Chapter 14 - Home Sweet Home

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

Author's Note: In which Ahsoka and Anakin go to Tatooine to return Rotta... ^-^

I got a guest reviewer asking me about Ahsoka/Padme, and all I can say is GROSS! That's disgusting! There is absolutely no way we will be making that happen. Ahsoka would never want a romantic relationship with Padme and vice versa. They will only ever be like sisters in this universe. Kitster fits with Ahsoka in a way no one else ever can, and he understands her. That's the kind of person she needs, and that's the kind of person Padme will never be. Frankly, Anisoka would be FAR more likely than Ahsoka/Padme, but that's not happening either. Ew.

Many thanks to loldelegate here on ff. net who has been giving us advice and suggestions for this fic! We never could have made so many unique plans without you! :D

~ Amina Gila

Ahsoka is standing on the cruiser's bridge when it jolts out of hyperspace above Tatooine, only to reveal several large Separatist craft looming in front of them. Of course. Quite the welcome home party she's about to get.

The fight breaks loose almost immediately, the Separatist ships opening fire while they launch vulture droids to attack the cruiser at closer range. Ahsoka immediately gives the clones orders to engage. "Come on, Anakin," she calls, turning to where the boy is hovering a short distance away, "We need to get the Huttlet down to the surface. We better take separate fighters to keep the Separatists busy trying to figure out who to pursue and leave the clones to handle the battle." She wants to help them, but this is all going to be for nothing if something happens to that stupid Huttlet.

"Of course," Anakin agrees, following as she sprints for the hanger.

A matter of minutes later, they're settled in separate fighters with Ahsoka taking Rotta. She really, really didn't want to, but it was only reasonable. Anakin insists he's good with ships, and that's the only reason she's letting him come. They direct their fighters away from the cruiser, into the raging battle. She knows they won't be able to make it through the battle undetected, but she flies forwards, anyway. Several vulture droids swoop in to intercept them before they're even clear of the main part of the space battle.

She swerves the fighter, wishing she didn't have to try and keep Rotta stable while flying, dodging around the laser blasts which fly towards her. At least she has some experience in space battles before; Anakin has none. Actually, that's embarrassing. He's doing so much better than her, it's clear that he's incredibly skilled. She should be proud of him. She is, but it also makes her realize that she's not equipped to teach someone with his skillset. He needs a Jedi Master, at the very least, someone who is experienced with Padawans.

She curses mentally when a laser bolt skims the side of her fighter, her reflexes a bit slower than normal because of a certain whimpering Huttlet. Another group of vulture droids fly at them, and Ahsoka knows that they have to go down to the surface now. They cannot keep waiting, because the longer they wait, the more men will die.

"Anakin, we're going down now," she calls through the comm, diving downwards towards the planet. That only seems to attract more enemy fighters, because the next thing she knows a swarm of at least twelve are in hot pursuit. With gravity pulling them down, not to mention her fast speed, this is not going to end well. Not even a minute later, a well-aimed laser bolt hits the wing of her fighter, destabilizing it enough that she'll have to make an emergency landing or risk crashing. Wonderful.

"I've been hit. I have to land," Ahsoka reports to Anakin. "Cover me."

"Will do, Master Tano!" He sounds far too cheerful for her liking, but she trusts him, odd as that may sound. She's seen his skill in space firsthand, witnessed how he flies like no other Jedi, like the fighter is a literal extension of himself.

Ahsoka lands in the sand, silently making note of the location so she can send a group of clones to come and retrieve the fighter later while she makes her way on foot to Jabba's palace. Walking through miles and miles of sand has always been high on the list of things which she enjoys. Not. The aerial battle overhead is far too close for her liking, and there's still three droids chasing Anakin's fighter. No, there were three. Now, one of them is flying right towards her.

Flipping backwards, she ignites one of her lightsabers, deflecting the blasts that are rained down on her, hoping miserably that Anakin comes to the rescue - how humiliating - because there's nowhere to hide, given that she's surrounded by miles of sand. The droid passes by, coming back for a return flight, and she doesn't wait around for its return. Instead, she dashes off across the desert, holding Rotta in a backpack against her chest so that she can better protect him.

