Two
Ten years later….
"That's terrible, I can't believe someone would try an assassination attempt so close to the Senate. Bounty hunters are getting too bold." I sat down on the couch next to Anakin.
"Bounty hunters have always been, they just never had a target that was worth the trouble." Obi-wan leaned against the window's support.
"Master, are we to investigate this current situation?" Anakin asked.
"No, Master Yoda has required that we are to protect Padmé from further attacks."
"Obi-wan it sounds like Master Yoda wants you two on the case." I pointed out. "He just took longer to say it." Anakin laughed at that. Anakin had grown up since that fateful day we met on Naboo. He had shot up, taller then Obi-wan and myself, and his Padawan braid had lengthened. His eyes were a cold shade of cobalt, but behind them were warmth and compassion. His powers were unfathomable, sometimes he seemed to know more then Obi-wan. Anakin had settled well into the lifestyle of the Jedi, but yet his thoughts continued to weighed heavily on his mother back on Tatooine. Although over the years the empty space was beginning to open up, to allow entry to whom the Force only knew.
"Kaiya, please." Obi-wan begged. He didn't want to get dragged into another mission. He had just recently returned from Ta'mine Garok, a small system within the Outer Rim, settling a dispute between two tribes. Obviously they had been Aggressive Negotiations. "Senator Amidala has requested that the Jedi to not get involved."
"Obi what do you call this?" I said gesturing my arms around the Senator's room. Obi-wan just paced the room, I won this round.
"Kaiya don't upset Master Obi-wan, he's a bit grumpy this morning." Anakin put his arm on the back of the couch. "Doesn't Master Cin Drallig request your Lightsaber skills?" Anakin asked turning to me.
"I asked his apprentice, Serra, to step in for me. When I heard Obi-wan was getting back from his mission I wanted to make sure I was available."
"You wasted your time." Grunted Obi-wan. A tie, here comes the lightning round.
"I'm hurt, is it so horrible that I'm here? I just wanted to see you, I missed you. Have you forgotten that you're the only family that I have left?" That stung at Obi-wan's heart, I heard him wince at that. I knew Obi-wan's soft spot, and it was adolescent of me to pick at an already open wound. He knew I considered him a Father next to Qui-gon, and he took the blame on himself for his death.
"I know." He whispered. I got up and hugged him.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that." I regretted saying it. Sometimes I feel like I'm still the little kid I use to be.
"No, but I guess I deserved it." He kissed my forehead. "Look at you, a recognized Jedi Knight. I'm sorry I was unable to witness your Knighthood." Obi-wan smiled. It took the Council 10 long years after my Father's death to realize that I would stop at nothing to be a Jedi. I was given another Lightsaber but refused to give up my Father's, Master Cin Drallig trained me in the special arts of fighting and Serra helped me along. Now I am as quick and cunning as I am with one lightsaber.
"Anakin was there, so I wasn't alone." At that moment the doors slid open, Senator Amidala, Jar Jar and Palpatine stepped in along with a chief investigator.
"Senator Amidala." Obi-wan bowed, I bowed as well. "It has been a while."
"Yes it has. Look at you, 10 years and haven't aged a day." Obi-wan blushed. Then her attention turned to me. "Kaiya? A Jedi knight now? I'm glad to see the Council changed there minds about you."
"Thank you Senator." I bowed my respect again. Anakin stepped forward from behind me.
"Senator" He bowed. She scrunched her face up but then blinked in realization. "Ani?" Anakin nodded and bowed.
"My how've you've grown." She said as he came back up to full height.
"So have you,-more beautiful I mean." he blushed.
"Ani you will always be that little boy I met on Tatooine." She smiled and turned to the other Politicians and the investigator. I looked at Anakin and he gave me a "What?" gesture. Obi-wan seated himself down on the couch, his eyes were tried. Jar Jar managed to get away from the conversation to come over and hug Anakin.
"Ani! It's been a long o'time since mesa been seeing ya."
"10 years in fact. How've you been Jar Jar?"
"Oh, mesa busy. Senator Amidala gives me things to do and in her absence I'm even more busier." Jar Jar gave a smile. "And yousa Ani? A Jedi now. Obi giving yousa a hard o'time?"
"It's worth it, spending time with him isn't a torture anymore." A grunt came from behind them. Obi-wan seemed to disagree. I smiled, I knew Obi-wan enjoyed their times together.
"I'm not that bad am I?"
"Just don't lose your lightsaber anymore. Master Yoda is furious with both of us as it is."
