Chapter 119

AN: I am sorry for the delay, but I hope everyone enjoys it. Thanks to everyone for your wonderful reviews!

In just a few minutes, it seemed as if everyone had heard the news about Bakura. Leia was moving among all the troops to decide on the best course of action. She had to decide who would go to Bakura, and who would not. She also was trying to think of how to explain that the Empire was destroyed and that the Alliance was about to restore the government as a republic.

"I am glad that Leia is coming up with a way to explain things to them," Ari remarked as they were gathering their things. "I would not know what to say. At least, not in a diplomatic way."

"Well, if anyone can come up with something, it will be her," Luke nodded in agreement, rolling up his own bedroll. He was once again dressed in fatigues like the other Rebels. However, like Ari, his lightsaber was at his side, in sight and easy to reach. They did not have to worry about hiding who they were now. Jedi and Force sensitive beings were no longer going to be hunted down and killed. In fact, they would be welcomed to help rebuild the Jedi Order.

"Do you think they will listen to what she has to say?" Ari asked.

"I hope so. It might be difficult, depending on how strong their allegiance is to the Empire," Luke admitted. "However, if we can help, perhaps they will join the Republic."

"I hope so. The more allies we have the better," Ari agreed. Her pack was now nearly ready and she had managed to even slip in a few pieces of fruit. While they had won, it will still be quite some time until they would have gardens and orchards. She pulled her hair back with one hand, gathering it at the nape of her neck before letting it go again. It was getting quite long, since getting her hair trimmed was not something she considered necessary.

She opened her bag to once more make sure her journal was there, along with her mother's. She always was careful with those things. Clothing could be replaced, but those journals were worth more to her than their weight in gold. She had a lot to write about in her own.

Moving her own journal, something slid out and land on top of a tunic that was folded on top. Curious, she picked it up and studied it. It was one of the holos that Siri had made for her. It held lessons that Jedi had been using for thousands of years, and would continue to help teach Jedi for another thousand years if Ari kept it close and used it.

"Ari?" Luke's voice tore her from her thoughts and she turned to him, holo disk still in hand.

"Did you find something?" he asked, seeing the disk. She handed it to him and he turned it over in his palm before handing it back.

"It is going to help us train other Jedi," she replied. "It is from the woman who was married to Ben," she explained. "She gave me a few of these. There is a lot about the Jedi. There are stories, lessons, and even some tips."

"These are a treasure," he remarked. "And possibly a Jedi to help us."

Ari nodded, thinking this over. She placed the disk back in her bag along with her journal. She had an odd feeling when she had held the disk. She now knew what such a feeling meant. The Force was telling her something and she knew enough from previous experiences that she should listen. She stayed like this for a moment, looking at the disk, taking in everything she was feeling. Closing her eyes for a moment, she let out a deep breath and then turned to Luke. He was just putting away the last of his things, clasping everything in place so it would stay secure.

"I am not going with you to Bakura," she spoke, voice firm, decision already made.

"What?" Luke asked, surprised, something that was not seen often. Often it was as if he held the answers to all questions, since his Jedi exterior did not often show his emotions. He had changed so much from Tatooine that for a moment, he looked like a stranger to Ari. As quickly as that came though, it left and she saw Luke once more. "But Ari, having two Jedi there would help. Besides, I want us to start working together now that the war is over. I feel like I have barely seen you in over a year." He looked a little sad and for a moment, Ari felt her resolve waver.

"Luke…" her blue eyes met his and they just looked at one another. Neither of them spoke, but that look communicated so much in just a moment that it would have taken them hours to discuss things. Instead, it took only seconds.

Instead of turning or looking away, Luke just nodded slowly. "Your path."

Ari nodded. "My path. It is different from yours at the moment. But who am I to contradict what the Force is telling me?" She managed a small smile and he returned it, also a bit strained.

She looked at him then bounded over the few feet separating them, hugging him tightly, arms around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her as well. The war was over, but it did not mean that they were foolish enough to believe their troubles were over. They know had a whole new of issues and some could be just as dangerous as the ones they had been battling for so long.

"Be safe, Ari," he told her, releasing her and they both stepped back from one another slightly.

"You are the one always rushing into danger," she pointed out.

"And you are only half a step behind," he answered.

Ari gave him a small smile at this. "That is true. I just have a feeling that mine will not be as dangerous as yours."

"I will be safe," he assured her. "And you will be too. We still have a lot to do."

"And just think, we used to worry about being too bored," she smiled and he returned it.

She leaned up and kissed his cheek. "We will be sure to stay in contact. This time we do not have to worry about our communications being used against us."

"Then we will be sure to make use of that. Contact me when you arrive to…" he trailed off waiting for her to answer.

"I am going go to rendezvous point that was set up. It is not too far from here. After that, I think the Force will tell me if I will have to go somewhere else."

"Trust the Force," he nodded, only a hint of a smile on his face, but she could see it mostly in his eyes. "May the Force be with you, Ari."

"And may the Force be with you too, Luke." With that, she pulled her bag over her shoulder and then went to the doorway. She glanced back and looked at Luke. They shared another look and both of them lifted their hands as if they were only parting ways for a short time, not knowing how long they would be parted.

While she didn't want to leave him, Ari knew she had to go. She turned and forced herself not to look back as she exited the tent, walking with purpose down the wooden walkway.