AN: Okay, so I took my last final and I'm out of school for three whole months! Yay (does happy dance). Anywho, this chapter has Shmi and we haven't seen her in what… five or six chapters. I'm no psychology major, but I thought I did a good portrayal of a traumatized child who on the surface doesn't seem traumatized. If I didn't, well… Okay. Hope you enjoy. I really enjoyed writing this. And you're going to hate me for where I cut of the end but…

Read, enjoy, and review!

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Chapter Twenty-five

Shmi stood with her arms crossed as she stood next to Ventress in front of mother who was looking at Shmi with a face the girl couldn't read.

"It was a joke," Shmi muttered.

"That's what you say," Ventress said to her firmly though there seemed to be a hint of amusement in her tone. "But that's not what your fellow classmate said."

"It was her fault," Shmi muttered. "Skank had it coming."

"Show some respect to mother, Vijaya," Ventress said.

Shmi sighed, a smile playing on her lips as she looked at mother and said, "Sorry."

"Like you mean it…" Ventress warned.

"But I don't."

Ventress started to reprimand the girl again but mother raised her hand.

"It is fine child," Talzin said looking at Shmi. "Tell me what happened, Vijaya."

"The same thing that always happens," Shmi said softly. "One moment I was ignoring her and the next thing I know I had her arm twisted behind her back and she was trying to blow the fire away. I didn't mean it… I mean, I don't think I did. Did it look like I wanted to hurt her?"

"It's not your fault child. You have been patiently tolerating the girls' teasing of you. It was bound to happen. You are dismissed," Talzin said and gestured with her hand meaning there was no room for Shmi to argue.

"Come on Kishan," Shmi said as she went out the room.

Ventress cocked her hip out to the side and crossed her arms.

"That's the fourth time since she's been here," she said. "And she doesn't remember it…"

Talzin shook her head. "She remembers it… She just doesn't remember doing it."

"Split personality?"

"Not quite," Talzin said to her. "She is only traumatized. In time she will grow out of the behavior."

"I doubt it. Not without intervention," Ventress replied.

It was the closest thing to admitting that she was worried about the girl as Ventress was going to say. The child had character, she'd give her that. When she first arrived she was temporarily an outcast as she hadn't been born in the village, didn't have a legacy to fall back on and Vijaya (it took her a while to get used to her new name) was okay with that. She didn't seem to want to be bothered anyway. She focused on her new training with Ventress. Then when Ventress thought she was finally ready to train with the other girls her age, Vijaya became an outcast for an entirely different reason. It stunned everyone, especially since the sisters who came into contact with her were used to the girls welcoming and playful nature. She had caused bounds of 'mishaps' with her natural curiosity and mischief. Then they put her onto the sparring field and out came an intensity and strength that Ventress always knew was there, but didn't think would come out of the girl until later… much later. Ventress had a feeling the trauma the girl had gone through forced it out prematurely.

It amazed everyone. She went from playful, sweet, and unassuming to an unshakable force on the sparring field and then back again. No one would ever know that the child had such skill… No it wasn't skill. Many of the girls had way more skill than she did. But what Vijaya lacked in skill she more than made up for in determination, wit, tolerance (not to be confused with patience), and intensity. She trained with the girls her age so she could develop her skills and magic, but she sparred with girls three, four, maybe even five years older than her because it was the only way to challenge her inner strength. Mother Talzin had been right… She had the true spirit of a Nightsister.

However, it was when she had been there for a few months and they learned of her strength that they noticed that something was a little off. She committed bouts of violence against people who got on her nerve too much. It was rare, as Vijaya had the tolerance of a Jedi. She simply ignored what she didn't deem worthy of acknowledging or reacting to, but when she did notice, it was never pretty. The first time she claimed she lost control of Kishan when he attacked one of the older girls. The second time she accidently force pushed a girl into a pile of poisonous stinger shrubs. And the third time a girl tripped over Vijaya's feet and slipped down a rocky terrain when they were learning how to tame a rancor.

It might have been fine if the other girls hadn't all had the same story. Vijaya never lost control of Kishan. She had ordered it to attack. She purposely used the force to drop the other girl in the shrubs, and she intentionally swept the girl off her feet and watched her fall down the rocky terrain.

Mother Talzin had finally been forced to address it and that's when they figured out that she had been more traumatized than they originally realized. It wasn't a split personality as Vijaya remembered the incidents every time, but because she hadn't been actively in control so to speak, she thought they had been accidents. It was nothing to worry about really as she only messed with people who bothered her over a long protracted period of time (Ventress would think her peers would know to leave her alone by now), but today she had actually put her hands on the girl and leaned her towards a fire. There was no calling that an accident. People had seen it and Vijaya swore she hadn't meant it. "It was only a joke," she said, though even she looked confused when she said it.

