III. A Thing With Feathers

After spending the better part of an hour exploring the freighter, scavenging for anything we could use, I returned to the cockpit.

"I come bearing gifts."

Anakin turned as best he could to peek around the tall backrest of the pilot's chair. "Is it food?"

"Of course."

He didn't ask me what I'd done with the corpse of the hunter. Fortunately, I'd found the airlock room and used it to launch him into realspace.

"Is that a sniper rifle?"

"Don't worry, I removed the blaster cartridge," I assured him, leaning the rifle against the armrest of his chair and setting down the rucksack I'd used to gather supplies. "I figured you could use it as a makeshift walking stick."

Anakin looked relieved. "Thanks."

"And look what I found," I said, reaching inside the bag and pulling out my next gift.

"My lightsaber!"

I handed the weapon over with a grin. "I guess you can avoid another trip to Ilum."

"Thank the Force," he sighed, gripping the saber hilt to his chest rather dramatically.

"And of course, sustenance," I continued, handing him a package of dried meat. Fortunately, food was the one thing the hunters had kept well in stock. That, and ammunition.

"Thanks," Anakin said, ripping into the packet with enthusiasm.

While he ate, I retrieved the battered medpac I'd found and began to sort through its sparse contents. Unfortunately, I wasn't familiar with first aid, but I figured I couldn't go wrong with an antiseptic spray and a bacta patch.

"Are you ready?"

Anakin grimaced. "Let's just get it over with."

I kneeled beside him and got to work, using a hydropak to dampen the blood-crusted bandages. As gently as I could, I peeled them off and winced at the sight I found underneath.

I wasn't totally sure if it was supposed to look as ugly as it did, but I tried my best to rinse it out.

"This is going to hurt," I warned him and liberally sprayed the antiseptic across the leaking wound.

Anakin cursed in what I could only assume was Huttese.

After some fiddling, I managed to tear the bacta patch open and carefully sealed it over the back of his torn calf.

"All done," I said, closing the medpac with a snap. "Do you think you can handle one more gift?"

"I don't think it can get any worse than that," Anakin huffed, face twisted into a pained grimace.

"I saved the best for last."

That got his attention. "Better than my lightsaber?"

I reached into the bottom of the rucksack and presented him with a Sabacc deck.

Anakin grinned.

"Not better than your lightsaber, no. But nearly as good."

Between piloting the ship, treating Anakin's leg injury, and getting food and rest, we forgot one crucial detail. At no point, did it occur to us to try and send a transmission to the Jedi Temple. As a result, our arrival was entirely unexpected.

We landed the freighter on a large landing strip along the southwest side of the Jedi Temple, closest to the Halls of Healing, where we were quickly intercepted by the maintenance crew of the hangar. At the sight of me helping Anakin limp down the landing ramp, the nearest available Jedi were flagged down.

From there, it was a whirlwind of being picked up and rushed to the Halls of Healing, where Anakin and I were separated. I was taken to the main hall, where healing chambers were split by tall privacy screens, giving the illusion of individual rooms. It was hours before I was allowed to see anyone other than a healer, though I hardly needed much care. I was a bit dehydrated, and other than a few scrapes and some bruising around my neck, I was perfectly fine.

I sensed my Clan Master before I saw him. His presence in the Force was like a warm hug and I promptly leaned into it, surprised by the sensation of relief that swept through me.

I was safe. I was home.

The frosted transparisteel door slid open and Master Tera Sinube entered, supported by his sabercane. The appearance of the elder Cosian Jedi was a cheerful sight. He lead two others who I vaguely recognized as Plo Koon and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

At their entrance, I pushed myself to sit upright on my medibed.

"Nova-Li," Master Tera greeted me warmly. "I am glad to see you are well."

"Thank you," I said, unable to keep myself from leaning further against his Force presence, comforted by it. He allowed the intrusion with nary a twitch.

"Are you feeling well enough to answer some questions, young one?"

I eyed the Jedi standing a few steps behind my Clan Master curiously. "I can do that."

"Hello, Nova-Li," Master Plo greeted me kindly, drawing closer. "I am Master Plo Koon, and this is Padawan Skywalker's master, Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"Well met, Masters," I said with a small dip of my head. "How is Anakin?"

"Anakin is currently submerged in a bacta pod," Obi-Wan said. "The injury to his leg will take a touch longer to improve, but the healers say he will make a full recovery."

"I'm glad."

