Title: Honto Ni

Author: lt Sarita of Vulcan

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek or any thing to do with it... new years wish didn't work, lol

summary: AU- teenage Saavik deals with Vulcan and human class mates and meets a woman that will become her friend... or she thinks so (part one)

note: title means 'really truly' in Japanese, some of my friends speak this, I know odd children...lol, do send feed back

-part one-

on Vulcan at VSA, Sohk-Pan course

Somber study settled over the class room, in the corner of the back row seated alone in teak colored tunic sat an self-imposed hybrid. She darted through her text PADDs to get back to her novel. The instructor left the room and entered his office across the hall, the other Vulcan teenagers circled around a lower desk talking about their 2 week break. One girl called up to her aloof position"Saavik, come and join us..."

Another cut it with "The outsider is not welcome here…" The group gabbed more as she sank in her chair burying herself in a world of magic. After some time she slipped on her head phones and played her mix of music. Though the music played low it didn't prevent her from overhearing her classmates say things like "That a Romulan trader left her here as a ward..." or "I heard she is half Vulcan even though she does not act like it..."

Saavik sat there unable to combat the hateful comments to her very being. The door swung open as one said"Don't turn your back on her; she'll slit your throat..."

Saavik flipped off and hid her player under her bag; she quickly looksed up to see a human woman in Vulcan garb. It seemed to her that the woman's blue eyes lay on her alone, the instructor introduced her"Class, this is Lady Amanda of Earth, she is here to watch the class for the next few weeks..."

The class took their seats far from Saavik. "You may set where you like and feel free to ack one of the class to help you around the school."

"Thank you, instructor Slot." The woman walked staight up to her island, and

she sat down right next to her. Saavik had one eye on the woman and one back on her book. The woman quietly asked"May I call on you to help me around the school"

Saavik nodded as the woman smiled to her

"Thank you, dear..." She went back to her book then the woman asked some time later "Dear, what is your name"

She closed the book, and laid it on the long desk. She looked in to her blue eyes"You may call me Saavik, Lady."

Amanda smiled at Saavik"Thank you, dear." She worked on her PADD until the class ended. Saavik tried to slip by the woman in vain"Saavik dear..."

she turns around to face the still seated human"Yes, Lady..."

"Where is your next class, dear"

"My day is over here, Lady." She glanced to her classmates"One of the other students may be a better guide."

"No, no dear..." she smile warmed the solemn Vulcan manners "What is next for you then"

"I go to my foster house to begin today's Phi'lasasam lesson, Lady."

Saavik swung her bag over her shoulder ready to leave the human there.

"May I join you in this Phi'lasasam..." she inquired"I didn't remember that Vulcan schooling..."

"If you like, Lady..." said Saavik as turning to the door she added "but it not Vulcan schooling..."

Amanda followed her out of the city and to a small two bedroom house with a large gated courtyard. Saavik went inside and changed into black tunic and slack with a knife tucked into her right boot followed by a Vulcan woman in robes.

Saavik introduced her"Lady Amanda meet T'Pren..."

In Vulcan manner Amanda held up her hand in the Ta'al"Greetings, T'Pren."

T'Pren did the same. "Welcome, Lady Amanda. It's any honor to have you here."

"No, the honor is mine..." Amanda glanced at Saavik with her arms crossed over her chest and looking very impatient for her lesson to begin"If you don't mind I'd like to watch her lesson..."

"No, not at all..." T'Pren moved inside and retuned with two very well worn books. "Saavik, you may tell our guest what Phi'lasasam is..."

Saavik's frown grew dark "Phi'lasasam is my formal education in Rihannsu language, culture and traditions."

"Rihannsu? Isn't that the Vulcan name for Romulan" asked Amanda

"It is..." was Saavik's only reply as she took her book from T'Pren and flipped to her last spot. T'Pren, may we begin soon, we still need to practice the martial arts before the evening meal."

Amanda took a seat on a nearby bench as T'Pren began the lesson the physical training. About 6 hours later she said"Saavik, that is enough for this evening."

Saavik did ten more push ups then moved to where T'Pren stood near Amanda"I believe you have seen my studies, Lady..."

"I do have a few questions, if you don't mind..." Saavik nodded, taking seat next to her"Why do you study Romulan ways as you are a Vulcan"

"I am only half Vulcan." Saavik looked down to her feet partly in shame"I am also Romulan"

T'pren reminded her" You should be proud of your blood; it may unite an honorable race, Saavik."

"As you've said on many occasions." Turning her ward back to the human woman, she added "Anything else"

"Your studies end soon, am I right" Saavik nodded in confusion"What are your plans afterwards"

"I have thought of joining the Starfleet Academy..."

"My son is a science officer on Starfleet vessel, you may have heard of him..."

"Sorry, I have not." Saavik asked "Who is he"

"He is Commander Spock of Vulcan..."

"He is the son of Ambassador Sarek; then you're..." Amanda only smiled at the Vulcan"I apologize..."

Amanda softly laughed"It is quite all right. I am going to be an instructor at the Vulcan academy soon." She nodded. "I do hope you'll attend my course before you enter the academy, dear..."

"I will have to try, Lady." And with that said, Amanda left the place and the Vulcans to their meal.