Kianna arched her back bending backwards as Kira’s double light saber swept above her torso. Kianna recovered and force pushed Kira away, following up with a force leap bringing her single saber down for the killing blow, stopping short.

“Dead again Kira.” Kianna stepped back, offering her hand to the other Jedi. Kira took it and was pulled back to her feet.

“Where is Lord Scary pants?”

“Meditating in my room.” Answered Kianna, taking her Shii-cho stance.

“Your room?” Kira raised an eyebrow.

Kianna sighed, “It’s the quietest room in the ship.”

“Yea, but he’s a Sith Lord.”

“It’s against the Jedi code to be polite now?” Kianna knew where this was headed, and was sick of it.

“You shouldn’t be so familiar with him.” This was new, Kira lecturing, Kianna didn’t like it one bit, they were equals, Kianna was her former master, she deserved better.

“Don’t talk to me about being too familiar, I’m not the one currently breaking the Jedi code.” The anger was flaring again, pestering her, prodding her.

Kira’s cheeks turned red at the reference to her and Doc’s relationship. The two women burst forth, sparring, although careful not to kill, they fought viciously, Kianna felt her blade slice through Kira’s new silk robe, the girl was vain, Kira’s mouth curled, and Kianna grinned until her face met with Kira’s foot, sending her flying backwards. Kianna’s blade barely blocked Kira’s winning stroke, she sniffed and tasted blood, her nose probably broken. Kianna pressed her attack, aiming for all off Kira’s familiar weaknesses, but Kira was learning and adapting, blocking where she would normally falter. Anger prodded Kianna to go further, she came in close, neither careful anymore, she wove her lightsaber at dizzying speeds in intricate patterns, Kira struggling to block with her much larger double saber, until they were nose to nose, Kianna had her killing stroke, she just needed to slide her foot over, and she head butt Kira, returning the gift and breaking her nose in turn. She tripped on Kiannas foot, and landed on her back with a light saber at her throat. The anger called for blood, called her to end her life, this worm who didn’t give her the respect and honor she was due. Kianna smiled wickedly when she sensed Kira’s fear.

“Ladies! That’s enough!” Doc called from the door, Lord Scourge stood just inside the room with a slight smile on his face. Neither woman had heard them come in, nor knew how long they had been standing there.

Kianna looked back down at Kira’s bleeding face, remembered herself, and pulled back her lightsaber, switching it off. They were both breathing hard, Kianna offered her hand, Kira didn’t take it this time, pushing it away wiping the blood from her face.

She went to Doc who was waiting with Kolto and a bandage, she looked back at her former master, shaking her head, jaw clenching and unclenching, the room was thick with unspoken words.

“What? Say it.” Kianna challenged.

“If I had something to say, I wouldn’t hold back. You know me.”

“No I don’t Kira, that’s the problem, I don’t know you, I thought we were friends, I thought we had each other’s backs. I was there for you, I supported you when the council asked if you were still worthy of being a Jedi, I welcomed you back after you broke free from the Emperor. I thought we were sisters, but you’ve given me nothing but scorn and lectures since I broke free, and I’m sick of the double standard.” Kianna threw up her hands, pleading with her friend.

Kira watched her sad, she sensed Kianna’s conflict and passion barely being held in place under the surface, the dark side was all around her, and she had used it against Kira just now, Doc had just saved her life. She wasn’t sure Kianna even realized it, how dangerous and unstable she was. What Kianna didn’t know was that Kira had spoken to the council, privately. They had asked her if Kianna could be trusted, or if the taint was too bad, and Kira had told them Kianna was a fighter, she wouldn’t let the dark side consume her, she was stronger than that. Kira knew that in order to overcome her demons, Kianna first had to face them, but so far all Kianna wanted to do was pity herself, and place blame on others. Kira was confident that she would get there. She grabbed the extra Kolto and bandage and strode over to Kianna, and hugged her tightly.

“I am your friend, I’ll always be your friend and I’m sorry if you don’t feel like I am, sometimes love doesn’t always feel like love, but I care, and I’m here for you. You’ll be glad to have me before this is done. I promise.”

Kira walked away with Doc arm in arm, leaving Kianna standing in the middle of the cargo hold with Lord Scourge.

“How long were you there?”

“Long enough.” He seemed almost proud, impressed. “She is no match for you.”

Kianna didn’t want his compliments, “Would you have stopped me?” and Kianna’s stomach turned when he only cocked his head and gave her a slight smile, his red eyes penetrated to her very core.

“I am Sith.” Was his only answer.