I am very sorry for the late update. I have no excuse...well, the chapter was long and hard to write so I suppose that does count as an excuse, doesn't it?

Many, many thanks to my reviewers, your reviews made my day! So now this is the third chapter. Enjoy.

CHAPTER 3

Of Sparring Lessons and Friends in Need

"Divide into pairs," Master Vacedai barked at the Initiates that milled around in the training room. The younglings did so, obediently splitting up into pairs, most of them teaming up with a friend.

Maia Vestarii already stood in a corner with her best friend, Sabie'nrha Assani, a red skinned Twi'lek. Both were a little grouchy, having been told off during Astromath lesson because they had been talking in class.

The red-head's bad mood however could not dampen her anticipation. She loved sparring lessons. Master Vacedai was strict, but not as dull as her other teachers. And somehow sparring helped her release the all the pent up energy inside her in what Master Narista called 'a much more productive manner' instead of releasing it by playing pranks or tricks on her fellow Initiates.

Master Vacedai walked among the rows of younglings, occasionally stopping to break up a team in order to match each Initiate with a more suitable opponent.

Maia held her breath as he headed towards her and Sabie'nrha. "Initiate Vestarii, today your opponent will be…," he looked around the room, "Initiate Kosta." He beckoned to a dark-haired boy. "Initiate Assani, you and Initiate Sonep." He pointed at the boy's former partner.

Both females exchanged looks as they joined their new opponents. Maia knew Darek Kosta. He was her rival when it came to sparring; both were the best in the class. Both too shared a mutual dislike for each other, ever since Darek had teased her about something and she had dyed him green in retaliation.

At their instructer's command, the Initiates lined up in two rows, each facing his or her opponent. "You are each to attack and defend, using moves from the kata's you have learnt," Master Vacedai said loudly so that everyone in the room could here him. "You are allowed to improvise. A touch to the neck signifies the death blow." He stepped back. At his signal, the Initiates saluted each other then fell into a defensive position.

Her training 'saber extended defensively before her, Maia warily watched Darek, daring him to make the first move. He seemed totally at ease, his 'saber held loosely in his hands. Maia allowed herself to relax. That was exactly what he had been waiting for.

Darek suddenly advanced, his 'saber slashing and chopping. Maia backpeddled, hard pressed to deflect his blows. She mentally kicked herself for letting her guard down. As rest of the room erupted into movement, she concentrated only on him, ignoring everything else.

He slashed at her and she parried the blow. This continued for a while, both of them exchanging blows but neither willing to give ground. After a while Maia grew bored. She knew that Darek was restraining himself, trying to defeat her only using basic attacks.

Her 'saber grazed his hand and he yelped, glaring fiercely at her. Training 'sabers were low-powered but one could still receive a stinging burn if the blade came in contact with one's skin.

She returned his fierce look. Initiates were advised not to use flashy moves, but she ignored that advice now. She swung her 'saber in an arc, only to have her descending blade blocked. Darek too attacked furiously, but with more measured moves. No longer restraining themselves, both children went at each other with hammer and tongs.

The match was certainly more interesting now, Maia noted, but she was getting tired. She watched for an opening in her opponent's guard but there was none. Annoyed, she clenched her teeth. Darek Kosta might be very good at sparring for his age but she knew some things nine-year-olds did not.

"I see no reason why you had to drag me here, Arianne," Jeran snapped irritably at his companion.

Arianne Shamwari patted her friend placatingly on his arm. "Stop getting all worked up, Jerry. I have just told you ten minutes ago, I've been considering taking a Padawan."

Jeran shook of her hand. "Don't call me Jerry. And I cannot see what any of this has to do with me."

"I just want to know your opinion-,"

"-it's a harebrained idea."

"-about her," she continued. "Do not interrupt me, Jeran." She indicated a red-skinned Twi'lek girl sparring with a tow-headed boy in the centre of the room.

"Poor girl," muttered her friend under his breath.

"Je-ran! Stop being so…so difficult!"

"Arianne," said Jeran, crossing his arms. "I know I am not here just to give you my opinion on Padawans. You know very well that I don't care who you choose to torture if you're happy with your choice. So, why am I here?"

