Hello, hello, everyone! Back with another chapter! I've spent...the majority of my time catching up on Agents of SHIELD on Netflix and watching The Flash. As you can tell, I'm a bit obsessed with superhero stuff. (DC and Marvel - I've only watched iZombie and The Flash (and only three episodes of The Flash...)

And the season two opening episode of Star Wars Rebels is coming up tonight! *screams loudly* But anyways - back to the story.

Chapter Three. The Enchanted

"Hey, you finally did it!" Kira said, her eyes gleaming proudly. "You caught me before I caught you!" Caleb crossed his arms. "I always know where you are," the seven-year old said loftily. "I just never bother telling you. I'm supposed to play it easy on girls." Kira frowned. "My father says that there's a difference between being polite to girls and being annoying to girls," she said. "Being polite means you let them walk ahead of you or help them with their studies. Being mean is just pretending that you're better than them."

Caleb startled. "Oh," he said simply. "Okay." Clasping his hands together, Caleb said, "Then I didn't play it easy with you, Kira. I found you because I found you." He hesitated, and with a careful smile, he asked, "Is that okay now?"

Kira smiled, pleased. "Yeah," she replied happily. "That's much better."

xXx

Kira wished she was lost.

She wished she was in a happier place, a place that might settle her jittery nerves.

But instead, Kira was standing in front of a set of iron gates that seemed to be stuck together. Only they weren't, as Kira found out when she started to open them up. "Steady, Phillip," she whispered as the horse started to neigh uneasily. "You must stay." She took in a deep breath and started out of the gates.

The first thing she saw was the giant castle, like something out of her books. Only, unlike the castles in her books, this one was dark and damp-looking and…incredibly gloomy. Kira shivered. She wrapped her cloak tightly around herself and started down the bridge that led to the castle. Eventually, she reached the doors – and without knocking (her father would be annoyed by her manners, Kira realized with a pang), she pushed open the doors.

"Hello?" Kira called, stepping inside. She looked around the entrance – a red carpet, statues…a chandelier and marble staircases. Under different circumstances, Kira would have actually enjoyed this kind of design – maybe even admired it – but if this was the castle that was holding her father hostage, well…she didn't think this castle deserved appreciation. "Father?" Kira called, running up the staircase. "Father, are you here? Please answer me!"

xXx

"Mother! Mother! I saw a girl in the castle!"

Padmé turned around to see her son hopping towards her. It had been a few years since they were all transformed – and still, Padmé had to take a few moments to realize that the hopping teacup was her son. "Now, now, Luke," she chided, "I won't have you making up any tales. The master isn't in a very good mood – and you shouldn't say anything as ridiculous as that."

"But Mother, I saw her!" Luke protested.

"No, no – into the tub with you!" Padmé replied, helping her son into the little tub of soap water, ignoring Luke's continued protests. Just then, there was a, "Padmé!"

The teapot sighed and turned around to see Ahsoka, the duster. "There's a girl in the castle!" Ahsoka said happily. "Do you know what this means? There's a girl in the castle!"

Padmé stared. She heard Luke emerge from the soap water. "See?" he asked. "I told ya!"

xXx

"This is all your fault," Admiral hissed at Anakin. "You wanted to invite that man into the castle, while I said that no, we were going to get into trouble, but you had to offer him tea and invite him to stay and now everyone is in a mess because of you." Anakin rolled his eyes. "I was trying to be hospitable!" he said through gritted teeth. "Besides, how was I supposed to know that the master would be in a bad mood?"

"Anakin, he's always in a bad mood. When are you going to get that through your head? Or are your ears still full of candlewax?"

Anakin glared. "At least I'm not full of loose wires," he muttered.

"Now, see here –"

"Father?"

Anakin and Admiral both turned to see a blonde, small girl walk down the hallway outside. Anakin's lips parted and he turned back to look at Admiral. They hopped off the table they were standing on in tandem – and poked their heads out of the door to see the girl going down the hallway. "Father?" the girl called again.

"Did you see that?" Anakin asked Admiral. "It's a girl!"

"I know it's a girl," Admiral snapped.

