Chapter 20: Ahsoka's Comfort

Rogue Shadow

Coruscant

3633 ATC

Ahsoka Tano waited for the landing ramp to fully extend before walking down. She was more than eager to see Starkiller. Although his droid PROXY was unusually good company for a droid with a desire to see his master dead. he did a fantastic job of keeping up conversation. He had a vast knowledge of a lot of things. Anything from the science of the hyperdrive to the ancient war that the Jedi and Sith waged. He was willing to go into any sort of conversation at all.

The first time Ahsoka pushed to see how far he was willing to go. After her test, it was suffice to say that he was willing to talk about anything, even unsettlingly brutal things. She didn't think to ask anything more. She didn't want to know anymore.

As she stepped from the platform, she took a look around, noting her surroundings. It was a typical day in Coruscant. Hundreds of thousands of ships were filling the traffic of the sky. The immediate area around her was surrounded by many. Her senses told her of the people that were coming and going. The docks themselves were very busy. It was a miracle that the Rogue Shadow had been cleared to land here. The many people working payed no mind to her waiting. A few stopped to regard her, and she responded with a smile. They seemed confused as to how to react back.

Ahsoka understood their confusion. She had once been a leader in the war, but now, she wasn't, and her being here in an everyday dock for ships was strange.

Her eyes were able to catch the Jedi Temple in the distance. It was once her home, but now it was a painful memory, still raw, and it hurt. Even now as she tried to find her path, she found it all the more difficult. Between Starkiller's teachings and her own conflicts, she had difficulty enough trying to discern what she wanted. He just made her all the more uncertain. She wanted her own path, but yet she found a certain lure to his own way of dealing with things.

He was an independent spirit, she knew. He relied on no one and expected nothing from anyone. He was blunt as possible, preferring not to speak in circles. He was surprisingly observant and always watchful. He was accepting of others, but not submissive. It was these qualities that made her want to learn from him.

And speaking of him, she felt a strong presence in the Force, a presence matched only by the most powerful masters of the Jedi, including her own former master. She turned her gaze towards him, and she did a quick walk up to him. When she stopped, she became vaguely aware that she was very close to him.

"Hey," she said, "You okay?"
"Yes," he sighed, "But I'm afraid we can't leave yet."

"Why not," Ahsoka asked, "What's there left to do?"
"Well," he sighed, "PROXY tells me that we're low on fuel, so we need time to refuel, and for another thing, we are low on some supplies. I want to get some from the local markets."

"I can show you around," she offered, "I know these places."

"That was going to be my next question," he said quietly.

"Great," she exclaimed, "Let's go."

Without thinking, she grabbed his hand and began to take off in a run, dragging the former Sith along with her. He kept up with her, but she sensed some uneasiness and another emotion from him. It was the same things she felt towards him. She also noticed the looks surrounding them, and she knew those looks: amused.

Deciding to ignore these stares, she led him down through the facility to the ground level. From there, she called upon her memories of the area in order to navigate her way around the many twists and turns with crowds and groups and individuals on all sides of her. As she moved through the crowds, she kept a firm grip on his hand. He seemed to simply accept her guidance as she moved through the streets. Ahsoka was amused that without her, Starkiller would be lost on the streets.

She slowed down and Starkiller came up to her side.

"Are we there," he asked her.

"Yeah," she said, "We're here."

The smell of food and engine fumes and various odors told her that they were in one of the many market areas around this area. She knew these places like the back of her hand. Whenever duties weren't holding her up, Ahsoka would often come here simply to be among the crowd. She wanted to know what it was she fought for, and she came down here to experience it first-hand. She didn't interact much and didn't have friends to talk about, but she knew how to get around and how to take care of himself.

"So what are we looking for," she asked, finally letting go of his hand.

"Food supplies are low," he said, "We need to restock on basic needs. We could also stand for some other odd and end things. Some maintenance tools might also work."

"Let's start with food and water needs first," Ahsoka said, "We can deal with ship-related things later."

Then another thought popped up in her mind.

"Hey," Ahsoka said, "You have credits right?"

"Yes," he answered, "More than I will ever use."

"Do I want to know how you have it?"

"My master gave me funds when I first received this ship, It was not meant to be spent unless necessary. But since I no longer follow him, I can use it at my...our own discretion."

"Right. Then I'll tell you what to get and you purchase it."

Nodding to her, he followed closely behind her as she took to looking around the streets. She wasn't a food expert, but she knew that if it was here, it was better than military rations. She had an idea for some things they would need.

"It is strange to think that all of the time I have fought for many things," he observed, "I have been told many times that what I do is to protect the people. It's awkward that I do not know what it is that the normal people do."

"What is that bad," she asked, "You couldn't be free for even a little time."

"There was always training or meditation or missions," he shrugged, "I found nothing wrong with it. If anything, it teaches me not to twiddle my thumbs. Wasting time is something I despise more than anything."

