DISCLAIMER: Star Wars is not mine. It belongs to George Lucas. Unfortunately for me. Kai and Ele belong to the Jinn Twins; we used those names because they're unique.

CHAPTER WARNINGS: More violence, random painful and emotional thoughts, mild language.

I know! The last chapter was so cruel...but I'm setting up the plot here.

I have also decided that Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, Enya, and U2 are very good for these wonderful stories...I love iPods...

Yes, there was Kai-torture. But trust me, it pays off...


Was there no other way?

With no time to waste, Kai continued down the industrial and dimly-lit corridors, going to her sister as fast as she could.

I can't believe what just happened...This is why I must protect Ele. The galaxy's cruel.

Pushing aside further thoughts, she carelessly stepped down, into the next hallway, and rolled onto a catwalk from there.

All that any passers-by could see fifteen seconds later was an open air shaft.


Blackness.

Isolation.

The child inside the dark room didn't cry out or shiver, she had the Force to comfort and strengthen her. Perhaps she could attempt an escape later, but she realized her weakened condition and did not attempt to push her body's limitations.

Though she may have been terrified on the inside, her outer facade displayed a calm and collected exterior as she groaned and stretched, much like a cat.

:Sister:

A small, questioning thought was sent from Kai as she began to feel her sister awaken.

:Kai? Where are you? I'm scared.:

:Coming. Calm down, we should be there in a few minutes. We'll get you out.:

:You say 'we'. Who is we? Is the big Jedi all right? His padawan:

:When I say 'we' I mean both Jedi and me. Don't worry, they got out. They're fine.:

Shivering now, she allowed tears to flow from her face not in desperation, but relief. She slid to the floor, back to a wall. Withdrawing from the link, she and her sister both had equal mindsets; get out and get somewhere safe. Preferably the Temple.

Going into a light meditative trance, she waited.

And waited.

When she heard a bang on the door, she didn't even flinch. She knew it was probably the Jedi and her sister. Her powerful, overly dramatic, loving and protective sister. She was a bit overprotective though, wasn't she?

Oh, well. That protectiveness has saved both our lives before. I don't intend to complain...I'm fond of her, too.

Just then, the person in question appeared at a hole in the wall. A blazing blue lightsaber was behind her, guarding off stray shots that might be fired.

:Are you coming or not? We came all this way, nearly got ourselves killed, and all you can do is sit there:

Withdrawing from her trance, Ele unceremoniously jumped through the hole and promptly fell on her stomach. Wincing, she mentally cursed herself for suddenly becoming such a bad judge of her own state.

Her sister came over and immediately placed her hands on her sisters', drawing in power as she healed her. Within five agonizingly long minutes, Ele was back to normal, or as normal as she could be. What worried her was the change in character in her twin. Herself? She could wait...what had happened to her sister to make her so cruel, so sadistic? She was only six...and just kid...in another set of circumstances she may have already been a Jedi Knight...already.

She gently brushed her sister's mind, trying to keep Kai from losing herself in the maelstrom of emotions blending within. She watched as her twin brushed that comfort off, waving it away until later. At the same down, she fought right next to the Jedi, slicing through people and droids alike. The blood that came from these onslaughts was unbearable...there was too much...and now she noticed that there was blood trickling down her twin's leg... what was going on here?

Following again, guarded in the back by Xanatos and the front by Master Jinn, her sister led the way. Kai had an exceptional sense of direction, and she knew where she was going this time. Placing her trust in the six-year-old, both Jedi followed quickly.


"What has happened?" Jabba demanded. He had never seen a problem like this, and was determined to keep his property. If the Jedi wanted the girls, then they had to be valuable for some reason.

"Lord Jabba... we believe that one of the mechanical shackles malfunctioned. The older Jedi was clearly able to escape easily, as is evidenced on the tape," a technician commented. Pointing at the still-unconscious Bib Fortuna, the man continued. "He didn't even see what hit him. I would recommend you find a new bounty hunter."

