STAR WARS: CONFLICTED

CHAPTER XIV - AHSOKA'S BIRTHDAY

For the next few weeks, Ahsoka spent a lot of her time trying to train as hard as she could, for as long as she could. She would spend the majority of each day either alone in deep meditation, or with Nathan and Caleb, training with her lightsabers. She felt guilty for what happened to Nathan's arm, and now she wanted to be ready to defend not only herself, but him too.

During this period, she had also had to go undercover as a slave with Anakin and Obi-Wan, on a planet called Zygerria. This mission in particular had tired the Togruta out, but it was, in the end, a success.

She now sat in her chambers, on a warm night on Coruscant, counting down the minutes to her birthday. She would be turning 16 soon, and she felt like she wanted this day to be special, especially because of the recent wear and tear she had put up with mentally. As she laid on her bed, on her front watching the clock on her desk, she heard a quick knocking sound. She got up, and walked to her door, opening it slowly.

"Hi, Nathan." She smiled at him, as he stood over her, a little less than before. She was growing up, that was for sure.
"Hey, you alright?" He asked quietly, checking to see that no one could see them.
"Uh, yeah, I'm okay. You need something?"
"Can I come in?" He replied.
"Sure." She smiled, letting Nathan into her room. He took a seat by her window.

"What's up?" She asked him curiously, placing her hands on her hips.
"I wanted to be with you on your birthday, Ahsoka." He looked over at the Togruta, as she began to get ready for bed.
"You can be, without sneaking around. We have all day tommorow, Nath." She chuckled.
"No, Ahsoka." He got up and walked over to her. Ahsoka looked up at him.

"I want to spend this day with you, because you deserve it for what you've done for me. Since we met, months ago now, I've felt a connection between us like no other. Your determination and passion for what you do for everyone makes me feel a way I never have." Nathan said, now next to the Togruta. She began to blush, trying not to show Nathan, but his eyes were so fixed on her face that she couldn't hide it.

"I have waited for so long to let you know how I feel, Ahsoka. You are the reason I love being here so much, with the Jedi, and with you. If anyone deserves to have a perfect day, it's you, Ahsoka. That is why I'm here now, to be with you as you turn 16."

Ahsoka began to tear up, hearing how Nathan truly felt. It made her feel safe and wanted, and that's all she ever wanted. She jumped at him, embracing him tighter than ever, her tears leaving marks on Nathan's robes.

"Thank you so much, Nathan." She whispered. She wasn't usually one to let others know how she felt. But now, now she felt safe with him.

"Quick, you're gonna miss your birthday." Nathan said suddenly, looking over at the clock, there were thirty seconds left until her birthday now.
She giggled at his remark, looking up into the Jedi's green eyes.

"Sorry, I think I left a mark on your robes." She apologised, wiping at where her tears had sunk into his clothes.
"Hey," Nathan said, taking her hand and moving it away from his robes. "Don't apologise. It's okay."

They waited until the clock ticked over, still holding each other's hands, and as it did, Nathan was first to speak.

"Happy birthday, Ahsoka."

* * *

The next morning, Ahsoka woke up earlier than normal. Throwing on a more casual look, with jeans and a t - shirt, the colour matching her face markings, she almost ran to Nathan's quarters, knocking as quickly as she could.

"Woah, woah, hang on, Ahso-"

She didn't wait. Instead, Ahsoka burst into his room, to find Nathan, still only in his trousers. He was getting ready to leave with Ahsoka, as they were planning to spend the day at the lower levels of Coruscant. Obviously the nicer places, not the underworld.