Disclaimer: As stated in Chapter One, Star Wars, its characters, and its affiliated resources are NOT MINE. However, the characters of Rynna+Raes Niq, T'well, and Yonnar are very much mine. Thanks.

A/N: Shoeanders and Alley, thanks for the reviews. Here's Chapter Two.

xxx

Chapter Two: Doubts Don't Matter

But apparently, everyone except him had gotten over that series of regrettable events, because here he was—a Jedi Knight.

If the Council thinks I'm ready, then I am.

Suddenly, a youngling bounded around the corner and slammed into him, interrupting his thoughts and sending him backward. With a Force-leap and a twist after the youngling, he landed right in front of the still-running child. Quickly, he grabbed the youngling's shoulders and looked him in the eye.

With a surprised look, he recognized the face of Raes Niq, the little brother of his still-Padawan friend Rynna.

"Raes Niq," Tru said with the slightest sternness in his voice.

Now that he was a Knight, he'd have to act like one. He wasn't about to whiff his first chance of a proper response, even if it was to a mere youngling.

"Hey, Tru! Why are you being tho theriouth?" grinned the six-year-old boy, revealing two lost teeth. Seeing the stern look on Tru's face, Raes sobered and quickly lisped, "Thorry about that, but I'm gonna be late for lightthaber clath with Mathter Windu."

"Master Windu? How could you 'almost be late'? Nobody is 'almost late' for Master Windu's classes…everybody is always nearly a half-hour early!"

Even with the boy's sincerity, Tru was positive that the boy wasn't going anywhere special… he probably just didn't want to be caught in the middle of a game of freeze tag—a game outlawed anywhere in the Temple other than the youngling's playrooms and the Jedi's training rooms. He knew from personal experience and inwardly cringed at that embarrassing memory. Master Depa Billaba had caught him running—and he was sentenced to floor maintenance for a week. Tru quickly pushed that thought aside before he flushed pink.

"So just why were you running?" he prodded.

"Okay, okay. I'm thorry. I wath playing freethe tag with T'well and Yonnar. Pleathe don't tell—I wathn't trying to run into you. Pleathe don't tell!" The little boy was on the verge of tears.

"Don't worry, I won't—not this time." It was all Tru could do to smother a burst of laughter. He decided to dismiss the youngling ASAP before he blew his Knightly propriety. "Just don't play in the halls anymore, and you'll be off the hook. Otherwise, you're bantha fodder."

"I won't. Hey, would you like one of Rynna'th rollth?" Raes pulled a muja roll from his tunic pocket. "I thaved it from lunch, but you can have it."

Tru wasn't hungry and was sure this was a just-in-case bribe.

My stars, this kid is smart. Offer the superior something when you're caught and endear yourself, and you ensure your chances of getting off the hook.

He really didn't want to take the roll, but…

Rynna made this! How can I refuse?

He also remembered an old saying—when food arrives, eat.

But Tru decided to be noble. I'm not taking a bribe.

"No thank you, Raes—I'm not hungry. But remember what I said, okay?"

"Okay," said Raes with just a hint of dejection, but it was gone almost instantly.

This kid hides his feelings well… he'll make a good Jedi someday.

Tru saw that the little boy was a bit disappointed. But just because this was his friend's little brother, he said softly, "Don't worry. You can give me one another time." And even softer, in a near whisper, he said, "And don't be bothered… your secret is safe with me. Just don't do anymore hall-running, okay?"

Almost immediately, Raes brightened. "Okay!"

"Good. Now get somewhere else and stay outta trouble. I have some things to attend to."

"Thee you around!" With a smile and a wave the youngling bounded around the corner and out of sight.

Tru smiled as he continued walking. He also that Raes didn't call him "Master Veld." Obviously, his title change hadn't become known yet, nor had his Padawan braid been shaved. He raised an eyebrow. But did he really want to be known as a Knight?

He began to ponder as he walked, to meditate on the pros and cons of Knighthood.

xxx

As a Knight, of course he'd have advanced privileges from a Padawan. Seeing eye-to-eye with other Knights, for one. But he'd also have more responsibilities.

Maybe I should ask the Council to put off my Knighthood until when I believe I'm ready. Tru quickly shook his head. What am I doing? I was so sure of myself as a Padawan! I was always confident before that mission!

That mission. Again, his thoughts had returned to the loss of Ferus, Darra, and Anakin.

Where is my confidence going? Yoda's always said, 'There is no try; there is only do'… so why am so unstable? Ry-Gaul chose me as his Padawan largely because of my confident manner—he said so! Am I letting him down?

As every second of his thoughts passed, Tru realized he was second-guessing himself more and more. He was scared. Scared of failing, scared of mistakes, but most of all, scared of the future. To top it all off, he could almost say that the Dark Side of the Force was gaining ground every day—by the second. Tru wasn't positive, but he was almost definite.

I know I've moved on… but why am I second-guessing myself so much now? Ever since "that mission", and especially after his Knighting, Tru felt his confidence slipping just a little bit… every day.

xxx

So… do I want to be a Knight? I'm sure I could become Ry-Gaul's Padawan again—so what if that's never been done before? I'm pretty sure the Council would allow it—they're the ones who are always concerned about "not rushing."

Abruptly, Tru stopped and smacked his forehead hard. Out loud but under his breath, he said to himself, "Tru Veld! Snap out of it! The Council made you a Knight, they're not rushing it, they're sure you can succeed, and you should think the same way! You are going to stay a Knight, and that's the end of it!"

Thus, Tru convinced himself. I'm going to stay a Knight, and that's the end of my doubts. He vowed that he would never doubt his Knighthood again, a vow that would soon be broken.

xxx

A/N: You made it through lisping Raes! Congrats! And Chapter Three is coming up... bon apetite!