Continuation of "The Healer and Her Padawan" Nerezza's POV. Enjoy!

After boarding the ship, I put in the coordinates for Umbara. Leaving Atollon's surface the ship blasted off into space. Letting out a heavy sigh, I took out one of my cortosis daggers and admired my reflection.

I don't even recognize myself...

My eyes shifted out the windshield when I saw the ship jump into hyperspace. I stared down at my dagger and sighed.

"Hey, Nerezza." Kayla said, her voice bringing back from my thoughts.

My head shot up and quickly turned to Kayla.

"I know a stressed face when I see one, and you don't have to tell me why either." Kayla said.

I let out a sigh before twirling my dagger and sliding it back into its sheath.

"It's just that, it feels like an eternity ever since I last saw my parents and siblings." I confessed.

"I know they feel the same, Nerezza. Like Zelara said, they'll be so happy to see you again after all this time." Kayla said.

I smiled softly at my friend and nodded. When we came out of hyperspace, the red planet of Umbara came into view.

"Kayla Croslea, welcome to my home; Umbara." I said.

A few Umbaran ships were coming out of hyperspace and made their way to my planet's surface. I sighed and reluctantly followed them.

"So, what part of Umbara are you meeting this friend of yours?" I asked.

"Umbara's capital city." Kayla said.

Nodding firmly, I directed the ship towards the capital city. Heading for the spaceports, I looked down at the colorful city below me.

"This city sure is dull in color... No offense," Kayla said.

"None took. But I understand what you mean. Us Umbarans can see in ultraviolet so everything to us is bright and colorful, but to a human like yourself, all you see is bluish-gray." I said.

"Yup. That's exactly what I see."

Once we reached the spaceports, I landed the ship in a clear spot.

"So, where in the Capital City is your friend?" I asked as I followed Kayla to the ramp.

"I believe he said he's at some kind of trading depot." Kayla said.

"I know the place you speak of. Stay close to me. Don't want you getting lost and causing trouble."

Kayla laughed as she and I pushed some crates ahead of us down the busy streets.

"So, is your friend an Umbaran or...?" I asked.

"No, as a matter of fact. He's a former clone general who I fought with long ago. After the war, he went into hiding, saying he came here to clear his mind." Kayla said.

"Huh. Surprised he came to Umbara of all places to clear his mind."

Kayla just shrugged with a kind smile.

A clone, huh...? I don't think I've ever met a clone before...

When we arrived at the trading depot, a lot of Umbarans were here; trading, selling, even stealing and pickpocketing.

"Hide your lightsabers well. There are more pickpockets here than traders." I warned.

"Alright." Kayla said.

Heeding my warning, Kayla tucked her weapons under her jacket, completely out of sight. I paused for a moment to do the same with my lightsaber.

"By the way, you never told me what your friend's name was." I commented.

"Omen. General Omen." said a voice behind us.

Kayla and I turned around to see a middle-aged man with silver hair and dark brown eyes. Under his arm, he had a medium-sized crate.

"Omen! It's so good to see you again." Kayla said happily.

"Right back at you, Kayla." he said.

Kayla reached out her hand and the man gladly shook it.

"So, who's the lass?" he asked.

"Right. Omen, this is Nerezza Ilona, my Padawan," Kayla said.

"General Omen. A pleasure." Omen said, extending his hand.

"Likewise." I said, shaking his hand.

"Anyway, we got what you asked for. But, do you have what I asked for?"

Omen chuckled and nodded.

"Always." he said, placing the crate down.

Kayla pushed the two crates in front of her and smiled.

"One crate of jogan fruit and one crate of shuura fruit, as requested." Kayla said.

"Thanks, Kayla. And I got the crate of medical supplies you wanted." Omen said.

Kayla nodded with a smile before making the crate hover.

"Well, it was a pleasure doing business with you, General Omen." Kayla said.

"Likewise, Kayla Croslea." Omen said.

The two of us waved goodbye as we watched Omen walk away with the two crates.

"It's so crazy to me how he's a clone, but he looks nothing like one." I said.

"Clones were made to look like humans, but with modifications and upgrades. That's why they were so fearsome during the Clone Wars." Kayla explained.

I nodded as I listened instinctively.

"Well, let's start heading to another random planet to do some training. There's a lot of things I want to show you." Kayla said.

"Okay. Fine by me." I said.

I then started pushing the floating crate back to the spaceports with Kayla right at my side. The two of us walked in peaceful silence, just enjoying each other's company.

"Nerezza?" Kayla asked.

