Chapter 3

A/N: Thanks to everyone who has been reviewing and following me! Sorry it takes so long to update – students want their essays corrected, department meetings, blah, blah, blah. I've finally taken a break and hope that this chapterwill be enough to keep you going for another week or so.

Okay, so again, I don't own any of these characters except for Reln, and I definitely don't own the world in which they reside. This chappie has been inspired by a song currently on the radio, though I don't think it will qualify as a songfic.

And, if any of my readers are from Japan or have family/friends in Japan, my heart goes out to you. You are in my thoughts and prayers, and may the Force truly be with you.

It wasn't until she was midway between the Temple and the night-life district of Coruscant (definitely forbidden territory to a Padawan, curfew or not) before Ahsoka had calmed down enough to realize that maybe she shouldn't have been so impulsive. The farther away from the Temple she got, the seedier the neighborhoods. Nor was she exactly thrilled with the cat-calls and whistles she was getting. Ahsoka subconsciously tightened a grip around her light-saber, hidden beneath the folds of her cloak.

She shrieked when someone clutched her elbow and almost drew her weapon out. She nearly died of embarrassment when she realized her captor wasn't a threat.

"Can I interest you in one of my flowers?" the old beggar woman asked. Ahsoka was tempted to shake her off, but couldn't help but feel bad for the woman's destitute conditions. Plus, she also felt guilty for the earlier impulse to decapitate her.

"Here you go," she said, offering some coins but declining the wilting foliage.

"Ah, but these are special flowers. This one," the old woman said, plucking one with a vibrant red and orange hue, "will bring you luck in your travels, and protect you from harm."

Ahsoka smirked. She had something more effective than a flower for that.

"Really, it's okay. Save it for someone else. Someone who might really need it."

The old woman's face darkened and her lips tightened into a thin line. Ahsoka felt the sudden shift in atmosphere and was about to turn on her heel when the crone's claw-like hand tightened about the young girl's wrist.

"Make no mistake, young one. I have been saving this flower for you. But if you will not take my gift, then take my advice. Return to your family. Pain and betrayal are what you will find here."

Ahsoka wrenched herself out of the vice-lock grip. The woman was crazy and was giving her the heebie-jeebies.

"I don't have a family. I can also take care of myself" she spat out. Quickly turning on her heels, Ahsoka ran down the walk for several blocks before stopping to catch her breath. Closing her eyes, she tried centering herself. All that kept coming to mind was the beggar woman's craggy face and her chilling, scratched voice. Ahsoka shivered.

"Stop it," she scolded herself. "There's nothing wrong with wanting to act your age every once in a while. The life of a Jedi can't always be combat, training, meditation, and study now, can it? She's just a crazy old woman looking for some extra coins. Dancing and having a good time isn't forbidden to Jedi. Just because Barris is a stick-in-the-mud doesn't mean what you're doing is a bad idea."

Convincing herself once again that everything would be okay, Ahsoka calmly crossed the street to stand in line for entrance into the hottest new nightclub in town – Moonlight's Day. Everyone around her seemed excited, and as far as she could sense, nothing dark or sinister was emanating from any of them. They all appeared a bit older than her. To be honest, closer to her master's age. A pang of conscious twisted in her stomach at the thought of her Master. What we he think of her, were he to see her standing in that line? Worse. What would he do?

"Absolutely nothing," she told herself. "You'll be back to the temple, ready for him to lecture you on your temper tantrum before he even notices that you ever went missing. He's probably off tinkering on some ship, sparring with Master Obi-Wan, or is with Senator Amidala, anyway. Why they spend so much time together, I have no idea."

Ahsoka sighed. She wished Barris had come along for company. When she invited her, Barris said it wouldn't be appropriate, and besides, they would end up breaking curfew. She offered an evening of sugary snacks and music while studying up on tactical battle formations, instead. When Ahsoka declined, Barris made her promise not do anything rash or unfitting of a Padawan.

Barris was contented with Ahsoka's promise not to do anything rash or dangerous, thinking her friend would change plans and stay at the Temple. Ahsoka felt another pang, feeling guilty for lying to her friend. Again, she firmly shook the feeling off. She was determined to have fun and drop her good-girl persona. Just for once!

"I'm entitled to having fun and being a real girl for once, damn it!" she exclaimed out-loud.

"Then by all means, don't let us stop you," a smooth and rich voice replied from behind.

Ahsoka whirled around, and if she could have blushed, would have. Towering above her was perhaps one of the most beautiful men she had ever seen. Deep blue eyes and jet black hair, a boyish smile but manly jaw...boy would Barris be wishing she had come along now. His lips were moving, but she wasn't fully aware of what he was saying. He was just so beautiful! Why was he frowning?

"Excuse me, is everything alright?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes! Yes, everything is fine. Fine, fine, fine. Why?" she stammered and rushed all at once.

"Because I asked you for your name, twice, but you were staring at something and I wanted to know what had caught your interest."

Ahsoka laughed shrilly, inwardly cringing at how dumb she must look and sound.

"It was nothing you need to worry about. I'm sorry. My name is Ah-"

Instantly, the face of the beggar woman flashed across her mind, and though she didn't think anything wrong could come from giving out just her first name, she decided to err on the side of caution.

"Ah...?" the handsome stranger was prompting.

"Ahlevhna."

"Ahlevhna," he repeated, making it sound like a breathy prayer which made her weak at the knees. "That's a beautiful name. Mine is nowhere near as musical. It's Reln."

