AN: Unbeta'd

xXx

Familial love isn't something a Jedi is supposed to be acquainted with. I think that most Jedi fail in this aspect, though. It is far more common, at least from what I remember, to love a Jedi teacher or friend or student. I used to think it was a failing of the Jedi—something we had yet to correctly purge from our system. Now..I'm not so sure. Sith know no love except for themselves and Dark Jedi are much the same. Unselfish love is supposed to be one of the most amazing forces in the Galaxy and yet it is shunned by all Force users. Is it really a good thing to purge that from the Jedi's system?

Ahsoka and Anakin sat in silence outside the Jedi Council chambers. Normally she would have been thinking of her next school assignment or the most recent battle, or an upcoming battle, or the war in general, or even more mundane things like how to tweak her lightsabers to fit her better. Now, she could only think of what her Master had told her about his actions on Tatooine just before the war. His words echoed around in her head and she still didn't know quite what to think of this (although it wasn't good).

"I killed them all, Ahsoka. Every one of them, no matter the age. I thought I could hide it, but...things like that build, padawan. They build and build inside until you have no choice but to release it all again, and then you have to hide that and more builds faster and...it just gets worse. That's why I went to the Council.

"I'm...sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I didn't really know how."

And then he'd gone on to tell her about how he'd broken the code and about how he didn't regret it. Well, he regretted that he'd had to choose to begin with, but he'd said he'd make the same choice again in a heartbeat.

Part of Ahsoka felt so hurt and betrayed that she didn't quite know what to do with herself, but part of her just felt pity for her Master. What he'd done, and then his Master and trying to keep everything secret...well, that explained a lot really. Surprisingly, she found that as she examined the situation further, all she wanted to do was help her Master—be there for him, support him, let him know that she wouldn't just leave him for this (despite the doubt in the back of her mind)...well, if the Council would let her stay with him in any case. He'd implied rather heavily that she could very well be masterless by the end of the day.

At least they'd done away with the old age-limit and sending everyone to the Corps. There wasn't a whole lot of use for the Corps in the universe as it was now. Although she had a feeling that once the conflict finally ended the Agricultural Corps would be needed more than ever. As a padawan, 'aging out' had seemed like such a horrible option. Now, she wasn't so sure.

Not that she ever wanted to be anything other than a Jedi Knight.

Shaking her head, she brought her thoughts back to the matter at hand. What would happen to them now? Would they be split up? Would she end up like so many other masterless padawans—those who had lost their master to the war or happened to just stick around because the age limit no longer mattered? Would they find her another master? Would she still be able to help with the war effort? What about the men of the 501?

And what about Anakin? She glanced over to see him sitting rigidly, hands on his knees and face fixed grimly on the floor in front of him. He exuded an aura of 'go away' so prominently she almost looked away again. Almost. Something made her want to study him right now. She'd never noticed before just how broken he was. Not necessarily broken as in 'non functional', but broken as if he were rebuilding himself from the ground up. She thought she'd known what losing his Master to the darkness had done to him, but now she saw differently. She hadn't known anything. The impenetrable wall he put up in front of his enemies was just an illusion. Well, that hadn't been exactly difficult to see, but she hadn't realized just how flimsy that illusion was. It was so obvious now, she wondered how she'd missed it before.

It took her a bit to realize that looking at him hurt. She fixed her eyes back on her own hands in front of her. What would this do to him? If he was already having such a hard time... And she'd picked up on the subtext too. He might get kicked out of the Temple...or he might leave. She couldn't imagine leaving the Order. It boggled her mind that he (or anyone) could. And yet...it didn't feel wrong for him either. She wasn't sure if it felt right, but that wasn't necessarily the same as wrong. She did not like that little tidbit at all.

Her hands clenched harder. This was all his Master's fault. Everything had come to a head and hit the fan and might very well fall apart because of him! Oh, if she ever saw that man again...

But then the image of him as he sat in front of her, looking so relieved, flashed through her head. "Oh, good for you, Anakin. I'm so proud."

She frowned because something didn't add up and she couldn't shake the feeling that she'd missed a piece of the puzzle somewhere along the line. Anakin hadn't told her exactly why his master had fallen. She'd just assumed he didn't know (after all, how could anyone know what a fallen Jedi was thinking?). Now, she wasn't so sure he didn't know, but she was pretty sure he wouldn't tell her. That was a rather personal question, and she wasn't sure she had the right to ask it, even if it would clear so much up. Gah! This was all so confusing! And if she was having a hard time with it, just how was her master coping at all?!

