CHAPTER NINE
a caring nature
10 BBY, Lars Homestead
Great Chott Salt Flat, Tatooine
As the dawn breaks in the horizon of the seemingly quiet rocky planet, underneath the reticent morning lies that sudden distress and chaos in the Lars Homestead.
He watches his aunt and uncle gathering riffles and blaster guns in their workshop, preparing for something that he doesn't understand. It's indeed typical to see them being rough and ready for Jabba's henchmen but the thick tension in the homestead is different. Suffocating and overwhelming —— anxiety lingers in the atmosphere of his humble abode.
The young boy is said to be fearless. At the early age of five, the boy caught a womp rat by its tail and as he turned seven, the boy can shoot womp rats from their homestead when he tries to fix the vaporators with his Uncle Owen. He secretly flies the skyhopper during his eighth birthday and Owen feels he's about to faint when he knows that the boy can fly a ship. From the words of his wife, there's no doubt that the defying and adventurous spirit of Luke Skywalker is from his father.
He's always said as a boy without fear, as his very bones would shake the clay of Tatooine.
But now, his bravery diminished to what's going on in their home. It seems that his parental figures are preparing for something big —— probably more heinous than Jabba the Hutt and the Tusken Raiders. Above the sky, he can feel the darkness enveloping the homestead. Almost like a dark force coming to them like a Krayt Dragon is about to devour them through its claws and gnash them through its teeth.
Beru, who looks rather distressed from preparing for their arrival, sees the boy and tells him with certain worry but still delicate, "Luke, please go to your room."
The boy nodded and obeyed his aunt. He quickly went to his room and reached for the hollo device that he usually uses whenever he speaks with Kaileen. The boy didn't have a second thought on sending a message to Kaileen; his friend might probably know what's going on.
"Kaileen, are you there?" He asked softly, hoping that Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen won't come into his room anytime soon. He bites his nails as he tries to fight his agitation. The boy never understood why he felt this way but then, his godmother, Yari, would be here anytime soon to protect them. Whatever it'll be.
After a few minutes pacing around his room, Kaileen finally messaged him back; "I'm here, Luke. Are Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen preparing for the arrival?"
"I think before I wake up, they're gathering their tools and weapons. Kai, I don't understand what's going on." He asked, evident that fear is written all over his face.
Kaileen sighed heavily while looking at her dear friend at the holo, it's almost like she can feel his worry and apprehension from what's going on. So she tells him, "My mom is coming along with Uncle Rhett and Aunt Padmé. Whatever it is, they're not only coming for you. Rae is also in danger."
Luke gasped, he couldn't comprehend why they would be in danger. He tried asking Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen earlier but they didn't budge and the boy preferred not to ask questions anymore. So he asked her; "Are you coming in here?"
She nodded in response and told him; "Me and Roku are planning to sneak out later this afternoon. I don't want to sit here and not know how you are there."
The boy couldn't help but to form a small smile across his face. The Nubian girl might be a headache for him, he couldn't understand why she would risk her life for his safety. From the difference in where they live; Kaileen lives in luxury and comfort while he's in the middle of nowhere in Tatooine, always bathed in the scorching twin suns. In Biggs Darklighter's words, it seems that Kaileen Gozen lives in risk and adventure, which is similar to him. But right now, this is not an adventure like they always do with their friends.
"You don't have too, Kai. You better stay in Naboo."
I just wanted you to be safe. I promised to Aunt Yari that I'll never put you in any danger. Luke murmurs in his mind but has no courage to say those words out loud.
"And I'll sit pretty in here? No chance, Skywalker. I want to see that you're safe and sound." Kaileen assures him.
Of course, he knew she'll respond to those words. He wanted to persuade her not to go anywhere in Tatooine but then, the girl never cared. If only he had the capacity to call his Aunt Yari to lock Kaileen inside her room the whole time they're in Tatooine.
At the same time, he wants her to be here right by his side. Kaileen always had the best stories; Her stories in Naboo, Gatalenta and her preparation for apprentice legislature lets him ease his fretfulness staying on this wretched planet for the rest of his life, and also, the thought of being with her beyond the outskirts of Tatooine.
