The Rebel Faction

<font color=CC3333>To hear that Dakkon was happy with his new life did more to lift her spirits than she would have thought. She had seen him, at the celebration, and had seen him happy, but to hear it from someone else.... She didn't know why but it solidified her resolve to keep her distance from him, to keep Dakkon believing that she was gone.

And when Ren presented her with the lightsaber all thoughts of Dakkon and his new life fled from her mind. She was a woman with a purpose now, to get her children back and to see Lupercus and Tevarii pay.

Vess ignighted the weapon, is glowing white blade illuminating with the ever familiar snaphiss. It wasn't so unlike the first blade she had weilded, which had also possessed the crystal to create the white shaft of light. Though this blade was a little longer, and narrower, it fit to her hand as though it had been made specifically for her.

So transfixed was she with the weapon that she did not at first notice when Ren left. But when she went to thank him, and he was gone, she gave a little sigh.

In the beginning, she had thought she would have to face the darkness, to fight for her children, alone and unprepared. Ren, however, was proving to be more than she could have asked for. Training her, keeping her secret and hidden from those he should have told, he had done so much for her already and she knew that he would not let her face the fight alone. He would stand beside her through whatever darkness may come.

Vess smiled softly, deactivating the lightsaber and holding it reverently in the palms of her hands. " Thank you, my dear friend."

<font color=CC3333>She watched him closely, intently, studying ever move of his body as he started into the katas. The way he held his saber, the positions of his feet, the motions of his body with every sweep of the weapon. The minutes passed slowly, no sound passing between the two beside the faint hum of the Jedi Master's saber.

Once more switching on her newly given lightsaber, Vess began to mimic Ren's movements precisely.

As though moving as one, Master and Apprentice lifted their glowing sabers horizontally above their heads. Twisting their wrists they stepped forward with their right foot, bringing their weapons down in a tight diagonal arch. Continuing with the momentum of the swing their bodies turned in synch, releasing the hilt of the saber with one hand. Their sabers pulled back, their free hand guiding the blade into a deadly lunge foreward.

Vess's breathing became rhythmic as the two continued their katas, her mind becoming clearer than it had in a very long time. She closed her eyes,lost in the force, its calming properties washing over her and attempting to cleanse her of the darkness she clung to.

She shook her head, her saber stopping in mid swing, as she snapped her eyes open. She would not let the anger go. It was her only strength against the likes of those that had taken her children. Fighting fire with fire, a deadly and dangerous path to take but one she was willing to take.

Body unmoving, eyes staring hatefully ahead at the horizon, she found her thoughts drifting to the things she would do to anyone that stood in the way of her and her children.

<font color=CC3333>His words didn't initially register with her, her mind preocupied with other thoughts, but when his arms moved around her waist she jumped a little. His soft hands rested gently over hers, sending a jolt of something running through her that she had not felt for a very long time.

The rhythm of her heart quickened as they moved fluidly together and closing her eyes she let herself give in to his subtle manipulations of her body. His breath was warm against her cheek, comforting, and frightening at the same time.

But then it was gone and he was moving away from her again. She turned away as he slipped his robes and cloak back over his tunic, hoping to hide the blush rising in her cheeks.

<font color=lime>" Now, how about a friendly test of your skills?"</font>

Vess turned to look over her shoulder and chuckled at the playful grin on Ren's face as he ignighted his lightsaber. Turning completely to face him she brought up her weapon with a wink. " I promise I will go easy on you."

He came at her and she brought the saber up in a perfectly placed parry. Their weapons crackled above their heads with each strike, moving them through the camp. His grin widened as he swung his saber low in an attempt to trick her but she managed to block his attack and counter with her own.

The tip of her saber bit into the fabric of his robes and tunic beneath and he caught her weapon in a spin of his, tearing it from her hands and forcing her back against the canyon wall. His upper arm pressed against her collarbone, and he smirked.<font color=lime> " Sorry, you're dead."</font>

Her chest heaved with every breath and for a moment their eyes met, blurring everything else around them. The seconds ticked by, and finally she tore her gaze from his. " You're hurt." Her fingers reached out to touch the scorched skin that was exposed by her saber.

<font color=lime>" It's nothing,"</font> he said quietly, his hand resting on hers. She looked up at him again, into those beautiful brown eyes that seemed to look right through her. And the way he looked at her... <font color=lime>" Vess-"</font>

Vessana reached her hand up behind his head, pulling his face down to hers. Their lips met, sending that jolt she had felt earlier through her once again. The kiss was soft at first, hesitant, neither one knowing what was happening. Then his hand was dropping his saber, pressing against her lower back and pulling her tighter to him.

He knew she needed this, needed him. And it surprised to find he needed her.