Hello friends! Sorry for the delay in updating! Also, I wanted to address that this is not going to follow the usual timeline that KOTOR usually goes in. That being said, I will touch on most/all of the key things but I also will be exploring different ideas and mixing things up as well. Lastly, I tried to fit in some other POV in just to spice things up a little. Let me know how you feel about having different characters POV's every once in a while.

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or any characters, places, etc.

Carth POV

Carth had been awake for about an hour now, being waken from a deep slumber by Canderous' large feet slamming agaisnt the steel floor. That, and the strong smell of cafa eminating from somewhere on the ship that he just couldn't resist. He now sat on a crated box, full of who knows what, drinking a steaming hot cup of cafa as he watched Mission beat Canderous at some card game for the second time in the last hour. The familiar sound of a door creaking open brought his attention to the tired eyes of Bastila Shan. She looked exhausted. He half wondered if she slept at all and if she didn't sleep what kept her awake. Trying not to let the worry seep into his voice he decided to asked her, "Hey, are you doing okay?"

Carth had know the Jedi kight for years now and had never once seen her so, what was the word he was looking for? Disheveled. He tried to advert his gaze from focusing on the deep purple bags under her eyes and the red tint that invaded the whites of her eyes indicating a sleepless night. She stared out in front of her, not willing to make eye contact with him as she replied in a thick accent, "Yeah, I'm fine"

He watched as Mission quickly bounced up out of her seat across from Canderous, making her way over to Bastila before stopping short to look up at her in surprise. He practically winced as the young girl spoke to his friend.

"Wow Bastila! No offense but you look horrible!"

Bastila let out a small snort and gave the girl a soft smile before placing a hand gently on her shoulder. "I just didn't get much sleep is all."

Carth let out a breath he didn't know he was holding as he watched the Jedi smiling down at the young girl. Bastila was always so composed and serious, it was nice to see her is a more jovial mood despite her clear lack of sleep. A thought crept into his head that he dared not say out loud, but he couldn't help himself from wondering if Bastila was becoming less uptight because she had spent some time away from the Jedi. He never once questioned her loyalty to the Jedi order or to the cause she fought for, but he couldn't help but wonder what she would be like if she wasn't so devoute, wasn't so serious. Shaking his head to rid himself of the thought, he turned his attention back to the gruff mandalorian who he found more frightening than he cared to admit. He watched the large man throw the cards onto the table and take up a mischevious smirk before addressing Bastila with very animated hand gesticulations.

"Princess! What happened? You look like you got ran over by a wild Bantha."

Carth couldn't help but smirk at the tight glare Bastila shot at Canderous before accepting the small cup of cafa he handed her, a greatful smile playing on her lips.

"Must be a Jedi thing, Revan doesn't look so hot either."

Revan. Now that was an interseting topic for Carth. Sure he was greatful that the man had practically saved his life, but he couldn't quite get over the fact that he seemed to be hiding something. He found it rather strange when he would catch the myserious man looking at his Jedi friend, or the weird look he gave her every once in a while. He wondered if maybe the man admired the fiercely strong woman like he did. It was true, Bastila was a sight to see; regally beautiful and composed. Maybe if she wasn't a Jedi he may actually have a shot with her. No, that's absurd. She would never give up being a Jedi, especially not for a simple pilot like himself. Coming back into reality, Carth watched as Bastila's smile quickly faded as she changed the subject to something other than the Sith lord.

"Are we almost there?"

"Just landing. Zaalbar, I need you to translate landing instructions."

He watched as everyone's heads shot to look at the tall man leaning in the entrance to the cockpit as the large wookie made his way over to Revan. Mission was right, he didn't look like he got much sleep either. Focusing on Reven, he watched as the man refused to look at Bastila. In turn, Bastila kept her head down, staring into her steaming cup of cafa. Thoughts drifting to the thought that maybe the two force users in the room could be hiding something from them. He could feel his stomatch flip at the thought of the two being civil with eachother for a change; that they could possibly have some kind of relationship. Surely that would never happen.