"What kind of intervention are you suggesting Ventress," Talzin said to her.

"I've always stood by the fact that the traits that girl has don't just show up in any random child. Her parents were powerful. I know it," Ventress replied.

"You are right. Indeed they are…"

"You think they're alive?" Ventress asked.

"I know her father is alive. There is only one person that I could think of who would sire such a fine warrior," Talzin said summoning her ball to her and moving her hands around it. "Don't you see Ventress, he was hiding her and with the right, persuasion we can use this connection with his daughter to our advantage one day."

"When did you find this out?"

"Our powers work in mysterious ways my child. Very soon, Vijaya's father will need her."

"Why should we care?"

"Because the fate of this child's… mental stability rests with him and the fate of our people will one day in the future lie with this child," Talzin said as a picture appeared in her ball. "Ah… I thought so."

"Mother?" Ventress questioned.

Talzin stood up. "Come Ventress. We must get into contact with Lord Vader in regards to his daughter."

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Vader suppressed a groan as he did his best to ignore Ahsoka who was doing her best to distract him from his work. He should have just told her to go away, but that probably wasn't a good idea, not after the last time he had distanced himself from her she had run off and found her long lost family on Shili. He didn't want to have to go back there and find her again. He had enough of her sisters to last him a lifetime.

He finally sighed and said grumpily, "You're being clingy again."

"I'm not being clingy," she said simply. "If I latched on to your arm and wouldn't let go, now that would be being clingy."

Vader glared at her and said coldly, "If I knew this is what I'd have to go through, I would have left you on Shili for the duration of your condition."

Ahsoka scoffed. "What you have to go through? It's no picnic gaining all this weight and being tired all the time and it's not a condition. That makes it sound like I have some sort of disease. Besides, you wouldn't trade the experience for the galaxy," she said with a smirk.

She was right, but Vader wasn't going to tell her that. Instead he said, "I don't know. Seems like a fair trade. Better the galaxy than four more months of this."

"Oh ha, ha," Ahsoka grumbled to him as she stood up. "Fine. I'm leaving."

"That's fine so long as you stay on the Executor," Vader said looking back down at the briefs for missions he had to attend to soon.

"Yes master," she said and left the room.

Vader smirked as she left. This had been one of her more annoying days but for the most part, Ahsoka was just funny while pregnant and he briefly wondered if all women were as disgruntled as Ahsoka was when they were in this condition. Initially there was no change. She acted the same as always and they related the same way they always had, dancing around the thin line between love and hate. Then the fatigue set in and she was always irritated because of it. If it were up to her, she would sleep all day, but in order to maintain the semblance of normalcy for any of the emperor's spies that Vader hadn't snuffed out yet, she was forced to stay to her same routine. Vader could handle armies, overcome overwhelming odds, and plot against the emperor and then look him in the face without batting an eye, but he tried to steer clear of his irate, pregnant lover.

But that had been the worst of it. After she gained her energy back, everything else seemed funny. She started to gain weight and her clothes started not to fit much to her dismay. She had stopped wearing her fitted dresses then and opted for what looked like short sundresses that still provided flexibility and what he swore was what she wanted to be an alluring, seductive air (she claimed she couldn't help that she liked skimpy clothing), but pulled away from her body as to conceal her pregnancy. That's how she explained it to him at least. Vader couldn't really tell to be honest. It was only nine pounds so far. Then she started becoming clumsy and inattentive. She easily jumped a foot in the air when he snuck in their quarters. She used to be able to sense him easily. On some level Vader knew it was cruel of him to laugh, even if he never did it aloud. But he couldn't help it. It was amusing to say the least and although he tried to be sympathetic with her plight, especially after she blamed him for it (he'd give her that despite the fact that it took two), it wasn't in his nature to be comforting.

However it reminded him that he missed out on so much with his other children. He had only been there for the last two months of Padmé's pregnancy with the twins and then missed out on Luke's life. He hadn't been there for Leia as much as he would have liked and Shmi… except for the few brief hours he had been around when they found out about her impending arrival, he hadn't at all been in her life. It bothered him more than it should have as a Sith. It was times like these he felt his grip on the dark side waning. He didn't care as much about his power as he did before. Everything wasn't so black and white anymore. He didn't know what he wanted anymore, similar to how he felt before the end of the Clone Wars.

Vader flexed his remaining artificial hand. It would be different this time. He would fix everything. He could have everything he wanted and use his power to bring peace to the galaxy at the same time.

Vader cursed in irritation. If Ahsoka had been trying to distract him, she had succeeded.

He put the stack aside and put on his mask and helmet, before making his way back to his quarters until the com in his helmet went off.

"Lord Vader. There's a call for you. It's high priority and their requesting an immediate audience with you."

