A/N; Hey all. All rights to Star Wars belong to Disney and Lucas Films, this is merely a work of fanfiction, that I make no profit off of.

In addition, this is my first work of fiction, and I'd appreciate all comments and critiques.

Chapter 19: Split

Aurora didn't turn as the clone trooper ran up to her, the view of the besieged Alderaan captivatingly beautiful, in a horrifying way. The streaks of blaster bolts sailing across the spacial battlefield, causing a mesmerising shimmer over the green and blue planet below, and illuminating the Venator's that the Separatists had destroyed. "Ma'am," the Clone came to attention, hand flying up in a salute. "General Windu is on the holotable. He requests your immediate attention."

"Thank you, Delta," Aurora almost whispered, her red eyes glowing with the flashing lights of the battlefield. Turning around, she stalked from the bridge, her black cloak swirling behind her, like a shadow. Entering the war room, Aurora glanced to the table, her eyes hard as they fell upon the tall Jedi Master.

"Black," Windu greeted, his hologram shuttering on the holotable. "You need to get down to the surface. Now."

Aurora cocked her head slightly, "So, they are finally making their play then"

Windu's face grew contemptuous, "Some of our forces on the ground have spotted General Grievous. He and a group of battle droids are moving to take the palace, and kill Senator Organa."

Aurora nodded slowly. "Understood." As she turned away, the voice of Windu called out to her.

"Black, if you get a chance to…" he trailed off, the unspoken words obvious.

Aurora turned, an eyebrow raised in surprise, "That isn't the Jedi way, Master Windu."

His voice hardened, "He is too dangerous to be kept alive."

Aurora turned away, refusing to show agreement, "Can you let Anakin know where I am going?"

Windu nodded, "I will."

She stalked out of the Command Center, Tryl right on her heels, "Are you ready ma'am?"

Aurora glanced at him, "Yes. I'll head down, gather as many men as you can and follow as soon as possible."

"But ma'am!"

"That's an order Tryl. We've been waiting for this to happen. The garrison down there will keep me well protected from any errant droids." Tryl nodded in agreement, before breaking off down a hall, his face hardened as he moved toward the barracks. "I just hope I'm not too late…" She growled to herself. Moving with haste, her feet guided her along the path, as the Force whispered in her ear, urging her to make Grievous pay for the lives he had taken. Shaking the thoughts from her head as she entered the hangar, she quickly jumped into her starfighter, flipping the switches to power it up.

R3 chirped happily as Aurora powered the ship on, the little droid already plotting the route to the palace below. "Remember, buddy," She called to him, "Get down there and locate Grievous quickly. After I jump out, return right up here, understood?"

The droid beeped in acknowledgement, retracting the landing gear as Aurora navigated the ship out of the docking bay. As soon as they were clear of the door, Aurora turned the engines into full gear, blasting out of the Republic Cruiser. Hurtling through the battlefield, she wove the craft around seemingly endless hordes of blaster fire, dodging under the hurtling shrapnel from the many destroyed ships the battle had produced. Entering the quickly approaching atmosphere, Aurora looked on amazed at how quickly the battle had turned the beautiful little world into a damage shell. Speeding toward Aldera, the capital city of the planet, Aurora closed her eyes, readying herself for the fight ahead. R3 beeped to her in warning, as the starship roared into the city, flying right over the invading droid's heads, who began to open fire on the low hanging fruit presented to them.

Aurora nodded in thanks, her hand grabbing the release lever as they soared over the lines, nearing the head where Grievous was leading the columns. Eying the blue and green saber wielding maniac, Aurora growled, and pulled the lever, climbing out onto the wing of the shaking starship, as R3 was trying to find a new balance. As they reached the cyborg general, Aurora threw her cloak back into the ship, before leaping off, her green sabers igniting as she fell from the sky, landing deftly on her feet, like a cat jumping from a tree. Deflecting the first few bolts that raced toward her back to their owners, she shifted into a defensive stance, lightsabers held out before her.

