SHGS - Chapter Seven: The First Warrior's Pride

Disclaimer: I do not own, or profit, from Naruto, Star Wars, and all associated media.

A/N

"It's getting good now isn't it?"

- Darklighter

"Thoughts"

"Speech"

"Abnormal sentient thoughts"

"Abnormal sentient speech"

Yanibar: Sha Kalan

Stand ready. Try to get the Falleen stink out of the pillows before I return.

Naruto's fingers typed the message rapidly. He smiled at his concluding line. He could not help but throw a small jab her way.

By the time Traya read it he would have stashed the archaic 'pager' back in its hiding place. The communications device was so low tech that the temple's electronic defenses were not keyed to the radio frequencies it emitted.

The device would scramble his message into code anyway.

Just in case.

His room was large, but it was not heavily appointed. The thick rug that greeted one's steps upon entrance was Naruto's most expensive possession. He stashed the pager in a crack in his wall. After creating the cache he had shifted a dresser all the way across the room to conceal it.

Traya's Lightsaber seemed to wink at him from within the hidey-hole. He had almost forgotten it. He pulled the silver shaft out of the space even as he closed the area off from prying eyes - putting the dresser to use.

It was light in his hand, for Traya had it spec't to personal use, and the width of her hand was not as large as his. It was a beautiful weapon, but he instinctively felt that it was not meant for him. Not in the long term.

Although he was more than ready to construct his own blade he did not have the privacy required to do so. Not cloistered as he was amongst the Zeison Sha.

There was a polite knock on the door. It came just as he had finished donning his armor, and concealed the Lightsaber in its hiding place at the small of his back.

"Come in," he called out.

The door opened a crack before it swung fully open. Master Natsec stood at the threshold.

"Ready?" the Twi'leck was 55 standard years old, and usually a man of few words. The dim lighting in the hallway outside gave his yellow skin a sickly aspect, and he was now almost a full head shorter than Naruto, but his aged muscles were still firm, and he was still the most formidable warrior the Zeison had to offer.

"Yes," Naruto said simply.

"You should eat something before you leave," the veteran said softly. Naruto could see the straps of the bandolier within which Zeison's discblade of office nestled. He had only seen Idrall use the weapon once before.

The blade on his Master's back was twice the size of a standard one, and cortosis had been weaved into its construction in the form of a thousand filigree etchings. It had no grip, for no First Warrior had ever wielded it in hand. The blade had been made to be held in the Force, and it could only be properly using telekinesis.

"I'm too nervous for food," Naruto said as he adjusted his gauntlets. It was true that he was slightly shaken now that the moment was upon them. He had not expected to come to like Idrall, nor had he expected to have built up such great reserves of respect for the Zeison Sha in general.

"Still; consume something. I need you at your best if Traya truly shows up," Natsec's tone brooked no argument.

"I will get something from the kitchens First Warrior," Naruto acquiesced.

"You don't look nervous at any rate. Since you came to us you have been my pride," the Twi'leck murmured as he turned to leave, "we will be leaving for the pass in two hours."

"At the steps then," Naruto assured his Zeison Master as the man's steps receded.

I look calm to you? Oh Natsec… If only you knew.

Over three months ago the First Warrior had inadvertently revealed the identity of his mole in Traya's crew to Naruto.

Our hero had worked hard for a moment such as this. He had worked hard convincing the Zeison Sha that he was something he was not – winning their trust.

He was grateful for the clouding effect Traya's taint had on her mother's abilities. Else she and her First Warrior would have caught on from the day his 'father's' head went tumbling down the steps.

It had only been the work of a few text messages to convince Traya that she was best served letting the double agent be.

Now months later it was thanks to the diligence of said agent in pursuing her duty that they were able to set up the ambush they had planned.

Natsec's source had given the Twi'leck information suggesting that Traya had a big shipment of spice coming into the planet's second city. Furthermore the First Warrior mistakenly believed that Traya herself would be there to receive it.

The warriors had sought Naruto's input when they had been deciding which route to take. Everyone respected his talent for reading the planet's winds, and guessing which way they would blow.

On the surface the route he had suggested was quick; usually full of friendly gales that would speed them on their way.

