Answers to reviews:
thermalsnipern7: Tamson got the easy way out because Jayden... Jayden would make him beg for death when he's through with him.
Spectacular Webhead 11: I don't know if I'l do that, but what's wrong with that arc?
StarLord93: Thanks.
"The Republic never disappoints." Jayden chuckled to himself as he threw a dead Clone Trooper aside after impaling him with his crossguard Lightsaber, having thrown the purple Lightsaber that was once Revan's into a squad of Clones. Jayden stood in the Republic cruiser as it was being assaulted by Vulture droid ships and the Separatist cruiser that was firing back at the cruiser, to which the Venator was firing back. This was a space battle over the planet of Scarif
Jayden passed a window and looked out to see the Separatist cruiser was not gonna make it from the veay fire it was taking. Jayden clenched his fist and was glad he hadn't taken the Rogue Shadow with him this time or it would be lost in the destruction of the crusier.
With the Separatist cruiser falling, the Republic's victory here was assured, but their ship had taken damage as well. So jayden was going to increase that damage and blow this ship up before escaping, makybe take one of the Republic's gunships or fighters to get away, but he'd need a place to and and send a distress call for the Separatists to pick up.
To blow this ship up, he'd need to find the reactor core and deal with that. No problem.
More Clones arrived as Jayden strode down the corridor, but Jayden, with his red and purple Lightsabers in hand, strode forward, deflecting their rifle shots as he ust started slaughtering more Clones that stood in his way.
Rounding the corner, he swung his crossguard red blade and decapitated a common crew member, startling more Clones as he went into action, hacking and slashing as he tore them apart, parts of bodies flying in every direction as Jayden continued his slaughter.
Barging into the engine room, Jayden killed the Clones in the area with his Lightsabers before approaching the central terminal. Uploading a virus from a chip stored in his belt, any immediate warnings would be disabled until a mere minute before the overload went critical, ensuring everyone on this ship will die in the explosion and even the Republic fighters. With the upload complete and the countdown started, Jayden turned to find a ship off this one and get away before he is caught in the explosion. He'd have to take a escape pod if need be, must will need to eject them all to stop any Clones or crew members from escaping.
The pods were a few levels up, down the length of the Venator's hull and easily accessible from the crewed rooms of the ship, giving Jayden plenty of targets to get rid of. At first, Jayden assumed he'd have to venture clear to the other side of the ship and launch the pods over there. Fortunately, he found a terminal which, courtesy of some of his own tech, enabled him to remotely access the pod programming functions. Another keyed command quickly sealed and launched every pod on the Venator, save one at the end of the row he was working on. Just as he finished his dirty deed, an alarm resounded throughout the ship, indicating the reactor had reached a critical level. Jayden wasted no time in breaking into a sprint and flying down the hall. His destined pod was at the very end, he could see it from here. It would be no problem for him to reach and jettison well before the reactors overloaded and detonated.
But just as he neared the pod, someone got in his way, darting out from an opposite hall. Unable to stop in time, Jayden saw a recognizable flash of orange and white before crashing into them and they both tumbled into the escape pod. Jayden's heavy body slammed into the central console, hitting the launch button by accident and launching the pod with both him and his newfound guest within it.
Ahsoka Tano had been on the opposite side of the ship when the pods started launching by themselves. The personnel with her started to panic and she dashed ahead to check and see if the others were still there. She hadn't expected Jayden to come barreling into her and knock them both into the only pod remaining. Nor did she expect the pod to suddenly launch before she could even get her bearings. Picking herself up with a groan and confident she'd be nursing a bruise or two after the impact, Ahsoka managed to pull herself into a seat as the escape pod left the ship and was ejected into space.
Ahsoka looked on in dismay as a fireball blew out the back of her cruiser, the secondary reactors exploding. The flame quickly raced through the Venator, multiple explosions blowing external hull plating to pieces before one final explosion running from bow to stern blew the entire cruiser to smithereens. The ensuing shockwave shoved their little pod hard, forcibly changing its direction. Ahsoka grunted and cried out as she was knocked about in her seat, the pod taking on a new life of its own as it began to descend. Looking out the forward viewport, the pale blue planet she'd seen before was now getting quite large.
