Be Your Brothers

Chapter 33 - Hostage

"...so Obi-wan and I managed to handle the negotiations with the fancy lady and I think all is well. Other than that I've been having a boring day and Obi-wan is always busy so most of the time I'm learning about politics and diplomacy. Seem's to be his forte."

Reetha looked blankly into the holo-recording.

"I..miss you guys. A lot. Stay safe and....uhm.." She quietly mumbled an 'I love you' before waving goodbye and sending her recording to the 501st.

She had woken up early that day. It was a small relief mission to one of the planets in the mid-rim to some local village. They weren't part of the war but the war has its way of destroying peaceful lives. Just like this planet's inhabitants. Because of the raging war, they could not get basic supplies like food and they couldn't trade in peace. Mostly because of pirates and scum taking advantage of the defenceless people. 

The boys slept in tents just outside of the village. Creeping out from her shared tent with Obi-wan, she walked into the moonlight and sat by the lake. The waters were eerily silent but there was a hint of calmness to it that just seemed to lull Reetha to a sense of safety. The soft splashes of the waves reminded her of times where she and Master Dante would camp out by the lakes of Naboo. Often times she'd come out at night to sleep by the lakes and relax under the moonlight. The planet they were on was nothing like Naboo but the lake was still beautiful. 

"Just for one night." She whispered.

---

"Awakey wakey Reetha" Light but persistent tapping on her shoulders woke up the tired girl. She fluttered her tired eyes, taking in blurry images of non-other than Jex and Scowl. "5 for minutes.." she slurred. Scowl chuckled "Another 5 minutes and General Kenobi might just send a search party out for you." 

'Oh Kriff!' 

"KRIFF! I overslept!" Reetha hurriedly bounced on her heels. "KRIFF kriff! Master Kenobi will kill me." The two clones watched as she fumbled about with the messy bed hair. "Yup. Either he'd kill you for sneaking out here at night, or we just might." Jex tousled Reetha's hair making her slap his hand of her head. "Someone's grumpy.." Scowl cheekily teased. Reetha muttered, "Anyone would be if they nearly got caught sneaking away." She straightened up on her legs, "Your...not going to tell Master Kenobi, right?" The clones watched as she nervously fiddled with her thumbs, "We..won't." Scowl relented, not being able to resist his vod'ika's puppy eyes. Jex chuckled, seeing Reetha's eyes glow from happiness. She tackled the two with a quick hug before running back to the camp. "She's got us wrapped around her fingers, eh vod?" Jex smiled teasingly and nudged Scowl's side. The grumpier of the two hummed contently "We'd do anything for her." 

--- 

Peeking her head through the tent flaps, Reetha prayed that Obi-wan was at least still sleeping or not in the tent, though the odds of him still sleeping was against her since Obi-wan was an early riser. She noticed his empty bed and neatly folded blanket. "Kriff... He's awake." She whispered. She tiptoed over to her bunk to set her blanket down, then planned to scurry off before Obi-wan came back in. 

"Nice of you to join us, young one," Reetha swore her heart nearly stopped beating for a moment. "Aha, Obi-wan, I mean.. Master Kenobi." She turned to see her master standing at the tent's entrance with a smug-looking Cody by his side. "Mornin' Reetha. Had a good sleep?" the commander of the 212th teased. Reetha pressed her lips into a thin line and smiled awkwardly. Obi-wan stared at her for a while before shrugging "Well, at least you are taking after my habit of being an early riser." He walked towards her and offered her a cup of coffee, which she had not noticed upon his sudden dramatic appearance. She mumbled a thank you. Obi-wan smiled, "What would I do to get Anakin to wake up early..." He complained to no one before retreating deeper into the tent.