Arianne sighed and ran a hand through her long black hair. "You, my dear Jeran, are here because I really want your opinion about her. But you're right." She swung round to regard him with her dark almond shaped eyes. "You are also here because I think it is about time that you too take the responsibility of training a Padawan."

"What!"

"Don't 'what' me Jeran. You need a Padawan. You've become so withdrawn-I suppose it's all those missions you take- and I hardly see you except in the Healers' Wing. Will it kill you not to take one any high-risk infiltration missions you so enjoy going on?"

"Yes," he replied tersely.

Arianne threw up her hands in exasperation. "So it's fun to die, huh? Or do you like the thrill of getting shot Force knows how many times or getting blown up? It's fun, eh?"

Jeran ignored her and trained his gaze on the sparring Initiates below. He recognized the girl he had met yesterday, the red-head Maia. Her training saber was locked with that of a young boy's. Both children were determined to defeat each other. From what he could see, both were the best among the class.

He could see sweat beading on the boy's forehead as he tried to gain leverage over his opponent. Maia abruptly skipped aside to avoid his blade as she disengaged it in a sudden movement. She twirled her 'saber in a rather flashy flourish (of which he was sure the class had not learnt yet) as she wove the weapon through the boy's defences. A moment later the glowing blade was at his throat, signalling the killing blow.

He watched as the boy turned away looking disgusted at his defeat while Maia punched the air, rejoicing at her victory.

"Jeran!" His view was suddenly obscured by Arianne's face.

"Huh?"

"Huh? Were you listening to me?"

"No. And lower your voice, you're going to cause a scene."

Arianne sighed deeply. Grabbing his arm, she pulled him to a tiny alcove where they wouldn't disturb anyone. "Listen to me Jeran. You will take a Padawan. The responsibility will do you good. I worry for you. After you were in that coma for ten days-"

"-nine days."

"Whatever. It hurts me, Jeran. Maybe you don't care, but each time my best friend blunders into a blasted fire fight or explosion it hurts me. Do you think I don't care?" Her voice broke and she pulled out a handkerchief from her utility belt and blew her nose. "Please, take care of yourself more." She sniffed a few times into her hanky.

Then all of a sudden she burst out, "You're the most selfish person I've ever met!" She sobbed, her eyes brimming with tears. "You only care about yourself. You don't care if other people worry themselves to death about you, do you? Half my life is spent in the Healers' Wing visiting you, hoping you'll recover, and helping you reconnect with the rest of the world."

Jeran was taken aback by her outburst. He wanted to say something but she cut him of angrily. "Don't tell me that I do not need to do that, Jeran. I have to help, Jeran! You are my friend! How do you think I could walk away with a clear conscience if I just leave telling myself it's your problem, not mine? How could I live with myself?"

Arianne was crying in earnest now. Tears streamed down her cheeks and she did not seem to care if anyone heard her. Jeran guiltily realised that she had most likely bottled up all her feelings and worries for years and had now finally reached the breaking point.

Feeling helpless, he gently patted her on the back, the action seeming to be the right thing to do at the moment. "I am very thankful for everything that you-"

"-I do not want your gratitude, Jeran. I just want you to take care of yourself. Not only for your sake but for mine. For your friends' sake, Jeran. I'm not the only one who worries."

She angrily dashed her tears away. "You," she said poking him hard in the chest, "are the most selfish, self-centred, conceited person I have ever had the misfortune to meet."

"I am sorry, Arianne, I really am. I never thought-" He broke of when his friend started laughing hysterically.

"No!" she shrieked. "You never think. Sometimes I wonder if you have a brain in that thick skull of yours."

"Listen," Arianne said, prodding him hard in the chest again. "You will think of what I just told you. You will consider it. And may the Force help you if you don't have a good reply for me the next time I see you. Goodbye."

With those words, she turned and stalked away, leaving Jeran standing alone in the corridor.

Pronunciation Guide

Arianne Shamwari: AH-rEE-AEn shAAm-wAA-rEE

Sabie'nrha Assani: sAA-bEEN-rhAA AH-sAA-nEE

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May the Force be you.

-Xrai