Okay, so I know that I said that I was aiming to update every once a week, but I'm switching that to every couple days. :) I was surprised by how much support this story seems to be getting, thank you! :D That's definitely a great way to kick off this story...! :D Anyways, only two full days of school has passed by so far but it's already rather tedious and tiring...I don't usually finish all of my homework and studying 'till around 5:00 pm not to mention the clubs and outside-of-school activities and community service I do to get into the National Junior Honor Society...really...! -_- I usually fall into bed TOTALLY EXHAUSTED but in my free time, I'm usually either writing this story or reading or on the forum with a couple of Fan Fiction pals. ;) Anyways, thank you so much for the support and now...onto the next chapter!

Chapter 2. Walk Home Alone

Anakin Skywalker—

I was bored, drumming my fingers against the desk and every so often leaning over my notebook to take notes. I still didn't understand why I signed up for this stupid thing, anyways. It was all Obi-wan's fault. He dragged me into this mess.

I sighed and looked back up at the kid—Ahsoka—who was sitting in front of me. I smirked and flicked at her back. She stiffened but ignored me, her eyes focused on paying attention to the teacher.

I grinned. So maybe she wasn't as reckless as I thought.

"Didn't hear a real apology for crashing into me in the elevator earlier today." I hissed at Ahsoka and she whirled around to look at me. "I didn't hear a proper apology of calling me 'Snips'." She whispered back.

"You called me Skyguy, I call you Snips…seems a fair trade." I said, smirking.

Ahsoka's lekkus darkened and she says, "If you'll excuse me, I have something actually important to do." She turned back to look at the board and I rolled my eyes, tapping my fingers along the desk. "You're not fun." I muttered.

"We're in the middle of class and it's the first day. I don't want to get into trouble, so please, be quiet!" Ahsoka shot back.

I grinned and whispered, "This isn't over."

Ahsoka's hands tightened around her notebook but she doesn't respond.

I chuckled lightly under my breath and leaned against the back of my chair.

•◊•

"Well, Anakin, what did you think of the students?" Obi-wan asks as he rifles through his papers. I sat across the desk he was seated at and I shrugged. "Some seem smart, studious…others…" I remembered Ahsoka's attitude and I smirked. "Others are just interesting."

Obi-wan rolled his eyes. "This isn't a gawking session, Anakin. Remember, I brought you here so you can learn how to teach, not to fool around."

I sighed and rested my head in the palm of my hand. "I said that I didn't want to learn how to teach, didn't I? You didn't have to drag me into this." I muttered bitterly.

Obi-wan gave me a sad smile. "You and I both know why I brought you here, Anakin. I couldn't leave you looking like that." He says quietly.

I kicked at the wooden desk and stood up. "Whatever, Obi-wan. You weren't doing anyone a favor." I said quietly and walked out of the classroom.

"Where do you think you're going?" Obi-wan asks and I felt him walking close behind. "Where do you think I'm going? I'm gonna see Padmé." I said, crossing my arms.

Obi-wan sighs and hands me a stack of paper. I stared at it, dumbfounded and a slight smirk developed on my friend's lips. "You have to help me sort through these."

I sighed. It's been a long day of watching Obi-wan teach and he was just as tired as me, I could tell. I just wanted to go home, get some rest, and forget about this entire day.

"Anakin, come now." Obi-wan says.

I sighed and headed back into the classroom. "What are these, anyways?" I asked grumpily, sitting at a desk. "Student files and the passages they wrote in class today." Obi-wan replied briskly. I frowned and asked, "Why do we need to look at their files again?"

Obi-wan shrugged. "It's for security purposes. All of the teachers have one." His eyes began to read a paragraph that a student had written and I sighed, knowing that he was probably already immersed in work.

I picked up a folder and flipped through it tiredly. I read about student after student after student but no one caught my eye. I didn't know how much time passed, but when I finally looked up, the sun was beginning to set and my neck was stiff from craning over papers.

I winced and rubbed the back of my neck and turned to look at Obi-wan, who was still reading different passages.

"How are you so focused on reading all the time?" I asked at last, flicking at an eraser shaving. "It's unnerving."

Obi-wan looks up and rubs his eyes. "It comes from years and years of teaching experience, Anakin." He says, yawning. "Well…it's getting late. I suppose we should finish up."

I sighed in relief and then I caught sight of a familiar face poking through one of the files. I grabbed it and flipped it open.

Ahsoka Tano's printed face was beaming up at me from the paper and I grinned. "Gotcha." I whispered, satisfied.

Obi-wan looks over my shoulder and grins. "So there is a student who you're interested in." He says lightly. I shrugged. "She ran into me in the elevator in the morning." I said. Obi-wan chuckles under his breath. "Well, I've read what she has written in class today…she seems to be a promising student. Bold thoughts, too." He comments.

I snorted. "You have no idea." I said quietly.

Obi-wan sighs and began to gather the papers. "Remember, Anakin. You have to get here early and on time tomorrow." He says.

I shrugged. "I was held up." I said nonchalantly.

