...

-Chapter III: Looking Glass-

...

Jedi Temple – Coruscant

A few kilometers away within the ziggurat structure that was her home, quietly stood Ahsoka Tano in the center of her room. On the outside she looked relatively tranquil, but in her mind, the opposite was true. Her contemplation of the events of the last two days in her quarters left her still ablaze with her previous contention of the matter. While she did this, she peered out the window in her room and absently watched the lines of air speeders as they zipped about. Surely without the preprogrammed routes within their processors, these vehicles would be errantly flying about, colliding with one another. While many would consider this a boring thing to engage in, Ahsoka found it relatively soothing. In her mind, these speeders mirrored her regular thoughts on a good day. Straight tracked, organized, and peaceful. But as the last forty-eight hours had proven, her harmonious thoughts were more akin to a rancor gone amok. The debacle during the battle continued to flash in her mind along with the not-so-subtle fight she and her Master had gotten into back on the Resolute.

It'd be nice if he'd actually finish what he started. It'd be nice if he'd have the decency to not leave me hanging. Hell it would be nice if he would just say something to me!

Prior to their landing on Coruscant, Kix had reluctantly cleared Anakin and discharged him. Ahsoka wasn't made aware of that development and was only informed of her Master's whereabouts by the Rex after they had landed. She reported to the bridge after the clone captain came to her quarters and informed her of Master Kenobi's desire to speak with her via hologram. She had expected it to be a private conversation since she was certain of what the topic would be. So it was a surprise upon realizing that consideration did not prevail. Admiral Yularen and Rex were both present during their 'discussion' of the incident and it was not pretty. Conspicuously, Anakin was absent from this meeting, something she thought was odd, but at the time figured it was on account of his recovery keeping sequestered to the med bay. At the time Obi-Wan had failed to mention this nugget of information to her. More than likely because of his focus remonstrating her. Ironically, she was glad Anakin wasn't there since it would be one more reason for them to keep fighting.

It's all my fault, I should've listened to Anakin like a good little padawan and let him get obliterated. Just like any obedient padawan would.

At that scornful thought, she turned away from the view of traffic and settled down on her cot. Sighing to herself, Ahsoka leaned back against her pillow, crossed her arms behind her head and looked up at the ceiling. Mockery was not something she ever directed to her elders, at least not in such a contempt filled manner as that. She needed something to take her mind off this line of thought. Focusing on the intricate pattern that adorned it served as means of keeping her temporarily occupied. At the very least, it did tamper her mood somewhat. But as moments like these had previously entailed, no matter what she tried, said distraction only worked for a few minutes. Her mind drifted back again to the scene on the bridge and the embarrassment she had felt. Most of it was attributed to Obi-Wan ordering her to report back to her room and remaining there to meditate on the matter. No time had been specified for when he or Anakin would come to fetch her. By now she had figured this would be the extent of her punishment on account of it not being the first time she found herself in this situation. But the only thing that had her so annoyed was having Obi-Wan dictate to her that she 'go to her room and think about what she had done'. In effect grounding her, in front of Yularen and Rex no less.

You're not my Master, Anakin is!

A childish thought for sure. So much so that it had been exactly what she wanted to say when he told her. The only thing stopping her from saying it to him was the fact that she knew he would've reported her to the Council for even more 'discipline'. Custodian duty or Agricorps duty, hard to say which sounded worse for a padawan of her caliber. Of course it was probably a sensible punishment since such an action was quite unbecoming of a padawan. Nevertheless, she wasn't particularly keen to keep her emotions in check as Jedi were supposed to. After all how could she do such a thing when her actions and her character has been so concisely attacked? Anakin had done as much when he reprimanded and argued with her in the med bay and although he hadn't actually said anything, Kix was definitely thinking the same thing too. Even Rex, was giving off the same vibe when she had last seen him. Why couldn't everyone else see that she had done what was needed and saved his ungrateful skin? If it hadn't been for her, her Master would exist only in the form of memories. Even if the timing of the artillery barrage was slightly off, there was no doubt that he should have contacted her and told her to hold off. But he didn't and she followed through on the plan. His injuries were his own fault, he brought it on himself.

He should've said something!

Under normal circumstances, she knew that her thoughts would betray her since it wasn't in her character to be so apathetic. But anger had a tendency to kick those notions to the sidelines. Being reasonable just wasn't a concept she was interested in considering right now. Possibly later after some time spent meditating on the issue, but not now while she was still blistering over it. Who could honestly meditate when they were this livid? Ignoring that for the time being, all she could wish for right now in addition to being able to freely wander the Temple like she normally did, was for Anakin to admit that he was wrong. She wanted an apology for him talking to her the way he did in the med bay. For making her feel like she was unwanted and that she was acting like a meddling youngling.

