"Guess what day it is tomorrow!" Ahsoka exclaims giddily, hardly able to contain her happiness as she danced around a half-amused, half irritated Anakin Skywalker.

"It's our Anniversary, isn't it Snips?"

"You bet!" The Togruta answered, all smiles as she did a front tuck onto her bed. "I can't wait!"

Anakin smirks at Ahsoka, knowing exactly what was about to happen tomorrow. Although he was better at hiding it, he, too was very excited. He'd spent months preparing and wanted everything to go smoothly. "Go to bed, Snips," he told her. "I've somehow convinced the Council to excuse us from all classes and meetings tomorrow. You'll be needing your energy."

Ahsoka beamed. "Sure thing Master! No guarantees I'll actually fall asleep though."

Damn Ahsoka and her endless energy.

"Just- just go, Snips."

***

It was nearly midnight by the time Ahsoka had settled into bed. They'd gotten back to their shared quarters at nine-thirty.

It was a tradition for Masters and Padawans to celebrate these annual Anniversaries together. It was their guaranteed day off and often used to strengthen their bonds as well as show appreciation for one another. For Anakin, that meant organizing a huge party. So it was vital that none of the surprises were to be given early. Did that stop Ahsoka from pestering him to give her clues until he broke? Nope. She pestered him until said he began considering canceling the party as a whole.

FLASHBACK

"Master, any clues? Who'll be there?"

"Some people."

"Mind expanding on that idea?"

"Nope," Anakin replied, popping the 'p' teasingly at his Padawan.

"Okay, well, can I organize the lists? I'm great at organization!"

"Not falling for that, 'Soka. I'm not stupid, you know."

"In some situations, I may as well deem you as so."

"Ahsoka!"

"Sorry, not sorry. Any recommended outfits I should wear? Any specific color, style-"

Anakin, who at this point was more than tired of her antics, scooped Ahsoka up into his arms and set her down in bed. His patience was running thin; he had other pressing things to attend to. "Hey, Snips," Anakin said, making his tone sound as warm as he could at the moment, proposed a deal. "If you close your eyes for ten straight minutes without opening them, I'll tell you what you wanna know about tomorrow." It was risky and he knew it, but it was worth a shot.

To his relief, Ahsoka had used up all her energy by then. Much to his delight, she fell right into his trap. "Sure, Master," she mumbled, voice thick. Sliding herself into her blankets, she lay down, eyes closed. Huh. She tired herself out, this was much easier than I thought it would be.

Putting a gentle hand on her forehead, Anakin sent her a powerful yet calming sensation through their bond. Adding a final touch to ensure she'd rest, he emphasized, sleep. Within a minute, she was out and wouldn't be waking up until the next morning. With his Padawan at ease and fast asleep, the Jedi Knight slipped out of their quarters and made his way to Obi-Wan's room.

FLASHBACK END

***

"What took you so long, Anakin?" Padmé demanded, hands on her hips as the haggard-looking Jedi walked into the room. "It's nearly midnight!"

"Ahsoka, that's who," he groaned in response. "She was asking questions non-stop, trying to persuade me to tell her details."

Here, Obi-Wan intervened, tone sharp. "Did you tell her anything?" If she found anything out too early, all their hard work would go to waste.

"No, of course not, Master," Anakin replied, rolling his eyes. "Shall we begin?"

***

The following morning...

Sunlight filtered through the blinds of Ahsoka's bedroom window, announcing the arrival of morning. Blinking slowly to clear her foggy vision, she sat up.

Deep breath in, deep breath out.

A delicious smell wafted into her nostrils, one that she never smelled until this day last year, during-

Wait.

Ahsoka glanced at the calendar on her wall to make sure she wasn't imagining things. It indeed was the 6th of May.

The 6th of May- that could only mean that- "It's my anniversary today!" She shrieked, any feeling of drowsiness long gone, replaced with nothing but pure excitement. Grabbing her outfit for the day, she slipped it on and ran into the kitchen, coming face-to-face with Anakin.

"Morning Snips," he chuckled. "Someone's feeling happy today."

"Morning Master! But how could you not be happy on anniversary day? When I get my own Padawan, I'm going to look forward to this day more than any other."

"I'm sure you will. You hungry? Cuz I sure am, and the breakfast looks delicious."

Ahsoka rolled her eyes yet grinned nonetheless. "Pfft. Everything looks delicious to you. But are you kidding me? Hungry? I'm starving!"

The Master-Padawan duo dug into a hearty meal of their favorite dishes: scrambled eggs and bacon with toast and orange juice for Ahsoka, while Anakin had avocado toast with runny yolk poached eggs and warm almond milk. As they ate, the lively banter increased the joyful atmosphere that morning. Little did Ahsoka know, things were about to get crazy.

