Chapter 48 - Return

Author's Note: *cackles evilly*

Thank you, loldelegate! :)

~ Amina Gila

"We must act," Maul states firmly, pacing back and forth in the front of his brothers, "We have hidden long enough."

Savage and Feral needed more training after finding him, and so he gave them that, while they waited until the time was right. But they have waited and hidden long enough.

"Dooku will pay for his treachery," Savage asserts, determinedly. He's still angry over the Count's betrayal, and so is Maul, after hearing about it. He will not let someone treat his brother that way, not after Savage gave him loyalty the same way Maul once had Sidious. Sidious was the only life he knew, but then his master cast him aside when he was no longer useful.

"Yes, we shall start there," Maul agrees, "And then we shall go after Kenobi." He will get the revenge he deserves, for what that Jedi did to him.

"Revealing our presences to the Jedi and the Sith is going to be dangerous," Feral reminds, a little more subdued. He's always been the most cautious, but then again, he's not a Sith. The only thing he knows of the Dark Side is what Savage and Maul have taught him since they went back to Dathomir to get him.

Maul remembers Feral faintly, from his time on Dathomir before Sidious had taken him. They're all finally reunited again, though there is still much neither of his brothers know about the ways of the Sith. But he will teach them. "We have prepared for that. They will not be able to find us, unless we want them to. And we do," Maul replies. Or at least they want Kenobi, and he knows that the Jedi will come looking for him, the moment he knows he's still alive.

"Dooku will not see this coming," Savage agrees. "After so long, he will not expect my return."

Feral still looks reluctant, but he nods. "Then we should hurry, brother, before Dooku leaves his position. It will be easiest there."

"Of course," Maul agrees, a sudden sense of dark glee rising inside him. He has waited for this for... years. "And after... we will find Kenobi. At last, I will have revenge."

It had been easier than he anticipated, truly, to find more about the Jedi who left him for dead on Naboo, who he lost to, thereby losing his rights as the Sith apprentice, and the only life he ever had. And it will be easy. He already knows exactly which angle to come at. Kenobi would not be hurt worst by coming after him, no, even if Maul intends to do so eventually anyway. It would only be by someone... close to him.

**w**

Something was shifting, changing, in the Force, and Sidious couldn't pinpoint what it was. But it was something unexpected, and he could only wait for it to show itself. But he never expected to feel his bond with Dooku suddenly shatter.

The Count... is dead.

He's dead, and Sidious does not know how that could have happened. Yes, sometimes Dooku fights on missions, but he was skilled. There was no Jedi powerful enough to defeat him, or at least there should not have been. If he was this incapable of defending himself against the Jedi, he deserved his fate – but it's coming at the expense of nearly all of Sidious' plans, because if Dooku is dead, it throws a hitch into everything.

Of course, Sidious already planned for circumstances where this happened but that does not mean it was the ideal solution. He had planned for Tano, or perhaps Anakin, to kill him, but he will have to make do with this turn of events, as he always does. As soon as he has the chance, he contacts Komari.

"Yes, my lord?" the hooded figure asks.

"Your old master is dead," Sidious tells her, "You have felt it, have you not?"

"I have, Master," she confirms, "It was unexpected."

"This was not the plan, but without Dooku, you must seize control of the Separatists before someone else makes the move."

She nods. "It will be done, my lord, but... I question how willing they will be to have a ruler whom they do not know."

"You must prove to them that you are a strong leader," he replies, shortly. How, he will let her consider, if she is actually worthy of this position. It will have to be something extreme and daring against the Republic, and... another thought occurs to him in that regard, but he will address that later. Taking actions such as... that was already part of his plan. Things are drawing to a close, and while he could ideally drag them out longer, there is no necessary reason to do so. But only time will tell. "Is there any report on who is responsible for Dooku's death?"

"Lightsaber marks were found at the spot, but when I went there, I only sensed... the Dark Side," she replies, "The Separatists believe it was the Jedi, but none were reported in the area."

