Tenel Ka has to go back to Hapes for a special ceremony. Kithkin is invited along. Can he be trusted not to do something irrational?

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

On Yavin IV, Kithkin was nervous and if there was one thing he hated, it was being nervous. He walked around the Jedi Temple grounds as the clear, sunny day went on without him. Lost deep in his thoughts, he didn't here Tenel Ka approach him.

"Kithkin? Kithkin is something wrong?" Tenel Ka queried. He looked up, startled. He shook his head, but thought better of it and nodded.

"Yeah something is wrong. I am nervous as hell. Something is wrong and I can sense it. Somebody is trying to find me. I have a faint idea, who it might be and I hope it isn't him." Kithkin said, a little sad, a little concerned. Tenel Ka bit her lip and frowned. *Maybe this wasn't the proper time to ask him.* she thought to herself, but if she didn't ask him now, she probably wouldn't get the courage to ask him again. She wondered if she was doing the right thing.

"Kithkin, you have probably heard that an important ceremony is coming up. I have asked everybody else to come along, and I was wondering if you would like to join us?" Tenel Ka asked hopefully. Kithkin looked at her amazed. He shook his head as if clearing his thoughts.

"Who hasn't heard of the ceremony? It's the talk of the Academy right now. I'm sent to assassinate you, but you invite me to a ceremony on Hapes. What's the catch?" Kithkin asked looking at her suspiciously as if she was going to pull a knife on him any instant.

"The only thing is that you have to try to get along with Jacen. That is the only catch." Tenel Ka said, remembering the day Jacen had had a vicious lightsaber duel with Kithkin, finally winning by trying to "accidentally" kill Kithkin. Kithkin got along perfect with everybody, except Lusa, Jacen and Tenel Ka. Tenel Ka liked the attention Jacen gave her when Kithkin was around. But she did not think he had to be so mean. She loved Jacen with all her heart and nothing would ever change that.

"That should be easy enough. It will be good to see Ta'a Chume again. I have to let her know something." Kithkin smiled mischievously as he stated that. "When are we leaving?"

"We will be leaving tomorrow morning. Be there or be square." Tenel Ka said. Kithkin nodded and excused himself, saying he wanted to go check up on his ship. Tenel Ka nodded and turned to go find her friends. She found them at their swimming spot talking and swimming. She jumped into the water beside Jacen thoroughly soaking him.

"Hey, what was that for?" Jacen asked as he smiled the infamous lop-sided Solo grin. Tenel Ka just smiled, surprising Jacen.

"That's for being my friend. I asked Kithkin and he said he could come. Jacen, I know you are not happy but try to live with it. It is only for one week. It won't kill you to be nice to him for 7 days." Tenel Ka reprimanded him. Jacen pretended that he was choking and he ducked underwater. He came up grinning.

"Okay, I'll live with it. I won't like it, but I'll live with it." Jacen exclaimed as he picked up Tenel Ka and threw her into the water. He dived under and swam after.

Meanwhile, Kithkin was looking over his custom-made ship. The shape vaguely reminded him of a Corellian YT-2400, but there the resemblance ended. The custom-built ship nearly bristled with hidden weaponry. If there was one thing Kithkin knew it was weapons, and hiding them. The ship was basically a souped-up Millennium Falcon, Han Solo's famous ship. *Very souped-up*, Kithkin thought with a grin. He remembered the few run-ins he had had with bounty hunters out for him. The Rancor's Bite had always come out on top. *So a few extra proton torpedo launchers, and ion cannons might be a little illegal. Not to mention the cloaking device, data slicer and other… goodies I had added.* Kithkin thought. He remembered the time he had outrun a squad of TIE Interceptors, after blowing some of them up. So maybe he was a little paranoid, but he didn't like to take chances. Taking the new quantum armor had been a good idea, on his part. The little ship was comfortable, but deadly when it needed to be. He lowered the boarding ramp, and walked up to the cockpit. He wanted to take her for a flight, to check her out.

"Maybe I should ask Jaina, Zekk and Lowie if they want to come?" Kithkin asked himself. No sooner had he thought that than the seven friends did walk in. Jaina and Zekk were immediately amazed and Lowie was a little startled to. Jacen and Tenel Ka looked at the ship, and then carried on their conversation. Lusa and Raynar deep in their conversation didn't even look at the ship.

"So what so you think? Is she beautiful or what?" Kithkin asked Jaina and Zekk.

"It's amazing. Where did you get it?" Zekk asked, a little envious of Kithkin.

"Whoa! This is one souped-up ship, Kithkin." Jaina exclaimed, as she walked around to look at the engines. Kithkin grinned and nodded, turning back to Zekk.

"First off, call me Kith. I prefer it to my full name. I got the ship custom built. I couldn't trust just anybody to make it, so I had to pull a few strings. But, what you see here isn't all." Kith said mysteriously. He walked into the cockpit and flipped a switch, noting the light that came on. He heard the swish-click as numerous hidden compartments opened, revealing the awesome arsenal of his ship. "Now, what do you think?" Kith asked.

