Title: Beginning The Journey
Kiara stood by the window, staring out at the stars beyond the transparasteel… Her mother was flying the ‘Jade’s Armor’, their personal home ship while her father relaxed quietly in the study. Down the hall, she could hear her little brothers playing in their room. They were on their way to Yavin Four, home of the Jedi Academy where her Aunt Nova and Uncle Luke, along with several other masters, taught Force-sensitives to become defenders of peace and justice. Rubbing her hands together, the young girl thought anxiously of the decision she had made. Her father and mother had never pressured her to go to the academy, even though they both had had limited training there. Neither of them called themselves Jedi but both had the qualities befitting the sought-after knights. She was nervous at leaving home but exited to finally be going to the academy. She had long dreamed of being a Jedi and, now, those dreams were coming true, just like a fairy-tale. She started wondering if her life would be like one. A small smile played on her lips. Her friend Tikaya was there. “Tikaya” meant “son of the wolf” in his native language. His grand parents had moved to his home planet years ago and learned the language, where they raised Tikaya’s parents, and where they raised him. He had arrived at the academy almost two months ago and was already well into the beginnings of his training. She sighed, rubbing her palms together again, the excitement of it all calling out to her again. Her mother and father had told her about their experiences with the masters and apprentices… stories that she adored to hear. All her life she had dreamed of going to such a place as the Jedi Academy, and, now, she was finally full-filling her dream of success. “Mom, how long is it until we reach Yavin Four?” Kiara whispered to her mother. “About thirty minutes”, her mother stated calmly. Kiara, feeling nauseous, thought about things that might happen to her during her time at the academy. She had high hopes of becoming either her Aunt Nova or Uncle Luke’s apprentice. She knew what hard work was in store for her there, but she was ready for it. She had practiced with a light saber, passed down from her mother. After days of meditating, and thinking it had come clear to her that one day she would come across hard times during the years she was there, but that was life any where, she supposed. Her father walked out of his study with a smile across his face saying, “You’ve chosen the right path”, he plainly said. “I just wish you didn’t have to be so young.” “I’m thirteen!” she stated slowly then said, “A feeling came over me one day that the I would chose the right path when the time would come. I know this is right.” “That was the force inside you”, Ben had said as he put his hand on her shoulder. “I’m just glad Nova and Luke will be there with you. You’ll knock all of them out.” Kiara felt better than ever. “You’re a great dad…you’re so inspiring!” Kiara complimented her father. Ben kissed her on the forehead then walked into his and his wife’s bedroom. Se heard her brothers squeal somewhere down the hall. She wasn’t going to miss them. Barden and Tuskar were named after friends of her father and mother, both men who had passed away from this world. They were both half Kiara’s age, which was thirteen. Tuskar was born six minutes before Barden and both were as red headed as her parents. Kiara nearly jumped at the sound of her mother’s voice. She had been thinking so hard that she hadn’t realized they had come out of hyperspace. “We’re here!” mother said an excited voice, though Kiara could tell there was sadness behind it. It was an agonizing wait before they were given clearance to land and made it to the clearing set up for arrivals and departures. The young girl rushed down the hall to the door that was even now opening up to reveal the world beyond. There were a few people walking around, wearing brown hoods over their heads and she could see children practicing with their light sabers through the glass of a nearby building. Standing there waiting for them were the two people she longed to see most. “Aunt Nova, Uncle Luke! I’m so glad to see you again! I haven’t seen you two in so long!” Kiara exclaimed in surprise. Nova rushed forward, picking up her robe to keep it away from her legs. “Kiara! It’s about time you got here!” The older woman hugged her tight then let go, bending down and placing a hand at her shoulder. “So, did you bring the parents along?” Kiara laughed, running her hand through her blonde hair. “They’re right behind me. Where are my cousins?” “They’re on Coruscant visiting your Aunt