A/N: This chapter has been re-uploaded to correct section breaks. No other changes have been made.

Chapter Eight: Scars

He was being questioned, about his life and his beliefs. He couldn't see who it was, or even whether it was male or female. There was no malice that he could detect, but it still made him uncomfortable.

Apparently the questioner was satisfied, and the session ended. He drifted for a time before landing in a field full of people. They seemed happy, carefree. Music pulsed around him, unfamiliar, yet energizing.

Then the black shapes appeared. Their purpose was chaos, anarchy, disorder. People fell screaming around him as the shapes whirled by him. He tried to attack, but couldn't seem to move. Fires erupted in the distance, suddenly engulfing him. He screamed as another laughed.

He woke with a start, taking several deep breaths as he worked his body out of its sleep paralysis. A thin layer of sweat coated his skin, causing the light sheet that covered his body to stick to him. It was that dream again, the same one that had begun the night before they arrived. Except that the images were becoming clearer with each repetition. Still, they weren't clear enough to glean much of the meaning behind them.

As his heart rate slowed and his muscles loosened, he tried to recall as much of the dream as he could. The beginning was something new, and he couldn't tell if it was even connected to the rest. His instinct said no, though it was still important.

He suspected that the rest was of the Gathering and the trouble they knew was coming. Given the sense of surprise the dream held, he suspected that Aoshi was right to believe that it was a trap. He decided that he would tell the other man about these dreams the first chance he had.

As he swung his legs over the bed and his feet touched the floor, he felt the solid stone trembling underneath. His first thought was of a groundquake, but the rumbling had a rhythmic quality to it that didn't make sense.

He rose and quickly dressed before walking to the main area. No one was there. Checking his master's quarters produced the same results. As he neared the entrance to the tunnel that led to the training area, he noticed an increase in the vibrations. Walking down, it gradually resolved itself into the pounding, grinding kind of music that he had heard only in certain areas of Coruscant's underground.

By the time he reached the end of the tunnel the music was at a nearly deafening level. Resisting the urge to clasp his hands over his ears, he looked around. He found Leika at the far end of the room, swinging herself around between the ropes and the bars seemingly in time to the pulsating beat. She was dressed in slightly loose black short pants that came just past her knees with a red sleeveless tunic belted at her waist, both swords attached at the hip. Her hair was in a single braid that trailed down her back.

The current song ended with a scream that could have been the word 'hostile', to be immediately replaced by something equally loud but somewhat slower. She had dropped to the ground with her back to him, seemingly oblivious to his presence. Going through a couple of stretches, she suddenly whirled.

A sudden spike in the Force was his only warning, causing him to leap back as the small daggers flew to land where his feet had been. He landed, eyes glued momentarily to the spot where the blades were still quivering before looking up to find the young woman standing just beyond them. She looked at him, holding her sword at the ready, challenge lining the smile on her face.

"Ready?"

Before he had a chance to answer she lunged at him. He had barely gotten his lightsaber up in time to block her swing when she unleashed a flurry of strikes designed to unbalance him. As he parried, he gradually worked himself into a position to turn the tide. Within minutes of beginning he was raining powerful strikes down upon her.

As they fought, the back of his mind was analyzing her fighting style, which seemed to be a combination of Kenshin's and Aoshi's. She was fast, but not as blindingly fast as the redhead, though she made up for it in agility. Her blows were powerful and her reflexes quick. Still, he was confident that he could wear her down in an extended fight.

In fact, it seemed to be working. He had begun by holding back to test her. Now he let the Force flow into him as he let his full strength show. He was finding the pounding of the music a good beat to swing to, the energy behind it invigorating. He could see why she would work out to it. Sending several strikes at her shoulders, he noted that she was having trouble keeping her sword steady. Another minute and he figured it would be over.

He was right, but not in the way he thought. As he continued his assault, a sudden wave of dizziness swept over him. He staggered back as his eyes lost focus, and then hit the mat hard after a foot impacted with his chest.

The spell dissipated as quickly as it hit, and he opened his eyes to find her standing over him. Blinking several times as he caught his breath, he tried to figure out what had happened. Nothing he could think of explained it.

The volume of the music suddenly lowered enough for them to speak without screaming. "Good fight," she commented, approval lacing her voice which was mirrored in her smile. "The guys were right about that."

"What do you mean by that?" He was irritated by her nonchalant attitude combined with the fact that she won only because of that unexplained dizzy spell. Taking a last deep breath, he jumped from his back, landing lightly on his feet.

