Vines of Rebellion

Why am I here?? Kouba Kiri thought furiously. Kokkei-san doesn't have time for me anymore. She twirled her long black hair violently; so violently, in fact, that her green bow fell out and hit the ground. Kiri didn't bother to pick it up. He has his FANS now. She glared around backstage of one of the biggest stadiums on Coruscant. She saw her brother, Kokkei, who now went by Chris, surrounded by female fans. For an instant, Kokkei looked up, and his brown eyes met her brilliant green ones. Then Kiri looked away and scowled. I remember when he didn't have fans, just me...

"Wait for me, Kokkei-san!" A twelve-year-old Kiri ran after her brother.

"Hi, Kiri-chan." Kokkei looked equally surprised and happy to see his little sister. "Where are you going?"

"To see Kaze. Kogane is coming - he just stopped for a second." Kiri let out a whistle, and a cute Cocker Spaniel bounded into view. "What about you?"

"Hi, Kogane." Kogane licked Kokkei's face. "I'm not really doing anything, just taking a walk. Are you going to ride?"

"Of course! We need all the practice we can get for the Talasea Plants Festival!" Kiri's eyes had a special gleam in them when she mentioned the Talasea Plants Festival, where, tomorrow, she would be riding Kaze, her horse, in a special parade. She would be representing the Kouba family, so she had to do perfectly.

"I'll come watch!" Kokkei liked to see his sister ride whenever he could.

Kiri smiled. "Good!"

Kiri led Kaze into the ring that she rode in. She loved this ring because of the vines that surrounded it. They were the very same vines that Kiri had used to make Kaze's parade finery. She rode around in an attempt to warm up first, and then started her routine for the parade. She saw and heard Kokkei clapping as she rode by...

I suppose that all changed when he became serious about the music. Kiri was starting to get herself under control. Most people would be crying soon, but Kiri never cried anymore.

Kiri, now fourteen, came out of her school and looked around for Kokkei. He waited for her every day after school. She strained her eyes, but she couldn't see him anywhere in the crowd. He must just be late, Kiri thought. She decided to sit down and wait for a while. I'll give him five standard minutes, and then I'll go home by myself.

Five minutes passed, and there was still no sign of Kokkei. Kiri frowned slightly. She didn't mind walking home alone, but she still would appreciate it if Kokkei would at least tell her that he wasn't coming. Kiri started out down the dirt road to her house and straightened her hair bow.

When she got to her house, Kiri went in. "Kokkei!" she called. "Are you here?"

"Yes, I'm in my room. I have a guest here." Kiri gave a small sigh; now she would have to play hostess. She was used to this, however, since their parents traveled a lot, and Kokkei and she were the only ones home most of the time.

Kiri stopped lingering on this issue and headed toward Kokkei's room. She would also not be able to ask him about not coming to get her at school today. She stopped at Kokkei's door. Kokkei and a boy who looked about seventeen years old were laughing and writing down something on leaves.

"Good afternoon." Kiri had waited until they stopped laughing to speak.

Kokkei looked up, startled, then relaxed, "Oh, hi Kiri. This is Atsui. Atsui, this is my little sister, Kiri."

"Pleased to meet you," Kiri and Atsui said at the same time.

"Would you like anything to eat or drink?" Kiri was playing her part.

"No, thank you," Kokkei replied.

"And you?"

"No, that's okay," Atsui said.

"Alright." And with that, Kiri left the room.

Kokkei and Atsui soon decided that they wanted to start a band. Atsui said he knew another guy who might want to be in a band, his friend, Yuumei. From there, they quickly found their third band member, Nanba. The four tried to get a manager, but the manager said that if they didn't get a fifth member, he wouldn't take them. That's when they found Tenoi. They went back to the manager with a new member. The group had decided to have different names, and like that, they became new people (at least it seemed that way). Kokkei became Chris. Atsui was Justin. Yuumei transformed into JC. Nanba decided to be Joey, and Tenoi was Lance. They named the group on suggestion from Mrs. Kouba. She had just visited Naboo, and she called the group N*aboo. The name stuck.

And that's when Kiri's life started to get complicated. At first Kiri was, as usual, very supportive of her brother, even though she didn't like his music AT ALL. Then she started thinking. She was going to have to choose between staying home by herself or going on tour of the major planets with Kokkei and the rest of N*aboo. One day she presented this idea to her parents.

"Mom, Dad, about Kokkei going on tour..."

"Oh Kiri, we've been thinking, and wouldn't you like to go with him?"

"Sure, I guess. Would I be able to fly their ship for them?" Kiri had had a fascination with flying ships for a couple of years now and could pilot them as well as any normal pilot on Talasea.

"Yes, I suppose, but you'll have to ask Kokkei."

"If I get a ship, can I bring it? I don't want to leave Kaze and Kogane behind."

"Of course."

But Kiri wouldn't get a ship until a little bit later in her journey.

By five months into N*aboo's tour, Kiri was getting sick of pop songs and shiploads of screaming girls when something actually happened to brighten her days a little bit. N*aboo's pilot was learned to have been stealing from the band. The members of N*aboo had to let Kiri be the pilot at least until they could get a replacement, because they had to get to a concert on Coruscant coming up. The band was planning to get a replacement after their show. Kiri decided not to go with them to their show, but Kokkei begged, so she relented to help pick a pilot. While she was waiting, however, she had some spare time...

