I may or may not be planning on doing nothing but watching really funny movies later today. (Who wants to hit up No Strings Attached and The Devil Wears Prada with me? Because I'm going to do both. And also watch a lot of Mean Girls. I don't know, you guys, I just wanna watch movies.)

Enjoy!

Chapter Nine. Bittersweet and Strange

For the first month that Kira was shut away from Caleb, she did all that she could to contact her friend. She tried sneaking over the gate, only it resulted in tearing her nice dresses and the guards directing her away from the rest of the gates. They always said the same stern thing to her – it was always, "Prince Caleb is not allowed any visitors. Go home!"

Kira tried skirting around the gates, looking for perhaps a weaker link in them so she could perhaps slip through. But the castle didn't have any weak links, much to her dismay – and it didn't help that there were other guards constantly patrolling the grounds. Over time, Kira had done her best to hide herself in the trees whenever the guards walked by, but even then, there was the occasional spat.

Out of all of the pile of bad things, Kira supposed there had to be one good thing that came out – and that one good thing was that there were sometimes servants roaming the grounds who were kind enough to let Kira know when the guards were especially close. There was a young man with chestnut colored hair who always distracted the guards from spotting Kira – there was a stuffy-looking, older man with a bristly mustache who would always subtly wave her away whenever a guard came near. There was a young woman with warm, doe-shaped eyes who would always talk the guards out of speaking too harshly to Kira whenever she was caught. There was another young woman with mischievous, blue eyes and a bright laugh who would always challenge the guards to a fight to keep them from seeing Kira. And then there was the youngest servant, a girl who couldn't be too much older than Kira with a knowing smile whenever she came near.

Eventually, Kira got the idea to start writing little notes. Most of them were simple, like, 'It's really cold today. How are things in there?' Others had more thought put into them, and Kira couldn't keep herself from expressing her great annoyance about being locked out of the castle. 'This is ridiculous,' she wrote once. 'Why was it a good idea for you to be kept away from everyone again?'

"Can you deliver these to him for me?" Kira asked one day to the servant girl. She carefully passed the notes in between the gate – and the servant girl instantly tucked them into her skirt. With a wink, she replied, "I'll be careful to."

And then, for the next few weeks, Kira was given great comfort in receiving notes from Caleb, still passed by the servant girl.

That is, until the guard patrol changed – and the servant girl didn't show to the gate anymore, and the other friendly servants were all waved back into the castle and forbidden to go out of the grounds as well. There were no more servants who were willing to send the guards away or distract them – and most of all, there weren't any servants who could send Kira's notes.

xXx

Kira rode into the night, her hands clutching tightly over the reins and the wind pressed against her face. She urged Phillip through the forest, her heart racing and sweat beading inside her palms. She knew her father was still in the forest – he had to be. Instinctively, Kira reached up to her breast-pocket to locate her fingers around the familiar outline of the mirror. She had done so at least ten times in only the last hour – each time came to be more urgent and frantic than the last.

Kira was tempted to stop Phillip and just pull out the mirror to see if she could find her father that way – and yet, the girl rode on, unable to keep herself from yanking the reins.

"Father," Kira called, trying to make her voice as loud as she could over the sharp winds. "Father!" She pulled Phillip over, trying to take a better look at the trees. They looked similar to the ones she had seen in the mirror – but then again, Kira had thought the same thing the last few times she had stopped to check certain parts of the forest…

"Father," Kira repeated, feeling desperation edge into her voice. She led Phillip further into the trees – she looked around wildly, trying to catch sight of something familiar – strained her ears to hear even the slightest sound from her father…

And then she spotted him.

He was on the ground, his face extraordinarily pale and his body limp. Even though he slept, Kira knew that there was something else dangerous about her father's fatigue. She practically jumped off Phillip, her heart beating loudly and erratically in her head. In the next second, she was at her father's side, her hands frantically skirting around him to check for a steady pulse – some sign that he wasn't as bad as he looked.

Obi-Wan's skin was hot to the touch – he didn't stir at all, even when Kira started him up to his feet. Keeping her hands on him, Kira managed to prop him up on the horse. Phillip lifted his head questioningly – Kira gave her horse a smile, patting his nose and whispering, "Let's go home."

xXx

Lux hated waiting. He especially hated waiting in the same spot near the Kenobi's house. There had been no activity whatsoever – every time he got away to the village and came back, he would find the windows still dark and no one was there to answer the door. But now, he sat in a bush, doodling on the dirt with a stick and whacking away some ants that were crawling up his ankles. He was just about ready to get out of the bush to go to the village again when he suddenly heard the trotting of horse's hooves dangerously nearby.

