"What made you change your mind?" Kylo was flying the Command shuttle as I sat in the passenger seat, we had only been flying for a couple of hours as we had spent most of the trip in a comfortable silence.

"I have reason to believe that my parents are keeping something from me" Was all I said as I refused to look at him and kept my gaze on the controls not trusting myself to break down as soon as he looked at me

"Why won't you tell me?"

"Kylo…"

I didn't know what to tell him. What could I even say? I was beyond anxious to see my parents after so long being away. People who were possibly not even my parents. My nerves were everywhere as I hadn't seen them in a little over a year, and I was afraid that I had changed too much. Or maybe that they hadn't missed me as much as I had missed them. Regardless of the answer they were still my parents as they had raised me all my life. But I still needed to know if what Snoke had said was true or not, as I needed to know the truth of my birth. There was so much going on, so much I didn't know about the force, my death premonition, a supposed prophecy, catching Ferial, finishing my training, and lastly whatever this was that I had with Kylo. I didn't need any more surprises in my life as I was struggling to adjust to this new life with the First Order.

"We're here"

Standing from his seat, he grabbed his helmet before leaving me in my thoughts as the ramp opened up. Following behind Kylo, I straightened my back letting out a deep exhale before walking off the ramp only to be blinded by pink, red, and orange hues of the sunset. Scanning the area I realized that we were on the outskirts of town as we were a good twenty minute walk from my house. Walking I began to make my way back to town, back to my family, to my home. It felt foreign to think this place was my home.

Digging my fingernails into my palms, I found myself hesitating as I stared at the white door of my house. The house I had grown up in, the house that I had come home to everyday for twenty three years, the house that my parents lived in for over two decades. Raising my fist to the door I knocked on the door as I knew that both my parents should be home, as it was dusk already. This would be the time where my Dad and I would be returning from my training in the woods, where we would come home to my Mom as she would be finishing up dinner. Then we would retire to the parlor, where my Mom would be sitting in her armchair knitting with my Dad sitting at the small bar enjoying a glass of whiskey while he read about on his datapad about things going on in the galaxy. Lastly, I'd be lying on the carpeted floor either lifting up random objects with the force or enjoying a romance novel of some kind.

Knocking on the door I took a step back as I waited in tense silence for my parents to open the door. I didn't have to wait long as I watched my Mom open the door, her smile turning into one of shock before tears began flowing down her cheeks as she tackled me into a large hug. Hugging her back, I felt like a small child again as she wrapped me up in her arms and held me, afraid that I would disappear.

"Mama" Whispering in her ear I held her as I tried hard to blink back the tears that wanted to fall as my heart clenched in a painstakingly way that caused a lump to lodge in my throat. There was so much I wanted to say, so much I wanted to tell her. I missed her. My Mom.

"I know my daughter" She whispered back as I could feel her tremble in my arms "I've missed you as well"

"Where's Dad?" Sniffing she pulled away as she reached up and wiped the tears off her face before her gaze had landed on Kylo, who stood not too far behind me as he wanted to give me some space to reunite with my parents.

"Why don't you come in? Are you hungry? Would you care for some tea?"

"Tea sounds lovely Mom" Following her into the kitchen, I heard Kylo close the door behind me as his loud heavy footsteps synced with my light ones as we passed the parlor, the dining room and into the kitchen

Taking my seat at the table, Kylo stood directly behind me as my Mom buised herself by flying around the kitchen to make her famous tea. Shifting in my seat, I felt nervous as I watched my Mother hum to herself as she took out the teapot with the matching teacups. A large hand. A large hand slid up my spine before it pulled away, then returned to my scalp. He trailed her fingers down to my hair that was free of braids or buns. Kylo's fingertips played with my hair as he ran them through my hair and gently tugged at the ends. Leaning into his touch, I felt my nerves disappear into thin air as I felt my body relax. His hand settled on my back for a few seconds before Kylo began drawing small, lazy circles into my skin with his daft fingertips.

"Mama, where's Dad?"

"He'll be home soon as he is coming back from a meeting with the other towns" Placing the teacup in front of me she sat across from me as she glanced at Kylo warily before settling back onto me with a smile "I assume this isn't a social call is it?"

