she anserwd.

She was about to ask what a chihuahua was when Pedro and Precious gasped. "What?" Nalani asked.The two exchanged glances before turning to her again.

"What island of Hawaii?" Pedro asked, his tone was supiscious.

"Uhm, Mahi-Mahi Island I think." she told them.

Precious and Pedros eyebrows arched in alarm.

"What?" Nalani asked.

"Why dear, you don't know?" Nalani shook her head. Precious leaned as close as the carrier would let her. "Theres a old legend with that island." she whisperd.

'So?" Nalani had a feeling she wouldn't like where this was going.

"Oi yay, theres a old legend about a mystical stallion that roams the island, taking other ranchers horses, mainly mares, man. No one has ever caught that stallion, and very few even belive he exzits." Pedro's eyes hardend. "Beware of the sapphire eye."

Sapphire eye? Stallion? Mares? Nalani knew what horses where, Kani often got books about them, but what was a stallion and mare?

"Pedro! Your scaring the poor dear." Precious scolded. Pedro flashed a sheepish grin. "Oi, I never saw him, but some people and dogs claim they have."

A sudden thought came to Nalani.  "Wait, you guys live in Hawaii to?"

"Why of course we do darling. But we live on the main island. Honalulu." Precious said proudly. Pedro nodded, his large ears flapped like wings.

Before Nalani could say anymore, a loud horn blared.

"Ai crumba man!" Pedro shouted and coverd his ears.

When the horn stopped, Precious smiled. "Welcome to Hawaii."

                                                           ~^~^~^~^~

Nalani couldn't help but crane her neck to see through the bars. Instently, she knew she wasn't in Alaska anymore.

Lush green trees sprouted everywhere. White sand ran alongside the roads and pathways. Nalani didn't see a speck of snow anywhere.

"Wow." she breathed.

She saw Kani and her parents up ahead. Kani was waving madly and shouting something. Nalani barked.

"Over here sir!" Mrs. Loni called to the man pushing the carrier.

After Mr. Loni signed something, Kani opened the carrier. Nalani jumped out and stretched. Her legs felt like pins and needles. Kani bent down and gave her a hug.

"Mom, is grandpa here yet?" Kani looked up at her mother.

"I don't see, oh there he is!" Mrs. Loni waved.

Nalani looked to where she was waving. A old man with tanned skin and a cowboy hat was waving and walking toward them.

"Jane! Ken!" he greeted Mrs. Loni with a hug and shook Mr. Loni's hand.

"Grandpa!" Kani jumped to her feet.

A playful smile spread across the mans face. "Well, hello there young lady. Have you seen my grandaughter Kani?" he asked.

Kani laughed and gave him a playful shove. Laughing, the man wraped her in a hug.

"It's great to see you again dad." Mrs. Iolani said.

The man smiled and nodded. "It's great to have you home, Jane."

"So Kahu, hows the ranch been doing?" Mr. Loni asked.

Ranch again. Nalani had heard of caribou ranches, but she was pretty sure there weren't any caribou here. So what kind of ranch did they have?

Kahu smiled. "It's doing good. Got a few new mares and geldings, a new stallion, had a good foaling season."

Geldings? Foaling season? Nalani longed to know what the heck they where talking about.

Kani grabbed Kahu's sleave and started tugging on it. "Then what are we waiting for! Lets go! Come on Nalani!" she called as she bounded away. Nalani ran after her.

                                                         ~^~^~^~^~

Never in her life had Nalani seen so much green! Or been on such a bumby road. The blue truck jolted and rattle along the rode shaded by what Kani referred to as palm trees. Nalani saw a large blue sign that said, 'Caltic Shire Ranch'.

Finnaly, the truck eased to a stop. "Here we are. Home sweet home." Kahu declared happily.

As soon as the door opened, Nalani lept out. Taking a quick look around, Nalani wonderd if they where at the right place. A few corrals were scatterd here and there and a barn not far off. Perched on a hill, a pale yellow two story house stood. Not far from it where two small brown cabins, one slightly larger then the other.

It defentily looke like a ranch, but Nalani didn't see any animals. At all.

She looked up at Kani, wondering if she would say this wasn't it. But Kani looked like she was about to exsplode from excitment.

"Where is everyone?" Mrs. Loni asked.

"They should be along soon, just bringing up the saddle herd." Kahu said, then strode toward the barn.

Nalani's ears perked. Herd? Groups of cattle where called herds, but cattle didn't need saddles. There was only one kind of animal that wore saddles...

"There they are!" Kani cried out.

Nalani turned and gasped. Horses! Heads held high, tails swishing, sevral horses came up a canopede path. A few horses had riders, who guieded the others toward the ranch. Nalani watched, breathless. She didn't notice the pack of dogs coming up the path at first.

When she did see them, she was suprised at how calm the horses were around them. And the dogs were equaly calm. Or tired.

The dogs heads hung slightly, their ears drooped, and they seemed to be dragging their paws. One dog led the others. The dog walked in long, confident strides. Head held slightly higher, Nalani guessed that dog was in charge.

One dog lagged behind. The dogs white coat made it easy to pick out, and it seemed to be Nalani's age. As the dogs walked past, they barley glanced at her. When the white one walked by, she saw it look at her out of the corner of it's eye. The dog imeditally lifted it's head and walked faster, catching up with the others.

Well that was a warm welcome, Nalani thought.

                                                            ~^~^~^~^~

At dinner, Nalani was suprised at how many people where there. Kani, her parents, Kahu, a cowgirl and  two cowboys, Karen, Will, and Cody, volenteers who worked at the ranch, and some people called the Latoeas. They had a daughter Kani's age, Mekeena, who was aprently Kani's friend.

Nalani was exspecting to eat in the kitchen, but Mrs. Loni put her out on a porch with a view. And what a view! It pratically took her breathe away. Overlooking fields of horses and a few cattle, Nalani at first didn't notice the other dogs where there and staring at, her? Nalani looked over her shoulder, but there was no one behind her.