"Yes?" I answered, turning to face my friend.

"Are you okay with not meeting your parents?"

Her question made me stop in my tracks.

"Why do you ask?" I asked.

"It's just, you were pretty nervous about what would happen if we ran into them, and since we didn't... I wanted to know if you were okay with that." Kayla said.

Kayla's words touched my heart.

She's is too kind for her own good...

I let out a sigh and smiled at my friend.

"I am a bit disappointed. I mean, they're my parents. Who wouldn't miss their own parents?" I questioned.

"I guess that makes sense..." Kayla said.

"But, to answer your question, Kayla, yes. I'm okay. It still would have been nice to see them and my little siblings."

Kayla nodded with a small smile. As we were walking, I kept thinking about my family, knowing that they're going to have to go through another day without knowing where I am or if I'm even alive. I paused and balled my hands into fists.

I don't want them to suffer anymore...

"Kayla..." I began.

My friend stopped and turned around to the sound of her name.

"I want to visit my parents." I said.

Kayla looked at me in surprise.

"Really?" Kayla asked.

"I realize now that with each passing day, my family is suffering without me. I want to make things right, and I want to start by making amends with those I love dear." I said.

Kayla smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"You've come a long way from where you are now. Your parents will be so proud of you, I just know it," Kayla said.

"I hope you're right." I said.

"Don't worry. I'll be with you every step of the way."

I placed a hand over Kayla's and smiled.

"Follow me. I know the way." I said.

"But first, let's put these medical supplies on the ship." Kayla said.

Nodding with a smile, the two of us walked back to the spaceports and put the medical supplies on the ship.

"You ready?" Kayla asked.

"Ready as I'll ever be." I said.

Walking out of the ship, the two of us walked over to the middle-caste settlement. Once I saw my house in the distance, I breathed out a shaky sigh and walked up to the large golden gates. When the scanner scanned my face, the two gates pushed open. I walked up the marble staircase with Kayla close behind. Once I reached the front door, my breathing became quick, sharp, and heavy.

You can do this, Nerezza...!

I raised my hand and knocked on the door. After a few seconds of waiting, the door opened, and I saw my little brother, Nirjis. His white eyes widened as well as his grin.

"Mother! Father! Curari! Come quick!" he shouted.

Like lightning, my parents and my little sister rushed to the door. My mother's eyes welled with tears.

I've never seen her look like this before...

She walked up to me and placed a hand on my cheek.

"Nerezza...? Is it... is it really you...?" she asked.

"It is me, Mother." I said.

I took her hand in mine and smiled.

"All me..." I said.

My mother smiled through her tears and threw her arms around me. Her action caught me off guard. I looked at my father and saw tears streaming down his cheeks. He walked up to me and embraced me tightly.

Never have I seen my parents act like this...

I looked down at my legs and saw my brother and sister hugging me as well.

"My dear Nerezza... Oh, how we missed you so..." my father said.

"Words cannot express how happy we are seeing you..." my mother said.

Their words filled my heart with love.

They really do care...

Feelings tears well up in my eyes, I wrapped my arms around family. When we parted, I averted my family's gaze and let the tears flow on their own.

"I am so sorry... I-I never meant to leave... I just... I just wanted to help our family..." I said between sobs.

"Nerezza, look at me." my father said.

I looked up at my father with teary eyes.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. If anything, we are the ones who should apologize." he said.

"You only wanted to help the family, and we didn't listen. We are so sorry..." my mother said.

I wiped away the tears and smiled at my parents.

"I forgive you... but, I understand if you do not forgive me, for endangering our family." I said.

"What you did was rash and reckless, yes. But we forgive you." my father said.

Guess I had that coming from the start.

I looked back at Kayla and smiled. Her smile was just as bright.

"Nerezza, who is that?" asked my sister, Curari.

"Oh, right. Kayla Croslea, my mother Ichtaca, my father Asrani, my brother Nirjis, and my sister Curari." I said.

My father walked up to her and bowed his head.

"Thank you for returning our daughter. We are forever in your debt." he said.

"No thanks is needed, sir. Your daughter is an amazing and strong young woman." Kayla said.

Her words brought a smile to my face.

"Please Ms. Croslea, come in." my mother said.

Accepting her offer, we all walked into the house and sat in the living room.

"So Nerezza. Tell us what you have been up to." Curari said.

"Yes! Please do! I want to know all the planets you visited!" Nirjis said.

