Yes I know; I'm completely crazy. Well sort of crazy. This is the story that will replace "An Agri-Corps Mystery" once it is finished. I have decided to write and release the first chapter early to see if everyone likes it. If not, then I will write "Ahsoka's Gift" instead. This first chapter will be a taster and therefore will not be as long as the main chapters will be. This story requires no initial description or explanation, apart from that this story starts the day after Ahsoka refuses to come back into the Order and leaves, so the story can be read straight as is. One small point; Shaak Ti will go out of character in this story but there is a very good reason. I'm not going to tell you the reason because that is the story, but you'll see very soon.

Shaak Ti's Secret: Chapter 1 – Relief Shattered

Jedi Master Shaak Ti was the picture and calmness and serenity as she walked through the Jedi Temple. Indeed, the Togruta was a master of radiating calmness. So much so, in fact, that it appeared that she glided across the floor rather than just walked. This was what she was known for and it was one of the reasons why she was chosen to oversee the clone training programme on Kamino; a task she had undertaken with similar calmness and presence of mind. She was a woman of few words and she preferred a well stated point rather than discussion.

Although she was well capable of, and indeed loved, humour, she was often viewed as cold and unfeeling due to her normal calmness and silence. That was on the surface, however. The silent truth was very different; especially today. Not that you would notice, but Shaak was incredibly relieved; Ahsoka Tano was innocent. Shaak had almost fallen to pieces on several occasions during recent events and deep down, Shaak's feelings had told her that Ahsoka had had nothing to do with the Temple bombing or the murder of Letta Turmond, but still, she'd kept silent and it now haunted her. Shaak knew that she had been let off; she couldn't have stood herself if she had have lost Ahsoka. It would've been Shaak's own fault and she knew it. Unfortunately, Shaak couldn't attend the council session where Ahsoka was asked to come back into the Order herself, but it didn't matter; Ahsoka would be back with Anakin Skywalker now and safe. Shaak was extremely relieved.

Shaak smiled to herself. She was also incredibly relieved that her secret was still safe. There had been occasions during the investigations, especially when Mace Windu thought that Ahsoka was guilty, where her secret had almost escaped from her lips. She knew that she was very fortunate that peace, silence and calmness were her natural traits.

For years, Shaak had secretly followed Ahsoka's progress; watching her, protecting her where she could and guiding her from afar. The Jedi Code had prevented her from getting any closer but, secretly, she wished that she could have just told the truth. Shaak knew that she was attached; it was only natural to be after all. However, she had to keep up her calm exterior and had to make it look like Ahsoka was just another Padawan. Secretly, Shaak hated it.

Ah hate; a definite path to the Dark Side. Was it wrong, however, to dislike a rule that, for centuries, had made generations of Jedi lonely and miserable? Was it wrong to be attached to a being that nature itself was happy that she had brought into existence? Was it wrong to fulfil one of biology's natural requirements? Shaak's fellow council members certainly thought so, but Shaak herself…..Well, Shaak, like all Togrutas, was a child of the environment and although, unlike other members of her race, she was happy in solitary, she still believed in nature's way. Was the will of the Force really different to the will of nature?

Shaak shook her head. Even now, she questioned herself whether she had done the right thing three years before. She had allowed Master Yoda to assign Ahsoka to Anakin Skywalker while every fibre of her being wanted to claim Ahsoka as her own Padawan. It would have been the only permissible way she could have been close to Ahsoka apart from leaving the Order. That had definitely run through Shaak's mind when Plo Koon had brought the three year old Ahsoka to the temple fourteen years before, especially once Plo had told her at the time that Ahsoka's father was dead. Shaak couldn't help but wonder if the recent unfortunate events would have been prevented if she had, for once, given in to her feelings and attachments.

Shaak knew that those were thoughts for another time; Ahsoka was alive and safe after all. At the moment, she was needed in the council chamber. She had to inform her fellow council members how the setting up of the extra security around the chancellor was progressing. Truthfully, Shaak didn't really know what to think of the Senate or the Chancellor anymore. During her assignment to beef up the security, she had heard many things in the Senate which had disturbed her and the fact that her fellow council members seemed to accept them disturbed her even more. There was something…something that she didn't like, especially after Admiral Tarkin had tried to get Ahsoka executed. Maybe young Barriss Offee's words weren't too far wrong after all.

