AN: Another updated and corrected version of chapter 1. Ive gotten many positive reviews for this story and I've answered with not continuing it. I do feel bad about it and I do miss it, I've just not had the desire. I can't promise anything but I will try to keep going on this as I've read what I've done so far many times and it moves me each time. This deserves to be finished.
Planet Korriban
Kuroki Kali'ka awoke with a groan and tried snuggling back into her sheets. But something was wrong...where was her mother? Kuro opened her eyes and saw an unfamiliar wall facing her. Suddenly panicked, she sat up and looked around. It was clear she was not at home in her mothers bed. The room was normal but different than what she was used to. There where two beds in here. The one she was on and another in the opposite corner. There was a dresser at the foot of the bed against the wall and desk in the middle. Her side was the same. There was a door that, from what she could see, led to a bathroom. Kuro then looked over at the only other door. It was the entrance to the room and her escape. She didn't know what was going on but she had to get back to her mother before she was missed.
Trying to be brave, despite the hammering heartbeat in her chest, Kuro made to get out of the bed but just then the door opened and in walked another child. She was a human girl with red hair and green eyes. She turned around after shutting the door with a sigh. When she looked up she yelped at the sight of the twi'lek child and fell back in surprise.
Kuro winced at the thud the girl made and quickly got off the bed to help. "Are you okay?" She asked the human, offering her hand to help her up. She would make her mother proud and help when she could.
"Y-yeah. I just didn't expect anyone else to be in here." She replied, accepting the helping hand and got to her feet, dusting off her backside.
Kuro stepped back, wondering if she should ask this girl where she was. Deciding that there was nothing to be gained if she didn't, she said. "Um...where am I? And who are you?"
The girl looked at the twi'lek girl in confusion. "You weren't told?" A head shake was her answer. "Well, my name is Kory and...you're on Korriban. It's where people are taken if you're force sensitive."
Kuro took in this information, trying to process what that meant. The last thing she remembered was falling asleep with her mother in bed. Then she was here. What happened between then and now. If what Kory was saying was true, did her mother just give her up? Kuro shook her head. No, Mommy would never do that. Her mother loved her. But she didn't stop whoever had taken her either.
"Um..." Kory began but didn't get to finish. There was a loud knock on their door making them both jump in fright at the sudden noise. It opened and a woman stood in the doorway. She was a human and her face was emotionless. Her voice wasn't any better; it was husky and as cold as ice. "Kuroki Kali'ka. My Lord requests your presence." She said to the twi'lek girl. She then looked at Kory. "Study your saber forms, Kory. You have saber training tomorrow."
Kory trembled at the presence of the woman and nodded. "Yes, Corrin. I will. Have a good day, ma'am." She said respectfully, trying not to make her saber training master angry.
"Good girl." She turned to Kuro again. "Come, Kuroki. You will be informed of what is expected of you here by my lord." Then she turned and walked away, expecting Kuro to follow her.
Kuroki looked at her new roommate. "Should I go?"
Kory nodded. "That would be best. Don't worry, Corrin's master is Lord Zash. She's watched our training a couple times. She's nice...or at least she's never yelled at us like the others have." Kory sighed and ushered her out the door. "You best go, don't keep the masters waiting."
Kuro nodded and hurried to catch up to the woman named Corrin, who was waiting for her at the end of a long hallway. Doors were on either side of the hallway which led to more rooms just like her and Kory's. She caught up to the woman who was staring down at her. Kuroki shifted under the scrutiny.
"I...I'm here." She mumbled, not sure what to say, as the woman wasn't moving, just studying her. It made Kuro uncomfortable.
"So you are." She replied and spun on her heel and stalked away. Kuro frowned and followed her. Corrin led the small child through the halls of the Sith Academy. Kuro tried to keep pace as she looked around at the new sights. People of various species walked the halls or talked in corners. There were statues of kneeling Sith and flags of the Empire at every corner.
Soon Corrin led Kuro up a flight of stairs and along another hallway. She stopped at a door and knocked. "It's Corrin, Master. I brought the girl."
The door opened and Corrin ushered her inside but not before speaking words of warning. "Speak when spoken to, and with respect." She warned, then left. Leaving Kuroki to face this Lord Zash.
Kuroki stepped into Zash's office, terrified. Who was this person, what was she like, was she going to punish her already? From what Kuro could tell of the interaction between Kory and Corrin, Kuro surmised that this academy was not a happy place. So what would this "master" be like if not down right malevolent. So it was great with trepidation that Kuro came face to face with Lord Zash.
