A/N: Unfortunately I am still sick but fortunately find myself with a lot of free time. So I dedicate time to story mapping and writing chapters. I have come to the conclusion to make the childhood arc 7 chapters long before leading into the 3 year time span as Padawans before the Clone Wars. So in terms, This story's 1st chapter was in 40 BBY. Had to use legends to get the age of Barriss Offee since there's no official canon DoB. Anyways, hope you enjoy the chapter!

17:00 Hours (5:00 PM)

The Intercom. The intercom played a beautiful, serene wave of noise over it as this signaled the end of afternoon classes for the younglings. The multitude of hundreds of young students burst from the classroom doors as some were headed to the library to study and others to the training rooms to perfect their preferred stances. In the middle of one of the connecting halls was a young 9 year old Barriss Offee. She had slightly grown taller over the last three years. She was wearing a black meshed shirt with a long but simple black skirt that ran easily past her knees. Connecting the two was a belt with the buckle being the shape of a heart and adorned the same ornate black headdress that she was growing to love.

She was by herself as Jao informed her that he was going to hang out with some new friends today in the sparring rooms. Barriss was never good at making friends because of her more authoritative but snarky attitude. This either leads to people not talking to her or start to pick on her. She didn't show it outwardly to her only friend but she missed Jao when he had other things to do then hang out with her. This was one such occurrence.

She was in her thoughts when she accidentally bumped into two older students: A 12 year human known as Desmond Ferrix and a Zabrak called Tepav Mauus. Falling back on her behind as she dropped her datapads, she'd instinctively closed her eyes as she grimaced at the newfound pain on her bottom. Opening her eyes slowly, the duo would look very pissed.

"Oy, watch where you're going, Offee. You're going to scruff my robes" barked Desmond.

"Well maybe you shouldn't just gutter up the hallways by just standing there." she snipped back, rubbing her eyes to clear the stars from her eyes.

Looking at Desmond in disbelief, "Did you just hear what this LONER told us, Des? Can you believe that Ms. Lonely told US what to do?"

Laughing in response, "I know right!" he'd swipe down and rip off her headdress, "We should take THIS for ruining our day." Twirling it in his fingers now.

Barriss immediately covered her hair which was short, black and tied into a bun as she tried to reach up and grab her headdress, "HEY GIVE THAT BACK, BANTHA FODDER!"

Every leap and reach to grab was met with the boys raising it higher and higher as Tepav said, "Nuh uh! Going to have to try better than that, Ms. Loner!"

Nudging Tepav, Desmond would add on, "I mean, I see why she wears it! Look how UGLY she is! Looks like Purrgil barfed her up!"

The two boys laughed at her as Barriss was beginning to become more and more upset before a booming voice echoed, "ENOUGH!"

Looking behind them, a tall and stalwart looking Zabrak with jedi robes would be behind them. He was fair skinned Zabrak with two large protruding horns and ornate facial tattoos. His orange eyes looked fierce and authoritative as he added, "Tepav Mauus and Desmond Ferrix. I have seen enough! You two will be coming with me but first," reaching his hand out as he easily ripped the headdress out of Desmond's hands with the force.

"She started it! It wasn't my f-"

"I do not care who started what. All I know is that ripping Ms. Offee's headdress is CERTAINLY not the way to go about it." getting closer to the trio, "A Mirialan's headdress is sacred to them as female Miralan are to NEVER show their hair or such to anyone that is not family or a loved one."

The two boys realizing they weren't getting out of this unpunished, started to look defeated.

The Zabrak Jedi looked at them extremely disappointed before saying, "Now, what do you say?"

The boys stayed quiet before Tepav, very uncomfortably apologized, "Sorry Barriss…"

Desmond seemingly refused to apologize and the Zabrak sighed before saying, "Fine then. I want to see both of you in the council chambers this minute. We shall discuss your punishment there."

Desmond stormed off as Tepav quickly went after him.

After a few minutes of clearing the crowds with a knight that had also seen the whole thing, the zabrak jedi knelt down as he looked away, "Here you go Ms. Offee."

