A/N: Request from MyaviaRaven :)

Also note that in order for the ending to work, this chapter takes place a couple years after the Clone Wars began. Enjoy!

***

Since Anakin's horrifying experience of saving Ahsoka from near death, the two had grown to be practically inseparable. Their friendship had blossomed, until one day, an event came along that changed everything.

"Hey, Snips," Anakin greeted her.

"Hello, Master Skywalker," the young Togruta replied, bowing her head slightly with a smile. Nothing could've been better; Kyrena and her gang had received a brutal telling-off from Anakin -- and that was an understatement -- thus, their attacks on innocent younglings had been reduced to lurking in the shadows and glaring darkly at any unsuspecting passersby that they deemed unfit to be in the Jedi Order.  

"Did you sleep well?"

This was standard questioning procedure; ever since Ahsoka had been released from the medical bay, Anakin had taken it to be his personal duty to make sure nothing happened to her ever again.

Yet, today, instead of greeting her in his jovial, arrogant Skywalker attitude, something was different. His Force presence was darker than normal, and he was constantly fidgeting with his synthetic arm, a sure sign that something was bothering him.

"Yes Master, I did," Ahsoka replied hesitantly. She'd sensed Anakin's darker demeanour. What was wrong? "What's troubling you? Your Force Signature is much more weighted than normal," she remarked in concern.

And so the punchline hits, he thought bitterly. He was nervous for a multitude of reasons; he didn't know how she would take the news, nor was he certain she would agree to the task. "Well,"  he began, "as soon as you fell asleep again that day, I requested an emergency meeting with the Jedi High Council."

Ahsoka's eyes widened. Kriff. She still was constantly plagued by nightmares and sudden panic attacks from that fateful day, and she just wanted to leave it all behind. "What did you tell the Council, and what did they say?"

Another low blow to his hopes.

"They said they wanted to have a talk with you, but they weren't sure what date they could do so."

Silence.

Anakin took this as a cue to continue before she managed to wriggle out of the situation. "They sent for me early this morning and told me they were ready."

As he'd expected, Ahsoka did not take it well. Pivoting on her heel menacingly, she turned to face Anakin. "What do they want me to tell them?" She sneered. "How much I suffered because of them? How many classes and important tests I'd missed due to my injuries? I know how the Jedi High Council functions, Master Skywalker," she spat venomously. "It's full of self-obsessed, arrogant hypocrites who do nothing! It's already bad enough that they reign like royalty and look down upon people without their ranks. What's next? An additional rule in the Code saying they're allowed to poke their noses into things that aren't their business?"

"Ahsoka, I agree with you but-"

"Then why are you arguing?"

"They are concerned about you!"

"Concerned?" Ahsoka hissed. "Let them eat my dust."

As she stormed away, she failed to notice multiple pairs of hungry, devilish eyes following her every move.

***

Anakin watched her leave. He wholeheartedly agreed with what she'd argued in a fit of rage about the Council. As soon as she was out of sight, he clenched his teeth, walking away angrily to his quarters. I shouldn't have brought it up to her! I should've just taken her to the Council's meeting room when the time came! But the look of betrayal on her face would be... no, I can't lose her, not now.

As the heated debate continued to rage on inside his head, he was just about to turn the corner- when he sensed a large rift in the Force.

***

His previous mental turmoil all but forgotten, Anakin followed his gut, hurrying down the hallways of Jedi Temple. There was a growing feeling of dread gnawing at his stomach and it only got worse every step he took. At least it's somewhat of a good sign, he assured himself. It means I'm getting closer to the source of the rift.

He was right.

Anakin was suffocating in the earlier feeling of impending doom. Suddenly, a blinding warning flashed across the Force and he doubled over in agony.

Conceal your presence, it seemed to whisper. There is something larger going on, and it is not your place to intervene.

As quickly as the warning had come, it disappeared. It was imperative that such an ominous message was obeyed, Anakin thought, especially since it seemed like it was directed at him.

Concealing his presence, he moved forward quietly, hearing voices echoing down the next hallway. It sounded like just an argument. If this was the source, why had the Force sent him such a warning? Arguments occurred every day and were normal. Confused, Anakin continued moving forward- until he sensed several dark presences surrounding one that he knew well: Ahsoka.

***

Panic mounted in him as he rushed towards her, making sure to continue concealing his presence. Ahsoka, no! He thought, please be okay, he pleaded. Racing towards what he knew was the source, he suddenly came to an abrupt stop just as the Force seemed to whisper another warning, this time more sinister than the last.

Young Tano must solve this on her own. Be at the ready with your holo-recorder.

And obey, Anakin did. Pulling out the slim, metal device, his index finger hit record.

"... you worthless, puny little brat! You think you're suddenly worth it now, just because Anakin Skywalker tolerates your sh*t?"

"Don't you think for even a second that the Chosen One, the one who was prophesied to bring balance to the Force, doesn't look down on you whenever he's with you! You think him saving you was out of the kindness of his heart? He did it so he wouldn't look bad in front of Master Windu."

"Besides, Master Skywalker is only paying you any attention because he pities you! He doesn't care about you! You're just another weakling in his eyes. You won't be chosen by any Jedi in this Order, much less him."

Anakin managed to contain his fury up until this point. He knew who these people were: Kyrena Baldot and her gang, throwing even more insults at Ahsoka. However, he was pleasantly surprised to hear the young Togruta speak up bravely.

"Shut up! Do you think Master Skywalker gives a damn about any of you? You aren't anything more than tantrum-prone pieces of decayed bantha fodder!"

That's my girl, Anakin thought proudly. But his pride didn't last long.

"How dare you insult us?" A masculine voice, Pierre, snarled. "You don't belong here, filth!"

"I have a better idea," Kyrena drawled. The unmistakable snap-hiss of a lightsaber igniting was heard. "Let's teach this little brat her place, shall we?"

One by one, flashes of blue and green appeared out of nowhere, their malicious intent clear as day. These younglings are savages! Anakin snarled to himself as his thumb hit finish recording. He had to take action. He'd already gotten all the proof he needed to expel them from the Order.

***

"Come on guys," Kyrena addressed the rest of her gang impatiently. "Let's finish her off."

At that moment, Anakin stepped out behind them, his brilliant blue lightsaber springing to life with a low hum. "Finish who off, Kyrena?" He demanded menacingly, towering over the group of younglings.

Caught in the act.

"Oh! M-Master Skywalker-!" Kyrena stuttered, iron grip on her lightsaber slackening as it fell to the ground with a loud clang.

"We were just-" she wasn't given the time to find up a cover-up.

"Save it," Anakin ordered. "Put your lightsabers back on your belt and come with me. I am charging you all with treason against the Republic and attempted murder of a fellow classmate."

Just as they were about to walk away, the Knight complimented Ahsoka, "Well done on your defensive stance, Snips. Keep it up as you bring up the rear." And with that, he marched the conspiring younglings away to a certain doom.

***

A/N: Yeah, I'm gonna need to split this in two. The second part is on the next page! Hope you've enjoyed so far!