Well, hello everyone! Welcome to the first chapter of my new story, Blood Of The Family!
Author's Note: This is a sequel to my other story, Burned By The Dark. If you don't read that one first, you're likely to be a little bit confused.
Chapter 1
The Master frowned. "And you've been married to her for more than three years?"
Anakin sighed. He'd been over this at least three times with the remainder of the Council, but they still seemed to be having an incredibly hard time accepting that yes, he, Anakin Skywalker, had managed to pull the wool over the eyes for so long. "Yes. For more than three years."
The Council members looked at each other, murmuring among themselves. "I must say, Anakin," Shaak Ti said eventually, "this is very shocking. Particularly considering her pregnancy."
"There's really nothing all that shocking about a married couple having a child," Anakin replied evenly.
Mace frowned. "You know what she meant. You are a Jedi. We thought the rules against attraction were understood."
"I did understand them." Anakin shrugged. "I simply chose not to follow them."
Several of the Council members frowned at his boldness, but none commented on it.
"And you, Obi-Wan," said JachLaan, a recently elected member of the Council, "you were unaware of this?"
Obi-Wan hesitated, but nodded slowly. "Yes, I was." When JachLaan turned back to the other Council members, Obi-Wan sent Anakin an apologetic look. His former padawan only shrugged again. He no longer cared what the Council thought of him and he understood that his former Master had had to tell the truth.
"If you wouldn't mind stepping out for a few moments, Skywalker."
Anakin bowed. "Certainly, Master Windu."
Acacia, who had been waiting outside, pounced on him the minute he emerged. "What did they say?"
"Nothing really. I think they want to discuss things among themselves."
Acacia frowned. "Discuss what things?"
Her brother spread his hands in an 'I don't know' gesture. "I'm not sure."
Acacia shook her head, her frown deepening and her hands on her hips. "They should be hailing you as a hero! Make you a Master on the spot! Two weeks ago, you saved the Jedi Order from utter ruin, and yet they have the nerve to discuss your future as a Jedi? It should be set in stone!"
"Shh!" Anakin hushed her, taking her by the elbow to lead her away. "They might hear you."
"I don't care," she mumbled, as she followed her brother outside of the Council building. They soon found themselves standing in the semi-darkness of the underground levels of Coruscant. The area was lit only by the dull street lamps, most of which were turned out to avoid being noticed.
Not that there was much to notice. The safehouses were almost entirely deserted. Only the members of the Council, their padawans, and some of the younger children with their nursery caretakers remained. The rest had scattered to the far points of the Galaxy.
"What did they say about our being siblings?"
"Not much." Anakin shrugged. "Perhaps it won't matter. It's like Obi-Wan said: the Jedi Order has to change."
"Well, it's not like they're really in charge anymore. The Emperor is." She spit the name with disgust.
"True," Anakin said. "But they remain in charge of the Jedi Order." He winked at his sister. "I bet even Palpatine couldn't keep you away if he tried, though."
"From you? Naw. I might need a break from time to time, but I'll always be around." She grinned. "I've got to see your kids, don't I?"
"Says the one who was worried about whether or not the worlds can handle it."
"I am worried. They're just the sort of catastrophe I have to see firsthand."
The siblings burst out laughing, but choked back their guffaws to keep the Council from hearing. "I'm going to tell Padme you said that."
Acacia rolled her eyes. "I'm terrified."
"You should be. She's quite handy with a blaster."
They laughed again, but were interrupted by the sound of their names being called, "Anakin? Acacia?"
"Out here, Obi-Wan."
"Come on in, the both of you."
The siblings looked at each other, shrugged, and did as their Master said. The two entered the makeshift Council room side by side, and Acacia felt a familiar pang in her heart at facing six Council members rather than the normal twelve. Only five members of the Council had survived Order 66: Yoda, Mace, Shaak Ti, and of course, Obi-Wan and Anakin, though the latter was no longer on the Council. Two had been added since: JachLaan and Calleg Din, both talented Knights who were recently made Masters. But, in Acacia's opinion, they were not nearly as talented as Anakin.
"Come to a verdict, we have."
"Yes," Shaak Ti nodded. "We understand that you both were scared and worried at the time you chose to keep your siblinghood a secret. We wish you had told us; that would have been the right thing to do. However, there is no going back to the past, only deciding what to do for the present, and moving forward to the future.
"Acacia, you will stay in the apprenticeship of Master Kenobi. He has done quite well with you. With both of you," she added, nodding and smiling slightly at Anakin. "And we find no reason why you should not remain with him."
Acacia could've jumped up and down for happiness.
"Anakin, you have broken more than one of the attachment laws, however, as your former Master has brought to our attention, the Galaxy is changing. Therefore the Jedi must change as well.
"You behaved more than honorably, going above and beyond the call of duty during Order 66. The Jedi are indebted to you. Without you, we would likely all be dead.
"We have decided that it would be wise for you to stay in hiding with your wife for a time, while we decide upon your future and the future of the Jedi Order."
Anakin and Acacia bowed. "Thank you, Masters." They paused a second, waiting to see if there was anything more the Council wished to say. When no word was spoken, the two bowed once more, turned, and walked out.
Obi-Wan followed them, walking back out of the building. "I'm sorry," he said when they were outside. "I did all I could."
Anakin shook his head. "Don't be sorry, Obi-Wan. I'm not upset. If the Council wishes to be hardheaded about my marriage, they are perfectly welcome to be hardheaded about my marriage. I was about to tell them that I was going to Naboo with Padme, anyway. They simply made it easier by commanding me to do so. This way, I don't have to defy them again."
Obi-Wan gave him a wry smile. "As if that would've bothered you."
"You're right." Anakin grinned. "It wouldn't have."
End of chapter 1! Please review!
Author's Note: what do you guys think of the cover? I'm not sure if I like it or not. I have an idea for a contest involving the picking of a cover... Anyways, just let me know what you think!