The ship couldn't land fast enough for Rain. Once it touched down, she was the first one off the yacht.

I can't believe it, but I think I actually missed this place, she thought, breathing in the scent of the gardens deeply as she walked.

Dooku was awaiting them on the walkway along with two magnaguards. Surprisingly enough, Rain actually felt somewhat happy to see that sour face of his. Until, that is, she remembered what it was that he had failed to mention to her before.

"Apprentice," the Count greeted, "You have returned at last."

"I'm ready to report, Master. But first," Rain said, "I have a question. Why is it I was not included in your plot to capture the Chancellor of the Republic Senate?"

Dooku considered her a moment before answering, "I intended to tell you after your first mission, which you have now completed. But I believe I have already told you once before that it is no concern of yours what I divulge to you and when."

"That's different. This has nothing to do with my training."

"On the contrary. It has everything to do with your training. But perhaps this is a conversation better to be had in private," Dooku said, his gaze shifting to something over her shoulder.

Rain turned to see Eval approaching quickly. Forcing down her impatience, she moved to stand beside her Master, waiting for the Phindian to catch up.

"Count Dooku, I apologize for my delay," Moralo said.

His apology was not well received however. The Count's magnaguards advanced on Eval menacingly, aiming their electrostaffs directly at his face.

"Your careless delay could have ruined my plan, Eval," Dooku said harshly, before switching his focus to the two figures trailing behind Eval, "I see Cad Bane is with you. Who is the other one?"

Eval glanced briefly over his shoulder, "This is Rako Hardeen. When Bane's escape plan failed, we only succeeded thanks to Hardeen. I thought he might be useful for the tournament."

Tournament? What tournament? What else don't I know?

"Enough small talk. I want my money," Bane snapped.

"That makes two of us," Hardeen said, stepping forward.

"You shall have it," Dooku promised, "And perhaps much more, both of you, if you would like to join our friendly little contest."

"I'm in if he's in," Hardeen said, turning to look at Bane.

"You already owe me for one job, Dooku," Bane said coolly, "Anything else will cost you triple."

"I assure you that, if you survive the challenge, the reward will be well worth it."

With that, Dooku stepped aside, his magnaguards following suit and clearing a path for the two bounty hunters. Cad seemed pleased with the offer, but Hardeen's face was masked by his helmet. The pair of them shoved past Eval, and a magnaguard stepped forward to escort them to the castle. Rain remained where she was, Bane flashing a brief glance at her as he passed.

I'm not sure whether I'll be sad to see them go or if I'll be glad of it.

"We have all the contestants we need," Dooku said, addressing Eval, "Prepare the tournament."

Eval nodded and headed off, leaving the two Sith to themselves.

"Tournament, Master?"

"If you were hoping to join in, I'm afraid it's only for bounty hunters."

"And what exactly is the purpose of this tournament?"

"It's a series of tests," Dooku explained, "To determine who is the best of the best."

"Sounds pleasant," Rain said dryly, "But what of this plot of yours, Master? How do you possibly hope to capture the Supreme Chancellor?"

"You do not need to know the details, apprentice. You won't be joining us on this venture."

Rain stared at him, "What?"

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"I will have no need of your services."

Rain could feel her anger boiling inside her. She gave it free rein.

"You're planning to pull off perhaps the biggest scheme in the entire war, and you don't need me? Master, I've listened to your instruction. I've suffered through your training. I've killed at your command. What will it take you to acknowledge my skills? What will it take you to trust me?!"

"Trust? Trust?" Dooku hissed, his forcefulness surprising Rain, "You were truly foolish enough to believe you'd have my trust? No apprentice of mine shall ever have my trust again!"

"Why?" Rain demanded, "Because of Ventress?"

Next thing Rain knew, she was flying backward, tumbling head over heels on the hard, stone walkway. When she came to rest, she slowly lifted her head to see the Count with an impassive expression on his face.

"You may report to me later, apprentice," Dooku said, speaking as though nothing had just happened, "For now, I have other things to attend to."

He turned and left, taking his magnaguards with him. Rain swallowed hard, watching Dooku's steadily retreating figure right up until it disappeared into the entrance of the castle. She picked herself up, her feet carrying her toward the castle.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Calm down. You just need to calm down, Rain.

But she couldn't calm down. Her mind was in a haze, her thoughts running in crazed circles.

Everything I did was for nothing.

Her eyes started to sting, her vision slowly beginning to blur. She tried to blink away the tears but they just seemed to keep coming.