Jabba motioned for another bounty hunter to come forward.

"Kill him...he insults us. You think we cannot make our own decisions, yes? Here is one for you; a sentence of death," said the Hutt in his low voice, already leaving the room and calling more guards after the Jedi...and his slaves.


Leading the Jedi out of the building, Kai finally allowed the heavy blaster to slide out of her fingers and clatter to the ground.

A hand slipped it back into her palm, warm, rough, and comforting.

"You'll be needing that later," said the tall Master, standing back up from his stooped position.

Nodding, Kai looked around. She didn't see a ship...were they to sprout wings and fly?

"Xani. Go on...we'll be at the top of that building. Preferably something with an inconspicuous design, not like last time." Qui-gon nodded to Xanatos and the youth ran off in the general direction of the hangar. Gently taking the girls by their hands, he smiled comfortingly. "I'll take one of you up at a time. Kai, would you mind going second?"

The girl shook her head mutely, motioning that her sister should go first anyway. Assuming a guard stance, she waited for Master Jinn to take her sister up.

Unsnapping a small item from his tool belt, Qui-Gon watched as a grapple and rope shot out, lifting them both to the top. Tossing Ele over the edge, he went down once again to grab Kai. To his horror, the child was fighting again, this time for her life.


It didn't look like the bounty hunters wanted her alive anymore.

This was potentially bad.

Unleashing last bit of inner strength, Kai let out not herself, but a monster in her place. Unraveling the mask of heavy cloth it had worn for so long, Kai let out a demon of savage fury, managing to both dodge every shot and attack at the same time. Scarily aggressive, she lunged after her would-be killers, or at least kidnappers.

Some of the thugs had actually begun to retreat, Qui-Gon noted thoughtfully as he watched. He understood that this was Kai's battle. Forcing himself to watch a savage enter her body and mind, he could sense Ele steeling herself to do the same.

The rest of the battle did not last long at all. Eventually, all of them were either struck down or had fled.

Gently picking her up around the waist, the man hoisted her to safety.

"Kai!" Ele lunged forward at Kai, crushing her in a hug. Opening her mouth, everything she wanted to say came out in a huge mess.

"Ohmigoshareyouokhowtheheckdidyoudithat!" the words burst from Ele.

Kai looked at her, clearly very confused and weary.

"If this touching reunion is over, perhaps we can continue onward?" came a drawling question. They all looked to the owner of the voice, surprised to see Xanatos standing on the ramp of an airborne ship. Stepping back aboard, Kai made the jump easily, as did Ele. Qui-Gon scanned the area for more gunmen, and when she found none, he climbed aboard gratefully.


Grabbing hold of the side of a chair, Kai pretty much collapsed, bloody, bruised, and tired out. The battles had been fought. Fighting the growing pain between her legs, she tried to stand, but Ele stopped her hurriedly.

:Kai, what is wrong with you? You're not yourself.:

:Nothing. I'm tired and probably just killed a hundred people.:

They were both amazingly mature for their age, Master Jinn noted from the doorway. They had been mere slaves their entire lives, yet they already had a sense of something bigger than them. Or at least Ele did... he was worried about the brute strength in Kai, the uncontrolled emotions. But she was only six. She could learn. If it was the will of the Force.


She awoke in a small cabin, a medical droid looking over her.

"Mmmm...Ele?" her small voice reverberated off the walls, creating an odd echo. The patter of small feet came to her ears and she looked up just in time to see Ele enter the room with a worried look on her face.

"Kai? Are you...I mean...are you alright? We know what happened..." her voice trembled slightly, being almost normal but still very nervous.

"What do you mean 'what happened'?" Kai demanded. If they knew about her rape, they would think her weak...

"About your...assault..." Ele was seriously nervous now. Kai normally took things well, but this was different entirely.

