Disclaimer: I don't own anything (except a few original characters) and I'm not making any money off of this.

Sorry it took so long to update, but schools been crazy lately and now finals are comin up. And I wanna give a shout-out to Cassandra Halfelven, Calliope Foster, and Night of the Land for reviewing. I'm glad you guys like it!

Ch. 5: Talking, Thinking, and Dueling

"You knew my mother?" Airiana repeated, not quite believing what she heard.

"Knew your mother I did. A great Jedi Knight she was."

Airiana's mind was racing; there were so many questions she wanted answered, so much she wanted to hear and learn. At the same time everything felt unreal. She had never imagined finding out about her mother would be so simple. Why hadn't she ever asked Master Yoda about her before? – The thought had simply never occurred to her. It seemed like that time and this time were a lot farther away than they really were. How could so much change in only 20-some years? Well, it didn't matter now. All she knew was that she wasn't in that time and needed to let everything settle in.

She looked back up at Master Yoda, "Thank-you … for everything," she hesitated before asking, "Could you tell me about her sometime, when you're not busy?"

"Busy now I am not," replied her Master kindly.

"No, I can't. I wasn't expecting this. I need time to let it sink in."

Yoda nodded in understanding, "Very well. Talk when you are ready, we will."

"Thanks."

Airiana gave a deep bow to her Master and walked out of the room.

Yoda stood where he was for a few moments thoughtfully looking at the door. He could feel the bond she shared with his future self; it was strong. He had let himself get drawn into it. Oh well, it wasn't hurting anything. In fact, the more he spoke with Airiana the more he enjoyed her company and the bond, it seemed, they now shared. She wasn't like the rest of Jedi he knew, she was…warmer, not quite so formal; it was refreshing to be around her.

As much as Yoda enjoyed the presence of their bond, he could not imagine what would possess him to take on an apprentice at such an age. He knew he was getting quite old now, and who knew how old he was going to be when he began training her. Something must have happened. This worried him a little – he could feel the dark side growing and wondered if the Sith had anything to do with his taking on an apprentice. But that was enough of worrying about the future for now. After all, he only believed in being mindful of the future, not dwelling on it. As he turned back to the room a playful smile lit up his features, "Not so old am I that train a padawan I cannot."

After leaving her Master Airiana wandered through the halls of the temple eventually coming to the Room of a Thousand Fountains; she walked aimlessly down the paths coming to a bench near one of the larger fountains. She sat down and watched the water trickle down the stones as she tried to concentrate on all that happened within the last few days. After almost ten minutes she gave up. She was too stressed out to think. Hoping to get away for a little bit she decided to go see what Obi-wan was up to.

Airiana stood in front of Obi-wan's door and knocked.

"Come in," he answered.

"Hey," she greeted.

"Oh, hello Airiana. How are your new quarters?"

"Good," she pause then said, "So, what're ya doin?"

"Finishing an official report for the council about our last mission."

"Sounds like fun," Airiana said sarcastically. "Where's Ani?"

"At classes."

"Oh. Are you done soon?"

"Yes, thankfully."

"Groovy."

"Groovy?" Obi-wan asked, raising his eyebrows.

"You've never heard anybody say 'groovy' before?" Airiana asked with a look of disbelief on her face.

"I can't say that I have."

"Ay, ay, ay. What is the world coming to?"

Obi-wan simply shook his head slightly and turned back to his report.

The two of them sat in silence for awhile, Obi-wan working and Airiana lost in thought – not thinking about anything in particular, just letting her mind wander.

She was starting to get hungry – she could use a snack. What did she want? Little Debbies sounded good, especially Swiss Rolls – or Reese's Peanut Butter Cups! Mmmm – she could just taste 'em. Why was it she always got hungry for Earth food when she was here and got hungry for this food when she was on Earth? Whenever she couldn't get something, that's when she wanted it. 'I waaant you to want me, I neeeed you to need me. I'd love you to love me, I'm begin' you to beg me … Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin. Ooh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't see you cryin.' She loved that song; it was stuck in her head and kept playing over and over again as she thought about other things. She wished she had her laptop here – then she'd be able to play Cheaptrick. Anakin and Obi-wan could listen to it! That would be awesome! She really needed to keep her computer and cd's with her at all times, then she could bring them with her. Next time she goes back to Earth, she'll have to do that, if she remembers – probably won't.

"What is that?" Obi-wan asked all of a sudden, looking around the quarters.

"What's what?" Airiana said her eyebrows furrowed.

"That noise. I think it's music of some sort, but I'm not sure – I could barely hear it."

"I didn't hear anything."

"Well…it seems to have stopped now anyway."

"Oh. Are you done yet?"

"Just about," he answered while writing the last sentence. "Now all I need to do is edit, but that can wait for later."

