Well, I was just going to copy and paste my original rants to their corresponding chapters, but honestly, I can't stand my own thirteen-year-old self's writing. It was bad enough that Kira was such a Mary Sue in the first edition of this story, but add a hyper thirteen-year-old's ramblings and I'm left wondering how on earth you, the readers, stuck with this story – and the saga that came after it. So whether you're picking this story up for the first time or whether you're a returning reader, I just want to say thank you so much for your support.

For those of you who are new to the Eyes Open Saga, welcome! This is actually the second edition of this story – my first one was garbage, and there were a lot of discrepancies with canon. I actually took this weekend – almost five years after this story was first posted on this site! – and cut out those issues, edited the language, and revamped the story. If you're a first-time reader, I'm so glad you didn't see the first edition of this story.

For those of you who are returning fans – how did you deal with me when this was first posted? Don't worry – there's not too many differences from the first edition. The timeline was edited a bit, so now instead of starting during the Clone Wars, the story actually begins while Anakin is still a Padawan. I think I made the timeline pretty clear, but in case I didn't, there is a timeline for the Eyes Open Saga posted on my profile for your convenience.

Anyway. I'm anxious to get this thing updated ASAP, so I'm going to refrain from writing new character rants and just let y'all read the second edition of Eyes Open.

With that, I now present to you chapter 1 of Eyes Open! Hope y'all enjoy!


The guard flung the whimpering young girl onto the floor of the slave quarters. "Listen here, skug," he growled, forcing her chin up to look at him. "You do what the master tells you. You don't attack him, you don't try to escape, and you don't throw wine in his face." He yanked the girl's hair up from her scalp. "Got it?"

The girl nodded frantically. At this, the guard threw her to the ground and sauntered out of the door, leaving her with yet another bruise to add to her collection. She curled up into a ball, a few tears streaking her grimy face.

The other slaves rushed to their fallen comrade's aid. A young woman stretched out her hand for the girl to take. "Are you all right?" she asked.

Kira Narro, the unfortunate one, pushed Jada Zan's hand away. "I'm fine," she said, wiping the tears away before the guard returned.

However, Jada and the other slaves knew better than that. The eight-year-old Kira had been through much for her young age. She had bruises on almost every visible part of her body. The other slaves knew something was desperately wrong, but Kira had told them nothing, and no one wished to press the issue. Kira's nightmare remained a mystery.

Jada helped Kira into her nightdress and put her to bed. The young woman returned, shaking her head. "Kira can't even move without wincing," she reported.

A green Twi'lek shook her head. "That girl needs to stop attempting to escape. She's going to get herself killed."

"At least she's persistent," Jada argued.

Kira, of course, had no idea they were talking about her. She tossed and turned under the thin sheet, unable to sleep. She finally dozed off into a fitful sleep in which the memories returned to haunt her.


The whip cracked, leaving a bloody streak on her mother's back. "Mama!" the little girl cried out. A guard held her back from saving her mother.

Dia Narro grunted in pain but did not cry out. She smiled weakly at her frightened daughter before the whip struck her again.

It was too much for Kira. "Mama!" Kira screamed again, attempting to break free. The guard roughly pulled her back. He grinned evilly, showing yellow teeth. His breath stank of booze.

The whip cracked again and again. Still Dia didn't scream. Her tormentors were getting frustrated.

"Stop, please!" Kira screamed. A dirty hand clamped over her mouth shut as the whip sent more blood across Dia's back. This time, Dia's bloodcurdling scream echoed around the room.

"Mama!" The guard's hand muffled Kira's shout. She bit him, leaving blood on the guard's hand. With a yelp, the guard released her.

Kira rushed to the chained Togruta and pulled on the lock keeping her from freedom, but the attacker whipped her as well. She cried out and scrambled away from the electrowhip.

The first guard retrieved Kira and held her down. Tears fell down Kira's pale face. Her pitiful cries could be heard throughout the palace.

When the guards finally undid the chains, Dia slumped to the floor. Kira broke out of the first guard's hold and rushed forward to check on her mother, who, she saw, was slowly dying. Kira couldn't see through her tears. "Mama," she whispered. "Mama, I'm sorry."

