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I think this is the one with the most angst. Well, until we get to day 7.
Day 3: Bitter, not sweet
Rex moved among the crowds of the market. It always surprised him when the marketplaces of backwater planets like this bustled. He quietly made his purchases at different stalls. No one recognized him, thanks to the bounty hunter's helmet Ahsoka had found for him.
"Thank you." Rex said quietly to the last vendor.
He handed the young woman a handful of credits and picked up his bundles. To his surprise, the vendor began packing up her stall. Looking around, Rex could see many merchants doing the same.
"What's going on?" Rex asked.
The woman looked from side to side.
"The Imperials have sent those devils." She whispered. "Those Inquisitors."
Rex's heart plummeted. Not here.
"Better make yourself scarce too." The woman said before hurrying away.
Rex watched her go, weighing his options. The streets were becoming barren. If he went looking for Ahsoka, he'd stick out. He should head back for the ship and wait it out.
Rex found himself running the opposite direction of their ship. She was too precious to leave to chance.
Ahsoka had been on the other side of the market. If she was smart, which she was, she would have disappeared with the fleeing crowds. But if she was noble, which she was, she'd try and find out who the Inquisitors were searching for and help them.
Rex bet on the latter.
He reached the beginnings of the backways of the town, alleys and narrow streets ideal for losing an enemy. Rex plunged in.
His heart nearly stopped as he distantly heard the hum of a lightsaber.
Ahsoka didn't have her sabers anymore.
Rex ran harder, and then harder still when the sound abruptly stopped. He stopped before rounding a corner, voices becoming apparent.
"She doesn't have lightsabers." One voice said. "But she definitely was a Force user."
"Lord Vader will be pleased regardless." Another said. "Come on. She wasn't our original target."
Rex stole a glance around the corner.
Two dark figures stood over a crumpled form of blue, white and orange.
Rex couldn't move at first. The dark figures leapt over a near wall, leaving the body.
Finally Rex was able to force his limbs into action. He tore off his helmet as he ran.
He reached the body, and his world fell apart.
Her blue eyes stared at the wall. The lightsaber stroke that had killed her was a deep slash in her chest. It had severed one of her lekku.
Rex pulled her into his arms.
"'Soka." He called, as if calling to her could bring her back. He had called hundreds of names. None of them had ever come back.
"'Soka." He said again. "I'm sorry."
He had been the one to choose this planet. He had convinced her it was safe, despite her uneasy feelings. It was his fault.
He reached down and caressed her face before closing her eyes.
"Ni-" Rex could hardly speak for the tears he was holding back. But he had to say this, even if it was far too late. "Ni kar'tayli gar darasuum, 'Soka."
And though it was too late, he leaned down and kissed her still warm lips.
The tears broke through. He had dreamed that her lips were the sweetest thing in the galaxy. But that kiss was more bitter than he could have imagined.
Check it out and my ongoing Rexsoka fics on A03!
https://archiveofourown.org/works/34125910/chapters/84998950
https://archiveofourown.org/users/ExecutiveCucumber/works