AN: Sorry this was a bit late, depression sucks and I was working on Significant Brain Damage, because Luke as Anakin.

Chapter 31 - The Gray Jedi

Current Year - 24 BBY

Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Negotiator, was being sent on a diplomatic mission to Dathomir, only problem?

He was almost certain they should have sent a female Master. Instead, the Council had sent him with Padawan Ahsoka and Padawan Rey. Which was either going to end really well or have them fleeing from the planet, possibly being followed out by explosions.

Qui-Gon was staying on Coruscant to argue with politicians in the Republic.

Which in Obi-Wan's experience, when the Council finally got to the point of throwing Qui-Gon at politicians the Order had reached a point of not caring about their own reputation if it meant giving the opposition a really bad day.

Why, one might ask, weren't the Council sending Knight Ventress, because Asajj had started taking after her Master in recent years a bit too well. Asajj, like the Mor, was called in when deadly force was advisable, not to broker amenable relations over wine after surrendering one's weapons.

Asajj had made the call to Mother Talzin to request a formal meeting and permission to land.

Rey was piloting, which meant they would likely arrive earlier than scheduled. Obi-Wan sighed as he sat behind his own Padawan who was acting as co-pilot. Rey was teaching Ahsoka how to pilot and maintain ships, which wasn't a bad thing for anything excluding his sanity as Ahsoka grew more daring as a pilot.

He closed his eyes as the two Padawans discussed the ship, and Rey bemoaned all the thing's faults and shortcomings. Which Obi-Wan was always delighted to hear about before entering hyperspace in what Rey was describing as a 'polished tin can.'

Unbuckling themselves, both high energied females turned to look at him.

Ahsoka, Obi-Wan knew, was excited about next week, which would mark her thirteenth birthday, the last truly marked the age day for a Jedi learner.

Qui-Gon had marked the day by giving him a rock.

A little stone that Qui-Gon had with him because he had considered it pretty.

Obi-Wan had something a bit more inspired in mind, and he was hoping that negotiations on Dathomir wouldn't hold them up.

"I contacted Maul," Rey said, "he's on world."

"Is he?" Obi-Wan asked, "Why?"

"He said he was reconnecting with his family. He's going to meet us there when we land."

"Ah, so I finally get to meet him in person?"

Ahsoka laughed.

Obi-Wan raised a brow at her, "Is there something you want to say, young Padawan?"

She smiled, "Nothing Master, it's just that pictures of 'your unconscious body' being thrown around by Maul might have circulated throughout the Padawan halls."

Of course, they did. He sighed, "Rey, where did you even find a shapeshifter to help you with that stunt."

"Maul is a bounty hunter, he called in a favour. Besides, who doesn't enjoy infuriating the Jedi Order?"

"Most people," he said.

Ahsoka grinned, "Most people are no fun."

Obi-Wan shook his head, "Rey, stop corrupting my Padawan."

"Ahsoka," Rey said in response, "work harder in corrupting your Master."

"Yes, ma'am," she said.

"You're both going to be the death of me," he said, wondering what awaited them as they lowered into the atmosphere.

Rey landed the ship, explaining what she was doing so Ahsoka could learn. Although his Padawan did know how to pilot a ship, Rey was giving details that formal manuals didn't have.

Obi-Wan felt strangely apprehensive of meeting Maul, and he couldn't quite decide why. When the ramp lowered, he figured it had to do with the fact the Zabrak wore all black and had an aura of power around him that not even all Jedi had.

But then he forced himself to take a breath as Rey ran to give the scowling figure a hug.

Obi-Wan could feel the Zabrak in the Force, and while not wholly in the Light, nor was wholly in the Dark.

Maul stepped back from the hug first, as Rey waved Ahsoka forward and him. "Maul, this Padawan Ahsoka Tano, and as you know, Master Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Obi-Wan bowed in unison with Ahsoka, "A pleasure to finally meet you in person. And my gratitude for helping to clear my name some months ago."

Maul bowed to them without a word.

Ahsoka asked him, "Did you grow up here?"

"No."

She smiled up at him, but he said no more.

Rey punched his shoulder, "Be nice."

