Anakin sat next to Obi-Wan, leaning closer to whisper. "So what exactly are we doing, Master?"

"Going to Bellassa to encourage a peaceful end to their Civil War, and to get the young Alisa Mandol safely returned to her rightful place--her home," Obi-Wan could feel the tension in Anakin, who was bursting to press for more answers. "Padawan, you know that I have yet to deny you from seeking more knowledge,"

"I know that,"

"Have I yet to reject a question from you if the time frame was appropriate? Have I ever given you an excuse as to not inquire about something that is troubling you?"

"No, Master, you have not," Anakin turned to Obi-Wan. "You are good to me, like a father, or an older brother. You have always been patient and willing to answer my questions,"

"Thank you, Padawan. So tell me, why will you not tell me what is weighing heavily on your mind? What is it, Anakin?" Obi-Wan gave his teenage apprentice a slightly chiding look.

Anakin sighed, eyeing Auli. "She...she said you were her Uncle. Is that true?"

"It is. I had--or rather, I have--a brother named Owen. He was two years my junior, and I only have vague memories of him. I was taken to live at the Temple at a very young age," As soon as Obi-Wan said this, he winced.

"You remember your family?" Anakin asked, a mixture of hope and sadness lacing his words.

"Only vague memories, Padawan. My memories are of the Temple," He placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder and tightened his grip. "I know your heart aches for your mother, Anakin,"

Anakin shot a look to his Master. "It does not,"

"Your words deceive you. But I can promise you, soon, you will learn to let go,"

Anakin smiled. Obi-Wan always seemed to understand the pain in his heart for leaving his mother on Tattooine that day. It was years ago, but the wound was just as fresh and raw as it was that night on the Nubian ship. His Master was patient, always encouraging him to learn to let go, but not pushing the issue to the point of breaking. "Thank you, Master,"

Anakin gazed at the young girl, no more than nine or ten years old. Her light auburn hair cascaded around her shoulders in thick curls, long and winding. She did bear a striking resemblance to Obi-Wan, Anakin decided. "Forgive me, Master, but I sense something...strange about this girl,"

"Strange? How so? I believe her to be sincere in her plea for the Jedi's help,"

"Not insincerity. Just...I sense something,"

"I feel it, too, my apprentice,"

"I wouldn't necessarily call it bad. It's just something...odd,"

"You aren't exactly normal yourself,"

Obi-Wan and Anakin turned to see Auli with one eye open, gazing at them. Obi-Wan grinned; Anakin's lips furled into a scowl.

"I know you think I'm strange, Anakin. But recent events have caused me to grow up much sooner than even I expected. So, and if you'll pardon me, Master Kenobi, I would like to say that whether or not you like me is of little consequence," She smiled and closed her eyes, settling back into sleep.

"Well," Obi-Wan said with a bit of a laugh. "She certainly has a lot of spunk,"

"Yeah," Anakin said, leaning back into the seat, sulking. "Spunk,"

Auli felt a strange feeling. But it wasn't a feeling of her own; it was as if Obi-Wan's and Anakin's feelings were pressing against her. She could feel their thoughts and emotions swirling around her like water, pulsating against her skin. She felt Anakin's embarrassment and frustration, and she felt Obi-Wan's slight confusion. She pushed the feelings away from her, as she usually did. As she was growing up, she had become accustomed to being able to sense other's thoughts and feelings, and oftentimes, used it to her advantage. Doing this to Jedi, however, felt like she was intruding on them. And on this mission, she wanted anything but to be perceived as rude.

Obi-Wan could sense the conflict in Auli. Was Anakin right? Was she to be trusted? Had he just assumed she was trustworthy because she was his niece? He pushed these thoughts aside, concentrating on the mission ahead.

His mind, though, couldn't help but wander to his family. Even after so many years of not seeing his brother, he found himself anxious to reunite with his seemingly long-lost sibling. To see the family resemblance; Auli had the same hair as himself and the same blue eyes. He was anxious to talk with him, to meet his newly discovered extended family. He brought himself back to the present. First, he must rescue his young niece

He peeked over to the sleeping Auli and at his young Padawan, who was fighting sleep and cold. Already, these two seemed to be at odds with one another.

"This is going to be a long trip,"