This is my first attempt at writing a romantic story, and I thought I'd give it a try and broaden my writing skills. This story is inspired by Finding the Light by JediKnightBailey. I really loved that story, but I thought it would be interesting to do a bunch of things differently and follow a different path. There's a lot of similarities, especially here at the beginning, but I promise this is a unique story. But still credit where credit is due, so go check out his/her stories. They're fantastic and my inspiration for writing this.

Lore is not my primary consideration when writing this, and I don't really care if I break any established lore. Without further ado...

Chapter 1

Reunion

Ahsoka

Ahsoka waited by her Master's side as Obi Wan announced the news. The Republic had managed to recapture Geonosis, but it seemed Poggle the Lesser had given them the slip. So now she waited in the orange colored desert around a Republic holotable.

"The Council congratulates us on our successful liberation of Geonosis, and the destruction of the droid factories," Obi Wan paused as the Jedi and clone commanders in attendance smiled, "Our mission is now to locate and apprehend Poggle the Lesser. Ki Adi Mundi has returned to Coruscant, but another has been sent to join us."

"Who is it, Master Kenobi?" Ahsoka asked curiously.

"Master Starke," Obi Wan reported.

Ahsoka noticed Luminara's head snapped up at that. She asked tentatively, "Valar?"

"Yes, Valar," Obi Wan replied, and Ahsoka wondered what Master Unduli's reaction had been all about, "It's been a long time since I've seen him."

"Myself as well," Luminara seemed to be living in a place far away. When she noticed Ahsoka's eyes on her, she immediately looked away and busied herself fiddling with her headdress.

"I don't believe Anakin has even met him," Obi Wan frowned, "Anakin, do you remember Master Starke?"

"I'm afraid not, Master," Anakin frowned, "Who is he?"

"One of my oldest and closest friends," Obi Wan smiled wistfully, "Luminara, Shaak Ti, Valar, and myself were very close when we were children."

"What happened?" Ahsoka asked. She was surprised there was a Jedi close to Obi Wan that she had never even heard of.

"Our tasks and missions pulled all of us apart," Obi Wan explained, "In any case, he will be arriving momentarily."

Ahsoka wondered what this was all about. She noticed herself, Barriss, and Anakin all seemed confused, but Obi Wan and Luminara both seemed to be living in an age long past. Ahsoka gave Anakin a confused glance, but he simply shrugged and looked away. She had never recalled Obi Wan speak of anyone named Valar Starke, but he had not shared much about his early life, and she was too not surprised he had a friend she did not know. But that she had never even heard of him threw her off.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a Republic Gunship descending towards their position. Ahsoka watched as the door slid open and a single figure jumped out and landed lightly as the door shut and the Gunship departed.

The figure revealed himself to be a tall and lanky human in his mid thirties with warm brown eyes, wavy brown hair cut a tad shorter than Obi Wan's.

Obi Wan and Luminara moved to greet him, and the man said lightly, "What's up brotha? It's been far too long."

"Indeed," Obi Wan replied, then to Ahsoka's complete surprise, he gave Obi Wan a friendly bro hug. She had never seen Obi Wan display that sort of affection to anyone besides Anakin. She looked towards Anakin who seemed shocked as well.

Luminara

The collected and poised Mirialan Jedi Master fought for control of her rogue emotions as the figure of Valar Starke dropped clear of the Gunship and moved to greet them. She had not seen the man in ten years, but it seemed that had not changed anything.

"What's up brotha?" Valar smiled warmly at Obi Wan, "It's been far too long."

"Indeed," Obi Wan replied, accepting Valar's bro hug. It seemed they were still friendly even after all these years.

Valar released Obi Wan and turned to Luminara and smiled warmly and said, "Ten years is far too long Luminara. It's so good to see you again."

Luminara fought the color that threatened to appear on her cheeks as she returned his smile and said, "You as well Valar. This is my apprentice Barriss Offee."

"Greetings, Master Starke," Barriss bowed her head politely, "I don't believe I've made your acquaintance."

"Nice to meet you Ms. Offee," Valar said politely.

"This is my former Padawan, Anakin Skywalker," Obi Wan said, gesturing to Anakin.

"I've heard of your exploits," Valar nodded respectfully, "Obi Wan must've trained you well."

