Ahsoka Tano - Undeserving

2

Small author's note: this is an AU where the ages and timeline are slightly off; Ahsoka is fifteen and started serving with Krell when she was thirteen, and Anakin didn't get knighted until he was 21.

"Wait! Master, please!"

Ahsoka begged quietly in despair, knowing it was hopeless but still doing so all the same. But her pleas fell upon deaf ears, and she quickly felt a harsh smack across her face that sent her tumbling into a wall. She cradled her cheek in shock, tears sprouting in her large blue eyes as she looked up at her master and crawled fearfully away from him.

But he didn't relent, instead grabbing her by the arm and socking her right in the stomach. She curled inwards with an oomph, all air sucked out of her lungs, as Master Krell stood up straight and shook his head in disappointment. "Now padawan, I've taught you better than to let pain overcome you. You are small and fragile, and you must learn to withstand suffering if you are to survive this war. Am I clear?"

"Yes... Master..." Ahsoka wheezed, wrapping her arms around herself and trying her best to regain her breath.

Another smack across the other cheek diverted her attention and she squeaked in pain. "I said, am I clear?"

Ahsoka stood up as straight as she could and declared with all her might, "Yes Master!"

Krell folded both pairs of arms behind his back. "Your enemy will not hear your pleas for mercy, nor will they go easy on you. There is no point in begging, it will only make you look weak and foolish. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Master."

"Very good, Padawan. Your training session is complete for today." Krell strode out of the room, leaving a young Ahsoka gasping and placing a hand against a wall to steady herself.

Ahsoka awoke quickly but without a jolt of fear, instead sighing lightly and staring up at her ceiling. These memories were common, plaguing her most nights. To others that would be a bad thing, but she was simply used to it by now.

That memory was of one of her first training sessions with the Besalisk, before she knew what he was truly capable of. Oh, if only she knew then what she did now.

Ahsoka rolled off of her cot and stood up, knowing sleep would elude her now. She dressed in a traditional Jedi tunic that would cover her bruised arms and exited the room, clipping her lightsaber onto her belt and grabbing her comm. A late night sparring session wouldn't hurt; after all, maybe her master might be impressed enough with her skills that he would become slightly less cruel. It was wishful thinking, Ahsoka knew, but she had a feeling if she didn't hope she'd go mad.

===

The Jedi Temple was as boring as ever, especially after just returning from a hair-raising mission that kept Anakin Skywalker on his toes. He had returned for the moment mostly because of his former master's complaints that he was out in the field too often and not getting enough rest, and the Council seemed to agree. Normally he wouldn't mind the small break, but Padmé wasn't even on world and she wouldn't be for awhile. So, here Anakin was in the sparring room.

The young knight wasn't sure how late it was, but the sun had set and given way to speeder headlights and city skyline. He scowled at the training droid in front of him, analyzing its movements as he instinctively lightened his feet instead of planting them as he usually did. This time around he was trying a newer method of staying on his toes and evading his enemy instead of striking first; Obi-Wan was more of a fan of this fighting style than him. He could still hear his old master's saying: The best offense is an unbreakable defense, Anakin. If you cannot out-fight your enemy, you must out-wait them.