She was a beautiful blonde middle aged woman in black and purple robes. She sat hunched over her desk, reading something on a datapad. Kuro couldn't help but think. She's so pretty. She can't be a bad person. Pretty people aren't mean. Her innocent mind couldn't comprehend anything different. After all, her mom was beautiful and she was never mean. "U-um..." She stuttered, announcing her arrival.
Zash's head snapped up so fast that it startled the little twi'lek. Zash's eyes were the prettiest blue Kuro had ever seen. She quickly calmed down and stared in awe. "Oh, hello there. I'm sorry I didn't hear you come in." Zash said with a comforting smile which put Kuro at ease. Zash beckoned the girl over and Kuro went without hesitation. She stopped beside the tall blonde woman's chair. Something about her put the child at ease, as if she were very familiar somehow.
"H-hi. I'm Kuro." The girl declared with a small cherub-like smile.
Zash giggled and smiled in return. "Hello, Kuro. You can call me Zash, or Lord Zash in public. I'm glad you are alright. I had wished to speak with you on why you are here. I'm sure you're very confused."
At the mention of her circumstances Kuro frowned. "Yes. Where is my mommy?" Kuro asked, tears coming to her eyes, glancing around the room as if expecting her to be there.
At the devastated look, Zash felt her heart break. How? How could she have done this to a little girl? Her lover's daughter of all people. Despite all that, Zash was going to do her best to care for Kuro. Just like she promised Kanna. It wasn't uncommon for Lords to pick an apprentice before the trials were over, nor was it uncommon to give special treatment. Why should Zash be any different?
"Oh, my sweetling. I'm so sorry this had to happen. You see, you are Force-sensitive. That means by Imperial law you had to be brought here. Do you understand?" Zash explained.
Kuro shook her head, sniffling as she wiped the tears away with her arm. "N-no. I want to go home to mommy."
Zash got off her chair and knelt down and gathered the distraught youngling into her arms. "I know, but you can't. Not right now. If you work hard I'm sure you will see your mother again." The Sith Lord tried to soothe the girl's fears. She gently moved the girl at arms length. Zash smiled sadly at the pain on the girl's face. "Don't worry, dear. I know your mother, she is...very special to me and I promised to keep you safe. Now I will make you a promise." Kuro listened, trying to be strong. If this woman knew her mother then she was right to think she was a nice person. Even at her young age she could sense the sincerity in the woman's voice. Zash continued. "I promise to keep you safe. No matter what happens, for it will be tough and scary at times, I will always be there for you. You can come to me if you need me okay, sweetling?" Zash finished with a caring smile.
Kuro took this in and nodded. A happier smile appeared on her lips. "Okay. Thank you, Miss Zash."
Zash chuckled and patted the girl's shoulder. "Just Zash is fine, Kuro. But you need to call me Lord Zash in public. Call it….tradition."
"Okay. I can do that, it makes you sound cool." The innocent girl declared.
"Good. Now I need to explain what will be expected of you here, okay?" At Kuro's nod Zash smiled and returned to her seat. She thought for a moment. Staring at the cute twi'lek child and couldn't help her maternal instincts. She patted her robed knees. "Come sit, sweetling. Be comfortable."
Kuro hesitated. Should she sit on the woman's lap? Her mother always said not to talk to strangers. But were Zash and Kuro strangers? Not to mention Zash was someone close to her mother so it wasn't a bad thing right? Making up her mind, with a nod Kuro lifted her arms to Zash to be picked up. Zash complied and placed the girl in her lap, snaking her arms around the girl's waist to gently cradle her close. So this is what it feels like? To have a love for a child like a mother should? Kanna felt this everyday? It's nice, and she's so small. Zash thought, sighing happily and began to explain.
She started by explaining that Kuro would be trained on how to use a lightsaber and various basic forms, which she could then choose more advanced forms to learn. She explained that she would be trained in the ways of the Force. How to draw it in, use it, feel it and embrace it.
Kuro found this...oddly enticing. She was actually looking forward to these lessons. It sounded fun to her. Kuro always liked learning new things. Another thing that ostracized her from her peers at her old school. While they wanted to go play, Kuro wanted to learn. Math, galactic common and other alien languages, other sciences.. She wanted to learn to read and write. Kuro even found a profound love for starships. She wanted to learn to fly one, fix one, build one. Almost anything there was to learn, Kuro wanted to learn it. So to be told she would gain knowledge of things she had never considered before got her excited.
But then, she was told something else. The Sith were not known for kindness or mercy. They were psychopaths at worst. Killers at best. They were trained to be that way. Zash explained to the youngling that she may have to do things she didn't want to. Like killing to defend herself. Torture information from someone. Venture into tombs, kill animals, physically beat her fellow acolytes. Now this...this was something Kuro didn't want to do.
