Disclaimer: Read notes in first chapter.


Chapter Two

The next morning, Indira rose early. After five years of constant searching and avoiding capture by Imperial forces as an accused smuggler, her internal alarm clock was very accurate. A hot shower later, she changed back into her own clothing which had been cleaned. She knew that after today she could be dressed in a padawan's uniform, so she wanted one more day of comfort and familiarity. The one piece black leather suit fit her tightly. Over that went a dark red belt which held her lightsaber. There was an extra loop for her master's lightsaber as well. Once he had charged her with returning it, it had never left her side. She added a cloak the same color as her belt and quickly braided her waist length curls. Her hair had been a mystery to her mother. Both her parents had been blond, yet she had hair so black that it appeared purple in some lights. And when it did it made the deep lavender of her eyes stand out even more.

She was just finishing her breakfast when a knock on her door signaled Harry and Anakin's arrival. She rose and let them in. From the looks she was receiving she would bet that her outfit was going to be changed quickly before it became a distraction.

"Um. That's quite the outfit, Indira." Harry said with a smirk.

Indira shrugged. "Master said that a normal padawan uniform was not essential as I was the only one around. After that, well. Let's just say that this suit has gotten me out of any number of situations. I fully understand that if after passing my testing I will be in a padawan uniform. This is just me saying goodbye to that part of my life."

Anakin nodded slyly. "Yeah it might be for the best, Indira. I sincerely doubt that many of the male Jedi would be able to ignore you in that."

Indira blushed slightly. "Sorry. I did not think of that. But I have nothing else and no time to go get outfitted in a proper uniform."

Harry laughed at her sudden shyness. "No problem. Just don't think that it will give you an advantage against Anakin or myself. We are happily married. Though Obi Wan is another story. But last I heard he still hadn't arrived home."

Indira tilted her head. Something at Obi Wan's name had caused her to remember the man from her vision. Shaking her head slightly, she gestured to the door. "Shall we proceed gentlemen. I will be honored to defeat you today."

The two men looked at her in surprise. But seeing the teasing smile on her face chuckled as they walked out. "We shall see Padawan Kaliste. We shall see." Anakin smirked.

The walk to the sparing grounds took far to short a time for Indira. Despite her teasing before, she was very nervous about this testing. She wanted to do well to prove she belonged here. But she also wanted to prove that her Master had taught her well and to honor his memory. It was a small group that was gathered for her testing. Harry and Anakin of course. Masters Yoda, Windu, Jinn and Koon. Harry's wife Ginny was there as a Healer. As well as the infamous trio, Luke, Leia and Tamsin. Seeing no one else, Indira calculated that Master Kenobi had yet to arrive.

She bowed as she knelt before Master Yoda. "Master, will my testing go ahead? I do not see the third I am suppose to fight."

"Go ahead it will. Arrive will Master Kenobi. Be here, within the hour. Your Master's lightsaber you will use. Fought with two weapons before, you did. Fight with two weapons today, you will." Yoda said as he handed her the second lightsaber.

Anakin joked as he saw this. "That's hardly fair. That thing turns into some kind of whip."

Indira turned to him with a smirk. "And as I modeled my lightsaber against my master's, Knight Skywalker, does that make it doubly unfair?"

Anakin paled a little. Not that he thought she could beat him, as he had more years of experience. But he had never sparred or fought against such a weapon. That put him at a disadvantage. Scared Anakin? Harry's voice resounded in his head.

Not scared Harry. Just realizing that neither of us has had experience against her lightsaber. Anakin replied.

Harry chuckled mentally at his former padawan. Don't worry Anakin. I think she'll take it easy on us.

"Alright you two. Anakin, as the junior of you two, you will go first. Indira, this will be a kill touch spar. I assume that Master Onowa taught you of these?" Mace began. Seeing her nod he continued. "Good. Now start with the Katas and move to free sparing. Ready. Begin."

Indira took her stance and as Anakin started with the first Kata, she began the counter. She relaxed and let herself fall into the Force. Feeling the movements flow thru her body she concentrated on the advancement. Soon they had reached the end of the katas and she brought herself to full awareness. The others were staring at her pensively. Anakin was looking at her in confusion.

"Is something wrong, Masters?" She asked quietly.

Harry spoke up. "Nothing wrong really Indira. It's just for someone who has been a padawan for so long without regular practice with another Jedi, you are remarkably comfortable with the Katas. Not too mention that Anakin tried to throw your calm by speaking to you. Yet you did not seem aware of him."

Indira looked at them with confusion in her eyes. "Knight Skywalker spoke to me? I did not hear him. When I slip into the Force during a fight, I am only aware of the fight. Sometimes, I feel if something else is a threat to me. But for the most part I know nothing but the feelings, movements and advancement of who or what is in front of me. Is this wrong?"

Mace answered quickly to dispel her growing concern. "No. It's not wrong or unheard of. But it is unusual. It is a skill that can not be learned but rather a skill that one is born with. And it has not been heard of for many years. We will talk of that later. Please continue with free sparring."

Indira had not, much to Anakin's delight, activated the whip feature of her lightsaber. But as this was now a pure spar, she wasted no time in doing so to one of the weapons. Anakin stepped back and fell into a fighting pose as Indira had the whip in her right hand circle her head before cracking it downward and stepping forward. She lifted her hand again and snapped the bright purple flexible beam over Anakin's head. Then the fight began. It was evenly matched for the first half as Anakin tried to figure out the unknown weapon and style of the young woman behind him. Once he had and felt more comfortable, he began to counter her more easily. Neither were willing to concede and finally Anakin caught her with a lucky shot to her leg. He lightly touched his beam to her neck and stepped back.

Indira jumped up and deactivated her weapons. She stared for a moment before smiling broadly. "Thank you Knight Skywalker."

Anakin stared at her obviously a little confused. "Thank you?"

Indira nodded. "I have not had an opportunity to fight another Jedi since my Master passed. It was exhilarating."

Anakin shook his head with laughter. "It isn't very often that I get thanked when I beat a padawan. But you're welcome Indira. May I say that you are a worthy opponent and I look forward to our next match."

Indira bowed to Anakin and turned to the others. "Ready Master Potter?"

Harry nodded. "You bet. But as you proved you know that Katas well enough, let's just spar shall we?"

Indira nodded. She again activated her weapons, but held off the whip feature for a moment. Harry's lightstaff was new to her and even with two weapons, she was at the disadvantage. Deciding that it was time to show him her full arsenal, she cracked the whips and fell into the Force. They continued to fight and as the minutes passed, Yoda turned to Anakin. "Attack from behind, you will Knight Skywalker. Now."

Anakin looked at the little Master for a second before nodding. He edged over to stand closer to Indira before bringing his lightsaber to life. He force jumped right behind her with his weapon raised. Without missing a step, Indira snapped one whip straight and turned sideways to fight both. It was only when a lucky downward swing caught her off guard, that Indira realized she was facing two opponents. Determination filled her and with a forceful snap wretched Anakin's lightsaber from his hand. As she tossed the weapon away, her other lightsaber whipped toward Harry. Just before it could reach him and cause him to stumble backward into the others, another lightsaber entered the fray. Her second whip was pulled from her hand and she was Force throw ten feet into a wall. The last thing Indira saw was Harry yelling at a cloaked figure.