Five times Ezra helped the crew, and one time they helped him.
Kanan
On second thoughts, perhaps deciding to take the fight up the mountain hadn't been his best plan. At the time, he'd thought that maybe gaining some higher ground would give him and Ezra some sort of advantage over the hairy beast determined to knock them down.
"Ezra!" Kanan cried through gritted teeth, blocking another blow from the beast. Currently, he was the main target for this creature, while Ezra was busy standing a little to the side, trying his best to connect to the creature instead so that they wouldn't have to kill it. "Sometime today please."
Ezra, for once, didn't have a smart comeback- an indication of just how hard he was concentrating.
Ashoka had asked them to complete a slightly different mission to what they were used to. The rebel fleet was trying to look for a land-situated base, so they were having to scout out various planets to judge living conditions and whether it would be a good place to set up. Currently, the other half of the crew were off scouting the other side of the same planet, whilst Ezra and Kanan were stuck over here, dealing with Mr Nice Guy. Hera had specified that the wildlife on this planet was endangered; it had suffered a meteor shower some lightyears ago, and the native fauna had only just started to recover. Therefore, when this large beast had come out of hiding right in front of them, they had been more than a little lost on what to do. Killing it was a last resort right now, and- seeing how Ezra was good at connecting to living beings- Kanan had left this one up to him. However, as much faith as he had in his padawan, Kanan didn't know how much longer he would be able to do this for.
"Anything?" Kanan demanded.
"He's feeling threatened…" Ezra broke off, looking confused, "The light…? Your sabre! He doesn't like the sabre; quick- disengage it!" Ezra yelled, still holding his hand out towards the creature.
"Are you crazy? He'll tear me to pieces!"
"Trust me!"
Trust Ezra. Well- how couldn't he? With a deep breath, Kanan pushed himself back and disarmed his light sabre. At first, the creature's pace didn't slow, but, after a painful few moments, it hesitated, noticing the change. Ezra still stood, hand out, using the force. Kanan backed away, every nerve of his body on guard. The creature could still be hostile.
The beast breathed out heavily, grunting through its row of teeth. The mangled grey coat looked malnourished and dull, and the features were still twisted in anger as it slowly approached Kanan.
"Ezra?!" Kanan called again. Surely the kid must be close by now?
"Almost… Hang on…" Ezra managed. He strained for a second. There! Ezra felt his thoughts connected to the beast. It was confused- confused and scared. Immediately, Ezra sent out a calming wave, trying to tell it that they weren't there for a fight.
The creature didn't seem calmed at all. If anything, having these new thoughts in its head seemed to make it even more confused. It turned, roaring slightly. It was working itself into a frenzy of rage.
No, no, no, Ezra, growing increasingly desperate, tried again. Not here to hurt you, please, we won't hurt you.
For a minute, it finally looked like it had worked.
That was before the beast shook its head again, bared its teeth and ran forward, straight into Kanan.
Kanan, who, it just so happened, had walked as far back as he could, and was standing on the edge of a cliff.
One smack from the beast and he went flying, completely taken aback by the sudden turn of events. He barely realised he was falling, barely registered the pain in his abdomen. He had only one thought as he sped down to the ground below, one thought as the air whipped around him violently, images whizzing past him faster than he could process, just one thought as his world- and perhaps, the end of it- loomed before him:
Oh, karabast.
Before he could find out if he'd hit the ground, he passed out, unconscious.
"KANAN!" Ezra cried, disengaging his thoughts with the beast and sprinting over to the edge, stopping himself just before he, too, would fall into the void.
His master was falling fast, almost out of view. It was a long way down. Without even thinking, Ezra's hands flew out and all his thoughts swarmed around his master. Kanan had lifted him plenty of times before, saved him from falling before. He could do this.
He and Kanan hadn't actually gotten round to lifting people in training yet, but it was now or never. Urgency fuelling his actions, Ezra imagined himself grabbing his master's hand. It was slippery at first. He couldn't get a good grip, and suddenly Kanan was gone again. Ezra delved back in, putting more and more of himself into the force until he grasped his falling master again. This time Kanan stopped completely. Ezra could feel how close the ground he had come- mere inches away- but he hadn't fallen. Not yet. With an almighty effort, Ezra started the draining task of pulling Kanan back up. Slowly but surely, he started to make progress. His eyes were closed tightly shut, willing himself to go on just a bit more, just a bit longer. He felt Kanan's presence growing closer and closer.
With a final, vigorous pull, Kanan fell back onto the cliff top. The boy slumped forward over his masters form. He knew that could easily- blamelessly, even- pass out right now, felt black spots calling to him and everything starting to dip into blurriness.
No.
Not while they were vulnerable like this. He had to see if Kanan was alright. Inhaling deeply, Ezra opened his eyes and pulled himself up.
Kanan was still in one piece- a good sign. Everything seemed to be okay; well, everything apart from the ripped fabric around Kanan's torso. Red could be made out under it.
Sorry Kanan, Ezra sighed as he tore open Kanan's suit top to reveal gashes underneath.
Okay, okay, this is fine, everything's fine, it's not too deep, I can manage this. Backpack- where was his backpack? Ezra struggled to breathe slowly, frantically looked back towards where he could remember having it. Nothing was there.
No no no no no no no no. That had his medical supplies in, that had everything- what was he going to-
A familiar looking backpack suddenly dropped in front of him. Ezra's dazed eyes slowly followed a dribble of slobber running down it. Surprised, Ezra glanced up. The beast from earlier panted heavily above him, eyes fixed on the gift it had just given Ezra. Hesitantly, Ezra reached for it, smiling a little when the creature made no move to harm them further. Seems he had manage to get his message through in the end, then. The creature sat vigil as Ezra retrieved the bandages Hera had forced him to pack – he would have to thank her later- and started to patch up what he could. He wrapped the bandages tightly around Kanan's torso, preventing further blood loss and hopefully reducing infection.
