Ahsoka wished she had something that would help her blend into the sea of carefully clothed beings that pushed her about. She strained her neck, wishing she was a bit taller. Cursing her own petite size, her eyes landed on Anakin. He was shuffling through the crowds with a typical aura of confidence. Grinding her heel 'accidentally' into the the person's foot in front of her, Ahsoka apologized sweetly. She rolled her eyes as she trotted off, thinking that at least she had gotten by.
Her eyes stayed locked onto Anakin's back - the navy leather blue tunic, the curly brown hair, and the Force that shot out from him in every way - and she nearly fell headlong into him as the same humanoid's foot which she had stepped on shot out in front of her. She started to protest until she remembered that Anakin was within hearing distance.
He walked into a balcony and sat beside Palpatine, who had a rather smug look on his face. Then again, when didn't he? Ahsoka frowned, her blue lips curving ever so slightly downward. She stayed just outside their balcony, ducking low to the ground, and watching with interest. Was she jealous?
No, she decided, it's different then what it is with Padme's child. It was some sort of forewarning, a mask of slyness that seemed to always be sheathed over the man, the way he moved for power in a subtle way, but always somehow succeeded. It was almost as if he was darkness itself, in a bizarre sense, but Ahsoka had to dismiss that.
If he was a Sith - as Windu feared - they would know. They had to know if he was, they couldn't not know...
The man looked now as if he were telling a story to a Youngling, he lips moving slowly, eyes not even on the spectacular Mon Calamari dance in the water that they had come for. Anakin started, and glanced at him in surprise. His want for power swelled, and Ahsoka's blue eyes widened.
He was influencing her Master, doing something to him that was increasing his desire for the Force. Ahsoka wanted to walk in, drag him away...The Voice was right. Anakin's leaving me. But I saw him, not the worried one today. We have to win.
Ahsoka's fingers brushed her lightsaber, and she turned away from the two. Her blue orbs watched the gray walls without much concentration. Her thoughts elsewhere, as was her mind.
"Why?" The words burst forth suddenly, erupting quietly from Ahsoka's lips. She turned her face away so she could no longer see Palpatine and Anakin. If she hadn't been here, right now, would she feel this conflicted, like she had to fight so desperately this very moment?
No. The Force was telling her something, or trying to tell her something. Ahsoka strained to understand, to know what it's words were. It was her own mind, meeting with the Force itself for answers. Without even thinking about it, Ahsoka's legs crossed into the hated meditative position. Things, blurry details met and merged into her mind. Things of the past. Things of the future.
You will see what is past. You may see what is to come. Always. The voice who breathed into her mind was kind, but at first Ahsoka started. Her blue eyes flew open, her stomach quenching as the memories of the Sith voice flooded back to her. Nothing was there, the Sith gone. Ignoring that particular moment, Ahsoka sunk back into mediatation.
A somewhat younger Chancellor Palpatine stopped in front of a small boy, his eyes warm with affection. The blue had sharp blue eyes, and sandy blond hair, but his heart ached. He wore fresh Jedi tunics, and stood near a young man - Obi-Wan? - as he gazed up at the Chancellor. He spoke, but Ahsoka couldn't catch the words. She stared in wonder as she realized who that little boy was.
Would she see who was the Sith? Ahsoka leapt eagerly for the answer, but it was a hard no. There were no more visions, and bored, Ahsoka emerged from her meditation. Just as her Master was standing up to leave, his mind hardly anywhere she could place. He was distracted, hardly in a Jedi's state of mind.
Ahsoka leaped neatly to her feet and prayed he wouldn't notice her sneaking around the corner. He didn't - until he came out and around and saw her. Immediately, when his eyes landed on her retreating form, Ahsoka felt it. Busted. She turned around slowly and guiltily, avoiding his eyes. He didn't say anything for a moment, but when he did, his tone was laced with anger, "Why'd you follow me?"
"The Force told me to." Ahsoka had no idea what to say, and when she said that, she groaned inwardly. That would get her far with Anakin. Especially in his frame of my mind.
But instead he frowned at her, his eyes narrowing slightly, "Alright. Seriously, though, Snips."
Ahsoka's eyes rolled upwards, "Am I in trouble?" She asked mockingly. She placed her hands on her hips and watched him - and what she saw surprised her. He looked near tears, his normal expression of assurance gone. As if someone was taking something very special away, or perhaps pulling something out from underneath him.
And to counter that, he looked embarrassed. So embarrassed to the point of lashing out. "I can't do this anymore!" The eruption was quiet, and he spun on his heel, leaving Ahsoka in shock. "And when I get back, you'll hear about this, Ahsoka Tano!"
Sulkily, Ahsoka started to scream some sharp retort, but she knew he hurt. And she had to stop it. Before it was too late. Something stopped her from running to him, but when she soothed her anger, he looked back.
"Don't leave me." The cry torn from her lips came out suddenly, and her blue eyes were downcast. She didn't think he heard her, until he was in front of her. "Ahsoka. What's wrong?" So moody, Ahsoka mused. One minute he's alright to be with, the next he's in a rage. "You never told me at Dex's...what were the visions." His voice was harsh, though, forcing her to tell him.
"No." Ahsoka said adamantly. "Can't do what anymore? Be my Master?"
Anakin groaned, "Ahsoka, you're my student. You mean a lo -." He didn't continue; it was against the Code, and he still didn't sound like he meant. Even though he did, he was still uptight."What do you mean, don't leave you?"
