Chapter 5

Anara paced around her small living space. She weighed her options of helping the Mandalorian. So far, the pros included transport to another location and an amount of credits that she could live on. The cons were of course Din finding out the truth and taking her back to Clan Awaud. Anara pulled back the curtains of the small window of her home to look out into the forest landscape. She spotted Din nearby making what looked like a campsite. Anara ground her teeth and stomped outside. She closed the distance between them swiftly.

"What do you think you're doing?" Anara shouted. "This is my home. I don't need a babysitter."

Anara was standing inches away from him. She was purposely trying to intimidate him with her proximity but two could play at this game. Din stepped closer and faced her directly.

"I'm making camp here tonight," Din stated.

"No, you're not," Anara snapped. "Go back to your ship now!"

Din let out a heavy sigh, clearly annoyed with her behavior. "Anara, I can't trust that you won't try to run away again like before. If you would have acted civilized throughout our encounter, I would be back on my ship right now. Trust me, I don't particularly like sleeping on the ground, but you leave me no choice."

Anara shifted on her feet. She could feel the anger pulsing through her veins. She kept her eyes locked on Din's T-visor. She could faintly make out his eyes beneath the helmet. He just stared back at her. Infuriated, she pushed her finger against his beskar-plated chest.

"I told you, you will have your answer in the morning. I'm not going anywhere." Anara's voice shook. With a turn of her heel, she marched back across the clearing to her hut.

Din watched her throw her tantrum and turned to continue his task at hand. "What did I get myself into," he thought shaking his head.

XXX

Din felt as if the night had purposely dragged on just to torture him. Obviously, sleep wasn't an option because he wasn't letting Anara out of his sight. He hoped she would make this easy and come with him. Eventually, he would get more information out of her and find out the truth that she continued to hide. Din had placed his campsite on the outskirts of the clearing. This way he could keep a close eye on everything going on. He noticed Anara's hut gave off a soft glow even though the curtains were drawn. Din's stomach rumbled with hunger. He longed to be back at his ship alone. He rested his helmeted head back against the tree trying his best to place his thoughts on something to distract his stomach.

Guilt started to nip at Anara's heart. She was being a child and she knew it. Her emotions unfortunately always got the best of her. As a Mandalorian, she had always used her temper to help her in battle. It fueled her to take out enemies quickly, but when the dust settled it left her feeling empty and often guilty. She was never quite able to reign in her emotions like some of her fellow clan members could. She was always chosen to go on more dangerous missions back then because of her anger and rage. It spiked her adrenaline and gave her focus on the task at hand. The downside of it all was the nightmares that woke her out of sleep. Being alone was the curse she chose to accept. No one needed to share her pain. Coming out of her thoughts, she finished the bone broth that still sat in her bowl. She sighed with resignation.

Din lifted his head to see Anara coming out of the hut. She approached quietly taking care not to drop the bowl she held in her hands.

"Let this be a peace offering," she stated. "I'm sorry for the way I acted. You're completely right, I should have just talked to you instead of fighting and making things worse."

Din motioned for her to sit down. Anara accepted the invitation and sat cross legged across from him. Din watched her closely as she looked down at the fire. He noted a heaviness that lay on her shoulders.

"Here." Anara handed him the bowl of warm broth. "It's not much but it's the least I could do."

Din took the bowl from her and placed it next to him on the ground. With a hiss of his helmet release, Din lifted the visor enough to take a sip from the bowl. Anara shyly took in the features that she could see from the raised helmet. She noted the stubble that lined his jaw, his Adams apple bobbing as he swallowed the broth, and the dried blood that had settled on his throat because of her actions. Anara looked down at the ground feeling embarrassed.

She considered the fact that he did not remove his helmet completely. In her clan, this was not the usual practice. The specialty crafted visors were used for protection and intimidation during battle. Her armor always made her feel a sense of security which she often missed. She felt vulnerable and exposed without it, even though it had been over a year. She still kept the armor with her. It was one of the few belongings she had held on to when she left.

"Why do you keep your helmet on?" she questioned Din.

"It is the way of my people," he replied. Din had found out recently that he was a Child of the Watch. Bo-Katan had informed him that this was a group of Mandalorian with an extreme belief system seeking to reestablish the ancient faith. Din had never known any different. His beliefs had become blurry after the rescue of Grogu and meeting other Mandalorian warriors. His heart clenched at the thought of the little green child.

Anara had heard of this clan before in her teachings but had never met a Mandalorian that practiced these principles. Her clan had often looked down upon the ways of the Tribe and their strict ideals. Anara sensed an uneasiness surrounding Din. He shifted against the tree clearly uncomfortable.

They sat in silence staring into the dancing flames both lost in their own thoughts.

Feeling uncomfortable, Anara rose to her feet. "Well I hope you enjoyed the broth. Sleep well."

Din watched as Anara crossed the clearing to her hut. He was glad that Anara had shown another side of herself. He realized that this wasn't another lie she was making up. Her thoughtfulness was genuine. Din decided to take a chance and trust her. Wrapping his cape around his body, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

XXX

The early morning light crept in through the windows sending a bluish glow upon everything in the hut. Anara hadn't slept that evening but had made her decision after many conversations with herself. She decided to accompany Din. Her plan would be to lead him away from any information that included herself. Once she felt as if she was safe in her endeavors she would disappear or at least see to it that the mission failed. She would start her life over again somewhere new and move on from this little hiccup. She had packed the one large chest she owned containing her armor, clothes, and a few sentimental items that she had taken with her when she fled. Locking the chest, she threaded the small key on a chain in which she wore around her neck. Din didn't seem like the type of person to rummage through someone's belongings, but she stayed on the cautious side anyway.

Anara pulled back the curtain at the doorway and walked out onto the platform outside. The air felt thick with moisture. Din was already awake. She could see him smothering the smoldering embers with his booted foot. She waited patiently for him to approach her.

"Have you reached a decision?" Din stated.

"Good morning to you too and yes, I have. I will accompany you on your journey to find this Mandalorian you seek. I will do my best to help you," Anara replied.

Din acknowledged her with a head shake. "Are you ready to go then?"

"Yes. I have one chest of belongings inside." Anara motioned toward the hut.

"My ship is near the plunge basin where we first met. I have already stocked up on supplies and refueled. Is there anyone you need to say goodbye too?" Din already knew the answer to his question.

"No," Anara replied. "I'm ready to go."

Author's Note: Thank you again to all my readers! I hope you enjoyed Anara's temper tantrum. I laughed when I reread that part in the chapter. I don't know if Din can handle Anara! XD