Hey guys! Sorry for the lack of updates. I hope you enjoy the chapter! :D
Q/A's and Reactions:
Ezraismybae- Aw, I'm glad you enjoyed! :D
Louisemcmullan- Thanks! I have used some of your ideas in this chapter so I hope you enjoy! :D
Jessie K I- Thanks so much for your support! :D
Azulablue92- Sorry, by the time I read this I was already on my holiday. XD But I'm back now! And you're probably regretting me posting the new chapter for 'Test of Strength, Test of Mind', huh? XD
Ichichi05- I'm glad you enjoyed!
Spectre 8- Thanks, enjoy the chapter! :D
A M3mb3r123- I'm glad people enjoyed that part! I had a great time on my holidays but I'm glad to be back! :D
Warrior Angel- Yes, Zeb and Chopper will still be friendly enemies… if that's even a thing! XD
Angela- Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter!
ElsaSkywalker- Thanks! I thought that part was cute too. :D Enjoy the chapter!
A month after Zeb joined the crew…
Kanan's POV
I groaned and opened my eyes. The room was spinning as my gut churned. I sat up, ignoring my thumping headache. What's wrong with me? I slung my legs over the side of the bed and clutched my stomach. My cabin began to focus as I sluggishly stood up. My throat was dry and my nose was blocked. If Hera saw me in this condition she would definitely freak out. I peered over the top bunk to see it was empty. Ezra must already be awake.
I got dressed and walked out. If I wasn't there for breakfast, my talented pilot would know something was wrong. The last thing we needed was for one of us to become ill, so I pushed the groggy feeling away and walked down the hall towards the common room. When I entered the room, I saw Hera working on Chopper, an enthusiastic Ezra watching close by. Zeb was sitting on one of the chairs, half asleep. "Almost… done," Hera groaned, twisting a screwdriver. When she pulled away and activated Chopper, the droid whirled around angrily. "Calm down Chop!" Ezra said, placing his hands on the droid's dome to keep him still. "Hera was just putting a zapper gun on you."
Chopper stayed silent for a moment before examining his new upgrade with curiosity. He wheeled over to the day dreaming Lasat and shot a bolt at him. The electricity made contact and Zeb jumped and growled. "You little rust bucket!" he yelled, cracking his knuckles. "Run Chop!" Ezra giggled, watching from the side. Chopper bolted around me as Zeb was about to make chase, stopped short when he realised I was there. His eyes widened. "You okay boss? You don't look too good."
Hera came over and I immediately saw the worry rising in her eyes. "What's wrong?"
"I'm fine," I muttered, walking past them and into the kitchen. My head began to pound again as I leaned over the sink.
I heard Ezra run over to beside me and tug on my trousers. "Look what I made," he said joyfully.
"Not now Ezra," I sighed, shooing him away. I really wasn't feeling good now. Almost as if I would-
Before I could finish the thought, hot mucus raised in my throat and I vomited into the sink. Hera walked up and patted my back comfortingly as I saw Zeb lead Ezra away in the corner of my eye. I tried to speak again but was cut off by another wave of nausea and grogginess. "It's okay love. Deep breaths," Hera urged, smiling encouragingly. I tried to steady myself and clear my mind, but my vision blurred and I could hardly hear Hera. "Can you walk?" was what I thought she said.
I nodded slowly and placed my hand on the wall to support myself, but when I tried to walk the energy escaped my limbs and I stumbled. The corners of my sight began to fade and the darkness engulfed the surrounding light…
A week later…
Ezra's POV
"Ready, aim, fire!" I ordered as Chopper shot an electric bolt at the storm trooper bucket. The helmet jumped and sizzled when the electricity made contact. "Direct hit!" I cheered. I ran over and picked up the still hot helmet when Zeb walked into the common room. "Hey kid," he greeted. I looked up expectantly, but he shook his head sadly. Kanan hadn't left our cabin for a whole week now, and I was starting to get worried. "Will he be okay?" I asked. The Lasat gave me an uncertain look, before saying "Let's hope so."
I didn't feel very encouraged. I instinctively placed my hand on Chopper's head to comfort myself. At least droids can't get ill.
