Chapter 9 - Stopover at Naboo

DISCLAIMER: We (unfortunately) do not own Star Wars. :P

Author's Note: In which Ahsoka, Padme, and Kitster go to Naboo. :P

~ Amina Gila

"Ahsoka, you stay put on Naboo. Do not attract any attention. Do absolutely nothing without checking in with me or the Council," Obi-Wan orders.

"Of course," she replies immediately, unable to help her surge of irritation. She's not an idiot.

Obi-Wan turns back to Padme. "I will get to the bottom of this plot quickly, M'Lady," he tells her, "You'll be back here in no time."

"I will be most grateful for your speed, Master Jedi," Padme replies.

"Time to go," Ahsoka says as she walks back to over to Padme and Kitster. She's really glad that he's coming with them. When she left Tatooine, she thought it was a goodbye forever, but now she's not sure how she'd survive without him again. She had been so desperate to leave that place behind for good, but now she knows he's the best friend she's ever had.

"I know," Kitster agrees. Padme hugs Dorme a final goodbye before the three of them leave the speeder bus, where Artoo is waiting for them.

"May the Force be with you," Obi-Wan calls.

"May the Force be with you, Master," Ahsoka replies as they head for the waiting starfreighter. She pretends not to notice the sudden surge of horror she feels from Kit as they go. He obviously never knew before what it was that she called Obi-Wan. She's gotten used to it, but that doesn't mean it was easy in the beginning. Or, more accurately, it was too easy.

"Suddenly, I'm afraid," remarks Padme.

"I am too, kind of," Ahsoka admits, glancing around as though an assassin is about to pop out around the corner any moment, "This is my first assignment on my own." Her gaze falls on the droid following them. "But don't worry," she offers lightly, "At least we have Artoo with us."

**w**

To say he's horrified would be an understatement. When Ahsoka was telling Kitster about what her life was like earlier, he had to admit it was reminding him a lot of what things were like for them on Tatooine. And as if that's not bad enough, she literally called Obi-Wan 'master'. When he saw her again, he knew she was different, that she was grown up, but he had expected to see someone even more freed from Tatooine's mentality and practices than him, but instead, all he sees is the signs of a girl forced to grow on her own, completely alone, even more scarred from her childhood than he was. He thought the Jedi were good, that they were kind and caring, that they would take care of her, but it seems they've done nothing of the sort.

Now he really finds himself wishing that Ahsoka could have come to live with him and Padme on Naboo. She may say that she belongs as a Jedi, but he's certain she'd have been far happier if she'd been with them and her mother, actually growing up with a family. On Tatooine, there's nothing more important than family, and he's heard the Jedi are supposed to be like one big family, but from what he's observed, he really doesn't see that comparison, at least not with respect to Ahsoka.

"What's the matter?" Padme asks softly.

"I can't believe this," he grumbles, doing his best to keep his voice down since Ahsoka is sleeping in the corner near them.

"What?"

"The Jedi have been treating her basically the same way we were when we were young. It's like... she hasn't really recovered from any of it," he admits.

Their conversation is interrupted when he sees Ahsoka moving around restlessly, though she's still sleeping. She's not talking, not out loud, but she's mouthing words. Something like "no, Mom, no," though Kitster isn't certain. He reaches over, gently shaking her awake.

Ahsoka's eyes blink open and she looks up at him, slightly confused. "What?"

"I thought you were having a nightmare," he supplies.

"Artoo brought food," Padme cuts in, motioning to the three bowls on the table. The Togruta nods, moving to take a seat at the table. Whatever she was seeing in her nightmare is clearly bothering her, though, because she's moving far too stiffly.

"We went into lightspeed a while ago," comments Padme as they eat.

"I can't wait to see Naboo again," Ahsoka announces, brightening slightly, "I've thought about it every day since I left. It's most the beautiful planet I've ever been to."

"I agree," Kitster offers, attempting to carry on a proper conversation. He doesn't need to let Ahsoka know how angry he is. That won't help her at all. Hopefully, she can't sense it, being a Jedi and all.

"You were young then," Padme reminds. "It might not be like what you remember."

"I'm sure it is. I think I'd live there if I wasn't a Jedi."

"I doubt that," Padme objects.

"No, really. It was the best thing I had to think about at the Temple," Ahsoka insists. "I could hardly think about Mom much..."

"And speaking of your mother, you were dreaming about her earlier, weren't you?" Kitster asks with a frown.

Ahsoka stiffens again at the mention of it, but she nods slowly. "It's been so long since I was on Tatooine, my memory of her is fading. I don't want to lose it. But recently, I've started seeing her in my dreams. Vivid, scary ones." She sighs, looking down. "I'm worried about her."