"You will have to do these things, little one. You must. It will make you strong. Being violent, killing, is not evil. The Sith code teaches us this." Zash then recited the Sith code. "Peace is a lie. There is only passion. Through passion I gain strength. Through strength I gain power. Through power I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall set me free."
Kuro was transfixed throughout the recital. The words circled through her mind, they were haunting and felt so familiar though she was sure she had never heard them before. Zash looked down at the youngling and asked. "Do you know what they mean, Kuro?"
Kuro shook her head. "No."
"Think on the words. Tell me what you feel."
Kuro liked to think she was a smart child, all knowing for a four year old. She thought on the words at face value. Then looked underneath. What could they mean? Then an answer hit her. It may not be the right one but it was one she thought worked. "The Force is strength and with it I can protect mommy?" She said though it came out more of a question. Zash tilted her head, listening to the rather smart child.
Though her answer was basic, something expected in a child, it was also rather profound as well. Essentially that is part of what it meant. Emotions, passion fueled a Sith's power. The desire to protect, the desire to destroy one's enemies is what made a Sith strong. But Zash saw more. While most Sith saw love or mercy or any form of kindness as a weakness, Zash saw potential. While she didn't believe the Jedi code was entirely correct she also didn't believe the Sith code was entirely accurate either. If there was one thing Zash believed it was that balance was always there. Where there was good there was evil. The Jedi saw too much good and it drove them to inaction a lot of the time. The Sith saw too much evil and it drove them to be the figures of evil in many eyes. Zash knew there was a better way, something in the middle and she would teach Kuro as such.
Zash mentioned this to the girl. "Do you see, Kuro? The Jedi, our enemies, are not all good, just like not all Sith are evil. Most Sith or Jedi are not trained to see such views. But some see it anyway and follow that path. So I want you to remember the Sith code and understand what it means." So Zash jump started her training, teaching all that she knew of the Sith code and where it began and what it all meant. She figured she might as well kick start Kuro's training, giving her an edge. After all, since when were the Sith Trials and training ever about being fair?
Kuroki was sitting beneath a tree in the green grass on a cliff side overlooking an ocean of blue. It was such a serene sight that Kuro felt easily drowsy. But she didn't want to sleep. She wanted to know more about the girl next to her, whose head was laying on Kuro's shoulder. She had learned a lot about the girl. She was of the togruta species and her name was Ashara Zavros. She was red skinned, though a bit brighter than Kuro's blood red tone and she had a white toned face in contrast to Kuro's dark black tattoo-like lines. She was from the Republic being trained as a Jedi. Ashara was a rational girl, always eager to prove herself. She had no tolerance for decisions or actions she viewed as stupid or ineffective. Ashara had also expressed her desire to know the secrets of the Force, a desire Kuro shared amongst other things with her new friend.
The dreams had begun when Kuro started her training on Korriban. They were just visions of the girl at first. Then she began to hear her voice. Cute and higher pitched, one you would expect from a female child. Then a year into Kuro's training the two began to interact within their dreams. They quickly became friends. It was weird at first but the pair got over it and enjoyed the moments they came together.
Kuro was listening to the cute girl prattle on about her ancestors and venting her frustrations about her masters, Jedi Master Ryen and Jedi Master Ocera. "Master Ryen is so frustrating. I feel like he's holding me back, I'm better than all of them with a practice saber so why is he giving me partners who are less skilled than me? There's no challenge and I win every time!"
Kuro laughed and stroked the girls back to calm her down, something her mother had done for her on some occasions. "I don't know, Ashara. But I know you deserve better than that."
Ashara smiled at her friend. "Thanks, Kuro. This means a lot to me when you just listen to me vent my problems. I'm sorry if they're annoying."
Kuro shook her head. "Never, I like listening to you." Was the innocent reply.
Ashara giggled and smiled in thanks. "What about you? How's your training going?"
At first the two girls were disheartened that one was training to be Sith and the other a Jedi. Would they be enemies one day? Neither one liked that thought. So instead they wanted to be friends, even if one day that friendship may come to an end. They would enjoy it while it lasted.
Kuro hesitated and frowned. What should she say? Kuro had excelled at the knowledgeable aspects of her training. The history lessons, the Force lessons and even strategy lessons she was given. But to hear how good Ashara was with a lightsaber made her debate revealing she had no skill in such forms.
She sighed and explained all she could, however. She didn't want to lie and hide things from her friends. That's not what friends did right? I'm no good." Kuro said. "My overseer, Harkon, says I'm just a worthless alien and will never succeed. I fail at every lightsaber training session we have and I can tell Corrin is getting upset with me." She explained with a heavy heart.
