Child of War

Secrets

I sat on a bench in the training center and pulled on a pair of sparring gloves. I may have been a Jedi, but I wanted to be able to fight with more than a lightsaber. I kicked the training dummy and it spun, arms flinging straight out. I ducked the arms and nailed it in the gut with my fist. The arms kept spinning so I rolled back and stood.

"Looks like you could use a better opponent."

I whirled to see Jarris walking across the room to me.

"Why do I always find you here?" He stopped a few feet away and moved into a fighting stance.

I grinned. "Maybe I like it in here."

"I wouldn't doubt that." Jarris lunged forward.

I easily dodged the jabbing punch, grabbed his arm, and flipped him to the ground. "Or maybe I know that you'll come looking for me and I'll get the chance to beat you up."

He smirked. "I wouldn't doubt that either."

My communicator beeped in a pattern - three short beeps and one long one. I released Jarris and straightened. "I have to go."

He stood. "Where?"

"I can't tell you." I started to walk away.

He grabbed my arm. "Why not? What's going on with you lately? It's like you're avoiding me. Did I do something wrong?"

"No," I assured. "It's not you. It's just... complicated." I sighed. "It's been hard to deal with the whole... Ahsoka situation."

"I'm sure it has." He sympathized. "But you used to come to me with those things. Bottling it all up won't make it go away."

I looked down and carefully pulled my arm from his grasp. "I know, but for now... you have to trust me." I dashed out before he could answer me, before he could stop me.
————
I couldn't relax until the door to my room had clicked shut. I sat on the floor and tapped the receiver of my communicator. "Sorry, I had to get somewhere private."

Ahsoka's voice answered me. "Not a problem. I'm sorry for pulling you into this."

"Don't be." I leaned my back up against the wall. "I would've gotten involved anyway."

She chuckled. "Have you found anything on your end?"

I sighed. "Nothing. How about you?"

"No." She sounded so defeated.

"We'll figure out who did this." I promised. "For now, just lie low."

I heard her take a heavy breath. "Okay." There was a pause. "I'd better go."

"Ahsoka," I said, before she could sign off, "may the Force be with you."

"Thanks." The communicator flashed off.