Actually Siri, it was your abbreviations! : ) I haven't seen many other people use some of them and when I saw them I was going…wait, is that Siri?! And it was ; ) Yes, Cassia is an EXCELLENT writer! : )
Emmithar, yes, well, I have a lot of SW stories, but there all on my laptop so I don't loose them. I'll be posting them at some point, but I need to get into the habit of starting them =) Ah! Don't hurt yourself! You may guess what is going to happen before it does, but it is kinda sprung on you so be ready! *creepy music plays* Where is that music coming from??? Oh well ; )
Onto the next chapter!! : )
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Kuro-N: Chapter 2
Please see Chapter 1 for details
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"Well, Padawan, what do you think of Donitel?"
The boy was sitting at the end of his Master's sleep couch and he took a moment to answer. "I think he is genuinely concerned for Kadiri."
"Yes, well that will remain to be seen. He certainly doesn't want to tell us anything about her in general and he doesn't like us asking him questions." Qui-Gon was avoiding the one thing he really didn't trust about Donitel, but Obi-Wan hadn't mentioned it. "Obi-Wan, did *you* notice the resemblance between Donitel and Xanatos?" Obi-Wan looked suddenly startled, but finally he nodded. "I think I'm letting it get the best of me, I'm finding it very difficult to talk to Donitel when he looks so much like my old apprentice." Obi-Wan nodded again, his eyes locked on Qui-Gon. Finally Qui-Gon shook his head and looked at Obi-Wan. "What about Kadiri? She seemed very afraid of her councilor when we spoke to her." Obi-Wan frowned.
"Yes, though I'm not sure why. He seemed trustworthy for the most part." Qui-Gon nodded. Obi-Wan was right, off handedly he couldn't think of any reason why Donitel was especially different than any other overly protective councilor he'd ever met.
"Maybe we should talk about him with Masao."
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon left their chambers and soon found the Emperor in his gardens. "Ah," Masao smiled at them. "I was supposing you would have more questions for me." He paused. "Did you...question me niece?"
"Yes, and we got some very interesting answers." Qui-Gon said; Obi-Wan tactfully didn't mention the tea cup that had nearly smashed into his head.
"Really?" Masao looked surprised.
"We actually have come to ask about Donitel," Qui-Gon saw Masao's look to a slightly uncomfortable one.
"What do you wish to know?" He asked, turning to his Azilis.
"First of all, why does your niece seem to be so afraid of him?" Masao didn't answer for a moment as if weighing possible answers.
"Donitel came to us shortly before the murder. You see, Ken-Jun and I were worried about Kadiri's safety. We'd been suffering some difficulties from the people's want for a democracy, and Ken-Jun was--" Masao cut himself off and waited for the right words to come to him. "Dealing in some other matters as well." He said finally. "Donitel came as a councilor and protector to Kadiri, at first Kadiri treated him like all the servants, but after a while she realized that she just couldn't do that with Donitel, he is...strict. Very strict. And though Ken-Jun and I weren't sure he was doing the best thing by her all the time, he protected her and has been protecting her. He stuck with us even after the murder and I have confidence in him." Masao said nothing as he clipped back several flower bushes and when Qui-Gon didn't speak either, Masao finally began again. "I think that Donitel is the only person that I've seen Kadiri actually show fear when she speaks of him."
Qui-Gon looked at Masao for a long time. "You say he was very strict, how strict?"
Masao didn't meet the master's gaze. "I've heard him yelling at her and she has come away in tears once or twice." Qui-Gon nodded, realizing that it was a tentative subject. On the one side Masao wanted to get rid of Donitel for his niece's sake, but on the other side Masao didn't want to loose the man who was protecting Kadiri.
***
Qui-Gon woke to a rap on his door, he opened it to find Mai standing there.
"Sir, I must tell you. Late last night, someone killed the Emperor's body guard."
"What?"
"They're blaming it on Kadiri, they say that a witness saw her kill him."
"What has Masao said?" Qui-Gon began to walk down the hall with Mai.
"He's not trying to worry, but master Jedi, I fear that his life will be next." Qui-Gon turned to her.
"Where was Kadiri?"
"In bed asleep--"
"Where was Kadiri?" Qui-Gon cut her off. Mai looked away from him.
"She-she was out." Qui-Gon nodded. He realized that as long as Kadiri kept leaving like this, the person who was committing the murders, assuming that it wasn't Kadiri, could continue to blame it on her. And with shady evidence, if it was Kadiri, she could get away with it. But how could he solve the mystery if Kadiri wouldn't tell him the truth?
