Chapter 3: The Hunt (II)

Later that night, back in the village. Several Togruta villagers could be seen happily chatting away at the center of the village. A large and open fire could be seen, slowly roasting the Kybuck that was caught earlier during the day thanks to Pav-ti's efforts.

Thanks to some hours passing, both Nak-il and Pav-ti managed to calm down seeing their son wasn't in any danger. Ahsoka could be seen in Pav-ti's arms, but Kohsaka was further inside their house, resting.

The elder soon walked out, and headed toward the two.

"You must not speak of this to anyone.", Gantika uttered in a serious tone, causing the two's eyes to raise upward, not expecting the elder to say that.

"Is something wrong with our son, Gantika?", Nak-il asked, obviously worried.

"Nothing of the sort. Your son, he has been blessed by the spirits. Your daughter, I fear too, has been blessed by the spirits.", Gantika replied, keeping her voice low.

"Kohsaka did something strange to the sabertooth. Is what you say true, Gantika?", Pav-ti asked with worry in her eyes.

"Yes. You must keep these two in your sight. Always.", Gantika urged the two.

"Why, Gantika?", Nak-il asked with growing interest. He could see the seriousness in Gantika's eyes.

"Both your son and daughter, Kohsaka and Ahsoka. They are Jedi.", Gantika declared.

*****

Three years later.

Planet Shili.

Deep within one of the Togruta forests. Two figures could be seen dashing through the grass, ignoring what was passing through before them. They made sure to stay clear of any dangerous fauna. One wrong step here and someone who wasn't used to the layout of these forests could easily find themselves in a world of hurt.

"Hehe, you won't be able to catch me like this, elder brother.", A girl's voice happily echoed, running swiftly through the passing grass.

"Is that right?", A second voice said, belonging to a boy. As the two continued to run in the forest, the boy came to a sudden halt. With two gentle motions of his arms, the grass beneath him began to flutter as if a gentle wind passed by. But there was no wind. This weird feeling caused the boy's figure to fly forward. His hands pushed him forward without him doing anything else. But in no time, did he catch up to the girl before him. Reaching his hand out, he managed to latch onto her clothing, preventing the girl from running away.

"You lose.", The boy said, revealing a playful smile.

"You cheated.", The girl responded, revealing a cute pout over her lips. "You know you can't use the spirits' energy for your own gain like that. I demand a do-over!", The girl continued to complain.

"And since when were rules in effect?", The boy said with a smug face.

"Just now!", The girl complained again, struggling to break free from the boy's grasp, but didn't have the strength to do so.

"Haha. Sure. But there is one thing you got wrong my dear Ahsoka. You got the name wrong. It isn't called the energy of the spirits.", The boy said, causing the girl to stop squirming. "So here is your first lesson. What was it that I had just used right now?", The boy asked. His prior demeanor changed, and now had a serious look in his eyes.

"Of course I know. It's called The Force...", The girl uttered in a soft voice, trying not to shout this name out in the open.

"Now that is the right answer.", The boy said, revealing a smile. Seeing the orange-skinned girl with two large white montrals over her head stop squirming, the boy gently released his hand. He took a good look at the girl before him.

Four years had passed by in a blink of an eye since this boy was brought into this universe. He had time to recollect his own thoughts. Little did he know that he would end up being born alongside one of the leading characters of the Starwars-verse, and as her older brother no less, Ahsoka Tano. Future Padawan of Anakin Skywalker.

But right now, he was just a four-year old Togruta boy with bright azure-blue skin. He recalled the Togrutas carried several different skin tones based on what tribe they were from. He didn't see many other Togrutas with azure-blue skin like Kohsaka had. He could only account that he got it from his father's side, even if it wasn't indigo skin like his. Racial traits worked in mysterious ways.

One thing for sure was, the boy knew he was no longer human. He recalled a period of when he was human, but most of his memories have been lost. He hadn't known how much time had passed since his previous life ended and started this new one, but it was clear as day to him that somehow, he started life anew. And on top of that, he had accepted his new identity, Kohsaka Tano. Despite not being able to recall that many memories of what he used to have, he knew some bits and pieces of what was to come.