Just then (both mercifully and cruelly somehow), the Council doors opened. Out of the corner of her eye, she noted her master had turned his head just as quickly as she had to look at the Council Member who had strode calmly out.

It was Master Plo.

"Anakin, Ahsoka," he said with a pleasant tone that did not fit the situation at all. That was one reason why she liked Master Plo so much, though. He just didn't let any problem get him down. "I assume he told you everything," he said, turning to Ahsoka.

The togruta felt herself stiffen and glanced over at her master. He just nodded grimly. She swallowed and copied his gesture. "Yes, Master."

"Good," Master Plo said approvingly. "Before we make a final decision, we'd like to speak with you alone, if that is alright, Ahsoka."

Ahsoka blinked and her eyes widened. Then she glanced at Anakin again to see that he had a similar expression on his face. Well, at least she wasn't the only one taken by surprise at the request.

"O-of course, Master," she managed to get out and slowly stood to follow Master Plo back into the Council Chambers. As she passed Anakin, she shot him a look that she hoped was reassuring. Judging from the tightening of his jaw, she wasn't successful.

Suppressing a sigh, she walked into the large room and tried not to flinch when the doors shut behind her. Then, as she'd always been taught, she walked to the middle of the room and bowed. Then she stood at parade rest until addressed.

"padawan Tano," Master Windu addressed her neutrally. "Did your master tell you why you're here?"

Ahsoka pushed past the lump in her throat. "Yes, Masters," she said quietly.

"Tell you what, exactly, did he?" Master Yoda asked.

The young torgruta took a deep breath. "He told me about...Tatooine and Senator Amidala and...and his Master." Because they may as well know, right? Things always seemed to work out better when she covered all her bases.

The Council members all exchanged glances.

"He spoke of how he killed an entire tribe of Tusken Raiders out of anger as a padawan," Master Windu clarified. Ahsoka tried not to flinch as she nodded. "And of how he broke the code with his wife, the Senator?" She nodded again, hoping she didn't look too sick. Hadn't she just said that he'd told her? She guessed they were just making sure, but she sincerely wished they'd just get it over with.

"And we know he spoke to you of his former Master. Very well, it seems we can proceed."

Ahsoka tried not to focus on how dry her mouth felt as she waited.

"What has Master Skywalker taught you?" Kit Fisto asked gently, his smile instantly putting her at ease, even as the question seemed to make her want to tense further. What did they think he'd taught her? Did they think she'd fall or leave them?

No, she told herself, don't jump to conclusions. Just answer their questions. They have reasons. So she took a deep breath to steady herself, released her nervousness and apprehension to the Force and tried to maintain the calm that followed.

"Many things, Masters. About the Force, the code, life, war, peace, strategy..." She really didn't know where to start.

"The Code, you say?" Master Yoda asked.

Ahsoka blinked at his question, but she supposed that it made sense they'd question her about that after Anakin had broken the code himself. She looked down but nodded firmly. "Yes, sir. He...apparently held me to a higher standard than he did himself." She winced almost as soon as the words left her.

"Bitterness is not becoming of a Jedi," Master Windu admonished.

The padawan blushed a brighter red and nodded. "I know, Masters. I...don't think I feel bitter. I just think I feel...sad."

"Why say this, do you?"

Ahsoka licked her lips as she thought of how to put this into words.

"I'm sad he felt he had to hide it from me and you, and I'm sad he felt he had to choose the way he did and I'm sad he's in so much pain because of it. I...I think he wants me to learn from his mistakes. Whenever he makes one, he always tells me why he made it, what he would do differently and how I can avoid it myself. He never lets me just sit when I'm angry or upset, although he always gives me the space I need and..." She faded off because she wasn't sure the next thing that came to mind would actually help him.

"And what?" Master Plo prodded. Ahsoka bit her lip for a moment, trying not to fidget. Then she figured that if she were in for a credit, she was in for a chip.

"He cares, Master. He cares for me and for the men under his command—even though they're clones and so many people dismiss them as soldiers or resources—and the people he's trying to save...he cares so much it hurts to watch sometimes."

"Young one, did you not see this for the attachment it is?" Master Plo asked, not unkindly.

Ahsoka slumped ever so slightly. "I...never really thought about it like that, I guess. I mean, I...didn't think he was attached, not really. I just thought he cared because we're Jedi. Aren't we supposed to care?" Before anyone could answer her, though, she went on. "I asked him why he cared so much, once. He said we need to care equally about everyone...and I thought he did."

