Jacen, Jaina and their friend stumble across a mysterious student at the Jedi Academy. Can they trust the former assassin?

Disclaimer: All characters used in the story are property of LucasFilms Ltd., and are used for non-profit entertainment uses only.

He walked down the narrow hallway, finding peace in the silence he heard. He paced past a transparisteel window, taking a quick glance outside. He started to walk past, but he stopped, turned, and looked at his reflection in the window. His brown, thick, wavy hair was parted just to the left of the center of his head, just the way he liked it. His gaze traveled down to his clothing. He preferred the loose clothing of bygone eras, relishing the freedom it allowed him. The black sweat pants matched the deep crimson tank top shirt he was wearing. He looked up and into his eyes. His eyes weren't the same anymore. The varying blue colors of his eyes reflected his mood. Deep, dark blue for gloomy. But what scared him the most was the lack of twinkle that used to be in his eyes. That mischievous twinkle that used to be there constantly. Sighing, he turned and walked back the way he had come from.

Outside it was a clear, sunny day. The Jedi trainees played, thought, concentrated on using the Force, or did whatever they wanted to. Some sat and talked, while others just sat alone, absorbing everything around them.

"Race you to the river." Jacen called over his shoulder to his friends. He flashed a challenging grin and bolted off.

"Come back here, bro." Jaina yelled after her brother. She hopped off her seat, by the Great Temple, and took off after her brother. Her friends Tenel Ka and Lowbacca started running after Jacen, while her other friends, Zekk, Raynar and Lusa, walked at a more leisurely pace.

"Where are you friend, Jacen?" Tenel Ka shouted out. "You can't beat me you know." Lowbacca, who was behind Tenel Ka, bellowed the same thing.

"Oh, do be careful, Master Lowbacca." piped up Em-Teedee, Lowie's translating droid. "You know how delicate I am." Em-Teedee exclaimed as he lifted off Lowbacca's syren-fiber belt using his microrepulsor jets. Jacen did win though. He sat down and observed the others as they entered the clearing. Tenel Ka with her red-gold hair in warrior's braids, her usual serious expression, and her reptile skin armor. Lowie's ginger-colored fur and the black stripe above his eye. His twin sister's brandy-brown eyes, like his own, and her straight, brown hair.

"Let's go swimming." Jaina said tiredly. The race had drained her energy. Behind them Zekk, Raynar and Lusa were just entering the clearing. As the friends got ready to go swimming, some bushes close-by shook hard.

"Jacen, can you find out what it is?" Zekk asked his friend, who had a way with animals. Jacen reached out with the Force to reach the thing's mind. There seemed to be 2 things. One was a very angry katarn. Unfortunately, the other mind seemed to be closed off to him, at the moment.

"I dunno. There's a katarn and something else." Jacen said. "Be ready and be careful." All the companions reached for their lightsabers. The bushes shook more violently, and then the thing came out. Six lightsabers ignited very quickly, as the object rolled across the clearing. The friends now could see what the thing was. A very large, very viscous katarn was trying to tear up a person about their age. The person had several large cuts on their chest and back. The katarn also sported such large cuts, on its wings though, preventing it from flying away. The katarn stopped struggling for a moment, which was all the time the person needed. A large, well-muscled arm reached out and encircled the katarn's neck, making the katarn renew ad redouble its efforts. With a flick of the wrist, and a rather loud snap, the person broke the katarn's neck. The katarn ceased to struggle as it died. The hand around the katarn's neck released its grip and fell to the ground. Tenel Ka slowly walked over to the katarn, lightsaber still on, and nudged it with her foot. The katarn didn’t move. She then nudged the arm with her toe. Faster than she could react the hand was around her ankle. Feeling that she was human, it dropped its hold on her.

"Could somebody please move this blasted katarn off of me? My arms seem to be going numb." a deep voice said from under the katarn.

"O-ok." Jacen said a little unsure. He was still amazed that the person was alive. He had fought with a katarn once, and he didn't feel up to fighting one again. Jacen, Tenel Ka, and Lowie walked over and picked up the dead katarn. A young man slid out quickly.