There were so many thoughts running through Shaak's head that it was almost a surprise when she reached the doors of the High Council chamber. She had expected to enter the chamber and sit down serenely just like she would normally do. However, as soon as she approached the doors the feeling in the Force hit her. Sadness and loss radiated from the council. She could tell even before she entered the chamber that her good friend, Master Plo Koon, was in serious pain and indeed, the rest of the council weren't that much better. What had happened?

It was with some trepidation, therefore, that she opened the doors and entered the chamber. She stopped just inside the door and took a look around. The scene she was presented with surprised her. Master Obi-Wan Kenobi had a look of worry on his face; serious worry, Master Yoda looked slightly lost within himself, Stass Allie had a few tears in her eyes and Master Kit Fisto, Ki-Adi Mundi and Agen Kolar were slowly shaking their heads. Just as Shaak expected, however, it was Plo Koon who was in undoubtedly the worst condition. Despair and loss was emanating from his whole being and even though his mask was covering most of his face, Shaak could still sense the pain in him. Out of the council members, only Mace Windu and Saesee Tinn were anything like normal.

"What has happened?" Shaak asked as she took in the scene in front of her.

All of the council members looked at her, but it was Obi-Wan that answered her. "You weren't here yesterday, were you? I'm afraid we've got some bad news."

"Bad news?" Shaak questioned. She had been able to deduce that for herself.

Plo Koon continued the story. The pain was evident in his voice; it was even deeper than it usually was and extremely shaky. "We asked Little 'Soka to come back into the Order but…but…she has refused. She left the Order permanently yesterday."

Shaak stood in shock. She felt like she had been hit by a rampaging Rancor. Ahsoka had gone? She's lost Ahsoka after all; despite Ahsoka being found innocent, she's still lost her. "G..….gone? Ahsoka's left?"

"I'm afraid so," Obi-Wan confirmed, dropping his head. "Anakin is in pieces; he's hasn't left his quarters since. According to what he told me, Ahsoka believed that we didn't trust her so she could no longer trust us or herself and she left."

Tears started to stream from Shaak's eyes as all the calmness and serenity that she was known for evaporated. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…..I've lost her….We have lost her." She dropped her head into her hands and broke down in tears. She knew that the other council members had heard what she had said and were now watching her but she didn't care. Since Ahsoka was born, she had watched Ahsoka grow up and the pride that Ahsoka had brought her had helped the Jedi Master keep up her façade of serenity but now, Shaak had lost everything including the most precious thing it was possible for a woman to lose.

Stass Allie was both stunned and concerned at her friend's response; from what Obi-Wan had told them all, not even Anakin Skywalker had taken his Padawan leaving as badly as this. Stass had just witness the calmest and most peaceful Jedi Master on the council break down into a wreck in front of her eyes. As a healer, Stass was well aware that there had to be a reason for that. "Are you alright, Shaak?"

Shaak shook her head. She no longer cared if her secret came out. "No. I've lost everything. You…you wouldn't understand."

Agen Kolar was always known to be blunt, but on this occasion, he sensed that Shaak had become extremely vulnerable all of a sudden. He knew that Shaak would be no good during this council meeting in the state that she was. "Perhaps you had better return to your quarters Shaak and recover. This news has shocked everyone."

Shaak nodded her head. "Yes, perhaps you're right. I'm sorry Masters; I really am. I'm sorry about everything." Again the Togruta succumbed to her tears as she turned around and left the chamber. As soon as the door closed behind her, she ran straight to a lift. Once inside the lift, she collapsed on the floor; her whole body shaking in time with her tears. Shaak knew that she would never forgive herself; her silence had driven Ahsoka away. She had never admitted the connection between her and Ahsoka, but now she just wanted to scream it across Coruscant, especially if it would bring the teenager back.

The lift doors opened at the floor that the Master's quarters were on and Shaak dragged herself back to her feet and ran straight for her quarters. She opened the door and ran inside. Shaak's quarters were typical of those given to a high ranking Jedi Master. As a council member, her quarters consisted of several interconnecting rooms, which included a private meditation room, kitchen, living room, two bedrooms and a refresher. Shaak had many items in her quarters that linked back to her Togrutan heritage; a heritage that Shaak was incredibly proud of.

Today however, there was only one possession that she wanted. It was a possession that would have most likely gotten her expelled on the spot if any of her fellow council members saw it, but she didn't care. She picked up a small holo projector and pressed the power button. Immediately an image appeared in mid-air. It was an image of Shaak Ti holding a new born female Togruta. Memories of seventeen years before flooded her mind as she carried the projector through to her bedroom. She collapsed on her bed, looked at the image and, as pain filled her very existence, she cried.

