Bab 20: A Beautiful Future
June barely slept that night. Plans of how to train her own mount kept formulating in her mind. When she finally dozed off, her dreams were filled with the heroic moments she would experience with Mira and the envy of Dan, the twins and everyone else she knew. She was up the next day just at the moment when the base of the sun left the eastern horizon, dispelling the dew on the grass and tree leaves that caught its warming light.
She marched up to Mari who slept soundly next to the other mounts on the grass. Her muzzle was still fixed in place.
Poor thing. Rest well, we have a big day ahead of us.
June had nothing to do that morning. The only chores she had for the day where cooking dinner and training Mira, a chore she had given herself. She found Taru and helped him prepare breakfast for the crew with the hope of him returning the favour.
"Sorry, can't do that."
"Oh c'mon uncle Taru, you know more about Shirshu's than anyone else around here. And am sure she likes you. She can tell how smart and handsome you are." He blushed. Nothing got to Taru as easily as a compliment.
"I would love to help but...."
"Great, then you can join me after breakfast."
"Let me finish June. I can't help you because I am heading to Omashu."
"You're leaving?"
"Am going to take care of something and then I'll be back in few days."
"Can't it wait?"
He chuckled. "Nope."
"Fine. Can you give me any tips on how to go about training her."
"Sure. Reward her when she gets it right."
"Gets what right?"
"Whatever tricks you want her to do?"
"Tricks! Am not trying to run a circus show uncle Taru."
"I mean the things you want her to know. And don't be too hard on her. It isn't easy for an adult to learn new tricks."
"Well, I don't think I want to teach her any ground breaking tricks. Just want to be able to ride her and have her track people."
"Lucky for you, she came with a saddle so I don't think she is a stranger to being ridden and her tracking abilities should be as natural to her as drinking water, since that's how she 'sees' the world around her. You have nice, simple and realistic goals; all the best."
"Thanks. By the way, what reward should I give her when she gets things right?"
"Meat is the only meaningful treat."
After breakfast Taru packed up, and left the campsite. He promised he would return after three days. Even though he spoke to everyone in general, June couldn't shake the feeling that he was speaking to her dad and Zoraya specifically.
----------------------------
Shen walked by June's side as they wondered through the forest. June wanted to hunt for some meat. There was no way anyone was going to let her use their food to train Mari.
She asked for some company from both him and his sister but Ling stayed behind claiming that she wasn't feeling well. He could tell that she was lying, but still, it didn't hurt to be alone with June.
"I have been meaning to ask, how did you and Ling meet aunt Zoraya?"
"We kinda found her in our lives, you know. She's been there ever since I can remember. What about you?"
"It's pretty much the same story," June replied. "So what do you parents do?"
"Well, my dad is a stone mason and my mom is nurse."
"Let me guess. You spent most of your time with Sensei and that is why you chose to be a bounty hunter."
"Not exactly. I just fell in love with the stories she would tell and I thought it would be nice to be the one telling such stories instead of listening to them."
"Huh.... interesting"
"What's interesting?"
"I know exactly how you felt. My dad would tell me of most of his adventures and I remember thinking to myself, 'It would be nice to go on such adventures'."
"Good to know we have something in common. By the way, what does your mother do?"
"She is a tailor."
"Oh, I bet she works for some famous company."
"Actually she doesn't. She says she prefers to work for herself and keep a strong relationship with her customers."
"Sounds like a fine woman. I would like to meet her someday."
Oops, that came out wrong.
June came to a halt and eyed him suspiciously. "What did you just say?"
"No, I didn't mean it like that. I meant to say, I have met your dad so it would be nice to meet your mom."
That didn't sound right either.
"Look, if older women is your thing, please stay away from my mom."
"What! No, am not. Look, that's not what I meant."
"Then I suggest you stop talking, because you are not helping yourself."
She's right. I better shut up now.
--------------------------------------
June wasn't sure how much meat she would need and so she decided to start small. With Shen's help she caught two rabbits and and prepared them before heading back to camp.
She was surprised to find Mari lying down on the grass. She became even more worried when she noticed that the Shirshu was not as active as it was the day it arrived.
"Hey Mari is everything okay? I brought some...."
In a flash, Mari bit the meat and June had to react quickly to avoid losing her hand. "Well at least your appetite is fine."
"I don't think so," said Shen.
"And why not?"
"She seems hungry." Shen proceeded to throw all the meat they had prepared near Mari. She ate it all in a matter of seconds. "Wow, that is some appetite."
June shrugged him off. "OK, now you are ready, let's get to work girl." Mari did not budge. June tagged her tail, pushed her from behind, pulled her muzzle and even loaded the saddle and climbed atop the Shirshu but it did not move. Eventually, Mari retaliated by lashing out it tongue at June. She successfully dodged each attack and then got out of its range.
"What is wrong with you Mari? Today we start your training, get up!" She felt as though the shirshu was staring at her even though it had no eyes.
"Perhaps we should feed it more," Shen suggested.
"Fine." June stormed of to the forest and Shen followed behind. they spent the whole morning and afternoon hunting and feeding Mari. On their last trip, the made sure to save something for the crew's dinner. June was to exhausted to come back and hunt all over again. Even after having such a buffet, Mari still refused to move.
---------------------------------
During dinner, Zoraya noticed June mumbling to herself as she ate. This was a habit she got from her mother who would talk to herself while eating but only when she was upset.
"Okay. What's wrong?" asked Feng.
"That stupid Shirshu wouldn't move at all today. She just lay there and kept eating."
Zoraya giggled. "You really are green behind your ears."
"I have no idea what that means aunty."
"Look June, if what you say is true then I suspect that Mati..."
"Mari."
"Right. Mari is pregnant."
"That sneaky old woman," said Feng. "She must have known."
Zoraya laughed once more. "I bet she did. Anyway, it doesn't matter now. We will have to take care of the mother-to-be until she delivers."
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Je_Raconteur
Je_Raconteur Thank you all, for your support and comments.
I felt it wouldn't be fair if I just went on a haitus without saying anything, so yeah. Things haven't been going so well, expect the story to continue on the 24th of August 2020.
Really Sorry.
Stay safe.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone