A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, Leia Organa-Solo held a seat in the New Republic for many years, with the intent on maintaining an order of peace and justice throughout the universe. Her husband, Captain Han Solo, continued his legacy as a notorious smuggler, often taking his trade off-world. Their son, Ben Organa Solo, was often left in the care of their long-time friend and fellow rebel, Maz Kanata.

Unfortunately, Vader's legacy loomed over the child and Leia feared for her son's constant struggle with the Dark side. So on his fifteenth birthday, Leia and Han delivered Ben to her twin brother, Master Luke Skywalker, so he could begin training as a Jedi. Their hope was he would learn the proper restraint and control over his powers to allow him to one day lead, as his parents and his grandparents had.

"This is my surprise?" Ben asked, glancing over at his mother skeptically.

At age fifteen, he was already taller than her, though still wary of her temper. Senator Organa was known for her brisk words and sharp tongue. He had been on the receiving end enough times and usually exercised caution when picking his battles. This was not one of those times.

"You are gifted with the Force, Ben," she explained, her voice taking on the tone she used when she was working to persuade a disgruntled party in her favor. "I never trained to use it myself, but Luke did. He can help you master it, become a powerful Jedi."

"I don't want to be a Jedi," Ben insisted. "I want to be a pilot." He turned to his father, hoping he would provide some back-up, but Han Solo's eyes were locked on an approaching figure. He hadn't heard a word Ben had said. Again.

"Luke," his father's gruff voice grunted out at the sight of his uncle.

"Han," the Skywalker twin returned, solemnly, before Han envelopes him in a tight hug, which brought a smile to the weathered man's face, despite his attempts at showing no emotion.

Then, he turned to his sister, "Leia."

Her hug was gentler- more warmth and light, less brawling strength. "Luke."

Pulling back, his uncle's eyes found him, standing at the launch platform, desperately wishing they were departing inside of arriving. "Hello Ben."

"Uncle."

"I hear you will be staying with us for a while."

" 'Suppose so."

Ben had known better than to expect birthday congratulations from his uncle. He probably didn't even know what day it was. Luke rarely leveraged any electronic contraptions at his academy, convinced it limited one's mind and distracted from connecting to the Force. He even hand wrote all his books and letters. Though the school did have a few decommissioned X-wings from the war and a droid here or there, Luke remained steadfast in his belief, never partaking in the available technology. Which meant he didn't have an up to date calendar to track important dates...such as Ben's birthday.

"Would you like me to show you around?" His uncle offered.

"No."

"Ben!" His mother chided indignantly.

With a sigh, he changed his tune, "Yes."

"Wonderful."

Luke led them away from the landing pad, towards the main Praxeum grounds.

If his uncle was fazed by his annoyance, he didn't show it. Then again, his uncle Luke had always been somewhat out there. Force-sensitive or not, Ben had never understood how his uncle could go around showing so little emotion: never quick to anger (as his parents were), never fully smiling, never shedding a tear. Ben often wondered if they were truly related or if he was an uncle in the same way Lando Calrissian was his uncle.

But Luke and his mother had the same eyes, their father's eyes, he had been told, though he wasn't sure he saw the resemblance. Neither of the twins looked anything like Grandfather Bail or Grandmother Breha, though he had only seen them in holos. They had died long before he was born.

Yavin IV was a balance of two vibrant shades — blue and green. The jungle planet was different than his home world of Chandrila. Though it shared the same hues, Chandrila had hills, valleys, and oceans. Yavin IV was covered in thick forests, flat land, and banking brooks, but no seas, barely even a lake. It was also humid, the air thick with moisture around him, causing him to sweat under his robes. Ben hated it already.

"This is the Great Temple," his uncle informed them, gesturing to a large stone pyramid construct which rose out of the tree line. "This is where you will have your lessons and be guided through meditation. The dormitories are on another level. We have a communications bay, so you can contact your parents whenever you wish. It shares the same floor as the dining hall."

Luke continued his overview of the academy's offerings, but Ben tuned him out. He had no interest in this place, this dump where his parents were abandoning him. It was a far cry from his home with the wide open windows over looking the Silver Sea or the endless noise of Hanna City. All he could hear or see here was the jungle, dense and oppressive.

He stared into its depths, as if he could will it to vanish, project himself across the galaxy back to his balcony, where he would be met with crisp, salty sea air. Maybe if he closed his eyes and concentrated...

Something collided with him, knocking him off balance. He landed on his rear.

Oompf.

What in the 'verse?

Ben glanced down to find a youngling, rubbing her forehead, eyes squeezed shut against the obvious pain she felt from running head first into his legs. She was small, no more than four or five years old and wore her hair knotted up in three buns. The design seemed impractical to him, but he had seen some extreme hairstyles on Chandrila, some even worn by his own mother, and this was tame in comparison.

"Watch where you are going," he barked.

The girl scrambled back, staring up at him, wide-eyed. Her bottom lip trembled slightly and she looked about ready to burst into tears. He felt a guilty twist in his chest. He started to kneel down next to her, and the sadness turned to fear. She scooted back more, keeping distance between them, as her eyes narrowed at him cautiously.

"I'm not going to hurt you," he went to one knee, down in front of her, squashing his temper and calling to her in a more soothing tone. "I didn't see you. You scared me."

The girl continued to stare at him, unsure. He gave her a smile, the best he could muster up, under the circumstances. It took a moment, but slowly, her lips pulled up into one of her own.

That was easy enough.

"Where were you running to in such a hurry?" He asked, offering her a hand to help her up. She eyed it, as if it would bite her.

Or not.

She got up by herself, pausing to brush off her dirt stained pants. She was regarding him again, as if she wasn't sure what to make of this new stranger in her midst. For a youngling, she was rather independent. Not to mention guarded.

"Ah, Ben, I see you've met Kira, our youngest padawan." His uncle reappeared aside of them, placing a gentle hand on the girl's shoulder. She raised her head to smile up at her master, before locking eyes with Ben and sticking her tongue out.

Cheeky little thing.

"Kira," Luke said in a calm tone, "Why aren't you in meditation with the others?"

"Because it's boring," she grumbled, crossing her tiny arms.

Ben held back a chuckle. On that point, he and the child agreed. He had never enjoyed meditation, but his mother often asked him to try it, to quell his anger — Odd advice coming from the Senator. Her outbursts were legendary.

"Kira," Luke tutted, softly. "Must we recite the Jedi Code again?"

The girl's body stiffened in agitation. Yet another thing Ben could relate to. Still, she did as requested, even if it hadn't been a direct command.

"There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony. There is no death, there is the Force."

"Perfect," his uncle patted her back lightly, as if she was a pet being praised for completing a trick was kind, though clearly lacking affection. Maybe it was a Skywalker trait. His mother handled him much the same way. Ben noticed how her eyes flickered to his own during the exchange.

"Back to class now," Luke gave her another pat, pushing her towards the Praxeum.

She scurried off, but not before she shouted over her shoulder. "Happy Birthday, Ben."

It wasn't until he was inside the academy, following his uncle and his parents to his new room, that he realized he had never told her it was his birthday.

His first night in the Praxeum was long. The humble bed in his room was a leftover from the Rebellion barracks. It creaked when he moved and was unyielding. The comfort factor aside, it also smelled. Though his uncle had told him he was the first to live in this particular room, the mattress stank of sweat and he felt as though the air was too heavy around him, burdened by past fears.

After hours of tossing and turning, Ben decided to take a walk. The corridors were quiet now, he didn't have to worry about being eyed up by the other trainees or surveyed like some kind of creature from the zoo.

He had heard their whispers when he entered, gossip erupting around him, the offspring of the famed Senator and her smuggler, the nephew of their master, the great Luke Skywalker. He had not been what they expected. Too tall, too fair-skinned, with elongated features and hair so dark it was the color of space, his new peers hadn't found him any more appealing than those at his former school.

Ben had never fit in on Chandrila. Hanna City had the best education system on the planet, rated in the top five in the galaxy. His teachers were impressed by his knowledge and appetite for learning. His peers, on the other hand, were nothing short of disgusted. They called him cruel names, mocked his dedication to learning, and ultimately cast him aside.

He had expected the same to occur at the academy. Having his uncle as the proprietor was just the icing on the cake. It only furthered the need for him to be singled out. Despite his lack of companions, Ben had never been unhappy about living on his home world. He had the finest books and holos, C-3PO had taught him how to play chess and Chewbacca and taught him how to play Dejark — both of which he could now easily beat at their own games — and he had found comfort in his solace. The quiet agreed with him.

He would adapt here as well, find his rhythm and wait his parents out. His mother had promised he could come home after three months if he hadn't improved. He expected to hold her to that.

Wandering had led him into the Grand Audience Chamber, the largest of the training rooms in the Praxeum. During the tour, his father had stalled in front of the main stage, before turning to his mother and kissing her in a rather inappropriate manner. Even his uncle had been uncomfortable enough to look away. But when Han Solo had stepped back, his mother's face was filled with so much joy, Ben barely recognized her.

Uncle Luke had later explained this was where his mother had given him and Han medals for helping to defeat the Death Star. Ben noted his uncle Chewie hadn't gotten one. It seemed a bit unfair to him, but he kept his comments to himself, figuring no one cared what he thought.

Staring at the stone steps where his parents had been years earlier, Ben tried to see the past, see a time when they had been young and in love — the way they had been for a moment this afternoon, before they deserted him here.

Though he was strong with the Force, visions were not one of his better abilities. He couldn't connect to the memory his uncle had spoken of. He couldn't even feel it. Frustrated, he stalked out of the room, exiting the old temple into the yard.

As he exited the stone pyramid, his eyes caught a swirl of movement near the tree line. He paused, stilling at the entry way.

It was the girl.

Kira.

Ben watched as she went through forms with a staff, almost as long as she was tall. Her movements were precise, yet graceful, sliding through the air around her with no resistance. Her feet shifted across the ground confidently, each position flowing into the next, as naturally as the waves of the Silver Sea.

He was struck by how gifted she was, despite her young age. And then he remembered how she had wished him a happy birthday and he was strolling towards her.

"Couldn't sleep either?"

His voice caught her off guard. She swung around, facing him, with the end of her staff hitting out sharply. The point came to rest just below his chin, a clear warning, but when her eyes focused on his face in the dim light, her grip relaxed and she fell back into a starting stance.

"Ben?"

"Hey kid."

"I'm not a kid," she growled.

"Yeah, you are," he insisted with a chuckle.

"I'm five," she cried, as if her age proved she wasn't a mere child.

"Good for you," he replied, holding back another chuckle. "I'm fifteen."

"I know," she huffed.

"About that...how did you know it was my birthday?"

Her brow furrowed. "You told me," she stated, as if it was obvious.

"I never said it was-."

"No," she interrupted. "Not out loud. But I heard you. In my head."

Mind reading. It was a skill most Jedi picked up fairly quickly, but he was astounded she had been able to read him. Having grown up with his mother, he had trained himself from a young age to guard his thoughts, lest she ground him more often than he already was.

"It's not polite to read people's minds without their permission, you know."

He half-expected her to stick her tongue out at him again, but instead, Kira hung her head. "I know," sighed, dejectedly. "I'm sorry."

The act was so inherent, same as her staff forms, he recognized she had been scolded for this before.

"It's fine," he told her quickly. "You were the only one who remembered anyway...or knew, for that matter."

She perked up at his words, a playful smile appearing on her face as she looked back at him.

"Guess my parents were too busy dumping me here to actually celebrate," he scoffed.

"But it's wonderful here," she protested. "Master Luke teaches us every day and we get all the food we want and they have real X-wings here. Some day, when I'm older, I'm going to fly one. I'm going to be the greatest pilot in the galaxy."

Ben did chuckle at her optimism. She clearly was as naive as her young age suggested. Without question, she had bought into his uncle's propaganda. Her distaste for meditation aside, she genuinely liked being at the academy. He found himself wishing he could feel the same.

"How long have you been here? Did your parents dump you here too?"

Her face fell. He saw her hands twisting back and forth on her staff and her lip started to tremble again, a tell-tale sign he had said the wrong thing. He was always saying the wrong thing. This was why he was better off staying alone in his room.

"My parents are dead." Her voice was so soft, so fragile. Ben couldn't reply. He could only watch her, as she worked to calm herself. It took a minute, but eventually the tears disappeared from her eyes. "Master Luke found me and brought me here to live with him."

The guilty twist churned wickedly in his abdomen. He had been angry all day, enraged at his parents for sending him to live with his only other blood-relative, a man he barely knew. Ben had been chilly when they had departed, barely mumbling a goodbye. His mother had practically lunged at him to steal a hug, before boarding the Falcon. Yet, he remained unmoving, as if she wasn't even there. It was childish, an act of a petulant boy, but he had wanted to hurt his parents for abandoning him.

Now he felt foolish for choosing to act in such a manner. Kira had no one. She was alone, save for those housed within the Praxeum. She had been abandoned too, but in a far more crueler way. Her parents were never coming back. Suddenly, all his anger left him, exhausting him as it did. He fell to his knees, overwhelmed by his shame.

"Ben?" the girl crouched down next to him, her tiny hand resting on top of his.

"It's ok, you know," she told him, sounding much older than five. "I'm one of the lucky ones." Stars, she sounded much older than fifteen in that moment. "Master Luke saved my life. If he hadn't found me when he did on Jakku, I probably would have starved to death. At least now, I'm not alone. I have a home."

She spoke with such purpose, her perspective wider than his own, more mature. He recognized that while he had been gifted a posh life of luxury, never wanting for anything other than his parent's affection, she had experienced the opposite. Her life had had very few comforts, yet she had remained a brilliant child, unaffected by her plight. Her background explained her cautious nature, but what was more astounding was her aura. Kira was radiant, shining light from within, like a homing beacon.

As he pondered how such a small creature could suffer such a heavy sentence yet remain unburden, tears escaped his eyes. She removed her hand from his, looping her impossibly small limbs around him. Ben froze, unaccustomed to such an embrace. She made soothing sounds, one hand starting to rub circles into his back, which she could barely reach due to their size difference. And then, before he could pull away, she began to sing.

"On the wind, cross the sea, hear this song and remember. Soon you'll be, home with me, once upon a December."

Ben hadn't heard the lullaby before, but hearing Kira sing to him, such a peaceful tune, quieted his tears. A sense of calm washed over him, until he found himself resting his head against her and returning her hug.

After that night, Ben rarely let Kira out of his sight. The youngling became his sole source of friendship. Forever the youngest of the members at the academy, Kira often felt outcasted from the group, despite it being comprised of only ten members, herself and Ben included. Being alone was something Ben was familiar with, so he made sure to always spend time with her. Looking out for her became his new hobby.

He barely noticed his first three months had gone by. In fact, he completely forgot. It wasn't until it was once again his birthday, he became aware of how much time had passed at the academy. His parents arrived on Yavin IV to celebrate. He had insisted on Kira being part of their day, despite his uncle's protests that she needed to focus on her training. Ben had shut him down, telling his uncle it was his birthday wish, which Luke grudgingly honored.

And it stuck.

Each year when Han and Leia arrived, Kira would join them for the day, often meeting the Falcon before him. The times when Chewbacca came along we're easily her favorite. Ben would watch as the Wookie would toss her in the air, letting her soar before she was back in the comfort of his hairy arms. Han was taken with her immediately, especially after she showed her aptitude for mechanics. There were times when Ben lost her for hours to his father. Though it burned him up to see how the two complimented each other, he couldn't deny Kira anything, so he kept his grumbling to himself, always grateful when she returned to him.

But on his eighteenth birthday, no one came. All he got were a couple of comms — a couple of excuses.

"Sorry kid," his father had apologized. "I've got a haul in the Hosnian system. Can't make it out there today."

"I apologize, Ben. I'm in delegations all day today on the new bill for equal humanoid rights and fair trade." His mother's reasoning had sounded rehearsed. He had thrown the holo across his room after hearing her voice. It smashed upon impact, the pieces shattering all over his floor.

"Ben?"

Kira, still small and still sporting her signature three bun hairstyle, poked her head in.

"Go away."

"It's your birthday," she pointed out. "I'm going to go down to the landing-."

"It's just another day," he scowled, interrupting her, before turning away from her and burying his face in his pillow. He didn't want to talk to her right now. He wanted to remind himself why it was stupid to remain so attached to his parents. They had chosen their careers over their only child, over him. Why was he surprised they were no longer going to even visit him?

"We can still celebrate." As with so many things, Kira seemed to know what the issue was without him having to verbalize it.

"I don't want to celebrate."

"Come on," she crept in, sitting on the edge of his bed, chipper as normal. "It will be fun, just us two. We could go to the-."

"I don't want to go anywhere with you!" He shouted at her, his anger and hurt breaking through his control.

Instinctively, he swallowed, stunned he had actually raised his voice at her. Ben hadn't so much as snapped at her since their first meeting, the threat of her falling to tears in front of him too strong. But now she was silent. Kira was never silent. It wasn't in her nature to be. He had pushed her too far, pushed her away just as he pushed everyone away. No wonder his parents didn't want to spend the day with him.

Ben snuck a peak at her from under his arm, recoiling instantly when he saw her seething.

Just as she had when she was younger, her arms were crossed and her glare was fixed on him. As soon as she saw him watching her, she screeched at him. "Ben Solo! You get off your kriffin' ass and stop feeling sorry for yourself, right now!"

His eyebrows skyrocketed into his hairline at her words. He knew she hadn't heard that kind of language around the Praxeum. He certainly schooled his thoughts when she was close enough to listen. The only other option was visitors. They didn't have many of those and the ones they did, did not come often, which meant she had picked it up from his father. He groaned. What else had Han Solo, father-of-the-year, taught her during their mechanics sessions?

"Kira-." He started to sit up, ready to apologize.

"Don't," she hissed. "I'm going to the hanger before Master Luke makes us go to lessons. If you're not there in five standard minutes, I'm leaving without you."

And with that she stormed out of his room.

Ben was hardly surprised when he got to the hanger to find Kira already loaded up in one of the X-wings. She had promised she'd fly one some day. Apparently that day was today.

Thankfully, she had selected the one tandem ship, a trainee model his uncle had acquired. She had plunked down in the front seat, which was rather larger for her. It gave Ben the opportunity to pick her up and set her in the back. The size wasn't much better, but he felt more at ease with her seated behind him and not in front of the primary controls.

"Hey!"

"It's my birthday," he reminded her. "I get to pilot."

She stuck out her tongue at him, before relenting with a sigh of, "Fine. But I co-pilot."

"Deal."

They made quick work of getting their helmets on, turning to the same channel so they could communicate once in space. Then, before anyone could notice their absence from class, he had them lifting off.

He navigated them above the Praxeum, punching in the coordinates to take them out of the atmosphere, but not into hyperspace. He could show Kira the stars without breaking too many rules.

Once they were off Yavin 4, the spectacle of space had her gawking. He could hear her gasps and feel the rush of happy emotions coursing through the cockpit. Ben paused a moment to allow her to take it in, including staring down at the planet where their home resided. Then, he shot off, speeding across the open sky, circling the planet to give her a closer look. The rush of speed had her small frame pressed back into the seat, but she laughed the entire time.

"Woohoo!" Ben chuckled at Kira's outburst. "I like this thing!" she cried out, excitedly.

"Want me to show you how to do a barrel turn?"

"Yes!"

By the time they landed back at the Praxeum, hours later, Ben had completely forgotten about wallowing in his room. Even his uncle's disapproving stare, as they landed, couldn't wipe the grin off his face.

Two years later, when Kira hit double digits, Ben asked Luke for a favor.

"It's just one day," he pleaded, clipping his lightsaber into his belt — the one Kira had made for him. He had to hand it to her, after four years, it still fit. He had had to adjust it over time as he grew, but she had made it with that in mind. She was always thinking of the future, always one step ahead of him.

"No," Luke shook his head. "The other students already believe I show favoritism. I cannot allow you both to go off world when the others don't get more than an extra helping of dessert on their days."

"But she's turning ten!"

"And you're turning twenty, Ben."

"So?" Ben failed to see what his upcoming birthday had to do with making sure Kira's was special.

Luke sighed, rubbing his temples, as if he was trying to rid himself of a headache. "It would be inappropriate for you to be taking a child, a girl, her age out alone."

"What are you talking about?"