Leia and Uncle Han. They’ll come back soon, promise.” Nova straightened as her husband joined her, his smooth voice saying hello to his niece and hugging her, looking her over and laughing at how she had grown since he last saw her. Ben and Mara Jade Kenobi walked down the steps followed closely by two identical boys, all four clad in spacer’s clothing and boots. “Hey, you guys!” Ben quickened his step and grabbed his sister, squeezing her tight. He set her down and kissed one cheek then the other. “How’s life, big sis?” “Perfect!” Nova laughed and held his handsome face in her hands. At forty-five, the years had been good to him, only showing one or two wrinkles at his lips where he had smiled once too often. “Looking for wrinkles? I don’t see any on you?” Blushing, she pulled back. “Thanks!” “You don’t have to complement her, she knows she’s beautiful”, Luke said, his smile bright. Ben and Luke hugged quickly, slapping each other on the back as Mara and Nova hugged. Nova turned to the twins, squatting down to be below their eyelevel, cooing at them and making them squirm and giggle. Luke was holding Mara’s hand when she rose back up. “Oh! Kiara, I almost forgot.” The blonde woman leaned over and plucked a piece of brown material that had been tucked around Luke’s arm. “For you!” The girl took the piece of cloth and shook it out, holding it up for all to see. “It’s magnificent!” the young girl said as she swiftly covered herself in the warm robe. She pulled the hood over her head feeling like a real Jedi. The girl crept over to her aunt. “When do I start in training?” the girl asked in anticipation. “As soon as you’re ready, but first let’s get you settled in.”. “Alright.” As the others continued to talk and chat about life, Kiara walked over to a near by bench out of sight of anyone, leaving behind the rambling group to be by herself for a while. She was still nervous, more now that she was here at Yavin than before. Sitting there, staring out into the jungle, the girl suddenly saw a shadowy figure running through the trees. Frightened, Kiara rubbed her eyes. When she pulled her hands away from her eyes a hot streak went down her back as a black cat-like creature stood growling, and baring its teeth. Kiara froze as if she were in a trance. She looked down at her utility belt her father had given her, looking for her knife. In the same instant that she reached for it, the giant “cat” leapt forward and cut into her flesh. She screamed until she could scream no more. The claw was stuck so deep in her shoulder that, when the cat tried to pull its paw away, it just made the gash even deeper and longer. She had finally found her knife. She jerked it from her belt for she could bare the pain no longer, and slashed straight into its shoulder. It roared in just as much pain as she was suffering and bit at her face. Her blood spilt from above her eyebrow as the beast finally cut enough skin from her shoulder to release itself from her. Her family ran toward her as the jungle cat tried its best to get away. It was obviously injured even before she stabbed it. It had finally released itself as the family came close. Kiara fell to the ground because of the shock she had been through. Before she passed out, she felt the force inside her telling her that she would meet with the same beast again, soon. * * * * * Ben was the first to reach her, falling to his daughter’s side with a terrified scream. He stiffened and seemed to come to his senses. As a father, he could only panic but as a healer, he could find the calm to see clearly. He ripped the bottom of his shirt and laid it at her forehead, opening her closed eyes with his thumbs. The child’s amber eyes were rolled back and her petite body trembled even in her unconscious state. “Mara!” “I’m here”, her husky voice came, falling to his side, her presence calmed by her husband’s surety. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest at the sight of her child’s bloody face. “What was it?” “I don’t know.” “Jungle cat. I don’t understand… they don’t usually come out this far”, Luke answered, kneeling as well, holding a comforting palm at her forehead. “Her shoulder. It’s deep…” Jaden was already tending the spot, pressing the cloth to the wound. “Deep enough to cause trouble. Bad trouble…” “Mom? Dad?” two worried voices called. “Get back to the landing field, boys”, their mother called out sharply, sending the urgency of her worry to them. The twins turned and fled, hand in hand. Nova stood to the side, speaking into a communications link, calling for the temple’s infirmary. “Where… did it get her eye?” “No, thank goodness”, Ben replied, glancing