Kurts butt hit the padded floor of the training room, his training lightsaber tumbling out of his grip.

"Do you yield?"

He glared up at the boy standing over him, lightsaber tip to his neck. Blaine Anderson smiled down at him. Any other student would have tapped him with their lightsaber and ended the duel. Handsome, talented, the best initiate in their year, Blaine was kind and Kurt hated him for it.

"No," Kurt snapped. Blaines smile falter a little. Anyone else would have gladly taken his offer. Training lightsabers werent lethal, they couldnt even sever limbs, but they did leave nasty burns. Kurt would rather take a trip across the temple to the Jedi healers than give in to Blaines kindness. A real enemy wouldnt offer kindness.

Blaine took a step back and bit his lip. It was his greatest weakness, really, not being able to actually tap the others. It was the reason hed someday lose a real duel and his life. And Kurt was going to teach him why. Today would be the day.

He reached out with the Force for his lightsaber and flipped to his feet, meeting Blaines next strike and holding his ground. They fought back across the mat, slashing, thrusting, and twisting. Kurt had him just at the edge when the Force surged around him and Blaine went sailing over his head. Before Kurt could turn, he took another foot to his back and toppled to the ground again.

"Yield?"

"No, youll have to strike me first!" Kurt glared up at him. And tried to summon his lightsaber with the Force again. Blaine blocked it and held his lightsaber to Kurts neck. "I wont yield! I wont!"

"I– Kurt, youve lost," Blaine insisted. He bit his lip again and the hand holding his lightsaber shook. "Just yield and we can take a break."

"No, I will not!"

"Kurt–"

"Younglings, yield you must."

Kurt sat up as Master Yoda limped towards them. It was only then that he realized they were the last pair in the room. He glanced at the clock and saw that it was nearly an hour after their usual release time.

"Yes, Master Yoda." Blaine bowed and thumbed his lightsaber off.

Kurt stood up and offered the same greeting to Master Yoda.

"Hmm, very late it is, Kurt, Blaine. Back to your rooms, you must go."

"But Master, we arent–"

Kurt stopped at the look on Master Yodas face. He was always overstepping and letting his tongue and temper get ahead of him. It was something all the Masters were constantly reminding him of, the reason so many had already passed him over and hadnt even given him a chance to speak. At twelve, nobody wanted a Padawan who couldnt control his anger.

"Blaine, a Jedi Knight waits to speak with you." Kurt followed the direction Master Yodas cane was pointing. "Kurt, stay for a moment, you will."

"Yes, Master."

As Blaine scooped up his outer tunic and his belt, Kurt watched the entrance to the training room. A real Jedi Knight was standing there. It was a human male, tall, broad, with dark hair and a brilliant smile. He was quite young compared to the ones who usually took a padawan, but all knights had to start somewhere. Blaine was a year younger than himself and he was about to be chosen. At this rate, Kurt would end up in the AgriCorps before someone dared to pick him and his temper.

"Master Yoda, Im sorry."

His green ears lowered as he sighed and sat down on the bench beside Kurts belt. "Much to learn you both have. Good it is to teach another his faults, but better perhaps to see your own first, hmm?"

Kurt looked down at his boots and frowned. "Yes, Master." It was true. There was no denying the trouble his temper got him in. He got into fights, especially with Blaine and the other younglings in his clan. He used the Force with anger in mind, got caught wandering about at night, and generally skipped on his mediation when he got the chance. But he had a strength in the Force the others didnt. He was sure of it.

"Hmm, mediate tonight you must. Important, it is, to join to the Force." Master Yoda nodded at him. "Tomorrow before Force training, a master will see you."

"A master? Who?"

"Tomorrow."

It was late when Blaine arrived back to their shared room. Kurt was already changed and ready for bed. Meditation could wait a while longer. Sitting around thinking about clearing your mind couldnt be that important, really.

"Hello!"

Blaine was beaming which could only mean one thing. That Jedi Knight, whoever he was, had asked to train him as a padawan.

"He took you on then?"

"He– you saw? Its– hes just a knight and Ive still got almost a year, but," Blaine shrugged as he sat down on his cot. "It just feels right. Like I know him from somewhere. We saw him in the dueling competition when we first became initiates, remember? Cooper Starkiller. He was about seventeen then, I guess."

Kurt curled his lips and rolled over to face the wall. Cooper Starkiller, of course. The best Jedi Knight in recent years, with a roaring reputation and a standing invitation to half the political and royal balls this side of the Hydian Way. Blaine would be lucky enough to be chosen by a young, intelligent, well-connected Jedi Knight.

"I said Id take the night to think about it, but I want to say yes," Blaine continued. "It feels right."

"Lucky you," Kurt snapped.