"Thank you. You can put it down now. Now if somebody could pass me some leaves from that bush there I would be very grateful." he stated. A bush moved as if someone were pushing it. "I would get them myself except that I am too tired to use the Force after my battle with that bolt for brains katarn." He said, rather cheerfully. Raynar looked at the young man, shook his head in amazement, then walked over to grab a handful of leaves. He walked back and passed them to the teenage boy.

"Here are those leaves." Raynar said. "But who are you?"

"Kithkin Eenix is my name." The young man said, as he sat up and with obvious pain lifted his right arm to crush the leaves. He applied the goo to the wounds on his chest and winced and hissed as pain coursed through his entire body, but soon dissipated. "And to whom, do I have the honor of speaking with?" Kithkin asked as he tried to apply some of the salve to the wounds on his back.

"Well, I am Jacen Solo. That's my twin sister, Jaina. The person you grabbed is Tenel Ka. My dark-haired friend is Zekk." Jacen said, as he watched Kithkin try to apply the stuff to his back wounds.

"Here let me help you do that." Lusa said as she took the goo from Kithkin and started apply the stuff to his back wounds. She hissed as she saw the deep, jagged wounds on his back.

"I am Raynar Thul, and the Centauriform, helping you is my friend, Lusa." Raynar said, as he finished the introductions. A roar behind Raynar reminded him of somebody. "Oh, yeah. Lowbacca is the Wookie and the droid is Em-Teedee." Kithkin noted the slight bush that appeared on Lusa's cheeks, as Raynar said "my friend". He let out a little gasp as intense waves of pain washed over him, while Lusa finished spreading the goo on his back.

"We have to get you back to the Temple now, or your wounds'll get worse." Jaina said. She stood up and stretched, as she clipped her lightsaber back to her belt. She had shut it off a while ago, but hadn't put it back on her utility belt. "We should go now, or I might not want to leave, because I am so tired."

"Yeah, we can go now." Kithkin said as he stood up. "Whew, I'm feeling better already, but that'll only last a couple of more minutes, so let's start heading back. The Yav-Nyai bush's leaves work wonders on all kinds of wounds, but unfortunately it leaves you drained for quite awhile after you use them." Kithkin walked over to the katarn's body, flipped it over, and retrieved something that was stuck inside it. "I don't want to lose this knife. It's one of my best." He stated as he wiped the blood from the blade onto his pants.

"Let's go." Tenel Ka said. The 8 people stood up and started back to the Temple, at a brisk pace. Halfway back, Kithkin started to feel drained, but he used the Force to give him energy and stamina. He made it all the way to the Temple's entrance before he collapsed in a heap. Jacen knelt down and quickly felt for a pulse.

"He's just asleep. Scared me a little though. I've never seen anyone collapse that fast before." Jacen said, as he stood up. "Somebody should go get Uncle Luke, fast."

"I'll go." Zekk volunteered. He started into the Great Temple.

"I'll go with Zekk." Jaina said quickly. She followed Zekk into the Temple. They walked to the grand audience chamber before they finally found Luke. He looked up from what he was studying as they entered the chamber. He put the object behind his back, where they couldn't see it.

"Jaina, Zekk what is it? Is something wrong?" Luke asked, sensing the concern in them.

"Yes, Uncle Luke. We were just about to go for a swim, when a package dropped in on us. That package consisted of a very large, angry katarn and Kithkin Eenix. Kithkin got many wounds before he finally killed it. He was able to make it all the way back to the temple entrance before he collapsed form the neurotoxins in the katarn's claws." Jaina explained to her uncle.

"Kithkin… well, let’s not just stand here. What are we waiting for? Let's go." Luke said, hopping off his seat, taking the object with him. The trio ran through the hallways, so they could make it to Kithkin quicker. When they did get there, he was looking worse than before.

"Oh no. This is definitely not good." Em-Teedee said as he hovered above the group. Luke looked at the unconscious student, and then placed his hands on Kithkin's forehead. Using the Force, he got rid of all the toxins in Kithkin's body. After a few minutes, he got up and, looking tired, turned to the others standing there.

"I have gotten rid of all the toxins in his body, but his wounds will need sometime to heal. Did he tell any of you how he got in the fight with the katarn?" Luke asked the group of friends.

