Chapter 4

Disclaimer: Star Wars belongs to George Lucas & Lucasfilm. I own nothing, please don't sue me I'm poor! Sob!

Please note that Anakin might be a bit OOC in this chapter


When Tira entered the training room an hour later she found Obi-Wan with Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan, Anakin Skywalker.

"Padawan you're here."

"Master," Tira bowed.

"First we will practice your Saber techniques. I have enlisted the help of Padawan Skywalker for this, so I can get a better perspective. If you will both take your places?"

Tira slid off her cloak and picked up a Saber from the table. She took a deep breath before stepping into the circle, Anakin following suit. Tira clicked the button on her training Saber and the weapon ignited with a pale blue glow.

"Calm yourself Padawan I can sense your anxiety from here. I just need to know where to work from, not judge your abilities," Obi-Wan called to her.

Tira nodded in acknowledgement, not taking here eyes off Anakin, waiting for him to make the first move. For a few moments they circled each other. Tira was aware of several council members entering the room including Masters Windu and Yoda. Then Anakin made his move, Tira deflected his blows quite clumsily, not ready for them. She recovered her grip on her Saber and made a few stronger moves, but still unsure ones.

"You know you're quite pretty," Anakin said to her suddenly.

Tira ignored his deliberate distractions and concentrated on trying to deflect him and find an advantage to end this as quickly as possible. Relying completely on her reflexes to Anakin's moves, Tira found herself without guidance, remembering her training rather than feeling the force flow through her. A feeling of sadness and loss flowed through her as she realised that she could no longer feel the force and felt lost without it. This moment of realisation didn't bode well for the fight, which she found ended abruptly by a pain in her chest as Anakin struck her. She fell to the floor breathing through the pain and waiting for it to subside.

"You can't beat me, I'm the chosen one," Anakin said pulling her up, "Still your beauty makes up for it."

"I beg your pardon?" Tira asked looking at him, still breathing hard from the hit.

"Well, if you lose a fight to a man you can always implore to be his love slave. He might spare you."

Anakin passed her as if to leave and patted her behind as he went.

"Mmm, nice," he whispered winking at her.

Tira felt the anger well up in her chest.

"Anakin?" she said questioningly turning towards him.

Anakin turned back and looked at her. He stood there and grinned, enjoying everyone's attention on him.

"Yes?"

Tira walked towards him quite slowly with a sly smile on her face. Anakin grinned even more thinking that maybe his luck was in, not suspecting danger at all…

Until Tira's fist made a hard and definitive contact with his nose, breaking it clean in two. Anakin flew backwards and landed on the floor with blood pouring down his face.

"Don't you ever, ever! Touch my backside again or I will personally remove both of your arms and several other non important male organs! Do you understand me?" Tira yelled.

"Padawan control yourself! It was a fair fight and your disappointment at losing must not get the better of you. Centre yourself!"

"I've been trying for five days to do that, I can't!" Tira's voice echoed into the suddenly silent room.

She felt herself begin to well up as the frustration she felt began to surface. She buried her head in her hands and cried.

"Padawan, what's the matter?"

"I've lost t… touch with t… the force! I can't feel it… or control it… or anything," she said.

"When did this happen?" Obi-Wan asked coming over to her.

"L… Leguin!"

"Master Suli's death," Master Windu stated.

Tira just nodded as she collapsed into Obi-Wans' arms, still crying.

"Expected this was," Master Yoda said nodding to Master Windu.

"I… don't… know what to… to do! I feel so lost! I… don't know… what to do."

"Ssh, calm yourself Padawan. Come that's enough for today."

Obi-Wan led Tira back to their rooms and sat her down on the sofa.

"You should have told me. I don't know why I didn't sense it myself."

"We haven't bonded yet. You can't know everything about me." Tira said wiping her face.

"Here," Obi-Wan handed her a cup of tea, "Tomorrow we'll start some meditation and begin reconnecting you with the force."

"You think that's possible?"

"Of course. Your grief and shock at suddenly losing Master Suli like that, has just temporarily blocked your senses to it. It is still with you and I'll help you to find it again."

"Why?"

"I'm your master; it's what I'm here for. I don't want to lose such a capable learner either. I do know your capabilities, but the council were concerned that the incident had affected you. Today was supposed to find out for certain."

"You were testing me?"

"Yes. I'm sorry but it was necessary."

"It's okay. I understand."

Obi-Wan smiled and left her to herself.