He was correct. It wasn't musical, but it was strong and solid. It fit the man in front of her, causing her to smile.

"Nice to meet you, Reln."

"The pleasure is mine, Ahlevhna. Shall we go inside?" he asked, while placing her hand onto his elbow and walking through the posh entryway of Moonlight's Day.

If Ahsoka was prone to giddiness, she would have melted into a fit of incoherent giggles. As it was, she was grateful for his arm's support keeping her upright.

She knew this would be a night she would never forget.

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"She's not anywhere in the temple? Are you sure?"

"Yes, Anakin," was Obi-Wan's long-suffering reply.

"And Master Plo said there didn't seem to be any signs of a struggle or kidnapping in our living quarters?"

"Everything is how you left it. Security surveillance can't find any anomalies, either."

The two Jedi sat in the low-lit booth quietly, each deep in his own thoughts.

"What about Senator Amidala's office? They are friends and Ahsoka does -"

"They've already checked with her, and the Senator says she hasn't seen Ahsoka all day."

"Well where can she be?" Anakin asked, flabbergasted that his normally responsible Padawan had flipped a switch, not only displaying appalling attitude to him and the other Masters earlier in the evening, but has now taken off.

"What is wrong with her?"

Obi-Wan let out a chuckle, finding his former Padawan's consternation and worry amusing. Anakin glared as a reply.

"Oh don't get so upset, Anakin. I am concerned about her, too. But remember, she is at an age where Padawans want to test their limits. You were – correction – are no different. She is your Padawan, after all."

"What does that mean?"

Obi-Wan smiled. "It means that she has learned to be strong, intelligent, and quick enough to get herself out of a scrape should she need to. I'm sure she'll have quite the story to tell back at the Temple, once you're done informing her on appropriate Padawan behavior."

A half-hearted smirk played on Anakin's face. Turning serious, he said, "We need to foil the Viceroy's little plot first. Any idea who to look for?"

Obi-Wan scanned the room. "I'd say anyone who looks out of place, but I fear that would lead us back to this booth." Noticing Anakin's disgruntled grunt, he advised, "Be patient. The plot and its players will reveal themselves to us soon enough. For now," he said sweeping his arm in a small arch, "sit back, relax, and enjoy the music."

Anakin rolled his eyes.

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Plo Kloon had his back to the door, arms clasped behind his back, as he faced the window. He did not bother to turn around as he bid Barris enter.

"I am sorry to disturb you so late, Master Kloon," she said.

"It is alright, young Barris. You have information about Ahsoka, and feel torn between betraying her trust or offering it so she can be helped."

Barris knew the Jedi Master had great insight through the Force, yet she couldn't hide the surprise at his discernment of her thoughts so succinctly.

He turned to face her. "Sit down, Barris, so we may discuss this comfortably." She did, noticing how warm and comfortable his quarters were. He sat in the chair across from her. They stared at each other, but not awkwardly. It was as if he knew she needed the time and silence to gather her thoughts...to gather her courage.

After several minutes, Barris spoke. "Earlier this evening, Ahsoka came to my quarters. She was visibly upset. I did not bother asking why, as I knew it had something to do with her decision to go to the Citadel. I had assumed she had been chastised and possibly punished, and did not wish to embarrass her by making her tell me about it."

At this point, Barris stopped and looked down into her hands.

"Go on, young Barris. You are here because you care about your friend, as do I. There is no betrayal in divulging what you know. Not when doing so will only prove your loyalty to the friendship, once all is said and done."

Barris appreciated his words. She did not fully grasp them yet, but saved them so she could study them later. However, she did understand the emotion behind them, and knew that as Ahsoka had once saved her by going against her wishes, she now had to do the same.

"I wasn't surprised when she started venting about how unfair it is to be a Padawan and how overbearing the Masters can be. It is not an uncommon conversation among Padawans," she murmured, hastily following with, "Though we never include you in those opinions, Master Kloon."

"I am sure you don't Barris," he reassured with a smile. "Please continue."

"What did surprise me was when conversation turned to civilians. She asked if I ever wondered what it would be like to live a normal life – one where we got to be real teenagers. I could sense her strong curiosity and longing, mingled with indignation. I told her that yes, sometimes I did, but would never trade it for my Jedi training. She quickly agreed with me, and I knew she meant it. I could feel her sincerity.

We started discussing other things for a while and then I sensed her curiosity again. She finally asked me if I heard of a new dance club or other. I believe it is called Moonlight Ray, or Moonray's Light -"

"Moonlight's Day?" Plo Kloon asked sharply. Barris flinched. "I apologize, Barris. That is the second time today I've heard mention of this club, and am quite interested in Ahsoka's knowledge of it."

Barris nodded and continued. "She said it might be fun if we went. I told her it was a terrible idea, and one that would get us into trouble for breaking curfew as well as other rules. She agreed with me and when she left, I thought that would be the end of it. But now...well, now I am not so sure."

Plo Kloon drew Barris from her seat and walked her to his door. Placing a warm, gentle hand on her shoulder he reassured her. "Thank you, Barris, for telling me of your conversation with Little Soka. We can only hope she did follow your counsel, but if not, we now know how to keep her safe."

The girl nodded solemnly. Sensing her disappointment at getting her friend into trouble, Plo Kloon called to her. "And Barris, a friend is only a friend when she is willing to take on the other friend's ire for a time, if it is done to keep and protect the friendship."

She smiled at him, then turned to make her way to her quarters, hoping Ahsoka's ire would be short-lived.