***

"That was really good!" Anakin remarked as they walked towards the mess hall, where, unbeknownst to his Padawan, the 501st Legion had another surprise waiting for her, something they knew she'd love.

As soon as they set foot into the cafeteria, clone troopers of all ranks appeared from nowhere, a surprise ambush for their favorite commander. Shouts of "HAPPY ANNIVERSARY COMMANDER TANO!" flew around the room, much to Ahsoka's delight. The clones were like brothers to her; she considered each of them to be family.

"Thanks, you guys!" She was touched by their gesture of kindness.  The highest-ranking clone troopers stepped forward: Rex, Fives, Jesse, and Hardcase.

"Happy Anniversary, lil'un," Rex started, a glint of pride clear in his eyes.

"Yeah, you've been the best Commander we could ask for, and when I say this, I'm speaking for the entire 501st," Jesse piped up.

Ahsoka opened her mouth to speak, to thank the troopers — her brothers — but they weren't done.

"Speaking of the entire Legion," Hardcase said, amusement rolling off his Force signature in waves, "we've got a surprise for you this morning. You up for it?"

"Always," the Togruta replied, smirking.

Finally, the last trooper spoke up. Fives. "Well, then. We've been given permission by General Skywalker to pull a-"

"PRANK WAR!" All four of the boys-in-blue shouted, ready for some action.

Ahsoka's mouth dropped open.

"Commander, you're captain of Team Tano and you decide who you want on your team. The other team's captain is Jesse-"

"Hey! When did I agree to be the losing team's captain?" He protested, resulting in the entire mess hall erupting in laughter.

"We decided just now, deal with it. So, as I was saying," Hardcase continued, "you're Team Tano's captain, and Jesse's captain for Team Esso."

"That is a horrible team name! Where do you guys come up with these?!"

Ignoring Jesse's complaints, all the troopers lined up. It was going to be an intense fight.

***

The end result? Team Tano: 42 Team Esso: 17

It was clear Ahsoka didn't play fair when it came down to picking teams. She'd picked the war-hardened veterans. The same ones she and Anakin pulled pranks on the most, so when it came to ideas, they got pretty creative. Though one side suffered a devastating loss, it was fun nonetheless.

"Hey, Rex," Anakin muttered to his clone captain once he was completely sure Ahsoka couldn't hear what they were saying. "I gotta go make some preparations for the party tonight. Keep an eye on Ahsoka, would you?"

"Yes sir," the Clone Captain replied. "Though I don't think she needs taking care of."

The Jedi Knight grins. "That's our Snips. Oh, and one more thing. If she asks where I went, just say the Council called an emergency meeting I couldn't get out of."

"You got it, sir."

***

At Padmé's Apartment...

Questions and demands were flying left and right and it was driving Anakin insane.

"Obi-Wan, did you finish blowing up the balloons yet?"

"Knight Skywalker, did you test your gift yet?"

"Anakin, did you attach the streamers yet?"

"Senator, have you-"

"Stop! All of you!" Anakin shouted finally. His head was starting to buzz, and they still had a long way away from finishing the party preparations.

It's safe to say that this morning's events in the Senator's apartment weren't your typical decoration day. Both Jedi had an equally long list of things to worry about. Padmé was in charge of keeping an eye out on those two. In other words- babysitting.

"So, let's confirm what we've already done and what we haven't done," Padmé said sarcastically. Checking her massive to-do list, she read, "Put up streamers — no. Blow up and hang balloons — no. Knight Skywalker, test her gift — no. Get the food ready — no. Master Kenobi — double-check and wrap gifts — no. In short, nothing is done."

"Actually, Senator," Anakin interjected with a smirk, "I have actually already tested Ahsoka's gift; it is fully functional."

"Why didn't you say so earlier, An- Master Jedi?" Padmé muttered in exasperation. "That crosses one thing off the list. We still have countless other things to finish!" Senator Amidala was one of the rare few in the Senate who was able to keep a cool head when facing any sort of situation. Even being on the verge of death, about to be killed by a towering beast on Geonosis hadn't fazed her. But when she was about to lose all patience, that was never a good sign.

***

"Streamers — done. Balloons — finished. Gift testing — complete. Food — done. Gifts — mhm-hm," Padmé murmurs, happy with what they'd accomplished despite having lost time. "I'd say that after two hours, we're finally ready for this. Are the both of you required to wear formal attire, or Jedi robes?"

"Senator, it's tradition for the Padawan's Master as well as Grandmaster to wear their robes, but partygoers are required to wear formal attire," Anakin answered his wife's question.

"Duly noted."

"Now if you'll excuse us, Senator," Obi-Wan said with a grin, "Anakin and I need to finish the final touch-ups on the 'element of surprise' factor."

Padmé smiled. "Then I'll see you both tonight."

***

edited