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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟑
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

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The Jinn woman wished she could say she was surprised to see the speeder they were chasing was on fire, but she wasn't. Especially not with Anakin involved. Neither Aurora nor Obi-Wan said a word as they watched the speeder descend before the Skywalker boy jumped off right as it crashed onto one of Coruscant's walkways. They continued to fly above Padmé's attacker, wanting to keep track of them after seeing Anakin getting lost in the crowd. It wasn't long before they watched them sprint into a large building, causing the Kenobi man to park their speeder. The two of them instantly jumped out and sprinted in the direction the bounty hunter disappeared, only to find Anakin right outside the entrance.

"Anakin!" Obi-Wan called out, causing the Skywalker boy to turn and face his Master.

"She went into the club, Master," Anakin responded while pointing at the building Padmé's attacker went into.

"Patience. Use the force. Think," the Kenobi man said, only for his Padawan to let out a very impatient-sounding sigh, "he went in there to hide, not to run."

"Yes, Master."

Obi-Wan's eyes studied the boy in front of him for another moment before letting out a long sigh and holding up the latter's lightsaber. "Next time, try not to lose it. This weapon is your life."

A somewhat irritated look appeared on Anakin's face as he took his lightsaber from the Kenobi man and placed it on his belt. "I'm sorry, Master."

"Why do I get the feeling you're going to be the death of me?" Obi-Wan muttered under his breath as he and Aurora walked into the club.

"Don't say that, Master. You're the closest thing I have to a father," the Skywalker boy responded after catching up to the two older Jedi.

"Then why don't you listen to me?"

"I am trying."

"At least he's not the one who jumped out a window and flew through the skyway on a droid," Aurora retaliated, earning an eye roll from the Jedi master.

It wasn't long before the three of them stopped in front of the bar in the center of the crowded club. They looked around at all the people sitting in front of the big screens, watching the games and races from the comfort of their tables. Everyone was enjoying their night with their friends and family. They were all living their lives without a care in the world. And it bothered Aurora. She was annoyed at how easily these people slipped into happiness and had run with those around them. She didn't know whether it was because she never had that kind of life or because they were currently searching for Padmé's attacker. But the talking and laughter in the club did nothing but give the Jinn woman a headache.

Unknown to Aurora, Obi-Wan sensed the irritation radiating off of her, but he chose not to say a word. He knew that this was neither the time nor the place to ask about her emotions. Instead, his eyes continued to scan their surroundings for any sign of the person they were looking for. The Kenobi man let another moment pass between the three of them before opening his mouth to speak. "Can you see him?"

"I think he is a she," Anakin responded, causing the two Jedi beside him to look over at him with shock on their faces, "and I think she's a changeling."

The Kenobi man just stared at his Padawan for a moment before sending him a small nod. "In that case, be extra careful. Both of you, go and find her."

"Where are you going, Master?" the brunette boy asked after watching Obi-Wan take a step away from them.

The Jedi Master instantly stopped in his tracks before glancing back at his allies with a small smile on his face. "For a drink."

Neither Anakin nor Aurora said a word as the Kenobi man turned back around and walked toward the bar. The two of them just stood there for a moment before the Jinn woman found herself looking up at the boy standing next to her. "Is he always like this?"

"Some days are better than others," the Skywalker boy responded after letting out a long sigh.

While Anakin walked away to begin searching for the bounty hunter, Aurora's attention moved back to Obi-Wan. She didn't know how she felt about him simply sitting at the bar while they did all the work. His way of training his Padawan differed greatly from how Yoda trained her. But the Jinn woman learned the hard way that every Jedi Master has their way of training their Padawans. And that was a lesson she'd never forget.

A long sigh passed over Aurora's lips as she walked in the opposite direction that Anakin went. Her eyes scanned her surroundings, hoping that she would spot something that would lead her to Padmé's attacker. All she wanted to do was find this person and get back to her friend as soon as possible. She needed to know if the Amidala girl was okay and not knowing was driving her crazy. Even though she knew Padmé would disagree, Aurora felt as though she failed her friend by leaving her behind. After all, a million things could happen while they were after the hunter, who might not have been alone. The Jinn woman just hoped she was being paranoid and Padmé was safe and sound.

Aurora's thoughts were soon interrupted by a strange feeling washing over her. She forced herself to stop as her eyes scanned over everything surrounding her. To her dismay, she only found people laughing and socializing with their friends. It wasn't long after that when something deep inside her was telling her to go back the way she came. Knowing that Yoda would tell her to trust her instincts, Aurora turned around and walked back toward the entrance. Her hand was on the hilt of her lightsaber as her eyes continued to bounce around the building. It wasn't long before she found herself standing in front of the entrance once again.

The strange feeling within her did nothing but grow as people walked past her without a care in the world. Her eyes soon landed on Obi-Wan, who was still sitting at the bar with a drink in his hand. Aurora couldn't help but roll her eyes at the Jedi Master, irritated that he wasn't helping in the slightest. But it wasn't long before her attention moved to a figure walking across the room. They seemed to be walking with a purpose as they headed toward the bar, or more specifically Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Aurora kept her eyes glued to them until she noticed them pull a blaster from their belt. The Jinn woman's instincts took over before she could even think as she moved to intercept them. She grabbed her lightsaber from her belt and ignited it as she moved through the crowd. They were only two feet away from the Kenobi man when Aurora swung her lightsaber through the air, making contact with the wrist that held the blaster.