Shaking my head at her, I spoke up "It isn't, the Supreme Leader allowed my return as he believes that both Dad and you may carry information that could help us" I wasn't planning on telling her about the other reason until Dad was home, so until then this would have to do

"Why don't we wait for your Father to return then, that way he can answer all of your questions as your Dad knows much more than I do"

"Alright" For the next couple of hours I told my Mom of the things I had experienced on the base as well and some of the missions I had gone on, before I began to ask her more about everything that has happened since I left. It seemed as if the time away from my family had disappeared as I fell into the same routine with my Mom, she seemed cheerful as if the man that stood behind me didn't take me from my home for the price of a deal.

"Marinette…" Snapping my head to the kitchen entrance I watched as my Dad, tall and proud, stood at the doorway as he stared at me in disbelief. Standing from my seat I ran towards him tackling him into a hug as my heart tugged and a new round of tears wanted to fall. "My warrior daughter" It was a barely audible whisper as I let the tears fall, burying my face into his chest I sniffed as I missed the feeling of being comforted. The warm feeling of loving parents and having something to come back to, the feeling that I'm not just a soldier but a daughter as well. That I'm worth much more than another victory in battle.

"Dad, I-"

"I know," Was all he said as he pulled away holding my face in his hands, his dark eyes scanning my face as if committing it to memory. He shared that same feeling that I would disappear at any minute now with Mom. Guilt settled heavy on my shoulders, but regret was nowhere to be traced. No. I don't regret giving my life up to save theirs, but I did feel overwhelming guilt as I knew that they sat at home worrying over the fact that I was fighting a war that they wanted no part in. "Why don't we all retire for the night and we can talk in the morning alright? Rest is essential to your training as I believe it is safe to assume that Commander Ren agrees"

"You are correct"

After exchanging another round of hugs and tears, my parents had retired to their room leaving Kylo and I in the parlor. The fire crackled as I sat in my Father's armchair with a glass of fire whiskey in hand, I had spent every night in this room with my parents before they would leave to retire to bed. Where I would then sneak out to go sit under the tree on the hill and spend hours staring at the stars and distant planets that I wanted to visit.

"You should rest, you pushed yourself today when training with the knights"

"I'm fine" Downing the rest of the alcoholic beverage I winced slightly as the burning liquid slide down my throat, standing I set the glass down "I'm going on a walk"

The cold wind nipped at my skin as I stood underneath the large but old tree that stood on the hill that was covered in native flowers, it overlooked a huge field that was lit due to the large moon that shone upon it. Resting against the trunk of the tree, I kept my balance as I closed my eyes and placed my hands firmly on the ground. It was through the force that I felt life itself flood into my veins as it brought a familiar warmth to my heart. There was no telling if I would ever return to this place. My safe place. My place that I came to escape from the mundane life I had before the Order, before Kylo, before wars, and before bastards like Ferial and Monroe. Yet this was the same spot I had seen Kylo all those years ago when I was a girl who thought she was going crazy because she saw a boy who wasn't really there. Now said boy was my Master, my fellow apprentice, and the Prince of Darkness.

Speak of the devil.

"This is the place that you often think about at night before you fall asleep"

"It's rude to snoop through a lady's mind"

"Regardless if you're a lady or not," I heard him shift his weight as I could feel him wait for something. He was waiting for my approval, my approval to step into a place that was sacred to me. He still has his good boy manners. "You belong to me, especially that mind of yours"

"Would you like to join me?" His heavy footsteps made their way toward me as he settled in beside me against the trunk as he was mindful to not step on the flowers. Opening my eyes I glanced at him to see him staring at me. "Yes?"

"This place is familiar to me, I feel as though I've seen it before"

So he saw me too when we were children...

"It should be since we share a bond" Gesturing to the field below us, memories of a young Kylo appeared in front of me. So realistic that I could reach out and touch him, but I couldn't. They were memories of a boy who was locked up tight inside Kylo, and I wanted to find the key and let him out. To know the Jedi before he became a mass murderer.

"So you remember as well?"

