Inseverable Bonds

by YurtLord

UPDATED 4/1/18 The master-padawan relationship between Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano has always been strong. But when Anakin has to choose between repeating his past life, or saving the lives of his friends (and lover), that relationship will be put to the test. NOT YET COMPLETE. I am splitting the story into three acts. Expect Act III sometime in late April. Please review

1. Act I

Chapter 1

POV: Ahsoka Tano

The dawning coruscant sunlight seeped into my dorm, signaling the start of a new day. I stretched out and lazily rubbed my eyes until I could see the stars of the outer rim. I slumped back down and was reminded by the first time I met my master, Anakin Skywalker, by feeling the necklace he got me last week for my birthday. I smiled to myself thinking about how compassionate he is, contrary to when we first met. I guess even the strongest men are soft on the inside. I remembered when I first walked off of the ship on Christophsis and had to break the news that HE was my master, and not Obi-Wan. He seemed so frustrated with my presence at first, like he just wanted to get rid of me. Honestly, it was kinda cute. I'd like to think he's glad he didn't get rid of me. At that moment, my comlink started beeping, and I threw my pillow across the room and let out a loud groan. I am NOT a morning person. I rolled over like a fat wampa and pushed on the comlink.

"Ahsoka here" I whispered groggily

"Wow, I'm surprised you answered this early in the morning, snips. I was afraid I was

going to have to break out a bucket of ice water" he snapped with a slight chuckle under his breath

"You wouldn't dare. Anyways, I guess I'm full of surprises. I only learn from the best."

"Damn right. Well anyways, get down to the council doors, Master Yoda said he has an assignment for us"

"Ok, give me a few minutes skyguy"

Skyguy was the nickname I first gave him when we met. He acted like he didn't like it, but I knew he was smiling on the inside. In return, he nicknamed me snips, because of my snippy attitude. I ended the transmission and crawled out of bed into the refresher. I turned on the shower and let the water warm up. In the meantime, I leaned towards the mirror on the wall and examined myself. My eyes seemed more blue than usual; like the oceans of Kamino. My lekku was now growing longer, so they aligned with my upper chest. And my white facial markings seemed to blend in nicely with my sun-red skin. Soon the warm steam started to fog my image, and I hopped in. The hot water felt amazing rushing against my sore muscles. Recently, Anakin has really been pushing me, and I would say it's for the better. He really wants the best of me, and I really appreciate him doing so. I reminisced about all the adventures he and I have had together. Like when I saved him for the first time on Christophsis, when he saved Master Secura and I from the exploding cruiser, when I saved him and Master Kenobi from the cave on Vanqor, when he saved me from getting sucked into outer space, and when he brought me back to life on Mortis. Come to think of it, I owe my life to him, and I don't trust ANYONE more than I trust Anakin. I redressed in my jedi attire and drudged along the halls of the jedi temple. I was always impressed with the temple itself. It had tall ceilings, marble floors, and ancient patterns engraved in the walls. My soft footsteps echoed through the grand halls until soon I reached the doors of the council chambers. My master was leaning against the wall, his suave brown hair brandished over his forehead and his blue eyes shined like the brightest stars. He wore his dark tunic and his red jedi symbol was marked on his shoulder. He smiled at my arrival and I could see his scar along his right eye move with his facial expressions. He had told me he got it during an encounter with Ventress, which would explain why he has such an intense hatred for her.

"You took your time" he chirped

"Like I said, I learned from the best" I replied

"Sometimes I forget how similar you and I are, Obi-Wan did always warn me of that. Anyways, let's not keep Master Yoda waiting."

We entered the council chamber, and stood in the center.

"Good morning masters" we both said in sync.

"An important mission I have for you, Skywalker" Yoda answered. "To Zygerria, you and Ahsoka will go. Rebuilding the slave empire, the zygerrians are. Allow this, we cannot."

"The people of Kiros have been abducted, and you and your padawan need to locate them. We know they have to be somewhere near Zygerria." Mace Windu finally spoke.

"I humbly agree. You can count on Ahsoka and I." he boomed back.

I loved the confidence he had around others; he was never scared of anybody, and I thought that was pretty attractive. Wait, what? Get this out of your head Ahsoka! I was disturbed by my thoughts, but I just can't help it. I know jedi aren't allowed to form attachments, and I would never give up my life as a jedi. Well actually, I could think of some... exceptions.

"Round up the 501st Anakin," Obi-Wan stated. "I'm coming with you on this one." he smiled.

We exited the hall and I could not help by sense an uneasy aura from my master.

"Master?" I asked. No response. "Master?" I asked again, a little louder this time.

"Woah, what?" he blurted out.

"Tell me what's bothering you, you know i'm always willing to help."