His heart had throbbed for a second when the First Warrior had remarked that they would have to be careful when moving through a particular gully.

The desert sands gave way to rock in the area, and above the ravine there were wicked rock formations which could hide a thousand men. These created natural firing lanes.

It was with this in mind that Naruto had suggested the route.

Thankfully the First Warrior was yet unaware of his betrayal, and he had pointed out the tactical dangers of the region simply because he was a thorough commander.

There would be quite the surprise for Natsec and his chosen elite when they arrived at the ambush point. Despite the fact that they now thought themselves ready for a theoretical snare.

For Traya would be nowhere to be found, and they would face anti-personnel emplacements, built over the past week into the gully's surroundings, and manned by mercenaries versed in the ways of heavy laser cannon.

Furthermore they would have to contend with Naruto, for he would serve as the fourth column in the battle to come.

After years of study Naruto had finally learned how to use Sha Kalan's disciples' very nature against them; by this eve he would become the instrument of sorrow that they themselves had crafted.

The Zeison Sha numbered in the hundreds, but at any given time there were usually less than fifty warriors in the temple. Out of this number half would be newly promoted from the apprentice ranks, and the rest fighters of some capability.

The vast bulk of the Force sect made their home outside the temple. They either wondered Yanibar itself lending aid where it was needed, or they roamed nearby star systems doing likewise.

Traditionally they were a very independent people, but tonight the First Warrior would lead every available warrior in the temple to where he thought Traya would be. Only three of their number would remain in the temple to guard the High Priestess.

Whilst Naruto and her loyal criminals dealt with the deceived First Warrior and his group Traya would take the opportunity to sneak into Sha Kalan.

Naruto had not expected their ruse to work as well as it had, but he couldn't really fault Natsec for his eagerness. Darth Traya was the biggest problem Yanibar had faced in years.

If she had her way she wouldkill her own mother, and in so doing deprive the Zeison Sha of a great leader.

Under her tutelage the planet's underground grew obscenely wealthy, and criminal activity skyrocketed.

The Zeison had become accustomed to the foresight of their High Priestess, and how it allowed her to predict trouble before it sparked, but Traya's arrival three years ago had clouded her mother's vision, and the powerful seer had not been able to pierce the dark veil which shielded her daughter's intentions from her abilities.

She had better get the job done.

Traya would have this one chance. After his own part in the plot was done Naruto intended to get as far away from Yanibar as was possible. When the Zeison Sha learnt of his betrayal he would be a wanted man. Assassins from Yanibar would probably be nipping at his heels for the rest of his life.

Let them come. He smiled as he left his room and made a beeline for the kitchens.

They will discover that I learnt Natsec's lessons well.

Coruscant: Jedi Temple

Sakura had her rose colored hair pulled back into a messy knot, and she worried at her lower lip with her teeth. It had been weeks since she lost her Padawan braid, but her fingers still idly rose to tug on the non-existent strand.

She was in the temple library reviewing the latest literature from the Coruscanti medical society. The editorial on her datapad was a review on an article that had been written the month before by her Master.

She was working very hard not to get angry – very. The rival professor had the nerve to suggest that her Master did not know how potent Bacta produced in the presence of elite Vrachen suppliers was, and that the experienced, venerable even Ithorian Jedi Master had simply stumbled upon a rare batch of the highest grade Bacta, and mistakenly assumed his Force powers had achieved his intended amplifying effect.

Master should have known better than to publish for civilians anyway. What do they know of the Force?

The Temple's library was done up in soothing colors meant to relax and inspire meditative study; soft ambers and subdued blues. There were no overbearing reds, or brilliant whites to be found, but the article incensed Sakura and she began to lose her cool.

The hover-cushion she perched on was cobalt. It matched the hue of her simple robes; although it lacked the flower patterns she had painstakingly stitched with silver and black thread. Its back was a technological marvel which molded itself to the posture of each new occupant, but she was still irritated.

She pushed away from the desk abruptly - bumping into her neighbor and sending him to push against his own table.

She almost dislodged the carved Japor ivory wood hilt of her Lightsaber from its simple clip. As it was the seashell tassels she had attached to its end clattered softly further breaking the meditative silence.

