Chapter Three: Suffering.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but this idea, blah blah blah, you guys know the drill.

A.N: Yo everyone here's an update after taking a small break. Worry not, I've been working on updates for all the fics you guys want (Yes that includes, House Sauron.) I think this chapter took a little longer because of the big fight between Mace and Vader and I really wanted to do that fight justice not just as writer but also a Star wars fan. I really hope this chapter was worth the wait and you guys enjoy.

Not sure when the next update/post will be but hopefully soon. I'm not sure if it will be an update or the new spidey fic I promised but either way ya'll will have something good to read. Please if you got any questions just leave a dm or a review and I'll try and get back to you. That's all from me atm so I'll just leave a link to Aizen's server and catch you guys later.

/hCCcWtmX

Mace blended in nicely with his surroundings. A hood was drawn over his face as he walked with a limp, acting the part of a frail older man. His one remaining good eye was carefully watching the squadron of Stormtroopers marching past with blasters in hand, walking in perfect unity as they patrolled the area, not even giving Mace a passing glance as they marched right past him.

There was a reason the old scarred Jedi was here, willing to risk being found by the Empire. He allowed the force to guide him, moving out of the way of every human, alien and droid that crossed his path.

Rain, a constant recurrence and noticeable trait of the current planet he was on. It pelted his hood, but Mace didn't mind. His lone eye wandered to a figure shrouded in gray. He knew who it was the moment he laid his eye on them.

Ahsoka Tano, the apprentice of Anakin Skywalker and ex-member of the Jedi order but now going under a different alias to keep herself hidden. Mace stopped next to the hidden Togrutan female, a small smile spreading across his hooded face. "It's been a long time, 'Fulcrum'."

He saw the brief hint of orange skin before her powerful blue eyes stared back. "That it has. How have you been?"

Mace sighed, thinking about the ongoing 'cause' of putting a stop to the Empire, something that seemed nigh impossible these days. Yet the thought of Naruto and what he could become brought hope and the strength to push on. To continue the fight.

"I'm alive. You look well. You seem to be taking care of yourself." Ahsoka gave him a thin smile, some tension from the past still lingered.

"It's what I was taught." Mace sighed inwardly. She was right. This was what she was taught. She was a young girl introduced to war and not just Ahsoka but many Padawans who weren't ready. Many who would be alive today if things had been done differently.

The old Jedi master once again glanced at the former student and follower of their code. "I sense something is on your mind. Do you now wish not to meet him?"

"…" Ahsoka found herself momentarily speechless, asking herself that same question but also worried what the answer could be.

Mace gave her an understanding look as he said, "It's alright, we can organize another time-"

However, Ahsoka was quick to interject and tell the scarred master. "No, I wish to meet him. It's just…I worry when I look at him, I'll see his father."

Ahsoka felt a pang in her heart as her master's face briefly invaded her mind. Memories of the Clone Wars creeped forth no matter how hard she tried to suppress them, something many survivors of said war tried to do to this day.

"He is very much his father's child. There is no denying that," Mace spoke, gaining the slightly distressed Togrutan female's attention. The old Jedi master smiled, something even Ahsoka rarely or if ever, saw during her time at the temple. "But Naruto is also certainly his Mother's son, a kind and smart child. I'm certain you'll grow as fond of him as I am."

Ahsoka found comfort from the old master's words. The doubt and maybe even slight fear disappeared, instead leaving curiosity and even amusement. "I thought attachments weren't the Jedi way?"

This brought out a chuckle from Mace, sharing a thought he knew Ahsoka agreed with. "Perhaps, it is time for the way of the Jedi to change."

(Dagobah)

Mace had upgraded his ship. It was larger and capable of holding at least four comfortably with moving room. There was even a makeshift medical wing with a pull-out table for an injured patient to rest on if they would need it.

Heh, he couldn't wait to show Naruto. Knowing his favorite student, he would spend hours inspecting and possibly trying to fly said ship. Yes, today would be a big day for Naruto.

How little did Mace know he was right. As his ship touched down on a safe and sturdy piece of swamp land, Ahsoka followed his lead in vacating the ship, frowning when she felt a disturbance.

They could see Yoda kneeling in the rain, his cane by his side. The old green Jedi master lifted his small head, saying so much with nothing but his distraught-filled eyes.

