Chapter Text
It's been months. Nearly a year since that blasted bombing, nearly a year since she was nearly ripped away from his side, nearly a year since she chose to leave. At first, he threw himself to his duties as a Jedi and general of the Grand Army of the Republic. Still, the words of Bariss Offee rang in his ears, and as usual, he pushed it away. The galaxy needed him - he was the Chosen One. As much as he would like to join his (former) padawan in whatever she was doing, he could not. His traitorous mind whispered, A slave of the Republic. He talked to the Chancellor about a lot of things, but somehow he could not say anything about Ahsoka. Even when the Chancellor prodded him to speak up and unburden his mind. Yet, he wanted to with Padme (yet she seemed to not want to speak of Ahsoka either.)
But then, but then. The Battle of Yerbana. He was partnered with Obi-Wan again, and it almost felt like old times when he was still a padawan and a freshly minted knight. Back in those days before Ahsoka and the waves she caused in his life. Waves of change that merely grew on him. After saving Obi-Wan once again, they received a call from Admiral Yularen. There was someone on the Fulcrum sub-frequency he developed for the Onderon resistance (and to unofficially keep track of Ahsoka).
He laughed and joked as they made their way to the ship. It was all he did to hide his nerves and the undercurrents of pain. "Alright, Admiral," he began casually, "what's so important that you brought us all the way...back here." His words died on his lips as the glow of a familiar figure on the holo-table appeared. Montrals and stripped lekku. The flush of orange skin, distorted by the holo-effects. He barely sensed Obi-Wan's pushing waves of assurance to him. She turned slightly, before turning fully around. She gave the both of them a quick once-over, taking in their post-battle state before saying professionally, "Hello masters, it's been awhile."
That was an understatement. A million thoughts ran through his mind. But he started disbelievingly, voice not quite a whisper,"Ahsoka, I don't believe it." Then the questions poured from his mind, "How are you? Where are you? Are you okay?" Questions that long haunted him each night. Questions that worried him.
She said coolly, "I'm alright, thank you. I wished we had more time to talk, but I have urgent information for the both of you." Her words, tone, and even her posture left no room for other discussion. But there was something in her eyes that he could not quite read, similar to the look she gave him after their argument about Onderon so long ago. (Still, he remembered when they could communicate with just their eyes and subtle facial expressions.) His joy deflated, and a frown settled on his features.
Sensing the mood change, Obi-Wan spoke up, "What is it, Ahsoka?"
“Lady Bo-Katan and I have located the renegade Sith Lord Maul, and if we move swiftly, we believe we can capture him," Ahsoka said, glancing towards the Mandalorian beside her.
That shook the both of them. He looked at Obi-Wan, who immediately began stroking his beard thoughtfully. Now, he barely remembered Maul in Tatooine and Naboo, but he felt the dark power the being held. He felt the grief and anguish the Sith Lord inflicted on Obi-Wan. While this Sith Lord managed to stay off the radar throughout this entire war, it still would be good to get that under control as soon as possible. He said optimistically, "I think we can spare a company for a special mission. Which system are you in?”
"We're in Coruscant," Lady Bo-Katan stated simply. Ahsoka barely gave them an imperceptible smile.
They moved their forces out of Yerbana in record time and arrived in the Coruscant system within four days. Throughout it all, Anakin was especially fidgety. He told Rex in the dining hall, who managed an appropriate response. And when Anakin stepped back, he heard the captain shout to all those presents, "Whoopee, boys! The Commander is dropping by!" Every clone in that room cheered, and the news quickly passed. He ended up having to tell them that she'd probably not stay long, but it still didn't wipe the smiles of their faces.
They sent the coordinates to Lady Bo-Katan, who promised that they'll meet them within the hour. Just before they arrived at Coruscant, Rex pulled Anakin aside, saying, "General, sir, me and the boys have a little something for the Commander."
Anakin responded, "Of course. I assume it'll be in the hanger?" Rex nodded, and Anakin continued, "I'll send you a signal, then. And when you do, could swing by my quarters? There's a box on my bunk that I want to get to her."
Once Rex agreed, Anakin found Obi-Wan and together, they set off to meet their guests. They strode down the hanger, pace and posture the same. He said thoughtfully, words carrying despite the noise, "It all makes sense now."
"What?" was Obi-Wan's nonchalant response.
"If Ahsoka hadn't left the Order, then she wouldn't have been where she needed to be," he answered with all the confidence he could muster.
"That's one way to look at it, I suppose" Obi-Wan said pensively.
He rounded to face Obi-Wan, stopping the man in his tracts. His voice hardened into determination, "That's the only way to look at it." It was the only way that warmed his fragile heart after the Force coldly severed him from his padawan, his friend. The only way that allowed him to ignore the bleak face he saw in the mirror. Brown hair glinting red and a mouth that appeared a little bit too large and toothy to be right. He continued, "We're going to capture Maul. Finally. I thought you'd be more excited about this."
Obi-Wan then said, "I'm cautiously optimistic." Anakin missed the signs of sorrow that echoed in his old master's face as the sound of an engine roared closer.
A Mandalorian approached and landed. It was a curious design, and the mechanic in him could not help but wonder how it worked. He schooled his features into neutrality as R2 beeped excitedly beside him before rolling up closer to the ship, to Ahsoka. His heart thumped loudly in his ears as the ramp lowered. She looked well, healthier even. The blue of her outfit matched her blue stripes quite well, and was that beskar vambraces, knee pads, shin guards, and boot caps? Maybe one day he'll find out how she earned those pieces - beskar was likely as sacred to the Mandalorians as a kyber crystal was to the Jedi. She paused to pat R2.
