Hi everyone! I just want to give a shout out to Sarahbear00001 for her kind words. If you haven't read her stories you should! And, a big thank-you to everyone reading this story as well. I had some problems with the flow of this chapter, and getting some of the dialogue to sound right, so tell me what you think. Anyway, on to Chapter 2!

Anakin turned around as his padawan walked onto the bridge of the small ship.

"You ready, Snips?"

"As ready as I'll ever be, master," Ahsoka sighed.

"Well, it's your optimism that keeps me going, my padawan." he replied sarcastically.

"You forgot to mention my clever quips, great ideas, and impeccable timing, Master Skywalker." Ahsoka said, winking at him.

"Alright my young snippy padawan, strap yourself in, because we're about to take off."

Anakin turned away and flipped several switches on the control panel. Asoka sat down and gave her master a thumbs-up. He smirked and guided the ship out of the hangar and into the sky. Ahsoka turned to watch Corusaunt's skyscrapers disappear beneath them as they rose through the stratosphere and towards outer space.

-

Meanwhile, on Tatooine, a hooded figure ducked into an alleyway and turned on a holoprojector. "My lord, the Hutt is behaving exactly as you predicted. He is doubling his guards. Of course, I offered my... assistance." The figure chuckled, as he lowered his hood to reveal his white skin and scarred lekku.

"You have done well, Ka'rawn," the holographic reptilian figure said. "Our master will be most pleased."

The twi'lek nodded and asked,"Do you have further orders?"

"No orders, Ka'rawn, just a warning. I have been informed that two Jedi are on their way to Jabba's palace."

The twi'lek, Ka'rawn, narrowed his red eyes. "Ah, yes. Our master already warned me that the Hutt might contact them. Should I kill them?"

"Not yet," the figure hissed. Wait at least until you have killed the Hutt at our appointed time. Until then, give them no reason to suspect you. Once you have killed Jabba, you may do as you please with them."

Ka'rawn bowed. "Yes, Lord Tek Ru."

Back on the ship, Ahsoka was concerned. Her master seemed fine until they had made the jump to hyperspace, but since then he had barely spoken to her.

"Back to Tatooine, huh, Skyguy? Should be fun."

"Yeah." Anakin said, without looking at her.

Ahsoka tried again. "So, any idea who could possibly want to kill Jabba the Hut? Besides like... everyone on Tatooine who isn't in his gang?"

Her master smiled briefly, but it didn't seem to reach his eyes.

Wow, Ahsoka thought. He really is in a bad mood. I wonder why?

"Um, master? Are you... okay?"

"What? Oh yeah, Snips. I'm just..." He paused.

"Just what?"

"Nothing." He still wasn't looking at her. "Hey Ahsoka, we still have a ways to go, and I can't guarantee how much sleep you'll get once we arrive. Why don't you seize the opportunity and sleep while you can?"

Is he...? He is! He's trying to get rid of me! I wonder if this has anything to do with what he said last time we went to Tatooine. He got kind of mad when I asked about his past, Ahsoka thought, remembering the conversation.

"Master Yoda often says that old sins cast long shadows. Do you know what he means by that?" she had asked.

"He means your past can ruin your future if you allow it. But you forget, it was Master Skywalker who said: I don't want to talk about my past."

She took a deep breath. Well, here goes nothing. "Um, master? If you don't mind me asking, are you upset about returning to Tatooine?

"I think that nap would be good for you, Ahsoka. And for me." Anakin said, not bothering to hide the annoyance in his tone.

Ahsoka walked out, trying to hide the hurt expression on her face.

Anakin watched his padawan leave out of the corner of his eye and sighed. I guess I was kind of short with her, he thought. But I'm not going to tell her about my past. Not even the Council knows the details. Oh, the Council... sending him back to the last planet he wanted to go to. Seriously, Anakin thought. I'd rather freeze on Hoth or burn on Mustafar then set foot on this dry, desolate excuse of a planet. He was so frustrated that he wanted to punch something. Anakin knew that he shouldn't let his feelings control him like this, but he just didn't want to go back to Tatooine. And he really didn't want to bring Ahsoka! Besides the threat of her learning about his past, Tatooine was full of criminals. I just hope she doesn't get any 'unwanted attention' from the scum that hang around here. Ahsoka is like a little sister to me. If anyone gave her any trouble, I don't think I could hold her and me back...

Anakin tried to calm down. Focus on the mission, Anakin. But there really wasn't that much to think about. After all, Snips wasn't exaggerating when she joked about everyone who isn't in Jabba the Hutt's gang disliking him... But dislike isn't the same thing as murder, Anakin reminded himself. And just random violence isn't enough. After all, Jabba is a criminal, so he's probably pretty used to violence. If these attempts on his life are enough to worry him, then they were probably orchestrated with precision and care. So, a professional... And that could only mean...

Anakin frowned.

Bounty hunters.

Author note: Just to make sure everyone understands, twi'leks are aliens in the Star Wars universe. Look them up on Wookieepedia if you're curious. They, like Torugatas, have sensitive head-tails, called lekku. Thanks for reading! :)