Interesting. Very interesting indeed.

As unexpected as it is, Sidious cannot help but suspect that he already knows what happened. "Let them believe the Jedi did it. This will only fuel them against the Republic," he replies, breaking the connection.

There is much to be done.

**w**

What happened on Zygerria is... not exactly what any on the Council had in mind, when Obi-Wan finishes giving the report. He doesn't know what to think of what happened there himself. The Zygerrians were hardly undeserving of it, but what happened was not the Jedi way. It disturbs him more how much Ahsoka seemed to enjoy it. Even if the incident itself was arguably fine – that in and of itself is questionable – it's a question of where it will lead next.

More and more, he can see how Ahsoka is... falling. From the Code, from the Council, from the very Jedi way of life. She should have, at least, remained his padawan for longer. At least she never accepted Anakin as her padawan. He doesn't want to know what his now padawan would be like, would be going through, if that had happened.

If nothing else, at least the people of Kiros were saved, and... It may have his own padawan feel better over what happened in his childhood.

It's was very unexpected to meet Anakin's mother like that. It was... interesting to meet the other person who helped raise Anakin, to make him the person he is now, even if he hardly remembers her.

Obi-Wan heads into his room on the cruiser for the night, stopping at short at the sight of none other than his padawan curled up in Obi-Wan's bed. He hastily sits up as the door opens.

"Anakin?" Obi-Wan asks, surprised and confused.

They sleep side-by-side often enough, on the battlefield, but not... like this. "Hey, Master." He looks almost sheepish now. "Can I... stay in here?"

"If you want," he concedes, still more than a little taken by surprise, crossing the room to sit on the edge of the bed. Perhaps he shouldn't encourage what he knows is between them, but right now, he can't bring himself to say no.

Anakin shifts slightly closer, crossing his arms and looking down. He looks so young somehow, and so worn out.

"Are you alright?" Obi-Wan asks, eyeing him.

"Being on Zygerria, I remembered more than I thought I would," Anakin replies, quietly.

Oh. What it is he's remembering, Obi-Wan doesn't think he wants to know. "You can speak of it, if you desire," Obi-Wan offers. He doesn't know if Anakin will really want to, but he's admittedly... curious to know, as much as he's not sure if he really wants details. At all.

Maybe it could help him to understand more of Ahsoka too – she's never really spoken of her past either.

"My Mom and I... we belonged to the queen," Anakin says, quietly, fingers twisting in his robes.

Obi-Wan's heart clenches, and suddenly, he's almost glad he got to watch as Ahsoka blew that palace to nothing. He can't help but remember Anakin's very obviously... bad reaction, when the hologram of Miraj had appeared. She's dead now, and he... definitely does not feel bad about that. Obi-Wan genuinely doesn't know what to say to that admission. What could he say? He reaches out, lightly squeezing his padawan's shoulder.

Though he's totally caught off-guard when Anakin suddenly leans closer, dropping his head onto his shoulder. It's not that they haven't been physically affectionate with each other in the past. It's just that it's rare, very rare, because it's not something Jedi encourage.

"I used the Force sometimes when I was little," Anakin continues, after a moment, "But Mom tried to make me suppress it so... worse things wouldn't happen."

"... worse things?" Obi-Wan repeats, though he doesn't know if he wants the answer. He can only be grateful Anakin got out of this place when he was still young – not that he should've had to endure any of it in the first place.

"I don't know, but we could've been separated, or... Force-sensitives were extra valuable." He shifts a little closer. "Mom always encouraged me to work with droids, so they would... see my skills in that area, instead of... what most of the slaves in that part of the palace would be used for."

Used for.

A tight knot of horror and anger twists inside of him, because somehow, he has the distinct feeling he knows just what kind of... use Anakin's referring to.

