As requested by swemanD47

A new story arc I was inspired to write by the aforementioned person. This will be the first installment of a three story sequence starting off with Padme Amidala and Ahsoka.

Disclaimer: This story will contain mentions and references to corporal punishment and actual corporal punishment. Don't like, don't read.

As always: I do not own any of these characters. All rights go to their respective owners.

Reviews are always appreciated!

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A Lesson in Responsibility

22 BBY

Narration:

War! Republic and Separatist Forces battle it out for total domination! In the three months since the Battle of Geonosis, battle droids and clone troopers slug it out on planets near and far from the galactic capital of Coruscant. Reeling from a failed campaign, we find Anakin Skywalker and his apprentice Ahsoka Tanoreturning to the great ecumenopolis. Tensions are running high and personal conflict comes to a head as we find our heroes at each other's throats!

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-Chapter I: Impasse-

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In the silent expanse of space, a lone star destroyer streaks forward. Amongst the myriad of swirling blues and whites that represented the faster-than-light travel commonly known as hyperspace, the massive dagger shaped vessel peacefully traverses towards its destination. Tranquil in its movement, such commotions as man and machine moving around and about the interior of the vessel could be easily overlooked in the grand scheme of things.

Indeed, peace and quiet was truly the way to imagine the Resolute while in this state of travel.

Though if one were to make their way into the depths of this Republic cruiser, such happy notions would evaporate upon further inspection. To be more precise, a simple journey to the main sickbay would find a not so tranquil sequence of events playing out between a Jedi Knight, a Clone Medic, and a Togruta apprentice.

…

"Well General, it doesn't give me any pleasure to tell you this, but I'm afraid you're going to be spending quite a bit of time recovering from this one."

Kix, one of the 501st's medic's, looked down at his datapad while checking on the vitals of one Anakin Skywalker. Just as he had done for almost every clone trooper in the legion, an examination of the injuries sustained by his Jedi General left him with a not-so easy feeling in his gut. Yet again in as many weeks, the Jedi Knight was strewn on a recovery bed for his most recent excursion.

"How long is it going to be this time Kix?" Anakin asked.

Looking up from his notes, Kix set his gaze upon him. His torso and upper body were bandaged and wrapped up and though he tried to hide it, his expression held a slight twinge of pain. The clone empathized with Skywalker as he himself had been in the same position once before. Though it was rapidly apparent that the General's pain tolerance was reaching its limits. Even with the meds being administered through the IV drip, there was no doubt in his mind that some of that discomfort was still making itself known throughout the young man's body. Quite painful to say the least, especially when considering the fact that Bacta wasn't having the usual soothing effect it was known for.

"Longer than last time Sir. I'd say you're looking at a week or two of recovery time."

Anakin, who up to this point had been staring at the ceiling of the med bay, closed his eyes. Another wave of pain was passing over him again. Every time he breathed, he felt it. The sharp spike at his chest moving up and down, and the dull ache once he exhaled. That of course was the most palpable sensation he was registering in light of everything else. His legs hurt, his shoulders ached, and his head had the peskiest thumping from the cut to the back of his head.

"Great" he muttered as another wave of pain came over him.

"Fractured ribs, bruising to both of your legs, and some minor cuts and gashes across your back. Thankfully you won't need stitches, only some bacta patches. No concussion, which I'm surprised at considering the gash in the back of your head."

"I can feel the gash alright"

Kix nodded his head in acknowledgement and typed up a few more notes before placing his datapad down. He saw the look on the face of the quiet teenager standing alongside the bed. This same teenager who had once again been the root cause of the danger to the health of the Jedi Knight before him. A flash of irritation crossed his mind as he turned his full attention to the source of the General's injuries. This was getting out of hand as far as he saw it. Much as Coric agreed with him, he hadn't the nerve to say what was on his mind. Even Rex, the Captain of the 501st knew the same thing he was thinking, but he too wasn't keen on discussing this open secret either. Kix wanted to say it, but he was never one for addressing his superiors in such a manner. Especially not one with a tongue as sharp as the Commander. Though, as most of these occurrences held the tendency, his input would not be required. Especially not after she opened her mouth.