And surprisingly, I meant it. For all the fear I held of the future, it was impossible to condemn Anakin. He hadn't done anything. Not yet.

"If you are feeling up for it, we would like for you to give us a full account," Master Plo said. "We were not even aware that you had been taken alongside young Skywalker."

"You've got it switched," I confessed with a feeling of shame. "He was the one taken alongside me."

Master Plo gestured for me to continue and I did. I shared with them every gritty detail of the last tenday, from sneaking out of the Temple, to Anakin Force choking one of the hunters, to my first lethal use of the Force. Though I was unsure of revealing that both Anakin and I had utilized the dark side, I knew hiding it wouldn't be doing either of us any favors.

A rigid silence followed the end of my tale. But the Jedi Masters were far too disciplined in regulating their emotions to allow me a glimpse of their thoughts.

I breathed, shakily releasing my own dread into the Force. There would be consequences for my actions and I could only hope that my feigned youth would grant me leeway.

Finally, Obi-Wan was the one to break the silence.

"You saved Anakin's life," he said soberly. And then, to my immense surprise, he bowed. "You have my eternal gratitude, Nova-Li Deraan."

It took me a moment to regain my voice. "We saved each other's lives," I assured him.

"Nonetheless," he insisted as he straightened up and gifted me with a warm smile.

I smiled tentatively in return.

"Nova-Li, know that this will not be allowed to happen again," Master Plo said, his sincere attempt to comfort me just as unexpected. "Trandosha is a member world of the Galactic Republic. After Obi-Wan investigated and found the hunting guild's point of operation, its members were apprehended and taken into Republic custody."

My eyes shot back towards Obi-Wan. "You found us?"

"Too late, I'm afraid. By then, you and Anakin were already gone and we assumed the worst. But it seems you didn't need our help after all."

"Anakin was right," I admitted. "He was sure that you would find us, but I didn't believe it."

"So you two went and saved yourselves instead," Obi-Wan said, sounding faintly bemused. "Incredible."

"I couldn't have done it on my own."

"Hm, I hope this means you have learned your lesson, young one," Master Tera said. "There's a reason younglings are not permitted to go outside the Jedi Temple walls unsupervised."

"Yes, Master," I said meekly.

"As for all the perils you have faced and the actions you and young Skywalker carried out," Master Plo said gravely, "I would recommend sessions with a Mind Healer."

When no one said anything, I realized they were awaiting my response.

"I will see a Mind Healer," I decided. "But only if Anakin sees one as well."

Master Plo met my gaze with an air of contemplation. I did not waver.

I could admit to myself that it was a tad manipulative, and in the long run, it guaranteed absolutely nothing. But I had to try, didn't I?

"I will make sure of it," Obi-Wan said, "but it will be a few rotations before he is well enough to speak with one."

I turned to him. "Then I can also wait."

"Very well," Master Tera allowed. "The healers have cleared you, and Wolf Clan eagerly anticipates your return. Are you ready, young one?"

I released a sigh of relief. "Yes, Master."

I was on assigned bedrest for the remainder of the week. Initially, I took plenty of naps, meditated some, and caught up on bits of my coursework. But after about three rotations, I grew restless and begged Master Tera to let me return to my lessons and training. Instead, he relegated me to instructing the youngest of our clan.

Leading half a dozen younglings between the ages of three and five in meditation went about as well as expected.

After I heard Caleb Dume and Sammo Quid giggling for the third time, I gave it up as a lost cause and opened my eyes.

Mox Freedan had fallen asleep. Kiri was sucking on her thumb. Lina Lascol, the youngest and newest addition to our clan, had wandered off across the chamber. Tai Uzuma's brow was furrowed, as she was the only one actually trying to meditate.

I bit back a laugh.

With a gesture of my hand, all six younglings were suddenly floating helplessly. They shrieked with laughter.

"Have I earned your attention, younglings?"

A few stopped giggling long enough to shout an earnest, "Yes!"

"Then gather around," I said and gently lowered them to their feet.

They quickly scuttled back and clustered before me.

"Are we done meditating?" Sammo asked, rocking back on the soles of his feet, blue cheeks puffed up.

"Yes, I think so," I snorted, eyeing the group of them thoughtfully.

"Can we play a game?" Caleb asked. "Please?"

"Hmm, I suppose we can."

They cheered.

"Lights! Lights!" Mox chanted.

"Who else wants to play the lights game?" I asked.

Predictably, they all shouted their agreement.

