Chapter 39 – Master and Apprentice

Because this chapter takes place on Shili, "text like this" is in Togruti and /text like this/ is in Basic. I know it's usually the other way around, but because the vast majority of the text in this chapter is in Togruti I'm going to do it this way.

Hope you enjoy.

;-

Ahsoka woke up slowly. As she opened her eyes, she spotted Aisha next to her holding on to her arm. She smiled but didn't move. The young girl was still asleep so Ahsoka made sure not disturb her. Aisha still needed her rest, she had been through a lot.

Ahsoka made a little mental note to stop by a doctor first to make sure that Aisha was physically alright. There was no way of knowing just what she had been through under that horrible man. She just wanted to make sure that Aisha didn't have any severe internal injuries or something like that. They were already heading out into the city to get her some new clothes, they could easily make a little stop at a doctor.

She studied Aisha a moment through the Force. She seemed a lot calmer now. She just hoped that Aisha wasn't too traumatized by everything she was forced to endure.

A few minutes later Aisha stirred slowly as she started to wake up. She opened her eyes and turned around, still holding onto Ahsoka's arm lightly.

Ahsoka smiled at her. "Good morning Aisha, did you sleep well?" She asked her.

Aisha nodded and smiled back. "Yes." She replied. "Your bed is really comfy."

Ahsoka laughed a bit at that. "It is, right?" She said. "Come on, let's go and get some breakfast. Then we'll go into the city and get you some nice clothes, okay?" She offered. Aisha nodded and they both got out of bed to get ready for the day.

;-

After they had finished breakfast, Ahsoka had stepped aside for a bit in order to contact Lux. Thanks to all of the commotion they hadn't spoken in a little while. Aisha was currently with Rosette who was eager to show her around the house, she would be fine for a little while. Besides, she had something to ask Lux anyway.

The communicator beeped, informing her that the connection was established. She smiled as the holo-image of Lux appeared. /Hey Lux, how are you doing?/ She asked him.

Lux smiled when he saw Ahsoka. /Hey Ahsoka./ He replied. /I'm doing great. I have a lot of work, but other than that I'm fine. It's really good to hear from you again. So, what have you been up to?/ He asked her.

/I've been a little occupied lately, that's why I haven't contacted you in a bit./ Ahsoka said a hint of regret in her voice.

Lux nodded understandingly. /Don't worry about it 'Soka./ He replied.

/Lux, can you do me a favor?/ Ahsoka asked him.

/Uhm, of course./ Lux replied. /What is it?/

Ahsoka's face turned more serious. /We learned that the Separatists are planning to invade Kiros again./ She said.

Lux' expression turned to one of shock and worry. He remembered talking about the previous kidnapping incident. All of those innocent people had just been rounded up and shipped off into slavery. Dooku and his allies were far crueler than he would've been able to image a few years ago.

Ahsoka continued. /I went to prepare a way for us to get the necessary proof of this attack. When it is delivered, Governor Roshti will petition the Senate for Republic aid./ She looked Lux in his eyes. /Can you please support him and convince the Senate to help? I really don't want to see my people suffer again./ She asked.

Lux nodded. /Of course I will, Ahsoka./ He replied with a smile. /I'll talk to Padmé and Riyo as well. I'm sure that they will help as well./

Ahsoka's face lit up a bit. /Thank you Lux, that really takes a load of my mind./ She said as she took a deep breath. /A detachment of the Shilian army will go as well, but I doubt that we'll be able to deal with an entire invasion force on our own./

/Don't worry, Ahsoka. I'm sure the Senate will send help./ Lux replied, trying to ease her worry a bit. /But what did you mean by 'a way to get the proof'?/ He asked curiously.

Lux frowned when he saw a slightly nervous look appear on Ahsoka's face. /Well,/ She said. /I traveled to Tatooine to hire Ventress to get the proof for us./

Lux looked at her in shock. /Wait, you did what?/ He asked in disbelief. /Ventress? Didn't she try to kill you multiple times before?/ He shook his head. /Anything else I should know?/

Ahsoka shrugged. /I also travelled to Florrum to deal with Hondo Ohnaka./ She replied. /We needed some things that he would be able to provide./

Lux looked at her like she was crazy for a moment. Then he shook his head again. /Nothing bad happened, right?/ He asked worriedly. Now Ahsoka shook her head. /Thank the Force./ Lux sighed. /I'm somewhat glad that I didn't know of this before it happened./

Ahsoka chuckled shyly. /I'm sorry, Lux. I didn't mean to leave you in the dark like that./ She replied. /I just didn't want to worry anymore people. But don't worry, I had a couple of friends from the H'Raani M'Kai with me. They made sure I was safe./ She explained.

