Apologies for the long wait, but this one has proven to be difficult to continue.
I do not own Star Wars. I own Ayame.
"Children?" Ayame didn't like the shock in Obi-Wan's voice. She had been completely expecting it, but that didn't make it any easier. "Ayame, we talked about this. We are Jedi first. Our responsibility is to the Order. Besides, it took a prophecy about us to even get married. The Council..."
"I'm not a Jedi, anymore, remember?" Ayame pointed out. "The Council can't tell me what I can and cannot do anymore."
"But they can tell me," Obi-Wan countered. "And I'm on the Council, so I even more responsibilities."
"Yes, but...wait...you're on the Council?" Ayame said, caught off guard by his statement.
"Yes," Obi-Wan replied, a sheepish grin crossing his face. Ayame's jaw dropped, and turned into a smile.
"Congratulations," she said, meaning it. Being on the Jedi Council was one of the highest honors a Jedi Master could earn, even in one of the temporary positions. She wasn't sure which position he held, but she was still proud of him.
"What brought this on?" Obi-Wan asked, returning to the subject at hand.
"Something one of my teachers said," Ayame replied.
"Your teachers?"
"I spent some time on Odessen, a planet out in Wild Space," she explained. "While there, I came across the remnants of the Eternal Alliance. Many powerful Jedi and Sith fought there, including Grand Master Satele Shan...and Revan."
"Revan?" Obi-Wan repeated, amazed. Revan was often used as an example of both the temptation of the Dark Side and the Redemption of Sith. There wasn't a Jedi alive that didn't know his name.
"He reminded me that the creation of life was nothing to be ashamed of, and said that not even thinking about it was robbing myself of both experience and love," Ayame continued. "I just...thinking about that made me realize that we had never had a serious conversation about children." Obi-Wan was about to argue when he realized that they never had that conversation on the level it should have been had. It had never even been considered.
"You're right," he said. "We never seriously talked about it." He adjusted himself so that he was facing her square on. "Once this nasty business of the war is finished, then we will talk about it. I promise." He gently held his wife's face with both hands, and they met each other's eyes. Ayame smiled.
"Okay," she said. Obi-Wan gently smiled and pulled her into a kiss. It was a chaste seal of the vow he had just made...but it didn't stay chaste for long.
XXX
The following day, Obi-Wan had to take in reports on the Outer Rim sieges, where he and Anakin had been pulled from to rescue the Chancellor. Ayame decided to go with him, to get more of an idea of the state of the Galaxy.
The report was as grim as the one she had witnessed the other day. The sieges, according to Obi-Wan, were going well, but the idea of the fighting still have Ayame an uneasy feeling, along with making hher feel even more guilty. All during the reports, the other Jedi in the room kept glancing at her. Some with looks of pure curiosity, others with looks of disdain. At one point, she pulled her hood up over her head to conceal her face.
As Jedi filed out of the room after the business was concluded, Anakin rushed in.
"You missed the report on the outer rim sieges," Obi-Wan said, shutting down the equipment.
"I'm sorry, I was held up," Anakin said. "I have no excuse."
"In short, they are going very well," Obi-Wan said, giving him the short version. "Saleucami has fallen, and Master Voz has moved his troops to Boz Pity." Despite the good news, Obi-Wan did not look happy, and Anakin noticed.
"What's wrong, then?" he asked.
"The Senate is expected to vote more executive powers to the Chancellor, today," Obi-Wan replied, sighing.
"Well, that can only mean less deliberation and more action," Anakin pointed out. "Is that bad? It will make it easier for us to end this war." Obi-Wan observed his former apprentice with slight disbelief. Ayame came out of her corner, putting her hood down and observing Anakin. She wasn't surprised at Anakin's way of thinking. He had always been very impulsive. However, she was worried about giving one man so much power. The Senate was there to prevent the Chancellor from overstepping his bounds. The fact that Palpatine was still in power and was getting more power by the day worried her.
"Be careful of your friend, Palpatine," Obi-Wan warned, going to leave the room.
"Be careful of what?" Anakin asked.
"He has requested your presence," Obi-Wan replied, walking up the stairs. "Yours as well, Ayame." Ayame followed the two, as curious as Anakin seemed.
"What for?" Anakin asked.
"He would not say," Obi-Wan said.
"He didn't inform the Council?" Anakin wondered. "I mean, for Master Ayame, that's not strange, but for me? Isn't that unusual?"
