Cyare (A Rexsoka SWTCW Fanfic)

35

Rex's eyes widened slightly. "She's a witch?" He asked incredulously. "She doesn't look anything like one of them though." He frowned.

"Have you ever seen a nightsister?" She deadpanned. Rex hesitated.

"...I've read descriptions. They normally wear red hoods and these weird robes." He looked down at the report again. Ahsoka finished stuffing the last of her things into the bag and zipped it up.

"Yeah, and they have a limited use of the dark side of the force that they call magic." She shivered. "No wonder Ventress fell so easily."

Rex cocked his head. "What do you mean, 'fell'" he asked. Ahsoka took her attention off the bag and stared at him in surprise.

"You didn't know? Ventress was a jedi. Her master was killed by Count Dooku and he took her as his own apprentice about a year before the outbreak of the clone wars." She explained. Rex sat back to process this new information.

"And Dooku?"

"Also once a jedi." Ahsoka confirmed. "He was actually the padawan of grandmaster Yoda." She said softly. Rex rubbed at his eyes tiredly. His hands were shaking still. Stupid burns. Stupid nerve damage.

"Is there any sith who didn't start as a jedi?" He asked wearily.

"Maul, who was also Dathimiran. A nightbrother. Obi... Obi Wan killed him almost thirteen years ago." She said sadly. Rex's own face fell in sympathy. "And one more that we've only heard in name alone. Darth Sidious." The name left a chill in the air. It felt... sinister.

Ahsoka shivered. "Alright. We still have some time before we have to get to the shuttle." She quickly changed the subject. "How's the cane working out?" She asked, a teasing lilt to her voice. Rex rolled his eyes.

"Can I burn it?" He grumbled. Ahsoka laughed.

"Seeing as it's made of metal, I don't think fire's gonna damage it much." She giggled, plopping down on the bed next to him.

"How 'bout a thermal det?" He muttered under his breath, momentarily forgetting about Ahsoka's sensitive hearing.

"Don't you dare set one off in my rooms." She smacked him on the arm. Rex rolled his eyes again and pouted. Ahsoka giggled again and kissed him on the cheek.

"Fine..." He sighed, but he was smiling like only someone in love could smile. A smile that Ahsoka returned. She gave a start, seeming to remember something.

"On the subject of weapons," she pulled out a long cylinder and held it out to him. He took it carefully and gave a small grunt. It was heavy for such a small thing. He looked at Ahsoka questioningly. She smiled. "It's a training saber. One for older initiates or for non force sensitive adults when they need to learn to use a lightsaber." Rex jerked and held the thing a little farther away from him.

"Don't worry," Ahsoka laughed. "It's about as dangerous as a fork. Could it hurt or even kill somebody? Yes, if they were determined or stupid enough. The blade isn't even powered by kyber crystals." She pulled out a second one and ignited it.

It glowed a dim green, not as bright as the normal lightsabers'. It's hum was quieter too. She shut it down again. "If the blade touches you it only deadens the affected area or limb. Nothing to really worry about. Unless you try to eat it or something" Ahsoka shrugged. Rex made a face, but he relaxed a little bit.

"Why would somebody try to eat a lightsaber?" He asked. Ahsoka snorted.

"Why would somebody try to eat a knife?" She raised an eyebrow. Rex shrugged.

"I dunno. Maybe it was one if Fives's infamous dares for Hardcase."

Ahsoka laughed again. She glanced at the chrono by the bed and sighed. "You ready to go?"

"Absolutely. I think I've had enough of the hospital for a life time." Rex fumbled to get a grip on his cane with his shaking hands, but he did manage it, and he followed Ahsoka out the door. He slid the training saber into his sweats pocket.

His legs, which had ceased trembling and aching, complained at the movement. But he didn't voice his discomfort. Ahsoka seemed to notice anyways, be it his gait or how he leaned on the cane almost like a crutch. He was slightly winded by the time they reached the shuttle. A certain ARC trooper was there too, waiting to be taken to the Resolute in orbit. His eyebrows lifted at the sight of the cane.

"Wow ori'vod. You look like you're ready to sit back and drink blue milk and tell war tales." Fives said. "In fact, all you're missing is- OW!?" He yelped as Rex whacked him across the back of the knees in the soft spot in between the white plastiod plates. "What was that for?" Fives whined.

"For poking fun at your CO." Rex grumbled. Fives opened his mouth, but Rex cut him off. "And don't even think about going to Kix to complain. He gave me permission to smack you into next week." Rex said grumpily. Fives shut his mouth with a click.

Ahsoka moved to board the shuttle and Rex, ever the gentleman, reached down automatically to help her up. She took his hand out of curtesy but put no weight in it. She tossed the bag up before climbing in. The door to the shuttle slid closed, and the familiar rumble of takeoff vibrated up from their feet.

"Do you know how long we'll be out this time?" Fives asked, glancing over at Ahsoka. She shook, her head, but Rex spoke up.

"The 501st isn't due back for another six months. But for individual ARC missions or jedi business, no clue." He supplied. Fives gawped at him. Rex rolled his eyes. "I'm a commanding officer. I have access to that type of information. And I actually bother with paperwork." He smirked. Fives gave an exaggerated grimace.

"Oh paperwork. The bane of my existence." He sighed dramatically. Rex shook his head and gave Ahsoka a meaningful look as if to say 'this is what I have to deal with.' She snorted and raised an eyebrow. 'Are you kidding me? Have you met my master?' Rex laughed and Fives rolled his eyes at the pair.

"It's cute and all when you guys do the silent exchanges, but I don't like being left out of the conversation." He grumbled. Ahsoka and Rex chuckled.

Rex felt the subtle shift in his gut that artificial gravity had kicked in and they had cleared the atmosphere. They were quiet in the cabin of the shuttle amid the supplies and other troopers. The clanking of the ship as it landed and the panels slid open were a familiar sound. Rex relaxed a little bit more when he stepped out into the docking bay of the Resolute.

They were home.