Ben couldn't fathom why being out with Kira would cause distress. She was his best friend, actually his only friend, and they always spent their birthdays together. His uncle had been less than amused by some of their antics, but he had never attempted to stop them or keep them apart.

"Kira is growing up, Ben. She won't be a child much longer and you," His uncle gestured to him. "You are a man. There is a world beyond the academy and if a man of your age were to go off with a girl of Kira's age..."

Ben held up a hand, signaling his uncle to halt. He understood the meaning now and it had his blood boiling. The fact that anyone, his uncle included, would think he would ever take advantage of Kira was ridiculous.

She was his family, more so than his own relations, because she was always there for him. She never made excuses to get out of spending time with him. She never lied to him about stopping by later to check up on him. She always kept her promises. She was his home.

And now his uncle was attempting to destroy that, tainting his relationship with her by twisting it into something ugly.

Ben lashed out. "I don't care what anyone else thinks or says. Kira's my best friend. She works harder than anyone else here. She deserves this for her birthday."

Luke's gaze hardened. It was the first time in Ben's five years at the academy he saw his uncle truly angry. "No. I will not alone it."

"Fine," Ben ground out. He pivoted on his heel and stormed out.

Before he passed through the doors of his uncle's office, Luke called after him. "I better see both you and Kira at saber training."

"Don't count on it," Ben muttered under his breath and slammed the door.

"Ben, where are we going?"

He had tied one of his arm wraps around her face, as a makeshift blind-fold, to keep her from seeing her surprise. Gently, with his hand on her back and her hand tucked in his belt, he guided her forward.

"You'll see," he chuckled, delighted at how he could feel her Force signature. She kept trying to reach out, assess her surroundings, and each time he caught her, she'd retreat back, but just barely. "Stop cheating!"

"It's not cheating. Master Luke says the Force is an extension of yourself, an extension of everything in the universe."

"Does he now?" Ben rolled his eyes. He didn't want to talk about his uncle, not after his callous words earlier.

"Yep," Kira chirped, ignorant of his disdain. "So, if I'm one with the Force, and the Force is with me, then I'm everything, so technically, it's not cheating."

Still cheeky, still too smart for her own good.

"Tell me, does the Force ever shut up?"

"Ben!" She whirled around, smacking him across the chest for his tease. He chuckled again, grabbing her tiny wrist and spinning her around a few times, to throw off her sense of balance and hopefully her Force sensitivity.

Just a few more paces.

Then they were there. Kira must have sensed it for she stopped so suddenly, he ran into her. She pitched forward, before catching herself with the Force, her hands splayed out against air instead of the damp earth. Ben watched with awe, as she righted herself, before reaching up to remove the blind fold.

"Oh," she breathed, before squeezing in utter delight. "Ben! Is this for me? Really?" She was hopping about, dancing around the Vantillian catamaran.

The ship had been given to Ben's parents, as a gift for him, but it had never been used. Not once. Now that Ben was of age, he aimed to rectify the situation.

It had actually taken a lot of convincing to get his uncle Lando to steal it out from under his parents' noses, but he had delivered, as promised. He had always helped Ben store the starship in the recesses of the jungle, far enough away from the academy to not be stumbled upon by accident, but not too far as to be a danger.

Kira was overjoyed at the sight of the vessel, much larger and more luxurious than an X-wing. The warmth which flooded through his chest at the sight of her so happy, banished all the ugly thoughts from before. All that mattered today was Kira. He was going to make sure she got the birthday of a lifetime.

Ben unlocked the loading ramp, smirking over at her.

"Wanna take it for a spin?" She stared at him, wide-eyed and hopeful. "It's your birthday. You get to pilot."

"Really?"

He nodded.

"Stars!" She exclaimed, following him up the ramp. "Ok, but you co-pilot."

"Deal."

It was late until they got back, much later than Ben had anticipated. Kira had taken to the starship immediately, experiencing no trouble in initiating the take off sequence or piloting the catamaran off world. It was obvious she had been spending all her free time in the flight simulator again.

But the day had worn her out. After landing safely back in the jungle — she wouldn't allow Ben to take the controls, because it was her birthday — she had fallen asleep in the pilot seat. They had been out flying for several long hours and Ben had left her in her chair to check the fuel, so he could comm his uncle Lando about how much to bring when he picked the catamaran back up. When Ben came around the corner to find her curled up on herself, he knew the day had been well worth the effort.

