A/N: Some of you may hate me for cutting off the part when Kairi didn't get the chance to see Kashyyyk and help Cal with saving the Wookies. But I promise you that the next time they go back to Kashyyyk, Kairi will be having her chance to explore it.

Now, back to the galaxy!

Chapter Sixteen: Determination

The very next morning, Cal and Kairi returned back to the landing pad where Cere and Greez were waiting on them.

But knowing that Kairi hasn't seen much of Kashyyyk, she ended up getting one of the things done on her list, which was to meet a Wookie.

Cal watched as Kairi was smothered with a hug by a Wookie while she was laughing at how soft and gentle they are.

A smile appeared on his face before Saw walked towards him.

"Looks like she's back to normal after that wreck." Saw responded.

"Yeah, she is. Kairi did have a rough night. Another Purge Trooper showed up and attacked her before he tried to kill her." Cal explained.

"You said that she was a Jedi too, right?" Saw asked.

"Why are you asking?" Cal asked as he was getting suspicious.

"No reason. She would have been part of our team if she didn't get injured by that walker." Saw explained, before he turned back around to face Cal. "You hear stories. Tales. That can be heard all across the galaxy. You've seen what the Empire has done to Kashyyyk. My partisans and I could have you two Jedi on our team." He explained.

Cal looked back at Kairi as she was riding on the back of one of the Wookies knowing that she was distracted at the moment.

"We're honored but… We have our own mission that we cannot walk away from." Cal answered, before looking back at Saw.

"My offer still stands. Keep that in mind." Saw sighed, before he walked away.

The group started to depart from Kashyyyk as Kairi managed to jump up to give a Wookie a high five who still loved having the young Jedi Padawan around.

As Kairi got back in the Mantis, Cal was setting the course to Bogano which caught her off guard.

"Bogano? Why are we heading back?" Kairi asked as she sat down in her chair in the cockpit of the Mantis.

"I told Cal that there might be useful supplies there. Wouldn't catch a small break since we don't have the Empire to worry about at the moment." Greez explained as he started taking off from the landing pad and into hyperspace.

"Maybe we can find something more about Cordova. You were his Padawan, weren't you Cere?" Kairi asked.

"Of course. Even though he was a loner, he was still a great Master. He even took me out on many of his adventures across the galaxy. It was educational, but in the end, he severed his purpose by creating that list." Cere explained.

"Let me tell you something. This Cordova guy is putting a wear and tear on my ship." Greez stated.

"I'm sure your ship will be fine. It hasn't let us down before." Kairi responded.

"Beside the time we nearly got killed in that storm." Cal stated, before he sat down in the passenger chair next to Greez as BD-1 was staring outside.

"Now you too?!" Greez exclaimed which caused Kairi to giggle while hiding her face.

After landing in Bogano, Kairi was the first one out of the ship as Cal followed her out.

"Mmm… so great to be back here." Kairi responded as she started stretching her arms out, while taking in the fresh air and the Bogano sun.

"Come with me. I have something to show you." Cal informed the short haired Jedi Padawan as he decided to lead the way.

Cal had led Kairi to the Hermits Abode as she followed him into the room where the huge fan was still working. Quickly using the Force to slow it down, the two made it inside as Cal was at the workbench towards her right.

"I've decided to make something for your bow and arrows." Cal responded, before he pulled out a few small bags that were tied up. "If you want to fight with fire, you are going to do the same back." He stated, before Kairi pulled out her bow and arrow and watched as Cal tied up the first small back which she was confused about.

"Okay… so what should I do next?" Kairi asked as she had her bow and arrows ready to aim.

"Try it out and you will see." Cal stated with a smile.

Kairi nodded before using the Force to slow down the moving fan as a Bograt started digging himself out of the ground, before he started heading his way toward her.

Aiming her bow and arrows at the Bograt while avoiding each sharp nail attack, Kairi saw the small bag smoking before she let go of the arrow which ignited it, causing it to be a fire arrow.

The fire arrow pierced into the Bograt's shell as it was screeching out in pain since it was on fire. Kairi quickly moved away from it as she was surprised to see how Cal managed to find materials on Kashyyyk to help improve her secondary weapon.

"No way!" Kairi exclaimed, before putting her bow and arrows away as Cal walked towards her.

