Chapter 6

" Good morning, Younglings." Battlemaster Skarch Vaunk walked into the classroom.

" Good morning, Master Vaunk." the Younglings said together.

" Before I hand you guys your training sabers, you need to a quick introduction." Battlemaster Skarch Vaunk said as everyone sat down in a circle.

" Master, there is one person here, who has a real lightsaber. Shouldn't this person have to make their own?" Rayn said glaring straight at Anakin.

" Really, Padawan Skywalker? I see that you have it with you." Master Vaunk turned and looked at Anakin.

" Yes, Master. My Master told me that a lightsaber is a Jedi's life, so never go anywhere without it." Anakin said, looking the Battlemaster in the eyes as to almost dare him to try and take the saber away from him.

" Very good, young Padawan. Master Kenobi has taught you well. He is correct; the lightsaber is a Jedi's life and you have to have it with you at all times no matter what, but you didn't make yours correct." the Battlemaster asked.

" No, Master. It was given to me after the Battle of Naboo, by Master Yoda, and if you are wondering, if I know how to use it, then yes, I do. Master Obi-Wan has been teaching me the first Form of Combat." Anakin said, as his hand went straight to the lightsaber.

" Then, I take it the saber belonged to Master Qui-Gon. For this class, I would like for you to use the training saber, so that way, you won't slice someone's limbs off." the Battlemaster nodded his head as he gave Anakin a smile.

" Yes, Master." Anakin bowed his head then gave Rayn a tryphium smile.

" Ok, the training sabers are standardized. It consists of a hilt and an activation stud, that when pressed will extend the blade. Based on the combatant's age and size, the size of the hilt and length of the blade will be variable. Ok inside the hilt is a crystal, lens and emitter matrix to focus the blade, and a power all to energize it. When you a Padawan and in one of your classes you will learn to disassemble and reassemble this saber, but for now and in this class you will simply learn how to use it." Master Vaunk said as he went over to the box, opened it up, and began to pass out the training sabers.

" Master, isn't the First Form of Combat is it the basic foundation and it is from this Form that the other Forms are created?" Anakin asked as the Battlemaster handed him the training saber.

" Correct, young Padawan. Ok, the saber can also be used as a tool too. Such as the saber can be used as a shield that can intercept and deflect incoming blaster fire. It can also cut through bulkheads and hatchways. And it can even evaporate liquids and illuminate dark passageways." Master Vaunk said, as he looked straight at Anakin.

" Cool." Rayn said, as he held up his saber and looked at it with glee in his eyes.

" Anyway, there are seven forms of lightsaber combat, but as Jedi Initiates you will concentrate only on one Form, and that is Form I or Shii-Cho, which is the oldest of all forms and the first evolves from the ancient discipline of swordfighting. Form I teaches the basic moves of attack and perry. Focusing on the humanoid body's target zones: left side, right side, head and legs. During classes you will run velocities-which is a quick sequence of moves executed against an opponent until one of you concedes with a call " SOLAH!" Ok there are six fluid moves, Padawan Skywalker do you know these moves?" the Battlemaster asked.

" Um... yes, Master. I have been working on the moves." Anakin said as he looked over to Rayn and glared at him.

" Ok. Then, would you please come up here and show us?" Master Vaunk said picking a practice sward himself.

Anakin got up and bowed his head to Master Vaunk before activating his saber. It was five minutes later and there was a very surprised look on the Jedi Master's face, when Anakin disarmed him.

" Well, very good, young Padawan, for your Master is teaching you well. Ok, class, now I will pair you off with one another and who shows the best skills will be Padawan Skywalker's sparring partner and that even goes on until you become a Jedi Knight." The Jedi Master said before he began pairing off the class.

Twenty minutes later, after watching the Younglings Master Vaunk made his list of who would work well together.

" Ok, Younglings, I now have a list of names of who are going to be working together. When I call your name, please come up to the front of the class with your partner." the Master said as the class sat down on their seats.

The only three students that were left sitting down on the floor and they were Rayn, Luna and Padme.

" I would like to be his partner." Rayn said as he glared at Anakin.

" You know, the only reason why you want to be his partner is to show off, but we know he could kick your butt anyway." Luna said as she saw the glare in Rayn's eyes.

" Whatever." was all he said.

" Youngling Rayn, please come up here." the Battlemaster said.

" Oh yeah." Rayn said as he stood up.

" And Youngling Luna, please come up here now." the Master said as he knew what Rayn was thinking.

Luna stood up and came over to the Jedi Master.

" Ok, Padme, please come here too. You will be Padawan Skywalker's sparring partner and Luna and Rayn you two are together. Ok, class, you are dismiss and go clean up before you next class and Rayn a word of advice don't act cocky, I was about to let you spar with Padawan Skywalker until the display you did when you stood up, now you can leave." the Jedi Master warned Rayn.

Rayn bowed his head, before leaving the room as the Padawans were coming into the room for their class. The rest of the day, Padme noticed that Rayn was quiet for the rest of the day and when she asked what was wrong he would say nothing was wrong, but she knew differently.

" Padme, can you help me with my history, please?" Anakin asked coming up to her and the cubical that she was sitting in at the Archives.

" Sure. what is it that you stuck on?" Padme said pausing her holo-cube.

" The first part of history." Anakin saw that she was looking at the holo-cube of the Animals, and then he remember that he has two days to find the information about the animals on Tatooine.

" Ok, not a problem. I take it that you have a test with Master Yoda at the end of the week." Padme said as she could see a look that he forgot about their assignment in Science class.

" Um... Yeah." was all he could say.

" Here, this is for you. These are all the animals on Tatooine. All you have to do is write up the report. Come on, lets go to the Fountains." Padme said gathering up data stuff and handing Anakin the data chip that she made for him.

" Thanks, Padme." Anakin said taking the data chip from her.

They leave the Archives and go to the Room of the Thousand Fountains to study. It was here that they both know, that this place would be more than a study place for them; it was place where they fell in love with each other.