"I didn't understand then, but it was... a feeling," he adds. "That's why I always tinkered with droids. It was... easier that way. Except sometimes when I... broke something. The queen was furious."

"You were five," Obi-Wan says, flatly.

Anakin shakes his head. "Two or three, I think. And it does not matter. The penalty for any property damage in the palace is a whipping."

To say that he's horrified would be an understatement of the emotions strangling him. It's horrifying, and somehow, so much about Anakin makes sense now. He's so... quiet and good at disappearing. But it almost makes Obi-Wan wish he didn't know, because he's known Anakin for years and never would he have guessed what his padawan saw and lived through as a child.

"We should not have to remain here much longer," Obi-Wan assures.

Anakin shifts. "It is fine. At least... the others here are free now. There were many who had it worse than I did."

"I know Ahsoka has wanted to free slaves for a long time. She once mentioned wanting to return to Tatooine to do it," Obi-Wan comments because he frankly just... doesn't know what to say to his padawan about this. He's never known a life beyond the Temple. That's not true for either of the children he's raised. Perhaps that's part of what's made understanding them so hard.

"I would... like to, if we – could, eventually. But there would be more challenging."

"Aside from that we do not have resources and Ahsoka's means are still questionable," Obi-Wan replies flatly, "Why?"

"On Zygerria, everyone knows who the slaves are. She mentioned it wasn't that way on Tatooine. It was... less known, there," Anakin replies.

Obi-Wan never considered that. Then again, he doesn't know much about any of this. "Perhaps, in time, when the war is over we may be able to take action," Obi-Wan says finally. Even if he doesn't know that they really could, anymore than they could before the war broke out. "You should rest."

Anakin pulls back then, sitting up. "Here?" he asks again, hopefully.

"If you desire. It is late."

Anakin curls up in bed next to him, and Obi-Wan can't deny the warmth and protectiveness that flood him, having his padawan so close – even if he really should not be so attached to him. But for now... he'll let him have this, if for nothing else than to keep him calm.

He gets the feeling the boy would not be sleeping at all if he were alone.

Obi-Wan's mildly surprised when he does fall asleep so quickly; he can't find rest nearly that easily himself. There's still much on his mind, even beyond the Zygerrian campaign.

He doesn't know when, but he must've fallen asleep eventually, because he awakens at the slight twinge in the Force and when Anakin's arm bumps into him. The boy is moving restlessly, likely having a nightmare of... something. He doesn't want to know of what.

Obi-Wan reaches out with the Force, sending him a calming wave while trying not to disturb him. Through their bond, he picks up a brief flash of something – it's too fast and unclear to be anything specific, but the sight of an angry Zygerrian towering over what must be a very young Anakin, says more than enough.

Anger coils through him sharply, and he reaches out in spite of himself, lightly touching the boy's forehead. Something about the touch seems to calm him instantly, and Anakin stills again, expression calming.

Obi-Wan watches him for a few long moments before laying back down, himself.

Somehow, he is not even surprised when he awakens in the morning to Anakin's arm flung over him, his head pressed against Obi-Wan's shoulder. "Anakin?" he asks, with a touch of mild amusement.

The boy shifts, hastily blinking himself awake – it's rare that he's up after Obi-Wan. "Master?" he asks, disentangling them, albeit with a little reluctance.

"Did you sleep alright?" he asks. Presumably, the answer is in the positive, since he wasn't disturbed again during the night.

"Yeah," Anakin assures, giving him a small smile – something about that smile always melts something in him.

Obi-Wan can't say what it is about that moment, that makes him wonder what he would do if he couldn't always have his padawan at his side. And he needs to stop thinking like that, because they are Jedi first and foremost. He knows how dangerous attachments of this level are. Recently, he's been... indulging in that far more than he should be. (Maybe because it still feels as though he's lost Ahsoka, even if she's right there.) But either way, it's something he needs to keep in mind more in the future.