But I guess that's too much to ask for

Though if Master Kenobi had at least given her the benefit of the doubt as he had done so when they first met, things could be so much easier. If he had sided with her or just played referee as he was accustomed to, then she and Anakin would be on better terms than was present. But he just had to take her Master's side. He had to make a scene out of grounding her in front of everyone in the briefing room. The only saving grace had been only Rex and a few clone officers were present. Though having them be witnesses to such a scolding to their Jedi Commander was something she or they wouldn't soon forget.

"I'll never live that one down for sure" she said remarked to herself.

Beep Beep

Her contemplation was interrupted at the sound of her comm. Maybe Master Kenobi or Anakin had finally decided she had spent enough time stewing. While the thought was initially welcomed, it came with the caveat of meaning that now she'd have to face Anakin again and get the same cold shoulder from before. Or, she was being called down before a disciplinary council. Force sensitive plants may be in her future after all.

Unwrapping her arms, she levelled the comm on her vambrace in front of her. She looked at the flashing green key and blew a breath out. Pressing the key in question, she responded.

"Ahsoka here"

The teen's eyes widened minutely at the voice on the other end.

"Ahsoka, I want you to go to Senator Amidala's personal residence. She's requested you be there at five o'clock. Be on time and don't give her a hard time. Understood?" Anakin ordered.

Her eye markings furrowed in confusion at the oddity and randomness of the request.

What does Senator Amidala need me for?

Here she was expecting to be lectured and or scolded by her Master, and now she was being told to visit Padme out of the blue. Strange, but considerably better than the alternative she had contemplated earlier. She was probably the only person that wasn't mad at her and that alone did make her feel better at the prospect. Beyond that, it would be better for her to have someone like the senator to talk about this issue. Someone with an outside opinion and an unbiased opinion since she was a politician and not a Jedi. Perhaps this would allow Ahsoka the chance to try convincing her that her Master was being unreasonable and that she wasn't to blame. It was worth a shot after all. There wasn't much to lose in the first place. At that notion, a ghost of a smile crossed her features. She was only interrupted in her optimistic reverie by her Master addressing her.

"Ahsoka! Did you get my message?" Anakin asked irritably.

While she realized she hadn't immediately answered him, there was no need for yelling as far as she was concerned, but if that's how he was going to talk to her, she couldn't help but let her tone sharpen. If he didn't like it, so be it.

"Yes I heard you! Be at the senator's apartment at five. Anything else Master?"

Anakin loudly sighed at the attitude coming over the frequency. Apparently a few hours of solitude meditating on her conduct hadn't done anything to tamper her emotions. So much for Obi-Wan's recommendation. Perhaps in this case, Padme was right to use her reference to implementing a new method of discipline. Try as he might, his unwillingness to yell couldn't be helped since his anger managed to seep its way in his response.

"Ahsoka!" he fired back.

"What!" she snapped.

"You know exactly what. Cut it out with the tone and behave. That'll be all." Anakin responded shortly.

Ahsoka's curse filled response was on the tip of her tongue. Before she could reciprocate the same frustrated tone, the signal cutoff. Again, her Master had shut her out. At least that's what it felt like on her end. To the extent that she felt herself being back in the medical bay and standing next to his bed. That same sensation of being ignored hit harder than it did earlier. In addition to that, she didn't get the last word. And to top it all off, there was the reminder of being told to behave. She absolutely hated it when Anakin said that, it made her feel like a child and it wasn't remotely appreciated. But realizing the fact that such a reminder followed such actions on her part was of course ignored by her.

There he goes treating me like I'm a child again!

"Ugh!"

Crossing her arms, Ahsoka slumped back down on her cot and stared angrily at the wall. Her breaths quickened as she attempted to chase away the swirling emotions churning within her through meditation. Much as she focused on finding her center and some semblance of peace, Ahsoka couldn't help but once again feel her vision begin to blur. The watery nature gave way to her trying to stamp down not only the emotion but the same tears she fought so hard to hide earlier. Closing her eyes tightly only made it harder to ignore. Even with the privacy and isolation offered by her quarters, she still would not yield and allow the salty droplets to fall. But still, one broke through and slowly made its way down her cheek. It silently fell to the floor, leaving behind a short trail. While she was annoyed that yet another one had gotten through in so many days, she couldn't help but sigh as she wiped it away.

It's not fair. Everybody gets to break the rules, but I'm the only one who ever gets the blame!