"You like it?" Cal asked with a smirk.

"Like it? I love it!" Kairi exclaimed.

Before she noticed a bogling who decided to peek its head out of the hole until it caught Kairi's attention.

"Hey-" Kairi started to say, before the bogling quickly got scared and dug back inside the hole to hide itself. "Awww." She pouted.

"I'm sure it will be okay. After all, they're harmless." Cal stated reassuringly, before Kairi nodded.

The two left the Hermit Adobe after finding a bedroom which probably belongs to Eno Cordova himself.

Cere explained over the comm link that she had fond memories of him over their holo chest board games as Kairi decided to relax back into the bed while Cal found another chest when it found a lightsaber part.

On the rooftop of the Hemit Adobe, Kairi was staring at the great creature who was resting in peace from a distance as she decided to take notes and sketch it out.

Hearing Cal's footsteps from behind, she stopped drawing once his shadow appeared over her and her journal.

"Having fun there?" Kairi asked after rolling her eyes while smirking to herself

"Can I have a look?" Cal asked.

"Just only at this page. Not the others." Kairi stated, before she started shading it in.

Cal raised an eyebrow as he got a better look at the sketch, unaware that Kairi was talented with her drawing skills. He always remembers Kairi drawing pictures back on Coruscant when she was a Youngling. But the ginger haired Jedi never took notice of her talent until now after so many years.

"All done." Kairi whispered, before she put her book away. "Hey… um, Cal? Can I ask you something?" She asked after turning back around to face him, but she was unaware of how close Cal was which caused her to look up at him with her widened silver eyes and glowing red cheeks.

Backing away slowly just to have her space, Kairi had her hands behind her back in a clasped hold, before speaking up again once her shyness disappeared.

"I was wondering… if you can train me?" She asked after finding the right words.

"Train you?" Cal asked as he was confused.

"Yeah. Like the ways of the Force. Or practice on my lightsaber swings. I want to be more helpful. Not always cowering in fear and waiting for you to help me." Kairi explained, before she pulled out her lightsaber as she held it out to Cal. "You told me Cere cut herself off from the Force and I don't know anyone else who can help me. Please, Cal. I want to get stronger." She stated.

"It's not about being stronger. That's the dark side way. You should know what the Jedi code is. But since you're my friend, I'll see what I can do. You did help me out once and I own you one." Cal answered, before a smile appeared on Kairi's face.

Standing away from each other in a distance, Cal and Kairi were waiting on each other to do the first move as the winds of Bogano blew through them. Cal's Bogano Dawn poncho danced with the winds as it showed his right hand slowly reaching out for his lightsaber.

BD-1 was watching back and forth at the two, knowing that things were going to get serious during their training.

Narrowing her silver eyes at Cal's hand, Kairi slowly had her fingers touching her hilt as she waited. With one foot ahead of the other, she decided to make her move before using the Force to push a Splorx in front of Cal to distract him. With his green eyes on the giant bug, Kairi pulled out her lightsaber as Cal immediately heard the sound of it. Cutting the giant bug in half after switching his lightsaber on, Kairi ran towards Cal with her lightsaber in her right hand before the two clashed together.

"Nice distraction. But you're letting me know ahead that you're coming towards me." Cal responded as he looked at Kairi's narrowing silver eyes. "You're showing anger. Loosen your face more." He stated, before he pushed Kairi back with his lightsaber as the 16 year old Jedi Padawan rolled away from him.

"Okay…" Kairi whispered as she relaxed her face.

Slowly getting back up, Kairi got into her lightsaber dueling stance which was the lightsaber was in front of her as her other hand was holding up a stopping motion.

"Let's do this, Kestis." Kairi responded.

"If you say so, Jabami." Cal replied as he got into his lightsaber dueling stance.

The two ran towards each other as Kairi gave out a battle yell when they started clashing their lightsabers together. Parrying each lightsaber clashing, Cal was slowly moving back when Kairi had the advantage. He could tell that Kairi was being more aggressive with her strikes. She was faster as she was trying to catch Cal off guard until he slowed her down with the Force. He immediately did a swift kick to make the 16 year old Jedi Padawan trip and landed on her side which worked. Seeing that Cal caught her off guard, Kairi rolled away as she ran back towards her lightsaber which she immediately picked up.

