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      ARAMINTA'S headache did not fade and neither did her inability to hear anything except beats, as if she were pressed against someone's chest listening to their heart pump. She felt blind, which was entirely incorrect, but she relied so much on hearing something before it had even appeared, she may as well have been in the dark without it.

The Lurmen village was small, made up of upturned, giant treepods which they had hollowed out and turned into homes, as well as their own breed of infirmary where Anakin had been escorted. Araminta had slumped him down into the healer's stretcher and they had quickly left behind their camp, the assassin ignoring the pounding in her head until they were safe.

That was how she had ended up with oil in her ears, the healer gathering it from some of the pods. He claimed it helped speed up healing, and he had noticed her numbness to noise on the way over. Araminta had mumbled something akin to thanks and accepted the ointment, smoothing it out along the inside ears as far as was safe.

Araminta had still refused to sleep, even when Rex had announced he was going to rest after a night spent guarding the General, nursing his own wounds. Without her ability to hear something coming, she was even less keen on it, and resolved to sit by Anakin's side juggling her knives until they figured out a way to leave the planet.

"You should sleep," Anakin insisted, having been conscious since midday. The oil really did seem to work, and Araminta had managed to regain what she felt was 70% of her hearing back. One was still shot to hell, and the other felt less sensitive than usual, but she figured with another dose she would be fine.

"I don't need sleep," Araminta retorted.

Anakin rolled his eyes. "Liar."

"Go back to sleep," Araminta told him dismissively.

"I don't need sleep," he echoed. Araminta paused, one of her knives still balanced in her hand as she waited idly. The Jedi glanced down at the weapon, then back at her face. "You're gonna stab me, aren't you?"

"Funny," she deadpanned, sheathing the knife in her boot and leaning back, wrapping her arms around her knees.

Anakin pushed himself so he was sitting, the assassin watching the rigid movement warily, as he came to be at the same level as her. "How're your ears?" Anakin asked her. Araminta looked at him in questioning. "I know they were hurt, don't give me that look."

"They're fine," she said nonchalantly. "I can hear you annoying me loud and clear, if that helps."

Anakin snorted. "I'm feeling great, by the way."

"Oh, good," Araminta said, sarcastically. Anakin only smirked at her, as Araminta cracked her knuckles one-by-one. Outside, the sun was starting to set, bathing them in an orange glare, Araminta wincing against the brightness. "I froze yesterday," she told him abruptly before she could stop herself.

"What?" Anakin's attention was on her, face serious.

Araminta sighed. "I saw you, and you looked dead."

Anakin regarded her for a moment, before shrugging nonchalantly. "Well, I'm fine. Not dead."

The assassin knew he was just trying to lighten the conversation. "If you're dead then I've failed my mission," she said, dully.

Anakin's face softened. "Still not dead." As if to emphasise, he placed a hand on her shoulder, the one without the brand. Araminta only looked at him briefly, sighing heavily. "Why are you telling me this?" Anakin asked after a moment, removing his hand, which left an empty sensation behind.

A younger version of her would have hesitated, or brushed him off, but they had been way past that for months now. "Because you're the only one who knows, or understands," she told him, meeting his eye. "And it feels better to say it out loud."

Anakin looked at her, in the way only he managed to. But there was something else there, something she couldn't quite pinpoint, but it made her skin feel warm and her head fuzzy. She turned away with a huff, before dipping her fingers into more of the oil that the healer had left behind, proceeding to gently reapply to her ears.

"That's good!" came a voice as Wag Too the healer entered. Araminta only glanced at him, the Lurmen frowning at her lack of response.

"Ignore her," Anakin dismissed. "She doesn't like anyone."

"Right, of course," the Lurmen agreed, quickly, ignoring Araminta's glare at the Jedi. The healer moved, hopping around Anakin as he began to check his dressings and the progress of his wounds. Araminta only watched, curious. She had never been a healer outside of basic training and survival, her job had always been about drawing blood instead.

Two more figures arrived, casting a shadow over Anakin and blocking out the glowering of the sunset. "Master, how are you feeling?" Ahsoka asked brightly, kneeling down so she was more level with him.

"Never better," Anakin responded.

"Sarcasm is an excellent sign," Araminta jeered.

Aayla glanced between the pair, before assertively saying, "We need to start thinking of ways to get off this planet."

They were interrupted, Commander Bly entering the infirmary pod. "General," he said, helmet tilted down to Anakin, voice urgent.

"Yes, Commander?" Anakin asked, snapping to attention as he tore his gaze off Araminta.

"We've got a Separatist ship incoming," Bly told them.

"This is neutral space," Wag Too pointed out.

"It won't be neutral for long, not if the Separatists have their way." Anakin pushed to get up, wincing harshly. "Help me up," he groaned.

