A/N: Well, the double update yesteday didn't quite work out as planned...T_T

Sorry about that!

*whistles*

Well, I'm really rusty, but someone asked, so here I am.

Though I'd try my hand at getting back into Star Wars. Key word being TRY.

Granted, I started this story ago when I wasn't all that good; didn't help that I lost a load of files with my old computer, so I had to pen everything up again from scratch. Still I am tentatively hopeful at this point with the Mandalorian and the Book of Boba Fett -still need to watch the later episodes of those-and willing to dip a toe back into things, as it were.

We'll start with the traditional disclaimer these days.

As ever, the Embers Rule Persists; if folks truly don't enjoy this tale, then...I'll not continue it. I can't bear to write something folks don't like, and working two jobs on a near back-to-back basis leaves my energy at an all time low. So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard!

As ever, I own no quotes, references, memes or themes. Sorry for the delay~!

"You have fallen so and yet learned nothing at all. Love. Kindness. Empathy.

These are tools of weakness. Shackles, limiting your potential!

Discard them and become all that you were meant to be."

~?

Counterstrike (Interlude)

Luminara Unduli considered herself a good Jedi.

She was a paragon of virtue, a learned woman, the proud -in as much as a Jedi could be proud- master of one Barriss Offee. Her deeds were great, her accomplishments many. She prized herself as a champion of peace and justice throughout the galaxy, always willing to help those around her; ever willing to go above and beyond the limits of her duty in service to the Force

Right now? It felt like the Force was laughing at her and her padawan both.

"Thanks for lending us the shuttle, Lumi." a hand came down on shoulder, jolting her out her reverie. "I owe you one."

Little more than a feather's bush, that touch, yet she knew he had the power to crush the bone there into powder. Such was the strength of the young man even now walking away from her. He didn't need his gauntlets to fight, nor that helmet to hide hi face, but he chose to keep them anyway. She could respect that.

What she did not respect was being a glorified taxi for the bloody Mand'alor.

Still, a debt was owed, and a debt must be repaid. Her eyes flicked after the whiskered warrior as he paced to the back of the ship where Dooku lay. The former Master had taken his share of wounds in the battle, but he looked to be pulling through. Or he would, once Barriss got him to sit still. She stole a glance to the cockpit, where them the endless tunnel of hyperspace still loomed.

Umbara awaited, his captured family somewhere on that darkened world, and woe betide to any who stood in his way.

She blew out a quick breath, knowing what it was she was about to unleash.

Naruto was not the sort to needlessly take life, but there could be no denying what he was planning to do. If left unchecked, his rampage might well destroy that planet itself. Best to have someone to keep him in check, in as much as one could these days.

...the things she did for old friends.

A memory tickled her mind.

Laughter and quiet talks in a dark alcove, the sharing of philosophies and views. Glasses clinking together as they shared a drink. Nothing more. Friends. All they were. All they would ever be. Rich laughter as he made one of his awful jokes, a pun so bad she couldn't help but scoff at. Friendship. An attachment.

The force nudged her out of the past and back to the present.

Still, it didn't stop her from cocking an ear as the weary blond sat beside the aging count and gave him a once over.

"How're we feeling, old man?"

Dooku hissed only a little as Barriss applied another bacta patch. "Never better. I'll be right as rain by the time we land."

...I'll hold you to that." a hand slapped his back. "If you aren't, you're going in the bacta tank."

His peace said, he plodded back her way, leaving Dooku to Barriss's tender care. With luck, he'd slip into a healing trance. Or perhaps not. Dooku had always been stubborn. Charismatic perhaps, but set in his way. Moreso now that he'd stepped away from the order...

"How close are we?" Naruto's voice tugged at her.

"Not long now." she checked the console's readout, then tutted as he sank into the co-pilot's chair beside her. "You are restless. Could you not have simply taken your friend's ship?"

"You mean Jango?" she couldn't see his face behind that blasted beskar helm, but he sounded...displeased. "No. I've tormented him enough for one lifetime." he craned his neck toward the viewport, allowing the myriad lights of hyperspace to play off his polished helm. "Once this mess with Umbara is over and my family's safe, he's free to take Boba and raise him as he sees fit." a resigned note entered his muffled voice. "Let them hide away from the war that's coming. Better that way. For everyone."

"War?" She blinked. "But the talks with the Separtists haven't yet broken down. After what you did on Geonosis...

His helmet inclined a fraction of an inch. "They will. Any day now."

...you are certain of this?"

"Never been more certain of anything in my life." His right hand shook on the console before he gripped it by the wrist. "I've seen what's coming."

"Have you?"

Silence reigned between them.

.

..

...its not the war that takes your life, but what comes after." he said it sadly, almost mournfully. "That hasn't changed. Even now." for a moment, she could've sworn she heard him grind his teeth beneath his helmet. "You die, and then your corpse is used as bait for other would-be jedi. That was one of the futures I saw."

Luminara couldn't quite fight down her flinch. She took a moment to master herself before speaking again. "Some things cannot be changed, Naruto."

Here at last he removed his helmet. "They have." he shook his head as the cloying helm was torn free. "They will be. I'll make sure of it.

He did not look as she remembered him. He looked...tired. Worn. Dark circles under his eyes. His golden eyes.

And just like that, she understood. Dense in the force he may be, but he'd withdrawn himself from even her.

