Sorry for the really late update. Had some time off college work and found my files so I thought I'd post this up anyways. :D
"Kas'shen?"
The young Jedi Knight turned swiftly around to look at the person who called her and saw Master Atris walking down the corridor leading to the courtyard.
Kas'shen cocked an eyebrow in curiosity when the older woman beckoned her to the courtyard, which she followed. The two women walked side by side to a waterfall in silence, and the Knight fidgeted slightly when she felt the Master seemed to be in conflict deep within herself through the bond she shared with her.
She knew, that Atris couldn't tell that she was reading her emotions through the bond. Kas'shen had long trained herself to control the ability she had to buffer out the throngs of emotions and thoughts from those she were close to, or have made friends with.
Little waves of irritation, exasperation and disbelieve hit her, and all Kas'shen could do was lower her head and try to shut the bond out before it overwhelmed her.
Atris sat on a bench by the waterfall, and yet said nothing. The frown on her forehead grew deeper as her icy-blue eyes bore into the younger woman's. Kas'shen sat beside her and tilted her head at the master.
"Was there something you wanted to talk to me about?"
The master lifted an elegant white brow at her and pursed her lips slightly.
"I wish to ask you something, and I hope that you'd be truthful about this."
Kas'shen's heart jolted a little at that as she wondered if they had found out that she was the one who actually poured an entire bucket of grease on Master Vrook. It was an accident, thanks to Revan, who tricked her into carrying it and Force tripped her. She had spent the entire day sweating in anxiety and shooting death glares at the snickering woman.
Even Kavar didn't know about the incident.
She nodded in agreement and Atris shifted uncomfortably before continuing with her question.
"It has come to my attention that you have been…rather different for the past few months." She paused. "Are you alright?"
"How am I different, Master Atris?" Kas'shen smiled softly.
Atris shifted again to directly face her. Kas'shen reopened the bond and felt the waves of emotions crashing into her again. In an instance, she closed it.
"You are one of our best Jedi, Kas'shen. You understand the Jedi Code, do you?" She paused to see her nod. "What is the first line in the Code?"
Kas'shen suddenly understood what she meant. She struggled with all her effort not to show the panic on her face and clenched her hands together. With a small smile, she recited the first line. "There is no emotion, there is peace."
Atris nodded. "Emotion distracts a Jedi, and can cause serious harm to us. You understand that?"
The young woman was forced to nod her head.
"What is the third line?"
Kas'shen sucked in some air before reciting that. "There is no passion, there is serenity."
Atris nodded again. "I trust you understand well what I mean, Kas'shen. These things are not to be fooled around with." Her voice was firm when she said that, and at the same moment, Malak happened to walk towards them.
The Jedi Master shot him a disapproving glance and went into the Temple. Malak shot her a confused look and turned to Kas'shen, "What did I do?"
She tried her hardest to keep silent as she shifted into a more comfortable position. Kas'shen never felt so frustrated before and she really wanted to kick something to release whatever anger she had inside.
Even the bare chest she was using as a pillow didn't work to soothe her and could be a great punching bag.
Kas'shen tilted her head to look at his serene expression as he slept and couldn't help but smile a little. For the past year, they managed to stay together without the knowledge of others. In front of others, they were just an ordinary pair of master and apprentice; but behind closed doors, it was a different story.
Despite his discomfort over breaking the rules of the Jedi, Kavar had repeatedly made it clear to her that he didn't regret the relationship they had. Kas'shen knew he was speaking the truth, and yet whenever they were together in front of others, she couldn't help but feel guilty.
She knew he was guilt-ridden for disobeying the Code and she also knew that he thought she could have someone better than him. Kas'shen never allowed him to speak of that matter. Whenever he tried, she always shushed him by planting a firm kiss on his mouth.
The Temple was considered a 'dangerous' place for them and the only place the two lovers could run away from all of the guilt and anxiety over being found out was in the apartment Kavar had rented somewhere far away from the Temple.
That place was their safe haven.
Kavar moved a little and opened an eye to look at her. Upon seeing her head rested on his chest, he smiled with satisfaction.
"Comfortable?"
"Very."
"Better than your pillows?" He smirked at her. Kas'shen chortled snuggled up closer to him.
She did a twirling motion on his abdomen with her index finger and he relished in the ticklish sensation. The young Jedi looked up at him and replied, "Yes."
"More comfortable than hiding the truth about the incident with Vrook?"
Kas'shen's smile died away immediately. Kavar studied the surprised expression she held with much interest and tried his hardest not to laugh.
"How…how did you know?"
The master smirked again and then chuckled. He tapped his right temple and then hers. Kas'shen growled lowly when he told her he had read her mind.
"You were projecting the scene to me for three days. I was wondering when you'd tell me about it."
The thought of Vrook reminded her of the Council, and the Council reminded her of Atris and her words. Her indignant expression faltered and the frown crept into its place.
The master sat up at her sudden change of expression and wrapped his arms around her before asking, "Something wrong?"
Kas'shen nodded a little and hugged him tightly; Atris's words rang in her head. "Emotion distracts a Jedi, and can cause serious harm to us. You understand that?"
"She knows."
Kavar's frown deepened again as he asked, "Who knows what?'
"Atris. I think she knows about us."