"Ah," Grievous laughed, coughing slightly, "the young girl who thought she could be a general."

Aurora bowed her head, "And before me is the cyborg who thought he could imitate a Jedi."

Grievous snarled, his synthetic voice making the sound more intimidating. "I hope you realize, you are doomed."

"I wouldn't count on it, General." The two stood facing each other, lightsabers leveled in anticipation of what was about to happen.

Scowling, Grievous turned to one of the droids, "Go, kill Organa and the clones. Leave this one to me."

Before the droid could respond, Aurora launched herself at the General, blades flashing in a whirlwind of fury. Grievous laughed out of twisted delight, his own two sabers rising to meet the young Jedi, parrying the dangerous blades away. Dancing around him, Aurora swung low, trying to remove his feet, only for the cyborg to swing out of the way. Hissing in irritation, Aurora chased after him, the two quickly falling into a game of cat and mouse as they jumped around the battlefield, sabers flashing brightly. As the cyborg brought his blades down on top of the young Jedi in a roar of fury, Aurora swung out of the way, red eyes burning with hate, "I'll have you know, General, that your reign of terror ends today."

"Jedi do not kill," Grievous coughed out, "you would not sully yourself."

"Jedi's are protectors of the innocent," She bit back, "and you are most certainly anathema to that."

She wove out of the way as his left lightsaber swung for her neck. "Perhaps," he growled, "you should have learned to fight, instead of how to use big words."

Dropping to a knee, she spun around, her lightsabers flashing back behind her head, catching the next downward strike before sliding a blade up and removing the top of the green saber. As he reared back in shock, Aurora spun back around on her toes, lightsaber arcing out toward the general's exposed leg. Realizing her target, the general's leg shot back, the very end of the attacking lightsaber barely nicking the metal. Moving back quickly, Grievous reached for a saber attached to his hip, igniting the yellow blade. "I will make you pay for that, Jedi," he growled, "I will make sure to add your own to my collection, or perhaps I will display them alongside your corpse in my trophy room."

Aurora quickly fell back on the defensive, as the speeding, rotating blades edged her back toward a wall. As her back pressed against the stone behind her, she felt her panic grab hold of her, fueling the Force inside her which was calling for the cyborg's blood. Releasing a scream of fury, her arms launched forward, sending the Force barreling into the Seperatist General, and sending him sprawling across the ground. Jumping back and using the wall as a springboard, she launched herself at the fallen general, her face etched into a feral snarl. Grievous reacted faster than any normal being, lightsabers rising to meet the Jedi's. As they connected, he pushed, sending the girl flying over him.

Rolling to the side, Aurora groaned from the impact. Suddenly, the form of Grievous towered over her, foot slamming down upon her. Aurora rolled out of the way, spinning to her knees, as she pulled her discarded lightsabers back into her hands, the sabers igniting and sliding them to meet the cyborg's powerful swing. As she jumped to her feet, the Jedi and general traded blows back and forth, the electric crashes of the sabers echoing around the now near empty courtyard. Aurora turned sideways, the overhead strike passing right by wear she had just stood, the heat of the blades causing her sweat to start running into her. Snapping her right saber behind her, she caught the inward swing and held it at bay, whereas she sliced up with her left saber, cutting through the general's hand.

Grievous roared in fury, his cybernetic face somehow being able to express the rage he felt at the loss of his hand. As the cybernetic general backed away, fury filled the young Jedi, the Force whispering in her ear. Shooting her hand out, she lifted Grievous up by his robotic throat, the cybernetic man struggling against the powerful grip. Throwing him into a wall, Aurora stalked toward the fallen man, her small frame covering the short distance with surprising speed. As she approached him, Grievous lunged for her, only to be thrown back by the prepared Jedi, destroying the wall behind him. Leaning over him, a scowl spread across her face. "Did you really think you stood a chance?" She growled, "You're just a machine, a step above the robot legions you lead. Something like you had no chance against the power of the Force."

