On The Wings Of A Hawk 11


a/n: don't own Star Wars.

Sorry for the late update hope ya'll enjoy.


Rex sat down on a rock. There was a break in the fighting for a moment. His eyes drifted to the ground as his mind wandered. Anakin was talking to Obi-Wan. She'd been missing for months and there wasn't any word from her clan. If it weren't for the charm and feathers he would almost think she was a dream. He hadn't seen many of her Clan members around to get answers from them. Though Ajax a couple members of the clan that he didn't know flitted through the battles. They didn't stop or even attempt to get him word of the fate of his One.

A crash through the bushes made him look up. He went for his blaster but the flash of mint green and feathers. Though his mind told him it wasn't his One. The woman stood up from the crouch and tilted her head to the side watching him. She moved like a bird of prey did when watching its target move. Her wings fanned out as she took a step towards him. Her wings were dark brown with white splatters on the tips. Before she could even take any more steps forward familiar stood between them sabers drawn. Though, it wasn't his One either. Her wings were distinct to her and he hadn't seen any other clan members that had so much blue in their wings. The woman smiled deviously before vanishing. That sent a shiver of unease running down his back. Kali shook her head and clipped her sabers to her sides before turning her attention to him. Obi-Wan and Anakin moved towards them but Kali held her hand out to stop them from their advance towards them.

"Is there a reason you've been avoiding me Kali? You know I want to know where she is."

She scoffed at his words. Her wings unfurled before tucking against her back again.

"I've been busy keeping the harpies away. They're entertained that the two most powerful shifters in the clan are fighting over you."

He had to know why she wasn't there fighting beside him. If the worst had happened he'd rather know. There was some part of him that wanted to know so he could stop looking for her if she wasn't. The thought of her being gone twisted something inside of him but he shook it off.

"Is she alive?"

"Yes and before you ask no I don't know where she went."

"How can you know she's alive if you don't know where she is?"

Kali shook her head as she watched him.

"If Moira were truly dead Rex you would be the first to know. Even with a half assed bond that you share right now you'd still be able to feel it."

"How will I feel it?"

"Like someone ripped a part of your soul from your body. It's not a physical wound but it'll hurt none the less. Fully bonded pairs it normally is enough to kill the other."

"How does that even…"

"Besides the Arbitrators would inform us if she were dead. They always know, it's their job to know when members of our clan pass. They have to know to keep the existence of our clans a secret."

"Isra…"

Kali's eyes flashed dangerously and he swore something dark flashed before his eyes like all light around him had faded. The flight or fight instinct kicked in but shoved it down. Kali wouldn't hurt him as far as he knew. Obi-Wan would frown upon it and her sister would kill her if she was still alive. Though some part of him wondered why she was staying away.

"Don't say her name," Kali snarled. "Moira was stronger in a battle but the other escaped with help."

"Why haven't they made a move yet and why hasn't Moira come back?"

"She's hurt Rex. All I know is that she's hurt and is fighting a battle you know nothing about."

He stood up and placed his helmet on. The emotions rushing through him were mixed and he didn't know which one to put stock in. There were things that needed to be done and he couldn't focus on Moira even though some part of him wanted to. They were still in the middle of a war.

"I don't have time for this Kali."

He turned his back on her.

"She'll always come back to you Rex. It is in her nature to come back to you."

"Like some loyal dog."

Before he could even react pain exploded in his face as he hit a tree behind him hard. His brothers didn't know whether to help or hinder her. His helmet skidded across the ground. He shook his head trying to clear the stars she made him see. Kali slammed her foot down hard on his back. The Clones moved towards them in hopes of calming the situation.

"Stay where you are all of you!" she snarled. "You still do not understand what it takes to be the One of one of our kind Rex. She is loyal to a fault, and she alone is territorial over you. Isra would play with you a bit before destroying you. You, a clone would never understand Moira if you lack the faith in her to learn."

"Where is she then so I can? And why do you keep acting like my brothers and I are so inferior?"

Her eyes narrowed at him. Ajax landed gracefully beside his sister.

"Fighting death is where she is. Your brothers aren't inferior Rex, just you in our eyes right now. Because you have a gift and you lack faith in it."

That sent some unease washing through him. Kali backed away from Rex and stalked forward. She leapt towards the front lines where he knew the Jedi and his brothers were fighting. Grunting he grabbed his helmet and rose and looked at his brothers.

"We still have a battle to win."

"Are you alright?" one of his brothers called to him.

He frowned at the words. Then he tasted blood. Reaching up he ran his thumb across his lip. There was blood on his thumb. Shaking his head he put on his helmet.

"Yes. Now let's go."

They nodded as they headed towards the battlefield.

Something washed through him as he fought the droid battalion. It was a distinct tingle in the back of his neck but it wasn't an unpleasant feeling. The feather against his chest got really warm under his armor. She came crashing down on the last remaining droids. Due to her weight they were crushed under the brute force. Her gold eyes met his and she shook herself bodily. Rex watched in awe as Moira stalked out of the battlefield. Blood dripping from her mouth. Her wings were ruffled and there was at least five long claw marks ran from her neck to her lower flank on the left side. On the right side the claw marks ran from her upper back to her flank. Her eyes weren't their normal color. Unease washed through him. He finally understood what a rabbit felt like in the gaze of a wolf. As she moved she changed back and stood before him. Blood staining her clothes and she looked exhausted.

"What is it going to take for you to trust me?"

"Moira you're hurt…"

"Master of the obvious Rex. What is it going to take for you to realize that if something happens to me you'd be the first to know? I will fight beside you every moment I am able Rex, but right now I am hurt from dealing with a clan conflict."

