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NO, THANKSUSE THE

Hi Phoenix here Hope you like my story and thank you to my Beta Mickey!

I do not own Star Wars Rebels, but a Padawan can hope, can she not?

Onward! (goes off to build lightsaber) Kyber crystal here I come!

A Different Beginning

Chapter 1:

On the streets of the outer rim planet Lothal, a 22 year old man with brown hair, bright teal eyes, and a blaster at his hip was walking towards the trading docks. His name was Kanan Jarrus, formally known as Caleb Dume; Padawan of the Galactic Republic. After surviving order 66, Kanan went into hiding on the planet Naboo where he lived off the streets for 5 years; surviving only through pickpocketing, theft, and running errands for the townsfolk. It wasn't until just recently that Kanan finally left Naboo, landing on the planet Lothal where he got a job at the docks.

It was, by all means, a typical morning for Kanan. He walked down the shadowy streets of Lothal, headed towards the docks. Trying, as usual, not to attract any attention to himself, positive or otherwise. He had almost reached his destination when he felt the tell-tale humming sensation in the back of his skull that he knew all too well.

There was a disturbance in the Force.

A feeling of overwhelming fear washed over him. It was almost animalistic. He attempted to trace the source of it, concern welling for whatever being was emitting it. He eventually found himself looking up to the roof tops, but there was no living creature to be seen.

Despite this fact, the humming only grew stronger. If he concreted, he could even feel the fear from whomever was emitting this signal through the Force. Kanan felt a sense of urgency from it all, driving him further towards the source of the disturbance. But Kanan hesitated. He had been trying for years to separate himself from the life of the Jedi for so long. But whatever was sending out this beacon, experiencing this intense fear, obviously needed help. So for the first time in 8 years Kanan dropped his shields and followed the sensation through the Force.

The humming in Kanan's skull got louder and louder as he approached his target. He had taken to the roofs sometime ago. He turned a corner and jumped down into an alleyway and was met with a sight he never expected. A human boy, only 6 or 7 years old, with blue hair and tattered clothes, was digging through a trash can, scavenging for food. Kanan felt a pang of sympathy for the boy. As he got closer, the child turned to him. Bright blue eyes meeting teal. Fear meeting surprise.

"Hey there kid," Kanan said with a gentleness he himself did not know he was capable of. He slowly walked forward, trying not to spook the child, whose legs were tense as if he were ready to run. "I'm not going to hurt you youngling. There's no need to be afraid, I promise I won't hurt you," but he didn't listen and in less than a second the child took off running.

Kanan stared at the empty space where the boy had just stood. "Karabast, who was that kid?" Kanan muttered to himself, turning from the alley and returning to his path toward the docks.

His skull continued to hum. "That kid could he be… No. That's not possible," and with that thought he ran the rest of the way down the street.

"Kanan Jarrus you're late again!" a voice shouted as Kanan finally reached the docks. He turned to face the human male. He was short, stubby and richly clothed. His name was Sac Dimly, chief of the docks and suck up to the Empire.

"Sorry Sac, just lost track of time. Didn't mean to, you know, be late," Kanan smirked sheepishly.

"Just get to work Jarrus," he returned with a grumble, and with a nod Kanan headed to his station.

When he got to his post he could here snickering coming from his left. Kanan turned towards the sound and saw his "work buddy" and all-around tough guy Vendi Torning.

"Hey Jarrus! Hope you can keep a job better than you keep time!" Vendi shouted. Kanan held back a retort and just got to work.

During the late hours of the afternoon, while Kanan was working his last shift, Sac approached him with his pay. Just as the stubby human was about to hand him the money, a blue blur came out from the shadows and grabbed the money right out of the Jedi's hand.

"Hey get back here!" Kanan shouted as he ran after the thief.

As they were running through the street, Kanan couldn't help but notice that the thief seemed to know every rout or peculiar exit in the city, making it harder for Kanan to keep up with him. The boy quickly turned into an alleyway. Kanan was hot on his heels. The boy tried to turn and gauge the man's progress, but it resulted in him tripping and falling to the ground. Hard. Kanan stopped in his tracks, gazing down at the boy, who was trying with all his might to get back up and run. Kanan looked closer and saw that it was the same youngling from earlier that day. The one that made the humming in his head grow louder and louder. Kanan took a step toward the boy, kneeling down and offering him a hand.

