It had been a year after Spirit's homecoming and life in the herd was as usual as ever. Everyone had taken a liking to Rain except for a few mares whom had expected to become Spirit's mate, though they treated her equally. Spirit's mother, Esperanza had taken a great liking to Rain and nearly almost everyday the two were doing something together. Rain was happy to have the attention and was relieved it was only a minimal.

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On one sunny and cool day where the breeze blew softly against the grass making it tickle and nip at the horses legs. A brown and cream paint trotted up to a golden and blakc keiger mustag with a nicker of greeting. The two nuzzled and looked over the hills.

"Good morning Spirit." The paint greeted with a smile. He looked at her slinging his head making his forelock flip back behind his ears.

"Morning Rain." He said with a gruff voice. Rain smiled and scooted over closer to her. Lately, the mares mood had been changing every time the stallion looked at her. He thought not much of it and only turn his attention back to the plains. 'Maybe she just hasn't gotten over being the lead in the herd. Yeah thats it.' Spirit decided.

"So, what are you looking for?" Rain asked cocking her head listening to the birds chirping. Spirit looked down at her and smiled softly, then at the sound of a very faimilar nicker, he narrowed his eyes with a frown and slung his head to the sound.

              A dark grey stallion with white spots pranced around with his tail high and his head arched. Spirit snorted and stomped his feet then arche his own head gritting his teeth. He went to take a step when Rain nipped at his mane holding him back. He glared at her as she shook her head and pawed at the grass.

"Rain! what is upwith you rying to protect this fool!" Spirit snorted charging at the stallion with his head cornered to his soulders. He growled reaching the rogue stallion and reared up on his hind legs and struck at the stallion. The stallion snorted and jumped back avoiding the strike with luck. Spirit jumped at him and tried the get his legs then swirved arounbd and lashed out with his hind legs.

           Spirit caught the stallion in the chest and he winced limping back in pain. He side stepped and finally turned around and ran off. Spirit stood in triumph, with his head arched and a smirk across his tired face. He turned back to Rain who looked suprisingly shocked. Spirit looked at her with confusion and took a step towards her. Rain shook her head and began to turn around trotting down the hill.

           Spirit stood there with confusion on his face. His head had lowered and he began to walk towards the herd once more. He decided that he would talk to Rain a little later and find out what her matter was. In the mean time he loped over to his mother who has happily grazing on the grass underneath a nearby tree a little ways from the group. He lowered his head and nudged her neck.

"Yes Spirit?" Esperanza pondered raising her head. He smiled and nickered softly as she did the same thing.

"I messed up, well at least I think I did." Spirit began. "I thought I was doing the right thing." He said with his eyes half closed. Esperanza looked at him with concern.

"What happened honey?" She asked softly. Spirit took in a deep sigh as he let his head hang low. He closed his eyes then after a moment opened them and began to talk. He told his mother about how Rain didn't want Spirit to attack the stallion and such. He told her how he didn't understand and how he was just tryng to protect his herd.

Esperanza shrugged and looked at Spirit then out at the plains. "I don't know, But I'm sure that if you ask shell tell you. She has alot on her mind with being...new to a new herd and all." Spirit looked up at his mother and nodded his head. "She may not be used to the dominance a herd will use. Since she did live with the two legs." Spirit nodded is head to his mothers words. He understood what his mother was saying and took it into consideration

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       A little later that day, about sunset Spirit trotted up to Rain who stood near the rivers edge. He nicked a greeting trying not to spooke her but failed when she jolted awake. She looked over at him and nodded her head to him neighing softly. She had a soft expression which made Spirit's muscles calm. He slanted his ears and swished his tail walking up to her. Rain took a step foward and nuzzled his neck softly, he happily nuzzled back.

"Hey, sorry about earlier. I wanted to leave you alone and cool off." Spirit said with a smooth voice. Rain smiled and perked her ears pawing at the ground.

"No, your fine. Sorry for getting angry like that. It wasn't my place." She said as well. Spirit smiled and sighed with relief. He lowered his head to the water and dipped his muzzle in to get a drink. The water was cool and relieving to him. It made his muscles relax and his face softened. "Listen, Spirit I need to tell you something important." Spirit looked up at her and smiled. He wondered what it was.

"Yes dear?" Spirit asked ewith concern cocking his head yo the side. Rain giggled but then looked at him with a serious face. Spirit's gaze tightened as he urged her to go on. He was eager to know. "C'mon Rain, you can tell me." Spirit urged. He didn't know if what she decided to tell him was a good thing or a bad thing.

"Promise you won't like freak out of anything." Rain said swallowing. Spirit gulped and pinned hsi ears to his head. His forelock rested on his smooth face as his mane got tangled together. He was scared of what she was to say. Did it have something to do with the stallion today? Or was she leaving to go back to the Indians? His eyes closed then he slowly opened them.

"Spirit, I'm p-pregnant." She said with her head high and even to her shoulders. A smile lay on her pale face. She was excited but when Spirit stood in the picture he was shocked and his mouth hung low.

         Rain looked at him and frowned. "Spirit? Whats the matter? Are you okay?" Rain asked with concern. Spirit looked up and swallowed able to close his mouth. Though once he found he could keep his mouth closed he couldn't open it to speak.

                He was happy but many question ran through his head. His eyes became fuzzy and he couldn't hardly see anything. He lost his balance and fell on his side. Gasping, Rain ran to his side just as his slipped out of conscouness. He was out of it.

              Rain went around to his side and lowered herself to the ground and lay down. She rested her Head around his neck and took in a deep breath. She decided to stay with him until morning when he awoke. She closed her eyes and slowly went to sleep. Though as she went to sleep some one came near.

"Rain?" The voice asked. Rain opened her eyes and brought her head up looking around. She smiled and got to her hooves seeing a dark grey almost black stallion. He smiled at her as she came towards him.

"Achak." Rain said softly. She nuzzled the paint but he took a step back and looked around her and at the sleeping Keiger mustang on the ground. He took a step towards him but Rain stepped in front of the horse. "Achak, you musn't." She said pleadingly. He looked at Rain and shushed her calmly.

"I'm not goingt do any thing." he assured her walking near the stallion. "Plus, i don't want you getting into trouble." He said lowering his nose to Spirit's head. He sniffed then snorted kicking up a ball of dirt. He took a step back swishing his tail and throwing his head in the air.

"He fainted." Rain said with a giggle. The stallion looked at her and chuckled.

"Right, congradulations on your pregnancy." The stallion said with a snort. She smiled and nudged his cheek with a nicker. He chuckled once more and looked at Spirit as he began to rustle.

"Thanks Achak." She said turning to Achak. He smiled and dipped his head.

"Yeah, I have to go." Achak said with a snort. "I love you Rain." He said nuzzling her. She smiled and nuzzled him back with a smile.

"Love you too Achak." She said watching him turn. He reared winking at her and taking off back into he trees. She shook her head with a small smile and turned back to Spirit. She walked over to him and once moe lowered her heavy body down to the ground. She laid her head over his neck and closed her eyes.

"Love you Spirit." Rain said with a smile. She nuzzled him and then rested her head again. She slowly went to sleep. Spirit had flicked his ear and heard everything between Rain and this 'Achak' stallion. He wiould find out what was going on between them.