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The smoke and stream that swirled in the air stung in Ahsoka’s nose. Two jedi and one clone stood standing, boots soggy in the muck of the mossy forest floor, watching their ship that had crashed through the lush jungles and thick ropes of vines burn. Fragments of metal and glass impaled Kashyyyk’s soil.
“Thought you were supposed to be the best pilot in the entire jedi order.” Ahsoka teased punching Anakin in the shoulder. Rex sneered.
“Yeah well- at least we are all okay,” Anakin sighed, kriff he knew Obi Wan was going to do the hand-to-his-forehead thing he did when he was disappointed after he’d inevitably find out about what happened to the gunship. “And Snips - It was more of an emergency landing then a crash.”
“Whatever that maneuver was, we are still stuck in a swamp right now and my comm link isn’t working out here.” Ahsoka furiously pressed the activate button. She furred her brows and frowned when all she heard was a fuzzy static sound.
Rex took off his helmet, “Alright enough you two, why don’t we set up camp for the night. We have been to Kashyyyk before, we know this place.”
Anakin let out a deep breath, “You’re right, atleast we have shelter from the sun…. And plenty of water.” Anakin twisted and rang out his tunic, the greenish brown water drizzling back into the ground. He scrunched his nose at the unpleasant color.
Rex secured his helmet on and headed back to the incinerating hunk of parts. Rex proceeded to dig around for anything they could salvaged for the night. Anakin and Ahsoka followed behind him.
The back of the ship hadn’t been too damaged, so Rex was able to gather a load of spare sheets.
“What are going to do about food? Rations must have been destroyed.” Rex questioned. The fire from the ship had died down with the humidity in air, and the three of them hung up fabric to make a sort of tent for the night using the ship as a back.
“Looks like Ahsoka’s got that sorted out.” Anakin met eyes with his Padawan who was sinking her teeth into a rodent-like creature she had pulled from a hole in a nearby tree. Although she admitted she never had a taste for the Thimiars that other Torgurtas enjoyed, but this creature of similar origin would have to do for now.
She held out half of the remaining rodent, offering it to Rex and Anakin. They both turned down the offer.
“Right well, i’m going to finishing setting up a place we can sleep with these if you guys want to help.” Anakin took another pile of fabric from Rex’s arms. The sun crept below the horizon and darkness shrouded the forest. Even with the glow from the Jedi’s sabers and Rex’s flashlight, it was near impossible to see beyond ten feet.
“I’d rather not see what’s out here so I’ll be in the tent.” Ahsoka wrapped herself in her cloak and ducked into the canopy of sheets.
———
The sound of peepers and crickets was muffled by the makeshift tent. Rex was curled up under a spare blanket, his armour still on. His snores blended with the wilderness’s nightly chorus.
Anakin was turned over on his side, his back pressed against hers. She couldn’t see if he was awake still but his breathing was steady so she assumed he’d fallen asleep. Ahsoka lay wide awake, huddled under the square of fabric they shared.
Ahsoka found herself in a cycle of drifting asleep and then snapping awake the second she heard a sharp cracking sound from outside where they slept. As usual it was nothing more then the forest’s teeming wildlife. She reminded herself that they just had to sleep here for the night and by morning they would head out for the Wookie village where they could use their comm links.
Anakin rolled over further, pulling the blanket with him, he lay on his chest, his face pressed into his tunic he folded as a pillow.
Ahsoka yanked at the blanket, trying to pull it from his grip, “Give me back the blanket you-“.
Anakin slept like a rock, he didn’t even budge at Ahsoka shoving his shoulder trying to get him up. Considering his attuned Jedi senses, she was surprised he hadn’t even reacted.
Her rustling must have awoken Rex, bc she turned her head as the armored man slowly sat up.
“What’s going on Commander?” He rubbed his face, pushing away the weariness.
“Anakin took the blanket, and I can’t sleep, and it’s scary out here.” She blurted out.