up at the seeping wound on her forehead. He lifting and relifting the piece of shirt from his daughter’s shoulder, checking the bleeding in the wound. “Our biggest worry is the puncture at her chest. Mara, hold the bandage in place.” “Ben-” Without another word, Ben Jonald lifted the small child in his arms carefully and the group left the clearing, Luke casting a glance over his shoulder. Close by, he could feel the pain of the beast… a mixed pain, old and new. He saw something glisten on the ground and bent down, picking up the bloodied blade that young Kiara had used to defend herself with. He gripped it tight and turned away. * * * * “Mom? Dad? Is anybody there, I don’t want to be alone.” The girl was so weak she just could barely open her eyelids, and it was hard to see anything. “We’re here, don’t worry, we won’t leave your side until you are completely healed”, they both swore, their hands comforting her. “I hope this doesn’t change your mind about staying here at the academy, does it?” Mara asked, hoping her daughter would say no. She had tried to teach her to be strong. “Of course not, the Jedi Academy is my dream!” Kiara exclaimed faintly. “Okay now, do me a favor and get some sleep, I can’t have you staying awake all night, you know” Ben said with his calm voice. The next morning, Kiara woke with the sunrise. She had much more energy than she had during the night. When she awoke, the first thing she saw was that soothing white ceiling, then the equipment that had monitored her. Nova entered the room and grinned when she saw that Kiara was wide-awake. She had felt the girl’s strength grow over the passed two days since the attack and was glad to see her smooth, quick recovery. With the constant attention her father gave her, the time she needed to get well was shortened considerable. The Force could heal many wounds and, as she gazed at her young niece, she was proud to know she had some part in it. “Well, hey, sleepy head. Any good dreams?” Kiara giggled faintly. “Don’t remember a one, Aunt Nova.” The elder leaned down and kissed her gently on her forehead, away from the healing gashes. “You’ll stay here today-” “But-“ “Understand?” “Yes, mam”, she murmured reluctantly. She knew she had to stay in bed for the slightest movement of her head made her dizzy… but she didn’t have to enjoy it. She laid a hand on her shoulder. “Was it bad?” “Kinda. But you’re good now.” Kiara stared. "Cracked rib, bruised lung. That sort of thing.” “Oh.” “Breathing might be alittle tough for you if you over do it but you’ve already gone through the worst part.” Nova seemed to nod to herself. “Alright, Little One… there’s someone who wants to see you.” “Who?” Nova smiled and walked out, leaving the door open for the person waiting outside the tiny medical room. Kiara saw a boy who had a smile across his face as always. It was one of her closest friends and someone else she had dreamed of seeing again. “Hi, it’s me.” He waited a second then proclaimed, “Tikaya Arken Halite!” Kiara giggled tiredly. “When I heard about your injury I rushed right over. But that was couple of days ago so… I’ve just been hanging around.” Tikaya relieved of thinking that she would not awaken, was glad to see her eyes so bright this morning. “It’s unusual for the Jungle Cats to attack humans, especially for them to come so close to them. They’re usually scared of humans”, Tikaya calmly said. “It probably attacked because I was alone, with no one watching me. I think I should stay with the crowd, although I don’t like being crowded or being with them. And… I think he was already hurt,” Kiara said reluctantly. “Could you walk me from class to class until I know my way there?” “Sure. You’re my best friend, how couldn’t I,” Tikaya said with grin. “Alright, now I better hurry, I’ll be late for training. But remember, you need to get enough sleep… that and us using our force together will help you heal faster. Bye”, Tikaya whispered as he walked out the door slinging his belt across his waist. Ben walked in the room carrying a needle filled with medicine, giving her a wink. “Sleep, right?” Ben bent down and kissed her forehead. “That’s right.” * * * * * Three days later she was out of bed and was getting ready for class. She had met all her masters and was ready to get her training. She stood at the landing field now, with her aunt by her side. ‘Jade’s Armor’ was taking off, taking her parents and brothers away. ‘Goodbye, Kiara, we love you’, she heard in her mind as she watched the ship streak away. ‘Take care and be good.’ She smiled at her father’s voice in her mind. ‘Goodbye, I love all of you too.’ * * * * * Nova lead Kiara to a building that had been constructed a few years ago. It was for housing and this was were she would be living during her first few years of training. The masters and knights lived in the temple itself where the training rooms and meeting places were. “Follow me, I’ll show where your bedroom is,” Nova whispered as she opened the door to room 1138. It was a beautiful room. It had a desk for her to study at and had a stripped bed, although her mother had packed five sets of sheets for her. The walls were painted a light green and there was a glass table next to the bed which only had a lamp on it. The closet was at the far right corner of where the door was. Even the bookshelf she had sent her was in the perfect place (although her holobooks were still in the boxes). Nova said, “Over here is the compartment where the keys to lock your room from the inside with, and candles are kept,” as she handed the girl the keys to her room. Her things were neatly packed in cardboard boxes. “You don’t have to lock your door but you can if you want to.” That afternoon Kiara unpacked her things and put the boxes in her closet when she finished. She always kept a neat room. After she was through, the room reminded her of her room with her family. Most of that day she thought of parents, and her brothers. Her covers were on her bed in place and she couldn’t help but to lay down. She still felt tired after her ordeal. Looking at the ceiling Kiara closed her eyes and fell fast asleep. * * * *
She woke up and it was nighttime. She walked slowly over to her desk and thought about how she could feel fright in the Jungle Cat before it attacked. Suddenly her Uncle Luke opened the door to her room and entered with Nova close behind him. He said softly, “ I thought you might be done unpacking by now”. “Yeah, I’m done,” Kiara said. “You miss your parents, don’t you?” “ How’d you know?” “The force can tell much about a person. An I would if I was you.” She smiled. “When can you teach me how to use the force? I mean… like you do it?” “I promise you’ll start classes tomorrow,” Luke said as Nova walked in, laughing at her impatience. “Now get some sleep if you can, you’ll be getting up early in the morning tomorrow,” Luke said as he kissed her on forehead and walked past Nova, stopping at the door with his arm propped on the wall. “I’ve got your robe washed and mended,” Nova said as she handed Kiara the material. The young girl went to her closet and hung it up with some other Jedi clothing. “Will I get my light saber tomorrow?” “Of course you will. A training light saber. You’ve got an advantage over the other students, having been raised by Jedi. I know… how about when I’m through my classes tomorrow I can give you some tutoring with anything you need and to help get you up to speed. Sound okay?” “That’d be great! After all my classes… Oh and if I forget I won’t get in trouble will I?” Kiara said with excitement. Nova laughed. “Maybe not.” Luke held out a hand and Nova walked to him and curled her arm around his waist. “Sweet dreams, Kiara.” “You, too. Bye.” The man and woman left for their own room and Kiara sighed, feeling excitement push her worry away. Thinking of tomorrow, the young girl jumped into bed and, looking at the soothing stars outside her window, Kiara fell asleep quickly. * * * *
The sun shining on her awoke her to a bright day. Kiara excitedly ran to her closet and put on the Jedi clothes that most students were encouraged to wear and went to her desk where a paper laid in the middle of it. It was her schedule. The first thing to do was to go to a supply office were she would get her light saber and practice with her aunt Nova. She grabbed her belt when she noticed that her knife was missing. She remembered that she had dropped it when the Cat ran away. She looked in the mirror she had placed on the desk, and pulled the hood over her head. She walked out the door and, by habit, locked it behind her. She rushed to the spot where the battle between her and the cat had took place, though she didn’t find anything. She could see that the rain has washed the blood of her and the cat away that night. When she touched the ground where it had spilt she saw a vision. The blood from the battle had spilt together almost as if they were the same. Then, suddenly, it was interrupted by a person’s voice. “Excuse me, I hope I’m not interrupting.” Kiara turned and gasped. “Alex!” She rushed forward and hugged the girl. The other female was six months older than Kiara and was her first cousin, Leia Alekzondra. “Where have you been?” “What do you mean? I’ve been here. I even visited you in the hospital but you were out