-0-0-0-0-0-

The council sat in shock over what they had just witnessed. No one had seen Shaak Ti fall to pieces before and no one on the council could quite believe what had just happened. The really puzzling question was why? Why had Shaak fallen apart just because Ahsoka Tano had left? It was true that no one felt particularly good after those unfortunate events but even Anakin Skywalker and Master Plo Koon hadn't broke down like Shaak just did.

Master Yoda was especially worried but he was also extremely intrigued. He knew that Shaak Ti had secretly kept up to date with Ahsoka Tano's progress but apart from that, she'd shown no sign of being especially interested in her before. In addition, Yoda had picked up a few of Shaak's thoughts as she left the council chamber and they had left him wondering. To Master Yoda, it was Shaak's statement saying that she had lost everything that was beginning to speak volumes and in addition, the Force was beginning to tell him something; something that he wasn't entirely certain he completely believed. He was certain of one thing; however, something interesting was going on.

It was Master Plo Koon that finally broke the silence however. He was very concerned for his dear friend; she just didn't behave like that. Something was up. "I am worried about her."

"Yes," replied Master Mundi. "I don't believe Shaak has ever acted like that before."

It was clear that Mace Windu wasn't impressed. He was certain that what they had just witnessed was a serious problem. "It appears that Shaak Ti may be becoming unstable. I suggest we watch her for any signs of the Dark Side."

"I couldn't feel any darkness around her, Mace," Stass Allie replied. She dropped her head and sighed. "I don't know…..I just sensed loss and pain. I can't explain it."

Obi-Wan stroked his beard. He had watched the reaction of Anakin Skywalker after he had watched Ahsoka walk into the sunset. The words of his former Padawan were unrepeatable really. It was clear to Obi-Wan that Anakin would struggle to get over the loss of his Padawan. However, even Anakin hadn't changed completely and broke like Shaak Ti just had. It confused him. "Her reaction was worse than Anakin's and that's saying something; I assure you."

"One thing is for sure," Agen Kolar stated. Once everyone was looking at him, he continued, "We will need to find out what is wrong with her. I sense her whole persona has changed and I sense a distinct lack of care appeared within her."

"Yes I sensed that too," said Kit Fisto. He was the most flexible master on the council with respect to beliefs but even he had been surprised by Shaak's response.

"Worrying this is," Master Yoda added. "Made a great mistake with young Tano, this council did. Make that mistake again we must not. Investigate this, I will. Intrigues me, her reaction does." Master Yoda stood up, picked up his gimmer stick and started to hobble towards the door.

"Master Yoda, where are you going?" Saesee Tinn asked.

Master Yoda chuckled in response. He thought that it was obvious where he was going but no matter. "Going to talk to Shaak, I am. Believe that she has something to tell me, I do. Adjourned this meeting is." Master Yoda turned back around and hobbled out of the door. His feelings had told him that Shaak had ran to her quarters and he knew that if he followed her, he might find out exactly what was troubling her. With everything he had witnessed and sensed, a suspicion was already circulating around the grandmaster's mind.

As he hobbled into a lift, Master Yoda did some mental arithmetic in his head. There was no doubt, the numbers added up and on reflection; he was surprised that it hadn't crossed his mind before but by the same token, Shaak hadn't shown any real signs before. If he was right, and there was no way to know until he asked her, he knew it would change everything. Indeed, he knew that it cause huge problems for the council, but it was possible it could solve some problems. It may even reverse some of the damage caused by the council's terrible mistake. With that in mind, a plan started to form in the grandmaster's mind; a plan that the Force seemed to want him to carry out. He knew it was extremely risky, but the payoff could be huge. A sly smile came to his face as the lift doors closed; yes, he definitely needed to speak to Shaak Ti.

Well that's the first chapter of Shaak Ti's secret. I have released this chapter early to gauge if everyone likes it. I don't intend to do much more to it until "An Agri-Corps Mytery" is complete unless there is massive support. Don't worry though, this is a story that I will continue unless there's no backing.

I hope I handled Shaak's response to the news well. I fully intended for her to change instantly and I think it's quite obvious why Shaak broke down like she did. Anyway, please tell me what you think. Is it worth continuing this story?