Dia reached up and touched Kira's face. "I love you, my daughter," she said weakly, smiling. "Make me proud." Then Dia, beaten and bloody, died in Kira's arms.

Kira abruptly sat up, panting and covered in a sheen of sweat. Once again, she found tears on her face to scrape away. When this had been done, she pulled the sheet back over her, covering her head. Sleep would evade her for the rest of the night.


The next day, whispers flurried about the palace among the slaves. Kira heard the word Jedi mentioned several times. The word gave her hope. Jedi were the peacekeepers of the galaxy and helped all life forms in need. Surely, if they were on Zygerria, they would free her and the other slaves.

"Where are the Jedi?" Kira asked Jada once.

"We think they're within the city. Someone reported seeing their ship on the outskirts," was the reply.

"Why are they here?"

Jada laughed. "You ask too many questions, child. No one knows exactly. There are rumors they are here to secure Zygerria's place within the Republic."

Kira perked up. "Then we would be free," she said.

Jada's face fell. "If our master agrees to take the issue to the queen. And it is next to impossible that he will."

"Let us keep hoping, then," Kira said, bringing a smile to Jada's lips. Jada watched the little girl run off with a definite spring in her step. Kira doesn't deserve this, Jada thought wistfully. She's just a child.

Kira went about her morning chores singing a Togrutan celebration song her mother had taught her. She danced while she swept, and she hummed as she mixed her master's drink. However, she stopped humming when told to bring it to him.

Atai Molec was the Prime Minister of Zygerria, second in command only to the queen, Miraj Scintel. He was a cruel, unforgiving man that ruled the Zygerrian slave empire with an iron fist. No slave in his palace considered it an honor to serve him, for he whipped the slaves without warning and without cause when he was drunk, and sometimes even when he was sober. Kira could only hope today he was in one of his better moods.

Kira placed the drink on a silver tray and brought it to the throne room, trembling. Atai stood at the window, looking out over the city. He turned when he heard her and grunted. He grabbed the glass from the tray and downed its contents. Kira winced.

Atai dropped the glass, which shattered, leaving little glass shards everywhere. He grabbed Kira's arm. "Worthless scum," he growled, unhooking the electrowhip from his belt. Kira turned her face, bracing herself.

A guard rushed in. "My king," he said. "Two Jedi are here. They demand to speak with you."

Atai growled. "Fine," he said, releasing Kira, who rubbed the feeling back into her arm. He sat on his throne and leaned his head on one hand, looking bored. "Bring them in," he ordered the guard. The guard bowed and hurried off.

Kira wasn't sure whether to go or stay until Atai turned back to her. "Don't just stand there, girl. Fan me."

Kira bowed. "Yes, ma-master," she said, still trembling from not only fear, but excitement. She picked up the huge palm leaf fan and waved it over Atai. He grunted impatiently. "It is not like Jedi to be late," he mumbled loud enough for Kira to hear. A yellow Twi'lek walked in with a tray of refreshments and a bottle of wine, then walked out.

The guard opened the grand doors once more. Two human males followed the guard. They both wore long tunics and combat boots. The two also wore lightsabers at their waists. Kira gasped under her breath.

One of the Jedi, the older one, glanced over at Kira. She squirmed under the Jedi's intense gaze, which made her feel as if he could read her mind. She turned away, not meeting his eyes. The Jedi finally turned back to Atai, and Kira resumed watching him and his companion.

The older Jedi spoke with a slight accent. "Greetings, Prime Minister," he said. "I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, and this is Anakin Skywalker." The younger Jedi inclined his head in greeting at his name. "We come in peace as friends."

Atai burst out laughing. "As friends? Ha!" he roared. "I know what you Jedi want. You have come to persuade me to convince the queen to join your so-called Republic!" Atai stood and paced the room. "What would Zygerria gain from this arrangement? What would I gain? All I know is that I will lose my slaves if the planet joins your Republic! Fine slaves they are, too." Atai pushed Kira forward, causing her to drop the fan and almost stumble off the podium. When she looked up, she saw the Jedi called Anakin step forward, but Obi-Wan held him back.

