CHAPTER 4
Early on the next day, Ahsoka woke up and saw her master, who was sitting next to her as if she was recovering from some sickness. He was the one who looked troubled though, and she just knew that whenever he looked seriously troubled, she was about to become twice as that.
- I would say good morning, but it's almost mid-day - he didn't even look in her direction.
- Every hour looks pretty much the same here in space, master - she replied slowly, yawning.
- I was talking to Master Luminara last night. She said her Padawan mentioned your misbehave.
- Oh... - Ashoka slapped her own face, as if recalling that all those events weren't just a bad dream.
- I don't know what happened to you Ahsoka. You have always been irresponsible, but now you are also crossing the line of immaturity. As a Jedi, you must have deepest commitment. The most serious mind.
- Irresponsible? I... You... You always said to be proud of my doings... - she took a few seconds to ponder calmly this time - ... I am so sorry master! You know that sometimes you just become a pile of nerves and things get out of control. It happens to you as well! Look, I'm fine now, I will apologize to Barriss.
- Yes, you will! But I'm afraid there is another thing I have to mention - he turned his back on her.
- Master...? - Ahsoka was almost afraid to ask. Her heart was pounding strong and painfully.
It could be felt in the Force. Anakin looked also nervous. He gulped and finally had nerve to let it out:
- I'm afraid I'm reassigning you to the Agro Corps. For your.. Our... Own good.
All of sudden, the Padawan's eyes were filled with tears. She couldn't avoid getting desperate over Anakin; jumping out of bed and grabbing his Jedi vest strongly with her small hands while sobbing.
- NO!!! You can't do that! You are my master! You can't let go of me! Not now! Not now, please master... Don't let me go... Don't let... - and her voice trailed off, suppressed by the sobbing and crying.
Anakin just hugged her. He couldn't keep his own eyes from getting wet as well. There was also a tight knot on his throat. But he knew it was for the best. It was clear that it was the right thing to do.
- Please, master! Tell me you are not serious! Tell me... - She held tight on his clothes, devastated.
- Unfortunately I am. I'm sorry Ahsoka... We've been through a lot together... I will miss you... I already miss you... - So he pushed her away, closed the door and moved off her room towards his and Obi-Wan's quarters with a fast pace. The Togruta's loud cries could still be heard on the whole sector of the ship.
- I hear she didn't take your decision well - said Obi-Wan when spotting his troubled apprentice coming through him - I also must protest, Anakin. Master Yoda assigned her to you for your development as a Jedi as well as hers. You are supposed to learn together. Abandoning her is like abandoning a mission.
- I know! Damn it, I know... - and he just passed through and locked himself in the restroom. He didn't want anyone to see the great Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker crying like a helpless baby.
On her improvised personal chamber, Padmé Amidala found better to await Coruscant's resupply convoy to hitch a ride and return to the Senate. She would spend those six remaining rotations by doing her politics from distance. Right now she was contacting Supreme Chancellor Palpatine via hologram.
- Yes, I convinced Anak... General Skywalker to do what you recommended, Chancellor. I also endorse your point of view. Apparently his attachment to that Padawan was prejudicial to his duty and his health.
- Good, good, my dear. It's unfortunate, but it's for everyone's best - replied the smiling Chancellor.
- I should return to my own duties. I'll contact you as soon as I arrive at Coruscant. Goodbye Chancellor.
Just by the door, a sneaking Barriss coughed, as if to introduce her unnoticed presence. She seemed somewhat disturbed by what she just heard, but kept her cold, proud and professional bearing. They all heard Ahsoka's cries out there in the corridor a while ago, and now Barriss was filled in the most probable cause.
- Excuse me Senator. Master Luminara, the general in charge, sent me to check on you, in case you needed anything. We heard you are to await Coruscant's convoy, six rotations from now.
- Yes, Padawan. Thank you and your master, but I am quite fine - Padmé used her diplomatic smile.
- Alright Senator. I'll leave you to your duties. Make yourself comfortable - Barriss nodded and left the room, closing the door behind her. "So Anakin really gave up on Ahsoka? How was that possible?" she asked herself. Those two were always arguing, but she couldn't help imagining the later episode she mentioned to her master was the fuse to this situation. She felt so guilty. And broken-hearted. What a strange sensation.
Soon she was running to Ahsoka's room, only to find a few pillows and ragged dolls tossed around. Where could she be? In the infirmary, only the droid and a couple of clones in the bacta tanks. In the refectory, just more clones. A whole hour has passed and Barriss was still looking for the missing Togruta, everywhere on the ship. Before getting worried, Barriss decided to just close eyes and feel her, in the Force.
She should have known that her mind would find her so clearly. After all, she had been thinking constantly of Ahsoka for a while now. She found her sitting by herself deep in the cruiser's machinery, where not even droids could be found. Obviously, it was a place for those who didn't want to be found.
- There you are - said Barriss gently. Ahsoka didn't mind her, as if she sensed her presence as well.
- I'm supposed to ask forgiveness to you. But what I really want to ask is if you are happy now - Ahsoka's voice was weak, low and throaty, as if she had been crying enough to lose most of it by now.
- I am so sorry, Ahsoka. I never meant this to happen. If it was really my fault, I would do anything to make this right. But I've been looking for you after hearing it from Senator Amidala. It looks like she was the one who convinced your master, for some reason I don't know - Barriss came closer and sat before her friend.
Ahsoka knew Padmé's reason pretty well, but she was just too tired to rant or argue at this time. - This can't be happening. I lost everything. I just... I just don't want to live anymore.
Barriss wanted to do this for a long time, but she just didn't know how. She haven't done it since long gone childhood and her heart was pounding violently when she finally did it: she hugged Ahsoka warmly.