"It's never easy to see the the truth behind our hero's actions," Master Adi-Gallia said softly. Ahsoka nodded, bringing one arm up to rub at the other one unconsciously.

"It's alright if you do feel angry," Master Mundi spoke only slightly louder than Adi, although he had a much more matter-of-fact tone. "Anyone would in this situation."

Ahsoka glanced over at him, confused. "But, I thought..." she started, fading off, because really, it should be obvious.

"We're not machines, little 'Soka," Master Plo said. "We are sentients and like every sentient, we have emotions. What Jedi seek is to not let those emotions control them."

"I guess that makes sense," she said, knowing that she'd probably be thinking on that one all night...and for a long while to come.

"With that in mind, how feel you?" Yoda asked, cocking his head to one side curiously.

Ahsoka blinked at him for a few seconds, and then looked down, examining her emotions. "Disappointed," she finally replied. "And, as I said before, sad."

To her surprise, the Grandmaster laughed softly. "The mind of a youngling. Teach even old trolls like me, it can."

A few gasps went through out the room and Ahsoka felt her eyes widen.

"Master, you shouldn't say that about yourself!" She admonished, then immediately shrunk back. She was in front of the Jedi Council. She shouldn't be telling them off, right? "I...I mean..."

"Why say that, should I not? True, is it?"

Ahsoka didn't really know how to answer that. Sensing her dilemma, he chuckled again. "Worry not, padawan. No wrong have you done today."

"Yes, master," she said, almost automatically, more than a little relieved.

"We have a choice to make, padawan Tano," Master Windu said, leaning forward.

"Remiss, we would be if ask your opinion, we did not," Master Yoda added. Somehow that just made the hawkbats in Ahsoka's stomach worse.

"Yes," Master Windu agreed. "So, knowing what your Master has done, would you like to be assigned to a different Master?" Ahsoka wasn't surprised per se, but their question had still been rather unexpected. Why were they asking her?

She tried not to flounder again and failed spectacularly. "I...but...I...do you want me to?" She finally settled on the last thought simply to try and stall. Part of her—the initiate she'd always been—wanted to give the right answer, but the padawan she'd become wanted to stay with Anakin—out of loyalty or just to because he needed her, she didn't know. She didn't much care for the conflict this sparked in her.

Master Plo answered again. "You see, padawan, this is a difficult decision for us. In peace time, you would definitely be assigned to another Master."

"However, the problem that arises is that there aren't enough Masters for those who are already here," Master Windu added on. "Not to mention, we don't wish to break up quite the effective pair you and your Master make. And apparently he is teaching you fairly well, even if he doesn't live up to those teachings himself." The korun master added that last part on with a frown, but despite the severe expression, something inside of Ahsoka relaxed. Then she paused and thought the question over. How would she feel if she accepted their offer? Horrible and cowardly. Well, that made up her mind rather quickly.

"Then I, well I'd...like to stay with Master Skywalker," she replied slowly, not shyly (she didn't ever remember being shy), but warily, because this would definitely have some backlash.

"Why?" Master Gallia asked, and from what Ahsoka could tell, she was genuinely curious.

"It," she said slowly, "it feels right."

"And you don't have a problem with it—with him—even knowing of his actions?" Master Mundi spoke again.

Ahsoka turned to stare openly at him, not realizing how rude she must seem. "Of course I have a problem with it. What he did was wrong. He knew it was wrong too or he wouldn't have kept it from everyone, but even with all of that in his past, he still did everything he could to make sure I'd be the best Jedi that I could be. He's done horrible things, but that doesn't mean he's a horrible man. Not really."

"Hmm, true words you speak. However, lead down the dark path, his actions did. In danger of falling, he was." The words, he could have been a horrible person, hung in the air around the Council and echoed in Ahsoka's mind.

The togruta focused on the Grandmaster. "And how much further would it drive him if I left him now?"

"The consequences of his choices, yours to carry, they are not."

Ahsoka looked down again, releasing her frustration to the Force. "Maybe not," she agreed softly. After all, she was only a teenager still. But she'd also commanded armies and fought in wars. She'd seen the best and the worst that the Galaxy had to offer. "But," she continued, "he is my master, and he's done so much for me and the Galaxy. As his padawan, maybe I can support him a little so he can manage the weight of those consequences without breaking."