Ashara suddenly felt bad for basically bad mouthing inexperienced lightsaber trainees to her friend's face, who was one as well. "I-I'm sorry, Kuro. I didn't know you were having so much trouble."
Kuro smiled sadly. That was just like Ashara, to try and make her feel better. "Its okay. It's not your fault that I just can't get it."
Ashara frowned when suddenly an idea came to her. She grinned and jumped to her feet. "I've got it!" At Kuro's confused expression Ashara explained. "We can help each other here, Kuro, don't you see? I'll teach you everything I know on lightsaber dueling and you can teach me about the Force. You said you were good at that right?" She chuckled and rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment. "To be honest I'm pretty bad at channeling the Force."
Kuro thought for a moment. It sounded like a good idea. While they slept and spent time together in their dreams, though the pair still had no idea how this was happening, they could use this to their advantage. They could learn from each other then further their training in the waking world and then do it all again the next time they slept. A win win!
Kuro got excited at the idea and jumped to her feet. "That's a great idea! Let's do it!" The two excited got to work, furthering their enjoyment of their time together.
Korriban: Two years later
Kuro was awoken by a gentle shake. She opened her bleary eyes and saw Kory at her bedside. She was dressed in her training gear. "Come on, Kuro, wake up."
Kuro groaned and shooed her friend away with a flip of her hand. "Don't wanna..."
Kory smiled and shook her again. "Just because you hate Harkon doesn't mean you can skip lessons." It was a surprise to both of them that Harkon seemed to harbor a special hatred and resentment for Kuro. The twi'lek didn't understand but she hated him in return so it shouldn't have been surprising really. With a dramatic sigh Kuro got ready for her lessons, already missing her time with Ashara.
The pair walked down the hall to one of the few classrooms for some non-physical training. They entered the room and immediately regretted it. Ffon, a pure-blooded Sith and his group were the only ones there. Kory and Kuro disliked them. Ffon had made their lives a living hell since day one. It was worse for Kory only because she had already been subject to his torment a few months before Kuro came to Korriban. At least they had each other now.
The two were immediate friends and relied on each other when things got tough, which happened often. They were each other's oasis in a desert of misery. But throughout their training, they knew because of the torment they received from not only their fellow acolytes but their trainers as well, would only make them stronger.
The only person who didn't seem to hate them was Corrin. While she was demanding and strict she never insulted them, never actually hurt them, not like Harkon did. Kuro had to wonder if it was because she was a follower of Zash or if she was just that way.
Kory and Kuro took their place in a corner of the room away from the boys and kept to themselves while they waited for Harkon to show his damned face. Acolytes began streaming in at that time and Kuro noted there were less than there were yesterday. This was how the Sith worked. Survival of the fittest. The strong prevailed, the weak were killed. The only reason Kuro was alive was because she showed a particular aptitude to the Force. As for Kory, she was exceptionally skilled with lightsaber forms and militaristic strategy. But they had their weaknesses as well so they feared for lives everyday.
Harkon came not soon after and Kuro tensed at the sight of him. Her body and mind instinctively reacted in fear, and that fear led to anger and hatred for the man. She couldn't help but wonder, what horror had he decided to expose them to this time.
The week before, the group were taken to a dueling room with cages lining the walls inside were people and some native animals. They were tasked with fighting a challenger to the death. Not everyone made it, Kuro just barely. Was she lucky or was that unlucky? Her adversary was older than her, maybe a teenager. But she had no training on fighting to speak of or show for. She was a human girl and she was terrified. Kuro didn't want to do it, but had no choice. If she didn't she would die. But wouldn't that be better than knowing she killed an innocent girl in cold blood? Kuro wanted to believe it. But she wanted to live more, she wanted to see her mother again. She wanted to meet Ashara, even if she would be a Jedi. So with selfish desires, everyday for that week she killed and she succeeded in her trial. She hated every minute of it.
So what did Harkon have planned this time? Kuro didn't need to wait long. "Are you ready for your next trials, worms?" He sneered. No one said anything. Why would they? It wouldn't matter if they were ready or not. They have to do it if they want to continue living. "Be happy, nothing life threatening this time." Somehow Kuro didn't believe that, something felt wrong. "You have all been here for a few years. You may have gained friends, maybe even gotten comfortable living the way you have. Today that ends. It is time for you to make your sacrifice. To show your dedication to your training." He announced.
Sacrifice? What did he mean? Kuro began to shake, she didn't like this. She turned to Kory as Harkon went around to announce to each student what their sacrifice was. "K-Kory..."