As Grievous struggled to sit up, Aurora thrust her hand out, pushing him back into the ground, the force of the blow cracking the floor beneath him. "You are a worm, Grievous," She whispered, as she held him down with the Force, "and I will enjoy watching you suffer for what you have done."

Grievous laughed, his signature cough echoing around the room, "Jedi do not enjoy watching people suffer."

Aurora stared down the Kaleesh warrior, her face filled with barely contained rage. "And do you know what?" She replied quietly, "I really don't care."

As she raised her saber for the killing blow, the Force cried out in warning of a threat behind her. Spinning around, she deflected the incoming blaster bolts coming from a troop of droids. As she moved out of the building, she fell amongst them, making quick work of the mechanical death machines. Turning back around as she cut the last head in half, her eyes widened in surprise as the fallen form of Grievous had disappeared, with no hint as to where he had gone to. Scowling, she stalked back into the building, lightsabers humming quietly, as she patrolled through each barren room, the occupants having emptied out the house and fled before the battle had commenced. Stalking to the back of the building, she snarled as a hole had been cut into the wall, large enough for the cybernetic warrior to have gotten through. As she was about to pursue him, the voice of a clone echoed through her communicator.

"Ma'am," the clone called, "We are being overrun. We need your assistance!"

Aurora looked out longingly to where Grievous had escaped to, before, with a barely contained cry of fury, turned back around, her snarl an ugly scar across her delicate face. As she left the building, she sprinted toward the building, the Force enhancing her muscles as she raced along the empty street. Entering through the palace doors, a pack of droids quickly turned to her, the dead clones beyond a mocking gesture of the carelessness from the cold machines. As she fell amongst them, her eyes glowed, the rage adding a yellowish tinge to the red orbs.

F&P

"Thank you, Jedi Knight," Bail Organa greeted from the palace steps, bowing at the hip. "The Clones routed the droids, and without Grievous to support them, they quickly fell apart."

"No thanks necessary, Senator," Aurora replied, bowing back. "It's been a pleasure seeing your world, even if it is surprising that the war has managed to make it this far."

"Yes, the General clearly thought I was enough of a threat to try and invade one of the core worlds," Organa agreed.

The sudden roar of incoming starfighters and LA-AT's caused the two to turn toward the courtyard, Anakin's familiar yellow star fighter causing a slight smile to appear on Aurora's face. As Master Windu and Anakin joined them, the Senator bowed, thanking them as he had Aurora just moments prior. After greetings had been met, Windu turned to Aurora, "Grievous?"

Aurora shook her head, "He disappeared in the fight. He's missing an arm, but other than that, I don't know how damaged he is."

Windu frowned, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "And he hasn't escaped yet?"

"No, Master Windu," Aurora replied, "All of the droid ships have been accounted for, and have been ray shielded. He's not going anywhere."

Windu nodded, "Good. The Clones will start spreading out and trying to find him." Turning to his Clone Commander, Ponds, Windu walked off to begin the coordination of the search mission.

As Aurora went to join them, Anakin's hand shot out and grabbed her by the arm, "Oh no you don't."

She looked into his eyes, her resolve hardening. "Why not?" she demanded.

"Because," Anakin replied, tone unwavering, "You are going to rest up."

"Please," Aurora protested, "he's injured and missing an arm. I have nothing to worry about."

Anakin frowned, moving her so his towering form loomed over the young Jedi."You are not going to go after him, understood?" He ordered.

Aurora didn't reply for a moment, instead looking down as her resolve crumbled. "Fine," she grumbled, spinning on her heel. Bowing to Senator Organa, "Senator, I apologize, but I must return to my ship."

Organa shook his head, "My wife would kill me if I didn't return your deeds with our hospitality. I insist that you stay the night at least."

Aurora shook her head, already forming the answer when Anakin cut her off, "We would be honored."