"I did a lot of meditating and training when I was stationed on the resistance base, in those five months I regained a lot of memories I had buried in my subconscious." I paused "At the time though I couldn't tell the difference between reality and fantasy, but since you've told me about the bond we share I have found out a lot about myself"

"You've grown a lot in the short time you took my hand" His arm brushed mine as he readjusted himself against the tree "Your parents are proud of you"

"I know," Chewing on my bottom lip I debated on whether to say it or not as I wasn't supposed to feel this way. Feelings and emotions get in the way of our true goal.

"You miss them"

"I do," It was a whisper "but they are safe and away from the war as long as I continue to fight. That is all I can hope for as I continue to fight in this war"

"You love them," He paused for a few moments "They hold a special place in your heart"

"They're my parents, the people who raised me and loved me. The only people who I have ever known in my life."

"Hn" We settled into a comfortable silence as the sound of the leaves rustling in the wind was the only sound that was being made. It felt like hours before he had broken it "Something is on your mind that you are keeping from me and I demand to know what it is,"

It was now or never.

"I wish to go to the Fallen Jedi Temple on Coruscant once we leave here,"

He inhaled loudly "Why?"

"There is a prophecy, one that speaks of me"

"How do you know?"

Taking a deep breath, I told him about the dreams I had of my inner self. Of the women in the mirror and what she had told me and what Snoke had told me about the darkness inside of me. The whispers I heard when I took a life and how they only grew louder. He stayed silent as I spoke, and long after I had finished talking.

"I'll look into this"

"Thank you," I felt a weight lift off my shoulders "I meant my oath," I don't know what possessed me to say those words but the will to stop talking wasn't there. Kylo looked at me for several seconds in silence before finally responding to what I had said

"I hoped you did or Supreme Leader would have you killed" Rolling my eyes at his stupidity I shook my head as I continued

"You misunderstand me Kylo," He wore a look of confusion, I continued "I will follow you everywhere in this galaxy or the next. I will always be by your side until the day I draw my last breath, I won't ever abandon you. I will follow you down whatever path you choose. My blood vow to you is what I hold close to my heart, not to the Supreme Leader but to you."

"Be mindful of your thoughts Mari," He spoke with a soft but firm tone "This is going against the Supreme Leader"

"You didn't tell him of our bond and my unavoidable death," Challenging Kylo wasn't my intention but it was his strong pride that provoked my own "Admit it Kylo, something has shifted in the force. You feel it just as strongly as I do!" Growling in frustration I felt tears blur my vision as the effects of everything were crashing down on me. I took everything in stride and buried it as I always had more piled onto me.

Kylo clenched his jaw as he tightened his fists, uncertainty flashed in his eyes. The same thing I had seen when he battled against the praetorian guards all those months ago. And then it was gone, replaced by a soft vulnerable look that I had also seen before. Pulling me into his lap I straddled him as he merely held onto me, holding my face in both his hands, his eyes searched mine. Another cold breeze swept past us, a shiver went down my spine as my body brushed up against his, his eyes flicked to my lips before back to my eyes.

"I'm still looking for ways to prevent your death" He whispered as both of his thumbs brushed against my cheek in an affectionate manner. With a gentle swipe of his thumbs he brushed the tears off my face, sniffing a sigh left my lips as I leaned into his touch "I trust you now I ask for you to place your trust in me"

Placing both my hands on his firm, broad, muscled chest, my fingers dug into his black robes. I studied his black robes that lay under the palms of my hands as if it was really interesting. Kylo had always put his trust into me, and he had never given me a reason not to trust him. In fact he had saved my life that night when Ferial decided to bomb his own kingdom in order to escape. Meeting his gaze I smiled softly as I knew that I really didn't have to think of my answer. His eyes searched my face as if he was trying desperately to find something.

"I'll always trust you" It was a barely audible admission as my words were carried off into the wind but he still heard those four precious words

He moved one of his hands to the back of my head and pulled me against his chest. Kylo slipped his arms around my body as he cradled me in his lap, closing my eyes. I let the rhythm of his heartbeat lull me to a sleeplike state, his fingers stroking my hair as his body relaxed under my own. Our signatures wrapped around each other as we both poured our energy into one another. This beautiful moment of peace had both of us bearing our human weakness of a sense of belonging. A sense of finding one another in the darkness, a sense that was telling each other that we weren't alone. Because under the moon and the stars, we had found a common ground that we could both see eye to eye on. A bond that nobody could take away from us, a bond that we shared and by just reaching out we could find the other. We were in a galaxy of our own, where we just existed with one another in a comfortable silence.

