Chapter One: They Are One

Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking. Mahatma Gandhi

He was blindfolded, but it didn't matter. He knew the room was pitch black, knew that his companions were just as blind as he was in this. Yet, it didn't matter, as he stood there, back pressed to two others, feeling Qui-Gon shift just a bit, and Kyran tense. The last attack had been a moment ago. And...

Thirty seconds, to the right, block upwards. He passed that thought to Kyran through images, his Sight picking it up easily. Too easily.

The sound of sparks flying, a quiet ache in his arms, even though the feeling wasn't his. He pushed his energy into Kyran, senses so connected, that it was a clear transition, enough to push the offender back into the shadows.

Adjustments. Sense of touch shifting, to Qui-Gon now, purely at ease, purely connected to the life around. Monitoring the eight around them. That was what his youngest picked up, and passed between the three of them.

It had been going on for what seemed like hours. They had been locked in this darkness, defending and attacking, keeping themselves back to back, protecting each other, protecting their one. It was sure to end eventually...

He moved then, blocking, wing curling out in front of Qui-Gon, lightening jittering across it, before Kyran attacked, ducking around his shield to pierce forward, breaking the attacker's defense, driving him away, without his saber. That would be five.

Perhaps when they claimed all eight...

The other wing swept up, electricity kissing every feather, warning off every touch from the outside. Leaving only one area of attack...

Nihan...

He didn't even have to do it, their heart countered on his own, feeling the tunnel, and the surprise attack sweeping in. The other didn't stand a chance against that bright green blade that flashed into life, using the small space as an advantage to disarm whoever it was, and drive them out.

That would be six, three of those had been Qui-Gon's claim, his skill apparent. But Kyran was still the main attacker, and Shane smirked a bit as he heard another saber clatter to the floor, in pieces, to his right, his second warning having already been sent right when he had felt Qui-Gon's move.

Seven.

The last would be his...

The blue fire along his wings ceased, as they flared out. He felt Kyran brush knowing fingers along his right, felt the pleasure course through them all. Then he flipped, over Qui-Gon, landing in front, to take care of the eight.

The final dying sparks of a weapon came to his ears, as their opponent fell back in shock.

The lights returned and thankfully the blindfolds prevented them from being blinded completely. Kyran pulled off his blindfold, keeping his eyes closed as he counted to ten in his head, before he opened them again. His unruly curly hair was falling in his face now that the blindfold was gone. He pushed it away from his face. He was exhausted even as he was triumphant at their success. He knew they had done very well this time around.

He knew he'd be sore though. The fight had taken more out of him than the last few. This hadn't been a mere simulator like they were used to.

Qui-Gon glanced at both his bondmates and he felt the soreness, even though it wasn't his own. He reached to Kyran, and took the pain to himself and began to work on restoring the energies his bondmate needed.

Kyran felt what he was doing and ruffled the boy's hair, which made him beam. "Thank you, Nihan, I feel much better now," he assured him.

Qui-Gon was pleased. "Good. Don't need you to be sore, then you'll be all cranky," he teased.

Kyran shook his head at that, "Wretch," he pushed him the barest bit, playfully.

"Nissan, Ky pushed me," Qui-Gon's eyes were gleaming with mischief, even though he was tired from the exercises.

Shane had been focused above, where he knew the observation windows were. Starting a bit from his thoughts, he looked to his bondmates, hands protectively coming around to embrace his Nihan from behind, as he pressed him, back to chest against him, in mock defense, "Be nice to the baby, Kyran."

Kyran arched a brow. "I am being nice, you're the one calling him a baby," he poked Shane in the chest.

"I'm not a baby anymore, I'm eight point five standard years old," Qui-Gon informed the two of them in his most dignified voice.

Shane bowed his neck, nuzzling his bondmate's hair, as he held a little tighter to him, "So I well remember. You're still Nihan."

Qui-Gon leaned into his touch, almost cooing in pleasure. "Always will be," he affirmed.

