Beginnings 1

"You see this?" Shizuru uttered, holding a flower out towards Natsuki. They are both sitting under a Gorsa tree, their favorite spot in the city. Beautiful orange blossoms surrounded them. The view was quite breathtaking, even for a desert. A rare spot indeed, one would confuse it for an oasis. This spot also gave them a nice view of the town they lived in, Fuuka, a city of Tatooine.

Natsuki nodded and responded, "I assume your uncle is in town, back from another adventure."

"You assume correct!" Shizuru responded enthusiastically. Shizuru's uncle was a traveler of the universe. Part of the Galactic Alliance, he serves as Captain of a military ship and is a Jedi Master. He has visited many corners of the galaxy and always brought proof of his exploits to his adoring Shizuru. He never failed to bring her some precious or significant object from each of the worlds that he visited. Shizuru admire him and she would love nothing more than to follow, one day, in his footsteps.

On his last visit, he brought her an Akk dog, native from Haruun Kal. Shizuru's choice of pet caused a huge ruckus. This reptilian-like beast had a big appetite and a large interest in the more domestic and popular sorts of pets. For example, the Voorpak, a puffy creature about size of a hand, that looked like a nice sizable appetizer. However, with the help of Natsuki, they were able to domesticate Duran to some extent. Natsuki named him. She said he needed a strong name and Shizuru did not put up much of a fight where Natsuki was concerned. She naturally gave in and even offered equal ownership. Natsuki accepted without much complaint.

Natsuki shook her head, but did not bother to conceal her smile. Shizuru always got excited when something new and thrilling occurred. Natsuki took the offered flower in her hand and rotated it around, getting a good look at it. "What is it?" she inquired.

"It's called a Kibo," Shizuru spoke. "It's a very rare flower and usually purple, but my Uncle said that this one was so rare, that it is dark blue." It reminded Shizuru of Natsuki long locks. "It's found in Hutta, a planet known of moss, mogs, and swamps. Yet, somehow, this flower finds its way to the surface in search of light. It's resilient," Shizuru emphasized.

"I think it's my new favorite flower," Natsuki said nonchalantly. The flower was a bit dry, slowly wilting, but its color showed great resilience. She held onto it a bit more and sniffed it. It smelled wonderful. It was "Beautiful…" she added.

"You can have it," Shizuru said with a smile.

"No, I can't," Natsuki refused, "I know how much you treasure these gifts from your uncle."

"And I treasure you, too," Shizuru said bluntly. Natsuki's cheeks quickly colored to a dark pink hue. "My uncle says these flowers are known to cure blindness. I figured you could use it on your grandmother. I'm sure that it will serve a better use than keeping the flower tucked in my room, left to fade with time."

"Cure blindness?" Natsuki said in disbelief. "Are you sure?"

"That's what he said. It's worth shot." Shizuru spoke with a set optimism.

"Then I will try," Natsuki smiled one of those rare smiles.

Shizuru loved it when she smiled. Her knees buckled in an instant. Natsuki never wasted a smile. She smiled only when she meant it and usually, it reserving it only for her.

Natsuki quickly stood and said, "I'll look for you later, I'm going to take this to my family," Natsuki quickly turned and faced the town but stopped abruptly and just as hastily she turned back to face Shizuru.

Natsuki leaned down and was now a nose length away from Shizuru's face. Shizuru's heart suddenly leaped in her throat. Her thoughts were all over the place, "Do I have something in my face? Her lips are so rosy...Is she going to kiss me?" That is when she felt soft quivering lips touch her cheeks, just grazing the edge of her lips. Shizuru's face was plum red and her body felt heated.

"Thank you. For you, I will always search for that light," Natsuki whispered and just as quickly, she pranced off to her house. Shizuru watched as she ran, though they were only children, in her heart she knew, that no one else could ever make her heart soar.

The flower never did cure the grandmother's blindness. However, rather than living her last days in darkness, she was able to see shades of light.


Present Day:

Natsuki began to shift, "Hold on…" Shizuru spoke. Natsuki almost ripped her helmet off as she removed her arm from around her shoulders. She subsequently placed Natsuki on the floor.

"Why are you helping me?" Natsuki inquired, looking up at the fully suited Shizuru, and noticing that she wore heavy Mandolorian armor. She realized that the Bounty Hunter has faced Jedi's or Sith's before. That is the only reason you obtained that hard-to-get gear4. The beskar armor provided immunity from lightsabers. It was nearly indestructible.

"You're welcome," Shizuru chided. "Look, my reasons are not important; I won't be in your way any longer," she assured.

"What's going on here?!" Someone interrupted from behind them.

