A.N: Hey guys! New chapter! And we're close to the end. BTW, I put up another picture on Deviantart of Demira and Depa together, it goes with what the chapter will be about. Description is on my profile here.
DeviLSPR: It will be sad…. For a bit.
Starlight: I know, so much new information. Who knows what Demira will do.
I don't own Star Wars.
Chapter 28: I See You
(Song: I See You: Leona Lewis)
The gathering at night was more celebratory because of the earlier victory. Though I still didn't condone the actions the Shaman let his warriors take, I couldn't stop the Tribe from having a good time. They wanted an assurance of peace, and they showed it well with everyone bringing their own masks or instruments, louder music playing, more food served, and everyone dancing. Demira even came with a mask and showed it to me as we sat cross legged together. It was small, only covering her face from the nose up. It was plain and simple with eye holes carved in a shape to show a menacing glare. Random green paint was splattered on it. "Look, Depa, Look."
"I see, it's very pretty."
"I will paint it now with Marks. Chapas."
"I figured." I rustled her hair and she giggled. "I hear it is official after a ceremony?"
"Sherehe." She said, beaming. "Yes. They paint on our face. You will see when…." Then she suddenly frowned.
"What's wrong?"
"You helped me make my Mark. You save us. The Tribe likes you. You do all this. Why not stay?"
It was my turn to frown. "You know why Demira… my Padawan needs me."
"I know… but… I …. I want you to stay. I … what is word. We say Upenda…"
"Well, I'm sure you will figure it out. Right now, I want to spend as much time with you as I can."
"Oh…" she sounded slightly happier, smiling at what I said. But the fact I was leaving still remained in her mind and made her sad. Suddenly an idea formed in her head. "Will you dance with me?" she asked with pleading in her eyes. I looked between her and the dancers, trying to see if I could do it. Or should I tell her I can't. Demira got up on her feet and pulled on my arm. "Dance, Dance, Ngoma, Ngoma!" She repeated.
Others around us heard this and chanted, "Ngoma."
I didn't know what to do at first, but, deep down I really did. I wanted to. Not because I wanted to try, it was because I wanted to be a part of them. And the Tribe and Demira want me to be a part of them. Feeling accepted, I got up on my feet and let Demira take me near the fire. She began to dance around, hopping from foot to foot and waving her arms from side to side. Seeing I wasn't doing anything, she stopped and grabbed both my hands in hers. She then danced around me, making me spin slowly in place. She giggled. Getting the rhythm of the music and seeing how she danced, I began to shuffle my feet back and forth to the beat. I still let Demira spin me in place, but I matched her way of dancing and soon she and I were laughing together. Letting the music and Demira guide me, I enjoyed the rest of the night.
Early the next morning, a couple of warriors, the Shaman, the Chief, and Demira all accompanied me out to the small plain where the battle had occurred. The whole way it was somewhat quiet among us. As we got closer to where the Imperial Shuttle would be, I was talking with Chief about Demira. Since someone needed to train Demira on how to control her connection to the Force I gave the Chief a few pointers. "Make sure she does some breathing exercises daily, or at least after she gets into a fit of rage. The last thing we want is for her to use the Force in anger. Calming herself would best help her."
"All right."
"Talk to her as well. She will need someone to listen to her."
"All right."
"Since Shaman insists she not use the Force physically, then we need to make sure she doesn't accidently use it such as in playing games. I don't want her to be blamed like she has before. If she does, don't force her back right away. You need to be easy with her."
"All right."
"You…" that was the third all right in a row. "Are you paying attention?"
"I am, I assure you." He said, fixing the skull crown on his head nervously. He tried to give me a smile, but I could tell he was lying. He's still upset about me going. And he wasn't the only one. When we got to the plain and up to the Imperial Shuttle, I looked at it and then hesitated. Maybe this wasn't a good idea. I reached hand to my side where it landed on my satchel by my waist. I remembered the bounty poster with Caleb's face on it. No, no I must go. Adjusting the sash of my bag around my chest, I stood by the open ramp and turned to the Tribe behind me. Everyone came and put a fist over their chest, saying either, "Goodbye" or "Kwa". I did the same, showing them my gratitude. The Shaman said to me, "You… you may still be a stranger but… Weta Wotma i'wan nga"
"Um…"
The Chief came around and put a hand on my shoulder, "We say May the All Mother stay with you in your travels."
I nodded. "Thank you." The Shaman walked away but the Chief stayed, giving me a smile and saluting with a fist over his chest. I did the same and then looked down seeing Demira. She was looking away from me, so to get her attention and bent down and turned her to me. "And you…" I faltered, seeing her eyes filling up with tears. "Oh, Demira."