"It wasn't my fault back on Cato Neimoidia. That was unavoidable and you know it Master."
"Doesn't justify the fact that Master Yoda has given you 4 new lightsabers."
"I think it was 5 Master. And I'm sorry."
"A little late and wrong Jedi." Obi-wan sighed. "Your going to be the death of me."
"I've heard that one before." I said crossing my arms. My Com link gave a low beep. "Excuse me." I backed into one of the many empty rooms. "Kaiya here."
"Kaiya it's Cin Drallig."
"Master Drallig, how may I help you?"
"Serra needs a sparing partner, are you available?"
"At the moment yes, how long do you need me?"
"Serra needs you for a quick match. The Padawan learners are edger to see a duel done with four lightsabers."
"I could swing by, Master Obi-wan will inform me of any details I should know."
"And remind Anakin to research that assignment I gave him, it's due next time we meet."
"I'll personally escort him down to the Archives myself." He gave a chuckle.
"Operation Ani Study. I thought he'd grown out of that by now."
"I'm a bad influence on him."
"I should let you take your leave, stop by if you need anything."
"Will do." Transmission ended and I place the Com link back on my utility belt. I returned to the room. Amidala was talking to Obi-wan and Anakin while the other senators existed the room. The investigator began scanning the room for any signs of explosives. I tapped Anakin on the shoulder and he leaned down without taking his attention of the senator's words.
"I'm going down to the training room to help Serra with the Padawans. Ask Obi-wan to clue me in on anything I'm missing and later swing by and we'll go down to the Archives and finish that assignment." Anakin rolled his eyes but nodded. Obi-wan caught me leaving and gave Anakin a questioned look.
I stopped by the Archives after my training session with Serra and Anakin was seated at one of the many desks. He was reading over a file while the librarian leaned over guiding him through it. I helped a youngling that asked for my help before heading over to Anakin.
"Finishing up your report Ani?" I asked. The librarian gave me a face when I used his nickname. Apparently that wasn't a Jedi way.
"Actually I just finished, I was just reviewing the Battle of Yavin for another class." The librarian unloaded the file and returned it to it's place among it's glowing brothers.
"Ani studying?" I screwed up my face. " I don't believe you."
"It's the truth." Anakin stood up. " Would you like a briefing of what you missed?"
"Please, where's Obi-wan?" I asked.
"He's with the Council. All you missed was that Chancellor Palpatine requested that Senator Amidala return to Naboo for her own safety. Master Obi-wan and myself have been appointed to shadow the Senator while she's on Naboo. Master is relying the same message to the Council as we speak."
"Will I be joining you or is this just for the two of you?"
"Master Obi-wan wants you to come along as well, why don't you go to the Council and persuade them to let you go. Your no longer a Padawan, really you can choose to accept a mission if you so please."
"It's not fair that you know more about being a Knight then me."
"You've only been a Knight for at least 6 hours."
"True but, still doesn't justify why a Padawan knows more then me."
"I take offense to that." Anakin smiled.
"Come on, lets go to the Council." I nudged Anakin along.
Was I ready to go back to the very place my Father had passed on into the Force. Was Obi-wan? Ten years had passed yet I remember running down these same halls scared for my Father's life. I remember barging through the doors of the Council and interrupting the meeting that was in session. Remembering the last words of my Father.
/Kaiya….I'm sorry, I love you. I won't be able to see you knighted…I'm so sorry/
The pain from Obi-wan and myself could have filled the galaxy with sadness to last a thousand years.
The doors of the Council slid open, Obi-wan stood in the center of the circular room. The Council's attention averted to my form. I suddenly felt embarrassed.
"Forgive my intrusion, I will wait for Master Obi-wan to finish." I bowed to the Council. Anakin followed me inside and bowed as well.
"No need for waiting there is. Master Obi-wan, finished he is." Master Yoda's ears twitched with his old age.
"I have finished Knight Kaiya." Obi-wan bowed and returned to his seat within the Council. Obi-wan was voted on without question, just like my Father said he would.
"Members of the Jedi Council I would like to ask permission to accompany Master Obi-wan and Anakin Skywalker on Naboo to help shadow Senator Amidala." The Council turned to each other and mumbled inaudible tones, Obi-wan smiled.
"The answer dose not lie with us, but with Master Obi-wan." Master Windu finally spoke up. Yoda nodded his agreement.
"Master Obi-wan, may I accompany you and Anakin on your mission to Naboo?" I asked again.