"Indeed, he is an excellent teacher," Luminara noticed Anakin did not poke fun at his Master. Likely because he had never met Valar. He continued, "And this is my Padawan, Ahsoka Tano."

"Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Tano," Valar said respectfully, then turned back to the group and said seriously, "I've been informed of the situation loosely. Poggle made the dash correct?"

Luminara found herself wishing they had more time to catch up, but instead replied, "Yes. Poggle fled when we destroyed the droid factories, and we are currently unaware of Poggle's whereabouts."

"Hmm," Valar frowned, "Well let's figure this out."

Valar

Valar Starke ran a hand through his hair and let out a long breath as he sat aboard the Republic shuttle the Jedi had chosen to use as their personal quarters for the time being. He was exceptionally glad to be back with Luminara and Obi Wan again. He had last seen Obi Wan shortly after Qui Gon's death, and it had been ten years since he had seen Luminara.

The Council had kept him busy in the Outer Rim and he rarely was allowed to return to the Temple, which explained why he had not seen his friends in so long. And they moved on without me, Valar thought sadly, Luminara has an apprentice, and Obi Wan had an apprentice who now has an apprentice, and I never met any of them.

He knew who was to blame. The Jedi Council, Valar thought antagonistically as he rested his head against the back of his chair. They had never been there when he had needed them, and when they learned about his issues, they had just sent him away, to rot in the Outer Rim.

Important missions, Valar smiled humorlessly, that's what they tell me. You're important Valar, and your work is helping many. But I don't get to come home, or see my friends, or be offered an apprentice, or get a clone legion, or anything. He had spent a decade working in tandem with a few other unwanted Jedi attending meaningless tasks in the Outer Rim. Being kept busy and kept away because the Jedi had no reason to kick them out.

The others were understandable, but Valar knew he did not belong there. He knew how talented he was, and how much potential he had. And he knew why he had wound up where he had. The cursed name passed through his head before he was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in," Valar forced his negativity and antagonism aside and forced himself to appear calm, collected, and relaxed as the door opened to reveal Obi Wan.

"Am I interrupting?" Obi Wan asked.

"No," Valar forced a smile, "What can I do for you?"

"The clones are searching for the trail left by the droids now," Obi Wan reported, "Which means there isn't much to do while we wait."

"You want to catch up?" Valar guessed.

"It's been a long time," Obi Wan shrugged, "We've drifted apart. Remember how close we used to be?"

"Indeed," Valar smiled at the memory.

Flashback

Fourteen year old Valar smiled as he sat down next to Obi Wan, across from Shaak Ti and Luminara Unduli. He noticed how Luminara seemed to blush when he looked at her, but thought none of it as Shaak said, "Hey Valar! How was sparring?"

"Fantastic," Valar lied, covering the bruises on his arm, "Master Hsssk was as patient as ever, and I learned some new techniques."

"Oooh, let me see," Shaak smiled.

Valar obliged and demonstrated some of his skills as he gained the attention of the mess hall. Valar was used to it, as he was pretty outgoing and most of the others liked him. The skills he showed them were things they had not seen before, but not something he had learned that day in sparring. Valar had not learned anything in sparring for a few months. Nothing about lightsaber combat anyway.

Obi Wan smiled as Shaak clapped happily as he sat down. Valar smiled warmly at Shaak and missed the crestfallen look on Luminara's face.

"Master Hsssk must be quite the teacher," Shaak smiled warmly at him.

"He is," Valar lied, "I'm lucky to be his apprentice."

Valar felt his sleeve slide down his arm, and hurried to pull it up before any of his friends noticed. Obi Wan saw however, and said, "Valar, it happened again didn't it."

"What?" Shaak asked curiously as Valar nodded slightly to his closest and most trusted friend, "What happened?"

"Nothing," Obi Wan reassured her, "He just made this one mistake again."

"Ah," Shaak conceded, but Valar still felt her eyes on him.

"Valar and I need to go...study," Obi Wan said, and Valar nodded in agreement and got to his feet as Obi Wan led him into the Temple gardens.

Sitting in the shade under a tree they had enjoyed climbing as children, Obi Wan asked, "He hit you again didn't he."

