Chapter Title: It's a War That I'm Fighting

Author's Note: Hello! To any that read this: Welcome to my very first venture into the vast galaxy that is the Star Wars Universe!

I recently started watching the Clone Wars and I was absolutely blown away by the intricate, complicated story lines with flushed out, complex characters, which by far exceeded my expectations as the show really improved the movies and most of the characters from there. So this is my newest obsession so it is only natural I was struck by a sudden plot bunny.

I positively love the brotherly relationship between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi and their small jabs at each other are fantastic. They really expanded on that from the films and made me really like the pair of them so it is natural this is what my story is about. It is not slash but about their family love for each other, which I am a sucker for. And of course, Ahsoka Tano is a constant presence in here as well, because … well, do I really need a reason?

Cover art taken from Google which led me to the artist Kibbitzer on DeviantArt and chapter titles are text pieces from the song "Raise Your Head" by Go Go Berlin (Awesome song if you haven't heard it)

This story takes place post season 4, so there will be spoilers from the deception arc as well as the return of Darth Maul! You have been warned.

Okay, I'll shut up now! Read and review when you're done. Let me know what you think!

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: This was written for entertainment purposes only. I claim no ownership of anything you might recognize.

Trust exists in a fragile balance. It takes years to build yet only seconds to destroy.

Separatist attack! A separatist army has marched upon the capital city on the planet Garunga, intent on taking the planet for their own. Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, along with his padawan Ahsoka Tano, have been sent to deal with this new threat, unaware that something more sinister is lurking beneath the surface…

"I told you, Master, I had everything completely under control," Ahsoka confidently said.

Her blue eyes carefully scanned the battlefield, her hand still delicately touching one of the lightsabers pinned to her belt. She was still on edge after the battle and her entire body still felt rigid and tense, ready to fight should she need to.

"That is definitely what it looked like, Snips," Anakin dryly remarked next to her. Through their bond Ahsoka could feel that her master was just as alert as she was. The aftermath of fighting a war.

The Garunga battle had lasted quite a while but it hadn't been as taxing as earlier fights had been. The droids had been easy to push back towards the deep valley that stretched across the small planet and from there it had been simple to pick them off in quick succession. Obi-Wan and the 212th had come from the east, Anakin and Ahsoka along with the 501st attacked from the south and together they had advanced enough for the droids to be trapped within the valley with no way out. With no escape plan the droid army hadn't lasted long and the Separatists lost their chance at fortifying a stronghold on Garunga.

Now, the remaining troopers and Jedi scoured the last battlefield for any useful information or remaining droids they had missed before contacting the Council to share the recent development and what their next cause of action should be.

"It was one droid malfunctioning, I would have caught it in time," Ahsoka countered as they moved further through the carnage of disabled droids that lay scattered around their feet. Vaguely she was aware of Commander Rex moving in sync a couple of steps to their right.

"You should just be glad I did," Anakin shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

If he was trying to get her to thank him for the save out in the field he would have to try a lot harder than that.

"Fine," Ahsoka calmly consented. "I guess that makes us even then."

"Even? For what?" her master incredulously asked.

Ahsoka broke into a smug smile. She so had him now. "Satelint Valley?"

"Satelint Valley doesn't count and you know it."

Ahsoka turned to face him with her trademark snippy gaze and was about to offer a sharp retort but several things happened at once. First she noticed the sudden shift in her master's energy that made her stop in her own tracks. She knew immediately what had caused the rapid mood change in him. The reason was standing barely a mile from them, seemingly discussing a piece of debris with the clone Captain, Cody, next to him.

Obi-Wan Kenobi.

It hadn't been more than a few months after the kidnapping attempt of Chancellor Palpatine and Ahsoka knew the two Jedi Knights hadn't really talked about it since. They were still civil towards each other and to any outsiders nothing seemed amiss. But Ahsoka knew how close they were and how they enjoyed each other's company, the constant banter and jabs that existed between them like a trademark of the two generals. Now the best anyone got were a few snide remarks. Rex and Cody had noticed it barely a month after the whole incident and a few other clones within both the 501st and 212th had begun commenting on it too.

The Togruta was still searching for the opportune moment when she could pull the two away from their duties for a second so that they could finally clear the air. Although she wasn't sure she had the power to actually make them talk to each other. She had considered aligning herself with Senator Amidala. That woman seemed to have remarkable influence on both of those two.