"I would be delighted to welcome you aboard our mission." He smiled again and Yoda agreed with Obi-wan.
"Ready you think you are?" Yoda asked.
"I believe so, this mission shouldn't be too involved-" I was cut off.
"Misunderstood you have." Confusion struck my face. "Are you ready to face your past?" That was one question I didn't think I had the answer to.
"I can't keep running away from my past, Master Yoda. I need to do this whether or not I'm ready."
"10 years not long enough?"
"Not when you lose something precious to you." I looked over at Obi-wan, his eyes were glued to the floor.
"Hmmm. A mission of your own you must go on." Yoda folded his green fingers in prayer position. "Find yourself and learn the code you must."
"I know the Jedi Code. There is no emotion; there is peace. There is no ignorance; there is knowledge. There is no passion; there is serenity. There is no chaos; there is harmony. There is no death; there is the Force." As I repeated the code for the second time today I realized what Master Yoda meant. I didn't say anything but lowered my eyes and nodded my understanding. I look as my Father being dead and gone not as being apart of the living Force, still living for others to learn his knowledge. I loved my Father and Obi-wan and Anakin have found there way deep within the walls of my heart. A Jedi cares for the people not for objects of value nor did they feel love for another in anyway.
"Master Yoda may I ask you a question in private?" I asked. I felt Obi-wan's eyes on me. Anakin sent through our bond "What are you doing?"
"Yes you may." Master Yoda was shocked. Yoda summoned his hover pod and hoisted himself into it before I followed him to the back room where he and Master Windu mediated.
"What is it you ask of?" Yoda asked settling the craft down and seating himself on a raised meditation mat. I did the same.
"Master Yoda why is it you recognized me as a Jedi? Why such a change of heart after a stone front?" I asked.
"Master Qui-gon Jinn," He paused when he saw the hurt in my face at the mention of his name. "Came to me one night and asked it of me. He said the Force was disturbed by our denial of you. With Qui-gon apart of the Force I needed to fill the seat that he left."
"Master Obi-wan was taught by my Father-" I was cut off.
"In my presence you will refer to him as Master Qui-gon Jinn."
"Sorry, Master Obi-wan was trained by Master Qui-gon, isn't his seat filled by the Padawan?"
"In most cases yes, but you on the other hand were taught more then Obi-wan in most areas that young Master Obi-wan learned from myself before taking the trials."
"He never mentioned that."
"Ashamed he was."
"Why?"
"He was honored, but felt like he was betraying his Master by learning from another." Yoda nodded his head, said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Another question I have Master." I will have to ask Obi-wan of this later.
"I sense Anakin is falling in love. Have you felt this?"
"With whom child?" He avoided my question, obviously old age was setting in.
"I'm unsure of the person, whether it be Jedi or Politician."
"Senator Amidala you fear is it?" He asked.
"He did say she had grown more beautiful." Remembering their first encounter in 10 years.
"Clouded the boy's future is." That was Master Yoda's famous line for Anakin. What did that mean anyway?
"Fear for him I do." I needed to get out, I'm starting to talk like Yoda, I thought in my head.
"Repot back to me when said person is found."
"Yes Master." I got up and bowed, as I turned to leave Master Yoda called out. "Kaiya, your Father is very proud of you." I smiled back tears. I left the mediation room to find the Council had cleared the room, all but Obi-wan and Anakin remained.
"Did I miss something?" I asked looking at the vacant room.
"Mace Windu has asked the Council to adjourn later for some much needed time off. All and myself have been stressing over this assassination attempt that he felt that it was necessary for a break." Obi-wan pointed out.
"Not to mention early this morning they were all present for my trails."
"Not all, stop rubbing it in my face."
"I wasn't I was just saying. My trails are in the restricted section of the Archives, I'll get them and we can watch it together."
"Thank you, that would be nice." Obi-wan's voice seemed happy but I knew him too well, he was worried about going back to Naboo.
"Hey," I gave him a slap on the arm. "Cheer up, we'll get through this." He gave a weak smile. Anakin's com link beeped. Anakin answered and then turned to us.
"It's Senator Amidala. She request to leave as soon as we are ready."
"This early?" Obi-wan asked. He had just got back from his last mission, he hasn't even slept yet.
"Does she not care for people's needs?" I asked feeling Obi-wan's frustration.
"She says she wants to go before she changes her mind." Anakin relied the messages for Amidala to us.
"Tell her to wait on the ship for us." I said. As soon as Anakin had told the Senator I took the com link and put in my two cents.