"It's your own fault Master."

Kix bit his tongue and immediately turned away as he was all too aware of just how bratty that sounded. There were times when he truly wondered how someone like Commander Tano could be the morale boosting leader of the legion in one instant, but then take on the characteristics of youngling. Either way, he knew if he stayed there any longer, he would end up regretting it later. Picking up his notes, he walked over to a nearby terminal and began updating patient stats. Meanwhile, having seen this action and knowing full well that they were both probably thinking the same thing, Anakin turned his focus to his padawan.

"You could have killed me!" he said, barely holding back the wince as he spoke.

"I saved your life again like usual!"

"What do you mean like usual? How does hurling me into a roaring rapid of a river with a thousand foot tall waterfall at the end count as saving my life?!"

Propping himself up on his elbows to alleviate some of the pressure on his chest and ribs, he turned his head and stared down his young apprentice. Directly across from him, with her hands on her hips, stood the fourteen year old Togruta. Fuming as she tended to do in these situations, her answer came in the form of barely restrained shouting.

"That bridge you were on was about to be blown to pieces! If I hadn't pushed you off, you would've been incinerated by the artillery fire!"

"I had everything under control! I was getting ready to jump back to our position when you beat me to the punch, blasting the bridge and then sending me flailing into a roaring river!"

"Well excuse me for not being able to read your mind!"

The screaming match between the two Jedi permeated out into the hallways causing passing crew members and troopers to pick up their pace and hastily leave that section of the ship.

"You wouldn't have to read my mind if you'd just pay attention to your surroundings for once!" Anakin half yelled, immediately regretting it.

Ahsoka, who by now had turned away from her irate master, spun back around and stared incredulously at the injured man. Her hands remained at her sides as she stalked up to the side of his bed. Not taking note of the strained expression he wore.

"What are you talking about?!"

At this outburst, Kix turned around from the terminal and looked at the General. Seeing the pain he was in, the clone medic made his way to them. His intent and duty were both clear: his patient was in pain and the brat that was his Commander was only making it worse.

"Commander Tano-" he started, before being interrupted by Anakin raising his gloved hand in a silencing gesture.

Ahsoka briefly looked over at Kix before returning her gaze back to her master. He had stopped the man from prematurely ending their conversation. An indication that he was intending to finish what they had started. Though of course she couldn't help but chime in her two credits.

"Not now Kix." She said dismissively.

Anakin immediately glared at her before closing his eyes and breathing slowly through his nose. This was definitely not what he needed right now, especially now with the waves of pain becoming more intensified. To think, he had initially attempted to walk off his rather uncomfortable injuries, but it was impossible to hide from Coric the fact that he was in bad shape yet again. What with his tantamount wheezing. Courtesy of his padawan's impulsive decision making, as had become the case now. This made seven separate occasions where Ahsoka had ignorantly charged into a situation without contemplating the consequences of such an action. He was acutely aware that he himself had a streak a kilometer wide like that. But Anakin could still say that, unlike her, he hadn't gotten his master almost killed in only three months of instruction that many times. Though he and Obi-Wan weren't paired together in the middle of a war as was the current situation. Regardless of the circumstances, it wasn't an excuse. Actions have consequences.

"First of all, don't get snippy with Kix. And secondly, you know exactly what I'm talking about."

Rolling her eyes, the incessant girl waited for him to continue. Though it went without saying that both Anakin and Kix were none too happy at that reaction.

"Well? Go on Master."

"I'm talking about the fact that you don't bother paying attention to your surroundings. You have zero situational awareness and you blame me for your actions, or lack thereof." Anakin responded, his eyes now narrowed, clearly displaying his sharp disapproval of her tone and behavior.

