Sorry guys for the late update... the really late update. My life has been a mess.

Enjoy, loves.

- Kena <3

When Omega finally tugs out of our hug, I look down at her with watery eyes, hands cupping her face. My heart feels like it might burst out of my chest, the pounding echoing in my ears.

She's wearing a faded teal shirt, her blonde hair now hanging over her ears. Her skin has tanned slightly, the Pabu sun casting a light pink blush across her nose. Her face has seemed to elongate, the round face of youth slowly fading as she is growing.

Stars, what have I missed?

   Her big hazel eyes look up at me, and I can't help the quiet sob that breaks through my lips. They hold the same expression Hunter's did the last time we met— disbelief clouded with admiration. The light brown swirled with gold and speckled with green.

   My absolute favorite color.

      "You've grown so big." I manage to say, my voice cracking as she smiles.

  "I know. Tech even lets me fly the ship now." She laughs. "You would be proud. I haven't crashed the ship once yet!"

I pull her into a hug again, burying my face into her hair. Inhaling the sent of sun and stars and my beautiful, beautiful girl.

Omega grabs my arm, pulling me towards where Nala and the woman are standing.

"You just have to meet Phee!" She exclaims, her eyes wide with adoration. "She's basically one of the squad now!"

The hair on the back of my neck stands on edge— one of the squad? I swallow, pushing down the bubble of guilt and anxiety in my throat.

The sun burns warm on my back. Too warm, now that the eyes of the woman— Phee— are on me. I'm suddenly painfully aware of my clothes, and my scare, and the dirt and must under my fingernails. Karking hells, I look like Bantha fodder.

"Phee! Phee! This is my friend I was telling you about— Delta!"

"Howdy." Phee nods at me, and Omega grins up at me. Nala tilts her head, glancing at me out of the corner of her eye.

  Phee voice has an accented twang, the kind that sounds like she's flirting with everyone she speaks too.

  "She is quite the marvel." Nala says, winking at me in a friendly way. "You should see her pilot a ship."

Phee's eyes look me up and down. "What do they call you?"

"I'm..." I hesitate, pausing. "I'm Ava Shand. But I mostly go by Delta."

Phee is the kind of rough and tumble pretty that I am familiar with, the kind of pretty that belongs to Pirates and smugglers. She is exotic, her dark skin complementing her light clothes. Her hair is wild, thick and shiny. Her face is sharp, her brown eyes smart and calculating under her perfectly arched eyebrows. These eyebrows raise is surprise, and she looks me up and down.

"Shand, huh? That name demands some presence around here." There's a bit of challenge in her voice; she is testing the waters, seeing how I will react. Omega beams up at her, and the green gremlin of jealousy claws at my guts

"Pretty much everywhere." I blurt, fighting to keep my voice even. I can't see very well, the sun blinding my good eye; I think Phee is smirking. "My sister has worked up quite the reputation for herself."

"I'll say. I haven't heard this much over a hunter in a long time." She tilts her head, a smile on her face. There's something behind it... I feel the tension and the suspicion rising off her like smoke.

"I wouldn't know. The Hutt's didn't exactly read us the news." My voice is cold, and I look down at Omega, quick to change the subject. "Where are your brothers? I miss those old boys."

***

I follow Omega through the beautiful, crowded streets, struggling to take everything in. Birds flint and dip above us, and monkey- like creatures chatter along the walkways.

It's so peaceful, with the cool breeze coming off the water and the warmth rising from the cobblestone. The sent of something freshly baked, heavily seasoned and sweet smelling wafts along the winds, and if I wasn't so anxious I'm sure my stomach would be growling.

   Phee follows a bit behind us--  trying to give us space, while still trying to keep an eye on us. Villagers stop and talk to her, pausing her for a moment, but she always begins moving again, apparently observing the view.

Nala left us a while ago, dipping down to the boardwalks to visit a friend... and to get new clothing, I expect. Phee doesn't quite trust me, but in all honestly, I don't think I'd trust myself, either. It's all so sudden— me showing up to this blissfully peaceful island unannounced, looking like a scruffy drug smuggler. Being related to a murder and an assassin.

 
    I can't help the bit of dread that thumps through my veins... about the way she acted with Omega when she introduced herself, so sure and confident, the way that Omega smiled at her in her charming, adoring way.

   They have grown close, and jealousy makes me feel rather sick.

   It's not fair of me. To be gone for so long-- against my will, but gone non the less-- and not expecting this.

  I think of Hunter, and wonder if someone has stepped into my absence, like Phee has done with Omega. I imagine a pretty girl with a bright smile and dainty build, and I have to physically shake my head.

Omega stops her excited chattering, looking up at me with concern.

"You okay?" She asks. She has been speaking about another friend she had made, a girl her age, but now her voice is lined with worry.

"Yes, love, I'm okay." I say, forcing a smile. "Go on."

She starts chattering again, and I take a deep breath.

  Hunter wouldn't do that.

We travel up a flight of stairs that are spaced wide apart, spiraling towards and upper level. The sun disappears behind a woven cover made of bamboo, a pathway that is narrow leading to a balcony overlooking the sea.

I pause, my breath catching in my throat.

This might just be the most beautiful island I have ever seen.

The sun catches off the blue ocean like a flickering fire, small wooden boats bobbing across the crystal surface. The balcony is lined with green plants and red flowers.

Compared to the sand of Tatooine, this is Paradise.

I hear his voice before I see him— he's standing off to my bad side.

"Mesh'la?"