"Hera said Kanan's still sick, and she doesn't want you to catch it. You can stay with me for the night, if you want," he offered.
I nodded slowly, and picked up the drawings I had made from the past week. "Can I see him first?" I asked.
Zeb thought for a moment, before shrugging. "I don't see why not. But we'll see what Hera says."
I bolted out of the common room and down the hall. I knocked on the door to Kanan and I's shared cabin. It slid open with a hiss, revealing a tired, caring Hera. "Can I talk to Kanan?" I asked, giving her my best puppy dog eyes.
After a small moment of silence, she sighed and stepped aside. "He's not awake though, so just be careful," she whispered.
I nodded and walked into the cabin, clambering up side of the bed. I sat next to Kanan's unconscious body and watched the steady rise and fall of his chest. I shuffled closer to get a better look at his pale face. Frowning, I pulled out one of the pictures. It was a crudely drawn scene of Kanan and his blue lightsaber, fighting a squad of storm troopers. "I made this for you," I mumbled sadly, placing it to the side. I lifted his cold hand to the side of my cheek, a gesture that usually provided me with comfort and the feeling of safety. But not right now. Not while he was like this.
"Please get better soon," I whispered.
Hera stepped forward and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Best to let him rest hun."
I nodded and let his hand drop onto the bed again. I jumped off and walked towards the door, where Zeb was waiting. He gave me a reassuring smile and said "I'm sure he'll be fine." I quickly remembered something and climbed up the ladder to my bunk. I grabbed the Loth cat plush and clutched it to my chest, then proceeded to follow Zeb to his room.
It was a smaller version of ours, just without the meditation bed. "You can sleep on the top," he said, gesturing to the bunk beds.
I climbed up the ladder and sat down. I frowned. It didn't feel like my bed. It was harder, and creaked with small movements. I also couldn't sense the silent hum that was present in my room whenever Kanan was there. It didn't feel natural. Or maybe I was just over reacting. I looked down at Zeb who stretched and let out a loud yawn. "But I'm not tired," I sulked.
Zeb scratched his head, as if unsure what to do. "Hmm. How 'bout a story?" he suggested.
My eyes widened and I leaned into the mattress. Zeb hauled himself up, the structure groaning with the extra weight. He thought for a moment, then started "Once, my brothers and I had to find a cure for a disease spreading throughout Lasan. We travelled over towering mountains, gushing rivers, endless plains and finally made it to an underground system. We needed to get these mushroom type plants that grew only in this particular cave. But, they weren't the only things that thrived through those tunnels."
I pulled the blankets up and asked curiously "What? What else was in the caves?!"
"Big, dog like creatures called 'Fyrnocks'," he said, holding up his hands to show how big they were. "They were extremely territorial and had razor sharp teeth. Their eyes glowed bright yellow and they had hard, armour like skin." I squeezed the toy in my arms and listened in both fear and astonishment.
"We pulled out our bo-rifles, and attacked the mangy beasts with everything we had! But more just kept coming! So, we snagged as many plants possible and bolted for the exit. Turns out, they're afraid of the sun!" he chuckled. A small giggle escaped my lips and I asked "Did you save your people?"
He smiled proudly. "Sure did!"
I began to hear the comforting hum again, but this time, it was playing with another tune. The familiar, mellow song that usually emanated from Kanan entwined with an upbeat drum in the background. It was faint, but still noticeable. I smiled. "Another story, please?"
After a moment of thought, he grinned and said "Sure. Why not."
As he told me about another adventure, the drum loudened and played a joyful, up-beat song. I felt strangely at home in this unfamiliar bed while I snuggled into the covers. A wave of playfulness and security washed over me as I started to drift to sleep. While Kanan's singing was soothing and relaxing, Zeb's stories were exciting and intriguing. Either way, they both made me feel at home…
Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait. I've been really busy lately and there's been a lot going on in my family at the moment. The 'sickness' idea was suggested by quite a few people and the 'bedtime stories' idea was suggested by Louisemcmullan, but Zeb telling them instead of Kanan. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Tell me what you thought about it, I love to read your reviews! :D And as always, may the force be with you!
-Superherotiger