If Jedi Knights could glare over such petty matters then the man did so. To her horror she realized that it was Lovett Alcatraz.

She had developed quite the crush on him ever since she had heard his lecture on ancient medicinal remedies.

His smooth baritone and smoldering dark eyes had pierced her in a way that rivaled even her abiding affection for Sasuke, and she had thought that the packed conference hall melted away – and that his gaze was for her only.

"Gomenasai," she said. Reflexively she slipped into her old tongue. She became doubly mortified at the look of confusion on his face. Accomplished scholars hated to be out of the loop.

What the fuck are you doing idiot girl! Why is he here! GAAARGH I'll kill you! Her alter ego was always on hand at these times; without much success she suppressed the voice inside.

"Excuse me?"

"Sorry, I meant sorry, it means sorry, I mean… please excuse me," her face had turned beet red, but she tried her best not to scurry as she left the temple library.

I am going to slaughter that dirty Thyferran!

She blamed the professor whose article she had been reading for her loss of calm as she hurried into the hall outside.

Professor Hirf (no relation of the famous Qlaern Hirf) was fiercely protective over Bacta, like all members of his species, for it was they who had created it - and who to the day controlled most of the production.

We have to go to their home-planet. Master needs to prove his theories, and convince them somehow - if we can the Jedi will be able to eradicate disease.

Even though she knew her Master's breakthrough could lead to an even more potent elixir it would be hard to convince the Vratix that their 'perfect palliative' could ever be improved by outsiders.

The temple was positively bustling at this time of day. The purposeful strides of the Jedi matched by the eager and wonderstruck gazes of the supplicants who had been admitted for the day.

You could recognize the first timers from the way they stared at the vaunted ceilings; mostly people with little history who knew nothing of Corillean Baroque, or Ogoth Tirian Gothic, or Coruscanti Renaissance.

Sakura would have sunk even deeper into her foul mood if she did not spot a friendly face.

Hinata was striding towards her; brought ever closer by the gentle press that flowed in both directions. To her joy she could see that her friend lacked her Padawan's braid.

She hadn't set eyes on the Hyuuga in the week since the beautiful, pale, young girl had told her that she would also be testing.

"Hinata! I'm so happy for you!" even though there was palpable joy in her voice she kept her words hushed. It would not be seemly to disturb the calm too much.

They let their hands do the talking. Hinata smiled as she brought her arms forward from where they had been stashed serenely behind her back, and they clasped each other warmly. Already the other Jedi stalking by paused fractionally to take note and the subtle whispers sprang up.

It was rare for children as young as they were to be elevated to full Knighthood. This was an unwelcome change from life in Konoha where times had been peaceful, but everyone in the Temple could sense the dark pall that had cast its shadow over the Force.

Already resources were put in place to maintain constant Holo-net contact with the Temples on Corellia and Tython. Although this was expensive there was little the Jedi could do but pay the exorbitant rates of the media corporations. They had no choice but to be ready this time when the dark swept over the galaxy once more.

"I'm glad you passed as well Sakura though I fear the need for us so early," Hinata perceptive as always was gazing serenely out of the massive viewing-glass. She had already noted that Sakura also lacked her braid, and now her attention was on the sun; it gave the illusion of tranquility.

Hinata had blossomed on Coruscant. Sakura would have envied her delicate companion if the Jedi had not taught her as well as they had – as it was she felt a soft glow in her heart.

"Let's go to my quarters," she said as they fell into step with the crowd, "far too much time has passed since we last spoke."

Sha Kalan: Chambers of the High Priestess

Darth Traya had spent years nursing the grievance she held against her mother. Years under the tutelage of Deimus; a Neti Dark Lord without modern comparison. She had envisioned how she would break into the temple grounds of her youth and put right the wrongs of the past as her powers grew.

Though in those moments when she had first fled she had never thought of seeing the worn steps again.

She remembered how her mother had stood over her father. Even though there had been tears in her eyes - tears Traya even now acknowledged as genuine, for she had been first witness to their love - she had sternly ordered her First Warrior's apprentice; the Twi'leck Natsec to execute his Master.

The Force had told her that her husband would eventually fall to the dark, and carry the Zeison Sha along with him.