That sounded like him alright. Ahsoka couldn't help but laugh out loud a bit. She knew what it meant to be busy, but that didn't mean there wasn't time to ever stop and take some time off. Although they didn't have all the time in the world, she and Anakin would often find a way to get out of the Temple when duty didn't demand them be there. She did enjoy this time, being just a normal person and not a Jedi. Force-wielders in general received a lot of attention.

And speaking of Force-users…

"We should conceal our lightsaber," she said, "Crowds take notice of these things."

"Let them think what they will," Starkiller said, "I don't care of their opinions."

"Easy for you to say," Ahsoka reasoned, "People fear the Sith. Jedi are heros. They don't bother you like they bother us."

"Then learn to ignore it," Starkiller answered back, "Let them do and think and believe what they will. All that matters is what you do. Besides, they hardly know who I am, and I doubt they really want to bother you."

Ahsoka would have retaliated in kind, but then she noticed that they were attracting some pairs of eyes. They looked like they were an arguing couple the way they faced each other. Feeling just a bit self-conscious and uneasy, she quickly grabbed his hand and began to once again drag him into the crowd. He continuously made a slight resistance, and she sensed some mild hesitance, but she couldn't get any other sort of reading from him. He might be guarding himself carefully so as not to let anything slip from his mind.

Ahsoka didn't really understand why he did it. She knew everything about him, his tendencies, his personality, his history, or the important parts of it, and a bit about how he fought. What was there left for him to guard?

Perhaps it was she who made him uncomfortable. The Togruta wondered just how much of an effect did she have on him. She couldn't deny that there was a connection that went beyond a simple friendship. Both had been able to communicate implicitly that they were friends that trusted one another. What Ahsoka wanted to know was if perhaps he felt something...more. She couldn't really place it in her own words either. It sounded rather unusual to her as well.

If anyone asked Ahsoka, and if she were being honest completely, she would say that she certainly did find Starkiller rather...appealing in many ways. He was a strong character, focused, level-headed, strangely wise, almost non-judgemental, and very responsible. He also wasn't a simple Jedi or Sith. He received training from both, yet he didn't completely associate with either. He wasn't simple, he wasn't straightforward, he wasn't easy to solve, and he wasn't an easy character to know.

Rationalizing is not going to keep the truth from revealing itself, a voice said, You desire him in a different way.

"Is something wrong, Ashoka," Starkiller's voice sounded, despite the loud commons.

Still feeling his hand in her own hand, she turned to face him. Ahsoka didn't want to give off any indication of doubt or hesitation. Starkiller could pick up on these things quickly. Force, he might've already done so without her knowing it, but she couldn't help herself from trying to conceal it.

"I'm fine," she affirmed, "Thinking is all. Come on."

Ahsoka didn't release his hand as she closed towards the part of the market which sold food and ration supplies. Once they were clearly there, she slowly released his hand. He stood besides her as they both looked around. It was busy and there were many aliens and numerous amounts of them. Vendors and shops and stores lined the street, calling out to customers everywhere possible.

"Okay," Ahsoka breathed, "Food stuff can be found here. We looking for anything in particular?"

"Get us the most for the least," Starkiller stated, "I am not looking for taste, only that it will sufficiently feed us."

"You know," Ahsoka griped. "Good taste isn't bad, you know."

"And luxury isn't something I care to indulge in," Starkiller retorted annoyed.

"Look, just listen," she insisted, "Is once in awhile going to hurt you? I promise you that you won't lose your edge."

"And maybe I am a fool to even consider listening to you," he frowned.

"Damn stubborn kid," Ahsoka mumbled.

"I heard that," he deadpanned, "And do not even try to insult me in a different language. I know as smart comment when I hear it."

Ahsoka was not just bubbling with frustration, and yet she didn't want to give up. This was something she wasn't about to give up. Of course she wasn't one for luxury food, but a few times couldn't hurt. She and Anakin had occasionally bought actual food once a while. And it didn't hurt anyone.

"Come on, just this once," she pleaded.

She never thought she'd do this, but she gave him her best eyes of begging. She hadn't practice this before, so she could be doing the worst eyes ever. But it was worth a shot, seeing as Starkiller was a bit of a recluse in conversation anyway.

It was then that she began to take note of his own eyes. They were brown, and dark. But that didn't stop her from taking note of their intensity, and the gaze he gave her was one of contemplation.

His eyes. So full of fire. So vibrant. So...beautiful.

She mentally recoiled at that thought. She'd never called him that before.

"Fine," he relented, "But I will hold you to this. We had better not be more picky the next time we go for supplies."

She smiled a thanks and he sent her a expression that looked like regret.

Months. And months of wait, and this was the best? I guess so, but I've got this thing about not giving up what I start. So don't worry, if it takes me forever, I will somehow do it.

Anyway, if you liked this chapter, review. If you hated it, review. Anything else to offer me, review too.

Hope you all enjoyed reading, and remember, we will never evolve unless we brave the things that other won't.

Peace out!