Bastila POV

Her legs were beginning to grow fatigued with the pace they were walking at, along with the constant need to dodge large rocks that protruded through the ground at random. The forrest was full of life, green and blooming, but Bastila couldn't shake the feeling that they were surrounded by something, something powerful. She could very well mistake the feeling for the force living around her if it wasn't for the uneasiness she felt deep in her gut. Hurrying forward, she met pace with Revan, who she had been avoiding all morning. She watched as he swatted away the overgrown greenery while simultaneously wipping away a stary bead of swet that had made its way down the long bridge of his nose. Rubbing the prespiration from her own face with the edge of her shirt, she panted out, growing impatient with his silence, "Do you even know where you're going?"

The man to her right paid little to no attention to her, keeping his eyes locked on the path ahead as he responded dryly. "This isn't going to work if you don't trust me sweetheart."

"What about me then?"

Finally, his head moved to meet her gaze. His eyebrows were scruntched together, leaving a thin crease between his brows in an expression of confusion which quickly faded as something else crossed his features. He turned his gaze back to the path. "What about you?"

"Do you trust me?"

He refused to face her, but she could tell what his answer was based on the loud scoff he let out.

"My point eactly!"

With that being said she darted forward, cutting in front of him as she pulled out a small blade to cut away the folliage that blocked their path. "Hey!" She could vaugely feel a tug at the back of her shirt as she was force pulled back to face the annoyed face of Revan.

"And where do you think you're going?" She watched in amusement as he placed his arms across his chest in disapproval. This man was used to being in charge, and she was having none of it. No way was she going to let a Sith Lord lead them into a possible trap. If he wanted her to trust him, he was going to have to sacrifice some of his pride.

"I can use the force too incase you forgot." She turned back around before continuing, "This way!"

He let out a loud sigh as he let his arms fall back to his sides. She could've sworn she saw his lips quirk up into a small smirk as he threw his hands up in defeat. Turning her head back ever so slightly, she flashed him a bright smile before hacking away at the thick folliage once again.

"Where did you even get that?"

Without stopping to turn around she shouted back at him, "Your back pocket!"

Mission POV

Mission and Zaalbar had fallen to the back of the pack, partialy to laugh at the two force users battle for the role of leader and partialy because of Zaalabar's hesisation to come back to the home he was banished from long ago. Mission looked up to her furry companion in concearn as she watched him nevously play with his massive paws.

"You okay there big guy?"

The wookie let out a sad series of grumbles as he hung his head a little lower. The young twi'lek scooted he way closer as she remained optimistic as always. "I know, but maybe they forgot?"

Before Zaalbar could grumble a response, a small group of wookies appeared in their direct path looking none too pleased with their presence in their forest. "Or not..."

Mission stopped in her tracks behind Carth and Canderous who had both awknowledged the wookies as well. She whispered up to Bastila and Revan who were still arguing abouts something up ahead. "Um guys?"

She watched as Bastila hopped back in surprise before putting on her signature serious Jedi expression and responding to the group, "Let me take care of this, I used to work alongside my master in negotiations when i was a padawan." The Jedi made her way to one of the wookies, ignoring the snickers from Canderous and bowed her head in respect. She extended her hand while addressing the large creatures, "Hello my name is Bas- Hey!" The wookie had swatted away her hand and picked her up swiftly without warning "Watch it!"

The wookie then threw Bastila over his shoulder much to her protest and as one of the others placed a collar around her neck. The group watched back in horror as her grey eyes rolled back into her head and her body went limp.

Mission didn't hold back at she ran towards the wookie with her machette held high, shouting, "Bastila!"

Bastila POV

Waking with a start, Bastila rubbed the fog out of her eyes before attempting to stand. As her vision cleared, she noticed the thick bars that trapped her in a small cage along with the bands of rough fabric tied tightly around her wrists. A raw rash had begun to break out on her wrists as she struggled to losen the fabric to no avail. She let out a soft groan as she remembered the events that led to her current predicament and turned her head to her left to meet the familiar eyes of a very annoyed Sith Lord. She practically rolled her eyes before addressing Revan, "Don't look at me like that."