Sniffling and clearing away the hot tears, she nodded, "Thank you Knight Rezla."

As Barriss started wrapping her headdress around her head, he'd add, "It's no big deal. One of the jobs we knights have here sometimes."

Barriss would get her headdress situated before tapping on his shoulder to indicate it was fine. He'd turn his head to face her with a friendly smile and say, "There, much bet-"

"OIIIII! WHO WANTS TO GET THROWN INTO THE KITCHEN'S TRASH COMPACTOR! I SWEAR BY THE FORCE IF YOU MESS WITH BARRISS I'LL-" As a 9 year old Jao Ren Paul came literally stampeding through the halls before coming to a sudden halt.

Knight Rezla merely smirked in amusement at seeing the young Corellian boy act so protective towards his friend.

"Youngling Jao. I assure you the matter has been resolved. There is no need for, quote, 'throwing into the trash compactor.' at all." chuckling to himself, "Although your dedication to protecting others is admirable."

Jao's face slightly turned red at the compliment as he rubbed behind his head, "I mean… she's my friend and stuff. It's just what friends do."

Walking forward as he gestured to her to follow him, he inquired, "Now. Jao. Can I trust you to escort Ms. Offee to wherever she needs to go next?" giving a warm smile at the end.

Jao gave a childish salute and stern face as he barked back, "Yes sir, Knight Rezla sir!"

Knight Rezla merely smiled in response as he made his way towards the council chambers.

19:00 Hours/7:00 PM

It had been a few hours since Jao had last seen Barriss. Barriss had told Jao she promised to help a younger youngling study for a bit but still wanted to talk to him later. Until recently, he been commed by Barriss to come meet in the corner of the Jedi Library Archives.

Jao was in his pajamas as bedtime for the younglings was soon coming up. Younglings were allowed to wear cartoon theme pajamas up until they were ten. So, Jao was wearing pajamas with cartoonish wookie heads on them.

He waited on a simple stool there as an older woman came towards him, it was Jocasta Nu.

"Youngling Jao. It is almost your bedtime."

Caught slightly off guard, he'd jump in surprise before facing her, "O-Oh… sorry Ms. librarian. I am just waiting to talk to a friend before bed."

The older librarian merely smiled before replying, "Do not take too long. Rest is very important when you're younger."

Nodding his head, "Of course, Ms. Librarian! I won't take long. I promise!"

Jocasta Nu nodded her head before walking off to help other knights.

Jao waited patiently, swinging his legs for a few minutes before seeing a familiar face in her black plain pajamas as well: Barriss Offee.

He'd wave her over before saying, "Over here Bari!"

Blushing madly over the stupid nickname he'd been using for her for 3 years now, she'd march her ways towards him, saying, "How many times do I tell you not to use that nickname… it sounds like a Boy's name…." sighing loudly.

"Cause it sounds cool, doof!"

Seeing she wouldn't win, she'd roll her eyes and giggled, "Fiiineee… but only because it's you!" sticking her tongue out at him.

Jao merely laughed in response as she sat down next to him.

"So what did you want?" he inquired.

"I just umm… wanted to thank you…" Barriss nervously said.

He shrugged and shifted his shoulders, "I mean… I didn't really help though. They still got the last laugh…" clearly upset that he wasn't there for her.

She shook her head slowly, "N-No! Honestly if you didn't show up… I might've done something non jedi-like …"

His eyes widened, "Oh…"

Shifting in his seat, not knowing how to respond, he decided to say, "Well.. umm.. It's not a big deal, Barriss. You're my friend and stuff… so like… of course I'm gonna be there for you." giving her an awkward smile.

She decided to respond to this as she wrapped her arms around him in a hug and replied, "Thank you… for being my friend, JR."

Taken a bit back by the hug, he'd eventually wrap his arms around her and responded, "No problem Bari."

The 9 year olds stayed like this for a minute before pulling apart, Barris got up and started running away, screaming, "RACE YA TO THE BEDROOMS!"

Completely caught off guard by this, Jao would stumble to stand up and shout back, "HEY NOT FAIR! YOU GET A HEAD START!" before running after his friend, determined to win.