Lux instantly stilled, holding his breath as he heard a young, familiar voice say, "Alright – come on, Father. Oof – okay, okay...alright…that's it…"

Giddy at this new outcome, Lux looked through the bush to see Kira carefully guiding a rumpled and worn-down looking Obi-Wan Kenobi. He wordlessly watched the two walk up the steps to their house – and the moment he heard the door close, Lux popped out of the bush, a triumphant smile on his face.

"Yes! They're back!" exclaimed Lux, letting out a relieved laugh. He quickly rushed down the path – Sanjay would most definitely want to hear of this.

xXx

"Kira…"

"Sh…" Kira murmured, dabbing the cold cloth over her father's forehead. "I'm right here."

Kira watched as Obi-Wan's eyes slowly opened, realization and relief flooding into his face. Brushing aside the cloth, he let out a soft, incredulous sound and sat up. "Kira," he breathed, cupping his hands gently over her face. "I thought I'd never see you again." Kira instantly felt tears spring up her eyes at his familiar touch. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, holding on tightly so that she could never let go. "I missed you so much," she whispered.

"But – the beast," Obi-Wan said, pulling away only slightly to look at Kira. His eyes had cleared some, the fever going away only a bit – but Kira didn't miss the way they seemed a bit too bright to be normal. She could already hear her father's breath quickening as he asked, "How did you escape?"

"I – I didn't," Kira replied, trying to keep her tone even. She squeezed Obi-Wan's hand reassuringly, adding, "He let me go."

"That horrible creature?" her father asked incredulously.

"He's not horrible," Kira quickly said, holding up her hands. "He's different now – he's…changed." More than changed.

Before Obi-Wan could ask any further, both Kenobis heard a soft thump, followed by a rattle. Kira turned around to see her satchel lying open – a familiar teacup was spinning around on the ground, blue eyes circling wildly before fixing on Kira and her father. Luke's little teacup face split into a grin before saying cheerfully, "Hi!"

Kira felt her heart leap at the little cup. "A stowaway," she said lightly as Luke hopped up on the bed. She heard her father laughing – and Luke instantly hopped up in his waiting hand, smile unfading. "Hello there," Obi-Wan said gently, "I didn't think I'd be seeing you again."

"You know each other?" asked Kira quizzically.

"Briefly," Obi-Wan replied, looking up.

"Oh," Kira only said before Luke turned around from Obi-Wan's hand. After the small moment of relief and welcoming, Luke's smile slowly disappeared as he asked, "Kira, why'd you go away? Don't you like us anymore?" Kira felt something tug at her heart. With a sad smile, she reached over and patted Luke's small teacup-head. "Oh, Luke," she said softly, "of course I do. I still like everyone – I just –"

Before she could finish what she was saying, there was a knock on the door. Frowning, Kira turned to her father and Luke. It was late right now – who would bother calling at such an hour? She stood up from Obi-Wan's bed. "Stay here," she told him quietly. "I'll be back in a moment."

With that, Kira started down the hallways and headed for the door. She swung it open, and instantly came face-to-face to an old gentleman standing in the doorway. He had a sharp beard of grey and white hairs, his lips twisted into a cruel smile and his eyes flashing in the dim light of the torches. Kira doubled back in surprise. Torches?

"Can I help you?" asked Kira at last, trying to keep her voice steady.

"I've come to collect your father," the man in the doorway replied, his tone smooth and calm.

Kira gawked at the man, clutching onto the door handle. "My father?" she asked incredulously, tightening her grip on the door. She tried to look over the man's shoulders – she could still see the faint glimmer and gleam of torches, but there really couldn't be anything seen beyond that.

"Don't worry, mademoiselle," the man continued, shifting a little as though he had read Kira's mind. He gestured out, saying in a low voice, "We will take good care of him."

Kira craned her neck – and resisted the urge to slam the door when she saw the mess that awaited her. All around her were villagers, all wide-eyed and holding up flaming torches and pitchforks. She let out a soft gasp, bringing a hand up to her opened mouth when she saw what everyone had gathered around. There was a small carriage – and she knew what it was for. Everyone did.

"The asylum?" she cried, turning to the man. She stepped forward, letting her hands go from the door. "My father's not crazy!"

"He was raving like a lunatic!" Kira heard someone say. She looked down to see Lux standing in front of the steps, holding up a torch and gesturing to the crowd. "We all heard him!" To Kira's great horror, the crowd below cheered and bellowed in agreement. Blood rushed up to Kira's face in anger. "No," she said, running down the stairs as men from the carriage leapt out. "I won't let you!"

