Chapter 6

Uhumele

Bomo Greenbark's cry ultimately fell on deaf ears as Naruto and Aayla continued to walk through the destroyed remnants of the once great courtyards of the late Dezono Qua, still unaware that the recently deceased had become the recently deceased. By the time they were half way through the courtyard their new acquaintance began to fidget in Aayla's arms.

"What is it young one?" Aayla asked, bringing the tiny little Nosaurian's attention to her worried features.

The child began to fidget once again, this time in embarrassment. "Um, I can walk on my own now, if that's alright?"

She smiled softly before crouching to allow her passenger off; Resa was on her feet in seconds, then stumbling in seconds. A hand from one of her rescuers was welcome. She looked up to see Naruto, offering her a hand with a kind smile. "You need a hand hun?"

She blushed slightly, before nodding her head and timidly taking the towering humans hand. Humans always seemed to be so tall, she had never seen a single human smaller than her parents, and they were really, really big. Once her tiny clawed hand was secured in his huge, calloused five fingered fist the trio began to walk again at a more sedate pass.

"Oh, that's right," Resa looked up at Naruto as he fished inside one of his pockets, and tossed Aayla the device within. "You left this lying around as well, what am I going to do with you?"

The little Nosaurian may have been sheltered from recent events by her parents, but even she knew exactly what the cylindrical device was, and she was awed by it as Aayla caught it in a fluent motion and clipped it to her utility belt. "He would have known what I was if he saw it, so I left it behind."

Naruto frowned at her, "Good answer, but even I know how deadly you are even without one of those things. You threw me across our training ground remember?"

"That was a reflex," she replied a little indignantly, before her sensual voice returned to a lower tone. "And I said I was sorry."

Naruto would never forget that training day. He had gone a little too hard on her in training and in defence she had raised her hand and released a powerful, at least for her, force push. The result was Naruto thrown across the field like a ragdoll and breaking through several trees. It hurt like hell, and told him that although Aayla hadn't been able to harness chakra until now she was far from defenceless.

"You still have to teach me to do that," he muttered, and she smiled at his supposed sombre mood.

"All in good time, when we're not being chased by every mercenary and Inquisitor in the galaxy," she replied, waggling her right hands index finger left and right. "Even you training me in your chakra manipulation has been put on hold, remember?"

Naruto nodded his head, knowing two things; that she was right and trying to convince her to concede the argument would take longer than they had. He had taught her the basics in near record time, but with them getting settled and blending in the whole training regime had been put on an indefinite hold. A shame, as he wondered which element she was strongest related too, and which skill she would have an affinity for.

"Excuse me," both looked down to the tiny Nosaurian, and she unconsciously flinched at their rapt attention. Resa turned to Aayla, studying her for what seemed like an eternity before she spoke. "Are you a Jedi?"

Aayla was silent for a moment, before she fixed the child with a soft smile. "Yes, why do you ask?"

"You're lightsabre, only Jedi carry those," was her naïve answer, pointing to the hilt now attached to her belt. Aayla looked down at her hilt for a few moments, remembering the scores of lives she had been forced to take with her blade. Droids weren't the Confederacy's only soldiers of war, and on many occasions she had been forced to abandon the creed of non-violence a Jedi took, to fight and kill males and females of flesh and blood. "Daddy said Jedi were bad, but you're not."

She didn't know how to reply to the Childs statement, but Naruto knew and took over for her. "No one is entirely bad or good little one. They just follow their own ideals and loyalties, and on many occasions people find themselves fighting against each other for different reasons. There are very few conflicts where the opposing factions are simply good or evil."

She was surprised when the child seemed to understand the blonds' statement, nodding her head before taking on a thoughtful frown. "What about the bad man in there?"

Naruto grinned, "Well there are some exceptions, but in most conflicts no one is really good or evil. It all depends on the route they take."

The child seemed to understand, yet in everything regarding children the next path they took was always uncertain. "Are you two together?"

Both looked down upon the youngling like she had gone completely insane, and thankfully for Naruto Aayla took over. "What do you mean hun?"

"Ya know, together, a couple, stuff like that," she said animatedly, waving her arms to get her point across. "It's just that the two of you act like my mommy and daddy used too."

Both stared at her, wide eyed. Naruto spoke, or rather stuttered first. "No, no we aren't a couple."

"That's right," Aayla added, also looking a little jittery. "We're partners."

Both paled at the statement, Naruto immediately moved to close off that avenue, knowing that it was a wasted effort. "But not couple partners."

"Friends,"

"Brother and sister in arms,"

"Allies of circumstance,"

"Yea… wait, hold on," Naruto looked at her with a raised brow. "I'm an ally of circumstance?"