Laughing softly to himself, Ben scooped her up, carrying her off the vessel. She weighed next to nothing, though she ate as if she was a bottomless pit. Her table manners had not improved over the years. Ben chalked it up to the fact she had grown up in a poor system, never knowing when her next meal would be. As it was, she had grown into a strong fight, albeit a scrappy one, who usually worked herself to exhaustion. Today was no exception. The flying had taken all her energy and she didn't wake as he disembarked.

His uncle was standing at the entrance, when Ben broke through the jungle into the clearing which surrounded the academy.

"Ben." The disapproval was heavy in Luke Skywalker's voice.

"Don't," Ben hissed. "Don't take this away from her."

"From her?" His uncle questioned. "Or from you?"

Ben whipped around, forgetting Kira was in his arms, propped up against his chest. He paused, swiftly glancing down to check she was still asleep. She was. His eyes narrowed, as they rose to meet his uncle's gaze.

"If you have something to say, just say it."

Luke rubbed his temples in the same manner he had when they were alone in his office. "Perhaps I need to send you on assignment," he lamented.

"Why?" Ben snarled, keeping his voice low, so as not to wake Kira.

"You won't listen to me," his uncle said, deflated. "I'm concerned about how attached you are to Kira."

"Enough of this," he shot back at his uncle. "She's all I have. She's my family."

"No, Ben. She's not." his uncle corrected him. "I'm your family. Your mother is your family. Your father, Lando, Chewie...they are your family. Kira is-."

"Kira is a constant," Ben finished for him. "She's the only one who has been a constant in my life. That makes her family."

"No," Luke barked back. "That makes her a crutch."

"What?"

"Ben," his uncle tried again, calmer this time, as though he was exhausted by his own anger. "Kira doesn't train with the other padawans. She doesn't even sit with them at meal times."

"We always eat together."

"I know," his uncle nodded, acknowledging the truth, "and that may be fine for you. You've always been a quiet, solitary sort, but Kira...she's not like you. She thrives on being around others. Her light-."

Ben didn't hear anymore after that. He tuned out his uncle's words, staring down at the unconscious form in his arms. She always looked small to him. He practically dwarfed her in size, yet now he found her impossibly tiny and fragile looking, as if he was seeing her for the first time all over again.

And her light, Stars, the light she gave off, was glorious. It was the most amazing thing about her. Regardless of her circumstances, she had always picked herself back up and prevailed. She had never been held back by her past, by her lack of parentage. While Ben…well he wore his family legacy like a nose around his neck.

As much as it pained Ben to admit, his uncle had a point. Kira wasn't like Ben. She was made of light. Though a bit mischievous at times, she was essentially pure. The second he realized it, he realized another truth. All the years he had thought he was taking care of her, she had been taking care of him.

From the very first birthday his parents had excused himself from to earlier times when he ate alone in the dining hall, to now when no one would train with him for fear of his violent tendencies, Kira was always there, always stepping up to be at his side. He had written it off as her latching onto him, needing a friend because she was so young and alone, but his eyes were clear now. Kira was alienated not because of her age, but because of her attachment to him and his attachment to her.

How could she not be? She was the type of person who wished you happy birthday after having just met you. She was type of person who held you as she sang lullabies. She was the type of person who came to your room before bed to wish sweet dreams, when she knew you were having trouble sleeping. She was the type of person everyone wanted in their life, while he was the type to drive everyone away.

Suddenly, Ben felt his chest constricting, as if it was closing in on itself. Had he hurt her? After all these years of telling himself he was protecting her, had he ruined her?

"No," Luke's hand was on his arm then, answering his greatest fear aloud. "She is so much more resilient than we give her credit for."

"But I-I didn't mean for-."

"You love her and she loves you," his uncle stated, evenly, as if it was a well-known fact. Perhaps to him, it was, but Ben was only beginning to realize how deep his feelings ran when it came to Kira.

"Will she...can she forgive me?"

"Ben," Luke chuckled, "she will always forgive you." He gave his nephew's arm a squeeze. "As will I."

