•

  IT WAS INFURIATING HAVING to be watched like a child. Xzara had no privacy with the Jedi constantly watching her, but she obeyed her father's wishes for them to do so or else she would have snuck off by now. She didn't speak to them, only nodding or shaking her head to answer — yes, it was petty, but just because she complied with their presence didn't mean she had to like it.

On top of her newfound lack of privacy, she had to deal with her annoying thoughts on the Jedi Master, Obi-Wan. Something about him pulled her in, intrigued her.

Another day had passed and as usual, was uneventful. Xzara wasn't allowed in her family war discussions, so most of her time was spent as it had always been — training. Working up a sweat was her only way to get her anger out, she had been training so intensely that her body didn't feel the pain anymore.

The two Jedi and padawan stood silent on the opposite side of the room, mingling amongst themselves. It seemed that they were even bored with their given task.

With a groan, Xzara destroyed her last training dummy. She stood for a moment, her hands on her knees, attempting to catch her breath. "That was quite the show." The recognizable voice of Obi-Wan cut through the rooms' tight silence.

Xzara whipped around, her usual hard glare softening at the man's smile. "Excuse me?"

Anakin piped up. "Your skill with a bo staff is impressive. You would make one hell of a Jedi." He laughed.

Xzara tilted her head at the image of herself being a Jedi. "I don't think I would. But I do like the robes," She smiled softly. "They look comfy."

This earned a laugh from all three of them, but it soon fell into an awkward silence. Xzara sighed, glancing down. "I need to shower." She walked passed the Jedi, who followed her out of the training room and down to her quarters.

"We'll be out here if you need us," Obi-Wan smiled at her. "Ahsoka will be inside, giving you privacy, of course."

"Of course," Xzara smiled ruefully. Turning her back, she marched into the washroom, not bothering to look at the padawan behind her. Letting out a shaky sigh, she began to strip, taking her time with the sweaty clothing at clung to her skin.

She took even longer in her shower until her skin turned red and her fingers and toes wrinkled. Her mind was blank, no thoughts, nothing, but her chest ached and she didn't know why. The ache was almost constant for her, ever since her rescue, and no matter how hard she trained and how long she studied, it wouldn't go away.

It seemed to worsen every time she laid eyes on the Jedi — those sworn to protect her. She didn't hate them, but seeing them every day, following her around her daily routine, it made her feel weak. The feeling of weakness wasn't a new feeling to her, no, her brothers and father made it known that she was weak, that she needed to be protected.

She knew her older brothers hated her, they lost their beloved mother because of her. They would go out of her way to make her feel inferior every single day of her childhood. The only family she was close with was Seth and Magnus, but they were off training to be soldiers, protectors of their home, they had no time for girly problems, no matter how hard they tried to make her feel included.

She was shielded as a child, not allowed to walk to school by herself or go anywhere by herself for that matter. Her father kept her close, and soon school came to her, teachers from across the land coming to the palace at a chance to teach the princess.

As those memories of her childhood flooded Xzara's mind, Obi-Wan and Anakin stood watch outside of her quarters, straight-faced, silent. That was, until, Anakin began to speak. "She is quite the woman, huh, Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan took a sharp breath in. "That she is. I'm surprised she needs our protection, she seems to do quite well on her own."

Anakin laughed. "It's obvious she doesn't want us here," He paused, playfully glancing at his friend. "Maybe not me and Ahsoka...but she's taken a liking to you."

"I'm..." Obi-Wan's breath hitched, as thoughts of the princess's blonde hair and sharp blue eyes encapsulated him. He shook his head hastily. "I'm not sure what you mean." He scolded himself internally, knowing where those thoughts could lead, same as Satine.

Anakin laughed once more, patting Obi-Wan's back. "You are oblivious, my friend, completely oblivious."

They both jumped forward, sensing the door was about to open. It swung open, Ahsoka was upfront, her face bright with a smile. Xzara stood behind her, a small smile of her own on her face. "Xzara has suggested we take her to the wilds! She wants to show me the fathiers!"

Anakin smiled. "Sounds like a great idea, show us the way, your highness."

  Xzara and Ahsoka walked ahead of the male Jedi as they trekked through the fields y'all grass. Ahsoka asked constant questions, Xzara was happy to answer them all. She never had anyone to talk about the wildlife with, so Ahsoka's excitement was refreshing. "We're nearing the herd!" Xzara called out, watching the hoof prints on the ground and the eaten grass — the shorter it was, the closer they were.

"Great news." Obi-Wan huffed.

Xzara turned to him with a smirk. "Not enjoying the hike, Jedi Master?" She quipped playfully.

Obi-Wan contained his blush. "Of course I am your highness. You have a beautiful planet."

"Thank you," Xzara chuckled, turning her attention back to tracking. She could feel the remnants of a blush across her cheeks. A loud whinny sounded and Xzara lit up. "Over here!" Hiking up the skirt of her dress, she began to run, the Jedi all following suit.

She stopped at the edge of a small cliffside. Just below, at the line between the beach and field was the herd of Fathiers, beautiful horse-like creatures native to Xzara's home, who were sadly being stolen by smugglers, not that her father cared.

"Wow!" Ahsoka gasped as she approached Xzara. "They're so big!"

Xzara chuckled. "They're very friendly if they trust you, sweet and loving. But brutal if threatened, so don't do running down there."

Obi-Wan stood on her other side. "They're very connected to the force, beautiful creatures."

Xzara turned to him, smiling. "I helped deliver one of their foals when I was ten, she still finds me every now and then. She loves water apples."

"Does she?" Obi-Wan smirked. Xzara had fully turned to him, looking up into his eyes. They got so caught up in gazing, that they didn't notice the fathier coming right towards them.

"Um, Princess Xzara?" Ahsoka pulled her sleeve. "Should we be worried?"

Xzara quickly turned from Obi-Wan, clearing her throat. "Pardon?" Ahsoka pointed to the beach, where a rather large fathier was running towards them. Xzara smiled wide. "No! That's her!" She met the fathier halfway, wrapping her arms around her large neck. "I've missed you old friend." She mumbled.

The fathier whinnied, nuzzling Xzara softly. "Come, you three, meet Abigail." Anakin was first, followed by Ahsoka than Obi-Wan. One by one they introduced themselves and soon they were relaxing with the herd on the beach, not a care in the world.

꧁꧂
Authors note

Why, hello! Sorry for taking so long to update and sorry for how short this was! I just finished up school so for the next week I should be writing a lot more until I start my accelerated course for summer school. I will try my best to write for y'all! But did you like the chapter? A little more Obi-Wan and Xzara action. I'm trying to portray their immediate attraction for each other. And another thing! Obi-Wan and Satine never had a thing in my story, just in case y'all were confused.