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Chapter Text

Korra stood in the corner of the briefing room. He hadn't been told to stand there, but Tyranus had taught him. He always remembered the Teachings. There were consequences if he didn't. Korra never knew what the consequences would be, though. Maybe it would be water, maybe it would be fire. Maybe it would be neither. Maybe it would be Tyranus's lightsaber. Whenever someone was talking, Korra stays quiet and unseen. Out of sight, out of mind is what Korra thinks it is. If he's unnoticed, nobody will have to look at him.

Not that there's much to look at. Korra is a small, skinny thing. He's tall and lanky, sure, but he shrinks down on himself, tries to seem more like a frightend child than a Force-user the Sith got to first. His robes - the old, faded ones from the Sith. Korra's sure the clones would be less wary if he looked less like a Sith, but he hadn't been provided new clothes and he definitely wasn't going to ask - hung off him like blankets. Korra was too worried about disrupting anyone or taking rations he was sure others needed more to even approach the mess hall, so he stuck to having rations whenever Anakin realised that he hadn't seen his second Padawan eat in a while. Korra always wondered just how long the Long Game will be this time.

"-and what of the Separatist reinforcements?" Mace Windu asks, snapping Korra back to reality.

"Exactly where Korra said they would be," Anakin said almost proudly. Korra nearly smiled, before remembering that Ventress would do that too, and what followed was never very nice.

"And where is Korra? I don't see him with you." Obi-Wan asked, returning to the view of the hologram after conferring with Cody.

Anakin's brow furrowed as he looked around, Korra instinctively pushing back into the shadows. "I... Don't know. He was just here."

Ahsoka pointed at Korra, having just found him. "Over there, Master."

Korra stiffened, eyes wide. He wasn't supposed to be found, to be seen. Not even Grievous's commando droids had sold him out so quickly. But Anakin just smiled and waved him over. He stepped forward hesitantly, taking the spot Anakin directed him to, which was to the right of the Jedi Knight. Ahsoka moved to Anakin's other side, but not before casting a suspicious glance at Korra. Korra ducked his head in apology. He hadn't meant to be seen.

Mace Windu fixed Korra with a hard stare. "How did you know where the Separatist reinforcements would be?"

Korra looked up, then glanced at Anakin. Is he even allowed to speak? He wasn't with Tyranus. Speaking during a call was, under no uncertain circumstances, not allowed. Ever. Is this a trick, a test to see how well he's remembered his former teachings? But is he even supposed to remember his former teachings?

"You can tell him. It's okay." Anakin says, seeing the worry on his other Padawan's face. He was the only one who had noticed that Korra would never speak unless spoken to, and sometmes not even when spoken to if someone said something that made Korra think it was a trap.

Korra took a breath, chanced a glance up, saw Windu's face, and immediately ducked his head again. "I would talk to the droids whenever my presence was unwanted. I had a lot of time to talk to the droids. They were just happy someone was being nice to them, and they'd tell me their strategies. That was one of them." Admittedly, Korra does feel a little bad about using what the droids had told him, but he had to be useful. If he wasn't, they'd get rid of him. That's what Tyranus had said.

"How often did you talk to these droids?" Windu pressed, staring at Korra.

Korra shrugged. He didn't know. He doesn't keep track of time. He used to, but it got hard and days blurred together, cycles lost to concussions and exhaustion.

"Korra." Obi-Wan said, voice gentle. "Do you know how long you've been with Anakin?"

Korra shook his head. He didn't know where to start counting, so he didn't. Why would he? Eventually he'll lose track. It would be a waste of energy, and Korra needs energy to help. To be useful.

The three Jedi shared a look, while Ahsoka peered around Anakin, tilting her head at Korra. Korra just looked away, pulling his arms under the baggy sleeves of his robe. Did he say the wrong thing? It wouldn't be the first time. It certainly wouldn't be the last.

"Interesting." Kenobi hummed, stroking his beard with his other arm over his chest. He examined Korra, seeing the way the boy hid in robes that were too big for his thin frame. Too thin, Obi-Wan realised. Much too thin. "Have you had a medical examination yet?"

Korra shook his head again. He hadn't wanted to bother anyone, hadn't wanted to make the clones see him more than they had to, so he'd kept quiet and hid in his clothes. Obi-Wan turned to Anakin, and Anakin nodded. Get Korra an examination. Understood.

The rest of the meeting was uneventful. Korra kept small and quiet, and nobody asked him anything. After Anakin gave an eyeroll (or three) the briefing was concluded and they were walking out onto the bridge.

