Hunter helped steady Crosshair, gripping his brother's arm firmly. "Well done," he said quietly, giving him a rare, approving nod.

Crosshair, exhausted but relieved, allowed himself a small smile. He leaned on Hunter, his usual stoic exterior cracking just a bit as he murmured, "Thanks."

The others watched in silence as Hunter guided Crosshair toward his bunk. The bond between brothers — despite all the fractures, despite everything that had happened — still held strong.

Echo, however, lingered behind. His gaze flicked to Sayuri, who stood apart from them, her back to the room. She was watching the rain outside as it hammered relentlessly against the city of Tipoca. Her white hair fell in waves around her, damp from the moisture in the air, her blindfold gone. Her exposed blue eyes glowed faintly in the low light, reflecting the storm outside.

Something tugged at Echo's chest — an ache, a question that had haunted him for a long time.

He swallowed hard and took a step closer.

"Sayuri," he called softly.

She didn't turn at first, only tilting her head slightly in acknowledgment.

Echo shifted awkwardly, glancing over his shoulder at the others. Wrecker was already snoring in his bunk, Hunter was tending to Crosshair, and Tech was tinkering with his datapad. None of them paid attention to the quiet conversation unfolding by the window.

Echo took a breath and steeled himself. He wasn't one to pry, but he had to know.

"When I was... taken," he started, his voice hesitant. "On Skako Minor. When they captured me and... turned me into that... thing." His voice faltered. "Did you... did you try to save me?"

Sayuri's shoulders tensed at the question, and slowly, she turned to face him. Her eyes — deep and piercing, even with the blindfold gone — locked onto his.

Echo's heart skipped a beat. He'd always known there was something different about her. Something powerful. Something kind. And seeing her like this, raw and unmasked, made it even harder to keep his emotions in check.

"I..." Sayuri started, her voice quiet. She glanced down at her hands, fingers trembling slightly as she clasped them together. "I tried. I searched everywhere for you. I followed every lead, chased every whisper."

Her voice cracked, and she looked back up, meeting his gaze with those striking eyes.

"But by the time I found you, they'd already..." She trailed off, her lips pressing into a tight line. "They'd already done it. They'd turned you into something you were never meant to be."

Echo clenched his jaw, the memories of his time as a prisoner flashing through his mind. The pain, the loss, the helplessness. He'd always wondered if anyone had looked for him. If anyone had cared.

Sayuri's answer, though, brought a mix of emotions crashing down on him.

"You did look for me," he murmured, more to himself than to her.

Sayuri nodded slowly. "I never gave up. I knew you were still in there. Still Echo. And I would've done anything to bring you back."

There was a long pause, the rain outside drowning out the silence between them.

Finally, Echo stepped closer, his expression softening. "Thank you."

Sayuri tilted her head, a sad smile tugging at her lips. "For what?"

"For not giving up on me," Echo said. "Even when I was... gone."

Sayuri reached out, her hand gently resting on his arm. "You were never gone. Not really."

Echo swallowed hard, his gaze lingering on her. There was something unspoken between them, something fragile but undeniable.

"You're still Echo," Sayuri said softly. "And you always will be."

For a moment, Echo let himself believe it.

And as the rain continued to fall outside, he realized something else:

Sayuri hadn't just saved Crosshair.

She'd saved him, too.

Sayuri smiled softly, her voice steady but warm as she spoke words she had long kept hidden. "I love you all. I hope you know that. I've always loved you." Her voice held a gentle strength, each word weaving through the space like a quiet melody.

Echo's heart swelled at her words, a rare and genuine smile crossing his face. For so long, they had fought side by side, through pain and loss, but hearing her say it made it feel real. He wasn't just a soldier to her — he was family.

Hunter, standing tall but visibly moved, nodded. "We know, Commander." His voice was steady but kind, the weight of their shared history reflected in his tone. He glanced back at Crosshair, who was finally resting, then at Tech, who had set his datapad aside. "You've been the kindest general we've ever served with. And we're not used to Jedi being... kind to us." He exhaled slowly, the tension easing from his shoulders. "I hope you never change."

Sayuri chuckled softly, her gaze drifting to the rain-soaked city outside the barracks. The lights of Tipoca City shimmered through the droplets, casting a silvery glow across the room. "In this war, we might be forced to change," she said quietly. "But our hearts will remain true. And that's what matters."

Without a word, she stepped toward Echo and gently wrapped an arm around him, her presence radiating calm and comfort. Her touch was soft but steady, the Force humming around her like a protective shield. Echo leaned into the embrace, finding solace in her closeness.

Sayuri beckoned to Hunter and Tech, who exchanged a brief look before standing and walking over. Hunter placed a hand on her shoulder, while Tech adjusted his glasses awkwardly before stepping into the circle. She pulled them both close, holding them tightly.

Her presence wasn't just physical — it was deeper than that. The Force reached out from her heart to theirs, brushing across Crosshair, who stirred slightly in his sleep, and Wrecker, who was still snoring peacefully in his bunk. It was as though her love wrapped around each of them, binding them together in an unbreakable bond.

Sayuri closed her eyes, her voice a quiet promise. "And I will always have you guys. Just as you will always have me."

Her words hung in the air like a vow — unshakable, timeless.

Echo pulled back just slightly to look at her, his gaze unwavering. "Until the end of time?"

Sayuri smiled, a playful glint in her striking blue eyes. "Until the end of time." She glanced back out at the rain. "And until the kingdoms fall."

Hunter gave a small, rare smile. "Until the kingdoms fall."

Tech nodded solemnly, pushing his glasses up. "We're with you, Commander. No matter what happens."

Even Wrecker, half-asleep, mumbled from his bunk. "Always..."

Crosshair stirred, his voice rough but clear. "Always."

Sayuri's heart swelled with emotion. Whatever storms lay ahead, whatever battles they would face, she knew they would endure them together.

And that was all she needed.