Here's chapter three. It's a bit long, but there's a lot to cover.
I own Ayame and Kamuro. Everything else belongs to it's rightful owners.
Ayame was just finishing eating when her holocom went off. Activating it, a holographic image of Master Windu appeared.
"Ayame, you are needed at the Chancellor's office immediately. There's been an attack," he said.
"Yes, Master Windu," Ayame said, ending the call. Getting up, she went straight over to Kamuro.
"Kamuro, we've been summoned to the Chancellor's office. We need to leave now," she said. Without a word, Kamuro rose and followed her out of the hall and to the speeder bay. While Kamuro drove to the Senate building, Ayame recorded a message for Obi-Wan, in case he came home while she was out.
"Obi-Wan, if you're seeing this, it means that I'm still in my meeting with the Chancellor. I'm sorry I was not home to see you when you returned. Welcome home, and I'll see you as soon as I can. I love you," she said, sending the recording to a message center at the Temple, labeling it for Obi-Wan.
"Oh, that's right," Kamuro said suddenly. "Happy Anniversary, Master."
"Thank you, Kamuro," Ayame said with a smile.
"I'm sorry that you're going to miss Master Obi-Wan," he commented sadly.
"So am I, Kamuro," Ayame replied. "However, Obi-Wan and I are Jedi first, and our duty must come first." Even as she said it, Ayame couldn't help but curse her luck a bit. She did want to be back at the Temple to see Obi-Wan and Anakin, especially because of their anniversary. However, she reminded herself, the two of them agreed to not allow their marriage to compromise their duties as Jedi Knights of the Republic, though this was no consolation.
As they arrived at the Senate building, Ayame was surprised to sense several other members of the Council were already here, along with Masters Windu and Yoda. They hurried up to the Chancellor's office.
"Ah, Master Ayame, welcome. Please, come in," Chancellor Palpatine greeted her as they walked in. "And welcome to your Padawan as well," he added as he saw Kamuro. Both Ayame and Kamuro inclined their heads as they walked in. Ayame chose to stand behind Master Yoda, with Kamuro standing slightly behind her.
"Forgive me, but I would like to be brought up to speed, Chancellor," Ayame said.
"Senator Amidala's ship was attacked as it returned to Courescant yesterday. Luckily, she was not hurt, but her double and several security officers were killed in the attack," the Chancellor said. Ayame's heart caught in her chest. Padmé had remained a good friend ever since her mission on Naboo, and they had been spending more time together since she became a senator. How did she not hear about this? She shook her head slightly and returned to the matter at hand.
"I don't know how much longer I can hold off the vote, my friends," Palpatine was saying. "More and more star systems are joining the Separatists."
"If they do break away," Master Windu began, but Palpatine cut him off.
"I will not allow this Republic which has stood for a thousand years to be split in two," he proclaimed. "My negotiations will not fail." Ayame had to admire the certainty in his tone.
"If they do, you must understand that there aren't enough Jedi to protect the Senate," Master Windu said, finishing his thought. "We're keepers of the peace, not soldiers."
"Master Yoda, do you really think it will come to war?" Palpatine asked the Jedi Master in front of Ayame. Ayame looked down at her Master.
"The Dark Side clouds everything. Impossible to see, the future is," Yoda said, his gravelly voice holding a tone of regret.
"What about you, Master Ayame?" Palpatine asked Ayame next. It was no secret that Ayame had an in-born gift of skills normally considered to be of the Dark Side, mainly Force Lightning. Because of that, Yoda had taught her how to use them without falling to the Dark Side. This included being able to peer into the veil, even if the Dark Side clouded it. Despite having control, Ayame seldom used this skill, except to keep it from getting rusty. With a deep breath, she opened her mind and saw straight through the veil.
Fire, blood, and chaos were everywhere. The Jedi Temple was in flames, and a lone figure stood in front of the inferno, the Dark Side radiating off of him like the flames he stood in front of. He turned, and Ayame met his eyes. "No," she whispered, tears coming to her eyes as she realized who it was.
"It is just as Master Yoda said, Excellency. The Dark Side blocks my vision. I cannot see anything of the future," Ayame said, keeping extreme control over her aura and emotions, so as not to let on to what she saw. Just then, a hologram of a Rodian dressed in fine clothes appeared on the Chancellor's desk. Ayame did not pay too much attention to what was said, as she was sharing a look with Master Windu. They seemed to both be wondering the same thing: why did he ask her when Yoda, the most powerful Jedi alive, had already said that nothing could be foreseen?
"We will discuss this matter another time," Palpatine said as the doors to his office slid open. A group of senators walked in, led by Padmé. There was a purpose in her step, as there was when she was Queen.
"Senator Amidala, your tragedy on the landing platform, terrible," Yoda was saying to her. "Seeing you alive brings warm feelings to my heart." Ayame smiled at Padmé. She felt the same way.
"Have you any idea who's behind this?" Padmé asked, getting right down to business.
"Our intelligence points to disgruntled spice miners from the moons of Naboo," Master Windu said from behind Ayame.
"I believe Count Dooku is behind this," Padmé said with certainty.
"He is a political idealist, not a murderer," said Master Ki Adi Mundi.