"Nope, I don't think he told any of us." Raynar and Lusa said at the same time. They both blushed, and then looked at each other. Tenel Ka looked at the two and then to the unconscious student lying on the steps of the great temple.

"What should we do now, Master Skywalker?" Tenel Ka asked him. She reached down and picked up the knife Kithkin had taken from the katarn's body. It was a big knife. With a blade 7 inches long, 2 wide, and ½ an inch thick, the knife was very dangerous looking. Its razor-sharp blade was sharpened every day, she judged from the appearance of the blade.

"Well, first we should stick Kithkin in a bacta tank. Second, we should inform his family and kin. Then, we can all go and grab something to eat." Luke looked at the group. "Any objections? No? Good. Let's go." Lowie roared something out and Em-Teedee translated.

"Master Lowbacca thinks that that is a splendid idea, Master Skywalker. We should go now." Em-Teedee said, elaborating on what Lowie had said. As Luke picked up Kithkin, he opened his eyes, which still held a feverish gaze, and tried to sit up. He found his body wouldn't listen though, so he let the Jedi Master carry him.

"Goshdarned toxins…" Kithkin muttered before falling back into a deep sleep. He woke up again briefly, as he was put into the bacta tank. "Goddamned bacta tanks. Never did like 'em…" he muttered under his breath as his friends helped him in. He fell into a restful sleep as soon as his head was under.

"Well, I wonder what his problem with bacta tanks is?" Jacen asked. He picked up Kithkin's clothes and placed them on a bench nearby. "Now, let's go have something to eat. I'm starved."

"You guys go on ahead. I've got some stuff to do. I'll catch up with you later." Luke said. He turned and walked off heading for the communications center.

"Food… must have food." Jacen said, in a zombie-like voice. His arms were straight out in front of him, and his eyes were rolled up into his head, making him look like a zombie. His friends each had a brief chuckle, including Tenel Ka, which surprised Jacen.

"Well, let us go, before you die of hunger, friend Jacen." Tenel Ka stated as she poked Jacen in the ribs. Jacen gasped and went to grab her, but Tenel Ka ran off.

"I'll be back." Jacen said, as he ran off after his friend. Zekk, Jaina, Raynar, Lusa, and Lowie headed for the dining chamber, to get a bite to eat. When they got there, they grabbed some food, and sat down at a table, taking about Kithkin.

"He single-handedly took on a katarn, with no weapons. And he killed it too. I remember the time Jacen got slashed by a katarn, he could barely move his arms. Yet Kithkin, applies this salve to his wounds, and feels ready to take on another katarn." Zekk said, shaking his head in wonder.

"I wonder why he doesn't have a lightsaber. I mean we all had one and were prepared to take it on. But he uses a knife and his bare hands. He has got to be crazy." Jaina said, remembering the fight. Lowie growled something.

"Master Lowbacca wishes to point out his endurance and stamina. Halfway back to the Great Temple, he felt Kithkin start to use the Force to boost his flagging strength. But not just that. Before that Master Lowbacca was feeling very tired, but when Kithkin started to use the Force, Master Lowbacca says that he felt his strength boost also." Said Em-Teedee excitedly.

"Same here, Lowie. He must be strong in the Force to be able to project an aura like that." Raynar said thoughtfully. Just then Jacen and Tenel Ka entered the room, hand in hand. They grabbed some food, and came and sat beside their friends.

"Hello. What are you talking about?" Jacen asked, while puffing. It looked as if he was out of breath, and he was red-faced suggesting he had had to run hard to catch up with Tenel Ka.

"We're talking about Kithkin. What took you two so long?" Lusa asked slyly, insinuating that they had been doing other stuff. Tenel Ka snorted, and started to eat but everyone there saw the little smile on her face. Zekk looked at Jaina and grinned.

"We were talking about how, when Kithkin used the Force to boost his strength and stamina, it boosted everyone else's too. Raynar had just said that he must be pretty strong in the Force, to be able to project an aura like that." Zekk exclaimed.

