Ahsoka was almost happy, because everyone she met in this unique camp of survivors treated her with kindness and attention. It was as if the terrorist attack she had been accused of, which had led to Tano leaving the Order according to the official version, had never happened. All the Jedi, both young and seasoned, constantly visited her, asked about her affairs and whether she needed any help. Asoka felt that most of them still felt guilty for believing in the girl's guilt at the time and allowing her to leave. But it was completely unnecessary, as Ahsoka had long since forgiven everyone, believing that their current concern for her and Anakin's children had more than made up for what they had done at the time. Yes, the Togrutar had truly and wholeheartedly forgiven everyone in the camp, except... Anakin Skywalker. But only she knew this; the others believed that the tension in their relationship was caused by a long-standing grudge over Tano's departure from the Order. However, Tano understood well that she owed much of this universal love to Shaak Ti. After all, she had accepted Asoka from the very first moment, greeting her warmly and like a relative, so the others had no choice but to do the same. As it happened, Master Ti was chosen as the unofficial guardian of the younger generation, and over time, her habit of caring for children spread to the adult inhabitants as well. Soon, Shaak, along with Master Yoda, became privy to every problem faced by her comrades, and it was to her that they ran for advice and help, knowing that they would always get what they needed. It seemed that she had long since stopped dividing people and humanoids into friends and strangers, treating everyone with the same maternal warmth. She could pity, support, and sometimes even scold without hesitation if someone deserved it. Apparently, this trait was characteristic of all older Togrut. How did she manage to be everywhere and for everyone? Asoka, for example, had only recently managed to remember all the members of the camp. There were twenty houses, either single or family homes for those who, contrary to the Code, had managed to find a partner or even have children. There were unexpectedly many of them, as there were many survivors. Shaak herself had recently become an official wife and mother to her children. And her husband turned out to be, who would have thought, Mace Windu himself! Zatt laughed as he told Asoka yesterday about the lovely and cheerful wedding the Ewoks had arranged for them. The Masters Fisto and Sekura followed their example, barely recovering from the serious injuries they had sustained during Order 66. Incidentally, they had twins, a little older than Luke and Leia, and not long ago, Ayla gave Asoka some of their children's clothes, which were now too small for her boys. But there were exceptions, such as Master Unduli, who lived in a solitary building on the outskirts of the camp. She had always been unsociable, but now she had completely withdrawn into herself, hardly speaking or leaving her house. Shaak Ti explained to her that she had become this way after being betrayed by Barriss, who had carried out a terrorist attack. After all, she was not only her student, but also her daughter. Ahsoka sincerely sympathised with this woman who had lost everything and barely escaped with her life on Kashyyyk. Ferrus Olin and Master Tolm were also present, with whom Ahsoka still exchanged glances. As for Master Yoda and Lady Joka, they were a constant source of tension for everyone. But now they were nowhere to be seen, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Ahsoka was also able to relax for a while and feel like she was back in her old life, helped by the familiar faces around her. Only two people were missing for the atmosphere to be complete. Her loved ones - Masters Plo and Kenobi. But while they willingly told her about the heroic death of the former, they spoke briefly and dryly about the latter - "The Empire took him" or "He fell victim to an order." From this, Tano concluded that he had also died. However, Kit Fisto vaguely hinted, "It would have been better if he had died right away." Anakin clearly knew more than the others, but it would never have occurred to Ahsoka to ask him. Meanwhile, Zutt returned, saying that Skywalker had again ordered him to help her. When it was all over, Ahsoka returned to the house and stretched out wearily on the bed. That morning, Shaak Ti had brought her some other clothes - Mace's blue shirt and Katuni's grey skirt. These clothes looked worse than her dress, of course, but in practice they were much more comfortable. It was already late, but Ahsoka did not go to bed until Anakin returned. For some reason, his presence near her instilled a sense of calm and security, dispelling the feeling of fear and danger that had become almost familiar in recent times. Only now, the man hardly spoke to her, simply taking everything he needed and going out into the porch, dryly wishing her good night. It seemed that he was still hurt, or perhaps he was simply worried about the rebels' plans. The next day, when they went hunting together, Anakin sat Asoka next to him instead of behind him, and although he did not trust her to shoot the gun herself, he showed her how to hold it and aim. He did this very sparingly, avoiding looking at her. Although, to be honest, he was glad that Ahsoka was no longer wearing that awful tight dress. Nevertheless, the Togruta tried to keep the conversation going.
"Tell me, did you also fight during the Order?" Asoka asked, saying the first thing that came to mind.
