A/N: Hi! Sorry there wasn't an update yesterday, I got caught running around like a headless chicken doing Christmas stuff... still...

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Chapter Nine

"You're training has gone over smoothly." Kylo spoke as he and Insidrus Ulsa walked away from the training hall. It had been almost a year since Daldati became his training partner. The white-clad apprentice nodded.

"Thank you, Kylo." Insidrus replied, her pristine white cloak swirlled behind her as her leather boots thumped against the metal floor. "I have learned much, and you have guided me through many tribulations."

"Insidrus, Kylo Ren." The two trainees turned to find General Hux's glower aimed at them as he approached the two. "Supreme Leader Snoke has informed me that you are both prepared to travel to Moraband to deepen your connection with the darkside."

"Yes, we will be gone for several weeks." Kylo Ren confirmed. Insidrus Ulsa nodded, her nearly white braids shifting like water over her shoulder. Through her dark meditation she has become somewhat paler, both in skin and hair color. "After Moraband, though, we will not be returning immediately. Insidrus has a special mission she must complete before we return."

"I see. I will have a ship prepared for your departure, then. I understand you will both be leaving in the next hour." The red headed general said dissmissively before nodding respectfully to the pair. They nodded back, if only to avoid anything else from their mutual annoyance. He passed by the dark beings, not wanting any more contact with them.

"...I hate him." Insidrus grumbled behind her face mask, her green eyes glaring above the white clothe covering the lower part of her face. On it was the red insignia of the First Order, the only other color to her outfit. Kylo Ren chuckled as he wrapped an arm around the apprentice's waste, leading her onward to their quarters. The sith apprentice hissed in pain as he pressed his hand against a forming bruise. "Today was hard."

"Master wants to speed your training up. If you are to be my equivilant, then you must train harder." Kylo mused as he turned towards her room. He helped her to the bed, letting her sit down on her own. He gingerly took off her white outfit, having done so before after a particularly intense training session when Insidrus was in too much pain to change herself.

She hissed as he took her white boots off, they were knee high and stiff, causing her to rotate her twisted ankle to much. He left her skin tight leather pants alone. Kylo was careful to place Insidious's saber, which once used to be her father's, beside her on the nightstand. He then moved to undo the buttons of her top. It was double-breasted, cutting off at her upper naval so her bellbutton ring and most of her tattoo was visible, long sleeved, and the neck cupped under her chin where her face mask was. It also had a cowl and a tail that hung below her knees. To top off the uniform she had white glove, fingerless, and her white boots that had sheaths on the inside of each where Insidious kept two small blades. She had kept her hair similar to what she had before. Only now, she would make two braids before pulling her hair back into a high ponytail, then she would add the mulitple braids.

Once she was left in her undergarments, Kylo gently shifted her further onto the mattress."You have about a half hour to rest, Insidrus. I suggest you sleep. Your mind needs it more than your body."

"Mmm." The apprentice was already half unconscious. Kylo laid a blanket over her somewhat bare body. He wasn't too concerned for the woman, he knew that she was tough, and had survived much worse. But, on days like these, she would crawl into his bed for comfort from the demons that chased her in her sleep. She would curl up against his side, shivering, and he would pull her close and whisper calming words in her ear, slowly easing her into sleep. In the morning, she would be gone, and they would meet in the training hall with Supreme Leader Snoke, as if it had never happened.

Kylo Ren knew Snoke knew of their growing relationship. Their Master could see and feel the bond that was forming between the two, possibly before even they had noticed it. He has yet to stop it, and neither Insidrus nor Kylo would stop by themselves. Kylo knew there was another motive to Snoke allowing their fondness of each other grow. He honestly didn't want to know.

The knight left the apprentice to sleep, choosing to change into his spare uniform after today's rigirous saber training. He then opened up the hidden cabinet that held Darth Vader's melted helmet. He studied it, gazinging into the lopsided eyes. It had been a long time since he had meditated with the helm of his grandfather in his pressence, but, Kylo needed something to focus on.

He sat down on his bed, closing his eyes. Kylo let his mind relax, then focus. The knight felt the darkness swell around him, pulsing with life. He let the Force guide him through visions and memories. Letting it guide him through his inner search.

"Kylo." Kylo Ren's eyes snapped open to meet the dark green eyes of Insidrus. She was dressed, ready to go. "You said a half hour, not and hour and a half. General Hux woke me up with his yelling."

"Sorry, I lost myself for a moment." Kylo sighed as he pulled his helm on, the airlock clicking into place. "I presume you feel better."

"Yes. I'm still sore, but pain is just weakness leaving the body." Insidrus replied as she stretched the face mask over her face once more. She held out her hand for him to take. He accepted it, standing up. They hurried to the loading dock where they found a squad of stormtroopers prepared to accompany them on their trip. There were approximately thirty troopers on standby. They saluted the pair as they boarded the airship, then followed them in uniform fashion. Once the door was closed, the ship lifted up, then shot out of the loading dock.

General Hux couldn't have been happier to see the banes of his existance disappear for the next two months.

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Whew! I almost thought I wouldn't get this posted today! I only have two days left of break, and I'm sad now. :( Well, I'll try to update as much as I can, but no promises. When school comes around I'm usually so drained from being so busy.