Shizuru turned around and aimed her blaster at the woman with orange hair. She stared at her and saw her eyes light up in recognition, upon seeing the raven-haired beauty on the floor. She knew Natsuki. The woman ran towards Natsuki and kneeled beside her, ignoring the blaster that she was aiming directly at her. She was pretty. She looked about their same age and was definitely human. She wore a brown robe, one that appeared similar to Natsuki's, and carried a small backpack with her.

"Natsuki! Are you okay? What's going on here?" the orange haired girl asked in a panic.

"Mai, slow down," she urged. "I'm okay, just badly bruised it seems," she groaned. Natsuki felt around her rib cage searching for more injuries, but was glad to find none.

"Listen, it looks like you're in good hands. I have something I have to finish, so I'm out of here," Shizuru commented.

"You mean Jedi Homura, the man you were supposed to kill, but allowed to get away? Idiot…" Natsuki spoke with effort as Mai was helping off the floor.

"Idiot? Hold on a second there sister," She lifted a finger pointedly at her, "How dare she insult me?" Shizuru fumed inside. "If you recall, a ship just went through a wall, had that not occurred, you'd be cleaning his blood off the floor. In fact, you owe me one since I saved your…Wait..." Shizuru just realized something, as she allowed her thoughts to catch up. "How did you know who I was going to kill?" She inquired.

"That doesn't matter…" Natsuki paused. "Say that again," she said, changing topics.

Shizuru looked at her confused. "Say what again?"

"Anything..." Natsuki said, her voice dropping down a notch, as she approached Shizuru. She was apparently feeling much better since her movements were smoother. Shizuru was glad to have her helmet on; otherwise, she would have looked like a deer caught in headlights. "Your accent seems familiar somehow," Natsuki looked at her as she approached closely.

Shizuru's race, the Samuacs, are notorious recluses. Only a few thousand had existed and they rarely ventured off their planet, due to the clusters surrounding their home planet. However, her family was the exception and sought greener pastures. They eventually settled in Fuuka, a city on Natsuki's home planet, Tatooine. Samuacs were humanoids; however, they were a few differences between actual humans. For example, they had red eyes to help them see in the dark, a result of genetic adaptation. They also spoke the universal language of humans, but they did so with a unique accent. An accent limited to the Sumuacs and a rare encounter throughout the galaxy. The Samuac's were allies of the Republic and were generally Force sensitive. They were one of the first eliminated in genocide, during the Empire's initial quest for power.

For all those reasons, Natsuki would question the rarity in encountering such an unusual accent for a second time in her life. The odds were small, especially now that the species was arguably extinct.

"Uh…" Shizuru uttered, suddenly forgetting how to speak. She felt slightly embarrassed at the sudden closeness of Natsuki. The blood rushed to her face. "How do you talk to someone that you have tried to forget the last 12 year? Someone you have led to believe that you were dead all this time," She thought.

"Reinforcements are here," Mai interrupted. Shizuru felt relief, because as soon as Mai spoke, Natsuki stepped away to peer at the hall.

"Oh no," Natsuki muttered and looked back at Shizuru. "It's Homura," she added.

Shizuru's face conveyed it all she was in trouble. She should have taken off when she had the chance.

Mai looked confused. "Why does that matter? He's with the rescue team," her inquiry remained unanswered.

"Arrest that Bounty Hunter!" Jedi Master Homura encouraged his Republic Soldiers as they approached Mai, Shizuru and Natsuki. Shizuru was cornered and outnumbered now. Not the best time to put up a fight, she will wait for the situation to tip in her favor. She knew this was not the moment. A soldier came from behind her and restrained her. She glanced in the eyes of the other soldiers surrounding her and she could tell that they were all under his Jedi mind trick, by the haze in their eyes. Jedi's have the ability to coerce the weak-minded with the wave of hand. This allowed the Jedi or Sith, to make others do what they want or believe what they want.

"Jedi Master Homura, what are you doing?" Natsuki inquired. "Why are you using our reinforcements to capture this Bounty Hunter? We need them to counter attack the Empire's attach!" She demanded. "This Bounty Hunter just saved my life, and is not the enemy."

"Silly girl, surely you would think different if the gun were aimed at you," he argued. "Once this, this villain is secured in a cell, I will provide these soldiers to the cause. How would I be of use, if I have to worry about a mercenary in the meantime?" It took all of Natsuki's resolve not to rip his throat out. "That traitor, that good for nothing…" she thought as she clenched her fist. Instead, she had to remain composed, for she was a Jedi and had to serve the rebel cause. The rebellion was only able to hire a Bounty hunter to eliminate the threat.

A man quickly came up behind Homura and whispered something in his ear. "What do you mean it's not there? It can't just get up and walk away" He hissed at him. The man shrugged, sticking to his story. "Must I do everything myself?" he asked rhetorically.