"Don't struggle," Wag Too told him, placing a hand on his chest as the Jedi heaved in pain. "I'm sorry, but you're still too injured to move."

Araminta turned her head at the sound of a ship, reacting at the same time as everyone else in the pod, again reminded that her ears weren't saving her for now. A moment later, an elderly Lurmen entered, the leader of the village and Wag Too's father, Tee Watt Kaa.

"What menace have you brought to our village now, Jedi?" he demanded, pointing an accusing finger at Anakin in particular.

"Father, you can't blame them," Wag Too retorted.

Ahsoka got to her feet. "He's right. The Separatists don't even know we're here," she pointed out.

"And they can't know," Aayla agreed. "We've got to hide."

The leader looked close to anger, but it was hard to picture that on such a small creature. "Your presence here endangers us. You must leave before your enemies find you," Tee Watt Kaa instructed, gesturing with his walking stick.

"But you'll need our help," Ahsoka protested. "You can't fight them alone."

Tee Watt Kaa looked offended. "We will not fight them at all. We would rather die than to kill others," he said, firmly.

"You're going to surrender?" Ahsoka said in exasperation. "But, how can you–?"

"Ahsoka, stop," Anakin cut in. His padawan looked at him in confusion. "If the Lurmen want to remain neutral, we won't force them into war."

"See to it that they leave," Tee Watt Kaa said, before turning away. "I must see what our new visitors want."

Ahsoka still looked frustrated as they collected their things quickly, making sure to leave no trace as well as taking some much-needed food and resources with them. Araminta accepted a pack she hadn't originally had, swinging it across her chest as she double-checked she had all her knives.

Anakin hissed as he was pulled to his feet by Bly and Rex, looking as if he was gritting his teeth through the pain as the two clones helped him up. "Take it easy, sir. We'll assist you," Rex told him.

Wag Too cautiously led the way with Aayla right behind him. Araminta stayed close to Anakin, ears hopelessly twitching as if she was going to pick something up that the others couldn't. She could only clench her jaw when she was met with nothing, her tail swishing in frustration.

They had reached the edge of the colony when shots rang out, Ahsoka and Wag Too stopping. Araminta, too, paused, glancing over her shoulder as droids began to ransack the village, sending the Lurmen scattering.

"Why are they tearin' apart our homes?" Wag Too asked. "We've done nothing to them!"

"Violence. That's what those droids are programmed for," Ahsoka told him lowly. She sighed and turned to where the others were waiting in the wings. "Can't we do anything?" the padawan asked desperately.

Aayla shook her head. "No. And if we are discovered, all the Lurmen will be slaughtered."

"We just need to make it to the tall grass," Araminta chimed in, giving Ahsoka a pointed look.

The padawan looked apprehensive as they turned away, leaving Wag Too to run back to his village in shambles. Araminta swallowed against the lump in her throat and continued onwards, not checking to see if Ahsoka was following as she fell back into step with Anakin and the clones.

As soon as they cleared the grass, hidden out of sight, she drew her knife. Aayla sent her a disapproving look but said nothing of it. Araminta ignored the look– she refused to be unarmed and unprepared for another night in the fields, and without her ability to pick up footsteps, she was even less keen on running without a blade.

After a few minutes, they reached a small clearing in the grass, as dusk began to fade away. The clones set Anakin down, Ahsoka plopping beside her master as Araminta stayed standing, thumb tracing the hilt of her knife. Anakin was watching her warily, but didn't say anything, as they exchanged rations they had gathered before leaving.

"You know I can't figure those villagers not wanting to fight," Rex scoffed. "No pride, I guess."

"I call it no courage," Ahsoka added, taking a bite.

"Sometimes it takes courage to stick to one's beliefs, young Padawan, as any Jedi well knows," Aayla chastised. Ahsoka looked small at the tone, averting her eyes back to the ground. Araminta felt the Jedi's eyes on her, knowing the reason behind the distrust. The assassin did not follow their way, it was well-known.

"We need to find a ship," Anakin interjected. "And I think the only one around here belongs to the Separatists." Araminta scoffed loudly, to which she received a glare. "We know they have a landing ship," he continued, undeterred. "They might have a shuttle."

"Sir, you talking about stealing from one of the clankers? Count me in." To emphasise his enthusiasm, Rex brandished his blaster. Ahsoka and Anakin grinned at the response.

"We need to find them first," Aayla pointed out.

Ahsoka abruptly got to her feet, eyes wide, pointing at a spot in the grass. "I think we just did!" Araminta whipped around, paling at the scout droid poking through the blades.

"Blast it!" Anakin shouted, pushing himself to stand. Bly and Rex immediately began to shoot, but it was nimble and began to float away, bobbing in and out of the grass. Araminta threw her knife, the first thing she had on hand, watching in pain as it skimmed the edge of the droid and disappeared.

"Jam its signal!" Aayla instructed as they realised the droid was getting away.