It was only then that it hit Ezra that they were still sitting dangerously close to the cliff. With a jolt, he got up, slinging his backpack over his shoulder and looking around for a place to shelter himself and Kanan. A small way to his left he saw some undergrowth, surrounded by some trees that would make for good covering. It would be a struggle, but he should be able to get Kanan there. With a grunt, Ezra attempted to lift Kanan, fire-man style. Boy, he was heavier then he looked! Ezra fumbled slightly, almost dropping him. He was trying to get used to the extra weight when suddenly a whining noise interrupted his task.
The beast tilted its head as Ezra turned to look at it. It gently it nuzzled Kanan's form and licked Ezra's hand… Was Ezra reading this right? Sticking his hand out slightly, Ezra doubled checked that the beast's intentions were true before nodding and smiling. With a slight satisfied grunt, it gestured for Ezra to sling Kanan on its back. With a little shuffling, they managed it, and Ezra started his trek towards shelter, Kanan and monster in tow.
Once there, the creature gently lowered down in order for Ezra to get Kanan off. He placed his master on the grassy moss, trying to be a gentle as possible. He hadn't stirred yet, making Ezra more than a little nervous. As the creature settled down beside them, Ezra lent over and cautiously petted the beast. It allowed it and seemed to enjoy as it, relaxing in a heap on the floor. Ezra chuckled slightly before turning back to his master. He carefully pried open the bandages he'd put on, seeing that the cuts were starting to scab up already- Kanan would be ok. He just wished his master would wake up.
Alive. Wow, he was somehow alive…
Kanan's eyes flitted. He took in a sharp breath.
Hadn't he just been about to-
With a jolt, Kanan sprung up, heart racing at his last memory of plummeting to a rocky ground. He quickly moved his hand over his head, pinching himself and looking around. Well, he definitely wasn't falling anymore, but he wasn't dead either… Had he somehow survived the fall?
He was distracted from his thoughts by the sound of nearby footsteps.
"Kanan! You're awake!" Ezra's familiar voice called as his padawan dropped into view in front of him. "How're you feeling?"
"Fine…Wh-what happened…Why aren't I-"
"Dead?" Ezra supplied helpfully. "I managed to pull you up; might wanna be careful, though- you got some slashes on your torso there." Ezra pointed as Kanan felt the bandages under his torn top.
"Wait- wait… you're telling me you force pulled be all the way back up?!" Kanan's eyebrows shot up. He'd almost missed Ezra saying it with the way the kid had brushed it off.
"Uh, yeah… It was a spur of the moment thing really. I just knew what I wanted to do and… y'know, did it, I suppose." Ezra mumbled, "Main thing is- it got you safe."
"But- that's amazing! We haven't even tried that yet in training!" Kanan grinned at his padawan.
Ezra reddened under the attention, smiling proudly. Anyway- regardless of praise- it still had been too close a call for his liking.
"Now- how're you feeling?" Ezra repeated.
"Not too bad, all things considered… My head's spinning a little though."
"Maybe concussion? I'll give you some water, so long as you don't feel like you're gonna vomit on me." Ezra joked, although he was half-serious.
"No, no, I'm not going to be sick. Water would be good." Kanan smiled.
Ezra nodded and scooted away. As Ezra shifted out of his view, Kanan glanced at the place around them. The kid had done well finding them this shelter. Hell- what was he saying? The kid had done well saving his life; the kid had done well full stop.
His thoughts were abruptly interrupted when he saw the form of something big and hairy, lying just a little way from their camp. The rising and falling chest alerted Kanan to the fact that the thing was alive. Senses heightened by a sudden boost of adrenaline, Kanan started to shuffle round.
"Ezra. Ezra!" He whispered sharply. Ezra glanced at him, looking worried. "I think we have company." Kanan kept his voice low. He really did not want to get into a fight with this guy again. He was fully intending to tell Ezra to pack up their things quietly so that they could make a stealthy get away when Ezra's concerned features melted into amusement.
"Yeah, I suppose we do!" Ezra laughed, voice at normal volume. Kanan cringed as the beast's ears flicked towards them. What was Ezra thinking? Slowly, it lifted its head, spotting them and stalking forwards.
Kanan was all too ready to activate his lightsabre and yell for Ezra to run, but before he could, his padawan stepped forward. Kanan stared at him, shocked. Ezra walked dangerously close to the beast, and raised a hand. Kanan narrowed his eyes, trying to figure out this new combat manoeuvre. It seemed to involve-
…petting him.
Yes- actually petting him! Kanan's eyes bulged as he finally realised what the kid had been able to do.
"You connected?" Kanan asked, although the answer to the question was obvious to all present.
"Yeah, in the end!" Ezra chuckled a little.
The beast, although enjoying Ezra's touch, was also curious about the other human. It trotted over. Huge nostrils sniffed Kanan's suddenly frozen form, before it opened its mouth and licking its tongue all the way down Kanan's face.
"Aauuhh! Really?" Kanan yelled, annoyed and disgusted.
Ezra couldn't hold back his laughter as the green slobber dripped down Kanan's face.
"He likes you!" The padawan grinned wickedly.
"This really isn't that funny, Ezra."
"Well, it kinda is…"
"Ezra…" Kanan sighed, knowing better than to try and argue. "Not a word to the others, you hear me? Not a word."
"Don't worry Kanan- your secret's safe with me." Ezra laughed again. Perhaps he had agreed not to tell the ghost crew about this, but Kanan would be reminded of it for a long time yet. Frequently.