"Can you hurry up?" Shizuru hastened, "I would rather be rid of the stench of a traitorous bastard, as soon as possible." Homuru struck Shizuru's face, but he reeled back in pain. He had forgotten the strength of the Mandolarian steel in his thoughtlessness. Shizuru chuckled as a result. Upset, Homura turned around and gutted the man that whispered in his ear, moments ago. Gaining his composure, he turned and faced Shizuru calmly.

"I would like to look upon the face of my intended murderer," he spoke and then ordered one of the soldiers to remove her mask. They took no kindness and removed it with a roughness that caused Shizuru to bring her head close to her chest to stifle the pain, limiting the view to her face as she fell to her knees. "Let's see you laugh now," he uttered. Using the handle of his saber, he hit Shizuru in the face. She tried not to yell out in pain, but fell backwards in the attempt. Her jaw took a hard hit and blood was now trickling down her mouth. She spit out what she could, leaving a nasty taste of copper in her mouth. Trying to regain her balance, Shizuru build up some momentum with her arm and placed her leg underneath, to get back up to her knees.

"Is that all you got," Shizuru released a laugh that sounded almost maniacal. That is when she heard a gasp. She knew it was Natsuki. She turned to look upon her face and saw the surprise in her emerald eyes. She was covering her mouth, hoping to conceal her reaction. She had indeed recognized her. All sorts of emotions passed through her eyes in that instant as her own red eyes met green; sorrow, pain, relief, love, and anger. As far as Natsuki knew, Shizuru could have been long lost or dead, the latter being the more probable option. Homura was about to strike Shizuru again, but stopped abruptly confused by Natsuki's reaction.

That is when Natsuki stepped forward, "Stop this!" she demanded`. "You are no executioner! I will report this to the rebellion authorities, immediately," she threatened.

"What authorities, Natsuki?" He asked smugly. "The authorities that are currently being slaughtered in the room next door?" he snickered. "I am growing tired of this charade. I no longer have to wear this proverbial mask and utter distasteful words in honor of a rebellion that should have vanquished long ago. I will kill you and your friend," referring to Mai who stood idly by in shock, "as soon as I'm done with this mercenary."

"Now would be a good time," Shizuru urged.

"What?" He asked confused. "Who are you talking too?

"Run," she mouthed as she looked at Natsuki and then looked back at the wall. Natsuki knew how to take a hint, so she grabbed Mai and threw herself on the floor, just as Shizuru did so.

Boom! The wall exploded, taking a few of the turned rebellion agents with it to the grave. Shizuru removed the cuffs that had her shackled easily and picked up her helmet. Jedi master Homura had already made his escape. "Well that didn't go quite as expected," she contemplated. This was her chance to escape. She put her helmet back on her head and glanced at Natsuki. She was clearing the rubble off her and her Jedi friend. They seemed well enough. Shizuru activated her jetpack, thrusting her forward, exiting the spire and approaching her vessel, the Kiyohime, her Starship.

Shizuru landed on her feet, with little difficulty, on the rear end platform. Her second in command was standing there waiting to receive any further orders.

"What took you so long?" Shizuru shouted. Since the starship was midflight and the wind blowing could easily overwhelm, one would have to shout to get their message across.

"I was having some difficulties with the forward floodlight," Yuuichi Tate spoke up. Shizuru stared at him blankly. "I didn't want us to get another galactic ticket for noncompliance. Besides, that new transponder in your ear is worthless, I had to get far too close to the building to be in range."

"A ticket is what you are worried about?" Shizuru sighed in exasperation. "There are far more important things at hand, such as this Bounty and my life!" Yuuichi put both hands up in surrender and backed away. There was no need to incur her wrath.

"Okay, Okay, it won't happen again," Yuuichi assured. "Now if you excuse me, I'm going to get us out of here," he added.

"Wait, I need a minute to gather my thoughts," she said as she looked back at the Jedi Temple. Outside forces completely overrun the building. The spire, the main area of activity, had flashes of light. It was definitely coming from Lightsabers and blasters. "I think I need to go back," she left Natsuki there to face the battle alone. "What if Homura came back? What if they capture Natsuki or the Empire proponents kill her? Why am I worrying about someone I have not seen a little over a decade?" There were too many questions and if she did not take action, those questions she will leave to chance.

"Why?" Yuuichi asked perplexed. "We don't have time for a social call. We need to get away before we appear on the Empire's radar," he insisted.

"It's about an old friend," She simply said.

Yuuichi looked back at the building. Shizuru was always cryptic. Friends, she had only a handful across the galaxy, if you can call them friends. Besides, bounty hunter groupies did not count. "This must be important for her to take a gamble on someone," he thought. "Well if you are going to do something, you better do it quick," he spoke with caution. "The spire is about the collapse…"

"I forget you were once a dog," Shizuru snickered. He could likely hear the cracking of concrete from a distance.

