On The Wings of a Hawk

5: Some Understanding

A/n: Don't own Star Wars.

I hope you guys are enjoying this story.

Shadow Fox

Rex sighed softly as he leaned against a tree. His helmet rested on his knee as he closed his eyes. There was a small quite before the storm as it were. Soft footfalls made his eyes come open. Moira stalked from the shadows and sat down in front of him though enough space between them not to be awkward. She didn't say anything so he figured he'd make the first move.

"Didn't think I'd see you again after the episode a week ago."

She sighed softly.

"I have to remember Rex that you are not of the clan and would see how I do things. I came here to apologize."

"For what?"

"Not coming sooner when you were rolling out on the battlefield at the beginning. I had Clan things to take care of that would bored you to tears. And to tell you there are battles I cannot help you with. Though, I'd take running into battle with you over Clan crap any day."

"You have other obligations than to run into battle to help my brothers and myself."

"I don't have that many obligations Rex but considering certain aspects of my life I have trouble getting places. My friends that are Jumpers kind of don't like Jumping for someone else. I'm lucky Ajax will even help me."

"What about the old fashioned way a ship? Or find a Jumper whatever they are."

"A Jumper is one of the three gifts our clan members can inherit once they accept the way of our Clan and gain the mint colored hair and facial markings. All Jumpers need is a clear vision of a place or a person they want to get to they can cross galaxies if necessary. A Shifter is what I am, but each Shifters animal form is different. My sister Kali has Clear Sight."

"Clear sight?"

"Jedi and Sith can see visions, but they're not always clear. Our Clan if you're gifted with Clear Sight the future is yours to see but there's always a price for knowing what you know and speaking it out loud. Kali knew what was going to go down that day but kept quiet knowing I had to blaze my own trail."

"That's not very useful."

"It wasn't meant to be useful Rex. It's a lonely thing that you can see it but cannot do much to help those you wish to help. Kali took a huge risk telling me when you'd come about."

"Can someone in your Clan have more than one gift?"

"Yes, but it's rare. Very rare our Aunt has two which is why she's the Queen. She no longer practices Jumping but she does have the Clear Sight. Even though you've upset them she will not interfere."

She smiled softly then the smile slid off her face.

"Moira?"

She shook her head at his concerned voice.

"It's nothing Rex honest. My brother doesn't really like you."

"Ajax correct?"

She nodded her head at him.

"I assume my words upset your clan mates?"

"Something like that."

"You said they form attachments."

Moira had to laugh softly at his word usage because he was sounding like a Jedi. "What?"

"Forming attachments sounds like a Jedi line, but anyway you were saying."

"Your clan members don't wait for their One?"

"No, most of them do not wait for their One. Kali married once and dated before she came to the time and place where her One existed."

He looked at her intently and she had a feeling where this conversation was going to go. She had to remind herself that he wasn't of the Clan but in all honesty she wasn't like most of her Clan either.

"What made you wait for me?"

She looked out over the landscape with a soft sigh.

"Because it didn't feel right to me to even think about anyone else in a romantic way. I didn't know how long I had to wait, but I vowed I'd wait. Took four hundred years but here I am. I could've had that prince till he died, but I didn't feel like I could put my heart into a relationship with him. Not to mention his ego would've gotten in the way and he would've badgered me for things I wasn't willing to give."

"You didn't think you could've found a lasting relationship with someone or anyone else?"

"I knew I could've, but you were always on my mind. I was looking for you long before I even knew you were even thought of."

"You put a lot of faith in me."

"I know you're a good person Rex."

"How can you know that when we've only met a couple times?"

"I watched you Rex before I even approached you on Kamino."

He looked at her suspiciously.

"How did you manage that?"

She laughed softly at his question and tilted her head to the side to look at him.

"I'm a ghost Rex. I know how to move in and out of the shadows like I'm made of them. It's a necessity in my calling."

"We all look the same how could you tell it was me amongst all my brothers?"

"This is going to sound outlandish to you but I could smell you and hear your heartbeat above all others."

"I assume your sense of smell is as keen as the predator you can become?"

"Yes as is my hearing. I didn't linger long though watching you. I got word that you guys were going to ship out and I acted then to allow you to see me and to give you my protection."

"I don't think I'll ever understand this."

"Rex, don't over think it because some of it will be inconceivable to you. Just know that I want to be around you and it's up to you where this goes. If you think you can only handle friendship then that's the way it'll be."

"But you want more than friendship."

"I do, but you have to want more than friendship too. But don't over think it Rex. Forcing something isn't what I want."

"Can I ask you something?" he finally said after a couple minutes of silence.

"That's how we learn about the other is by asking questions Rex."

"The blue is it because of me?"

"No," she murmured with the smile. "I have blue phoenix blood in me which gives me the blue feathers. My great, great grandfather was a blue phoenix. Though it's a rare occurrence in our clan."

"Do others like you have the phoenix tails like you do?"

