Heyo, human beings from outer space!
This is part two, requested by @AhsokaJedi and @Obi-Wan-Kendaddy.
Ugh, why do my tags never work?!
Anyways, I don't think there are any trigger warnings, so,
Read on if you dare.
Anakin let out a frustrated sigh as he stormed back to his and Ahsoka's quarters. He'd been unable to find the culprit of Ahsoka's injuries and fear. Anakin had spent hours viewing security camera footage and examining the archives' information. He still didn't find what he was looking for.
Upon arriving at his quarters, he palmed the door open, stumbled inside and slumped tiredly onto the couch next to Obi-Wan.
"So, how'd it go?" Obi-Wan asked, sounding almost mischievous.
"No luck," Anakin mumbled.
Now Obi-Wan sounded almost sarcastic. "They didn't have the special bacta cream?"
Oh, Kriff, the cover story.
"No one was there to help me," Anakin stammered. "I didn't know where to look and they normally bring it to the front for me."
"It took an awfully long time to find bacta cream, and there's always someone at the front," Obi-Wan noted. "Are you sure you–"
"This isn't about me. It's about Ahsoka," Anakin interrupted. "How is she?"
"She's asleep, and I've made sure nothing but peace touches her mind," Obi-Wan assured him. "Now, are you going to take over so I can get a bit of sleep tonight, or are you going to deprive me of not only the truth but sleep as well."
"I'm going to deprive you of sleep," Anakin mumbled, his face sinking into the couch cushion. "I need my sleep first."
"Why do I even try?" Obi-Wan grumbled and rolled his eyes, but Anakin was already asleep.
🪐🪐🪐
"I hate giving reports," Ahsoka murmured, stopping in front of the High Council Chambers.
"Don't worry, it'll be over before you know it," Anakin said, "and I'll be right there if you need anything."
"Yeah," Ahsoka breathed, straightening as the door slid open. She stalked to the middle of the circle and bowed respectfully. All the Council Members were present either in person or in holographic form except for Master Yoda, Masta Bilaba, and Master Ti.
Everything started out normally and smoothly. Ahsoka recalled the details of her mission at a steady speed.
Then her voice began shaking and she blanched as she drew out the events. She explained how she'd gone down an alleyway where a bunch of scruffy, drunken gang members camped out (as she'd been required to do). Out of nowhere, one of the gang members attacked her from behind.
He ended up unconscious on the ground.
More of the gang angrily tried to avenge the fallen member. With their brute strength, they held Ahsoka still long enough to begin injecting a glowing, blue substance into her neck. Ahsoka kicked them away before they finished. Her head began pounding and her vision blurred, but she managed to free herself after a sloppy fight.
Terrified and hurting, Ahsoka had run back to the Jedi Temple. Mind clouded from whatever drug entered her system and still traumatized from the encounter, Ahsoka hadn't gone to the healers or let Anakin touch her. She dressed her own injuries and went to bed.
Anakin's heart broke as he heard the story. How dare that gang so much as lay eyes on his little sister?
Anakin's mind was so preoccupied with the grief that he didn't realize the Council members were speaking to Ahsoka again until she shuffled uncomfortably and trembled even more violently. She obviously didn't like what they told her. Anakin started paying attention again.
"Since your mission was unsuccessful," Mace was saying, "You'll have to go again. Perhaps this time, you'll come out with at least a fraction of success."
Anakin's blood boiled.
"Wait a moment, Master Windu," Obi-Wan interjected. "The mission was not a success because of the dangers posed to someone such as Ahsoka. Perhaps we should send someone else?"
"I agree with Master Kenobi," Plo said.
"We need someone like Tano for this mission," Windu said. "Someone who can blend in and stand out enough at the same time and would not be suspected to be a Jedi."
"Then may I suggest at least sending Anakin with her?" Obi-Wan tried.
"Skywalker doesn't blend in and he's not very subtle. He could be easily identified as a Jedi." Mace shook his head.
Anakin wanted to smack Mace Windu. He wished that Obi-Wan could run things when Yoda wasn't there rather than him.
"I could accompany her," Plo volunteered. "I'm sure Kenobi would be willing to as well."
"Two Jedi would be too obvious," Mace argued.
"Send a clone commander or captain then," Plo suggested. "Captain Rex and Commander Wolf would both be delighted to join her. Either of them would work."
"This is a solo mission. This discussion is over. Tano must go alone," Mace said firmly.
The Council took a quick vote and the majority ruled for Mace's argument. What were the council members, heartless? Stupid? Arrogant? Insolent? Anakin could think of a thousand more adjectives to describe the Council, but he had more important things on his mind.