"Even that won't be an easy task," Master Plo said slowly.

The padawan just turned to him with a smile on her face. "No one ever said the life of a Jedi was easy."

It was hard to read him with the mask on his face, but she could have sworn that he smiled approvingly.

"Very well," Master Windu said. "Thank you for your honest opinion. We will continue to deliberate. If you could please wait outside, padawan."

Ahsoka, feeling far more confident than she had when she'd walked into the room, bowed respectfully and walked out.

Anakin stood as the doors closed behind her yet again, this time shutting her out of the Council Room.

"What did they want?" he asked nervously.

She smiled sympathetically. "They wanted to know what you'd taught me and whether I wanted to be reassigned to another Master or not," she replied honestly.

Anakin looked like he'd swallowed a lemon. "And what did you tell them?" he asked hesitantly.

"The truth." If anything he paled further and she couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Oh, come on, Skyguy. Do you think you'd be able to get rid of me that easily?"

He blinked. "Huh?"

"Listen, Master" she said slowly, and with no small amount of sass, "as far as I'm concerned, You're stuck with me."

"S...stuck? But what about...um...what I've done? Why would you want to stay with me?"

It broke her heart to see him so confused. Had he really convinced himself that he'd lose everyone? No wonder he hadn't come forward until now.

"Well, you're my master. And...well, you're family," or as much of a family as Jedi have, but it felt right to say.

She couldn't read the expression on his face (the closest she could come was 'dumbfounded') as he stared at her for several seconds. Then he rushed forward. The next thing she knew, he'd bent down and wrapped his arms around her while burying his head in her shoulder like he was her padawan and not the other way around.

It surprised her, but she found she didn't mind.

"Thank you, Ahsoka," she heard him whisper.

She smiled and brought her own arms up to close the hug. "Any time, Skyguy." And she meant it.

xXx

Obi-wan hadn't expected for his facade to be tested so soon. He'd prepared anyway (and he thanked the Force that he had), but the day he'd set up his own office in a small room annexed to Senator Pilloa's s, the Force apparently decided to dump the equivalent of a pop quiz on him.

He'd just started on one of his final trips of taking things up to his office, all of the items balanced on his left arm as his right still held his cane (and he'd almost gotten used to leaning on it ever so slightly to keep up the facade of a healing man) when someone called his name.

"Mister Forra!" He had made sure he'd gotten used enough to the name that he reacted to it whenever he heard it, mainly by assembling a recording and having a remote follow him around whenever he wasn't in front of the public's eye, randomly spouting said name. He was glad he'd taken that precaution because immediately he paused and turned to see none other than Chancellor Palpatine walking towards him, flanked by some red-clad men that must be his honor guard. Obi-wan briefly wondered what Palpatine had done to the old Senatorial Guard, as he had seen the blue-armored warriors around but they seemed to be far fewer than before.

He also didn't know how these bodyguards would fare against an outright attack, and he did feel some Force sensitivity from them, even if he couldn't explore that now. Not with Palpatine right. There.

It wasn't his time to strike. He could tell that already, and he didn't need the Force to do so (although it was giving him major warnings too). Not to mention, this was a very public hall in a very public building. He was sure he could get away, but how quickly would Jedi be coming after him if he so much as hinted that he wanted the Chancellor dead?

No. Now was not the time to attack. Now was the time to act like a non-sensitive, dirty politician who had been denied a powerful position in the Senate. One who probably would be sucking up to the Chancellor. It took him a moment to swallow the bile that rose at the thought.

His hesitation was easily passed off as surprise. "Ch-chancellor?" he asked, as if the man weren't really there.

"Mr. Forra," the Chancellor said with that grandfatherly smile of his. Even now that Obi-wan knew what that smile hid, he couldn't detect any falseness in the expression. He didn't allow his worry at such a display to show, nor did he even acknowledge how impressed he was. Obi-wan could look at all that later. Here and now.

"Why are you carrying such a load in your state?" the Chancellor asked, frowning in concern. Oh, he was good. Of course Obi-wan had known that before, but seeing it in action while he knew was an entirely different matter. "Let us help you," the older man insisted as he gestured for one of his bodyguards to come forward. He (or she, Obi-wan couldn't tell) did so without hesitation and took the objects Obi-wan was carrying.

"Oh, thank you," he said, allowing his surprise to show. "But I'm really not in that bad of a 'state' as you put it, sir. I'm far more capable than I may look."