/That's good to hear./ Lux said relieved. /If there is going to be a battle on Kiros, you're going to be a part of it, aren't you?/ He asked her.

Ahsoka nodded. /Yes, that's what I'm planning./ She replied. /I can't just sit here quietly while my people are in danger./

Lux sighed and shook his head. /That's what I thought./ He said in a slightly concerned tone. /But, that selfless streak of yours is something I've always admired./ He smiled at her. /Just promise me that you'll come back safely./

Ahsoka smiled back at him. /I'll be sure to do whatever I can. That I promise./ She replied.

Lux nodded. /Alright then./ He said relieved. Something out of the projector's image caught Lux' attention. He checked it and sighed. /I'm sorry 'Soka, I have to go. It was great to hear from you./

/It's okay Lux, I understand. Don't worry too much about it./ Ahsoka replied. /I'll contact you again when the battle is over to let you know that I'm alright./ She promised him. /It was great to see as well Lux. I love you./ She said with a smile.

Lux smiled back at her. /I love you too. Be careful Ahsoka./ He replied. Ahsoka nodded and the transmission ended.

Ahsoka put her communicator away just as Aisha walked up to her. "Who were you talking to?" She asked with a curious look on her face.

Ahsoka smiled at her sudden curiosity. "That's a good sign." She thought relieved. "His name is Lux Bonteri." She replied. "He's the Senator of Onderon and my boyfriend. He's a really great guy."

Aisha smiled a bit at that. "Is he really that nice?" She asked.

Ahsoka nodded. "Yes, he really is. I'll introduce you to him someday." She replied. Aisha nodded a bit nervously. "Now come on, let's go into the city." She told the younger girl. Aisha smiled and they both got ready to leave.

;-

A few hours later Ahsoka and Aisha were walking through one of the malls of Corvala. Ahsoka couldn't help but smile as she noticed Aisha looking around with excitement. She had felt similar excitement when she walked through these streets the first time.

Ahsoka had been very relieved after their visit to the doctor. Her mother had recommended a children's doctor that she had visited multiple times with Marina and Lilo when they were younger. Aisha had been a little afraid at first, but Ahsoka had helped her see it through. Fortunately, Aisha didn't have any serious injuries. Her wounds were small and, thanks to a bit of treatment from the doctor, would heal in a couple of days. So now they were out shopping to get Aisha some new clothes.

She lightly tapped Aisha's shoulder to get her attention and gestured at a nearby store. "Let's try over there." Ahsoka said. "From what I've heard, they usually have a large selection of nice clothing."

Aisha looked a bit nervously at the store. She was still a bit afraid because of her past experiences. But she felt a little better when she saw all of the children her own age walking around. "Okay, let's go." She said as she looked up at Ahsoka.

;-

About an hour later the two Togruta left the store. It had taken Ahsoka some time to convince Aisha that she could look around freely and chose whatever she wanted. It was pretty clear to Ahsoka that that vile man had probably denied Aisha everything and hurt her when she asked for something. The thought of someone treating a child that way made her sick.

Thankfully, after some persuasion, Aisha had started looking around on her own. She had picked out a bunch of different clothes, but Ahsoka did notice that the clothes Aisha picked were a bit similar to her own. It had made her smile quite a bit.

Ahsoka looked down at Aisha with a smile. The girl had insisted on carrying the bags, so Ahsoka had let her carry one and she herself held the other two. "Happy with the clothes we bought?" She asked her.

Aisha looked up at her and nodded eagerly. "Yes! They're great!" She replied happily. "Thank you so much, 'Soka. But wasn't it a bit expensive? You paid for everything…" She said with a bit of regret in her voice.

Ahsoka shook her head. "Don't worry about it, Aisha. It was my pleasure." She replied. "And besides, thanks to princess Zaa Vashee I have a pretty good income. I'm easily capable of paying for your clothes, so don't let it bother you."

Aisha looked rather surprised at that. "You know the princess? How did you meet?" She asked with a curious look on her face.