**w**

Ahsoka gets the news right away, even on Zygerria. Everyone is talking about it. Dooku is... gone. Dead. People are blaming the Jedi for it, but Obi-Wan already told her that the Jedi are by no means responsible for it. If they were, they were rogue Jedi that the Council were not involved with whatsoever.

Once, she might have been upset, but she did hope that somehow, she would find a faster way of bringing the war to an end. She nearly did, but it wasn't enough. It keeps being interrupted, and all that could be done is continuing to try.

But now?

Now, Ahsoka doesn't care for that. Yes, she wants to bring peace, but the more she sees of Zygerria, the more certain she is that peace can only be restored through stamping out the Separatist leadership that was willing to stand for this, and any others who continue fighting. The Separatist public may not know the truth, but their leadership most certainly does. And Ahsoka is nothing if she doesn't do what needs to be done, what no one else is willing to do.

What the Jedi Council is too scared to do. So much for being peacekeepers.

But here on Zygerria is... it reminds her of her past, of things she doesn't want to think about. It makes her think of Sharlan, of her mother. Sometimes, Ahsoka can still see and feel her mother's dead body. She was murdered, ruthlessly, the way so many slaves are. She's gone now, and nothing will ever bring her back. She was... the only person Ahsoka thinks she truly loved, that Ahsoka would do anything for. She cares for Kitster, and for Anakin, but that's... different. It's different for Rex, too. Ahsoka is free. She doesn't have to serve people, and she knows not to get attachments to others.

"If I knew you were here, I would have come sooner," Ahsoka tells Shmi, and she means it. She would have. Even if... she can never get her mother back, at least she can get Anakin's. It's not much, but it soothes something inside her, even if it hurts to see them interact. Even if it reminds her of things she's long forgotten.

"Thank you for coming, either way," she replies, "We have been waiting a long time."

"Well," Ahsoka tells her, and she can't help feeling smug about it. She doesn't feel bad about feeling smug about it, either, especially not after realizing Anakin grew up in this place. "We won't have to worry about Zygerria again any time soon. They won't be hurting anyone else unless they want the Republic back here."

She can't read the look on Shmi's face, but for some reason, she seems almost... upset? Unhappy, perhaps. "Yes," she agrees, "We are free, but there were Zygerrians here, even if they were only a very small minority, who did not agree with slavery."

"Then they should have stepped up and said something about it," Ahsoka replies dismissively. She didn't... know that, no, but they would've been dealt with fairly if they were willing to put down their weapons.

"The government would have had them executed," she replies.

Ahsoka sighs. "It's easy to see where Anakin got his heart from." That is one thing that had never made sense to her, because she only survived slavery through... hardening. Anakin, it seems, had gone the complete opposite. He's quiet, submissive, and she had found it annoying, though now it... does make a small amount of sense. That, too, Ahsoka thinks Anakin got from his mother.

She smiles faintly. "How was he?" she inquires, "I know the Jedi would take care of him, but to him, most places are better than here."

How Shmi couldn't want to see this place destroyed, Ahsoka has no idea. She would really like to see the entire planet as nothing but smoking remains, but she can't do that. It would have no purpose, and it would look bad on the Republic. "I never knew him until the war started," Ahsoka answers, "The Council wanted me to train him. I turned them down, and he went to Obi-Wan instead." She's glad though, really. She doesn't have time to spend on a padawan. If she had to train him, it would've taken off the time she needs to do everything else she is to end the war.

But... somehow, she wonders if she had taken Anakin, what it would've changed. If anyone would be more willing to accept her, but it doesn't matter. She's a Jedi. Her duty is what's important.

**w**

Despite that they've been together this entire time, Ahsoka hasn't had time alone with Kitster. He's here, and he is technically now part of the military thanks to what Palpatine was able to pull, but they've been busy. They've had more important things to deal with. Namely, freeing everyone on Zygerria. This mission is dragging on, but she expected that.