"I've got it," Anakin reassures her, the humming of his fighter growing closer. She doesn't stop to look, until a giant explosion from behind draws her attention. She glances back to see that not only was her fighter just turned into scrap metal, but also, Anakin's fighter is billowing smoke and is about to crash into the sand.

"Anakin, are you alright? What happened?" she demands into her wrist comm.

"I'm fine," he reassures her happily. "It looks like this landing is going to be a little rough."

"Crashes are rough, landings are not," she objects, as his fighter streaks to the ground. She winces internally. That's going to hurt.

"Then it's a crash landing," Anakin decides.

Ahsoka watches, practically holding her breath as the fighter carenes down towards a giant sand dune up ahead. Before she can really begin to panic though, Anakin's dark-robed figure leaps out of the fighter while it's still crashing - Artoo flying out after him - landing gracefully in the sand while his fighter explodes into a ball of flames behind him. He's grinning a bit cockily as he walks up to her.

She considers scolding him for his recklessness but thinks better of it, simply shaking her head and sighing. "Come on," she says wearily, as they begin their long trudge towards Jabba's palace. She can't quite stop it when her mind wanders to the planet itself, and what it means to her.

Why does it seem like no matter what, she always ends up back here on Tatooine? The place where she lost everything. Her mother's face right before she died flashes through her mind briefly, along with memories of all the other friends she lost over the years, whether by being sold or otherwise disposed of by their masters. And it's also the place that reminds her of why she has so many questions about the Jedi, especially now that they got involved in a war when they're supposed to be peacekeepers.

The sun is beating down oppressively on her already, and she's only been out here for a few minutes. She's not used to the heat anymore. They need to get going.

"We're going to have to move quickly if we're gonna reach Jabba's palace in time," Ahsoka murmurs as they start off across the sand.

"Is there anything to see from here to there beyond just sand?" asks Anakin a short time later.

"Mmhmm. That's all there is to see on the whole planet," she informs him flatly.

"Well, doesn't sound too bad."

"You see that skelton there?" she replies, pointing at the tall bones protruding from the sand off to the side. They're from an especially enormous krayt dragon, from the looks of it.

"... Yeah?" he answers uncertainty.

"It was blasted bone dry in a sandstorm."

"Okay, don't tell me anymore!" He sounds vaguely horrified, much to her amusement. Things like that are so common here that she doesn't find anything remotely bad about it the same way everyone else seems to.

"I won't," Ahsoka concedes, "If you don't ask me anymore."

She feels more than sees Anakin making a face next to her, but he nods anyways. "Deal."

Neither of them speaks as they continue walking, the suns slowly setting behind them. They, thankfully, arrive without any further delays and meet no more resistance, which Ahsoka might find odd if not for the fact that she knows the Separatist forces are tied up in space. After returning Rotta, Padme contacts Jabba to speak with him and conclude the negotiations. It makes Ahsoka sick to see, because she knows that no matter how necessary it may be, the Republic is doing the wrong thing by dealing with slavers.

She's never been so grateful to see Yoda before when he and Obi-Wan arrive, thereby allowing them to depart from Tatooine. If the Force has any care for her at all, it will ensure she never comes back to this place. She can only hope. Of all the planets in the galaxy, Tatooine is the worst. And that reminds her, she probably ought to pay a visit to the Chancellor in the near future and speak with him about the Republic's deal with the Hutts. Perhaps there's nothing he can do about it, but it would do her some good to express her views to someone who is willing to listen.

**w**

Now that the mission is over, Anakin isn't sure what's going to happen to him. Ahsoka neither confirmed nor denied if she wants to take him as a padawan, and he doesn't know if Obi-Wan will be any more willing. He thinks he's proved himself by now in the battle on Teth and Tatooine that he can handle himself, but did he do something wrong? Was he maybe not fast enough or too careless?

They're returning to Coruscant, and he's in his guest cabin in the cruiser, hoping that he'll get an answer about his status before too long. Suddenly, the door opens, and Anakin looks up to see Obi-Wan in the doorway. After a pause, the Jedi Master steps inside, letting the door close behind him. Much as he tries to control his apprehension, Anakin feels his heart rate pick up, and his fingers clench on the edge of the bunk on which he's sitting.

