Burning Shadows

Chapter 7

After a peaceful night sleep, Yumikaya awoke alone in the cockpit. After stretching slowly, Yumikaya walked out of the cockpit and up the stairs to the main compartment.

When she walked in, Aratarus picked her up and sat her on his shoulder playfully. " Good morning sleepyhead! How are you feeling? "

Yumikaya giggled happily as Aratarus put her down her gently. " I'm...Honestly I'm overwhelmed. I've never felt this happy before but I'm also sad. I lost so much time with everyone. It's... It's not fair..."

Aratarus hugged Yumikaya gently as a tear slid down her cheek slowly. " I know cousin. It isn't fair that you were taken away from us all. But we have you back now. Its time to leave the past behind you and look toward the future. Now cheer up. Today I'm going to teach you how to use all the little toys that are part of your new armour. Go and get ready. "

Yumikaya hugged Aratarus tightly before running to the storage compartment and getting dressed. When she was ready, Yumikaya returned to the main compartment where Aratarus , Mako and Shae Vizla were waiting. Aratarus spoke first as Yumikaya fiddled with her gauntlets.

" When you train as a Mandalorian the first thing you learn is that every part of your armour is as unique as the person wearing it. Each piece keeps you alive in different ways. Your armour is not only your defence but your sanctuary, your survival and often the difference between life and death. Much like a lightsabre, Your armour is a weapon and a tool. Depending on how you use it, your armour will be critical to your survival. The three of us will teach you everything you need to know to survive. Your first lesson is learning how to adapt to the situation at hand. For example..." Before Yumikaya could speak, Aratarus , Mako and Shae Vizla drew they're blasters and opened fire at her.

Yumikaya took a few hits before dodging behind a stack of crates. The blasters were set to a low power setting but the hits always hurt anyway. As Yumikaya thought of what to do, Aratarus spoke. " Remember your Jedi training as-well. Perceive your environment and use it to your advantage. Everything around you is a tool. Use it. "

Yumikaya looked around quickly and noticed that there were plenty of crates and vents she could use to outmanoeuvre the blaster fire. Remembering what the armour crafter told Aratarus about the armour, Yumikaya activated her jet thrusters and as she floated upwards she turned and used her flamethrower to create an opportunity. As Aratarus and the others stepped back quickly, Yumikaya activated her personal stealth field generator and deactivated her jets and flamethrower.

Aratarus looked around slowly but before he could do anything, He heard a thud and a sigh of slight pain. Aratarus turned around to see Mako on the floor and her blaster was missing. After helping Mako up, Aratarus was hit by several blaster bolts before the room fell silent. After several moments, Shae Vizla was knocked backwards by a force push. After getting up, Shae Vizla noticed that her stun baton was not on her belt.

As Mako and Shae Vizla sat down to watch, Aratarus looked around carefully. After several moments of dead silence, Aratarus was hit by several blaster bolts from the lift side of the compartment. Before he could go and check, Aratarus's legs were kicked out from under him and he was hit in the chest by the stun baton. After Mako helped Aratarus to his feet slowly, Yumikaya deactivated her stealth field.

Aratarus spoke slowly while rubbing the spot where the stun baton hit tenderly. " So your a fast learner. Well done. All I have to ask is...How did you get around so quietly? "

Yumikaya giggled softly and pointed to the vent above Aratarus's head. As Aratarus looked up he was speechless. " Clever girl. Vents...Why didn't I think of that..."

Yumikaya walked over to Aratarus and punched his arm playfully. " Hmm... Cause your not me. " Yumikaya smiled happily as she sat down next to Shae Vizla and handed her stun baton back before tossing the blaster back to Mako.

Shae Vizla nudged Yumikaya playfully. " Not bad kid. We might make a Mandalorian outta you yet. Nice work with the flamethrower. Hell of a distraction. "

Yumikaya smiled slightly. " Thanks. I just follow my instincts. Usually works in my favour. "

Shae Vizla nudged her again playfully. " Sounds like we have a hunter on our hands. Where'd you learn these things? "

Yumikaya smiled for a moment but then looked slightly sad." You meet all sorts of people as a slave. Sometimes they just beat you around and laugh but sometimes they're nice and they talk to you and make your life easier with little things like tools or teaching skill sets. Sometimes they treat you like your just another person instead of some scummy slave. "

Shae Vizla put her arms around Yumikaya gently. " It must have been a hard ten years. I hope things get better from here on out. You deserve better than that. I promise ill never let anything like that happen to you. Ill protect you until you either don't need me or don't want me around. Promise. "

Yumikaya smiled tenderly as Shae Vizla held her. Aratarus sat next to them and nudged Shae Vizla." Ya know you look a lot tougher and meaner than you really are. Your a tender little thing aren't you? "

Shae Vizla smiled and pushed him off his chair playfully. " Tender I might be but that doesn't mean I won't still kick your ass. " Shae Vizla winked playfully before turning back and holding Yumikaya again. Yumikaya was content to be held by someone that wasn't trying to strangle her. It felt like she was really wanted. Her life was changing so rapidly and she was running to try and keep up. A Yumikaya closed her eyes and relaxed against Shae Vizla's gentle arms, Aratarus went to the communications room to make a holocall.

With still a day or two until they got to Ilum, Yumikaya went back to training with Shae Vizla and Mako until late afternoon. After having some food and a shower, Yumikaya went to bed early.

Always learning new skills and new tactics can Yumikaya train hard enough to make her dreams of her future into reality?

Read on to find out!

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