Ch 3.
Sano pulled the speeder to a quick halt in the mid level of the bustling city. The street was lined with flashing banners, and animated signs as many creatures of various races bustled by going to and from the many the clubs that lined the sector. Strange music filled the street as the bumping rythms filtered through the thick club walls. Many musicians played on the street hoping to get tossed a few credits.
"Hey there." A melodious voice drifted out of the shadows. Sano turned slowly shoving his hands in his pockets.
"You sure like the shadows don't you?" She laughed, and stepped into the light wearing the same low pants from earlier, but a different top that dipped low in front and only covered her back with a few straps that hung loosely about her shoulder blades. The top was blue shimmer silk, and was very skimpy indeed as it didn't cover her stomach either leaving her smooth abdomen exposed. The top of her hair was pulled back leaving a thick strand floating loose in front of each ear that was adorned with silver looped earrings.
Sano stood there open mouthed for a moment before he realized that he was being quite rude, and he looked away scratching the back of his head as he always did when he didn't know what to say.
"Are you sure you're a Jedi....you don't look like any that I know." She smiled blushing slightly then stepped forward taking his hand.
"I am what I am. Come on....you like to dance don't you?" Sano nodded, and laced his fingers through her's as they walked through the bustling street toward the nearest club that was blaring music with a lot of rhythm, and plenty of bass.
As they danced Sano had a drink or two, but mostly kept himself sober wanting to enjoy everything just as it was. He had a beautiful girl with him, and his best friend was alive...things were great.
The time passed quickly, and before long he and Annli were back at the speeder not doing a very good job of keeping their hands off of each other. Annli smiled laughing at Sano who had been slapped by a Twi'lek after refusing to dance her with on the grounds that he didn't go for creatures with appendages growing out of their heads.
"Annli..."
"Yes?" She asked leaning against the speeder smiling up at him.
"I'm going to kiss you now."
The man leaned in sliding one of his hands around her bare waste and caressed his lips against her's as her hands slipped down the front of his shirt teasingly. After several minutes their mouths separated both needing air, and her lips whispered in his ear.
"Do you have a place to stay Sano?" The man's eyes went wide as his heart pounded against his rib cage. He felt a little funny as though he'd had one to many drinks, but he really hadn't.
"Are you offering?" She just laughed softly in his ear, and reached down lacing her fingers through his then led him into the alley way that she had first appeared out of.
"I have a small apartment back this way." They walked for a few minutes in darkness, and then broke into an open space where several benches and the sound of running water could be heard. A few small glow lamps were lit casting an ethereal glow across the stone patio.
"This way." They walked across the quad and after she punched in a code on a number pad they stepped into a lift tube, and shot upward. When the lift stopped they stepped out into an elegant looking little room with a black couch and chair circling a glass table that was lit by tiny blue lights. To the right of the entrance was what seemed to be a glass wall, but it was filled with bubbling water and several colorful fish. "Nice place you got here." Sano remarked taking it all in as his hands drifted back to her waste. "I can show you the rest." She said coyly leading him up a short staircase. It was clearly the bed room and it, like the company room, was lit with pale blue lights. When they walked in Annli turned to him, and smiled. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" and indeed he was, but he was also starting to wonder about the strange buzz he was having. He knew from experience that two of the drink's he'd had couldn't affect him they way they were. Something was not entirely right here. Of course he didn't voice his concern he just leaned in and kissed her with hands sliding up her sides. Before he really even knew what happened his shirt was on the floor and he was laying back on the soft bed with her straddling his waste looking down at him. "Sano...you said before you know Jedi. How many Jedi DO you know?" His hands lingered on her hips above her belt, and traced along the soft leather pants which she still had on. "A few....why?" She smiled leaning over him and kissed him slowly. "I'm just wondering....I've always wanted to meet Master Himura...but I've never had the chance." "He's a friend of mine...I could arrange it. Why don't you come by the academy?" "The academy is too drab; I really can't stand it there." She leaned back her shirt simmering, and pulled off her belt tossing it to the side causing Sano's eyebrows to shoot up. "I'm sure we can think of something." He said smirking. "Me too, but right now I've got something else on my mind." "And what is that exactly?" Then the room went dark, the sound of clothes hitting the floor was the only answer Sano needed.
