Kidan's Fan Fic: April 2008

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Memories Ch. 7-2

Anakin and Jaina walked out of the apartment building together. They turned down the path, and side by side began the hike to the Jedi Temple. After they had gone a short distance, Jaina looked up at Anakin.

"I wonder if Sannah is okay."

"She definitely ate it all," Anakin replied. "She won't go against Aunt Mara."

Suddenly Jaina stopped and stared at something. Anakin continued for a couple steps before noticing that she had stopped. He then turned and looked at her. Glancing over his shoulder, he looked for what had caught her attention. On top of the wall surrounding the house they were walking next to, sat a white bundle of fur that was curled into a ball asleep.

"It's cute!" Jaina exclaimed.

"What is it?" was Anakin's reply.

"It's a whisperkit! It's a cute whisperkit!"

Anakin arched an eyebrow. "Doesn't look that cute to me."

She turned on him, stomping one foot as she did so. "That's not true! You're strange."

Then she turned back towards the sleeping animal. "I'm going."

She started walking towards it, and Anakin reached out and grabbed her arm. "I thought you were allergic to whisperkits."

She glanced over her shoulder at him. "That's true," she began. Then she turned to face the whisperkit again. "But... but it's cute!"

"Don't you remember--you touched one when we were younger and couldn't stop sneezing for two days?"

She nodded her head. "Yeah, but it's cute."

Then she started pulling against him, trying to free her arm from his grip. "Jaina!" he called out. "Listen to me!"

Finally she broke his grip and rushed forward, pulling the whisperkit off the wall and cuddling it to her chest.

Anakin dropped his head and sighed.

A short while later, Anakin and Jaina walked into their classroom. He had a scowl on his face. Hers was flushed and her eyes were slowly leaking tears. Then she sneezed.

Ignoring her, Anakin took his seat as Jaina took hers. A couple minutes after he had sat down, he noticed Raynar and Kiori walk into the room. They stopped by Jaina's desk, noticing the tears on her face.

"Was Anakin being mean to you again?" Raynar asked.

Jaina looked up at him. "He's always mean, but this..."

"Ah," Kiori said catching on to what must have happened. "Your dander allergies." She then looked over at Anakin. "You should have kept a closer eye on her."

Jaina spoke up in his defense. "He tried to stop me, but the whisperkit was just so cute."

A cough from the front of the room attracted their attention and they saw Master Horn standing there, staring at them sternly. "If the four of you are finished, I'd like to begin my lesson."

-------------------------------

Anakin stepped into the meditation garden. Nelani stood there with her back towards him, her shawl wrapped around her shoulders. A brisk autumn wind whipped through the garden, shaking the tree leaves-leaves which had already began their change, a mixture of reds and oranges and blues.

As if she sensed him, she turned to face him, a smile coming to her face. "Hello, Anakin," she said.

He continued forward, stopping a few steps away from her. "So you came here again today."

She nodded her head. "Obviously."

"If you have that much energy, why don't you start training?"

"Walking is fine," she began, quickly adverting her eyes from him. "But Master Cilghal said I can't begin training just yet."

"Why not rest at home then? If you get better, you'll be able to start right?"

She slowly nodded her head as she considered her words. "But I feel that if I stayed at home, then I would just get worse and worse."

Nelani began to slowly walk through the garden and Anakin fell into step beside her.

"Anakin? Do you remember the promise?"

"Promise?" he asked, confused slightly by her sudden change in topic.

"Yes, you promised that you would go swimming with me."

"Yes..." He replied. "I also remember saying I probably wouldn't go in very deep."

She stopped and turned towards him, smiling brightly. "I'm looking forward to it."

She watched him for a moment more and then waved at him, saying, "Bye."

He nodded his head in reply, and watched her walk away.

Once she had disappeared around the corner, he checked the time on his comlink and then rushed back inside, running through the temple until he arrived at the Great Room. He then slipped behind the stage and dashed up the stairs. Eryl and Tenel Ka were already sitting, and Eyrl was portioning out the boxes of food. She smiled at Anakin as he crested the stairs.

As he finally got to the top, Eyrl said, "Thank you for joining us today, Anakin."

He nodded his head and dropped onto his butt and crossing his legs across the blanket from Tenel Ka, while Eyrl sat to his right.

"Thank you," he said to Eyrl as she handed him a small plate. Then he glanced at Tenel Ka. "So, did they come out again after I left?"

Tenel Ka ignored him, focusing instead on eating.

He sighed. "You can answer, 'yes' or 'no'."

Her eyes flickered up at him for a second before returning back to the food laid out between them. "No."

Anakin thought for a moment. "So sometimes they don't come out?"

She nodded her head, popping a small piece of fruit in her mouth as she did so. From the corner of his eye, Anakin noticed the confused look on Eyrl's face at the arcane nature of his and Tenel Ka's conversation.

Finally her curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, "What are you two talking about?"

Anakin suppressed a grin as he replied. "Her constipation."

Eyrl's eyes snapped open as wide as they could go and her head slowly shifted so that she faced Tenel Ka.

Who was calmly and quietly eating a piece of cheese.

The silence stretched between them and Anakin finally hung his head. He lifted it, looking directly at Tenel Ka. "If you don't deny the things I say, she'll believe me."

Tenel Ka looked at Anakin, her grey eyes seeming to bore into him. Then she turned her attention to Eyrl. "That is not a fact."

Anakin sighed.

Memories Ch. 7-1

Anakin's eyes snapped open. He looked up at the ceiling in the dark, wondering what woke him. Stretching out with the Force, he reached for his sister and found her in a deep sleep. About to roll over and go back to sleep himself, he reached for Sannah in the Force as well, and felt the mischievous tint of her thoughts approaching his room. Sighing, he slipped out of bed and folded his blankets so that in the darkness of his room it appeared he was still sleeping in the bed. Then he went and stood in the corner near the door.

A few moments later, the knob turned and the door opened a crack. He could hear her mischievous chuckle from the far side of it, and slowly shook his head. The door opened the rest of the way and she snuck in, heading straight for his bed.

As she reached for his covers, Anakin stepped out from his hiding place and slapped the lights control. The bright overhead lights flooded the room, and Sannah jumped backwards, yelping in surprise. She spun around to face him, and Anakin just watched her for a moment.

Finally, he asked, "What are you doing up this late?"

"Uhmm..." she began. "I came over to play!" Then she smiled brightly, tossing her hands into the air.

"You're lying," Anakin accused. A flash of metal attracted his attention, and he focused on the object she held in one hand.

"What's that?" he asked.

She dropped her hands, and looked at the pair of scissors she was holding. Her brow creased slightly, and then she smiled as she looked up at him. "I... I... I wanted to make paper dolls with you!"

Anakin looked at her for a moment. "You were going to cut my hair weren't you?"

She quickly began waving her hands. "No! Not at all." Then she started looking around the room. "Where's some flimsies..."

Then she glanced towards his desk, where he had a stack of flimsies in a neat orderly pile. "Ah! Found it," she exclaimed happily.

She turned her back on Anakin and rushed to the desk. He could hear the snips of the scissors.

"Hey!" he called out, uncertain of what she was doing.

Within moments, she turned back to him, and held out a string of human shapes cut from the flimsies, a bright smile lighting her face. She stepped towards him, and held out the dolls in his direction. On instinct he took it.

"This is such fun!" she said.

Anakin looked closer at the paper dolls, noticing some text on the paper. He then took a closer look, and groaned at what he saw. "This... this is my homework." His eyes snapped up from the cut up paper to Sannah. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Was it important?" She asked innocently.

Anakin sighed and covered his face with one hand. "I copied it from Jaina... and I know I can't turn it in like this..."

She just smiled happily at him, and danced from the room, calling out over her shoulder, "Good night!"

He watched her go, and then turned his attention back to his desk - and the small shards of his homework.

"Geez..."

------------------------------

The next morning, Anakin sat across from Jaina as she happily spread jam over her sliced toast. Under her breath, she kept repeating the phrase "strawberry jam," making a sort of song out of it.

Once she returned the knife to the jar of jam, Anakin asked her, "You've always liked strawberry jam, haven't you?"

She nodded her head. "Yeah. It used to be something special we'd get on vacation or when mom had some free time--but since Aunt Mara took up cooking, she's enjoyed making jams and jellies so she always makes sure that I have some."

Movement attracted Anakin's attention and he looked towards the doorway, noticing Mara leading Sannah into the kitchen. He watched as Sannah rubbed at her face and then dropped into the chair next to Jaina.

Jaina turned to her and said, "Good morning, Sannah. You're up early."

Sannah nodded her head. "Yeah, I was woken up..."

Mara snickered. "You have to work in the crèche today. You don't want to be late on your first day do you?"

Sannah sighed. "Work..."

Anakin arched an eyebrow as he looked at her. "If you don't work, you shouldn't eat. Try working hard."

Mara suddenly gasped. "That's right! Since she found a job, we should bring that out to celebrate!"

Anakin's eyes snapped to Jaina's and he found the fear he felt mirrored in her eyes.

Sannah turned to watch as Mara darted from the room. "What's 'that?'"

Mara returned to the kitchen within moments, carrying a jar filled with a honey colored substance. She proudly set it onto the table. "It's my special jam."

She then looked at Sannah. "You've not tried it yet? Right?"

Sannah leaned forward to get a closer look at the jam, and then nodded her head slowly. "Yeah, this is my first time seeing it."

Mara then turned to Anakin and Jaina. "Won't you eat too?"

Jaina quickly raised her hands. "Sorry, Aunt Mara, but I'm full now."

"Yeah, me too," Anakin said, nodding his head in agreement.

He then glanced at Sannah, noticing that she had removed the lid and was sniffing at the jam. She glanced towards Mara. "It smells weird."

Anakin watched in horror as Mara spread a large dollop of the jam onto a slice of toast. Jaina's thoughts flickered across the Force and into his mind. She sure is spreading a lot.

Anakin nodded his head and sent back to her, all we can do is watch.

Mara then handed the toast to Sannah and said, "Eat up and get ready for work."

Sannah grinned happily at Mara. "Then, thanks!"

She put the toast to her mouth and took a large bite. Her eyes suddenly widened, tears forming at their corners.

"How is it?" Mara asked. "Do you like it?"

Without removing the toast, Sannah glanced at Jaina who quickly averted her gaze. Then she looked up at Mara, who was still happily smiling down at her. "Make sure to eat it all."