He couldn't just let Ahsoka go out there alone again. Surely she'd get hurt and it would further scar her. The poor girl might just crawl right out of her skin and never leave the Jedi Temple again. Or worse, she could be killed or kidnapped by a gang. She could become a slave or servant or a spectacle for a show or–
No. Anakin wouldn't let his mind race, because he wasn't going to let her go alone, no matter what the Council said. And the Council wouldn't know either.
He was going to follow Ahsoka.
🪐🪐🪐
Ahsoka hid the fact that she trembled violently under her long cloak and walked to the mouth of the dark alleyway she'd gone down the night before. Her stomach churned and her breaths came rapidly. This was her mission. She had to do it.
Ahsoka walked down the alley, making as little noise as possible. She'd made it almost halfway down the alley when she heard a cold, female voice.
"Hey, darling. Remember me?"
Ahsoka froze dead in her steps.
"Yeah, you do."
"Get away from me," Ahsoka hissed, even surprising herself at how dark it sounded.
"Aw, don't be like that." It was a male voice that time.
The Force sent a warning a moment too late and two men already jumped out to grab her. Ahsoka kicked one in the gut and went for the other's head. He fell back and didn't get up again.
More large figures leapt out from the shadows and snatched Ahsoka with their burly hands. Ahsoka fought against them desperately, but there were too many and they had much more size and strength than her.
The Council (Windu especially) had been very clear that she wasn't supposed to reveal her identity as a Jedi, but Ahsoka didn't think she had any other choice. Ahsoka summoned the Force, shoving the attackers back and tipping a stack of metal crates on them.
"Looks like we got ourselves a Jedi," one of them sneered. "Pin her down."
Ahsoka backed up, prepared to throw something at them again, but ended up with her back against the wall. Desperation sliced through her and she failed to notice the figures creeping up on her from either side. Her focus anchored on the one before her, she figured she could charge him and push him back with a solid blow to the stomach.
She pushed off the wall, but out of seemingly nowhere, two shadowy figures sprung at her and grabbed her by the arms, yanking her back and smashing her against the wall.
Kriffing Togruta headgear. Ahsoka's vision gave out and she felt like she was spinning, but she was still aware aside from that. She used the Force to guide her, kicking approaching figures. Then someone retrained her legs.
Ahsoka desperately tried to use the Force to tip something on them. Her vision faded into focus and she reached out an arm only to have it pushed back to the ground. She glanced aside to see a rough-looking woman with a syringe filled with the same blue, glowing liquid from the night before.
Ahsoka let out a blood-curdling scream. It was uncharacteristic for her, she liked to think of herself as resilient and brave, but now she just wanted someone to hear. Someone to help.
She felt the stab of a needle in her neck. Ahsoka tossed her head, trying to free herself from the syringe, but it only hurt more. Her limbs began feeling like lead and a blue haze filled her mind. Ahsoka's muscles relaxed.
She didn't know quite what happened next, but she heard some yelling, a sort of buzzing, and a few sharp cries, then felt gentle prodding at her.
Ahsoka fought for her awareness and tried to force her eyes open. Then she realized they already were open. Her vision returned.
The first thing she saw was the slightly blurry form of a man leaning over her. Her instincts somehow still sharp, Ahsoka gave him a swift, bone-breaking blow to the stomach. The man recoiled, groaned and dry heaved.
"Snips..." he gritted out, "it's me. Anakin."
Ahsoka cupped her hands over her mouth. "Sorry! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Anakin took a few deep breaths. "It's my fault. I should've said something sooner."
"How'd you get here so fast?" Ahsoka asked. Then a new thought came to her. "Was I out for that long?"
"No, it was only a minute. And you were moving and your eyes were open, so you weren't even out of it all the way," Anakin replied. "I followed you. I didn't agree with the Council."
"Oh," Ahsoka climbed to her feet and helped Anakin up.
"We need to get you back. You're bleeding." Anakin pointed to the back of Ahsoka's head.
Ahsoka nodded and turned to make her way out of the alley. Then her blood ran cold and her eyes widened.
Seven men and four women lay splayed and scattered through the alleyway with lightsaber slashes through their chests, right where their hearts were. Ahsoka staggered back and bumped into Anakin.
"What is it?" Anakin whispered, attentive to her actions.
"You killed them," Ahsoka breathed. "You killed all of them."
"Yeah. You're safe now," Anakin assured her.
"You killed them," Ahsoka repeated, louder this time.
"They got what they deserved. Aren't you glad?" Anakin asked, frowning.
Ahsoka whirled around to stare coldly into his eyes. "You promised!"
"Wha– Oh," Anakin froze, obviously uncomfortable under her stare. "I'm sorry. I thought seeing them dead after what they did to you would make you feel comfortable."