"Master Yoda…where is Naruto?" Mace cautiously asked, greatly fearing the little green master's answer.

The much older Jedi master managed to croak out, "Left, he has. Built a ship of his own, he did. Wanted to know about his father, he wished. Give him answers, I did not."

"He built his own ship?" Ahsoka questioned silently, although she didn't receive an answer, not that she was really expecting one at this moment. 'He really takes after you, huh skyguy?'

"Do you know where he may have gone?" Mace questioned urgently, suspecting the planet and feeling great dread if that was the case.

"To Coruscant, I fear." Yoda lifted his bowed head, his pointed ears slightly twitching from the heavy rain. He was completely soaked, but he didn't care. He had waited hours upon hours in the rain, hoping Naruto would return, but found relief when it was his fellow Jedi. "Master Windu, Ahsoka Tano. Bring him back, you must."

His words were short, but there was a hidden message, a plea to bring back not just his student, but his pseudo-grandson home. The old green master wanted nothing more than to make everything right again.

Mace understood everything with a single look and gave only a nod before gesturing to Ahsoka to follow him back to the ship. They had a Padawan to save.

The one-eyed Master could only hope that Naruto was okay and that neither the Emperor nor Vader had found out about the boy.

'Naruto…I understand you have questions, and I'm sorry we haven't answered them, but please hold on. We're on our way.' Mace believed his message was expressed through the force and had faith his Padawan could sense his remorse as well as their approach.

Mace knew the last time he was on this sith-forsaken planet. It was the same night he lost his hand and eye, the night the Jedi order itself was nearly destroyed.

But here he was once again, facing down a Sith Lord. At least he didn't lead anyone to their death this time. Mace kept his defenses up as he cautiously approached the Jedi's greatest failure, his amethyst blade of light ready to strike, and his senses heightened to the max. It was only thanks to his instincts and the screaming of the force that Mace was able to keep his head attached to his shoulders.

Vader's red saber of death passed over his face as the scarred Jedi master dodged the deathly swipe. His lone eye shook as it watched the saber move in what seemed like slow motion. Mace was quick to spring into action, Vaapad at full capacity or what his current body could handle after Sidious's lightning surging with the dark side frayed his very nerves.

Red blocked Purple, and the power of the blow aided by the force cracked the ground the two mighty force users dueled on. Mace glared into the Sith Lord's crimson lenses, his arms shaking from the pressure. Vader's horrid mechanical breathing was a curse he couldn't block out no matter how hard he tried.

KOHHHH…. KHUHH….

Vader, the unstoppable juggernaut that he was, surprised Mace by rearing his masked head backwards and then proceeding to slam it forward, dazing the Jedi. Vader then broke their deadlock and threw his mechanical limb forward with a devastating force push that threw Mace back while also shredding the top layer of his tunic, revealing more dark and damaged skin.

"Your strength has left you, old man." Vader insulted, smirking underneath his mask as he marched. His grip on his lightsaber handle tightened as he stalked forward like a hungry and aggressive Nydak.

"Is that what you think, Sith?" Mace questioned as he steadied his breathing and his heart, channeling the force in ways he hadn't had to attempt in years

"It is what I already know. I can sense it!" The Sith Lord slashed and attacked with such tenacity that it was almost too much, but the experience from the Jedi Master's years of battle as well as his dueling mastery, kept him alive for the moment.

He blocked, parried or dodged the unrelenting fury that was Vader. The man that seemed more monster and machine was frightening. It didn't make sense for something so big to be so fast. So powerful. Mace knew he wouldn't outright win with pure strength alone, so he broke their deadlock, leaping back from Vader and then proceeding to close his eyes and concentrate as he invaded the minds of the remaining Stormtroopers. No longer did they fear or serve Vader. Their minds were wrapped to hate and despise the empire.

Blasters were instantly trained on the Sith Lord, and what followed could only be described as a sea of blaster fire rained down on Lord Vader, but he was not to be defeated, not by the likes of them. He held out a single hand and with his mastery of the force, stopped every single blaster bolt in mid air. Mace could only watch the display of power with a neutral expression, unphased as the mass killer sent the wave of blaster fire back to the troopers, uncaring as his own men were slaughtered and ripped to shreds.

Now Vader was all alone.

Yet the thought didn't bring Mace any comfort. If anything, the Sith Lord felt more dangerous now.