Well the Light side didn't deign to inform you that I would stand in his place, but I care not for the Sha. If I could I would destroy your precious order, and I am certain to kill you.

She was certain because even now she stood in the secluded corridor leading to her mother's private chambers.

What guards there had been she had veiled in webs of confusion. The slobbering wrecks were physically potent, but they lacked her mental proficiency.

Mara grimaced as she went to knock at the door. Even now after all this time her youthful habits beckoned to her. There had been a time she would have had to knock, for she could find her father inside locked in half embrace with ma.

She pushed the door open with some force. She was not surprised to see her mother standing to face her. This close the seer surely knew that she had come, and had surely predicted her own death.

"Mother…" she purred out the words, and was pleased to see hints of fear and doubt entered her mother's face for the first time.

Mariel had passed down the bulk of her features to her daughter. Except for Mara's nose which emulated the cruel slant her father had borne. She had the same aquiline eye and cultured neckline; an identical head of curling blonde hair. She had the same slender frame, just tall enough for a female warrior, and feminine grace.

She lacked the scars Mara bore on the back of her legs and torso.

She lacked the schooling and power Darth Traya had earned serving the dark.

"Mara… I knew you would come," even now her mother played the part of wise seer. The middle aged has been sat herself at her armoire, and proceeded to fiddle with the objects on its face. "I knew ever since the day I consigned your father. Though I had hope that I could change what was inevitable with love you never gave me the chance. You left so suddenly."

"What choice did I have?" Traya answered despite herself. She brought the new Lightsaber she had fashioned to bear. It was adapted from a training saber, and she had been forced to use one of the crystals out of her stash to power it and an improvised power cell, but it would do the job.

"You had my father killed before my very eyes," Traya said as she stalked across the room.

"I had no choice. One day I hope you come to understand." Mariel's voice was soft, soft, tired, and weak.

She made no move to shield herself from the gleaming red blade which pierced her heart.

Yanibar: Ambush Point

The criminals in Traya's employ abandoned their usual ineptitude. They must have realized that this was their single chance to decimate the forces of order.

When they sprung their trap they did so eloquently, and with a dedication to perfection that their dead brethren would have admired.

Concealing tarps were removed from the cannon on the ridges. The gunners were linked to the A.I's installed in the huge machines – which stood (its delicate machinery housed in a stout durasteel turtle shell and its gaping mouth spitting fire) on squat legs- though the computers were not as powerful as those that would govern capital ships, factories, or orbital emplacements, the gunners had preternatural accuracy over two kilometers.

"Break!" Natsec's worst nightmare was flowering before his buttery eyes. Already a dozen had fallen to the scything blaster fire caught as they were in the crosshairs of three separate and fortified batteries.

His followers rushed to do his bidding – throwing themselves to the dry and soft sands of the washed out gully – while a few brave souls began scale the sides of the ravine.

They met with surprise as men who had been hiding at the lip began to fire down at them. Several were hit and immediately fell to their deaths whilst the others belatedly began to retaliate with their blades.

Naruto himself had discblade in hand and as he weaved through the falling bodies and harsh rays he longed to bring Traya's Lightsaber into play.

He supposed the grizzled old warrior could only do his best to impose order as he watched the Twi'leck continue to bray orders. The being had let loose his great disc of office, for he made a standing target. The blade cut figure eight patterns in the air around its master as it reflected bolts meant to wither his frame.

Naruto almost moved to engage from within as he was to do, but something told him that the tide was not yet ripe.

He understood why his instincts had stayed his hand in the next instance when Natsec began to use his considerable Force ability.

He was not First Warrior of the Zeison Sha for nothing. He was already exerting great telekinetic ability as he manipulated the heavy defensive discblade like a leaf, and now he had his eyes closed in temporary meditation.

Soon enough gales of wind began to stir up the dust, and even to lash at the men controlling the laser cannon, for though their weapons were invincible they were not. It was time for Naruto to act.

"First Warrior! Look to your pride!" there was bile in his snarling voice as he flourished Traya's crimson Lightsaber. The malevolent blade seemed joyful to be released from its concealing prison as it came alive with a snap hiss.

Those warriors still alive stood in shock; looks of rage or incomprehension painted faces.

