"A brave Jedi was she, and missed, will Knight Tachi be."

Obi-Wan stood stoic, watching as the flames consumed Siri's body. To his right stood Anakin: Although Obi-Wan's former Padawan hadn't been too close to Siri, he knew of the close friendship that had been shared between Knight and Master.

On his other side was Luminara. She stood with her head bowed, any expression concealed by the harsh glow of the flames.

The only others in the room were the obligatory members of the Jedi Council, who attempted to honor each Jedi's passing. They stood clustered away from Obi-Wan; as if his grief was a poison that would slowly grow neutral on its own.

Adi Gallia stepped forward. Having been Siri's Master, the blue-eyed Jedi knew she would have taken Siri's death at least as hard as he had. "We are told that there is no death, only the Force. In these bloody times, that is hard to believe." She took a shaky breath. "Still, I always trusted the Force to guide Siri's actions, and I will trust it now. In life or in -or not, the Force is with us."

In a voice so quiet that Obi-Wan wasn't sure if he actually heard it, or just imagined it, she murmured "Even when it seems like it isn't."

Later

He stood before Luminara's door, hand poised above the buzzer. What was he doing here? They hadn't spoken at all on the way back; why should that change now?

Obi-Wan was about to go back inside when the door slid open. The Mirialan Jedi that stood before the Master looked as serene as always, until her eyes met his. Then her calm expression faltered, revealing a complex blend of emotions that seemed to include pity, frustration, and just a hint of pain. "Master Kenobi. May I help you?" Her voice was flat.

"Can we talk?"

She hesitated, but replied with a "Of course, Master Kenobi."

Was it his imagination, or was there a slight emphasis on the word Master? Was she only letting him in because he outranked her?

Mentally, he berated himself for these foolish thoughts. He was no longer a Padawan, and such insecurities were hardly worthy of even a youngling.

Inside, Obi-Wan sat across from Luminara. He opened his mouth to begin, and then closed it, as he found himself unable to say anything in the woman's presence.

In the end, though, it was her who broke the awkward silence. "What did you wish to speak about?" The Master knew it took great pains for her to put even the slightest bit of interest into her voice, and he was thankful for the effort.

Where to begin? "On Shili… When we were imprisoned…"

She raised an eyebrow. "I seem to remember that time."

"Yes, of course…" He shook his head, trying once again to clear his thoughts. "We could not feel the Force."

"Correct." Although her demeanor was calm, Obi-Wan was certain she was getting annoyed.

"Did… did you see something?" That had been bothering him ever since he had had a chance to clear his mind. Luminara had to have had something to back up her words when she opposed his decision to leave none behind. How could she have, though, when none could feel the Force?

The Mirialan was not looking at him when she responded. "The Force is everything. The Force is past, present and future, and it is all of us. But it is just a ghost, now. It is just whispering darkness, no sparks of light appearing. And in darkness lies the truth, lies power not pushed down merely by drugs. That darkness is everywhere, and it whispers. And sometimes… sometimes you hear those whispers." She still wasn't facing him.

Obi-Wan gazed at her, astonished. "Are you saying that you felt the Dark Side?"

"I am saying that there are many forms of the Force. I don't know what happened there; I cannot explain it. But I do know that… that I saw something, and you didn't. That you should have listened to me. And… and that you should leave. Now."

"Luminara?"

She turned to him, although he couldn't see her eyes. "Would I not be a fool to try to decipher the unexplainable?"

"Do you expect me to justify her death?"

Something in the pained notes of her voice as she said the final syllables made him stand up. "I'm sorry."

"Leave. Now."

He hesitated, his hand on the door. "Goodbye…"

She never answered him.

A/n: Thanks for those who reviewed! Feedback is always greatly appreciated, especially on this chapter, as I'm a bit… iffy on the ending.