:You little idiot! How did you find out about that? I hate you:

Kai almost radiated anger. Even Xanatos could sense the emotions at hand, at the other side of the ship. Which sent Qui-Gon running to the infirmary.

Speaking slowly and deliberately, the older twin responded, "I saw blood and told Master Jinn. He sent in a medical droid to help heal you... we can think too, ya know."

Cocking her head to one side and crinkling her forehead, she was almost a perfect imitation of S'ratha, and Kai childishly laughed at this. Purpose accomplished, Ele smiled gently as Master Jinn walked in.

"Is everything all right in here? You seemed upset," he commented when both girls nodded their heads to his question.

:Ele, can you go out for just a sec? I gotta talk to the Master.:

Nodding in ascent, Kai was left alone with the Jedi Knight.

"Umm. Master Jinn. I wanted to ask you something, can I?"

"Of course. What is it?"

"Are Ele and I going to become Jedi?" At the knowing smile on his face, she rushed onward. "'Cause if we are, then we need new names. Kai and Ele aren't exactly proper." She wrinkled her nose as she pleaded her case.

"It is the decision of the Council to train you or not. However, if both of you wish, I will personally see that you get your choice of names." Qui-Gon responded without giving it a second thought.

The names were easy.

The first part wasn't, though.


As Kai slept later on, the idea of a new name was presented to the other twin.

Eyes lighting up with excitement, she enthusiastically nodded.

"I want a new name! Yes please, Master Jinn!" Ele practically shouted.

"What would you want as a name though?" Qui asked curiously.

"Oh, that's easy. Alcanar Yavië! It means autumn leaves in our regular language! It's pretty!" This time, Ele did shout.

He laughed inwardly and went to check on Xanatos after writing down the name.


Kai awoke with a start, her sister's grinning face less than two inches from hers.

"AAAAAAGH! ELE! WHY IN HELL DID YOU DO THAT!" she yelled, both amused (though she'd never admit it) and startled.

With that said, Ele didn't even have to respond, Kai started randomly laughing her head off. The laughs and giggles of the twins reached Xanatos in the cockpit, who shook his head and sighed, annoyed.

:SIS! I changed my name...I changed my name...I changed my name...:

On and on it went, until Kai blocked it out to keep from getting a headache.

Finally daring to pull down the mental barrier, she opened her mind to her sister, who was dancing in the centre of the room...still.

:...changed my name...I changed my name...:

Deciding her sister was slowly going insane, either that or she herself was, she tentatively asked,

"To what? What's your name?"

"Alcanar Yavië! Isn't it pretty?" Still bubbling over with hyperactivity and joy, Ele—erm—Alcanar danced out of the room.

"But now, what should I change my name to...?" Kai murmured, musing over numerous possibilities.


Told you I'd get stuff done fast for you!

And I did. No complaints on speed please, I do my best...as does Yavië when she's around.

Oh. Yeah.

FYI: Alcanar Yavië means 'autumn leaves' in Elvish. Yep. LOTR rocks too. Gotta love Tolkien. Kai's name, which will be revealed next chapter, will mean 'falling fire' in a mixed branch of Klingon and Aviin. (Aviin is a language that I made up...we actually do use it!) We will assume the twins' native dialect is Aviin for now, as it's based on the smooth sounds of Elvish, and the harsh, guttural sounds of typical Klingon discourse.

Also...
We're putting our names in the names of the characters because that was the original idea, just to totally substitute our names. We decided that could be...bad. So we're both substituting our first names as the twins' middle names—if you can't tell already Kai is my job, Alcanar/Ele is Yavië's job. Hee.

And before you ask, yes, Jinn actually is our real last name.

Oh, and please submit names (unusual and special) to us via email, jinn. . Give us the meaning behind the name if you can, and if it's really good, it'll be in our story! Please submit! Tell us if it's a guy or girl name too...

Okay, next chapter tomorrow if I can!

-Anij Jinn