Author's Note: Oh look at that, I got sucked into the ginormous hole that is known as the Star Wars Fandom.

So a little background information… I am borrowing the cat species the Mai from Elizabeth J. Braswell's book The Nine Lives of Chloe King. The faceclaim for my OC is Victoria Justice.

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Dark brown eyes turned jade green and catlike before they drifted closed as a young Mai girl lulled herself into a meditative trance. Hoping to find answers for her friend Padmé Amidala, who she has been assigned to protect a year earlier because someone wanted the young senator and former Queen of Naboo dead, Nefertara Ankhsamun prayed to the Force, as well the Goddesses of her people.

Force, Bastet, Sekhmet, help me find clarity for my friend.

As she continued to meditate, she felt herself melt completely into the Force as a vision took hold of her mind.

Nefertara's leaned against the tree trunk as she laughed. The boy with dirty blond hair and light blue eyes sitting next to her smiled as he continued to watch her laugh, which was something he felt was rare during this time.

The brunette's dark eyes looked into his light ones as her laughter started to subside. "What are you staring at?"

The unknown boy said nothing at first. But when he did, his voice was soft and passionate. "You are so beautiful when you laugh like that."

The next thing Nefertara knew, he was gently pressing his lips to hers.

The Mai Jedi gasped as she was pulled out of her vision by a knock on her door. That wasn't the first time she's seen that boy in her visions, but she hasn't seen anything like that before. Taking deep breaths to calm herself down, she glared up at the ceiling.

That certainly didn't look like something that would help Padmé.

Another knock on her door brought her out of her thoughts. "Lady Ankhsamun? Senator Amidala sent me to fetch you, she is ready to depart for Coruscant."

Nefertara sighed before getting up and opening her door before giving the maid Padmé sent a small smile. "Thank you Dormé."

The eighteen year old Jedi Knight followed Dormé down the halls of the Naboo palace to the Air Hanger where Padmé and her escort group waited.

Nefertara smiled apologetically at her friend. "Forgive me Senator, I was meditating and lost track of time."

Padmé smiled at her friend and shook her head. "It's alright Nefertara."

The Mai looked at her friend's apparel and smirked. "From Senator to Pilot? And here I thought that intervention about rapid job changes did something."

The Senator scoffed and playfully wrinkled her nose at Nefertara. "Says the girl who was perfectly happy being a lazy house cat last night."

Nefertara mock-glared atPadmé. "I was not!"

The slightly smaller brunette crossed her arms. "You stretched out on the couch and refused to move."

"Your fault for giving me extra Alka Fruit!"

The Mai and the Senator dissolved into giggles. Wiping away a tear,Padmé noticed that her friend seemed slightly distracted. "Are you alright Tara?"

Nefertara pursed her lips and nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay."

Padmé was not convinced. "Did you have a vision?"

The Jedi pushed away the thought of warm lips against hers and shook her head. "Nothing that would have helped us."

The former Queen of Naboo narrowed her eyes, but didn't push any further because they had to leave. "I'll ask when we're on Coruscant."

Nefertara shook her head as she climbed into her ship. "There's nothing to tell."

Padmé rolled her eyes and slipped her helmet on before climbing into her own ship. Both women followed the ship holding the decoy senator out of the hanger and into the vastness of space.

Nefertara sent another quick prayer. Force, Bastet, and Sekhmet, please guide us safely.

-Time Skip-

Jade green cat eyes observed the landing strip before returning to their natural dark brown as she walked besidePadmé and R-2 towards Captain Typho.

Said man tugged his helmet off. "We made it."

He looked at the ship before looking at the disguised Padmé. "I guess I was wrong. There was no danger at all."

No sooner did he finish speaking did the silver ship blow up. Nefertara,Padmé, and Captain Typho hit the deck as debris flew everywhere. As they have always done when she was caught in a dangerous situation, her full Mai form came to light. Her ears became pointed, her claws grew to full length, her fangs gently poked against her lips, and her eyes became jade green and catlike.

She didn't bother hiding her cat form as she shot up and scanned the roofs of near by buildings in case the bomber was watching their work unfold. As she continued to search, guilt started to well up.Why didn't I hear the bomb? I could have stopped it. Why didn't I hear it?

"Senator Amidala, please."

Nefertara saw Cordé's dead body among the wreckage and pursed her lips sadly. Even though she and Cordé weren't exactly close, it was still a sad event when another living being passed into the afterlife.

May the Force be with you Cordé.

The Mai walked forward and placed a gently hand on Padmé's shoulder. "Padmé, we have to go."

The former queen nodded her head before letting Nefertara guide her away.

-Time Skip-

Nefertara smiled when she saw the familiar faces of the Jedi Council.

"With you, the Force is strong, young senator. To see you alive brings warm feelings to my heart."

Padmé smiled at Yoda before looking at her cat companion. "My journey most likely would have been different without Jedi Knight Nefertara with me."