They were caught in its gravity.
Realizing they had little choice, since the escape pod couldn't be controlled like a starfighter, Ahsoka cast a mournful look at the ruins of her ship as the pod began its descent towards the world below...
"Ow, that hurt." Jayden groaned as he sat up before he saw Ahsoka and tensed. "Shit."
A jarring, jolting shaking brought his attention off Ahsoka and he picked up the subtle beeping of a terminal processing new information, as well as the hissing of systems shutting down and steam being vented.
They had landed on Scarif.
"You destroyed my ship, didn't you?" She demanded. Her voice was not raised, but the look in her eyes told him she was very mad.
"Your ship?" He repeated. "As in you were in command of it?"
"Yeah. At least, I was." She responded, adding some emphasis to the last word.
"My apologies." Jayden replied as he picked himself up. "Had I known it was you, I-"
"Yeah right." Ahsoka cut him off. Moving to the back of the pod, she forced the door open, revealing blinding sunlight and the sounds of the ocean. Emerging first from the pod, Ahsoka found a pristine stretch of white beach, lush green foliage off to the right and a gently rippling ocean seaside to their left. Crawling out of the pod, Ahsoka couldn't help but look around in awe at the sheer natural beauty of this place. This was the absolute definition of perfection!
Except, of course, for the deep trail in the sand left by their escape pond.
Jayden came out of the pod after clipping his Lightsabers to his belt and he looked around. From what he knew, Scarif was a remote, tropical planet in the Abrion sector of the Outer Rim Territories.
"Well, least it wasn't Tatooine we crashed on." Jayden said, trying to make light on the situation. "By the way, how did you know a Separatist ship was located near Scarif?"
"We didn't." Ahsoka said, giving him a confused look, though her tone of voice indicated little concern or interest. "You weren't expecting us either?"
"No." Jayden frowned. "Either this is one big coincidence or the will of the Force. Did you put out a distress call?"
Ahsoka's eyes widened and Jayden realized... she hadn't. No one had. They were stuck here without any help coming or rescue. Usually jayden wouldn't mind being stuck on a world alone with Ahsoka, especially a tropical one like Scarif, but considering her attitude with him and how she thinks of him right now... Jayden would rather be stuck on Tatooine right now.
"So we need to wait until someone realizes we're missing." Jayden said before he reached up and took off his mask. "Fuck. Now I'm glad it's not Tatooine. This feels like the whole Trandoshan incident all over again just without the Trandoshans. I give us... eight days or so before we're due a rescue."
"A week? Stuck here? With you?" Ahsoka spat, causing Jayden to narrow his eyes at her.
"Careful how you speak to me, Ahsoka." Jayden warned her. "I saved your damn life on Mon Cala."
"I didn't need your help." Ahsoka stubbornly said.
"Sure, sure." Jayden rolled his eyes. "Because you were doing so well drowning and acting like a scared child!"
"A scared child?!" Ahsoka glared at him. "At least I'm not some perverted asshole who just wants to screw his way through women!"
Jayden frowned. "What? What the hell are you talking about?"
"Don't lie to me!" Ahsoka got right in his face with a glare. "Force, of all people to get stuck with, I have to get stuck with YOU?!" She shoved him back, adding a bit of the Force into her push which sent Jayden flying back and rolling across the ground.
Jayden stood and glared at her. "What the hell is your problem, Ahsoka? I remember you in some desperate, stupid journey to redeem me and bring me to Light, I remembered you being comfortable around me, thinking I can be saved and don't need to serve Dooku. But then, while I'm recovering from what YOUR master did to me, you suddenly despise my very existence?!"
"Because he told me the truth of how you REALLY think of me! And I can't believe I was so stupid to believe otherwise!" She activated one of her Lightsaber and tried attacking Jayden who activated his red Lightsaber and blocked her Lightsaber before shoving her back.
"So this is what it's come to." Jayden mused before he twirled his Lightsaber around and then pointed it at her.
