Author's Note: Quick fix of a mistake I noticed last chapter: for whatever reason I put it down as the killing of Jarik's parents to be in 37 BBY, and then Qui-Gon finding him in 36 BBY. That is incorrect, as Jarik was born in 36 BBY, a few weeks after Ahsoka. I fixed the dates now, so it has Maul attempting to kidnap him in 34 BBY, and Jarik is found by Qui-Gon in 33 BBY.

Jedi Temple; Coruscant - 33 BBY

Qui-Gon POV...

"Would you care to explain why exactly you went to Chandrila, without our permission?" Mace questions with a frown.

After returning to the Temple with Jarik in tow, I brought him to the academy along with my good friend Plo Koon and his own youngling Ahsoka, whom he found on Shili. It didn't take long for the Council to call me to their chambers, obviously not very pleased that I had gone off without their permission.

"I would seem that my vision was correct. I found a child on Chandrila, and I brought him here. He was being kept in an orphanage," I explain calmly.

"And you believe this child is Force sensitive, even though we had no such knowledge beforehand?" Master Mundi questions doubtfully.

"I listened to the Force master," I reply.

"And why were we unable to discover this boy then if that is so?" Mace asks.

"I have no answer for that master," I admit.

"In Qui-Gon's defense, the child he brought back certainly has potential in the Force, that much is clear," Plo speaks up.

"Hmm..." Master Yoda hums thoughtfully, a hand on his chin. "Find this boy, how did you?"

I think about my short trip to Chandrila for a moment before explaining. "Well in short master, upon my arrival I felt directed towards a certain sector of Chandrila, not too far away from its capital city. There I discovered a house amidst the natural landscape."

"And so you were led to find the boy there?" Master Tiin deduces.

"Not exactly master," I correct him. "It was clear from the moment that I laid eyes on the house that it had been deserted for some time, and under not the most, pleasant of circumstances."

"What do you mean?" Mace asks.

"In my vision beforehand, I sensed feelings of danger and fear. The abandoned house showed signs of an attack, forcing the family to flee," I explain grimly. "What is most concerning to me were the markings I found, which were alarmingly similar to a lightsaber."

"You're not suggesting that someone wielding a lightsaber attacked this home?" Master Gallia asks in concern.

"I can't be certain, but all evidence pointed there," I inform them.

"And what of the family? What became of them?" Master Mundi asks.

"Unfortunately, there was no sign of the boy's parents anywhere, and I fear they may have been killed by this attacker. The boy however, I managed to track down to an orphanage in Hanna City," I explain. "The staff there told me that Jarik was found in a raft floating down the river one year ago. They did a DNA test to learn who he was, but any knowledge of his parents is nonexistent."

"So the events leading up to the boy's arrival at the orphanage remain a mystery," Master Tiin states.

"And there's also the possibility of a mystery attacker preying on Force sensitive children, before we even have knowledge of them," Plo adds grimly.

"I'm... not so certain there are other parties in the galaxy that could successfully locate Force sensitive children," Mace replies doubtfully.

Master Yoda hums in thought, a frown etched onto his face, his eyes closed. "Hmm... hard to see, this mystery is."

"I know it seems unlikely," I start to say, getting their attention. "But when I was at that house, something in my vision felt... dark. I fear that the assailant, whoever it is, may be a rogue Jedi, or even someone darker."

"You're not suggesting that this assailant is a Sith?" Master Tiin questions with a frown.

"I'm not fully certain-" I start to say.

"But you are!" Master Yoda interrupts. "Revealed your belief is!"

I glance down with a sigh before looking up with a nod of admittance. "Yes Master. I believe it is possible this could be the work of a Sith."

I give Master Yoda a knowing look with narrowed eyes and he looks right back, understanding what I was silently implying.

"Still, it seems there is far too little evidence to come to a conclusion on this," Mace declares. "We will send a team to investigate your report, but I do not believe we will find evidence of a Sith presence there. They've been extinct for centuries."

I nod my head in understanding, knowing that's about as far as I can hope to get.

"Of course Master," I say politely. "May I also request that young Jarik be tested?"

"Tested?" Master Mundi asks.

"The instructors will perform their own testing of incoming Force sensitives," Mace states.