"C'mon Snips. We're getting Korra checked out." Anakin interrupted Ahsoka's retreat, and she returned to his side begrudgingly. Korra didn't have a nickname yet, but some of the clones had taken to calling him Shade. Whether that was teasing or taunting, Korra couldn't tell.

Korra followed behind Anakin and Ahsoka, avoiding the eyes of passing clones as he listened to their banter. How was Ahsoka so confident in talking to her Master like that? If Korra implied half the things she said he would be hanging over a vat of acid before he could say another syllable.

They made it to the medbay without incident. Kix was there, bandaging a clone's wrist.

"Just a minute, General." Kix said, not looking up as he secured the wrapping. With a few instructions, he sent the clone on his way. "Now, what do you need?"

Anakin pulled Korra, who had moved away from the doorway so the clone could exit, forward, holding him in place. "Korra here needs a medical exam."

Kix glanced at Korra, then nodded. Motioning Korra forward, he had the boy sit down on one of the cots. Korra perched on the edge nervously, swinging his legs back and forth slightly.

Kix checked Korra's heartbeat (too fast), his breathing (too shallow), and his weight (too low). Then Kix had Korra remove the top half of his robe.

Scars marred Korra's skin, which was stretched tight over protruding bones. They could count each rib (twenty six), and the bumps of his spine were clearly visible. Anakin's eyes widened, while Ahsoka stifled a gasp. They'd all seen it before, but that didn't make it any less hard. Credit was due on Kix's part, for he just disinfected and wrapped the newer injuries, wrote down some notes, and sent them off with a very clear order: feed Korra. He also recommended they get Korra some clothes that actually fit, because it's hard to move in something nearly a size and a half too big. Korra didn't like the idea of getting tighter fitting robes. He likes being able to hide in the garments.

Korra followed Anakin and Ahsoka out of the medbay and to the mess. Ahsoka split off to talk to Rex and the 501st (Korra had a sneaking suspicion that she would inform them of Korra's state. He didn't mind much; there was no privacy under Tyranus), while Korra stuck to Anakin's side as the Knight got the two of them rations.

Korra took his gingerly, waiting for the net to close. When it didn't he let Anakin lead him to the table Ahsoka and the 501st were sitting at. He sat with his legs tucked under him, ration held protectively in his hands.

"Hey, kid." Korra turned to see Fives staring at him. "Is it true?"

Korra blinked, tilting his head as he fidgeted with the wrapper of his ration. "Is what?" His voice was quiet and hesitant, and Anakin prepared to step in if things went south.

Fives gestured a little. "Y'know. The scars." His voice had dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, and Jesse elbowed him.

Oh. Okay. Korra had been expecting an accusation of some sort. So he nodded simply and went to work unwrapping his ration.

The clones looked at each other in surprise. They hadn't expected Korra to just confirm it and continue with his day.

"But how bad are they?" Fives pressed, leaning forward. Jesse elbowed him again.

Korra shrugged. He didn't think they were that bad. It could have been worse. That's what Tyranus had said, anyway, after leaving Korra a bloody, broken mess. 'It could always have been worse,' Tyranus would remind as Korra tried to bite back winces. 'I have been merciful.' Sometimes it didn't feel very merciful, but Korra was sure it was.

Korra examined the ration. He still hadn't gotten used to just how big they were, nearly twice the size of the ones he used to get. His fingers (slightly clawed, Korra noticed. He hadn't realised that his hands were different until he saw Anakin's), opened it easily. Korra tilted his head, looking for the signs he knew well. He knew that it was highly unlikely anyone had tampered with his rations specifically, but highly unlikely is still possible and Korra knows what happens when he takes a chance. Finding it satisfactory, he takes a bite.

Ooh. Tasty. These rations have flavour. The other ones had just tasted like ash. Korra was beginning to wonder if they were even rations, as he'd never seen Ventress eat and Dooku was often away indulging in the hospitality of his next stolen prize. Korra eats slowly, savouring the ration.

"What's that all about? Never had a ration bar before?" Fives teased, taking a bite of his food. Kix had said that Korra should stear clear of the nutrient rich glass noodles and other foods, at least until he got more used to eating, so Korra was crunching on a ration bar.

Korra shook his head, swallowing his bite before speaking. It occured to him that he'd never spoken this much to organic beings in one day before. Most of his socialisation came from talking to the droids. That probably says something about his conversational skills. "Never had one this big."