"Kira?"

Kira turned around, ready to tell her father to go back inside – go, she wanted to scream. Let me handle this before people see you!

But too late, Lux had caught sight of him. "Obi-Wan," he said, his lips twisting into a smile, "tell us – how big was this beast?" Kira ran back up the stairs, grabbing her father's wrist. "Let's go back inside," she started to say, but she saw the way Obi-Wan's jaws clenched. She tugged at his wrist again, begging, "Father. We can talk about this later – they want to drag you into an asylum – they think you're crazy."

"But I'm not," Obi-Wan said, looking down at Kira. The girl resisted the urge to scream. "I know!" she cried. She rubbed a hand over her forehead. Forcing herself to remain calm, she repeated, "I know – but they don't understand. They don't know who Kanan is – they don't believe you. Please, let's go back inside."

For a moment, Kira thought she had persuaded her father. His gaze softened – he gave Kira's hand a squeeze, but then he told her quietly, "Kira, people have to at least know the truth. To limit the knowledge of others – to let people live in complete ignorance – well, that's no way to live. Besides," he added as Kira opened her mouth to protest, "I was the one who started talking first. I might as well not back down now."

And before Kira could pull Obi-Wan back into the house, he stepped out of the door, his face a mask. Lux was waiting, his face filled with glee. For once, Kira wanted nothing more than to grab the torch out of the foolish boy's hands and throw it at him. Still, she remained at her father's side, silently trying to figure a way out of this mess.

"What was that, Obi-Wan? How big was the beast?" Lux practically crowed.

"He was large – at least eight – no, ten feet tall," Kira heard Obi-Wan say.

Instantly, the crowd started to laugh – Kira felt something clench at the pit of her stomach. She turned to the other man in the door – the owner of the asylum, surely, and without a word, he made a small gesture with his hands. The men from the carriage ran up the stairs – and faster than Kira could process, they were already dragging Obi-Wan down the steps. "No!" the girl cried, launching forward. She looked over at the asylum keeper, saying through gritted teeth, "You can't do this!"

"I'm afraid, my dear, that I can," the man replied, walking calmly down the steps.

All around her, Kira could hear people roaring and shouting for her father to be locked up – she saw the faces of women and men jeering and sneering at her – at the poor, young girl who had an ill father and no one to believe her story. Kira turned, trying to spot a familiar face in the crowd in desperation – there had to be someone willing to help. Anyone – the baker, Madame Jocasta – even the children would be helpful at this point.

Instead, Kira felt someone sling an arm around her shoulders. She felt a chill run up her spine as Sanjay said smoothly, "Poor Kira – it's a shame about your father." The girl spun around, grabbing Sanjay by the collar. "You know he's not crazy, Sanjay," she said to him, eyes wide.

Sanjay hummed something under his breath. Casually tightening his grip on Kira, he said, "Well…I might be able to get rid of this little misunderstanding if…" His voice drifted. An odd look came across his face – and despite the fact that the girl's patience was running thin, Kira managed to ask, "If what?"

"If you marry me," Sanjay finished, a sly smile playing on his lips.

"What?" Kira started to twist away from Sanjay, but he held fast. "One little word from you, Kira," he said, leering, "and that's all it takes."

Kira didn't feel even the slightest bit sorry when she reached up to slap Sanjay. He grunted, cringing back as Kira escaped from his grip. "Never," she bit out, the disgust in her voice palpable. Sanjay rubbed his cheek, his eyes cold and glaring. "Have it your way," he snarled, walking away.

"Kira?"

Kira looked up to see Obi-Wan being pulled towards the carriage. Her heart sank. She couldn't lose him again – she had just found him – not again! She started to run forward – but instead, she felt something press against her chest. Kira stopped in her tracks. The mirror. The mirror was still in her breast-pocket. The mirror could still show whatever she wanted – whoever she wanted.

Kira scrambled up to the top of her stairs, reaching the mirror out and holding the handle tightly in her hand. The mirror's surface gleamed brightly at her from under the torches and the moon. Kira sucked in a breath. This had to work. This had to.

"Show me Kanan," she pleaded, and instantly, as though the mirror had realized what kind of desperate situation she was in, it started to fizz green and glow and vibrate in Kira's hands. Shortly after, Kira saw him – saw Kanan's face, his teeth shining and his familiar green-blue eyes glowing in the dark room he was in. He was caught in mid-roar – but that didn't stop Kira from holding the mirror up. "My father is not crazy!" she shouted over the crowd.