"All of this is unusual," Obi-Wan answered. "And it's making me feel uneasy." He walked Ayame and Anakin to the shuttle bay. Anakin got in without a word, but Obi-Wan stopped Ayame. "Be wary," he whispered. "Something isn't right."
"I can tell," she agreed. She then brushed his bangs out of his face with a small grin. "Don't worry. I'll be careful." He smiled and gave her a soft kiss. "I love you."
"And I love you," he replied. She climbed in to the speeder with Anakin, and the two took off for the Chancellor's office. On the way there, Ayame decided to breech a subject that she knew had to be breeched.
"How's Padme?" she asked. Anakin looked at her, surprise written all over his face.
"How would I know?" he stammered. Ayame gave him a knowing smile.
"Anakin, I know I'm not your mother, but I helped raise and train you. Besides, I saw your face during those reports yesterday. It looked very familiar," she said.
"Familiar how?"
"I saw it on myself, and on Obi-Wan," Ayame answered. "Anakin, you're in love with Padme, aren't you?" Anakin didn't answer, which gave her all the answer she needed. She sighed and adjusted her tunic.
"It's a little more than love," Anakin replied. Ayame looked at him, and after only a moment, she realized what he meant.
"Ani...is Padme pregnant?" she asked softly. He looked at her, a nervous look on his face. Ayame took a breath and looked forward, unsure of what to say.
"It's a wonderful thing, Ayame," Anakin said, sounding like he was trying to convince himself more than her. Ayame studied him for a moment, trying to get a read on him. He was guarding himself very well, so she simply put a hand on his arm.
"Ani, I'm not your teacher anymore," she said. "But, I want you to know that you can come to me for anything. You've been like a son to me ever since we left Tatooine, and now that I'm not in the Order, I can let myself feel like that. If you or Padme want to talk, I'm here." Anakin looked over at her and gave her his crooked grin that she loved so much.
"Thank you, Ayame," he said, meaning it.
XXX
Anakin went into the Chancellor's office first, giving Ayame time to prepare herself. It had been a while since she had been in that office. The last time she was there, she had allowed her emotions to get the better of her and let lightning spark from her hands. While the Chancellor had said nothing to her during the rescue, she wondered if he would say something now.
The memory put Ayame at ease, and she decided to focus on Anakin for the briefest of moments, and was surprised to find excitement. The Chancellor must have told him something he was very pleased to hear. When he came out of the office, he was grinning. The Chancellor watched Anakin walk out of his office, a pleased look on his face, and he then locked eyes with Ayame.
"Ah, Master Ayame," he said, motioning for her to enter. She stood up, straightened her tunic, and walked into the office.
"I'm glad to see you in health, Excellency," Ayame said, bowing. She looked around the office and, with a pang of guilt, saw the burn marks that her lightning had left behind. Palpatine followed her gaze and chuckled.
"A reminder that even the strongest of us can lose control," he said. Ayame looked at him again, and saw him smiling, though the smile did not reach his eyes. It never seemed to do so, as Ayame could recall observing that many times.
"I would hardly consider myself the strongest," she replied. "Especially since I no longer call the Order home."
"Yes, I noticed the change in uniform, as well as your new lightsabers," Palpatine remarked, beginning to walk around his office. Ayame followed, keeping several inches between them. "I wanted to speak to you personally, Master...ah, but I forget, it isn't 'Master' anymore, is it?"
"The head of the Gray Jedi is often referred to as Bansasu no Kage," Ayame replied. "I have no students to speak of, but I suppose Kage would be appropriate." Palpatine nodded his understanding before continuing.
"Very well. Kage Ayame, I wanted to thank you for your aid concerning my rescue. Your face is a welcome sight, despite your slight change in role," he said.
"I simply asked the Council where I could be of most help when I returned," Ayame replied. "I was happy to help."
"Yes, I wished to ask you that as well," he continued, turning to face her. Ayame's hazel eyes met his own greenish ones. "Despite no longer belonging to the Jedi Order, I wanted to make sure that your loyalties have not changed." Ayame studied him. There was more to his request than he was saying, that much she was sure of.
"Chancellor, what do you know of the Gray Jedi?" she asked.
"Less than I should, I'm afraid," he admitted.