"Don't you see?" Anakin asked excitedly, hopping out from behind the door. "She's the one! She must be the person we've been waiting for! She has come to break the spell!" Without another word, he started to hop after the girl. Admiral gaped after the candle. "Wait just a minute!" he called after him. "No – Anakin – wait a minute!"

xXx

"Father?" Kira turned to hear a door creak open. She gasped and turned to it, wondering if someone was to appear – hopefully Obi-Wan. However, she only waited for a few moments before going inside. She was instantly presented with a set of stairs – and without hesitating, she started to walk up. "Father?" she called again.

When no one replied, Kira paused. "That's strange…" she murmured, turning to look at a candle. "I was sure there was someone here…is anyone here?"

"Kira?" a weak voice called.

"Father?" Kira perked up. She sprinted forward to find Obi-Wan sitting in a small cell. She sat down in front of the cell and reached out for her father's hands. Kira flinched at how cold they were – and murmured, relieved, "You're here." Obi-Wan smiled weakly. He turned the other way to cough into his elbow – and said quietly, "You need to leave this place, Kira. Right now."

"What? Why?" Kira asked, leaning forward. "Who did this to you?"

"There's no time to explain!" Obi-Wan replied, his voice taking on a new kind of urgency that Kira had never heard him in. "You must go now!" Kira shook her head stubbornly. "I'm not leaving you!" she protested. And then, out of nowhere, came an arm that separated herself from her father.

"How dare you come here!" a low voice shouted.

Kira stumbled backwards, only aware of Obi-Wan shouting – a beg, a plead. Kira felt her blood run cold. This was something that she hadn't had in mind. "Who are you?" she asked into the darkness. She could make out an outline of something – or someone – across the room. "I am the master of this castle," the voice replied. Kira felt fear thrum in her veins. "Please," she said, "I've just come for my father. Can't you see he's ill?"

"Then he shouldn't have trespassed here."

"But he could have died," Kira responded, standing up. "Please – I'll do anything!"

"There's nothing you can do," the voice responded coldly. "He's my prisoner."

Kira felt frustration building up inside of her. "There must be something I could – wait!" She reached out for the person blindly. And though she couldn't see the source of the voice, she could feel a pause in the air. Taking her chance, Kira said, "Let me take his place instead."

"You?" there was something new in the voice now. Almost a curiosity. Or maybe it was amusement. "You would take his place?"

"Kira, no!" Obi-Wan protested, but Kira didn't bother looking back at him. Closing her eyes, she replied as bravely as she could, "If I did, would you let him go?" There was another pause before the voice responded, "Yes – but on one condition." Kira crossed her arms. "And that is?" she asked.

"You must stay here forever."

"Kira!" Obi-Wan shouted again. "You can't – please –"

Kira kept her eyes trained on the other side of the room. Frowning, she said slowly, "Come into the light." There was yet another silence. And then, Kira heard the sound of shuffling feet – and Kira watched as a clawed, fur-covered foot slowly made its way into the beam of light at the center of the room. Kira felt her breath quicken as the figure slowly emerged – to reveal itself as – well, Kira couldn't quite describe it – only that she was horrified.

Brown, scraggly hair covered the thing from top to bottom – a fierce set of blue eyes glowered down at Kira. His lower jaw had sharpened teeth, all set together unevenly. A set of gleaming horns towered atop his head – and though the beast wore clothes, they were all torn in different places.

Kira gasped and turned away, unable to control the urge to run. Instead, she found herself looking down at her father's hands, which were still clutching the bars of his cell. "Kira, I won't let you," Obi-Wan said. "It's fine. I'll be alright. Please, just – no!"

Kira could feel her hands trembling as she walked back up to the beast. In her stories, the main character was always brave. The main character never cried out or got frightened or felt weak at the knees. The main character was always putting her head up high and doing the right thing. This was the right thing, wasn't it? And how could Kira ever leave Obi-Wan in the mercy of this…beast? Kira couldn't imagine how awful – how guilty she would feel if she was to follow her father's instructions and return home.

Trying to ignore the trembling of her bottom lip, Kira said, "You have my word."

