| Title: One Apprentice, One Pathway #2: Hidden (Part Six) Author: Ginger Ninja ***** Ignoring the searing pain in his chest, Obi-Wan swam towards Kyrana. Grabbing her round the waist, he swam upwards. When they broke the surface, Obi-Wan took in as much air as his painful chest would allow. "Kyrana! Kyrana wake up!" Obi-Wan shook the girl gently; not wanting to damage her blaster wound any further. "Come on Kyrana! Can you hear me?" The girl mumbled something and slowly opened her eyes. "NO GET OFF ME!!!" she screamed and started thrashing around. "Let me go! Please! Please STOP IT!" Obi-Wan managed to hold on to Kyrana. "Kyrana sshh, it's OK. It's me, Obi-Wan. I'm not going to hurt you. Just take it easy." Slowly the thrashing girl calmed down. She relaxed enough to realise she was injured. "We're in trouble aren't we?" Kyrana said in a quiet voice. "Well, maybe just a little," Obi-Wan said, trying to keep the mood light despite the fact they were floating in the ocean, getting further and further away from the ship, the weather was getting progressively worse and the pair of them were injured. If their Master's didn't arrive soon... "We'll be OK." Obi-Wan's grip on Kyrana tightened as he heard her exhausted voice. She wasn't going to last long in these conditions and with the increasing pain Obi-Wan had with each breath, he knew he was in trouble too. "You're right Kyrana. We're going to be fine. And you want to know why?" "Why?" "Because we're going to help each other OK? You have to promise that you'll help me and I'll help you." There was a brief pause. Then: "OK, I promise." Obi-Wan gave Kyrana a squeeze, making sure he was careful of her wound. It was definitely serious; Obi-Wan could see the blood. He pressed his hand to the wound. Kyrana hissed in pain. Obi-Wan muttered a "sorry" but didn't remove his hand. Together the pair used the Force to keep themselves buoyant. It was on of many survival at sea techniques they had been taught as initiates in the Temple. Sparing enough concentration, Obi-Wan contacted Qui-Gon through their Master/Padawan bond. //Master?// ***** The weather was growing worse as the two Jedi Master's went on. Both Qui-Gon and Lena had pulled their hoods up to keep the rain out of their faces but the wind drove the rain into their eyes relentlessly. They found themselves relying more and more on the Force to act as their eyes. //Master?// Qui-Gon answered immediately. //Obi-Wan what is it?// Over their bond, Qui-Gon sensed Obi-Wan's apprehension and mild desperation. //Master, Kyrana and I were thrown off the ship. We're in the water. I don't know how much longer we're going to be able to stay afloat. Kyrana's been shot and I think I've broken a rib or two.// //Obi-Wan you must hold on.// //I know. Master? I just remembered something! The Section Rulers Tonir and Suo were taken away from the ship on another ship.// //Don't worry, we'll deal with that later. Just hang on, Master Lena and I are almost there.// ***** "Obi-Wan?" Kyrana spoke up quietly. "Yes Kyrana?" Obi-Wan said, coming back to reality quickly. "I-I want to-to tell you something, just in case I don't...in case I..." "It's going to be all right Kyrana, you can tell me anything you want to OK?" Obi-Wan said. "I may not be a woman but that doesn't matter." Kyrana's body had begun to shiver and Obi-Wan knew it wasn't just because of what she was going to say. The water was cold and with the rain it was even worse. Hypothermia wouldn't be too far off. Using all the Force he could summon, Obi-Wan focused on keeping himself and Kyrana floating. Kyrana had recently stopped contributing to their floating and Obi-Wan took all the strain. He ignored his pain and kept his breathing slow and measured. He was determined to keep them both alive. "They raped me." The words were spoken so softly it took Obi-Wan a moment to acknowledge them. Before he could offer any kind of response though, Kyrana continued. "I-I couldn't s-s-stop them! They w-were so strong! They kept laughing at me and saying h-h-horrible things," Kyrana felt hot tears mingle with the ice-cold rainwater on her face. "They w-w-wouldn't stop touching me or pulling my hair! They�they