Bly pressed the button at his wrist as Ahsoka blazed past, yelling "After it!" as she disappeared into the grass, the clone commanders close behind her.

Aayla and Araminta moved to follow, as Anakin let out a grunt of pain, hand going to his stomach. "Skywalker?" Araminta questioned, eyebrows pinching. Aayla wore a similar expression as she hung back.

Anakin grit his teeth. "I'm fine, just go!" Aayla didn't hesitate any longer, running off, her footsteps fading away as Araminta struggled to hear past their radius. "What're you doing?" Anakin asked as Araminta didn't move, still watching him cautiously.

"Staying," she finally retorted. "Couldn't even hear the thing anyway," she muttered, walking back to him, not wanting to admit how sore her ego was from not being able to hear the droid coming before it had appeared.

Anakin went to protest. "No–"

"You're my mission," Araminta snapped, holding up a finger, which looked far less intimidating than intended, as she looked up at him. Anakin didn't fight her any further, as he breathed through what she assumed was a wave of pain from his strained injuries. "Fuck," Araminta spat, hand to her hip sheath. "That was my good knife."

"You have a good knife?" Anakin asked in disbelief.

"Sure I do," she replied, lightly, as she unholstered her blaster in preparation for anything around them.

"Do I know it?" Anakin continued.

Araminta eyed him, gaze moving to his throat. "Yeah, you got a scar from it."

"Oh." Their conversation was interrupted by static crackling at Anakin's wrist communicator, forcing him to lift his arm with a wince. "Yes?"

"Skywalker, we got it," Aayla's voice rang. "Meet us up the tree North-East."

Anakin nodded, even if she couldn't see him. "Coming."

"Up?" Araminta asked once he had disconnected.

"Apparently," Anakin shrugged, moving forward, forcing her to fall into step with him. Araminta tried to step around him, but he was brushing the blades of grass out of the way for her, which stood taller than she did. With a scowl, she accepted to walk behind him. "Must be there," Anakin said after a few minutes, stopping to gesture above the fields.

"Must be," Araminta responded, chewing on her lip.

Anakin picked up on this, turning to her with a grin. "Oh, sorry, guess you can't see it from down there."

"No shit," she sneered, gently shoving him to keep walking, fingers carefully missing his injuries.

She didn't like following behind him, walking in his shadow, unable to see what was directly in front of her. It took away the fragile control she managed to maintain when she stuck by his or Obi-wan's flank, and her ears continuing to hum didn't help her feel less secure.

The tree in question was massive, emerging against the sky before they had cleared the grass. Araminta stared up at it, feeling incomprehensibly dwarfed. Anakin continued without faltering, Araminta skipping to catch up as they cleared the grass and kicked into the dirt surrounding the base of the plant. Araminta had seen many worlds in her time, but somehow she managed to keep being surprised.

Anakin whistled as they looked up, standing shoulder to shoulder. Araminta glanced at him, frowning. "Will you be alright?" she asked.

"Yeah... yeah," Anakin responded. He swallowed thickly. "I'll see you up there."

Araminta nodded, accepting the answer before she began to crawl up the tree lightly, making quick work as she levelled at the top, where the others were standing on the flattest part of the branches. Ahsoka turned at her presence, smiling in relief.

"Where's–?"

Araminta cut off the padawan's question. "He's coming."

"Solarii," Aayla addressed.

"What?" Araminta asked, not masking her annoyance nearly as well as she should have.

The Jedi looked like she had expected the reaction, placing a hand on her hip as her other reached out, balancing a familiar blade. "You dropped this."

Araminta reached out and took the knife, fingers clasping around it. Her ears swivelled back expressively as she sheathed the weapon, her eyes flicking back up to Aayla. The assassin nodded once, and the Jedi focused on something over Araminta's shoulder.

"I hope you're feeling better, Master," Ahsoka greeted as Anakin joined them. "Look what we found."

Araminta exchanged a look with the Jedi as Ahsoka handed them a pair of binoculars. "I'm getting stronger all the time, Snips," Anakin scoffed, accepting them first as he gazed through them. Araminta watched his frown deepen as he pulled his eyes away and gave the binoculars to her. "But I'm not sure I'm ready for that."

The Adanei girl bit her tongue at the Separatist communications base that had been set up in the distance, which was heavily guarded, as she scanned the walls and the lines of droids patrolling it. "There's a shuttle," she murmured, taking the binoculars away from her eyes.

"That's our ticket off this rock," Anakin said with finality, holding out a hand for the binoculars again. Araminta passed them over.

"That's not going to be easy, sir," Bly cautioned, having a separate pair. "There don't seem to be any flaws in their security line."

Anakin ignored him, continuing to scan the base, Araminta watching him like a hawk. After a few moments, he pulled away again. "Apparently the Separatists have a new toy," he announced. "See if you can get a closer look," he added, looking to Bly.