"Then it is done," the beast growled, and swiftly pushed past Kira. The girl leaned against the wall, ignoring how wet and uncomfortable and cold it felt against her shoulder. She tried to keep the tears from coming – tried not to think about how badly her eyes stung. And when Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around Kira, it took everything in the girl to not actually cry out. "Kira, listen to me," Obi-Wan was saying frantically. "I've lived my life – you're young; you have much to look forward to – you don't have to do this –"

Obi-Wan was yanked away before he could finish whatever argument he had left in him. "Wait!" Kira said frantically, running forward as the beast dragged Obi-Wan away. "No! Father! Just a little longer, please!" But the beast wouldn't listen. Kira watched helplessly as her father was pulled away.

And then, before he could disappear altogether, Kira saw her father's lips mouth I love you – over and over and over again.

That was when Kira started crying.

She collapsed to the ground, sobbing into her hands and heaving heavy breaths from her chest. Kira could hear the footsteps spiraling down to the main floor of the castle – and then she heard the heart-aching sound of the doors slamming. Kira looked up and wildly looked for a window – and though she knew her heart probably couldn't take it, Kira managed to drag herself to look outside.

She was right.

Seeing her father pushed into a carriage and being driven away really did break a part of her inside.

xXx

"Er…master?"

Kanan looked over at the candlestick. "What?" he growled angrily. Anakin was rubbing his lit-hands together. "Well…seeing that the girl might now be staying with us for a long time, I was about to suggest that we should offer her ah, a more comfortable room, yes?" Kanan glowered at him. Hurriedly, Anakin added, "Then again, maybe not!"

Kanan huffed out an annoyed breath and stormed up the stairs to shortly come to the sight of the girl – Kira, he distinctly remembered the man calling her – wiping away what seemed to be the last of tears from her eyes. He paused at the door, staring down at her. Kira looked up, and to his surprise, she gave him a resentful look. "You didn't even let me say goodbye!" she said, her voice shaking. "He was my father – you couldn't even give me that."

Kanan rubbed a clawed hand behind the back of his neck – and promptly pulled it away. He could never get used to the feeling of what used to be his smooth hand rubbing at his now furry neck. It was the oddest feeling in the world - not to mention uncomfortable, especially since his claws always got caught and tangled into his hair.

"I'll show you to your room," Kanan only said, turning back around.

"Room?" Kira asked quietly.

Kanan turned back around. "What, do you want to stay in the tower?"

"No," Kira quickly replied.

"Then follow me."

The trip down from the tower was more awkward than Kanan had anticipated. And the fact that Kira was crying beside him wasn't exactly helping the atmosphere, either. Kanan pretended not to hear the girl's sniffles – or see that there were silent tears trailing down her cheeks.

"Say something to her," Anakin hissed from Kanan's hand.

Kanan frowned. He flicked his eyes over to Kira and said slowly, "You can call me Kanan and…I hope you…like it here." He looked over at Anakin, who rolled his eyes and waved his hands. Kanan sighed and added, "The castle is your home now, so you can go anywhere you like – except the West Wing." Instantly, Kira asked, "What's in the West Wing?"

"It's forbidden," Kanan snapped, whirling around to look at the girl. Kira drew back, holding her hands out in front of herself as if to fight back whatever attack was coming. Staring, Kanan whirled back around with a soft growl. He continued to walk down the hallway until they came across an empty guest room – something that Kanan hadn't used in a very, very long time. Nearly a lifetime ago.

But that was different, Kanan thought bitterly. The times were different.

"This is your room," Kanan said, opening the door and letting Kira in. "And if you need anything, my servants will attend you." The girl stiffly walked inside, her hands clenched together in fists at her sides. Kanan felt Anakin nudge him. "Invite her to dinner," the candlestick urged. "Go on."

Kanan felt something inside of him snap. "You will join me for dinner," he said gruffly. Then, he added, "That's not a request!" And with that being said, he slammed the door behind Kira, ignoring Anakin's protests.

xXx

"Who does she think she is?" Sanjay Rash fumed at the fireplace. All around him were people laughing and drinking at the bar – but Sanjay paid no attention to them, instead glowering at the flames sitting in front of him. "Rejected – publicly humiliated – why, it's more than I can bear!" He grabbed the tankards from Lux's waiting hands and threw them at the fire with all his might. To his satisfaction, there was a small explosion when the alcohol hit the flames.

