We opened the doors to the docking area and my brother pushed everyone out of the way asking if we were alright. The man with auburn hair spoke to Qui-Gon while Anakin hugged me tightly, too tight that I couldn't breathe. It finally dawned on me that I was his only family now. We just lost our mother. I knew he was scared to lose me too. Instead of pushing him off, I hugged him back just as tight. "I'm ok." I promised.
The man dressed similarly to Qui-Gon asked who he fought but all Qui-Gon could say was that he was well-trained in the Jedi arts and it might be after the queen.
"What queen?" I thought maybe I misheard him. I looked at Ani, and we both thought the same thing. We have never met a Queen before. "Are we dressed alright to meet a royal?"
Everyone laughed at my question, making me giggle as well.
"Padme is one of her handmaidens. You'll meet her soon." Qui-Gon looked at me, catching his breath. He introduced us to the man he called his apprentice.
"Obi-Wan." I stared at the young man. This man from my dreams was real too. Which confirmed my earlier thought this morning, these weren't just dreams I was having.
"Have we met?" Obi-Wan looked at me smiling and I sensed he was alarmed. He turned to his master who just shook his head, a question for a later time. I shook my head, I wasn't about to tell this man I've had dreams about him. Obi-Wan shook Anakin's hand as well as mine. I suddenly felt self-conscious. I must look like a mess.
"Are you a Jedi too?" trying to think of something to say. When he nodded his head at me I looked into his eyes and noticed just how blue they really were. I could get lost in them. "Pleased to meet you. I'm-"
"Kida." Obi-wan interrupted. Qui-Gon looked at him questionably and Obi-wan's cheeks suddenly turned rosey.
"This is my little brother, Anakin Skywalker." Anakin waved happily at our new friend again.
Everyone got settled onto the ship as we flew further into space. Anakin and I stayed in the cockpit area of the ship, watching Obi-wan and another man that was with the queen pilot the ship. I felt excited just watching them until Qui-Gon came in and took us away. We sat on the couch in the cargo area of the ship and Anakin looked excited to be off Tatooine, as was I. I tried not to let it bother me that our mother now had no one. I knew it was going to bother me for a while. We were introduced to the Queen named Amadala. Instead of the simple clothing Padme wore in Tatooine, she was now wearing an orange and yellow robe that hid her face. In fact, I found it odd they were all wearing the same robes. Qui Gon stood in front of us and informed the two of us that after we helped the Queen, we were going to the Jedi Council to ask them to approve training us.
"I doubt they'd tell Anakin, no," I smiled "but I'm a lot older than him, won't they refuse me?" I fixed my hair, it was no longer a neat braid my mother did for me, so I just tied my hair into a ponytail. After our run-in with the man from my nightmare, I hadn't had a chance to fix my hair from all the excitement. Obi-Wan caught my attention again. He was still in the cockpit, but he was alone. Maybe it was because of my dreams when I was sleeping or meditating, but I felt nervous around him which was a new feeling for me.
"In all honesty," Qui-Gon stated, looking at my brother, "Anakin is already considered too old. Just trust me, you will become Jedis. Now, I will start working with young Anakin here, and Kida, you will work with Obi-Wan." He escorted my brother into another area of the ship for privacy while I walked back to Obi-Wan. The door opened and I saw the left seat unoccupied so I sat down. Before I could say anything, Obi-Wan's eyes found mine but he immediately looked away.
"I've seen your face before." he didn't look at me, just straight ahead into space.
"You have?" I felt nervous again. How do you act around a guy? I couldn't treat him as my brother, that would be weird.
"Yes, quite recently. I only told my Master about it but he refuses to tell me anything. He just keeps telling me when everything is settled." Obi-Wan huffed.
"Oh…" Yeah, real smooth Kida. I wished my mother was here. She never explained what to do in front of someone you found attractive.
"You don't need to be nervous. I won't harm you."
"How did you-"
"I can feel it." Obi-wan interrupted me again. Usually, I found it rude and it was honestly shocking to me I wasn't chewing his ear out. For once I felt calm, knowing he could sense my feelings.
"Did the master bore you already with his lectures?" he asked me, turning back to look ahead.
"Well, Qui-Gon told me you would help me train a little" I played with my fingers as he stood up. I had no idea how to act around him. He was very tall, I only came up to his chest as he looked down at me. "If you're busy I can wait. I don't really know why he asked you. I mean, he's helping Ani do the same thing." I rambled on, fidgeting with my fingers even more. Something on the control panel cracked, I couldn't tell what it was, but Obi-Wan grabbed my hand and led me to the cargo area.
"Kida, it's ok. I just find it strange he brought you two along." He sat down in the corner instructing me to do the same. I sat across from him, crossing my legs as well as if we were about to meditate.
"Why is it strange that your master brought us?" Qui-Gon wanted us to be Jedis. He didn't have to say it to begin with. Why else would he make a bet to free me? I could be with my brother to fulfill our dreams.