"I have seen him before. I cannot seem to remember where though. I am pretty sure it was on Hapes, but then again it might not have been." Tenel Ka said, surprising everybody. She closed her eyes trying to remember where she had seen him. She could not remember though, and she opened her eyes and shook her head. "I guess we'll have to ask him when he wakes up." she said.

"Did you see the wounds on his back? Easily, 7 inches long, 1 inch wide, and an inch deep. He walks halfway back to the Temple before feeling his strength waning. And then he's still healthy enough to get up and mumble that he hates bacta tanks, before falling asleep again. That amazes me." Lusa said. The friends finished their meal and got up just as Luke walked in.

"Sit down, you guys. I've got some surprising news for you. First, I looked Kithkin up in the records. It turns out he has no living relatives, kin, or important friends. Second, it appears that he hired somebody to bring him here. He hired that person for 10 000 credits, and he paid it off. Now, if he has no relatives, kin, or friends where does he get the money, I asked myself. It turns out that he was formerly a-" Luke said before he was interrupted by Tenel Ka.

"An assassin. That's where I saw him before. On Hapes, talking to my grandmother, Ta'a Chume. She was probably hiring him." Tenel Ka said, surprised that someone so young was an assassin. The friends looked at each other, then at the Jedi Master. Luke just shrugged, and reached into his pocket and pulled out something.

"Master Skywalker, is that what you were studying earlier?" Zekk asked, as Luke turned the object over in his hands.

"Yes, Zekk. This is the object that I was studying earlier. Do any of you know what this is?" Luke stated as he sat the object on the table.

The object was cylindrical, about 10 inches long. It was made of metal, and had 2 switches, one on either end. The friends pondered over what it was, before it finally struck them.

"It's a lightsaber, isn't it?" Jaina asked. Luke nodded, still quiet. She looked over it more interested now. Tenel Ka, who was also curious, looked at the weapon.

"It seems awfully big for a lightsaber. Why is it so large, Master Skywalker?" Tenel Ka inquired.

"Your friend, Kithkin, seems to have something with designing intricate weapons. Watch and learn." Luke exclaimed, as he picked up the lightsaber. He gave it a twist, in two different directions and it broke apart.

"Wh-what's wrong with it?" Jacen asked intrigued. Luke let Jacen hold the 2 pieces and Jacen saw that the 2 lightsabers could be interlocked, making a dual lightsaber. One of them also had a strange device strapped to it that looked like it could be attached to something.

"A dual lightsaber. Does it work?" Raynar asked, very amazed. Luke shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know. That's for Kithkin to find out. You six will have to talk to him about it. It and his former profession. Also ask him why he has designed such an intricate weapon." Luke told the six friends, as he got up and picked up the unique weapon. "Well, I have to go now. I'll talk to you all later." Luke left the dining chamber through one of the various hallways.

The six companions all stared at each other. Kithkin an assassin? A dual lightsaber? They were going to have to have a long talk with Kithkin when he got out of the bacta tank.

"Well, that was enlightening." Jacen said, as he stood up and stretched. "We know somebody who was and still may be an assassin, and who is completely crazy about weapons."

"That makes me feel so much better, too. That's probably why he was able to defeat the katarn and stand up the pain so easily." Jaina said, as she also stood up. All of her friends stood up and stretched their muscles. Raynar still looked amazed and Lusa was stunned. Raynar was still in his right mind enough to ask Lusa out for a walk. She accepted and they left.

"You have been unusually quiet, Lowbacca." Tenel Ka stated as she tried to loosen up her body. Lowie let out a thoughtful growl and waited for Em-Teedee to translate. When Em-Teedee didn't start translating, Lowie flicked the little droid with his finger.

"Oh, yes. Sorry, Master Lowbacca. Master Lowbacca states that he could try and find out more about Master Kithkin using his… computer skills." Em-Teedee translated. Zekk nodded and thought a little.

"You should try and find out who has hired him, Lowie. It might be useful in evaluating him. Also try to find more out about his background. That would be helpful." Zekk told Lowie. Lowie told Em-Teedee to list all the things he had to try to find out.

