Brotherhood

Chapter 4 - Tensions Rising

"On the transport, you agreed to let me teach you some things I know," Anakin comments casually, looking over at Ahsoka. His mother had wanted to talk to Padme, leaving him and Ahsoka with time to themselves. "Would you want to do that now?"

"Sure," she replies. Despite her relaxed posture and tone, he can sense her nervousness in the Force. For whatever reasons, she's not entirely certain about agreeing, even though she's clearly curious. If he sticks to non-Dark Side techniques, she should warm up to him more.

He already decided what to teach her. He might consider the practice easy, but Dooku had assured him that many, if not most, Jedi cannot do it. "Great!" He tries to tone down the excitement in his voice – he really does – but he still thinks he sounds too eager. He doesn't know what to do with the feelings the thought of teaching her evokes in him. He's never felt anything even remotely similar before.

"I'm going to find a blaster," he tells her. "I know there's some around here." Turning, he strides from the room.

"A blaster?" she questions, sounding confused, rushing after him. "What would you be doing with a blaster?"

Anakin smirks. "I'm going to shoot it at you," he states matter-of-factly, amusement dancing in his eyes, when he feels her concern rocket. This is actually rather enjoyable. It helps him forget – if only for a short time – who he is.

"Why?" she demands.

Anakin hums quietly as he opens a weapons cabinet, snatching up a blaster, before closing the doors again. He motions for her to follow him back outside before he answers her question. "Well, Snips, I'm going to teach you how to deflect blaster bolts with your bare hands," he explains, grinning at the astounded look on her face.

"You can do that?" she questions.

"Try me." He tosses her the blaster before turning and walking twenty paces from her. "Shoot. At my head," he orders.

Hesitatingly, Ahsoka raises the blaster, leveling it at his head before pulling the trigger. He reacts instantly, right hand coming up as he draws the Force to shield. The blaster bolt is deflected harmlessly, sailing off to the side. He snorts when he sees Ahsoka's expression. "Did you really think I was asking you to kill me?"

"I thought you would duck," she admits, lowering the blaster. "That is so cool. How can you do that?"

With a single thought, he casually Force yanks the blaster to his hand, ignoring her startled jump. She still hasn't gotten used to the fact that he's trained and not a Jedi. Because I'm a Sith. "It will take you time to master the technique," Anakin warns, and Ahsoka nods silently. "Draw in the Force and shield your hand. You can sense the energy of the bolt, yes?"

She frowns. "I – yes, if I'm concentrating."

He turns the blaster away from them and fires it, holding up his left hand and catching the bolt mid-air. "Feel it, Ahsoka. Through the Force. That's how they all feel. You need to recognize it as acutely as danger through the Force."

"Oh!" she exclaims. "It feels like a concentrated ball of energy."

Anakin laughs softly. "Because it is," he agrees. "You can move it like anything else." He watches as she extends her hand, the Light Side flowing through her as she draws the bolt towards her. Anakin can feel her rising excitement and wonder at her ability to move it. He watches, arms crossed. "You can deflect it if you manipulate the Force just right," Anakin explains quietly so as not to distract her.

"Can you do it again?" she asks.

Anakin reaches out, drawing the bolt towards him and redirecting its motion before letting go. It sails towards him, and he reaches out, letting it bounce harmlessly off his hand. "Do you need me to do it again? I can try to do it slower."