Sannah made a small whimpering sound in the back of her throat.

Mara looked down at the jar, and said, "And don't forget, we have a lot of it left too."

Then Sannah made the small whimpering sound again, as she swallowed.

Memories Ch. 6-5

Two hours later, Anakin was sitting across from Tahiri at a tapcafe. Her cheeks were still bright from a flush and her body hunched slightly over the table. She lifted her cup of tea to her lips to take a slow sip from it.

She glanced up at Anakin. "I... I think I'm calming down now."

"You're exaggerating."

She shook her head. "No-I've always been kind of scared of stories about ghosts and other things like that... the Tusken Raiders who raised me used to tell one about a demon who welded a flaming sword and would slaughter entire tribes."

"You get scared too easily..."

She sighed and lowered her head a bit more.

A short while later, they were wandering aimlessly through the shopping district. Anakin pulled out his comlink once again, glancing at the chrono. He stopped and looked down at Tahiri. "Well, I need to head home now."

Tahiri nodded her head, looking around at the darkened streets.

Anakin paused for a moment, wondering if he should admit to what he was feeling. Finally he decided to do so. "I had fun today. Thank you, Tahiri."

Her head snapped up so she could look at him, a smile brightening her face again even as a blush tinted her cheeks. "I had fun today as well."

Anakin turned from her, waving at her over his shoulder. "See you."

She waved back. "Bye!"

Anakin started walking away. Then he heard the shuffle of Tahiri's step from behind him. He paused and turned to look at her. She stood a few paces behind him, a smile on her face. "See you."

She waved again, saying, "Bye."

He turned away again, continuing his walk home. Once again, he heard her footsteps. He growled under his breath slightly, and turned to look at her.

"Why are you following me?"

She sighed, and lowered her head, the smile falling from her face. "I'm scared of dark streets."

Anakin sighed, and then started walking again, taking a longer route home; one that would take him towards the spot where she usually left him. When they came to that spot he stopped and looked at her. "Is this okay?"

Her voice was soft and weak as she replied. "Mmhmm."

"Was that a 'yes' or an 'okay?'"

Without lifting her head, she muttered, "They're both the same."

"If you keep following me, you won't be able to make it home." After a moment, he added, "Should I walk you home?"

She sighed, shaking her head. "No, I'm fine. I'll get myself home."

Anakin frowned for a moment. "Are you really okay?"

She slowly nodded her head.

"Then I'll see you later, Tahiri."

She looked up at him. "Bye, Anakin." Then she turned from him and ran down the street.

Anakin watched her disappear around a corner. Where is she living at anyways, he wondered to himself.

Pushing the thought from his mind, he turned away and went home. When he arrived he found Mara, Jaina and Sannah sitting on the various couches. He paused to listen, and felt the shock reverberate through him as Sannah talked to the other two girls. He dropped into one of the chairs.

"You feel asleep?" he said, sounding both confused and angry at the same time.

"Yeah, during my interview. I fell asleep." Sannah replied. "I was sitting there, and my head kind of drooped... and then they told me I could go home."

"I can understand that," Jaina said, nodding her head slowly. "It's hard to stay awake when people will just go on and on."

Anakin glared at his sister. "You shouldn't be sympathizing with her."

Mara leaned forward in her chair. "Why don't I see if I can get you a job at the Temple? Maybe something in the crèche?"

Anakin and the girls' heads darted to look at Mara who was smiling happily. "Yeah... A report came across the wire about how the Temple needed some extra people helping out with the younglings."

As they watched, Mara pulled out her comlink and began talking softly into it. When she finished the conversation, she returned the comlink to her pocket and smiled at Sannah. "It's all set up."

Sannah dropped her head again, sighing slightly. "Kids, huh?"

Anakin smirked at her. "If you're just playing with kids, it should be fine."

Sannah looked at him for a moment, and then dropped her head again. "I wonder if I can do it."

Mara smiled at her, placing a hand on her thigh. "You can do it, Sannah."

Sannah just sighed once again.

------------------------------

Anakin stepped into the foyer of the Jedi Temple. He opened the bag he carried, looking at the various snack foods it contained and then sighed. "What am I doing?" He asked no one in particular.

Suddenly a large crash echoed throughout the Temple. Anakin's head snapped up, and he started running, heading towards the source of the sound. He ran past one of the classrooms, and skidding to a stop, noticed the desks strewn about. Tenel Ka stood in the middle of the room dressed in her leather armor, her chest heaving from exertion. Carefully, he stepped into the room.

"Tenel Ka? Are you okay?"

Between pants, she replied, "I'm fine."

"Demons again?"

She nodded her head sharply. Then glanced to the left and the right. After another moment, her posture relaxed and she lowered her sword, straightening her back as she began to stare out the window. "It's gone now."

"I see," Anakin replied and started looking around at the mess.

"Anakin?"

He looked at her.

"You don't have to come here. In fact you should stay closer to her."

Anakin frowned for a moment. "Sannah?"

Tenel Ka nodded her head.

He thought for a moment, and then said. "Yesterday you told me to be nice to her. What do you mean about that? Do you know something about Sannah?"

Her chin lifted higher for a moment. "I don't know anything. Just..." Her voice trailed off and the silence between them deepened.

Finally, Anakin broke it. "Just?"

She sighed and turned to face him. "She'll need you soon. More than anyone else." Then she dropped her gaze from his face. "I have that feeling."

"Just a feeling?"

She nodded and Anakin looked down, a frown coming to his face.

------------------------------------

Anakin walked into the apartment, nearly bumping into Jaina as he did so.

She looked at him. "You left again?"

"Yeah."

"Where did you go?"

He gave her a mischievous smile. "Hunting demons."

A confused expression flickered across her face. "What are 'demons?'"

Anakin shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know."

"What?" The confused expression had settled firmly onto her face.

"How about, 'I'm searching for the answer to why I don't know?'"

Her eyebrows lifted. "That just makes it even more confusing."

"There are just things in this world that can't be understood," Anakin said with a grin as he walked past her towards his room. He dropped his jacket onto the bed, and grabbed his towel, heading towards the refresher. As he got closer, the door opened and Sannah stepped out. She paused and looked at him.

"Done already?" he asked her.

She nodded once quickly. "Yes, go ahead and hurry an get in."

Then she darted past him. He walked on into the refresher, an odd smell assaulting his nose. Sniffing, he stepped further into the refresher and glanced at the bathtub, finding it filled with Rycrit stew.

"Sannah!" He called out as loudly as he could.

He stormed from the refresher and found Sannah in her room, laying on her bed, her feet kicking as she read a holonovel. He picked her up and tossed her onto his shoulder. She began pounding on his back, screaming, "Let me down!"

Still stomping, he returned to the refresher and dropped Sannah to the tiled floor, pointing towards the tub. "What are you going to do with this much stew?"

Jaina appeared in the doorway, watching them. After a moment, she stepped around them and went to sit in front of the tub.

Sannah looked up at him, a defiant expression on her face. "Do you have proof it was me?"

"Who else would do something this stupid?" Anakin asked, knowing that his voice was rising.

Mara appeared in the doorway, watching Anakin and Sannah.

"I wouldn't do that," Sannah screamed back at him.

"I can't think of any other reason than your pranks," Anakin screamed.

Mara walked past them to stand beside Jaina, staring down at the tub filled with stew. Sannah replied, "I said, I wouldn't do that!"

"Sannah." Mara said her voice stern yet soft.

Anakin and Sannah stopped their yelling and both turned to face the Jedi Master. Once she had their attention, she continued. "You can't be wasting food like this."

Sannah's head dropped. "I'm sorry..."

Anakin straightened slightly. "Doing the same things over and over again. What are you thinking?"

"But..." she began and then her voice trailed off as she stared at the far wall, her eyes glazing over slightly.

Mara opened up the drain to the tub and then glanced over her shoulder. "It's got to drain, and then it needs to be cleaned."

Anakin looked at Mara for a moment, and then turned his attention back to Sannah. She knelt on the floor, her legs splayed out so that her butt rested firmly against the cold tiles. Her chin was tucked tight against her chest and tears lined her eyes. As he watched, one escaped and made a thin track down the side of her face.

In his mind, he could hear Tenel Ka's voice again, "She'll need you soon, more than anyone else."

Memories Ch. 6-4

Anakin closed the distance between them, stopping a few steps away from Nelani. As he looked down at her, she continued to smile happily up at him. Finally, he said, "What are you doing here today?"

She lifted her chin a bit more, staring into his eyes. "Why are you here?"

"I just came to watch my sister practice," he replied.

Nelani frowned for a moment and then looked around the garden. "But there's no one practicing here."

Anakin's eyes narrowed for a moment, and then he looked over her head towards the fountain. "Well, truly, I was thinking of digging a trap. One designed for people walking around when they're sick and supposed to be in bed."

"Wah!" She replied, her eyes widening slightly. Then she half turned away from him, glancing towards him from the corner of her eyes. "I don't like it when people say things like that."

Anakin arched one of his eyebrows. "Nelani?"

"Yes?" She replied, turning to face him fully once again.

"Have you been waiting here since noon?"

Surprise flickered onto her face, and she smiled at him hesitantly. "Yes... yes I was."

He sighed, slowly shaking his head. "It's because you do things like this that you're not getting better." He painted a stern expression on his face. "What do you think you're doing?"

Her face dropped, and she glanced away from him. "It's kind of weird," she said. Then she turned from him fully, watching the fountain. "I know no one is here... but I'm standing here and no one comes. But I couldn't move away from here. Maybe being caught in that feeling... In the end, being alone until now..."

Her head lowered slightly as she paused in her speech. After a moment, she spun around towards him, a hesitant smile on her face, as she said, "It's kind of stupid, isn't it?"

She moved, so that one of her shoulders was facing Anakin, then a breeze snapped through the garden and she shivered. Anakin sighed and took off his jacket, draping it around her shoulders. "Yeah, it's stupid."

She paused, standing still as if she were a trapped animal. Finally she lowered her head, and twisting the edges of the jacket in her hands, murmured in a soft voice, "It's warm."

He stood there, his hands on her shoulders and then looked up at the sky. The sun was just beginning to touch the horizon, casting the normal blue hue of the sky into a symphony of reds and oranges.

"The sunset is amazing," he said with a touch of awe in his voice.