"You lied to me!" Ahsoka shrieked, tears brimming her eyes. "You lied! I told you not to kill them! You promised not to!"
"Ahsoka, I was sure you'd feel better, I–"
"No, Anakin. You were sure this would make you feel better." the tears overflowed. "You lied to me."
"I didn't mean to–"
"How am I supposed to trust you anymore?!" Ahsoka cried. "I can't believe you lied to me! I trusted you, Anakin, I believed you would take my feelings into consideration!"
Anakin's heart throbbed and cracked in sorrow as he watched the tears run down Ahsoka's face. He thought he'd done the right thing.
She spoke quietly and grimly this time. "I believed wrong." She turned and started away, blinking rapidly.
"Ahsoka, wait!" Anakin called after her. He rushed in front of her. "Ahsoka, I thought I was doing the right thing," He reached out slowly to brush her tears away, "Please, give me a–"
"Don't touch me!" Ahsoka hissed, slapping his hand away. More tears burst from her heartbroken eyes. She pivoted sharply and careened away from him, out of the alleyway.
Anakin's heart shattered.
✴✴✴
Obi-Wan was just finishing his tea, ready to retire for the night when a very upset Ahsoka tumbled into his quarters without even knocking.
Tears streamed down her face and she drew in her breaths in ragged breaths between sobs.
"Oh my!" Obi-Wan exclaimed, rushing across the small living space to reach her.
"He lied to me!" Ahsoka wailed, melting into Obi-Wan's arms. "I trusted him but he lied to me!"
"Who lied to you, Ahsoka? What did he do?" Obi-Wan pressed.
"They're all dead, Obi-Wan, every single one of them. Not just the men but the women, too," Ahsoka lifted her head, eyes cold and bitter and filled with tears as she spoke. "He killed them all even though I told him not to."
"Who, Ahsoka? You must tell me," Obi-Wan insisted. What had happened to her this time?
"He doesn't even care, does he?! He only thinks about himself!" Ahsoka exclaimed.
"Ahsoka," Obi-Wan pleaded. Her eyes were dazed. Perhaps she was delusional? He shook her shoulders gently.
"It's not the Jedi way," Ahsoka whimpered. "I don't know what to do. I can't trust him!"
"Shhh," Obi-Wan hushed her, guiding her to the couch. "It's okay, it's okay. No one else is going to die."
He sat her down on the couch and pulled her head to his shoulder. When he brought his hand away, it was wet with sticky blood.
"Ahsoka," Obi-Wan asked, alarmed. "Have you seen the healers yet? What about your master? Where's Anakin?"
"No!" shouted Ahsoka, springing up from the couch "Anakin killed them! I told him not to but now they're all dead. I don't want to see him!"
"You don't have to." Obi-Wan ushered her to the door. "We're going to see that the healers fix you up, though."
"Okay," Ahsoka wiped at her tears. She palmed the door open, only to see Anakin on the other side, reaching for the panel. Her eyes blew wide, then she looked at the ground. "I'm going to the healers," she mumbled, brushing past him.
"Ahsoka, wait," Anakin reached an arm out after her, but she didn't even look back.
"You killed someone?" Obi-Wan raised his brow.
"The gang that Attacked Ahsoka," Anakin replied. "I thought it would make her feel better."
"She said that you promised not to?" Obi-Wan waved Anakin inside.
Anakin sighed and collapsed onto the couch."Yeah, I still thought she must want to follow the Jedi Code, but deep down she still wanted–"
"Anakin, if your padawan requests you to promise something, keep that promise!" Obi-Wan scolded. "It means she's genuine, not 'deep down inside' the complete opposite!"
"I'm really sorry," Anakin said. "I'll go apologize to her. I'll make it up to her!"
"No," Obi-Wan stopped him from standing. "Ahsoka needs some time for herself. Or more specifically, some time away from you. She can stay in my quarters tonight. Just give her some time to cool down and get some rest."
"Okay," Anakin stood and trudged to the door.
He left Obi-Wan's quarters to spend a lonely night in the quarters that he was supposed to share with Ahsoka. But alas, he'd done the wrong thing.
And now he was alone, heart shattered by only himself, and guilt and shame welling up inside of him steady.
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Word Count: 2,588
Published: Jun. 13, 2022
Sad ending, yaaaay! Oh wait, is that a yay? I just know I can't write sad endings to save my life most of the time, so this is an achievement for me. Sorry to those of you who do not like sad endings.
So, I hope this was what you were looking for @AhsokaJedi.
Requests are open, feel free to message me or make a comment if you have any ideas!
Bye, peoples!