"Sorry about that kid. I didn't mean to make you fall. Here, let me help you," Kanan offered, all thoughts of getting his money back gone.

The boy looked at the tall man before him, seeing his outstretched hand, pondering if he should accept the help. He couldn't be sure if the man was still angry with him for stealing his money.

Kanan noticed his hesitance. "Hey kid, there's no need to be afraid. I'm not mad, I promise, I just want to help you. Okay?" Kanan smiled, but the kid didn't listen. He just kept looking at Kanan with eyes full of mistrust and fear. But Kanan was not ready to give up yet. "Please kid, I'm just trying to help. I promise, I'm not trying to trick you or anything... please..."

And with that thought, the child finally accepted the situation. He took the help from the strange man and tried to stand up. Kanan smiled and before the boy could protest, he picked him up and walked to his apartment.

As the two humans entered the household, Kanan looked at the boy in his arms. His body was coated in fatigue and mud. His clothes were hanging off him in rags, and he was obviously severely underweight for a child his age. Kanan placed the boy on his bed and tried to take a look at his leg- try being the key word.

"Hey kid! Come on! Really, let me– Karabast kid!" Kanan grunted as the child thrashed around. "I just want- LET ME LOOK AT YOUR DAMN LEG KID!"

The boy went quiet and still in shock as Kanan quietly muttered "kids…" All the boy did after that was sit there in silence as Kanan tended to his leg. When Kanan was finished he looked up to the blue-haired boy and felt a sting of guilt for shouting at him.

"Sorry for shouting, kid. I didn't mean to frighten you. My name is Kanan Jarrus. And you are…?" Kanan probed, his hand outstretched. But the child just sat there, his big blue eyes staring at Kanan with hesitance.

"What's your name youngling?" he asked again, but the boy did not answer. He just continued to sit there wide-eyed.

Kanan eventually gave up, and instead resorted to trying, yet failing, to cook a decent dinner. He ended up with several burns on his arms and clothes covered in exploded food. A funny sight to see really. As Kanan contemplated releasing his light saber and cutting the kitchen in half, the blue-haired boy emerged from the Jedi's room and, for the first time since he had arrived, spoke.

"Ezra," he said meekly.

Kanan turned to the boy in surprise.

"Sorr-y kid... did- did– you say something?" Kanan asked, wondering if this was all just his imagination.

The child spoke again. "You asked for m-my na-ame mister. My nam-me is Ezra Bridger".

Kanan smiled at the boy as he looked down shyly. "Well it's nice to meet you, Ezra. I'm Kanan as I said before. How's your leg doing?"

The boy looked up at him, "it's fine sir, just a little sore. Thank you for helping me," Ezra said; his eyes bright looking at Kanan with gratitude. Kanan just smiled back, finally relieved that he got the boy to speak.

"So kid, if you don't mind me asking, why aren't you at home with your parents? It's kind of, ummm, dangerous to be out on the street by yourself," the Jedi asked the boy, concern filtering into his speech.

The boy lowered his head and his shoulders began to shake. "I d-don't have any. Th-they-are dead," Ezra sobbed, his electric blue eyes glistening with tears.

Acting on impulse, Kanan knelt down in front of the boy and pulled him into a hug. Ezra just hung onto him like a lifeline, soaking in the warmth radiating from the elder man. As Kanan held on to the boy, he felt an urge to protect and care for him. It was as if an unspoken bond was being created between the two.

The humming in Kanans head was getting louder as the force was telling him to stay beside the boy. And for the first time in many, many years, Kanan Jarrus listened to the force.

Kanan released his hold on the boy; a fiery determination burning bright in his eyes. He turned towards Ezra and looked him square in the eyes and said "Ezra, I want you to listen to me. You can stay with me for as long as you want, okay? I'll help you any way I can, I promise".

The boy looked up at Kanan with hopeful eyes. "R-really?" Ezra asked, still rubbing away tears.

"Yes I promise," Kanan replied with a certainty he had never quite expressed before.

…..

For the rest of the night, Ezra stayed with Kanan. They fell asleep at each other's sides; their horrific memories kept at bay by the presence of one other.

And with the way things were going, the Force seemed content to let it be.