***
"Good morning Miss Kaoru." Kenshin said brightly walking down the hall where Kaoru had just emerged from her room. She waved smiling sleepily. "Good morning...did Sano come back last night?" Kenshin shook his head. "No, but I wouldn't be worried, you know how he is." Kaoru laughed. "You're right. So what do you have planned for the day Kenshin?" He shrugged. He hadn't really thought about it yet. All he really knew was that he wanted to get out of the academy. He'd been cramped up for too long, and it was time for a little outing...he just wasn't going to tell anyone where he was going." "I'll probably just mediate all day or something. Help the healing process you know." Kaoru nodded. "Alright...well I'm going to find Yahiko. I'm making him train with Misaou today. It might be good for him to have some practice against a non-Jedi you know." Kenshin nodded. "I think that is a very wise idea that I do. Most of the time we don't end up fighting other swordsman anyway." Kaoru beamed at the praise, and nodded.
"Alright. I'm off them. See you later Kenshin."
"Bye Miss Kaoru." Kenshin shook his head as the young Jedi scampered off down the hallway.
As Kenshin walked out onto the speeder bay level he chanced to see a very sleepy looking Sano parking a speeder and heading his direction. Not wanting to be deprived his outing Kenshin slipped behind the nearest speeder and waited.
Sano had a goofy look on his face, and his clothes were all wrinkled. Kenshin rolled his eyes. His friend had definitely been to see an informant just not the kind he would pretend it was. It was almost laughable to the Jedi....he had been like that at one time too.
Once Sano was inside the academy Kenshin leapt lightly into a bright red open top speeder, and smiled looking down at the controls with excitement.
"Going somewhere Himura?" The Jedi froze grimacing as a blue body slipped into the speeder.
"Good morning Miss Misaou, and I'm not going anywhere....I'm just uh..."
"Getting out of the academy? I don't blame you. I would come with you, but I promised to help Kaoru with Yahiko this morning." Kenshin frowned slightly.
"Then why were you down here?" At this Misaou frowned.
"I was just seeing if Sano was back yet...I think he went out with a strange woman he met yesterday." This caught Kenshin's attention.
"A strange woman...strange how?"
"Well she claimed to be a Jedi, but I've never seen her around here, and I've never heard her name before either....it was weird."
"The one you asked me about yesterday....Haban? What did she look like?" Misaou's face lit up as Kenshin showed interest in what she had to say, and proceeded to give a detailed description of the woman. As she finished her eye caught the chronometer on the dash board.
"AH! Is that the time? I'm late. Gotta go Kenshin, just be careful alright." The Jedi nodded watching the young pilot leap out of the speeder and run back inside the academy.
As Kenshin cruised the skyways he pondered over the description Misaou had given him. It all seemed strangely familiar but he couldn't quite place it. The day of the crash he had passed a young woman in the chancellor's building that seemed to study him as a Jedi would when she passed him. He hadn't thought much of it at the time, and he wasn't sure he did now, but it all seemed quite strange. The red head shrugged it off trying not to dwell on things that didn't make any sense. He still couldn't make sense of the crash. All he had really decided was that the shock wave he felt in the force before the wreck was more than a warning...it was as if someone had caused it. His senses were somewhat muddled at the moment though, so he shoved it all aside. It would make sense when it was ready to--he just had to give it time.
Kenshin finally exited the sky lane he'd been flying in and flew down to a nice looking little restaurant that seemed to bustle in the morning air. He parked the speeder, and walked in taking a seat in a far corner as a shiny robot rolled up, and asked what he wanted.
"Muju juice please."
"Sure thing hon." She rolled off and before long came rolling back with a tall glass full of a thick orange juice.
"That's two credits." Kenshin nodded, and flipped the credits onto her tray with a smile. He took a sip and closed his eyes thinking.