Ahsoka chuckled a bit at her sudden eagerness. "I'll tell you when we get back, okay?" She replied. Aisha nodded in return. "Alright, then let's go and get something to eat. I know a great place nearby." Ahsoka said with a smile.

"Okay!" Aisha replied almost immediately.

Ahsoka was about to say something in return when a number of loud yells were heard throughout the mall. "Thief! Stop them!" A couple voices yelled.

She looked in the way the voices came from. A few people were pointing at two Rodians running away with several woman's bags in their hands. A few others tried to knock them down, but the duo was slippery.

Ahsoka quickly observed the scene, looking for an easy way to stop them. The answer presented itself to her pretty fast: a store in the thieves' path had a few fitting dummies standing outside. With a well-timed Force pull, she threw the dummies at the thieves' feet. They never saw it coming and hit the ground hard.

The mall security didn't hesitate a moment and apprehended them. When they had the two Rodians secured they looked around to find an explanation for the flying dummies. Ahsoka gave them a quick wave. They instantly recognized her and waved back, a grateful look on their faces.

Aisha had seen the dummies fly and looked at Ahsoka with wide eyes. "Did you do that?" Aisha asked amazed.

Ahsoka looked at her and nodded. "Yep, just a little bit of the Force." She replied. "Moving objects like that has helped me so many times."

"Wow, I wish I could do that." Aisha whispered softly.

Ahsoka heard what she said. "You might be able to." She replied. "After all, you are Force-Sensitive. That's how I found you in the first place."

Aisha looked up at Ahsoka with big-wide eyes. "Can you teach me?" She asked hopefully.

The question took Ahsoka by surprise. Ever since she had left the Order, taking a Padawan was not something she had imagined doing. Still, she couldn't deny that she had always wanted a Padawan of her own. Being able to teach others in the Force was something that she really wanted.

She looked at Aisha, thinking it over. Opening herself to the Force, Ahsoka trusted in it to give her the right answer. A short moment later, she had made her decision. Two things influenced her decision. For one, the Force practically pushed her towards Aisha. Even though she had only known the girl for a couple of days, Ahsoka could sense that they had already begun building a bond through the Force.

"Everything happens for a reason."

Ahsoka could hear the words echo through her mind. She had heard them so many times while growing up in the Jedi Order. "Was I truly meant to find Aisha and take her as my apprentice?" Ahsoka asked herself. She certainly didn't mind. Aisha was a really sweet girl and didn't deserve the cruel fate she would've had if Ahsoka hadn't found her. It was now clear as daylight, the Force wanted for her to take Aisha as an apprentice.

Besides the strong supporting feeling for her choice she felt from the Force, it wasn't the only thing influencing her choice. The Force played a big roll, that she couldn't deny. She also found it impossible to ignore the pleading look Aisha was giving her.

She smiled at Aisha. "Alright, I will teach you." Ahsoka said.

"Really?" Aisha asked in a giddy voice. Ahsoka nodded. Aisha squealed in happiness and gave Ahsoka a big hug. "Thank you!" She said happily.

Ahsoka lightly patted the back of Aisha's head. "There's no need to thank me, Aisha." She replied. "I'll do my best to teach you, but I was still only a Padawan when I left the Order, so try be patient with me, okay?" Aisha nodded in return, a big smile on her face. "Now come on, let's go and eat something first."

;-

A few hours later, back at the Tano residence.

Ahsoka sat on the couch in the living room, talking about her intention to join in the battle of Kiros. She and Aisha had stopped by the palace so Ahsoka could discuss things with the people in charge of the troops that were going to Kiros. They had already set up a great battle plan. The H'Raani M'Kai had taught the troops everything they knew about the droids, having learned themselves from Ahsoka and firsthand experience fighting the droids on Felucia. All of the soldiers were well-instructed in the different types of droids and the battle plan.

Fortunately, Ventress had already acquired the necessary evidence they required and delivered it to Shili. The task had been even easier for her than Ahsoka thought it would. The data had been copied and transmitted to Governor Roshti on Kiros. It had also been used to formulate the battle plan. They were well prepared for the battle and they were almost certain that the Republic would send troops as well.

"Must you really join this battle, Ahsoka?" Her mother asked her worriedly. "There are already so many troops going to Kiros. Do you really have to go as well?"

Ahsoka nodded. "Mom, you know that I can't just sit around here while our people are in danger." She replied.

Yuae sighed. She knew that there was no way to talk her daughter out of this. "I know sweetheart." She said softly.

