When Anakin said he was going to handle things tomorrow, he didn't account for the dull ache that nagged at him when he woke up. It didn't hurt physically, but emotionally, it's like his thoughts were having a saber fight. He was unable to focus on anything that may have possibly been related to the Jedi or war. The only thing he could focus on was the idea that his wife cheated on him, and it bothered him that instead of being honest, she preferred to lie and cheat. It messed with his head.
So for the moment, he decided on committing to practicing in the Temple's training room. Training droids made the dull ache in his mind less prominent. Even if only slightly.
He decided on using Makashi as opposed to any of the other styles, as he wasn't in much of a mood to try anything else. The style was strangely relaxing in its own little way. Typically, he took out a droid with a lost arm and then a stab or an easy beheading with a quick slash when their guard was down.
"Ugh. These training droids are nothing. End simulation." Anakin spoke the last two words out loud, and the droids retreated into their storage cases. He then deactivated his midnight blade with a soft hiss. Meditating maybe? He needed some type of distraction.
"Haven't seen you in here in a while," Plo said as he walked in the room.
"How did you know I was in here?" Anakin asked.
"I asked. Obi-Wan saw you in here, but left you a few moments to yourself. You feel distressed Skywalker," Plo said.
"I'm fine," Anakin told him.
"You are not fine. That much is easily discernible," Plo said firmly.
"And you're concerned?" Anakin questioned.
"Am I not allowed to be?" Plo questioned.
"It's a personal issue. I'll iron it out later," Anakin told him.
"Does it involve Ahsoka?" Plo said.
"No. It doesn't," Anakin told him. "And it isn't exactly something I want to talk to anyone about."
"Either way, there is something I do want to talk to you about," Plo said.
"And that is?" Anakin asked.
"I've noticed something... different about Ahsoka. Concerning you," Plo said.
"Different how? We've grown closer. That came with the territory of us no longer having a Master and Padawan relationship," Anakin said.
"So I've noticed. Exactly how close?" Plo questioned.
"She is my closest friend," Anakin said, his tone still even. He squashed the urge to have to defend himself. There wasn't anything he had to explain to anyone.
"Beyond Obi-Wan?" Plo asked.
"Yes. Is there a reason to this questioning?" Anakin asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No. I suppose not," Plo said.
"Don't try and pretend. You've got something to say. Say it then," Anakin said, crossing his arms.
"How close are we talking Skywalker?" Plo asked.
"What is your insinuation Plo?" Anakin questioned. He knew exactly what he was thinking. And he hated that it was being figured out so quickly.
"All I know is that she seems very happy when around you. That much I sense. I'm also not ignorant to new attachments being formed," Plo said.
"You're suggesting a romantic aspect? What proof do you have?" Anakin questioned.
"None. These are my suspicions. But your responses to Obi-Wan's playful quip the other day gives me more of an idea," Plo said.
"An idea. Not confirmation," Anakin reminded him.
"She's quite a few years younger than you," Plo said. The statement irritated Anakin. If he was looking for a reaction, he was going to get it.
"And you think that matters?" he questioned. Plo took a step forward, and there was something aggressive in the move. Anakin stood his ground, staring the Jedi Master down.
"Yes. She is..."
"Don't you dare say child. She hasn't been a child for a long time," Anakin said, tightening his fists.
"New to this, is what I was going to say. I'm well aware of the fact she is no longer a child. Fighting in a war will see an end to that. My concerns lie with you," Plo said, his tone dead serious.
"What about me?" Anakin asked.
"Her choices are her own, but you've got issues of your own, don't you? That's why have you haven't said anything," Plo said, crossing his arms and surveying him.
"Plenty. It's not just the idea of it. It's..." Anakin bit his lip and looked around for other people before facing the Jedi Master. "I was... well, technically still am married. We've had plenty of problems before, not just this situation with Ahsoka. It's... it's not easy to iron out."
"I can see." Plo tilted his head at Anakin, and the look made Anakin slightly uncomfortable. "You were willing to give up your marriage for her?"
"I don't go behind anyone's back with this stuff. That's not what you do," he told him.
"You are absolutely correct. Still... are sure you are not..."
"I am sure. Trust me when I say there is nothing to work out anymore," Anakin said, and Plo noticed that he straightened himself up while breathing hard through his nose. He was upset, and there was a bit pain he could read before it was ultimately squashed. "You get the idea. Don't tell anyone of this conversation. Least of all Ahsoka. This is my situation to sort out, and I will sort it out. I don't need you interfering."
"Rest assured, I won't. But if you under any circumstances hurt her..."
"I'd sooner join the Sith than do that," Anakin said, making Plo nod. "Protective?"
"Very. I just want to be certain. Your age is a factor, but I can say that I'm in no position to judge who she falls in love with. Though you are as good a person as any. Because I have the assurance that you wouldn't hurt her. At least intentionally," Plo said.
"You're certainly right about that. But like I said, there are things I need to iron out," Anakin said.
"It bothers you? Your marriage?" Plo questioned.
"Lack thereof, honestly. But yeah. It does. I don't want to drag her into this mess. I want to do this right," Anakin stressed.
"I wish you the best then. Emotions and attachments are not the way of the Jedi, but you both are no longer Jedi," Plo said.
"It can lead to a lot more happiness. You should think about that," Anakin said, putting his hands in his pockets. "Anything else?"
"Go talk to Obi-Wan. There's something the Order wants you to undertake," Plo said.
"You just wanted to discuss this first," Anakin said.
