* looks up for any more virtual cookies* Is it safe yet?

Yes. XD Sorry about that cliffhanger. So without further ado, here we go!

Note: I am terrible at writing arguments. Soooooo if it doesn't sound convincing... :P

Caleb smiled and watched the people's reactions of Ahsoka's appearance gleefully.

She had ditched her plain working tunic and pants, and went for her old Jedi uniform instead (in hopes to be presentable). The akul tooth headdress, sleeveless tunic, leggings, armbands, boots, gloves, plus that confident smirk and all, except for her lightsabers. It was almost like she had never left the Order at all.

Plo Koon's holo sat up hopefully, and Yoda actually looked pleasantly surprised. Windu and the other Masters gaped in astonishment. Obi-wan and Rex grinned serenely, and oh rancors. Look at Anakin's face. His face was a broad spectrum of shock, happiness and relief. And his delighted emotions were simply broadcasting through the Force, he was so sure the other Jedi in the Temple would be knocked off their feet and not knowing where all this happiness came from.

' Masters,' She cleared her throat. ' I am here to speak for Master Anakin Skywalker.'

' Why...' Windu stuttered. ' Padawan Tano, you-'

She said cheerfully, ' Well, I am afraid that I am no Jedi. Strictly speaking, it's former Padawan Tano. But that's a bit of a mouthful. You could call me Ms. Tano. I wouldn't say no to Lady Tano either.' She added when everyone looked at her weirdly, ' Some of my customers call me Lady Tano.'

' I'm rather interested why you are here, Ms Tano,' Windu said, apparently avoiding the use of 'Lady Tano'.

' Me?' She smirked. ' I'm just here as a normal civilian, you know, a friend of Master Skywalker's. Now... To begin with. My demand is simple. You just need to change the Jedi Code.'

' See?' Caleb whispered to Rex. ' I think like Ahsoka!'

She didn't really give the chance for Yoda or Windu or any other Masters to say anything, ' Attachments. Attachments. Attachments. I have been thinking about this ever since I was assigned to Master Skywalker. I once voiced out this question to Master Aayla Secura, when we were stranded on the Lurmen planet. How could it be that the Jedi are expected to be compassionate, yet attachments are forbidden? It doesn't really work this way, at least from my experience.'

' Now,' She said. ' The Jedi believe attachments lead to the Dark Side, so they try everything to ban attachments because they don't want to turn to the Dark Side.' Then she paused dramatically, ' But. Has anyone ever thought that by banning attachments and doing all those stuff to prevent anyone from turning to the Dark Side, such act is actually pushing people to the Dark Side?' Cue the dubious looks.

' I have done my research,' She gestured around confidently. ' Count Dooku, also known as Darth Tyranus, used to belong in the Jedi Order. But why did he actually join the Dark Side? That's kind of because of his former Padawan, Master Qui-gon Jinn. Now, I don't mean to bring up any sad memories, Master Kenobi, but I feel like I should say that. I'm sure Count Dooku had attachments on Master Qui-gon. When he died, no offence, I don't think any of the Jedi provided sufficient comfort to him. So that was why he took the drastic move to leave the Order.'

' That-' Ki-Adi Mundi tried to interrupt, but Ahsoka cut him short.

' Also I made an in-depth research. I was able to download the transmissions from that anonymous holo message the other day,' She invented creatively. ' It was actually encrypted with a huge transmission, and with my hacking skills, I managed to download the entire file and view it.' The Council members looked at each other in amazement.

The truth was much simpler, however. Caleb had simply sent all the data he took from Palpatine's file to Ahsoka, but begged her not to disclose the details.

' When I opened the file, I was horrified,' She stated. ' In it, were elaborate plans of how to turn the Chosen One to the Dark Side and have him turn against the Jedi.' Startled gasps erupted from the room. Anakin knew it, but he couldn't help but pale a little.

' All I have to say is that, if the Sith Lord wasn't vanquished, and if you expelled Anakin from the Order, he might just turn to Palpatine for help, which means... The Sith will rule the galaxy,' Ahsoka crossed her arms. ' That's why. The no-attachment rule turns Jedi against each other. How could there be trust between each other when basic attachments were not allowed? The Jedi have so little trust between each other, that they even accused their own of something they didn't do.' She paused and surveyed the room with her blue eyes, however, she looked more amused than angry. The other Jedi bowed their heads at realisation. Her departure was still a rather sore topic.

Her gaze then softened, ' Not going to lie, I miss being a Jedi. I really do. The Jedi are like my family. But I seriously don't agree with you on the no-attachment part. If things go on like that, the Jedi will start fighting against each other. So, Council members, I plead you to reconsider your decision of expelling Master Skywalker. We are family, aren't we?'