"Ohmygosh! It looks like it could take on an entire fleet." Jaina said excitedly. Kithkin grimaced remembering the few times it had taken on entire fleets.

"Wow, wow, and wow! I don't think I've ever seen so much weaponry on one ship before. Even bounty hunter ships, don't compare to this." Zekk said staring out the proton torpedo launchers and ion cannons that nearly covered the entire surface of the ship. "Can I go in?" Zekk inquired.

"Go ahead. You too, Jaina and Lowie. The rest of you can join us if you want." Kith said, waving at the ramp. Zekk, Jaina and Lowie raced inside.

"I would like to check out the ship. It's very… impressive." Jacen said. Even he was amazed. Tenel Ka and Jacen walked up the ramp, a bit more civilized than the others did.

"Do you two, want to come along? I was just about to take her out for a run." Kith asked Raynar and Lusa. They declined saying they would rather stay and talk. Kith shrugged and walked into his ship. Even though it wasn't big, his ship was comfortable. She had more room inside than it looked like from the outside.

"So do you want to take her out for a spin?" Kith asked Jaina. She looked at him, barely containing her excitement. "Okay, just lemme get her into space, and then you can take control. You can have a try after her, Zekk and Lowie." Kith sat in the pilot's chair. "Please sit down and fasten your crash webbing. We may be in for a bumpy ride."

Jaina sat herself down in the copilot's chair and Zekk and Lowie strapped themselves in behind her. That was one thing Kith liked and had built in. Extra cockpit room and seats. Tenel Ka and Jacen decided to sit in the back. Kith ran through a pre-flight checklist as Jaina absorbed everything about the ship.

"Okay, prepare yourselves for take-off." Kith said as he slowly pulled a lever back. The ship's engines were so quiet that Jaina had to strain her ears to hear them. She asked Kith about them as he took off.

"Why are your engines so quiet, Kith? I mean I've heard of quiet ships, but not this quiet." Jaina asked still amazed. Kith turned and looked at her as he pulled out of the landing bay. He used the Force to guide his assent as he talked to her.

"Well, I found that as an… assassin, it was helpful to be silent. I also prefer the piece and quiet, when I'm flying alone." Kith answered her. They left Yavin IV's atmosphere and Kith relinquished the controls to Jaina. "You might want to hang on back there, Jacen and Tenel Ka. Jaina's flying now."

Jaina quickly got used to the ship's controls. She asked Kith if the ship could go faster and he smiled as he reached for the throttle. He warned everyone to hang on as he pulled the throttle all the way back. The ship accelerated very fast, and Jaina found the speed exhilarating. She let loose with a series of stunts that left Jacen feeling queasy. Kith just smiled as if he did the same thing everyday. After a certain amount of time, he made Jaina hand over the control's to Zekk, who quickly got used to the ship.

"Hang on for a fun ride." Zekk called over the intercom system in the ship. Jacen groaned and clutched his hand to his stomach as Kith came walking back.

"How are you two holding up? Something to eat or drink, maybe." Kith asked, playing as host.

"Nope, just something to ease my stomach." Jacen joked.

"Hey, I've got that too." Kith asked, as he walked to a storage locked and opened it. He pulled out a bottle of something and popped off the lid. He emptied two pills into his hand and passed them to Jacen.

"Here try these. I always keep them around for people with queasy stomachs." Kith said. Jacen took the pills and immediately felt better. He thanked Kithkin and asked him about the ship.

"What do you do for fun on long hyperspace trips? Any games or anything?" Jacen asked looking around the room. Kithkin smiled and rapped his knuckles on the table in front of them. Tenel Ka and Jacen looked surprised as the top slid in half and a holotable rose up in front of them.

"Me without fun on a ship. I think not." Kith replied with a smirk. "I'll be up in the cockpit. Just call if you need anything."

Kithkin walked up to the cockpit as Jacen and Tenel Ka chose a game to play.

"Hey, Zekk. It's Lowie's turn now. Pass him the controls." Kithkin said to Zekk as he leaned on his chair. Zekk reluctantly gave the controls to Lowie, and Lowie roared with pleasure.

"Oh, do be careful, Master Lowbacca. I don't think we should go this fast." Em-Teedee worried as the ship flew off into space. Lowbacca skillfully put the ship through many different maneuvers as he flew through space. Kithkin sat down in his chair, and buckled his crash webbing. After letting Lowie fly for a few more minutes, Kith took the controls again. He turned the ship back towards Yavin IV and quickly had them back in no time flat. He slowed the ship and skillfully landed it on the landing pad.

"I think I'll leave it here if we are going to leave tomorrow. No use putting it back in the hangar, then bringing it out again." Kith said, as he shut down the ship. "Okay, everybody out." Jaina reluctantly left, letting her hand trail along the dash before leaving the cockpit. In the back, Kithkin lowered the ramp and hopped out. He stretched his arms and legs, trying to work out the kinks in them. Luke Skywalker had come out to greet them.