"You've surprised me, Master Windu. I expected this battle to end before it started, but here you are…surviving." The only compliment Mace would ever receive from the Sith Lord as he slowly advanced. The tip of his saber almost brushed against the ground. "Perhaps you will die with some honor after all."

Mace scowled, in his mind wondering what would a sith know about honor? Perhaps Anakin Skywalker could be called honorable, but this man? This abomination? "What would a monster like you know about honor?" Mace's grip tightened around his saber as he spoke with such a coldness you would think it was coming straight from Hoth itself. "Was there honor in burning your home to the ground? Slaughtering and betraying your fellow Jedi? Was there honor in that?"

KOHHHH…. KHUHH….

Yet Vader didn't respond. He just continued to stare at the quickly growing agitated Master. "Where was the honor when you killed the younglings?" No response. He even seemed to momentarily forget to breathe as he relived the memories. Mace sneered as he finished his speech with a cutting fact. "A monster like you has no honor."

"It is the Jedi who failed, the Jedi who allow their brethren to die or fall." Vader, now closer to the guarded Jedi Master, lifted his saber high and brought it down with the wrath of an angry deity. "I am what you and your order made me!"

"And we have paid for that mistake."

Purple once again blocked red in a blazing act for dominance. Saber scraped against saber, light battled against darkness in an age old dance. Their strikes and slashes were nothing but a blur, showing why these two titans were at their respective level.

Mace once again tried to gain distance, but Vader wouldn't allow him to escape him twice. Building up a tremendous amount of power in his hands, he brought it down on the ground. The cracks started before the rumbling, and then the ground broke apart, destroyed by Vader's raw power. Both Jedi and Sith were swallowed by darkness, their lightsabers the only thing giving them semblance of vision as they fell.

Mace landed gracefully before once again turning to face the Sith Lord. The black juggernaut rose from his kneeled position, his mechanical breath echoing all around the scarred Jedi Master.

Mace inhaled before slowly exhaling out his nose. This time, he would be on the attack.

(With Naruto and the others.)

Naruto faded in and out of consciousness. He had no idea where he was or what was going on. He was in agony, his chest burned and he had no strength to do anything but whimper and writhe in pain.

Leia could only watch sympathetically as she helped carry the injured padawan with the aid of Ahsoka. The teen found herself unsure what to do or even say, so she opted to keep quiet, following the Togruta force user's lead as Ahsoka guided her old master's children to Mace's ship.

The orange-skinned ex-jedi cursed when she saw a large patrol of stormtroopers blocking the docking bay and fencing off their ship, their ticket off this planet. Ahsoka turned to face Leia, reached behind herself to the back of her belt, where she kept an emergency blaster. Holding out said blaster to the teen, she asked firmly, "Do you know how to use a blaster?"

Leia gave a shaky but confident nod, her hand slightly dipped from the weight of the silver blaster, her fingers coiling around the black grip and her trigger finger rested on the side of her weapo, waiting to be used.

Ahsoka, confident that Leia would be okay, briefly separated from Alderaan's princess. Her white sabers sparked alive, the sound alerting and startling the large squadron of troopers.

"It's a Jedi!"

"Shoot her!"

Leia watched the proceeding act with an immense amount of awe and perhaps a little envy. Ahsoka was amazing in the way she moved, swatting away blaster bolts like they were harmless flies and leaping in the air at incredible heights only to use an unlucky stormtrooper as a landing pad, decapitating the man, then proceeding to impale two others on her lightsaber before anyone else in the squadron could react.

So enthralled by Ahsoka, Leia missed the lone trooper sneaking up on her with his blaster aimed dead at Alderaan's princess. The stormtrooper, unaware of his surroundings, kicked some nearby scrap by accident, alerting Leia. On pure instinct and adrenaline, Leia spun in place, aiming with pinpoint precision and pulled the trigger.

PEW!

A blue bolt of plasma stuck the Empire's soldier dead on. The man fell backwards, his own blaster slipping from his hands as his body made a loud thud. Smoke trailed to the sky from the hole in his chest, and all Leia could do was stare, in slight shock from taking her first life.

But Alderaan's princess was strong. There was a time and a place to think about what she did, and it certainly wasn't now. She quickly turned to make sure Naruto was okay before going back to watch Ahsoka. Waiting for the right time to assist the ex-jedi without getting in the way.