"You see this girl?" Atai continued. "She's a fine specimen. All over the palace, I have slaves like her. And just wait until she gets older. She will be a fine worker when she's older. Probably fetch me a hefty price one day. What will I do if this Republic takes them away, huh?" Atai grabbed the nearby wine bottle and downed its contents in one gulp.

"Try getting your hands dirty, for one," Anakin snarled before being silenced by Obi-Wan once again.

Atai leaned forward. "Why do that when the weak will gladly do it for you?" he said.

Kira snorted quietly.

Atai narrowed his eyes at Anakin and summoned another slave to bring him more wine. "Anyway, since you are here, you might as well tell me what Zygerria would gain from joining the Republic."

As Obi-Wan listed the benefits of joining the Republic, Kira studied her master. Atai was seated again and now sat half listening to the Jedi. He looked bored and distracted, as if he just wanted to get the talk over with. Kira was tempted to tell the Jedi Atai had no intention of convincing the queen to join the Republic, but she didn't want to lose hope.

Suddenly, Atai stood. His hand knocked the empty wine bottle off the arm of the throne onto Kira's arm. She flinched and tried hard not to cry out. Atai ignored her. "I will consider your request," he declared. "As for you, I'm sure you are quite weary after your travels. You will stay as my honored guests tonight." He turned to Kira. "Show our guests to their rooms," he ordered, showing his teeth.

Kira shuddered as she stepped down from the podium and walked toward the exit. "This way," she said softly.

Kira could feel the stares of the Jedi on her back as she led them to the guest halls. She opened one door for Anakin, who nodded his thanks before entering, and one for Obi-Wan. She then bowed and turned to leave. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder and looked up into the face of Obi-Wan. He smiled at her kindly. "Come with me, young one," he said.

Used to following orders, Kira followed Obi-Wan into his room. He gestured for her to sit down on the bed, which she did, then he unhooked a small package from his belt. He retrieved a roll of bandages from the package, which was really a medical kit, and tended to Kira's arm. "What is your name?" he asked Kira as he worked.

"Kira Narro, sir," Kira answered Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan replaced the bandages and next drew a small needle from his kit. "Do you mind if I take a midi-chlorian count, Kira?" he asked.

Kira titled her head. "What's a midi-chlorian?" she asked.

"They are life forms," Obi-Wan explained as he pricked the inside of Kira's elbow with the needle. "Without the midi-chlorians, life could not exist, and we would have no knowledge of the Force. They continually speak to us, telling us the will of the Force. When you learn to quiet your mind, you'll hear them speaking to you."

"Wow." Kira gazed up at Obi-Wan with big eyes. She sat quietly for a minute and closed her eyes. "I think I hear them!"

Obi-Wan chuckled as he withdrew the needle. He placed the blood sample in the scanner and pressed the button. He then consulted the meter. Kira tried to peek, too, but Obi-Wan turned off the machine before she could see. However, she forgot all about it when Obi-Wan asked, "Kira, would you like to be a Jedi?"

Kira gasped. "You mean, I can leave Zygerria with you? And become a Jedi?"

Obi-Wan smiled. "In so many words, yes, but it would require many years of training. Do you think you're up for it?"

Kira nodded. "I want to go with you." She jumped down from the bed. "But I should be getting back," she said. "The prime minister will be angry if I do not return."

"Of course," Obi-Wan replied, standing to see Kira to the door. Before she left, he knelt down to her eye level. "I will let you know when we are to leave. Do you think you can be ready?"

Kira nodded eagerly.

"Good." Obi-Wan smiled. "Then I will see you soon, Kira."

Kira took that as her cue to leave, and she turned to head back toward the throne room. She spent the entire walk back trying to wipe the excited smile off her face so Atai and his guards wouldn't realize anything was amiss.


I gotta tell you, I'm really glad to have this updated now. It was really bothering me that this story wasn't fitting within canon the way I wanted it to.

Please review if you liked it, hated it, or wanted to light it up and watch it burn. Thanks for reading!