And this will be the last one I will for May the 4th 2021! I promise that I will try and get more up here soon! Also enjoy my Master and Apprentice Novel reference!

Last time: Sasha faced off against Maul. And he had a message for Obi-Wan.

Now: Sasha returns to the Temple.

Chapter 7- The Truth

Obi-Wan had been thrilled when Sasha had contacted the Council to inform them that the mission was successful. That meant that she was due to return at any moment. Obi-Wan had considered on meeting her at the docks, but the rain storm Coruscant was experiencing was heavy enough that Obi-Wan thought that it was best to remain at the temple. He has hated flying since he was a padawan learner under Qui-Gon Jinn. Back then he flew a small ship through the corridors of a Czreka ship and somehow survived the whole ordeal without losing his lunch. Plus flying through a heavy rain storm like this was only unbearable due to the fact that some drivers on Coruscant didn't know what they were doing when it came to piloting in rain storms as the capital hardly ever had rain during the year. So staying dry at the Temple sounded like the best idea. And so did the idea of not getting into a speeder accident due to weather.

After a while of waiting, a gunship arrived with its doors closed. Obi-Wan could sense his padawan's presence on the gunship. The gunship pulled into the hanger bay and out of the rain. When the doors opened, Sasha stepped off, her clothes and hair damp. It was apparent that she had used the force to try and stop the rain from getting her completely wet, but this storm was bad enough that it didn't do a great job. He smiled at her as she approached him. She returned the smile, but it seemed… off.

"Welcome back, Padawan," Obi-Wan said. "How was your trip back?"

"Oh, it was fine," Sasha said not meeting his gaze.

Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes at her. "Sasha, what is it? Are you okay?"

Sasha bit her lip as she turned her gaze to the floor. Something was wrong. He could sense it now. She didn't answer him, but her mouth was trying to form the words. He took a step forward and grabbed her by her upper arms.

"Sasha look at me." She did as he asked. "What happened? What is it?"

Her mouth was still trying to form the words as she looked at him. She took an uneasy breath before she finally spoke. "Master… as we were leaving the system, our ship got stopped by a cargo vessel. We thought it was a pirate ship at first, but…" He noticed as she clenched her hands into fists. "It wasn't pirates. It was Maul."

"Are you sure?" He asked almost not believing her words.

"Yes, it was him," Sasha said sounding very sure. "He looked exactly like you described him. Plus he had Vizsla's saber on him."

Obi-Wan didn't move. He didn't even breathe for a whole minute. He just stood their frozen as he stared at her. Was she really telling the truth? Did she really run into Maul on Datoonie? No, that couldn't be. He had to have miss heard her. But the look on her face told him she was speaking the truth. The anger he had managed to rid over the past week started to flood back. Reality rushed back to him as he tightened his grip on her arms, his face written with fear and worry.

"What? How? Are you okay? Did you stop him? Tell me everything," Obi-Wan rambled.

Sasha brought a hand up to slow him down. "I don't know how he knew where to look or how he found us on Datoonie, but he just showed up. All he wanted was for me to deliver a message and then he disappeared," Sasha explained. "We left before he could follow us. I'm sorry I didn't try and arrest him Master. Scamp showed up to help me and then we took off. We left him behind." She lowered her head so she no longer met his gaze. "I'm sorry I didn't follow proper protocol for this situation. I just… I panicked and ran."

Obi-Wan released his grip on her arms and brought a hand to his beard, thinking. Why was Maul at Datoonie and not Mandalore? How did he know where to go? He had so many questions, but so little answers. And it wasn't Sasha's fault. Her experience with Maul had obviously freaked her out to her core. That brought his anger down to a more manageable level. He was just more grateful that she came back in one piece. He sighed.

"Are you okay though?" Obi-Wan asked softly.

Sasha nodded. "Yeah, just a little sore, but I'm fine."

Obi-Wan nodded. "That's good. Now what is this message you mentioned? What does Maul want to say to me?"

Sasha wrapped her arms around herself. It was probably from her being cold in her damp robes, but also probably from her being terrified from that endeavor. Twenty years old or not, whatever Maui had said/done to her had really spooked her. And with Satine's recent death still being fresh in both of their hearts, her fear was understandable.

"He told me to tell you, he knows the names of everyone close to you. He also said he will kill me if you don't surrender yourself to him," She said, her voice soft. "He wants you to surrender yourself by the end of tomorrow. If you don't, he is coming for the both of us."

Obi-Wan felt his body go numb. Maul knew about Sasha and Anakin? Maul knows about all of his friends. Did that mean his family too? Like Taren, Halla, and baby Sean? He hoped not for their sake. Obi-Wan felt his heart thud as his mouth went dry. This wasn't good.

"Master," Sasha said, her voice made her sound so young and vulnerable. "What do we do?"

