"You do not live to please. You live to annoy." Anakin growled back. Not meanly, mind, just with a small not of annoyance and teasing that Ahsoka could feel. There was a dangerous undercurrent there, but Ahsoka didn't stop to examine it.
"That, too." She replied as though it took awhile to decide upon that. Ahsoka couldn't help it. She felt irritated, angry because somebody was doing something to her. She could feel it inside of her, a time bomb ticking away. Truthfully, she wanted to lean against Anakin and admit her weaknesses, her fears and tell him about what was going on.
Ahsoka's sarcasm and comments weren't getting her far with Anakin, that was for sure. He gave her another long look that only meant one thing. Are you serious? "Ahsoka..."
"What?" She asked, her voice snapping a bit.
Anakin hesitated, obviously confused and already distressed. Ahsoka couldn't burden him anymore with her problems, not now. Something was going crazy in both of them, tearing them up. Ahsoka let out a shuddering sigh, because she couldn't stand it, the way that they were both falling downwards. "Snips, something's upsetting you."
There were a lot of things upsetting her. Ahsoka groaned out loud, and replied, "You don't have to worry about me, Master." Ahsoka said, "Anyway, I have another bit of advice for you." Ahsoka couldn't help it, she couldn't hold it back anymore, "Stop talking to the Chancellor! Stop going to him! He's not helping you!" Ahsoka had seen the way he had ordered Anakin to kill Dooku, mercilessly taking off his head. Why couldn't her Master see it? The way the words were said could have sounded angry, but they sounded weak, pathetic.
"Don't ask me to do that. He's been my friend since I got here." Anakin's voice was sure, strong with no emotion. His blue eyes narrowed as he glared at his Padawan, and Ahsoka felt a pang of an unidentified feeling, a feeling that left her unsure whether they had ever actually been friends.
"I was three years old. What do you expect, a toddler running to you and being your friend? Like you'd accept that!" It was so easy to unleash her anger, and Ahsoka was wanting to get out easier, just once. "I have to go." She said coldly, picking up her tray and polishing off her jawa juice with a single gulp. Anakin didn't try to stop her from going, and Ahsoka suspected he wasn't going to listen to suggestions ever again.
The yearning to confess her fears didn't stop though, and she looked at him for another moment, blue eyes probably betraying her, because his guard lowered somewhat, indicating she come to him. "I can't." Ahsoka shook her head, silka beads coming close to hitting her face. So she ran off, discarding her tray as she went, and out into the hall.
"Ahsoka, wait!" Anakin called out to her, and Ahsoka could have come back, but then he'd request to know what was going on, what was hurting her. Ahsoka couldn't tell him because she didn't know. She was...confused. She was lost.
"Ahsoka! Wait up!" Ahsoka heard a strong, confident voice in the midst of light chatter amongst the Younglings. Ahsoka immediately recognized the eager sounding girl, and turned to her, smiling broadly.
"Cala." She greeted her, allowing Cala to catch up and stand beside her as though they were almost like Master and Padawan. Ahsoka let her anger and hurt leave her body so she could converse without contaminating Cala.
"I'm in trouble." Cala announced softly, purple eyes downcast. She was proud of herself, however, for whatever mischief she had done. As Ahsoka regarded the girl, she remembered that feeling. Force, she still felt it sometimes, but it was easier to do things that were 'bad' without the Council watching her every moment.
"What'd you do?" Ahsoka asked, trying not to show her amusement.
"I tried to take a shortcut to class."
Ahsoka couldn't help it; she laughed, "I did, too. When I was eight." She could remember that day clearly, hanging under the Turbolift for dear life, then diving into the lake below. Suddenly, the laughter in Ahsoka stopped, and Cala frowned as she glanced about, trying to keep her look furtive.
Time was slipping by, slowly, and something was coming quickly. Ahsoka frowned and glanced down at Cala, who was squirming nervously, "Masters say Jedi don't get scared. Ahsoka, I'm scared." She whimpered softly, the words sounding small for the little girl. Cala was joyous and charming, and fear and the powerful 'small' feeling didn't fit her. Nor did it Ahsoka, but when she saw it tacked on to Cala, she wondered what Obi-Wan and Anakin saw when she was like that.
"Cala?" Ahsoka quickly knelt beside her, placing her hands on her shoulders, "Listen to me, I get afraid sometimes, too. I think everyone does. It's natural. So do you know what to do when you're afraid?"
Cala's lower lip quivered, and her vibrant eyes gleamed when she saw the lesson Ahsoka was offering her. "You accept it, then you release into the force." Cala answered promptly, lifting a hand and letting it flutter away from her body like a small version of the giant hunting flies on Teth. She shot Ahsoka a grin, revealing her toothy predator smile. Ahsoka smiled back as she stood back up, and taking Cala's hand, "So will I be a good Jedi, like you?" Cala queried, tugging Ahsoka's hand.