cold. Nice entrance by the way.” Kiara blushed, embarrassed. “Yes... Thanks.” Alekzondra held out a hand to her side to indicate another girl that Kiara had somehow missed in her excitement at seeing her cousin. “This is-“ “My name is Arkie”, the girl interrupted with an exited grin, reaching out and shaking Kiara’s hand. “Well, Arkerial… but everyone calls me Arkie. What’s yours?” Alex snorted. “Kiara”, she answered the chatty girl. The other looked to be only a little bit younger than herself. She had black curling hair and brown skin with tattoos on her forehead. Her face was lovely and wide, making her look younger than she was. Alex, too, had her mother’s baby-face but was taller than both of them and her strawberry blonde hair was long and full, giving her a more mature look. “Um, what did you guys need?” “Actually, we need to get to the temple, the training center”, Arkie clarified. “I’m so exited about getting my light saber! Even if it’s not real. The class is trained by Master Nova.” “ Master Nova is my aunt.” “Yea, I know! I hear that her and Master Luke are the most nicest, and better Masters on all of Yavin Four!” “They truly are.” Kiara glanced at Alex. “You must be new, Arkie.” Nodding calmly, Alex told her, “She arrived only two days before you.” “Great!” Arkie grinned. “Well, maybe we could be friends. I have a few already. People here are really nice!” “Sure.” Alex slapped her hands together. “You guys are going to be late if you don’t hurry to class!” The three rushed off to the temple where they met Nova. “Hi aunt… Master Nova,” Kiara stuttered. “You were almost late Kiara, you too, Arkie.” Nova glared at her daughter. “I fetched ‘em. May I go, now?” “Yes, please. Your teenage angst gives me the willies.” Alex laughed and gave her mother a quick hug and walked off. “She’s not staying?” Kiara asked, watching her cousin leave. Nova smiled. “ I know you two are about the same age but you have to remember that she grew up here and has been training for years. She’s actually an aid right now so if you have any trouble and you don’t feel like coming to me or Luke… you can go to her.” Kiara nodded. Nova turned to the other girl. “Glad you could make it Arkie.” “Thanks! Glad to be here! I’m so exited! Really!” The blonde woman laughed at the child’s exuberance. “Good! Come on, you guys.” Kiara had finally got what she was waiting for, her light saber. It shone blue with the light of the crystals she had studied about. She worked hard to get here. All the listening to the stories and dreaming and pleading with her parents to come here had finally paid off. “Okay, guys!” Nova called, slapping her hands and pulling them forward with her words. There were five students present, each at the stage of using a saber. “Kids, you might wanna cut those off now.” “Huh?” “The sabers. Today, we are going to learn how to take care of it. No fencing.” There was a collective of groans from the students. “Yea, yea, I know, kiddies. Sucks, don’t it? We can get to the good stuff later. First, you have to know how to maintain your saber, keep it running and working smoothly. If not, in the middle of a hard battle, you’ll be left holding a really short stick. The best you could do is ping the enemy in the head with it.” There was a chorus of giggles. Arkie leaned over to Kiara and murmured, “Did you see!? My blade was green! Just what I wanted! Did you see?” Kiara nodded with a grin. Nova continued with the teaching, pointing out features and how to palm the weapon. Class only took an hour or so and, after it was over, the kids were all released to their own time to meditate and contemplate in their own rooms. * * * * Kiara sat on circular carpet in her room. She closed her eyes as she felt something moving in the force. She swung around, grabbing her light saber, slightly annoyed that her saber was only a practice weapon. “It’s just me”, Tikaya said, shaking his head. He had gone up the balcony and went through the glass doors of Kiara’s room, only wishing to see how she was doing. “Oh, sorry,” Kiara said, slightly embarrassed as she switched off her light saber. She straightened her back and tilted her blonde head. “Don’t you knock?” “Ummm… I… sorry. I just thought…” “That’s okay. I’m just kinda tired.” “I bet. You’ve had a rough time already. I hope it goes better.” Kiara rubbed the back of her head. “Me, too.” He was grinning at her. Good old Tikaya. He was always a good friend to her and, now, she felt his friendship brighter than ever. She had finally felt like she fit in for the first time. Not that she didn’t love her family but… she had always felt different from them. And, she knew that