Luke could say anything to her. She would listen attentively, perhaps even better than that, and in the end, he always felt the tender and happy feeling of being understood and accepted no matter what he did and thought. She laughed at his mischiefs and provided more interesting ideas to make it even better. They've always been thick as thieves; more on partners in crime. Maybe the reason Owen Lars finds the Nubian girl a bad influence on the boy but Beru finds their friendship adorable.
Kaileen would also tell him of the many amounts of adventures they can do if he has the chance to leave. Exploring the outer rims, discovering untouched planets and maybe going beyond the galaxy, just to see what's out there. Owen knows that their adopted child is seeking for more, despite his efforts on letting his mind focus on being a moisture farmer but in the eyes of Kaileen and his Aunt Beru, he's always more than what his uncle perceives.
Luke declares it to Kaileen from one of their conversations; "Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru can have Tatooine. I'll take the stars."
Then she replies to his sentiment with a smile across her face, showing her dimples; "You already have it, Luke."
It might be selfish thinking for him to just let her go to Tatooine but he admitted to himself that he dreadfully misses Kaileen. It almost felt like many years have passed since the last time she visited his home planet. So that possibility that she'll come to Tatooine made his heart hammered right through his chest. He couldn't understand if it's excitement or fear, well, he couldn't decide on the latter.
"Just be safe leaving Naboo, Kaileen." He tells her.
The girl smiles at him widely then playfully winked at him, "You know that I'll be alright. See you later, Skywalker."
"See you later, Kai."
A smile form across his cheeks without him noticing. Quite ironic that he would do such a thing while he's in a dangerous situation but the Nubian girl knows how to make his stomach flutter.
10 BBY, Ha'ko Apartment
Theed City, Naboo
As seconds become minutes then minutes become hours, Kaileen knows that they're already wasting their time sitting on her bed. They arrived at their home in Theed City a few hours ago, and probably her mother is already at Tatooine. She wanted to throw any object across the room due to her frustration. Anxiety slowly crawls in her brain ever since she got the news that Luke and Lorrae are in grave danger.
To make it difficult for her, her Aunt Kairi is very keen on checking them every minute, thinking that she'll run away. At least they knew that she could leave their home; an improvement to their observation, Kaileen thought bitterly as she paced around the four corners of her room. So, the logical thing she can do is to call on TECH-N08 by pretending that she'll get something in their garage.
Somewhat like a third sense — Kira, her eldest sister walks in her room all of a sudden and says, "I know that clever brain of yours is urging you to go to Tatooine."
It's a known fact that Kira Gozen can sense the tomfoolery of her siblings, as if she knows it like the back of her hand. Yuriah Gozen wouldn't care a whiff of what the twins are doing (mostly to Kaileen whom he adores, despite teasing her endlessly about a certain sand haired boy on Tatooine). But like their father, which she despises but unfortunately his uptight attitude is similar to hers according to their grandparents — the eldest daughter is more responsible. Also, the reason Yari fully trusted Kira to watch her youngest siblings even though the girl is quite annoyed by it.
"My friends are in danger. Of course, I'll be going there no matter what." The child huffed and grabbed the commlink that directly calls their family droid. Well, despite Kira's own judgment to her own siblings — Kaileen is still difficult to deal with. The child has a mind of her own and knows how to handle things. Astonishing but insufferable for Kira Gozen.
"And since when you're deciding?" She raised her eyebrow to the child who is now preparing to leave. Pulling the leather bag under her bed while she quickly put the things that she needed for her journey to Tatooine.
"And since when you're acting like Mom?" Kaileen retorts, earning an eye roll to her eldest sister. Snarky as always.
She couldn't contain her annoyance to the child so she blurted out, "Can you stop being stubborn, Kaileen! Mom has a lot on her plate that you wouldn't understand and now you're adding up to her problems."
Kaileen stops midway on packing and directly looks at her; "We'll no one told me that our dad is part of the Empire that we truly despise and all this time, I thought he's on a business trip."
Kira sighs heavily — it's always been difficult for her and Yuriah to forgive the misgivings of their father but anger and hatred still prevails. But Rokubei and Kaileen are a different case — mostly to Kaileen who looks up to her father, like Kira used to when she's the same age as her little sister. It's easier to lie than telling the reality of their family, and to shield the youngest siblings from the horrible truth that their father is nothing but a war criminal who wanted power and greed.
Being called the children of the current Duke of Mandalore and Imperial Viceroy is nothing but repugnance for Yuriah and Kira.
