I can't be bothered with the disclaimer, please see all previous chapters. You should have got the drift by now that I don't own anything except Tira and the non-existent plot.

Special mention to NinaSky who, after going through all my reviews for a boost, I noticed has reviewed the most. I hope you like the latest additions.

Thanks to all who have reviewed, keep 'em coming and let me know how I'm getting on and if I'm getting it wrong somehow. Criticism is welcome and will only help to improve my writing skills -looks under a rock - when I find them. This one's a bit longer than the rest so, Enjoy!


Chapter 11

The next morning the group set off towards the last known co-ordinates of the rebel group, Qui-Gon leading the way. The trees were quite thick in this region and Tira, still distracted from her last encounter with Anakin, kept stumbling over uncovered roots and getting her hair tangled in low-slung branches.

"Try to pay attention to where you are walking padawan," Obi-Wan said as he untangled Tira's hair for the fifth time.

"Sorry master."

"Maybe I should make you cut your hair, it may make this mission go a little quicker."

"That won't be necessary Master," she replied as her hair came free.

"Now please try to pay attention and keep up, I'd hate to lose you in here," he said gesturing to the expanse of trees in each direction.

"I'll try master."

Looking over Tira could see Qui-Gon standing patiently besides Anakin. Despite his cool outer exterior, Tira could tell that Qui-Gon was just as irritated by her as Obi-Wan, if not more. She walked over to where they were.

"Shall we continue?" he asked looking at the young learner.

Tira nodded and followed after him and Anakin. Anakin looked back at her over his shoulder and smirked. Tira fell back a few paces and walked with Obi-Wan, leaving a gap between them and the two in front.

"You are distracted padawan. Would you care to inform me of why?"

"I am fine Master," Tira said, not meeting her master's eyes.

"I see. Has this something to do with Anakin?"

Tira didn't answer as she looked in the opposite direction to where Obi-Wan was walking.

"We will meditate this evening when we make camp, and I would like you to take it seriously this time. Don't let Anakin get to you; if you rise to his bait he will only goad you more."

"I know master, but it is so difficult. He's so difficult."

"And you are not?"

Tira stopped and looked at her master. She sighed and carried on walking in silence.

"You wouldn't understand," Tira said quietly as she strode off to catch up with the others.

Around midday the heavens opened and the rain season began on Leguin. The trees gave the group protection from the rain, but the leaves still dripped on them, until they were all soaked to the skin.

"How far have we left to go Master?" Tira asked catching up with Qui-Gon.

"Another mile or two, then there is a small clearing, with a cave, where we shall camp tonight."

"Thank you master," Tira replied falling back to Obi-Wan.

"Wet, enough yet?" she asked him as she reached him.

"Yes thank you."

Tira smiled and continued on the rain falling heavier on them as the protection fell away along with the quickly thinning canopy. In the distance Tira could see the trees end and a rockier landscape loomed in front of them. It was indeed a small clearing with trees beginning again the other side of a small ridge with a drop of approximately fifty feet. Following Qui-Gon, the group negotiated the craggy edge towards the cave.

"We'll camp here tonight, Tira, Anakin would you fetch some wood for a fire, get the driest you can."

"Yes Master," they replied together.

Tira dropped her pack on the floor near the cave wall and strode out of the cave after Anakin. They headed back towards the edge of the forest and began to pick up kindling.

"He said get dry stuff," Anakin said looking at what Tira was carrying.

"Actually he said get the driest you can and this is about it after today's weather. Now shut up and get gathering unless you want to freeze tonight."

"You could always keep me warm."

"Don't start Anakin."

"Start what? Just because you want to deny your feelings for me."

"What feelings? That you're an arrogant prat, there's no denying that!"

"Hey come on," He said touching her arm, "I'm not that bad. You never know you might like it."

"Touch me again in that way and I won't be responsible. You have no right," Tira said pulling away from him and stalking off back towards the cave.

Anakin followed her and put his hand on her rear as he reached her. Tira turned round, dropped the kindling and glared at him.

"Leave me alone!"

She turned round again and began to gather up the wood. Not learning his lesson Anakin touched her again; only this time he got a fist in the face for his efforts. Reeling backwards, he recognised the sensation in his nose from the last time she'd done it.

"I said leave me alone!" she yelled.

Grabbing what wood she could Tira ran back to the cave. She stormed inside and dumped the wood on the floor. Breathing heavily she put her head in her hands.

"Padawan, where's Anakin?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Still in the forest."

"You left him there alone."

"He deserves it."

"Tira what's going on?" Obi-Wan asked as Anakin came in the cave with some more wood and sporting a rather swollen, bloody nose. "I repeat, what is going on?"

"He keeps coming on to me," Tira said looking directly at her Master.

"Have you asked him to stop?"

"Of course I have, do you think I'm completely…" Tira trailed off as a wave of nausea hit her.

"Tira?"

"Something's happening," she whispered, "I just felt… I don't know. What do you feel?"

"I sense nothing unusual. Qui-Gon?"

"Nothing. I believe she is stalling for time."

"No. I know this sensation. Forewarning: something is going to happen. We're not safe here, we have to go back to the forest."

"But it's raining and it's almost dark Padawan, we will stay here tonight and move on in the morning," Qui-Gon said firmly.

"But…"

"Do not argue."

"What happened to Anakin and I making all the decisions whilst we are here."

"You forfeited that with your violence."

"Master Kenobi?" Tira said turning towards him, "You are my master. If you tell me to stay I will. But I trust my instincts, and they tell me to leave, now."

"I cannot make this decision alone Padawan, if we leave we must all do so together. Anakin do you vote to stay or to go?"

"I vote to stay. If she cannot be trusted to control her emotions, how can she be trusted to correctly interpret her feelings?"

"Well said Padawan."

"In that case we will stay Tira."

"Yes master," she said bowing to him, "But it is still a mistake."

Before Obi-Wan could answer Tira had gone over to her pack and sat on it.