"The key to balance is to not think about it. A Jedi must have a calm and clear mind to focus on any task." Kanan instructed to Ezra. The two were balancing on separate stacks of crates on top of the Ghost. Kanan was showing off in front of his padawan by stand on his hands on a stack of several tall crates. Kanan then smiled cockily as he jumped to perform a flip in the air as he landed on the crates once more with only one hand now keeping him poised, "Easy," Kanan showed off as he glanced at his padawan.

Ezra, while in amazement of Kanan, was having a hard time keeping balance on only two small crates with just one foot on top.

"How can I keep my balance if I shouldn't think about it?" Ezra questioned as we swayed back and forth, frustrated with himself at his lack of balance.

"Remember what I said, try to find your center," Kanan said as he closed his eyes and recalled his own focus.

"How do I…" Before Ezra could finish his question however, he lost full balance and he began to fall back. He tried to bend his body forward when he heard a rip of fabric behind him. The shock of the tear made Ezra lose complete focus before he fell down on his back.

"Ow!" Ezra cried out as he felt a bruise already forming on his bottom.

'Ezra!?" Kanan asked as he heard the fall. Kanan hopped down and ran up to the kid as he sat up.

"I'm okay Kanan," Ezra assured his master as he stood up with a weak smile. Kanan never-the-less looked him over to make sure he truly alright. After seeing that Ezra did not have anything broken or cracked, he ruffled Ezra's hair as a way to tell Ezra that he was indeed fine.

That was when Kanan noticed the back of Ezra's shirt was ripped from the collar to his mid-back.

"Well besides the ripped shirt, you do seem alright." Kanan chuckled in relief, "Why don't you go change before we continue."

Ezra went from bashful to nervous, looking away as he admitted, "I kind of… can't."

Kanan was a little confused, "Why not?" Kanan then thought of the most obvious answer, "Did you forget to bring your laundry to the wash?"

"No…" Ezra replied as he rubbed the back of his neck, "It's just that this shirt was the only one."

Kanan was a little confused, "What?"

In Ezra and Zeb's conjoined from, Kanan looked over Ezra's clothes and realized what the kid meant. Every one of Ezra's shirts had a rip in it; if not the collar then the sleeves, if not the sleeves the lower hem. Ezra, now wearing his old shrunken Kanan shirt, looked away almost embarrassed.

"Ezra, why didn't you tell us that all your shirts were ripped."

"Well..." Ezra began to explain when Zeb entered the room.

"What's going on?" The Lasat asked as he saw an array of Ezra's clothes around the room.

"Did you forget to get your clothes to the wash again kid?" Zeb questioned.

"Why does everyone keep asking me that." Ezra protested, "What happened was-,"

Just then Hera, who was walking to the kitchen, saw the mess of ripped clothes and entered the cabin as she looked around in bewilderment, "What the hell happened?"

"I didn't mean to rip them," Ezra exclaimed to the others finally before looking away in shame, "it was an accident".

The others looked at Ezra when Hera assured the youngling, "We know you would never do this on purpose." Hera smiled as she questioned what they all were thinking, "How did you rip them, Hun?"

"I don't know," Ezra stated as he went on, "I was just putting on something for the day, but nothing fit right like normal. It seemed like everything was too snug or too short on me."

"What's going on?" Sabine's voice was heard at the doorway when she came into the scene. She saw the mess of clothes on the ground and then to the others in the room in confusion, wondering what was going on.

"Turns out that Ezra's having a war on fashion," Zeb joked around. Only he laughed at his joke

Hera then took control of the explanation to Sabine, "It seems that all of Ezra's clothes keep ripping and tearing as he puts them on."

Sabine smiled as she seemed to almost gleam at the news "Ah, well it was only a matter of time."

The others looked at her a little bewildered. Sabine saw the confused look the rest of the crew and her smile faded a bit.

"You guys know what's going on, right?" Sabine questioned with some concern for what seemed to be their naïve moment.