"Thanks snips, but it's something I don't want to talk about. Go round up the men, i'll be in my quarters." he answered.

He walked off in a rush, and vanished around a corner. I had a strange feeling, one I had not felt since I first met him and we were walking in the desert on tatooine, returning Jabba's kidnapped son. It then hit me; he was thinking about something in his past, but what? It had to be something recent that triggered this, since he seemed fine before we entered the council chamber. I wasn't quite sure what it was, but I am sure of one thing: this is going to be an interesting mission.

POV: Anakin Skywalker

I rushed away from Ahsoka, embarrassed for her to see me like this. Why did the council choose me? They know I was born into slavery, and that my past still haunts me today, and they have the nerve to chose me for a slavery related mission? What the hell? I stormed up to my room and aggressively rushed in, the door hissed close behind me. I had to get away from Ahsoka, I couldn't let her see me become emotional, or she'll unload on me with questions. She really cares about me, and I appreciate it and all, but i'm scared I might ruin my relationship with her because I have been hiding a secret from her since the day I met her on christophsis, and i'm afraid I am going to spill the beans sometime soon, so I need as little conversation with her as possible. The big secret is something that is against every jedi moral there is, and is especially bad because I am the person that she is supposed to look up too, but the secret is that I love her. Her ocean deep eyes and the way her smile lights up the room makes me melt, and I just want to pick her up and spin her around like I won the greatest trophy known to man. But of course, this would never happen since it can't happen. I slammed my fist into the metallic wall and produced a loud thud. A single tear precipitated down my cheek; I am so afraid of losing her, I start to worry every mission now. I try to teach her everything I can, and I do it passionately so she understands that she means the world to me. I gathered my backpack and clipped my lightsaber to my belt; this was going to be an interesting mission indeed.

Chapter 2

POV: Anakin Skywalker

I entered the hangar and found Ahsoka talking to Obi-Wan. They seemed to be discussing a plan. I decided to voice my opinion.

"I hate to say screw your plans, but i've got this one." I rolled out a blueprint with illustrations to help get the point out.

"In order to locate the colonists, we are going to need to get information from the queen. And to do that, we will have to disguise ourselves to look like slavers." I used my fingers to trace the smooth paper when I talked.

"Rex, Obi-Wan, and myself will dress as zygerrian slavers, while you my young padawan, will act as a slave." Those cold words danced on my tongue with spiked boots, and brewed up terrible flashbacks in my mind.

"No fair master, why do I have to play the part as the slave?", she beautifully whined. Her soft voice massaged my brain, and could put the scariest beasts to sleep.

"I tried it once, I was never any good at it." Obi-Wan shot me a look.

"Besides, the role of master comes easily to me" I snorted

"Well next time, try to be more convincing at it." she replied. I smirked at her comment, and Obi-Wan let out a soft chuckle.

We got into costume and boarded our zygerrian-themed ship. I could not help but look at the beautiful togruta standing in front of me. Her costume consisted of bright colors, and a beautiful golden cross hung betwixt her eyes. Also, it was rather revealing. I angrily thought to myself, Snap out of it Skywalker! She's 16! 16! Your 21! Drop the feelings now! I came back to reality at her beautiful smile and her confident attitude.

"Come on master, we will find my people." I had completely forgotten that the people of Kiros were togrutas, so this mission had a lot of sentiment for Ahsoka as well.

"I know we will Ahsoka, and i'm glad you are here with me." I boldly stated.

"Thanks skyguy." she smiled back.

POV: Ahsoka Tano

We were nearing Zygerria. Anakin and I were seated, talking about things. I could sense his anger building, and I knew by the end of this mission, some of my questions would be answered. Obi-Wan entered the hull with Rex, and reconfirmed the plan with us.

"Rex and I will try to locate governor Roshty, as he will be able to answer some of our questions." Obi-Wan ensured.

"Yeah, and I will take Ahsoka as my slave to the palace, and find out where these missing colonists are." Anakin answered

"And just how are you going to get the queen of zygerria to tell you where the colonists are?" Obi-Wan asked.

"With my magnetic charm of course." said Anakin. I rolled my eyes.

"Ah, yes, of course." teased Obi-Wan.

Anakin and Rex went into the cockpit to land the ship, but Obi-Wan stayed in the hull with me.

"I can sense your worry for Anakin. He has never talked about his past, has he?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Only to tell me he won't talk about it" I sighed.

"As a child, Anakin and his mother were sold into slavery by the Hutt clan. He has since struggled to put his past behind him"

"Oh" I whispered. This is why he had an uneasy feeling. "I'll keep an eye on him."

"Yes, make sure you do." he finished.