It was certainly proving to be a distraction to everyone involved. And perhaps this continuous cool detachment that existed now was what caused their distraction now as the second event unfolded out here on the broken battlefield at exactly the same time.

Just as the Jedi and his padawan stopped walking somewhere around them the debris shifted and the muffled sound of a projectile being forced out by compressed air filled the calm battlefield. Ahsoka noticed the low sound just a second too late and she barely had time to turn her head and watch as a small object sped through the air, small enough to be invisible to all but those sensitive to the Force, and plant itself on Anakin's chest. For the tiniest of moments it didn't look like anything would happen. Then a breath later blue sparks erupted from the device and quickly spread across Anakin's body. Electricity cracked as it enveloped him. The Jedi went down with a surprised cry of pain.

"Master!"

Everything exploded into action at once.

Ahsoka pulled out her lightsabers the second her master hit the ground, ready to face the new threat. Obi-Wan had looked up from the sudden exclamation of his former padawan and began racing towards their location. In the end Rex was the one who neutralized the threat. By the time Ahsoka had located the droid holding the weapon it was already falling to the ground, a blaster hole scorched into its casing. Vaguely she heard Rex ordering his men to the spot where the droid had emerged but most of her focus instantly turned to Anakin by her feet.

He was still conscious, twisting in the dirt. He groaned deeply as the little object continued its assault. Ahsoka reached out to pull off the device hurting her master.

"Don't!" Anakin managed to grunt out.

She hesitantly held up her hands in surrender and watched on in silent reluctance as Anakin raised a shaking hand towards his chest. He clawed desperately a few times in his clothes before managing to grab hold of the small piece of metal and pull it forcefully of his tunic. The electric current died away the instant the metal let go of the clothes.

Anakin's arm fell tiredly to the ground as his body relaxed. He breathed out deeply as he seemed to be getting his bearings. This time, Ahsoka didn't hesitate as she placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Master?" she gently called.

"I'm okay, Snips." His voice was slightly strained but otherwise normal to which Ahsoka breathed a sigh of relief. He blinked open his eyes and gingerly sat up with a grunt. Ahsoka maintained her supporting hand on his shoulder as she helped him to his feet. He was still using her for support when Obi-Wan and Cody caught up to them.

"Anakin, are you alright?" the concern was clear in the older Jedi's voice.

The young man quickly shook off Ahsoka's help so that he was standing on his own, not quite successfully if she had anything to add as he swayed precariously before managing to remain straight. The hurt and anger returned in her master and she felt her own frustration bubbling. Normally Anakin wouldn't have a problem showing weakness in front of Obi-Wan. That had clearly changed.

"I'm fine," he coolly answered before holding out his left hand for all of them to see. "This is what tried to get me."

Almost seeming to mock and laugh at them the small device rested peacefully in the palm of his gloved hand. It was barely an inch in diameter with a hexagon shape, giving off a bluish hue. It looked completely harmless laying there in his hand.

"Doesn't look like much," Obi-Wan commented as he examined the metal device a bit closer.

"Well, it did its job, trust me," Anakin remarked dryly. He didn't look up at his former master.

Rex's voice pulled their attention as he stood next to the droid he blasted. "All clear, sir. Seems like it was just a rogue droid."

Obi-Wan nodded with the information and quickly turned his attention back to his friend, weary concern still present in his eyes. "I still think you should go see Kix just in case."

"Why? So the Council can exclude me from the next mission?"

"Anakin …"

"No, it's fine. You know what, I'll go see Kix," Anakin muttered as he turned on his heel and headed towards their encampment.

Obi-Wan and Ahsoka silently watched him as he adjusted his path to the right and disappeared from view.

"He does know the infirmary is to the left, right?" Kenobi gently stated. His words were light but the despair and worry shone clearly through anyway. One didn't have to be connected to the Force to sense that.

Ahsoka placed a comforting, understanding hand on Obi-Wan's arm and smiled knowingly at him. "Don't worry, Master. I'll look after Skyguy."

Gratitude flooded into Obi-Wan's face at the sentiment behind the offer. Ahsoka turned and left and Obi-Wan Kenobi was left alone, looking the direction she had headed, a sigh escaping his lips.

They were both unaware of the hungry, red eyes that were following their every move.

Soon he would have his revenge. It was time to execute the plan.

Kenobi would suffer for what he had done.

TBC