It's not edited but it's waited long enough
POV- Third Person
It had been two days since they had left the cave, walking non-stop in the full heat of the suns and the freezing temperatures at night. They had not had anytime to rest or sit down and have a proper eat or drink they were always on the move because of Anakins determination to find Qui Gon and Shmi.
It was around midday and Ahsoka looked into her canteen, empty. She felt very dizzy and dropped to her knees, before falling flat on her face. Several Clone went to see if she was okay only to collapse next to her, followed by another and another. More than half of the 501st and 212th were lying on the ground or trying to get some rest since most were lying down.
"Ah, Anakin" Obi wan called after him as he kept marching along
"Come on we have to keep moving!" He snapped back
"With all due respect General," Rex stated "the rapid weather changes have taken its toll on our men. They're completely exhausted and none of us have had any rest"
"Where's Ahsoka?"
"Excuse me sir?"
"Commander Tano, Ahsoka Tan-" before Anakin had finished his sentence he doved down between his men and pulled Ahsoka up. "Obi wan call the Admiral we need to be evaced and lock in these coordinates!"
Obi wan nodded as he furiously punched in the Resolutes communications frequency.
"Yularen" the receiving end replied
"This is General Kenobi we need an immediate evac"
"Ah, Master Kenobi good to hear that your alive and living. The evac will be with you momentarily"
POV-Anakin Skywalker
Several gunships hovered above our position and all of us boarded. We were brought back to my star cruiser where everyone was treated in the med wing and the mess hall was packed and the barracks were as quiet as a mouse. What was I thinking?! I thought as I lied on my bed letting myself bounce with the springs. I nearly got all my men killed from the extreme heat of the sun. I knew that I should've gone alone. Uh I'm so fed up with myself and my determination. I Anakin Skywalker am going to change and make myself a better person. I smiled to myself, hooked my ankles together and put my hands behind my head. My smile soon turned into a frown and sat up unhooking my ankles.
"Oh Force, I forgot to get Ahsoka a Life Day present!" I exclaimed
I quickly rummaged through my room looking for anything I could use or make Ahsoka a present. I hissed with victory as I pulled out a box of old droid part I kept around to play with them when Artoo peeped as he bumped over the threshold.
"Hey bud," I sighed as he bleeped and blooped something. "Yes I know I forgot to get Ahsoka something and now she's in the med wing alone, I should be with her."
"Bleep bleep woo blop blip blip bloo"
"Thanks a bunch Artoo" I yelled as I ran out the door. My little Astromech had just volunteered to make Ahsoka a love heart shaped box out of metal droid parts melted together and a hinged to open and closer it.
I ran into the med wing immediately sensing where Ahsoka was. She was lying on a medical bed as Kix, my field medic looked after her. I always preferred those closer to me be treated by a good medical person, rather than a programmed tin can.
"How is she?" I rasped
"She was in a highly critical state but the medics and I have brought her back to a stable critical state."
I nodded my thanks as I sat on a space on the bed. I ran my hand down the side of her lekku. I kissed her forehead and used the force to cram a chair into the small gap between beds. I held her hand with mine, her force signature spiking before coming back to normal. She lightly squeezed my hand, signaling to me that she was ok. Ahsoka opened her eyes as I swung my arm around her helping her into a sitting position as Artoo came through the door. She smiled as her lips cracked a bit, a trickle of blood seeping from them and onto her chin. I kissed her sun dried lips tasting her potent blood that I surprisingly didn't mind and neither did she.
"I'm so sorry Ahsoka. I never wanted this to happen. To have so many in here because of me. Can you ever forgive me? I never should've came back here in the first place. I should've come here alone like I was instructed and none of this would've happened. I begged the council to let you come along and look what happened. You almost died. I'm so sorry. What a lousy started to your Life Day. Happy Life Day Ahsoka"
"Anakin, how can I see stay mad at you. I got myself into it so you don't need to be blamed and besides Rex has pretty much explained to me what you'd do." Ahsoka said smiling referring to Rex on a cot next to her which I hadn't picked up on.
"Rex it's good to see that you're holding up and keeping Ahsoka happy when I ain't around. Thank You" I smiled seeing him bout ready to chuck a fit at the med tin can poking at his foot.
"It's all in a days work General. Commander Ahsoka is good company and is stopping me from shooting this tin can with my pistol" Rex laughed accentuating the last several words about the droid. "Happy Life Day Shakira" he said handing her a necklace with a gold chain and an emerald diamond crystal.
"Thanks, Rexie" Ahsoka said awestruck by the necklace
Whilst she was distracted Artoo rolled in behind me and slipped the box into my hand. I swiftly opened it and checked that it was how I wanted it. A perfect silver shaped love heart box with a mirror on the inside lined with purple velvet material. I placed the locket I had bought and popped it inside, closing it quietly as I flicked the latch to lock it up.
"Snips, Artoo and I gotcha a little something too." I handed her the gift.
"Thank you Ani it's beautiful" she gasped with tears in her eyes.
She opened the locket and on either side there was a photo of herself and me, back when we were on Christophsis.
"I know that it's strictly unprofessional as your master but I love you Soka and you deserve it"
"Thank you Master" Ahsoka said not knowing what else to say.
"You're welcome my Padawan"
After a whole the med droid came over and checked Ahsoka over before giving an affirmative beep followed by a 'ding!'
"You are free to go miss." It said, rolling away
She swung her legs over the side and clung to me still a tad weak and walked out the door. Whilst we walked I was constantly thinking about what I should do to save Qui Gon and my Mother. Ahsoka must've noticed how quiet I was cause she looked up at me with her soft baby blue eyes with a puzzled look.
"Are you okay Anakin" I heard her day but didn't respond "Anakin, Anakin, Ani! ANAKIN!" She finally yelled
"What?!" I snapped back at her as she took a step back, "sorry Soka I've just been thinking that's all"
"Ani, is something wrong?"
"Yes, yes I need to find them. I don't know what to do. I obviously can't take you all out there again I have to go out alone. Obi wan and you are both too weak to come with me and I don't think I can risk you guys getting hurt again"
She walked with me silent for the rest of the way to our quarters. My mind flashed back to when I pod raced. I had always loved racing at high speeds and free flying was some of the best moments when I was little. Letting the wind hit my face and scaring Owen each time I went towards the house I'd always see him drawing in the sand and I'd park the speeder a few meters shy to him. He'd be shocked to start with then laugh joyfully. I sighed remembering the days when I didn't have to worry about the war or my duty as a Jedi. I've always wondered what life would've been like if I had stayed with Owen and everyone and maybe, just maybe I would've grown up next to my mum. She's changed so much and so has Qui Gon Jinn but I'm the one saving their necks and I think it's going to be easier since I haven't grown up with them. The door slid open as I stepped over the threshold with Ahsoka still leaning heavily on me as she kicked her boots off. I picked her up and used the Force to pull back the bed covers, placing Ahsoka down and tucking her in. I sat on the edge of the bed, silently enjoying her presence as I stared lovingly into her eyes.
"Thanks" she whispered letting out a lungful of air.
"Your so beautiful Soka" I whispered back cupping the side of her face leaning in to kiss her soft, luscious lips.
"Ani�"
"Yeah" I replied
"I'm tired"
"Get some rest sweetie and I'll see you soon"
She nodded instantly falling asleep.
A/N I believe that Shakira is mando for sister and I thought that it'd be a nice little touch to their relation even if they are in love. If its not exactly correct please leave a review and correct me. I'm sorry for the late update but it's better late than never I've got ideas for the next chapter and should be about a week or so. Thanks guys your all amazing and I love you! :D