Turning her head to look out the window, Ahsoka returned her gaze back to the same scene of speeders silently flying in their preprogrammed lanes. Again, the previous effect of soothing her mind began. Slowly a semblance of relaxation built up and felt herself slowly drifting off. In the hours since their arrival, the lack of sound and peaceful sleep had taken its toll, causing her to involuntarily yawn. Her eyelids drooped lower as she half-heartedly off fought the drowsiness. Being angry didn't help case anyway, she was too drained to want to stay up since it would just keep her on her current mindset. But even so, Ahsoka's stubbornness kept at it. After a few minutes of blinking to keep awake, the teen's efforts were thwarted as she took one last glance out her window, finally letting go of resolve and closing her eyes and entering a blank and empty sleep.

…

Meanwhile, several kilometers away in the skies above Galactic City

Anakin could sense the emotions radiating off his apprentice. Even with the distraction of flying his speeder back to the Temple and the pain still emanating from his ribs, he could distinctly feel her through the Force. Normally, the warm air and early afternoon sun made for a relaxing flight back, however, the closer he got towards his destination, the greater the intensity became. The same thoughts from earlier still lingered in his mind. He remained unsure as to whether or not sending over his padawan to his wife would solve his dilemma. On the contrary, Anakin was quite sure not doing as promised would only serve to infuriate his wife and leave him back at square one.

Damned if I do, damned if I don't

Neither option was what he wanted. Escalating his screaming matches with Ahsoka was obviously not the method to deal with her. But following his wife's recommendation and actually spanking Ahsoka as a form of discipline wasn't a thing he thought he had the nerve to carry out either.

It worked on me, Obi-Wan saw to that…but I'm not him. I don't know how to approach it.

His former Master's guidance and wisdom had tampered his arrogance and attitude in his youth. But even with the teachings he had learned from the older Jedi, Anakin still couldn't bring himself to utilize the last resort set forth by Obi-Wan.

If only he were still here on Coruscant to talk to

The bearded Jedi had departed back to the front an hour earlier to mount another offensive. He would be unavailable in the ensuing time, leaving Anakin to figure this out on his own. During his lunch with his wife, he had relayed his dilemma and the fact that trying to get Obi-Wan's advice would not be forthcoming for a while. Their discussion on the matter only seemed to reinforce Padme's decision to punish his student.

My student

My responsibility

My display of being a bad teacher

As his former Master was accustomed to say, teaching an apprentice for the first time would be filled with mistakes. Ups and downs would come along, but with each one would come the opportunity to learn and grow as both teacher and student. Something he and Obi-Wan had done many a time before.

But it's a lot different when I'm trying to teach her in the middle of a war

Maybe he was overthinking the whole thing. Maybe he wasn't. In the end, he figured, no matter what he decided he would do in the coming day; there was only one guarantee he could be sure of. His padawan would be swiftly and soundly disciplined. In a way, it took the burden away from him in the here and now. Of course with Ahsoka, there would definitely be a next time. Putting off his decision could only delay the inevitable confrontation and he wasn't keen on dragging his wife along to act as disciplinarian for his student. Nor asking his former Master to do the same.

Guess I'm only delaying the inevitable

Sighing to himself, Anakin began his approach to the Temple hangar bay. The doors opened allowing him entry into the large hangar space. Effortlessly the young Knight maneuvered his speeder into one of the available landing bays. Setting the craft down, he shut down the engine and with great care, climbed out. He groaned inwardly at the pain he felt from doing so, but nonetheless silently departed and made his way to the inner halls of the Temple. He briefly considered a visit to his student's quarters, but with his ribs pulsating, he banished the thought and began his trek to the Halls of Healing. The walk was slow and weighty on him, but Anakin trudged on, finally arriving after ten minutes of labored breathing.

Finally

Entering the softly lit area, he made his way over to Master Che, allowing the lecture of taking better care of himself from her to simply roll off him. Better to simply listen and allow them to dictate to him than fight. After being directed to lie down, he complied and sat down upon one of the unoccupied beds. Ever since losing his forearm at the start of the war at Dooku's hands, he had become all too familiar with the layout of the Halls. The air reeked of both medicinal herbs and traditional sterilization chemicals. As was common with most beings, he did not like the thought of being here but knew that it was the best place to be for his recovery.

It'd be nice if they'd let me work on a droid or speeder while I'm stuck here

While he waited for a nurse to attend to him as usual, he carefully removed his boots and glove, opting to leave the gauntlet cover on his cybernetic forearm for the sake of not having to finagle it back on later. He stood up and after entering the curtained off area, removed the rest of his armor and tunic. He returned to his bed and laid down, enjoying the soft and comfortable material. Moments after, a nurse arrived, taking his vitals and observing the bandages around his torso. A few minutes passed and she left leaving the Knight to stare blankly at the ceiling. In his weakened state, Anakin felt his drowsiness rapidly catching up to him, beckoning him to sleep. Taking one final glance at the ceiling, Anakin sent a message through his bond with Ahsoka before acquiescing and slipping into a deep and peaceful sleep.

Good Luck Snips

Reviews Greatly Appreciated as Always!