"A wyrwulf," he corrected. It made a big difference since he was never a pet. Yuuichi was a Codru-ji. As adults, the Codru-ji's were human looking, but instead of two arms, they had four. In childhood, they were six-legged looking dogs called wyrwulfs. That is until they reached puberty and then a cocoon enveloped them. After a few weeks, they emerged fully-grown. Although, he was not as hairy as one would assume, he did give an occasional growl.

"Okay, here I go..."Shizuru said as she ignited her jet pack, flying towards the tower, without an actual plan in mind. She would play by ear and hope for the best.


"Mai, what happened to the crystal?" Natsuki asked with urgency.

"This one?" Mai said with a smile, lifting up the backpack she had with her. "I have it inside, fully secured."

"I'm impressed," Natsuki said.

"Well seeing as you asked me to guard it, once the alarms went off and I saw storm troopers, I figured better safe than sorry," Mai explained. "I managed to snag the Jedi Codex, too," she added.

"Good call, let's move," Natsuki spoke. She reached for the backpack and fastened it to her. She will not allow the crystal to fall into the wrong hands. Based on Homura's outburst, not too long ago, it safe to assume that he wanted this stone, too. "For what?" She was unsure.

Both Mai and Natsuki jumped back into the fray, hoping to form a retrieval squad.

"This is a lost cause!" Mai shouted as she battled storm troopers, stabbing one with the end of her blade. Thankfully, the Storm trooper numbers have dwindled, allowing her and Natsuki to take them on as they made their way back to the Consulate room. On the downside, their plan to recover the forces for a retreat was a complete flop. There was a plethora of bodies, both Jedi and rebel soldiers, lying on the ground. Heading back to ground zero, they encountered a disastrous scene. The ceiling had fallen, a result not only from the vessel that broke through, but also from the deflection of the blasters.

Natsuki jogged her way to a fallen Jedi. It turned out to be Master Yoda - the best of the Jedi's have fallen now. This truly was...a lost cause. She lifted his head and he gave her a faint hint of a smile. With the last of ounce of energy he had left, he spoke to Natsuki. "Take the fight to the Sith's responsible, you will," he spoke.

"How can I? It's, its suicide. I am alone," she started giving excuses. "It is impossible," she concluded.

"Another that will help, there is. Hmmmmmm. Trust you must," offering her a tendril of hope.

"I will try," Natsuki spoke unconvincingly.

Yoda coughed, clearing his throat. "Do or do not, there is no try," (*Yoda) he uttered. Natsuki nodded in promise. "I will do it," she said and as he heard those last words, Yoda vanished, leaving Natsuki's arms empty, grasping a brown robe.

At that moment, she felt the ground underneath her tremble. The building was collapsing. "Oh, shit…" Natsuki cursed. Mai and Natsuki tried to reach something solid to hold onto, but were unsuccessful. Finally, the floor underneath gave way and shattered, they both fell from up high. The ground floor came quickly into view but suddenly she felt something pull on her waistband. She was no longer falling. She was flying. Glancing at her left, her friend Mai was there too. She saw an armored hand holding Mai's waistband.

"Shizuru," Natsuki showed a smile of relief.

"Sorry I'm late, I took a wrong turn," Shizuru managed to joke at a time like this...

Mai laughed in respite and at looked at Natsuki. They were both quite surprised and relieved to be going up, rather than falling down! Both Natsuki and Mai were suspended midair by Shizuru, who came in at the last moment and rescued them.

"These girls are heavy," Shizuru mused. She did not make it a habit to carry people around while she used her jetpack. Her arms cried for relief.

As Shizuru saw the Kiyosume, she realized she would have a difficulties landing. Carrying them was offsetting her balance. Luckily, she had some space. Nearing the vessel, she slowed down as much as she could, but ended up rolling across the aircraft as she placed them down on the floor. Shizuru managed to recovery quickly and without injury.

"Woo-hoo!" Shizuru shouted enthusiastically in her rush, as she removed her helmet, allowing her long auburn hair to fall freely. "Now that's two you owe me," Shizuru said winking at Natsuki, whose face flushed immediately. "Take us up, Chewy," Shizuru shouted to her co-pilot as the rear entrance sealed shut. She heard Yuuichi's growl echo across the hall in response to the nickname she had given him. Regardless, the vessel quickly ascended into space, as requested.


Author's Note:

I was thinking about throwing some more glimpses into the past, as I did in this one. Not sure if it works, let me know. I'm hoping it will only add to the characters development. I have some things jotted down.

Also, in tribute to SW once again, this time I threw in a Yoda cameo – for any Yoda fans out there.

Thanks again for anyone that took the time to review.