Learning

Chapter 24: Dealing with Death

Ahsoka made her way downstairs Anakin and Padme's home towards the living room. She'd heard his conversation on the phone to her overseers and to his wife about the situation. Ahsoka was very grateful that they had opened their home up to her. Going into the living room, she saw that Anakin was sat on the couch flicking through the channels. He turned to her when he heard the door open. "Oh hey Snips, how did the exploring go?' Anakin asked with a grin, teasing her gently.

Ahsoka returned the expression and tried to summon some of that brashness that had earned her that nickname the first time. "Pretty good. I found a wardrobe to Narnia and a mirror to Wonderland. Oh and also your rather large selection of skin and hair care products." She laughed at his expression and sat down next to him. "I mean I guess I should've know, your hair always looks immaculate. Must takes you hours to get it just right." Ahsoka continued to laugh despite Anakin starting to shove her.

"You know," He growled. "Some of those are Padme's. Have you seen her hair? She looks like a living doll!" Anakin spluttered quietly because he didn't want Padme to hear and get mad at him. He turned his attention back to the TV, currently on a cooking channel. "Aburrida. ¿Qué quieres mirar, Snips?" Anakin took pleasure in the awed yet confused look on her face.

Nevertheless, her confusion melted into jest. "¿Tu hablas Español?" She doubted he knew what that even meant. Yet she was impressed that he knew limited Spanish.

Anakin became flustered for he hadn't expected her to respond in Spanish but that did make him wonder something: What did he expect? "Uhhh..." He tried to think of something. "¿Sí?" Anakin wondered if yes was even a suitable response to her question.

Ahsoka grinned like she'd won some great triumph. "Muy bien. I would like to watch the news please." Ashla often put the news on before tea so they could keep informed.

Anakin sighed in comfort that they'd reverted back to English and changed the channel. The news had just stopped being the weather and the news lady was starting to talk about a new story. "... Thank you Pond for that update. Now, to a tragic story from this weekend. A drunk lorry driver speeding down the motorway crashed into a series of cars. The police have released that there were only a couple of major injuries, many minor and only one death. People have been laying flowers beside the road in thankfulness for the high survival rate and in sorrow for those we have lost." The report continued to go on to say how the drunk speeding driver has now been brought into custody however neither of them really heard that for Anakin had turned off the TV.

He turned to look at Ahsoka who had frozen on the couch, staring blankly at the black screen. "I'm sorry Snips." Anakin whispered as he pulled her into a hug, grateful that let him comfort her. He was also surprised that they had covered the event on the news, whoever the driver or the other victims were must've been rather important.

Ahsoka cried gently into his shirt, feeling her grief rise and rise. "How can... How can they... Possibly call her a tragic accident? She was... SHE WAS MY MOTHER!" Ahsoka shouted in anguish as she broke free of his hug and raced upstairs, surprisingly fast for it being her first night in their home.

Anakin sighed as he leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose. Padme came through with a furrowed brow and hands on her hips. "What, in the name of all loving peace, happened?! I leave you for five minutes to bond and Ahsoka's upstairs crying. Seriously?! Go and comfort her, dinner will be in half an hour." She shooed her husband out of the living room and upstairs while Padme returned to the kitchen, muttering to herself.

Anakin knocked on the guest bedroom door gently, able to hear Ahsoka's sobs from the other side. Thankfully though, he did hear a meek "Come in." Before he entered. The bedroom looked pretty much the same except the bed had been made. Obi-wan used to sleep here in the beginning stages of Anakin and Padme's relationship before he met Satine. Anakin was very grateful for his friend's support in getting his life back on track, so too was he also grateful to his wife for being by his side.

Now though, Ahsoka was grieving over her mother and needed some help. Anakin was the best or worst person in the works to help with motherly grief depending on your point of view. Right now, Anakin hoped Ahsoka saw his help as useful. "Hey Ahsoka," He started as he sat down next to the shuddering pile of duvet. "Have you ever heard of the saying that goes something like this: Give a man a fish and he will eat it, teach a man to fish and he'll never be hungry?" Anakin was pleased to see she'd stopped shuddering to consider the question. In all fairness he had no idea where this was going but he'd found in the past that a quote often helped him to get a point across. Eventually Ahsoka nodded. "Good, good. You know I never really understood that expression when I was younger. Where I lived there was little water so any idea of fishing was out of the question. However the activity did fascinate me and-"

"Where are you going with this, Sir?" Anakin hadn't realised that Ahsoka had sat upright in the bed now, staring at him confused with red, puffy eyes.

He cleared his throat, not sure how to answer the question. "I told you Ahsoka, you don't have to call me Sir. Anyway," He ignored her eye roll. "Around about a year ago my wife and I went fishing. It was the first time I'd ever been fishing and it was a lot of fun. When we'd finished we had managed to catch quite a variety of fish and Padme suggested eating them for tea. It was then the person who was mentoring us told us that quote. Then I realised what it meant and I realise now I can apply it to your situation." Anakin smiled at her although Ahsoka did not return the gesture. "You've lost your Mum, you're grieving for her. Trust me Ahsoka, I know how you feel. I've been there."

"Was your Mother murdered, like mine? Brutal, cold and inhumane?" She snapped at him, eyes blazing.

Anakin blinked to hold back tears as the memories resurfaced behind his eyes. Ahsoka didn't know how lucky she was that her own mum hasn't suffered or died in her arms. "Yes, she was. By a local gang that terrorised the neighborhood in which we lived. They held her for weeks and attacked her. When I found her, it was too late. She... She died in my arms." Ahsoka gasped and covered her mouth, shocked, while Anakin wiped his eyes. "I took my grief and anger out on the gang. My hatred for them was unparalleled and I slaughtered them all. I fell into a pit of despair after that, it took ages for me to get back out. Thankfully, no one ever found out what happened to them so charges were never presses against me for murder. If they had the I would've never got this job, with or without Obi-wan's help." Anakin held his arms open and Ahsoka crawled into them, letting her body relax. "I know it's hard but I nearly jepordised my entire life to exact one act of vengeance. It's better to stop being angry at the world and everyone. You can be in denial, bargaining, depression and acceptance for as long as you need but get through this anger quickly. Before you do something you will regret." Not really thinking, Anakin kissed Ahsoka quickly on top of her head and tightened the hug before letting go. "Now go and clean yourself up, tea will be ready soon." He released her as Ahsoka smiled.

"Thank you, Skyguy." She grinned as they went to the bathroom and kitchen respectively before going down to all enjoy a lovely family dinner.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I think we only have a few chapters left to go. I'm sorry I didn't update yesterday, I had a lot of homework. I'll update again tomorrow most likely. Bye, bye.