"Yes, sir," he nodded.

"I'll go with you, Commander," Rex chimed in.

The pair began to descend the tree again, as Araminta blinked at the base in the distance. It was massive, and heavily guarded from the small glimpse she had had. If things were different, she would have sacrificed someone for a distraction and been able to sneak in, but they weren't different. The version of herself that would have done that was a mere voice in the back of her mind, reminding her where she had come from, but that was it.

She glanced back at Anakin, who was unaware of her gaze. His eyebrows were pinched in concentration, cheeks singed from healing-burns that were shining from the recently-applied ointment. He was a shell of the boy who had stood up for her.

"They're doing something," Anakin narrated as he stared down the scope. Araminta realised she had been staring and looked away, back down just in time to see something fire off from the base, leaving a pale trail of smoke behind.

She watched with bated breath as it arced through the air, Bly and Rex sprinting away and back towards the tree. The blast was felt in the ground, as a ring of fire blazed out from the impact, lighting up the horizon and bathing their features in shadows. The two clones running fired off grappling lines, Rex's landing in the tree, but Bly's falling short as he stumbled in his haste.

Anakin whipped around to her. "Sol–"

"On it," she clipped, already moving, running to the edge of the branch and getting as close as she dared. She reached out her hands and lifted Bly up with a swift movement, gently moving him until he was close enough for Aayla to reach out and grab him, placing him down on the branch.

"That's some toy," Ahsoka remarked. Araminta looked at the radius of fire from where she was positioned, aware of how precarious it was, able to see the two droids still intact in the centre of the blast, which had burned through every piece of foliage in its radius. "It took out every living thing," Ahsoka continued as Araminta moved back to the main branch, ignoring Anakin's concerned look.

"Thanks," Bly said from her right. Araminta glanced at him, but said nothing as she stared at the destruction below them. Anakin was already back to looking through the binoculars as Araminta crouched down, resting an arm across her knees as she waited at Anakin's flank.

"Where are they off to now?" Aayla asked, crouching on the other side of Anakin, as Araminta spotted distant shapes moving off from the base.

Anakin pulled away and handed the binoculars to the other Jedi. "They must be going back to the Lurmen village. There's nothing else in that direction."

"They're dead, then," Araminta said, harshly. The others looked at her, with mixed faces of alarm, horror and judgement. The assassin shrugged, sighing, "Sorry. They won't stand a chance against that thing, though."

Anakin pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're right, unfortunately." She scrunched her nose up at him. "First, we'll take out the droids' communication station. Then, after we get a shuttle, we'll go back and help the Lurmen," he continued.

"But Tee Watt Kaa said he doesn't need our help," Ahsoka pointed out, crossing her arms over her chest.

Anakin glanced at her, frowning. "There's a difference between pulling innocents into a war and leaving them to extinction."

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      NIGHTFALL had long faded by the time they departed. They had wasted no time in leaving, and Araminta knew they were running on a time constraint, which did push her forward, the idea of stopping an innocent massacre after brushing so close with others in the past pricking at the back of her mind. But she had to give themselves the best chance with limited ranks and an injured Anakin, and the dark of night helped with that.

"Solarii, you're with Aayla and Ahsoka," Anakin had instructed, as they had been splitting off into groups to close in on the base. She had opened her mouth to protest, before clamping it shut, eyes hard. He knew what he was asking of her– she had to trust him. She did. Sometimes.

Araminta had stayed in Aayla's blindspot, parallel to Ahsoka as they had come from the right, using the grass as cover. There were sweeping lights outside the front, as well as a droid patrol, but Araminta wasn't worried, as she crouched down with her group, tail twitching apprehensively.

They waited for Anakin to distract the collection of droids out front, watching them move away from the range of the lights and out of sight of security above. Aayla didn't need to say anything as she sprinted forward, followed by Araminta and then Ahsoka. They moved lightly, Araminta running on her toes as they ducked out of the way of the beams of light, making it to the wall of the base.

Aayla made quick work of it, bracing against the raised sides to get up and pull herself over the top. Araminta clambered up second, clearing it with ease, Ahsoka landing beside her a moment later, sandwiching Araminta between her and Aayla. The Jedi was peeking over the top, likely watching Anakin, but Araminta was too small to see over the top without half-standing.

The Jedi turned back to the pair. "Get to the door, I'll handle the droids."

Ahsoka nodded, as the group split, Aayla running around the top of the wall as Araminta and the padawan descended into the base, which was largely outdoors and exposed. There was still minimal light as they went, Araminta taking the lead with Ahsoka on her heels. She twitched her ears, which were still useless, dragging Ahsoka behind a pile of crates.

Two droids passed them, their shadows morphing across the ground, as Araminta exchanged a glance with the padawan. Ahsoka didn't need to be told as she darted out and slashed them with her lightsaber, which was far quicker and quieter than if Araminta had attempted to bang them together with her gauntlets.