"Ah, so this is your ship, Kithkin. Very impressive." Luke said as he looked over the modified freighter. He walked over to it and ran his hand over the hull.

"Thank you, Master Skywalker. Although she has more surprises than a surprise package could hold. Heck, if I didn't know better I'd say the Rancor's Bite was a surprise package." Kithkin said, to the Jedi master. "If you'll excuse me now. I am going to go get something eat, then work out a little, and then fall into a deep, restful sleep." Kithkin stated with a grin, planning the rest of his evening. He walked to the dining chamber and piled food onto his plate. He sat down at a table, and ate his food quickly. Just as he was finishing, his friends came in. He waved them over.

"So, whatcha up to?" Kithkin asked, as he finished off the last of his food. His friends sat down around him.

"We wanted to remind you that we would be leaving at 0800 tomorrow morning." Tenel Ka said. Kith grimaced, but nodded.

"I'll be up. I won't be in a good mood, but I'll be up." Kith said as he stood up to leave. "I am going to go have my workout, so I'll see you later." He walked out of the chamber quickly.

"So Tenel Ka, what's this important ceremony about?" Jacen asked his friend.

"It marks my passage from teenage to adulthood. It is an important tradition for Ta'a Chume, and my father. It is also important for me." Tenel Ka said as she ate. Jacen thought and was silent for a minute.

"What's wrong, Jasa? You are oddly quiet. Something wrong?" Jaina asked her brother, as she finished up her food. He shook his head, and looked at Tenel Ka.

"Jacen if you stare to hard your eyes might fall out." Zekk teased Jacen. Jacen blushed, and looked at Zekk.

"You be quiet. I've seen you look at Jaina like that." Jacen retorted, also making Zekk blush. Raynar laughed and both of them said the same thing.

"And you. We've both seen you looking at Lusa like that. So just keep your mouth shut and we won't have to beat you up." Jacen said, and Zekk nodded vigorously. Raynar bowed his head and blushed.

All the girls laughed, including Tenel Ka, and Lowie chuffed with laughter also.

"Well, I'm tired so I'll be seeing all of you tomorrow morning." Zekk said as he stood up. Jaina stood up, said goodnight and walked out with Zekk. Raynar and Lusa both got up and left, also.

"I wonder where Kith is?" Tenel Ka asked. Jacen looked at her, startled.

"Why do you want to know where he is?" Jacen asked, a little hurt. She looked into his eyes and smiled, surprising him. She reached up and put her hand on his cheek.

"Are you jealous, friend Jacen?" she asked. Jacen nodded a little. "Well, don't be. You own my heart and soul, my love." she whispered to a very surprised Jacen. "Will you walk with me?"

"Su-sure." Jacen stuttered. They left the dining chamber and went outside to watch the sun set. They sat down on the edge of the Great Temple and Jacen put his arm around Tenel Ka's shoulder and pulled her closer to him. She leaned her head against his chin. They sat there just watching. A slight humming noise reached Jacen's ears and he wondered what it was. He was startled to see Kith's blue dual lightsaber come into view. He could not see Kith but he sensed that he was there. He was even more surprised when another lightsaber appeared out of nowhere. This one with a brilliant yellow-green blade, belonging to his uncle, Luke Skywalker. Jacen sat up and watched the duel, as did Tenel Ka. Jaina and Zekk appeared and looked on at the duel going on.

"Jacen, that is Kith and Uncle Luke, right?" Jaina asked her brother. It seemed that more and more students had appeared to watch the spectacular show of swordsmanship. Jacen nodded and went back to watching, as did Jaina.

Luke and Kithkin were both clothed in black, making themselves invisible to the other. Luke thrust and Kith parried, bringing the other end of his lightsaber around for a side attack. Both men were letting the Force guide their movements and Luke parried the thrust easily, then launched a cut and lunge of his own. Kith blocked and took a step back.

"Ready for a little more, Kith? Or should you just give up now?" the Jedi master challenged playfully, grinning. Kith grinned back.

"Let's step up the pace a little." Kith suggested. Luke nodded and launched a dazzling flurry of attacks. Kith countered each and launched his attack. Using both sides of his lightsaber, Kith pressed that advantage. Luke blocked each, but was forced to step back. The Jedi spectators were silent as they watched the fencers. Kithkin let the Force guide his moves and with a few quick swipes and a kick, he had disarmed the Jedi master. Luke held up his hands in defeat.

"Very good. It has been a long time since I had such a good duel." Luke said as he used the Force to retrieve his lightsaber. Kith shut his lightsaber down, and hooked it onto his belt. From the sides of the Temple, where the Jedi and Jedi trainees had watched the fencing, a low applause started. Soon all the people were clapping for the two men. Kithkin too a deep bow and stepped forward and turned around. He bowed to the Jedi master as Luke threw Kith a quick salute. Kithkin turned around and walked into the Temple. Luke watched Kith's movements. *He can fight. The question is will he, though.* the Jedi master thought to himself as he walked into the Temple.

