As the pair stumbled into the doorway, dripping wet, Hunter immediately felt the warmth from the fire Taren had started. Hunter quickly took off his rain gear then ran upstairs, soon coming back down with a large towel. "Here, put this on her."

Taren wrapped the towel around Mara, guiding her over to a chair in front of the fireplace. Hunter quickly walked into the kitchen. He was back a few minutes later, a steaming mug of hot chocolate in his hands. "Here, drink this. It'll warm you up."

Mara took the cup and cautiously took a sip. She grunted in surprise and pain, pulling her lips away from the side of the mug and holding her paw over her mouth.

Hunter raised an eyebrow. "I'd advise you to blow on it first."

Mara looked up at him. You could have told me that before.

Hunter looked at Taren. "Why don't you keep Mara company? I'll go see what I can rustle up for dinner."

He walked out of the room, shutting the kitchen door behind him.

Mara looked at Taren, her eyes appraising. He seems nice.

He is. But he's strict while training. He hasn't told me why, though.

Mara cocked her head to one side. Don't you think you should ask?

I don't know. Taren pressed his lips together briefly, then looked up. I've been with him now for almost a year. At the start of this week, he's been getting more and more melancholy.

He seems experienced enough. How did he get like this?

Taren shrugged. I don't know. He hasn't told me.

Pots and pans could be heard clattering around in the kitchen. Buizel got up and walked towards the door, pressing its shoulder against it and pushing its way in. Taren watched it.

The door opened again a short while later. Hunter walked in, carrying three bowls of soup.

Setting the tray down on the table, he took a bowl. He looked at Taren. Make her eat. I don't want her to get sick.

Taren took his own bowl and, disregarding the spoon, drank from it as if it were a mug. Mara looked at him, confused.

Taren, his bowl still held to his lips, looked at her. Try it. It's actually good.

Mara hesitantly took the last bowl, fumbling with the spoon. Finally she tossed it back on the tray and imitated Taren.

Hunter smiled and raised an eyebrow. That's not good manners.

She used to be wild. She doesn't care.

Both Lucarios finished their soup at the same time. Mara, now left drowsy by both a full belly and the warmth from the fire, yawned.

Hunter looked at Taren. You should go to bed, too. I'll get Mara a blanket.

Alright, Master. Do you think she'll want to stay?

Did she ask you about me?

That caught Taren off guard. Did you hear us?

No. I'm aware that you're curious about my past, Taren. You've pestered me about it from time to time. But you're not ready for it, yet. And it's not something I'd talk about.

But you will tell me soon, right?

I'll tell you as soon as I think you're ready. Trust me.

I'll hold you to that, Master. Taren got up from the couch and walked up the stairs as Hunter went into a closet in the hall to find a blanket. Buizel walked up beside him. It cocked its head inquisitively.

Hunter looked down at it. "I think Taren likes her too, Buizel. But there's nothing we can do to stop him. I won't let him resent me because I won't let him make friends."

Buizel looked back at Mara.

Hunter came out of the closet with a thick woolen blanket and laid it over Mara. He then walked up the stairs as Buizel doused the flames, then followed.

As Hunter got ready for bed, he looked in the mirror. Instead of a boy pushing seventeen, who he should look like, he looked more haggard, like someone at least five years older than him had taken over his body. He closed his eyes and hung his head. How did it come to this?

As he walked into his room, he looked at the two drawings that he had put up over his bed. Both were the drawings he had made during his time with Lucario. Hunter stared at them for a moment, then looked out of the window, towards the moon. He closed his eyes again, reaching out, losing himself in the world's Aura.

Hunter.

Hunter didn't open his eyes, instead smiling. Hello, Lucario.

What's the matter?

It's…complicated.

Tell me.

Taren found a female Lucario this morning in the woods. I'm not going to make him stop seeing her, because they may be beneficial to one another.

In more ways than one, Lucario said, amusement tinting his words.

Hunter smiled. Most likely. But…it just gets so stressful sometimes.

You told me about how long it took you to get him back after he was kidnapped. Just be careful that it doesn't happen to her, too. I can sense what they're feeling. They already like each other.

I'm thinking about going traveling again. Once Taren leaves. I think Maylene would be happy to take Buizel.

It's getting old, by the way. I can sense its strength fading.

I know. I'm going to keep a watch on it. I want to be there, so it can be in the arms of a friend instead of a friend of a friend.

A good plan. Will you replace it?

If I can find another Pokémon that I find good enough. That'll be hard.

We'll talk more later. Keep practicing. You may be teaching Taren everything you know, but remember, you still have much to learn.

I always do.

The connection faded away, and Hunter opened his eyes. Turning, he climbed into bed and almost immediately fell asleep.

Lucario's kind of like Obi-Wan in a way. He'll pop up and give Hunter advice a lot.