"Yes, I fought on the side of my people," Anakin replied, without taking his eyes off the controls.
"I once saw a line of stormtroopers marching down the main street of our settlement," Ahsoka shared her observation. "They then passed through the entire village and left empty-handed."
"How strange," Anakin remarked involuntarily. "Usually, the Empire always leaves behind emptiness and blood."
"Probably because we didn't have any Force-sensitive or white Jedi," Tano offered a plausible explanation.
"Really? What about you?" Anakin asked.
"I don't know, probably because my Force was blocked," Ahsoka said doubtfully, rubbing her wrists where the handcuffs had been for a long time. At least her position in her stepfather's house had some use. Although it was debatable which was worse: remaining a sex slave to her stepbrother or dying at the hands of the Imperials.
"Or because you were inexperienced, they would have found you easily," Skywalker added, for no apparent reason. He was almost twenty-four, counting from his date of birth, but he himself believed that his life had begun when he joined the Order. Suddenly, Ferrus Olin's speeder appeared right in front of them. The men nodded briefly to each other, and Olin said to Skywalker:
"When the rebels have finalised their plans, I invite you and Ahsoka to my place for a small party.
Ahsoka wanted to reply, but Anakin beat her to it:
"I'm sorry, sir, but Ahsoka is too busy with the children, so please do without us.
Ferrus flew away regretfully, and Anakin reminded Ahsoka once again of her place in his life:
"Keep in mind, while you're feeding my children, don't even think about hanging out with guys like him.
"I honestly don't understand why you're so against this man. He's only ever said good things about you and Padmé.
Anakin just shrugged in response. He had nothing to say; he couldn't admit that he was simply jealous of Olin. He had everything Skywalker wanted: lineage, nobility, manners. He would have been the perfect candidate for Padmé. The man had not forgotten how, on the day he introduced his wife to Ferrus, they had immediately withdrawn and begun to communicate in that special language of the nobility, which Anakin did not know and frankly did not understand. Since then, the rivalry that had begun during their apprenticeship had resumed.
"Why is he gasping for air all the time?" Asoka changed the subject.
"During the Order, while fighting for the rebels, he was injured in a ship explosion, suffered burns to his lungs, and has been suffering from the effects ever since," Anakin explained as calmly as possible.
"I feel very sorry for him," Tano replied and fell into thought, watching Olina's speeder disappear. Meanwhile, as evening approached, heavy grey clouds gathered in the sky, promising a wall of cold rain in the evening. In such weather, there was no point in even thinking about going hunting or on a reconnaissance mission. What's more, they had to clear everything off the porch and into the porch to protect it from the rain, and close the windows with wooden screens.
"Are you going to sleep in the porch?" asked Asoka, thinking how cold and uncomfortable it must be there.
"Of course, where else?" replied the man, as if she had asked something utterly stupid.
"I think you'd better stay in the house tonight," Tano suggested timidly.
"Can you imagine what the others will say if they see us sleeping in the same room?" Anakin disagreed.
"They'll think you didn't want to catch a cold and get pneumonia or something worse," Tano retorted, but Skywalker left anyway, noting that Ahsoka no longer exposed herself in front of him, but covered her shoulders with a blanket when feeding the children. Had she learned to be shy? It's about time. And of course, he woke up in the morning feeling exhausted and almost completely soaked. He was in a terrible mood, which improved slightly when he learned that Ahsoka had managed to prepare enough food for the day, as the rain had caused communication problems and no one else could cook. So, in the morning, Shaak Ti sent Mace and the boys to the rebel base to ask for some food supplies. Ahsoka had no idea what that meant and was pleasantly surprised when Petro and Zatt brought a bag filled with fruit, tins of food, sausage and bread to their house in the afternoon. Such luxury was rarely affordable before. Asoka hadn't eaten such delicious food in ages, but Anakin took it for granted, and Tano thought with horror of the moment when he would leave the shade. And Anakin, as if on purpose, seemed to be looking for reasons to stay longer in the warm, cosy house. He rearranged some tools in a box, then started cleaning his boots, and so on until he ran out of excuses and had to go out into the cold, wet porch. Tano no longer tried to persuade him to stay. Enough, she had run away from him long enough. After all, Anakin was not a small child and was well aware of what he was doing and what the consequences might be. Besides, he had every right to stay here alone and send her out into the rain. So be it. Having made up her mind, Asoka began to prepare the bed. Outside, the rain grew heavier. Cold, pouring rain.
***
patreon.com/posts/fragments-of-in-136692196