Araminta moved from her hiding spot, tapping the button to open the door. She glanced briefly to see Anakin and the Commanders there, climbing over the entrance as they regrouped. Ahsoka had slunk back into the shadows, moving along the bottom of the base. Bly and Rex disappeared, sneaking around the base of communications, where three droids were stationed.

The assassin paused as Anakin shoved her shoulder with his own, holding something out to her in the dark. She looked down, stunned, to see the hilt of his lightsaber. "No," she said, instantly.

Anakin pursed his lips. "You're more useful right–"

"I said no."

Anakin retracted his hand without another word, as they continued to sweep the base. Araminta put all her power behind a swipe, managing a swift takedown and then another, and another. Jamming a baton between a droid's joints also proved to be an effective way to silence them before they could call for help, bracing it against her body as she split them apart.

Ahsoka reappeared, green sabre blinking, as she got the two droids in front of Araminta. The assassin paused, before falling into step with the padawan. Aayla rejoined them, dropping in from the shadows, as the group convened in the middle of the mostly-empty base, heading for the shuttle. They had yet to be intercepted or discovered, thankfully.

Commander Bly slowed, forcing the others to, as well. "Shield generators, sir!" he whisper-yelled, gesturing to the devices amongst the crates.

Anakin nodded. "Let's take 'em with us."

The two clones split off to collect them, as the rest of the group moved in on the shuttle. Two droids were standing in the doorway, which Araminta made quick work of, waving over her shoulder that it was clear for the others. Aayla and Ahsoka moved in, taking their respective seats at the helm, as Anakin entered slower.

Araminta glanced at him warily, knowing he was still injured, the small bout of combat likely hadn't done him much good. Bly and Rex returned quickly, and they closed the door to the shuttle as they were already rising into the air.

Something had knotted in Araminta though, her eyes unable to look away from the deactivated weapon at Anakin's hip as they cleared the base and began to move towards the village, hoping to beat the small army marching ahead of them.

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      EARLY MORNING light stained the sky as they landed. They had managed to get ahead of the droids, but only barely. Rex had estimated they didn't have long until the weapon was in their radius, and Araminta wasn't fond of getting caught in it. Impossible odds and certain death had never been something she could come to peace with– survival was what she had been raised to believe in.

The Lurmen surrounded the shuttle as they departed, Aayla leading the way with her hands held up in peace. "Everyone please, please listen. The Separatists will be here in moments," she said urgently.

"What are you doing here?" Tee Watt Kaa demanded. "I told you not to return!" Beside him, his son looked disappointed, shaking his head as his father moved forward.

"I'm afraid the Separatists don't care whether you're in the war or not," Anakin said, unphased. "We need to get you to safety before they arrive."

"We will not abandon our homes!" Tee Watt Kaa persisted.

"But they've got a new weapon!" Ahsoka said, moving forward. "It'll burn this place to a crisp." She held her hands out, raising her voice, "Is this what all of you really want?"

Tee Watt Kaa ignored the defiance. "If it is our destiny to be destroyed in your war, so be it," he resolved, with such finality no one could think of anything to say. He turned away, leaving Wag Too frowning and looking at the group desperately.

"Guess we're doing this the hard way," Araminta piped up, Anakin shooting her a glance. He didn't look pleased about the idea as he turned away from the Lurmen and back to the group.

"Okay. Commanders," Anakin turned to the two remaining clones, who jumped to attention. "Set up the shield generators where their radius will cover the village." They nodded, exchanging 'yes sir's as they departed. Anakin turned to Araminta and his padawan. "Find whatever empty pods you can and start a barricade in the Separatists direction."

"What's that gonna do?" Ahsoka questioned. "You saw what that weapon did."

"We need the best chance possible," Anakin told her. Ahsoka accepted the answer, turning to Araminta who just shrugged as they headed off.

Wag Too was quietly supportive, leading them to the giant tree pods they didn't need anymore, as well as the ones they had yet to hollow out and use yet. Araminta and Ahsoka got to work heaving them along with the Force, the un-hollowed ones far too heavy for them alone.

Anakin and Aayla were scarce as they set up a perimeter, taking command as they moved in and out of pods and homes. Araminta caught Anakin's eye occasionally, wondering how his wounds were holding up after the last twenty-four hours.

His padawan had similar thoughts. "I guess Anakin's feeling better," Ahsoka remarked as they worked to move a pod together, glancing over her shoulder as her master stormed past without a second glance.

"He sort of has to," Araminta said with a shrug as the pod settled in the dirt on the edge of the village. The Separatists were on the horizon, still marching, and Araminta could now make out their lethal cannon. Araminta sighed. "Because this could go so badly."

