A Bond Unbroken Chapter 1
"Leia~ Time to wake up, baby sister!" The eleven-year-old groaned at the way to cheerful voice. Squishing her eyes shut, she brought her covers over her head and flipped over.
"Oh Leia~"
"Leia! Time to get up!" Leia grunted at the sudden weight on her back.
"Lyle! Get off of me, you lug!" She turned to glare at her oldest and youngest brothers, only to see Luke standing at the side of her bed with a sour look. She had to stifle a laugh. Lyle was only half on top of her, his feet kicking through Luke's ghostly body. She gave her twin a grin, before pushing Lyle off of her, straight through Luke. Lyle rolled on the ground, before jumping up, sticking out his tongue at her, and running off. With their youngest brother gone, Leia freely laughed at her twin.
"Oh yeah, ha-ha. Laugh it up. You're not the one who has to deal with people randomly going through you. It feels weird!"
"I'm sure."
"It does!" Leia rolled her eyes at her brother as she got dressed. She didn't see why he was complaining. He was dead. She was alive, and she had to go to school and deal with boring teachers, annoying kids, and way to much homework. He was homeschooled by Grandma Skywalker, Master Qui-gon, and Master Tahl. She had never met any of them, but she had heard stories and they sounded way more fun than any of her teachers.
"Leia? Leia! Corascant to Leia? Can you hear me?"
"Unfortunately." Leia muttered. She grabbed her cream colored backpack and brushed down the short, red, skirt of her school uniform. She hopped down the stairs, Luke opting to float behind her. He could walk, if he wanted to, but he often choose not to. It just wasn't necessary. As she made for the last step, a sudden force pushed her, causing her to trip.
"You were going to slow, big sis!"
"Loki!" she yelled. That was another reason her twin had no right to complain. He didn't have to deal with their younger siblings. Excluding her twin, she had four siblings. There was Loki, who was three years younger than her and like her, looked a lot like mom, except his hair actually was curly, unlike her waves, and he had dad's height and eyes. Aside from her twin, he was the only one with blue eyes. Then there was the triplets, Limé, Lyle, and Laci, who were four and a half years younger than her. Limé and Laci were physically identical, both blonde haired versions of mom with dad's nose and a small mole on the left side of their faces, right above the lip. Lyle was a lot like dad, but with brown eyes and less height, though he wasn't short like her, Luke or their sisters. It was so unfair. She loved her siblings, but was sure she would love them a whole lot more if, like Luke, they couldn't see her.
Her twin suddenly appeared in her vision, holding out a hand jokingly. Leia rolled her eyes at him. She knew as well as he did that they couldn't really touch. She would just go through him. She stood up, brushing off her gray skirt. Luke used the Force to hold her bag out to her. She grabbed it and ran into the kitchen, where Mom was reading a datapad, likely some news report. Dad was nowhere to be seen, meaning he was already at the temple. He practically never slept in.
Her siblings were already at the table. Limé was talking adamantly to Laci about the dream she had last night while the two girls ate their cereal. Lyle appeared to be finishing his math homework. Loki smirked at her while taking a large bite of toast. The little brat. She shot him a dirty look as she sat in her seat. Mom looked up from her datapad.
"Good morning, Leia. What do you want for breakfast? There's fruit, toast, cereal, and Threepio is making eggs for Lyle, though I did ask him to make extra, just in case."
"Thanks Mom. I'll just have some eggs."
Leia sighed and snatched a glance at her twin. He always seemed kinda… sad? Melancholy? Depressed? during mealtimes. Sure enough, he was watching their younger sisters with a sorta glazed expression. The seven-year-olds, of course, remained oblivious to their ghostly observer. Luke began sitting in the air in the meditation pose. Discreetly, Leia flicked him. Luke glared at her in response. Please? She mouthed. Luke rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Fine. But today you have to meditate for an extra half hour." Leia nodded. It was a deal. Carefully, Luke rose and floated behind Loki. He picked up the salt, unscrewed the top completely, and dumped about three tablespoons into Lokis' fruit. Using the Force, he mixed the fruit so the salt was absorbed into the fruit. Leia grinned as Threepio set a plate of eggs down in front of her.
"Thanks Threepio. "
"Of course, Mistress Leia."
Leia inhaled her eggs. Then she grabbed her bag and her snack of the counter.
"Bye Mom! Love you! See you after school!"