Everyone turned their heads – and Kira watched as everyone's expressions melted from disgust to horror and shock. "Please," Kira quickly said, tightening her grip on the mirror, "I know he seems vicious – and odd – but really, he's not. He's…he's kind." She slowly walked down the stairs, keeping the mirror held up. "He's kind," she repeated. She could see Kanan's face flickering underneath her eyelids – she could feel his hand pressed against her shoulder as they danced across the ballroom, guiding them along the way. She could hear him trying to read along to her books and she could feel his laugh when they had first started feeding the birds. "He's gentle," she continued, making her voice stronger. "He's wonderful – he's my friend."

And then Kira felt Sanjay grab her shoulders. She clutched onto the mirror, careful not to drop it as he whirled her around to face him. His features had twisted into an ugly scowl – his eyes were narrowed at the mirror in Kira's hands. "If I hadn't known better, I would almost think you had feelings for that – that monster," he spat.

"He's no monster," Kira growled back, tugging herself away. "He's not the monster here – the real monster is you, Sanjay!"

She heard the crowd stir behind her – and then the mirror was snatched away from her hands. "She's just as crazy as her father," Sanjay said angrily. Kira lunged forward, crying, "Give that back!" Instead, Sanjay ducked down to everyone's feet, flashing the image of Kanan into their faces. "The beast will make off with your children!" he shouted. "He'll kill everyone!"

"No!" Kira exclaimed, but the rest of the crowd were already nodding to Sanjay's words. Enthused by the reaction, Sanjay stood up, lifting the mirror to the sky. "I say we won't be safe until the beast's head is mounted on my wall!" he hollered. "We must kill the beast!"

He weaved into the crowd, pushing the mirror at anyone who would dare look. "He'll come in the night," Sanjay said, "he'll tear us out with his claws! He won't show any mercy! We'll be helpless unless we get to him first!" Kira stumbled along behind Sanjay, trying to overcome his shouts with pleas, "No, he's lying! He wouldn't ever hurt us – I promise! He's harmless!"

"But weren't you kidnapped?"

"No, I –"

"But you were gone!"

"Yes, but I –"

"Your father was always looking for you!"

"I know, but –"

Sanjay burst out of the crowd, yelling, "Come with me to kill the beast!"

Kira jumped forward and grabbed his arm, digging her nails into his skin. "I won't let you do this!" she exclaimed furiously. Sanjay grabbed Kira's wrists, swinging her around. "If you're not with us," he hissed menacingly, "then you're against us!" He whistled at the men with Obi-Wan. "You two – bring him here!" As he was dragged forward, Sanjay said to Kira, "We can't have you warning the creature!"

With that, Kira watched as Obi-Wan was thrown down into the cellar – and then, she was tossed in as well. Instantly, her knees hit the hard ground – but she scrambled back up to her feet, crashing into the doors just as they locked her into darkness. "No," she screamed, "you can't do this!"

She could hear the crowd already moving from the house – she stepped down from the doors, frantically running for the windows instead. She knew that they were glued shut a long, long time ago – but still, Kira tried to push it free by grabbing for anything else in the cellar. She worked at the windows, feeling tears spring into her eyes in panic. "I need to warn him," she cried. "This is all my fault – I shouldn't have shown them the mirror!" She whirled around to look at Obi-Wan. "Father, what are we going to do?" she asked helplessly, burying her face in her hands. Kira felt her father place his hands around her back. "Now, now," he murmured, "we'll think of something. The beast – Kanan, I mean – if you think he isn't a bad person, then we'll do everything we can in our power to go try to warn him – we will, Kira."

xXx

Meanwhile, Luke watched from the doorway as the crowd retreated to the forest. He swallowed – there was something a bit too frightening about the way the men and women seemed to carry along their pistols and their pitchforks. Their bloodthirsty screams and angry promises split into the night, causing the young teacup to shudder. Once the coast seemed clear, Luke carefully hopped down the stairs – and towards the cellar windows, where he saw Kira and her father – Obi-Wan? – sitting on the ground. The girl was looking around for something – her father was helping along, holding something up every so often.

There had to be something Luke could do…

He turned from the windows and then, he saw it.

There was a small axe on the ground, nearby the horse – Phillip. Luke let out a small "oh" in realization – he knew what he had to do.

A/N - I know I'm going to have a lot of fun in the battle scene next time I update. (Reminder, everyone - I'm going to be away for this entire week...that means I won't be able to write for this entire week, but I'm seriously hoping that I'll somehow be able to come up with a nicely-written chapter for next Saturday. Crossing my fingers!)

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