My master was a slave? Someone as strong and kind as Anakin grew up as a slave? No wonder he hated these zygerrians so much. He was always one to hate suffering, so I guess this is why he grew up to be so helpful to those who were less fortunate. I felt the engines stirring, and we soon landed on the sand of the horrid planet. My dark robes covered my red skin as the orange sun beamed down on us. We approached the center market and my eyes were in shock as what I was seeing.

"Snips, there are going to be some things here that you aren't going to like to see. When I was on Tatooine, my mother was sold in a market just like this."

I didn't answer, I was too overwhelmed by what was happening around me. People were starving, begging for leftovers and crumbs, young women were being taken advantage of in alleyways, and most terrifyingly, zygerrian slavers were whipping slaves that weren't meeting their standards. It made me sick. We finally made enough ruckus (hey don't blame us, it's what we do for a living) to end up inside the queen's palace. We marched up the cobbled stone stairs and I was astonished by the magnificence of the architecture. And I thought the Jedi temple was impressive. We entered the throne room to see a few important looking zygerrians, a few slaves, and most importantly, the Queen of Zygerria. She had a slender frame, and had killer yellow eyes; eyes of satisfaction. She wore a diamond tiara on her head and was dressed elegantly.

"So, you claim to be the man acquainted with Bruno Denturi?" she asked.

The way she looked at Anakin made me want to rip her head off. Already, it was no secret she thought highly of him, based off just his looks.

"Yes your majesty. However, when I spoke with him, he failed to describe your beauty." He answered. He was always good with the ladies.

"Really" she snickered. She started blushing. "And did he speak of my intense hatred for him?"

"He needed not your highness, as a matter of fact, Bruno Denturi won't be speaking. Ever again." Anakin said coldly.

"What you mean?" asked the queen.

"Bruno Denturi is dead, by my hand." He sure was comfortable with lying. "Here is a slave from his palace, compensation for my efforts." He grabbed my robes and yanked them off, exposing my rather revealing attire.

"Unhand me Brigand!" I boomed loudly.

He looked at me funny, almost as if saying, "Gosh snips, that was terrible!"

"Ah, yes, a fine species she is. Bruno always knew how to choose a beautiful female."

She moved towards me and caressed her bony fingers around my shoulder.

"Don't you dare touch me." I said as I slapped away her arm.

"Though she will have to be processed." the queen claimed.

Processed? The hell does that mean? Either way, I didn't want to know.

"Lars Quell, walk with me and maybe we can put a price on your slave." she said patiently.

"With all due respect your majesty, how could I put a price on this slave when I look upon the beauty of your highness, whose beauty makes the brightest stars seem dull by comparison." Anakin charmed.

I rolled my eyes, were all guys like this?

"Lars Quell, you flatter me."

"No your majesty, however…" He pulled the queen close and started whispering in her ear. Her eyes grew wide and Anakin produced a small grin. I couldn't believe my eyes. What was he saying?

"Lars, stop it, stop it! Ooh, you are a bold one aren't you?" she said seductively.

That made my blood boil and I wanted to spring on her and push my lightsabers through her chest.

"I wish you to be my guest at the slave auction." retorted the queen.

"It would be my honor your highness." replied Anakin.

I sure hope Obi-Wan and Rex were having as much luck as we are.

Chapter 3

POV: Anakin Skywalker

I hated acting as if I were interested in this Zygerrian Queen. If it were up to me, I would have killed her already. My true love was for the beautiful girl standing beside me, not some feline whore who viewed slavery as commitment. We made it up to the Queen's box and looked down at the coliseum. There were many floors of spectators, all thirsty to see the pain of others. It made me sick, and reminded me of what I did to those tusken raiders years ago. Guards blocked off all entrances, and the coliseum had a pretty good security team. Ahsoka and I stood next to the queen while she gave announcements. A male slaver entered the box and whispered something into the queen's ear. She then spoke loudly:

"Now, welcome special guest: Obi-Wan Kenobi! Jedi Knight!"

I shot a look at Ahsoka, and a look of terror emerged on both of our faces. I looked down to see my old master, slowly limping out into the demon light. He was beaten pretty bad, and I wanted to turn and snap the Queen's neck.

"Friends, do not fear the jedi, as they are no different from others we have forced into submission. The jedi have already become slaves to the republic, and dedicate their lives to serve a corrupt senate."

As much as I hated the queen right now, those words hit me hard. She was right, we are slaves to the republic, in a way. I shook these thoughts out of my head and looked back at Obi-Wan. I was going to save him one way or another.

"Teach the jedi his place." The queen said, and handed me her electro whip.

I stared at it with a blank look on my face, terrible memories rushed through my cerebral cortex and I started to feel light headed. I leaned forward and grabbed the whip, forcing a weak smile on my face. As I turned to walk out of the doors, I gave Ahsoka a wink, and mouthed "I've got everything under control." She smiled back at me, then I walked out.