He bared his teeth at her, "I answered the question."

Rey rolled her eyes, "Did you find your family?"

"My mother and brothers."

"What about your dad?" Ahsoka asked.

"My mother ate him," Maul said flatly.

Ahsoka blanched, "Really?"

He shrugged, "Perhaps."

"Maul," Rey chided.

"She did kill him, Rey, and they don't exactly share with us what they do with the bodies."

"But why?" Ahsoka asked.

"Tradition," Maul, king of the mono-word responses, answered.

Ahsoka gaped at him, "Female Zabraks traditionally kill their husbands."

"Our people don't marry, and yes, Dathomirian Zabraks it is traditional for the females to kill their mates after conceiving a child."

Obi-Wan was suddenly glad that Rey had told Maul to meet them here, because that had not been in the research texts.

"Why?" Ahsoka asked.

"You would have to ask my mother," Maul said.

"Is it wise for me to be here?" Obi-Wan asked.

Maul shrugged, "You are an outsider, a Jedi, and not a Zabrak. Male or no, they will value you differently."

"Who is your mother?"

"Mother Talzin."

"Your mother is the leader of your people?" Ahsoka asked.

"Leader of the females, yes," Maul answered, his amber eyes were on Rey, "I need a favour, Apprentice."

"Name it," Rey said easily, leaning on her staff as if she needed the support. Ahsoka had given her one of her saber hilts so when the Dathomirians took their weapons, they might leave Rey her staff.

"I cannot move freely on this planet without a female," Maul said, "I need you to take me as your servant or mate."

"Mate," Rey said, "I don't do servants."

Obi-Wan almost laughed at the expression that crossed Maul's face. Obi-Wan had told Qui-Gon that they were just friends, and he still believed that, he even thought that Maul had believed that.

Until now, until Rey had said the word 'mate' so carelessly, oblivious to Maul's response.

"So is there anything we should know about your mommy dearest?" Ahsoka asked.

"Don't call her that," Maul said, "Because she is powerful enough to kill you."

"Powerful enough to kill you?" Rey asked.

Maul shrugged, "Unlikely, but she knows more ritualized magick than any of us. Raw power and direct fighting isn't the only way to be deadly."

"How worried should we be?" Obi-Wan asked.

"You have permission to be here?" Maul asked.

"Yes."

"Then you have little to worry about, unless you give insult."

"Oh, good," Ahsoka said. "Can we go now?"

Maul motioned them forward, Rey 'limping' at his side, "How have you been? I feel like it has been ages since I last saw you."

"I have a twin brother."

"Really?" she asked, her smile bright, "is he like you?"

"No," Maul said, deliberately not looking at her, "Would you ask Talzin if you can have my ship?"

"She stole your ship?" Rey asked, laughter in her tone.

"I couldn't figure out how to steal it back without slaughtering half my people."

"They would die for a ship?" Ahsoka asked.

"The Nightsisters are prideful."

"And the Nightbrothers aren't?" Obi-Wan asked.

Maul flicked amber eyes at him, "No, the Nightbrothers fear their females."

"As well they should," came a voice from above.

Of the four of them, only Ahsoka seemed surprised. Obi-Wan shook his head slightly and his Padawan dipped her head in a slight bow, understanding the rebuke.

"Merrin," Maul hissed.

"Wrath Opress," the female snarled.

"Maul, my name is Maul."

The female Zabrak, with short cropped grey hair and brown eyes, grinned, "You don't belong here." Other Nightsisters dropped from the viney trees, "Only the three Jedi were welcomed."

Obi-Wan handed over his lightsaber, as Ahsoka and Rey did. But the Nightsisters didn't take Rey's staff away, just the decoy saber Ahsoka had lent her.

"Rey Palpatine is my mate, I follow where she leads me."

Obi-Wan hid a smirk at the surprised look Merrin and her sisters gave Rey.

Merrin sniffed, "She's weak."

"Looks can be deceiving," Rey said with a guileless smile.

Obi-Wan rarely entered enemy territory unarmed feeling so safe.

But then Rey would probably throw him her saberstaff if things went south. Even if she was holding it now as if her left leg would give if she let it go.