Kory made to move to her friend but the gauntlet clad hand stopped her. She turned to see Corrin's ever stoic, piercing stare. "Kory." She said, "Come with me. Your sacrifice starts now." With that, she dragged Kory away leaving Kuro all alone in a room with people who hated her.
Soon Harkon came over to her and smiled a sadistic, menacing smile. "I know just the sacrifice for you, Kuroki."
Kuro stood in a dark room. The only light was shining on her and the other occupant. She had a real lightsaber in hand, activated and ready to bring death. She was shaking with wide eyes. How could they do this? Why did she have to do this? All that killing was for nothing. All the pain she had experienced both physically and mentally was for nothing. She continued on only to someday see her mother again and now. None of that mattered. Kneeling before her was her mother who was staring at her with loving and understanding eyes. Kuroki Kali'ka's sacrifice was to kill her mother. The only one in the galaxy she loved more than anything. And for what? To show she was dedicated to her training? She didn't even want to be here! "Its okay, my little one." Kanna soothed.
Kuro shook her head. "N-n-no it's not o-okay" She cried, the lightsaber trembling violently in her hand. The red beam giving off a sinister light. "I don't w-want to d-do this. I l-love you m-mommy."
Kanna nodded. "I know, Kuro. I love you too. I felt that someday this may happen when they took you away. I'm ready to do anything it takes to make sure you keep living, keep going. Even if it means giving up my own life for you. I always knew there was something great in you, Kuro. Be strong, it will all be okay."
Those words provoked something inside the twi'lek child. With her free hand she stroked her growing lekku, trying to steady her nerves. Her mother was right. Kuro was smart, becoming skilled and stronger in the Force everyday. She could be something great, maybe even change the empire so atrocities like this didn't need to continue. That didn't mean she was going to be okay after all was done. She could already feel her heart shattering. Maybe that is what her trainers wanted all along, maybe that's what Zash wanted.
Zash. The woman had quickly gained the little girl's heart. Kuro came to love Zash. Every week Kuro had gone to Zash's office and told her about her training and things she had done and learned. Zash comforted her or encouraged her where she needed to. Kuro had never felt so cared about since being separated from her mother. But now? Kuro was beginning to have doubts about it all. Did Zash even care about her at all? She held onto the hope however because after this, she would surely need Zash and Kory, that is if Kory was even alive after her sacrifice.
With a heavy heart the small six year old child stepped toward her ever loving mother. "I'm so sorry, mommy. I really really love you."
Kanna smiled at her daughter and embraced her, stroking her short growing lekku soothingly. It sent shivers down Kuro's spine. She could feel the love, though her mother spoke to her anyway. "I will always love you, sweetling." With loving words exchanged, Kuro pulled away and brought the lightsaber to poise over her mothers heart. With tears in her eyes she watched her mothers own eyes, and thrust. She watched in morbid awe as her mothers expressed pain as the light faded from them. Kanna slumped to the floor, lifeless. Her life was given to her daughter.
From a hidden booth in the shadows Kuro's class watched alongside Harkon, Corrin and Lord Zash who had come to see how things turned out. For once there were no sneers or hateful glares towards the trembling twi'lek girl. They watched as Kuroki sat there, crying. Then something in the atmosphere shifted. They could all feel it. It couldn't be anything else but the gathering of Force power and it was coming from Kuro. "So much…" Breathed an awed Harkon.
Then suddenly Kuro lifted her face to the ceiling and screamed, letting all her emotion explode. She screamed out her sorrow and loss for her mother. Screamed at the rage and hatred she had for her masters. Screamed for her desire to be comforted by Ashara. At that moment Kuroki Kali'ka had died with her mother. She was Kuro, Sith acolyte.
Zash hated herself for what she had done. She had thrown the suggestion to Harkon about what to do for Kuroki's sacrifice. It felt wrong to betray her desired apprentice, felt wrong to betray her lover Kanna. But Zash knew it would make her stronger and help her survive the trials. She had felt the burning rage in Kuroki's very soul at this betrayal. But Zash would take all the hate if it meant Kuroki would survive.
Zash sighed as she looked over the result of the Sacrifice Trial. Out of the fifteen remaining students of Harkon's class only thirteen remained. The two that failed were still alive but no longer acolytes, but rather disgraced among the Sith and the Empire. Zash saved Kuroki's and Kory's results for last. Zash had noticed how attached Kuroki was to Kory so she had looked after her as well. She was actually surprised on how adept Kory was in a lot of things most predominantly the lightsaber forms. Kory would also make an excellent apprentice, that is if she was still as skilled with one arm.