Kyran smiled at that and ruffled Qui-Gon's hair again. "So you will be." Just then the door opened and Master Yoda entered the chamber, hobbling forward walking on his stick. Kyran straightened and glanced towards the Master, before bowing.

Shane let go of Qui-Gon, and bowed slightly as well, only to pause as he caught sight of the tall, broad shadow behind the Master. Instinct made him tense, as Sehan's gray eyes bore down on them all, as if taking them apart with just a glance, to see what made them fit like they did.

"Very good you have done today, great progress you three are making," Yoda addressed them.

The three exchanged a brief glance between them, before Shane nodded, speaking for them as he often did, "Thank you, Master."

Yoda glanced at Shane before he said, "Meditate the three of you should together on the exercise. Discuss it afterward, we shall, as usual."

A nod, another look between them, "Of course, Master. We shall meet the Council back in their chamber then."

The trio bowed, almost in perfect unison, before they turned to leave for the dressing chambers.

Shane took his time, just a bit slower than his bondmates. Seeing them finished, he shook his head a little, "It seems I'm getting old, you keep beating me. Why don't you two go on ahead?"

Kyran looked surprised at that but smirked. "Well you are old, in case you haven't noticed. And I think the stress of special ops, is most likely doing that, or the lightening," he added. "Gives you a very scary, old look."

Shane gave a snort, "If you say so. Though I think the lightening just makes me scary," he smirked.

"You're not that old, Nissan," Qui-Gon defended. "Ky is just being silly."

Shane smiled sweetly to his Nihan, lightly touching, caressing his hair, "Thank you, Qui. I know he is."

Qui-Gon then added, "Just like usual," and Kyran playfully cuffed him in the back of the head.

"I don't know if I should take his insolence and disrespect, Shane, what do you think?" Kyran said, trying to put on what he called his "masterly look" and not quite succeeding. His eyes were shining with good humor. "No elders would stand for such, would they?'

"Are you calling yourself old now, Ky?" was the playful tease in return.

"Of course not, I'll always be young compared to you," he smirked. "But I think the little one needs to be taught a lesson on respecting authority."

"I fear I would have to block your path then. I want him to be as rebellious as possible," Shane lightly countered, laying a hand on Qui-Gon's shoulder.

"Ahh yes, but how are you planning on telling us to go ahead and stopping me at the same time?" he grinned.

"I plan to correct the matter when I get there," a smirk, "Justice will be swift, I assure you."

"Hrm, I suppose, then I'll just have to wait and see what justice you determine from this," Kyran said and without another word, he scooped up Qui-Gon and threw him over his shoulder. Qui-Gon shrieked as Kyran then began tickling him.

Shane merely gave a considering look, "I don't think I have anything to punish you with for such an act." He didn't move to save his 'poor' bondmate.

Qui-Gon began to giggle harder the longer Kyran tickled him.

"Well, perhaps I'll remove this rebel crechling from your very honored presence, " Kyran teased.

Qui-Gon began struggling to escape Kyran's hold. "Ky!" he said between giggles. "Nissan, help!"

A helpless shake of the head, "I'm sorry, Nihan, I don't think I can save you from this creature."

Kyran's hold didn't give at all and he carried their bondmate, still upside down away to leave. "Afraid you're mine, little one," he smirked.

Shane shook his head as he watched them go, before he continued to dress, waiting to hear the door swish open, before closing. Leaving him alone, except for one other...

She was waiting in the stall, hiding on top of the fresher to conceal her presence when the door unlocked smoothly at his approach so that he could enter. Nuri stared at him for a long moment before she finally smiled. "Fancy meeting you here," it was their old tease.

He lightly shook his head, locking the door behind him, before he approached, hands lightly resting on her hips to 'help' her down, "So it is. What's a nice girl like you doing here?"