The main hall to the Dathomirian female clan was impressive, and Mother Talzin herself was quite impressive.

And where he had been worried that Mother Talzin would focus overly on him being the designated Master for this meeting, he found that his presence was hardly marked as the witch queen with an almost tentacle-like wardrobe began to circle Rey.

After circling Rey, she reached a long fingered hand to hold Rey's chin. Rey stayed passive under the touch, meeting Talzin's interested grey eyes with calm hazel ones.

"You are a powerful one," Talzin murmured. "A Jedi unfortunately, however-" she looked at Maul, "she is more powerful than you, my son." She smiled at Rey, "As is the proper Order of things. I want your offspring."

Obi-Wan put a hand on Ahsoka's shoulder as his young Padawan shook with suppressed laughter.

Rey bared her teeth, "You will never lay hands on my young, Talzin. I am a Jedi and my children would remain with the Order."

Talzin released her abruptly, and Obi-Wan didn't think it was show when she caught her balance on her staff. "My son is not a Jedi."

"Your son is my mate. He belongs to me."

Obi-Wan was proud of her. He knew Rey abhorred slavery in all its forms, but this wasn't about Maul's freedom. He had come to her with a favour, and it had been implicit in his request that in this society he had more status as her mate than Talzin's son.

Talzin nodded and turned on Maul, but Rey stepped to the side, in front of Maul.

The gesture was lost on no one, and Talzin laughed.

"Ah, my dear, if you ever wish to abandon your Order, you would be most welcome."

"We came here on Jedi business," Rey said, voice having lost all trace of humour.

Maul put a tattooed hand on her waist, a warning not to pick a fight.

"Mating with my son is not Jedi business."

"No," Rey agreed, "I've been with Maul for years."

Obi-Wan wondered if she knew how bad that sounded, also if Qui-Gon had been with them, he would have lost his mind.

Saying Qui-Gon could be a bit overprotective when it came to Rey was a bit of an understatement.

But then Obi-Wan would have been less than pleased if Ahsoka took up with a Force user who dabbled in the Dark Side and then hid that relationship from him.

Obi-Wan stepped forward, "If there is somewhere we could sit down to speak? We didn't come to take too much of your time, Mother Talzin."

Talzin turned to him, seeming to see him for the first time. She looked between the four of them with a frown, but gestured to them to follow her.

They were shown to a small curtained off room, an orange globe rested in the centre of the table like a very strange centre piece.

Obi-Wan could feel the Dark Side pulsing off it.

Don't touch, he whispered to Rey through their bond.

No shit, she sent back.

Maul gave them a wide eyed glance as if he had heard them.

Obi-Wan gave him a direct look, Can you hear us?

But Maul made no indication that he had heard or not heard the thought, even as Obi-Wan reached for a bond that he never knew had been there.

It was a Master and Padawan bond, one that tied Maul and Rey together.

Obi-Wan felt a chill go down his spine, as he realized how many times Maul had addressed Rey as 'Apprentice'.

If she thought she could avoid an interrogation after this meeting, she was sorely mistaken. And as she was still a Padawan, Obi-Wan would have to tell Qui-Gon.

Somehow he didn't think Qui-Gon would be thrilled.

"Now tell us, Master Kenobi," Talzin said after they had all been seated, "What brings the Jedi to Dathomir?"

"The Jedi have decided to build another Temple," he said.

"Have they now," she asked, eyes sharpening on him like a hawk, "And you wish my permission to place it here? What an odd request."

Obi-Wan smiled, "No, Mother Talzin, the Jedi merely wished to re-establish diplomatic relations. The new Temple is being constructed on Serreno, a near enough neighbour to your system that we may on occasion bump shoulders."

Talzin leaned back, "Serreno… yes, with Count Dooku as Council member I see how this could come about. But I can assure you, Master Kenobi, that despite the Nightsisters' differences with the Jedi, we wish you no ill will, and I would not stir up chaos for amusement's sake."

Obi-Wan smiled at her, "That is good to hear."

"Let my son's union to one of your number, as well as Asajj Ventress's knighting be a testament to the peace between our peoples." Talzin made a small flick with her hand, and platters of food were brought in, "Eat. Will mark this as a night of celebration."

