AN: Obviously, I added to the beginning. I didn't put this in the first chapter: I wish I owned Star Wars, but I don't...

Does any one mind if Ahsoka's first three years are a bit long? I think they need to be that way in order for the whole ordeal to come into play. It helps develop Ahsoka's character, but...review!


Mai's eyes adjusted to the darkness slowly. They were running; they had been for so long, would they ever stop? Suddenly, Aron halted. When Mai gasped and tried to peer around him, he held and orange finger to her lips. He turned and caught Mai's shoulder, "I'm so sorry, Mai." He whispered, "They were going to kill us." Mai nodded and as Aron took her hand, she leaned against him. Waiting.

Mai and Aron had been standing in the clearing, laughing and talking, but then there was red blaster fire streaking the air, shouts and claims of revenge. Aron had lifted Mai, and, lips barely moving, whispered, "We're going to run!"

Now they sat in a clearing, too afraid to go home. Aron glanced at Mai with glossy, tired eyes and said in a low voice, "I want to find a secret place for us, Mai, somewhere where we can be safe."

Mai nodded, "I know. But where?" She leaned against a tree, the tall red and white grasses of the Shilli landscape brushing her cheeks comfortingly. Aron held out a hand and Mai accepted, standing slowly.

"I know, Mai, I know where we can go." Aron scanned the horizon, and, not seeing danger, crept outwards. Mai followed. They ran for a long time until they came to a beaten, isolated home. Mai glanced wryly at her husband and reprimanded, "We live in groups, Aron."

"I'm no child." Aron sniffed indignantly, digging a broad hand into his wife's hand, "But, my darling, what choice do we have?" His tone was laced with sarcasm, something he claimed to have picked up from Mai, but he stroked her lekku comfortingly "When it's safe, life will be good to us again."

"When it's safe." Mai mimicked grumpily. She crossed her arms testily. Honestly, the isolation made her nervous. Togruta lived in groups, not small hovels in the middle of nowhere. Mai wrinkled her nose as she peered into what Aron was beaming at, somewhat proudly. Cobwebs and dust covered tables and desks. Chairs were overturned, the windows broken, the bedrolls had holes...and Aron said, "With a little work, this will amount to something."

Mai stared at him in disbelief. Her unspoken words were obvious, her mouth dropped open, she couldn't even say them. You're kidding.

"Well," Aron said, faltering, "A lot of work." Aron edged past his shocked wife and gestured wildly for her to follow. He lay down on a bedroll, "Okay." He said wincing, "We need new furniture."


"Mai, we need income!" Aron called after his stony-faced wife. Mai turned around and laughed harshly, "I agree! So you're going to run away and leave me." Mai put her face in her hands miserably. She had, just a day ago, been excited about Aron's ideas for work. Now, she felt vehemently against it. She blamed her moods on the loneliness.

Aron put his hand on her shoulder, "Oh, Mai." He sighed softly, "It won't kill you, will it?" Aron looked worn and tired, and he also looked ready to leave. He touched Mai's shoulder and kissed her forehead. Mai made it clear that she wasn't going to tolerate anything more. She narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. "Mai." Aron whispered gently, "I'll be back. I promise." He touched Mai's lekku one last time.

And then he was gone


Months later, Mai was gazing at her one month old daughter, a child she called Ahsoka. She loved her more than anything. The baby had filled her days, filled the gape that Aron had left. Mai considered him a traitor. He never wrote. Mai doubted he even knew that he had a daughter, and she wondered if he might even remember her. Mai wiped the child's sleeping face. Ahsoka opened her eyes and looked at her mother curiously for a moment, "Oh, child." Mai sighed, dropping her hand.

Ahsoka grew quickly. At six months, she could crawl, and at that time, Mai realized she had trouble in her hands. Ahsoka had the tendency to knock over Comm links, Datapads, books, you name it, it was on the floor. Mai thought that Ahsoka enjoyed dismaying her mother. More than once, Mai found a shredded letter that she had carefully written, or, worse, credits that Ahsoka had pushed under tables.

Aron never sent any credits. Mai had to do something, but right now, there wasn't much she could do, with Ahsoka growing the way she was. Occasionally, when Mai had the time, she would make jewelry to sell.

But life was becoming a torture.


Okay, kind of short, not that great. It will be better. I just wanted to get the whole Aron left chapter done so what happened was known.