Ahsoka's saber form was comparable to that of a glowing white whirlwind of death. Any trooper that got too close or was caught in her attack ended up dead or dismembered or a combination of both. Scattered blaster fire was all the remaining stormtroopers could attempt, all of them missing from fear or because Ahsoka was just too fast and nimble to hit.

One Stormtrooper made the smart decision to hide and wait. He watched his comrades die. Brothers and sisters in arms butchered like dray to a slaughter, but…he would make this sacrifice count. He would avenge his brethren in the name of the Empire.

With his soul set alight, the stormtrooper rushed from his hiding spot. In his mind, the Jedi was distracted by her final prey. Both sabers impaling his fellow trooper, but that left her vulnerable. The stormtrooper yelled as he prepared to open relentless fire on the Togrutan Female, only to receive a blue blaster bolt to the head. Leia thwarted his assault before it could even begin.

Ahsoka gave Leia a nod of appreciation before deactivating her lightsabers and rushed back to Leia and the injured Naruto's side. She helped carry the blonde towards Mace's ship while Leia kept her eyes trained for any more surprise attacks, blaster still in hand. They entered the ship and immediately went to the medical bay. Pulling out the table for Naruto to lay on, Ahsoka instructed Leia to look after the blonde the best she could while the ex-jedi got them out of Coruscant and away from the Empire.

Leia found a stim pack and immediately injected the little green canister into Naruto's chest, but not directly on the wound. Leia then found a bacta sleeve to place on the wound. That was all she could think to do. Naruto grimaced, his hand shaking as he reached down to his belt.

"Naruto, you need to stay still." But he didn't listen. His hand finally found a pouch on his belt, pulling out a cylinder device with a few buttons. Naruto pushed one of the buttons, causing a light to turn on and flicker in his hand.

Naruto brought the device to his lips, barely managing to say, "BB-1…D-Do you hear me?"

A second barely passed before his droid responded back, asking a hundred questions a minute, ranging from asking where his creator was to if he was okay.

"I'm…I'm hurt, Bee. I…I-" Naruto's eyes lost focus, the device about to slip from his hands until Leia caught it and placed it back. Holding his hand as her concerned brown eyes met his weak blue. "Fly the ship out of there and track the beacon to wherever I go. Please, Beebee…"

The blonde Jedi pressed one last button on his device, causing the light to flicker and flash. Signaling BB-1 locking onto the signal and tracking Naruto's location. That took his remaining strength, and all he could do was close his eyes as Leia continued to hold his hand, providing him comfort when he needed it most.

(Back with Mace and Vader)

Their relentless battle hadn't ceased, even while dueling to the death in an active droid/ship repair factory. The two masters of the force continued their destructive battle, slashing and countering, waiting for the other to get sloppy. Mace moved in ways he hadn't had to in years. His muscles burned, and his nerves screamed, but he quelled his pain with the force. He fought with everything he had and more.

Vader was impressed. Back when he was Anakin Skywalker and was a Jedi, he was always curious how Mace's power matched his own. He finally got to see and experience the Jedi master's strength, both far from their prime, but nonetheless, the scarred warriors showed their respective expertise in the force. Vader ripped apart the contraptions around him and hurled them at Mace with nothing but the force, watching as the Jedi master expertly cut or dodged all the machinery thrown his way.

Mace ran towards Vader, throwing his hand forward and sending a mighty force push that the Sith Lord stopped with a single hand. The sound of the force impacting itself was like a thunderclap, shaking the factory. Mace's amethyst blade cut through the darkness, missing Vader's helmet-covered head by inches. The Sith was just as precise with his own slash, nearly bisecting Mace in half, but alas, his own Saber missed just by mere inches.

Vader stepped into the darkness, and out of Mace's sight, he couldn't see him nor hear him. He couldn't even hear the man's accursed breathing. It was just him and the shadows now.

Mace kept his saber held high, using the purple light to illuminate the room and give him some vision but still no sight of Vader. Even his presence in the force had dulled to what could be comparable to that of an ember dancing in the wind. Impossible to follow, impossible to find.

Kkkksssshhhh!

