Mental note to self - when writing angst, listen to Anakin and Ahsoka post season five playlists on 8tracks. Crying and sobbing out feels will be guaranteed. (Guess what I did when I wrote this chapter? XD)

Happy reading!

Far and Close

Ahsoka Tano knew what to expect when she walked up to Senator Amidala's door; knew what to expect when she actually opened it; knew that she would feel a rush of heart aching home-sickness. But even then, Ahsoka pushed forward into the silent apartment – Padmé would probably be at a debate during this time, and Anakin would probably be watching her or away on a mission. Whatever the reason was, the apartment was silent and undisturbed and Ahsoka could deliver her gift without anyone seeing her.

Ahsoka clutched the small cloth package in her hands, taking a few moments to look at the large room. It had been a few months since she had last been on Coruscant; since she had last seen Anakin Skywalker or Padmé Amidala or any other person in her former life.

"Just leave it," Ahsoka whispered to herself. She automatically lowered the package onto the coffee table in the center of the room and sucking in a breath, started to adjust it. There wasn't much in the package, but Ahsoka had taken great care in choosing what to put into it. A few notes – a few holograph pictures that she had developed – just knick-knacks that Ahsoka always thought would bring her former master or Senator Amidala some amusement or comfort.

It was a bit silly, to be honest, but Ahsoka couldn't help herself. She tried to forget about the Jedi Order when she took the first shuttle out of Coruscant. She was prepared to make a new life on a different planet – maybe re-connect with the people of her own kind. And Ahsoka did do just that. She made a few friends on Shili, found both humans and Togrutas who were more than willing to take her in every once in a while.

There were shopping trips with Ahsoka's new friends in the markets of Shili, and on some particularly painful days, Ahsoka would spot something interesting enough to want to turn around and tell Anakin about it.

And then she'd remember that Anakin wasn't there. Or Padmé. Or Rex. Or Master Kenobi. Or anyone else who used to be a part of her family in the Order.

But that didn't stop her from buying those items, just because it felt like a crime to not take it for them.

Ahsoka let the rest of the cloth fall away from her hands and took a half-step back. "Enjoy," she whispered into the darkness. "Hope you like 'em." Taking in a shuddery breath, Ahsoka managed to make her way out of the room. She pushed herself out of the room, forcing herself to never look back.

xXx

Ahsoka Tano knew what to expect when she walked into her house on Shili; knew what to expect when she was actually in the room; knew she would feel a rush of emptiness of the absence of any truly familiar figures. But what she didn't expect was a little box seated on her table. Ahsoka frowned, staring at the package and looking around the house, as though the person who had lift the thing would emerge any minute.

Ahsoka narrowed her eyes at the package. Maybe it was one of her friends…? Or one of her neighbors…? But surely, it couldn't have – Ahsoka always brought her key to the house with her, and there weren't any signs of a forced entry.

Whatever the reason was, Ahsoka found herself walking to the package. She slipped her hands over it and then, with a small frown, started to pry it open.

What was inside caused Ahsoka's breath to catch in her throat.

A familiar pair of light sabers was placed neatly inside; attached with a small note. Ahsoka felt tears instantly spring into her eyes and she snatched the note up from the box, eyes hungry for whatever words were written for this sudden package.

Ahsoka –

Managed to get these out. Found a couple of your friends, I'm assuming…they directed me here. You're probably doing just fine without these, to be honest, but I think I'd feel better knowing that you had proper weapons to defend yourself. You never know. After all, your light saber is your life, isn't it?

…scratch that, I sounded like Obi-Wan. What a thought.

Ahsoka let out a strangled-sounding laugh, covering her mouth with one hand and clung onto the note harder than ever with the other. "Oh, kriff, Skyguy," she murmured, shaking her head.

Anyways. Long note. Ha.

Hope you're happy, Snips.

-Anakin

Ahsoka slowly slid to the ground, dragging the rest of the package with her. She reached into the box and brought out the light sabers, letting her fingers trace over the buttons and little details that she had made when making them. Though heavy, Ahsoka managed to bring them to her chest, along with the small note. "Oh, kriff, Skyguy," she repeated.

A/N - You know, when I was writing this chapter, I was thinking, I should do a happy, brother/sister gift exchange! And then I found the playlist Holding On and Letting Go - an Anakin/Ahsoka mix on 8tracks and then, while listening to it, I thought, Lol, nope. So...uh. Yeah. That's my excuse. (This wasn't an Anisoka, though, just in case any trolls wanted to comment on that...)

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