Rex exchanges a glance with Anakin. Anakin just mouths 'talk to Kix' and Korra pretends not to read his lips.

After that, the metaphorical atmosphere got little lighter. Fives and Rex occasionally pulled Korra into their conversation, while Anakin and Ahsoka interjected occasionally. Then they finished eating, and as Korra curled up in his bunk, far away from the loudness of the clones and the easy banter of Anakin and Ahsoka, he decided that today hadn't been that bad at all.

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Korra followed Anakin and Ahsoka down the halls of the Jedi Temple. There were no missions (not yet, at least. Korra wasn't used to being this busy; Dooku only let him go anywhere when he needed somone to suck the Force energy out of), so Obi-Wan had Anakin return to the Temple so Korra could get new, less Sith-y robes. Ahsoka was, as always, excited to be back so she could see her friend Barriss. She had formed a sort of truce with Korra after the medical exam. She didn't fully trust him, but she wasn't as aggressive in making sure he knew that.

Korra didn't like the idea of clothes he couldn't hide in. He's used to ending and spending his days able to retract his limbs into his robes like they're a shell.

"What do you think, Korra?" Korra glanced up to see Ahsoka looking at him inquisitively.

Korra hummed, tilting his head. He hadn't heard the question, lost in his thoughts. Anakin laughed, but it wasn't taunting like Korra expected. No, it was... Korra didn't know what, but it wasn't mean. Shocking.

"Snips is trying to guess your favourite colour." Anakin clarified.

Korra nodded slowly. His favourite colour. Right. "I don't have one." He said quietly, looking at the ground. He'd seen lots of colours, but he only knew the names of a few, and the colours he did know he didn't much like.

Ahsoka gasped. "Well, we have to fix that. Come on!" She went to pull Korra away to do who knows what, but remembered Anakin and paused. "Master, is it all right if we go?"

Anakin waved a hand. "Of course. Gives me time to meet with Padmé."

Ahsoka snickered, while Korra looked between the two in confusion.

He didn't have much time to think about it, however, because the next moment they were off, Ahsoka pulling him down the Temple hall. She explained on the way that a few Jedi who had finished their service had chosen to stay in the temple and help, like the librarian Madame Jocasta, as tailors. Apparently sewing is meditative. Who knew? Korra didn't.

Ahsoka opened the door carefully, getting waved in by a Twi'lek holding fabric for another Jedi.

"Ahsoka! Good to see you again. And you've brought a friend?" The Twi'lek grinned, walking over after handing the Jedi the fabric she needed to start another project.

Ahsoka nodded. "This is Korra. He needs new robes." She gestured at Korra, who had pulled his arms into his sleeves the minute the Twi'lek approached. She was tall, and she knew far more about whatever was happening. She made Korra nervous. Basically everyone makes Korra nervous.

The Twi'lek seemed to realise that, as she sat on a nearby chair to be closer to Korea's height. "Okay. Do you want to help, Korra?"

Korea tilted his head. Help? How could he help? He knows nothing about any of this. The Twi'lek saw his confusion and giggled softly.

"Well, you can pick the colours, and the robe style, and the size, and if you want armour or not." She said, letting him process all that. Korea wasn't used to so many options.

"Name?" He asked softly, glancing up through his hair. It was darkish charcoal grey, thanks to acid bleaching. That was Dooku's solution for Korra failing a task once. He kind of liked the colour.

The Twi'lek smiled. "I'm Vi. Now, c'mon. You've got choices to decide."

Well. That was vaguely ominous. Korra followed after her, Ahsoka at his heels. There were a variety of robe styles on mannequins against the wall, and Korra examined all of them. Most were similar to his current robes, and he didn't want that, so he looked more.

Eventually he picked something he could hide in. It wasn't as many pieces as traditional Jedi robes, just the long tunic with added long sleeves, a belt (for his 'lightsaber and stuff,' Vi told him), and pants tucked into boots that reached mid-calf. Vi wrote this all down, then handed it another seamster.

"Time for the colours and the size. But first," She looked at him closely. "Do you want armour? If so, how much?"

Korra shrugged slightly, his arms still tucked close to his chest inside his baggy sleeves. "How much can I have?"

Vi giggled again, pointing to one set of robes. It had armour over the shoulders, chest, arms, and back, tucked in the folds of the robe. Korra stared at it for a second before deciding on everything but the arms. He didn't like things on his arms.

Vi clapped excitedly, startling Korra, and led him and Ahsoka over to the colours. "Okay. Pick whichever colours you like."