Obi-Wan looked to Maul, and the Zabrak nodded, Not poisoned.

Damn, Obi-Wan thought, Maul had become a part of their linked bonds. He probably should have been more worried than he was but them, Obi-Wan trusted Rey and if Rey trusted Maul, then he could too.

Ahsoka asked, "Do you really eat the males after conceiving a child?"

Obi-Wan nearly choked on the water he had been drinking.

Talzin, however, wasn't surprised by the question, smiling seductively at Ahsoka, she said in a honeyed voice, "If you wish to know, my darling, then becoming a Nightsister is not restricted to Zabraks."

Ahsoka pursed her lips, "No, thanks."

Rey was fighting not to laugh as she caught Obi-Wan's gaze.

He took a deeper drink of his water, he really had his work cut out for him if he hoped to train Padawan Tano in diplomacy.

And he had thought Rey wasn't subtle.

As if to prove his thought correct, Rey asked, "Can I have Maul's ship back?"

Talzin smiled at her, "Of course, my daughter."

"Thank you," Rey said.

Maul rolled his eyes, clearly less concerned about giving offence to his Mother than Ahsoka had been.

Maul was pretty sure he wasn't going to be able to sleep tonight when Talzin directed them all to rooms.

The one she offered Obi-Wan and his Padawan had two beds, the one she offered himself and Rey, had a single bed.

The four of them were standing alone in the hall.

"You should visit my brothers' village tomorrow," Maul told them.

Obi-Wan tilted his head to the side, "You think they will protest the Jedi moving to a nearby system?"

Maul shook his head, "No, but my older brother, Savage Opress requested that I ask you to come."

"Us specifically?" Rey asked.

He shook his head, "No, in fact, I wish your Council had sent Ventress and the Mor."

"Why?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Because Talzin respects them."

"And she doesn't respect us?" Ahsoka asked.

Maul scowled at the young Togruta, "Not hardly."

"It was debated if we should send them or not but Mor and Asajj are not the most diplomatic-"

"This is Dathomir," Maul said, "Talzin doesn't give a damn how well you can speak."

"Is there a problem we aren't aware of?"

Maul gritted his teeth, not wanting to admit that in the last half of the year he had spent trying to help his brothers he had ended up putting them in untold danger.

Both from the Nightsisters and the Jedi.

"I do not know the right answer. I do not know if Asajj would side with the Nightsisters or help establish a new treaty between our clans."

"Asajj is a Jedi Knight, she would help you, even if her talents tend to lean toward the aggressive," Obi-Wan said.

"Aggressive is fine," Maul said.

"What's happening?" Rey asked.

He shook his head, "Will you call your Council? Savage does not believe this is an issue that can be resolved on our own."

Obi-Wan narrowed blue eyes at him, "What issue?"

"You will see for yourself tomorrow."

"If you wish me to request two more Jedi enter the system without consulting Talzin, then I need a reason."

"Civil war -potentially," Maul said softly.

"What in the names of the stars did you do?" Rey asked.

He shrugged.

"Maul," she growled.

He looked away from her, his mate, and ended meeting the interested gaze of the Togruta girl, "The Nightbrothers have always been kept in subjection to the Nightsisters. My brothers wish to be free to explore their own strength in the Force and not be slaughtered after conceiving children. We do not wish to go to war over the issue."

"Why not fight for that?" the little Padawan asked.

Maul sighed, "I could kill every Nightsister in this clan, Talzin might give me some problems, but I could do it. But I don't wish to."

"Why not?" she asked, "If they are enslaving you then-"

"They are our females. Without them, we will literally cease to be a people, they are our lovers and mothers and sisters. And males tend to be less dominant; we aren't asking to rule them, my brothers just want to be seen as more than chattel."

Obi-Wan, too observant for his own good, "And I'm guessing it isn't just this 'new' sentiment of some gender equality that has your older brother afraid of civil war?"

Maul sighed, looking at Rey, "I've maybe been training them to be more than they were. Formal weapons training, more direction within the Force. But few of them are strong enough to defend themselves against the Nightsisters' magicks."