She cleared her throat. "Uhm, hi."

One dog, aprently female, smiled brightly. "You must be the new dog."

She didn't say it like Nalani wouldn't know anything, she simply said it friendly. Nalani smiled a little and nodded.

"From Alaska right? Land of frozen tundra?" a brown dog from the corner spoke up.

Nalani recinaized him as the lead dog from ealier. She swalloed, then nodded. "Now Dallas." The female's voice had a warning tone.

Turning to Nalani, she smiled. "I'm Maxine Micci Palo."
  She nodded toward a grey dog sitting next to Dallas. "Thats Ely Janie Fedro and Dallas."
Ely gave a nod of greeting. Dalla's gaze seemed to be judging her.
  "Boys, introuduce yourselfs." Maxine told the other dogs.

Nalani quickly counted. Seven of them. Six looked older then one, the white one from before, Nalani noticed.
 One of them smiled. "Kit Maxine Ely."
Was saying your parents name something they did around here? Nalani didn't know for sure, but it seemed like it.
  Kit nodded to the one next to him. The dog grinned. "Quinn Maxine Ely." he said.
 

The three next to him introuduced themselves as Luke, Adam, and Bryan.
  "Nate Maxine Ely, at your service ma'am." the sandy one bowed enough for the hat he was wearing to slip over his eyes.
Kit rolled his eyes. "How many times have we told ya Nate, that thing won't stay when you do that!"

Nate just grinned. "Hey, it didn't fall this time. The straps working."
Quinn nudged the white dog. The dog cleared it's throat. "Cade Maxine Ely."
He said it so quietly, Nalani almost didn't hear him. Maxine gave a satisfied nod, then turned to her. "And whats your name?" she asked.
  "Nalani Sonya Talto." she anserwd.

Dallas rose and came over. "Well, Nalani, you know anything about horses?"
The way he said it made Nalani nervous. She swalloed. "I know groups of them are called herds."
Well, that was true. She knew that much. She thought she saw a faint smile flicker across Dallas's face, but then he turned to Kit.
 

"Kit, tomorow, you'll give her the course."
Kit looked abit suprised, but he nodded.
Course? What course?
She must have looked confused, because Maxine leaned closer and whisperd. 'You'll find out tomorow."

                                                           ~^~^~^~^~

" Colors: Gray, bay, chesnut, black, brown, fle-bitten, palomino, red chesnut, dark chesnut, dun, buckskin, blue roan, red roan, dapple gray, and skewbald. Facial markings:  Star, stripe, snip, white face, and blaze. Leg markings: Ermine, sock, stocking, and zebra striped. "Paces: Walk, trot, canter, and lope. Mares are females who are matured, stallions are matured males, geldings are fixed males, fillys are young females, and colts are young males"

Nalani recited most of what she had learned. She'd woken up at dawn, followed Kit to the barn, where he taught her every possible thing about horses.

Kit nodded, the opened his mouth to speak, but Nalani cut him off.
"Please don't make me recite all the breeds!" she begged. Her brain was working overtime to record everything, and there seemed to be no end to the list of horse breeds.

Kit gave a sympathetic smile. "Name the breeds we have here, then we'll go look at the pastures and see if you can identify colors and markings. Kay?"
Excitment surged through Nalani. Finnaly! She'd been waiting all morning to see the horses.
 

"Arabians, akhal-tekes, appaloosas, pintos, quarter horses, a clydesdale, and a mustang. Right?"
  Kit smiled. "Yup. Alright, lets go."
Nalani jumped up and followed him. At last!
 

"Alright, now we have sevral pastures here. Sunshine Pasture, thats where the mares and foals are, along with a few calves just old enough to be weaned. Sky Pasture has the saddle herd and Kiallo, our stallion."
"Why is he called Kiallo? Is he dangerous?" Nalani asked. To her, the name sounded like something you'd call a crimanal.
Kit shook his head. "His name means boss."
 

"Lehua Pasture holds the yearlings, and Pueo Pasture holds the two    and three year olds in training." he told her.
   Nalani nodded, then a though struck her. "If weaning calves are in Sunshine Pasture, then where are the other cattle?"
   Kit seemed satisfied she noticed. "Lehua Pasutre is cut in half, yearlings stay in one side, fully grown cattle stay in the other. Same with Sunshine Pasture. The mares, foals and weaning calves are kept in the lower part, while the cows and newborn calves are kept in the upper part."
 

Nalani nodded, when she caught sight of the horses. A gasp escaped her. She'd never seen anything like it! Horses dotted the green sceanery, foals froliced with calves, giving little kicks and bucks of enjoyment.
Kit noticed her look of awe. "It never gets old." he said softly.

Nalani nodded in agreement. Kit then cleared his throat. "All right, Biscut there, what color and markings does she have."

Nalani looked closey at the tan mare. "Buckskin with black stockings?" she guessed.

Kit nodded, then gestured toward the foal frolicking around Biscut. "And Ginger there?"

"Palomino with white star." she said. Kit gave a satisfied smile.

Soon Nalani knew all the mares and foals. Chipia was brown with a silver mane and tail, and her colt, Moon, was black with a white patch over one eye. There was Half Moon and Dancer, a black pinto mare with a light bay filly. Crimson and Valley, a red chesnut mare with a pink roan filly.  Kona and Joker, a blue roan mare with a black pinto colt.  And Willow.

Willows size took Nalani by suprise. The mare was huge! A  blue roan clysdale no doubt. Kit said she was in-foal, which was why she was in Sunshine Pasture.

Nalani could have watched the foals frolic all day, but Kit said it was time to move onto Lehua Pasture to see the yearlings. Nalani pulled her gaze away from the scene.

