Luke Skywalker, the Last Jedi, faces his toughest challenge yet. To rebuild the Jedi Order, he must give up his personal hopes and dreams. Every move is critiqued by not only the New Republic Senate but also the Force-ghost Jedi Council of the past...
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Naluma applied herself to training as she applied herself to everything—wholeheartedly. Luke had taken her back up in the shuttle many times since, but her piloting skills were barely adequate.
She took out her frustration in the gym and on the trail. She vowed to master something of the Jedi arts, even if she couldn't conquer the skies. Yet, Padawan training was not without risk. A few times, Master Skywalker almost struck her with his live blade. If he hadn't Force-pushed her out of the way or pulled his weapon in time, she would be missing a limb right now.
As she buttoned up her gray Padawan tunic in front of the mirror, she smiled while remembering the time he grazed her. They had been dueling in concert together, side-by-side against multiple training remotes when she had stumbled over a cable on the flight deck and moved into his sword circle.
~~~~~~~~~
The saber struck swiftly, burning into Naluma's uniform. "Ow!" The left sleeve smoldered as her skin burned red.
Luke shoved the training remotes to the ground with one Force-push, deactivating them as he rushed to her side. "Here, let me look at it." He grabbed on the cuff of her sleeve, yanking it from the bodice of her tunic, exposing her arm.
She winced, the burn throbbing, but her master's eyes were all she could focus on. His voice. Him.
With the Force, he pulled the medkit over and grabbed the bacta salve. He scooped out some gel with two fingers and smoothed it onto the wound. "How does that feel?"
Naluma was not sure if it were the bacta salve or the way Master Luke moved his fingers on her bicep, but the sensation reduced her answer to "Ah."
"That ought to teach you to stay out of your partner's saber range," he said with a grin as he lifted his eyes to hers for a brief moment.
"If that stupid cable—"
"You must always be aware of your surroundings in the Force, Naluma. Never let your mind wander in combat." He sealed the bacta salve container and tossed it back into the medkit. "The Force not only energizes and controls us, but it also informs."
"I was—"
Luke sighed as he lowered his head in admonishment. "Come on. With awareness this time." He activated his saber again and motioned to the remotes, bringing them back to position.
~~~~~~~~~
That was weeks earlier, but Naluma never forgot the way he looked at her or the way his fingers had rubbed the salve on her arm. Sometimes she wished they could stay like this forever.