"I understand, but I feel there is something else special about this boy. I feel he has a much bigger part to play in the far future," I reason.

Several of the masters all share skeptical glances with each other, although Plo and Master Yoda are more curious than anything.

"Very well," Master Yoda says in finality. "Before us, bring him you will."

I allow myself a small, warm smile and bow respectfully before the Council, heading out in order to collect young Jarik and bring him here.

"Qui-Gon," Mace says, and I stop for a moment, looking back. "Even though it seems you were correct, you still left the Temple on this quest without the permission of the Council. This isn't something to be done lightly."

"I understand Master," I apologize with a nod.

He narrows his eyes at me before sighing, gesturing for me to continue onwards.

Jarik POV...

"So... what are funny head-thingies?" I ask her curiously, pointing at them.

"Lekku... what about your head-thingies?" Ahsoka asks me back.

She reaches over and grabs at my hair, running her hands through it with a confused frown. I whine and push her hands away, while she continues to frown.

"It's so... furry!" she comments.

"Why don't you have hair?" I ask her.

"What's hair?" she asks in response.

I gape at her in bewilderment. She doesn't know what hair is?!

"What do you mean what's hair? You don't have it?" I squeal in shock.

"Where does hair go?" she questions.

"On your head dummy!" I remark.

"I'm not a dummy! You're a dummy!" she retorts with a frown.

"Am not!"

"Am too!"

"Am not!"

"Am too!"

Just then, someone approaches and crouches down before us, interrupting our argument. I widen my eyes excitedly upon realizing it's Mister Jinn! His name was... Koo-I-Gahn? There was also another person that entered, although I don't pay attention.

"Younglings, younglings, settle down," he says. "What seems to be the matter?"

"He called me a dummy!" Ahsoka accuses, pointing a finger at me.

"Nu uhh!" I quickly shake my head in disagreement. "She doesn't know what hair is!"

"But you called me a dummy!" she retorts again.

"Now that doesn't sound very nice," Mister Jinn says with a frown, and I look up at him nervously.

"I didn't mean it!" I try to tell him.

"I'm sure you didn't," he reassure me, and Ahsoka crosses her arms with a humph. "Still, you should apologize to her. What do you say?"

"...surmm...ph," I mumble quietly, looking down.

"What was that?" he asks me again.

"...Sorry," I finally say, glancing up meekly.

Mister Jinn smiles down at me, and I straighten up a little bit, beaming at his approval. He then looks over at Ahsoka, who seems to shrink inwards before replying to me.

"Thank you Jerik," she says.

"She called me a jerk!" I squeal angrily.

"No I didn't! I said your name!" she protests.

"Ok ok, enough you two," Mister Jinn says firmly, and we both quiet down. "I'm sure she just pronounced your name wrong Jarik. Didn't you Ahsoka?"

She widens her eyes. "OOHHH, it's J-A-rik! Not J-E-rik! Sorry!"

"Thanks..." I mumble, glancing up at her, and she smiles back sheepishly.

Don't girls have the cooties?

"Now Jarik, I've talked to some of the other masters, including Master Plo, and they would like to meet with you," he tells me.

"Really?!" I asks excitedly, widening my eyes. "Cool!"

"What about me?" Ahsoka asks.

"I'm afraid you won't be coming along on this one young Ahsoka," he replies, and she looks down sadly. "However, Padawan Eerin here has agreed to spend some time with you during our absence."

"Hello youngling," the other person greets.

Me and Ahsoka both look over towards the other person, who looks like a lady. However she's definitely the strangest lady I've ever seen before. She looks like some sort of walking fish, like in games or something!

"Hi," Ahsoka says, looking u at her curiously. "You look like a fish!"

Padawan Eerin giggles lightly while Mister Jinn lets out a sigh, sounding tired.

"Well I do come from a water world, youngling," she replies.

"Can I go there?" Ahsoka asks.

"Maybe one day," Padawan Eerin says.

Mister Jinn then stands up, holding out his hand to me, which I quickly grab onto, jumping with excitement.

"Well, we best be off then Jarik," he says, turning to Padawan Eerin. "We'll be back shortly, I'm sure."

"Of course Master Jinn," she replies.