she only just begun her training but she was afraid that she would feel the same here until now as she stood with her friend. There was a small tap at the door and Kiara called out for who ever it was to come in. The door opened as Luke looked in and smiled. “I brought your knife back, Kiara. Hello, Tikaya.” “Master Skywalker”, the boy answered with a respectful bow. “You, two get to bed soon.” “We will.” Luke winked and stepped back out, leaving the young ones to themselves. * * * * * “Hurry! To the lake, everyone!” a voice called out in distress. At the cry, the students of Kiara’s class who had been outside practicing technique, rushed towards Cilon Lake, a man made area close to the temple. A crowd was there at the lake, looking at one of the Jungle Cats slowly drowning. “Stay away from the lake. It’s quicker than it looks,” called out Master Kam to the students he saw gathering. The cat splashed constantly, making it hard to get a good look at it. Kiara had gotten a quick look at something on its shoulder. It was the cat that she had battled with only weeks ago! Without thinking, she jumped into the water as quickly as she could, swimming hard for the beast. “Kiara!” Tikaya screamed in terror. He tried to go in after her but Kam put his arm in front of him and said, “She must do this alone”. It was drowning in the middle of the lake, the fear it felt, feeling like it belong to Kiara. She could feel its weakness… its exhaustion. Suddenly the splashing stopped and the cat disappeared view. She dove under, frantic to find him. It was peaceful under the water, the crowd’s noise had been muted, but she was concentrating her best on saving the beast, noticing neither the silence nor the cold. She suddenly grasped hold of the cat’s body pulling both of them to the surface for she, too, was running out of oxygen. She pulled the cat onto her back, as she was trying to keep both her and the cat’s head above water, which was a difficult task. She finally made it to the bank of the lake and, softly holding it in her arms, she knew it was still alive. She put it down on the ground trying to press the water out of it. It had finally gagged up water, looking very weak. She held it close to her, closing her eyes, as she felt something rough against her face. The cat had licked her with gratitude that she felt directed towards her. Both Arkie and Tikaya came running. “That was so cool!” the younger girl exclaimed. “Wow, I’m friends with a lifesaver!” Master Kam came running. “Young lady”, he said in a stern voice then spoke in a softer tone. “We’re honored to have a person like you at our academy. You were selfless… even toward the thing that injured you.” “I’m sorry I- But, Master Kam, you told us to stay away from the lake,” Kiara said in confusion. “Consider it an out-of-the-blue test. The Jungle Cat’s incident wasn’t something we created... But the care of all things was what we wanted to see from our students... even if told by others to stand off.” “I’ll call it Cilico.” Kam looked surprised. “A pet? You’d better talk to the masters about that.” The healers came before Kiara could respond. “We’ll take it from here. He’ll be fine. Don’t worry. He’ll be back on his feet by tomorrow.” “Thank you,” Kiara whispered. “Why’d you save it? Didn’t it try to kill you,” curiously asked Tikaya. “Yes, it could’ve just killed me, but instead it let go.” The girl watch the healers lift the oddly sedated cat and walked towards the main temple. “And I’m very thankful because of it.” She took in a breath. “We should go now.” The three friends walked along the trail back to the academy. * * * * * Kiara unlocked her door. She hung her robes on a hook, on the wall. Walking over to the glass doors that lead to the balcony, she opened them slowly. She leaned over to feel the flowers on the ivy that had grown on what looked like to be a wooden portcullis. She walked back in and sat on her circular carpet and meditated. She soon got up, looked at the clock and saw that she had fifteen minutes to spare. She walked out the glass doors and picked one of the flowers. “He loves me; he loves not; he loves me; he loves me not” as she picked the last petal “he loves me, I knew it!” she excitedly said trying to keep her voice down. She sat thinking about if he really did love her. She looked at her clock she had three minutes left, so she went ahead and decided to be early. * * * * * She sat down beside Arkie. “I’ve been wondering, why are your eyes an amber-like color?” Arkie asked as Tikaya sat in front of Kiara. “Well, I was born blind. I got to choose what color I wanted for my bionic eyes, so I chose amber.” “Why Amber?” asked