There was a pang in Ahsoka's heart as she remembered her vision with the dead Younglings scattered about her feet. She remembered seeing a small, dead Togruta girl. Ahsoka squeezed Cala's hand tightly, thinking, Don't let it be Cala. "You'll be a great Jedi." She murmured reassuringly, or maybe trying to reassure herself.
Cala gave her a half-grin, "Did you know that by the time I can be a Padawan, you should be a Knight? Will you train me? Please?" The little girl implored, purple eyes soft and begging. Those eyes could lure Mace Windu into her, letting her take him on her way of pure child-like joy.
Ahsoka studied Cala, but inside of her, she was thinking, Is it possible that I ever could be a Knight? Ahsoka didn't often dwell on becoming one, much less take a Padawan to train. Still, Ahsoka gave one headtail a gentle tug, and Cala giggled. "Yup," Ahsoka agreed softly, knowing that she was leading herself into an uncharted journey, not one that she had planned on taking. Yet, it felt good to have the girl beside her, admiring Ahsoka for Ahsoka, not Anakin.
Cala beamed up at Ahsoka, but her smile was short lived. She shrank against Ahsoka, her eyes placid and frightened, "Ahsoka? There's something coming here. It's not for me, though." She turned to Ahsoka, her look wary and frightened, her hand firmly placed on her training lightsaber like they'd fight some epic battle.
Ahsoka knew it wasn't so, that there was more than that. Her hand grasped Cala's for comfort, but all that remained in her stomach was a block of ice, of dread seeping around her. Cala leaned against her, withdrawing her training lightsaber.
"Put that away, Cala. We won't need it." Ahsoka commanded gently, "There's no way that somebody's intruding the temple, not..." Not yet, that was what Ahsoka was going to say. But she couldn't unleash the fear into Cala. Cala was too innocent, too young to worry whether some crazed former Jedi would kill her. Ahsoka groaned inwardly as she tried to block the image of Cala dying by Anakin's azure blade.
Cala put the lightsaber back on her belt, relishing the feel of it in her hands, the feeling of power and control and authority. But she gave it away to the Force, as a Jedi should, and looked at Ahsoka for approval. Ahsoka nodded half-heartedly, "Good girl..."
Ahsoka had no idea what hit her, but a massive headache worked its way into her through her mind and she groaned, sinking to her knees and holding her head, "C-C-Cala. G-go get m-my Master. Please." Why did she need him? Did it matter? He couldn't help her fight this headache. He couldn't save her life, not this time, but Ahsoka wanted him there if...
"Ahsoka? Ahsoka!" Cala was screaming and sobbing at the same time, her voice high and frightened. Tears were streaming down her cheeks, her purple eyes wild and frightened. Let it go into the Force, Cala. Ahsoka thought, rocking back and forth on her knees as the pain made her vision grow hazy. Force, help me, help me. She pleaded with the Force, crying out to it.
"Cala, go! He's in the mess!" She heard the little girl hesitate, wanting to stay by her friend, but Ahsoka couldn't keep her here, watching Ahsoka grow sicker and weaker by the moment.
Cala didn't know what to do, Ahsoka could tell, "I don't know who you're Master is..." She cried, frustrated.
"Anakin Skywalker." Ahsoka paused, waiting for that to sink in, but Cala stopped fretting, and she looked at Ahsoka...with new found admiration? No, with an expression that clearly meant Ahsoka was still the same as she was before. It would have felt good, but Ahsoka couldn't tear the feeling of pain away, "Cala, go please." Her voice became small and she whimpered like a hurt Youngling, and then Cala was gone. Ahsoka watched her tear down the hall like someone was after her, towards the mess.
And then there was only blackness, followed by a certain feeling of sinking into a pain free world, yet it wasn't pain free. Ahsoka was alone, with no one else to help her there. She would have to work this out on her own, and if she didn't...if she didn't...then what? Then, there would be death, and death was looking a lot more welcoming than remaining in this mess.
The true 'if' could be inevitable. But Ahsoka sensed it wasn't always, and not now.
Anakin wasn't sure who the little Togruta was, but when he saw her, he caught the waves of fear rising up within her. Her violet eyes were wide and she practically through herself onto him, "It's Ahsoka, Master Skywalker." The girl was so hysterical, Anakin couldn't make out the words.
He gave her a curious stare, placing a hand on her shoulder to calm her, just as he might do to Ahsoka. His apprentice had taught him, no matter how many ways he could deny that or bend it to his own will. "Who are you?" He asked calmly, or as calm as he could try. The fact was, he was panicky. He could feel Ahsoka...something was off...
"Cala. Ahsoka's hurt, Master Skywalker. She's in the hall. Sh-she." Cala dissolved into tears and Anakin grabbed her hand.
Visions. So they came back, and they were going to haunt her again. Anakin felt a weak spot in his stomach, though. It was more than just visions, it was something else, and something a lot more dangerous than visions.
Force, oh, Force, he should have known, he should have seen it coming. She had been acting so antsy, so frustrated, but more than that. She was confused and scared and he hadn't kept her beside him...he hadn't let her know he understood the confusion. He just let her go, so preoccupied. Why? Why did he do this? Why did he run away? Cala brought him back to reality with her hand reaching out and surrounding his.