"Do not go." She reached over and wrapped her arms around my neck. "I…. Upenda…you"
The way spoke it, and how she felt when saying it, I knew what it meant. I pulled Demira into a hug. "I love you, too." I then pulled her away so that I could help her wipe her tears away. "Be good for me."
"Ok." She said, trying to force a smile. I stood up and let her go to the Chief. They held hands and watched as I went up the ramp and stood in the small cargo hold that made the entrance. I reached over to a small panel on the wall on the right and pressed the button for the ramp to close. As the door closed up, I watched Demira look at me, the need to run to me so evident in her body language but her eyes showed understood she had to stay. And with that, as the ramp sealed shut, I felt tears form in my eyes. It hurts me to go, but I have to. Wiping my tears away, I rushed down the hall, up a ladder, and into the cockpit.
When I got there, I sat down in the pilot seat and threw my satchel on to the co-pilot seat. I got to work but was slow in setting up the ship to fly. Either I wasn't used the shuttle, or I was just stalling my leave. My attention became more focused as I tried to pull up the navigation on a holo-screen. It continued to glitch, no matter how many times I tried to modify the frequency. I must be in a dead zone. I gave up after the fifth attempt and just started the ship. Feeling it roar to life, I pulled the wheel back so the ship would ascend. Then I flipped a switch and pushed forward to fly over the jungle. I looked out the window at the scenery passing by, and then compared it to where I was now. Odd to be in something somewhat familiar, yet feel cold and empty. There is so much life out there.
A series of beeping sounds from the control panel interrupted my thoughts. I looked to the screen now showing a full functioning map. The beep though was coming from the control panel in front of me. A small red light lit up signaling there was an incoming transmission. From who? Then it instantly clicked. Of course they couldn't have just come on a regular Imperial shuttle with so few soldiers. There needed to be more of them to take down a Jedi. The only way to do that is to bring them in a Star Destroyer, with people staying behind to man the helm. Having no word from the Captain or any of the Imperials for a long while, most likely they were calling to check in.
I hesitated, telling myself I shouldn't answer. I knew nothing of the protocols. These people will be able to tell I wasn't one of them. I should just keep flying, make sure not to be spotted by the Destroyer, and hit the hyper drive out of here. But if no one answers, they'll assume something went wrong and send people to search their missing ground team. They'll find the bodies. They'll find the Tribe. They'll find Demira.
At that moment, I caught a random draft of air making the ship shake a little. It was enough for my satchel to fall to the ground and the contents to spill out. When I adjusted the ship back on its smooth path over the forest, I bent down to grab my stuff. I grabbed Mace's lightsaber and mine, putting them back in the satchel, but when I reached for the bounty poster of Caleb, I froze. It was the first time I took time to look at it. Looking at it before, I remember finding out he was my Padawan because of who he was to me. Eyes full of question, this was my Caleb Dume. But now looking at it in detail, I see less of Caleb, and more of a different older man. His face had matured and his eyes though somewhat innocent, showed he himself had grown up. Judging by the bounty poster he had been around the galaxy and managed to find a way to live his own life. Caleb had successfully lived in plain sight with no one knowing he was a Jedi. He was alive probably because of what I taught him as well as all the new things he may have learned on his own. Yes, destiny meant for us to be Master and Padawan, but destinies always change for the good. Caleb was his own man now, and me….
My screen began to flash, showing three in coming targets. I looked up and saw three TIE fighters breaking through the atmosphere, coming down and then flying level as soon as they came close enough. Another transmission came in, and this time, they didn't wait for an answer. "This is WC 9382." Came a male voice over the communication. "Your com links have been silent. We've been sent to figure out progress on your mission and help if there is assistance needed." I need to make them leave, and give them a reason to.
As they got closer, I made a decision. It was a hard one, but it was also the right one. "Forgive me, Caleb." Reaching down, I grabbed my stuff that had fallen out of the satchel, stuffed it it, and then slung it secure across my chest. I pressed a button on the channel to open the com link. I said in confidence, "If you need to know how the mission is going, then I can let you know personally it has failed." I clenched the controls tight in my fingers, aimed the turret guns and fired. After two shots, I managed to get the one TIE in the middle to explode. I steered the ship around, making it turn a hard 180 so that the chase could begin. I knew they got an idea of what happened as soon as they began firing at me. That's right, the enemy has taken the ship, now come and finish the mission. I knew little about Imperials ships, but if the shuttle was only meant for so much as transport, then it was slow and light on weaponry. I have to make a show… and make it fast before they take me down.