Tikaya. “I just wanted to be different from other people.” “We’re all different… some are better than others,” Tikaya said looking in her eyes before he was interrupted by Arkie. “Owwww, we got us a couple of lovers,” Arkie said while laughing then noticed their annoyed expressions. “I’m just playing with you.” When they left they went to see Cilico in the nurses office. “Ma’am, is Cilico here?” “Ahh, yes, the Jungle Cat, it’s in room 7-a.” The alien moved around the office slowly, murmuring. “He was a lot more beat up than we thought. He had several wounds.” “Like a knife wound?” “And other injuries besides that. Older ones. He’ll live but I’m not sure if he’ll be able to be in the wild.” They went to the room and opened the door to saw Cilico asleep. Kiara rubbed on his neck and he awoke instantly, purring. “How’d you know how to do that?” Arkie asked, frowning. “Aren’t you afraid it’ll take your arm off?” “Don’t you ever read holobooks? Cats like being petted. And he won’t hurt me.” She hugged it like a human. It seemed to keep looking at her earrings that shined in the sunlight that streamed through the window. “Do you want one?” She pulled out a sharp pen from her utility belt. Arkie’s eyes grew wide. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” “It’s okay. He won’t mind.” She pierced the cat’s ear in two places on the same ear, using the force to numb any pain that might make the cat react. She undid hers and buckled them onto the cat’s ear. “There, when I’m gone you can remember me.” “Come on, Kiara.” Tikaya said, seeming to fidget in the presence of the larger animal. “We gotta go.” “Bye, Cilico.” Alex seemed to perk up. “We gotta get to Master Luke’s class in time!” * * * * * “Alright class today my lecture is about the importance of light sabers. Light sabers are like a Jedi’s best friend,” and so he kept on with his lecture until ten minutes to four. “Get your things ready to leave for Master Kam’s class.” Kiara walked with Alex to Master Kam’s room. “So, you’re blind right. You can’t see?” “No, yes, well yes I’m blind but my bionic eyes make me see.” “Oh.” “Today, you will practice simple mind tricks and attempt to pick objects up with your mind. There are many things a Jedi mind can do that others can’t.” Tikaya whispered, “Next, is our evening meal.” “For now we’ll be learning how to pick up things with your mind. Alright, everyone stand in front of the two glasses I have in your spots. You’ll notice that one is filled with water and the other empty. Concentrate on the glass filled with water. Now imagine the glass pouring the water into the other glass.” There was alot of giggling and staring in the class of students. Kiara had much more training than most and she was able to complete the job, only spilling a few drops. “Good job, Kiara”, Kam whispered, then walked on to give pointers to others. The class continued, the nine students there becoming at ease with their usage of the Force.” “Well, look at the time, it’s almost time to wrap up class. You all did well. Now, go get dinner.” “I’m gonna skip the evening meal,” declared Kiara. “Ok, catch ya later,” said Tikaya. Making his way to the cafeteria alone, he went to sit with a boy that he knew. “Cute girlfriend,” said the boy. “Uh?” “That new girl you hang out with.” “Hey, she’s not my girlfriend,” defended Tikaya. Though, deep down, he did love her... or, atleast, felt more for her than anyone else. * * * * *
Later that evening, Kiara went to her room and, on the door, she found a note. She picked the note up, unlocked her door and went into her room She wasted no time in reading the slip of paper. It said: ‘ Kiara,
But first before she did anything she looked on her desk where her knife laid. She tucked the blade into her utility belt. Her mother taught her more than her fair share of defense classes and she just wouldn’t feel right going into the night with out it. As soon as Kiara opened the glass doors, she noticed that Tikaya was standing on her balcony, looking out at the jungle. “I wanna show ya somethin’.” “What is it?” “Follow me,” he said as he started to climb on the wooden portcullis. They had finally reached the top of the building. There was a beautiful moon surrounded by the fiery glow of stars. “It’s so beautiful,” Kiara said to him. “It’s one of my favorite places to be.” Kiara sat and stared up. “Does any one else come up here?” “I don’t know. I seem to be alone whenever I’m here.” “Not now.” Tikaya shrugged. “I think I’m going to like it here”, Kiara stated, leaning back and putting her hands behind her head. “And it’s just the beginning.”
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