"No," Kanan answered with no confidence what-so-ever, "My theory is the laundry. I mean one of my shirts has shrunk in the washer before."

"Or, it could be…" Sabine tried to lead on for the others to continue, but to her dismay, no one picked up on where she was going.

Sabine rolled her eyes and stood next to Ezra, "Haven't you guys noticed a change in Ezra lately?"

Kanan took a guess, "His hair is getting longer? What does that have to do with his shirts ripping up?"

"Ezra is... getting… stronger? Too strong and he is ripping his shirts on accident?" Zeb took a shot in the dark, though his twisted face showed he was just as unsure as Kanan.

Suddenly; as if a lightbulb flashed above Hera, she slammed her fist into her other palm in excitement at her epiphany, "He's gotten taller!"

Sabine snapped her fingers and pointed to Hera as she was beaming, "Exactly!"

"I am!?" Ezra questioned as he got stoked at the knowledge that he was growing up.

Zeb looked down at the kid and admitted, "I don't see it."

Sabine explained, "Well you're taller than all of us. It's probably harder for you to tell. But when Ezra first met us, he was barely at my hip," She then put her hand on Ezra's head and measured him up to her, "Now he is at least up to my belly button."

Ezra chuckled as he became more excited at the news, "So I'm growing up."

Sabine chuckled as she ruffled his hair, "Only in height kiddo."

Hera then placed her hand on Ezra's head and measured, "We should keep track of this."

Ezra once more radiated in joy, "At my old house, my mom kept my height against the wall of the kitchen."

Hera smiled at the idea, "I don't see why we can't do that."

The cheerful mood of the crew was cut when Kanan cleared his voice. Once the others turned to him, he pointed out an important fact.

"While this is pretty good news, we still need to address the fact that Ezra now only has ripped clothes."

Hera smiled as she stated the obvious, "We'll have to go shopping to get him some new ones."

The delight in Ezra's face turned to grimace as he made a groan as he rolled his head back, "But clothes shopping is so boring."

Hera smiled as she had Ezra lift his head up, "We'll be there, and nothing gets boring when we are there."

Ezra thought about this before he pointed out, "It's expensive to shop for clothes though."

Sabine laughed at this notion, "Not if you know where to shop. Plus, we have some extra money from the last mission."

Ezra though looked uncomfortable at the idea of money being spent on him. Kanan could easily sense this and reminded Ezra with reassurance, "Remember, if you need it, then it's not a waste, right?"

Ezra smiled at this reminder before he looked down and held out the long shirt that once belonged to Kanan. Ezra did not need to speak for the crew to realize he couldn't go out in public in an over-grown shirt.

Sabine once again smiled as she started brainstorming, "I think I have an idea."

Kanan and Zeb had decided to stay with the ship. The two knew little about clothes and figured they would only get in the way. With the Ghost guarded, Hera, Sabine, Chopper, and Ezra (wearing one of Sabine's old yellow hoodies) were heading into the city.

Ezra looked down at the hoodie as they parked the speeders. The yellow hoodie was the perfect size for him. It had been Sabine's years ago but when she outgrew it, she kept it as a rag when she was painting. The hoodie had spots of paint splattered all over. Ezra thought of speckled rainbows when he looked down at it; it was cool to him.

"Sometimes the best art is the one you made on accident." Sabine told Ezra as she saw him admire her accidental work and pointed out, "You can keep it if you want."

"Cool, thank Sabine." Ezra looked up and smiled in appreciation.

Hera smiled at the two. Hera told Chopper to stay with the speeders as they were about to enter the store.

"Alright," Hera spoke up to the others to hear as she got the datapad out to go over her list, "We have the list and the credits so let's get started. Ezra, what size in pants are you?"

"Ahh…." Ezra tried to answer, but for the life of him had no idea.
"Shirt size?" Hera tried again, to start with something simpler for him.

Ezra blushed and smiled as he shrugged his shoulders.