The ancient master turned his attention to Nefertara. "Well, you have done, young Ankhsamun. Welcome you home, the Jedi Council does."

Dark brown eyes glowed warmly as she bowed respectively. "Thank you Master Yoda, it's good to be home... Do we have any idea on who would want Senator Amidala dead?"

Out of the corner of her eye, Nefertara saw Mace Windu beginning to speak.

"Our intelligence points to disgruntled spice farmers on the moons of Naboo."

Padmé pursed her lips. "I don't mean to disagree Master, but I believe Count Dooku was behind this."

Nefertara remembered her Master, Shaak Ti, telling her about how Dooku was once a Jedi. But why he left was never certain.

"You know M'Lady, Count Dooku was once a Jedi. He wouldn't assassinate anybody... It's not in his nature."

"He's a political idealist, not a murder."

Chancellor Palpatine, who has been silent until now, spoke. "Count Dooku has always avoided any kind of conflict. It appears he has no desire to start a war. Why would he try to kill you, Senator? To what end?"

Nefertara pursed her lips. There was always the chance that Count Dooku left the Jedi Order because of the Dark Side. But why would he go after Padmé?

Palpatine addressed the Jedi Council. "Master Jedi, May I suggest that the Senator be placed under more protection from your graces?"

Senator Bail Organa's eyebrows furrowed. "Do you think that it is a wise use of manpower during these stressful times?"

Nefertara could tell that he was implying that it was not wise to implore so much manpower.

Padmé tried to protest. "Chancellor, if I may comment, I do not believe the-"

"-Situation is that serious. No, but I do Senator."

"Chancellor please! I don't want any more guards, I have Nefertara. And may I remind you that she's not only a Jedi, but a Mai as well. Her kind are renowned warriors."

It's true. Nefertara remembers when she was still a padwan learner, Shaak Ti had insisted that she remain in touch with her culture. So, whenever they weren't on missions or training, they would travel to Nefertara's home planet Li-Ta so she could study and train in the fighting style of her people.

"I have complete faith in your current Jedi protector. And I realize all too well that additional security might be disruptive for you, but perhaps someone you are familiar with? An old friend, like Master Kenobi?"

Mace Windu nodded. "That's possible. He was just returned from a border dispute on Ansion."

The Mai girl recalled hearing about Master Kenobi after the blockade incident around Naboo and how he slayed a Sith Warrior that killed his master, Qui-Gon. She couldn't imagine what that felt like. She had no idea what she would do if Shaak Ti was killed like that, the Togruta woman was like a mother to her.

"It's not necessary Chancellor. Neither I nor Nefertara need Master Kenobi's assistance."

Nefertara could see where this was going, so she placed a hand on Padmé's shoulder. "Perhaps we should heed the Council's advice Senator. I didn't hear the bomb before it blew up, and next time, you might not be so lucky with surviving. With two more Jedi protecting you, the odds of staying safe are greater."

Master Windu nodded approvingly. "It's settled then. I will have Master Obi-Wan report to you immediately, Senator."

As Padmé and Nefertara turned to leave, Yoda hobbled towards the pair to say goodbye.

"A word with you, Anhsamun, may I have?"

The Mai left Padmé's side. "Yes Master?"

Yoda looked deeply into her dark brown eyes. "Guilt, you feel, about the explosion."

Of course he senses it. "Master, if I heard the bomb, all of those innocent lives that were lost-"

"Nothing that you could have done, there was. Let go of your guilt, you must."

Nefertara sighed. "I'll try Master."

"A clear mind for this mission, you must have. Dangerous times are coming, there are."

Nefertara frowned. "What kind of danger?"

Yoda sighed. "Anger, hatred, death. Ways to the Dark Side, all are. Stay on guard, you must."

"I will Master. I would give my life for Senator Amidala and the Jedi Council."

"This, I know. Go now. Want to keep the Senator waiting, you don't."

-Time Skip-

"I don't understand why I need more protection. I've had combat training and I have you with me."

Nefertara sighed. "I might not always be around to protect. And you're practically my sister, I can't think about losing you."

Padmé smiled at her practical sister and gave her a hug. "I can't think about you dying either."

Loud, happy whoops - although to Nefertara they sounded thirty times louder - made the girls jump apart.

"Obi! Mesa so smilen to see'n yousa!"

The Mai girl and Senator sighed, realizing it was just Jar Jar getting excited.

"It's good to see you too, Jar Jar."

That must be Master Kenobi then.

"Ani? Noo? Little bitty Ani?"

Nefertara could practically feel the Gungan hopping up and down with excitment. Three pairs of footsteps walked into the room towards her and Padmé.

"Looki Looki Senator. Thesa Jedi arrived."

Nefertara turned around and came eye-to-eye with the boy from her vision.

Author's Note: Oh boy.