All the pain I endured, the people I murdered. How could I have ever believed that any of it was supposed to make me 'better'?

She stopped at the double-row of obelisks, leaning against one and letting her legs fold under her.

I'll never be anything more than a pawn.

She wrapped her arms around herself, rocking back and forth on her heels.

I left Mira. I abandoned her...for this. And now it's too late for me. I can never leave. If I try it, I'll be killed for sure. I can never tell her how sorry I am.

She closed her eyes, letting darkness envelope her.

I don't even know if she'll be able to forgive me, or if she even misses me as much as I do her. Every night I wake up and she's not there. Every night I wake up and it's just empty sheets next to me. I don't even know how to take it anymore!

"Alone, little lady?"

Please, no. Not now.

Rain quickly brushed away her tears. She refused to let him see her cry.

"Go away," she snapped, not bothering to look at him.

There was a split second's silence, then Bane stepped into view, quietly taking a seat next to her.

"Does 'go away' sound like an invitation to you?" Rain glared.

"It looked like you needed company."

Rain let her arms fall to her sides, fixing Cad with a venomous look.

"Not yours."

"So I was right then."

"What?"

"You did lose someone. Who was it, I wonder? A lover?"

"You clearly don't know anything," Rain said coldly, "Jedi are celibate."

"Family then."

Rain simply stared at him. Bane smiled.

"Looks like I got it."

"Why do you care so much?" Rain demanded, "Don't you have anything better to do? Whatever this tournament is that Dooku's planned, I'm sure it's going to end in death. Surely you can find something other to occupy your time with before you inevitably get killed."

"Trust me, darling, I have no intention of dying."

"No one ever plans on dying," Rain muttered, "Doesn't mean it doesn't happen anyway. And just so you know, back on Orondia when I said I was worried about you, I was lying. I couldn't care less if you dropped dead."

"I'm sure," Bane replied, his smile never wavering.

Rain resisted the urge to rip her hair out. Could she do nothing to be rid of him?

"Did you really come here just to get on my nerves? It wasn't enough that you got to torment me the entire way here?"

"I seem to recall expressly telling you that weren't welcome on our ship, little lady, so you only have yourself to blame for that."

"Then I guess it's also my fault that you tried to shoot me," Rain glowered, "And then smiled about it. Really, what could've possibly been so funny about that?"

"Ah. That. I suppose I couldn't help thinking of our first meeting."

"Oh, great," Rain said sourly, interlacing her fingers behind her head and stretching out on the path, one leg propped up against the other, "I'm sure I made your day."

"You did."

Rain regarded the bounty hunter suspiciously, "Yeah, right. A Jedi slipping right under your defenses and nearly pulling the rug out from under you." She gave a sly smile. "You know, the Supreme Chancellor himself praised me up and down for almost single-handedly taking down Cad Bane. You should say hi to him for me when you go kidnap him. That is, if you live that long."

"You're so sure I won't."

Rain said nothing.

"All right, darling," Bane said, reaching up to adjust his hat, "How about I make you a wager?"

"What are the terms?"

"If I survive the tournament..." He paused. "Then you owe me a kiss."

Rain gave him a withering look.

"And why would you want a kiss from someone you so clearly despise?"

"Despise?" Bane echoed, "And what made you think I despised you, sweetie?"

"Oh, I don't know," Rain answered icily, "Maybe the constant threats and accusations. Maybe the fact that you tried to kill me after I saved your skin twice. If you really have any shred of interest in me, you have a pretty funny way of showing it." She scoffed. "But I'm sure that's not your fault either. You were just doing your job, right? You needed to protect your precious money."

"That's the way it goes, darling."

Rain sat up, her eyes narrowing.

Really? That's it? He's not even going to try to defend himself?

"All right," she said, "I'll play. What do I get if I win this wager?"

"What would you want from a corpse, sweetie?"

She regarded him a moment.

Screw it. He's not going to survive this tournament anyway.

"Fine. If you survive the tournament and the kidnapping attempt, then I'll give you a kiss."

The bounty hunter's mouth quirked, a smug look in his eyes, "Done."

Rain smiled despite herself, "It's funny. I keep thinking you remind me of someone. I just can't put my finger on it."

"Someone important?"

Rain shrugged, "I don't know. I'll let you know when I figure it out. Unless you're dead of course."

Bane got to his feet.

"Don't hold your breath, little lady." He inclined his head in farewell. "Till next time."

"Till never."