"Perhaps I merely fancy spending time in freshers all over the Temple?" She carefully got down and embraced him. "What's a boy like you doing in here alone? Without the other two in tow?'

"I thought I heard something, and for their safety, sent them on," he stated, acting brave, before he smirked, "I'm glad it's only you."

"Protecting them to the last," she said softly, "Except I noticed you let your youngest keep being attacked," she teased gently before she laid her head on his chest. "I've missed you."

He wrapped his arms more tightly around her, burying his face into her hair, "Missed you too..." The between times seem to be getting longer.

"How did the training go?" she asked softly.

"As expected, they can't defeat us," no pride, nor anything else. Mere fact.

She smiled a little. "Don't be too sure. They haven't thrown anything special operations at you three yet. Or any of the harder simulators."

"True, but we'll get them soon enough," Shane pointed out.

She leaned against his chest. "That's not to say that I'm not proud of your accomplishments," she said softly, "Just don't be so sure. I know you haven't been defeated, yet, but eventually, they will throw things out that even Masters have difficulty with."

He gently stroked her hair, "Don't worry, I know I can be. At least by one person," his eyes got a little distant.

"Who?" she couldn't help but ask, cuddling a little closer to him as he stroked her hair.

"Nissan," he would find him. He was getting closer every time.

Her eyes softened. "Any closer to finding him?"

"He keeps slipping away, right when I have him..." a sigh, his eyes focused again, "I'm getting closer, regardless."

"You'll find him," she promised. "Even if the galaxy is a large place, he can't evade your Master and our team forever."

"I know... it's just..." Time was running out. He could only feel darkness now, where his soul met Ja'thernen's. The cries, the pain, the touch of sanity, was gone, lost in that boiling storm, that ever so often bled through to him, to the point that he had to disappear to the roofs when it did.

"What?" she pressed, sensing that he was troubled about something, but not knowing what it was.

He shook his head, shoving his feelings back down, "It's nothing, I just want to see him."

She could sense there was more to it than that, but she wisely chose to let it go. "You will soon enough," she said softly.

"I hope so..." a mild, familiar flicker of fear crossed his eyes, "I hope he can forgive me."

"I'm sure he will," she projected her warmth to him, to ease his worry.

He relaxed a little, and smiled faintly as he kissed her hair, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," she smiled up at him. "Why don't we find some place more comfortable to be together? Unless you just happen to like cuddling in the men's refresher?" she teased.

"I could care less, as long as it's with you," he admitted, with a slightly sheepish smile.

"Well I prefer to be somewhere much more comfortable," she tweaked his padawan braid. "I don't want to get caught in here," she smirked. "My master would have your feathers plucked out and made for his pillow."

"As if he could do it," was the playful scoff, "Though, I'll gladly go where the lady wishes."

"Perhaps the Room of a Thousand Fountains?" she suggested. "It would be much more pleasant than the men's refresher."

"Sure we won't be caught?" it was a somewhat public place.

"I'll sneak out first, then you follow," she suggested.

Shane gave a nod, "All right."

She tweaked his braid once more before she carefully extracted herself from the fresher stall. There was still no one in sight or hearing range. As she left the fresher, she paused after exiting to get a sip of water from the water unit, before she turned to leave. No one had noticed her departure from the wrong restroom. Smiling a little to herself, she headed towards their meeting place. Her thoughts went to their conversation as she walked. She still wondered what he was hiding from her. Somehow she knew that she would find out someday. It would only be a matter of time.

"Nissan's taking an awfully long time," Qui-Gon commented from where he was leaning back against the tree, in Kyran's lap.

"So he is," Kyran said, frowning slightly, wondering where Shane had gotten off too. His arms were wrapped around his youngest bondmate, as they waited for Shane.

"Maybe we should look for him," Qui-Gon offered, though he made no move to get up from Kyran's embrace.

Kyran smiled a little. "I don't think we'll have to," he assured Qui-Gon threading his fingers through the boy's hair.