Late that night Qui-Gon told Obi-Wan that he was going to follow Kadiri.
"Master," Obi-Wan looked surprised. "You can't be serious."
"I am. I'm just going to make sure that she isn't doing anything else when she goes out at night."
"Then let me, Master," Obi-Wan climbed out of bed and walked up to his master. "I'm smaller and she won't see me as easily." Qui-Gon shook his head.
"No Obi-Wan, I don't want you going into any danger."
"Master, I'm *not* going into any danger," Obi-Wan gave him a grin. "as long as I don't get within throwing distance of her." Qui-Gon smiled.
"I know Padawan, but I don't really want you going out alone."
"Please Master, I won't approach her, I'll just see where she's going." Qui-Gon sighed. Then put a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder.
"All right Padawan, but be careful."
Obi-Wan grinned. "I promise." Obi-Wan selected a dark cloak to help him blend in and he was just clipping his lightsaber to his belt when Qui-Gon motioned to him.
"Obi-Wan, Kadiri's leaving." Obi-Wan nodded and started out the door. Qui-Gon watched him go and felt a lingering feeling of dread, as though somehow Obi-Wan was in danger. He hoped he had done the right thing.
***
"Master! Master!" Obi-Wan was breathless and his eyes were filled with agitation.
"What is it Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon was opening one of the windows to let the morning air into the room.
"I-I lost Kadiri last night, she *did* go to where her mother was buried, then-then I lost her." Obi-Wan was trying to talk and catch his breath at the same time. "And then this morning--they found out that the captain of the guard was murdered--" He took a deep breath. "By Kadiri." He almost whispered the words. Qui-Gon shut his eyes. "I'm sorry Master, if I hadn't lost her I could have stopped her." Qui-Gon opened his eyes and put a hand on Obi-Wan's head.
"I don't blame you Padawan, but we need to go speak with Kadiri, this time she will not refuse us."
***
Qui-Gon was received by Mai, he could hear a scream come from the other room. Mai looked worried.
"Maybe you shouldn't see her now, sir. She is angry about the blame being placed on her." Qui-Gon shook his head. Annoyance was in his eyes, even though he was trying to keep it under his patience.
"Kadiri!" He called, his voice carried through the room and the beaded curtain parted, Kadiri's eyes were hard and she was very angry when she noticed the Jedi.
"Get out! Leave me alone!"
"Kadiri I need to speak with you,"
"No, get out of my room!"
"Kadiri, if you care at all about your reputation, your life, or the lives of anyone you know and hold dear, you will come out *right* now, answer my questions, and you will *not* lie to me ever again." Qui-Gon's words were firm and for a very long time Kadiri just stared at him, her will clashing against his. Finally her chin dropped just slightly and she came up to him.
"All right, ask your questions."
"Where have you been going in the mornings?" Qui-Gon asked.
"To see the place my mother is buried." She murmured. Qui-Gon could tell it wasn't the full truth, but he wasn't going to push that point.
"Kadiri, do you always tell Donitel where you're going?"
"Yes."
"You will stop telling anyone when you leave."
"What?" Kadiri's eyes sparked.
"Not your uncle, not Donitel, or Mai, or anyone, except me."
"But Donitel says that I must tell him."
"Then Donitel can speak with me."
"No!" Kadiri suddenly looked fearful. "When I leave, I *will* tell him."
"Then you must not leave the palace."
"You have no right--"
"Kadiri, do you hold that you did not commit any of these crimes?"
"Of course!"
"Someone is using the fact that you are continually going out alone to blame the murders on you. If you leave you are not to tell anyone, and make sure you're not seen."
"I have to tell Donitel." Kadiri almost whispered.
"Then you'll have your uncle's death on your head next." Kadiri looked up at him, and his steady gaze made her fall back. She nodded.
"All right--all right." She turned away and brushed by the beaded curtains into her second room.
***
Kadiri did not leave the palace for the next four days. She stayed away from Qui-Gon as well, and if she did happen to pass him, she would look away from him. On the fourth day Qui-Gon passed Donitel's servant, Ekemi. She told him that Donitel wished to speak with him. She glanced at Obi-Wan.
"Alone."