She watched him carefully as he held the same annoyed expression before letting out a muffled laugh. Smirking over at her he responded, "Negotiations you said?"

He was mocking her. If she hadn't grown so accustomed to Revan's sarcastic sense of humor she would have been furious. Really she shouldn't be joking with the enemy but she found herself giving him a smirk back as she responded. "In my defense, I haven't had to use Wookie for years."

His reply came back, dripping with sarcasm as he undid the fabric around his wrists, moving onto the collar around his neck. "You don't say."

Revan POV

It wasn't long before the wookies released themf rom their cages. They now stood amoung the leader of the clan, wrists tied yet gagain, stripped of their weapons. A large Wookie spoke in a low grumble addressing only Revan. Canderous looked over to him expectantly, "Well, what did he say?"

Turning his head, he transated to the whole group, knowing that most of them didn't understand wookie. "He will give us permission to look for the device as long as we leave Zaalbar here."

Mission's expression turned to something he could only describe as betrayal as she stomped her way up to him. SHe was easily two heads shorter than him, but what she lacked in height she made up for in personality. HItting him square in the chest she protested, "Wait, what? No way!"

Gently, he stopped her furry of punches with one large hand. "Easy, easy." Bending down, he looked the young girl in the eyes addressed her, "He also gave us the option of finding a defected wookie in the forrest in trade for keeping Zaalbar with us."

Mission crossed her arms loosely, "What if they don't accept."

Standing up, he gaveh er one last pointed look before stating, "That won't be a problem."

Truely he hoped it wouldn't be a problem, or else they might see how angry he could get. As his thoughts ventured to the dark things he would unleash onto the wookies if they upsett he young girl and kept Zaalbar, he was quickly stopped by an overwhelming sense of light. Looking to his left, he saw Bastila staring at him perplexed. Had she heard that? He moved for the wookie to remove his collar as he called out to the group, "This way."

Bastila POV

She followed the massive dark knight once again as they stomped through a dark path. Bastila could feel a chill run through her as thes un seemed to disappear behind the cascade of greens that now enclosed them. Something didn't feel right about this place, and she got theo verwhelming feeling that something bad was going to happen down here. She crept closer to Revan as she asked, "Where are we?"

She had made her way next to him now, a look of concearn playing on her features. She didn't want to admit to him that this place gave her the creeps, but she found comfort being closer to him. Not that she wouldeve r admitt hat either. He looked down at her half joking, "You want to take the lead again?"

Letting out a sigh, she walked slightly ahead of him once again before she was stopped by theso und of Mission's voice. "What the heck is that?"

Bastila stood in front of some type of dome structure. She watched as Carth looked at curiously before adding, "Looks like some kind of home."

Turning to face the rest of the crew, she asked, "Do you think the wookie we are looking for lives there."

It was a while before Revan responded, as if hewa s trying to remeber something. "Not from the way they were talking about him. it seems like he's not right in the head anymore. I don't think he'd be cognizant enough to build a home."

Canderous stepped forward first, "Maybe we should check it out." When no one replied, he added on, "Just incase we get stuck here past sunset. Kashyk is known for some scary ass things after all."

Something ran through Bastila's body, like a shock of electricity. Instinctually moving her hand to the saber at her waist, she quickly ignited it. She was shocked to see the confused looks on her friends faces who were now bathed in a yellow light, before she realized that she was sensing something in the force. She moved her gaze to Revan, who was also alert.

His hand was firmly gripping the hilt of one of his blades as he turned to her. "Did you feel that?"

She moved closer to him, "Yeah. What do you think it was."

A rough voice sounded behind them as they turned to face the intruder. "Now what are a pair of Jedi like yourself doing in the deep forrest of Kashyk?"

