Title: Memories
Author: Kali T'hara
Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance
Rating: PG-13 (possibly R later…)
Summary: Ben Kenobi reflects on his life as a Jedi Knight during the age of the Old Republic…and remembers a secret love.
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Obi-Wan…Nor do I own any other Star Wars character that may be mentioned. George owns it all…we just obsess over it.
Chapter 2: The Beginning of the End
Ben's eyes remained locked on his lightsaber. He brought his hand up and stroked his white beard. He had loved her. Plain and simple.
He shook his head slowly as he sighed out loud. He had broken a very important rule. Jedi do not form attachments. However, he was very attached to Kali. It was somewhat hypocritical of himself, though. Council members should never break the rules. Plus, he had chastised Anakin numerous times for his feelings for Padme.
Not that any of that mattered anymore.
Ben leaned back in his chair. They had made it work. Their bond was incredibly strong, yet invisible to the eye. He let a smile escape from his lips. He loved her so much, it was indescribable.
After all the years at the Temple, he seemed to be the only being that truly connected with her. She had been a quite child, and kept mostly to herself. This was probably due to the fact that she was the only T'Najian in the entire Order…ever. T'Najians were simple, tribal humans, unconnected to the Old Republic, and technologically impaired. No one ever left the jungle planet, and no one ever contacted it. Finding Kali was a pure accident.
Jedi Master Kit Fisto had required an emergency landing while flying back to Coruscant. His ship was damaged while leaving Muunilinst during a terrible civil war. T'Naji was the closest planet, just a few parsecs past Dantooine. Kit had landed without any computer guidance, the systems having been fried, and was totally unaware of what planet he was on. Luckily, he had landed on the outskirts of the T'hara Clan's village, and was able to receive help from the locals. Through much frustration of trying to communicate with humans who only speak T'Najian, he was able to explain his dilemma. He was offered food, shelter, and time to fix his long range communicator. While awaiting assistance back to Coruscant, Kit felt a slight disturbance in the Force.
Clan Leader, Ni T'hara's wife had just given birth to a baby girl, only days earlier. She had a special baby – a Force sensitive baby. Kit confronted the parents, and explained the situation with hand gestures, drawings in the dirt, and a small Force demonstration. Ni understood instantly, and refused just as fast. His baby girl was to become the Clan Leader when she was of age. He wouldn't allow his first daughter to be taken away.
Kit addressed Jay-Lah, her mother, and explained the dangers of untrained Force sensitive beings. Their untamed powers could become dangerous, and ever deadly. Some could even turn to the Dark Side, the ultimate evil. Jay-Lah was fearful for her baby, but understood the consequences. After hours on pain staking arguments, Jay-Lah finally convinced Ni to let Kit take her to Coruscant. They wanted what was best for their daughter, and this seemed to be the appropriate path.
Kali was taken on that day, and brought to the Jedi Temple to begin her training. She was six days old, the first T'Najian Jedi.
Ben rubbed his eyes. It was so long ago, but it felt like just yesterday. She was introduced into his lightsaber class when she was seven. Her skills had developed past her age group. As a challenge, she was placed in his group with the other nine year olds and continued her training. Instant friendship.
Ben reached inside the chest again. There were two more lightsabers in the container. His fingers came in contact with one of them. He touched the cold metal of the hilt, and ran his index and middle finger down its length. Kali's lightsaber was sleek and impressively built. It hadn't been activated in approximately twenty years.
Twenty years ago…when she was killed.
Ben quickly drew his hand away. It brought back painful memories, too painful to reminisce. Everyday the thought entered his mind; everyday he relived her death.
The Clone Wars took everything from him.
Not now… he thought to himself as he closed the lid. He was beginning to tire. Tomorrow was another day; he had all the time in the world. It seemed as though that was his only companion, his only ally now. And when the time was right, the Jedi would return. He was certain of it.