*:*:*

3rd person POV...

It didn't take the two long before they came out of the fast elevator and into a short hallway, leading to a set of doors at the end. In front of those doors stood two Temple Guards in white colored robes, wearing masks with white and yellowish-gold colors. Their hands were folded behind their backs, but Jarik's attention went towards the saberstaffs that hung from their belt.

Upon seeing their lightsabers Jarik backs up nervously, pressing himself against Qui-Gon with a quiet whine, looking at those two guards nervously. Qui-Gon instantly takes notice and looks down at him in concern.

"What's wrong youngling?" he asks.

"Those people are scary," Jarik says quietly, pointing at them.

"They're just Temple Guards. They protect the Temple and the Jedi Council. Nothing to be afraid of," Qui-Gon says reassuringly.

"I don't like their laser sword though," he replies.

"A lightsaber," he corrects him.

Qui-Gon then glances up at the guards with a confused frown, laying his eyes on their lightsabers. He remains silent for a moment before a thought crosses his mind. Jarik seems to be afraid of the Temple Guards, particularly their saberstaffs... perhaps he still has faint memories about the attack on his home?

"Nothing here will bring harm to you Jarik," he finally says, crouching down in front of him. "You have my word."

"Promise?" Jarik asks meekly.

"I promise you," he replies with a reassuring smile.

Jarik slowly nods back at him, and Qui-Gon gets back to his feet. He grabs his hand and starts leading him over to the door, giving a nod to the Temple Guards.

"I'm here to bring the boy to be tested by the Council," he says.

One of the Temple Guards nods in response and then presses a button on the side of the door, waiting for a reply. Before they receive the clearance, Qui-Gon turns to look at Jarik.

"Once we get inside, you're going to see many different people. They'll have some questions for you," he explains.

"What kind of questions?" Jarik asks, looking up with wide eyes.

"Simple ones. What's important is that you remain calm, and answer them as honestly as you can. I'll be close by," Qui-Gon says. "Many members of the Council are also different species, so they may seem... odd to you. Ok?"

"Ok," he replies.

"The Council will see you now," one of the guards says.

Qui-Gon nods in response and then walks forwards once the door is opened. Jarik follows along timidly while holding Qui-Gon's hand, and is eventually led to the center of the chamber. Once inside, Jarik can't help but let his gaze wander around the room at all of the different people there, staring wide-eyed at them in awe, wonder, and innocent curiosity. Several of the Council members gaze back at him, and he shyly averts his gaze.

"This is the boy then?" Mace Windu asks.

"Yes Master," Qui-Gon confirms with a nod. "This is Jarik Shan, the boy I found on Chandrila."

The Council members direct their attention to Jarik, who shrinks back timidly. Yoda looks at him with a hand on his chin, a sense of interest washing over him. The moment Jarik entered the room he could feel the Force coming from him. He wasn't special because it was immensely powerful, but it still swirled in a way that felt welcoming, strong, and focused. The Force definitely had some liking to the boy, which Yoda was trying to figure out.

"Youngling, could you step forward please?" Ki-Adi asks.

The three year old in question looks up at Qui-Gon, who gives him a nod of encouragement, folding his arms within the sleeves of his cloak. Jarik then takes a few small steps forwards to stand on the circle in the center of the room, fiddling with his hands.

"We're going to hold up an image-viewer, which will display several pictures on it. However we will be hiding the picture, and you will have to tell us what it is," Mace tells him.

"But how will I know if I don't see?" Jarik asks, furrowing his brow in confusion.

"Feel it, you will. Show you, the Force will," Yoda says.

Jarik glances back uneasily at Qui-Gon before looking forwards. "Ok..."

Mace then brings up the image-viewer and turns it on, beginning the process of displaying images on it. After a few moments Jarik furrows his eyes again, barely sticking out his tongue in obvious concentration.

"A... a ship," he says, and the image changes. He continues to say what he sees. "A person... a cup... a blaster... a lightsaber... a square... a- a house? A ship... a table... a lightsaber... a- a block? Cube... looking thing?"

"A holocron, youngling," Mace corrects him.

"Oh," Jarik replies sheepishly, blushing a little bit in embarrassment.