She shook her head with a small chuckle. "Aoshi and Kenshin told me about yesterday, and how well you did. I thought I'd find out for myself."

"So you decide to attack me without warning?" He didn't even try to keep the sarcasm from his voice.

Shrugging, she replied, "It was a test of sorts. I wanted to see how well you would do if you were caught by surprise. Impressive, to say the least." She cocked her head as she studied him. "What happened? I mean before you went down. It looked like you got dizzy or something. You'd have had me otherwise."

Her unexpected compliment caught him by surprise, as did the concern she was now showing, and the admission that he should have emerged the victor. He lowered his head so that she couldn't see the embarrassment creeping into his features. "Thanks," he mumbled as he shrugged. "Just got a dizzy spell, but it's gone now."

"Hmm. Here." She threw a towel at him before using a second one to mop her gleaming forehead. "How about we dry off and get something to eat?"

He smiled at her, his irritation already disappearing. She had taken him by surprise earlier, but now that the shock of it was wearing off he found that it wasn't much different than some of his training sessions back at the Temple. He also realized that at no time during their fight had he felt any malicious intent. Besides that, he was starving! "That's the best suggestion I've heard yet," he answered as he followed suit. "Has everyone already left? Did Obi-Wan go with them?"

"Aye, they left a while ago, and your master went with Aoshi. They should be back sometime around midday."

"What are we to do until then?"

"Work on your cover," was her mysterious reply. At his puzzled expression, she simply added, "We'll discuss it as we eat."

She headed towards the tunnel, and he began to follow until he caught sight of the picture by the entrance. As he stopped to look at it once again, she noticed and walked over to join him.

"It's quite amazing," he stated, not quite keeping the awe from his voice. "Would you be willing to tell me the story behind it sometime?"

He noticed her hesitation and wondered about it. It was a simple enough request, or so he thought. After a moment of silence she finally replied.

"The legend of the Gaiscioch Dorcha goes back many centuries. It's one of our oldest stories, and one of our most varied." She sighed. "We really don't have time right now, but perhaps later after we discuss what is needed for your cover, if we have time, I can tell you some of it."

Was she avoiding the topic? With her heavy shields it was hard to tell. "Do you have time to tell me what Gaiscioch Dorcha means?" he asked a bit teasingly. "I promise to leave you alone about it if you do."

"Gee, with an offer like that, how can I refuse?" she replied dryly. "It may cause more questions though."

He shrugged as he repeated his promise. It seemed the way of things around here to get more questions than answers. He just hoped to be able to piece enough together to get at least an idea of what was going on.

"Very well then," she said. "It means either Dark Warrior or Dark Hero, depending on which stories you believe. It's from the ancient language, which only a few know nowadays."

"Interesting," he replied as he stored the information for later use. "How much of it do you know?"

"Enough," she replied. "More than most, I'd say, but it's mostly for history research." He raised a questioning eyebrow and she added, "I enjoy history. Watching history repeat itself is one way to see what may be coming. Useful, especially now."

Slowly he nodded. "I can see how that can help, though it never much interested me." Then he shrugged. "Now, I believe you said something about food…"

"This way," she said as she started up the tunnel.

He followed her as they made their way up to the main area in silence. Despite everything, he found himself drawn to her. The lure of the mysteries surrounding her played no small part he knew, but that wasn't the only reason, or even the main one. It wasn't anything he could explain, but it didn't make it any less real.

After they reentered the brighter light, he noticed for the first time the long, narrow gashes apparent on the backs of her legs. They ran the entire length of her left calf and covered the upper portion of her right one, as though a giant claw had caused all of them in one swipe. He saw some more on her left arm starting from her shoulder and going to her elbow. They seemed to be healed, mostly white with some reddish color rimming the edges, and she showed no indication that they bothered her. Still, they were rather prominent, and he decided to risk asking her.

"These?" she asked, waving at her legs. "Got tangled with a very large Thorn a few months ago. They all healed fast enough, but scars don't seem to like to fade on me."

He could feel that she was being evasive with him, but didn't want to push it.

Aoshi's suggestion from last night held him back. "I know what you mean," he said instead. Pulling up his left sleeve, he showed her a blaster burn he'd gotten on one of his first missions. "Six years, and this thing still won't go away." He let the sleeve back down before he asked, "do the scars bother you?"