Ahsoka immediately started picking things out that she liked and showing Korra, sometimes talking with Vi to see if she could get the colour for a new set in her clothes. Korra, on the other hand, looked at the colours for a moment. There were just so many.

He eventually picked grey (Vi called it 'whale grey') for a secondary colour and blue-grey that was more blue (Vi called it 'Newburyport blue') for the primary. The boots got dark grey (Vi called it 'beach grey') and now all that was left was the size.

Vi measured Korra, shaking her head in concern at just how small he is. Instead of getting robes that small, however, he asked if she could increase the measurements just enough that he could hide in them.

Well, he didn't ask, more like demonstrated him pulling his limbs into his current robes a few times so she'd understand. It seemed like she did, so Korra was happy.

"I sent everything off. It should be ready by tomorrow morning." Vi told them as she walked them out. Ahsoka nodded and thanked her, and Korra copied.

A few minutes after the two Padawans started walking around to find Anakin (Ahsoka was also giving Korra a short tour of the Temple), they were stopped by none other than Mace Windu.

"Ah, Korra. Follow me." Windu said shortly, turning away as if he knew for a fact Korra would start going after him.

He was right, but Ahsoka caught his arm. "I'll come with, if that's alright with you, Master Windu."

Korra internally thanked her. He definitely didn't want to be alone with Windu. The Jedi Master scared him; unlike Obi-Wan, who merely mildly frightened him.

Windu seemed about to refuse Ahsoka in what looked to be a somewhat rude manner, but Anakin's voice called to them down the hallway. They looked over to see Anakin and Obi-Wan walking toward them, Anakin's hands clasped behind his back while Obi-Wan had only one behind his back, the other gesturing a bit.

"Ah, Korra. Did all go well?" Obi-Wan asked, getting a nod from Korra.

"What's going on here?" Anakin got right to the point, positioning himself in front of Korra.

Before Windu could answer, Ahsoka did. "Master Windu was attempting to take Korra away, and wouldn't allow me to accompany him."

"Well, I'm sure he had his reasons." Obi-Wan placated, glancing at Windu.

"Yes, reasons that a Padawan such as yourself need not concern yourself with." Windu added, staring hard at Korra in particular. Korra shifted uncomfortably under his unwavering gaze.

Anakin raised an eyebrow. "Well, as Korra's Master I will be accompanying him. Come on, Snips. Let's see where Master Windu is going." The way he said Master Windu was a bit mocking, like Anakin didn't exactly put full confidence in him.

Windu sighed exasperatedly, but seemed to realise he couldn't win this battle and turned away again, motioning for them to follow. They did, Korra on Anakin's left and Ahsoka on his right. Obi-Wan talked with Windu as they walked to who knows where to do who knows what.

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Korra trailed after Anakin and Ahsoka, who were following Obi-Wan and Windu. He'd subtly shifted so that he was on Ahsoka's right, walking on the left uncomfortable and unfamiliar. Nobody seemed to mind, and Korra ducked back a little more. Tyranus never let Korra walk next to him, and Korra had realised that was because he had some fault, and could not be seen as equal to his Master. He didn't want to anger his new Master, so Korra followed like he always had.

Windu occasionally glanced back at Korra, as if making sure he didn't slip away. Each time, Korra shrank back more and more, until he'd gotten so far withdrawn into himself that Anakin stepped forward to block him from Windu's hard gaze. Korra relaxed a little, arms not as closely pulled to his chest. Anakin was protecting him. It was a nice feeling.

They made it to the sunken room in the Temple often used for briefs and debriefs. Windu took his place at the holotable, arms crossed as he watched Korra hide behind Anakin. Ahsoka had started chatting with Obi-Wan, the atmosphere tense as they waited for Windu to start speaking.

And start speaking he did. Windu crossed his arms a little tighter. "So, Korra. Tell me more about your relationship with the Separatist droids."

Korra blinked, peeking around Anakin's torso. "When Lor-" He felt Anakin stiffen, so he stopped. It was only when Anakin relaxed at a look from Obi-Wan did he continue. "When Dooku hadn't need of me, my presence was usually delegated to Grievous. As he'd've rather'd I a bug he could squish or someone he could shove out of the nearest airlock, I would stay in the lower parts of the ship with the droids."

Obi-Wan looked... Saddened? At what? There was nothing sad in what he had said. Just facts. Irrefutable truths.

Windu nodded, contemplating his next question. "And how often did Dooku have need of you?"