She waved her hands pleadingly, "I didn't mean it like that, oh force me."

Laughter tittered across their field of hearing, and both looked down to see Resa trying and failing to hold in her mirth, "You're just like my mommy and daddy."

This time the two clamped their mouths shut, painfully aware that they're cheeks were turning rosy red and darkened blue respectively. So caught up they were in this little conversation that they had forgotten where they were.

"Let go of my daughter!"

Naruto and Aayla looked around to find themselves on the receiving end of a dozen odd blaster rifles and pistols, held by a proper motley crew of men and women, human and otherwise. Naruto had never seen most of the races represented here in his life, but considering how long he had been out here it wasn't saying much. He saw at least two humans, a white haired male and a very attractive young woman with long darkened blonde hair, and a Nosaurian like Resa with darker skin and a more spiked frill.

Truth be told they had known of their presence for a while, but decided to hang back and see what their angle was. Naruto's first guess was that they were either pirates or mercenaries looking to make a quick credit in capturing them and selling them to either slavers or the local authorities, yet the actions of their much younger charge changed his mind.

"Daddy!"

Little Resa released herself from Naruto's grip and rushed across the field into the Nosaurians waiting arms. He took her and spun her around, laughing and crying at the same time as he did so, before hugging her closely. The crew looked on, entirely surprised that the rescue mission had gone as easy as it just had.

Naruto looked at his partner closely for a moment, "So should we surrender or draw weapons?"

She looked at him uncertainly, "Why do you want to draw?"

"Oh, you know, a dozen people pointing blasters at us," he replied before the two moved in quick unison. Naruto drew his two blaster pistols. Aayla unclipped her lightsabre and thumbed the activation switch, allowing the weapons signature shap-hiss to make its presence known. The others drew their weapons and held them steady, all except one. The white haired human frowned as he holstered his blaster and took a few steps forward, hands raised in surrender.

"Master Secura, is that you?"

Aayla frowned for a few moments before she seemed to recognise his face, and slowly lowered her ignited weapon. "Dass Jennir, Jedi Master Dass Jennir?"

"You know this guy?" Naruto asked, seeing her nod.

"He was a General, same as me. We meet a few times in briefings and updated tactical reports at the temple," she kept her lightsabre lit and ready.

Thankfully help came in the form of the child they saved, who was now squirming to get her father's attention. "Daddy, daddy, this is Aayla and Naruto. They were the ones who saved me! Please don't hurt them, please!"

"Alright," one of the aliens said in a heavily accented voice. "There's no need for violence, just put your weapons down and we'll do the same."

Naruto smiled nervously, before holstering both of his pistols and raising his hands in surrender. Aayla frowned, but nodded her head and deactivated her lightsabre, clipping the hilt to her utility belt. One by one the others slowly lowered or holstered their assorted blaster rifles and pistols. A tense silence followed, broken when the adult Nosaurian spoke.

"So, you saved my daughter eh?"

Naruto shrugged, "More or less, but if you should thank anyone thank Aayla. If she hadn't gotten herself captured you're daughter would have been cannibal food."

Bomo Greenbark eyed the Jedi Knight for a moment, before putting his daughter down and bowing his head low. "Thank you."

Aayla nodded with a soft smile, "Glad I could help."

One of the aliens, this one humanoid with maroon coloured skin and a crown of blade like horns on his head spoke up, typing commands into a small wrist device. "Uh guys, we really need to go. Looks like local law enforcement have been called, eta three minutes."

The leader nodded his head, "Let's go people!"

"What about those two," Bomo asked, waving his free hand towards Naruto and Aayla, his daughter held securely in the other. "They saved my daughter's life, we can't leave them here!"

"Another Jedi would be helpful boss," another of the aliens spoke up, this one wearing what looked like a hakuma and wide brimmed straw hat.

"Can we afford to take them though," the blonde woman asked with a frown. "We barely have enough room as it is."

The leader of the group was thoughtful for a moment, before nodding his head. "We take them with us. Get a move on you two!"

"Do we have a choice," Naruto asked a little wryly as the group took off in a jog towards the landing bay.

"We're clear, looks like we managed to get away before they spotted us," Crys stated as she piloted the Uhumele into the upper atmosphere, breaking from the planets gravity well into open space.

Schurk-Heren, Captain of the Uhumele nodded his head before sagging against the co-pilots chair in relief. "Good, good, was worried there for a moment. Plot a course to hyperspace, let's get out of here."

"Where too," Crys asked as she began typing commands into the hyperdrive navigator.