"Where's it from?"

"Dathomir."

Vader turned in the opposite direct and headed for the communications room. He dismissed all the officers in the room and then closed the door. Why would someone from Dathomir be contacting him?

The holo activated and the image of Mother Talzin appeared. He wasn't familiar with her, but he knew who she was as he had met her during the Clone Wars.

"Greetings Lord Vader."

"Mother Talzin… What do you want?" he asked bluntly. Nightsisters always had a scheme up their sleeve when they contacted someone from outside their small world. They generally stayed to themselves and wanted nothing to do with any governments.

"A man of promptness," she said with a hollow laugh and then her face became passive. "Normally I would not trifle with the empire…"

"Then you'll excuse me if I'm suspicious."

"…but I believe you'll want to come and address this issue personally," Talzin continued.

"I would?" Vader asked. "What's the problem?"

"It's not a problem per say, but I think it would be worth your while to come to Dathomir and see for yourself. However, I do not wish to alarm my people with your presence. Could you come in a more discrete manner if possible?"

Vader got the point. She didn't want anyone to know that someone from the empire was there and his suit was recognizable anywhere.

"That's an acceptable condition. But I'm warning you mother if this is a trap…"

"Believe me Lord Vader, it will be worth your while," Talzin said and the connection was broken.

Logically, Vader shouldn't even be considering going without proper backup, but something in the force was telling him to go. He needed to see whatever it was Talzin wanted to show him. Ahsoka didn't care. She didn't like the fact that a woman who hated outsiders was suddenly calling him.

"The Nightsisters?" Ahsoka asked raising one of her facial markings. "Vader you're kidding."

"I have to go. Something in the force tells me this is right. If you listen, you'll feel it too," Vader said ignoring her as her prepared to leave.

"You know good and well my force powers have been on the fritz," Ahsoka said as she pressed a spot right under her ribs. Vader almost laughed, but restrained himself. She had been complaining about an elbow there for a while.

"Then you'll just have to trust me on this one," he said.

Ahsoka glared at him. "Hypocritical of you to ask me to trust you when you don't trust anyone else," she snapped crossing her arms.

Vader sighed. "You know I don't mean it… And to be honest I don't expect you to. I've let you down before. But this time… This time something's different. Everything will be fine. I assure you."

"An assurance isn't a promise," Ahsoka said sighing. "Vader… I have a bad feeling about all this."

It was likely Ahsoka was just being clingy with him again. She seldom wanted to be out of his presence lately. However, Vader had a bad feeling also and not about going to Dathomir. It was something just out of his reach, something he couldn't grasp with the force. But telling Ahsoka that would only make her worry more. He would only be gone for a few days at the most, certainly enough time for him to get back in case something did happen.

"You're in command while I'm gone," he said instead. "No missions while I'm away. I don't want you putting yourself in danger."

"You mean the baby right?" Ahsoka asked dryly.

"No. I mean you," he said firmly and started to leave.

"Wait," Ahsoka said grabbing his arm.

He sighed in exasperation. He had no time for her clinginess now. "Ahsoka-."

He was cut off as she pressed her lips against his and pulled back.

"Be careful. I love you whether you believe it or not you know," she said and let him go.

Vader wanted to say it. He had a feeling he should. Nothing was going to be the same after today, and he knew it. But he couldn't.

"I'll be back soon," he said and turned to leave before he could see the disappointment on her face.

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Dathomir was just as he remembered it, dead trees and red skies, or at least this part of it. He heard the rest of it was much prettier, comparable to somewhere like Dantooine or Alderaan.

Vader made his way toward the village after he pulled up the hood of his cloak, and then stopped when he sensed the women hiding in the surrounding landscape.

"I know you're there," he said aloud. "Good. Take me to your mother."

The warriors hesitantly stepped out their hiding places, weapons raised. They gauged whether he was going to attack or not and then proceeded to lead him to their village. Mother Talzin was waiting on him. She looked at him seemingly hesitant as she took in his appearance.

Finally she approached them and then in a low whisper said, "Lord Vader?"

"You requested my presence," he replied.

"Ah yes," she said this time with more certainty. "This way. I hope you will not mind watching a demonstration."

"I didn't come here to waste my time while you try to impress me with the skill of your warriors. What did you call me for?" Vader asked impatiently as he walked next to her.

"In due time milord," she said tersely.

Vader huffed. It wasn't his fault she thought men were inferior. He wasn't going to be lax on that formality just because she wasn't comfortable with it. He had called her mother.

She led him to a sparring field and then went to sit on a seat that was provided for her. Vader stood to her left.

"What's going on?" he asked as he glanced with little interest at the warriors fighting.