Kithkin walked back to his room, and had a quick shower before dropping onto his sleeping pallet. He closed his eyes and was immediately asleep. Meanwhile, all the other Jedi were heading back towards their rooms. Jacen walked with Tenel Ka and escorted her to her room.

"May I come in?" Jacen asked Tenel Ka. She nodded and he followed her into her room. She sat down on her sleeping pallet and he sat down beside her.

"Tenel Ka, did you really mean that I owned your heart and soul?" Jacen asked her. He looked into her eyes and stared, as he felt himself falling into them.

"Yes, I do mean those words." Tenel Ka whispered, and snuggled up closer to Jacen.

"I've got something to tell you Tenel Ka. I love you, also. I have since the first day I saw you. But I've never had enough courage to tell you. Until today, that is. I don't know why but when you told me that I realized that I loved you with all my heart and soul, also." Jacen said as he looked into her eyes. He put his hand on her chin and tilted her head up toward his. They leaned towards each other and their lips slowly touched. Jacen pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her…

Kithkin woke up at 7:30. He groaned as he got up and stretched, deciding to wear his black and blue clothes today. *Why am I up so early?* he thought. Then he remembered. Tenel Ka's ceremony thing. Kithkin hopped off his pallet and put his boots on. He walked to the dining chamber and heaped his plate with food, grabbing a pitcher of juice, as he walked by a serving droid. He found his friends and walked over. He sat down, and poured himself a cup of juice.

"Good morning, Kith." Jaina said cheerfully. He looked at her bleary-eyed.

"Morning. I'm just wondering what's good about it." Kith said, as he sipped his juice. He grimaced. "Damn! Could this juice get any sourer." he swore as he licked his lips. "I think I am awake now. Oh, yes! Very awake. If I didn’t know better I'd say Jacen and Tenel Ka are having a *very* heart-to-heart conversation." Kith said, catching the two kissing. They pulled away from each other and blushed. All their friends laughed, as the two friends composed themselves.

"Kithkin, did you have to spoil our "talk"?" Jacen asked, and Kithkin laughed. Kith nodded as he munched his food.

"How long till we leave?" Zekk asked Tenel Ka. Lowie roared something.

"Master Lowbacca says it is 10 minutes till 8." Em-Teedee said. Kith nodded and finished up hi breakfast.

"So what ships are we taking? The Rock Dragon and…" Kith trailed off, knowing what ships they would choose.

"The Rancor's Bite!" Jaina and Zekk said. Kith nodded.

"Okay, so Jaina, Zekk, Lowie, and I in the Rancor's Bite. Jacen, Tenel Ka, Lusa and Raynar in the Rock Dragon. How about that?" Kith asked. Everybody nodded and he stood up to leave. "I've got to run through some pre-flight stuff. You three want to come with me?" he asked, already knowing the answer. Jaina, Zekk and Lowie raced out the door toward Kith's ship. Kith looked at the others and shrugged. Chuckling, he followed the others to his ship.

"We should warm up your ship too, Tenel Ka." Jacen stated. Lusa and Raynar said they had to get some stuff and they left. Tenel Ka and Jacen had their stuff ready and they got up to check on the ship. They started checking the ship and were ready by the time it came to leave. The Rancor's Bite was just starting up and Kith came down to talk.

"You guys get to go ahead. Ta'a Chume knows my ship and would happily blow me out of the sky. So you might want to go first. Well, other then that, we'll see you there." Kith said as he turned, and climbed back on his ship.

Both ships lifted off and ready to go. Tenel Ka input the coordinates in the Rock Dragon's navicomputer. Kith typed in the coordinates in the Rancor's Bite and got ready to go to hyperspace.

"After you people." Kith said as he pulled his ship, behind the Rock Dragon. The Rock Dragon went to hyperspace and was followed by the Rancor's Bite a minute later.

They pulled out of hyperspace ahead of Hapes. Tenel Ka excitedly transmitted a message saying that she and another ship was coming in for a landing. They landed on the landing pad in front of the fortress and lowered the ramps. Tenel Ka sprang out of the Rock Dragon, excited to be home. Jacen, Raynar and Lusa followed. Jaina, Zekk and Lowie strolled out of the Rancor's Bite, while Kith did something inside. Tenel Ka's parents, Isolder and Teneniel Djo, were waiting for them. While Tenel Ka greeted her parents, Ta'a Chume came out of the fortress. Kith walked out of the Rancor's Bite, and went to stand beside his friends.

"Mother, father, I would like you to meet another student from the Jedi Academy. Kithkin, will you please come forward? Thank you. Mother, father, this is Kithkin Eenix." Tenel Ka said, introducing her friend. Kithkin bowed low as each acknowledged him. When Kithkin stood up, he caught site of Ta'a Chume. He stiffened and smiled.

"Grandmother, will you come here please? Thank you." Tenel Ka said, as her grandmother came forward. "Grandmother, meet Kithkin Eenix." Tenel Ka introduced him again, forgetting that he already knew Ta'a Chume.

