AN: The story is divided into three sections, when Plo Koon found Ahsoka, during ROTS, and post ROTJ. It's just a theory, but I don't know if Ahsoka should really die at the end or not. Any suggestions? I've already got a few ideas tied in with her fate, and even though I'm going to say she met up with Vader a few times, I might save them for further stories. Might put in one or two meetings, and might put in a small section with her and Anakin so I can say that they were close (No pairings) and so that I can make it seem that Ahsoka was angry with him when he turned to the dark side.
This is when Ahsoka was only one, and it was fun to write. She's a troublemaker. (The next chapter will be longer, and I'll try to update ASAP, but I have dial-up, so I don't know when I can update.)
Mai ran a tired hand over her sleeping daughter's cheek, remembering what, exactly, she had last said to her husband. She needed help in caring for Ahsoka. The girl, though only a year, was into everything and anything, making messes that Mai thought impossible. The child yawned and nestled against Mai's orange hand. "Good girl, Ahsoka."
Mai wandered to the kitchen and stared at the dusty remnants of spilled milk and a limp, cold nerf steak she would have eaten, had Ahsoka not spilled the milk. With an exhausted sigh, Mai left the mess. It would have to wait. She wandered upstairs to her room and took out a piece of paper and the ink she had and carefully began another letter to her husband. She often wondered if ever got them or even if he cared, but she hadn't much choice. He was her survival, her only hope of life. When Mai and Aron first married, someone tried to kill them. Aron and Mai moved, but Aron left her to find work. Mai tapped her pen idly against the small desk and yawned. Did Aron even know he had a year-old disastrous child? Mai carefully carved his name and began to write.
Aron,
I need help. Please come home.
Mai
"Aron" Mai whispered, "I have no energy to write more, and no more to say." Mai folded the letter carefully and tucked it into her belt. She sat, staring at the wall with tears sliding down her cheeks until sleep finally took her.
When morning dawned, the sun rose over the distant mountains of Shilli, casting a luminous glow over the fields. Perhaps today would hold a better day for her and Ahsoka. Mai got up, feeling renewed, until she remembered the spilled milk and the uneaten nerf steak.
"Ahsoka." Mai thought, blinking her sleep-filled eyes. Mai got up quickly, dumping her chair, and quickly ran downstairs. Well, she thought, trying to put some humor into the situation, At least I've been getting exercise.
When Mai peered into the kitchen, she saw her daughter sitting on the floor, her blanket sopping up the sour milk. Mai wrinkled her nose at the thought of washing the blanket. The child sat with the nerf steak next to her, quietly sucking her thumb. She gazed up at her mother with wide, innocent blue eyes and popped her thumb out of her mouth to smile a bit. Mai was only vaguely aware that a child at Ahsoka's age should not be able to get nerf steak down from the counter that she obviously couldn't reach.
"Okay, Ahsoka." Mai muttered, stooping over to pick her up, "No-no. You must wait for me to get up." Mai set the girl in her high chair and when she tried to throw Ahsoka's wet blanket in the wash, the child howled and screamed.
"Ahsoka, it's going to be all clean again so you can use it tonight, okay?" Mai said with exasperation, "I promise you, child." Mai dumped the blanket into a basket. Ahsoka stopped crying and leaned over her high chair, banging the tray heavily with her fists. Her blue-maroon lips pulled up in a small smile as Mai gave her milk-cold milk, something that Ahsoka and Mai both got used to- and she stuck the bottle to her mouth and greedily drank, droplets spilling down her chin. While Ahsoka hurriedly guzzled the milk, Mai would only allow herself a protein packet. Ahsoka finished her breakfast and crowed, kicking her legs and dropping the bottle to the floor with satisfaction.
"Ahsoka, no." Mai lifted the bottle and set it in the sink. The sunlight that streamed through the windows already looked worn and faded. "Aron, why can't you just come home?" Mai groaned. Ahsoka, of course, giggled. Mai lifted the girl and said to her, "We have to go to the market. You have a job. Behave." Mai carried the girl out the door and to her speeder. Ahsoka's hands came out and she pointed the the front seat. Mai, despite the tedious days, smiled, "Oh, Ahsoka, you're too little. No." Ahsoka glanced back up at her mother with pleading eyes. Mai hugged her and said, "When you're older." Mai carefully set the child in front of her, making sure that there was no way for Ahsoka's fat little fingers to press something she shouldn't, and started the speeder. Mai watched her daughter carefully, knowing that the girl might find away.
Mai went slowly because of Ahsoka's constant squirming and reaching out for a button or leaning over the edge. Mai was beginning to find the word 'No' something that she used every other sentence. She was almost positive Ahsoka knew what it meant, but chose to ignore her. Only one year old and knew how to take advantage of her mother, Mai thought dryly as she pulled into the market area. Ahsoka smiled and nearly toppled out of the speeder joyously. Ahsoka had some 'friends' at the market-the ones who always found her in a box of fruit or watching the local boys' speeder races. Mai stroked the girl's small lekku and carried her to the first stands. Ahsoka smiled at everyone, waving her small hands.
"Such a beautiful child you have, ma'am." a voice said from behind with a slight smile in her tone, "So friendly." Mai whirled around and smiled at her friend, "Oh, Tali, it's you!" Tali was a tall Togruta woman, much taller than Mai. Tali smiled as she took Ahsoka's small hand in her own, "So little 'Soka is growing up?"
"Yes, she's into everything!" Mai laughed, though she really knew that it wasn't a laughing matter, "I don't know how, but she gets into things that she can't reach." Mai took in a breath, knowing what she said didn't make sense. "I don't know how to explain." She said softly, but Tali was looking at her curiously. She held out her arms for Ahsoka and Mai let the girl topple into her friend's arms.
"My sister was force-sensitive. I wonder if Ahsoka is." Tali mused, "She certainly is much more alert than most her age." Ahsoka, as if to prove her point, squealed and squirmed to get out of Tali's arms perhaps to explore, "Can I set her down?" Tali asked, "I want to see where she goes."
What does that mean? My daughter has an interest in throwing fruit and watching speeders? Mai wondered, however Mai just merely nodded, telling herself to keep a close eye on the girl. Tali let the overeager child to the ground and Ahsoka promptly crawled over to the fruit bins. She furtively glanced back at her mother, and seeing Tali's and Mai's eyes on her, she played with a fallen piece of fruit.
"Very suspicious." Mai said sarcastically. Mai folded her arms and watched the small Togruta girl for a moment before saying, "Pretend not to watch her." Tali nodded and began gesturing and talking, but she and Mai watched the girl out of the corner of there eyes. The girl managed to make another fruit roll away without touching it. Mai drew in her breath sharply, but Tali beckoned for her to keep quiet.
"So that's why she's a pain." Mai murmured. She crossed her arms, obviously deep in thought, and obviously forgetting her daughter. Tali spoke softly, explaining her sister's fate. Neither of them noticed the small girl crawling away.