Then she was in front of him, and he opened his mouth, almost sighing in relief. "Ahsoka, I'm so glad..." he started.
She raised her hand and interrupted him, "We'll have to catch up another time. Things are moving quickly." Her voice was firm, unyielding. His heart dropped from its excited staccato to a disappointment thrum. Since when had Ahsoka become so...authoritatively confident? In a few months, she had grown up so much and decided to leave him completely behind. His features settled into a hardened frown. He scarcely heard Bo-Katan's words and Obi-Wan's response until he felt a warmth envelop him slightly from his side. It was Ahsoka.
"I'm sorry," she mouthed. But her tone brightened as she said more lightly, "Come on, Skyguy, I'm sure we can catch up some on our way to the war room." A small smile made his way to his lips as his friend pulled him to follow Obi-Wan and the Mandalorians.
He listened with calm delight as she shared about her time in the underbelly of Coruscant. He had visited, of course, for various side missions, but living there apparently was very much different. He listened solemnly about the two sisters she met. Two sisters who were orphans with only the cold comfort from a Jedi, yet nothing to help them up. Again, that niggling sense that something was wrong teased the edges of his mind. Then at last they arrived in the War Room.
Ahsoka's professional mask slipped on as she pressed a few buttons and opened the briefing. He still marveled at the confidence his former padawan exuded. He forced himself to pay attention to the briefing. As he expected, he sensed Obi-Wan's stress increase slightly. Something happened several weeks ago (not long after Ahsoka's departure, actually) - the man returned from a meditation retreat, without the Twilight and with a perturbed spirit. He endeavored to send comfort and assurance across his bond with his old master.
"What's another war," Bo-Katan said casually, mixed with hardened acceptance.
At this, he laughed with a touch of sardonicism, "Well, we haven't finished our first one."
But then Obi-Wan gave a noncommittal answer, and Bo=Katan toed the edge of an argument with Obi-Wan. He backed out of the conversation. Like Ahsoka did across from him, he watched the two volley words. And then Obi-Wan left, stroking his beard thoughtfully. Then it was just him and Ahsoka again. Two feet apart. He manged with a half-laugh, "Well, that went well...all things considered."
A wearied smile settled on her features as she shook her head slightly, "Well, you to haven't changed."
"Is that such a bad thing?" he immediately responded. In this messed up universe, stability was dreadfully rare. His relationship dynamics with Obi-Wan was one of the few things that hadn't shifted too much. Not that he was going to admit it to Padme, but their relationship was not the same as it was three, four years ago. Ahsoka smirked back, and he only said, "Come with me, Ahsoka. I've a surprise for you." As he walked out, he pressed a few buttons to notify Rex.
They walked out of the war room, and he pretended that it was like old times. The clones saluted Ahsoka as she strolled past them, and she murmured softly, "They shouldn't be saluting me anymore."
He launched into an explanation, expressing what both he and the clones felt about her. Their trust and loyalty that she ardently earned. They talked about everything and nothing. She admitted that she's been able to keep up with hand-to-hand combat (because that's how one survived in the underbelly), but she suspected that her saber forms to be rusty. "I'm sure its all their in your muscle memory," he said smoothly. And then they were in the hanger. Rex stood with the 332nd company, helmets painted orange with familiar markings.
As she paced down the ranks, Rex handed him a box. The box. She returned to them, first approaching Rex. While she only wore a slight, saddened smile on her face, her eyes shone with appreciation. Then she turned to him, and he held out the box. Of course, sirens ruined the moment. Their low whine sending multiple troops into action. Obi-Wan sprinted through them with a short explanation. Rex nodded to both Anakin and Ahsoka before turning to the company and spurring them into action.
Ahsoka's old. passionate fire now turned towards the both of them. The heat of her words making him wonder if something could be done. Wait, of course there was. Obi-Wan was the first to respond to this new development, so he was not obligate to supply his fully regiment. Obi-Wan looked at him quizzically as he explained his plan. From his side, Ahsoka sent a single wave of appreciation through the bond.
Then he turned his attention to her again as the sense of duty tugged at both of them. Their duties would separate them again, and he couldn't let go of this moment quite yet. For now, he'd pretend it would be as if he was sent to do ground resistance while she directed aerial support. She smiled softly, "Thanks for your support." Another pause. "As always."
"That's what friends are for," he answered with his own small before pulling out the box again. “Well, if you’re going to face Maul, then you’ll need these.” He gave her an encouraging nod as she stroked the top. Then she held up the two lightsabers that he held onto since she left the Order. He said, “I took care of them; they’re good as new.”
She ignited them, and they shone blue now. She gave him the look of disbelief, complete with a raised eye-marking. He smirked, "Maybe even better." Then reality reminded him of their separate responsibilities. He commented hopefully, "With any luck, this will all be over soon.” And we could catch up properly was left unsaid. Still, he could hope, for it was the only thing he had left.
She answered automatically, "Master Kenobi always said that there was no such thing as luck."
“Good thing I taught you otherwise,” he said proudly. He added softly, “I shouldn’t stay much longer.”
“And I don’t wanna go just yet,” she whispered.
So they stood there. Two feet apart, almost drowning in the sea of duty as currents pulled them in opposite directions. Five minutes felt like a few short seconds. Half-aware of their surroundings, half-meditating. Then at last, he felt his comlink buzz. He couldn't say the words of "goodbye" again, so he left.
Her voice calling his name stopped him, and he turned towards her. "Good luck," she said with an almost hesitant smile.
He smiled in response. If things went downhill, he'll cling to the memory of this moment. When all was almost alright.