Disclaimer: Okay I don't own star wars, sadly, and if something in my story contradicts something from Star Wars, oh well it's my story. I did make up the events and characters in this story with the help of the love of my life.

CH1

"Don't worry," The Jedi named Gerik assured Natara, tan, black-haired woman. Gerik, who stood six feet five inches above the ground, towered over Natara, and his apprentice, Sloan.

Sloan was about five feet eleven inches, and stood obediently in his master's shadow (both figuratively and literally). He was twenty-three, and soon, he too would become a Jedi. His messy blue hair with white highlights reminded everyone that his father had been Rios, a powerful Jedi, who died ten years ago.

Sloan and Gerik met with Natara deep in a jungle on a small, nearly deserted planet on the outer rim of the galaxy. Natara possessed something that would prove vital to the Jedi. Gerik and his padawan had come to retrieve it.

"The Jedi will take care of everything from here," Gerik continued. His words didn't comfort Natara.

Sloan and Natara shared one final embrace, then, looking into her eyes, he said, "It will be okay. I promise."

"I love you," Natara whispered.

"I love you too," he returned.

"Something's not right!" Sloan sensed not a second after he and his master boarded their ship.

"I sense it too," Gerik said as they ran out of their ship and into the jungle.

In a few months, Sloan would become a Jedi. Years from now, he would take on his own apprentice. At twenty-three, he still had much too live, much to do, endless possibilities, and seemingly impossible obstacles.

This would always be his worst memory.

In room 276 of the Coruscant Jedi Academy, Car-re Shbri's alarm blared nagging bleeps reminding her that the day had already started. Reluctantly, she reached out and slammed on the "off" button. She moaned. Responding to her alarm meant acknowledging the time. She threw down the covers and pushed off the bed. She opened her drawer. Not many Jedi wore the traditional Jedi robes these days, but Car-re's master did, and Car-re adored her master. So she wore the same.

She went into the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and tried to make her curly hair straight. Giving up, she looked in the mirror at the blonde streaks in her black hair and her green eyes. She examined them as though she thought they might change if she didn't. The inner iris of her eye had always been golden, which bothered Car-re, because it stood out against the green. She sighed and sat down on her bed.

She tried to meditate, but her stomach growled persistently, so she left her room and headed for the food court.

At the food court, Car-re sat at a table alone. Though she knew many people and got along with just about everybody, she had few friends her own age, though she never regretted it. One friend she did have was twenty-year-old padawan (five-year difference), named Maili. Always bubbly, social, and friends with everyone, people called her "Smiley Maili."

"Oh crap, Maili!" Car-re remembered that she was supposed to meet Maili before breakfast. Quickly she got up, left the food court, and ran down the hall. Gaining speed, she ran around corners, expertly dodging people until the next thing she felt was her butt on the ground.

A hand reached for hers and pulled her to her feet. She looked up to find a male padawan about her age. He had shaggy light brown hair. For a moment, their eyes met. His eyes were bright green-blue, and as she stared at him, she began to feel dizzy. After that, the boy avoided eye contact. Recovering herself, Car-re smiled. After an awkward silence, she spoke.

"My name is Car-re, what is yours?" She said nervously trying to appear friendly.

"Umm...Fe...hoo..." he returned. Seeing that he was nervous too made Car-re feel more comfortable. She giggled.

"Ummfehoo. Nice name."

"NO, no," Ummfehoo recovered, "My name is..."

"Ferren," a middle aged Jedi called from down the hall, "I told you to hurry."

"Ferren," he retold, "That is my name... Ferren. Ferren Ezhno."

Car-re smiled. "Very nice to meet you, Ferren Ezhno." Remembering Maili, she began to leave. "Maybe I'll see you around?" She tried her best to be flirtatious, but only felt foolish.

"Maybe..." He said as she left.

Car-re smiled. She turned to see him one last time, when she felt another collision. This time, Car-re didn't fall.

"Sorry," she said embarrasedly as she turned to see whom she bumped into this time.

In front of her stood Maili. Although, she was older than Car-re, she wasn't much taller. She moved her long, layered hair behind her shoulder, and brushed through her sideswept, violet bangs that contrasted greatly with her pale, sheet white skin, and complimented her red eyes.

"So, he's the reason you forgot about me," Maili teased as she smoothed out her black Jedi robes. "I thought you didn't need any man besides Sloan."

"Ick! Sloan's old!"

Maili argued, "Age is only a number, and you too are pretty close, even for master and padawan."

"That's disgusting! Sloan'smore likea big brother."

"Okay, okay. Whatever you say..."

Car-re rolled her eyes.

"So who was that guy?

"What guy?" A voice came from behind Car-re. She recognized the voice as her master's. He was thirty-eight, but he still had the mind and body of an eighteen year-old. "Morning, Car-re, Maili."

"Hey, Sloan," Car-re smiled.

"Car-re ditched me for a guy," Maili chimed.

Sloan laughed. "You're kidding. Car-re, I thought you weren't interested in guys. I thought your only love was the force."

"It is - I mean no it isn't. All I did was talk to him!"

"Well I have to go meet Master Gerik." Maili said as she stopped laughing at Car-re. "I'll see you later Car-re." She glanced at Sloan and flashed him a feminine smile. "Bye Sloan." Then she winked and left.

Car-re knew Maili secretly had feelings for Sloan, and she was okay with that as long as Maili didn't make a move. Sloan wasn't interested in girls. he told her that years ago.

Sloan had visited Car-re every night since she was a baby, but one night he didn't show. Car-re waited for him all night as she watched the other younglings play games. Periodically, one of the children would approach Car-re and invite her to join them. "No thanks," she told them, "S'oan is coming to pway wiff me."

When it came time for bed, and Sloan still hadn't arrived, Car-re began to cry and refused to sleep until Sloan came for her. Finally somebody called for him, and he came rushing through the door in a matter of minutes. He swept Car-re into his arms where she cried, "Why didn't you come. Are you mad at me? Did I do somethin' bad?

"No, sweetheart. I just wanted to spend time with my friend." Sloan indicated to a woman behind him.

"So, now that you have her, are you not gonna pway wiff me anymow? Are you gonna weave?"

"No, Car-re, I'll never leave you. Nobody could make me do that."