"Love you too sweetie! Don't forget that you and your siblings are hanging out at the Kenobis' for a couple hours after school today!"
"Okay!"
"Ugh! MOM! My fruit is really salty!" Leia grinned at her younger brothers' disgusted shout.
"Thanks Luke." She whispered.
He smiled.
"Of course."
Ugh. Her twin was ridiculously nice. That was probably the reason they didn't really fight.
Leia watched the traffic lane eagerly. Suddenly, an expensive navy speeder pulled up. Leia grinned and ran to it, opening the door with more force than was strictly necessary.
"C'mon, Skywalker! Hop in! Otherwise you'll be stuck riding with your siblings!" A blonde girl said with a smile. Leia did just that and buckled her seat belt.
"Good morning, Leia."
"Morning Leia!"
Leia smiled at the two auburn haired boys in front of her.
"Morning Jinn! Morning Preston!"
"Lei-a"
"Don't be rude Bo'Sati."
"Shut up, Jinn."
"You can't tell me to shut up. I'm older than you!"
"Yeah, only, by like, a year!"
Leia laughed at the two siblings. The Kenobis were practically family. Dad and Uncle Obi were brothers in everything but blood. As a result, she had been raised beside them and the Tanos. She and Bo'Sati had been best friends since before they could talk. Leia was technically older, but only by two months.
"Hey Leia?"
She raised an eyebrow at her twin.
"I gotta go. I'll talk to you later. And don't forget! You promised an extra half hour of meditation!"
Leia smiled, amused, and gave a small nod. Luke smiled back, and faded from sight. Leia shifted in her seat as her brothers' Force signature disappeared. He was around often enough that it always felt weird when he wasn't.
The speeder slowed down in front of a large white building with green and blue stained glass windows. Corascant Academy for Children in Unusual Circumstances. Every kid here was either affiliated with the Jedi Order, or had a famous parent. Some, like Bo'Sati and herself, were both. The school was made for kids like them. Kids who might be at risk due to their connections. Unfortunately, it was still a place of education.
"Ugh. School." Bo'Sati groaned.
"That's where we agree." Replied Jinn, as he grabbed his bag.
"Let's go. Don't want to be tardy." Leia said dully, grabbing her bag. With that, the four children headed into school.
Leia groaned quietly as she stared at the board. Their teacher was giving a detailed lecture on the Clone War, like her students didn't know what it was. Honestly, at this school, a lot of kids had parents who were personally involved. Some had been born before in ended. Siths, Leia was born the day it officially ended. She would have much rather learned about the First Sith War or the founding of the Galactic Republic. Then this might not be so boring. Bo'Sati wasn't in this class. She wouldn't have class with her again until seventh hour. In fact, this was her only class that none of her friends were in. Leia glanced at her chrono. 12:26. Just four more minutes until lunch. Leia began to discreetly pack up her things, keeping her eyes on the back of her teacher's head.
5… 4… 3… 2…1…
BRIIIING. BRIIIING.
Leia jumped up, grabbed her bag, and was out the door in a flash.
"Leia! Leia! Guess what happened in Biology!"
Leia looked up from her food at Bo'Sati, who was running over with her own tray yelling, Maliedos just behind her. Maliedos was the daughter of the Senator Juliy of Ryloth. She was a sunshine yellow twi'lek, with light green eyes, and one of the sweetest girls Leia knew. The two girls sat down across from Leia.
"So, we were in Bio, right? We had to do worksheets today. So we were working on these worksheets, and they were kinda difficult, but not really. But then a bunch of kids started just messing around and yelling, so Mr. Saffris told everyone that we weren't allowed to talk anymore if we weren't going to do our work. Then Corlan just mutters, 'By the Force, Mr. Saffris is such a dick.' But Mr. Saffris heard him and he just clapped Corlan on the shoulder and goes, 'Aren't I, though?' Corlan went so pale! But Mr. Saffris didn't do anything else. It was hilarious!"
Leia burst out laughing.
"Poor Corlan!"
"What's so funny?"
Leia turned at the familiar voice. Bo'Sati grinned and responded.
"Hey Ronnlie! Hey Chatin!" Leia smiled and said her own greetings as the Rodian and Tholothian sat on either side of her.
"What's up?" a new voice asked. Leia smiled at the dark haired boy as he sat next to Bo'Sati.
"Hey Elvan. Not much. Ronnlie and Chatin just wanted to know what we were laughing about, so I was about to tell them."
