POV: Anakin Skywalker

It felt so nice to be home after such a long mission. This war was getting slightly out of hand as the days went on. Coruscant isn't my true home, but over the years, it became almost like Tatooine. Of course, Coruscant was so much better in many ways. It wasn't dry and full of sand, that's for sure.

Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and I had just returned from a droid invasion on Mandalore. Of course, Obi-Wan couldn't resist a visit to his favorite Duchess Satine. He was extremely enthusiastic about heading out. It took three weeks to finally get the place cleaned out and cleaned up.

I walked into my quarters, figuring I could have a few minutes to rest. My body ached from the fighting. I got blasted in the side after being surrounded and alone. Yes, I managed to kill them all eventually, but one blast got past my lightsaber defense. I trudged over to my bed and lay down. My eyes closed and I believed that I was in complete peace.

I felt myself drifting off into sleep when a knock made me jump. "Master?"

I sighed and got off of the bed. I walked over to the door and hit the button to open it. "Yes?"

Ahsoka Tano, my young Togruta Padawan, was standing outside of my room. She looked up at me, since I was a bit taller than her. "Did I wake you, Master?"

"No, I wasn't sleeping. Do you need something?"

"The Council wishes to speak with you."

Of all times... "Thank you, Ahsoka." I stepped across the threshold and began my journey toward the Council's chamber.

It took about three minutes to get there. I took a deep breath, wondering what the Council wanted to talk to me about. I felt so many different emotions pent up inside this room. There was sorrow, happiness, and a mild anger. What was going on? I walked into the grand chamber to see Obi-Wan, Kit Fisto, Mace Windu, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and Yoda. "Greetings, young Skywalker," Yoda greeted me.

"Master Yoda," I said, bowing. "What is the purpose of my summons?"

"Welcome you back, we do. Another mission, we have for you."

Yoda glanced at Mace Windu, signaling for him to speak. "Skywalker, you and your Padawan will be heading to Felucia in the Outer Rim. Master Secura is in need of your assistance. The droid invasion is heavier there than it was on Mandalore."

Master Windu was checking me for any sign of dismay to leave Coruscant again. I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of disturbing me, so I mustered up all of my pride and honor and replied, "When do we leave, Master?"

"First thing in the morning."

I bowed and retreated from the chamber. I heard faint footsteps behind me and I knew exactly who they belonged to. "Ahsoka, we have a mission. We're leaving in the morning."

"Does that mean we will have no time together tonight?"

I turned around and looked down at her. I shrugged. "How about dinner?"

"I hope you aren't cooking. Remember what –"

I cut her off. "Yes, Ahsoka, I remember quite well what happened last time. Believe me, I do not want a repeat of that..."

She smiled widely at me, making my heart beat faster. I absolutely loved her smile. "Anakin?"

"Yes?"

"Will there be time for... other events tonight?"

I frowned. "Probably not, Ahsoka. We need our rest for the morning. The Council just informed me of a massive attack on Felucia. Master Secura will need our best action tomorrow. Snips, you are way too young to even consider doing any of that anyway."

She glared at me for saying she was 'too young' and I knew what was coming. "Anakin! I am not so young. I'm sixteen years old!" I sighed. This was only the beginning to her rant. "Why do you think I'm too young for everything? I'm a sixteen year old Jedi. I think I am quite capable of doing anything!" she all but screamed at me.

I was about to respond, but the Council's chamber door opened. We were probably going to be reprimanded for causing a scene within earshot of them. Master Windu was the first to emerge from the chamber, followed by Obi-Wan and Yoda. "Skywalker, is there a problem?" Master Windu asked.

I glanced at Ahsoka and she glared at me. I felt her nervousness, but she was still upset with me. I held her eyes for a few moments before looking back at the Masters. "No, Master Windu. We just had a small disagreement. I'm sorry that we disturbed you."

Yoda raised his eyebrow at me and then nodded. What was that about?

Master Windu nodded and headed for the room again. Obviously, there was some major conversation going on in there. Yoda followed after Mace, leaving me with Ahsoka and Obi-Wan. After the two other Jedi were out of hearing range, Obi-Wan spoke. "What was the problem, Anakin?"

"Nothing, Master Kenobi," Ahsoka said. "Master Skywalker just informed me of our mission in the morning."

Obi-Wan then looked at her. His look was totally skeptical. "Why did you mention that Anakin said you're too young? What are you too young for?"

This was the moment that would get us both in trouble. Ahsoka and I had fallen in love several weeks ago. She's been my Padawan for about six months now. Of course, Jedi aren't allowed to love. We were going against the Council and everyone else around us. It wasn't the first time I did this, but Ahsoka didn't know that. We were both afraid of being removed from the Order.