I stood to my feet and pointed to the farthest end of the room, near the kitchen unit. "You know what to do."

We were currently in the main chamber of the Wolf Clan quarters. The adjoining rooms were where the youngest of the clan dwelled, near Master Tera, until they were old enough to be granted the privacy of their own dorm room.

Once they were all lined up across the other side, I paused dramatically as I looked them over individually.

"Ready?"

"Yes!"

"Ready, set―yellow light!"

The group of them comically moved in slow motion, exaggerating their every footstep.

"Green light―"

They leaped―

"Red light!"

Most of them immediately dropped from their Force-assisted dash and froze.

"Sammo, back to the start line."

Sammo, who hadn't stopped in time, pouted but skipped back without protest.

And so it went.

Eventually I set up other games, like Hopscotch and Blind Man's Bluff. Playing games with Force-sensitive children was on a whole different level and I was forced to raise the level of difficulty by several notches, but they seemed to love the challenge.

Once they began to lag, I declared nap time. Tai was the only one to complain, while the rest were happy enough to collapse atop meditation mats and sponge chairs (the earth equivalent of beanbags.)

It wasn't long after I'd lowered the brightness setting of the glow panels and sunk into a sponge chair myself, that Caleb clambered onto my lap and snuggled against my chest. He was a tiny five-year-old with spindly limbs and fluffy hair that tickled the bottom of chin.

They each nodded off, their radiant presence in the Force muting like candlelight.

I had nearly dozed off myself, when the blast doors to the chamber suddenly hissed open. My gaze flew up and I was shocked to see Anakin quietly entering, doors sweeping close behind him.

"There you are," he said in a loud whisper as he carefully stepped around napping younglings. And then, having no sense of personal space, he plopped down right beside me, sinking into the sponge chair and squishing against my side.

It took me a moment to find my voice. "How did you find me?"

"I asked Master Sinube. Obi-Wan said he's your Clan Master?"

"Yes, he is," I said faintly. "How's your leg?"

"It looks a lot better," he assured me. "But Healer Che forbade me from lightsaber training for at least another tenday. She says that I need to let the healing process complete." He sounded put out.

"I understand," I whispered. "I'm not permitted to attend my lessons yet. But Master Tera at least allowed me to help with the younglings."

"How's that?"

"Well, I was supposed to lead them in meditation, but they don't like doing that so much…"

Anakin muffled a laugh. "Neither do I."

I smiled. "Lina's three cycles old. What's your excuse?"

"I'd be less than that on Bespin," he scoffed.

"Oh, very funny. But we're on Coruscant, so you're thirteen."

Anakin mumbled something unintelligible and then asked, "If you didn't meditate, what did you have them do?"

"Just played a couple of games," I said with a small shrug. "They eventually tired out, so I'm having them nap before second meal."

Anakin hummed, the weight of his head falling against my shoulder.

When he said nothing more, I asked, "Why were you looking for me?"

His voice grew pensive. "Obi-Wan said you wouldn't talk to a Mind Healer, unless I did too."

"I did say that."

"Why?"

"…Does it matter?"

"Yes, it matters―"

"Shh. Lower your voice."

"Sorry," he muttered. "But you can't do that, Nova."

"Why not?"

"Because it's wrong. You should see a Mind Healer if you need help. It shouldn't have anything to do with me."

I pursed my lips. "So…are you going to see one?"

"Yes," Anakin groaned with exasperation. "Yes, I am. So you better see one too."

"I will."

"Good," he grumbled, but made no move to leave.

His presence in the Force settled, and I thought he might've fallen asleep. But I couldn't do the same. The situation was far too surreal.

Master Tera said that nothing ever happened by accident. If he was to be believed, then I should've known that my first encounter with Anakin wouldn't be my last. The Force was clearly at work, but I didn't know what to think.

After all, what could a person like me possibly have to offer Anakin Skywalker?

It seemed laughable that a bit of interference on my part could change the entire course of the galaxy's future. Anakin's deep seeded issues would hardly be resolved by a bit of friendship and a couple of sessions with a Mind Healer. It couldn't be that simple…

Yet, the hope of change was tantalizing.

But I refused to touch it, let alone hold it. It was too fragile, too elusive. Already there was so much that I wanted, but if I hoped for something better and the outcome I knew remained the same, I didn't think I could handle the ensuing heartache.

Doubt washed through me. Inside the Temple, encompassed by so many brilliant lights, I'd never felt more alone.

