Ahsoka's decision

Goodbye

"We have heard about your... Fatal illness, Padawan Tano... We're very sorry." Master Windu apologized to her. She shook her head. "I don't want pity, Masters. But with... Respect, I am requesting to leave the order." She said. Shock rose on most of their faces. Ahsoka fought the tears. "This is my home. I know its... Its very hard to leave it behind, but there's just so much I want to do before I die, and I don't want the worry of dying on a battlefield and not being able to finish my fight... It has been an honor to serve under all of you..." She bowed her head. And then, she felt a hand on her shoulder. It belonged to none other than Master Plo. "Little 'Soka... Are you sure this is what you want?" He said.

"Yes, Master." She bowed her head and then a tear fell from her eyes. She wiped it away fast but he still saw it. The Jedi Master looked back at the council. "Relieved from duty, you are, Padawan. But a Jedi, you shall always be." Master Yoda said. Ahsoka's breath go caught in her throat. She could feel something crawling up her throat... But she swallowed it down. No way was she throwing up in front of all the Jedi Council.

"We'll all miss you, Ahsoka." Obi-Wan said. Ahsoka nodded once before walking over to him and hugging him. Obi-Wan was taken back a few steps but, nonetheless, hugged her back. A feeling of pride swelled inside of him. He felt as if Anakin did something right with Ahsoka... That she was one of the perfect Jedi Padawans... No flaws.

Of course, he wished she was one of them that carried her status to Knight. But she won't make it in time before... Before she dies. Tears fell down Ahsoka's cheeks. "I love you, Master Kenobi... You've been like a father to me." She said. "And I thank you for the experience, Ahsoka... But we'll meet again. I promise you." He said. She nodded once before leaving the Council's chambers. Her tears then freely fell. Ahsoka couldn't stop them. The only thing she's known has been battle and the Temple, not to mention the Jedi Cruiser... The clones... Rex. Ahsoka's heart swelled with guilt. Before she left for good, she's saying goodbye to them.

Ahsoka got in the cockpit of her ship, glad that she was sitting down and the stress relieved off her tummy, and piloted her way towards the cruiser. She knew that Rex was there... She would say goodbye to all of them. She docked her ship and climbed out of it. And then she saw Anakin. What was he doing here?

"Ahsoka?" He asked. Ahsoka breathed in before running full speed towards him and hugging him as tight as her arms would allow. Anakin knew why she was reacting this way. Didn't question her at all... His heart snapped in two as he clutched his Padawan... "Oh, Snips. I don't wanna lose you!" He said. She shook her head. "You won't, Master... I'll never leave you," She pulled back from him and put her hand on his cheek. "I promise." He held her hand in place and rubbed his cheek against her palm.

"I know you won't, Snips... But that doesn't make it hurt any less." He said. Ahsoka bit her lip. "Master... Anakin... You know that I care for you. You can't worry about me... People die everyday." She told him. "You know that's not the same thing."

Ahsoka nodded before feeling more tears streak down her cheeks. Salty water fell from Anakin's as well as his tears fell onto her hand that lay still against his cheek. "I love you, Anakin. I always have. You've been my brother." She said. "And you've been my sister, Snips... I love you too." He hugged her again, wanting to never let go, wishing he could freeze this moment... He's always loved Ahsoka.

Just then, Anakin jumped onto the ramp of his ship. Ahsoka saw him clear his throat and then arch his back slightly... Uh oh, he was about to make an announcement. Dying or not, he still felt the need to embarrass Ahsoka... "Attention, troopers! I have an announcement to make!" Ahsoka's stripes darkened with embarrassment as she covered her face. "Master..." She whined out.

"Uh... Most of you do not know this but... The commander is being relieved of duty." Just then, she heard gasps, shocked shouts and protests saying "Don't let them take her away!" She knew where those came from. Jesse and Fives...

"But, I assure you... There is a good reason." He said. Ahsoka saw his gaze drop to his feet and the only way this was getting over with, was if she finished it. "OK, guys... I, uh... I know that- that we may never see each other again, and I know that... That I've been a reckless Commander and a... A pretty lousy Jedi. But now I know this is the one thing I'm doing right... I chose to leave." She admitted. "What?! Why?" Half the Hangar said. Ahsoka bit her lip, looked at Anakin who nodded... "I spoke with a medic earlier this week... I have less than 5 months to live." The words got caught in her throat and she started crying. All of the clones were now openly looking at her, helmets off... They hated when they saw her so weak... But her words were like a kick to the stomach. Especially for one of them... Rex couldn't believe what he was hearing!

"She's been diagnosed with Thorn Fever... A disease that feeds on internal fluid... Including blood." Anakin held the crying Ahsoka in his arms as she buried her face in his chest... "So... Why are you leaving, Commander?" One spoke up. Ahsoka looked up and wiped her eyes, choking back sobs... "Because I'd rather die with honor than not being able to finish a battle because of a disease..." She told him. They all understood. "Ahsoka... Promise to come and see me in the afterlife... I wanna know what heaven looks like." Anakin said.

Ahsoka grinned. "And when I get there... I'll look for Hardcase." She looked out to Fives and Jesse and she saw a tear fall down Fives' cheek. Jesse nodded once with respect. "And if this is the last time we see each other... I want you all to know, it has been a privilege and an honor to serve with you all. I'm proud to call you soldiers, but... I'm very proud to call you my friends." She bit her lip. All of their hearts just snapped in two. She's really not coming back?

And then, Ahsoka looked up and saw Fives and Jesse on one knee with one arm across their chest... Its a sign of respect. But also an Oath. When you do this, you make an oath to always remember this person they are kneeling before... And not too far behind, everyone else fell onto one knee, crossing their arms as well... And the last one walked up the ramp. Ahsoka came face to face with Rex as he got on one knee, arm across his chest. "Its been an honor to serve under you, sir." He said, head down... Ahsoka got down on her knees. "Rex... If I never see you again, I don't want to wonder what it feels like... Say my name. Don't call me Commander, sir, or kid. Say it, please." She begged. He looked up and smiled...

"Ahsoka." She closed her eyes, her name feeling foreign on his tongue, coming off his lips. "Th-Thank you..." And then, Ahsoka covered her mouth as she started coughing. He put a hand on her shoulder. "Take it easy, Ahsoka..." She rolled her eyes. "Well, there's still so much that I wanna do, Rexster... I won't take it easy until I'm almost dead." She said and saw him look down at the word 'dead'.

"Hey..." She put two fingers under his chin to make him look up at her. "It's gonna be alright. You'll see." She was lying. Ahsoka didn't want to leave. But she doesn't wanna live on the battlefield and die there, not being able to finish a fight... It's one of her worst nightmares.

Ahsoka jumped forward slightly and wrapped her arms around Rex's neck. He wasn't even shocked. He immediately hugged her back. "I'll miss you, Rexster." She said, tears coming from her eyes again. "I'll miss you more, kiddo." He said. "Rex..." She rolled her eyes. "Ahsoka..." He mocked her. She pulled back and pushed on his shoulder in a playful manner. He nudged her back.

"Master... I will always be your Padawan. Always will be apart of you." She hugged him and he hugged her, rubbing her back. "I'm so sorry, Ahsoka... I wish there was a cure." He said. "I know you do... And there's no need to apologize. There was nothing you could have done." She told him. He looked up at Rex who breathed out after a long silence before he nodded.

"Ahsoka, let me come with you..."