Hera smiled at her youngling kindly. Of course, the child wouldn't take notice of his size. Ezra would be happy with a sack to wear, just as long as it fits. Hera patted his shoulders and assured him, "We'll find your size."

Ezra smiled as the three entered the store. Hera looked around the store. The layout was pretty simple. The thrift store they entered had a little bit of everything; with travel supplies as they entered, to living items at the rear. Hera saw to her right exactly what they needed; the clothing section for boys. A dark-skinned young human woman with dreadlocks came up to them with a smile on her face.

"Hi, can I help you?" she asked politely.

"We need to know where the fitting rooms are," Hera asked nicely.

The woman smiled as she led them to the back of the store.

The three were led to a variety of changing sections. Hera turned to Sabine, "Why don't you get a few shirts and pants sizes so we can see what best fits him."

Sabine smiled as she went to do exactly that.

"Is there anything else I can help you with?" The woman asked.

Hera shook her head and politely said, "We should be all set, but we'll ask if we need any help."

The woman nodded and went about her work. Shortly after, Sabine came back with some variety in shirts and pants and handed them to Ezra.

"Try these on in there and let us know what fits best," Sabine instructed.

"Cool," Ezra said as he entered the changing room and closed the door. It took a few minutes before Ezra came out and proclaimed. "I am size six in pants and XS in shirts.

Hera shrugged her shoulders. She knew that was still a bit small, but she knew it could be much smaller, "Alright then, we know the sizes so let's go."

Ezra smiled as the three then went around the clothing area for what the youngling would like and needed.

"Hey Ezra look," Sabine smiled as she found an orange jumpsuit. It had multiple pockets and the material was soft. Ezra felt it and smiled at how cool it looked and how nice it felt.

Hera smiled at it as she knew it looked like the cadet uniform Sabine had dyed for him when they first met, but this time it would be imperial free and all Ezra's.

"Find the right size and put it in the cart," Hera instructed them. Sabine helped Ezra find the right size. The three continued as they gathered up a few more shirts, pants, some undergarments, and even got Ezra a pair of boots (the ones Ezra was wearing at the moment had a hole in the toe).

It did not take too long to get what they needed and soon the three went up to check out.

"I hope you found everything you guys needed?" The woman from before asked as she checked them out.

Hera smiled as she told the lady, "We did."

The woman once again smiled. Hera payed for the items, the woman bid them a good day as the crew headed back home.

Once back to the Ghost, they found Zeb outside, practicing some fight forms. Once the speeders were parked, Ezra and Sabine ran up to Zeb to show him what they got for the youngest Specter.

Hera looked around and asked Zeb, "Where's Kanan?"

Zeb looked up from the boots Ezra was showing him, "Said he needed to meditate for a bit and went to his cabin."

Hera went inside but before she did, looked back at how Ezra was ecstatic at the new items he had. Hera seldom wondered when the last time he had gotten something new. The crew had been lucky that a majority of the clothes they found at Ezra's old place had fit him fine. Hera had speculated because being on the streets and in imperial custody made Ezra lose quite a bit of weight. This made Hera smile now that they had gotten Ezra thing's he not only needed but made him feel so special. It all made Hera's heart soar for her child.

Hera soon returned to her mission and went to get Kanan.

Hera knocked on his door before entering on her own, "Hey Kanan, do you want to take a…"

Hera was a little confused by what she saw. Instead of meditating as Zeb had thought, Kanan was going over holo-pictures, going back and forth between them. Kanan didn't even look up to see who had entered his room; Hera worried that Kanan hadn't even bothered to sense who was around him. As Hera approached Kanan, she saw what all these pictures had in common; Ezra. Some of the pictures were cute ones a crew member had taken, while others were selfie pictures Ezra took with them.

Hera saw Kanan looking at each picture, his brow furrowed in frustration as he analyzed each one. Hera noticed how Kanan's eyes were bloodshot from his time looking at the screen for too long. This was a sure sign for Hera that Kanan had been looking at these pictures since she and the kids went shopping. This was too painful for Hera to look at any longer.