"I am due to Cato Neimoidia. Of course I wanted to discuss this now. Take the time that you wish to take, but do it right," Plo said.
"She's the closest thing to your daughter. Of course," Anakin said with a nod as he started to head out the door.
"What makes you say that?" Plo asked.
"Because that's what she said about you," Anakin said, and he smiled at a small swell of emotion from normally stolid Master. It was small, but it was something considering he had been a Jedi for a long time. "I thought you'd like to know that."
"It's... welcome to hear. May the Force be with you both," Plo said.
"May the Force be with you. Good luck on Cato," Anakin said, making Plo nod before walking off. That went easier than Anakin was expecting.
"Nelvaan?" Anakin questioned.
"According to the Chancellor, Grievous is somewhere on the planet. You ever run into him at all on your travels?" Obi-Wan questioned.
"Once. When we got rid of the Separatist presence of Felucia. I beat him in a fight, but he managed to get out. It'd be nice to finish the job," Anakin said, cracking the knuckles in his human hand.
"Oh, trust me Anakin. That honor I want myself," Obi-Wan said, and Anakin smirked.
"Oh, of course. I forgot you and Grievous have an... extra special relationship," he said.
"Oh yes. He just can't seem to keep his sabers off when you're around. I think he likes you, Obi-Wan," Ahsoka teased.
"Funny. Real funny," Obi-Wan said flatly, making the two of them laugh.
"We're just messing with you, Obi-Wan. They want us all on this job?" Anakin asked.
"You've got a lot of extra firepower, so it's why they asked you. It would be nice to be able to eliminate Grievous," Obi-Wan said.
"No taking him alive?" Anakin asked.
"Not in the good General's case. We'd lose a lot more lives trying to secure him when it'd be easier to eliminate him. Not after what happened last time. And the chances of him telling us anything are slim. So yeah. The Order is willing to take the good General dead," Obi-Wan said.
"Perfect," Anakin said, pulling out his holoprojector. "Rex?"
"Yeah?" he asked.
"Make your way to the temple. We've got work to do," Anakin asked.
"Where at?" Rex asked.
"Nelvaan. There's a cyborg general we can bag there," Anakin said.
"Oh, it would be my honor to join that mission. Give me a few minutes to get there," Rex said, making Anakin nod as he cut the projector off.
"Let's go you two," he said.
"Rex?" Obi-Wan questioned.
"Yes. He's with us now. There have a fair number of developments," Anakin said.
"I see," Obi-Wan said simply. Anakin was surprised he didn't question further.
The three of them headed towards the Eclipse like they planned, and Rex met up with them as promised. Anakin piloted the Eclipse into one of the many Republic starships waiting for them in the system's orbit before they made the jump to hyperspace.
"General... Kenobi, is it?" Rex questioned as they made their way to the bridge.
"No need to hide with the modulator. I know it's you Rex," Obi-Wan said, making the former clone sigh.
"You know, but the others don't. And... I'm not sure if I want my brothers to see me like this," Rex said, putting his hands behind his back while looking around.
"Very well. But you'll certainly need an alias if that is the case," Obi-Wan said.
"Beroya," Rex said.
"Mandalorian. You speak it?" Obi-Wan asked.
"A little. It is not well known," Rex said.
"Beroya it is then. I see they got you a new look. Mandalorian style armor?" Obi-Wan questioned, looking towards Anakin.
"It's some of the more well made stuff that exists. Lightweight and offers a fair amount of protection. It also fits, consideirng where he comes from," Anakin said.
"All too true. And the blasters... they were Jango Fett's," Obi-Wan said, recognizing the model.
"Not his specifically, but the models are. Rex has always had a thing for double pistols, and these are some of the best ones you can get," Anakin told him.
"The resemblance is undeniable," Obi-Wan said. "In a way, you're following his legacy."
"I just don't work for any piece of slime with coin. That's the difference," Rex said.
"And that's all the difference you need," Obi-Wan said. "It's a simple one, but important."
"We've got a bit of time on our hands. You mind if we go somewhere else?" Anakin asked.
"Feel free, but if you don't mind my asking, what are you going to do?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Just because I'm no longer Ahsoka's master doesn't mean I'm still not teaching her things," Anakin told him.
"He's teaching me how to absorb a saber in my hands," Ahsoka clarified.
"Is that even possible? Blaster bolts are not uncommon, but an entire lightsaber?" Obi-Wan questioned.
"Believe me. It's possible. It just takes a lot of concentration," Anakin said.
"It would seem. Would you mind my attendance?" Obi-Wan questioned.
"I suppose not," Anakin said after thinking about it for a moment. Ahsoka quickly looked towards Anakin, but he gave her a firm nod as they walked on.
"They don't even communicate to speak sometimes," Obi-Wan said, hanging back with Rex to speak with him.
"Their relationship has become closer. More than you know," Rex told him.
"I can see that. Even then, that kind of wordless communication is interesting to see. Maybe it's just because the two of them are more alike than they're willing to admit," Obi-Wan said.
"They've admitted it. If you..."
"You two done gossiping about us back there, or are you coming?" Anakin said without even turning around.
"We're coming. I wouldn't want to interrupt a moment between you two," Obi-Wan said with a smirk.
"Funny. I was going to say the same thing about you two," Anakin said.
"Hey. Leave me out of this," Rex said.
"Too late," Anakin said, and Rex could tell he was smirking without even looking at his face.
"You deal with this on a daily basis?" Obi-Wan asked.
"No. But I suppose they make exceptions when you're around," Rex said.
"Oh joy," Obi-Wan said.