(Play Duel of the Fates)
Ahsoka struck first, knocking Jayden's Lightsaber but Jayden spun and blocked her slash attempt and then her side slash attempt. Jayden parried her attacks, holding his Lightsaber with just one hand before he pushed her back with the Force, causing Ahsoka to skid along the sand before she ran and leaped at him, trying a downward slash from the air but Jayden sidestepped her and spun, going for a strike that she blocked.
The two entered a saber lock and Jayden pushed her back before they entered another saber lock and glared at one another. Ahsoka broke it and ran into a spint, Forc eleaping onto a tree branch with jayden leaping after her, landing a few feet in front of ehr as he turned and pointed his Lightsaber at her before they charged and their sabers collided once more. Ahsoka's strikes were filled with anger as jayden just remained on defnesive, blocking and parrying her attacks.
Ahsoka pairred Jayden's Lightsaber and tried a stab but Jayden raised his hand and to Ahsoka's shock, instead oif cutting through his hand, he used the Force to halt it and the two locked eyes for a few seconds before Jayden Force pushed her off the tree branch and she landed on the sand. Ahsoka grunted in pain as she got to her feet and backed off as Jayden landed on the sand and started walking towards her with a deadly expression on his face, holding his crossguard Lightsaber in a reverse grip.
Jayden swung his Lightsaber but Ahsoka ducked it and used the Force to halt his arm when he tried attacking but Jayden fought back and nearly got her head had she not ducked and their sabers collided again. Both panted heavily, Ahsoka more than Jayden. Ahsoka then went for more heavy, angry strikes that jayden paiurred and knocked her back, looking at her blankly as he watched her.
"Look at yourself." Jayden said, gesturing to her with a scoff. "So full of anger."
"Shut up!" Ahsoka yelled at him as she leaped, spinning through the air but Jayden halted her with the Force then sent her flying into the tree trunk, back-first. Ahsoka groaned and got to her feet, grabbing her second lightsaber and activated it as Jayden activated his purple Lightsaber and stood in a duel-wielding stance. Ahsoka ran and leaped at Jayden who blocked, ducked her sabers then tried an attack but she was quick to block him.
Jayden parried her left Lightsaber and knocked it out of her hand, so he deactivated his purple Lightsaber and fought her with just one once again. The two circled like dance partners, continuing to parry and block their lightsabers before Jayden grabbed Ahsoka by the throat, causing her to choke as he made her bend backwards before she lifted her leg and kneed him in the back of the head, causing Jayden to drop to his knees. Ahsoka kicked him in the face, knocking him onto his back, Ahsoka raised her Lightsaber and brought it down but Jayden blocked it and pushed her back, allowing him to stand.
At some point, the two jumped onto some rocks, still fighting as thy parried and blocked their Sabers. Jayden then tackled Ahsoka off the rocks and threw her with the Force. But Ahsoka was quick to her feet and attacked again. The two continued their parrying and blocking before they twirled their Lighstabers in unison, clashed them, then attempted to Force push the other at the same time but ended up in a battle of wills that neither won as they went flying back from each other.
(End song here)
"Enough!" Jayden shouted as he stood and breathed heavily. "This... is getting us nowhere, Ahsoka."
that said, he deactivated his Lightsaber, clipped it to his belt and walked away. Evidently, Ahsoka was in no mood to talk things out and Wraith decided he'd try again later. The Togruta huffed and returned to her sour state. Sitting down and crossing her legs, Ahsoka glared out at the endless expanse of ocean before her, not at all thrilled with her current circumstances.
She sat like that for some time, tapping into the Force to meditate for a while and try to calm herself down. She could hear sounds of activity going on in the background, but didn't really care for whatever was happening. Immersing herself in the Force, Ahsoka did her best to tune out everything.
While she was busy doing her thing, Jayden decided to make the most of their situation. Returning to the escape pod and took stock of their supplies. They were well-equipped, the pod having two weeks worth of food, water, survival shelters, medpacs, breath masks and glowrods. Deciding a lot of these would come in handy, Jayden put most away but pulled out the survival shelters.