"I never expected we'd be able to pull off an operation this major," Kitster comments, as he and Ahsoka move through the streets of one of the more remote areas.

She'd only blown up all the major cities, leaving the rest of the population alone, after they took the slaves out. It's unlikely they'll ever be able to rebuild their planet to its former status, though, and the Republic will be staying here for a short time in case they try anything. Frankly, she thinks it's perfectly fitting. "I didn't either," she replies, "Perhaps I should have pushed for you to be made a separate part of the 501st a long time ago."

"Maybe," Kitster agrees, "Though I question how much the Republic will be willing to spend resources on operations this massive in the future."

"That's why we need to be... either more self-sustainable, or have a government that's actually willing to take action in these situations," Ahsoka responds. And clearly, Dooku was not. She almost wishes she could have some words with him, for what he's done. Perhaps it's better if he's gone, though. Maybe it will give the Republic an opportunity to defeat the Separatists sooner, and then she can allot all of her resources for things like this.

"Yes," he agrees, "I'm working on it, but especially with the war going on, it's... difficult to find supplies of any kind."

"Then I suppose we'll have to focus on ending it," she replies. Something about this makes her feel far more... motivated for that, though. Perhaps it's knowing what she'll turn her attention to, next.

"Do you really think... once all this fighting is done, anyone in the Republic Senate will want to start more hostilities?" Kitster asks, uncertainly. She can see the hope in his dark eyes, though, the same hope that she shares.

"We'll find a way, whatever it takes," she vows, firmly. She will not stop until the whole galaxy is free from people like this. Whatever that will take. And doing this, it makes her feel... whole again, in a way Ahsoka never knew she missed or needed, but it gives her hope. Hope for something... better. Maybe not until the war is over, but she thinks she can see a better future for the galaxy. For everyone.

And maybe... then her and Kit will finally be able to figure out where they stand with each other.

**w**

"This should be over soon," Ahsoka comments. It's been awhile since she actually had time alone with Anakin – he was focusing more on the evacuation, while she fought the battle.

"What will happen to everyone we've freed?" Anakin asks. "They don't have anywhere to go, and there are already so many war refugees, I don't know anyone who would be willing to take them."

Ahsoka has thought about that, too, though her greater concern and main focus was on the battle, not what would happen after. "They'll be treated as war refugees," she replies, "I'm sure Naboo will help settle some down."

"Do you think we could ask Senator Amidala if she could get my mother settled in somewhere?" Anakin asks, slightly sheepishly, "I know there's going to be many complications, but..."

"We can ask," Ahsoka assures, "We can talk to her as soon as this is over." Anakin is right that this will be hard though. Because these are slaves, rather than displaced persons, they have absolutely no record of birth, or citizenship, or... anything. The Jedi Council had worked that out with Ahsoka, and they must've done the same for Anakin, but that was different, because they both became Jedi. None of these people have that privilege. They're not considered important, the same way Ahsoka herself once wasn't.

Anakin nods, almost shyly. "Thank you for... helping her."

"Of course," Ahsoka replies, blinking in slight surprise, "We're only doing what the Jedi should have done long ago." And now that she thinks about it, she hasn't thought much of how he's likely feeling, being back on Zygerria. Though she would have thought seeing the entire place burned to the ground would've helped. "How are you?" she asks, after a pause, "It wasn't... easy for me to go back to Tatooine either."

"I am fine," he assures, quietly, "Had I not, I may never have seen my mother again."

Ahsoka can't deny the sharp pang that runs through her, because if she had been able to go back so long ago, her own mother wouldn't have died. (She still wonders, though she really doesn't want to know who her father was. Seeing where Anakin is from, though, she can't help but wonder if the same is true for him.) "Yes," she agrees, as evenly as she can, "Many would not have been that foruante."

There's a flicker of... something, in Anakin's eyes. "Are you alright?" he asks, "I know you never want to speak of your past. I know why."

