Do I Live For Nothing (Page 22 of 25)

"Well Rane, you gave us all quite a scare." says Vector. "Glad to see you have survived." Liar! or was it a lie? I don't know...

Yi'shar walks out. He wasn't really sure how to feel. Rane's battle with the darkside had definitely frightened him, but he wasn't sure that he would have wanted him dead after all. Still, whatever the man's problem was, Yi'shar vowed to himself by every oath he knew that he would not allow Rane to hurt his master.

Vector turned to Arvisikh. "I think I should leave now as well... You will see that he is well taken care of I trust?"

Vector was really more concerned with Sara. How had this contact with Rane's darkness, this shadow of evil from his past, affected her? Would she be strong enough if such a darkness came again? Vector looked at her, worried. Try as he might, he could not stop wishing that those were his own arms wrapped around her, not Rane's.

I Am Jedi

Vector turns and looks at Rane.

"You need something?"

As much as he wanted to follow Sara immediately, he knew he needed to give this man his attention. The suffering he had just gone through had helped Vector to see the pain in his life. I really do pity him

I Am Jedi

Vector walks over and looks down at Rane.

"I made the mistake of letting her do this. She was trying to save you, but I sensed something may go wrong. Now that I understand the true danger, I can assure you it won't happen again."

Vector turns and walks to the door. He stops there and looks back at Rane.

"You know that I would give my life for Sara. I believe you would to. So believe me when I say I would do anything to keep her from being hurt."

Vector smiles faintly.

"I'm glad you're alright. Get some rest."

I Am Jedi

Vector walks over to Yi'shar, who is standing staring blankly off into the distance.

"Where's Sara?" Vector asks.

Yi'shar nods his head back in the direction of the hangar, but remains silent. Vector turns to leave, then hesitates.

"Is something wrong padawan?"

"We need to leave...soon..." says Yi'shar quietly. "And without him. I understand your feelings, but he could kill us all. It's not safe anymore."

"We will leave soon Yi'shar. Whether Ranes goes with us or not will be decided later. Trust me."

Vector walks into the hangar, looking for Sara. "Sara?"

I Am Jedi

Rane shoves the Sith holocron into the bag the Elder handed him, hating the way it made his skin crawl when he touched it. It... called to him. Like nothing else ever would. The taint was still there... after all these years. He really didn't have much faith in himself to withstand what they would face later on. But he had... some faith in Vector. He believed the Jedi would protect Sara no matter what.

Even if that meant killing Rane.

Rane turns back to Arvisikh and holds out his hand. Arvisikh merely looks at it and shakes his head. "I've stated my opinion on the matter," he said slowly in his native language so Rane's still throbbing brain could piece the words together.

"I am washing my hands of the matter, Rane. If you go down this road... I won't follow this time."

"I didn't ask you to, Arvisikh," Rane spits out. "You paid your damn debt, that's all this was!"

"Put at what cost?" Arvisikh asks somberly. "This path is dangerous and you know it. You forget who I am, Rane," Arvisikh growls. "I can see what you hide from Sara and the other Jedi. Being around her... I don't know what it did to you. But be sure you know I can see it calling to you, clawing at you, and you're slowly slipping up. It won't be too long now. You'll have to do it soon... friend."

Rane nods sadly. It had been too long. He should have done it years ago... but, no. Not right now. Not when he was so close to getting her back. Maybe that could change it all. Change him. He had to try.

"If I don't come back..." Rane begins.

Arvisikh nods in understanding as Rane heads towards the exit of the hut. Rane glances over his shoulder. "If I do come back... just be ready... friend."

And with that he leaves.

...Hanger...

Sara doesn't turn to look at Vector as he walks into the hanger. She didn't want anyone around her. Not right now. She shivers. She could still feel that... thing... whatever it was slithering over her skin. She shouldn't have done it... but she had too. She would have hated herself if she hadn't have tried.

But she did save him in the end. Or had she? She had felt something chillingly familiar in him after he woke up and it scared her to her very bones. Like there was something else there... someone else. But she couldn't go around assumming things. He wouldn't do it again. He'd said so... and Rane always kept his word.

She quickly wipes away the tears from her eyes and cheeks and Vector comes up behind her.

Sara shifts uncomfortablely. She felt so vulnerable, so weak. That same helpless girl she'd been all those years ago, unable to stop him from hurting her. She pulled her knees up to her chest, wiping the tears from her face.

"I'm fine," she answers slowly, shivering.

...Meanwhile...

Rane exits the Medicine Hut, blinking a few times so his eyes can adjust to the bright sunlight outside. He senses Yi'shar through the Force, a sudden dark instinct that causes his blood to run cold. It'd been so long since he'd killed a Jedi... so long. His heart beats faster as he steps towards the young Jedi. The poor boy jumps when Rane grabs his shoulder firmly. Rane hadn't even realized he had masked his presence until then.

He glares at Yi'shar. "Where's Sara?" he growls in a threatening tone.

Sara flinches away from Vector at the small movement before relaxing as she realizes he's only being sweet, caring.

She shakes her head. "I'm fine, Vector... thanks..."

...Meanwhile...

Rane growls again. That damn Jedi. Sara was his, damn it! His! Rane storms off towards the hanger. As he does Yi'shar notices the bag in his hand and the tainted faint red glow it emits.

Rane tries to force himself to focus. Vector was on his side! ... Or was he? He felt the Jedi's conflicting emotions. Vector had been extremely hesitant about Rane joining their little "group". Never trusted him, always watched him... waiting for that moment. Just like he had.

All the sudden his memories become harsh reality. Rane growls beneath his breath. He had buried those memories -that part of him -a long time ago... in hopes of a new start. Forgiveness. But those dreams seemed to always be crashing down around him. Rane falls to his knees, mere feet away from the hanger doors, as tears sting his eyes.

He had hurt her! Above all, he had hurt her the most! He'd given everything for her and still he seemed damned to never find the forgiveness he sought. She said the words and still he felt empty inside... dead. His heart for the one of hers he'd broken over and over again.

Rane glances at the bag that still hangs from his hand. He had driven Rane to it all, this... this power had made him crazed and when he had walked away- for her- she had ended up paying the price. Now it seemed to be happening again.

The anger, the hate, everything. He couldn't stop the power flowing through his veins, or quiet the sudden awoken hunger. He was falling back again... breaking the promise he had made her bit by aching bit. No. No! He refused to hurt her again. Everything he did was for her.

He had to stop... for her...

...Meanwhile...

Sara looks at Vector, sensing his uneasiness at Rane's approach. She searches through the Force, to calm Rane. He was the extremely jealous type. Sara freezes suddenly, starring at the hanger doors with eyes that scream horror. She hadn't found Rane, but instead the all too familiar beast of rage. Could it be? Had he gone back? Broken his promise? No... she felt him, fighting for control. Fighting for her.

Unsure what to do, whether to look for what was about to come through the hanger door, or turn his attention to Sara. The darkness was growing, although he could sense little of its intent.

"What is that..." whispers Vector.

Yi'shar finally reaches the rear door of the hanger, panting, out of breath. He reaches down to his belt and pulls off his saber. Whatever Rane had in mind, he was not about to let Vector face him alone.

I Am Jedi