said I was d-dirty and that I-I didn't deserve to be a J-Jedi." "Kyrana I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't help you. But it's going to be all right now." "No it's not! They...those men took something from me. They took one...of the only things I-I...can't get back." "Kyrana..." "And my M-Master w-won't want a d-d-dirty Padawan l-like m-me." "No! Don't say that Kyrana! Master Lena will still love you! I bet she can't wait to see you again. She'll help you through this OK? I will too. You've just got to be strong." Obi-Wan listened as Kyrana wept and he rubbed her back comfortingly. He honestly had no idea what to say; this was a job for a mind Healer and Kyrana's Master, not Obi-Wan. All he could do now was keep her safe and alive. Both youths were shivering hard. Obi-Wan's chest screamed for attention and his breaths came more frequently in sharp gasps then controlled deep breaths but his attention was focused on keeping Kyrana afloat as she was becoming more and more drowsy. "Kyrana you have to stay awake. Tell me something about yourself, anything!" Obi-Wan's teeth began to chatter. "Uh...um...how'd you m-m-meet your m-m-master?" Kyrana laughed slightly. "I m-m-met Master Lena w-w-when I was ten..." ***** *FIVE YEARS AGO* Ten-year-old Kyrana ran into the Temple Gardens, seeking some peace and quiet from the rowdy lunch hall. Anything to get away from those horrible girls who teased her about her hair colour. It wasn't her fault her hair was red. Why were they always so horrible? Jedi weren't supposed to be that way were they? Kyrana went to her special place amongst the flowers and sat down to breathe in their wonderful scents, intent upon forgetting all her troubles. The flowers had always been her favourite. In her small quarters, she had several vases of flowers of different colours. Anything to brighten the otherwise dull room. Kyrana was just sitting serenely in the flowers when a slight movement and rustle caught her attention. Looking down Kyrana saw something long, furry and black lying in the flowers. It wasn't very long and it disappeared into the bushes about thirty centimetres away. Being a curious child, Kyrana carefully touched it. Whatever it was, it was nice and warm. Gaining more confidence, Kyrana gave it a tug. It had to be connected to something very heavy because no matter how hard she pulled, Kyrana couldn't make the other end come to her. Frowning to herself, Kyrana picked up the end she had and followed it into the bushes. "Excuse me little one but I don't suppose I could have my tail back?" Kyrana gasped and dropped what she was holding. Looking up a bit, Kyrana saw a young female Jedi Master turn to face her. The woman smiled. "I was beginning to wonder who was pulling at my tail. Tell me, what is your name?" "Kyrana, Master...uh..." "Lena." ***** "And that's p-p-pretty much it," Kyrana explained, a small smile on her face as she recalled the past. Obi-Wan laughed as much as he could. "Cute," he teased. Kyrana's eyes began to drift close. Making sure he kept her awake, Obi-Wan said, "OK...umm how about..." He broke off as his chest began to ache even more from the cold. "Obi-Wan y-y-you're in pain," Kyrana interrupted. "T-t-take it easy. Don't worry 'bout me." Kyrana used the Force a little again to help Obi-Wan keep them afloat but was soon too spent to do anything else except lean on Obi-Wan for support. "S'okay, don't worry Kyrana I'll keep you safe." Obi-Wan replied, his voice thick with exhaustion and his eyes starting to close. "Just d-d-don't fall asleep." "Same g-goes for you," Kyrana said, opening her eyes. "OK, let's talk about the T-Temple," Obi-Wan said, forcing his eyes open. "W-what do you think of M-Master Y-Yoda?" ***** "Do you see any sign of another ship Lena?" Qui-Gon called over his shoulder to the other Jedi over the sound of the crashing waves and the roaring storm. "Not yet!" "Keep looking!" Qui-Gon turned his head back to the front, looking for any sign of his Padawan. They hadn't been anywhere near the Misfit ship they had been on and the trace he had on their bond was weak and all Qui-Gon knew for certain was that they were going in the right