"Master Kenobi," he greets him, bowing his head.

"I spoke to Ahsoka," Obi-Wan tells him, "And she does not believe that she's capable of teaching you. She suggested that I take you as my Padawan, and I have decided to take her suggestion." Anakin feels as if he's frozen to the spot, completely unable to move or even breathe as Obi-Wan gives him a small, gentle smile and continues. "I am asking you, Anakin Skywalker, to be my Padawan. Will you accept?"

For a moment, all he can do is stare, because his dreams are finally coming true. He's only ever wanted to be a Jedi, and now... "Yes," he blurts out, nodding. "Yes, I want to be your Padawan."

Obi-Wan gives him another smile. "Then it is decided. When we return to Coruscant, you can move into my apartment."

Anakin smiles shyly at him, his grin turning mischievous as he wonders how Obi-Wan will react to his numerous... possessions.

**w**

"Okay, I'm all done here," Ahsoka announces, stepping out of her former bedroom, the bedroom she used when she was still Obi-Wan's padawan, with the last of her belongings. Right on cue, the apartment door slides open, and Anakin walks into the room, a large bag of clothes, presumably, slung over his shoulder while he's holding an open box in his arms, a variety of tools and Force-knows-what poking out. There's a closed crate floating behind him, and he's obviously using the Force to keep it afloat.

What?! "Are those seriously droid parts?" asks Obi-Wan dubiously.

"Yep!" he answers cheerfully.

"No! Be careful, Ay-Seven!" cries a droid's voice. "Don't drop it!"

Obi-Wan suddenly has a bad feeling about this. He watches warily as Anakin fully steps into the room, and two protocol droids follow him in, carrying another closed crate filled with unknown materials.

"I am a protocol spy bodyguard droid! I do not drop things!" protests the dark gray droid angrily.

"Wait a minute," Ahsoka frowns, "Is that seriously the droid you picked up from Teth?"

"Yes," he confirms with a grin, "I reprogrammed it so it's as good as new. Won't be doing any more spying for the clankers."

Anakin passes them, disappearing into the bedroom to set the crate down, and the two protocol droids follow. There's a sudden crash, and Obi-Wan warily looks around the corner to see the crate on the floor between the two droids.

"Ouch! You just dented my foot!" exclaims the golden protocol droid.

"You dropped in on your own foot," Ay-Seven - he thinks - argues.

"Now don't you go blaming me!" he huffs.

"Threepio, it's alright," Anakin interrupts, using the Force to put the crate he's levitating on the first one which is on the floor. He reaches over to pat the droid on the shoulder, and Obi-Wan continues gaping at the scene in front of him, well aware of Ahsoka peeking around the corner as well. "I'll look at it later, okay?"

"Thank you, Master Anakin," cries Threepio with obvious delight.

What has Obi-Wan gotten himself into? Anakin turns to look at them, before looking back at his droids - Obi-Wan doesn't even know how he's allowed to keep them, given that Jedi aren't supposed to have possessions, much less this many. He decides that it's something he'll have to address later. "Threepio, Ay-Seven, these are Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano, okay? You'll probably be seeing both of them around here quite often."

"It is such a pleasure to meet you," declares the golden protocol droid. "I am See-Threepio, human-cyborg relations. I am fluent in over six million forms of communication."

Ahsoka hums with surprise behind him as the other droid speaks up. "I am Four-Ay-Seven, protocol, spy, and bodyguard droid, at your service."

Artoo rolls into the room, bumping into Obi-Wan's legs as he goes. He just barely refrains from making a snarky comment about the droid as it beeps and whistles. "Oh my! How rude!" cries Threepio. "What do you mean his photoreceptors are too big, and he's ugly?!"

Anakin erupts into laughter. "I'll let you settle this," he informs the droids as he makes his way out of the room, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka going with him. "I have other matters to attend to, right, Master?" He looks up at Obi-Wan, smirking.

"Yes," Obi-Wan concedes, "You do." They leave the droids to argue in peace.