Qui-Gon nodded and told Obi-Wan to wait a moment. He entered Donitel's chambers and withstood the longing to turn away from the evil face. Donitel greeted him with a wave to a chair. Qui-Gon sat down and waited for Donitel to speak first.
"Master Qui-Gon, I have found that Kadiri has stopped visiting her mother's resting place."
"Yes," Qui-Gon nodded. "I thought it would be better if she stayed here for a while."
"I think it is distressing her to stay away from her mother for so long." Donitel said pointedly. Qui-Gon cocked an eyebrow.
"I haven't noticed any change in her mood."
Donitel gave Qui-Gon a mock patient look. "She is my ward, I will decide what is best for her." He paused. "You are only a Jedi."
"She has agreed to trust my judgment."
"Has she?" Donitel fixed Qui-Gon with an annoyed glare. "I do not wish to see her hurt in any way."
Qui-Gon gave him a cool look. "Neither do I."
"That was a warning, Jinn." Donitel said, turning away from him. Qui-Gon stood.
"And I was warning you." Qui-Gon left the room, he now knew for sure that Donitel had a great deal more to do this situation then he had at first thought.
Later that day Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were watching the holonet coverage on the three murders. Qui-Gon couldn't see that they knew any more than they did.
"In other news." the woman continued. "Obi-Wan Kenobi, an admitted Jedi at the Temple, purposefully destroyed the Caoitan building this afternoon. Security officers are certain it isn't him as Obi-Wan Kenobi has been reported as on a mission with his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, but they are still trying to produce evidence of the true pyro." Qui-Gon turned a confused look to Obi-Wan, the apprentice shrugged, equally confused.
"Master, I've been here all week."
Qui-Gon smiled. "Either you've found a way to be in two places at once, or someone has their information completely wrong." He reached up and turned off the holo.
***
That night Qui-Gon sat next to Obi-Wan, watching the boy sleep peacefully. He was so proud of his apprentice. He knew that often times he didn't tell the boy this, and it had certainly caused it's amount of trouble. He thought back to the day on Quintary, he'd never told Obi-Wan how proud he had been of him then, and his apprentice sometimes really needed that reassurance. Obi-Wan turned slightly in his sleep, Qui-Gon rested a hand on the boy's head. Obi-Wan slept soundly for a few more minutes, then turned again, this time sharply as if he was trying to escape from something and struggling away from it. Qui-Gon leaned forward in sudden concern and tried to shake the boy awake, but Obi-Wan was engulfed in whatever dream he was having. He started screaming in pain and a gust of anger flew at Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon shook him hard.
"Obi-Wan wake up!" Obi-Wan gripped Qui-Gon's arm in a sharp claw-like grasp. Qui-Gon flinched as Obi-Wan's nails dug into the Jedi Master's skin. Qui-Gon shook Obi-Wan hard and with a sudden jolt, Obi-Wan screamed. "Stop!" And he was awake. "Qui-Gon." He murmured, his eyes were confused as he released his tight grip on Qui-Gon's arm.
"Are you all right Obi-Wan?" Obi-Wan shook his head. "What happened?"
"I don't remember." Qui-Gon didn't push his bewildered apprentice and instead he ran a hand across Obi-Wan's cheek in a soothing gesture. The boy soon lay back down and drifted off to sleep. Qui-Gon wondered about Obi-Wan's dream, he was worried suddenly that Obi-Wan could be foreseeing danger. Qui-Gon felt his protective stance fall over him again.
Then he heard it, a soft sound of someone moving down the corridor outside. Qui-Gon moved to the door and cracked it wide enough to see a small figure running to the end of the hall. He gave one glance back at the sleeping Obi-Wan, then quickly moved out into the hall to follow after. He was certain it was Kadiri.
He followed her out into the main courtyard and out into the open streets. The whole city of Kioy was asleep and both moved on silent feet. Kadiri kept away from any lighted windows, there was a strong wind brushing up the red sand into swirls, but he didn't loose sight of her. He followed her all the way to the Imperial cemetery where she stayed for a short time, being careful to stay hidden when she finally left it. Qui-Gon moved swiftly behind the girl, and when she reached the city again, he was surprised that she no longer avoided the lighted windows. Loud noises came from inside the taverns and restaurants. She paused in front of a cantina and glanced over her shoulder. Kadiri waited a moment then knocked six times on the door, she paused, and hit it twice again. The door swung open and she came inside. Qui-Gon knew better then to try to follow her inside, so instead he just waited.
