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

COURESCANT

Obi-Wan was standing with Masters Windu and Yoda in the Council chambers.

"Do you believe what Dooku said about Sideous controlling the Senate?" he asked, referring to something said to him while he was in captivity on Geonosis. "It doesn't feel right."

"Joined the Dark Side, Dooku has," Yoda said from his seat behind them. "Lies, deceit, creating mistrust are his ways now."

"Nevertheless, I feel that we should keep a closer eye on the Senate," Windu said. "Where is your apprentice?" he asked Obi-Wan.

"He's on his way back to Naboo, escorting Senator Amidala home," Obi-Wan replied. "I must admit that without the clones, it would not have been a victory."

"Victory?" Yoda asked. "Victory, you say? Master Obi-Wan…" He shook his head and sighed. "The shroud of the Dark Side has fallen. Begun, the Clone War has." Obi-Wan sighed, knowing that Yoda was right. As they stood there in silence, Obi-Wan reached in to his pocket and pulled out Ayame's communicator, a light blinking with a message.

"What's that?" Windu asked.

"It's Ayame's. I found it next to my bed, but I can't find her. I can't even sense her anywhere nearby," Obi-Wan replied.

"Message for you, it is," Yoda said. Obi-Wan looked at his Master, and then pushed the button to playback the message. An image of Ayame fizzed to life.

"Obi-Wan, I'm sorry that I can't tell you this in person, but the longer I put this off, the worse off I am. I have to go away. I'm letting my emotions get the better of me. I almost went off on the loyalist committee, and I can't focus anymore. I'm becoming a danger to the Order, myself, and you. I'm trying to figure out who and what I am, and being in the middle of a war is not going to help matters at all.

I will come back to you, and to our Padawans. Until then, focus on the war effort. The Republic needs you. Dark times are coming, and I fear for everyone, especially you. Keep an eye on Anakin. As grown as he thinks he is, he still needs you. He cares about you almost as much as I do. Care for him.

I love you, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and I will see you again. May the Force be with you, my love." The message ended, leaving Obi-Wan shocked.

"She left? Why?" he asked.

"Felt that it was best, she did," Yoda replied. Obi-Wan didn't want to accept it, but it appeared that he had no choice. Gripping the communicator tight, he looked out across the skyline of Courescant.

"I promise, Ayame," he said quietly. "Come back to me soon."

NABOO

Anakin and Padme had just been married. As they were having a quiet celebration at Padme's lake house, Anakin found a holocom chip in his belt. Placing it in his communicator, he was surprised when an image of Ayame appeared.

"Anakin, I'm sorry that I couldn't say this to you in person, but putting this off is dangerous. I have to go away. My feelings for Obi-Wan have gotten out of hand, and I'm becoming a danger to him, the Order, you…everyone. I need time to figure out just who and what I am. If I try to help in the war effort, I may end up causing more damage.

I promise that I will return. Until then, do your part for the Republic. They are going to need every capable Jedi available, and you are one of the most capable of all of us. Just remember, don't make my mistake. Your emotions can do you credit, but you cannot allow them to completely control you. You will always be in my thoughts, and I want you to know that I love you. Be well, Ani."

Padme held Anakin as he just stared at the now empty space above his holocom. Ayame was gone. She said she would come back, but he didn't know if that would happen. Frantic, he stepped outside and called her, and was disappointed when Obi-Wan answered. The two talked for a moment, and Anakin felt worse. He wanted to tell Ayame about him and Padme, knowing that she was the only one who would understand. When Anakin hung up, he went to his wife and sat with her, trying to cope with the fact that someone he viewed as his mother was gone.

COURESCANT

Kamuro had just been knighted, something that he was thrilled about. What disturbed him was that his Master wasn't there to see it. Obi-Wan was there, but although he was smiling, he looked sad. As Kamuro returned to his room, he realized that the medical droid had given him a holocom chip, saying that someone left it for him. It must be from Master Ayame, he thought. He raced back to his room, found the chip, and plugged it in. Sure enough, an image of his master appeared.

"Kamuro…I don't even know where to begin. I'm sorry that I could not stay and say this to you, but staying any longer was unwise. I need to leave. I'm not like other Jedi, and I hope that you've noticed this. There are things about myself that I need to figure out, and doing that in the middle of a war is unwise to say the least.

I have arranged for your Knighthood. There is very little more that I can teach you, and what you went through on Geonosis is harder than any trial the Jedi could prepare for you. I want you to know that I am very proud of you, and if I taught you even half of what you taught me, you will be a credit to the Jedi order. Do your part in the war to come, Kamuro. They need you. Be careful, and may the Force be with you."

Kamuro didn't know what to say. He didn't even know what to think. His Master just left? What did she mean that she wasn't like other Jedi? He didn't understand. However, he resolved to trust that his Master knew what she was doing. You have my word, Master, he thought. I will do my best for the Republic, the Jedi, and you.

SPACE

As Ayame piloted through space, she sensed an overwhelming feeling of shock and confusion radiate from her loved ones. Anakin came though the strongest. She was afraid of this, and felt the urge to contact him and assure him that everything was alright. She fought it hard, though.

"They will be fine, Ayame" Qui-Gon's voice came through her mind.

"I know," she replied quietly. With a sigh, she focused back on her flight. Finally, a planet came into view.

Tython, ancestral home of the Jedi. There was a temple here at one point, but it was abandoned in the last war with the Sith Empire. Bracing herself, she flew to the surface and landed near the ruins of the Temple. The Force was strong here, and she disembarked, ready to see what this journey held.