Padawan Lost ~ AU (1st Installment of the Padawan Series)

Chapter 10

When Master Skywalker and I arrived back in the hut, Ahsoka was awake, and Master was handing her a cup of water from a pot brewing nearby.

                "Master Skywalker," Ahsoka said to Anakin and then looked at me, "Padawan," I nodded in response and sat next to her.

                "How do you feel?" I asked gently.

                "Better," She said, taking a sip of the water Master had handed her.

                "Um, Master Skywalker, Master Kenobi, could I talk with Ahsoka," Both nodded their heads, "alone." Master Kenobi mouthed 'oh' and walked out of the hut, Anakin reluctantly followed.

                I smiled at Ahsoka when we were alone. "I'm sorry; I should have come up with a better plan that didn't have such negative consequences."

                She smiled. "Master Kenobi is rubbing off on you. Maybe you should spend more time with Anakin." We both laughed. "Seriously though, I'm fine. I've dealt with worse."

                "I know," I said quickly. She pursed her lips.

                Outside, Togruta children were screaming and laughing, playing with the left over droid parts from the battle. We both laughed at that.

                "Maybe we could go for a walk to somewhere quieter?" I asked. She nodded and I helped her up. We walked outside of the hut and sunshine filled our eyes and I shivered, my cold skin being replenished with warmth.

                I led Ahsoka to a space far away from the laughter of children. It was a rock enclosed space, a garden of sorts with moss growing on the trees and flowers budding and sprouting.

                "It's amazing our garden wasn't destroyed in the last droid attack." I nodded.

                "It is beautiful here. It takes my mind away from the negative in the galaxy." She pursed her lips.

                "I know you didn't ask permission to talk to me about gardens. What is it?" I inhaled deeply and sat on a little stone bench under the shade of a cherry blossom tree. It reminded me of the Jedi Temple courtyard where my little sister and her fellow younglings were training.

                "I have a question. Please hear me out." She nodded. "Will you come back to the Jedi Temple and reinstate yourself back into the Order?"

                "No," She said lightly. "I'm sorry, I can't." She began to walk away, out of the garden but I walked after her.

                "Why? Are you scared or something? Jedi are family, you're abandoning your family!"

                "No, I'm not. The Togrutas are my family. I'm staying here, with my tribe to protect them. Who will if I don't? Surely not your little Republic...they haven't sent clones or supplies in years! The Republic abandoned us. Watch, that's what they will do to you."

                "You're truly selfish. Have you learned anything from being a Padawan?"

                "Yes, I learned from Master Skywalker that the unconventional way is sometimes the best way. Do not ask me again to come back. I won't."