I do not own Star Wars, it belongs to Disney and its creator George Lucas.

"Talking"

Huttenese

-Telepathic Communication-

The planet of Tatooine's temperature slowly began to heat up as its two suns rose into the sky. Though the suns rising would be accompanied by sweltering heat, it was quite the breathtaking sight to witness. For the sun rising on any planet was a blessing, the beginning of another day and a sign on life.

No one believed this more than Auron Skywalker. At least as far as he knew.

Every morning he would get up before the suns rose to observe their rising. He wasn't sure what it was that drew him like clockwork towards the predawn. It was like a deeply imbedded instinct guided by a force he couldn't really comprehend. No matter how late he stayed up or how tired he was the ritual was observed, even during his sleep cycle, he would just go straight back to sleep afterwards.

All he knew was that it had something to do with the feeling which always surrounded him, guiding him along with his twin. While his brother Anakin generally brushed off the feeling, except when podracing, Auron instead, though initially forced, had chosen to immerse himself in the feeling to try and understand it, limited as that understanding was.

As he stood on the roof of his home observing the suns rising he felt that feeling rising inside him. He couldn't understand what it was doing or trying to convey but he got the strong impression that something big was about to happen. Something life changing but whether it was a good or bad thing he couldn't tell.

All he knew was that it would happen soon and he hoped he and his family were prepared for it.

After a light breakfast together, Auron and Anakin went to work in Watto's shop while their mother went about her own duties.

Watto's shop was both a treasure trove and a garbage heap. A treasure trove because you could find just about any part you needed to build something, but a garbage heap due to the fact almost everything was salvaged parts and you'd be hard pressed to find all the identical parts to any piece of machinery.

Watto was manning the counter, alternating between counting credits and checking his ledgers. Anakin was in the backroom fixing some droid or other part.

Currently, Auron was working on one of his latest inventions. It was supposed to create an invisible dome that protected those inside from being eavesdropped on audibly and physically through the reading of lips. Those outside of the dome would only be able to hear an indistinct buzzing of voices. So far he had managed to get the dome up blocking conversations from the inside and the indistinct buzzing outside but hadn't quite figured out a way to make reading lips impossible. Even though it was frustrating he was proud of the progress he had made on this project he started two years ago.

The reason for him building such a thing was quite simple: to make credits. A device like this when finished would be invaluable on a planet like Tatooine, hell the entire Outer Rim, the place outlaws called home.

Years ago he had made a deal with Watto, that he would sell the inventions he made and give him 40% of the profits from them. It wasn't exactly a fair deal but considering the fact he was a slave and Watto could just take all the profits if he wanted. Though Auron had leverage in that if Watto did do such a thing he would stop inventing things, thus stopping Watto from gaining more credits than he would otherwise get.

The first invention he made, a device attached to shoes that allowed one to glide over sand, he let Watto keep all the profits from. It was essentially a show of good faith, an idea his mom had come up with. The device had been very profitable, especially since the parts used to build it were relatively cheap but long lasting; not too long lasting though since that would be bad for business.

The whole reason for him making credits from his inventions were to eventually make enough in order to gain he and his family's freedom. Frankly, that was one of the reasons Watto agreed to let him keep some of the profits from his inventions. In the end he would get the credits back. So far they had enough credits to free one of them per Watto's agreed upon prices.

However, he wasn't the only one working towards their freedom. Anakin was trying to win a podrace or two to gain some credits for them but so far he had been unsuccessful in finishing a race let alone winning one. Still he was trying his hardest and he fixed things for people on the side. Mom had taken to doing extra jobs for people when she was done doing whatever Watto needed her to. She never specified exactly what it was she did but Auron had decided not to question it.

Auron was just in the process of getting some spare parts when he heard the shop bell ring. Their first customer of the day. Customers, he corrected when he peered around the corner to the front of the store.

A middle aged man, a teenage girl and some creature he couldn't readily identify but knew wasn't native to Tatooine had entered the shop.

He watched as Watto worked his "magic" with them before ordering Anakin to man the counter as he went outside with the man, leaving the girl and creature behind. He smiled in amusement seeing the creature stick his tongue out at being told not to touch anything.

"Are you an angel?"

And cue his older brother asking the most ridiculous questions. Auron had to refrain from facepalming as the girl looked at his brother in confusion.

-Really Ani?-

-Shut up Ron!-

"What?"

"I've heard deep space pilots talking about them. They're the most beautiful creatures in the universe. They live on the moons of Iego I think."

The woman smiled. "You're a funny little boy. How do you know so much?"

Auron watched briefly as she humored his brother, who eagerly responded to the attention, before going back about his work. Only to be brought back to the front by the sounds of things crashing along with a flustered voice he could only assume belonged to the creature.

He poked his head back out only to see things were under control. His movement apparently caught the attention of the girl because she looked in his direction slightly startled. Auron watched as she looked back and forth between he and his brother, pretty much the standard reaction people had when they saw identical twins. Well almost identical.

While he and Anakin looked exactly the same at first glance, there were minor differences. For one his eyes were a paler blue than his brother's making him look blind, Anakin was a couple inches taller and his face wasn't as round as his. Also, there was their haircuts. Anakin's was a bowl cut that reached his eyes while his hair only went a few inches past his forehead and was cut short in the back.