"More beer?" Lux asked hopefully.

"What does it matter?" Sanjay asked waspishly, turning his chair away from the fire. "Nothing helps – I've been disgraced!" Lux instantly walked in front of Sanjay. "Who, you?" he asked. "Never!" Sanjay turned his chair over again – only to have that boy jump in front of him again.

"Sanjay, sir," Lux grabbed Sanjay by the shoulders. "You've got to pull yourself together!" He crossed his arms and said, "Everyone wants to be you, Sanjay – literally, everyone here!" He gestured at the men sitting around the tables – and as if on cue, they all lifted their glasses to Sanjay with a cheer. Still, Sanjay remained feeling dejected. He turned his chair towards the fire, hoping that Lux would get the clue – only the boy didn't.

"Everyone's inspired by you!" Lux exclaimed. He pointed at the men – and a few women, who swooned as he looked over at them. "No one's like you, Sanjay!" He grinned and spinning backwards, grabbed at a few men drinking. "Go on, tell him what you think!" The men lifted their tankards.

"What a man!"

"Look at 'im!"

"Why're you so sad? Look at what you've got!"

Sanjay smiled smugly. He looked over at Lux, who beamed proudly up at the man. Sanjay had to admit – Lux was a bother and an extreme case to handle with, but if there was something that boy was good at, it was getting others to agree with Sanjay's character.

Just then, the door slammed open, and in came barreling in – was that Obi-Wan Kenobi?

"My daughter – please –" He was saying desperately, out of breath and looking more ragged than Sanjay had ever seen him. (And that was saying much.) Reaching out to random men, Obi-Wan said, "My daughter – she's been caught by a beast – he wants her there forever!"

"Looks like he's lost a few bolts the last time we've seen him," Lux muttered to Sanjay. He resisted the urge to smile. Instead, he asked, "Slow down there, Obi-Wan," he said. "Who's got your daughter?"

"A beast," Obi-Wan gasped, stumbling forward. There was a long pause – and then everyone started laughing. "Was it big?" someone called. Obi-Wan turned around. His face closed up instantly – but after, he said, "Yes – it was the largest thing I've ever seen!"

"Did it have big teeth?" another man snarled.

"Yes, large ones."

"And a snout?"

Obi-Wan turned. "Yes, as a matter of fact, he did," he replied. Sanjay smiled. "Alright, then, Obi-Wan – we'll help you." Obi-Wan looked warily up at the man. "You will?" he asked tiredly. Sanjay clapped his hands together. "Of course we will," he emphasized, looking over at his men. They nodded and took Obi-Wan by the shoulders, promptly swinging him out of the tavern. There were a few shouts – a few sounds of punches being thrown – and then the men were back, laughing to themselves, "Crazy, old Kenobi! How long do you think it'll take for him to crack for good?"

Crazy, old Kenobi.

Sanjay smiled. He looked down at Lux. "That man is Kira's father," he said slowly. "Lux, I think I have a plan to finally get Kira to be my wife. And it involves this beast that the loon came up with."

xXx

Kira was sick of people knocking on her doors, whether it was in a castle or not. She looked up from her bed – which was already uncomfortable, even though it was made up of softer stuff than her own bed at home (home, Kira thought sadly) – and asked, "Who is it?"

"Padmé Amidala, dear," a soft voice replied. Kira frowned. She slowly got up from her bed and opened the door – at first, she couldn't see anyone – but then she felt something brush against her leg and looking down, Kira spotted a hopping teapot along with a few cups, all with faces on them. "I thought you might like a pot of tea," the teapot – Padmé? – said kindly. Kira gasped, backing away. "You're…you're…" she breathed, and promptly crashed into the wardrobe behind her.

"Oops! Careful there!" a voice said from behind. Kira whirled around to see the wardrobe lighting up with a face. Kira felt the room spin around her. She stumbled back into her bed and placed a hand over her forehead. "This is impossible," she said faintly. "I'm dreaming – I – I must be going crazy…"

"I know!" the wardrobe said in a sing-song voice. She (Kira figured it was a she…?) leaned against the bed and cheerfully added, "But here we are!"