"Lowie, try to find out why Ta'a Chume hired him. And find out who the last person was to employ him. Are you okay, Tenel Ka? You look kind of shaky." Jacen stated, looking at her with concern in his eyes. She shook her head negative.

"I was just thinking, "What if someone hired him to take me out?" Then I would have to be on guard at the Academy also, where I thought I would be safe. This is not good," Tenel Ka said, with a worried look in her eyes. Jacen went around behind her and put an arm around her shoulders.

"Don't worry about it. You and me together should be able to protect you." Jacen said as he looked into her eyes.

"You'd do that for me, even though it means risking your own life, Jacen, my friend?" Tenel Ka said as she looked back into his eyes. Jacen nodded and Tenel Ka let out a little sigh. Jaina and Zekk just looked at each other, as Jacen took Tenel Ka back to her room.

"A little overprotective of her, isn't he?" Zekk asked Jaina. She shrugged and looked at Zekk's emerald-colored eyes.

"Wouldn't you do the same thing for me?" Jaina asked him. He looked back at her and nodded. Lowie let out a bark, surprising the two of them. Zekk and Jaina both turned away and blushed. Lowie chuffed with laughter at their expressions. Zekk and Jaina both walked away to go do their own things, as Lowie sat back and wondered where he could find a computer terminal so he could get to work.

The next morning on Yavin IV, a sore, but well rested Kithkin hopped out of a bacta tank. He looked around saw his clothes and quickly put them on. He left the infirmary as quickly as possible, wasting no time dilly-dallying. Kithkin walked to the dining chamber and soon found his friends at a table. He piled up some food on a plate and walked over to join them.

"May I join you?" Kithkin asked.

"Sure. You can sit over there." Jacen said, indicating a spot. Kithkin nodded his thanks and sat down. He decided quickly that things were rather quiet and looked up from his breakfast, to find all the companions staring at him.

"What'd I do?" Kithkin asked. Lowie gave a little bark and Em-Teedee quickly translated.

"Master Lowbacca said that we found out what you used to be, who you worked for, and quite a bit about your background. Everybody wishes to have a talk with you." Em-Teedee said, rather frankly. Kithkin's face darkened and he looked down, but he nodded.

"Okay, how about we talk after breakfast. We can talk at your swimming spot. But right now, I am hungry so I would like to eat, please and thank you." Kithkin said tiredly. He seemed to not like talking about his past. Jaina and Zekk, who were already finished, said they had to get something from Master Skywalker. They walked out to find the Jedi Master. Kithkin quickly finished his large breakfast and stood up, stretching his arms and legs.

"Okay we can go talk now." Kithkin said dejectedly. He started to walk out of the Temple and the others quickly got up and followed him. Kithkin walked quickly, making the others almost have to run to keep up. They met Zekk and Jaina as they just reached the clearing. Kithkin walked over to some rocks and sat down. He looked at the others and sighed.

"So what do you guys want to know?" Kithkin asked them. Jacen and Tenel Ka sat down together on a rock. Jaina and Zekk sat beside each other on the ground. Lowie hopped up to a low Massassi tree branch, so he could still hear. Raynar and Lusa remained standing.

"Well, first I want to hear some background information." Lusa said. The others knew that she was not very trusting of humans, and nodded. Kithkin prepared himself for this since it had been a long time since he had thought about his past.