She turned, and leaned her back against him, looking at the sunset. "Yes," she replied.

"Nelani?" Anakin began. "Answer me something... honestly."

"If it's not my weight or my sizes... then I guess I can answer."

"Why do you come here everyday? Do you have a reason?"

She paused for a moment, and then replied, "I don't know myself. I guess I'm searching for the reason I don't know." Then her voice took on a mischievous tilt. "How was that as a response?" She glanced over her shoulder, looking up at him. "It was a wizard response, wasn't it?"

"Nope."

Her eyes widened and she stepped away from him so that she could turn to face him. As she moved, he dropped his hands from her shoulders. "That was mean," she said. "I thought so hard on the answer."

Anakin chuckled and then glanced towards the horizon again. "Shavit."

Nelani looked scandalized. "Such language. What's wrong?"

"I'm supposed to meet someone in the shopping district at sunset. I'm late. Not good."

He turned to go.

"Anakin!" Nelani called out. He paused and looked at her.

She held out his jacket towards him. "Your jacket."

He felt himself blush slightly as he took it from her. "You'll be okay getting home?"

She nodded her head.

"Then bye!" he called out as he ran from the garden.

A short while later, Anakin darted into the courtyard in front of the theater. He paused at the entrance, looking around for Tahiri.

Then he saw her. She was sitting on a wooden bench, her head bowed, an air of melancholy surrounding her. "Tahiri!" he called.

She lifted her head, looking towards him and instantly the expression on her face changed from one of near despair to a brilliant smile.

"Anakin!" she called back.

He ran the rest of the way over to her, and between pants, said, "Sorry I'm late, I had a lot to do."

"No," she replied. "I'm just glad you came."

Anakin looked down at her. "What? Didn't feel like dressing up today?"

He then turned and started walking towards the doors to the theater.

"I like this shirt." She said as she fell into step beside him. Then she started to giggle, a bright, happy smile lighting up her face.

"Are you that happy to see a movie?"

"Watching a movie is fun..." she began. "But what I really like is when the person I'm waiting for comes. Then I can be glad that I was waiting."

"Sounds like you're making things up."

"No! I wouldn't do that."

Anakin watched her as they walked; watched her smile. The way the joy seemed to shine through her eyes. And the way her hair seemed to bounce with her every step. "Waiting, huh..."

Something in the way she talked about waiting, reminded him of something. But like so many other things, he couldn't grasp the memory fully. He could only get the knowledge that there should be a connection there. He sighed and gave up trying to figure it out as he opened the door to the theater, holding it for Tahiri to enter.

Anakin stopped before a poster advertising one of the movies currently playing. Tahiri stopped beside him. "I wanted to see this," he began. "It's supposed to be really scary. Supposedly they banned it on Garqi because some old guy had a heart attack during it."

He looked down at her, and noticed that she was biting at her lower lip. He nodded his head towards the doors that led into the theater. "Come on, let's go inside."

He walked that way, hearing the shuffle of her steps behind him.

Memories Ch. 6-3

Anakin walked out of the kitchen and turned down the hallway leading towards his room. Sannah came out of her own room, skipping down the hall a large smile lighting up her face.

"You're awful chipper this morning, especially after what you did last night."

For a moment her eyes narrowed and the smile flickered from her face. Then she theatrically shook her head, saying, "The kind of face I make is entirely up to me."

Then she brushed past him. As she did so, he spun around and grabbed her shoulder. "Hold on, Sannah. Come on this way."

She gave him a confused look, but followed him into his room. Once there he pulled out a datapad from a stack and held it out towards her. She took it and thumbed it on, skimming the information it contained. The confusion on her face deepened and she looked up at him, her head tilting to one side slightly. "Job ads?"

He grinned at her. "Yeah. I downloaded them for myself, but figured that you need it more."

"A job? I'm going to get a job?"

He nodded his head once quickly. "Yeah. Your biggest problem is your lack of common sense--and that's because you don't have any experience in society."

Her brow creased as she thought about it. "But, I don't want to work at a job."

Anakin shrugged his shoulders. "If you work, you'll be able to buy any holonovel you want. So, what type of job do you want?"

She looked down at the ads for a moment, and then glanced up at him. "A job where I can read all day?"

Sighing, he plucked up one of the datapads and popped her quickly on top of the head. "Don't pick such an easy job."

Then he looked at the ad that was pulled up on that datapad, frowning as he read the words asking for someone that liked to read to be a waitress at a local caf house.

A few minutes later, Anakin and Sannah were back in the kitchen, Anakin sitting across from Mara and surreptitiously watching Sannah as she talked on the com with the cafe's owners. Mara glanced over at the younger girl for a moment before turning her attention to Anakin.

"So, she's getting a job interview?"

Anakin nodded his head. "Yes, we figured that if she got a job, that seeing a lot of extra people, would possibly remind her of who she is."

Mara nodded her head slowly. "I see."

Sannah walked over slowly and dropped into a chair next to Mara, then she dropped her chin to her chest and slouched lower into her chair, exhaling heavily.

"I've got a job interview this evening."

Anakin grinned at her. "That's great! If it goes well, you might even get the job today."

"I guess so," she replied.

He just continued smiling. "And I'll even walk you part of the way there."

She slouched lower, sighing deeply.

An hour later, Anakin and Sannah strolled side by side, heading towards the business district. As they drew closer, he stopped, and smiled at her. "Do your best, Sannah."

"You're not coming with me?" she pleaded.

He shook his head. "No. Even if I did, it wouldn't make a difference."

Sannah's head dropped, and she turned and began to walk away.

"Hey," Anakin replied. "If you get the job, I'll definitely come to the store."

She sighed heavily and continued walking.

Anakin called out again, "Remember, be polite. And use your nice words."

She stomped her foot and spun towards him, annoyance flashing in her eyes. "I know that!"

Then the animation left her, and her shoulders slumped lower. She exhaled strongly, a deep sigh, and continued walking away from him.

Anakin watched her go for a moment, and then looked around, his gaze finally coming to a rest on the Jedi Academy in the distance. He thought for a moment, and then remembered that Jaina was at practice.

He pulled his comlink from the pocket of the light jacket he wore, and looked at the chrono built into it. Smiling, as he realized he had a while before he had to meet Tahiri, he started walking that way. Soon, he had walked to the practice fields, and was leaning against one of the walls as Ganner and Raynar fought. The green and blue of their blades flashed in the afternoon light, as they danced around one another.

The hum of their swords was a discordant sound against the backdrop of nature's symphony, a sound only interrupted by the sharp bark of when their blades actually collide with one another.

After a few more minutes of watching, he looked around again, trying to find Jaina.

He frowned, noticing Daeshara'cor on the far side of the field talking with Tionne. Then he looked around once again, wondering where Jaina was.

Shrugging his shoulders, he left the training fields and turned to head towards home, when he suddenly looked up at the sky. Slowly, he turned and looked past the Temple, to where he could just make out the corner of one of the meditation gardens.

"I wonder if she came out here today," he asked himself.

He began running that way. Quickly covering the ground between the training area and the meditation garden. He stopped short of one of the entrances to the garden, and leaned over his knees, trying to catch his breath.

After a few minutes, he rounded the corner and walked fully into the garden.

A small fountain was set directly in front of this entrance, which faced the setting sun. Between Anakin and the fountain stood a silhouette; an outline of a feminine shape. For a moment, he just stood there and stared at her, watching her as she watched the sun. Anakin sighed, wondering if she would ever stay home and rest enough to get over her cold.

Then he started walking towards her, and when he stepped into some of the marble chips, she spun around to face him. When she saw him, a smile lit up her face.

"Good day," Nelani said, as her smile grew even larger.

Alien Crossfire Chapter 15

Jaina's X-Wing flashed out of hyperspace, shedding speed as she droped in towards Hapes, the jewel of the Consortium's 63 inhabited planets, home of one of Jaina's oldest and dearest friends, Tenel Ka. And by all reports the location where her parents had fled to after the fall of Coruscant.

She stretched out with the Force, and found the flares of life which are her mother and Tenel Ka and gently brushed each of them, receiving an embrace in return. She turned on the com.

"Hapan Control, this is New Republic X-Wing NRX-111045 requesting clearance to land."

She received the clearance, and banked her X-Wing towards the planet, kissing the atmosphere with a brief flare of incandescence. She twisted the flight yoke, dropping altitude as she headed towards the palace. She looked out the transparent canopy watching as the trees flashed past, the landscape occasionally punctuated by a river or a small clearing.

A few klicks shy of the palace, she flashed over a large clearing. Frowning slightly, she slowed down and banked around circling the clearing, noticing the large city of tents that had been set up.

Refugees. That's a lot of folks. Yanking her thoughts away from those fortunate enough to escape Coruscant, she once more turned her fighter towards the palace. As she neared it, she switched over the sublight engines to her repulsers, slowing down considerably.

The door opened and she noticed a group of people coming towards her. A flash of light attracted her attention and she saw one of the ground crew, directing her towards a landing spot with a light cone. She settled the ship into the space indicated, and quickly performed her post flight check.

Then she cracked the seal to the canopy, pushing it up and out, yanking off her helmet and tossing it back onto her flight couch. She climbed out onto the nose of the craft and ran down it, jumping to the ground when she reached the end. Standing before her was Tenel Ka – dressed in her usual rancor hide armor tunic, but wearing a skirt as opposed to her usual armor shorts. Then Jaina noticed something even more amazing, Tenel Ka has two arms.

She took a step forward, raising her arms and the red-headed girl embraced her. The two laughed, happy to see one another. Jaina pulled away, keeping her arms on her shoulders; she allowed her eyes to drop to the arm and then the skirt. "You've changed some I see."

Tenel Ka gave a small smile. "That is a fact."

They dropped their arms, and Tenel Ka turned to head into the palace, and Jaina stepped into line beside her.

"So, I thought you didn't want an arm."

The Dathomiri girl chuckled. "I just realized it was foolish of me to not have an arm as we fight a war."

They walked in silence through the halls, until they came to the quarters which were Tenel Ka's. She stepped into the opulent rooms, Jaina right behind her. The guards that had followed them from the hangar took up positions beside the door.

Tenel Ka dropped onto a duvet, gesturing for Jaina to join her.

"So friend Jaina, what brings you to Hapes?"

"My Uncle asked me to get my parents."