Blaine shifted on his cot. Theyd never exactly been friends, not really. Theyd been rooming together since theyd been chosen for clans. Kurt hadnt been happy about it back then. At five hed even gone to Master Yoda and tried to be placed elsewhere, but there were no moves after clans were chosen. The Jedi Knights in the cr�che chose their places as younglings and the Force was certain he should be here. The Force didnt know much if it thought him and Blaine Anderson rooming together was a good idea. They were both too good at this to ever like each other.

"Someone will come and ask you any day now, I know it," Blaine said suddenly. "I saw a man who asked you when I was meditating last–"

"Week and the week before," Kurt finished. Hed heard it for almost a year now, and the lie, because it had to be one, was getting old. Other things Blaine had seen had been proven true, it was a rare gift even for a Jedi to see such truth so clearly, but this wasnt one of those. "There is no master willing to train me, dont you get that? It doesnt matter how good I am, Im going to be a farmer and thats all there is to it."

"Youre never going to be a farmer," Blaine insisted quietly. "Ive seen us, years and years from now. There was you and your Master sitting on rocks and waterfalls. A big man, his head was going bald, he was human, and kind. We were training together with our masters, going on missions, protecting worlds we cant even dream up. You and me, always together."

"I dont want to be with you always," Kurt snapped. He threw one of his dirty tunics at Blaine and rolled away from him. "And I dont want to meditate tonight, either. Its such a waste of time."

"Its not," Blaine said. His cot squeaked as he stood up. "If you did, Im sure you could clear your mind, look through your arrogance and anger–"

"I am not arrogant," Kurt snarled. He kicked his wall as Blaine left to clean up. "Im not," he muttered against his sleep mat pillow. "I just have high standards. Theres nothing wrong with wanting to be the best."

But the best at what cost? Kurt glared at the wall and wished he could kick himself.

He woke the next morning before Blaine, and left early for breakfast and then to meditate. Master Yoda could always tell if he hadnt at least practiced a few times a week. But Kurt didnt like the silence, the ache in his head when he sat down and tried to not think. It didnt work or calm him like it did for Blaine or Rachel or any of the others. His mind was too busy to be a comfortable place. Blaine always told him to shut up and relax. Kurt always told Blaine to sit on a lightsaber.

Kurt snuck into the Room of a Thousand Fountains and climbed over stones and falls and grass to a spot hed visited his entire life. Whenever he snuck out he came here to think or to stubbornly try to meditate like he should every morning and evening. He wanted to know how to do it well, but asking someone meant having to admit he couldnt do it on his own.

The water trickled down the stones around him as he took his place in the center of the little pool. Perched on the biggest stone, Kurt crossed his legs and shut his eyes. Deep breath in, deep breath out. Release all thoughts of self, all emotion. But the rock under him was damp, the smell of water was filling his lungs, and it was impossible to ignore the constant trickling. He shifted, adjusted his legs, and tried to shut his own head up.

"Youll never get anywhere in here with a mind like that."

Kurt almost toppled off his stone into the water. A Jedi Knight, a Master, not of the High Council, but a true Master nonetheless, was settling down beside him, his dark robe sweeping around him. He was older, much older and more experienced than Cooper Starkiller, with a shiny head and a kind smile. There was a pause as the man gently squeezed Kurts shoulder.

"Jedi Master Burt Hummel," he said. "Master Yoda tells me you have a temper."

"I do not! Im just–" Kurt tried not to growl and instead grit his teeth. "I guess I get mad sometimes."

The Jedi Master chuckled and patted him on the back almost sending Kurt toppling face over butt. "To be angry is to be human. Its nothing to be embarrassed or upset about, young one. Even now, I have my moments of it. But being a Jedi means being something beyond such things, being able to harness what we are born with and to do something good for the galaxy. Do you understand?"

Kurt nodded quickly. None of his teachers ever talked like that. Everything was about purging this or that and becoming a hollow meat and bone sack for the Force to wield itself through.

"Good. Lets try meditation again. It will help guide you through understanding your anger. Face me." Kurt gave the man a funny look but turned to him. "Close your eyes now. Good." Two strong hands rubbed over Kurts temples. "Focus in, find yourself inside, find what simmers in your heart."

"But–"

"Shh, something that really means something."

Kurt thought back then, thought long and hard until he was four, during his first sneak out into the same room he was in now. It had been the first time hed really seen water or stones or anything natural. Coruscant was nothing more than a giant city-planet. Somewhere deep in the lower city there might be real land, but up this high there was nothing but creature made structures. That first visit had been a thrill beyond compare, a joy and peace hed had little understanding of since. It was the first and only time hed ever gotten along well with Blaine to his knowledge. Theyd been caught that night and punished. Even now Kurt could hear the distant sound of Blaine crying himself to sleep and his vow to never sneak out again. He hadnt been quite as keen on trouble as Kurt.

"Thats it," Master Burts voice encouraged. "Deep breath in, another out. Let the Force in, slowly at first, then all at once."

