Child of War

Catching Up

I kicked the training dummy and it spun wildly. Ducking to avoid the swinging arms, I gave a few quick jabs and jumped away. I breathed heavily.

There was a noise behind me and a whirled with a flying kick.

Jarris caught my foot and smirked at me. "Right where I left you."

I rolled my eyes as he released my leg. "For your information, I left the Temple."

He raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

I crossed my arms. "Yeah." Raising one of my hands, a lightsaber flipped off my belt and into my hand.

I smirked as Jarris' jaw dropped.
"You got your lightsaber."

I chuckle. "LightsaberS." I lifted my other hand and my other lightsaber flew into it.

His eyes widened. "How?"

I replaced them on my belt and stared at the floor. "It's kind of a long story."

He sat down. "I've got time."

I took a seat next to him. "Fine, but remember, you asked for this."
————
Jarris sat in utter shock as I finished explaining what had happened with Alana. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, but the tears streamed down my face and I leaned into him as he wrapped me in a hug. My breaths were shaky and my tears soaked his robes.

He held me close as a nestled against his chest, my head settling under his chin. "It's going to be okay." He whispered, laying his head against mine.

Something jabbed me in the temple as I pressed my head to his chest. I pulled away and stared at the chain hanging around his neck.

He looked down. "Oh! Sorry." He pulled at the chain revealing a sleek metal charm. The swooping lines and intricate star formed a beautiful pattern that shone in the light from the huge windows.

I examined the small piece of metal intently. "What is it?"

Jarris' smile fell as he tucked the necklace away under his robes again. "It's all I have to remember my parents by."

I met his sad gaze.

He sighed. "My mother gave it to me just before the Jedi came to take me away." He stared into his lap. "It was in the middle of one of the sepratists' first attacks." He clenched his fists. "I found out later that my whole village had been destroyed. No survivors."

I placed my hand over his quivering fist. "I'm sorry."

He looked at me, his eyes watery. "It's not your fault."

I watched him intently. I didn't like the way he was talking. I didn't want to lose another friend.

As if sensing my fear, he grabbed my hand and faced me. "I don't blame the Jedi either. It was the sepratists."

"I know." I stared intensely into his eyes. "Just promise me you're not fighting this war for revenge."

He chuckled, but the mirth faded when he saw that I was serious. "I promise."