AN: Alright, longest chapter yet! Again! Review please!

Jedi. They were so irritating, so arrogant and convinced that they could never fall. Palpatine leaned back in his chair, knowing that his thoughts were distracting. Where was Anakin, his future apprentice? Palpatine racked his brain, seeking out the young man. He was so easy to seek out, his Force presence so bright in the galaxy so big, especially with the massive currents of pain that ran underneath his skin.

He was talking to Yoda, the two presences combining, meshing together brilliantly. So he sought out help from the wrinkly little green master for help first? A benign smile stretched across his lips, until he heard somebody approaching with quiet, quick steps. A Jedi, he could tell the Force signature she gave off. A Jedi with a bit of darkness, but not nearly as much as Anakin.

"Chancellor Palpatine?" A young voice interrupted him. It was a small Togruta, hardly worth talking to. It took a moment for Palpatine to recognize the girl, but when he saw her listless expression, a look that showed she had no admiration for the high and mighty Palpatine, he understood. Most Jedi at least respected him, but this girl held no such thoughts towards acting civilized. In fact, she seemed to rather dislike him. It was Ahsoka, Anakin's little follower. A pang of hatred nearly knocked Palpatine's senses back into Sidious' form.

"Yes, child?" He finally answered in the most reassuring tone he could muster. She furrowed the marking above her eye where her brow would be and frowned up at him. So she didn't like his referral that she was a child. That was all right with Palpatine – he didn't care about the girl's feelings towards what he chose to call her.

Ahsoka looked around for a moment, then said, "Where's my master? He said he was going to come talk to you. Master Kenobi wants him." She crossed her arms, almost defiantly, and Palpatine could see the mistrust simmering over her. So she had noticed the undercurrent of darkness in him, also. That was odd, and not-so odd. Most Jedi noticed it, except for the few who chose to ignore it.

"I'm not sure." Palpatine answered, moving away from Ahsoka. She turned on her heel, murmuring a small 'bye' as she went, but Palpatine stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder to calm her. Ahsoka shuddered and tried to push by, but Palpatine spoke again, "Could you tell him to come to me once he's finished?"

Ahsoka looked at him with narrowed baby blue eyes, and Palpatine caught on to what she was feeling – jealousy, surging recklessly forward, surrounding her. It was directed at a being in particular, and then he caught a bit aimed at him, for holding her master up and trusting the Chancellor more than Anakin did her. And then she swallowed the jealousy, assuming her bored pretense, "No." She replied, "I don't know where he is, so how can I ask?" Cheeky child, Palpatine mused to himself as he waved her off. He didn't want to speak to the girl – not after all he'd been through to destroy her, and here she still stood.

As he watched the girl walk briskly off, he called to Mes Ameda, requesting he should be left alone for the time being. He commenced to don his Sith robes, so he could talk with his hired bounty hunters and continue his own plan to dispose of the Togruta. And it would allow him some time to think.

Sidious' first plan that he had come up with: force her to death with his visions. Visions were a wonderful thing, so resourceful for the ones he planted in those minds. And the ones that came halfway naturally, halfway with his guidance. And some, some weren't even visions.

Zigoola was a Sith planet in Wild Space, far from Coruscant, but Sidious had managed to get a telepathic device from the planet. A telepathic device that was similar had nearly killed Obi-Wan with the menacing message DIE JEDI, DIE JEDI, DIE JEDI, DIE. Normally, the voice was relentless, but currently the device was dormant, just waiting to unlocked by Sidious' mind as it had been before. But this time, it was going full power, to the extreme, and not just using the girl's petty fears. It was bigger this time.

Yet that was hard, even for him with his high caliber. Sidious' grip on her mind was slippery, and he hadn't had the time to give her a new vision. He would, sometime, though. But he knew there was a few complications, even if he preferred to not dwell on them.

The bounty hunters who were after her, led by the cocky Cad Bane, who thought little of Ahsoka, as did Sidious. They could catch her, and hold her until further plans were made. So far this group was failing, and Sidious had to do something about that, if he could.

Cad Bane came up on the Comm, looking up at the Sith with assured confidence. Oh, Sidious would wipe that look of the man's face if he could. Instead, he growled with a feral look scrawled across his face, "You didn't tell me you failed."

"Because we didn't." Bane replied calmly, hardly aware that getting on the wrong side of the Sith was not a good idea.

