Author's Note: Hi Guys!

So, Anakin and Nefertara's ship names are Neferkin and Anatara. Big thanks to who I consider to be a good friend and fellow Star Wars enthusiast -organa- from Wattpad for Neferkin and to my lovely readers on here for Anatara.

Love you all 3.

Also...

OH DEAR GOD THE LAST JEDI TRAILER!

Feels aside... I get a YAY REYLO!


After stepping out of the clearing, a speeder could be seen parking on the edge of the property. But what made Anakin stop were the one of the people that stepped out.

The woman who stepped out was Queen Mutnodjmet.

When the Queen saw Anakin looking at her with a dumbfounded expression, she smirked.

"Jedi Skywalker."

The padwan, not really knowing what was going on, still managed to respond. "Your Highness."

Mutnodjmet's smirk widened before looking at Nefertara with a 'you know what to do' look. When he turned to his previous sparring partner for an explanation as the queen walked away, she smirked.

"Queen Mutnodjmet is my cousin. Some of the cubs here are hers."

Anakin was still confused. "If some of them are hers, why not raise them in the palace?"

The smirk slowly drooped from Mai Jedi's face. "While we may be a loyal species, sometimes it's questionable to whom we're loyal to. And since some people have different agendas, safety measures have to be taken. Here, Queen Mutnodjmet of Li-Tah is just Mutny."

The two watched as Ipu ran to the man that had stepped out of the speeder with a huge grin on her face. "Abi!"

The male's grin was identical as he swept the cub up into his arms. A soft smile spread itself across Nefertara's face as she and Anakin watched on. "That's Mutny's mate, Nahktmin. Ipu is their oldest cub."

"So she's-"

"The Crown Princess of Li-Tah. It doesn't matter if you're a man or woman, if you're the first cub born to the queen or king-"

"-You're automatically the future ruler of the planet."

Nefertara nodded soundlessly. She looked at her companion with a small grin before jerking her head in the direction of the house.

"Come on, you haven't lived until you've tried food from this planet."

-Time Skip-

A few hours later, Nefertara and Padmè were tucked into the former's room because the latter pulled her in to talk

"So what happened during the sparing session you and Anakin had?"

The Mai looked at the senator with furrowed eyebrows. "How do you know about that?"

Padmè shrugged. "Thutmose told me. He also said that it got a little more playful than just 'casual sparring'."

Neferetara stayed silent, eyes wandering towards her window, giving Padmè more room to talk. "I think it's time you told me about the vision you had before we left Naboo. The one that was clearly about Anakin."

Dark brown eyes turned jade green before closing with a sigh. "At the time I didn't know where Anakin and I were, but after our spar in the jungle I realize we were here. I was laughing about something he said, and you know it's been a while since I've really laughed at something save the Alka Fruit incident. Anakin said that I was beautiful when I laughed like that, and then he kissed me."

Padmè's eyes widened, but before a smile could grow, Nefertara cut her off. "Jedi aren't allowed to act on feelings such as love. I'm already breaking enough rules as it is by being here with my family... I can't and won't break anymore."

The happy expression on the senator's face drooped and she stood up from the bed before wrapping her best friend in a hug. "You of all people in this galaxy deserve to happy Tara. You don't deserve to suffer in silence."

The Mai returned Padmè's hug, resting her chin on her shoulder. "Like I said before we left Coruscant. Love is a luxury that Jedi just can't afford to have. I'm happy being just friends with Anakin."

Padmè pulled back with a sad smile. "People who say that usually never are."

Nefertara shrugged. "I really don't have a choice in the matter."

Her ears suddenly perked up. "Come on, they're done setting everything up."

The two left the room and made their way down the stairs. At the bottom, Nefertara spotted something that made her heart warm with happiness.

Anakin was sitting with her nieces and nephews under where her iwiw pelt hung. Ipu was in his lap, and from the looks of it, they were all trying to teach him Mai.

"You're saying it wrong!"

The Jedi padwan looked mock-exasperated. "I said it exactly the way you said it!"

Ipu giggled. "No you're not!"

Nefertara smiled before walking over and resting her hands on her hips wh. "I wouldn't bother Ipu, Anakin here can't even seem to understand basic."

Said padwan looked up, still looking mock-exasperated. "Really?"

"Do I need to remind you of the speeder chase?"

Anakin opened his mouth to retaliate, but quickly closed when he realized that she was right. The Mai grinned triumphantly before plucking Ipu from his lap and settling her on her hip. "Come on, they've got the bonfire going on."

The cubs cheered happily before leaping up and running out of the house towards the jungle. Anakin stood up with a raised eyebrow before raising an eyebrow. "Bonfire?"

Padmè smiled as the three of them plus Ipu left the house and walked towards the jungle. "The Mai are very serious when it comes to someone returning home. Especially those that are or are considered family."

Before long, flickers of orange began dancing against the trees. And those eventually gave away to a large bonfire in the middle of the clearing Anakin recognized as the one he and Nefertara were sparring in earlier. Only difference being the multiple Mai that were now sitting around said bonfire along with the bowls and plates of food perched on blankets. The padwan let his female companions lead him to a couple of empty spots next to Tuya.

After they sat down, the different smells of meat, bread, and other foods he couldn't name completely overtook Anakin's senses. Beside him, Nefertara laughed. "My senses are tripled, so how do you think I feel?"

When he looked at her with a dry expression, her smile widened. "We have to wait until Mawat praises the Mother Goddesses for the food, and then we can eat."

The padwan nodded and let his eyes wander around the clearing. Mai of every age had gathered tonight. Some were talking with each other, others were taking either subtle or not so subtle - especially the Mai that were around his and Nefertara's age - glances at them.