Turning to set the food in the heating unit, she shook her head. "I'm not vain like that. I've got much more going for me than my looks, not that they count for much anyways." The last bit was said rather sarcastically before she paused and shook her head. "Besides, the scars remind me that the past is real. The good and the bad. That can be important."

He nodded, unsure of what else to say that wouldn't make him look stupid. Though she may put down her looks, he found nothing wrong with them, but was too embarrassed to say anything. The silence remained as she turned back around with the food and sat a plate before him. Mumbling thanks, he attacked his food with the fervor of a starving man.

For her part, she simply seemed amused as she ate more slowly. When they were finishing, she began laying out what had been discussed that morning. As the padawan listened, his face became incredulous.

"I can't believe that Master Obi-Wan agreed to it," he said as she finished.

She chuckled darkly. "He didn't like it, that's for sure. And yes, I am perfectly aware of how he doesn't trust me." At this, she scowled a quick second before amusement again lit her face. "But even he couldn't figure out a 'better' way and had to agree that we needed to be where our strengths are. When I told him what all I'd be doing and the types that I'd be meeting with, he decided that he'd have trouble keeping his cover. Besides, he didn't like the music."

"If it's anything like what you were playing in the training room, I can understand that," he said with a grin.

"Most of the music at the Gathering isn't going to be as harsh as that, but it was rowdy enough that Kenobi couldn't handle it. Come," she said as she began heading for the computers, "let's get started."

~shards~

They spent the rest of the morning discussing the various aspects of her cover, from the music and the groups it attracted to the reasons these groups were good for getting close to the rebels. As they talked she sampled different varieties that would be played at the Gathering and he seemed surprised by how many styles would be represented. She explained that there would be several stages spread out over the grounds with different types of music played at each one so that everyone would have something to listen to that they enjoyed. "We'll be mostly on the heavier side of things," she answered him at one point. "Kenshin and your Master will be covering the other half of it, and Aoshi will likely be towards the middle."

She went through several images showing how they could expect beings to be dressed and discussed options for what he would wear ("not those robes!") and what could be done to disguise his padawan braid. Though he appeared shocked at how outrageous some of the outfits and hairstyles were, she felt that it was more because he'd never really been exposed to such extremes before, at least not in this capacity. Once he recovered from his initial shock, he seemed to open up more to it, adding ideas of his own. Over the course of it, she felt herself loosen up a bit with him. It was almost hard not to like him, and his acceptance of their group.

He seemed the total opposite of his master.

Their meeting that morning had not gone well, and it seemed like she would always have to be on the defensive around the elder Jedi. Kenobi had made his distrust plain, not only of her but of the group as a whole. And he seemed to be stubborn enough to hold that opinion.

*More power to him,* she thought sarcastically.

Anakin, on the other hand, appeared more open. Aoshi had been right on that point. He had seemed a bit nervous around her earlier, but that was probably due to their impromptu sparring match. It might have been a bit harsh of her, but she had needed to test him, and herself. The results of both had set her more at ease, as had his attitude afterwards. She knew that she had risked setting him against her with her little stunt, but at the time it had seemed the right way to do it. As long as he didn't realize what that dizzy spell of his was all about, she felt that there was nothing to worry about.

All appearances were that he was willing to give her, and the group, a chance. That was worth a lot in her book.

They were currently discussing why these groups were her focus.

"It's simple," she said. "Dissatisfaction is everywhere at this level. They see, hear, and experience things that many in the upper classes ignore, preferring their 'pretty, uncomplicated' lives to facing the facts that the galaxy stinks and something needs to be done about it. Something that benefits everyone, not just those in power. The rebels have been trying to recruit heavily from groups like this."

"So why haven't they all joined them?"

She snorted. "Many don't trust the rebels either, even though they've made pretty promises. Okubo and the others did the same thing, and nothing has changed yet. Then again, it has only been a year since the Government was reformed, and I guess we can't expect politicians to work miracles. Besides, many are divided on whether joining the Republic is a good idea or not. Some think it may be the answer to many of our problems, while others believe that it will just complicate them."

"Where do you stand?"

The question was one she was ready for. "Somewhere in the middle. I haven't really decided yet."

He seemed a bit taken back by this, which she had also expected. "You have to see it from my point of view," she explained. "Until recently, say, the last twenty or so years, this arrangement has worked well with our planet. Add to that the growing problems within the Republic and I'm not convinced that joining is in our best interests." At his raised eyebrow, she added, "even out this far, we've heard of the Confederacy. Do you really think that they haven't tried to recruit us as well?"