Obi-wan rolled his eyes. "By 'held up', you mean being with Miss Admidala, am I correct?" He asks flatly. I winced and shrugged. "Anakin, come now, she's a teacher in this school as well. She can't afford to be put her employment on the line by constantly seeing you." He says gently.

I knew that Obi-wan didn't mean to be annoying, but I felt something inside me tighten and stretch inside of me, as though someone was repeatedly kicking me in the chest. "Whatever." I snapped. "Padmé can handle it."

Obi-wan sighs and says, "Don't be too sure, Anakin." I rolled my eyes and ran my hands through my hair wearily. "Are you going to Satine's funeral?" I asked, changing the subject. "I figured you'd go."

Obi-wan nodded, his eyes suddenly forlorn and tired. "It's scheduled for this evening, after all." He says, placing the papers in his bag.

I winced and stuck the file in my own bag and slung it over my shoulders. "Good luck, old man. You're gonna need it." I said, patting his back and walked out of the classroom.

•◊•

I shivered as I headed out of the school and shifted my bag on my shoulders. I watched as an autumn leaf from a potted tree swept by in the autumn breeze and sighed.

I looked up at the dusky sky and I heard someone shuffle from behind me. I whirled around and found Ahsoka leaning against the wall of the school, watching me with her wide, blue eyes.

"How…how long have you been standing there?" I asked. Ahsoka shrugged. "I dunno…thought that I could use with some fresh air and I find you staring up at the sky like some sort of nut-job from the asylum." She says cheerfully.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Staring at the sky doesn't mean I'm a whacked out patient." I said. Ahsoka gave me a sarcastic smile. "Oh? Okay then, I suppose I thought you were a convict of the loony bin because I don't know…you've been annoying me the entire time during class?" She asks, putting her hand on her hips.

I watched as she made her way towards me and I rolled my eyes. "How old are you, anyways? You seem a bit small to actually be in a high school." I said teasingly.

Ahsoka frowned. "I'm only five foot! And I'm sixteen, so I am old enough to attend. Another thing—well, you seem a little young to be learning how to be a teacher. You don't seem the type, if you ask me." She says haughtily.

"I didn't ask." I replied flatly.

Ahsoka smirks and asks, "So, how old are you, anyways?" I sighed and answered, "I'm twenty two." Ahsoka grins. "Huh…so you are pretty young. College?" She asks. I shrugged. "Finished up college, didn't bother going to a university." I said bluntly, stuffing my hands in my jean pockets.

Ahsoka raised an eye marking. "Why not?" She asks.

"Does it matter? Why are you so curious, anyways?" I snapped. "You don't need to know anything about me!"

Ahsoka was taken a back for a minute. I watched as hurt glimmered in her eyes and then she shook it off with a snort. "Fine, fine. It's my way of saying sorry to you after crashing into you in the elevator." She says.

I crossed my arms. "Pretty strange way of saying sorry." I said tiredly. Ahsoka shrugged. "You should know." She says playfully.

I rolled my eyes and she stuck out her hand. "I know you already know my name, but I'm Ahsoka." She says cheerfully. I looked at her hand warily and she stretched it out a bit more. "Oh, come on. I'm trying to give you a different impression, see?" She says.

I sighed and took it. "Nice to meet you." I said haltingly. Ahsoka smirked and says, "So…should I still call you 'Mr. Skywalker'? To tell you the truth, it sounds awfully formal."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "You sort of have to. Besides, I am one of the teachers now." I said loftily. "Teacher in learning." Ahsoka pointed out. "That's different."

"Ani!" I heard someone shout and Ahsoka and I both turned around to see Padmé coming out of the school.

"'Ani'?" I heard Ahsoka mutter under her breath and I grinned as my girlfriend ran into my arms.

Padmé gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and she turns to Ahsoka. "Oh! You're one of my students!" She says, blushing slightly. "Sorry that you have to see all this."

Ahsoka's lekkus darkened and she gave Padmé an embarrassed smile. "No worries…I just didn't really expect it." She turned to me and asks, "You're dating the history teacher?"

"Yup. I bet you didn't see that coming, right?" I asked smugly.

"No…I didn't." Ahsoka replied, her expression guarded.

Padmé winced and said, "Sorry again!"

Ahsoka shrugged and says, "Nice seeing you guys. Bye." She turned and headed back inside. Padmé winced again as the door closed and she whispered, "I don't think I should've done that."

"Don't worry. She's just a student. She'll get over it." I replied, whirling her around. Padmé smiles and says, "I was beside myself when Obi-wan told me that you'd be learning to be a teacher. I didn't think you'd want to be one." I shrugged and muttered, "The old man wouldn't leave me alone…he said that I needed to have my mind taken off of what has been happening in the family lately…"

Padmé stopped and she wrapped her arms around my neck. "I'm sorry about that, Ani…I really am. Are you okay now, though?" She asks quietly in my ear.

I shrugged again. "Obi-wan's hoping that I'll get better over the year…maybe I will. I stopped drinking, at least." I muttered.

Padmé smiled sadly. "I'm grateful for that." She says, reaching to touch my face. Her finger traced the small scar on my eye and she released my other hand. I sighed and she asks, "Do you want a ride to your apartment?"

