I own Ayame and Kamuro. Everything else belongs to their respective owners.

After examining the troops, Master Yoda gave the marching orders. With the help of the commanding officers of the army, the two Jedi were able to come up with a sound strategy focused on rescuing Obi-Wan and arresting the Viceroy. Together, they boarded a warship and took off. On the way there, Vielae had a lot to think about. She pondered what Qui-Gon had said, about her being Gray. The more she pondered, the more that she realized that he was right. Something deep down was telling her that the normal life of a Jedi was not the life she was supposed to live. With a sigh, she knew what she had to do: she had to leave. Going to a private computer, she started recording messages. There was one for Kamuro, one for Obi-Wan, and one for Anakin. Ayame knew that telling them in person would be better, but she knew that if she said anything to them face to face, she may change her mind. This way, she could emotionally detach herself and make the separation easier on everyone…at least, that is what she hoped for.

Recordings done, she went to Master Yoda.

"Master, may I speak to you alone?" she asked. Yoda, who was talking to a group of clone troops, nodded and followed her in to a private room. Ayame knelt on her left knee, a sign of respect for the Grand Master.

"What can I do for you, Ayame?" he asked. As Ayame studied his face, she could tell that he already knew what she was going to say.

"Master…I think I need to leave," she said. "I know what is coming, and I am in no way ready to do my part. I've been nothing but detrimental to the Order for the last few years, even just in the last day. I'm…"

"Talking to Master Qui-Gon, you have," Yoda interjected. The response caught Ayame off-guard, her mouth snapping shut, hazel eyes wide. "We knew you were different from the day you arrived, Ayame," he continued, grinning with amusement at Ayame's shocked expression. "Uniquely gifted, you are. Leaving, I think, would be wise. Time to discover your true power, you need. Do not worry about what is coming. Enough Jedi, we have, to help lead the war." Ayame didn't know what to say. Yoda had literally read her mind, and he was even encouraging her.

"If Kamuro survives this, I believe he should be made a full Knight. What he is going through now is harder than any trial that we could ever give him," Ayame said, beginning to get her affairs in order.

"I agree," Yoda replied. "A strong Jedi, he has become. You have trained him well."

"He trained me just as much as I trained him," Ayame replied. "And Obi-Wan…"

"He will be fine. A good lesson for him, this will be. Learn to trust you even more, he will…and, I think, you will trust him," Yoda said. Ayame closed her eyes and mentally steeled herself. She was going to do everything in her power to return as quickly as possible, but she couldn't predict how long it was going to take. Ayame was giving herself to the will of the Force in order to find out who she was as a person and as a Force-Sensitive. She had to stop calling herself a Jedi, since she wouldn't be one for much longer.

"What will happen when I come back?" she asked.

"We will welcome you back when the time comes. A Gray you may be, but as long as you are a good person here," Yoda said, pointing his cane at her heart. "Always welcome, you will be." A wave of relief washed over Ayame. He knew that just because she didn't walk completely in the light didn't mean that she wasn't a good person. Suddenly, they felt the ship drop out of hyperspace. They had arrived. Ayame immediately cast her senses out for the others. She could sense Jedi down on the surface. There were some who were injured, and others who were dead. They had sent so many...what was happening down there? She started searching for Obi-Wan and the others. She found Anakin almost immediately, glowing like a beacon in her mind. Spreading out, she found Kamuro, and finally, Obi-Wan. All three were tired. Anakin and Obi-Wan were okay, but Kamuro was injured. Standing up, Ayame straightened her tunic and accompanied her Master to the launch bay.

"A forward strike team will rescue the survivors while the others engage the Separatist star ships," a commanding officer who called himself Cody was saying to the other squad leaders. "Master Yoda, Master Ayame. Will you be accompanying the strike team?"

"Yes," Yoda said. "Rescue the surviving Jedi, we must." Ayame nodded.

"Of course, sir," Cody replied. The other clones nodded, and dispersed to their ships. The huge cruiser landed on the planet's surface, and Ayame and Yoda boarded a gunship. Ayame tried to contact Obi-Wan, or even Kamuro, but neither of them responded. Both of their minds were closed off, which meant that they were both fighting.

Hang on, she said, trying to at least make her presence known. We're coming.