POV: Ahsoka Tano

I hated to see my master so uneasy. I really wanted to help him. Obi-Wan is like an older brother to him, and I know he won't actually whip him. But that means we will blow our cover, so I prepared myself and was ready for combat. I glanced at Rex across the coliseum, he was blended into the crowd, and still wore his zygerrian armor. He gave me a reassuring smile, and then I looked over at R2. He had all of our lightsabers with him, and he got ready to dispense them. Anakin had reached the ground floor, and was striding out to Obi-Wan, who was held captive in the center of the coliseum. The crowd was going wild, and craved to see the pain that was about to be inflicted on the jedi knight. I cannot believe how sick some people can be. Anakin graciously marched up the steps and took position behind Obi-Wan.

"Looks like I have to rescue you again old man." I was able to read off his lips.

I sighed and shook my head, I knew this mission was going to be an interesting one. Anakin looked up at R2 and gave him the signal. He then glanced my way and gave me a warm smile. I melted on the inside, I love the way he looks when he does that. Then, R2 opened a hatch and catapulted Anakin and Obi-Wan's sabers into the air. They gracefully floated in the cool air for a little bit, then plummeted into the open hands of my master. They started to fend off from the guards. Rex somehow ended up on the ground level with the masters, and the three of them were fighting for their lives against the mass amounts of guards that were pouring into the coliseum, like buzz droids on a starfighter. I watched in horror as Rex and Obi-Wan fell to the ground, electricity pumping through their veins. Anakin was all alone down there. He looked up at me.

"AHSOKA THE QUEEN." He shouted.

R2 pumped my lightsaber to me and I seized the queen.

"Looks like your slave empire is finished." I growled.

"Get that thing out of my face you little scug."

Next thing I knew, I was paralyzed by the flow of voltage coursing through me. I fell to the ground, exhausted, and the world swirled into a dark color.

POV: The Queen

After I finished with my "slave" I walked over to the balcony to see "Lars Quell" against my army of guards. I was surprised to see that even with 4 whips around him, with electricity being jolted into his systems, the look of determination was still in his eyes, and he was still fighting. Such determination. But why? I knew he was a jedi assigned to stop my slave empire, but he was different from the rest. I will find out why.

Chapter 4

POV: Anakin Skywalker

I woke to the warm sunlight shining down on my jaded skin, and the soft chirping of birds. I was comfortable, and it instantly reminded me of Ahsoka. On the contrary, I sat up to see the queen, and I immediately force choked her and lifted her off her feet.

"My friends, where are they?" I commanded.

"Continue to misbehave, and they die." she squeaked out.

I dropped her to the floor and turned my back to her.

"A most curious jedi who cares for his friends more than his own mission."

My eyes narrowed and I gave her a death stare.

"You were once a slave, weren't you?" She demanded.

"What makes you think I was a slave?" I demanded.

"The noble selflessness in your eyes, and your determination to end slavery is beyond any others I have seen."

"Well I'm not answering that, so would you just tell me where my friends are." I snapped back.

"Let's make a deal. If you promise to stay with me forever, I will free your friends and they can leave. And you will not be a slave, but something a bit more." She said as she wrapped her arms around me. It took everything I had to not shove her to the ground. "Anakin Skywalker, I love you."

"Sorry your highness but that's not an easy decision. Besides, I'm not allowed to love, it is against the jedi code." I responded

"It's funny how you say that yet you love that fake slave girl of yours." she spat out

"What?" I croaked. My voice was weakened.

"How do you know that?"

"I am no fool Skywalker, I see the way you look at her, with such protectiveness, as if there is something more to your master-padawan relationship. Tell me, what is it about her that you love."

I sat in silence for a few moments, angered by her asking me such personal questions. I then cleared my mind and thought about Ahsoka. I suddenly started speaking without even thinking:

"Her deep blue eyes get the most of me. The way her smile lights up the room, and her soft voice is so soothing. But most importantly, her attitude. She is fearless and is always up for a challenge. She is caring and compassionate, and is always willing to help others. She has been at my side for 2 years now, and I am so glad I met her on christophsis. I can't believe I actually wanted to get rid of her at first." I rambled.

"I see. Well i'm sure she's lucky to have you."

"Well, she doesn't exactly know." I murmured

"You haven't expressed your feelings to her Skywalker?"

"I don't want to ruin our relationship. I would never tell Ahsoka anything that would make her uncomfortable" I baffled out.

"I think you are just bad at taking hints Skywalker. She reciprocates the way the you look at her, you just don't realize it."

Those words hit me like a freight train.