"I do have situational awareness and I knew that you were going to get yourself killed as usual!" Ahsoka shot back.

"Oh really? Then answer me this: What possessed you to Force Push me towards the roaring rapids instead of, oh I don't know, land? Why don't you enlighten me a little hmm? Tell me why doing something as simple as that didn't cross your mind." Anakin retorted, irritation morphing into aggravation from his protesting ribs.

Narrowing her eyes, Ahsoka crossed her arms and glared at him. She could feel her face growing hot and her breathing becoming quicker. She was frustrated to begin with since Obi-Wan had scolded her upon their debriefing after their return. He had basically belittled her by insinuating that her actions had led to her master being injured on the battlefield. While she admired and respected the older Jedi Master, she took offense to the accusation that it was all her fault. If anything, it was Anakin's fault. He should've been faster, he should've told her he was jumping towards them. How was she supposed to know what he was going to do?

But nooooo, that automatically means I'm the oblivious one because I didn't read his mind!

But of course, throughout all of this, a certain was oblivious to her Jedi Master's pained state.

"Are you gonna tell me or what?" Anakin interrupted after she had been silent for more than thirty seconds.

"Maybe if you'd let me think for a second I would!" she immediately snapped back.

"Ahsoka!" Anakin snapped.

"What?! I'm thinking and you're interrupting me!"

"If you really have to think it over that much," he said while wincing. "Then you know just as well as I do that its bantha fodder." He finished, his lungs now taking on a burning sensation.

"Where do you think I learned that from Master" Ahsoka answered, again with the sassiness.

At that snippy retort, Anakin rolled his eyes and turned his head away from her. Ahsoka's expression dropped for only a second as his back was turned to her. For some odd reason she felt as if Anakin had suddenly shut her out, but she couldn't comprehend why. They were arguing, yes, but he always finished them with her and they made up as usual. But this time around something didn't feel right.

"Are you really going to ignore me?" She said half questioningly, half nervously.

"You're…not the one…with…fractured ribs." He struggled.

"And whose fault is that?" She replied with a snarky tone.

Anakin felt his anger suddenly rise, he was in pain, he was at his wits end with his troublesome apprentice, and now he was being blatantly disrespected by her. He wanted to scream, though that of course would only result in way more pain than he truly wanted to endure. No, he wouldn't subject himself to more injury and a longer recovery time because of his incorrigible student. In that moment, he chose to follow Obi-Wan's method of dealing with his anger and release it into the Force. As he did so, he addressed Ahsoka, without a semblance of anger in his tone.

"You won't take responsibility for your actions. You won't acknowledge your mistakes. And to top it all off, you won't even give me the courtesy of addressing me or even Kix with respect Ahsoka. Since you are so intent on being childish and unruly, that's it. We're done here. Go back to your quarters and cool off. When we land, we'll pick up this conversation. For now…" he paused tiredly. "For now I just want to rest." Anakin spoke quietly.

"But-" she began.

"I mean it Ahsoka. Get out." He said in a warning tone.

At this uncharacteristic response, the young girl held her miffed stare at her master. A wave of uncertainty and anxiety rippled through her while she remained frozen in place. Never before had they not resolved their problems. Beyond the usual stubbornness and hot tempers that accompanied such occasions, there was never a time where she actually believed Anakin would slam the metaphorical door in her face. It was never even a consideration to her. She always held the belief that Anakin wasn't one to simply block out his problems like this. If anything, that was her role in the Master-Padawan relationship. But now here she stood. Exceedingly alone in a room with the only person on this giant tin can of a warship that she could actually relate to. Such an experience as this would undoubtedly give way to a mature response from a student to their instructor's order, but not for this Togruta. If anything, the intense sensation of loneliness only served to reaffirm her anger and frankly, her outrage at this treatment from her master.

Kix, not wanting the uncomfortable silence to continue, spoke softly to Ahsoka.