He set to work constructing the tents. It was a straightforward process and, with time and patience, Jayden had two set up a few feet apart from each other, next to the driftwood log. Wandering a ways down the beach, in the opposite direction of Ahsoka, Jayden picked up some stones for the purpose of building a fire pit. Placing them in a circle before the driftwood log, Jayden realized he'd need more wood to complete this. Fortunately, there was another piece of driftwood nearby, one big enough to make a decent seat for either him or Ahsoka, and he hefted it over his shoulder and brought it back with him.
The next step would be to collect some wood for both the fire and other materials. He didn't want to explore this island just yet. Their basic needs had to be met first.
Venturing into the foliage next to the sand, Jayden scrounged up a few bushes and twigs to use as kindling and spied quite a few large palm trees he could probably make use of. In fact, he already had an idea for what he could use one of them for.
With his fire pit arranged, Jayden strode back into the jungle with his Lightsaber in hand. He chopped down a shorter, more slender palm tree, and then used one of his knives to whittle it down and shape it into the long, cylindrical shape of a staff. Using some leaves, he tied his knife to the end and completed his spear.
"Now... here's hoping the fish are out." He said to himself, leaving the green behind for white and blue. Wading into the water, Jayden was knee-deep when he decided to stop and hold up his spear, looking down and waiting for a flash of movement. His training was about to come in very handy, as hunting quick and cunning animals required a lot more focus and concentration than cutting down bumbling, hapless Clones.
Offering a quick glance up, he saw Ahsoka sitting cross-legged down a ways. Her eyes were closed and her hands were clasped in her lap.
At least she seemed relaxed now...
His gaze back down, Jayden focused on waiting for a fish.
Later that evening...
The setting sun cast a wondrous myriad of red and golden hues across the surface of the sea, creating a picture-perfect moment that Jayden couldn't help but marvel at. Right now, he was busy cooking some fish he had caught. His fire was burning brightly and the fish was cooking well.
"Ahsoka, if you're hungry, there's fish here. i don't care if you're mad at me for some reason, don't starve yourself." Jayden called to her, though he expected her to just sit there, still meditating, so he turned away and continued cooking his food.
The fish he'd caught were big, big enough to be worthy of gutting and cleaning before he skewered the meat and started cooking. Now he removed the spit from over the fire and pulled off one of the pieces. Just as he was handling it and getting used to the heat, he heard footsteps approaching. Looking up, Jayden was genuinely surprised to see Ahsoka arrive and sit down on the opposite driftwood log. Jayden offered her the spit and she used the Force to pull off a piece.
"Thanks." She quietly told him.
"You're welcome." He replied, setting the spit back. They ate in relative silence for a while, Ahsoka internally enjoying the well-cooked fish. It was silent between them for a long while until Jayden looked at the setting sun. "Beautiful, isn't it? The setting sun."
"Yeah, it is." Ahsoka softly replied as she looked at the setting sun, though her voice was emotionless. Jayden expected that to be that, but then Ahsoka inquired, "Why don't we just use the provisions in the pod? There's rations and water in there."
"Yes, but that stuff is designed to last a good while. We should save it for a last resort because it will keep." He replied, explaining himself. "Why? Don't like fish?" He jokingly wondered.
"I was just wondering." She bit back, her emotions now evident and simmering beneath the surface. Seems their fight with Lightsabers did little to get rid of whatever anger she felt at him. He sighed, shaking his head. Her remark seemed characteristic these days. She was short with him and he didn't like it. He didn't like this phase or whatever it was Ahsoka was going through and he wanted to get to the heart of the matter.
He'd had enough of this.
"Spill it." He said.
"Wha-?" She tried to say, but Wraith had anticipated such a remark.
"Don't 'what' me, Ahsoka. I can tell something's off with you. You've been giving me the cold shoulder ever since I got back into action and I want to know why! And I'm not doing it with a Lightsaber fight, so talk."
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe the fact that the guy who supposedly cares about me actually doesn't and only cares about getting between my legs!" She retorted, glaring at him.
Jayden raised an eyebrow before his eyes narrowed. "Who told you that?"
"That doesn't-"
"It was Skywalker, wasn't it?" Jayden asked and got his answer when Ahsoka looked away, refusing to answer but she didn't deny it as well. Jayden scoffed quietly and shook his head. "Of course, you listen to that idiot and take his word for it."