Refusing to let himself be detected.

Her eyes flitted to the sabers resting at his belt. She'd only ever seen him carry two. But now there where two more, dark and twisted things, exuding palpable malice. He had not possessed such the last time they'd met, and the sight did not hearten her. He'd ever been known for taking trophies, even in his current state. Yet those...

"Trophies." he muttered, perhaps sensing her gaze. "And a reminder."

Now it was the Jedi's turn to tilt her head. "Of...?"

"Not to fall any further."

"We all feel that pull from the dark side sometimes." her voice was calm, even in her spirit wasn't. "Its part of the Force. Part of all of us. But it doesn't control you unless you let it." A pale green hand closed around his trembling fingers. "The Force is a part of all living things, Naruto. That you feel tempted doesn't make you a bad person. It makes you human. Come to Coruscant with us once this is done. Let us help you-

"No." he shook her off. "I'm not a Jedi. I refuse."

Such a stubborn man. Dooku had been right about him.

She reached out and patted his hand. "Which is why I'll help you myself."

"I don't need help. There's a war coming, Luminara."

"And you have a family to find." she gave him a shove when he made to stand. "Be calm. Rest. You'll help no one like this."

"You cannot be serious."

"Of course I'm serious." she shoved him again and he actually swayed a bit in his chair. "When was the last time you rested?"

"..." The silence proved telling.

"This is a rescue mission, not just for your family, but to recover missing Jedi at that." Somehow she doubted Master Kenobi would phrase it as such, but he'd still appreciate the assist." You need help." she leaned forward in her chair and -carefully!- laid her hand over his. "As a representative of the Jedi, I am offering my aid and that of my padawan. You're not alone in this. Now close your eyes and rest or I'll knock you out."

He quirked a blond brow at her, mildly amused. "You can try."

She quirked a brow at him. "No, I will succeed."

Naruto met her gaze for what felt like an eternity. Luminara couldn't help but wonder what she would do if he refused to back down. The exhausted warrior before her was strong to concern Master Yoda himself. She really couldn't force him to do anything; but so long as he believed she would try, she had a weapon to use against him.

"Well?" she pursed her lips into a thin line. "Which will it be?"

Naruto tugged his helmet back on, the Mask of Mandalore hiding his face away from the world once more. Nevertheless, he complied with her request. She felt his consciousness beginning to slip; dimming now as the true brunt of exhaustion exacted its toll.

...you'll wake me the second we exit hyperspace?"

She favored him with a wan smile. "Certainly, my friend.

With a sigh born of frustrations and exasperation, the wayward warrior tilted his head back in the chair. Gradually, his postured relaxed. His breathing evened out. He fell asleep in exactly nine seconds. Even so she watched him for a handful more, just to make certain. It wouldn't do to have him wake again so soon after he'd nodded off...

"Master?"

.

..

...after all, she had other matter to attend.

"Peace, Barriss." sensing her pupil's gaze, she held up a hand. "Whatever you may think of him, he's not our enemy."

"But he's tainted." her padawan pointed out, hissing a little. "Corrupted by the Dark Side."

Was he? Emotional perhaps over his missing family, but he'd hardly become a Sith. Those monsters took what they wanted, when they wanted. They craved power. Pride. Prestige. A true Sith felt no guilt, no remorse for their actions. He did. It was difficult indeed to fake such things. Would she not feel anger if something happened to Barriss? She wanted to say no; to trust in the Force, as she always had. Easier said than done.

"He is not a Jedi." her gaze met hers. "It is not our place to judge him. We will not tell the Council of this."

Luminara thought she felt a flicker of approval from Dooku just then, even in his healing trance. Perhaps she imagined it.

Barriss pursed her lips, looking mulish.

...as you say."

She would bear watching. Young, she still was. Naive. Was she not tainted too, then, for being a friend? The Jedi frowned upon such attachments. Aayla had fallen to such. Friendship at first, then something more. So much more. She would not, or so she told herself. She was doing this for the sake of their friendship. Nothing more and nothing less. In that, she would not falter. She would stand firm...no matter what came to pass.

Luminara smiled softly and returned her attention to the exhausted blond.

Reaching out with the force, she tugged a blanket over him.

"Menace, indeed...

A/N: Not my best work, but I'm trying to shake the rust off these old gears of mine. Don't mind me.

As ever, the Embers Rule Persists; if folks truly don't enjoy this tale, then...I'll not continue it. I can't bear to write something folks don't like, and working two jobs on a near back-to-back basis leaves my energy at an all time low. So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard!

So...in the immortal words of Darth Vader...

...Review...IT IS YOUR DESTINY!

And enjoy the previews!

Speakin' a which:

SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Potential ones!

(Previews)

She pulled a lever and the veil of hyperspace fell away.

Dropping them right into a warzone.

"Are you kidding me?!

Jango tugged on his helmet. "To work, then?"

Naruto mirrored him. "Just like old times...

"Of course they took them."

Shmi smiled. "Behind you.

"Bah!" her captor scoffed. "As if I'll fall for a trick like tha-

He blinked, clawed at his throat. Gasped for air, to no avail. He couldn't breathe.

Behind him, Anakin's hand tightened into a fist.

"You are not worthy to rule Mandalore!"

He spread his arms. "And yet here I stand."

R&R! =D