"You should probably go now, Commander. The General needs his rest."

"Fine!" she yelled.

All her frustration and irritation at the situation spilled over as she stormed out of the med bay and off to her quarters. Kix watched on in sadness at having witnessed such an event. An emotionally charged one that he truly wished he hadn't had the misfortune to experience.

"I'm sorry you had to see all of that" Anakin said weakly.

The clone medic turned and looked down at the exhausted Knight. He empathized with him knowing full well that it wasn't his fault. But knowing how Skywalker was, convincing him of such a thing would be damn near impossible.

"It's alright, Sir. Try to get some rest. I'll let you know when we reach Coruscant." Kix said as he turned off the light above the bed.

Anakin merely shook his head in response before succumbing to his drowsiness.

…

Troopers that were making their way to various assignments aboard the Republic starship readily took note of the incensed Togruta teen as she stalked passed them. No one dared get in her way, knowing full well the explosive temper that could be elicited from the Jedi girl. As she made her way through the corridors of the Resolute, she feel a knot forming in her gut. A sensation she had many a time before endured through some of the daring missions undertaken by her and Anakin, though now for a far more dull and achy reason. To make matters worse, a similar sensation was making itself apparent in the form of a lump in her throat.

Blasted Emotions!

But of course, in order for such a state of suppressed anguish to be complete, as if on cue, her vision was slightly beginning to blur. Storming into her quarters, a single drop escaped from her squinted eyes, earning a messy attempt at wiping it away. Ahsoka's breathing, while still within a modicum of evenness, immediately switched to deep and shaky gasps the moment her door slid shut behind her. The need to hide the pain she felt inside from everyone had been fulfilled. No one had seen the stress and emotions she was fighting internally, instead they were treated to the sight of the young girl merely stomping around the ship. No one was the wiser to what she felt and that was the way it would be.

I hate this so much!

Unclipping her lightsaber from its holder on her belt, she haphazardly tossed the weapon on top of her cot. Turning away from the small bed, she entered the fresher and turned on the water. Silently she stared at the running liquid as it made its way down the drain. That was what she so desperately wanted in that moment. To feel these conflicting and somewhat painful emotions from her fight with Anakin flow away, like the rapids of that river. She held that stare, all notions of time passing around her completely ignored. All that remained in this little sliver of silent solitude was the anger she felt within. In a way, she didn't want to stop feeling this emotion. As much as it was draining her of her normal happy and peppy attitude, she couldn't just let go.

I can't let it go

For all the sadness she felt in her heart, she could not release this impulse to hold onto her anger. The oddity lay in the fact that since her first time meeting her master, she had held back the resentment she felt towards his decision making. Of course in the here and now, being as jaded as she was about him always blaming every failed mission on her, the logical perspective of stopping and reexamining the situation was truly moot. But then again, why should she?

Why should I take responsibility for his bantha fodder? He screwed up! Not me, I'm the one who always follows the mission to the letter. He's just a grumpy, old nerf herder!

But then of course, beyond the ire of being upset at another screaming match, came the true source of indignation of it all: Being told to get out, like she was a child messing around where she shouldn't be.

Arrogance. That's where he gets it.

Was that really the whole truth of it though? Did her attitude have anything to do with it?

No. Of course not…from a certain point of view at least.

Moving to her cot, the emotionally drained teen jumped onto her bed and silently stewed. She was practically livid that her Master had kicked her out and made her feel this way. She was for damn sure angry that she was back in her quarters, being effectively grounded by him. And she was sure as hell angry that in all of this, her thoughts and opinion on the matter held no weight with him. Punching her pillow in spite, she stared intently at the bulkhead, doing her best to ignore the hot tears that were threatening to flow again.

Damn him She thought ruefully.

That was the last thing that passed through her mind before she drifted off to a fitful sleep.

Reviews Greatly Appreciated As Always!