A tall woman with streaked hair carrying a lightsaber, but not dressed like a Jedi at all; he wondered what his master would have done to figure out the puzzle. He hadn't seen his master in many years...after Kenshin left the order he took on another Padawan with great reluctance...or so he heard, but then was killed when he decided that he couldn't let Kenshin give up such a promising life. He came after him to the planet Mendhi...and was killed.
Kenshin's eyes closed letting the pain of the knowledge pass. His master's new Padawan left the order shortly after his death unable to bare the pain of it all. She returned to her home planet and hadn't been heard from sense. Kenshin had wanted to meet her, but it seemed that after she left the Jedi all records of her ended as though she disappeared into thin air. It wasn't unusual of course...if a person knew how they could avoid ever being found in such a vast galaxy.
Kenshin swallowed the last drink of juice, and waved for another watching the speeders go by.
***
Blaster fire erupted in the tiny training arena as Misaou fired off a low volt shot at Yahiko who failed to deflect it, and ended up with a stinging arm.
"Blasterbolts!!" He shouted swinging his green lightsaber wildly.
"Yeah, that's what most people call them Yahiko."
"Shut up wookie girl, I didn't ask for your input." A growl started to form in Misaou's throat, but was cut short by Kaoru's intervention.
"I think that's enough...this isn't working out as well as I had hoped. Thanks anyway Misaou." The young pilot nodded, and looked over to the wall where Sano had fallen asleep. He had wandered in before they started, sat down, and immediately fallen asleep. Misaou frowned then shot a bolt at Sano which pinged harmlessly off the durasteel wall....he didn't budge.
"What could have been doing to tire him out like that...I mean sure he's lazy, but he's totally gone" Yahiko wondered as his shut off his lightsaber. Kaoru shrugged, and turned back toward her padawan.
"Come on we're going to find Marca, and see if she will let her Padawan and you train. Thanks Misaou." Misaou waved a hand in the air, and holstered the blaster somewhat angrily. She didn't like Sano just bumming around everywhere...it was rude, and not to mention annoying when she didn't know what he was up to.
After several minutes of staring blankly at him she stormed out of the arena, and took the first lift to the library.
Sano pulled the speeder to a quick halt in the mid level of the bustling city. The street was lined with flashing banners, and animated signs as many creatures of various races bustled by going to and from the many the clubs that lined the sector. Strange music filled the street as the bumping rythms filtered through the thick club walls. Many musicians played on the street hoping to get tossed a few credits.
"Hey there." A melodious voice drifted out of the shadows. Sano turned slowly shoving his hands in his pockets.
"You sure like the shadows don't you?" She laughed, and stepped into the light wearing the same low pants from earlier, but a different top that dipped low in front and only covered her back with a few straps that hung loosely about her shoulder blades. The top was blue shimmer silk, and was very skimpy indeed as it didn't cover her stomach either leaving her smooth abdomen exposed. The top of her hair was pulled back leaving a thick strand floating loose in front of each ear that was adorned with silver looped earrings.
Sano stood there open mouthed for a moment before he realized that he was being quite rude, and he looked away scratching the back of his head as he always did when he didn't know what to say.
"Are you sure you're a Jedi....you don't look like any that I know." She smiled blushing slightly then stepped forward taking his hand.
"I am what I am. Come on....you like to dance don't you?" Sano nodded, and laced his fingers through her's as they walked through the bustling street toward the nearest club that was blaring music with a lot of rhythm, and plenty of bass.
As they danced Sano had a drink or two, but mostly kept himself sober wanting to enjoy everything just as it was. He had a beautiful girl with him, and his best friend was alive...things were great.
The time passed quickly, and before long he and Annli were back at the speeder not doing a very good job of keeping their hands off of each other. Annli smiled laughing at Sano who had been slapped by a Twi'lek after refusing to dance her with on the grounds that he didn't go for creatures with appendages growing out of their heads.
"Annli..."
"Yes?" She asked leaning against the speeder smiling up at him.
"I'm going to kiss you now."
The man leaned in sliding one of his hands around her bare waste and caressed his lips against her's as her hands slipped down the front of his shirt teasingly. After several minutes their mouths separated both needing air, and her lips whispered in his ear.