As Organa led them into the war torn palace, Aurora glanced around Anakin at the remaining bodies of the fallen clones. "Do we need to stay here?" She quietly asked Anakin.

Looking where she was, Anakin nodded back softly, "Yes, we do. We don't want to insult his hospitality."

"But the clones…" She protested, trailing off as they passed another group of bodies.

"Will be given the appropriate funeral rights," Anakin replied evenly. "Besides, you need to rest and recover, and a comfortable bed and dinner will be the best thing for you right now."

"But Anakin," she whined, her tone shifting entirely, "I don't want to."

Anakin frowned, "Have you been taking your medication?"

Aurora pouted, "It doesn't taste good. And it makes me feel weird."

As Anakin was about to respond, the two entered another room, Aurora's eyes now floating over the deceased clones inside with disinterest. "Aurora," he prompted, "you need to take it."

She pressed into his side. "But Anakin," She mumbled, batting her eyelashes up at him, "You wouldn't want me to do something that makes me uncomfortable, would you?"

Anakin laughed quietly, before becoming serious, "You will take that medication, understood?"

Aurora nodded demurely, a mischievous smile etching across her lips. "I will as soon as we get back to Coruscant. I left my pills back in my room in the temple."

Anakin growled in response, "Don't forget it again."

The two separated as Organa led them into a dining room, where Queen Breha Organa waited for them. The beautiful, stately woman bowed to the two Jedi, "I thank you for the services you both have done for Alderaann."

"It is our pleasure, your majesty," Aurora replied, as her demeanor shifted. "It is an honor to be in your home. I only wish we could have visited under better circumstances."

Queen Organa nodded in understanding. "Come," she gestured to the door, "We should dine in a room away from here. I'm sure dining so close to where the battle took place must be unnerving."

Aurora shrugged, "Whatever you desire, my lady."

Anakin looked at her out of the corner of his eye as they followed the queen down the hall, the indifferent, almost regal, personality strangely different from the one he had grown accustomed to. Turning to the male Organa, Anakin began asking how the war was faring in the Senate, which the Senator was only too happy to discuss.

"What I don't get," Anakin asked, "Is if everyone knows that the Trade Federation is playing both sides, why don't they take action?"

"Ah," Senator Organa signed. "You see, Master Jedi, the way the law is set up prevents us from acting against them without solid evidence. Even if we had that, there is no guarantee that they would be excommunicated, seeing as how many systems are indebted to them."

"But that isn't right," Anakin protested.

"No, it's not," Bail agreed.

"Why doesn't someone do something about them then?" Aurora asked viciously, her red eyes shining viciously.

Bail shook his head, "Well, two wrongs don't make a right."

"But it does stop them from making more wrongs," She muttered petulantly.

Bail laughed at the perceived joke, Anakin joining in although he looked to her worriedly. Breha opened the door to her and Bail's private chambers, "Come on in. We can eat here. I can have a few rooms set up for you two and General Windu as well."

Anakin shook his head, "Thank you for the offer ma'am, but I assume that Master Windu and myself will be hunting Grievous for the foreseeable future. I would appreciate it if you wouldn't mind putting Aurora up though."

Breha nodded, cutting Aurora off from a look from Anakin, "Of course. I would appreciate meeting the girl that Senator Amidala is always talking about."

"Talking about me?" she muttered to herself, "More like talking about Anakin…"

"Skywalker, are you there?" the voice of Windu suddenly echoed around the room, emitting from Anakin's communicator.

Anakin lifted his wrist up, pressing the button on the device, "Yes Master Windu. Any luck on finding Grievous?"

"I'm afraid not," Windu sighed from the other end. "I could use your assistance though. I'm covering the upper district, if you search the lower, we might have a chance at cutting him off."

"Of course, I'll be right down," Anakin replied. "The ray shield remote, should I leave that with Aurora?"

"Yes," Windu agreed, "that sounds like the best plan. Rendezvous with me in three hours or so." Before Anakin could reply, the communicator went dark.

