MY TAKE...on Anakin and Ahsoka (once more)
Disclaimer: This post discusses the possibilty of a relation between Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano. READERS< YE BE WARNED.
I know I've said before that Anakin and Ahsoka have a relationship unlike other masters and padawans.
Having done some research into the news aspect, others have noted it.
In an interview with Matt Lanter, the voice of Anakin Skywalker has mentioned that Ahsoka as a character has become very near and dear to his heart. As I'm sure is true for many others. Myself--I really, really hope she doesn't die either in Clone Wars or Order 66. It would be really cool to me if Ahsoka had a hand in raising Leia, because after watching A New Hope last night, I realized that some of Ahsoka and Leia's mannerisms are incredibly similar--the kind of similarity that comes from familiarity.
In an interview with Dave Filoni, the director, he mentioned that at one point in Season 2, Anakin thinks that Ahsoka's dead, and he does something that absolutely horrifies his fellow Jedi. Now, attachment is supposedly "bad," so this display of attachment would be REALLY BAD.
Would Anakin do the same thing to save Padme? Yes. He would.
Would he do it for Obi-Wan, Yoda, or Mace Windu, who are his Jedi equals (or superiors)? Absolutely not.
Would Anakin do that to save any person he has a bleeding heart for? No.
It seems a bit strange to me that Ahsoka is now under the same, narrow umbrella of protection that once belonged only to Padme. But wait--she's his padawan. Of course, she would be protected by Anakin.
But Ahsoka has proved time and time again that she can take care of herself--far more than Padme has.
Anakin is also incredibly reckless--and he's shown to the enemy that Ahsoka is one of his weaknesses. Threaten her, and Anakin will do his very best to save her. I can't imagine Cad Bane keeping that knowledge close to his chest.
I have also paid close attention to their body language whilst interacting. Ahsoka always places herself at Anakin's right hand, even if it means she's cut out of the conversation. When they speak, their bodies are angled towards each other, even when not speaking directly to each other. And some of their banter has a decidedly flirtatious feel to it.
They also tease each other, and tell each things that are hard to hear--and both of them refuse to hear it from others, arguably Obi-Wan for the both of them. Such as when Ahsoka is adamant on continuing the fight on Felucia, and Obi-Wan tries in vain to get her to stop. It takes a few sentences from Anakin--okay, with LOTS of impatience/frustration--to get Ahsoka to stop fighting and get on the tank ship thing.
It's been called "the nastiest fight" by Eric Goldman on TheForce.net between the two of them. The thing is? I don't think so. Ahsoka didn't want to retreat, because, like Anakin, she equates retreat with failure and losing, and she hates to lose. Anakin rebukes her, but she doesn't protest and she feels incredibly guilty even days later.
At this point, whatever their relationship is, it is incredibly complex. It has elements of romance--the flirting--true friendship, sibling (omnipresent rivalry),
They truly love each other. What kind of love is it? That remains to be seen.