The son of a clone and the senatorial aide of Alderaan, Elvan was considered the most normal person in their group, mostly because no one had ever sent him a death threat or attempted to kidnap him. Which, honestly, were kind of sad standards.
"So, Maliedos and I were in Biology class, right? And today Mr Saffris was having-"
Leia zoned out of her friend's story as she retold it and began watching the kids at other tables.
"Hello Leia." The brunette started and shook the table.
"You alright there Leia?" Ronnlie asked.
"Yes, I'm fine. Just thought I heard something." She glared at her twin out of the corner of her eye. He had totally done that on purpose. He smirked at her in response. Brat.
"If you're sure…"
"Yes, I'm alright. Jeez. You can continue now, Bo'Sati."
As Bo'Sati started telling her story again, Leia shifted her attention to Luke.
"What was that for?!" She muttered harshly under her breath.
"No reason in particular."
"Great."
Suddenly everyone at the table started laughing.
"That's great!"
"I can't believe Corlan actually said that in class!"
"I'm more surprised he didn't get in huge trouble!"
"Before I go, sis, let me give you a heads up. There's a quiz next hour on the homework you had to do last night. Have fun! I'll see you after school!"
And with a grin, her annoying-but-helpful twin disappeared. Leia groaned. Yay. Another quiz. Just what she wanted.
"Hey! What's wrong with Skywalker?"
"Belien! Where've you been?" Chatin asked with a smile. It wasn't exactly a secret that the two liked each other.
The Sullustan boy grinned back, showing his blunt teeth.
"Had to stay behind. Something about interrupting class too many times? I'm not really sure. Wasn't listening."
Ronnlie sighed.
"Of course you weren't."
"So anyone want to tell me what's up with Buns here? Or was she just being her normal weird self."
"I'm not weird! And stop calling me 'Buns'! They're a perfectly normal Nubian hairstyle!"
Elvan smiled at her.
"As far as hairstyles go, they are fairly normal. I've seen some of the stuff your mom can do with her hair. As for you being weird… well…"
"I am not weird!"
Bo'Sati pulled her fork out of her mouth and pointed it at Leia.
"You are. Stop saying you aren't. You groan for no reason, you laugh at nothing, and you talk to yourself out loud all the freaking time. I've seen you do it. You've been doing it for as long as I can remember."
"Hey- some of that is just because of my sensitivity to the For-"
"Eh-nope. Don't try that on me, Leia Skywalker. You forget, Ronnlie and I have a Jedi parent too. If it were because of the Force, we would sense it too."
"Well, my family is known for it's increased sensitivity to the Force-"
"Yeah, I'm not buying it. The Force being your granddaddy isn't a good enough excuse. If something funny happened, your dad would totally burst out laughing. My dad complains every time something happens with the Force that only your dad can sense in the middle of council meetings, because he always reacts. Loudly. So-"
BRIIIING. BRIIIING.
Leia grinned. Saved by the bell.
"Well, I have to go to class. Bye! See you in Basic Class, Bo'Sati!"
"Ugh."
"You alright there Leia? You look half dead."
"Yes. Just had a math quiz and it sucked."
Bo'Sati gave her a sympathetic look, pulling up her notes on her datapad.
"Ah. Well, today's our last workday for our presentations. You ready?"
"Yeah, just about. I had my mom help me edit my script."
"That's totally unfair."
"How? Your mom's a politician too. You could have asked her."
"Yes, but your mother is the former Princess of Theed, former Queen of Naboo, former Senator of Naboo, the Chancellor of the Republic, Padme Amidala Skywalker. She is famous for her incredible speeches."
"Oh shush."
"Hurry up, you two!"
"We're coming! Seriously, Jinn. We got let out late."
"Yeah… sure…"
"Shut up."
"Whatever. I'm just saying that we still got to pick up Preston, Loki, and the triplets from the elementary building and I don't feel like getting stuck in traffic."
"Yeah. Okay."
"Why did we have to get them again?" Leia muttered to Bo'Sati as she watched her oldest sister and Bo'Sati's younger brother scream at each other, while Lyle and Loki attempted to hit and kick each other, despite being restrained by their seatbelts.
"Because we have the misfortune of being associated with them and the school didn't want them either." Jinn responded as he read a book on his data pad, one arm around Laci, who was leaning against him half-asleep. The blonde girl looked up at him with big eyes at his words. He smiled back.