Returning back to Cal, Kairi slowed him down before pushing his lightsaber out of his hand and immediately kicked his chest with both feet.

Stumbling back, Cal landed on his back before Kairi had his lightsaber in her other hand.

"Ha, ha, I win." Kairi teased.

"Not quite." Cal stated, before using Force Push to launch Kairi away as she gave out a started cry.

"Hey!" Kairi retorted, before she felt her anger take control which made her eyes glow a bright green as she stood back up.

With both of her hands balled up, Kairi was ignoring her floating lightsaber on her left side while Iris was trying to make her snap out of it, but she had no other choice but to take control of her when she tried to attack Cal.

"Don't worry. She won't hurt you anymore as long as I'm here. I think Master Sotah was tough on her and her training." Iris responded through Kairi's mouth, as Cal slowly got back up. "Here, catch her, Cal Kestis." She stated before she escaped from the 16 year old Jedi Padawan's body, causing Kairi to be passed out in Cal's when he catches her.

"Kairi, can you hear me?"

10 year old Kairi nodded as she was wearing some kind of helmet that was monitoring her brain activity and feelings.

"Okay. I have a few out the Clone Troopers down there who are willing to help out with your training. You will use the Force to fight back. You can not use your lightsaber, but I'm willing to let you use your... you know what." Rin Sotah explained as Kairi was looking up from above the control room where he was. "Do you think you can do that?" He asked, as Kairi was looking around the training room knowing that the purpose of her training was to let her use her abilities, beside her lightsaber in this maze.

"Yes, Master." Kairi answered as she nodded.

"You may begin." Rin Sotah stated before a loud alarm went off as a force field disappeared, causing Kairi to start running inside of the maze.

"Cha!" Kairi yelled, as her silver eyes glowed a bright green while her hands were out to the clone trooper who tried to land one blaster shot on her.

But Kairi was quick when she quickly dodge the Clone Trooper's blaster shot before using Force push.

From above, Rin Sotah saw the Clone Trooper's body slammed against the wall part of the maze before nodding.Kairi kept running as she reminded herself to stay focused.

"I will be strong. Master Sotah… I won't let you down!" Kairi thought to herself…

"I'm faster, stronger and shiner…" Kairi muttered underneath her breath before resting her back.

She can hear water splashing as she started to open her silver eyes to see that she was staring up at a ceiling, but looking towards her left… the 16 year old Jedi Padawan saw Cal with his naked back turned towards her.

This was the first time she saw something like this.

Her eyes widened as Kairi never knew that Cal was more muscular and his back peppered with his freckles just like the ones that faded away from his cheeks.

Slowly closing back her eyes while turning away to face the other way, Kairi can hear that Cal was somehow swimming deep underwater, but when she turns back around...

His soaked face was looking at her flushing one.

She immediately back away in shock while hiding her face.

"Hey there, sleepyhead." Cal purred, as Kairi was now sitting up while keeping her eyes on him.

Her wandering eyes were now staring at his chest as she was staying quiet, but amazed at how tone Cal's body was since he had been working at the scrapyard.

"What is going on here?!" Kairi thought in her mind as she was hiding her face with her knees, before hearing Cal getting up out of the water.

"Stop! Wait, are you naked?!" Kairi asked suddenly while having her eyes close.

"What makes you think I would be naked in front of you?" Cal asked before Kairi slowly removed her left hand which was covering her eye, as she saw him wearing boxers.

Sighing in relief, Kairi removed her other hand before Cal fixed his damp hair by slicking it back behind his ears. He sat down at the edge of the water as his legs were still in the cold Bogano water.

"You were out for quite some time. I've decided to take a swim for time to pass." Cal stated, before BD-1 stood next to him.

"What happened to me?" Kairi asked, before she was sitting on her knees with her hands on kneecaps.

"You let your emotions get ahead of you, Kairi. That's something you have to be careful of." Cal explained, before Kairi looked down at her hands.

Kairi nodded before speaking up.

"I understand, Cal. But I'm learning every single minute." She responded quietly, before looking back up at Cal once her shyness went away.

Raising an eyebrow up, Kairi raised her thumb up at Cal's back as she was suddenly getting an inspiration for her another drawing.