"Master Skywalker," Bail spoke up from where he was standing, "I can act as your guide around the lower parts over Aldera. It can be rather difficult to navigate."

Anakin nodded in thanks, "Of course. Aurora, behave and listen to Queen Breha."

As the two men left the room, Breha sighed, "Looks like it's just us for now."

"Yeah, I guess so," Aurora muttered.

Breha smiled, patting a cushion beside her, "Come, sit. Tell me about yourself." Aurora frowned, but complied with what the queen requested. Sitting across from her, Aurora leaned back into the cushion, waiting patiently for the queen to continue. "Tell me, dear, what is it like being a Jedi.

Aurora smiled, her ruby red eyes softening slightly, "It is exhilarating, yet also calming. I often find myself longing to the call of battle, yet I have a desire to protect the innocent, if that makes sense."

Breha nodded thoughtfully, "That… makes sense, I suppose. Though, I must assume part of the battle lust is due to you being forged in this war, the same as Master Skywalker."

"I suppose so," Aurora conceded. "Though, the two of us have always been different if you understand what I mean?"

"Yes," Breha laughed quietly, "From what I heard, you two were quite a bit older than most who join, and you were both raised out of misery. Senator Amidala mentioned that Anakin had been a slave, and Bail sometimes talks about his work."

"You mean about me," Aurora replied evenly.

Breha paused for a moment before nodding, "Yes, about you." As Aurora looked away uncomfortably, Breha reached out and rested her hand, "Do you want to talk about it?" Aurora shook her in reply. "Well then," Breha decided on, "Who was that handsome senator that you were talking with at the ball the other day?"

Aurora shrugged, frowning in thought, "I haven't a clue?"

"Really?" Breha asked, shocked, "The dark haired senator? He offered to buy you a drink?"

Aurora thought for a moment, before her eyes went wide, "Oh, Senator Paulness?"

"Yes, that's him," Breha exclaimed. "He seemed rather interested in you."

Aurora shook her head, "He was just being polite, I'm sure."

"My dear," Breha sighed, "you are a gorgeous young woman, and being a Jedi just enhances that."

"I'm just a plain old Jedi, I'm nothing special."

Breha frowned, "You need to work on that self confidence, my dear. Long black hair, short, slim but athletic, ruby red eyes, and with the allure of power you give off, you are something that men, and I'm sure some women, will strive to make their own."

"I'm no one's, I don't belong to…" Aurora began heatedly, before suddenly clamping down on her tongue.

"Please," Breha raised her hand in a calming gesture, "I didn't mean to offend. I was just merely saying you had an allure to you, something that makes many people drawn in. Have you ever seen a fly try to eat honey?" Aurora shook her head, "Well, the fly can smell how sweet it is from far off, they will risk much to get to it, and when they finally manage to land, they get trapped. They don't care, they will try to continue to drink the honey, unaware of the trap they have fallen in-"

Aurora cut her off, a hint of anger in her voice, "What are you saying?"

"Oh," Breha exclaimed, "nothing bad, I assure you. I'm just saying that many people pursue you, even risking bodily harm, because you are attractive and powerful. You do nothing wrong, you just draw them in."

"You're saying I'm dangerous to people?" Aurora muttered.

Breha laughed, "Why, yes. Not intentionally though. I saw your fight with Grievous, you know, and you would be a fool to not think you were. But, that's not the danger I'm referring to."

"What do you mean?" she asked, concerned.

"Well, look at Paulness. He pursued you, and probably still will if we are being honest, even if you didn't want him too, and while he is a calm, rational man, I don't doubt that he would fight others for your hand. I would also say that General Skywalker has the same effect on people that you do."

"What are you saying, exactly?" Aurora asked dangerously.

Breha patted her hand, "Nothing, nothing. I'm just rambling. I would just ask that you look around at the occupants at one of the Senate parties some time, and see how people are drawn to you, or to General Skywalker."

F&P

A/N: Comment and review, and Happy Labor day to everyone in the states.