Cuyanir (A Rexsoka SWTCW Fanfic)

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"Zygerria is a popular place these days." Anakin commented dryly. Rex looked over at him from the copilot's seat. It did seem out of the ordinary for this many ships to be in orbit, if the uncontrolled chaos was any indicator. 

"Yes, the prospect of slaves tend to attract a good deal of high class... Scum." Obi-Wan remarked just as aridly. Ahsoka gave a harsh laugh at that. She was sitting behind Rex, a veil and robe covering everything but her eyes. 

"Scum is one way to put it." She growled, picking at the gunsmoke purple hem of her robe. Rex glanced over his shoulder. The hard look in her eyes softened a little, and he gave her a lopsided grin. No affection that hinted at something other than friendship until they were back on the Negotiator. They had to stay professional even if one of them got hurt. They had discussed this before hand, but that didn't mean that either of them were happy about it. 

Anakin, ever the pilot, managed to get the ship down on a landing pad not far from the palace. Ahsoka trailed behind the others, still a little reluctant to play the slave. She grumbled to her self inaudibly as she stumbled along in the market behind them. Finally, she couldn't bear to keep her questions to herself. 

"How can a civilization so advanced still practice slavery?" She asked, trying to keep the disgust out of her voice. Anakin's lip curled and he glared at her. Others were watching and she needed to play her part. 

"It makes them wealthy and powerful at the expense of others." He growled, keeping his voice low enough that nobody nearby could make out the words but loud enough that the threatening tone carried. Suddenly he shoved her forwards and began shouting at her in Huttese. 

"Jee sey bsha kee baniouahe skug! Doth ah'chu hee stoopa peee bai tee pacmhan karking jensiodopa?" Anakin yelled. Ahsoka only knew a few words in Huttese from hanging around Anakin, none of which should be said in polite company. He sounded furious, and Ahsoka moved ahead of him and ducked her head submissively. 

"Before the Hutts bought me and my mother, we were often sold in a market just like this." He growled in soft basic. 

A twi'lek slave stumbled and fell in front of them. The slave driver pushed his way through the rest of his catch to growl at the slave. Then he pulled out the whip and Ahsoka lost it. She grabbed the slaver's arm as he tried to bring it down on the fallen slave. 

"You don't wanna do that." She growled in the back of her throat. The slaver's startled expression morphed into one of pure fury. Anakin, sensing a problem about to arise, pulled out his 'borrowed' electric whip and snapped it at Ahsoka's heels. She yelped more in surprise than pain and stumbled to her knees. A spherical droid hovered in the air as it noticed the growing conflict. 

"My apologies friend." Anakin glared at Ahsoka, who knelt with her head hung low. "She is fresh and young. She refuses to learn her place." The Zygerrian did a double take at Anakin wearing Zygerrian armor. 

"You are not one of us." He mused, "But you wear our armor and carry our whip." His lip curled and two other zygerrian guards ran up to be ready to contain the situation. "That begs the question. Who are you?" The slaver growled. Anakin gave his arrogant smirk that Ahsoka knew he only used when he was going to be an absolute pain to his friends. 

"I have come for an audience with the queen." He smiled slyly. The slave drive huffed. 

"So you have an invitation? We cannot just let anyone in to speak with Her Majesty." The slaver smirked, thinking he had Anakin cornered. Anain returned the expression. 

"No invitation." Anakin's grin widened. "But I do bring news. News that the queen will be eager to hear." He paused for effect like the drama king he was. 

"I doubt that, you are little more than a brigand." The slaver snarled, but the fur on his ears prickled subtly with fear.  Anakin didn't seem phased at the accusation at all, and spayed himself to an even more arrogant and dramatic posture. His eyes danced with a light that only somebody's with an important secret could. 

"I wouldn't say that." He shook his head ruefully. "I think the queen will be quite eager to see me, considering the fact that you prevented her from hearing the news about... Bruno Denturri." He smirked, mirth clearly written across his features. Rex and Obi-Wan took this opportunity to slip off. Rex silently wished Ahsoka good luck with the empress. The slaver snarled, and several guards came up to point blasters at Anakin, who raised his hands. The winning smirk still danced across his face. 

"Halt, cease all hostilities." The round ball droid commanded. "This man is to be escorted to the palace by order of the queen." 

The slaver snarled at Anakin, obviously enraged by this turn of events. Anakin snapped the whip at Ahsoka's heels again, and she stumbled to her feet as she dutifully followed her master into the palace. She silently wished Rex good luck in finding her people. 

Thankfully the walk to the palace wasn't a long one. R2 rolled ahead of them and beeped his annoyances at Anakin, but nobody paid him any mind. Anakin approached the dias where the queen sat, a convor perched delicately on her fingers tips.

"Make certain all preparations are complete for this evening." She looked at Anakin, who gave her that small smile that ladies seemed to love. "And fetch refreshments." She directed at the twi'lek slave standing in a alcove by the throne. Ahsoka forced herself to keep her head down, but she shivered as the queen's erie eyes passed over her. Apparently eye tattoos were a popular thing in Zygerria, and you could color your scleras. The queen's gold irises were almost backlit in appearance. 

"My queen." The slaver that had 'escorted' them to the palace knelt for the briefest of instants before straightening and motioning to Anakin. "May I present Lars Quell."

The queen let out a short, sharp laugh. "So you're the one who claims to be acquainted with Bruno Denturri?" She asked, her voice velvet over steel. Anakin gave a graceful bow to her majesty and Ahsoka could practically feel him ratcheting up his ladies man charm. 

"Of course. He failed to mention how beautiful you are though, High Queen." Oh boy, he was laying it on thick.

The queen chuckled. "Really. Did he also mention my intense hatred of him." She asked, the velvet leaving her words until only cold steel was left. Anakin smiled even wider. 

"He did, but not to worry. He will not be saying another word to insult you any time soon." He straightened and met the queens eye. Her gaze narrowed. 

"What do you mean?" She asked, a careful tone to her voice. 

"Bruno Denturri is dead. Killed by my hand." Anakin proclaimed, making a grand gesture with his hand. "As proff, I give you his whip and a slave from his palace, compensation for my efforts." Anakin produced a second electrowhip and offered the hilt to the queen. She took it and examined it, her eyes going wide. Anakin tore the veil and robe from Ahsoka and she stood there, shivering slightly in the sudden chill from the removal of the robe. Anakin put a hand on her arm and she jerked it away. 

"Do not touch me, brigand." She snarled. Anakin glowered at her and shoved her to her knees. The queen rose from her throne and descended the steps with a feline grace. 

"Leave us." She ordered his escort. The slaver left the room in a huff. The queen turned her full attention back on Anakin. "She is quite a prize, and to have defeated Denturri in combat? You impress me, Lars Quell." She smiled, and inspected Ahsoka. Lifting his padawan's chin with a taloned hand, Ahsoka snarled and jerked her head away. The queen tutted softly. 

"Denturri always knew how to choose a beautiful female, but the attitude leaves much to be desired." She turned back to Anakin and offered him her arm. He took it with as much air of a gentleman as he could manage. The queen smiled. "Come now, walk with me. Let us discuss a price for this slave." 

A/N ~ Sorry for not updating, writer's block. I'm stalling because I really, really don't want this to end. I love writing Cuyanir. I have decided, though, that the Zygerria arc will be the last I cover in this fic. Question, If I started on an original, would anyone be interested? RotD: I am the beginning of everything, the end of everywhere. I'm the beginning of eternity, the end of time and space. What am I?