Fluff and hurt/comfort, my favorite things. Just a little note, my personal headcannon is that Shin was being hunted by the Empire, but Baylan saved her and took her as his apprentice. She would've been around eight years old. At the time that this one-shot takes place, she's twelve. The Empire is still very much in control. Characters may be OOC, you've been warned.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars.
Four years. It had been four years since Shin had last seen her family. Her brother might not even remember her, he had only been a baby when she'd had to run away. The house still looked the same, at least on the outside. She climbed the steps to the porch, but hesitated before knocking on the door. It wasn't as though she intended to stay, she just wanted her family to know that she was safe, she just wanted to see them again. But for some reason, she was...nervous? Having Baylan there with her might've made her feel better, but he had chosen to wait on the ship, allowing her to have some privacy for this. Shin took a breath, and knocked on the door. She couldn't explain why, but she suddenly had a very bad feeling about this. The door opened. Her father stood there, he looked shocked at first, but then he scowled.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice less than welcoming.
"I'm here to see you. All of you," Shin replied, trying to get a glimpse inside.
Her father stepped onto the porch and closed the door, "We don't want you here. Who do you think told the Empire about you, and your powers? It was us. An anonymous tip, of course, we couldn't have them connecting you to us."
Shin stumbled back and just barely managed to choke out, "Why?"
"You hid your powers well, but when your mother and I realized what you were...what you are, we had to do something."
"And what exactly am I?" Shin asked, a bit of anger flaring within her.
Her father glared down at her, "A freak, a monster, an outcast. You have no home here. Leave, and don't ever come back."
"But–"
"Officer!" he called. Shin turned, and saw an Imperial patrol approaching. She turned back to her father, then she ran. She ran all the way back to the ship, she didn't let herself cry...not now, she wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
Baylan felt Shin's arrival before he saw her. The girl had not yet mastered the art of shielding hed emotions, and the turmoil he felt coming off of her was enough to prompt him to prepare the ship for take off. Clearly, something wasn't right.
She walked into the cockpit and sat down in the co-pilot seat, "I'm ready to leave." She didn't say anything else. She remained silent as the broke through the upper atmosphere, and even as they entered hyperspace. Her eyes remained fixed on the viewport.
Baylan glanced at his apprentice, then turned to face her fully, "What happened?"
"It doesn't matter. They don't matter," she said, her voice cracking slightly, "I don't matter."
Her words were harsh and angry, but Baylan could easily sense the hurt behind them. Something had happened, and it would undoubtedly effect her in some way for the rest of her life. He sighed, "Come here," he instructed. Shin moved slowly, hesitantly, until she was standing before him. She was already a bit small for her age, but the way she was folded in on herself made her seem even smaller. Baylan placed a hand on her shoulder, "Don't bottle up your emotions," he instructed, "Feel them, let them out, then let them go." Shin looked up at him with unshed tears pooling in her eyes. The first sob broke through, and the floodgates opened. Baylan gathered her into his arms and held her while she cried. Truthfully, he had grown quite fond of her in the last few years, perhaps even a bit attached. Shin's sobs eventually subsided and she stepped back, but she was still trembling. "Are you ready to let go?" Baylan asked.
"Yes." Her voice was hoarse when she spoke.
"I'll help you," Baylan said, "Find the emotions, focus on them." He watched Shin close her eyes. This would be challenging for her. In time, Baylan would teach her how to do it herself, but for now he would help her.
"I have them," Shin said, her tear stained face scrunched up in concentration.
"Good," Baylan said, "Now let them go." he reached for Shin's presence in the Force, found the tangle of emotions, and helped her release them. Shin gasped as the weight left her. Between the whirlwind of emotions she had experienced, and then letting go of them, she felt completely drained. Baylan could sense it, "Rest now, you've been through quite a lot today." he sent a gentle sleep suggestion as he said this, and Shin collapsed against him. He scooped her up easily and gently set her back in the co-pilot seat. She would experience many more pains in life, but she would learn how deal with them. She would grow stronger every time, Baylan would see to it. And when she wasn't strong enough, he would be there to help her.
A/N: Yeah, I love torturing my favorite characters. I also love vulnerable hurt/comfort fluff. I don't mind suggestions, just please keep them in the K or K plus rating. I apologize for any grammar mistakes. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.