The building soon became silent as everyone turned their attention toward the Padawan and the hunter. Aurora let out another sigh as she returned her lightsaber to her belt and looked up at Obi-Wan. She was surprised to find him staring back at her with a hint of admiration in his eyes, causing a smile to form on her face. "You're welcome."

The Kenobi man simply rolled his eyes at Aurora before reaching down and forcing Padmé's attacker to her feet. It wasn't long after that when Anakin joined them before turning his attention toward the crowd. "Easy. Jedi business. Go back to your drinks."

The three Jedi escorted the bounty hunter outside the bar. Once they found an uncrowded area, Obi-Wan set her down on the ground and leaned her against the wall. Both the Kenobi man and his Padawan kneeled next to her while Aurora stood a few feet away, watching and taking everything in. The Jedi master's eyes scanned over her for a moment before finally opening his mouth to speak. "Do you know who it was you were trying to kill?"

"It was a Senator from Naboo," the bounty hunter responded after letting out a painful grunt.

"And who hired you?" Obi-Wan questioned while Aurora watched Padmé's attacking move around in pain. She hated how she was the one who caused the bounty hunter's discomfort, but the Jinn woman knew it had to be done.

"Who hired you? Tell us," Anakin said after leaning closer to the hunter. Obi-Wan and Aurora's eyes instantly moved toward the Skywalker boy to find a blank expression on his face. The two of them soon exchanged a look, unsure of what to make of him. It wasn't long after that when their attention was drawn back to the situation at hand when Anakin spoke once again. "Tell us now!"

Padmé's attacker just stared at the young Padawan for a moment before letting out a sigh. "It was a bounty hunter called-"

Her response was cut off by something zipping through the air and landing in her neck. The bounty hunter seemed to be choking as she fought to take in a breath of hair, only to fail. Her face morphed back into its original form as she said her final words in her native tongue. It wasn't long after that when all life seemed to fade from her before falling limp against the wall.

All three Jedi exchanged an uncertain look before Obi-Wan pulled the small object out of the hunter's neck. He examined it for a moment before looking up at Anakin and Aurora. "Toxic dart."

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The following morning, Aurora found herself standing next to Obi-Wan and Anakin as they informed the Jedi Council of their findings. Even though she was still on edge about someone targeting Padmé, the Jinn woman felt a lot better knowing she was currently safe with her security team. The only thing that would make Aurora feel certain that the Amidala girl would remain safe was if she was assigned to protect her. She was just hoping that that was Yoda's plan after hearing everything that happened. After all, she knew the Naboo Senator the best and knew exactly how she thought.

It wasn't long before Obi-Wan's report finally came to an end, giving the Council a chance to take everything in. All of them began exchanging looks as if having a silent conversation amongst themselves. What felt like an eternity passed when Yoda turned his attention back to the three Jedi standing in front of him and began speaking. "Track down this bounty hunter you must, Obi-Wan."

"Most importantly, find out who he's working for," Mace added, knowing that it wasn't just a group of bounty hunters after Padmé.

"What about Senator Amidala? She will still need protecting," Obi-Wan responded as if sensing the worry radiating off the woman standing next to him.

"Handle that your Padawan will," Yoda answered after looking over at the Skywalker boy.

Aurora had to force herself to hold back her objection, knowing that it wouldn't help in their current situation. Unknown to her, Mace's attention moved toward her as if sensing her thoughts. But instead of speaking to Aurora about the emotions he sensed, his attention turned toward the other Padawan. "Anakin, escort the Senator back to her home planet of Naboo. She'll be safer there. And don't use registered transport. Travel as refugees."

"As the leader of the opposition, it will be very difficult to get Senator Amidala to leave the capital," Anakin responded while looking between Yoda and Mace.

"Until caught this killer is, our judgment she must respect," the Jedi Grandmaster announced. It wasn't long after that when he glanced over at his Padawan, only to find her hands tightly clasped in front of her. Yoda was slightly surprised to find a blank look on her face as she listened to the conversation, but he saw right through it. Aurora was never good at hiding her emotions after all. It was obvious to Yoda that Aurora was waiting for her assignment. He knew she wanted to be involved. He also knew where exactly she wanted to be stationed. Which was why he had other plans for her.

"Anakin, go to the Senate and ask Chancellor Palpatine to speak to her about this matter," Mace ordered, drawing Yoda's attention back to the situation at hand.

"Aurora, with Obi-Wan you will go," Yoda announced, causing a wave of shock to wash over the Jinn woman as she looked over at her Master. A million thoughts swam through her head as she stared at him, all wanting to disagree with his words. However, before she had a chance to question his decision, the Jedi Grandmaster continued speaking. "Final my decision is. Your final test this will be. Decide if you have completed your training Obi-Wan will."

Aurora couldn't help but look up at Obi-Wan, who was already staring back at her with an unreadable look in his eyes. Both of them had thoughts and objections bouncing around in their heads. Neither of them were happy with the Jedi Grandmaster's decision. But both of them knew better than to voice their opinion. Because they knew even if they did try to argue, Yoda wouldn't change his mind.

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