The laser fire had cooled after Natsec's intervention, but sporadic bursts still came through. The mercenaries had routed those who tried to scale the ridges, putting their superior numbers t and vantage to use, and were swarming down to converge on Naruto – who they could identify via the saber he bore.

Natsec opened his eyes. It tore his heart to see Naruto standing there so before him; discblade in one hand and the trademark weapon of an enemy even worse than the Jedi in the other, but he had no choice. The boy had laid bare his malevolent nature for all to judge and there could be no turning back from this.

"Kill the traitor," he said.

Naruto was proud of his Zeison Sha Master. The man was wise to adapt to reality without recourse to a lengthy session of how could you? Or why is this so? Still he hadn't expected his former brothers to turn on him with such ferocity.

He had expected them to be poleaxed with shock for a few seconds more at his transformation.

Collins sent his blade sweeping at him in a wide arc. Naruto locked it into mind as he turned to face more deadly fare. Collins was just out of training.

Bvethla came from one of the few Zabrak families to have settled on the planet, and she was very talented. Naruto remembered her from his early classes, and she had graduated before him.

Her face (designed with blue tattoos) was the picture of calm as she came for him, for she leant closer to the light than most in the Sha, but she was a bundle of energy as she advanced with a blade gripped in each hand.

He went to meet her letting loose with his own blade as he ran. She battered it to the side, but he retained control over the whirling projectile with his mind and sent it to bury in Collins' neck.

Naruto felt the hint of danger he had been tracking from Collins loose blade vanish from his mind. The foolish boy had left himself unprotected when he saw Naruto turn away.

A smile broke out on his face as Bvethla lost control over her features. The Zabrak wore a snarl to match his grin as the clashed weapons.

She came at him like a lithe boxer, swiping at him with the discs clenched in each fist, and he backpedalled using his saber to parry her blows.

Some fool tried to interrupt them with a thrown blade but the sound of it echoed in his mind, and he leaped to dodge. Bvethla was not so aware and she was forced to parry the thrown disc. This gave him the opportunity to plant his satisfied right boot in her face.

She stumbled back as he landed, but before he could press his advantage another warrior tried to ambush him. He sheared the weapon in half with his saber. The fact that he had been able to cut it so easily meant that the owner was low ranked and did not own cortosis. He wondered how the being still lived when his betters had been slaughtered by indiscriminate cannon.

He pressed the attack. The pain from his previous blow forced Bvethla to fight on the defensive, and slowly he inched her closer to his trap.

Meanwhile the mercenaries had arrived on the scene. They would ensure that there would be no more surprise interventions in the duels he engaged in.

Finally Bvethla was where he wanted her to be, with her back to Collins body, she had forgotten about his discblade as he engaged her with the Lightsaber.

He intentionally left an opening in his left sector. She threw the blade in her right hand eagerly. She hoped she could strike him down. As suddenly as it had appeared the opening vanished and his saber swung down to swat her discblade into the ground. At that same moment he called back his own discblade from Collins body whilst thrusting forward with the saber. She was forced to parry his energy sword, and her eyes widened in realization when it was already too late as his blade sawed through her middle as it returned to his hand.

"No!" Natsec had turned his attention to the mercenaries present in the gully when those criminals had shown their faces – scaling down into the ravine, but he had also kept an eye on Bvethla's battle with his apprentice.

He was caught in two minds even as his defensive blade reflected a blaster bolt back into the midsection of its owner. He did not know if any single one of his warriors could take down his dark apprentice, armed as he was with saber and blade, and he saw no choice but to join the fight himself.

"Face me old man," Naruto maintained his disrespectful smile as he called out to the First Warrior. As far as he was concerned the old warrior did not have a choice as to whether they did battle, and he enjoyed the thrill of employing Don Moch. "Come and get your pride," he grabbed at his penis. "It's here between my legs."

The First Warrior made no reply, but he came nonetheless. Like Bvethla he had a fighting blade in each hand, but his defensive blade cut lazy arcs through the air as it circled him offering its protection.

This is gonna be some fight. Quick too.

Adrenalin had been pumping through Naruto's veins since they had left the temple, but this final showdown took the biscuit.

