This takes place 2 years after Inside and Out.

Protection

Anakin and Ahsoka were fighting back to back, lightsabers flashing with plasma as they weaved around them, deflecting blaster fire from the Separatist battle droids. The droids were coming at them, shooting relentlessly. Clones fired from above, in hidden sniper nests, defending their General and Commander as best they could. Droid after droid was taken down, but more kept coming.

"Copper, no!" Rex yelled from his nest, watching in horror as Copper, a newer clone, was attacked from behind by a super battle droid. The droid hurled a bomb down and it exploded in a huge cloud of fire. The world seemed to be in slow motion for that moment. Down below, Anakin watched in horror as the bomb was tossed.

Anakin deactivated his lightsaber and pushed Ahsoka roughly, frantically, down, not wanting to relive that horrible moment years ago when he thought he had lost his Padawan. He covered her small frame with his body, making sure her head was covered. Ahsoka wasn't sure how he managed to do all this in a few seconds, but she was grateful for the protection. The bomb detonated. Searing heat was mostly what Ahsoka felt, besides her Master's weight on top of her and a stinging on the right side of her forehead.

The droids were blasted to pieces; shrapnel flew everywhere. Suddenly, silence. Ahsoka moved her Master's arms off and lifted her head. She pressed her hand to her forehead and her fingers came away sticky with blood.

"Master?" Ahsoka questioned. She momentarily forgot the cut on her forehead when there was no reply. She pushed his body off of hers. "Master!" she got to her knees and bent over his form, now lying on his back. "Anakin!" Ahsoka knew she wasn't supposed to call him that, but it seemed appropriate. She shook his shoulders. No response. She placed a hand on his chest; she could feel a weak heartbeat. Good, he was alive. It was then she noticed Anakin's face, covered in blood. His hair was tinted red. Ahsoka placed her hand on his head and felt a large gash and something hard and hot - metal? Ahsoka jerked her hand back, to avoid being burned.

Obi-Wan Kenobi ran over, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.

"Master Kenobi! Where in the universe have you been?" Ahsoka asked, trying to call on some of the attitude that had earned her the name "Snips".

"Hey, watch the tone." he scolded as he knelt. "What happened?"

"He - he saved me. A bomb came out of nowhere. He threw me down and - and covered me. Now he's unconscious." Ahsoka stuttered.

"Yes, I can see that. I'm assuming the blood is from a head wound?"

"Yeah. I felt it." she held up a blood-covered hand. "I think he has shrapnel stuck in his skull. I felt something hard."

"Oh boy. We'd best get him back to the ship." Obi-Wan slid his arms under Anakin's unconscious form and stood, the younger man in his arms. He grunted and staggered. "This was a lot easier when he was nine."

Captain Rex ran forward. "General Kenobi - !"

Obi-Wan cut him off. "Rex, we'll talk later. For know, we need to get back to Coruscant. Skywalker's unconscious and bleeding from a head wound. Round up your men and get back to your ships." Obi-Wan continued on, towards the ship, Ahsoka following quickly behind. They boarded their transport, and Obi-Wan headed for the medbay. "Ahsoka, go fire up the ship." he ordered as he laid Anakin on a cot.

"But," Ahsoka started to protest before Obi-Wan silenced her with a glare. "Alright, I'm going." she walked towards the cockpit. Obi-Wan turned back to Anakin, who hadn't changed much, except for the steady flow of blood from his head, which coated his hair and face. Obi-Wan began to wipe it away with a cloth, going over his mouth and nose first, so he wouldn't choke if it were to go down his throat. The ship rose into the air smoothly, gaining altitude slowly but surely.

Suddenly, something slammed into the outside of the ship. A frantic voice came from the cockpit. Ahsoka.

"Master Kenobi! We're taking fire!"

Obi-Wan leapt up to get to the small weapons system, but it was too late. The ship plummeted to the ground, hitting hard. Obi-Wan fell, hitting his head against the bulkhead. Moments passed before he was able to regain balance enough to stand. Ahsoka entered the medbay, looking shaken.

"Master Kenobi, are you alright?!" she glanced at the bruise on his temple.

"Yes. Ahsoka, we have to get out of here. The Separatists know where we are. We have to hide."

"What about Anakin - uh, Master Skywalker?"

"I'll carry him. Get a medkit and some survival packs. We have to leave this place."

Ahsoka scrambled to do his bidding. The trio, one unconscious and two very well aware of their surroundings, proceeded down the ramp. It was nearing dusk as they walked down the ramp.

"Where to now?" Ahsoka asked as she shouldered the survival packs.

"I have no idea. Let's see if we can find a cave in those rock formations." Obi-Wan pointed to a blur on the horizon.

"We have a long way to go." Ahsoka sighed and readjusted the packs.

"Then let's get started."

...

So, for anyone rereading this, I did a revamp. I remembered how I didn't readress Copper after the first chapter like I had planned, and I didn't want to add another chapter, so this is what I came up with! First-time readers: just ignore that.

If you think Obi-Wan couldn't carry Anakin like that, think again! Have you seen the Greatest Showman? Remember the part where Barnum carries Carlisle? So, yeah, it's totally possible.

Why didn't Obi-Wan use the Force to carry him, you ask?

Because, and I Googled this, it takes great concentration to use the Force, and Obi-Wan's mind was all scrambled and frantic from the battle. (He doesn't show it though, does he?)

So please, don't flame me over this small part, or any other part, really.

PLEASE REVIEW!