Ahsoka frowned at the pessimism, looking to the horizon as well. Their developing barricade started from the edge of the village perimeter as they worked their way inwards, the view of the droids still clear. "I'm glad you're here," Ahsoka admitted.

"Why?" Araminta asked in genuine confusion as they stepped away from their small, in-progress barricade and moved to drag another tree pod.

"Because you do what I wish I could," Ahsoka told her as they worked together to latch onto another, hands outstretched and feet sliding sideways as it moved without them touching it. Araminta looked across at the padawan, raising her eyebrows at the words. "I mean– you stayed. I understand why I had to leave, Master Secura explained it to me, but sometimes–"

"I'm not encouraging this," Araminta interrupted. Ahsoka looked caught off guard. "The Council would have my head if they knew I was teaching padawans not to follow their sacred way," Araminta explained, somewhat bitterly.

"Then how come you fight with us?" Ahsoka asked curiously. "All anyone says is you are Master Kenobi's bodyguard but I don't get it."

Araminta huffed, exerting herself as she moved the pod quicker, knocking it against another as it slotted into the barricade. Ahsoka looked at her wearily, but didn't say anything as Bly and Rex began to help move pods as well, using their grappling lines to drag them across the village. Anakin had also approached now, looking as frantic as he got. Araminta knew him well enough to see it even if he kept calm on the outside.

"Keep it up!" he encouraged in passing. Araminta watched him move on, the sun having risen in the sky now and making him almost glow.

Ahsoka stuck with Araminta as they repeated their movements. "Obi-wan and Skywalker bought my freedom a couple years ago," Araminta said after a moment. It was the lie they had developed over the years that Ahsoka had not been drafted in the last few months, it seemed.

"You were a slave?" Ahsoka asked cautiously as they stepped up to another pod.

Araminta shook her head. "No. An assassin, bounty hunter– whatever you wanna call it. In exchange for a better chance, I've safeguarded Kenobi ever since."

"And Anakin," Ahsoka pointed out. Araminta didn't respond as they began to move another pod, not wanting to show how surprised she was by the lack of judgement from the teenager. "I thought you were Master Kenobi's padawan when I first met you," Ahsoka said after a few minutes.

"That's fair," Araminta responded. "Small enough for it."

Ahsoka scoffed. To her left, Araminta could see Anakin and Aayla had begun to help with the barricade, and with the extra third of help, it had started to take shape. Rex had paused for a moment, standing on top, using his binoculars to scan the approaching enemies as they continued to work.

Araminta was sweating by the time they reached the last gap, and the exhaustion she had been resisting since they had crash-landed on the planet was starting to pinch at her, shrouding the edges of her mind. She ignored it, pushing through it, as she always did.

"Droids inbound," Rex said abruptly, turning back to them from his watch position. "We've got eight minutes, tops."

Anakin sighed, turning back around. "Come on, guys, let's get these shield generators in place!" Aayla and Bly listened, and activated the generators, which began to hover in the air and buzz with unreleased power, waiting until they were needed.

Tee Watt Kaa had started to limp over, leaning on his walking stick as Wag Too followed in his steps. Araminta noticed Anakin run a hand down his face, and she assumed the leader had been pestering him while he set up the perimeter.

"Pray, stop what you're doing. Stop building that wall!" Tee Watt Kaa yelled in protest, stopping at Araminta and Ahsoka's heels as they continued with their task. "I did not ask you to defend us."

"This battle is inevitable," Anakin replied, sounding frustrated now. "You can stand by your beliefs, but let us stand by ours."

Tee Watt Kaa mumbled something indiscernible, which Araminta usually would have been able to make sense of, as he moved off, waving his stick. The assassin and the padawan finished moving another pod, which finally closed the gap. Anakin held up a hand, and the pair took it as their sign that was it enough, stepping away from their hard work.

Both girls were covered in a layer of dust, which Araminta tried to brush off as Wag Too approached them. "Thank you for what you're trying to do," he sighed. "I'm sorry, but I cannot help. My father is very... strong-willed and set in tradition. Many others agree with me but we were raised under a very strict code. We must respect it, even if we don't agree."

"Sounds familiar," Araminta mumbled, Anakin exchanging a look with her.

"They're holding position," Rex announced from behind them.

The Jedi turned assertively. "They're not going to charge us," he said, confidently. "Not if they can hit us from long range first. But if we can withstand that weapon, we'll draw them in."

"If," Ahsoka pointed out.

"Have faith," Anakin told her, placing a hand on his padawan's shoulder.

"Incoming!" Rex shouted suddenly, jumping down from the top of the barricade to join them behind it. Araminta tilted her head as the missile sped towards them in the same arc as before, only this time they were directly in the firing line.

"Power the shields!" Anakin instructed. Aayla and her commander wasted no time, as the purple and blue light shot upwards and domed over them. Araminta's head continued to follow the weapon, as the shot crashed into the ground a few hundred metres from them.

