It's Commander Tano, Not Padawan

Chapter 9

Ahsoka was slightly nervous. She and Anakin hadn't talked face to face by themselves since their short conversation – breakdown? – in the pipes before she jumped.

And now she had to calm him down. Reason with him. Defend Master Obi-Wan.

Breathe, Padawan. Nothing good can come out of unbalance.

Stepping out onto the balcony, she couldn't help but worry about him. Ahsoka knew he was the Chosen One, as Mortis had proved, but she had done some digging of her own when she had been forced to stay at the Temple, working on her studies.

The prophecies said he would bring balance. There was nothing about restoring the reign of the Light and his constant suppression, not release, of emotions were wearing thin on him.

As if a gargoyle, her Master – because even if she wasn't his Padawan, he would always be her Master – was leaning against the arm of one of Padmé's outer couches, hunched into himself. Tension was coming off him in waves.

Oh, Anakin.

He didn't say anything and neither did she until she was almost at his side. "Hey, Skyguy," she greeted him softly, resting next to him, though not touching.

"Snips."

So that's how this conversation is going to go.

"What happened, Anakin?" She stared out over the Coruscanti traffic, the sun rising to greet the planet that never went to sleep.

He didn't answer at first, eyes gazing blankly at the beautiful scene before him, jaw clenched.

"Master, you gotta -"

"I know what I have to do, Ahsoka!" There were very few times he ever lashed out at her. And while she knew his anger wasn't truly at her, that didn't make it hurt any less.

Ahsoka reinforced her shields. He didn't need to feel the way his attitude cut at her. "Look, I don't know what you and Master Obi-Wan," She could see his metal hand clench tighter. "Talked about, but you being angry is not going to fix it. We both know this."

"Don't you think I want to let it go? Be a proper Jedi? A good Master?" He let out a defeated sigh and her heart ached for him. "But you already know that I am not a good Jedi, anyways. The Father must have been on deathsticks to think I am the Chosen One." The self-loathing in his voice made her angry.

The Jedi kriffing Council.

She grabbed his forearm, startling him out of his angst. "Anakin, I'm going to ask you a couple questions I want you to think about."

He nodded his head, unprepared for just how mature his former Padawan sounded.

"Have you actually read the prophecy of the Chosen One?"

Blood crept up his neck, answering her question before he opened his mouth. "Ah – no."

That was what she anticipated, though whether it was by his choice of the Council's, she was not sure. "Before we leave, I want you to read it. Seriously. I'm going to tell you what I think about it and I wish to discuss it with you once you know what it says."

Where, in this young woman, was the bouncy, arrogant child he had first met? Anakin realized she was waiting on him for an affirmation.

"I will today, Ahsoka."

"Thank you, Master. But before you do, I want to pose the question of what 'bringing balance to the Force' really means? I know all the Jedi today apparently think that it means that the Light will be clear once more, but I... I question that mentality. And I know I am not trained in the reading of prophecies, but it seems extremely logical to me that the Chosen One will not be particularly Jedi or Sith, but another. Some where in the middle."