Kit told her the names of the yearlings in advance this time. Flight, Compass, Honu, and Pani where the yearling colts. Luahala, Navy, Appi, Lunar, and Moonrise where the yearling fillys. Honu, Navy, and Appi were easy to pick out. Honu ment turtle in hawaiian, so that made Honu the brown pinto with a turtle shaped blotch on it's shoulder.                                                                 

Navy was a blue roan and Appi was a appaloosa. Flight was pitch black with a single white star. Compass was black with three white socks. Pani was a black pinto with a distinct patch around his eye. Luahala was a light bay with black stockings and a white stripe. Lunar and Moonrise were almost identical, except Lunar had four white socks while Moonrise had two. Kit said they were twins.

Nalani's feet were staring to feel sore, but she followed Kit to Pueo Pasture to see the two and three year olds. Dawn was the first one Nalani picked out. The mares coat looked like someone had put gold and silver in a blender then poured it all over her.

"Fle-bitten palomino pinto?" she guessed when Kit asked her if she knew what coloring Dawn was.

Kit chuckled. "Not quite. Dawns what we call a grulla."

"Grew-ya?" Nalani asked. Kit nodded.

The rest of the horses were easy to identify. Seafoam was a gray mare, Gold Ghost was a palomino gelding with pure white mane and tail. Honey was a palomino mare with two white socks, Firefly was a zebra dun gelding, and Pako was a bay gelding with two white stockings.

Nalani's feet were ready about ready to fall off as she followed Kit to Sky Pasture, where the saddle herd, Kiallo, and the mustang stayed. Feather, Rain Rose, Witch, Scarlet, and Daffodil were the mares. Copper, Coconut,  White Hawk, and Jinx were the geldings. That of course, left Kiallo and the mustang.

Feather was a gray that looked almost white, Rain Rose was a red roan that looked almost pink, Witch was black with four white socks, Scarlet was a dark red chesnut with white stockings and a white blaze, and Daffodil was a dun.

Copper was a chesnut with a combanation of a star and blaze and three white stockings and a white sock, Coconut was a appaloosa, White Hawk was a black pinto with a patch of white over his shoulders that looked like hawk wings, and Jinx was a dark bay.

"Wheres Kiallo and the mustang?" Nalani asked.

Kit shrugged. "Guess their not around. Don't worry, you'll know Kiallo when you see him."  

"What about the mustang?" she asked.

Kit was silent, then took a short breathe. "Come on, lets head back." His tone said he was done talking about the mustang.

                                                        ~^~^~^~^~

When Kit and Nalani got back to the house, Dallas, Maxine, and Cade were the only ones there. Dallas and Maxine looked up when they came in, but cade only glanced up.

"Well?" Dallas aksed.

The question was directed at Kit. "She did good." With a nod, he left.

Dallas must not have belived him. "Whats Dawn?" The tone of his voice was like a challenge.

"A grulla." Nalani anserwd.

A small, satisfied, or proud mabey, smile tugged at the corners of Dalla's mouth. He opened his mouth to talk again, but a knock on the door caused everyone to look up. Dallas got up and poked his head out the door.

"Well howdy, Dal-"

Whoever it was didn't get to finnish their sentence because Dallas pulled his head back and let the door slam shut.

"Dallas!" Maxine scolded and nudged the door open again.

A grey dog flashed a too perfect smile. "Sorry about that Gabe." Maxine said hurridly. Dallas made a small grunt under his breathe. Cade's eyes narrowed. Gabe didn't seem to notice, but gave a nod to Maxine.

"Not a problem ma'am. Just thought I'd drop by. Heard you got a new recrute." he said nodding at Nalani.

Nalani was suprised. How had he known about her?

Maxine nodded. "Gabe, this is Nalani. Nalani this is Gabe. His masters own Luau Genral Store."

"And we have the finest stables around." he added proudly.

Dallas rolled his eyes. "What do you want Gabe?"

"I just wanted to be neighborly and welcome the newbie to Hawaii." Gabe told him then walked over to Nalani and gave a bow.

"I hope you'll find these stables to your likeing. And if you don't, your welcome to come on over to ours anytime." he flashed her a smile, turned and left.

Nalani's jaw dropped. He acted like Celtic Shire wasn't good enough for her, and he'd just met her! Maxine seemed uneasy about what had just happened. Cade's eyes looked like ice and Dallas's jaw was set firm.

Maxine atempted to break the icey silence. "Gabe is, uh, very bussiness like."

"More like a kid at halloween." Dallas scoffed. Nalani thought she felt heat blasting off his body, but she was probley imaging it.

She shook her head. "How'd he know about me?"

"News travels fast around here. He could've heard it anywhere." Cade told her. A slight shiver went up Nalanis back. She didn't know why, but Gabe sorta, well, creeped her out.

Before Nalani could ask another question, a scream came from outside. The door burst open and Kit stood there, eyes wide.

"Dallas! The mustang rammed through the fence and Kiallo jumped out!"

                                                     ~^~^~^~^~

Dallas jumped up and ran, motiong Cade and Nalani to follow. Nalani followed them outside. Nalani looked around and her breathe caught in her throat. A large black stallion was rearing in the middle of the yard.

Riseing on his hind legs, he pawed the air and let out a thrumpiting neigh. When he brought all four hooves to the ground again, he snorted and pawed the sand, daring anyone to challenge him.

So thats Kiallo, Nalani thought. Now she saw how he had earned his name. He tossed his head and neighed. He acted like the boss.

She noticed Dallas wasn't in front of her anymore. One look around and she saw him, standing right in front of Kiallo, head lowerd and feet braced apart, he looked almost as threating as the stallion.

Kiallo snorted and swung his head from side to side, meeting Dalla's gaze. Dallas didn't move. The stallion stamped his hoof, then lowerd his head, as if judgeing Dallas.

Dallas held his gaze. Nalani made a small gasp, was he crazy? The stallion could charge and run him o.ver!

But Kiallo gave a low whinny. He sounded like he was, surrendering. Dallas turned and Nalani thought she saw a faint smile on his face.

Cody walked up slowly, clipped a lead rope on Kiallo,  then lead him away. The stallion went as willingly as a giant kitten.

