Ahsoka awoke to the rushing sound of the waterfall pouring through the cave. She glanced around with her deep blue eyes and moved to stand up. Her movement was stopped when Ahsoka noticed Lux's arm wrapped around her slender waist. He looked amazing in the glow of the crystals illuminating his toned body, each ray of reflected light outlining every curve and contour. Being so close to Lux, Ahsoka could see how he had changed dramatically since his time with the Onderon rebels. She smirked while remembering the first time that they met. He had been scrawny and hardly built for combat, growing up in the care of his mother. She could see the effort that Lux had put into making his body fit for the battlefield. Despite his appearance, however, there were times when he was still the flirting senator with a charming personality.
A sudden realization made Ahsoka snap out of her thoughts. She realized that she was naked and covered herself even though no one else was there out of embarrassment. Ahsoka's mind raced through last night's events and trying to remember what happened. She thought, I don't think anything serious happened. We just had a heated moment of passion, that's all All I remember is Lux kissing me like he never had before. In a way, Ahsoka was glad that things were slowly progressing with Lux. Until last night, they had just kept to holding each other at night and the occasional kiss while sleeping in their apartment. She touched her neck as she remembered how Lux had lavished it with kisses the night before. Ahsoka had another thought: I wouldn't mind if he did that more often… She carefully removed Lux's arm and went over to the waterfall for a refreshing bath, trying to clear her head of such thoughts. She needed to be there for Lux against any threat and couldn't afford distractions. While no longer a Jedi technically, Ahsoka was determined to live by the Jedi code with the exception of not forming attachments. The camaraderie between a Master and a Padawan is what made them strong together. Why couldn't be the same between a Jedi and the one she loved?
Several Days later…
Saki and Lux were traveling together through the colony marketplace for necessary supplies for the workshop. After much thought, Saki had decided to get to know Lux better before moving forward with her feelings. In her observations of his demeanor, Lux seemed the epitome of virtue to Saki. Whenever dealing with the merchants, he always listened to their circumstances and problems before asking a fair price. She even saw him give a little Togruta girl a small flower bracelet. While Lux was getting the last of the supplies, Saki had been browsing at other vendors when she was suddenly shoved into an alley. Looking up at her attackers with a snarl, Saki saw their familiar faces: a clique of female colonists led by Ayana. Ayana had a yellowish tinge to her skin and piercing green eyes. She mocked Saki, "What's the matter, lost your way? Maybe you didn't realize that you belong with the trash." Saki bared her teeth and replied, "I am tired of this endless stream of insults, Ayana. Tell me what I ever did to any of you. Why do you persist in tormenting me?" Ayana put a questioning finger to her lips before responding, "Hmm… I'd say it's the fact that you were even born. You're not even a Togruta. I heard that your daddy slept with a Twilek slave girl and the result was you: a twisted perversion of our kind." Saki smirked and retorted, "I've heard rumors too At least my mother wasn't a slut like you, Ayana.." The clique rushed Saki in anger at the insult before she could react in self-defense as they punched, kicked and clawed at her. A sudden release of the Force threw them back away from Saki and she stood up in an eerie calm state. She whispered, "Leave me alone NOW… before I really hurt you." Her yellow eyes were intense with fury and rage. The clique scattered in fright, exclaiming that Saki was on another rampage again. Saki moved her battered and bleeding body out of the alley and limped slowly back into the marketplace before collapsing on the ground. Luckily, Lux had been alerted by the sound of the commotion and was there to support her on his shoulders after helping her to her feet. Lux cried out for any of the colonists to help, saying "Someone get a medic! She's been hurt!" But they all glanced at Saki as if she was a monster. Saki's breathing was slow and labored. She whispered, "Lux, help me…" before falling unconscious.
Ahsoka was startled when Lux came bursting through the door of their apartment carrying the wounded Saki. Her face showed an expression of disbelief and she asked, "Lux, what's going on? Why did you bring-" Then Ahsoka noticed Saki's numerous wounds and understood immediately. From her knowledge on the front lines, she had seen many injured clones in the infirmary. She could tell that Saki's wounds weren't caused by a simple fall but multiple assailants. Saki's breathing was almost shallow and she occasionally moaned in great pain. Ahsoka took action quickly and had Lux gently place Saki on their bed. Lux said, "We were in the market and Saki got separated from me. I looked around for her when I saw a group of colonists emerge from an alley. Saki followed suit after them and covered in wounds. When I asked for help from the townspeople. They refused and looked upon Saki with fear. I don't understand it."
Ahsoka's brow furrowed as she listened to Lux's recollection of events and her eyes showed righteous anger at those who had hurt Saki. She couldn't believe that these feelings were actually towards Saki, someone who Ahsoka disliked. After slamming the wall with her fist, she replied, "Unforgiveable… I thought my own people would be more considerate towards their own. I never expected this to happen at all! Lux, you stay here and help treat Saki's wounds. I'll talk with Governor Roshti and get medical assistance." Lux nodded in agreement with the plan and began treating Saki's wounds with a special salve that stopped bleeding. He had bought it on Onderon before leaving with Ahsoka.
When Lux went to get some water for Saki, he felt her hand reach up and clutch his arm. The action surprised him completely and Saki's whispered words stopped Lux in his tracks. Saki whispered in her delirious state of pain and misery, "Rolan… don't go. Don't leave me alone. I need you." Lux looked upon Saki over his shoulder to make sure it wasn't a dream. He wondered, "Who is Rolan and how does he relate to Saki?"