Ahsoka Tano was every bit of a freak as Anakin. She just didn't suffer under the burden of being called the Chosen One. Ahsoka knew she was different. She knew it was a rare honor to be Anakin Skywalker's apprentice. She heard what the others said about her, but she could have cared less. Chosen One or not, Anakin Skywalker was her Master.

She didn't mind what they called her. She was feisty. She did have an attitude. And personally, she was thankful she was given to Anakin because she doubted if any other Master would want to put up with her. She had been told numerous times by Master Kenobi she was exactly like Anakin when he was younger. She decided that was more of a compliment than an insult. Her Master was a great Jedi and a great Man. Ahsoka Tano was Anakin Skywalker's Padawan and it was a duty and a pleasure to serve with him, learn from him, and protect him.

The protecting bit was getting harder and harder though, Ahsoka sighed, walking into their quarters to find Anakin slumped over the table again. She silently swore. This was turning into a weekly routine. Ahsoka had no idea how long he had been doing this before she had noticed. She had gotten better at avoiding his sleep suggestions now, creating a resistant barrier across their bond. She had thought she had found and trashed all his secret stores of liquor and sweets. Apparently she had missed something.

"Master, this really isn't healthy."

Anakin looked up at her and blinked in confusion. "Snips, you're supposed to be asleep."

"I was out with Bariss."

"You should be in bed."

"As should you."

He glared angrily at her. "Ahsoka, I am your Master, you will do well to remember that."

His tone almost frightened her. Almost. She knew Anakin well enough to know it took much more than half a bottle to get him drunk to the point of being dangerous. He hardly even slurred. She hadn't even considered going to Master Kenobi. Yet. Anakin would be deeply resentful if he found out, and Obi-Wan had his own set of burdens to deal with now he was on the Council. If the situation didn't improve however, he would be the first person Ahsoka would turn to.

For now, there was no real threat. Anakin never drank so much as to lose control of the Force and his temper. He got irritable, but mostly just melancholy and depressed. The biggest threat he presented was to himself. Ahsoka didn't even want to think about what the alcohol and sugar was doing to Anakin's body.

"Let me help you clean up, then I'll leave" Ahsoka said quietly. She started picking up the wrappers and depositing them in the trash. She gently pried the bottle out of Anakin's hand, expecting resistance but finding none.

"One day, I'm going to kill you, Ahsoka," Anakin said suddenly. "I'm going to take you on a mission and you're going to die. And it will be my fault, because I didn't train you."

"Hey, Skyguy, you've been the best Master I could ask for. I can handle myself."

Anakin started to flex his prosthetic arm, staring pensively at it. "That's what Obi-Wan said about me. I nearly got both of us killed. I was never a model Jedi, I'm no example Padawan…how can I be expected to train you?"

"Jedi aren't perfect. You seem to tease Master Kenobi about his mistakes almost daily."

"The Jedi expect me to be perfect. They expect me to be better! Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan defied the Jedi Council to have me trained, Ahsoka. And for what? There is no balance in the Force. There's more disturbance now, not less!"

Ahsoka pulled a chair up besides Anakin. "I know what the Jedi say about you, Skyguy. About us."

"Ahsoka…I am sorry I dragged you into this. I didn't ask for a Padawan." He sensed her hurt and hurriedly added, "I don't mind having you around I just…you should still be in classes training, not out in the middle of a battlefield with me. I can't be the Master you deserve and everyone knows it."

Ahsoka grabbed his hand. "Why do you listen to them? Master Yoda knew we would make a good team or he wouldn't have assigned me to you. We make a good team. I know people think I'm not cut out to be a Jedi. But they're wrong. I'm going to prove them wrong."

"We are a team of fighters, Ahsoka, the Jedi are more than that. There is so much more I can't teach you. How can I teach you the Jedi Code when I'm always lecture for breaking it!?"

"So what? So we make mistakes. So you're disobedient and I'm reckless. We make a team. We trust each other and we learn from each other."

"You're a bit more than reckless, Snips."

"And you say you aren't a proper Master. Keep up that nagging and you'll be just like Master Kenobi."

"I wish."

"Master, I am proud to be called your Padawan. It is worth all the gossip and whispers just to be able to serve with you."

Anakin smiled and said nothing for a few minutes before he gestured to the table in front of him. "I'm sorry about this. Meditation has never been my strong suit…neither is coping with my emotions."

"Keep it up and the tabloids might have to demote your rank of 'sexiest Jedi.'"

"I won't do it again, Snips. I promise."

"I'll hold you to that. You do remember we have to leave in – " she checked her chrono, "–less than seven standard hours?"

"Right. We should get some rest. And I'm going to reconsider letting you stay out so late." Anakin made to stand up and then promptly collapsed forward onto Ahsoka. "Oooh. Might have had a bit too much to drink."

She helped him stagger to his feet. He was hunched over, hands cradling his stomach. Ahsoka put her arm around his waist, letting him lean on her as she guided him into his room.

She couldn't resist. "Want another piece of cake, Skyguy?"

He groaned. "If you mention any sort of food again I am revoking all recreational activities for a month. I don't think I'm ever going to eat again."

Ahsoka merely smiled and helped to hoist Anakin into his bed. "I'll see you tomorrow."

He called her back just as she was passing through the door frame.

"Snips?"

"Yeah, Skyguy?"

"It's an honor to train you."

She nodded, her face lighting up. "I wouldn't have anyone else. Goodnight, Master."