"Told you she was pretty, Mother," a small teacup said to Padmé. Kira looked down – and the teacup smiled up at the girl. Kira simply stared – and managed a smile back, though she wasn't quite sure how she felt about receiving a compliment from a teacup that sounded like a little boy. "Alright, Luke, that'll do," Padmé said, pouring tea into the teacup – Luke. "Carefully now," the pot called as Luke hopped towards Kira. "Don't spill!"

Kira carefully took Luke's handle before murmuring a quiet "thank you".

"Hey!" Luke said suddenly, after Kira had placed the cup down. "Wanna see me do a trick?" Kira shrugged her shoulders. "I suppose," she replied. Luke grinned. He closed his eyes and held his breath – at least, that's what it seemed to be – and a second later, bubbles started to flow from his top.

"Luke!" Padmé called, annoyed. Luke promptly stopped, blushing. (How was it even possible for a teacup to blush?) "Sorry," he said guiltily. Padmé sighed and looked up at Kira. "What you did back there was a brave thing, my dear," she said gently. "We all thought it was brave," the wardrobe added with a nod. "I'm Cadena, by the way."

Kira smiled. "Nice to meet you all," she said quietly. She gently placed Luke back down on the floor and responded quietly, "I've lost my father – I've lost any hope I have of…of doing what I can with my life – how can that make me happy?"

"You'll see," Padmé replied sympathetically. "It'll all be better in the end." She looked up. "But listen to me – jabbering on when there's supper to be set on the table. We'll see you in a few minutes." The teapot started to hop out of the door, with Luke following close behind. ("Goodbye!" he said sweetly.)

The minute they were gone, Cadena smiled over at Kira. "Now," she trilled, "what shall we get you to wear?" She flung open her drawers, saying, "Let's see…ah! Here we are!" She pulled out a pink dress. "Look at this! It'll look absolutely beautiful on you –"

"That's awfully kind of you," Kira said, gently putting the dress back. "But I'm not going to dinner."

"What?" Cadena asked, stopping. "But you must!"

Before Kira could respond, a clock whizzed into the room. "Ahem," he said. "Dinner has been served."

xXx

"What's taking her so long?" Kanan growled, pacing the room. "Why isn't she down here yet?!"

"Be patient with her, sir," Padmé said quietly. "The girl has lost her father and her freedom all in one day. She'll need some time."

"Sir," Anakin said carefully, "have you considered that this girl might be the one to break the spell…?"

"Of course I have!" Kanan snapped angrily. "I'm not a fool."

"Good!" Anakin smiled. "You'll just have to fall in love with her – she'll fall in love with you – and poof! The spell will be broken; we'll be back to human by midnight!" Padmé sighed. "I don't think it's quite as simple as that, Anakin…" she murmured with a shake of her head. Anakin rolled his eyes. "Yes, but that's what needs to happen," he replied. "And besides, the rose has already started to wilt!"

"It's no use," Kanan muttered, standing in front of the fireplace. The flames flickered before him, casting darker shadows over his face. "She's…well, normal. And I'm…" He looked down at his hands – his clawed hands, always so strange, always so monstrous. "Look at me," he muttered to himself.

"Oh, there's more to love than just that, Kanan," Padmé said from above. "She'll get past your looks, I promise you. All it'll take are some…attitude changes." Padmé huffed. "For one, sit up straight!" Kanan automatically straightened his back from his usual slouching position. "Don't mumble! Have good manners, and make eye contact!" Anakin nodded, hopping forward. "Come on, sir – we've seen you smile before! Remember?"

Yes, but that was a long time ago.

"Come, come! That smile – a devilish smile!" Anakin urged. Kanan sighed – and bared his teeth. Anakin winced. "Fine, never mind," he muttered. "How about your natural wit? Be charming! Charismatic! It works! Compliment her! But give her some time to speak her mind!"

"And most of all," Padmé and Anakin said together, "you must control your anger!"

"Ahem?"

Everyone turned to see Admiral standing at the doorway. Twitching nervously, the clock said, "Er…sir, the girl – she won't – she's not –"

"What?" Kanan asked gruffly.