Qui-Gon cooed in pleasure and closed his eyes. "Maybe not," he agreed. "Maybe we should take a nap until he gets here," he commented.

"Sleepy, Nihan?" Kyran teased.

"Just a little," Qui-Gon admitted around a yawn.

Kyran began to hum a little and Qui-Gon's eyes drifted closed. "One would think you were trying to put me to sleep, Ky," he yawned.

Kyran chuckled slightly. "Would I do something like that?"

"Yes," Qui-Gon said emphatically.

Kyran laughed at that and stroked Qui-Gon's hair. "Just rest till he gets here. Then we can meditate like we were supposed to," he smiled.

Qui-Gon nodded. "We'll both feel when he's coming anyways," he said, pulling up his cloak to cover his shoulders as a makeshift blanket.

"That's right," Kyran agreed. "So just rest for awhile."

He began to hum again and it wasn't much longer after that than Qui-Gon finally drifted off to sleep. Kyran smiled warmly, keeping it up for a little while after he dozed off and rested his cheek against his bondmate's head, his own eyes drifting shut.

A little while later, Shane appeared, shields on high, as he crept silently to their spot. Pausing at the edge, he watched them for a long moment, a slight smile on his lips. It had taken a bit longer then he had meant. But with time so short for him and Nuri... It had been worth letting them wait.

Such thoughts, he knew, were not of the One. His desires, were not of Them.

He could allow some things that were not of Them. He could allow himself to be individual on some levels.

His love for Nuri, his obsessive want for his brother, those belonged to him alone.

He didn't know why, but something kept prompting him to be individual. He knew he was of the One, had always been of it.

But did that really mean he was not himself? That would be admitting he was merely the One, that he was merely a piece. A piece that could very well be fake...

He shut down the thoughts, shoved them away, deep into the darkness of his soul, where everything else rested.

The individual had had his time, this, was for the One.

Approaching, he unraveled his shields, kneeling beside them, pressing into Kyran's side as he touched his Nihan's hair.

It was Qui-Gon who awoke first, yawning, his sleepy eyes blinking awake at the touch, wondering what had awakened him, then he felt it. He felt him before he saw him. "Nissan!"

Kyran stirred hearing Qui-Gon's voice, and then as he came more awake, he felt him nearby. Shane was there. He opened his eyes and smiled finding Shane next to him. "A bit late, aren't you?" he teased.

Shane gave a sheepish smile, "Took me a bit longer then I thought it would," he wouldn't say what, he hadn't confessed it to them.

Qui-Gon had just opened his mouth to ask what, when he felt the shift from his bondmate. Shane wouldn't say, so it was just as well not to ask.

Kyran smirked. "Perhaps it's the whole "elderly" thing we discussed earlier.

A tsk, before Shane playfully nudged him, "I just primp, a lot," a rakish smile, "Master Zephir says its perfectly normal for a male my age in my species."

Kyran laughed. "So you're going to turn vain now and use that an excuse when you're late?" He teased. He twisted slightly to bring his arm to his face, to check the chronometer on his wrist. "Over an hour late, I might add."

Shane flushed slightly, he hadn't realized it had taken that long... "Vanity and age then, it seems."

Kyran grinned at him and playfully clapped him on the shoulder. "Well I suppose we can meditate now like we're supposed to."

Qui-Gon sat up from where he'd been resting in Kyran's lap. "Definitely we should before dinner," he agreed.

"Then let's get started," Shane suggested.

Kyran nodded and Qui-Gon moved to get in proper meditation posture. Kyran got on his knees and faced Qui-Gon and Shane. He smiled before he drew the Force to himself. For a moment, he went inward once more, to peer at the image he had saved in his memory of his soul attached to Shane's and Qui-Gon's. It always helped him focus, seeing it.

He drew more heavily on the Force, now reaching to his bondmates, his breathing becoming deep and even. He felt Shane join to him first, and then their youngest.

As the three went into the Force, together as one, he found he could never ask for anything more.