----------------------------------------
Anakin twisted the diamond left and right, allowing the light to catch its surface and refract back towards him – a rainbow of glittering colors. He watched the stone, a solemn reminder of a great evil he had done.

He stood up and crossed over to the door, pocketing the gemstone. He pressed the door release, stepping out into the brightly lit hallway, glancing down at the various doors which lined the crew quarters given to the Jedi.

He slowly walked down the hall, and boarded a lift to go up one level. Officer's quarters. Where those passengers that Booster deemed important enough had quarters. Uncle Luke and the Solusars both had their quarters on this level.

And Mirax Horn as well.

He slowly walked down the hallway, finally coming to her quarters. He pressed the annunciator, and waited, grief slamming into him once more for what he had done.

For the life he took away, with barely a second thought.

The door opened, and Mirax stood there, dressed in a pair of navy slacks and a white shirt. A feminine version of the clothes that Anakin's father wears. Her hip is cocked slightly, and four year old Jysella was settled there, clinging to her mother.

Mirax's blue eyes seemed to bore into him.

"What can I do for you Anakin?"

Anakin swallowed, suddenly unsure if this was a wise idea, then he realized that it was too late to back out now. "I…I need to talk to you."

Mirax nodded her head, and stepped back into her quarters. She set Jysella on the ground, and told her to go to her room and play.

For a moment, Anakin wondered if that was because Mirax did not want any witnesses. She sat down on the couch, and gestured for Anakin to do the same.

Instead he shook his head, and pulled out the diamond, holding it out towards her.

"I'm… I'm sorry. I didn't… I never…" He sighed and then said, "This was easier back in my cabin. This… this is, was Corran."

He noticed the bright tears that had appeared in her eyes as she reverentially took the diamond from him. She seemed to look at it for hours, and finally a tear escaped from her eyes, and Anakin watched it as it made a path down her face, rolling down her jaw line to hang on her chin for a moment before falling.

He could feel a slight burn to his own eyes, and scrubbed them, not wanting to give into his own tears.

Finally she looked back up at him. "Thank you for bringing me this Anakin."

Startled, Anakin rocked back on his heels. "You know that it was me right? That I did it? Don't you hate me?"

She sadly nodded her head. "Yes, I know." She then gave him a wistful smile. "But you're forgetting that I was married to a Jedi, and am raising two of them. I understand a lot about the things that drive you. While I might not be able to forgive you… I don't think I quite hate you."

Anakin bowed his head, hiding the tears which were now running down his face.

"Go on, get out of here."

He turned to leave, casting a look at her over his shoulder. "Thank you."

She merely nodded, and he left, returning to his quarters, and crawling into bed.

----------------------------------------
Jacen stuck his hand into the small pouch he had fashioned into his skinrobe. He felt the clip beetles he kept in there, snapping onto his hand, and impassively looked at the Bothan sitting in front of him. A large, weeping gash stretched from shoulder to waist on the right side of the Bothan's chest. A present from venturing to close to the amphistaff grove.

He squeezed the wound tight with the hand which had the clip beetles attached, and with his free hand, tickled the release nerve of the first beetle, causing it to release its grip from his hand. He pressed it against the wound, causing it to snap close around the gash, holding the wound closed. With a quick twist, he snapped the body away from the head, ensuring it would stay there for the week needed for the wound to seal. Working quietly, he worked down the wound, using twelve of the beetles on the Bothan.

Finished, he looked at him and says, "You'll be fine in a week. Until then stay away from the amphistaff grove. I'm pretty sure that they can smell blood."

Anger flashed in the Bothan's eyes. "That's easy for you to say. They don't force you to do things."

Jacen barked a short laugh. "They don't force you either."

"But the pain. If I don't do what they want, the pain…"

Jacen shook his head. "It's just pain. It won't kill you, the amphistaffs will."

In a huff, the Bothan got up and left, not bothering to thank Jacen. Not many of them ever did. He sighed, and leaned back against the hummock, closing his eyes, hoping to be able to rest for a few moments before the Shapers cycled up the glowpoint.

He heard the shuffle of small stones and the crunch of a foot against a twig, and opened his eyes, expecting to find Taryn standing over him. Instead, he was greeted by someone else. He held up a hand, putting it solidly between himself and Vergere.

"That's close enough."

Her head tilted to the side, feather crest rising and shifting to the blue of amusement. "Now, now Jacen. Is that how you treat all of your friends?"

"I have no friends. You made sure of that, remember."

Her feather crest twisted and flattened. "Show me your wound."

"It's fine."

"You silly youngling. Am I blind? Can I not see the fever in your eyes? Can I not smell the infection? Have I lost the Force that I cannot feel how brightly you burn in it? No! Now, show me your wound, before I go get a warrior and have him hold you down."

Jacen looked at her defiantly for a moment, watching the black pools of her eyes. Finally he sighed, and pulled open the skinrobe to reveal the enflamed pucker of his scar from when she implanted his slave seed. His nostrils twitched as the smell - that of a sickened wound - reached his nose.

As he passively watched her, she reached one of her long feather-fingers to her eye, allowing it to collect one of her tears. She twisted her arm out, allowing the tear to run from her finger and splash against Jacen's wound. Ice seemed to settle across the infected sore, and his eyes popped open.

"What was that?"

Vergere smiled mysteriously. "It was a tear."

"But I…I can feel it healing me. Killing the infection. If you can do that, you could help so many others."

She slowly nodded her head, her eyes once more taking on that faraway darkness. "Yes, I could."

"I...I have to ask."

"Go ahead. Make your request."

"There's a Ryn over there…he's got an infection from the spark bees. And I had to amputate an Aqualish's leg at the knee earlier – I think he's going to die. You…You could save so many people."

She watched him, and Jacen wondered if she had heard her request. He shifted slightly, pulling the skinrobe back up over his shoulders. Finally she spoke. "You have yet to make a request of me, young Solo."

"Oh…I mean....will you help them?"

Her beak broke into a smile. "No."

Jacen rocked back where he was sitting. "But…why?"

Vergere settled down beside him. And for what seemed a lifetime just stared at him.
Then she asked a question. "Do you know the difference between a weed and a flower?"

Jacen frowned. "No….but what's the point?"

"Oh, I have one. Worry not on that score. What is the difference between a weed and a flower?"

"I guess…well…a weed would be ugly and a flower pretty."

Vergere cawed with laughter. "One might think so, but that is wrong. I have seen some truly hideous flowers, while other, much more beautiful, plants are doomed to being considered common weeds. No, the difference between a weed and a flower is this, and only this - the decision of the gardener. The gardener, and the gardener alone, decides which plant is weed and which is flower. Which gets to live and which gets to be uprooted and die. Which has worth and which is worthless. That is the responsibility of the gardener."

"I don't…"

"No? You are a gardener, Jacen Solo. You get to decide which are weeds and which are flowers. You get to make that decision. As do I. I have made my decision. I know which I count as weeds and which of the creatures in this room that I count as a flower."

Jacen stood up, an angry scowl coming to his face. "I don't believe that."

"Believe or not. It is the way that it is."

"If that's so, then there are no weeds. Every life in here is worth something."

Vergere gave a half-shrug, as if his announcement had no bearing on anything she had said. "If that is what you wish to believe."

Then before he could answer she was up and bounding away towards the wall. Jacen frowned as he watched her hop away, then the glowpoint brightened, signifying that day was dawning once again.

Grumbling about the mysterious alien, Jacen turned away and went to sit beside Taryn, waiting for the young girl to awaken. His gaze traveled across all the creatures and beings that he could see around him. There are no weeds.

Memories Ch. 6-2

Anakin sat up in his bed. He stretched his arms out, yawning loudly. A quick glance at the chrono revealed it was just a bit before 0800. He rubbed at his eyes, still sleepy after Sannah's attempt to play a trick on him in the middle of the night.

For a moment, he considered lying back down, but then put the thought from his head. Instead he stood up and quickly dressed in an outfit that was reminiscent of the things his father always wore.

Once dressed, he walked from his bedroom and towards the kitchen.

He entered the room, noticing Mara behind the counter, preparing some type of food; Tahiri already seated at the table.

"Good morning." He called out happily.

"Morning, Anakin," Mara replied. "You're up early - after all, you don't have lessons today."

Anakin nodded once. "I know. What about Jaina?"

"She's probably still asleep. Though she has practice in a bit, so she'll have to get up very soon."

He stopped by the counter and picked up the plate that Mara had prepared for him and then sat down at one of the places at the table. Around his first bite of food, he said, "I'll wake her up later."

Mara nodded her head and then focused once more on her cooking.

A few moments later, she came around from the counter and poured some caf into a cup for Anakin. Tahiri held out her cup. "Can I have some as well?"

Mara smiled at her, and then poured some into Tahiri's cup. Tahiri took a sip and then yelped in pain. "Hot! Hot! Hot!"

Mara winced for a moment. "I'm sorry, Tahiri, I thought you knew it would be hot." Then she returned to the counter and began chopping something.

Anakin finished his breakfast and then glanced over at Mara, "Thanks for the meal, Aunt Mara."

Tahiri chimed in, "Thanks for the meal from me too!"

Anakin pushed his chair back from the table and stood. "I think I'll go to my room now."

Then he walked around the table, heading towards the door. As he passed Tahiri she reached out and grabbed his shirt.

"Anakin, you're so mean."

Suppressing a smile, he glanced over his shoulder and looked down at her. "Tahiri? How long have you been there?"

She bolted out of her chair. "I've been here since the beginning!"

Anakin turned and faced her, a small smirk sitting on his face. "Sorry... I really didn't see you there."

"I asked her to come over again," Mara said from the kitchen. "I think it's more fun to eat when there are more people."

Tahiri dropped her head slightly. "So Anakin, what are you doing today?"

He thought for a moment before replying. "I think I'm going to reprogram the locks."

She frowned. "How boring. This is your day off from training. You need to do something more fun. Reprogramming locks today would be a waste. Wouldn't you rather hang out with me?"

Anakin gasped and stepped back from her. "Stealing food?"

She clenched her fists and stomped her foot. "No!"

Then she reached into a pocket and pulled out two small sheets of flimsies.

Anakin leaned closer. "Movie tickets?"

"Yeah," Tahiri replied. "Miss Mara gave them to me. So do you want to go?"

Anakin turned towards Mara. "So, what types of movies are playing right now?"

Mara shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not certain, but there should be something you could watch with those."