"Hey?" Hera announced her presence.

It took a moment for Kanan to even come up with the simplest of replies, "Hey."

Hera became more concerned when Kanan then went back and forth with one picture of Sabine and Ezra taking a picture together after Ezra's first mission, and another of Ezra sleeping on the couch when Hera claimed it was 'too cute not to take'.

Hera became worried for Kanan and began to feel his forehead to see if an illness was the cause of this odd behavior.

Kanan finally took his focus off the pictures and looked up at Hera, "Can I help you?"

"So, you're still with us?" Hera remarked, "Care to tell me what you are doing?"

Kanan went back to the pictures as he told Kanan, "I'm trying to figure out when Ezra grew?"

Hera was perplexed by this answer, "What?"

Kanan turned to Hera once more, "Well it didn't just happen overnight? Ezra grew at a certain point and I need to know in case it happens again?"

Hera couldn't help but laugh as she sat next to him and held his hand, "Of course it didn't happen overnight; and of course, he's going to keep growing. Ezra is a growing boy."

Kanan then sighed and defeat and asked Hera as he himself was looking down, "How long has he been with us?"

Hera thought about it for a bit before telling him what they already knew, "Almost a year."

"Then why does it seem like he just grew recently?"

Hera was about to answer when she realized the sad truth; she did not have one. It made her wonder exactly what Kanan asked. Did Ezra just hit a random growth spurt, or was something wrong with their child?

Kanan looked defeated, "Are we doing something wrong? Is he not eating enough? Is there something wrong with his health?" Kanan began to become panicked. Hera saw fear in his eyes grow as he thought of all that could be wrong with Ezra.

Hera saw this and hugged him. Kanan, while stiff at first, leaned into Hera's warm embrace and began to calm down a bit.

As Kanan's breathing calmed down, an idea sparked in Hera, "How about this. We take Ezra to see the doctor Fulcrum set us up with when we got his vaccinations. Make sure he is healthy and if Dr. Jones can give us some advice if there is something going on? Okay?"

Kanan thought about it and smiled, "Alright."

Hera smiled as she kissed his forehead, a welcoming gesture to Kanan.

"I'll call her in the morning, goodnight."

"Night," Kanan replied as Hera walked out of the room.

Despite knowing that the doctor could tell them what was going on with Ezra, that didn't stop him from being scared. Kanan cringed when he thought of what she could tell them about what they were doing wrong with Ezra. He cringed more at the idea that maybe they had not been taking better care of him; especially how they had found him and with what they knew about his past.

Kanan recalled how he had a similar hardship. Both Kanan and Ezra lost their families and friends in a span of one day. Both went through a time living on the streets and starving on a daily basis. Kanan felt his stomach turn at recalling such a painful time. The difference though between him and Ezra though was obvious. Kanan was fourteen when we ended up alone, and he only had to spend a few weeks in that predicament before Kasmir found him and taught him how to survive. Ezra…was only seven, he was alone for almost a year before the Empire got their grimy hands on him. It made Kanan sick at how awful Ezra was treated by them that it made his blood almost boil.

Kanan laid down as he took a calming breath and assured himself that no matter what, they would get answers for Ezra's health. Though at the back of his mind, Kanan could not help but think the worst-case scenario for his padawan.

Kanan walked back and forth as Dr. Jones gave Ezra a few last exams. Kanan couldn't help but get more nervous with every test the doctor performed. Ezra though was a champ through it all; from the blood test to the x-rays. When Ezra stepped on the scale and the doctor claimed, "A little underweight." Kanan felt nauseous; it was a sure sign that he was failing Ezra.

After checking Ezra's ears, the doctor smiled and told Ezra, "Alright Ezra. Everything looks alright. Why don't you go out to Zeb and Sabine while I talk to Kanan and Hera?"

Ezra smiled as jumped off the exam table and ran out as he cried out, "Nice to see you again Dr. Jones."

Once the door was closed, the doctor turned to Hera and Kanan, "Why don't we talk in my office."