"We were discussing tactics we might use in combat tomorrow. He believes that I'm not old enough to make my own decisions."

Now, I have to admit, I thought Obi-Wan was going to see right through that lie. The way he looked was extremely doubtful, but if it had come from me, he wouldn't have believed it. Coming from the lips of Ahsoka's honest and beautiful mouth, Obi-Wan believed her. He nodded at her and then turned his attention to me. "Anakin, you had better get some rest. You're going to be on Felucia for quite some time."

I sighed. "Yes, Master. I'm going to my quarters. If you need me, please, feel free to hesitate on calling for my assistance." Obi-Wan chuckled a bit and Ahsoka raised her eye markings – clearly not understanding what I just said.

"All right, Anakin, rest well. I may not see you before you leave tomorrow, so may the Force be with you and with you, Ahsoka."

"Thank you, Master," Ahsoka and I spoke simultaneously. He retreated back to the chamber, leaving Ahsoka and I alone. Again...

"Snips –"

"Master."

I hated when she called me 'Master.' I know she's supposed to as a form of respect for rank, but I don't like it. I love her and she shouldn't have to call me what everyone else does. When she refers to me as 'Master,' I feel like she's my slave. Of course, that always brings back harsh memories of my childhood on Tatooine...

I realized that I had been silent too long. I felt Ahsoka's gaze on me and I felt building sadness inside her. I felt the deep frown on my face, knowing that was the reason for her sadness. I still didn't say anything. I was going to apologize to her for getting us into this situation, but that one single word forced me to remain mute.

I completely zoned out. I felt like I was in another world – or time. The stars were shining brighter and I was lying in the sands of Tatooine. My mother, Shmi Skywalker, came out of our hut, which she would inhabit with my stepfather, Cliegg Lars. "Master!" she called out to me. I sat up and looked at my mother, who was being torn into pieces.

I was broken from that short visualization when I felt the presence of many beings around me. I opened my eyes slowly to see blurry figures all around me. I was lying on the ground. What had happened? I heard several voices at once and hardly registered one. "Anakin, are you well?"

"What happened to him, Tano?"

"Skywalker, what happened?"

Other people were talking around me. I couldn't comprehend their conversations, but I picked up on a small feminine voice that was apparently right next to me.

"Master, are you okay?"

I blinked several times and, once I regained my vision, looked around me. All the Masters from the Council, Jedi who were lounging around the temple, and Ahsoka were surrounding me. "I'm fine. I don't know what happened," I responded.

Yoda looked at me strangely. What was going on with him lately? Obi-Wan and Ahsoka looked as if they had something to say, but Yoda interrupted their chances. "Skywalker, a vision you had?"

I stared at the short green Jedi. "Master, I don't think this was a vision. It... appeared as if it were something from the past."

"What was it?" several voices asked at once. The only Jedi that hadn't asked that question were Yoda, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka. I clutched my head in my hands. A massive headache was beginning to form, and quite frankly, I don't know how much more of these questions I could answer.

"Leave," Yoda spoke aloud. Within seconds, everyone except for Ahsoka, Obi-Wan, and Yoda were out of sight. "Permitted to stay they are, if you wish."

"They can stay," I answered.

Obi-Wan helped me get to my feet and Ahsoka looked extremely worried. Yoda sensed this and turned to her. "Why the worried feeling, young one?"

"I... I was concerned that Master Skywalker was harmed. I didn't want anything to happen to my Master." I looked at Ahsoka and she glanced back. We had a lot to talk about later, given I read her face correctly.

"Master Yoda... I actually think I'm going to go lie down for a bit," I said, rubbing the back of my neck.

Yoda nodded at me. "Talk later, we may. Rest now, you shall. A big day, tomorrow is."

Obi-Wan's eyebrow was raised, but I knew Ahsoka and I needed to have a conversation before we left in the morning. Knowing how battles usually go, it could be hours to days before we were alone again to privately talk. I began walking down the Jedi filled hallway and almost made it out of the temple and then I felt her hand on my shoulder. "Master, are you all right?"

"Stop calling me that," I said harshly. I turned to her and smacked her hand away from me. She flinched at my touch and I felt horrible. My mechanical hand was quite a bit stronger than my human hand. I must have hurt her quite a bit for her to flinch like she did. "Ahsoka, I'm –"

She shushed me and said, "Anakin, I'm sorry. I know that the 'Master' terminology disturbs you, but I have to use it around the other Jedi. Don't you think they would catch on if I started walking around saying 'Anakin' all the time?"

I sighed. "Good point..." I glanced behind her and to the sides and, seeing no one around, I whispered, "I love you."

She smiled up at me. "And I love you, too, Anakin."