"Master Skywalker?" She asked tentatively, lekku twitching with nervousness. "Please come. Please help me..."
"Calm down, and take me to her." He commanded slightly, and Cala, still in emotional wreckage, could only nod and run as fast her small legs could go. It didn't take long to get to Ahsoka, and when Anakin saw her, a Master kneeling over her with a small rag in his hands that he was pressing to her forehead, he stopped in his tracks, but only for a moment.
"What's going on?" He asked, and the Jedi glanced up. When he saw who he was looking at - the Chosen One - the Jedi handed him the rag and looked at Anakin with sympathy.
"I'm not sure. Your her Master?" The Jedi treated Anakin as a normal man, a normal being, and Anakin relaxed. He wasn't going to get questioned this time. "Do you need any help?" Besides that question.
"Yeah." Anakin leaned down, gathering Ahsoka up in his arms. She so light, so small. Anakin draped the rag over her forehead, "Well, maybe not." He tried a relaxed tone, but the man could see how uptight he was. The man looked oddly familiar, but his presence felt obscure for a Jedi. The bright green eyes, the color of Naboo's plant life, met his for a moment. Silver ran through his hair, and beneath his cloak Anakin caught the sight of the clothing that didn't look entirely Jedi. "We're just going to the Medbay." Like they weren't there enough, anyway.
The man planted his clean, smooth hands on his waist, and looked down at Ahsoka with a trace of affection, "I'm comin' anyway. B'sides, it looks like you could use some help."
The little Togruta girl stamped her foot and practically yowled, "What about me? She's my friend, too! I want to come!" Anakin glanced down into the bright purple eyes glistening with tears, that practically ensured an emotional breakdown and a tantrum if she wasn't allowed to come. Still, he debated. He didn't have much time - it wasn't a party, but he allowed the girl to come.
The Jedi man took her hand and swung the girl up onto his back, and Cala let out a giggle. She gripped onto his thick, silver hair as he walked, and Anakin watched the man. He had a way with children, the way he handled Cala.
Ahsoka stirred in Anakin's arms, her bleary blue eyes blinking open, "Master." She took in a sharp breath, and her skin paled slightly. "My head." She said in the softest of whispers, her hand on her Lekku, pulling hard to distract herself from the pain. Anakin panicked as he watched her. There was no denying that this was bad.
"Please." He said to the silver-haired Jedi. "You can wait for me - let me have some time alone." There was no need for the man to see Anakin completely break down with emotion.
The Jedi paused, his eyes never leaving Ahsoka. After a long moment, he nodded, "You can. Just let me know. We'll wait out here." He indicated to Cala, who began to pout, her lower lip sticking out. Anakin knew that the Jedi would have to find a diversion, and soon, but he didn't wait to see. He left, still cradling Ahsoka.
"Visions?" He whispered, once out of earshot.
He waited for answer, and it seemed to take all of Ahsoka's strength for her to shake her head. "Head...hurts." Her lips were pallid and barely moved as she spoke, or rather, whispered. "Don't."
"Don't?"
"Take...blame. Master, not your fault." Ahsoka groaned, "Can't...help me."
"I'll kill this man...I promise you." Anakin's voice was strong and fiery as he pledged himself to saving his apprentice. Saving her from the man who inflicted this upon her, nearly stealing her from him, nearly...the anger rose in currents, slapping his heart in waves.
"Don't...talk...like that." Ahsoka murmured, "Padme...doesn't...like it. I don't either."
By then, they were at the Medbay, and as Anakin desposited her on the cot, the girl slipped into unconsciousness. Anakin couldn't stand it anymore, couldn't take this. Whatever had been haunting her, confusing her, brought her to this weakened state, but whatever hurt him brought him to an emotional uproar. And he could feel himself breaking.
The Med droid moved closer, it's mechanic body clanking irritably. "You better fix this." Anakin growled, his voice low and predator-like, "Or..." His hand curled, clenching together and grinding, "You're scrap."
The droid moved back in fear, and Anakin stepped back, not regretting his words. Ahsoka stirred on the cot, crying out as she touched her forehead. With another swift glare at the droid, Anakin left the room. He had to see Padme, somebody, but the silver-haired, green-eyed man stopped him. "You're her Master. Stay with her."
"I can't..." Anakin said, noticing Cala was nowhere to be seen, "I..."
"You have to." The man glared, his eyes taking a frosty look, "It'll help her, but you can't save her." The man pushed him towards the door, closing it firmly behind him. Anakin looked at his green eyes with distaste. Why did it always seem that everyone wanted to help him become a better person.
"I'm not." The man studied him for a moment, "Listen to me, Anakin Skywalker. Something's going on. We can't avoid it."
I hated this chapter! I wanted it to happen later, but there's other stuff later...so this chapter sucks, but oh well.
Should Cala survive Order 66? I have to story figured out, but I change it sometimes so if you want her to live, tell me. I know some of you like her. :P
And can anyone guess who the man with green eyes is?