Kahu walked over to Dallas and patted him on the head, then followed Kiallo.

Nalani hadn't realized her jaw was hanging until Cade nudged her. "You can close your mouth now."

Nalani imeditly clamped her mouth shut. "Ho-how'd he do that?" she mangedge to ask.

"I'll tell ya later. Right now we've got to find that mustang." he told her and ran over to Dallas. Nalani followed.

Dallas was looking around, his brow furroed in thought. "Wheres the mustang?" he asked.

Nalani just then noticed Kit standin at his side. "She ran that way after Kiallo-"

A high pitched whinny pireced the air, causing them all to snap there heads toward the barn where Kiallo went. Dallas, Cade, and Kit started running over there. Nalani was about to follow when Dallas shouted over his shoulder.

"Stay there!"

Nalani stayed, wondering if Kiallo was acting up again. A few minutes later, Dallas, Cade, and Kit appered from the barn. Nalani was about to start walking toward them, when she felt hot air on her neck.

                                                            ~^~^~^~^~

Dallas, Cade, and Kit had stopped walking and froze in place. Nalanis eyes darted around, trying to see what was behind her. She slowly started turning her head around, but Dallas caught her eye. He was shaking his head. "Don't move." she barley heard him, but she stood statue still.

Something snorted and she felt the hot air on her neck again. Something tickled her neck. It felt like, something was tasting her. Nalani despretly wanted to know what was behind her.

She found out when Nate came out from the formans house. Nate froze in place, but the wind slammed the door shut.

A piercing neigh that almost defend Nalani sounded behind her. She wheeled around. Hooves pawed the air just above her.

"Nalani Move!"

She didn't know who shouted, but she leapt to the side as the hooves came crashing down. Right where she had been standing.

Nalani looked up at who the hooves belonged to, and she was speachless. The horse looked like living fire.

Flashes of flame red outlined the muscles surging beneath the horse's golden skin. Copper glints shone on it's legs. Sparks shone in it's mane. A small white star shone under it's ivory forelock.

The horse snorted and reared again, it's whinny rang throughout the ranch.

"Get out of the way!"

Nalani lept to the side as the horse charged. The horse ran toward Sky Pasture, but people blocked it's way. Squealing in anger, the horse veered away. Nalani watched as the horse loped toward the Sunshine Pasture, only to be blocked off by humans again.

After what seemed like ages, the people directed the horse into a small coral. Sqeauling and bucking in rage, the horse ran in circles around the coral.

Nalani watched the horse and didn't hear Dallas walk up until he spoke. "Not in a million years did I think that would happen."

                                                               ~^~^~^~^~

"What?" Nalani turned to look at him, but Dallas was already walking away.

Casting one last look at the horse, she ran after him. "What would happen?" she demanded.

Dallas looked at her out of the corner of his eye, then nodded back toward the horse.

"That." he said it as if it exsplained everything.

Nalani looked back toward the horse. She was suprised to see it watching them. The horse must have seen saw her looking at it, because it turned away. Nalani turned back to Dallas, who had a faint smile on his face.

"What?" she demanded again.

Dallas stopped and faced her. He opened his mouth, then shut it and walked on again. Nalani sighed and opened her mouth to speak, but Dallas turned to face her.

"Follow me."

Suprised, Nalani followed him to the back of the Sun House. Dallas nudged open a door and motioned her in. Curious, Nalani followed.  Dallas went over to a shelf and pulled a box off the bottom.

"This," he said placing a paw on the box. "is all the information we could get on that mustang." he pushed the box toward her. 

"Read it." Then he got up and left.

Nalani starred at the box. Why didn't he just tell her about the mustang, instead of making her read about it? How'd he know she could even read?

"It's like they know all about me all ready."she mumbled to herself.

Straighting up, she started investigating the contents of the box.

                                                         ~^~^~^~^~

 Sire: Black Sun. Dam: Atair. Offspring: colt, Zanzibar.

Sire: Amato. Dam: Azra. Offsping: filly, Zetena.

Zanzibar and Zetena had a single colt, Black Lava.

Black Lava was bred to Ali, a mare sired by Scar and foaled by Avila.Ali gave birth to a sorrel filly, but we were never able to name it, for no name seemed to fit her.

We were contacted by the young man we sold her to a month after he had taken her. He claimed the filly had lashed out at him and almost bit him. I fear this filly may be a throwback to her great-grandsire, Black Sun, or 'the white stallion with a gaze that could kill' as so many called him.  Alas, Black Lava has disapered as well. Such a fine stallion he was, the best I have ever owned. I do hope he has found a herd of his own to lead, as his anscenters once did.                                                                                                      

     ~~Kaniloa

"Thats it?" Nalani flipped the page of the journal, but the rest of the pages were blank. With a sigh, she shut the book. So far, the only things she could find on the mustang was that it was a three and a half year old sorrel mare, her lines, a small journal from the man who owned her sire, Black Lava, and a few paintings of her grand-sire and great-grand sire.

Why they had named a practicly white stallion Black Sun was beyond her, but she guessed eaither the person who painted it had been exzagerating with the eyes or if she was overeacting about the defenition, but the stallions blue eyes glared at her. A shiver went down her spine. He did look like he could kill.

She preferred the softer brown eyes of Zanzibar. A sorrel with a perfect star centerd directly under his forelock, Nalani found it hard to belive he was the son of a killer stallion.

"Theres got to be more in here." Nalani mutterd as she looked in the box again. Nothing. With a sigh, Nalani started putting everything back in. At least if Dallas gave her a pop quiz she'd have something to say.

As she walked out of the back room, Nalani couldn't help glance at the mare. She had calmed down a little, and was staring off toward Sunshine Pasture.

"Hey kid!"

Nalani turned to see Nate standing in the front door. "Dallas wants you!" he called.