"Maybe we can check on her?" suggests Kit slowly.

Her expression darkens. "We're supposed to stay on Naboo."

"Maybe I can go?" he offers slowly. "After this?" He's honestly missed Sharlan himself, and he's really like to know how she's been doing and if she's alright. She was like a mother to him.

"That... thank you," she says quietly, and he tries not to let it bother him that the Jedi didn't even have the courtesy to put her mind at ease.

**w**

After meeting the queen and Padme's family, the three of them head for a lake retreat. It's a peaceful place, and Kitster knows it will be a nice place to spend the next week or so together until the Jedi find the assassin.

The three of them walk up the steps of the building, stopping on the balcony to look out across the garden, where the lake shimmers beyond, with mountains lining the horizon.

"I used to come here a lot when I was younger," Kit remarks, "But Padme rarely had time. She was too busy being queen to spend time with me like a good sister should."

"Hey!" protests Padme, swatting his arm, "What I'm doing is important!"

Kit smirks at her. "I know, but still that doesn't absolve you of your sibling duties."

She gives him a flat look, and doesn't bother replying. Ahsoka chuckles.

"So as I was saying," Kister says, "I eventually learned to swim. I'd swim to that island over there every day. I love water."

"I do too," Ahsoka smiles slightly as she stares out at the view, "I guess it comes from both of us having grown up on a desert planet."

"Yeah," he agrees.

"I'll head in to get our things unpacked," Padme declares and disappears inside, leaving the two alone, probably assuming they'd want to catch up.

"We'd lie in the sand and try to guess the names of the birds." He smiles for a moment at the memories, but they disappear the moment he remembers Ahsoka never had the chance to have the childhood he did. It's simply unfair that someone like her was forced to live such a life. Maybe he's being biased and unfair to the Jedi - Force knows he probably is; he doesn't even know them personally - but he doesn't see a free woman when he looks at her. Instead, he sees someone who is still being held in chains, even if unconsciously.

"At least here, it's nothing like Tatooine," Ahsoka murmurs. He nods in agreement. It had taken him a long time to actually get used to it without bringing back memories.

"I wish you could've been with me."

"Sometimes, I do to." Ahsoka stares up at him for a long moment and he finds himself moving closer, closing the distance between them. Ahsoka's always been his best friend, but now that they're together again, the way he feels towards her is something he's never really truly felt towards anyone else. They know each other in a way no one else ever could, and it's with that in mind that he kisses her.

He'd do almost anything he could to help, and that thought is what promptly brings him back to reality. He shouldn't have done this. For Ahsoka as a Jedi, it's not allowed, no matter how right it feels.

He pulls away from her after a moment, trying to figure out what he should say or even do now. Ahsoka clearly feels as deeply about this as he does, but for her, it's not allowed. "Ahsoka, I..." he begins, before awkwardly trailing off, unsure of what exactly it is he's trying to say. The depths of his feelings take him completely by surprise. She - he's attracted to her, and it wasn't until he felt her respond to his kiss that he realized exactly how much.

"I know," she says quietly, looking down, "I do care for you, Kit, but..."

"It's okay," he tells her softly, "If you need time, there's time." Both of them need time right now, to think about what just happened.

"Thanks," she murmurs, glancing out at the water before looking to him again, "We should probably go inside before Padme comes looking for us."

**w**

"You really don't like politicians, do you?" Padme asks, She, Kitster, and Ahsoka are sitting in a meadow a distance away from the retreat, grass dotted with flowers in every direction. A herd of Shaaks is grazing in the distance, not far from the lake.

"I like a few of them, but not most," Ahsoka replies, "I don't think the system works." Padme can't help but notice that the Togruta seems far more relaxed now that she's only around the two of them. Then again, it's not that surprising since they're apparently the only friends she has right now. She can't imagine what that would be like, being somewhere where there's like no one who can even relate to the things you've been through, in addition to carrying the kinds of burdens the Jedi do. And after Kitster pointed it out, she definitely does know what he means that Ahsoka is still dealing with all those same issues that Kitser was when he was first adopted. The Jedi certainly didn't do a good job in helping her work through her slave trauma.

"Honestly, I have to agree," Kitster offers, "I don't see how you can stand it sometimes, Padme."

"There's a lot of good a non-corrupt politician can do," Padme points out, glancing over at her adopted brother. Even though they don't spend much time together, they've still gotten pretty close over the years.

"Still," he insists, "I think it would give you migraines dealing with people like that all the time."

"It does," Padme deadpans. It drives her up the wall the way politicians act a lot of times, and that's exactly why she needs to be a Senator, since there are so few who actually care for the people anymore.