Sweat poured down his forearms to mingle with the bloody grip of his discblade in left hand, and to loosen his grip on the Lightsaber in right. He spread his feet and entered a defensive crouch as he splayed his left hand forward in the approaching Natsec's direction. His fingers touched the inner rim of his discblade whilst his thumb and mind maintained iron control over the weapon.

His right hand held his saber out and back. He had reversed the grip so that he held it parallel to his forearm, and he also had it bound under his mental control.

Natsec was within distance now and they circled each other warily.

Though men and beings fought and died all around them it was this battle which would dictate the fate of all the others, for it was the survivor's side who would prevail.

So the Force dictates.

Natsec came for him with more fury and finesse than Bvethla could ever muster even if she studied with the Zeison Sha for eternity.

He did not hold the fighting blades, but sent them to whir at Naruto in succession and rapidly recalling each to his grip so that he could not take advantage.

Naruto did not know why they called the defensive blade that, for his old mentor used the weapon proactively. The Twi'leck sent the weapon tumbling at him. More than once he was forced to tumble through the dirt in an undignified manner.

The duel continued in this vein for several long and tense minutes.

The mercenaries had ceased pouring fire down into the ravine seeing as their own men were also there. Even so Naruto could tell that very few Zeison Sha Warriors remained alive for his Master began to attack him with a desperate fury.

"You have taken everything," the Twi'leck ground the words out as he advanced. Things around them had cooled to the point that the mercenaries were free to form a ring of spectators around them.

Still a carefree grin plastered Naruto's face. He stilled the motions of the defensive blade for an instant using his considerable telekinetic ability, and swept in close punching at Natsec's sternum with his discblade whilst stabbing for his instep with his Lightsaber.

Natsec parried both attacks, but the Twi'leck could not stop himself from getting entangled with Naruto, and the blonde head-butted him viciously - savoring the pain and using it to fuel his reflexes. His right hand twitched and the pitch of his thrust changed. He managed to cut Natsec deeply on the shin as the warrior drew back.

He had a second of warning that arrived just in time as he realized that he had lost the battle over Natsec's discblade. He dove to the side as it came crashing into the earth where he had stood – its blades straining against the blood soaked turf.

Clambering to his feet Naruto kept the dangerous weapon in mind as he faced Natsec again. He was breathing heavily, but the Twi'leck warrior was by far the worse off.

Natsec limped forward favoring the leg that Naruto's saber had burnt. He still had power over his discblade, and he pulled it from the earth with his will, but when it resumed its predatory arcs its motions were unsteady and labored.

The Twi'leck had lost one of his fighting blades when they had clashed. Uncharacteristically he made no move to retrieve it instead, for the first time he looked around and met the leering faces of the rogues who had slaughtered his warriors. The fact that he was the only one from his order left alive seemed to strike him, and Natsec let out a withered breath.

"Come to your honorable death," Naruto said as he resumed his stance. In the unlikely event that Natsec managed to defeat him the mercenaries would still not let live.

It could have been his imagination, but later he would come to tell himself that the First Warrior had nodded in acceptance in those last moments.

Coruscant: Sakura's Quarters

"So that's how it is in the end," Sakura sighed. She had been expecting the news that Hinata had to bear, but still she could only wonder how Sasuke would take it.

"Yes. Mistress Pav was quite sure that Sasuke will not be allowed to test till next year. Despite the coming darkness we all feel," Hinata was so assured and polite that many of the Jedi held her up to young members of the order as a shining example to be aspired to, but Sakura could tell that she was also pondering the nature of their compatriot's eventual reaction to the news that he was not to be elevated.

Even Sakura was slightly awestruck as she watched the girl daintily sip the tea she had prepared.

We're a far sight from Konoha

"And when do you leave for Corellia," she asked. She wondered what Hinata thought about her room and its subtle rosy furnishings. She wondered what the dark haired girl's quarters were like. She had never seen them.

Hinata paused to look at her before replying. Her steaming mug held in mid grip, and her lavender eyes hauntingly beautiful. There was no need for artificial lighting as the open viewing portal let in the rays and a mild breeze.

"In two weeks… I am to train under the battlemaster there," was it just her or did the girl betray doubt in her tone.

"Are you worried?"

"I don't know. I- It is a rare honor, and the order is going to much expense," yes a shadow of the shy girl her friend had once been was back.