He tapped at his chin for a moment, before responding to Mara again. "So Aunt Mara, do you want to go see a movie with me?"

Tahiri's mouth dropped open.

Mara smirked. "It sounds like fun."

She spun to look at Mara, shock etched onto her face. After a moment, she faced Anakin again, her face falling.

Then Mara laughed. "I'm joking. I have some things to do today, and Jaina has training. So the two of you go and have fun."

He nodded his head, thinking out loud. "A movie should be good every once in a while."

Tahiri threw her arms up and squealed. "Then it's decided, we're going to a movie!"

She paused to gather her thoughts and then focused once more on Anakin. "Then let's meet around dusk at the entrance to the shopping district." When Anakin nodded his head once quickly, she turned to Mara. "Thanks again for the meal, Miss Mara."

Then she hopped out of the room. Anakin watched her go and then dropped back into one of the seats.

"Huh, a movie with Tahiri."

Mara smirked at him. "It's a date."

Anakin frowned. "Don't say weird stuff like that."

Jaina clumsily stepped into the room, dressed in an over-sized t-shirt which she used as a sleeping gown. "Date? What date?"

Anakin looked at her, a frown on her face. "Go to sleep."

She dropped into one of the chairs at the table, directly across from Anakin. "But I just woke up."

"I'm proud of you, apprentice," Mara said as she brought Jaina a plate of food. "You've managed to wake yourself up."

Jaina began eating, and then thought for a moment. "I heard someone by the door, there was a crash and a girl's voice said 'ow. That hurt.'"

Anakin barked a short laugh. "So, Tahiri fell down again."

"I guess she was too happy," Mara said. "She could've just not watched where she was going and fell down."

Anakin shook his head. "No, she's been that way for a while - a tad clumsy."

Mara's head snapped towards him, interest shining on her face. "You've known her for a long time?"

Anakin nodded his head. "She was my friend when I was in training before. Every now and then, I get flashes of her in the snippets of memory I have."

"Maybe it's you she's been waiting for," Mara whispered.

Anakin frowned and looked at her. "Huh?"

"Excuse me," Mara replied with a smile. "I'm just talking to myself."

Anakin watched Mara for a few more moments and then turned his attention to Jaina who was swaying slightly in her seat. She lifted a bite to her lips and slowly chewed, her eyes closed the whole time.

Anakin sighed. "Sleep or eat. Pick one."

He let out another small sigh as she dropped her head to the tabletop and began to lightly snore.

Memories Ch. 6-1

A dream.

The day the dream started, the sun was shining. It was bright, happy, and warm.

It was the height of summer, and a silver boat bobbed by the water's edge.

The river was cold. Its dark waters had already soaked the lower half of the legs of my pants, causing them to cling tightly to my legs.

And then... and then...

Then there was a child crying.

Even now, here in my dream, I don't, I can't, remember his crying face....

--------------------------------

Anakin rushed through the halls of the Jedi Temple. His eleven year-old legs pumped hard as he ran through the hallways, searching the various rooms. He paused at a stairwell, leaning against it, breathing heavily. Then he glanced around, making sure that no one was near enough to see. Without hesitation he jumped up on the banister and slid down, dropping off at the landing halfway between floors. He listened for anyone again before jumping onto the banister again, sliding the rest of the way to the next floor down.

To his right were the old hangars, turned into training carrels for 'saber practice. To his left, more rooms.

He stepped into the old hangar and looked around. Most of the lights were out, leaving just a few pools of brightness amidst the darkness of the room.

"Tahiri?" he called out.

The only response was a slight echo of his voice bouncing back to him. He closed his eyes and reached out with the Force, searching for her.

He could feel a glimmer of awareness and darted forward, running into one of the supply closets.

Sitting in the back corner, her legs pulled up to her chest, her arms wrapped around her legs, was Tahiri. She looked up as he entered, her eyes flashing in anger with his appearance.

"Just go away. You were just making fun of me at breakfast."

Anakin sighed and walked closer to her. "No, I just didn't understand what you were talking about."

She glared at him for a moment longer before tucking her chin behind her knees and lowering hey eyes away from him.

"Tahiri, please..."

Her eyes flickered up to meet his for a moment before sliding away. "You're not so great, y'know."

"I know."

"Dummy."

He snorted a small laugh. No one had ever called him a dummy before. "Yeah, I guess I can be."

He dropped into position next to her, his back against the wall, his legs stretched out in front of him. After a moment, she shifted positions, laying her head on his shoulder.

"I was serious you know," she said. "I had a dream, I've had the same dream my whole life, but this time it was different. This time, you were in it."

"What was I doing?"

She doesn't respond for a few moments, and Anakin twists his head slightly to look down at her, noticing the tears that lined her eyes. She inhaled deeply and then slowly exhaled. Finally, she spoke, "Saving my life."

The admission hung heavily between them, Anakin unsure how to respond, Tahiri unsure of what it all meant.

Suddenly, Anakin stood and held his hand out towards her. "Come on," he said.

She looked up at him, confusion on her face as she grabbed his hand. "Where are we going?"

He just grinned at her, a lopsided slash of the mouth. "You'll see."

He pulled her to her feet and then dragged her from the room and back through the corridors until they arrived at the cafeteria. He pushed open the door slightly and stuck his head in, looking around the cavernous room. Seeing no one in there, he grinned and opened the door all the way, once more dragging Tahiri behind him. They quickly crossed the cafeteria and Anakin pushed open the door into the kitchen.

Once he was certain no one was in there, he once more took off, heading deep into the kitchen, still pulling Tahiri behind him. He stopped at one of the stoves and dropping her hand turned it on. Then he rushed over to the walk-in freezer. He shivered against the blast of cold air as he opened it, but went in anyways, foraging for something specific. Finding it, he left and returned to the stove, grabbing a baking sheet on the way. He laid the pastries that he had gotten from the freezer onto the sheet and then shoved it all into the oven.

Tahiri looked at him confused for a moment. "What are you doing?"

"Cooking," he answered.

A few minutes later, the stove beeped and Anakin retrieved the sheet. Gingerly he picked up one of the two pastries on the sheet and held it out towards her.

"Here," he said. "It's a canapé. They're best when they're fresh and hot."

She took the canapé from him, and bit into it. Her mouth stretched into a broad grin as she chewed. "This is great, Anakin!" she exclaimed. "I've never had anything like this. What's it made out of? And it's so sweet. Thank you.

He smiled at her.

Anakin lifted his head, his eyes opening slightly to find himself in a dimly lit room. It was just a dream, he thought.

For a moment, he wondered what had woken him up, but then he heard a sound - the soft click of the door opening. He twisted slightly in his bed, looking at the door. The door opened slightly wider, and then he could see the flash of a lighter. Whoever was on the other side, and Anakin thought it was most certainly Sannah, then threw a half dozen rings of fireworks into his room.

"That idiot," he muttered as he rolled out of bed, snatching up the fireworks. He ran to the door and quickly opened it. He registered that Sannah was sitting in the hall as he tossed the fireworks out at her. Then he slammed shut his door; just in time to listen to them explode.

Then he heard the sound of the fire suppression system activating.

He waited for another moment, and then once more opened the door. Sannah sat against the wall opposite him, her hair, clothes and skin soaked from the water which had just stopped spraying from the ceiling. She looked up at him, a miserable expression on her face.

Jaina opened her door, rubbing at her eyes. "What the kriff are you two doing?"

Anakin laughed. "I'm not doing anything, Jaya."

She then turned to Sannah, who tried her best to sink into the wall.

Memories - Ch. 5-5

Anakin looked up from the holonovel he was reading, glancing quickly at the chrono. He stretched and yawned, then scratched at his head for a moment. He stood up from his chair and walked from the room, looking up and down the hallway for a moment.

Then he walked down the hallway to Sannah's door. He paused for a moment, and then rapped twice on the door. "Sannah? Have you gotten back yet?"

When no answer came from the far side of the door, he opened it, and stepped into the room. His mouth dropped open as he saw the mass of holonovels spread around Sannah as she lay in the middle of the floor. In one hand was a half-eaten meatroll, the other manipulated the controls of the holonovel right in front of her. Her eyes are fixated on the mechanism, part of her lower lip caught between her teeth.

He shook his head, and looked around again. "Did you buy all of this?"

Sannah made a small sound.

Anakin frowned and said, "You had this much money?"

She made the sound again.

Walking forward, he crossed over to her and then knelt down beside her. He then opened a box, noticing it contained two more meatrolls. He gave her a quick glance. "If you eat this much, you won't have any room for dinner." Picking up one of the meatrolls, he continued. "I'll help you out."

She made the sound again.

"I can have some, right?" he said.

She acted as if he had not spoken. He frowned for a moment. Then he reached out and physically nodded her head and in a higher pitched voice, said, "Sure, Anakin."

Taking a bite out of the meatroll, he watched her for a moment. A quick shake of his head and another bite of the meatroll and then he said, "I wonder if anything could break her concentration."

Popping the last bite of the meatroll into his mouth, he stood up and walked from the room, returning to his own.

A short while later, his door burst open. Sannah stood there, her hands on her hips a scowl decorating her face. "Anakin!" He glanced up to look at her as she pointed towards him. "You took my meatroll!"

Anakin smirked at her. "Nope. I ate it right there next to you."

She blinked hard, her stance and posture softening. "When?"

"While you were reading. I asked if I could have some."

"What did I say?"

"You said, 'sure, Anakin,'" he replied.

She stomped her foot and advanced further into his room. "You're lying!"

Before Anakin could reply, Mara came up behind her. "Sannah, you're back. Did you get the chale?"

Sannah grimaced slightly and dropped her head, clasping her hands together.

Anakin tilted his head slightly, watching her actions. Suddenly a thought came to him and he said, "Hey, did you use the chale money for yourself?"

Her head snapped up. "No!"

He arched an eyebrow. "Then give it back."

She dropped her head back down, tucking her chin against her chest. "I... I... I will, later..."

Anakin stood up and walked closer to her. "I'll tell you though. If you end up saying 'I did use the money' things will go worse for you. If you did, you should tell us now."

"Wait," she whispered.

Anakin crossed his arms over his chest, and stood over her.

Sannah looked up at him, her eyes edged with tears. Then she glanced over at Mara for a moment before returning her attention to Anakin. "I used the money on myself."

"Hey!" he yelled.