Kory's sacrifice was that of her left arm, cut at the shoulder by her own hand. It was to show her dedication and skill with the lightsaber to prove she was just as skilled with one arm. For her sake, Zash hoped she could prove her worth, just so Kuroki could have a close friend in apprenticeship.
Just then Kuroki came into her office. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, but her expression. Her expression chilled Zash to the bone. It was blank, yet disdainful. Zash could tell that Kuroki, the little child she knew, was gone. Buried deep inside. This was Kuro, the future Sith. She had to do something, explain herself. But how? Kuroki was smart and she would've figured out somehow that Zash was involved.
"Kuroki, sweetling. What can I do for you?" She asked, hoping to soothe the girl.
There was a pause. "Am I?" Kuroki asked. Her voice was hollow and without feeling. What have I done? Thought Zash.
"Are you….what?" Zash asked for clarification.
"Do I mean anything to you? Have I and Mommy meant anything to you?" Kuroki demanded, her voice now changing to that of anger. Zash could feel it and could sense the growing Force power inside the little one. It was already so strong. If Kuro decided to attack her, Zash didn't know if she could stop her and not hurt her in order to keep her life.
"Of course!" Zash answered immediately. It was, apparently, the wrong answer.
Kuroki roared in anger. "Then why did you make me kill her? To prove something? To get rid of a loose end? To break me? Why, Lord Zash!?" Kuroki sneered her title, as if it meant nothing to her. By demanding and being so disrespectful to the woman, it probably didn't.
Zash was crushed. Is that what Kuroki really thought? That Zash wanted to kill her one and only lover? To break such a sweet girl? "No….no I didn't want that at all, sweetling."
"Stop calling me that! You don't deserve to call me that! Not you!"
Zash ignored her indignation and pressed on. "I know it was hard, I know how it feels. Believe me. But it was the only way. You are strong in the Force, Kuroki. But that won't be enough to keep you alive here. I had to do this. Kanna agreed. I spoke to her before the trials started. She said she would do anything to help you survive. With her sacrifice, her desire to see you live, should be enough of a push on your anger and hatred to get past anything thrown at you. I will take it all, your hate, your malice if that's what you want, I deserve it. But I did this for you, sweetling." Zash tried her hardest to make her see, she hoped it was enough.
Kuroki glared at the older woman. Someone she used to trust. She felt so betrayed, so hurt by Zash's actions. She didn't know if she could ever forgive her. She hoped she could. Because somewhere deep down, Kuroki still loved Zash. She couldn't say anything after Zash's explanation. Instead she gave a whimpering snarl and turned and ran out of the room. She needed Kory. She needed Ashara. She knew without a doubt that those two wouldn't betray her and hurt her like her supposed second mother had.
Kuro burst into her shared room, sealing the door shut and throwing herself onto her bed, weeping. She still couldn't believe it. Zash had her hand in the events leading to her mothers death. "Kuro? Are you okay?" Came the soft sound of Kory's voice. It was strained, as if she was in pain. Kuro snapped her eyes to her friend, ready to apologize for her behavior. But when she saw her, Kuro gasped.
"K-Kory..." She breathed. Kory was sitting up in her bed, her back against the wall in a reclining position. She looked fine except that her entire left arm was missing. A white linen bandage was wrapped around her shoulders to keep the kolto gel in place.
Kory just smiled sadly at her friend. "Does it look weird?" She asked, self conscious of her predicament. Kory could still feel where her arm used to be, a phantom pain. Her brain willed her left arm to move, and Kory felt it but it wasn't there. "This is gonna take some getting used to." Kory joked.
Kuro could tell that the human girl was trying to be strong, but she could see past it. The pain and misery in her eyes. Without a thought, Kuro got off her bed and joined Kory. She threw her arms around the girl and cried. "I'm so sorry."
"Its o-okay." Kory tried to play it off but she couldn't hold it in anymore. Tears broke free and she wrapped her remaining arm around the twi'lek girl, mindful of the sensitive lekku. "Who am I kidding? This sucks, Kuro. I hate this place! I hate them!" She cried.
At that moment, all Kuro could feel was seething rage. It was sad at such a young age her world was no longer hers. She and Kory were tools of the Sith from now until death, but that didn't mean they could control everything. The pain was still too raw to do anything other than grieve, but Kuro wasn't stupid. She knew one day she would have to get past this pain or it would consume her. She couldn't let that happen or her mothers death would have been in vain. But today wasn't that day. Today, and for months Kuro would grieve her mother and be there for Kory. They only had each now, Kuro couldn't trust Zash anymore.