"Doesn't matter, just follow the Perlemian to the Outer-Rim for now, we'll decide where to go later." He replied as he unbuckled himself from his crash webbing and rose to his feet. "We also need to deal with our surprise guests. Will you be alright with letting them stay for now?"

"You're the Captain, my personal feelings mean nothing." She replied a little tersely.

Shurk sighed, "I'm asking you because of your past Crys, will you be alright with letting them stay?"

She didn't answer, instead putting all of her concentration into the navigational charts. Sighing again the Yarkora Captain exited the cockpit and walked down the corridor into the main chamber of the Uhumele, a large living space which included a living room, a side kitchen and several doors leading to living quarters. If he wasn't mistaken their two new associates had been locked in the central room.

Mezgraf sat in a steel chair just outside of the room, blaster rifle in arm as he stood guard, the white furred Togorian was fully awake and alert, and was more than capable of dealing with most types of trouble. Leaning against the kitchen worktop was his crews other hired gun. Ko Vakier. The Blood Carver seemed relaxed, but this was a ploy. He was ready for almost everything, three digit clawed hand resting on the sheathed hilt of his vibroblade.

The Captain knew that Sniffles, Janks and Meekerdin-Maa were in the engine room trying to coax some more power out of the hyperdrive coils, and Bomo was sitting on one of the worn sofas, hand petting his sleeping daughters frill. He looked at her as if she would disappear any moment. That only left one member unaccounted for, their residential Jedi Master. Like the rest of the crew Schurk-Heren had thought Jinner was another Separatist freedom fighter like Bomo. He had no idea they were housing a Jedi right under their roof.

Now they were housing two Jedi, possibly three. He had nothing against the Jedi Order, and knew full well how useful a couple of Jedi Knights could be in a fight. The problem was the feelings of his crew for them, most would welcome a few additional helping hands, Jedi or otherwise, but the war had made a lot of people bitter and angry.

He walked over to Mezgraf and nodded his head, "Any trouble from them?"

"Not a peep boss," the towering Togorian rumbled. "You want to talk to them now, see what we should do with them?"

Shurk nodded, "And find some answers."

The two opened the door and stepped inside. Both of their guests were sitting at a table, accompanied by Dass, whatever conversation the three were having was silenced when they entered the room and took two chairs on the other side. "Right, so let's get down to business. I take it you two know each other Dass?"

The white haired human nodded his head, "This is Aayla Secura, a Jedi Knight, and the young man here is called… Naruto Uzumaki, right?"

The blond human nodded his head, "He's not a Jedi, but he saved Aayla's life on Felucia, and the two of them have been travelling together ever since."

Schurk nodded his head in understanding, before he remembered the name, "The Aayla Secura."

Aayla seemed a little taken aback by his statement, "Yes."

"You're something of a celebrity my dear, stories of your heroism and bravery have reached the length and breadth of the galaxy."

"Thank you," she replied with a soft smile. "But some of what you heard might be a little exaggerated."

"Hmm," he hummed in reply, hand reaching up to massage his chin fur, "Perhaps, but on to more pressing issues. We apologise for taking you with us off-world, but the situation called for us to depart. What were you two doing on Esseles? It seems a bit close to the Core."

"We figured they wouldn't think to look for any Jedi in the Core Region," Aayla replied. "The plan was for us to take fake names and lay low until we were able to secure passage off-world, try and earn some credits and stay below the Empires radar."

The Yorkoran nodded his head in understanding, "Indeed, you have quite a bounty on your head my dear. The Empire has offered a hundred thousand credits for your head, dead or alive. The charges were polluting Felucia's water supply and killing nearly a Company of Clones."

"The charges are a load of bullshit," Naruto spoke up for the first time, receiving looks of surprise from everyone. "She did kill those Clones, but in self defence only and I helped her out. They tried to kill her first. As for the water supply it was a Sep leader who did that, she was trying to stop it."

"I expected as much," the Captain replied with a dry chuckle. "Who are you my boy? I am guessing you aren't a Jedi."

The blond shook his head, "I'm not a Jedi. I'm a Shinobi. There is a world of difference, think of the Mandalorians with Jedi like powers and there's your Shinobi."

"Hmm, force sensitive mercenaries." The Captain chuckled.

"Sort off," Dass was studying the blond as he spoke, frowning.

"Well, I apologise for dragging you both from whatever you were doing, I'm sure you were forced to leave a lot behind."

Naruto shook his head, "Nah, all we need is the clothes on our backs. We can always buy more another time."

He nodded his head, once again seemingly deep in thought before he spoke. "Well then I suppose I have a proposal for you both, positions on my crew. I'm looking for a couple of mechanics, maybe a co-pilot to help Crys."