Sannah yelped in fear and then ducked behind Mara, wrapping her arms around her waist. "You said you'd be nice to me."

"No I didn't," Anakin replied. "I just said I'd be meaner to you if you didn't tell us the truth."

Mara placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "Let me handle it from here, understand?"

Anakin looked down and saw the fear in Sannah's eyes and then sighed. Mara wrapped an arm around the girl's shoulders and then lead her back down the hall to her room. Anakin watched them disappear and then walked closer to the room. He leaned against the wall across from her room and waited.

A short while later, the door opened and Mara stepped out. She glanced back into the room and then closed the door. She then focused on Anakin where he leaned against the wall.

"So," Anakin began. "Did you yell at her?"

Mara smirked at him. "I told her that I'd set her up with a small stipend. That should let her be able to get anything she wants."

Anakin blinked hard, and then scratched at the top of his head. "That's it?"

Mara nodded. "Yes."

"She won't learn her lesson that way."

Mara shrugged her shoulders, saying, "Ask your uncle about forgiveness sometime."

He frowned for a moment. "But you're extra nice to her."

She shrugged her shoulders again. "She's lost her memory-and if you've not noticed there's not a lot of other folks on this planet that have yellow eyes." She thought for a moment and then speared him with a glare, her green eyes boring into his. "You have to be nice to her to." Then Mara walked away from him, calling out over her shoulder, "I'll make everyone dinner soon."

Anakin watched her go and then turned back to Sannah's door. He stared at it for a moment and then lowering his head returned to his own room.

After dinner, Anakin walked out of the apartment. As he neared the elevators the doors opened and Jaina stepped off. She turned a bright, infectious grin on him. "Hey Anakin."

"Bye, Jaina," he replied.

"Where are you going?"

Anakin got onto the lift and pressed the button that would take it to the ground floor. He grinned at her and said, "Demon hunting."

The doors closed on her confused expression and it took him down to the ground floor. He walked over to the grocery store and picked up a few items; after making the purchases her quickly went to the temple and broke in. He walked up the stairs, wandering the halls, admiring the blue glow of the moonlight as it shone through the wide windows.

Finally he turned a corner and came to a stop. Tenel Ka stood there, her face impassive as she stared out the window. The ornate sword sheathed and her hand rested on its hilt.

"So," he began. "You're here tonight as well."

She did not respond.

"It looks like Eyrl doesn't know that you do this."

She still did not respond.

Anakin grinned slightly. "So, are you hungry?"

She finally responded. "A little."

"I see," he said with a smirk. Then he reached into his bag and pulled out a snack food. He held it aloft and she turned to stare at him.

"What's wrong?" Anakin said.

"Unwrap it for me."

Quickly, he the wrapping off the snack and held it out to her. She took it from him and bit into it.

"Where did you get that sword from? Is it real?"

She did not respond.

Anakin sighed. Then he heard a rustle behind him-but before he could react Tenel Ka had drawn her sword and swung the sword hard. The hard clang of metal on stone echoed down the hallway.

Anakin turned to find Sannah standing there fear etched onto her face as she stared at Tenel Ka. The sword's point was pressed tight against the wall and a brown drape was wrapped around it, part of the cloth still covering Sannah.

"Sannah?"

Sannah stepped back a few steps, her hands coming up to her mouth as she turned away from them. "I... I thought I was going to die..."

"What are you doing here, Sannah?" he asked.

She twisted back around and stuck her hand out towards Anakin. "I came to scare you!"

Then she looked towards Tenel Ka. "Who is she?"

Anakin shook his head. "You just got what you deserved."

Tenel Ka held her hand out towards Sannah, saying, "Come here."

Sannah took a hesitant step forward and Tenel Ka placed a hand on her head. Sannah frowned at her. "What are you doing?"

Tenel Ka stared at her for a moment and then shook her head. "Nothing."

"Anakin," Sannah began. "She's dangerous. Let's get out of here."

Anakin chuckled. "Dangerous? Anyways, I don't know where this curtain came from, but you need to put it back."

"But it's a bother."

Anakin held it out towards her. "Clean it up."

Sannah groaned but took the curtain. She then turned and took a few steps away from them. Then she stopped.

"What's wrong?" Anakin asked. "Go home already."

Sannah slowly turned to look at him again; fear once again causing her eyes to shine. "I'm scared. Come with me?"

He sighed and glanced towards Tenel Ka. "I'll be going with her."

Without waiting for a reply, he started walking towards Sannah. Then to his surprise, Tenel Ka called out, "Anakin..."

He turned to look at her.

"Be nice to her."

It took an effort of his will for his mouth to not drop open. He wondered for a moment, if Tenel Ka and Aunt Mara were collaborating.

"Hey! Hurry up!" Sannah called out from behind him.

He watched Tenel Ka for a moment longer. Then he turned away as Sannah yelled again, "Come on! Let's go."

Memories Ch. 5-4

Anakin pushed open the doors of the academy and dashed out, looking around trying to find the girl. He finally spied her, standing close to the edge of the forest at the far end of the meditation garden. Anakin quickly walked that way, slipping through the garden quietly.

As he neared, he stepped onto a twig, snapping it. Her head twisted around, surprise etched onto her face.

Anakin grinned at her, saying, "You're here again?"

She turned so that her whole body was facing him. "Yes," she responded with a small grin of her own. "I'm here again."

She started walking down a path, her feet crunching against the marble gravel which lined it. Anakin quickly caught up to her, falling into step beside her.

"Your name's Nelani, right? What's your last name?"

She gave him a smile and a mischievous wink. "I think I'll keep it a secret. Mysterious girls have a certain charm to them. At least that's what my mother always told us."

Anakin laughed. "I've found that there are a lot of mysterious girls here."

"You can call me Nelani," she said.

Anakin nodded. "I think you can call me, Big Brother."

"Okay, Big Brother."

Anakin stopped and shook his head. "Maybe you shouldn't call me that."

She giggled. "Yeah, it was kind of odd."

They began to walk again. "So, how is your cold? Are you taking lots of medicine?"

She answered quietly, "I'm taking lots."

"Are you listening to what the doctors tell you?"

She giggled again. "Not really."

Anakin sighed. "You should listen to them, or you'll never get better."

"That's true," she replied slowly. "I'll listen to them."

"If you do that, it'll get better quick," he said. Then he patted her on the top of her head.

She looked up at him and in an almost whisper said, "You really are kind of like a big brother."

Anakin frowned, not quite certain he heard her. "What did you say?"

She quickly shook her head. "Nothing," she replied, and then she smiled up at him.

They continued walking for a little while longer. Finally, Anakin spoke again. "So, why did you come up to the Temple today? Classes are over."

She looked down at her feet, watching them as they walked. In silence, they walked a few more steps and for a moment, Anakin wondered if she was going to respond. Then she said, "I... I thought I could come see you."

She stopped walking and Anakin continued for a few more steps while he processed her confession. He stopped and turned to face her. "Me?"

She nodded her head.

"Why?"

A blush appeared on her pale skin, as she replied, "Because you're an interesting person."

Anakin frowned. "I heard someone tell me that earlier."

Nelani giggled. "That's because everyone's thinking the same thing." She looked around, and then focused on the river in the distance. "Do you like the water?"

Anakin shook his head. "Not really. I... I'm actually kind of afraid of the water, of being in open bodies of it I mean."

"Oh," she said. "I like the water, its pretty. Especially the river here."

She stared for a moment longer and then focused on him. "Are you sure you don't like it? Won't you go swimming with me?"

"You have a cold, don't you?" He said. "If you go swimming, won't you start feeling worse?"

"Ever since I've came here, I've wanted to go swimming in that river over there. Won't you please go with me?" She thought for a moment and her face darkened slightly. "It's been my dream since I've got here. And... And it was my dream to swim in the river back home when I was little too."

Anakin frowned and then looked out to the river for a moment. He then turned his attention back to Nelani. "Tell you what, once you get better, then I'll take you swimming in the river."

A bright smile suffused her face. "Really?"

He nodded, and said, "But I can't guarantee that I'd go in very far."

"Okay, I'll wait then." She waved to him, saying, "And I have to go now. Bye, Anakin."

"Take care of yourself."

Anakin watched as she walked away, all the time waving to him over her shoulder.

A while later he was hiking up the hill towards his apartment complex and saw Sannah running down the hill towards him. He waved at her and said, "Hey, Sannah."

She grinned and waved back. "Hey! I'm off to get some chale for Mara."

"Don't get lost," Anakin teased.

She stomped her feet. "Hey, I'm not a kid, I can find my way."

"You look like a kid," he replied.

"I'm an adult!" She yelled at him. Her eyes narrowed in anger, and a pout graced her lips.

Anakin looked at her and arched an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yeah!"

Anakin pulled out a small credit chit. "Then buy me some erotic magazines while you're in the shopping district."

"What are erotic magazines?" she said.

Anakin smiled at her. "Don't you know? They're for adults and you get excited when you read them. They're great." Sannah took the credit chit as Anakin continued, "Just tell the shop keeper that you want an erotic magazine. If there's a lot of different ones, just buy the shop keeper's recommendation."

"Can I read them as well?" She asked.

"If you're an adult," Anakin responded.

"Yeah, I'm an adult," she said. Then she walked past him, heading towards the shopping district.

Anakin watched her walk down the hill for a moment, and then continued on towards the apartment.

A half hour later, Anakin was lying on his bed, reading a holonovel and eating a meatroll, when the door to his room slammed open with a loud crash.

"Anakin!" Sannah yelled. Her face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and anger. "I can't buy those... those things. I won't buy them." She pointed at him, while continuing her rant, "It... it was really embarrassing. The shop keeper had to explain it to me!"

Anakin snickered. "It's proof that you're a kid. If you were an adult, then you'd be able to buy them without a problem."

"You're lying!" she responded. Then she blinked hard, and focused on the meatroll he had in his hands. "What's that?"

Anakin glanced towards her and then down at his meatroll. "This? It's just a meatroll."

"A meatroll?"

"Yeah," he replied. "You want to smell it?"

She came closer and he held it out towards her. When she was near enough, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply while Anakin watched. Suddenly her eyes snapped open and a big grin appeared on her face. Her mouth opened and she leaned forward to take a bite and Anakin yanked it back away from her.

"Hey, I just told you to smell it."

She pouted for a moment. "Did Mara make it?"

"No," he responded. "I bought it."