Obi-Wan looked at her. She was looking up at him now and her arms had returned to her sides. Even though, her voice betrayed her true feelings, her face was attempting to show bravery and confidence. Not attempting, succeeding. She was being strong in this moment as she was pushing the fear away. He could still tell that she was shaken up from this whole experience, he could also tell that it wasn't going to bring her down. How did he get so lucky to be in charge of such a strong young woman?

He moved forward and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to him.

"I am just thankful you are safe," he said warmly. "But we need to report this to the Council." Sasha nodded, but didn't say anything in response. "Let's get you into some dry clothes then we shall go see the Council."

Again Sasha nodded and they moved together from the hanger bay.

When they returned to their quarters, Sasha quickly changed into a drier tunic and leggings. Once she was freshly dry, she followed Obi-Wan to go talk with the Council. He was a man on a mission as he led her through the temple. She knew he was upset at the fact that Maul had approached her like he had, but she also knew he was worried about her. Probably more so than he ever has been in her time as his padawan. In normal circumstances, she would have argued with him and told him she can handle herself. But in this instance, Sasha knew it was for the best to not argue with a man who has faced this foe before. Especially a foe who has taken so much from him.

Sasha realized as they continued along that they were not heading for the Council Chambers, but instead the communications center. She guessed that meant that the Council was in a war meeting at the moment and they were about to interrupt it. They reached the room moments later. The door slid open to reveal a few members of the Council, Anakin, a holographic Ahsoka, and a couple holograms of some clones discussing a battle that was occurring in the outer rim. Master Yoda's ears perked up when they entered.

"Master Kenobi," Master Windu said, interrupting the hologram of Master Plo Koon, who was giving his debrief of their current battle that he and Ahsoka were involved in. "What do we owe the pleasure?"

"Apologies for the interruption, Masters," Obi-Wan said with a sense of urgency. "But something has come up that I need to discuss with you as soon as possible."

The present council exchanged a glance with each other before looking back to him.

"Give us a few minutes to finish this debrief," Master Windu said. "Then you may deliver your news."

Obi-Wan nodded after a moment. Sasha watched as her Master made his way down and stood beside Anakin at the holoprojector table. The two exchanged a quiet whisper of words with each other that Sasha couldn't hear over Master Plo's debrief. Sasha moved over and sat in the second row of the communication center where she was out of frame of the hologram. She sat there for another five minutes before the meeting came to an end and the holograms disappeared. Soon it was only Master Windu, Master Yoda, Master Eath Koth, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and herself that were left. Obi-Wan gestured to Sasha to join them at the holoprojector table.

"Now what news do you have for us, Master Kenobi?" Master Windu asked as Sasha made her way down to the holoprojector table.

Obi-Wan looked at Sasha as she now stood beside him. "Go ahead Sasha."

Sasha felt her all eyes turn to her. She sighed silently to herself before speaking. Sasha then told them everything that happened involving Maul. From his sudden arrival, to his threat to Obi-Wan's life, to her escape from Maul's clutches. When she was finished, there was an unsettling silence in the room. Glancing up at Obi-Wan, Sasha noticed that he shared the same unsure look she had as to what the Council would respond with. Master Yoda was the first to break the silence.

"Disturbing is this news," Yoda said as he leaned on his gimmer stick. "Glad to see fine you are, padawan."

"Thank you, Master," Sasha said with a slight nod.

"Obi-Wan, I thought you said Maul was on Mandalore," Windu asked, his brows knitted together.

"He was there last I knew," Obi-Wan said with a shrug. "How he ended up at Datoonie is beyond me."

"I've got so many questions like how he knew exactly where to go and who to go after," Anakin wondered aloud.

"I agree with Skywalker," Master Koth said with a nod.

"He said he knew the names to everyone I am close too," Obi-Wan started. "That includes Sasha, Anakin, and a few others that I have considered close friends over the years." Sasha noticed he didn't bring up Taren and Halla, but that was probably for the best. "It is possible that Maul learned of them either through the Holonet or through Vizsla when they were still working together."

"Vizsla makes sense for how Maul would have found out at least about Sasha, myself, and even the Duchess," Anakin agreed. "But the likelihood that he knows of any of your other friends seems less so."

"But how did he know I would be headed to Datoonie alone?" Sasha asked.

"You said he was flying a cargo vessel?" Windu asked. Sasha nodded. "It's possible that Maul had this all planned out from the start."

"Wait a minute. You mean to tell me that he knew he still wanted to get revenge on Obi-Wan so he stole a cargo ship, picked a random Republic outpost, stole their supplies from them, and when the call went out to the Chancellor, he was listening in?" Anakin asked as if to clarify what Windu was assuming. But Windu nodded. "That seems a little too on the nose for Maul."

