Chapter 12 is here? Already? It wasn't supposed to get published until, like, a millennia later, right? Wrong! It's here, and yes, it's actually here. Click it, and it won't disappear...unless someone's snatched it from me. If they do, gimme! It's mine, and I claim it! Well, just read, okay? Enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: It's not, will never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever be mine, not in a century, definitely not in a millennia!
"Are these our new quarters?" she asked, eyes wide. Luminara chuckled.
"Yes, young one," she replied, standing next to her padawan in the quiet hallway. "The Council has granted us new quarters, far from your…old ones."
"How far?" Ani asked warily, eyeing the door cautiously.
"At least six floors away, from what I heard," the Master assured her.
"From the Healer's Wing, too?" she asked impishly, humor glinting in her eyes. The elder woman laughed and ruffled her short, blond hair.
"Yes, my padawan, far enough from the Healer's Wing too." The padawan gave a small sigh of relief. She knew that if she wanted to have a chance at a new life, she had to do her best to keep away from the quarters where she and her former master had stayed in. Trying to remember past memories without totally going berserk would be difficult, but she was ninety-nine percent sure her new master would help her through this. After all, Master Luminara was nice…right?
Luminara chuckled. "Don't worry young one, I made sure to tell Master Yoda that you hated the Healer's Wing, which he agreed with. That's one reason why we got this. The other is so that we can spend some time together by ourselves – away from the other Jedi for the most part." Ani smiled up shyly.
"Thank you, Master," she said in a near whisper, beaming a small smile up to her. She was glad that they'd be able to spend some time by themselves, away from other beings. She had never felt really comfortable around others, rather spending time journaling, reading in the archives, or even writing.
Luminara was pleased, also, that they'd be able to have some time to themselves. She really wanted to know more about this little one who was so shy, who had a few friends, and who looked (even though she really hated to say it) undersized. Probably that brutal master of hers, she considered, and agreed. As she looked at her padawan, beaming with newfound happiness, she silently vowed, I will never let you be abused again, my padawan. Never again, as long as I'm around to protect you. However, she sensed that some dark and trying times were ahead, and that only a true bond forged then would be able to stand underneath it all.
The problem was, the girl still had the former bond in her head. Barely threads of it remained, but it was still there. In order to create a long-lasting bond, they had to completely clear her mind of the old one in order to make room for the new one. However, that could cause nightmares, night terror, and other medical complications for her, not to mention that she was the only half-blood Mirialan Jedi, with a system just a little abnormal but made her nearly impossible to fully comprehend. Hopefully, they wouldn't be called for any missions for at least a week or so. Bonding took quite a bit of time, and trust wasn't gained in a day.
Shaking the thoughts away, Luminara turned to find her padawan. "Come, Ani," she called to the still-grinning young one, who looked up at her and straightened. "Let's go in." The door whooshed behind them as they entered their quarters, and talked awhile, for the first time. The future danger could wait. After all, they had to form an apprenticeship unlike any other in order to face it.
Luminara smiled as she laid down to sleep that night. Her padawan trusted her so far. It was going okay. From this point on, she'd be treading on eggshells…okay, on a krayt dragon's cave at night. Not exactly a great thing, but it had to be done. Hey, she had done a great job in coaxing Ani out of her shell so far. Now all she had to do was convince her that she, her Master, was worthy enough to confide in. There was enough time to take it slow, however. The slower the better, not just for her padawan, but for herself as well. Besides, they were off duty for a while, not until at least two weeks later…right?
Okay...gotta work on other stories here. However, it would still be great to hear from you, readers! : D Keep up the great reviews. Hopefully I'll be able to write more, even with the stuff I have to do around home. God bless!