"Hold it…" Kairi whispered, before she pulled out her journal and pencil from her side bag.

She went towards the edge where Cal was as she slowly dip her feet into the water, trying to ignore that cold freezing feeling.

"What are you-" Cal started to ask, before Kairi used her left hand to have him face the front instead of in front of the 16 year old Jedi Padawan.

"Stay still… please?" Kairi asked.

Cal noticed her journal and pencil until he finally realized what Kairi was about to do.

He nodded before looking the other way once Kairi turned the pages of her book and started her rough draft.

"I'll be quick. Okay?" Kairi stated, before her pencil gently touched the white sheets.

With her body turned towards him, Kairi started sketching out Cal as she focused on his face while BD-1 was looking over her back to get a better look at the drawing.

Knowing that it was going to take long, Kairi had a smirk on her face before she felt her forehead symbol glow as she looked down at the floating pencil which she used with the Force.

Keeping her sliver eyes on Cal, she let her mind focus on the drawing as she kept her eyes on what she wanted.

"You have such pretty green eyes." Kairi whispered as the pencil continued to flow through the Force.

Cal gently smiled when he heard that.

"Uh… thanks. I guess. And you do too, Kairi." Cal responded back which caused her pencil to freeze when Kairi was in shock to hear that.

Blushing slightly, she returned back to focusing on her drawing as BD-1 chirped out over how pleased he was with the results of Cal's picture.

"Is it good, BD-1?" Cal asked as he kept his head still but Kairi stopped her pencil because of the 19 year old Jedi Padawan's running mouth. "Did she put a spider on my face?" He asked jokingly.

BD-1 trilled back as Kairi can tell that the bi pedal droid was laughing while she smiled.

"Really, Cal?" Kairi asked, before she used the Force to make her pencil draw gently while it worked on the small details to Cal's faint freckles and scars. "Okay… it's about… done!" She stated, before her forehead symbol stopped glowing as Kairi lay her pencil down in her lap.

Cal finally relaxed as he pulled his feet out of the Bogano water and was sitting down in front of Kairi who was smiling at her drawing of him.

"Are you going to let me see?" Cal asked with a small smile, before Kairi looked up at him.

Kairi held the book close to her as she was hiding her blushing face before giving it to Cal.

Kairi watched as Cal studied the self drawing of himself as she was studying his eye movements since it went from shock at first before they softened, knowing that he was amazed of how talented the 16 year old Jedi Padawan was with a pencil and paper.

"Well… what do you think?" Kairi asked quietly as her pointing fingers began to touch, knowing that her shyness was kicking in after many years.

"Kairi… I don't know what to say. But this is amazing!" Cal exclaimed at the end, knowing that Kairi took pride in her drawing skills over the years.

Kairi cupped her own face as she was smiling, knowing that she felt ecstatic, before their time together was suddenly stopped when they heard a slight static call coming from their comm links.

"Cal? Kairi? Do you have a minute?" Cere called in from their comm links.

"I'm here. Cal took off his comm link for a minute. What is it?" Kairi answered before she decided to help Cal get dressed quicker, while grabbing his long sleeve blue shirt, his leather armor and glove.

"I've been monitoring Imperial communications and I picked up something. Project Augar has been reactivated." Cere explained as Kairi watched him put on his socks and boots, before helping slipped on his long sleeve blue shirt over his head.

"Looks like we still have some work to do." Cal stated as Cere heard him through Kairi's comm link, before slipping his arms through the sleeves.

"We'll be there soon, Cere." Kairi responded before helping him put on his leather armor.

Fixing the straps in front of chest, Kairi glanced up at Cal who was looking down at her, but she quickly looked away until… his gloved hand gently touched her face.

She slowly closed her eyes as she felt calm.

"Why is it that you keep looking away from me?" Cal asked, before Kairi slowly looked up at him. "Don't be afraid to do what is right…"

He slowed reach down and rested his forehead against hers, before she backed away when she used her hands to push herself back.

"And you're right!" Kairi announced, removing her hands from his leather chestplate, before having her hands balled up. "And it will start on Zeffo. We're going to teach the Empire that we are Jedi and we are not afraid of them. Because… my heart is filled with determination." She explained, before she saw Cal with a smile on his face, knowing that he was glad to see the same headstrong Kairi again.