The first day had not been any real challenge to Harry's endurance. He was tired, and a little thirsty, but he still felt alert as he focused his attention on the large stones across from him. Now half way through his second day and he was starting to feel the drain. The inside of his mouth felt like it was made of the coarse sand that he was kneeling in. He had lost feeling in his knees and lower legs hours ago, and hoped that it would eventually return. He was focusing intently on moving the stones, while at the same time not calling on his own magic, but the progress was slow going. There were a few fleeting moments where he thought he felt something strange, something surrounding him, but as quickly as it came on it went away.

As more hours passed by and the second night's sky emerged, his physical and mental state began to deteriorate even further, and he felt himself slipping closer and closer to unconsciousness. He was fighting every ounce of his being to try and keep upright and his eyes open, but he was slowly losing that fight. Eventually, the draw of the night's darkness was too much for him and his eyes closed. He felt the rest of his body begin to slacken and could feel himself falling forwards towards the sand. Something happened though, before he was able to smack into the ground.

Even though his eyes were closed, he was actually seeing something. There were flashes of lights that at first were just a whirlwind of colors, but then began to manifest into shapes. Eventually, Harry was looking at a blurry version of the world and landscape around him. The lights were simply forming the shapes of the various features, not recreating them in any great detail. He knew immediately that this is what he had been waiting to happen, because it felt nothing like when he used his own magic. Instead, it felt like he could literally feel his surroundings, like they were an extension of him.

Focusing on the lights that surrounded him, Harry willed those closest to him to move towards the rocks that he was supposed to move. Instead of the lights immediately moving away from him, they were drawn in around him like the tide before an oncoming wave. The lights clumped together before there was a magnificent pulse that rippled outwards. The lights moved swiftly, colliding with the rocks and sending them rolling in various directions. After the force of lights impacted, they immediately retracted and again formed a blanket over Tatooine's desert terrain. Harry had little time to celebrate his considerable progress and achievement, because just as the lights settled down again, they flickered off completely and he finally fell victim to unconsciousness.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

The first thing that he noticed when he woke was that he was no longer uncomfortably situated in the harsh desert, but was back in his make-shift bed inside of Obi-Wan's home. Said owner was sitting across from, tinkering with some mechanical gadget that Harry was unable to identify. Sensing that Harry was awake, Obi-Wan looked up and acknowledged him with a slight grin.

"I hope you don't mind, but I brought you inside," Obi-Wan commented. "I would have left you, but you fell face first into the sand and I was almost certain you were going to suffocate."

"It's appreciated." Now that Obi-Wan had mentioned, Harry realized he must have taken a mouth full of sand because he could feel the grittiness in between his teeth. He only hoped that he hadn't ingested too much of it.

Obi-Wan stood up from where he was seated and picked up a bundle of clothing, which proceeded to throw to Harry, who had just sat up from his bed. "Judging by the state of you, you may want to get cleaned up. I'm afraid that I draw the line at moving you to your bed. Bathing and changing clothes isn't part of my job as mentor."

"Again, appreciated, " he replied, still getting used to Obi-Wan's dry wit. Harry moved and went to get cleaned. The shower that he took was both refreshing and painful at the same time. The water soothed his aching legs and removed the troublesome sand from numerous places, but it also stung in the places where the sun had assaulted his skin. After changing into the fresh set of clothes, he went back out and sat across from Obi-Wan who had set out a cup of water and a plate of food, which Harry made disappear quickly with little regard to table manners.

"So, from what I was able to observe outside earlier, I think we now have our answer as to whether or not you possess an ability to wield the force," Obi-Wan remarked, then casually took a sip of his own exotic looking beverage.

"It was very much different from my own magic," Harry explained. "There were these lights that I could see surrounding everything around me, and I could actually feel them, if that makes any sense. Is that normal?"

Obi-Wan simply shrugged. "No one can claim that they know everything about the nature of the Force. Those with Force sensitivity all tend to have unique experiences through the Force, so it's not so very simple to say what is right and wrong. You were able to achieve your desire through the Force, so I would say it was normal."

"So what happens next?"