"Not you, Laci. You're adorable. Not like those ruffians. Seriously Leia, how did you get such a cute little sister? All mine does is whine and throw things."
"I do not!"
"Yes you do."
"Do not!"
"Do too."
"Do not!"
"Do too."
"Do not!"
"Do too. Look, we're home. Come on, Laci. Let's get something to eat. "
Bo'Sati grumbled as her older brother walked away.
"I do not."
Leia rolled her eyes at her best friend.
"C'mon. Your brother had the right idea. Let's get some food."
"Hey, what did you say for number three dorn?"
Bo'Sati looked up at her, glancing at own finished Biology homework.
"Uh… the labeling?"
"Yeah."
"Mmmm I'm pretty sure it's the Oolen Cavity."
"That's what I said, but I wasn't sure."
"You're about done then?"
"Yup."
"Okay. Let me just finish this. I need to have a thesis for history tomorrow."
"Alright. I'm done." Leia said with a smile.
"And… so… am…I…"
"Great!"
"Want to bake something?"
"Yeah, sounds fun."
It was just past 21:00 when Dad and Uncle Obi showed up. Lyle, Laci and Limé were all asleep, Loki was reading something on his datapad, (though, judging how long it had been since he had actually scrolled Leia doubted much was getting into his brain) and the Kenobi children had gone to bed. Leia was awake, and had been meditating for the past hour to talk to Luke. When Leia meditated with the sole purpose of seeing her brother in mind, she would find herself manifested in a spirit-like form, her body made of a weird, white substance that she couldn't really feel, in a place that existed within the Force, with only her brother there with her. It was the only way they could ever even somewhat touch. He wouldn't pass through her there, but all she could ever feel was the sensation of mass. There was no warmth or any real pressure. It was like touch jello, just…less pliable. Luke loved it. Leia, well… on one hand she loved her twin, and speaking to him and touching him in any sense was wonderful. On the other hand, Leia hated meditating and Luke… didn't really feel like a human being there.
Leia sighed in contentment as she felt her dad pick her and her siblings up with the Force, gently lowering each of them into their respective seats in the speeder. She lazily blinked her eyes at him. He grinned back at her.
"Did you have a good day, my little princess?"
"Yeah, it was good, besides the fact that I had to go to school."
He laughed at her as he drove, his eyes crinkle ingredients in amusement.
"You need school if you want to be a senator, Leia."
"I know. Doesn't mean I have to like it."
"That's true, I suppose."
Leia and Loki both slipped out of the speeder, grabbing their bags. Mom was wearing her nightgown, sitting just inside on the couch, watching something on the holo.
"Leia! Loki! Welcome home. Where are your father and the triplets?"
Leia yawned.
"They fell asleep so Dad's carrying them in with the Force."
"Hello Angel."
"Ani! I was just asking Leia where you were."
Dad raised an eyebrow at Mom as she kissed him on the cheek, then picked Lyle up out of the air.
"Leia, Loki, go get ready for bed. Dad and I are going to put these three to bed and then we'll come see you, alright?"
Leia sat on the edge of her bed, carefully brushing through her long, dark brown hair. Luke was sitting next to her, having changed into his own pajamas.
"You planning on staying the night?" Leia asked her twin. He sighed in response.
"No, last time I did that I got in trouble with Master Tahl, Master Jinn, AND Grandma Skywalker, and Grandma Skywalker pretty much never gets mad at me. I remind her of Dad too much."
"Ah. Okay then. How long are you planning on staying then?"
"Probably not long after you fall asleep."
"Okay."
Luke and Leia looked up at the sound of knocking on the door.
"Leia? Sweetheart, can we come in?"
"Yeah Mom. You and Dad can come in."
Leia set her hairbrush down on her nightstand and slipped under her covers as her parents walked in. Leia sat up and held out her arms for a hug, which her mother granted along with a kiss to the forehead.
"I love you so much, my sweet Leia. Have a good night sleep."
"Love you too Mom."
Leia turned her attention to her father, who wrapped his arms around her and pushed back the hair on her head so he could kiss the crown of her head.
"Sleep well, Leia. I love you, my little princess."
"G'night Dad. Love you too."
He smiled at her, turning off the lights and closing the door behind him. Leia laid down and turned so that she could comfortably look at her brother, who was sitting at the foot of her bed.
"Good night Luke. I love you. See you in the morning."
He looked at her with tired, bright blue eyes.
"Night."
Leia curled up, and fell off to sleep.
