Her Secret

-Twelve-

It was an early afternoon, everyone was on the beach, and the incident from yesterday left an unsettling feeling on the four of them. As always, Kira and Anakin were together, but this time they were talking quietly in the distance, their faces filled with worry.

Iris was alone on the back porch of the hut. She was tired after spending all morning cleaning up the mess she made yesterday, fighting against her father's henchman. She gazed at the sun, which in some hours would descend into the sea, leaving the sky in a dark blue color, full of stars. As Iris looked at Kira and Anakin, she noticed their distressed faces. "It must have been yesterday's fight, Kira isn't used to a brutal conflict," she thought.

Obi-Wan was nowhere to be seen. He excused himself some hours ago, saying he had to talk with the Jedi Council after they received his message. But that was before lunch, so the conference seemed like it was still in progress.

Looking at her bandaged arm, Iris realized that even Obi-Wan's best effort would leave a scar, but she didn't care, she saved her friends. When she raised her head , Iris saw Kira and Anakin approaching her, still with an expression that could only mean trouble.

"Hey! Where is our hero? Iris, we saw you sitting here all alone, so we thought that while we let Master Kenobi talk with the boring Council, you could join us for a little walk around the island." Anakin happily said, even if he faked being fine.

Iris couldn't bear the thought of being called a "hero", She was the main cause Anakin was slightly injured and the reason they would have to go away and then the idea of her going back home, knowing her father would punish her for killing his man added to her disquiet. After a while Iris realized this might be the last time she would be able to see this pretty island, lost in the outer rims of the galaxy.

As the three of them were walking away from the hut, Kira and Anakin started a really strange conversation, as if it were planned. Iris saw how both of them struggled to say something and then Kira bravely said:

"Iris, you are my best friend; even if we haven't seen each other for so long, I just don't want to lose you, we don't want to lose you..."

At that point Iris understood that they found themselves in a fix but didn't have the courage to tell her, so a bit harshly she interrupted Kira. "Kira, Anakin, I do not like this conversation. I know there's something on your mind so please tell me what it is."

So, after some exchanged glances between them, Kira decided to speak again. "Well, yes, Iris, we have to confess that Anakin and I are dating, we've just started some weeks ago, I promise!" Kira said anxiously, not knowing Iris' reaction.

Iris hadn't realized that they had been on that island for almost three months, during which she really bonded with them. Sometimes she would play in the water with Anakin, teaching him new ways to improve his weaknesses, and at other times she would stay up until late, gossiping with Kira or sunbathing on the shore. How could she not have noticed it before? The comments they made, the jokes, the way they acted...

"Damn! Both of you are in a big mess, this is forbidden for the Jedi! And Kira, your parents surely are choosing a husband for you. If Obi realizes you both are together, Anakin, you'll be expelled from the Order!" Iris shouted; thankfully they were far away from the hut so no-one could hear them.

"Please Iris, we know it's wrong, but we can't help it, love is love, and we would sacrifice everything for each other. That's why we told you Iris, please, we beg you to keep this secret from Obi-Wan, we want some time alone, but he'll quickly suspect what's going on and then everything will be lost." Anakin pleaded. They knew Iris was their only hope of keeping Obi-Wan distracted.