"Well, it's true-"
"THE HELL IT'S NOT!" Jayden yelled , startling Ahsoka. "What did he tell you? That I'm some pervert who just wants to fuck you?! To have bragging rights over fucking Anakin Skywalker's Padawan?! That I fuck women every night when i feel like it?! That I'm a Sith who doesn't care about you aside from wanting to screw you?! Is that what he told you?! Well guess what, IT'S A LIE! Honestly, the fact you'd just accept his word without trying to talk to me-"
"I did!" Ahsoka stood and Jayden stood as well, both glaring at each other. "I tried contacting you after he spoke those words, to hear it from you that it's not true but you didn't pick up!"
"I was in a bed, drifting in and out, I couldn't do anything!" Jayden retorted and held his head with a groan. "Fucking... dammit, Ahsoka! You keep going on in your life with blind talk and faith in someone then you're gonna find yourself dead soon enough at someone's hand! I'll look you straight in the ey, Ahsoka, and I don't care whether you believe me or not. I. Care. About. You. I am not what Skywalker says I am, that I swear on my very bloodline, on the lives of Revan and the Shan family. Use the Force if you need to."
Ahsoka did... and discovered he was indeed telling the truth.
"I... I see." She stammered, confirming he was in fact telling the truth. Now she was confronted with the reality that she had been wrong this whole time... as were Anakin.
"Y'know, I could've explained all this if you had just given me a chance to. Instead you just... assumed you knew what was going on." Jayden said. His tone was gloating nor was it accusatory. Just soft as though he were trying to teach her something. He watched her closely before chuckling. "Jealousy is a good reason to be mad at someone though."
"I AM NOT JEALOUS!" She shouted, getting up and storming off down the beach. Though startled by her outburst, Jayden reviewed it with a discerning mind and had to wonder if this topic had been broached before, either in her own, private moments or by someone else.
"Sounded pretty jealous to me..." He quietly mused with a smirk.
"SHUT UP!" Ahsoka shouted again, evidently hearing him again.
He'd forgotten just how good her montrals were.
Having finished his first piece, Jayden pulled off a second one and started eating, leaving the other for Ahsoka.
"Your fish is getting cold." He said in an even tone, not necessarily anticipating an answer.
"I LIKE IT COLD!" Ahsoka shouted back, now back down the beach in her original spot. Rubbing the bridge of his nose with his free hand, Jayden sighed,
"Women." He muttered.
Jayden kept eating until his piece was finished and the sun had sank below the watery horizon, leaving only a red streak in the distant, cloudless sky. Standing up and stretching, Jayden figured it was going to be a quiet night. He'd get up early enough tomorrow, as he wanted to explore this island and find out just how big it was.
"Alright, Ahsoka, I'm going to bed. I don't know how much longer you're gonna do that for... but your fish is here. And if you could put out the fire when you're done..." He called to her. She didn't answer, but was standing now. With a shrug, Jayden continued, "Your tent is closest to the grass." He told her, moving into his own tent closer to the pod.
Ahsoka stood by herself, watching the gentle waves roll in from the sea and wash along the beach before receding. The teenage girl was thoroughly flustered and in a state of mind where she simply didn't know what was going on... either in her head or all around her.
Jayden had resolved the main issue she had with him... seemingly. Ahsoka still had to wonder if he really meant it, or was just saying that in order to win back her favor. Sure she had tested him through the Force, but maybe he knew how to manipulate his output to fool her...?
She didn't know. She didn't know anymore. Jayden saying one thing and her Master saying something else... it was confusing to no end. But she trusted her Master and knew she could rely on his word. For the most part. While Jayden claimed to care and to have her interests in mind as well, she would simply have to wait until he proved that to be so. A small part of her wanted to believe him and take him at his word. But she was stubborn and was determined to wait until he did something significant.
If he did care about her, then he would respect her.
She needed to get her emotions under control. She was not acting like a Jedi should. Surely Jayden didn't mean what he said and she was just overreacting.
Knowing he'd gone to bed by now, Ahsoka turned and headed back to the campfire. She sat down by herself and collected the last of the fish, taking a bite. As she chewed, she detected the distinctly smokey flavor and how it was cooked just right. As a carnivore at her core, Ahsoka knew what proper meat should be like.