"It is a pleasure." Ta'a Chume said coldly. Kith looked at her and stepped back, behind his friends. Tenel Ka's parents took them inside, so everyone could find a room. They each got a room, and unpacked. Then they met again for lunch. As they sat down in the dining hall to eat, Kithkin sat as far away from Ta'a Chume as possible. As everybody helped themselves, he grabbed a lot of everything and soon his plate was heaping. Once everybody started eating, Kithkin also started to eat. He listened to everything that went on around him. Noting his silence, Isolder surprised Kithkin with a statement.

"I think I've seen you around here before, Kithkin. I'm sure I've seen you." Isolder said, startling everyone except Kithkin, who had expected the question.

"I've never been to Hapes before. And I regret not having come to his beautiful planet earlier." Kithkin stated as he went back to eating. Isolder nodded but wouldn't back down.

"How do you find the food?" Isolder asked Kithkin. Kithkin knew what he was trying to do though and answered the question truthfully, as a stranger would.

"It's delicious. This purple goo, what is it? I find it simply exquisite. And this meat is a fine delicacy." Kithkin said, as he helped himself to another heaping plate of everything. He dug in, surprising everybody.

"That "purple goo" is jellied Hapes water sponge. The meat comes from the water dragons that live here. And like you say, it is a delicacy." Teneniel Djo answered his questions. Kithkin had had jellied water sponge, before and loved it. He forced himself to look a little surprised though.

"Water sponge? *Gulp* It's delicious. May I please be excused? I'm not that hungry anymore." Kithkin said, regretting that he wouldn't be able to finish his lunch.

"Yes you may leave the table." Isolder excused him and Kithkin rushed off to his room. As soon as he got there, he noticed his stuff out of place.

"Ta'a Chume, you think you're a sneaky bitch, but you aren't." Kithkin muttered under his breath. A knock on his door startled him. He opened it, surprised to find himself staring down the barrel of a blaster.

"Kithkin Eenix. You are under arrest for planning to assassinate the royal family. These were found in your bags. Do you deny the charges?" the guard asked coolly, as if he arrested guests everyday. He held out some thermal detonators and a blaster.

Kithkin knew what the answer was. Ta'a Chume had set him up. He'd get revenge, but for now he'd play along.

"No. I don't deny the charges placed against me." Kithkin said in an emotionless voice. His friends appeared in the hallway. Jaina gasped as she saw what was happening.

"Since you don't deny these facts, hand over all weapons now. Including the knife in your boot." The guard calmly replied. Kithkin reached down and pulled his knife out of his boot and handed it to the guard. He unclipped the lightsaber from his belt and handed it to Jacen.

"Take this for me. Keep it safe. I'll need it back soon." Kith said as he passed it to a surprised Jacen. Isolder and Teneniel Djo appeared out of nowhere.

"And my daughter thought you could be trusted. You will be taken to the holding chambers, scum. Take him away now. Let nobody near him." Isolder issued the orders to the guards. The guards slapped restraining-cuffs on Kithkin's wrists. He bore the entire thing stoically, as the guards marched him away.

"Now that that's taken care of, we can discuss the preparations for your Passage, Tenel Ka." Teneniel Djo said, as if Kith's arrest had never taken place. They turned and walked to the dining chamber, where they were going to talk.

Kithkin looked at his surroundings. Dark, dreary and damp.

"Wow, what nice quarters I get. I wonder what the deluxe suite is like." Kithkin said sarcastically. He heard a chuckle, that turned into a cough behind him and he smiled.

"This where you stay. You sleep there. We will bring you meals, at each mealtime. Keep quiet and you won't be hurt. Any requests?" a guard asked Kith.

"Yeah one request. Can I get something to read or play with? I'm bored already and you wouldn’t like me to be bored." Kith threatened. They shut down the stun field, and pushed him in, turning on the stun field again.

"We will see what we can do." The same guard said again.

Kithkin looked around. *Well, this place is sure cheery.* he thought. *Well, at least I can practice my levitation powers here.* Kithkin looked at all the rocks and nodded.

"Yes, levitation." Kithkin said, before he lay down to sleep.

The preparations had been made, and the ballroom was being decorated. The main hall was also being decorated. The entire place was being decorated.

*Except the dungeons, probably.* Zekk thought to himself. He looked around and found that his friends were equally troubled. Kithkin was arrested on false charges! Couldn't anyone figure that out? He sat down and sighed. Kithkin hadn't helped any. He didn't deny the facts, not helping himself out. Jaina looked at Zekk, and walked over to join him.

"What’s wrong, Zekk?" Jaina asked although she already knew the answer. The others came and sat beside the two.

"I just can't believe that Kith was arrested. Assassinate the royal family? Yeah, sure. Kith couldn't hurt an innocent person if his life depended on it." Zekk said sadly.

"Yeah, but he didn't deny the facts when the guards arrested him." Lusa said dejectedly.

"Well, we can't do anything to help him right now. I tried to get down to talk to him, but the guards wouldn't let me. Only you father, mother, or grandmother is allowed, Tenel Ka." Jacen said resignedly.