The red saber of death that was Vader's lightsaber aimed for Mace's neck was stopped by said Jedi master's own purple saber of light. Mace's arm's strained as he twisted his saber and Vader's own so he was now blocking from the front, instead of his back. The flares and noises the two saber's made from the beams of light clashing against one another was such a unique and painful sound. As if the Kyber crystals themselves were feeling each clash.

The light and dark side filled and shook the factory from the overwhelming power. Two titanic waves of force energy battling for dominance. Mace broke the clash first but renewed his assault with newfound vigor, spotting a barely hanging together droid arm, large in size and possibly used for big space crafts. Certainly heavy enough to crush a Sith Lord. With a newfound plan in mind, Mace doubled the ferocity of his attack, pushing Vader back step by step until he was directly under Mace's trap.

Vader went for a downward slash only to miss as Mace backflipped away. It was only when the Sith Lord heard the crushing sound of metal followed by a heavy wosh did he react in time to catch the falling mechanical arm. It was nothing for Vader but it wasn't the real trap, merely a distraction. Mace had picked up something larger, filled with fuel. The force picked up the engine and hurled it at the distracted Sith Lord with newfound power. Vader widened his eyes behind his lenses, pointing his free mechanical hand at the incoming projectile but Mace already saw this coming. Using a force push with packed power, he triggered an explosion, engulfing Vader in flames.

Booooooom!

Mace braced himself as the factory steadily caught fire and rubble rained from the ceiling. Feeling drained, the Jedi master took a knee. He panted as sweat trailed down from his brow to his cheek. As he stared at the roaring flames, he couldn't help but wonder if he did it. If it was possible that he spared Naruto of his fate and put down the monster that was his father.

KOHHHH…. KHUHH….

Vader strolled out of the flames with his saber activated, his cape was the only thing about him that was burnt from the flames but Mace's sneak attack did some damage. The lens from his mask was gone allowing the Jedi master to see a single glowing yellow evil eye with flakes of orange. A far cry from the blue he used to remember.

"It seems I underestimated you, Master Windu. It won't happen a second time." Vader's words were a promise, a deadly promise that he wanted to ensure. Marching forward to meet the rising Jedi Master who activated his lightsaber once more, Mace looked around for an escape, cursing when he couldn't find any throughout all the fire. "There is no escape from me."

"Well then." Mace uttered as he dusted off his robes, taking up his signature lightsaber stance as his body hummed with the Force. "It's time we end this."

"…" Vader said nothing, for nothing more needed to be said at this moment.

They resumed their epic duel of masters, the fire that surrounded them only growing and even still, neither cared because that didn't matter. All that mattered was this battle right here, right now.

The way Vader moved and fought was more aggressive, more hateful. He channeled the dark side of the force with every swing, showing why he was the right hand of the Emperor. Mace put up outstanding resistance but the ferocity and hatred was far more than he could handle. His age started to show along with his growing weaknesses, a weakness Vader would be sure to exploit if he didn't get away but try as he might, the Sith Lord didn't relent.

Mace leapt away but it seemed Vader had been waiting for him to do so. Generating an absurd amount of force energy between his mechanical limbs, he let the energy out like a bomb. Vader sent out a force push of deadly proportions at the unguarded Jedi Master, sending the man flying and crashing to the ground. Mace groaned in pain as he tried to stand only to quickly have to move, dodging a falling beam.

Mace was quick enough to block Vader's attack but in doing so the weakened Jedi master was sent sliding across the ground. Gasping in pain as he struggled to stand, Vader's looming and approaching form froze Mace, if for a second.

As he once again found the strength to stand, he closed his eye and concentrated.

'Master!'

His eye snapped open as he heard Naruto's voice through the force. A warm smile crossed Mace's lips, confusing the approaching Sith Lord.

'I almost caught you that time Master!'

Mace once again found strength as he thought about his student, about the one who gave him hope and the will to continue when he saw the galaxy at its darkest.

'I'm going to be the best Jedi Master ever! Just like you, I promise!'

'Naruto…' a single tear trailed down the old master's cheek as he faced death with a smile. Vader paused in his approach as the light side of the force swirled around the Jedi master. Using the last of his strength in this final clash. 'I'm sorry, I won't be able to see you grow but I know you will make an outstanding Jedi. Far better than any of us were.'