This bit of information obviously surprised him before he adopted a rueful expression. "I guess I haven't thought about that."

She studied the young man intently before continuing. "I fear they may have learned about us. They have petitioned us several times in the last year, and have been refused each time. Okubo is intent on joining the Republic, and they have not been able to sway him. It was after the second refusal that the attacks began, and they've gotten worse with each one. We've also heard of riders being approached, but haven't really been able to confirm it, since they've never directly approached either of our groups. Though we have no proof beyond speculation, we think this is too coincidental to be coincidence."

Silence enveloped them as he contemplated this information. After giving him some time, she broke it.

"In the grand scheme of things, it really doesn't matter if we join the Republic or not. I will still do what I am needed to do to protect the innocent people of this planet."

He nodded as he appeared to collect his thoughts. "What all does that include? The others were rather vague on it."

She felt her face quirk into what was a rapid shifting between grin and grimace. Not wanting to give away too much, she asked, "What was said?"

"Not much more than your beliefs do not contradict those of the Jedi Order. Kenshin said that the sign there pretty much sums it up." He pointed to the sign she had made a few years ago.

This time it was pure smile that fluttered over her face. "He's right on that. The saying itself goes back many centuries to some of the earliest riders and the troubles they faced. It's helped us remember our roots as well as giving us reason not to give up." Her face darkened briefly as she continued. "It's come in handy more than once."

"Your work?"

"Aye."

He studied the sign for a minute before saying the words aloud. "Who wills, Can. Who tries, Does. Who loves, Lives. In essence there are no contradictions, but that depends also on how you define parts of it."

She cocked her head, intrigued. "What do you mean by that?"

"Take the word 'Love'. Do you define it as compassionate love that you feel for those you are meant to protect? Or do you carry the definition further to include the love of family, or further yet to include the passionate variety that couples feel? The first definition does fit with the Jedi view, the second one as well, but only to a certain degree. The last is forbidden for a Jedi to feel. Yet I can understand how that kind of love could help a person to live through even the worst catastrophe."

She caught the bitterness that he tried to keep from his voice and wondered about it. "You do not feel the same about love as the other Jedi?"

He looked at her, caught off guard by her question. "Is it that obvious?"

"Aye. But I'm also good at picking up emotion that others can miss." Sighing, she slowly nodded. "But to answer your question, we do embrace all aspects of love. While we are trained not to let our emotions carry us, we are not forbidden from feeling them either. That can only lead to trouble."

She watched as he nodded in agreement, feeling that she had struck a chord with the young man. Curious, she decided to follow Aoshi's advice from last night.

"Since we still have some time before the others return, how about I make you a deal. I'll tell you about the Gaiscioch Dorcha legends and you tell me about becoming a Jedi."

He seemed jolted from his thoughts, but he quickly agreed. He began, telling her of his life with his mother, how Qui-Gon had found him, and the reluctance of the Council to allow him to join. "Too old, he is," he mimicked the Council leader, giving a disdainful chuckle. "The only reason they let me join is because the Sith showed themselves at that point. I was too powerful to let them get their hands on." He looked up with a slightly haunted look on his attractive features. "I am the Chosen One, after all."

"Chosen for what?" She had never heard that term before, and apparently her question sparked a bit of amusement.

"To destroy the Sith and bring balance back to the Force." He gave a grim chuckle, then continued. "What all that means though, no one has a clue."

She was surprised at the amount of bitterness in his voice, first when he told her the expectations the prophecy placed on him, then when he began telling her how his master had been at first. "I was convinced he hated me for the longest time," he admitted. "Now I know it was jealousy at the bond Qui-Gon and I were forming, but it took us a while to work that out."

As he told her of the restrictions of the Order, like not being able to visit his mother, she felt compassion at his loss mixed with anger at those who would deny him that small comfort. She was beginning to understand where his bitterness had stemmed from. "They won't let you contact her at all?"

He shook his head in annoyance. "She cannot contact me either. If something were to happen to her, I'd have no way of knowing, unless the Force would tell me. I just hope she's happy."

As he ended his sentence, he lapsed into a forlorn silence. She had a thought, but decided to keep it to herself for now. No point in getting his hopes up if it fell through.

Instead, she decided it was her turn. "Ready for my story?" He looked up, his unhappiness with his situation beginning to lift as anticipation settled in. "Like I said earlier, Gaiscioch Dorcha means Dark Warrior or Dark Hero in the ancient language…"