Chapter Five

Rey didn't think there was anything in the universe as wonderful as a warm bath. After living in a desert for her entire life, the luxury of submerging your entire body in a pool of warm water felt like the most decadent treat anyone could experience.

The tub had been built for a Wookie, so she was practically swimming in the water. She had been in the water so long her fingertips had started to get wrinkled. Sighing, she knew that she couldn't stay in the bath forever. Problems didn't wait until you wanted to deal with them.

Getting out of the water, she made quick work of drying off and getting dressed. The garment that had been left out for her was not something that she would have picked for herself. Then again, she should just be grateful that there were any clean cloths her size available.

It was a soft dress that fell all the way to her ankles. The material was dark green and cut into a halter style. Buttoning the collar behind her neck, she turned when there was a soft knock at the door.

"Rey," Leia called. "May I come in?"

"Of course," Rey replied.

Leia walked directly to her and gently turned Rey back towards the mirror. Looking at Rey in the mirror for a moment Leia asked if she could style Rey's hair. "On Alderan, women would fashion their hair in different styles to commemorate major occurrences," she explained. "The braid holding my hair back is traditional to signify morning and grief."

"Yes, please do," Rey replied. She moved to grab a nearby dressing chair and sat it in front of the mirror. Leia ran her hands through Rey's hair, gently parting it and beginning to twist the strands into the desired shape.

No one had ever done this for her. Rey basked in the sensation of being cared for.

The concept of willingly touching another being was still strange to her. In the desert, everything was scrupulously guarded and saved because you never knew when it might be of value. It was near impossible to form close relationships because of the omnipresent threat that someone would take what was yours. This took on particular significance when you realized that you were never more than a few missed meals away from starvation. Your stuff, literally stood between you and death. Looking back, the most physical contact she had on Jakku was when she was fighting.

For all those lonely years, the one thing that Rey truly wanted was a family. Specifically, a mother and a father that would care for her, protect her and teach her. Kylo Ren was right, it was her greatest weakness.

"There," Leia said while putting the finishing touches on her hair. "You look lovely."

Rey had to admit, she certainly looked different. She still looked like herself but somehow she looked more mature, a little more world wary. She wasn't sure that she liked the dress. It was lovely, but it didn't feel like her. There was no way that she could fight in it without it getting destroyed. She felt much more comfortable in a tunic with sturdy pants.

"Chewie has gathered what remains of his family. Tonight, they are going to honor Han and Luke in the style of their people. I know that you only knew them for a brief time, but I would be honored if you would take part in the celebration."

"Celebration?" A frown formed between her brows as she pondered the word.

"Wookies have a tradition of sending off the honored dead by retelling their greatest escapades and celebrating who the departed was in life. They believe that If you remember the dead and tell their stories, they are never really gone."

Recognizing the significance of such an invitation Rey replied solemnly, "I would be honored to join."

…

The funeral celebration had gone long into the night. Rey's sides still hurt from laughing as she stumbled back to her quarters. Dresses definitely were not for her. She had tripped over the hem at least half a dozen times.

Rey had no idea two people could get into so much trouble. She believed that Han was capable of such mischief but stoic Master Skywalker…. Rey could hardly believe it.

The two seemed to be trouble magnets, whether they were together or apart. The story about the trash compactor was particularly hilarious. If it was possible for a droid to sound mortified, then that was what C-3PO sounded like when he had mistaken the group's cheers of relief that the walls had stopped moving for the agonized shouting of their deaths.

Rey had to admit, the celebration helped ease the hurt in her heart. It was still there, but it was duller now. The Wookies were correct, it was better to celebrate the life of the departed than to mourn their loss. Grief was natural, but as long as people remembered them they were never really gone.

Rey was so lost in thought, thinking back on some of the more scandalous stories, that it took her a moment to realize that she was not alone. Turning to a darkened corner of the room, Rey saw the man that was responsible for the loss of both Han and Master Luke. Ren….

He stepped closer to her but did not say a word. Merely looking her up and down much like he did in the forest on Takadona. For once Rey was silent. She had already said everything she needed to say to him. She had pleaded with him to not follow the dark path. The void between them was his doing. When she closed the door in his face, she meant it. She wanted nothing more to do with him.

His gaze settled on her hair for a long moment before his eyes pierced her with their intensity. "I see you are with the General."

His voice was hard but contained. As if he was struggling to keep any emotion out of his words.

Not that Rey had any wish to hear him or to see him. Turning away Rey moved to put some distance between them. She'd hoped that last glimpse of him on Crait would be the last time the Force connected them like this. Obviously, that hope proved to be futile. Still, that didn't mean that she had to acknowledge him.

"Cherish this time you have with the thieves, murderers and traitors that you call friends. I will not forgive you for your betrayal. I want you to know that your time is limited. You are marked, scavenger. I will never stop hunting you."

Rey fully intended to ignore him. However, when he accused her of betraying him, her eyes shot up. She met his gaze in the mirror. In the reflection she saw that Kylo had closed the distance between them and was standing just behind her right shoulder. He leaned in close and whispered his next words right into her ear.

"I intend to enjoy punishing you."

With that, the connection severed, and he was gone, but Rey could still feel his warm breath on her neck.