"Our code says: 'There is no Dark Side, nor a Light Side. There is only the Force. I will do what I must to keep the balance. The balance is what keeps me together. There is no good without evil, but evil must not be allowed to flourish.' What do you believe that means?" she asked, taking her role as a teacher once again.
"That you cannot be loyal to one side or the other," Palpatine replied.
"Correct," Ayame said. "There is no balance, and no indication of who will win this war. Therefore, my loyalties can only lie with one people: the innocent." Palpatine looked as though he was going to say something, but he bit his tongue when Ayame's gaze pierced his own. "You have my word, Chancellor, that I will always put my life on the line for the innocent who cannot defend themselves."
"I suppose that is the best outcome I can hope for," Palpatine replied, sighing. "If you will excuse me, Kage Ayame, I have much work to do." Ayame bowed and left the office without a word.
XXX
There was a session of the Jedi Council called almost as soon as Anakin and Ayame returned to the Temple. According to Anakin, Palpatine had appointed him as a representative of the Chancellor on the Jedi Council. That made Ayame worried. The Order was supposed to be separate from the Senate and all affiliated offices. They handled their own business, and had their own laws that coincided with the laws of the Republic, which was what the Council was for. While she wanted to be happy for Anakin, but she was more worried for what this was going to do to his ego. Anakin had always been praised for his abilities, even as a child, and all of that had gone to his head. Both she and Obi-Wan had done their best to temper it, but this would undo all of the good work that they had done. All she could do was hope that the Council gave him some responsibility and humility.
When they arrived at the Council chambers, Ayame was surprised to see a seat for her, as well as one for Anakin. As she had no council or members of her own to speak of, it was agreed that she be allowed to be a part of talks as a guest and ally, especially since they were concerning the war.
"With respect, you understand that my duty is to the balance of the Force," she gently reminded the Council, looking at Obi-Wan specifically. "I cannot officially side with the Republic, the Separatists, or even you."
"We understand that," Obi-Wan said. "However, considering our current situation, we would humbly request your help in the relief effort, especially with so many refugees and families trying to flee to safety."
"I would be honored to be of aid," Ayame replied, relieved that they had taken her stance into consideration already. Obi-Wan motioned to a seat next to him, and Ayame took it. They then turned their attention to their newest appointee, Anakin.
"Allow this appointment lightly, the Council does not," Yoda began, addressing the young Knight. "Disturbing is this move my Chancellor Palpatine."
"I understand," Anakin said, doing his best to contain his excitement.
"You are on this Council, but we do not grant you the rank of Master," Master Windu said. Ayame's hopes had been answered. In the Order, a Jedi did not achieve the rank of Master until successfully training a Padawan to the rank of Knight.
"What?" Anakin asked, surprised. He looked around at the other Council members, particularly to Obi-Wan. "How can you do this? It's outrageous! It's unfair! How can you be on the Council and not be a Master?" Anakin was angry, as everyone expected him to be. Her first instinct was to scold him, but she reminded herself that it was no longer her place.
"Take a seat, young Skywalker," Master Windu said, motioning to the other empty seat in the circle. His tone was stern, but calm, and the look on his face was all the admonishment Anakin needed. That was something Ayame always liked about Mace Windu. He never had any tolerance for foolishness or tantrums. His heart was always in the right place, but he never coddled.
"Forgive me, Master," Anakin said, sheepishly bowing and doing as he was told. Every Master in the room watched him sit down, slight looks of frustration on their faces. Ayame locked eyes with him, and gave him the best motherly-scolding look she had. Their eye contact didn't last long. All Obi-Wan could do was shake his head.
"We have surveyed all systems in the Republic, but have found no sign of General Grievous," Master Mundi, who was attending via holocomm, said.
"Hiding in the Outer Rim, Grievous is," Yoda said. "The outlying systems, you must sweep."
"We do not have many ships to spare," Obi-Wan pointed out.
"What about the droid attack on the Wookiees?" Mundi asked.
"It is critical we send an attack group there immediately," Master Windu agreed.
"He's right. It's a system we cannot afford to lose," Obi-Wan said.
"Go, I will," Yoda said. "Good relations with the Wookiees, I have. Kage Ayame, would you join me?"
"Of course," Ayame replied, inclining her head. "I'm sure there is plenty for me to do there."
"It's settled, then," Master Windu said. "Yoda and Kage Ayame will take a battalion of clones to reinforce the Wookiees on Kashyyyk. May the Force be with us all."