"We get to the point where you don't have to push your body to the brink to simply feel the Force. You need to be able to call on it at all times, to sense other things through it. The best way to accomplish this is through practice. Whenever you do something, try to do it through the Force. If you drop something, use the Force to call it back to you. If you need something moved, use the Force to move it, even if it's the simplest of tasks."

"Will it ever get to the point where I don't even have to focus on it? It just seems to me that, if I'm in the middle of the fight, there won't be enough time for me to shut my eyes and wait for the pretty lights to assemble themselves as I see fit. It seems pretty likely I would be dead by that point and it wouldn't matter anyway."

"Like I said, it all comes down to repetition. The more time you spend trying to hone your connection with the Force, the easier it will become. Menial tasks are nothing for me with the Force, but if I tried to move a space fighter, it would take much more concentration and time.

"So what is the next step?" Harry asked, eager to keep going.

"Go back outside, and stay there until you can move the stones again." Obi-Wan instructed.

"Seriously?" Harry questioned, his eager tone displaced by one of exasperation.

"Yes, I'm serious," Obi-Wan countered. "I told you repetition and practice is ideal. You've just had a success, now you need to build on it, while the knowledge of it is still fresh. Focus on achieving your goal again until you can do it without thought. Hopefully this time you will not have to push your body to the brink."

"Hopefully," Harry muttered, lacking much excitement at the possibility. He had only just finished removing the sand.

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

He had moved the stones. Then he had moved them again...and then again. The second time he had managed to stay conscious, but only just. Then the attempts came easier and easier, until eventually he was able to feel and see the Force moving through his surroundings with much less effort. Obi-Wan was continually impressed with his progress, and theorized that his magical affinity was speeding the process along. Obi-Wan felt ready to increase his training, but Harry was disappointed that it was not with lightsaber combat, only hand-to-hand.

"The thing to remember is that defense is important," Obi-Wan instructed as they stood across from each other outside. "It allows you to maintain your strength and stamina while forcing your opponent to deplete their own. Eventually your opponent will falter, and that is the time to strike. You must be opportunistic, not impetuous. Make sure to start with a solid foundation, and keep balanced. Balance is important in everything you do."

Harry stood with his left foot forward, his right two steps back. He kept his hands up, ready to defend himself. He had never considered himself much the physical type, but since landing on Tatooine he had gained strength as well as confidence. Obi-Wan was in his own fighting stance, and Harry watched as the Jedi Master took a step forward and brought his right hand up to throw a hook. Harry stopped the attack with his left arm, and then attempted to step through with his right leg to sweep out his opponent's legs from behind. Unfortunately Obi-Wan's years of experience prepared him for it, and he gripped Harry's arm and swung him passed.

"A good thought," Obi-Wan commented, "But too slow. The block and the sweep come in the same breath. Anticipate my strikes, and anticipate your counter, and be decisive. Your enemy will feast on your indecision, and it will cost you your life. For now, don't worry about offense, simply focus on protecting your body."

That was how it went for the day. Harry stood and fended off Obi-Wan's attacks. Once Harry became proficient at blocking punches, Obi-Wan progressed to striking with kicks and knees. Harry had been too slow to dodge one of Obi-Wan's strikes and had taken a knee to the stomach that had left him breathless, and fighting the urge to vomit. Obi-Wan had simply stood and waited for to collect himself, and then they went on until Harry muscles forced him to retire for the day.

"You did well," Obi-Wan praised, patting Harry on the shoulder. "A few lapses in your concentration, but only a few."

"Thanks. Now when do I get to try and hit you?"

"When I say so," Obi-Wan answered as he headed back inside.

"I think you're just concerned I'll drop you," Harry boasted. The Jedi Master simply shook his head and chuckled.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

He had been on Tatooine for over a month, and he was making his second trip into Bestine to sell water and to gather information. The stormtroopers were once again standing sentry at the entrance as he approached. As he made it passed the checkpoint, he decided that he would make it a habit of causing the soldiers as much discomfort as possible. Last time he had left them with vicious boils, and this time he decided heating charms would be appropriate. He guessed they would last fifteen minutes before they passed out from the heat. After he did the deed a lingering and satisfying thought that his Father and Godfather would be proud stayed with him.