Mace then lowers the image-viewer and looks over to Yoda with a confirming nod. He got none of them wrong.

"How interesting..." Yoda murmurs, looking at him. "How feel you youngling?"

"I don't know... excited?" Jarik replies shyly.

"Excited for what?" Ki-Adi questions.

"I've heard stories about Jedi. I think they're cool, and I want to be one," he explains.

"Being a Jedi is not easy youngling," Mace says. "You have to work hard, and be disciplined."

"Adventure. Excitement. A Jedi craves not these things," Yoda states.

"Oh," he replies, glancing down before looking up. "Well... I did also hear that they help people."

"You are correct in that regard," Plo answers. "As a Jedi we are compassionate for all other people, keeping the peace and protecting those who cannot do so themselves."

"I want to do that stuff," Jarik says excitedly.

"Feel you do, how else?" Yoda asks.

"Uhh..." Jarik falters, blushing a little with embarrassment after being confused by the wording.

Yoda's ears droop with an exasperated sigh as he realizes he confused the poor young child with his speech patterns. Qui-Gon, Plo, and a few of the other masters have small smirks flit across their faces for a moment, while Mace remains unamused. Qui-Gon then leans closer to Jarik to help him better understand the question.

"He was asking if there's any other feeling you have right now," he says quietly.

"OH!" Jarik realizes with wide eyes. "Oh, sorry mister!"

"Fine you are youngling," Yoda replies.

"Well... I don't know really... I remember hearing the stories from my... mommy..." he trails off, furrowing his brow. "I... can't remember."

The interest of the Council members increases upon hearing this. Jarik looks up at Qui-Gon nervously, feeling a little worried and afraid.

"Am I supposed to remember?" he asks fearfully.

"What do you remember before the orphanage youngling?" Ki-Adi asks.

"I don't know..." he says quietly. "I remember my mommy and daddy... but then the scary man came. They had to put me on the river. I was very sad."

"Can you recall any details of these, 'scary man?'" Mace asks.

"No... he sounded so mean. He looked scary, and his eyes were yellow," Jarik says.

He starts to shiver and hold himself with his arms, shaking fearfully, while the rest of the Council members all glance at each other uneasily. The description of the mystery attacker was very vague, but the comment about yellow eyes got their instant attention. As far as they knew, only wielders of the dark side had yellow eyes. Qui-Gon crouches beside Jarik and wraps a comforting arm around him.

"It's alright Jarik, you don't have to say more if you don't want to," he says softly.

"Heard enough, I believe I have," Yoda states. "Done well you have youngling. For now, dismissed you are."

"I will take him back to be with the rest of the younglings," Qui-Gon says, standing up and bowing. "Come along Jarik."

He then grabs Jarik's hand and starts leading him away, giving one last knowing look to Yoda. Once Qui-Gon and Jarik both leave the room, the Council members all share wary and concerned glances, and Yoda rubs his head with his hand, sighing.

This certainly was a strange mystery, one that led to many questions and doubts. It couldn't possibly be a Sith though, because they would have sensed it!

Would they?

Qui-Gon POV...

I step into Master Yoda's quarters, finding him sitting down on one of his cushions, in a state of meditation. I sit down on the cushion across from him, and sit patiently. After a few moments he opens his eyes, and I give him a respectful nod.

"You wished to see me Master Yoda?" I ask him.

"Yes. Know I do, that made up your mind about this attacker, you have," he states.

I nod my head in response. "Yes Master, I will not lie. The one who attacked Jarik's home has to have been a Sith, I'm sure of it."

"So sure you are?" he questions in response.

"That is what I am feeling from this," I tell him. "You remember my reports from Reylea don't you?"

"Remember them, I do," he replies with a nod. "But vanquished, that enemy is."

"Yes, but there may be more. The attacker undoubtedly was a Force user, you must see it!" I try reasoning with him.

"Likely, it seems. Recognize this I do. But take this as confirmation of the return of the Sith, you must not," Master Yoda replies firmly. "Extinct for centuries, the Sith have been."

"But they could have survived," I suggest.

"Perhaps," he says. "Perhaps not. Know enough, we do not. No evidence of being the work of Sith, this incident is. A rouge Force user, more likely it is."

