Chapter 9

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"Anakin what did you say to her?" Qui-Gon asked as he entered the cockpit.

"Not much Master. I just told her not to push any more buttons on the way to Leguin. Why is there something wrong Master?"

"Do you know what happened on Leguin, Anakin?"

"There was a political dispute the jedi were sent to sort out. One of the Masters' died, that is all."

"That was the dispute in which Master Suli lost her life. Tira was her Padawan and saw the whole thing. She is deeply upset. You will not mention it again for the duration of this mission. I believe that she is unstable and will not remain a Padawan for much longer. This mission will test her worthiness."

In the background they could hear Obi-Wan and then the slamming of the cargo bay door. Qui-Gon stood up.

"Keep on course Anakin."

"Master."

Qui-Gon opened the door and entered the lounge just in time to hear the frustrated scream. Obi-Wan was stood there, he rubbed his hand over his face and then folded his arms. He turned to see Qui-Gon enter as the first crashes echoed through the room.

"I believe this may be more difficult than we had anticipated."

"Let her release her frustration now Obi-Wan. She may be calmer once she has got over the shock."

"Anger is not the answer; I do not wish to lose her to the dark side."

"Patience Obi-Wan. Only time and purpose can bring her to us. I know."

"This is slightly different Qui-Gon. She was not pledged to Suli as you were to Tahl. Her bond was not as strong. I believe she feels as if she didn't do enough to help. That she should have stayed in the room and not left her Master to fight the rest of the rebels."

"I saw it happen and I didn't get there in time," Tira said as she came out of the cargo bay. Her face was streaked from her tears and her auburn hair was hanging out of its holdings, "I should have gotten there sooner. I knew she was going to die even before it happened."

"Oh Tira, come here," Obi-Wan said holding out his hand.

Tira took it and followed him to the couch.

"You never told me that."

"My forewarning is my curse. I hate it. I'm sorry Master, I'm so sorry."

They sat down.

"You will of course clean up the mess you have made with those crates," Qui-Gon said as he surveyed the damage.

"Yes Master Jinn."

Obi-Wan stood up and went to survey the damage.

"Anakin will join you. He is partly responsible for this. I did instruct him not to reveal our destination once I found out that you did not know."

"Who will pilot us?"

"I will, I am capable," Obi-Wan said striding over to the cockpit.

"You hate flying!"

"Yes I do. Appreciate it."

Tira nodded and took off her cloak; laying it on the back of one of the chairs she entered the cargo bay. A few minutes later Anakin joined her.

"I cannot believe I have to help you. You made this mess."

"It was your fault."

"Was not."

"Was too, now shut up and give me a hand to lift this," Tira said.

After an hour of intense cleaning, the cargo bay was more or less tidy. The broken crates had been stacked up on one side ready for repair. Tira sighed and glanced round at Anakin. They had barely spoken to each other during their task. He threw a dirty look her way and continued sorting their supplies for the mission ahead. Standing up straight Tira pulled the remainder of her hair out of its holdings and let it fall to her shoulders. She closed her eyes and, running her hand through it she remembered how Obi-Wan had made her cut it. A smile crept to her lips at the memory.

"What are you doing?" Anakin asked suddenly breaking her thoughts.

"Running my hand through my hair what does it look like?" Tira asked looking at him.

"Why?"

"Because I can. I love my hair, don't you think it's nice?" she replied as she pulled it back and retied it.

"It's very… red."

"I'll take that as a compliment, although I do believe it's what gives me my temper."

"Oh, it's not the fact that you're a woman then?"

"Oh Anakin, would you like me to break your nose again or was once enough?"

"Once was more than enough Padawan," Obi-Wan said from the doorway, "That will suffice. Anakin please join Qui-Gon at the helm and take us the rest of the way to Leguin."

Anakin nodded and left the room.