"Do you have a place to stay Sano?" The man's eyes went wide as his heart pounded against his rib cage. He felt a little funny as though he'd had one to many drinks, but he really hadn't.
"Are you offering?" She just laughed softly in his ear, and reached down lacing her fingers through his then led him into the alley way that she had first appeared out of.
"I have a small apartment back this way." They walked for a few minutes in darkness, and then broke into an open space where several benches and the sound of running water could be heard. A few small glow lamps were lit casting an ethereal glow across the stone patio.
"This way." They walked across the quad and after she punched in a code on a number pad they stepped into a lift tube, and shot upward. When the lift stopped they stepped out into an elegant looking little room with a black couch and chair circling a glass table that was lit by tiny blue lights. To the right of the entrance was what seemed to be a glass wall, but it was filled with bubbling water and several colorful fish. "Nice place you got here." Sano remarked taking it all in as his hands drifted back to her waste. "I can show you the rest." She said coyly leading him up a short staircase. It was clearly the bed room and it, like the company room, was lit with pale blue lights. When they walked in Annli turned to him, and smiled. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" and indeed he was, but he was also starting to wonder about the strange buzz he was having. He knew from experience that two of the drink's he'd had couldn't affect him they way they were. Something was not entirely right here. Of course he didn't voice his concern he just leaned in and kissed her with hands sliding up her sides. Before he really even knew what happened his shirt was on the floor and he was laying back on the soft bed with her straddling his waste looking down at him. "Sano...you said before you know Jedi. How many Jedi DO you know?" His hands lingered on her hips above her belt, and traced along the soft leather pants which she still had on. "A few....why?" She smiled leaning over him and kissed him slowly. "I'm just wondering....I've always wanted to meet Master Himura...but I've never had the chance." "He's a friend of mine...I could arrange it. Why don't you come by the academy?" "The academy is too drab; I really can't stand it there." She leaned back her shirt simmering, and pulled off her belt tossing it to the side causing Sano's eyebrows to shoot up. "I'm sure we can think of something." He said smirking. "Me too, but right now I've got something else on my mind." "And what is that exactly?" Then the room went dark, the sound of clothes hitting the floor was the only answer Sano needed.
***
"Good morning Miss Kaoru." Kenshin said brightly walking down the hall where Kaoru had just emerged from her room. She waved smiling sleepily. "Good morning...did Sano come back last night?" Kenshin shook his head. "No, but I wouldn't be worried, you know how he is." Kaoru laughed. "You're right. So what do you have planned for the day Kenshin?" He shrugged. He hadn't really thought about it yet. All he really knew was that he wanted to get out of the academy. He'd been cramped up for too long, and it was time for a little outing...he just wasn't going to tell anyone where he was going." "I'll probably just mediate all day or something. Help the healing process you know." Kaoru nodded. "Alright...well I'm going to find Yahiko. I'm making him train with Misaou today. It might be good for him to have some practice against a non-Jedi you know." Kenshin nodded. "I think that is a very wise idea that I do. Most of the time we don't end up fighting other swordsman anyway." Kaoru beamed at the praise, and nodded.
"Alright. I'm off them. See you later Kenshin."
"Bye Miss Kaoru." Kenshin shook his head as the young Jedi scampered off down the hallway.
As Kenshin walked out onto the speeder bay level he chanced to see a very sleepy looking Sano parking a speeder and heading his direction. Not wanting to be deprived his outing Kenshin slipped behind the nearest speeder and waited.
Sano had a goofy look on his face, and his clothes were all wrinkled. Kenshin rolled his eyes. His friend had definitely been to see an informant just not the kind he would pretend it was. It was almost laughable to the Jedi....he had been like that at one time too.
Once Sano was inside the academy Kenshin leapt lightly into a bright red open top speeder, and smiled looking down at the controls with excitement.
"Going somewhere Himura?" The Jedi froze grimacing as a blue body slipped into the speeder.
"Good morning Miss Misaou, and I'm not going anywhere....I'm just uh..."
