I don't own the Star Wars universe. I only own Rien (pronounced Ree-n)

(This chapter takes place 4 years before Ahsoka becomes Anakin's Padawan, making Ahsoka and Rien 10, which makes Anakin 15)

Sorry this chapter is so short. Couldn't really think of much.

Living in the Dark:

Chapter One: Introductions

Three hours later, they were sitting around a crude campfire Anakin had constructed. Obi-Wan glanced over at her. "So why were you in the caves?" The girl took a minute before answering him. "My family's dead. They were killed by Tusken Raiders two months ago. I don't know why they didn't kill me too. I guess they didn't see me." Anakin frowned. "How'd you survive?"

"Well, after they killed off my entire village, I ran for it. I don't know how I got this far. I managed to steal food and water from the villagers. They saw me a few times, and needless to say, weren't too pleased with my actions. They beat me when they catch me at it." Anakin's eyes widened. "They beat a blind girl?" The girl shrugged. "I stole food from them. Doesn't matter whether or not I'm blind." Obi-Wan spoke. "I realize we didn't ask earlier, but what's your name?"

"Rien."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Obi-Wan. This is my Padawan, Anakin." Obi-Wan sighed, stroking his beard. "Rien, back in the caves, we noticed you lifted two rocks into the air." She nodded. "Yeah, so? Isn't that what you're supposed to do when you're throwing things?" Obi-Wan chuckled. "Not what I meant, young one. What I am saying is that you are Force-sensitive."

Two days later, Obi-Wan, Anakin and Rien were on the ship back to Coruscant. Many of the crew on board would stare at her until they realized Obi-Wan or Anakin was watching them, and quickly resume their work. She had been sent to the refreshers at least five times before she looked presentable and was given clean clothes.

A little after her many trips to the refreshers, Rien sat in the crowded mess hall (where Obi-Wan had guided her before leaving to go back to the bridge), chowing down on some food. Many of the clones had taken seats far from her, a little unnerved by her disability, though she couldn't see them avoiding her. She suddenly heard a male voice next to her and jumped in surprise. "Hey. Anyone sitting here?" She bit her lip. "I don't know." The man chuckled. "Right. You must be that blind girl General Kenobi and General Skywalker picked up on Tatooine." She nodded warily. He smiled, sitting down beside her. "I'm Captain Rex."

"I'm Rien." She started to feel her way back to her tray when Rex stopped her. "Here." He handed her something on the tray, and she started chowing down again. "This is good. What's it called?"

"Food." She frowned, trying to aim for his direction, but ended up staring at the opposite wall, and he started laughing. "I'm over here." She crossed her arms, pouting. "You know what I meant." Rex held up his hands in defeat, still laughing. "Okay, okay! It's called a Diji burger." She smiled. "Well, whatever it is, it sure tastes good!" Rex chuckled again. "I'll be sure to remember that."

Two days later, they arrived at Coruscant, and Obi-Wan had led Rien to the Jedi Council. She shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot as they stared at her. Finally, Mace Windu spoke. "She can't be taught." Obi-Wan looked over at him. "You mind to tell us your reasoning behind that deduction, Master Windu?"

"Because of her disability, she'd be helpless in battle, and the last thing we would need is a helpless blind girl to look after while in battle." Some of the Council murmured in agreement, and Rien's lip trembled. Noticing this, Obi-Wan squeezed her shoulder in comfort. Finally, Master Yoda spoke. "Disabled, this youngling is. Train her, we could." The other members of the Council turned to look at him, and Mace Windu spoke with a slightly disapproving tone. "And exactly how do you propose we do that?"

"Train her, we will, to sense her surroundings. Help her, it could." Obi-Wan smiled at that. "You know, Master Yoda, that just might work..."

Two hours later, Rien was outfitted fully in a standard Padawan uniform. She heard a knock on the door. "Um...come in?" Obi-Wan entered the room, smiling down at her. "Hello, Rien. I just wanted to inform you that you'll be starting your training tomorrow. Also, your other lessons will be taught to you by me. Do you understand this?" Rien nodded. "I guess so." Obi-Wan smiled. "Very well. I'll pick you up tomorrow for your Padawan training."

The next morning, Rien stood nervously before the door leading to the room she was supposed to enter to begin her Padawan training. Obi-Wan looked down at her. "You ready?" Rien took a shaky breath. "I-I guess." He smiled, and they entered the room, Rien keeping her head down, her hair hiding her face. A female Twi'lek looked up as the door opened. "This is Rien, the new Padawan." She nodded. "Thank you, Master Kenobi." Obi-Wan nodded, leaving the room. He looked over his shoulder. "Look after her, won't you?"

"I will." After he had left, she went over to Rien, who was still keeping her head down, leading her to the front of the room. "Rien, I'm Aayla Secura. I'll be your new Padawan-in-training teacher. Once we feel you're ready, we'll place you with a Jedi to train you." Rien nodded slightly, not looking up. "Everyone, this is Rien." Murmured hellos responded. "Now, Rien, if you'll just stand over there." She pointed to a spot in the room. Rien frowned, not moving. "Where?" Aayla froze, realizing her mistake. "I'm sorry, Rien. I forgot." She led Rien over to a spot by the window two aisles down from the front. "Now, children. Put on your helmets. Rien, you don't have to."

"Whaaaat?"

"Why doesn't she have to?" A boy next to her looked over at her, and his eyes widened. "Hey! She's blind!" Everyone began laughing at her, and tears welled up in her eyes. Aayla whirled on the students. "Enough! Rien is to be treated with respect, not ogled like some sideshow freak! Now put on your helmets!

The next few months were a living hell for Rien. She got hit by someone's shoulder, shoved to the ground, had things constantly Force-thrown at her, and beaten up whenever a Jedi wasn't around. She didn't mind the physical abuse as much as she minded being called a freak. Most nights she would crawl into bed, sobbing herself to sleep.

Despite being bullied by the other Padawans-in-training, she really enjoyed her other training with Obi-Wan. He'd questioned her numerous times about her bruises, but she told him it was just caused by her blindness. Her ability of being able to use the Force enabled her to heighten her sensory perception to the point of where, by the end of the year, she was able to identify her surroundings, but not able to identify those around her. She also loved spending time with Rex, who had become her friend, taking her out for a Diji burger on occasion when he wasn't training or on a mission.

"Look out, freak!" Rien was slammed to the floor by another Padawan-in-training. Other Padawans-in-training began roaring with laughter. As she shakily tried to push herself off the ground to her feet, the boy kicked her, causing her to collapse, which started a mob of Padawans-in-training kicking any part of her they could. She curled up into a ball in defense, when she heard a voice. "What's going on here?"

The Padawans-in-training turned to see a Togrutan Padawan-in-training standing there with her arms crossed, glaring at them. "Well, we were just showing this freak her place," one of them said smugly. The girl smirked. "Is that so?" She activated her lightsaber, pressing it up against the boy's throat. "Well, I suggest you clear off. Now." The frightened Padawans-in-training took off running. The girl sheathed her lightsaber, scoffed in contempt, and walked over to Rien, kneeling down beside her. "Hey, you okay?" Rien nodded. "Come on, let's get you to the medical wing. Oh, by the way, I'm Ahsoka Tano."