"It's been months not a word, nothing."

Before he could say more she yanked him around a tall fat tree. She reached up and took his helmet off. Her eyes had melted back to their normal electric blue. He'd never admit aloud that her other eye colors weirded him out. She wasn't herself when her eye color changed.

"Moira what…"

She clamped her hand over his mouth. A heavy sigh escaped her as she allowed herself to wilt for a moment. There was exhaustion and pain written in every line of her body and it made guilt wash through him. She was fighting just as hard as he was but on a different front. There was a battle he knew nothing about and it made him understand. Even if he wanted them to fight side by side through this she also had a clan to answer to unlike him. He answered to the Jedi and the Chancellor but she had a clan that didn't like those of his kind.

"I didn't contact you because I have been fighting for us Rex. Fighting for things that I want with you."

He looked like he wanted to say something. She moved her hand.

"For us?"

"You think Isra was the only threat to what we want Rex? My entire clan thinks you guys are inferior except for those who have someone that is a clone. I'm fighting with everything that I am to prove you are worthy. Even though right at this moment I couldn't give a womp rats rear end what my clan thinks. We belong to each other."

The look in his eyes told her he felt bad about what he'd said. She smiled and shook her head at him.

"Will you two stop being mushy we have a war to fight."

They turned to see Ahsoka smirking at him. Her arms were crossed across her chest. The both of them rolled their eyes. Rex turned to leave but she caught his arm.

"Rex," she started.

She closed her eyes and shook her head. He dropped his helmet and cupped her cheeks before leaning in to place a soft kiss on her lips. Her arms wrapped around his neck to deepen the kiss. Until his hand ran down her back making her gasp and try to get away from his hand on her back. She rested her forehead against his. Her fingers were digging into the underside of his armor as she tried to steady herself. He allowed her the time to get herself in order.

"Sorry those wounds are fresh."

"Don't be sorry. I should be the one to apologize to you."

She smiled softly and brushed her lips across his again. It was almost like her saying that she forgave him for what he'd said to her. He didn't know where her forgiving heart came from but he was glad in some ways he had it. "I have to go."

"Where to?"

"I still need to heal Rex, and other things I can't tell you about right now."

She placed her hand over his chest where she knew her feather and charm rested."But I'll come and find you as soon as I can."

He shook his head and tangled his fingers in her hair and pulled her forward into another kiss. She pulled back and stared at him. A soft look crossed her features.

"I have to go Rex and battle calls."

He nodded his head. She reached down and picked up his helmet and handed it to him. She hissed softly as she moved a little the wrong way. Her long wings fanned out.

"Kix could look…"

"No Rex. If I don't leave now regardless of my wounds you will not make it to the battle."

He had the good decency to flush. She leapt backwards to keep some distance between them. Ahsoka moved to stand beside her friend. Moira smiled at the two of them.

"Take care of him for me Ahsoka."

"Don't I always?"

Moira laughed softly and vanished."Come on Rex let's get back."

He nodded his head and followed his Commander towards the others.

It would be months again before he saw her again. Sitting down heavily on his bunk. Everything inside of him ached and protested at moving. A tingle ran down his neck that put him on high alert. A quick jerk reaction had him pull his blaster. A familiar dark cloaked figure brushed the blaster aside easily.

"Better," she murmured softly.

He could hear the exhaustion in her voice. He holstered his weapon and reached for her. Her hands came up and pushed back her hood. She looked okay but looked so tired. Like water she flowed forward and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Are you alright?" he asked her softly as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Exhausted."

He pulled her close and let her lean on him. She looked up at him and smiled softly. He couldn't help himself and leaned down to kiss her softly. Her wings flexed and bumped against the wall making both of them chuckle. Leaning down he went to kiss her again but his wrist started beeping. A groan of annoyance escaped him and soft chuckle escaped her.

"Duty calls," he grumped.

He hit the button.

"Rex we're getting ready to leave," Ahsoka called.

"I'll be there in a minute Commander."

Moira could see the frustration in his eyes at being interrupted but it was the price of being a soldier in the middle of a war. Before she could back away from him he claimed her lips softly. She pulled back reluctantly.

"You have to go Rex."

She moved backwards and watched him get ready for battle.

"Are you going to stay?"

She looked at his bunk and then back at him. Knowing what she should do and wanted to do were two different things. Curling up in his blankets sounded so appealing right at that moment.

"I probably should get back to the temple."

"You can rest here if you need to."

"If something is missing off your bed when you get back I didn't take it."

A soft chuckle escaped him.

"You know you can Moira. I wont fault you for it."

"I know."

She moved forward and kissed him again softly. This time he backed away and put his helmet on and stalked from the room. Moira watched him go and winced as pain caught up with her. Reaching forward she grabbed his pillow and inhaled his scent that was uniquely him. Her entire body ached and she just wanted to sleep. Shaking her head she tried to fog creeping over her mind. Laying down she closed her eyes for only a moment.

Rex came back awhile later to see Moira was curled up on his bed. Her wings were tucked closely to her body as she laid there. He dressed down to his black underclothes and laid down beside her. Moira opened her eyes slowly and looked at him.

"Didn't make it to the temple?"

She shook her head. Moira moved the pillow she was hugging up where it should've been so Rex could rest his head. He laid down on his back and she curled up with her head on his shoulder. She pressed closely to him and turned a bit so her wings could flex a little. Rex kissed her forehead. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep against him. He rested his cheek against her forehead and found sleep easily for once dark dreams didn't haunt him.