"Wait, really?"

"Yes, Skywalker. Now, have you decided to take up my offer?"

I gazed upon the setting sun through the polished glass window. This was an important decision indeed, but I could not live with myself if I was the source of so much pain inflicted on my friends.

"You know, I think I will accept your offer your highness. I cannot allow the suffering of the people who are closest to me."

"Good choice Skywalker." she whispered softly.

The next thing she did COMPLETELY crossed the line. She leaned in forward ever so slowly and closed her eyes; she tried to kiss me!

"Back off sleemo!" I shouted as I pushed her to the ground.

"That does it Skywalker! I will free your friends, but you will live to regret it!"

"Bite me."

Guards swarmed the quintessence of a throne room and began zapping me with cattle prods until I was laying face first on the cold, hard, stone.

POV: Ahsoka Tano

I woke up to the cool breeze blowing past my body, and soon discovered that I was hanging a few hundred feet in the air, inside of a rusty cage. I almost had a heart attack, and instantly wished Anakin was here to comfort me. I then found a hologram transmitter laying next to me, and it started beeping. I accepted it, but the caller had my transmission muted, so the caller could not hear anything I said. I then heard the voice of the queen, then a somewhat familiar voice. Anakin

"Master!" I screamed. No response. I guess she really did mute me. I decided that yelling into this machine wasn't going to help me, so I patiently listened.

"Anakin Skywalker, I love you." was the first thing I heard. My heart broke into a million pieces.

"Sorry your highness but that's not an easy decision. Besides, I'm not allowed to love, it is against the jedi code." Anakin said. This comment also did not sit well with me.

"It's funny how you say that yet you love that fake slave girl of yours." She spat.

I looked up to the hologram and felt the warmth of Anakin Skywalker through the hologram. Could this really be happening? Could he really love me back?

"What? How did you know that?" his voice sounded weak.

"I am no fool Skywalker, I see the way you look at her, with such protectiveness, as if there is something more to your master-padawan relationship. Tell me, what is it about her that you love." Now that I thought about it, he does give me that look quite often.

He then poured his heart out and it made me tear up.

"Her deep blue eyes get the most of me. The way her smile lights up the room, and her soft voice is so soothing. But most importantly, her attitude. She is fearless and is always up for a challenge. She is caring and compassionate, and is always willing to help others. She has been at my side for 2 years now, and I am so glad I met her on christophsis. I can't believe I actually wanted to get rid of her at first."

Once he finished talking, tears streamed down my cheeks like the waterfalls of Naboo. I am so happy he feels this way about me. The queen then brought up her deal again. I could feel Anakin's frustration. He hated to watch people suffer, and he hated his past life as a slave. The visible agony and worry in his eyes was unbearable to watch, and I turned my head. Anakin answered, and if I wasn't crying enough before, I certainly was then; he accepted her terms. He was going to free myself, Obi-Wan, and Rex and stay on Zygerria as a slave. I now know that this is the man I love.

Chapter 5

POV: Obi-Wan Kenobi

Captain Rex and I were being railed on by electro whips for hours when all of a sudden, they stopped. I looked over at him, and he was mortified by my expression.

"Don't worry general, were gonna make it out of this one."

I loved the confidence he had, and I understood how Anakin put so much trust in him.

"I know we are, be strong captain." I choked out.

"Get up scugs." One of the guards slobbed. "You are leaving."

They were letting us go? For what reason? I brought my right hand up to my beard and started thinking as we marched. We passed through what seemed like an impenetrable complex until I felt a familiar presence bump into me.

"Master Kenobi! Rex!" Ahsoka squealed.

"Ahsoka! Am I glad to see you. I find myself asking this question more and more, but where is Anakin" I asked.

Her eyes started to tear up.

"The queen said if he stays here as a jedi slave then she will free us." she squeaked out.

I let out a sigh.

"And i'm assuming Anakin agreed?"

She shook her head yes, tears in her eyes. I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Don't worry kid, were coming back for him." Rex stated.

"Indeed we are." I chimed in. I knew I taught him how to be selfless. I was proud of him, even though I wished he had declined the offer.

The zygerrians returned our sabers to us and escorted us to our ship.

"Don't come back." one of them grounded out.

I solemnly shook my head and closed the ramp behind me. I inputted the coordinates for Coruscant. We were going to need some serious back up.

POV: Anakin Skywalker

I woke to the taste of prison cell floor and rolled over on my back, which immediately exploded in pain. I tightened my face and spat out every single foul word known to man. The room reeked of disease and twi-lek prostitutes. Trust me, after living on Coruscant for so many years, I couldn't possibly forget that foul odor. There was a leaking pipe on the ceiling, that made a weary dropping noise every few seconds. My cell door buzzed open and a couple of drunken zygerrian guards yelled at me.