I chill ran down my spine. I looked to Kayla with a nervous expression on my face. Kayla smiled and nodded. Taking a deep breath, I told my family everything. When I met Crowvern, how he trained me in the ways of the Sith, how I became an assassin, how Crowvern forced me to kill problematic people, how I met Zelara and the others, and almost killed them, Crowverns's death, and my near-death experience.

I told them that if it wasn't for Kayla, I would've been dead for sure.

I then told them how I acquired the White Wing Saber, how Kayla has been training me to become a Jedi, and how we're part of a rebellion. When I concluded my tale, nothing but silence filled the room. My mother was the first to speak up.

"May we see your lightsabers?" she asked, looking at Kayla and me.

We both nodded and brought out our weapons. Upon request, we ignited our weapons. My little siblings were fascinated by the blades.

"Can we touch them?" Nirjis asked.

"Unless you want your arm chopped off." I said.

Nirjis's eyes widened and he shook his head.

"Never mind...!" he said.

I chuckled at him before deactivating my weapon.

"I must say, it has been quite some time since I have seen a Jedi. But after what you told me Nerezza, anything is possible at this point." my father said.

"How did it feel killing all those people?" Curari asked.

"Curari!" my mother scolded.

"What? I'm curious."

I shook my head with a fond smile.

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to, Nerezza." Kayla said.

I raised a lazy hand at my friend smiled.

"At first, it felt kind of good, because, in my mind, I was taking out bad people. But I soon realized that I was killing innocent people just trying to get through in this galaxy. I was just following orders." I said.

Curari nodded and took note of what I said.

"What about the planets you visited? What were the terrains? What creatures were there?" Nirjis asked.

My little brother enjoys learning about other planets, even though he can't visit them.

"The planets I visited were nothing like Umbara. The terrains and creatures go hand in hand. The Force resided in every living thing I saw. And it resides in all of us as well," I said.

"Whoa! Does that mean I can lift things up in the air?" Curari asked.

"I don't think so. I mean, you must be open to the Force. Accept it as another living being." Kayla said.

"But if your will is not strong enough when you open yourself up to the Force, the Dark Side will start to turn you, and soon, you will be a servant of evil."

My siblings' eyes were sparkling with fascination.

"Nerezza, I just noticed your armor. Is that what I think it is?" my father asked.

"Your eyes do not deceive you, Father. It is indeed cortosis. I obtained some on a planet that had a ruined mine. I even made daggers." I said.

I pulled out my two daggers and twirled them before my parents.

"They're beautiful." my mother said.

"And you almost killed Zelara with those daggers?" Curari asked.

"Regrettably, yes. But I'm atoning for my crimes with the help of Kayla, Zelara, and the other Rebels." I said, sliding my daggers back in their sheaths.

I looked to my side and saw Kayla stand up. She smiled and bowed her head deeply.

"Mr. and Mrs. Ilona, thank you so much for your hospitality, but I must be on my way." she said.

"Of course. Thank you, Ms. Croslea, for returning our daughter and restoring our family. You can visit us whenever you like." my mother said.

Kayla smiled and headed for the door. I just sat in place, conflicted, and contradicting myself.

What do I do...? Do I go with my friend, or stay with my family...?

When I heard the door shut, I let out a heavy sigh.

"Nerezza." my mother said.

I looked up at my mother with tears welling up in my eyes.

"If you want to continue to travel and explore the galaxy, you have my permission." she said.

My eyes widened at what she said.

"Wait. Really?" I asked.

"We realize that this rebellion has changed you to become a better person and that it made you who you are now." my father said.

I looked between my parents and smiled.

"Thank you..." I said.

I got up and headed for the door.

"I promise to visit more often." I said.

"Bye Nerezza!" my siblings said.

I waved goodbye and rushed out the door. I ran out the gates and ran all the way to the spaceports where I saw Kayla boarding the ship.

"Kayla!" I cried.

Kayla stopped and turned around.

"Nerezza? I thought you were staying with your family." she said.

"I am staying with my family. You, Zelara, and the other Rebels are my family. And besides, I still have a lot to learn about being a Jedi, and I can't become one without my Master." I said.

Kayla's blue eyes filled with tears. Without warning, she threw her arms around me. Letting out a sigh, I wrapped my arms around her. When we parted, Kayla started walking up the ship's ramp.

"Come along, Padawan. There is still so much for you to learn." she said.

"Yes, Master." I said, walking aboard the ship.

Once the ramp shut, the ship flew off the ground and blasted into space.

My birth family may have made me, but the family I have now are the ones that changed me...

Hope you enjoyed this part. Suggestions are forever open and welcome. May the Force be with You!

💎DiamondJedi18⚔