Chapter 5

"You were my brother Anakin! I loved you!"

"It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them! Bring balance to the force, not leave it in darkness!"

"A powerful Sith you will become."

A pair of fiery yellow eyes appear, the Son forming around them, smiling wickedly. Suddenly the Son's appearance changes, replaced with Anakin.

"You abandoned me. You should've listened to him." Anakin spoke, his voice deep and sinister. He ignites his lightsaber, in place of the familiar azure blade was blood red, a dark mask forming over Anakin. He swings his blade, striking Ahsoka.

"No!" Ahsoka shoots upright in bed, panting. She swings her legs over the side of the bed, hands on her forehead. A single tear traces its way down her cheek.

There's a knock on the door. "Ahsoka? You okay?" James's voice comes through.

Ahsoka composes herself, going to the door. She puts on her best fake smile, opening the door halfway.

"I'm fine. Just some bad dreams." Ahsoka lies. Slightly more awake now, she realizes James is bleeding from his brow.

"What happened? Why are you bleeding?" Ahsoka asks.

James rubs the back of his neck, "Yeah, about that. Everything, including me, was floating. When you screamed everything fell, I hit my head. Rex seems fine though, he's still asleep."

"Figures. He's a bit of a heavy sleeper. Sorry about that. I've never done that in my sleep, to my knowledge no one has." Ahsoka replies.

James frowns, "Ahsoka, I'm going to be straight with you. You need to talk about your past traumas. It's only going to get worse if you don't. This is the second time I've heard you having an episode, and I've been with you for two nights. Whenever you feel like talking about it, I'll listen."

"Thank you, it's just, talking about it is-" Ahsoka starts.

"Like reliving it again." James finishes.

Ahsoka looks up at him and smiles, "Yeah. Right now, it's just, it's not past traumas. It's things happening now. I think. It could be the future, but these visions are too clear." Ahsoka says, walking back to her bed, sitting on the edge of it. James follows, sitting next to her.

"What did you see?" James asks hesitantly.

"It- It was my old master, he- It looked like he had turned. His lightsaber, it was red. He… He struck me. Without a second's thought, he just moved to end my life. After everything he just…" Ahsoka closes her eyes, tears forming in the corners. Unsure of what to do, James simply puts his arm around her, pulling her close.

They sit like that for hours, Ahsoka gently sobbing into his shoulder. After a while, her breathing becomes a steady rhythm. Afraid to move and wake her up, James just sits there, thinking on what she said.

Finally, around dawn, Ahsoka's eyes flutter open. Seeing someone next to her, she leaps away from the bed, calling her sabers to her hands, igniting their sapphire blades. James just sits in shock, slowly raising his hands.

After several seconds Ahsoka realizes who it is and extinguishes her blades, placing them back on her hips.

"Sorry about that. Just not used to seeing someone when I wake up. What are you doing here?" Ahsoka asks.

"I heard you last night, we talked for a while. Then you fell asleep on me. I didn't want to wake you, so I just sat there." James explains, Ahsoka sitting next to him again.

Recollection of the night's events slowly returns to Ahsoka, her face falling as she remembers the crying.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have burdened you." Ahsoka says, unable to meet his eyes.

James turns her head to look him in the eyes, "You are not a burden Ahsoka, it's okay to talk about it. I don't think any less of you for it, in fact I respect you more because of it. Because you were able to talk about it. It takes a lot to do that, don't be ashamed of it. You're seventeen. Most seventeen-year-olds here don't even know how to throw a punch. You've been through an entire war."

Ahsoka smiles a little, "Eighteen actually."

James frowns for a moment, "But you said- Is today your birthday?" James asks, realization dawning on him.

Ahsoka simply nods, standing up. She calls one of her sabers to her hand, holding the hilt threateningly.

"And if you tell anyone, especially Rex, I will end you." Ahsoka threatens with a smile.

"Do they have bacon here?" Ahsoka asks.

"You'll insert here via helicopter." Major Parker says, pointing to a map.

"Once you've gotten the intel, you'll move here for extract." He says, pointing to another area.

"Why not insert here, it would give us a route with better cover?" Ahsoka asks, pointing to another spot.

"Too prone to ambush. If we're here, and they're up here," James says, pointing, "Then they could easily wipe us out. The sun would be in our eyes. They'd have the high ground."

"So do it at sunset, wimp. I'll clear the pass. Drop me high enough that we're out of range of any weapons, once I hit the ground you guys start your wimpy insert." Ahsoka explains.

Rex nods, good with the plan. James and the other officers are doubtful.

"But how are you going to-" One of them asks.

"Don't overthink it. It'll work, trust me." Ahsoka reassures.

"If it's any count, compared to most of her plans, this is a walk in the park." Rex adds.

Parker nods, "Okay. We'll try it your way. You'll insert here and extract here. The target is here. Any questions?"

Everyone shakes their heads, filing out of the room.

Rex walks up to Ahsoka, "Does anything feel off about this mission?" He asks.

Ahsoka looks around before answering, "Something has felt off since we got on the plane. I don't know what it is, but something is not normal. I'm afraid we're going to find something we don't want to find."

"So, just like every other mission, huh?" Rex adds.

Ahsoka lets out a laugh, putting her arm around Rex's shoulder, the two of them walking out of the briefing room together.

Two days later

"Foxtrot one, you are clear for insert."

"Understood. Rex, James, I'll see you on the other side." Ahsoka says, backflipping out of the helicopter and into the darkening sunset.

Author's Note:

Not much to say here, I guess. We're getting there.

Q&A:

Not much here either

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