Kanan felt his heart rate increase. Even as Hera held his hand for reassurance, Kanan could not shake the feeling that the doctor was going to tell them that they were awful for not getting Ezra the right help and how they had been doing everything wrong with him.

As they entered the doctor's office and had a seat, Kanan tapped his hands on his knees rapidly as anxiety-filled him. Hera had to take his hand to make him stop.

Dr. Jones took out her holopad and began to speak.

"Alright, according to my exams, with Ezra's past in account, he is doing quite fine.

"Oh, My Force what is wrong with him!?" Kanan cried out in hysterics as he heard nothing from the doctor told him. Kanan began breathing heavily as he thought about what was wrong with Ezra. The logic was out the window for him.

Hera saw this panic and rubbed his shoulder calmly, "Kanan, Kanan. Didn't you hear her? She said Ezra is fine."

Kanan was confused, "What?" Kanan then took a moment to compose himself. The Jedi took a deep breath in relief that Ezra was, as the doctor called him, 'fine'.

The doctor smiled at this moment between human and twi'lek before she continued, "Ezra is a little small for his age. But this new height of his shows that he is improving. Everything else shows that he is fine. The blood test is normal, with no aches or pains in him. With what he experienced before you guys, I say he is doing well."

The two adults remained silent as they looked down as they contemplated what she said. Dr. Jones could tell they were worried and set her datapad down and spoke with a sympathetic smile, "Why do I feel that this appointment was more for your sakes then Ezra's?"

Kanan looked up and spewed out, "Are we doing something wrong?"

The doctor looked shocked, "Why would you say that?"

Hera took over as she explained, "With this growth spurt, which is great, I guess it has made us worried about why this hasn't happened sooner. Ezra is still small for his age like you said. Ezra has been with us for almost a year and having him just grow has made us concerned that we are missing something that could help him."

Dr. Jones smiled as she sat up, "What Ezra is going through is actually quite common with people who go through imprisonment and/or homelessness."

The Doctor saw how the couple looked confused and began to explain, "When people are deprived of a normal diet, their bodies began using up their natural reserves to keep up with their energy levels. This is what leads to significant weight loss. With children, however, it can cause some development problems. Long-time without proper food can stunt their growth. It can even cause some mental disorders that relate to eating."

Kanan took Hera's hand as he asked, "Can you elaborate on this?" Kanan felt his heartbeat against his chest at what the doctor could tell him."

Dr. Jones went on, "People who go through long periods without food tend to either binge eat; where they eat so much that they sometimes vomit, and they do not care."

Hera and Kanan smiled, "Ezra doesn't do that." Hera smiled as she went on, "in fact when we first met him, he seemed to get full pretty easily."

Dr. Jones nodded as she explained, "Ezra's stomach more than likely shrunk when he didn't eat as much. Time with you guys though has helped him expand his stomach to a healthy size for him to consume food properly."

This made the couple smile at the idea that they were helping Ezra out as Dr. Jones spoke up again.

"Some people who go through starvation can also become so paranoid about going hungry that they hide food in little secret spots."

This made Kanan and Hera look very nervous.

"What? Has Ezra done this before?" Dr. Jones speculated.

Kanan pointed out, "Ezra has a… 'secret vent' in the ship. It has some food in there."

"Like…?" the doctors asked for verification.

Hera listed off the items, "Chips, cookies, bottles of water."

Dr. Jones questioned, "does he horde anything in other places? Anything that is spoiled or rotten?"

"ahh…" Kanan moaned as he rubbed the back of his neck and looked away nervously; hesitating to tell the ladies what he knew.

"Kanan?" Hera wondered as she looked at him, worried about what was going on with Ezra.

"Ezra…may have had some fruit in the hospital bay at one point."

"Can you elaborate on this?" Dr. Jones politely requested.

Kanan sighed as he told the ladies, "When Ezra first started living with us, he stayed in the medical bay. When we put him to bed, I noticed a weird smell. One day it got so bad that I investigated and found some rotten fruit in under the cot."