"We keep bringing in strays. Jar Jar was a stray we picked up in Naboo. He stays with the Queen though." I smiled as he told me what he's been through so far. To a ship where they fought droids, to an underwater kingdom in a place called Naboo, and then stranded on Tatooine. He must not have any friends, because instead of training like we were supposed to, we ended up just talking. I never had a friend before. I was hoping Obi-Wan could be mine someday if he didn't consider me one already. Obi-Wan brought us back to the cockpit and we both sat down and continued talking.
"My brother, Ani, and I, we always dreamed of becoming Jedis. Exploring every inch of the galaxy. Ani has big dreams, wanting to be the best at everything he faces." I look out the big window in front of us. The galaxy was beautiful. Nothing I imagined even came close to what I was seeing. It was breathtaking.
"What about you Kida?" Obi-Wan asked me, "What is your dream besides becoming a Jedi?" he smiled as he relaxed in his chair.
"Well," I looked at him smiling, "I want to be the best fighter and pilot anyone has ever seen." I was very enthusiastic about the race on Boonta Eve, winning against Sebulba thanks to Qui-Gon and Anakin. I told him about the slaves, and how my mother was left behind on Tatooine and was still owned by Watto, but with her encouragement, I was able to leave. I wouldn't want Anakin to do this alone. "Anakin wouldn't go without me either. We dreamed of doing this together for years." I turned to Obi-Wan who was just smiling.
A piece of my hair escaped from my hair tie and Obi-Wan leaned forward. His hand reached ever so slowly to tuck it behind my ear. I felt my face heat up, as my heart beat faster. We stared at each other, his hand felt so smooth against my cheek. "Obi-Wan," I said breathlessly.
"I've had dreams about you." Obi-wan whispered. He started to lean in and all of a sudden, the door opened, making me jump away from Obi-Wan as he quickly removed his hand, sitting up straight and clearing his throat. I worked up the nerve to turn my head and Qui-Gon stood there along with my brother. Anakin had a 'You've been caught' look on his face.
"I see training is going well." he teased and gestured to me to follow him.
"Master, I'm sorry. We just got started talking and-" Obi-Wan started to say. He looked really upset and I couldn't stand to see that look on him. I felt something when I was with him. Even in my visions, I felt it, and because of that, I felt I needed to protect him. "Qui-Gon, it was my fault. I wanted to know about the ship and being a Jedi that I didn't want to train. I never told him you wanted him to teach me. You can blame me if you want but he didn't know." I moved my hands behind my back, hiding my nervous tick from Qui-Gon. I glanced at Obi-Wan who looked just as surprised as Anakin. Qui-Gon just had a knowing smirk on his face as he examined the two of us.
"Well, Obi-Wan, Anakin would like to sleep, find a place for him." he turned his attention toward me. "Kida, come with me. You need to start your training." he walked away.
I looked at Obi-Wan and smiled before I followed Qui-Gon out the door. The area we went to was just a storage room. However, I saw broken pieces of metal on the floor and a glowing crystal. I looked questionably at Qui-Gon who sat in front of me, behind the mess. "Sit down in front of the metal pieces." He instructed me. Following his instructions, he told me to meditate. However, instead of emptying my mind, I was going to picture the pieces on the floor and put them back together with the force. Seems easy. However, it was far from it.
I didn't know how long I had been sitting here. I didn't open my eyes, knowing I'd lose my concentration. I made it close to finishing rebuilding the lightsaber, but I lost my ability to focus towards the end. I started getting frustrated, feeling my anger rise, and the pieces started to shake.
"You must remain calm in order to do this." a voice explained, "I had a difficult time getting the hang of this at first."
The pieces fell to the floor as I opened my eyes, no longer staring at Qui-Gon, but Obi-Wan. What is he doing here? I let out a sigh as I stretched my arms, sore from sitting in the same position too long. Obi-Wan came to sit beside me. I watched his every move, wondering what the weird feelings I had were.
"Master asked me to help." he smirked, "unless you would like me to go." He started to stand up again, but I quickly grabbed his hand, pulling him back down.
"You can stay." tell him shyly. "I don't know what I'm doing wrong." defeat in my voice.
"Don't focus too much on putting it together." He explained, "Imagine you're putting it together with your hands, and you must stay calm. It helps me to hone in the feeling of something that calms you."
I closed my eyes again. I felt the broken pieces on the floor, and slowly I started putting it together once again. I found something that does in fact calm me. He was sitting beside me. I felt whole when he was with me. Almost as if he was my anchor, keeping me in place. I finished reconstructing the lightsaber. I smiled big, opened my eyes, and watched Obi-Wan who was shocked. Mentally I was so tired, after a few hours doing this, I think anyone would be. Physically, on the other hand, I could run a mile, but my mind just wanted to rest. Obi-Wan guided me to the couch in the cargo area, where a pillow and blanket were set up waiting for me. I heard shivering and turned my attention to Padme when I saw her walk in with another blanket. She was tucking my brother in. She spotted me and I smiled, thanking her for taking care of my brother. Obi-Wan retreated to the cockpit as I laid my head on the pillow, wondering what tomorrow would bring.