Nalani bounded toward the house. Dallas, Ely, Cade, Kit, and Quinn were there along with Nate. "What'd you find?" Dallas asked as soon as she enterd.

Nalani told him all she found. The mustangs age, gender, lines, and about the journal. Dalloas nodded slowly as she talked. When she finneshed, he turned to Ely. "Well, Ely, what do you think?" he asked.

"It's possible shes a throwback," Ely glanced at Nalani for a second. "Since she never lets anyone near her." he finneshed.

Dallas slowly nodded, as if considering something. Then he turned to the others. "That horse is off limits to everyone, all right? We don't need someone getting hurt. Make sure the others know, got it?"

Ely, Kit, Quinn, Cade, and Nate all nodded. Dallas got up and headed out. When he passed Nalani, she swore she saw him look at her out of the corner of his eye, and it almost seemed like he was challenging her.

What do they mean the mares never let anyone near her? She walked right up to me, Nalani thought.

Was it possible that Dallas was challenging her to test that?

                                                           ~^~^~^~^~

That night, visions of the mustang filled Nalani's dreams. Brown eyes wide, the mare reared again and again, hooves thrashing out. Eyes rolled white, the mare lashed out at nothing. Suddenly, the mare was gone. A  filly stood her place.

The filly's coat was ocean blue, a pale gray mane flowed like a waterfall down it's neck, cloudy wisps wrapped around three legs, white wings with gold trim folded gently at it's side. It tossed it's head, reviling a pale blue blaze on it's face.

Pawing the ground, the filly neighed. Speachless, Nalani took a step closer. The filly bobbed it's head, as if nodding.  "Who, what are you?" Nalani heard herself ask.

I am Akila, what I am is not inportent, the filly's red eyes peered out from under the pale gray forelock.

Nalani's jaw went slack with shock. Did it just talk?

"Ookaay, lets wake up Nalani, before things get out of control." Nalani told herself. She shut her eyes, but when she opened them, the filly was staring at her.

"Wha-what are you staring at?" Nalani stutterd.

You wish to help the fire mustang, yes?, Akila asked.

"Fire mustang? If you mean the sorrel in the corral outside, yes. But Dallas said no ones allowed near her"

Akila shook her mane. He means to challenge you, the fire mustang has chosen you. Now, you must return to her.

"What! Now? In the middle of the night? Do you know how much trouble I'll be in if Dallas catches me?"

Akila's wings spread out, making her apere larger. Do you wish to help your horse or not?

Nalani took a step back. "My horse? I don't remeber anyone saying I could have her."

Riders do not choose their horses, the horses choose their riders, And with that, Akila disapered.

Nalani sat upright. Glancing around, she saw everyone else was alseep. Dallas slept by the door, Ely and Maxine curled up under the north window, and the boys were in a pile up at the end of the cabin. Taking small, slow breathes, Nalani calmed herself.

Just a dream, it was just a dream, she told herself, but something told her it hadn't been just a dream.

Neighs drfited to her ears. The mustang. Nalani remeberd how the mustang had walked right up behind her, when everyone else said no one could get near her. Could Akila possibly be right? Had the mare chosen her to be her rider?

Get over it, it was just a dream, Nalani told herself.

But the mares neighs seemed to call her, so Nalani quietly rose. She'd just go see the mustang, she wouldn't go in the corral.

Moonlight made the mare glow in her corral. Quietly, Nalani walked over to the moonlit corral. The mare's ears twitched, then she swung her head around. Brown eyes gazed out from a ivory curtain.

"You look like your grand-sire." Nalani whisperd. The mare tossed her head, as if she thought it was a conpliment. Which it had been. The mare continued to stare at Nalani, but wouldn't move from her spot on the other side of the corral.

"If your trying to give me the cold shoulder, your suppose to ignore me conpletly." Nalani told her. The mare blinked, then turned away.

Nalani almost laughed, but she didn't. If anyone caught her, she'd be toast. The mare had one ear turned toward Nalani, as if she was eavesdropping.

"I'm not even talking silly gir.l." Nalani teased. The mare switched her tail, but her ear stayed turned toward Nalani.

"I'd better go gir.l. I'll be back." she promised.

                                                          ~^~^~^~^~

For the next few weeks, Nalani made nightly vists to the mare. Each night, the mare exnoeldged her more and more. She'd even started facing her and walking up to her. Even though they were making amazaing progess, Nalani's lack of sleep started showing. She couldn't keep her eyelids from drooping, she started stumbling, and falling asleep standing up. One morning, Nalani awoke to Maxine shaking her.

"Nalani, Nalani wake up. Everyone's waiting for you."

Nalani bolted upright. "What? Why? What do they need me for?"

Her heart raced. Had someone seen her go to the mustang at night? Was Dallas going to lecture her in front of everyone?

Maxine held up her paws in  mock surrender. "Whoa now. Everyones waiting for you because Dallas wants you to help with the herding."

Relief flooded through Nalani, followed by worry. "But I've never herded before."

Maxine smiled gently. "You'll catch on. Now git." she added as she shooed her outside. Nalani obeyd.

Everyone looked up when she came out. Dallas for a minute, then turned to Ely. "Lets get going. The cowboys should meet us there."

Ely gave a short nod, and his sons stood and followed him and Dallas.

Nalani followed quietly, reviewing what Quinn had just told her about cattle. Their big, have horns, the cows are very protective of their calves, the bulls are nastily temperd, but he'd said she probley wouldn't meet one yet. He'd also told her to be gentle with the calves, esspecialy the yellow ones. Yellow were rare.

"Nalani!"

Nalani snapped her head up and bumped into a fence post. She looked up and saw Cade, the others ahead of him. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"You might want to wake up before you hurt yourself." his voice had a slight teasing tone that made Nalani flush. She should have been watching where she was going, not daydreaming.

"I ment to do that." straighting herself up, she brushed past him. She swore she saw his smile grow, but it disapered quickly.

"Nalani! Cade!" Dallas barked.

Nalani and Cade ran to catch up with the others. Time to get to work.