"No matter where you are, I'll always make my way back to you, I promise"

His words echoed in the back of my head as his shadow teetered on the edge of my mind. Just enough to reassure me that he was always there, to tell me that I wasn't alone. True to his word, I wasn't alone because I had him and he had me.

This was an interesting sight that I would definitely commit to memory.

My parents were sitting at the dining room table eating breakfast with Kylo as if it was an everyday thing. Blinking, I was baffled at how to react to the rather odd scene. Kylo, dressed in his black robes, was calmly sipping coffee in one hand with his datapad in the other. My Father mirrored him but instead he wore white robes while my Mother was eating as she read a book. I must be dreaming because a domestic Kylo is giving me vibes that I don't quite agree with. Pinching myself did nothing so I gave up. Taking my seat across from the Master of the Knights of Ren, I began to serve myself breakfast as I mumbled pleasantries to my parents.

The entire meal was a silent one which I didn't mind at all as I ate in silence, my thoughts wandered off on how to bring up the topic of why I was here in the first place. I wanted to wait after breakfast at least before I brought it up as I needed to prepare myself for the truth. Were they even really my parents? Or were they my parents? Snoke's words caused me to doubt my identity, to doubt everything I had known so far. Well…almost everything.

"Are you finished, dear?" Looking up from my plate to my Mother she was smiling at me as she gestured to my empty plate

"Ah yes,"

Once all the dishes and the leftover food were cleared, we all sat at the table in silence. Clutching the teacup in my hands I stared at the dark liquid as I took a deep breath. Looking up, I was met with Kylo's state as he waited patiently for me to bring up the subject. Nodding slightly I moved my gaze towards my parents who were smiling and waiting for me to start.

"Father, do you know anything about the organization called T.A?" He stiffened as he exchanged glances with my Mom

"Yes I do unfortunately" He stated as he took a sip of his coffee

"Both the Republic and The Order want to destroy them as they have caused problems for both opposing sides of the war" Pausing I took a sip of my tea "Can you please tell me everything you know of this organization father?"

"First off, they are called The Allied"

So those were just acronyms, I knew it.

"Who are they? What do they want?"

My Father exchanged another glance with my Mother who merely nodded at him "They have been trying to recruit all the small planets that aren't a part of the Republic or the Order such as our planet, A'rth. They came to this planet two years ago hoping to convince us to join them. So twice a month all the leaders have a meeting where we come together to discuss options. Some want to be apart of the war and others don't, so you can see how that is a problem" He stated with a tired sigh before he continued "The man that leads this organization is a force user, he goes by the code name M'inoli, he has a group of fourteen force users who serve him as if he is a entity"

"Have you ever met him?"

"Thankfully no"

"What do they want?"

"They want to crush both the Republic and the Order and bring a new age of change to the galaxy as he believes that the old ways should die" Glancing to Kylo, he wore a mask of indifference. Yet I could feel that his curiosity has been piqued by the goals of this organization named The Allied. Interesting…

"Is this everything that you know?"

"The force users stay in Canto Bight, Cantonica as they enjoy partaking in gambling, clubs, the races, and the occasional ball or two as they enjoy partaking in activities in the pleasure district"

"Thank you, this will help the First Order" Chewing on my bottom lip I knew that the other subject would have to be discussed now or never because there was a high chance I would never see them again. Attachment wasn't allowed, nor was feelings or sentiment. The Supreme Leader believed that these things would cause us to stray from the darkness and walk in the path of the light.

"When I was a kid, I asked both of you about the origins of my abilities and you always told me that I was just gifted. I'm older now and I ask you once more...where did I get my abilities?" Neither of them seemed fazed that I had asked them such a question as they merely shared another look with one another before my Mother left the room only to return a few seconds later holding a journal in her hands.