I shook my head and gave her a strained smile. "I'll do alright walking." I replied.

Padmé nods and then she looks down at one of my hands. "Well…at least your right hand is looking better." She whispers. I nodded. I flexed the fingers in the prosthetic and grimaced. "I don't think it's that noticeable anymore." I said.

Padmé nodded and she gave me a quick kiss on the lips before walking off to the parking lot. She turned and gave me a small wave. I waved back and she stepped into her car. I watched her drive away and I headed down to the sidewalk.

Darkness was slowly falling and I shivered a bit more, feeling cold even when warmth was still lingering in the air. The shadows of the tall skyscrapers and apartment buildings of the city seemed to dance around the street and the street lights began to flicker on.

I sighed and rubbed my eyes, feeling more tired than ever. Neon lights flashed brightly and shouts echoed around the neighborhood from a nearby pub. I tightened my jacket around my upper body and finally reached the apartment building.

I pushed through the doors and rode the elevator to the top floor. It was just one level away from the roof and although I had the cheapest room in the building, I still had the greatest views.

I unlocked the door with my key and walked into the small apartment room. I sighed and threw my bag on the small couch and flopped down on my bed, not bothering to take off my shoes.

A dog scampered up to my hand and began licking it cheerfully. I sighed and turned to him. "Today was exhausting, Artoo." I muttered, rubbing his ears. "I didn't think I'd make it out of there alive."

Artoo looked up at me with wide, understanding eyes and I snorted. "Yeah, I know, buddy…I better make it. Obi-wan helped a bunch, but geez…talk about a waste of energy."

Artoo whimpered and he explored my hand a bit more before recoiling and giving me a disproving bark. I sighed and rolled my eyes. "I'll take a shower, don't worry…and then you can lick my damn hand all night long." I said and stood up. I kicked off my shoes and tucked them next to the door.

I headed into the bathroom and shrugged off my clothes. I turned on the shower and washed myself with quick, yet efficient strokes.

As soon as I came out and had my clothes on, Artoo gave me a small yip and bark. I grinned and stretched out my arms. "Whaddya say, buddy? Am I clean enough?"

Artoo jumped up and I laughed lightly. "Thought so." I said and laid myself out in bed.

I flicked off the lights and pulled the covers over myself. I felt Artoo settle at the foot of my bed and I let out a sigh, slightly more comforted.

Artoo had been a stray pup wandering around the streets when I first saw him, and I brought him in right away. I fed him, washed him, and we became loyal friends. There were times when I thought that he could actually understand me better than any other person would.

He could be a real work sometimes, but he was pretty resourceful so I didn't have to worry about him all the time as other dog owners would.

Besides, I didn't really have much of a family left, and the sad fact was, he was the only thing I can actually call a part of my family.

A/N: ...well, this IS a somewhat-modern story, and whenever I saw Anakin and R2 from the show together, I pictured R2 as some sort of dog...you know, a pet that Anakin liked to play around with...! :D And another quick thing-if you read ANY of my previous stories, you would know that I do these funny little conversations with characters at the end of the chapter and I had NOT posted that in the last chapter, and that's due to the fact that I was overly stressed and thinking about school...but thankfully, I have decided to do-

Anakin: Are you done yet?

Me: You interrupted!

Anakin: You've been blabbering that mouth of yours for over two minutes now!

Me: At least it's important blabbering!

Obi-wan: ...when one says that you 'blabber', it means that you are saying useless things...there isn't such a thing known as 'important blabbering'.

Me: *facepalms* why did I make you the literature and language arts teacher again...?! -_-

Anakin: Because he's just as boring as a regular one.

Obi-wan and me: HEY!

Anakin: What?

Me: I happen to like my literature classes! *crosses arms*

Ahsoka: That is obvious...

Me: What?

Ahsoka: Think about it-you've been writing on this site for nearly a year now, not to mention all of the fanfics recorded in your NOTEBOOK before you even KNEW about this site, and of course all of your other stories that you've made since the third grade...honestly, it's been five years so far and you haven't stopped writing...

Me: ...and my father thought it was a phase I was going through.

Anakin: *whistles* Pretty long phase.

Me: *shrug*

Obi-wan: Shouldn't you be doing your homework?

Me: ...eh, I'm done with most of it. I'll finish it up later.

Obi-wan: Don't take advantage of time, young one. That's how one loses it.

Me: ...first of all, I'm not a 'young one'. I'm in eighth grade, which is one step away from high school, and I'm thirteen...that's not a 'young one'!

Obi-wan: ...yes, it is.

Me: Then you're an...an...*struggles for a minute* OLD MAN!

Obi-wan: Excuse me?

Me: Uh...nothing! I meant...you have to do the review notice!

Anakin: *smirks*

Obi-wan: ...you're using your advantage of being the writer again, aren't you?

Anakin: I thought we were done with that...T_T

Me: Nope! *grins evilly*

Anakin: Oh, Force...-_-

Obi-wan: *sighs* Please review, give feedback, no hate comments...please.

Me: And keep up with the support! Thank you everyone! I'll see ya sooooooooooon!