                                                               ~^~^~^~^~

Nalani collasped on the floor of the foreman house. All day she and the others had been herding cattle down to a newer part of Lehua High Pasture, where the cattle would have better grazing. The cattle had mooed in protest and a few had refused to budge, so Dallas would send eaither her or one of Ely's sons to get the cow or steer moving.

She'd never been more tired in her life. Dallas and Ely where the only ones who held their heads up on the walk home. Everyone else let their heads hang.

"Tough day?"

Nalani looked up and saw Maxine with a sympathetic smile on her face. She groaned. "Yeah." Then a thought struck her. "How come you didn't come?" she asked.

"I'm kept as a house pet for the Latoeas. They won't let me work." Nalani caught a hint of sadness in the older dogs eyes.

Before she could ask why, Dallas and the others came in. Maxine trotted over to Ely and gave him a nuzzle.

Nalani cast a look at Dallas out of the corner of her eye. He was frowning at the window. She slowly got up and walked over to him.

"Dallas?" she asked timidly.

When Dallas turned, she caught a hint of suprise in his eyes. It disapeered so quickly, Nalani swore she imagend it.

"Is something wrong?" she asked him.

He turned back to the window. "Storms coming."

Nalani looked out the window. A few grey clouds darted the sky, but they didn't look like storm clouds. "Are you sure?"

Dallas gave a short nod. Since he didn't seem to want to talk anymore, Nalani went back to her corner.

She heard the mustang whinny from her corral.

Don't worry gir.l. I'll be there soon, she told the mare silently.

                                                          ~^~^~^~^~

Nalani crpet out of the forman house. No moon glowed agsint the sky tonight, but she still found her way to the mares corral. The mare greeted her witha low neigh.

"Hey pretty gir.l." Nalani said softly. The mare tossed her head and snorted.

Nalani laughed quietly. "Your right, you need a name. I can't call you gir.l forever."

Nalani watched the mustang closely. Kaniloa had wrote that he had never named her. Nothing seemed to suit her. As Nalani watched the mare, her thoughts drifted to Zanzibar, the mares grand-sire. He had been a sorrel with a perfect star under his forelock. The mare was a spitting image of him, down to the white star under the forelock.

"I think you should be named after your grand-sire, but Zanzibar's more of a name for a stallion, not a mare." Nalani said softly. "How about Zanzia instead?"

The mare gave a low whinny. "I'll take that as a yes." Nalani laughed quietly. She turned when she thought she heard something from the foremans house. Had someone woken up and noticed she was gone? "I'd better go Zanzia, I'll be back." she promised.

                                                        ~^~^~^~^~

A loud bang rang throught the night. Nalani's eyes shot open and she lept to her feet. "Huh? Who? What?" Nate's mumbling came from the back of the house. "It's just the storm Nalani." 

Nalani turned around. Squinting, she saw Maxine standing in the darkness. "Go back to sleep. It'll be over in the morning."

Nalani settled herself down again. Something nagged at the back of her mind that there was something else wrong, not just the storm. But sleepiness overuled the nagging voice and she drifted asleep again.

She wasn't alseep for long when another bang rang through the night. A shrieking neigh followed. Nalani jumped up. Zanzia! She bolted out the door.

"Nalani wait!" Dallas's voice called after her as she ran into pelting rain. The rain was cold and wind blew it into her eyes. A bolt of lighting lit up the ranch yard long enough for Nalani to find the mares corral. Shrieking, the mare kicked the fence. Nalani proped herself up agsint the lower rails of the corral.

"Shh, it's okay gir.l. Calm down." Nalani could barley hear herself over the wind and rain.

Zanzia paid no heed and kicked the fench again. The vibration jolted through Nalani's paws and legs. Lighting bolted across the sky again. Zanzia neighd shrilly and kicked the fence again. Something crac.ked. Lighting lit up the sky again. Nalani watched in horror as the mare kicked the fence and broke it. Nalani jumped back as Zanzia reared, then bolted.

"No!" she screamed.

Nalani started running after her, but something brushed past her, nearly knocking her over. She could barley make out who it was, but the lighting lit up the sky and she saw Cade running in the direction Zanzia had went.

She started after him, when something grabbed her and turned her around. She could barley hear Dallas's voice. "Are you pupule! You can't go after that mustang! She nearly killed you!"

"She was scarred!" Nalani shouted.

"She's dangerous!"

"Dallas! This isn't the time! That horse could hurt it's self!" Ely's voice shouted. Nalani couldn't see Dallas's face, but she thought she herd him mutter something. "Nalani, go on in. We'll find her." Ely's voice was right next to her now.

She opened her mouth to protest, but something in his tone told her not to. With a sigh, Nalani turned and went to the house. Maxine greeted her with a sympathetic smile. Nalani shook herself dry and went over to the window facing Zanzia's coarral.

Remebering what Dallas had said, she turned to Maxine. "Whats pupule?"

Maxine smiled a little. "It means crazy."

                                                            ~^~^~^~^~

It was dawn when everyone but Dallas and Cade came back. Nate's hat had leaves sticking to it and everyone else was splatterd in mud. Nalani's heart sank. Zanzia wasn't with them.

"Where are Dallas and Cade?" Maxine asked.

Ely looked tired, but he gave a tired shrug. "Dallas went up toward Sky Pasture, while me and the boys searched the other pastures. Don't know where Cade went."

Maxine's eyes reflected worry for her youngest son. Nalani felt awefull. Even if Zanzia had broken out herself, she felt somewhat resonsible.

"I'm going to go look for her." she declared.

Ely shook his head firmly. "No way, let Dallas handle this. He's been around horses, and this ranch, his whole life." The tone in his voice said that was the end of the discustion. Nalani sighed.

Dallas didn't return until late afternoon. His paws were caked with so much mud, Nalani couldn't see the black on them. Zanzia wasn't with him eaither. He looked tired and, not angry but, disapointed?