"So now what're ya gonna do?"

"Relax," Obi-wan said with a sigh.

"Ya wanna relax by sparring?"

"Of course."

When they reached the sparring room Airiana went over to the rack of lightsabers. She picked one at random and twirled it around in her hand – too big. The next one wasn't big enough. She tried two more before finding one she was satisfied with.

While Airiana chose her lightsaber, Obi-wan turned his on low and started to warm-up. He saw her walk toward him and was about to give her the basics of lightsaber combat, but before he got the chance a blue blade shot out of her saber as she began her warm-up.

Obi-wan was surprised at how natural using a lightsaber seemed to come to Airiana. Of course, he knew that she could sword fight, but her sword seemed to be a bit heavier than a lightsaber and he was sure the style would be quite different too. Yet, from watching her warm-up, Obi-wan could tell she knew what she was doing and wasn't entirely new to using a lightsaber. Once again he found himself wondering about her. Had she been trained in the ways of the Jedi? – If so, by whom? Certainly not any of the masters he knew. Could it be possible that she's a Sith? – No, of course not. Even the most powerful of Sith Masters couldn't be powerful enough to completely mask their true intentions – surely the council members would feel it. And she had spoken to Master Yoda. What had they spoken of? Whatever it was Yoda must have felt he could trust her or he wouldn't have allowed her to have her own quarters.

"Ready?" Obi-wan seemed not to hear Airiana. "Yoohoo, Obi-waaan?"

"Yes?" he asked snapping out of his thoughts.

"Are you finished visiting la-la land?"

"What?" Obi-wan asked with his forehead scrunched-up.

"Nevermind. Are you ready to spar?"

"Oh – yes, of course."

"Good."

With that they moved toward the middle of the room, bowed to one another, and got into their starting positions. Airiana knew from experience that Obi-wan never made the first move – it would have to be up to her. She sized him up. He was going to be stronger and faster than Ben, but with less experience dueling against her – that was definitely an advantage. She doubted Ben's style had changed much over the years, so she pretty much knew what to expect from Obi-wan. Overall, she figured she could take him, but it would be tough.

As she had been strategizing, they had been slowly circling each other. After a few more seconds she made her move. It was a low swing aimed at his abdomen. He went to block it, but at the last moment she somersaulted over him aiming at his head – he nearly missed the block. He recovered quickly; though, and as she landed he put her on the defensive.

The strokes of his lightsaber were swift and tight. Airiana had a difficult time trying to block all of them and got hit on her arm. After that she figured it was time to switch things up a bit – it was time to change style.

So far she had kept to the Jedi style of fighting, but now she began fighting in the style she usually fought with – a combination of every style of self-defense/sword fighting she had ever learned. She ducked under Obi-wan's lightsaber and twisted around to his other side, making some space. It gave her just enough time to go back on the offensive.

Her change in style had just the effect she hoped it would – Obi-wan had been taken by surprise. He scrambled around to block her swings and kicks, eventually falling behind and being struck on the leg. Airiana took a few steps back, giving both of them some time to catch their breaths. When they had, they once again faced off. This time it was Airiana's turn to be surprised – Obi-wan actually charged first. It appeared that this Obi-wan did have a few tricks up his sleeve.

They continued on – slashing, jabbing, parrying, blocking, twisting, flipping. Neither one wanted to give-up. Both were tiring. Obi-wan had adjusted to Airiana's new style and had begun to take the upper hand. Airiana was not to be underestimated, however. She was stubborn and had a determination that could rival anybody's. She dived into the force and let its current take her. She no longer thought or saw, only felt.

Obi-wan found himself losing ground; he needed to get back on the offensive, but his mind was drawing a blank on how to do that. He couldn't keep up this pace much longer; his muscles were screaming for oxygen.

Airiana's strikes only came faster as she dove further and further into the force. She struck high then low catching Obi-wan on the side. He lost his focus. Airiana knocked him on his back and had her lightsaber at his throat before his brain had time to react.

Airiana opened her eyes and blinked a few times. She hadn't even realized her eyes were closed; they were right in line with Obi-wan's. They stared at each other for a few moments before Airiana turned off her lightsaber and sat back; she was exhausted now that she had loosened her hold on the force. Obi-wan sat up also, still trying to catch his breath.

"What – was that?" he asked raggedly.

"What was what?" Airiana asked back, taking deep breaths.

"That – what you just did. The last time I fought someone with such speed was when I … fought the Sith on Naboo."

Airiana took a moment to answer, "I don't know. I wasn't thinking. I let the force guide me."

After another minute Airiana fell back, sprawling herself out on the floor. Then, with a sigh she said, "That felt good; I needed that."

Obi-wan simply smiled and shook his head.