Title: Shadows

Rating: K

Characters: Luke, Biggs, Obi Wan

Summary: how serious can it be when a seven-year-old says "I hate you"?

Time period: after ROTS.

Word Count: 555

Author's note: this is AU, with Obi Wan raising Luke instead of leaving him with the Lars.

"It's mine! Gimme back!"

"Come and get it, Wormie!"

The childish voices came through the window and Obi Wan, still in meditation pose, smiled. He knew that Biggs Darklighter had probably taken Luke's new toy just to tease the younger boy a little and would return it in a while. The two were best of friends.

Seven years had passed since Obi Wan arrived in Tatooine, with a newborn baby in his arms and a few clothes and credits in a carrybag. Seven years spent dealing with the fact that the Jedi Order was no more, the whole Galaxy was in the filthy hands of a treacherous Sith Lord, and the only hope to stop the madness was that chubby kid with huge blue eyes who called him "Uncle Ben".

Luke. He was becoming more and more like his father. He loved putting his small hands in all kinds of engines, just like Anakin. He was impulsive and reckless like Anakin. And, like Anakin, he was incredibly strong in the Force.

Anakin Skywalker. My Padawan. My friend. My brother. My love. I failed you.

It would be different with Luke. It had to be. He would not have another beloved one corrupted and destroyed by the Dark Side.

A sharp, anguished cry started Obi Wan from his musings. He ran to the window and saw Biggs open mouthed, eyes round like saucers looking at something on the ground.

It was Luke's new toy. It was broken.

"I'm sorr…" the boy mumbled, but was interrupted by another cry.

"I hate you!"

Obi Wan shivered. It was the last thing Anakin had said to him, before falling in the fires of Mustafar.

He shouldn't be saying such words. He should never say such words.

Luke ran into the house, into his bedroom, sobbing. Obi Wan was still deciding what to do when Biggs came, bringing the broken toy. He looked up, and Obi Wan was surprised to see a pair of dark, sad eyes much older than the boy who owned them. Mr. and Mrs. Darklighter probably were loving, but stern parents.

"It was my fault, sir." he said. "I'll talk to him."

Luke was curled up in his bed, crying. Biggs came in, slowly.

"Luke?"

"Go away!"

"I'm sorry, Luke. I really am. I'll talk to my dad. He'll buy another to replace this one, promise!"

Luke didn't move. Biggs bit his lip and gave a tentative step closer.

"I'll make him buy a better one, Luke. And I won't break it. I won't even touch it!"

"Promise?"

Watery blue eyes spied from behind chubby hands. The sobbing stopped. Relieved, Biggs smiled broadly.

"Promise! Hey, if I say it's for you, I'm sure dad will buy the best toy he finds in the store!"

It didn't take long until the two boys were laughing and playing again, the fight completely forgotten.

Back in meditation pose, Obi Wan smiled again. For seven years he'd feared to see Anakin's shadow in Luke. He dreaded to see anger, hatred and darkness in those blue eyes that reminded him of his lost friend so much. Now he knew his fears were unfounded.

What an idiot I have been! It was right there, in my face, every single day…

Luke was much like his father in many things, but had his mother's spirit.

It was Padmé, all the time. Her sweet, generous and forgiving shadow.