Sidious scowled at that, thinking once more that Bane was more trouble than he was worth. He nearly informed him of this, and had his mouth opened, when Bane spoke, "We'll get her. We had a problem last time." He indicated to a woman who suddenly came onto the screen and held such fear in her eyes that Sidious could laugh.

Sidious didn't care, however. "Do not fail me again." He answered coldly, cold enough to force tears to the woman's eyes, because, he saw, she didn't like this job, didn't want to be in the middle of it all. Sidious turned off the Comm, never reassuring the woman, never telling her to get out. Some would call him callous and heartless. Perhaps he was, but he couldn't care now. He would never care. It was his destiny to be who he had become, who he was.

Sidious turned to the pastel Coruscant sky, squinting as he transformed himself back into Palpatine, the elderly man. The Jedi were falling, and he would win, no matter what.

And now his main priority had to be the young Togruta. If he could make Anakin lose another, the boy would be all the closer to the dreaded dark side. It all felt so, so…good.

Ahsoka swung her feet, giving the little Younglings half-hearted smiles, and sometimes the smallest glare when they shot her a dirty look. But mainly a Youngling's face was alight with admiration. It was the Masters who mainly glared, or smiled if they admired Anakin. When a child that young was shooting her a dirty look, she knew who to blame. Anakin Skywalker, who either gave her a good reputation ("Skywalker's been training her incredibly well. Did you see the DroidCam's recent HoloVid?") Or, if she was under the impression that her Master was snotty, reckless and a complete failure to the Jedi Order, they would whisper to each other, ("I heard she's a handful. A bratty thing. It's no wonder they practically handed her to Skywalker.")

At one point, Ahsoka had enough. She had walked up to the master, and tactfully informed them that she was not her master, and didn't he have anything better to then talk about a Padawan who had no choice who her master was (even though, after Ahsoka got to know Anakin, she would have chosen him. Mainly because he was the only one who actually liked her.) And if they would mind being quiet. The Master had not been pleased, to say the least. She had run to Mace Windu, who proceeded to yell at her the next day. It had not been a pleasant day, not when Anakin had found out about this. First, he had laughed. Then, he decided Ahsoka's judgment was offending. Of course, she had some sharp retorts, and, in the end, he apologized.

And then Palpatine. For some reason, Ahsoka had never liked the man, the way he seemed so influencing. She hadn't informed her master about this – there was no need to get him angry. So when Ahsoka was rude to him, she knew Anakin might find out, but she didn't care.

And, Anakin. Ahsoka wasn't sure if she should be angry with him for snapping at her, or concerned that he was so beside himself.

It was probably about Padme, which was fine with Ahsoka, at least for now. Sometimes, she needed a break from his eyes on her, panicking about Ahsoka skinning a knee, or something ridicules in the same area. So that was at least one good reason not to fall first on Anakin's latest priorities.

Now, a little girl of about six years crept over to her. The child was Togruta, and instantly, Ahsoka warmed up to her. She had brilliant eyes, a deep, vibrant purple, and small lekku. "Hi." Ahsoka greeted her, sitting up slightly.

"Why does everyone like you?" The girl asked shyly, "My friends say that you're important. Do you fight good?"

"Sure," Ahsoka responded, looking at the wistful girl. She was sizing up Ahsoka's maroon outfit, and it was then Ahsoka realized the girl wore the typical Jedi attire, unlike herself. "What's your name?" Ahsoka asked, deciding that she liked the child.

"Cala. My sister just came to the temple. She's a baby and her name's Alia. And you're Ahsoka Tano." Cala informed Ahsoka proudly. "I'm not supposed to know about my sister, but I learned anyway. It's hard to hide 'cause she looks like me, too."

Ahsoka nodded distractedly, "I never had a sister…well, I once lived with a girl who could have been my sister." Shashone. From so long ago, the little three-year-old slave girl was now Ahsoka's age, if she had lived. It had been awhile since Ahsoka had thought of her childhood friend.

Cala beamed up at Ahsoka, "We both have something we're not supposed to know." She said with joy, the skin at the corners of her beautiful eyes crinkling slightly. Ahsoka smiled back, though there was pain at the long-forgotten memory of Shashone. It released other memories, and a young, blue-eyed woman stood in front of Ahsoka, looking sternly down at her like she always did. Mama. She missed her mother still, the woman who had given all of her love to her toddler.