"Did you see all the weapons? A knife, and his lightsaber. Whew. Kith must really be paranoid." Raynar said, as he remembered the weapons. Lowie growled softly, telling Em-Teedee to talk quietly.

"Master Lowbacca asked if anybody looked at the lightsaber when he handed it over." Em-Teedee translated for Lowie. Tenel Ka nodded, and Jacen pulled out the lightsaber Kith had given him.

"Hey, it's only one half." Jaina said excitedly. The realization struck them all at the same time. Kith had a weapon with him.

"Let's just be quiet. He might need it." Tenel Ka said, as Jacen hooked the lightsaber onto his belt again.

"Well, we'd better start getting dressed up. The ceremony starts in 2 hours." Tenel Ka said.

Kithkin was bored, and when he was bored he sang.

"Oh give me a home, where the krayt dragons rome, and the katarns and piranha beetles play.

Where not much is heard, some encouraging words, and the sky is not cloudy all day." Kith finished. He sighed. "Am I getting on your nerves yet?" he asked the guard. The guard just stood there and did nothing.

"You guys are no fun." Kith complained. He prepared to launch into "Calamarian Moonrise", but was interrupted. By Ta'a Chume.

"Having a good time, Eenix?" Ta'a Chume asked coldly. He just looked at her not saying anything. He stared at her long enough to make her uncomfortable. Ta'a Chume squirmed under his penetrating gaze. Kithkin slowly smiled.

"Get it right, Ta'a Chume. My name's Kithkin. Do you need me to spell it out for you?" Kithkin asked sourly. Ta'a Chume glared at him, then turned and stalked away. Behind her, a smiling Kith, started "Calamarian Moonrise"…

Tenel Ka was nervous. She had prepared herself for this and knew she was ready but she was still nervous. She hoped her friends didn't mess up and embarrass themselves or her. Then she heard the trumpets.

"It is time, Tenel Ka." Jaina said from beside her.

"The ceremony is starting. Too bad we have to guard this kid." One guard grunted to the other. Kith sat up as the Force sent little warnings to him. Kith focused the Force on the 2 guards.

"You are sleepy aren't you." Kith stated more than he asked. He implanted the idea in the guards' minds. "Very sleepy. You want to fall asleep right here. Don't worry I won't escape."

"Don't worry… Won't escape…" the guards murmured as they drifted off to sleep. Kithkin relaxed. That was easier than he thought. Now he knew his practice would come in handy. Kith reached out with Force and focused on the stun field levers. He saw them moving to the "Off" position, like there were little hands moving them. He heard a click, and the hum of the shields died. Kith sat up and stretched his muscles. He got up and peeked around the corner. Nobody. That was good. He snuck down the hallway and opened the far door. He peeked out. They had stationed a guard outside the door. He slowly opened the door and tapped the guard's neck. The guard went out like a light. Kith looked around and sprinted quietly down the corridor.

Tenel Ka walked down the aisle, Jacen on her right hand side. Jaina and Zekk were behind them. Tenel Ka felt safe with Jacen there. Her nervousness had died down a long time ago. They got to the front and stopped. Jacen knelt as he was supposed to. Right then thought he felt a sense through the Force. He looked up even though it was forbidden and he quickly spotted the assassin.

"Everybody get down." Jacen yelled, as he tackled Tenel Ka to the floor, just as a spinning blade flew past where she had been standing.

"Haha. Weak Jedi. That's not going to stop me. Nothing can stop me. I will kill you all." The mysterious person stated.

"Then maybe you would like to fight me?" a voice said from the entrance into the room. The person turned around and saw Kithkin standing there.

"Aahh. Kithkin it is good to see you again. Seeing you die that is!" the person snarled, as he pulled out a lightsaber and ignited it. A deep crimson blade popped out. He rushed Kithkin, who just calmly stood there. At the last instant Kithkin stepped out of the way and the person almost fell outside the room.

"You should be able to do better than that, Zaltar. I mean I didn't even have a weapon." Kithkin said, as his lightsaber appeared in his hand, apparently out of nowhere. He ignited the blade and stepped forward. "Come, come. Let us finish this once and for all." Kith said challengingly.

"Jacen, get everybody out of here now. I don't care how just do it." Kith said as he stepped Zaltar. Jacen pulled out his lightsaber, ignited it, and cut a hole through the nearest wall. He started pushing people out and he knew he would have to make another hole. He walked a few feet away and cut another hole. He shoved Tenel Ka out this one, followed by her parents, and grandmother. By now his friends were herding people out the holes.

"You shall die today, Kith. I will kill you." Zaltar declared as he rushed at Kith. He stopped short of Kith and lunged and cut. Kith parried the blows and stepped towards Zaltar.

"I will send you to your grave if it's the last thing I do, Zaltar…" Kith growled in his opponent's face. All the people had evacuated and just Kith's friends were left.

"Get out now. Jacen, pass me my other lightsaber." Kith called over his shoulder. Jacen tossed Kith his lightsaber, and then hesitated but ran through the hole. The others quickly followed.