"Huh. That explains a few things."

She sighs and turns back to Ahsoka. "So how would have the system work?"

"We need a system where the politicians sit and discuss the problems, agree on what's actually for the good of all the people, and then do something about it," she answers.

"That's exactly what we do!" Padme exclaims, "The trouble is that people don't always agree. In fact, they hardly ever do."

"I know, and that's why the Senate never gets anything done," Ahsoka grumbles.

"Things do often take far too long in the Senate," Padme admits. What happened on Naboo was a good example of that. "That's why the leaders of individual planets sometimes have to be ready to act on their own for the good of their people."

"That's what I mean," Ahsoka replies, "Something needs to change."

"But like what?" Padme wonders curiously.

"I don't know," she shrugs, "Just... something."

"That I do agree with," Kitster sighs. In some ways, Padme agrees with that. There is much corruption in the system, and that's part of the reason she got involved years ago. She wanted to help make changes, to reform the system and make it better.

"Are those Shaaks?" Ahsoka asks after a few moments of silence, looking to the animals grazing a distance away.

"Yeah," Kitster tells her.

"Well, no offense to Naboo wildlife, but they look like giant ticks."

"Ticks?!" Padme exclaims in amusement.

"Do they have those on Naboo?" she asks.

"No!" cries Kitster.

"Well I went to this planet one time where there were literally ticks all over the place, and to make it worse they all thought I would be a good home for them," Ahsoka insists.

Kitster shudders. "Oh, that's awful."

"Well don't worry. There's no Togruta devouring insects here," teases Padme.

A mischievous grin suddenly appears on Ahsoka's face. "Are Shaaks rideable?"

"They are, but I don't recommend just running over there to try it," Kitster cautions.

"Oh, thanks for the idea!" Ahsoka exclaims, shooting them a smug smirk as she jumps to her feet and runs towards the grazing animals.

"Ahsoka!" shrieks Padme, but she's already gone.

She runs in front of the Shaaks waving her arms, and they all look up in surprise before they start galloping away across the meadow. She's runs after them, before jumping through the air and landing on the back of one. She's clearly using her Togruta agility to balance herself as she stands up on its back as it gallops across the meadow.

"Show off," mutters Kitster in between laughter.

Padme sighs. This is going to be a long day.

**w**

Ahsoka jolts awake with a start, heart still beating wildly from her latest nightmare. Though the same thing pretty much happens in every single one, this one felt different. It was so much worse and it was like she could feel her mother's pain far more intensely than ever before.

She pushes herself out of bed, glancing around the still darkened bedroom of the retreat. If not for the incessant visions of her mother appearing the moment she closes her eyes, she could say that her time on Naboo has been one of the best times of her life. But right now, she can hardly take the time to enjoy.

Ahsoka slowly makes her way outside onto the balcony, staring out at the slowly lightening sky as she tries to calm herself. Trying to meditate and let her emotions go into the Force definitely isn't working right now. She can't keep waiting. Something is happening to her mother, and it's getting worse and worse. She can't bear to stand by and watch, not anymore. Now that she has the chance - she's so close by - she can't keep waiting like this.

The sun is slowly rising above the horizon when she hears and feels Padme and Kitster approaching. "Don't go," she tells them, turning around when she hears them beginning to leave.

"I didn't mean to disturb you," Padme says.

"You're not," Ahsoka assures. She needs to talk to them about this right now.

"Was it a nightmare again?" Kitster asks quietly.

She nods. "I saw my mother again, as clearly as I see you now. She's suffering, she's in pain. I know I'm disobeying my orders to protect you, Padme, and I know I'll be punished and maybe thrown out of the Jedi Order, but I have to go." If that's the price it will take to save her mother from whatever's happening to her, it's a price she's willing to pay.

"If it's this serious, I think you need to go," Kitster asserts immediately. She's so grateful for his presence. It's like he understands her every emotion, telling her what she needs to hear or giving her space when she needs it. He is truly a gift. She's spent her entire life believing she was so different, that she could never fit in or truly have anyone because she's so distinct, that maybe something is wrong with her, but around Kit, she feels at home. Not the safe and protected feel she gets sometimes from Obi-Wan, but that of a true and only friend. Someone she knows will always support her, no matter what.

"We'll come with you," Padme decides, "That way you can protect me and you won't be disobeying your mandate."

"But there's still Master Obi-Wan," Ahsoka points out glumly. She'll still be ignoring her orders to stay on Naboo, even if she continues to protect Padme. She can't imagine telling him that she has to leave and find Sharlan. He would be very upset and never allow it, not to mention if he ever finds out about this, it will make him lose whatever little faith he has in her.