The two lay in Kory's bed in a comforting embrace. Kuro recalled doing this once before with her human friend. They had talked about themselves. Kory told her she was left-handed and enjoyed almost anything that had to do with the outdoors and since coming to the academy she picked up the lightsaber forms really quickly. She liked animals and seemed to have a connection of sorts to them. Kuro had seen it with her own eyes when their class was out in Korriban wilderness and a group of tuk'ata, k'lor'slugs and even a couple shyracks descended on them, ready to feast on their bones. Yet Kory had somehow coaxed them into submission and ran them off. She didn't draw her practice blade nor did she shout and threaten them. Just her mere presence made them docile and they left them alone.
Kuro, for her part, told her new friend that she liked to learn things. Kory joked and called her a nerd for liking things that seemed so boring and dull to most people. Kuro also told her that she liked starships and wished to have one of her own some day. She also expressed her dislike of her small stature, even for a child. She felt she'd get older but not much bigger.
It was a fun moment in time, where the two girls could just be kids and talk or gossip. Their situation made these moments all the sweeter when they came. Just like now. Kory had cried herself to sleep and Kuro kept a hold of her. Without her dominant arm, Kuro felt something deep inside that told her to protect Kory. So she would and as painful as this day had been, she wasn't going to let it destroy her.
Kuro drifted off to sleep, no longer able to stay awake. She wasn't surprised when she opened her eyes to see the familiar sight of green grass, blue skies and blue oceans. She was at their tree again, Ashara and hers. Kuro looked around but didn't see the togruta anywhere. Where was she? She was always here, with her. Was this a different dream? "Ashara." She called out, almost desperately. "Ashara!" She shouted again, scared now.
As if her name summoned her, the togruta girl came into view, via her dropping from a branch above her. "Kuro? You okay? I'm sorry I wanted to surprise you I..." She was interrupted by the twi'lek throwing herself at her friend, clinging to her and crying on her shoulder. "K-Kuro? What happened? Are you okay?" She asked again, surprised at this new side of her friend.
Kuro shook her head. "No. Ashara...I..." All the pain came rushing back. Her mothers death, Zash's betrayal, the deaths of innocents by her own hand. It all came out. "I hate it here, Ashara. The pain they put us through, the things they make us do. I'm just a kid, but I've already killed people! Other kids just to survive! They brought my mother here. They...she...she made me kill her!"
Ashara was stunned, her eyes wide as she held her friend. Was Sith training really that bad? That they forced kids to murder one another, murder loved ones? The togruta didn't know what to do, didn't know what to say to comfort her friend. "Kuro…." Was all she could say. "I'm here."
Suddenly, Kuro was angry. "It's not fair!" She snarled, pushing away from her surprised friend. The look on Kuro's face scared Ashara, it was twisted into a look of malice and hate, something she had been told a Sith looked like. She backed up a step or two subconsciously as Kuro hissed at her. "Why do I have to be here? While you get to be safe and sound with the Jedi! No pain, no loss of life, loss of limb! My friend had to cut her own arm off, Ashara! To show them, to prove to them she was willing to do anything to be Sith! Because this life is all she has. This life is all I have now! My mother is dead, someone I cared for betrayed me, made me kill her! I only have Kory to share the pain with and we have nothing left but to fight and kill and prove we are good enough to be Sith!" Kuro paused, hyperventilating after her tirade. To calm herself down she repeated the Sith code out loud.
"Peace is a lie, There is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken.
The Force shall free me."
During her chant Ashara witnessed a swirling purple and red energy around her friend. It terrified her. What was happening to Kuro? "K-Kuro?" She whispered with a stutter, scared to break the silence but determined to make sure her friend was alright. Kuro looked calmer now, the energy had quickly dissipated as Kuro looked up at the togruta.
After she had calmed down she felt terrible for snapping at Ashara like she had. What was wrong with her? Ashara didn't deserve any of that, she was only trying to help. ""I-I'm sorry...I didn't mean to.…" Neither girl said anything more and before they could think to do so, their dream world began to go black signifying their return to the waking world.
Tython: Jedi Temple
Ashara woke with a gasp, sitting straight up holding a hand to her furiously beating heart. Once again she had dreamed of Kuro but it was different this time. Kuro was different, she terrified her. She didn't know what to do about this. What was going on? Were these just dreams, vision? Or something else?
She needed some advice. The normal thing to do would be to seek her masters and ask for council. However she was afraid they would do something to make her stop dreaming of Kuro, a Sith student. Besides, she didn't want them to know and she didn't want to stop dreaming of her, seeing her. She just felt it wouldn't be right to be without her and she didn't know why. What she did know was someone who could give her some guidance. Shi'ara. Determination overtook her and she jumped out of bed and quickly got ready for the day. Then sought out the force prodigy.