"We couldn't place you all in any more danger than we already have," Aayla tried to say, but was cut off as the Captain chuckled.

"My dear, this ship blasted its way out of a New Plympto space port, destroying several Imperial fighter craft while doing so, we've also been harbouring a Separatist freedom fighter and a Jedi." He leaned forward with a toothy smile. "We're already waist deep in trouble with the Empire. Now what can you two bring to my crew?"

Aayla seemed caught in an internal struggle for a moment before sighing in defeat, "I can pilot most fighter and freighter craft, and I'm a bit of an accomplished mechanic. Naruto is still learning the basics of mechanics, but he has a good eye and is a natural born fighter. You'd feel safe having him watching your back."

"Hmm, indeed," Shurk hummed again, looking at both. They had a few additional beds, and it would be interesting to give the Empire a kick in the teeth. Everyone aboard had been wronged by the Republic and by extension the Empire, what was a few more fugitives? "You're both hired. I'm sure our resident mechanics could use the additional company down there, and another gunhand couldn't hurt."

"Will the crew be alright with us though?" Aayla asked.

"Most will welcome the company, and what you did for our friend Bomo has garnered quite a bit of respect, if begrudging from some. There shouldn't be much of a problem."

"I say it's a brilliant idea," Meekerdin-Maa stated resolutely, the small mouse like creature looking around the table at his fellow crewmembers. "Having a couple of Jedi, and this Shinobi, would be quite advantageous to us. You all know how useful they are in a fight."

Mezgraf let loose a small growl of acknowledgment, "I also concur with Meek, a couple of Jedi would be quite useful, Mistress Secura is a fine mechanic and pilot, and Uzumaki appears to be more than capable of handling his own in a fight."

"There is a problem in them being fugitives of the Empire," Sniffles muttered. "You know, we're already in enough trouble as it is, do we really need more?"

"We're all fugitives from the Empire my boy, they just have a bigger price on their heads," Schurk admonished lightly. "We could use a few additional hands to keep this old girl running, no offense to you, Janks or Meek but you need another set of hands down there."

"Yes, I agree," Meek nodded his little head up and down.

"Meek, we are all aware that you are a believer in the force, and you have a deep respect for the Jedi," Kor piped up. "But I also agree with letting them stay, I could use a few gunners to help defend this ship, and from what I hear Lady Secura is an accomplished fighter."

"But there is another thing, this Uzumaki character," Janks murmured. "You all obviously heard their conversation in the courtyard. How he was capable of reducing that villa to rubble."

They all nodded in agreement, a feeling of trepidation taking heart to each member of the Uhumele crew. That villa had the armaments and forces available to be a lightly defended fortress, for a seasoned Jedi Knight to state that a single person was more than capable of levelling it was testament to his abilities and skill.

"Now that I think about it I've never heard of a force-sensitive warrior clan known as Shinobi." Bomo frowned as he leaned back in his chair. He had put Resa to bed an hour ago, and was not afraid of her waking up. The poor thing was sleeping like a rock. "I've heard of many warrior peoples in my lifetime, but never of a people known as Shinobi."

"A new warrior clan, maybe," Kor himself frowned, as a Blood Carver he was taught about the great warrior peoples of the galaxy since he was old enough to walk. Blood Carvers were known as some of the finest warriors in the galaxy, a step below Jedi and Mandalorians, and he was certain he had never heard the term Shinobi ever mentioned.

"Intriguing indeed, wouldn't you all agree?" the Captain chuckled.

Crys had remained silent throughout the entire meeting, herself fighting an internal battle with her own emotions. The Captain noticed this. "You have been quiet through the whole meeting Crys, don't you have something to say?"

She sent a half hearted glare at the Yarkora, but relented. With a sigh she raised her head, meeting the gaze of her comrades and friends in the room. "You all know me. You know what I went through during the Clone Wars. My husband died defending us from the Droids of the Separatists, and my son was taken by the Jedi."

"We all know you Crys, and we understand the pain you have went through," Kor said, showing compassion which would make any stranger blink in confusion. It was rare for a Blood Carver to care about another sentient being. "Losing your home, your family, and your life is a true horror. One which many of us share, but you cannot blame every Jedi for what happened."

"I don't blame them," she replied defensively. "At the time I felt that the right thing to do was give him to the Jedi. He was on the first transport from that hell, and at the time I was happy with the thought that he would survive. I was ready to die with a smile."

"But you didn't die Crys," Bomo said sadly, this was news to him, but like the old warrior he was he took it all in stride.