Hera was surprised, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Kanan shrugged his shoulders, "I talked to Ezra about it and he felt like he did something wrong and I didn't want to make a big deal out of it. I told him that eating rotten food was bad for him and that he should not have to feel like he has to hide if he is hungry. I told him if he wanted anything to ask any of us. Ezra seemed happy at this and asked for a sandwich. After that, it stopped."

Dr. Jones smiled, "Has anything like the fruit incident happened since?"

Kanan shook his head, "I check his room and usual spots once in a while. Nothing since."

Dr. Jones smiled, "With that into account I think this stash of food in this 'secret vent' is more of a habit from surviving the streets then the fear of going hungry."

"How is that better?" Hera wondered curiously."

Dr. Jones clarified. "We all have habits derived from certain times in our lives. In this case, Ezra keeps supplies ready in case 'something'. Just like I have a habit of checking my medical supplies, so I never run out of what I need. A habit I learned as a medic during the Clones Wars."

Kanan and Hera smiled as they understood where the doctors were going with the comparison. It made Ezra feel safe, better to have the supplies ready just in case.

"Ezra mentally seems like a happy kid with you guys. Kanan, you assured him he is free to eat whenever and whatever without a problem. Ezra surely needed that assurance to help feel better. I doubt there are any excessive eating problems with him."

Hera and Kanan smiled, relieved that it was okay, that Ezra was okay. Kanan though could tell there was more to it.

"But he still needs to catch up some, right? You did mention he still needs to catch up." Kanan asked, still nervous at how underweight Ezra was.

Dr. Jones got her datapad out and smiled, "This is the weight of what Ezra should be with his age, and this is what he weighs now."

Kanan and Hera looked at it and smiled as Hera optimistically pointed out, "Still a way to go, but not too bad."

The doctor smiled, "You guys are doing great work with him. I would, however, like to recommend some protein powders and shakes with a lot of minerals and vitamins that can help him get to an ideal weight."

Hera smiled at this suggestion, "Sounds perfect Dr. Jones."

Hera and Kanan were so relieved, and more when the doctor claimed, "Ezra is lucky to have you guys looking out for him."

The two beaming specters thanked Dr. Jones and went to meet the rest of the crew.

They Saw Zeb and Sabine watching as Ezra as the kid was performing a remarkable task. Ezra was balancing on the doctor's aquarium base on one hand on one side of the tank. On one-foot Ezra had several books balanced.

Ezra was so focused on what he was doing that he did not notice Hera and Kanan enter. Kanan could not help but be impressed with how focused his padawan was, and how well-balanced Ezra was.

Hera turned to Zeb and Sabine for answers.

Zeb smiled as he told the two, "Ezra wanted to show us what Kanan was teaching him and decided to see how far he could go."

Ezra opened his eyes as he heard Zeb, "Who are you-," Ezra turned his head and smiled at the upside-down image of Hera and Kanan, "Oh hi-…"

Ezra, now losing his focus began to also lose his balance. Zeb and Kanan rushed to Ezra before he could fall over. As Kanan Steadied Ezra, Zeb took the books off Ezra's shoes.

Kanan couldn't help but chuckle as he right-side-upped Ezra, "Pretty good Ezra, but you have to keep that focus."

Ezra nodded in acknowledgment before he asked, "So, what did Dr. Jones say? Is there anything wrong with me?"

Kanan was a little shocked, "Why would you think something was wrong?"

Ezra smiled smugly, "Because I could sense you were super nervous through the whole check-up."

Hera chuckled at this, but Kanan did not mind. Kanan ruffled Ezra's hair affectionately and told him, "You are just fine kid."

A/N: hope this story was worth the wait. I am pretty excited I got this chapter out before Halloween because what is scarier than children starving? in seriousness though it is tragic when kids go hungry. please consider that less foruntate with the upcoming holidays. With that noted, Happy Halloween to all my readers and thank you for your support.