"Come on jedi scum, do we have some work for you!" yelled one of them.

"Yeahhhhh." the other one said, while burping obnoxiously. "Were gonna make your life hell."

"Yeah well you seem to doing a pretty damn good job of it" I said as I covered up my nose. They smelled horrible. "If you were to be standing in a twenty mile radius to me you would be making my life hell."

They looked at each other with confused looks. Drunk idiots, I thought.

"Ohhhhhhhhh, I think he is saying that we smell like the ass of a Bantha." One of them said, finally putting two and two together.

He broke his alcohol bottle in half over a counter and plunged the spiked glass of the bottle into my abdomen. I shrieked out in pain and dropped to the floor, clutching my wounds.

"That'll teach you, now get up and grab a pickaxe, you'll be outside today."

I took off my robes and wrapped them snugly around my wounds, and all I had left on was a thin tank that I got from Obi-Wan on my last birthday. I was able to walk on a pathetic limp, kind of like an old Kaminoan, until I got to the work station. I entered, and lets just say I found the missing colonists. Hundreds of togrutas were lined up, some grabbing shovels, some grabbing pickaxes, and some pushing carts around. I was shocked, and in a state of complete horror. People were sweating, some collapsing on the floor, some being whipped by guards. Terrible flashbacks of Tatooine swirled into my mind, and I grew nauseous. I swallowed the lump in my throat and pried a pickaxe out from a rock. I weighed it in my hands, then struck the rock with all my hatred and it crumpled to bits.

POV: Ahsoka Tano

"We can't just leave him there!" I shouted.

"Trust me Ahsoka I don't want to either! We are going back to the temple and discussing this with the council. Then we are going back with more forces and saving Anakin's skin, once again." Obi-Wan finished.

His anger was visible, and you couldn't blame him. Anakin was like a younger brother to him. I slumped back into my chair. I felt so empty and cold without him here.

"Master, I know that If it were me, he would have turned this ship around and would not stop until he saved me."

"Yes, and that is his reckless side to him. And we can save him by relaying our message to the council."

Again, I felt cold. Cold like the ice caves on Ilum, when I constructed my second lightsaber. Anakin took me to get my second kyber crystal, but that time was different from the first. The first time, I was excited to be a jedi and found mine in no time. On my last journey, it took me longer, and I felt so hopeless without Anakin. I remembered that we exited the ship together, and I felt so warm and comfortable as he embraced me. That is, until he let me go off into the cave. I stood there nervously, until I realized that I had to make him proud. The fuel that kept me going in that moment was the warm embrace of Anakin Skywalker, and I would do anything to feel that again.

Chapter 6

POV: Anakin Skywalker

Sweat poured off of my face as I shattered my thousandth rock into nothing more but tiny rocks and dust particles. I stopped and took a long swig of water. The water was disease-ridden and barley processed, but to me it tasted like holy water. I finally felt at peace. Well, almost at peace. Of course, Ahsoka wasn't here. That peace ended as another scar was added to my collection by the cracking of a whip across my beaten back.

"Get back to work you useless scug." demanded one of the guards.

I almost lifted him off of the ground and choked him until his trachea stopped functioning, but I decided against it.

"Yessir." I croaked.

For hours on end, I transitioned between swinging a pickaxe at rocks, and burying my shovel into the Zygerrian planet. They had us digging 5x5 feet holes into the ground, claiming that there is some treasure left thousands of years ago by early zygerrians. As I finished my third hole, I looked down into the pit I created to see the mixture of blood, sweat, and tears pooled at the bottom. As if it couldn't get any worse, sharp lightening filled the night sky and water began to force itself down to the dusty planet. Khalices had formed on my hands, and filled my palms. I pushed myself up off of the dirt and was escorted to my cell. I flopped down on my lame excuse for a bed and let the pour of rainwater lull me to sleep.

It was cold. The chilly Coruscant air filled my pores and sunk into my organs.

"Ahsoka, were asking you back. I, am asking you back." I said as I held out her silka beads in my palm."

She walked up to me and met my gaze; her eyes were not the same. They were a chilled blue; unlike the normal ocean blue. She used her hands to close my fist.

"I'm sorry master, but i'm not coming back."

She strided out from me and walked out into the Coruscant morning.

I woke up in a cold sweat like I got hit with a freeze ray during a heat wave. I hyperventilated heavily and panted for what seemed like hours until I was able to regulate my breathing. My visions don't lie to me. I know that for a fact. I need to see her, and I need to see her now.

