I do not own Star Wars, Star Wars Rebels or the Clone Wars, nor any of its characters.

...

Ahsoka sat in the cockpit, waiting next to her new ship, provided by the Rebellion, The Flashlight.

Her team of rebels had just contacted her that they were on the way, and geared up and ready for the latest assignment.

Ahsoka lent against the shining metal of her ship, deep in thought. She wasn't feeling all that optimistic about this mission, but was still determined to get it done.

She would be returning to her home planet - she had sensed that there was a force sensitive child living there.

Her job - equipped with her team of rebels - was to warn and advise the family of the child. Ahsoka had no plans to take the child away from them, but she would teach the child and family how to hide their gift.

She didn't have much information to work with - she knew the rough whereabouts of the village, but she didn't know if the family had already noticed that their child was gifted and she didn't actually know if the child had a family.

Still deep in thought, Ahsoka noticed her team approaching.

She had a group of twenty rebels, with the addition of Kaeden and Miara.

Levi, the squad leader, approached her. "All ready to go, Fulcrum."

"I can see that," Ahsoka arched an eyebrow, nodded her head to the large amounts of gear and bags they were carrying, the sisters included.

Miara laughed, "Well it's kind of like a vacation! I mean, we are going to your home planet. I see you haven't packed much." She motioned to Ahsoka's small backpack.

Ahsoka huffed unenthusiastically, "I was taken away when I was three. I can't be excited for something I barely know."

The younger girl rolled her eyes, "Jeez, Ahsoka. You're extremely morbid today, did you only get four hours of sleep instead of your usual five? Just because you're not excited doesn't mean I can't be!"

Kaeden shook her head at her younger sister. She really didn't respect boundaries. In the three years Kaeden had known Ahsoka, she had rarely spoken about her past life at all - even her years before she became a Jedi. Miara should consider this when talking to Ahsoka.

Ahsoka put on a stern tone, "Miara, as of today, and the rest of this week, I'm here as your commander and leader, not your friend." Ahsoka paused a minute as she saw frustration flare up in the younger girl. A smile curved on Ahsoka's lips a moment later, "I'm messing with you." She slapped Miara's shoulder gently, as she started to smile to.

"You're such an idiot." She slapped her back.

Kaeden smiled at the exchange between the two.

"But that statement goes for the rest of you, team." She put on a mock authoritative tone.

The team laughed and rolled their eyes.

Ahsoka then straightened up, "But seriously, team. I have no idea what this mission is going to be like. I'm hoping that the information our intelligence teams gave us isn't too accurate. Hopefully, all we have to do is find the child and advise the family - but we know this could turn out a different way. I'm hoping it runs smoothly and there isn't any conflict with the Empire. Intelligence teams advised me to take a team. As long as we get the family first, before the Empire, it should run smoothly. Any questions?" Ahsoka finished.

Jutt raised his voice, "What is probability that we'll engage in combat?"

Levi chucked, "Damn, Jutt. You ask this every time!"

Jutt glared at him as Ahsoka started to speak, "I'm not too sure. By now the Empire has probably picked up the child's Force signature. If they haven't, they will soon. The intelligence teams said the Empire usually sends out a team to eliminate the child within three to five days. There is a small chance they could come early and we'd engage in combat, and we'd exterminate the threat as well as all communications they have with the Empire, to cover our tracks. Is that specific enough for you, Jutt?"

"Affirmative." He nodded.

"Anyone else?" Said Ahsoka.

She was greeted by silence. "Okay. Let's board the ship."

Ahsoka settled into the pilot seat with Kaeden by her side. Miara stood between them, providing a wedge between the two.

Kaeden, uncomfortable with her sister pushing into her side as she tried to get settled, nudged her with her elbow, "Miara, don't you wanna, you know, give us some space. How do you expect Ahsoka to drive with you breathing down her neck." She jabbed, giving her a harder nudge to get her point across.

Miara shoved back, "Why? You don't like me standing between the two of you?" She wiggled her dark brows at her older sibling.

Kaeden clenched her jaw at Miara's teasing. "No." She snapped, "Don't you wanna hang with Levi? I know you two have a thing going on there." She tried to change the conversation.

"Perhaps. Something a little similar to what you and Ahsoka have going on." The younger girl smirked, fully aware of how to get on Kaeden's nerves.

Ahsoka seemed to not notice the conversation, too busy adjusting dials and buttons ready for take off. It was either that or she just chose not to say anything.

"That's enough, Miara. Ahsoka needs to concentrate. Come back after we're in hyperspace." She pushed her sister towards the exit.

She signed in relief when she left.

Ahsoka continued to flick switches and adjust the dials, "Miara and Levi, huh?"

Kaeden flushed red, deeply hoping that Ahsoka hadn't been listening to that whole conversation, "Apparently so."

Ahsoka smiled gently, "They'd make a good couple. He's got a striking sense of humour."

"Yeah..." Kaeden mumbled, "I'm sorry for what she said earlier. I know you don't like talking about your past much." She said, sincerely sorry for her sisters behaviour. Ahsoka had been guarded when they had first met, and even now that they'd known each other for almost three years, Ahsoka was still selective about the information she shared about her past.

Ahsoka signed, flicking one final switch as the ship started to lift off the ground. "I know... you don't need to apologise. I can understand why people want to know and think that they're entitled to that information. I'd just rather leave a lot of it in the past where I belongs. I still don't feel quite ready to share a lot of things I've seen and been through."

Kaeden placed a hand on the Togruta's arm, "You don't need to justify yourself. Besides, who doesn't like a little mystery in someone?" She grinned widely and beamed when Ahsoka smiled back.

"I appreciate that. Ready to jump to hyperspace?"