He waited for ten minutes and suddenly he heard a frightened scream. Grabbing hold of his lightsaber he ran around the other side of the cantina. He could hear the scream again and around the corner about twenty people surrounded three men who were pushing Kadiri around. One was yelling at her.
"We won't have an Empress, the people have spoken!" Another drew a vibro blade.
Kadiri had a terrified look in her eyes, but suddenly a flash of green appeared and the man was holding his burnt hand, the vibro sheave clattering to the ground. Qui-Gon kicked one of the men holding Kadiri into the wall and cut down the blaster of the second. The third backed away, dropping Kadiri who pushed herself against the wall of the building behind them. Qui-Gon put himself between the people and the Emprincess.
"Leave now." Qui-Gon said smoothly. The people backed away and a few ran. Qui-Gon waited until they were all gone, then turned to Kadiri. She was somewhere between breathing and crying, and she was staring at the place where the vibro blade had fallen. She let out short breaths and slid to the ground pressing herself against the wall. Qui-Gon closed down his lightsaber and knelt next to her. "Are you all right?" He asked her. She shook her head violently.
"No--they tried--to kill me." Her face was white and her lips were trembling as she tried to force out words. Qui-Gon pressed a hand against her cheek.
"Relax," He said softly and she settled down as the Force swirled around her frightened emotions, blowing them away. Soon she was soon breathing normally.
"Why did you follow me?" She asked after a time. Qui-Gon helped her to her feet.
"I saw you leave, I was curious as to where you were going since you weren't feeling like telling me." She blushed suddenly.
"I-I..."
"I still don't know," Qui-Gon put in gently.
Kadiri finally let out a sigh. "Ever since my uncle and father started suspecting danger, they tried to keep it from me, but I was able to discover it for myself. From then 'til now I've been trying to find a body guard to hire." She stared at him. "Even after you came, I've been looking for someone to protect me."
"My apprentice and I intended to protect you, Kadiri."
She nodded. "I know, but I couldn't ask you." She looked up at him. "You see how harsh I have been. It's true, I've been spoiled by my father and uncle ever since my mother died, but most every time I was angry with you. It's because I--" She stopped and turned away from him again. "I was scared. I was afraid that the Kioyzahns or whoever is killing everyone would come after me and kill me." Qui-Gon put a hand on her shoulder, her dark black hair was down and it drifted over his fingers.
"Kadiri, I am a Jedi. I was called here to discover the murderer, and I promise that I will protect you." Kadiri shook her head.
"No, not after how I've been treating you, I won't let you."
"You can't stop me." Qui-Gon said placidly. She turned to look at him, he could see how much she wanted to feel safe, finally she nodded.
"All right."
In sharp contrast to the quiet words of submission, there came a sudden explosion. Kadiri turned and Qui-Gon instinctively put his hand to his lightsaber. From a distance they could see smoke curling up towards the dark sky. Kadiri looked at him. "What was that?" Qui-Gon shook his head.
"I don't know."
***
Kadiri hung close to Qui-Gon as they ran to the scene of the wreck. Kadiri's breath caught in her throat.
"Someone blew up father's warehouse."
Qui-Gon stared at the mess, it had certainly been a warehouse, and someone had *certainly* blown it to pieces. Workers helped people out of the wrek while reporters swarmed around trying to get first hand footage. One woman was being pulled from the flames and when she saw Qui-Gon and Kadiri she pointed a finger at the girl.
"There she is!" She exclaimed in a hoarse voice. "That's the one, she blew this building!" Kadiri's eyes were shocked as she looked at Qui-Gon, the flames were reflecting off his misty blue eyes and as he watched one man, who looked a little deranged, came running towards them pointing a blaster at Kadiri.
"She blew this place! The murderer!" Qui-Gon stepped in front of Kadiri and the man shot the blaster fire into the green blade of Qui-Gon's lightsaber, several of the med workers took the man away. Qui-Gon felt Kadiri tense behind him. He turned to her.
"Kadiri, did you tell anyone, *anyone* at all, that you were leaving?" She shook her head.
"No, I didn't." She bit her lip. "Not even Donitel." Qui-Gon turned back to the wreckage, then suddenly he smiled.
"Kadiri, you're innocent." Her eyes squinted at him.
"What?"
"I said, you're innocent, whoever's been doing this, didn't know where you were, or when you had left, they took a chance, and now they can't blame this on you."
"I'm sure they will."
"But they can't, because I was with you."