"Don't worry," Sakura turned to face her comfortingly, "I wish the order showed as much faith in me as they do you. I wish there was still a great library at Ossus so that I could unlock medicinal secrets, or I could do more to help with the new spice addiction that is sweeping the poor quarters, but we are all called to different levels of service."

"Oh Sakura!" one hand flew to cover Hinata's mouth. "You are very useful to the order! I won't have you say otherwise!"

Sakura smiled to herself. Her wise and giving friend was back and she would do her best to make sure that left for the Corillean system in the same spirits.

Yanibar: Traya's Hideout

Naruto rode back to Traya's headquarters on the back of one of the mercenaries Speeders. There was no need for subtlety now. Not with his fingers covered in the First Warrior's blood, and a legion of witnesses who would recount their victory when they returned to terrorize the environs liquor houses.

He remembered the expression on the old warrior's face as the duel had ended. He had stared at the hilt of Traya's Lightsaber in consternation. As if he could not understand why it poked through his sternum, and he did not know the spiky blonde who gripped it with both hands.

Whatever thoughts there were that had been going through the Twi'leck head had surely been extinguished by Naruto's discblade as it circled with a predatory glint to come sawing into his neck.

At the end the First Warrior's ceremonial discblade had lain beside his dismembered torso.

His dead eyes had seemed to glare daggers of betrayal at it as Naruto scooped it up from the sand, and divested the slain warrior of his bandolier.

Traya's smugglers and mercenaries had given him a wide birth as he climbed out of the ravine, and nobody had said a word to him as he had seated himself in when of their vehicles; hacking into the computer interface that controlled it.

It was odd riding in a Speeder after the time he had spent with the Zeison Sha running across the sands. Odder still for he had not had much opportunity to use the devices even when he had been with Traya - her training had been more hands on in nature. He could not feel the wind cutting into his flesh; the temperate environs inside the reinforced transparisteel cockpit wrong.

It was with relief that he exited the vehicle, and entered Traya's 'hut' hideout for the last time.

Checking the secret base for her presence she was nowhere to be found. Not even in the training area where she spent a large amount of her day, or in the bedroom where she entertained her 'sexual nutrition.' He left her Lightsaber on the mantle by her bedside. He wasn't a thief.

Well…

It wasn't what he intended to steal.

He wandered through aimlessly. She had never told him which cavernous hallway led to the room he searched for. Somewhere in this complex there was a Ship. With a concealed egress way, for Traya would never present her enemies on planet with a lair to trap her in.

He almost missed what he was looking for, but something guided his steps. Something wanted him off planet. He found the secret way in her library. Predictable, but out of odds with what he would expect from Traya who he had thought would hide the way in the toilets or some such dank area.

The passageway was surprisingly short. Although all things considered it served its purpose much better that way. Like all the other areas of Darth Traya's subterranean abode it was poorly lit.

Access to the ship itself was barred by a reinforced door. The only security was an old fashioned keypad with the Sith alphabet.

Naruto stopped to think. Traya was twisted, and she did not know that he had at least mastered the corresponding letters for the galactic basic alphabet.

That bitch… it would be just like her.

Hesitantly at first, but then with increasing confidence his fingers typed out her mother's name.

Mariel…

There was a tense delay, but he felt triumph when the door hissed aside.

Got you on the first guess

If the first War-Yacht he had ever laid eyes on had given him the impression of an unsheathed dagger then this one reminded him of a bear's paw replete with five black claws.

He looked closer and noticed its name stained in white on the matte noire surface.

The Aventis

Even now Traya's efficiency and pride had worked against her, for in putting in the code to the door leading to this magnificent launching bay he had also woken the ship's A.I.

He felt its powerful presence resonate with his brain as he approached. An itch began to build at the base of his neck where his interface was installed.

You're a virgin! Even Traya hasn't taken you out yet!

He greeted his new ship with a smile as it opened its hatch to him and sent an inquisitive landing ramp trailing forth.

"Don't worry my dear we'll get you a new paint job, but first Tatooine. There is a beast I have been dying to hunt."

A/N

"Thanks for the apology Joe. This chapter is dedicated to you,"

- Darklighter