That night, Taren was asleep in his room when he woke to the door opening.
"Taren?"
Taren rolled over to see Hunter in his doorway. His owner entered and shut the door. "We need to talk."
About what? Taren asked, sitting up and swinging his legs over the edge of the bed.
"It's about Mara."
What about her? What's wrong?
"You're not going to let her distract you, are you?"
I'll try not to, Master.
Hunter sighed and cupped Taren's cheek with his hand. "My reason for saying this is: I don't want you so distracted by Mara that you miss something important. Something so important that if you do it wrong it could get you killed."
Are you suggesting that Mara might be the death of me?
"Indirectly, but, yes. She might."
I can't believe you!
Taren got up and stomped over to the window. He stood there, arms crossed, his expression dark. There's nothing wrong with her. She's not distracting, she hasn't done anything…
"But that was while you weren't training. If you're so keen to prove that she doesn't distract you, perhaps you'd like to prove it tomorrow."
Fine. I'll show you.
Hunter got up and walked over to the window. He wrapped Taren in a hug. Taren turned, pressing his cheek into Hunter's shoulder. There's nothing wrong with her. Nothing.
Hunter kissed Taren's forehead. "I know, Taren. I know."
The next morning, as the sun sent a thin layer of mist along the ground, Hunter and Taren stood beside one another, stretching in unison as Mara, wrapped in a blanket, watched.
Taren, his eyes on Mara, stretched too far and nearly fell into Hunter. You're doing it again, his trainer admonished.
Doing what?
This is the third time that you've been so distracted you make a mistake. And we've only been out here an hour.
I'm not distracted.
Yes, you are. If she continues to be a distraction, she's going to have to go, Taren.
WHAT?
Taren spun away from Hunter, his expression murderous. What do you mean she'll "have to go?"
I mean what I say, Taren. She's becoming too big a distraction for you.
No, she isn't! Take it back!
Why? You know it's true. When she's around you can't concentrate on anything besides speaking to me. Look! You're doing it right now!
Taren tore his eyes away from Mara long enough to glare at his master. I'm not a Riolu anymore! Did you forget that I saved you on Mount Quena?
Did you forget that without me you'd probably still be in that cave? Trapped in your egg?
Yeah! And I would have enjoyed it!
Really? Do you recall anything about your mother? Your father?
Taren's expression faltered. No. I don't.
Exactly my point. You would have been living in a void. Don't forget that I am the one who has cared for you since you hatched.
Yes, letting me get kidnapped was very fatherly.
I DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE!
Taren took a step back, his expression now confused and hurt. Master…
Did it ever occur to you that I was out there looking EVERY WAKING HOUR OF EVERY DAY? That I was running around Sinnoh in pouring rain? That I traveled an OCEAN to find you? Thank you for being grateful! You may be a Lucario now, but that doesn't mean you're more powerful than I am! I don't want to lose you the way I lost my teacher, but if you don't think I need to teach you anything, then go! Get out of here! And if I ever see your face again it will be too soon!
Taren stood there for a moment, then did something that made something inside Hunter break.
Taren started crying.
He stood there, biting his lip, with tears running down his face. Shaking his head, he turned, and started to run.
Hunter took a step after him. Taren, I'm…
Taren sped up.
"Taren!"
As his apprentice disappeared into the trees, Hunter covered his eyes and sighed before looking at Mara.
Her expression was confused, her head cocked to one side. What was that all about?
Hunter shook his head. "It's nothing. He'll come around. I just wish…"
Mara looked at him as he sat down beside her. She heard the thought that finished the sentence.
I just wish he could have waited for me to apologize.
Oh bugger. That's not good. Anyways, R and R, please! It'll get resolved, I promise.