"Senator with all due respect I think Master Obi-wan should be given at least 24 hours to rest after a long mission on Ta'mine Garok."
"Chancellor Palpatine is exhorting me to leave. Give Master Obi-wan my deepest apologies, I have hired a pilot to navigate the ship so Obi-wan can rest the whole way there." I looked over at Obi-wan knowing he heard her loud and clear.
"It sounds fair to me." Obi--wan said followed by a yawn.
"Meet us at the docking bay in an hour an half." I said
"I'll be waiting." The transmission ended.
"I'll go tell Master Cin Drallig and Serra that I will be taking a leave of absence. I'll meet you both at our common room in a few."
"Very well." Obi-wan then turned to Anakin. " Get whatever you may need from Master Ki-Adi-Mundi to take with you on our mission. I will not have you do nothing on this so called trip to Naboo's Lake Country."
"Is that where we're going?" I asked, Anakin failed to mention that part in the briefing.
"Yes. It's away from the city of Theed and very secret. The Senator will be safe there." Obi-wan filled me in, I gave Obi-wan a nod and left in a hurry.
"Master, may I tell you something?"
"Of course." Anakin kept his eyes low and picked at his hands.
"I've been having dreams."
I ran down the halls to the training room, Serra, was nowhere to be found. I backed out of the room and asked a young Padawan if she knew where Master Drallig could be. The Padawan said that she last saw him in class. Instead of trying to find him or his apprentice I decided to leave him a Holo message. I punched in a code to unlock a part on the back wall, towards the center, which revealed many of Cin's training lightsabers and various training orbs. In the right hand corner was a HoloNet projector, sitting it on the floor I began the transmission.
"Master Cin Drallig and Serra, I have been assigned to help Master Obi-wan Kenobi and his Padawan Anakin Skywalker to the planet of Naboo to shadow the Senator, Amidala, in light of the assassination attempt this afternoon. My deepest regrets for my absence from practice. I'm currently unsure of my return date but I will keep you posted. When you get this transmission I will have already left, may the Force be with you both." With a wave of my hand and the help of the Force was I able to place it back to it's resting place, only now it's red light was flashing.
I left the training room, taking my sweet time walking through the numerous hallways and using the elevator to the common room floor. A fellow Knighted Jedi congratulated me and I did the same. I turned the corner and the door on the left slide open. Obi-wan walked out almost knocking me down. Obi-wan must have his shields up, I should have sensed him.
"Whoa!"
"Sorry, I thought you were talking to Cin Drallig?"
"I left a transmission. Are you all packed?" I asked, avoiding the question about his shields.
"A Jedi has no need to bring anything with him, just what he has on his back."
"Yes, but a she needs to bring a change of robes, for body odor is disgusting." Obi-wan gave a chuckle.
"I won't take long, is Ani waiting in the ship?" I asked looking behind Obi-wan, not sensing Anakin's Force influence.
"No he's inside packing his study materials. Would you give him a hand? I'll meet you two on the ship." Obi-wan didn't wait for my response. Something had to of disturbed him for Obi-wan to act so out of character. I shrugged it off for now until I had a sinking feeling in my gut. Did I do something? I asked myself as I walked to Anakin's room.
"Knock Knock." I said while mocking my words. "Is something wrong with Obi-wan?" Anakin turned his head to look at me but didn't halt his packing.
"I might have said something that could have upset him." His tone was a cross of his ten year old self and uncertainty.
"What did you say?"
"I'll tell you on the ship." Anakin returned his attention to his packing.
"Okay…I'll be in my room packing if you want to talk about it." I backed out and headed for the room I shared with Obi-wan. A common room was made for a Master and Padawan. Not 3 persons. I had commandeered a extra bed and moved into Obi-wan's room, we thought it would have been better for our healing process. It was suppose to be temporary then I was to move in with Anakin, but we never gave each other a reason to move me out. So I stayed. Now that I am a Knight I will have to take a Padawan of my own one day, and I will have to move out completely. I packed an extra tan tunic and robe and secretly pack my Father's poncho and fetched his tunic from under my pillow. Childish as it seems but I can't sleep without it, Obi-wan still wears the necklace but only at night. We have our ways of coping and we don't nit pick on each other about it either. Anakin came in a few minutes later with his suit case and pack hung over his shoulder.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Yes, I would say so. You sure you have everything?" I asked looking at his luggage.
"Very funny. Let's go." Anakin smiled and we left the common room to be the emptiest it's ever been.