"Now it's just you and me, pretty boy." Zaltar snarled at Kith. He leaped forward and slashed at Kith's chest. Kith locked lightsabers with Zaltar. Kith reached out his one hand and "called" his other lightsaber to him. Connecting the two, Kith pushed on Zaltar's lightsaber, making Zaltar push just as hard back. Zaltar stepped away, making Kith fall forward. Zaltar saw his chance and leaped to Kith. Fortunately, for Kith, Zaltar missed and just nicked his shoulder. Kith looked at Zaltar and growled. Igniting his other lightsaber, Kith now had his dual lightsaber.

"Let's see you parry this." Kith snarled as Zaltar rushed him. Kith took the blows on his upper blade, while he swept the bottom up in a snap fast move. Zaltar blocked the blow and launched several attacks, at high speed. Kith deflected each attack and launched his own. He sliced his right blade to the lower-left, bringing his left blade up, over his shoulder. Then with a lightning quick follow-through, Kith spun around bringing his left lightsaber blade up, and through Zaltar's right arm. Zaltar was not finished though. He picked up his lightsaber with his left hand and sliced at Kith, opening his stomach. Kith retaliated with a one-two combination that left three more pieces of Zaltar, to be picked up. Kith shut off his lightsaber and kneeled feeling the pain, now.

"It's over." Kith called, still kneeling over the fallen Zaltar. Unbeknownst to him, tears were falling from his eyes. He reached down around Zaltar's neck and pulled out a necklace. Kith removed the necklace from the dead Dark Jedi and held it in his palm. Tears streamed unchecked down his cheeks now, from both pain and sadness. "Zaltar, my brother." Kith whispered, as somebody laid their hand on his shoulder. Kith turned around and stood up. He was struck by a wave of dizziness and pain. He dropped to a crouch. He looked up to see Tenel Ka, standing above him.

"Are you okay, Kithkin?" Tenel Ka asked worriedly. "That was very brave of you." Kithkin snorted as he clutched his stomach.

"That wasn't bravery, that was… that was… I dunno what it was. But right now I can see what I had for lunch." Kith stated as he looked down, at the large gash in his stomach. Tenel Ka gasped.

"We should get you to a bacta tank, right now." Jacen said, as he saw the wound. He helped Kith up. "Here lean on me, Kith."

"You know what, Jacen. I think I'll take you up on that offer." Kith smiled as Jacen took him to the infirmary and to a bacta tank.

"In you go. Have a good rest, Kith." Jacen said as Kith, willingly hopped in the bacta tank. He walked back to the others and they all talked.

Two days later, Kith peeked his head around the corner. Seeing nobody there, he ran across. He was fully dressed but he had to get something. He walked to his room, and found his bag, there. Rummaging through his stuff, he unwrapped the towel. That held the gift. He walked down the hall towards the dining chamber.

"No more for me. I'm stuffed." Jacen said as he patted his stomach. He stopped eating and looked up. He almost yelled when he saw Kithkin standing, in the doorway. From where he was sitting he was the only one who could see him. He started to call out, but Kith motioned for him to be quiet.

"I wonder how Kith's doing? We should go check on him later." Jaina said, as she too finished her meal.

"Well, why go check on me, when you could ask me?" a voice said from the doorway behind her. She turned around and saw…

"Kith! What are you doing up and about?" Zekk said as he got up to see the young man. Jaina leaped out of her chair and gave Kith a tight hug.

"Ouch! Not too hard, please. My stomach is in one piece again, but I'm still sore." Kith smiled. He shook hands with Zekk, Jacen and Raynar. "Well, I'm up and about 'cause I don't want to recuperate anymore." Kith nodded towards Lusa, and then looked towards Tenel Ka. "What's the matter? Don't have anything to say?" Kith asked her with a grin.

"I… Well, I… I'm sorry about what happened, and getting you involved in all this. I guess I should be thankful that you aren't upset." Tenel Ka stated, as she stared at the ground.

"Upset? ME?" Kith asked incredulously. He threw back his head and laughed. "Oh. That's a good one. Don't be sorry. It was actually rather fun, except… for Zaltar being there. It was fun to be a part of this." Lowie roared something.

"Master Lowbacca asks how did you know Zaltar?" Em-Teedee inquired for Lowie. Kith looked down.

"I knew Zaltar, because he was my twin brother. Except that he took the easier, quicker way of the Dark side, while I chose the way of the Light side. He never meant that much to me." Kith explained to his friends, as he looked at his necklace. Jaina looked at the object in his hand.

"What is that?" she asked, wondering what it could be.

"It's a little gift. For Tenel Ka, I mean. I make weapons and I like to give everybody I know something to remember me by. I design intricate stuff such as my lightsaber. And this thong." Kith said a little flustered, pointing to the straps on the object. "It's a knife. I made it myself."

Tenel Ka took it and withdrew it from the sheath. It was every bit as deadly as Kith's and also had the strange straps. She asked about them.