This time, she felt the blast more, running along the ground and through her legs, followed by the wall of fire. Araminta flinched, as if she'd be able to resist the pain if it pierced the shield, as the orange crept up the dome, which hummed with electricity at the strain. The ground tremored, but the fire passed over them, as the blast faded and they were left a perfect circle in the desolation.

Araminta let out a breath, as Anakin looked at her smugly. "Now they'll have to get their hands dirty and meet us face-to-face."

"Fun," Araminta deadpanned, as they clambered over the barricade of pods to get a better view.

"But that's a lot of clankers," Ahsoka pointed out, her face bathed in blue by the shield's edge, as she gestured to the small army headed their way. The droids were running now, blasters raised, approaching fast.

"We've got to stop them before they get through the shield," Anakin resolved.

Araminta took out her batons, her best weapon against the droids, as she followed at Anakin's flank as they left the safety of the shield. As soon as their feet were a step out of the dome, the droids began to fire at them. Araminta used the Jedi's sabres as cover as she ran, ducking and diving, listening to the Force to avoid being hit fatally.

She stayed close to Anakin, not quite in his shadow, but there if she needed to cover his back. The clones stayed closer to the shield, providing covering fire, as Araminta smashed a droid in before using its body to kick off and jump into another two, spinning her batons with as much force as she could.

She tried not to think too hard on Anakin offering her his most sacred weapon when they had been at the base, deciding it was a momentary lapse in judgement from being sore in the field.

However useful it would be, she had denied having a sabre since the day Obi-wan had started to pester her about it.

Araminta finished off the final droid in her zone by bringing it flying towards her with the Force as she took its head off with a baton like a ball-game. She glanced over her shoulder to Anakin, who had managed despite his injuries.

"That wasn't so tough," Ahsoka chirped as they regrouped in the middle.

"That was just the first wave," Anakin said, firmly, turning to see a force twice the size charging at them.

Araminta huffed, putting one of her batons away as she unholstered her blaster. She fired off a few shots, which landed, before they met the fresh wave of droids. It was immediately clear there were too many, with larger ones as well that Araminta was forced to leave to the lightsabers as she clashed her way through the shooters.

Something tugged at her, and she lurched backwards, swivelling her shoulder, her wrist gauntlet catching a blaster shot that would have gone straight into Ahsoka's back as she was focused on the droids slipping past their defences. Araminta pushed back, swinging her left arm, smashing a droid's torso with her other gauntlet while simultaneously firing a shot into another further away.

"Snips, get back to the village!" Anakin yelled over the sound of blasters and plasma, his padawan only looking over shoulder to show she'd heard. "I'll take care of the new weapon." Ahsoka didn't protest as she sped off towards the first line of defence, as Bly and Rex began to press back behind the shield. Aayla followed for support, as Araminta met Anakin's eyes, waiting for the order to go back. "Come on!" he said to her instead, earning a small grin as they continued into the battle.

Araminta kept her position as they pressed forward, which was easier now that the droids had their eyes set on the village as their target. She knew that they had breached the shield, but it was far from her mind as she kept pace with the wounded Jedi and her charge.

She provided covering fire where necessary, her hand as steady as she could get it while on the move, slamming any that got past. They were fast approaching the three main tanks, with the main weapon in the centre. Araminta guessed it wasn't just controlled by a machine, as she spun and rammed into a droid that had slipped past, wheeling around to shoot out the other two.

Her eyes widened at the sight. "Skywalker!" she called in alarm, turning back around and catching back up. Her tone seemed to catch his attention, as he glanced back to see the shield had fallen, leaving the village completely defenceless to another shot.

If possible, Anakin sped up, as the tanks took notice of their approach, and began to fire. They were slower shots than blaster fire, and the pair dodged easily, jumping forward. Anakin took the one on the left, splitting through the cannon easily with his sabre as Araminta gave up and threw her blaster down the barrel of the tank, where it fizzled before exploding.

Araminta looped around the back, taking out the droids fleeing the carnage, as Anakin reached the main weapon, which was collapsed in on itself as he skidded in the dust. The commander attempted to flee, sprinting in the opposite direction from the failed weapon, Anakin wincing in the corner of Araminta's eye.

The assassin bared her teeth as she threw a hand forward, catching the Separatist commander in the Force by his throat, pulling him back and holding him with his feet dangling just above the ground. Araminta watched him struggle for a moment longer than necessary, aware of Anakin's eyes on her, before she slammed him into the ground, winding him.

"The weapon has been disabled," Anakin said into his comlink as the pair approached the Separatist, sabre at his throat, and Araminta's harsh glare boring into him.