As he rode through the streets, he noticed that the streets were much busier then the last time he was there. It was harder to maneuver, and he barely missed bumping several people. As he looked around through the merchants, he knew that he should probably seek out someone different to sell to, to try and widen his sphere of knowledge, but he was also male, and when the choice was between dealing with creatures with beaks or snouts and an attractive girl, his choice was made. However, his thoughts became guarded as he approached and saw Nola at her shop, alone, and unmistakably sullen.

Harry parked, and removed his supply of water. He approached slowly, and was glad to see the girl at least manage a half-hearted smile when she saw him. "Back again?" she asked, with obviously fake enthusiasm.

"I promised I would be," he answered, handing over his supply. "By yourself today?" He knew something was seriously wrong a second after he asked the question, because Nola's eyes became dark, and her lips thinned, until they almost disappeared. She looked a mixture of angry and fearful.

"Yes," she struggled to get out. "Alone. I'll be right back." He watched as she turned to deposit the water, and started contemplating what to do next. There was something clearly wrong with her Father, or something had happened to him. The man had clearly been paranoid the last time Harry had been there, afraid of something being overheard concerning Nola's Mother. He connected that with the fact that they had been friends with the executed bartender, and knew this could be a real source of information regarding the rebel's cause. The question now was how hard to push, and how hard he could without drawing unwanted attention.

"Here's you money, Harry." His thoughts were disrupted as Nola held out a handful of coins. Harry took them from her and then decided to push things.

"Is everything okay...I mean, with your Father? I was hoping I would get to see him again." He struck a nerve again.

"My Father," she started hesitantly, "my Father isn't feeling well." He didn't buy the lie for a second.

"Oh, well I hope he feels better before the next time I'm in town," Harry stated before pressing again. "Although, if it's something else, something serious, I'd be willing to hear about it. Especially if it concerns something of a political nature."

Nola eyed him suspiciously and harshly. "Who are you? Are you an informant for the Empire? Haven't you done enough to my family?"

She was angry, and he knew with whatever happened to her parents, she was probably completely justified. "I promise you, I'm no spy...at least for the Empire," he whispered at the end. Now her eyebrows rose in more suspicion, but less anger. "Maybe, I'm just curious about the state of things." He had her attention, but now he needed her trust. Now he was going to be reckless. "What do you sell that you would recommend?" he gestured to the wares that were displayed between them.

She looked confused at the sudden change in direction of their conversation, but reached down for something round and red, that looked a cross between and an apple and a peach. "These are good quality," she commented, holding it up.

"Oh, that does look good. Let me have a look." She reached out as if to hand it to him, but before she could, he focused on the surroundings, on the energy surrounding the apple-like object, and pulled it towards him. The object flew from her hand and straight into his own, drawing a gasp from her, and causing Harry to look around to make sure no one else had noticed.

"Who are you?" Nola demanded again, wide-eyed. "What are you?"

"I'm a friend, Nola. That's all I can say here. But if you would like to talk again, about anything, I'd be more than willing to listen, and help if I can."

"The people who can do what you just did, I've only ever heard about in stories. If the guards knew someone like that was here, they would have that person's head," she stated, clearly warning him. "Why take that risk?"

Harry grinned, trying to lighten her concern. "Like I said, I'm just trying to help. But I could be more helpful, if I had any information that any certain merchants might have."

Harry could tell she was torn about what to do. They stood silent for several moments before she seemed to make up her mind. "There are a lot of open ears around here. If a certain merchant were to say anything, it couldn't be here. There's a merchant that lives the next street over. Her home is the one with the broken speeder out front. If someone were to want to come there for anything, they should come at sundown, and knock three times on the door. Are you going to buy that?"

She wasn't much for coded messages. He got her meaning, but he was pretty sure anyone else who would've been standing close by would have as well. Harry reached into his pocket, pulling out several coins to pay for his snack. "I hope we can do business again soon," he stated casually as he turned and walked away. Now he just had to wait for the suns to set. He put away his water container, and then took a bite of his purchase. The moment after he bit down he was spitting it onto the ground. She could have told him the damn skin wasn't edible.