Chapter 1: Lost

Leia Skywalker lived a humble life with her Aunt and Uncle on the planet of Tatooine. Although she didn't have the luxuries of traveling and buying the newest of the things, she made sure she worked hard on her uncle's moisture farm to earn an allowance. Meanwhile, her aunt would occasionally ask for help around the house. Whether it was cleaning the kitchen or harvesting water, the girl always work diligent with any task handed to her. Even so, she managed to save enough credits to buy a new tunic. It was something she desperately wanted as her's was ripped and torn in the bottoms. So when she heard her Uncle Owen making a trip to Mos Eisley, she knew this was her golden opportunity.

"Can I go with Uncle Owen?" The young child asked her aunt as she was was helping with the dishes. Beru sighed with frustration. "You already know my answer Leia."

"But I'll make sure I stick with uncle Owen at all times. I promise." The doe eyed girl persisted after drying a plate and placing it in the cabinet. Beru finished scrubbing the last glass before turning to her niece. "Leia, I told you how dangerous the district can be. The hutts and toydarians would do anything to find a girl like you. Tatooine is a scary place and they show no mercy even if you're just a child."

Leia huffed at the response from her aunt. It was her go to answer everytime she asked to go out and explore the city. The brown haired girl retrieved the clean glass from Beru's hand and began drying it up. "That's not fair! You never let me go out unless we are delivering water to that weird old hermit."

"Ben is a nice guy. I thought you found him interesting." Beru stated, turning off the faucet and continued. "Besides Leia you know the only reason why I say this is because I love you and I want to protect you."

"You can't protect me forever. I love you too aunt Beru but I can't live the rest of my life on some farm. There's a whole galaxy waiting to be discovered and people that need to be helped. I can't do that if I'm locked in some sort of confinement." Leia declared after placing the glass in the cabinet.

Beru knew her niece was stubborn but she also knew she was right. She had to admit Leia was extremely smart for her age considering her home schooled education. Her thoughts shifted to her step brother in law remembering the few occasions she met him. Anakin always seemed stubborn; at least first impression anyways. "You're just like your father." She stated before facing towards the girl.

Leia gleamed at the mention of her father. It was very rare for either of her aunt or uncle to mention him. The only thing she knew was that he was a heroic pilot who died during the Clone Wars. That comment alone made her feel connected to her real family. "So does that mean I could go?"

Beru sighed knowing she couldn't say no forever." Fine" she began before getting interrupted.

"Thank you thank you thank you!!!" Leia spoke in excitement. Her aunt however placed her hands on top of her shoulders to calm her down. "Just because I said yes doesn't mean you could do whatever you want. I want you to be with your uncle at ALL times and do whatever he says." Beru instructed.

"I promise." Leia smiled, overjoyed with the idea of finally seeing some place new. "You're the best aunt in the galaxy" Leia exclaimed as she ran off to her room. Beru on the other hand shook her head in disbelief. "I hope I made the right decision."

—-

Leia Skywalker retrieved her purse and credits from her beige wooden dresser. Although her bedroom was small, she made it feel comfortable with her very own artwork decorating it's walls. "I hope uncle Owen didn't leave yet." The small brunette thought while scurrying our the door.

The tiny child ran as fast as she could towards the garage hoping both her uncle and speeder was still there. To her luck, uncle Owen was already in his speeder, getting ready to leave. The little girl hopped in the front seat while her Uncle gave her a surprised look.

"What are you doin-" Owen began before Leia intercepted. "Before you ask, aunt Beru said I could go." Leia explained as she put on her seatbelt. Uncle Owen knew to never argue with his wife decisions so he didn't question it.

"Very well then . Just make sure you never leave my side and listen to what I have to say." Owen stated. Leia nodded and Uncle Owen drove off.

——

The streets of Mos Eisley were filled with vendors and merchants bargaining and exchanging foreign items. The hustle of the crowed made Leia fill like a small girl in a big world. She silently slipped her hand in her uncle's for a sense of security but still couldn't help but be overwhelmed by wonder. Owen tighten his grasp on the small hand and led her through the crowd.