I blearily gazed up at the dimmed lights of the glow panels and amongst the quiet breathing of the sleeping younglings, I whispered one of my many impossible wishes, "I want to be a Clan Master when I grow up."

And to my horror, Anakin, who was not as fully asleep as I'd believed him to be, whispered back, "You will be."

I arrived at the entrance to the Room of a Thousand Fountains after second meal the next day. It was where I'd been instructed to meet with Healer Knight Stass Allie for our first session.

I recognized her as soon as she approached me. She was a tall Tholothian knight with gentle, indigo eyes and a friendly smile. I had spoken briefly with her when I'd initially been brought to the Halls of Healing, before being attended to by a senior padawan.

"Nova-Li," Healer Stass greeted me warmly. "How is your recovery coming along?"

"There wasn't much to recover from," I reminded her. "But good, all things considered."

She smiled. "Your physical recovery isn't the only thing that's important, young one."

"Well, yes. That's why I'm here," I said. "Have you already spoken with Anakin?"

"I had a session with him earlier this morning," she assured me as we entered the Room of a Thousand Fountains and chose a winding stone path to follow. The faint rush of water swelled into a roar. "I understand that you refused to speak with a Mind Healer, unless Anakin agreed to speak with one too?"

"That's correct."

"Is Anakin someone important to you?"

I blinked and fell silent at the forward question. But really, there was only one way to explain my concern for him. And I supposed it was her job to ask these things.

"We're friends," I admitted reluctantly.

"How long have you been friends?"

"Not long." When Healer Stass merely glanced at me, waiting for me to elaborate, I continued, "We first met a few months ago. He found me crying in a storage closet."

I described our brief encounter, and then went on to tell her about the weeks I spent with Anakin on our voyage to and from Ilum. From there, I told her of all the events that transpired in Trandosha. She remained silent throughout the entirety of it, gaze attentive.

"You have been through much, Nova-Li," she finally said, voice grave, when I concluded my story. "But you appear to be handling it all rather well."

"As well as I can," I said with a shrug. "I'm just happy to be home."

"As are we," she agreed kindly. "The galaxy is a dangerous place, young one. You would do well to heed the words of Master Tera."

"I learned my lesson," I muttered, expression twisting with disappointment. "I'm definitely not ready to venture out on my own."

"Why were you so eager to explore the city?"

"I don't know. I was mostly curious," I said. "The Jedi Temple is my home, but there's a whole galaxy out there. I want to see all of it."

"Patience, Nova-Li," Healer Stass reminded me with an indulgent smile. "If you follow the path to become a Jedi Knight, as I know you will, you will have plenty of opportunities to see this galaxy. But now you know it is not all so benevolent as the Jedi Temple."

I bit back a retort and nodded instead. "Some lessons, we have to learn the hard way."

"Very wisely put."

We fell silent for a while as we strolled through the curving path. The scent of wet earth swirled through my lungs and the lush greenery encroaching the path brushed up against me. It was nothing like the dark and gloomy plantlife of Trandosha's lunar jungle.

Being taken so far from home had been a shock. One I hadn't been prepared for. But the future was an even darker place, and one day, this would become a blip in my memories. The galaxy that Healer Stass knew, would not be the galaxy that I would come to know.

Above the crashing of waterfalls, Healer Stass said, "Something troubles you."

I frowned.

In this, I could not tell her the truth. Because I knew that the future she spoke of was not possible. I would not become a Jedi Knight. And in the unlikely case that I did, I would be on my own, solely put in charge of men who would involuntarily betray me.

In the end, all I could ask was, "Is the galaxy really as bad as you say?"

"No. We are merely attempting to instill caution in you," she said. "You have acted reckless, Nova-Li."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"You are remorseful?"

"I am," I said. "Anakin would've never been captured and hurt if he hadn't followed me that day. And I caused my clan much worry. It was unintentional, but I do regret the harm my actions brought about."

"It is reassuring to know you feel this way."

"Because I called on the dark side?"

"Because selflessness and compassion are traits of the Light," she corrected me. "It is true that Jedi must resist the temptation of the dark side, lest we be consumed by it. But we overcome through discipline. This is why we protect our younglings so fiercely, so that none is tested before they are ready. And you, Nova-Li, acted on your fear because you were not ready. Not yet. Do you understand?"

I breathed, comforted by her gentle tone. "Yes, Healer Stass," I murmured, "I understand."

A/N: I've received this question more than once, so I just wanted to clarify that Nova-Li is human :)