Thanks for all yor reviews, please keep them coming. In reply, next chapter should show one of the pairings I'm setting up in this story. It might be the one after, depending on how the timing works. I will have to say it won't be very subtle, cos if I do subtle, no one ever gets it. But the actual romancing won't happen till the sequel for reason's you shall discover. Apart from the one, which I will hold on suspense for the meantime, the only other really important noticable one will be Anakin Padme. Don't know when that willl happen though. Not till much later in the story I should think. Anyway, thanks' for your reviews, enjoy!

Chapter 5

Strat walked into the Room of a Thousand Fountains to meet his friends. It was the first time in about 2 years they had all managed to get together like this. They were now all about 14 years old. The last couple of years had been hectic for them, and they hadn't really had a chance to meet up. Strat sat down by their tree. It was the place they always met. Anakin and Lumi were already there, munching on what looked like biscuits and Cha was on his way.

"Try one," Lumi said, pushing the box towards him. He attentively ate one, remembering a prank they had pulled on one of the older Padawans several years ago. Sweets covered in chilli powder. Poor kid ran into one of the fountains in an effort to stop the burning sensation. The biscuit was soft, moist and tasted absolutely amazing.

"Who made these?" Strat said as Cha sat down next to him.

"Made what?" Cha said looking around at them.

"These," Anakin said, passing over the biscuits. Cha's reaction was similar to Strats. A boy of few words, he made up some more in describing the wonderful tastes coming alive in his mouth. Lumi and Anakin started giggling over the reactions, even as they reached for more.

"Come on," Cha said, "Where did these come from?" Anakin pointed to Lumi who looked incredibly pleased with herself. "You?" Cha said incredulously.

Lumi nodded, "Yep, I discovered I could cook a couple of years ago. My Master and I went to a simple negotiation, but they weren't very co operative. I was sent to take a look around the place. I had a great time. It was the Adrino system."

"The place that's mad about food of all sorts?" Strat put in.

Lumi nodded, "Yeah, well anyway, I managed to cook L' Cel' Castona." (don't bother looking for the recipe, there isn't one, made up dish)

Strat looked impressed, "Isn't that the hardest thing to make in the galaxy or something?"

"Yeah, well, I made it perfectly first time. Our negotiations went a lot quicker after that." They all laughed at that.

"Anakin, you're not eating!" Cha said, almost scandalised that someone wasn't after these biscuits with as much ferocity as he was.

"Lumi made an extra batch for my Master and I," Anakin said with a smile, leaning back, incredibly pleased with that fact.

"Lumi!" Strat said shocked, "What about us! Why don't we get any?"

"Yeah!" Cha added.

"Well," Lumi said with a slight smile, "Master Jinn was the one who taught me the recipe."

"My Master and Lumi have been spending loads of time together cooking, and her Master and I have been reaping the benefits," Anakin said smugly. Strat and Cha looked slightly jealous. Lumi and Master Jinn had bonded slightly over cooking. They both had a passion for it. It was like Ani and mechanics. Master Gallia had no problems with the bonding as she couldn't cook at all and cooking was a way for her to feel the Force and let go of her worries, and who better to teach her how to cook, than the best cook she knew. Plus, she got to eat all the things they made. Anakin had no problems with Lumi spending so much time with Qui gon because he spent time with Master Gallia. And he got to eat their efforts as well.

"So, Ani, what adventures have you been having?" Cha said, his mouth full of the biscuits.

Strat leant back to study his friends. They had changed so much in the last few years, yet not at all in some ways. Anakin was developing his cocky edge, something that he already had but it was becoming more pronounced with age. Lumi had a sarcastic glint in her eyes. It seemed as if she were laughing at the galaxy, but it didn't show in her face so much, just around the mouth slightly and in her eyes. Cha was leaning back lazily listening to Anakin's tales of danger and fighting. He was the most careful and quiet of the group. He showed a kind of lazy indifference to the world, but underneath he seemed to be ever ready. Strat had notices changes in himself. He was less cautious than he used to be, more willing to take risks. He seemed to show a kind of bookish side to the world, but it was only these three people that saw the side of him that was reckless and foolish. All in all they were a bunch of Rogues and were definitely going to be defying the Council on a regular bases when they reach Jedi status.

"I have to ask," Cha said from his position on the grass, "What's with the leather Ani?"

Anakin looked at his robes. Black leather and dark cotton robes underneath. "My Master got fed up with seeing black oil stains on my clothes that couldn't be removed. This seemed the best way really. But, speaking of clothes, what about yours Lumi?"

"Kitchens are a hot place, I needed something thing enough to stay cool, while moveable," Lumi said from were she sat crossed legged in a kind of meditative stance. She wore a dark grey long sleeved thin under robe. Over the top was a brown nit vest that stopped at the shoulders and hugged her developing figure to her waist where it stopped. She had knee high black leather boots on with a slight heel and tight moveable trousers. "But you have to admit, none of us exactly have the perfect Jedi attire," she said, looking right at her friends. Strat wore brown robes that were fairly short with long brown trousers and flat brown leather shoes. Showing he was very sedate but allowing freedom of movement. Cha had deep blue robes and cream leggings. The blue robes had a darker edge to them. He wore black boots with them. As Lumi said, not exactly traditional wear.

"Why blue?" Anakin asked Cha.

"My Master and I are often involved with the political side of things, as well as the harder missions. Not my Master's favourite mission, blue and purple are colours that don't mean death, destruction, catastrophe and so forth in many of the systems in the Senate. It was politically expedient to have them in these colours," Anakin smiled, waiting expectantly for something to be added, "Oh, alright, and they don't clash with my skin colour!" They all burst out laughing at that.

They all quietened down, sharing a companionable silence like they used to. Anakin was fiddling with another gadget, Lumi was making notes next to a load of recipes, Strat was looking at a data pad as usual and Cha was writing music again, strumming an instrument in order to get it right. It could be a while before they got together again, and they had a lot to say to each other, but everything important had been said for the moment, and right now they just wanted to be as they used to be and savour being near each other again.

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The door rang on Qui gon's door, Bevan Mak, the albino Master was on the other side. Without a word Qui gon let him in. Adi Gallia and Obi Wan were already inside. Qui gon went over to his secret cupboard that even Anakin hadn't managed to get into and poured them all a stiff drink. They all took them back in one go. Qui gon poured them another. They had yet to say anything.

"They're going to be the death of me," Obi Wan choked out. Everyone round the table nodded and agreed.

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Action will begin in next chapter! Review please!