Kiri entered the crowded cantina and slid into a booth by herself. She looked around. Where would I find a ship? she asked herself. As Kiri was contemplating this, a pretty blonde with braids in her hair walked over.

"Is anyone sitting there?" Kiri shook her head. "Do you mind if I do, then?" Another shake of Kiri's head. The pretty blonde slid into the booth with Kiri.

"Priire's my name. What's yours?" Priire was making an attempt at friendliness.

"Kiri," the black-haired girl replied. Priire nodded.

I wonder what she's here for? Priire thought. She looks so innocent. All of the sudden, Priire's thoughts were cut off as she heard the other girl, Kiri, speaking to someone Priire couldn't see. Kiri was asking whether the other person had a ship to play Sabaac for. The person replied with what must have been a shake of the head, since Kiri slunk back in her seat. Priire smiled. Oh, she's looking for a ship. I can help with that...

Yes! Someone finally has a ship! Now I hope I can win. Kiri's smile turned to a frown at the prospect of not winning. Why is she offering to play for it, anyway? Maybe she's really good at Sabacc. Oh well, I have to try!

Collecting herself, Kiri asked in a cool voice, "Does it have cargo space?"

The blonde nodded. "Yeah, it's got space."

"Alright, let's play!"

As soon as Priire heard Kiri say that they could play, she smiled inwardly. I can beat her, she thought. NO! I can't. I can't let myself. It'll be hard, but I have to lose. Now, let's see my cards... Priire looked down at the five cards she had been dealt. Perfect hand! Oh no - it'll be hard to lose with this hand. I have to pretend I'm only playing for fun. She has to win!

I WON!!!!!!!!!!! I WON A SHIP!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe it! Kiri was having a really hard time keeping her outside calm, instead of jumping up and down like her inside was doing. Just then, the little phone Kiri carried everywhere rang. She picked it up and pressed the little green button. She listened for a while. Then she nodded and said, "Oh, alright! I'll come! When?" Another few seconds of silence and then, "Okay, bye." She clicked the off button on the phone and turned to Priire. "Do you have a good eye for pilots?"

I guess I'm glad Kokkei couldn't come, so I could bring Priire. If they had been here, I wouldn't have brought her. She might have been star-struck.

"So, your brother needs a new pilot?" Kiri was startled as Priire's voice cut into her thoughts.

"Yeah. His old one was a thief."

"You're pretty good yourself."

"Thanks, do you fly a lot?" Kiri was becoming curious.

"A WHOLE lot! Can I fly for a while?" More than you know... Priire answered inside her head.

Kiri slid out of the pilot's seat, and Priire slid in. Then they both lapsed into silence and remained that way for the rest of the flight.

"I really have to go. Call me if you need me for something on the Clone, or anything else, for that matter!"

"I will!" Kiri felt a little sad as she watched Priire walk away. But I have a ship and N*aboo has a pilot, and at least that's good. I better go get Kaze and Kogane from Kokkei and ask about their plans, so I can find or follow them. Kiri slipped into the pilot's seat. But first, I better go paint this ship. I know what I'll call it. The Clear Mist.

I wonder what happened to Priire? Kiri looked around as she thought this. The crowd was starting to taper away. There were still a few groups of girls left. One group, talking to Yuumei (Kiri HATED their other names), looked interesting. There was a tall girl with ice blue hair in a bun, one with fiery red hair, long and loose, and one with white hair up in odango. I need something to do. I'll follow them. At least their hair is nice! When the three got up, Kiri silently followed them. It was a technique she had learned and perfected on many different planets.

Ippin glanced ahead of her at Annika's white-odangoed head, then at Yukiko to her side.

"Yuki-chan, do you sense something? I feel like someone's following us," Ippin cautiously confided in Yukiko.

"I feel it, but it doesnít feel evil. It feels like something good is following us. I think we should let it go." Yuki was much less worried.

"Alright, but I hope you're right."

"Me too."

The serious moment was spoiled by Annika coming back towards them, chattering loudly, "Wasn't that show SOO hoth? N*aboo are so cute! I love them..."

Kiri watched as the three figures disappeared into a building. I wonder what that building is? I guess there's only one way to find out... And with that, Kiri silently followed the three into the building.

The Room Behind the Waterfall was unusually empty. There were only two figures sitting up - a girl and a cat. These were Priire with Solai, waiting for Coru to get back. Priire needed to ask her twin a question. When she heard voices coming, she stood up. Priire watched Ippin's flame-red hair glow in the light, and was about to call to her when she saw a black haired head behind them. There's only supposed to be Ippin, Annika, and Coru, none of them have black hair! Priire thought as she drew her blaster. I better be ready in case it's a Sith or a stalker. Ippin, Yuki, and Annika froze in the doorway.

"Priire, what are you doing!" Ippin cried out and ran at her sister. When Ippin had moved away, she had left a clear picture of the girl behind them. She had had her blaster at the ready as well, but when she heard Priire's name she lowered it.

"Priire?" Kiri spoke timidly for the first time in around two years. Could it be the same one? Kiri stepped forward, into the light, and said the name again. "Priire?"

"Kiri?" Priire spoke in the same tone of voice, lowering her blaster.

"The one and only." Kiri walked toward Priire. When the two met, all they could do was shake each other's hands.

"What are you doing here?" Priire asked, glancing at Annika's shocked face.

"Ummm, can that story wait?" Kiri gestured quickly at the three in the doorway.

"Sure. What have you been doing for the past two years?"