I asked for votes on my next story and this is what won. Please enjoy!

Anakin Skywalker sat at the desk in his quarters, nervously drumming his fingers, awaiting news, at this point good or bad, to escape this nightmare straight from Hades. He clenched his fists, glowering at the silent comm in front of him. This had been the norm for hours, days even, the Knight never was sure anymore, as he awaited news of his padawan. The disappearance of the beloved child was forever burned in his mind, and he knew it would haunt him for the rest of his days, even if she could be found. Ahsoka Tano, bravest of the brave, strongest of the strong was gone.

It had happened barely two weeks ago, but Anakin's world had ended;

Ahsoka grinned, "I'm beating you master!" she shouted, enthusiasm and adrenalin filled her voice, as she raced ahead of him, across the barren landscape.

"By three droids!" Her master shouted, then sliced another through its delicate stomach and laughed, "Two."

The the Tungruta scowled, though playfully, and defiantly chopped another droid in half while her master watched her ever shifting and always entertaining expressions.

He was so busy laughing in fact, that he failed to notice the advancing droids.

"Master, reinforcements!" she shouted. His job, not hers.

Realizing just how many Sepp. reinforcements there were, and how far away the padawan was, he called, "Ahsoka get back here!" she nodded and started back toward him, across the Geonosis-like landscape. A shot rang out, and Anakin was never sure if it hit the child because at that precise moment the land Ahsoka was standing on collapsed, taking her with it.

'Yes,' Anakin thought sadly, just like Geonosis. His com link buzzed and he pressed the answer button without even thinking about it, Obi-wan's voice filled the room, "The Counsel would like to see you Anakin," he said patiently. "They'd like to discuss your Padawan."

"Tell them they can go jump off a cliff," Anakin replied, Rather startled that Obi-wan didn't bat an eye at what he said, "There's no proof she's dead, and until then I won't give up." He made sure to sound as stubborn as possible, there was no way out of talking to the Counsel, but perhaps he could convince Obi-wan to side with him.

"They don't want to announce her death," The master objected, "They only wish to offer her a hero's funeral." Anakin tried not to laugh, he knew these people, they only wanted to appease him, but Obi-wan continued, "She has saved countless lives and needs to be remembered as doing so." He was shockingly calm.

"You mean they want me back on the front lines," he waved his hand dismissively, "They don't care about a Padawan." He had seen this kind of trick before, they were using his attachment to her to get what they wanted. Sure they'd honor the fallen hero and all that jazz, but it wouldn't bring her back. Give it a few months, and everyone would have forgotten who she was.

Obi-wan probably understood this as he said, "They would like you to return to Coursaunt immediately." He said simply. Then his voice changed, became almost caring, "I know how much she meant to you Anakin, but you have to let go." Then he was gone, Anakin had punched the end button in anger.

The Knight leaned back against his seat, thinking. Ahsoka wasn't gone, he told himself stubbornly, her force presence hadn't vanished until, after the battle. That had been another source of his increasing arguments with his former mentor.

"We have to go back!" Anakin shouted, "She's still there, I can feel her!" Obi-wan would never understand, the curse of being old and set in his ways.

"Anakin," the Master said patiently, "The separatists have the city, and they probably have her."

"That doesn't give us permission to give up on her!" Anakin shouted furiously. "We have to find her!"

"Anakin the separatists will have killed her by now!" Obi-wan paused, calming himself, "The droids don't take prisoners, I'm sorry," He was genuine, and Anakin knew that, but blaming him was easier than accepting the crushing guilt.

Well I know the first chapter is short, but I think they're going to be longer. If I hand cut it off here, there would have a been a really long chunk I can't stop in the middle of, so I decided short was better than wanting until however long the next part is going gets finished.

I'm beginning to realize I'm obsessed with post order 66 Vader and Ahsoka, because that is what this will end up and I volunteered to finish The Dark Side, which, as the name implies, will be much darker than this.