"Of course, of course," the Chancellor said dismissively as he waved Obi-wan off. The guard didn't give his things back though. He paused as the Sith-in-disguise continued. "Actually, is there anything else we can carry?"

The old Obi-wan would have insisted that nothing was wrong and probably changed the subject. The new Obi-wan still wanted to put his lightsaber through the Chancellor's gut. Ashid Forra, though, would probably take advantage of the offer and use it to try and get on the Chancellor's good side. That didn't mean he had to jump so obviously at the chance, though. Prudence, he suspected, would always best when dealing with Palpatine.

"Oh, you don't need to trouble yourselves with me," he insisted, playing up his part as the humble but injured. "I'm sure you and your bodyguards are busy, and I wouldn't want to reduce such obviously upstanding men (and yourself, Chancellor) to such menial labor."

"I assure you, it is no trouble at all," the Chancellor replied easily then turned to another of the four guards. "Go find some of the janitorial staff to help and bring in the rest of Mr. Forra's things." Then he turned and gestured for Obi-wan to follow him. The Senator's aid nodded and moved to do so. Obi-wan turned back to the direction he'd been heading. So far, so good, he hoped (he wasn't stupid enough to relax and assume he'd taken the Chancellor in).

"Thank you for your assistance, Chancellor," he said, allowing himself to move a touch more freely now that he wasn't bogged down by everything he'd had to carry. He didn't allow himself to check and see if the 'breathing mask' was still in place as it should be. That would be giving too much away. No, right now, he was Ashid Forra who wouldn't have left his apartment looking anything less than immaculate. He had to have confidence in himself and his outward appearance. He had to keep up the act. If he could get the Chancellor to send the red guards away, then perhaps he could show his hand, but until then, he didn't dare.

"But of course," Palpatine replied genially. "I'm actually glad I ran into you here. It saves me the trouble of making time in my schedule to see you."

"Oh? Me, Chancellor?" Kriff. He'd wanted to stay off of Palpatine's radar for longer than this.

"Yes, yes. I wanted to apologize for the mix up about your Senatorial position." Obi-wan almost relaxed. Almost. So this was just Palpatine covering his bases. Good. In that case, he might still be able to pull this off. He ignored Viscral's laughter in the back of his mind reminding him that he still viewed Palpatine on a pedestal. "I'm terribly relieved that you found a niche here after all of that."

Ashid would be upset that he was reduced to this, but respectful nonetheless. This was, after all, the Chancellor he was speaking to. "I have to admit I was...disappointed," he responded, allowing just the touch of bitterness to color the small presence he'd constructed for himself outside of his shields. "After all, I did give up everything on Eeropha to come here. My job, my home, what's left of my family who will talk to me...my face." This time he allowed himself to bring up a hand to touch the mask the still covered the bottom third of his face and trailed to the synthetic bandages where he'd supposedly gotten 'reconstructive surgery'.

"Yes, I heard about the attack. Your driver, was it? And your bodyguard saved you?"

The younger man nodded, allowing himself to lean a little more heavily on his cane. Actually, having watched master Yoda all these years helped his realism in acting like he really couldn't walk straight. Go figure. "Kurashohi. He realized there was a problem...I'm not sure how. He opened the door and pushed me out just as it..." He paused, brow furrowed and eyes distant, as if reliving something traumatic. "He didn't make it. So now I carry his ashes with me in commemoration."

Obi-wan patted his lightsaber fondly. He'd even managed to fix a false end to it that he could take off if Palpatine wanted proof...which he undoubtedly would. Surely enough, the older man's eyes fell onto the supposed 'vessel'. If the former Jedi hadn't been looking for it, he wouldn't have caught the spark of interest—almost hunger—that appeared on Palpatine's face. Obi-wan didn't let himself smile in triumph.

Yes, I know you want this. Tough luck, friend.

"All of his ashes fit in that?" Palpatine asked.

Obi-wan winced and sighed for good measure. "They could only find parts of his body."

"That is quite the remarkable container. May I ask where you got it?"

"Oh, this?" The younger man asked, as if surprised by Palpatine's words. "This is...well, I think it was a gift," he said, making sure he looked confused enough.

"You think?" Palpatine asked.

Obi-wan nodded and glanced back at his guarded companion. "You see, my memory isn't...quite what it used to be. It still functions as well as it did before the accident for the most part, but some of the damage...well, the medical droids say they're not sure if I'll ever remember everything."

