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Chapter 8: Demons of the Past
That night was so visible to her. Vivid enough that she could never forget it; All the innocent people that were killed by her hand. She wondered if she could ever get redemption. Ben studied her face as Kira Ann was lost in her train of thought. Her face paled and her eyes filled with horror and sadness. For someone who constantly seemed happy, Ben could see that Kira Ann had not always had a perfect life.
"It can't be all that bad, Kira Ann. what u did. It can't be all that bad. You're a good person. Kind. Sweet. Strong. I can feel it you never met to harm others." Kira Ann gave Ben a sad smile. "my feelings, it doesn't matter at the end of the day. At home, people see me as a monster. I can't just change their minds."
"Is that why u left?" Kira Ann gave a small nod. "I don't know if I can belong anywhere else, but I couldn't stay trapped in my house for the rest of my life. Not when my father was breathing down my neck."
"You had to live with your father?"
"It's law. If the accused doesn't have a home of their own, then they must live with their next of kin. I earned a lot of money from being a general, but since I was under 18 it all went to my father. After my mother died I left to go back to my home world for training. When I got back I was barely 18 and I had nothing in my name. I never got my share and I never will since I'm under house arrest."
"And that's why I hate politics." Kira Ann laughed at Bens statement. "I never understood why my mother dedicated her life to it."
"Your mother's a politician." Ben looked down at the comment. "Ben if you don't want to talk…"
"No…no, it's fine," said Ben. He figured it would be best to share then keep his personal feelings all in. "Yes, my mother is a politician. After the Empire was destroyed, my mother helped rebuild the republic. She's a very strong leader. Very independent and headstrong."
"She sounds like a cool woman." Kira Ann wondered if Ben's mom looked anything like him. Ben's brown eyes? His large nose or ears? His pale complexion?
"My mom has done a lot to protect me. I might not have appreciated it back then, but… I just hope she's doing fine."
"When was the last time you saw her?"
"It's been years. I'd do anything to see her again."
"Then come with me."
"What?"
"Come with me, I mean in a few more months we'll be able to leave. I don't have a particular destination, but…."
"No." Ben knew Kira Ann meant well, but there was no life for him out in the galaxy. He had ruined those chances. "There's nothing out there for me." Kira Ann nodded slowly. He may have opened up to her, but he was still the same Ben.
"I should go to bed. It's been a long night." As Kira Ann began to walk out of the room, Ben couldn't help but feel a little lonely. Before she left, Kira Ann turned again to face Ben. "Thanks, for opening up to me. I know it's not always easy to do that."
Ben gave her a wry smile as a flutter in his chest rose. It wasn't as much of a burden as Ben had thought. Opening up to Kira Ann helped him a little.
"Good night, Kira Ann."
"Good night, Ben."
After Kira Ann and Ben's confrontation, within the next few weeks, they started spending more time together. Though they had their moments of silence, they seemed to be more social and comfortable with each other. On some nights, Ben and Kira Ann would stay up for hours about anything they wanted; philosophy, history, childhood (though there wasn't much to say for both of them). Ben also shared to Kira Ann about the Force. Ben had only shown Kira Ann a few times his force abilities, but she always watched in awe. Usually, it was lifting and object or reading her mind, but it did help in many cases. Ben loved hearing about Kira Ann's early childhood the most. She would talk about her old home in Hawaii, on the island of Niihau, and Ben could see her memories of the island. Ben also showed some parts of his history with her, but nothing about his time in the First Order(that part of his life was still a secret). The more they talked the more Ben felt comfortable around Kira Ann; It helped him feel at ease and escape from his troubles a bit. Kira Ann was the one thing that was good in his life. A friend. An ally. A very important person in his life. And he did not want to screw that up.
Around the fourth month, Ben and Kira Ann were walking back from the training ground. It was getting dark and a storm was about to hit soon. Ben suggested that they leave a bit earlier so they don't get caught in the storm. As they walked, Kira Ann continued to tell Ben her story.