"My name is Kithkin Eenix. I have no living relatives, family, or very close friends. I am 19. Born on the backwater planet of Tatooine, I was highly skilled in the Force. My father could have been a Jedi but did not know he had the Force. He died when I was 5 protecting our residence from a swoop bike gang. My mother also had the Force, but she knew about it. She died after giving birth to me. My cousins took me in. They were quite a bit older than me, 23 and 25. Their parents were also dead and my cousins had a small business. I can't remember exactly what it was, but it wasn't legal. But wherever I went bad luck seemed to follow. They were killed when they didn't finish a very important deal. I was then an orphan. No grandparents, uncles, or aunts. When my cousins were killed I was 11. An old spacer my cousins used to deal with took me in. I helped him fly his shuttle and make deals. The Force helped us make good deals. When he finally figured out that I was Jedi potential. He suggested bringing me here. I knew I wasn't ready yet. My bad luck had seemed to stop. Until I turned 14 and he was killed by the local crime lord. I was not happy with the crime lord, and I swore I would get revenge." Kithkin stopped speaking and just sat remembering. When he started speaking again, it sounded like he was reliving the past. "The spacer had kept a blaster rifle in a storage locker. I had had lots of target practice with it and was a crack shot at 25 meters. I got to keep the ship and I used it making delivery runs and earning a living. One day I was walking down the street in Mos Eisley, when two men brought a young girl out of a house and started to beat on her. That got me mad. I always carried a blaster with me now. I pulled it out and shot the men without thinking. After I was terrified by what I had done. I had let my anger consume me. The girl's parents were grateful and thanked me. They offered me a reward, but I said I wouldn't take it. Instead I stayed for dinner. By then I had decided that I was going to kill the crime lord tonight. I snuck into his "well-guarded" base, and hid. When I finally saw him he was in the open. I took the opportunity. Thinking of my spacer friend, my cousins, my parents, and that little girl I knew that what I was doing was right. I shot him. He died without making a sound. The next day I left Tatooine. I spent time making deliveries for people, but I was also hiring out as an assassin. I was young and nobody would suspect a 15-year-old, would they? I was hired by many different people." Kithkin stopped again and looked at Tenel Ka. "You grandmother, Ta'a Chume, was one person. I remember the time you spied on us making a deal. Your grandmother almost blew her top. She was outraged. She kept ranting and raving about people's privacy." Kithkin chuckled as he relived the moment. "When I turned 17 I decided that I finally had to learn to use my Force skills for good. I came here. In the two years that I was an assassin, I had become an emotionless, killing machine. I was rich though." Kithkin stated as he looked up. "What next?"

"If you have your own ship, why didn't you fly it here?" Jaina asked. Zekk, who was thinking the same thing nodded.

"I did fly it here. I made it look like a had cut a deal with a person though." Kithkin exclaimed.

"Why did my grandmother hire you?" Tenel Ka queried. Kithkin looked her in the eyes, preparing himself for this.

"She wanted me to assassinate… you, Tenel Ka. She's jealous of you and wants you taken care of. She thinks that you should be in politics and not a Jedi, even though it's your choice. She said she won't pay me until the job is done." Kithkin said sadly, as if he had aged very fast. Tenel Ka was instantly on her feet and on her guard. She looked suspiciously at Kithkin, who just folded his hands and rested his chin on them.

"Why didn't you assassinate me?" Tenel Ka interrogated. Kithkin looked at her again then shook his head.

"Well, to Ta'a Chume it's been, "An opportunity hasn't presented itself." or "She is always on her guard.". To me though, the world would not seem the same without you. I would have one less friend and I might already have one or more fewer friends. But the first time I saw you spying on us, I knew there would be no way whatsoever I could kill you. One thing I could never do would be to hurt a girl or young lady, much less kill one." Kithkin admitted as he looked down at the ground. Jacen walked over and stood above Kithkin as if evaluating him. Jacen looked at his sister and saw Jaina doing the same thing. Everybody seemed to be evaluating him, or grading him. He sat silently through it all.

"I think he is telling the truth. You must be very brave to take a chance defying Ta'a Chume." Raynar said and Lowie nodded his agreement.

"Well, why did you take the job in the first place?" Jacen asked.

"I didn't have much choice with a couple of blasters pointed at me. It was a do-or-die deal. But I know that Ta'a Chume knows that I can't and won't hurt Tenel Ka." Kithkin stated truthfully. Jaina nodded at this as if saying "He meets my standards.". Zekk stood up and walked over to Kithkin. He looked at Kithkin as if asking for permission. Kithkin nodded and Zekk placed one hand on Kithkin's head. Focusing the Force, Zekk looked into Kithkin's mind. He saw that Kithkin was telling the truth about everything. Zekk pulled his hand off of Kithkin's head.

"What he says is the truth. I believe that he is trustworthy." Zekk stated and Kithkin looked up with some thanks in his eyes.

"Well, I don't trust him." Jacen stated bluntly.

"I don't either." Lusa said, as thoughts of the Diversity Alliance passed through her head.