Kurt did as instructed, opened his mind and the Force rushed through him, through his limbs, his mind, his heart. He breathed out and immersed himself deeper, sinking down, down, down…

"Kurt… Kurt, its time for your classes."

Kurt hummed softly and then yelped as he was shaken.

"Hey, come on, bud. Youve got class."

"Class? But its–"

"You got very deep into your meditation," Master Burt told him as he hoisted him to his feet. "Much better than what Ive been hearing, Padawan. Come, lets get you to class before youre late."

Kurt didnt move. He stared up at Master Burt instead and tried to fathom what hed just heard. Padawan. Him! Someones Jedi apprentice!

"D- did you just– really? I mean," Kurt cleared his throat and calmed himself. "Thank you, Master. Im honored to be considered."

"I wouldnt think to choose anyone else, Padawan. Come. Well talk more after your lessons."

"Yes, Master."

That evening Kurt packed his few belongings and tried not to bounce around his room. Him! A future Jedi Knight! It was happening. All of it was happening... Just like Blaine had been saying. He looked behind him at Blaines empty shelves and his newly bare mat. Blaine was already gone, off getting ready to explore the galaxy with Cooper Starkiller.

Kurt frowned and looked the room over before he left the last time. He was moving to new quarters, joint ones with Master Burt. Hed have his own room to himself now.

"Its weird, isnt it?"

Blaine was behind him in their clans joint living space.

"Yes, were all leaving this place behind now," Kurt stepped out of their room and let the door whoosh close. "You, um, you were right. About my master."

"I know," Blaine nodded and smiled. "I knew he was coming for you soon. The Force told me."

"I just wasnt listening," Kurt said quietly. "I should have been. Should have been learning. He showed me, yknow, what youre always telling me."

Blaine nodded like he knew that, too. Maybe he did. The Force spoke to Blaine in ways it didnt or couldnt to Kurt. At least he thought it did.

"Were heading to Ilum soon, so I can make a real lightsaber," Blaine told him. "Three weeks from now."

"Thats great. Master Burt said hed take me soon, too."

"Awesome. Well, Ill be seeing you then."

Kurt nodded. "Well be seeing a lot of each other if youre right."

"I hope so," Blaine said. Then he stepped forward and hugged Kurt. It was first time Kurt could ever remember someone hugging him. He stood there, stunned long after Blaine had said goodbye and left for his new life.

"Your Padawans a bit slow."

Blaine elbowed him as little Daitri huddled between them and shivered.

"Does it always have to be so c- c- cold here?"

"Yes, Padawan. Lets head in so you can start. Blaine, hurry it up. I cant wait all month for you again."

"That was one time and it was your fault I ended up in that jungle on Raascox Three."

Kurt laughed as he headed into the crystal caves with his Padawan and Blaine leaned over the cliff side to help guide Xanta up the last sheer ice facing.

"There you go. Its a rough climb. I nearly broke my neck the first time. Master Cooper was too busy making jokes," Blaine brushed some of the snow off her and hurried her into the cave. Kurt and Daitri were already inside, draping their robes over an outcropping of rock as Kurt prepared her to go forward alone.

"What do you mean I have to go alone?" Daitri said in surprise. "Howm I supposed to know what to do?"

"With what has always guided you," Kurt told her. "Go on. You were born to do this. We wouldnt be here if you werent ready."

"I want to go in with Xanta."

Xanta took off her own cloak and unfastened her belt. "Ready?"

"Yeah, I guess. Why are you leaving your belt?" Daitri asked.

"Cause I wont need that."

Blaine and Kurt watched their Padawans head into the cave. They whispered as they walked and finally, turned the corner and disappeared.

"How long do you think well be here?" Kurt asked as he sat down and leaned against the wall.

"Well if either of them are like you were the first time you built a lightsaber, itll be a few weeks," Blaine remarked.

Kurt glared at him and snuck his foot out. When Blaine tripped and stumbled down beside him, Kurt knew it was on purpose. It had been a long time since Blaine had been out-of-tune with the Force enough to miss such a trick.

"Youre still not very nice," Blaine mumbled. He sat back against the cave wall at Kurts side. "I figure itll take them a few days, at least. Do you think theyre far enough in now?"

Kurt closed his eyes and searched for their life essence through the Force. "Yeah, theyre well in there." Blaines hand slid into his and his fingers rubbed over his knuckles. "How long do you think itll take them to figure us out?"

"A long time, I hope," Blaine said. "If anyone knew, if anyone ever found out, wed be thrown out of the order. A Jedi shall not love."

"Not the way I love you at any rate," Kurt agreed. "I cant believe you were right. All these years later and here we are, always together."

"The Council thinks we make a wonderful team. Its the reason weve been given all of these missions together for so long," Blaine reminded him. He dropped his head onto Kurts shoulder. "I think Master Yoda knows, or at least suspects. They might all know, with as great a team as we are."

"As long as we get to have this life together, then Im okay."

"Yeah, me, too."