Shi'ara was, in essence, the embodiment of the light side of the Force. She was kind and loving, never saying a harsh or negative word. Though she did have a nasty desire to tease people, but it never went too far. She was a beautiful human girl with golden blonde hair that could put the sun's light out of business. A heart shaped face and beautiful green eyes that sparkled like gems.
Ashara always felt at peace around the teenaged human. It was an effect that wasn't exclusive to the togruta. Almost everyone felt at peace around her. Everyone loved her, listened to her. She imparted wisdom that far surpassed that of any member of the Jedi order. It was as if the Force told her secrets no one else was privy to and Ashara needed that wisdom.
She found the teenager sitting lotus style, meditating over a trickling brook. Her eyes were closed but Ashara saw her smile and call out to her, though she didn't move from her position. "Hello, little Ashara."
No one could ever surprise her so Ashara took in stride. "H-Hi….um….Shi'ara. I hope I'm not bothering you." She greeted meekly, a small smile forming on her lips. Already her disturbing dream didn't feel so upsetting.
Shi'ara opened her eyes now and lowered her feet to the stream, the water breaking around her ankles. "Never, Ashara. I always have time for my little stalker." She teased.
Ashara blushed and pouted. "I don't follow you that much..." Shi'ara just quirked a perfectly plucked eyebrow, a smile on her lips. Ashara blushed deeper in embarrassment. "Okay maybe that much..." Shi'ara giggled, her hand rising to cover her mouth for modesty, and immediately Ashara relaxed. The teenager's soothing voice putting her at ease.
"You are just too cute, Ashara. Now, let us settle why you are here. Tell me about this dream." She said as she walked over onto the lush green grass, feeling the blades tickled the bottom of her feet and sat underneath a nearby tree.
"How do you always know?" Ashara asked, dumbfounded. Even though she knew Shi'ara had wisdom beyond her years it still came as a surprise every time. Shi'ara just smiled and didn't answer. Ashara sighed and sat down next to the wise teenager and began to explain what had been happening recently.
The dreams, the talks and interactions with Kuroki Kali'ka, a Sith acolyte, and more recently Kuro's break down. "I don't know what to do. I want to help her but she got so angry last time I tried. Please tell me, is there anything I can do?"
Shi'ara listened to everything, not once interrupting. She knew what was going on. She could see the connection the two had. So lucky, little Ashara. To be so connected to your force mate at such a young age. Shi'ara knew why Ashara was having dreams of Kuro. They were force mates. Two people connected so deeply the force helped them seek each other through their dreams. It would be akin to what non-force sensitive would consider soulmates.
Shi'ara also saw the trials Kuro was going to go through and how much pain she was in, both physically and mentally. Kuro needed Ashara. She needed comfort and support. "Ashara." She began. The togruta gave her all of her attention. Shi'ara smiled at this. "Kuro is your force mate. This is why you have been having dreams of her. Why, you are able to interact with her through them. She is going through a tough time, Ashara. Even if she gets angry. Even if she yells at you, threatens you, do not abandon her. Comfort her, support her, give her strength to endure her Sith trials. She will need you."
Ashara was stunned. Even at six years old she knew what a force mate was. In other words a soul mate. It meant Kuro, in the future, would be her lover. Someone she would be with in life, and then together when they returned to the force. As cliched and sappy as it sounded, Kuro was Ashara's one true love.
"Wha...huh?" Ashara attempted.
Shi'ara giggled and patted the girl's little arm. "Do not think too hard on it. It is for the future. All you need to focus on is being there for Kuro, no matter what. Also, do not tell her she is your force mate. She does not need to know right now, nor does she need any more worries or stress. Her mind is breaking, fracturing, telling her this will only make it worse. For now. Help her get through her coming trials and lessons. You can discuss the topic when her training on that planet is over. Understand?" She asked, holding a finger.
A lot was thrown at Ashara. She tried to wrap her mind around it all. She got the gist. Kuro is her force mate, don't tell her this, help her through her troubling times. Ashara nodded. "Y-yeah. Yeah I got it. I think." The togruta smiled so beautifully and it warmed Shi'ara's heart. "Thank you so much, Shi'ara. You're amazing. What would I ever do without you?"
The teenager laughed, covering her mouth with the back of her hand again. "Probably worry the lekku off your pretty little head, of course."
Ashara pouted and pushed her older friend and stood up. "You're so mean." She grumbled playfully, mock stomping away from the still laughing human. Ashara made her way back to Jedi Temple to do her training for the day. With her mind clear, a goal clear in mind, Ashara threw herself into her training. Tonight she would help her future force mate with everything she had, even if she would be rebuked. I'll always be there for you, Kuro.