Back in the Game (COMPLETE)

9.15.1

She saw him grin, and they saluted each other, despite every reason that demanded that they didn't have to. A general didn't need to salute to a commander, but a soldier didn't need to salute to a citizen either. It didn't matter, not to them. 

It was only when one of the admirals walked up behind them that they were reminded of where they were. "Commander Rex, the latest briefing has come in."

"Want to have a look? It might have an update on General Kenobi's efforts," Rex offered, but Ahsoka shook her head. She needed to clear her mind before she got swept back into military briefings.

"You go. I'm sure it's more good news," she told him. They exchanged one more look before Rex walked off, and Ahsoka turned back around to face the front of the ship.

It was still a little disorienting to stand here alone. With Rex in the other room, Obi-Wan on Utapau, and Anakin on Coruscant, she was by herself again, staring out of the window of a cruiser that (unofficially) answered to her. Now that she was alone, though, she had a moment to talk with the Sister again.

You still alright riding shotgun? she asked tentatively, and she could practically see the Sister roll her eyes.

How many times do I have to tell you? I don't want to be a Sith, and I don't plan to become one.

Maul just seemed so sure, like it was inevitable. He trained under Sideous for years, much longer than you did. There's got to be hundreds of things that he knows, but we don't.

Maybe, but what I do know is that the way of the Sith is not one I want to follow. I killed Sideous, remember?

I do remember, and that's what put us into this situation in the first place.

I didn't do it for myself! I did it for you, so that you could go back to the life you wanted to live! I did it to protect your friends, your Jedi, your Republic! Everything I sacrificed was because of you!

She paused, stunned by the Sister's words. The two of them had long since recognized each other as separate people and they knew that they were stuck with one another, probably indefinitely. It hadn't always been that way, though, especially not at first. The Sister had been drawn to the power the Sith had offered Ahsoka, and didn't always agree to betray Sideous when the time came. It was the reason Ahsoka had forced herself to gain control at nights: so that neither of them would forget their final goal. The Sister had come around eventually, right before she had been deployed to fight the Jedi. 

Yet even during all of that, the Sister had done it for Ahsoka. Ahsoka, who had hated the Dark Side and anything to do with it. Ahsoka, who for months afterward had suppressed the Sister because she was afraid of her. Ahsoka, who had been a Jedi and still believed in the Light. 

I may be a part of the Dark Side, the Sister admitted, but I don't believe in what they believe in. I don't want this power that's inside of us just as much as you don't. Just like you, I've only decided to use certain parts of my side of the Force. This power isn't it, just like the Jedi Way isn't it for you either. 

I know, Ahsoka told her, breathing out slowly. I'm just scared. I don't want to be what Sideous was. 

We won't, the Sister promised her. As long as we deny the Rule of Two, we won't.

Ahsoka had to believe that promise. She opened her eyes, trusting the Sister enough to let the matter go. It didn't scare her any less, but she could move forward despite her fear. 

She looked out again at the hyperspace tunnel, letting the light streaming by them calm her. It worked for a while, until her stomach pains flared up once more.