Swallowing the growing lump in his throat, Ben Solo nodded and went inside without another word.

As he navigated through the familiar corridors, he felt a chill. It was mid-sprig and the possibility of a cold spell wasn't unheard of, but Ben knew the Force. This was the Dark side. His grip on Kira tightened protectively, as he glanced behind them to see if he had been followed. The hallway was empty.

Ben waited, the chill lingering on his skin. He considered calling out into the dark, demanding the phantom leave. His mind was curious as to how such an entity had managed to slip past his uncle's defenses and infiltrate the Praxeum. It had always been a fortress, a safe haven for the Force sensitives, even if not all those who came were on the path to becoming a Jedi.

The cold feeling subsided. Ben continued towards Kira's room, making a mental note to discuss the encounter with his uncle tomorrow after breakfast. He didn't want to alarm any of the other padawans.

They are already frightened of you, boy.

Ben halted by Kira's door at the specter's voice. It was sharp, unfeeling and the cold settled into Ben, piercing through his skin until it ran through to his bones.

They are frightened of your raw power, your potential for greatness.

The Dark side lured unsuspecting individuals in through false promises, leveraging their passion to fuel their fall. It was a dangerous slope, one which others had fallen down before.

The Dark side is a myth, the voice chided. There is only the Force and those who are granted the power to wield it.

"No," Ben hissed, before he realized he had responded aloud.

You know it to be true, even that girl-child you carry knows it.

"Don't you talk about her!" Ben clutched Kira to him, surprised when she didn't wake. He ran one of his fingers over to her wrist to check her pulse. It was strong, but slow. She was indeed asleep, though it was deeper than normal, too much deeper.

She will not disturb us , the voice explained.

"Stay away from her," Ben seethed.

I will. As will you, young Solo, if you remain on Yavin IV.

"What?"

Skywalker is frightened of your potential, of your heritage. He fears the girl will follow in your steps.

Ben scanned Kira's face, thinking on his uncle's words from earlier. Was it true? Did his uncle believe he would corrupt Kira? Hurt her? Had his persistence been all about protecting the youngest of his Jedi students and not about protecting Ben from this dark voice? A voice which seemed to be here despite his uncle's wards, speaking about things he — Ben thought it was a he — shouldn't know.

Search your feelings, young Solo, you will know it to be true. Skywalker wants to limit it, cripple you. He is threatened by your abilities. I am not.

"Because you want me to end the Skywalker line, as Darth Vader attempted to do?"

Vader , the voice scoffed. If you knew the truth about your family, you would not speak his name with such contempt. You'd know I am right and would decide to join me. As if you haven't already decided.

"I haven't decided anything!"

You've decided you will not be parted from the girl.

Ben felt his retort leave him, before it could pass by his lips. How did the voice know that? He had been carefully guarding his thoughts, aware of the abilities of both Kira and his uncle. Yet, this phantom could read him across the galaxy, through the Force.

The Force is power. Stop being so weak-minded. If you embraced it, as I have, as I could teach you to, you wouldn't have to say goodbye to her.

Luke had told all his padawans repeatedly the Dark side promised things, made deals with those who chose to listen. "It will offer your deepest desires, but they are false. They are empty," his uncle had said. "Do not give in."

Ben gritted his teeth. "I will not lose her," he insisted. "I don't need you or your teachings."

We shall see. We shall see.

The voice retreated, removing the chill from the air and from Ben Solo's body. After a beat, he was relieved to hear Kira's breathing go back to normal and feel her pulse pick up slightly. She was asleep, truly asleep, not forced into an unconscious state by the Force.

Ben brought her up, planting a chaste kiss on her forehead. He would speak to his uncle in the morning. He would suggest better protective wards be put in place around the academy. He would keep Kira safe. He would always protect her. She would always be with him.

Always.

After he tucked Kira into bed, he retired to his room. He felt drained by the conversation he had had with his uncle and the recognition which had followed, before the voice had come to him. Now he was on edge, buried beneath questions and an overarching concern for Kira and himself. Climbing into his bunk, he tossed from side to side, attempting to rest, to wash away the worries of the day until morning. He waited for sleep to find him.

But sleep didn't find him.

The owner of the voice did.