Kohsaka could only fear for the worst. Dark times were brewing, seeing as he was born the same year as Ahsoka. He had to get ready for it. But the most important part, with accepting his new identity, he had to protect and cherish those who were closest to him now.

He looked at the orange-skinned girl before him. With his hand free, he reached upward, and gently caressed her head. Ahsoka winced one of her eyes, not expecting her brother to do this.

"Cherish life, my dear Ahsoka. Do not fear it.", Kohsaka uttered softly, remembering what mother had passed down to him. Since they were only one year old at the time, Ahsoka likely couldn't remember her mother's teachings then, but Kohsaka recalled well what was passed down to him.

"Brother Kohsaka...", Ahsoka uttered, seeing the seriousness in his eyes, and gently nodded her head in silence while enjoying the warmth of her brother's hand caressing her head.

*****

Some time later, Planet Shili's sun rose high in the sky. The same two figures that were frolicking around in the tall grass having fun earlier now had a particular destination in mind. Dressed with the local tribe garments, it allowed the two to swiftly run through the thickets with minimal noise. 

It did not take long for Ahsoka and Kohsaka to reach an open field, deep within the heart of the forest. Unlike other tribes and races, the Togruta were a tribe of warriors. They learned how to wield a knife and hunt with blaster rifles from an early age. Over the boy's shoulder was a particular blaster rifle. It was the same one his mother, Pav-ti Tano, used to hunt with. He had inherited it from her.

It didn't take long for Kohsaka to signal Ahsoka to stop running. They were now close to each other, making them hidden inside the tall grass before them, trying not to make a sound. Kohsaka drew the blaster rifle from his back, quietly passing it into Ahsoka's hands.

"You'll really let me use the rifle this time, Brother Kohsaka?", Ahsoka questioned, seeing the rifle now in her hands. She was surprised by Kohsaka passing it to her.

"Haha, consider it payment for 'cheating' earlier, or however you want to put it. Besides, every Togruta has to learn how to hunt. You are no less, Ahsoka. Come. Ready your hands. And pull the trigger when you feel ready.", Kohsaka whispered, firmly placing his hand over the rifle, ensuring it was safe to grasp onto it. Kohsaka even helped Ahsoka get into a kneeling position.

It was a bit funny, considering how large the blaster rifle was compared to the two small children before it, but Ahsoka's hands remained steady.

While keeping to themselves, several Kybuck could be seen happily braying in the distance while gnawing away at the grass beneath them, enjoying a good meal.

Steadily but surely, the blaster Ahsoka cocked the blaster rifle into a firing position, letting it gently float underneath her arms. 

"Like this?", Ahsoka whispered back, using the scope. Utilizing the rifle's scope, she could see a couple Kybuck lined up, ripe for the taking.

"Yes. Good. Don't hold back. Wait for the right moment.", Kohsaka whispered back, approaching Ahsoka's backside. He placed two hands on her shoulders, and used some strength, keeping her back straight as a result. Doing that negated any further shaking Ahsoka had. The rifle was completely at a standstill.

Ahsoka knew the timing was now right. Without hesitation, her small finger grasped the trigger, and pulled it back.

Bang!

A large red blast shot out from the rifle, searing some grass along the way before it found its target. The harmony of the forest now disturbed, the echoes of frightened Kybuck quickly reached the duo's ears. Coupled with that, the blast shot through not one, but two Kybuck, topping two large figures down onto the grass.

Seeing their capture successful, Kohsaka smiled.

"And that, Ahsoka, is a successful mission.", Kohsaka happily spoke to her. He proceeded to retrieve the large blaster rifle that was still in her grasp. As he took the rifle and placed it over his back again, he could see Ahsoka's hands still shaking from the recoil.

"That...was exciting!", Ahsoka responded, feeling her hands quiver from the excitement of firing a blaster rifle.

"This is just the beginning. Come now. We've much work to do.", Kohsaka urged Ahsoka to follow him. Ahsoka nodded her head and followed behind him. In the next couple moments the two approached the two Kybuck. Just like how he had seen it in his first hunt, Kohsaka was quick to determine that these Kybuck were still breathing.