Obi-Wan frowned at him, "What kind of training exactly?"

Maul wondered with some amusement how pissed this Master would be when he saw what his teachings had brought about.

There was some truth to being too thorough.

Rey touched Obi-Wan's arm, "I think you should call the Council, maybe Fay could help, she worked well with Mor and Asajj on their last mission."

Obi-Wan nodded, "I'm sure she would be pleased to be given a mission off world. Dooku said she's been growing depressed on Coruscant."

"Understandable."

Obi-Wan gave her a look and she grinned at him, before sighing, "Alright, I'll call in backup, by request of the Dathomirian Nightbrothers. Maul, if I could have a word."

Ahsoka and Rey both turned to their respective rooms, respecting Obi-Wan's authority over them.

Maul couldn't help but watch Rey as the door shut between them.

"She doesn't understand what you want from her," Obi-Wan told him softly.

Maul didn't pretend to misunderstand his meaning. Even if the feelings were newly woken, he wouldn't lie and say that he didn't want what had been offered to him, even if it was only a ruse.

"It isn't against the Order's rules, and Rey is an adult, but you have to speak with her first."

Maul looked at the Master Jedi and spoke without thinking, "I thought for a long time that she was in love with you."

"You know better now."

"I know she cares more for you than me."

"That doesn't mean you couldn't have more in the future," Obi-Wan said gently. He reached a hand out, putting a hand on his arm.

Maul didn't flinch away, the Force a soft hum between them.

Somehow, the Master and apprentice bond between himself and Rey had extended to Obi-Wan.

"However," the Jedi said, tightening his hand on his arm, "If you hurt her, emotionally, physically, I will kill you."

Maul growled low at him, wondering how he would react if Maul told him that he had defied his Sith Master to save his life. Because Maul had his lightsaber hidden at his back, Obi-Wan didn't.

Maul could, theoretically, slay the Master now and return to Sidious.

But what was the point in that? Maul hated Sidious, and he wanted to keep Rey. Killing Obi-Wan Kenobi would lose him her.

And it would likely break her.

Maul would never willingly do that, so he nodded to her best friend, "Understood, Kenobi."

Obi-Wan patted his shoulder, and said in a teasing tone, "Have a good night." Before he retreated into his room.

Maul sighed and entered his own.

Rey was already in bed, her hair unbound from the buns and braids she wore it in these days. He hadn't realized she had taken to the braids because she had grown it out longer.

For a human, she looked unaged from the first time he had seen her on Naboo.

"What did Obi-Wan say?"

"Nothing important," he said, stripping off the outer layers of his robes. When he got to his saber, he passed it to her and she put it between the side table and the mattress, out of sight if someone came in.

"Your mother is quite the interesting character."

"You will like my brothers. My twin, Feral, reminds me of you."

She grinned at him, "You poor soul."

He rolled his eyes as he slipped off his shirt. He hesitated, "You are alright sharing the bed. I can sleep on the floor if you-"

She waved him off, scooting to the side and patting the bed, "The bed's big enough, besides it won't be our first time."

Maul's hearts raced in his chest as he slipped into bed with her. The difference between their first time and now, was that she had been emotionally distraught.

Tears were not one of his kinks, Rey's unbound hair spread across his pillow might have been. It took them a few moments to adjust. Despite her claim that the bed was big enough, she ended up laying across his chest with not much room for him to shift away from her.

"I missed you," she said before yawning and nuzzling her face against his skin.

Her words seemed to direct the blood in his veins south.

He didn't know exactly why his opinion of her had altered so abruptly when she claimed him as her mate. Perhaps he had always lusted after her, perhaps he had always hoped for something deeper between them.

But on Coruscant, where he had learned most of his social behaviour, humans had mainly two types of relationships, lovers or marriage.

What Maul had with Rey was more than carnal, but he had no desire to be united with her by human law. Such practices were… unappealing to him in more ways than he had to describe.

But mates? Mates Maul could understand. Mates spoke of ownership, exclusivity, a bond that was more natural. He could be her mate without changing anything in the relationship.

