The apartment was silent, the occupants resting in their bed. The two twi'lek females were sound asleep in each other's arms. The mother held her four year old daughter to her chest as she slept.

Kanna Kali'ka was happy. She had a wonderful daughter, a comfortable life with her. It was just them. The girl's father was never in the picture. She wasn't sure what had happened to him, the man she thought she loved came one day, courted her, got her pregnant and then just disappeared. It was a bit heart-breaking but she had Kuroki to love, so she got over it rather quickly.

For her part, Kanna didn't hate the Empire. Though their treatment of non-humans could be better. They had a strong military power, a good government and while the Sith were not always the kindest of people, the force users used their abilities to defend their Empire with a ferocity and confidence that made her feel safe in the Empire's worlds. Kanna was fine with all of that. She would take the Empire's laws and rules in stride if it meant she could be with her beautiful daughter.

Kuroki Kali'ka was the love of her life...well, one of the loves of her life. The other was... Well, unavailable at the best of times. But that was okay, Kanna had Kuro and didn't need anyone else.

The little twi'lek girl snuggled into her mothers bosom, smiling in her sleep. She loved her mother, loved her life so far. She had good friends and went to a nice school in Kaas city where they lived. It wasn't all happy though. She was bullied a lot, mostly by other twi'lek's children and human children. Primarily for her skin color. A deep red that was said to be a mutation in twi'lek's. Her violet eyes were a rarity so was her black full body and facial genetic tattoos. Sharp edges and sweeping spikes ending sharp points. They scared her peers for the most part and she was often called "mutant" or "freak" to her face or behind her back. Her violet colored irises didn't help matters either, also a rarity.

But Kuroki didn't listen to them. Not after the first time.

It hurt the first time, running home after school, crying. She told her mother what happened and Kanna embraced her distraught daughter. "Don't listen to them, sweetheart. You are very beautiful. What they think does not matter. What matters is what you think of yourself." She steered the crying girl to a full length mirror knelt behind her, hugging Kuro to her chest. "What do you see, darling?"

Kuro stared at herself, seeing the scary black markings, her red skin and violet eyes. "I look scary." She mumbled in her sadness.

The loving mother smiled and kissed her daughter's cheek. "You have no control over that, my little one. To me, you are beautiful. Don't you think so?"

Kuro looked again, seeing her mother smiling at her. Kuro smiled too, even if she didn't see herself as cute now, she hadn't even grown her lekku yet. But one day she would be as beautiful as her mom, and that gave her hope. "see how cute that smile is, and such beautiful bright eyes." Kanna added.

The girl nodded, happier now and said. " You're right, Mommy, I am cute."

"That's my girl."

A knock on the door woke up the twi'lek mother. She groaned and sat up, careful not to jostle her little one and put on a robe and left the room. Another knock was heard as she walked through her home to the front door. She looked at the security camera to see who it was and her face paled.

Three figures stood at her door. One was garbed in black Sith robes. Purple lining and embroidery along its edges. The distinct feminine shape had her heart hammering in her chest for more than one reason. She knew it was.

The other two figures were in red armor. The battle armor of the Sith Academy guards. This was what had her so afraid. No…. No they can't be here for Kuro! Kanna thought. She wanted to not answer, but instead to whisk her daughter away. Run and hide. Sadly there was nothing she could do if they were. If she tried to spirit her daughter away not only would Kanna be killed but Kuro would be taken or killed anyway. It was Imperial law that anyone who was force-sensitive would be taken to Korriban for Sith training.

Kanna heard so many things about that vile place. The violence, the underhanded power plays, the dangerous trials. Kuro would never survive, she was too pure!

Regardless, Kanna opened the door, looking into the eyes of the Sith Lord Zash, the other love of her life. "Zash..." She greeted, with a whimper.

Zash removed her cowl and smiled sadly at her long time on again, off again lover. They had met one day when Kuro's father disappeared and the two hit it off rather well. There was no denying the connection Zash felt with the twi'lek mother. She could feel it in the Force as well as her heart. But because of her work she couldn't always be with her love. "Hello, Kanna. I..." She paused, taking a breath to utter the words that would break her lover's heart. "You know why I'm here." She said, there was no question.

Kanna looked at the masked guards, tears welling in her eyes. Knowing this would be the last time she would ever see her daughter again. "Yes...I…. Zash, p-please, don't do this." She begged, pressing herself into her lover, pleading with her voice, her eyes.

Zash sighed, her own heart breaking, and stepped into the apartment, the two guards followed and immediately sought out the girl. Kanna didn't try to stop them. There was nothing she could do. "I'm sorry, Kanna. I really am. But you know the laws. My hands are tied. I can empathize on how hard this must be but... She has to come with me, my love."

Kanna burst into tears and hiccuping cries as the guards carried Kuro out of their room. She cradled in one guard's arms and she was at least happy to note the woman, the slighter build and smaller statured guard, was being extremely gentle with her. Kuro actually snuggled into the guard's chest. Kanna faced Zash, who had tears welling in her eyes as well as the pain her lover was going through. "Can I at least say goodbye? Hold her one more time? Please, Zash."

The Sith Lord smiled and nodded, motioning for the guard to hand her over for a moment. The female guard complied and carefully handed the girl over. Kanna cradled her daughter to her chest and kissed her forehead. "I'm so sorry, my little one. You have to go now. Please, don't hate me for this. Mommy loves you, my baby girl."

The twi'lek mother kissed her daughter again and handed her back to the guard who, once again held the child protectively and carefully and left with her companion. Zash remained behind and pulled Kanna into her arms, stroking the woman's blue skinned lekku. "I wish i didn't have to do this, my love. But I can't go against the Emperor, or the law."

Kanna nodded. "I know, Zash. I'm not upset with you. Please look after her?" She asked, looking her lover in the eye, begging to be heard.

Zash smiled and kissed her Kanna on the lips. A gentle, chaste and loving kiss then pulled away. "That was always my intention, love. I can't interfere in her training directly. But I promise you I will make her my apprentice when the time comes. She will be fine, my love. Believe in me."

Kanna smiled sadly, tears still in her eyes. "I always have." Zash smiled sadly as well and left, leaving a grieving mother alone at the loss of one more loved one. With nothing more to do, she returned to bed, holding her daughter's stuffed animal to her chest and cried.