Talzin ignored him and then gestured someone over. A girl, dressed a little different from the traditional dress of a young Nightsister in training, came over seeming bored. She practically strutted with an air of confidence that Vader might call arrogance. He didn't know how old she was, but she didn't look older than nine at the most. She was tall for a child her age.

"Yes mother?" she said sighing.

"Show some respect child."

It was then Vader noticed the woman behind the girl and he nearly lost his composure in surprise. Ventress had disappeared during the clone wars, and it was assumed she was dead. Needless to say, he hadn't expected to her there. Then again, it wasn't so surprising. Being a Nightsister explained a lot about her.

"Yes Asajj," the girl said but it obviously wasn't sincere. A mischievous smirk graced her features.

"Milord," Talzin said. "This is Vijaya. She's one of my children and she has shown much promise."

"Am I supposed to care?" Vader said glaring down at the girl.

"Somebody's in a bad mood," Vijaya said playfully. "I would be too in that cloak. Are you hot?"

"Vajiya," Ventress warned.

"Sorry," Vijaya said shooting her a dry glance in a way that was oddly familiar to Vader before she turned back to mother. "So who is this guy?"

"A friend of the tribe you can say," Talzin said to her.

Vijaya laughed.

"What?" Vader asked thinking she was laughing at him.

"It's not you. But… You must be someone really important for mother to call you milord," she pointed out and then without another thought turned back to Mother Talzin. "Was that all mother?"

Vader noted with intrigue that the girl had a different presence about herself than the other Nightsisters seemed to have. It was lighter, less serious, and more playful.

"I want you to be part of a demonstration for our guest."

"Who do you want me to fight now?" she asked looking annoyed.

"Taraji," Mother said gesturing out to the field where the older girl already was.

"Mother," Vijaya said. "Do I have to?"

"Don't whine child," Ventress snapped and Vijaya only glared at her.

"I will hear no arguments," Talzin said firmly and Vijaya groaned as she went onto the field.

"How old is she?" Vader asked.

"Eight standard years," Talzin replied.

"You would put her up against someone so much older?" Vader asked intrigued.

"Just watch," she said.

That was when Vader felt something change in the girl when she got on the field. A previously masked strength rose up in her, a stark contrast to her previous demeanor. She was no longer playful, but determined to win. He sensed no doubt from her, no sense of dread, or impending failure. This Vijaya was more intriguing than he had originally thought.

As the match began, Vader immediately knew that Vijaya was outmatched when it came to skill. Her older opponent knew more moves, more techniques and knew how to block all of Vijaya's moves. But Vijaya possessed an intensity that Vader never knew a child could possess. She took her fair share of hits, but she hit harder, recovered quicker, and when it came down to it, she possessed way more potential than her older more experienced opponent.

"Who is this child?" Vader asked.

"I thought you'd be interested," Talzin said with a slight smile.

The older girl then began to use the surrounding podiums and rocks around the field to hide and then attack before hiding again.

Vijaya was obviously annoyed by the tactic and shouted, "Kriffing coward! What kind of person can only attack when their opponent can't see it coming?"

She plopped down on the ground and tucked her legs under her closing her eyes. Vader raised an eyebrow at her tactic. She looked like she was meditating. Then he saw it. It was only slight, so slight most people wouldn't have caught it but he had. She was tilting her head in the same slight, barely perceptible movements Ahsoka did when she was using her montrals. Her hair, tied in three ponytails one in the back and two on either side of her head thrown over her shoulder, shifted ever so slightly to confirm his assumption that there was something underneath it. It could have just been the wind, but Vader instantly knew this girl wasn't all human. She was using some kind of rudimentary ultra sensory.

He sensed the impending attack at the same time the girls eyes opened and she jumped to her feet, lunged herself forward using one of the rocks as leverage and kicked her attackers arm down before her other foot met the side of her face, instantly and effectively defeating her.

"What a bore…" Vijaya said as Talzin began to clap in praise of her. "I didn't even have to take out my staff."

Vader was impressed to say the least, even more so when her demeanor shifted right back to playful and unassuming as it had been before she stepped onto the field.

"Come with me Vijaya," Talzin said standing up.

Vijaya went to stand on the other side of Talzin and then the three made their way to her private conference room. She sat at the head and then placed Vijaya and Vader on either side of her. Vader was irritated then.

"What's this all about?" he asked at the same time the girl across from him did.

Vader turned to glare at the girl, but she only stared right back. She was brave. Vader would give her that.

"Now, now Vijaya. That's no way to speak to Lord Vader."

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AN: (Ducks behind desk to use as shield). I know it's a cliffy and a really bad one! This is what you've all been waiting for. But you can wait another forty-eight hours right? It was already really long and so I had to cut it. I didn't do it intentionally… Then again, none of my cliff hangers are ever intentional. So I'm going to run and hide now…

Hope you enjoyed. Review Please!