"Pull out your knife.", Kohsaka said with a serious voice, urging Ahsoka to take out her hunting knife. Along with that rifle, the two were bestowed two hunting knives as village custom by the Togruta. They were handcrafted by their father, Kal-il. It was something the two cherished dearly.

Kohsaka braced himself. With his hunting knife now in hand, he recalled the saying his mother used when she hunted a Kybuck. Proceeding to chant in the ancient Togruti tongue, Kohsaka did one single strike of his knife, piercing the Kybuck's heart directly without hesitation. The life inside the Kybuck's eyes dulled, causing its life to pass on.

Seeing her brother take the life of a Kybuck without hesitation or emotion in his eyes stunned Ahsoka momentarily, but she didn't want to cause him disappointment. Ahsoka could only follow suit, striking at the Kybuck's heart. The second Kybuck passed away instantly. She too, had no remorse in her eyes as she took a life.

"Good. You can act decisively. That is one requirement for hunting. Scout the area, pick a target, and act without hesitation. That is what defines Hunters.", Kohsaka said, proceeding to caress Ahsoka's head again.

Enjoying her brother's hand, Ahsoka nodded her head.

"Mmm.", Ahsoka happily replied. Taking a moment to observe the now dead Kybuck. She tilted her head, realizing the current position they were in.

"But Brother Kohsaka, we're still pretty small. These Kybuck are quite large. How will we carry them back to the village?", Ahsoka asked with worry in her eyes.

"True. These Kybuck are quite heavy. It would likely take all evening to drag them back. But thankfully we don't need to.", Kohsaka said. Ahsoka blinked her eyes in confusion, but quickly realized what Kohsaka was going to do.

"You're going to call out Ly again, aren't you, Brother?", Ahsoka asked with growing interest.

"Yup.", Kohsaka replied, drawing two fingers to his mouth. Kohsaka then motioned his lips, creating a loud and unique whistle, which caused another disturbance in the forest. The nearby critters fled in response. And in return, after a moment or two passed by in silence, the two heard large footsteps approaching from further inside the heart of the first.

"Grrr....", A soft growl spoke out, reaching the duo's ears. Before them appeared the same large yellow sabertooth-like tiger that was twice or three times a normal tiger, with several black stripes going down its back. It was the same yellow tiger that threatened the two's lives back when they were infants, but now, this tiger didn't have a crazed look in its eyes. On the contrary, it held an ever-growing curiosity, seeing the azure-skinned boy before him. It could spot an orange-skinned girl too, quickly realizing it was them who called out to it.

The tiger approached the two, only to kneel its body downward. With its body now on the grass, it acted as though it wanted Kohsaka and Ahsoka to climb onto the tiger's back.

Taking a moment, Kohsaka approached the large tiger, but did not fear it. Instead, a happy smile appeared on his face as he gently padded the tiger's side. One of the tiger's large eyes moved, and saw the boy up close to him.

"Haha, did you miss me, Ly?", Kohsaka asked the tiger, letting out a laugh as he greeted him.

"Grrr.", The tiger responded, responding to the boy as if it said it was enjoying Kohsaka's presence again.

"I still don't understand how you tamed this beast, Brother.", Ahsoka said, marveling at the large tiger before him. He was actually listening to Kohsaka's voice, which only drew further interest from her.

"The energy of the spirits work in mysterious ways, Ahsoka. Come, let us put these two Kybuck on Ly's back. I am sure Mother and Father are waiting for us at the gate.", Kohsaka said.

"Yeah!", Ahsoka happily replied. Kohsaka watched on, seeing his sister struggle to try and lift up one of the Kybuck, causing him to chuckle again. He approached her side, and thanks to the two, they were able to swiftly place the two Kybuck on the large tiger's back.

Next, the two bid farewell to the forest they were in, climbing onto the tiger's head. Ahsoka could now be seen sitting next to Kohsaka. The large tiger stood up, and started to walk in the opposite direction. Once they were at a good pace, the tiger entered a sprint, letting the duo feel a cool breeze strike against their faces as the forest scenery quickly passed by through their eyes.