Ahsoka wanted to admit all of her pain, relieve herself of everything she saw, but she couldn't say that. It would make it more real than it already was. Instead, her eyes lifted to his, "You didn't tell me about Padme. I can have secrets, too."
Anakin hesitated, "Did somebody die?"
Ahsoka didn't know what to say, but as she thought of all those Younglings on the Temple's floors, she had to turn away. "Yes." And he had, too. Suddenly, impulsively, Ahsoka threw her arms around him so he wouldn't see the tears in her eyes. "Don't leave me." She whispered. He hugged her back, awkwardly, and when Ahsoka removed herself with embarrassment, she saw the raging hurt in his eyes. Her heart screamed, You're supposed to be strong!
Without further ado, Ahsoka turned, "Am I still in trouble?"
She heard his sigh, but didn't stay long enough to find out, she began to walk off. If he was going to leave her, she had to either disconnect or try to stop it...or she would be killed. Ahsoka knew it. But she couldn't break the Master and Padawan bond - nothing, not even the Force, could. It would last even into death.
One day later, near evening, and Ahsoka still hadn't seen Anakin. Or much of Obi-Wan, but he requested she walk with him awhile. She was quiet for much of the time, and Obi-Wan had to probe her gently, "Ahsoka, what is it?" He finally asked.
Could she trust him? Ahsoka looked at him square in the eye, and felt all of her strength go slack. "It's my master - he's been so detached lately." Ahsoka fumbled uselessly for the right words, but they didn't come. She blinked and looked up at the older Jedi, hoping he understood.
Of course he did. His jaw went taut, and eyes focused on nothing as he pondered on that. His face - which, as he became stronger a Jedi - had become relaxed, but now it was still, the Force strangely quiet. "Obi-Wan?" Ahsoka queried, looking at him quizzically, "I know you know...we can't let this happen!" Ahsoka's voice was desperate.
Suddenly the Force reigned control, and Obi-Wan blinked, as though nothing had happened. He looked down at the concerned child - not a child, she was growing up - in front of him, and let out a wary sigh, "We cannot stop the will of the Force. And he is the Chosen One"
Ahsoka frowned, her lips twitching. She knew that. But still, her jaw firmly set. Always for the Force to decide! It was not! The Jedi, the people, and the Sith - they could all make their own decisions. Without the Force to decipher.
Footsteps and a brilliant Force presence made both Jedi turn and gaze at an approaching Anakin, who at least seemed to look under control and somewhat peaceful. Ahsoka let out a small relieved sigh, which provoked a glare from Anakin. Like, am I that bad?
Ahsoka knew better then respond, so she withheld the 'yes' she wanted to promptly chime in. Anakin glanced at Ahsoka, "You're supposed to be in your quarters. Waiting for me and your punishment."
Like she wanted to go sit there and wait for that. Who would? And besides, did Ahsoka ever actually want to obey? She crossed her arms, ready to fire a retort, but Obi-Wan's rather amused look left her a bit dejected. "Fine." She grumbled, "I'll see you when you return, Master Kenobi." Ahsoka couldn't help but wish she could go.
The Force trembled with forewarning, and Ahsoka shivered. Just nerves, she thought - hoped. As she walked away, she could see her Master talking with his former master. He looked happy.
Everything's gonna be okay. Ahsoka promised herself. As her feet moved, a steady stattaco down the hallway, the feeling of dread grew, creating an icy feeling to spread down her spine. What was going on? Feeling threatened, the tiny Togruta turned around, looking for the enemy. Instead, her eyes met a startled - and surprised - Cala's.
Her gleaming purple eyes widened in fear as she gazed at the older girl, "I didn't do anything!" She cried out. Ahsoka relaxed, hoping the child wasn't too frightened. She wasn't; a pretty smile graced her lips when she saw her friend was back. The Youngling beamed, but it was rather forced. So the Force was mocking Cala, too.
Jenx. You have to go to him. Now! Some inner voice screamed at Ahsoka, and she glanced down at Cala. Take her! Get out! Ahsoka offered Cala her hand, and she took it, looking at Ahsoka expectantly. "Don't worry. You want to see Jenx?"
The pretty smile appeared on Cala's lips again, and she nodded eagerly, "Yes! I like him - he told me you would be alright, and you were. And...he's very peaceful." Ahsoka understood what Cala meant; Jenx had a calming aura which even in the times of his distrust shone through.
And besides, going to Jenx's was more for something else. Ahsoka frowned as she thought. She was disobeyed - postponing her punishment, rather, she corrected, and Anakin would be furious when she returned. So what? Ahsoka reasoned. She always had her excuse - the Force told me to.
The Lower Levels of Coruscant trembled with fear and anxiety. Ahsoka's lightsaber came to hand before the blaster bullet ripped by, startling Cala. A feminine figure leaped from the building, somersaulting with feline-like agility. Her landing was neat, her smile cruel, but somewhat pained, "So we meet again, Jedi."
The neon beam of light shot of from Ahsoka's lightsaber, and Yashaka laughed, "It's you or the child. Don't worry; my employer has no interest in her. So just come with me nice and easy."
Yes, it's a shorter chapter. And a cliffhanger. But I hope you like it - and there's a reason for the Force's warning that'll be explained later. :) Thanks for all the reviews!