Korra shrugged. "Sometimes he'd bring me along when he wanted to use me as... I don't know." Because how did he describe it? The feeling of Dooku taking something from Korra that was more than just blood and innocence. The feeling of the depths his soul being dredged for a few more scraps of power. He looked down at his shaky, clawed little hands. Shaking? Why was he shaking?

Obi-Wan's eyes flicked down at Korra's trembling hands and notified Anakin of them with a slight incline of his head. Then he turned back to Windu. "Master Windu, I must say that I fail to see where this is going."

Windu fixed Obi-Wan with a level stare. "I just want to know if his intel goes both ways."

Both ways? Korra's hands stopped shaking for a moment as a full body shudder went through him. Tyrannus had fits of paranoia sometimes, and they never ended well for him. He was supposed to be safe here. But he can't be safe if they think him a spy. He hadn't realised that he'd kept on shuddering until Anakin wrapped an arm around his shoulders and Ahsoka had formed up by his other side, effectively sandwiching him between the two. He glanced up with wide eyes, and Anakin nodded reassuringly.

"Korra's not a spy!" Ahsoka protested, surprisingly defensive. Why? She'd obviously decided that he wasn't quite as bad as she'd originally thought.

Anakin nodded, still keeping Korra close. "I have to agree with Ahsoka, Master. Even if he didn't follow me almost constantly, he's a nervous wreck at the best of moments. He'd arouse too much suspicion."

That... Was fair. Korra had begun gnawing on his hand, fangs he hadn't noticed were unique until he saw that only Ahsoka had them too digging into scarred grooves. He did this often enough that he'd worn tracks into the skin out of scar tissue, his fangs fitting into them naturally. The first time he'd bitten through the skin, he'd been young and starving. It had become a habit out of stress and necessity. It gave him a distraction, and it staved off the biting hunger for a little while.

Obi-Wan's brow furrowed in concern at the sight, and he stepped forward. "Master Windu, I think you've gained all the information you need."

Korra's ears were ringing like they had when he'd been held next to the Malevolence's ion cannon as it was fired. Grievous had been angered by the weapon's discovery and Tyrannus's reaction, and he'd taken it out on the then little boy who had hid under a console. Battle droids were expensive. Korra was not.

Windu said something Korra didn't hear and couldn't read. He assumed it was an agreement, because soon Anakin was guiding him out of the room. Korra's usual loping gait was stuttered and hesitant, his brain focussed on chewing his hand and following Anakin and not walking into anyone or thing.

Then he was leaning on a wall and Anakin was kneeling down to Korra's height with his metal hand pulling Korra's flesh one away from his mouth. Ahsoka and Obi-Wan were standing to the side, whispering lowly as Windu stalked down the other hallway.

"Hey, Korra, it's okay. You're okay. Everything's alright." Anakin said quietly, trying not to overwhelm him more.

Korra just blinked in response, his eyes refusing to focus on anything, the Temple blurry and its halls looming ominously. He processed the words slowly, carefully, his mind picking the words apart for the lies and finding only impossible truths.

Anakin just wrapped the boy up in a hug, and eventually Ahsoka joined too, and Obi-Wan offered some advice to Anakin before heading off to confront the Council about their beliefs of Korra. And Korra didn't think about the possibility of a lightsaber in the back or some other thing that could cause him harm, because he felt a little safer than he was supposed to.

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Korra didn't remember getting to his room. He remembered Windu's interrogation, and his hands shaking for no reason, and falling back into old habits that he'd managed to push off in the presence of food. He was curled up haphazardly on his bed, which was special for him.

You see, whenever Dooku had had enough of him, he'd dropped him off with Ventress. Korra had always enjoyed being sent to her the most. Most days, all Korra got from her were insults and threats she wouldn't act on because it would be a waste of time. Some days, she would teach him new little tricks and let him rest and sleep while she went off on missions she deemed too important for him. There was an old mattress in one of the rooms on her ship - a droid showed it to him one day. Korra suspected she used to use it, but what did he know? It had been large and rectangular, fitting in a third of the abandoned room. He'd loved to sleep on it, his small body eventually sprawling out on the mattress. He couldn't be sure, but Korra thought that one day, when he was half-awake and exhausted, he'd heard her come in. She'd scoffed in distaste, but waved a hand and used the Force to toss a blanket over him all the same.

So, Korra had asked. It was the only thing he'd asked for, and it was drawn from a moment of sleep-deprived vulnerability. Anakin had asked Padmé, and then the mattress was there. He'd never slept better, except for that first day on that old mattress.