Revan's red blade tinted the sky to an orange as it combined with Bastila's. They all watched hesitantly as an old man emerged from the dark shade of the forest. Revan addressed him, "I could ask you the same thing old man."

Bastila watched as the man hobbled forward, a strange energy eminating from him as his inched closer. The man's dark eyes looked Revan up and down in evaluation before he spoke again. "Hmmm, this one comes from the darkness, but there's something else." The old man scratched at his beard rather comically as if contemplating something before continuing, "Ah a taint of light I see here."

Paying attention to the look Revan held on his face, she finally pieced it together. The force! That's what she had sensed frome him. The old man was a force user like them. He must have been, she thought to herself. Bastila stepped back when the peculiar old man set his gaze on her then. She watched as his smile turned into something odd. "And you my dear are very intruiging indeed. So much potential, but you are tainted by the bond you are tied to."

A bond? Maybe this man was crazy after all. Bastila stepped forward as she addressed him, "I beg your pardon?"

The old man made to respond to her, but was quickly cut off by Revan who now stood in front of her. "-We are here in search for a defected wookie. Have you seen him?"

The old man's faced changed to something lighter as hee xclaomed, "Ah yes! It's about time. That creature has gone mad, terrorizing the balance of the forrest and destroying practically everything in his path. Chuundar I believe he goes by."

She watched as Revan conversed with him, noticing somethingst range she had never seen in him before. He was restless, as if he wanted to get away from this man as soon as possible. Maybe it had to do with the strange sense of light she felt in the old man that had turned Revan off, but she had a strange feeling there was more to it than that. "Would you mind pointing us in the right direction."

The old man moved forward, walking away towards a foreign path as he called back to the confused group, "I can do even better. I will lead you to him. Now follow me."

Revan replied quickly, "Pointing us in the proper direction should do. We don't want to inconvienence you."

"Nonsense!"

She looked over to Revan who held an annoyed look on his face as he watched the man walk away. She shrugged her shoulders before jogging after him, the others following suit.

"I do warn you, the forrest in a powerful source. We may come across some interesting things."

It seemed like they had been walking for hours through the humid forest before they had stopped for a break. Bastila grabbed for the bottle of water she had attatched to the bag she snagged from the ship as she made her way over to the old man. She watched in amusement as he seemed to be meditating, but opened one eye as she crept closer to him. She held out the canteen of water to him as she spoke up, "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name earlier."

He greatfully accepted the water and gave her a soft smile. "Ah yes my dear. Jolee, Jolee BIndo."

Giving a bright smile, she replied "Bastila."

Thoughts from earlier nagged at her as the man handed the canteen back to her. She had so many questions for this stranger, she didn't know why. She hesitated, debating with herself breifly before finding the courage to speak up. "Um- Earlier, you said something about me having great potential for light." When he gave her a questioning glance, she continued, "What did you mean?"

He gave her another smile before placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. She watched as the man's dark eyes look into her bright grey ones; his expression turning more serious. "I forsee a powerful temptation in your future, a trial, to the darkside."

"By Revan?"

He frowned back at her, "No, my child."

She found herself speechless. What kind of trial would she face that could possibly tempt her to the darkside if it wasn't Revan. The Star Forge? Another thought crept into her head from their earlier conversation that she was still curious about. Turning back to Jolee she asked, "What about the bond? You said I'm tied to it."

A strange look came across the man's face, almostas if he wasi n awe. Hem oved, as if examining her like a rare artifact, "You do not know?"

She shook her head cautiously, "No."

Dark eyes lit up as a smile spread across his face. She felt a hand cup her cheek almost in a gesture of condolence. "My child, you are forced bonded."

A deep feeling hit her in the gut, almost causing her to shoot forward in discomfort. She look up at the man in complete shock, "Force bonded? I thought that was a myth the Jedi used to scare you off from forming relationships with fellow students."

"It is not a myth my dear. It is true and very much alive between you two already, I am surprised you have not sensed it. It is like nothing I've seen before."

"Us two?"

"Yes, you and the other force user. Your souls are very much intertwined."