Valar avoided his friends eyes and nodded. His secret was not known to anyone except his closest friend. He was too proud to share.

"Why this time?" Obi Wan asked, sounding worried for his friend.

"I was too friendly with Shaak," Valar glared at the ground ahead of him, "I got frustrated during meditation, and he heard from Lumi's Master that she was looking at me."

"He hit you because Lumi looked at you?" Obi Wan asked incredulously.

"Apparently," Valar growled. He didn't give a fuck that anger was against the Jedi way. It was easier to be angry than it was to be vulnerable, and with Master Hsssk, he could never let his guard down.

"That's so unfair," Obi Wan sympathized, "Are you ever going to tell anyone?"

"Who the fuck would I tell?" Valar stood and asked angrily, "Who in this whole fucking Order would believe troublesome Valar's word over that of renowned Master Hsssk?"

"I'd back you up," Obi Wan said firmly, and Valar appreciated his friend. He was fighting tears, but was determined not to cry in front of his friend, "So would Shaak, and definitely Lumi. Do you see how she looks at you?"

"No," Valar shook his head, "And who the fuck would believe us?"

"What about your bruises?" Obi Wan asked. Valar was glad his friend cared, but Obi Wan had no idea what he was talking about.

"Sparring injuries," Valar hissed, "I need to work on my defense."

"Those are your Master's words," Obi Wan pointed out.

"They're the truth," Valar replied harshly.

"No they're not," Obi Wan said, sounding hurt.

"You're a good friend Obi," Valar forced a smile and stood up, "But if no one but you and I believes it, then Hsssk speaks the truth. It's true to everyone except us."

"How often?" Obi Wan asked as Valar turned to leave.

"Three to four times a week," Valar said as he walked away, forcing his pain deep down once again.

"I'm so sorry," Obi Wan said sympathetically, moving to follow him as he returned to the Temple.

End Flashback

"We were best friends," Valar smiled at the memory. It was dark, but one of the lighter ones he had from his childhood. At least Obi Wan had been there for him then.

"We were," Obi Wan said sadly, "What happened?"

"What do you think?!" Valar asked harshly, catching himself and Obi Wan off guard, he hurriedly apologized, "I'm sorry Obi. I didn't mean to lash out."

"Hsssk?" Obi Wan asked, frowning.

"After you and Qui Gon went away to start doing real missions, it got bad," Valar frowned, forcing old memories away, "Really bad."

"I know we haven't spoken in a decade, but if there's anything you need to express, I'm still your friend," Obi Wan said gently, looking concerned. Valar was impressed that Obi Wan was still sympathetic to him after all these years.

"I don't want to think about my Master," Valar said firmly.

"Alright," Obi Wan turned to leave, "If there's anything you need…"

"Thanks Obi," Valar smiled genuinely, "I'm okay, I promise."

Obi Wan nodded, but as he started to leave, his wrist com blared, "Master!"

"What is it?" Obi Wan asked as Valar listened attentively.

"We found Poggle's trail before a sandstorm struck," the voice Valar guessed to be Anakin's said, "But Luminara went after him."

"Into the sandstorm?!" Valar asked, worried for his old friend. He thought of her amethyst eyes and felt a strange ache in his chest at the thought of her heading off into a sandstorm alone, despite the fact that she was an accomplished Jedi Master who could easily handle herself. It seemed the feelings he had fought since childhood were still alive in his soul.

"Yes, Master Starke," Anakin replied, as it appeared his voice had carried across Obi Wan's wrist com.

"We can't go after her until the storm is cleared up," Obi Wan said as Valar stood from his seat.

"She might be in danger," Valar objected.

"And you won't be much of a help to her if you're dead," Obi Wan said, putting a hand on his shoulder as he moved to head out the door, "I know you have missed her for years, and you feel like you've lost her again, but you must be patient, Valar."

Valar recognized the wisdom in his friend's voice, and let out a long breath and began pacing aggressively back and forth, worrying about his old friend.

Obi Wan

Obi Wan was fairly certain Valar would not try anything rash, and realized how similar his old friend was to his former apprentice. They could both be bold, impatient, and brazen. The only difference was that Anakin had been raised very differently than Valar had.

Obi Wan shut the door behind him and turned to head to the kitchen to make something to eat when he bumped into a surprised Anakin. Obi Wan asked immediately, "Luminara went off alone?"