"Well…she won't come to dinner." Admiral said hesitantly.

xXx

"I thought I told you to come to dinner!" Kanan shouted at Kira's door. Crossing her arms, Kira glared at the door and snapped, "I'm not hungry!" She heard a frustrated sound from the other side and then Kanan shouted, "You come out or – or – or I'll break down the door!"

There were some murmurs from outside the door – Kira could make out a few voices, first –

"Master, I might not be a love expert, but, heh – I don't think that's how you win a girl's affections." (Kira recognized it as Anakin – the candlestick man who had been with Kanan a few times.)

"Just please…attempt to be nice to her!" (Admiral.)

"I would, but she's being difficult!" Kanan snarled.

"Gently, gently…" (Definitely Padmé.)

There was a heavy sigh and then, Kanan asked, "Would you please come down to dinner with me?"

"No," Kira replied instantly.

She heard a quick movement (fwip) outside of her door – one she could just imagine as a gesture, but Kira didn't care. She kept her arms crossed over her chest and her eyes glaring. There was a throat clearing and then, Admiral said quietly from the other side, "Now, now, master – with suave…be a gentleman."

Kanan said through what Kira could imagine as gritted teeth, "It would give me great pleasure if you would join me for dinner." Kira didn't miss the low, bitter notes in the beast's voice as his message continued. She let out a small scoff. Beast or no, one would think it would have some more tact. "A-hem!" Admiral coughed. "A bit more sincerely, if you will."

There was another resigned sigh. "Please."

"No, thank you!" Kira shouted.

There was a loud bang, followed by Kanan yelling, "You can't stay there forever!"

"Yes, I can!"

"Fine! Then go ahead and starve!"

Fine! I'll do just that! Kira thought. She heard footsteps storming away from her room and she kicked herself back onto her bed. Men, she thought sourly. They weren't any different. And this beast was just like Sanjay – controlling, demanding, and violent.

xXx

"I tried to be polite to her!" Kanan muttered to himself, walking to his room. "What does she want me to do? Beg?" He paced the dark floors until he caught sight of the main thing in his room – a fragile, glass dome with a single, glowing rose at the center – taunting him, seeming to taunt him for his troubles. Kanan glowered at it and sat down. The rose was his reminder – a reminder that there was still something terribly wrong with him – that there was something inside of him that couldn't help but to be shown.

"You must find someone who will love you for who you are, even with all that bitterness locked up inside," the Enchantress had said. "You are a beast inside, little Caleb."

God, it had been forever since Kanan had heard anyone call him by his boyhood name. Caleb. It seemed like a far-off memory, something that seemed to slip out of his fingers. There were memories that flashed around his head once in a while – a brief smile, a girl's laugh, and a game of tag. That was all Kanan could really remember from his childhood, which he supposed was somewhat depressing, especially since he had kept his name Caleb until he turned ten – which was when his parents died and when he had inherited the throne.

Kanan had been the name chosen for him – a tradition set by his family. Caleb was too innocent.

Sighing, Kanan grabbed at the mirror that the Enchantress had given him – something of a gift, really, but it did come along with the curse. "Show me the girl," he said quietly.

The mirror took its time to start up, as it always did – and then the edges started to crackle an eerie, green color. Finally, it lit up to reveal the wardrobe – Cadena – leaning over Kira, saying, "The master really isn't that bad once you get to know him! Just give it some time – why don't you give him a chance?"

Kira's arms were crossed firmly over her chest. "I don't want to give him a chance!" she replied angrily. "I don't want to know him – I don't want anything to do with him!"

Kanan stared at the mirror. He put it down gently. What had the Enchantress also said to him?

"Pretending to know everything won't get you anywhere. Actually knowing and seeing everything will only result in pain. It's about time you learn that."

"I'm fooling myself again," Kanan muttered, stepping away from the rose as a petal dropped. By the last petal dropped, he knew that the spell would be permanent – unless this Kira girl could learn to love him first. Kanan would have laughed at the thought, if he hadn't been feeling so somber already.

"It's hopeless."

A/N - And I'm also going to be heading out to a party later tonight. Yup, I'm enjoying summer vacation so far.

Reviews are always great! Constructive criticism is tolerable, but flames are not!