They were complete and they were content

Saren, birthplace, death place for so many.

He had never felt that way, didn't feel that way now, even though his very soul was apart of the planet, was merged with it after ten thousand years resting within it. He knew every piece of it, down to the last sand particle.

It still never felt like home.

Yet, he had returned, to make his move. It was almost time, just brushing on the time to truly begin forging what the Force had gifted them. Finally, he would be allowed to finish what he had started all those years ago...

Stepping off the transport, he eyed the many followers waiting, on their knees, head bowed. A private smirk, to imagine a slave would receive such worship... He swept forward, sharp white robes flowing about him as he did so. Pausing, he touched his two most devoted followers, not even looking towards the third. His apprentice would stay behind.

"Come. I wish to speak to my children," he stated, before moving on, out of the crowd, ignoring all others.

Anme'te followed her Lord, glancing neither to the left nor right. Her blood red hair fanned out behind her slightly as she walked. Other than the slight sparkle in her eyes, one could not tell her feelings about her Lord's return, but one glance there and her true feelings were revealed. He was home and she was content at last.

The last followed behind her, head bowed, obedient, silent, as he often was those days. There were no emotions beyond his blockaded expression, nothing to hint of joy or hatred. Just like underneath, he felt nothing for his Lord's return.

Theron led them to his personal office, at the top of the tower. Locking the door with the Force behind them, he turned, slightly pulling the hood back from his face as he did, "You both look well. I have heard great things, that the North is ours."

"It is ours for the taking," Anme'te' was pleased that her Lord praised her. "The Elders are no longer in control. The last of their towers were collapsed two days ago, milord."

There was a slight noise of acknowledgment, as those blood eyes passed over the silent one, "So I know... Excellent work. With the Elders gone, the old Saren has been washed away."

"And a new Saren will be reborn in it's place," she said, glancing now to Ja'thernen at her side.

"A united Saren," Ja'thernen agreed, gaze on their Lord.

"Yes, under its rightful ruler. I believe it's time to take out the second to last standing tower in Saren. It is time to show the South what the North has learned," Theron stated.

Anme'te' gave a slow smile. "I'm sure with your help, such a task will be easily accomplished."

Theron offered a little return smile, "Such faith, my daughter... Though, I assure you, I will be there to aid and guide you both when we make our attack. We merely must mobilize our forces, and strive forward to the first target."

"The beltline," Ja'thernen said quietly, cutting in a little, "We must strike the beltline, in warning."

The Dark Lord paused, before nodding slightly, "Your home turf, of course we will. We'll burn the beltline."

"What of the Twin Temple? Once the South realizes the threat is upon them, they will likely go to the Galactic Republic for help. Even if we combined all our strength, would a victory in the South be possible if they had outside aide? Their priestess, in particular, will address not only the Senate, but the Jedi for help," Anme'te' pointed out.

"Which is exactly what we want, "Theron assured, "We want her to call for them. We want the Jedi to come."

"We do?" She couldn't help but be surprised. "If they send Me'telnen, he and Te'mahte' could rally the people against us. With enough aide from outside, we could be defeated. My Lord's task does not need to go uncompleted."

"Logical fears, but do not worry. I have seen that we will get what we desire. And at the moment, we desire something greater then Saren. The Lady will call, and the Hound will be sent. With him, is what we want, what we will take by force."

"And what do we want, Milord?" she asked curiously. She had thought that a united Saren was her Lord's main plan.

"The power of the Force itself, the whole, rather than a part," he glanced to Ja'thernen then, who looked down to avoid his eyes.

She glanced at Ja'thernen also before turning her gaze back to her Lord. "The Jedi are our Lord's true target then?"

"Yes," Theron paused, "Though really, only one part of the target."

"So then there are two purposes for this war," she looked satisfied. Her Lord's strategy would work, he had never yet been wrong.

"More than that," he assured her, "Far more than that."