He didn't say a word as he enterd the house. Something told Nalani she shouldn't follow and ask if he had even seen Zanzia. Instead, she sat outside and waited, hoping Cade had found her.

Cade didn't show up until dark. When he did, Nalani's heart lurched. His white coat was spalterd with mud, small bur like things, and, blo.od ? His head hung low and his once sandy colored paws, now dark brown, dragged in the sand. She didn't notice Zanzia wasn't with him until he spoke.

"I found her up at the edge of the forest, but I lost her."  Was he choking, or holding back tears?

Before Nalani could say anything, Maxine came out. "Oh Cade, your a wreck!" Ely and Dallas joined her. After being orderd by Dallas and his father, Cade reluntecly went in. After they all disapeered inside, Nalani starred out at the forest. She knew what she had to do, and she'd do it, first thing in the morning.

                                                         ~^~^~^~^~

The sun wasn't even up when Nalani crept out of the foremans house. Since no one else had found Zanzia, and they were all exzausted from looking the day before, she had decided to go look. Yes, it was crazy, esspecialy since she didn't know her way around the island, but she was determind to find the mustang.

After a quick check to make sure she hadn't woken anyone up, she ran of in the direction Zanzia had headed. She kept her eyes peeled for anything that suggested Zanzia had been through here. Nothing. The rain must have washed all the tracks away.

"Dang." Nalani mutterd. She couldn't find a trace of Zanzia's scent eaither.

                                                          ~^~^~^~^~

The sun was high in the sky and Nalani still hadn't found a trace of Zanzia. All she had found where a bunch of cliffs and streams. Everyone at the ranch was probley up by now. Frustrated, hot, and tired, Nalani waded into a cool, shallow stream. The cool water lapped at her legs. Sighing with pleasure, Nalani took a quick look around. Nothing looked familur, as ussual. Then, something caught her eye.

A flash of gold? Nalani blinked, the sun must be tricking....there it was again! Nalani jerked back in suprise, her paw slipped on a rock, and she fell back with a splash in the stream.

"Whos there?" she called out, was she imagining the shakiness in her voice?

A snort anserwd her. Nalani's heart skipped a beat. "Zanzia?" she called quietly. Some leaves rustled and a horse emerged. Nalani's heart fell. It wasn't Zanzia. A golden filly, probley no more then a yearling, stood on the other side of the stream. The filly stared at Nalani with wide, green eyes.

"Hey there. You lost to?" Nalani asked. The filly bobbed her head and splashed into the river.

Nalani was amazed the filly walked up to her so boldly. She stood statue still as the filly stretched out her muzzle and sniffed her. Aprently finding her harmless, the filly nibbled at her fur.

"Hey careful, that tickles." Nalani laughed.

Shaking her mane, the filly trotted out of the river, splashing Nalani as she went. Once she reached the shore, the filly looked back at Nalani. She seemed to be saying, 'You coming?'.

"Meh, I've got nothing to loose." Nalani said aloud. She stodd and walked out the river. After shaking herself dry, the filly trotted ahead. Nalani followed. She had to run a few times to keep up with the fillys long strides, but the filly didn't seem to mind.

After awhile, Nalani started wondering why she was following the filly. Where was the filly going anyway? Probley not anywhere she wanted to go. Suddenly, the filly stopped.

"What is it?" she asked. The filly neighed. A shrill neigh anserwd. Nalani looked around, she didn't see any other horses. Then, out of a clump of trees, a mustang charged out. Nalani gasped. Zanzia!

Dark patches of sweat splatterd the mares coat, but it was Zanzia. The mares ears flickerd in the direction of her voice, she recinaized her! Nalani's heart soared. Now all she had to do was get her home. If she could get the filly to follow, that should be easy. But when Nalani turned, the filly was gone.

Nalani sighed. Okay, scratch that idea. She'd have to lead Zanzia home herself, somehow. A nudge on her neck made her turn around. Zanzia nibbled her fur. Mabey leading her home wouldn't be so hard after all.

                                                           ~^~^~^~^~

Nalani was right. Zanzia followed her obitently. But there was still the problem of being lost. Nalani had kept her eyes peeled for anything that looked familur, but she found nothing.

Darkness was falling upon her and Zanzia when the mare snorted and stopped. "Whats wrong gir.l?" Nalani asked. Something rustled in the trees behind them. Nalani spun around, but she saw nothing. Zanzia gave a low nicker. Nalani stared long and hard at the clump of trees where she thought the rustling had come from, but she still saw nothing. Suddenly feeling like they where being watched, Nalani turned back to the mare. Zanzia stamped her hoofs nervously.

"Shh, it's okay gir.l." Nalani murmerd. Zanzia gave a worried nicker. Nalani looked around again. She couldn't see what could be making the mare act up, but she felt uneasy to. Suddenly Zanzia reared. Nalani gasped and ducked out the way of her thrashing hoofs. Zanzia half reared and gave a shrill neigh.

"Shh, calm down. It's okay." Nalani spoke low and quietly as the mare swung her head from side to side, ears flickering in the direction of her voice. Zanzia's nostrils flared nervously. She stamped her hoofs.

"It's okay Zanzia." Nalani whisperd, hoping to keep the mare from bolting. Zanzia seemed to relax a little, but she still stamped her hoofs nervously. Nalani looked around again, but she saw nothing moving in the darkness.

A sudden amount of weight landed on her paw. Nalani yelped. Zanzia had landed one of her hoofs on her paw. Startled by the sudden noise, the mare shied and tossed her head. Nalani crumpled to the ground, gasping to keep from screaming in pain.

"I'm okay. Just a sprain." Nalani hoped horses couldn't sense lying like they could fear. Zanzia nickerd. Nalani balenced herself on three legs and hoped over to her. "I'm okay, see?" Nalani told her.

Zanzia nuzzled her. Nalani gasped as she put weight on her paw. It was probley broken, if not smashed to pieces. Zanzia's brown eyes peered out from under her forelock with what seemed to be concern.

