Um... not gonna lie, but I have my Earth Science Regents exam tomorrow and I should be studying, but... I'm not. Instead, I'm taking the time to post a chapter. Yay!

This chapter is definitely short, and I apologize, but it has a ton of feels towards the end. Prepare yourselves. Also, there's some stuff about the Force in this chapter that may be a bit off, so bear with me. No flames for not understanding every little thing about Star Wars that there is.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed! It means so much to me.

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or any of its spinoffs. That belongs to Lucasfilm and Disney.

Enjoy the chapter! AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER THERE IS AN IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE. PLEASE READ.

(published 6.13.18)

Chapter Eleven: Our Separate Paths

19 BBY

"Obviously, the children must be separated," said Obi-Wan.

"What? Why?" yelled Anakin.

"Sense the children of Skywalker, Sidious will, if together the twins are," Yoda mentioned in his fractured Basic.

"I can't lose them now… I was so close to having my family…" Anakin said, sorrow lacing his voice. Ahsoka could barely stand seeing her Master like this.

"Ani," Padmé said, emerging into the room in a hoverchair. "I agree with Master Yoda." When he was about to protest, she continued, "If the twins really are strong Force-sensitives, then it's too dangerous for them and all of us for them to be together."

Ahsoka leaned forward. "The little I know about Sith Lords is that they constantly want new apprentices. When Sidious finds out that they're the children of the Chosen One…" Thanks to Mortis, Ahsoka had found out about the prophecy and Anakin's role.

"Yes, and what of Padmé?" asked Bail, not understanding half of what was being said. "It was public knowledge that she was pregnant towards the end, and people will believe that she still had her children."

"And that she's still alive," Obi-Wan added. "If she simply disappears, that will be quite suspicious to Palpatine."

"Help with that, I can." Yoda's voice came as a surprise to everyone as their heads snapped over. "A projection in the Force, I can make."

"And in this projection, Padmé must look fully pregnant," Senator Organa pointed out.

"Now… back to separating the twins." Anakin changed the subject. "Where do we take them?"

"My wife and I are happy to take the girl," Bail pointed out. "Er, that is, if it is alright with her parents. Breha has had trouble conceiving, and we were thinking of adopting. She will be loved on Alderaan."

Padmé smiled sadly. "I know. She couldn't be in safer hands with you, Bail." Anakin nodded sadly at the thought of his daughter being raised without knowing him.

"And what of the boy?" Obi-Wan asked.

There was silence. The most unlikely voice spoke up speaking of the most unlikely place: "I have family. On Tatooine," Anakin said quietly. Padmé gasped while Obi-Wan and Ahsoka cringed openly.

Rex whispered to Ahsoka, "Why? What's wrong with Tatooine?"

"Anakin was a slave on Tatooine until the age of nine. His mother died on that planet," she muttered quietly to him. "As far as I know, he never wants to go back there again."

Padmé sympathized, "Anakin, for your own good, I don't want you going back to that planet! Don't you remember what happened last time?"

"Actually, last time, I was delivering a baby Hutt and fought Count Dooku," he pointed out slyly. "But really, it's a backwater planet where Palpatine would never look. I can protect Luke there the best, because I know how things work there." He looked around to see if anyone would object, but no one did. "It's settled. I'll take Luke, Bail takes Leia." Although the Hero With No Fear spoke smoothly, his eyes were rimmed red.

"Into exile I will go," Yoda said mournfully. "A planet strong with the Force, I have found."

"I want to be with my daughter," Padmé spoke up. "If Anakin gets to be with Luke, I should be able to at least see my daughter, even if she doesn't know who I am."

"Wait!" Anakin stopped his wife. "Why can't she know that she's your daughter? Luke will be able to know that he's my son," he complained.

"From my lessons in politics, and my little teaching in the Force, I know that knowledge is always power," Padmé explained. "Luke will not know that you are a Jedi, and Leia will not know her true parentage."

"Wise, this is, Senator," Yoda agreed. "Sidious will sense them if know too much, they do."

"Ahsoka? Where will you go?" Anakin asked hopefully.

The Togruta sighed. "I feel my own path calling me. But I will be there for your family, Skyguy."

"I need to find out where Wolffe and Gregor are, but I'll be there as well," said Rex modestly. Padmé couldn't believe that so many people wanted to help her family, it almost brought tears to her eyes - almost.

"Strong the Force runs, in the Skywalker line. Powerful Jedi they may someday become. Speak with Obi-Wan alone, I must," Yoda announced, leaving Obi-Wan with a perplexed look on his face. Beginning with Bail, everyone filed out of the room.

"What is it, Master?" Obi-Wan asked suspiciously.

"Venture to Tatooine, you must, along with Skywalker. In your solitude, training I have for you."

Obi-Wan reeled back. "Training?"

"An old friend has learned to path to immortality," said Yoda.

"Who?"

Yoda chuckled. "One who has learned to return from the Netherworld of the Force… your old master, Qui-Gon Jinn."

Obi-Wan stiffened. "Qui-Gon? But how could he accomplish this?"

"The secrets of the Ancient Order of the Whills, he studied," Yoda explained. The Ancient Order of the Whills, all Jedi knew, was an old Force group stationed on the sacred moon of Jedha. "How to commune with them. Teach you, he will."

"You have spoken to him?" Kenobi spoke desperately. "I will be able to talk with him?"

Yoda nodded. "How to join the Force, he will train you. Your consciousness you will retain, when one with the Force."

"So, where do you think you'll be heading?" Anakin had headed over to Ahsoka, who was gazing out the window. The Togruta had changed out of her Jedi garb and into simple Coruscanti clothing - unrecognizable for her people.

"Outer Rim somewhere," she shrugged. "I heard on the Holonet that the Empire is spreading it's reaches there, so the best option is to blend in." When she saw her Master tense up, she comforted: "Hey. Skyguy. It's gonna be fine. You're safe… besides, you've got Obi-Wan with you. What could go wrong?" she laughed dryly, reminiscing about her days at the Temple.

He chuckled back but soon went silent. "We won't be able contact each other. It'll be too dangerous, especially with the Empire looking for Jedi."

Suddenly, Ahsoka slammed her head into Anakin's chest. She cried. Ahsoka Tano was known for her fierceness in battle, yet now she sobbed openly with her old master beside her.

Was this what it was like to have a family? She had gotten a feel of it during the war with Anakin, but was this why Anakin was so secretive about everything? He cared so much about the Jedi, yet he cared more for Padmé and his family.

"Koochoo, Anakin," she said, sobbing. "You should have told me about this. Now it's too late."

Anakin Skywalker closed his eyes. "I'll see you soon," he croaked. "I promise you that."

There! I think I may have cried in the cafeteria while writing this chapter. As I may have mentioned, I have 10 chapters finished and ready to post after this, so get ready for more!

IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Next chapter, we're getting deep into SPOILERS for the book Ahsoka. This story will also contain major spoilers for Star Wars Rebels. If you aren't into Rebels or you're not finished with it yet, don't continue reading. If you don't watch Rebels, I highly recommend it!

As always, read, review, and follow! It means so much to me. Also, I'll be writing a review for Solo: A Star Wars Story on my profile as soon as possible. After all, I've got finals for the next week, but I'll post as soon as I can.

May the Force be with you and God bless!

-HH