POV: Ahsoka Tano

We entered the clouded atmosphere of Coruscant and touched down onto one of the landing platforms. The exiting ramp lowered and I took off like a gundark down the runway, through the cafeteria, and through the temple halls until I skidded to a stop outside the council doors. I started wailing on them with my fists like a child, until they started to creak open. I slid through the tiny crack that was forming. I wasn't going to wait on them to open. Anakin is in trouble, and he needs help. Fast.

"Ana- needs help fas- we nee- go now." I was able to pant out, sounding like a child who was losing at freeze tag.

"Slow yourself little Soka." Master Plo spoke. It calmed me to hear Master Plo's voice. He was the closest thing to a father i've had. After Anakin, he was the next person I was closest to.

"I think what Ahsoka is trying to say is that Anakin took one for the team and is stuck on Zygerria as a jedi slave. We must leave immediately if we are to save him." Obi-Wan boomed from behind me.

"Dispatch a team, we will. Rescue Skywalker, we must. Rescue Skywalker, we will." Master yoda confirmed.

Chapter 7

POV: Anakin Skywalker

It had been a little over a week now, and I am starting to lose hope. I've been trying to construct a makeshift comlink, but i've had little success. I have grown sick, and if i'm not laboring, i'm puking my guts out. I don't know how much longer I can go. The only thing keeping me alive right now is the thought that I will see Ahsoka again. My eyelids are every color of green and purple, and bruises are tattooed across my body. Dried blood covers my body, and I cannot begin to describe how hungry I am. We are given a meal every other day, and I can't function anymore. Before I die I need to tell Ahsoka how I feel about her, and time is running out. I decided that I was going to die here, as no one was coming for me, and there is no chance of escaping this hell hole. There was a rusty chisel laying in the corner, and I decided that I was going to write my last words into the cell wall. I forced the chisel to me, and began to carve in my first words, when my cell door buzzed open. It was the queen.

"Skywalker, Count Dooku has ordered your death." She said, sounding a little too happy.

"So even you have a master." I smirked back.

I felt my stomach churn as she backhanded me across the face as hard as she could. My ears began to ring and I was temporarily dazed.

"Dooku is not my master!" She angrily exclaimed. "I will give you one last shower and meal, and then you will be executed in front of all my people, unless of course, you decided to change your feelings for me" she said as she brushed my face.

Those were some lousy options.

"I am a man of dedication your highness, I do not love you and I never will." I spoke confidently.

"Then you will perish like the others." She ended.

I was drug along the floor by the same two drunken guards until my body was thrown like a ragdoll into a refresher. It wasn't much, but it will do. I crawled to the shower and turned the knob on the faucet and let the water warm up. I ached as I limped over to the mirror and gazed into it. I jolted back and screamed. I was hideous. Like bad. I was able to see the scars, gashes, bruises, and any kind of wound scattered across my face. My hair was greasy, and I noticed a terrible odor coming from my core. Now I was the one who smelled like the ass of a bantha. I struggled over to the shower and climbed in. I slumped over, as I couldn't stand any longer. I felt at peace with the warm water rushing down my face. It was so soothing. Almost as soothing as Ahsoka. I washed my entire body, most of the time with a grimace. The soap seeped into my cuts and screamed at my body to stop. At least I know that it's working. I washed away all of the dried blood, and a mess of red water washed down the drain. I pulled a warm towel around me felt like heaven. I redressed into my jedi armor that was neatly laundered and exited the refresher.

"This way scug." One of the guards murmured.

I followed them until a bone-jarring tremor filled the hallway. I took advantage of this and ran outside and looked into the azure sky. There were cruisers! Republic cruisers! They came back for me! I felt so happy; I was saved. That is, until I was tackled and cuffed by the familiar zygerrian guards. Not again! I was hauled back into the coliseum until I was in the middle, in front of the entire population. The chant of kill him! Kill him! Kill him! Flooded the coliseum. I looked up to see the queen standing above me, electro whip in hand.

"You are a fool Skywalker!" she hissed.

At that moment, the world began to go slow. Clone troopers aimed at guards, guards aimed at clone troopers, and at any moment, all out warfare could begin.

"We can prevent this violence on my planet!" boomed the queen.

"I will allow Skywalker to earn his freedom from Zygerrian tradition!" she exclaimed.

"And how is that." a familiar voice said; Obi-Wan was stood atop the coliseum with Ahsoka.

I started to call for her, but the stock of a rifle connected with the back of my head.

"Skywalker will fight, gladiator style, against the most preposterous being in the universe! A rancor!" she said.

The entire audience gasped.

"Forget it, you will let him go now or else you will regret it!" Obi-Wan replied.

"Stop!" I shouted. All eyes were now on me.

"Your majesty I accept."

"No Anakin! Do not risk your life!" Obi-Wan pleaded

"It's okay master, less lives will be lost this way. Besides, how could I possibly lose with having your training at my side?" I said with a smile.