"No, I didn't Bomo, though before I met all of you I wish I had," Crys said, showing her inner strength and tenacity which made her such an important member of this crew. "My son probably died in that massacre back on Coruscant, and even though I shouldn't I blame the Jedi as well as the Clones for his death. You can allow them onto this ship, and make them members of this crew, but they need to prove themselves too me before I can ever accept them. That's all I have to say on the matter."

It was better than he had hoped, Schurk-Heren realised. At least Crys was willing to give them a chance instead of throwing them out of the nearest airlock. "Let's have a show of hands shall we, all in favour of letting the Jedi and their Shinobi friend remain."

Everyone raised their hands, though some timidly. "Very well then, I will let them know that we have reached our decision."

Bomo led the two new arrivals into the last vacant cabin on the ship, and opening the door turned on the old lighting. Within was a simple bedroom, with two beds, one on either wall, cupboards at the bottom, a shared nightstand and a smaller room containing a sonic shower and sink. "Captain said this room is yours, it ain't much but you're welcome to it."

Aayla was the first in, taking note of the small room and smiling to the smaller Nosaurian, "it's perfect thank you."

Naruto had other ideas, "A bit cramped."

"Naruto," she admonished sharply.

"What, just saying."

Bomo laughed heartily, "I like this kid, not afraid to speak his mind. Captain told me to let you all know that we'll be docking in a smuggler stronghold in a few days, you can get what supplies and clothing you need there, and he'll be paying for it personally."

Aayla looked shocked, "No, I couldn't ask him to do that."

Bomo chuckled, "Don't worry; it'll be coming out of your cut the next time we make some money."

By now the blond had chosen his preferred bed, the one on the right, and fell onto it with a pleasant sigh. "I can't believe how tired I feel."

Giving him a bemused look Aayla sat on the bed to the left, moving up and down to check the springs of the mattress. The moment she lay back she felt a wave of tiredness hit her like a blaster bolt. "Guess it's been a long day huh?"

"You bet," Naruto replied, lying back, hands supporting his head as he looked up at the ceiling.

"Listen," Bomo said suddenly, gaining the attention of both of the rooms new occupants. "I know I've said this already but… thank you for saving my daughter, I will be in your debt for the rest of my life."

Naruto ginned from ear to ear, "Don't worry about it, we were happy to do it."

"No one should be allowed to get away with what that man was about to do, as a Jedi I could not turn a blind eye," Aayla added with a soft smile. "She's a beautiful little girl, Bomo."

He smiled sadly, "Yea, her mother's daughter that one. She really looks up to you both, her own two personal heroes'."

Naruto laughed, "Tell the squirt she's more than welcome to talk to us anytime, I kind of enjoyed her company."

"She'll be glad to hear that," Bomo replied before turning to leave. "Breakfast is at zero nine hundred. That big feline Mezgraf is a hell of a cook, though he hates to admit it."

"We'll be there," Naruto piped up as the door closed. He turned to Aayla and grinned. "It's amazing what life throws your way isn't it?"

Aayla smiled, but Naruto knew her for long enough to know that she was worried about something. "What's wrong? And don't ask me what, I can read you like an open book these days."

She gave him a look, before sighing in defeat. "It's Master Jennir."

"What about him," Naruto asked, recalling their little conversation with the older man. It was mostly small talk between Aayla and Dass, how they both survived their ordeals, if either had gained any contact with any surviving Jedi Knights and so on. But he had to admit the man seemed to have a cloud over his head.

"I can't say that I knew him very well," she began with a sigh. "Different generations, he was made a Knight when I was still a student, and during the war we were usually deployed in different theatres, but there was something that felt wrong about him, like he was carrying a weight on his shoulders."

"Could it be just him getting over the betrayal of his Troopers, like you?" Naruto asked, sitting up.

She shook her head, "No, it seemed fresher than that."

"Why don't you ask him?"

Aayla thought about it for a while, "Maybe I will."

Author's Note 1: Naruto and Star Wars are the property of Masashi Kishimoto and Lucas Arts respectively. I make nothing from this story.

Author's Note 2: Shorter than usual I know, but this was mainly an interlude chapter to fill in some plot before I got on with it. A lot of people have been wondering about how Aayla couldn't sense any Jedi, like Anakin or Luke would be able to in canon. Answer; while Aayla is a strong force user she is nowhere near the strength of the Chosen Ones of the Force, so sensing presences across vast distances would be beyond her. There will be Jedi survivors in this story, just not yet, so be patient.

Author's Note 3: Thank you to everyone who reviewed on the last chapter, there were some very informative points which I enjoyed reading and I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. We will be continuing on with the Dark Times storyline for a chapter or two, mainly because /SPOILER/I want Naruto to have a non-decisive meeting with Vader, looking forward to writing about that, lol/SPOILER/.