Brotherhood

Chapter 49 - Unravelling

Author's Note: Just to clarify, everything is not exactly happening in chronological order. What I mean to say is that chapter 47 began before chapter 48 timing-wise, but it ends after chapter 48 happens. This chapter also happens before. :)

~ Amina Gila

Sidious considered the mission a success, so much so that he allowed all three of them – surprisingly – to take a week off and go to Naboo. Anakin is excited, because he's missed his mother so much, and this will be the last thing they need to do before they disappear. Everything is ready. Once they arrive on Naboo, Obi-Wan will use his knowledge of Force healing to locate the slave chip, and he'll then remove it. It will be dangerous and risky, of course, but the alternative is waiting for the indefinite future.

Anakin refuses to do that. Once his mother is freed, all five of them will leave Naboo and rendezvous with Death Squadron – which will include the clones – and they'll be able to disappear together. In a galaxy this big, it will be relatively easy to hide away from the prying eyes of the Republic and Separatists, both.

He's buzzing with a hidden excitement, his relief at the nearness of freedom making the Light Side actually reachable for the first time in a while. That alone is enough to calm him, the Force offering a gentle current of comfort as they travel through hyperspace. They haven't actually talked about the aftermath of the mission, but Anakin knows that they're all pleased about it. Well, for the most part. Obi-Wan and Ahsoka both killed Jedi there for the first time, and he knows both are struggling to cope with the guilt, Obi-Wan especially.

He'll have to deal with that, but first, he can talk to Ahsoka. She's right here, next to him, in the co-pilot's seat, while Obi-Wan is allegedly meditating in one of the cabins. Anakin doesn't believe it – not when he can feel the raging emotions in the former Jedi. "How are you holding up?" Anakin asks quietly.

Ahsoka shrugs, expression oddly blank as she tilts her head back and stares up at nothing in particular. "I'm not sure," she admits. "I regret it, of course. I... wish I didn't do it, but I know, intellectually, that it had to be done. It's... different than it is with the clones because the Jedi are... were where I grew up. I was one of them. It's not easy to fight and kill them like that."

For a moment, Anakin wishes he could relate to that. He has no idea what it would be like. He's always seen the Jedi has enemies, and before that, as untouchable saviors who were no more than a concept to him. He's never known them as people, and he regrets that. He regrets that his judgement is so impaired, having been raised a Sith. "I – this is war, Ahsoka. I don't like sending you into situations like that, but... if we aren't willing to do what it takes to win, we risk losing everything we're trying to protect."

"I'll be okay," she assures him, reaching out and squeezing his hand. "I just need a little time to come to terms with what I did. It had to be done, and I know that if I hadn't, they would have killed me. It was... almost like self-defense?"

Anakin nods slowly. "You're not wrong about that. If you want some time to yourself, I think I'll go check on Obi-Wan."

"Please do," Ahsoka replies. "I think he needs someone to talk to."

He absolutely agrees.

***

Obi-Wan is meditating; well, he's trying to meditate, that is. He hasn't struggled this much with meditating in a long time. No matter how hard he tries, he can't get the images out of his head. He can't get rid of the feeling of Shaak Ti's death. It's stupid, because even Ahsoka isn't being affected this way, and she killed both of the other Jedi Masters who had been present. But for some reason, killing a Jedi Council member has shaken Obi-Wan to his core. He's struggling to find balance, to find a way to ignore the Dark which is calling to him.