"Lift your arm." Kith ordered her. He muttered something as he helped strap it on. "You strap it on around here, and here. It keeps it held in place. Then with a flex of your muscles." Kith pulled up the right sleeve of his shirt and flexed. The other half of his lightsaber was in his hand. Kith laughed at their surprised expressions. "I've got a knife over here." He said, pointing towards his left upper-arm.

"Kith, what was that you muttered as you helped strap on the knife?" Raynar asked. Kith turned a deep red, and just smiled.

"Oh nothing. Nothing at all." Kith managed to say. His friends laughed at his embarrassed state.

"Nothing much at all." Kith said, a faraway look in his eyes. He looked up. "Well, if those are all the questions, can I eat? I am starving."

His friends laughed as Kith piled food onto his plate. He finished in no time flat. When he was done, he excused himself from the table and left. He walked down the hallway to his room. The door to his room was open and that surprised him. He was positive that he had shut it. He looked in and saw Ta'a Chume sitting at the desk. He sat down on the bed and talked.

"What do you want, Ta'a Chume?" Kithkin asked as she withdrew a holdout blaster.

"I want to know why my granddaughter is still alive." Ta'a Chume said. She pointed the blaster at Kith's head.

"I can't kill her. I can't and I won't kill her. You can threaten me all you want, but I won't touch her." Kith said, staring at her, with daggers in his eyes.

"I will have you hunted down. You won't escape from me. I will have you killed." Ta'a Chume spat at him. Kith just turned and walked from the room. He walked back to the dining room, where everyone was eating.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to leave now. I have some unfinished business that must be finished." Kithkin stated, more than he asked. Isolder nodded.

"You may leave. I am deeply sorry about that misunderstanding. I hope we shall meet again." Isolder said as he reached out to shake hands with Kith.

"And I thank you for saving my daughter. That was very brave of you." Teneniel Djo stated, as she nodded at the young man.

"No problem. Rescuing beautiful damsels in distress happens to be a part of my life. Well, I'll see you all later." Kith said, as he hurried out of the room, eyes lowered. He walked to his ship and went inside. He started up the ship and took off. Looking out the cockpit window, he circled around the castle once, then again switching his engine dampers off. He roared around twice, then shot off into space. He programmed the coordinates for Tatooine, and engaged the hyperdrive engines.

Tilting her head, Jaina heard a roar coming from outside. She smiled figuring out what Kith had done. Engine dampers, she thought with a grin. She stood up and stretched.

"Well, I think it's about time we left too. I've had enough excitement for now." Em-Teedee said, voicing an opinion. Everybody nodded. Tenel Ka was a little sad knowing that she had to leave.

"Yes I think that we should go now, too." Jacen agreed. He smiled. "I don't think I could eat another bite."

"Yes, maybe it is time to head back. Jaina, Zekk why don't you two go run pre-flight checks on the ships. Raynar and Lusa, you two can go help." Tenel Ka exclaimed as she thought of something. She sat up straight and stared at Jacen. He smiled his father's lop-sided grin, making Tenel Ka's heart flutter. Tenel Ka stood up and walked over to her mother. She bent down and whispered in her ear. Her mother nodded and smiled, looking at Jacen. She bent to her husband and whispered into his ear. Isolder sat up straighter and looked at this daughter as he nodded. *What the hey, is this all about?* Jacen thought as he looked at the three of them talking together. Tenel Ka stood up and walked over to Jacen.

"Let us go now. We don't want to keep the others waiting all day." Tenel Ka said slyly. Jacen just nodded and stood up, amazed as he saw a smile break out on her face. Unbeknownst to him, his "troubles" were just starting. They walked to the Rock Dragon and boarded. "Jacen and I will take the Rock Dragon. You, Raynar, Lusa, Lowie and Zekk can take the Lightning Rod. Is that okay?" Tenel Ka asked Jaina and the others nodded. Zekk raised an eyebrow at Jacen, but Jacen just shrugged.

"Okay, well if we want to be back for lunch, we'd better leave now." Zekk said, teasing Jacen. Jacen groaned at the thought of more food. They said their good-byes, and walked to their ships. Jacen and Tenel Ka could run the Rock Dragon as smooth as Jaina and Zekk, and soon the Hapan cruiser was leaving the Hapes atmosphere. They entered hyperspace and sat to "talk"…

Kithkin was waiting for them as his friends landed. He walked up to the Lightning Rod and knocked on the hull. The ramp lowered and he watched as Raynar, Lusa, and Lowie rushed out of the ship. Kith walked into find Zekk and Jaina kissing. He grinned, nodded and walked out of the ship as quietly as possible. The Rock Dragon landed a few minutes later, and he knocked on its hull. The boarding ramp for the Hapan cruiser lowered and Kith hopped inside. He snuck to the cockpit and looked inside. Jacen and Tenel Ka were also kissing. *Is it just me or is love in the air?* Kith asked himself. He nodded and walker out of the Rock Dragon. Kith walked to his room and lay down. He played his memories over again and again. Reliving all the good moments…