The latter growled and her eyes flashed when she spotted a group of females their age not so subtly eyeing Anakin like he was an iwiw to hunt. Anakin looked at Nefertara with a raised eyebrow. "Are you okay?"

She didn't answer at first. But when she did, her voice was intertwined with a growl. "Try to stay next to me tonight, okay?"

Anakin turned to where Nefertara was looking before a smug/knowing grin spread itself across his face. "Do I detect a hint of jealousy Mew-Shir?"

The latter whipped her head towards the former, eyes the size of dinner bowls. "I said don't call me that, especially here, especially now! And no I'm not jealous, sometimes some of the younger females of this planet have a hard time understanding what the word 'no' means."

The Jedi padwan laughed. "I may have a problem controlling my impulses, but I'm just as devoted to the Order as you are Nefertara."

Besides, the only person I want to look at is you.

Anakin's grin suddenly grew to a length that was almost unnatural. "But if you want me to stay by you I will. All night long, for everybody to see-"

Nefertara rolled her eyes. "Ugh, I changed my mind. First chance I get I'm throwing you to them and leaving you to suffer."

Her companion snickered. "We both know that's a lie."

The Mai Jedi shook her head, but her eyes didn't leave his.

And vice versa.

Nefertara suddenly noticed Padmè looking at them with a raised eyebrow and knowing expression on her face. Giving her friend a hard look, The former shook her head to get rid of the dangerous feelings that decided to make themselves at home in her head before breaking eye contact with Anakin and stared into the bonfire, ignoring both of her companions questioning looks on the side of her face.

Saving her from any questioning, Tuya stood up before raising the hand that was holding a goblet full of fine wine to the bonfire. "To the Mother Goddesses, may they bless this food and those who have prepared it."

Everyone, including Anakin and Padmè, raised their own cups. "To the Mother Goddesses."

Tuya then leveled her glass to the senator and her companions. "And to Returning Friends, may your days be long and plentiful."

Nefertara smiled as she raised her cup to Padmè's direction. "To Returning Friends."

Turning to Anakin, she grinned. "Now we can eat."

-Time Skip-

"Well, you were right about one thing."

Nefertara looked up from her bowl of food at Anakin. "I usually am, but what was I right about this time?"

The padwan gave her a dry look. "Ha ha. But really, you were right about the food here."

She grinned. "Told you so."

It's been a while since everyone had started eating, and at this point, instruments have been taken out and people have started dancing around the flames the bonfire produced.

Padmè laughed at Anakin's slightly bewildered expression. "I told you, the Mai are serious when someone who's family or considered family return home."

Ipu and some of the other cubs ran over and pulled the senator to her feet before they all disappeared into the crowd of dancing Mai.

Nefertara grin was covered as she lifted her cup to her lips. "Well, we're not seeing her for the rest of the night."

Anakin chuckled as he observed their surroundings. "I'll give you this, the Mai certainly know how to celebrate."

The Mai set her cup down with a small, fond smile. "That we do."

A sudden somber expression suddenly leeched away the merriment and amusement that was previously on her face. "The last celebration I was at was shortly before I was found by the Jedi Council. It was the last time I ever saw my Abi, my father, alive."

Anakin looked at Nefertara sadly. "I'm sorry."

The Mai shook her head and attempted to put some like back in her features. "No, I'm sorry for ruining the mood. Besides, I honor his name by being the best warrior I can be."

The padwan was suddenly reminded of the nightmares of his mother that he's been having. Sensing his mood drop Nefertara sighed before standing up. "Come on."

Anakin looked at his companion in confusion. "What are we doing?"

She smiled. "Running."

-Time Skip-

The Mai jedi grinned as she and Anakin ran deeper and deeper into the jungle. Behind her, she could sense the latter's confusion, but also his curiosity. "Where are we going?"

She spared him a look over her shoulder, her grin still in place. "Hurry up and find out!"

Anakin rolled his eyes fondly before picking up his speed as he ran after her. The pair eventually came to a large tree that had branches as as thick as a bantha and as sturdy as concret and almost rivaling the height of the taller buildings on Coruscant. Looking at Nefertara, the padwan raised an eyebrow as she took a running start before digging her claws into the tree's bark and climbed to a branch that was several feet above them. Once she safetly perched, she looked at her male companion with mirth. "Come on!"

As she jumped to the next branch above, a bemused smile spread itself across Anakin's face as he used the Force to jump to the branch Nefertara had just vacated. This continued until they reached the top and perched themselves on the same branch, both very much out of breath.

"Feel better?"

Anakin let looked at the brunette with a raised eyebrow. "Running was supposed to make me feel better?"

"Were you thinking about the reason that was causing you to feel sad?"

The padwan still didn't quite understand. "No."

The Mai smiled. "Then there you go."

Anakin chuckled before rolling his eyes fondly. From the branch they were sitting on, they could see the light from the bonfire casting light and shadows to the surrounding jungle. If they listened closely, they could hear the laughter and music from the merry Mai.

"At least we don't have to worry about Padmè's safety for the time being."

Nefertara looked at her companion with a raised eyebrow. "Why don't we have to worry?"

Anakin, despite clearly being just as exhausted as she was from running, grinned. "No assassin would be able to grab her much less find her in a celebration like that."

Nefertara's leaned against the tree trunk as she laughed. Her companion smiled and the incredulous he felt earlier melted away as he continued to watch her laugh, which was something he felt was rare during this time.

The brunette's dark eyes looked into his light ones as her laughter started to subside. "What are you staring at?"

Anakin said nothing at first. But when he did, his voice was soft and passionate. "You are so beautiful when you laugh like that."

The next thing Nefertara knew, he was gently pressing his lips to hers.