"I'm fine." Nalani told her. The mare shook her head as if she was saying, 'I don't belive you.' Nalani laughed.  Then she looked around. Zanzia had calmed down, so whatever was there was gone now.

"Hey!" Nalani spun around as something nudged her. Zanzia's brown eyes looked into her blue ones. "What are you trying to do?" Nalani asked. Zanzia gave a low nicker and nudged her again.

"All right, all right." Nalani let the mare nudge her to wherever she was going.

After a bit, Nalani saw a few boulders glowing in the moonlight. The way they were arragned made them look like stairs. Zanzia gave a low nicker and trotted over to the highest rock. The top was the same height as her back.

"What are you doing ?" Nalani asked. Zanzia nodded toward the rocks and whinnied. "You want me to climb them? Is that it?" The mare whinnied.

Nalani looked at the rocks. They weren't that steep, she could probley climb them. She hopped over to the first one. Gently putting a little weight on her injured paw, she climbed up. The rocks were smooth and evenly placed, almost like they had been carved there.

When she came to the last rock, Zanzia's back was right next to it. The mare looked at her with calm brown eyes.

"You want me to ride you?" Nalani couldn't belive it.  Zanzia whinned.

"Don't do it. She'll let you on then buck you off and run. You'll be lucky if your not killed." Nalani's thoughts told her. But Zanzia looked calm, not paniced or wild.

Zanzia gazed at her calmly. Carefully, Nalani lowerd one paw onto the mustangs back. Zanzia just stood there calmly. Slowly easing her injured paw on, Nalani slid off the rock and onto the mares back.

Zanzia peered over her shoulder at her. She didn't looked panicy, more like, pleased. Nalani grabbed a mouthful of Zanzia's mane in her mouth. At least she'd have something to hold onto if the mare decided to bolt. "Okay, lets go." her voice sounded muffled, but Zanzia seemed to get the message. She started walking slowly away from the rock.

Nalani prayed the mare wouldn't go any faster, but she found the motion, soothing. Nalani suddenly felt a wave of weariness wash over her. Her eyelids drooped and felt heavy. Zanzia gave a low nicker. The next thing she knew, Nalani found herself drifting off to sleep.

                                                              ~^~^~^~^~

Nalani groaned and fought the voices in her head to be quiet.

"Kid, wake up already. How many wings do I have?"

"You don't have any wings."

"Then we'll know if shes not okay if she says I do."

"Someone remind me why we let him in here?"

Nalani's eyes snapped open, she knew those voices!

"Dallas?" she mumbled.

"Hey guys, shes waking up." Cade's voice sounded closer then Dalla's and Nate's.

Nalani blinked a few times and saw Dallas standing next to her. Nate was next to him.

"Bought time kid. We were starting to wonder about you." Nate gave her a playful nudge with his paw. She winced.

"Hey watch it. Shes probley bruised after that fall." Dallas whacked Nate on the back of the head.

Nalani snapped awake. "Fall? What fall?" She didn't remember falling.

Cade's voice suddenly made her realize he was right next to her. "You fell of that mustang when she came riding in." he told her. "Then she wouldn't let us near you for a hour. Nearly attacked us if we came within three feet."

"Zanzia? Is she okay?" she tried standing, only to discover a large cast on her leg.

Dallas looked at her, clearly puzzled. "Whos Zanzia?" he asked. His eyebrows arched a bit. "You named that mustang?"

Nalani hesitated, then nodded. To her suprise, Dallas looked, inpressed?

"Wait a minute, you named that mustang, tamed her, then rode her in one day?" Nate looked amazed.

Nalani grinned sheepishly. "Uh, well, I've kinda been visiting her for the past week." she admitted.

Cade's eyes widend, Nate's jaw dropped, but Dallas just sat there. A smile was tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I figured I couldn't keep you from that mare."

Nalani gasped. "You knew?"

He nodded.

"How come if I ever do anything like that, you bite my head off?" Nate asked him. 

"Because you do crazy things. Like jumping off the roof into a haystack." Dallas said as he got up and started to leave.

"Let that live forever!" Nate said as he followed him out.

"I plan to." Dallas's voice replyed.

Nalani and Cade laughed. "So, what happened when Zanzia brought me back?" Nalani asked.

"When she came in, she whinnied and woke us all up. You were just laying there on her back. Then Kani tried moving closer and the mustang, uh, Zanzia, shied and snorted at her. You kinda fell of into a pile of hay." Cade told her.

Then she stood guard over you for about a hour. Wouldn't let anyone within three feet." he added.

"So, how'd I end up here?"

"After a hour she calmed down and let Kani pick you up. She followed her all the way to the truck. Then she just kinda went over to the corral and let us put her in it. Then Kani and her mom drove you to the vet" he finneshed.

Nalani layed her head down and smiled.

So all that sneeking out had worked. Zanzia trusted her.

Cade got up and started to leave. He stopped at the door and turned around. "Oh yeah, the vet said you wouldn't be able to walk for six to eight weeks. So Kani's mom plans on keeping you indoors."

"What!" Nalani cried. Cade laughed and disapeered.

                                                             ~^~^~^~^~

                                                         8 weeks later

"Here you go gir.l, home sweet home." Kani opend the door to the blue truck and Nalani jumped out. A high pitched whinny floated through the air to greet her. Kani laughed and gave her a push. "Go on, someone wants to see you."

Nalani didn't need to be told twice. She ran toward the corral were the whinny came from. Zanzia tossed her head and nickerd. Nalani felt her breathe catch in her throat. Zanzia's brown eyes peered out from under her forlock. Nalani swalloed. "Zanzia!"

The mare tossed her head and whinnied. Nalani laughed and ducked inside the pen. Zanzia trotted to the center to meet her, then lowerd her muzzle to her head. Happiness surged through Nalani.

The mares muzzle rested lightly on her head.

____________________________________________________________

All chars@me