"It's good fish." She said aloud.
Such warm closeness felt so lovely. To feel his strong arms wrapped so tightly around her, her small, lithe body hugged to his... it was a sensation unlike any other. To simply be close to him... to simply be held by him...
She could feel his lips on her neck... Warm puffs of breath caressing her lekku, making her shudder uncontrollably. But it felt so good. She shouldn't want this, but she did.
Ahsoka suddenly awoke, the dream fading into nothingness. 'At least I'm not jerking awake in a cold sweat.' She thought to herself.
Ahsoka hadn't gotten much sleep last night. What she'd just awoken from was the latest of three dreams and this one had been the... tamest of them all. The content of the other two were likely enough to make someone as stoic as Shaak Ti blush.
And all of them featured Jayden.
They tried to appeal to her carnal, primal heritage, to use the weakness that was her changing biology and hormone-addled thoughts. She had woken up from each in a cold sweat and more than a little flushed. She'd press her legs tightly together and try to go back to sleep, only to suffer another one. She was thankful morning had come, but in her disheveled state, the last person she wanted to encounter was Jayden... especially after all the thoughts she'd had about him.
Crawling from her tent, Ahsoka shielded her eyes as the bright morning sun momentarily blinded her. Her eyes adjusted, and she heard,
"Good morning," as Jayden softly greeted her. Of course he was awake. Lowering her hand, Ahsoka found him sitting on one of the driftwood logs, watching her. He had taken off most of his robes and armour, leaving him in just a tanktop that left enough of his delicious... muscular chest that she'd love to-
'Dammit brain! Stop right there!' Ahsoka yelled at her brain and wiped the thought away quickly. "Morning." She replied in as even a voice as she could muster.
"You sleep well?" He wondered. A flashback to an earlier dream caused Ahsoka to freeze.
"Y-Yeah... I did." She quickly answered, cursing her stutter.
"You sure?" Jayden asked, picking up on it. Ahsoka quickly fabricated an excuse.
"I'm... just not used to sleeping in a tent. That's all."
"Well, it's the only thing we have." Jayden said with an apologetic tone. "Trust me, i don't like sleeping in tents anymore than you do. Tents are so... uncomfortable."
Ahsoka said nothing but caught a canteen of water he tossed to her she nodded at him in thanks before taking a sip of some water. She watched as Jayden grabbed his makeshift spear and clipped his lightsabers to his belt, a spare knife with him.
"I'm going hunting, care to join me?" He offered. Taking another sip from the canteen, Ahsoka nodded as she screwed the lid on.
"Yeah. Okay."
Five minutes later, the pair were trekking through the jungle, Jayden leading the way and parting branches and leaves for Ahsoka. The green foliage all seemed to blur together. As they walked, the Togruta was thinking. Even if she didn't fully trust Jayden, she should atone for her unnecessary actions the previous night.
"Jayden? I'm sorry about freaking out last night." She said, breaking the silence. "I... I should've just tried to contact you more and get your side instead of just assuming things. That wasn't fair on you."
Jayden nodded. "And I apologize for making you mad, that wasn't my intention at all." He added. Ahsoka could sense he was being truthful.
"I forgive you." She replied. Jayden smiled warmly at her, she offering a smaller grin, feeling just a little awkward with being around him given her recent dreams.
Another five minutes later, and Jayden parted the brush to reveal a most tranquil yet unexpected sight.
"This... This is a spring." He stated, intrigued by the fact this even existed here. Ahsoka joined him by his side and paused to marvel at the scene.
It really was quite pretty. The water was pale blue, the flat rocks around it gray and smooth, the very air seemed to sparkle and shimmer above it all, giving off an almost magical feeling. Jayden advanced and knelt by the pool, scooping up some water in his cupped hands and taking a drink. It was refreshing and easy on his throat, lacking the burn of salty seawater.
He turned back to Ahsoka, "It's fresh, not salty." She quickly joined him and knelt to drink some for herself. Ahsoka soon concurred that the water was quite tasty and hit the spot to parch her thirst. Apparently they wouldn't have to worry about their water supplies and, with Jayden's hunting abilities, they would be set until they were rescued.
