Burning Shadows

Chapter 1

Cheers and cries echoed through the room. People from across the galaxy standing and sitting around smiling and laughing.

A thought crossed the mind of one who felt neither wanted nor needed. A young girl locked in a slave cage waiting to be sold to some stranger for reasons she did not yet know.

" How can they be so happy? They see people locked in cages with shock collars on and all they can do is cheer? Id kill them all if i wasn't restrained..." Yumikaya, A young human girl with long flowing crimson hair and bright amber eyes looked around the room, silently cursing anyone who looked at her. As a tear fell down her cheek, a searing pain surged through her neck.

Yumikaya screamed in pain as the shock collar around her neck was activated by a nearby guard. A large Twilek that couldn't speak basic kicked her cage forcefully. Although the guard didn't speak basic, Yumikaya understood him. Having spent most of her life as a slave among various races, there were few languages she did not understand.

" Get up human. Time to be sold. Pray your master will be merciful. " The Twilek guard laughed as he lifted her by her hair and threw her forward onto the stage where slaves of several different races were standing.

As Yumikaya stood and looked around the room, There were numerous sighs of admiration from around the room. People were enchanted by her eyes and beautiful hair. Although she was covered in dirt and wore torn rags she still caught attention.

Tears were streaming down the young girls cheeks as the slave auction's announcer read her description aloud.

" Here we have a young human. Twelve years old, Healthy and strong. This one would make a fair slave, If only to serve drinks. " The announcer hadn't sounded very impressed and the sighs of admiration quickly fell silent. Several patrons shouted that she was too young or only fit for slaving in the spice mines.

It seemed that no one wanted her but as the announcer was about to send her back to the cages, a soft feminine voice echoed through the auction hall.

" How much for her? " The voice came from a tall woman in black and red armour resembling a bounty hunter outfit. The stranger had a small silver rod on one side of her belt and a blaster on the other side.

The announcer stood in shock for a moment before answering. " Starting bid is five thousand credits but since you are the only one that is interested I'll set the standard buyout price at twenty thousand credits. "

The stranger removed her helmet, allowing her long black hair to fall freely. She looked at the girl intensely for a few moments before nodding at the announcer.

" Sold! " The announcer sounded almost happy to get rid of the girl. Yumikaya screamed once more as the guard that shocked her dragged her off the stage by her hair again. As the guard pushed her towards the machine that would remove her restraints, the stranger that bought her walked beside her slowly.

" What is your name young one? " The strangers voice was soothing and Yumikaya felt calm and relaxed despite the pain sweeping through her body.

" My name is Yumikaya. What is yours? " Yumikaya smiled slightly before the guard slapped the back of her head.

" Address your master properly sla..." A blaster shot echoed through the hall as the guard fell to the floor.

" The next person to touch my property will share his fate!" The stranger was pointing the blaster around the room slowly as everyone watching turned away quickly. The stranger turned back to Yumikaya after putting her blaster back in its holster. " My name is Kalina. You don't have to call me master or anything. I didn't buy you for slavery Yumikaya. "

Yumikaya stopped for a moment and looked up at Kalina. " You can call me Yumi. But if you don't want a slave then why did you buy me? I've been unwanted for years and all of a sudden some woman shows up and says she doesn't want a slave that she paid twenty thousand credits for? Who are you really and what do you want? "

Kalina giggled softly and knelt down before hugging Yumikaya gently. Yumikaya pushed away at first but then calmed and let her feelings overwhelm her. This stranger hugged her the same way her mother did last time she saw her.

" You really don't remember me? I remember you very well. You have changed quite dramatically since you were little but your still the same girl that I watched my best friend give birth to. " Kalina let Yumikaya go and stepped back while smiling brightly. Yumikaya was stunned for a moment before speaking softly.

" Honestly, No, I don't remember you. I'm sorry. I was only two years old when i was taken away. I barely remember my mother or father anymore. I dont even know if they are still alive. " The smile on her face slowly faded as tears formed in her eyes. Kalina wiped her tears away and held her tightly again as she spoke.

" They are alive and doing quite well. They asked me to find you after you were taken away. I've spent ten years looking for you. I'm so glad I've found you and Ill take you to your parents. They are very eager to see you. " Kalina smiled softly and took the shock collar off Yumikaya's neck. After her restraints were removed and the slavers paid, Kalina took Yumikaya's hand and led her to a large hangar bay where a transport was waiting.

After boarding the transport and getting some food and clothing for Yumikaya, Kalina told her where her parents had been all these years and why they hadn't been searching for her personally.

" Your mother was a Sith Lord but left the Empire. Her name is Zanira. Your father was a Jedi Master but like your mother, He left his allegiances and duties behind. His name is Tazokhan. They both left everything behind so they could be together. Then you were born and they thought that they're life was complete. But you were taken from them while they slept. Three years after you were taken they had another child. Your sister. Her name is Yumitaya. You have a family waiting for you, A family that loves you and wants you. You will see. They are wonderful people." Kalina smiled again before putting her feet up on the chair in front of her and leaning back to relax.

Yumikaya was almost in tears. Hearing that there was not only someone that wanted her but someone that loved her had made her heart race and head spin wildly. As she lay down on the lounge she was sitting on, Her imagination wandered, Picturing what her family would look like and sound like.

A new friend and news of her family.

Does this spell a new turn for Yumikaya?

Read on to find out!

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