"Anakin is right," Obi-Wan agreed. "Everything we have seen him do up to this point has been… out of the blue. His sudden return, to him stealing from ships, to him buying off pirates, to him working with the Death Watch and over throwing Mandalore. It's obvious that he has something planned, but this almost seems out of character for him. At least based off his recent behavior." He paused for a moment. "Plus when it has come to him getting his revenge on me, it has either been a direct call out or I end up at the right place at the right time for him to dish it out to me. Like Mandalore."

"You don't think he used the Duchess to lure you there?" Master Koth asked.

Obi-Wan looked to the side, away from everyone's gaze. Sasha frowned. "No, I don't. Satin… Duchess Satine contacted me because she had said Death Watch over threw her. Never at any point did she allude to Maul's presence on Mandalore. And had I known that Maul would have been there, I wouldn't have gone alone to save her. I was shocked when I discovered he was there at all."

"So why would he try to get you through me, Master?" Sasha asked. "What is his gain from that?"

There was a silence for a moment then Obi-Wan spoke up. "He told me on Mandalore he wanted me to suffer as he had suffered. I think he plans to take out everyone I am close to till I am…" He trailed off for a moment trying to find the right words.

"Broken?" Sasha asked carefully.

Obi-Wan nodded. Another silence filled the room. Sasha looked at her Master's face. It was etched with worry and confusion as to what to do next. Sasha then looked over to the other three members of the Council who were sharing a look between them.

"Obi-Wan," Windu said lightly. "What was your real reason for running to Mandalore?"

He stiffened next to her as the question came at him. "I told you during my debrief that it was because the Duchess was a friend and I know what the Death Watch would do to her once they would seize control. I also couldn't let the leader of the Neutral Systems Council fall if I knew there was a chance to help her."

"I know that's what you said, but that's not what I asked," Windu clarified. "What was the real reason?"

Obi-Wan didn't answer, but Yoda did.

"Feelings for her you had, Obi-Wan?" Yoda asked.

Sasha felt her jaw slack as the Masters figured it out. She looked to her Master. Obi-Wan turned away and closed his eyes. She could see he was fighting his emotions. She frowned. This was hard for him. For any Jedi to have to admit they were in love with someone. Especially when that someone is now dead. Because attachments were forbidden and he would most likely face some form of punishment for it… maybe.

"Yes," was all he could say.

Anakin and Sasha's jaws both dropped as he admitted it. Anakin's shocked face was more of a surprise as he had always assumed Obi-Wan loved Satine, but never knew for sure. But Sasha's shocked expression was more of that fact he admitted out loud to Master Yoda and Master Windu. Yoda's next response shocked her even more.

"Too close you are to this, Obi-Wan," Yoda said gently. "Taken your Master and the Duchess' life, Maul has. But surrender yourself to him you should not. Protected here you both are. Safe will you be. If attacks he does, then prepared to defend you we will. For now, remain on Coruscant you both will."

Obi-Wan turned to look at the elderly master. He hadn't expected that response either. They both thought Yoda would reprimand Obi-Wan for even having an attachment in the first place. But he didn't even say anything about it. Was it because the Duchess' death was still too recent? Or was it because she was dead and the attachment was ultimately over anyway? Or was it because Master Yoda would most likely approach him later about it in private? Any was a likely option.

"Dismissed you all are," Yoda continued. He then looked at Sasha directly. "For delivering this information, thank you padawan."

"Of course, Master," Sasha replied with a slight and awkward bow.

Obi-Wan took the dismissal as his cue to leave. Sasha and Anakin exchanged a glance of worry before following after him, leaving the Masters behind to converse to themselves. Sasha and Anakin caught up with Obi-Wan easily further down the hall.

"Obi-Wan, are you alright?' Anakin asked once he was walking alongside his former master.

Obi-Wan slowed to a halt and looked at his former and current apprentice.

"Yes, I will be fine," Obi-Wan said with a nod.

Sasha almost didn't believe him, but she wasn't going to question it. Who could be fine after that?

"So you and Satine… you really did love her didn't you?" Anakin asked softly enough that only the three of them could hear it.

"I did," he admitted. "And I don't regret what I said in there either. They were bound to find out at some point. Especially given recent events."

Anakin and Sasha nodded.

"And what about Maul? Are you okay with their response to that?" Sasha asked him.

"I am. Maul's threat may scare me, but I will not allow him to harm either of you. Just promise me one thing." The look on his face was close to pleading.

"What's that?" Sasha asked.

"That you both will be by my side when I do face him again."

That caused Anakin to smile. He clapped Obi-Wan on the shoulder and wrapped an arm around Sasha's. The gestured caught her off guard initially, but she understand why Anakin did it. It was to reassure Obi-Wan and show they had his back which they always did and always will.

"We've always got your back, Master," Anakin said. "You can count on us."

"Aye," Sasha agreed as she too felt a smile appear.

That made Obi-Wan smile. "Thank you. Both of you."

REVIEW!