"Yes indeed," Anakin snorted, "I find it a little hypocritical that I get critiqued every time I do something brash, but if she-"

"Not the time Anakin," Obi Wan shut his former apprentice down, "How's Barriss?"

"She's worried about her Master, I think," Anakin frowned, "Ahsoka's with her right now."

"Do we know where Master Unduli went?" Obi Wan asked.

"Roughly," Anakin said, "But we aren't going anywhere right now."

"That's true," Obi Wan sighed, "We'll go find her as soon as the storm passes."

Ahsoka

"Are you sure you're alright?" Ahsoka asked Barriss as the young Mirialan meditated on the top bunk.

Keeping her eyes closed, Barriss replied, "I have faith in my Master's abilities."

Ahsoka was surprised that her Mirialan friend was able to maintain such composure and relaxation when her Master was missing and could be in danger for all they knew. Ahsoka knew how she would behave if Anakin had done what Master Unduli had, but Barriss had decided to meditate and maintained her calm and composed demeanor. Barriss was, in many ways, Ahsoka's opposite, and Ahsoka enjoyed her company. Compared to Anakin, Barriss was a nice change of pace. While she loved her Master, it was nice to be around someone her age for once, and someone who was much more relaxed, and exuded calm, sort of like Obi Wan.

"You're not worried about her?" Ahsoka asked.

"Of course I am," Barriss frowned, keeping her eyes closed and breathing steady, "But we won't be doing anything to help her right now, and it won't do to stress about it."

Ahsoka paused at that, then commented, "You two are a lot alike, you know."

"What do you mean?" Barriss asked, sounding tired.

"You're both all proper and orderly. Don't you ever do something just because it feels right?" Ahsoka asked curiously.

"You mean act irrationally?" Barriss asked not unkindly.

"No," Ahsoka frowned, "Like act on instinct."

"Like you and your Master always do?" Barriss says with a smirk, though her eyes stay closed, "Look at how that works."

"Most of the time it works fine," Ahsoka objected.

"And the other times?" Barriss persisted.

Ahsoka shrugged and said, "You two never try to wing anything or do something risky?"

"My Master says it's always best to have a plan," Barriss said, "Surprises only make problems, and are best avoided."

"Sounds boring," Ahsoka prodded her new friend, wishing to continue the conversation.

"Perhaps," Barriss said, "But it's the best course to take."

"I bet it puts a lot of pressure on you," Ahsoka said sympathetically, wondering what it would be like if Anakin demanded that she memorize everything before a mission, then made sure she had a plan for every possible scenario. It sounded exhausting, and Ahsoka felt a stab of pity for Barriss.

Barriss opened her dark blue eyes and sighed, "You have no idea."

Anakin

Anakin was glad Barriss and Ahsoka were getting along as he sat down in his quarters and let out a long breath. He wanted to speak with his beloved Padme, but knew that the sandstorms raging all around them would not allow the signal to go through. So he had nothing to do but wait until they could go after Luminara.

Anakin had respect for the Mirialan Jedi Master, but could not help but notice how she had badgered him about being impatient and acting on impulse, but then she had arrogantly chased after Poggle into a sandstorm all by herself and gone missing. Not the most thought through decision, Anakin thought with satisfaction, almost worthy of being a trademark Skywalker idea. But of course it was out of character for Luminara to act this way, and her behavior had surprised Anakin. Anakin wondered why she had made such an impulsive decision.

And now she was missing, and they had to wait for the sandstorm to blow over before they could go looking for her. So he would relax his strong feelings and meditate in his quarters, since there seemed to be nothing better to do.

Anakin's thought first drifted to the new arrival, Master Starke. The man had seemed quite nice and friendly, and clearly had a history with Obi Wan and Luminara. Anakin had rarely seen his master show that sort of affection with anyone, and for him to greet someone he had not seen for years like that, Anakin was sure they had been very close.

Valar seemed nice in the small amount of time he had been around him, and if Obi Wan liked him that much, Anakin had little doubt that he was an excellent person. He looked forward to getting to know him better in the future. Anakin's minded shifted elsewhere as they waited for the storm to pass before they could begin the search for Master Unduli.