Chapter Text
Pain was all she felt as her eyelids slowly fluttered open and got used to the darkness of her room, she couldn't remember how exactly she had gotten here but was aware that it was after another exhausting mission. So at first, that's what she thought this feeling was, battle exhaustion, she had felt it many times and probably would always feel it, but the pain growing inside of her was something completely different.
As Ahsoka began to fully awaken she became acutely aware of the full extent of her pain, her montral and lekku were throbbing and aching, something she hadn't experienced before. Her whole body was sore with cramps, but what caused her the most concern was the deep ache in her groin area. She took a deep breath as she rose from her bed, steadying herself slightly on the mattress before attempting to get up. The pain making her whimper and wince as she fully stood up, afraid of her legs not working properly she shuffled herself towards her refresher, flicking the light on and immediately seeking the mirror.
Deep down she had sensed this was coming but she had hoped it wouldn't be for a while, and certainly not while she was on board a ship full of men and solely men. Ahsoka gazed at herself in the mirror, her usual vibrant orange skin, was now dull and pale and her eyes had darkened so instead of their ocean blue, they were now black. She knew what she had to do and who she had to approach, but this was a testing time for her, already she could feel a surge of hormones hitting her at once. This was going to be tough, not only for her, but for those around her. She could approach Kix, he was a medic after all and she was aware that when he knew General Skywalker was receiving a female Togruta for his Padawan, he immediately began researching about her species, so as he knew the best course of treatment for her if she ever got herself injured (and with her Master, this was a pretty common scenario). Ahsoka also knew that Kix done it so he could better understand the female biology, she was going to be the only female on board and she would need someone to turn to during her...cycles. But for what was happening right now, she felt too embarrassed to even approach such a topic with him.
Ahsoka sighed and shuffled herself back into her bedroom, she was so acutely aware of the pain she was feeling, she knew there was going to be no way of getting back to sleep. She glanced at the data pad left on her desk from when she had finished her debriefing report on the last mission, the time read 0200. She was going to be in for a long night. For a brief moment she closed her eyes and used the force to try sense if there were many people still awake at this time, she had managed to feel a few wary force signatures, some on their way to their quarters while others were in the main control room, ensuring their travel in hyperspace was a safe one.
Making a quick decision, Ahsoka opened her small wardrobe and pulled out a long, hooded cloak. If she was going to be traversing the corridors and bridge at night, then she wanted no one to know it was her. It was difficult and embarrassing enough feeling how she did and going through this particular cycle, she would rather not have anyone questioning her at the moment, for she would fear her response to their concern.
Ahsoka grabbed her data pad from her desk, holding it beneath her cloak as she ventured from her room, which wasn't at a fast pace considering she was still finding it difficult to move her legs, and the friction it was causing between her legs wasn't helping either. Thankfully, as she made her to way to the mess hall, she didn't encounter a single clone or her Master. She pushed open the door gently and ensured it closed softly behind her, she didn't want to alert anyone that she was here. She made her way to the back of mess and took a seat in the corner, not removing the hood or cloak as she sat. Ahsoka took a deep breath and tried to meditate through the pain, but it was impossible.
The ache in her montral and lekku was now growing, and for a moment she wondered if this was what a headache felt like to a human and how often they got them. She placed her data pad on the table on front of her, before gently placing her hands on her montral but once they made contact she wished she didn't. As her fingers gently grazed against the small, growing horn Ahsoka let out an audible groan of pain. Kriff, they're so sensitive!
Ahsoka couldn't help the tears that sprung to her eyes and slowly trickled down her cheeks, during her teachings at the temple, Master Shaak Ti had took it upon herself to teach the young Togruta about her cycles and what would happen as she would continue to grow, so Ahsoka was very aware that this cycle was meant to last the longest, it could last anywhere between 7 rotations to 14, and she really hoped it would be the 7, going through 14 rotations of feeling like this and potentially having to fight in battles while doing so just seemed like an impossible feat, even for her.
As Ahsoka continued to shake and whine with the pain her body was putting her through she failed to hear the mess hall door open once more.
Fives pushed the door open slightly, as he surveyed the room as best as he could see. Empty. Just the way I like it. And as he pushed the door open further, he still didn't take heed of the cloaked figure in the corner, his mind was too preoccupied with finding the stashed dessert for him and the boys for their late night snack. So he snuck through as quietly as he could, checking through every possible place he could remember before it finally clicked as to where they chose for their new hiding place (they had to change it up every so often otherwise a certain brooding Jedi with a crazy appetite and often crazy ideas on how to get their whole company killed in one mission, would usually find them). "Jackpot" He whispered as he removed the tin cover, smiling as he saw the various goodies inside, the boys would regret the sugar rush in the morning, but for tonight it was all worth it.
After finding his prize, Fives begun to sneak out of the mess once again, but as he got closer to the door and a step closer to his freedom, he heard a small grunt coming from behind him. Fives stood at attention before slowly turning round to survey the room again. His eyes fell upon the hooded figure at the back of the room and he frowned, who else would be up at this time? Fives walked closer to the figure, his eyes adjusting to the slightly darkened section of the room, and once they adjusted he was able to see that the hood of the cloak sat slightly off, it seemed to dip in the middle and then covered two pointed horns. Ahh, the Commander.
Fives coughed slightly to announce himself, "Commander"
Ahsoka jumped at the voice that came from behind her, she winced and groaned in pain as she done so. She raised herself from the table and slowly turned to see that it was Fives who stood before her, she lowered her head so he was unable to get a good look at her. "Oh...Evening, or morning Fives"
Fives frowned, something didn't seem right with the Commander, firstly why was she wearing a cloak inside the ship? And was she...crying? "Are you okay, Commander?"
"I'm fine Fives" Ahsoka snapped, her words coming out more harshly then she expected, but then again this is what she wanted to avoid.
Fives winced slightly at the tone in her voice, but didn't take offence. "Are you sure? Is there anything I can do?"
Ahsoka grunted, the pain and throbbing throughout her body getting worse by the second. "I said I'm fine Fives! I...I just need to be alone"
With that, Ahsoka grabbed her data pad from the table and shuffled out of the room once again, not noticing the concerned look that Fives was giving her as she done so. Something was definitely different about the Commander, and Fives was going to make it his mission to find out.