"Oh," she said. Then she noticed the holonovel in his hand. She gestured to it, saying, "What's that?"

"It's a holonovel." He handed it to her, and she took it and flipped through some of the screens, an amazed expression on her face.

She tilted her head slightly. "Where can you buy this stuff?"

"In the shopping district."

Her eyes lit up with delight. "Then I'll go buy some."

Then she ran from the room. Anakin watched her disappear, trying his best to puzzle out her behavior.

Memories Ch. 5-3

Anakin watched as Jaina dashed down the stairs. Once she had disappeared, he turned to walk down the hall. He wandered a bit, until he arrived at the hallway where he had met with Tenel Ka the previous night. As he once more turned down that hall, he saw her standing there, staring out the same window as before. Today she was dressed in the more traditional Jedi robes rather than the leather armor, but her hair was still tied back into a single, long braid. There she is, he thought.

He walked up to her and leaned against the glass. "Hey, Tenel Ka."

She did not respond.

"We met about here last night."

She still did not respond.

He frowned for a moment, before continuing. "So, why were you here last night? And what was up with that sword?"

She still did not respond.

She talks less than I do, he thought to himself as his frown deepened. "Uhm... are you part of a play? Or some club that uses real swords rather than lightsabers? And what is a demon?"

She still did not respond.

He sighed. "Oh come on, give me an answer. You can answer 'yes' or 'no' or anything at all would be okay."

She finally looked away from the window; amusement flashed through her gray eyes as she simply said, "Yes."

Anakin arched an eyebrow at her. "You didn't have to take that so literally."

She just turned back to look out the window, not bothering to respond to him verbally. He sighed again.

A call came from down the hallway, "Tenel Ka! Sorry!"

Anakin turned that way, to see Eryl walking towards them. She stopped a few paces away from them, a shocked expression on her face. She quickly schooled her features. "Huh, oh, uhh, hello, Anakin. Were you having a conversation with Tenel Ka?"

Anakin glanced at Tenel Ka, waiting to see if she would respond. After a few seconds, he realized that she wouldn't so he turned back towards Eryl. "Well, Tenel Ka just confessed to me her undying love."

Eyrl's grin grew even larger. "Oh! A love confession! How sweet." Then she glanced around the hallway. "Though, not the most romantic place to do it at."

Anakin snapped his head back to look at Tenel Ka, noticing that she was just calmly watching Eryl and himself. He sighed, and said to her, "You know that you're supposed to deny it, right? Now she believes me."

Confusion colored Eryl's features.

"It is not a fact." Tenel Ka said.

Anakin sighed. "It's too late now."

"So," Eryl said. "If it wasn't a confession, then what were you talking about?"

Anakin shrugged his shoulders. "Just normal things."

An amazed expression appeared on Eryl's face as she looked away from Anakin and towards Tenel Ka. "You were talking to Tenel Ka about normal things?" She returned her attention to Anakin, a big grin appearing on her face. "So, do you want to eat lunch with us?"

Anakin thought about it for a moment, and then slowly nodded his head.

He fell into step behind Eryl as she led them all through the temple, up to the Grand Audience Chamber and then through a hidden door at the back of the stage until they came to a another stairwell which led to a small alcove overlooking the larger chamber. Anakin looked around, and then leaned over the edge to look down the winding staircase that led up here.

"This must be the highest point inside the Academy."

Eryl nodded her head as she spread out a blanket. After she had smoothed it out, the three of them sat down on it, Eryl and Tenel Ka across from one another with Anakin off to the side. Then Eryl pulled out a couple of bundles tied up in large napkins.

Setting the bundles down, she grinned as she said, "Here we go!"

She deftly untied them, revealing a number of trays of lunch foods. Eryl looked between Anakin and Tenel Ka. "Eating lunch like this makes it taste even better."

Anakin nodded his head, "Yeah. It's kind of like a picnic."

He then picked up the first bite and tossed it into his mouth, chewing happily. He grunted with pleasure as he swallowed.

Eryl glanced at him, her head tilted slightly to one side. "What's wrong?"

"Delicious..." he began, an awed expression appearing on his face. He looked up from the food and directly at Eryl. "So, you made this?"

"Yes..."

Anakin straightened slightly. "Then you pass."

"Pass what?"

"To become my wife."

Eryl giggled at him. "You must not have high standards if this is all that it takes to become your wife."

"No," Anakin replied, shaking his head slightly. "This is delicious, it's even better than my aunt's cooking."

"Thank you," she responded with a slight blush.

Anakin looked away from Eryl's blushing face and noticed that Tenel Ka had been steadily eating while he and Eryl had been talking. As he watched, she picked something else up and popped it into her mouth. Eryl caught Anakin's stare and turned to watch Tenel Ka as well.

With both of them watching her Tenel Ka stopped eating. Her eyebrows came together in a scowl as her eyes flicked back and forth between the two of them.

Anakin looked down at the food again, and then with a grin, asked, "Do you want something?"

Tenel Ka watched him for a moment, and then in a soft voice said, "Tempari."

Anakin calmly grabbed one of the plates and placed a piece of the tempari on it, and then passed it over to her, saying, "Here."

She ate the food and Anakin grinned. Then he grabbed all the trays and pulled them closer to himself.

"What are you doing, Anakin?" Eryl asked.

Anakin ignored her and thought to himself, I feel like I win when I get her to talk.

He finally looked up at Tenel Ka and said, "If you want something, I'll get it for you. Ask for anything you want."

"Nerf sausage," she replied.

"Yes!" Anakin yelled. Then he looked down at the trays in front of him. "Nerf sausage is one of the big, gray ones."

He picked her plate back up and put some of the sausage on it and then passed it back to her. As she ate it, he asked, "Do you like nerf sausage?"

"I don't hate it," she responded.

"Do you like the nerf? Or the sausage?"

She chewed as she thought for a moment. "Nerf."

Eryl giggled again and then said, "You're definitely a very interesting person, Anakin."

Before long, the food was gone and the three cleaned up their mess. Tenel Ka and Eryl began to walk down the stairs. Then Eryl stopped and turned back to look at him. "If you want, you can eat with us again."

Anakin nodded his head, saying, "Well, you've already seduced me with your cooking."

Then Eryl turned to look at Tenel Ka, who had stopped when Eryl had. "Does it bother you to have him eat with us?"

Tenel Ka slowly turned to look at Eryl. Then she looked up at Anakin. A moment later she returned her attention to Eryl. "Not really."

Eryl clapped her hands happily. "Great! Then I'll cook enough for three from now on."

"I'll look forward to it," he said. The girls once more started down the stairs, and he then called out, "I'll see you later."

Once they had disappeared, Anakin started down the steps and walked back into the Grand Audience Chamber. He looked around for a moment and then walked over to one of the windows. He looked out, and saw a small figure standing in one of the gardens. From his vantage point, he could just make out the shawl she had wrapped around her shoulders.

us-hrok

Jaina stepped to the side, and blinked sweat from her eyes. Her saber throbbed in her hands, a deep rumbling she felt to the very core of her being as she faced her opponent. Her opponent's blade was a brilliant blue at the edges, deepening to a purple towards the hilt. Almost as if the very nature of the girl's conversion to the Dark Side of the Force was tinging the weapon she held.

As Jaina focused on the girl's green eyes, she had to blink again. This time it was tears she had to get out of her eyes.

Once upon a time, she had looked upon the girl as a sister. For a while during the Vong War she had been certain that Tahiri Veila would end up being her sister--that she'd finally have one. Then her younger brother had upped and died on them all. Jaina knew that Tahiri sometimes suffered bouts of depression and grief, yet she had never dreamed that the younger girl would fall under Jacen's sway.

Not like this.

She had to know.

"Why Tahiri? Why are you helping Jacen?"

Tahiri's lips twisted into a smile, one filled with maliciousness and hate. "Because he was able to show me Anakin..."

Jaina's world collapsed. Everything else in existence suddenly became a non-entity. There was just her, Tahiri and the overwhelming sense of betrayal that Jaina felt. Tahiri had seen her little brother; Jacen had shown him to her. "You... You've seen him? Alive?"

Tahiri laughed. "Of course."

Why wouldn't he have taken me or mom to see Anakin? Jaina though, even as the confusion flooded through her. She gave her head a quick shake. "That's not a very good reason to fall to the Dark Side."

Tahiri's amusement suddenly disappeared. All emotion seemed to disappear from the girl; all that was left was a hunger--a desperate need that gnawed at her.

"I didn't ask you," Tahiri finally replied.

Jaina nodded. "I know. But I told you anyways. Come back, please."

"It's too late for me Jaina. I'm happy here. I get to see my Anakin."

Jaina felt tears once more burn at the corners of her eyes. "It's never too late 'Ri. You're my sister, I love you."

The blond was about to respond, when a voice rang out, one that was cold, harsh and tinged with insanity, "That's enough out of you."

Jaina's gaze shifted from Tahiri to the source of the voice. Her brother, her twin, stood on an upper walkway. His black cloak fluttering in the thin breeze from the climate control systems.

Tahiri looked at him. "But Master, I ca-"

"Enough!" He cut her off. "I will deal with my one-time sister."

Jaina gripped her blade tighter in her hand, her mind flicking back and forth over all the things she had learned during her tutelage underBoba Fett.

Jacen jumped off the railing, landing heavily on the deck, then he sprang forward. His blade ignited as he moved--a flash of crimson which she barely managed to block. She pushed away his weapon, and swung hard at her brother.

Thoughts of Mirta Gev, Boba Fett and Goran Bevin warred with one another. Mirta's voice begging her not to kill her brother. Goran's telling her to not hold back, while Boba's just laughed.

He blocked her attack, and a wave of telekinetic energy washed out from him. She threw up her sheilds barely in time, and felt the first stirrings of the state tugging at her consciousness. She knew how to win, and she also knew that that was all that mattered.

She let go.

She fell into the state, what Bevin had called total war.

It wasn't enough.

Fire raced up and down her body as it acted as a conduit for the lightning that Jacen poured into her. Finally it stopped, and Jaina curled herself up into a ball, tears burning her eyes. Tears fueled not only by the pain of the lightning, but also by the shame and guilt at not being strong enough to defeat her brother.

She knew there was no one left now. If Luke or Ben did it, they'd both end up on the Dark Side. None of the other Jedi were strong enough.

It had been left up to her, and she had just not been good enough.