"I never knew my father," Ahsoka explains finally. She's not totally sure why she's even talking about this. This isn't something she's spoken of since she was very young. Only Obi-Wan and Palpatine know about it, and Kitster, of course, because he grew up with her. "And my mother..." She trails off, sighing quietly and looking away. "It was before the war broke out," Ahsoka admits, unable to meet his gaze. Unable to look him in the eye as she tells him that she failed her mother when she was able to help Anakin's. "I came back, but it was... too late."

She senses his flare of horror in the Force, and she doesn't need to be looking at him to see how his eyes widen. "I'm sorry."

Silence settles over them for a few moments before Anakin moves closer, hesitantly laying his hand on her arm. "I – I wondered, what drives you. I guess I can understand now."

"At least she was freed," Ahsoka continues quietly, "I should've been the one to do it, though. I should have freed her after everything she did for me." Sometimes, Ahsoka still wishes she had chosen to free her mother and herself with the gem she found. Sometimes, she wishes she hadn't chosen to help the Jedi, but... but wishing and longing will never change what happened.

"I understand," Anakin tells her, softly, "It didn't make sense before, but now... I know why you're always so..."

"Ruthless?" Ahsoka asks.

"I was going to say desperate."

She glances at him, raising an eye-marking. "That's an... odd choice of words."

"No, it's not. I understand that, because I'm the exact same way. I want to stop... all of this. To keep anyone from being hurt like I was. I just... don't want to do that by hurting anyone."

"Even if they deserve it?"

"We can't always decide what people deserve, Ahsoka."

She knew that was coming. But after what Shmi said, she does at least somewhat understand where it's coming from. "The few for the many," she points out, "It's to protect the undeserving, those who can't defend themselves."

"I'm afraid of where the war is taking us," Anakin confesses, "I'm not sure how well the Republic was working before, and now, I – everything is falling. I can see it. I don't know how much longer it'll last."

Ahsoka sighs again. Maybe she does need to go back to the Temple, to Coruscant, and take some time away. Some time to just breathe, but the galaxy doesn't have that luxury. "That's why we have to keep fighting. That's the only way to make things better."

Anakin is studies her for a moment, and something about the intensity of his gaze is unusual. She's not sure she likes it. "You can't blame yourself, Ahsoka. I know you feel responsible, but you can't control everything."

For the first time, she's rendered speechless. Ahsoka has always been certain of what she's doing. She never questioned it, but now, for the first time in her life, she is. And she does not like it. "I have to try," she replies finally, "That's all anyone can do."

"But you don't have to do this to... matter. Everything with us has been... hard since Mortis, but I still care about you."

She doesn't like thinking of Mortis. She tried to hurt Anakin there, nearly could have, and she is... ashamed of it. It's one of the only things Ahsoka can truly say she regrets. "Thank you," she offers finally. She doesn't have anything else to say.

But Anakin is... somehow, starting to remind her of what she once was, when she was younger. Before... everything. Before her mother died. Not as though it matters, because what Ahsoka has become is something far deadlier, stronger, more powerful. What she is now is what the galaxy needs, even if that's not what they want.

**w**

Obi-Wan can't say why he's been unable to shake the feeling that something's wrong. Aside from Ahsoka's actions on Zygerria, things have seemed... better than normal, recently. Even if the war is getting worse, and they really need to be spending their resources elsewhere.

So, why can he not shake the feeling that something is about to go very wrong here? He doesn't know what it could be anyway, seeing that all major pockets of resistance have already been dealt with.

No, it's something... elsewhere, more elusive, more deadly.

Somehow, none of that prepares him for when he gets a call from a nearly-panicking Cody, reporting that Anakin disappeared. They can't tell what happened. It was too fast, but clearly intentional. Someone captured him and... Obi-Wan can sense traces of the Dark Side. The Sith, then.

Somehow, the Sith found Anakin. More importantly, they have Anakin, and Obi-Wan must find a way to get him back.

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