Mace charged at Vader with a yell, leaping through the fire with his saber raised high. Purple struck red with a vengeance. It seemed even if it was just for this moment, for this duel, the old master Windu was back and he fought to make not just his fellow remaining master proud but also his Padawan. Mace's single eye met Vader's lone exposed sith coloured one in return, showing no fear as they met for their final clash.

Flesh seared from the heat of the saber. The purple beam of light that was Mace's lightsaber deactivated, his device slipping from his hand and clattering to the ground. Mace could only gasp as the pain in his chest continued to burn until Vader deactivated his own lightsaber, turned his back on the dying Jedi master and walked away, leaving the severely wounded man with a final declaration before he disappeared.

"I will find the boy."

Mace said nothing, he could do nothing but lay there surrounded by fire and staring up into the broken ceiling. Seeing parts of a star filled sky not overpowered by Coruscant's light.

'Naruto…I leave the rest to you…Good luck, my Padawan….'

(Across Space with Naruto and Co.)

Blue eyes snapped open. A newfound pain surged throughout Naruto as he knew Mace Windu, Master of the once great Jedi order, was dead.

"Naruto…" Leia tentatively called out to the Padawan, feeling her heart break at his tear filled eyes.

"He's dead and it's all my fault…" Naruto whispered out as he stared blankly at the ship's ceiling. Closing his eyes as he turned away from Leia, allowing more tears to shed when he knew she had left him to grieve and go sit in the cockpit with Ahsoka.

Said ex-Jedi had also felt Mace's death through the force, she put her feelings of the matter to the side for the moment and focused on getting the kids somewhere safe…

(Alderaan)

In a white room, Naruto floated in a bacta tank, his wound nearly healed but the scar across his chest would forever remain. A constant reminder of the one who scarred him and killed his Master. Vader.

The monster haunted Naruto's nightmares, his voice, his breathing. It seemed he was around any corner, waiting to get him when the time was right. The Padawan found comfort when Leia visited him and BB-1 never left his side as soon as he landed the ship. Even now, Naruto could see him powered down in the corner, waiting for his master to be fully healed. From what Naruto was told, he'd be out of the bacta tank soon but he would need to take it easy and continue to heal.

But that didn't seem to bring much excitement for the blonde Padawan. He wanted to train, to get stronger, to kill Vader. Naruto clenched his fists as his eyes narrowed. He wouldn't lie, he was still scared of the Sith Lord but his anger and desire for justice heavily outweighed the fear. He would use his fear to make himself stronger and pay back Vader tenfold for what he had done. That was a promise.

(With Leia and Ahsoka.)

Leia sat in a private room with her parents and Ahsoka Tano. She fidgeted nervously as her father, Bail spoke with the ex-jedi, the concern on his face steadily growing "Are you sure Leia has the force? She never showed any indication as a child."

"Perhaps, she was simply a late bloomer, it is possible." Ahsoka softly brushed her chin with her fingers in thought before giving Senator Organa her full attention. "Nevertheless, it was thanks to Leia and her brush with the force that Master Windu and myself were able to save her and Naruto."

"Leia…is this true?" Leia couldn't quite look at her mother at first but with a nod and smile from Ahsoka, found the strength to meet her mother's eyes and tell her the truth.

"It is, Mother. I….I can still remember the way my hand tingled and then went numb. It's like a part of me has been asleep and now is finally awake."

"Then what do we do?" Senator Organa asked, worried for his daughter's future. He's always feared this day was a possibility but he had hoped Leia would be older, more ready for the dangers of the galaxy.

"Leia must come with myself and Naruto to Ashas Ree. She'll be safe there and can fully start tapping into her true potential." Ahsoka thought the best way to break the news was to be blunt. Bail seemed open minded to the concept, his wife on the other hand…

"Have her leave? You can't be serious. Bail, we cannot just send our daughter away!"

"It was a miracle no one recognised Leia on Coruscant but if she stays here, the way she is now? It's only a matter of time before the Empire comes looking." Bail grimaced at the thought of his people suffering even more than they were by the cruel hands of the Empire but he didn't know if he could give up his daughter, consequences be damned, a part of himself roared to the heavens but thankfully the decision was made for him.

"I'll do it." Leia said as she stood up, giving her parents a sad smile. She was sad that she would have to leave them but happy she would discover who she was and grow to become who she was meant to be. It would be nice to have an actual friend her age as well.