The silence was deafening, in Caleb's ears. He was holding his breath without realising, and he reckoned his ears were ringing like crazy.

After what seemed like forever, Master Yoda said, ' Hmm. Much to meditate on, we have. Thank you, Ahsoka. Dismissed, you all are. Give out the results tomorrow, we shall.'

Council members started to file out of the room in an orderly fashion. Caleb reached out to tap Ahsoka on the shoulder before Anakin could do anything, and smiled, ' You two have lots to talk about.'

Anakin literally threw his arms around his former Padawan. Ahsoka was hesitant at first (much thanks to the many years of no-attachments, and well frankly, she wasn't quite used to hugging anyone), but she hugged him back.

' Ahsoka,' He murmured. ' I'm so glad you are back.'

' I have to be back for you,' She said. ' Can't have them expel you. Now...' She pulled away and proceeded to scream at Anakin for five minutes straight.

' HOW COULD YOU, YOU IDIOT? YOU HAVE BEEN MARRIED? OHO! OHO! I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING DUBIOUS GOING ON WITH YOU, BUT I NEVER INVESTIGATED! I KNEW IT! ONLY YOU COULD PULL OFF A MOVE LIKE THAT. AND WANTING TO GET EXPELLED FROM THE ORDER? HOW COULD YOU- BLA BLA BLA BLA-' And you know the rest.

Obi-wan, Rex and Caleb just stood there with stupid grins plastered onto their faces, watching the show with mild interest.

' Now I got to come back and save your skin!' Ahsoka ranted. ' But well, as I said, I'll always help you, Skyguy.'

' That's good to know,' Anakin said, obviously relieved and immediately, he lapsed into his over-protective, 'freak' mode. ' Ahsoka, you look horribly thin! Have you been eating enough? Where do you live? Oh Sith, don't tell me you are living in those tiny apartments in the lower levels! You could be mugged, you know! A young lady like you should know that.'

Ahsoka pinched her elbow gingerly, ' Am I really that thin? Padme said the same, you know. Well, I do eat, you know. Just not that much.'

' Not that much?' Anakin said, aghast. ' Is that because you don't have enough credits? You should have called me for help! I could offer your credits, maybe buy you a house and help you find a nice job-'

' That's quite enough,' Obi-wan coughed. ' I know you are delighted by Ahsoka's arrival, but your crazy over-protectiveness isn't helping. Now let poor Ahsoka go, and we should go somewhere else to talk.'


Anakin was so happy. He was so happy he could literally fly.

Caleb, Rex, Obi-wan, Ahsoka and him were walking around the Jedi Temple, laughing about Ahsoka's experiences in the lower levels. It was almost like a family, except Padme wasn't here. If Padme and his children were here, Anakin thought, it would be a perfect family.

Also, news of Ahsoka's return to the Temple had spread through the Temple and the clone barracks like wildfire. Apparently, the cheerful Kit Fisto (who was secretly on their side, but like Obi-wan, he couldn't be biased) went around to tell his men and then his commander spread the news to the 501st, who cheered, clapped and screamed like maniacs.

The moment Katooni got wind of Ahsoka's return, she pulled along Petro and the others to find Ahsoka. They yelled in excitement and took turns in hugging Ahsoka. Like small chattering birds, they surrounded Ahsoka, asking where she lived, and how was her life. Ahsoka was happy to answer.

Then, once they left (reluctantly), Aayla Secura, Luminara Unduli and Tera Sinube were walking towards them. Aayla had cheerfully wished Anakin 'good luck', and welcomed Ahsoka back. Luminara bowed her head apologetically at Ahsoka, but she waved her off. Tera Sinube simply smiled at Ahsoka warmly.

' Gee, you are famous now,' Anakin sighed dramatically, once Aayla, Luminara and Tera were away. ' Everyone knows you are back.'

' Of course,' Caleb tried not to smile. ' Who doesn't know Ahsoka Tano?'

' Wow, I feel flattered,' Ahsoka put a hand over heart.

Obi-wan was beside them, scrolling down his data pad, ' Well, let's hope for the best. I'm sure all of you did your best.'

' Nonsense,' Ahsoka said. ' They will let Anakin stay.

' I wouldn't be so sure about that,' Anakin said darkly.

Caleb shrugged, ' Have some optimism, dude.'

Hint for next chapter: (stating the overly obvious) The result of Anakin's trial. XD

Wow, I was so stressed out these days. I had to write a giant proposal, finish a project, and revise for my exams all at once. :/

Guess Fanfiction is the highlight of the day.