"I guess we won't tell him, will we?" replies Padme.

"We could be there and back before anyone ever knows we were gone," Kitster agrees, "Now let's get going."

**w**

Even if it's been an entire decade, Mos Espa has hardly changed at all, at least not from the sky. It's hard to tell with that kind of view, but she doubts the people there have changed either. She has no idea what happened to her mother in her absence, or what kind of people she ended up living with. For all Ahsoka knows, Sharlan could have gotten sold into slavery again. It's the kind of place Tatooine is. Not to mention, her new family might not have taken care of her. They must not be, or Ahsoka wouldn't be having these visions. It's a little past noon by the time Ahsoka finally brings the ship down right near the moisture farm Kitster told her to go to.

All at once, memories of the past Ahsoka doesn't want to think about assault her mind. Those days when she was a slave. A thing. She can only be grateful that she doesn't have to see any of the places she used to know as a child, and instead focus on searching for her mother. She suddenly isn't quite sure what to feel, now that she's so close to seeing her mother again. Who she hasn't seen in a decade. Will she even be the person Ahsoka remembers, or has she changed?

"Here we are," Kitster says as they disembark from the ship and approach the small hut. As they walk into the courtyard, two people step into view. A young man with brown hair and a woman with blonde hair approach them.

"I'm Ahsoka Tano," she gets right to the point, "I'm here for my mother."

"Owen Lars," the man replies, shaking her hand, "I guess I'm your step brother. This is my girlfriend, Beru."

"Hello," the woman smiles.

"I had a feeling you might show up some day," Owen comments after Kitster and Padme introduce themselves.

"Is my mother here?" Ahsoka asks again, growing slightly impatient. That's why she's here, not for anything else. Under different circumstances, she might not mind getting to know her step-family, but... at the same time she's not really sure to think of them.

They're human. And as a general rule if a freed human is in a relationship with a Togruta, especially slave or former slave - Ahsoka tenses as she realizes the exact implications of it. This is so typical of Tatooine. It wasn't a marriage because they truly loved each other. It's because it was what he wanted, and she didn't feel she could object. Ahsoka's hands clench into fists but she does her best not to let it show. It's doubtful these people took care of Sharlan at all.

"No, she's not," comes another voice. She turns to see a man on a hoverchair approaching. One of is legs is missing. "Cliegg Lars," the man introduces, "Sharlan is my wife. Come on inside. We have a lot to talk about."

Ahsoka follows tensely. Something is very, very wrong. "It was just before dawn. They came out of nowhere, a hunting party of Tusken Raiders," Cliegg explains after they're seated. Tusken raiders. Ahsoka's blood runs cold. "Your mother had gone out early, like she always did, to pick mushrooms that grow on the vaporatos. From the tracks, she was about halfway when they took her." The Lars ler her mother go out there alone? It's as she thought. This is Tatooine, and sending someone alone and unarmed outside, away from civilization, is a way to get them killed. "Those Tuskens walk like men, but they're vicious, mindless monsters. Thirty of us went out after her. Four of us came back. Three more are still out there looking. I'd be with them, only I just couldn't ride anymore until I heal."

She's... the Raiders have her. The Lars let them take her, even if they tried to find her afterwards. And so many people died. Ahsoka can still feel her mother though. She can feel her pain, the same nagging call for her to go and search for her. Ahsoka stands up abruptly, turning for the door. "Where are you going?" Owen asks.

"To find my mother," she answers stiffly.

"Ahsoka..." Padme begins cautiously.

"She's dead," Cliegg objects, "Accept it."

"I'm going to find her. I know she's still alive," Ahsoka snaps, heading out of the house without another word. Padme and Kitster follow her.

"You two need to stay here. You'll be safe," she instructs.

"Just be careful, Ahsoka," Padme urges.

"Excuse me?!" protests Kitster, "No, there is absolute no way I'm letting you go after Tusken Raiders all by yourself!"

"I am a Jedi, you know!"

"So what? I'm not letting you do this alone," he insists.

"You're not coming. I'm not risking you," she retorts, the words a little harsher than she intended as she climbs onto the speeder. Kitster stalks over and climbs on behind.

"You are not going alone."

"I'll be fine. I won't be long," she says curtly. With a flick of her hand, she throws him over the edge with the Force and ignoring his shriek of protest, Ahsoka fires up the speeder and zips away across the desert.

Final Note: I just want to briefly explain our reasoning for why we're making this Kitsoka. First of all, they were best friends on Tatooine. They have many shared experiences, and Ahsoka trusts him. They also have a shared culture, which will mean they won't have any cultural clashes like Anakin and Padme. Since they understand one another so well, they'll work together as friends as much as they will a couple. :)