Well, aside from…

He swallowed hard, stroking a hand down her back as he had the last time, "Rey?"

He waited for a response, none came.

The room was dimly lit, but with his night vision, it was enough to see her face where she rested against his bare chest.

She was asleep.

He let out a soft growl.

By the core of Mustafar.

It was going to be a long night.

Three hours past, and she finally shifted in her sleep, enough so that Maul could untangle himself from her enough to turn his back on her, so she slept with her back pressed to his.

Maul squeezed his eyes shut, knowing he should get out of bed. If he wanted any rest tonight, the floor really was his best option.

But he couldn't bring himself to leave her.

And while he was still warring with himself, she turned and wrapped herself around the back of him.

He bit back a groan, her under robes were thin enough that he could feel the soft rise of her breasts.

He began counting her breaths to calm himself.

It was a stupid idea that he regretted even thinking of as her soft breaths blew against his spine.

Darth Maul had been tortured most of his life, had been damn near broken by Darth Plagueis and the Force itself.

And then she wrapped one of her legs over his hip.

And Maul almost whimpered.

This. Was. Torture.

The Force laughed at him, reminding him that this torture was purely self-inflicted.

Obi-Wan smiled at Maul brightly the next morning as they headed toward the Zabrak's newly re-acquired ship, "Sleep well, dear friend?"

Maul snarled at him, his eyes looking a bit bloodshot.

Rey touched his arm, "Are you alright?"

He stilled under her touch, and growled, "Fine."

"So I'm guessing you two didn't talk last night?" Obi-Wan asked.

"What are you talking about?" Rey asked, completely oblivious to the way Maul was looking at her, "Maul, talk to be me about what?"

Ahsoka smirked, and opened her mouth, but then her words seemed to die as they approached the ship.

Obi-Wan stopped too, staring at the offending vessel.

Rey shook her head, "I'm not getting on that thing."

"It's my ship," Maul said.

"It's evil," Ahsoka said flatly.

"I don't know, Padawans, it has the whisper of adventure to me," Obi-Wan said, giving both females a cheeky smile.

Ahsoka and Rey both gave him equally amused looks. Rey patted Maul's shoulder, "Ahsoka and I will follow in our ship, Obi-Wan can go with you on an 'adventure.'"

Maul shook his head, "No-"

Obi-Wan spoke over him, "Splendid idea, see you two soon."

Rey nodded, "I'll follow you, Maul, just stay above the treeline."

Maul sighed, but nodded.

Ahsoka gave Obi-Wan wide eyes, but didn't linger as she followed Rey to their ship.

"Seriously though," Obi-Wan said as they turned back to the Zabrak's ship, "what's wrong with your ship. It's like a dark shadow in the Force."

"It has a history."

"A history that the two Shadows and the Sage you had me invite to the planet are going to be pleased with."

Maul didn't answer, the plank of his ship swooshing open.

Obi-Wan had a very bad feeling as he entered the interior, but though the ship whispered enticements, he found himself unmoved.

The Dark Side was nothing that had ever appealed to him, not even when he lost his temper. No, once Obi-Wan lost control, his connection the Force diminished, the Dark Side had never truly called to his heart.

Maul seemed to be as fine a pilot as Rey.

"You didn't talk to her last night about the significance of being declared mates, did you?" he asked.

"No," Maul said.

"Why not? Ahsoka is turning thirteen soon and even she noticed."

"Rey fell asleep."

"Ouch."

"I didn't ask for your opinion."

"She likely will."

Maul growled, though Obi-Wan wasn't sure if it was directed at him or not. "She doesn't ask for your opinion as often as you think."

Obi-Wan felt his gaze narrow, "What does that mean?"

The ship was directed to its landing, "You'll see."

Somehow, that response was more ominous to Obi-Wan than the Dark Sided ship.

When they disembarked Mor, Fay, and Asajj were already there waiting for them, Rey and Ahsoka not far behind.

Obi-Wan felt the charge in the air, and looking past an amused Mor and Fay, as well as an Asajj holding a single hand to her forehead, he saw the source of the disruption in the Force.