Whenever that was...
Looking up, Ahsoka took note of the tall wall of rocks lining the back of the pool, where the waterfall openly flowed down and into the spring.
"It looks like it's being fed by that waterfall." She observed. Jayden followed her gaze and nodded.
"It does... then we should circle around, see if there's anything worth looking at on the other side before continuing." He determined.
"One more drink?" Ahsoka wondered as she bent over again.
"Sure." Jayden agreed with a nod. Ahsoka was soon lapping up some more of the crystal-clear water, humming slightly as she thoroughly enjoyed it.
But then she felt a disturbance, her senses registering something staring at her. Honed over countless experiences, Ahsoka knew when someone was looking at her even if she couldn't see them. Straightening a little, she tested her senses and focused on any signs of life radiating through the Force. Everything gave off a signal, like a blip on radar. But the only other being around was Jayden. She looked up at him, his gaze seemed to be fixed on the waterfall and nowhere near her, on anything but her. It was at that moment Ahsoka remembered what kind of position she was in, and how her butt was pushed out due to being bent over.
Had he been ogling her while she wasn't looking...?
But his distracted, distant look seemed to dictate otherwise. She could've sworn she'd felt his eyes on her, but maybe he hadn't. But the Force couldn't be wrong...
Recalling Anakin's words about him wanting her for the bragging rights, Ahsoka determined that someone who wanted her in such a lowball capacity wouldn't hesitate to ogle if given the chance. And so with a narrowed, wary gaze that lingered on Jayden, Ahsoka had another drink.
She didn't trust him...
When she was finished, they both rose to their feet and Wraith directed them to circle the spring on opposite sides, looking for anything of interest. They met again behind the waterfall to find nothing, Jayden concluding that the waterfall must be fed by some sort of underground deposit. With that question settled, they continued their trek through the jungle, Ahsoka lingering a little behind Jayden as they did.
Nearly twenty minutes later, they emerged onto another beach that faced a vast, empty sea much like where their camp was.
"Well... this looks familiar." Ahsoka mused. "So this island isn't very big at all..."
"No. It took us maybe a half-hour to cross it, and we were travelling in a pretty straight line." Jayden agreed. "The only thing of interest is that spring."
"I guess that's something." Ahsoka slowly agreed, crossing her arms. "If anything, we can use that for bathing as well as drinking."
"A good suggestion." Jayden nodded. "We'll take turns in bathing."
Returning to camp, while Jayden continued to look around, Ahsoka explored the beach. For nearly an hour, Ahsoka followed the beach around the island, discovering an assortment of rocks, shells and driftwood, but not much else. She took her time, though, using the Force to seek out any creatures that might also be on the island. Apart from a few skittering critters around the border of the jungle brush, she didn't find much. Not even bigger sea life worth noting.
What an island to be stuck on. Alone with Jayden of all people.
He was being truthful when he told her he cared about her, when he told her he didn't think about her the way Anakin said he did. He didn't want to claim her for bragging rights... but just what did he feel for her? he clearly was attracted to her, but what kind? How deep?
The loneliness of the moment getting to her, Ahsoka picked herself up and went off to find Jayden, feeling more than a little antsy.
She thought he'd be easy to find and, using the Force, he was. But the Force didn't tell her everything about where he was...
Arriving at the spring, Ahsoka parted the leaves and found a startling surprise awaiting her. To the left, where her gaze landed first, were Jayden's clothes, laid out on the rocks. Before her, in the spring, was Jayden himself... bathing.
"Eeep!" Crouching down and holding up a hand to obscure her vision, a red-faced Ahsoka stared wide-eyed at the foliage in front of her as her mind froze up. She had just witnessed Jayden stark naked in the middle of a bath!
Well, not entirely naked. If anything, she saw his unclothed back, and could only guess the rest of him was in a similar state of undress.
Her breathing quick and shallow, Ahsoka closed her eyes and sincerely hoped he hadn't seen her. There would be no end to the embarrassment if she were caught. She should leave right now, before anything else happened.
