❝ what are you doing here, obi-wan? ❞

―

"VENA."

The brunette's head suddenly snapped up, gazing back at the elderly woman whom was calling out for her. Carina finished picking the last of the fruit before picking up the crate, heading towards the woman, "Here you are, Micha."

The lady smiled gratefully at her as she took the basket, "Thank you, my dear girl."

Carina slightly smiled, "My pleasure."

The Algora girl watched the woman retreat back into her house. Carina smoothed down her wool pants before turning on her heel to tread further into the forest, feeling the humidity even more as it had rained the night before.

The brunette stepped over a large root before ducking under a few bushes, she had gotten into her daily routine. She would wake up, prepare something for herself before heading out to help the neighboring people with their chores. Carina did what she could to aid others, feeling as if it was the only purpose she had left in her life.

Carina was making her way to her own little hut to continue with her day. The brunette pulled her hair up into a loose low bun as she arrived at the only home she had now. Carina stepped into the hut before setting her gaze on the bamboo pole she had, taking ahold of the stick she walked back out into the small area near her house, spinning the pole in her grasp just as she used to with her saber.

Carina slashed the stick through the empty space before her as she practiced her old fighting form. Chest heaving as she moved swiftly on her feet, turning and spinning her body.

The brunette suddenly hit her pole against another rooted bamboo, her heavy pants echoing around her as she stared ahead. Carina blinked and for the smallest moment, she saw a glimpse of a blue saber clashing against her golden lit one.

Anakin's eyes suddenly burned into her, Carina choked on a gasp before she stumbled backwards. Breathing heavily, blinking quickly as she gazed at the bamboo stick that only mere moments ago, appeared as a saber.

Carina placed her finger tips to her temple, glimpses from the fight on Mustafar that happened so many years ago continued to plague her mind. The brunette shook her head, she had to forget about him. He was gone.

Carina turned to head back into her house, setting her pole against the wall before she headed to the small fire she had to heat up her lunch, stirring the chunky soup as it boiled in its pan.

The Algora girl picked up a metal spoon, beginning to eat her meal as she took a seat on a small wooden chair. She blew a little, seeing steam rise from the liquid before eating. Carina finished her plate, standing as she placed the dirty dish in a bowl where she washed her dishes before walking across the room, halting in her steps as she gazed down at her storage trunk.

The brunette had forgotten what she even held in the storage crate, it had been too long since she had taken a glimpse inside.

Carina lifted the top as a creak echoed because of it, the trunk was old, she was surprised it was even still in one piece. The girl gazed at her utility belt, pressing her lips firmly together, she shuffled through the crate more before something painfully familiar caught her eye. She peered down, reaching with her hand as she slowly took ahold of a wooden necklace, inhaling sharply as a rush of memories clouded her thoughts just by seeing the simple piece of jewelry.

Anakin.

His name chanted in her mind as she remembered the day he had gifted it to her. Carina closed her eyes, fighting off emotions that were threatening to surface. The brunette quickly let go of the necklace before shutting the trunk tightly.

The past would stay in the past.

―

Obi-Wan slipped off of the back of his animal, adjusting his coat before beginning to walk towards the entrance of his cave. Kenobi gazed down at his security droid that popped up from the sand, lips pursed in concern as the light flashed red.

Someone had gone inside.

Obi-Wan carefully made his way into the cave, keeping a close eye out as he took in his surroundings. His slow footsteps could be heard as a figure wearing a robe stood in the middle of the cave, gazing out into the opening.

The figure moved as they took their hood off whilst speaking, "She's headed for Daiyu." Obi-Wan watched as Bail turned to meet his cautious eyes, lips parting in surprise, "You should not have come."

Bail clasped his hands together, "They hid their signature behind a freight transport. The ship is on its way there now." Obi-Wan swallowed thickly, "I can't."

Bail held a determined glint in his eyes before raising his head, he knew the one person that would do anything to save Leia, "If you won't, then she will."

Kenobi blinked, he knew precisely who he was talking about. Carina Algora, a name he hadn't uttered in too long. "She hasn't been seen in ten years, Bail. You'll never find her."

"But you can."

Obi-Wan gazed intently at his old friend, "No—"

"You know where she is, Obi-Wan. I know you do. If there's one person that still has Carina's trusts, it's you. You know where she's been all these years."

Bail wasn't mistaken, Obi-Wan knew the planet his dearest friend was lurking on. "I promised her I'd watch over Luke." Bail pursed his lips, "And what would she think if she knew you did nothing to help save her daughter?"