"You know, my lady, Count Dooku was once a Jedi. He couldn't assassinate anyone. It's not in his nature," Master Windu said.
"Nevertheless, in grave danger you are," Yoda told Padmé. Ayame nodded.
"Master Jedi," said the Chancellor from the window. "Might it be possible to place the senator under the protection of your graces?"
"Do you think that's wise in these dangerous times?" asked Senator Organa of Alderaan.
"Chancellor, if I may comment, I do not believe," Padmé began, her voice frank and serious.
"That the situation is that serious?" Palpatine said, finishing her sentence. "Oh, but I do, Senator. I realize all too well the inconvenience this may cause you, but perhaps someone you're familiar with." Ayame's eyes fell upon her master, who was looking at the Chancellor suspiciously. Even Ayame had to admit that it was strange that Palpatine would suggest such a thing. Again, her mind went back to the dream she'd had the previous night, and the vision that she had just had. He was up to something.
"An old friend like Master Kenobi," Palpatine finished. The mention of Obi-Wan pulled Ayame back to reality.
"That's possible. He's just returned from a boarder dispute on Ansion," Master Windu said. Palpatine looked back at Padmé, a change coming over him.
"Do it for me, my Lady, please," he said. "The thought of losing you...is unbearable." Ayame watched him plead with her. She wasn't sure if the look in his eye was real or fake, but then, he was a politician, and most of them were very good actors and manipulators. Obi-Wan didn't trust any of the Senators, not even Padmé.
"Oh, Master Ayame," the Chancellor said. "I almost forgot. Today is a special day for you, isn't it?" He was smiling, but Ayame noticed that the smile didn't reach his eyes. Nevertheless, she kept herself pleasant.
"Yes, it is, Chancellor," she replied.
"Congratulations are in order. How long has it been, 10 years?" Palpatine asked.
"Yes, Excellency," Ayame said. "Thank you very much."
"I don't believe I've met your Padawan, either," he continued, moving towards Kamuro.
"Ah. Chancellor, may I present my Padawan, Kamuro Dayspirit," Ayame motioned towards her Padawan, who bowed.
"It is a pleasure, Chancellor," Kamuro said.
"The pleasure is mine, Padawan," Palpatine replied, bowing in return. "You have a great Master to learn from. I hope you can appreciate everything she's teaching you."
"Of course, Excellency," the young Trianii said.
"And I could not ask for a better Padawan," Ayame added, making a point to praise Kamuro.
"I'm sure you could not," Palpatine chuckled, the laugh reaching his eyes this time, but in a different way; a way that made Ayame uneasy. Yoda must have sensed it, because he cleared his throat.
"Ayame, return to the Temple, you should. Someone is waiting for you," he said.
"Yes, Master Yoda. Good day, everyone," Ayame said, bowing. On her way out, she stopped and placed a hand on Padmé's shoulder. "I'm glad you're okay, Senator," she said softly.
"Thank you, Master Ayame," Padmé said, keeping everything formal, but sincere. As soon as they were back in the speeder, Kamuro spoke up.
"Master, if I may, you seemed very uneasy around the Chancellor," he said. Ayame looked at her Padawan.
"Yes, Kamuro, I was. I have been for a while now," she said. "I am glad that you picked up on that, and even more glad that you didn't say anything."
"I didn't think it wise to say anything in the present company," Kamuro said. Ayame let out a chuckle.
"You are far wiser than most of the Senators, my young apprentice." Kamuro allowed himself a laugh as they returned to the Temple. As they returned, Kamuro cleared his throat.
"Master...if it's not to bold to say, I could sense a severe shift in your emotions while you were gazing into the future." Ayame looked at her Padawan, shocked. After a moment, she sighed and smiled wryly.
"And here I thought we hadn't gotten to that point in our relationship. You've been paying attention far more than I realized. Forgive me for not noticing it sooner, Kamuro," she said. Kamuro merely nodded, feeling no need for his Master to beg forgiveness. "I did see something," Ayame continued. "And I didn't like what I saw at all."
"What did you see?" Kamuro asked. Ayame frowned, looking down at her feet and thinking. "Master?"
"If my vision comes true, this dispute will lead to a war. And I'm afraid it will destroy the Jedi," she said quietly. For the first time in a while, Kamuro Dayspirit felt fear. Ayame sensed this and placed a hand on his arm. "It is only if we cannot come to a peaceful conclusion to this, Kamuro. There is a strong chance that it will not come true." Kamuro nodded, but even as she said it, neither Ayame or Kamuro was completely sure. Ayame didn't mention the figure she had seen, because of what it could do to Kamuro emotionally. She knew, of course, that eventually she would have to tell him. However, Yoda had taught her never to accept her visions as complete truth. As much as it pained her to think that way, Ayame would just have to wait and see.
Kamuro parked the speeder, and as the pair left the speeder bay, a familiar voice called out to Ayame.
"So, meeting with the Chancellor?"
Ayame spun around and her hazel eyes locked with a brown pair of eyes that she knew all too well. She let out a cry and ran into his arms. For a few blissful moments, Ayame and Obi-Wan allowed their emotions to run free. All that was there was pure love, joy, and relief. It was strong enough that half of the Temple had to notice it.
Obi-Wan and Ayame Kenobi were together again.