I flew straight, tilting the ship left and right to avoid a few of their incoming fire. I then pulled hard on the wheel to go up and over them. The shuttle wasn't meant for such a maneuver and I could feel myself lose control of the ship. But it managed to make it over swiftly. As I flew level again I saw one TIE in front of me, and my map told me the other had managed to follow my flight path and stay behind me. As I tried to shoot the one in front of me, the one behind me tried to get a good hit. After several times I hit the TIE in front of me, making it explode into pieces. Victory was short lived when the left wing to the shuttle broke off when the TIE behind me managed to get a hit. Ok, time to leave. I stopped the ship, steering it around to turn and face the TIE coming for me. Making sure my satchel was secure on me, I pressed the button on the control panel to open the hanger door below the ship. I get to my feet and darted out of the cockpit, ignoring the ladder and just jumping down to the level below. Running to the open hanger door I didn't hesitate and jumped out.
As I began to fall to the earth below, I heard the TIE take one shot and then felt the heat of an explosion behind me. I managed to turn around and see the Imperial shuttle go up in flames and pieces and watch the TIE fly up towards the sky. He bought it! Then the shuttle began to loose altitude I started to panic noticing I was in the way. When I looked back, I just panicked more with the sight of the forest coming closer. I did not think this plan through. As I fell closer and closer to the jungle, I heard a roar next came from my right. I looked in time to see talon wrap around my waist and carry me through the air. I huffed as I felt my heart pound in the sudden change in direction of flight. I looked up and saw I was in the clutches of the Kurujuri. His long neck craned down so he could look at me, his blue eyes focusing on me. He rescued me…. "Thank you…"
The Kuru gave small but gentle gurgle sound from deep in his throat and looked back to his flight path. I heard another explosion far behind me and looked back, seeing the shuttle having almost disintegrated, now crash into the forest below. I should stop letting ships I fly crash al the time. The Kuru tipped his wings to begin his descent into the jungle, finding space between a cluster of trees to fly through. Breaking through the canopy, he glided over the ground and then released his hold on me. I fell to the grassy floor in a role and then sat up as the Kuru landed just ahead. Once he ruffled his wings to let them lay gently on his side, he lumbered up to me and craned his neck down close to mine.
I put a hand up and gently stroked the bridge of his nose. "I'm going to end up owing you a lot if things like this keep happening." He only responded with a gently gurgle. I looked up through the small space of the canopy, seeing nothing but blue sky. "Looks like my plan worked. The pilot will tell who ever is now in charge and they'll leave." I stood up and looked into my satchel, making sure nothing had fallen. Seeing I had everything I began to walk around the Kuru. "I hope I can find my way back," I said making my way deep into the jungle. At first, I thought I was walking on my own, and then I heard heavy footsteps behind me and in the corner of my eye something yellow. I looked and saw the Kuru walking with me, his head low so he would be eye level to me. "Ok, you can come. We just got to make sure the Tribe doesn't get startled seeing you first."
I only walked through the jungle for a few minutes until I heard rustling up ahead. I became defensive at first, but then remembered that there were no longer Imperials on the planet. I reached out my senses, using the Force to determine who it was. Feeling a familiar connection, I smiled and waited where I stood with the Kurujuri. Then, out of the deep foliage and into the clearing of grass where I was, Demira jumped out and then skidded to a stop seeing me. "I thought it was you, Demira." I said, "What are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be…." I faltered, seeing the girl was stiff where she was, her eyes showing fear was ebbing away to relief with tears forming. "Demira, what's wrong?"
She pointed to the sky, "I saw the ship…. I thought… I thought they…." She thought I was inside the ship when it exploded.
"Oh Demira—"
"I thought you die!" she yelled, running to me.
Feeling her sadness vibrate through the Force, I couldn't help but get down on my knees and spread my arms out to her. "It's ok Demira…." I assured her as she jumped towards me, wrapping her arms around my neck and legs around my waist as if to hold on for dear life. She began to cry into my shoulder, her tears falling and soaking my robe as her shoulders shook with every sob. Oh, the poor thing. I kept my arms around her in a tight hug as I continued to coo soothing words. "It's ok Demira. I'm here, I'm here." She didn't stop. I stroked a hand up and down her back as I tried to think of something else I could say to assure her that everything was all right. What was it that Kerchec said? Oe… oe gati kimi…. No…. wait…. "Oe Ngat Kamea," I said out load.
