A.N.: This is a new story in a new field of writing that I have not ventured into before.

DISCLAIMER: Before you read, please know that I have NOT READ THE ALL THE EU BOOKS. (Who has, anyways?) This is AU, that means that this does not match up with the books. If you are a diehard EU fan, then please leave, because none of this would make sense to you. Sorry, but please enjoy if you can without gouging your eyeballs out.

(Oh, and don't sue me please, Lucas, I don't own SW!)

Friends Too Difficult to Trust

A Fanfiction by Cinquain

Chapter 1

Look out!" I screamed. Mara Jade Skywalker ducked as a flying assailant nearly put her head off with a vicious looking sword. I did not need to worry, however, because she easily sliced the beast in two in midair with her bright violet lightsaber.

"Ugh," she muttered, kicking the corpse disgustedly. I walked over and we both stared down at the bat-like creature.

"What is that?" I asked, wrinkling a nose at the also-vicious smell. Mara shrugged, sending a wave down her medium-length red hair.

"Some kinda hairy kamikaze bat thing," she responded, and I wondered for the fiftieth time how I got onto this crazy planet.

Well.

It all started with a skirmish.

"We need your diplomatic skills, Leia," Luke had pleaded.

"And Mara's coming too?" I said a bit scathingly.

"Aw, come on," Luke snapped a bit irritably now. I grinned, triumphant that I finally found a weak spot on him. Nowadays it was nearly impossible to tease him, being a Jedi and all. I should know. I'm his sister.

"Mara-mara-mara-doo," I giggled, poking him. He blushed with a look that simultaneously showed bashfulness, frustration, amusement, and affection.

"Yeah?" Mara sauntered in, throwing an arm around Luke's shoulders and smooching him quickly on the cheek. I felt tempted to make a face, but that would be hypocritical. Unnumbered times I had publicly kissed Han. Luke didn't do anything too conspicuous other than blush.

"Just talking about how much I need you apparently." I say sourly.

"Farmboy is right," Mara scoffed. "How many times have you needed my aide?" I rolled my eyes.

"Really," Luke said in his Jedi-Master disapproving voice. "Can't you guys get along? You're Masters here."

"I think it's funny." eleven year old Jaina giggled from behind me. She gave me a quick hug. "I'm gonna be outside with Anakin." she said, waving one of the Youngling lightsabers.

"Okay. Be easy on him, kay?" I call.

"He doesn't need easy, mom." she called over her shoulder, and Mara nodded appreciatively.

"Isn't a mother supposed to know their children?" Mara asked innocently. I felt murderous at that point.

"Enough," Luke said, a small smile on his own face. "Go and get ready. The stay is all arranged and I'll let you know where it is later." I scowled, stomping out the Jedi Temple.

And now, for some crazy reason, we were stomping around in a hot, humid jungle.

We had just finished the negotiations successfully without much fight. Mara was very disappointed, and I was relieved. At least, until they asked us to settle a 'little' problem with a group of local stormtroopers. Mara immediately said yes. I was reluctant.

"Why did I agree to this?" Mara grumbled alongside me. I pursed my lips.

"Get over it," I snapped, slashing a branch away with my knife blade.

"And with of all people, too," she added under her breath. We took a Force jump across a stream and climbed over a fallen log.

"Thanks," I reply sourly.

We tromped on in cold silence until something caught my attention.

"Stop," I hissed, my arm snapping across Mara's front. She jolted into it, cursing.

"What?" she growled, tossing her flame red hair.

"Somebody's there," I said in a low voice. Mara snapped back to her cold professionalism, her emerald green eyes narrowing as she reached out with the Force. I did the same.

Stormer, I sent telepathically. She gave a slight nod. I slowly removed my blaster from its holster and clicked the safety lock off. I took careful aim from between the undergrowth and fired.

There was a small explosion, typical of a fatal stormtrooper shot. We waited for a moment to make sure and stepped into the clearing. The stormer was pushed into the base of a tree, his chest armor blackened.

"Well. Now we just follow his comm signal back to the rest of 'em." Mara picked the comm off of the stormtrooper's waist.

"Wait a moment," I used my knife and carefully sliced off a small waistpack. Mara walked over.

"What's that?" she asked. I opened the magnetic clasp and reached in carefully. My fingers met something sharp.

"Crap," I drew my hand out quickly, hissing through my teeth. Blood sprung from the cut, but I healed it quickly with the Force.

"Careful," Mara said. She took the pack and turned it upside down.

A black piece of extremely sharp metal fell to the ground. It was basically a short blade with a curved edge on two sides and blunt on the other two. There was a little hole in the short, blunt end where you would probably stick a handle in. We crouched down, looking at it warily.

"Is your finger okay?" she asked. I nodded.

"There's nothing on it." I pinched it between my thumb and forefinger, sliding it carefully back into the case. I tucked it into my pocket.

Meanwhile, Mara had turned on the comm and was tracing the signal.

"That way," she pointed down a crude path. I hesitated before unclipping my lightsaber, hefting it in my hand. Mara had already taken hers off and was grasping it securely, her thumb ready to flip the switch. I switched the blaster's safety lock back on and holstered it securely before proceeding.

We walked quietly, toe-to-heel. My companion went first, her face steely and calm. She slowed to a stop, beckoning me, and I squeezed in beside her next to an old musty tree. The path ended to a clearing, where a few old Empire-grade shelters were erected. Three of them were visible, one of them with their helmet off and eating while the others were keeping watch. Both Mara and I knew by the use of the Force that there were twelve more in the shelters.

What's the plan? I asked her through the Force.

Stormtroopers are stupid, Mara responded. And look; the rest of them are sleeping. I immediately knew what she was at.

Distraction, I nodded. I'll be the one. Perch up in the tree, the rest'll be easy.

Don't make it loud. Use your lightsaber. Mara added, and we set off.

I threaded through the leafy trees, searching for a good one to climb. I finally spotted a dark mossy green one with many, knotted branches. I pressed my lips together in concentration before taking a large leap up a branch. I landed with a small swish of the leaves and immediately ducked, heart thumping. Nobody came. Listening carefully, I traveled a bit farther up the branch until I was well covered by a clump of light leaves.

Ready, Mara sent to me. And stop getting so excited. I can hear your heart from here.

What am I supposed to do, stop it? I gritted my teeth.

Just go!

Using the Force, I lifted a fairly large rock and sent it flying at a large tree trunk.

"What was that?" I could hear their voices. There was rustling and the two stormtroopers stumbled into the clearing. I held the hilt of my saber tightly, and leapt.

Well? My first attempt at action writing.

Whataya think?

Review or no chapter. ;)