He opened himself up to his scenes so he saw the fifty or so male Dathomirian Zabraks, all holding some version or spear, with more than just his mortal sight.

If he hadn't known better, he would have said he was looking at a group Jedi Padawans.

Only they weren't Padawans, and they were hardly cemented in the Light Side of the Force. They weren't even, at a guess, as strong or as dangerous as the Nightsisters. But this community of Force sensitives was… something.

Mor's greeting was, "The Jedi High Council is going to lose their everlasting minds."

Asajj was less optimistic, "They aren't going to have time, Mother Talzin is going to slaughter them all."

Fay laughed, a sound akin to bird song, "This is wonderful! Aside from Corellian Jedi there hasn't been an offshoot of the Jedi Order in centuries. And who would have thought, a Gray Jedi Order on Dathomir."

Maul crossed his arms, "We are not Jedi."

Fay smiled at him, pushing a lock of blonde hair behind a pointed ear, "No? What Form do you have them studying?"

Maul's amber gaze met Obi-Wan's dead on, "Form VIII, Shono-Mii."

Obi-Wan felt the shock of his words, before he and everyone else looked at Rey.

She winced, holding up her hands, "Guessing I'm in trouble?"

"You taught someone unaffiliated with the Order how to use a lightsaber?" Obi-Wan asked.

Oh, Qui-Gon was going to kill them. Obi-Wan had trusted Rey and vouched for her relationship with Maul.

"I didn't teach Maul how to use a lightsaber."

Maul stepped to her side in unity, "As you can see, Jedi, my brothers are using staffs and spears, not lightsabers."

"A pity," Fay mused, "If you are grooming the first official Gray Jedi Order in who knows how long then you should have lightsabers."

Mor sighed, "Yes, that's exactly what we need, a bunch of half trained Dark Siders running around with lightsabers. What a brilliant idea."

"We are not Dark Siders," Maul asserted, "Nor are we Jedi, gray or otherwise."

"You're practising the Way of the Butterfly," Mor said drily, "It is literally impossible for you to truly use that form and align yourself with the Sith."

"Shono-Mii doesn't require the use of the Light Side," Maul said.

Obi-Wan looked at him sharply, "Yes, it does."

Maul bared his teeth, "The Force is neither Light nor Dark. It is the Force."
"That's what a Gray Jedi would say," Fay sang.

Maul snarled at her, causing the Sage to laugh.

Obi-Wan pinched the bridge of his nose as Mor said, "Yes, the Jedi High Council is just going to love this."

Rey spoke up then, "I mean this isn't a bad thing, they are all Force sensitives, don't they deserve to have training even if it isn't with the Order."

Obi-Wan huffed a laugh, smiling at her, "Qui-Gon has only himself to blame for you, Padawan Palpatine."

"But why is everyone saying the Nightsisters are going to kill them?" Ahsoka asked, her not always well timed, but usually astute questions bringing them back to task.

"Because the Nightsisters don't share power," Asajj said.

"Are we interrupting?" a yellow skinned Zabrak asked, taking a hesitant step forward, another male, closer to Maul's height peeking around him. The rest of the Nightbrothers had held farther back.

"No," Maul said, "Jedi, this is my older brother Savage Opress. And Rey, that's my twin brother, Feral Opress. Brothers, this is my mate, Rey Palpatine."

Obi-Wan watched with interest as Feral docked around his older brother, and ran to stand in front of Rey.

Rey bowed to him, her smile wide, "It's nice to meet you, Feral."

Feral bowed awkwardly, before simply pulling Rey into a hug. Rey laughed and hugged him back.

Because Obi-Wan's second sight was still wide open, he could feel that Feral was different from the rest of the Dathomirians he had met thus far.

There was not a shred of darkness to his aura.

He was like Maul's opposite.

"I'm so excited to finally meet you," Feral said, his aura almost glowing with the same light that Rey shone with.

Mor shook his head, "I think Rey is the universe's answer to all the things Qui-Gon has gotten away within his life."

Obi-Wan sighed, wondering about something that had long been meditated on by wiser and greater men than him; what exactly was the Force's idea of balance?

AN: Thoughts, reactions, or feedback please? Stay safe, much love to you all!