**w**

Kitster is far from happy with the current state of the galaxy. Nor does he like that his best friend is on the battlefield. Yes, it's technically her job, but that doesn't mean he has to be happy about it. She wasn't trained for this. All out war and literally leading an army like this are different than the negotiations missions that she's usually sent on, at least they're primarily negotiation, from what she's told him. Really, she's only twenty. She shouldn't have to deal with being a general already at that age.

"We probably have until Padme gets back from that meeting at the Senate," Ahsoka remarks, giving him a small smile in greeting. They haven't seen each other since she left for Christophsis nearly a month ago.

"How have you been?" he asks as they sit down on a couch in Padme's living room.

She exhales, sounding exhausted. "More or less fine, or at least about as fine as I can be now."

"I still can't believe they made you a general," he scowls.

"They needed all the Jedi they can get," she replies with a slight shrug, though her tone and posture clearly indicate she's not terribly happy about it, either.

"You were trained as peacekeepers, not warriors." He shakes his head with a sigh. "But you're still doing better than a lot of the others, from what I've seen."

Ahsoka nods. "I guess I am. With everything on Tatooine, I suppose I have more experience with some things than the other Jedi." Yes, he can imagine what kind of experiences she's talking about, like always being forced to know the right, rational decision to make and always knowing where to run if you have to. The fact that she had to learn all of that when she was so little still infuriates him, even if he learned similar things from Tatooine. That doesn't make it any better that Ahsoka had to.

"What about you?" the Togruta queries after a moment, breaking him out of his train of thoughts, "Has Padme nearly gotten herself killed a million times yet?"

Kitster huffs in frustration. "Well, excluding the time where she took off by herself to talk to Ziro the Hutt and didn't tell me a word about it until afterwards, and then claimed it was because I would refuse to let her go, no, there haven't been any very recent assassination attempts."

Ahsoka rolls her eyes with fond exasperation. "Yeah, I think I should have a few words with her about that."

"All she'll say is that it was a necessary risk to ensure the safety of the galaxy and Republic. Don't even waste your time," Kitster advises her dryly. He already had a very long talk with Padme about doing things like that, and it didn't get him anywhere. She's far too stubborn to listen to him, or anyone for that matter.

"Well, I'll do it anyway," Ahsoka replies firmly.

"Good luck with that." Though to be fair, Padme will probably take the word of a friend more seriously than that of a sibling, even as much as it irks him to admit that.

"I will," Ahsoka repeats. "I'm not going to let us both lose another friend."

Finally, the door opens, and Padme steps into the room. "Ahsoka!" she exclaims, startled.

"Hey, Padme!" Ahsoka greets happily, and they hug each other.

"It's so good to see you again," Padme tells her warmly.

"I can say the same," Ahsoka assures her, pausing as she raises an eyemarking. "Though I'd still like to know what you were thinking when you ran off to confront a Hutt all by yourself." Kitster hides a smile. This will be entertaining.

"Someone had to find out who was really behind the kidnapping of Jabba's son," Padme objects, "It's not as though someone else was offering."

"Well did you ever perhaps consider taking some security with you? Or Kitster?"

"It was just supposed to be a negotiation, nothing dangerous," insists his adopted sister. He tries very hard not to snort audibly.

"Did you ever at least contemplate telling someone where you were going?" Ahsoka retorts.

"There wasn't time," Padme argues.

"Really. And what if you hadn't managed to contact your security when you did?"

Padme's sigh is so irritated that Kitster snickers. He can't help it. The only people who knock at least a tiny bit of sense into his crazy older sister's head are her other sisters. Sola can drive her insane like no one else, and some of the handmaids, mainly Sabe, can lecture her enough to at least get a point across temporarily even if she never really listens to them or their advice. Either way, watching someone scolding Padme is comical to watch.

Padme and Ahsoka are almost like sisters themselves, and he finds himself wondering if the Togruta actually thinks of her that way yet or not. Regardless, he's glad that Ahsoka seems to have finally found a semblance of a family again with him and Padme, something she never seemed to have truly found with the Jedi, even after being with them for ten years. Yes, she does really care about Obi-Wan, and she does have a few friends at the Temple, at least, but she never seems capable of completely letting loose unless she's with him or Padme. It's something they can give her, and for that, he's grateful.