"How terrible! You have my sympathies," the Sith-in-disguise replied, just the right amount of horror and regret in his voice. "Would you mind if I had a look at that?"

Wait, what was...Obi-wan felt a tug on his mind. So that was how he'd gotten this far? Subtle mind tricks and clever words. He found it amazing what the right (or in this case wrong) person could do with even the smallest power and the knowledge of when and how to use it. He'd have to at least make it look like an effort in resisting. Or he could simply misunderstand.

"Oh, of course. I'm sure Kurashohi wouldn't mind." With that, he unscrewed the top and positioned it so Palpatine could see the ashes inside. It was only a few centimeters deep, but no one would be able to see that with the ashes covering it. After all, nobody needed to know that, now did they?

"I meant the container, my friend."

Obi-wan paused when he felt the tug on his mind again. He frowned, looking down at the lightsaber. He did not want Palpatine to touch it at all. It was his, stang it! "I'm not sure..." he started, hoping he looked as if he were conflicted.

"It's just an old man's curiosity," the 'old man' continued.

"But why would you ask something as rude as that?" Obi-wan countered, furrowing his brow.

Palpatine looked surprised. "Rude?"

"Yes," Obi-wan acknowledged. "To ask to touch the container of the dead without having known them is...I'm sure you didn't mean any harm though."

"Of course not," Palpatine said quickly, although Obi-wan did note how his eyes narrowed. "As the Chancellor, I'm required to respect all cultures. I'd never heard of such a one from Eeropha before."

Obi-wan nodded, smile back in place. "I'm not surprised. It's an old custom, but one my people seem fond of." He added just the touch of exasperation in the words.

"It doesn't sound like you much care for the custom," Palpatine said slowly.

Obi-wan shrugged. "It was never about what I want. I'm sure as the Chancellor you understand that."

Palpatine was watching him as if in a new light, but he still managed a very real smile (how the kriff did he do that?!) and a slight nod. "Indeed I do. It is always about the people and what they want." Because in this case, it gave certain people the power they needed.

"Precisely. Oh, have we arrived already?" Obi-wan glanced up at the Eeropha Senatorial Chambers in surprise as he fixed the lid back on the 'container' absently. He saw Palpatine's mildly frustrated expression out of the corner of his eye, but it was gone when he turned back to him fully. "Our discussion has been so pleasant. I must admit, it really was an honor meeting you." He bowed slightly, making sure to keep his head up and mouth in a bright smile. Palpatine wouldn't be able to see it, but he should get the feel of it if Obi-wan were projecting correctly.

"Indeed it has," Palpatine said warmly, returning the bow with a slight nod.

"I'm sure you have better things to do than give apologies to this poor, senatorial servant."

"Nonsense!" the Chancellor protested. "In all actuality, I would love to have lunch some time. You can tell me more about these older customs of Eeropha that Vice Chancellor Saro didn't see fit to fill me in on."

Obi-wan laughed out loud (and hoped it didn't sound fake). Well, so much for not being on the Chancellor's radar. "I wouldn't say no, Chancellor. Have an excellent day."

"You as well, Mr. Forra."

The moment Obi-wan had stepped into the area and closed the door he let his fists clench and had to quite literally bite his tongue to keep from screaming out. He'd been so close! Why?! Why wasn't Obi-wan strong enough yet?! Everything in his being wanted to utterly destroy that thing, but the Force had told him that now was not the right time. The kriffing darkness! Why was he even listening?! Why should he care what the thing that had destroyed his life wanted?!

And yet...

Maybe it was his ingrained Jedi training, but he'd trusted the Force. Somehow he feared that one day it would be the death of him. One shouldn't trust the darkness...but it had saved him, multiple times. It had also ruined him.

He took a deep breath and hoarded his anger and frustration. He would be in for a rough training session tonight. Perhaps he could go underground and find some disgusting sentient to take his anger out on? It wasn't a bad idea.

After a few moments, he managed to put the mask of Ashid Forra back on and walked calmly to his office where the red guard had dropped off his things. He expected the rest soon, so he had to have a perfect facade.

Seriously, how did Sidious do this? How had he done it for years?

He really hated himself for the grudging respect that was growing inside of him.

xXx

AN: And there it is. Consider this in Hiatus until Oversight is done. I might be able to get a chapter or two out before then, but I'd really say don't count on it righ tnow. Thank you for all your support. Knowing that people still read this makes me very happy. :)