"No. I'm a rare case. Normally those with phoenix blood in them and can shift are bird like creatures that have tail feathers like phoenixes. My great, great grandfather was a blue phoenix. My counterpart is a red Phoenix and she's an arrogant brat."

"Does she have the ability to back up that arrogance?"

"No. She thinks her blood will bring loyalty, but she has no idea what it takes to earn the loyalty of those around her."

He was about ready to say something more but she tensed and before he could ask what was going on she was up and her wings fanned out. He watched as she moved her hands and barely kept back the burst of flames that exploded in front of them. Blue flames exploded forward blocking the blast of the explosive. He saw her gritting her teeth at what she was trying to hold back. Finally the flames died down and she sank to her knees panting heavily. Her hands were trembling as she sat there. As if forcing herself she rose and shifted. Her entire body blocked his view of what had happened. He heard the annoying voices of battle droids advancing towards them.

"Moira let me handle this your hurt."

Her gaze met his.

"Together," she growled darkly.

He saw something in her eyes that made him understand.

"Together," he agreed.

Then other Clones piled out beside them as they moved forward. After a couple minutes he lost sight of her. Worry shot through him at this but he kept plowing forward with his brothers to stop this attack on their encampment. He didn't want to risk changing the tide for them by going back to look for her. The war came first. Once the forces were driven back he turned to try and find the wayward Fate. He found her leaning against a tree with Kix tending to the burns on her hands. Her shirt was raised up showing a bandage wrapped around her waist. He had to hold back from rushing to her side. Her head was back and her eyes were closed.

"You'll be alright miss," Kix murmured before rising and looking over his shoulder at him.

"Thank you Kix, was it?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"My name is Moira."

"Stay out of trouble from now on."

She cracked and eye open and gave him a weak smile. Her hands came up carefully and pulled her shirt back down over her bandages.

"No promises."

A soft chuckle escaped him at her words. Rex approached his medic. Moira closed her eyes and leaned back against the tree.

"She'll be okay Captain."

"Thank you Kix."

His medic gave him a sly smirk before moving off to help the next injured person. Rex didn't know if he liked that smirk or not.

"How did you do that before?"

"Blue Phoenix blood protects me to an extent, but not enough to stop my hands from getting burned."

"I take it you've burnt your hands before?"

"More than once. At first the flames were a reflexive protection measure now I can control it to an extent. Though flames kind of have a mind of their own once released. Are you okay?"

"My armor protects me well enough."

Moira winced as she tried to stand up using the tree. "You shouldn't be moving around so soon. I won't protect you from Kix if he catches you."

He moved forward and helped her to her feet. She stumbled a bit and he took her weight against his side to keep her steady. Her gaze drifted to her sister that was stalking forward with a smirk on her face.

"I wish you could've met Eirian, she would've liked you a lot."

"Who's that?"

"Our older sister and I agree Moira she would've liked him a lot," Kali told them.

"Kali," he murmured as he dipped his head in greeting.

"He's right Moira you shouldn't be up yet."

Rex handed her off to Kali's side.

"When did I ever listen to you?" she asked her sister.

"Once upon a time you did."

"Let's not get into this Kali."

She moved to look at Rex with a soft smile.

"You need to stop getting hurt if you want to continue this conversation."

"Injuries won't keep me down long. I'll be back."

"You better be."

"Will you two stop flirting its making me sick."

Moira blushed and Rex wouldn't look at either of them.

"You're just jealous."

Kali just shook her head. Some of the Clone walking by were snickering as they walked past but a hard glare from Rex sent them moving on. Moira reached for her hip pouch and brought out a black bag and tossed it to Rex.

"Hang onto those for me will you?"

He looked at the bag in his hand and then up to the Fates. She said something to him in her own language that he didn't understand and smirked at him. Someone that he didn't know but was clearly of their clan came out and placed his arm around Moira's waist making her wince as he touched her wound on her side. She snarled something at him making him jerk his hand away from her. Rex smirked at that and he dropped a hand on her and Kali's shoulders and vanished. Shaking his head he dumped the bag out in his hand. It was a clear case that had two feathers in it. One was a small tip of her tail feather and a small feather that came from her head feathers. They glowed softly before going out. Shaking his head he placed the case back in its bag and stuffed it in his hip pouch. Then did he turn to go over the damage reports and to see what the next move was for them.

"What did she say?" someone asked.

"A protocol droid would be useful right about now."

"They wouldn't be able to translate the language of the Fates."

They all turned to see Kenobi.

"They have six million languages…"

"Very few learn the language of their clan and that's how they want it."

"You know the language."

"I have a basic understanding of her language because it was necessary for one under a clan member's protection. Moira will probably teach it to you sometime."

"Do you know what she said?"

"Yes, but I will not repeat what was said."

"That bad?"

"No, just it's her idea of flirting."

The other clones started laughing and Rex couldn't fight the small blush that crossed his face and turned and walked away.