Thinking about said boy reminded the princess that he would be out of the Bacta tank about now. Excusing herself, she left the private room, rushing to the emergency ward to see Naruto sitting on a bed, looking thoughtful as a medical droid finished wrapping bandages around his chest and part of his abandonment.

As soon as the blonde padawan saw Leia, a small not quite smile steadily started to bloom. Something Leia also found herself doing "How you feeling wonder boy?"

"I'm better. How about you princess? How does it feel to be a force user?" Naruto asked, wincing as he attempted to put on a fresh new tunic as his previous one was destroyed by Vader. The blonde padawan was thankful his pancho was capable of being repaired, the senator even had his finest tailors repair it for him.

Leia saw Naruto was struggling with his tunic, without giving the blonde a moment to protest, which she knew he would, helped him. She didn't miss how his whiskered cheeks slightly flushed causing her smile to grow at his reaction. "It's different but not different if that makes sense? I feel like I've unlocked a part of myself that's just always been there."

Naruto nodded, giving a soft look to the now powered on BB-1. "I understand what you mean. I suppose this means you're going to become a Jedi like me?"

"I suppose so." Leia said, trying to picture herself as a Jedi. The only bases she had were the stories her father told her and general Kenobi. As well as Master Tano but she insisted she wasn't a Jedi.

"Well, that's good. Just hope you're up for it." Naruto said playfully, once again finding himself slightly smiling at Leia's determined look,

"Oh, I'm definitely up for it." Her brown eyes glanced down to the device the blonde padawan used to defend himself. A quick realization that she too would be getting one had the princess of Alderaan excited. "So how do I obtain a lightsaber?"

Naruto seemed to think hard, sighing as he explained. "You got a little bit to go before you can build a lightsaber. That's not even mentioning how we're going to find you a kyber crystal."

"We're?" Leia questioned with a raised brow, unable to suppress her smirk.

"You're becoming a Jedi and that means us Jedi gotta stick together." The princess of Alderaan was touched and found comfort in knowing she wasn't quite as alone as she thought she was.

Leia found herself unable to stop herself from asking a question she knew Naruto was probably sick of being asked "How are you feeling?"

"I'm…I'm fine." The blonde padawan swore but found himself lacking his usual conviction. His smile faltered for a moment before he turned back to look at his fellow force user.

"Are you sure? I mean you did lose your master?"

"My master has simply become one with the force. He might not physically be here anymore but he's still here." Naruto explained to Leia or rather that was what he seemed to be telling himself. To Leia it seemed he was just trying to rationalize it, find an excuse so the pain didn't have to hurt.

"I guess but it still hurts to lose him right? I mean you were close?" The blonde Padawan frowned, looking down at his hands and not meeting Leia's eyes as he said.

"There aren't meant to be attachments…"

BB-1 just beeped at his creator, nudging Naruto's leg with his round metal body. The whiskered blonde softly grunted as he reached down and patted his loyal droid on top of his head.

The doors to the medical wing once again split open as Ahsoka walked in with the senator. It seemed they both had news. "Leia, I've discussed it more with Ahsoka and we've agreed it's best you go tonight before any word can get out."

Leia was cautious as she asked "What about mother? And what will you tell the citizens? Surely it would be noticed if the princess of Alderaan isn't on Alderaan?"

"We've decided to make an announcement that you've gone to stay with a distantly related family. Getting more deeply involved in your future as a senator." Bail sighed as he thought about his wife and how displeased she was but he knew she knew deep down it had to be done. For Leia's well being. "As for your mother…It took some convincing but she knows it's for the best."

"So when do we leave?"

Ahsoka was the one to speak this time, saying "Shortly. We decided it would be best to say your goodbyes and bring anything you would find of value. I'll be waiting for you both on the ship."

Naruto nodded while Leia seemed to be adjusting to the fact she would be leaving her home for a long time in only a few short moments. It was far sooner than she thought.

An hour went by far too quickly for the Organa family. Tears were shed, promises of seeing one another were said and oaths of being safe, on both sides, were sworn.

Bail and his wife, Breha watched as the ship carrying their daughter lifted off the landing bay and flew into space, leaving Alderaan behind to take the chosen one's children somewhere safe.