"Almost twenty four years ago, a young couple, like us, had come to us seeking refuge as they were heavily wounded and apparently were on the run. The women had just given birth to a girl, they were force users, they were caught up in something dangerous and knew that you wouldn't be safe with them so after a few days they left you with us, and this journal, and told us that they would try to return to get you back…"

My Mom didn't have to finish what she was saying as it has been twenty three years since I had been left here, which meant that they had either been killed or died trying to get back to me. EIther way they were gone and I was once more left with more questions such as why were they in danger? What happened to them? Who was I descended from? This was all too much to take in at once, but I knew that I needed to take a step back and take a deep breath. To look at everything with a level head before making any decisions.

Standing I moved towards both of my parents as they enveloped me in a tight hug, "Thank you for loving me and raising me as your own"

"We love you with everything we have"

"You'll always be our daughter kiddo"

After another two hours of talking, and a twenty minute tearful goodbye Kylo and I had left A'rth as we had boarded the Command Shuttle and were making our way back to Starkiller. He told me that he wanted to keep the prophecy a secret for now as we had a mission to complete. I agreed as I wasn't ready to accept anymore new information about myself after what I had just learned. Clutching the worn journal in my hands, I was afraid to look inside afraid of what I might find in the leather bound book of yellowed pages. This was a gift from my biological parents that they had left behind to give me a better chance at a life then the possibility of meeting the same fate they had met that led to their abrupt demise. Closing my eyes I decided to meditate as I let myself fall into the dark side of the force, to give myself a temporary break from everything that has happened in the last few days.

It has been a little over a day since we returned to Starkiller and I had yet to touch the journal. As soon as we landed Kylo and I had a brief meeting with General Hux, where I had told him everything my Father had. The only reason we had yet to leave for Canto Bight was because the Supreme Leader was busy for the time being and wouldn't return for a week. Which was a huge relief to me as I needed to time to myself to figure everything out. This week was going to be used as a small break in order for me to clear my mind and unscramble everything.

First off was the force bond with Mr. Prince of Darkness himself. From a young age, we have been able to see one another. It was our bond that had linked us together in the first place, our bond that had caused us to grow so close yet still so far apart. When I was stationed with the Resistance, I was able to strengthen my mental health with meditation. Which had strengthened our bond in the short span of us being separated. Kylo telling me about our force bond had answered many of my questions luckily. A bond that had us giving each other trophies from each victim we terrorized. It was a sweet gesture that he had gone to the trouble of cutting that man's tongue out in payment for his disrespect. A bond that had him fiercely territorial over me, his possessiveness made me feel oddly safe in his arms. Which explains why he is so determined to prevent my death that I welcomed it. I had made a blood oath to follow him until my last breath. I intended to do that even if he is the reason why.

Secondly, my relationship with said Prince was impossible to put into words as one minute we were getting along and the next we were at each other's throats. The night that I had returned back to base was when I had seen a side of Kylo that I didn't know he had. Kylo was vulnerable, making me a promise that he would always make his way back to me. Then the moment in my safe place underneath the tree was another moment of him showing me a side of him that I didn't know. A side of him that comforted me and soothes my doubts and insecurities that were eating away at me. Kylo Ren. The man is an anomaly himself. There was no telling what was going on through that head of his. He was a man that lived and breathed by his own rules and didn't give a damn if anybody liked them or not. A man that had a past shrouded in darkness and mystery that I eagerly wanted to know. I placed my trust into him and I wanted him to do the same as I needed to know what he kept locked up in that head of his.

Looking down at the worn journal in my hands, I took a deep breath and opened it before I could chicken out. The pages were yellowed due to age and were filled in small cursive as it explained the basics of how the force worked. This explains how Dad was able to train me, they had given my parents a journal that told them how to train me. If my biological parents were in danger then that explained why my parents wanted me to hide my abilities until I was grown. They were protecting me from the same fate as my parents. It explained so much. Thankfully this time this answered my questions instead of leaving me with more. All I have to figure out now is why did I descend from and what happened to my parents.

I found a purpose outside of this war. A purpose that will give me the identity I crave, that will give me a sense of belonging.