━━━━ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ━━━━

      THE THANKS the Lurmen offered to the Jedi were lost on Araminta, who had dipped her head but remained quiet, as the Republic arrived in the sky, three cruisers finally appearing and beginning to descend. Bly and Rex had shackled the Separatist commander, who had not stopped blubbering and complaining the entire time as he was escorted into his own stolen shuttle. Araminta had busied herself with scanning the destruction to the village, checking for bodies or blood, but found none.

She wasn't sure how she felt about that, as she sensed a familiar presence behind her. She looked over her shoulder to see Anakin approaching her, looking worse for wear with his bruises, layer of dirt and healing injuries. Araminta probably didn't look better, long hair tied back to hide the frizziness and circles weighing on her eyes under the layer of dust and small scratches from their crash.

They stayed quiet for a moment as Anakin stepped up to her, Araminta having made her way to the opposite side of the village in her small steps, looking to the horizon of giant trees and expansive grass that was undamaged from the Separatists assault.

"Thank you," Anakin said, quietly.

Araminta faltered at the words, turning to him with wide eyes. "For what?"

"Protecting me," he responded simply.

The assassin only blinked at him, features shadowed by the relentless sun. She sighed and turned away, shrugging indifferently. "Following orders," Araminta said automatically.

"I think we're way past that," Anakin replied just as automatically.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Skywalker," Araminta replied dryly.

"Speaking of sleeping–" Anakin cut himself off at Araminta's glare. "What? It's been two days. You shouldn't even be able to stand."

A sad note took over Araminta's face, her eyes shifting away from his face, glare fading. "Doesn't faze me. We were trained to," she told him.

Anakin looked surprised. "To not sleep?"

"To run on as little as possible. Of anything," Araminta explained, casually. "It was efficient."

It seemed that even after so long, Anakin and Obi-wan still managed to be surprised by the treatment she had received from Vestor Octavian. They would wear the same face whenever she nonchalantly mentioned something, in passing or otherwise. Araminta wondered when they would stop being surprised.

"You don't need to do that anymore," Anakin told her, softly. He'd stepped closer to her now, their shoulders almost touching.

"Yeah, I know," Araminta replied, earnestly. "Some habits I can't kick, I guess." She waved a hand dismissively. "I told Ahsoka, by the way."

Anakin nodded. "Obi-wan and I didn't want to be the ones to tell her."

The unrequested kindness caught Araminta off guard. "That's... nice of you," she managed.

"You don't have to thank us, I know you struggle to say that," Anakin chuckled. Araminta scoffed, but didn't deny his words. "The next time we fight together, I'll be the second priority, right?" Anakin said, less amused, looking down at her.

Araminta could only look back up at him, a frown tugging at her features. "Probably."

Anakin had always been able to look into her, right past whatever lies she was telling herself or others. That was something he had always understood. But this was different– or at the very least, more– the soft slight in his eyebrows, the way his lips slightly parted, and the blue in his eyes looked darker than usual despite the sun.

He looked at her as if she had put the stars in the sky, and Araminta hadn't a clue why.

She felt his hand brush hers, and her eyes widened as he moved forward, chest almost touching her nose. Araminta tilted her head up slightly, gauging his next move, before his other arm had gone around her upper back and gently pulled her against him, her head pressed against his chest not much differently from the day before.

For a moment, Araminta stiffened, so unaccustomed to physical contact when it wasn't in the form of violence or rage, when it wasn't a slap across the face or the warmth of blood down her lip. She only knew warmth from burning and the heat of battle, pressed against him or gripped at his hand to drag him to safety.

Contact did not have to be urgent, it did not have to be a fist to skin or clawing at the first layer. She had known that, once before, shadowed in the darker corridors of her memories before she had failed her only mission. She had known the difference between urgency and comfort, between the warmth of a wound and of touch. Araminta had not expected to feel that again.

This was different in a way she knew.

Araminta released the stiffness in her shoulders as she leant into the one-armed embrace, finally seeming to feel the tiredness in her muscles and the heaviness in her bones, her eyes burning to be closed and give her body rest. If it was up to her buzzing ears and hooded lids, she would have fallen into sleep right there, but with the clarity of the situation and the Jedi's heartbeat against her ear, she kept herself standing steady.

━━━━ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ━━━━

edit: i realised that for this arc i referred to rex multiple times as commander when he's a captain. please just accept this as a genuine mistake i'll fix at some point, thank you <3

this was a monster of a chapter istg, i was 6 minutes into the episode and already 2.5k words down so,, here.

just to edge everyone this was ORIGINALLY the episode where anakinta first kissed and everything but it makes 100% more sense and well-earned this way, i promise promise - i have the chapter and everything planned for exactly when they happen but HERE'S A HUG (araminta is so not used to physical touch okay). also anakin offering her his sabre is just like a very visual display that he trusts her with his life 

anyway, not much to say for this one, i felt the last was lowkey more anakinta pining but hey. the next one is a standalone episode and sort of filler, but it has its place i promise

please vote and comment <33