She knew how people were disgusted that they're the children of Seibei Gozen and if only she can shield Kaileen and Rokubei from them. But Kira knew there are things she can't control but blamed her father for it. The errors of the father will be reflected on the offspring, as Kira heard from people.
And now, her mother suffers from it because she believed that Seibei loved her. Kira can't blame her mother, she's young and full of hope — Seibei took the opportunity to use her love and it almost plummeted her to his own cruelty but her mother rose up, to live for the sake of her beloved children and for the Rebellion.
Kira sat on the edge of the bed and softly says; "We're protecting you and Roku."
The young girl wanted to lash out from this nonsense reasoning but seeing the face of her older sister — Kira who is always protective of them, she's already tired of speaking those words. Kaileen wanted to understand everything. Maybe for her own perspective of things, that's how an adult's mind works but then, she hates to be seen as dumb. She wants to understand their reasoning, and maybe they can meet half-way.
"But then it led to confusion and pain." Kaileen finally uttered. Kira kept silent, as much she hates to admit to her mere youngest sibling — she's right.
"It's easy to hide the truth, Kai. It's better to bury it deep rather than living up to it." There's defeat in her tone, as she never wanted any of her father's misgivings. She blamed her father. For the life that they had. For the things they should have. She pitied herself and her family, and wondered what life would be like if her father fought for the greater good.
"Then you're a coward, Kira." No remorse or second thoughts when she elicits those words to her sister. There are flaws inside her family and Kaileen knew that very well but the truth of her father never ceases to question their real motives to the Rebellion. Is it because they wanted to hide the truth, elevate themselves that they are different from their father or to fight for the galaxy? Kaileen couldn't decipher much of it.
"I'd rather lie than be linked with our father. It's the only thing we can do to survive and the reason we never told you. Because we know, it will be disappointing."
Kaileen walks towards her study table, still full of books for her apprenticeship. She slips her fingers to the hardcover and responds, "Yes, I am disappointed but I need to accept it, Kira. I know that it will never be easy for me and for us. But at the end of the day, I deserve to know, even Roku."
Kira nods at her response. The girl has always been tact and wise, even at a young age. She can't say it outloud to Kaileen that she shouldn't think such things. She wants her to be a child who enjoys her childhood — something that her mother always has been disheartened. They were never meant to live in a war. Nor they were never meant to fight for the war that isn't theirs to take. Kaileen sighs heavily and sits beside her sister, "Please, let me go to Tatooine and see if Luke is okay. I can't bear to sit here and have no idea if my bestfriend is alive and well."
Kira glances at her young sister, in a teasing tone, she asks her, "You care for the farm boy so much?"
"Of course. He's my best friend and I should care for him." The girl said in full confidence.
Her eldest sister gave a small laugh and said, "I think I should meet him personally too."
Kaileen's eyes light up, "Are we really going now?"
Yuriah is right about her — she has a soft inkling with their youngest siblings. Soft but overprotective. Gentle but stern. "Go grab your bags and I'll get War Winds. I'll also get Techno for assistance."
Kaileen couldn't help but to hug her sister in a heartbeat, making Kira confused but then, she liked the sudden affection of her little sister. The things she does for them, she thought. Kira tells her, "I'll tell mom to put you on a house rest for the whole year."
"Consider it a deal." Kaileen smiles widely and Kira just rolls her eyes profusely.
Kira rushes out of her room to prepare the ship while Kaileen grabs her leather bag and also looks at the holo where she saw Luke's message: "Aunt and Uncle are getting blasters and rifles. I think whoever is coming in here is something we should be afraid of."
Who in the Force wanted Luke and Lorrae? Kaileen thought. Her mind is telling her to stay but then, bravery succumbs her young mind as she mustn't back out from this and hold on to the promise to her dear friend.
"I'll be there, Luke."
author's note:
🌸 apologies that this took way toooo long but well i miss my children soooo much huhu
🌸 they're cute dumb asses and my god, even their mini selves are tolerating each others one brain cell capacity 😭😭😭😭 they're the cutest jsjdsjsdj
🌸 anyways here's some kailuke bs (i might regularly post some of this in every end of the chapter 😌🤸♀️)
and yes, that's their actual dynamics ^^
🌸 this is sooooo late but thanks for bespins on making this beautiful gif below :)))