Author's Note: Kit's Padawan days. He is around twelve, and Aayla is a year or two older.
Kit Fisto concentrated on channeling the Force. He searched deep within his mind, shutting out the rest of the world. Suddenly he was interrupted by a peel of laughter. Bewildered, he glanced about, his large black eyes lighting on Pablo-Jill. The other Padawan was writhing in the dirt.
"What is it?"
"Hohoo!" The boy hooted. "Your tentacles were standing straight up!" He burst into another fit. Kit grinned, imagining what a sight he must have been. He looked up at his master.
Not even breaking into a smile, Ki-Adi-Mundi nodded. "Try again. This time, lift your entire body."
Again Kit shut out his surroundings and concentrated upon the Force. He began to feel himself rising slowly in the air, he grinned. Then his grin widened as he slowly channeled the Force towards Pablo-Jill.
"Whoah! What the-?" Pablo-Jill exclaimed. Kit's grin turned into a true smile, showing his teeth. Soon both young Padawan were suspended ten feet in the air, hooting with laughter. The two Masters looked on. Oppo Rancisis showed some amusement, but Mundi simply looked thoughtful.
Later that day Ki-Adi-Mundi approached Kit. "The Council has deemed it time." He reached into his robes and withdrew a lightsaber. Carefully he handed it to his Padawan. "Take care. It is a deadly weapon. Use it as you have practiced. And remember, it is only for practice, you must make your own at a later date."
Kit cradled the ten-inch hilt in his hands. Slowly he moved his finger toward the button and lit the blade. The steady hum filled the training arena and the soft green light glittered in Kit's eyes. Kit carefully swung the weapon, testing its balance as he had been taught. The saber felt right in his grasp, much better than the clumsy wooden practice blades. He saw that the shaft was shortened for his height. This made him grin. The crack and hiss of another saber being lit widened his grin. He turned to face his master. Mundi held his lightsaber low, in a defensive position, inviting Kit to advance. Kit sprang forward and shocked his saber against his master's longer one. He sprang back before Kit could retaliate. Kit's grin continued to widen. Mundi half-heartedly swung, and Kit easily blocked him. In the back of his mind, he knew he was no match for the Council Member, but he imagined beating back Mundi's defenses and claiming victory. At the moment he imagined his victory, he found his saber soaring through the air and felt the heat of Mundi's blade near his neck.
"Very good. Don't get cocky, though. I can sense your thoughts." He abruptly switched moods. "Stay here and practice. I will find a sparing partner for you." He strode off and Kit walked towards his fallen saber. Then he stopped and reached for it. It moved, drawing a line in the sand, then sprang into his hand. He could not suppress a satisfied chuckle. He lit the saber again and practiced the positions for blocking and parrying. He concentrated on his footwork, kicking up the smooth sand.
Shortly, Master Mundi came back with a Padawan who was older than Kit, but only slightly taller. The Padawan was a female Twi'lek. Her eyes were hard as she lit her blue saber without waiting for an introduction. Kit relit his own and reveled in the satisfying sound of the blade. He experimentally swung his blade only to have the other advance with speed. He hastily blocked and danced back. The sabers met with a grating clash that brought a smile to both the fighters' faces.
For the next few minutes they tested each other with swift advances and strong defensive patterns. Kit found that he was quite evenly matched and searched for a weakness to exploit. He ceased staring at her feet and hands, and, trusting his senses, studied her face. Her blue face was hard, eyes narrow. Concentration furrowed her brow. Ah, thought Kit, I make her try very hard. He relaxed his grip and let the blade whip the air. More wrinkles appeared on the girl's forehead. Suddenly, he feinted to the right and threw his body over her head, neatly nicking her saber into the air. He landed slightly behind her with both sabers in hand. She whirled, a shamed look on her face. In the background Ki-Adi-Mundi simply nodded.
Kit retracted the blades and passed the blue one to its owner. "Thank you for the practice." He bowed respectfully. She bowed back and silently turned and stalked off. Kit shrugged and headed back towards his master. He was nearly there when his acute hearing picked up a rustle in the sand behind him. He whirled, saber flashing. The Twi'lek struck hard and fast, forcing Kit to retreat. He parried, but was unable to add any strokes of his own. Their feet moved in a flurry of sand, and their sabers hummed and whirred. Kit had nearly been taken off guard, but swiftly began to calm his mind and once more studied his opponent's face. He features were clouded with humiliated frustration and her eyes glinted almost cruelly. Kit felt a small tremor of fear, but corrected it by assuring himself that that was her weakness.
The fierce battle neared Master Mundi who remained motionless at the edge of the arena. Kit stumbled as the female spun, sending her thick pair of tentacles into his face. He regained his balance just in time to parry a hefty blow. He kept his blade on hers, and the grinding sound echoed through the arena. Suddenly, the girl somersaulted backward and with a flip sent Kit's saber soaring. She slowly advanced on the unarmed Nautolan. Thinking quickly, Kit sprang toward Mundi and snatched his lightsaber from his belt with the Force. As he whirled to face his opponent he noted the look of almost pleased astonishment on his master's face. He smiled. He brandished the blue blade against the Twi'lek's own blue blade and suddenly she retracted hers and burst into laughter. Kit glanced about, confused.
"You really are better than me!" The Twi'lek exclaimed. "I don't think any Jedi would steal his Master's saber."
Kit laughed with her and returned the saber to Mundi. He then retrieved his own.
The Twi'lek extended a delicate hand. "I'm Aayla Secura." Kit took the hand in his.
"I am Kit. Kit Fisto."
The two parted ways and Kit followed his Master back onto the Jedi Temple.
A/N: As usual inform me of errors of any kind. That would be most helpful. Please tell me how my fight descriptions are. I really enjoy reviews, they make my day. I don't even really care what you say, jist leave one.