"So," Lilo began, "will you be fighting besides the troops on Kiros?" she asked.

Ahsoka looked at her sister and shook her head. "No, I won't be fighting on the ground. I'm joining the pilots of Eagle Squadron to take down the Separatist ships in orbit." She replied.

"Eagle Squadron?" Marina asked surprised. "They're the best group of pilots on Shili. They're letting you join?"

"Yeah, I know." Ahsoka replied. "I was surprised as well when they asked me to. It feels great, knowing that they trust me so." She admitted with a smile. "Especially after the way the Republic betrayed me." She thought with regret. "I'll be going to the palace tomorrow in order to try out the fighters they use."

Lilo smirked. "So, if we see a fighter tomorrow flying like it's a crazy person at the controls we'll know it's you." She teased her sister.

"Hey!" Ahsoka replied annoyed as the others in the room laughed. She frowned slightly, but then she noticed that Aisha was laughing as well. She had just been sitting quietly next to her, so seeing her join in the fun, even though it was at her own expense, was good to see.

After the laughing stopped, Yuae looked seriously at her daughter again. "Will you at least be careful again?" She asked concerned.

Ahsoka gave her mother a reassuring smile. "Of course I will." She replied. "I already promised Lux that I would return safely." She looked at Aisha. "And I told Aisha that I would teach her about the Force."

This surprised her family quite a bit. "She can use the Force?" Marina asked as she looked at Aisha. Aisha looked back nervously and shook her head lightly.

"Well," Ahsoka replied. "She is Force-sensitive and so she can use the Force. But she doesn't know how to." She smiled at Aisha. "But, like I said, I'll be teaching her how when I return from Kiros." Aisha smiled back at her.

"That sure is surprising." Yuae said. "Are you sure you can teach her though, Ahsoka? Won't you get into some kind of trouble with the Jedi by doing so?" she asked.

Ahsoka thought about it for a moment and looked down. "I doubt it." She replied a moment later. "There are plenty of others that practice the Force in the galaxy. There is a large group led by a former Jedi of the Order called Djin Altis." She looked at her family. "He had different believes than the Council, mainly about attachment, so he left and started his own Order. It was quite a shock for me when I met him and his students." She smiled and shook her head. "It was difficult to understand their believes back then, I was still younger and naïve. But now I understand them a lot better, now that I know my own family." This earned her a smile from the others in the room.

"With how occupied the Jedi are with the war I doubt they'll be bothered with me teaching Aisha." Ahsoka continued. "I doubt that the Council will even be able to sense me doing so, anyway. They've really lost their touch these past few years." She looked down sighed. "It's really quite a shame. The members of the Council aren't what they used to be."

Haymish nodded. "Yes, you're right about that." He replied. "The Jedi haven't always been that good in the news lately. There is so much propaganda and just plain lies and superstitions flying around that it's become hard to separate fiction from reality." He shook his head with regret.

"Yeah, you're right dad." Ahsoka said. "I just hope that this war ends soon so all of this can end."

"I think we all do." Yuae replied. The others in the room nodded in agreement.

They kept talking for a little while longer. Mostly it was Ahsoka trying to ease her mother's worrying. After they were done talking everyone went to get some much needed rest. Ahsoka had to prepare for her flying the following day, Marina was still trying to figure out what to do about the prince and Lilo was worrying about her people's safety.

After they were done taking care of some last matters, they all went to bed.

;-

That's the end of this chapter.

I was thinking of having Ahsoka and Lux go on a little vacation together shortly after the battle of Kiros. I haven't had the two of them together in quite a while. I'm thinking of the lake country on Naboo as a nice destination. The two of them would have quite a good time together. Perhaps they'll also run into a few Jedi on Naboo. But this is still an idea in the making, some feedback or suggestions would be nice.

Anyway, the next chapter will be for my Barriss story again. The Republic will learn of the upcoming attack on Kiros. Both stories will probably have two preparation chapters before the battle begins.

Sadly, I'll be taking a break for writing for a little while. The reason for this is that my schoolwork is taking up just about all of my time. Yesterday I found out that one of my main files had become corrupted and I've lost a portion of my work. There was no way to recover it, so I need to redo that part. I'm sure that everyone will understand that I'll be focusing on my schoolwork for now. I think that it'll at least be a couple of weeks before I can start writing again.

Until next time.