But while her mind was screaming at her to move, something deep within caused her to stay put... and entertain a far more sinful thought.
That single thought slowly ate away at her resolve, doing away with every intentional desire to be a respectable and a good Jedi and give him his privacy. It crept through her mind like a shadow, slowly consuming her until it was all she could think about... what did Wraith look like under all that armor? She knew what the soldier looked like, what did the man look like?
No. I can't... i-it's wrong. Decency stated.
A Jedi does not indulge such notions. Doctrine added.
I bet he's really really hot... Her hormones declared.
Curiosity getting the better of her, Ahsoka straightened up just a little bit and shifted her obscuring hand a little lower, allowing her to see Jayden's upper body. He'd turned around now and was running his hands through his hair, ensuring his entire torso was on display. The young Togruta felt her face flush even further, cheeks turning blood-orange, as his form was exposed to her, her montrals darkening so much their blue stripes were almost black. She felt her eyes unconsciously widened as she registered what she was seeing. Ahsoka had only ever seen a hint of his muscular body whenever he removed his armor, like today, but... now...
She had seen Clones, even Anakin, shirtless before. But their bodies paled in comparison to the display she was currently witnessing.
Jayden's chest was broad and thick, made up of perfectly formed pectoral muscles that looked indestructible. His shoulders were equally large and round and his biceps were perfectly sculpted, thick like the leg of a scout walker. Each one of his abs was taught and rigid, and a pair of slow, sloping lines leading from his hips down to... well, Ahsoka had taken biology. She knew exactly where those lines led. Never before had Ahsoka seen muscles so... so big. Or so perfectly formed. His abs looked like they had been cut from kriffing stone for crying out loud! Was this a result of his training? He was a year older than her, and had a body that could make men jealous and women go crazy.
The longer she looked, Ahsoka realized that from neck to waist he was covered in scars, both big and small, and they only seemed to add to his handsome appearance. He gave his head a shake, hair and water flying as time seemed to slow.
'Oh sweet Force...' Ahsoka thought to herself. 'H-He's perfect.' The longer she stared at his muscles, which she was increasingly convinced were the absolute zenith of organic potential, the more she felt her inhibitions fade, becoming replaced with a sense of curiosity... and desire...
A dull ache settled in her stomach, like a weight that was dragging everything down. A tingly rush, starting at the very tip of her montrals, worked its way down through her body, causing her to swallow nervously. Every single dream she'd had recently, all the naughty ones starring him, suddenly hit her full-force and Ahsoka froze in place. No matter how hard she tried, she simply couldn't take her eyes off the shirtless, muscle-bound human before her. She knew exactly what her feelings were. They'd been covered ever-so briefly during one of her health classes. She knew every autonomic function, every bodily process that was unfortunately at work right now.
She was feeling attraction. She was attracted to Jayden.
'But I can't be! It's against the Jedi Code!' Ahsoka thought. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply as she fought to recompose herself. Opening them again, her gaze was drawn back to his robust and masculine body. Ahsoka bit her lip nervously and pressed her legs together, trying to ignoring the feelings welling up inside her and the thoughts filling her mind.
Ahsoka couldn't take her eyes off the sight before her. But by some miracle, Ahsoka was able to drag herself, and her eyes, away from the rather irresistible sight of a shirtless Jayden and take off into the jungle again. Clutching her chest as the pounding of her heart in her hearing died down, Ahsoka gasped for air. The redness of her face was still there and her body and mind were still running hot... but at least she was out of there.
Never before had she felt so... impure.
Releasing a shuddering sigh as she walked back to the beach, Ahsoka couldn't believe what she'd just scene... and what she'd just done. She had given in to her hormones, let her selfish, teenage desires override her mind in a moment where perfect faithfulness to the Jedi Code could've won out. To make matters worse, this was the man she was taking issue with! The one being in the galaxy she didn't fully trust, the one she really should be keeping her distance from, and he looked... that... hot...
Why couldn't rescue hurry up?!
And welcome to the arc where Ahsoka and Jayden finally get one on one time and solve their differences... though it'll take time for them to truly be back on the same page, this arc will have that happen, this arc will have Ahsoka begin trusting Jayden again.