If Auron had his way he would much prefer a buzz cut but his mother wouldn't allow it. Something about it allowing too much heat to his head and making it more likely for him to have a heat stroke, whatever. In his opinion she just liked them to match.

Auron waved at her, which she responded to in kind, before he went back to his work once more. Ani might have time to fool around but he couldn't afford to. Not until they were free at least. When he could do whatever he wanted and no one was his master but himself. The sooner they had the credits to free themselves the better.

As he was finishing soldering a part of the device with his goggles on he heard Anakin shout out a goodbye. Putting his work aside he stepped out to see if they had bought anything. As he stepped to the front he heard Watto complaining.

Outlanders! Trying to trick me into accepting Republic credits, thinking we know nothing.

They seemed nice to me, responded Anakin.

Clean the racks. Then go home.

"Yippee!" shouted Anakin.

Twenty minutes later they were finished cleaning and stepped outside Watto's shop with the rest of the afternoon free, relatively speaking.

Anakin turned to his brother grinning. "Come on! Let's go get some pallies."

Auron smiled, "Sure why not."

Side by side they walked towards the old woman who sold the best pallies in Mos Espa. As they were walking they saw the group that just left the shop up ahead.

Auron watched as the creature with them stuck his long tongue out to snag some food on a stick from a vendor only to be caught. He watched in amusement as he was caught and spit the food out only for it to fly and hit Sebulba.

"Well he's about to be dead soon," Auron remarked. You didn't mess with Sebulba, he was as crooked as they come around these parts.

Anakin shook his head while moving forward. "I gotta help him. He has no idea who he messed with."

"Anakin! Get back here. It's his mess not ours," hissed Auron.

Anakin either didn't hear him or ignored him as he kept walking towards Sebulba who was about to bash the creature's face in.

Auron cursed in Huttenese before following Anakin in case whatever plan he had didn't work.

Careful Sebulba, said Anakin as he approached the Dug. He's a big time outlander. I'd hate to see you get diced before we race again. Anakin pointed a thumb at the creature. This one's very well connected.

Sebulba sneered. Next time we race boy, it will be the end of you. If you weren't a slave I'd squash you right now.

Anakin gave a self deprecating smile. Yeah, it'd be a pity if you had to pay for me.

Sebulba said nothing as he stalked off. Anakin helped up the creature as they were approached by the man and woman.

"Hi," said Anakin.

"Hi, there," the man responded.

"Your buddy there was about to be turned into orange goo. He picked a fight with a Dug. An especially dangerous Dug named Sebulba."

"Nosir, Nosir. Mesa no want crunchen. Dat's the last ting mesa wanten," protested the creature fearfully.

"Nevertheless the boy is right. You were heading into trouble." He turned to address Anakin. "Thanks my young friend."

Auron watched as they walked away. He turned to Anakin, "Come on. Let's get those pallies and go home. Don't want mom to worry about us."

Anakin still had his gaze trained on the outlanders nodding absentmindedly. "Yeah." Then without warning he took off after them.

Auron groaned. Why did Ani always insist in sticking his nose where it didn't belong? You would think he would have learned to have a little caution. Chasing after him Auron heard him ask the strangers if they were hungry and that if they were he knew a place with great food.

The strangers accepted and followed them to the little stand. Anakin took out some coins and paid for enough pallies for them and the strangers. Auron resisted the urge to berate him for volunteering money they couldn't really spare since it was his own credits that he had earned he was using.

"Here you'll like these. They're the best pallies around." Anakin handed out the pallies to everyone.

"Thank you," replied the man.

As Anakin handed him his pallie the man finally noticed him. He hid his surprise well and didn't start like most people did upon noticing him. His mother always said he was like a shadow. People only noticed him if they paid close attention or someone was interacting with him.

Auron was just fine with that. He didn't care to talk a lot like Ani, plus being invisible had its' benefits, especially for a slave.

He heard Anakin gasp when he saw the man reveal his lightsaber when he put away the pallie. Anakin opened his mouth, mostly likely to ask about the lightsaber, but Jira spoke first.

"Oh my bones are aching," said Jira. "Storm's coming up Ani, Ron. You two better get home quick."

"Thanks," said Anakin while Auron nodded his thanks. Anakin turned towards their companions. "Do you have shelter?"

"We'll head back to our ship," Qui-Gon replied as they began to walk away.

Auron finally spoke up. "Is it far?"

"On the outskirts," Padmé answered.

Auron shook his head with a frown. "You'll never reach the outskirts in time. Sandstorms are very, very dangerous."

"That's right!" Anakin interjected enthusiastically. "You can shelter at our home, its nearer. Come with us. Hurry!"

The people all briefly looked at each other before following after Anakin.

Auron released a sigh. Here Ani went again, doing things without thinking them through. For all they know these people could be criminals, which on this planet was very likely. While his senses told them they were good people it was better not taking chances.

As he trailed after them, he could only hope that their mother wouldn't be too upset at the inconvenience. Yet, all the same he felt that strong feeling surrounding him whispering to him that this was the beginning.

The beginning of what he couldn't be sure but as with every other hardship he had faced he would survive it and come out stronger from the experience.

A/N: This is my first Star Wars fanfic so please be patient with me. Thank you for reading and please review letting me know what you think.