(Ashas Ree)

The sun was warm. Its rays bathed Leia's still form as she sat with Ahsoka with her legs crossed, slowly breathing in and out as she meditated with her teacher. Meditation was something new for Leia and for the first five days the new Jedi in training struggled to sit still and just 'zone out' as Ahsoka put it.

But on her sixth day, everything seemed to click together. Leia stopped trying so hard and just relaxed, she didn't force herself to breathe but rather truly breathed in beat with her heart. The air swelling her lungs was slowly exhaled out and the newfound force she unlocked not long ago flowed like a river.

Ahsoka opened one of her closed eyes at her new student, her lips taking an upturn. Leia was doing well in the ex-jedi's opinion. She did seem to struggle with the more spiritual side of the force, having been so disconnected for so long didn't do the girl any favors. However when it came to dueling, Leia was a prodigy. No doubt inheriting her father's gift for light saber battle. While still a novice, the princess of Alderaan was learning at an outstanding rate, taking to form VI Niman like she was always meant to.

Ahsoka momentarily stopped focusing on Leia, the Togrutan female started to think about the other Jedi on this planet. To put it simple, Naruto wasn't handling Mace's death very well. He spent the majority of his time training and when he wasn't training, he was meditating or reading Jedi texts that had managed to survive time. It didn't seem like he was sleeping enough either.

Ahsoka found herself lost on how to handle Naruto and his unfortunate loss. She didn't know how to talk to the grieving blonde and help him move on and it annoyed her. More than anything she wanted to help her Master's son but she knew at this moment, what he wanted and needed was his space. When he was ready, he would come to Leia and herself. All she could do at the moment was wait.

(Unarmed area)

A blue saber of light cut through the air, two hands gripped the hilt tight. A shirtless Naruto stood alone in a field surrounded by tall trees, sweat covered his form head to toe. He looked exhausted but still seemed to find the strength to continue on with his training, not being satisfied until he was physically unable to move anymore.

Naruto panted, his shoulders shifting up and down with his haggard breathing. His eyes were unfocused but that didn't mean the blonde padawan couldn't see. What could only be described as intense image training. In a sense meditation and training mixed together. His mind conjured up an opponent and his body moved as if he was really fighting in an intense battle.

It was unfortunate Naruto was forcing his mind to conjure Vader.

Naruto yelled as he charged at the mental image of the Sith lord. Snarling as he tried to take off the monstrous man's helmet covered head off, only for his scarred chest to flare in pain. Blue-eyes were wide at the burning sensation, feeling as if someone was pouring Liquid Metal into his chest.

Naruto took a shaky step and slipped on a patch of grass, tumbling to the ground in a heap. The blonde padawan attempted to get to his feet, gritting his teeth as beads of sweat trailed from his temple but it wasn't meant to be as he fell face first into the ground. Naruto grunted as he rolled himself onto his back, his dazed eyes steadily focusing.

"Damn it…" Naruto grit his teeth as he covered his watering eyes with his arm.

As he lay there, his mind started to wander. As much as he tried to force himself not to, he started to think about his master and in doing so, started to think of all their time together.

He remembered the first time his master amazed him as a child by lifting up his ship. His eyes wide and shining like stars as Mace used the force to move his ship around as if it was nothing, shining with pride from his padawans admiration.

Naruto ever remembered the time he accidentally found a hollow vid of a dancing twi'lek in the box of parts Mace gave him. Curious, Naruto went to his master with questions, only to be told he would learn about it when he was older. This memory brought a tearful smile to the blonde padawan, that was the first time his master had ever broken his composure in front of his students. It was also the first time Naruto had ever seen his master embarrassed.

More tears flowed the more Naruto remembered he would never get to see Mace again.

Jedi weren't meant to have attachments and death, even by another hand, was a natural part of life…so then why? Why did his heart hurt so much? Why wouldn't this dreadful pain go away?

The sound of metal rolling against the ground alerted Naruto of his loyal droid, BB-1. The blonde Padawan forged himself to sit up, sighing as BB-1 asked him a simple question.

Are you okay?

"No Bee, I don't think I am." Naruto answered truthfully as he limped towards his tunic, quietly putting it on before turning to look at his droid with a sad smile. "I'm tired, BB-1. Let's head back."

Quietly, padawan and his droid limped back 'home' to rest. Naruto wondered if it would be another sleepless night or if tonight was the night he finally got a good night's rest. He could only hope so…