Even the Dark Side Can't Take Our Memories

Chapter 10 - The Best Day

Ahsoka and Barriss carefully landed their ship in front of the Naboo Palace and escorted Senator Amidala to the palace grounds below.

"Thank you so much, girls. I know that you have protected me just as well as Master Skywalker could have, despite his misgivings." Barriss bowed and said,

"Of course, Senator. You are so kind." Padme smiled.

"Now, girls, I have to head to my meeting. But Naboo is such a romantic place; though I must admit, I am quite impartial to it; anyways, take the afternoon off and enjoy yourselves!" Ahsoka and Barriss glanced at each other in nervous embarrassment at the term 'romantic' but figured that it could have connotations other than their type of romance.

"Well, thanks, Padme," Ahsoka said, as the lovely senator gave her a smile. The Jedi and Padme parted ways, and Barriss looked at Ahsoka in shock.

"'Padme'? Ahsoka!" Ahsoka laughed and shrugged.

"If you were a bit less tense, you could be on first name terms with a senator, too." Barriss rolled her eyes and lightly slapped Ahsoka's shoulder, and they both laughed.

Barriss and Ahsoka meandered around the perimeter of the palace, catching up about anything and everything. Cotton candy clouds drifted by overhead, and Ahsoka leant down to the ground and tugged up a batch of pale green roses. As the girls wound between marble pillars, Ahsoka swiftly knotted the roses into a flower crown in her hands.

"-and he said, 'I quit!' And Master Luminara and I just stood there in shock; I mean, I suppose a clone can desert, but to announce that they were quitting the Grand Army of the Republic right in front of their Jedi General? Well, Master wouldn't have it..." Ahsoka smiled at Barriss's twinkling eyes as she waved her slender hands around animatedly. Ahsoka carefully lowered her completed flower crown onto Barriss's head. "Oh!" Barriss blushed and giggled, looking up at the crown on her head with a grin. She readjusted it, and said, "It's beautiful, and so delicate..."

"Just like you." Barriss opened her mouth and then quickly shut it again, abashed. She pressed a hand to her smiling lips. Ahsoka grinned and grabbed Barriss's hand, tugging her along and skipping around the cobblestoned courtyard. The free Padawans spun around with their arms spread out, laughing at the clear blue sky above them. Ahsoka tumbled into Barriss's arms and clutched the Mirialan's shoulders as she beamed breathlessly.

Ahsoka and Barriss ran to the end of the cliff the palace sat on and leaned over the edge on their tiptoes. Gigglingly, they tumbled over each other to get back to the palace entrance, where they tripped down the steps, delirious in their giddyness.

Ahsoka led Barriss down to the bright green meadow surrounded by rushing, towering waterfalls, and they splashed in the stream. The girls splashed the clear-as-glass water into each other's faces and tumbled into a gleeful kiss. Ahsoka clutched Barriss's forearms and giggled, her eyes shut.

"I love you."

"You know sure as heck that I do too." Barriss laughed and shoved Ahsoka into a patch of tulips, falling on top of her with her hands out to brace her fall soon after.

Ahsoka rested her head on Barriss's stomach, and Barriss toyed with Ahsoka's lekku in her hands. They watched the shimmering sky overhead while muttering sweet nothings into each other's ears. It was one of the best days both girls had had in a long time.

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Just some fluff... :) Let me know what you think in the comments!