"One time, I was in the mountains and I was leading a group of soldiers into a cave for shelter." She began. "I led a small group of men to survey the cave before the rest of the soldiers entered. While we were there one of my men tried to shoot a flying creature in the ceiling, but the shot hit one of the key infrastructures of the cave and the ceiling began to fall. I was in the front of the group, and told the men to all be a few paces away from each other in case any of us got stuck. I told all the men to run to the exit, but I got stuck and a bunch of boulders fell on me. It pretty much covered most of my body up to my chest. I thought because of the weight I was going to die, but luckily my men came back and helped me get out." Kira Ann, who had been staring at the ground when she told her story, looked up at Ben. His attention was all on her. "Luckily, I was the only one in the group that got hurt. When I arrived back home two days later because of my injuries. My father was furious that I put myself in harms way, but I was just glad it was only me that got hurt."
"It's really crazy that u became a general at a young age."
"Though my clan still keeps too many earthly customs, we still follow Wa-sta law."
"Have u ever thought of returning to Earth."
"I can't," she said sadly. "The last time I went; Earth was still unsafe for inhumans. Plus, the only way to travel to Wa-sta to Earth is to use my transportation book, but it was taken when I got arrested."
"I'm sure you'll get back to earth one day."
"Maybe. Right now this is my home."
Ben thought about Kira Ann's statement? Did she think of this place her home? Ben had never referred to the Jedi Temple as his home, but after thinking about it, home defiantly seemed likely with Kira Ann with him. Ben's chest began to flutter as he thought about it.
"You have time," stated Ben. "Earth isn't going anywhere."
"Earth."
Kira Ann had dreamed of going back to earth, but she wondered it would be the same. A lot could change in six years. As the two continued back, rain started pouring down hard. Ben and Kira Ann sprinted back to the temple but the damage had been done. Their clothes were soaked. Kira Ann's white shirt started to show the visible lines of her bra. Heading to the kitchen, Ben went to start a fire while Kira Ann got blankets and fresh clothes for them. By the time Kira Ann walked in, the fire was already blazing and Ben was starting to take off his clothes. She didn't mind nakedness. She was in the military for a few years, but she couldn't help but stare at Bens physique. She could see the tone muscles he had gained for morning training, and the light scars on his torso and shoulders. He looked like a warrior. As Kira Ann placed the fresh clothes down she also started to strip. Which caught Bens' eyes. Her dark brown marks roamed all over her arms, legs, and back; showing off a mysterious power to this galaxy.
Once they were both dressed, they sat down by the warm fire. Ben had placed a blanket around her shoulders, knowing how cold she easily got. Kira Ann decided to be a bit brave; she leaned into Bens' shoulder, pressing the side of her body against his. At first, he didn't know what to do. Were this signs of affection? Was it for warmth? Was it just a friend thing? Ben really wished he had paid more attention to his parent when it came to this stuff.
Kira Ann, beginning to notice Bens conflict, she was about to say something, but then Kira Ann started to feel Bens muscles press against hers. Leaning a bit more, Kira Ann rested her head on Ben's shoulder. The two stayed like that for a while, just soaking in each other. Eventually, Kira Ann drifted off to sleep, and Ben let her be. 'She's so peaceful,' Ben thought. After a while, Ben put Kira Ann down by the fire, placing a blanket over her. Laying down beside her, Ben also drifted off to sleep hoping for better dreams.
Meanwhile of Wa-sta…
The King of Wa-sta was staring out his window at the town below. It had been a long few weeks ever since Kira Ann escaped her home. Personally, he was glad that she left, but her father was a different story. Justice Lee, Kira Ann's father, was quite adamant about getting back his daughter and putting her on trial again for running away. Just as he was thinking that, a guard opened the door for Justice Lee and General Samuel.
"My King," said General Samuel as he bowed in respect, "Justice Lee was very persistent to speak to you."
"What is it, Lee."
"I would like to know why you pulled off the search team. Former General Kira Ann is still a fugitive and must be put to trial."
"It's a big galaxy, we may never find her." Justice Lee's face turned red, his hands turning ice cold. "She has been through enough, can't you let her go. Unless she comes back, there is no point trying to waste precious resources on her." And with that, Justice Lee stormed out of the room in a rage. "What is wrong with him," said General Samuel.
"Keep an eye on Justice Lee. As much as I am to uphold the law, I have always believed that Kira Ann was innocent. I just wish we had something against her father to prove her innocent."
Just outside the castle, Justice Lee was meeting with a very mysterious person. "Do it," said Justice Lee," find Kira Ann and kill her. It's time to cut the weak strand from this family." The mysterious figure bowed and vanished in an instant.