"Some sword, huh Tahiri." Jacen's voice taunted at her, let her know that he still knew what she was thinking.

"Yes, Master," came Tahiri's replied; oddly muted.

Jaina looked at the blond who had moved to stand immediately behind her Sith Master, and saw and felt the confusion and concern coming off of Tahiri. They were the first genuine emotions that she had felt from the girl since they had first faced off against one another. Jaina could feel Jacen turning his attention back towards her. "Now, sister, what do you say to joining me? Not as an apprentice mind you, I already have one, but I think you'd do nicely as a Hand."

Jaina shook her head. "You can go kriff yourself Jace. You should've stayed dead when you had the chance."

"Suit yourself," Jacen said as he shrugged his shoulders, and stretched out his right hand. The smell of ozone touched the air, and a bolt of lightning appeared and slashed through her. She screamed as every nerve in her body misfired, setting off her pain receptors.

The lightning continued.

Jaina glanced over at Tahiri, and managed to utter a single phrase through the pain. Two mere words.

"Us-hrok."

A snap hiss cut through the crackle of the lightning; and just as suddenly as the energy had appeared it disappeared. For a moment, the only sound in the room was the hum of alightsaber, and then even that disappeared.

Jaina opened her eyes, and saw Jacen's lifeless eyes staring at her. She noticed that they were no longer the red and yellow eyes of a Sith, but were once again the warm brown tones from their youth. Those were her brother's eyes.

A small hand brushed the hair from her face. "Jaina... oh Jaina, I'm so sorry, please be alive..."

Jaina rolled over to look up at Tahiri. "Thanks... sister..."

------------------------

Two weeks later

Jaina sat in a hoverchair by the window watching the traffic as it streamed through the Coruscant skylanes. There was something hypnotic and soothing about the constant flow of lights. Her body still ached from the lightning and lightsaber wounds she had received at Jacen's hands.

She still didn't really know why Tahiri had turned on Jacen.

The door open, and Threepio winced into the room. "Mistress Jaina, Jedi Veila is here to see you."

Jaina nodded. "Please see her in."

Threepio nodded his head, and left the room. The door opened a moment later, and Tahiri walked in; heavy manacles around her wrists and ankles, and aYV-H droid a few paces behind her. She stopped a dozen paces from the chair that faced Jaina.

Jaina gestured towards the chair. "Come on, don't be shy, sit down."

Tahiri frowned for a moment, and glanced at the droid behind her. "He's carrying a ysalamiri, and you'd be in its effects."

She shook her head. "Doesn't matter, sit down."

A ghost of a smile flickered across the blond girl's face as she closed the distance. Jaina instantly felt when the ysalamiri field reached her. The world suddenly silenced itself and lost all colors and meanings.

Jaina barely noticed.

Tahiri fumbled with her hands for a moment, and then sighed before looking up. "Thank you, Jaina."

Jaina frowned. "For what?"

"You saved me. You reminded me of who I was, who I was meant to be."

"How?"

"Don't you remember what you said to me while he was electrocuting you?"

Jaina shook her head. "I was kind of busy at the time."

Tahiri laughed slightly. "Yeah. But you said, 'us'hrok.'"

"I did? What does it mean?"

Tahiri smiled, a small, sad smile. "It's a promise, one I made to you years and years ago, right after Tahiri and Riina merged into me. You were the one that helped me, and long before I allowed myself to fall under Jacen's sway, I promised you my loyalty and that I'd do anything to protect you. Even if that meant I'd have to give up the chance of seeing Anakin again."

Jaina winced as she leveraged herself out of her chair. Pain flared in her stomach for a second, but Jaina ignored it. She limped over to the blond girl and threw her arms around her. "I'm sorry you lost that chance, but I know that he'd be happier with you as a Jedi."

Tahiri's body shook with a sob. "Th-thanks..."

Jaina pulled away, and smiled. "No, 'Ri, I should be thanking you. You saved me. Now," she said as she gave a short tug on Tahiri's arm. "Let's see about getting you out of these shackles."

Tahiri frowned for a moment, but Jaina pulled on her arm once again; insisting the girl stand. After a few moments, she stood, and together they slowly walked out into the hallway.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Memories Ch. 5--2

Anakin lay awake in his bed once more. He stared at the ceiling and the odd shaped shadows cast there by the moon. In his mind's eye all he could see was Tenel Ka as she stared at him and calmly told him, "Because I am the one who hunts demons."

He shook his head, tossing it from side to side in an attempt to drive the thoughts from his mind. No, he thought. I won't get it, even if I think about it.

He closed his eyes, ready to force himself to sleep, when he heard a noise: a soft, gentle footstep. His eyes snapped open and he strained to hear. A few seconds later, the sound came again, closer this time.

Then it was followed by a small, nearly silent sneeze.

Anakin closed his eyes and sighed.

He heard another small, silent sneeze, this time coming from the other side of his door. As quietly as possible, Anakin slipped out of bed and pressed himself against the wall by the door. The door slid opened and he was greeted by another small sneeze.

Sannah snuck into his room, creeping stealthily, holding two large clips in her hand. A mischievous smile was painted on her face. As soon as she was fully past Anakin, he stepped out from his hiding place and stood behind her. Then he wrapped his arms around her, causing her to scream. He picked her up and tucked her under one of his arms and walked out of his room and down the hall to hers.

As he entered, he slapped the lights on, and then walked over to her bed. He held her out over it for a moment, and then let her go, dropping her into her bed.

"That's as far as it goes," he said.

She flipped over onto her back fast, anger painted on her face. "What are you doing?"

Anakin closed his eyes and sighed. Opening them again, he said, "You caught a cold. Lie down and get some sleep."

She frowned at him. "That hurt you know. I was thinking of beating you up just now."

"What are you going to do if your cold gets worse?" He said, kneeling down by her beside. He then pulled the covers up on top of her. "I'll play with you once your better. Are you cold?"

Embarrassment flushed her face red. "No, I'm fine."

She settled back against her pillows, watching Anakin as he stood up and walked towards the door.

"Anakin!"

He turned around to look at her. "What?"

"About today, I'll thank you, but..." She paused, her eyes sliding away from his face. "Well....thankhcoo."

Anakin smirked. "Making up words again?"

Anger flashed in her eyes. "'Thank you' and my sneezed just got mixed!"

"Don't sleep with your shoulders uncovered." Anakin replied. He snapped off the light and stepped out of the room. As he closed the door, he glanced in one last time, to find her yellow eyes staring at him, seeming to glow slightly in the dim moonlight coming in through her windows. He finished closing the door and then returned to his room, finally ready to sleep.

The next morning, he quickly dressed and walked down the hall to find Mara and Tahiri sitting across from one another at the kitchen table eating breakfast.

"Good morning," they both chimed as he walked in.

He grunted in response and slid into the seat next to Mara. She calmly stuck a plate in front of him, and he looked down at the plate of eggs, vegetables and nerf sausage. He inhaled deeply, savoring the smell of the food.

"Thanks, Aunt Mara." he mumbled sleepily.

He started eating mechanically, trying to focus his thoughts on what was bothering him. On what seemed out of place.

"More eggs please," Tahiri chimed, holding out her plate. Mara Jade happily served more food to the young, blonde girl.

Anakin looked around. "Where's Jaina?"

"She was up late last night," Mara Jade replied. "Said something about an assignment due for class, and someone keeping her notes from her. I was thinking I'd be nice and let her sleep in a little this morning."

"Ah, and Sannah?"

"She caught a little cold, so I let her sleep in."

Anakin grunted once again, and ate some more of the nerf sausage.

"These vegetables are great." Tahiri said between bites.

"Eat as much as you'd like then, Tahiri." Mara Jade replied happily, spooning another helping onto the girl's plate.

Wait a second, Anakin thought. Then he blurted out in Tahiri's direction, "Why are you here?"

She looked at him, and blinked twice, confusion evident on her face. "Breakfast?"

Anakin shook his head. "No! What are you doing here?"

The confusion was still on her face. "Eating breakfast?"

"Why aren't you eating breakfast at your own house?"

Before she could respond, Mara answered. "I had to run an errand early this morning, and ran into her on the way back. So I invited her in for breakfast."

Anakin sighed, and shook his head as Mara gathered up her dishes and took them into the kitchen.

Tahiri grinned at Anakin. "Mrs. Mara is a really good cook."

Anakin grinned back, and replied, "If you want something really good, you should try her special jam. These foods are tame in comparison."

Her grin turned into a full fledged smile. "Oh, I can't wait!"

A half hour later, breakfast was completed, and Tahiri stood up from the table, glancing around. "I've got to go now—school is probably starting soon. Thank you for breakfast."

Mara smiled at her. "Come again anytime."

"Sure," she replied.

"Bye, Tahiri," Anakin said around a mouth full of sausage.

"Bye Anakin," she said as she waved at him. Then she bounded out of the apartment.

Mara settled back into her seat, sipping at her cup of caf. She looked up at Anakin, and said, "She sure is energetic."

A shuffling sound came from behind them, and they both looked to find Jaina leaning against the door jamb, her eyes only half-open. "Good morning," she mumbled.

"Good morning," Anakin replied.

"Morning," Mara said. "Are you going to eat breakfast soon?"

"Uh-huh." Then her eyes closed the rest of the way, and a soft snore came from her.

"Hey! Don't sleep!" Anakin exclaimed.

-------------------

Anakin poked Jaina on the nose, causing her to stir slightly. Once she settled down again, he poked her harder.

"Jaina," he said. "Hey, Jaina!"

Her eyes cracked open, and she peered up at him. "Wha?"

"Class is over. Everyone's already left."

Her body snapped upright in her seat as she glanced around the empty room. She winced and said, "I slept through class again?"

"Yup," Anakin replied cheerfully.

Sighing, Jaina gathered her belongings and stood up, to slowly walk from the room. Anakin fell into step beside her. After a bit, he said, "You have practice today?"

She nodded her head. "Yeah, the tournament is coming up soon, so we're kind of busy with that."

They stopped at one of the stairwells, and Anakin glanced off down one of the hallways. "Well, do you best out there."

Jaina gave him a small grin. "I always do little brother."

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Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Memories Ch. 7-2

Monday, April 28, 2008

Memories Ch. 7-1

Friday, April 25, 2008

Memories Ch. 6-5

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

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Monday, April 21, 2008

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Friday, April 18, 2008