“Well do you want mine?”
“No I just want to leave, I don’t care that its night, i’d rather get to the Wookie camp.”
Rex glanced over to Anakin, still conked out.
“Don’t think we can unless we get him up.”
“Yeah…. I guess.” Ahsoka’s eyes darted, avoiding eye contact with Rex.
Ahsoka turned to lay down again, trying to conserve as much warmth as she could she held her knees to her chest. The forest had gotten significantly colder once the sun had gone down. Closing her eyes again she focused on taking deep breaths hoping they’d lull her asleep.
Suddenly she felt a blanket fall on-top of her. Rex slid in closer.
“Here you go kid.”
“Mmm thanks Rex.”
“No problem, I’ve got my armor anyways.”
Ahsoka turned over and scanned the all scratches and scuffs adoring Rex’s clone armor. Her hand traced the blue details on his shoulder and forearm piece.
“Rex what was it like on Kamino?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you miss seeing your brothers everyday like you used to?”
“I mean, it’s different now, I still see them, but it isn’t the same. You never know when the last time you’ll see one of them is,” Rex paused. “Why do you ask Commander?”
“I kind of wish I grew up with my family like you did. I mean of course the Jedi are my family now?, but i was brought to the Temple as a youngling, so I never got to know my parents or even my tribe very well.”
Ahsoka still traced over the designs in his armor, “Sometimes I just feel like this isn’t ‘permanent’ and that someday I won’t see you guys again. Just like how I haven’t seen my family.”
“I understand that…. Well you have us right here and right now, and we are always you’re family. Even if one, or all of us aren’t around, we are with you.”
“Do you think like that with your brothers?”
“Yes, or at least i try too. A lot of us clones weren’t prepared for the less physical damage of the war. Especially as a captain, my brother’s lives are my responsibility.”
“I get that, It’s hard being a commander….”
Rex patted her on the head, “I don’t think anyone likes this war right now… and i love talking with you but Im getting a bit tired and we might want to keep the talking down so we don’t wake up the General.”
“Oh I don’t think he’s getting up anytime soon.”
“Right-“ Rex moved over to give Ahsoka some more space.
“Goodnight Rex.”
“‘Night Commander.”
Ahsoka finally felt herself relax, her heart no longer skipped a beat at the cracking of sticks outside or the swishing of leaves in the breeze.
She soon fell asleep leaning against Anakin, using him as a pillow.
———
That morning, the Jedi and clone packed up there minimal belongings that they carried and headed towards the nearest Wookie village.
Ahsoka’s face felt heavy and Rex yawned atleast every five minutes on their trek. Anakin lead the way, pointing out every new species of bird or type of tree he saw.
“He must have slept well-“ Rex whispered into Ahsoka’s ear.”
“Oh you don’t think?” Ahsoka grinned.
“Is he always this energetic?“
“You ever wonder why Obi-wan never has him under control?”
The clone captain chuckled, pacing ahead to catch up with Anakin.
“Guys stop walking so fast!” Ahsoka sped walk behind Rex.
Both Anakin and Rex looked at each other deviously and then started sprinting.
Ahsoka dramatically groaned.
“GUYS!!”
“Come onnnn Snips!!” Anakin shouted back, a teasing tone in his voice.
She quickened her steps, bolting through the brush after them.
“Fine… im coming!”
Anakin and Rex ended up waiting up for her.
The three of them hiked through the rest of the forest till they reached the Wookie camp where Ahsoka’s comm link finally worked.
She wrapped her arms around Anakin’s narrow waist and moved to hug Rex.
“I don’t ever want to sleep in a swamp again, but I’m glad I was with you guys.”
“I’ll make sure the General doesn’t crash the ship again.” Rex stated, brushing his hand on her montrals.
“Hey-“ Anakin glared at him, “It was an emergency landing.”
“Sure Skyguy.”
Anakin snorted, “Alright alright love you too Snips.”