A returning Echo

Chapter Twenty Five

"Until the end of training today. So I suggest you get busy," you said, motioning to the shelves. The younglings groaned again and set to work. They were slow in the beginning, most of them not wanting to do this, but eventually they fell into a rhythm.

While you watched over them, Obi Wan ended up wandering in, and you decided to talk with him. He informed you of the current events of the war, and where Anakin had taken the 501st. He also let you know that they had been successful and were on their way back now, and that made you eager to see Echo.

"They should be back any minute now actually," Obi Wan said, stroking his beard.

"Perfect! It's actually time to wrap up today's training, so I can go meet them."

"Be careful, y/n," Obi Wan said, lightly grabbing your arm. "The council isn't blind, and you know what can happen."

"Nothing will happen, Obi Wan," you said, meeting his gaze with your own serious one. He gave you a questioning look before letting go of your arm.

"I'm only trying to help," he said before stepping away and leaving.

"And I'm only trying to live how I believe is right," you said to him, though he was too far to hear. You turned back and went to the younglings, and found them just finishing the last of the sections you had planned to organize today.

"Good job," you said, looking over their work. "Now, I know these will inevitably be all messed up again in a day or two, but know that your work is building towards something."

"Patience!" Ringo said excitedly before clapping a hand over his mouth. "Sorry, Master Jinn."

"It's fine," you laughed out, "just remember next time not to burst out like that." He nodded and removed his hand, revealing a wide grin.

"Can we go now?" Tayah asked, and you could sense her annoyance.

"The others may, but you, Tayah, I want to talk to you for a second." She groaned in response, and watched as the others wandered out. You motioned for her to follow and led her over to a table. She climbed into the chair across from you and folded her arms across the table, resting her chin on top.

"Tayah, what's wrong? And I want the truth, okay?"

"Nothing," she said, turning away from you. "Nothing I want to tell Master Jinn." You internally sighed, knowing that this was hard for her. You wanted to help, you wanted to give her the love you've always given her, but you couldn't. She needed to grow and learn, without relying on your attachment.

"Tayah, please-"

"No. Only aunty y/n can know."

"Very well," you said, sitting back in your seat in defeat. "You may go." Tayah snapped her head towards you, looking at you with slight shock, as if she couldn't believe that you weren't going to fight to know. Her mouth was slightly open and tears suddenly built up in her eyes. She set her face in a frown before pushing her chair back and running from the room.

After she left, you leaned forwards and rested your elbows on the table, your face in your hands. You hated this, every bit of it. You should have never brought them here, because if you hadn't, you wouldn't be hurting her right now. You wouldn't be pushing her away. You'd be playing in the palace garden with her, making cookies and watching holovideos snuggled up on the couch.

"I'm sorry, Tayah. I really, truly am." The words were spoken so softly that not even you heard yourself. You weren't even sure you had actually said them, or if you had just mouthed them. Composing yourself, you stood up and left the room, heading to the hangar to fly over to the barracks.