"So you don't think it was the work of a Sith," I deduce grimly.

"Take the possibility under advisement, I will. But find evidence of a Sith, I believe we will not," he states in finality. "The previous enemy, no Sith was he. And this new attacker, know enough, we do not. Focus on worries, control over which we have not, you mustn't."

"I understand master," I finally says in reluctant agreement, glancing down in disappointment.

3rd person POV...

A few days later, Qui-Gon and Plo Koon both walked together towards the Jedi academy, where many new younglings were all gathered together in one of the larger rooms. Today they were going to observe as the younglings were being selected into their new clans. Among those were the two younglings that they had both brought in, Ahsoka Tano and Jarik Shan. Upon meeting each other the two children became fast friends, playing and laughing with each other. It brought a sense of contentment to the two Jedi Masters upon seeing them being so happy together.

"How has Ahsoka been treating you?" Qui-Gon asks.

"Good, I am pleased to say," Plo replies. "She certainly has a fiery attitude, but she is playful, and has enjoyed her time here so far."

"That is good to hear," he says with a nod.

"And what of Jarik? How has he fared?" Plo questions.

"Well, I think he may be coming to see me as somewhat of an idol," Qui-Gon admits with a nod, and Plo chuckles in response.

"Clearly he is fascinated with the Jedi, as we all saw," he replies.

"Very true indeed," he says in agreement.

The two Jedi Masters then enter the academy, and stand off to the side of the room. From their vantage point they could see a good view of most of the younglings there, who were all sitting on the floor in various groups, playing or talking to each other. A few instructors kept a watchful eye on the younglings as they played, making sure none of them were too rough or rude to each other.

Qui-Gon and Plo both spotted their respective younglings very quickly, sitting together as expected. Ahsoka and Jarik were both playing with each other in a more teasing manner, messing with the others head features. Ahsoka had taken a keen interest in his hair, stroking it and tugging it, while Jarik took an interest in her lekku, touching it and playing with it. Both would slap away the hand of the other, argue momentarily, then giggle, then mess with each other, and repeat the cycle.

"Younglings, could I please have your attention?" the head instructor asks. She has to repeat herself a couple more times before getting everyone's attention. "Thank you. Now to start, we are going to be sorting you into different clans. Each clan will consist of six total clan members, who you will all bond with and support during your years of training here at the Temple. Please assemble beside your clan leader once your name is read."

Another instructor comes up beside her, and shows off a few cards, which she takes before reading.

"In the Bear Clan, which is led by Master Solari..." she starts off, and the mentioned instructor raises their arm. "...is Aran Moonwood, Irkaniel Starseed, Rayfe Doim, Lorianne Helkosh, Losa Waurie, and Barriss Offee. Will those who have been named please join your clan leader?"

The younglings who were named whisper excitedly to each other and get up from where they were sitting on the ground, and move over towards Master Solari. the oldest of the group, a Mirialan named Barriss, lead them over, talking quietly to her younger companions, who were much louder than her, and a lot less composed. Barriss has been at the temple longer than the rest of the younglings in the room, being 7 years of age, but had yet to be put into a clan properly. Still that, didn't stop her from already starting up lessons and studying.

"In the Boma Clan..."

This continued to go on in a cycle for the next two listed clans, with the younglings eagerly moving over to their instructors to begin their new lives, training to be Jedi. Qui-Gon and Plo watched the proceedings, waiting for Jarik and Ahsoka to be called. They both noticed the two were sitting close together, sharing nervous glances, worried at the thought of being split apart.

"In the Akul Clan, which is led by Master Irris..." the instructor reads, and a zabrak woman with black hair and light brown skin raises her hand. "...is Vifi Hethna, Kurhran Govan, Weron Webb, Rylla Tann, Ahsoka Tano..."

Ahsoka and Jarik's breath catches anxiously for a moment.

"...and Jarik Shan."

Yay, Jarik is finally put into a clan at the Jedi Temple, with Ahsoka no less! And the rest of his clanmates! This will be an interesting story to write out with all of their lessons and interactions with each other. I've never written a story like this before, with young kinds going to what is essentially preschool to elementary school. This will be tough...

Thank you all so much for your continued support for my stories and the Shaniverse, it's absolutely amazing!