He reciprocated my smile, and sheathed his lightsaber.

"You drive a good point." He agreed.

"Then it is settled. The tradition will begin immediately." The queen cried

Chapter 8

POV: Ahsoka Tano

Again, Anakin accepted. I wish he didn't but that is just the man he is. He always puts his own life in danger before anyone else. A quality of a true jedi. I didn't deserve to have his training, let alone him in general. He was all alone down there, and although he is very powerful, there is only so much one can do to a rancor. Hot liquid began to stream down my face. I cannot afford to lose Anakin, I love him and he loves me. I am not going to lose him before I get the chance to tell him. I sobbed quietly as the hideous, slimy, terrifying rancor emerged from the opposing gates.

POV: Anakin Skywalker

I've lived on Tatooine for the first nine years of my life and seen some things that a young boy should not see, but nothing compared to the brutal beast lingering beyond me. This monster in front of me had razor sharp teeth, what seemed like fangs for toes, a snobbish snout, and the eyes of the dark side. The large, brown reptilian beast stepped forward and let out the most bone chilling howl I have ever heard in my life. How did they manage to get a rancor to Zygerria? That question quickly dispersed from my brain, as the murderous monster began to charge at me. I ignited my sky blue lightsaber and charged back; I don't run from anything.

I used the force to leap high over the core of the monster, landing on an extended arm. I pushed my lightsaber through the rocky skin and began to ascend along the scaly arm. It didn't seem too happy with this. An angry shriek filled the coliseum, and I was thrown off by an insurmountable force. I rolled along the barren dirt until the monster caught my gaze. It was bleeding. And if it bleeds, you can kill it.

I reignited my saber and sliced through one of it's toes. It didn't seem to enjoy that as much I thought it would. I was scooped off my feet and seized in the air by the malevolent hand that wrapped around my entire body. I was able to slice through a finger, and I was dropped to the ground. I backed up made some observations. I knew I was not going to be able to kill this thing with my lightsaber. Unfortunately, I didn't have much. I looked up to see my terrified face on the jumbotron, that everyone was watching. That's it! The jumbotron! I made some quick calculations, then sprinted towards the vicious rancor. I used all my might to jump up onto the crown of the beast, then used both hands and plunged my lightsaber into it's head. As expected, it screeched in pain and bobbed it's head upwards. I timed my jump perfectly, and exploded with all my strength to jump as high as I possibly could. I was able to grasp the edge of the screen of the jumbotron as gravity tried to pull me down.

I started to scale the wall, with the beast still injured below me. I heard the cries of the spectators in the distance, but I did not let them overwhelm me. I made it to the top, and began to cut through the thick metal that connected the jumbotron to the ceiling. After some confusion of the crowd, and the hot sparks that jumped back at me, the jumbotron plummeted from the sky. I held on for dear life, until I sprang from the platform and rolled onto the red surface. I turned back to see the beast. But this time, it wasn't so scary, due the weight of a jumbotron resting on top of it. The rancor has been defeated. Cries boomed throughout the stadium, and I spotted the queen in her box. Her face was priceless. I didn't wait for her to announce anything, as gunships started to land in front of me. I jumped in and hitched a ride to the top, where Obi-Wan and Ahsoka were waiting for me.

POV: Ahsoka Tano

I knew he would do it, I just knew he would. If anyone could take down a humongous beast with nothing but a lightsaber, he could. I felt his presence grow closer, and closer, until I saw his figure emerge from the gunship that hovered in front of us. He sprang from it, and ran over to me.

"Hey there snips." He said with the biggest grin

"Couldn't stay away from me, could you master" I teased.

The thing I did next even surprised me at first; I looked up into his eyes, then I pressed my lips against his.

POV: Anakin Skywalker

I had just reunited with Ahsoka, when the best thing in my life happened to me; she kissed me. I was surprised at first, and I broke the kiss for split second before returning one of my own. The feeling I received was unlike any other. It felt as if all hunger in the universe ended, as if the war was over; as if the Yin connected with the Yang to form complete harmony. We slowly pulled away from each other. I didn't care if Obi-Wan was watching, it's not like he hasn't broken the attachment rule with Satine.

"I'm so glad you feel the same way." I whispered

"I have from the start, I just didn't see it until recently. I love you master."

"I love you too Ahsoka, but don't call me master. I hate the feeling that you are my slave, because you are much more to me; Ahsoka, you mean the world to me, and I wouldn't trade you for anything."

"You are so sweet. I love you too mas-, I mean, Anakin."

I held her in my arms as the sun began to set behind us. Every shade of yellow and crimson filled the cloudy sky, and I could not picture a place I would rather be.