Demira's breath hitched and she moved her head away from my shoulder to look at me. I gave her a loving smile, our brown eyes locking together in a gaze. She sniffled, wiped her face off tears, and smiled. Then she leaned her head so that our foreheads touched. "Ow ngat kamea." Then she hiccupped, moving her head back again to wipe away tears as her sobs died down. Then she rested her head again on my shoulder and gave a satisfying sigh. I patted her on the back as the Kuru watched us from behind, then he growled and looked to the forest ahead. I stood up quickly, holding Demira from underneath to keep her up. I reached out my senses again, relaxing as I felt more familiar connections. I heard people call out Demira's name, and even mine. The Chief and Kerchec came running into the scene, with the warriors who had accompanied us earlier come up behind them. The Chief smiled and yelled, "Bless the All Mother, you're all right." He ran up to me, putting a hand on my shoulder and asking, "Are you all right? We saw the explosion. We thought you were killed."
"I'm fine. I didn't think you would see. I meant for the Imperials to think I was dead."
"Wait? You meant for the ship to explode?" The Shaman exclaimed marching up to me.
"There were still more Imperials out there waiting in case their ground assault failed. They would have found the Tribe if they came searching for them. I needed them to think I killed them, me alone, and then take hold of their ship. I know how much they needed this mission to succeed so I let them believe that they did."
"But still the ship." Kerchec said, "It was your only way back home."
Home… "My home is here."
"What?" the Shaman asked surprised.
Even Demira picked her head up to look at me in confusion. I began to explain. "There is no fixed home for someone like me to go back to out there. Here, your Tribe has come to care for me. Especially Demira here. This is what home is, it's where the heart is." Kerchec smiled at my response.
"But…. Caleb?" Demira asked.
I frowned, knowing that was the hardest part of my decision. I explained, "I will always love Caleb, he would always be a son to me. But he is grown up now, and surviving on his own this far is a good sign. He no longer needs me. He is ready for the world. I can only hope what I taught him and what he learned in the last five years will help him in the future. I need to let him go. But Demira…. She's not ready. I love her too much to leave her unprepared. She deserves not only a teacher, but a family. Not just the Tribe, but a true root to grow from." I looked at Kerchec. "Someone who looks over her and not for the sake of an entirety." Then I looked the Shaman. "I want to be that for her."
"Yes, yes, yes!" Demira yelled in joy as she rested her head on my shoulder and tightened her grip around my neck.
"But, but that would mean…" The Shaman began.
"That she would stay with the Tribe." Kerchec finished, "And be one of us."
"No, no!" the Shaman rejected. "I already made an exception with Demira but with the Jedi it is too far."
"She did risk her life several times for the Tribe already." Kerchec added.
"Ye—yes but—no—no how—argh!" He slammed a hand over his face and let it slide down as he huffed in anger. "She's a stranger from the outside. And again—Jedi."
Kerchec said with an air of enthusiasm. "She would make an excellent addition to the Tribe." I chuckled at his playful manner.
It annoyed the Shaman though, "Kerchec this is not the time to be funny."
"I'm not, I'm saying that Depa Billaba could stay and be…. our official resident Jedi."
"That is not something we have."
"We do now."
"Kerchec—"
"No Bruton. Please consider. A Jedi in our ranks to help us keep the peace. She can teach us again what it is like out there and our Tribe will no longer regress. To fear… to caution. We need to bring back life and learning again. Don't you miss it Bruton?" He began to speak in their language, and I could only guess he was throwing more convincing points to the Shaman. The older man stroked a hand through his long beaded hair as he thought. Then Kerchec added, "And think about Demira. She doesn't have to cause any more trouble for you or the Tribe if she is trained. Depa must stay and help the child uphold out values."
The last bit got him thinking. Shaman looked at Demira, and the girl only blinked at him and waited for his answer. Then he looked at me, but all I did was stare and wait. What would he say?
He sighed in defeat and said, "I guess…. Depa Billaba… you are…. I welcome you to the Tribe."
Demira laughed and jumped up and down in my arms. Getting excited myself, I pulled the girl into a tight hug, saying to the Shaman and Chief, "Thank you." Thank you for giving me a place to call home.
The Kurujuri gave a small screech and lower his head towards our group. I asked the men, "Is there room for one more addition?" The Shaman deadpanned and just turned to walk away,Kerchec chuckling as he did..
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A.N: Extra long to stick without theme of understanding. So Depa and everyone says their goodbyes knowing she has to leave, but does she have to? Depa finally puts the last little bit of history of herself behind and sees her new future. Demira gets the chance of a family and Depa a home. I need to run but check out my DA for the new art piece. I'm KikaKatTIOI, peace out!