"Getting out of the academy? I don't blame you. I would come with you, but I promised to help Kaoru with Yahiko this morning." Kenshin frowned slightly.
"Then why were you down here?" At this Misaou frowned.
"I was just seeing if Sano was back yet...I think he went out with a strange woman he met yesterday." This caught Kenshin's attention.
"A strange woman...strange how?"
"Well she claimed to be a Jedi, but I've never seen her around here, and I've never heard her name before either....it was weird."
"The one you asked me about yesterday....Haban? What did she look like?" Misaou's face lit up as Kenshin showed interest in what she had to say, and proceeded to give a detailed description of the woman. As she finished her eye caught the chronometer on the dash board.
"AH! Is that the time? I'm late. Gotta go Kenshin, just be careful alright." The Jedi nodded watching the young pilot leap out of the speeder and run back inside the academy.
As Kenshin cruised the skyways he pondered over the description Misaou had given him. It all seemed strangely familiar but he couldn't quite place it. The day of the crash he had passed a young woman in the chancellor's building that seemed to study him as a Jedi would when she passed him. He hadn't thought much of it at the time, and he wasn't sure he did now, but it all seemed quite strange. The red head shrugged it off trying not to dwell on things that didn't make any sense. He still couldn't make sense of the crash. All he had really decided was that the shock wave he felt in the force before the wreck was more than a warning...it was as if someone had caused it. His senses were somewhat muddled at the moment though, so he shoved it all aside. It would make sense when it was ready to--he just had to give it time.
Kenshin finally exited the sky lane he'd been flying in and flew down to a nice looking little restaurant that seemed to bustle in the morning air. He parked the speeder, and walked in taking a seat in a far corner as a shiny robot rolled up, and asked what he wanted.
"Muju juice please."
"Sure thing hon." She rolled off and before long came rolling back with a tall glass full of a thick orange juice.
"That's two credits." Kenshin nodded, and flipped the credits onto her tray with a smile. He took a sip and closed his eyes thinking.
A tall woman with streaked hair carrying a lightsaber, but not dressed like a Jedi at all; he wondered what his master would have done to figure out the puzzle. He hadn't seen his master in many years...after Kenshin left the order he took on another Padawan with great reluctance...or so he heard, but then was killed when he decided that he couldn't let Kenshin give up such a promising life. He came after him to the planet Mendhi...and was killed.
Kenshin's eyes closed letting the pain of the knowledge pass. His master's new Padawan left the order shortly after his death unable to bare the pain of it all. She returned to her home planet and hadn't been heard from sense. Kenshin had wanted to meet her, but it seemed that after she left the Jedi all records of her ended as though she disappeared into thin air. It wasn't unusual of course...if a person knew how they could avoid ever being found in such a vast galaxy.
Kenshin swallowed the last drink of juice, and waved for another watching the speeders go by.
***
Blaster fire erupted in the tiny training arena as Misaou fired off a low volt shot at Yahiko who failed to deflect it, and ended up with a stinging arm.
"Blasterbolts!!" He shouted swinging his green lightsaber wildly.
"Yeah, that's what most people call them Yahiko."
"Shut up wookie girl, I didn't ask for your input." A growl started to form in Misaou's throat, but was cut short by Kaoru's intervention.
"I think that's enough...this isn't working out as well as I had hoped. Thanks anyway Misaou." The young pilot nodded, and looked over to the wall where Sano had fallen asleep. He had wandered in before they started, sat down, and immediately fallen asleep. Misaou frowned then shot a bolt at Sano which pinged harmlessly off the durasteel wall....he didn't budge.
"What could have been doing to tire him out like that...I mean sure he's lazy, but he's totally gone" Yahiko wondered as his shut off his lightsaber. Kaoru shrugged, and turned back toward her padawan.
"Come on we're going to find Marca, and see if she will let her Padawan and you train. Thanks Misaou." Misaou waved a hand in the air, and holstered the blaster somewhat angrily. She didn't like Sano just bumming around everywhere...it was rude, and not to mention annoying when she didn't know what he was up to.
After several minutes of staring blankly at him she stormed out of the arena, and took the first lift to the library.