"We will see. We will have to wait and see." Tenel Ka told her friends.

"Anyway, while you were in the bacta tank Master Skywalker finished looking over this." Zekk pulled something out from behind him and handed it to Kithkin. It was his dual lightsaber. Kithkin gratefully took it and held it in his hands.

"I have been waiting to get this back." Kithkin said as held it. "Now I will try it out."

Kithkin stood up and ignited both ends. Two deep blue beams sprang out of each end. Kithkin nodded and slowly spun it as if he was used to using a dual lightsaber everyday. He went through a series of motions ending with a deep bow.

"Impressive. But let's see how you do against a real opponent." Jacen said, as he hopped off his rock and ignited his lightsaber.

"Whatever you want. I'll go easy on you though." Kithkin said with a challenging grin. He parried as Jacen rushed in with some quick thrusts and cuts. Kithkin blocked each shot and threw in some of his own. Jacen blocked these and stepped back to circle around. Kithkin did the same but he also shut off one of the beams.

"Now let's see how you do." Jacen exclaimed. He felt the Force flow through him and he quickly went on the offensive, attacking every opening he saw. Kithkin let the Force guide his movements and he easily blocked or dodged the attacks. Then Kithkin went on the offensive. He lunged towards Jacen and let loose a series of quick thrusts and cuts. Jacen took most on his lightsaber but had to dodge two quick shots. He was starting to get tired and needed some way to end this quickly. He smiled as he thought up the perfect thing.

"Hey Kithkin. Want to hear a joke?" Jacen asked Kithkin, a smile on his face.

"Sure." Kithkin simply said, parrying a thrust towards his chest. But as soon as Kithkin had done that he saw his mistake. He had left his stomach open to attack. Jacen, who did not trust Kithkin a bit, lunged towards him, hoping to "accidentally" strike a killing blow.

At the last moment Kithkin turned the other beam on and deflected Jacen's attack though he still got nicked on the stomach. He stepped back and shut off his lightsaber, acknowledging Jacen's swordsmanship with a bow. Jacen smiled and shut his lightsaber off.

All of his friends were amazed. They had never known Jacen to be so cold-hearted. Jaina was stunned and a little scared. Tenel Ka sat there coolly taking everything that had happened in. Zekk shook his head, knowing what had driven Jacen to do what he did. Raynar and Lusa both stared at the two, amazed at the swordsmanship. Lowie jumped off the tree branch and gave both duelists a hard slap on the back.

"Oh my. That was very intense, Master Jacen." Em-Teedee stated. Jacen thanked the little droid and then turned to Kithkin. He stuck out his hand.

"No harm done, I hope?" Jacen asked. Even though he was playing tough, Jaina sensed that he was worried about what he had done.

"I'm fine. Good duel." Kithkin said as he shook Jacen's hand. Everybody stood up and stretched.

"We'd better head back now. It looks like it might rain." Zekk and Jaina said simultaneously. They blushed and looked at each other. Kithkin and Jacen tried to stifle their laughter.

"Yes, we had better head back to the Academy now." Tenel Ka said, as she started walking.

"Race you guys to the Academy." Kithkin said challenging everyone.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Go!" Jaina shouted as she took off running. The eight people made it back to the Temple as it started to rain.

"I'm tired, so I am going to go lie down. I'll see you guys tomorrow for breakfast." Kithkin said, as he let out a yawn. He went inside the Temple and walked to his room, leaving the other 7 Young Jedi Knights to their own business.

Kithkin walked down the narrow hallway, finding peace in the silence he heard. He paced past a transparisteel window, taking a quick glance outside. He started to walk past, but he stopped, turned, and looked at his reflection in the window. His brown, thick, wavy hair was parted just to the left of the center of his head, just the way he liked it. His gaze traveled down to his clothing. He preferred the loose clothing of bygone eras, relishing the freedom it allowed him. The black sweat pants matched the deep, torn crimson tank top shirt he was wearing. He looked up and into his eyes. His eyes were different. The varying blue colors of his eyes reflected his mood. Light, bright blue for happy, joyful. And that mischievous twinkle that was there constantly. Smiling, he turned and walked to his room.