Obi-Wan stood utterly silent, she would never forgive him. That much he was sure of, but then again, he hadn't heard from the girl in years. If he himself changed with the war that was lost, he didn't want to imagine how much young Carina had.

"You couldn't save Anakin."

Obi-Wan slightly flinched upon hearing the name, as if he had been slapped. Guilt clouding his thoughts as he swallowed a lump in his throat.

"But you can save her."

Obi-Wan gazed at the ground below, "And what if I can't? I don't know if I can bear to let Carina down once again."

Bail gave his friend a sympathetic smile, "It's Carina, there is no one she trusts more than you. I only trust the two of you to save her."

"Please, old friend. For her. One last fight."

―

Carina raked her fingers through her brown locks before grabbing a wrist tie she had made some time ago. The girl pulled her hair up into a ponytail, reaching over to grab her bamboo pole when she suddenly halted her movements.

Carina stood completely still as she listened intently, the girl felt a sudden presence behind herself. She swiftly turned, aiming her stick up as she stood just short of the unknown persons neck. Carina parted her chapped lips, blinking a few times as she gazed at Obi-Wan standing right before her.

Carina shut her eyes harshly, convinced it was another one of her hallucinations, but when she reopened her view, he still stood there.

Obi-Wan couldn't help but feel slight amusement upon seeing the girl attempt to blink him away, though, he did not show it on his expression, which was stern.

The male cleared his throat, "I'm very real, I assure you." Carina pulled the pole back into her side, clenching her jaw slightly as she really wished she had been hallucinating.

"What are you doing here, Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan saw not even a speck of a welcoming glint in her hazel eyes. She was not too pleased with his sudden arrival, that much, he could tell.

"I need your help, Carina."

The brunette eyes him for a moment longer, lips tightly pursed before she set her training stick against the wall of the cabin, turning around as she meekly responded, "I don't do those types of favors anymore. Find someone else."

If Obi-Wan was asking for help she knew it had something to do with the Empire, to which she wanted nothing to do with.

Obi-Wan parted his lips to attempt to reason with the girl, "Carina—"

"I said no. Now get out." Carina continued into her kitchen when Obi-Wan suddenly blurted, "It's Leia."

The mother halted in her footsteps, his words echoing in her ears as she slowly peered back at him, "What?"

Kenobi thought of multiple ways he could take the current situation, "She was taken."

Carina clenched her fists until her knuckles were white. She could never receive any good news, could she?

"Who took her?"

"No one knows, though it appeared they were waiting for her. She's heading for Daiyu."

Carina did not like hearing that her daughter was heading straight for her home planet, for she knew no pleasant things occurred there.

Carina closed her eyes, conflict coursing through her mind due to the situation at hand. Whoever had taken Leia, it was evident they were attempting to bait someone out. Who? Now that was the question.

Carina blinked as she met Obi-Wan's expecting blue eyes, everyone thought she was dead. It was how things were supposed to stay for a very long time, but it seemed as that plan had gone to the gutter.

If there was anyone she would risk her exposure for, it would be for her children.

Carina licked her lips, "Do you have a ride?"

Obi-Wan couldn't help the small smile that spread onto his lips upon hearing such words.

He nodded as the brunette was quick to add, "I am doing this for my daughter and my daughter only. Once she is safe and back in Alderaan I will be returning here where I will live out my days, understood?"

Obi-Wan parted his lips to speak but was quick to purse them once again, merely agreeing with her statement.

The male extended his hand out as Carina peered down at what was in his grasp. Her breathing slightly picked up at the sight of her saber.

It had been so long since she had last seen it, having left the weapon with Obi-Wan, who apparently, kept the old thing.

"Might need a weapon."

Carina swallowed a lump in her throat, tearing her eyes away from her weapon as she slowly pushed his hand away whilst shaking her head.

"I don't want it, hold onto it if you'd like or throw it into a lake, I really don't care."

Obi-Wan pursed his lips in understanding, he couldn't blame the girl for the resentment she held. The saber was a reminder of many many things, perhaps ones that a person would not to relive.

Carina had to give up her two children while having to accept that their father had to be killed.

It was not an easy toll on the mind. Obi-Wan nodded, slipping the weapon back into his utility belt. He wasn't going to get rid of the weapon either.

Carina was stubborn but he knew, she would wield her lightsaber once again.

Kenobi straightened up as he gestured towards the exit. They had a long way ahead of them.

Daiyu was their next stop.

—

AUTHORS NOTE,
i don't know if i like my writing in this