"Yup…Cala, I have to go. But maybe I'll see you again?"

The girl looked offended, "Of course!"

Ahsoka got up hurriedly and ran down the hallways, trying not to think about the past. But it was so much easier than sinking into the horrible future that seemed to await the Jedi. Inhaling and letting her cheeks puff out a little, Ahsoka leaned against the wall, waiting for something, anything. There was her Master suddenly, barreling around the corner, muttering something about being late. Ahsoka couldn't stifle the giggle that rose in her throat. He stopped suddenly and turned to face her, "You think this is funny?" He seemed preoccupied, his mind elsewhere.

"Somewhat." Ahsoka wasn't smiling, though, "What's going on?" She remembered that she was supposed to inform Anakin of Palpatine's request, but decided against. To be honest, she saw no reasoning that her Master should even go to the man. Palpatine thought too greatly of himself. Who would want to be with that kind of conceited person?

"I've got to go, Snips." He answered, eyes still focusing on anything but her. Ahsoka frowned deeply, hoping he'd notice her, hoping he'd apologize. He didn't. He brushed by, still lost in thought.

Wow, Ahsoka smiled to herself, trying to think it was funny. But all she felt was another pang of an identified feeling, a feeling that meant she was unneeded, unimportant. What was wrong with her? Normally, she was bouncy and confident. Today, she was under the weather. Ahsoka didn't like it.

The next morning, right before the midday meal, was clear and sunny, and otherwise perfect. Ahsoka felt brighter and happier as she walked down the hall, no intended direction guiding her feet. But she stopped when she heard two voices, one exasperated, one angry. Ahsoka ducked behind a pillar, sucking her stomach in so the two would not spot her. If they did, well, she would have to live with the trouble she got into.

Force, Anakin was mad. He was worse then mad, he was infuriated, spewing angry energy every which way. Ahsoka groaned inwardly, rolling her eyes as she leaned further into the wall so she could remain and eavesdrop. After all, she had the right to know. Anakin was her master, "What kind of nonsense is this, put me on the Council and not make me a Master! That's never been done in the history of the Jedi. It's insulting!"

He was on the Council? Ahsoka frowned, wishing she had known that he would become a member before. At least he wasn't like Master Windu, and Ahsoka doubted he could ever represent Windu.

"Calm down, Anakin. You have been given a great honor. To be on the Council at your age . . . It's never happened before. Listen to me, Anakin. The fact of the matter is you're too close to the Chancellor. The Council doesn't like it when he interferes in Jedi affairs." Neither did Ahsoka. That man had no buisness sticking his nose in other people's problems.

"I swear to you, I didn't ask to be put on the Council . . ." He trailed off, still angry, still fuming.

"But it's what you wanted! Your friendship with Chancellor Palpatine seems to have paid off." Obi-Wan insisted back to him, worry in his tone.

"That has nothing to do with this."

"Anakin, regardless of how it happened, you find yourself in a delicate situation." Delicate? Anakin was in a delicate situation? Sure, Ahsoka knew that her Master was moody sometimes, and angry now, but what did he mean, delicate?

"You mean divided loyalties." Anakin growled back, eyes flashing.

"I warned you there was tension between the Council and the Chancellor. I was very clear. Why didn't you listen? You walked right into it." Into what? There was something more, Ahsoka knew. Something was going on. Something that Anakin wouldn't like.

"The Council is upset I'm the youngest to ever serve." Anakin insisted with pride and hurt.

Obi-Wan crossed his arms, turning back to Anakin. Ahsoka could still hear them easily with her lekku, her hearing sense, but if they moved too far away she would have to strain to catch their words, "No, it is not. Anakin, I worry when you speak of jealousy and pride. Those are not Jedi thoughts. They're dangerous, dark thoughts."

"Master, you of all people should have confidence in my abilities. I know where my loyalties lie."

"I hope so . . ."

"I sense there's more to this talk than you're saying."

"Anakin, the only reason the Council has approved your appointment is because the Chancellor trusts you."

"And?" And that led to arrogance because all that man ever did was tell Anakin he was greater than the Jedi could ever make him, Ahsoka thought, glowering slightly.

OBI-WAN: Anakin, look, I am on your side. I didn't want to see you put in this situation.

"What situation?"