"Ready as I'll ever be." She said enthusiastically.

Ahsoka placed her hand on the lever and pulled.

...

Miara stepped out of the ship and skipped down the walkway. Following closely was Ahsoka and Kaeden, accompanied by six rebels: Jutt, Levi, Yumi, Plun, Kerp and Kamini.

Ahsoka had advised that only a small group should approach the village, as a large group could be intimidating and make the villagers anxious. The rest of the team hung back in the ship, alert and ready should they be needed in an emergency.

"I never expected Shili to look like this." Kaeden mused, brushing her hands through the tall turu grass. "I thought it'd be greener. Kind of like home."

Yumi pulled out a long red and white blade of the grass and examined it, "Me too. I feel like I'm in a huge field of crops. Expect it's just grass. Really tall grass." She discarded it on the floor.

Ahsoka shook her head at the pair in amusement, "Did you not do your assigned research?"

Jutt butted in, "I did, sir. This is turu grass. It's brilliant for the species to blend in, especially while hunting. It is also useful in the rare case of an akul attack." He said, his voice deep, barely taking a breath in the whole sentence.

Ahsoka slapped his shoulder, "At least someone around here is educated!" She laughed. "I do at least hope you've done the research on my people. It's the most important part."

Everyone nodded and confirmed that they had.

They continued to walk, thankful that the volume of grass was beginning to lessen. It made it easier to walk and carry their gear. All weapons and necessities were packed into their bags, as they did not want to startle any of the villagers. Maintaining peace and normality was key in these kind of situations, especially when dealing with such a species that relies heavily on community and teamwork. If one person became frightened or anxious, it would be a tough situation to deal with.

"Like all of you would have read in the briefing documents, my people are like a pack of wolves. As a predatory species, they stick together through a lot. A lot of my people feel cornered when they're alone and not with the pack, so try to avoid that situation. As long as we keep everything as normal as possible, everything should be fine." Ahsoka said, pushing the grass to the side to make a pathway.

The path was getting a lot more clearer and Ahsoka could sense they were nearing a village.

The team trudged up the hill. Once at the peak, the village came into a view. It was fairly large, with many huts and wooden stands. "Looks like this is our destination." Levi spoke, his posture straight, his broad shoulders pushed back.

"I guess so." Ahsoka began to lead the group down the hill. She was sure to keep her pace slow, not to alarm any fellow Togrutan's who may be close by. A few meters in front of the group, Kaeden walked side by side with Ahsoka.

"You seem a little nervous," Kaeden began, "You've not been here in a long time."

Ahsoka shrugged, her eyes still on the village ahead, which was coming closer with every step they took, "I don't know. It's not exactly special to me. It's just where I was born. I guess I don't get a lot of interaction with my people, it's possible they may single me out a bit. I'm not familiar with the culture. The only thing I've done is go through my right of passage. I don't know a whole lot about my people."

Kaeden thought about what Ahsoka had just said, "I can understand that. You did spend practically your whole life living away from your home planet. But I don't see why they'd single you out."

"My people have a sense of togetherness, mainly with family and loved ones. From what I've been told by old masters in the Temple, a lot of newcomers must show their worth before being excepted into the pack. It can be a lot harder for certain Togruta's - especially the runts. They can get it tough. While I did say they have a massive sense of togetherness, we are a hunting and predatory species. Their ways are quite similar to that of wolves." She said. It felt strange telling this kind of information, since she had never really lived with the tribes and hadn't experienced their ways of living. Not that she could remember, anyway.

"That sounds pretty harsh. I bet being singled out is quite a horrible feeling for them." Kaeden mused. "But I'm sure you wouldn't have to worry. It's probably us," she motioned the rest of the rebels, who were mostly all human, "that we need to worry about." She continued.

Ahsoka hummed for a moment, "I'm not too sure. I don't know the ways of my people, like I said, I'm not familiar with the culture. To add to that, according to the Master who found me on Shilli, I was actually the runt of my tribe. I'm a lot smaller than a lot of Togruta my age."

Kaeden scoffed, "I find that hard to believe! I've never seen anyone fight like you do. You've probably got more muscle than half of these people here!"

Ahsoka rolled her eyes, "Height, Kaeden. I lack the height part. You'll see how a lot of people are a lot bigger than I am."

They arrived just outside of the bustling village.

From what they could see, there was a market selling a variety of things, from fur blankets, to fruits and a whole variety of different meats.

A large Togruta, equipped with armour covering his chest, shins and forearms approached the group. "State your business." He had a very deep voice.

Kaeden noticed Ahsoka visibly stand up straighter, making herself look slightly taller as she looked up to the towering Togruta, "We wish to speak with the Tribe leader. It's a matter of urgency." She said calmly.

"What Tribe do you come from, little one?"

Ahsoka's lip twitched at being called little one, not only did it irritate her but it also reminded her of her early days as a Jedi Padawan. "I originate from Kiros. I'm not familiar with Shili."

The large man studied her for a moment, his facial markings knitted together as he thought, "I will take you to the tribe leader. But..." he paused, eying up the group of rebels, "you may only take three with you. The rest must wait here, or in the market." He commanded.

Ahsoka, still stood up straight in an effort to be taller, turned on her heel, "Levi, Kaeden, Jutt. You're with me."

They nodded and stepped closer to the much smaller Togruta.

"Follow me." His voice was so deep that Ahsoka could practically feel it vibrating in her montrals.

...

So, chapter one. Sorry if it's boring, it's just setting up the scene and the story. It will get plenty more interesting, I can assure you that.

I decided to post this story into Star Wars Rebels instead of the Ahsoka Book category. While it does contain a lot of characters from the novel, the story takes place a few years after the book and so it is set after the book but before the events of Rebels.

Please review!