"Now Leia, I'm meeting with a very important client today so I need you on your very best behavior." Owen stopped as they both approached a small booth. Leia knew she had to fulfill part of her agreement despite the fact of her wanderlust peeking through. "Okay. I'll make sure to bring out my ewok eyes." The child joked, easing up the tension. She could feel the nerves exonerating from her uncle's presence. She tighten her grasp on her uncles hand and comforted him as he met the customer. It seemed to be working.

"Hello Owen. Glad you could make it today. Might I ask who is the lovely little lady with you?" The Rakata introduced. Unlike Owen, Leia felt an uneasiness in her stomach as she observed the tall alien. The scarlet alien had two big nostrils in the center of his long face. The wrinkles on his oval shaped head were also present along with evenly separated eyes. Leia never saw an alien like him before and she had to admit, something felt extremely off.

"This is my niece, Leia. Leia say hi to our nice friend" Owen ordered. Leia looked at her uncle with a sense of detest in her eyes. Still, she knew best to listen to him being that it was her only option. "Hello there." She simply spoke.

The Rakata only smiled at the girl's response before Owen getting into business. "So about the purchase. I think I may have enough water for your supply."

"Ah yes. I have a few questions about the terms" the Rakata said as he focused his attention back on Owen.

Leia, on the other hand, decided to blur out the "grown-up" conversation and observed her surroundings out of curiosity. Her eyes wandered towards the busy streets until something beautiful caught her eye. It was a white tunic, perfect for farming under Tatooine weather. Not only it looked durable, but it also looked so fashionable that it even caught the attention from the eccentric girl. She had to have it.

"Uncle Owen, can I please go over to that booth real quick?" Leia asked, subconsciously interrupting the conversation. Owen glared at Leia for her impoliteness. "No. You need to be close to where I could see you."

Leia began to pout at that response and quickly crossed her free arm. "Let the child go. I could see where she is and keep an eye out." The Rakata chimed in. Owen looked between his niece and customer and finally gave in. "Fine, but make sure you come back right to this spot when you are done. You understand?"

Leia nodded in agreement and walked straight towards the clothing booth. As Leia reached the kiosk, the tunic looked even more beautiful up close. She knew she had to have it.

"Excuse me? How much is this?" Leia asked the merchant who paused himself from sweeping. "Ah yes that will be 15,000 credits" the rodian responded thinking the girl couldn't afford it. He was right. Leia only saved up 10,000 credits she earned in her lifetime. She was also 5,000 credits short. She looked at her uncle across the street who looked like they were finalizing the deal. She wanted to ask him for the rest but she knew money was tight. Sadness loomed over the young child as she thanked the rodian for his time as he continued sweeping behind him.

"Hey there darling. Would you like to buy that tunic?" A Toydarian customer asked noticing the gloomy child. Leia looked at him with a spec of chance in her eyes. Though, she had to refuse the generous offer. "No thank you. I was just looking anyways."

"Cmon I bet it'll look pretty on you" the creature continued, making Leia slightly uncomfortable. "Uh, I'm sure." Leia refused yet again. She knew not to trust him and felt the need to reunite with her uncle. "My uncle is looking for me," Leia explained after turning towards the direction of her uncle.

"Not so fast." The Toydarian said as he grabbed Leia's arm. "You could be worth a loads of credits baby you ain't going anywhere." Leia's heart began to race. She needed to get her uncle attention fast.

"Let go of me you nerf herder!" Leia struggled to try to be free from his grasp. It wasn't working and she knew she couldn't escape from him. She did the next best thing. "UNCLE OWEN HELP-" Leia began, noticing the Rakata staring directly at her. The noise from the market drowned her screams as she noticed the Rakata client smiled in her directi. The next thing she knee, Leia felt a hand covering her mouth.

"Go to sleep little girl." She heard the monster say before losing consciousness. She needed to fight against it. Her body, however, wasn't corresponding with her demands. 'Beru was right' she thought as her vision became blurry. She wanted one thing right now and it was the only thing he couldn't get. The brave man who fought and flew in the clone wars. The man she dreamed of learning from her aunt and uncle. The man who was willing to die in battle.

"DADDY!" The girl yelled in a muffle, noticing her eyes getting heavy.