"The Council wants you to report on all of the Chancellor's dealings. They want to know what he's up to."

"They want me to spy on the Chancellor? That's treason!" It was not, Ahsoka thought, and it was at the same time. What was right any more, anyway?

"We are at war, Anakin. The Jedi Council is sworn to uphold the principles of the Republic, even if the Chancellor does not."

"Why didn't the Council give me this assignment when we were in session?" Anakin was accusing, as though he thought the Council was too afraid to assign him, that they burdened Master Kenobi with talking.

"This assignment is not to be on record. The Council asked me to approach you on this personally."

"The Chancellor is not a bad man, Obi-Wan. He befriended me. He's watched out for me ever since I arrived here." Well, he hasn't bothered to befriend anyone else. Master, listen to Obi-Wan. Something's coming for us, Master. For me. And he makes me nervous

"That is why you must help us, Anakin. Our allegiance is to the Senate, not to its leader who has managed to stay in office long after his term has expired."

"Master, the Senate demanded that he stay longer."

"Yes, but use your feelings, Anakin. Something is out of place."

"You're asking me to do something against the Jedi Code. Against the Republic. Against a mentor . . . and a friend. That's what's out of place here. Why are you asking this of me?" Ahsoka started to run off, because she knew it was only a matter of time before she was caught, but she heard Obi-Wan's last statement.

"The Council is asking you." The last words brought a chill down Ahsoka's spin, as though everything was dwindling, farther and farther away. But Ahsoka knew one thing; something was very, very wrong. And she had to pretend that she didn't know of Anakin's new seat on the Council. She felt burdened with secrets...the baby...her overheard conversation...Jenx...the bounty hunters.

So, now Ahsoka had to go meet her enraged Master for lunch. This was going to be exciting.

It wasn't easy; Ahsoka decided, to live with Anakin Skywalker when he was in a bad mood. At least, she would reason to herself, that he had refrained from yelling at her, even when she got annoyed enough to promptly dribble water over his head while she was walking past him in the Mess. It wasn't like it was a lot of water, anyway.

"Hey!" Anakin stood up quickly, spinning around slightly to face his apprentice behind him. Ahsoka decided that maybe it was the time to smile winningly up at him, but it turned into more of a smirk, and her expression clearly said that she was amused. Anakin was not. He pointed to a chair, indicating she sit now, or regret it later.

"So." Ahsoka sat down at a seat facing her master and making a slight face, "What's going on?"

"Huh?" Anakin grumbled back. He picked at his food, but didn't actually eat any of it. "What's going on? You just dumped cold water on my head." Ahsoka groaned loudly, refusing to point out that it wasn't a lot, and absolutely everything was cold to him. It was from living on Tatooine so long, Ahsoka knew, but she thought that after fourteen years he could learn to adapt more than he had.

"Skyguy!" Ahsoka said in exasperation, "Don't think I'm stupid. Seriously, what's going on? Master Kenobi told me this morning that you were put on the Council – which is good, I guess – but something was wrong." The Kenobi-informing her part was a lie, but she had to break him somehow.

"They didn't make me a Master." Anakin said, the Force heavy in his voice, "They didn't."

"So?" Ahsoka honestly didn't think it made much of a difference, a matter of why. To her, it was a far away dream to actually sit in one of the Councils chairs and make decisions. And here Anakin was, treating it like it was nothing. Ridicules, Ahsoka thought to herself, making sure to not let her feelings be known.

Anakin shrugged, obviously still upset, and Ahsoka rolled her eyes, "Well, they could've made you a master. It's not like you're not good enough. Maybe you should just ease up on your attachments." Ahsoka said that with force, and Anakin looked up at her quickly, enough for Ahsoka to gather the don't tell, don't tell, from his expression.

"I didn't. Don't you trust me?" Ahsoka's cheeks puffed out a bit as she thought for a moment, "You make it so obvious, though. The way you insist on saving people. The way you're emotions run wild. The way that I could tell from the moment I met you, but then again, we went to Tatooine. So if you could make it less obvious, Master, it might help you." The last sentence had a high note of sarcasm, but Ahsoka didn't want to tack on her next suggestion to stop visiting the Chancellor.

"You know what, Ahsoka? Your insight was very powerful." Anakin's tone now was sarcastic, hard.

"I live to please!" Ahsoka responded, pulling a sweet, innocent expression that each knew was fake.