direction. But that didn't mean that the ship with the Section Ruler's was going this direction too. "Perhaps we should just let the Vices' take care of the Rulers," Lena suggested. "If we don't find them before we find Obi-Wan and Kyrana we will," Qui-Gon replied. The Jedi fell silent. Qui-Gon kept on searching for the Padawans while Lena searched for the Section Rulers'. "Qui-Gon!" Lena called out suddenly. "Over there! On the horizon! It's the Section Rulers, I'm sure." Lena pointed to a spec on the horizon. The boat was a long way away and if Qui-Gon's instincts served him right, it was in completely the wrong direction if they also wanted to find their Padawans. Lena looked at Qui-Gon. "I'll send a message to the Vices," she said. "They might have proper ships that are closer anyway. And besides, we have other responsibilities." Qui-Gon nodded and Lena made the call. When she was done, she informed Qui-Gon the Sectioned Army had a ship already on an intercept course. "The let's concentrate on our Padawans then," Qui-Gon replied, not taking his eyes off the stormy sea for even a second. ***** Obi-Wan struggled to keep his eyes open as he and Kyrana ducked under the water. Together they managed to pull themselves above the surface but Obi-Wan couldn't get enough air into his aching lungs. "Kyrana?" Obi-Wan whispered hoarsely. The girl didn't respond. Her head lulled on her chest. Her lips were tinged with blue from the chill. She was breathing though. Obi-Wan could see the mist from her slow breaths in the night air. His ragged breaths came out rapidly. The rain pounded on both teenagers as Obi-Wan tried to raise the girl higher up out of the water and stay afloat. The sea was getting choppier and the waves were getting higher and higher. Every now and then the floating pair would be forced underwater; something that always took Obi-Wan by surprise. But no matter what he was not going to let Kyrana suffer any more. She was not going to die. No matter what she thought, she was still a Jedi and her Master would want her. 'Won't be too much longer now,' the half frozen boy thought. �But I'm so tired�' ***** Qui-Gon felt Obi-Wan's life-force dim slightly. //Hold on Obi-Wan! I'm almost with you!// Lena also appeared to be locked in a silent conversation. Only hers was a one-way conversation as her apprentice made no reply. Lena was deeply concerned about Kyrana. If she was alive, why hadn't she responded? Had killing Moeren shocked the girl so much she had withdrawn into herself or was something more sinister behind Kyrana's silence? "Lena! Look!" Lena looked up and saw two heads bobbing up and down in the sea. "It's them Qui-Gon! We found them!" Lena cried out joyfully. ***** 'Must stay awake...Can't...let...anyone...down. Have to...stay awake...' Obi-Wan's eyes remained closed. He kept chanting away in his head but nothing, absolutely nothing, would make him open his eyes now. He shifted Kyrana up onto his chest, making it even harder for him to breathe but keeping her safer. 'No matter what I won't let Kyrana die...' A weight suddenly lifted itself from his chest. 'No! Kyrana!' //Obi-Wan!// 'Master? Has he come for us or am I dreaming?' "Obi-Wan it's alright now. We've got you." "Kyrana..." Despite what he had thought earlier, Obi-Wan opened his eyes. His blue/green eyes met the dark blue ones of his Master. "Master...Kyrana! I...she..." //Don't worry, we've got her too. She's with Master Lena. You saved her Obi-Wan. I'm so proud of you. A father couldn't ask for a better son. Sleep now my Padawan. You're safe now.// Qui-Gon needn't have told Obi-Wan because the boy was already out for the count. Qui-Gon wrapped the boy up in blankets and held him tight, not wanting to let him go in case he was to go again. Qui-Gon used the Force to ease Obi-Wan's pain and begin his healing. Through the Force Obi-Wan's sleep became a healing trance. //You're safe now my brave son.// And, not letting go of Obi-Wan for even a nano-second, Qui-Gon piloted the ship back to the Sectioned Army ship, happy and content for the first time since he had landed on Elmvanis. ***End Part Six*** |
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