She lifted her head to see his expression, but Kavar only raised an eyebrow at her and bowed his head to rest his forehead against hers.
"I don't think so."
Kas'shen was surprise by the confidence in his voice. She sat up and pulled the duvet to cover herself. "How would you know?"
"She hasn't spoken to me yet."
She punched him lightly on the shoulder and Kavar yelped in mock-pain. "Still, she suspects me of having an affair with someone, Kavar." Then she stopped. "I think she thought it was Malak, judging by the glare she gave him." She narrowed her eyes in irritation at him and he chuckled.
He stretched and placed his hands behind his head while surveying her expression. "Always the calm one, you were." Kavar took one of her hands and rubbed it softly. "You were never afraid of letting them find out." He placed a finger on her lips to stop her from speaking. "Relax, Kash. Whatever will be, will be."
Kas'shen took in the naked form before her and smirked. Reaching out a slender finger, she traced the scar he had on his chest and leaned forward to plant a kiss on it. "What ever will be, will be, huh?" She murmured against his skin with a small laugh and nipped him.
Kavar squirmed and joked, "Yes, and you can stop being jumpy."
"Hey, you're the one who's jumpy. Who rented this apartment on the other side of sector 089? Which very far away from the Temple, I might add." Kas'shen retorted.
Kavar chuckled again and tapped her head. His young lover sighed in exasperation and crossed her arms, which resulted in the duvet falling off and exposing her.
Kas'shen blushed and hastily tried to cover herself when Kavar teased her by bumping his eyebrows twice at her body. He laughed at her reaction and pulled her close to him. She let herself bask in his warmth and she snuggled up closer to him, inhaling his scent.
The master stroked her hair and murmured softly into her ear, "Trust me, Kash. Everything will be fine."
I can only hope, my love. The woman thought as her hand began its dangerous journey down some uncharted territory.
"The Mandalorians have decimated countless planets for the past three months in the Mid-Rim, and the Senate is beginning to worry for the Republic's safety. Planets that are destroyed include-" Kas'shen perked up when she heard Revan's home planet's name. She spun around immediately to see Revan sitting dazed in front of the holoprojector with Malak's arms around her shoulders.
The blonde knight had never seen Revan in such a state. Cariaga, Barielle, Nisotsa, Talvon, and Xaset watched and waited for Revan's reaction to the news.
Kas'shen moved forward and knelt in front of Revan. When she saw Revan's eyes shifted from the floor to hers, she took the black-haired woman's hand and held them tightly. Malak's face was full of concern and anxiety. The blonde reached out to their bond, only to meet a mental barrier slamming down on her.
Revan's voice was hoarse when she finally spoke after few minutes. "I'm fine."
Malak pursed his lips at her in disbelieve. Kas'shen stroked the woman's hands to comfort her, yet Revan remained rigid on the couch.
The Republic Fleet has sent out their armada to stop this growing threat, but it seems that instead of preserving the peace, the Mandalorians are driving the Republic's forces into defeat in many battles." A reporter reported the news with a grave expression on his Twi'leki face. "So far, the Jedi has yet to extend their help in this war."
Revan stood up with a grim look on her face and announced to all her Jedi friends who were in the same room as her. "That's it. We're going to war."
Kas'shen felt the suppressed rage emitting from Revan and called out to her when her friend stormed to the door. "Where are you going?"
"To the Council. They have to listen to me." With that, Revan spun around and left the room with Malak following behind her.
The other five glanced at each other and then all focused on Kas'shen.
"I hope she doesn't get herself into trouble." Talvon spoke.
"She won't." Nisotsa replied. The six friends stayed in the room for an hour without doing anything. They didn't speak nor did they move from their spots. Kas'shen remained kneeling on the floor.
Then she felt a very familiar presence approaching the room they were in. Kavar stepped into the room and searched for her. When his eyes fell on his apprentice, he seemed to relax a little.
"Master Kavar!" Even with the tense atmosphere in the room, Nisotsa and Barielle didn't fail to brighten up at the sight of their favourite idol. The Jedi Master nodded at the two expressionlessly and gestured at Kas'shen for her to follow him.
She did as she was told and got up from the floor. Kas'shen followed him all the way to his room without speaking.
In his room, Kavar sat on his desk and tapered his fingers together as he studied her. The apprentice shifted uneasily under his intense scrutiny and had to ask, "What is it?"
"I saw Revan storming off to the Council. I know what's she's going to do."
"So?" Her simple reply got a low growl out of him.
Kavar moved away from the desk and held her by the shoulders. "You're going with her?"
His question hit her like a rock. When Revan had said that they were going with her, the thought of joining her didn't even appear. Now that he had asked, Kas'shen suddenly became uncertain.
"I… I don't know." She stared wide-eyed at him. "I hadn't even thought about it until you asked."
"Don't go, Kash." Kavar pleaded with her. She saw the anxiety in his eyes, and the fear too.
She smiled at him, and made up her mind. "Since you've already asked me, Master, I won't."
Kavar heaved a sigh of relief and hugged her tightly to him. "Don't go, I need you here with me…"
Kas'shen hugged him back, determined not to break her promise. Friends were friends, but her love for him was stronger.
But she didn't know and didn't see, that her destiny was already laid before her.
The war was going to change everything, and everyone.